Record of a Demon's Cultivation Chapter 1534: Jiang Ling'er's Transformation

"Senior, who is she?" Zhu Mei asked, pointing at Jiang Ling'er in the Corpse Coffin, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Yan Yuyan, too, was filled with questions.

Both women couldn't understand why Song Wen would bring back a woman who looked like a walking corpse.

"Her identity doesn't matter," Song Wen said. "Zhu Mei, I want you to restore her consciousness within a month. Teach her to be virtuous and proper, or gentle and refined—whatever it takes, but she can't remain in this state of degradation."

Zhu Mei's lips twitched, her face a mask of astonishment.

"How is that possible! Her current state is the result of decades, even a century, of harsh discipline. Restoring her in just one month is utterly impossible."

"You don't need to change her true nature," Song Wen said. "Just make her appear gentle and refined on the surface."

"Just change her appearance?" Zhu Mei looked utterly baffled.

"To me, she's just a commodity. A commodity only needs to fool customers into spending spirit stones..."

Song Wen's words were cut short by Jiang Ling'er, who spoke from within the Corpse Coffin.

She seemed to finally snap out of her daze, noticing the three figures beside the Corpse Coffin. However, she completely ignored Yan Yuyan and Zhu Mei.

Her vacant eyes locked onto Song Wen.

Then, a sickly, obsessed smile spread across her face. With a sudden movement, she sprang from the Corpse Coffin and lunged toward him.

Song Wen retreated half a step, creating a slight distance, and casually slapped Jiang Ling'er across the face as if swatting a fly.

Smack!

Jiang Ling'er crashed heavily onto the deck.

Her right cheek immediately swelled and reddened, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Yet she seemed to feel neither pain nor shame. Instead, she lifted her gaze, her eyes fixed on Song Wen once more. The obsession on her face intensified, and a hazy, entranced look flickered in her eyes.

"Mmm—"

A groan escaped Jiang Ling'er's lips, a sound that seemed to blend agony with pleasure.

She sprang up, ready to lunge at Song Wen again.

A sudden, overwhelming aura descended upon her, crushing her down onto the deck like a mountain.

Boom!

She crashed to the deck once more, unable to rise. The oppressive pressure held her completely still, rendering her immobile.

"What... what's wrong with her?" Yan Yuyan looked incredulous.

Song Wen said, "Fellow Daoist Yan, you should stay as well. Assist Zhu Mei in teaching Jiang Ling'er. If you can make her meet my requirements within a month, I will pay each of you fifty thousand high-grade spirit stones. Furthermore, you may use any methods you deem necessary on her—beatings, torture, all are permitted, as long as you don't kill or cripple her. During this period, inform me promptly of any spiritual materials you need, and I will do my best to procure them."

Song Wen had chosen Zhu Mei for this task primarily because she had been trained by elders from the Myriad Flowers Pavilion and the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, making her adept at impersonating various women.

As for Yan Yuyan, Song Wen had no other trustworthy individuals available. Moreover, being a woman, she might understand women's minds better and could prove somewhat useful.

Where there's a great reward, there will always be brave souls.

Zhu Mei, who had initially looked troubled, suddenly her face lit up at these words.

"Senior Gu Huang, this junior will dedicate all her efforts to meet your expectations."

The Giant Flying Ship finally landed in a mountain valley.

Song Wen set up a formation, enveloping the ship and the entire valley in its protective embrace.

Time flowed by, and in the blink of an eye, over twenty days had passed.

Though Song Wen couldn't offer much direct help in teaching Jiang Ling'er, he visited her almost daily to check on her progress.

However, the results of the teaching were disappointing. Progress was agonizingly slow, and Jiang Ling'er showed almost no change.

As the agreed-upon date for the trade with Kong Ling drew nearer, Song Wen secretly pondered whether he should knock Jiang Ling'er out and deliver her to him.

But a unconscious Jiang Ling'er might raise Kong Ling's suspicions.

Just as Song Wen was wrestling with this dilemma, Zhu Mei burst into his room in a hurry.

"Senior Gu Huang, Jiang Ling'er has returned to her senses!"

"Truly?" Song Wen's face lit up, and he rose from his meditation cushion.

"Follow me, Senior. You'll see for yourself," Zhu Mei said.

Song Wen readily agreed and followed Zhu Mei to the bottom floor of the ship tower where Jiang Ling'er was housed. As they pushed open the door, they saw:

Jiang Ling'er stood alone by the window, dressed in a white robe. Her eyes, gazing out at the scenery, were like the still waters of a deep pool—serene and cool.

"Huh? Has she really just returned to normal?"

Song Wen murmured to himself, striding quickly toward Jiang Ling'er.

"Greetings, Senior," Yan Yuyan said, also present in the room. She quickly bowed as Song Wen approached.

Jiang Ling'er, noticing the movement behind her, turned her head to look.

Instantly!

The icy clarity in her eyes vanished without a trace.

In its place burned a fiery passion and infatuation that threatened to consume the soul.

"M-Master... this servant needs..." Jiang Ling'er stammered, her words jumbled and incoherent.

Jiang Lingshan flashed forward, rushing toward Song Wen.

Song Wen released his imposing aura, suppressing the woman to the ground.

Then, his expression turned cold as he glared at Zhu Mei.

"Is this what you call 'returned to normal'?"

Zhu Mei's face stiffened, a look of disbelief and shock spreading across it.

"Th-this wasn't her before. Before Senior arrived, Fellow Daoist Yan and I observed her for over an hour. Apart from staring blankly out the window, she showed no abnormalities."

Song Wen subconsciously doubted Zhu Mei's words and turned to Yan Yuyan for confirmation.

Seeing this, Yan Yuyan nodded solemnly.

This forced Song Wen to believe.

As the three pondered the reason, Zhu Mei said with uncertainty,

"Could it be... because Senior Gu Huang is a man? Jiang Ling'er loses control whenever she sees a man?"

"That seems to be the only explanation left," Song Wen said with a frown.

"It seems we need to continue teaching her," Yan Yuyan said.

"But there are only six days left until the month is up. Time is too tight. I doubt she'll change much in such a short period," Zhu Mei said.

Song Wen remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"You two have done an excellent job. Continue teaching her as you have been for the next few days. As for whether there's any progress afterward, I won't break my promise of fifty thousand high-grade spirit stones."

As he finished speaking, a sharp glint flashed in Song Wen's eyes.

He had already decided that if further teaching proved ineffective, he would have to immobilize Jiang Ling'er during the transaction, preventing her from making any movements—not even blinking.

This would forcibly maintain her cool and aloof demeanor.

Though this had its drawbacks, it was more likely to reignite Kong Ling's "old flame" than a comatose Jiang Ling'er.