Tang Yue performed the final move of the Qi Art, and finally felt the flow of energy within her body. It had been three days since she transmigrated into the novel Innate Pride and Bones. She had been poring over introductory cultivation manuals, trying to grasp from a jumble of half-understood phrases how to begin cultivating—how to draw spiritual energy into her body.
But alas, as a scientific researcher from the modern world, it was just too difficult. No matter what she tried, she couldn't succeed.
She figured that was normal. In the original novel, the female supporting character she now inhabited didn't have good aptitude—she had three spiritual roots: gold, earth, and wood. It was only through her mother Shui Yingrou's continuous feeding of medicinal supplements that she managed to draw energy into her body at age ten. Among ordinary rogue cultivators, that wasn't bad. But as the daughter of a city lord, surrounded by fellow disciples who were single-root prodigies, her position was awkward and she was often mocked in secret. People would sneer, saying the city lord's family "has fine bamboo but bad shoots."
She planned to reread the manuals aimed at mortal cultivators to at least pick up some basics. Her mother Shui Yingrou adored her, and upon hearing Tang Yue wanted to read Daoist texts, waved her hand generously and had five whole crates of cultivation books sent over...
As expected in a cultivation world—immortal methods flourished, and the number of texts was staggering. She really couldn't escape reading no matter where she went.
Among them was a book called Qi Art, which taught mortals how to regulate breath and preserve health. Tang Yue followed its methods, and to her surprise, finally sensed spiritual energy inside her. For the first time, she truly felt she could cultivate—there was a glimmer of hope.
But the next moment, a searing pain pierced her body, quickly spreading until she collapsed onto the bed. Her forehead was covered in cold sweat, and amid the pain she noticed a faint glow below. Looking down, she saw a glowing, ring-sized circle floating above her chest.
As soon as she saw it, information flooded her mind. It was a transmission from the ring.
This was a Yin-Yang Reversal Cursed Ring, originally used by the character to curse the female lead, Tang Wan. It could transform a person's yang energy into yin, instantly turning them into a walking corpse, their soul trapped in the body with no escape.
In the novel, the male lead Chu Tianshu used a secret art to save the cursed female lead. The curse then rebounded onto the villainous supporting character—Tang Yue. The ring entered her body with the backlash and soaked in her resentment over the remainder of her life, accumulating immense negative energy and powerful curse backlash.
The ring itself had once been a heavenly jade treasure formed from pure essence, a rare celestial treasure. But it was corrupted by an evil cultivator and turned into a deadly curse artifact. Possessing its own will, the ring hated this fate.
When the original Tang Yue died, her resentment peaked. In order to survive, the ring tore open space, dragged a soul from another world (Tang Yue, the modern researcher), imitated reincarnation, placed her soul into Tang Yue's body—and even reversed time to when the girl was eight years old.
The ring then conveyed its new intent to Tang Yue: it wanted to rid itself of the resentment and karma clinging to it, to return to being a celestial treasure. But it had very little power left, and couldn't suppress the curse energy invading her body. It would need a few days to rest and gather spiritual energy before it could seal away the negativity again.
Tang Yue was speechless. Right now, 996 work culture (9 a.m.–9 p.m., 6 days a week) seemed far more humane than this random, life-threatening pain. Maybe this was punishment for not accumulating enough virtue in her past life? Never mind cultivating—she was in too much pain to even walk out the door. She had to find a solution or she'd be bedridden for life, and that was not the life she wanted.
She remembered a manual called The Meditation Scripture, similar to modern mindfulness techniques. It taught one to observe one's inner self, face suffering and distress, and maintain clarity of mind despite distractions. It might help her endure.
With a cultivator's enhanced memory, she still recalled the entire text, and began to practice. Sure enough, after a while, the pain didn't feel as overwhelming. By midday, she could stand again.
She poured herself a cup of tea, took a big sip. At least she could now manage daily life. But most importantly, she needed to understand what this ring really wanted.
Sensing her thoughts, the cursed ring transmitted again: Become beautiful.
Tang Yue was confused. Wasn't the usual plotline to help fulfill the villainess's regrets, free her from resentment, and let her pass on peacefully? Did this ridiculous ring think looking pretty would solve everything?
As soon as she had this thought, her mind buzzed and the pain spiked. She quickly sat to meditate again. So the curse couldn't even tolerate complaints? It would punish her for merely thinking negatively? Was there no such thing as privacy anymore?
Fine. In the original novel, the supporting character had a passably attractive face but was deeply insecure about her looks—especially when compared to Tang Wan, the renowned beauty of Kunwu City. Maybe becoming beautiful was one way to reduce the ring's accumulated resentment. What other choice did she have?
"Junior Sister, are you awake?" came a voice from outside.
In larger sects, unlike cultivation clans, servants were hired from outer disciples. Disciples often addressed each other using sect hierarchy.
"Senior Sister, I'm awake. Come in."
A woman in deep green robes entered. "Junior Sister, Madam asked if you would be joining her for a meal today. If you're not feeling well, the food will be sent to your room."
Tang Yue's mother, Madam Shui, had long stopped eating due to advanced cultivation. But she often accompanied her daughter at mealtime. Tang Yue had not left her room in three days, and Madam Shui visited her daily to check on her condition.
Though she still felt faint pain, she could eat normally. It would also ease her mother's worry, so she said, "I'm much better now, Senior Sister. Let's go see my mother together."
She lived in the east wing of Ruoshui Residence, not far from the main quarters. Soon they arrived.
A radiant woman with graceful features was speaking with a servant. She resembled Tang Yue somewhat, but was more beautiful. Upon seeing her, the woman beamed. "Yue'er, you're feeling better? Come sit here." She pushed a plate of pastries toward her.
Tang Yue sat down beside her mother at the octagonal table. In her past life, her mother had passed away from illness when she was in high school. Her father remarried two years later, and she'd lived alone since. She wasn't used to Shui Yingrou's warmth.
She spoke according to Tang Yue's memory: "Mother, I'm much better. What were you just doing?"
"I sent a message to your grandfather, asking him to send some array masters to reinforce the beast pens behind the city lord's estate. I won't allow those vicious beasts to harm you again."
Tang Yue recalled the plot: the original Tang Yue lured Tang Wan to the beast pen, hoping to have the ferocious beasts kill her annoying half-sister. But the beasts broke free earlier than expected and charged both girls.
At the last moment, the city lord Tang Wenhua descended and saved his beloved Tang Wan—but ignored the daughter he disdained. Tang Yue was thrown aside, her internal organs ruptured. Shui Yingrou spent precious resources and cultivation to save her.
Tang Yue now thought darkly: if the original had just died then and there, she wouldn't have activated the curse, and I wouldn't be here!
Seeing her daughter silent, Shui Yingrou assumed she was hurt that her father hadn't saved her, and gently said, "Your father just acted out of urgency. It's not that he doesn't care about you." Even she probably didn't believe those words. After Tang Yue was injured, Tang Wenhua only visited once to deliver some healing herbs and never came again.
In the novel, he always looked down on his untalented daughter. But he did give her the material treatment due to her identity, and in the end, sent her off as a concubine to the elder of Xuan Yuan Mountain—under the pretense of finding her a "good match."
Tang Yue felt uneasy. Her birth father posed a serious danger. But she had no power to protect herself yet. She'd have to endure for now.
Now wasn't the time to expose Tang Wenhua. Shui Yingrou still harbored unrealistic hopes in him. Tang Yue decided to bond with her mother instead. She picked up some meat and placed it in her mother's bowl. "Mother, let's eat. I'm really hungry."
Shui Yingrou smiled gently. "Chunlan, tell them to serve the meal. Go invite the city lord to join us."
Soon the food was laid out—mostly vegetables and river fish. But the city lord never showed up. Tang Yue tasted the dishes, thinking, Well, at least the food makes transmigrating feel worth it.
As they chatted, Chunlan mentioned, "I heard the city lord went out with Lady Zhuang and Sister Wan this morning to buy new outfits for the Meng family's private banquet."
Shui Yingrou slammed her chopsticks down. The Meng family, a mid-ranked power in the city, had sent no invitation to her, but had invited the Zhuang family. Clearly, they didn't care about offending the official wife.
To divert her mother's mood, Tang Yue smiled and said, "Mother, let's go shopping tomorrow too. I haven't gone out in so long."
Shui Yingrou's attention immediately returned to her daughter. "All right, we'll visit the jewelry shops tomorrow."
Tang Yue pouted playfully. "Mother, pick me out some defensive magical items too."
"I'll buy you several. I heard Duobao Pavilion has some that don't require spiritual energy."
True, not having spiritual energy as a cultivator was embarrassing. Tang Yue clenched her fists. "Mother, I will draw energy into my body soon!"
Shui Yingrou smiled and stroked her round head. "No rush. I've asked Master Shang to prepare many formulas for you. After a while, you'll succeed."
Master Shang, the chief of the city's Shennong Pavilion, was a respected healer at the Core Formation stage. He had followed Shui Yingrou to Kunwu City and was part of her dowry.
"Mother, I'd like beauty-enhancing formulas too. Can you ask Master Shang for some?"
Now was the perfect time to take the mission seriously. Being a second-generation cultivator had its perks!
"You're still so young. Don't be like those shallow girls. You're already pretty."
Classic mom—no ugly child in her eyes.
"We're not short on resources anyway, and they'll help my recovery. Please?"
Tang Yue couldn't give up. She shamelessly played the part of an eight-year-old.
"Fine. I'll ask Master Shang for a few more. But don't get obsessed."
Shui Yingrou was a proper cultivation noblewoman, but she also knew how to spoil her daughter.
"Don't worry, Mother. I'll focus on cultivation."
She said that, but inside she thought: Beauty is more important than cultivation—especially when it's life-saving.