Chapter 25: I Play Along With Your Act, Pretending Not to See

Jiang An spent nearly an entire afternoon setting up the spiritual gathering array atop the small hill. It spanned roughly ten feet in diameter and required forty-eight spirit stones in total.

With the Celestial Calculation, he discerned that the moment when the spiritual energy here would be most abundant was at the union of yin and yang. Thus, he sat cross-legged at the array’s center, palms and soles facing upward, silently entering meditation, emptying his mind, regulating his breath and blood, awaiting the dawn to infuse his body in optimal condition.

Even though he was a Celestial King, and had performed such rituals countless times, he treated each one with utmost care, never allowing negligence to sow the seeds of future trouble.

That night, Willow Fluff was frantic searching for him in the city, but Jiang An remained unmoving, like a primordial stone. Time slipped by, the darkness enveloped him completely. In the distance, the city lights flickered like a tapestry of the mundane world; beneath his feet, faint spiritual glimmers shone like stars. The environment here was superb, and as he attuned to the rhythm of nature, Jiang An unknowingly entered a profound state of unity between man and heaven, blending with mountain and water, connecting with the land’s essence. The seals and barriers that bound him seemed to loosen ever so slightly.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, somewhat perplexed.

For just a moment, in that lucid state, he sensed a faint bond deep within his soul. As he tried to trace its origin, it vanished without a trace, like yesterday’s memories—irretrievable.

This was certainly not a heart demon, but rather a premonition. In that instant, he felt something vital approach him, only to recede again. It must be real, for a sage’s intuition never errs.

"Heaven’s will is vast, earth gives birth to grass, where do the waves return, two shadows in the sunset."

He recalled King Zhou’s cryptic divination for him, feeling as though he grasped something, yet nothing tangible. The next moment, the awareness of the primordial world surged, and he could do nothing further.

“Sigh, every cause has its effect; why should I force things? What is meant to come will come.”

His low sigh drifted away on the wind.

"Mommy, West Lake is beautiful at night too. Do you think Lady White is asleep?"

A car passed by West Lake, and an adorable little girl, pink-cheeked and lively, sat in the rear child seat. She glanced out the window and suddenly asked the woman in front.

The woman looked up at the rearview mirror, reflecting a face of stunning beauty. Her red lips parted as she replied, “Xixi, it’s very late. Lady White surely is asleep. What about you, are you sleepy?”

“Xixi isn’t sleepy at all!” The little girl pouted. “Didn’t I already nap while waiting for Mommy?”

“Yes, my little Xixi is wide awake now, but Mommy is a bit tired.”

“Then Xixi will sleep with Mommy tonight, okay?”

“That won’t do, darling. Didn’t you promise Mommy you’d sleep by yourself from now on? Not keeping your word isn’t what good children do.”

“Alright,” the little girl said, crestfallen. Her dark eyes suddenly brightened again. “Mommy, will you have time to take Xixi to the amusement park tomorrow? Xixi really wants to ride the big wheel!”

“But Mommy has no time tomorrow.”

“Boohoo,” mist clouded the little girl’s large eyes as she pouted, wiping away a tear with her tiny fist. “Mommy is always busy. Mommy doesn’t love Xixi anymore. Then Xixi wants Daddy!”

“Daddy? Sigh…”

A long sigh was swallowed by the rolling wheels.

In the distance, a pale light began to creep across the horizon—the quietest moment, night yielding to dawn.

Mist drifted above the mountain and water, like a veil, lending a touch of shyness to the landscape, making it even more enchanting. Between black and white, light and shadow, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth climaxed.

It was now.

Jiang An, motionless as a statue, suddenly stirred to life. He formed a series of hand seals, and the spiritual gathering array lit up with a pale blue glow, humming softly. His hand seals changed again; he murmured “Swift!” and the array linked together. Slowly, an identical array detached from the earth, rising until it hovered three feet above his head. The two arrays—one above, one below—began to rotate: the lower clockwise, the upper counterclockwise.

Then, the wind rose.

Layers of mist surged like seawater flooding in, racing toward Jiang An's “sea eye.” If one observed from above, they would see blue light suffusing the clouds within a mile radius. Tiny azure points appeared from the void, the lake, the forest, all streaming toward the central black hole—a dazzling display.

Unfortunately, no one witnessed this marvel. At the array’s center, Jiang An devoured the purified spiritual energy like a glutton. After further refinement through his cultivation, it transformed into his own magical power, stored in his dantian.

The sensation was exquisite. Especially compared to the usual sluggish efficiency of breath work, his power now increased exponentially, surging rapidly toward the mid-stage of Qi Refinement.

About an hour later, a faint cracking sound was heard—the forty-eight spirit stones had fulfilled their purpose, turning to dust. Morning light had broken; it was likely after seven. Jiang An slowly finished, exhaling a breath of turbid air, and opened his eyes, satisfaction written across his face.

A day and night’s effort, and he had achieved his goal. He would need two more days of meditation to consolidate his cultivation, but that was not urgent.

Mid-stage Qi Refinement was not much, but it was far better than before, when a single spell would deplete his power. He stood up, his long black hair billowing in the wind, his face radiant and handsome as a celestial. Amidst the verdant forest, he seemed ready to ascend—a result of last night’s unity with heaven, which had unlocked the secrets of his body and restored his true appearance.

Such looks would guarantee a thousand percent return rate in public; no woman could resist him. Keeping a low profile, he used a secret technique to shorten his hair and suppress the divine glow.

Snap!

Jiang An snapped his fingers. Soon, a yellow shadow darted from the woods, leaping into his arms—a tiger, delighted by the scent of its master.

“Come, let’s go home!”

In good spirits, Jiang An strolled with the tiger, enjoying the morning scenery of West Lake, buying it a few meat buns, before leisurely returning to Mingde Garden.

He had barely reached the gate when a car stopped him. The door opened, and there she was, after five years.

“Jiang An, it’s been a long time. How have you been?”

Willow Fluff stepped out of the car, her usual allure replaced by a pure, moving aura. She addressed him softly, her words laden with meaning.

“I’m alright.” Jiang An smiled, his demeanor calm, like an old friend.

“Could you walk with me on campus?” Willow Fluff invited. They were both alumni of Eastern University.

“Sure,” Jiang An replied, succinct as ever.

Willow Fluff signaled her subordinates to stay back and walked ahead toward Eastern University. Jiang An let the tiger wander and followed.

Soon, the two walked side by side through the beautiful campus, as if they were a couple.

“Jiang An, do you hate me?” Willow Fluff asked suddenly.

“Not anymore,” Jiang An finally said more than a word, and it was the truth. He might have hated her before, but now he felt no such thing.

“Sigh~” Willow Fluff shook her head slightly, clearly unconvinced. She looked directly into his eyes and asked, “I heard you’re the master of the Divine Blade Sect?”

“Yes.”

Since she asked so plainly, Jiang An saw no reason to deny it.

“Could you stop attacking the Willow family?”

“No.”

“You still hate me!” Willow Fluff’s expression was mournful. “The Willow family has shrunk by eighty percent—tens of billions lost. Isn’t that punishment enough? Must you see us ruined before you’re satisfied?”

“Perhaps,” Jiang An replied coolly, “It seems rather entertaining.”

Willow Fluff felt insulted. She had imagined many scenarios—anger, contempt, coldness, melancholy—but not this, not the gentle smile, serene gaze, and voice as mild as a spring breeze, showing neither surprise nor affection, as placid as still water.

How had Jiang An become so formidable? Was he still that foolish boy from years ago? Impossible. She couldn’t believe he’d forgotten everything; he must be hiding his true feelings!

“If only everything could start over, I truly wish I could be with you, live together, and not let things develop as they have,” Willow Fluff persisted in her act, raising her delicate face, eyes closed. “You can hit me if it helps lessen the hurt I caused you.”

Jiang An’s expression finally changed, as if he’d swallowed a fly—disgusting! Her melodrama surpassed even the most nauseating romance tales.

“You really want me to vent my anger?” Jiang An asked.

“Yes, as long as it helps,” Willow Fluff said, sensing his mood shift.

“Alright,” Jiang An pointed to the nearby lake, its surface littered with fallen leaves. “Jump in and take a bath. I’ll forgive you and immediately stop targeting the Willow family.”

“You!” Willow Fluff’s face changed. Impossible! She, so dignified, would sooner die than bathe in that filthy lake.

Jiang An was a bit disappointed. He’d hoped Willow Fluff might actually go through with it—he’d even planned to call the tiger over to relieve itself in the water. Too bad.

“You’re still you,” Jiang An felt bored, turned to leave, saying, “Talking this much is already generous. Just go home and wash your neck.”

Willow Fluff was genuinely enraged. Her covert attempts at mind control had failed utterly. Watching Jiang An’s graceful departure, she lost all composure, intent on making him submit to her immediately!

She bit her lip, stomped, and pulled out a delicate black square box from her bosom, etched with strange Western runes. She opened it, revealing a finger-sized object shaped like a fang, gray-white and covered in dense crimson patterns. One glance induced a dizzying sensation, as if bitten.

Jiang An, you forced my hand. I have no choice but to use the Demon’s Fang!