The Soul Source was indeed Qiu Ji’s; of that, there was no doubt. However, Ye Fan believed that further investigation was needed to determine if it was genuine or if Qiu Ji had tampered with it.
To this end, he returned to his seclusion chamber and shone the Divine Talisman Light on the Soul Source. The object showed no reaction. Just as he was about to conclude that everything was fine, he noticed something. Wait a minute! A sly smile crept across Ye Fan’s face. He had found the problem.
「An hour later.」
Ye Fan suddenly burst out laughing. "I knew there was an issue!" he exclaimed. "And there really is one! Qiu Ji, oh, Qiu Ji... if it weren’t for the Divine Talisman, I never would have known you’re a Soul Cultivator. Did you really think you could fool me? Wishful thinking!"
He left the seclusion chamber in high spirits.
「...」
In the Outer Realm, the place where Ye Fan and Huang Ji’s bamboo lodge once stood was now a massive fortress, considered the safest city in the Divine Domain.
Although Qiu Ji showed shock upon seeing all this, she didn’t panic. Even when she saw vast quantities of Immortal Mines being transported away, she made no record of it. For the past several days, Ye Fan had the elusive Nightmare Beast tailing Qiu Ji, but it had discovered nothing unusual. After inspecting the Soul Source, however, he knew her visit was not as simple as she claimed.
「That night.」
Ye Fan was reading in his study. After summarizing his thoughts, he began creating his own Cultivation Technique. He decided not to follow the paths of his predecessors; perhaps this deviation was what truly made him unique.
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. Ye Fan called out, "Who is it?"
"It’s me, Qiu Ji!"
"Come in!"
Qiu Ji, dressed in pure white, stepped inside.
Ye Fan asked, "It’s late. What brings you here?"
"I have come to fulfill my promise," Qiu Ji stated immediately. "I want to offer myself to you!"
Ye Fan replied, "There’s no need for that. I’m not a lecherous man, and I would never force you. You should leave. Now that you have sincerely joined our Righteous Divine Lineage, I will not neglect you."
This was Ye Fan’s bottom line.
But at that moment, Qiu Ji started to cry. Ye Fan couldn’t stand to see a woman cry. "Why are you crying all of a sudden?" he asked, putting down his book.
Qiu Ji said, "I am doing this willingly. In the entire Divine Domain, there isn’t a single man who has caught my eye, except for you! You are the only one I wish to rely on! I know we’ve had our misunderstandings, but think about it: if I had wanted to kill you before, I could have easily done so!"
Ye Fan considered her words for a moment. They had a point. Still, he said, "Love isn’t just about admiration. It’s about two people giving their all to one another. That is what love is. You don’t understand it."
His words may have been harsh, but they were the absolute truth.
But Qiu Ji pressed, "Then are you willing to accept my body?"
"No," Ye Fan stated succinctly.
Qiu Ji began to cry again, and Ye Fan was on the verge of losing his patience. "Please, just leave," he said. "It wouldn’t be good for you to be seen here so late."
Knowing she couldn’t change his mind, Qiu Ji suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood, giving Ye Fan quite a shock.
He demanded, "What’s going on? Why do you have the power of the Evil Clan inside you?"
"Years ago, I came to this realm and was tainted by an ominous energy," Qiu Ji explained. "It has been corrupting my body ever since, tormenting me constantly and giving me no peace. I came to you seeking refuge, but I also came hoping you could save me!"
Ye Fan examined her condition. "Your affliction isn’t severe," he said. "These are Elixir Pills from the Holy Martial Hall. Take one each day, and you’ll be fully recovered in three days."
Qiu Ji nodded, but her reason was unclear. Was she agreeing to his method, or was she already forming plans for the Holy Martial Hall?
"You should go now," Ye Fan said.
He truly didn’t want to spend another moment with her. He was far too busy evolving his Martial Arts, attempting to fuse the Pure Yang Technique with the Evil Nether Battle Chronicles. If he succeeded, his Martial Arts would reach a new level, but the fusion process was riddled with impurities and flaws that he was currently working to correct.
Just then, Qiu Ji said, "I know I shouldn’t disturb you tonight, but I..."
"What are you trying to do?" Ye Fan asked.
Without warning, Qiu Ji pulled him into a passionate kiss, her body pressing against his. Ye Fan’s first instinct was to push her away, but a new idea stopped him. Let’s see just how far she’s willing to take this. He decided to play along. He grabbed her forcefully and pushed her down. Qiu Ji showed no disgust, only earnest cooperation.
Even when he breached her final defense, she only let out a muffled groan of pain. Once the moment passed, however, her ardor returned. She gave herself to him completely, and Ye Fan, like a fierce tiger, moved with abandon, losing all track of time.
Eventually, Ye Fan fell into a deep slumber—or so it seemed. In reality, he was wide awake, waiting to see what Qiu Ji would do next. To his surprise, Qiu Ji remained perfectly docile. She simply held him tightly in her sleep, showing no hint of any ulterior motive.
She had passed this test, much to Ye Fan’s surprise. Over the next month, he continued to test her. Qiu Ji passed every time, acting the part of a loving and affectionate partner each day without revealing a single flaw.
One day, Ye Fan and Huang Ji retreated to the bamboo cottage. They stayed for five days, refusing to see anyone, as Ye Fan claimed he did not want to be disturbed.
Qiu Ji tried to see him but was turned away. From a distance, she caught a glimpse of his Martial Arts evolving. Seeing this, she made up her mind, turned, and walked away.
"My love, why are you putting on this act?" Huang Ji asked. It was something she couldn’t understand.
"Because I need to put on a show for someone," Ye Fan said with a smile. "My love, tonight the answer will finally be revealed."
"Should I accompany you?" Huang Ji asked.
"Of course not," Ye Fan chuckled. "Because tonight, you’re the one who will be captured."
"What?"
Huang Ji was dumbfounded. Ye Fan continued, "Don’t worry, just relax. When you’re captured, just cooperate with her."
"Mm-hm." Being exceptionally clever, Huang Ji immediately understood his plan.
As night fell, Huang Ji prepared to descend the mountain, as was the routine; no one was allowed near the bamboo cottage after dark. When Huang Ji opened the door to her own room, she found Qiu Ji already sitting inside.
"Why are you in my room?" Huang Ji asked.
Before she could react, Qiu Ji struck. She easily captured Huang Ji, who had only just reached the Divine General realm. How could a mere Divine General possibly resist an expert at the Main God Level?