Li Qing's Core Formation went exceptionally smoothly.
He felt none of the peril recorded in various cultivation scriptures; it was simply a natural culmination, like water flowing to form a channel.
In barely half a day, he successfully stepped into the Golden Core realm.
"A pure yin constitution..."
Li Qing took a deep breath, savoring the earth-shattering transformation taking place within his body.
With his yang qi completely converted and the final obstacle gone, Li Qing felt his brand-new body faintly reach a state of consummate harmony.
The speed at which his spiritual energy circulated had nearly doubled, and even his comprehension of techniques and divine abilities was an entire tier above what it had been in the past.
A complete rebirth!
And his Golden Core also differed from the common appearance documented in the scriptures.
Resembling the moon at its zenith, it emanated a cool, clear white light. The core's surface was covered in mysterious Dao patterns, showcasing its extraordinary nature.
These many transformations filled Li Qing with boundless delight.
"Judging by cultivation talent alone, even Zhao Ruoxi falls far short of me now."
"And the quality of this Golden Core of mine is superb."
"Pity that none of this can see the light of day just yet. It cannot be exposed."
Li Qing knew very well that once the changes within him were noticed and the true miraculous efficacy of the Scripture of Inverse Order leaked out, it would inevitably ignite unimaginable madness!
When that happened, even those Soul Formation and Dao Integration grandmasters in the inner sect would likely come swarming to seize it!
Compared to attaining the Great Dao, a trivial matter like reversing one's sex was not even worth mentioning!
"Until I have sufficient power to protect myself, I must continue to bide my time."
Taking out clothing and dressing once more, the aura of a Golden Core powerhouse about Li Qing gradually dissipated.
No one would ever have imagined that this outer disciple—who just a year ago was merely in the Qi Condensation stage and grievously traumatized in both body and mind—had now crossed the threshold and truly set foot onto the Great Dao of cultivation!
Returning to the outer sect to lie low, Li Qing soon encountered an unexpected dilemma.
It had become difficult for him to absorb yin qi from those outer sect female cultivators to support his cultivation.
After careful consideration, Li Qing decided to reveal a bit of his cultivation to enter the Dadao Sect's inner sect.
And after cautious deliberation, he also selected his target for a master.
From the same Yuehua Lineage as Senior Sister Zhao—Soul Formation Immortal Lord Huo Jingtong!
In truth, given the aptitude Li Qing currently displayed, under normal circumstances Huo Jingtong would never look twice at him.
However, Li Qing had already made inquiries and learned that Huo Jingtong was an extreme stickler for appearances.
Li Qing believed that with his increasingly exquisite looks, along with the intense allure that naturally wafted from his every gesture and unstudied glance, joining Huo Jingtong's tutelage would not be difficult!
The most crucial reason he had chosen Huo Jingtong as his target was that this woman possessed superb talent; having cultivated for less than a century, she had already stepped into the Soul Formation realm early on.
Furthermore, her heart was wholly devoted to the Dao. Since beginning her cultivation, she had rarely interacted with male cultivators, and she remained a virgin to this day.
All the disciples under her wing were young women in the prime of their youth.
As a place for Li Qing to develop in secret, it could not have been more suitable!
A glint of dangerous light flickered in Li Qing's eyes as he secretly set his scheme into motion.
For an outer disciple to join the tutelage of an inner sect Soul Formation Immortal Lord naturally required some maneuvering.
Like a patient hunter, Li Qing waited a full three months for a suitable opportunity.
On this day, Huo Jingtong's youngest disciple, Sima Jing, took on a sect trial mission to travel ten thousand li away to Yin Wind Valley to harvest Yin Soul Pearls.
Before Sima Jing set out, Li Qing sought her out through a connection with an outer sect female cultivator he had become intimate with.
Piteously recounting his misfortunes, he begged Sima Jing to take him along.
"Yin Wind Valley is an extreme yin land. Perhaps I can absorb enough yin qi there to completely shed my male guise."
Originally, Sima Jing was somewhat hesitant, but seeing Li Qing on the verge of tears, her heart softened in the end, and she agreed.
Though barely in her twenties, Sima Jing was already at the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Her life experience, however, was far too shallow. On the road to Yin Wind Valley, she was quickly bewitched by Li Qing's sweet talk.
Their relationship warmed up rapidly, and Sima Jing came to treat Li Qing as a confidant, frequently lamenting the misfortunes that had befallen him.
"Rest assured, Qingqing, once we reach Yin Wind Valley, I'll find a few more Yin Soul Pearls for you," Sima Jing promised, patting her chest.
Li Qing gratefully grasped Sima Jing's soft, tender hands, unwilling to let go.
Sima Jing's cheeks flushed slightly, but she did not pull away.
However, this naive girl did not know that her whereabouts on this trip to Yin Wind Valley had already been leaked by Li Qing to a male cultivator from another lineage of the Dadao Sect who had long coveted her: Wei Lu.
This Wei Lu, like Qin Shou, was a lecherous sort. After repeatedly pursuing Sima Jing and being rejected every time, resentment had festered in his heart.
Upon receiving word that Sima Jing was traveling alone, his restless desire was already stirring, and unable to resist the egging-on of those around him, he finally made up his mind.
He would stage a grand show of the hero saving the damsel in distress. He would dispatch a band of men to fake an ambush to kill and loot, robbing wealth and beauty alike. At the critical moment, he would step forward, defeat the bandits, and win the beauty's heart.
As Wei Lu schemed in the shadows, he never imagined that he too was merely a pawn in Li Qing's conspiracy.
Just as Li Qing had planned, right at the most crucial moment of harvesting the soul pearls in Yin Wind Valley, an unexpected band of attackers suddenly charged in.
Though Sima Jing possessed formidable strength and numerous dharma treasures for defense, she was outnumbered. Forced to protect the frail and seemingly weak Li Qing as well, her stamina gradually flagged, and she fell into a disadvantage.
Seeing that defeat was imminent, Li Qing suddenly said with resolute finality, "Jing'er, don't worry about me! Run, quickly!"
Then, as if throwing an egg against a rock so as not to become a burden, Li Qing actually used words to draw the attention of the besiegers.
Constantly taunting them, he drew their attacks onto himself.
The pressure on Sima Jing eased, but the disparity in strength between Li Qing and these thugs was far too vast. Within moments, he was gravely injured.
And this was still under the condition that the men, following Wei Lu's orders, had held back from dealing a lethal blow.
Seeing Li Qing on the verge of death, Sima Jing was so anxious that tears nearly spilled from her eyes.
Before Wei Lu even had time to make his entrance, Sima Jing employed a mutually destructive secret technique to briefly unleash the power of the Golden Core realm. Temporarily forcing the mob back, she fled with Li Qing into the depths of Yin Wind Valley.
Wei Lu's expression turned ugly, and he barked orders for the men to pursue at once.
Meanwhile, the dying Li Qing looked at Sima Jing, who was weeping as she held him, and told her that he possessed a secret art. Once performed, it would not only heal his injuries, but perhaps even allow him to advance further.
It was just that this secret art was somewhat unusual and required Sima Jing's cooperation.
If Sima Jing was unwilling, he would not force the matter.
Swayed by affection and naive to the extreme, how could Sima Jing stand by and watch him die? She agreed on the spot.
After an untellable, thoroughly intoxicating bout of the secret art,
Sima Jing looked somewhat tired, but watching Li Qing restored to vibrant life and even breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, a blissful smile appeared on her face.
Chapter 919