Blanche was indeed greatly surprised. When Leonard delivered the news of Pang Guan's demise, she distinctly felt the hand gripping her thigh tighten.
Such a significant reaction? Could Pang Guan's death be related to him… did he kill Pang Guan?
Quickly, Blanche dismissed her own speculation. Though she didn't hold Pang Guan in high regard, he was, after all, a cultivator at the Small Void Spirit realm, possessing nearly half a century of cultivation equivalent to the foundational first stage in the immortal realm. In the mundane world, he could be considered a top-notch expert and had once been the leader of the bandits in the Yanshan region, notorious for his ruthless killings and extensive experience.
Could Shuro have killed him? Absolutely impossible, as there was no sign of the flow of true energy around him. As for how he managed to infiltrate, it must have been due to the distraction caused by the celebration for the York Old Lady.
With this realization, Blanche felt at ease.
"Pang Guan is dead? The Young Master's disciples always fail to recognize their place, leading themselves to calamity," Blanche said nonchalantly.
A hint of hostility flashed in Leonard's eyes, and he chuckled, "Madam, now that you're in a precarious position, don't concern yourself with the likes of us."
Blanche looked at Leonard, her gaze as cold as frost, unexpectedly making Leonard's heart skip a beat.
"A martial cultivator at the mere Small Void Spirit realm, what gives you the audacity to speak to my lady in such a manner?"
Leonard shivered at the sternness in Blanche's voice. Thinking of the lady's other identity, he regretted his earlier words. Nevertheless, he remained obstinate, "Madam, despite being at the foundational third stage, your power has long been sealed by the celestial realm."
"Even if my power is sealed, does that make you suspect me of killing Pang Guan?"
"Madam possesses the divine ability of the celestial realm. Even if your power is sealed, there may be other means at your disposal."
Seeing Blanche's silence, Leonard felt he had gained the upper hand and continued nonchalantly, "The Master has a message for you. One month from now, at the Old Lady's celebration, it will be his grand day of entering the immortal sect. Before that, kindly refrain from reckless actions. Once the grand event concludes, the Master will personally present the 'Restore My Power Pill' and grant your freedom."
"Also, convey to John for me that, despite his high aptitude, his nature has turned demonic. Seeking immortality and enlightenment is not just about enduring three calamities and nine tribulations; it's especially challenging to overcome the trial of the inner demon. True seekers of immortality rely not only on aptitude."
Blanche spoke calmly.
Naturally, Leonard didn't believe her, shaking his head with a sneer, "If Madam hadn't refused to cooperate that day, you wouldn't have ended up in this predicament. Everyone in the mansion knows about the outrageous act of that illegitimate son named Shuro. Even if Madam denies it, it won't change the facts. In a month, at the Old Lady's celebration, that man, along with the secondary mansion, will meet their end. Madam, for the sake of a small supporting character like Shuro, why subject yourself to such a plight? "
"Those who cultivate must seek their true selves. How can those like you, mundane and worldly, understand?" Blanche finally lifted her head from her scroll, her lips slightly parted.
Within her ice-cold and pure demeanor, a hint of seductive charm surfaced, noble and alluring. Looking at her, Leonard's heart rate increased suddenly, his mouth dry and tongue-tied. Despite Blanche rebuffing him, he felt no irritation, only greedily staring at the lady.
A similar reaction occurred within Shuro.
He knew so soon? Could it be that he and Pang Guan had some hidden connection? Blanche, I wrongly accused her. Not only did she not slander me, but she was also confined by the Third Young Master because of it. No wonder she treats me with such indifference.
Shuro felt ashamed and the hand that had been tightly gripping Blanche's ample thigh loosened.
At this moment, hidden behind Blanche, he had limited space, and their heights were almost identical, almost pressed closely together.
Previously, Shuro's heartstrings were taut, and coupled with his lack of fondness for Blanche, he didn't sense anything. Now, however, the enticing fragrance emanating from the pristine white neck, the long and smooth thighs in his hands, and the voluptuous and elastic buttocks pressed against his lower abdomen, exuded an enchantment that was irresistible.
Blanche was only draped in a thin veil, and Shuro had not put on a shirt. Holding Blanche like this, so close, he could almost hear the pulsating sound of the woman's heartbeat in his embrace.
Shuro blushed, having passed the age of Yang Qi eruption, half-knowledgeable about matters between men and women; his instinctive response caused an instantaneous reaction.
Through the clothes, the scalding and robust object precisely penetrated Blanche's buttocks.
Both of them trembled simultaneously.
Shuro felt in a daze, perceiving something incredibly attractive in the deep recesses ahead. Above his elixir field, true fire and true water began to rotate wildly, taking Shuro into an unprecedented mystical state.
Unbeknownst to Shuro, he inadvertently activated a set of dual cultivation techniques deep within the memory of the Nine-Dragon Sovereign, known as the "Maiden Birth Technique." At this moment, his cultivation was skyrocketing at a speed surpassing the previous tenfold, showing signs of generating true energy!
The mystery of the heavens and the earth lies in the union of yin and yang!
After stepping into the foundational stage, Shuro took a step toward the innate, cultivating the breath to attain Dao. His body's sensitivity became extraordinarily acute, automatically absorbing the essence of the moon from thousands of miles away, not to mention the maiden's primordial yin so close at hand.
Moreover, with the guidance of the Nine-Dragon Sovereign, the grand master of demonic arts, the dual cultivation technique he possessed was exceptionally exquisite, nurturing without a sound. Shuro immediately entered a trance-like state.
With closed eyes, in a half-dream state, he pressed against the jade-like neck. His right hand involuntarily roamed over Blanche's fragrant and delicate body, seeking and exploring. Simultaneously, his lower body moved forward slowly, step by step, intending to break through the mysterious gateway harboring the secrets of heaven and earth, verifying the Great Dao!
Blanche was on the verge of madness.
She had never expected Shuro to be so audacious, especially with Leonard still in the room. Shuro's boldness caught her off guard. The reason she agreed to let Shuro hide was twofold: Shuro had shown her kindness, and, secondly, he was still young. Blanche hadn't considered matters between men and women.
When the demonic hand was about to reveal itself from beneath the covers, Blanche snapped back to reality. Swiftly, she grabbed Shuro's forearm, squeezing her ample buttocks tightly, leaving no room for Shuro.
Equally dumbfounded was Leonard.
Although he kept his head down, the corner of his eye could clearly see half a hand emerging from the covers, grabbing hold of Blanche's enticing peaks.
The former beauty of Caelius Capital, the lady of the York family mansion, now at the foundational third stage of the celestial realm, was entangled in an illicit affair right in front of him. The intense stimulation struck at Leonard's senses; he had a physical reaction, feeling parched and feverish.
Biting his tongue sharply, Leonard forced himself to sober up, a pleased expression appearing in his eyes. He had already guessed that the "adulterer" mentioned by the lady was almost certainly the one who killed Pang Guan. This person could kill Pang Guan, at least in the realm of the Small Void Spirit. First, avoid startling the snake!
Thinking this, Leonard took a deep breath, bowed, and said, "I won't disturb the lady's rest any longer. I take my leave."
"No need for an escort." Blanche, sweating profusely, forced herself to appear calm, unaware of the fleeting killing intent in Leonard's eyes.
Listening to Leonard's departing footsteps, Blanche breathed a sigh of relief.
There was a tingling sensation again. Blushing, Blanche pushed Shuro away abruptly, intending to erupt. However, upon turning around, she found the young man had just opened his eyes, his face showing embarrassment, yet his gaze was clear and untainted.
The two stared at each other in silence once again.
Blanche felt both annoyed and embarrassed, but strangely, she didn't harbor much disgust. As she thought about it, even she found it inexplicable.
How could she know that this was precisely the subtlety of the dual cultivation technique? When men and women come together, it is like the union of yin and yang, a mutual attraction that occurs naturally. Being unguarded against Shuro, feeling grateful to him, and the acute sensitivity of cultivators to techniques, even if not truly cultivating together, the elusive and wonderful sensation she had never experienced before made her neither here nor there.
"The 'Restore My Power Pill' mentioned by Leonard, with it, can you regain your freedom?" Shuro scratched his head, inquiring.
Blanche thought Shuro was trying to ease the embarrassment, but upon hearing the name of the pill, her face turned red. "What 'Restore My Power Pill'? Clearly, it's a pseudonym. How could he possibly reveal the true name to me?"
"What does the pill look like?" Shuro asked again.
Blanche frowned slightly and replied coldly, "An oval-shaped pill with a translucent red hue... forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you."
Unmindful of Blanche's tone, Shuro continued, "How does it taste?"
"A bit sour and extremely bitter when swallowed. It also has a hint of a rusty taste when smelled."
"Then..."
"Why are you asking so many questions?" Blanche interrupted.
Seeing Shuro pressing on as if trying to get to the bottom of things, she thought, "Have you no end to your questions?" Glancing at Shuro, she fell silent.
Unaware that Blanche was trying to avoid embarrassment, Shuro was focused on finding a way to lift the seal. If Blanche could regain her freedom, she could clarify the truth and vindicate Shuro. The Nine-Dragon Sovereign, being knowledgeable in various arts, especially collecting rare treasures from around the world, included various pill recipes among them.
Roaming through the memories of the Nine-Dragon Sovereign spanning two thousand years, combining Blanche's words, a formula slowly emerged in Shuro's mind.
"If my White family hadn't been in exile in the Tang Dynasty, and the Old Lady hadn't shown great kindness, my grandfather wouldn't have married me off to your York family, subjecting me to such suffering." Speaking to herself as she looked out of the window covered in plum blossoms, Blanche recounted.
She was originally one of the top talents in the family, cultivating at the age of three. By the time she reached nineteen, she had already reached the fourth stage of foundational cultivation, also known as the Completion of Foundation Building. Her power corresponded to the realm of half-step Immortal in the martial realm, showcasing her exceptional talent. However, due to a pre-arranged childhood engagement, she had no choice but to marry into the York family.
In just two years, she became a widow, almost falling victim to assault.
Her gaze shifted to Shuro, and Blanche's beautiful eyes lit up. "By the way, you can deliver a letter for me. Leonard just mentioned that a month from now, at the Old Lady's celebration, the Third Young Master intends to wipe out your secondary mansion. Why are you still staying in the capital? I'll give you a letter, take it to the White family in Bashu and seek reinforcements."
While speaking, Blanche tore off a piece of gauze, bit her fingertip, quickly wrote a family letter, and handed it to Shuro. Being tied to the same rope as Shuro, coupled with Shuro saving her once, she had a hidden trust in him.
Smart as she was, she naturally understood that the Third Young Master was employing a delaying tactic. Once he entered the immortal sect and had a stronger reliance, given his ruthless nature, he would undoubtedly silence her.
Silently receiving it, Shuro did not expect this family letter to reverse their fortunes. Many years ago, he learned a lesson that, regardless of the situation, the only person one could rely on was oneself. Nevertheless, this trip tonight wasn't entirely in vain. At least, he found a potential ally and learned of John's plan.
"I'll take my leave." With only a month left until the Old Lady's celebration, Shuro valued every moment.
Blanche nodded, saying, "No need for an escort."
Watching the young man rise from her bed and leave calmly, Blanche only recalled his impolite behavior after he was gone, finding it absurd in her mind.
Hiding behind a large tree, Leonard stared fixedly at the small building.
He didn't notify anyone; firstly, to avoid arousing suspicion, and secondly, because he desired sole credit for the great achievement.
The moment the door opened, his eyes widened abruptly, sharp as a hawk's. As he saw the person emerging clearly, his entire being became utterly dumbfounded.
That youth... Shuro of the York family? How could it be him!
Wasn't he imprisoned in the secondary mansion after having his Qi Pill abolished?
Pang Guan... Could it be that he killed Pang Guan? Impossible! Even if his cultivation is intact, he's just in the Small Pill Realm!
Staring at the young man striding out, Leonard's heart pounded, and his hairs stood on end. A hint of panic surged from the depths of his heart. What frightened Leonard wasn't Shuro but the unknown presence beyond his comprehension.
All along, Leonard admired the intelligence of John, the Third Young Master. In John's chessboard, the secondary son, Shuro, was just an insignificant pawn, a discarded waste. Even the usually cautious Third Young Master paid little attention.
However, at this moment, the abandoned son, who should be languishing in the secondary mansion, walked out of the lady's room arrogantly.
Bizarre! Extremely bizarre!
Biting his tongue sharply! After confirming he wasn't dreaming, Leonard's emotions were complex. He suddenly felt as if he had lived more than forty years for nothing.
In Caelius Capital, there's Blanche in White Jade, the moonlit beauty from the Moon.
Two years ago, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the entire country celebrated, and people gathered along both banks of the Rouge River to admire the moon. Blanche, clad in a simple robe, stood in a light boat, traveling upstream along the river. Dancing in the moonlight, she crossed the waves, resembling a fairy in the moon. This sight astonished the people of the Tera Dynasty on both sides of the river. That night, Blanche became renowned in Caelius Capital, earning the title of the most beautiful woman in White Jade.
Not to mention Leonard, which man in Caelius Capital hadn't fantasized about this mysterious and beautiful lady from the York family? Others envied him, the York family's guest who was close to the source, but who knew the pain of being able to see yet unable to touch, only able to watch in agony.
Such an exalted figure, possessing both purity and captivating charm, was actually won over by a fifteen-year-old youth.
Never expected that Blanche was also a flirtatious woman!
Feeling defeated, as lust rose within Leonard, the sense of panic diminished slightly. Unable to contain himself, he cursed, "Damn it! The good stuff has been devoured by a dog!"
Though he muttered in a low voice, it didn't escape Shuro's ears. After establishing the foundational stage, Shuro's five senses were far superior to before.
Without hesitation, Shuro sprang up, moving like a startled swan, and was soon near the courtyard wall.
"It turns out to be only in the Small Void Spirit Realm."
Identifying Shuro's level, Leonard's shock turned to joy.
"Where are you escaping to!"
Suppressing his laughter, Leonard shot out. His body transformed into a gust of black wind in mid-air, surpassing Shuro in speed, and in the blink of an eye, reached the courtyard wall, pouncing towards Shuro.
Blanche had observed this scene from the window.
"Could it be that he really killed Pang Guan!"
The power displayed by Shuro surprised the lady in white. However, when Leonard employed the Seven Laws Escape Art, Blanche's heart tightened.
In the Tera Dynasty, almost every expert in alchemy and martial arts could perform the Seven Laws Escape Art, making it a national technique. Blanche's grandfather had commented that although the Tera Dynasty's alchemy and martial arts couldn't lead to immortal cultivation, they boasted extraordinary arts. Among them, the Seven Laws Escape Art seemed divine yet not divine, seeming like a law yet not a law, making it difficult to fathom.
Blanche also studied the Seven Laws Escape Art and, seeing Leonard use the Wind Escape, her heart sank. Among the Seven Laws Escape Art, the speed of the Wind Escape was second only to the Thunder Escape, covering ten steps in the blink of an eye, effortlessly.
In the blink of an eye, Shuro and Leonard leaped over the wall one after another, leaving only half an arm's distance.
"Boom!"
The sound of their clash reached Blanche, her face turning pale.
After waiting for a long time without any movement, Blanche lightly floated out of the small building. Looking around, she saw ripples in the canal on the other side of the courtyard wall, bloodstains glaring in the moonlit night. The distant woods echoed with the sounds of the wind.
The canal was about two horse lengths wide and three men deep. In the dim night, the bottom was difficult to discern.
"Escaped, huh..." Blanche's heart relaxed at first, then she gritted her teeth. "Fool! This canal leads to the reservoir of the Rouge River. What's the point of escaping there?"
In a mixture of anger and urgency, Blanche's breathing quickened. With each breath, her two round and alluring peaks, which Shuro had touched, throbbed with a hidden pain.
Like Blanche, Leonard initially found Shuro extremely foolish. However, as he dashed five miles away, his complexion became increasingly unpleasant.
"Show yourself if you dare!"
"Hiding your head and revealing your tail! What kind of hero are you?"
"Kid, don't let me catch you! Otherwise, I'll make you wish you were dead!"
"Hmph, if you don't come out, I'll expose the scandal between you and the lady..."
Regardless of how Leonard cursed and taunted, Shuro remained unmoved. He possessed the technique of fetal breath, and staying underwater for as long as needed was effortless for him. On the contrary, Leonard, who couldn't swim, feared Shuro's aquatic skills and dared not enter the water, growing increasingly impatient.
Deep in the woods, where the snow was pristine, night birds were disturbed, occasionally flying out from the branches, obstructing the half-moon's radiance.
Shuro stealthily moved beneath the water's surface, his face ashen, and a faint pain in his chest.
Leonard's palm contained over forty years of accumulated strength, a force of thousands of pounds. Even the bronze lion statues two people high in front of the secondary mansion couldn't withstand this palm.
For the previous Shuro, he would have long met his demise. Fortunately, having just entered the foundational stage, his physical body underwent initial tempering, blocking four-fifths of the force. With the true fire and true water operating at full capacity, he resisted another four-fifths, leaving only two-fifths penetrating his internal organs. Even so, facing nearly two thousand pounds of force, Shuro suffered a considerable setback, with his internal organs on the brink of collapse.
The water was bone-chilling, with piercing coldness. Combined with the upstream flow, Shuro distinctly felt his injuries worsening, urgently needing a place to use his techniques for healing.
However, Leonard, who stuck to him like a shadow, would be a deadly threat once he surfaced. Thinking of Leonard's rumored perverse behaviors, Shuro couldn't help but shiver.
The canal led to the reservoir of the Rouge River, situated in the eastern outskirts of the city, specifically providing water for the courtiers and cultivating flowers and plants. The dam occupied a vast area, resembling a city from afar and a vast abyss up close. Under the moonlight and white snow, it looked like a fierce beast lurking in the wild, coveting cities and territories.
Bathed in moonlight, Leonard spotted the figure falling into the reservoir and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"When the reservoir is drained at dawn, let's see where you can hide! I hope you're still alive by then. Although I'm not picky, I have no interest in playing with the dead."
A sinister smile appeared on Leonard's face, envisioning the scene of capturing Shuro and indulging in unrestrained play.
Leisurely walking towards the reservoir, Leonard was in high spirits, completely oblivious to others along the reservoir shore.
Lee, huddled behind a massive rock on the west side of the vast reservoir, displayed ever-changing expressions.
As soon as Shuro left the secondary mansion, Lee followed suit. Although he initially lost track, Lee quickly guessed Shuro's destination. When Lee arrived at the main mansion's backyard, he coincidentally witnessed Shuro entering the water to escape. Fortunately, Shuro's underwater speed wasn't fast, allowing Lee to catch up.
At this moment, Lee's emotions were particularly complex. He worried about Shuro's safety but resented Shuro's reckless actions. How could Lee not discern Leonard's intentions? When daylight arrived and the reservoir released water, it would be Shuro's time of demise.
At that time, where should he go? Staying in the York family would inevitably entangle him in this disaster, making leaving the best choice!
Unfortunately, it was a pity. He was just a step away from becoming an immortal!
Regret flashed across Lee's face as he stood up, preparing to leave this place of trouble.
Just as he took a couple of steps, he halted.
"Enough! Only two hours remain until dawn. I might as well wait a little longer!"
Whether it was Leonard's smugness or Lee's distress, it all fell into the eyes of the man on the high hill to the north of the reservoir. Standing beneath the moonlight after the snow, his facial features were obscured by shadows, revealing only chiseled cheeks and a tall figure.
He stood straight on the high hill, surveying the surroundings. It seemed as if he were searching for something. Neither Lee nor Leonard could detect the man's presence.
With a resounding "splash," Shuro fell into the reservoir, his entire body cold and stiff, limbs feeble, and his head spinning.
Having traversed about ten miles in the icy water, Shuro depleted all his strength. His internal organs dulled, losing their luster, and both the innate true fire and true water slowed down, leaving him on the verge of exhaustion. Shortly after, Shuro sank into the water, burdened by the heavy pressure as if carrying a small mountain, struggling to endure.
While his body lacked sensation, Shuro's consciousness remained remarkably clear.
"I've faced the brink of death before; what is this bit of pain!" Shuro fiercely opened his eyes, shouting within.
As if in response, the previously sluggish innate true fire and true water gradually regained vitality, accelerating and reforming into a vortex of water and fire.
"A resounding boom!"
Thunderous echoes emanated from the water and fire vortex as streams of vitality flowed from obscure corners within Shuro's body, revitalizing his desiccated internal organs. Simultaneously, warm breaths rose from under Shuro, penetrating every pore, nurturing his flesh, skin, and membranes.
The rotation of water and fire became increasingly rapid, driving the enhancement of his powers. Shuro vaguely sensed something brewing within the vortex of water and fire; at this rate, in three or four days, he could condense true qi.
Joy filled Shuro's heart.
Only by condensing true qi could he genuinely enter the first stage of the foundational realm. The strength Shuro currently possessed was already comparable to the early Core Formation stage. Once he condensed true qi, his power would undoubtedly advance further.
However, that awaited three or four days later. The pressing matter was right before him; in a few more hours, the water level in the reservoir would decrease, leaving him with nowhere to hide.
Intuition told Shuro that Leonard was waiting for him on the shore.
The thought of falling into Leonard's hands sent shivers down Shuro's spine, a chilling realization.
Waiting passively was not an option!
A sense of urgency enveloped Shuro; he gritted his teeth and, searching through the memories of the Nine-Dragon Sovereign, found no technique or martial skill suitable for immediate cultivation. While the Nine-Dragon Sovereign's memories contained numerous lethal techniques, most required profound spiritual cultivation.
Pondering desperately for an escape plan, Shuro failed to notice that, as the warm breath emanated from him, the soil beneath him began to loosen and crumble.
The sandy soil sank inward, revealing a large pit.
Under the immense water pressure, Shuro plummeted into the muddy crater.