Into The Sea

They traveled until noon, but the endless expanse of yellow sand stretched before them without change. Lan Wu sat on a cloud-like mass of demonic energy, propping her chin on her hand. She blinked and let out a weary sigh.

After staring at the same unchanging scenery for hours, she would have been thrilled if a demon suddenly appeared.

Qi Yueyao, beside her, felt the same way. “Ugh, I got sand in my mouth. How come there’s not even a bird around here? At least a demon would be something.”

Hearing this, Wen Shiyu began rummaging through her storage pouch again. “Do you need a wind-blocking talisman? I think I still have one… Ah, here it is. Take it.”

Qi Yueyao took the talisman, glancing at the mermaid and demon sitting calmly together. “You two look so relaxed. Anyone would think you’re out for a leisurely stroll.”

“Shhh,” Ji Lingyue said softly. “You’re disturbing me.”

“…You’ve been listening all morning. Have you heard anything?”

Ji Lingyue replied seriously, “Not yet.”

Qi Yueyao rolled her eyes.

Lan Wu couldn’t help but chuckle, turning her bright face. “You remind me of a friend of mine.”

“Who? Yu Shanye?”

Lan Wu nodded. “If you met her, I think you’d get along well.”

Qi Yueyao was silent for a moment, then turned away. “Maybe.”

After flying for a while longer, Ji Lingyue suddenly frowned, looking puzzled.

Lan Wu asked instinctively, “What’s wrong?”

The woman tilted her head, listening carefully, then pointed in a direction. “Over there… it sounds like there’s something alive.”

The others were surprised. They quickly flew in the direction she indicated.

Climbing over a sand dune, they looked down. There was indeed a small black dot in the distance. As they approached, they realized it was an unconscious human. The person was lying face down, half-buried in the sand, covered in blood. It was hard to tell if she was dead or alive.

The one who made the noise was a dying blue bird beside her.

Qi Yueyao went forward and turned the person over. After examining her for a moment, she said in surprise, “Luo Ningzhou?”

Lan Wu asked, “Who?”

“A beast tamer.” She reached out to feel her pulse. “She’s still alive.”

Wen Shiyu quickly knelt down beside her, taking out a few bottles of spiritual medicine. After finally managing to feed her the medicine, Lan Wu also came closer, helping to clean the woman’s dusty face.

“It looks like she was injured by a demon,” Ji Lingyue said, carefully picking up the injured blue bird. “The demonic energy on the wound is still strong.”

Qi Yueyao hummed, then asked Lan Wu, “Is this the opportunity your charlatan friend was talking about?”

Lan Wu wasn’t sure. “Whether it is or not, saving someone is still a good thing, right?”

As they spoke, the unconscious woman let out a low groan. The group immediately fell silent, all eyes turning to her.

Under their concerned gazes, Luo Ningzhou frowned, her long lashes fluttering for a moment before she finally opened her eyes.

She was met with four faces, each with a different expression. She was stunned for a moment. Before she could react, one of them excitedly leaned closer. “Are you okay? How do you feel? Do you remember who I am?”

Luo Ningzhou’s lips moved, and she weakly said, “Qi Yueyao.”

Qi Yueyao immediately breathed a sigh of relief, helping her sit up. “What are you doing here? And why are you so badly injured?”

Luo Ningzhou winced in pain, taking a moment to gather her strength before speaking, “I found a demon encampment. On my way back, I ran into a few demons. I barely managed to escape.”

Lan Wu paused. “An encampment? How many demons?”

“Around Three hundred.”

Lan Wu thought for a moment. “Can you tell us where it is?”

Luo Ningzhou looked surprised. “What? Are you going to go there?” Before Lan Wu could answer, she shook her head. “No, it’s too dangerous. There are only a few of you. We should go back and tell everyone. They’re too close this time. They might… they might be planning something.”

“But this is important to me,” Lan Wu said sincerely. “Please, tell me where it is. We’ll just take a look. We won’t alert them.”

Qi Yueyao also urged, “Yes, don’t worry about us. We’ll be careful.”

Lan Wu paused, turning her head hesitantly. “Uh, you’ll probably need to take Miss Luo back.”

The surroundings fell silent for a moment before Qi Yueyao exclaimed in disbelief, “Me?”

Lan Wu nodded.

“Why?” Qi Yueyao suddenly straightened up. “Why not her?”

Wen Shiyu glanced at the hand she was pointing at, then smiled. “I don’t mind going back with you, Senior Sister.”

Qi Yueyao’s eyes widened. She was about to protest when Ji Lingyue placed a hand on her shoulder. “I think it’s a good idea. We need to get Miss Luo back for treatment as soon as possible. It’s not safe here.”

She lowered her eyes, her voice soft. “Don’t you think so?”

Qi Yueyao stiffened, then reluctantly nodded. “Fine.”

After they agreed, Luo Ningzhou handed them a paper crane, saying weakly, “Follow it, and it will lead you there.”

Qi Yueyao was busy helping her up. Hearing this, she turned back, looking displeased. “You better be back before dawn tomorrow.”

“We will.” Lan Wu watched them leave, then released the paper crane, flying into the desert with Ji Lingyue.

After flying for another half a day, as night fell, they climbed over a tall sand dune. The flickering light of a fire came into view. Lan Wu was startled. She quickly crouched down, pulling Ji Lingyue with her. “Do you see that?”

Ji Lingyue said, “I see it. It’s an oasis.”

“That’s not what I meant. I meant, how many demons do you see?”

Ji Lingyue paused, her clear eyes turning to look. She wanted to stand up, but Lan Wu held her down. “Don’t be so obvious. Aren’t you afraid of being spotted?”

Ji Lingyue hesitated, then obediently lay down, peeking over the edge of the dune.

After a moment, the woman pulled back. “It feels like there are hundreds of them. Should we fight?”

“Fight? What are you talking about?” Lan Wu said, lying on the sand dune beside her. “Is this the opportunity Fuyou was talking about? But what’s the point of coming to this demon encampment? Will they help us send a message?”

“They have no reason to help us. Why would they?”

“That’s right,” Lan Wu sighed, thinking for a moment. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Wait a minute. We do know a demon.”

Ji Lingyue quickly understood. “You mean… Yao Zhu?”

“Exactly. Didn’t we just run into her the other day?” Lan Wu nudged her excitedly. “Quick, see if Yao Zhu is there.”

Ji Lingyue pursed her lips, grumbling, “There are hundreds of demons here. It’ll take me a while…” Despite her words, she obediently lifted her head and carefully scanned the faces around the campfires.

After a moment, she shook her head. “She’s not there.”

“Maybe she’s in one of the tents.”

“I can’t see inside the tents.”

As soon as she said this, Lan Wu’s face fell into a frown again. Seeing her like this, Ji Lingyue couldn’t help but suggest, “How about I just kill my way in and find her?”

Lan Wu was speechless. “…Are you trying to scare Yao Zhu to death? Besides, we can’t keep killing our way through everything. You used to be a cultivator too. Haven’t you heard that less killing brings more good fortune?”

Ji Lingyue chuckled softly. “But I’m a demon now. The gods won’t bless me anymore.”

Lan Wu paused, staring at her for a moment before turning away. “Anyway, from now on, we’ll only kill those who deserve to die. If the gods won’t bless you, I’ll share mine with you.”

“How would you even…”

“Okay, let’s not talk about this anymore,” Lan Wu seemed uncomfortable with the topic. She slowly straightened up, her black hair fading back to its original silvery hue. “Since we can’t see her, we’ll just have to go in and find her. Luckily, Wen Shiyu’s concealment talismans can hide our spiritual energy.”

“Go in and find her?” Ji Lingyue asked, surprised. “Just like that?”

Lan Wu turned her head, a smile flickering in her blue eyes. “Have you forgotten what Xuan Yu taught you?” Seeing her still looking confused, Lan Wu smiled, her red lips parting slightly. “Meow.”

After a moment of silence, Ji Lingyue’s eyes widened, and she exclaimed, “No!”

Lan Wu quickly covered her mouth. “Oh, come on. If you don’t transform, how are we going to blend in?”

Ji Lingyue struggled. “I… isn’t having red eyes enough?”

“No way. Demons are a proud race. No matter what kind of demon they are, they like to show off their beastly features. If you don’t want to turn into a full cat, you can just change your ears.”

Ji Lingyue stammered, “But… before, in the demon realm, there were demons with completely human forms.”

“Are you the same as them?” Lan Wu lowered her voice, pretending to threaten her. “Hurry up and transform, or I’ll go in alone.”

She said it casually, but Ji Lingyue was easily swayed by her threats. She instinctively grabbed Lan Wu’s wrist, her voice dragging out in a whine. “Lan Wu–“

“No arguing.”

Ji Lingyue stiffened for a moment, then bit her lip and closed her eyes, resigning herself to fate. “Fine.”

Lan Wu smiled, kissing her eyelid. “Good girl.”

Ji Lingyue’s lashes fluttered, and she muttered, “You’re definitely tricking me again.”

As she spoke, a pair of fluffy black cat ears popped out from her thick hair, shaking in the wind.

“Hmm…” Lan Wu looked her up and down, then pondered. “Can you make them white?”

“…”

Ji Lingyue suddenly opened her eyes, glaring at her with embarrassment and annoyance. “No!”