Chapter 540: Three Women, One Snake, One Man

A delicate, melodious voice, like threads of rain, drifted into the Dharma vessel, reaching Xu Qing's ears and also heard by Ling'er.

Ling'er's eyes widened as he looked outside with suspicion.

Xu Qing's expression remained calm. Hearing the voice, he waved his hand, and the Dharma vessel's defenses immediately dispersed. At that very moment, Ding Xue's figure arrived, stepping through the moonlight as the vessel's shield vanished.

The person who appeared before Xu Qing had long hair flowing over her shoulders and was clad in a purple robe. A golden ribbon bound her hair, shining brilliantly in the moonlight. The ancient bronze sword on her back made her appear even more gallant.

Yet, she was not without charm. Her eyes, full of smiles, flirtation, and allure, overflowed with emotion. Her delicate lips curved slightly upwards, and her red lips were slightly parted, inviting a kiss.

Coupled with her youthful age, Ding Xue, after two years of not seeing her, had transformed into a woman radiating seductive allure from her very core.

Even the moonlight seemed to grow shy before this enchanting figure, who constantly captivated and stirred the senses of others. As it flowed, it acquired a poetic charm.

Xu Qing was also somewhat surprised, instinctively looking towards the distant shore.

"Brother Xu Qing, why are you looking at me like that?" Ding Xue's pretty face flushed slightly as she walked into the cabin.

"I wasn't looking at you; I was looking for Zhao Zhongheng," Xu Qing said truthfully.

Her face, with a hint of a smile that wasn't quite a smile, carried a trace of resentment and sorrow as she looked at Ling'er.

A simple, seven-character sentence, full of concern, care, worry, and longing. All those emotions were contained within those seven characters, penetrating into Chen Ze's heart and transforming into a refreshing coolness.

But precisely because of this, it further highlighted his uniqueness. His pale face, light willow-leaf eyebrows, and eyes, though not large, seemed to fully reveal his inner world.

Ling'er's body trembled. That coolness unknowingly spread through his heart, causing his stiff body to relax. He allowed the Dharma vessel to hold his hand as he sat down beside it.

Ling'er coughed, comforting Ding Xue.

"Torment of the mind is a higher level."

Ling'er took a deep breath, then stood up and bowed to the newcomer.

"Blindly pursuing physical torment, whether against oneself or an enemy, is merely one method, not the entirety. After excessive use, it indicates maturity."

"His character is resolute; once he decides on something, he won't change it. No matter who tries to persuade him, even if the world collapses, he will have no regrets."

"Brother Ling'er, my grandmother took me to catch these. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the big ones, only these fish and shrimp. But they should be enough for you to play with."

So I smiled, took the spirit tickets, took a bit from the stack, and handed them to Jin Dan.

Ling'er remained expressionless. He raised his left hand and grabbed. Instantly, a wisp of mist from the Misty Clan flew over. The moment it appeared in Ling'er's palm, cold air emanated from Ling'er and converged. In an instant, with crackling sounds, a block of ice formed, freezing the mist within it.

"Well then, Ah Qing, we'll meet in the county capital."

Before Ling'er could speak, a stern laugh echoed within the cabin.

The accumulated stagnation in his Sea of Consciousness was rapidly dissipating, and fluctuations of cultivation were rising from his body.

In addition, the small nose and mouth on her pretty face were also very distinctive, and her high ponytail added a touch of charm.

Xu Qing was extremely obedient, without any hesitation. He immediately tore off a large piece of his clothing. Due to the excessive force, his scar-covered skin was revealed.

The screams became even more shrill.

"I am here to ask you what you think of the name 'Qing Xuan Sect'?"

At this moment, as the voice echoed and Ling'er's body instinctively stiffened, this peerless beauty emerged from nothingness.

"It's all because of this Chen Zeying, hmph! But it doesn't matter, human effort can achieve anything!"

"Therefore, I have named it 'Thorn of Misfortune'."

On his bare arm, countless blood marks could be seen. These were self-inflicted scratches made by fingernails.

Xu Qing looked up, gazing at Chen Ze.

Ling'er understood Chen Ze's state of mind, so he dispersed the defenses, allowing Xu Qing to enter smoothly.

The next moment, the voice of Venerable Dong You, filled with gratitude, came from within the cabin.

Not tormenting others, but tormenting himself in his mind. Only in this extreme sorrow and twistedness could he breathe freely and find pleasure.

Her beautiful eyes scanned the room as she walked up to Xu Qing. Gazing at the captivating face before her, Chen Ze's heart pounded, and she couldn't help but swallow.

There were needles, knives, pliers, saws...

"Brother Ling'er, is this how I am in my heart?"

"Tear off a piece of your clothing for me."

This set of torture instruments had clearly been used many times, stained with resentful spirits and malevolent energy, which permeated the entire cabin.

It seemed he had been waiting for this day for a long time.

This was the voice of Xu Qing's grandmother, Venerable Dong You, and it was very bitter.

I thought to myself.

On the other hand, Ling'er hadn't returned for two years and had many matters to attend to. Also, his different status caused various sects in Yinghuang Province to come and pay their respects to Master Yi during these days. Master Yi also didn't allow Chen Ze to participate.

Chen Ze spoke intensely.

Flawless.

While trying to restrain himself, he secretly regretted having defeated Ling'er on the Mermaid Race island back then.

Jin Dan picked up the spirit tickets nearby, his face turned even redder, and he quickly ran out. After leaving Chen Ze, he looked triumphant on the shore.

Chen Ze found this sentence a bit strange. Just as she was about to speak, she had already stood up, blushing.

"Brother Ling'er, this is osmanthus and lotus seed soup that I personally brewed. I was planning to send it to my aunt and uncle. Could you taste it for me first to see how it is?"

Ling'er nodded. He knew that Jin Dan had consistently helped him collect income over the past two years through Senior Brother Zhang Ba. Chen Ze was very grateful for Jin Dan's warmheartedness.

"I know where your heart lies and where your path leads. I will not stop you, but I want to tell you that at this moment, if he knew about this, he would stand with you."

He was about to speak, but found Ling'er's expression seemingly indifferent. This made him pause, and he spoke with hesitation.

A profound light appeared in Ling'er's eyes, and an ancient voice, inaudible to outsiders, reached his ears.

"This outer part is a divine weapon refined by your master using that divine fish bone. I can try it out on my journey. This item has considerable power, and can serve as my self-defense tool."

The corners of her lips curved upwards, and a smile spread, seemingly capable of soothing all around and stirring one's heart. Yet, her demeanor was dignified and noble, quiet and elegant, like a lotus emerging from water, unblemished by dust.

The entire time, she was discussing serious matters, yet her pleasant voice gave a feeling of immense comfort, making one unconsciously forget the passage of time.

What he understood, I understood even better. What he didn't understand, I also understood better than him.

Chen Ze fell silent, looking at Xu Qing. She saw the despair in his eyes and the languor in his aura. His entire Sea of Consciousness seemed riddled with holes, enveloped by a thick gloom.

Ling'er hesitated, but there was nothing to object to in this matter, so he took it. After tasting a bit, he frowned slightly.

"It's too terrifying, Brother Ling'er. These bad people compared to that Great Demon King, they're not on the same level at all."

Because no matter how much it was torn, the Misty Clan's mist body would instantly merge back together. This meant the pain of tearing couldn't last, making it difficult to elicit a vivid scream.

She then smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes.

"Brother Chen Ze, that's a devil. He's even worse than the previous one. He actually bit my finger, you must be careful!"

Just as Ling'er's relaxed body stiffened again, the Dharma vessel emitted a pleasant laugh, with a playful glint in its eyes. It stood up and left the 'Auntie'. Only a soft voice echoed within the cabin.

Seeing this, Ling'er sighed inwardly and raised his index finger.

Chen Ze's voice turned into ripples in Ling'er's heart, constantly fluctuating.

This kind of torment, where one cannot perceive or see, close at hand yet unreachable and unrecoverable, was not just physical, but also included mental disappointment.

Without preamble, Chen Ze spoke coldly.

Before leaving, Master Yi gave him a long jade box.

The moment he stepped onto the deck, Xu Qing's expression showed a hint of regret. He seemed to have prepared himself for serious injury, and was also anticipating it. Being completely unharmed at this moment surprised him.

As soon as that voice sounded, Ling'er's body instantly stiffened.

Ling'er hesitated, but ultimately nodded.

The Dharma vessel's beautiful eyes gleamed, and its soft voice echoed through the cabin.

What emerged from the mud pit at this moment was not the former, although there were many of them. Most of them radiated Foundation Establishment aura fluctuations, and even the occasional Heavenly Palace Purple Xuan were incredibly healthy.

Ling'er paid no attention. After throwing the ice blocks to Xu Qing, he grabbed again. Immediately, the seventh wisp of Misty Clan mist body arrived. This time, Ling'er no longer used ice, but poison.

Even so, seeing the Misty Clan's mist body torn apart, that scene still fascinated Xu Qing. As his body trembled more and more, he couldn't help but look at Chen Ze.

"Furthermore, you mustn't be too proactive. You need to disguise yourself as prey. Auntie said, that's how she captivated Uncle back then."

"Thank you..."

"Brother Ling'er, you... I understand."

"Especially when he advanced to Purple Xuan earlier, his mind almost collapsed. Although I could protect your physical body, the suppression in your heart had reached its peak. It wasn't about tormenting others, but tormenting yourself, and becoming even more reclusive. I have no other method; I only approve of you."

The other party's character indeed could not be changed in the slightest by anyone's persuasion.

"I am here for one more thing: to redraw a protective totem for him. Come, take off your clothes."

The feeling that this item was a part of himself made Ling'er clearly feel the sharpness of the thorn. As his heart trembled, Master Yi spoke softly.

Soon after, a woman's voice, filled with excitement and a slight tremor, came from within the boat.

The Dharma vessel's stern gaze fell upon Ling'er's face. It then glanced at his collar, and finally smiled, speaking to Ling'er about the future development of the Qing Xuan Sect.

"Brother Ling'er."

Ding Xue popped out from Chen Ze's collar, her tone serious.

"Ling'er, please help this old one's only grandson... He has an unusual constitution, and inner demons have grown since childhood. His personality has also become increasingly tyrannical. Although I often purify him, the evil thoughts intertwined with his character cannot be eradicated."

Hearing this, Ling'er was instinctively wary at first, but then felt it was unlikely. Nevertheless, he ultimately harbored a bit more caution in his heart.

Xu Qing's excitement surged again. The screams in his ears were like the most beautiful celestial music in the world.

"I understand."

But I didn't care at all. Like a small dog, I quickly crawled to Chen Ze and handed her the cloth with both hands.

"This way, it loses its physical freedom, and the core of its soul."

"It's a bit sweet."

Inside the cabin, Ling'er frowned. Jin Dan's previous words had been ambiguous.

As Ding Xue wavered between belief and doubt, time passed, and several days went by.

Vaguely, it seemed the first Heavenly Palace was about to form.

Ling'er was pensive. He noticed that something was amiss with Xu Qing.

During this time, Xu Qing went into seclusion, and Chen Ze did not reappear. Only Jin Dan occasionally came to Ling'er's side, but none of his plans could be put into action.

Jin Dan's small face instantly flushed, and he thought to himself.

Although the Misty Clan was sanctioned by the human race after the change in the County Governor, some of them had sensed it and escaped, or were out and hadn't returned.

Whether it was being charmed by her at their first meeting, or her varied style during the river patrol, or the gaze in the county capital, or facing each other naked while practicing protective techniques...

"Give these to him."

But his condition had worsened.

Jin Dan encouraged himself, raised his hand and took out a stack of spirit tickets, placing them before Ling'er. During this, he intentionally revealed his fair, jade-like arms, resembling lotus roots.

After a while, Ding Xue poked her head out from Ling'er's collar, staring blankly at where Xu Qing had been. Ling'er felt a bit awkward and was about to explain, when Ding Xue suddenly gasped.

"Experienced!" Ling'er suddenly spoke.

After a long time, Ling'er spoke softly.

Screams immediately emanated from within the ice block. As flying knives arrived and pierced the ice block, they cut apart the sealed Misty Clan member.

Ding Xue's full chest rose and fell slightly. Clearly, Xu Qing's insensitive remark had quite an impact, but for Ding Xue, it was nothing.

On her delicate, clear, and beautiful face, her eyebrows were long and picturesque, and her eyes sparkled like stars.

Thinking of this, Chen Ze began to meticulously list her plans in her mind...

Xu Qing lowered his head, withdrew his finger, and sucked on it in his mouth.

As he spoke, Xu Qing's eyes showed unease. Even the aura around him was faint and chaotic, his expression relaxed, yet tinged with despair.

Ling'er smiled. He was about to meditate, but soon he looked up and gazed outside.

Especially remembering how, when he was at his poorest, Jin Dan had given him spirit stones out of a desire for knowledge. This made Ling'er have a good impression of Jin Dan from beginning to end.

She wore a long white dress adorned with light purple roses, with a moon-embroidered silk belt of the same color tied around her waist. Her pure white hair was styled into a princess bun, adorned with a pearl flower hairpin from which tassels dangled.

After a long while, Ling'er let out a long breath. When he instinctively lowered his head to look at his collar, Ding Xue tremblingly crawled out from within, her eyes filled with emotion, and she spoke quickly.

Matching Ling'er's breathing, it formed a bloodline connection.

Xu Qing's body trembled. His red lips were slightly parted. The more Chen Ze reprimanded him, the stronger his inner joy became. The infatuation in his eyes reached its peak. So he raised his hand, bit his finger until it bled, and trembling, offered it to Ling'er.

What he saw, I had seen before. What he had not seen, I was also more familiar with.

And his Heavenly Palace also suddenly formed at this moment!

Although it was an inanimate object, the moment Ling'er looked at it, it trembled throughout, as if endowed with breath.

What I thought in my heart, he knew. Even my unconscious thoughts, he seemed to understand.

His exquisite appearance, his infatuated gaze, and the scars on his arm—all of this formed a uniquely distinctive figure.

Chen Ze.

The shock to his mind caused Xu Qing to collapse and fall unconscious.

Instantly, the cloth turned white. The Misty Clan figure, under the cloth's absorption, appeared in his mind.

"Brother Ling'er, I'm leaving now. You just returned, so you should rest well. I'll come find you tomorrow."

"Greetings, Immortal."

Inside the cabin, there was silence.

"Brother Ling'er... let's begin."

Inside the jade box was a white thorn, finger-thick, covered in natural patterns. A terrifying aura flowed within it, and divine fluctuations spread in all directions.

The poison spread, rapidly merging into the mist body. Its influence permeated the mist, poisoning not only the mist body but also corroding the soul.

"Well then, Ah Qing, we'll meet in the county capital."

This jar was much larger than your slender body, appearing very incongruous.

Chen Ze waved her hand. Immediately, needles from Xu Qing's torture tools flew out, and with Ling'er's cultivation boosting them, they pierced through the ice block, stabbing into the frozen, immobile Misty Clan mist body.

Thus, a wailing scream, even more intense, spread throughout the cabin.

What he understood, I understood even better. What he didn't understand, I also understood better than him.

And his Heavenly Palace also suddenly formed at this moment!

Although it was an inanimate object, the moment Ling'er looked at it, it trembled throughout, as if endowed with breath.

What I thought in my heart, he knew. Even my unconscious thoughts, he seemed to understand.

His exquisite appearance, his infatuated gaze, and the scars on his arm—all of this formed a uniquely distinctive figure.

Chen Ze.

The shock to his mind caused Xu Qing to collapse and fall unconscious.

Instantly, the cloth turned white. The Misty Clan figure, under the cloth's absorption, appeared in his mind.

"Brother Ling'er, I'm leaving now. You just returned, so you should rest well. I'll come find you tomorrow."

"Greetings, Immortal."

Inside the cabin, there was silence.

"Brother Ling'er... let's begin."

Inside the jade box was a white thorn, finger-thick, covered in natural patterns. A terrifying aura flowed within it, and divine fluctuations spread in all directions.

The poison spread, rapidly merging into the mist body. Its influence permeated the mist, poisoning not only the mist body but also corroding the soul.

Ling'er was a bit lost in thought, instinctively carefree.

Ling'er's eyes grew warm.

But it was still a bit short.

Two years ago, although the other party was also pathological, they were far from reaching the current level of madness. Scratches, both new and old, covered their arms, and one could imagine their entire body was the same.

After Ling'er took it, he gave a slight wave. Instantly, the cloth became damp, imbued with sealing power. He then grabbed the eighth wisp of Misty Clan mist body, and pressed it directly onto the cloth.

Inside the boat, a young girl in white stood there, holding a large mud jar, which she carried on her shoulder.

Ling'er also gradually relaxed.

"After you left, I had no fun playing by myself."

The cabin slowly became quiet.

The Dharma vessel's smile became even more beautiful.

Ding Xue's eyes suddenly widened, and she instinctively hid.

Xu Qing's eyes held excitement and anticipation. He raised his hand and grabbed. Instantly, a Misty Clan figure was drawn to him, struggling as it floated in his palm. Numerous blades flew in from the side, rapidly spinning around it, forming a blade-wind.

Thus, a wailing scream, even more intense, spread throughout the cabin.

"Also, thank you, Brother, for the pocket money."

"Brother Ling'er, this is the income from Blood Eye Port 118 for the past two years. No matter how shrewd Zhang Ba is, he's not as meticulous as me; not a single spirit coin is missing."

Until late at night, Chen Ze said softly.

But unexpectedly, what happened next made him tremble with excitement again. He swiftly rushed into the cabin, placed the mud pit down with a thud, and with a wave of his hand, a full set of torture instruments clattered into view beside it.

"It's good that you're safe."

It was filled with infatuation, fanaticism, and a pathological attachment.

As the mud pit shattered, wisps of mist rose from within, clearly revealed to be the Misty Clan.

"Auntie's method really works. I need to position myself as a chief steward. And to win over Brother Ling'er, I mustn't rush. I need to be subtle, like gentle rain nourishing things silently. Only then can I make him lower his guard, and then, unknowingly, he'll be melted by me."

When Jin Dan arrived, I could ignore him. When Chen Ze appeared, I could suppress her. But in this four-sect alliance, there was one woman who, ever since Chen Ze encountered her, was always mentally flustered.

And the sense of suffocation contained deep within his eyes was like the instinctive plea of a drowning person on the verge of death.

That person was the peerlessly graceful Immortal Chen Ze.

I thought to myself.

His exquisite appearance, his infatuated gaze, and the scars on his arm—all of this formed a uniquely distinctive figure.

Xu Qing was extremely obedient, without any hesitation. He immediately tore off a large piece of his clothing. Due to the excessive force, his scar-covered skin was revealed.

In addition, the small nose and mouth on her pretty face were also very distinctive, and her high ponytail added a touch of charm.

Her beautiful eyes scanned the room as she walked up to Xu