Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Frostwater Jiao

Jumping down from Ah Jiu’s back, Shen Duoduo, her cheeks still flushed with excitement, ran over, pouting in a fit of childish annoyance. “We barely flew for a little while before I had to get off. Brother Junhuai, you’re so mean.”

Shen Yihuan chuckled. “Be good, Duoduo. Junhuai has important things to attend to—you can’t keep him from his work.”

Liu Junhuai added, “And it’s a matter of life and death, too. Go on and cultivate, Duoduo. I’m already at the late Foundation Establishment stage. If you don’t work hard, you’ll never catch up with me.”

Mo Sitong stood and called to the two of them, “Let’s go, it’s time to begin today’s cultivation. You two ran wild all day yesterday, after all.”

Once the three had left, Liu Junhuai walked over to Ah Jiu and asked, “Is that creature still in the pool outside your cave? What exactly is it? Last time it nearly cost me my life.”

Ah Jiu answered with a cry, his gaze tinged with disdain. He lowered himself, waiting for Liu Junhuai to mount, and with a leap they soared into the sky, arriving at the pool within a few breaths.

With a piercing call from Ah Jiu, the water churned. Amidst the rolling white waves, a massive tiger-like head emerged from the surface—hornless, with a protruding brow, arched eye ridges, and a gaping maw lined with exposed fangs.

Ah Jiu hovered above the water and unleashed a torrent of searing magma toward the beast.

Startled, the monster dove beneath the surface, its long, serpentine body—several meters in length—flashing in and out of sight. Its scaled, variegated hide shimmered with countless hues.

Seeing the beast evade the attack, Ah Jiu ceased his assault and, bowing his head, let out another shrill cry. Instantly, the monster’s thrashing stopped, and its two large, obsidian eyes fixed on Ah Jiu, a flicker of fear in their depths.

“Ah Jiu, tell it this is the Chaos Space, and I am its master. Without my permission, it must not harm any human who appears nearby,” Liu Junhuai called out.

Ah Jiu tilted his head, pondering Liu Junhuai’s words, then nodded and relayed several sharp cries to the monster.

The beast turned its massive tiger head to look at Liu Junhuai, then glanced up at the air above the pool. After a moment’s consideration, it nodded its head at Ah Jiu, saw that Ah Jiu had nothing further to say, and submerged once more.

With the danger now neutralized, Liu Junhuai decided to leave.

Ah Jiu carried him back to Pavilion One. After a few quiet words to Ah Jiu, Liu Junhuai went to bid farewell to the others.

Leaving the Mountain and River Gourd, Liu Junhuai entered the Myriad Phenomena Tower.

His successful taming of the Scarlet Flame Nine-Infant naturally earned the old steward’s praise, though no new task was triggered, which left Liu Junhuai slightly discontented.

He began to wonder if these tasks were under the steward’s control. Perhaps the old steward hadn’t initiated a new task because the challenge of subduing the Nine-Infant had been so great and uncertain.

At times, Liu Junhuai wondered just how many secrets the steward still kept from him.

Fortunately, the old steward was ever loyal; even if he kept some things to himself, it was simply in accordance with the Tower creator’s design.

Liu Junhuai recounted in detail the process of subduing Ah Jiu, earning the old steward’s sincere admiration for his young master’s wit and courage.

“What level of cultivation would the Scarlet Flame Nine-Infant be equivalent to among human cultivators? My own realm is too low—I can’t see through its strength. Will its power be unable to increase in the future?” Liu Junhuai had always wondered about this.

The old steward replied, “Although you are only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, your actual strength could match an early Core Formation cultivator. With your special techniques, you could even escape from a late Core Formation opponent. According to your description, the gap between you and the Nine-Infant is considerable, so it must have at least Nascent Soul-level power.

“For such divine beasts, their power is innate. Among their kind, the difference in ability usually comes down to age, though that’s not absolute—changes to their constitution can also affect their strength.

“For instance, the Serpent-Hearted Venom Toad gained a trace of teleportation ability by accidentally consuming a Nether Blossom, which altered the structure of its mental powers. Although it’s not a divine beast, the principle could apply.”

“That’s good,” Liu Junhuai replied. “Though I’ve only known Ah Jiu for a few days, I already feel a strong bond with him. I think he feels the same about me. Also, I couldn’t identify the beast in the pool.”

He described the monster in detail.

The old steward said, “It’s likely a beast from the same realm as the Scarlet Flame Nine-Infant, called a Coldwater Flood Serpent. It’s not yet a divine beast as it hasn’t completed its evolution. According to your description, its scales aren’t yet diamond-shaped and non-luminous. Once that happens, it will become a Coldwater Flood Dragon—a true divine beast. Whether it can evolve depends not on cultivation but on having pure, ancient dragon blood.”

Liu Junhuai’s thoughts turned to the legend of the Xuantian Dragonfish in the Sacrificial Dragon Pool. “Steward, have you heard of the Xuantian Dragonfish? Can it really evolve into a dragon?”

The steward replied, “It’s called a dragonfish because it’s a distant relative of the ancient true dragons, so there is some chance of evolution. Even if it does evolve, it will be the lowest rank and far from a true divine beast. Don’t think there are many divine beasts—even in the Immortal Realm, they are the stuff of legend. Your Ah Jiu, though not yet mature, has survived thousands of years. In any realm, the environment for divine beasts has almost vanished.”

“I used two petals of the Withering Flame Lotus,” Liu Junhuai said. “In that situation, if my vital energy hadn’t been replenished, I might have lost everything. I didn’t expect to advance two stages in a row. Will that make my foundation unstable?”

The steward smiled. “The Withering Flame Lotus is called a heavenly treasure because of its miraculous effects, and it has no side effects—it can be fully absorbed by the body. You’ve only absorbed part of it; the rest may be activated when you hit your next bottleneck. Although you’re still young, most of your cultivation has taken place in time formations. In terms of actual cultivation years, you’ve already trained for six or seven years and only advanced two realms. By the measure of time, it’s not forced progress.”

“I’d like to give Sitong a lotus petal,” Liu Junhuai said. “She hasn’t had much chance to cultivate with those two young girls to look after. As for Ah Jiu, I want to take him to the bottom of the Scarlet Flame Valley. What do you think?”

“There’s no issue with that, but if you’re just curious, I advise you not to rely on Ah Jiu to enter the valley floor—it won’t benefit your cultivation,” the steward replied.

“I should have made myself clearer,” Liu Junhuai said. “I mean, I’ll only bring him when I can enter the valley floor on my own, since I suspect there’s something down there that would interest Ah Jiu.”

“That’s fine, and it’d be best if you could find resources to enhance Ah Jiu’s constitution. Also, regarding your plans for revenge, I have a suggestion. I hope you won’t take offense.”

“Of course not, Steward. I know you have my best interests at heart,” Liu Junhuai said hurriedly.

“I think you shouldn’t go alone,” the steward continued. “Instead, you should make a show of your strength. If you intend to found your own sect, people must see how powerful your followers are. This will help your sect grow rapidly and attract disciples. Of course, if you believe you can deal with the Shen family’s borrowed forces on your own, your companions can remain in reserve. The main goal is not conquest but display—a bit like returning home in glory. If you feel it’s necessary to destroy a sect, our people can intervene at once.”

Liu Junhuai pondered for a moment. “That seems wise. If my sworn elder brother succeeds in advancing, we’ll have two Core Formation cultivators. But if Sitong comes with me, will it affect her own sect?”

“That’s a concern as well. It seems your Lady will need to speak to her sect about it,” the steward answered.

Liu Junhuai nodded. “I’ll take care of some matters over the next few days, then enter closed cultivation.”

After a few more words with the steward, Liu Junhuai returned to the Chaos Space.

He first greeted Shen Yihuan, then went to where the three women cultivated.

Seeing Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini deep in meditation, Liu Junhuai quietly drew Mo Sitong aside.

“I haven’t had much time with you lately,” he said softly, taking her slender hand. “Once I finish my business, I’ll have to go into seclusion again. You’ve been wronged.”

Mo Sitong smiled. “It’s all right. We have plenty of time together. Even if I don’t see you every day, as long as I can feel you nearby, I’m content.”

“When do you think you can visit your sect?” Liu Junhuai asked. “I’ll be closing up soon, so before that, let’s raise your cultivation. It’ll give you something to show when you return.”

“As if it’s that easy,” Mo Sitong laughed. “Not everyone is as outrageously talented as you.”

“I have my ways,” Liu Junhuai grinned. “Let’s do it tonight, then. But I have one small condition.”

Mo Sitong shot him a sidelong glance, amused by his mischievous smile. “Is there anything you can’t do? What’s your condition? You look suspicious.”

“If you reach the late Foundation Establishment stage, can I kiss you? Of course, if you fail, you can kiss me instead,” Liu Junhuai said with a straight face.

Mo Sitong blushed and made to slap him, but Liu Junhuai caught her hand and said earnestly, “Truly, Sitong, I’m grateful to have met you—your kindness, your understanding, your beauty, and your gentleness. Ever since I met you, you’ve stood quietly by my side, helping me through so much, yet I’ve never properly thanked you.

“My parents died when I was young, so I’ve always longed for a large family, for warmth. You’ve accepted everything about me, even enduring hardship for my sake, but I’ve rarely spoken my heart to you. Once the matter in Pingdu City is resolved, we’ll begin a new chapter of our lives.”

Mo Sitong listened quietly, deeply moved. She knew the pain in Liu Junhuai’s heart, and cherished these rare moments alone with him. She didn’t want to break the peaceful spell.