Chapter 545: One Year

Leaving Zhu Ju’s room, Ming Nianwei returned to her own quarters, her heart pounding with fear.

The once quiet and peaceful Zhu Mansion now seemed like a gigantic cage in her eyes.

‘This won’t do!’

Her eyes narrowed as Ming Nianwei quickly packed her belongings.

‘I can’t just sit here and wait for death. I have to leave this place as soon as possible, get far, far away from… that old monster.’

Although Zhu Ju had said it would be impossible, she had to try no matter what.

“Miss Ming.”

Just then, a cold, emotionless voice came from outside the door, freezing Ming Nianwei in place.

Her body stiffened, and she turned around slowly.

“Mok Ying?”

“What is it?”

“Master said his time is short and he can no longer offer me his protection, so he has bestowed me upon Miss Ming.” Mok Ying’s voice was cold and indifferent, as placid as a frozen lake.

“From this day forward, I will obey Master’s command and remain by Miss Ming’s side, not leaving her for a single step.”

“This…” Ming Nianwei’s face turned pale.

“There’s no need for that.”

“My Cultivation isn’t high, and my strength is even weaker. How about I restore your freedom instead?”

“There is no need to be so modest, Miss Ming. Since Master has taken a fancy to you, you will surely achieve great things in your studies one day,” Mok Ying said slowly.

“I will also supervise your Cultivation so that you may meet Master’s expectations sooner.”

“Fine, fine,” Ming Nianwei said dryly.

“I will cultivate diligently.”

Outside the door.

Mok Ying, cradling a Longsword and wearing a bamboo hat, slowly turned and stood there like a Puppet.

Beneath the bamboo hat, his emotionless eyes stared straight ahead, motionlessly guarding the room.

Inside the room.

Sensing the presence outside, Ming Nianwei’s heart sank, and a look of resignation appeared on her face.

With Mok Ying watching her, escape was impossible.

‘Damn it!’

Ming Nianwei gritted her teeth, guessing that her reaction today had most likely tipped off Tong Li that something was wrong.

That must be why he sent Mok Ying to keep an eye on her.

‘You think I’m afraid of you?!’

‘To succeed in possession, the gap in Cultivation can’t be too small, or it’s easy to suffer a backlash.’

‘At his peak, Tong Li was only a Sixth-Grade Mage. If I can become a Seventh-Grade Mage, I’ll have a decent chance of survival.’

Her thoughts raced, and with a flash of understanding, Ming Nianwei sat cross-legged on her meditation cushion, closed her eyes, and began to cultivate.

She definitely wouldn’t continue her Cultivation of the Profound Mystery Cave Origin Record.

This was Tong Li’s foundational Method. Using it as her base would only make it easier for him to possess her.

However, Ming Nianwei had been too naive.

A few days later, in a meeting she couldn’t avoid, Tong Li used a combination of veiled threats and coaxing, forcing her to resume practicing the Profound Mystery Cave Origin Record.

Of course, it was also because this Method was profound, and cultivating it gave her a better chance of becoming a Seventh-Grade Mage.

…

Zhu Ju wasn’t interested in what Ming Nianwei was doing, nor did he intend to get involved.

He had investigated Tong Li.

That was because he couldn’t allow a danger to lurk within the mansion. Now that he knew what Tong Li was after, there was no need to concern himself.

Tong Li wanted Ming Nianwei; it had nothing to do with the Zhu Mansion.

At worst, even if he really did make a move, he’d have to do it at the start of the body possession, and a Cultivator is at their weakest at that time.

*Huuuu…*

A torch flared to life, illuminating the vast Quiet Chamber.

Zhu Ju sat cross-legged in the center, his breathing gradually steadying, his chest and abdomen rising and falling in a steady rhythm as his eyes slowly closed.

Within his body, his Qi Blood surged like a tempestuous sea.

Although he was merely an upper Eighth-Grade Martial Artist, the sheer power of his aura was already comparable to that of a Sixth Grade.

Even if it was only a lower Sixth Grade, it was still astonishing.

Not only that, but the Qi Blood inside Zhu Ju’s body was different from an ordinary person’s; it faintly glowed with a searing white light, like lightning.

‘At the Sixth-Grade of Martial Arts, Qi Blood finally develops an extraordinary quality, whether it be scorching heat, biting cold, or chilling yin…’

‘And yet, I’m only at the upper Eighth Grade, and my Qi Blood has already begun to change.’

‘The Kui Ox Essence Blood!’

Zhu Ju’s thoughts raced.

‘The Ten Thousand Spirits Body Forging Technique’s Refinement of the Essence Blood of Ancient Divine Beasts and Super Grade Demons also seizes their very essence. It truly lives up to its name as an Avoiding Tribulation Method created by an Immortal.’

“Hmph!”

With a grunt, the Qi Blood in his body suddenly shuddered.

“MOO!”

Though he hadn’t opened his mouth, a low roar echoed in the chamber, and the surrounding air vibrated violently.

The torch on the wall flickered wildly.

Moreover, an intensely firm and yang Thunder True Intent emerged, purging the surroundings and sweeping away all evil and shadows.

‘The benefits of the Kui Ox Essence Blood are many. As my Cultivation increases, its power will be revealed bit by bit.’

‘If I can perform Refinement on a few more types of Super Grade Demon Essence Blood and obtain their essence, I might truly be able to forge the Ten Thousand Spirits Body.’

‘As expected…’

‘The Ten Thousand Spirits Body Forging Technique, the Venerable Immortal Bone, and the bloodline of a Super Grade Demon, all combined… that is the form of Perfection.’

He had performed Refinement on Demon Essence Blood before. Although it could enhance his Cultivation, it couldn’t seize the demon’s essence.

For example, the Refinement of Flying Bird Essence Blood wouldn’t make him grow a pair of wings.

But now, things were different.

Zhu Ju opened his eyes, which shone brightly.

‘The Venerable Immortal Bone!’

‘Only the Essence Blood of a Super Grade Demon can repair the Venerable Immortal Bone, allowing for Cultivation Technique Perfection.’

Because the Immortal who created it fell too quickly, the Avoiding Tribulation Method, the Ten Thousand Spirits Body Forging Technique, was actually incomplete.

In his earlier years, Zhu Ju had also performed Refinement on an Essence Blood, which gave him a third, vertical eye. Although he gained a Divine Technique, it also caused the bloodlines in his body to clash, nearly killing him.

But now, with the Venerable Immortal Bone that could accommodate different bloodlines, everything had changed.

‘Using Refinement on Demon Essence Blood to increase my Cultivation, repair the Venerable Immortal Bone, and merge it with my own bloodline… this way, there should be no problem even when I cultivate to First-Grade Martial Artist or even Super Grade in the future.’

‘The path ahead…’

‘Is wide open!’

This feeling of being able to see the future so clearly made Zhu Ju break into a faint smile.

Starting over was worth it.

*

*

*

Time passed.

Before he knew it, another year had gone by.

Not much had changed in the Zhu Mansion over the past year. Although Zhu Ju’s Cultivation had progressed, he had not yet broken through to the Seventh Grade.

But he was close.

Aside from that, Zhou Ruxuan came out of seclusion once to ask him for some Elixirs and Primordial Crystals before going back into seclusion.

According to her, she only needed another three to five years in seclusion to break through and become a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist.

To this, Zhu Ju remained skeptical.

*KNOCK KNOCK…*

“Enter!”

Ming Nianwei pushed the door open and entered, pausing slightly to speak to Mok Ying, who was following closely behind her.

“You wait outside.”

“…” Mok Ying glanced at Zhu Ju, then slowly nodded.

“Yes.”

*CREAK!*

The door closed.

Ming Nianwei’s face suddenly paled. With a miserable expression, she looked at Zhu Ju, her knees went weak, and she slowly knelt on the floor.

“Young Master Zhu, save me!”

“Oh!”

Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow.

“Have you made up your mind?”

Ming Nianwei gave a bitter smile.

Over the past year, she had tried all sorts of ways to save herself, but all her efforts had been in vain.

She had even come close to being discovered by Tong Li, who on one occasion had almost decided to perform the possession ritual ahead of schedule.

Now, she was at the Seventh Grade.

But she was more terrified than ever.

Tong Li not only showed no impatience with her progress in Cultivation, but on the contrary, seemed quite delighted.

This meant that even with Ming Nianwei reaching the Seventh Grade, Tong Li was still confident in his ability to possess her.

Taking a deep breath, Ming Nianwei closed her eyes and spoke in a low voice.

“From this day forward, I, Ming Nianwei, will recognize Young Master Zhu as my master. For this life and all to come… I will never betray you.”

“If I break this vow, may heaven and earth strike me down!”

“Mm,” Zhu Ju nodded, his voice becoming uncharacteristically serious.

“You will one day understand that becoming my servant is the greatest fortune of your life.”

“Calm your heart and focus your spirit!”

He flicked a finger, and a drop of fresh blood emerged from his fingertip, transforming mid-air into a bizarre sigil that pressed itself onto Ming Nianwei’s forehead.

“I bestow upon you my Essence Blood to protect your Primordial Spirit; through the nine heavens and ten earths, this thought shall forever persist…”

“Bestow!”

“Ming Nianwei, Tong Li is by no means a mere Sixth Grade. Be careful.”