The Villainess Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 42

What was Bai Fenghuo up to now? Had she lost her mind, suddenly bringing up marriage?

Yun Chuanzhi had considered leaving the mountain, but she would never marry someone just to escape. She hadn’t had enough freedom yet. Being trapped in such a cage would be worse than jumping off the cliffs of Mount Everlasting.

In a few fleeting moments, Yun Chuanzhi’s face flushed dark, then pale, then green. Finally, she sighed deeply, “No.”

“Why not?” Bai Fenghuo continued to stare at her, her expression unreadable. “Is it that you don’t want to, or that you can’t?”

“I don’t want to,” Yun Chuanzhi replied, shaking her head. She picked off a flake of red paint peeling from a pillar. “The Sect Leader has treated me exceptionally well. I don’t want to leave him.”

Bai Fenghuo scoffed, “Stop talking nonsense.”

She saw through my flimsy excuse? Yun Chuanzhi pressed the flake of paint back into place, adopting a slightly more honest tone. “I don’t want to marry. Marriage means losing my freedom. I’d rather grow old and die alone on this mountain peak.”

Eating delicious Ice Brands, feeling the cool mountain breeze, inhaling the fragrant scent of flowers, and being surrounded by beautiful Immortal Servants who massaged her back and legs—dying of old age like that sounded like a true indulgence.

“Even if I were to spend my life with someone, it should be someone I genuinely admire, not just some random person of similar age. That would be utterly boring,” Yun Chuanzhi said, shaking her head.

Bai Fenghuo nodded, her dark brows arching slightly. “You’ve never had someone you admire? Not even in the past?”

“Never,” Yun Chuanzhi replied promptly. In Avici City, there were scarcely any living beings—only demons, ghosts, and resentful spirits. Where would she find someone to admire?

Bai Fenghuo didn’t press further. A faint smile touched her lips as she quickly averted her gaze and turned to continue walking.

Looks like I dodged a bullet, Yun Chuanzhi thought, exhaling in relief. She hurried to catch up, her footsteps echoing softly behind her in the long, winding corridor.

Why does Bai Fenghuo seem even happier after being rejected? Yun Chuanzhi wondered, jogging to keep pace, utterly perplexed.

Bai Fenghuo soon tossed a silk ribbon to Yun Chuanzhi. As she gripped it tightly, she leaped into the sea of clouds. Perhaps due to the calm, windless conditions, her Wind Manipulation Technique felt even smoother and more stable than usual, leaving her utterly free of dizziness.

The two descended through the Hundred-Zhang Cascade and landed on the Main Peak of Mount Everlasting. The moment Yun Chuanzhi’s feet touched the ground, she felt remarkably refreshed, not a single strand of her hair even damp.

Bai Fenghuo, however, didn’t seem to possess such a leisurely temperament. Having trained under the same master as Bai Xiaochen, their Wind Manipulation Techniques should have been identical. How could there be such a stark difference? Could it be…

Did she fly so smoothly just for me?

The thought had barely surfaced before Yun Chuanzhi suppressed it. She couldn’t help but laugh at her own growing audacity. Bai Fenghuo was a dignified Sect Leader, arrogant and accustomed to command. Why would she show such meticulous consideration for a mere Little Immortal Servant?

As she mocked herself inwardly, her feet had already carried her into the territory of Bright Existence Hall. The magnificent golden roof pierced the azure sky as always. Today, with only wispy clouds dotting the sky, the entire gilded structure was fully exposed, its brilliance dazzling under the clear autumn sunlight.

The radiant light spread outward, bathing the surroundings in a faint golden glow, creating an illusion of a celestial palace.

“Sect Leader Bai,” a tall Blue-robed Immortal Cultivator with a high-swept bun and a phoenix-tail silver hairpin stepped forward to greet her, her voice clear and resonant. “My master and the other two Sect Leaders have been awaiting your arrival for some time. Please follow me.”

A woman followed behind him, her face as radiant as the full moon, dressed in a peach-pink short-sleeved robe. She was delicate and charming, but her smiling eyes instantly turned to fear upon seeing Bai Fenghuo and Yun Chuanzhi.

She wanted to flee but dared not, forcing herself to trail behind the blue-robed Immortal Cultivator, her head bowed low.

Oh, isn’t that Bai Xiaochen’s little Junior Sister, Qi Yurong, the one Bai Fenghuo once scared into tears? Yun Chuanzhi stood behind Bai Fenghuo, discreetly observing.

“The Autumn Conferral isn’t until tomorrow,” Bai Fenghuo said coolly. “Why summon This Seat today?”

The blue-robed Immortal Cultivator bowed respectfully. “Sect Leader, this year’s Autumn Conferral will include some additions beyond the usual Heart Method, Formation, and Dao Method. My Master has requested your presence to discuss these changes.”

“Understood,” Bai Fenghuo replied impatiently, her brow furrowing. The hairpins above her head swayed as she strode through the temple gates, the blue-robed Immortal Cultivator and Qi Yurong hurrying after her.

Yun Chuanzhi tried to follow, but two Immortal Servants blocked her path, politely explaining, “The Autumn Conferral is a matter of great importance. We must ask those not involved to wait outside the hall.”

Yun Chuanzhi had no desire to listen to the Immortal Sect’s pompous discussions anyway. This suited her perfectly. She waved goodbye to Bai Fenghuo and turned to stroll into the Pillow Garden beside the hall—a lush, endless expanse of flowers and greenery.

The courtyard now boasted many more autumn-specific flowers than before. Pebble-paved paths crisscrossed the grounds, many disappearing into dense, jungle-like shrubbery.

Yun Chuanzhi wandered aimlessly along one of these paths, passing through two arched gates before the scenery suddenly opened up. A vast, clear lake shimmered before her, its surface rippling gently. Several white geese floated on the water, their necks intertwined, while others occasionally took flight, their wings scattering pearl-like droplets.

The place was utterly tranquil. Yun Chuanzhi walked to a pavilion by the lake, intending to nap amidst the scenic beauty. But as soon as she closed her eyes, Bai Fenghuo’s earlier words flashed through her mind, and she abruptly sat up.

It wasn’t the marriage proposal that bothered her, but the phrase “a lifespan as short as a mortal’s.” The words struck her like a thunderclap.

In Immortal Cultivation, lifespan was directly tied to cultivation level. The higher one’s cultivation, the longer one could live. Bai Fenghuo, being at the Tribulation Transcension Stage, could easily live for eight hundred to a thousand years. If she ever broke through to the Great Ascension Stage and ascended to become an Immortal, she would become one of the legendary undying beings, her lifespan matching that of heaven and earth.

A few months ago, Yun Chuanzhi wouldn’t have cared about a lifespan shorter than his. She had grown weary of life anyway. But now, enjoying her days of leisure and indulgence, the thought of dying in just a few decades filled her with reluctance.

Yun Chuanzhi sighed at Clear Lake, then retrieved a charcoal pencil from a small wooden box. Lowering her head, she began drawing a formation on the white jade pavilion.

Though she was a bit of a slacker, she was still a figure recorded in Avici City’s historical annals. She knew plenty of shortcuts in Immortal Cultivation, but her current body’s limited talent made her unsure if they would work.

Immortal Cultivation was like planting a tree. Beginners struggled to identify fertile soil, harness mountain winds and rain, and even with guidance, mistakes were common, making rapid progress difficult.

Yun Chuanzhi, however, was different. She had already reached a state of oneness with trees, understanding exactly which roots absorbed water, how much was needed, and how that water traveled through the stem to nourish blossoms at the crown.

It took a full hour to complete the Spirit Gathering Formation. The intricate, arcane lines had spread across the pavilion pillars. Yun Chuanzhi tossed aside the half-inch stub of charcoal, dusted her hands, and sat down cross-legged.

In a mere fifteen minutes, the flow of spiritual energy in the mountains subtly shifted. Even the tips of the forest canopy realigned, forming an enveloping posture, channeling spiritual energy toward the formation.

This was the Spirit Gathering Formation, a technique that even many Great Ascension Stage Immortal Cultivators had never mastered. Once activated, it drew together all spiritual veins, drastically altering the mountain’s feng shui.

Yun Chuanzhi recited the Heart Incantation and entered a meditative trance, quickly sinking into the depths of her Spirit Platform.

As time passed, the spiritual energy around her grew increasingly vibrant and dense. Her senses, amplified by the overflowing spiritual energy, expanded to encompass the entire mountain peak and seemed to stretch even further. Within just two hours, the spiritual energy within her body had multiplied several times over.

“Senior Sister, why are all the birds flying toward Yellow Millet Lake? And look, there are so many shy Mountain Spirits we’ve never seen before! They’re so pretty!” Qi Rongyin’s delicate voice rang out from behind the arched gate. She pushed aside the vines hanging from the gate with one hand, her round, moon-like face peeking through the opening.

The “Senior Sister” she addressed was the Blue-robed Immortal Cultivator from earlier. Her voice was much steadier, and she replied with a smile, “Indeed, it’s remarkable. I’ve been on this mountain for decades and have never seen so many Mountain Spirits.”

The Mountain Spirits resembled semi-transparent wisps of smoke, hopping through the air. They would occasionally vanish into points of light, only to reappear moments later in the distance.

“It looks like someone is cultivating near the lake,” Qi Rongyin said, gently shaking her Senior Sister’s hand. “I want to see who’s cultivating so powerfully that they’ve drawn all these Mountain Spirits.”

“Rongyin, what if it’s an Immortal Master undergoing Tribulation Transcendence? We shouldn’t disturb them,” the Blue-robed Immortal Cultivator patiently reassured her. “Let’s wait nearby until the Immortal Master finishes cultivating, then we can ask for guidance.”

Qi Rongyin pouted but eventually agreed. The two quietly strolled to the lakeside.

“That person looks vaguely familiar,” Qi Rongyin murmured, glancing back at the pavilion.

Though Yun Chuanzhi was in deep meditation, she could still hear the approaching footsteps. Just then, the spiritual energy had completed a full cycle within her body, and she had absorbed all she could into her Spirit Platform.

She rotated her palms in a circular motion, then slowly lowered them. When she opened her eyes, she felt a lightness and strength even in her fingertips, all impurities purged, leaving her refreshed.

If Bai Fenghuo had been present, she would have been astonished. Given the body’s innate aptitude, achieving such rapid cultivation progress was practically a miracle.

Yet Yun Chuanzhi remained calm. If she were in her original body, cultivating in the spiritually abundant Mount Everlasting for this long would have already allowed her to break through to the Qi Refining stage.

No, wait. Even without cultivating, merely lying in these mountains for months would have been enough to reach Qi Refining in her original body.

Still, progress was progress. One shouldn’t demand too much of oneself. Yun Chuanzhi, with her remarkably calm demeanor, quickly brushed the dust from her robes and watched as the radiant formation beneath her feet dissipated like windblown mist. The Mountain Spirits, who had been feasting on her spiritual energy, silently vanished into the void.

Everything returned to its previous stillness, as if nothing had occurred. Yun Chuanzhi stepped out of the pavilion and nodded to the two figures by the lake. Upon recognizing her face, Qi Rongyin darted behind her Senior Sister like a startled rabbit.

It seems Bai Fenghuo’s actions that day left quite the impression on the child, Yun Chuanzhi thought, raising an eyebrow with amusement.

“I thought a Venerable was cultivating here,” the blue-robed Immortal Cultivator said, her manner refined and courteous even toward a mere Immortal Servant. “My Junior Sister and I apologize for intruding. Have we disturbed you?”

“Not at all,” Yun Chuanzhi replied with a smile. “I was merely taking a moment to rest. Seeing the abundant spiritual energy here, I seized the opportunity to cultivate briefly.”

The blue-robed cultivator stepped forward, her voice gentle. “I am Mo Liuzheng, the second-ranked Immortal Cultivator under the Sect Leader.”

“Immortal Elder Liuzheng,” Yun Chuanzhi greeted with a bow. “This humble one is…”

“I know your name, Cui Ergou,” Mo Liuzheng interrupted with a warm, breeze-like smile. “You’re quite well-known.”

For an Immortal Servant’s name to reach the ears of the Sect’s Second Senior Sister was quite an honor. Yun Chuanzhi chuckled wryly and corrected her, “The Sect Leader has already bestowed upon me the name Yun Chuanzhi.”

“Yun Chuanzhi?” Mo Liuzheng’s eyes widened for a moment before a knowing smile spread across her face. “Mountains Still, Rivers Flow, Feng She Rises—a fitting name.”

Is this some Sect Motto? Yun Chuanzhi wondered, noticing how everyone seemed to know it. She pretended not to see the knowing glint in her eyes, maintaining only a faint smile.

It seems it’s not me who’s famous, but the rumors about me and Bai Fenghuo.

“The Sect Leader, the other Sect Leaders, and the Elders still have much to discuss,” Mo Liuzheng continued. “It’s already noon. Would you care to join us for lunch in the Dining Hall?”

Yun Chuanzhi waved her hands frantically. With me being so well-known, going to the Dining Hall with all those Immortal Cultivators? I’d be stared at until I felt like I was being pierced through!

“You go ahead. I brought my own meal,” Yun Chuanzhi said, settling onto a lakeside rock. She pulled out a small ceramic jar, unscrewed the lid, and revealed sweet-smelling, candy-like beans inside.

“What are these?” Mo Liuzheng asked curiously.

“Homemade snacks,” Yun Chuanzhi replied, her eyes crinkling into crescents. “I dried and ground vegetables and fruits, then condensed them into these little beans. They’re filling and nutritious.” She offered the jar to Mo Liuzheng. “Want to try one?”

Mo Liuzheng cautiously tasted one of the pellets, her eyes lighting up as she nodded repeatedly. “Delicious.”

Before long, Mo Liuzheng and Qi Rongyin stopped going to the Dining Hall. The three of them would sit together on a large rock, enjoying the breeze as they munched on the bean pellets.

Though Mo Liuzheng appeared composed, she was quite talkative. As they ate, she asked, “Have you seen my Senior Sister recently?”

Yun Chuanzhi paused for a moment, then realized she meant Cheng Jinshu and nodded. “I saw her yesterday.”

Mo Liuzheng nodded, her eyes darkening slightly. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen her. With half her cultivation gone, I wonder if she’s struggling.”

Yun Chuanzhi recalled Cheng Jinshu’s carefree demeanor and shook her head with a smile. “She seems fine, wandering around aimlessly every day. Don’t you two ever meet?”

“She avoids us,” Mo Liuzheng sighed. “The last time we saw her was during Core Sect Day, when she glanced at us from afar—even that was rare. After that incident, a rift formed between us. Now, even when she encounters Master, she just turns away without bowing.”

Yun Chuanzhi crunched a bean pellet in her mouth, recalling Cheng Jinshu’s behavior back in Youji City. She hadn’t noticed it then, but now, upon reflection, she realized she had never once initiated a conversation with Bai Xiaochen.

Even when Yun Chuanzhi had spoken up for Bai Xiaochen when she went to rescue Bai Fenghuo, her words had been distant and formal.

“After that incident?” Yun Chuanzhi asked, her curiosity piqued.

Now that the conversation had shifted, Qi Rongyin’s fear faded, and she bravely continued, “It was the incident a few years ago when Eldest Senior Sister was expelled from the Sect. Everyone in the Sect knows about it. Don’t you?”

Yun Chuanzhi shook her head.

Mo Liuzheng tried to stop Qi Rongyin, but Qi Rongyin, once started on gossip, became unstoppable, her words flowing faster than a river: “Eldest Senior Sister was expelled because she secretly kept a demonic creature in her chambers!”

A demonic creature? Yun Chuanzhi was stunned by this revelation, especially since it concerned someone so close to her.

Cheng Jinshu, though passionate, was fundamentally gentle and not rebellious. Why would she keep a demonic creature?

As Qi Rongyin spoke, she seemed to relive the memory, shivering slightly. “In all my years of cultivation, I’ve never seen such a high-level Great Demon. When it transformed into its true form, it blotted out the sky and sun. Its oppressive aura nearly broke my Master’s spine.”

Bai Xiaochen was at the Great Ascension Stage, yet even she feared this Great Demon. Yun Chuanzhi had never encountered such a creature in her previous life, only fueling her curiosity further.

“How did such a demonic creature end up in Cheng Jinshu’s hands? And why would she keep it?” Yun Chuanzhi asked.

“According to Eldest Senior Sister, she found the creature. At first, she didn’t detect any demonic aura and simply kept it as a pet. But later, the creature transformed into a delicate and beautiful human form, feigning innocence and vulnerability. Moved by compassion, she released it back into the mountains.”

“But the Great Demon couldn’t suppress its true nature for long. It devoured the villagers of several villages, and its crimes were finally exposed,” Qi Rongyin whispered.

“When the Venerable ones from the Sect went to subdue the demon, Eldest Senior Sister recklessly intervened to protect it. This act was discovered by my Master, who expelled her from the Sect.”

Yun Chuanzhi was so engrossed in Cheng Jinshu’s past that she lost track of time. It wasn’t until Mo Liuzheng cleared her throat that she snapped back to reality.

“This matter is hardly honorable. Now that you know, keep it to yourself and don’t spread it around,” Mo Liuzheng warned Yun Chuanzhi.

Yun Chuanzhi nodded. “Don’t worry, I certainly…”

Before she could finish, the ground suddenly trembled three times. Simultaneously, a thunderous roar erupted behind them, and the once-smooth lake surface surged into waves taller than trees. White geese scattered in panic, flapping their wings frantically as they fled ashore and burrowed into the dense reeds.

Mo Liuzheng unfurled a massive umbrella to shield them from the surging waves, allowing Yun Chuanzhi to narrowly escape disaster. The three of them turned to gaze at the resplendent golden-roofed palace shimmering in the sky.

Mo Liuzheng frowned deeply. “Could it be that Master and Sect Leader Bai are…”

“Fighting again?” Qi Rongyin murmured, completing her thought.