Transmigrated as The Cannon Fodder Bride of The Villainess

As soon as she entered the hole, Luo Jinxiao nearly slammed headfirst into the protruding rocks. She quickly summoned her spiritual energy, enveloping herself in a protective barrier to avoid being smashed to a pulp.

Below seemed like a bottomless pit, so dark she couldn’t see her hand in front of her face. Luo Jinxiao used her spiritual energy to slow her descent. Then, she suddenly felt something soft beneath her. She rolled over as she landed, finally reaching the bottom of the pit.

For a moment, she felt the thing beneath her move. Shocked, she struggled to get up, but then came a voice, barely containing its frustration, “Luo Jinxiao, get off me!”

Luo Jinxiao froze, realizing she had fallen on top of Qu Weiyin. They had even rolled across the ground together.

Perhaps it was her anxiousness that made her clumsy, but as she was halfway to her feet, she stepped on

something and stumbled again. This time, even Qu Weiyin wasn’t prepared. They both tumbled to the ground, landing in a heap.

The scent of flowers, more intense than usual, filled Luo Jinxiao’s senses. Qu Weiyin’s soft body collided with hers, and Luo Jinxiao froze, instinctively holding her breath, too afraid to move.

Words couldn’t describe the feeling of the other girl’s body against hers, except perhaps the word “beautiful.” Even through the layers of their robes, Luo Jinxiao could feel the delicate curves, a slenderness that a girl like her could only dream of.

Silence descended upon the cave, their heartbeats echoing in unison.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl. Finally, Qu Weiyin pushed her away and stood up without a word. She stepped back, making no attempt to illuminate their surroundings.

Luo Jinxiao mentally kicked herself. She quickly scrambled to her feet and snapped her fingers, producing a flickering silver-white light at her fingertips.

By the light of her spiritual energy, Luo Jinxiao saw Qu Weiyin standing to the side, her cheeks slightly flushed. However, before she could get a clear look, Qu Weiyin quickly turned away.

No matter the lifetime, Qu Weiyin had never been this close to anyone.

Though the girl’s body was not yet fully developed, it already possessed a delicate softness. That close embrace… she had to admit, it felt… somewhat comforting.

Qu Weiyin hated this part of herself, the part that craved warmth without her conscious permission.

“Junior Shishu, I’m so sorry…” Luo Jinxiao apologized cautiously. She felt genuinely bad and hoped Qu Weiyin wouldn’t blame her too much.

She took two steps forward, but Qu Weiyin suddenly spoke, her voice sharp with irritation.

“Stay back.”

Luo Jinxiao stopped in her tracks. Definitely angry, she thought.

“The Upper Celestial Realm is extremely dangerous. Why did you follow me down here?” Qu Weiyin asked, her tone still agitated.

“You saved me, Junior Shishu. It would be too dangerous to leave you here alone,” Luo Jinxiao explained quickly.

“What use is there in you coming down?” Qu Weiyin said, turning and walking into the darkness.

She’s looking down on me again. Luo Jinxiao felt a pang of frustration, but she kept pace with Qu Weiyin, holding her glowing hand up to light the way.

She glanced around. The cave was made entirely of rock, with loose stones scattered across the floor. It didn’t look like a natural cave, but rather an ancient ruin. She could just make out the shape of a square corridor.

Ahead, the darkness stretched on, its destination unknown and menacing. Fortunately, Qu Weiyin was walking in front, offering a sense of security.

“Junior Shishu…” Luo Jinxiao began, only to be cut off.

“This is the ruin of the Upper Celestial Realm. This place… should be a God’s Burial Ground,” Qu Weiyin stated. She walked with an assuredness that suggested familiarity, effortlessly navigating the occasional fork in the path as if she were walking through her own home.

Luo Jinxiao was bewildered. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “Junior Shishu, how do you know the way?”

Qu Weiyin shook her head. “Stop talking.”

She couldn’t very well admit that she could sense faint traces of demonic energy and was trying to lead them away from it, hoping to find an exit.

Luo Jinxiao fell silent.

The more she saw, the more this so-called Upper Celestial Realm felt like the Demon Realm. It lacked the serenity and peace one would expect from a place where immortals resided. Instead, it was gloomy and terrifying. Scattered on the ground were pale, bleached objects that resembled human bones. Each time Luo Jinxiao lowered her head to get a closer look, Qu Weiyin would shoot her a warning glance.

“The Upper Celestial Realm ruins hold countless treasures and spiritual weapons, but they are also incredibly dangerous. The Wuhui Sect has a rule, passed down since time immemorial: disciples who come here to summon spiritual weapons are only allowed to take what they need. No more, no less. Then, no harm will befall them,” Qu Weiyin said suddenly.

Luo Jinxiao instantly thought of the puppet from before.

“Someone tampered with the barrier, intending to lead me into this God’s Burial Ground. Their goal was undoubtedly to kill me,” Qu Weiyin said, suddenly stopping. Luo Jinxiao nearly bumped into her but quickly sidestepped.

“Was it Elder Qu?” Luo Jinxiao asked tentatively.

Qu Weiyin’s gaze snapped towards her. Their eyes met, one pair as deep and mysterious as the ocean, the other as clear and bright as a mountain lake.

Finally, it was the ocean that rippled first. Qu Weiyin looked away, back towards the path ahead, offering no answer.

However, Luo Jinxiao could sense a shift in her demeanor. She seemed… lighter somehow.

“Don’t involve yourself in this matter. Just remember to keep your distance from him. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, not someone you want to cross,” Qu Weiyin said, uncharacteristically talkative.

Luo Jinxiao nodded repeatedly. She knew better than anyone else the kind of person Qu Chengzhou was. She hoped she would never have to see his face again in this lifetime.

Qu Weiyin seemed to have lost her way. She paced back and forth for a moment, then reached out to touch the wall, her brow furrowed in thought. “We’re trapped. This is a maze formation.”

“God’s Burial Grounds are usually protected by powerful formations and guardians. Countless have come seeking treasure, but none have ever left alive. Our chances of survival are… slim.” Qu Weiyin deliberately drew out the last two words, her tone a strange mix of amusement and menace.

Luo Jinxiao couldn’t understand this Demon Lord at all. If their chances were slim, then they were slim. Why did she sound so… pleased about it?

“Do you wish to slay demons and eliminate evil?” Qu Weiyin asked suddenly, her expression turning serious.

Luo Jinxiao was about to answer with a resounding “yes,” but the word caught in her throat.

“Isn’t that the duty of a cultivator? To vanquish evil and uphold the righteous path?” she replied instead.

Qu Weiyin scoffed, her face darkening. She studied Luo Jinxiao for a long moment, then turned to leave.

Luo Jinxiao was utterly confused. She hurried after her. “Junior Shishu, what…”

“Then I’m afraid you’re about to get your wish. Because down here, in this God’s Burial Ground… everyone is a demon,” Qu Weiyin said. She suddenly whirled around. Luo Jinxiao, having narrowly avoided several collisions already, was prepared this time. She came to a halt just in time.

But this time, it was Qu Weiyin who moved closer, suddenly grabbing Luo Jinxiao’s neck with such force that Luo Jinxiao nearly passed out. She quickly countered with her own spiritual power, the sudden burst of white light forcing Qu Weiyin back a few steps.

“Junior Shishu, what was that for?” Luo Jinxiao choked, clutching her slender neck as she coughed.

“Do you see? I really can kill. So, when we get out of here, stay away from me,” Qu Weiyin said, breathing heavily, her phoenix eyes filled with anger.

Luo Jinxiao was taken aback by the sudden attack. Did I anger her somehow? Was it something I said about slaying demons?

But she hasn’t succumbed to demonic cultivation yet. Why would she react so strongly?

“Junior Shishu, you’re not…” Luo Jinxiao blurted out.

“Not what?” Qu Weiyin spat, her words coming out in a rush, but Luo Jinxiao pressed on.

“You’re not a demon,” she insisted.

Qu Weiyin stared at her coldly, but the anger visibly drained from her face.

Though still slightly afraid, Luo Jinxiao knew that Qu Weiyin hadn’t used her full strength. Otherwise, with the difference in their cultivation levels, Luo Jinxiao would be dead, or at least half-dead.

So… is she worried that she’ll become a demon someday?

The girl’s bright eyes flickered. She seemed to remember something and patted down her robes until she found the pouch hanging at her waist. She grabbed the Qiongqi’s tail, pulling the soundly sleeping beast out.

“Look, this is what a demon looks like. Fat, strange, and ugly. You’re beautiful. You could never be a demon,” Luo Jinxiao said with a soft laugh, trying to alleviate Qu Weiyin’s fears.

Qu Weiyin blushed.

She quickly turned away, biting her lip as if to regain her composure. “Flattery will get you nowhere,” she retorted, but the anger in her voice was forced.