Chapter 77
Life in the Wanfo Sect could be rather dull. After all, it was a community of monks from the base of the mountain to its peak— tall, short, old, young, plain, and handsome — all of them monks. The situation became even more monotonous when they returned from their three-day journey. At that point, Ru Deng began his seclusion, and Shen Qi, as his true spirit, naturally accompanied him.
Now, they were both confined within the small cabin. The door remained shut, and there was no way out.
This was Ru Deng’s first seclusion since obtaining his true artifact. Besides gaining a comprehensive understanding of the artifact itself, he needed Shen Qi’s assistance to break through the visualization realm.
Shen Qi, usually carefree, now took on a serious demeanor. He wholeheartedly supported Ru Deng, knowing that he had to demonstrate his value. For Ru Deng, anything deemed worthless would be discarded, but if Shen Qi proved valuable within certain boundaries, Ru Deng would fully indulge him.
The “Rushilaiqu” was an artifact Shen Qi had exchanged using accumulated points. It was specifically designed to enhance his lover’s abilities — a true gem among artifacts. (Note: 如是來去 [Rúshì láiqù] = the "Come and Go" scroll Shen Qi was in)
Being an exceptional creation, it possessed formidable powers. It could transform into a separate world according to the wielder’s thoughts. Anyone stepping into this realm would find no escape. Moreover, it could even trap individuals two cultivation levels higher than the controller.
As the spirit of the Rushilaiqu, Shen Qi had unique abilities. If Ru Deng wanted to use the artifact, he needed to coordinate with the diagram and perform specific hand seals. However, with Shen Qi by his side, Ru Deng could simply command him to activate the telepathic mode. Shen Qi would then autonomously assist in combat, effectively acting as an additional ally.
While other spirits could serve this purpose, none possessed Shen Qi’s autonomy or surpassed their master’s control over the artifact.
During this half-month of seclusion, Ru Deng’s innate talent, combined with Shen Qi’s unwavering support, led to a successful breakthrough in visualization. He entered the realm of spiritual insight.
Although this duration wasn’t the fastest on record — some powerful cultivators achieved it in just seven days — it was still remarkable. Among the group of practitioners who received true artifacts simultaneously, Ru Deng was the first to succeed.
On the day he emerged from seclusion, joy permeated the entire Wanfo Sect. The sect leader even waved his hand, granting Ru Deng access to the secret realm in the rear mountains. There, he could delve into Buddhist teachings and unlock his unique abilities.
In this realm, two essential items were necessary for cultivators: true artifacts and special abilities. Without either, one couldn’t hope to survive in this ruthless world. No matter how gifted someone was, without self-defense mechanisms, what good was their talent?
Typically, special abilities were obtained through spirit jade purchases or by exchanging sect mission points. However, this free entry into the secret realm was reserved for exceptionally talented disciples like Ru Deng.
And so, Ru Deng tidied up a bit and, on the same day, ventured into the secret realm of the Wanfo Sect with Shen Qi.
Shen Qi wasn’t thrilled. He had assumed that the seclusion would end, allowing him to relax and take a break. But now, it seemed like another form of seclusion awaited him. He clung to Ru Deng’s back, furrowing his brow in silence. Shen Qi was accustomed to being the top priority for everything, especially with the ever-oblivious Dragon Chi. Suddenly, dealing with someone wholly focused on their career felt unfamiliar.
“Don’t be annoyed,” Ru Deng said gently, brushing Shen Qi’s stray hair behind his ear. “Understanding special abilities isn’t something that happens overnight, nor does it require constant meditation. Once we’re inside the secret realm, I’ll be there with you.”
Shen Qi absentmindedly murmured an agreement. He reflected inwardly—this was a new world, a fresh start. He couldn’t remain immersed in his past life. After all, he was a senior ranked first on the leaderboard. How could he make such a negligent move?
But logic was one thing; Ru Deng was another. As Shen Qi’s chosen lover, Ru Deng’s attitude toward him had reset, despite their previous lifetime of love and affection. It irked Shen Qi.
He couldn’t help but find Ru Deng’s behavior peculiar. If he liked Shen Qi, why not just say it outright? Why complicate matters? Shen Qi distinctly remembered never showing any dislike toward Ru Deng; in fact, he had even admired him—a beautiful man, after all.
As for the series of tasks, Shen Qi wondered how many stages were involved. Once everything concluded, he intended to settle the score with Ru Deng.
Late May brought warmer weather and blooming flowers. However, upon entering the secret realm, an abrupt blast of cold wind greeted them. The landscape transformed into a vast expanse of white—icy glaciers and snow-covered plains.
The sky, a murky gray, released downy snowflakes. Trees stood encased in ice, sharp icicles hanging from their branches. The howling cold wind carried a mix of snow and frost.
Ordinary cultivators who had reached the foundational stage were impervious to most elements, but the icy surroundings in this secret realm made Ru Deng feel the chill. He furrowed his brow and chose a direction to proceed.
Shen Qi, being a spirit, remained oblivious to the cold. Curious, he surveyed their surroundings, even drifting into the air to explore the terrain. Yet, the blizzard limited his visibility, allowing him to see only nearby objects. Anything farther away was shrouded in mist.
However, he could sense fluctuations in spiritual energy — growing denser and more biting the deeper they ventured.
He descended, drifting into Ru Deng’s embrace, as if offering warmth. “There’s a cave ahead,” he said. “Seems artificially carved. Shall we explore it?”
Ru Deng didn’t hesitate. He held Shen Qi, shielding him from the snow and wind. “Let’s go.”
True to their path, after walking ten meters, they reached a cave with sword marks at its entrance — a clear sign of human excavation.
Five meters from the cave mouth, Ru Deng halted. “There’s a formation.”
Shen Qi sensed the energy but lacked knowledge of spells or formations. “This formation has likely existed for a long time; its energy is fading.”
Ru Deng effortlessly dispelled the formation with a gesture, revealing the interior. Illuminated by light, they could only see part of the cave — bare stone walls and a cold floor.
After a brief contemplation, Ru Deng flicked a fireball into the cave. Instantly, the space expanded, revealing an ordinary cavern. Against one wall stood a stone platform with two cushions—evidence of past visitors. To the right, another opening led to an inner chamber or perhaps an alchemical room.
Upon entering, they found a simple inner chamber—a stone bed and nothing more. Even the bedding was absent.
Clearly, this spot served as a resting point within the secret realm, created during its excavation.
Ru Deng decided not to linger. He mentally marked the location, exited to repair the disrupted formation, and continued forward. Their journey lasted half a day until, as dusk approached, they finally discovered a relic.
Each sect’s secret realm traced back to ancient, once-glorious but now lost sects. The original founders of the Ten Righteous Sects had revived their sects using these legacies. These secret realms remained closely guarded treasures, never publicly acknowledged.
The ruins they encountered were very small. It seemed to be an open-air pavilion with a collapsed corridor. In the wind and snow, the pavilion was not affected by the slightest. There was not even a piece of snow falling on the top, and all the wind and snow fell on it. The snow seemed to have eyes and was avoiding them for no reason.
There is a stone table and two stone benches placed in the pavilion. On the table is a chessboard with intricate black and white pieces arranged on it, which was full of spiritual light.
Ru Deng finally saw what was recorded in the information he had obtained, and stepped into the pavilion: "It's the Plum Blossom Pavilion." "
"Plum Blossom Pavilion? Shen Qi was surprised. Where are the plum blossoms?
"Look." Ru Deng turned sideways and let him see the chessboard on the table. The black and white chess pieces were arranged in an deliberate manner. At first glance, they really looked like black and white plum blossoms.
"The magical powers that have been obtained in the secret realm will be automatically destroyed. Those that still exist have not been solved. This plum blossom chess game is one of them."
Shen Qi stared at the chessboard and squinted his eyes: "How do you get the magical powers? Solve this chess game?"
"Yes." The pavilion shielded the wind and snow, Ru Deng sat down on the stone bench leisurely, and took the opportunity to hold Shen Qi in his arms. After more than half a month of getting along, he seemed to have become accustomed to this pattern.
Shen Qi lay in his arms and couldn't see the chess game. He patted his arm in dissatisfaction and switched to a side hug. His knee-length hair was dragged to the ground, and part of it was resting on the chess game. He reached out to brush it off. Shen Qi asked the other with a smile: "Do you want this magical power?"
Ru Deng raised his eyebrows: "Can you solve this chess game?"
Shen Qi casually picked up a black stone, dropped it gently, and the chess game seemed to come alive in an instant. A white seed automatically appeared on the opposite side. He twisted another one, and his fingers were as white as jade against the glossy black seed: "What do you think?"
Ru Deng's eyes were gentle and he moved gently. He gathered up his long and messy hair, took out a red hair tie from the storage buckle, tied it up for him, and gently stroked his face: "Xiao Qi will help me, right?"
Shen Qi squinted his eyes, then smiled as gently as he did. With no stray hair to hide his forehead, a crimson mole adorned the smooth skin just above his eyebrow, as if it might bleed: “Kiss me, make me happy.”
Ru Deng revealed an expression of genuine helplessness, gently lowering his head and pressing his lips against Shen Qi’s.
However, unlike the tenderness he displayed, this was an incredibly fierce kiss. It allowed Shen Qi no time to react, and Ru Deng firmly held his chin, preventing any resistance.
Like a dominant predator, it greedily stole every breath from his mouth, akin to a wild beast devouring him inch by inch.
His tongue was ensnared, twisted, and pulled until it tingled at the root, leaving him almost breathless.
The sound of sticky water filled the air, and there was the sound of uncontrollable swallowing, and excess transparent fluid dripped down the corners of the mouth.
Shen Qi had never experienced such a brutal kiss before. His scalp was numb, his limbs were limp, and the stimulation caused tears to overflow from the corners of his eyes.
At the last moment, there was a sharp pain, and the tip of his tongue was bitten mercilessly. He was a spirit body and could not bleed, but the pain would not be reduced.
Shen Qi was a man, and his ferocity was aroused by this tossing, and he immediately bit back, and soon tasted the smell of rust.
"Huh...cough..."
The kiss finally ended. Shen Qi took a big breath, but was choked by body fluids that he had not yet had time to swallow.
Ru Deng didn't have any, but his lips were full of blood. He stuck out his tongue and licked it, but it brought out more, which was shocking.
"Ha..." He suddenly smiled, still looking gentle and gentle, and stretched out his hand to wipe away the blood stains on Shen Qi's lips, his movements were extremely gentle, "Not bad."
Shen Qi wasn't sure if this "not bad" referred to the kiss or something else. He extended his tongue to lick the lamp-like finger, the vivid red of his tongue contrasting against his equally red lips, adding a layer of enchanting allure to his handsome face.
The black piece in his hand fell, and across from him, another white piece appeared.
He raised his gaze, a soft smile playing on his lips as he replied to Ru Deng with the same two words: "Not bad."
Ru Deng's pupils contracted.
"It seems we'll have to continue," Shen Qi said, picking up another black piece. He tilted his head, looking at Ru Deng with a leisurely expression. His tone carried a hint of frustration. "But we've already kissed...".
A hint of helplessness flashed across Rudeng's eyes. This time, it seemed that there was really nothing he could do to him. He grabbed his waist and lifted him up. He turned his back to him and faced the chessboard. He held his belt and gently touched it. After pulling, the flaming red clothes were scattered on the ground. He sighed softly in his ear: "Xiao Qi is really naughty..."
Shen Qi tilted his head back and chuckled, “Then, Master, teach me how to behave.”
Ru Deng’s eyes darkened, and he pressed down on Shen Qi’s waist.
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