Chapter 175: The Yin Qilin Borrows a Body: Heartlessness!
“Brother Shi!” Du Yuejiao, carrying Madam Demonic Vine on her back, also jumped through the chasm.
Emerging on the other side, she saw white clouds drifting lazily across the sky, the sun rising in the east.
Madam Demonic Vine, turning her head, unleashed a powerful palm strike.
The white-haired old man and Li Ximing, who had been pursuing them, wary of each other and hindered by the narrow opening, quickly retreated, not daring to face her attack.
Du Yuejiao continued down the mountain. She saw Shi Hao, his figure a blur, a trail of fire in his wake, heading towards Heavenly White Pond, a loud crash echoing from below.
She leaped after him. Changbai Mountain was the highest peak in the Qinling mountain range, its terrain treacherous.
Ascending had been relatively easy, their martial arts and light-foot techniques allowing them to navigate the difficult terrain.
But descending was more challenging. The wind whistled past her ears, her footing uncertain on the steep slopes, each jump a gamble, the landing points often slippery and treacherous.
She felt like she was constantly on the verge of falling.
But her concern for Shi Hao drove her forward, her leaps growing more desperate, the mountain winds buffeting her, forcing her to adjust her trajectory mid-air, each movement a risk.
She finally reached Heavenly White Pond, but Shi Hao had already left… He had apparently fallen into the pond, then climbed out and stumbled down the mountain.
Her heart pounding with anxiety, she leaped into the pond, her feet touching the water’s surface, channeling her energy, and then, carrying the old woman on her back, she leaped again, her movements like a dragonfly skimming the water, towards the opposite shore.
“Oh?” the old woman exclaimed in surprise.
Du Yuejiao, desperate to catch up to Shi Hao, had used both her Daoist and demonic energies simultaneously.
Since leaving the Chongxian Sect, she had mostly been using the Illusory Moon Demonic Flame Technique and its corresponding movement and sword techniques.
But now, having exhausted her demonic energy during her descent, she instinctively switched to her Daoist cultivation, using it to propel herself across the water.
She had never tried this before, but she was too desperate to care.
The old woman, although aware of her connection to the demonic sects, hadn’t paid much attention to it.
Seeing her leap, she had even snorted, thinking, Foolish girl, with her meager skills, how can she cross Heavenly White Pond?
She hadn’t expected her to switch to Daoist true energy.
Dual cultivation? Madam Demonic Vine, having never encountered such a thing, was surprised and intrigued.
Du Yuejiao, realizing it worked, continued, her speed increasing as she chased after Shi Hao, the distance between them closing.
“Interesting… very interesting,” Madam Demonic Vine muttered, her eyes gleaming.
After reaching the foot of the mountain, however, Shi Hao, who had been getting closer, began to pull away again.
Madam Demonic Vine realized that although the girl was trying her best, she couldn’t catch him.
Firstly, he was a sixth-rank martial artist, while she was only seventh-rank. The difference in their cultivation levels, especially between low-rank and mid-rank, was significant.
And secondly, Shi Hao, fueled by the potent energy of the serpent’s blood, his power surging, was like a wild beast, while the girl, although a dual cultivator, her energy depleted after running non-stop, was tiring.
Her speed decreased, and although she struggled to maintain her pace, it was beyond her limits.
She stumbled, her legs trembling under the old woman’s weight, but she continued forward, step by step.
Madam Demonic Vine suddenly said, “Stop, girl.”
The girl looked up, “But Brother Shi…”
Madam Demonic Vine snorted, “You can’t catch him. And we have company.”
Du Yuejiao, startled, stopped.
Shadowy figures were approaching from all sides.
The old woman on her back chuckled, “You want to fight here? Although I’m crippled, I’m not afraid of you.”
A voice, its tone shifting between high and low, making it impossible to tell if it was male or female, clearly disguised, laughed from behind a nearby tree, “Don’t worry, Madam. We’re all… friends. There’s no need for conflict.”
Madam Demonic Vine sneered, “Friends? You deliberately leaked the information about the Sui Marquis Pearl, leading those outsiders to the Demonic Qilin’s Lair. You call that friendly?”
The voice from behind the tree said, “You know what we want.”
Madam Demonic Vine chuckled, “Of course, you’re after the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison I’ve been cultivating. Unfortunately for you, you’re too late. Did you see that young man who just ran past here?”
The voice hesitated, “That young man, his yang energy erratic, his bloodlust evident, practically insane…”
Madam Demonic Vine’s voice was laced with a sinister amusement, “That’s right. He has the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison within him now. His blood is the poison.”
The voice behind the tree exclaimed in surprise, then shouted, “After him!”
A whoosh of wind, followed by several more, as figures emerged from the shadows, pursuing Shi Hao.
Du Yuejiao, hearing the sounds of pursuit, said angrily, “What are you doing?!”
Madam Demonic Vine said coldly, “Saving our lives. They’re after the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison. Now that they’re chasing him, they won’t bother with us. Otherwise, even I wouldn’t be able to defeat so many.”
Du Yuejiao snorted, “They’re after you, not me.”
Madam Demonic Vine chuckled, “Foolish girl, you clearly have connections to the demonic sects. How can you be so naive? They’re all demonic cultivators. Even if you weren’t with me, they would still kill you to silence you.
“And now that you’re with me, do you think they’ll believe you’re innocent?”
Du Yuejiao stumbled forward, worried, “Brother Shi…”
Madam Demonic Vine’s voice was sharp and mocking, “Such devotion, such a lovesick girl. It’s a pity men are so fickle. You care so much about him, but he might not feel the same. Even if he does now, men are easily swayed by novelty. He might be whispering sweet nothings to you now, and then, the next moment, he’ll be chasing after some younger, prettier girl.
“Men are all the same. The more you give them, the more they’ll hurt you. You’ll be heartbroken, your life ruined, yearning for his return, while he’ll be enjoying himself with other women, forgetting all about you.”
Her voice was filled with bitterness and resentment, her words like venom, making Du Yuejiao wonder what she had experienced in the past.
Du Yuejiao said, “Brother Shi is not like that.”
Madam Demonic Vine chuckled, “Isn’t he? How can you be so sure? Even if he isn’t now, he will be. Perhaps he’s already like that, and you’re just deluding yourself.”
She pressed her hand on Du Yuejiao’s shoulder, “Go into that forest over there,” pointing in a different direction.
Du Yuejiao said, “I have to go after him…”
Madam Demonic Vine sneered, “I said you’re foolish. Those men just left, and more are coming. Do you want to be caught between them? It’s better to hide.
“Once we’re gone, those pursuing us will clash with those chasing him, and then we can take advantage of the chaos.”
Du Yuejiao, realizing she had a point, gathered her remaining strength and ran towards the forest.
They hid there for a while and saw the barbarian soldiers descending the mountain, pursuing Shi Hao.
Madam Demonic Vine said, “Let’s go deeper into the mountains. We don’t want to be discovered.”
The Qinling Mountains were vast, with numerous canyons and hidden valleys. They deliberately chose the most treacherous paths, making pursuit difficult.
Reaching a deep ravine, Madam Demonic Vine said, “Let’s rest here. You’re tired. You need to recover your energy. Otherwise, you won’t be able to find him, and even if you do, you won’t be able to help him.”
Du Yuejiao helped her down onto a rock by the stream and then bent down, splashing the cool water on her face.
The ravine was deep, surrounded by sheer cliffs. A waterfall cascaded down from the east, its rumbling echoing through the canyon.
The setting sun was hidden behind the cliffs, and the ravine was filled with shadows and mist.
Madam Demonic Vine looked at Du Yuejiao and suddenly asked, “Girl, why do you possess both Daoist and demonic energy?”
Du Yuejiao, her temper flaring, retorted, “What’s it to you?”
Madam Demonic Vine sneered, grabbed her shoulder, and with a powerful yank, pulled her close, her fingers digging into her flesh like claws.
“Tell me,” she hissed.
Du Yuejiao was stubborn. Even when Shi Hao had captured and tortured her for days, she hadn’t revealed anything. Now, despite the searing pain in her shoulder, she gritted her teeth, refusing to speak.
Madam Demonic Vine, unable to break her, chuckled, “You’re a tough one, aren’t you?” She suddenly struck Du Yuejiao’s back.
Du Yuejiao gasped, a wave of chilling energy coursing through her, her body freezing, unable to move.
Madam Demonic Vine grabbed her sword, embedded it in the ground, and, using it as a support, dragged the paralyzed girl towards the waterfall.
Reaching the waterfall, she threw Du Yuejiao to the ground, a sinister smile on her face. Du Yuejiao’s eyes widened in terror as the chilling energy spread through her body.
“What… what are you doing…?” she stammered, her voice trembling.
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