“Humblest One, isn’t it time we dispel the anti-divination net that Devils have imposed on the Great Desolation World?” In a verdant land lit up by luminous trees that soared towards a golden sky, one average-looking bald monk sat in a lustrous pond, facing a golden lotus that bloomed with sun-colored pollen, before closing on itself.

“No. Too many Enlightened Monks have relied on the Mantra of Karma to cheat their destinies. For mortals, this is a self-destructive practice, because it not only alters their fate but also reduces their lifespans. Though less gifted in the Divination Arts, many Daoists played this game as well. Now, some still fake divination abilities while others have embraced the change, going through life with no fear of the future. Give them all more time to adjust, re-learn, and grow from these changes. My Humble Self will dispel the net when the time is right,” the Golden Lotus said, and at that time, Lord Hanxing’s Dao Pledge reached the Pure Land, prompting shining light columns to rise from the pond.

The sitting monk frowned at the scene.

“Humblest One, has the experiment failed?”

“There is no such thing as failure. All results are successes, for they give us more opportunities to learn and grow from the mortals we observe. With that said, I suppose that for the so-called Lord Hanxing, this is a complete disaster—one whose ramifications will haunt him for thousands of years to come.

Send the rewards. Though helped by the perfect child’s schemes, the clone has dispelled the fog and sublimated her soul. From here on, she is truly…human,” the Golden Lotus said, and immediately, the sitting monk nodded, then joined his hands in a prayer sign, conjuring golden Lianist runes that flew into the pond, crossing realms and myriad worlds to fuse with Zi Feng.

…

Back in the Gorge of Thousand Venoms, Zi Feng’s eyes shone with colorful rays. Golden runes manifested around her, merging with her body as her Embryonic Soul grew into a complete and radiant soul—a Greater Soul, to be more specific.

In the hierarchy of lifeforms, the higher the soul grade, the higher the lifeform rank in Heaven’s eyes. Unique to the Sages of the Holy Path, Greater Souls ranked below the Venerable Souls of the average Divine Spirit and Demon Noble, but they still granted their own lot of mystical abilities that Venerable Soul owners couldn’t mimic.

With a Greater Soul, Zi Feng automatically gained the ability to lead non-sentient lives into Enlightenment. Her own Lianist Path, if she ever pursued Lianism, would become smoother as well. But at the moment, Zi Feng couldn’t consider these benefits.

It was as if she’d stepped out of a world of darkness to enter the light. All her senses were heightened beyond rational norms. From happiness to grief, she felt 10 times what others did. Better, a dantian formed above her navel, enabling her heaven-grade Puppet cultivation to morph into a flawless early-stage Divine Transformation cultivation base.

At the same time, a purple rank-five Monster Core formed next to Zi Feng’s heart, granting her the bloodline of a Royal Phoenix. Akin to a Holy Beast Descendant, Zi Feng could change between rank-six Royal Phoenix and Divine Transformation human expert as she pleased. But unlike Holy Beast Descendants, who only had half-monster forms and their human cultivation bases, Zi Feng had the best of both worlds.

One had to admit that, the Golden Lotus didn’t laze around in terms of gifts. Lord Hanxing couldn’t understand why, right after he cut ties with her, Zi Feng went through such alarming changes. Worse, the Green Immortal Sword Art kicked, conjuring green winds of degradation that leaked out of Hanxing’s pores—making his cultivation rise, even as his jealousy intensified.

Zi Feng’s lips curled into a smile, and she bowed at Xinzi.

“Thank you, master, for saving me from myself!” Zi Feng, who realized that she owed her freedom and transcendent changes to Xinzi’s intervention, offered her allegiance. But barely had the words crossed her lips that Xinzi grabbed her arms, shaking his head while preventing her bow.

“In you, I do not want a servant. If you’re willing to follow me and learn Lianism by my side, then accept me as your master—not as lord, but preceptor. In private, you will be my first direct disciple. In public, we shift the roles, and you become mine—for a time, at least.” Xinzi offered, his mellow tone putting absolutely no pressure on Zi Feng.

At the same time, he snapped his fingers, knocking out Guang Fanghu, who’d long gotten confused by the ongoing events.

“If master is willing to accept Zi Feng, then it is Zi Feng’s honor to become master’s disciple. Zi Feng hopes that by master’s side, she can discover the true meanings of the words ‘alive’ and ‘free.’ That in this life, she will never fail master’s expectations. Venerable Master, please accept your disciple’s greetings!” Zi Feng said, and as all disciples would upon being accepted by their master, thrice kowtowed at Xinzi.

Her lilac dress failed to hide her voluminous breasts, and as her back bent in the kowtow, she unwittingly raised her shapely butt, giving her master a magnificent view.

‘AAAAARGH! Slut! Slut! What do you mean by that? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?’ In his soul, Hanxing was going nuts. Not being allowed to release his venomous rage also added to his grief, pushing the Cold Star Lord to the brink of self-destruction.

Zi Feng didn’t care. In her mind, Xinzi had turned into the heavenly savior dispatched by destiny to give her a chance at eternal bliss. She had to cling to that chance, so she could make sure that never again would she have to deal with the grief that she inherited from Ziyun.

“Very well, Feng’er, master promises to lead you to experience all the delights of this world—and many others.” Xinzi reached out, and Zi Feng grabbed his hand, enabling him to gently pull her into his arms. Almost 20-centimeters taller, with a broad chest and hulking arms that wrapped around her back, Xinzi dwarfed Zi Feng entirely, giving her a fresh sense of comfort and safety. Her eyes sparkled at his, and she leaned on his chest, relaxing in his embrace.

Hanxing’s heart ruptured at the scene, and he bit his lips to blood, restraining complete collapse. The green winds intensified, making Lord Hanxing’s cultivation rise at an alarming speed. Interestingly, though all others had been broken, the link enabling Zi Feng’s cultivation to rise alongside Hanxing’s remained, and she too grew rapidly.

Amused by the Golden Lotus’ cruelty, Xinzi summoned a tanghulu. The hawthorn berries’ candied scent teased Zi Feng’s nose, and almost instinctively, her lips reached out for them. Alas, Xinzi moved the skewered fruits out of Zi Feng’s way, raising the tanghulu to his lips, and holding it there—his eyes daring Zi Feng to make a move.

“What a naughty master…” Zi Feng frowned and blushed—both at the same time. Still, she wouldn’t let the sweet candied fruits escape her growing appetite. The childish nature that took over whenever she stood before mortal delicacies resurfaced, and she leaned in, taking a bite off the closest hawthorn berry.

Though separated by fruit and skewer, Zi Feng’s lips stood dangerously close to Xinzi’s. Xinzi too took a bite, and together, they ate the fruit—their lips brushed in the process, and as soon as the last bite had vanished in Xinzi’s mouth, Zi Feng’s lips connected to his, her eyes going wide at the mistake.

Undisturbed, Xinzi wrapped his arms around Zi Feng’s waist, keeping her trembling body glued to his lips and savoring the taste of her pink lips.

“UGH!”

Here, Lord Hanxing made a massive breakthrough, directly leaping to the mid-stage of Divine Transformation, before vomiting blood, and passing out in misery. A tall green hat leaped out from Xinzi’s storage ring, landing on Hanxing’s head.