Sensual Bargain

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The faint morning light slipped through the window.

Within the warm gauze canopy, a subtle fragrance lingered in the air.

Pang Yue felt the surging power coursing through his body, and his heart brimmed with delight.

Fourth Level of Foundation Establishment!

He had finally surmounted the mid-stage barrier of the Foundation.

The “Phoenix Reversal Nurturing Art” was indeed profound.

Qin Shuyi’s body, blessed with primordial yin, was truly extraordinary.

Of course, the Hunyuan Pills from the Meng family and the Harmonious Duality Return-to-True Technique of the Joyous Union Sect had played their part as well.

Four methods combined had finally allowed Pang Yue to resolve the bottleneck that had troubled him for years.

Now, having advanced to the fourth level, he could clearly sense a smooth road ahead—he anticipated no major obstacles until the seventh level.

The power at the fourth stage was three times what it had been at the third, a true qualitative leap!

With such vast and surging energy in his body, manipulating the Primordial Yang Axe had become much easier—he no longer feared draining his reserves with a single strike.

Qin Shuyi, utterly exhausted, slept soundly.

Beneath the silken quilt, her exquisite curves were outlined; a pair of delicate, snow-white feet peeked out—slender soles, rounded insteps, pure as jade, smooth and alluring.

After a night of passion, Pang Yue had come to appreciate the unique charm of women in the cultivation world. The subtle differences from women in his previous, modern life were hard to put into words.

He rose, dressed, withdrew the wards from the room, and strode out the door.

“Oh… it’s you?”

Lian’er, clad in a long white dress, hurried over. She was about to enter when she saw Pang Yue stepping out of Qin Shuyi’s private chambers. She stood there, stunned, eyes wide in disbelief.

Pang Yue offered a slight smile, then soared away on a beam of light.

...

Ming Lake.

A gentle breeze swept across the water, leaving not a ripple; the sky and lake mirrored each other, an endless blue expanse.

Compared to the solitude of Dragon Scale Island out at sea, Ming Lake Island, nestled within the Demon Sigil Sect, offered rare tranquility and peace.

Pang Yue drifted on the lake in a small boat, a clay furnace before him, flickering with fire as a pot of spirit tea came to a boil.

Seated at the boat’s side was Jin Yuega, dressed in a dark-gold gown, watching him brew and sip tea with a cold, detached gaze.

“I still don’t know how to address you, friend?”

Pang Yue gently pushed a cup of spirit tea forward; the celadon cup floated through the air and came to rest before Jin Yuega, hovering steadily.

“Jin Yuega.”

She reached out to take it, her movements graceful and regal, her serene, delicate features tinged with otherworldly aloofness.

“Though your background is impressive, Lady Jin, you have now fallen into my hands. I am not one for wanton slaughter, but if you wish to leave, it will not be so easy,” Pang Yue said calmly as he sipped his tea.

Jin Yuega retorted icily, “You claim not to be ruthless, yet my eighth brother died by your hand, and the tens of thousands of spirit beasts I commanded were slaughtered in an instant.”

He laughed softly, “You wrong me. Your brother provoked me first, seeking to seize my Dragon Scale Fruit Tree—was I to let him do as he pleased? You led your beasts in attack; did you expect me to sit and await death?”

“I seek only peace and freedom, yet trouble comes knocking at my door—what am I to do?”

Jin Yuega shot him a glance, secretly cursing him as shameless.

“Then what do you intend to do with me? The Demon Sigil Sect may be powerful, but my Scarlet-blooded Golden Flood Dragon clan is not to be trifled with. If we come to blows, my royal father will surely descend upon Zhuoguang Mountain.”

She fixed Pang Yue with a level stare, each word deliberate.

He realized, “So the Golden Core projection I met that day was your father, the Flood Dragon King. Where do you rank among his daughters?”

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“I am the third daughter,” Jin Yuega replied.

Pang Yue paused in thought, then sighed quietly, “In that case, I have no wish to trouble the Third Princess further. Why don’t we strike a bargain—when the matter is settled, we can let bygones be bygones.”

Jin Yuega nodded. “Agreed.”

Pang Yue produced a jade slip and handed it to her. “Please examine this technique, Princess.”

A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. She took the slip and pressed it to her brow. At once, her delicate brows furrowed.

“This is a cauldron technique—what is your meaning?”

Pang Yue answered solemnly, “This ‘Phoenix Reversal Nurturing Art’ is of great use to me. The technique is easy to come by, but a suitable cauldron is not. Your cultivation is profound and your primordial yin abundant—if you cultivate this art, it would be most beneficial.”

A blush crept over Jin Yuega’s cold, beautiful features; she replied, both embarrassed and angry, “You have quite the scheme!”

He shrugged. “You flatter me. If the Third Princess can help me break through to the late Foundation stage, I’ll escort you back to the outer seas. Otherwise, my island happens to be short a guardian spirit beast…”

Jin Yuega fiddled with the jade slip, lost in thought, her gaze lingering on Pang Yue, sometimes by design, sometimes by accident.

Pang Yue was in no hurry. He enjoyed the shimmering lake, the stunning beauty before him, and his tea.

After a long while, Jin Yuega’s expression grew calm. “I agree, but you must swear an oath.”

“Excellent!” Pang Yue replied cheerfully.

And so, atop the small boat, the two swore a binding oath.

Pang Yue released the seals suppressing Jin Yuega’s power, though her soul remained bound—her life still hung by his will.

Nonetheless, her cultivation was restored, and she could now practice the “Phoenix Reversal Nurturing Art.”

As a cauldron, Jin Yuega—at the peak of Foundation—surpassed Qin Shuyi in every way: realm, power, and constitution.

Pang Yue was confident that, once he reached the sixth level, he could attempt a breakthrough into the late Foundation stage.

As for the Golden Core stage—relying on a cauldron alone would not suffice; that would require a longer effort.

After their oath, a subtle change arose between man and monster.

Jin Yuega, though possessed of an extraordinary and unrestrained demeanor, could not hide her embarrassment.

Especially at the thought of cultivating intimately with this man for years to come, her heart wavered, her Dao heart unsettled.

A gentle breeze ruffled the lake’s surface, sunlight bright and clear, the world radiant.

With the shackles lifted, Jin Yuega felt a rare sense of ease and freedom.

She moved, turning into a beam of golden light that shot into the sky. Instantly, she revealed her true form: a golden flood dragon, a hundred yards long, coiling and gliding through the air.

From the distant horizon, a streak of light approached, and a voice rang out, “Is Master Xu Liming of the Flame Demon Hall present? I am Lu Ji of the Hall of Enforcement, and I have come on urgent business.”

Pang Yue’s expression shifted slightly; he waved his hand, opening the protective array around Ming Lake Island, and called out, “Brother Lu, please come in!”

A burly, middle-aged man in black battle armor, riding a cloud, flew onto the island.

Seeing a visitor, Jin Yuega shifted form, landing in the gardens on the southern shore.

On the lake, the armored man smiled as he looked around. “Brother Xu, the Hall of Enforcement received a challenge from Qu Ziyang of the Ice Demon Hall. Here is his letter of challenge, delivered by my hand.”

He presented a dark red envelope to Pang Yue.

“Those who sow evil reap evil,” Pang Yue muttered, accepting the letter with a cold snort.

The man continued, “Duels between inner and true disciples are judged by our hall. You have the right to refuse, but I have come to confirm whether you will accept Qu Ziyang’s challenge.”

Pang Yue read the letter, silent.

The wager for this duel was the Demon Devouring Hall’s command token, staked against Qin Shuyi.

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Victory, and Qin Shuyi would belong to Qu Ziyang.

Defeat, and the Demon Devouring Hall’s command token would go to Pang Yue.

The Demon Devouring Hall was a formidable place.

Founded by the sect’s ancestor, it connected to an astral floating island, a realm of endless fiendish demons.

Those with a token could enter, hunt external demons, and gather demon relics and various treasures.

In times of danger, the token would automatically activate, returning the disciple safely to the sect.

It was the perfect training ground for disciples, each token crafted by a Golden Core elder, capable of withstanding even a demon’s attack—wondrous and precious.

Few inner disciples ever obtained one.

Qu Ziyang was staking much to win Qin Shuyi.

“I accept the challenge,” Pang Yue replied, putting away the letter and turning to Lu Ji.

Lu Ji clapped his hands with a smile, “Very well. Ten days from now, on Bloodrock Island, I will preside as judge. I look forward to seeing you there.”

Pang Yue cupped his hands. “Thank you for your trouble, Brother Lu.”

“I wish you victory! I won’t disturb you further—farewell!”

With a hearty laugh, Lu Ji mounted his cloud and departed.

...

Within a resplendent cave mansion.

Zhuang Buxiu entered a secret chamber, face alight with anticipation.

There he found a small altar, atop which was a formation array, and within the array a wooden figurine.

The features of the figurine unmistakably matched Qu Ziyang.

Standing before the altar, Zhuang Buxiu formed a series of seals, activating the array. Instantly, black smoke rose from the altar, coiling like chains around the wooden doll.

“Love, hate, greed, anger, delusion—command!”

With a gesture, Zhuang Buxiu sent all the dark smoke surging into the doll.

A strange ripple spread through the void.

“I shall hand over the Geng Metal Divine Thunder to Qu Ziyang… Xu Liming, let’s see if you survive this time!”

He muttered to himself, his voice venomous and cold.

He glanced at the doll, a twisted smile on his face. “Brother Qu, don’t blame me for being ruthless—Senior Ning pressed me too hard. If Xu Liming doesn’t die, it will be me, Zhuang Buxiu, who perishes…”

When Ning Daozhen gave him the Geng Metal Divine Thunder, he knew things would end badly.

Such a thunder strike would kill the user as well—a mutual destruction tactic.

Fortunately, he was skilled in scheming, and had found Qu Ziyang as his pawn. Using forbidden arts, he influenced Qu Ziyang’s temperament, planted a wicked seed through Qin Shuyi, and secretly manipulated some of his actions.

All to bring about this duel!

If Qu Ziyang could defeat Master Xu, all would be well.

If defeat seemed likely, then both would perish together!