Chapter 70: Forced Marriage

“At present, my abilities are limited. Although your powers have yet to awaken, your foundation is exceptional. Shunalu Pan’s situation is simply due to certain reasons—her channel for cultivating powers has been blocked. If I could take physical form, I could indeed help you open that obstructed channel,” the voice calmly analyzed.

“If I were to seek a human to help me unblock it, how powerful would they need to be?” Ou Xinlai weighed her options aloud.

“At the very least, even if everyone in this entire ancient cave of Chiyou combined their strength, they still wouldn’t be able to open your blocked channel,” the voice replied bluntly. While this body was an ideal vessel for cultivating the Purple Lightning power, the problem lay in the fact that the blocked channel was not so easily unsealed.

The higher Ou Xinlai’s innate talent, the harder it was to clear her blocked channel. Otherwise, she wouldn’t need to rely on its help.

After hearing this, Ou Xinlai began to feel a sense of respect for the voice. In the eyes of others, she was considered the most hopeless of the hopeless, yet this voice claimed she was a genius among geniuses. For that alone, Ou Xinlai recognized the voice as someone truly capable—at the very least, a discerning talent scout.

“Actually, your luck is quite good to have encountered the Yin-Yang Transformation technique. If you master it, it will become a remarkably effective means of attack,” the voice continued, encouraging her.

“Yin-Yang Transformation can be used as an attack?” Ou Xinlai asked in surprise. This voice from within the Purple Lightning formation was indeed knowledgeable. Very few had even heard of the technique, and yet it knew how to turn it into an offensive method.

“In the vast world, all things are governed by the duality of yin and yang. When you reach the first stage of mastery, you can manipulate the five elements and yin-yang of all living things. Upon reaching the highest stage, you will be able to command the yin and yang of all things. At that point, even the earth and all its creatures must answer your call.” Turning yin into yang, transforming yang to yin, mastering all under heaven—this is the true sign of mastery over the Yin-Yang Transformation.

Ou Xinlai was thunderstruck by these words. So the technique she’d casually picked up was actually so profound? “Then why, after all these years of cultivating it, can Old Ghost in Green only use it to transfer wounds from one person to another?”

From Old Ghost in Green’s memories, she’d learned that, at best, the technique could move injuries from herself or others onto a third party—a kind of external healing art. But when the voice spoke of it, it became a profound and inscrutable martial art.

“The Yin-Yang Transformation was invented fifteen hundred years ago by the Primordial Ancestor of Yin and Yang. The Ancestor had reached the first stage of mastery and could control life and death in all beings. People feared that if the Ancestor reached true mastery, he would throw the world into chaos, so they joined forces to kill him and made the technique forbidden, never to be practiced by anyone again.”

The voice sneered, “They spoke so righteously, but it was nothing more than cowardice. After destroying the Ancestor, they all tried to cultivate the technique themselves, but not a single so-called master succeeded.”

“So, since they couldn’t learn it, they forbade others from learning it as well?” Ou Xinlai nodded in understanding. As dark as it sounded, such things did happen.

“Exactly. They sealed away the Yin-Yang Transformation, squandering a great technique. But not everyone is able to cultivate it; the practitioner must have a body in which yin and yang are balanced. The Old Ghost you mentioned was a man, inherently yang, but after absorbing much yin from women, he barely met the basic requirement for the technique and only grasped a superficial smattering. He didn’t truly learn it—he only scratched the surface.”

“You certainly know a lot,” Ou Xinlai remarked, full of admiration.

This was all from fifteen hundred years ago, yet the voice recounted it as if it had witnessed it firsthand. “How do you know so much about it?”

The voice fell silent, then let out a low growl. “I would never tell you that when those foolish humans did these things, they were actually standing on my head!”

“Oh, so they stepped on your head, and that’s how you know?” Ou Xinlai nodded. “Is your head really that easy to step on?” Did the Purple Lightning formation really have a history of over fifteen hundred years? Did it become sentient, turning from a formation into a spirit?

“May I ask, what exactly are you?” After all this, was the voice really just a spirit of the formation?

“If you help me find what I need, you will see for yourself what I am,” it replied. Right now, it was in too pathetic a state; even if it revealed itself, Ou Xinlai wouldn’t believe it.

“Ou Xinlai, I have heard of a lake in this world called the Lake of Yin and Yang. This lake can harmonize the body’s yin and yang. Have you seen it?” Of all the humans it had seen, Ou Xinlai was by far the best suited to cultivate the Yin-Yang Transformation. Was this her great fortune or her great misfortune?

“I have,” Ou Xinlai nodded. So that lake really was called the Lake of Yin and Yang. She immediately realized that perhaps only those who had entered the lake could cultivate the technique; it wasn’t that only she and the Ancestor were inherently suited to it.

“So it is,” the voice replied, clearly having thought the same. “Your powers may not have awakened yet, but if you master this technique, others will find it hard to bully you. Now, sit in meditation. I will grant you some of the spiritual energy from earlier.”

At this, Ou Xinlai sat cross-legged. Instantly, a faint aura of spiritual energy enveloped her, swirling around her like a cloud. Most incredible of all, it didn’t disperse but spun around her.

Surrounded by this energy, she felt as if she were soaking in warm water. Ou Xinlai began to circulate the Yin-Yang Transformation, harmonizing the five elements within herself. Her breath became smooth and easy, as if she were back in the Lake of Yin and Yang.

The voice watched her progress with satisfaction. Although she was still some way from mastery, she now had about thirty percent of the first stage—a promising start if she practiced diligently.

“Ou Xinlai, stop sleeping. Let’s go.” After waiting in the dragon’s lair for a long time without any more spiritual energy appearing, Ou Jinren and the others had finally lost hope. With everyone else leaving, there was no reason for them to guard an empty lair.

Ou Xinlai opened her eyes, feeling completely at peace. The comfortable sensation was indescribable. She had thought the Yin-Yang Transformation was a technique that would harm her karma, but now she saw just how powerful it was.

“Ou Xinlai, you—?” Ou Jinshen looked at her, sensing something different about her. It wasn’t something obvious, but there was definitely a subtle change.

“What about me?” she asked, turning to look.

“There’s something different about your face,” Ou Jinshen observed. Ou Jinyun had noticed it as well—there was an indefinable comfort about her now, as if a once rough stone had been polished smooth. The sharp edges that once made her hard to look at were gone, replaced by a gentle, pleasing aura.

“Different? Could it be my huge birthmark has disappeared?” she teased, pointing to it to provoke the others. She was so unattractive, yet Xuan Ye still agreed to marry her. If she really was more pleasant to look at now, that would be truly troublesome.

Ou Jinyun rolled his eyes. “Impossible!” He knew that birthmark was her fatal flaw—because of it, she had been the subject of scorn since childhood.

“Actually, if you don’t mention it, we barely notice the mark anymore,” Ou Jinyun remarked. At some point, their gaze had shifted from her unsightly birthmark to her bright, lively eyes. Looking into them, no matter the storm outside, one’s heart would always clear.

“Come out. Come out!” Before Ou Xinlai could reply, a man’s shout echoed through the cave. Hearing the voice, she froze—it was Old Ghost in Green.

Before she could react, his iron-clawed hand clamped tightly around her arm. “You! You stole my things—return them!” His glare was so venomous it seemed he wanted to devour her alive.

Ou Xinlai inwardly cursed.

Old Ghost in Green was notorious among those with abilities, and it was only natural that he’d carry treasures with him. Not many people knew he could use the Yin-Yang Transformation, but Ou Xinlai worried that the pouch of mysterious beads she’d taken would now make her the target of everyone’s envy.

Now, she was truly in trouble thanks to him.

If not for the fear that killing him would leave traces for others to follow, she would never have let him live this long.

The stares of the crowd made Ou Xinlai feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Though the Purple Lightning formation was powerful, she wasn’t sure if it could get her out of this crowd.

Just as she thought she’d become the next Yin-Yang Ancestor—attacked by everyone—Old Ghost in Green suddenly turned and seized unlucky Ou Jinyun, repeating the same accusation.

Ou Xinlai was stunned. What was happening?

“Old Ghost in Green!” A low, cold voice called out. Turning, Ou Xinlai recognized two familiar faces: Yun Lianqiao and Hei Muya, who had previously fought her.

When Yun Lianqiao saw Ou Xinlai, she visibly trembled and stepped back. She hadn’t forgotten that even powerful Brother Hei had been defeated by her.

“Old Ghost in Green, hand over your ability beads!” Hei Muya was clearly surprised to see Ou Xinlai. “He’s our prey! Do you plan to interfere?” Hei Muya was wary of her—he still had no idea how she had managed to knock him out.

Once he learned her identity, he had found it hard to believe. Ou Xinlai was supposedly powerless, and the Purple Lightning Grass should have been useless to her—yet she’d somehow absorbed it.

In any case, until he could figure her out, he wasn’t eager to confront her head-on.

Ou Xinlai smiled. “So, you also feel that stealing from others is wrong, don’t you?” she said, clearly referring to the Purple Lightning Grass incident.

“Old Ghost in Green, you’ve harmed so many with abilities. Today, your life will pay for theirs!” Others had no intention of letting Hei Muya and his companions hog all the credit.

Old Ghost in Green not only drained the yin blood of women but also often robbed those with abilities, extracting their powers and storing them in beads that could be auctioned for high prices. Most people wouldn’t dare such a thing, as it made him a public enemy.

He also seemed to have mastered some strange technique—each time he was besieged, even when gravely injured, he would miraculously recover, leaving others maimed while he escaped.

Unless one had mastered his bizarre art, no one dared to try their hand at his murderous trade.

Now, with this rare opportunity, if they could take him down and seize just one or two ability beads, the trip to the ancient cave would be worthwhile.

Ou Xinlai and her companions quickly withdrew to the sidelines. In this crowd of sixth- and seventh-level ability users, the four of them were outclassed, even though the other three had reached the fifth level.

Old Ghost in Green’s ability was not of the five elements, but a rare wind element. He was one of the few in the world with such an external power.

As the crowd attacked, he unleashed his wind powers, filling the cave with howling gusts. His wind abilities became spectral hands, each wielding a whirling whip of air.

Crack! The cave walls split under the assault. Those struck fared even worse—their flesh split open, their screams echoed, and their wounds quickly turned a ghastly blue-black.

Ou Xinlai was shocked by his strength.

“Stay behind us.” Seeing the glint in her eyes, Xuan Ye felt a surge of masculine pride and stepped forward to shield her.

He found himself increasingly drawn to her. Somehow, she didn’t seem nearly as repulsive as he’d once thought; in fact, her appearance had become quite pleasing. He was perplexed—she was the same person, so why had he once been disgusted, yet now felt only peace and joy in her presence?

Hei Muya, in the midst of fighting Old Ghost in Green, caught sight of this and narrowed his eyes in scorn. In such a moment, still flirting—how frivolous!

Ou Xinlai, however, frowned as she watched the wind abilities raging. Something seemed wrong with Old Ghost in Green—he didn’t appear entirely sane—and she paid no heed to either Xuan Ye’s protection or Hei Muya’s glare.

Suddenly, Old Ghost in Green caught sight of her again. Malice flashed in his confused eyes, and he abruptly abandoned his other targets to attack her directly, intent on killing her.

He alternated between madness and lucidity, and now, in a lucid moment, he remembered her trickery and that she had taken all his treasures.

Seeing him charge, Ou Xinlai signaled the voice, ready to activate the Purple Lightning formation against him.

She might not have been able to kill him before, but now, in front of so many people, she had every reason to defend herself, even if it meant taking his life.

Sensing the change in her heart, the voice was surprised. It had thought she spared him out of compassion, but now realized she had only been waiting for the right moment.

The voice nodded. In times like this, mere kindness is useless; it would only bring endless trouble.

“Dodge!” Ou Xinlai had good intentions, but reality was harsh.

Old Ghost in Green was a seasoned fighter. Seizing the moment, he closed in before she could react.

No one cared for her fate—they only wanted him dead. If she became collateral damage, it was just her misfortune.

The others were shocked and wanted to save her, but were powerless.

At that moment, two figures leapt forward to shield her.

Xuan Ye shot Hei Muya a glare—this was his chance. He wasn’t sure if he truly liked Ou Xinlai, but he knew he no longer rejected her. If she accepted him, and they married, his grandfather would surely approve. It would be a win for everyone. But now this man had intervened—what did it mean? Xuan Ye looked at Hei Muya as if to warn him: Ou Xinlai is mine.

Hei Muya ignored him. So what if he had just broken through to level six? Hei Muya had just reached level seven.

With his strength, he showed Xuan Ye who was superior.

Ou Jinshen and the others exchanged glances, baffled that Xuan Ye, who had always disliked Ou Xinlai, would now save her. If she died, wouldn’t he be free? And as for Hei Muya, who had nearly killed her over the Purple Lightning Grass—why save her now?

Though they didn’t understand, the three joined forces to pull Ou Xinlai away while Xuan Ye and Hei Muya held off Old Ghost in Green.

Ou Xinlai breathed a sigh of relief—she’d escaped death.

Once at a safe distance, she took out the silver needle she had used on him before, added the Purple Lightning formation, and used electromagnetic energy to guide it straight into his Fengchi acupoint.

Old Ghost in Green felt a jolt run through his body, his eyes rolled back, and he died instantly.

It was clearly Ou Xinlai who killed him, but Ji Liehuo and the others didn’t care. They rushed forward to loot his body, nearly stripping him bare, but found nothing.

“Where did all his treasures go?!” Ji Liehuo turned on Yun Lianqiao and Hei Muya, since they had been chasing him earlier. Surely they had already stolen his loot.

“Senior, what do you mean by this? You saw us chasing him, but when we found him, he was unconscious. When he awoke, Brother Hei struck his head, and then he went berserk. We never had a chance to take anything,” Yun Lianqiao protested, feeling terribly unlucky.

They had failed to seize the Purple Lightning Grass, and when they finally found Old Ghost in Green unconscious, he’d awoken and gone mad before they could act.

Now, despite gaining nothing, no one believed them.

Truly, they hadn’t caught the fox but had ended up smelling foul.

“Little girl, all of Old Ghost in Green’s things are stolen goods. If you found them, hand them over and you won’t suffer. Don’t let greed bring you disaster,” Ji Liehuo said, smoothly.

Yun Lianqiao’s face paled with rage. Not only did they assume she had the loot, but they also planned to rob her.

“Just now, Old Ghost in Green kept demanding she return his things. We never touched them. Perhaps someone else took everything while he was unconscious,” Yun Lianqiao said, hoping to shift suspicion to Ou Xinlai.

She didn’t believe that, with so many people against her, Ou Xinlai could escape.

“Nonsense!” Ou Jinren stepped in front of Ou Xinlai, displeased. “We all saw Old Ghost in Green raving, accusing everyone. If Ou Xinlai had stolen his things while he was unconscious, how would he know?” His words exposed the contradiction.

Ou Xinlai could feel the crowd’s eyes returning to her. “Tsk, tsk. Truly, better to offend a gentleman than a petty person or a woman,” she said.

Turning to Hei Muya, she added, “She’s yours, isn’t she? Take her away; I’m not interested, and there’s no need for her to act like this.”

Hei Muya blushed—what nonsense!

Yun Lianqiao also flushed, though she did have feelings for Brother Hei, she’d never thought anyone would notice.

“Hero Ji, you’re known for fairness. Surely, with your wisdom, you can see what’s going on,” Ou Xinlai reminded him, hinting that he still owed her a favor.

She understood that when things reached their peak, they would decline. If Ji Liehuo were driven by greed and incited the crowd to destroy her, she might never leave the cave alive.

Ji Liehuo scrutinized her, but her clear eyes held no trace of guilt or evasion. Meanwhile, Hei Muya and Yun Lianqiao’s flushed faces did hint at some secret. He immediately took Ou Xinlai’s side. “Affairs of the heart are not suited to this place.”

He was more concerned about where Old Ghost in Green’s treasures had gone, but quickly changed the subject. “When you found him, he was truly unconscious?”

“Yes,” Yun Lianqiao replied, eager to shift blame and clear her own name.

Being hunted in this cave by such a crowd left no room even to escape.

“Then it must be that someone else, before you got there, robbed him. Whoever took his things before me is the true villain,” Ji Liehuo declared, casting the thief as the enemy of justice.

“Now that Old Ghost in Green is dead, we’ve rid the world of a menace. Take his corpse to show those outside—he’ll do harm no more, and all can rest easy,” Ji Liehuo said, ever the opportunist.

Old Ghost in Green had been notorious, yet no one could stop him—until now. By claiming the corpse, Ji Liehuo could claim all the credit.

“But this is…” Ou Jinyun protested. Old Ghost in Green had been killed by Ou Xinlai, Xuan Ye, and Hei Muya—how could Ji Liehuo take all the credit?

Ou Jinshen held him back. Such things were not unusual; in this world, those with power took what they wanted.

Clearly, Ji Liehuo commanded some authority among the group, and to argue with him now would be to court disaster.

Though Ou Xinlai disliked it, there was nothing to be done.

She wasn’t interested in taking credit anyway, though Xuan Ye and Hei Muya had lost out. More importantly, transferring credit could help shift the attention away from her, which was all she needed.

“Indeed, heroes arise from the young. Thank you three for your timely help; otherwise, we could not have brought him down so quickly,” Ji Liehuo said, giving them a token share of the victory.

From slaying the enemy to mere assistance.

“Let’s go,” Xuan Ye said unconcerned. He was only blocking the way; it was Ou Xinlai who actually killed him. Old Ghost in Green was nothing—better to spend time searching for treasures in the cave.

Hei Muya also disdained the credit and left with Yun Lianqiao.

Ou Xinlai was even more agreeable; from start to finish, she never objected, and the four of them quickly made it clear they would not interfere.

Seeing their tact, Ji Liehuo was satisfied. But as he watched Ou Xinlai leave, her eyes flashed, and she smiled slyly—this wasn’t over yet.

“Ou Xinlai, being bullied isn’t a pleasant experience, is it?” the voice said. It had always known how things would unfold. It could have intervened, but that would have exposed itself, bringing greater disaster to her.

A man with no guilt, yet trouble follows him for possessing treasure.

“You said if I reached the first stage of Yin-Yang Transformation, I could handle such people, right?” Ou Xinlai was unwilling to be bullied—what fool would accept that?

Ji Liehuo had already taken advantage of her again and again. If she kept tolerating it, what kind of person would she be?

“There are ten levels to the first stage and ten to the advanced stage. With your current ability, you’ve only reached the third level—you have a long way to go,” the voice replied without sympathy.

Ou Xinlai was discouraged. Her power channels were blocked; her only hope was the Yin-Yang Transformation, and she was told she was far from mastery.

“If you practiced in the Lake of Yin and Yang, you might not reach the first stage quickly, but you could at least reach the fifth level,” the voice mused. Yin-Yang Transformation required harmony.

Her body, having soaked in the lake, was more balanced than most, but not perfectly so. Unless she found a man for true yin-yang union, her body would always be heavier in yin.

“In that case, take your friends to a certain place suitable for practice. Though the energy isn’t as pure as the dragon’s lair, it was once used by an ancient master and is thick with power,” the voice suggested.

Given her current situation, treasures were meaningless. Only by perfecting her skills would she be truly strong.

“You lead the way.” She was sure this voice had been trapped in the cave for some unknown reason. Without it, she’d never have found the Fire Dragon Fruit.

She concluded it was not a formation spirit, but something else that had been diminished or injured.

Following the voice’s directions, Ou Xinlai led the three others to an ancient cave once used by a great master.

As soon as they entered, they felt a surge of righteous energy, uplifting their spirits. The cave was hidden behind a massive black boulder—without guidance, they’d never have found it.

Once inside, Ou Jinren and the others were left speechless in awe.

Except for Ou Jinyun, none of them had ever been here, but Ou Xinlai had found it. Its rarity matched that of the dragon’s lair, except the righteous energy here was useless to the voice.

“Following you really does bring good fortune,” Ou Jinyun said, taking a place to sit. To Ou Xinlai’s surprise, Hei Muya and Yun Lianqiao followed as well, each claiming a spot.

She’d thought they had left long ago.

Yun Lianqiao glared at her, but had to admit her luck was extraordinary. They had missed out on the dragon’s lair, but would benefit from this cave’s energy.

With Hei Muya already settled in, Ou Xinlai was speechless, but didn’t bother to ask why he was there. Instead, she began to practice the Yin-Yang Transformation like the others.

But they weren’t the only ones to follow. Before long, Ji Liehuo and Xuan Ye arrived as well.

Xuan Ye had returned, remembering the dangers of the cave and believing Ou Xinlai would be safer with him. Using the Xuan family’s secret Shadow Tracking Butterfly, he had found her—only to run into Ji Liehuo along the way.

When they arrived, they were all stunned.

Xuan Ye and Ji Liehuo said nothing, but quickly began cultivating alongside the others.

Xuan Ye was delighted at her good fortune, knowing how important luck was for cultivators.

Ji Liehuo was nearly grinning ear to ear. As soon as he entered, his seventh-level power surged, finally coalescing and preparing to break through.

Sure enough, in a short time, he reached level eight, able to match Li Chengfeng!

Once he did, he opened his eyes and stared at Ou Xinlai’s face. She might not be beautiful, but she was young and pleasing to the eye.

Thinking this, he congratulated himself on his earlier decision.

He licked his lips. In this cave, his cultivation was among the highest. When the time came, he would seize a moment alone with her and make her his—becoming the son-in-law of the Ou family!

Though older than her, seasoned men know how to care for women. Moreover, he didn’t fully believe her story—Ou Chenfeng’s daughter couldn’t be simple.

Within her, the yin-yang diagram spun rapidly, blending her own yin with the cave’s innate energy. The Yin-Yang Transformation began to glow within her, as if a light shone from her body.

The voice was amazed—using the energy here, she had already reached the fourth level. It seemed she wouldn’t need to return to the Lake of Yin and Yang after all.

With this progress, even if Ji Liehuo had reached level eight, he would not be her match once she reached the fifth level.

Three days passed quickly as they cultivated in the cave.

Outside, Ou Jinshen and the others had always struggled to break through, but after entering the cave, all three broke through to level six, becoming standouts among their peers.

Their confidence soared, and their faith in Ou Xinlai grew stronger.

In short, following her meant there’d always be spoils to share.

Xuan Ye advanced from level six in earth to level seven, and his water power reached level six. Even the three experts protecting him gained much.

Soon, it was time for the ancient cave to open again. The group awoke and hurried out.

Ou Xinlai followed, but halfway out, she called, “I left something behind—go ahead without me, I’ll catch up soon.”

She doubled back and, following the voice’s instructions, found a small ancient disk hidden under a rock. This was the true source of the cave’s energy. With it, she could practice even if she never returned to the Lake of Yin and Yang.

“So you came back for this? What is it—hand it over!” Ji Liehuo appeared like a venomous snake, eyes glittering with greed.

“How are you here?” Ou Xinlai asked calmly.

“Tell me honestly, did you steal all of Old Ghost in Green’s treasures? He had a powerful technique—did you learn it?” Ji Liehuo was suspicious.

At the time, Old Ghost in Green had seemed to be raving, but Ou Xinlai was the only one he had sought to kill. Clearly, they had a grudge—over treasure.

“You mean these beads?” Ou Xinlai produced the pouch she’d taken from him. She knew these multicolored beads hid something valuable, or Ji Liehuo and Old Ghost in Green wouldn’t have pursued her so relentlessly.

She remembered seeing the voice take something from him; she’d thought it was his skills, but Old Ghost in Green had still had abilities when he reappeared.

“That wasn’t his own—it means there must be more beads you haven’t found,” the voice said, communicating silently.

“I see.” Ou Xinlai nodded, then turned to Ji Liehuo, “So, you plan to rob me for these?”

She tossed the pouch, his greedy eyes following its arc.

“I don’t have to rob you,” he said, flashing what he thought was a charming smile. “I may be older, but that means I’ll know how to care for you. A woman always marries eventually. I’m unmarried, you’re unmarried—it’s a perfect match. As the only daughter of the Ou clan leader, I could marry into your family, and you wouldn’t have to leave your father.”

“Once we’re family, what’s mine is yours.”

Ou Xinlai frowned, shocked by his repulsive suggestion.

Please, she was only fourteen—a child, really.

Ji Liehuo was nearly forty, older than her shameless father, practically crumbling to pieces. “And if I refuse?”

—End of chapter—

Today, this story finally enters its next phase. Thank you for your support along the way. Ten thousand words today—please subscribe to the next chapter!