Chapter 77: Chapter 70: Su Ling’er Goes into Qi Deviation

Su Ling’er was in a state of utter detachment.

The Supreme Heart-Clearing Soul-Stabilizing Skill kept her lucid amidst the boundless agony.

’This divine skill is truly incredible...’

’I’m in such agony, yet I can still think. Even fainting has become an impossible luxury.’

’Sigh, why is being an undercover agent so damn hard?’

Sure enough.

’Pursuing the path of the immortal might be as easy as eating and drinking for the exceptionally talented, but for someone with poor aptitude like me, every step is as difficult as ascending to the heavens.’

Just as her thoughts descended into chaos, Eldest Brother’s hand once again grabbed the sash at the small of her back.

Once again, she was hoisted up.

Su Ling’er: "..."

’Forget it, forget it...’

’Anywhere is fine.’

She felt like she couldn’t muster even a shred of strength.

’If I survive this, I have to escape this den of demons as soon as possible. I’ll take my intel, return to Qingxu Temple, achieve Foundation Establishment, and expose this evil, demonic sect!’

’If I stay any longer, I’ll definitely die!’

A tremendous force carried her through the air, the wind whistling past her ears.

Su Ling’er cracked open an eyelid.

All she could see were phantom streaks of light rushing backward.

Mountains, palaces, forests of spiritual trees—everything blurred into indistinct patches of color.

Meanwhile, Lin Qingfeng was rapidly planning the next activity.

’The mini-events before the Golden Autumn Harvest Festival have already given some pretty generous rewards, so the event boss is the real prize.’

’Junior Sister isn’t in good shape right now. I can’t have her dropping the ball at a time like this.’

’Sigh, this Junior Sister... why is she so hot-tempered? They’re just some red-named mobs. Is it really worth getting this worked up over?’

’Good thing she has a considerate Eldest Brother like me, who’s always looking out for his juniors. She must be feeling incredibly grateful to me right now.’

’Right, the next place we’re going is the joint cultivation ground for the Five Beasts Immortal Play.’

’This activity doesn’t give a lot of contribution points, but it has the restorative effect of replenishing Qi, blood, Spiritual Power, and soul.’

’It’s a side effect of doing the quest, so it won’t affect future contribution point gains.’

A moment later, the whistling wind subsided, and Su Ling’er felt herself being placed on the ground.

As her mind settled slightly, a surprising thought surfaced. ’This time... I wasn’t thrown?’

’Thank goodness, thank goodness. For once, Eldest Brother actually acted like a human.’

She raised her head and looked around.

They were in a wide, open clearing in the mountains, surrounded by unfamiliar spiritual trees.

In the center of the clearing, a dozen or so disciples were already waiting, standing around in small groups.

’What... What are they going to do?’

’Are they going to paralyze me again like during that patrol, and force me into a red robe?’

’Or is this some new method of torture?’

"Junior Sister."

Eldest Brother’s gentle voice pulled her back from her thoughts.

"Just now, in defending the sect, you furiously cut down an invader. While that displayed the unyielding spirit of our Guixi Sect, I fear that such rage, which assaults the heart, may have damaged the very root of your Dao Foundation."

"Junior Sister, you must remember: the way of slaughter is a means to protect the Dao, not the purpose of cultivation.

If you indulge in thoughts of killing, you will be corrupted by violent energy, which will hinder your path."

Su Ling’er blinked, staring blankly at her Eldest Brother, her mind unable to keep up.

’Wait a minute...’

’Eldest Brother, who was it that killed two fellow disciples right in front of me the moment we met?’

’And who was it that used that weird sword called [Wait a Moment] to one-shot the disciple who came to provoke us?’

’Weren’t you the one who just forced me to wildly blast away with the Thousand Threads Seeking Karma Spell?!’

’And now you have the gall to lecture me all high and mighty?’

’The nerve!’

’I’m furious!’

’I’m absolutely furious!’

’I’m so furious I could just die! AAAAAGH!’

She gritted her teeth, but had to maintain a respectful expression on her face, which was absolute torture.

Seeing her look of ’humbly accepting his teachings,’ Lin Qingfeng continued in satisfaction:

"Therefore, I have brought you here to participate in the Five Beasts Immortal Play."

"The Five Beasts Immortal Play is a technique for nourishing life and attuning with the Dao. It was created by a great power of antiquity who gained enlightenment by observing the postures of the spiritual beasts of heaven and earth.

This technique does not seek a surge in Spiritual Power, nor does it seek unrivaled Divine Techniques. It seeks only one thing: harmony.

Harmony between body and intent, harmony between Qi and strength, harmony between spirit and the Dao.

By imitating the postures of the spiritual tiger, deer, bear, ape, and immortal crane, you can channel the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to cleanse your meridians and soothe your agitated Qi and blood.

It will transform the violent, murderous aura you generated from slaying that vermin into life essence that will nourish your body."

His words were lofty and profound, shrouded in mystery.

Su Ling’er was completely baffled.

’Do I look like someone who can move?’

’Right now, it’s an effort to even move a single finger!’

’And you want me to imitate the postures of spiritual beasts and cleanse my meridians?’

’Are you sure if I practice like this, I won’t suffer from Qi deviation on the spot and have my soul scatter to the winds?’

’Don’t you have any empathy at all?!’

’He’s killing me!’

’Eldest Brother is trying to kill me!’

’Oh, heavens! Oh, earth! I can’t live like this anymore!’

"Eldest Brother..."

"Junior Sister... When I was... slaying the enemy just now, I exhausted my mind and spirit. Now my limbs feel weak and heavy... I’m afraid... I’m afraid I won’t be able to practice this Immortal Play..."

’I’m begging you, Eldest Brother, just spare me!’

’I really, really don’t want to move!!!!’

"Not so."

Lin Qingfeng shook his head.

"Junior Sister, trust me. Would your Eldest Brother ever harm you?"

’Haven’t you already harmed me?’

’Is there a single day you *don’t* harm me?!’

’You’re practically trying to torture me to death!’

But looking at her Eldest Brother’s unquestionable gaze and the stares from the other disciples, she knew that she had no choice but to perform this so-called "Immortal Play."

Resigned, she could only follow the others and shakily assume a starting stance upon hearing Mr. Qian’s emotionless, single word: "Begin."

In an instant, all the disciples began to move.

Some spread their arms, fingers forming claws, like a fierce tiger descending a mountain;

Some were light on their feet, toes tapping the ground, like a spiritual deer leaping toward the moon;

Some stomped their feet, striking the pose of a great bear shaking the earth, full of power;

Still others were graceful and flowing, like an immortal crane spreading its wings, nimble and elegant.

Su Ling’er copied the people beside her, trying to circulate her Spiritual Power and imitate the movements from memory.

The moment she activated the Technique, a strange sensation washed over her.

It truly seemed to be nourishing her damaged flesh and soul, little by little.

The weakness from the backlash and loss of blood essence seemed to be gradually replenishing.

’It’s working!’

’It’s really working!’

However, this comfortable feeling only lasted for a moment.

The damage to her soul was simply too deep. An intense wave of pain crashed over her, instantly shattering the focus she had just managed to gather.

’I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die!’

In her mind, comfort and agony warred with each other, making it impossible to concentrate.

And so, with a soft noise.

"POOF—!"

A cloud of smoke suddenly exploded from Su Ling’er’s body, completely shrouding her figure.

The surrounding disciples, who were practicing the Five Beasts Immortal Play, all turned to look.

"Huh? Did Junior Sister... suffer Qi deviation?"

"Totally normal. The first time I practiced this, I turned straight into a monkey!"

"Look, look! Let’s all guess what Junior Sister will turn into!"

The smoke slowly dispersed.

Su Ling’er shook her head, feeling that her body seemed to have changed somehow.

’It felt... a bit cumbersome?’

She subconsciously raised her hands to rub her eyes.

However, the moment those hands came into her field of vision, her mind went completely blank.

Those weren’t human hands at all.

They were covered in thick, short, brown fur.

The five fingers were short and stout, tipped with jet-black claws.

This.

This was... a bear paw?!

?????