The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 54: Are You A Man?

Are You A Man? . . .

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu responded coldly, "How could the Land of Han-Yang deserve such a marvelous martial art!"

Cha-Eun Xiao replied indifferently, "If the technique Lady Chu-Chu is cultivating happens to be the same one as the person you're trying to save, then you will face the same problem in the future."

He then began to carefully examine her from head to toe, which made Wen-Ren Chu-Chu feel uncomfortable, as though his eyes were undressing her. She shouted, infuriated, "What are you looking at?"

"I'm observing your body's current condition," Cha-Eun Xiao said calmly. "You possess remarkable strength, Jing and Mai, and strong bones. You're truly a martial arts prodigy rarely seen even in a thousand years. What sets you apart, though, is that you have a pure Yin female body."

He praised her without reservation, "You are indeed a brilliant talent."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu was infuriated by his shameless gaze but also shocked that he could discern her martial potential and natural attributes. She thought, **He can actually see through my martial potential and natural endowment!**

"But it's a pity that..." Cha-Eun Xiao continued, "The better your potential and talent, the faster your martial art will advance during cultivation. Faster advancement means a shorter lifespan. I really don't know whether to congratulate you or..."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu was utterly speechless. She wondered if he even knew how to speak.

Her expression was ice-cold, devoid of any trace of a smile, as she spoke flatly, "Brother Feng, there's only one thing I want to hear from your mouth: do you truly have a practical solution or not?"

She meant, "I'm not here to listen to you talk about me dying early."

"Why can't you be patient? I'm explaining the solution to you, aren't I?" Cha-Eun Xiao responded. "How can you understand the solution without a clear understanding of the problem? Fine, let me simplify it. The solution mainly depends on the martial art I'm cultivating. I'm a dan-maker, and the fire I use to craft dans is entirely unique. That's how I can create the legendary supreme dans. The fire I possess, which exists in dan-makers' legends, is the Purple Sky-fire."

"Purple Sky-fire?" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu furrowed her brow, appearing skeptical. She thought, **Does this fire really exist, or is it just a myth?**

Cha-Eun Xiao remained completely composed despite fabricating this myth. He explained, "The Purple Sky-fire is the world's top sky-fire, the origin of dan fire. I wouldn't have found it if I weren't exceptionally talented and lucky. In other words, there is no one else in the world with this type of dan fire."

"Are you absolutely certain?" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu asked skeptically.

"If someone else possesses the same skills as me, Lady Chu-Chu..." Cha-Eun Xiao declared arrogantly, "I, Feng Zhi-Ling, am willing to make a wager with you right now. If there is such a person, I vow to spend my entire life crafting dans for you. I'll provide you with at least one batch per month, each with a minimum of ten supreme dan beads, all surrounded by dan clouds!"

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu couldn't help but study his face. Her eyes flickered, and her expression wavered. Such a promise was enough to stir her emotions. Just hearing the words "every one of them will be a supreme dan bead with dan clouds" was electrifying.

It seemed that the Purple Sky-fire was indeed a mythical fire.

"Since you've gone this far, how can I not believe you?" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu responded, her tone softening. "But... Can I see your Purple Sky-fire? Seeing is believing. I'm sure you can at least fulfill this small request of mine."

Cha-Eun Xiao said matter-of-factly, "Unfortunately, my dan fire is invisible, but it can be sensed. That's why I'm so confident. The martial art I mentioned earlier—I believe you've cultivated it to a certain level. You might soon need the Regeneration Ink Lotus. How about this? I'll resolve your crisis right here and let you experience it firsthand. I'll ensure that you won't need the Regeneration Ink Lotus; you'll only require the Regeneration Jade Lotus when the time comes. You won't doubt it if you experience it yourself, will you?"

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu took a deep breath and asked, "Is that really possible?"

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu possessed an extraordinary talent that set her apart from her fellow disciples. Her cultivation rate was so remarkable that it even rivaled that of her sect's departed founder.

However, as Cha-Eun Xiao had pointed out, her rapid cultivation came with a looming crisis. While it might take others three hundred years to reach a crisis-inducing level, for her, it could happen in as little as ten years. This constant threat had plagued her thoughts and caused her many sleepless nights.

The Regeneration Ink Lotus, the solution to her impending crisis, was an exceedingly rare and elusive treasure. Obtaining it seemed like an insurmountable challenge.

She contemplated that if Cha-Eun Xiao could truly resolve her issue, it would be far more advantageous to befriend him than to capture and force him into a life of making dans for her as a slave.

Cha-Eun Xiao replied with assurance, "Absolutely! As real as gold and silver!"

Relief washed over him as he realized he had navigated through at least half of his precarious situation. He knew that with his current condition and the girl's vigilance, she could easily take him to the Kingdom of Lan-Feng if she chose to. That would pose a significant problem for him.

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu smiled softly and playfully poked his body with her finger, infusing him with an indistinct power that finally removed the restrictions on his body. His martial arts abilities returned to their natural state, and he felt at ease once more.

She extended an elegant bow and apologized, "Brother Feng, I apologize for offending you earlier. Please trust me. My initial intention was simply to make friends with you, and nothing more."

Cha-Eun Xiao returned the smile with sincerity, even though he lied without hesitation. He couldn't help but think, **If I truly trust you, I'd be the biggest fool in the world!**

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's demeanor became more warm and enthusiastic toward Cha-Eun Xiao. She ordered her servants to prepare a grand meal and treated him as an esteemed guest.

The setting was picturesque: a pavilion, a gentle breeze, green willow trees, and vibrant red flowers. The man and woman sat across from each other, exchanging glances. A breeze rustled the white silk curtains around them, creating a scene reminiscent of a graceful poem. However, the only imperfection in this otherwise idyllic setting was their rather unattractive appearances, which somewhat detracted from the moment.

"Brother Feng, how can we solve this problem? Could you please provide some insight so I can prepare mentally?" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu raised her cup and smiled.

Cha-Eun Xiao cleared his throat and explained, "There's nothing much to prepare, really. The process is quite simple. You need to relax your entire body and let your power operate naturally. Then, I will use my Purple Sky-fire through my palm and place my hand on your dantian, where your martial arts energy is stored. With each cycle, I will gradually remove the negative effects caused by your cultivation of that martial art. Bit by bit, it will be cleansed."

Gazing at Wen-Ren Chu-Chu, Cha-Eun Xiao proceeded to explain the intricacies of the process. He inquired whether her cultivation had reached a high grade but not yet attained the Grade of Tianyuan. If this were the case, it would require 36 cycles to eliminate the accumulated negative effects of her cultivation. This would allow her to continue cultivating safely until the next critical stage, where the Regeneration Jade Lotus would be necessary. He emphasized that the effects of his solution would be immediately noticeable to her, and there would be no deception involved.

However, Cha-Eun Xiao remained oblivious to the blush that had overtaken Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's face. Her embarrassment had reached such a level that even her neck had turned beet red. Her small eyes resembled agates as she thought to herself.

*"Relax my entire body? Your hand on my belly? That… That…"*

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu was ready to kick him, figuratively, for his seemingly casual description.

*"You actually said it as if it were a trivial matter! But this pertains to a girl's reputation! A girl's belly isn't something a man can just place his hand on without consequences!"*

Unbeknownst to her, Cha-Eun Xiao had been a virgin for two lifetimes, making him oblivious to such 'minor details.' He continued explaining the process fervently, stating that if she had already reached the Grade of Tianyuan, the time required would be longer, at least 99 cycles. He went into further detail about the technique, mentioning the use of the Purple Sky-fire on both his palms. One hand would be placed over her dantian, creating suction, while the other would be positioned on her tailbone, producing a propelling force. This dual-action process would ensure the complete removal of the cold impact within her body.

Then came an important stipulation. He declared that she could not wear anything during the process, at least not covering her dantian and tailbone. Otherwise, the flow of cold could reverse at any moment, resulting in instant death. He believed she was an expert in cultivation and assumed further explanation was unnecessary.

Finally, Cha-Eun Xiao concluded his lecture, raising his head to find Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's face completely flushed with bashfulness. Her neck had turned red as well, and she glared at him fiercely, as if she might devour him.

Perplexed, Cha-Eun Xiao asked, "What's wrong? Is there something you still don't understand?"

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu couldn't contain her exasperation any longer and exploded, "Feng Zhi-Ling! Answer me. Are you a man or not?"

Stunned by her outburst, Cha-Eun Xiao replied, "Huh? Well... can't you tell? Do I need to prove it?"

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu had intended to question his gender and the distinction between males and females. However, her embarrassment had led her to stop mid-sentence, and Cha-Eun Xiao had responded with questions of his own, feigning innocence and surprise.

Frustration coursed through her veins as she felt an overwhelming urge to vent her frustration.

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