Finally, Yang Wei and Sun Yurong arrived at Blue Steam Mountain.
Just as Yang Wei was about to cross over, Sun Yurong held out her hand. "You should consider turning back into your female form before we head in."
It was a sensible approach, given the rocky relationship between the female disciples of the White Serpent Sect and men in general. Few were open to engaging with men, as many had their trust in them shattered.
"I understand," Yang Wei replied. He took out a magic device from his storage pouch and placed it on his waistline. Immediately, a blue mist enveloped him, transforming him into his dashing, petite female appearance - Wu Mingyu.
"Alright, let's go," Yang Wei said—his voice was now a completely feminine one, though still with some deepness, similar to Sun Yurong and Huo Zirou when they spoke seriously.
Tianyi's eyes sparkled as he saw his master's new appearance, and he jumped out of Sun Yurong's arms and onto Yang Wei's shoulder, licking his cheeks with excitement.
Yang Wei chuckled as Tianyi's tongue tickled him. Gently, he lifted the little dragon off his shoulder. "Alright, alright, that's enough, haha," he said, bringing Tianyi close to his face. "You're gonna stay in my pouch this time, and don't come out unless I say so." With his tongue hanging out as he panted, Tianyi nodded eagerly and jumped back into the storage pouch as Yang Wei opened it.
With that settled, Yang Wei adjusted his qipao—a form-fitting red garment with black trims and golden thread embroidering the sect's insignia. "Now, we can head in," he announced.
Sun Yurong kept her hands behind her back, mirroring Yang Wei's posture as they entered what was considered White Serpent Sect territory. Several female disciples glanced their way, though most were focused on Sun Yurong. Yang Wei didn't pay them much attention as he turned to Sun Yurong. "Oh yeah, there's something I need your help with," he began.
"Hm? What's that?" Sun Yurong asked, genuinely interested.
"Well, I was wondering if there's a way I could get the standard cultivation manuals and resources of the White Serpent Sect's four peaks. I'm studying a particular inheritance, and I need those manuals to refine a new type of blood pill for my blood Qi cultivation."
Rubbing her chin, Sun Yurong glanced to the side. "Hmm, that's right, you're also a blood cultivator," she acknowledged. Pausing for a moment to think, she considered the possibility of acquiring the manuals from the different chief elders, especially dealing with someone as grumpy and uncooperative as Gu Zhi.
"Instead of going directly to the chief elders, I think it's better if I ask the disciples there. They'll probably be reasonable enough to hand them over to me," Sun Yurong decided.
Yang Wei raised an eyebrow. "And you're sure they won't still report it back to their respective chief elders? Because I'm pretty sure the chief elders wouldn't be too happy to hear that you did something like that behind their backs."
A small, unconcerned smile graced Sun Yurong's face, as if she didn't care about the consequences or hadn't even considered them. "They won't know," she assured him.
As Sun Yurong spoke, Yang Wei realized she was indeed the best choice to ask. Most likely, every disciple here either admired her or had a crush on her. So, if she told them to keep a secret, they would do so without hesitation.
...
Some Minutes Later...
Yang Wei and Sun Yurong strolled into a pagoda where a few female disciples peacefully meditated. It wasn't surprising for him to see them cultivating outside, much like in the White Serpent Sect, those who didn't have personal abodes wouldn't enjoy the the privileges of private cultivation.
"This is the room," Sun Yurong said as she gently pushed it, causing it to part open.
Inside, they found a sizable room, with Hu Meizhen and Deng Rulan present.
"Ch-chief Elder?!" Hu Meizhen exclaimed, rising from the bed beside a resting Sun Yuying. She quickly bowed her head to greet Sun Yurong, with Deng Rulan following suit calmly.
"Greetings, chief elder."
"AAARRrGGGhhhHHHH!!"
She kept screaming, as if she had completely lost herself. Her purple eyes contracted further, and a radiant energy burst from her body, shattering the roof of the pagoda and tearing a gaping hole in the sky.
"STOP!"
Sun Yuying shouted, but the noises in her head only grew louder.
"I SAID STOP!!"
Immediately, a massive explosion rocked the area, destroying the entire pagoda and sending nastily wounded female disciples flying. However, Hu Meizhen, Deng Rulan, and a paralyzed Sun Yurong remained safe, shielded by a huge golden turtle's body that wrapped around them.
With a wave of his hand, Yang Wei dispersed the Golden Turtle Body and looked up at the unfolding transformation of Sun Yuying; she was covered in a seven-colored light that looked absolutely divine.
"Strange..." said the white-haired mage. While he used a body refinement technique that was exclusive to Yang Wei, he still stayed in his feminine form.
"H-how did you... do that?!" asked an amazed Hu Meizhen.
Yang Wei simply replied, "Shut up for a moment, I'm trying to think." He shifted his gaze to the destroyed ground, rubbing his chin in thought.
That sword array... while the power isn't exactly equal to a cultivator with a Divinity's cultivation base, there's something about its presence that feels like it belongs in the Divine Realm. It doesn't feel... normal.
Hu Meizhen looked furious at being ignored by her junior and shouted, "Mingyu! How dare you tell me to shut up?!" She gritted her teeth, growling, and waved her fist in anger. "I'll make su-" She paused when rumbling tore through the skies, destroying everything below.
Female disciples panicked, running back and forth in fear. This lightning alone could kill a cultivator at the Core Formation Realm, which meant it was easily comparable to the chief elders of the White Serpent Sect!
"We're all gonna die!"
"L-look at the skies!"
"Oh no..."
When everyone looked up, they saw a colossal sword formation almost blocking out the entire sky. It was Divine Mother Sword Array manifesting through her vessel, Sun Yuying. It was absolutely majestic, a manifestation of shimmering ethereal blades suspended in the air, radiating a divine aura that struck fear in everyone's hearts, painfully reminding them of the Heavenly Court's merciless assault.
Each blade within the array varied in size and shape, from towering spires resembling ancient monuments to sleek, razor-sharp edges gleaming like polished silver in the sunlight. These blades swirled and danced around the central focal point where Sun Yuying hovered with closed eyes, arms spread out, and her hair flowing like a river of whiteness. This was truly a form that could be called divine!
"Yu-, Yuying..." Deng Rulan managed to call.
"She's a Sword Spirit?!" Hu Meizhen shouted.
Yang Wei looked back at them, "What do you mean...?"
"I didn't even know it was possible, but as much as I know, sword spirits are ancient spirits that born from the blood of the Soul King and the Ancient Spiritmother!"
"Eh?"