Chapter 99: Xuanhuan Cultivation BL (XV)

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Chapter 99: Xuanhuan Cultivation BL (XV)

The fiery red robes drifted with the breeze. With the Phoenix now returned to the Spirit Realm, even the rocks themselves seemed stained with a brilliant crimson hue. The Phoenix’s phantom merged back into Miao Lichen’s body, yet the cry it had released moments ago left the spirits unable to calm their excitement for a long time. How many years had it been since they had last heard the voice of their Spirit Emperor? The Spirit Realm had been mired in internal conflict for just as many years. Now that the spirits had united beneath a single ruler, a new era was about to begin, and the Spirit Clan would once again rise to prominence.

Miao Lichen extended his hand before Hè Liancheng. Inside the crystal vial resting in his palm, red blood flowed, faint golden threads weaving through it. Only two bloodlines could produce such blood: the Phoenix and the Dragon, the latter of whom had yet to appear despite also bearing the title of Spirit Emperor. Then this… was Miao Lichen’s blood?

Hè Liancheng did not reach out to take it. Instead, he knelt before him. Phoenix blood could greatly accelerate the evolution of spirit, but as his subject, how could he covet the bloodline of the Phoenix? Of course, drinking Phoenix blood came with a price. Without the true Phoenix’s permission, anyone who drank it would ultimately be consumed by the Phoenix Flame.

“How can the Spirit Emperor’s right-hand man remain at your current level? Or do you intend to stop advancing here?” Miao Lichen slowly rotated the crystal vial in his hand. The red liquid shimmered with golden threads, creating a flawless crimson-gold hue. This might not be the blood of a true Phoenix, but it undoubtedly possessed the ability to strengthen the Spirit Clan.

He had never seen another Phoenix. The only reference he had was his own body, which had likely become something entirely unique. Still, Miao Lichen was confident that the blood flowing through this body surpassed that of any other Phoenix. Raising a Scarlet Serpent whose bloodline had yet to fully mature was the perfect choice. “You are nearly a thousand years old, yet you still haven’t reached adulthood. Hè Liancheng, I’ve never heard of a Scarlet Serpent taking a thousand years to complete its molt. You’re truly one of a kind. Although your strength rivals that of your fully matured kin, you still possess limitations they do not.”

“Your Majesty.” Hè Liancheng tightened his fingers before opening his palm in front of Miao Lichen. Their fingertips brushed together unintentionally. The brief touch stirred something within him, and a faint blush spread across his cheeks, though his expression remained exactly as a guardian’s should be—utterly expressionless. Staring blankly at the golden threads flowing across his palm, the determination in his eyes only deepened. The only king he would ever acknowledge, he would personally witness the Phoenix’s cry soaring across the Nine Heavens. Before that day came, he would devote everything to protecting him. Becoming stronger was the only way he knew to demonstrate his loyalty.

∇ Capture Target Hè Liancheng Favorability: 50.

“You may drink it here. I’ll stand guard for you.” Miao Lichen watched as Hè Liancheng accepted the Phoenix blood without hesitation before sitting down cross-legged. The vague silhouette of a giant scarlet python shifted back and forth with his human form. Golden flames ignited across his body, yet they carried no scorching heat. Instead, they radiated gentle warmth, making his already delicate and adorable features even more captivating. The solemn expression brought by meditation gradually relaxed, leaving him looking as defenseless as an innocent child, enough to tempt certain people with unusual tastes to reach out with predatory hands.

To be fair, although Jiang Lingwen had countless traits that made him difficult to like, his eye for beauty was beyond question. Every person who caught his interest possessed their own unique charm. As he himself would put it, each of them was worth training.

Golden flames slowly burned the scarlet snake skin until it turned gold, yet the shed skin never detached. Miao Lichen placed his palm upon Hè Liancheng’s arm. At one moment it felt as cold and solid as metal, the next it was as smooth as ordinary human skin, just as the spirit before him continuously shifted between serpent and human. Because of Miao Lichen’s proximity, the power within the Phoenix blood became even more docile, rapidly fusing into Hè Liancheng’s body. In the end, a phoenix tail feather slowly formed over his collarbone. The radiance throughout his body gathered into that feather-shaped mark, while his scales retained their newly acquired golden sheen.

Miao Lichen traced the phoenix feather at Hè Liancheng’s collarbone with his fingertips. This would serve as a safeguard for the Spirit Realm in the future. Phoenix blood would not break the Scarlet Serpent Tribe’s natural limitations. Serpents were inherently lustful. That was one of the laws of heaven and earth. Whether they were Scarlet Serpents who cultivated or ordinary snakes hunting in the wild, none could escape that instinct.

Even so, the benefits of Phoenix blood were beyond dispute. What it enhanced was the bloodline and innate talent of an entire tribe. Fortunately, every miracle carried a price. Otherwise, the moment the Phoenix appeared, the spirits would not have accepted his position as Spirit Emperor so readily. They might very well have carved him up like Tang Monk’s flesh instead.

When Hè Liancheng opened his eyes, he found himself completely naked. Every scrap of clothing had been burned away by the Phoenix Flame. Slender, elegant fingers were tracing the feather-shaped mark upon his collarbone, as though branding Miao Lichen’s personal mark onto his body.

The mark of the Phoenix. From this day forward, Hè Liancheng no longer belonged to himself. He belonged solely to Miao Lichen, even if that meant casting aside his own tribe. He had once believed he would reject such a conclusion. After all, it was because he was a Scarlet Serpent that he faithfully followed in the Phoenix’s footsteps. Yet now he was willing to abandon even his tribe for the Phoenix? Perhaps it was simply another instinct ingrained within his bloodline. Then again, he was the only Scarlet Serpent of his kind in the world, so there was no one to determine whether it was right or wrong.

Only after thoroughly exploring the cave that had been prepared for her did Bai Yingqi sigh over how the Spirit Clan still stubbornly clung to their ancestors’ tradition of cave dwelling before setting out to search for the reason she had been brought to the Spirit Realm—and for the Spirit Emperor whom she had raised like her own child. The shock had left her mind somewhat muddled, causing her to forget to warn Miao Lichen about several important matters. Even after becoming the Spirit Emperor, he still could not afford to lower his guard.

There was no longer a Feng Yingruo willing to sacrifice everything for Jiang Lingwen. Who knew who would become the next sacrificial victim during the protagonist’s conquest? Relying on the Phoenix Tribe’s ability to undergo nirvana, Feng Yingruo had dared to venture anywhere and do anything for Jiang Lingwen.

It was undoubtedly a good thing that Miao Lichen had taken Feng Yingruo’s place. After all, he was now a Phoenix. Even if he died and was reborn again and again, no matter how painful the process, as long as he survived, that was enough. But if he also inherited Feng Yingruo’s tragic fate, Bai Yingqi would never accept it. Devoting everything to the one he loved only to be ignored until the very end, ridiculed by everyone, becoming a laughingstock throughout both the Cultivation Realm and the Spirit Realm, without even realizing that his own subordinate had become involved with his beloved.

Leaving the cave, she followed the familiar aura through the air. Although it had changed slightly, she could still recognize it without fail. It was her Miao Lichen. Standing atop the towering mountainside, the figure in red instantly captivated her. If Miao Lichen had been born a woman, he would surely have possessed the beauty to bring nations to ruin. Even as a man, he could enchant anyone regardless of gender. Before she could approach where he stood, Miao Lichen swept his red cloak into the air, blocking her line of sight.

When the dazzling red fabric finally settled, she looked again and realized Miao Lichen was not alone. He held an obviously naked young man in his arms. The cloak concealed most of the youth’s body, though flashes of pale skin could still be seen beneath the shifting red fabric. Meanwhile, Jiang Lingwen stood opposite them with his sword pointed directly at Miao Lichen—or rather, at the person in Miao Lichen’s embrace. Jiang Lingwen also had a delicate-looking youth dangling from one hand.

What on earth was happening now?

Bai Yingqi’s thoughts immediately flashed back to what she had witnessed at the Heavenly Sword Sect, and four words surfaced in her mind: Caught in bed. Only, Miao Lichen seemed a little too impatient. To actually engage in such vigorous activity out here in the open, beneath heaven and earth themselves… As expected of the child she had raised.

Who exactly was this breathtakingly beautiful… young man who had made Miao Lichen lose his composure like this? …Fine. She had completely given up on this world where everyone was gay. Even her own child had joined the ranks. That was no longer something she could control, nor did she have the ability to interfere. Still… this young man seemed strangely familiar…

“Elder Jiang certainly has courage, venturing alone into the Spirit Realm.” Miao Lichen casually pushed the sword aimed at him aside with one hand. Golden patterns shimmered across his skin, causing the well-crafted flying sword to ring with a crisp metallic note. His other arm tightened protectively around Hè Liancheng, whose flushed red eyes met Jiang Lingwen’s still-burning gaze.

Jiang Lingwen’s expression darkened further as he looked at Hè Liancheng, yet he still lowered his sword. The section of the blade Miao Lichen had just touched shattered into powder and scattered into the ever-present mountain breeze. Spreading his arms, Jiang Lingwen casually tossed both Kong Xuan and his sword aside before striding straight toward Miao Lichen. He reached out, intending to lift Hè Liancheng from Miao Lichen’s embrace, but Hè Liancheng escaped the embrace he had become hopelessly attached to a step ahead of him.

∇ Capture Target Hè Liancheng Favorability: 60.

The red cloak wrapped around Hè Liancheng’s body, concealing most of his nakedness. His bare feet were exquisitely shaped, enough to captivate anyone with a foot fetish. A fiery red whip lashed toward Jiang Lingwen. Forged from a piece of his own shed skin, it might not match the toughness of the hide shed by an adult Scarlet Serpent, but after centuries of tempering, it was far superior to any ordinary spirit artifact.

Jiang Lingwen wrapped an arm around Miao Lichen’s waist and pulled him aside to avoid Hè Liancheng’s attack. Resting his head against Miao Lichen’s neck, he whispered softly into his ear, “So A’chen likes this type of boy… How infuriating.”

With a turn of his body, the spot where he had just stood was carved open by the red whip. Jiang Lingwen raised his head and slowly licked his lips. An ancient-looking sword materialized in his hand. Though it appeared utterly ordinary, it was an immortal artifact. “Then all I can do is kill everyone standing in my way. Sensing another person’s body stained with A’chen’s scent truly makes me very unhappy.”

Before he could strike with his sword, however, someone seized his wrist and slammed him mercilessly against the nearby cliff face.

“Jiang Lingwen. The Spirit Realm is my territory.”

Jiang Lingwen allowed his back to collide with the hard stone. The faint scent of blood drifted into the air. Jagged rocks tore several wounds across his back, helping him regain a measure of composure. Miao Lichen was not one of those Subs he could manipulate at will.

Still… after witnessing that scene just now, losing his composure was only natural. Perhaps what he felt for Miao Lichen could no longer be described simply as affection. Perhaps it had already become love.

∇ Capture Target Jiang Lingwen Favorability: 95.

“I naturally won’t do anything in the Spirit Realm that would force A’chen to take action. But… rather than considering physical intimacy with this immature little snake, why not consider me instead? A’chen, I guarantee I’ll make you forget everyone else. Mm…”

“But his abilities are useful to me. Yours are not.”

“If you have any command, I will carry it out with all my strength.”

Miao Lichen released him and watched as Jiang Lingwen maintained his elegant, immortal-like bearing despite the wounds covering his back. A faint smile curved his lips. “But no matter what I do, you cannot evolve. He, on the other hand, is only one step away from reaching adulthood because of his racial nature.”

‘Racial nature… Serpents were inherently lustful…’ Jiang Lingwen’s gaze darkened as it landed on Hè Liancheng. But no matter how much of a transmigrator he might be, he remained a true human.

“Then… hand him over to me. I’ll return to you a subordinate who has completely evolved.”

Watching the scene unfold before her, Bai Yingqi suddenly felt that all the worry she had carried these past days had been unnecessary. Because Jiang Lingwen had genuinely fallen in love with Miao Lichen. She had not been able to see it clearly the first time, but now it was unmistakably obvious. The only question was… how long would that sincerity last? Cultivators possessed incredibly long lives. Which also meant they had endless time to betray one another.

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