Category: A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life

Chapter 84: It’s Okay, I’ll Grow Up Eventually

It was a light pink, short-sleeved dress, well-tailored, quite fashionable, and very girly, the kind that adolescent girls in the mortal world would love.

However, the size of this dress… wasn’t for a young girl.

“Wow, Luo Xue, I didn’t expect you to have this kind of dress!”

Nangong Mengxiang’s eyes lit up. She immediately took the dress from Luo Xue and held it against herself.

“Eh, it seems to fit me perfectly…”

Luo Xue was only a little over 1.4 meters tall, while Nangong Mengxiang had a supermodel figure, over 1.7 meters.

No matter how one looked at it, Luo Xue’s clothes… shouldn’t fit Nangong Mengxiang.

“Because it’s not mine, it’s… a friend’s.”

Luo Xue swallowed the words “Senior Sister.” She couldn’t casually reveal her past in this place.

Although, with Nangong Mengxiang’s brain, she might not even notice.

“But it really does fit you perfectly.” As Luo Xue spoke, she suddenly thought of something and slapped her forehead. “Wait, let me adjust it, the top might be a bit tight…”

But before Luo Xue could finish, Nangong Mengxiang had already excitedly put on the dress, her voice filled with delight.

“I’ve always wanted to buy a dress like this, but Master always said it didn’t suit me and kept buying me leather jackets and pants… Eh, Luo Xue, what did you just say?”

Luo Xue stared blankly as Nangong Mengxiang put on the dress. It fit perfectly, as if it were tailor-made for her.

…Including the top.

Luo Xue stretched out her hand, trembling slightly as she compared their sizes, a terrifying thought flashing through her mind.

Could it be that Senior Sister also had this kind of figure…

Thinking about it carefully, whenever Senior Sister appeared, she was either wearing a classic and elegant long dress or a loose sleeping robe.

In both cases, it was difficult to tell if Senior Sister was… well-endowed…

“I’m still young, it’s okay, I’ll grow up eventually.”

Luo Xue took a few deep breaths, gradually calming herself down.

“Does it look good?”

Nangong Mengxiang parted her long hair into two sections, holding them in her hands and forming pigtails.

She looked at Luo Xue expectantly, waiting for her answer.

Honestly, a mature and charming woman wearing such a girly dress and making such innocent gestures was… was…

Hard to describe.

“It… looks good…”

Luo Xue said, feeling a bit awkward.

It did look good. With Nangong Mengxiang’s looks and figure, she would look good even if she wore bandages as clothes.

But it also felt strange, a sense of incongruity.

Suddenly, Luo Xue understood why Senior Sister never wore these kinds of dresses.

Receiving affirmation, Nangong Mengxiang was delighted, but she still let down her pigtails and tied her hair into a high ponytail.

“It’s a pity that pigtails get in the way during fights,” Nangong Mengxiang muttered, her tone slightly disappointed. “And so does this dress. Besides, this is your dress, it wouldn’t be good if it gets damaged.”

“Actually, it doesn’t matter if it gets damaged. I have several more.”

Luo Xue comforted her, feeling like she was coaxing a child—even though she was the child!

“Knock, knock, knock…”

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

In an instant, Nangong Mengxiang seemed to become a different person, her gaze sharp as a blade, blood energy surging around her.

It was a completely subconscious action, a baleful aura emanating from her.

Luo Xue, seeing this, also reached for the dagger on the table, her expression turning serious.

“Is the guest there? Can we come in and clean the room?”

Two sweet voices rang out in unison, their tone professional.

Hearing the voices outside, Nangong Mengxiang relaxed, her expression softening.

“I’m here, I’m here, come in and clean.”

She turned to Luo Xue. “It’s nothing, just the two little bosses of the inn.”

Luo Xue nodded, put down her dagger, and relaxed slightly.

“We’re coming in~”

The door opened, and two similar, petite figures appeared. They were twins.

They wore the same coarse cloth dresses, their faces almost identical, standing together like indistinguishable shadows.

Judging by their age, they were a bit older than Luo Xue, around sixteen or seventeen.

Their cute, round faces and sweet smiles easily made people feel a good impression.

“Guest, why does the smell of blood in your room seem much stronger than usual today? But it’s not as messy as the previous times.”

The one who spoke first seemed to be the older sister. She carried a basin of water and walked in skillfully, sniffing the air.

“I encountered a strong enemy and was seriously injured, but I’m almost healed now.”

Nangong Mengxiang moved her shoulders and swung her arms.

Except for a faint lingering pain in her back, she was fine.

“You have to be careful, guest. Our small inn relies on your spending.” The older sister giggled, chatting with Nangong Mengxiang while cleaning the room. “But why did you suddenly change your style of clothing today?”

“Does it look good?”

Nangong Mengxiang raised her head slightly, enjoying the compliment.

Just then, the younger sister nudged the older sister, who was diligently scrubbing the floor, her movements a bit hurried, causing some water to spill from the basin.

“Mei, I’m still working, what’s wrong?”

The older sister looked up and asked, frowning slightly in dissatisfaction.

The younger sister just pouted and winked, not saying a word.

The older sister became a bit angry. “The guest is still here, can we be a bit more professional!”

“Pro-, professional…” The younger sister became anxious. “That’s exactly what I mean!”

“What do you mean, professional!”

The older sister was completely enraged and stood up.

But just then, she caught sight of another figure in the room from the corner of her eye and turned her head.

Luo Xue was sitting on the bed, silently watching the two sisters.

The older sister’s mouth opened slightly.

“Truly professional…”

Luo Xue’s expression turned strange as she watched this scene.

When they first entered, because Luo Xue was sitting on the bed and was small, they hadn’t noticed her.

Then Luo Xue noticed that when the younger twin saw her, a surprised expression appeared on her face.

She was still wondering if the younger sister knew her when the younger sister suddenly said “professional.”

She initially thought it was just the younger sister being silly, but then the older sister saw her and also said “professional.”

Could it be that these sisters were playing some new game?

Luo Xue looked at herself. She was still in her standard slave attire, which had nothing to do with being a professional innkeeper…

“What’s wrong?” Nangong Mengxiang leaned over. “She’s my accomplice, her name is Luo Xue!”

“Accomplice…”

The older sister’s eyes widened, and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

Oh my god… how could the target be Nangong Mengxiang’s accomplice…

Nangong Mengxiang had suddenly appeared at the inn’s door three months ago, covered in serious injuries and almost dying.

Perhaps out of some inexplicable kindness, the twin sisters had saved the unconscious Nangong Mengxiang—they had simply brought her into the inn, cleaned her up a bit, and then left her on the bed to fend for herself.

They didn’t have Luo Xue’s rich experience and medicine and couldn’t treat Nangong Mengxiang’s injuries.

However, after sleeping for a few days, Nangong Mengxiang’s injuries had completely healed.

As a token of gratitude, Nangong Mengxiang gave the twin sisters some money and stayed at the inn.

Nangong Mengxiang occasionally left the inn, but every time she returned, she had some injuries.

The twin sisters never asked about her affairs. The rent Nangong Mengxiang paid was much higher than that of ordinary guests, and they knew that some things were better left unknown.

However, one thing was certain: Nangong Mengxiang was very strong.

At least, crushing them wouldn’t be a problem.

“The offer was too low… No wonder they only offered five Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills,” a drop of cold sweat trickled down the older sister’s forehead, and she stopped cleaning. “No, five is still too low! Early Innate Realm is correct… but who knew she had a Foundation Establishment cultivator protecting her!”

And not just an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.

They had thought she was just an escaped cauldron slave, an easy target, but this soft persimmon was in the hands of a ferocious beast…

“Big Sis, should we do it?”

The younger sister whispered.

“Do what!” The older sister hissed. “Nangong Mengxiang is right here!”

“Hmm?”

At this moment, Luo Xue silently reached for her dagger.

She had always been vigilant, even when the two sisters were acting strangely.

Aunt Hei Pao had warned her that although theoretically, the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall’s reach couldn’t extend to Ghost Demon Pass in You Province, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Just now, Luo Xue had clearly heard the word “do it” in the sisters’ whispers.

Were they spies for the Law Enforcement Hall?

“What are you talking about?” Nangong Mengxiang asked curiously. “Do it? Do what? Clean the room? Am I in the way?”

You are in the way, but not in that way.

“Sorry, guest, your presence here is indeed inconvenient.” A professional smile reappeared on the older sister’s face, and she turned to Luo Xue. “The same goes for this guest’s friend. Would you mind stepping outside? We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”

“Yes, yes, please go outside.”

The younger sister nodded.

“Oh, okay.”

Nangong Mengxiang didn’t think much of it and pulled Luo Xue’s hand, leading her out of the room.

Luo Xue was filled with suspicion. Her intuition told her that the two sisters definitely weren’t talking about cleaning the room.

But she couldn’t figure it out, so she could only let Nangong Mengxiang lead her out of the room.

The door closed with a click, and then the older sister’s voice rang out again.

“By the way, guest, your breakfast is at table three downstairs. But we only made one portion, so the two of you will have to share.”

“Oh, okay, no problem.”

Nangong Mengxiang replied, then walked downstairs, muttering,

“The food these sisters make is really delicious, it’s a pity that most cultivators in Ghost Demon Pass have already reached the point where they don’t need to eat, so their business isn’t good.”

“Luo Xue, you have to try it. After you reach the point where you don’t need to eat, you won’t be able to enjoy such delicacies…”

Ordinary cultivators would gradually stop needing food after reaching the Spirit Condensation Realm, and completely abstain from food upon reaching Foundation Establishment.

But body cultivators were an exception. Body cultivation was a different path.

Luo Xue looked back at the room, her gaze deep.

But soon, she followed Nangong Mengxiang downstairs.

…

Inside the room.

Sha Yiyi, the older twin, cast a silencing spell, then waited for a while until there was no more movement outside, before turning and pinching her younger sister’s ear.

“You’re so stupid! How could you just say it outright!”

“Big Sis… Big Sis… Didn’t we find her?” The younger sister, Sha Keke, said with a look of grievance. “She’s only at the early Innate Realm. If we find an opportunity, it should be easy to take her, right?”

“The main problem is Nangong Mengxiang… We don’t know her relationship with the target, and we can’t afford to offend her.” Sha Yiyi sighed. “Nangong Mengxiang pays a lot for her room, fifty basic Qi Condensation Pills every day!”

Fifty basic Qi Condensation Pills were equivalent to half a Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pill. This mission only paid two Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills. How could they afford to lose Nangong Mengxiang as a customer?

Besides, whether they could even take the target from Nangong Mengxiang was a question…

“Big Sis, should we just give up on this mission?” Sha Keke sat down, resting her chin on her hand, and played with her hair. “The target seems so pitiful…”

Hesitation flickered in Sha Yiyi’s eyes, but she quickly became firm.

“We can’t give up! This is our Shadow Gang’s first business deal. If we break our contract, how can we do more business in the future!”

She paused, then said dejectedly, “If we can’t even complete such a simple commission, our inn will have to close down…”

Once the inn closed down, the two sisters would be homeless.

With Sha Yiyi and Sha Keke’s weak cultivation, the reason they could survive in Ghost Demon Pass was entirely because of this inn.

Even if it was dilapidated and business was poor, the inn was still a property of the Medicine Gang, under their protection.

As long as the sisters didn’t cross the Medicine Gang’s bottom line, no one would dare to touch them.

But without the inn… things would be different.

To save the inn, Sha Yiyi and Sha Keke decided to debut as… Ghost Demon Pass’s Shadow Gang!

And their first mission hit a snag.

“If only we could find a way for Nangong Mengxiang to not resist us taking the target…” Sha Yiyi frowned. “The deadline is this afternoon. We still have three or four hours…”

“Wait, Big Sis, the client didn’t ask us to kill the target, right?” Sha Keke suddenly slapped her forehead. “I remember the mission details were…”

“Capture the target and deliver her to the Youxiang Restaurant this afternoon.” Sha Yiyi added, her eyes gradually brightening. “We can just tell Nangong Mengxiang that we’re treating them to lunch at the Youxiang Restaurant, wouldn’t that work?”

“But Big Sis,” Sha Keke said weakly, “A meal at the Youxiang Restaurant costs at least half a Mystic-rank Qi Condensation Pill…”

“Silly, we’re not actually treating them. We just need to bring them there!”

Chapter 83: The Bounty of the Shadow Gang, A Dress Finally Comes in Handy 

Treating the masked beauty’s injuries was truly strenuous work. Not only was there the terrifying sword wound on her back, but her entire body was covered in wounds of varying sizes.

However, none of these were as severe as the sword wound, which was already showing signs of healing thanks to the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill.

Thinking about it, with her fighting style, it was normal for her to sustain so many injuries.

Luo Xue spent a great deal of effort bandaging all these wounds.

Soon, the room was filled with scraps of dark blue, almost black, nightwalker suit material, and the masked beauty—perhaps now better described as a mummy beauty—lay on the bed, wrapped in bandages, sleeping soundly.

“I ended up cutting all her clothes to shreds…”

Luo Xue wiped the sweat from her forehead. Even with her Innate Realm cultivation, it was difficult to endure such high-intensity work.

“But she’s really… well-endowed…”

Luo Xue looked at the mummy beauty, poked her soft body, then looked down at herself.

“I should grow bigger, I’m still young,” Luo Xue muttered. “As long as I don’t inherit my previous life’s body, it should be fine…”

After cleaning the room and dealing with the bloodstains on the floor, Luo Xue finally had time to rest.

So much had happened today, and she was exhausted.

Ignoring the slightly eerie sleeping mummy beside her, Luo Xue lay down on the bed.

Sleepiness gradually overcame her, and her heavy eyelids slowly closed.

She fell asleep.

…

A dark and windy night.

“Tomorrow afternoon, at the Youxiang Restaurant. The target is at the early Innate Realm. This is her portrait and aura.”

A cold female voice rang out, and a portrait floated towards the shadows.

“Five Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills? Are you looking down on the Shadow Gang?”

A man wearing a bamboo hat, his entire body hidden in the shadows, took the portrait and asked in a sharp, sinister voice.

“We don’t want her dead, just bring her to us.” The cold female voice continued. “Five Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills is already a generous offer. We won’t offer more.”

“Ignorant woman, what do you take the Shadow Gang for…”

The man in the bamboo hat said menacingly, as if he would attack at any moment.

“…If you add one more, it’s not impossible.”

The cold female voice spoke softly, a chilling aura faintly rising around her.

“Impudent! A mere Innate Realm cauldron brat, is she worth this price?” The man in the bamboo hat shouted in a low voice, a hint of anger in his tone. “The last time we assassinated a Spirit Condensation cultivator, it was only twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills. What makes this Innate Realm brat so special!”

“Final offer, two Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills, no more!”

The cold female voice paused, seemingly surprised by this situation.

How could the shopkeeper lower their own offer…

“Hehe, we, the Shadow Gang, are legitimate businessmen. We deal in the business of buying lives with money, so naturally, there’s a market price. If we raise prices arbitrarily, how can we continue doing business in Ghost Demon Pass?”

The man in the bamboo hat picked up the portrait, memorized the image of the flax-haired girl, then used his spiritual power to turn it into flames, burning it to ashes.

“The Shadow Gang accepts this mission. Half as a deposit, and the other half after the mission is completed.”

The cold female voice was silent for a moment, then tossed a pill over.

She had originally intended to pay the full amount, but considering the strange temper the man in the bamboo hat had just displayed… she decided to follow his words.

A few Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills didn’t matter to her. She had as many low-level pills as she wanted, but she couldn’t reveal her identity now.

Especially… Master Wumu was currently in Ghost Demon Pass.

The reason she sought out the unknown Shadow Gang was to avoid attracting attention.

The man in the bamboo hat weighed the Qi Condensation Pill in his hand and put it away in his storage pouch.

Then, a cold wind blew, and the shadow instantly dissipated, vanishing without a trace.

A moment later, a tall figure appeared out of thin air, looking in a certain direction.

It was Shangguan Lengyan, the prodigy of the Evil Ghost lineage of the Demonic Ghost City.

The man in the bamboo hat’s escape technique naturally couldn’t escape her eyes.

“This shadow escape technique has some similarities to the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s… but it’s crude and unrefined.” A bloody glint flashed in Shangguan Lengyan’s scarlet eyes. “But I can’t see through his cultivation… As expected of the hub of the borderlands, Ghost Demon Pass is full of hidden experts.”

“Senior Brother Sima’s caution is indeed justified.”

Of course, this matter was just a minor side project.

If this so-called Shadow Gang could bring back that slave girl, then so be it. If not, there was no need to specifically look for her.

What was more important now was Master Wumu, and the approaching Ghost Demon Pass auction.

Who knew how many eyes were watching…

Shangguan Lengyan concealed her aura, and her figure slowly dissipated.

“Big Sis, did you memorize the target’s appearance before burning it?”

“I vaguely remember some… Oh, doesn’t this make us look professional! Finally, a simple commission, I don’t want to mess it up.”

“…But we’re not professionals! The so-called Shadow Gang is just the two of us!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Let’s go back to the inn first, and tomorrow morning, we’ll conduct a thorough search! Our tracking skills are top-notch!”

“I still feel like Big Sis isn’t very reliable…”

“Taking on small commissions is already very reliable, okay!”

…

The next morning, as the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon.

After a rare dreamless sleep, Luo Xue slowly opened her eyes, sensed someone beside her, and subconsciously called out,

“Senior Sister…”

“Hmm?”

The voice that answered her was unfamiliar.

The next moment, Luo Xue was fully awake.

She realized that her Senior Sister was no longer beside her.

An uncontrollable feeling of loss welled up in her heart.

Turning her head, Luo Xue saw a pair of blinking eyes, a stiff mummy staring back at her.

“Were you calling me?”

The mummy—let’s call her Miss Mummy—stared intently at Luo Xue.

“…No.”

Luo Xue averted her gaze.

“But I’m the only one here.”

Miss Mummy looked confused.

“I just called out the wrong name,” Luo Xue quickly sat up and said faintly, “You’ve been awake for a while?”

“I woke up a while ago,” Miss Mummy replied, her tone slightly annoyed. “But why did you tie me up like this… Ugh, I can’t move.”

Due to her previous serious injuries, she couldn’t use her blood energy for the time being.

Furthermore, the bandages Luo Xue used weren’t ordinary either. They were tightly bound, making it impossible to break free.

“I had to, to treat your injuries.” Luo Xue replied.

She composed herself, suppressing her lingering feelings of loss, and continued, “Also, who are you? Why did you rob the alchemy shop?”

Although this Big Sister seemed a bit… slow, Luo Xue still wanted to figure out what was going on.

At least, she had to find out her identity…

Miss Mummy, however, was surprised.

“Eh, aren’t we accomplices?”

“…Not at first, but circumstances forced us to become accomplices.” Luo Xue’s brow twitched slightly.

“Oh, because I’m broke, so I went to rob them.” Miss Mummy replied. “My identity, hmph… Master said I can’t tell anyone.”

A hidden identity?

Could she be some kind of reclusive expert with a mission?

This was also a common trope in stories… It seemed she had been influenced by Senior Sister Guijiao.

Luo Xue looked down at Miss Mummy, who was wriggling and trying to break free from the white bandages.

…A reclusive expert should have more brains, right?

“Forget it, let me help you.” Seeing Miss Mummy struggling, Luo Xue sighed. “If you keep moving like this, your almost healed wounds will worsen.”

Hearing this, Miss Mummy stopped struggling and let out a giggle, a bright smile appearing on her bandaged face, only her eyes visible.

“Thanks, accomplice. You’re such a good person.”

“…That’s not how you use the ‘good person card’.” Luo Xue was speechless. She hadn’t expected to be given a “good person card” in such a situation. “Also, I’m not your ‘accomplice.’ I have a name, call me Luo Xue.”

“Okay, Luo Xue.” Miss Mummy nodded repeatedly. “My name is Nangong Mengxiang. You can call me Nangong.”

Miss Nangong lived up to her name, possessing a dreamy fragrance, not just a scent, but more like a feeling.

“Don’t move yet.”

Luo Xue leaned closer and examined her carefully.

Although Nangong Mengxiang was a bit clueless, she was still obedient.

After Luo Xue spoke, she lay still on the bed.

“Your injuries… seem to have almost completely healed?” Luo Xue checked a few of the more serious wounds from before and couldn’t help but be surprised. “This… it hasn’t even been half a day, right?”

Although they were considered “more serious,” for ordinary cultivators, they were almost fatal.

But for Nangong Mengxiang, they were… insignificant.

“Turn over, let me check your back.” Luo Xue said. The most serious injury should be the sword wound on her back, which had almost cut her in half.

“Untie me first, it’s uncomfortable…”

Nangong Mengxiang muttered softly.

“If you don’t turn over, I won’t untie you.”

“Oh.”

Nangong Mengxiang obediently turned over, revealing her curvaceous back.

Luo Xue took out her dagger, condensed her spiritual power, and carefully cut a few bandages.

Beneath the bandages was baby-smooth skin, with a faint pink hue.

Luo Xue’s pupils constricted.

It had… almost completely healed.

Although a thin scar remained, it was basically fine. Compared to yesterday’s gruesome appearance, it was like a different person.

“Was it Senior Sister’s medicine, or is this Nangong Mengxiang…”

Even for a body cultivator, this was too abnormal, wasn’t it?

Luo Xue had some understanding of body cultivation. After all, in her situation, she might have to take the path of body cultivation in the future.

“Are you done, Luo Xue?”

Nangong Mengxiang’s voice came, sounding a bit aggrieved.

“Yes, I’ll untie you now.”

Luo Xue came back to her senses and carefully cut the tightly bound bandages with her dagger.

With Nangong Mengxiang’s healing speed, these bandages were indeed unnecessary, just some external injury medicine later—or perhaps not even that.

As Luo Xue cut all the bandages, Nangong Mengxiang suddenly stood up, the bandages falling away, revealing her beautiful, naked body.

“Wow, it seems to be healing faster than before.” Nangong Mengxiang, completely unconcerned about her nakedness, stretched her body. “Luo Xue, are you a doctor?”

Although they were both girls, facing such a scene still made Luo Xue blush slightly and avert her gaze.

“I’m… not a doctor, I’ve just been injured many times in the past, so I’m more experienced in treating injuries.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. I’m also often injured, but I just sleep.”

Nangong Mengxiang scratched the back of her head and giggled.

“But with injuries like this, I usually have to sleep for several days. I didn’t expect to wake up so soon this time. Luo Xue, you’re amazing.”

Sleep… for several days?

Wait, she had similar injuries before?

Luo Xue’s eyes widened, staring at Nangong Mengxiang as if she were a monster.

With such a healing ability, there was indeed no need to learn how to treat injuries.

“It seems the haul this time is quite good. Let me count, and then we’ll split the loot.”

Nangong Mengxiang sat cross-legged, took out a pile of storage pouches from somewhere, and began to expertly process them.

It seemed she had done this many times before.

“Um, Nangong, ahem… clothes, clothes.”

Luo Xue coughed lightly, reminding Nangong Mengxiang.

“What clothes?” Nangong Mengxiang looked up, her mature and charming face showing childlike confusion. “Is there something wrong with your clothes?”

“I’m talking about your clothes…”

Luo Xue said listlessly.

Honestly, if the person involved wasn’t embarrassed, why should she be?

If not for her lack of brains, Nangong Mengxiang could be considered a stunning beauty, her every move exuding charm, it was just that she was a bit… silly.

“My clothes… ah, right! My custom-made nightwalker suit! It was so expensive…”

Nangong Mengxiang slapped her forehead and started searching.

“That nightwalker suit… I cut it up while treating your injuries.” Luo Xue touched her nose. “There was no other way… it was already torn, I’ll compensate you for it.”

But why would she wear a nightwalker suit to rob someone in broad daylight…

Oh, it’s Nangong Mengxiang, never mind.

“I see, then there’s nothing we can do.” Nangong Mengxiang didn’t pursue the matter after learning this. “It doesn’t matter if you compensate me or not. I’ll just save up and buy another one.”

She paused, then smiled. “After all, Luo Xue, you saved me.”

For some reason, the image of Nangong Mengxiang throwing herself in front of her flashed through Luo Xue’s mind again.

This silly woman…

“But I can’t just stay naked. Let me see if I have any clothes suitable for you.”

Luo Xue searched through her storage ring. She didn’t even know how many things were inside.

“It doesn’t matter, we’re both girls, there’s no need to be so shy.”

Nangong Mengxiang waved her hand, then watched as Luo Xue took out a little dress with a strange expression.

“…It seems Senior Sister forgot to take this.”

Chapter 82: Hyenas Feast, Shadows Flee 

Senior Sister hadn’t told Luo Xue what level of pill the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill was.

In fact, it was a top-grade pill that could even save a dying Core Formation cultivator.

Moreover, the ones Senior Sister gave Luo Xue were all high-grade Mystic rank.

Not to mention that they were priceless and extremely rare, the value of each high-grade Mystic rank Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill was equivalent to at least a thousand Mystic-rank Qi Condensation Pills.

…Even if the masked beauty gave Luo Xue everything she had robbed today, it wouldn’t be enough to equal the value of this single pill.

Being so expensive and rare, its effects were naturally extraordinary.

Shortly after swallowing the pill, the masked beauty regained consciousness, and the external wounds on her body healed at a visible speed, her blood energy replenished.

She glanced at Luo Xue, her expression returning to its usual indifference.

Meanwhile, Elder Wu, thinking that the masked beauty was at her limit after taking his sword strike, relaxed slightly.

Taking a direct hit from a Core Formation cultivator, let alone a Foundation Establishment cultivator, even a fellow Core Formation cultivator would suffer serious injuries.

Unless they were a Core Formation body cultivator.

It was precisely because she was a body cultivator that the masked beauty could last until now.

Just as Elder Wu was about to capture the masked beauty and Luo Xue, to show everyone the consequences of offending the Tianhai Gang, the masked beauty suddenly burst with strength, picked up Luo Xue, and vanished in a flash.

Her figure flickered, appearing dozens of feet away in an instant.

Using the surrounding terrain, the masked beauty quickly disappeared from everyone’s sight.

“What!” Elder Wu was slightly surprised. “How could her injuries…”

But he quickly calmed down, snorted coldly, locked onto the masked beauty’s aura, and gave chase.

If he let her escape like this, what would become of the Tianhai Gang’s reputation?

The reason the Ghost Demon Gang was split up decades ago was because of several failed operations. Unable to even protect their own interests, they were attacked by all sides, their territory divided, leading to the current situation.

Survival of the fittest, this was the eternal law of the borderlands.

Once they showed weakness, it would be followed by endless probing and testing, eventually leading to their collapse.

After Elder Wu left, Liu Qingfeng couldn’t stay here any longer.

He glared at the alchemist resentfully and hurried back to the Tianhai Gang’s headquarters.

Whether Elder Wu succeeded or not, Liu Qingfeng had to take responsibility for today’s failure, which made him resent the alchemist even more.

“If not for this idiot being robbed, I… I wouldn’t have encountered such bad luck!”

His earlier arrogance was completely gone.

The pathetic alchemist was the most miserable one today. He sat slumped in the ruins, his shop destroyed, his storage pouch stolen.

And he had been targeted by the young master of the Tianhai Gang, which was the most dangerous thing.

After the Tianhai Gang disciples left, the surrounding crowd immediately swarmed in.

They searched the ruins of the alchemy shop for anything valuable, the scene turning chaotic.

Like hyenas feasting on the carcass of a jackal.

…

“Ugh…”

Luo Xue was buried in something soft, every breath filled with the pungent scent of incense and the heavy smell of blood.

The masked beauty was agile. After the effects of the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill gradually took effect, her injuries improved considerably.

More importantly, she was very familiar with Ghost Demon Pass.

Even… more familiar than Elder Wu.

Although Elder Wu was a Core Formation cultivator, he didn’t dare to use his Divine Sense for a large-scale search in Ghost Demon Pass. He could only track the masked beauty by following her aura.

Ghost Demon Pass was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Even the factions that controlled a region couldn’t completely dominate the city.

After all, on the surface, only the three major factions had Nascent Soul old monsters, but who knew if there were other Nascent Soul experts hiding their identities within Ghost Demon Pass?

If he recklessly used his Divine Sense and disturbed some eccentric Nascent Soul old monster…

Even the Tianhai Gang might not be able to handle the consequences, and Elder Wu would only have himself to blame.

This situation gave the masked beauty a chance to escape. Otherwise, it would be difficult for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to escape a Core Formation cultivator with the power of a small world.

The Divine Sense of a Core Formation cultivator was far superior to that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It contained a trace of the power of a small world, and once locked on, it was impossible to escape.

Without the aid of Divine Sense, Elder Wu’s pursuit was difficult, but he still followed closely.

However, after the masked beauty crossed an invisible line, Elder Wu stopped.

He watched the agile figure disappear among the buildings, his expression darkening, but he didn’t continue the pursuit.

“The Medicine Gang…”

Indeed, the masked beauty had escaped into the territory of the Medicine Gang.

The Tianhai Gang and the Medicine Gang were always at odds. Elder Wu, as a high-ranking member and a core figure of the Tianhai Gang, if he rashly entered the Medicine Gang’s territory, it would be considered a provocation.

Even if the Tianhai Gang might initiate a direct conflict with the Medicine Gang soon.

But for now, Elder Wu couldn’t bear the responsibility of being the trigger for war.

“Such serious injuries, yet she could escape at that speed… She must have consumed some precious healing medicine.”

Elder Wu frowned. After calming down, he realized something was amiss.

“To be able to achieve this, it must be a treasure even Core Formation cultivators would find rare.”

“But the question is, if she has such a pill, why would she rob a small alchemy shop?”

“No, that’s not right… Was she really there to rob the alchemy shop?”

“Perhaps…” Elder Wu looked up and narrowed his eyes slightly. “It’s related to the Medicine Gang.”

Indeed, such a precious pill could only be casually given to a Foundation Establishment cultivator by the Medicine Gang.

And… she was also a body cultivator.

Body cultivators had many advantages against ordinary cultivators, but they also had many weaknesses.

The most significant weakness was… slow cultivation, high resource consumption, and a heavy reliance on talent.

In the entire Ghost Demon Pass, only the Medicine Gang could afford to support a body cultivator.

As these clues came together, Elder Wu felt that he was close to the truth, and his expression darkened even further.

As Elder Wu’s aura appeared unrestrainedly at the border between the Medicine Gang and the Tianhai Gang’s territories, many high-ranking members of the Medicine Gang looked over, seemingly on guard.

Each faction only had a few Core Formation elders, and their every move was closely watched.

“Just as I thought…”

Elder Wu chuckled and said loudly,

“Well played, Medicine Gang. Tomorrow, I will bring our Gang Leader to discuss this matter with you! To seek justice!”

With that, he turned and left, not bothering to say another word to the Medicine Gang.

The Medicine Gang members looked at Elder Wu’s receding figure, puzzled, and whispered amongst themselves.

“Did Elder Wu of the Tianhai Gang take the wrong medicine today? Why did he suddenly come over and say that?”

“Hmph, the Tianhai Gang has been eyeing our resources for a long time. This must be a plot they’ve concocted!”

“But I just saw Elder Wu seemed to be chasing someone… but I didn’t sense any aura…”

“I can confirm that he was indeed chasing someone, but it’s possible that the Tianhai Gang is deliberately doing this. Back when we attacked Ghost Demon Pass, we also used the excuse of a missing disciple…”

The higher-ups of the Medicine Gang discussed for a while, but couldn’t come to a conclusion.

They wanted to find the figure who had entered the Medicine Gang’s territory, but there was nowhere to search, no clues at all.

The masked beauty was a body cultivator, traveling with physical strength, without any spiritual power fluctuations, making her difficult to track.

If Elder Wu hadn’t locked onto her aura in advance, he would have lost her long ago.

In the end, the Medicine Gang could only assume that the Tianhai Gang was trying to find an excuse to attack and began preparing for tomorrow’s confrontation.

…

While the Tianhai Gang and the Medicine Gang were suspicious of each other, the culprits behind all this, the masked beauty and Luo Xue, had already escaped to an inconspicuous inn.

The masked beauty didn’t go through the main entrance—her current condition wouldn’t allow it—and instead broke through the window silently.

The moment she landed on the floor, she swayed and collapsed, Luo Xue still in her arms.

“Ugh…”

Luo Xue was almost suffocated. After struggling for a while, she managed to free her head and gasp for air.

“She’s really… big…”

Luo Xue sighed inwardly, recalling the experience of being buried in her embrace.

“Water…”

The masked beauty raised her head, her mask removed, revealing a beautiful face. Her hazy eyes, half-closed, unconsciously moved closer to Luo Xue.

Luo Xue quickly struggled free. Only then did she realize that she was covered in the masked beauty’s blood.

She looked down and was instantly startled.

“What a terrifying amount of blood…”

A pool of blood had formed beneath the masked beauty, slowly spreading, looking like a murder scene.

And she was still muttering,

“Water…”

“Water, water, water, I’ll get you some water!”

Luo Xue frantically searched through her storage ring for water.

Or any liquid similar to water.

“This won’t do, this won’t do either… Wait, Big Sister, you can’t drink this! This is poison!”

Luo Xue snatched the wine gourd from the masked beauty’s hand and breathed a sigh of relief.

The ninth most potent poison wasn’t a beverage…

“Eh, there’s actually water here. Who put this in?”

Luo Xue took out a waterskin from her storage ring and shook it gently, hearing the water sloshing inside.

She immediately opened it, and a strange fragrance wafted out.

“A bit… familiar?” Luo Xue sniffed the air, then her eyes widened as she realized something. “Damn, my convenient mother’s wine! When did she put this in?”

Could it be that Senior Sister secretly put it in while packing?

Forget it, it didn’t matter. Saving someone was more important now.

Wine was also water!

Luo Xue pried open the masked beauty’s lips and poured the wine from the waterskin into her mouth.

“Hey, Big Sister, don’t move! I’m giving you water… wine! Don’t bite my finger! And don’t lick it!”

Luo Xue, with great difficulty, finally managed to “feed” the masked beauty… wine. Only after the masked beauty’s expression relaxed did Luo Xue stop and put away the waterskin.

“This waterskin is also a magical treasure, just like the wine gourd, it can hold so much.”

Luo Xue shook it. The amount of water inside didn’t seem to have decreased at all.

However, her convenient mother was a Nascent Soul expert; it was normal for her to have some treasures.

Speaking of which, could it be stolen goods…

Luo Xue shook her head, discarding these random thoughts.

After drinking the wine, the masked beauty’s face flushed red, and she fell into a deep sleep.

But… Luo Xue couldn’t rest like her.

After all, this scene… was too bloody.

If someone accidentally saw this, tomorrow there would be news of an underage girl murdering a young woman.

Of course, whether this counted as news in Ghost Demon Pass was another matter.

On the other hand, she couldn’t just leave the masked beauty like this.

Luo Xue sighed. She had been inexplicably dragged into this incident, inexplicably becoming an accomplice, and now she had to clean up the mess.

First, she had to treat the masked beauty’s injuries.

Her blood was still gushing out. This sword strike from a Core Formation cultivator wasn’t something an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator could withstand.

“Since we’re both girls, I can just take off her clothes.”

Luo Xue took out a dagger and carefully cut open the masked beauty’s nightwalker suit, treating the flesh that was stuck to the fabric.

Luo Xue had treated injuries many times in the post-apocalyptic world and was quite experienced.

Not just for her companions, but also for herself countless times.

After finally removing the fabric from her back and revealing the wound, Luo Xue gasped.

“This sword strike… almost cut through all her flesh…”

This scene wasn’t just bloody. A sword wound as thick as an arm was clearly visible on her back, the surrounding injuries spreading out on both sides.

Her entire back was covered in sword wounds.

The medicinal power of the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill was indeed healing this astonishing injury, but at the same time, another force was constantly disrupting the healing, causing the blood to gush out uncontrollably.

Just looking at it made Luo Xue wince in sympathetic pain.

She couldn’t imagine how the masked beauty had managed to carry her and escape from a Core Formation cultivator…

And this injury… was because of Luo Xue.

“It was to save me…”

Luo Xue vaguely recalled the masked beauty rushing towards her.

It was only because she thought she was her accomplice…

“Accomplice… fine, let’s be accomplices.”

Luo Xue composed herself and exhaled.

Now that she knew the masked beauty’s injury, there was no need to waste another Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill.

The healing effect of the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill wasn’t actually that outstanding. It was its versatility that made it precious. It could be used for any type of injury and could even save a life on the brink of death. That was its true value.

This wasn’t a game, where everything could be represented by numbers.

“Fortunately, Senior Sister also gave me some external injury medicine. Senior Sister really gave me too much medicine…”

Luo Xue took out a bottle of “Healing Golden Sore Ointment” and looked at the other medicines in her storage ring.

There really was medicine for every kind of injury…

Chapter 81: A True Body Cultivator, The Might of a Core Formation Elder 

Ghost Demon Pass was divided among three factions: the Tianhai Gang, the Medicine Gang, and the Ghost Demon Gang.

Among them, the Ghost Demon Gang was the most powerful. In fact, the entire Ghost Demon Pass was originally their territory.

The current territories of the Tianhai Gang and the Medicine Gang were all seized from the Ghost Demon Gang.

Being able to carve out a piece of this chaotic land for themselves, the Tianhai Gang was naturally not to be trifled with.

In fact, the last time someone openly challenged the Tianhai Gang was decades ago.

And now…

The monkey-faced man, pointed at by the masked beauty’s mace, was stunned.

“Rob me? Me?” The monkey-faced man pointed at himself, as if he had heard a great joke, and burst into laughter. “Do you know who I am? You dare to rob me?”

The masked beauty’s expression darkened, and just as everyone thought she had backed down, she whispered,

“Don’t you have any money?”

“I do, I have plenty of money!” The monkey-faced man sneered, taking off the storage pouch at his waist and placing it on the table. “There are three Mystic-rank Qi Condensation Pills inside. If you want them, come and get them.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

The masked beauty threw the crying alchemist aside, shouldered her mace, and walked straight towards the monkey-faced man.

The smile on the monkey-faced man’s lips turned cold, and he looked at the masked beauty as if she were already dead.

“I thought this little girl had some background to dare rob the Tianhai Gang’s assets, but she’s just a brainless bimbo…”

“But even if she has a background, in Ghost Demon Pass, dragons have to coil and tigers have to crouch. No matter if you’re from the Nine Sects or the Four Forbidden Areas, you have to behave yourself in Ghost Demon Pass!”

“Heh, with her figure and looks, I wonder how much will be left for me after the elders are done with her…”

The monkey-faced man’s gaze heated up, a lustful fire rising within him.

At the same time, the masked beauty had approached him and reached out to take the storage pouch.

“Attack!”

The monkey-faced man shouted, a long sword appearing in his hand, slashing directly at the masked beauty.

The other Tianhai Gang disciples also took out their weapons, their techniques and abilities bombarding the masked beauty.

The masked beauty frowned, but didn’t dodge. She grabbed the storage pouch without hesitation.

“So you want money more than your life,” the monkey-faced man laughed triumphantly. “A brainless woman… perfect!”

The sword light fell, aiming straight for the alluring figure in black.

Countless techniques and abilities rained down on her.

The masked beauty didn’t flinch. Her expression turned cold, blood energy surging around her as she faced the attacks head-on.

Boom!

With a loud bang, the alchemy shop collapsed.

The alchemist, who had just escaped, watched helplessly as his shop was destroyed. The color that had returned to his face drained away again, replaced by an unhealthy flush.

He vomited a mouthful of blood and fainted.

At the same time, the customers who had just been robbed didn’t dare to stay any longer and fled the ruins of the alchemy shop.

Many auras noticed the commotion, and several cultivators stood nearby, intending to watch this rare spectacle.

It had to be said that the love for a good show was human nature, and even immortals couldn’t avoid it.

Luo Xue didn’t leave immediately. She stealthily ran to the unconscious alchemist and took his storage pouch.

“Serves you right for bullying me,” Luo Xue stuck her tongue out at the alchemist, weighing the storage pouch in her hand. “Consider this my compensation. I probably won’t get those twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills back.”

Then…

Luo Xue looked towards the battlefield, her expression turning serious.

The dust and smoke from the earlier battle gradually dissipated, revealing the figures lying on the ground.

The monkey-faced man looked at the masked beauty in front of him with terror. She was holding him by the neck, lifting him high in the air.

“You… want to kill me?”

The masked beauty seemed like a different person now, her cold aura sending chills down one’s spine, completely different from her earlier goofy and crazy demeanor.

“Spare me, Immortal, spare me…”

The monkey-faced man was so scared that he wet himself, his face turning an unhealthy purplish-red from the chokehold.

What just happened…

This woman… was terrifying…

In an instant, she had completely ignored the techniques and abilities, not even bothering to dodge his sword.

She just swung her mace relentlessly, knocking down all the Tianhai Gang disciples one after another, and finally grabbed him by the neck.

During this process, the monkey-faced man realized in despair that no matter what they did, they couldn’t stop this woman.

Was this what a crazy body cultivator was like…

Both at the peak of Foundation Establishment, yet their combat power was vastly different.

The masked beauty was unmoved by the monkey-faced man’s pleas for mercy.

Her grip tightened, and she could snap his neck in the next moment.

“Stop!—That’s enough!”

A low shout rang out, followed by a flash of sword light.

This time, the masked beauty instinctively sensed danger and finally dodged for the first time, forced to release the monkey-faced man.

The sword light struck the ground, leaving a narrow but bottomless chasm.

It was conceivable that if this sword had hit, even a body cultivator wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

“Core Formation…”

The masked beauty murmured.

A figure descended from the sky, a middle-aged man in a cyan robe, his expression stern.

His face carried an air of authority, and his gaze was sharp.

“Protector Wu, you’re here!” The monkey-faced man’s face lit up, and he scrambled to the newcomer’s side. “Save me, quickly save me…”

“Can’t even handle such a small matter, useless,” Elder Wu kicked the monkey-faced man away in disgust. “Liu Qingfeng, if not for your sister, with your unstable peak Foundation Establishment cultivation, you wouldn’t even be qualified to join the Law Enforcement Squad!”

The monkey-faced man, Liu Qingfeng, repeatedly acknowledged his mistake, but his gaze towards the masked beauty was filled with resentment.

“Elder Wu, it’s her, it’s this woman! She dared to openly rob the Tianhai Gang’s assets and even attacked the Law Enforcement Squad! This is a slap in the face of the Tianhai Gang! And a slap in your face!”

Elder Wu’s expression darkened. He had just happened to pass by and sensed Liu Qingfeng’s weak aura, which was why he rushed over to save him.

If it wasn’t Liu Qingfeng causing trouble, but this woman deliberately robbing the Tianhai Gang…

The nature of this matter would be different.

“Is that true?”

Elder Wu asked suspiciously.

It wasn’t that he was naturally cautious, but Liu Qingfeng, relying on his older sister, a prodigy of a major immortal sect, had been acting arrogantly in Ghost Demon Pass for years.

He had even offended the other two major factions, and it took a lot of effort to smooth things over.

“Yes, yes, it’s absolutely true!” Liu Qingfeng nodded repeatedly. He saw the unconscious alchemist and quickly pulled him awake. “Wake up, tell him if your alchemy shop was robbed!”

The alchemist woke up groggily, saw Elder Wu, and instantly became more alert.

“Gree… greetings, Elder Wu…”

“No need to ask, I was indeed robbing them.” The masked beauty spoke, her indifferent demeanor gone, seemingly returning to her earlier goofy and ferocious self. “But I’m not robbing you. You’re at Core Formation, I can’t beat you.”

“It’s her, it’s her! Elder Wu, you have to uphold justice for me…”

The alchemist also pointed at the masked beauty. Then he realized that the storage pouch he carried with him was gone.

Sensing the spiritual imprint, he instinctively looked in a certain direction and saw a small, sneaky figure.

It was that little bitch! She actually dared to steal his storage pouch amidst the chaos!

“And her! She’s an accomplice!”

The alchemist screamed, pointing directly at Luo Xue.

Instantly, all eyes fell on Luo Xue, including the masked beauty’s.

Luo Xue was trying to sneak away from this troublesome place, not using Flashing Blossom because she was worried about attracting attention.

With so many eyes watching, using a divine ability she wasn’t familiar with would only make her more conspicuous.

However, Luo Xue didn’t expect that storage pouches were usually marked with a spiritual imprint by their owners.

If it wasn’t erased, even if it was lost, its location could still be sensed.

This was something that happened because she lacked experience. Experienced cultivators, upon obtaining someone else’s storage pouch, would immediately erase the spiritual imprint—referring to those who stole them, not those who robbed them.

Because the masked beauty hadn’t erased it, she simply put it away.

“An accomplice…”

Elder Wu looked over and frowned slightly.

Just a little girl at the Innate Realm, dressed like a slave, how could she have the guts to openly rob someone in Ghost Demon Pass?

And she didn’t seem to be a slave of the other woman…

Regardless, this behavior was indeed a challenge to the authority of the Tianhai Gang. If he didn’t handle it firmly, anyone would dare to step on them in the future.

As for whether the slave girl was wrongly accused, Elder Wu didn’t care.

“In that case, arrest them both.”

Elder Wu reached out with his hand, and Luo Xue felt the surrounding spiritual energy solidify. She felt a sense of suffocation.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t breathe, but that her spiritual power couldn’t circulate, and she couldn’t use any techniques or abilities.

This was the might of a Core Formation cultivator. At Core Formation and above, they formed their own small world, and with a single breath, they could suppress lower-level cultivators with the power of their small world.

Before a Core Formation cultivator, no matter how many Foundation Establishment cultivators there were, they wouldn’t be a match.

Those who could defeat a Core Formation cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Realm were extremely rare, appearing only once every few thousand years.

Elder Wu deliberately used his Core Formation power to make everyone see.

No matter who it was, no matter their cultivation level, if they dared to offend the Tianhai Gang, this would be their fate.

The masked beauty was in a similar situation, but she quickly broke free—body cultivators didn’t rely on spiritual energy from heaven and earth. This was something Elder Wu hadn’t expected.

“…A body cultivator, how rare.”

Elder Wu narrowed his eyes slightly, but he wasn’t panicked.

It was just breaking free from the power of his small world. The advantage of Core Formation over Foundation Establishment wasn’t just this.

Just as Elder Wu was preparing for the masked beauty’s counterattack, she suddenly turned and charged towards Luo Xue.

“What!” Elder Wu’s pupils constricted. “Is she planning to… save that slave?”

For powerful cultivators, a slave who hadn’t even reached the Spirit Condensation Realm wasn’t even considered a resource.

A slave who had reached the Innate Realm through cheap resources and life-draining secret techniques was useless except as a cauldron.

In everyone’s eyes, Luo Xue was such an existence.

After all, she was too young. If she had grown up normally, she would be considered a prodigy even in a small sect.

But Luo Xue appeared here in tattered clothes, so she could only be a cauldron slave.

This crazy woman… was actually going back to save that slave?

Luo Xue was equally stunned. Her only connection with the masked beauty was that the latter had robbed her of twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills.

Now that the masked beauty had broken free from the power of his small world, whether it was fighting Elder Wu or escaping, it was much better than choosing to save her.

Because by doing so, she was exposing her back to Elder Wu.

“Crack—”

The power of the small world surrounding Luo Xue shattered. The masked beauty crashed into Luo Xue’s arms, holding her tightly.

Luo Xue was enveloped by a soft body and a faint fragrance, and in a trance, she was reminded of Senior Sister.

But the current situation was extremely dangerous. After seeing this, Elder Wu quickly reacted.

A sharp sword beam condensed, mercilessly slashing towards the masked beauty’s back.

The masked beauty’s demeanor turned cold again at this moment, but Luo Xue clearly saw that her face beneath the mask was stained with blood, blood seeping from her seven orifices.

The sword light fell, and the masked beauty didn’t dodge, taking the blow directly.

But… there was no reaction.

She just stood there, holding Luo Xue.

“Why… why…”

Luo Xue asked blankly.

She watched as the light in the masked beauty’s eyes gradually faded, her face turning pale.

This sword strike had severely injured her.

“You… aren’t you my accomplice?” The masked beauty struggled to speak, her voice weak. “They said…”

“Am I?”

Luo Xue was stunned. She didn’t even know when she had become the masked beauty’s accomplice.

“You… aren’t you?”

The masked beauty blinked, confusion in her eyes.

“Even if I wasn’t before, I am now.”

Luo Xue looked at the gazes around her, a hint of bitterness in her heart.

What a mess, even exchanging currency could lead to this…

In everyone’s eyes now, she was the masked beauty’s accomplice.

“That’s good…”

The masked beauty closed her eyes slightly, seemingly unable to hold on any longer.

“Big Sister, don’t faint! If you faint, I can’t escape either…”

Luo Xue panicked, searching for medicine in her storage ring.

Fortunately, Senior Sister, worried that Luo Xue might encounter danger, had given her a lot of healing medicine, even some that could be used by Core Formation cultivators.

No matter what the situation was just now, only if the masked beauty lived could Luo Xue avoid being captured by the Tianhai Gang.

“Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill… what a wuxia-like name…”

Luo Xue took out a pill and quickly stuffed it into the masked beauty’s mouth.

The masked beauty unconsciously opened her mouth, and Luo Xue’s fingertips felt a soft, warm touch.

Why was she licking her finger…

Chapter 80: A Sudden Robbery, Hand Over Your Money! 

When the door of the alchemy shop was kicked open, everyone inside was stunned.

However, the words that followed made them chuckle inwardly.

A robbery?

Someone actually dared to rob a shop in Ghost Demon Pass?

Although Ghost Demon Pass was in a three-way stalemate zone, because of the large number of cultivators gathered here, several major factions had formed, dividing control of the city.

All shops within a faction’s territory had to pay protection fees regularly and a share of their profits annually to support the corresponding faction.

Although this resulted in considerable losses for the shops, in return, they could operate in a safe environment.

As the alchemist had just said, no one dared to rob the alchemy shop.

Because doing so would offend the faction behind the alchemy shop, leading to endless retaliation.

Retaliation in the three-way stalemate zone… usually ended in a gruesome death.

But now, someone actually dared to rob them openly, and was laughing so brazenly?

The newcomer was dressed in a dark blue, almost black, tight-fitting suit that accentuated her curves, making one’s blood race.

Even though her face was covered by a mask, her stunning figure was unforgettable.

“Seems like a beauty…”

The people in the shop felt a hint of pity. This reckless beauty probably wouldn’t live past tonight.

“Hmm? Shouldn’t you all be kneeling down and handing over your valuables?” The masked beauty scratched the back of her head. “Is my aura not intimidating enough?”

The alchemist running the shop discreetly notified the faction behind him, then put on a business-like smile.

“This beautiful lady, why would you suddenly want to rob our small shop?”

“Because I’m broke, and I heard alchemy shops have the most money,” the masked beauty said matter-of-factly. Then she saw the Qi Condensation Pills scattered on the ground and her eyes lit up. “Look, you have so much money that it’s all over the floor. I came to the right place!”

The right place my ass…

Luo Xue cursed inwardly. That was her money!

The masked beauty didn’t mind and bent down, picking up the Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills one by one, even popping one into her mouth.

The people in the alchemy shop didn’t leave, all standing still, waiting for a good show.

“It’s been years since anyone dared to rob a shop in Ghost Demon Pass so openly…”

“Heh, what a sight to behold.”

They didn’t intervene, afraid of being mistaken for accomplices by the factions in Ghost Demon Pass and being exploited.

—Those who could establish power in the stalemate zone were not kind-hearted. Being a hero wasn’t encouraged in a lawless place.

After picking up all the Qi Condensation Pills on the ground, the masked beauty weighed them in her hand, feeling that it was still a bit too little, not enough to spend.

She thought for a moment, then walked towards the nearest customer.

“Robbery! Hand over your money!”

This customer was a weary-looking swordsman, with messy clothes and his hair tied up high.

He hadn’t expected the masked beauty to actually cause trouble in the alchemy shop. If she had just taken the pills on the ground and left, she might have had a less painful death.

As for now…

The swordsman sneered disdainfully.

“You’re a dead woman walking.”

“Oh, you’re being stubborn, aren’t you? Not giving me your money, huh?” The masked beauty was enraged. She pulled out an exaggerated-looking mace from somewhere. “Give me your money, or I’ll break your legs!”

“Heh…”

The swordsman was about to sneer again when a black blur flashed towards him with lightning speed.

His pupils constricted, he tried to dodge, but it was too late.

“Ugh…”

The masked beauty swung her mace, mercilessly breaking the swordsman’s legs.

A crisp cracking sound was heard, and the swordsman fell to his knees, blood pooling on the ground.

He saw the masked beauty raise her mace again, his face filled with terror, and immediately shouted,

“I’ll give it, I’ll give it…”

This person’s cultivation… was unfathomable!

He was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, known for his swift movements, yet he couldn’t even dodge that blow.

What was even more terrifying was that this seemingly ordinary blow had shattered his spiritual power circulation.

The swordsman couldn’t even access his spiritual aperture, let alone fight back.

Could it be… she was a Core Formation cultivator…

No, that shouldn’t be it. Core Formation cultivators should be even more powerful.

But even a Core Formation cultivator, against the powerful factions behind Ghost Demon Pass, would still be no match!

With resentment, the swordsman handed over his storage pouch.

The masked beauty took the storage pouch excitedly, opened it, glanced inside, and beamed.

“Oh, it actually works! Master was right, robbery is the fastest way to make money!”

Was her sect specialized in robbery…

Luo Xue silently watched this scene without saying a word.

She had originally planned to blow this place up with her Foundation Establishment talismans, but now the situation had changed, and she had to put that idea on hold.

Most importantly, her Qi Condensation Pills had been taken by this masked beauty who appeared out of nowhere.

That was twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills!

Luo Xue was short on money now and couldn’t just ignore twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills.

Furthermore, she wasn’t sure about the masked beauty’s strength, so she didn’t know if the Foundation Establishment talismans would be effective against her.

Having tasted success, the masked beauty excitedly looked at the other people in the alchemy shop.

Her predatory gaze swept over everyone, making their hearts tremble.

Could it be that she was going to…

“Robbery! Hand over all your money!” The masked beauty waved her mace and pointed at the pale-faced swordsman beside her. “Otherwise, this will be your fate!”

The swordsman almost fainted from fear as the mace pointed at him.

Only those who had faced it head-on could understand its terror…

Everyone remained silent.

They were praying for the people from the powerful factions to arrive quickly and take this crazy woman away.

Yes, in the eyes of everyone in the alchemy shop, the masked beauty was a complete lunatic.

How could a normal person openly rob a shop in Ghost Demon Pass…

What was even more terrifying was that this crazy woman’s strength was quite formidable, not yet Core Formation, but definitely at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

Although Core Formation cultivators were common in immortal sects, with almost every elder and even outstanding inner disciples at this realm, among rogue cultivators, Nascent Soul cultivators were considered old monsters, and Core Formation cultivators were already powerful figures capable of dominating a region.

Of course, the factions in Ghost Demon Pass all had Nascent Soul old monsters backing them. A mere Core Formation cultivator couldn’t cause too much trouble.

“No one’s handing over their money?”

The masked beauty frowned slightly and walked forward step by step.

She was going to ask each person individually.

“Give me your money! Or I’ll break your legs!”

The masked beauty’s fierce gaze fell on a terrified young man, who immediately offered his storage pouch with both hands without a word.

“Spare me, big sister!”

The masked beauty smugly took the storage pouch and continued to the next person.

In the small alchemy shop, every step the masked beauty took made someone’s face turn pale.

This meant that their entire fortune would be lost here.

Even if the powerful faction behind the alchemy shop intervened and subdued this crazy woman, the money they had stolen wouldn’t be returned.

The most unfortunate one was still the swordsman from the beginning, who had also suffered a blow from the mace…

The masked beauty walked around, her hands filled with storage pouches.

Soon, she arrived in front of Luo Xue.

“Robbery! Hand over your money!”

The masked beauty was merciless, not sparing even Luo Xue because she was a little girl.

She slammed her mace on the ground, her excited gaze fixated on Luo Xue.

“…You’ve already robbed me.”

Luo Xue couldn’t help but say.

“Hmm?” The masked beauty was taken aback. She counted the storage pouches and said loudly, “Nonsense, I haven’t robbed you! Don’t think you can fool me!”

“The Qi Condensation Pills on the ground… I dropped them…”

Luo Xue said weakly.

“Ah, they were yours? I was wondering how an alchemy shop could be so rich as to throw Qi Condensation Pills all over the place,” the masked beauty scratched her head, looking troubled. “In that case, I guess I did rob you… Never mind, next!”

The masked beauty turned to the alchemist behind the counter and raised her mace again.

“Robbery! Hand over your money!”

…Was that the only line you knew, big sister?

Luo Xue complained inwardly, but she also looked at the alchemist with a schadenfreude.

The alchemist, however, remained calm, a smile still on his face. He took out an exquisite storage pouch.

“Miss, this is all the assets of our shop. Please accept it.”

Hmm? So smoothly?

Luo Xue frowned slightly. This arrogant alchemist didn’t seem like this kind of person…

She knew very well that since the people around her had been so fearless, there must be someone maintaining order in Ghost Demon Pass.

They were just waiting.

Therefore, the alchemist’s actions were very likely… stalling for time…

Would he really hand over his real assets to stall for time?

Absolutely not.

The masked beauty was delighted and, as before, reached out to take the storage pouch.

“Be careful, it’s a trap.”

Luo Xue warned in a low voice.

The masked beauty’s ears twitched, and she paused, not immediately taking the storage pouch.

The alchemist’s increasingly bright smile froze slightly upon seeing this.

“A trap?” The masked beauty’s voice deepened, her gaze darkening. “You’re trying to trick me?”

“No, no, miss, how could I possibly trick you?” The alchemist panicked, sweat dripping from his forehead. “Aren’t you here to rob us? This is all the assets of our shop, please take it.”

How did this crazy woman see through it? Did she suddenly grow a brain?

“Really?”

The masked beauty said suspiciously, glancing at Luo Xue.

It was this glance that confirmed it for the alchemist.

So it was this beggar-like brat who warned her…

Luo Xue didn’t expect this woman to sell her out so directly.

But the next moment, seeing that his trick had been exposed, the alchemist gritted his teeth and destroyed the storage pouch in his hand.

—No, it wasn’t a storage pouch, just an ordinary pouch.

And what was inside naturally wasn’t any assets, but three talismans.

Luo Xue recognized them at a glance. These were Foundation Establishment talismans!

She had hundreds of them in her possession.

“Forcing me to use all the talismans in the alchemy shop, you’re quite something,” the alchemist’s face was ferocious. He threw the talismans, muttering, “Capturing such a beauty for the Tianhai Gang is a great merit!”

Foundation Establishment talismans contained the power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s strike. With three of them detonating at once, their power was considerable.

Even a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator would have to avoid the combined force of three Foundation Establishment talismans.

Unless they were a body cultivator. Body cultivators were the most unreasonable type of cultivator.

The alchemist naturally didn’t expect these three talismans to defeat the masked beauty. As long as they could stall for a bit more time, the people from the Tianhai Gang would definitely arrive.

And then, hehehe…

Of the three talismans, one glowed red, one turned into blood mist, and the last one condensed into a sword blade, slashing towards the masked beauty.

“The effects are explosion, Yin Breath Poison, and sword beam…”

Luo Xue’s eyes narrowed. Although she could withstand the Yin Breath Poison, she might not be able to dodge the explosion, and if she was careless, she might be injured by the sword beam.

“It seems I have to give up on the twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills.”

Luo Xue sighed. Not only that, but because of her warning, she had also been noticed by the alchemy shop.

After leaving, she would have to change her appearance again.

She immediately circulated her spiritual power, attempting to use Flashing Blossom to escape the alchemy shop before the talismans detonated.

Just then, the masked beauty sneered and swung her mace.

The three talismans collided with the mace, erupting with astonishing power, even lifting the roof of the alchemy shop, attracting a lot of attention.

However…

The masked beauty was unharmed, and a faint blood-red aura appeared around her.

“Blood Qi… you’re a body cultivator!”

The alchemist almost spat out blood. How could he be so unlucky as to run into a body cultivator?

“The rumors are true, body cultivators are all crazy… even the women are crazy…”

“Trying to trick me?” A sharp glint flashed through the masked beauty’s eyes. She reached out, grabbed the alchemist, and pulled him closer. “Robbery! Hand over your money!”

The alchemist was almost in tears, a warm stream flowing down his legs, snot and tears mixing on his face.

“I’ll hand it over, I’ll hand it over…”

“I’d like to see who dares to make him hand over his money!”

At the same time, a sharp voice rang out from the doorway, filled with arrogance.

A man with a monkey-like face walked in, tossing a dagger in his hand, sneering.

He was followed by several underlings, all wearing the same uniform with two words written on it.

—”Tianhai.”

The Tianhai Gang, the faction controlling this area, had finally arrived.

“Master Liu! Save me, Master Liu…”

The alchemist cried out, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and excitement.

“Look at you, so pathetic. Don’t you have our Tianhai Gang? What are you afraid of?”

The monkey-faced man glanced at the alchemist and spat, then his gaze fell on the masked beauty, instantly turning heated.

“Oh, what a little beauty… no, a big beauty~ It seems I’m in luck, hehehe…”

The masked beauty just silently looked at the monkey-faced man, not angered by his words, her deep gaze as if pondering something.

Seeing this, the smile on the monkey-faced man’s face faded slightly.

Could it be… she had a background?

The next moment, the masked beauty raised an eyebrow and shouted,

“Robbery! Hand over your money!”

Chapter 79: Master Wumu and the Heavenly Cluster Sword Tomb, Luo Xue’s Troubles 

“Hmm?”

The newcomer paused, turned to Luo Xue, and said gently,

“Little sister, what did you just say?”

“Nothing, nothing…”

Luo Xue’s expression was a bit uncomfortable.

Only then did she realize that the other party wasn’t squinting, but had his eyes closed.

She had been traumatized by squinty-eyed people…

“I am Wumu, a disciple of the Silent Temple, blind since birth.”

Wumu smiled gently, and the oppressive atmosphere around them eased. “I’m not… squinting at you, I hope you understand, little sister.”

Luo Xue coughed awkwardly. She had muttered those words subconsciously, not expecting to be heard, especially since the other party had just helped her.

But as soon as Wumu introduced himself, gasps arose from the surrounding crowd.

“It’s… Master Wumu of the Silent Temple!”

“The legendary master who killed a Core Formation demon at the Foundation Establishment Realm, and even comprehended the Silent Temple’s secret Buddhist technique, the Acala Scripture. His strength is astonishing!”

“Why would a prodigy of this level come to the borderlands alone…”

Faced with the surrounding chatter, Master Wumu’s expression didn’t change.

He wore a constant gentle smile, which had a calming effect.

The guard at the city gate also recognized Wumu’s identity and gasped, his attitude towards Luo Xue softening considerably.

“Little sister, since Master Wumu has paid your entrance fee, please come in.”

He stepped aside.

“Silent Temple…”

Luo Xue’s expression turned serious.

Although she didn’t know much about the prodigies of the Immortal Domain, the names of the nine major sects were like thunder to her ears.

The Silent Temple was one of the nine major sects of the Immortal Domain, and the only Buddhist sect, governing Ri Province.

Ri Province was adjacent to You Province, so the Silent Temple’s influence here wasn’t weak. As the most famous prodigy recently, Master Wumu was considered the representative of the Silent Temple’s new generation of disciples.

But…

“Shouldn’t the Silent Temple be all Buddhist cultivators? Why does Master Wumu have hair?”

Luo Xue’s gaze shifted to Master Wumu’s head. He had thick, short hair, perhaps even thicker than hers…

And Master Wumu wasn’t wearing kasaya robes, but a simple gray cloth robe, with an inconspicuous bag slung over his shoulder.

If he hadn’t revealed his identity, no one would have associated him with the famous prodigy of the Silent Temple.

Of course, Luo Xue didn’t want to stay with such a prominent figure. She just wanted to keep a low profile.

Fortunately, after Master Wumu appeared, the surrounding gazes were no longer focused on Luo Xue—with an Immortal Domain prodigy present, who would care about a slave girl with an unremarkable appearance?

Thinking of this, Luo Xue quickly bowed to Master Wumu, stuffed the spirit stones in her hand into his, and said,

“Thank you, Master. This… is for you.”

Then, she hurried into the crowd, heading towards the city gate.

Hurry, hurry, it’s best if no one notices her…

But just then, a gentle voice rang out again beside Luo Xue’s ear, but only she could hear it.

“The Peerless Summit Sect is very far from here. Their disciples rarely enter the Demon Abyss through Ghost Demon Pass, unless they want to avoid the sect’s eyes and ears… You’re Luo Xue, the one with the Calamity Poison Body, right?”

Luo Xue froze and looked back in shock.

Master Wumu smiled faintly and nodded at her, returning her bow with a Buddhist greeting.

How did he know?

Could it be that the matters of the Peerless Summit Sect…

No, that was unlikely. Even the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall wouldn’t spread this information.

Perhaps… it was leaked by a spy.

The Immortal Ascension Gate was held every twelve years, with about a hundred disciples selected.

Although the Peerless Summit Sect often caught spies, there were always some who slipped through the net. As long as they didn’t transmit information casually, the chances of exposure were much lower.

It seemed that the nine sects of the Immortal Domain weren’t as harmonious as she had imagined.

“You’re mistaken, Master. I’m not a disciple of the Peerless Summit Sect, and I don’t know anyone named Luo Xue.”

Luo Xue said in a very low voice, confident that Master Wumu could hear her.

Master Wumu just smiled noncommittally, not caring about Luo Xue’s denial.

“If you go to the Demon Abyss, you will face a deadly tribulation,” his voice echoed only in Luo Xue’s ears, “An inescapable disaster, irreversible.”

Luo Xue frowned slightly, hesitating.

She didn’t know why Master Wumu knew her, nor did she understand his words, which sounded like both a warning and a prophecy.

But before Luo Xue could ask, the crowd surged around her.

People were crowding to enter the city, and Master Wumu’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

Luo Xue could only suppress her doubts and enter Ghost Demon Pass with the crowd.

…

Inside Ghost Demon Pass, in an unnamed tea house.

“Hehe, even Wumu, that not-yet-bald-donkey, has come. It seems the Nine Sects of the Immortal Domain can’t sit still after all…”

A handsome man in white robes chuckled, lifting his teacup, a faint, gentle smile on his lips.

He leaned back casually in his chair, the dim sunlight streaming in from the window, adding a touch of holiness to his profile.

Anyone seeing this scene would be captivated by this refined and elegant young master.

“The Heavenly Cluster Sword Tomb is about to open. That’s a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity for a Heaven-grade pill. If one seeks the Great Dao, how can they be satisfied with a mere Earth-grade pill.”

“The Evil Ghost Subduing Pestle in the Ghost Demon Pass auction is a good fourth-grade artifact for him.”

The woman sitting beside him spoke in a cold voice, a touch of alluring crimson between her brows, and one of her eyes was even scarlet.

Looking closely, one could see a hidden depth within that scarlet eye.

—Sima Ye and Shangguan Lengyan, prodigies of the Evil Ghost lineage of the Demonic Ghost City, both at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

Like Master Wumu, they were also here for the Evil Ghost Subduing Pestle.

As the name suggested, this artifact was a perfect fit for Sima Ye, Shangguan Lengyan, and Master Wumu.

It was rumored that this artifact was originally a seventh-grade artifact of the Silent Temple, the “Vajra Subduing Pestle,” which could only be used by Nascent Soul cultivators and above.

But in the previous Immortal-Demon War, it was contaminated by a powerful demonic cultivator of the Demonic Ghost City, becoming the current fourth-grade artifact, the “Evil Ghost Subduing Pestle,” and was lost on the battlefield.

Now that it had reappeared, it naturally attracted a lot of attention, especially from the Silent Temple and the Evil Ghost lineage of the Demonic Ghost City.

Even after being contaminated, the Buddhist cultivators of the Silent Temple could still wield its power, but so could the Evil Ghost lineage of the Demonic Ghost City.

Moreover, because it was a degraded seventh-grade artifact, the Evil Ghost Subduing Pestle possessed many functions that ordinary fourth-grade artifacts couldn’t achieve. Its power was close to that of a fifth-grade artifact, but still within the range of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Therefore, Sima Ye and Shangguan Lengyan wouldn’t let this artifact go.

“I wonder if Liu Qingyu of the Everspring Pavilion is currently in Ghost Demon Pass. Her poison is quite troublesome.” Sima Ye examined his teacup, his eyes narrowed slightly. “If she’s not here, let that bald donkey take the Evil Ghost Subduing Pestle. We’ll just snatch it from him.”

“It’s hard to say,” Shangguan Lengyan’s expression was serious, or rather, her expression had always been the same. “Wumu is skilled in divination. He wouldn’t take this risk without being certain.”

“Moreover, his Acala Scripture has already reached the sixth level, Immovable as a Mountain. Even if we join forces, it would be difficult to snatch something from him.”

“No matter how difficult, we must try.” A sharp glint flashed through Sima Ye’s eyes, and the teacup in his hand silently turned to dust. “That little girl who recently arrived at the Temple of the Nether Spirit… will definitely be our greatest enemy in the Heavenly Cluster Sword Tomb!”

“You and I, for the sake of forming a Heaven-grade pill, have suppressed our cultivation at the peak of Foundation Establishment for many years, yet we are still no match for her.”

“Only by obtaining the Evil Ghost Subduing Pestle can we have a chance.”

The shadow cast by the Holy Maiden of the Temple of the Nether Spirit loomed not only over the younger generation of the Immortal Domain’s nine sects but also over the prodigies of the Demon Abyss’s four domains.

Because Su Yiyao knew that Ah Chou’s physique was that of a demonic cultivator, if she reincarnated, she would most likely be a demonic cultivator. Therefore, she had made more moves in the Demon Abyss, and it could be said that this generation of prodigies in the Demon Abyss had a deeper understanding of her.

The image of Ah Chou that she conjured in others’ eyes wasn’t just a picture, but also carried the aura of the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture.

As long as someone had come into contact with a Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture cultivator other than her, there would be a reaction.

But so far, she had found nothing.

“By the way, what about the little girl Wumu helped at the city gate?” Shangguan Lengyan’s scarlet eyes flickered with a hidden light. “I heard that Wumu is known for his compassion. If we can take that little girl hostage, perhaps…”

“You’re counting on that? Don’t tell me you really think those bald donkeys of the Silent Temple are like the Buddhist monks of the mortal world?” Sima Ye sneered. “Especially that little bald donkey Wumu, his hypocrisy is no less than mine.”

Shangguan Lengyan’s brow twitched slightly. Senior Brother Sima, you don’t have to insult yourself when insulting others…

“Speaking of which, for that bald donkey to reveal his identity and help that slave girl seems deliberate, as if he’s trying to convey some message.” Sima Ye narrowed his eyes slightly. “Of course… we can ask her ourselves.”

Shangguan Lengyan nodded, about to capture Luo Xue.

But Sima Ye raised his hand and stopped her.

“Wait, we can’t do it ourselves. That bald donkey is skilled in divination. I’m worried he might have set a trap.”

Shangguan Lengyan looked at Sima Ye.

“What if our inaction is also within his divination?”

“…”

Sima Ye froze.

This line of thinking seemed to have reached a dead end…

“Moreover, the Evil Ghost lineage of the Demonic Ghost City has no foundation in Ghost Demon Pass. Even we are concealing our identities.” Shangguan Lengyan said. “That girl’s cultivation is at most early Innate Realm, most likely a cauldron whose cultivation was boosted by pills. Do we really need to be so cautious?”

“No, no, Junior Sister, what I mean is, we don’t have to do it ourselves. We can have someone else do it.” A smile appeared on Sima Ye’s lips. “This is Ghost Demon Pass. With money, you can have anything you want…”

“Do you think five Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills is too much for a little Innate Realm brat?”

…

“It can be exchanged for twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills.”

The alchemist glanced at the spirit stones on the table, piled together in various sizes, emitting a soft glow, their faint spiritual energy refreshing.

“But, these spirit stones of mine should be worth fifty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills…” Luo Xue said weakly.

After this period of understanding, Luo Xue finally realized that within Ghost Demon Pass, they didn’t recognize spirit stones, only Qi Condensation Pills.

She couldn’t spend the spirit stones she had.

And along the way, Luo Xue had already noticed many greedy gazes secretly watching her, even when she took out a few spirit stones worth less than a hundred basic Qi Condensation Pills.

“If these people knew about the storage ring on my hand and the things inside, they would go crazy…”

For a time, Luo Xue became like Li Guijiao, paranoid and suspicious, feeling like everyone wanted to harm her.

Li Guijiao’s symptoms were indeed contagious…

This couldn’t continue. Everything in Ghost Demon Pass required Qi Condensation Pills. Without them, she couldn’t even find out how to get to the Demon Abyss.

Therefore, Luo Xue found an alchemy shop that offered Qi Condensation Pill exchange services, intending to exchange her spirit stones.

But the alchemist in the shop, seeing Luo Xue’s pathetic appearance, decided to take advantage of her, directly reducing the value of her spirit stones by 60%.

Luo Xue had already calculated that even after deducting the consumption and the alchemist’s fee, she should at least receive fifty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills.

If the alchemist wanted a higher fee and offered forty pills, Luo Xue could still accept it, after all, less trouble was better.

But now, directly reducing it to twenty…

“Heh, where did you learn to calculate? This is Ghost Demon Pass,” the alchemist said arrogantly, not hiding his disdain for Luo Xue. “In Ghost Demon Pass, we follow the rules of Ghost Demon Pass!”

“I say twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills, it’s twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills!”

Luo Xue hesitated slightly and reached out to take back her spirit stones.

“Then I won’t exchange them!”

“Hmm? You think you can just back out? Do you think this alchemy shop is your home?”

The alchemist swatted Luo Xue’s hand away and put the spirit stones into his pouch.

Then he took out twenty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills and tossed them at Luo Xue. The pills scattered on the ground, attracting many greedy gazes.

“Hahaha, pick them up quickly, and take a good look. You won’t see them again once you leave!” The alchemist’s face was filled with mockery and disdain. “You should be grateful for the rules of the alchemy shop. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even be able to leave!”

He assumed Luo Xue was just an escaped slave, without any background or backing.

Even if she exchanged them for fifty Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pills, she would be robbed after leaving the alchemy shop.

Rather than having them all stolen, it was better to… take a portion for himself.

Luo Xue rubbed her numb hands, her expression darkening.

She hadn’t expected that her deliberate disguise, instead of concealing her, had attracted the attention of predators.

Everyone wanted to take advantage of her.

Was this the true world of cultivation…

Luo Xue’s mind lingered on the Foundation Establishment talismans in her storage ring, wondering if it would be worth it to cause a huge explosion here.

Just then, the door of the alchemy shop was kicked open, followed by a series of hearty laughter.

“Hahahaha… This is a robbery! Nobody move!”

Chapter 78: Master and Disciple, Alike in Nature, Ghost Demon Pass

You Province.

As the region of the Immortal Domain’s nine provinces with the most borders with the Demon Abyss’s four domains, You Province was always considered a remote and desolate land.

Furthermore, the Everspring Pavilion, which governed You Province, was considered the weakest among the nine major sects of the Immortal Domain. Within You Province, demonic and evil cultivators were numerous, and incidents of demonic disturbances were frequent.

Especially in the border regions, it was even more of a mixed bag.

Tens of thousands of years of conflict between the Demon Abyss and the Immortal Domain had left extremely blurred boundaries.

These boundaries were disputed territories, and neither the Immortal Domain nor the Demon Abyss could truly control them.

Or perhaps, it was a tacit understanding not to control them.

If you don’t interfere, I won’t interfere.

But if you want to interfere, I will also interfere.

At that time, whether to use the laws of the Immortal Domain or the rules of the Demon Abyss would inevitably lead to further disputes.

Thus, over time, a three-way stalemate gradually formed, and the border regions became a gathering place for rogue cultivators with questionable backgrounds.

Those who betrayed their sects, those who were exiled, those who offended major sects, even evil cultivators who couldn’t be accepted by the Demon Abyss… etc. Regardless of the reason that made these rogue cultivators unwelcome in both the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss, they would gather in these border regions.

The resulting chaos was such that if the Immortal Domain or the Demon Abyss were to take over, it would take at least a thousand years to barely establish order.

Within the forest, a silent sword light flashed, gradually revealing two figures, one tall and one short.

“We’ve arrived.”

Hei Pao said faintly.

This was Luo Xue’s first time riding a flying sword, and she was inevitably a bit dizzy, taking a while to recover.

She looked up at her surroundings, her heart involuntarily clenching.

In just about an hour, she had gone from the green mountains and ethereal peaks of the Immortal Domain to this chaotic border region.

The sky seemed perpetually dark, and the surrounding air was filled with chaotic spiritual energy.

Looking up, she saw a massive, imposing city.

“This place is called Ghost Demon Pass. It’s the only way from You Province to the Nether Spirit forbidden area.” Hei Pao’s voice rang out.

“I was worried that there would be too many eyes and ears of the Peerless Summit Sect at the border between Qing Province and the Ten Thousand Demons forbidden area, so I sent you to You Province, which is the furthest away.”

The nine provinces of the Immortal Domain: Qian, Kun, Ri, Yue, Qing, You, Li, Fan, and Mo. Each province was almost equivalent to a continent on Earth.

Qing Province, where the Peerless Summit Sect was located, was separated from You Province by two entire provinces: Li Province and Yue Province.

This showed the vast distance they had traveled.

“…Thank you.”

Luo Xue whispered.

Hei Pao could have directly sent her to the border of Qing Province, or to the nearby Li Province.

But he went out of his way to send her to You Province, the furthest and the weakest point of the Peerless Summit Sect’s influence, just to avoid the sect’s eyes and ears.

“I just don’t want the friend Guixing finally made to die meaninglessly.”

Hei Pao said, his usually hoarse and deep voice now carrying a rare hint of gentleness.

“She’s a pitiful child, and so are you.”

Luo Xue looked up at Hei Pao.

Suddenly, she saw Hei Pao’s eyes and the face hidden beneath the black mist.

No, not a he…

But a she.

Although her face was covered in shocking scars, and one of her eyes was blind, the feminine contours were still clearly visible.

Uncle Hei Pao… no, Aunt Hei Pao, must have suffered very serious injuries, which ruined her appearance and even irreparably damaged her throat.

That was why her voice was always so raspy.

But…

“What the hell, both master and disciple like to crossdress?” Luo Xue couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, thinking to herself, “And neither of them seems to know the other’s true situation…”

Always calling her Guixing, not knowing her real name was Guijiao.

Always calling him Uncle Hei Pao, not knowing it was actually Aunt Hei Pao.

What an interesting pair of master and disciple.

Luo Xue naturally wouldn’t expose this. Suppressing her thoughts, she bowed respectfully to Hei Pao and said softly,

“Luo Xue, outer sect disciple of Falling Flower Peak, Peerless Summit Sect, accepts this mission. I will not fail you.”

Hei Pao was silent for a moment, then said,

“From now on, you’re on your own.”

As her voice fell, the shadow slowly dissipated.

Luo Xue straightened up. Hei Pao’s figure was already gone.

She turned slightly and looked at the giant city behind her, emanating an ominous aura, and the surrounding environment, heavy with Yin energy.

And countless auras, some wild, some sinister, all extremely dangerous.

Fortunately, before leaving, Hei Pao seemed to have cast a barrier around Luo Xue, preventing any prying eyes or ears from noticing her.

This was probably a chance for Luo Xue to prepare.

“It seems that the world of cultivation… is finally back to what I initially thought it was.” Luo Xue sighed. “It seems impossible to peacefully cultivate to the Spirit Condensation Realm.”

But for now, Luo Xue had to enter this city first. Only by passing through Ghost Demon Pass could she truly enter the Demon Abyss.

She couldn’t stay in the border regions forever. From her previous conversation with Senior Sister, Luo Xue already knew that the Demon Abyss wasn’t as dangerous as she had imagined.

Perhaps this chaotic border region was the true test of her journey.

“Pass through Ghost Demon Pass as quickly as possible, find a small sect in the Demon Abyss to live a low-key life, and do everything discreetly.”

Luo Xue quickly formulated a plan. Besides this, she also needed some special preparations.

Firstly, this eye-catching white hair definitely couldn’t be casually revealed, and her small physique also needed to be adjusted slightly to avoid attracting danger.

After all, there were those who had a preference for young children…

Even if they were just small fries, if there were too many, they would still be a nuisance.

Soon, Luo Xue designed a new image for herself.

Short, unremarkable chestnut hair, coarse cloth clothes, an ordinary face with freckles, and sallow skin. She looked like a slave often kept by evil cultivators.

Unfortunately, Luo Xue had only just obtained the Thousand Faces Cultivation Art and had barely mastered the basics, unable to drastically change her appearance or physique.

These changes were just minor modifications based on her original appearance, and she couldn’t even conceal her aura.

Therefore, for now, Luo Xue couldn’t get rid of her child-like appearance…

According to the information from the jade slip, the Thousand Faces Cultivation Art had three levels: “Skin Change,” “Form Change,” and “Body Change.”

Luo Xue had just entered the Skin Change level, which was equivalent to what could be achieved with ordinary disguise techniques.

Li Guijiao had already reached the Body Change level. If she wanted, she could even disguise herself as an adult man, without any flaws.

“Skin Change is even simpler than ordinary basic techniques, but Form Change and above are comparable to Yellow-rank techniques. As for Body Change… it’s probably at least at the Mystic-rank, close to the Earth-rank.”

Luo Xue took a deep breath, realizing Li Guijiao’s high talent.

Divine abilities were divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow. Besides these, there were also basic techniques that didn’t reach any rank and inherited techniques that couldn’t be categorized.

The higher the level, the more difficult it was to comprehend.

The Thousand Faces Cultivation Art was an auxiliary technique that was easy to learn but difficult to master. Luo Xue estimated that even Form Change would be quite challenging for her with her current talent.

However, the Thousand Faces Cultivation Art would be very important for her future life in the Demon Abyss. It was best to reach the highest level.

“I’ll wait until I settle down in the Demon Abyss before upgrading my divine ability aptitude.”

Luo Xue made up her mind. She didn’t upgrade immediately because even if she reached “Barely There,” comprehending divine abilities would still take time and couldn’t be directly converted into combat power.

Moreover, the Ghost Demon Pass she was about to face might be life-threatening, so it was more important to keep some survival points for safety.

Luo Xue’s current disguise… was enough to deal with Ghost Demon Pass, where no one knew her.

After checking her belongings one last time, and using the Thousand Faces Cultivation Art to conceal the presence of her storage ring, Luo Xue walked out of the barrier Hei Pao had set up for her.

Instantly, a sense of urgency and danger assaulted her senses, making her hair stand on end.

This wasn’t because someone was watching her, but because she instinctively sensed that the danger here far surpassed any place she had been before.

Including Mount Fengyin.

“Let’s enter the city first.”

Luo Xue looked towards the city gate, her eyes flickering.

…

As the only passage between You Province and the Nether Spirit forbidden area, Ghost Demon Pass was the most prosperous city within a thousand miles.

After all, even rogue cultivators who were unwelcome in the world needed a place to stay, and a place to indulge themselves.

No matter how pathetic they were, they were still cultivators, not like exiled criminals in the mortal world.

Ghost Demon Pass, although called a “pass,” was filled with places for pleasure and entertainment.

Whether it was brothels for venting desires, music halls for enjoying melodies, or even quiet and elegant tea houses for those seeking solitude, it catered to all the needs of rogue cultivators.

Of course, the prerequisite was… money.

Everything in Ghost Demon Pass required money, even entering the city.

And the money of cultivators… naturally wasn’t mortal gold and silver, but spirit stones, which could be used by any cultivator.

Luo Xue wasn’t worried about this.

Before leaving, Senior Sister had specifically given her two and a half jin of spirit stones, just in case.

As for why it was two and a half jin…

Any more wouldn’t fit in her storage ring. After all, compared to the treasures in Luo Xue’s storage ring, the value of spirit stones wasn’t that high.

But even just two and a half jin of spirit stones was a huge sum for an Innate Realm cultivator.

However…

“We don’t accept spirit stones.”

The guard at the city gate flatly refused the spirit stones Luo Xue offered.

Luo Xue was stunned, and curious and mocking gazes were directed at her, mixed with a few faint traces of greed.

“Why… don’t you accept them?”

Luo Xue asked weakly.

Unknowingly, she had already attracted a lot of attention.

How come, from the very beginning, things weren’t going according to her plan of keeping a low profile…

“We want Qi Condensation Pills, understand?” A hint of impatience flashed through the guard’s eyes. “Do you have any Qi Condensation Pills? If not, get lost!”

“Qi Condensation Pills?”

Luo Xue’s expression turned serious.

It wasn’t that she didn’t recognize Qi Condensation Pills, but rather—she was too familiar with them.

Qi Condensation Pills were pills that condensed spiritual energy from heaven and earth. They were the most basic pills and the most widely used in the cultivation world.

Among the four ranks of pills—Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow—even unranked pills included Qi Condensation Pills. The only difference lay in their potency and purity.

One Yellow-rank Qi Condensation Pill was equivalent to a hundred basic Qi Condensation Pills, a Mystic-rank pill was equivalent to a hundred Yellow-rank pills, and so on.

Luo Xue looked at the spirit stones of various sizes in her storage ring, lost in thought.

“So that’s it…”

It seemed that the currency here was Qi Condensation Pills…

It made sense. Although natural spirit stones contained rich spiritual energy and could be absorbed by cultivators for cultivation, their sizes and impurity content varied, making them difficult to standardize.

Generally, they weren’t used as currency.

Furthermore, the value of spirit stones also differed for different cultivators.

Spirit stones could be directly absorbed, but the efficiency of absorption depended entirely on one’s talent.

If one’s talent was too poor, the efficiency would be very low.

Qi Condensation Pills, on the other hand, were refined from spiritual energy. Regardless of who consumed them, the efficiency of absorption was roughly the same, although there was a slight toxicity—meaning one couldn’t consume too many at once.

For example, the quail egg-sized spirit stone in Luo Xue’s hand, if directly converted, contained spiritual energy equivalent to about fifty basic Qi Condensation Pills.

But if she were to have someone refine this spirit stone into Qi Condensation Pills, firstly, the refining process would consume about 20%, and the alchemist would take another 20% as payment.

What Luo Xue would receive in the end would be only thirty basic Qi Condensation Pills.

For an Innate Realm cultivator, this might be a small fortune, but Spirit Condensation cultivators and above wouldn’t even bother, let alone try to steal them.

“Senior Sister only gave me spirit stones, not Qi Condensation Pills for transactions…”

Luo Xue was helpless. After all, Senior Sister was also a shut-in.

Even when carrying out sect missions, most of Bai Zhanying’s tasks involved slaying demons and monsters, rarely requiring her to trade with others.

“Where did this slave girl escape from? Tsk, she looks quite pathetic…”

“Did she steal that spirit stone from her master? Hehe, such a young age and already learning bad habits…”

The unrestrained discussions around her reached Luo Xue’s ears, making her forehead break out in a cold sweat.

It wasn’t fear, but rather that so many people were watching her, and Luo Xue… was a bit nervous.

Why hadn’t she noticed her social anxiety before…

But to outsiders, it looked like this little girl was frozen in fear.

“Get lost.”

The guard at the city gate finally lost his patience and raised his hand to swat Luo Xue away.

Just then, a fair hand stopped him.

“Wait,” a gentle voice rang out, “I’ll pay the fifty basic Qi Condensation Pills for this little sister’s entrance fee.”

An unfamiliar voice… who was helping her?

Luo Xue looked up towards the source of the sound and was instantly startled.

“Holy crap, squinty eyes!”

Chapter 77: Good Friends Exchange Gifts

“Bo-, Body?”

Li Guijiao immediately took a step back, scenes from storybooks flashing through her mind. “A’Xue, could it be that you want to… offer yourself to me?”

A troubled expression appeared on her face. “But we’re both girls…”

“Girls can do it too.”

Luo Xue casually replied, but immediately saw Li Guijiao’s eyes widen as if a new world had opened up to her, and quickly added, “But that’s not what I meant, you misunderstood.”

“…It’s not?”

For some reason, Li Guijiao felt inexplicably disappointed.

“Ahem, when I said ‘body,’ I meant my physique,” Luo Xue said, correcting herself. “I don’t know if Uncle Hei Pao told you about the specifics of the Calamity Poison Body?”

“No, what exactly is the Calamity Poison Body?”

Li Guijiao asked with confusion, a faint blush still lingering on her cheeks.

She was always immersed in storybooks and had read fewer of the actual Immortal Domain records.

“A… talent, similar to your eyes.”

Luo Xue extended her arm, and beneath her snow-white skin, a sickly purplish-red color was faintly visible.

“My blood is a deadly poison. Once there’s direct contact, even Spirit Condensation cultivators can’t resist it.”

“Used properly, it can even kill Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

That was, if the poisonous blood was injected directly into the opponent’s heart or head. Otherwise, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, once they reacted, could quickly stop the spread of the poison.

“Hiss…”

Li Guijiao gasped. Although she was naive, she still had a clear understanding of the combat power of cultivators.

A method that allowed an Innate Realm cultivator to kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator, even if the conditions were extremely strict, was still shocking as long as the possibility existed.

The Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall’s worries weren’t unfounded. Once Luo Xue reached the Core Formation Realm, she would theoretically have the ability to assassinate a Nascent Soul cultivator.

And she also had the ability to silently slaughter mortals.

A wisp of blood mist could kill without a trace, and a few drops of poisonous blood could wipe out an entire city, impossible to defend against.

Of course, Luo Xue wouldn’t do such a thing.

“I don’t really have anything good to give you, so I’ll give you some of my blood.”

Luo Xue took out a jade bottle used for storing medicinal liquids from her storage ring, then condensed her spiritual power into a blade, cutting her skin. Purplish-red blood slowly dripped into the bottle.

She didn’t even give Li Guijiao a chance to stop her.

“A’Xue, are you really sure…”

Li Guijiao looked at Luo Xue’s slightly pale face and asked worriedly.

“It’s just a little blood, no problem,” Luo Xue smiled, then her expression turned serious. “Remember, don’t touch the poisonous blood directly with your hands. You can use spiritual power to control the blood and apply it to your weapon.”

“As long as you have the opportunity to pierce their heart, this blood can give you the ability to kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

The poison of the Calamity Poison Body ranked sixth among the ten most potent poisons.

This was because the toxicity was influenced by the cultivator’s level. If it were the blood of a Nascent Soul Calamity Poison Body, its toxicity could rank among the top three.

The ten most potent poisons were so valuable that even the sects in the Immortal Domain that specialized in poisons coveted them. Luo Huaxin had been put on a wanted list for stealing a gourd of the ninth most potent poison, Immortal’s Kowtow.

…However, being on a wanted list was commonplace for her.

After filling the small jade bottle, Luo Xue stopped the bleeding and exhaled.

When she came back to her senses, she felt a little dizzy.

This small amount of poisonous blood had been refined by her, its toxicity even greater than ordinary blood.

But it also consumed more energy.

Li Guijiao quickly supported Luo Xue, and before she could say anything, Luo Xue handed her the jade bottle.

“Here, for you.” Luo Xue forced a faint smile onto her slightly tired face. “We’re good friends, right?”

“…Yes.” Li Guijiao nodded slightly, then nodded more vigorously. “Yes!”

“Good friends exchange gifts.”

Luo Xue placed the jade bottle in Li Guijiao’s hand, leaned against the wall, and looked around.

“But, A’Gui, why did you build such a cave in this kind of place…”

Li Guijiao took the jade bottle and carefully placed it in her storage pouch. Hearing Luo Xue’s question, she replied,

“I’m afraid the Peerless Summit Sect will be destroyed…”

“…??”

A question mark appeared above Luo Xue’s head.

Not to mention being overly pessimistic, wasn’t this a bit too much preparation?

“Look, in the stories, the protagonist’s sect is always the first to be destroyed…”

“…It does seem that way.”

“If the sect is destroyed, I’ll have a place to hide,” Li Guijiao said seriously, not like she was joking. “So, I’ve stored a hundred years’ worth of resources here. This way, I can hide for a hundred years!”

“If… if it’s not over after a hundred years, then I’m out of luck…”

Luo Xue couldn’t help but laugh, not knowing what to say… No wonder Uncle Hei Pao had such a headache dealing with A’Gui.

But was there anything wrong with that?

“It’s okay, we’ll figure it out then.”

“Okay…”

“I’ll figure it out with you.”

“Really?”

“Really, I won’t be staying in the sect. Even if it’s destroyed, it won’t affect me.”

“That’s true… haha…”

The gray shadow, flickering at the entrance of the cave, remained silent.

…

After Luo Xue and Li Guijiao had spent some time in the cave, Hei Pao figured that those who wanted to follow him and Luo Xue should have already gone far away with the shadow he had split off earlier.

He immediately transmitted his voice to the white figure in the cave.

“Luo Xue, it’s time to go.”

The white figure paused, then replied,

“Okay.”

Hei Pao raised his hand, using his spiritual power to lift Luo Xue out of the cave, then they merged into the shadows together.

“I should have avoided all prying eyes. Time is of the essence. I’ll send you to the border between You Province and the Nether Spirit forbidden area. After that, it’s up to you.”

Hei Pao said in a deep voice, then handed Luo Xue a token.

“This is a spy token. If you encounter danger, activate the inscription on it. If there are any spies nearby carrying out missions, they will come to your rescue if the situation allows.”

Luo Xue took the token and nodded.

Hei Pao released his spiritual power, using a technique to conceal their auras, then slowly lifted them into the air.

Luo Xue looked down, the entire Peerless Summit Sect spread out before her, a final glance.

On the distant peak adorned with falling flowers, a woman with her hair tied up looked into the distance;

Amidst the boundless clear water and lush forests, a stunning beauty lay drunkenly in the sky;

In the dark and secluded depths of the cliff, a small head peeked out, looking at her with reluctance, waving a hand, as if saying something.

“It’s time to go.”

Hei Pao said softly.

A long flying sword appeared beneath their feet, a barrier of spiritual power protecting them. This was the sword-riding technique of the Peerless Summit Sect, famous throughout the nine provinces and four domains.

A thousand miles in an instant.

Their destination… the border between You Province and the Nether Spirit forbidden area.

Chapter 76: Li Guijiao’s Talent, Repayment with Herself 

Luo Xue couldn’t quite handle Ye Ningshuang’s overly familiar attitude, finding Li Guijiao’s personality much more agreeable.

“But, A’Xue, I heard you’re going to the Demon Abyss as a spy soon,” Li Guijiao said with a worried expression. “The Demon Abyss is very dangerous, why would you go there…”

“There are some reasons why I have to go.” Luo Xue replied, then paused slightly. “Wait, how did you know about this?”

Although it seemed like everyone Luo Xue met knew she was going to the Demon Abyss as a spy, in reality, this information was top secret.

So secret that even the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, who was always against Luo Xue, didn’t dare to reveal her mission publicly.

Even if he did, Luo Xue would lose her place in the Demon Abyss.

Only the secret envoys in the Demon Abyss and the highest echelons of the Peerless Summit Sect—the four Peak Masters and the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall—were privy to the list of spies.

“Uncle Hei Pao told me,” Li Guijiao said, resting her chin on her hand, her expression slightly downcast. “I originally wanted to go on a sect mission with you, but he said you had another mission…”

“I kept pestering him, and then he told me.”

“…I see.”

Luo Xue looked up slightly. The opening of the cave was far above, but she felt a faint gaze from above.

She didn’t mind Li Guijiao knowing about this. With Li Guijiao’s personality, she was unlikely to spread this information around…

No, it was impossible.

“It’s nothing, really. I heard that the Demon Abyss is actually very similar to the Immortal Domain, just governed by different sects.”

Luo Xue found a small stool and sat down. Although this cave was spacious and well-stocked, there wasn’t even a proper table.

And there was no bed either, only a small stool and a meditation cushion.

Was Li Guijiao the ascetic type of cultivator…

“Eh, really?” Li Guijiao frowned. “But the stories say that the Demon Abyss is filled with rivers of blood, the ground is covered in bones, and even the trees eat people!”

Li Guijiao took several books from a nearby shelf and placed them in front of Luo Xue. “It’s all in these.”

Luo Xue picked one up and twitched her lips.

Azure Sky Immortal Emperor, Endless Demon Abyss, Rebirth of the Immortal Emperor.

What kind of books were these…

“The protagonist in these stories is always in danger, with people trying to kill him everywhere. It’s so scary.”

Speaking of this, Li Guijiao became animated. She picked up a book, flipped through it, and pointed to a passage for Luo Xue to see.

“Look here, the protagonist’s master is actually the Nine Nether Ghost King, who wants to possess the protagonist’s body to cultivate again! The protagonist barely survived! If I encountered such a situation, I wouldn’t know what to do…”

Li Guijiao’s face was full of worry.

Luo Xue suddenly understood where Li Guijiao’s personality came from.

A prodigy of the Immortal Domain… was actually scared by stories.

“Aren’t you afraid that I’m also some kind of Nine Nether Ghost King?” Luo Xue teased, wanting to play a prank on her. “If you trust me so much, what if I possess your body?”

Li Guijiao didn’t answer immediately. She looked at Luo Xue with a serious expression, her eyes unblinking.

Her gaze made Luo Xue feel awkward, and she involuntarily averted her eyes.

“You won’t, A’Xue,” Li Guijiao said with certainty. “Actually… I can see your heart, no, not just yours, but many, many others’…”

A certain light seemed to shine in her eyes.

“Your heart only has one color, a beautiful white. It’s the purest and most beautiful heart I’ve ever seen.”

“Master’s heart has many colors, so does the Sect Master’s, and the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall has the most.”

“See… hearts?” Luo Xue was curious. “Do you mean souls?”

Li Guijiao shook her head. “No, I can’t explain it. I can just… see them.”

Could it be that she had the talent of telepathy?

Telepathy didn’t necessarily mean reading the other person’s thoughts. Just being able to roughly determine their intentions was already very useful.

Luo Xue thought for a moment, then asked, “When you looked at Senior Brother Kong, what color was it?”

The sect hadn’t yet publicly revealed Kong Lianbin’s identity as a spy. Most of the new disciples had already gone out on sect missions and hadn’t noticed his disappearance.

Luo Xue wanted to hear what he looked like in Li Guijiao’s eyes.

“Hmm… Senior Brother Kong?” Li Guijiao recalled carefully. “He seemed to only have red and black… very ugly. But there weren’t many colors, so he shouldn’t be a bad person, right?”

Luo Xue tried to keep a straight face. He was definitely not a good person…

However, Kong Lianbin was a Demon Abyss spy, so his intentions were indeed pure, purely for sabotage.

So, Li Guijiao’s ability was indeed a special talent, or perhaps a kind of Dao Body.

Luo Xue’s Calamity Poison Body was a type of Dao Body, but not all Dao Bodies changed the physical body. Some affected the sea of consciousness, the soul, or the circulation of spiritual power.

Li Guijiao, immersed in stories, knew less about this aspect and hadn’t realized it.

Moreover, if this was the case, it was probably the first time Li Guijiao had revealed her special ability. Otherwise, her master, Hei Pao, would have already known.

She actually told me her most important secret…

Luo Xue’s feelings were complicated, a mix of gratitude and something else.

She hadn’t done anything, just chatted with Senior Sister Li for a bit.

“Don’t tell anyone else, okay? I only told you.” Li Guijiao said cautiously. “Even Master doesn’t know!”

Actually, Hei Pao should know this better than Luo Xue.

With the Peerless Summit Sect’s resources, they could definitely figure out what Li Guijiao’s Dao Body was.

However, since this was Li Guijiao’s wish, Luo Xue would respect it.

“No problem.” Luo Xue nodded, then thought for a moment and said, “In that case, I’ll tell you a secret too.”

“A, a secret? Tell me?” Li Guijiao asked, flattered. “Is it really okay?”

This child, how starved for affection was she…

The way she spoke made Luo Xue feel like she was abducting a child.

After all, Luo Xue was a sixteen-year-old high school girl before transmigrating, had spent ten years in the post-apocalyptic world, and had twelve years of memories in the Peerless Summit Sect. To Li Guijiao, she was already like an older sister.

“We’re good friends,” Luo Xue reached out and rubbed Li Guijiao’s hair. “It’s normal for good friends to share secrets.”

“Oh, oh… so that’s what good friends are like,” Li Guijiao nodded thoughtfully. “But in the stories, the protagonist’s good friends always like to stab them in the back…”

“Let’s not talk about stories for now…”

Luo Xue was speechless about the stories in Li Guijiao’s hands. Couldn’t she read some heartwarming novels?

Life was already bleak enough, why not read something happy?

“Oh.”

Li Guijiao responded.

For some reason, although A’Xue was younger than her, she gave off the feeling of an older sister…

“I… actually come from another world.” Luo Xue said with a faint smile. “If one day I suddenly disappear, please don’t be sad. I’m just returning to my own world.”

Li Guijiao’s expression froze.

She stared blankly at Luo Xue, speechless.

“Such a big reaction?” Luo Xue stopped rubbing her hair, her heart clenching slightly. “Could it be… I triggered something?”

Revealing her true existence was also a step towards exploring the nature of this world.

She had originally wanted to tell Senior Sister, but Senior Sister had too many worries and concerns. Luo Xue didn’t know what would happen if she told her.

In the worst-case scenario, Senior Sister might think that her body had been possessed, and then it would be difficult to explain.

But Luo Xue didn’t expect that revealing this would cause such a big reaction from Li Guijiao.

Could it be that this dream world…

Just as Luo Xue’s thoughts were running wild, tears welled up in Li Guijiao’s eyes.

“A’Xue, do you think I’m stupid!”

“Huh?”

Now it was Luo Xue’s turn to be confused.

“You’re trying to trick me, to tell me that…”

Her voice was choked with sobs, her words unclear.

“Are… are you going to die…”

“…”

So that’s what she thought.

“No, I… forget it, that secret doesn’t count.” Luo Xue couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to wipe away Li Guijiao’s tears. “I’ll tell you another one. Actually, I have the Calamity Poison Body. That’s why I have to leave the sect.”

“Calamity Poison Body?” Li Guijiao raised her tear-stained face. “What is that…”

“…Read more books.”

“I’ve read many books…”

“Not these kinds of books, proper records.” Luo Xue rubbed her temples. “Tell you what, I promise you, if you ever have the chance to come to the Demon Abyss, I will definitely meet you.”

In fact, Underworld Water Ravine was the main source of spies. At least 90% of the Peerless Summit Sect’s spies came from Underworld Water Ravine, and most of their sect missions were related to the Demon Abyss.

No matter what, Li Guijiao would definitely come to the Demon Abyss in the future.

—As long as she didn’t stay holed up in this cave, wasting her talent for assassination.

“Really?”

Li Guijiao asked tearfully.

“Really.” Luo Xue extended her pinky finger. “We can make a pinky promise.”

Luo Xue paused.

This scene seemed familiar…

Li Guijiao, seeing Luo Xue’s serious expression, also extended her pinky finger.

But halfway there, she quickly retracted it.

“No!” Li Guijiao crossed her arms. “In the stories, every time someone makes a pinky promise, someone dies!”

Luo Xue winced. What kind of stories was she reading?

But come to think of it, the last time she made a pinky promise with Xiao Yao, she was the one who died…

Well, this was a classic flag.

“I will definitely find you,” Li Guijiao sniffed. “I’ve memorized your scent. It’s white.”

“…What kind of description is that?”

“It’s just white,” Li Guijiao insisted. “A’Xue is white from head to toe!”

“If you say so.”

Luo Xue’s tone was helpless, but she couldn’t help but smile.

The more she interacted with Li Guijiao, the more she felt that she was like a naive girl, living in her own world, a world built from stories.

Perhaps it was because of her Dao Body that she had been exposed to the dangers and ugliness of the world too early, which was why she was like this.

“By the way, A’Xue, besides showing you my home, there’s another reason why I invited you here.”

As Li Guijiao spoke, she turned and started rummaging through her bookshelf.

As she moved the books, a floor tile suddenly popped up with a thud.

Li Guijiao moved the tile aside, revealing a hidden compartment.

“…What a classic hidden compartment.” Luo Xue thought to herself.

Li Guijiao carefully took out a jade slip from inside and handed it to Luo Xue.

“This is the Thousand Faces Cultivation Art, the divine ability I use to change my appearance. It can change not only my appearance but also my aura. I’ve tried it, and even Nascent Soul cultivators can’t detect it unless they carefully examine me!”

“The Demon Abyss is very dangerous, you must never reveal your true identity… So I’m giving this to you!”

Luo Xue took the jade slip, her expression turning serious.

She knew that this jade slip would be very helpful to her.

It could even be said to be much more useful than the divine abilities Senior Sister had chosen for her.

Although Shocking Mountain Guest and Flashing Blossom were life-saving and escape techniques, they were just basic techniques and wouldn’t be of much use in actual combat.

This wasn’t Senior Sister’s fault; it was just that Luo Xue’s talent for divine abilities was truly abysmal, and Falling Flower Peak’s signature techniques weren’t suitable for her violent fighting style.

As for her divine ability aptitude, she would have to consider using survival points to improve it after the dust settled.

Anyway, the Thousand Faces Cultivation Art would be of great help to Luo Xue.

Once she entered the Demon Abyss, she could change her identity. Even if someone wanted to kill her, how would they recognize her?

Thinking of this, Luo Xue felt much more relaxed.

However…

Accepting such a valuable gift from Li Guijiao made Luo Xue feel a little uneasy.

But she didn’t have anything valuable on her now. Most of the items in her storage ring were given to her by Senior Sister. Giving someone else’s gift to another person felt strange no matter how she thought about it.

Moreover, as the direct disciple of the Peak Master of Underworld Water Ravine, with such outstanding aptitude, Li Guijiao wouldn’t lack pills or techniques.

“What’s wrong?”

Li Guijiao saw that Luo Xue hadn’t spoken since receiving the Thousand Faces Cultivation Art and thought she didn’t like it, her voice becoming slightly weaker.

“Nothing,” Luo Xue smiled and put away the Thousand Faces Cultivation Art. “I was just thinking, you gave me such a valuable gift, what should I give you in return?”

“No need, no need,” Li Guijiao waved her hands repeatedly. “It’s not that valuable, I’ve already learned it!”

“I still have to give you something. Exchanging gifts is what good friends do.” Luo Xue smiled, then frowned slightly. “But I don’t seem to have anything to give you…”

After a moment of thought, Luo Xue’s eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands.

“Oh right, I still have my body!”

Chapter 75: Parting Gifts and an Unexpected Invitation 

Cultivation aptitude corresponded to cultivation techniques, while divine ability aptitude referred to one’s talent for cultivating divine abilities.

Previously, Luo Xue hadn’t learned any divine abilities, either relying on the characteristics of the Calamity Poison Body or imbuing her weapons with spiritual power and using her physical strength to win.

Divine abilities were essentially a more efficient way to utilize spiritual power, and clearly, Luo Xue currently lacked this talent.

Of course, since her cultivation aptitude had been improved, Luo Xue wasn’t completely incapable of learning divine abilities.

At least, she could learn some basic ones without any problems.

Considering Luo Xue’s situation, Bai Zhanying specifically chose two divine abilities for her.

Shocking Mountain Guest and Flashing Blossom.

The former was a defensive divine ability from Cold Edge Cliff, and the latter was an escape technique from Underworld Water Ravine.

They were… both for survival.

Luo Xue couldn’t help but think, Senior Sister, how afraid are you of me dying…

The basic techniques of each peak were interchangeable. Only the divine abilities of Core Formation and above were relatively secretive.

Of course, even if they weren’t kept secret, disciples from other peaks couldn’t cultivate them, as these divine abilities required corresponding cultivation techniques.

However, Luo Xue still accepted Bai Zhanying’s suggestion.

She would put aside Falling Flower Peak’s signature technique, All Day Flying Flowers, and learn these two life-saving divine abilities first.

As for Luo Xue’s other technique slot, the technique from her Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting avatar had been replaced with Falling Flower Peak’s Falling Flower Scripture.

—Nominally, Luo Xue was now an outer sect disciple of Falling Flower Peak.

However, the spiritual power of the Falling Flower Scripture was gentle and continuous, not very suitable for Luo Xue’s current domineering fighting style, but there were no better techniques available, so she could only make do with it.

“If only I could obtain the Heavenly Hub Sword Scripture of Dawn Light Peak, but inheritance techniques require the corresponding disciple status…”

Bai Zhanying said with a hint of regret.

The spiritual power of the Heavenly Hub Sword Scripture was extremely domineering, so domineering that only weapons could withstand it. If used directly, the body would collapse to varying degrees, unable to withstand the force of the spiritual power.

Senior Brother Zhang, the previous owner of the heavy sword in Luo Xue’s hand, was a disciple of Dawn Light Peak. This heavy sword was generally used with spiritual power. Someone like Luo Xue, who directly wielded it with physical strength, was a freak…

From this point of view, Luo Xue’s current physical strength was astonishing, comparable to the level of an ordinary Spirit Condensation cultivator using spiritual power.

Of course, she was still much weaker than a Spirit Condensation cultivator.

The spiritual aperture opened at the Spirit Condensation Realm could greatly increase one’s spiritual power capacity, and moreover, spiritual power could be used for various divine abilities, making it much stronger than pure physical strength.

“It’s fine, I have another technique.” Luo Xue sensed the spiritual power within her body, tinged with Yin energy and poison, and took a deep breath. “It seems to be a bit stronger than the Falling Flower Scripture…”

“Stronger than the Falling Flower Scripture?” Bai Zhanying’s expression turned serious. “By the way, Xiao Xue, tell me more about your demonic… other technique.”

Luo Xue was silent for a moment, considering whether to tell Bai Zhanying the truth.

But after a moment of thought, she gave up on the idea.

Before understanding the nature of this world, it was better not to reveal anything about the other world.

“I don’t know much either. It just… appeared in my mind one day.”

Luo Xue released a bit of the spiritual power of the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture, and a purplish-red light flowed through her pale arm.

Bai Zhanying sensed it carefully and her heart instantly palpitated.

“This… this is Innate Realm spiritual power? Its purity is comparable to the Spirit Condensation Realm… no, even more peculiar than ordinary Spirit Condensation Realm spiritual power!”

Such pure spiritual power couldn’t be compared to those rapidly achieved demonic techniques that relied on stealing others’ cultivation or consuming flesh and blood.

It was probably… some ancient inheritance that had been lost to time, with no records remaining…

But how could such an inheritance inexplicably appear in her mind?

Could it be… like with demonic beasts, engraved deep within her bloodline, awakening under certain conditions?

Bai Zhanying pondered for a moment, then said seriously,

“Xiao Xue, no matter what, don’t tell anyone about the inheritance you possess, no one, including me.”

Luo Xue had only shown Bai Zhanying her spiritual power, not the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture itself.

Bai Zhanying knew the value of such an inheritance. Even within the Peerless Summit Sect, those who possessed ancient inheritances could be counted on one hand.

Among them were even… Soul Transformation ancestors.

Every Soul Transformation ancestor was an unparalleled existence in their era.

Even so, very few obtained ancient inheritances.

“By the way, if you encounter the Holy Maiden of the Temple of the Nether Spirit, avoid her.” Bai Zhanying said in a deep voice. “She also possesses an ancient inheritance, a legacy that requires killing to advance. She’s extremely dangerous.”

“The concept of fate, although ethereal, is real. If she learns that you also possess an ancient inheritance, she might try to kill you and seize your fate.”

“Hiss, that dangerous?”

Luo Xue was startled and secretly took note. She would have to avoid that terrifying Holy Maiden in the Demon Abyss.

“Indeed, even within the Peerless Summit Sect, if your ancient inheritance is discovered, some disciples might have ulterior motives…”

Bai Zhanying looked at Luo Xue for a long time and sighed.

“Okay, I’ll be careful.”

Luo Xue nodded seriously.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“Zhanying, it’s me.”

It was Hei Pao’s voice.

“…Has this moment finally arrived?”

Bai Zhanying thought silently, and Luo Xue’s expression also turned slightly serious.

Luo Xue realized that this might be the last time she saw Senior Sister.

“Don’t worry, it’s not a farewell forever. I’ll go to the Demon Abyss to find you in the future.”

Bai Zhanying lifted Luo Xue’s bangs and gently scraped her nose.

“Senior Sister…”

Luo Xue’s nose felt a little sore.

Only she knew that this was a farewell forever.

At some point, Hei Pao had silently appeared behind them, watching this scene in silence.

“It’s time to go.”

“Okay.”

…

Hei Pao lifted Luo Xue with his spiritual power and left Falling Flower Peak.

But they didn’t go directly to the sect’s gate. Instead, he split off a gray shadow, and they concealed themselves, returning to Underworld Water Ravine.

“Uncle Hei Pao, this is…”

Luo Xue looked at the departing gray shadow, slightly stunned.

“Guixing wants to see you.” Hei Pao said concisely, then glanced at the departing shadow. “She doesn’t want others to know.”

As expected of Senior Sister Li’s style…

Perhaps, she had learned something and was worried about being associated with her…

“Also, someone wants to kill you,” Hei Pao said faintly, “Within the Peerless Summit Sect.”

Luo Xue’s eyes widened slightly, but then she relaxed.

“It’s the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, right?” Luo Xue sighed.

Hei Pao didn’t answer, seemingly confirming it.

“So… why?” Luo Xue’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “With me leaving the Peerless Summit Sect, the matter between him and the Sect Master shouldn’t have anything to do with me anymore.”

Hei Pao hesitated for a moment, then said,

“The Grand Elder… hates demonic cultivators very much, especially demonic spies. It has something to do with his past.”

“If Kong Lianbin, who tried to assassinate you, hadn’t died and had fallen into the hands of the Law Enforcement Hall, he would have faced a fate far worse than being burned by the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame.”

Another fanatic?

Luo Xue almost blurted it out, but changed her words at the last moment.

“Like the radicals of the Underworld Water Ravine rebellion?”

Hei Pao suddenly stopped.

Luo Xue then realized that the person in front of her was the Peak Master of Underworld Water Ravine…

She had stepped on a landmine.

But Hei Pao just paused for a moment, then continued walking towards the depths of Underworld Water Ravine.

But he didn’t say another word after that.

“Could the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall also be a radical?”

Luo Xue asked curiously.

Hei Pao didn’t seem to have any ill intentions towards her. Having the chance to learn about a potential enemy, Luo Xue wouldn’t miss it.

“Don’t speak of what happened back then,” Hei Pao said in a deep voice. “Within the Peerless Summit Sect now, that matter is absolutely forbidden.”

“I can only tell you that there’s a reason why the Grand Elder didn’t become the Sect Master.”

…He said not to speak of it, yet he spoke of it himself.

Luo Xue wanted to ask more, but Hei Pao stopped and said,

“We’re here. Guixing is inside.”

“Mmm…”

Luo Xue looked up and was almost startled.

How… was it a hole?

Surrounded by rock formations and dark forests, faint light shone from above, perfectly avoiding the hole on the ground, just big enough for one person to pass through.

“Are you sure?”

Luo Xue raised an eyebrow.

“I’m sure.”

Hei Pao’s voice was as indifferent as ever, but it seemed to carry a hint of inexplicable emotion.

Well, he also had a headache…

“And also, I’ll thank you on Guixing’s behalf for what happened on Falling Flower Peak.” Hei Pao said softly. “She has the strength to become powerful, but not the heart of a powerful cultivator.”

“If not for your encouragement, she wouldn’t have taken this step, who knows how many more years it would have taken.”

“Avoiding battles is fine, but fearing them is not.”

Luo Xue touched her nose awkwardly. She hadn’t thought that much…

“Go on.” Hei Pao took a step back, a hint of amusement in his voice. “She usually doesn’t even let me enter her cave. You’re the first guest she has ever invited.”

“…I’m honored.”

Luo Xue looked at this literal cave and twitched her lips.

She walked over and cautiously looked inside.

But the next moment, a force enveloped her, pulling her directly into the cave.

Hei Pao leaned against a nearby rock formation and watched silently.

…

Although the entrance was narrow, the inside was much more spacious.

Luo Xue’s body fell straight down. She quickly adjusted her posture mid-air to avoid landing headfirst.

After falling about fifty meters, Luo Xue’s feet landed on the ground.

“Thump!”

Her small feet landed on the marble floor without stirring up any dust.

Luo Xue looked up, intending to see what was inside this cave.

But the next moment, a loud bang rang out beside her.

“An attack?”

Caught off guard, Luo Xue instinctively bent down slightly and reached for the dagger at her waist, but felt nothing.

—She had changed her equipment. The heavy sword was still in her storage ring.

“Ah!” A girl’s startled cry followed, along with some panic. “A’Xue, I… I’m sorry…”

“Hmm?”

Luo Xue looked towards the source of the sound and saw an unfamiliar girl standing nervously beside her, holding a paper tube.

Only then did Luo Xue notice that after the bang, some colorful confetti had fallen…

Was this a welcome for her?

And who was this girl?

Wait…

“Senior Sister Li?”

Luo Xue asked tentatively.

“Just call me A’Gui,” Li Guijiao lowered her head, fidgeting nervously.

“I’m sorry, A’Xue, I heard this is a common little surprise in the mortal world to welcome guests, but I didn’t expect it to scare you…”

Luo Xue blinked and looked up.

A large banner hung on the wall, with several large characters written in childish handwriting.

“Welcome A’Xue to A’Gui’s Home”

“I’ve read many mortal stories, and it seems they all do this…”

Feeling Luo Xue’s gaze, Li Guijiao became even more nervous.

“I just didn’t expect Senior Sister… A’Gui to do this.” Luo Xue relaxed her fighting stance and said with a smile, “But I like it.”

“Really?”

Li Guijiao’s big eyes blinked.

“Really.”

Luo Xue looked around, her face filled with amazement.

What a peculiar “home” this was…

Fifty meters underground, a space of at least five hundred square meters had been carved out.

Various supplies and medicinal pills were neatly categorized. Luo Xue glanced at them briefly; they were all basic Qi Condensation Pills and the like, nothing particularly valuable.

“By the way, A’Gui, is this your true appearance?” Luo Xue asked.

The appearance Li Guijiao had shown on Falling Flower Peak was that of a ghostly girl, with a pale complexion and delicate features, easily mistaken for a wronged spirit.

But the current Li Guijiao, although also around thirteen or fourteen years old, looked completely different.

A delicate oval face, paired with beautiful phoenix eyes, although not as stunning as Su Yiyao, she was still quite a beauty.

Even though her aura was a bit gloomy, she was still pleasant to look at, like a melancholic young girl… not a wronged spirit.

“Yes,” Li Guijiao said honestly. “Because many people think that Underworld Water Ravine disciples should look like that… and I don’t want to reveal my true appearance to outsiders.”

Li Guijiao paused, then said seriously, “It’s very dangerous. There are Demon Abyss spies everywhere!”

“…”

Luo Xue’s eyelids twitched.

Senior Sister Li hadn’t changed at all…

She was very curious why Senior Sister Li had become so paranoid.

“But A’Xue, you’re the first disciple who’s willing to talk to me seriously, hehe…”

Li Guijiao smiled shyly, looking quite happy.

“I tried talking to Senior Brother Ye, Senior Brother Kong, and Senior Sister Ye before, but they… didn’t really want to talk to me.”

Luo Xue was slightly stunned.

Senior Brother Ye and Senior Brother Kong… that was understandable, but Ye Ningshuang shouldn’t be like that…

But then she thought again, Senior Sister Li had always been mistaken for a male disciple, and a difficult one at that.

Hmm… it wasn’t that surprising.