Chapter 117 - 116: Painted Skin

The Skin Painting Technique has existed since ancient times. It involves making clothes from human skin, dressing up as immortal beauties, and using evil techniques to tempt people. It is a method used by demons and monsters, involving trickery and deception to hunt and harm people.

Sui Yunfei noticed Tie Dan’s silence and reluctance to take the medicine, which heightened his wariness, knowing that it was probably his first time witnessing such trickery. He smiled and demonstrated.

He turned around, took off his cloak, removed his mask, and stood bare-chested. He drank from the medicine bottle in his hand and muttered a spell. Suddenly, there was a series of cracking sounds as Sui Yunfei’s bones shrank and his body became three feet shorter.

At the same time, Little Chu’s skin on the ground flew into the air like a sack and slipped over his head, transforming him into the appearance of the female cultivator. Only a slit was left at the back of his head, like an open bag.

Sui Yunfei then took a yellow talisman from his clothes, pasted it over the slit, and let his hair fall to cover it. When he turned around, he had already transformed into ’Little Chu,’ with no differences at all.

"It’s quite simple, see? This Bone-shrinking Medicine lasts three days. After the job is done, just peel off the skin."

Tie Dan frowned upon hearing his voice imitating a woman’s, and looked again at the two meat men.

"Peel it off? What about them? Do they need to be returned?"

’Little Chu’ simply smiled without answering, and the two meat men giggled, one spoke softly, explaining,

"Our sisters’ foundations have been harmed by that old thing, making cultivation hopeless this life. Thanks to Young Master Sui’s kindness, granting us Immortal Fate, we can achieve the Golden Cicada Dispersion, transcending into reincarnation.

In the next life, we shall cultivate the Great Dao, join the Mystic Sect, and no longer suffer under Xuanji’s old monster’s oppression."

Tie Dan, seeing the Golden Cicada and flipping through his mental encyclopedia, recalled that this item, made from the shed relics of Immortals, was a secret treasure for hosting the Primordial Spirit of low-level cultivators who had not reached the Nascent Soul Realm, to achieve Soldier Disintegration reincarnation. Only a few of the nine major sects possessed such secret manuals, and they were usually bestowed to inner sect’s true disciples with remarkable Dao Seeds, very precious.

Clearly, Sui Yunfei must be a top-tier inner sect direct disciple of one of the nine major sects, possessing unfathomable divine skills, astonishing methods, and handling matters meticulously. All for the sake of obtaining an antler, he even meticulously settled all the causal connections of those involved like Tie Dan, Little Chu, and Shuang’er, arranging their affairs seamlessly with pragmatic skills.

One can only wonder what significant connection this antler has that makes it worth such an effort to steal, even exchanging it directly with a Golden Cicada should suffice, right? Or perhaps it’s personal vendetta against Xuan Jizi?

With such caution and concealment by Sui Yunfei, just being hired help, Tie Dan naturally avoided entangling himself or prying into these internal matters. He first confirmed that the Bone-shrinking Medicine was indeed non-toxic, made from a mystical Spirit Fruit produced by nature, with its miraculous effects of shrinking bones.

Thus, he too took the medicine, muttered spells, disguising himself into the appearance of ’Shuang’er.’

The subsequent matters were simple; Sui Yunfei and Tie Dan followed Little Chu and Shuang’er’s posture and movements, along with the various restrictions and arrays of White Deer Peak. When night fell, they sneaked into the mountain to carry out their task, while the two of them would remain here for another night, awaiting the next evening for a Soldier Disintegration, reincarnating without anyone noticing.

Having prior cultivation in the "Xuanming Xuanji Ice Qi Technique," Tie Dan could effectively simulate Shuang’er’s Inner Power True Qi cultivation, mimicking her movements and motions, though imitating the voice was beyond his skill. However, it was no real issue; keeping quiet and letting ’Little Chu’ handle the conversations sufficed.

As the time arrived and everyone was fully prepared, ’Little Chu’ and ’Shuang’er’ openly manipulated Qi and flew back to White Deer Peak.

No wonder Xuanji Sect disciples all knew how to fly, for the sect was based on the peak of a green cliff, with only a single narrow mountain path for entry and exit, unlike Cloud Platform Peak, which had various mounts like immortal cranes and iron dragons. Without the ability to fly, it would indeed be inconvenient.

’Little Chu’ was obviously not new to sneaking up the mountain for reconnaissance, meticulously calculating the timing for infiltration. As they flew up, the Taoist Palace at the peak of the green cliff was emitting continuous auspicious radiance, with a thousand rays gleaming, evidently because the Xuanji old monster was setting up arrays and initiating restrictions in preparation for a closed training session to prevent intrusions.

With the ancestor personally setting up arrays, the Xuanji Sect disciples were rather laid back, stationed only by two children at the mountain gate, who, on seeing the two senior sisters return to the mountain, especially having once served the ancestor before, dared not inquire strictly, simply opened the gate and let them in.

Once inside, there was of course a hanging Demon Detection Treasure Mirror or similar Magic Artifact to inspect the true identity of entrants, to deter demons and heterodox outsiders.

However, Sui Yunfei’s methods were superior; he had sent over two golden hairpins in advance, worn by Little Chu and Shuang’er for several days. Now, although the individuals under the skin had changed, even the ’hairpins’ were swapped, and as the Mysterious Mirror shone upon them, it clearly emitted two clusters of golden light, hiding the two’s appearance in the fiery light and shadow and concealing them through.

Tie Dan was also amazed, inwardly remarking the Mystic Sect’s methods as delicate and flawless, realizing much he needed to learn.

Thus, without any danger, they entered the palace smoothly, proceeding directly to inspect the white deer.

This white deer was Xuanji Ancestor’s mount and Taoist companion, a spiritual beast and divine entity birthed by the heavens and earth, possessing thousands of years of cultivation, reaching the Divinity Transformation realm, capable of traveling a thousand miles a day, coming and going like the wind, proficient in the Five Elements Escape Technique, with solid True Qi, and its antlers holding the dual wheels of the sun and moon, shielded by Taiyin and Taiyang True Breath, evidently a top-notch divine spirit holy beast, a heaven-sent treasure.

However, since residing at White Deer Peak, it spent its days indulging in food and rest, now obese to the size of a giant elephant. Xuanji Sect disciples came to bathe and groom it, but it lay motionless, disinterested in its surroundings, allowing its antlers to be cut as needed, as it would have to shed them after all.

Of course, these antlers were Xuanji Sect’s supreme treasures, private assets of the Xuanji Ancestor, for exchanging resources with other Divinity Transformation monsters, naturally not easily shared. Sui Yunfei was taking considerable risks in attempting to steal them this time.

’Little Chu,’ seeing everything proceed smoothly, led ’Shuang’er’ to hide at the edge of the green cliff and spread medicine onto a patch of tender immortal herbs,

"Next, we’ll just wait for them to send the vessel to the alchemy room. The ancestor must engage in dual cultivation for seven uninterrupted days.

Once morning arrives, that white deer will rise to graze, and once obnubilated by the medicated herb, we can cut the antler, and our mission is accomplished."

’Shuang’er’ nodded silently, without a word.

With everything seemingly smooth and success within grasp, ’Little Chu’ grew somewhat impatient. Seeing no one around, she chuckled lightly,

"But it is Heaven’s aid. I was worried the original vessel was gone, fearing unexpected complications that might delay my important tasks.

Who would have thought that Xuanji Sect coincidentally captured a Demon Sect Saintess, just befitting for the ancestor to use, it appears it’s preordained."

Oh, to think they captured a Demon Sect’s...

’Shuang’er’ sharpened her gaze.

"The Demon Sect Saintess? What’s her name?"

’Little Chu’,

"How would I know? I just heard that the Saintess disguised herself as a deserter from the Gen Kingdom, intercepted and questioned by Xuanji Sect disciples. Seeing she was quite attractive, they subdued her, only then discovering she belonged to the Demon Sect.

It’s said that Demon Sect Saintesses are specifically used to aid the Sect Lords in replenishment breakthroughs, surprisingly delivering herself to the doorstep."

’Shuang’er’,

"...Where is she now? Already sent for Dual Cultivation?"

’Little Chu’ calculated with fingers,

"The hour has not yet come, she’s probably still being refined in the alchemy room. As the protocol goes, the vessel must be bathed and dressed, fed soup and medicine, soaked in medicated oils, scented to seal the Divine Soul and bewilder the Daoist Heart before being thoroughly prepared and unmistakably sent to the ancestor’s bed for enjoyment. That Saintess’s realm isn’t quite there yet, hasn’t even formed her core, she might need a bit more soaking, or else she might not last the seven days..."

Hence ’Shuang’er’ stood,

"I’m going to save her."

’Little Chu’,

"...Huh??"

Yet ’Shuang’er’ was not joking, she had already flipped her wrist, the Xuanjian revealed, and leapt out.

"Damn it!"

’Little Chu’s’ head spun in frustration, her white clothes fluttered as she teleported instantly, unveiling her golden knife to intercept ’Shuang’er’,

"Fellow Daoist, you’ve lost your mind! Don’t do anything foolish!"

’Shuang’er’, with a green sword in hand, smeared its edge, and unleashed her sword energy,

"Rest assured, I’ll fulfill what I promised you. After rescuing the person, I’ll go to cut the antler."

’Little Chu’ flew into a rage,

"You’re a fool! The Demon Sect Saintess is none of your business! How can you even save her? That old monster can crush you with a slap!"

’Shuang’er’ shook her head,

"No, he’s wary, seeing me repeatedly hinder his path, seizing his opportunities, he might grow increasingly suspicious, worried the Lifespan Tribulation is near.

If it were me, I’d ignore trivial matters like the antler, the vessel, and the Saintess’s status. Taking or losing them wouldn’t matter.

If I were him, regardless of consequences, I’d immediately seize a disciple, retreat for training, and suppress the impending Dao Body threat at once. All other matters can wait; life’s time is long.

Given that time, I can rescue the person and escape."

’Little Chu’ gritted her teeth,

"You’re dreaming! He’s a Divination Transformation Ancestor! Ruling over Hebei for thousands of years! Do you think it’ll go as you wish!"

’Shuang’er’ simply smiled,

"No, it will. Having reigned over the world for millennia, he has lost his sharpness and vigor; consumed by calculations, riddled with worries, he dares not act as impulsively as we do.

Because I have nothing to lose but my life; he can’t afford such a loss."

’Little Chu’ sneered, while ’Shuang’er’ continued,

"You’ve no choice either. Matters have reached this stage; you’ve baited and released the lines, so regardless, you must succeed.

Instead of wasting time with me here, it’s better to help me save the person. Once she’s rescued, we’ll cut the antler. By then, it will still be I who the old monster chases, you will still have a chance to escape unscathed."

’Little Chu’ looked coldly,

"Fellow Daoist, you’re taking great risks for the Demon Sect Saintess, have you fallen for her?

The distinction between righteousness and evil, the discernment between Xuan and Demon, is of paramount importance; do not delude yourself."

’Shuang’er’ snorted coldly,

"Just keeping my promise. I assured a friend to deliver the Saintess to him, so I will undoubtedly do so, and of course, I’ll fulfill my promise to you as well."

’Little Chu’ frowned,

"...Then it seems you’ve fallen for that friend."

’Shuang’er’ rolled her eyes and flew away.

’Little Chu’ had no other options, so she twirled her golden knife and followed to assist.