Volume 8, Chapter 466 – Is the Feminization Starting Again? (Part 1)

“Forget it. Since that girl’s name is already on the Immortal Stele, she is now a daughter-in-law of our Lü family. If my grandson suppresses her openly, it’ll only invite gossip. Worse, it’ll strain their marital relations and disrupt family harmony.”

After a brief contemplation, Lü Dao shook his head and dismissed the idea.

“Father is always so thoughtful.”

Lü Gao’s face filled with admiration.

“Then what should we do? If we don’t suppress her, her strength will eventually attract the attention of other immortal families or sects.”

Lü Yi voiced his discontent.

“Ah, Second Uncle’s in-law is handling Immortal Alliance affairs in the Western Radiance Dynasty, right? Elder Zuo? It shouldn’t be hard for him to pressure that girl. Besides, wasn’t that his initial purpose for coming to see Father?”

Lü Gao proposed another solution.

“We can try. But don’t get your hopes up. Right now, Elder Zuo likely doesn’t want Cheng Hongling marrying my grandson either. It’d disadvantage his own granddaughter and her husband. Unless he’s the kind of shortsighted fool who prioritizes personal grudges over the bigger picture.”

Lü Dao’s assessment was ruthlessly pragmatic.

“Understood, Father! I’ll speak with Second Uncle soon.”

Lü Gao bowed in acknowledgment.

“Grandfather, what if they refuse?”

Lü Yi pressed anxiously.

“Refuse? Then we’ll find someone else. The Immortal Alliance has more than just Elder Zuo.”

Lü Dao replied with effortless nonchalance.

“Exactly! Father, your connections with the Immortal Alliance’s upper echelons are strong. Having them suppress a mere girl from the Western Radiance Dynasty would be child’s play.”

Lü Gao flattered with a smile.

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“By the way, grandson, what of Shuiyu Valley? Did you gather any information from Elder Zuo?”

Lü Dao suddenly recalled the matter.

“He said the valley was completely obliterated by immortal might. Nothing grows within fifty miles, and more than half the people there perished.”

Lü Yi’s lips curled slightly.

“Hah! The power of our family’s Immortal Stele remains undiminished! As long as it stands, the Lü family need not fear anything in the cultivation world.”

Lü Gao laughed triumphantly.

“Good. That puts my mind at ease. After all, you’re marrying a woman already wed, even if the one who claimed her first was another woman. They must pay the price. Otherwise, how will the world see us?”

Lü Dao stroked his beard, satisfied.

Meanwhile, after staying in the prefecture for two days, the Honghua Sect disciples finally met the female disciples from Shuiyu Valley. Though they were cultivators, the long journey and the destruction of their home had left them all looking haggard, especially Mu Ruoyi and her mother, since this disaster had started because of them.

Qi Huang’s guilt deepened. Though her main body had been forced to leave her name on the stele, the saying went: “I did not kill the man, but the man died because of me.” She and her main body could not escape blame.

Cheng Hongling naturally felt the same way. Her usual cold expression faded by ninety percent, and she even went so far as to personally comfort the Shuiyu Valley disciples, something unprecedented for her.

With so many people, staying in the prefecture became inconvenient. After purchasing some supplies, they set out immediately, planning to camp outside the city for the night before continuing their journey.

“Sect Leader Qin, won’t we be causing trouble for the Honghua Sect by bringing so many people?”

Along the way, Wen Yunmei asked Qin Quan somewhat apologetically.

“Not at all! Our Honghua Sect only has two or three hundred disciples. I’ve been worried it’s too quiet.”

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Qin Quan quickly reassured her. His words weren’t meant to flatter Qi Huang but were sincere. As a sect leader, he naturally wanted his sect to grow stronger. If they could “absorb” Shuiyu Valley, the Honghua Sect’s power would skyrocket.

“Then we thank Sect Leader Qin. But rest assured, once we find a new place to settle, we’ll leave the Honghua Sect immediately. Until then, we’ll cover all expenses.”

Wen Yunmei promised, seeing through Qin Quan’s intentions and making things clear upfront.

“O-Of course! Stay as long as you need.”

Qin Quan’s face betrayed his disappointment.

Qi Huang also observed the subtle “tug-of-war” between the two sides. She couldn’t very well force the issue, that would be taking advantage of their misfortune.

Before long, the two sects found a flat, open grassland. The disciples began setting up camp while the elders placed protective talismans on the surrounding trees to ward off evil spirits.

With not enough tents to go around, everyone slept in groups of three to five, squeezed tightly together. Though space was cramped, the atmosphere was livelier.

Of course, some disciples weren’t used to “sharing a bed” and chose to meditate outside instead. But the moment they stepped out, they immediately retreated. The early-year wilderness, combined with the heavy yin energy of the cultivation world, made the temperatures unbearably low, even for cultivators.

Qi Huang was no exception. Though her divine sense was strong, her body was delicate and weak, utterly incapable of enduring the biting cold. So, she took out a tent and set it up.

Once the tent was ready, Qi Huang prepared to rest. Though she wouldn’t have minded someone “sharing her bed”, guilt made her too afraid to invite anyone.

Lying down fully clothed, Qi Huang listened to the lively chatter outside but found herself unable to sleep. Instead, she willed her Life Soul into her Sea of Consciousness. She wanted to see if the feminization was truly progressing.

Entering the palace within her consciousness, Qi Huang approached the androgynous Essence Soul.

“Last time, Cheng Ling’s influence reached just below your navel. Has it gotten worse since then?”

Qi Huang questioned the Essence Soul.

“N-No…”

The Essence Soul shook its head, but its tone was hesitant, its gaze evasive.

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“Really?”

Even an idiot could tell something was off. Qi Huang pressed further.

“R-Really…”

The Essence Soul’s expression grew even more unnatural.

“Is that so? Lift your robes. Let me see.”

Qi Huang commanded.

“This…”

The Essence Soul panicked, unsure what to do.

“Now. Or do I have to force you?”

Qi Huang’s voice turned sharp.

With no choice, the Essence Soul hesitantly lifted the robe formed from divine sense and pulled down its pants slightly.

Qi Huang’s scalp went numb at the sight, the feminization had spread across the entire lower abdomen. The next step would be… that critical area.

“So it’s true! That Cheng Ling is truly cunning. Even after leaving, she planted this ticking time bomb in me.”

After a moment of observation, Qi Huang let out a bitter laugh. She never imagined the feminization would spread like a disease if left unchecked.

“Why did you lie to me earlier?”

Qi Huang’s expression darkened as she interrogated the Essence Soul.

“Big Brother, this guy’s been acting strange lately. Sometimes, he even sneaks off to chat with those female souls!”

The Humanly Soul seized the chance to tattle.

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“Oh? What’s going on?”

Qi Huang’s face grew even uglier. Betrayal was the one thing she couldn’t stand.

“Big Brother… I-I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have lied. But lately, I can’t control myself. Sometimes, I don’t even know who I am anymore…”

The Essence Soul clutched its head in agony.

“This…”

Qi Huang was stunned. Wasn’t this split personality the same as her own? Was it because the feminization had spread?

The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. She couldn’t bring herself to blame the Essence Soul anymore and withdrew from her consciousness with a heavy heart.

‘It seems I really need to hurry and uncover the truth once we return.’

Qi Huang gritted her teeth. She wasn’t afraid of becoming a woman, what terrified her was the possibility of her sexual orientation changing. She had to preserve the last of her male souls.

Not long after, Qi Huang noticed her main body approaching her tent.

“What does she want? If it’s important, why not just use telepathy?”

But Cheng Hongling didn’t speak immediately upon reaching the tent. Her beautiful face carried a strange expression, her red lips occasionally biting down as if she were wrestling with something internally.

The longer Qi Huang watched, the more puzzled she became, but she didn’t dare ask.

“Can I… sleep with you?”

After what felt like an eternity, Cheng Hongling finally took a deep breath and spoke.

“W-What?!”

Qi Huang shuddered violently.