Chapter 142: Taiyin Marrow Worm

Ice crystals.

Countless ice crystals began to emerge across Lu Ye’s body.

Lu Ye’s brows furrowed.

A wave of intense pain surged through him—but it was still just pain.

Compared to the Primordial Morning Mist, this pain was far less intense.

Within his void dantian, the space warped slightly—an exquisitely transparent insect egg quietly surfaced. Just the mere appearance of that egg nearly caused Lu Ye to collapse from the cold.

But—fortunately.

It was just a Taiyin Marrow Worm.

Lu Ye felt a bit relieved. This creature was a supreme lifeform that dwelled in Supreme Yin. Its nature was extremely elevated, part of the very essence of Supreme Yin and Sun.

If it had appeared during his tribulation—

It would have frantically absorbed the Chaotic Supreme Yin force he had acquired over the years from his master’s body.

Which meant—it would’ve caused Lu Ye’s strength to plummet drastically and plunged him into an extremely chaotic state. Losing a life wouldn’t have been surprising at all.

That was because in his early years of cultivation, Lu Ye had only been able to endure the Chaotic Supreme Yin force by burning his life force and risking cultivation collapse.

It wasn’t until the emergence of the Taiyin Transformation Sutra that he finally stopped being drained—and instead began to benefit.

He refined the Chaotic Supreme Yin force continuously.

This power gave Lu Ye tremendous support in his mid-to-late cultivation.

Bai Qiulan’s status among the eight women had always been among the top—and not without reason.

First, her status.

Second, Lu Ye especially liked going to her, because she could not only empower him—but she was also big!

Third, Bai Qiulan had a gentle personality.

But now...

Since Lu Ye hadn’t absorbed even a trace of Chaotic Supreme Yin force in this life, the Taiyin Marrow Worm couldn’t even hatch. All it could do was radiate cold—just cold.

Without the nourishment of Chaotic Supreme Yin force, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» what hammer was it supposed to break out of its egg with?

Tribulation Crossing—First Layer!

Lu Ye looked up, feeling the boundless heavenly pressure—like a sword suspended overhead, ready to fall at any moment.

At the same time, irritation began to stir in his heart.

Scenes from the past started flashing through his mind uncontrollably.

In a field of endless flowers.

Yue Hongling lay among the blossoms, her head resting on Lu Ye’s thigh, gazing at him with deep affection.

“Senior Brother, if there were only the two of us in all of Heaven and Earth, I would wish for this moment... to become eternal.”

“What about Master?”

Yue Hongling thought for a moment, her expression turning sweet and coy.

“Then include Master too—the three of us will become eternal together.”

“Alright—eternal together.”

“Senior Brother... I love you so much...”

The two of them embraced and kissed amidst the sea of flowers.

...

“Lu Ye-gege, I’ve reached the Combined Dao Realm! Guess what Dao I’ve formed?”

Shangguan Huanling came bouncing over with excitement, her eyes sparkling.

“What Dao?”

“Hehe—Dao of Affection! Lu Ye-gege, you are my Dao!”

“Waaaah, how adorable! Dao of Affection, Dao of Affection, hahahaha...”

...

“Lu Ye, get down—you’ll freeze to death!”

“Master, I’m not afraid. I won’t freeze to death—I can save you!”

“No! No!”

A weakened hand tried to push Lu Ye away.

“Master, I won’t die. Believe me—I won’t die. Because if I die, there’ll be no one left to cure your poison. Even if it’s just to save you—I won’t die!”

Bai Qiulan’s face was streaming with tears.

“Ye’er... stop calling me Master. Call me by my name—Bai Qiulan!”

“Lu Ye, you must remember—I love you. No matter what happens, I love you.”

Lu Ye stood frozen in place.

His mind flooded with all the sweet memories from the past.

...

The scenes in Lu Ye’s memory suddenly shifted.

“Lu Ye, I am your master, not your Dao companion. From today on, you are absolutely forbidden from setting foot in my room. You and I share only the bond of master and disciple—there must be no impropriety between us!”

“Qiulan...”

“Address me as Master!”

“But you said before that you liked me.”

“That was nonsense brought on by the poison. Lu Ye, I wasn’t joking. And you can stop acting so flippant. There is a distinction between master and disciple. Now that I am no longer suffering from the Chaotic Yin Poison, you and I must correct our mistakes!”

...

“Lu Ye, you’ve become so dull lately. Do you truly find nothing enjoyable in life? Is there nothing you know how to do aside from being kind to others?”

Lu Ye looked at Shangguan Huanling in confusion.

“Forget it. I don’t want to keep talking in circles. I’ll just say it straight: my Dao of Affection has disappeared.”

Lu Ye felt like he had been struck by lightning.

The Dao of Affection... disappeared.

“If I no longer love you, then I can let you go.”

“Lu Ye, how can you be so irresponsible? I’ve already given my body to you, and now you tell me to leave? What does that make me?”

“You know my Dao of Affection has disappeared—can’t you at least act like a man? Either make my Dao return, or just accept that even if the Dao is gone, it doesn’t mean I’ve stopped loving you. I just think you’ve become so boring lately...”

...

“Gongzi, does it hurt?”

“I can’t help it—I’m just so full of fear. Because of my weakness, everyone at Chu Sword Mountain Manor died. I can’t keep up with your pace. I really have to give it everything I’ve got!”

“I can help you forge your sword...”

“A freshly forged sword has no sword intent. What I need are the blades that have witnessed countless battles. Only by fusing with those swords can I grow faster—form stronger sword intent. Isn’t that what you taught me?”

“I told you to take enemies’ swords—not our own allies’...”

“You’re such a nag. You don’t have to care about me anymore. If I die while stealing swords, then I die. After all, I’m just your sword maidservant—there’s no need for you to worry this much!”

Lu Ye took a deep breath.

A faint mist rose in his eyes, a shimmer of vapor stirred by hidden tears.

Heart tribulation.

The deeper the feeling, the deeper the wound.

Even with such a firm Dao heart, it was still breached by the heart tribulation.

His gaze calmed.

The Taiyin Marrow Worm still had not hatched.

“Run a deduction—how can I force the Taiyin Marrow Worm to emerge?”

“Ding. Deduction complete!”

“Huh? That fast?”

Lu Ye was a little surprised.

“Ding. The question was way too easy. Even a child wouldn’t ask something so simple, so of course the deduction was fast.”

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.

All right, all right. The system's acting cocky now?

“Ding. Deduce the second half of the phrase ‘lonely behind a cold window, widowed in silence.’ Thanks.”

“Ding. Beginning deduction...”

The system fell silent.

And stayed silent.

And stayed silent.

And stayed...

Lu Ye couldn’t help but grin in satisfaction.

What's the matter? Can’t handle it now?

Hiss... So cold.

All right, fine—no more teasing the damn system.

“Stop deduction.”

“Ding ding ding! Damn host—this system’s going all in!”

Shen Xitong, full of fury, suddenly lunged at Lu Ye.

With one clean grab, Lu Ye slammed her down against the table.

“Ding ding ding! Stupid host! Damn host! Bastard host! Let me go! If you’ve got the guts, fight me one-on-one!”

“Am I not fighting you one-on-one right now?”

“I don’t care! Let me go—let me go! I’m going to bite you! Just one bite! Just one!”

“Please, I’m begging you—good host, my dear host—just let me vent a little, okay? Just let me bite you once—just once, pleeeeease...”