Chapter 464 - 463: Seeing Bai Yu Again, The Truth About The Mutation

Unbeknownst to them, morning arrived on the next day.

Li Jing went to Qingyuan Fairy Palace to find Quan Chang and Shenmin.

He had no choice.

Not that he didn’t want to give them more time.

But a full night had passed, and the three of them had to leave now.

Shenmin didn’t matter as much, but Quan Chang had to leave for sure.

Checking the time, the spatial passage should have already stabilized by now.

The exploration team waiting outside the passage might have already entered the Chongyuan Holy Realm, or were preparing to enter.

Here on the Ghost Clan side, Quan Chang’s successor might or might not have returned.

Even if he returned, the new Ghost Clan High Priest had never interacted with humans before.

Li Jing didn’t worry that the exploration teams of various forces entering the Chongyuan Holy Realm would conflict with the Ancient God’s Descendants, but the overall situation necessitated Quan Chang’s presence.

Quan Chang was aware of this herself, knowing that she was needed outside.

Shenmin, however, was feeling rather downcast.

Throughout the night, she and Quan Chang managed to gain some insights through the Heritage Stele.

Although these insights were not quite substantial, they had at least made a good start.

After all, neither of them had ever practiced cultivation before.

Both of them were at the High Priest level and managed to reach higher positions not merely because they were females of special significance to the Ancient God’s Descendants.

Both were quite exceptional figures among the God-Human Race and the Ghost Clan.

In terms of talent, they were definitely not lacking.

However, the two of them, who had never cultivated before, found it strange when they first realized that they had to rely on themselves. Unlike ordinary cultivators, they didn’t know how to seize and understand the nuances of cultivation.

It took most of the night to learn how to seize and digest this comprehension, and then they had to leave. How could Shenmin not be upset?

Do not underestimate the little insights she and Quan Chang have gained.

For them, as descendants of the Ancient God, this could be considered as opening a huge door to a new world.

Seizing and digesting comprehension is not only fresh for the two who have never cultivated before but also lets them realize the benefits of proactive cultivation.

These gains alone have led to significant enhancement for both of them.

This enhancement is not reflected in their cultivation level progress, but in the presence of similar power pathways similar to the ones in traditional cultivators within their bodies. This development allows them to control their power better, increasing their capabilities proportionally.

If they could further perfect it, they would benefit immensely.

To say they have figured out a method of cultivation suitable for the Ancient God’s Descendants might be an overstatement.

What both of them have comprehended is essentially a unique method of power utilization.

Such gains made them truly understand how foolish it was of the Ancient God’s Descendants to rely solely on their instincts in the past.

They were dealt a good hand but played it poorly.

As descendants of the Ancient God, they were indeed blessed.

Even if they only relied on their instincts and talents, they were stronger than normal cultivators and their physical strengths could crush comparable beasts.

This was an innate advantage they inherited as Ancient God’s Descendants.

After understanding a more sophisticated method of using power, Shenmin and Quan Chang realized they could become even stronger.

Shenmin had the deepest understanding of all this.

Had she received these insights over a year ago when she encountered Li Jing, would she have been beaten up and had her Taoist Items stolen?

Perhaps Li Jing wouldn’t even have had a chance to escape from the Holy City of the God-Human Race.

But that’s a minor point.

The main thing is.

After learning how to better use their power actively, Shenmin and Quan Chang discovered that they could faintly touch upon the power inherited from their respective father and mother gods, also known as God’s Power.

Once they truly touch upon and control the God’s Power, their potential will become limitless, and they may even ultimately morph into acquired divine beings.

If they could have more time, they would definitely gain more insights.

Shenmin was frustrated, but it couldn’t be helped.

With Li Jing, Quan Chang might have some requests, but she was out of the question.

Who’s to blame for her not getting on good terms with someone in the first place?

The good news is.

Although they failed to make the most of the hard-won comprehension, they at least understood the power pathways. After going back, they just need to familiarize and perfect it.

If they want more insights, there will be other chances to come back to the Little Universe in the future.

...

Upon returning to the Chongyuan Holy Realm.

Li Jing, Quan Chang, and Shenmin barely settled in the grand hall when they saw Quan Huai waiting outside the palace gate.

They then learned that emissaries had informed him about the trio’s temporary departure and he was waiting at the gate for their return.

Then Quan Huai informed the trio.

The new Ghost Clan High Priest had already returned.

The exploration teams from various forces had already entered the Little Universe one by one and were temporarily stationed near the entrance of the Secret Realm.

This made it clear that Quan Chang was going to be quite busy.

After sharing the news, Quan Huai left.

Quan Chang turned to look at Li Jing.

"There’s no rush to greet the exploration teams from various forces for now. As soon as we start receiving them, we’ll need to talk about collaboration. First, I’ll have to meet with my successor to discuss related matters. As for you, Li Jing..."

Before she could finish, Li Ling interjected.

"For something like this, I’d rather not accompany you. I’m not looking to get involved in the follow-up either, It’s fine for me to wander around in the Ghost Clan Territory."

Quan Chang had some understanding of what kind of character Li Jing was.

From the start, she never counted on him to accompany her the whole time.

In essence, when she interacted with forces other than Longyu, she hoped that Li Jing could distance himself to avoid suspicion.

Upon his response, she had no objections.

Just as she was about to suggest finding someone to accompany him, Li Jing turned to Shenmin with a smile as if he had read her mind.

"Since Princess Shenmin seems to not be busy, I wonder if you’d be kind enough to be my guide?"

Shenmin had a slight pause upon hearing this.

If it was before, she would have definitely been reluctant to accompany Li Jing.

He had stolen her Taoist Items and beaten her up over a year ago. The fact that she had not immediately ripped him apart was already merciful.

However, now, she couldn’t refuse Li Jing.

She was no longer attracted, or dare to be attracted, to him anymore.

But for the Heritage Stele from the Little Universe and the Qingyuan Fairy Palace, she craved them intensely.

When one was in need of assistance, one had to know how to behave, and Shenmin understood this.

Without much hesitation, Shenmin nodded her agreement.

Before she could say anything else, Li Jing nonchalantly pulled out the Immortal Item Smoke Eye, his most reliable and covert weapon, and hung it by Quan Chang’s head.

"You’ll probably be busy for the next ten days or so, and considering I’m supposed to be guarding you, it doesn’t seem appropriate for me to be absent. Have Smoke Eye with you, she will ensure your safety. With her around, ordinary Ninth Realm beings wouldn’t be able to hurt you."

?

A confused emoji was sent by Shenmin.

Quan Chang also was taken aback.

The aura of Smoke Eye was completely concealed, which was its unique characteristic.

To the two who had never had any contact with it, the item on Li Jing’s hand appeared to be just a mask depicting an average ghost.

The item was definitely special.

After all, it was something that Li Jing had taken out; there was no way it could be ordinary.

But to say that this mask alone could keep Quan Chang safe to the extent that the Ninth Realm could not harm her, it seemed a bit far fetched.

The Ninth Realm was questioned.

That is an existence of a higher level than all races of Ancestors, the paramount force of the Ancient God’s Descendants...

However, this was said by Li Jing, so the two did not dare to deny it.

She gently touched the Smoke Eye on the side of her head, Quan Chang nodded.

"Let Shenmin stay with you first, I will contact you again if there is something important."

After saying this, Quan Chang left immediately without any delay.

As soon as she left, Shenmin turned to look at Li Jing with a strange expression on her face.

"In just over a year since we last saw each other, you seem to have transformed into a being beyond my imagination."

At these words, Li Jing blinked, and said,

"It sounds like you could gauge my capabilities before, if you had such power, wouldn’t you have avoided suffering at my hands?"

"..."

Shenmin.

The logic was correct.

Initially, she was not only careless, but she also underestimated Li Jing.

But having someone not giving her face and bringing up the past made her really angry!

It was fine if he didn’t bring up past occurrences, but why mention it at all?

Talking to him was impossible that day.

After moving her lips a little, Shenmin told herself not to be lowbrow like Li Jing. It was not good for her health to argue with him.

She managed to keep a straight face and asked, emotionless.

"So, where are you headed next?"

"Do you know where Bai Yu is?"

Li Jing inquired with a tilt of his head.

"..."

Shenmin.

She was fine until Bai Yu was mentioned, but that only made her more upset.

After the last Spatial Passage closed, Bai Yu couldn’t fulfill her task of killing someone, so Shenmin fiercely criticised him.

The key was that Li Jing returned to the world, which means that Shenmin’s Taoist Items could almost never be retrieved.

Bai Yu as a variant of the Winged Tribe was very special, much stronger than Shenmin.

Therefore, Shenmin couldn’t be too hard on Bai Yu.

Let alone the fact that the God-Human Race had just freed themselves from the Seal and needed manpower.

Shenmin didn’t think much about it at the time, but later everything went against her. Everytime she tried to execute the Ghost Clan’s plans, the enemy would always perceive it in advance, and prepare a counter attack.

Because of this, the members of the God-Human Race once doubted Shenmin’s ability.

She was aware of a mole in the God-Human Race, but she never thought it would be Bai Yu.

You need to know-

Even amongst the Winged Tribe, Bai Yu was an undesired Alien Species. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have rebelled against the Winged Tribe.

It was the God-Human Race who saw his talent and took him in.

Normally speaking, Bai Yu would be the last person to become a mole.

Because, everything that he has was given by the God-Human Race.

Moreover, the treatment that the God-Human Race gave him was not bad at all.

However, when the invaders came and the God-Human Race was the first to suffer a heavy blow, Bai Yu revealed his true intentions to everyone.

"Sorry, I’m an undercover."

And in fact-

Although the God-Human Race first considered asking the Ghost Clan for help, they couldn’t swallow their pride.

It was Bai Yu who stepped forward to reveal his true intentions, which made the God-Human Race put down their meaningless pride for the sake of their racial continuity, and chose to seek shelter.

That really disgusted Shenmin.

The key is-

Subsequently, under the instruction of the Ghost Clan, how the God-Human Race behaved was entirely up to Bai Yu. Even the ancestors in the God-Human Race had to give her some face.

Once the ruling Shenmin was reduced to "imprisonment" as a "breeding tool", this was all due to Bai Yu.

How could Shenmin be happy with this?

Yet, she couldn’t say anything and could only rage powerlessly.

One was because Bai Yu had power, and the other was because the plight of the God-Human Race required the protection of the few remaining females like her, to ensure the continuity of their lineage.

Both authority and reason were on their side.

What could she do?

She could only feel helpless...

Originally, after such a long time had passed, Shenmin had given up on turning over a new leaf.

She, who was miserably "imprisoned", couldn’t do anything else at all.

The only thing she could do.

Was to wait for the tribe to arrange a suitable object, and then give birth to a bunch of offspring, to complete her "great mission" that allows the tribe to continue its existence.

With her life in such a state, Shenmin chose to accept and lie down.

But just yesterday, Li Jing came.

Not only did he show up, but he also informed her that Bai Yu, the traitor, was actually planted by someone, and had been lurking by her side for more than a year!

Before this, Shenmin only knew that Bai Yu was a mole, but did not know when he joined the Ghost Clan.

After knowing the truth, how could she not think of all the misfortunes she had encountered for a long time over the past year, all due to Bai Yu?

Seeing Li Jing, Shenmin really wanted to tear him to pieces.

Really.

If she wasn’t aware of her own limits, and knew that she couldn’t beat him, Shenmin might have just confronted him directly.

Although the decline of the God-Human Race was essentially a problem of invaders and had little to do with Li Jing.

But if not for his "defection" of Bai Yu, the God-Human Race would not be so passive when encountering invaders.

In the contest with the Ghost Clan led Ancient God’s Descendants, the God-Human Race did not have a small amount of power dissolved.

The God-Human Race was repeatedly defeated, and those Ancient God’s Descendants who were under her command began to plan their backup options, and no longer faithfully obeyed the God-Human Race.

The logic was simple.

As a traitor, how could they not understand, good birds choose good trees to nest in?

After taking a deep breath to vent her anger, Shenmin said,

"Bai Yu lives not far away, follow me."

As she speaks, she steps forward and squeezes out a sentence through clenched teeth.

"Thanks to you, everything in the God-Human Race is now controlled by Bai Yu, a stranger."

Startled by her words, Li Jing managed to laugh it off.

"What does that have to do with me? Bai Yu’s current position is because of her own capability. Back then, for some reasons, I just reluctantly left her alive."

"Hehe!"

Shenmin laughed out loud, not believing a word he said.

Seeing this, Li Jing just smirked and didn’t make any further explanation.

Speaking truthfully,

At the beginning, he indeed spared her life to avoid conflict with Bai Yu during his Tribulation.

Joining him was something Bai Yu proposed herself.

At most, he only suggested Bai Yu to act as a mole within the Ghost Clan.

Everything that happened after that had nothing to do with him.

He wasn’t even in the Chongyuan Holy Realm, how could anything happened there have anything to do with him?

...

Soon.

Shenmin led Li Jing to a palace not far from where she was "detained."

Quite coincidentally,

Just as they arrived, the palace door swung open, and Bai Yu walked out from inside.

Upon seeing Bai Yu, Shenmin was slightly taken aback and then her complexion darkened.

On the other side, Bai Yu paused for a moment when she saw them and then she stared at Li Jing with a faint smile.

"Master, you have returned."

Li Jing nodded.

If it were in the past, he would not be pleased to be addressed as master by anyone other than his Spirit Weapon.

But now, he has grown accustomed to many people calling him master.

Clearly understanding that Bai Yu, as the current decision-maker of the God-Human Race, must have learned about some situations through the God Human Ancestor and thus said "you have returned", Li Jing looked at her and asked.

"Do you have some other matters to attend to?"

"The Ghost Clan High Priest asked me over there to discuss some matters."

Bai Yu replied.

Hearing her words, Li Jing was slightly startled then he understood and replied.

"Then it seems I have come at a bad time, you can go about your business and I’ll wait until you’re finished..."

Before he could finish, Bai Yu smiled.

"Compared to the Ghost Clan High Priest, you are seemingly more important to the current God-Human Race."

Saying that, she looked at Shenmin.

"This is none of your concern, I will attend to the master. If you wish, you can go and negotiate with the Ghost Clan High Priest on my behalf."

...

Shenmin.

Damn, Bai Yu really knows how to speak!

What does she mean by this doesn’t concern me?

And she is treating me as a tool!

This is unbearable!

But you know what?

Despite Bai Yu’s words, Shenmin couldn’t get angry and she couldn’t even refuse.

Substituting Bai Yu in the negotiation was an opportunity.

If handled well, she could potentially regain control of the God-Human Race.

Simply negotiating wouldn’t do.

The main point was that she, who had obtained some enlightenment through the Heritage Stele, had the chance to turn the tables.

Having understood the method to control power was of great significance for the Ancient God’s Descendants, right?

Both she and Quan Chang gained enlightenment, but their methods of use were different.

Their enlightenment might not suit all Ancient God’s Descendants, but with one more method, there would be one more reference.

Quan Chang just went to see the Ghost Clan High Priest, so she must be present.

After going there, she could propose with Quan Chang, and the difficulty in regaining some status wouldn’t be too high.

Taking a deep breath, Shenmin huffed and turned around to leave.

Before leaving, she glared fiercely at someone.

Li Jing, who was inexplicably caught in the crossfire, felt wronged as he stared at Bai Yu, puzzled.

He could see that Bai Yu asserting that he was more important was actually her way of giving Shenmin the chance to stand up once again.

Unless Shenmin is incapable, she’ll definitely seize the chance.

So...

What is Bai Yu up to?

Over here.

Bai Yu, meeting Li Jing’s scrutinizing gaze, had somewhat anticipated him wondering what she was up to, and smiled.

"For the God-Human Race, I am, after all, an outsider. That I became a person in power, who is not even respected in my own Winged Tribe, is only because the God-Human Race had fallen into a desperate situation. Once they regain some strength, they will surely not let me stay in control. What I have now will eventually have to be returned."

Saying this, she continued.

"Now that Master has come back for me, it’s time for me to let go. After all, Master, you not only brought a breath of air for all Ancient God’s Descendants, including the God-Human Race, but also gave me greater possibilities."

Needless to say,

Bai Yu has changed a lot over this past year.

She has become more eloquent.

Even though she didn’t explicitly state her intention, Li Jing could understand what she meant by the ’greater possibilities’ she referred to.

Glancing at Bai Yu with her pure white wings behind her, Li Jing thought for a moment and said.

"Once everything is over this time, I’ll take you with me."

Hearing this, Bai Yu revealed a blooming smile.

When she pledged allegiance to him before, she wanted to leave with him.

But he was unwilling at the time.

So she took a step back and tried to gain a position of power instead.

Once her wish was realized, she found that holding power was just so-so.

It was dull.

How good was it to have the decaying God-Human Race obey her orders?

It wasn’t enjoyable!

Hanging out in the Chongyuan Holy Realm was plainly not as reliable as hanging out with Li Jing.

Now, Li Jing has also changed.

He had not only become incredibly powerful, but he also had his own world.

These legs were so thick.

Bai Yu slightly bowed and spoke.

"As long as you do not betray me, I will serve you loyally in this life."

Hearing these words, Li Jing cracked a smile and shook his head.

"I only took you in as a descendant of the Ancient God. I didn’t do it for anything else. Stop calling me master from now on, just call me Li Jing. I don’t need a servant, nor do I need your unwavering loyalty."

Hearing this, Bai Yu’s brows furrowed.

Just as she wanted to say something, Li Jing waved her off, signaling that there was no need for further discussion.

Seeing this, Bai Yu felt slightly unwell.

However, she was willing to listen to Li Jing’s words.

Being an Alien Species despised even within the Winged Tribe, she had long wanted to leave the Chongyuan Holy Realm.

Seeing that Bai Yu was flexible enough to not persist too much, Li Jing smiled contentedly and walked away, saying

"Come with me, I have something to ask you."

Overhearing this, Bai Yu followed eagerly with twinkling eyes, quietly asking.

"Master... are you asking about the invaders from another world?"

Li Jing nodded and replied.

"The God-Human Race was the one most affected, and your undercover experience among them should have given you firsthand experience of these events. Presumably, you know quite a lot about the intruders?"

"Indeed."

Bai Yu responded, then hesitated before speaking.

"To be frank, my flesh was almost occupied by one of the first invaders, but they couldn’t seem to take me."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing paused in his steps and turned to look at her in surprise.

You had such an experience? He wasn’t expecting that.

His main reason for finding Bai Yu was to get a better understanding of the invasion.

With her story, he was sure to get a more comprehensive account than Quan Chang could offer.

Forget about the rest.

Quan Chang only learned about the invasion through Quan Huai.

And Quan Huai being from the Ghost Clan, having the duty to protect his territory as a strong one of the Ghost Clan, it was unsure whether he had even fought in the battles.

The information he had was likely based on hearsay.

Unexpectedly, not only did Bai Yu experience the invasion firsthand, she almost had her body occupied by it.

Seeing Bai Yu’s little face pale with apparent fear, Li Jing asked.

"What exactly happened, can you elaborate?"

"Yes."

Bai Yu nodded and spoke.

"Perhaps because I am a mutant myself, the intruder could not devour my consciousness after entering my body, and nearly got devoured by me instead. They had to flee in distress. I could feel them weakening significantly after leaving me. It’s a pity I couldn’t stop them, or I might have had the power to kill them."

Upon hearing Bai Yu’s words, Li Jing frowned in confusion.

The demon who had invaded Bai Yu’s body not only failed to devour her consciousness, they almost got devoured by her instead?

Was the demon that had chosen Bai Yu just incompetent, or...?

Li Jing felt the former was quite unlikely.

Bai Yu’s cultivation level was still at the late Seventh Realm.

How could this be sufficient in front of a fully-intact demon from another realm?

That being said, the cause could very likely be as Bai Yu described.

As a mutant descendant of an Ancient God, she was able to resist the demons’ invasion to a certain extent.

Without further delay, Li Jing stopped and his pupils turned golden.

Seeing what was happening, Bai Yu instinctively stopped as well.

Facing his gaze, she started feeling a bit uncomfortable.

She didn’t know what Li Jing was doing.

But she had a strong feeling that he was seeing through her completely.

As a descendant of the Ancient God, Bai Yu naturally wouldn’t feel embarrassed.

But being exposed to the core of her being, it was undeniable that she felt a little uncomfortable.

Of course.

If Li Jing wanted to look, she had no choice but to bear it.

Meanwhile.

Using the Eye of True Vision, Li Jing quickly spotted some useful information on Bai Yu.

Unlike ordinary descendants of Ancient Gods, Bai Yu had faint signs of ancestral regression, which was growing slowly. She was growing much faster and stronger than the other descendants, even more so than the "strongest" of the descendants, the God-Human Race, thanks to this regression sign.

Under the influence of this regression sign, a force of a much higher level than that of ordinary descendants of Ancient Gods was integrated into the power within her. These cannot be separated. At the same time, there was a trend for the former to assimilate the latter.

Seeing this, Li Jing locked on to the unusual force inside Bai Yu using his Eye of True Vision.

The Eye of True Vision provided a response.

The answer did not surprise him.

The force having such a profound influence on Bai Yu was the potential inherited from their ancestors, the God’s Power.

Yes.

As an alien species within the Winged Tribe, Bai Yu had actually awakened the God’s Power.

She probably awakened it at birth.

If her internal God’s Power was not too faint, not too overwhelming, she might have been awakened as a postnatal god’s body.

Now, she is just on her way.

Understanding all this, Li Jing was uncertain about what to feel.

If the Winged Tribe who ostracized and disliked Bai Yu knew that she might have awakened the God’s Power that other descendants couldn’t, wouldn’t they regret so badly that their intestines would turn blue?

Looking back, there was an obvious fact.

The so-called mutation among the descendants was actually a symbol of awakening the God’s Power.

If all the descendants knew this, would they collectively vomit blood from shock?

Remember.

Bai Yu was not an exception.

Though rare, there were other mutants like her among the God’s Descendants.

Being so easily overlooked everywhere for being like her...

Thinking further.

Descendants were inherently flawed, and their ability to reproduce was a gift from Ling Ling.

The ability of female descendants to reproduce, preserving the group’s traits and "optimizing" the inheritance of their father’s genes was also due to Ling Ling’s gift.

All was based on the premise that the descendants were flawed.

Unlike Bai Yu, who did not benefit from Ling Ling’s gift to contribute to the preservation of the race, yet she had legitimate reproduction abilities.

The so-called mutation might not merely mean that she had awakened the God’s Power, but also that she was free of defects...