“Stone Demon Array…”
Zhuge Suopan’s face briefly showed a hint of confusion, but he quickly recovered. He chuckled, shook his head, and patted Shui Miao’s shoulder, saying, “Brother, why are you in such a rush? Do you really think I’d still hide things from you? You just don’t know—activating the Stone Demon Array mainly depends on spiritual energy. You’ve only just started cultivating the Ling Tong Jue. To activate the Stone Demon Array, you also need to obtain the cultivation techniques of Si Ma Zong Heng and combine them to use it.”
The Stone Demon Array was extremely powerful, and Shui Miao was eager to learn it.
But he hadn’t expected it to be so difficult, requiring the cultivation techniques of Si Ma Zong Heng.
Shui Miao persisted, “Fifth Brother, since you can use the Stone Demon Array, you must also know Brother Si Ma’s cultivation techniques. Why don’t you teach them to me as well? Since we’re parting ways this time, who knows when we’ll meet again. I’d like to learn it first and cultivate it slowly later. After all, having another skill to protect myself wouldn’t be a bad thing, right?”
“Eh…”
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Suopan furrowed his brows and said, “Brother, why don’t you understand? What you’ve obtained so far is too scattered and chaotic. Learning without focus is a major taboo for cultivators! Of course, if you really want to learn, I’m not against teaching you, but I still insist on my view—you must focus on one discipline if you want to achieve anything significant.”
“Hehe, I understand, but I still want to learn this technique…”
Shui Miao shyly scratched his head.
With no choice, Zhuge Suopan ended up teaching Shui Miao the cultivation techniques of Si Ma Zong Heng and the Stone Demon Array.
Zhuge Suopan made it clear that what he knew was merely the introductory part of Si Ma Zong Heng’s cultivation techniques. The truly refined and advanced techniques could only be obtained from Si Ma Zong Heng himself.
Shui Miao readily agreed, focused intently, and memorized every word of the Stone Demon Array techniques without missing a single detail.
Then, Zhuge Suopan took Blackie and left, while Shui Miao began cultivating inside the Stone Demon Array.
Blackie belonged to Yin Shen, and Zhuge Suopan was deeply concerned about leaving him with Shui Miao. Therefore, Zhuge decided to take him away to avoid any unexpected complications. Blackie himself was also willing to leave, feeling that Shui Miao was too suspicious of him. Little did he know that Shui Miao was actually a man of loyalty and righteousness who wouldn’t harm him. The real threat to him was none other than Zhuge Suopan.
※※※
At midnight, when yin energy was strongest in the mountains, many mountain spirits and monsters began wandering about.
Shui Miao shut out all external distractions and focused solely on cultivating “Zong Heng Ce,” the techniques from Si Ma Zong Heng. Unlike Ling Tong Jue, which gathered spiritual energy to the back of the head, Zong Heng Ce focused it on the front of the head. Since this method involved the brain and was extremely sensitive, Shui Miao dared not be the slightest bit careless. He devoted himself entirely to quiet cultivation.
The presence of a stranger attracted many mountain spirits and ghosts to gather nearby.
These spirits circled the Stone Demon Array, screeching and shrieking, yet none dared to enter rashly.
As the power of the Stone Demon Array weakened, the spirits became increasingly agitated and restless. They seemed to perceive Shui Miao as an easy target…
“You guys are just too noisy!”
Suddenly, Shui Miao opened his mouth, releasing a surge of soul-devouring energy. Instantly enveloping a few slow-moving mountain spirits, he swallowed them into his body. The other spirits, witnessing this, were terrified and fled in panic. Who would have thought this wasn’t a weak and vulnerable target, but rather a devil pretending to be harmless?
Shui Miao continued his meditation, and as his mind stirred, he sensed that his spiritual power had significantly increased.
Time was becoming scarce.
“The Stone Demon Array…”
A flicker of confusion crossed Zhuge Abacus’s face, but he quickly recovered. Shaking his head with a smile, he patted Shui Miao’s shoulder and said, “Brother, why are you so impatient! Do you really think I’d keep secrets from you? You have no idea—the Stone Demon Array is primarily powered by mental energy. You’ve only just started cultivating the Lingtong Art. To activate the Stone Demon Array, you’ll need Sima Zongheng’s cultivation technique and use it in tandem to make it work.”
The Stone Demon Array was incredibly powerful, and Shui Miao was eager to master it.
But he hadn’t expected it to be so difficult—it even required Sima Zongheng’s cultivation technique.
Shui Miao pressed on relentlessly, “Fifth Brother, since you can activate the Stone Demon Array, you must know Sima’s cultivation method too. Why not teach it to me as well? After we part ways, who knows when we’ll meet again? I’d like to learn it now and practice slowly. Having an extra skill for self-preservation wouldn’t hurt, right?”
“Uh…”
Hearing this, Zhuge Abacus frowned. “Brother, why can’t you understand? The knowledge you’re gaining is too scattered and disordered. Learning broadly but mastering nothing—that’s a major taboo for cultivators! Of course, it’s not that I can’t teach you if you’re so eager, but I still hold to my belief: if you want to achieve something, it’s best to specialize in one area.”
“Heh, I understand. But… I still want to learn this technique…”
Shui Miao scratched his head sheepishly.
Seeing his determination, Zhuge Abacus had no choice but to impart both Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method and the Stone Demon Array to Shui Miao.
He made it clear: what he knew was only the introductory level of Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method. The truly profound techniques would have to be learned from Sima Zongheng himself.
Shui Miao agreed readily, focusing intently and memorizing every word of the Stone Demon Array technique.
Soon after, Zhuge Abacus left with Xiao Hei, and Shui Miao began his cultivation within the Stone Demon Array.
Xiao Hei was a subordinate of the Yin God, and Zhuge Abacus didn’t feel comfortable leaving him near Shui Miao, fearing complications. So, he decided to take Xiao Hei away to avoid any unforeseen troubles. Xiao Hei was also willing to leave, feeling that Shui Miao was too wary of him. Little did he know that Shui Miao, despite his suspicions, was a man of loyalty and wouldn’t harm him. The real threat to Xiao Hei was actually Zhuge Abacus.
※※※
At midnight, the mountain’s Yin energy was at its peak, and many mountain spirits and monsters roamed about.
Shui Miao paid no attention to his surroundings, wholly focused on cultivating Sima Zongheng’s “Zongheng Strategy.” Unlike the Lingtong Art, which gathered spiritual energy at the back of the brain, the Zongheng Strategy focused on the frontal lobe. Since cultivating the brain was extremely delicate, Shui Miao didn’t dare slack off even slightly. He immersed himself completely, cultivating in silence.
The unfamiliar aura attracted mountain spirits and ghosts.
These creatures circled the Stone Demon Array, shrieking and howling, but none dared to venture inside.
As the Stone Demon Array’s power weakened, the spirits grew increasingly restless and aggressive. They seemed to view Shui Miao as weak and easy prey…
“You’re far too noisy!”
Shui Miao suddenly opened his mouth, and a wave of devouring spiritual energy surged out, instantly enveloping several slower-moving mountain spirits and devouring them. The other spirits, witnessing this, were terrified out of their wits and fled in panic. This was no weakling—it was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a demon in disguise!
Shui Miao resumed his meditation. As his thoughts flowed, he felt his mental energy had grown significantly stronger.
Time seemed to be slipping away too quickly.
After cycling the Lingtong Art and Zongheng Strategy a few more times, Shui Miao noticed the sky beginning to lighten. A few sparrows chirped nearby. Shui Miao activated his Wind Riding Technique and suddenly leaped into the air, covering a hundred meters in a few bounds. This both surprised and delighted him—it turned out that highly concentrated mental energy could also enhance the power of immortal energy.
However, without a substantial reserve of immortal energy to draw from, Shui Miao had no choice but to stop expending it.
Previously, he could rely on the crack in the Heavenly Gate within his mental realm to replenish his immortal spiritual energy. But now that the crack was sealed, all he had to depend on were the pills he’d obtained from Bai Luolan the previous night. Unfortunately, most of those pills were meant to enhance soul attributes or heal soul injuries—incredibly nourishing for ghosts but of little use to Shui Miao.
Nevertheless, it was undeniable that these pills could, to a certain degree, boost mental vigor, which precisely facilitated Shui Miao’s intellectual cultivation.
Before long, the sun had just risen when the convoy arrived.
Shui Miao continued cultivating discreetly while Lin Xue pestered him with conversation in the car.
“Sis Lin, I really was just meditating, breathing in the fresh air. I wasn’t doing anything else. If you don’t believe me, you can search me.”
Shui Miao was exasperated. The moment he got in the car, Lin Xue had started grilling him about what he’d done the previous night.
“I don’t believe you. I’ve seen cultivators before—at best, you’re just better at Qi refining. This broken mountain barely has any grass—the spiritual energy must be terrible. You expect me to believe you came here to meditate? Who are you trying to fool?” Lin Xue shook her head, speaking mostly to herself. She’d received instructions from her father to find out exactly what Shui Miao had been up to.
Shui Miao had made the convoy travel back and forth several times the previous day, which had piqued Captain Lin’s curiosity.
In the grass where Shui Miao had left Dog-Eyed Taoist’s body, the police had discovered traces of human blood, deepening their suspicions of him.
Even now, police were still investigating in Jingshui Village.
But since Dog-Eyed Taoist and his companions were elusive, the landlord of the rented room didn’t even know they existed.
Lin Qing’er naturally wouldn’t say anything either, so the police were left baffled, growing increasingly convinced that Shui Miao was involved in something shady.
“Alright, alright, I went to meet a beautiful woman for a secret rendezvous. Happy now?”
Shui Miao smiled helplessly. His divine sense subtly shifted, and he detected a black sedan following them, along with a bus filled with armed special police officers. Sensing the special police, Shui Miao grew alert. Focusing further, he realized Captain Lin and Chu Miaoyi were in the sedan!
I see—they’re monitoring me!
Sis Lin is just an undercover agent!
Shui Miao’s mind raced. He stopped cultivating and focused entirely on reading Lin Xue’s thoughts.
“Tch, you’re something else!”
Hearing this, Lin Xue was momentarily speechless, suddenly recalling her previous ambiguous encounter with Shui Miao in Jingshui Village. Her heart raced, and she couldn’t help blushing slightly.
Jiang Zhihao, observing their expressions, noticed Shui Miao deep in thought and didn’t dare interrupt. He simply quietly studied the map.
A short while later, Shui Miao had gleaned Lin Xue’s thoughts and sensed her reminiscing about that ambiguous encounter.
So they’re treating me like a criminal, investigating me behind my back?
Shui Miao felt irritated and decided to retaliate against Lin Xue, making this tough woman feel embarrassed for once.
He secretly channeled a faint stream of fire-attribute immortal energy, shaping it into a hand that settled on Lin Xue’s shoulder…
Lin Xue suddenly felt a warm hand on her shoulder and immediately suspected Shui Miao was using his energy, though she couldn’t be sure. She remained silent but soon felt the warm hand moving toward her chest. The sensation was intensely stimulating, setting her blood on fire. Part of her wanted to resist, while another part longed for the pleasurable feeling to continue. Deep down, she even silently begged for it not to stop…
Shui Miao, being mischievous, saw that Lin Xue wasn’t protesting and seemed to be enjoying it. He channeled a stream of Yin-attribute immortal energy, forming another hand that settled on her other shoulder and slowly slid toward her chest…
“Mmm…”
The combination of cold and heat, with two large hands cupping her full breasts, made Lin Xue unable to suppress a moan. She quickly bit her lip, grabbed a water bottle nearby, and took a drink. To her horror, she felt the warm hand sliding toward her lower abdomen…
Lin Xue hastily put down the water bottle, turned the steering wheel, and pulled over to the roadside. She got out and moved to sit next to Shui Miao, patting Jiang Zhihao’s shoulder. “Boss, take another car ahead. I need to discuss something with Shui Miao.” As she spoke, she could still feel the two hands groping her body, brazenly crossing all boundaries!
It was like dry wood meeting a fierce fire—clearly heading toward a car encounter!
Jiang Zhihao, experienced in such matters, had long noticed the unusual relationship between Shui Miao and Lin Xue. Seeing that Shui Miao didn’t object, he quickly got out of the car.
Soon, the convoy drove away.
Shui Miao was under Lin Xue’s intense scrutiny…
“Sis Lin, what’s the matter?”
Shui Miao pretended innocence, looking at Lin Xue with guileless eyes.
Lin Xue ripped off her earpiece, turned it off, and blushing, asked Shui Miao, “Was it you?”
“Was what me?”
Shui Miao frowned. “Sis Lin, could you be more specific?”
“Stop playing dumb!”
Lin Xue felt the warm hand sliding to her inner thigh. An unprecedented wave of pleasure made it impossible for her to maintain composure. She grabbed Shui Miao’s arm tightly, her eyes dazed, and said, “I know it’s you using your energy to touch me. No one else could do this.”
“Sis Lin, have you been possessed? I don’t have that kind of power!”
Shui Miao naturally wouldn’t admit it. He looked at her with feigned surprise. “How about I use my energy to open my Heavenly Eye and check? You seem like you’ve been possessed!”
“…”
Lin Xue was fooled by Shui Miao’s innocent expression. She frowned in confusion, wondering if it really wasn’t him. Suddenly, she felt the warm hand growing even bolder, as if it intended to go further…
“Ah!”
Lin Xue let out a pleasurable moan, clamping her legs together tightly. She reached out to grab the hand but found nothing there!
“Heavenly Spirits, Earthly Spirits, Lord Laozi, reveal the truth! Help me open my Heavenly Eye!”
Shui Miao pretended to be urgently activating his Heavenly Eye.
The intense stimulation made Lin Xue’s thighs tremble violently, her upper body shaking uncontrollably. Unable to resist, she grabbed Shui Miao and tried to force a kiss, her other hand groping all over him!
“Ah! Sis Lin, you’re really haunted by something unclean!”
Shui Miao cried out, grabbing Lin Xue’s full breasts. “Don’t be afraid, Sis Lin! I’ll help you drive the unclean thing away!”
“The Stone Demon Array…”
A brief look of bewilderment flashed across Zhuge Abacus’s face, but he swiftly regained his composure. With a gentle shake of his head and a warm smile, he patted Shui Miao on the shoulder and remarked, “Young one, why such haste? Do you truly believe I would withhold anything from you? You must understand—the Stone Demon Array is primarily fueled by spiritual energy. You’ve only just embarked on your journey with the Lingtong Art. To activate the Stone Demon Array, you’ll also require Sima Zongheng’s cultivation technique. Only by merging the two can you truly harness its formidable power.”
The Stone Demon Array was incredibly powerful, and Shui Miao was eager to master it.
But he hadn’t anticipated it would be this challenging—it even demanded the cultivation technique of Sima Zongheng.
Shui Miao pressed on relentlessly, “Fifth Brother, since you can activate the Stone Demon Array, you must know Sima’s cultivation method too. Why not teach it to me as well? After we part ways, who knows when we’ll meet again? I want to learn it now so I can practice slowly. Having one more method to protect myself wouldn’t hurt, right?”
“Uh…”
Hearing this, Zhuge Abacus frowned and said, “Little brother, why can’t you understand? The knowledge you’re gaining is too scattered and disordered. Learning broadly but mastering nothing is a major taboo for cultivators! Of course, it’s not that I can’t teach you, but I still stand by my belief—if you want to achieve something, it’s best to focus deeply on one path.”
“Heh, I understand. But I still want to learn this technique…”
Shui Miao scratched his head sheepishly.
Witnessing his unwavering resolve, Zhuge Abacus had no alternative but to pass on Sima Zongheng’s cultivation technique and the Stone Demon Formation to Shui Miao.
Zhuge Abacus clearly stated that his knowledge was merely the introductory level of Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method. The truly profound techniques could only be learned directly from Sima Zongheng himself.
Shui Miao agreed readily, focusing intently and memorizing every word of the Stone Demon Array’s incantation without missing a single detail.
Shortly after, Zhuge Abacus left with Xiao Hei, and Shui Miao began cultivating within the Stone Demon Array.
Xiao Hei was a subordinate of the Yin God, and Zhuge Abacus was uneasy about leaving him with Shui Miao, fearing unforeseen complications. So, he decided to take Xiao Hei away. Xiao Hei was also willing to leave, feeling that Shui Miao was too wary of him. Little did he know that Shui Miao, despite his suspicions, was a person of loyalty and righteousness and would not harm him. The real threat to Xiao Hei was none other than Zhuge Abacus himself.
※※※
At midnight, the mountain’s Yin energy was at its peak, and many mountain spirits and monsters roamed about.
Shui Miao remained oblivious to his surroundings, entirely engrossed in cultivating Sima Zongheng’s Zongheng Strategy. Unlike the Lingtong Art, which concentrated spiritual power at the back of the brain, the Zongheng Strategy focused on the frontal lobe. Given the extreme sensitivity of brain cultivation, Shui Miao dared not allow his concentration to falter even for an instant. He plunged himself into deep meditation, cultivating in absolute silence.
The unfamiliar aura attracted mountain spirits and monsters.
These creatures circled the Stone Demon Array, screeching and howling, but none dared to venture inside.
As the Stone Demon Array’s power weakened, the mountain spirits grew increasingly restless and aggressive. They seemed to view Shui Miao as weak and easy prey…
“You’re far too noisy!”
Shui Miao suddenly opened his mouth, and a wave of soul-devouring energy surged out, instantly enveloping several slower-moving mountain spirits and devouring them. The other spirits, witnessing this, were terrified out of their wits and fled in panic. This was no weakling—it was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a demon in disguise!
Shui Miao continued meditating and cultivating. As his thoughts shifted, he felt his spiritual power had grown significantly stronger.
Time seemed to be slipping away too quickly.
After cycling the Lingtong Art and Zongheng Ce a few more times, Shui Miao noticed the sky beginning to lighten. A few sparrows chirped nearby. Shui Miao activated his Wind Riding Technique and suddenly leaped into the air, covering a hundred meters in just a few bounds. This both surprised and delighted him—it turned out that highly concentrated spiritual power could also enhance the potency of immortal energy.
However, without a substantial replenishment of immortal energy, Shui Miao had no choice but to stop expending it.
In the past, Shui Miao could rely on the fissure in the Heavenly Gate within his mental realm to replenish his immortal energy. But now that the fissure was sealed, all he could depend on were the pills he had obtained from Bai Luolan the previous night. Unfortunately, most of those pills were meant to enhance soul attributes or heal soul injuries—incredibly nourishing for ghosts but largely useless to Shui Miao.
That said, these pills could still somewhat enhance spiritual power, which happened to assist Shui Miao in cultivating his intelligence.
Not long after, as the sun had just risen, the convoy arrived.
Shui Miao continued cultivating quietly while Lin Xue pestered him with conversation in the car.
“Sis Lin, I really was just meditating and breathing in the fresh air. I didn’t do anything else. If you don’t believe me, you can search me.”
Shui Miao was somewhat exasperated. The moment he got into the car, Lin Xue had started questioning him about what he did last night.
“I don’t believe you. I’ve seen cultivators before. At best, you’re just better at Qi refining. This broken mountain barely has any grass—the spiritual energy here must be terrible. Who are you trying to fool by meditating here?” Lin Xue shook her head, speaking to herself. She had received instructions from her father to find out exactly what Shui Miao had been up to.
Shui Miao had made the convoy travel back and forth several times the previous day, which had piqued Captain Lin’s curiosity.
In the grass where Shui Miao had left Daoist Gouyan’s body, the police had discovered traces of human blood, further deepening their suspicions of him.
Even now, the police were still investigating in Jingshui Village.
But since Daoist Gouyan and his associates were elusive, the landlord of the rented room had no knowledge of their existence.
Lin Qing’er naturally wouldn’t say anything either, so the police were left baffled, growing increasingly convinced that Shui Miao was involved in something shady.
“Alright, alright, I went to meet a beauty for a secret rendezvous. Happy now?”
Shui Miao smiled helplessly. His divine sense subtly shifted, and he detected a black sedan following them, along with a bus filled with armed special police officers. Sensing the special police, Shui Miao grew alert. Upon closer inspection, he realized the sedan was occupied by Captain Lin and Chu Miaoyi!
So, they’re monitoring me!
Sis Lin is just an undercover agent!
Shui Miao’s thoughts churned. He stopped cultivating and focused entirely on sensing Lin Xue’s inner thoughts.
“Tch, you’re something else!”
Hearing this, Lin Xue was momentarily speechless, suddenly recalling her previous ambiguous encounter with Shui Miao in Jingshui Village. Her heart raced, and she couldn’t help but blush slightly.
Jiang Zhihao, observing their expressions, noticed Shui Miao deep in thought and didn’t dare interrupt. He simply quietly studied the map.
A short while later, Shui Miao discerned Lin Xue’s inner thoughts and also sensed her reminiscing about that ambiguous encounter.
So, they’re treating me like a criminal and investigating me behind my back?
Shui Miao felt somewhat displeased and decided to retaliate against Lin Xue, making this tough woman feel embarrassed for once.
He secretly channeled a faint stream of fire-attribute immortal energy, shaping it into a hand that landed on Lin Xue’s shoulder…
Lin Xue suddenly felt a warm hand on her shoulder and immediately thought it might be Shui Miao using his energy, though she wasn’t entirely sure. She remained silent but soon noticed the warm hand moving toward her chest. The sensation was incredibly stimulating, as if her blood had been set ablaze. Part of her wanted to resist, while another part longed for the pleasurable feeling to continue. Deep down, she even silently begged for it not to stop…
Shui Miao, being mischievous, saw that Lin Xue wasn’t protesting and seemed to be enjoying it. He channeled a stream of Yin-attribute immortal energy, shaping it into another hand that landed on her other shoulder and slowly slid toward her chest…
“Mmm…”
The contrasting sensations of cold and heat, combined with the two hands enveloping her ample bosom, made Lin Xue unable to suppress a moan. She quickly bit her lip, grabbed a water bottle nearby, and took a sip. To her horror, she felt the warm hand sliding toward her lower abdomen…
Lin Xue hastily put down the water bottle, turned the steering wheel, and pulled over to the roadside. She got out of the car and sat next to Shui Miao, patting Jiang Zhihao’s shoulder. “Boss, take another car ahead. I need to discuss something with Shui Miao.” As she spoke, she could still feel the two hands roaming freely over her body, brazenly crossing her boundaries!
This was like dry wood meeting a fierce fire!
It was clearly leading toward a car encounter!
Jiang Zhihao, being experienced, had long noticed the unusual relationship between Shui Miao and Lin Xue. Seeing that Shui Miao didn’t object, he quickly got out of the car.
Soon, the convoy drove away.
Shui Miao was now under Lin Xue’s intense scrutiny…
“Sis Lin, is something wrong?”
Shui Miao pretended to be clueless, looking at Lin Xue with innocent eyes.
Lin Xue ripped off her earpiece, turned it off, and blushing, asked Shui Miao, “Was it you?”
“What?”
Shui Miao frowned. “Sis Lin, could you be more specific?”
“Stop playing dumb!”
Lin Xue felt the warm hand sliding toward her inner thigh. An unprecedented wave of pleasure made it impossible for her to remain composed. She tightly grabbed Shui Miao’s arm, her eyes dazed, and said, “I know it’s you using your energy to touch me. No one else could do this.”
“Sis Lin, are you possessed or something? I don’t have that kind of ability!”
Shui Miao naturally wouldn’t admit to it. He looked at Lin Xue with feigned surprise. “How about I use my energy to open my Heavenly Eye and check? You seem like you might be possessed!”
“…”
Lin Xue was fooled by Shui Miao’s innocent and guileless expression. She frowned in confusion, wondering if it really wasn’t him. Suddenly, she felt the warm hand growing even bolder, as if it were about to venture somewhere even more intimate…
“Ah!”
Lin Xue let out a pleasurable moan, clamping her thighs together tightly. She reached out to grab the hand but found nothing there!
“Heavenly Spirits, Earthly Spirits, Lord Laozi, reveal the truth! Help me open my Heavenly Eye!”
Shui Miao pretended to be urgently activating his Heavenly Eye.
The intense stimulation caused Lin Xue’s thighs to tremble violently, and her upper body shook uncontrollably. Unable to restrain herself, she grabbed Shui Miao and tried to force a kiss while her other hand groped him wildly!
“Ah! Sis Lin, you’re really possessed by something unclean!”
Shui Miao cried out, reaching for Lin Xue’s ample chest. “Don’t be afraid, Sis Lin! I’ll help you drive out the unclean entity!”
“The Stone Demon Array…”
A flicker of confusion crossed Zhuge Abacus’s face, but he quickly recovered. Shaking his head with a smile, he patted Shui Miao’s shoulder and said, “Little brother, why are you so impatient? Do you really think I’d keep secrets from you? You don’t understand—the Stone Demon Array is primarily activated by spiritual power. You’ve only just begun cultivating the Lingtong Art. To activate the Stone Demon Array, you’ll need Sima Zongheng’s cultivation technique and coordinate it with your own efforts to make it work.”
The Stone Demon Array was incredibly powerful, and Shui Miao was eager to master it.
But he hadn’t expected it to be so difficult, requiring Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method on top of everything else.
Shui Miao pressed on relentlessly, “Fifth Brother, since you can activate the Stone Demon Array, you must know Old Brother Sima’s cultivation method too. Why not teach it to me as well? After we part ways, who knows when we’ll meet again? I want to learn it now so I can practice slowly and have another means to protect myself. Isn’t that reasonable?”
“Uh…”
Hearing this, Zhuge Abacus frowned and said, “Little brother, why can’t you understand? The knowledge you’re gaining is too scattered and disordered. Learning broadly but mastering nothing is a major taboo for cultivators! Of course, it’s not that I can’t teach you, but I still hold to my belief that if you want to achieve something, it’s best to focus deeply on one path.”
“Hehe, I understand. But I still want to learn this technique…”
Shui Miao scratched his head sheepishly.
Seeing his determination, Zhuge Abacus had no choice but to impart Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method and the Stone Demon Array to Shui Miao.
Zhuge Abacus made it clear that what he knew was only the introductory level of Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method. The truly profound techniques would have to be learned from Sima Zongheng himself.
Shui Miao agreed readily, focusing intently and memorizing every word of the Stone Demon Array technique without missing a single detail.
Shortly after, Zhuge Abacus left with Xiao Hei, and Shui Miao began cultivating within the Stone Demon Array.
Xiao Hei was a subordinate of the Yin God, and Zhuge Abacus was uneasy about leaving him with Shui Miao, fearing complications or unforeseen dangers. So, he decided to take Xiao Hei away. Xiao Hei was also willing to leave, feeling that Shui Miao was overly wary of him. Little did he know that Shui Miao, despite his suspicions, was a person of loyalty and integrity and would not harm him. The real threat to Xiao Hei was none other than Zhuge Abacus himself.
※※※
At midnight, the mountain’s Yin energy was at its peak, and many mountain spirits and monsters roamed about.
Shui Miao paid no attention to his surroundings, wholly dedicated to cultivating Sima Zongheng’s Zongheng Strategy. Unlike the Lingtong Art, which gathered spiritual power at the back of the brain, the Zongheng Strategy focused on the front of the brain. Since cultivation involving the brain was extremely sensitive, Shui Miao did not dare to be negligent in the slightest. He immersed himself completely, cultivating in silence.
The aura of a stranger attracted the mountain spirits and monsters.
These creatures circled the Stone Demon Array, screeching and howling, but none dared to venture inside.
As the Stone Demon Array’s power weakened, the mountain spirits grew increasingly restless and aggressive. They seemed to view Shui Miao as weak and easy to bully…
“You are far too noisy!”
Shui Miao suddenly opened his mouth, and a wave of devouring spiritual energy surged out, instantly enveloping several slower-moving mountain spirits and devouring them. The other spirits, witnessing this, were terrified out of their wits and fled in panic. This was no weakling to be bullied—it was a demon in disguise, lying in wait to devour them!
Shui Miao continued meditating and cultivating. As his thoughts shifted, he felt his spiritual power had grown significantly stronger.
Time seemed to be running short.
After cycling the Lingtong Art and Zongheng Strategy a few more times, Shui Miao noticed the sky beginning to lighten. A few sparrows chirped nearby. Shui Miao activated his Wind Riding Technique and suddenly leaped into the air, covering a hundred meters in a few bounds. This both surprised and delighted him—it turned out that highly concentrated spiritual power could also enhance the potency of immortal energy.
However, without a substantial replenishment of immortal energy, Shui Miao had no choice but to stop expending it recklessly.
In the past, Shui Miao could rely on the crack in the Heavenly Gate within his mental realm to replenish his immortal spiritual energy. But now that the crack was sealed, all he could depend on were the pills he had obtained from Bai Luolan the previous night. Unfortunately, most of those pills were meant to enhance soul attributes or heal soul injuries—incredibly nourishing for ghosts but of little use to Shui Miao.
Nevertheless, it was undeniable that these pills could, to a certain degree, amplify spiritual energy, which precisely facilitated Shui Miao in honing his intellect.
Not long after, as the sun had just risen, the convoy arrived.
Shui Miao continued cultivating quietly while being pestered by Lin Xue to chat in the car.
“Sister Lin, I really was just meditating and breathing in the fresh air. I wasn’t doing anything else. If you don’t believe me, you can search me.”
Shui Miao was somewhat exasperated. The moment he got into the car, Lin Xue began questioning him about what he had done the previous night.
“I don’t believe you. I’ve seen cultivators before. At best, you’re just better at practicing Qi. This broken mountain barely even grows grass—the spiritual energy here must be terrible. Who are you trying to fool by meditating here?” Lin Xue shook her head, speaking to herself. She had received instructions from her father the previous night to find out exactly what Shui Miao had been up to.
Shui Miao had made the convoy travel back and forth several times the day before, which had piqued Captain Lin’s intense curiosity.
In the grass where Shui Miao had left Daoist Gouyan’s body, the police had discovered traces of human blood, deepening their suspicions of Shui Miao.
Even now, police were still investigating in Jingshui Village.
But because Daoist Gouyan and his associates were elusive, the landlord of the rented room had no knowledge of their existence.
Naturally, Lin Qing’er wouldn’t speak carelessly either, so the police were left baffled, growing increasingly convinced that Shui Miao was involved in something suspicious.
“Alright, alright, I went to meet a beauty for a secret rendezvous. Happy now?”
Shui Miao smiled helplessly. His divine sense subtly shifted, and he detected a black sedan following them, along with a bus filled with armed special police officers. Sensing the special police, Shui Miao grew alert. Upon closer inspection, he realized that Captain Lin and Chu Miaoyi were in the sedan!
I see—they’re monitoring me!
Sister Lin Xue is just an undercover agent!
Shui Miao’s thoughts churned. He stopped cultivating and focused entirely on sensing Lin Xue’s inner thoughts.
“Tch, you’re something else!”
Hearing this, Lin Xue was momentarily speechless, suddenly recalling her previous ambiguous encounter with Shui Miao in Jingshui Village. Her heart raced, and she couldn’t help but blush slightly.
Jiang Zhihao, observing their expressions, noticed Shui Miao deep in thought and didn’t dare interrupt. He simply quietly studied the map.
A short while later, Shui Miao gleaned Lin Xue’s inner thoughts and also detected her reminiscing about that ambiguous encounter.
So they’re treating me like a criminal and investigating me behind my back?
Shui Miao felt somewhat displeased and decided to retaliate against Lin Xue, making this tough woman feel embarrassed for once.
So, Shui Miao secretly channeled a faint wave of fire-attribute immortal energy, shaping it into a hand that landed on Lin Xue’s shoulder…
Lin Xue suddenly felt as if a warm hand had been placed on her shoulder. She immediately thought it might be Shui Miao using his energy but wasn’t entirely sure. She remained silent and then felt the warm hand moving toward her chest. The sensation was incredibly stimulating, as if her blood had been set ablaze. She wanted to resist but also longed for the pleasurable feeling to continue. Deep down, she even silently begged for it not to stop…
Shui Miao was being mischievous. Seeing that Lin Xue wasn’t protesting and seemed to be enjoying it, he channeled another wave of Yin-attribute immortal energy, shaping it into a large hand that landed on her other shoulder and slowly slid toward her chest…
“Mmm…”
One cold, one warm—two large hands enveloping the fullness of her chest. Lin Xue couldn’t suppress a moan and quickly bit her lip. She hastily picked up a water cup nearby and took a drink. To her horror, she felt the warm hand sliding toward her lower abdomen…
Lin Xue quickly put down the water cup, turned the steering wheel, and pulled over to the roadside. She got out of the car and sat next to Shui Miao, patting Jiang Zhihao’s shoulder. “Boss, take another car for now. I need to discuss something with Shui Miao.” As she spoke, Lin Xue could still feel the two hands roaming freely over her body, brazenly crossing her boundaries!
This was like dry wood meeting a fierce fire!
It was clearly leading toward a car encounter!
Jiang Zhihao, being experienced, had long noticed that Shui Miao and Lin Xue shared an unusual relationship. Seeing that Shui Miao didn’t object, he quickly got out of the car.
Soon, the convoy drove away.
Shui Miao was under Lin Xue’s intense gaze…
“Sister Lin, is something wrong?”
Shui Miao deliberately acted innocent, looking at Lin Xue with guileless eyes.
Lin Xue ripped off her earpiece, turned it off, and with a flushed face, asked Shui Miao, “Was it you?”
“What?”
Shui Miao frowned. “Sister Lin, could you be more specific?”
“Stop playing dumb!”
Lin Xue felt the warm hand sliding toward her inner thigh. An unprecedented pleasure made it impossible for her to remain reserved. She reached out and tightly grabbed Shui Miao’s arm, her eyes dazed as she said, “I know it’s you using your energy to touch me. No one else could do this.”
“Sister Lin, have you been possessed? I don’t have that kind of ability!”
Shui Miao naturally wouldn’t admit to it. He looked at Lin Xue in surprise. “How about I use my energy to open my Heavenly Eye and check? You seem like you’ve been possessed!”
“…”
Lin Xue was fooled by Shui Miao’s innocent and guileless expression. She frowned in confusion, wondering if it really wasn’t him. Suddenly, she felt the warm hand growing even more audacious, as if it were about to enter…
“Ah!”
Lin Xue let out a pleasurable moan, clamping her legs together tightly. She quickly reached out to grab the hand but found nothing there!
“Heavenly Spirits, Earthly Spirits, Lord Laozi, quickly manifest! Help me open my Heavenly Eye!”
Shui Miao pretended to be nervous as he “opened” his Heavenly Eye.
The intense stimulation caused Lin Xue’s thighs to tremble violently. Her upper body also shook involuntarily. Unable to restrain herself, she grabbed Shui Miao and tried to force a kiss, while her other hand groped wildly all over him!
“Ah! Sister Lin, you’ve really been possessed by something unclean!”
Shui Miao cried out, reaching for Lin Xue’s full chest. “Sister Lin, don’t be afraid! I’ll help you drive away the unclean entity!”
It was certain, however, that these pills could somewhat enhance his spiritual power, which would aid in cultivating his intellect.
Before long, as the sun rose, the convoy arrived.
While secretly cultivating, Shui Miao was chatting with Lin Xue, who sat beside him in the car.
“Big sis Lin, I was really just meditating and breathing fresh air. If you don’t believe me, you can search me!”
Shui Miao was a bit speechless as soon as he got into the car, being immediately questioned by Lin Xue about what he had done the previous night.
“I don’t believe you at all. I’ve seen cultivators before. You’re just a bit better at cultivating qi, that’s all. This barren mountain barely has any grass, so the spiritual energy here must be terrible. How could you meditate here? Who are you trying to fool?” Lin Xue shook her head and continued speaking on her own. Her father had instructed her the previous night to find out exactly what Shui Miao had been up to.
Shui Miao had made the convoy go back and forth several times the day before, which had aroused Lin Captain’s strong curiosity.
At the bush where Shui Miao had revealed the corpse of the Dog-Eyed Taoist, the police had discovered traces of human blood, further increasing their suspicions about Shui Miao.
At this very moment, the police were still investigating in Jing Shui Village.
However, since the Dog-Eyed Taoist and his men were so elusive, the landlord who had rented them the house didn’t even know they existed.
Of course, Qing’er wouldn’t speak out of turn either, so the police were completely confused and increasingly suspicious of Shui Miao.
“Alright, alright. I went to meet a beautiful girl, okay?”
Shui Miao helplessly smiled. With a slight shift in his spiritual awareness, he sensed a black car following behind, along with a bus. However, the bus was filled with fully armed special forces. Upon sensing them, Shui Miao became alert. Further sensing revealed that Lin Captain and Chu Miaoyi were inside the car!
I see. They’re monitoring me!
Lin Xue was just a spy!
Shui Miao focused his thoughts and stopped cultivating, concentrating all his attention on sensing Lin Xue’s inner thoughts.
“Tsk, you’re really something!”
Hearing this, Lin Xue was momentarily speechless. She suddenly recalled their previous intimate moment back in Jing Shui Village, her heart raced, and she couldn’t help blushing slightly.
Jiang Zhihao observed Shui Miao’s expression and, seeing him deep in thought, dared not speak carelessly, silently looking at the map instead.
After a while, Shui Miao gained insight into Lin Xue’s inner thoughts and sensed that she was thinking about that intimate moment.
So she actually suspects me of being a criminal and is secretly investigating me?
Shui Miao felt a bit annoyed and wanted to tease Lin Xue in return, making this tough girl blush for once.
“The Stone Demon Array…”
A flicker of confusion crossed Zhuge Abacus’s face, but he quickly recovered. Shaking his head with a smile, he patted Shui Miao’s shoulder and said, “Brother, why are you so impatient? Do you really think I’d keep secrets from you? You don’t know this, but the Stone Demon Array is primarily powered by spiritual energy. You’ve only just begun cultivating the Lingtong Art. To activate the Stone Demon Array, you’ll need Sima Zongheng’s cultivation technique and use it in tandem with your own energy.”
The Stone Demon Array was incredibly powerful, and Shui Miao was eager to master it.
But he hadn’t expected it to be so difficult—it even required Sima Zongheng’s cultivation technique.
Shui Miao pressed on relentlessly, “Fifth Brother, since you can activate the Stone Demon Array, you must know Sima’s cultivation method too. Why not teach it to me as well? After we part ways, who knows when we’ll meet again? I want to learn it now and practice slowly. Having another life-saving skill wouldn’t hurt, right?”
“Uh…”
Hearing this, Zhuge Abacus frowned and said, “Brother, why can’t you understand? The knowledge you’re gaining is too scattered and disordered. Learning broadly but not deeply is a major taboo for cultivators! Of course, it’s not that I can’t teach you, but I still hold to my belief: if you want to achieve something, it’s best to focus deeply on one path.”
“Heh, I understand. But… I still want to learn this technique…”
Shui Miao scratched his head sheepishly.
Seeing his determination, Zhuge Abacus had no choice but to impart Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method and the Stone Demon Array to Shui Miao.
Zhuge Abacus made it clear: what he knew was only the introductory level of Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method. The truly profound techniques would have to be learned directly from Sima Zongheng.
Shui Miao agreed readily, focusing intently and memorizing every word of the Stone Demon Array technique.
Shortly after, Zhuge Abacus left with Xiao Hei, and Shui Miao began his cultivation within the Stone Demon Array.
Xiao Hei was a follower of the Yin God, and Zhuge Abacus didn’t feel comfortable leaving him with Shui Miao, fearing complications. So, he decided to take Xiao Hei away. Ironically, Xiao Hei was also willing to leave, sensing that Shui Miao was overly wary of him. Little did he know that Shui Miao, despite his suspicions, was a man of loyalty and wouldn’t harm him. The real threat to Xiao Hei was none other than Zhuge Abacus himself.
※※※
At midnight, the mountain’s Yin energy was at its peak, and many mountain spirits and monsters roamed about.
Shui Miao paid no attention to his surroundings, wholly focused on cultivating Sima Zongheng’s Zongheng Strategy. Unlike the Lingtong Art, which gathered spiritual energy at the back of the brain, the Zongheng Strategy focused on the frontal brain. Since cultivation involving the brain was extremely delicate, Shui Miao didn’t dare slack off even slightly. He immersed himself completely, cultivating in silence.
The unfamiliar aura attracted mountain spirits and monsters.
These creatures circled the Stone Demon Array, screeching strangely, but none dared to venture inside.
As the Stone Demon Array’s power weakened, the mountain spirits grew increasingly restless and aggressive. They seemed to view Shui Miao as weak and easy to bully…
“You’re way too noisy!”
Shui Miao suddenly opened his mouth, and a wave of soul-devouring energy surged out, instantly enveloping several slower mountain spirits and devouring them. The other spirits, witnessing this, were terrified out of their wits and fled in panic. This was no weakling—it was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a demon in disguise!
Shui Miao continued meditating and cultivating. As his thoughts shifted, he felt his spiritual energy had grown significantly stronger.
Time seemed to be running short.
After cycling the Lingtong Art and Zongheng Strategy a few more times, Shui Miao noticed the sky beginning to lighten. A few sparrows chirped not far away. Shui Miao activated his Wind Riding Technique and suddenly leaped into the air, covering over a hundred meters in a few bounds. This both surprised and delighted him—it turned out that highly concentrated spiritual energy could also enhance the power of immortal energy.
However, without a substantial replenishment of immortal energy, Shui Miao had no choice but to stop expending it recklessly.
In the past, Shui Miao could rely on the crack in the Heavenly Gate within his mental realm to replenish his immortal spiritual energy. But now that the crack was sealed, all he could depend on were the pills he had obtained from Bai Luolan the previous night. Unfortunately, most of those pills were meant to enhance soul attributes or heal soul injuries—incredibly nourishing for spirits but of little use to Shui Miao.
That said, these pills could still somewhat enhance spiritual energy, which happened to assist Shui Miao in cultivating his intelligence.
Not long after, just as the sun rose, the convoy arrived.
Shui Miao continued cultivating quietly while being pestered by Lin Xue to chat in the car.
“Sis Lin, I really was just meditating and breathing in the fresh air. I didn’t do anything else. If you don’t believe me, you can search me.”
Shui Miao was somewhat exasperated. The moment he got in the car, Lin Xue started questioning him about what he had done the previous night.
“I don’t believe you. I’ve seen cultivators before. At best, you’re just better at refining your energy. This broken mountain barely even grows grass—the spiritual energy here must be terrible. Who are you trying to fool by meditating here?” Lin Xue shook her head, speaking to herself. She had received instructions from her father to find out exactly what Shui Miao had been up to.
Shui Miao had made the convoy travel back and forth several times the previous day, which had piqued Captain Lin’s intense curiosity.
In the grass where Shui Miao had left Daoist Gouyan’s body, the police had discovered traces of human blood, deepening their suspicions of him.
Even now, police were still investigating in Jingshui Village.
But since Daoist Gouyan and his followers were elusive, the landlord who rented the place didn’t even know they existed.
Lin Qing’er naturally didn’t spill anything either, so the police were completely baffled, growing more and more convinced that Shui Miao was involved in something shady.
“Alright, alright, I went to meet a beauty for a secret rendezvous. Happy now?”
Shui Miao smiled helplessly. His divine sense subtly shifted, and he detected a black sedan following them, along with a bus filled with armed special police officers. Sensing the special police, Shui Miao grew alert. Upon closer inspection, he realized Captain Lin and Chu Miaoyi were in the sedan!
So, they’re monitoring me! Sis Lin is just an undercover agent!
Shui Miao’s thoughts churned. He stopped cultivating and focused entirely on sensing Lin Xue’s inner thoughts.
“Tch, you’re something else!”
Hearing this, Lin Xue was momentarily speechless, suddenly recalling her previous ambiguous encounter with Shui Miao in Jingshui Village. Her heartbeat quickened, and she couldn’t help but blush slightly.
Jiang Zhihao, observing their expressions, noticed Shui Miao deep in thought and didn’t dare interrupt. He simply quietly studied the map.
A short while later, Shui Miao had gleaned Lin Xue’s inner thoughts and also detected her reminiscing about that ambiguous encounter.
So, they’re treating me like a criminal and investigating me behind my back?
Shui Miao felt somewhat displeased and decided to retaliate against Lin Xue, making this tough woman feel embarrassed for once.
He secretly channeled a faint stream of fire-attribute immortal energy, shaping it into a hand that landed on Lin Xue’s shoulder…
Lin Xue suddenly felt as if a warm hand had been placed on her shoulder. She immediately thought it might be Shui Miao using his energy but wasn’t entirely sure. She remained silent as the warm hand began moving toward her chest. The sensation was incredibly stimulating, as if her blood had been set ablaze. Part of her wanted to resist, while another part longed for the pleasurable feeling to continue. Deep down, she even silently begged for it not to stop…
Shui Miao, being mischievous, noticed Lin Xue’s silence and apparent enjoyment. He channeled a stream of Yin-attribute immortal energy, shaping it into another hand that landed on her other shoulder and slowly slid toward her chest…
“Mmm…”
One cold, one warm—two large hands cupping her ample breasts. Lin Xue couldn’t suppress a moan, quickly biting her lip. She hastily grabbed a water bottle nearby and took a sip, only to be horrified to find the warm hand sliding toward her lower abdomen…
Lin Xue swiftly set down the water bottle, turned the steering wheel, and pulled over to the side of the road. She exited the car and moved to sit beside Shui Miao, gently patting Jiang Zhihao’s shoulder. “Boss, please take another car ahead. I need to have a discussion with Shui Miao.” As she spoke, Lin Xue could still feel the two hands shamelessly groping her body, brazenly crossing her boundaries!
This was like dry wood meeting a fierce fire!
It was clearly leading toward a car encounter!
Jiang Zhihao, being experienced, had long noticed the unusual relationship between Shui Miao and Lin Xue. Seeing that Shui Miao didn’t object, he quickly got out of the car.
Soon, the convoy drove away.
Shui Miao was under Lin Xue’s intense gaze…
“Sis Lin, is something wrong?”
Shui Miao pretended to be clueless, looking at Lin Xue with innocent eyes.
Lin Xue ripped off her earpiece, turned it off, and with a flushed face, demanded, “Was it you?”
“What?”
Shui Miao frowned. “Sis Lin, could you be more specific?”
“Stop playing dumb!”
Lin Xue felt the warm hand sliding toward her inner thigh. An unprecedented wave of pleasure made it impossible for her to remain reserved. She tightly grabbed Shui Miao’s arm, her eyes dazed, and said, “I know it’s you using your energy to touch me. No one else could do this.”
“Sis Lin, have you been possessed? I don’t have that kind of power!”
Naturally, Shui Miao wouldn’t admit it. He looked at Lin Xue with feigned surprise. “How about I use my energy to open my heavenly eye and check? You seem like you’ve been possessed!”
“…”
Lin Xue was deceived by Shui Miao’s innocent and guiltless expression. She furrowed her brows in confusion, questioning whether it truly wasn’t him. Suddenly, she felt the warm hand becoming even more audacious, as if it were about to venture further…
“Ah!”
Lin Xue let out a pleasurable moan, her thighs clamping together tightly. She quickly reached to grab the hand but found nothing there!
“Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, Lord Laozi, quickly appear! Help me open my heavenly eye!”
Shui Miao pretended to be nervous as he “opened” his heavenly eye.
The intense stimulation caused Lin Xue’s thighs to tremble violently, her upper body shaking uncontrollably. Unable to resist, she grabbed Shui Miao and tried to force a kiss, her other hand groping him wildly!
“Ah! Sis Lin, you’re really possessed by something unclean!”
Shui Miao cried out, grabbing Lin Xue’s ample chest. “Don’t be afraid, Sis Lin! I’ll help you drive away the unclean entity!”
Suddenly, Lin Xue felt a warm hand placed on her shoulder. She immediately suspected it was Shui Miao using his powers, but not entirely sure, she remained silent. But then, the warm hand slowly moved toward her chest… The warm sensation was extremely stimulating. Her body felt as if it were on fire—she wanted to resist, yet also wished for the pleasant sensation to continue. Deep inside her heart, she was even shouting, “Don’t stop, don’t stop…”
“The Stone Demon Array…”
A flicker of confusion crossed Zhuge Abacus’s face, but he quickly recovered. Shaking his head with a smile, he patted Shui Miao’s shoulder and said, “Little brother, why are you so impatient? Do you really think I’d keep things from you? You have no idea—the Stone Demon Array is primarily powered by spiritual energy. You’ve only just begun cultivating the Lingtong Art. To activate the Stone Demon Array, you’ll need Sima Zongheng’s cultivation technique and use it in tandem with your own energy.”
The Stone Demon Array was incredibly powerful, and Shui Miao was eager to master it.
But he hadn’t expected it to be so difficult—it even required obtaining Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method.
Shui Miao pressed on relentlessly, “Fifth Brother, since you can activate the Stone Demon Array, you must know Old Brother Sima’s cultivation method too. Why not teach it to me as well? After we part ways, who knows when we’ll meet again? I’d like to learn it now and practice slowly. Having another life-saving skill wouldn’t hurt, right?”
“Uh…”
Hearing this, Zhuge Abacus frowned and said, “Little brother, why can’t you understand? The knowledge you’re gaining is too scattered and disordered. Learning broadly but mastering nothing is a major taboo for cultivators! Of course, it’s not that I can’t teach you, but I still stand by my belief—if you want to achieve something, it’s best to specialize in one area.”
“Heh, I understand. But I still want to learn this technique…”
Shui Miao scratched his head sheepishly.
Seeing his determination, Zhuge Abacus had no choice but to teach him both Sima Zongheng’s cultivation method and the Stone Demon Array.
He made it clear that what he knew was only the introductory level of Sima Zongheng’s cultivation technique. The truly profound methods would have to be learned from Sima Zongheng himself.
Shui Miao agreed readily, focusing intently and memorizing every word of the Stone Demon Array’s incantation.
Shortly after, Zhuge Abacus left with Xiao Hei, and Shui Miao began cultivating within the Stone Demon Array.
Xiao Hei was a subordinate of the Yin God, and Zhuge Abacus didn’t feel comfortable leaving him with Shui Miao, fearing complications. So, he decided to take Xiao Hei away. Xiao Hei was also willing to leave, feeling that Shui Miao was too wary of him. Little did he know that Shui Miao, despite his suspicions, was a man of loyalty and wouldn’t harm him. The real threat to Xiao Hei was actually Zhuge Abacus.
※※※
At midnight, the mountain’s Yin energy was at its peak, and many mountain spirits and monsters roamed about.
Shui Miao paid no attention to his surroundings, wholly focused on cultivating Sima Zongheng’s Zongheng Strategy. Unlike the Lingtong Art, which gathered spiritual energy at the back of the brain, the Zongheng Strategy focused on the front of the brain. Since cultivation involving the brain was extremely sensitive, Shui Miao didn’t dare let his focus waver even for a moment. He immersed himself completely, cultivating in silence.
The unfamiliar aura attracted mountain spirits and monsters.
These creatures circled the Stone Demon Array, screeching and howling, but none dared to venture inside.
As the Stone Demon Array’s power weakened, the mountain spirits grew increasingly restless and aggressive. They seemed to view Shui Miao as weak and easy prey…
“You’re far too noisy!”
Shui Miao suddenly opened his mouth, and a wave of soul-devouring energy surged out, instantly enveloping several slower-moving mountain spirits and devouring them. The other spirits, witnessing this, were terrified out of their wits and fled in panic. This was no weakling—it was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a demon in disguise!
Shui Miao continued meditating and cultivating. As his thoughts shifted, he felt his spiritual energy had grown significantly stronger.
Time seemed to be slipping away too quickly.
After cycling the Lingtong Art and Zongheng Strategy a few more times, Shui Miao noticed the sky beginning to lighten. A few sparrows chirped nearby. Shui Miao activated his Wind Riding Technique and suddenly leaped into the air, covering a hundred meters in just a few bounds. This both surprised and delighted him—it turned out that highly concentrated spiritual energy could also enhance the power of immortal energy.
However, without a substantial reserve of immortal energy to draw from, Shui Miao had no choice but to stop expending it.
In the past, he could rely on the crack in the Heavenly Gate within his mental realm to replenish his immortal spiritual energy. But now that the crack was sealed, all he had to depend on were the pills he’d obtained from Bai Luolan the previous night. Unfortunately, most of those pills were meant to enhance soul attributes or heal soul injuries—incredibly nourishing for ghosts but of little use to Shui Miao.
That being said, these pills still had the ability to slightly boost spiritual energy, which coincidentally helped Shui Miao in cultivating his intelligence.
It wasn’t long before the sun rose, and the convoy arrived.
While secretly continuing his cultivation, Shui Miao was pestered by Lin Xue to chat in the car.
“Sis Lin, I really was just meditating and breathing in the fresh air. I wasn’t doing anything else. If you don’t believe me, you can search me.”
Shui Miao was a bit exasperated. The moment he got in the car, Lin Xue started questioning him about what he’d done the previous night.
“I don’t believe you. I’ve seen cultivators before. At best, you’re just better at Qi refining. This broken mountain can’t even grow grass properly—the spiritual energy here must be terrible. Who are you trying to fool by meditating here?” Lin Xue shook her head, speaking mostly to herself. She’d received instructions from her father to find out exactly what Shui Miao had been up to.
Shui Miao had made the convoy travel back and forth several times the day before, which had piqued Captain Lin’s curiosity intensely.
In the grass where Shui Miao had left Daoist Gouyan’s body, the police had discovered traces of human blood, deepening their suspicions of him.
Even now, there were still police investigating in Jingshui Village.
But because Daoist Gouyan and his companions were elusive, the landlord who rented the room didn’t even know they existed.
Lin Qing’er naturally wouldn’t say anything either, so the police were completely baffled, growing more and more convinced that Shui Miao was involved in something shady.
“Alright, alright, I went to meet a beauty for a secret rendezvous. Happy now?”
Shui Miao smiled helplessly. His divine sense subtly shifted, and he detected a black sedan following them, along with a bus filled with armed special police officers. Sensing the special police, Shui Miao grew alert. Focusing further, he realized that Captain Lin and Chu Miaoyi were in the sedan!
So, they’re monitoring me! Sis Lin is just an undercover agent!
Shui Miao’s mind raced. He stopped cultivating and concentrated fully on sensing Lin Xue’s thoughts.
“Tch, you’re something else!”
Hearing this, Lin Xue was momentarily speechless, suddenly recalling her previous ambiguous encounter with Shui Miao in Jingshui Village. Her heart raced, and she couldn’t help but blush slightly.
Jiang Zhihao, observing their expressions, noticed Shui Miao deep in thought and didn’t dare interrupt. He simply quietly studied the map.
A short while later, Shui Miao had gleaned Lin Xue’s thoughts and also detected her reminiscing about that ambiguous encounter.
So, they’re treating me like a criminal and investigating me behind my back?
Shui Miao felt somewhat irritated and decided to retaliate against Lin Xue, making this tough woman feel embarrassed for once.
He secretly channeled a faint stream of fire-attribute immortal energy, shaping it into a hand that landed on Lin Xue’s shoulder…
Lin Xue suddenly felt a warm hand on her shoulder and immediately thought it might be Shui Miao using his energy, but she wasn’t entirely sure. She remained silent as the warm hand began moving toward her chest. The sensation was incredibly stimulating, as if her blood had been set ablaze. Part of her wanted to resist, while another part longed for the pleasurable feeling to continue. Deep down, she even silently begged for it not to stop…
Shui Miao, being mischievous, saw that Lin Xue wasn’t protesting and seemed to be enjoying it. He channeled a stream of Yin-attribute immortal energy, forming another hand that landed on her other shoulder and slowly slid toward her chest…
“Mmm…”
The contrasting sensations of cold and heat, combined with the two hands cupping her ample breasts, made Lin Xue unable to suppress a moan. She quickly bit her lip, grabbed a water bottle nearby, and took a sip. To her horror, she felt the warm hand sliding toward her lower abdomen…
Lin Xue hastily put down the water bottle, turned the steering wheel, and pulled over to the roadside. She got out and moved to sit next to Shui Miao, patting Jiang Zhihao’s shoulder. “Boss, take another car ahead. I need to discuss something with Shui Miao.” As she spoke, she could still feel the two hands groping her body, shamelessly crossing her boundaries!
This was like dry wood meeting a fierce fire!
It was clearly leading toward a car encounter!
Jiang Zhihao, being experienced, had long noticed the unusual relationship between Shui Miao and Lin Xue. Seeing that Shui Miao didn’t object, he quickly got out of the car.
Soon, the convoy drove away.
Shui Miao was now under Lin Xue’s intense scrutiny…
“Sis Lin, is something wrong?”
Shui Miao pretended to be clueless, looking at Lin Xue with innocent eyes.
Lin Xue ripped off her earpiece, turned it off, and with a flushed face, demanded, “Was it you?”
“What?”
Shui Miao frowned. “Sis Lin, could you be more specific?”
“Stop playing dumb!”
Lin Xue felt the warm hand sliding toward her inner thigh. An unprecedented wave of pleasure made it impossible for her to remain composed. She tightly grabbed Shui Miao’s arm, her eyes dazed, and said, “I know it’s you using your energy to touch me. No one else could do this.”
“Sis Lin, could you be possessed? I don’t have that kind of power!”
Naturally, Shui Miao wouldn’t admit to it. He looked at her with feigned surprise. “How about I use my energy to open my celestial eye and check? You seem like you might be possessed!”
“…”
Lin Xue was fooled by Shui Miao’s innocent expression. She frowned in confusion, wondering if it really wasn’t him. Suddenly, she felt the warm hand becoming even more audacious, as if it intended to venture deeper…
“Ah!”
Lin Xue let out a pleasurable moan, clamping her legs together tightly. She reached out to grab the hand but found nothing there!
“Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, Lord Laozi, quickly manifest! Help me open my celestial eye!”
Shui Miao pretended to be urgently activating his celestial eye.
The intense stimulation caused Lin Xue’s thighs to tremble violently, and her upper body shook uncontrollably. Unable to resist, she grabbed Shui Miao and tried to force a kiss, while her other hand groped wildly all over him!
“Ah! Sis Lin, you’re really haunted by something unclean!”
Shui Miao cried out, reaching for Lin Xue’s ample chest. “Don’t be afraid, Sis Lin! I’ll help you drive away the unclean entity!”
“Umm…”
Alternating between hot and cold, her chest was enveloped by two large hands. Lin Xue couldn’t help but let out a soft moan. She quickly bit her lip and grabbed a nearby cup of water, pretending to drink. But to her horror, the warm hand was now sliding toward her lower abdomen…
Lin Xue quickly put down the cup, turned the steering wheel, pulled the car over to the roadside, got out, and sat next to Shui Miao. She patted Jiang Zhihao’s shoulder and said, “Boss, you take another car first. I need to discuss something with Shui Miao.” As she said this, Lin Xue could still feel the two large hands roaming all over her body, shamelessly crossing her boundaries!
It was like dry firewood meeting a raging flame!
This was clearly the rhythm of a car make-out session!
Jiang Zhihao was an experienced man. He had long noticed that there was something unusual between Shui Miao and Lin Xue. Seeing that Shui Miao didn’t object, he quickly got out of the car.
Soon, the convoy drove away.
Shui Miao was staring at Lin Xue intensely…
“Big sis Lin, do you have something to say?”
Shui Miao deliberately acted as if nothing had happened, looking at Lin Xue with an innocent gaze.
Lin Xue immediately took off her earpiece and turned it off. Her face flushed red as she confronted Shui Miao, asking, “Was it you?”
“What?”
Shui Miao furrowed his brows, “Big sis Lin, could you be more specific?”
“Don’t pretend!”
Lin Xue felt the warm hand sliding further inward toward her inner thigh. An unfamiliar, pleasurable sensation overwhelmed her, making it impossible for her to remain composed. She grabbed Shui Miao’s arm tightly, her eyes hazy as she said, “I know it’s you using your energy to touch me. There’s no one else but you.”
“Big sis Lin, are you possessed or something? How could I possibly have such abilities!”
Shui Miao naturally denied it, looking at Lin Xue in surprise, “Why don’t I use my powers to open my Celestial Eye and check for you? You seem to be possessed!”
“…”
Lin Xue was deceived by Shui Miao’s innocent and naive gaze. She suspiciously furrowed her brows, wondering to herself if it really wasn’t him. Suddenly, she sensed the warm hand becoming even bolder, as if it were about to enter the most intimate place…
“Ahh!”
Lin Xue suddenly let out a pleasurable moan, clenching her thighs tightly. She hurriedly reached out to grab the hand, but found nothing!
“Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, Lord Lao Jun, please appear and help me open my Celestial Eye!”
Shui Miao pretended to be in a panic while opening his Celestial Eye.
The intense stimulation caused Lin Xue’s thighs to tremble violently. Her upper body also involuntarily shook. Unable to control herself any longer, she threw her arms around Shui Miao, forcefully attempting to kiss him, while her other hand roamed all over his body!
“Ahh! Big sis Lin, you’re really possessed by an evil spirit!”
Shui Miao shouted loudly, grabbing Lin Xue’s chest, “Don’t be afraid, Big sis Lin. Let me help you drive the evil spirit away!”
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