Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 17: Solitude

Chapter 17: Solitude

“Master, this Spirit Gathering Ring is truly a remarkable item,” Xu Liguo emerged and remarked.

Wang Lin collected his thoughts, then proceeded to undo the restriction within the Spirit Gathering Ring. It was merely a common formation designed to prevent the leakage of Spiritual Power, something any low-level cultivator could dismantle.

“It can gather the Spiritual Energy from within a hundred-mile radius for one’s own use. Sun Zhenwei is quite generous,” Wang Lin mused. He then formed hand seals and activated the Spirit Gathering Ring. Instantly, the Spiritual Power around him condensed into strands of blue light, which surged continuously into the ring amid intense vibrations.

“Unless he could gain greater benefits from her than this Spirit Gathering Ring offers, Sun Zhenwei wouldn’t part with such a Magical Artifact,” Wang Lin muttered to himself.

“Master, couldn’t it be that the lad was smitten at first sight of the young lady, deeply in love, hence such extravagance just to win a smile from the beauty?”

Wang Lin frowned, casting a glance at Xu Liguo, who immediately fell silent.

“Annoying,” Wang Lin closed his eyes impatiently.

“Master, I may talk too much, but over these past few months, your grandmaster has been quite good to you. She’s been teaching you Pill Crafting, formations, and even generously bestowed such a powerful Magical Artifact.”

“And you’re still hiding your true identity. However you look at it, it doesn’t seem right,” Xu Liguo couldn’t resist speaking out, well aware that Wang Lin disliked hearing it, but feeling compelled to vent.

“Keep chattering, and I’ll have my True Body feed you some Extreme Awareness,” Wang Lin ignored him further and continued operating the Spirit Gathering Ring.

Chastised, Xu Liguo grumbled discontentedly, “Have my True Body feed you Extreme Awareness, what’s so great about that.”

By the time Wang Lin emerged from seclusion, several months had passed, and during this period, Li Muwan had not summoned him again.

“Having absorbed the Spiritual Energy gathered by the Spirit Gathering Ring, my Cultivation level has improved. But due to my Clone, I cannot fully absorb its essence. If I had complementary Elixirs, Core Formation would be within reach,” Wang Lin sighed.

With the Spirit Gathering Ring used, it was time to return it to Li Muwan.

As he left the courtyard, he noticed the Spirit herbs appeared to have been tended to by someone.

While deep in thought, the sound of a zither once again drifted from the pavilion.

The light gauze curtains in the pavilion swayed gently. After pondering for a long while, he decided to return the Spirit Gathering Ring.

Before long, Wang Lin arrived beneath the pavilion on his Flying Sword. “Disciple Wang Lin has come to return the Spirit Gathering Ring.”

The zither music ceased abruptly. Her waterfall-like waist-length hair cascaded down her back, and the hair ornaments swayed gently with the breeze from under the pavilion’s eaves, shimmering as they moved. “Come up,” she said softly.

Wang Lin gazed at the figure behind the ancient zither, reminiscent of a graceful thirteen-year-old, like early spring blossoms on a cardamom branch.

She was like the morning mist in the Southern Garden, seen through the carved lattice window, resembling an ink wash painting that one couldn’t bear to look away from.

“The Spirit Gathering Ring gathers the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth, enhancing one’s Cultivation level, though not significantly,” Li Muwan spoke slowly, instantly sensing the changes within Wang Lin’s body.

“This disciple is dull-witted and unworthy of the grandmaster’s Magical Artifact,” Wang Lin bowed slightly, lowering his gaze.

The zither’s melody flowed gracefully, like a babbling spring, carrying profound thoughts, before gradually fading and finally stopping.

Li Muwan rose and approached Wang Lin, extending a wisp of Divine Sense from her brow. “The Spiritual Energy has gathered within you but cannot be absorbed. This is a Crimson Radiance Pill; it can help you absorb eighty percent of it. The remaining twenty percent can be converted into Spiritual Power for your use.”

Without a word, Wang Lin swallowed the Crimson Radiance Pill, his face turning pale. Li Muwan advised, “Regulate your breathing with your cultivation technique, and do not rush.”

He sat cross-legged, struggling to calm the rampaging Spiritual Power within his body. Beads of sweat continuously seeped from his forehead, tracing his brow before dripping down and vanishing into his blue-and-white disciple robes.

“Let me assist you.” Li Muwan settled behind Wang Lin, retrieving several small flags from her Storage Bag to form a Spirit Gathering Array. The effects of the Crimson Radiance Pill were too potentWang Lin couldn’t adapt immediately, and a surge of blood clogged his chest, threatening to spill out. Just as he considered taking out the Spirit Elixir to recover, he restrained the thought.

Li Muwan knew she had consumed Spirit Elixir before. Bringing it out now would inevitably invite unnecessary trouble.

“The Crimson Radiance Pill will circulate through all your meridians. Don’t suppress itallow this Spiritual Power to clear your channels so you can fully absorb it,” Li Muwan reminded him.

Wang Lin clutched his chest, a trace of blood already seeping from the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away and resumed his cultivation. As he was about to close his eyes, a jade vial landed before him.

He glanced sideways at Li Muwan, silently questioning what it was.

“This is Spirit Elixir,” Li Muwan stated calmly.

Wang Lin was slightly taken aback. She explained further, “I made it using the Dewdrops you collect daily, infused with Elixirs to enhance Spiritual Power.”

Its effects were similar to the Heaven Defying Pearl’s Spirit Elixir, but this version was created by steeping Spirit herbs in Elixirsa formula she developed by imitating the Spirit Elixir Wang Lin had given her when they parted. While its potency couldn’t match that of the Heaven Defying Pearl’s Spirit Elixir, it would suffice.

***

Li Muwan rose early and, on a whim, went to water the Herb Field in the rear courtyard. She used to tend the Immortal Herbs in her spare time, but since Wang Lin had moved into the Southern Garden, she hadn’t set foot there.

Numerous Spirit Beasts and sparrows perched on the peach branches in the yard. These little creatures weren’t afraid of people, and the commotion in the courtyard disturbed Wang Lin, who was meditating.

He concluded his hand seals, stood up, and pushed open the door. The tall, jade-like youth stood under the eaves, watching as Li Muwandressed in casual goose-yellow robes accented by a moon-white waist sashappeared both elegantly aloof and simply refined.

Her raven hair cascaded like a waterfall, loosely tied into a bun that draped softly near her temples. With her sleeves half-rolled up, her relaxed brows resembled distant mountains tinged with azure, her skin fairer than snow, and her features naturally exquisite. The morning sun cast its light on her profile, softening her contours.

The splashing water droplets glittered with light, and the lingering morning mist enveloped her entirely, as if she were a flower fairy descended into a celestial realm.

Wang Lin felt somewhat dazed. Li Muwan straightened up, wooden dipper in hand, and seemed to sense his gaze from behind. She turned in the mist, her smile as radiant as the morning sun.

“You’re awake?”

“Ancestor Master,” Wang Lin lowered his gaze, averting his eyes, “tending to Spirit herbs is originally this disciple’s duty, you…”

Dewdrops clung to the Spirit herbs, the sweet moisture already absorbed into the soil without a trace. Li Muwan replied lightly, “I used to tend them before, but I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had time.”

Wang Lin descended the steps and entered the morning mist, which half-concealed his figure. Li Muwan was completely shielded by his presence.

“Let me,” Wang Lin reached for the wooden dipper. It was his first time seeing her dressed like thisreminiscent of the farming women he’d seen in his youth in Wang Village, yet she carried no rustic air, instead exuding an aura of simple elegance.

His gaze was overly intense, though he remained unaware. Li Muwan withdrew her hand, “No need. Just carry the water for me.”

A wooden bucket sat near her hem, its surface reflecting both their figures. Li Muwan bent to scoop a dipperful, carefully watering the plants.

She then moved forward. Wang Lin paused briefly before lifting the bucket and following behind her.

Li Muwan scooped another ladle of water and poured it onto a spirit herb, speaking calmly, “Do you know the name of this immortal herb?”

The garden contained numerous varieties of immortal herbs. Although the jade slip left by Zhou Lin had records, they were incomplete. Wang Lin recognized most of them, but the one Li Muwan pointed to was unfamiliar to him.

“Please enlighten me, Grandmaster.”

Li Muwan thought to herself, he’s quite humble.

“This is Starfall Grass,” Li Muwan crouched down, using her slender fingers to remove the weeds around the herb. “When it blooms, it resembles stars dotting the sky; when the flowers fall, they look like starlight descending. Hence the name Starfall. This grass has little medicinal value. I planted it in the garden not for its medicinal properties.”

The Starfall Grass had a peculiar appearance that at first glance might be mistaken for a rare medicine, but in reality, it was all show without substance. Wang Lin didn’t pay it much mind, noticing only that the hem of her dress had fallen onto the damp soil, gathering some stains.

Li Muwan didn’t seem to care. She stood up and said to him, “Although it has little medicinal use, it’s quite delicate. It needs exactly half a ladle of water dailyno more, no less. It also prefers sunlight and warmth. Just pay attention to the amount when you water it each day.”

“This disciple will remember.”

After taking two steps, Li Muwan stopped again and turned to ask, “Do you recognize this herb then?”

The jade slip had records of it. Just as Wang Lin was about to speak, Li Muwan assumed he didn’t know and sighed, shaking her head, “This is Celestial Alignment Grass.”

Wang Lin swallowed his words and remained silent, quietly listening to her detailed explanation.

“It was transplanted years ago from the outskirts of the Land of Immortal Remains. Only the Southern Garden of Cloud Heaven Sect has it, and not in large quantities. What you see here is all of it. When harvested at maturity and consumed, it can enhance a cultivator’s strength and physique.” Li Muwan continued, “Some alchemists also use it as a catalyst to refine Bewitching Elixirs, which can absorb a cultivator’s cultivation level or nurture Cauldron Vessels.”

The varieties that followed were even rarer. Without asking if Wang Lin recognized them, Li Muwan introduced them herself. “This is Nightglow Banana, which blooms only at midnight. Picking its flowers right as they open at midnight can enhance a cultivator’s night vision.”

“Wind Spirit Grass benefits cultivators practicing wind-based magical arts, though Cloud Heaven Sect doesn’t currently have such practitioners. I mostly use it as supplementary medicine.”

“Heavenly Sound Flower can help cultivators of sound-based magical arts increase their magical power. It has a long growth cycle and tenacious vitalityit won’t wither even if left unwatered for half a month. Once mature, its roots and stems can be used as materials for zither strings.”

“And this is Fire Phoenix Vine, Dragon Bone Grass, Dream Butterfly Flower…” Li Muwan pointed them out one by one, carefully explaining their effects and maintenance habits. Her rolled-up wide sleeves revealed half of her snow-white wrists.

Noticing that pale skin brushing against the wooden bucket, Wang Lin tilted the bucket slightly away from her. Except for some rare herbs, he had seen records of the others in Zhou Lin’s jade slip. Yet as Li Muwan continued speaking without pause, Wang Lin didn’t interrupt her.

It reminded him of their time in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, when she would similarly explain records from ancient texts with such carethe Nine Li Corpse Bone Formation, Death Curse Technique, Ten Thousand Demons Hundred Day Kill Order, Blood Qi Grand Formation, Ten Thousand Dragons Grand Formation, Azure Dragon Jade Tablet, Dragonhide Armor, Dragon Marrow…

Watching her expressive face that shifted between animated and serious, Wang Lin’s mind grew distant.

“Many of these herbs haven’t been cataloged yet, so it’s impossible for you to recognize them all at once. Just remember what I’ve shown you for now. If this Grandmaster has time, I’ll give you further guidance.”

The person standing beside her showed no reaction. Li Muwan called out twice, “Wang Lin, what’s wrong with you?”

The face leaning in was fair with a rosy blush, so tender it seemed one could squeeze water from it. Indeed, fine sweat lingered at her temples. Wang Lin refocused his drifting gaze on Li Muwan, staring at her in a daze.

Her exquisite features flushed faintly pink. Realizing his impropriety, Wang Lin feigned composure and said, “Grandmaster, could you speak slower? This disciple cannot keep up.”

“This Jade Slip contains my records of medicinal herbs. I’ve made a copy for youstudy it at your leisure.” Li Muwan handed it over without hesitation.

The wooden bucket held only a shallow layer of water. Li Muwan pressed the ladle down and scooped some up. Sunlight climbed the eaves, enveloping the entire Southern Garden. As she faced Wang Lin, sunlight piercing through the peach branches cast a gleam upon the bridge of his nose.

A whimsical thought crossed Li Muwan’s mind. With spirited delight, she flicked the ladle, scattering droplets everywhere. Her skirt hem dampened, and a few specks landed on Wang Lin’s featureswater beads clinging to his sculpted brow bones and lashes. Suspended midair, the droplets captured sunlight, scattering dappled shadows.

Her delicate figure twirled through the Herb Field, arms outstretched, head tilted back as she closed her eyes to savor the sensation of water droplets dotting her cheeks.

Facing the composed Wang Lin, she flashed a radiant smile, vivid as a painting under the sun, akin to those sudden droplets silently seeping into the chambers of his heart.

An ache stirred in Wang Lin’s chestan impulse to pull her into an embrace. A residual droplet from his lashes fell into his eye, and the glaring sunlight blurred his vision. He raised an arm to wipe the moisture from his cheek, once again concealing his hidden affection.

Within the Inkstone Stone, the True Body’s favorability underwent unusual fluctuations, yet the isolated space prevented the Soul Pearl from perceiving it.

His palm gripping the bucket handle tightened, as if restraining something.

Li Muwan noticed his attempt to wipe away the water, yet it remained incompletedroplets still adorned his forehead, nose bridge, and hairline.

Feeling both apologetic and amused, still lost in her playful mood, she lightly stepped across the Herb Field, bathed in light and shadow as she approached Wang Lin step by step.

The figure standing with hands behind his back appeared calm. Li Muwan tilted her head to observe hima youth of dashing vigor, yet slightly restrained. Drawing a silk handkerchief from her sleeve, she rose on tiptoe and wiped the moisture from Wang Lin’s brow bone.

The touch nearly shattered his feigned composure, almost making him crush the bucket handle. Had it not been for his formidable willpower, he might have already crumbled.

“Grand…” His throat was dry, voice hoarse.

“Don’t move,” Li Muwan murmured softly, the handkerchief gliding down his nose bridge. “It’ll be done soon.”

Wang Lin stood tall, forcing her to look up to see him clearly. He could neither meet her gaze directly nor close his eyes, so he lowered his lids, avoiding elsewhere.

As his eyes fell, Li Muwan’s fair, slender neck came into his view. Wang Lin attempted to turn away, but she gently insisted, “Don’t move.”

“Your master loved playing in water as a child, often soaking his clothes. I’d wipe him dry too.”

The silk handkerchief brushed past his lashes, wiping his hairline. A droplet on her neck traced the elegant curve, slowly, ever so slowly trickling down. Heat surged through him, his cheeks flushing crimson to the tips of his ears, his breath growing heavy and uneven.

As the droplet slid to her collarbone, beneath the crossed collar lay a soft swell. Wang Lin abruptly retreated half a step, turning aside as he coldly stated, “Thank you for your guidance today, Grandmaster. This disciple has unfinished Elixirs to refine and will not disturb you further.”

The mist in the courtyard had completely dissipated. Watching Wang Lin’s back disappear into the main room, his steps steady and seemingly normal, his brightly flushed cheeks betrayed his frantic escape.

Li Muwan basked in the sunlight, her clever smile charming and delightful. The corners of her lips lifted with playful amusement as she tucked the silk handkerchief into her sleeve, picked up a bucket, and headed toward the pond in the courtyard.

[Li Muwan: Watching this Fiend like this is actually quite amusing.]

[Soul Pearl: Just don’t take the game too far.]

[Li Muwan: The Fiend is so rigid and dull. Teasing him occasionally keeps me from getting too bored. In front of the disciples, I have to maintain the dignified solemnity expected of an elder all day long. Now that someone finally lives with me in the Southern Garden, I can have a bit of fun.]

Wang Lin sat in meditation to calm his mind, chanting the Clear Heart Mantra under his breath. From outside the room, Li Muwan’s murmuring voice drifted in intermittently, rendering the mantra utterly useless.

Xu Liguo watched the irritable and restless master with boredom. “Master, your grandmaster really doesn’t put on any airs around you. Two hundred years old, yet she’s still as playful as back in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.”

Wang Lin was already annoyed, and Xu Liguo’s incessant chatter didn’t help. “But there’s one difference: she isn’t afraid of you now, unlike in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation. She’s much harder to deal with.”

“Back then, you held her Soul Blood and could control her as you pleased. Now the roles are reversedshe’s the one controlling you. You can’t reveal your identity, and as her disciple’s disciple, you have to obey her every command.”

“Enough.”

“Master, Xiao Xu is just concerned for you,” Xu Liguo fawned, massaging his shoulders. “A mere woman has you so flustered. If she finds out your true identity someday, wouldn’t that undermine your authority?”

“How will you establish yourself as the head of the household in front of her later?”

Wang Lin shot him a sharp glance. “What head of the household?”

“Once you become cultivation partners, you’ll have a family, won’t you? After Dual Cultivation, you can have a chubby little son, and you’ll be the head of the household.”

Wang Lin drifted into thought along Xu Liguo’s words, a flicker of longing passing through his eyes before being replaced by cold detachment. His great vengeance remained unavenged; speaking of romance was nothing but a joke.

“All these years, Master, you still haven’t let go…”

“Enough.”

Knowing he was about to anger him again, Xu Liguo quickly covered his mouth and chuckled awkwardly. “Xiao Xu was talking nonsense. Please don’t take it to heart, Master.”

It took Wang Lin a long time to settle the turmoil in his heart. Recalling what she had said in the courtyard, he could only assume that she treated him the same way she had treated Zhou Lin in his youthsimply looking after him as a junior.

The Jade Slip still carried a faint fragrance. When Wang Lin opened it to review its contents, he found records of herbs not present in the Herb Field, including Demon Blood Vine, Profound Yellow Grass, Barren Wood Root, and more.

But when his eyes fell upon one particular ingredient, he paused to examine it closely.

“Blood Lotus Heart?”