Chapter 945: Magic Heart Seed Dao

Mr. Ji’s Dao Companion?

Azhe had initially thought the female cultivator before him merely knew Mr. Ji. He never expected their relationship to be so intimate. Although he was virtually a marginalized, imprisoned figure on Nine Peaks Mountain, he still understood common sense matters like this.

A Dao companion is someone extremely close in one’s cultivation journey, not necessarily limited to a man and a woman. Some are both teachers and friends. Of course, it’s also quite common for male and female Dao companions to develop romantic feelings and become even more intimate, and the probability is not low.

Furthermore, the woman mentioned his solitary existence on Nine Peaks Mountain, instantly boosting Azhe’s trust in her to a considerably high level.

“If you have nowhere to go, come with me and tell me how you’ve been all these years.”

“Me? Is that… okay?”

Lian Ping’er smiled and nodded.

“Just think of me as your master’s wife.”

Azhe’s face lit up, but then immediately fell somewhat. Lian Ping’er observed his expression fully and understood that her guess was likely correct: he admired Ji Yuan, wished to be his disciple but couldn’t, and then was forced to join Nine Peaks Mountain. However, she sensed there was definitely more to his story.

Seeing Azhe’s reaction, Lian Ping’er immediately added,

“It is indeed quite difficult to become his disciple.”

Lian Ping’er left first, and Azhe, regaining his senses, quickly followed. Perhaps it was psychological, but Azhe felt a gentle concern from the woman, similar to Mr. Ji’s—a long-lost care from an elder.

Sometimes, human perception is strange. Initially, Azhe was quite wary of outsiders. However, when Lian Ping’er accurately guessed some crucial information—details Azhe was certain only Mr. Ji knew—a sense of trust and closeness quickly formed.

As they walked, Azhe spoke, guided by Lian Ping’er’s occasional prompts. He recounted his experiences on Nine Peaks Mountain over the years, and also “recalled” and narrated his encounter with Ji Yuan, the events in the Nine-Point Grotto-Heaven, and his own background.

Though Azhe didn’t directly call “Aunt Ning” his “master’s wife,” he treated her with the utmost respect, as a disciple would. He had spent nearly twenty years on Nine Peaks Mountain and had never shown such sincere deference to any of the immortal cultivators there.

To show his familiarity, Azhe affectionately called Immortal Ning Xin “Aunt Ning,” and she accepted it cheerfully without any displeasure.

By the time they reached the inn, Lian Ping’er appeared easygoing on the surface, but a storm raged within her mind.

The man before her, despite having deeply rooted demonic tendencies, had paradoxically cultivated the foundation of immortal cultivation under these circumstances. This wasn’t a case of a regular immortal cultivator with an unstable Dao heart succumbing to demonic influence; rather, his heart had already given birth to a demon, yet he had still developed an immortal foundation.

Because Azhe currently harbored no psychological defenses towards Lian Ping’er, she was able to glean more information through observation of his aura and divination. She even took his pulse and used her magic to probe his cultivation status.

It could be said that after the demon manifested in Azhe’s heart that year, Ji Yuan undoubtedly sensed it immediately. However, he didn’t opt for conventional methods of disposal that would cause irreversible harm to the boy. Instead, he embedded an immortal vein directly into the growing demonic root.

Although due to the “superb handling methods” of those fools on Nine Peaks Mountain, Azhe’s demonic heart seemed to have continually grown stronger over the past two decades while his immortal vein developed minimally, Azhe’s spiritual platform remained remarkably clear. That wisp of immortal vein was deeply rooted, like a patch of verdant green in frozen, dark earth—a small sprout with deep roots.

This unprecedented and inconceivable situation prompted Lian Ping’er to coin a new term based on her thoughts.

“‘Sowing the Dao in a demonic heart… sowing the Dao in a demonic heart… Ji Yuan could actually plant the foundation of the Dao in someone destined to become a demon…’”

While Lian Ping’er’s cultivation couldn’t be described as world-shattering, her understanding of cultivation was absolutely prodigious. After hearing all of Azhe’s story, her immediate realization, or rather, her stronger belief, was that what had happened to Azhe certainly wasn’t something the immortal cultivators who imprisoned him on Nine Peaks Mountain could have achieved merely by imparting some cultivation methods.

The reason Azhe was who he was now was due to the time Ji Yuan spent accompanying him, the subtle influence Ji Yuan exerted, the promise made earlier, and the affection that developed later. Even the girl named Jin Xiu was a “love lock” established by Ji Yuan, a form of insurance.

“‘What a formidable method! An immortal acting not with immortal magic, but with the principles of the world, with human emotions, with youthful ambition, and with the goodness of the heart as their method… No, this is also immortal magic, Ji Yuan’s immortal magic…’”

Lian Ping’er suddenly felt a chill. Was Ji Yuan truly just an immortal cultivator born in this current era? Could the present cultivation world truly produce a true immortal like Ji Yuan?

“Aunt Ning, Aunt Ning…”

When Azhe arrived at the inn with Aunt Ning, he found her somewhat dazed and couldn’t help but call out to her twice.

“Huh? Oh, we’re here…”

Lian Ping’er snapped back to reality, her face immediately showing an expression of heartache. She even reached out and touched Azhe’s cheek. This physical contact made Azhe a little uncomfortable, but he didn’t pull away.

“Poor child, Ji Yuan was indeed a bit heartless. With his cultivation, it’s impossible he couldn’t have foreseen that Nine Peaks Mountain wouldn’t treat you well…”

“You can’t blame Mr. Ji for this; it’s Azhe’s own lack of ambition!”

“Alright, let’s go into the inn. Some of the dishes here are quite famous in various immortal ports, and it even has several branches, with this being the original location. I’ll take you to try them.”

Azhe smiled.

“Thank you, Aunt Ning.”

“Hehehe, don’t be so polite with me. Just consider it Mr. Ji’s treat.”

The building before them was less an inn and more a treasure pavilion. It appeared simple on the outside, but once inside, the space immediately transformed. The interior was lavishly decorated yet didn’t lack warmth, and small sprites with butterfly wings flew about, holding signs.

As soon as Azhe and Lian Ping’er entered, several small sprites flew over.

Azhe clearly saw that these small sprites had beautiful butterfly-like wings, but their bodies resembled children shrunk many times over. They wore red and green padded jackets, looking plump and festive.

“Welcome, honored immortals! Are you here for lodging or dining? We have superior rooms and private chambers, and if needed, secret spell-forbidden rooms as well.”

Lian Ping’er replied with a smile.

“Could you please arrange a private chamber for us, little Daoist friends? We’d like to dine. Please serve all ten of your signature dishes, along with Sanhua Wine and Jade Spirit Fruit. We’ll have everything.”

“Is the Spirit Mountain Private Seat on the Xuan-three floor acceptable?”

“Yes, that will do. You may arrange it.”

The sign in one of the small sprite’s hands immediately changed its text, and then it called out to the counter in a soft yet clear voice,

“Spirit Mountain Private Seat on Xuan-three floor, guests arriving—!”

“Alright! Honored immortals, please follow me. There are many rooms, so please don’t get lost!”

Having said this, the little sprite flew ahead towards a corridor. Azhe was still staring in a daze when Lian Ping’er gently patted him.

“Let’s go. The innkeeper here is also an immortal, and the staff are either sprites or immortal cultivators. Even the chefs know immortal arts; the dishes they make are not only imbued with spiritual essence but also delicious!”

Around the same time, Old Gray and Young Gray had returned to the Jade Embrace Treasure Pavilion.

As a significant treasure pavilion poised for a new opening, Wei Wuwei regarded this place with extreme importance. The Thousand Reefs Island area was home to numerous rogue cultivators—a blooming garden, to put it nicely; a mixed bag of fish and dragons, to put it bluntly. Yet, he valued this location more than some immortal ports of major immortal sects, even personally coming amidst his busy schedule to arrange relevant matters and discreetly meet with a representative from Lingbao Pavilion.

Just then, Wei Wuwei emerged from Lingbao Pavilion and happened to see Old Gray and Young Gray approaching. He quickly gave a solemn bow to both of them.

“Daoist Gray, is this harbor city in the sea interesting?”

“Patriarch Wei!”

After they returned the greeting, Young Gray immediately said,

“It’s quite interesting, truly an eye-opener. But Old Gray and I also saw two peculiar people, one of whom felt very strange.”

“Oh?”

Wei Wuwei looked at Old Gray, knowing that among the two Daoist Grays, Old Gray was the more composed one. The latter then spoke,

“Indeed. One seemed to be a disciple of Nine Peaks Mountain, with whom we shared some karmic affinity. But the woman was quite unsettling…”

As Old Gray spoke, Wei Wuwei frowned repeatedly.

“That woman spent three thousand taels of gold to buy them, and then wanted to give them to you?”

“Yes, Old Gray thought there was something off about her, but couldn’t quite pinpoint it.”

Wei Wuwei nodded.

“Your instincts are correct. A woman who would spend a fortune to buy all the deep-sea pearls must surely cherish such treasures. Yet, she could freely give handfuls of pearls away, even offering them to you. Even an immortal woman would cling to newly acquired beloved items; it’s impossible she would give them away.”

“Oh, by the way, since you two are here, I must naturally treat you well, or I’ll be too embarrassed to visit Yunshan Temple next time. Let’s go, let’s try the ten signature dishes at that Immortal Cloud Tower!”

“Excellent!” “You’re too generous, Patriarch Wei!”

Wei Wuwei’s suggestion naturally made Old Gray and Young Gray jubilant. It was good to be out and about, especially with Patriarch Wei.

“No worries at all. It’s a rare visit, and I’m also very curious about the taste of those dishes!”

Wei Wuwei led Old Gray, Young Gray, and two Wei clan disciples to the Immortal Cloud Tower, which was the very inn where Azhe and Lian Ping’er were staying.

After reserving a private room and arranging for dishes, Wei Wuwei escorted the group inside, but then stepped out again and approached the counter of the Immortal Cloud Tower.

The innkeeper was tallying accounts with his brush. Seeing Wei Wuwei approach, he looked up at him.

“Daoist friend, if you wish to order more dishes, just call out from inside; there’s no need to come out yourself.”

Wei Wuwei bowed with a smile.

“Daoist friend, I’d like to inquire if a male and female cultivator are staying here.”

“I have many male and female cultivators staying here. Besides, all guests are treated equally. You wouldn’t want me to reveal your information if someone inquired about you, would you?”

As he spoke, the innkeeper lowered his head to continue his accounting.

“Of course not.”

Wei Wuwei nodded repeatedly.

“Business, after all, requires integrity. I won’t break the rules. I’m merely looking for someone without causing disturbance, and I certainly won’t do anything within the establishment.”

The innkeeper frowned, then looked up at Wei Wuwei carefully again, and suddenly his face showed understanding.

“So it’s Patriarch Wei!”