Taboo Metamorphosis, as the name suggests it is a forbidden divine skill to forcefully evolve into a demon king. But it could not be triggered easily.

  The demonic beast would have to be at the peak of the second rank otherwise it would not take effect. Like countless other forbidden techniques, there are many consequences of using it.

  Firstly there is a small chance that it could backfire immediately leading to death by bursting from inside.

  Secondly it involves burning your life origin or lifespan. There would be a severe reduction of lifespan and in cultivation lifespan is very important.

  And thirdly, this type of evolution, even if successful, severely damages your foundation. One of the advantages demonic beasts have over human cultivators is that they gain strength simply by growing. They do not have to train or cultivate.

  But using Taboo Metamorphosis severely halts future growth. Also the divine sense and the increased Qi reserve gained are inferior to a naturally evolved true demon king.

  The sandwyrm now could be called at best a quasi third rank demon king and its future prospects were grim. But be it a quasi, the difference between a peak second rank and demon king is night and day.

  Also there was a reason it took the risk of taboo metamorphosis.

  It wasn't just blindly driven by rage at the thieves who plundered his lair and cornered him to near death. If was only that, it would've tried to escape after being bombarded by Exploding Thunder Bomb. The sandwyrm was no fool.

  If only I could get the egg back from the thief...

  ***

  Su Feng quickly recovered from his moment of panic and gathered his wits. Even facing a third rank demon king he showed the mettle of core disciple of the Absolute Sword sect.

  Su Feng took a quick note of his condition. His body has heavy injuries and his Qi reserves were nearly exhausted. Trying to fight the sandwyrm would be the height of idiocy.

  There was no time to waste, he immediately took out the Thousand Li Escape talisman and activated it. But just a millisecond before it could take effect Su Feng was enveloped in a world of sand.

  Domain arts. No matter how talented a cultivator is, even if he is the reincarnation of a deity, even attempting a domain art would require the cultivation realm of Core Formation. Because the meagre Qi reserves of a Foundation Establishment cultivator cannot support a domain even for an instant.

  For demonic beasts, it is third rank Demon King.

  This is one of the absolute advantages Core Formation cultivators have over Foundation Establishment realm cultivators, trapping them in a spider's web with a thought of their mind. And now Su Feng was trapped in this horrific world of sand with the sandwyrm.

  As a core disciple of a top sect, Su Feng was familiar with domain arts. As long he is trapped inside the domain, his escape talisman would be useless. His master had once instructed him that if he encounters a Core Formation cultivator escape immediately and if trapped in a domain, use the Exploding Thunder Bomb to break the domain and then escape using the talisman.

  Damn it, I should have used the talisman much earlier.

  If I was at my full strength I could slice through this domain and now I can only hopelessly stare at the moon. Think, don't give up. There must be something I can do, my sword-

  Wait a second, the moon?

  Su Feng looked above and was surprised to see the moonlight still falling on him. The domain he was trapped had a lot of cracks and holes giving a clear view of the outside forest.

  The sandwyrm had still not attacked because it was trying to regulate its Qi flow. First the taboo metamorphosis and now casting domain for the first time has sent its Qi flow in turmoil.

  But Su Feng did not know and to him it looked like the sandwyrm was silently mocking him for his helplessness.

  If any expert would see this domain, they would severely criticize calling it a leaking clay pot full of holes but for Su Feng it was a chance of survival.

  As long as he can slip outside from any of the cracks, he could escape using the Thousand Li Escape talisman.

  No time to hesitate.

  Su Feng immediately burned his blood essence recovering half of his depleted Qi reserve. This would severely effect his chances of Core Formation but he could forget about the future if he ends up dead.

  He tightly gripped his sword with both hands and circulated his Qi. The sandwyrm had also recovered. Now it was gamble between the two sides.

  One looked to escape. The other intended to rip the other to shreds.

  Now which way will the dice roll.

  *****

  Even though the sun had just set, instead of the usual peace and silence, there was a minor commotion in the Gingko village. Hushed whispers echoed throughout the village.

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  Ling Yun was a bit unnerved and mostly embarrassed by the amount of people pointing and looking at their direction as he walked the street home. And the reason for it was the celestial maiden by his side.

  Ling Yun was convinced that they would seperate after exiting the forest but Su Ning insisted on accompanying him to his room. She had set aside his polite refusals with a simple line,

  "I hate people who do things halfheartedly so when I take a task I always see it through to its end."

  That shut up Ling Yun and now they were walking silently together. They were seen when they entered the village and this news spread like wildfire.

  Even though this village has seen countless outsiders, never had such a jade beauty had graced its ground with her feet. Most of the outside cultivators are lone cultivators with lesser backgrounds trying to make a living, incomparable to her.

  Even though Su Ning was veiled, how can a simple piece of cloth cover the radiance of the moon. Even her elegant gait, the way her silver robes flowed with her each step was enough to make all the villagers ready to die on the hill that she was a nation toppling beauty.

  But sensing an air of authority from her, the people dared not approach her instead just gawked from a distance. The girl for her part was unbothered by these rude stares. She ignored them as if they were invisible and remained silently walking by Ling Yun's side.

  Some of the Jasmine Dragon patrons who were acquainted Ling Yun tried to inquire using eye gestures but Ling Yun ignored them. His face had already turned red seeing the villagers acting like fools forgetting how he had similarly behaved when he first saw her.

  Still he thought, for the villagers how did both of them looked walking side by side.

  Do we look like a couple? As if!

  Ling Yun shook his head wiping the silly smile from his face. Any onlooker could simply know from the clothes they were wearing. His shabby gear for adventuring heavily contrasted with her clean silver robes.

  Forget looking like a couple, he didn't even look like her servant. At most he looked like a local villager a princess had randomly chosen to guide her in his village.

  Hmmph. I can imagine their shocked faces if they found out it's the opposite, that she is the one escorting me.

  He let out a giggle at this thought at which he was met by a pointed look from her. Ling Yun quickly shut his mouth.

  Seriously this is the main problem with her.

  The reason he couldn't enjoy his time with Su Ning because of her silent demeanor giving an unapproachable vibe. She was a maiden of few words, everytime she spoke it was straight to the point.

  Also the huge gulf between their status, their background and possibly their cultivation made Ling Yun unconsciously feel as if he walking on eggshells around her.

  But even though the whole village was intimidated by her, Ling Yun as he gently traced the silver bracelet that recently adorned his left wrist, knew without doubt that she was a kind soul.

  ***

  "So why was the sandwyrm chasing after you?"

  Ling Yun was startled by her voice. They were flying, trying to exit the forest as quickly as possible due to Su Feng's instruction. She had been silent the whole way. With Ling Yun afraid to disturb her, he was surprised she was the one who took the initiative to talk.

  Ling Yun couldn't not answer as he was afraid she would drop him to his death and he wasn't confident in coming up with a good lie so he told the truth to her.

  "I plundered its lair and stole some of its essence it had stored. It must have smelled it and found me. Still lucky I got a pretty good harvest."

  Ling Yun tapped at his bag trying to impress the girl but what he got was a disapproving gaze.

  Even though her face was covered her eyes were enough to show the strong condemnation of his actions.

  "Ignorant. Reckless. Foolish. This is why I-" She stopped herself with a click of her tongue and then took out a talisman. It shone brightly as it activated.

  Ling Yun for a moment feared he had angered her enough that she attacked but only a stream of water hit him from above soaking him completely. But a millisecond later the water evaporated, leaving him dry. Ling Yun felt he had just taken a nice bath, even his clothes were clean as a whistle.

  So it was a Cleansing talisman.

  Without speaking another word, she took out a silver bracelet and the bag that contained all his plunder disappeared in thin air.

  "The smell could attract other demonic beasts so I put it into this spatial artifact."

  Ling Yun was rendered speechless by her quick actions.

  So now she decides to give an explanation. At least explain before you do things, not after.

  But Ling Yun being a smart boy kept these thoughts to himself when a sudden fear struck him.

  Ling Yun intensely stared at the bracelet in her hands. His treasure for which he had nearly died was now in the hands of a stranger.

  Even though she is a disciple of a top sect, forget the egg even the Fire Spirit grass and demonic beast essence is enough of a fortune for people to lose their morals.

  What if she simply claims this as a compensation for saving me? There is no way I could snatch it and escape.

  His thoughts must have shown on his face as she gave him a cold stare which made him fear for his life.

  "Don't worry I'm not going to rob you. The Absolute Sword sect is the leader of the righteous path and as its discple I, Su Ning, have sworn my sword for justice.

  "Here, you can hold this with you for now if it gives you a piece of mind."

  The whole ordeal made Ling Yun red with shame. She was his saviour and here he was casting doubts on her honour. What right does he have.

  He looked at bracelet in his hand for the first time in his life he felt he was such a small man. Ling Yun bowed his head deeply in apology.

  "Forgive me Daoist Su. You and senior Daoist are my saviour and here I was harbouring such indecent thoughts.

  "There is also a lot of Fire Spirit grass and an unknown egg of a demonic beast along with the essence. I hope Daoist Su would accept this as a token of my gratitude."

  Su Ning's eyes widened with shock. She was expecting him to meekly remain silent or deny that he was harbouring such doubts. But his sincere apology took her by surprise.

  "Lift your head Daoist Ling. I don't want your loot." "But-" "I said I don't want it. I prefer a different compensation."

  "I will absolutely deliver if it's within my abilities."

  Ling Yun lifted his head and was momentarily lost in her eyes. Her eyes which were mostly cool and focused were for the first time looking at him with such gentleness.

  "Ever since I had picked up my sword I have resolved to only walk the righteous path. No matter what people think, what great evil I face or even if I end up walking alone, I will always swing my sword to uphold justice.

  "So Daoist Ling the only compensation I want is for you to always follow the righteous path no matter the difficulties you face."

  In the face of such passionate resolve Ling Yun simply nodded. Still he couldn't help but ask, "Why did Daoist Su choose to live this way?"

  Su Ning was looking forward, the gentleness gone and her eyes were hardened with unspoken resolve.

  "Because it is the only way people should live."

  ***

  They both were of the same height and had similar strides making walking together side in unison easy.

  He looked down at her delicate white hand wondering what it would be like, walking in a town with her by side, their fingers intertwined, hands clasped tightly together tied by the bond of lovers.

  A youthful heart, undaunted by differences in status and cultivation, swims freely in the ocean of dreams.

  But the house soon came in the view waking him from his fantasies. Knowing her serious nature she would bid him goodbye and immediately leave.

  Even though I know the reality from foolish dreams, that this chance meeting will inevitably end, that we will never meet again but still I..

  "Um would you like a cup of tea?"