What’s that saying again?
Life is always trying to force itself on you. And if you can’t resist, you might as well lie down and enjoy it.
Heh, like hell he’d lie down and take it.
Lin Mo might technically be on the receiving end right now, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t fight back.
Since things had already come to this, at the very least, he needed to take control.
Yan Ruyu’s usually calm expression finally wavered when she saw Lin Mo shift from passive to active.
Truth be told, even though she was over a hundred years old, this was still her first time. There was no way she wasn’t nervous.
And yet, her partner—despite being a complete novice—moved with shocking proficiency, using techniques so shameful even she felt embarrassed.
She was the Holy Maiden of the Demon Realm. In her world, physical pleasures were as common as breathing.
Even though she had remained pure, her theoretical knowledge was flawless.
And yet, Lin Mo’s practical techniques were beyond anything she had ever encountered.
More importantly—his vital essence was still intact. Meaning, he was also a virgin.
That was what truly baffled her.
What Yan Ruyu didn’t know was that while Lin Mo was a virgin, he was also a modern man in his past life—one who had seen plenty.
Those island nation teachers with their thorough demonstrations… their lessons weren’t in vain.
He might not have eaten pork, but he had certainly watched the pigs run.
And so—Lin Mo won an overwhelming victory.
Meanwhile…
Xia He returned to the inn and learned from the innkeeper that Jiangyue Pavilion was a brothel.
At that moment, everything clicked—no wonder the women there were so shameless!
Slamming the table, she seethed.
“I knew it! That Lin Mo never had any good intentions. It’s already the hour of the pig (9-11 PM)—he’s obviously indulging himself in that den of sin!”
“What kind of shameless things?” Qu Ruyan asked between bites of her braised pork bone.
“It’s… it’s…”
Xia He’s face flushed as certain images flashed in her mind.
“Just… really disgusting things, okay?!”
Xie Zhiqu turned to her sister, Xie Zhi’an, curious.
“Sis, do you know what she’s talking about?”
Xie Zhi’an smiled.
“It’s what we do every night.”
“You two…”
Xia He looked at the sisters as if she had been struck by lightning.
Xie Zhiqu’s face turned crimson, lowering her head in embarrassment.
Qu Ruyan, on the other hand, remained unfazed, still chewing on her pork bone.
“Xia Xia, what exactly are those things?” she asked, eyes full of curiosity.
“You’re too young to be asking about that!” Xia He snapped.
“But I’m older than you…”
She knew Qu Ruyan was talking about age, but why was she staring at her chest while saying it?!
Desperate to change the subject, Xia He huffed.
“I don’t think we should just sit around waiting anymore.”
“We’ve been in Daliang City for three days now, and we haven’t even started our mission. Lin Mo said he was luring out the ghosts, but all I see is him enjoying himself at a brothel! What kind of senior leading a training expedition does that?”
Qu Ruyan didn’t really understand, still focused on her food.
“We should take action ourselves. If we keep waiting around, what if another person dies in this city?”
Xie Zhi’an and Xie Zhiqu agreed with Xia He’s reasoning.
With that, the group decided to infiltrate Official Ding’s residence that very night to search for clues.
“But Xia Xia,” Qu Ruyan suddenly piped up, “didn’t Senior Brother tell us not to act alone?”
“Ruyan, do you want the people of this city to keep dying to the ghosts?” Xia He challenged.
“No!” Qu Ruyan shook her head.
“Do you think it’s wrong for cultivators like us to uphold justice?” Xia He questioned again.
“Of course not!”
“Then, knowing the clues point to Official Ding’s residence, why shouldn’t we act to prevent more tragedies from happening?”
“But…”
Qu Ruyan hesitated.
Xia He’s reasoning was flawless, yet something about it still felt off.
Even so, she ultimately chose to follow along.
The next morning, before dawn had even broken, Yan Ruyu was already dressed.
She gently pulled the covers over the sleeping young man.
Recalling last night’s events, her cheeks involuntarily flushed.
Placing a hand on her slightly raised lower abdomen, she focused on her internal spiritual energy.
Her best guess? She had a high chance of conceiving.
Just then, the door opened, and the maid who had always accompanied her stepped inside.
“Holy Maiden, everything is prepared. We should leave today.”
“Mm, we’ll depart later.”
Seeing the maid’s hesitation, Yan Ruyu asked, “Is there something on your mind?”
Tears suddenly welled up in the maid’s eyes.
“I just feel… Holy Maiden, you were too wronged…”
“If it weren’t for those old geezers, you wouldn’t have had to lower yourself like this—to give yourself to some unknown Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
“As long as it keeps those old men in check, preventing the Demon Realm from falling into chaos, this sacrifice is nothing,” Yan Ruyu replied calmly.
“But… wouldn’t Nangong Xu have been the better choice?”
The maid was confused.
The Talents Gathering had always been a front—a way to attract the truly gifted.
After all, the stronger the candidate, the more perfect the demon seed would be.
Though Nangong Xu’s Golden Core was only seventh-grade—not exactly ideal—he was still a Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivator. Among this batch of candidates, he was clearly the best option.
How could a Foundation Establishment cultivator compare?
Sure, Lin Mo was talented, but talent wasn’t aptitude—and it certainly wasn’t something you could cultivate.
Yan Ruyu smiled.
“Who told you that his aptitude is inferior to Nangong Xu’s?”
The maid suddenly recalled the indescribable sounds that had echoed throughout the night…
Holy Maiden, I wasn’t talking about… that kind of skill…
Clearly, she had misunderstood.
Yan Ruyu continued, “Did you know that besides the five elemental attributes, there are other types of Heavenly Spiritual Roots?”
“Holy Maiden, are you saying that Young Master Lin isn’t just a Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivator, but one with a variant attribute?”
“Correct.” Yan Ruyu nodded.
“Have you heard of the ‘Sword’ Spiritual Root?”
The maid’s eyes widened.
How could she not know?
The Sword Ancestor of the First Immortal Sect—Lingjian Sect—was a Sword Spiritual Root cultivator.
A Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivator could reach the Nascent Soul Realm within a century, given the right techniques and resources.
But a variant Heavenly Spiritual Root? Their potential was even greater.
But if Lin Mo was truly a Sword Spiritual Root cultivator… then why was he still only at Foundation Establishment?
Yan Ruyu pondered the same question.
Her circumstances were unique. This trip—to Daliang City—was a mission. She had come specifically to find a suitable candidate.
If she hadn’t encountered Lin Mo, Nangong Xu would have been her first choice.
After all, even though Nangong Xu’s Golden Core was only seventh-grade, he still had a Heavenly Spiritual Root. Finding such a person in a place like this was already fortunate.
But never had she expected to stumble upon a once-in-a-millennium Sword Spiritual Root cultivator.
In that sense… she was truly lucky.
Fortunately, Lin Mo was still young and hadn’t fully grown into his potential.
Even more importantly, he was low-key.
Had his true aptitude been revealed, the great sects would have fought to the death for the chance to nurture him.
And if that had happened…
She never would have met him here.
Yan Ruyu turned her gaze toward the Liuli Sword lying beside Lin Mo.
Sensing her attention, the sword spirit panicked.
You can’t see me. You can’t see me…
Yan Ruyu couldn’t communicate directly with the sword, but she could sense its spirit—and its emotions.
She chuckled.
“This sword isn’t bad. Though it’s only a low-grade magical treasure, it has a sword spirit. Its biggest flaw is its cultivation technique—it’s too weak.”
Suddenly, she remembered.
She had a sword technique—a particularly powerful one.
If it were him… he might just be able to master it and carve his name into history.
