Chapter 83: Turning Evil
“What kind of divine artifact is it? Can’t you just send anyone to get it?” Luo Jinxiao grumbled.
“It’s a divine artifact, we can’t just send anyone. It’s a lamp left behind by the Celestial Realm. It’s said that the wick holds a divine soul. This year, it’s the Wuhui Sect’s turn to perform the Divine Sacrifice, and we need to receive the divine soul.”
Luo Jinxiao thought for a moment. There was still some time before the Divine Sacrifice. If she went quickly and returned quickly, there shouldn’t be any problems.
“Then… can you kiss me again,” Luo Jinxiao said with a silly grin.
To her surprise, Qu Weiyin flicked her forehead, accusing her of pushing her luck.
Eager to return quickly, Luo Jinxiao didn’t delay. She departed on her sword that very night, keeping it a secret to avoid disturbing anyone.
She flew swiftly, traveling like the wind and lightning without rest. In two days, she reached Xumi Manor. Seeing the Sea of Exiles again, she didn’t feel the same excitement as the first time, but her heart still fluttered with anticipation.
The same white-haired elder from before greeted her. After exchanging pleasantries, the elder asked her to wait in the room while he retrieved the divine artifact.
Alone and bored, Luo Jinxiao stood by the window, watching the cultivators of the Xumi Manor practice. They rarely accepted disciples, and their cultivation methods were different from those of ordinary cultivators. Their pace was extremely slow; as they changed postures, one could only see leaves stirring in the wind, not even dust rising.
Watching them, Luo Jinxiao felt a sense of peace wash over her.
“Young Immortal Friend!” The elder suddenly rushed in from outside, carefully holding the lamp in his hands, his face filled with panic.
Luo Jinxiao hurried to support him, surprised. “Elder, what’s wrong?”
“It’s not about me, something terrible has happened at Wuhui Sect!” The elder was so anxious his beard was fluttering.
Luo Jinxiao’s heart leaped into her throat. Her voice cracked as she asked, “What?”
“News just came that yesterday, the demon race suddenly launched a massive attack, targeting only Wuhui Sect. They also swept through Wuzhong City at the foot of the mountain. Countless civilians are dead or injured!”
“It’s only been a few decades since the last Great War between Immortals and Demons, and the demon realm has not only revived but also gained several powerful new factions. The Wuhui Sect is struggling to cope. We must rush to their aid!”
Luo Jinxiao instinctively moved to leave, but the elder grabbed her arm. “Wait! The area outside the Wuhui Sect’s barrier is swarming with demons, like a frenzy. How will you get back? It’s better to travel with us than to go alone.”
“Thank you, Elder, but I must go.” Luo Jinxiao’s heart was burning with anxiety.
“Then take the Divine Soul Lamp. It’s a divine artifact, after all. It might be of some use.” The elder placed the ever-burning lamp in her hands.
“Thank you…” Luo Jinxiao only managed to utter two words before she felt a sudden pang in her chest. The scenery around her distorted.
She stumbled a few steps and quickly let go of the lamp, storing it in her pouch. As soon as she was no longer in direct contact with it, the strange sensation vanished.
Luo Jinxiao’s mind was consumed with worry for the Wuhui Sect. She didn’t think much of it, attributing the strange feeling to the divine artifact. After bidding farewell, she ascended into the sky, mounting her sword and racing back. Wujue beneath her feet practically transformed into transparent wind.
Qu Weiyin had said she would wait for her return, so she had to get back quickly.
Halfway through her journey, as she passed over a high mountain revealing a vast expanse of emerald lakes below, Luo Jinxiao suddenly felt something amiss. Her heart began to race, burning as if on fire, and her spiritual roots started to throb.
Whatever this unexpected occurrence was, why did it have to happen now of all times?
The strange sensation came on so strongly that she could no longer control her sword flight. Gritting her teeth, she summoned Qiongqi and collapsed onto her soft back.
Qiongqi’s massive wings flapped, sending her fur flying. Luo Jinxiao suspected the divine artifact was the cause, so she took out the Divine Soul Lamp and tossed it aside. However, the lamp seemed to have fixated on her, rolling back towards her.
Panting, Luo Jinxiao finally examined the lamp closely. It had a simple, unadorned appearance, with a seemingly bronze exterior. The wick, however, was transparent, with a small flame burning at the tip, unwavering even in the strong wind.
Under Luo Jinxiao’s gaze, the flame suddenly grew larger and larger, reaching the size of a person’s palm. Like a serpent, it began to slither towards her.
Luo Jinxiao tried to escape, but her body was frozen, unable to move.
The fire quickly surrounded her, swirling around her body. The moment the flame touched Luo Jinxiao, her vision suddenly went black, and she lost consciousness.
Meanwhile, at the Wuhui Sect…
The barrier remained relatively stable, standing firm against the overwhelming onslaught of demonic forces. Above the barrier, several figures battled in the air, their boundless spiritual energy radiating outwards, creating a scene of flashing lights, booming thunder, and raging flames.
At the highest point, Qu Weiyin stood, wielding the Crescent Star Sword. Her red robes billowed in the wind, and her body was enveloped in a mixture of golden light and black energy. Her gaze was sharp, filled with killing intent.
“Long time no see, Demon Lord,” Yu Gui said, a chilling smile on his pale face.
Qu Weiyin didn’t bother with pleasantries. She raised her sword and attacked. The two clashed, their battle so intense that no one could approach within a hundred miles. Strangely, despite Qu Weiyin’s relentless assault, Yu Gui remained calm and composed.
While they fought, the surrounding area was in chaos. Grotesque demonic creatures, some with human bodies and others with ghostly faces, rampaged across the battlefield. Each was incredibly powerful, requiring multiple cultivators to hold them back.
Every Wuhui Sect disciple who had reached the Golden Core stage had charged out of the barrier, battling the demons in small groups.
“Junior Shishu Qu!” Gui Jiu flashed past Qu Weiyin, cutting down several demons that were trying to surround her. Then, she rushed towards another group, completely engrossed in the fight.
Lu Fanzhi could only remain within the barrier, assisting Elder Liu in reinforcing it. The other elders were scattered across the battlefield, fending off the demons, nowhere to be seen.
After a while, Yan Ying, covered in blood, rushed back inside the barrier to help. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Senior Brother Siyu took half of the disciples to Wuzhong City to rescue the civilians. I couldn’t find Luo Ning, so I came back.”
“Luo Jinxiao is also missing. They’re probably outside the barrier. I’m afraid it won’t hold much longer. If those demons breach the Wuhui Sect, what will we do?!” Lu Fanzhi cried out in alarm.
“Don’t panic, I’m here.” Elder Liu said in a deep voice, spreading his palms and releasing a surge of spiritual energy to strengthen the film-like barrier.
The colorful spiritual energy tinted the blue sky with a rainbow hue. Nearby trees were occasionally uprooted, toppling in swathes and exposing the grass beneath. In the air, it was impossible to distinguish between dust and flesh, everything blurred beyond recognition.
Qu Weiyin remained expressionless, but she was gradually losing strength. She raised her sword and summoned lightning. A bolt of fire descended from the sky, and the previously clear sky suddenly darkened with storm clouds, thunder rumbling ominously.
“Demon Lord, this isn’t even half the power you possessed in your past life,” Yu Gui said, shaking his head regretfully. “Why did you betray us? Wouldn’t it be better to become a demon and rule the world?”
Seeing that Qu Weiyin still ignored him, Yu Gui suddenly frowned. Several more demonic figures wearing bamboo hats appeared behind him, all attacking Qu Weiyin simultaneously. She quickly conjured a golden light to defend herself, her phoenix eyes cold and sharp. “How many people have cultivated the Netherworld Diagram? Aren’t you afraid of the consequences of defying heaven and humanity?!”
“The Immortal Realm has committed so many atrocities without facing any repercussions. What’s wrong with killing a few people?” As Yu Gui spoke, demonic energy surged, and Qu Weiyin gradually fell into disadvantage.
At that moment, a woman in white descended from the sky, her long white robe trailing behind her. Her silver hair flowed freely, emitting a faint white light, making her look like a celestial being.
The Sect Leader rarely used her sword. She waved her sleeves, transforming them into sharp blades that pierced the demons from all directions, disrupting their formation.
Although she and Qu Weiyin didn’t exchange words, they fought with remarkable coordination, managing to turn the tide of the battle.
Just then, someone came to report. “Sect Leader, the southeastern barrier is about to collapse! Countless demons are gathering there, preparing to break through!”
“Sect Leader, you should go. The barrier must not fall,” Qu Weiyin said.
The Sect Leader hesitated, glancing at Qu Weiyin. After weighing the pros and cons, she said, “Be careful,” and then withdrew from the battle.
With the Sect Leader gone, Qu Weiyin was once again left to fight alone.
Her gaze swept past Yu Gui, fixated on the distance. Her eyes hardened with determination, like water turning to steel.
She probably wouldn’t be able to wait for her return.
Qu Weiyin raised her hand, and the Crescent Star Sword transformed into a shield of light before her. Under the divine sword’s protection, she began to channel her power. Black energy mixed with golden light, and a thunderclap echoed from the horizon. The previously dark sky began to glow red from beyond.
It was as if fresh blood had been splattered across the ominous sky, stretching for thousands of miles.
“Shan He Tu?” Yu Gui suddenly exclaimed, his tone indiscernible between terror and excitement.
Qu Weiyin lifted her head, her eyes now completely white, glowing with a vibrant red. Her hair danced wildly behind her, intertwining with her red robes. An overwhelming pressure, infused with killing intent, radiated outwards, shaking the very foundations of the world.
Qu Weiyin had succumbed to demonic cultivation.
With a gasp, Luo Jinxiao awoke, drenched in sweat. She couldn’t tell if the scene she had just witnessed was a dream or reality.
She looked around to find herself lying on a cold, slippery surface, like ice. Above her was pitch black darkness, not the night sky, but rather a void devoid of light.
A sharp pain pierced her chest, as if her heart was being squeezed. Luo Jinxiao tried to sit up, but she realized that her limbs were bound by four chains, extending far into the darkness.
Shocked by everything happening, she attempted to break free using her spiritual energy, only to find, to her surprise, that she was completely empty inside. Not a trace of spiritual energy remained, and she couldn’t even feel her spiritual roots, as if she had returned to the day she was reborn.
This time, she truly panicked.
“Don’t struggle. You can’t break those chains,” a voice said. It sounded like an old woman, rasping like a broken bellows.
Luo Jinxiao strained to look, only able to see a blurry figure wearing a black robe, not a hair visible.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“That’s not important,” the figure replied, slowly approaching Luo Jinxiao. From her perspective, the person was tall and imposing, radiating an intimidating aura.
“Why have you captured me? I have urgent matters to attend to. Let me go!” Luo Jinxiao gritted her teeth.
“No, you don’t have any urgent matters,” the figure said, placing a lamp on the ground. It was the bronze lamp, but now the flame inside was extinguished, leaving only an empty void.
Luo Jinxiao didn’t know what time it was or what was happening to Qu Weiyin. Her heart burned with anxiety, and she struggled desperately against the chains. But the more she struggled, the tighter they became, digging into her skin like needles.
The figure glanced at her, a flicker of pity in her eyes, but it quickly vanished. She placed the limp Qiongqi beside Luo Jinxiao. Despite Qiongqi’s size, she carried her effortlessly.
“Don’t worry, she’s fine. I won’t hurt you.”
“Let me go!” Luo Jinxiao shouted.
“If I let you go now, you’ll die,” the figure said.
A surge of anger coursed through Luo Jinxiao. She pulled at the chains with all her might, but the pain was unbearable. She curled up, her wrists raw and bleeding.
After all this time, something must have happened to Qu Weiyin. Luo Jinxiao could feel the intense pain in her chest.
“Stop struggling,” the figure said, seemingly unable to bear the sight any longer. She stepped forward and pinned Luo Jinxiao’s limbs down. “I said, stop struggling!”
“Then let me go!” Luo Jinxiao shouted fiercely, glaring at the person. For a moment, she felt a sense of familiarity.
The figure lowered her gaze and said, “You need to understand, you can’t live for yourself alone, nor can you live just for her. There’s more to you than that, you can’t just let go.”
“Then tell me what it is!” Luo Jinxiao cried out in frustration. She struggled again, but a sharp pain shot through her body, silencing her. She squeezed her eyes shut, her body trembling as she endured the agony.
“If you keep struggling, these chains will make you wish you were dead.”
The sounds around Luo Jinxiao became distorted, and the pain intensified, as if thousands of ants were gnawing at her bones and heart. Soon, she was drenched in sweat, collapsing onto the ground.
She raised her head again and pleaded, “Please, let me go.”
Her voice trembled, on the verge of breaking. “If you’re not going to hurt me, then I beg you.”
Hearing this, the figure seemed increasingly reluctant. They turned their head away, falling into silence.
“Is that woman so important that you’re willing to risk your own life?”
“Yes,” Luo Jinxiao said, her eyes still closed.
The figure remained silent for a while, their only visible eye lowered, afraid to meet Luo Jinxiao’s gaze.
“It wasn’t me who bound you, it was the lamp. This is your divine consciousness. Only you can break free, but I advise you not to.”
The lamp… Luo Jinxiao remembered the elder’s words, about the divine soul residing within the wick.
Could it be that the divine soul had chosen her and refused to let her go?
Luo Jinxiao weakly raised her hand, slowly reaching for the extinguished bronze lamp. The moment she grasped it, a jumble of fragmented images flooded her mind.
Most were fleeting glimpses of her standing on a desolate cliff, watching the snow fall.
Occasionally, she saw familiar scenes: Wujue plunged into the snow, its hilt stained with blood, radiating an age-old loneliness.
Then, there were images of scattered corpses, ravaged landscapes, and rolling smoke, and complete devastation.
She released the lamp, gasping for breath.
Her mind was in chaos, unable to comprehend what she had just witnessed. For a fleeting moment, while viewing those scenes, she felt as if she had returned to the Changming Pagoda, her heart filled with desolation.
But then, Qu Weiyin’s words echoed in her mind.
She was still waiting for her return. Luo Jinxiao couldn’t allow herself to be trapped here.
Luo Jinxiao closed her eyes, attempting to force spiritual energy from her spiritual roots, to no avail. She opened her eyes again, looking at the hooded figure, and spoke with a hoarse voice: “Do you and this lamp want me to die?”
“Of course not,” the figure replied, a hint of panic in her voice.
Luo Jinxiao nodded, a meaningful smile suddenly appearing on her lips. She muttered something, and Wujue appeared in her hand.
A bonded divine artifact could be summoned without the need for spiritual energy.
Seeing this, the figure panicked and tried to stop her: “Stop!”
But it was too late. Luo Jinxiao raised her hand, the chains rattling ominously, and plunged Wujue deep into her own chest.
As a wave of agonizing pain washed over her, she saw the black figure contort and then vanish. Then everything disappeared. She found herself lying at the foot of a mountain, surrounded by dew that had soaked her clothes.
Her spiritual energy had returned, and she felt a newfound power coursing through her spiritual roots.
Luo Jinxiao looked up to see it was dawn of the following day. The sky was blood-red, not like clouds but as if painted with fresh blood, thick with demonic energy.
“Weiyin,” she whispered.
