Villain Master, my disciples all want to backstab me

Logically speaking, it is the former.

After all, the place [Cangwu County] was originally created by Bai Yuan·I, who specialized in the "ghost way". Later, Bai Yuan·I left a wisp of "true spirit" there as an anchor point for reincarnation.

Gui Yuan has been there for twenty years. Theoretically, he should have known every corner of Cangwu County very well. There is no reason why he would be ignorant of this secret.

but……

If Gui Yuan really knew about his "previous life" a long time ago.

Then her cultivation level shouldn't be just the late stage of the Spiritualization Realm. Even if she didn't directly enter the Return to Void Realm like Bai Yuan did now, she should at least be at the Half-Step Return to Void Realm.

Moreover, if this was the case, then she should not have been in such a crazy and violent manner when she appeared in front of Bai Yuan and Ye Shuang'er.

"……Ah."

Gui Yuan raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.

It was a smile that looked a little crazy and a little helpless at the same time.

She slowly raised her feet and walked naked to Bai Yuan's side, stopping just inches away from her, her eyes gazing at her fiercely. Because they were so close, their faces were almost touching, their towering breasts touching so closely that they could vaguely feel the warmth coming from each other.

——Of course, there is only a soul in the [Wheel of Life and Death], and no physical body, so this "temperature" is just a psychological feeling, not a real touch.

After looking into Bai Yuan's calm eyes for a while.

Gui Yuan finally sighed: "Do you think I don't want to take all of this into my own hands and take your place?"

"If it were possible, I would have had at least ten chances to kill you."

"It's a pity that you are the main body of 'White Kite', and I am just a remnant soul that was separated from you twenty years ago. Even if I were to obtain that part of your memory by chance, I would not be recognized as the 'White Kite' of this life, nor would I be able to inherit the cultivation of more than ten previous lives.

"If not, I wouldn't have fought that little phoenix to save you."

Chapter 272: Fusion?

"……is that so?"

In response to Gui Yuan's answer, Bai Yuan remained silent.

After being together for so long, she has now almost figured out Gui Yuan's ways.

Although this guy is very violent and speaks harshly, as if he can't stand anyone or anything, he actually has a bit of a "she-ghost" quality in him and often does things that are hypocritical.

Perhaps, due to her incomplete soul and body, she was unable to obtain the certification of "Bai Yuan·XVI" and inherit the cultivation of her past life. However, if her goal was simply to devour Bai Yuan's "main body" and gain control of this body, then she still had several opportunities -

For example, the time in Cangwu County.

And there was the time when I fought Qingluo.

This time, Gui Yuan didn't even need any special maneuvers; he simply hid within the Wheel of Life and Death. Bai Yuan would then have to face Qing Luo in person. With her cultivation at the initial stage of the Spiritual Transformation Realm, facing Qing Luo's "Burning Heaven and Boiling Sea" would likely have resulted in a far worse outcome than Gui Yuan's. A severe blow to her soul was unavoidable.

Even if Ji Lingyun intervened afterwards to help her clean up the mess and preside over the resurrection, the time difference in between was enough for Gui Yuan to do a lot of things.

and so.

Regardless of the reasons behind Gui Yuan's decision to give up on the plan of devouring, Bai Yuan was grateful for it.

"...Humph, stop being so sentimental. Seeing you acting so gullible after getting an advantage makes me want to vomit."

Gui Yuan snorted coldly and was not forgiving in his words.

In response, Bai Yuan just smiled slightly, feeling as if she saw a domestic kitten breathing on her, and there was no ripple in her heart at all.

Seeing her so calm, Gui Yuan seemed to find it uninteresting. After a pause, he asked the main question: "Let's put other matters aside for now and talk about the situation outside... Since your cultivation has reached the Return to Void Realm, you should have already taken action against the Shentu family. How many people have you killed?"

"Well... you can see for yourself."

Bai Yuan raised his hand.

Images from her own memories emerged in mid-air, playing out like a movie. The "movie" covered Bai Yuan and her group's experiences in the Shentu clan's territory, right up to Shentu Jackdaw's death.

Gui Yuan watched this video and kept complaining:

"Humph, it's shameful that I was made so embarrassed by that fellow Shentu Jackdaw. And I didn't even kill all the Shentu family members, leaving so many people behind. If it were me, I would never make such a stupid mistake."

"...If you can do it, go ahead."

"If I could wear that mask, why would I need to prepare wedding clothes for you?"

Bai Yuan and Gui Yuan had a few words as usual.

Finally, as the video finished playing, Bai Yuan took a deep breath and spoke seriously, "Actually, there's no essential difference between you and me. We're both just wandering ghosts of the original person who remained in the world for thousands of years."

"Although her original goal in establishing the [Path of Time] was to 'escape the Three Realms and transcend the Five Elements,' it was ultimately just a goal. To this day, we are still shrouded in that person's shadow, and transcendence is simply out of the question."

"so……"

"Would you like to join me in tearing apart that shadow?"

"This operation may be extremely dangerous, and you and I may both die. However, we have reasons to do it."

"..."

Gui Yuan was silent.

When Bai Yuan said "together", she didn't simply mean two people acting together.

Ancestor Shentu's strength was at the Celestial Realm. Perhaps, having been severely injured and sealed for so many years, he no longer possessed the strength of his prime, but he was at least close to that of a Celestial. Neither the current Bai Yuan nor the Ghost Yuan were quite qualified to defeat him. After all, his only rivals were the ancient Bai Yuan I and II.

From Bai Yuan's perspective, although this back-up plan in her first life made her "immortal", it also, to a certain extent, limited Bai Yuan's upper limit in later generations.

Because every reincarnation meant Bai Yuan's soul was split. Even if she diligently cultivated in her next life and raised her soul's strength, she could only approach the level of her previous life, but it was difficult to surpass it. This was also the reason why, starting with Bai Yuan's third life, she never reached the Celestial Realm again.

Now, Bai Yuan, who has obtained the [Ashura Ghost Mask], is still only in the Return to Void Realm.

If she were to practice in a normal way, it would be impossible for her to reach the Heavenly Man Realm in such a short period of time. Even approaching it would be difficult.

and so……

Bai Yuan thought of another way——

That is to gather all the separated souls and combine them into one, so that one's cultivation can soar to a level close to that of the first and second generations in a relatively short period of time, and become the bargaining chip to defeat the ancestor Shentu!

This strategy is of course very risky.

Because if she loses to Ancestor Shentu in this situation, she will most likely be destroyed both physically and spiritually, and will never have the chance to reincarnate.

but……

Bai Yuan now has no way out.

A thousand years ago, she had a premonition that this might be her last reincarnation; and now, if she, as the "sixteenth generation", is unable to put an end to this feud, then even if she can reincarnate again, when she appears in the world next time, the situation in this world will probably be completely out of her control.

Except for the ghost kite.

Bai Yuan also planned to go to Cangwu County again to retrieve the "True Spirit" left there by Bai Yuan I. Then, he would burn his boats and launch a final showdown with the Shentu ancestor!

"...Have you thought about it?"

Gui Yuan looked at Bai Yuan and asked in a low voice.

"Well, the worst that can happen is death. I've already lived sixteen lives."

Bai Yuan said.

"……OK then."

Gui Yuan didn't think about it for too long. After a few breaths, he nodded in agreement. Then he approached Bai Yuan and raised a hand towards her, as if to high-five her: "Come on."

"Wait a minute."

Bai Yuan did not reach out like her, but instead took half a step back.

"Ok?"

Gui Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly, seeming a little puzzled.

Facing the latter's question, Bai Yuan let out a light breath and slowly said, "Once you and I become one, we may never be able to separate again. At that time, there will no longer be 'Ghost Yuan' and 'White Yuan' in the world, only the consciousness after the fusion. So...

"Let's wait until the eve of our departure for the Great Wilderness Forbidden Land before doing this."

Chapter 273 Is Master here? I am Rao'er

In a sense, Bai Yuan and Gui Yuan can be considered as "friends".

Although they share a common origin, they have lived independently for decades, effectively becoming two separate entities. Now, if they were to merge into one, it would mean both would have to "die" once before being revived as one. This kind of thing requires some mental fortitude.

of course……

Actually it's not bad.

After all, the two of them shared the same roots and had once shared a life. Furthermore, Gui Yuan had spent the previous twenty years in the dead city of Cangwu County, with virtually no contact with the outside world, so there was no need to sever social ties.

It was for this reason that Gui Yuan agreed so readily, and after giving his reply, he immediately extended his hand towards Bai Yuan, ready to complete the fusion with her.

but.

Gui Yuan is all alone and has no worries, but Bai Yuan is not like that.

At least, she still has a promise to her disciple that has not yet been fulfilled—

Well, I’m talking about the matter of giving Jiang Rao “extra lessons”.

Gui Yuan did recognize Jiang Rao. After all, when Xue Yuan rescued Jiang Rao in Cangwu County, she hadn't yet been separated. But her impression of Jiang Rao was more of the child who had fled in panic, rather than the Jiang Rao who had been accepted as a disciple by Bai Yuan and went undercover in various major sects.

For Bai Yuan, if he merged with Gui Yuan first and then "rewarded" Jiang Rao, it would always feel a bit strange. It was like he was cheating on himself...

“Okay.”

Gui Yuan didn't know about Jiang Rao's situation. Seeing Bai Yuan's temporary refusal, he didn't say much. He just lowered his arms, raised his head and exhaled: "If there is nothing else, then I won't keep you. Shentu Wushe is not an easy person to deal with. Even if you and I merge, we may not be able to win her. We need to practice every minute."

"?"

No, what's wrong with your attitude of seeing someone off?

Do you really treat the Wheel of Life and Death as your own home?

Bai Yuan was a little speechless, but didn't say anything else. After closing his eyes, his body slowly disappeared in this space.

The last moment.

Gui Yuan seemed to sense something and suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze passed through the dark void and fell on the place where Bai Yuan disappeared. A hint of surprise appeared on his face.

But soon, this expression was replaced by a playful smile.

"I see……"

"No wonder she was able to subdue those rebellious followers without even recovering her cultivation. It turns out she used this method. If it had been Qing'er and I back then... well, there's no point in overthinking it. Let's take advantage of this final preparation time to cultivate properly."

"This feud that has continued from ancient times to the present day should finally be put to an end."

Gui Yuan opened his arms, returned to the towering ancient tree made of blood vessels and intestines, and entered the state of cultivation again.

……

in reality.

Bai Yuan remained seated in the tub, naked, her eyes tightly closed, looking as if she were dozing underwater. The overflowing spiritual energy continuously heated the water, causing a faint vapor to rise, making her body appear hazy, like a white lotus in the water.

suddenly.

There was a slight knock on the door from outside.

Then, a tiny mosquito-like sound drifted in through the cracks in the simple barrier:

"Master, are you there? I'm Rao'er~"

"..."

No response from inside.

After a brief silence, Jiang Rao asked again.

The girl was outside and there was a risk of being overheard by others when she spoke, so she tried to call Bai Yuan using the "secret voice transmission" method and encrypted the content of the voice transmission several times. It can be said that she was quite cautious.

the other side.

Bai Yuan's consciousness gradually returned, and he opened his eyes as if waking up from a dream, and only then could he hear clearly the words outside.

It had to be said that among her three disciples, Jiang Rao was the most polite. The barrier she had previously set up outside the wing room was not actually complicated. It only served as a tip-off and did not have much practical effect on those above the Spiritual Transformation Realm.

If it were Qingluo and Ye Shuang'er, they would probably just barge in.

Well... Ye Shuang'er might not be able to get in, because her attainments in formations are somewhat lacking. However, this is only because the hard conditions do not allow it, and subjectively speaking, she definitely has this intention.

Only Jiang Rao, even with her prior instructions, would knock on the door and ask for her further permission.

"It's Rao'er. Come in."