Xiaobai still did not know that the black spiritual power within his body was dissipating, otherwise he definitely would have stepped in.
When the endless true flames dissipated, Xiaobai let out a groan: "That feels so good!"
"Many thanks, Master!" Xiaobai offered his thanks.
Though he is a trash at Qi Condensation, he's actually quite good to me.
Well... once I, the Emperor, recover in the future, I won't kill you.
Yekong gave a slight nod and said, "Alright, cultivate the Xuanhuang Formula first, and Master will go buy you a few sets of clothes."
After handing the Xuanhuang Formula to Xiaobai, Yekong finally left.
Ah, I also need to find a Foundation Establishment item for my disciple.
Sigh, what a pitiful child. Having impure things inside his body somehow supported him all the way to Foundation Establishment.
If not for Master helping you clear them out, you would have strayed onto the wrong path in the future.
Yekong shook his head and walked down the mountain with his hands behind his back.
Seeing that Master had left, Xiaobai casually tossed the Xuanhuang Formula to the side.
I'm not going to cultivate your lousy cultivation method. The method I cultivate is ten or a hundred times more powerful than this.
After a few moments of inner contempt, Xiaobai closed his eyes and summoned the black demonic energy within his body.
The moment he tried to summon it, he suddenly felt that his body was completely empty.
"Where is my demonic art?" Xiaobai hurriedly closed his eyes to inspect his dantian.
Xiaobai saw that all the black spiritual power inside him was gone, and his Foundation Establishment cultivation was gone as well.
His years of demonic cultivation were entirely gone.
Xiaobai was stunned.
Where is my demonic art...
Without his demonic cultivation, he would have to start all over again from the beginning.
Suddenly, Xiaobai thought of how Master had made him warm himself by the fire earlier.
At the mere thought of that warm sensation, Xiaobai clenched his fists so hard his face turned beet red!
"Scoundrel Master, you ruined my cultivation!
I am irreconcilable with you!"
"Ah!!!"
Xiaobai let out a furious roar, on the verge of a complete breakdown.
Lin Yaoyao, who had one foot stepping into the pond, couldn't help frowning when she heard Xiaobai's roar.
What is Junior Brother Xiaobai shouting about? And why so miserably?
Could it be that Master tortured him?
Lin Yaoyao set aside what she was doing and ran to the shores of the Bitter Sea.
She found Junior Brother Xiaobai with clenched fists, roaring toward the sky, his little face flushed red.
Xiaolan hopped down from Lin Yaoyao's shoulder, landed on Xiaobai, and helped him steady his emotions.
"Junior Brother Xiaobai, what's wrong?" Lin Yaoyao asked.
"I stepped on a stone, Senior Sister," Xiaobai grievance-ladenly said.
My cultivation has been crippled, and Senior Sister must never find out.
"..." Lin Yaoyao looked at Xiaobai's bare feet and said, "I'll have Senior Sister find you a pair of shoes later."
"Many thanks, Senior Sister!" Xiaobai cried tears of gratitude.
"Don't mention it!" Lin Yaoyao said casually, turning around to leave.
Xiaobai plopped down onto the ground and cursed furiously: "Scoundrel..."
"What did you say, Xiaobai?" Lin Yaoyao turned her head and asked.
"It hurts so much."
"It's fine, bear with it for a moment and it'll pass," Lin Yaoyao said softly.
He already has Foundation Establishment cultivation, and it still hurts?
Really?
After offering a few words of comfort, Lin Yaoyao left.
As soon as Senior Sister walked away, Xiaobai clenched his small fists.
Scoundrel Master, how dare you ruin my demonic cultivation? Once I, the Emperor, achieve success in my training, I will definitely make you pay!
Sob, sob, sob...
Xiaobai felt deeply wronged. Warming himself by the fire had roasted away his demonic cultivation.
I'll beat you to death, I'll beat you to death!
I, the Emperor, will definitely beat you to death!
Now that his demonic cultivation was gone, he had no choice but to start over.
The Foundation Establishment strength he had managed to preserve with such difficulty was gone, and now he had to cultivate all over again.
After sitting on the ground crying for a while, Xiaobai looked at the Xuanhuang Formula he had tossed aside.
With no other choice...
He had to pick up the Xuanhuang Formula and cultivate it.
With the talent of the Emperor, it won't be long before I achieve success.
Just you wait, scoundrel Master, the Emperor always repays every grievance!
Sob, sob, sob...
The Emperor has it so miserable!
Chapter 27: My Eldest Senior Sister Possesses the Bearing of a Great Emperor
On Xiaoyao Peak.
Xiaobai sat by the Bitter Sea, feeling deeply resentful, and practiced the Xuanhuang Formula.
Yet he kept failing to grasp the essentials.
Could there be something wrong with this Xuanhuang Formula?
With my divine and peerless talent, how could it be so hard to comprehend?
There must be something wrong with the Xuanhuang Formula, otherwise, with my aptitude, I would have comprehended it in an instant.
That doesn't make sense either. If there were something wrong with the Xuanhuang Formula, how did Senior Sister comprehend it?
Never mind, I'd better go ask Senior Sister.
Clutching the Xuanhuang Formula, Xiaobai stood up and jogged all the way to Tao Mountain.
On Xiaoyao Peak, he didn't dare practice the Blissful Demonic Scripture.
Practicing the Blissful Demonic Scripture created a massive commotion that would easily be detected by enemies.
Before, when he still had his Foundation Establishment cultivation, he could conceal it a bit.
But now, he couldn't.
Without any cultivation, the moment he practiced the Blissful Demonic Scripture, the unleashed demonic energy would expose him.
On Tao Mountain.
Lin Yaoyao, who had just finished bathing, heard Xiaobai's voice.
"Senior Sister, Senior Sister."
Lin Yaoyao turned her head and saw Xiaobai jogging over with the Xuanhuang Formula in his arms, looking as if he was about to fly over...
Smack!
He tripped...
A flat-ground face-plant.
Lin Yaoyao pressed a hand to her forehead, unable to bear watching.
Tripping while running perfectly fine—that was classic Xiaobai.
Xiaobai had forgotten that his cultivation was gone. When he tried to leap forward while running, he failed to fly and took a tumble.
It's all Master's fault for ruining my cultivation, otherwise I wouldn't have fallen.
Xiaobai thought viciously. If his cultivation hadn't vanished, how could he possibly have tripped?
Scoundrel Master, just you wait!
Lin Yaoyao walked over and pulled Xiaobai up.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Senior Sister," Xiaobai said with a smile, dusting the dirt off his clothes.
To him, a fall like this was painless and ticklish.
Although he had been rejuvenated to youth, he was once a Demon Emperor, and his body was incomparably tough.
Even without cultivation, his physical body remained.
"What did you come to find me for?" Lin Yaoyao asked.
Xiaobai held out the Xuanhuang Formula in both hands and said to Senior Sister, "Senior Sister, I don't understand this cultivation method."
Hearing this, Lin Yaoyao frowned: "You don't understand it?"
This cultivation method is very simple. Anyone can cultivate it...
Uh... except Master, who is just a salted fish.
But you've already reached Foundation Establishment, how can you not have practiced any cultivation method yet?
That shouldn't be!
Seeing the serious look on Xiaobai's face and realizing he truly didn't understand it, Lin Yaoyao said:
"This Xuanhuang Formula is very simple."
Simple?
I, the Emperor, spent several hours and still haven't comprehended it, and you call this simple?
Compared to the demonic arts I used to practice, it's even a bit stronger.
"Then Senior Sister, how many days did it take you to comprehend it?" Xiaobai asked curiously.
I, the Emperor, spent several hours and failed to comprehend it. Eldest Senior Sister, it must have taken you at least three days, right?
"How many days to comprehend?" Hearing this, Lin Yaoyao froze. Who are you underestimating?
"It took your Senior Sister one night to comprehend seven levels," Lin Yaoyao said calmly, adding, "Cultivating this Xuanhuang Formula—isn't it as easy as turning your hand over?"
Hearing these words, Xiaobai put his small hands behind his back and wiped away his sweat.
"Seven levels in one night? Senior Sister, you're not lying to me, are you?" Xiaobai looked up and questioned.
"Heh," Lin Yaoyao chuckled and demonstrated the Xuanhuang Formula.
Seeing the Xuanhuang Formula displayed by Senior Sister, Xiaobai believed it.
Seven levels in one night—Senior Sister's talent is truly extraordinary.
I, once hailed as the number one figure of the Demon Cult, actually have less talent than Senior Sister.
Looking closely at Lin Yaoyao, Xiaobai noticed that as she circulated the Xuanhuang Formula, shadows of a dragon and a phoenix flashed past.
Though Lin Yaoyao hid it very well, Xiaobai still managed to spot it.
Hiss!
Dragon and phoenix auspiciousness, seven levels in a single night.
Could it be...
My Senior Sister possesses the bearing of a Great Emperor!
At this thought, Xiaobai's eyes widened.
Looking closely at Lin Yaoyao again, he noticed a unique aura about Eldest Senior Sister.
Imperial Might!
An aura that could only be cultivated by dwelling in a position of high authority for years.
Eldest Senior Sister truly possesses the bearing of a Great Emperor. At such a young age, she has already developed Imperial Might. If I follow her lead in the future, who knows...
No, that's not right. I am the number one figure of the Demonic Path, how could I willingly stay beneath someone else?
I am merely biding my time right now, slowly recovering my strength.
Once my strength recovers, I'll still have to settle accounts with Master.
And what's more, I'll even make Senior Sister my maidservant.
Xiaobai shook his head and snapped back to reality.
Seeing Xiaobai daydreaming, Lin Yaoyao tapped him on the head with a book.
"When Senior Sister is teaching, daydreams are not allowed!" Lin Yaoyao said crossly.
"Yes, yes, yes, I know, Senior Sister," Xiaobai nodded.
Senior Sister has the bearing of a Great Emperor. If I cultivate following her, my cultivation speed will also advance by leaps and bounds.
By then, the Emperor can grow even faster.
Thinking of this, Xiaobai obediently listened as Eldest Senior Sister explained the cultivation method to him.
Lin Yaoyao cleared her throat, her red lips parting as she softly said: "Junior Brother, the Xuanhuang Formula focuses on the transformation of Xuanhuang, drawing the spiritual power of heaven and earth into the body to open the dantian and store spiritual power."
"Among all this, the most difficult part is how to circulate the transformation of the celestial cycle..."
Lin Yaoyao explained very earnestly.
After the span of an incense stick, she had clarified the cultivation method.
Xiaobai listened very attentively, and by the time Lin Yaoyao finished speaking, he had roughly understood it.
The Xuanhuang Formula was different from the demonic arts he used to practice. He had tried practicing the Xuanhuang Formula using the methods of demonic cultivation, which was why he couldn't comprehend it for so long.
But once he changed his train of thought, he could understand it in a short amount of time.
Lin Yaoyao's explanation was equivalent to opening up his train of thought and showing him the direction of cultivation.
Xiaobai was a Demon Emperor, and his talent was certainly not lacking; he understood it the moment he heard it explained.
Seeing that Xiaobai had already entered a state of comprehension, Lin Yaoyao felt a myriad of emotions welling up in her heart.
Sigh, Junior Brother Xiaobai's talent is even better than Master's.
Master, oh Master, if you had half of Xiaobai's diligence, you probably would have reached Foundation Establishment by now.
Lin Yaoyao sighed softly in her heart.
Fine, if Master doesn't want to work hard, then he won't. Once I grow stronger in the future, I'll lead you onto the path of immortality.
Finished with her thoughts, Lin Yaoyao walked back to her room to cultivate.
She no longer dared to cultivate outside.
Either she stayed in the pond or inside the thatched cottage; she would never do it outdoors.
Otherwise, it was too easy for people to let their imaginations run wild.
When practicing her cultivation method, she carried the Purple Phoenix Spirit with her everywhere, and that thing was just too easy for people to misunderstand.
...
At the foot of Stellar River Sect.
Yekong went to the small town and bought a dozen sets of children's clothing.
Just as he was about to pay, things got awkward.
He had no money.
"Immortal, the clothes you've picked out are all made of the finest ice-silkworms. I won't fleece you—fifty taels of white silver."
The shopkeeper walked up to Yekong and said.
Looking at his empty pockets, Yekong smiled awkwardly and said, "Uhm, Boss, I didn't bring any money. Could you wait a moment? I'll go up to the Stellar River Sect to get money from my senior brother and bring it back down to pay you?"
"Immortal, since you didn't bring money, why don't you leave the clothes here? You can come back and pay for them when you have the money, it's all the same," the shopkeeper said.
Yekong thought about it, and that made sense.
Just as he was about to put the clothes down, Chen Changqing walked in.
"Uncle-Master Yekong, long time no see," Chen Changqing said with a sarcastic tone.
"Nephew Changqing, did you bring money?" Yekong turned his head and asked.
Hearing the word 'nephew', Chen Changqing's old face darkened, but he still replied:
"I brought some."
Even if I brought money, I wouldn't lend it to you. What can you do to me?
"Great, then I'll have to trouble Nephew Changqing to pay for me. You can just go ask the Sect Master for reimbursement later," Yekong told him.
"Heh, Uncle-Master Yekong, why on earth should I pay for the clothes you're buying?" Chen Changqing said coldly.
"You can spot me the money first, and I'll have the Sect Master reimburse you later," Yekong explained.
"And what if I refuse?"
"I'll pay."
A veiled woman walked in, took out fifty taels of white silver, and handed it to the shopkeeper.
"Uncle-Master," the woman greeted.
"And you are?" Yekong asked, puzzled.
"Su Qingwan of Wanhua Peak pays her respects to Uncle-Master!" Su Qingwan bowed.
"Oh, Niece-disciple, many thanks," Yekong offered his thanks and left with the clothes.
Su Qingwan looked at Yekong's departing figure, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes.
She had finally spoken to Uncle-Master Yekong, even if it was only a single sentence.
Chapter 28: Scoundrel Master, You Ruined My Demonic Body
Early the next morning.
Yekong walked out of the Xiaoyao Pavilion carrying two bowls of brown sugar water.
His eldest disciple hadn't left after seven days; he had to brew brown sugar water for her, otherwise she was prone to throwing tantrums.
One bowl was for Xiaobai. Since Xiaobai had a small body, he needed extra nourishment.
And by the way, he would give the clothes he bought yesterday to Xiaobai.
When he returned yesterday, it was already late at night. Figuring Xiaobai was probably already asleep, he hadn't gone to look for him.
Arriving at Tao Mountain,
Yekong had originally intended to look for Xiaobai, but unexpectedly caught sight of Lin Yaoyao with her bare jade feet exposed, stirring up ripples in the water.
Seen from the side, Lin Yaoyao's delicate face wore a faint, gentle smile, and her skin was white as snow, as if it could be broken by a breath.
Surrounded by peach blossoms, she possessed an unspeakable allure.
His disciple was getting prettier and prettier, and he wondered which family's pig would manage to root up this big white cabbage in the future.
"Disciple!" Yekong called out.
Lin Yaoyao rose from the bank, saw her Master holding two bowls of brown sugar water, and bowed as she called out: "Master!"
Yekong handed a bowl of brown sugar water to Lin Yaoyao.
"Disciple, here you go."
Looking at the brown sugar water before her, Lin Yaoyao frowned slightly, but still took it.
"Many thanks, Master!" Lin Yaoyao offered her thanks.
"You're welcome," Yekong smiled and said.
Yekong then carried the other bowl of brown sugar water to the door of Xiaobai's room and called out:
"Xiaobai!"
Hearing the voice, Xiaobai pushed open his room door and walked out. Seeing the Master before him, he silently called out: "Master!"
Yekong handed the brown sugar water out to him.
"Here, Xiaobai, nourish your body."
Xiaobai looked at the brown sugar water handed over by his Master and didn't reach out to take it.
For no good reason, why is Master brewing sugar water for me?
Does he really take me for a little kid?
I am the dignified Demon Emperor, do I need your brown sugar water?
What I drink is blood, what I eat is flesh!
Scoundrel Master, I will not accept your kindness!
"Master, my body is in great shape, I don't need to drink sugar water," Xiaobai said on the surface.
"I know, this sugar water is good for your health, drink it," Yekong explained.
Hearing this, Xiaobai's eyebrows tightened. Good for the body?
Really?
Last time you told me to warm myself by the fire, and it ended up burning away my cultivation.
Now you're offering brown sugar water again. How do I know if there's poison in it?
Just as Xiaobai was hesitating on how to refuse, he caught sight of the empty bowl.
Senior Sister drank hers too?
Then it should be fine. Master wouldn't trick Senior Sister as well, right?
"Many thanks, Master!"
Xiaobai offered his thanks, took the bowl, and drank it down in one gulp.
"Glug, glug, glug..."
After finishing it, he handed the bowl back to Master.
"Cultivate well. Let Master know when you're about to reach Foundation Establishment, and Master will find a Foundation Establishment item for you," Yekong said, then turned and left.
Hmph!
If you hadn't roasted away my cultivation with that fire, would I even need to rebuild my Foundation Establishment?
Still, with the Emperor's cultivation, reaching Foundation Establishment is a breeze anyway.
Very well, seeing that you brewed sugar water for me, if the Foundation Establishment item you find is decent enough, then the Emperor will spare you.
Otherwise, the Emperor won't let you off!
With that, Xiaobai turned around, returned to his bed, and sat cross-legged.
Forming hand seals with both hands, he continued to practice the Xuanhuang Formula.
The moment he circulated the Xuanhuang Formula, Xiaobai instantly felt a warm sensation throughout his body, as if he were bathing in the sunlight—extremely cozy.
I didn't expect the brown sugar water Master gave me to actually have medicinal effects. Not bad at all.
While warming Xiaobai, the medicinal properties of the brown sugar water also flowed through his meridians and flesh, reshaping his root bones and physical body for him.
Xiaobai was previously a Demon Emperor who practiced demonic arts.
His body was also a demonic body.
If he didn't reshape his body, as time went on and his cultivation deepened, his physical body would eventually fail to withstand the might of the Xuanhuang Formula and self-destruct.
The brown sugar water was essentially transforming Xiaobai's constitution, dissolving his demonic body and turning him back into a normal human body.
Xiaobai hadn't realized yet that his physical body was being reshaped, his demonic body vanishing and returning to normal.
Of course, Yekong hadn't expected it either.
By the side of the pond, Lin Yaoyao.
After drinking the sugar water, she entered the pond.
She felt her body grow warm, with a strange and unique power flowing through it.
Phantom images of a phoenix and nine dragons surfaced across the surface of her skin.
"I didn't expect the brown sugar water Master gave me to have such potent medicinal effects."
"Where on earth did he get it from?" Lin Yaoyao couldn't figure it out.
Such powerful medicinal effects could only be found in high-grade spiritual plants.
It must have been given to him by some senior expert acquainted with Master; with Master's own abilities, he could never acquire such top-tier heavenly treasures.
Lin Yaoyao had sensed previously that there were a few old monsters dormant within the sect.
However...
Master, you gave all the heavenly treasures to me and Xiaobai without keeping any for yourself.
Sigh.
Once I, the Emperor, recover my strength in the future, I won't treat you poorly.
With that thought in mind, Lin Yaoyao closed her beautiful eyes and began cultivating by circulating the Xuanhuang Formula and the Nine-Dragon Overlord Body.
Yekong went back to wash the bowls before sitting by the Bitter Sea to fish.
His eldest disciple had those seven days every month—she was so hard to handle!
Fortunately, with Xiaobai around, whenever Eldest Senior Sister threw a temper tantrum in the future, he could just let Xiaobai take the brunt of it.
Xiaobai was fair and tender; surely Eldest Senior Sister wouldn't resort to hitting him, right?
Pondering this, Yekong held his fishing rod and fished away.
Inside Xiaobai's thatched cottage.
Having just completed a full cycle of circulation, Xiaobai opened his eyes.
He clenched his fists.
"The brown sugar water Master gave me isn't bad at all; it actually let me advance another level in cultivation," Xiaobai said with a smile.
Stepping down from the bed, he swung his small fists and stretched his limbs. After throwing a punch, Xiaobai's smile abruptly froze.
He felt... as though his physical strength was gone...
In the past, whenever he clenched his fists, they felt extremely tight and powerful, with every punch producing a rush of wind.
Now, it was different.
Xiaobai hopped down from the bed, clenched his fist, and without using any spiritual power, struck the ground purely with his physical strength.
Thud...
A brief moment later,
"Hiss, it hurts, hurts, hurts..."
Xiaobai hurriedly pulled back his hand and blew on it.
"Hoo, hoo, hoo..."
The knuckles of his right hand were red and throbbing with pain.