The Beauty Cultivation Technique

Chapter 42: Reunion

Neither Ji Yaoge nor the wooden girl had expected to see Gu Xingzhi under such circumstances. They exchanged glances, both reading a hint of sympathy in each other's eyes—even though the wooden girl was anxious.

Gu Xingzhi could be considered a gentleman at heart. He was more like a disciple of the Wu Xiang Sword Sect than she was, practically a model of the righteous sects' standards: upright, kind, and detesting evil. His internal scale always distinguished black from white, with no gray areas, making him somewhat rigid but also making his beliefs purer.

Having spent over two hundred years with him at Wanren Mountain, he had always treated her with respect. Even after their feelings became clear, he never overstepped boundaries. Such a Gu Xingzhi would surely despise a place like Chixiu Palace, filled with enchantresses.

The idea that he had any improper intentions towards Yao Huang was something neither Ji Yaoge nor the wooden girl believed.

They hurriedly followed Zong He through most of Chixiu Palace, finally arriving at Xiaolan Scenic Spot. Xiaolan Scenic Spot was a stone platform in the back mountain for moon viewing, neglected and desolate due to its remote location.

Today, however, it was unusually lively. Chixiu Palace disciples surrounded the platform, but no one made a sound, afraid of disturbing the duel.

Zong He pushed through the crowd. Ye Long stood at the front, arms crossed, watching the duel with a blank expression. Ji Yaoge approached and softly greeted, "Senior Sister Ye Long." Ye Long only responded with a "hmm," her eyes still glued to the duel.

Purple smoke swirled around Xiaolan Scenic Spot, with figures moving within the mist. From their position, they couldn't see clearly. Ji Yaoge only heard the sound of bells, crisp and melodious, captivating. Laughter from several women accompanied the bells, bewitching and soul-stealing. Occasionally, clear figures appeared in the smoke—graceful women in thin veils, their curves alluring, their postures seductive. A faint fragrance, like a young girl's body scent, wafted over, intoxicating even from a distance. Some low-level disciples were already blushing and dazed.

The Illusory Love Chapter of the "Twelve Immortal Demon Dance" was led by Yue Xiao, with four female cultivators dancing alongside, accompanied by Luanhe Smoke and Hehuan Bells. Chixiu Palace hadn't used such a grand formation against a man in years.

The last time was against a rogue cultivator practicing evil arts, who tried to capture female cultivators from Chixiu Palace as cauldrons, angering Lady Ying Shuang. She set up this Illusory Love Formation, which trapped the rogue in an illusion until his essence was exhausted, his cultivation destroyed, and he was expelled from Tiyu State.

Apart from that, Chixiu Palace rarely used such seductive arts. Lady Ying Shuang, though lenient with her disciples, had one unbreakable rule: no abusing seductive arts to harvest yin and yang, using cultivators as cauldrons.

This was a major taboo in Chixiu Palace. As for consensual relationships, they were either indulgence or practice, not bothering others, and no one cared. After all, they practiced seductive arts; expecting them to be proper gentlemen was impossible. Hence, the reputation of the seductive sects in the cultivation world was always poor, but Lady Ying Shuang and Chixiu Palace walked the line between right and wrong, never crossing it.

This was one reason Ji Yaoge had stayed in Chixiu Palace for two hundred years.

Now, for Gu Xingzhi to force Chixiu Palace to use such high-level measures, there must have been a severe conflict, prompting the disciples to band together against the enemy. Despite being a small, free-spirited sect, Chixiu Palace disciples were willing to defend against external threats, allowing the sect to survive in Tiyu State for centuries without being divided.

Through the thick mist, Ji Yaoge couldn't see Gu Xingzhi, only vague figures. Someone seemed to be sitting still in the center. After two hundred years, Gu Xingzhi's cultivation should have reached the mid-Core Formation stage, similar to Ye Long's level. But in terms of skills, apart from Lady Ying Shuang, no one present could match him. Whether the "Twelve Immortal Demon Dance" was effective, she couldn't tell yet. But if it came to a real fight, they wouldn't fare well.

"What are you hesitating for? Stop it now!" The wooden girl was anxious, almost jumping.

Ji Yaoge glanced at the wooden girl, puzzled, "You should have confidence in Senior Brother Gu's skills."

"I..." The wooden girl admitted she was a bit too concerned.

As they spoke, a fierce and powerful aura suddenly surged from the mist—Ji Yaoge recognized it immediately as Gu Xingzhi's "Four Seas Return to One." Ye Long's face darkened, but before she could react, the bell sounds lost their rhythm, the purple smoke was swept away by a strong wind, and a man's suppressed roar echoed. Several slender figures were thrown out of Xiaolan Scenic Spot.

Ye Long quickly caught Yue Xiao and landed, her eyes fixed on the person in the formation.

Cries of pain rose around them, from the other female cultivators who had been expelled from the formation.

As the smoke cleared, the Luanhe Smoke was scattered, the Hehuan Bells shattered on the ground, and the sound of waves crashing faintly filled the air. Gu Xingzhi stood on the stone platform, his clothes disheveled, his long sword split into three, his gaze fixed on Yue Xiao.

With a shout, he leaped, his sword aimed at Yue Xiao. Ye Long's curved blade leaped from its sheath, ready to meet Gu Xingzhi. But a fiery figure flew in front of Ye Long, ice armor quickly forming before her.

With a "shh," Gu Xingzhi's sword pierced the ice armor, which cracked into powder. Ji Yaoge didn't have time to lament the expensive magical item she had just bought before Gu Xingzhi's second sword strike came.

"Move aside," Ye Long's voice came from behind, her curved blade humming. Ji Yaoge knew she couldn't let them fight, or there would be casualties—this wasn't the outcome they wanted. If Gu Xingzhi was injured, Wanren Mountain would retaliate, and Chixiu Palace couldn't afford it. If Ye Long was injured, how would they avenge it?

In just a few moments, she had enough reason to act.

Though the ice armor shattered, she had already prepared two green spiritual tools in her hands: Sand Bind in her left and Vine Wrap in her right. She released them one after the other. Gu Xingzhi's sword seemed to sink into the sand, its momentum slowing, then as if entangled by ropes.

These two techniques were designed to counter "Four Seas Return to One," but her cultivation level wasn't high enough to harm him, only weakening his attack. He shook his sword, cutting through the spells, ready to strike again, but heard a clear voice, "Daoist Gu, I am the one you're looking for."

His enraged rationality slightly returned, his sword slowed, and he pressed her towards the distance, his clear eyes meeting hers, sparks flying.

Bang—

Ji Yaoge's back hit the distant mountain wall, a sharp pain piercing through her. Several flying swords conjured by Gu Xingzhi stabbed into the stone wall, causing a tremor, rocks falling. Ji Yaoge's eardrums ached from the vibration, her neck chilled as his long sword grazed her neck, embedding in the stone. The slight sting suggested the sword wind had cut her skin.

Hot breath hit her face as Gu Xingzhi pressed close, his hand gripping the sword, pinning her to the wall. A hint of pine scent rose from his body heat, a familiar scent to Ji Yaoge. But seeing him like this was a first. The usually well-dressed man, even in private, had never been so disheveled. Though he broke the formation, he had suffered within it.

"Ji, Yao, Ge?" Her name came out of his mouth one word at a time, his half-hidden eyes bloodshot, filled with undisguised anger and lingering desire, a stark contrast to his usual restraint.

This was a completely unfamiliar Gu Xingzhi.

His face was still flushed, his exposed skin red from the effects of the "Twelve Immortal Demon Dance." Ji Yaoge didn't like being pinned like this. She moved, trying to break free and calm the agitated Gu Xingzhi.

"I am. I think there's a misunderstanding between our sects, Daoist Gu. We should..." Before she could finish, she noticed his body tremble, his gaze turning strange and angry, his face flushing even more—she seemed to have accidentally brushed against a sensitive part of him.

"Shut up, don't move." Gu Xingzhi took deep breaths, trying to suppress his restless desire. The lingering effects of the formation made her every move feel like a provocation, intensifying his desire. His hot skin craved the coolness of the woman before him—this unintentional teasing was too much, and he almost lost control. It was his mistake, getting so close in his rage.

After a moment, he pulled his sword and leaped away. When he landed, his figure wavered, but when he reappeared, his clothes were neat, his hair tied up, only his trembling hand gripping the sword showing any sign of his previous state. He seemed back to normal, except for the disdain and disgust in his eyes—emotions she had never seen before.

"Despicable methods of the seductive sect, Gu has experienced them today!" Gu Xingzhi's voice was low but loud enough for Ji Yaoge and the approaching people to hear. His voice was cold, his eyes filled with contempt and hatred, labeling her a "demoness."

"Daoist Gu, I don't know why you had a conflict with my fellow disciples, but if you're here to seek justice for Zhou Ling, I can tell you clearly, Zhou Ling deserved her punishment. She coveted the treasures of Shigong Ridge, was arrogant and reckless, and only lost a Sun Mirror.

The master of Shigong Ridge was already merciful! I don't know how Zhou Ling slandered me and Chixiu Palace outside, nor how she twisted the truth. As a disciple of a righteous sect, you should be fair and just.

Please ask Zhou Ling clearly and manage your fellow disciples, to not engage in such hypocritical and slanderous acts!" Ji Yaoge raised her hand, stopping Ye Long and Bai Yan from stepping forward. Her face and voice turned cold; she didn't like Gu Xingzhi's attitude.

Gu Xingzhi had calmed down but was still angry. Today's events were a humiliation for him, even though he hadn't been defeated. Someone like him didn't mind a fair fight but hated such underhanded humiliation.

"I didn't come to seek justice for Zhou Ling. I have some questions for Miss Ji, but your disciple Yao repeatedly obstructed me and set up a bewitching trap. In my anger, I acted, and your disciples attacked without listening to my explanation. I want to ask, is this how your sect treats guests?"

Ji Yaoge instinctively looked at Yao Huang. Yao Huang, standing behind Ye Long, had a seductive smile, "He was sneaking around outside our gate, asking about you. I didn't know his intentions. Recently, the disciples of the three sects have been hostile towards us. I feared they might target us, so I invited him in and used some bewitching arts to gather information. You know, our bewitching arts rely on... certain interactions between men and women. Who knew he was like a virgin? Halfway through my spell, he suddenly woke up, injured me, and scolded us in front of the junior disciples. He touched and hugged me, and I didn't even get angry!"

Hearing the word "virgin," Gu Xingzhi's barely suppressed anger flared up again. Ji Yaoge quickly interrupted Yao Huang, "What happened next? How did Senior Sister Yue Xiao get involved?"

Yue Xiao, pale and supported by Ye Long, gritted her teeth, "I had just returned from outside and heard some disciples from the three sects slandering our sect and you. Their filthy words were infuriating. When I returned, I saw Yao Huang injured by him, and he was arrogantly scolding us. You should have seen his superior attitude, as if our place was filthy. Hmph, how pure is he? If he's so righteous, he should never touch a woman in his life!"

"..." Gu Xingzhi's good manners and temper were exhausted today, barely holding back from arguing with them.

Laughter rose from the crowd, and Yue Xiao continued, "I couldn't stand it. Since he prides himself on being a gentleman, he should withstand our 'Immortal Demon Dance.' How did you find the experience, Daoist Gu?"

"Yue Xiao!" Ye Long scolded, and Yue Xiao fell silent.

Gu Xingzhi's face turned from red to black. He had suspected the person on Shigong Ridge was the one he was looking for, but due to that person's eccentric temperament, he didn't dare approach directly. So he came to Chixiu Palace to inquire about Ji Yaoge, planning to visit Shigong Ridge with a well-prepared plan. Who knew it would lead to this series of conflicts?

Ji Yaoge felt relieved and looked at Ye Long for confirmation. Ye Long nodded slightly and said, "It was a misunderstanding. We misunderstood Daoist Gu. I am Ye Long, the senior sister of Chixiu Palace. I apologize on behalf of my impulsive junior sisters. They are injured now. Can we let this matter rest?"

"Ye Long!" Yue Xiao protested, tugging at her sleeve, but Ye Long silenced her with a glare.

Opposing Gu Xingzhi meant opposing all of Wanren Mountain, which was unwise.

Gu Xingzhi didn't want to entangle with them further. He floated up and said, "If it's a misunderstanding, let's resolve it. But your sect's actions today will be remembered. Farewell!" With that, he left.

"Hmph! Hypocrite," Yue Xiao muttered at the empty sky, then winced, "Ouch, it hurts!"

"That's what you get for being impulsive!" Ye Long scolded, supporting her. "Everyone involved today, go to the Lingering Pavilion for a bottle of Spirit Gathering Powder to heal... and then to the Discipline Hall for ten lashes!"

"..." Everyone's faces fell.

"Me too?" Yue Xiao pointed at herself.

"As the senior sister, you didn't teach them well and led them into trouble, almost causing a disaster. Twenty lashes!" Ye Long pulled her hand down.

"Ye Long!" Yue Xiao was furious.

The two argued as they left, and the others gradually dispersed. The wooden girl stared blankly at the sky—two hundred years, and this was all she got, not even a word exchanged.

Ji Yaoge didn't move, lost in thought until Bai Yan came to pull her. She then clenched a piece of talisman paper in her hand.

The talisman was secretly thrown to her by Gu Xingzhi as he left, with familiar yet hasty writing—

"Tonight at midnight, Shuangxia Yanpo, I have important matters to discuss. Please come."

He wanted to meet her alone.