The Beauty Cultivation Technique

Chapter 20: Transformation

Bai Yan watched Ji Yaoge enter Ren Zhongping's cave. He thought he must have lost his mind to believe her nonsense under her bright eyes. How could a low-level cultivator in the early Qi Refining stage deal with a late Foundation Establishment cultivator?

It was absurd.

But Ji Yaoge had done unbelievable things before. Just today, she had pulled off something remarkable, making him reassess their relationship.

Since she lost her memory, she no longer seemed like the humble, silent and scheming Ji Yaoge from before.

Ji Yaoge, now inside Ren Zhongping's cave, had no time to think. All her energy was focused on dealing with Ren Zhongping. This cave was much larger than her residence, with two stone rooms inside and out, elegantly decorated. There was a qin table, flower stands, treasure cabinets, and a lotus bed draped with layers of gauze, like a young master's room.

Ren Zhongping wore a diamond-patterned long robe, loosely tied at the waist, with flowing sleeves, looking quite dashing. He was pouring and drinking wine from a dragon-mouthed pot. When he saw Ji Yaoge enter, he couldn't take his eyes off her.

The apricot-yellow dress made her look brighter, her fair skin wrapped in a green bodice, making her look like a lotus bud. Her slightly childish face and not fully developed body exuded an unpolished charm that even the most beautiful face couldn't convey, a breath of youth given by time.

"Senior Brother Ren," Ji Yaoge called softly, standing at the door without moving.

Ren Zhongping waved her over, "Come and drink with me."

Ji Yaoge walked over, picked up the dragon-mouthed pot, and poured wine into his cup. She raised her hand high, letting the thin stream of wine splash into the cup, spilling a few drops on the table. Ren Zhongping, however, kept his eyes on her delicate wrist and slender waist.

"Senior Brother, have some wine," she said in a deliberately soft voice, trying to appear obedient. Ji Yaoge still couldn't master the art of seduction, only trying to seem docile.

Ren Zhongping, pleased with her behavior, downed the wine in one gulp. Ji Yaoge refilled his cup and asked tentatively, "I wonder who Senior Brother met in the mountains two days ago. I'm very curious."

"Want to know?" He brought the cup to her lips.

Ji Yaoge sipped the wine, "I do."

Ren Zhongping seemed very satisfied with her obedience, "You're not Ji Yaoge, are you? Those people were looking for you?"

Ji Yaoge smiled, "Senior Brother is joking. How could I not be Yaoge?"

"Enough pretending in front of me. The old Ji Yaoge wasn't as perceptive as you. Besides, her soul was taken by me and offered to the Talisman Master. How could she return to the human world?" Ren Zhongping said, tapping her nose like a lover.

Ji Yaoge remained silent. Since he dared to speak so bluntly, he intended to use this to threaten her. What worried her more than Xiao Wu Heng was Bai Li Qing discovering her identity.

Sure enough, he continued, "You must have been attacked and forced out of your body, then found Ji Yaoge's body to hide in. Those people are your enemies looking for you. Did I guess right?" He had just taken Ji Yaoge's soul when a powerful spiritual pressure forced him to abandon dealing with her body. When he turned around, he found Ji Yaoge back in Chi Xiu Palace, which was strange. So, he didn't rush to kill her, just observed from the shadows.

"Since Senior Brother has guessed it all, why ask me?" Ji Yaoge sat down, poured herself a cup, and drank it in one go.

Ren Zhongping was very pleased with her attitude, "Seems you're smart."

"Thank you for the compliment, Senior Brother. But what do you want by telling me all this? Just say it straight," Ji Yaoge said calmly.

Ren Zhongping admired her composure, showing no fear of being exposed.

"Will you do whatever I say?" He stood beside her, lifting her chin to make her look at him.

"Depends on what it is, Senior Brother. If it's my life, I can't agree," Ji Yaoge smiled playfully, her eyes twinkling.

"Haha, interesting girl. How could I bear to take your life? The night is long. Let's enjoy it first and talk about other things later..." He pulled her up and threw her onto the lotus bed.

Ji Yaoge spun and fell onto the bed, the jade tube at her waist quietly opened.

Ren Zhongping leaned down, hair falling, smiling seductively. His pupils slowly changed color, petals seemed to bloom in his eyes, filled with endless spring feelings. Ji Yaoge smelled the heavy scent on him, thickened by the heat, making her dizzy. To be fair, Ren Zhongping was handsome, more masculine than Bai Yan, without a trace of vulgarity. But he didn't stir any ripples in her heart, even his charm techniques seemed laughable.

Already hidden in her sleeve, the silver needle pierced her vein, marrow bee venom spreading rapidly. Ji Yaoge felt his scent intensify, ears filled with tiny noises. Ren Zhongping's voice seemed to come from afar. She closed her eyes, calming her mind. When she reopened them, her gaze was hazy.

"Senior Brother..." she murmured.

For some reason, Ren Zhongping found her usually plain face suddenly vivid, like an ink painting infused with color, red maples forming clouds, adding grandeur to the landscape, captivating him. Was she enchanted by his charm, or did he make her bloom? Ren Zhongping was extremely pleased, body and mind both relaxed. Suddenly, a sting on his neck made him turn, only to have his face cupped by her.

"Yaoge..." he mumbled her name, about to undress her. But a scorching heat surged within, spreading rapidly. His mind briefly cleared, "What's happening?" His voice was shocked. Seeing his skin redden, then Ji Yaoge's cold expression, he understood everything.

A hunter was finally pecked by the geese. Ren Zhongping never expected Ji Yaoge to poison him while he was defenselessly using charm techniques. No, she used charm on him too.

Enraged, he raised his hand to strike her chest, but Ji Yaoge was faster, blocking with one arm and pressing the other hand on his chest, sending him flying.

Bang—Ren Zhongping staggered, crashing into the table. He held onto it, face twisted in rage, "What did you poison me with?"

"Your usual poison," Ji Yaoge stepped off the bed, walking towards him.

Though her steps seemed slow, she suddenly appeared close, her dress fluttering, creating illusions. Ren Zhongping saw numerous Ji Yaoges, all staring at him with clear eyes, filling him with fear. He tried to gather his spiritual energy, but his meridians burned, energy chaotic, dantian aflame. His soul was in disarray, heart pounding uncontrollably. He struggled to control himself, only managing to calm his mind with heavy breaths.

Ji Yaoge's voice echoed in his ears, calling him Senior Brother with a laugh, forcing him to open his eyes.

Desire surged within him, barely restrained. The unbearable heat eroded his reason. He roared, "Get away!"

Ji Yaoge saw a purple light in his palm and dodged, but the residual force still knocked her back a few steps. As she steadied herself, there was a clang, something fell. Ren Zhongping had already run out of the room in madness.

She glanced at the fallen item, a powerful artifact. But Ren Zhongping, poisoned by Luanhe, was exhausted, seeking escape in his last moments of clarity. Seeing him run out, Ji Yaoge frowned deeply. She couldn't let him leave.

Just as she was about to chase him, a muffled grunt came from outside. Ji Yaoge stopped, seeing Ren Zhongping being knocked back into the room. A figure followed swiftly, grabbing Ren Zhongping's throat and closing the cave door with a flick of the sleeve.

The cold, sharp gaze swept over Ji Yaoge, then the figure smiled, "Senior Sister, sorry for acting without your order. Forgive me."

The smile was bloodthirsty and wild, unlike the Bai Yan she remembered.

Ji Yaoge met his eyes, unable to read any emotion. His usually smiling eyes were dark and deep, but she had no time to think. She rushed to Ren Zhongping, her steps light, performing the Celestial-Demon Dance she had just learned.

Ren Zhongping's clarity was long gone. In Bai Yan's grip, he panted like a beast, eyes bloodshot, staring blankly at Ji Yaoge. He saw divine figures in the air, Ji Yaoge the central deity, compassionate yet ruthless, commanding awe.

Bai Yan felt Ren Zhongping lose all resistance and released him. Ren Zhongping collapsed to his knees with a thud.

"Ren Zhongping, let me ask you. Were you marked with a ghost talisman, so you hunted low-level cultivators in the mountains?" Ji Yaoge asked calmly.

"Yes," Ren Zhongping, his mind clouded, answered obediently.

"Is the Talisman Master Xiao Wu Heng?"

"I don't know. He never shows his true face."

"Where is he now? Does he know my situation? How do you contact him?" Ji Yaoge asked her pressing questions.

"He's in Tiyu Prefecture, but I don't know exactly where. He always contacts me first. The last time was the day Ji Yaoge died. He wanted her soul. He doesn't know your situation. I haven't reported it yet."

Ren Zhongping's words made Bai Yan frown deeply.

"Those people looking for me, did you reveal my identity? Where are they now? How many?"

"Two of them. I haven't exposed your identity. They should still be in Shuangxia Valley, searching."

"The Talisman Master left you in Chi Xiu Palace for what purpose? What do you want me to do?"

"The Talisman Master wants something in Tiyu Prefecture. I'm supposed to find it. I don't know where it is, so I tried to get close to Ying Shuang through Yue Xiao and Ye Long to find out. Unfortunately, they don't trust me. Seeing you please Ye Long, I decided to keep you alive to help me gather information."

"What is it?" Ji Yaoge was very curious. If it was Xiao Wu Heng, it must be an invaluable treasure for him to risk everything.

"It's..." Ren Zhongping opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be squeezed, blood seeping from his lips. He fell, convulsing.

Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan immediately checked him. Bai Yan asked, "What's happening?"

"Sealing curse," Ji Yaoge replied after a moment.

A sealing curse, a high-level technique used to seal secrets, making it impossible for the person to reveal any related information. Speaking would result in heart-devouring pain.

Bai Yan glanced at her without further questioning, "What now? Kill him?"

Ren Zhongping lay in pain, but his breath was still weak.

"We can't kill him. The Talisman Master will know immediately. It'll alert him. Let's put him on the bed first. I've used a large dose of Luanhe grass and confused him with the Celestial-Demon Dance. His soul is shattered. Even if he wakes up, he'll be an idiot. We'll take him to see Senior Sister when we get a chance."

This involved Xiao Wu Heng, beyond her capabilities alone. Previously lacking evidence, now Ren Zhongping's madness would be the best proof, though she needed to hide her identity.

As they prepared to move Ren Zhongping to the bed, the jade tube at Ji Yaoge's waist vibrated more and more intensely.

She pressed the tube, pondering, "Bai Yan, watch Ren Zhongping for me. I'll be back soon."

"Where are you going?" Bai Yan grabbed her.

"Important matters," she didn't want to explain.

"I'll go with you."

"No need. Someone needs to stay here. If Ren Zhongping wakes and runs, it'll be troublesome." Seeing his grip still tight, she added, "Bai Yan, trust me."

Bai Yan slowly released her, silently looking at the man on the bed.

As Ji Yaoge stepped out, she heard him muttering, "Senior Sister, can I really trust you?"

She sighed and flew out.

————

Ji Yaoge didn't go far, stopping at a secluded spot. She opened the jade tube.

A flash of orange-red light burst forth. Gao Badou darted out, flying erratically, agitated.

"You're poisoned by Luanhe?" Ji Yaoge noticed the lingering red on him, frowning deeply.

"A bit..." Gao Badou wanted to strangle Ji Yaoge. She had delayed outside, forcing him to absorb some Luanhe poison.

Ji Yaoge was stunned. Even insects could be poisoned by spring toxins?

"How can I help you?" Ji Yaoge felt guilty towards Gao Badou, "Shall I find a female insect for you? But female woodworms are hard to find. How about another insect from here?"

"..." Gao Badou wanted not only to strangle her but also to tear her apart.

Cross-species mating? No, no...

"I don't need an insect," he gritted his teeth, "A human will do."

Ji Yaoge hadn't grasped his meaning when Gao Badou's insect body glowed brightly. The small creature was enveloped in golden light, and a shadow appeared within, slowly descending.

As the light faded, a boy with red lips and white teeth, clear brows, and delicate features stood up.

Ji Yaoge was speechless.

Gao Badou, with blood-red eyes, stared at the woman before him.

Damn it.

Three thousand six hundred years, his first transformation, his first estrus...

And it was all because of this woman.

He really wanted to tear her apart.