Chapter 281: Dao Heart Demon Seed: Zhu Yanyan

Gu Qing spread the Immortal Seal Technique on the table, revealing all of Shi Zhixuan's martial secrets.

The martial arts of the Demon Cult generally transform true qi into countless variations, endlessly evolving; Shi Zhixuan's Immortal Seal Technique, beyond perceiving enemies and disrupting perception, most crucially enables true qi to flow ceaselessly, transforming between life and death. Gu Qing meticulously studied these transformations, integrating the Immortal Seal Technique with his own fist and foot forms, gaining a deeper understanding of martial change.

"Not much is usable."

Gu Qing immediately began pondering the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art.

The Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art holds a pivotal position in Huang's wuxia world; a man who cultivates this art emits an exotic fragrance and gains a lethal allure toward women—Han Bai in The Stormy Clouds and the Rainy Sky used the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art to enjoy great romantic fortune.

Beyond this allure, the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art is a supreme path directly leading to shattering the void; once perfected, one's spirit becomes as tangible as matter, penetrating every gap, revealing all truths, and inducing endless illusions in opponents.

This was precisely what Gu Qing truly lacked.

In the side chamber, Shi Feixuan, seated in meditation, felt a faint stir in her spirit, opened her eyes, and just then, her Immortal Embryo sensed the demon seed rapidly growing. Though astonished by the speed of its growth, she knew extraordinary people perform extraordinary deeds, so she calmed her spirit and waited patiently for the demon seed to mature.

The moonlit night was cool.

Within the room, a shadow suddenly appeared, wearing a heavy veil, her eyes holding faint, chilling coldness, yet her posture exuded restrained seduction.

Yin Hou Zhu Yanyan.

"Grand Master Gu."

Zhu Yanyan's voice was soft, like a dream, saying: "Today I have already delivered Wanchan to you; two of the three tasks are complete. The final one—helping Yanyan achieve the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art—when will you do it, Grand Master Gu?"

Having reached Zhu Yanyan's level, the Heavenly Demon Art had become infinitely variable and unfathomably deep. Zhu Yanyan stood at a distance, yet her voice, the faint warmth of her breath, seemed right beside Gu Qing's ear—as if she were whispering plaintively at his side.

After delivering Wanchan to Gu Qing, Zhu Yanyan had remained nearby, sensing the abnormal qi, and only then approached him to inquire about the cultivation method.

"I can do it now."

Gu Qing looked at Zhu Yanyan.

To achieve the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art, there are three paths: the first is the cultivation method of Xiang Yutian, the second is the recorded method within the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art itself—the technique by which Pang Ban became a demon through wearing the green hat—and the third, as in The Stormy Clouds and the Rainy Sky, is Chi Zunxin sacrificing himself to enable Han Bai to attain this art.

Zhu Yanyan's gaze was clear; having been deceived by Shi Zhixuan into surrendering her body, her martial skills had forever been barred from reaching the highest realm. This Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art might be her new beginning.

"How should I do it?"

Zhu Yanyan gazed at Gu Qing.

The cultivation of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art is extremely perilous: it involves loss of cultivation, self-torture, and even one death and rebirth—all outcomes Zhu Yanyan could not endure.

If Zhu Yanyan wishes to cultivate this art, she must take the second path: find someone to plant the demon seed, then harvest it, merging one person's essence, qi, and spirit into the demon seed for her own use—thus preserving her own martial arts while advancing further.

"I can accomplish you."

Gu Qing said.

Zhu Yanyan's eyes turned cold, and she said coldly: "Are you joking with me?"

To accomplish one person with the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art requires sacrificing another. Gu Qing is now the number one man under heaven, causing many to lose sleep and appetite; Zhu Yanyan did not believe he would sacrifice his own life to accomplish her.

"Of course."

Gu Qing looked at Zhu Yanyan and smiled: "The Yin Hou must pay a small price." As he spoke, he stepped before Zhu Yanyan, lowering his eyes slightly. Zhu Yanyan's body was tall, reaching his brow; as their bodies pressed too closely, the veil clung to her cheek, outlining her exquisite contours.

Zhu Yanyan lifted her gaze, studying Gu Qing's face, and sneered: "Grand Master Gu's defenses are invincible; Yanyan is not afraid of you." Gu Qing extended his hand, slowly encircling Zhu Yanyan's slender waist, feeling its delicate strength, then nodded gently, pressing his forehead against hers: "I have already condensed the demon seed, reaching the Sixth Stage of 'Planting on Others.' What remains is nurturing and stimulating the demon seed—all is now smooth sailing. I wish to give you the demon seed. Do you have the courage to steal it?"

Within the Demon Cult, there are many self-serving dual-cultivation secrets; the Maiden Great Art is one of them. In The Sun and Moon in the Sky, when Long Ying first formed the demon seed, Fat Eunuch worried that Wu Zetian would use this art to steal it.

Zhu Yanyan fixed her gaze on Gu Qing, knowing she faced a new challenge; if she retreated now, it would severely damage her martial heart.

"Am I to accomplish you? Or to complete the Sixth Stage of 'Planting on Others'?"

Gu Qing spoke softly: "Our spirits are not aligned—we are wary of each other, yet push ourselves to the limit, performing the most intimate act in the world… Do you dare?"

As he spoke, Gu Qing removed Zhu Yanyan's hairpin, unbinding her coiffure; instantly, her black hair cascaded like a waterfall. Zhu Yanyan narrowed her eyes at Gu Qing, then suddenly hardened her resolve, reaching out to unfasten his belt. They helped each other; before Gu Qing saw Zhu Yanyan's face, he first saw her body.

Slender waist, long legs, astonishing curves.

After the veil was removed, the dark night seemed to come alive, whispering softly.

"Master?"

Wanchan sensed the Heavenly Demon Art, rose abruptly, and arrived outside Gu Qing's room, hearing the rising and falling sounds within—she could not believe those pleading cries came from the famed Yin Hou.

The sun neared noon.

!

The door suddenly opened. Yin Hou Zhu Yanyan emerged, her hair in strands, draped in a gauze robe, leaning against the wall. Her first sight was Wanchan waiting at the door. After giving orders, she had Wanchan bring tea, drank three cups, and only then felt her throat less dry.

"Master Zhu, last night…"

Wanchan's eyes shimmered with curiosity.

Zhu Yanyan's eyes half-lidded, as if recalling last night's storm, her gaze shifting several times: "Gu Qing truly means what he says—he truly gave me the demon seed."

The demon seed, within Zhu Yanyan's body, had been stimulated repeatedly, flowing through her meridians—not only granting the "Celestial Realm" of the Heavenly Demon Art a master, but also infusing her with profound martial wisdom, greatly advancing her skills. Zhu Yanyan had never imagined martial perfection could hold such magnificent transformations.

"Congratulations, Master Zhu!"

Wanchan sincerely congratulated Zhu Yanyan, her gaze turning toward the room, eager to see how Gu Qing fared.

Zhu Yanyan instinctively stepped in front of Wanchan.

"Master Zhu?"

Wanchan was puzzled.

Zhu Yanyan looked at Wanchan—her most gifted disciple, her most beautiful disciple. She had nurtured Wanchan with great care and taken greatest pride in her achievements. But now, watching Wanchan peer into the room, Zhu Yanyan found Wanchan's beauty too piercing.

"Wanchan."

Zhu Yanyan ordered: "Ren Shaoming has been acting suspiciously lately. Go and watch him."

Having just achieved the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art, Zhu Yanyan's every impulse now stemmed from her heart; seeing Wanchan's face, she found it too piercing, and immediately dismissed her.

???

Wanchan stared at Zhu Yanyan in utter shock—she had guarded her master all night, only to be discarded like a bridge burned after crossing. She muttered: "Master, you've changed!"

You no longer care for me!

(End of Chapter)