lǐ qíng jié dān de guò chéng yì cháng shùn lì 。
李晴结丹的过程异常顺利。
Li Qing's cultivation process to the Golden Core Realm was exceptionally smooth.
sī háo méi yǒu gǎn shòu dào qí tā xiū xíng diǎn jí zhōng jì zǎi de rú hé rú hé xiōng xiǎn ， zhǐ shì shuǐ dào qú chéng bān 。
丝毫没有感受到其他修行典籍中记载的如何如何凶险，只是水到渠成般。
There was no feeling of danger or peril as described in other cultivation texts. It felt like a natural progression.
bù guò xiǎo bàn tiān shí jiān ， tā jiù chéng gōng tà rù jīn dān jìng 。
不过小半天时间，他就成功踏入金丹境。
In just half a day, he successfully entered the Golden Core Realm.
“ chún yīn zhī tǐ ……”
“纯阴之体……”
"Pure Yin Body..."
lǐ qíng shēn xī yī kǒu ， gǎn wù zhe tǐ nèi fā shēng de fān tiān fù dì de biàn huà 。
李晴深吸一口，感悟着体内发生的翻天覆地的变化。
Li Qing took a deep breath and savored the profound changes happening within his body.
yáng qì bèi jìn shù zhuǎn huà ， zuì hòu de zǔ ài xiāo shī ， lǐ qíng zhǐ gǎn jué zì jǐ zhè jù quán xīn de qū tǐ yǐn yǐn dá dào le yī zhǒng wán měi hé xié de jìng jiè 。
阳气被尽数转化，最后的阻碍消失，李晴只感觉自己这具全新的躯体隐隐达到了一种完美和谐的境界。
The yang qi had been completely converted, and the final obstacle was gone. Li Qing felt as if this new body of his was reaching an unprecedented state of perfect harmony.
líng lì yùn zhuàn de sù dù jī hū fān le yí bèi ， shèn zhì duì yú gōng fǎ 、 shén tōng de gǎn wù ， yě bǐ wǎng xī qiáng le yí gè dàng cì 。
灵力运转的速度几乎翻了一倍，甚至对于功法、神通的感悟，也比往昔强了一个档次。
His spiritual energy flow doubled in speed, and his understanding of cultivation techniques and divine arts also improved significantly.
tuō tāi huàn gǔ ！
脱胎换骨！
Metamorphosis!
ér tā de jīn dān ， yě yǔ diǎn jí zhōng jì zǎi de cháng jiàn mú yàng yǒu suǒ bù tóng 。
而他的金丹，也与典籍中记载的常见模样有所不同。
And his Golden Core differed from those commonly described in texts.
wǎn ruò zhōng tiān zhī yuè ， sàn fà zhe qīng lěng de bái guāng 。 dān shēn shàng gèng mǎn shì shén mì de dào wén ， zhāng xiǎn chū zhè kē jīn dān de fēi bǐ xún cháng 。
宛若中天之月，散发着清冷的白光。丹身上更满是神秘的道纹，彰显出这颗金丹的非比寻常。
It resembled a full moon in the sky, emitting a cool white light. The core itself was adorned with mysterious Daoist patterns, indicating its extraordinary nature.
zhǒng zhǒng biàn huà ， ràng lǐ qíng xīn xǐ bù yǐ 。
种种变化，让李晴欣喜不已。
These changes filled Li Qing with joy.
“ guāng lùn xiū xíng tiān fù ， jiù suàn shì zhào ruò xī ， rú jīn yě yuǎn bù rú wǒ 。”
“光论修行天赋，就算是赵若曦，如今也远不如我。”
"Even if we compare cultivation talent alone, Zhao Ruoxi is no longer as good as me now."
“ ér wǒ zhè kē jīn dān ， pǐn xiāng gèng shì shàng jiā 。”
“而我这颗金丹，品相更是上佳。”
"And my Golden Core's quality is even better."
“ zhǐ kě xī ， zhè yī qiè xiàn zài hái jiàn bù dé rén 。 bù néng bào lù 。”
“只可惜，这一切现在还见不得人。不能暴露。”
"The only pity is that this can't be shown to anyone for the time being. It must remain hidden."
lǐ qíng hěn qīng chǔ ， yí dàn tā shēn shàng fā shēng de biàn huà bèi rén chá jué ，【 nì lún jīng 】 de zhēn zhèng shén xiào xiè lòu 。 jué duì huì yǐn qǐ nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng de fēng kuáng ！
李晴很清楚，一旦他身上发生的变化被人察觉，【逆伦经】的真正神效泄露。绝对会引起难以想象的疯狂！
Li Qing was well aware that once his changes were noticed, the true power of the "Reversing Nature Scripture" would leak out, causing unimaginable chaos!
dào shí hòu kǒng pà nèi mén nà xiē huà shén 、 hé dào zōng shī ， dōu yào guò lái qiǎng duó ！
到时候恐怕内门那些化神、合道宗师，都要过来抢夺！
At that point, the Inner Gate's Immortal Sage and Great Daoists might all come to snatch it away!
gēn dé zhèng dà dào xiāng bǐ ， qū qū nì zhuǎn xìng bié zhī shì ， gēn běn bù zhí yī tí ！
跟得证大道相比，区区逆转性别之事，根本不值一提！
Compared to proving the path of Great Dao, this trivial matter of reversing gender was utterly insignificant.
“ zài wǒ yǒu zú gòu de zì bǎo zhī lì yǐ qián ， réng xū zhé fú 。”
“在我有足够的自保之力以前，仍需蛰伏。”
"Until I have enough self-protection, I must remain hidden."
qǔ chū yī wù chóng xīn chuān shàng ， lǐ qíng shēn shàng shǔ yú jīn dān qiáng zhě de qì xī zhú jiàn sàn qù 。
取出衣物重新穿上，李晴身上属于金丹强者的气息逐渐散去。
After putting on his clothes again, Li Qing gradually dispelled the aura of a Golden Core cultivator.
rèn shuí yě bú huì xiǎng dào ， zhè wèi yī nián zhī qián hái zhǐ shì liàn qì qī 、 shēn xīn zāo shòu zhòng chuāng de wài mén dì zǐ ， rú jīn jū rán yǐ jīng dēng táng rù shì 、 chū rù xiū xíng dà dào le ！
任谁也不会想到，这位一年之前还只是炼气期、身心遭受重创的外门弟子，如今居然已经登堂入室、初入修行大道了！
No one would have imagined that just a year ago, he was still an outer gate disciple at the Qi Refining Stage, suffering severe injuries. Now, he had already entered the cultivation path and reached its initial stages!
chóng xīn fǎn huí wài mén qián fú xià lái de lǐ qíng ， hěn kuài jiù yù dào le yì xiǎng bù dào de kùn jìng 。
重新返回外门潜伏下来的李晴，很快就遇到了意想不到的困境。
Returning to the outer gate for further concealment, Li Qing soon encountered unexpected difficulties.
tā yǐ jīng hěn nán cóng nà xiē wài mén nǚ xiū shēn shàng ， jí qǔ yīn qì gōng zì jǐ xiū xíng le 。
他已经很难从那些外门女修身上，汲取阴气供自己修行了。
It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to absorb yin qi from female cultivators of the outer gate for his own cultivation.
shēn sī shú lǜ zhī hòu ， lǐ qíng jué dìng xiǎn lù yī xiē xiū wèi ， jìn rù dà dào zōng nèi mén 。
深思熟虑之后，李晴决定显露一些修为，进入大道宗内门。
After careful consideration, Li Qing decided to reveal some of his cultivation achievements and enter the Inner Gate's Daoist Sect.
ér jīng guò yī fān shèn zhòng jué zé ， tā yě xuǎn dìng le zuò wéi zì jǐ shī zūn de mù biāo 。
而经过一番慎重抉择，他也选定了作为自己师尊的目标。
He also chose his potential master with great deliberation.
gēn zhào shī jiě yī yàng de yuè huá yī mài ， huà shén xiān jūn huò jīng tóng ！
跟赵师姐一样的月华一脉，化神仙君霍晶彤！
The Moonlight Lineage like his senior sister Zhao, Immortal Fairy Huo Jingtong!
qí shí ， yǐ lǐ qíng mù qián xiǎn lù de zī zhì ， zhèng cháng qíng kuàng xià shì bú huì bèi huò jīng tóng kàn zhòng de 。
其实，以李晴目前显露的资质，正常情况下是不会被霍晶彤看中的。
In fact, given Li Qing's current revealed talent, he would not have been chosen by Huo Jingtong under normal circumstances.
dàn lǐ qíng zǎo yǐ jīng dǎ tīng qīng chǔ ， huò jīng tóng cǐ rén shì gè yán zhòng de yán kòng 。
但李晴早已经打听清楚，霍晶彤此人是个严重的颜控。
But Li Qing had already found out that Huo Jingtong was a severe beauty admirer.
lǐ qíng xiāng xìn yǐ zì jǐ rì yì xiù měi de róng mào ， yǐ jí jǔ shǒu tóu zú 、 bù jīng yì jiān jiù zì rán sàn fà chū de qiáng liè mèi huò zhī lì 。
李晴相信以自己日益秀美的容貌，以及举手投足、不经意间就自然散发出的强烈魅惑之力。
With his increasingly beautiful appearance and the natural allure emanating from every gesture, Li Qing believed it wouldn't be difficult to become her disciple!
bài rù huò jīng tóng mén xià ， bú shì nán shì ！
拜入霍晶彤门下，不是难事！
The primary reason for choosing Huo Jingtong as his target was her exceptional talent. She had already entered the Immortal Sage Realm after only a hundred years of cultivation.
ér zhī suǒ yǐ xuǎn zé huò jīng tóng wèi mù biāo ， zuì zhòng yào de yì diǎn jiù shì ， cǐ nǚ tiān fù jué jiā 、 xiū xíng bù guò bǎi nián ， jiù yǐ jīng zǎo zǎo tà rù huà shén zhī jìng 。
而之所以选择霍晶彤为目标，最重要的一点就是，此女天赋绝佳、修行不过百年，就已经早早踏入化神之境。
Moreover, she was deeply devoted to the Dao and rarely interacted with male cultivators since starting her journey. She remained a virgin until now.
ér qiě tā yī xīn xiàng dào ， zì xiū xíng yǐ lái jiù hěn shǎo gēn nán xiū shì jiē chù ， zhì jīn réng shì chǔ zǐ 。
而且她一心向道，自修行以来就很少跟男修士接触，至今仍是处子。
All her disciples were young female cultivators.
mén xià dì zǐ yě quán dōu shì miào líng nǚ xiū 。
门下弟子也全都是妙龄女修。
This place would be perfect for his covert development!
zuò wéi tā lǐ qíng àn zhōng fā yù de chǎng suǒ ， jiǎn zhí tài hé shì bù guò ！
作为他李晴暗中发育的场所，简直太合适不过！
Li Qing's eyes flashed with dangerous light as he began his plot.
lǐ qíng yǎn zhōng shǎn guò sī sī wēi xiǎn de guāng máng ， àn zhōng kāi shǐ le zì jǐ de yīn móu 。
李晴眼中闪过丝丝危险的光芒，暗中开始了自己的阴谋。
For an outer gate disciple to enter the Inner Gate under an Immortal Fairy, natural connections and maneuvering were required.
wài mén dì zǐ xiǎng yào bài rù nèi mén huà shén xiān jūn mén xià ， zì rán xū yào yī fān yùn zuò 。
外门弟子想要拜入内门化神仙君门下，自然需要一番运作。
Like a patient hunter, Li Qing waited for three months until the opportune moment arrived.
wǎn ruò nài xīn de liè shǒu ， lǐ qíng děng dài hé shì de shí jī zú zú děng le sān gè duō yuè 。
宛若耐心的猎手，李晴等待合适的时机足足等了三个多月。
On this day, Huo Jingtong's youngest disciple, Sima Jing, was tasked with going to the Yin Wind Valley to gather Soul Yin Pearls, which were located far away.
zhè yī tiān ， huò jīng tóng mén xià zuì xiǎo de dì zǐ sī mǎ jīng yīn wèi jiē le zōng mén shì liàn rèn wù ， yào qù wàn lǐ zhī wài de yīn fēng gǔ zhōng cǎi zhāi hún yīn zhū 。
这一天，霍晶彤门下最小的弟子司马菁因为接了宗门试炼任务，要去万里之外的阴风谷中采摘魂阴珠。
Before Sima Jing left, Li Qing, through a connection he had with one of the outer gate female cultivators, found her and pleaded for her help.
zài sī mǎ jīng lín xíng zhī qián ， lǐ qíng tōng guò zì jǐ wài mén nǚ xiū de yī wèi xiāng hǎo de guān xì ， zhǎo dào le tā 。
在司马菁临行之前，李晴通过自己外门女修的一位相好的关系，找到了她。
He tearfully recounted his misfortunes and begged Sima Jing to take him along.
chǔ chǔ kě lián de sù shuō zì jǐ de zāo yù ， bìng qǐ qiú sī mǎ jīng dài shàng tā yì qǐ 。
楚楚可怜的诉说自己的遭遇，并乞求司马菁带上他一起。
"Yin Wind Valley is an extremely yin place. Maybe I can absorb enough yin qi there and completely shed my male appearance."
“ yīn fēng gǔ zhōng nǎi shì zhì yīn zhī dì ， shuō bù dìng wǒ néng zài nà lǐ xī shōu zú gòu de yīn qì 、 chè dǐ tuō qù nán rén zhī xiāng 。”
“阴风谷中乃是至阴之地，说不定我能在那里吸收足够的阴气、彻底脱去男人之相。”
Sima Jing was hesitant but eventually agreed when she saw Li Qing's tears.
yuán běn sī mǎ jīng hái yǒu xiē yóu yù ， dàn shì kàn zhe lǐ qíng xuàn rán yù qì de mú yàng ， zuì zhōng hái shì xīn yī ruǎn 、 dā yìng le xià lái 。
原本司马菁还有些犹豫，但是看着李晴泫然欲泣的模样，最终还是心一软、答应了下来。
At just over twenty years old, Sima Jing had already reached the late Foundation Establishment stage.
sī mǎ jīng bù guò èr shí duō suì de nián jì ， jiù yǐ jīng shì zhù jī hòu qī xiū wèi 。
司马菁不过二十多岁的年纪，就已经是筑基后期修为。
But her experience was limited. On their way to Yin Wind Valley, Li Qing's charming words quickly swayed her mind.
dàn yuè lì què tài guò qiǎn bó ， qián wǎng yīn fēng gǔ de lù shàng ， hěn kuài jiù bèi lǐ qíng de huā yán qiǎo yǔ gǔ huò le xīn shén 。
但阅历却太过浅薄，前往阴风谷的路上，很快就被李晴的花言巧语蛊惑了心神。
Their relationship rapidly intensified, and Sima Jing regarded Li Qing as a close friend. She often lamented his unfortunate experiences.
liǎng rén de guān xì jí sù shēng wēn ， sī mǎ jīng yě bǎ lǐ qíng dàng zuò zhī jǐ 。 bìng shí cháng gǎn tàn fā shēng zài lǐ qíng shēn shàng de bù xìng zāo yù 。
两人的关系急速升温，司马菁也把李晴当做知己。并时常感叹发生在李晴身上的不幸遭遇。
"Qingqing, don't worry. I'll find you several Soul Yin Pearls in the Yin Wind Valley," Sima Jing assured him with a pat on the chest.
“ qíng qíng nǐ fàng xīn ， dào le yīn fēng gǔ zhōng wǒ wèi nǐ duō xún jǐ méi hún yīn zhū 。” sī mǎ jīng pāi zhe xiōng pú bǎo zhèng dào 。
“晴晴你放心，到了阴风谷中我为你多寻几枚魂阴珠。”司马菁拍着胸脯保证道。
Li Qing tightly held onto Sima Jing's delicate hands, unwilling to let go.
lǐ qíng zé shì gǎn jī de zuàn zhù le sī mǎ jīng róu nèn de shuāng shǒu ， bù kěn sōng kāi 。
李晴则是感激的攥住了司马菁柔嫩的双手，不肯松开。
Sima Jing blushed but did not try to pull away.
sī mǎ jīng liǎn jiá wēi hóng ， què bìng wèi zhèng tuō 。
司马菁脸颊微红，却并未挣脱。
Little did she know that Li Qing had already revealed her whereabouts to another male cultivator from Huo Jingtong's lineage who coveted her for a long time—Wei Lu.
rán ér ， zhè tiān zhēn de xiǎo gū niáng què bù zhī dào ， tā cǐ xíng qián wǎng yīn fēng gǔ de xíng zōng yǐ jīng bèi lǐ qíng xiè lòu gěi le dà dào zōng lìng yī mài duì sī mǎ jīng jì yú yǐ jiǔ de yī wèi nán xiū ， wèi lù 。
然而，这天真的小姑娘却不知道，她此行前往阴风谷的行踪已经被李晴泄露给了大道宗另一脉对司马菁觊觎已久的一位男修，魏鹭。
Like Qin Shou, Wei Lu was also a lecher. He repeatedly pursued Sima Jing but was rejected each time, leading him to harbor resentment.
zhè wèi lù gēn qín shǒu yī yàng ， shì gè hào sè zhī bèi 。 lǚ lǚ zhuī qiú sī mǎ jīng bèi jù ， yú shì xīn shēng yuàn zēng 。
这魏鹭跟秦守一样，是个好色之辈。屡屡追求司马菁被拒，于是心生怨憎。
This time, he seized the opportunity when he heard that Sima Jing was alone and decided to act.
zhè cì dé dào le sī mǎ jīng dú zì wài chū de xiāo xī ， běn jiù xīn zhōng chǔn chǔn yù dòng 。 yòu jīng bú zhù shēn biān rén de cuān duō ， yú shì zhōng yú dìng xià le jué xīn 。
这次得到了司马菁独自外出的消息，本就心中蠢蠢欲动。又经不住身边人的撺掇，于是终于定下了决心。
He planned to stage a heroic rescue, feigning a robbery to attract attention and then stepping forward to defeat the bandits and win over her heart.
yào shàng yǎn yī cháng yīng xióng jiù měi de hǎo xì 。 pài chū yī huǒ rén ， jiǎ yì shā rén duó bǎo 、 jié cái jié sè 。 guān jiàn shí kè tā tǐng shēn ér chū ， jī bài zhòng fěi 、 yíng dé měi rén fāng xīn 。
要上演一场英雄救美的好戏。派出一伙人，假意杀人夺宝、劫财劫色。关键时刻他挺身而出，击败众匪、赢得美人芳心。
Wei Lu did not realize he was part of Li Qing's plot until it unfolded in Yin Wind Valley.
wèi lù zài àn zhōng suàn jì de shí hòu ， gēn běn méi yǒu xiǎng dào zì jǐ yě shì lǐ qíng yīn móu zhōng de yī huán 。
魏鹭在暗中算计的时候，根本没有想到自己也是李晴阴谋中的一环。
As they gathered Soul Yin Pearls at the critical moment, a group of unexpected assailants suddenly appeared.
gēn lǐ qíng móu huà zhōng de yī yàng ， zài yīn fēng gǔ cǎi zhāi hún zhū dào le zuì guān jiàn de shí kè ， hū de shā chū yī huǒ bù sù zhī kè 。
跟李晴谋划中的一样，在阴风谷采摘魂珠到了最关键的时刻，忽的杀出一伙不速之客。
Despite Sima Jing's formidable strength and numerous protective treasures, she was outnumbered. She had to take care of the weak Li Qing, gradually tiring herself and falling into a disadvantageous position.
sī mǎ jīng suī rán shí lì bù sú ， yě yǒu zhū duō fǎ bǎo fáng shēn 。 dàn guǎ bù dí zhòng ， gèng yào zhào gù shí lì chán ruò de lǐ qíng ， zhú jiàn tǐ lì bù zhī 、 luò rù xià fēng 。
司马菁虽然实力不俗，也有诸多法宝防身。但寡不敌众，更要照顾实力孱弱的李晴，逐渐体力不支、落入下风。
Seeing that defeat was imminent, Li Qing resolutely said, "Jing'er, don't worry about me! Go quickly!"
yǎn kàn jiù yào chè dǐ bài xià zhèn lái ， lǐ qíng hū de yì rán jué rán dào ：“ jīng ér ， bù yòng guǎn wǒ ！ nǐ kuài zǒu ！”
眼看就要彻底败下阵来，李晴忽的毅然决然道：“菁儿，不用管我！你快走！”
To avoid becoming a burden, he deliberately drew attention from the attackers with his words, provoking them to focus their attacks on him.
suí hòu ， wèi le bù chéng wèi duì fāng de léi zhuì ， lǐ qíng jìng rán yǐ luǎn jī shí bān 、 yòng yán yǔ xī yǐn wéi gōng zhī rén de zhù yì 。
随后，为了不成为对方的累赘，李晴竟然以卵击石般、用言语吸引围攻之人的注意。
Sima Jing's pressure decreased, but the disparity in strength between Li Qing and the bandits was too great. In no time, he suffered severe injuries.
bù duàn tiǎo xìn ， jiāng tā men de gōng shì xī yǐn dào zì jǐ shēn shàng 。
不断挑衅，将他们的攻势吸引到自己身上。
This was still under the condition that they did not kill him outright as per Wei Lu's instructions.
sī mǎ jīng nà biān de yā lì xiǎo le ， dàn lǐ qíng gēn zhè qún fěi tú de shí lì chā jù shí zài tài dà 。 bù guò piàn kè ， jiù yǐ jīng shēn shòu zhòng shāng 。
司马菁那边的压力小了，但李晴跟这群匪徒的实力差距实在太大。不过片刻，就已经身受重伤。
Seeing Li Qing on the brink of death, Sima Jing was nearly in tears.
zhè hái shì zài zhè qún rén tīng le wèi lù de fēn fù ， méi yǒu xià sǐ shǒu de qíng kuàng xià 。
这还是在这群人听了魏鹭的吩咐，没有下死手的情况下。
Before Wei Lu could make an appearance, Sima Jing used a secret technique to briefly unleash Inner Gate Realm power and temporarily repelled everyone. Then she took Li Qing deep into Yin Wind Valley.
yǎn kàn lǐ qíng yǎn yǎn yī xī ， sī mǎ jīng jí de yǎn lèi dōu kuài liú xià lái le 。
眼看李晴奄奄一息，司马菁急的眼泪都快流下来了。
Wei Lu's expression turned grim as he ordered his men to chase them.
wèi lù hái méi lái de jí chū chǎng ， sī mǎ jīng jiù yǐ yù shí jù fén de mì fǎ 、 duǎn zàn bào fā chū jīn dān jìng de shí lì 。 zàn shí jiāng zhòng rén bī tuì ， ér hòu dài zhe lǐ qíng táo wǎng yīn fēng gǔ shēn chù 。
魏鹭还没来的及出场，司马菁就以玉石俱焚的秘法、短暂爆发出金丹境的实力。暂时将众人逼退，而后带着李晴逃往阴风谷深处。
On the brink of death, Li Qing looked at Sima Jing, who was sobbing over him, and said he had a secret technique that could not only heal his injuries but possibly advance further. However, it required Sima Jing's cooperation.
wèi lù miàn sè nán kàn ， mìng lìng zhòng rén lián máng zhuī jī 。
魏鹭面色难看，命令众人连忙追击。
Blinded by love and simplicity, Sima Jing agreed without hesitation.
ér bīn sǐ de lǐ qíng ， kàn zhe bào zhe zì jǐ tòng kū de sī mǎ jīng ， shuō zì jǐ yǒu yī mén mì shù ， shī zhǎn zhī hòu bù jǐn kě yǐ huī fù shāng shì 、 shuō bù dìng hái néng gèng jìn yí bù 。
而濒死的李晴，看着抱着自己痛哭的司马菁，说自己有一门秘术，施展之后不仅可以恢复伤势、说不定还能更进一步。
After an intense yet intimate secret technique,
zhǐ shì zhè mén mì shù yǒu diǎn tè shū ， xū yào sī mǎ jīng pèi hé 。
只是这门秘术有点特殊，需要司马菁配合。
Sima Jing looked exhausted but smiled happily as she saw Li Qing, who was now vibrant and had even advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage.
ruò shì sī mǎ jīng bù yuàn ， tā yě bù qiǎng qiú 。
若是司马菁不愿，他也不强求。
(End of Chapter)
Li Qing's cultivation process to the Golden Core Realm was exceptionally smooth.
There was no feeling of danger or peril as described in other cultivation texts. It felt like a natural progression.
In just half a day, he successfully entered the Golden Core Realm.
"Pure Yin Body..."
Li Qing took a deep breath and savored the profound changes happening within his body.
The yang qi had been completely converted, and the final obstacle was gone. Li Qing felt as if this new body of his was reaching an unprecedented state of perfect harmony.
His spiritual energy flow doubled in speed, and his understanding of cultivation techniques and divine arts also improved significantly.
Metamorphosis!
And his Golden Core differed from those commonly described in texts.
It resembled a full moon in the sky, emitting a cool white light. The core itself was adorned with mysterious Daoist patterns, indicating its extraordinary nature.
These changes filled Li Qing with joy.
"Even if we compare cultivation talent alone, Zhao Ruoxi is no longer as good as me now."
"And my Golden Core's quality is even better."
"The only pity is that this can't be shown to anyone for the time being. It must remain hidden."
Li Qing was well aware that once his changes were noticed, the true power of the "Reversing Nature Scripture" would leak out, causing unimaginable chaos!
At that point, the Inner Gate's Immortal Sage and Great Daoists might all come to snatch it away!
Compared to proving the path of Great Dao, this trivial matter of reversing gender was utterly insignificant.
"Until I have enough self-protection, I must remain hidden."
After putting on his clothes again, Li Qing gradually dispelled the aura of a Golden Core cultivator.
No one would have imagined that just a year ago, he was still an outer gate disciple at the Qi Refining Stage, suffering severe injuries. Now, he had already entered the cultivation path and reached its initial stages!
Returning to the outer gate for further concealment, Li Qing soon encountered unexpected difficulties.
It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to absorb yin qi from female cultivators of the outer gate for his own cultivation.
After careful consideration, Li Qing decided to reveal some of his cultivation achievements and enter the Inner Gate's Daoist Sect.
He also chose his potential master with great deliberation.
The Moonlight Lineage like his senior sister Zhao, Immortal Fairy Huo Jingtong!
In fact, given Li Qing's current revealed talent, he would not have been chosen by Huo Jingtong under normal circumstances.
But Li Qing had already found out that Huo Jingtong was a severe beauty admirer.
With his increasingly beautiful appearance and the natural allure emanating from every gesture, Li Qing believed it wouldn't be difficult to become her disciple!
The primary reason for choosing Huo Jingtong as his target was her exceptional talent. She had already entered the Immortal Sage Realm after only a hundred years of cultivation.
Moreover, she was deeply devoted to the Dao and rarely interacted with male cultivators since starting her journey. She remained a virgin until now.
All her disciples were young female cultivators.
This place would be perfect for his covert development!
Li Qing's eyes flashed with dangerous light as he began his plot.
For an outer gate disciple to enter the Inner Gate under an Immortal Fairy, natural connections and maneuvering were required.
Like a patient hunter, Li Qing waited for three months until the opportune moment arrived.
On this day, Huo Jingtong's youngest disciple, Sima Jing, was tasked with going to the Yin Wind Valley to gather Soul Yin Pearls, which were located far away.
Before Sima Jing left, Li Qing, through a connection he had with one of the outer gate female cultivators, found her and pleaded for her help.
He tearfully recounted his misfortunes and begged Sima Jing to take him along.
"Yin Wind Valley is an extremely yin place. Maybe I can absorb enough yin qi there and completely shed my male appearance."
Sima Jing was hesitant but eventually agreed when she saw Li Qing's tears.
At just over twenty years old, Sima Jing had already reached the late Foundation Establishment stage.
But her experience was limited. On their way to Yin Wind Valley, Li Qing's charming words quickly swayed her mind.
Their relationship rapidly intensified, and Sima Jing regarded Li Qing as a close friend. She often lamented his unfortunate experiences.
"Qingqing, don't worry. I'll find you several Soul Yin Pearls in the Yin Wind Valley," Sima Jing assured him with a pat on the chest.
Li Qing tightly held onto Sima Jing's delicate hands, unwilling to let go.
Sima Jing blushed but did not try to pull away.
Little did she know that Li Qing had already revealed her whereabouts to another male cultivator from Huo Jingtong's lineage who coveted her for a long time—Wei Lu.
Like Qin Shou, Wei Lu was also a lecher. He repeatedly pursued Sima Jing but was rejected each time, leading him to harbor resentment.
This time, he seized the opportunity when he heard that Sima Jing was alone and decided to act.
He planned to stage a heroic rescue, feigning a robbery to attract attention and then stepping forward to defeat the bandits and win over her heart.
Wei Lu did not realize he was part of Li Qing's plot until it unfolded in Yin Wind Valley.
As they gathered Soul Yin Pearls at the critical moment, a group of unexpected assailants suddenly appeared.
Despite Sima Jing's formidable strength and numerous protective treasures, she was outnumbered. She had to take care of the weak Li Qing, gradually tiring herself and falling into a disadvantageous position.
Seeing that defeat was imminent, Li Qing resolutely said, "Jing'er, don't worry about me! Go quickly!"
To avoid becoming a burden, he deliberately drew attention from the attackers with his words, provoking them to focus their attacks on him.
Sima Jing's pressure decreased, but the disparity in strength between Li Qing and the bandits was too great. In no time, he suffered severe injuries.
This was still under the condition that they did not kill him outright as per Wei Lu's instructions.
Seeing Li Qing on the brink of death, Sima Jing was nearly in tears.
Before Wei Lu could make an appearance, Sima Jing used a secret technique to briefly unleash Inner Gate Realm power and temporarily repelled everyone. Then she took Li Qing deep into Yin Wind Valley.
Wei Lu's expression turned grim as he ordered his men to chase them.
On the brink of death, Li Qing looked at Sima Jing, who was sobbing over him, and said he had a secret technique that could not only heal his injuries but possibly advance further. However, it required Sima Jing's cooperation.
Blinded by love and simplicity, Sima Jing agreed without hesitation.
After an intense yet intimate secret technique,
Sima Jing looked exhausted but smiled happily as she saw Li Qing, who was now vibrant and had even advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage.
(End of Chapter)