Chapter Fourteen: On the Clock
A spark of astonishnt lit Yun Qinyue’s eyes. “A unique cultivation thod? One that could help reach Nascent Soul?” Her once-dulled gaze reignited with vitality. Gu Qinghuan nodded, her expression layered with complexity. “Yes, it’s… unconventional, but highly effective. However, it demands specific conditions.”
“What conditions?” Yun Qinyue’s voice trembled with urgency, her hands clutching Gu Qinghuan’s sleeve. “Senior Sister, tell ! No matter how arduous, I’ll do it. Anything to break through to Nascent Soul and banish this heart demon!” Her eyes blazed with desperation, like a weary wanderer glimpsing dawn after endless night.
Gu Qinghuan’s heart churned with renewed conflict. Revealing Lin Yuan’s existence risked Yun Qinyue requesting to dual cultivate with him—a thought that pierced her like a blade. Yet, Yun Qinyue’s pleading gaze shattered her resolve. Biting her lip, she spoke gravely. “I’ll tell you, but you must swear a Heavenly Oath. Whatever transpires, you must never speak of it to anyone—not even Master.”
Yun Qinyue blinked, startled by the demand. A Heavenly Oath, bound by the laws of the cosmos, was unbreakable. Violating it invited dire consequences—loss of cultivation at best, annihilation of body and soul at worst. It was a terror far surpassing any heart demon. Seeing Gu Qinghuan’s solemnity, she grasped the gravity of the matter. “Very well,” she said, her eyes resolute. “Senior Sister, I understand your caution. I’ll swear the oath and keep silent.”
Gu Qinghuan’s gaze softened with relief, though a tangle of emotions lingered. The oath would safeguard Lin Yuan’s secret, but it would also bind her relationship with Yun Qinyue in an unbreakable pact. “I, Yun Qinyue, swear by the Heavens!” she declared, raising a hand as spiritual energy flared, resonating with the world’s laws. Her body trembled as a cosmic force surged within, forging a connection to the universe. “I vow to never reveal what follows to any soul. Should I break this oath, may the Heavens strip my cultivation, scatter my soul, and deny rebirth.”
Her voice quavered as she recited the oath, each word sealing her fate. As the final syllable fell, an invisible force descended, etching an indelible mark upon her soul. Gu Qinghuan’s eyes flickered with complexity. “Junior Sister, the oath is set. Break it, and the Heavens will judge you.” Yun Qinyue nodded firmly. “Senior Sister, I’ll honour it. Now, tell the thod!”
Gu Qinghuan exhaled, her voice steady but heavy. “You’ve wondered how I advanced so swiftly in a century. At the disciple selection ceremony a hundred years ago, I found soone with a Pure Yang Sacred Body.” Yun Qinyue’s eyes widened in shock. “Pure Yang Sacred Body? The legendary physique ideal for dual cultivation? Senior Sister, you an…” Gu Qinghuan nodded, her expression intricate. “Yes. Through dual cultivation with him, his Pure Yang energy propelled my cultivation forward.”
A flush crept across Yun Qinyue’s face, her voice hesitant. “Senior Sister… are you saying I must dual cultivate with him too?” Gu Qinghuan’s heart twisted, but she nodded. “Yes, Junior Sister. His Pure Yang energy is your path to Nascent Soul and freedom from your heart demon.” Yun Qinyue’s eyes flickered with reluctance, but resolve soon overtook her. “Senior Sister, if it ans breaking through, I’m willing.”
Gu Qinghuan’s emotions roiled, but the decision was made. “Take this,” she said, handing Yun Qinyue the Palace Master’s token and imparting a divine sense transmission. “He’s in the sect’s forbidden grounds. This token will grant you entry. I’ve shared an ancient dual cultivation technique—use it for a seamless breakthrough. But be warned: I’ve confined him for a century, and his temper is sharp. If he speaks harshly, don’t take it to heart.”
Yun Qinyue accepted the token with uncontained joy, nodding eagerly. “Senior Sister, I’ll be mindful. Thank you!” Gu Qinghuan turned away, her voice low. “Go, Junior Sister. I… won’t accompany you.” Yun Qinyue sensed the strain in her tone but didn’t press. “Thank you, Senior Sister. I’ll go now.” With that, she left the cave, soaring toward the forbidden grounds.
Gu Qinghuan stood rooted, watching Yun Qinyue’s figure fade, her heart a storm of conflicting emotions. “Little Yuan…” she whispered, a single tear tracing her veiled cheek.
…………………………………………………………..
anwhile, in the risqué alternate world, Lin Yuan lounged in an internet café, imrsed in the dopamine rush of video gas—a stark contrast to his usual indulgences. Suddenly, a tremor ran through him as his implanted wards triggered. His brow furrowed. “The wards activated? Has Gu Qinghuan returned already?” What’s wrong with that woman? Back so soon? he thought, irritation flaring.
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