Lan Mulian, standing atop her cloud, watched Mu Zhi'an and Bai Ruoxi depart.
A Core Formation cultivator at less than twenty years old. The Bai family's young mistress, her future was limitless.
Once she joined the Two Polarities Sect, she would surely be sought after by numerous peak masters.
She was a true genius.
She would undoubtedly be the top candidate in this year's entrance exams.
Lan Mulian turned to leave, but then she sensed a faint wisp of pink smoke in the air, dissipating almost instantly.
If one wasn't paying attention, it would be easy to miss.
Demonic aura?
She scanned the crowd, her eyes narrowed, but she couldn't pinpoint the source.
She summoned a talisman, flinging it into the air. It burst into flames, turning to ash, and her eyes glowed with a strange golden light.
It was the Aura Sight Technique, a secret art of the Two Polarities Sect.
All living beings possessed an aura: cultivators had spiritual energy, ordinary people had destiny, demonic cultivators had demonic aura, and even emotions had their own unique energy.
The Aura Sight Technique revealed them all.
She surveyed the crowd, but all she saw were faint white auras emanating from the cultivators.
There were no demonic cultivators present.
But that wisp of demonic aura, it couldn't have been a figment of her imagination.
This is strange… If a demonic cultivator was hiding among them, she would have detected them immediately.
But there was no trace.
The only possibility was… the demonic cultivator had just left.
And the only ones who had just left were.
She glanced towards Mu Zhi'an and Bai Ruoxi, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Ye Yu also watched them depart, his gaze fixed on Bai Ruoxi's graceful figure.
A slow smile spread across his lips.
…
News of the Core Formation Heavenly Tribulation spread like wildfire among the cultivators that afternoon.
Such a dramatic event, witnessed by so many people… it was bound to generate discussion.
It had been so long since a cultivator in Tianxuan City had reached Core Formation.
And the power of that tribulation… it surpassed most Core Formation cultivators.
Typically, even three bolts of lightning were difficult to withstand, as the tribulation's power was determined by the cultivator's level, and it was always stronger.
Yet Bai Ruoxi had not only survived, but she had emerged unscathed.
It was remarkable.
"That Bai family young mistress is truly impressive. Not only is her cultivation progress rapid, but she even overcame her tribulation with ease."
At the Rising Phoenix Inn, Lan Mulian welcomed her sister back to her room. Feiying, her chin resting on her hand, looked at Lan Mulian, who was standing by the window.
"I heard countless people discussing it as I entered the inn."
Lan Mulian glanced down at the book in her hand, her voice soft. "Her progress is astonishingly fast."
"So she'll be the first to join the Two Polarities Sect, right?" Feiying asked.
"Most likely." Lan Mulian nodded, but her brow furrowed slightly.
After the tribulation, she had sensed a faint trace of demonic aura lingering at the city gates.
An ordinary cultivator might not have noticed it, but she was sensitive to auras.
She pondered for a moment, then retrieved a paper crane from her storage ring.
Feiying raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Chatting with that Mu family young master again?"
"This is different."
Lan Mulian shook her head, her voice calm. "I have some questions for him."
…
At the Mu Manor, Mu Zhi'an watched Bai Ruoxi, a sigh escaping his lips. "I never expected you to reach Core Formation so quickly, Ruoxi."
They both possessed exceptional talent, yet her progress was simply faster.
It was unfair.
Wei Mengrou also looked at Bai Ruoxi, who was kneeling beside the snow lotus pond, seemingly lost in thought, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Her talent is truly remarkable. If you don't work harder, you might not be able to control her in the future," Wei Mengrou said, her voice laced with a hint of warning.
Mu Zhi'an chuckled, shaking his head. "It's just Core Formation. I can easily subdue her."
While Core Formation cultivators were powerful, he was still in control.
However, Bai Ruoxi's heart remained a mystery to him.
"Don't be so sure. You might find yourself controlled by her one day," Wei Mengrou replied, her gaze fixed on Bai Ruoxi.
Bai Ruoxi, her chin resting on her hands, her hair framing her beautiful face, seemed to sense their gazes and looked up, meeting Mu Zhi'an's eyes. A shy, gentle smile spread across her lips.
He smiled back, then shook his head. "Ruoxi isn't the controlling type. Her actions speak for themselves."
She had always been a gentle, delicate beauty. While she seemed aloof and distant to others, he had discovered a warmth within her, a kindness that belied her cold exterior.
Wei Mengrou scoffed, her disbelief evident.
He might understand human nature, but he didn't understand women.
He didn't understand their unpredictability.
"There's something else you should be aware of," she said suddenly, her voice turning serious.
He looked at her, his brow furrowing slightly.
"After the tribulation, her body was tempered by the lightning, and the surrounding spiritual energy was purified. A trace of demonic aura leaked from her vessel. I'm not sure if any other Core Formation cultivators noticed," she explained.
He listened quietly, his expression unchanging.
"You don't seem surprised. Did you already know?" she asked.
He shook his head. "We can't hide it forever. It was bound to be discovered eventually."
"The entrance exams are approaching. If this affects her chances of joining the sect… it could be a problem," she said, her voice low.
If there was proof that she was a demonic cultivator, or that she possessed demonic aura… it could jeopardize her future, even with her talent.
It was inevitable. In this world, human cultivators and demonic cultivators were mortal enemies.
Not only Bai Ruoxi, but the entire Bai family would be implicated.
And even he, having been intimate with her… he could be investigated.
If the Core Formation cultivators from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce or the Gongsun family had sensed that demonic aura… it would be a disaster.
"What are you going to do?" she asked.
He pondered for a moment. "If we were at the Two Polarities Sect, it would be difficult to handle."
He looked at her, his lips curving into a smile. "But Tianxuan City… it's the Mu family's territory."
…
He entered Bai Ruoxi's room with her, pouring her a cup of tea.
"You've worked hard today, Ruoxi," he said, his voice gentle.
She seemed distracted, accepting the tea with a faint smile. "It was nothing. Reaching Core Formation means facing a tribulation. I was prepared."
He looked at her, holding the teacup, her lips lightly touching the rim, then asked, "That chain you used… is that your Core Formation ability?"
She nodded, then raised her hand, summoning a golden chain.
It slithered towards him, wrapping around his wrists, then his ankles, binding him completely.
He struggled, but it was unyielding. And he felt a strange sensation.
He could sense her heartbeat.
She was staring at him, her expression unreadable. "What is this?" he asked.
"I call it the Heart-Binding Lock." She stood up, approaching him, then knelt down, placing his hand on her chest.
"Can you feel my heartbeat, Mu Lang?"
With her ample bosom, how could he not? He smiled, nodding. "I can feel it. Our hearts are connected."
She gazed at him, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "Those bound by the Heart-Binding Lock. I can sense their lies. You just lied, Mu Lang."
It's a lie detector, and a terrifying one. He studied her, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.
She had always been a cold, aloof young mistress, only revealing her vulnerability to him.
But now, she seemed to be slipping away from him.
"In combat, it can bind opponents. The duration depends on their strength." She raised her hand, and the chain vanished.
He stretched, his limbs free again, and smiled. "Congratulations on reaching Core Formation."
She smiled back, blushing slightly. "You helped me get here."
Without his assistance, she wouldn't have reached this level so quickly.
He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist.
She squirmed playfully, pretending to resist.
But he caught her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers.
She melted against him, her resistance fading.
"It seems Core Formation cultivators are no match for Foundation Establishment cultivators," he teased, his voice a low murmur in her ear.
She blushed, glaring at him playfully. "If I was serious, I could easily break free."
"Then why aren't you serious?" he countered.
His warm breath tickled her ear, making her blush even deeper. She leaned her head against his chest, enjoying his warmth, her resistance forgotten.
"You seem distracted. Are you hiding something from me?" he asked suddenly.
She shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mu Lang—"
He lifted her onto the table behind her, his hand pinning her wrist down. He removed her shoes, then gently tickled her foot.
Even through her thin socks, she shivered, her foot clearly a weak point.
"Mu Lang, what are you doing?" she asked, her eyes wide, a mixture of shyness and confusion in her voice.
"Lying isn't something a good girl should do. You have one more chance to answer truthfully," he said, looking down at her.
"Did something happen during your tribulation?"
He noticed?
She bit her lip, refusing to speak.
He sighed. "Since you won't tell me, I'll have to punish you"
She closed her eyes, bracing herself.
But after a while, nothing happened. She opened her eyes to find him staring at her, his expression unreadable.
He sighed. "Don't you trust me, Ruoxi?"
She whispered, "What do you mean?"
"Was there an incident during your tribulation?"
She hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"When it ended, I sensed demonic aura within me. It was just a faint trace, so I didn't think much of it."
So she does have demonic aura. It's not surprising, considering she's Bai Yuanfeng's daughter… "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, his brow furrowing.
She lowered her eyes, her voice soft. "I was afraid… you would reject me"
It wasn't an unfounded fear. There had been countless cases of cultivators breaking off engagements after discovering their partners were demonic cultivators.
Human cultivators and demonic cultivators were sworn enemies. Even though she wasn't truly a demonic cultivator, she still possessed demonic blood.
She hadn't shown any signs of her demonic heritage before, but after the tribulation, her Three-Tailed Fox bloodline seemed to be awakening.
It was a bad omen.
An ordinary cultivator, hearing her confession, might hesitate.
But Mu Zhi'an was simply a dedicated pervert.
"I told you, if you were a fox girl" He coughed. "I mean if you had fox ears it would be even better."
These people didn't understand the allure of fox girls. How could any man resist such a bonus? It would increase his attack speed, just like the anklet on her delicate foot.
"But…" he continued, his voice turning serious. "Mengrou sensed that demonic aura."
"And it's likely that other Core Formation cultivators present also sensed it."
She stared at him, her eyes wide with fear.
"The Gongsun family might already be investigating you."
Seeing her anxiety, he added, "But don't worry. Let them investigate."
She remained silent for a while, then asked, "Do you have a plan?"
He kissed her cheek, his voice reassuring. "The entrance exams are approaching. They won't dare to expose you without concrete proof."
The Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce only cared about profits. They wouldn't risk jeopardizing their business for something like this.
And the Gongsun family. Gongsun Xiong was still recovering from his injuries. He wouldn't dare make a move now.
If they accused her, and she was proven innocent, they would face the combined wrath of the Mu and Bai families.
It was a risk Gongsun Xiong couldn't afford.
So the Gongsun family and the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce weren't a problem.
"The real problem isn't them. It's Senior Sister," he continued.
The Two Polarities Sect and the Demon Realm were sworn enemies. Lan Mulian, as the Jade Empress's disciple, her attitude towards demonic cultivators… it was crucial.
If she suspected Bai Ruoxi, it would be a disaster.
"I'll visit the Rising Phoenix Inn later and test the waters," he said.
She whispered, "I'm sorry. I've caused you so much trouble."
He looked at her, his gaze meeting hers. "There's no need for apologies between us, Ruoxi."
Her eyes filled with tears, and she whispered, "You're so kind, Mu Lang."
He pulled her close, his voice filled with affection. "You're my most beloved, Ruoxi. Why did you summon the Heart-Binding Lock? Do you think I would lie to you?"
He had sensed her summoning it. He covered her hand with his. "It's fine to use it occasionally, for fun, but our feelings shouldn't be measured by such a thing, Ruoxi."
"Are you afraid of revealing something, Mu Lang?" she asked, her voice soft and dangerous.
He sighed, taking her hand, placing it on his chest. "I know you feel insecure, Ruoxi. But… you should trust me."
"Instead of relying on that, use your hand to confirm my feelings."
She blushed, lowering her head, and put away the Heart-Binding Lock.
That thing was too dangerous. If I ever mess up, it'll be because of that. He sighed inwardly, relieved.
A paper crane flew past the window, its trajectory leading straight towards them. It entered the room, landing on Bai Ruoxi's chest.
It was from Lan Mulian.
She looked down at it, her brow furrowing. "It has Senior Sister's spiritual energy."
He took it, his expression calm. "I'll read it later."
She stared at him, silent and expectant.
She wants to know what Senior Sister writes to me. He hesitated, then smiled.
"Alright. Let's read it together."