Chapter 227: Chapter 180: [Tai Yin] Excels in Hiding, A Wordless Night

"Greetings, Your Ladyship."

Jiang Yi spoke, his voice echoing throughout the great hall. True Master Xuanmiao, who was lying on the Jade Platform, was suddenly startled.

It perked up its ears, flipped over its chubby body, and thought,

’How did Xiao Jiang get here so early? He didn’t hear what I just said, did he?!’

For some reason, True Master Xuanmiao felt the panic of being caught in the act.

Lady Xuan’nv raised her hand and gently stroked the cat, smiling.

"It’s time for you to return to your master."

True Master Xuanmiao felt a gentle force envelop it, carrying it past the four great sun-wheel pillars, through layers of deep Qi Mechanisms that were like curtains, and landing it lightly before Jiang Yi.

It looked up and met the gaze of the Daoist Robe-clad youth, whose spiritual charm was greater than ever and whose bearing was as steady as a mountain and as still as a deep pool.

True Master Xuanmiao’s whiskers trembled. It opened its front paws and leaped into his arms.

"Xiao Jiang! It’s so good to see you’re all right! I’ve been worried sick about you these past few days!"

It was a mystery who this cat took after, to be so fickle.

Jiang Yi reached out and caught True Master Xuanmiao, tucking it into his robes.

The heavy weight was a relief. ’It seems Miss Xiaoqiao was right. Cat Master is fine... Has he even gained a few pounds?’

"Surviving the nine bolts of profound lightning was no easy feat. Now, throughout the Yanfu Vast Land, everyone except those in the Dongsheng Continent is discussing Young Monarch Jiang’s achievement of defeating a True Monarch as a Qi Cultivation cultivator."

Lady Xuan’nv, seated on the Jade Platform, recited softly,

"’The Daoist Monarch asks what I seek, I wish to be the first cultivator of all time’—The Eight Demonic Sects of the Nanzhan Continent all call you the ’First Qi Cultivator of All Time’."

Jiang Yi just smiled, not taking it seriously.

Beneath the four great Daoist Lineages of the world, factions have always abounded, and the undercurrents run strong.

The Nanzhan Continent is ruled by the Demon Dao, where harmony is already difficult to achieve, let alone perfect unity.

The Upper Cultivators are either fishing with bait to manipulate karma, or engaged in chaotic struggles while secretly nurturing Daoist Cans.

Even those within the same Dharma Lineage often fight and kill each other over "positions" and the "Dao."

The True Monarchs and Daoist Monarchs are happy to see this happen and have no intention of stopping it.

This title of "First Qi Cultivator of All Time" sounded more like a jab, laced with mockery.

"Among the Daoists of the Eight Sects, none have ever taken their position while still at the Qi Cultivation Realm."

Jiang Yi’s expression was calm, his tone indifferent.

"I’m afraid there’s sarcasm behind those six words. They probably mean to call me the ’Last Daoist of All Time’ instead."

Lady Xuan’nv said with a smile,

"I imagine Young Monarch Jiang wouldn’t care about such gossip. With the profound foundation of your Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, you are more than qualified to look down on the Eight Sects. Even those at the Daoist Level may not be your match."

Jiang Yi had no desire to make grand pronouncements for applause. On the path of Cultivation, one’s Realm was what ultimately mattered.

Once he became an "Upper Cultivator" and could suppress the Innate Sect with his own power and ability, all this chatter would naturally scatter to the winds.

He changed the subject, taking the Wooden Envelope Appointment Letter from his sleeve.

"I am but a humble Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivator. I am fortunate to have earned Your Ladyship’s favor. I am willing to lend my destiny to conceal the heavenly secrets and offer my Essence Blood to reconstruct a Yang Body."

Lady Xuan’nv looked at Jiang Yi standing below. In the blink of an eye, the Wooden Envelope Appointment Letter was back in her hand.

She glanced down and saw that the offer was not for a marriage from [Shao Yang], nor was it to form a bond as the [Daoist of the Innate Sect].

This spell of a Yang Marriage had a concept of "internal and external" roles.

Just like in a worldly betrothal, the status and standing of both parties, as well as the value of the betrothal gifts and return gifts, determined who would be "master of the house" and who would "manage external affairs."

Jiang Yi was the new monarch of [Shao Yang], favored by the golden nature, and also the Daoist of the Innate Sect. His luck and destiny were no less than a True Monarch’s.

But he did not use either of these two statuses to make the offer. He came to form this bond only in his mortal body, a true show of sincerity!

Lady Xuan’nv understood the rarity of such open-hearted magnanimity and said in a solemn voice,

"Young Monarch Jiang’s sincerity puts me to shame."

Jiang Yi’s expression was grave and serious.

"I treat this matter with the same seriousness as my Cultivation, with not the slightest intention of seeking opportunistic gains. I ask for Your Ladyship’s clear judgment."

A smile slowly touched Lady Xuan’nv’s lips as she said softly,

"Young Monarch Jiang is indeed an upright gentleman. Xiaoqiao was not mistaken about you."

She paused for a moment, pondering, then said softly,

"The news that Young Monarch Jiang is to become the Daoist of the Innate Sect has already spread throughout the Nanzhan Continent. I expect someone will come to welcome you soon.

"[Fengdu] was supposed to manifest in the mortal world for a hundred days, but I lifted its seal. Now, affected by the turmoil of the [Thunder Core], it will soon sink back into the Netherworld. The Yang Marriage spell should be performed in the coming days. What do you think, Young Monarch Jiang?"

Jiang Yi nodded. "I will follow Your Ladyship’s arrangements."

Lady Xuan’nv did not wish to say more. After all, the youth before her was, in name, her brother-in-law.

The Yang Marriage was a measure of convenience to begin with. With both parties being so nonchalant, it lessened the potential awkwardness.

"I will instruct Gui’er to make the arrangements. I must ask Young Monarch Jiang to remain in the Profound City Central Palace for three to five days."

Jiang Yi nodded in agreement and was immediately led to a side hall to rest by a plump girl who seemed to appear out of nowhere.

He wondered to himself, ’This Yang Marriage spell... what exactly does it entail?’

When in doubt, beg the Celestial Book.

Jiang Yi slowly closed his eyes, and a golden light flashed for an instant.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me the process and effects of the secret spell of Yang Marriage and Yin Union?]

[Deduction Time: One day]

’With the significant improvements to my Dao Wisdom, innate talent, and aptitude, the deduction time is much shorter than before.’

Jiang Yi had a feeling that if his Cultivation reached the Twelfth Layer, the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm, the time might be shortened even further.

While he was lost in thought, the plump girl had already led him to the side hall.

Inside the hall, a deep Qi Mechanism filled the air like a mist, obscuring the true appearance of the pavilions and terraces within.

"Young Master, just wait here! Gui’er will come for you once everything is ready."

The plump girl chuckled.

Jiang Yi grunted in acknowledgment, feeling strangely as if he were sneaking around behind his first wife’s back for a tryst.

He shook off the random, improper thought and stepped into the side hall. A single bronze lamp was lit inside, its Yin Fire flickering and casting a faint halo of light.

"Xiao Jiang! In the time I’ve been enduring humiliation and making compromises, I’ve managed to pry quite a bit of information from Profound Law Nvqing True Monarch for you!"

True Master Xuanmiao poked its cat head out and whispered furtively.

"Oh?"

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow.

"And here I thought Cat Master was preparing to switch owners and bow at Lady Xuan’nv’s feet."

True Master Xuanmiao looked embarrassed and hurriedly rubbed its round cat head against Jiang Yi’s chest.

"You misunderstand, Xiao Jiang! You are the only one in my heart!"

Jiang Yi snorted, then vigorously rubbed True Master Xuanmiao’s round head with both hands until the cat was seeing stars.

"So, what did Cat Master find out?"

True Master Xuanmiao didn’t dare speak loudly, fearing that Her Ladyship might hear everything it said.

The Profound City Central Palace was an artifact manifested from a True Monarch Golden Position, considered a "demi-grotto-heaven."

If the [Ghost Dao] had manifested back then, establishing its Dharma Lineage and spreading its influence...

...the Profound City Central Palace, held aloft by the towering Eighteen-Layered High Platform, could have become a manifestation of the Great Dao in the Yanfu Vast Land. It would have ascended to a True Treasure, containing immense power, and could have easily suppressed Gong Rong of the Eight Sceneries Palace, who had forced his way into [Fengdu].

Unfortunately, matters of Daoist Lineages often fail because of five simple words: "time waits for no one."

The four giants who had long since ruled over Yanfu would never give latecomers the slightest chance.

Unless the grand tide of fate willed it, and the various Daoist Monarchs all needed such a Daoist Lineage to appear.

Just like the past glory of the [Sword Dao].

"Profound Law Nvqing Daoist Monarch intends to usurp [Tai Yin].

"She has a foundation in the [Ghost Dao] and also inherited the legacy of the [Divine Dao]. If she were to ascend to her position again one day, it’s not impossible that the Great Dao would show her favor.

"Xiao Jiang, you are [Shao Yang]. If you have the Nourishment of [Tai Yin], you can complete the [Yin Yao], making your symbolic representation even more perfect."

True Master Xuanmiao communicated furtively via Divine Sense, egging him on.

"Xiao Jiang, choosing to be Lady Xuan’nv’s Yang-husband is a masterstroke, beneficial to your Dao path.

"If you were to take it a step further..."

Jiang Yi placed his palm on the cat’s head, stopping True Master Xuanmiao from continuing.

He shook his head and replied with his Divine Sense,

’A Qi Cultivation cultivator trying to manipulate a True Monarch? What’s the difference between that and having a death wish?

’Do you think Lady Xuan’nv can’t see through such schemes?’

If there was one thing Jiang Yi learned from the recent events of a True Monarch manipulating karma and a Daoist Monarch setting a trap, it was this: the most reliable relationships are those where both parties are useful to each other.

That was why he had so readily agreed to be the Yang-husband. As long as he could help Lady Xuan’nv, she would always be an ally to [Shao Yang].

As for other schemes, the more treacherous the plot, the more likely one was to fall into an inferior path.

"[Tai Yang]’s might may be glorious, but it ultimately stands above all other Daos, forcing all cultivators to serve its purpose.

"But who would be willing to be a stepping stone? The [Immortal Dao] has flourished for five thousand years, and the Immortal Cultivators of the Dongsheng Continent have endured for five thousand years. I don’t believe that Emperor Ji can make the whole world submit to him willingly."

Jiang Yi gently kneaded Cat Master, his every word deliberate and heavy.

"That’s more or less what my former master used to say."

True Master Xuanmiao exposed its belly and squinted its eyes in comfort.

’It’s been so long since I’ve experienced Xiao Jiang’s technique. I’ve really missed it.’

"I was just hoping to have Lady Xuan’nv act as your protector.

"The Innate Sect isn’t like the Taifu Sect. When the Taifu Sect chooses a candidate, they provide comprehensive care in all aspects to ensure the Dao Material can grow strong.

"The Innate Sect, on the other hand... while they won’t treat you poorly, that... Ancestral Master is extremely concerned with face and must be first in everything.

"The previous Daoist of the Innate Sect, Ning Hechu, got it in his head to meddle with the [Earth Virtue] because of this. He wanted to attain the [She] position, and ended up facing a great calamity."

Jiang Yi lowered his head in thought. The Ancestral Master that Cat Master mentioned was naturally Daoist Monarch Xianyou Mingxuan, the one who had designated him as the Daoist.

"I have the [Inverted] Slaying Sword. Even if an Upper Cultivator sets a trap for me, I can always fight for a chance at survival if I risk my life.

"Besides, this calamity caused the [Thunder Core] to lose its symbolic form and suffer a great loss. The [Immortal Dao]’s side will surely cease their activities and lie low for a while. The matter of a protector can be set aside for now. My priority is Cultivation."

True Master Xuanmiao snuggled against Xiao Jiang and nodded obediently, but thought to itself,

’Hmph! The Yang Marriage spell requires using Essence Blood to help Her Ladyship reconstruct her physical body. It also requires the joining of Divine Sense and the harmony of Yin and Yang.

’With your Primordial Essence Treasure Blood that can Nurture the Dao Embryo, plus the ultimate Yang nature from your Cultivation of Bing Ding Fire... KEKEKEKE... I’m afraid this matter might not be up to you!’

「One day later.」

Jiang Yi, who had been in closed-door Cultivation absorbing and refining the Qi from a Foundation Establishment Pill, opened his eyes.

The golden paper trembled slightly, and dense, tadpole-like script appeared upon it.

He took a closer look and was greatly surprised.

’This Yang Marriage spell... how does it also involve...’

Before Jiang Yi could process the information, the side hall was suddenly flooded with a hazy radiance, like beams of bright moonlight falling and coalescing into a snowy white figure, like frost and snow.

The surroundings were utterly silent.

True Master Xuanmiao was yawning, drowsy, and seemed not to have noticed the change at all.

[Tai Yin] is skilled at concealment.

If Lady Xuan’nv did not wish to be seen, then naturally, no one could see her.

Jiang Yi was sitting on the couch and was about to stand, but the hazy radiance that appeared from all directions filled his vision, making him instantly forget his previous thought.

A slender, jade-like hand caressed his cheek. A graceful, soft voice, like a cool night breeze, drifted past.

"Young Monarch Jiang. After tonight, let us both pretend that nothing happened."