52: Chapter 52 An Absolutely Certain Answer

Seeing that her words had piqued Xiao Nianyin's interest, Lady Qingli straightened up and paced a few steps away, her nine fox tails swaying leisurely behind her.

"Think carefully. The first time you were with Xu Ruyu—at that time, your cultivation was still intact, your Saint Realm strength was unimpaired, and you even took the initiative to set the stage using a secret technique like 'Dream Induction.' It could be said that you had every advantage of time and place."

"But what was the result?"

Lady Qingli's words sent a shock through Xiao Nianyin's heart.

Immediately, that chaotic and absurd night resurfaced in her mind.

At first, everything had indeed gone as she expected; the dream guidance was smooth, and the other party was muddled and ignorant. She was about to complete that crucial 'Reconciliation' according to plan... but at a certain moment, the situation suddenly reversed!

"From a certain point on, did everything escape your control?" Lady Qingli's voice was like a magic spell, guiding her memories. "Was it when he began to... turn the tables, that all your plans, all your secret methods, and even your Saint Realm cultivation seemed to lose their effect?"

Xiao Nianyin's breath hitched slightly.

Yes, exactly so!

That feeling was like a meticulously built great ship that was supposed to sail smoothly, only to be suddenly overturned by a violent wave. All the precision instruments failed instantly, leaving her to be driven by instinct and primal desire, sinking into the stormy seas.

She suddenly looked at Lady Qingli as an unbelievable thought arose: "Could it be that you..."

Lady Qingli met her gaze and nodded frankly. A rare flush of red flickered across her exquisite face, but her eyes remained exceptionally clear. "If I hadn't experienced it personally, why else would I be so 'unforgettable' toward him, even to the point of returning after leaving?"

She paused, her tone shifting from playful to profound. "Xiao Nianyin, I suspect Xu Ruyu's Physique, or rather some aspect of his Origin, is extremely special."

"This specialty isn't a simple matter of 'vigorous Yang Qi,' but a kind of... natural resistance to all 'actively applied charm powers' or 'using Yin to control Yang, using softness to overcome hardness' types of methods. It might even be... a counter-measure."

"A counter-measure?"

Xiao Nianyin's pupils constricted slightly.

"Correct," Lady Qingli said slowly. "I am the Old Ancestor of the Taihu Clan. Regarding so-called Charm Techniques, I dare say I understand them far better than you, the Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect."

"The core of ordinary Dual Cultivation Plucking and charm control techniques lies in 'dominance' and 'guidance.'"

"The practitioner uses their own Cultivation Technique as a lead, weaving a net of emotions, aura, and Divine Sense to create a trap for the prey to sink into, thereby extracting what is needed."

"But my encounter in the Great Fox Illusion made me realize that Xu Ruyu is different."

A strange light flashed in her eyes as she continued, "Once someone attempts to 'dominate' him in this manner, especially during the most intimate and defenseless moments of union, his body—or rather his Origin—seems to instinctively produce a powerful 'rebellion.'"

"This rebellion isn't resistance on a conscious level, but a deeper, more primal life instinct."

"It instantly disintegrates the 'guidance' applied to him and, in turn, seizes the 'initiative' of the entire process in a tyrannical, pure, and even violent manner."

Lady Qingli looked at Xiao Nianyin and said word by word, "In other words, anyone who attempts to 'charm' or 'control' him in an intimate relationship may ultimately end up being instinctively 'conquered' by him."

"Your Mystic Maidens Sun-Stealing Art requires stealing Yang for Reconciliation, and my Taihu Charm Techniques aim to control the heart and soul. But before him, these exquisite 'techniques' may instead trigger his most primal 'force.'"

"When technique meets force, the technique dissipates while the force grows. The result is... the state you and I find ourselves in."

Hearing Lady Qingli's explanation, Xiao Nianyin felt as if she had been struck by lightning, freezing in place.

So that was it!

No wonder both times she used the 'Drunken Immortals Lure,' even though his consciousness had clearly succumbed, the moment there was physical contact and she tried to guide him, he was like a switch being flipped, instantly erupting with unimaginable counter-force.

That wasn't a conscious confrontation, but an instinctive counterattack branded into the depths of his life!

No matter how exquisite the Heavenly Charm Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra was, it was ultimately a path of 'charm and control.'

If Qingli's guess was true, then wouldn't practicing it to deal with Xu Ruyu be counterproductive, perhaps even worsening the backlash?

"Then... what should be done?"

Even for someone with a resilient mind who had cultivated for hundreds of years like Xiao Nianyin, she couldn't help but feel a wave of bewilderment and powerlessness at this moment.

The key to restoring her cultivation seemed to lie with Xu Ruyu, yet the way to approach him and retrieve her power seemed destined to trigger that terrifying counter-measure instinct. Did this mean she was fated never to recover her cultivation?

What was the difference between a Cultivator losing their cultivation and being killed? It was likely even harder to accept than death.

After all, in the eyes of a Cultivator, life and death were merely illusions long forgotten; the pursuit of the Great Dao was the very foundation that supported their journey through the world.

Just as Lady Qingli was about to speak, a cold and respectful middle-aged female voice suddenly came from outside the hall, penetrating the hall's Restrictions and entering clearly:

"Rong Qingliu of the Hall of Power Transmission, acting on the Sect Master's order, has arrived outside the hall to seek an audience."

The voice wasn't loud, but it broke the heavy atmosphere inside the hall.

Xiao Nianyin and Lady Qingli exchanged a glance. Xiao Nianyin struggled to stand up, only to find her legs still limp and weak.

Seeing this, Lady Qingli gave a light laugh and reached out to assist her. A soft but irresistible force lifted Xiao Nianyin and sent her onto the jade throne.

At the same time, her own figure rippled like water, slowly fading until she completely vanished into the shadows of the hall's pillars, her aura suppressed without a trace.

"Enter."

Xiao Nianyin took a deep breath and forced herself to sit upright. She tidied her slightly messy hair and robes, her face once again covered by her usual mask of icy coldness.

Only her pale complexion and the fatigue deep in her eyes that she couldn't entirely hide left any trace of what had happened.

The hall doors slid open silently.

A figure dressed in deep purple Elder robes embroidered with silver threads entered the hall with steady steps.

The newcomer appeared to be middle-aged, with a dignified and serious expression and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. This was the powerful Grand Elder who presided over the Hehuan Sect's Hall of Power Transmission—Rong Qingliu.

She came to a halt in the center of the hall and bowed. "Qingliu pays respects to the Sect Master."

On the surface, Rong Qingliu was perfectly courteous and beyond reproach.

However, the moment she lowered her head, her peripheral vision quickly swept over Xiao Nianyin on the jade throne, taking in her slightly pale face and somewhat unsteady aura.

A faint, nearly imperceptible trace of suspicion flashed deep within her eyes.

"You may rise," Xiao Nianyin's voice came from the jade throne, flat and emotionless. "Have you brought the Cultivation Technique?"

Rong Qingliu straightened up, a box made of Profound Ice Jade already in her hands. Runes flowed upon it, and it emitted a chilling frost.

"The full scrolls of the Heavenly Charm Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra are here. Please inspect them, Sect Master." She held the jade box up with both hands, yet her gaze did not leave Xiao Nianyin's face. "I wonder why the Sect Master has suddenly requested this core Legacy. Is it to be bestowed upon a certain Disciple, or..."

Her inquiry was perfectly timed, carrying both the concern of a subordinate and the investigation required by her duties.

In the shadows, Lady Qingli's aura fluctuated slightly. An invisible, awe-inspiring pressure, like a tide ready to burst, quietly locked onto Rong Qingliu in the hall.

This pressure was concentrated but not released, yet it was enough to make anyone with keen perception feel a sense of dread.

Rong Qingliu's words paused slightly. Her expression remained unchanged, but the fingers holding the jade box tightened for a fraction of a second—the Sect Master's strength hadn't diminished in the slightest; she could not afford to be insolent.

Xiao Nianyin sat on the jade throne and met her gaze. Her red lips parted slightly, and the words she spoke were clear and cold:

"I wish to study it personally."

"From this day forth, this scripture shall remain in Ningyin Hall."

Xiao Nianyin's words left Rong Qingliu momentarily stunned.

Had she heard correctly? Xiao Nianyin, who had looked down upon the Heavenly Charm Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra ever since she joined the sect, actually said she wanted to keep the technique to study it herself?

Could it be... for that so-called Personal Disciple?