ImmortalCockroach
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348: Let's Have A Duel
🕑 Added 2025-08-21 15:19:59 +0000 UTC"We mustn't!" The blue-robed maiden rejected the order without a single instant of hesitation. Her brows tightened as she said, "Miss's vitality is deteriorating with each passing day. She is entirely dependent on the Great Swirling Waters Reversal Formation to sustain her life. If it is stopped midway, it will certainly inflict irreversible harm… and Your Majesty knows this better than anyone."
"You are not to disobey." Cang Shitian's voice started to turn cold.
"Heh, Cang Shitian, it seems you are not very good at disciplining your dogs," Qianye Ying'er scoffed mockingly. She had already noticed that Yun Wuji treated Cang Shitian differently from Qi Tianli and the others. And rightly so. The man might be insane, but he was undeniably efficient.
At this time, Yun Wuji looked away from the rotating profound formation and glanced at the blue-robed woman. He frowned. This woman reminded him of that annoying girl Mu Xiaolan, and although she was not as unbearable, her actions right now still managed to stir disgust in him.
Can this stupid woman not see that they had come from far away just to heal her master? Instead of making things easier, she was acting as if she were protecting her. Did she really think she knew more than him, or even more than Cang Shuhe's own brother?
How the fuck did someone with such low intelligence manage to reach such a high cultivation?
Rui Yi still did not move despite facing her God Emperor's cold gazes, the resolute determination in her eyes not wavering one bit.
She was just about to say something when a voice that was as soft and ephemeral as a dream softly rang in the air, "Rui Yi, come help me up."
A delicate and exquisite pale hand slowly emerged from the profound light.
"Miss! You…" Rui Yi let out a cry of alarm, but it was too late for her to stop Cang Shuhe. She hurriedly got to her feet and carefully grasped the lustrous white hand that had emerged from that profound formation.
Ding...
The profound formation dispersed with a light ring, and Yun Wuji's eyes instantly met a pair of eyes so frail and delicate that they instantly caused one's heart to shatter.
She wore a plain white robe and no trace of makeup. Her face was as startlingly pale as her hands, yet this pallor could do nothing to diminish the impact of her exquisite beauty. Just as she had been described in the novel, she was indeed beautiful enough to shatter hearts and topple countries.
Furthermore, her eyes, eyebrows, and lips… were filled with a graceful and lovely frailty. She looked like a beautiful flower petal that could easily be torn apart by a strong gust of wind, lovely enough to cause even the coldest heart in the world to want to hold and protect her.
In terms of beauty alone, she could not compare to Qianye Ying'er or Shen Xi, yet she still stood on the same level as Jasmine, Chi Wuyao, and Mu Xuanyin. Yun Wuji looked at her for a moment, but was forced to turn away when he felt a pair of cold eyes drilling into him and a hand pinching his waist tightly.
As expected, she truly deserved the title of the number one beauty of the Southern Divine Region, one of the only two women that Southern Sea Simp ever simped for in his life, the other being Qianye Ying'er.
"Shuhe," Cang Shitian said. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and greet his Majesty."
Cang Shuhe slowly walked forward with Rui Yi's assistance, who then helped her kneel down.
"..." Cang Shuhe's eyes remained fixed on Yun Wuji. Those frail and elegant eyes, as if shrouded in a light mist, somehow made him feel a trace of pity for her.
"Cang Shuhe respectfully greets my lord Yun Wuji… my body is unwell, so I was unable to greet you before this. I seek your forgiveness in this." Her voice was very soft and gentle, and it seemed to brush past Yun Wuji's ears like a gentle gust of wind.
"Hmph, you truly do live up to your reputation as the woman of Deep Sea who appeared on just a single occasion but left with the title of the most beautiful woman in the Southern Divine Region," Qianye Ying'er said in a dry voice. "You're so ill that you're on your deathbed, but you're still so alluringly beautiful."
Cang Shuhe replied in a soft voice, "I am nothing more than dust underneath the moon in the presence of the Goddess. I am not worthy of such praise from you."
It was almost as if she had not heard the cutting edge in Qianye Ying'er's voice.
This ill will had clearly come from Yun Wuji's reaction to Cang Shuhe. Even though it hadn't been obvious, there was no way it would escape her notice.
"Alright, enough talking," Yun Wuji gave Qianye Ying'er a helpless look. Why was she so jealous? Wasn't it normal for a man to notice a beautiful woman? He approached Cang Shuhe and said, "Given her current condition, her surviving until now is already a minor miracle. The resources you poured into keeping her alive all these years could have easily nurtured several Divine Masters. Cang Shitian, you really are one willful God Emperor."
Cang Shitian slowly exhaled before he suddenly fell heavily to his knees. He said, "Your Majesty, Shuhe's condition has been steadily deteriorating over the last few years. I have already done all that I can do, but she won't be able to last much longer. Right now, you are the only person who can save her in this universe… The Devil Queen said that you would definitely be able to save her!"
"If Your Majesty can save Shuhe, I, Cang Shitian, will forever be… your… most loyal and faithful dog!"
"Elder… Brother…" Cang Shuhe whispered as she gently turned her head to face him.
"I came to the Southern Divine Region specifically to heal her. I don't need you continuing to beg me," Yun Wuji said, then glanced at Rui Yi. "I don't like noisy people. From now on, never speak in my presence. Understood?"
"Pfft, ahaha, for a woman to disgust you this much, this girl really is a second Mu Xiaolan!" Black smoke swirled as Hei Xiaolian appeared. She rested one hand on Yun Wuji's shoulder and stared at Rui Yi with unrestrained amusement, laughing freely.
"..." Rui Yi's face twisted. She had no idea what she had done to make Yun Wuji feel so disgusted, or who this Mu Xiaolan even was, and who the hell names someone like that? She wanted to speak up and voice her opinion, but feared she might be killed and also disrupt her master's recovery.
Cang Shitian, on the other hand, gave Hei Xiaolian a long, assessing glance and immediately guessed her identity. She must be the Heavenly Spirit who had wrestled control of the Eternal Heaven Pearl from the Eternal Heaven Great Ancestor.
Yun Wuji stepped forward, extended a hand toward Cang Shuhe, and said, "Give me your hand."
"Yes."
Cang Shuhe seemed to move as if compelled by his command. She placed her hand atop Rui Yi's, and as Rui Yi watched with a mixture of emotions, Cang Shuhe gently extended her arm and carefully rested her hand on Yun Wuji's.
The light profound energy from the Ethereal Qi Sanctuary (The Energy condom) surrounding Yun Wuji flowed into Cang Shuhe's hand before slowly coursing through her body. Throughout the entire process, he kept his gaze fixed on her face, particularly her eyes.
He knew from the novel that this woman was unusual. She was wise despite being a NEET who never touched grass, a glorified basement dweller, and she also possessed an incredibly strong will.
On the other hand, Cang Shuhe's beautiful eyes gazed calmly into his. They held a subtle mix of curiosity and bewilderment.
For some strange reason, she felt that the man before her was nothing like what she had heard. The rumors said he was a devil who appeared out of nowhere, subdued entire King Realms with brute force, and tore Dragons from the Dragon God Realm to pieces with his own hands.
He was said to collect their corpses, feast on them, and drink their blood. He delighted in slaughter and was an extremely cruel man who would not spare his enemies even if they surrendered.
He was also a lustful beast who seized women from across the world to grow his harem.
Of course, the propaganda had made great progress in improving his image, but the wild rumors flying around about him could not contain human imagination. Some people even pictured him with three heads and six arms.
However, after seeing him up close, she realized that all these rumors were baseless, well... most of them. He gave off a strange, calming presence, an aura that made Cang Shuhe's cold, sealed heart beat once more. His eyes held a peculiar magnetic power that drew her in, compelling her to explore them. They were dark, impossibly dark, like a bottomless pool, yet deep within them glimmered a tiny light that beckoned others to discover it.
The pale white light slowly and steadily continued to grow until it enveloped both of their figures. Then, it gradually withdrew from Yun Wuji, surrounding Cang Shuhe entirely.
Cang Shuhe was born with a defective life vein. If a king realm's God Emperor hadn't paid every price to keep her alive, she would've died a long, long time ago.
Every part of Cang Shuhe's body rejoiced like a dying plant that was blessed with timely rain. Her life force was growing exponentially at an extraordinary rate.
Half an hour passed by in the blink of an eye. Throughout the healing process, Yun Wuji didn't break his posture, expression, or silence even once.
He withdrew his arms, but the sheen of white light stayed on Cang Shuhe's body. At the same time, a light profound formation, formed using the Divine Miracle of Life, appeared around her chest.
Cang Shitian's tense expression softened into deep concern as he stepped toward his sister and asked, "How… how do you feel, Shuhe?"
Rui Yi opened her mouth to speak, but quickly closed it, recalling Yun Wuji's order.
Cang Shuhe bowed elegantly toward Yun Wuji. "Thank you for your gift, my Lord."
"Alright, stop wasting time, I want food! Let's eat!" Hei Xiaolian tugged on Yun Wuji's sleeve, urging him forward, her eyes darting repeatedly between him and Cang Shuhe.
"Cang Shitian, you can leave now. I still have something to discuss with your sister," Yun Wuji said calmly, glancing at Cang Shitian. He added, "I am very satisfied with your performance. Keep working hard, and soon you'll have plenty more fun to enjoy."
Yun Wuji planned to follow Chi Wuyao's plan in the novel and make Cang Shitian the 'Order Maintainer,' turning him into the mad dog who would crush any rebellion. With his personality, he would definitely enjoy the job to the fullest.
"Thank… thank you, Your Majesty!" Cang Shitian dropped to his knees, shouting loudly. He didn't ask about the meaning of Yun Wuji's words, but countless guesses already raced through his mind, each one making his pores tingle with excitement. He resisted the urge to check on his sister and, following Yun Wuji's order, left.
With Cang Shitian gone, Qianye Ying'er fixed a cold stare on Cang Shuhe and asked Yun Wuji, "Are you really going to stay here?" She had already started cursing Nan Wansheng for being a useless trash. Why hadn't he fucked this woman?! Now she was about to face a new competitor!
"I heard your cooking skills are unparalleled in this world," Yun Wuji said, ignoring the impatient and jealous glare Qianye Ying'er was shooting at him, and turned to Cang Shuhe. "Let's have a duel."
"Shuhe is honored that word of her skills has reached your ears," Cang Shuhe said, her eyes widening slightly in shock. No one in the world besides her brother and Rui Yi knew about her abilities. How had this man learned of them? Had her brother mentioned them?
"Hurry, hurry, start already! I'll be the judge!" Hei Xiaolian said impatiently, nudging Yun Wuji to get things moving.
"Master, you're not allowed to use the Sky Poison Pearl. That would be considered cheating," she suddenly remembered and added.
"..." Cang Shuhe and Rui Yi froze once again. Did she just say Sky Poison Pearl? This man actually has the Sky Poison Pearl? And he's using it to cook?!
"My lord, may I ask how you learned of my cooking skills?" Cang Shuhe asked softly as she led them to a place that looked like a kitchen.
"There is nothing in this world that I don't know. I know that you are also very skilled in drawing, calligraphy, engraving, playing the Zheng, Qin, Di, Xiao, embroidery, cooking, and more," Yun Wuji said casually as he looked around. "But well, let's not waste time on such meaningless things. Let's get to the duel."
"Since you've just recovered, let's start simple. How about making a fish soup?"
"...Shuhe is honored that my lord has noticed her meager skills, but in the end, they are nothing compared to the supreme art of cultivation," Cang Shuhe said, blinking as she stared at Yun Wuji in a daze. Once again, she felt this man growing ever more mysterious, as if a thick layer of fog shrouded him, preventing anyone from seeing through.
Rui Yi also felt that, although this intimidating man could be harsh toward her, he was not as terrible as she had imagined. At the very least, he appreciated her master and recognized her abilities.
'Hmph! So what if she knows how to cook and dabbles in some insignificant arts? If I want to, I can do the same,' Qianye Ying'er gritted her teeth, watching Yun Wuji 'praise' another woman before her. She swore that once she returned to the Brahma Monarch God Realm, she would train her skills and make this woman understand who was truly the number one woman in Yun Wuji's heart!
When they reached the kitchen, Hei Xiaolian sat down eagerly, watching as Yun Wuji and Cang Shuhe cooked. They prepared the ingredients, processed them, and made the soup, each of their movements smooth, elegant, and mesmerizing to watch. Even Qianye Ying'er forgot her jealousy, staring at both of them absentmindedly.
When the food was served, Yun Wuji prepared five portions. He placed four bowls for Hei Xiaolian, Qianye Ying'er, Cang Shuhe, and Rui Yi, then placed the last bowl into the Sky Poison Pearl, handing it to You'er.
Hong'er did not like ordinary food and preferred only swords and energy crystals.
Cang Shuhe did the same. She prepared five bowls as well, giving Yun Wuji two. One was for himself and the other for whoever he chose to give it to.
She was very perceptive and noticed this tiny detail.
"Whoa! Fuck, it's delicious! This woman sure can make some good food! She is nearly as good as you, master!" Hei Xiaolian's eyes widened as the first spoonful of the fish soup touched her lips. The aroma alone pulled her forward, her excitement barely contained. The flavors erupted in her mouth like a perfectly orchestrated symphony.
The fish was tender and fresh, melting effortlessly with every bite. The broth carried layers of subtle seasoning, delicate yet bold, balancing richness with a light, almost ethereal clarity.
"It's like the ingredients are singing together! I can taste the skill, the technique, the thought behind every motion!" She always thought no one could ever come close to Yun Wuji in terms of cooking skills. This woman was not as good as him, but she was still incredibly skilled.
Even with her picky taste buds, Hei Xiaolian could not help but savor every drop of the soup.
Qianye Ying'er wore almost the same expression. She had tasted Yun Wuji's food countless times, and her experience was far broader than Hei Xiaolian's. She had sampled all kinds of dishes and knew just how otherworldly Yun Wuji's cooking could be. For Cang Shuhe to reach this level of skill was truly remarkable. Were it not for Yun Wuji, she probably would be considered the best cook in the world.
Rui Yi wore the same astonished expression, but for the opposite reason. She had always believed that no one could surpass her master, and yet to think that this man could be even better than her!
Cang Shuhe was the only one who showed no emotion on her face. She drank Yun Wuji's soup slowly, savoring every taste. Inwardly, she was shocked, though not as intensely as the others. Perhaps a lifetime spent alone had hardened her heart, making it difficult to stir. She looked up and spoke calmly, her voice soft, "Lord Yun Wuji is indeed unparalleled in everything he does. Shuhe concedes her defeat."
"You are not bad yourself. I didn't expect you to be this good," Yun Wuji said casually, then added, "Since I have bested you in cooking, let us try other arts. I want to see if anyone can surpass me in anything."
"...As you wish, my lord," Cang Shuhe blinked, a faint smile spreading across her face.
...
While Yun Wuji was engaging in his 'duels' with Cang Shuhe, a rumor spread throughout the entire God Realm.
The rumor claimed that the reason Yun Wuji and his allies had destroyed the Eternal Heaven God Realm and the Dragon God Realm was the return of the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor and her clansmen, who had been banished outside of the Primal Chaos by the Creation God Mo E.
Yun Wuji supposedly went to the Eternal Heaven God Realm to explain his plan to stop this calamity, but the Eternal Heaven God Emperor and the Eternal Heaven God Realm ambushed him with the help of the Dragon Monarch and the Dragon God Realm.
In his fury, he obliterated the Eternal Heaven God Realm and massacred the Dragon God Realm along with the other King Realms who took their side.
It was all because of their ridiculous and selfish hatred of the devils that Yun Wuji had to strike them down for the sake of the world. If the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor and her clansmen were to return and see the oppressed state of the Northern Divine Region, who knew what they might do?
Yun Wuji, on the other hand, had been trying to find a way to stop this calamity, yet these evil, self-righteous people sought to obstruct him.
Many versions of these rumors spread like wildfire across the four Divine Regions, causing enormous commotion and widespread panic. Those who feared Yun Wuji redirected their terror toward the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor and her clansmen while redirecting their anger and hatred toward the fallen Eternal Heaven and Dragon God Realms.
...
3140 words, making it the longest chapter so far.
