Gu Changtian, once a prodigious cultivation genius of his time, now an elder of the Colourful Clouds Between Flowers Sect, had devoted decades to single-minded practice. His dao attainment was profound, his foundation deep and solid.
His greatest passion in life was abducting virgins, then travelling together while gradually fostering mutual affection. Finally, he would steel his heart to harvest yin to supplement yang, then discard the woman like a worn-out shoe.
In this way, he refined both heart and qi, achieving tremendous growth.
However, as time passed, though his true qi grew ever thicker, his heart realm became harder to stir. Fluctuations grew rare, progress in state of mind stalled, and thus his cultivation stagnated alongside it.
Gu Changtian knew he had reached a bottleneck. So he ventured deep into the Great Jing interior, seeking a woman who could truly move his heart.
Last month in Rongzhou, he found a girl of clear and pretty features, enjoying a fine session of cultivation with her. Unexpectedly, not long after entering Lingbei Circuit, before even reaching the prefectural capital, he encountered two women with cultivation in Tonglin County.
By fortunate coincidence, their cultivation was not very high. Were they not perfect cauldrons sent from heaven?
Gu Changtian decided to target first the woman who seemed to practise a Daoist technique. Though her cultivation was slightly lower than the other’s, she was ultimately more compatible with him.
After all… the Colourful Clouds Between Flowers Sect could be considered a side branch of Daoism… right?
Perhaps chatting along the way would reveal common ground and truly stir his heart.
So when cultivation reached the middle of the pig hour, Gu Changtian could no longer hold back. He slipped out the window and flew straight towards Wang Xiaowan’s residence.
…
Wang Xiaowan lay on her bed pretending to sleep.
She had already received word and seen Shen Ying’s arrangements in her courtyard. So she waited calmly for the intruder’s arrival.
Still, facing a grand master from a South Border evil sect directly made true sleep impossible. She could only lie quietly, calming her mind and nurturing spirit.
Suddenly, she felt the moonlight filtering through the window paper dim, unsure if a cloud had covered the moon or someone had descended from above.
The next moment, change came abruptly.
From Gu Changtian’s perspective, he saw from the sky that everyone in the Wang household was asleep. So he cautiously landed in Wang Xiaowan’s small courtyard. Just as he prepared to turn her bedroom door into nothingness, the door transformed on its own, instantly becoming a peach tree.
The tree was lush with branches and leaves, covered in blooming peach blossoms that emitted strands of pink mist. Countless blossoms detached from the branches, drifting towards him. More continued to sprout endlessly on the boughs.
Gu Changtian’s pupils contracted sharply.
These pink peach blossoms carried sharp killing intent, endless in number. Each one radiated thick murderous qi that pierced flesh and bone. This was definitely not a technique Wang Xiaowan could deploy.
“She has a guardian? Perhaps sent by her sect? It seems like an incense guardian who achieved dao through ghostly means? Is she a disciple of a major sect?”
Gu Changtian’s eyes flickered. Far from fear, excitement grew.
“A major sect disciple is perfect. Exceptional talent, even deeper foundation, purer character. Only such a fine woman is worthy of me.”
Gu Changtian turned, intending to locate this incense guardian skilled in peach blossom arts.
Then he saw peach trees bursting from the ground throughout the courtyard, rising tall. Endless pink mist spread, blotting out sky and sun. Within the mist, countless peach blossoms shrouded heaven and earth.
Gu Changtian: ???
“An array?” He was utterly bewildered. This incense guardian’s strength far exceeded expectations. Then he whirled around and found the bedroom behind him gone, replaced by an endless peach blossom grove.
He was completely trapped in the formation.
“No way. Her cultivation is only this low. What sect would send such a guardian?”
Gu Changtian did not panic yet. He was no pushover and did not believe a mere peach blossom array could hold him.
However, this affair would likely cause a stir. He might have to return to the South Border.
In that case, before leaving, he would abduct both women he encountered that afternoon.
“Hehe. Little Sister Xiaowan’s sect did not send just one incense guardian.”
A charming, seductive voice emerged from the peach blossom mist, soul-stirring. Even Gu Changtian, an old hand, felt his heart sway.
The next instant, a burly man in green robes charged from the mist. In his right hand, a water-tempered steel whip. In his left, a serrated fang blade. His aura surged fiercely, demonic qi rising.
“Great demon!”
Gu Changtian’s pupils shrank again. In the next moment, he shot skyward, refusing to engage, intending to break the array and flee.
“Where do you think you are going?”
The enchanting voice rang in his ear. Then above, a net of pink peach blossoms descended from the sky.
Gu Changtian waved his hand, scattering colourful clouds. They too were pressed down by the peach net, not a wisp escaping through.
Gu Changtian’s face darkened. This peach ghost’s strength was no less formidable.
One-on-one against either Yue Honghai or Shen Ying, he feared neither. But now trapped in the array and facing two, escape would be fatal if delayed.
Gu Changtian shouted sternly, “You claim to be upright and orthodox, yet you bully with numbers. Have you no face?”
Yue Honghai paused briefly, but Shen Ying giggled. “Against evil deviants like you, we need no江湖 morality. Ganging up is the best response to your countless misdeeds.”
Gu Changtian: “…”
Yue Honghai’s face remained impassive, but inwardly he grumbled, recalling his own miserable experience being surrounded by Lu Zheng, the Lushui River God, and three hundred water soldiers.
“Whoosh—”
The steel whip whistled. Gu Changtian hurriedly scattered colourful clouds to block it, then drew a long sword with his other hand. “Clang!” He tapped the serrated blade’s side, borrowing force to retreat swiftly.
Yue Honghai pressed close, seeking to entangle him and deny any chance to calmly break the array.
Finally facing a worthy opponent, Yue Honghai’s face twisted ferociously with excitement.
Gu Changtian had no doubt these two intended to kill him. So he neither begged nor threatened, only striving to escape the formation.
It appeared he was dodging Yue Honghai with spare effort while focusing fully on breaking the array.
However, as he evaded Yue Honghai’s attacks, his hand suddenly paused. He produced a small banner and shook it.
The next instant, swirling colourful clouds suddenly enveloped and protected him, blocking the endless peach blossom onslaught. At the same time, intoxicating floral fragrance wafted out, rushing straight into Yue Honghai’s nose.
A sneak attack!
Yue Honghai felt his mind dizzy, demonic power chaotic. He decisively retreated.
But this time Gu Changtian advanced instead of retreating, closing in on Yue Honghai. His eyes ruthless, right hand slowly extended, palm outward, aiming for Yue Honghai’s chest.
The next moment, a gorgeous exotic flower formed in his palm, emitting visible strands of mist. With his hand, it was about to imprint on Yue Honghai’s chest.
Gu Changtian knew his priorities. He had to severely injure Yue Honghai first, or escape would be impossible. This strike was his strongest possible after barely protecting himself.
However, just as he was about to land it, Gu Changtian felt a sudden palpitation.
“There is another!?”
“Yes. Besides the two guardians, there is also a senior brother.”
At that moment, Gu Changtian’s killing blow was already launched, halfway committed. He could release but not recall.
“Damn it!”
