Chapter 73: Self-Sacrifice
As soon as the pill entered her mouth, it dissolved into water. Luo Jinxiao barely managed to stand steady, reaching up to touch her lips, where a faint, sweet trace of Qu Weiyin lingered.
Red marks were visible on Qu Weiyin’s pale wrists. She lowered her head, pulling her sleeves down to cover the flushed skin.
“I told you not to follow me. Why don’t you ever listen?” Qu Weiyin scolded. As Luo Jinxiao listened, her thoughts began to wander, her mind racing and her cheeks flushing red.
Qu Weiyin waved her hand in front of Luo Jinxiao’s face, recapturing her attention. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard. I’m sorry, Junior Shishu,” Luo Jinxiao straightened up, feeling ashamed. Her actions just now had been far too… suggestive.
Her gaze couldn’t help but drift back to Qu Weiyin’s delicate lips.
Noticing her stare, Qu Weiyin suddenly turned sideways, presenting her ear instead. Even the small earlobe was tinged with a faint blush. “Don’t overthink it. It was just a necessary measure.”
“I’ll deal with you later,” Qu Weiyin said coldly. “The crying you heard earlier should be from Yayu. It lures people closer to devour them. You’re lucky it was me you encountered. Otherwise, you would have been eaten without even knowing it.”
Yayu? Luo Jinxiao was surprised. “A celestial being?”
“The Changming Pagoda doesn’t just hold demons and monsters. It also holds ancient evil gods. Demons, no matter how powerful, can be dealt with. But when divine power is unleashed, not even the Sect Leader could survive, let alone you.”
“The suppression of immortals by gods is absolute. If the divine race hadn’t perished, cultivating immortality would be meaningless,” Qu Weiyin murmured, gazing into the distance.
Luo Jinxiao nodded and looked around for Luo Ning and Yan Ying, but the blinding white expanse offered no sign of them. Only the sound of an infant’s cries still echoed around them.
“Yan Ying mentioned someone else entering the pagoda,” Luo Jinxiao suddenly recalled.
“Someone else?” Qu Weiyin seemed surprised. She frowned. That explained the massive fluctuations in the barrier earlier, which had nearly caused it to collapse.
She grabbed Luo Jinxiao’s wrist and pulled her forward into the void. “Yan Ying has guarded this place for many years. She should know how to avoid the evil god. We need to find what we’re looking for and get out of here quickly.”
“Could the person who entered later be looking for the same thing as the Sect Leader? We didn’t trigger the barrier when we entered. Something powerful enough to cause such tremors… could it be…” Luo Jinxiao speculated.
“A demon,” Qu Weiyin finished her sentence, giving her a meaningful look.
Their expressions grew serious, and they quickened their pace. Although Luo Jinxiao didn’t know what the Sect Leader was searching for, she knew that if the demon race got their hands on it first, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Qu Weiyin seemed to be familiar with the paths within the pagoda. Even though everything around them looked like an empty void, she navigated with certainty, avoiding pockets of swirling demonic energy.
Luo Jinxiao followed, her hand held tightly in Qu Weiyin’s, her mind filled with questions she dared not ask.
Qu Weiyin sensed her confusion. As they descended a steep staircase, she suddenly spoke. “Are you wondering how I know the way?”
Luo Jinxiao didn’t answer, so Qu Weiyin continued.
“If you’re locked in a place for several years, you not only become familiar with the paths, but you also get to know your neighbors quite well.”
Luo Jinxiao’s heart plummeted, as if pierced by countless needles.
“You were imprisoned here?” she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
The Changming Pagoda, a prison for demons and ghosts… to imprison a person within its walls was a horrifying thought.
“There are still many things you don’t know,” Qu Weiyin said, shaking her head, her tone surprisingly calm.
The path beneath them suddenly sloped downwards, becoming a steep incline. Luo Jinxiao’s foot slipped, and she nearly tumbled to the ground. Instinctively, she reached out and grabbed Qu Weiyin’s hand, holding it tightly.
“Hey!” Qu Weiyin tried to pull away.
“It’s slippery,” Luo Jinxiao said pitifully.
Qu Weiyin shot her an annoyed glance but couldn’t do much about it. She allowed Luo Jinxiao to hold her hand, her own palm soon becoming slick with nervous sweat.
The demonic energy grew increasingly thick, now mixed with faint traces of malevolent energy. Qu Weiyin’s expression shifted. Something was wrong. In a flash, she vanished, transforming into a streak of light and shooting forward.
Luo Jinxiao’s heart tightened, and she quickly followed.
The blinding white light finally faded, and Luo Jinxiao’s vision gradually returned to normal. They found themselves in a dusty, cavernous space that resembled a giant nest. Scattered bones and decaying corpses littered the floor.
When Luo Jinxiao stopped, she found herself wrapped in dirty, tattered cloth. Disgustedly, she shook off the rags, but the more she shook, the stranger it felt. Looking closely, she realized these weren’t rags at all, but layers upon layers of spider webs!
That explained why the light and heat had diminished – the webs were blocking them.
Qu Weiyin stood beneath the webs, her expression wary.
Just as Luo Jinxiao was about to approach, Qu Weiyin raised a hand, signaling her to stop.
Qu Weiyin slowly retreated, and the person she had been facing gradually emerged from the shadows. Their skin was ashen, their eyes pale and weak.
“Demon Lord, it’s been a while,” Yu Gui said with a faint smile.
“Luo Jinxiao, get back!” Qu Weiyin suddenly shouted, summoning the Crescent Star Sword. Sparks flew as she swung it towards Yu Gui.
Yu Gui’s form dissolved into smoke, effortlessly dodging the attack before reappearing.
He gazed at Qu Weiyin with an unnervingly affectionate expression, but the sight made Luo Jinxiao feel sick. Just as she was about to step forward, a surge of demonic energy erupted between them. Qu Weiyin cried out in warning. Sensing danger, Luo Jinxiao reacted instantly, drawing Wujue and intercepting the black demonic energy.
The demonic creature she had encountered in the demon realm materialized before her. Compared to their last encounter, it still appeared skeletal and withered, but there was a flicker of life in its eyes.
It had been struck in the chest by Qu Weiyin’s sword, yet it still lived.
It grinned, revealing a row of yellowed teeth.
“Watch out!” Qu Weiyin’s warning was cut short as a demonic energy blade materialized and slashed towards Luo Jinxiao. She reacted with lightning reflexes, raising Wujue to block the attack.
The force of the impact sent vibrations through her arm, and she stumbled backward several feet before regaining her footing.
“Demon Lord, your current strength is no match for us,” Yu Gui sighed, his voice deceptively gentle. He reached out a pale, slender hand towards Qu Weiyin, but she recoiled in disgust.
Deep within the cavern lay the massive corpse of a spider, its legs curled inwards, making it appear smaller than it truly was. Behind it, a pile of miscellaneous objects was heaped – bones, withered branches, and porcelain vases.
As the two sides faced off, Yu Gui suddenly called out, “Yao Yao.”
The young man they had encountered before appeared out of thin air, shifting into his human form. He rummaged through the pile of objects and soon emerged with a scroll, which he excitedly presented to Yu Gui.
Seeing this, Luo Jinxiao silently recited a spell. Outside the cave, a heavy object fell to the ground. As it passed through the spiderwebs, it transformed into a petite young woman who snatched the scroll from the young man’s grasp with blinding speed.
The situation changed abruptly. Yu Gui, seeing this, turned to rush towards Qiongqi, but was blocked by Qu Weiyin. She channeled her spiritual energy into her palm, creating a dazzling golden light in the narrow space, pressing towards Yu Gui.
Yu Gui was forced back, his teeth gritted in frustration. “Demon Lord,” he shouted, “we already have the Netherworld Diagram. If we obtain the Shan He Tu, no one in the six realms will be able to stop the demon race!”
Qu Weiyin’s impatience grew with every word Yu Gui uttered. Her phoenix eyes narrowed in anger. “I am not a demon.”
Yu Gui’s hair fell across his face, obscuring half of it and revealing only his pale, peach-blossom eyes. Disappointment filled his features as he shook his head. “Demon Lord, do you truly intend to betray us?”
“Shut up!” Qu Weiyin was truly furious. She shouted sharply, and the boundless spiritual energy of a third-level Tribulation Transcendence cultivator exploded from her body, forcing even Luo Jinxiao to take two steps back.
Luo Jinxiao wanted to help, but the demon in front of her was even more powerful. Its demonic energy was nearly overwhelming, making it impossible for her to utilize any techniques. The black energy was creeping all over her body, attempting to envelop her.
Qiongqi moved to assist but was stopped by Luo Jinxiao’s sharp command. “Take the scroll and return to the Wuhui Sect! Now!”
Qiongqi whined, torn between obeying and protecting its master.
Luo Jinxiao silently recited the cultivation techniques taught to her by the Sect Leader. A surge of icy energy coursed through her veins, solidifying into ice in her palms. The ice, unyielding and sharp, pushed back the demonic energy. Then, Wujue flew into the air, its silver light mingling with the radiance of the Changming Pagoda, striking at the demon’s face.
Her cultivation had progressed rapidly over the past five years, astonishing even the Sect Leader. She was on the verge of breaking through to the tribulation transcendence stage but was stuck at this crucial moment, unable to advance further.
Fortunately, the Sect Leader’s unorthodox techniques provided a temporary defense.
“You little pest! You dare resist me?” The demon, Ah Chou, growled, narrowly avoiding Wujue’s attack. Its yellowed teeth were foul and decaying.
Luo Jinxiao ripped a clump of spiderwebs from her body and shoved it into Ah Chou’s mouth. “Old thing, you need to brush your teeth!”
Ah Chou roared and spat out the web, burning with rage. It spread its arms wide, and Luo Jinxiao suddenly felt her legs weaken, almost falling to her knees.
“Luo Jinxiao!” Qu Weiyin, momentarily distracted, was struck by Yu Gui’s palm. Seizing the opportunity, Yu Gui blew a sharp whistle. Qu Weiyin’s head spun, and a surge of demonic energy flooded her body, a warm sensation spreading through her senses.
Yu Gui approached her with a look of regret. He shook his head slowly. “Demon Lord, if you return to us, we will immediately crown you as our ruler. The demon realm is growing stronger, while the immortal sects are divided and weakening.”
“The demon race’s revenge is within reach. Yu Gui is willing to help you overturn the heavens.” His eyes were filled with fanaticism, adoration, and a twisted affection.
“Have you forgotten? You said yourself that I was your only, most loyal supporter.” Yu Gui’s voice was ethereal and distant, like a whisper on the wind.
Luo Jinxiao’s stomach churned as she listened. She gripped Wujue and swung it with all her might, dispelling the demonic energy. “Delusional fool!” she spat. “You think you’re worthy of being my Junior Shishu’s support? You’re nothing but a crippled weakling!”
Her anger fueled her insults, striking right at the heart.
Yu Gui’s face contorted in fury. He turned away from Qu Weiyin and unleashed a palm strike infused with demonic energy towards Luo Jinxiao. Unable to withstand the combined assault, Luo Jinxiao was flung backward, crashing to the ground and coughing up blood.
Seeing this, Qu Weiyin suddenly leaped in front of Luo Jinxiao, her face cold, her phoenix eyes gleaming. She crossed her arms and muttered silently. A blinding golden light descended from the heavens, piercing Yu Gui and Ah Chou like a giant arrow.
Yu Gui let out a ghostly laugh. His bisected body reformed, and with a flick of his finger, Qu Weiyin lost control of the demonic energy within her, collapsing to her knees.
Her red robes billowed around her, her hair whipping in the wind. Blood stained her lips, a picture of both beauty and devastation.
She struggled against the demonic energy that threatened to consume her.
“Demon Lord, why do you resist? You were born a demon, just like us,” Yu Gui said with a mocking smile, reaching out to touch Qu Weiyin’s face.
Luo Jinxiao wanted to stop him, but she couldn’t move.
Nearby, Ah Chou seemed to lose patience. He suddenly raised his hand, and lightning-like demonic energy surged towards Luo Jinxiao, aiming to kill her in one strike. Suddenly, a petite figure appeared in front of Luo Jinxiao, raising its hand to meet the attack.
“Little Sweetie!” Luo Jinxiao screamed as Qiongqi’s small form intercepted the demonic energy, only to collapse to the ground, the scroll slipping from its hand.
Qiongqi looked back at Luo Jinxiao, its expression unchanged, and finally managed to utter a word, “Master.”
Luo Jinxiao was speechless. She gritted her teeth, her body trembling with rage as she glared at the two demons.
The young demon reached for the scroll, but a gust of wind swept through the cavern. A black claw snatched the scroll and disappeared into the darkness, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of a ragged figure.
Luo Jinxiao breathed a sigh of relief. It was Yan Ying.
Luo Ning’s voice sounded beside her, but Luo Jinxiao couldn’t make out the words. Ah Chou, enraged and desperate, unleashed a devastating attack, far more powerful than anything Luo Jinxiao had ever witnessed.
Luo Jinxiao turned her head, gritting her teeth in anticipation, but unexpectedly, a soft body suddenly embraced her, taking the full brunt of the demonic energy.
A piercing scream echoed through the cavern. In a daze, Luo Jinxiao realized the scream was her own.
Qu Weiyin collapsed into her arms, the demonic energy slowly dissipating from her body. She coughed, splattering Luo Jinxiao with warm, sweet blood.
“It’s time for you to awaken,” a deep, ancient voice, unfamiliar to Luo Jinxiao, whispered in her ear, as if only she could hear it.
As Luo Jinxiao held Qu Weiyin close, a sharp pang of pain shot through her heart. A familiar yet foreign power surged within her, originating from her spiritual roots and spreading throughout her body.
Translation notes:
Yayu – https://megamitensei.fandom.com/wiki/Souyou
