Chapter 129: The Convergence of the Three Realms
You Fushi lay on his side facing inward, pretending to sleep.
In reality, he was thinking about when exactly he had shed his skin and whether this mortal had completely seen him during the process.
Suddenly, the little junior brother turned over and sat up, looking at the mortal opposite him.
"...Was it ugly?"
The Senior Sister was startled.
"Ugly? What do you mean?"
"You saw me shedding my skin."
You Fushi slightly raised his chin, trying hard to appear as though he did not care.
So that was what he was asking about.
A smile appeared in Ye Su's eyes. Sometimes, the little junior brother was actually quite concerned about his image.
The moment You Fushi met her smiling eyes, he became even more nervous.
His fingertips pressed hard into the thin quilt behind him, bunching up a wrinkled clump of fabric.
In an especially domineering tone, he ordered the mortal across from him: "Forget it immediately!"
Ye Su could not help laughing.
"I can't forget it."
The corners of the little junior brother's lips instantly tightened. His handsome brows furrowed together. He was obviously angry.
"I didn't see it, so there's nothing for me to forget."
Ye Su suppressed her laughter and spoke seriously.
"That day, I only helped collect the scales you shed. I didn't see anything else."
Upon hearing this, You Fushi's mood immediately improved.
He looked at Ye Su suspiciously.
"Really?"
"Really."
Ye Su pointed at the Mistflower Fang on his wrist.
"However, I think I've seen your true form before, on a mountain outside Dinghai City."
You Fushi lowered his head to look at the Mistflower Fang.
The anxiety he felt over having his identity discovered suddenly disappeared.
He raised his chin again and said confidently:
"You used my appearance to make a magical artifact without permission. From now on, it's mine."
Ye Su did not refuse.
"Fine. It's yours."
After realizing that the little junior brother was the little black snake from outside Dinghai City, she had never thought about taking the Mistflower Fang back.
The fact that she agreed so easily made You Fushi unable to resist looking at her several more times.
"You should sleep. We're going out tonight."
Ye Su moved the chair back to the table and sat down. She showed no intention of leaving.
You Fushi was genuinely tired.
Whether it was taking human form or shedding his skin, both had consumed an enormous amount of his mental energy and spiritual power.
If not for the support of the spiritual spring, there was no way he could have evolved so quickly.
Only after hearing his slow and steady breathing did Ye Su turn her gaze back toward the person on the bed.
The reason she remained in the room was because she was afraid he might suddenly transform.
The room at Qianji Sect contained the most complicated formation she had ever seen.
More importantly, it incorporated many different elements.
In that regard, it was actually somewhat similar to her own philosophy.
All things were interconnected.
Talismans and formations could absorb and learn from one another.
She did not know how its creator had accomplished it.
Even after such a long time, the formation seemed completely unaffected, despite the spiritual energy of Qianji Sect having dried up.
Previously, she had even smashed through one of the walls.
Yet the formation remained unaffected.
It was probably not hidden within the walls.
Ye Su dipped her finger into tea and began sketching on the tabletop, breaking down the formation she had seen in that room.
There were many parts she did not understand.
She could only dismantle the sections that seemed familiar or understandable and then try to comprehend them.
Such a massive formation had even created an independent space.
That was something Ye Su could not accomplish for now.
What she really wanted was to isolate the formation capable of concealing You Fushi's demonic aura.
If her little junior brother suddenly encountered trouble one day, she might have a chance to shield him.
...
"Little demon, if you can't control your transformation in the future, you can come here."
You Fushi lay on his side on the bed. His consciousness drifted into a dream. Vaguely, he saw someone speaking to him.
"I'm not a little demon."
He could hear his own voice, filled with irritation and displeasure.
"Mm, you're a great demon."
The person responded casually. Their back was facing him. They cut open their palm with a slash. Drops of blood fell onto the ground, forming a blood formation. Then the person clasped both hands together and tore open space itself.
Turning their head slightly, they said to him: "I've established a spatial boundary here. Soaking in the spiritual pool while shedding your skin will make it much easier."
You Fushi wanted to ask how this person knew about his shedding.
Yet what came out of his mouth was:
"This is your room."
"All the confinement formations here are ineffective against great demons. You can come in whenever you want."
You Fushi heard himself mutter:
"...A useless formation if it can't even stop a great demon."
The other person led him into the separate space.
"It only can't stop you. Other great demons aren't this powerful."
The emotions of his dream-self seemed to spread into You Fushi himself.
He could clearly feel the delight that came from being praised.
You Fushi wanted to get a closer look at the person's face.
Yet he still could not see it clearly.
A hazy mist began to rise around him.
Everything before his eyes gradually disappeared.
It felt as though he had sunk into a swamp.
...
By the time Yi Xuan knocked on the door that evening, Ye Su had already finished drawing through half a pot of tea by herself.
She had spent most of the day dipping her fingers in water and sketching on the tabletop.
The skin on her fingertips had become wrinkled from soaking and was slightly reddened from friction.
When she stood up, she brushed her thumb across her index finger while channeling spiritual energy.
Immediately, they returned to normal.
"Little Junior Brother."
Ye Su walked to the bedside, intending to wake You Fushi.
Only then did she notice that one side of his hair near the temples was soaked.
The Senior Sister thought he was once again losing control of a transformation.
She immediately turned him over.
It was at that moment that You Fushi opened his eyes.
Grasping Ye Su's arm, he slowly sat up.
His mind was still somewhat dazed.
"Are you about to transform?"
Ye Su asked.
She did not know much about demons.
The only one she knew was the Fox King from the original novel.
However, the novel had never described the characteristics of demons in detail.
It had mostly focused on emotional entanglements among several characters.
You Fushi finally emerged from the dream and returned to reality.
The first thing he said was:
"I'm hungry."
Nothing serious.
Ye Su let out a sigh of relief.
"We're going to the restaurant in Kunlun's outer city now."
Ye Su pulled him to his feet.
"Change your clothes. We'll wait outside."
The moment she opened the door, Yi Xuan, Xu Chengyu, and the others were all standing in the courtyard.
"Is he alright?"
Yi Xuan glanced at You Fushi's room and asked Ye Su.
Ye Su answered casually:
"Little Junior Brother just advanced to a new realm. He's still a bit unstable."
After You Fushi changed his clothes and came out, the seven disciples of Qianji Sect and the three from Wujian Sect headed together toward Kunlun's outer city.
Naturally, they traveled by flying swords.
Since Xu Chengyu's sword had broken, he could not fly on his own.
Instead, he stood atop Ma Congqiu's sword.
He asked Ye Su:
"What are your plans for the next three months? Staying in Kunlun or going somewhere else?"
"We haven't decided yet."
Ye Su asked in return:
"What about you?"
"It's been quiet lately. There are no secret realms opening, nor are there any cave dwellings appearing for now."
Xu Chengyu glanced at Zhou Yun behind him.
"We'll stay here. Once the Rotating Wheel Tower trial is over, we'll leave."
The sect competition was merely a selection process.
The Rotating Wheel Tower was the true main event.
Once the top ten entered, disciples from the major sects would have to stand guard outside.
As the senior disciple of Wujian Sect, Xu Chengyu would naturally have to be there.
"The Rotating Wheel Tower is located at the convergence point of the Three Realms."
Xu Chengyu explained:
"It was originally used to suppress demon and devil criminals."
"Later, the Demon Realm sealed itself off."
"Combined with the fact that the tower contains countless treasures and cultivation manuals, it eventually became the reward for the sect competition."
"Whenever the Rotating Wheel Tower is opened, demons sometimes come to cause trouble."
"That's why the sect masters of the major sects stand guard outside."
"We'll return to Qianji Sect first."
Ye Su considered for a moment.
"My junior brothers and sisters haven't gone back for a long time."
"After that, we'll return to Kunlun."
"That's fine."
Xu Chengyu nodded.
"Since you've qualified to enter the Rotating Wheel Tower, you're free to come and go from the Kunlun courtyard at any time until the trial ends. That's the rule."
After thinking for a moment, he added: "When the time comes, Junior Brother Ming can bring the disciples of Qianji Sect to Wujian Sect for cultivation training."
"The Sect Master has already been informed."
Wujian Sect did not care much about the amount of spiritual energy they would consume.
But to the disciples of Qianji Sect, spiritual energy was the most precious thing imaginable.
"We can bring our junior brothers and sisters to your sect?" Xi Yu asked in surprise.
Xu Chengyu nodded. "Haven't you always cultivated at neighboring sects?" The spiritual energy at Wujian Sect should be denser than that of Wuyin Sect. I mentioned it to our Sect Master before. When the time comes, all of you are welcome."
"But..." Xia Er scratched his cheek. "Fellow Daoist Mei from Hehuan Sect invited us to cultivate at their sect last time."
"When... did... that... happen?"
Ming Liusha turned around while standing on Xi Yu's blade and asked.
"A few days ago."
Xia Er looked embarrassed.
"I forgot to mention it."
"Junior Brother Xia, you absolutely must not go!"
Ma Congqiu suddenly cut into the conversation.
Speaking earnestly, he advised:
"I suspect that if the disciples of Qianji Sect go there, it'll be like meat buns thrown at a dog—gone forever."
Zhou Yun nodded in agreement.
"The Hehuan Sect is definitely coveting the beauty of your Qianji Sect disciples."
"Ahem!"
Xu Chengyu coughed heavily.
Only then did everyone realize they had unknowingly arrived at the restaurant in Kunlun's outer city.
Mei Chouren and Yan Hao were already standing outside the entrance.
"Don't think that just because you met Qianji Sect first, you're so impressive."
After everyone landed, Yan Hao immediately began listing Wujian Sect's shortcomings.
"Those sword cultivators practice swordsmanship all day long."
"They must be covered in sweat."
"Even cleansing spells can't keep up."
"Just imagine an entire sect smelling like sweat!"
"How can they compare to our Hehuan Sect? We're fragrant."
Using a dreamy voice, Mei Chouren added: "That's right."
"The Hehuan Sect excels at eating, drinking, and entertainment."
"Come to us and let the disciples of Qianji Sect experience supreme happiness."
"Artifact refiners often end up covered in sweat too."
Ye Su said while leading You Fushi toward the restaurant.
"We don't mind."
Yan Hao spoke with complete certainty.
"A beauty's sweat smells good."
Her gaze landed on You Fushi.
"Junior Brother You, today your temperament has gained an even more mysterious charm."
Ye Su raised a hand and blocked Yan Hao's eyes.
"There's no room for negotiation. We're not joining Hehuan Sect."
A large private room upstairs had been reserved by Lian Lian.
When everyone entered, they saw a long table placed in the center of the room.
"Sit."
Lian Lian had only arrived a short while earlier herself.
Seven people sat on each side.
The Hehuan Sect disciples boldly occupied the two middle seats on the right side, directly facing Ye Su and You Fushi.
"Three months from now, we'll enter the Rotating Wheel Tower."
Lian Lian clapped her hands, signaling for the dishes to be served.
"The opportunities inside are uncertain, but the higher your cultivation realm, the greater your chances of climbing higher."
"We've already decided to return and cultivate first, then gather again at Kunlun later."
"So tonight, I'd like everyone to get together."
"You're leaving tomorrow?"
Ye Su raised her eyes and asked.
Lian Lian shook her head.
"We're leaving after the gathering."
The food and wine were all the finest available.
Lian Lian raised her wine cup and toasted everyone.
"The sect competition is finally over."
"I hope all of us will become stronger and stronger in the future."
Ye Su exchanged the wine in You Fushi's hand for tea.
She did not want to take any risks that might expose her little junior brother's true form to the people around them.
Everyone raised their cups together and drank.
"I don't think I'm weak."
Lian Lian set down her wine cup and looked at Ye Su and the others across from her.
"It's just that you're all too strong."
"But we lost willingly."
"As long as we made it into the Rotating Wheel Tower, it's not a loss."
Yan Hao patted her shoulder.
"It's only one competition."
Ye Su poured another cup of tea and handed it to You Fushi.
A smile appeared on Lian Lian's strikingly beautiful face.
"It's more than just a competition."
"Ye Su, I have a feeling this is a turning point for Qianji Sect."
"Have you switched to becoming a disciple of Penglai?"
Zhou Yun turned his head and asked.
Lian Lian clicked her tongue.
"Anyway, I'm happy."
"Even Kunlun lost."
"Anything is possible."
The group ate and chatted as they went along.
By the time they finally prepared to leave, the inn was nearly closing for the night.
"Ye Su."
After everyone else had walked out, Lian Lian called out to her.
"What is it?"
Ye Su turned back and asked.
Lian Lian tossed a jade slip toward her.
"Inside are all the talismans that Huaian and I have ever studied."
Ye Su looked up at her in astonishment.
As direct disciples of Five Elements Sect, they had certainly undergone systematic training in talisman arts.
That meant the contents of the jade slip... represented the very foundation of Five Elements Sect.
"What do you mean by this?"
Ye Su lowered her head and looked at the jade slip in her hand.
"I want to find a way out for Five Elements Sect."
Lian Lian spoke frankly.
"Among the Two Factions and Five Sects, only Five Elements Sect has fallen into decline. My father has the lowest cultivation realm among all the leaders of the Two Factions and Five Sects. He has never created a talisman of his own."
Ye Su's expression grew serious.
"What do you want me to do?"
Lian Lian looked directly at Ye Su.
"We will do our utmost to improve our own strength."
"But..."
"If one day you reach a height that the rest of us can never attain, I hope you'll lend us a hand."
Ye Su stared at the jade slip resting in her palm. For a long time, she remained silent.
Cheng Huaian walked over from behind.
"You can also choose not to accept it. There's no need to force yourself."
"...Since you all have such high expectations of me." Ye Su raised her eyes and tightened her grip on the jade slip. "I accept."