CHAPTER 84: YUE XIN II

Azure Feather Sect came into view, its peaks shrouded in morning mist, cranes gliding lazily over the waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides. The great swan descended slowly, wings folding as Tian Lei leapt down with Yue Xin at his side.

The disciples on watch stiffened. They had never seen Tian Lei return with anyone before, much less a strange woman whose presence carried a faint aura. They quickly stepped forward, fists cupped respectfully.

"Senior Brother Tian," one asked cautiously, "this... person is?"

Yue Xin’s face looked utterly ordinary, a clear, unremarkable visage thanks to the disguise mask she now wore. No trace of her natural beauty leaked out, only the sense of someone plain enough to be overlooked in a crowd.

Tian Lei’s eyes swept over them, his tone calm but final. "She is with me."

The disciples exchanged glances. Though puzzled, none dared to press further. They bowed, stepping aside at once. "Understood. Please proceed."

Without another word, Tian Lei strode past them, Yue Xin following half a step behind, her hands hidden in her sleeves. Whispers stirred quietly after they passed, but none dared raise their voices above the rush of wind and waterfall.

The path led straight toward the Immortal Cave at the heart of the mountain, where Mu Qinxue awaited. The faint fragrance of spirit herbs lingered in the air, mingling with the serene sound of flowing water as Tian Lei entered with Yue Xin in tow.

Mu Qinxue’s lips curved faintly as Tian Lei entered her cave with the veiled woman behind him. Her gaze swept once, then narrowed ever so slightly, amusement flashing in her eyes.

"You went out for a few days," she said, voice teasing, "and came back with a girl. Hm? Has my disciple’s Dao companion finally appeared?"

Tian Lei’s expression didn’t change, though one vein in his forehead twitched. "Master... don’t jest. She is not my Dao companion."

"Oh?" Mu Qinxue tilted her head, smile widening. "Then what is she? Don’t tell me you suddenly swing that way, bringing her back under my roof—"

"Master!" Tian Lei cut her off, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I only brought her because her physique... is the same type as yours. Perhaps you can help her."

That wiped the teasing smile from Mu Qinxue’s lips. Her eyes sharpened, curiosity blooming. She raised one slender hand, and a soft ripple of spiritual light pulsed out. "Soul-Ensnaring Vision—open."

Invisible threads of intent wrapped around Yue Xin. For a moment, her heart thudded nervously—but then Mu Qinxue frowned slightly.

"...Hm. Strange. She doesn’t resist, yet the reading isn’t complete either. A half-veiled constitution... not something ordinary."

Yue Xin hesitated, then spoke in a soft voice. "Senior... my name is Yue Xin." Her hands tightened together before she lifted her gaze, face reddening slightly. "I... carry the Nine Yin Heart Physique."

The cave grew still. Even the water trickling along the stone channels seemed to hush.

Mu Qinxue’s eyes widened ever so slightly before she let out a low whistle. "Nine Yin Heart Physique... ah, no wonder Tian Lei dragged you here." She looked over her shoulder at her disciple, arching a brow. "You really do bring me troublesome surprises, don’t you?"

Mu Qinxue folded her arms, studying Yue Xin as though appraising a rare spirit jade. Her playful tone dimmed, replaced by a quiet weight.

"The Nine Yin Heart Physique..." she began slowly, "is both a curse and a blessing. It is one of the most extreme Yin constitutions under the heavens. From birth, your meridians carry an endless flow of pure Yin essence, colder and sharper than glacial steel."

Her eyes half-lidded, lashes lowering as she continued. "Left untamed, that Yin power corrodes your body. Your heart becomes like frozen jade — beautiful, but brittle. Most who carry this physique... die before reaching maturity."

Yue Xin’s hands trembled slightly. Her lips pressed thin, but she didn’t look away.

Mu Qinxue’s gaze softened. "Yet, if tempered properly... the Nine Yin Heart Physique becomes an unparalleled cultivation furnace. Yin arts, illusion methods, soul techniques — all will bow before you. And your very presence can suppress flames, yang energy, even the fury of berserk beasts."

She smiled faintly then, though there was no humor in it. "But the price of wielding such power... is that you must constantly balance the heart of frost within you. Without guidance, without support... your body will shatter from the very gift you were born with."

Tian Lei’s brows knitted. "Support?" he asked, wary of her tone.

Mu Qinxue shot him a sidelong glance, lips quirking into a sly smirk. "Mm. Balance requires Yang to temper Yin. And what greater source of Yang could there be... than a strong, talented man with abundant qi?"

Yue Xin’s face flushed crimson on the spot.

Tian Lei groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Master..."

Mu Qinxue’s laughter, soft and musical, echoed off the stone walls. "Relax. I’m not telling her to throw herself at you — yet. But you’d best understand, brat. This girl cannot walk the road alone. Either she learns to regulate her Yin with help... or she will perish before her prime."

Mu Qinxue’s voice shed all traces of humor, turning sharp and cold.

"Not to mention..." she said, eyes narrowing on Yue Xin, "this physique paints a mark on your back. There are men — vile, greedy men — who would chain you away just to claim you. Why? Because each time they ’refine’ with you, their cultivation surges tenfold. Nine times, they can drain you. By the ninth, you’ll be nothing but a hollow husk. If they act with corrupted intent, your very soul may scatter."

The chamber grew still. Yue Xin’s complexion paled, her hands tightening around her sleeves.

Tian Lei spoke, steady and unyielding. "Then the only path forward is to guard her. If this physique needs balance, I will be the one to provide it. No one else."

Mu Qinxue tilted her head, lips curling in faint amusement. "Bold words, brat. But do you even grasp the weight of what you’ve declared? The Nine Yin Heart Physique is no mere ice jade constitution. That Yin-Frost Sea girl over there—" she gestured carelessly toward a nearby disciple— "has no curse to bind her. But this one..." Her finger tapped gently over Yue Xin’s heart. "This one is a sealed furnace of heaven and hell. Mishandle her, and you’ll both be burned away."

Yue Xin lowered her gaze, voice trembling. "I never asked for this physique. If I am a burden, then—"

Her words cut short as Tian Lei interjected, his tone firm as steel."You’re not a burden. And neither is your physique. Just learn to control it, and that will be enough."

Mu Qinxue let out a short, amused breath, a faint glimmer of approval flashing in her eyes."Hmph. You’ve got the arrogance to challenge the heavens themselves."

Then her smile turned sharper. "Though the real question remains..." She shifted her gaze to him. "Are you prepared to bed her, to bind her Dao with yours? At the very least, dual cultivate to stabilize her condition? If not, I could always arrange for someone else."

Yue Xin shook her head violently, voice trembling. "I would rather die than let a stranger touch me!"

"Oh?" Mu Qinxue’s tone carried a sly edge. "So you’d rather do it with Tian Lei, then?"

Yue Xin’s face froze, then flushed crimson all the way to her ears. She looked ready to sink into the floor.

Tian Lei exhaled calmly, his words steady. "You don’t need to decide anything now. I’ll find another way. Only when I’m certain there’s no other path will I... take that step with you."

Yue Xin’s eyes lifted at that, a glimmer of something unspoken shining within them. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

Mu Qinxue noticed it at once, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.’Ah... so the little lamb has already given her heart away,’ she mused, shaking her head. ’Let’s just hope this clueless brat doesn’t get himself killed before he realizes it.’

Mu Qinxue clasped her hands behind her back, pacing a step as her gaze flicked between the two.

"Well, well... this is interesting. A proud young man swearing he’ll defy fate, and a shy girl willing to die rather than share her body with another. The heavens do love drama."

Yue Xin’s blush deepened, and she whispered through gritted teeth, "Senior Mu... please stop talking."

But Mu Qinxue only chuckled. "Oh, don’t glare at me like that. I’m simply stating facts. You should be grateful I’m not parading you both in front of the city lord and announcing the matter."

Tian Lei crossed his arms, his expression unchanging. "Enough games. Tell me what path remains to strengthen her physique without harming her. I’ll carve it open myself if I must."

His voice carried such conviction that for the briefest moment, the air around him seemed heavier, like invisible mountains pressing down.

Mu Qinxue’s eyes sharpened. That wasn’t ordinary resolve—it was the kind of will that made even heaven’s laws pause for a heartbeat.

"...Fine," she finally said. "If you’re that reckless, there are ways. Dangerous, painful, but possible. The Nine Yin Heart Physique feeds on extreme yin energy. If you can temper her body with balanced yang essence without... indulging in the usual path, she may last. But each attempt will feel like burning her life away."

Yue Xin paled, but her eyes did not waver.

"Then I’ll endure it," she said quietly.

For the first time, Mu Qinxue found herself blinking in surprise. Then she smirked.

"Ha. Both of you are stubborn as rocks. Fine, I’ll help you try. But don’t blame me if this experiment leaves you half-dead, Tian Lei."

"I won’t die," Tian Lei replied without hesitation.

"Bold words," Mu Qinxue said, shaking her head with a sigh. "Heaven really does favor fools."