Into The Sea

A complex red formation appeared in the air, radiating a dazzling light like burning flames. The next moment, a petite girl with delicate features appeared in the center, turning her head in confusion.

Soon, she saw the woman sitting on the bed with a stern face. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Master!”

Lan Wu’s expression worsened. Just as she raised her hand to cover her mouth, Ji Lingyue offered her a cup of tea. “Shanye didn’t mean to hide it from you…”

“Was it only Shanye?” Lan Wu’s emotions flared, and she clutched her chest, coughing. “You’re no better! You knew all along, and you didn’t… cough, didn’t tell me!”

“It’s my fault.” Ji Lingyue softened her voice, patting her back soothingly. “Okay, don’t make yourself sick. Here, drink some water.”

Lan Wu was silent for a moment, glaring at her before reluctantly lowering her head to sip the water from her hand.

Meanwhile, Ah Li scrambled up, running happily toward Lan Wu. But halfway there, Yu Shanye grabbed her waist, pulling her back. “Slow down. Your master can’t handle you pouncing on her like that.”

Ah Li blinked. “What’s wrong with Master?”

“Nothing.” Lan Wu couldn’t help but glare at Yu Shanye, who blinked, guiltily looking up at the ceiling.

Lan Wu took a shaky breath, pointing a trembling finger at Yu Shanye. “Undo it, undo it.”

Ah Li frowned, looking at her suspiciously, then at Yu Shanye. “Undo what?”

Yu Shanye cleared her throat. “Fine, fine. No need to get so worked up.”

She casually sliced her finger, using her blood as ink to draw a complete rune on Ah Li’s forehead. Soon, the blood on her skin began to glow faintly, merging into her flesh and disappearing.

“Ugh!” Ah Li clutched her forehead, groaning in pain, and stumbled. Yu Shanye quickly pulled her into her arms, gently stroking her head. “It’s okay, it’ll be over soon.”

Lan Wu instinctively tried to stand. “Ah Li?”

The girl clung to Yu Shanye’s sleeve, panting heavily before finally lifting her head. Her long lashes were damp with tears. “Master…”

“Hmm?”

Ah Li pressed her lips together, asking softly, “So, making a contract isn’t a good thing, right?”

Lan Wu paused. Before she could speak, Ah Li straightened, wiping away her tears. “I’m not stupid. If it was good, why would Master be so angry?”

Lan Wu sighed silently, forcing a comforting smile. “I wanted to maintain a good image in front of you. If you knew the truth, and found out I was so easily contracted, wouldn’t that be too embarrassing?”

Ah Li shook her head, pushing away from Yu Shanye. She walked to Lan Wu. “Master should have told me sooner.”

“What would telling you have changed? It would only have caused you more worry.”

“If you told me…” Ah Li sniffled, glaring at Ji Lingyue, her voice fierce, “I would’ve gone back to find help, to ask the Second Princess to save my master.”

Ji Lingyue lowered her eyes, shifting her gaze uncomfortably.

Ah Li continued, “As expected, humans are all so cunning. They’re all good at pretending…”

“Hey,” Yu Shanye interrupted. “I’ve never done anything bad to you. You can blame Ji Lingyue alone. Why are you lumping us all together?”

“You… you made a contract with me!”

“Why are you turning your back on me now? I did that to protect you. Have I ever used the contract to do anything bad to you?”

Seeing them arguing again, Lan Wu closed her eyes, feeling a headache coming on. She reached out, and Ji Lingyue, who had been watching her, quickly took her hand. “Are you uncomfortable?”

“A little tired.” Lan Wu murmured. “My wounds also hurt a bit.”

Ji Lingyue frowned, turning to the other two. “You two, go outside.”

“Why? You’re the one who should leave, you bad woman!” Ah Li clenched her fists, angry. “If Master didn’t like you, I… I would have taught you a lesson long ago!”

Yu Shanye chuckled. “Your mood changes so fast. Just a few days ago, you were calling her Sister Ah Yue… Ouch!”

Her eyes widened, and she jumped back. “You stepped on me?”

“If you keep talking, I’ll do more than step on you. I’ll bite you!”

Ji Lingyue, unable to bear it any longer, waved her sleeve, creating a gust of wind that blew the two of them out of the room, slamming the door shut.

Lan Wu was momentarily stunned, “You…”

“Hmm?” Lingyue turned to her, then knelt by the bed, lifting Lan Wu’s pant leg to reveal two long scars on her otherwise smooth, pale leg. Though the wounds had scabbed over, they still looked gruesome.

Ji Lingyue was silent for a moment, then said softly, “Let’s apply some more medicine, then we’ll continue on our way.”

As she spoke, she took out a jar of ointment, dipping her fingers into it before gently applying it to the wounds. Lan Wu looked down, noticing that Ji Lingyue’s hair was tied back with a simple string, her usual neat and refined appearance replaced by a more casual look. A few strands of hair fell across her face, and her complexion was paler than usual due to her injuries, making her appear frail.

Lan Wu blinked. “You’re very fierce.”

Ji Lingyue paused, looking up at her, as if confused.

“If you chase Ah Li away like that, she’ll dislike you even more.”

Ji Lingyue bit her lip, lowering her head to continue applying the medicine. “I’ll apologize to her later.”

Her voice sounded a little aggrieved.

Lan Wu chuckled, watching as Ji Lingyue carefully applied the ointment. She reached out, pulling Ji Lingyue up by the wrist. “That’s enough. You already applied medicine last night. Your own injuries aren’t healed yet.”

Ji Lingyue landed on her lap, her body stiffening. “It’ll press on your wounds…”

“Don’t move, then it’ll be fine.”

Lan Wu wrapped her arms around Ji Lingyue’s waist, feeling the woman’s body tense as she tried not to put her full weight on Lan Wu. Lan Wu’s heart softened. “Ah Yue.”

“Hmm?”

Lan Wu closed her eyes, shaking her head. “It’s nothing. Just let me hold you for a while. Just a little while.”

By dusk, Yu Shanye, dragging the three of them along, finally arrived at Fenyin Valley. She stepped onto the ground first, looking at the dark, misty forest ahead. “Isn’t Xuan Yu the young mistress of Yunxiao Pavilion? Why is she living in a place like this instead of the sect?”

“The sect doesn’t welcome her raising dozens of spirit beasts.”

Ji Lingyue said, reaching out to help Lan Wu, but Ah Li beat her to it.

The little girl was simple-minded, her emotions clear on her face. Even after Ji Lingyue apologized, she still scowled at her, her lips pouting as if she could hang a kettle from them.

Ji Lingyue sighed, retracting her hand and walking ahead. When she reached the center of two towering pine trees, she raised her hand and knocked on the air.

In the next moment, the wind picked up, startling a flock of birds. The calm air rippled with transparent waves, spreading outward from Ji Lingyue’s fingers.

Ah Li’s eyes widened in amazement as she looked up. Lan Wu took the opportunity to explain, “This is a barrier. It alerts the owner that guests are approaching. If you try to force your way through, you’ll be trapped in a maze.”

Ah Li nodded, “Like Penglai Island?”

Lan Wu paused. “How do you know about that?”

Yu Shanye interjected, “I told her.”

“…Okay, it’s pretty much the same.”

As they whispered among themselves, Ji Lingyue took a step back. “She’s coming.”

As soon as she spoke, the flowing barrier split open, revealing a woman in yellow robes.

When they first met in the Taixu Secret Realm, Xuan Yu had been covered in blood. When she sent Xiao Niu here, Lan Wu had stayed on the flying boat. So, this was the first time she had seen Xuan Yu’s face clearly.

The woman wasn’t particularly beautiful, but her eyes were lively. She also carried a scent that spirit beasts found particularly appealing. Lan Wu couldn’t help but sniff the air, drawn forward a few steps. Ji Lingyue, meanwhile, clasped her hands and bowed slightly. “We apologize for the intrusion.”

“Not at all.” Xuan Yu said warmly. “Your purpose for coming was made clear in the letter. Please, come in.”

Ji Lingyue nodded, gesturing for the others to follow. After they had all entered, the opening closed. Looking back, it was just the same dark forest.

But ahead, there was a sunlit valley with flowers blooming everywhere.

A single step made such a difference.

Lan Wu couldn’t help but look around. In her line of sight, there were several tigers, leopards, and deer wandering freely. Though they were spirit beasts that hadn’t yet taken human form, their relaxed demeanor and glossy fur showed how well-cared-for they were.

“Aren’t you participating in the Immortal Sect Competition this time?”

“No.” Xuan Yu shook her head. “There’s no point in competing. The winner will undoubtedly be you again. But now that you’re not going, the third-place winner will have an advantage.”

Ji Lingyue smiled. “How are your injuries? Fully healed??”

“Almost. It’s been so many days.”

As she spoke, Xuan Yu glanced back. “Is that your contracted demon beast? A… sea creature?”

Ji Lingyue nodded. “Yes. She’s a silver carp.”

“A silver carp?” Xuan Yu frowned slightly, studying Lan Wu for a moment before saying. “Still, it’s surprising that you contracted a demon beast at all. I remember you saying you’d never contract one in your lifetime. I didn’t expect you to change your mind in just twenty years.”

Ji Lingyue blinked, unwilling to elaborate. She cleared her throat, changing the subject. “Where’s your fox?”

Xuan Yu’s expression changed, her fists clenching. “I let her go.”

“Let her go?”

“Mm.” Xuan Yu lowered her eyes. “She wasn’t suited to being a contracted beast. So I… I set her free.”

“…”

It seemed they all had their own secrets.

The two looked at each other, then shifted their gaze.

Deeper in the valley, there were several simple wooden houses by a quiet stream. Xuan Yu pointed to them. “These houses are all empty. You can stay as long as you like. It’s usually just me here, so it gets lonely. Having you around will be nice.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks,” Xuan Yu shook her head. She glanced at Lan Wu, then walked quickly into one of the houses. She came back with a small box. “This contains medicine I use to treat spirit beasts. It’s very effective. If you don’t mind, please take it.”

Lan Wu shook her head. “How could we refuse? Thank you so much.”

Then, Yu Shanye said, “Since you’re all settled, I should go back.”

Ji Lingyue was startled. “Why? Aren’t you staying for a few days?”

Yu Shanye shook her head. “No, I’m still part of the sect. I have to follow the sect’s orders. After the competition is over, I’ll come back to see you. If anything happens, I can bring you news.”

Ji Lingyue hesitated. “Okay, then I’ll see you off.”

Yu Shanye laughed. “See me off? Since when are we so formal?”

“I wouldn’t bother for anyone else,” Ji Lingyue said, instructing Lan Wu to sit down and rest. She told Ah Li, “Take care of your master.”

“You don’t have to tell me. I know.”

Ji Lingyue nodded, about to walk out with Yu Shanye when Xuan Yu stopped her. She handed her a jade pendant. “Take this. With this, you can freely enter and exit the barrier.”

“Thank you.”

The two of them walked away, their figures growing smaller in the distance. Lan Wu watched them go, then turned to Ah Li, noticing the girl was also staring after them, her brows furrowed with reluctance.

She couldn’t help but say, “If you miss Shanye, go see her off.”

Ah Li was startled, blinking in confusion. “I, I don’t miss her. It’s just that… since I came to the human realm, I’ve been with her all the time. So, it’s a little weird…”

“Is that so?” Lan Wu asked. “You two were arguing so fiercely this morning. I thought you disliked her.”

“I don’t dislike her…” Ah Li pouted. “It’s just that she always teases me.”

Lan Wu chuckled, patting Ah Li’s head but saying nothing more.

After seeing Yu Shanye off, night had fallen. The mountains were quiet, and the lights of the distant town had mostly gone out, leaving only a few scattered glimmers. Ji Lingyue walked back alone, the sound of snapping twigs under her feet breaking the silence. When she reached the two pine trees, she took out the jade token to open the barrier, but suddenly felt a chilling presence behind her.

The wind picked up, and Ji Lingyue’s ears twitched. She dodged to the side just in time to avoid a sword strike, then stepped back to evade a palm aimed at her chest.

Without a weapon, she picked up a dry branch from the ground, channeling spiritual energy into it, and swept it forward. The demon was also very agile, bending her body at an impossible angle. She pushed off the ground with her hands, leaping several feet away.

The forest was silent again. Both of them were still, watching each other warily.

The clouds parted, and moonlight shone down, revealing two slanted shadows. Ji Lingyue finally got a clear look at the demon’s face. Her eyebrows were arched, her lips were a vibrant red. Even though she was filled with killing intent, she was still beautiful.

Ji Lingyue’s brows furrowed in surprise. “Aren’t you… that fox demon?”