Casting a Curse

Casting a Curse

Feng Yao led Xue Qinghe through several rooms and finally stopped outside one he used often, under Xue Qinghe's puzzled gaze. Feng Yao slowly pushed open the door and casually explained, "Your Highness, I often meditate in this room. I've also had many unusual ideas here, so I'm used to it."

Xue Qinghe nodded with a smile. "I see."

"Your Highness, please sit." Feng Yao found a cushion and gestured invitingly.

Xue Qinghe gracefully lifted his robes and sat down cross-legged. Feng Yao lightly settled opposite him, laying the ancient Fuxi zither across his knees.

"Your Highness, please focus completely from this point on and carefully remember the path of your Soul Power's circulation." Feng Yao gently stroked the strings, his voice flowing like a clear spring.

Xue Qinghe gave a slight nod and slowly closed his eyes. As the first note sounded, he immediately felt that familiar, mysterious sensation welling up once more. Unlike before, when he had passively received it, this time he could clearly sense the Soul Power within him slowly flowing through specific Meridians. He then followed Feng Yao's instructions, concentrating fully on the movement of his Soul Power.

Any observer would have been astonished. At that moment, their breathing was perfectly synchronized; even the slightest rhythm of inhalation and exhalation matched without the slightest difference. Specks of blue light misted around their bodies.

Once Xue Qinghe had fully familiarized himself with the technique, he began actively guiding his Soul Power. An unprecedented sense of ease surged through him. This method of actively drawing in the energy of heaven and earth was far more efficient than passive meditation. An intoxicated expression unconsciously appeared on his handsome face.

Seeing Xue Qinghe gradually enter the right state, Feng Yao quietly released his Spiritual Power. It wound around Xue Qinghe in fine, threadlike strands as he carefully sensed the circulation of Xue Qinghe's Soul Power.

Xue Qinghe frowned instinctively. She was no third-rate Spirit Master incapable of sensing Spiritual Power; under normal circumstances, she would have counterattacked on instinct long ago. Yet she also wanted to know what Feng Yao intended to do, so she endured it and continued maintaining her Soul Power circulation.

At this moment, Xue Qinghe's Soul Power circulation was like a massive gear, while Feng Yao's task was to make his own small gear mesh with it perfectly.

As the resonance deepened, the speed of Soul Power circulation within Feng Yao suddenly surged. He was secretly astonished. As expected of a Soul Emperor. By the Mysterious Heaven Skill's classification, that would be the sixth level. This circulation efficiency is nearly more than twice mine.

Xue Qinghe also sensed that the efficiency of his Soul Power circulation was beginning to rise again. Though the increase was small, it was something he could genuinely feel.

Feeling Feng Yao's Spiritual Power quietly withdraw, Xue Qinghe lowered his guard against him and gradually immersed himself in cultivation.

The next morning, Feng Yao slowly awoke from deep cultivation. What met his eyes was an incomparably beautiful woman with a cascade of golden hair.

Her golden hair spread like streaming sunlight, every strand seeming to have been kissed by the dawn and gleaming with dazzling radiance. Her exquisite face was now fully revealed—her skin was delicate and flawless like the finest mutton-fat jade, glowing with a faint pearlescent sheen beneath the morning light. Those formerly gentle eyes now shone with the purest gold, their outer corners slightly raised, carrying an innate nobility and sharpness.

Feng Yao instinctively rubbed his eyes, suspecting that cultivation had given him hallucinations. When he opened them again, Qian Renxue had also awakened from cultivation.

Seeing Feng Yao's utterly shocked expression, Qian Renxue asked in confusion, "Little Feng?"

At the sound of that crisp, pleasant female voice, Feng Yao finally became certain that the sight before him was not an illusion. Qian Renxue also seemed to realize something. When she lowered her head and saw the obvious curves of her chest, the gentle, jade-like image of the crown prince instantly froze over.

"While circulating this technique, I unconsciously used all of my Soul Power. The Spirit Bone's effect must have disappeared at that moment." A trace of annoyance flashed through Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes.

The two fell into an awkward silence. Seeing the increasingly dangerous look in Qian Renxue's eyes, Feng Yao hurriedly waved his hands. "Your Highness, please judge fairly! This technique has no ability to turn you into a woman!"

At that, Qian Renxue's lips curved into a dangerous smile. "You are quite clever." She elegantly smoothed her scattered golden hair. "I can let you go, but you'll have to trade a sufficiently valuable secret for it."

Feng Yao put on a heartbroken expression. "This student has been utterly loyal to Your Highness. I even gave you my self-created cultivation technique without holding anything back. What secrets could I possibly still have?"

"Stop playing dumb!" Qian Renxue suddenly rose to her feet, and six Spirit Rings burst forth. The powerful pressure made her robes billow despite the lack of wind. She leaned down close to him, her exquisite face inches away. "Did you think I didn't know? This technique is clearly using me to accelerate your cultivation."

"It's called mutual benefit." Looking at that exquisite, pretty face, Feng Yao's throat bobbed instinctively as he subtly leaned back. "Hasn't your cultivation speed increased as well? This student truly has nothing else to hide."

Qian Renxue stared into Feng Yao's eyes, feeling troubled for a moment. Her instincts told her that this youth still hid more secrets. Silencing him now would be a waste. Feng Yao, this Chess Piece, possessed both great importance and potential. Yet if she simply let him go, wouldn't Feng Yao instead gain leverage over her?

Sunlight refracted through the windowsill, casting rainbow halos. Qian Renxue seemed to think of something and suddenly smiled. That smile was like ice and snow beginning to melt, breathtakingly beautiful. She gracefully straightened, and the phantom of the Six-winged Angel flickered into view behind her. "I want you to become my sharpest sword within the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."

Feng Yao's pupils contracted slightly, his face showing confusion. But Qian Renxue gave him no chance to think. The Angel phantom behind her blazed with golden light. She stood amid the morning glow, her golden hair cascading down her back as the phantom of the Six-winged Angel spread its Wings behind her, sacred and majestic.

Her voice was no longer disguised. Cold and resolute, it was as though heaven and earth bore witness for her at this moment. She pressed her palms together before her chest, parted her cherry lips, and uttered several ancient syllables.

Feng Yao watched Qian Renxue in confusion, unable for the moment to tell what she intended to do. Seeing the increasingly devout expression on her face, he secretly thought, Is she praying?

Unable to gauge Qian Renxue's attitude, Feng Yao did not dare act rashly. All his abilities lay in the strength of his Soul Power; against a six-ring Soul Emperor like Qian Renxue, he did not stand the slightest chance.

The ancient syllables continued, but Feng Yao could not understand a single word.

Translation: "Let Angel's Blood be the bond, and the soul of divinity be the oath."

Qian Renxue lightly touched her chest with a fingertip. A drop of golden blood emerged, transforming into brilliant patterns of light that flowed and shifted.

"What is witnessed today shall be borne together for all eternity; what is established today, we shall face life and death together."

"If you remain true to this oath, I shall shield your path with my Wings."

The six-winged phantom slowly drew inward, enveloping them both as though offering protection, its holy light blazing.

"Wherever your blade points shall be where the Angel's Sword strikes."

With a lift of Qian Renxue's hand, an illusory Angel's Sword hovered before Feng Yao. Its edge was restrained, yet its pressure was stern and imposing.

"But should you betray me..."

Her voice suddenly turned cold, and the depths of Qian Renxue's golden pupils ignited with the fire of divine punishment.

"Wherever these six Wings reach, there will no longer be a place for you to stand."

"Let heaven and earth bear witness to this oath."

A beam of golden light broke through the clouds above, descending as though a god had lowered its gaze. The oath was complete.

Her Wings abruptly spread, and a streak of light shot into Feng Yao's brow. A golden mark flashed across his forehead before vanishing. He immediately felt a sacred warmth.

"May I ask, Your Highness, what was that..." Feng Yao asked in confusion.

Qian Renxue suddenly leaned close, her red lips nearly brushing his earlobe. A teasing hint of triumph lurked in her voice, and her breath carried a faint fragrance. "The Angel's secret. You may leave now. One day, you will understand. You'd best not entertain any foolish thoughts."

Feng Yao's entire body stiffened. From this distance, he could clearly see the fine golden light upon Qian Renxue's eyelashes and the sacred patterns flowing through those golden eyes.

"This student understands." Feng Yao replied hastily. He did not dare hesitate even a moment longer, quickly rising and striding out of the room.

As she watched Feng Yao flee in panic, looking entirely unlike his usual calm and elegant self, a nearly imperceptible smile flickered in Qian Renxue's eyes before vanishing in an instant. Her slender fingers unconsciously stroked her long golden hair, and frost once again covered her exquisite face.

"The plan cannot afford any mistakes," she murmured. Her voice echoed through the empty room. "Bibi Dong, I will prove to you that I am the one who is right."

Elsewhere, after leaving the Mimicry Training Ground, Feng Yao ran several hundred meters in one breath before finally stopping once he was sure he was safe. He braced himself against an ancient tree and panted heavily, his back soaked through with cold sweat. As he raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his brow, he instinctively touched his forehead.

"She didn't put some kind of curse on me, did she?" Feng Yao's pupils narrowed. He immediately circulated his Soul Power, carefully inspecting the Meridians throughout his body. Yet after three full cycles, he found nothing unusual. That only made him more uneasy, as though an invisible thread were tied around his heart.

Morning light filtered through the forest mist and fell upon his slightly pale face. Feng Yao took a deep breath, then suddenly noticed the surging Soul Power within him—he had actually broken through the level-forty bottleneck overnight. This unexpected gain slightly eased his taut nerves.

"I'll take some leave and go find Senior Dugu while I'm at it," he muttered, unconsciously quickening his pace. Along the forest path, the youth's figure soon vanished into the morning mist, leaving behind only a few startled fallen leaves spinning through the air.

Before long, Sunset Forest, Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes.

Dugu Bo withdrew the fingers resting on Feng Yao's wrist. His brows furrowed slightly as he gave Feng Yao an odd look. "You brat is stronger than an ox. What problem could you possibly have? Don't tell me you came all this way just to flaunt your breakthrough to level forty before me?"

"Really, there's nothing wrong?" Feng Yao pressed unwillingly, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the faint chill lingering on his forehead.

Dugu Bo snorted and flicked his sleeve. "You keep hemming and hawing without explaining yourself. How am I supposed to know what you want checked? Don't tell me someone put a curse on you?"

Feng Yao choked. That was actually exactly it. But he could not reveal a word about Qian Renxue, so he could only laugh awkwardly and swiftly change the subject. "Since there's nothing wrong, then... since I'm already here, could you help me deal with my Spirit Ring issue while you're at it?"

Dugu Bo shot him a sidelong glance, the corner of his mouth twitching as he snorted. "Heh, you brat sure know how to order people around. Do you take me for your personal Spirit Beast hunter? For such a small matter, go find those three old fellows at Heaven Dou Academy and have them arrange it for you!"

Feng Yao immediately put on a broad smile, rubbing his hands as he stepped closer with a fawning tone. "Hehe, Senior Dugu, listen to what you're saying... How could those three Heaven Dou education committee members compare to your vast knowledge and profound cultivation? At most, they can teach students, but you're different. You're Poison Douluo, someone even Spirit Hall must fear. Across the entire continent, who hasn't heard of your great name?"

Dugu Bo listened with narrowed eyes, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting. He was clearly quite pleased. But just as he was enjoying it, Feng Yao suddenly stopped. Dugu Bo immediately frowned and said irritably, "That's it? Just a few lines? Your skill at flattering people has declined, brat."

Feng Yao's eyes turned as he hurriedly added, "Oh, how could that be? I was worried that saying too much would make me sound too exaggerated! Besides, how could a few words possibly sum up your greatness? How about you take me to hunt a Spirit Ring first, and I'll slowly elaborate along the way?"

Dugu Bo snorted and flicked his sleeve. "Smooth-tongued brat! Still... for the sake of your decent judgment, I'll reluctantly make the trip."

Before Feng Yao could respond, Dugu Bo flashed over in an instant, grabbed him, and sped away into the distance. After several leaps, their figures disappeared into the forest.

Seven days later.

Deep within Star Dou Forest, bright moonlight pierced the dense canopy and fell upon a ten-thousand-year Soul Bamboo, crystal clear from top to bottom. This rare Soul Bamboo gleamed with a jade-like luster, and liquid Soul Power could faintly be seen flowing slowly between its joints. Centered around it, all the vegetation within thirty meters had been stained an eerie emerald green, swaying gently in the night wind as though worshipping the Soul Bamboo.

"Now!" A sharp glint flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes, and his wide sleeves stirred without wind. The phantom of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor behind him suddenly flared with light. Seven green streaks imbued with the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's deadly venom tore through the air and precisely struck the Soul Bamboo's body. The ten-thousand-year Soul Bamboo immediately began trembling violently, tortured and twisted patterns emerging across its stalk.

Feng Yao seized the opportunity, flashing before the Soul Bamboo like a ghost. The dagger in his hand drew a bright silver arc under the moonlight, but the instant it struck the bamboo, dazzling sparks burst forth as if metal had collided with stone.

"Damn, it's this hard?"

"Let me do it." The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor behind Dugu Bo suddenly came alive. With a sweep of its tail, it uprooted the ten-thousand-year Soul Bamboo entirely.

"Enough. You brat just need to chop at its roots." Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back and spoke indifferently.

Soon, a black ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring slowly rose. At the instant the Spirit Ring formed, the entire bamboo grove seemed to sense the death of one of its kind. Its leaves shook all at once, and dense rustling echoed through the silent forest.

"Ten-thousand-year Soul Bamboo is already extremely rare. Brat, if you want to find a Soul Bamboo of an even higher age for your next Spirit Ring, that will basically be impossible." Dugu Bo spoke slowly to Feng Yao.

"Thank you, Senior." Feng Yao smiled and slowly sat down cross-legged. When the ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring slowly descended onto him, Feng Yao's brows immediately drew together after only an instant.

I only woke up at ten, so the first chapter was a little late. The author will stay up tonight and release extra chapters for you esteemed readers.