161: Chapter 161 The Reasons Behind the Immortals' Actions

And in those memories, there were even more horrifying images.

It was a scene of immortal pavilions on a mountain shrouded in clouds and mist.

Several immortals with white hair and youthful complexions sat high upon cloud beds, their robes fluttering in the air.

"Bi Gan" knelt prostrate below them in a humble posture.

The immortal's voice was ethereal and indifferent, as if looking down upon a mere ant.

"The Yin Dynasty's fate has run its course; this is the cycle of the Heavenly Dao."

"The Ji Clan of Xiqi shall rise."

"You need only act according to the plan and drive the Yin Shang Dynasty to their own destruction. When the deed is done, you shall receive your share of merit, perhaps even joining the ranks of the immortals to enjoy eternal life."

"Yes—"

Below the seats, countless figures voiced their agreement.

Among those people, there were men and women of all ages, but they all had one thing in common.

They all wore the official robes of the Yin Dynasty, and many were even people Su Chen recognized!

The immortals' faces were blurred, but the patterns on their robes and the dharma treasures casually placed on their tables...

...all indicated that their identities were by no means ordinary rogue cultivators.

Su Chen even saw some familiar figures among them that slowly overlapped with people in his memories.

But just as Su Chen attempted to see the true faces of those familiar figures—

"Pfft—!"

The soul search was forcibly interrupted.

"Bi Gan" bled from all seven orifices, his eyes rolled back, his body twitched violently a few times, and then he went completely limp as his aura rapidly dissipated.

A forced soul search causes immense damage to the subject's soul.

This man's cultivation was already low, and his heart was filled with fear and resistance, causing his soul to collapse directly.

Having seen the truth, Su Chen actually found it somewhat interesting.

"Me against all the Gods and Buddhas? For real?"

Clearly, those who currently wished for the Yin Dynasty's fall and his own death...

...included not only Su Daji and people within the Yin Dynasty, but also some "immortals."

They drove spirit beasts to create "ill omens" or secretly cast spells to trigger "natural disasters."

Drought demons ran rampant, floods raged, and the earth shook.

A group of immortals had gathered together, not hesitating to pay a great price to hire suicide squads.

Short of directly entering the fray themselves, they had used almost every means available.

Everything was done simply to wipe out the mortal dynasty of the Yin Dynasty.

And his current identity wasn't even considered a pawn.

"Immortals have their reasons for how they act..."

"But for me, there is actually no need to truly save the Yin Dynasty from its downfall in this round of investment."

"As long as that most important pawn remains in my hands..."

Su Chen turned and left.

In the Sky Prison behind him, only the sound of water dripping onto the floor remained.

That night, at the Star-Plucking Tower on the Deer Terrace.

Su Chen ordered a banquet to be set and summoned only Su Daji to attend him.

From the high tower facing the wind, the starry sky seemed within reach.

Su Chen maintained his lazy, pleasure-seeking appearance, reclining on a soft couch while playing with a jade cup, his hazy gaze falling upon Su Daji as she danced gracefully below.

Tonight, she had changed into a crimson Flowing Immortal Dress with wide sleeves. Her hair was piled high in a bun adorned with swaying hairpins, following her movements with every step. Her seductive eyes were like silk, capable of ensnaring one's soul.

The Charm arts of the Hehuan Sect had reached perfection in her.

Every smile, every gesture, and every step pulled at a man's heart and desires.

In fact, seemingly to seduce Su Chen, Su Daji had specifically designed the hem of her skirt.

Certain key areas appeared to be strictly covered by the fabric.

But as she danced, pulled by the movements of her delicate body...

...those areas would always, intentionally or not, become prominent beneath the gauze-thin hem.

To put it simply...

...though it was technically censored, the censorship was no different from being non-existent.

Su Chen pretended to be intoxicated while observing Su Daji's dance.

While her dance was enchanting, the killing intent in her eyes—which she perhaps thought she had hidden well—could not fool Su Chen.

However, in those moments when she looked back and their eyes inadvertently met, or when he deliberately showed more blatant appreciation and desire...

...a very subtle trace of daze would quickly flash through the depths of her eyes.

Was that a fleeting moment of maidenly shyness?

Indeed.

Su Chen did not believe Su Daji would fall in love with him, so there was only one explanation.

The Hehuan Sect's cultivation technique.

It was based on lust and desire, focusing on enchanting all living beings and controlling the human heart.

As the Saintess of the Hehuan Sect, she likely practiced the most top-tier technique.

Such techniques often required the practitioner to first "experience" desire themselves and reach completion through repeated acts of intimacy.

But she...

Su Chen recalled the details of their previous interactions.

Her clumsy reactions, her helplessness beneath a forced calm, and her genuine trembling when touched.

She was likely just as the system's initial prompt had stated—a virgin who had never truly experienced the affairs of men and women.

The Hehuan Sect's technique is a massive boon to a practitioner who engages in frequent intimacy.

But if the practitioner has never done so...

...it becomes a shackle, or even causes a backlash.

The Su Daji before him was exactly in that state.

Because she had never engaged in intimacy, her cultivation remained low despite her excellent natural talent.

In other words, if Su Daji had possessed extremely high cultivation...

...no matter how much combat experience Su Chen had, he likely wouldn't have been able to evade her assassination.

"This backlash... has already made her occasionally lose her sanity, even bordering on Qi deviation."

"If it isn't resolved in time..."

Su Chen pondered.

For now, the only way was to try to lower Su Daji's hostility while ensuring his own safety, and then engage in intimacy with her to temporarily control the technique's backlash.

Seeing the seductive Su Daji before him, Su Chen couldn't help but swallow hard.

She truly is a vixen.

"System, give me some outside help."

...

As the dance ended, Su Daji was lightly damp with fragrant sweat, her breath a bit short, adding a few more hints of alluring charm to her pretty face.

She gracefully stepped forward to pour wine for Su Chen, her eyes shimmering.

"Great King, the wine has gone cold. Shall your servant change it for a warm cup?"

Su Chen took the opportunity to grasp the wrist she used to offer the wine, his fingertips gently caressing her delicate skin.

Then, he pulled her to sit by his side, half-embracing her as he inhaled the faint fragrance from her hair, speaking in a half-drunken tone.

"My Beloved Consort's dance is truly peerless."

"However, I see that you seem restless, with weariness often showing in your eyes."

"Is it that you are not used to living in the deep palace of Zhaoge, or do you miss your home in Jizhou?"

Su Daji's delicate body stiffened slightly before she replied softly.

"The Great King must be joking. To be able to serve you is a blessing I've earned over several lifetimes; how could I not be used to it?"

"It is just that I have recently been practicing a Beauty-enhancing technique that has hit a slight snag. I have made a fool of myself before the Great King."

"Oh? A Beauty-enhancing technique?"

Su Chen pretended to be interested, letting go of her to sit up straight. He looked her exquisite face up and down, clicking his tongue in praise.

"My Beloved Consort already possesses a beauty that could topple nations; do you still need to enhance it?"

"However... since you mention it, I am reminded of something."

He took a brocade box from his robe.

Inside the box was a palm-sized mirror.

"This mirror is called 'Ice Soul.' I obtained it years ago from a secret realm."

Su Chen handed the mirror to Su Daji, looking at her with burning eyes.