Chapter 347: Gathering Is Unfavorable

Twilight arrived. The sun was hidden behind a gloomy sky, and a murky light filtered through the rain and clouds. Raindrops, shimmering with light, shattered on the eaves, scattering into a fine mist.

Ning Changjiu sat by the window under the eaves, a bronze brazier placed before him. The light within the brazier flickered, as if breathing.

Ning Changjiu recalled the scriptures he had studied in his dream, meticulously extracting their essence. He circulated this essence through the acupoints throughout his body, causing a thunderous roar within him. In his sea of consciousness, tides seemed to ebb and flow, the fluctuating surface resembling a taut net, suppressing the colossal entity hidden beneath.

After completing the fourth cycle, Ning Changjiu began to hallucinate. He felt as if he were inside the bronze brazier used to warm his hands, every inch of his skin scorched by the charcoal fire. He watched helplessly as his skin burned to a charred black, and with a swipe of his hand, the withered flesh crumbled away. Then, the flames, like countless wriggling maggots, crept along his flesh and into his body, threatening to gnaw every bone into dust.

“Suppress!”

Ning Changjiu bit his tongue, the pain granting him a moment of clarity. He quickly withdrew from his previous state, breathing heavily as he looked at his still-intact arm. He sighed with relief, wiping his forehead to find it drenched in sweat.

This was a sign of over-cultivation, a common pitfall in spiritual practice. In common parlance, it was known as 'cultivation deviation' or 'going astray'.

Fortunately, Ning Changjiu was not greedy. Whenever he cultivated to the point of his sea of consciousness becoming depleted and demonic thoughts threatened to sprout in his mind, he could always react in time and nip them in the bud.

Ning Changjiu calmed his mind and sat by the window for a while. The rain outside misted his face, hissing as it evaporated upon contact with his skin, turning into white vapor.司命 (Siming) looked on from behind, observing that Ning Changjiu’s white robe was enveloped in a mysterious cloud of mist.

Ning Changjiu was almost certain that the scriptures in his dream were the work of his master.

The content recorded in these scriptures was ancient, recounting mythological history while subtly introducing many soul-forging and body-refining techniques. These techniques shared remarkable similarities with the Asura God Record; in fact, one could say they were the source of the Asura God Record.

Ning Changjiu had once pondered a question: why, after enduring a trial of inner demons and a lightning tribulation in the Longevity Realm, could one advance to the vastly different Purple Court Realm?

And after surpassing the nine levels of the Purple Court Realm, with a stroke of luck, one could enter an entirely different profound state.

There were huge, discontinuous gaps between Longevity and Purple Court, and between Purple Court and the Five Paths. It was like jumping from one to five, with two, three, and four completely erased. How were these discontinuities caused?

Ning Changjiu had initially believed this to be a predetermined rule of heaven and earth, requiring no explanation. But in the scriptures of his dream, among the secret cultivation methods of ancient immortals, he was astonished to discover that in ancient times, there seemed to be no division of realms.

Their bodies were like barrels built of bricks. Cultivation was like pouring water into them. While diligently filling the barrel, they also built it higher and thicker, until it became an enormous structure.

Why was there such a vast difference between ancient times and the present?

Ning Changjiu could not find an answer.

He turned around and saw Siming still practicing her sword.

Siming used her body as a conduit, forming a small world within herself. When she cultivated, her clothes and silver hair often moved without a breeze, and her sword qi spread out like feathers behind her, layer upon layer, like a world of glass. Siming sat alone within it, dignified and aloof.

As if sensing Ning Changjiu's gaze, Siming opened her eyes.

The sword light behind her dissipated, scattering into a rain of light.

Siming asked curiously, "What have you been cultivating lately? And where did you learn these demonic arts?"

Ning Changjiu replied without hesitation, "Just some childhood memories from my sect, organizing them in my sea of consciousness, I glimpsed some insights. I found it interesting, so I decided to practice a bit."

Siming said coolly, "You are only... hmm, how old are you again?"

Ning Changjiu smiled, "Almost twenty."

"Hmm," Siming said, "For your age, reaching the peak of the Purple Court is already a miracle. There's no need to be so eager for quick success."

Ning Changjiu said, "I'm not impatient; I'm just exploring methods."

"No need to argue," Siming smiled faintly. "I know that as a man, you are constantly overshadowed by me. Though you appear carefree, you're uncomfortable inside, so you want to cultivate diligently to truly surpass me soon, right?"

Ning Changjiu thought to himself, 'I don't think I've ever lost, though...'

He looked at Siming's proud, smiling red lips and responded with a slight smile, "You're overthinking it. Lord Siming is peerless. How could I ever surpass you unless I could sit on the throne of the Divine Kingdom?"

Siming said coldly, "I doubt you can."

Ning Changjiu chuckled. He looked at Siming's face, untouched by the passage of time, and casually asked, "By the way, how old is Miss Si this year? I have a senior sister with the surname Si..."

As Ning Changjiu spoke, he felt the atmosphere in the room grow cold.

Siming stared at him, cold as ice.

Suddenly, a scream echoed through the room.

Ning Changjiu had just learned another lesson: never casually ask a woman her age.

Siming sat back on the bed, meditating to regulate her breath and cultivate her mind. She casually remarked, "Be careful of the Golden-winged Great Peng."

"Oh? Why?" Ning Changjiu asked.

The Golden-winged Great Peng's envoys had visited them, but it was just a formality; they knew nothing about the death of the Mist Demon King. Ning Changjiu had initially thought it was a setup, but the act seemed to have stopped after merely banging a gong, with no follow-up.

Siming said calmly, "Nothing, just a gut feeling. In this world, the ones who want to kill you most are always your own kind."

Time passed peacefully.

Another night went by in a flash.

Ning Changjiu closed the doors and windows and lay down on the inner side of the bed to sleep. Siming walked behind the screen, took off her divine robe, and changed into a cool, thin nightgown. Shadows flickered on the screen.

Siming donned a simple, thin white robe with a right lapel. Its plain color made her fair skin and red lips appear even more striking.

She walked to the bedside and sat lightly on the edge. Lifting her long, elegant leg, she placed it on the couch, then reached out and sharply pulled a corner of the brocade quilt from Ning Changjiu's hand, drawing half of the blanket over herself, concealing her graceful curves in the dimness.

Ning Changjiu looked at the stunning beauty so close to him and asked curiously, "Why are you sleeping tonight? Not cultivating?"

Siming said, "Sleep brings me peace of mind."

"Why?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Siming casually replied, "Because when I'm asleep, I don't have to see you."

Ning Changjiu was silent for a moment, wanting to argue.

But Siming chuckled, "Don't be ungrateful when you've got it good."

Ning Changjiu sighed and asked, "Do we still need the red thread?"

Siming said, "No need, but if you dare to cross the line, you'll face the consequences!"

Ning Changjiu knew she had a sharp tongue and didn't bother to expose her bluff. He just wanted to see his little Xiang'er in his dream. He casually said, "May you have a good dream."

Siming replied, "You too."

As Ning Changjiu entered his dream, Zhao Xiang'er was already sitting under a large tree, diligently engrossed in a book.

She glanced at Ning Changjiu, then averted her gaze.

Ning Changjiu picked up a book from the grass, brushed off the bits of grass clinging to it, and sat beside Zhao Xiang'er. Zhao Xiang'er, holding her book, leaned slightly against his leg. Ning Changjiu looked at the face of the girl resting on his lap, unable to focus on reading.

Though the knowledge in the book was profound, it seemed to pale in comparison to the girl before him.

A gentle breeze passed, and a delicate fragrance filled his nostrils, whether from flowers or the girl herself, he couldn't tell.

The real world had been gloomy and rainy for days, but the scenery in the dream was dazzlingly bright, making him feel a little unaccustomed.

"Xiang'er," Ning Changjiu called out casually, looking at the book. "Before your mother arranged this marriage, did she ask for your opinion?"

Zhao Xiang'er replied offhandedly, "No, I was little then. It was all Mother's decision."

Ning Changjiu asked again, "Then why did you accept this marriage? Didn't you feel disrespected and get angry?"

Zhao Xiang'er moved the book away from her pretty face, glanced at Ning Changjiu, then covered her face with the book again, saying calmly, "I was naive then, and thought a husband was an interesting thing. Now, I'm almost dying of anger."

Ning Changjiu chuckled and said, "Your nature is too wild. Spending over a decade cultivating your character in the Daoist temple would do you good."

"What nonsense are you spouting now?" Zhao Xiang'er's slow voice came from behind the book. When the book was moved, the girl's eyes were filled with murderous intent. She said, "Ning Changjiu, stop daydreaming. I'm just here to cultivate for two years. Marrying you is absolutely impossible. If we must marry, you will be the one marrying into our Zhao kingdom!"

Ning Changjiu said, "You've already come, and you like it here so much, why would you leave? Is it a matter of saving face?"

Zhao Xiang'er huffed, "I like the mountains and rivers here, not you. Why can't I leave? Besides, our Zhao kingdom has a vast family enterprise. If you marry in and become a consort, I won't treat you badly. It's certainly better than being a junior Daoist priest."

Ning Changjiu said, "If I married into your family, with your temperament, wouldn't I be confined to a deep palace courtyard, unable to see anyone, and bullied my whole life?"

"What? Do you still want to flirt around?" Zhao Xiang'er thought of his 'misdeeds', her eyes stern. "My agreeing to let you marry in is out of respect for Mother's marriage contract. Don't you dare be ungrateful!"

Ning Changjiu retorted, "My willingness to marry you is akin to sacrificing myself to suppress a demon. Can't you be a little more understanding?"

"Sacrificing yourself to suppress a demon?" Zhao Xiang'er threw the book down with a slap and declared, "I think you're asking for another beating!"

Ning Changjiu also refused to compromise, wondering what he would do about Jiajia if he really became a son-in-law marrying into the family.

He said, "If your mother doesn't teach you manners, your senior brother will."

"Pah! I'm clearly the senior sister!" Zhao Xiang'er said, swinging her fists.

Dust rose from the grass.

The two wrestled under the big tree, startling countless birds. They punched and kicked, using every means possible, their Daoist robes becoming disheveled in the struggle.

Ye Chanfeng watched this scene from the divine palace, sighing silently.

She stirred a thought.

Outside the Immeasurable Realm, a woman in white with black hair suddenly appeared.

Lu Jiajia stood among the green wild wheat, gazing at the undulating waves of grain and the ancient rooftops. She fell into contemplation amidst the pleasant breeze.

She had just fallen asleep when she immediately felt a gentle power summoning her. Following the moonlight, she drifted here, finding herself in this place without realizing it.

Lu Jiajia immediately remembered that the goddess who had told her stories last night had said she needed more experience to truly perfect her Sword Heart.

Was this her trial of inner demons?

Lu Jiajia looked at the Daoist temple, thinking that her inner demon trial should contain many troublesome beings... What could they be? Old Lord Crimson Tail? Nine Infants? Qiu Yue? Or other monsters...

Thinking this, Lu Jiajia nervously walked up the steps.

The world was bright.

It was as bright as a stage filled with lights. She stood within it, and everything around her, though simple and unadorned, gave off a sense of detachment and distance.

She entered the temple.

Fish in the release pond frolicked in the light. With her arrival, everything seemed to come to life; fish leaped out of the water, their tails splashing, and the sounds of water blended into a melody.

Lu Jiajia looked ahead. The ancient eaves were weathered by time. The main hall door ahead was open, dark inside, where several unknown divine statues were faintly visible. Lu Jiajia walked among the halls, the upturned eaves seeming to embrace her. She wore a jade crown and a ancient sword at her waist; her ancient beauty harmonized with the Daoist temple.

Lu Jiajia walked around for a while, only feeling the abundant spiritual energy of immortals. There was no sign of demons here at all. This inner demon trial was far too gentle.

She continued forward, reaching the door of the last courtyard.

Inside, faint sounds emerged, as if people were arguing.

Lu Jiajia's heart tightened. Was it finally time to slay demons?

With a heavy heart, she pushed open the courtyard door. The scene of dancing demons rushed at her.

The world fell silent.

Lu Jiajia stared ahead in astonishment, her sword half-drawn.

In the grass beneath the large tree, the still-young Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang'er were wrestling. Flowers and grass clung to their Daoist robes, making them look quite disheveled. They, too, stopped their internal conflict and simultaneously looked at the 'outsider' in the Daoist temple.

Zhao Xiang'er thought to herself, 'I only just thought about beating Ning Changjiu until even Lu Jiajia wouldn't recognize him, and now she's actually here... This dream is too effective, isn't it?'

Ning Changjiu was equally surprised. He instinctively started to say, "Jia...", but then remembered that at this moment, his identity in the dream was that of a sixteen-year-old who shouldn't know Jiajia. Fearing that speaking her name aloud would awaken him, he feigned ignorance, stammering, "Jia... someone's here. Xiang'er, can you see who it is?"

"..." Zhao Xiang'er didn't want to bother with this fool.

Zhao Xiang'er had no qualms and spoke directly, "Miss Lu, why are you here?"

Ning Changjiu was taken aback, thinking, 'How do you know her? What a strange dream.'

Lu Jiajia didn't know how to explain. She immediately realized that the young man and woman before her were her inner demons. Though incredible, upon closer thought, it seemed quite reasonable!

But how was she to eradicate these inner demons? If she were to swing her sword at them, even in a dream, she simply couldn't bring herself to do it.

Hmm... this was indeed very troublesome. As expected of inner demons!

At this moment, a voice echoed in her Sword Heart.

It was the voice of that goddess.

"The Sword Heart requires one hundred Sword Seeds to be full. Each time a talisman is fulfilled, you will gain five. When the Sword Heart is full, that will be the day your Sword Dao reaches perfection."

The goddess's words drifted like light smoke.

Lu Jiajia nodded, half-understanding. Just as she was about to ask what a talisman was, she felt a ripple in her Sword Heart again.

"Talisman one: become their senior sister, make them study diligently, and tolerate no distractions."

Lu Jiajia understood. The talismans were probably tasks assigned to her by the goddess.

Supervising the young man and woman's studies... wasn't this what she did back in the Imperial Sword Heavenly Sect? At that time, she lectured her disciples daily and even struck Ning Changjiu's palm in class, maintaining a cool and dignified presence.

This task seemed not difficult at all. She had both experience and confidence.

Under the astonished gazes of Zhao Xiang'er and Ning Changjiu, Lu Jiajia's face suddenly turned stern. She gently waved her sleeve, closing the courtyard gate. A chill like mid-winter wind seemed to emanate from her sleeves.

She looked at them and said coldly, "I told you to study well here, so what are you doing? Do I have to watch you for you to be serious?"

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang'er exchanged glances.

What... was happening?

Didn't Master tell us to read these books? What does this have to do with Jiajia? And why is she appearing in the dream?

"Don't you understand?" Lu Jiajia said coldly.

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang'er shook their heads in unison.

Lu Jiajia said, "I am your senior sister, appointed by Master to discipline you."

Ning Changjiu was unaccustomed to her tone, which reminded him of her manner during lectures. His heart stirred, thinking that if Siming was a paper tiger, then Jiajia wasn't even a paper tiger; her feigned fierceness would crumble at a touch.

Zhao Xiang'er, however, was quite compliant. She said, "I want to read too, but this wicked Daoist keeps annoying me, making it impossible to focus."

Lu Jiajia turned to Ning Changjiu and asked, "Is this true?"

She looked at the sixteen-year-old boy, retrieving the feeling she had when she used to lecture.

Ning Changjiu retorted, "She was the one who started it."

Lu Jiajia said, "Alright, let bygones be bygones. From now on, I will be watching you. If you dare to misbehave again, don't blame me for enforcing the sect rules."

Ning Changjiu asked, "What are the sect rules?"

Lu Jiajia was momentarily speechless. She paused, then, without changing her expression, recited the rules of the Imperial Sword Heavenly Sect.

Ning Changjiu smiled silently, thinking, 'As expected of Jiajia, even in a dream, her mind isn't very sharp.'

'Never mind, I'll give her some face for now.'

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang'er were led to the wooden table in the courtyard, sitting opposite each other. Lu Jiajia stood before them, slowly pacing, holding a ruler which she lightly tapped against her palm. She said, "Study diligently, no slacking off. If you dare to disobey, this senior sister will use the ruler!"

Things went smoother than she had imagined. After she finished, a voice echoed in her Sword Heart—Talisman achieved.

Her previously empty Sword Heart was filled a little.

Lu Jiajia sighed in relief. She didn't find this task difficult at all. And as for these young man and woman, who had become disrespectful to her after growing up, taking advantage of this dream to assert her authority seemed quite satisfying.

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang'er read their books.

At first, they were engrossed in the profound knowledge of the books, completely focused. However, the sea of consciousness was ultimately limited and could not absorb too much in a short time. Half an hour later, Ning Changjiu felt a hint of fatigue. He looked at Zhao Xiang'er, who was still reading, her eyes flickering, appearing tired as well, though she was still pretending.

Under the stone table, Ning Changjiu extended his leg and nudged Zhao Xiang'er.

Zhao Xiang'er's delicate brows furrowed, and she stepped on his foot.

Ning Changjiu, unwilling to lose, joined the battle with his other foot.

Under the table, a fierce battle was on the verge of erupting.

Lu Jiajia was not blind; she quickly noticed their subtle movements. She slapped the ruler on the table and said coldly, "What are you doing?"

Zhao Xiang'er said, "Lady Lu... Senior Sister, please be fair, he moved his leg first."

Lu Jiajia looked at Ning Changjiu and asked, "Do you have anything to say?"

Ning Changjiu looked at Lu Jiajia, intending to break her cold facade and then seize the ruler to assert his authority as a husband. He stood up and said, "Miss Xiang'er and I are the masters of this temple. Jiajia, you came later, so you should be my junior sister. What kind of logic is this, having a senior sister just appear out of nowhere? And such a fierce one at that..."

Lu Jiajia, due to Ning Changjiu's frequent sword forging, was somewhat afraid of her husband, but she felt she couldn't lose her imposing demeanor. Just then, her Sword Heart gave another command: "Talisman issued: make the restless disciple understand the strict rules of the temple."

Lu Jiajia said, "You defied me in class; that is unforgivable. Hold out your hand."

Ning Changjiu not only refused but chose to resist.

However, in the dream, he was no match for Lu Jiajia at all. Lu Jiajia subdued him and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that fortunately, this inner demon was merely annoying, not powerful. Otherwise, she would have been humiliated again today.

She grabbed Ning Changjiu's hand and severely punished him with the ruler. Ning Changjiu felt like he was sixteen again.

The sound of the ruler hitting his palm reached Zhao Xiang'er's ears, making her feel uncomfortable... This was clearly her husband; if anyone were to bully him, it should be her. Lu Jiajia bullying her husband in front of her was surely an insult to her, wasn't it?

Thinking this, Zhao Xiang'er slammed the table and stood up, saying, "Stop hitting him! If you hit him again, I won't read either."

The Sword Heart issued another talisman: soothe Zhao Xiang'er.

Lu Jiajia thought for a moment, and a flash of inspiration struck her. She said, "Alright, Senior Sister will set another rule! If Ning Changjiu makes a mistake, I will give you the ruler, and you can punish him. But you must study well, otherwise you will lose this privilege. Ning Changjiu, it's the same for you. If Xiang'er doesn't follow the rules, you can also punish her, but you must not violate the rules."

Zhao Xiang'er was silent for a moment, then obediently sat down and said, "Then I shall do as you say."

Ning Changjiu couldn't defeat Lu Jiajia, so he had no objections.

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang'er inwardly refused to concede to each other. If they were punished by the other, they would never be able to hold their heads up again. They would not allow such a thing to happen.

Of course, the main reason was that Lu Jiajia's cultivation realm within the Daoist temple was far above theirs, so they dared not openly challenge her.

The two obediently resumed reading, sitting upright, giving each other no chance to find fault.

Lu Jiajia breathed a sigh of relief.

In her sea of consciousness, two more talismans were completed, and ten Sword Seeds sank into her Sword Heart.

In such a short time, her Sword Heart was already one-fifth complete. The efficiency was remarkable, suggesting that reaching the pinnacle of the Great Dao was an achievable feat in the near future.

Another hour passed.

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang'er were engrossed in their books, but Lu Jiajia noticed something amiss—if they were too obedient, her Sword Heart wouldn't issue any more talismans, and how would she gain Sword Seeds then?

But she had already set the rules; it would be difficult to change them now.

Could it be that... she had to actively create some chaos, then prompt her Sword Heart to issue talismans, thereby achieving the perfection of her Sword Heart faster?

Lu Jiajia narrowed her beautiful, long eyes. As the senior sister, she was actively planning to disrupt the temple's discipline.

But... how to do it?

Lu Jiajia pondered, troubled, even wanting to ask Ning Changjiu for advice.

Just then, a knock suddenly sounded from outside the courtyard gate.

Knock, knock, knock.

The three of them looked up simultaneously, exchanging glances.

Lu Jiajia said, "You two study well. I'll go open the door."

With that, she walked around the big tree and opened the courtyard door.

Lu Jiajia froze again.

"You... why are you here?" Lu Jiajia was utterly bewildered.

Outside the door, Siming stood in her black robe with silver hair, serene and radiant.

She, too, looked at Lu Jiajia with surprise.