The cave fell silent for a moment.
After a while, Tian Fangfang said with a smile, “Nothing happened after all.” He spoke brightly, “I knew it, how could anything happen!” Despite his words, there was a hint of disappointment in his tone.
Disappointment?
Men Dong glanced at Gu Baiying. Was it his imagination, or was there a trace of dissatisfaction in that look, as if feeling that she had not lived up to his expectations? Gu Baiying’s brow twitched. “What’s with that expression?”
Meng Ying cleared her throat and said, “Junior Sister, earlier at Yue Mountain, there were too many people and not enough time to ask you. Now that we finally have the chance, could you explain how you became a member of the demon race and why you went to Gufeng Mountain?”
This matter would need to be addressed sooner or later. She had already explained it to Gu Baiying last night, and now she had to explain it again. Zanxing picked up the teapot from the table, poured herself a cup of tea to moisten her throat, and said, ���Actually, the situation has developed in a way that was truly unexpected.”
She recounted how she obtained the Xiao Yuan Pearl, discovered her demon identity, and ended up being thrown into the Abyss of Extreme Ice by Gui Yansheng, where she encountered Bu Jiang. Finally, Zanxing sighed and said, “Before going to Gufeng Mountain, I didn’t even know I was a demon. If I had known, I probably wouldn’t have gone to the sect to seek death.”
Gu Baiying’s gaze flickered slightly.
Before she could speak, Mu Cengxiao continued, “By the way, that Xiao Yuan Pearl seems to have a special connection with you, Junior Sister. Back when you fell into the water to protect Yunxin, you obtained the Xiao Yuan Pearl. Could it be that the Xiao Yuan Pearl sensed your demon identity, affecting the Yu as well?”
Zanxing remained silent. It wasn’t that the Xiao Yuan Pearl sensed her demon identity; it was more likely that the ‘Heavenly Dao’ was altered because of the Xiao Yuan Pearl, forcing her into the role of a demon. But it wasn’t like anyone would believe her words.
“Fortunately, Martial Uncle split a sliver of his soul to save your life. It is a great fortune that you were able to come out of the Abyss of Extreme Ice. We are fine, and Master would surely be glad to know you are still alive, but the people from other sects might not be so forgiving. That old geezer Daoist Lingxin will surely cause trouble again. We need to come up with a solution to resolve this matter,” Tian Fangfang said.
“I’m not worried about that,” Meng Ying shook her head. “Currently, the major sects have been severely weakened by Gui Yansheng’s attacks, so they probably won’t have the energy to trouble Heishi City. What I’m worried about is you, Junior Sister.”
“Me?” Zanxing asked. “What are you worried about?”
“Back then, your father, Demon King Gui Diaotang, was driven mad after refining the Xiao Yuan Pearl and eventually lost his sanity. Now that the Xiao Yuan Pearl has been split in two, although you seem fine for now, who knows if the Xiao Yuan Pearl will pose any hidden dangers in the future? The other half of the Xiao Yuan Pearl is in Gui Yansheng’s possession. Gui Yansheng is unpredictable and murderous. He’s currently injured and hiding, but one day, if he completely refines the Xiao Yuan Pearl, who knows what he might do to the world? We can’t be sure.”
Zanxing fell silent.
She had never refined the Xiao Yuan Pearl herself, and Gui Yansheng, who had possessed it for two years, had not refined it either, indicating that refining the Xiao Yuan Pearl was no simple task. Now, with half of the Xiao Yuan Pearl having integrated with her spiritual body, it was likely that the same situation might be true for Gui Yansheng.
Previously, Gui Yansheng still had a hope of resurrecting Xiao Chun, but now that the Two-Life Buddha Wheel had been destroyed, Xiao Chun’s revival was no longer possible.
What would a person without hope do in this world?
She didn’t know.
*
The cave was very damp.
Bushes obscured the entrance, leaving only a sliver of cold moonlight to slip through the gap and illuminate the faces of those inside the cave.
The boy’s robes gradually became soaked with large patches of bright red. His face was as pale as paper, with large drops of sweat rolling from his forehead. The blood and sweat mingled, making him look like a ghostly apparition.
From Gui Yansheng’s body, a black mist slowly began to seep out, and gradually, countless condensed shadowy figures that roared and swirled around him, like beasts stalking their prey, waiting for a weakness to appear before pouncing and tearing him apart.
The cave seemed even colder now, the sticky mud resembling some horrifying creature. The thinly dressed girl shivered as she sat to one side, her shoulders trembling. She couldn’t help but glance at the boy sitting with his eyes closed, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
After escaping from Heishi City, Rong Chun had encountered Gui Yansheng. He had brought her to this place, and she did not dare to run away. As she waited, just when she thought he would not return, the boy came back, covered in injuries.
The first time he saw Rong Chun, he too was surprised, only asking, “You’re still here?”
Rong Chun could only nod silently, unable to speak.
She had encountered Gui Yansheng in the Asura Ghost Path.
The Asura Ghost Path was a desolate place that all cultivators in Duzhou dreaded, accessible only to those who were desperate or extremely reckless. The Asura Path was filled with countless ghosts and demons that devoured souls. Rong Chun’s family had been kidnapped by practitioners of dark paths to serve as a gateway to open the Asura Ghost Path.
The road was long and endless. Even before entering, the overwhelming stench of blood was already noticeable. She heard the wailing of countless ghosts. The dark practitioners pressed her parents’ hands onto the door of the Asura Path, and as their blood and Qi touched the door, it suddenly roared open. From within, countless pale, withered arms reached out, dragging the living inside.
She heard her parents’ heart-wrenching screams as she too was pushed inside.
Then, Rong Chun saw a boy.
He was a pale youth covered in blood, his robes unrecognizable, stained with large patches of dark blood, unsure if it was his or someone else’s. He had a pair of beautiful golden eyes, and his gaze towards her was as if looking at an insignificant insect, devoid of any emotion.
He walked towards Rong Chun step by step.
This person had emerged alive from the Asura Ghost Path, someone even more ferocious than the demons.
Rong Chun suddenly felt a surge of despair. Countless pale arms were dragging her deeper into the passage, and she could even hear the sound of those evil spirits chewing on bones.
The boy walked over the blood-soaked ground, stepping over the scattered limbs, and passed by Rong Chun without any intention of helping. His gaze was as cold as that of a dead person.
Rong Chun closed her eyes. In the depths of the darkness, she heard her mother’s faint cry, “Xiao Chun.”
Then, silence.
The sound of footsteps on bones suddenly stopped.
She felt the force pulling her around lighten slightly. Opening her eyes, she saw the golden-eyed boy standing in front of her, his tone inscrutable, “What is your name?”
“Rong… Rong Chun.”
He hesitated for a moment, and the next instant, a black mist flashed by, causing the arms wrapped around Rong Chun to shatter instantly. The boy looked at her, his tone icy: “Come here.”