The Azurerain realm was located in a valley on the mainland, surrounded by towering mountains.
A giant flying boat hovered above a barrier, its surroundings shimmering with a faint blue light that separated the realm from the outside world.
A celestial master stood at the front of the flying boat, his robes billowing in the wind as he looked down at the disciples. He announced the rules of the trial: "Disciples, this trial will test your cultivation, wisdom, and perseverance."
He unrolled a scroll. "Within the Azurerain realm, there are many rare herbs and medicinal plants. Whoever can collect these herbs and bring them back to the sect will receive corresponding points."
"There are also various kinds of demons and monsters. Killing these demons and taking their demon cores will also earn you points."
The celestial master paused, then said solemnly, "The most important goal of this trial is to slay the black jiao true lord."
Upon hearing this, the disciples were all shocked. The creature called a "jiao" was no ordinary monster.
A snake that cultivated for five hundred years would transform into a jiao, indicating that this particular jiao must have at least five hundred years of cultivation.
The most powerful demons the disciples had encountered were only a few hundred years old, and even those were extremely fierce, requiring the combined efforts of dozens of disciples in a formation to subdue.
A five hundred-year-old jiao lord, especially one referred to as a "true lord" — a title reserved for extremely powerful figures in the Daoist realm — must be an incredibly powerful demon.
The Conundrum Sect's sect master was known as the "Plumblossom True Lord.” The title "true lord" carried immense weight. This black jiao true lord was undoubtedly a formidable demon.
The celestial master continued, "The black jiao is the most powerful demon in the Azurerain realm. Whoever can slay the black jiao and obtain its demon core will be the ultimate victor of this trial."
The morale of the Violetstage Peak disciples was already low, and the news of the powerful black jiao true lord sent a wave of fear through them.
Li Lanxiu glanced at the outer sect disciples on the lower deck of the flying boat. Chu Yue stood out among them, his posture straight and handsome.
Li Lanxiu remembered this part of the original story vividly. The Azurerain realm opened once every hundred years, not only for Conundrum Sect's trial but also for those of the other three sects.
Before encountering the disciples of Conundrum Sect, the black jiao true lord had devoured countless cultivators, growing increasingly savage and invincible. It had caused immense suffering for many.
When the disciples of Conundrum Sect were unable to defeat the black jiao true lord and scattered in all directions, Chu Yue had fallen into an ancient tomb where he encountered a lone holy maiden from the Jademaiden Sect.
While searching for an exit together, they stumbled upon a tomb belonging to a former sect master of the Joyful Union Sect. The only way to escape was for a man and a woman to consummate their relationship within the tomb.
Chu Yue, being inexperienced at the time and not yet as promiscuous as he would later become, was a gentleman. The holy maiden gradually developed feelings for him, and they spent a month entangled in the tomb before finally leaving, fulfilling the tomb's purpose.
Known for its lascivious nature, the black jiao true lord was the epitome of depravity. He had a cruel and twisted personality and a penchant for beautiful women. The holy maiden from the Jademaiden Sect was breathtakingly beautiful, and he would undoubtedly target her.
Anyone who dared to covet the woman destined for the chosen one, even a powerful demon like him, would meet a gruesome end.
The celestial master took out a sword and inserted it into a mechanism, causing the formation to tremble slightly. The entrance to the barrier slowly opened.
A beam of light descended from the heavens, leading into the barrier. The end of the beam was shrouded in mist, obscuring the view.
"The trial begins," the celestial master announced.
As the flying boat landed, the lower deck was crowded with the dusty outer sect disciples, eagerly watching the inner sect disciples in their flowing white robes.
The inner sect disciples glanced over, and whenever their eyes met those of an outer sect disciple, the latter would immediately step forward and follow the inner sect disciple into the Azurerain realm.
Since servants were not allowed in the sect trial, this presented an opportunity for the outer sect disciples. By serving as attendants, they could gain a powerful patron.
The celestial master overseeing the trial turned a blind eye.
Li Lanxiu descended the steps. Countless hopeful gazes fell upon him. He paused and looked out at the crowd.
Several outer sect disciples immediately volunteered, "Young Master Li, I'm willing to serve as your servant. Please take me with you!"
"Though my cultivation is weak, my resolve is firm. I will do my utmost to serve you!"
"Young Master Li, as long as you're willing to take me, I'll do anything for you!"
Li Lanxiu tilted his head and scanned the crowd nonchalantly, as if waiting for someone.
A tall, handsome young man stepped forward from the crowd. He walked slowly towards Li Lanxiu and nodded slightly when he reached him.
Envious and jealous eyes fell on Chu Yue as Li Lanxiu extended a slender, pale hand towards him. "The illusionary fog forest ahead will create hallucinations. Hold my hand."
Chu Yue glanced at him, held the tips of his fingers, and kept their physical contact to a minimum.
Li Lanxiu raised an eyebrow. So dismissive? He really hated him.
As the leader of the group, Chuxuan went first, leading the disciples into the shimmering light.
As soon as Chu Yue stepped into the light, the sunlight darkened, and the surrounding scenery changed instantly, as if they had entered another world.
The original green mountains, clear waters and birdsong had transformed into a fog-shrouded forest.
The air was damp, and the ground was covered in thick, dark green moss. Towering trees stretched towards the sky, their trunks entwined with swaying vines, and their lush branches spread out like umbrellas, blocking out the sun.
A chill filled the illusionary fog forest. Chu Yue looked around, and in an instant, Chuxuan and the other disciples of Violetstage Peak disappeared into the thick fog.
He lowered his head slightly and saw the delicate, warm hand he was holding by the fingertips. The sleeve above it was embroidered with intricate silver cloud patterns.
Li Lanxiu walked beside him, seemingly at ease.
In the misty fog, Li Lanxiu's face was indistinct. His languid voice said, "Hold my hand tightly and don't let go. The illusions here can trap cultivators."
It wasn't that the others had disappeared; they were simply caught in their own illusions created by the fog, just like them.
Chu Yue gripped Li Lanxiu's cold fingers, his eyes alert as he scanned his surroundings. The fog swirled around them, obscuring their path. "Have you practiced the sword techniques from the true-intent jade slips?" Li Lanxiu asked.
"Yes, the sword techniques and mental cultivation methods in the jade slips are incredibly profound."
"Good. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
"Thank you, Young Master."
As they walked through the fog, engaging in casual conversation, Chu Yue suddenly found his hand empty. Li Lanxiu had withdrawn his hand.
Chu Yue was startled. He reached out to grasp Li Lanxiu's hand but found nothing. "Li Lanxiu?"
There was no response. The forest fog grew thicker, and Li Lanxiu didn't seem like the type to play such a trick. He drew his sword and cautiously moved forward.
He heard a soft chuckle. "Xiao-Hei, I'm here."
Chu Yue turned to look and saw a figure emerging from the fog, slowly walking towards him.
Li Lanxiu approached him, wrapping his arms around his neck. Their bodies pressed together seamlessly, and he whispered in Chu Yue's ear, "Chu Yue, would you like to see what I look like?"
Chu Yue's breath hitched, and his muscles tensed. He said coldly, "Let go."
Li Lanxiu released one arm and removed the grotesque mask from his face.
In the thick fog, Chu Yue saw Li Lanxiu's slender profile getting closer and closer. His straight nose and soft lips became increasingly clear, but his entire face was still obscured. Li Lanxiu opened his mouth slightly, revealing his red lips and white teeth as he breathed softly.
Immediately, Li Lanxiu began to untie his belt, right in front of Chu Yue… Was he undressing?
Chu Yue's eyes narrowed. Something was wrong. Suppressing his rising agitation, he asked, "What are you?"
Li Lanxiu quickly unfastened his snow-white inner robe, revealing collarbones as smooth and luminous as jade, almost transparent, with faint blue veins.
Chu Yue bit his tongue hard to maintain his composure. Before him, Li Lanxiu was partially disrobed, his robe draped over his arms like a shawl, revealing his slender shoulders. His slightly protruding shoulder blades seemed fragile, connected to his collarbone in a smooth, delicate curve, like a jade sculpture.
"Don't you want to try?" Li Lanxiu leaned closer, one hand sliding down Chu Yue's robe.
Just as his hand was about to touch Chu Yue, the latter took a sharp breath and said coldly, "Sorry."
He suddenly drew his sword and slashed at the apparition before him. The phantom let out a shrill scream and dissipated into the fog.
Chu Yue's chest heaved violently as he stared blankly at the empty space.
Why would such an image appear in his illusion?
Love this story but it updates too slow :(
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the translation, please keep translating this <3
ReplyDelete