Ch. 281Capturing the Yaochi Sacred Maiden
Chapter Summary: Yaochi Sacred Maiden Taken In
Key Plot Points and Events
- Jiang Ming cultivates together with the current Yaochi Sacred Maiden, using the vital essence of her Innate Five Virtues Saint Body to deepen his understanding of the five-element Dao laws and accelerate his transformation.
- After half a month, Jiang Ming successfully breaks through from the Primordial Divine-Demon Dao Embryo to the Primordial Divine-Demon Dao Infant Realm. His Dao Scripture advances, his body and divine sense reach a level comparable to a First-Heaven Saint, and the Dao membrane surrounding him becomes even stronger.
- The new realm still contains nine transformations, but each represents a deeper level of Dao comprehension than the previous realm.
- The Yaochi Sacred Maiden also benefits greatly from their cultivation. With Jiang Ming’s powerful origin and the assistance of the Five-Element Mountain, she breaks through to the Seventh Transformation of Dragon Transformation.
- Five months later, Jiang Ming advances to the Ninth Transformation of Dragon Transformation, while the Yaochi Sacred Maiden reaches the Eighth Transformation. Yan Ruyu remains in seclusion and is expected to emerge as a Half-Step Great Ability.
- As the Yaochi Peach Banquet approaches, the Sacred Maiden prepares to leave seclusion and attend the gathering in her official capacity.
- Jiang Ming remembers his earlier agreement with Jin Ling: if he defeated her, she would become his mount. Jin Ling emerges from seclusion after reaching the Seventh Heaven of the Great Ability realm, having advanced dramatically over five years.
- Jin Ling challenges Jiang Ming, relying on the Demon Emperor Scripture, her Golden-Winged Roc bloodline, and the Heavenly Peng Dragon-Grappling Technique. She transforms into a powerful Dao Diagram combining a Golden-Winged Roc and a divine dragon.
- Jiang Ming counters with his Divine-Demon Dao Diagram. His overwhelming physical strength and Dao comprehension destroy Jin Ling’s attack with a single strike. He then seals her cultivation and defeats her completely.
- Jiang Ming declares that Jin Ling must now honor their agreement and become his mount.
Character Developments
- Jiang Ming: Makes a major breakthrough into the Primordial Divine-Demon Dao Infant Realm. His physical body, divine sense, and combat power rise sharply, allowing him to defeat a Great Ability at the Seventh Heaven despite appearing to be at a lower cultivation level. His confidence and dominance become increasingly evident.
- Yaochi Sacred Maiden: Gains enormous benefits from cultivating with Jiang Ming and from the Five-Element Mountain. She advances two minor realms and becomes increasingly connected to Jiang Ming as both a cultivation partner and confidante.
- Yan Ruyu: Continues progressing rapidly, having advanced two minor realms over the previous year and a half. She remains in seclusion and is expected to reach Half-Step Great Ability soon.
- Jin Ling: Despite extraordinary progress from Half-Step Great Ability First Heaven to Great Ability Seventh Heaven, she discovers that rapid cultivation alone cannot close the gap with Jiang Ming. Her pride is severely shaken after her defeat.
- Golden-Winged Little Roc King: Has improved his cultivation and reached the Seven Forbidden Domain, partly through Jin Ling’s guidance and repeated sparring with her.
Significant Themes
- Mutual cultivation and accelerated growth: Jiang Ming and the Yaochi Sacred Maiden strengthen one another through dual cultivation, showing how powerful origins, physiques, and compatible treasures can produce rapid breakthroughs.
- Transformation and Dao comprehension: Jiang Ming’s advancement emphasizes that each major realm is not merely an increase in energy, but a deeper evolution of the body, spirit, and understanding of the Dao.
- The changing era: Jin Ling’s traditional expectations about cultivation speed are challenged by a new age filled with rapidly rising geniuses. Past standards no longer accurately measure current prodigies.
- Absolute power versus realm advantage: Jiang Ming demonstrates that overwhelming physical strength, divine sense, and combat methods can neutralize an opponent’s higher cultivation.
- Pride and submission: Jin Ling’s confidence is crushed when Jiang Ming defeats her effortlessly, forcing her to confront the consequences of their previous agreement.
Important Character Interactions
- Jiang Ming and the Yaochi Sacred Maiden develop a mutually beneficial cultivation relationship, with both achieving significant breakthroughs.
- Jiang Ming’s relationship with Yan Ruyu remains connected to the Azure Emperor’s inheritance and the methods that support her cultivation.
- Jin Ling has acted as both challenger and mentor to the Golden-Winged Little Roc King, helping him improve despite being unable to teach him the Demon Emperor Scripture directly.
- Jiang Ming and Jin Ling’s long-standing agreement finally comes due. Their battle ends instantly when Jiang Ming destroys her Dao Diagram, seals her cultivation, and captures her, insisting that she become his mount.