Refining the Mountains and Rivers

In a dark and damp cave, there were green gems embedded in the walls. They emitted a faint light that lent a gloominess to the atmosphere.

The ground was uneven and bones were scattered about. Most of the bones were a miserable white; it was clear that they had been here for a long, long time.

But now, there were several fresh bones that still emanated a bloody smell.

Looking forward, in the very depths of the cave, there was a medium-sized pool of water. At this time splashing sounds filled the air and a shadowy figure crawled out.

It had hands and feet and its outline was similar to that of a human. However, it was grotesquely ugly. Its face was green and it had fangs like a ghastly spirit. Its small and slender eyes swept around.

When it didn't sense anything wrong, it fell on all fours and agilely crawled forward until it arrived at a stone pillar.

Right now, there was a woman tied to this stone pillar. She was beautiful and with her pale unconscious appearance, it was easy to take pity on her.

A scarlet tongue swept out and the creature's slender eyes flashed with desire. It lifted its hand to reveal sharp claws. Then, with a slash, it tore apart the woman's clothing.

Her n.a.k.e.d body immediately came into full view!

At this time, the unconscious woman opened her eyes, her eyes as cold as ice. Her hand thrust out like a bolt of lightning. It was unknown when she managed to rid herself of her imprisoning shackles, but she directly grasped toward this ugly creature's throat.

The attack was sudden and unexpected and she had chosen the best opportunity for it. Unfortunately, this strike didn't have any effect at all.

A long tongue wrapped up the fair and clear hand. It was eerily long. It circled around the arm again and again until it arrived in front of the woman.

A teasing look flashed in the human-shaped creature's eyes. Then, its tongue brutally thrust into the woman's mouth, making its way all the way down. Soon, hair-tingling sounds of swallowing followed.

The woman's eyes widened. She crazily struggled but couldn't free herself. Her body rapidly withered as she shrank down to skin and bones

Her eye sockets became deep and hollow. Finally, her withered eyes spun around and thoroughly darkened.

The tongue emerged back out from the corpse's mouth. But, the creature wasn't willing to give up any bits of flesh and blood. It plundered the last traces from the withered husk before looking away.

Another corpse was added to the ground.

The ugly creature smacked its lips, as if basking in the aftertaste of the wonderful blood meal. Its belly wriggled as it rapidly digested and absorbed its meal.

Suddenly, its eyes violently flew open and a cold light shined in its pupils. It unexpectedly began to speak human words, "Interesting, someone actually rushed all the way here to see me…master of the Immortal Sect's Nineheaven Mirrormoon Palace. Tsk tsk, Sublime Lost Emotion…that can gather the Great Dao into the body…her flesh and blood is sure to taste delicious…"

The woman who was swallowed dry just now was one of the female cultivators that followed behind Shen Yuanyin. And this incomparably ugly creature was the infamously ferocious Water Marid!

It could only be said that Shen Yuanyin's luck wasn't good. Before she had arrived here she had already been discovered by this creature.

The Water Marid's eyes flashed in contemplation. Although it had been sleeping in the Sea of Purgatory for many years, the name of the Immortal Sect still rang like thunder in its ears.

Even with its strength, it didn't have full confidence that it could swallow Shen Yuanyin, even if she only just recently became the master of Nineheaven Mirrormoon Palace.

The three heads of the Immortal Sect all had their own terrifying inheritances. In moments of crisis, they could each erupt with their own terrifying strengths.

"Hehe, if I can't do this directly, I'll have to use some tricks." The Water Marid cackled to itself. A black flow of water suddenly wrapped around its body. When it diverged, its previous ugly appearance had completely disappeared, replaced by the spitting image of Shen Yuanyin. Her manners, her aura, her temperament - everything seemed exactly the same!

The Water Marid was born with supernatural arts. To thoroughly transform its body was as easy as turning a hand.

"The good play is just about to begin, my dear Palace Master."

…

27 crystals were spread around outside, weaving together into an array formation. They temporarily sealed away space so that it was undetectable from the outside.

Unless one stepped within, they wouldn't realize what was there even if they stood right next to it.

Shen Yuanyin sat down cross-legged. Her face was cold and beautiful and her aura cold like a celestial goddess, making it so that no one dared to blaspheme in her presence.

Sang Zhu sat not too far away. She occasionally glanced over, traces of hidden heat burning in the depths of her eyes.

She had no idea what status this female cultivator had in the Immortal Sect, but there was one thing she could determine for sure.

This woman possessed a pure aura within her body. It was bone-piercingly cold but also extremely noble, like the halo of a god.

If she could take this aura for herself, she could transform her Yin Bearing Physique.

Once she achieved an Extreme Yin Body, even if she lost the evil hell spirit she could still obtain the qualifications to fight against her destiny.

Because of this, Sang Zhu deliberately plotted to stay by Shen Yuanyin's side.

She had been waiting for an opportunity to appear. But, Shen Yuanyin's aura was far too terrifying and her spiritual sense was overbearing.

So for these last several days, Sang Zhu hadn't been able to find an opening.

She glanced at Shen Yuanyin and forcefully suppressed the greediness in her heart. She closed her eyes, warning herself that she needed to be patient.

Because she would only have one chance!

…

On a hillside covered with rocks, a figure flew low. It landed atop a raised boulder and carefully sensed the air. When it sensed the extreme ice cold aura, the figure smiled.

That's right, it was this strength. It seemed he wasn't too far away from the nest of the Water Marid.

This figure was Qin Yu.

After Feng Yunyun was rescued, she woke up half a day later. Even though she continuously thanked Qin Yu for saving her, she still kept her guard raised against him.

To be randomly rescued by a stranger without good reason, it was natural for a person to respond like this. Qin Yu knew the reason lay in him concealing his identity, so he didn't mind at all.

After asking Feng Yunyun, she indicated she had a treasure on her body that could isolate out auras in a small space and could be used to recover from injuries.

Qin Yu looked at the treasure she used. Then, after carefully looking over it and determining that nothing should happen as long as her luck wasn't horrible, he simply bid his farewells and left.

He was short on time to begin with and it was impossible for him to bring Feng Yunyun with him, so this was the best possible result.

With this, Feng Yunyun who had been wary of Qin Yu the entire time, actually felt a bit embarrassed.

When Qin Yu said he was leaving he left right after. As Feng Yunyun watched him go, she didn't even have time to apologize for her actions. She could only sigh inwardly and think that there really were kind-hearted people in this world.

When Qin Yu and Feng Yunyun separated, 14 days had passed since they entered the Sea of Purgatory. Half of the month-long deadline had already elapsed.

Luckily, he was about to arrive at his destination.

However, the Water Marid was tyrannically strong. According to the records of the Demonic Path, it possessed the strength of a Calamity Immortal almighty being. It had strength at least comparable to that of a third level Calamity Immortal realm.

Originally, with the help of the True Demon Guards, he had some chance of success. But now that he was alone his chances were lower than 10%.

If he were to move hastily and try to hunt down the Water Marid alone, he feared he would have to lose his life in vain.

Along the way, Qin Yu was constantly thinking about what to do. But how could he easily make up for an absolute disparity in strength? In addition to that, the second transformation of the Purpleback Bluewing Ants had yet to complete, otherwise he would have another card in his hands.

He shook his head and suppressed these haphazard thoughts. Let's worry about what happens when it happens. It was useless for him to think too much about it now. He would simply take things one step at a time; perhaps there was a chance lying just ahead.

He stepped forward and continued moving ahead. But before he found a method to slay the Water Marid, he first encountered a group of cultivators seeking revenge.

"Fellow daoist, please wait a moment!" Several people stood in the distance. One of them flew over. This person looked Qin Yu over and when they saw he was concealing his aura, they didn't dare to be disrespectful. If a person could reach the depths of the Sea of Purgatory alone, even an idiot would know he wasn't some common person.

Qin Yu asked, "What is it?"

Although these people didn't have indications of ill intent, he still didn't want to underestimate anyone.

The cultivator cupped his hands and asked, "May I ask fellow daoist if you have encountered this woman in this place?"

As the man spoke he took out a jade slip. After pouring a bit of his magic power into it, the jade slip shot out a light projection of a woman.

Qin Yu's heart shook and he almost revealed a shocked expression. Luckily, he had a strong mindset. He maintained his composure and said, "I haven't."

The cultivator revealed a disappointed expression but he didn't say much. He cupped his hands together and turned to leave.

Qin Yu furrowed his eyebrows. Although the projection wasn't too clear, he still had a profound memory of that cold aura and those indifferent eyes.

What sort of trouble did that woman provoke?

But soon he thought back to her cold appearance and even colder personality. Yes, she might have been born beautiful, but with an attitude like that it was only a matter of time before she gained enemies.

And soon after that, Qin Yu unexpectedly encountered two more groups of cultivators that were looking for Shen Yuanyin.

Now he really was a little curious. He asked them a few questions. Although their answers were ambiguous, once he understood the general situation, his complexion became strange.

So, these people were seeking revenge and the reason was because they all had family members or friends that had died beneath Shen Yuanyin's hands. As for the reason they died…they had been plundered dry.

The so-called 'plundering' was one of the yin yang dual cultivation methods.

Amongst cultivators, dual cultivation methods weren't considered too shameful of a cultivation method. Dao companions would usually study these methods a little to practice with each other.

S.e.xual pleasure was one part, but both sides could also improve their cultivations. It could be called a profitable cultivation method.

But when it came to dual cultivation methods, there were also certain extremely ruthless and cruel variations. For instance, crossing yin and yang, gathering and plundering the other party's cultivation and vitality to increase one's own strength.

As for killing people…that was one of the cruelest kinds.

Although he had only heard one side of the story so far, once he learned the 'truth', Qin Yu's first thought was that this was impossible.

That woman's cold indifference was not a disguise. If she simply murdered a bunch of people along the way then he could believe that. But if she were said to be tempting others and sleeping with them and killing them, Qin Yu absolutely didn't believe this.

And he came across three groups of cultivators, all of them holding jade slip portraits that were clearly of Shen Yuanyin…even if she were to plunder the vitality of others dry, why would she choose to do it here and be so unscrupulous and brazen in her actions?

None of this made sense!

Qin Yu scrunched his lips together, thinking that something didn't feel right. But why was he caring about the business of other people?

Whether that woman was good or bad, whether she was guilty or innocent, that was all on her. In any case, they only had a passing acquaintance and there was no friendship between them.

And for so many people to come here seeking revenge was actually good news for Qin Yu.

To hunt the Water Marid by himself was almost impossible. Borrowing the strength of others was the best choice. And this place wasn't too far from the Water Marid's lair.

Qin Yu's pupils sparkled and his thoughts raced. He thought about what methods he could use to lure these people into attacking for him…although being the fisherman that picked up benefits without much work was a refreshing concept, it actually wasn't simple to pull off.