161. Recasting the Roots of Trouble, Entering the World of Mortals

Inside the hastily erected thatched hut in the village, there were many convenience foods laid out—instant hotpot, several bowls of noodles, and some sausages. Ximen munched on a spicy strip, saying, “Wuji, our urgent task now is to find a breakthrough. I want to avenge Big Mouth.”

“It all started with Ding Desheng’s treachery against me,” Xie Wuji explained. “Ding Desheng tried to assassinate Dongmen Yong, but Dongmen Yong turned the tables and won without delivering the final blow. Later, Baili Qingyan used the supreme Xumi Yin Technique to defeat him, but Ding Desheng seized the demon spirit essence of the three-eyed spirit ape. After that, everything you saw unfolded.”

“That’s right. Forcibly taking a demon spirit means the original owner is doomed. In other words, Dongmen Yong was killed by Ding Desheng. If Ding Desheng hadn’t absorbed Dongmen Yong’s demon spirit, he wouldn’t have died. Given Dongmen Yong’s destiny and cultivation, he wouldn’t have died so easily,” Song Zhong added.

Ximen threw a flirtatious glance at Song Xiaoyu. “Hey, girl, do you have a boyfriend?”

Song Xiaoyu’s eyes flashed golden. “Want to try my Xumi Yin Technique?”

“What?” Ximen shuddered, startled enough to jump up. “You know the Xumi Yin Technique? Ha… Haha… Ahahaha… I was just joking, just joking!”

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Ximen’s relief was palpable. Fei Long’s expression darkened. “The lean tiger finally got his comeuppance. A man who climbs by betraying brothers— even the East Gate Swordmaster wouldn’t accept him lightly.”

Though reunited, the group remained helpless in the face of their uncertain future.

At the border between the Li Kingdom and Ming Kingdom, a battered Baili Qingyan stood surrounded by a large crowd—mostly women. They were none other than the returning disciples of the Red Dust Valley, who had encircled Baili Qingyan tightly.

Along the way, Baili Qingyan had encountered some disciples from the Ji Xianzong sect. Fortunately, they were only Golden Core stage, so Baili Qingyan easily dealt with them.

“Are you here to kill me?” Baili Qingyan asked weakly.

“How dare you, Baili Qingyan! Both Li Kingdom and Yunshang Kingdom have issued bounties on you and Xie Wuji. And yet you show your face here!” snapped a Red Dust Valley disciple coldly.

At that moment, the sect leader Daimeng Ru stepped forward. “Such a promising talent, a Nine-Yin constitution, pure yin energy—such a rare gift in a man. Tsk tsk…”

Baili Qingyan’s eyes reddened, and he gave a bitter smile. “I’m no longer a man… nor a woman… I…”

“No need to explain. I understand your situation,” Daimeng Ru said calmly.

“You…” Baili Qingyan looked at Daimeng Ru in astonishment.

“Because you use the Xumi Yin Technique—a sinister method, but not entirely malicious, as its harm is self-inflicted,” Daimeng Ru advanced a step. “That you can hold your own against Dongmen Yong means you’ve mastered the final layer of this technique. Now, who do you think gave you such resolve? Let me guess—it must be Xie Wuji…”

Mention of Xie Wuji stirred restlessness among the crowd, including Mudan Haitang and others.

Daimeng Ru smiled. “The Xumi Yin Technique was originally designed for women. While the earlier stages are effective for both genders, the final layer requires a man to truly master it. Thus, men who cultivate this technique gain even greater power. Now that you’ve severed your ‘Root of Affliction,’ you’ve unlocked the entire art…”

“What are you trying to say?”

“What I mean is, with your Nine-Yin constitution, if you were to cultivate the techniques of Red Dust Valley, you might gain even greater power.” Daimeng Ru’s sharp gaze swept over Baili Qingyan. “I can restore your ‘Root of Affliction.’”

Baili Qingyan’s eyes brightened. “And the price?”

“You must become a disciple of Red Dust Valley, my personal disciple, and swear loyalty to the valley!” Daimeng Ru spoke lightly but with an authority that brooked no refusal.

At this, an elder from Red Dust Valley hesitated. “But, Master, if you restore Baili Qingyan’s Root of Affliction, then what of our female disciples? After all, he is a man!”

Daimeng Ru laughed heartily and looked at Baili Qingyan. “Qingyan, do you like women?”

Baili Qingyan said nothing, frowning deeply. Having always been regarded as a woman, he harbored no lust for women.

Daimeng Ru continued, “Do you like Xie Wuji?”

Her words pierced Baili Qingyan like an arrow to the heart. He lowered his head. “I… I…”

“You do. To sever your most precious part for a man—such devotion is rare in the world. Though you are male in form, your heart is more feminine than most women’s!”

Turning to those around her, Daimeng Ru asked, “Ask yourselves: is there any female disciple in Red Dust Valley more beautiful than Baili?”

“Baili’s stunning performance on the arena stage left both men and women awestruck. His flawless beauty—though he is a man—is believed by nearly everyone to be the most beautiful in the world,” Haitang added.

Indeed, Baili Qingyan’s beauty was otherworldly, as if belonging to the heavens alone. Perfectly proportioned features, skin white as fine jade, and long, slender limbs that stirred envy in all women.

If Baili were female, he would be utterly flawless.

Yet, perfection never comes without a flaw. Who would have guessed that the most beautiful face in the world belonged to a man?

“To rebuild the ‘Seed of Descendants’ and transform it into the ‘Red Dust Blade,’ to sever all worldly ties and be reborn anew,” Baili Qingyan murmured.

Daimeng Ru laughed. “Exactly! Do you accept?”

“I have one condition,” Baili Qingyan said weakly.

“Speak.”

“I want to kill Ding Desheng…” Suddenly, his face was filled with hatred as he looked up sharply.

Daimeng Ru smiled faintly. “A trivial matter. When your cultivation is complete, you shall descend the mountain and personally slay Ding Desheng!”

“Master above, please accept your disciple’s kowtow!” Baili Qingyan knelt, prostrating himself before Daimeng Ru.

Daimeng Ru pinched her ring finger, producing a pill which she immediately placed into Baili Qingyan’s mouth. “This pill, though not as effective as the Rejuvenation Pill of Danxia Sect, will relieve pain and restore energy. Qingyan… do you still carry your Root of Affliction?”

“Always,” Baili Qingyan blushed, stunningly beautiful. The female disciples around watched in awe, murmuring.

“Heavens, such beauty in a man!”

“How ironic—such a face, I wish it were mine…”

“Though he is a man, and I dislike men, at this moment, I find myself loving him!”

The disciples gushed admiration as Baili Qingyan blushed deeply.

Just then, Daimeng Ru’s expression grew serious. Mudan asked, “Master, what’s wrong?”

“Prepare for battle! Enemies approach!” Daimeng Ru commanded.

Everyone grew alert, scanning their surroundings.

In the distance, a large number of green snakes appeared. They were from Snake Island, led by the Snake Beauty, who held a corpse—the body of one of their elders.

“So it’s Sister Tang,” Daimeng Ru smiled faintly.

The Snake Beauty sneered coldly. “I thought it was someone else, but it’s the sharp-tongued Daimeng Ru. What are you doing here? Waiting for us?”

“Haha, my presence here has nothing to do with you. You go your way; I’ll go mine. No interference,” Daimeng Ru replied.

The two had long been rivals.

Seeing Baili Qingyan, the Snake Beauty’s expression darkened. “Baili Qingyan?”

“I warn you, do not act rashly. Baili Qingyan is now my disciple. Anyone who harms him will face my ruthless wrath!” Daimeng Ru declared fiercely.