“If you get careless, your soul could disintegrate.” Zu An grimly warned Yan Xuehen.
Upon reaching the Earth Immortal realm, cultivators gained the power to draw their souls out of their bodies. The stronger they were, the further their souls could travel from their bodies.
But that was limited to the mortal world, which was filled with ki that could nourish one’s soul. Even so, they had to be extremely careful of weapons that dealt with the soul, and their bodies had to be protected properly too. A soul, no matter how powerful, would disintegrate if it lost a body to house itself.
The fact that they were heading to the Netherworld, which could potentially corrode their souls, didn't help either.
“No matter how dangerous it is, I have to go. I have been worried about Chuyan all these years. I have browsed countless records but couldn’t find a way to save her. I finally have some news about her now. I won’t be able to rest at ease unless I see her in person.” Yan Xuehen looked anguished.
Judging from her emotional fluctuations, Zu An could tell that this was a knot in her heart. Yan Xuehen thought that their relationship was what had caused Chu Chuyan’s mishap. If she couldn’t resolve it in time, it could grow into an inner demon, and that would be the greatest possible bane in her cultivation method.
Thus, Zu An said, “Alright.”
“When do we make a move?” Yan Xuehen breathed a sigh of relief.
Zu An looked at the night sky and said, “It’s going to be the ‘Zi’ hour[1] soon. The yin energy will be the most concentrated then; it’ll be best to head to the Netherworld at that time.”
He gave Yan Xuehen a brief overview of the Netherworld and the things she had to look out for lest she suffer a fright later on.
Yan Xuehen calmly listened to him. Shortly after, she began meditating under his guidance, and by channeling the method he had imparted to her, her soul began drifting out of her body.
Staring at her face close up, Zu An was mesmerized by her beautiful appearance and her unique transcendent disposition. No wonder even someone as powerful as Zhao Han had courted her back then.
Yan Xuehen suddenly opened her eyes and noticed his scrutiny. That made her face redden. “I have another question. Will it be safe to leave my body here?”
She’d had many suitors, which cultivated her cautious personality. She was worried about leaving her body here after projecting her soul out.
Zu An smiled. “Don’t have to worry. This is the safest place in the academy, and I’ll also set up formations here. No one will be able to reach your body. I’ll also be able to return here right away if anything happens. As long as I focus, I can keep tabs on anything happening in this world.”
Yan Xuehen was relieved. At the same time, she looked forward to reaching his level. “The records detail an unparalleled cultivation level, but for many generations, we cultivators thought it was just the ancestors’ imagination. I never thought you’d reach it.”
“Call me master from now on, and I’ll teach you,” Zu An said with a grin.
“Pui!” Yan Xuehen spat before shyly looking away.
Even though she had said that Zu An was now qualified to be her master, she’d intended it to refer to a solemn impartation of cultivation insights. But judging from Zu An’s tone, he was likely planning to exploit that position to take advantage of her. There was no way she could accept that.
Zu An knew how shy she was and was worried her emotional fluctuation could affect her soul’s stability, so he stopped teasing her. “Are you ready? Let’s begin.”
“All right.” Yan Xuehen closed her eyes. Under Zu An’s guidance, she murmured an incantation, and soon, a faint silhouette stood up from her body.
Yan Xuehen thought it was strange to see her own body sitting on the bed. “Your method of soul projection seems different from projecting the yin soul and the yang soul.”
Zu An altered the surrounding environment to protect her soul while explaining with a smile, “There is a slight difference. The yin soul and the yang soul are just parts of the soul, whereas this soul projection draws out the entirety of the soul...”
Looking at Yan Xuehen’s soul, Zu An was perplexed as to why the projected souls he had seen were all wearing clothes. In theory, souls should have been bare and without adornment.
It must be their subconscious mind at work. They instinctively feel that they should be clothed even when projecting their souls, which results in them appearing that way.
Yan Xuehen was enlightened by Zu An’s talk about souls. I should be able to make a breakthrough in my cultivation if I go into seclusion after I return...
When she saw how earnestly he was taking this, her expression became gentler. He looks dashing when he gets serious.
If she knew what Zu An was thinking, however, her lower jaw would drop to the ground.
“Aren’t you going to project your soul too?” Yan Xuehen asked curiously.
Zu An smiled as he reached out to grab her. “Living beings are forbidden in the Netherworld, but I’m an exception. Come, let me guide you.”
Yan Xuehen didn’t turn him down. Being in soul form left her feeling insecure, and she instinctively wanted to stay close to Zu An. Her body shuddered when she grabbed Zu An’s hand. “This feels weird.”
“Your senses are more pronounced in soul form...” Zu An replied. He was reminded about how his soul had fused with Jiang Luofu’s in the Monster World—that had been an unforgettable experience to him.
I wonder if she’s safe...
Sensing something strange, Yan Xuehen asked, “Are you thinking about other women while holding my hand?”
She regretted blurting that out right away. It was unlike her to say such words.
But Zu An was overjoyed. “I didn’t know big sister Yan got jealous too.”
“I am merely keeping an eye on you on Chuyan’s behalf. As her master, I ought to stop you from philandering while she’s not around,” Yan Xuehen replied coldly.
“Of course, of course.” Zu An could hardly suppress his smile. He leaned closer and said, “I have been feeling lonely now that Chuyan isn’t with me. Master, shouldn’t you take her place and accompany me to keep me from philandering around?”
“How can you be this shameless?” Yan Xuehen exclaimed angrily. She’d never realize a soul could blush as well.
“Shouldn’t you go all the way when helping someone? If you refuse to help, I’ll have to look for other people. You’d have failed your duty to Chuyan, no?” Teasing the ice immortal was more fun than Zu An had thought.
Yan Xuehen blinked. Something felt off about his words, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. “Just because I’m keeping an eye on you on Chuyan’s behalf doesn’t mean that I’ll help her with... this.”
“Why? If you take care of me, I won’t have the energy to look for others. You’d be doing Chuyan a huge favor here.”
Yan Xuehen was shocked to find herself moved by his words. This makes sense. It’d be better to keep him by my side than to let him philander outside. I think Chuyan would rather he be with me than other ladies outside. At least we’re close...
That thought made her face redden. She angrily punched the man beside her and exclaimed, “You nearly misled me! You would still have the energy to find other ladies even if Chuyan was with you!”
She had a lasting impression of his neverending stamina. She had spent many nights exhausted over that. It would be impossible to satisfy him with just the two of them.
Zu An’s eyes lit up. “It sounds like you’ve considered it.”
Yan Xuehen was on the verge of dying from embarrassment. She decided to just give in. “If you promise not to look for anyone else other than Chuyan in the future, I can... take care of you on her behalf.”
1. 11PM to 1AM. ☜