The following morning, Lestes left early morning to hunt the demon beast. Ning Waner, Ling Xing Yue, and Xiao Linger sat cross-legged absorbing the yang Qi they had gained from long-session cultivation over three days and three nights with Lestes in his tent.
Ning Waner's brow frowned slightly, Moments later, her eyes opened, they were bright and had a hint of surprise and happiness, and she smiled. She was happy The paleness on her face disappeared and redness took over its place, tiredness was replaced by enthusiasm She felt a profound sense of joy and relief, as if her soul and body went through a profound transformation. Soul poison was suppressed by some kind of mysterious energy, which was like a dream for her, in the last year she was tormented by soul poison, but now she found hope in the form of Lestes Yang Qi.
Lestes Yang Qi was mysterious,
Ling Xing Yue and Xiao Linger also opened their eyes. Ling Xing Yue, Though her cultivation hadn't advanced, she sensed subtle changes within herself, its fain but profound and mysterious.
Xiao Linger was feeling the same as Ning Waner and Ling Xing Yue, they felt after cultivating the yin-yang fusion art. After the session, Lestes asked Ling Xing Yue to pass the yin-yang fusion art to her. She also had cultivation decreased but after being reminded by Ling Xing Yue, she didn't panic and practice the yin-yang fusion art and had her empheny. Because of the epiphany, she broke the seal and recovered strength to the eighth stage of the body refinement realm.
Ling Xing Yue noticed Ning Waner's smile and, unable to contain her curiosity, asked softly, "What's got you smiling, sweetheart?"
Ning Waner woke from her dream, startled by her master's voice. She glanced at her master, her expression softening into a radiant smile. "Master, the soul poison, the disease that has tormented me and made my life miserable... I've found the cure."
"What?" Ling Xing Yue and Xiao Linger exclaimed in unison, their faces lighting up with astonishment. A moment later, smiles spread across their lips. Ling Xing Yue's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her overwhelming relief and joy evident as she looked at Ning Waner.
Ning Waner was poisoned with soul poison a year back, and since then she has been living a miserable life, relentless agony and unbearable pain, because the soul poison, had snatched her peace, and she couldn't eat and sleep, had been living in depression. Ling Xing Yue shot after many big cultivators and powerful alchemists but none of them could cure her.
This time their trip to another big city was also to find a cure but still failed but after spending a fortune she found a way to suppress the pain. Her days were no. On the way back they met Lestes, her master wanted her to live with few movements of happiness so she arranged for them to have dual cultivation, although, later she was affected by Lestes's lust domain that appeared because of the nine-headed serpent soul, she didn't know and she also joined them.
When they heard that Ning Waner had found the cure, they were surprised but also had doubts as they exchanged uncertain glances. Could it be true? After all the failed attempts and countless disappointments, doubt lingered in their hearts despite their desire to believe her words.
"Is what you said true?" Ling Xing Yue asked, her voice tinged with both hope and scepticism as she fixed Ning Waner with doubtful eyes
"Of course, it's true, Master!" Ning Waner replied enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement and confidence.
"It's good news," Ling Xing Yue said, though a trace of doubt lingered in her heart. Yet, seeing the radiant smile on her disciple's face, she couldn't bring herself to dampen her joy. It had been so long since Ning Waner had genuinely smiled, except during their recent session with Lestes, when the overwhelming pleasure had momentarily made her forget her pain entirely
.Ling Xing Yue's face softened with a smile as she leaned closer, her tone turning enthusiastic. "Tell Master," she said warmly, "I'll get it for you, no matter what it takes."
"You make a guess, Master," Ning Waner said playfully, a hint of mischief sparkling in her eyes as she tried to be mysterious.
"Guess my ass, just tell me already," Ling Xing Yue said sharply, her tone carrying a mix of urgency and concern. "This isn't a small matter. In the past, countless people have died from soul poison in the secret realm. If what you're saying is true, it could cause a huge commotion. You can't joke about something this serious," she added, her expression turning stern as she reminded Ning Waner of the gravity of the situation.
This matter was more serious than Ning Waner could have imagined. The secret realm where she had been poisoned was well-known, and controlled by powerful sects in the surrounding areas.
A secret realm was a pocket dimension left since ancient times, either by some ancient powerful cultivator or may be formed because some powerful cultivator died. Most of the secret realms are full of heaven and earth treasures and rare resources but danger also loomed on every step. In ancient ruins, one may find an inheritance of powerful ancient cultivators. Many people were shot after exploring ancient ruins. However, exploring these ruins was perilous; many had perished in the attempt, falling victim to traps or demon beasts.
Since the war ten thousand years ago, many inheritances and cultivation techniques had disappeared, lost to time or destroyed in the aftermath of the war. Those ancient legacies, however, still held immense value. Powerful sects and ambitious cultivators sought to recover these lost techniques, hoping to gain unparalleled strength or unimaginable wealth.
To do so, they ventured into the ruins, despite the dangers that lurked within. These ancient sites, remnants of a forgotten era, were filled with traps and powerful beasts. Yet, the allure of untold power and riches was enough to drive many to risk everything. The desire to retrieve the lost cultivation techniques or to discover treasures hidden for millennia often outweighed the fear of the perils inside.
In the dangerous and unpredictable world of cultivation, the ruins held a promise of great reward—but at an equally high cost.
In the secret realm, where Ning Waner was poisoned, only those below the foundation realm cultivator could enter. The secret realm had been opened hundreds of times but many areas in the secret realm still remain unexplored it was all due to soul poison. Because of soul poison, no one dares to enter those regions, they fear death. If it was instant death many people might have gone to explore, but the constant lingering pain caused by soul poison became unbearable with time as soul poison seeped slowly deep in soul.
"Master you don't need to doubt me, I have found the cure, it's true but you can't report to the sect about this." Ning Waner said while being mysterious.
"Why can't I report to the sect? if we report to the sect, we will be rewarded with lots of contribution points, so much that it will be enough for us to promote our cultivation by at least two levels." Ling Xing Yue said.
Ling Xing Was taken aback when she heard, couldn't report to the sect about the cure. Why? The sect they come from was called the Wind and Cloud sect, which was one of the most famous sects on the continent, this was not one of the most powerful sects but, it still could be considered one of the top sects in this region. There was one powerful nascent soul cultivator, in the sect. Ling Xing Yue was an outer sect decon in charge of Sunset City as city lord.
"Whether I can report to the sect or not, I'll decide once I know more," Ling Xing Yue said, her tone firm and edged with frustration. Her brows furrowed as a faint hint of anger flickered in her eyes. "Now, tell me everything. Don't keep me guessing any longer."