Chapter Forty-Seven: The Sacred Body of the Wood Spirit

After a long silence, Ye Wuyá spoke, “Well, it’s true you’re very beautiful—no exaggeration to say you could topple empires in the future!” He paused, then added, “But I have no shortage of maidservants.”

On hearing this, Dongfang Yanran grew anxious. “Senior, I—I possess a special constitution!”

A special constitution? This was only the second time Ye Wuyá had heard those words.

The first time, Xueqing had spoken of Ye Ruoyue and Ye Ruxue being Ice Spirit Divine Bodies.

Now, he was hearing “special constitution” again—this time from the person herself.

“What special constitution? And what does that have to do with anything?” Ye Wuyá asked, puzzled.

“Senior, I am a Wood Spirit Sacred Body. It’s very unique,” Dongfang Yanran replied, her face flushed.

“Oh? A Wood Spirit Body? What’s so special about it?” Ye Wuyá inquired.

Seeing his interest piqued, Dongfang Yanran hurried to explain, “My first time can help you raise your cultivation. It depends on my own cultivation level. For example, right now, in the Spirit Gathering Realm, I can help you ascend one tier; at the next realm, two tiers, and so on—up to an entire major realm.”

“And also, this body isn’t bound by the will of heaven and earth. No matter what realm, I can bear children like an ordinary woman—without the troubles of other cultivators, who cannot conceive after forming a core.”

“The most important point is that this constitution is hereditary—but only passed to daughters, not sons. If I bear a daughter, she inherits this body. If a son, I can pass on all my cultivation to him—without restriction!” Dongfang Yanran recited all the details, her cheeks aflame.

“Isn’t this Wood Spirit Sacred Body practically defying the heavens? No wonder it’s called a Sacred Body,” Ye Wuyá thought to himself.

With a thud, Dongfang Yanran knelt before Ye Wuyá, pleading, “Senior, I beg you—if you kill that beast Mu Qing for me, I’ll serve by your side for life, never wavering! I swear it!” She raised her right hand in oath as she spoke.

Ye Wuyá looked at the beauty kneeling before him, unsure of his feelings. One could say he’d be accepting a stunning maidservant for free, one who would serve him with utter devotion—but, thinking carefully, things were not so simple.

He sighed, “Get up.”

Dongfang Yanran was stunned. She’d said so much—she was beautiful and possessed a unique body, a blessing for both him and future generations. Given his power to help avenge her, what man would refuse? Yet… was this a rejection?

Still unwilling to give up, Dongfang Yanran asked dazedly, “Senior, are you refusing me?”

“It’s not that,” Ye Wuyá replied. “Mu Qing was killed by me a few days ago.”

“What?” Dongfang Yanran froze, then erupted in joy, “Senior, is it true? Weren’t you buried underground before?”

Ye Wuyá nodded, replying without turning, “I drained his cultivation and lifeblood. That’s how he died.”

He didn’t address the matter of being buried—he’d been inexplicably entombed, which vexed him all the more. Had he not met Dongfang Yanran, who knew how long he’d have been trapped?

Suddenly, Ye Wuyá felt a weight on his back. Two soft arms reached around from behind, hugging him tightly. Dongfang Yanran’s intoxicating breath brushed his ear as she whispered, “Senior, thank you! Truly, thank you! Otherwise, I don’t know when I would have avenged myself.”

“Let go,” Ye Wuyá said sternly.

“No, I won’t!” Dongfang Yanran nuzzled against his neck, clinging close.

“Let’s talk properly. If you don’t let go, I’ll get angry,” Ye Wuyá pretended to scold.

“Oh, don’t be angry, Senior. I’ll get down,” Dongfang Yanran said, jumping off him at once.

Ye Wuyá turned to look at her—she stood there, looking guilty and pitiful, adorably vulnerable.

But he spoke sternly, “Mu Qing is dead. You should leave now.”

“What? Senior, you want to send me away?” Dongfang Yanran protested, lifting her head with wide, stubborn eyes. “No, I won’t go! I have nowhere to return to.”

“Then what do you want?” Ye Wuyá sighed.

“Of course, I want to stay with you, Senior!” she said playfully. “Wherever you go, I’ll go.”

“I have a family,” Ye Wuyá replied, turning his back.

“Senior, I don’t mind. I dare not ask for a formal place, just let me stay by your side and care for you. If you’re weary, I’ll play the zither for you; if you’re thirsty, I’ll bring you tea. I’m willing to be your little maidservant—please, grant my wish.” She was about to kneel again.

Ye Wuyá caught her before she could, exasperated. “Don’t kneel so easily! Even men treasure their dignity—a woman should as well.”

“Senior, does that mean you agree?” Dongfang Yanran asked eagerly.

“I didn’t say that!” Ye Wuyá rolled his eyes. Was there something wrong with her comprehension?

“Yay! Thank you, Senior!” Dongfang Yanran cheered, leaping up. Of course, her comprehension was fine—he hadn’t refused, had he?

“Do you really believe I killed Mu Qing, and am not lying to you?” Ye Wuyá was resigned as he watched her eat happily. He let it be—if she wanted to follow, let her; she’d leave after a couple of days, surely.

Learning that Mu Qing was dead, Dongfang Yanran finally shed her burdens and the mask she’d worn. In front of Ye Wuyá, she was just an innocent, lively girl.

“No, Senior, you’re so powerful—there’s no need for you to deceive me!” Dongfang Yanran replied. In her mind, Ye Wuyá was a mysterious and formidable expert. Being with him felt like having an unbreakable shield—utterly reassuring.

“All right, eat your fish. Once you’ve finished, restore your cultivation. At dawn, we move out,” Ye Wuyá said, squatting to roast more fish. He didn’t ask further—what weighed on his mind now was the situation of the Ye family, but from Dongfang Yanran’s demeanor, she knew nothing.

Earlier, a mysterious master had driven him from the Ye family’s back mountain. Night had fallen, making return impossible, so they would set out at first light.

“Okay! By the way, Senior, where are we headed?” Dongfang Yanran asked.

“Don’t ask so much—you’ll see tomorrow.” Ye Wuyá tapped her head gently with a twig.

“Oh, got it!” Dongfang Yanran replied, happily eating her fish.

“Yanran, didn’t you marry into the Lu family? Why are they hunting you down?” Ye Wuyá asked.

“Lu Jie from the Lu family drugged me with Spring Night Powder!” At this, a murderous glint flashed in Dongfang Yanran’s eyes.

“Spring Night Powder? What’s that?” Ye Wuyá had his suspicions from the name, but still asked.

At his question, Dongfang Yanran blushed deeply; after all, no woman could stay calm after being drugged with an aphrodisiac.

“Senior, it’s... an aphrodisiac,” she explained shyly.

“Aphrodisiac? Then you...” Ye Wuyá began.

“Please don’t misunderstand, Senior, Lu Jie didn’t take advantage of me. In fact, the Wood Spirit Sacred Body has a natural resistance to such drugs—they have no effect on me,” Dongfang Yanran explained quickly, afraid of any misunderstanding.

Ye Wuyá nodded, deeming it unwise to dwell further. “And then?”

“Then I killed that hypocrite and escaped! Luckily, I met you; otherwise, if caught, I’d have lost my cultivation and been tortured to death by the Lu family,” she said fearfully.

............

Ling City.

City Lord’s Mansion.

“Xiao’er, how goes the situation?” Ling Feng asked as he sipped his tea.

“Father, the Lu and Mu families had the upper hand for a while, but since the chief of Qingfeng Stronghold arrived with reinforcements, the situation has stabilized. They’re now at a standoff in the Lu family’s square,” Ling Xiao replied.

“Oh? The situation has stabilized?” Ling Feng swirled his teacup.

“Yes.” Ling Xiao nodded.

“It seems the chief of Qingfeng Stronghold brought quite a number of men this time.” The city lord Ling Feng sighed.

“He did—almost all their main force. The chief has long wanted to repay Ye Yunlong’s kindness. As soon as he received Ye Yunlong’s letter, he led his troops here without delay,” Ling Xiao explained, then asked, “Father, are we really not going to help?”

“Xiao’er, who do you think we should help?” Ling Feng asked, glancing at his son.

Ling Xiao pondered, then replied, “I don’t understand. Please enlighten me.”

“Ah! Neither side is easy to help,” Ling Feng sighed.

“Why do you say that, Father?” Ling Xiao pressed.

Currently, the Lu and Mu families were stalemated with the Ye family and Qingfeng Stronghold. The sides were evenly matched, and the city lord’s support would tip the scales. Why did his father say neither side was easy to support?

Seeing his son’s confusion, Ling Feng explained, “The key is the ambiguous position of Immortal Moon Pavilion, and that white-haired youth has yet to appear. If we choose the wrong side, it won’t be as simple as winning or losing.”

“The wrong side?” Ling Xiao was puzzled.

“Xiao’er, your vision is still too narrow. Think—if Immortal Moon Pavilion truly sides with the Ye family, why would they wait until now? If they don’t, the Ye family would already have been destroyed. So their intentions are inscrutable,” Ling Feng continued after a pause. “As for the Lu family’s Lu Li—he’s the personal disciple of Elder Lieyang of the Sunfire Sect. In the entire Yan Kingdom, aside from Azure Cloud Sect, only Immortal Moon Pavilion needn’t fear the Sunfire Sect.”

“If we support the Ye family and Immortal Moon Pavilion has no ties to them, we can’t afford to offend the Sunfire Sect. If we support the Lu family but the Ye family is backed by Immortal Moon Pavilion, we’re doomed all the same!”