BAAF Chapter 85

Di Yunyu rubbed the Nascent Soul’s soft, fine hair, his gaze falling on the snow-white, puffed cheeks. The already chubby face appeared even rounder.

 

Its small mouth slightly pouted, looking plump—it was Shen Liuxiang’s childhood appearance.

 

Di Yunyu’s heart softened somewhat.

 

Shen Liuxiang was different from the Xu Xingchen and Xu Xinglian siblings; he hadn’t been by his side since childhood. He had never seen this little appearance before.

 

Shen Liuxiang felt his head being patted, along with a tingling in his teeth. Watching this scene, he was at a loss for words.

 

Fortunately, Di Yunyu only showed a moment of affection before withdrawing his hand. “A normal primordial spirit should align with the true form. Your primordial spirit is damaged, regressing to a three-year-old’s mentality.”

 

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the black-robed Nascent Soul glaring at his hand with dissatisfaction. “This primordial spirit is the opposite—it surpasses the true form.”

 

Shen Liuxiang made a puzzled sound, then suddenly understood.

 

In simpler terms, the two Nascent Souls could be called “Zhou the Ancient Demon” and “Shen the Three-Year-Old.”

 

Shen Liuxiang asked: “If it surpasses the true form, why is it still empty-headed, knowing nothing when questioned?”

 

Di Yunyu glanced at Zhou Xuanlan. “The true form’s strength is insufficient to synchronize with such a powerful primordial spirit. You need to keep improving your cultivation.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan then interjected: “Though my Nascent Soul has been nurturing Master, the effects are minimal. Does Your Majesty have another method?”

 

Di Yunyu paused, his light-colored eyes finally showing a trace of displeasure as he looked at Shen Liuxiang.

 

Why must others ask for him? Won’t he speak for himself?

 

Shen Liuxiang shifted his gaze from the black-robed Nascent Soul. Noticing Di Yunyu’s stare, he blinked and hastily picked up the small Nascent Soul—who was squatting by the shore clutching a dried fish—and presented it to Di Yunyu. “Imperial Father, do you have a solution?”

 

Only then did Di Yunyu raise his hand. Instantly, a small figure materialized in mid-air.

 

Clad in white robes with a golden crown, its aura steady and surrounded by faint golden light, it landed on Shen Liuxiang’s wrist without hesitation.

 

Di Yunyu’s Nascent Soul placed a hand on the head of the fish-clutching Nascent Soul, his gaze focused. The surrounding spiritual energy vanished entirely, funneling into his body before being transferred thunderously into the dazed Nascent Soul before him.

 

Meanwhile, the black-robed Nascent Soul sat cross-legged on Zhou Xuanlan’s left shoulder, propping its chin as it watched the scene. Its eyes lingered on the sparkling gaze of Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul before curling its lips disdainfully.

 

“This lord could do the same—transfer energy directly without slowly accumulating it.”

 

It seethed with frustration, a hint of malice flashing in its eyes as it turned to Zhou Xuanlan. “You’re holding us back.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan flicked the Nascent Soul off his shoulder without hesitation. “Get lost.”

 

After an incense stick’s time, the spiritual energy fluctuations gradually stabilized. Di Yunyu’s Nascent Soul withdrew its hand, its delicate boots tapping lightly on Shen Liuxiang’s wrist as its ornate sleeves swayed.

 

“I’ve unblocked his meridians. From now on, he can convert spiritual energy into primordial energy independently for recuperation. When idle…”

 

It paused, tilting its crowned head to avoid a slender finger attempting to poke its cheek, then continued calmly: “…have him absorb more concentrated spiritual energy.”

 

Shen Liuxiang retracted his failed sneak attack, lamenting inwardly. If I’d succeeded in poking the Emperor’s cheek, it would’ve been legendary!

 

Undeterred, his index finger twitched eagerly for another attempt—until a faint glance from Di Yunyu froze him mid-motion.

 

…Never mind. Survival first.

 

Di Yunyu recalled his Nascent Soul and taught them both a method to control their Nascent Souls. As Shen Liuxiang focused on mastering the hand seals, his lips suddenly brushed against something cool yet soft.

 

He looked up in confusion, locking eyes with Zhou Xuanlan. Both froze, then hurriedly searched for their momentarily neglected Nascent Souls—finding them behind a rock.

 

The scene was… intense.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul was pinned against the stone, a smaller figure leaning over it.

 

One hand braced beside its ear, the intruder tilted its head and kissed its pale cheek, grumbling: “Why won’t you acknowledge me?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan: “??”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “!!”

 

Earlier, after being flicked onto the rocks, Zhou Xuanlan’s dazed Nascent Soul had slumped gloomily upon seeing the two Nascent Souls standing on Shen Liuxiang’s hand.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul, noticing its absence, searched until it spotted the figure behind the stone. Though sensing something amiss, it hesitated before approaching.

 

It tugged sleeves, blew into ears, burrowed into arms—all met with stoic silence.

 

Finally, fueled by newly replenished energy (and no small amount of audacity), it slapped a hand beside the black-robed Nascent Soul and delivered its bold kiss-and-interrogation combo: “Why. Won’t. You. Answer?!”

 

The black-robed Nascent Soul stared in shock until noticing the twin gazes of horror above. It tried to move, but a voice interrupted:

 

“What are you doing?”

 

In an instant, the Nascent Souls were separated and scooped up.

 

Shen Liuxiang stifled a grin as he cradled his Nascent Soul, schooling his expression under Di Yunyu’s scrutinizing gaze.

 

Meanwhile, Zhou Xuanlan locked eyes with his Nascent Soul, his displeasure evident.

 

The Nascent Soul touched its cheek, understanding the unspoken rebuke, and retorted coldly: “This was an ambush. He learned from me.”

 

With a final “Undoubtedly, this lord surpasses you in technique,” it vanished back into Zhou Xuanlan’s body.

 

Later, when Shen Liuxiang asked about their departure for the Demon Capital, Di Yunyu—contrary to his earlier urgency—advised: “Train longer at the Imperial Palace. Heng Jiuyin rules the Demon Capital. At your current strength, you cannot oppose him.”

 

Heng Jiuyin, the Great Demon King with the true form of a Nine-Headed Serpent, commanded centuries of unfathomable power. Having survived the ancient cataclysm, his reputation was formidable.

 

“Is he that formidable, Imperial Father?”

 

“For you? Yes.”

 

Shen Liuxiang turned to Zhou Xuanlan: “You’ve seen him. How strong is he? They say he’s a benevolent ruler.”

 

 

Zhou Xuanlan said: “He’s two-faced.”

 

Shen Liuxiang raised an eyebrow. Heng Jiuyin controlled most of the demon realm’s territory with countless beasts under his command, while maintaining the best reputation among demon kings. From Zhou Xuanlan’s tone, could this person actually be cunning and treacherous?

 

Shen Liuxiang pondered: “How does Imperial Father want us to train? We can’t possibly reach that level in a short time with a gap of several hundred years.”

 

If demons could ascend, Heng Jiuyin with his cultivation level might have already left.

 

Di Yunyu raised his chin slightly, saying casually: “Go to Mount Shengqi.”

 

Shen Liuxiang was stunned for a moment. Mount Shengqi was where Di Yunyu had once cultivated—a place fraught with dangers where no one was usually permitted to enter.

 

Di Yunyu was going to forge them through hardship.

 

Di Yunyu summoned Xu Xingchen, and Xu Xinglian, who was nearby, came along.

 

Her special constitution made her unsuitable for this training, so Di Yunyu kept her by his side while sending the other three into Mount Shengqi.

 

Mount Shengqi was surrounded by surging clouds and mist, making its true appearance invisible to outsiders. The mountain inside was beautiful yet perilous.

 

Upon landing, Shen Liuxiang immediately scanned his surroundings.

 

Towering trees blocked the sky, covered with vines that wrapped around trunks and branches, forming a natural barrier that enveloped intruders. In the dim light, it created a suffocating sense of oppression.

 

Xu Xingchen, not seeing a path, was about to step forward when Shen Liuxiang stopped him: “Be careful, don’t move yet.”

 

Xu Xingchen looked puzzled, then saw Zhou Xuanlan take out a spirit stone and throw it into the distance.

 

Instantly, before the spirit stone could hit the ground, a vine shot up from the earth, wrapped around it, and with a “crack” crushed it to powder in mid-air.

 

Xu Xingchen’s expression changed as he summoned his Xuanhuang Sword.

 

These vines were extremely thick, bright green from end to end, with numerous white flower buds.

 

Xu Xingchen drew his sword, sending a sharp sword energy toward a vine hanging in mid-air. He had expected to sever it with one strike, but the energy merely scratched its surface, creating negligible cracks.

 

“What kind of monster is this! Has it gained sentience?!”

 

As Xu Xingchen’s words fell, the ground beneath them suddenly split open. Vines emerged, separating them, while other vines in the forest began to writhe chaotically.

 

Shen Liuxiang barely dodged several vines rushing toward him, summoning his spiritual sword to defend.

 

A dazzling spark flashed as his sword was caught and instantly snatched away. Shen Liuxiang could only dodge while searching for a path, looking back to find the others had disappeared.

 

He extended his divine consciousness, but it was blocked by something invisible, reaching only as far as his line of sight.

 

Shen Liuxiang rubbed his wrist, jumped onto a tree branch to evade attacking vines. These things were remarkably tough—his spiritual sword couldn’t cut them, and constantly dodging would eventually exhaust his spiritual energy.

 

Unable to escape, he had to confront them directly.

 

Shen Liuxiang paused, formed a hand seal, and flames surged skyward, instantly engulfing the aggressive green vines around him. Some vines curled up from the heat, quickly retreating.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s face brightened, but his joy was short-lived. He discovered that only the bare vines had retreated; those bearing white flower buds remained. In the blink of an eye, the flowers bloomed, releasing a scorching aura from their centers as ghostly flames spread throughout the vines.

 

Shen Liuxiang stared in disbelief as countless fire-snake-like flexible vines lunged toward him.

 

Inside the Imperial Palace, Di Yunyu watched the struggling figure in the light screen, leisurely sipping his tea.

 

Xu Xinglian stood beside him: “The Nine-Headed Serpent is a water and fire monster with nine snake-like heads. Does Imperial Father intend to train them with the vine forest?”

 

Di Yunyu didn’t answer, only asking: “If it were you, how would you escape?”

 

Xu Xinglian frowned slightly, then smiled lightly after a moment: “With insufficient spiritual energy and useless fire or ice techniques, I probably couldn’t escape and would need Imperial Father’s rescue.”

 

After speaking, she asked: “Imperial Father cultivated on Mount Shengqi since childhood and must have encountered the vine forest. How did you overcome it then?”

 

Di Yunyu spoke gently: “Look closely. These vines aren’t ordinary attackers but possess consciousness, responding according to the opponent’s counterattack. See around Zhou Xuanlan—green vines are most numerous and attacks most fierce, clearly angered because many vines on the ground have been severed.”

 

“Now look at your brother. After being hit on the head by one vine, he angrily only cuts that particular one, ignoring the others. Upon noticing this, the vines stopped attacking him and now that single vine just teases him.”

 

Xu Xinglian’s gaze fell on the light screen as she covered her mouth, laughing softly. Di Yunyu continued: “These vines have gained sentience. Once something gains sentience, finding its original source will solve the problem. Otherwise, they’ll be worn down by endless, ever-regenerating vines.”

 

Xu Xinglian said: “In that case, Imperial Father must have caught the vine spirit back then, spared its life, and now it follows Imperial Father’s orders.”

 

Di Yunyu: “I didn’t tell it to show mercy.”

 

Xu Xinglian was startled, showing concern. “If they get trapped and can’t escape, will Imperial Father not intervene?”

 

Di Yunyu: “Two of them can emerge, it’s just a matter of time.”

 

Xu Xinglian’s heart sank, her gaze falling on the seemingly desperate figure in the center of the light screen. “What about my brother?”

 

Di Yunyu was silent for a moment, slightly furrowing his brow: “He clearly discovered the vine spirit but doesn’t attack. I don’t know what he’s planning.”

 

Shen Liuxiang, surrounded by flying fire vines, was nearly roasted alive. He formed an ice barrier, standing within it while conjuring ice chunks, tossing them into his mouth and crunching “crack” “crack” non-stop.

 

His phoenix eyes focused on the fire vines outside the barrier. After pondering for a moment, he raised his hand in greeting, waving slightly.

 

The longest vine nearest the barrier paused briefly, then swayed without wind, responding.

 

Shen Liuxiang curved one corner of his lips. It appeared that the vine not only had consciousness but was also a polite vine spirit.

 

Truly interesting.

 

The ice barrier quickly melted under the intense flames.

 

Seeing he was about to be engulfed by fire, Shen Liuxiang’s eyes flashed slightly. Calmly, he lifted his robe, revealing a section of white inner clothing.

 

With a “rip,” he tore off a piece.

 

His phoenix eyes scanned the ground. Shen Liuxiang bent down to pick up two tree branches, one large and one small, and began tinkering with them.

 

“What is brother doing?” Seeing that the ice barrier was about to collapse while Shen Liuxiang remained unconcerned, Xu Xinglian grew anxious and called out: “Imperial Father.”

 

These vines showed no mercy when attacking their targets.

 

Di Yunyu’s clearly-jointed fingers lightly tapped the tea table as he gazed at the light screen. Just as he was about to speak, Shen Liuxiang leaped into the air, evading the fire vines’ attack.

 

Suspended in mid-air, facing the overwhelming fire vines, he suddenly raised his arm: “Wait!”

 

Di Yunyu’s eyes revealed a hint of confusion, then saw a crude white flag in Shen Liuxiang’s hand, held high and fluttering in the wind.

 

“I surrender,” Shen Liuxiang waved the white flag with one hand. “Tell Imperial Father, I want to surrender.”

 

Seeing this, Xu Xinglian covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Her brother must have guessed that the vine spirit was under Imperial Father’s command.

 

Di Yunyu made an ambiguous sound.

 

Trying to get through without showing any real skill.

 

How naive.

 

The fire vines around Shen Liuxiang intensified, seemingly enraged, and lunged at him together.

 

But in the next instant, they stopped.

 

Shen Liuxiang had revealed a plump, tender Nascent Soul in his other hand.

 

Holding a small white flag with both hands and waving it with all its might, it raised its soft voice: “Surrender, Imperial Father I want to surrender.”

 

Di Yunyu: “…”

 

He understood now. Shen Liuxiang wasn’t trying to solve the vine problem—he just wanted to use underhanded tactics.

 

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1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter