Using the token as a medium, he can enter and exit the Shangyang Inner Scenery once a month.
A month had passed since he last entered it.
The reason he did not go was because ascending the heavenly ladder to a new step comes with rewards.
And breaking through the Spirit Platformâs method of illuminating oneâs true self can bring about an increase in mental strength.
Thatâs why he delayed it until today.
The next moment.
His mind suddenly moved, and the token within the Spirit Platform instantly rose like a round sun, radiating boundless golden light.
The golden light expanded outward, continuously spreading, enveloping and devouring his consciousness.
In an instant.
He felt his consciousness plummeting rapidly, endlessly falling.
He only felt the sky spinning and the earth overturning, heaven and earth reversed. Time and space changed.
Not knowing how much time had passed.
It might have been a moment, or it could have been an extremely long period of time.
His consciousness returned, and when he opened his eyes, ten suns hung high above, casting light and heat.
Energy particles in the world were exceptionally active.
Compared to before, upon re-entering Shangyang Cave Heaven, everything he saw and felt was different, and his feelings were different from before.
Previously, he only felt that this place was extremely mystical.
Now, after opening the Inner Realm, he finally understood how extraordinary Shangyang Cave Heaven was.
The ten suns hanging high above were ten gigantic energy sources.
Just from the illumination of the radiance, he could feel that his spiritual body in Shangyang Cave Heaven was extraordinarily comfortable.
And this place, though illusory, remained as real as ever through countless ages without anyone or any power maintaining it, never invaded by the external mist, never collapsing.
Such stability and durability were completely beyond his imagination.
Not to mention the existence of structures here, as well as the Yang Pool, the teaching platform, and the heavenly ladder.
As he was pondering, a wave of energy came from behind him.
He turned around and saw, at first, a point of red light, followed by the red light transforming into a human figure.
The newcomer was Shen Yueru, dressed in a red outfit.
"Senior Sister Shen, what a coincidence!" Jiang Ning said.
"What coincidence?" Shen Yueru pouted, then said, "All this was within my expectation."
As she spoke, she had a knowing expression.
She continued, "I asked an elder in the sect to calculate when to enter the Inner Realm to meet you."
"Senior Sister specifically waited for me; could it be that you have feelings for me?" Jiang Ning joked.
"Cut it out!" Shen Yueru rolled her clear, unblemished eyes at Jiang Ning, her pupils exceptionally bright.
She then said, "Thereâs only one chance to enter Shangyangâs Inner Scenery each month! If we, senior sister and younger brother, donât communicate well, wonât our relationship quickly fade?"
"What Senior Sister says makes sense!" Jiang Ning nodded approvingly.
"This month, Junior Brother should have made a lot of progress, right?" Shen Yueru scrutinized Jiang Ning a few times, said.
Just by observing him briefly, she could see Jiang Ningâs changes.
Standing beside him, she could vaguely feel a subtle pressure.
She also understood that this was feedback manifesting in the spiritual body after his mental strength had increased.
"Made some gains." Jiang Ning replied.
"Seeing your confident look, it seems your improvements are significant!" Shen Yueru smiled slightly.
"How is Senior Sisterâs Sword Dao?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Trying to gain some benefits from Senior Sister?"
"Not really!" Jiang Ning replied.
"I know what youâre thinking, no need to be shy! Come with Senior Sister!" As these words fell, Shen Yueru took the initiative to walk forward.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning refrained from saying more.
Having personally experienced the profundity of the Taixu Yin Yang Sword, he was also curious whether he could gain some benefits from Shen Yueru.
...
Yang Pool.
Shen Yueru reached the edge of the golden pool water and stepped into the Yang Pool, her dress seemingly dissolving under the water.
"Junior Brother, what are you standing there for?" She turned her head, revealing her exquisite collarbone, her shoulders thin like they were carved with a knife.
Jiang Ning withdrew his gaze, his eyes returning to calm.
Then, he stepped into the golden pool water, coming to stand before Shen Yueru.
"Junior Brother, close your eyes!" Shen Yueru instructed.
Jiang Ning closed his eyes and immediately felt a delicate body press against him.
In the Yang Pool, he could now feel the warmth of that delicate body.
"Junior Brother, the more surface contact, the deeper the melding of the Divine Souls!" Shen Yueru whispered like an orchid beside his ear, as if explaining herself.
He then bumped into Shen Yueruâs shoulder.
In terms of height, Shen Yueru was taller than other women he knew.
The next moment.
Jiang Ning felt a thought colliding toward him, it was Shen Yueruâs thought.
As their thoughts collided and melded, he also felt the aura exchanged by Shen Yueru.
This aura was not from the body but from the Divine Soul.
As their hearts and spirits melded, they could faintly sense the thoughts emerging in each otherâs minds.
At this moment, he felt Shen Yueruâs slight dependence on him, which stirred his heart.
Immediately, he calmed his mind and dispelled extraneous thoughts.
Even a Saint could not achieve absolute nobility and brightness in their heart, let alone someone as mundane as him.
"Junior Brother, these are my insights on the Sword Dao!" Shen Yueruâs voice echoed in Jiang Ningâs mind.
In the next moment, he felt countless mysteries converge in his heart, countless inspirations flashing in his mind.
Insights on the Sword Dao emerged in his mind.
These were Shen Yueruâs realizations on the Taixu Yin Yang Sword.
After a long while.
"Junior Brother, are you done absorbing?" Shen Yueruâs voice echoed in Jiang Ningâs heart.
"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Jiang Ning said in his heart.
"Helping Junior Brother is only natural, no need to thank me!" Shen Yueru replied.
The next moment.
They slowly opened their eyes.
As their eyes met, Jiang Ning could see what looked like a clear spring in Shen Yueruâs eyes, clean and transparent.
"Junior Brother, youâre quite handsome!" Shen Yueru suddenly blinked.
"Senior Sister, have you noticed a problem?" Jiang Ning asked.
"What problem?" Shen Yueru blinked her eyes.
"Senior Sister, Divine Soul melding is a way for Dao partners to interact; over time, it can create dependence between Dao partners." Jiang Ning said.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yueru gently rested her chin on Jiang Ningâs shoulder.
"Is Junior Brother worried about becoming dependent on me?" She smiled softly.
"Senior Sister, like this, he might start suspecting youâre an enchantress from the evil sect!" Jiang Ning said helplessly.
"Junior Brother overthinks things. Red Flame Cave Heaven is the chieftain of the righteous sects." Shen Yueru replied with some pride, seemingly proud of her sect.
"Alright, Senior Sister!" Jiang Ning patted Shen Yueruâs back, "Senior Sister shouldnât test Junior Brotherâs willpower!"
"Junior Brother is quite strong-willed!" Shen Yueru stepped back half a step, blinked.
The next moment.
She leaped up.
Swish, swish, swishâ
Golden water covered her body as the red dress floated up.
As she landed on the shore, she had already changed into a red long dress, revealing only half of her jade-white calf beneath the dress.
"Junior Brother, come ashore, itâs time to go elsewhere!"
"Alright!" Jiang Ning nodded and stepped out of the Yang Pool.
With a spiritual fluctuation, a robe appeared on his body.
As he came to Shen Yueruâs side and compared directly, he realized that Shen Yueruâs height reached his brow, only a few centimeters shorter than him.
"Senior Sister, where to next?"
"The teaching platform!" Shen Yueru replied, "This time, I should gain some opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning glanced at Shen Yueru.
It was a face vibrant and spirited, exuding absolute confidence.
"Then let me congratulate Senior Sister in advance!" Jiang Ning said without asking further.
...
Teaching platform.
Jiang Ning found a seat on a prayer mat and sat down.
"I wonder if I can gain any other inheritance this time!" A thought flashed through his mind as he closed his eyes.
At the same time.
Shen Yueru also closed her eyes and sat cross-legged.
In an instant, both entered a state of divine traveling outside the world.
Minds clear, unaware of time.
Suddenly, Jiang Ning heard a series of sword hums in his ear.
He opened his eyes and looked over.
Only to see Shen Yueru surrounded by numerous sharp auras.
The hair originally hanging down to the ground now raised high.
Looking at Shen Yueru at this moment, his eyes slightly narrowed.
The formless aura at this moment was almost a tangible sword falling in the depths of his pupils, making his eyes slightly sting.
"It seems Senior Sisterâs earlier confidence wasnât unfounded!" He smiled.
He closed his eyes again.