Chapter 44 All Fed to the Pigs
On Saintess Peak, Su Qingyue cradled a tender pink piglet in her arms, her brows curved with a smile.
"In just over a year, you've broken through from the Mysterious Dan Realm to the seventh level of the Spirit Refining Realm."
"I truly envy you supreme divine bodies. Breaking through realms is as easy as eating or drinking, and you even have to worry about advancing too fast, forcing yourselves to suppress it."
"For us, who must rely on treasures and bitter comprehension, how can we compare? Truly, comparisons are maddening."
Chu Yao's face was full of envy, wishing she too was a supreme divine body, but it could only remain a fantasy.
"Not at all, it's thanks to Master's guidance. Besides, I consumed a Starfruit and Three Lights Divine Water."
These two divine items could improve aptitude, strengthen the soul, and cleanse it. Without suppressing her realm, consuming one Starfruit would have been enough to push her to the peak of the Spirit Refining Realm.
"That's true. The Starry Sky Temple is indeed an immortal Dao lineage that has endured through the ages."
Chu Yao naturally and familiarly linked arms with Su Qingyue.
Over the past year, the two had become close sisters with nothing hidden between them.
Smiling with joy, she said, "I traded with Young Master Gu for a Starfruit, allowing my constitution to transform. With your Three Lights Divine Water cleansing my body and soul, I'm now no weaker than the temple's true disciples."
It was only after joining the Starry Sky Temple that she realized there was always a higher sky, always stronger people.
She had once thought herself invincible.
But she had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the temple's inner disciples.
Now, she could finally stand toe-to-toe with the true disciples.
"Indeed, our temple is truly a gathering of monstrous prodigies."
Su Qingyue sighed in admiration.
The disciples the Starry Sky Temple recruited came from the geniuses of myriad worlds.
After cultivating the temple's methods, they became terrifyingly powerful.
And the competition within the temple was brutally fierce—those who survived were all the very best.
Chu Yao hummed in acknowledgment. "Just a few days ago, the Great Sun Holy Son fought an inner disciple. The two were evenly matched."
"Impossible?"
Su Qingyue was startled.
The Great Sun Holy Son, Zhang Yang, was a supreme divine body.
As the Holy Son, he naturally received the temple's full nurturing. He lacked neither divine arts nor treasures, and his arsenal of magic items made his combat power unmatched.
"It's true. That inner disciple was Jiang Yu, young patriarch of an immortal clan, who possesses the Void Divine Body and Pure Yang Dao Bone," Chu Yao explained.
"No wonder…" Su Qingyue suddenly understood.
The immortal Jiang clan had produced ancestors at the Divine Fire Realm, prospering for tens of thousands of years, and even now had a Saint Realm patriarch.
With Jiang Yu as young patriarch and bearer of a supreme body, he naturally received their full support.
That he could match Zhang Yang made sense.
But all this had little to do with her.
Su Qingyue lowered her head, smiling softly as she teased the piglet, poking its tiny nose with a slender finger.
"Honghong… lazy little pig, all you know is eat, drink, and sleep."
"Oh heavens, my little ancestor!"
Chu Yao grew anxious. "I've said so much, and you still haven't understood what I mean?"
"What?"
"You are the Lunar Divine Body, and Zhang Yang is the Great Sun Divine Body. He will definitely come to seek dual cultivation with you to increase his strength and seek revenge against Jiang Yu."
At this, Su Qingyue recalled the scenes of Zhang Yang pestering her, and her face changed.
"Isn't he pursuing Junior Sister Luo Li now?"
"Hmph, chasing Luo Li doesn't mean he's given up on you. Men are like that—eating from one bowl while eyeing the pot."
Chu Yao snorted, tapping her smooth forehead with frustration.
"And besides, Luo Li is deep-minded and ruthless. Recently, she has defeated many genius disciples in succession, gathering followers and befriending true disciples."
"Her ambition is clear—she is already scheming for the position of Saintess."
"Before long, she will challenge you directly."
Su Qingyue fell silent at those words.
At first, she had been happy to gain a junior sister.
But after a few encounters, she knew Luo Li bore malice, intent on pulling her down from the Saintess seat and taking it for herself.
Knowing it was one thing, but she truly did not know what to do.
She would never relinquish the Saintess title. When the time came, only strength would decide.
"Listen to me. If Zhang Yang comes, humor him at first. Gather more followers to spread your fame. Try to befriend the true disciples of the main peaks.
That way, even if you lose to Luo Li, your position as Saintess cannot be shaken. After all, you are the Lunar Divine Body and can cultivate the Lunar-Solar Chaos Record."
Chu Yao knew her nature well. She was pure and not good at dealing with people. From birth until now, she had cultivated only in Moonwatching Holy Land or Starry Sky Temple, never experiencing the malice of human hearts.
To pit her against Luo Li's cunning was hopeless.
"I won't…"
Su Qingyue shook her head.
The mere sight of Zhang Yang filled her with disgust.
As for befriending disciples of other peaks, she wished to, but whenever she met them, she grew nervous, not knowing what to say or how to answer.
All she wanted was to be invisible.
Thus she kept a cold face, earning the name of aloof goddess.
Su Qingyue didn't care how others saw her. She only wished to remain in her own world, quietly cultivating to grow stronger.
"Alas…" Chu Yao sighed.
Without Su Qingyue's cooperation, all her strategies were useless.
After some thought, she said, "Let's go find Young Master Gu and see his thoughts."
"Senior Brother."
At the mention of Gu Qing, Su Qingyue's beautiful eyes lit up. She pulled Chu Yao along eagerly.
Chu Yao could only shake her head speechlessly.
A maiden in love truly showed it in every expression.
Yet, pity—the flowing stream feels nothing for the falling flower.
As for Gu Qing, her heart deeply admired him.
To ignore heavenly beauties and devote himself to relentless cultivation.
"Young Master Gu is truly a cultivation maniac."
She could endure a year or two of closed-door seclusion.
But to bury herself in the Scripture Repository for years, painstakingly studying the works of sages—that, she could never do.
"Saintess, our Holy Son requests your presence."
As the two left Saintess Peak, a smiling young man approached to greet them.
"No time. Step aside."
Su Qingyue's flawless face remained calm.
"Saintess, our Holy Son…"
"Hmph."
Before he could finish, Su Qingyue coldly snorted and pointed at him.
When faced with those who clung like leeches, only force could resolve it.
Boom!
Extreme cold froze the surrounding air into ice.
The youth was only at the third level of the Spirit Refining Realm. Even with a treasure, he was no match for Su Qingyue.
"You—"
Cai Fei's face twisted in horror, fury surging within.
He was Zhang Yang's man. How could Su Qingyue dare to strike him down so ruthlessly?
His body and soul were corroded by lunar energy, leaving him half-crippled. To recover, he would need extremely rare healing pills.
"Let's go."
Su Qingyue did not look back.
Though harsh and merciless, it was exhilarating.
After all, who wouldn't be disgusted by a dogskin plaster that wouldn't peel off?
An entire day's good mood had been ruined.
Since Cai Fei shamelessly refused to leave, he had to pay the price.
This was what Gu Qing had taught her—better to strike down the enemy than wrong oneself.
From then on, no one dared to pester her, and every day was a good mood.
"Pah!"
Cai Fei circulated his energy and spat out a mouthful of crushed ice shards, cold air surging everywhere. He cast a venomous look at Su Qingyue's disappearing figure, then mounted his flying sword and left.
He arrived at Holy Son Peak and headed straight for the summit.
In a pavilion wreathed in rosy clouds, several young men were leisurely drinking.
"Holy Son."
Cai Fei bowed to the tall youth standing outside the pavilion with hands clasped behind his back.
"Worthless."
Zhang Yang did not turn his head, his voice heavy with anger.
"Forgive me, Holy Son. It was my incompetence."
Cai Fei lowered his head, hatred seething in his eyes.
"What did she say?"
"The Saintess said nothing more. Upon hearing 'Holy Son,' she just—"
"Useless trash."
Zhang Yang turned around, his handsome face icy, his gaze cold as blades, shooting out two beams of light.
Boom!
Cai Fei was flung backward. The lunar chill within him mingled with solar fire poison, making him writhe in agony, his injuries compounding.
"Spare me, Your Highness!"
Terrified, Cai Fei dropped to his knees and begged.
"Get out."
"…"
Struck as if by thunder, Cai Fei stared blankly at Zhang Yang.
He had planned to exaggerate, pinning his failure on Su Qingyue and asking Zhang Yang for healing pills.
He had not expected Zhang Yang to be so violent and heartless.
He now knew he had been abandoned.
The solar fire poison left in his body was clearly meant to take his life.
But why?
He had merely failed to deliver an invitation.
He had thought that following Zhang Yang would bring a bright future and more resources.
Instead, he had gained nothing and would die for it.
Cai Fei's grand ambitions turned to utter despair.
"Won't leave?"
"Then die."
Zhang Yang could not be bothered to guess his thoughts. He was an ant, unworthy of attention.
He threw a single punch and blasted Cai Fei into powder.
He killed Cai Fei not for failing to bring someone, but for sheer stupidity.
Knowing he was pursuing Su Qingyue, the fool still did not inquire about her nature and preferences.
If a subordinate could not ease his burdens, what use was he?
"Brother Zhang, I've received news—Junior Sister Su has gone to see Gu Qing again."
At that moment, a young man spoke lightly, amusement on his face.
"Indeed. Pitiful Brother Zhang—so devoted, gifting all sorts of treasures and caring for her for years, yet never earning even a single glance. Pitiful, truly pitiful…"
"I heard that the treasures you gave were fed to her pigs. Hahaha."
The three youths smiled as they poked at Zhang Yang's sore spot, hoping he would give up.
A dignified Holy Son, with a status comparable to a Venerable Realm elder, reduced to this—Zhang Yang had broken the Starry Sky Temple's records for disgrace.
Zhang Yang's face darkened, murderous intent surging around him.
Today, his face had been utterly lost.
If these three were not nearly his equals, he would have ground them to dust.
He drew a deep breath and sneered.
"Heh, and as if you were any different."
His reputation might be in tatters, but these dogs had also showered Su Qingyue with gifts—only to see them fed to pigs.
Who did not know they were all simps for Su Qingyue?
They were six of one and half a dozen of the other; the elder brother should not laugh at the younger.
Sure enough, at his words, the three stopped smiling, exchanged glances, and their faces turned gloomy.
"Let's not mince words. Junior Sister Su is peerless in looks and a perfect match for me. You should give up."
Zhang Yang's eyes turned deep, killing intent leaking out.
"Heh, we know full well what you're after."
"Yes. You're eyeing her Lunar Divine Body to cultivate the Lunar-Solar Chaos Record. As it happens, we want to cultivate it too."
They did not back down, meeting Zhang Yang's stare.
In the Starry Sky Temple, the strongest techniques were, besides the All-Heavens Starry Sky Art, the Lunar-Solar Chaos Record.
Moreover, this method was extremely special and remarkably simple to cultivate—dual cultivation could achieve the supreme Dao.
It could transform one's constitution into the acquired Yin-Yang Chaos Body.
Under such temptation, who would give up?
"Hahahaha…"
Zhang Yang laughed loudly, though his eyes held no mirth, only knife-like chill.
"And you think you are worthy to cultivate the Lunar-Solar Chaos Record?"
It was indeed a supreme dual cultivation scripture, but not just anyone could practice it.
The woman had to be a Lunar Divine Body, and the man, ideally, a Solar Divine Body.
His Great Sun Divine Body had already transformed into a Solar Divine Body.
He was determined to obtain Su Qingyue.
With her aid, he could secure the Holy Son seat—and even become Divine Son.
If these three dogs dared disrespect him again, he would simply kill them.
As for Jiang Yu, destroying the Jiang clan would be no more than a word.
"No need to trouble yourself."
The three snorted coldly and rose to leave.
Zhang Yang's face grew as dark as water. He considered, then summoned several subordinates.
"Your Highness."
The youths were all at the Void Dao Realm, their blood energy terrifying, their bearing striking.
"Su Qingyue already has someone in her heart. No matter how much effort I spend, I cannot win her favor."
"What ways do you have to make her mine?"
At the mention of Su Qingyue, Zhang Yang's eyes were filled with rancor, as if he wished to tear her apart.
He could not understand it. With peerless talent and the title of Holy Son, he was perfectly matched to her.
What reason did Su Qingyue have to refuse him?
To feed his gifted elixirs to pigs—this was an unbearable humiliation.
"Your Highness, you could have someone defeat Gu Qing."
"Yes. The Saintess may admire Gu Qing only for his pure heart in seeking the Dao, believing his future limitless."
"If he is defeated, that so-called purity becomes a joke."
"The only trouble is how to make Gu Qing accept a challenge."
If it were anyone else, they would simply kill him.
But Gu Qing was Zhimeng's senior disciple. At most, they dared injure him.
In fact, this was not their first time making such a proposal.
Yet their challenge letters were treated as waste paper by Gu Qing, who continued immersing himself in cultivation.
"Good. Arrange it. Whether he accepts or not, make sure he is grievously wounded. Keep it clean—leave no trail. Frame Jin Sheng, Wei Yiqing, and Xue Hua."
These three were the very youths competing with him for Su Qingyue, strong in their own right, disciples of Saints, and descendants of immortal clans and dynasties.
Having their people strike would leave the three unable to clear their names even if they jumped into the Yellow River.
"Brilliant, Your Highness. I will see it done at once, so even they themselves won't know."
He bowed, then paused. "Your Highness, shall we bestow some treasures to ensure success?"
They did not know Gu Qing's constitution or precise strength, but as Zhimeng's disciple, his talent was certainly not poor.
"Reasonable."
Zhang Yang smiled with satisfaction and tossed out several fearsome consumable treasures.
These were good subordinates who could share his burdens. Cai Fei had died as he deserved.
Seeing the arrangements complete, one could not help but ask, "Your Highness, do you know what constitution Gu Qing has?"
Gu Qing had kept an extremely low profile in recent years.
Yet as Zhimeng's disciple, he stood in the center of attention. Curiosity was inevitable.
No matter how they inquired, they learned nothing concrete about him—only that such a person existed in the Starry Sky Temple.
"I do not."
Zhang Yang shook his head, then scoffed.
"A blockhead shut in behind closed doors, unworthy of fear."
Even with fine aptitude, what real strength comes from shutting oneself away?
The strong are forged in blood and fire, testing and proving their Dao and methods.
"Indeed. The Saintess and Chu Yao are still untouched. To ignore such heavenly beauties and focus only on Daoist studies is the height of stupidity."
They looked at Gu Qing with disdain, believing him beyond saving.
If it were them, they would seize Su Qingyue at once and cultivate the Lunar-Solar Chaos Record together.
With Zhimeng as backing, the Holy Son seat and the supreme Dao would be within easy reach.
"That wretch Su Qingyue—once I tire of her, I'll grant her to you."
Zhang Yang spoke coldly.
"…"
"Your Highness, what did you say?"
"Once I tire of her, she's yours."
Everyone knew he fawned without bottom line, but who knew it was only a helpless façade? He had no interest in Su Qingyue herself.
What interested him was the Lunar Divine Body.
Su Qingyue had shamed him. Once he had wrung out her value, he would never let her off.
"Thank you for the reward, Your Highness."
They were wild with joy.
Su Qingyue was as beautiful as a celestial maiden and of noble status—she had long been their desire, checked only by rank and strength.
"Mm."
Zhang Yang nodded. He was never stingy with subordinates who could get things done.
"And what of Chu Yao? How do you plan to handle her?"
Chu Yao was a stunning beauty and the daughter of the Wanhao Tower's president.
Zhang Yang had no interest in her, but they certainly did.
"After I take her first, she's all yours."
Zhang Yang's expression was cold.
A mere rouge-and-powder beauty with only a pretty face.
A figure like a god and devil flashed through his mind. He clenched his fist. "The acquired Yin-Yang Chaos Body and the Divine Son seat are mine for the taking."
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Hey readers! Want to jump far ahead in the story? The moment you join our Patreon, you'll instantly unlock 30 advanced chapters — giving you a huge head start beyond the public releases.
And it doesn't stop there. Every month, you'll also get 60 brand-new chapters, released steadily at 14 per week, so there's always fresh content waiting for you.
Plus, there are even more fics updated at the same reliable pace, ready to explore. Come join now and keep the adventure flowing without pause!
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JoyceCruize