The Beauty Cultivation Technique

Chapter 33: The Youth

That voice wasn’t just young—it was youthful.

Its tone was clear and resonant, devoid of the deep bass that comes with adulthood, slightly juvenile, unfamiliar to Ji Yaoge, yet somehow familiar in its cadence. But with the enemy at hand, now wasn't the time for contemplation or banter. Ji Yaoge clutched her chest, standing in the golden light, unable to see anything clearly—not even the voice’s owner, who was just a silhouette. Outside the light, the Red Flame Bird and Ginger Horn Lion were already poised to move.

What to do now?

Before Ji Yaoge could ask, the man answered, "You want to know what killing intent is? I’ll teach you."

As soon as he finished, Ji Yaoge felt a pinprick in her back, followed by the sensation of a net spreading inside her. Wisps of spiritual energy, thinner than a hair, flowed throughout her body along her meridians and bones.

Ji Yaoge was shocked—controlling spiritual energy so precisely required immense skill, beyond mere cultivation.

In this moment, she became his puppet, her body moving with his spiritual energy’s guidance. She flew out of the cave like a marionette.

The outer cave frost had melted, the Ginger Horn Lion peering into the cave, the Red Flame Bird just returning from tending to the Hook Snake, startled by Ji Yaoge’s sudden emergence.

Landing by the broken Xiá Sword, the sword burned her hand but she held on, having no other choice.

Spiritual energy surged from her palm into the broken Xiá Sword, its patterns lighting up, crackling like a thousand birds screeching. The Ginger Horn Lion sensed danger, its roar releasing a gale, its body glowing golden, charging at her. Ji Yaoge didn't dodge, leaping up and striking with the electrified sword while moving towards the Hook Snake.

The Red Flame Bird, having just removed the dagger from the Hook Snake, didn't expect an attack from behind. It flew aside, and Ji Yaoge landed on the Hook Snake’s back in a swift twist, her sword striking faster than the snake’s tail could restrain her.

Ah—

A piercing scream, as the broken Xiá Sword stabbed the snake’s weak spot. With a grip infused with spiritual energy, Ji Yaoge slammed her palm onto the Hook Snake’s head, shattering its core before it could beg.

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Snake blood splattered on her, some even staining her eyes, tinting her vision red. Turning towards the Ginger Horn Lion trapped in the electric net, she attacked again. The beast, already injured, struggled to break free, but she unleashed another netting of lightning. Enraged, the lion charged with the net still on it, and the Red Flame Bird's flames converged on her. Lights collided, enveloping her.

The Red Flame Bird watched, disbelieving she could survive, but saw the Ginger Horn Lion’s severed head roll at its feet. Following it was Ji Yaoge’s sword.

Terrified, the Red Flame Bird fled. Ji Yaoge pursued, throwing her sword like a spear, piercing the bird’s back. Gravely wounded, it turned, knowing escape was futile, it transformed into its true fiery form, attacking wildly.

Ji Yaoge stood still, eyes red, muttering an incantation, "Break."

The sword embedded in the bird exploded into dozens of electrified blades. The bird screeched, falling as charred remains.

Breathing in the bloody scent, Ji Yaoge glared at the halted beasts outside the second door.

What is killing intent?

It’s the blood accumulated from life-and-death battles, a heart of steel on the immortal path, killing to end killing—the rule of Xiao Wuheng's realm.

Inside, seated on a stone bench, a man watched his now low-glowing hand, "She learned quickly, but still too weak."

With that, he casually flexed his fingers.

The exhausted Ji Yaoge felt a gentle force pull her into the inner cave.

Roar—

The three beast cultivators were dead, but countless beasts remained, chasing Ji Yaoge. Suddenly, the luring venom’s scent vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of danger. Even the dumbest beast felt it, retreating too late.

Golden light burst out, an immense, invisible force crushing outwards.

Boom—

The ground shook, stones cracking, shrieks filled the air as the cave exploded, sending beasts flying.

Chaotic sounds overwhelmed Ji Yaoge, whose strength was spent. Resting on a white, soft net in mid-air, she barely moved her eyes. The golden light receded, revealing a gigantic spider web with intricate patterns.

Hair brushed her forehead—not her own—

Someone leaned over her, examining her closely.

Ji Yaoge’s eyes widened, clarity breaking through the haze.

This face was unfamiliar yet familiar. Unseen but resembling Old Yuan's younger self.

Not Yuan Huan, at least not as she imagined—the older, narrow-eyed man shouldn't look so young.

Yes, this face, like the voice, wasn't just young—it was youthful.

A boy of thirteen or fourteen, younger than Gao Badou, with smooth skin and full cheeks, lacking a man's sharper features. His eyes were bright and black, a handsome boy whose gaze, though, was shrewd and seasoned.

Not heterochromatic—so not Yuan Huan?

"Who are you?" she asked.

He smiled brightly, winking once. The web shivered as a giant golden spider turned into a beam of light, entering his left eye. He didn’t reopen that eye, saying, "Yuan Huan."

No point hiding; she'd guessed it already, right?

Ji Yaoge wasn’t shocked by his identity but by his appearance, "You..." she hesitated, "Should I call you Immortal Master Yuan, or Old Yuan?"

He raised an eyebrow, indifferent, "Whatever."

She echoed, testing, "Then, Brother Yuan?"

Their first meeting, he was a baby; second, his true self she hadn’t seen; third, an old man; now, a youth.

Seeing his every form from young to old.

A thirteen-fourteen-year-old boy, her height, barely taller, not imposing.

He glanced at her, left eye closed, "Joking now?" Tossing her two blue silk strips, tying one over his eye and tossing the other to her, "Do my hair."

She felt the silk, gathering his now shoulder-length dark hair, no longer white.

Ji Yaoge tied a simple ponytail. The silk hung long, almost longer than his hair. Pleased, Yuan Huan nodded, jumping down, "Let’s go, Sister Ji," stressing "sister.

Ji Yaoge recalled something, leaning over the web, "The beast army retreated?"

"The myriad beast venom is suppressed. They’re dead or injured, not staying for food?" Yuan Huan scoffed.

Ji Yaoge’s eyes brightened—so many dead beasts, three millennia-old beast cultivators, all potential spirit bones. Plants and animals in their cycle, but beast bones—rare, especially ancient ones.

Seizing the moment, though she had little time.

Even if it overwhelmed her, she'd absorb first, digest later.

"I won’t leave," she decided, sitting cross-legged to meditate.

"...” Yuan Huan saw her settle, sensing the change. He couldn’t see her spirit bones but was attuned to energies, seeing her actions clearly.

The meditating woman, focused, still blood-stained, Yuan Huan muttered, "Filthy and ugly." But turned to leave.

Outside, a wooden figure cried, "Brother Yuan, my hand! My hand!" She ran in, handless, unable to cry tears.

Yuan Huan groaned, knowing she must be unaware of Ji Yaoge's guess about his identity or hers.

She must've realized, a smart cultivator.

Yuan Huan anticipated the moment—interesting to settle scores with oneself.