Chapter 51: “Well, I’m Not Dead, Am I?”
【Congratulations to the host for completing the important “Demon Bone Awakens” plot point and successfully advancing the main storyline!】
【The system will now issue rewards—】
This garbage system, playing dead for so long, only acting at the last minute, clearly just to push the main storyline…
It hurt so much, her entire body ached. Another backlash from that unreliable system assistance.
She almost died, and all the system could offer was a “congratulations” and some paltry rewards.
All tricks, all a scam, they didn’t care about her life at all!
【Partial unlocking of advanced spells.】
Ha, as expected…
Seriously, offering this as a reward, did it want her to work for it forever?
Just because it unlocked them, didn’t mean she could use them safely!
【The protagonist’s Heavenly Demon power has been unlocked!】
Even funnier, offering the protagonist’s power as her reward? She wasn’t that stupid…
Wait…what did it just unlock?!
Heavenly…Demon power?!
【The host’s current mission completion rate is 50%. The system restriction level remains at Medium. Keep up the good work!】
What…what was going on?
Li Yu looked down, surprised.
Mu Tao was still curled up in her arms, her small body trembling slightly.
Tears stained her face, but her breathing had calmed down.
Her grip loosened; she no longer clung desperately, just nestled against Li Yu, like a wounded puppy seeking comfort.
Li Yu looked behind her.
Xiang Hanyu held Yan Buqiu’s hands, her teary eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.
The bamboo forest was no longer shrouded in miasma, and the poison within Yan Buqiu was gone.
Xiang Hanyu had said that only the power of the Heavenly Demon could cleanse the poison.
So, the Demon Bone within Mu Tao was connected to the Heavenly Demon?
Was this not mentioned in the original story, or had she missed that detail…?
Why was she even thinking about this? It wasn’t important.
What was important was that she finally understood why the original “Li Yu” had treated the little protagonist the way she did.
When the last ancient god’s soul dissipated, he entrusted the Upper Spirit Lamp and the world-protecting artifact to her; she couldn’t refuse such a responsibility.
She and Si Qinglan were the ones who sealed Mu Tao’s Demon Bone.
Having participated in that ancient battle and guarded the Upper Spirit Lamp for over four thousand years, everyone else might not recognize the Heavenly Demon’s power, but she couldn’t mistake it.
Yet, she still relented and kept the child by her side.
Perhaps, during those two hundred years, she had been constantly tormented.
Her hope for Mu Tao to grow up safely must have been intertwined with the fear of her Demon Bone awakening, the fear of the Heavenly Demon Soul Seed within the Lamp resonating with it.
What had she been thinking when Mu Tao’s Demon Bone was finally exposed?
Had she hesitated, struggled with her decision, or felt a sense of relief?
Li Yu couldn’t guess the ancient god’s thoughts, just gently stroked the girl in her arms, ignoring the pain that wracked her body.
The world was silent, the only sound the soft whimpers of the girl in pain.
Seeing Mu Tao like this made Li Yu’s heart ache.
Her mind raced, unsure what to do, what they would face together in the future.
Mu Tao slowly opened her tear-filled eyes, fear and confusion lingering in their crimson depths.
She said that a strange power was coursing through her body, so unfamiliar, so cold.
She didn’t know what was happening; she just felt pain, exhaustion, and fear…
She was afraid of becoming a monster, afraid that her master would abandon her.
“That won’t happen. I’ll always be with you,” Li Yu said gently, wiping away her tears.
Her sleeve was stained with blood, like red plum blossoms falling on white snow.
Mu Tao stared at the bloodstains, then looked down at her own blood-covered hands.
Ever since she could remember, everyone had called her useless, a freak.
How could there be a blood-red wolf?
Her cultivation was far weaker than others; she couldn’t even use the most basic spells that others learned in days.
Her master took her in but refused to teach her anything.
And when she finally started teaching her, even the cultivation manual was different from what other disciples used.
She hadn’t questioned it before, but now she finally understood.
She…
…truly was a monster.
Her master knew, had always known.
That’s why her master hadn’t been surprised by her sensitivity to the Heavenly Demon Soul Seed.
The power that truly belonged to her had been sealed within her all along.
She had been deceived all these years.
She should be heartbroken, terrified.
But she just cried loudly, burying her face in Li Yu’s arms.
So what if she was a monster, so what if she had been deceived?
Her master was still here, hadn’t abandoned her, even after being injured.
That was enough; she had nothing to fear anymore.
【Protagonist Blackening Value +5%!】
【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 55%!】
Li Yu didn’t know why it increased, just as she didn’t know why the usually quiet Mu Tao was crying so loudly.
But she knew that Mu Tao was sensitive, her thoughts far more complex than she let on.
She only needed a small hint, and Mu Tao would understand.
Such a clever girl couldn’t possibly not understand what had just happened.
What was she thinking now?
Was she heartbroken by the deception, or afraid of the future?
Li Yu waited anxiously for Mu Tao to speak.
The wait felt both short and long.
She felt a coldness seeping through her robes, chilling her skin, almost reaching her heart.
Finally, she heard Mu Tao’s soft, weak voice.
“I’m sorry, Master…”
“It’s not your fault,” Li Yu replied, frowning slightly.
Why was Mu Tao apologizing?
She hadn’t done anything wrong, didn’t even know anything, and was even injured because of it. What was she apologizing for?
“I hurt Master…”
Li Yu felt a pang of sympathy.
She pursed her lips and whispered, “It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt.”
Mu Tao: “Will I…cause trouble for Master?”
Li Yu: “…”
Li Yu didn’t know how to answer.
The Demon Bone, stimulated by the Heavenly Demon Soul Seed, had caused a massive phenomenon that surely alerted the hidden immortal sects in the human realm.
With her remaining power, she could suppress the demonic energy but couldn’t reseal the Demon Bone.
She couldn’t do much more than the male protagonist in the original story.
Just like in the novel, the immortal sects would soon send people to search for the Demon Bone.
It would be a huge problem, but she would make a different choice than the original owner.
This time, it wasn’t just about her own survival but about protecting the little protagonist, who was innocent and undeserving of her fate.
“Don’t be afraid.” She gently cupped Mu Tao’s tear-stained face, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “No matter what happens, I’ll take care of it.”
【Protagonist Blackening Value +5%!】
【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 60%!】
Li Yu: “…”
She didn’t understand.
But since it was incomprehensible, she’d put it aside for now.
Many things that couldn’t be understood would eventually become clear, or simply cease to matter.
The priority now was to figure out what to do next.
That commotion must have alerted everyone.
With the Mirror Talisman destroyed, the black-robed figure must have realized what happened; he might even be on his way here.
With her limited strength, she wouldn’t stand a chance against him in a direct confrontation.
And there was still one unfinished matter…
Li Yu looked towards the two figures in the bamboo courtyard.
As she turned, she met Xiang Hanyu’s gaze.
Xiang Hanyu didn’t look away, her red-rimmed eyes filled with complex emotions.
She seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
The Upper Spirit Lamp was in Li Yu’s possession, and the scattered birds returned to their perches, watching them.
Xiang Hanyu could see the terrifying power sealed within Mu Tao.
And she had inadvertently unleashed it.
The black-robed figure had said that only the power of the Heavenly Demon could save Yan Buqiu.
Now, the seal on the Lamp wasn’t broken, but the poison within Yan Buqiu was gone.
Looking back, it wasn’t difficult to guess the connection between Mu Tao’s sealed power and the Heavenly Demon.
Yan Buqiu was right; she had underestimated the situation.
Not only could she not control the Heavenly Demon Soul Seed, but she didn’t even know how to handle this situation.
She had almost caused a disaster.
Yan Buqiu still needed immortal energy to rebuild her spiritual root, and the black-robed figure wouldn’t help her anymore. But how could she ask the person she had deceived for help?
Mu Tao’s seal was broken; after such a commotion, it was impossible to hide it. She didn’t know what they would face in the future.
And it was all her fault…
She had to ask for help, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
As the snow silently fell, the three, each lost in their own thoughts, stared at each other.
Mu Tao, her eyes red, looked at Li Yu.
She seemed to see, in those deep blue eyes, what her master was thinking.
She sat up straight, trying to be strong despite her weakness.
Li Yu, ignoring the discomfort in her chest, stood up and walked towards Yan Buqiu.
Xiang Hanyu’s gaze followed her, her mouth opening and closing several times, then she lowered her eyes.
As Li Yu passed by, she raised her hand, a faint light flickering, drawing the Upper Spirit Lamp towards her.
She put the Lamp into her spatial pouch.
She stood before Yan Buqiu, looking down at her pale face, and sighed softly.
Did she have the strength to save her? she asked the system silently.
【In your current state, Host, using another spell isn’t recommended.】
【However, if you reactivate the formation and use the power of the demons, it might be possible.】
Were they characters from the original story?
【Yes.】
Their original ending wasn’t good, was it?
【Although the awakening of the Demon Bone cleansed the poison from Yan Buqiu’s body, the male protagonist in the original story couldn’t repair her spiritual root. The Heavenly Demon could revive at any time, and Li Yu wouldn’t expend her energy on such a minor matter.】
So, if she saved Yan Buqiu now, it might cause unforeseen changes to the storyline, right?
【That is correct.】
Li Yu was silent for a long time, then made up her mind.
It didn’t matter; things had already deviated from the original story. She might as well follow her heart.
She didn’t have much strength left anyway; if she encountered the black-robed figure, this additional expenditure wouldn’t make much difference.
Ignoring the tightness in her chest, she sighed softly. “Xiang Hanyu, I’m not saving her because of our agreement.”
Xiang Hanyu didn’t respond, her eyes downcast.
“You helped me break the formation in the City of the Undying, but you also manipulated me.” Li Yu said calmly. “Using me is one thing, but you injured my disciple; that cannot be forgiven.”
“I…”
“Remember this, I’m saving her only because I believe she doesn’t deserve such a fate.”
Tears shimmered in Xiang Hanyu’s eyes as she knelt down and kowtowed three times.
“I’m willing to serve you for the rest of my life, Exalted God. These are not empty words!” Her voice was filled with unwavering conviction.
“If you truly feel remorse, then never forget what you did to my disciple today.” Li Yu said, conjuring a faint light at her fingertip, then closed her eyes, exhausted.
If Xiang Hanyu remembered this favor, it might be helpful for Mu Tao’s difficult future.
“You can continue with your formation,” Li Yu said, the light from her fingertip flowing into Yan Buqiu’s forehead.
Xiang Hanyu stood up and looked at the birds in the forest.
The formation beneath their feet glowed again, and the birds flew towards it, their demonic energy converging, drawing the blue light into the center, gradually forming a pure white bamboo stalk.
The bird demons happily circled it, the snowflakes seemingly dancing along with them.
More and more spirits gathered outside the courtyard, watching from afar, tears in their eyes.
As the formation dissipated, Li Yu felt her strength leaving her, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
She tried to walk towards Mu Tao, but everything blurred.
This awful feeling, just like when she fainted in the City of the Undying.
Or perhaps…even worse…
Fainting at a time like this, wouldn’t she be killed by the black-robed figure in her sleep?
Thinking this, she instinctively conjured a spiritual butterfly and saw Mu Tao running towards her anxiously.
The little girl seemed to be shouting something, but she couldn’t hear.
Her consciousness faded, the last vestiges of light and shadow disappearing.
When she woke up, she was lying in bed, unsure where she was.
Her head felt heavy, her eyelids heavy.
A weight pressed against her chest, making her dread facing the new day.
But face it she must.
It was her job, after all.
The immortal sects were searching for the Demon Bone, and the black-robed figure might appear at any moment; she shouldn’t have fainted then.
Mu Tao hadn’t learned how to control her power yet; leaving her alone was too dangerous.
Li Yu sighed and forced her eyes open.
She saw snow-laden branches outside the window.
Snow was still falling, silently blanketing the flowers.
The scene was unfamiliar, but after a moment, she realized that only Si Qinglan would grow so many out-of-season flowers in winter.
This was Qianlizhu; they were back on Mount Chao Yao.
Li Yu stared at the snow and flowers outside, her mind still foggy.
How long had she been unconscious? How did they get back?
Had the immortal sects found them?
Had the black-robed figure appeared while she was unconscious?
No, those weren’t important.
What mattered was Mu Tao and the Upper Spirit Lamp.
She tried to sit up, but her body was weak, every movement sending jolts of pain through her.
Si Qinglan, sensing her movement, appeared like a wisp of smoke.
Before Li Yu could react, a green light enveloped her, solidifying into the familiar figure. With a gentle push, Si Qinglan made her lie back down.
Si Qinglan: “Just lie down and rest, please!”
Li Yu wondered if she had a fever.
Si Qinglan’s tone was sharp, almost annoyed, but seeing her calmed Li Yu down.
Si Qinglan’s presence was reassuring, so reassuring that she almost wanted to call her “Mom.”
But if she did, her compatibility would probably drop to zero, resulting in instant erasure by the system.
Thinking this, Li Yu couldn’t help but chuckle.
The laughter sent jolts of pain through her body, almost making her faint again.
“What are you laughing about?” Si Qinglan frowned, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
“I just thought…” Li Yu paused, her voice weak, “…that sounds familiar, like something I just said to you yesterday.”
How ironic.
Before leaving Mount Chao Yao, she had thought Si Qinglan was too weak and had to handle everything herself.
But after a single trip, she was the one bedridden.
Now, Si Qinglan seemed like the stronger one.
“Yesterday? Look how long you’ve been unconscious!” Si Qinglan scolded her. “You told me not to worry before you left. I shouldn’t have trusted you! I asked you to retrieve the Upper Spirit Lamp, and you come back like this? I nearly had a heart attack when I received your message!”
“Well, I’m not dead, am I?”
“Not dead yet? What do you consider ‘something happening’ then?!”
“…”
“Why are you always so nonchalant?” Si Qinglan frowned. “Some things…I thought you understood!”
“…”
“Mu Tao told me everything!” Si Qinglan continued scolding her. “Are you in any condition to be running around? The Upper Spirit Lamp was stolen, you were still injured, and you decided to save some random stranger! If you hadn’t gotten lucky and retrieved the Lamp, do you know how serious the consequences would have been?!”
“I got the Lamp back, didn’t I…?”
“What if that bird demon didn’t have the Lamp? What if she was just trying to drain your spiritual energy? What if she was working with the black-robed figure, using you to break the seal?” Si Qinglan’s anger gradually turned into fear. “Li Yu, even if you couldn’t retrieve the Lamp, you shouldn’t risk your life like that!”
Si Qinglan: “The old you would never have been so reckless…”
Li Yu: “Do you think the old me was better?”
“…At least you acted like a normal person.” Si Qinglan pouted. “If it weren’t for Mount Chao Yao needing you, I wouldn’t care whether you lived or died.”
Li Yu was momentarily speechless.
This nagging did sound like a caring elder; it almost moved her.
She hadn’t expected Si Qinglan to care so much…
She had thought Si Qinglan was disappointed in her.
After a moment of silence, she asked, changing the subject, “You brought us back?”
Si Qinglan: “Obviously!”
Li Yu: “Did you encounter the black-robed figure?”
“No!” Si Qinglan seemed annoyed by the question. “Just a bird and a bamboo.”
Didn’t the black-robed figure want the Upper Spirit Lamp?
Why didn’t he seize this opportunity?
Was he wary of something, or was he simply too far away?
Li Yu felt dizzy; her thoughts were muddled.
Just then, Si Qinglan’s continuous chatter interrupted her.
“After you left, I thought about it for a long time. So what if the Upper Spirit Lamp is lost, so what if the other immortal sects blame us? The Heavenly Demon is a matter for all the Three Realms. We, Mount Chao Yao, have guarded it for over four thousand years, and no one has ever helped us…” Si Qinglan sighed. “We’ve done our best. Sometimes, there are things we can’t do, no need to force ourselves. Blame and punishment are better than losing our lives.”
“Even ancient gods struggled against the Heavenly Demon, why push yourself so hard?” Si Qinglan continued, her voice filled with frustration. “If those people who only care about blaming us want to come, then let them! We’ll just hand over this burden and let them figure out how to guard that damn Lamp!”
Li Yu listened, her mind reeling, unsure whether Si Qinglan was being serious or just venting.
After ranting for a while, Si Qinglan lowered her gaze and conjured a faint light at her fingertip.
The light gently entered Li Yu’s forehead, and she felt the discomfort lessen slightly, her breathing becoming easier.
She reached out and swatted Si Qinglan’s hand away.
“Don’t waste your energy healing me, you’re not in much better shape yourself.”
“Hmph.” Si Qinglan rolled her eyes. “If you don’t want it, I’m not offering.”
Li Yu sighed and asked, “Where’s Mu Tao?”
Si Qinglan: “…”
Li Yu: “Well?”
Si Qinglan: “Locked up.”
Li Yu: “Locked up where?!”
Si Qinglan: “The Spirit Restraint Hall, guarded by outsiders.”
Li Yu: “…”
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