Hearing Xiao Yifeng's words, Su Miaoqing stared in disbelief. "Xiao Feng, what nonsense are you talking about? Offering your body to Ancestor Master? Hurry and apologize!"
Xiao Yifeng ignored her completely. He remained bowed, his gaze locked on Daoist Qingxu, unmoving.
The benevolent smile on Daoist Qingxu’s face faded, replaced by a piercing, evaluative stare.
Su Miaoqing wasn't stupid; the sudden shift in atmosphere chilled her to the bone.
"Ancestor Master Qingxu... tell me this isn't true," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You are our Ancestor Master!"
"Xiao kid, you are indeed clever. How did you guess?" Daoist Qingxu sighed, his gaze heavy on Xiao Yifeng.
"Ancestor Master's Soul Lamp in Wuya Hall extinguished long ago. You are merely a remnant soul," Xiao Yifeng said, his voice bitter. "If you wish to leave this place, you must find a new vessel for Body Seizing. This disciple is willing to offer this body to help Ancestor Master regain his freedom."
Daoist Qingxu didn't deny it.
Su Miaoqing felt the world spin. The absurdity and betrayal were overwhelming—her revered Ancestor Master truly intended to seize her body, and Xiao Yifeng was offering himself as a sacrifice to save her.
She rushed forward, grabbing Xiao Yifeng’s arm. "Ancestor Master! Don't listen to him! His aptitude is terrible! If you need a body, take mine! Please, just spare Xiao Feng!"
Thud.
Xiao Yifeng spun around instantly, his fingers tapping her acupoints. A restriction settled over her, freezing her in place and sealing her voice.
Su Miaoqing hadn't expected him to strike her. Immobilized, she could only stare at him, her beautiful eyes burning with anger and desperation.
"You two are quite affectionate," Daoist Qingxu chuckled, though his eyes remained cold. "Fighting to be possessed by this poor Daoist? Especially you, kid. Knowing my intent, you still offer yourself on a silver platter."
He shook his head. "But your efforts are in vain. If I am to seize a body, it must be this little girl's Undead Bird Physique."
"Senior Sister's physique is indeed rare under the heavens," Xiao Yifeng countered calmly. "But she is a woman. Surely Ancestor Master does not wish to roam the world in a female body?"
He paused, then added, "Furthermore, her identity is sensitive. My Master, Su Qianyi, is her father and a Mahayana expert. If he discovers you have seized his daughter, he will disregard the master-disciple bond and hunt you to the ends of the earth."
"Seizing me carries no such risk. I am an insignificant disciple. Even if Master discovers it, he won't destroy the sect's Ancestor over a nobody like me."
"Your logic is sound," Qingxu mused. "But the Undead Bird Physique is too tempting. For cultivators like us, the distinction between male and female is a triviality we have long transcended."
Xiao Yifeng was speechless. I've argued logic, threats, and dignity, and you still want to be a cross-dressing old monster?
"What if there is a better physique?" Xiao Yifeng pressed. "This disciple is confident that my potential far exceeds Senior Sister's."
"With your mixed spiritual roots?" Qingxu laughed, shaking his head. "Your cultivation is decent for your age, but in the long run, the girl is infinitely superior."
Xiao Yifeng didn't argue further. He spread his arms.
Buzz!
One by one, the acupoints across his body lit up like stars in the night sky. Under the subtle influence of three top-tier cultivation methods over the years, his Meridians had become broad and resilient, his True Qi vast as a galaxy. His foundation was terrifyingly solid.
Daoist Qingxu, with his centuries of experience, was startled. He had never seen a foundation this robust in a mere Foundation Establishment junior.
Xiao Yifeng knew this alone wasn't enough. He smiled faintly. "Ancestor Master, please look closer."
He began to circulate his cultivation. First, the Nine Scrolls of Asking Heaven. The orthodox fire Qi flowed smoothly.
Just as Qingxu nodded in recognition, Xiao Yifeng shifted. Seamlessly, without a hitch, the energy transformed into the Formless Heart Sutra.
Qingxu’s eyes widened. Before he could process the shift, Xiao Yifeng changed again, converting his True Qi into the starlight energy of the True Explanation of Stars.
Now, Qingxu was truly shocked. The boy had displayed three distinct, top-tier cultivation techniques, merging them with a harmony that defied the laws of cultivation.
"I believe Ancestor Master can see the mysteries and potential of this body," Xiao Yifeng said confidently. "If this body continues to cultivate, it will not be inferior to anyone under the heavens!"
"Your body is... interesting. And your luck is heaven-defying to obtain such legacies," Qingxu admitted, nodding slowly.
"As long as Ancestor Master spares Senior Sister, I will give you the remaining secrets of these techniques! However," Xiao Yifeng’s voice hardened, "Ancestor Master must swear an oath on his Inner Demon. This disciple does not trust you."
Behind him, Su Miaoqing couldn't see the display of techniques, but she realized they were reaching a deal. Panic flooded her eyes, and she blinked furiously, trying to signal him to stop.
Qingxu’s tone suddenly shifted, becoming sharp and suspicious. "If I hadn't watched your every move since you entered the Immortal Abode, I might have believed you. But you... you are a calculator. You never act without certainty. Why would someone like you be so self-sacrificing?"
Xiao Yifeng cursed internally. This old fox monitored everything?
His ruthless pragmatism throughout the trial had become his biggest obstacle. If he couldn't provide a perfect, emotional reason for this sacrifice, Qingxu would never take the bait.
"I am an orphan," Xiao Yifeng said softly, lowering his gaze. "Master and Mistress raised me like their own. I cannot repay their kindness, so I must protect their daughter. Is this reason sufficient?"
"Of course not," Qingxu scoffed. "I've seen your cold-blooded nature. You wouldn't throw your life away for mere gratitude."
Xiao Yifeng sighed. He turned his back to Qingxu and looked at the immobilized Su Miaoqing. His expression softened into a look of profound, agonizing affection.
"I can be ruthless to the world... but not to her."
He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he cupped her cheek.
"Perhaps Senior Sister only sees me as a little follower," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "But in my heart... she is the white moonlight that illuminated my dark life. I only wished to stay by her side forever. That would have been enough."
He smiled bitterly. "If only one of us can live... it must be her."
Tears streamed down Su Miaoqing’s face. Her eyes were wide with shock and a chaotic mix of emotions.
Xiao Yifeng turned back to Qingxu and bowed deeply. "Perhaps Ancestor Master cannot understand. Love knows not where it begins, but once it takes root, it runs deep. I ask for nothing else. After my death... please erase her memories of this. Do not let her suffer. I beg you."
He looked back at Su Miaoqing one last time. His eyes held relief, regret, and a deep, lingering attachment.
"Senior Sister... farewell. I cannot walk the rest of the path with you. Don't be willful anymore. Without me there to take the blame, you must be careful."
Su Miaoqing’s eyes screamed a silent plea. Don't do it!
Qingxu watched them, his suspicion warring with the raw emotion on display. He opened his mouth to mock them—
Bang!
Xiao Yifeng didn't wait. He raised his hand and slammed his palm into his own forehead.
There was no hesitation.
Countless specks of soul light erupted from his skull, scattering into the air like fireflies.
He had actively dispersed his own soul.
Daoist Qingxu froze. Su Miaoqing’s eyes went dull, tears flowing like a broken dam, as if her own soul had shattered alongside his.