"Egg, are you certain that Yan Ruyu has been cultivating a forbidden Mystic Art?" Though Chu Feng had no idea what a forbidden Mystic Art actually was, he could tell from Egg's words just how terrifying it truly was.
"I'm nearly certain. Anyone who cultivates a forbidden Mystic Art must adhere to specific rules. She remained chaste, and after you took her virginity, her body underwent these changes — it's no coincidence."
"But don't worry too much. Her current condition is a case of qi deviation. She most likely won't survive," Egg warned.
"What? Are you saying she might die because of me?" Learning that he had caused Yan Ruyu to fall into qi deviation — and that it might cost her her life — Chu Feng was immediately wracked with guilt. Even though he didn't particularly like Yan Ruyu, he never wanted to do her harm like this.
"What? Getting a conscience? Chu Feng, you'd better pray — pray that she simply dies from the qi deviation. Otherwise…"
"Otherwise what?"
"Otherwise she'll become a bloodthirsty female demon, and the first person she kills will be you."
In that moment, Chu Feng finally grasped the gravity of the situation. He never could have imagined that Yan Ruyu was a dangerous person who had cultivated a forbidden Mystic Art. But now that it had happened, there was no point in regret. Since it had happened, he had to face it. What's done is done, and he had to bear the consequences.
So after returning to the Lingyun Sect, Chu Feng didn't pretend nothing had happened. Instead, he went to the residence of the Jade Maiden Sect's Sect Master to apologize and accept his punishment.
And upon arriving, he realized that coming of his own accord had been the right call — because Bai Xi was also there. Clearly, she had told the Sect Master everything. Of course, she knew nothing about the changes in Yan Ruyu's body, since she had been unconscious at the time.
"Bai Xi, leave us. I have something to discuss with Nephew Chu Feng. Remember — say nothing more to anyone about what happened with Ruyu." The Jade Maiden Sect's Sect Master sat in her chair and waved her hand dismissively.
"As you command." Bai Xi didn't dare dawdle. She gave Chu Feng a meaningful look, then turned and left.
After Bai Xi departed, the Sect Master calmly drank a cup of tea before turning to Chu Feng with a composed smile.
"Chu Feng, I'm quite pleased that you came to admit your mistake on your own."
"Can you tell me where Ruyu went? That girl has a fierce temper — I'm afraid she might do something foolish if she can't work things through."
Seeing how much the Sect Master clearly cared about Yan Ruyu, Chu Feng couldn't bring himself to hide anything. He told her everything.
And when the Sect Master learned that Yan Ruyu had been intimate with Chu Feng, that her body had subsequently changed, and that even Chu Feng couldn't catch up to her, she could no longer remain calm. She stood up, her delicate brows tightly furrowed, pacing back and forth through the hall.
After a long while, the Sect Master asked: "Chu Feng, what do you think caused these changes in Ruyu?"
"If I may speak frankly, those changes don't look like the result of some special medicine. They look more like the cultivation of a demonic art."
Chu Feng didn't say "forbidden Mystic Art," because on this continent, demonic arts were far more widely known and understood, while forbidden Mystic Arts were something few people had ever heard of.
If he tried to explain to this Sect Master — who had lived for several decades — what a forbidden Mystic Art was, she would certainly wonder how he knew about such things. She might suspect he was hiding some secret.
"A demonic art…" Hearing Chu Feng's words, the Sect Master fell into deep thought once more. After a moment, she let out a helpless sigh. "No wonder… no wonder…"
"Senior, have you figured something out?" Chu Feng quickly pressed.
Seeing his question, the Sect Master hesitated for a moment, but then told him: "When our sect's founding ancestor first established the sect in these mountains, it was because she had discovered a profound Mystic Art carved into one of the peaks."
"That Mystic Art was engraved into the mountain itself — it could not be copied or moved. It could only be contemplated on the spot. In order to keep the art from spreading to the outside world, the ancestor built the sect upon that mountain range and converted that particular peak into a forbidden area."
"However, even though everyone knew the Mystic Art was extraordinary, no one was able to comprehend it. Even the ancestor herself only managed to grasp a portion of it. She told future generations that all of the sect's outstanding disciples should be given the chance to study it."
"It's a shame that over the course of several hundred years, not a single person has been able to comprehend even a bit more of it. Gradually, people stopped believing it could actually be cultivated."
"But now that you've mentioned it, I recall — ever since Ruyu first saw the Mystic Art, she would often go there to study it. Especially two years ago; she went there every single day. Could it be that she truly comprehended the essence of the Mystic Art and successfully cultivated it?" A look of shock crossed the Sect Master's face as well.
"Senior, could you take me to see that Mystic Art?" Upon learning this, Chu Feng immediately became excited. Even though he couldn't recognize the forbidden Mystic Art himself, Egg certainly could. He truly wanted to confirm whether what Yan Ruyu had cultivated was indeed a forbidden Mystic Art — and perhaps even uncover other secrets in the process.
"I can. Once the Hundred Sect Assembly is over, come back with me to the Jade Maiden Sect. Also, Chu Feng — don't blame yourself for this. While you didn't explain much, after hearing what Bai Xi had to say, I can tell this wasn't entirely your fault. If anything, you may well be a victim yourself."
"That girl Bai Xi has a very mischievous temperament. Sometimes she acts in extreme ways."
"But she's also a rare talent. If something truly terrible has happened to Ruyu, then our Jade Maiden Sect will probably have to rely on her to carry things forward." Upon learning the truth, the Sect Master did not blame Chu Feng.
As for Chu Feng, learning that the Sect Master intended to cultivate Bai Xi after Yan Ruyu's disappearance, he was quite taken aback. Thinking of Bai Xi's character, he considered saying something, but since it was their internal affairs, he held his tongue.
After all, he could tell from the Sect Master's words that she understood Bai Xi and Yan Ruyu better than anyone. If she had made this decision, there was surely her own reasoning behind it.
After that, Chu Feng strutted in and strutted right back out. When he emerged, he saw Bai Xi.
"Just where did you send Senior Sister Yan? You demon." Upon seeing Chu Feng, Bai Xi's face was filled with resentment.
But when Chu Feng looked at her, his expression suddenly turned ice-cold. His hand shot out like lightning, seizing Bai Xi by the chin. He pressed his lips close to her ear and growled a vicious warning: "You're right — I am a demon. Don't ever provoke me again, or I'll cripple your cultivation and sell you to a brothel." Having said this, Chu Feng let go of Bai Xi and strode away.
Bai Xi stood frozen in place, her face drenched in cold sweat, her eyes filled with terror. She could tell that Chu Feng's words had been anything but a joke.