Chapter 495: If You Can Still Find Me

Chapter 495: If You Can Still Find Me

It was not until Sisi played A Phoenix Seeks His Mate that Zhao Changhe realized why he had been feeling strangely numb all day, as if he were under anesthesia. It was only now that he realized that it was probably because the Pain Transfer Gu was still in effect.

It certainly made him more vigorous, and the mental pleasure was undeniably still there, but in comparison, the physical pleasure was lacking.

Was all the pleasure being transferred to Sisi instead? What the hell...

With a sigh, he got dressed and stepped outside helplessly. “That gu of yours...”

As soon as he stepped out, the maids immediately kneeled down, not daring to look up. Their earlier giggles and lighthearted attitudes were nowhere to be seen.

Zhao Changhe’s words got caught in his throat as he glanced at Sisi.

Dressed in formal attire, Sisi looked even more stunning than before, but Zhao Changhe was in no mood to admire her at the moment. He frowned and said, “I get why they kneeled down in a formal situation before, but there’s no need for them to be so tense on an everyday basis. Let’s not make it seem as if you’ve just replaced the person lording over you. If you do, then what would have been the point of everything we’ve done?”

Sisi gestured for the maids to stand, smiling. “I didn’t tell them to do it. They’re kneeling out of genuine reverence. Who told you to put on such a spectacular display?”

She paused, then leaned closer to his ear, whispering, “Do you really... not want to dominate me?”

She lingered on the word “dominate,” and her tone was seductive enough to send shivers down his spine. Zhao Changhe gulped and remained silent.

Sisi giggled softly and murmured into his ear, “Master, it’s time to eat...”

This is unbearable. Can’t she flirt with me some other time? Yue Hongling’s watching from inside. She’s just putting me in a tough spot.

Zhao Changhe sighed helplessly, “So how do I remove this gu? I can’t just have my sensations permanently transferred to you for the rest of my life, can I? How am I supposed to manage?”

Sisi pouted, slightly disappointed, and sighed. “It only lasts for a day. It’s not a permanent thing. Since I gave it to you last night, it should die off on its own by tonight.”

Zhao Changhe glanced at her, unsure whether to feel relieved or a little let down.

The gu was actually kind of interesting, and he had not fully explored it yet. For example, if he touched himself, he wondered what she would feel.

Feigning nonchalance, Zhao Changhe rubbed his chest a little.

Sisi’s eyes went wide.

Zhao Changhe could not help but chuckle.

At that moment, Yue Hongling casually stepped out, tidying her clothes and tying her ponytail. “Is there food?”

Sisi clutched her chest. “Yes... The grandest banquet awaits, welcoming our pair of sacred envoys.”

“And your hand is on your chest... for what exactly?” Yue Hongling asked.

Yue Hongling did not dwell on the topic either, instead saying, “So, would you like to hear about my experience with the second layer of the Profound Mysteries?”

“Yes.”

The blind woman, listening from afar, was moved to tears. Finally, you two are getting to business.

Yue Hongling said, “Honestly, I was at least three steps away from the second layer of the Profound Mysteries. But after meeting you, I covered those gaps in such a short time.”

“What were those three steps?”

“The first was my physical foundation; my body was far from tempered enough, and my blood and qi were lacking. But with the baptism of the Heavenly Blood Jade, that was resolved,” Yue Hongling explained. “As for you, it’s the opposite. Your physical training is already solid, but your internal energy still needs work.”

“Mm-hm.” Zhao Changhe nodded. “I understand that myself. What’s else?”

“I’m getting there,” Yue Hongling said. “After reaching the second layer of the Profound Mysteries, I noticed that internal and external power start to merge, with the power of my body and my internal energy flowing together, indistinguishable from one another. Perhaps when this stage is complete, I can start to approach the third layer of the Profound Mysteries.”

Zhao Changhe paused, realizing the insight was invaluable as it provided a roadmap for his path ahead.

So I can’t just cultivate internal and external energy separately but must merge them into one seamless flow? If that’s the case, then I might have an advantage. The Six Harmonies Art is fundamentally designed for something like that.

“That covers the physical foundation. The second step is a broader understanding of martial arts. This time, watching you act has had a profound effect on me. We talked about it before: the idea of the individual’s sword versus the sword of the world, right? Now my sword intent has expanded. Once my perspective widened, I found myself at the threshold of the second layer of the Profound Mysteries, almost there but not quite. For you, it’s a similar journey—from relying solely on brute strength to developing a more refined sword intent. You’re on a path that’s becoming broader as well.”

Zhao Changhe nodded. “I’ve felt that too. What’s the third step?”

“The third is an insight I gained from that page. Is it the setting sun illuminating a solitary bird, or is a goshawk challenging the setting sun? This may represent moving from sensing and utilizing the energy of heaven and earth to controlling and mastering it. Like ascending toward the heavens, gradually looking down from above,” explained Yue Hongling. “The first two steps are more tangible. Once you achieve them, you’ve achieved them. But for this last insight, perhaps you can rely on that page?”

Zhao Changhe thought to himself that this page, representing the path of life, was likely the most aligned with his cultivation path, even more so than the second page he got that was related to nature.

The first step, improving his internal energy, might also be closely linked to this page.

That was probably why the blind woman kept steering him toward Miaojiang.

But perhaps the second page was a prerequisite for this one. Otherwise, he might have ended up like Duoluo and Shi Wuding, taking on some monstrous state.

Yue Hongling continued, “By the way, the sword arts you taught me... The more I practice them, the more I feel they’re converging with the fragmented techniques I picked up in the past. From what Venerable Duoluo mentioned, the sword arts we practice seem to be techniques of the Sword Emperor. What you taught me might be from his earlier years, while the fragments I found seem to reflect his later insights. When I head back, I’d like to explore some old secret realms again. I might uncover something new.”

Zhao Changhe snapped out of his reverie and asked, “Where is that?”

Yue Hongling bit her lip, her voice barely a whisper, “If... if you can find it on your own, then...”

Zhao Changhe blinked in surprise.

Yue Hongling murmured, “Maybe then, I won’t be able to leave, even if I want to...”