"Could it be that Senior is also a holder of one of the Devouring Ancestral Talismans?"
Ling Qingzhu couldn't help looking surprised, and even a little reverent. She had changed the way she addressed him, too, calling him Senior.
According to the records of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, every holder of an Ancestor Symbol was a peerless powerhouse of extraordinary strength.
Yet at her words, the Ancient Tomb Mansion Master's face stiffened. He gave a light cough and said, "Ahem. Of course not. If I'd obtained the Devouring Ancestral Talisman back then, I wouldn't have died here."
"Then what connection did Senior have with Lord Lord of Devourment?"
Ling Qingzhu sounded rather disappointed, but there was still respect in her voice. After all, no matter what, he was a successor of Lord of Devourment.
But the very Lord of Devourment she had been longing to meet stood beside her. He lowered his head slightly, a trace of shame in his heart, and forcibly changed the subject. "I think deciding who gets the Nirvana Heart is more important. If those people break in, things could get complicated. Don't you agree?"
"Heh, little ones, don't worry. Your talents far surpass those riffraff. The Nirvana Heart will surely belong to the two of you."
The Ancient Tomb Mansion Master chuckled at this, gazing meaningfully at Cang Wu as he spoke.
Cang Wu couldn't help rolling his eyes. How could he not understand what this brat was plotting? But was he the sort of person to take advantage of someone in a vulnerable moment?
Back then, he hadn't even consummated his marriage with Kun Qing'er until after they'd held their wedding ceremony.
Besides, was he really worried that someone would come and steal the Nirvana Heart? What he feared was that this unfilial descendant would make him lose face.
He was Lord of Devourment, after all, with a spotless reputation throughout his life...
"You really don't know how to take a hint, do you? I was planning to play matchmaker for you two, to give these lovebirds a chance at good fortune and bring together this perfect pair. And you still won't accept my kindness!"
The Ancient Tomb Mansion Master gave a soft snort. He wasn't truly angry, though. After all, as a dead man, he'd be delighted to bring such a match to fruition before he passed on.
Ling Qingzhu blushed at his words. Then her brows drew together slightly, and she regarded the Ancient Tomb Mansion Master warily as she asked, "What do you mean, Senior?"
"Didn't the two of you come here for the Nirvana Heart?"
The Ancient Tomb Mansion Master didn't answer. Instead, he smiled and asked Ling Qingzhu in return. Cang Wu saw this and simply steeled himself before speaking softly. "There's a problem with the Nirvana Heart. Yin and yang must be balanced to refine it. Otherwise, an imbalance of yin and yang within the body will make it impossible to refine, and the violent energy will eventually cause you to explode."
"Balance yin and yang? You lecher!"
Ling Qingzhu finally understood the Ancient Tomb Mansion Master's sordid intentions and immediately scolded him in indignation.
As she spoke, Ling Qingzhu raised a hand and sent a streak of energy shooting toward the Ancient Tomb Mansion Master.
Cang Wu's expression changed at once. He didn't want to fight the Ancient Tomb Mansion Master—not because he couldn't win. Cang Wu naturally had ways to deal with a remnant spirit left behind by a dead man.
But if he fought with all his strength, the Ancient Tomb Mansion Master would surely discover his identity. If Ling Qingzhu found out then, he'd lose every last shred of dignity.
Sigh. I was young and foolish back then. I loved fooling around for no reason and came up with some Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Method.
"Heh, you're quite chaste, aren't you?"
The Ancient Tomb Mansion Master gave a strange laugh. With a flick of his finger, he dispersed the streak of Primal Energy. Then he glared and gave a low snort. "You'd better not slander the reputation of the Yin-Yang Lineage. This is the great path of yin-yang cultivation personally founded by Lord of Devourment. It's a proper cultivation method in every sense of the word."
"Bah! If Lord of Devourment really was as you say, he must have been a lecher, too."
Ling Qingzhu spat the words out at once. Cang Wu gave a light cough and explained, "Junior Sister, you're mistaken. What's wrong with it if both sides are willing? No one's being forced."
"Good lad! Excellent! You truly are worthy of being a disciple of the Ancestor Master. You have real insight!"
The Ancient Tomb Mansion Master burst out laughing and praised him repeatedly. Then he said with a look of admiration, "Back then, the Ancestor Master created this method of cultivation and made countless powerhouses. I heard that he later created the Extreme Yin Method as well, but unfortunately, it seems that it was never passed down."
The Ancient Tomb Mansion Master sounded regretful at the end, leaving Ling Qingzhu utterly confused.
"The Extreme Yin Method? What does that have to do with dual cultivation?"
"Ahem. It's a method for women to join forces with women. A special formation can draw on the different powers within each person and maximize their strength."
Cang Wu explained softly. A hint of nostalgia crept into his expression.
Actually, those later formations had evolved from the Dual Cultivation Method, though they had little to do with the original method by then.
"For example, if darkness and ice, two powers of extreme yin, are combined, their might will surely increase. Likewise, combining fire and thunder will make them even more powerful."
These weren't cultivation methods, just formations.
They were special methods Cang Wu had created long ago. It could be said that these special formations had played a huge role back when several of the Eight Ancient Lords were still weak.
As far as Cang Wu knew, at least a dozen Demon Generals and several Fake Demon Kings had died within these special formations.
It was worth mentioning that Cang Wu had crafted all the formations in the King Extermination Celestial Disk that came later.
Ling Qingzhu seemed to think of something. Her face instantly turned bright red; even through her veil, it was plain to see, and the skin behind her ears had flushed crimson.
Imagining two women cultivating together, Ling Qingzhu was at a loss for words.
"Th-this... is simply too absurd!"
"You sure know a lot, little one. No wonder the Devouring Ancestral Talisman chose you as its new inheritor!"
The Ancient Tomb Mansion Master said with a chuckle, a note of approval in his eyes.
As a cultivator of the yin-yang path, the Ancient Tomb Mansion Master deeply admired that legendary Ancestor Master. In truth, members of their lineage all had a bit of the Ancestor Master's nature in them.
The Ancient Tomb Mansion Master raised a finger and drew the Nirvana Heart over to Cang Wu. Then he said softly, "Since you've earned the Devouring Ancestral Talisman's recognition, if I don't give you the Nirvana Heart, I won't be able to face the Ancestor Master in the underworld."
Cang Wu's mouth twitched. He knew the brat meant well, but cursing him to die like that seemed a little disrespectful to his teacher, didn't it?
Before you continue