Into The Sea

Under the cool moonlight, Lan Wu glanced at the desert below, her thick eyelashes casting faint shadows.

She whispered, “Won’t the demons notice us flying like this?”

“If we’re unlucky, they might,” Danbai said. “But the desert is vast. The demons have their own camps and don’t wander around aimlessly. As long as we avoid them and don’t make too much noise, we should be fine.”

Ji Lingyue glanced at her. “You seem to know a lot about this place.”

Danbai nodded. “I used to come here often to search for missing cultivators. But most of the time, all I found were bodies.”

Lan Wu fell silent for a moment before asking softly, “Have you ever seen the Demon Queen?”

Danbai shook her head. “Strangely, no. During all the battles, I’ve only ever seen a few demon lords. Logically, to break through a barrier guarded by so many cultivators, the Demon Queen herself should’ve taken action. But she’s never shown herself, she just lets her subordinates be slaughtered over and over, almost like she’s in no hurry to invade the Central Region.”

Lan Wu sighed. “That’s because her goal was never to invade the Central Region in the first place.”

The last time they had met, Lan Yueyao had already collected the remaining souls, prepared a suitable body, and taken Lan Wu’s mermaid pearl and her heart’s blood. For so many years, the only thing she wanted was the final key to activate the resurrection spell, the Guling flower.

But according to legends, the Guling flower, which could grant immortality, only grew in times of chaos, nourished by the souls and blood of countless lives.

From this perspective, the countless demons dying here served her purpose perfectly.

But then again, if the demons broke through the barrier and invaded the Central Region, wouldn’t the defenseless mortals suffer even more, leading to even more bloodshed? Wouldn’t that better serve her goal?

Lan Wu frowned, rubbing her temples. Ji Lingyue noticed her action and asked, concerned, “What’s wrong?”

“I was thinking…” Lan Wu hesitated for a moment, then said softly, “What if she’s hesitating too? After all, once the barrier is broken, there’s no turning back…”

Ji Lingyue was taken aback. “You think she’s having second thoughts?”’

Lan Wu didn’t say anything. Ji Lingyue pursed her lips, her eyes filling with a hint of anger. “Lan Wu, she didn’t show any reluctance when she killed you.”

“My situation is a bit complicated…”

“What’s complicated about it? You’re her niece, but she still didn’t hesitate to hurt you.”

“Ah Yue,” Lan Wu interrupted her, her voice tired. “It’s exactly because I’m her niece that she hates me. If one day, I died trying to save someone you hate, wouldn’t you hate that person too?”

Ji Lingyue was silent. After a moment, she turned her head to look ahead, her voice cold. “You won’t die. Even if you die, I’ll die with you.”

Lan Wu said, “I know, we have a life-and-death contract…”

Before she could finish, Ji Lingyue suddenly turned her head, glaring at her with red eyes. She flew a few dozen meters away.

Lan Wu paused. “Ah Yue?”

From a distance, Ji Lingyue pressed her lips together, turning her head away, clearly refusing to talk.

Danbai, beneath Lan Wu, let out a sigh. “Well, you’ve made her angry.”

Lan Wu blinked. “What?”

She looked around awkwardly, then whispered, “Can you fly a little closer?”

Danbai said, “It won’t work.”

“How do you know if you don’t try?”

Danbai sighed, flapping her wings to move closer to Ji Lingyue. But as if she had eyes on the back of her head, Ji Lingyue suddenly shifted further away.

Danbai blinked. “See? I told you it wouldn’t work.”

Lan Wu was silent for a moment. “Fine. Once we get to Wangliang City, she won’t be able to avoid me.”

As it turned out, she really could.

Lan Wu carefully lifted her skirts as she crossed the ruins. When she looked up, Ji Lingyue was right ahead. She quickened her pace, but just as she was about to reach her, Ji Lingyue turned into a flurry of black butterflies and fluttered away.

Lan Wu was speechless. She let out a long, helpless sigh.

Danqing flew back to her shoulder, surprised. ” Is Ah Yue angry?”

“You just noticed?” She looked up at the figure standing on the edge of a high roof.

Ji Lingyue stood tall, her black hair falling to her waist, her dark red eyes scanning the ruins below.

This was the first time Ji Lingyue had thrown such a tantrum, and Lan Wu was at a loss. She decided to put aside the idea of comforting her for now and began to survey the silent city.

Wangliang City was surprisingly clean.

Before coming, Lan Wu had expected to see skeletons or dried bloodstains, but the city was filled only with collapsed walls and the charred remains of buildings. The streets were covered in a thin layer of sand, but beneath it, the ground was clean and untouched.

Danbai walked beside her, explaining softly, “The Sky-Burning Formation raged here for three months. Any human or demon who stayed behind was reduced to ash. These buildings only survived because they were protected by ancient protective formations.”

Lan Wu mumbled, “The demons didn’t set up a base here?”

Danbai nodded. “Probably because they think it’s cursed.”

Lan Wu sighed. “If there’s nothing left, this is going to be difficult.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a cold voice came from above. “Someone’s here.”

Lan Wu paused. Before she could react, Ji Lingyue silently flew towards the dark desert like a cloud of mist. Soon, the sounds of fighting could be heard.

Lan Wu quickly chased after her, stepping on her sword. From afar, she heard someone shout, “Miss Ji, it’s us!”

Ji Lingyue said, “That’s exactly why I’m hitting you.”

Lan Wu recognized the voice and widened her eyes in alarm. “Ah Yue, stop, stop!”

The long spikes flying in the air tore a few more holes in their clothes before reluctantly turning into demonic energy, returning to their owner’s palm.

Ji Lingyue clenched her fist, glaring at Lan Wu before walking away.

Lan Wu: … why does it feel like she’s even angrier now?

She glanced at Ji Lingyue’s back before landing on the ground. She pretended to help Qi Yueyao. “Oh, Miss Qi, what are you doing here?”

“Don’t touch me!” Qi Yueyao snapped. “We were following you, obviously.”

“Oh?” Lan Wu smiled and turned to Wen Shiyu, who was brushing dust off her clothes. “And how exactly did you manage to follow us?”

Wen Shiyu chuckled awkwardly. “It is a secret technique… I’m afraid I can’t tell you.”

“You have the nerve to ask us?” Qi Yueyao interrupted impatiently. “You two  snuck out in the middle of the night, violating the rules and ran off to Wangliang City. What’s your real plan?!”

Lan Wu smiled. “If we really had something to hide, Miss Qi, wouldn’t it be dangerous for you to ask so directly? Aren’t you afraid we’d silence you?”

Qi Yueyao paused, then frowned, looking at her warily.

Lan Wu’s eyes were gentle, her smile friendly, but in Qi Yueyao’s eyes, the face that she found somewhat pleasing looked eerie under the pale moonlight.

Lan Wu put her hands behind her back, leaning down mischievously. “Do you think you two can escape Ah Yue’s grasp?”

Qi Yueyao shivered, instinctively taking a step back. “You…”

Just then, a soft voice came from the side. “Don’t use me to scare them. I’m not helping you.”

Lan Wu’s smile froze. She turned around, calling softly, “Ah Yue—”

Ji Lingyue gave a cold snort and remained where she was. Lan Wu tossed Danqing into Danbo’s arms and hurried after her, “Explain things to them, would you.”

Danbai instinctively caught the little bird, exchanging a glance with her before holding her tightly. “We didn’t come to Wangliang City for any reason. We just…” She blinked, her voice calm. “We just came for a walk.”

Qi Yueyao: …

Wen Shiyu: …

Danqing was shocked, momentarily forgetting to struggle. “A walk?”

Danbai’s face was a bit tense. She pinched Danqing’s beak. “Yes, a walk.”

“Ah Yue, Ah Yue.” On the other side, Lan Wu ran to Ji Lingyue, grabbing her sleeve. Luckily, she didn’t turn into a swarm of butterflies this time, just turning her back on her.

Lan Wu let out a sigh of relief. She went in front of her. Seeing that she was about to turn away again, she hugged her waist and pulled her forward, closing the distance.

Ji Lingyue’s eyelashes fluttered, her gaze instinctively falling on her red lips before quickly moving away. She crossed her arms, not letting Lan Wu get close. Lan Wu noticed her small movements and chuckled. “If you really didn’t want to talk to me, why didn’t you just fly away?”

Ji Lingyue froze, glaring at Lan Wu in shock. She tried to push Lan Wu away, but Lan Wu only held her tighter. “Okay, okay, I said the wrong thing. I’m sorry, please don’t be mad!”

Ji Lingyue struggled for a moment, but Lan Wu only held her tighter. Frustrated, Ji Lingyue said, “You always expect me to listen to you, but you never listen to me!”

“If you’re telling me to let you go, of course I won’t listen,” Lan Wu said seriously. “I’ll never let you go.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Lan Wu softened her voice. “I know. It’s because of what I said earlier, right? You don’t like it when I defend my aunt, I won’t do it again.”

Ji Lingyue said angrily, “Don’t call her your aunt!”

Lan Wu was silent for a moment, then coughed. “Okay, okay, I won’t defend Lan Yueyao anymore.”

Ji Lingyue relaxed a little, accusing her. “You even brought up the life-and-death contract when you were defending her.”

Lan Wu was confused. “But… we do have a life-and-death contract…”

Ji Lingyue took a breath, struggling again. “Let me go!”

Lan Wu panicked, unsure what she had done wrong. As Ji Lingyue struggled harder, Lan Wu’s grip began to slip. In desperation, she leaned in and kissed Ji Lingyue’s panting lips.

Ji Lingyue opened her mouth and bit down on Lan Wu’s tongue.

“!”

Tears welled up in Lan Wu’s beautiful eyes, her blue irises like pure, flawless gemstones. Ji Lingyue froze under her gaze, allowing Lan Wu to pull her into a tight embrace.

The sweet taste of blood mixed with their saliva, staining Lan Wu’s soft tongue. Ji Lingyue swallowed hard, finally closing her eyes and gently sucking on Lan Wu’s lips, her arms wrapping around Lan Wu’s neck.

“Hmm…”

She licked away the blood from Lan Wu’s wound, her brow slightly furrowed. Noticing that Lan Wu wanted to look up, she buried her fingers in her silver hair, pulling her down. Lan Wu’s long eyelashes trembled. She closed her eyes obediently, her right hand sliding up her spine, kissing her while gently kneading her neck.

Ji Lingyue was truly like a small animal. After being rubbed a few times, she let out a comfortable moan. When she finished, her face was flushed, and her eyelashes were wet.

Lan Wu patted her back, soothing her. “Don’t be mad, don’t be mad.”

Ji Lingyue’s breathing gradually slowed. She buried her face in her shoulder, mumbling, “You don’t even know why I’m angry.”

Lan Wu hummed. “I’m not that smart, so, can you tell me why?”

The person in her arms was silent for a moment, then said awkwardly, “I’m not telling you now. Think about it yourself.” After saying that, she looked up, pinching Lan Wu’s chin. “Open your mouth.”

Lan Wu blinked, obediently opening her mouth.

“Stick out your tongue.”

Lan Wu paused, then closed her eyes, embarrassed. Her pink tongue slowly peeked out, the red wound still bleeding.

Ji Lingyue tapped it twice, and the wound healed instantly.

“If you kiss me again while I’m angry, I’ll bite you again.”

Lan Wu teased, “Bite me more. Mermaid blood is good for your health.”

Ji Lingyue glared at her, pulling her back. “Let’s see how they’re doing.”

Lan Wu watched her back, asking softly, “Are you still mad?”

“Halfway.”

Lan Wu chuckled. “You’ve got quite the temper.”

Ji Lingyue turned back, displeased. “You don’t like it?”

“Of course I do,” Lan Wu shook their joined hands, her voice cheerful. “It’s good that you have a temper. If you always went along with me and never got mad, that would be worse.”

Ji Lingyue pursed her lips, turning her head back, a smile quietly appearing on her face.

The others had been waiting for a while. When they returned, Danbai let out a sigh of relief, pushing Danqing back into Lan Wu’s arms. “I’ve explained it to them.”

Lan Wu nodded, looking at Qi Yueyao. “Now do you understand, Miss Qi? We don’t have any bad intentions.”

Qi Yueyao chuckled. “Sure, taking a midnight stroll in Wangliang City. Your hearts might not be bad, but your brains certainly are.”

Lan Wu was speechless.

She slowly looked at Danbai. “A walk?”

Danbai blushed, embarrassed. “You… you didn’t tell me why we came to Wangliang City.”

Lan Wu slapped her forehead. “Okay, that’s my fault.”

She sighed, explaining, “To be honest, we don’t have any specific purpose for coming here. We’re just looking for clues about an old friend.”

“An old friend? Yu Shanye?”

Lan Wu was surprised, glancing at Wen Shiyu. “Miss Wen, you’re quite well-informed.”

Wen Shiyu said politely, “Since we’re going to be traveling with you, I had to do some research on the people around you.”

Qi Yueyao was equally surprised, turning to Lan Wu. “You came here looking for clues about her? Is she… one of the people who died in Wangliang City?”

Ji Lingyue said coldly, “Without seeing a body, no one can say she’s dead.”

“But everyone who died here was reduced to ash…”

Wen Shiyu interrupted her. “Senior Sister, don’t say that.”

Qi Yueyao blinked, suddenly looking at them with newfound respect. “You’re very loyal to your friends.”

Lan Wu shook her head. “Unfortunately… there really isn’t much left here.”

Wen Shiyu hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Have you been to the forbidden area?”

Lan Wu paused. “What forbidden area?”

“The underground of the Wangliang City Lord’s residence is a forbidden area of the Qing family. It’s said that it’s also where the core of the city’s protective formation is located.”

“Protective formation?”

Wen Shiyu nodded. “Wangliang City originally had a strong protective formation. It was because the protective formation was destroyed that the demons were able to invade the city.”

Ji Lingyue frowned. “How did you know about the forbidden area? And how do you know that the core of the formation is there?”

Wen Shiyu smiled awkwardly. “To be honest, Young City Lord Qing once pursued me.”

The group exchanged glances, then asked hesitantly, “So?”

“He bragged about the forbidden area to me,” Wen Shiyu admitted. “But I never verified it, so I don’t know if it’s true.”