Please Learn to Crawl Like a Dog, Goddess Sister.
It was early autumn.
The maple leaves of the Qiyue Mountains had already dyed the mountain mists red. Birds and beasts cried out in the forest while the wind brushed past and caused the sea of red leaves to rustle softly.
Jiang Yueyi had been feeling restless lately because of a certain person. She carried an empty wine cup and a jade flask filled with fine nectar to a stone table under a familiar red maple tree. She set out some wine snacks and moved a rocking chair there so she could drink while enjoying the scenery.
She picked up the jade cup but only took a small sip. The autumn wind carried red leaves past her and lightly brushed against her beautiful face, tossing her black hair and adding to her inner turmoil.
She raised her slender hand and used her fingers to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She did not lower her hand afterward. Instead, she let it rest gently on her snowy, fragrant shoulder.
[Status: Permanent Scar - Severe Damage]
A hideous and terrifying scar sat upon her shoulder. It formed a sharp contrast with her smooth skin and looked like a jagged rift in a field of white snow. It did not belong there and appeared incredibly out of place.
Her fingertips traced the scar on her shoulder. Although it was mostly healed after treatment and the frightening mark would fade in time, she still felt a distinct sting when her fingers brushed over it.
This caused a certain figure to float into her mind. It was a silhouette that had refused to leave since that day.
It was the boy who had left this sword scar on her shoulder.
'He is the one who ruined my state of mind and broke into my heart. He deserves to die.'
The sunset glow burned brilliantly. The red maples in the eastern branch of the Qiyue Mountains were more vibrant than the other three branches. Under the reflection of the setting sun, the mountain mist looked like a roaring fire.
"Jiang Yueyi, oh Jiang Yueyi. You actually feel joy because of him. How can you face your ten-plus years of bitter cultivation? Your state of mind has been ruined by someone else. You have suffered this bad result, yet you don't regret it at all?" Jiang Yueyi whispered to herself as if she were questioning her own heart.
Perhaps it was the sunset and the red leaves that had quietly dyed her face with a seductive flush, or perhaps the nectar was intoxicating. Her bright phoenix eyes began to glow with an unusual light.
She picked up the jade cup and drained it in one gulp. Only then did the strange look in her beautiful eyes settle.
"Speak. How is the investigation going?" Her phoenix eyes glanced sideways at the woman in black clothes who had been standing a short distance behind her for some time.
"Please forgive your subordinate's incompetence. Regarding that brat... cough, I mean, that young master's past, I haven't been able to find anything of real value. However, there are many suspicious points. He has no background and no one helping him. He has wandered alone for years and his cultivation level has always stayed at Rank 1. But..."
"But he was able to wound me with a Rank 1 cultivation." Jiang Yueyi spoke tactfully. She couldn't lose face in front of her subordinate. If he hadn't shown mercy with that strike, the consequences would have been far worse than a simple scar.
This was her third year in the Canghua Realm. Aside from the strongest person in this world, the Canghua Sect Master, that boy was the second person who had ever managed to hurt her.
"Yes... If it weren't for your wisdom, Miss, none of us would have noticed. Out of the hundreds of thousands of Exp Fodder consumed by the Canghua Realm over the years, he is the only one who has survived until now. Furthermore, the first time he was used as Fodder, he was only..."
"Six years old." Jiang Yueyi slowly recited this unbelievable fact.
The so-called Fuel or Exp Fodder referred to the rootless drifters of the cultivation world—the rogue cultivators. They were called Fodder because they were merely consumables used to explore Secret Realm Dungeons.
In this world, Dungeons were generated from time to time. The moment a Dungeon was born, it would be divided up by various factions. However, Dungeons were full of dangers. None of the factions wanted their own disciples to enter first and be consumed. Therefore, rogue cultivators were thrown into the Dungeons as consumables to test the traps or draw maps.
Before these rogue cultivators were thrown in, a Spirit Seed would be planted in their bodies to take root. If they found any treasures, they would be detected immediately. If they were disobedient, their only end was to become part of the Dungeon's ecological cycle.
If they were lucky enough to come out alive and remained obedient, they would be given some insignificant rewards. Even such a small reward was a rare opportunity for a rootless rogue cultivator.
This matter had happened by chance. Some time ago, a Dungeon had opened on the land she controlled. She didn't care for such things, so she gave it to a friendly faction in exchange for something she wanted.
Later, she heard something from her subordinates. In that Dungeon raid, the various factions had thrown in tens of thousands of Exp Fodder. Only one person came out alive and he had perfectly completed the mapping of the Dungeon.
What truly piqued her interest was the man's name. It seemed to be related to an interesting story she had heard years ago.
She wanted to verify her guess, so she ordered her subordinates to investigate. It had been relatively smooth. Aside from a few factions, no one wanted to cross her.
Through this investigation, she became even more certain of her theory.
He had actually gone through dozens of Dungeons in just six years and he had emerged unscathed every single time.
Six years. This meant the boy had started entering Dungeons at the age of six.
Jiang Yueyi wanted to completely verify her theory. If things were as she thought, the harvest this time would be extraordinary.
Thus, a plan was formed. She had even forcibly opened a Dungeon for this purpose.
As for the result, she had obtained a satisfying answer.
Even though she had been wounded by the boy during the process and left with this stinging sword scar on her shoulder.
"Continue." She lifted the wine flask to pour more wine. She already knew most of it, but she wanted to hear the report to see if she had missed any details.
"Yes. Following your orders, Miss, we investigated that name. But... there were no results. We only compiled his history over the years. Before he was six, he lived in a small mountain village and was adopted by a hunter's family. In the year he turned six, the hunter who adopted him..."
"Go on." She poured the wine very slowly. The small jade cup took a long time to fill.
"That hunter died. My investigation shows the hunter died at the hands of his own clansmen. Afterward, the evildoers were slaughtered to the last man overnight. They all died by his hand."
"He did not involve the innocent. After that, he left the village and has lived a wandering life ever since. We cannot find out when he started cultivating. At the very least, he had cultivation when he slaughtered those people six years ago."
"However, there were no signs of any cultivators in that mountain village or the hunter's family. It is still the same today."
"Based on the information gathered, if he weren't a cultivator, I would conclude he was just a beggar. His logic and behavior don't even match a rogue cultivator. He wanders everywhere and sleeps outdoors. He doesn't seem to practice seriously and acts more like a street thug. I have compiled the remaining details into a booklet for you to read, Miss."
Jiang Yueyi did not take the booklet from the maid. Her eyes were fixed on the rising wine as she thought about something playfully.
"Do you still remember the person who tried to stop us when we first came to the Canghua Realm?"
"The Canghua Sect Master? But what does that have to do with her?"
The aroma of the wine overflowed from the cup. Just as the nectar was about to spill over, Jiang Yueyi stopped pouring.
"It seems these years of peaceful living have made you all go soft."
"This subordinate has failed in her duties. Please punish me, Miss." Hearing the hidden meaning in Jiang Yueyi's words, the woman in black broke into a cold sweat and knelt on one knee to beg for forgiveness.
"There is no need for punishment. Burn the booklet. Tell your subordinates that this matter never happened. Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
After the woman in black withdrew, Jiang Yueyi picked up the jade cup and took a sip. Her gaze was quite playful.
It had been long enough. It was time to go see him.
At the very least, she had brought him back through a mix of coaxing and deception.
She had to take him for herself. Otherwise, this whole plan would be a loss.
***
Beneath the main peak of the Eastern Branch, a cave was hidden. With the enhancement of an Inscription Array, this place could easily gather the spiritual energy of the surrounding hundred miles. it had become a hidden paradise.
Inside the cave was a stone pool. The pool was overflowing with medicinal liquid that gave off a thick fragrance. The liquid was emerald green and glowed with an eerie light. When still, it looked like a piece of Imperial Green jade. However, the ripples caused by the boy's slight movements quietly broke the peace.
Ling Feng had been soaking here for nearly half a month. He rarely had such peaceful and quiet days.
He was currently a rogue cultivator. It was common knowledge that rogue cultivators were rootless drifters who lived dangerous lives.
However, his experiences lately were far more exciting than his previous years as a rogue cultivator.
First, he was ambushed by a group of unknown people inside a Dungeon.
After leaving the Dungeon, he was tracked down by a mysterious woman who tried to suppress him.
That woman was strange. After fighting for only a moment, she chose to negotiate. He couldn't refuse the compensation she offered, so he followed her back.
He suddenly heard footsteps approaching. He looked up and saw a woman walking toward him in night-colored robes.
She had a graceful silhouette that was stunning at first glance. When Ling Feng saw her, a trace of worry appeared in his eyes.
Her robes were exquisite and adorned with pearls and gems. The hem was split into six sections like lily petals.
Her black hair was like a waterfall that reached past her bottom. She had a pair of enchanting eyes and seductive red lips.
She walked with a leisurely pace and sat down on a flat rock beside him.
She brushed her hair behind her back and pulled her skirt to her sides. Her long, straight legs were covered in black stockings. A lace garter on her right leg was decorated with a flower he seemed to have seen somewhere before.
After taking off her silver open-toed high heels, she pulled off her black stockings. Then, she let her dainty feet sink into the medicinal liquid, leaving her beautiful legs exposed to the air.
Under the faint light of the medicinal liquid, her skin looked like porcelain. It was refreshingly white.
She crossed her legs. Her firm and soft skin pressed together to create a seductive curve. Her skin was so smooth that if it weren't for a slight shadow, he might have thought her legs had merged into one.
"Don't look so gloomy. Just pretend I'm here to soak my feet." After saying that, she swung her legs. Her snowy feet created ripples in the medicinal pool. Her white soles were soaked in the liquid, making them look even more like polished jade.
"Or do you find me repulsive? I took a proper bath before coming here. My stockings and shoes are brand new too."
"If you don't believe me, you can pick them up to smell or lick them. There is definitely no odor. They must be fragrant. Maybe they are even a bit sweet." Jiang Yueyi lightly raised her leg and moved her snowy foot in front of Ling Feng's face. There was only a tiny distance left; it almost touched the tip of his nose.
Ling Feng reached out and gently pushed the foot away. The worry in his eyes grew.
Seeing his lack of interest, Jiang Yueyi didn't mind. She smiled and whispered, "Besides, I provided this pool of medicinal liquid. Without my help, you couldn't afford such an expensive bath."
That was true. This pool of medicinal liquid was worth 350,000 top-tier Spirit Stones. For most people, that was an astronomical figure.
As for him, he couldn't even produce a single ordinary Spirit Stone, let alone 350,000 top-tier ones. The most valuable thing he owned was probably the gray cloth shirt sitting nearby, which was worth about one-thousandth of an ordinary Spirit Stone.
"But the whole thing started because you attacked me for no reason and destroyed my medicinal pool. This pool is your compensation to me. But I never asked you to pay me back this much, did I?" He spoke in a deliberately innocent and aggrieved tone.
Jiang Yueyi looked at those eyes. He really did look incredibly innocent. If she hadn't remembered that she almost died at his hands because of this, she might have actually felt guilty.
"That is true. But by now, you must have guessed it. The ambush you faced in that Dungeon before I found you was also ordered by me. As an apology, how about I compensate you with more things? If you want, I could even offer myself to you." Her playful tone was clearly ambiguous, but her voice was as cold as a lute string. It lacked any feminine softness or affectation.
Ling Feng did not respond immediately. Instead, he fell into a brief silence.
Jiang Yueyi fixed her gaze on him. She admired his top-tier appearance as if she were looking at a rare treasure.
She remembered how he looked in clothes. That gray shirt did not suit his rare beauty.
He should wear more luxurious robes with a belt and a hair crown. If he held a good sword, he would be a stunning young swordsman.
He was already a piece of top-grade jade. He didn't need polishing. Any polishing would be a desecration.
"Anything I want? Then can you crawl out of here like a dog, Goddess Sister?" He spoke with a flat tone and a slightly childish voice, as if he didn't realize how offensive his words were.
Jiang Yueyi's expression changed slightly. She also fell into a brief silence.
After a few moments of quiet, Ling Feng broke the silence. "Can't do it?"
The strange look in Jiang Yueyi's eyes vanished like smoke. She also put on a fake aggrieved expression and said in a weak voice, "If I crawl or even bark like a dog, will you forgive me for the wrong things I did to you?"
Ling Feng knew one thing very well. You shouldn't listen to what a person says; you should watch what they do. Even though Jiang Yueyi looked like she was surrendering, there was always a glint of cunning in her eyes. Her tone was steady without a single ripple.
She was still smiling as she playfully moved her legs. Her snowy feet lightly stepped on the medicinal liquid, creating splashes and ripples.
He was certain Jiang Yueyi wouldn't do it. Although he had only known her for half a month and she was always like a flower seen through a fog, he could tell she was proud to her core.
"Sure. If you do it, I will let everything go." In reality, he couldn't find a reason to forgive or not to forgive. Those two incidents didn't matter anymore once he agreed to the compensation. He just wanted to see if Jiang Yueyi would actually crawl like a dog if he agreed. After all, everyone has a bit of a mean streak.
"You really are wicked. You don't actually want to see me crawl and bark like a dog, do you?" Jiang Yueyi finally spoke with a hint of helplessness. Her gaze was slightly resentful.
"You said it yourself. You'd agree to anything."
Jiang Yueyi didn't speak. She suddenly jumped into the pool and sat directly on top of him. When her soft bottom pressed against his abdomen, his heart wavered for a split second. However, he didn't move. He let her snowy arms wrap gently around his neck. Jiang Yueyi leaned down to his ear. Her lips brushed against his earlobe. The warm sensation and her light breath made Ling Feng's ear feel itchy.
"Can't you choose something more interesting? For example..."
"I think watching you crawl like a dog is the most interesting thing." Ling Feng interrupted her directly.