Invitation from the Cave Heaven

For the past three months, life has been uneventful. You Su has something to do every day, so it's been both busy and cozy.

Going to find the Mistress and comfort the senior sister was naturally an unwavering task. Wangshu remained unconscious, but her spiritual platform was highly developed and her elixir was boiling. He Shutong was initially unsure, but seeing these symptoms, she dared to be certain—she was truly about to break through to the Void Glimpse Realm.

But who in this world can break through to the Void Glimpse Realm without finding their Destiny Item? However, considering that Wangshu was no ordinary person, and seeing that she showed no abnormalities, You Su and He Shutong had no choice but to dispel their concerns.

As for He Shutong, she no longer avoided You Su as before. After You Su's commotion, she seemed to have finally seen her true feelings; she couldn't bear to let this young man leave her.

You Su knew his Mistress's feelings but wasn't in a hurry. Her agitation, like that day when she learned to fly, was only because she realized that He Shutong still treated her like a child, as if his budding feelings were just childish play. Naturally, he couldn't bear it. But his Mistress was, after all, a gentle and refined woman. It was impossible to make her open her heart for no reason. Her attempt to keep him that day was already the limit of what she could do. If she continued to push her, she was afraid she would truly hurt her.

You Su was happy with this arrangement. In reality, he was cultivating feelings for his reserved Mistress, while in his dreams, he was repeatedly teetering on the edge of crossing the line between master and disciple with his more uninhibited master's Mistress. The intertwining of these two blissful experiences was truly irresistible.

But in reality and in dreams, You Su didn't see He Shutong for very long. Her condition seemed to have worsened, and she often had to sit quietly to rest, unable even to enter a meditative state, as if she needed to feign death to maintain her condition.

You Su was quite surprised. The two of them had actually engaged in External Dual Cultivation once more, and it was He Shutong took the initiative that time. But the purpose was not simply to impart knowledge. Rather, she noticed that You Su's concern for her body was growing, so she simply used the excuse of External Dual Cultivation to make him examine his inner self thoroughly.

Strangely, despite You Su's repeated efforts to channel a significant amount of Origin Source Qi containing the Tai Sui Power into He Shutong's body, her condition did not improve. He then realized that He Shutong's body had no injuries whatsoever, and the gash on her spiritual platform had already healed under the influence of the Lotus Root Heart. The Source Qi he channeled into her had no effect other than making He Shutong's face flush even hotter.

Logically, a Void Realm cultivator's breathing is cultivation, yet no external Mystic Qi seems to be entering He Shutong's spiritual platform. It's as if He Shutong has become an insulator of Mystic Qi...

You Su was completely baffled, He Shutong himself didn't understand either. He only advised him not to worry about it and to wait for an opportunity to contact the Third Elder, Bihua Venerable, who might be able to cure him. You Su knew that anxiety was not the solution, but it was still a worry in his heart.

The purification of the Demon Core of the seven snake clan elders was also underway simultaneously, with each elder taking a day, thus filling the entire week. As the number of sessions increased, the Demon Core of the six elders (excluding Liu Yinyin) underwent a qualitative change. You Su's relationship with them also grew much closer; after all, they were open and honest with each other and had physical contact. Even two pieces of wood would warm up after being rubbed together, and it was inevitable that the six elders would find excuses to touch him a few more times, but they didn't mistreat his hands...

Liu Yinyin devoted herself wholeheartedly to his plans, never engaging in any romantic behavior. You Su was deeply grateful and found the woman increasingly captivating. Ji Lingruo never supervised the two of them, yet she relentlessly pursued the other six elders. The six elders repeatedly advised Ji Lingruo stop supervising them, arguing that they were focused on cultivation and that You Su, being upright and respectful, would never do anything wrong. However, Ji Lingruo remained unusually adamant, even after Ji Xueruo secretly tried to dissuade her. But to say the young woman was truly dutiful seemed inaccurate; if she were truly impartial, the six elders would have no opportunity to secretly overstep their bounds.

You Su thought that her junior sister had become accustomed to it after seeing it so often, so she chose to turn a blind eye. However, after each encounter with the elders, she would retaliate by severely training him. Sometimes she would even drag Ji Xueruo along and complain to her elder sister, who was the clan leader, about the six elders' despicable behavior. Ji Xueruo would always agree, but she would do so perfunctorily, as if she had a guilty conscience.

Recently, Ji Lingruo said she had a fresh inspiration and wanted to write a novel independently, instead of adapting the stories You Su had mentioned. Her cultivation mainly relied on dual cultivation, and she always had some free time after practicing swordsmanship during the day. You Su was very supportive of her little dream and even obediently promised to be the first to read it after it was finished. Ji Lingruo and agreed to him.

When You Su suddenly Heart's Blood like looking at the books he and Ji Lingruo had co-created, Ji Lingruo said she hadn't kept a single one. Instead, she blamed You Su for not appreciating her hard work and for not keeping any for himself. You Su didn't dare ask any more questions, and thinking that he knew these stories by heart, he gave up the idea.

He hadn't read those wildly popular erotic novels, but Ji Xueruo had. She even deduced from subtle hints that the main storyline of tales like "The Legend of the White Snake" was told by You Su, and that the inappropriate scenes were actually added by her younger sister without You Su's knowledge...

So she was even more curious about what magnificent work Ji Lingruo could write on her own. Therefore, she plotted and finally found an opportunity to lure her younger sister away from her writing, secretly sneaking into the study to read her masterpiece. But what she saw shocked her...

The story is set in a matriarchal world where men are inferior to women. In an all-female sect, there is a young man who is responsible for menial tasks. This young man is handsome and refined, but because of his inferior status as a man, he is bullied by everyone in the sect. Only the youngest junior sister in the sect takes pity on him and helps him, and gradually the two fall in love. But in fact, this young man was chosen by the sect leader long ago to be the cultivation vessel for the entire sect. When he comes of age, he begins his life of being bullied by everyone.

But the junior sister was simply too young, and it wasn't her turn. She could only watch helplessly as her beloved man was exploited by her senior sisters, feeling immense bitterness and powerlessness. Fortunately, the boy's feelings for her remained unwavering, offering her some solace. Finally, when the junior sister came of age, thinking she could comfort him in return, she was met with his heartless rejection. Confused, she pressed him for answers, only to learn that the sect leader and her senior sisters had all developed feelings for the boy through sexual exploitation, and that she seemed to have disappeared from his world.

She felt as if the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed, and she ran away from the sect that very night. But little did she know that this was the young man's carefully planned revenge. Overnight, the evil sect that was raising alchemical furnaces was destroyed. The next day, the junior sister returned to the sect determined to rescue the young man, only to find that he had forced her to leave in order to protect her. Moved to tears, the two lived happily ever after.

This was supposed to be a heart-wrenching story with a relatively happy ending, but Ji Xueruo read it in the freezing cold, breaking out in a cold sweat. She felt that this story was a true reflection of her younger sister's thoughts; the various details vividly portrayed the anguish of having one's love stolen. Would she one day also want to destroy all those who stole her senior brother?

Ji Xueruo felt a chill run down her spine. After confirming that the Demon Core of the seven elders had been purified, she quickly halted the plan, allowing the elders time to adapt to their transformed Demon Core. She herself also began busying herself with liaison work with the Divine Mountain, leaving You Su alone with Ji Lingruo. As a result, even when Ji Lingruo occasionally extended a subtle invitation, she was hesitant to go. She had initially thought her sister had awakened some terrible fetish, but now she feared her sister might stab her in the back.

However, the effects of purifying the Demon Core were indeed remarkable. All six elders reached the mid-stage of the Feather Transformation realm, Liu Yinyin also successfully broke through to the upper stage of the Feather Transformation Mystic Qi. With such strength, the snake clan, after settling in the divine mountain, should be able to suppress a lot of dissenting voices.

It's almost the end of the year, and seven days have passed since Ji Xueruo led the five elders to Star Zhao Divine Mountain.

Snowflakes fluttered down onto the bronze eaves of the Serpent Ancestor Temple. You Su leaned against a pillar, wiping the Ink Pine Sword. The blade reflected the image of Ji Lingruo bouncing around with Nian Su in her arms, warming up the bleakness of the winter.

However, the warmth was merely a facade. All the snake maidens of the snake clan had gathered before the snake clan's palace, all waiting for Ji Xueruo's return. Although they had received a letter before, it contained no clear answer, and their hearts remained filled with unease about returning to the sacred mountain.

"The clan leader is back!"

Cheers suddenly erupted like boiling snowflakes across the stone steps. You Su and Ji Lingruo both looked delighted and immediately became alert.

Led by Ji Xueruo, followed by five elders, their hair was disheveled by the wind and snow, but the burning light in their eyes could not be concealed.

Ji Lingruo quickly hugged the brocade fur coat and went to greet her, Ji Xueruo waved her hand, letting the fragrance of winter plum blossoms mixed with the snow seep into her clothes.

She looked up at the jade trees and branches outside the Serpent Ancestor Temple, a weary yet proud smile playing on her lips:

"The Serpent Clan, once again, is a clan from the sacred mountain."

In an instant, the entire snake clan rejoiced, and applause erupted like a tidal wave.

Ji Lingruo, who was temporarily assuming the duties of clan leader, had prepared a banquet early on, and the ancestral hall was filled with warmth.

Ji Xueruo stood on the palace steps, her black wide sleeves unusually replaced with crimson brocade. Standing high above, she exuded a noble and majestic aura, making others unconsciously feel ashamed of their own appearance.

"Today, the Serpent Clan can once again ascend Star Zhao Divine Mountain, thanks to the blessings of our ancestors and the Heart's Blood of everyone present." Her voice pierced through the clamor, clear and melodious like the cry of a phoenix. "A thousand years ago, our ancestors were forced to retreat to our ancestral land. Today, we have finally re-engraved the name of the Serpent Clan on this sacred mountain!"

His impassioned speech drew cheers from the audience, and the seven elders were overjoyed, as if they had all become ten years younger.

"But the path to the sacred mountain doesn't end here." Ji Xueruo suddenly raised her voice, "Once the construction is complete, the Serpent Clan can settle on the southern slope of Star Zhao Divine Mountain, adjacent to the Snow Crane Clan. This is a high position, showing that the sacred mountain has high hopes for our Serpent Clan. We must cultivate diligently and live up to the cultivation we have made in this life."

The snake women responded enthusiastically, their passion for cultivation never having been so high.

With a thousand-year-old wish fulfilled, You Su looked at the smiles on the snake women's faces and felt proud. He secretly thought that one day he would make the snake clan one of the top clans of the Demon Race, after all, this was his own home.

"The second matter—" She suddenly turned around, flicked her fingertips, and a bronze family tree rose from the hall, "By resolution of the elders, from today onwards, his name shall be officially engraved in the Serpent Clan's family tree, ranking under the 'Ruo' generation!"

Before the words were even finished, a burst of colorful smoke erupted in the hall. The snake women filed in, carrying golden platters, each filled with plum wine that had been brewed for a hundred years. The joyous occasion was compounded, instantly elevating the festive atmosphere to a whole new level.

Looking at Ji Lingruo's sweet smile and Ji Xueruo's meaningful smile, You Su realized that this must be a surprise that the two women had prepared for him without his knowledge. He felt a lump in his throat and was deeply moved.

The snake clan was immersed in the joy of settling in the sacred mountain and taking You Su in, while You Su stepped on the thin ice on the windowsill and climbed into Ji Xueruo's bedroom.

The heater was burning brightly, and a half-cooled cup of ginger tea sat on the table.

"Why don't you close the window? It's cold in winter." You Su chuckled and closed the window behind her.

"Cultivators are not afraid of the cold or heat, why close the window?" Ji Xueruo said arrogantly, but in reality, ever since You Su climbed in through the window, she had never closed it, whether it was windy or rainy, just like the window to her heart.

You Su knew perfectly well what was going on, and was only happy. She brought the hand warmer closer, saying, "You've been traveling so much these past few days, warm your hands so they don't get cold."

Ji Xueruo turned her face away, but couldn't escape the warmth. The charcoal in the stove crackled, and her hand was already being played with by You Su. Just as she felt a sweet warmth in her heart, she heard You Su suddenly sigh:

"If you carve me into it now, wouldn't you be completely binding the snake clan to me? What if..."

"If you're so unwilling to carve, are you still thinking of running away?" Ji Xueruo he could finish speaking.

You Su was deeply moved by the girl's affection, but with Liu Yinyin's guidance, he had a clearer understanding of his situation. "If I carve it later, even if my whereabouts are exposed, there will still be room for maneuver."

"Do you think I don't know? It's just that I'm unwilling to back down, and there's no need to back down anymore." Ji Xueruo raised her head, ignoring You Su's doubts, and said, "There's progress on the matter of Kunpeng Cave Heaven."

"Real?!"

An even greater surprise instantly dispelled You Su's previous doubts, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on the girl's soft hand.

"After passing the tests of all races and successfully securing my seat on the sacred mountain, I was once again invited by the Immortal Ancestor Temple. The Heavenly Listener Immortal Official has instructed that the Kunpeng Cave Heaven will reopen."

You Su was initially overjoyed, but seeing the girl recount the good news in a flat and unhurried manner, without much joy, she couldn't help but become suspicious. "Isn't this a good thing? Why aren't you happy?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to realize something and exclaimed in surprise, "This time Kunpeng Cave Heaven didn't just invite you alone?"

Ji Xueruo nodded, "Each of the various tribes on Mount Shen has a quota."

"Even the perilous South Sea Immortal Island was fought to the very end by our Snake Clan Chief. Isn't the mere Kunpeng Cave Heaven a piece of cake?"

You Su, trying to flatter her, moved closer and leaned against the girl's shoulder. He noticed the worry lingering between her brows and, recalling the meaningful look in her eyes at the banquet, realized that it wasn't a flirtatious glance, but rather that she had something on her mind.

He simply pulled her into a tighter embrace. "What's wrong?"

Ji Xueruo, secretly grabbed You Su's wrist, then suddenly raised her eyes and uttered a startling statement:

"They also invited you."

You Su's pupils shrank instantly. Only then did he understand why the girl said there was no need to make an exception. It turned out that Star Zhao Divine Mountain already knew about his affairs with the snake clan!

With great speed, You Su is about to launch a sweeping attack.