Pain! So Much Pain!

The chilling wind on the frozen lake instantly transformed into a warm breeze carrying a delicate fragrance, and the Moon Essence in this realm poured down like molten silver.

A sudden burst of light amidst the willows and flowers, a beautiful scene under the moon – a sight that women of the Northern Ao Continent rarely witness in their lives. But even if it's their first time seeing it, these women, who have been tempered and raised in the ice and snow since childhood, will naturally think of the word "romance."

This is instinct, it's nature. It has nothing to do with wind and snow, only with romance.

You Su huddled beside the clear pond reflecting the moonlight, his dark clothes already soaked with cold sweat, the veins beneath his skin bulging like writhing dragons. He seemed somewhat out of place in this tranquil yet ambiguous world.

The Ganlong Venerable's fingertips, adorned with frost, brushed across his burning forehead; the ice crystals instantly created wisps of white mist upon touching his skin.

"The Mystic Qi in his meridians is surging wildly." Bai Ze bit his fingertip, his amber pupils reflecting You Su's convulsing back. "I really don't know how he's managed to hold on for so long... If it drags on any longer, I'm afraid he'll be burned to a shell by his own Dao fire."

Pink mist seeped from the cracks in the glazed floor tiles, transforming into hundreds of translucent Shark Silk that wrapped around the ankles of the three. The Ganlong Venerable's wide sleeves billowed, and the phantom of a dragon tore apart the alluring silk, yet a few strands still clung to her plain skirt, tinging her pure and immaculate face with a peach-blossom hue.

"It's my fault." She suddenly spoke, her voice three octaves lower than usual. "I failed to notice his abnormality, took him around everywhere, and even indulged him in wantonly slaying evil spirits."

"What do you mean by admitting your mistake now?" Bai Ze raised his eyes, but his gaze was somewhat unfriendly.

"Something's wrong with him." Ganlong Venerable frowned as he looked at her. "This isn't just a simple case of Mystic Qi swelling; there are serious complications. His whole body is burning hot, which is due to long-term accumulation of internal heat. That person was right; there's something wrong with his Cultivation Method."

"It's not that there's a problem, but rather that it's too profound."

The Palace Lord of Dragon Seeing Palace within Bai Ze was also Technique Method. Previously, not wanting You Su to suspect her, she hadn't dared to probe You Su's body with her Mystic Qi. Now, finally having the opportunity to carefully observe You Su's internal organs, she quickly discerned his Cultivation Method:

"He cultivates the Yin-Yang Dao, but he doesn't seek harmony between Yin and Yang. Instead, he focuses on refining Yang energy to its purest and most refined state. No wonder his body temperature is always warmer."

"The Yin-Yang Path that specializes in cultivating Yang energy? What happens when Yin and Yang become unbalanced?" Ganlong Venerable, being quite knowledgeable, quickly understood. "He cultivates... a dual cultivation Cultivation Method?"

"Such cultivation at such a young age, how could it be possible without taking some shortcuts?"

"But his Mystic Qi is abundant and his foundation is solid, so he doesn't seem like he's taking shortcuts." Ganlong Venerable still had some doubts.

"Taking shortcuts and having a solid foundation are not contradictory. Ordinary cultivation also requires countless trials and tribulations. How can one not take shortcuts a thousand times over? Calling them shortcuts is simply a matter of getting results faster."

Bai Ze was deeply interested in You Su's Cultivation Method, his fingertips tracing the contours of You Su's chest. "This shouldn't be the Cultivation Method taught to him by the Lotus Sword Venerable. He has another master. By the way, he mentioned that his master's name is Guan Chujun. Do you know this person?"

Just like Bai Ze, when Ganlong Venerable first heard the name, he fell into deep thought, then shook his head, "He must be a reclusive master."

Bai Ze wholeheartedly agreed, "It is no easy feat to refine such pure Yang energy. His original sect's attainments in the Yin-Yang dual cultivation method are probably unparalleled throughout history."

"How can we save him?" Ganlong Venerable couldn't contain himself any longer, seeing that she was still not getting to the point.

Bai Ze crushed a blooming datura flower with his toe. "Why ask a question you already know the answer to?"

Yes, she had a vague idea when that person brought them to the sixth floor. The only way to stabilize this man with pure yang energy was to balance his yin and yang, and Yin Qi could only be provided by the outside world.

You Su once used the Dao Fire within his body to burn away the poison that Venerable Ningshuang had given her. At that time, she knew that You Su's Cultivation Method was not simple. However, You Su's gentlemanly demeanor made her automatically overlook this fact, which was the most insignificant 'stain' on this young man.

He may not have had a choice since childhood. The fact that he could suppress himself like this only shows his self-control and restraint. At his core, he is still a good person who is wholeheartedly dedicated to saving the common people.

A blush crept across the stunningly beautiful face of the Ganlong Venerable, who was the epitome of beauty in her time. She suddenly realized, wondering why she was even thinking about these things.

It's like... it's like I'm convincing myself to do something.

"What... what are you doing?"

Ganlong Venerable looked up in astonishment, only to see Bai Ze suddenly throw out a mica screen, twelve panels of brocade landscape paintings surrounding the clear pool, forming a secret realm.

"You harmed him, I'll save him," Bai Ze said coldly, though only she knew that her words lacked conviction.

It would be impossible to say that she bore no responsibility for You Su's current state. If she hadn't been so attached to the young man's embrace like a kitten, how could she have lingered with him in that Xuanye Pool?

"You'll save her?" Ganlong Venerable seemed surprised, but his hand moved faster than his words, grabbing the girl's shoulder. "We should go find Wangshu Fairy! She and You Su are dao companion, the most suitable candidate."

Bai Ze pulled his hand away from hers. "Then go look for it. Don't come back until you find it."

How could Ganlong Venerable not understand such a clumsy diversionary tactic? Regardless of whether he could truly find Wangshu in this dream, You Su's situation was already irreversible. Moreover, it was now clear that the dream would not end unless he was saved.

"This matter started because of me, so... so it should be my responsibility to resolve it for him." The woman's voice was as low as it could possibly be.

Bai Ze's pupils widened slightly, and even she seemed to think she had misheard something, a surge of resentment rising within her. "You are Sovereign Lord Bei Ao!"

"Aren't you also the Palace Lord of Dragon Seeing Palace?"

"You even tried to kill him before!"

"That's why I should be the one to atone for my sins."

Bai Ze seemed furious, stammering for a while before finally saying, "Back when you heard about the dual cultivation method on Mount Shen, you came back and filled your diary with 'shameless'!"

"I'm referring to those shameless lewd men who, out of mutual attraction, engage in sexual intercourse, which is the natural order."

Bai Ze's eyes widened. "Isn't this my reply to you in my diary?!"

She seemed to be seeing this other version of herself for the first time, her small face filled with disbelief. "This isn't an old cow eating young grass, it's a dying old cow digging up unsprouted grass seeds to ruin!"

"It's more like a blessing that this old ox, on the verge of death, was able to find the grass it liked." The woman looked at You Su, her eyes filled with undisguised satisfaction.

You may like this grass seed, but the grass itself may not want you to eat it!

"If he doesn't appreciate me, he won't help me. I'm not trying to interfere in his life; I just want to save him. Besides, this is a dream; he might not remember it when he wakes up."

"You... you're Void Glimpse Realm! You can't help him!"

"Given his current state, what in the world do you think his sword can't pierce?"

The woman answered fluently and did not get angry at Bai Ze's provocation. It was as if she had already made up her mind and would not be swayed by anyone else.

Bai Ze's chest heaved with anger, as if she couldn't find any other reason to give up, and she could only squeeze out a sentence with her face flushed red:

"I was here first! I met him first! I've already given you my body, and you still want to steal the person I like from me!"

Ganlong Venerable's resolute face finally softened slightly, as if he felt some remorse, yet he still refused to give up:

"I wanted to give my body back to you, but you refused me."

She also noticed that the Palace Lord of Dragon Seeing Palace seemed a little off when facing You Su. The two had already discussed the matter of their souls returning to one while traveling together in the dream, but Bai Ze had firmly refused.

She inquired about the reason, only to find that the Palace Master was still angry with her. However, the Palace Master's answer was that she had a new identity— You Su's younger sister. He also repeatedly instructed her that as long as she kept the secret that "she was pretending to be young" well, the Palace Master would wipe the slate clean of their previous grudges.

Only then did she realize that Bai Ze had been using this method to gain the boy's favor.

"You guys... stop arguing."

You Su suddenly grabbed Bai Ze's wrist with astonishing force.

"Brother, are you alright?" Bai Ze leaned against his chest, his gaze filled with concern and innocence.

For a four-hundred-year-old woman to deceive a nineteen-year-old boy, she relied not only on her experience but also on her caution. Although she was arguing with Ganlong Venerable, she had already set up a sound-only spell, so that only she and Ganlong Venerable could hear each other's voices.

You Su shook his head at her. His skin was as red as flowing lava, and his breath made her fair skin on her neck blush.

Ganlong Venerable watched quietly, feeling inexplicably disappointed.

The innocence within her other self became her proud weapon; how could she, in her own shoes, so naturally call a boy "brother"?

"Brother needs someone to help me right now..." You Su suddenly raised her eyes with difficulty, looking at the mature Fairy beside her with concerned eyes, which made the other party pause in surprise. "Go outside the screen first... wait for brother to finish his work... then come in."

Bai Ze's pupils suddenly shrank to slits, and his knuckles clenched so tightly that the gold thread on his sleeve almost snapped.

She looked up at You Su, the Moon Essence filtering through the glass dome casting a silvery glow on the girl's face, only making her porcelain-white features appear even more resentful. "I can help my brother too!"

You Su's back was taut like a fully drawn bowstring, and the churning Blood Qi in his throat made his voice hoarse. "You're too young... I can't help you..."

"Little?" Bai Ze's snow-white eyelashes trembled as she angrily said, "I'm not little! I know everything! Back in Fei City, my brother deliberately let that wicked woman eat him so he could get the talisman jade for me from the Flower Daoist. Now it's my brother's turn to eat me!"

"Enough!" You Su let out a cold shout, his muscles taut beneath his dark robes. "What do you know, you stupid cat... If you keep acting up, you don't need to call me brother anymore!"

Bai Ze staggered and steadied herself against the mica screen, the twelve embroidered landscape paintings behind her flickering like weeping.

The girl stared blankly at the determined-looking boy, suddenly recalling how he had stood in front of her with the same resolute determination when she had unknowingly fallen for him.

"Save him!" The girl bit her lower lip and glared at the woman one last time.

She never imagined that her status as a sworn sister would become both a source of comfort and a shackle preventing her from going any further. She couldn't describe the regret she felt; she should have returned to that woman's body, at least for now she could still be behind the screen...

The glazed tiles reflected the girl's hurried retreating figure. Ganlong Venerable instinctively wanted to chase after her, but the boy grabbed his hand.

"My Sovereign Lord..." You Su slumped down beside the spring, his voice hoarse, the rising steam blurring his features, "If you are unwilling..."

Before she could finish speaking, a delicate finger touched her lips and teeth.

"The women of the Northern Ao Continent are all bold in love and hate, unlike the coy ladies of the South. Although it is to save you, I am doing it willingly."

These words were tantamount to a declaration of her feelings. The woman withdrew her jade-like finger and pursed her lips, saying:

"You're the one who should be asked if you're willing, but even if you're not, we can only ask you to accept this."

The boy shook his head, and the woman's heart skipped a beat.

"I'm not wronged... I... I also like the Sovereign Lord." The boy shook his head and forced a smile at her. "We... are the same kind of people."

Perhaps it is because this Desire Realm makes people's desires purer that they are more honest in body and mind.

Ganlong Venerable lowered his eyes to gaze at his reflection in the pool—his usually dignified face was now flushed crimson, and his silver hairpin with nine dragons entwined around the moon had somehow become askew, letting a strand of his black hair fall down to his neck.

She suddenly realized that she was secretly pleased with herself.

The hot spring water glided over the brocade waistband, and the Mystic Ice Chi Armor turned into stardust and dissipated. The woman raised her fair hand lightly, and a frosty silk ribbon floated out from her wide sleeve, enveloping the entire warm pavilion like a cocoon. The moment You Su's neck touched the pool wall, the cold fragrance of winter plum blossoms enveloped her.

"You must now use yin to balance yang." An ice butterfly condensed from her fingertips, trembling as it landed on the young man's collar. "I do not cultivate this path; I act solely based on my past experiences and instincts. If you feel unwell, you should..."

Unspoken words were swallowed in the mingling breaths.

This was You Su's spontaneous action; no dual cultivation manual would record the procedure of verbal communication. He was telling the other person that the greatest truth is the simplest, and acting spontaneously is the best way.

Layers of frost-covered silk cascaded to the ground, the simple garments unable to contain the surging snow waves. A phantom of a dragon rose from the bottom of the pool, entangling the two into a yin-yang symbol.

In a daze, he recalled the last words of Venerable Chengliang before his death, and felt that the old man was right. The North Ao River had been frozen for thousands of years, but the well water was indeed not cold.

Outside the stained glass window, Bai Ze curled up under the plum tree. The girl gazed at the flickering light of the dragon in the warm pavilion, and suddenly put the Tridacna pearl into her mouth.

It's so bitter! So incredibly bitter!

Who would actually want to be your sister?!