Category: Devilish Disciple [Transmigration]

Chapter 61: “It’s Fine, I Won’t Ask Again”

Although the passage between the human and demon realms was a one-way street, news could still travel between the two worlds.

There were always those who risked their lives for profit, those capable of navigating the treacherous passage and surviving in the Demon Realm.

They were familiar with the demons, conducting illicit cross-realm trades for immense profits.

Ever since the Demon Bone escaped to the Demon Realm, cultivators from various sects had been using these traders to gather information.

Si Qinglan, having traveled the human realm for millennia, even after founding Mount Chao Yao, still occasionally visited the human world.

She naturally knew a few of these traders.

To stay informed, she had given them tokens allowing access to the mountain, tokens that hadn’t been used in a long time.

But since Mu Tao went to the Demon Realm, these connections became useful again.

“Such a big event, if I can hear about it, then the other immortal sects surely can too.” Si Qinglan said, her gaze distant, lost in thought.

Li Yu had initially thought it would take at least three years for the main storyline to progress.

But she never expected Mu Tao to advance the plot so quickly on her own.

The system had mentioned the butterfly effect, how even small changes could have significant consequences.

So now, what was influencing Mu Tao, allowing her to accomplish in such a short time what took three years in the original story?

Was it…her?

Li Yu lowered her gaze.

That 99% blackening value hadn’t changed.

It was because of her, because she had changed so many details.

If the little protagonist in the original story also had a blackening value, it would have stemmed partly from the male protagonist, partly from her master, and partly from the world’s malice.

Her hatred, her obsession, her resentment, were all scattered.

So, it took her a long time to gather them, to piece together a hateful self amidst her confusion and loneliness.

But this time was different.

Li Yu thought, it was her arrival, her giving Mu Tao that cultivation manual, that changed everything.

She had thought that treating Mu Tao well would prevent her from blackening, from becoming the ruthless killer in the latter half of the novel.

But she had become too close, fostering a dependence in Mu Tao even stronger than the protagonist’s dependence on the male protagonist in the original story.

She hadn’t seen this dependence as a problem, believing she would always be with Mu Tao, never letting her go.

Yet, she had abandoned Mu Tao at the entrance to the Demon Realm.

Just like in the original story, without any explanation, severing the Harmony Bells, turning away without looking back, indifferent to her cries and pleas.

All those promises and vows had become thorns in Mu Tao’s heart.

Mu Tao didn’t need to hate the world or anyone else.

Just her.

Because this time, she was the one who pushed the blackening value to its peak.

Fueled by this focused hatred, Mu Tao no longer hesitated, simply striving for power, to return and demand an explanation.

Perhaps she would see Mu Tao soon.

Should she be happy?

When they met again, how would she explain, how would she quell that hatred?

Li Yu’s heart was in turmoil, her mind racing with chaotic thoughts.

Fragmented memories from the novel, her experiences with Mu Tao, her eagerness to see her again, and the uncertainty of their future, all crowded her mind.

“Li Yu?”

“…”

“What are you spacing out about?”

“…”

“Are you even listening to me?!” Si Qinglan slapped the table again.

Li Yu looked up at her, worry in her eyes.

Si Qinglan, seeing her like this, hesitated to continue.

After a moment of thought, she sighed softly. “I know you’re sad, but…our paths and that girl’s…they’re destined to diverge.”

“Are they…”

“The Demon Realm respects strength. She killed the Demon Lord, so she will become the Demon Lord. All the demons will obey her. I don’t know if, at her age and with her temperament, she can handle such power.” Si Qinglan’s worry deepened. “We were the ones who let her go. If one day, she leads the demons to wreak havoc on the human realm, we will be held accountable…”

Li Yu: “It was me, it has nothing to do with you or Mount Chao Yao.”

Si Qinglan: “…”

Li Yu: “I’ll bear the responsibility myself.”

Si Qinglan: “What are you talking about?”

A flicker of sympathy appeared in Si Qinglan’s eyes. “I was the one who brought her here, and I didn’t stop you when you decided to take her away.”

Not only did she not stop her, but she even helped.

This wasn’t Li Yu’s responsibility alone.

Si Qinglan sighed. “I hope she just wants to protect herself… If she can stay in the Demon Realm peacefully, then there won’t be any problems.”

Li Yu couldn’t say for sure. With so many changes to the plot, Mu Tao’s current mindset must be drastically different from the original story.

She shouldn’t harbor much resentment towards the human realm or Mount Chao Yao.

How much of the original plot would unfold, and what ending the protagonist would ultimately have, was uncertain.

But one thing was certain; Mu Tao wouldn’t stay peacefully in the Demon Realm.

They still had to meet again.

Mu Tao’s blackening value hadn’t reached 100% yet; there was still hope.

How and where they would meet, and whether she could reduce that blackening value, would likely depend on the subsequent main storyline.

The system had only said that severing the Harmony Bells and abandoning Mu Tao, allowing her to become the Demon Lord, was a crucial plot point.

But it hadn’t said that Mu Tao leading the demons to invade the human realm and attack Mount Chao Yao was also part of the main storyline.

Li Yu paused, and seeing that the system didn’t object, felt slightly reassured.

After Si Qinglan left, Li Yu sat by the window, lost in thought.

Her thoughts were chaotic, but gradually, they became clearer.

She shouldn’t stay on Mount Chao Yao and wait for Mu Tao to return.

Mu Tao had become the Demon Lord, fulfilling the system’s initial requirement, so the restrictions on her should be lifted.

If she waited here for Mu Tao to find her, it would only fuel Mu Tao’s resentment and inevitably lead to conflict with Mount Chao Yao and the human realm.

But what if she took the initiative?

She could go to the Demon Realm and find Mu Tao, avoiding potential conflicts!

She could explain everything to Mu Tao. Even if the system muted some of her words, with enough time, she could surely make her understand!

Li Yu asked the system inwardly, “The crucial plot point has passed. I want to go to the Demon Realm and find Mu Tao. Will you stop me?”

【The protagonist has become the Demon Lord, fulfilling the prerequisite for the subsequent main storyline. The host is free to act as you see fit.】

Hearing this, Li Yu almost cried with relief.

It felt like she had finally reached the end of a long and arduous journey.

She had been waiting for this day!

She stood up excitedly.

Then, she hesitated.

Should she leave now? Should she inform Si Qinglan?

If she did, would Si Qinglan try to stop her?

Things were different now; Mu Tao was the Demon Lord. Si Qinglan probably wouldn’t let her go to the Demon Realm.

After much deliberation, Li Yu decided to leave secretly.

Knowing that leaving without saying goodbye was rude, she decided to write a letter.

Driven by a clear goal, she immediately sat down at the desk.

The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone here were purely decorative. Not only did she not know how to use them, but the original owner probably hadn’t used them either. They were practically antiques. If she hadn’t been routinely cleaning them with spiritual energy, they might not even be usable now.

Grinding ink was something she had seen in TV dramas; just add water and grind, easily done with spiritual energy.

But writing with a brush was more difficult.

She considered her handwriting decent, not beautiful, but not ugly either.

But this time, her letter to Si Qinglan was messy, the strokes uneven, with inkblots from shaky hands and corrections, quite embarrassing.

Looking at the finished letter, she had the urge to destroy it.

Should Li Yu, the Exalted Immortal, have such terrible handwriting?

This was a difficult question…

Perhaps…it was acceptable?

As an immortal, communication was usually done through spells. Having barely written anything for millennia, her handwriting being rusty was understandable, right?

It was just a letter for Si Qinglan; she was the only one who would see it!

And Si Qinglan wasn’t close to the original owner; surely she hadn’t seen her handwriting?

Even if she had, it didn’t matter; she had already revealed many flaws before Si Qinglan.

Thinking this, Li Yu folded the letter, placed it in an envelope, and weighed it down with the inkstone.

She stood up to leave, then, worried that Si Qinglan might not notice the letter, added a faint spiritual aura to it. Reassured, she lifted her skirts and walked to the door.

She paused at the doorway, lost in thought.

After a moment, she returned, retrieved the ice flower from the window, and carefully placed it in her spatial pouch.

Then, taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the room, unsure if she would ever return.

She was going to find Mu Tao!

Mu Tao must have been waiting for a long time.

She had so much to say, although Mu Tao might not be willing to listen, but it didn’t matter; she would take her time.

Li Yu formed a hand seal, concealing her spiritual aura.

“System, directions!” she said inwardly, unable to contain her excitement.

A faint golden line appeared, guiding her, further lifting her spirits.

Just as she was about to activate her flying spell, a voice echoed beside her, startling her.

“Where are you going, Cangming Revered One?”

The voice was close, yet there was no one in sight.

The voice was cold, devoid of emotion.

Only one person on Mount Chao Yao spoke like this: Weisheng Xuanzhu.

Weisheng Xuanzhu never came to Chaoxi Pond, why was he here now?

This wasn’t normal…

Li Yu frowned, confused.

A wisp of icy blue light appeared beside her, solidifying into a familiar form.

She took a deep breath, calmed herself, dispelled the concealment spell, and replied casually, “Nowhere in particular, just feeling restless, wanted to take a walk.”

“Is that so?” Weisheng Xuanzhu stared at her.

His gaze, though cold, made her uneasy.

Li Yu: “Why are you here today, Lingyao Revered One?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “I have something to discuss with you.”

What could they possibly have to discuss…?

Even if there was, it probably wouldn’t be pleasant.

This was a headache. Couldn’t he have come at a different time?

She would have been gone by now!

She should have written a shorter letter…

Li Yu sighed.

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “It seems you’re still not happy to see me.”

Li Yu: “Come back another day, I’m not in the mood today.”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Even if it’s about Mu Tao?”

Li Yu frowned.

After a moment of thought, she invited him inside.

Going to the Demon Realm could wait; since he had seen through her attempt to leave, and he clearly had something to discuss, she might as well listen.

As she sat down at the table, she poured two cups of tea.

The tea was cold, but the autumn air wasn’t chilly yet, so there was no need to reheat it.

Weisheng Xuanzhu took the teacup and said calmly, “Your little disciple…is probably the new Demon Lord now.”

She already knew that.

But somehow, hearing it from Si Qinglan and hearing it from Weisheng Xuanzhu felt different.

Li Yu thought for a moment and said softly, “She’s not inherently evil, perhaps she’s just trying to protect herself…”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “There’s no need to explain. Whether that child is good or evil…I don’t care.”

Li Yu: “Then what do you care about?”

“I’ve never actually met her, not once in over two hundred years.” His voice was flat, like still water. “If there’s a chance, I would like to meet her.”

What was going on?

Why would he suddenly say this?

He had never shown any interest in Mu Tao before. Now that she was the Demon Lord, someone the immortal sects feared and avoided, why did he want to meet her?

This was strange—

Both his sudden visit and this topic made Li Yu uneasy.

Unable to decipher his intentions, she remained silent.

Weisheng Xuanzhu, seeing her silence, continued, “I heard…that child is very attached to you, that you mean more to her than anything.”

Li Yu: “Is that why you’re here, Lingyao Revered One? Just to tell me this?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Of course not.”

Li Yu: “Then get to the point.”

With a flick of his wrist, the envelope weighed down by the inkstone flew into his hand.

Li Yu panicked. “That wasn’t for you!”

As soon as she spoke, the envelope disintegrated, leaving only the letter floating in the air.

She instinctively tried to destroy it with a spell but was blocked by a spiritual light barrier.

“Weisheng Xuanzhu!!!”

This was infuriating! How could he be so rude, reading her letter without permission?!

As she fumed, she noticed a strange look in his eyes.

He frowned, staring at the messy handwriting, lost in thought.

Li Yu’s heart skipped a beat, a sudden wave of panic washing over her.

This iceberg seemed to have known the original owner for a long time. Could he…recognize her handwriting?

Her compatibility was full after months of recuperation, but a single, undeniable flaw could cost her dearly.

She glanced at her compatibility, relieved to see it hadn’t changed, then felt confused.

What was going on…?

The atmosphere was strange, unsettling.

After a long silence, Weisheng Xuanzhu spoke again. “If you want to go to the Demon Realm, I won’t stop you.”

For a moment, Li Yu saw a flicker of sadness in his dark eyes.

…Was it her imagination?

No, that wasn’t important!

What mattered was that her compatibility hadn’t decreased, and Weisheng Xuanzhu hadn’t questioned her identity.

Not only that, but he also didn’t seem to object to her going to the Demon Realm to find Mu Tao.

Li Yu: “You…you won’t stop me?”

The light in Weisheng Xuanzhu’s hand dissipated, and the letter fluttered to the ground.

He looked up at Li Yu and said in a low voice, “I said, I can choose not to stop you.”

It wasn’t her imagination; he emphasized the word “can.”

So, he could choose not to stop her, but there were conditions, right?

Li Yu: “What are the conditions?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “I want the truth from you.”

Ah, the familiar keywords.

That “matter from the past,” the “truth” again!

She wasn’t surprised at all.

This inexplicable question was starting to haunt her.

Li Yu: “I’ve already told you, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

As she spoke, a spiritual barrier appeared around the windows and doors, trapping her.

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Mu Tao is the Demon Lord now. If you try to find her, and I catch you…do you think Si Qinglan will object to me keeping you here?”

Li Yu: “…”

Seriously, did it have to be like this?

She really didn’t know anything!

What was the truth he wanted? Where was this so-called truth?

Would she ever be able to leave this mountain?!

“I don’t understand, is this the first time you’re asking this question?” Li Yu said, exasperated. “If you’re not satisfied with my answer, then ask someone else! Why are you so fixated on me?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “You know the truth, why won’t you tell me?”

Li Yu took a deep breath, frustrated. “Weisheng Xuanzhu, I’m seriously at my wit’s end! What truth do you want?! Why are you so sure I lied to you?!”

“Don’t try to change the subject.”

“I’m not…” Li Yu was so frustrated she couldn’t even speak properly.

She took a deep breath and calmed herself. “Weisheng Xuanzhu, let me ask you, sincerely, earnestly, from the bottom of my heart, what kind of answer do you want? I swear, I’m not trying to dismiss you, I’m just genuinely curious, what do you want to hear? Can you tell me?”

“…”

“Can you tell me?” Li Yu repeated.

“…”

“Or let’s try a different question. Regarding that matter from the past, what is the part that bothers you the most, the part you can’t let go of? Can you tell me?”

As she asked, she noticed his breathing deepen slightly.

He was silent for a long time, lost in thought.

Li Yu didn’t urge him, just waited patiently.

Suddenly, she saw a flicker of…pleading in his dark eyes.

Weisheng Xuanzhu asked her, “Four thousand years ago… after I entered hibernation, what happened in the North Sea?”

Four thousand years ago, the North Sea…

Wasn’t that his hometown?

The original story mentioned that he lived in the North Sea Abyss.

Why bring up four thousand years ago? Nothing good happened then…

【Friendly reminder: The North Sea, according to legends, is a sea shrouded in eternal night, located at the northernmost point of the world, untouched by sunlight, moonlight, or starlight!】

A land of eternal night, a lightless sea!

In human legends, that fallen ancient god perished in a lightless sea!

Was the North Sea four thousand years ago the place where the gods and immortals defeated the Heavenly Demon?

Was that what he was asking?

Why?

“Four thousand years ago, the Heavenly Demon was revived…The North Sea was the battlefield of that war…” Li Yu said tentatively, “Were…you affected?”

After a few seconds of silence, the light in Weisheng Xuanzhu’s eyes dimmed.

He let out a faint chuckle. “Li Yu, you still don’t want to tell me.”

Li Yu: “It’s not that…”

Damn it, wrong password!

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “It’s fine, I won’t ask again.”

What did he mean?

Had she reached the maximum number of incorrect attempts?

“I will find out myself…” He said softly, his voice filled with weariness. “But before that…I need a favor from you.”

Li Yu, feeling a pang of guilt, asked softly, “…What is it?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Bring back the Demon Bone for me.”

Li Yu’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about?!”

A torrent of thoughts flooded her mind.

Before she could process them, she found herself amidst a vast, starry sky.

Chapter 60: “Mu Tao… There’s No Turning Back…”

Excellent, ambitious, and full of presence!

Truly worthy of being the founder of Mount Chao Yao, Qingxuan Revered One, blessed by an ancient god!

For a moment, Li Yu saw her own boss in Si Qinglan.

And Weisheng Xuanzhu resembled that overworked colleague, on the verge of collapse after three all-nighters, forced to take a half-hour nap and then dragged back to work.

Now, the boss wanted to do something big, and the colleague didn’t seem to object.

But Li Yu felt that “the three of us” was a bit of a stretch.

With her damaged meridians and depleted spiritual energy, even sitting for too long was tiring. She had to rely on a formation to open the Heavenly Gate; she wasn’t exactly a powerful force.

Although she could still fight while weakened, she didn’t want to risk her life unless absolutely necessary.

Besides, how powerful was the black-robed figure?

He could easily manipulate the human realm, and even the unruly demons obeyed him; he was clearly a far greater threat than anything she had encountered before.

If she faced him directly, she didn’t know how many moves she could last in her current state.

As for Si Qinglan, she wasn’t much better off, struggling even against the demons who attacked the mountain gate. Against the black-robed figure, she would probably only be able to cheer from the sidelines.

Could this truly be considered “the three of us”?

The black-robed figure’s identity and power were still unknown.

Li Yu only knew that he could easily break the seal on Suiqiong Cave, and a sliver of his power could kill an Eighth-rank cultivator, meaning even a thousand-year-old demon wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

And according to Xiang Hanyu, he might even be that ancient god who fell into darkness four thousand years ago.

Even if they could lure him out, could Weisheng Xuanzhu defeat him alone?

Li Yu was skeptical.

Although she had witnessed Weisheng Xuanzhu’s power earlier, she still didn’t have much faith in this character, who barely appeared in the original story and essentially slept until his death.

Li Yu sighed inwardly.

Si Qinglan, oblivious to her worries, was excitedly discussing the feasibility of their plan.

She clearly had great faith in Weisheng Xuanzhu’s abilities.

After listening for a while, Li Yu couldn’t help but remind her, “That black-robed figure can control the power of the stars.”

“So?” Si Qinglan asked, turning to her.

Li Yu: “As far as I know, only the ancient god who fell into darkness four thousand years ago could wield that power. If he truly is that ancient god, can we handle him in our current state?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “…”

Si Qinglan frowned, then shook her head after a moment of thought. “That’s impossible!”

Li Yu: “Are you so certain?”

“Of course!” Si Qinglan said firmly. “Long before we were born, the ancient gods had already entered their ‘burning candle’ phase, their power fading until nothing remained.”

“Four thousand years ago, wasn’t it because that ancient god, unwilling to accept his fate, coveted the Heavenly Demon’s power, that led to that battle?”

She took a sip of tea and continued, “Not only was the Heavenly Demon slain by the gods in that battle, but even if he somehow survived, after so many years, he would have been completely burned out!”

Li Yu bit her lip.

She understood Si Qinglan’s reasoning, but she also knew that there was one particularly unreasonable entity in this world—the author.

She suspected that the black-robed figure was a plot hole in the author’s outline, the hidden final boss, but because his power exceeded what the protagonists could handle, he was conveniently killed off to avoid further complications for the protagonist.

If that were true, then the black-robed figure being that ancient god wasn’t entirely impossible.

Si Qinglan: “Li Yu, don’t overthink it. You were also there in that battle. We might not know what truly happened, but you do, don’t you?”

Li Yu: “…”

Coincidentally, she didn’t know at all.

Si Qinglan: “As long as it’s a power within this world, someone can wield it. The Three Realms are vast; there are countless people and things we haven’t encountered. Why can’t there be another person who can control the power of the stars?”

Li Yu nodded absently.

Seeing her disbelief, Si Qinglan sighed and turned to Weisheng Xuanzhu. “Weisheng, what do you think?”

“…”

“Is someone spacing out?” Si Qinglan slapped the table like a teacher scolding a student. “Didn’t you sleep well? Can’t you focus?!”

Weisheng Xuanzhu snapped back to attention and replied with a noncommittal “mm.”

No one knew what he meant.

Perhaps he was agreeing with her previous statement, or perhaps he was admitting to his lack of focus.

Regardless, there was a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

Whether this displeasure was related to Si Qinglan’s sharp tone was unclear.

Si Qinglan took a deep breath, gave up on communicating with him, put down her teacup, and muttered, “I’m just worried. That guy has been hiding in the shadows. He acted as soon as Weisheng went into hibernation, clearly wary of him.”

She frowned. “We did retrieve the Upper Spirit Lamp, but Li Yu was severely injured. That guy isn’t afraid of us; if he dared to attack once, he’ll dare to again… We finally have a fighting chance now that Weisheng is awake. If we don’t take this opportunity to find and eliminate him, how can we ever live in peace?!”

Li Yu: “But the black-robed figure isn’t stupid either. He knows how to choose his moments. Now that everyone knows…Lingyao Revered One is awake, why would he appear?”

Si Qinglan: “That’s why we need a plan! If we put our minds to it, we can surely come up with something!”

Li Yu: “Mm…”

Although she agreed, thinking, planning, it all sounded so tiring.

Especially when, after all that effort, the system might just force her down a predetermined path. Just the thought made her entire being resist.

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “I’m not tired yet. We can discuss this after Cangming Revered One recovers.”

Si Qinglan nodded. “Alright…”

She looked at Li Yu, guilt in her eyes. “I was being too hasty. The most important thing now is for you to recover.”

She stood up and walked to the door. “I’ll go check on the new herbs.”

Li Yu’s gaze followed her, but the green figure disappeared before she could even react.

So impulsive, and so quick to act…

With Si Qinglan gone, only she and Weisheng Xuanzhu remained in the room.

Perhaps because of their previous unpleasant encounter, Li Yu felt uncomfortable alone with him, a sense of guilt even in silence.

So what now?

Si Qinglan only said she was checking on the herbs, not that she was leaving. Would she return?

Would it be rude if she left now?

Even if Si Qinglan didn’t mind, Weisheng Xuanzhu had just helped her avoid the heavens’ punishment; leaving abruptly seemed ungrateful.

Li Yu hesitated, her mind in turmoil.

An awkward silence filled the room.

The silence stretched, and just as Li Yu thought Si Qinglan might return,

Weisheng Xuanzhu spoke.

His cold voice made Li Yu’s breath catch.

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Don’t you have any questions for me, Cangming Revered One?”

Li Yu: “…”

His question was confusing.

Was he seeking concern, or did he have ulterior motives?

With others, she could try to read their expressions.

But this guy, with his perpetually icy face and emotionless tone, was impossible to decipher.

So, what was she supposed to ask?

To avoid seeming dismissive, Li Yu considered his question seriously.

And thinking, even for a moment, sparked countless questions.

Why had Weisheng Xuanzhu suddenly awakened?

Wasn’t he supposed to either stay awake or sleep for centuries?

Was he truly awakened by the noise?

If so, the commotion from opening the Heavenly Gate was far less than the attack on the mountain.

He hadn’t woken up in the original story, yet this time, he awakened at this specific moment.

Was it related to the Heavenly Gate?

After all, the Gate wasn’t opened in the original story…

And about the Heavenly Gate,

She couldn’t sense its presence anymore; had he truly destroyed it?

If so, was it intentional or accidental?

Finally, about Mu Tao…

What were his thoughts on the Demon Bone?

If Mu Tao returned one day, would he try to kill her?

Li Yu decided to ask the most important question first.

“If one day, Mu Tao returns, will you…try to kill her?”

If possible, she didn’t want Mount Chao Yao and Mu Tao to be enemies.

She knew Si Qinglan’s stance, but Weisheng Xuanzhu’s opinion was also crucial for Mount Chao Yao.

“Why would I kill her?” he asked in return.

“You questioned Si Qinglan so much earlier, I thought you were unhappy about us taking her in.”

“Just surprised…” A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. “…and a bit…ironic, being kept in the dark.”

Li Yu sighed.

Working together, yet two of them formed a secret group, anyone would feel slighted.

She understood.

Li Yu picked up her teacup, staring at the liquid, lost in thought.

She didn’t know what she was thinking.

Perhaps about Mu Tao, how she was doing, what she was like when she was still here.

Mu Tao hadn’t been gone long, yet it felt like an eternity, as if she had grown accustomed to her absence, yet also like she was struggling through each day without her.

She had never felt like this before.

Life was long, people drifted apart, she had close friends, but it was always temporary, she was used to it.

But she couldn’t get used to Mu Tao’s absence.

Was it because of the guilt and regret?

She couldn’t understand, yet she couldn’t stop thinking about it…

Just like now, completely out of control.

Li Yu took a sip of tea, trying to regain her composure.

The tea at Qianlizhu was brewed with flowers, leaves, and fruits.

Unlike the slightly bitter tea at Chaoxi Pond, these flower teas were fragrant and sweet.

She quite liked the taste.

Perhaps she should ask Si Qinglan for some.

It was a pity Mu Tao never tried it; she would have liked it, their tastes were similar.

She would ask later; now, back to business.

“About the Heavenly Gate, there’s something I need to confirm…” Li Yu said directly. “I can no longer sense its presence. Was this your intention, or did you…lose control?”

“The Heavenly Gate can only be destroyed when it’s open. I didn’t arrive at the right time, so I simply waited.” Weisheng Xuanzhu’s voice was calm, as if it were an ordinary event.

“You could have simply stopped them, why destroy it?”

“It’s a matter of the human realm; why let those who abandoned this realm interfere? They haven’t done anything; they have no right to judge you.”

“…”

“As long as the Heavenly Gate exists, they will try to open it, and you wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure.” Weisheng Xuanzhu said. “Now that it’s severed, even if the Heavenly Realm wants to repair it, it will take time, granting you some peace.”

Li Yu took a deep breath.

Please, tone down the protectiveness, she wasn’t the original owner.

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Besides that, I also have…ulterior motives.”

Li Yu: “Ulterior motives?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “I still want…the truth.”

Li Yu: “…?”

That sounded ominous.

Why was he suddenly mentioning “the truth”?

As Li Yu wondered, Weisheng Xuanzhu’s gaze changed slightly.

“Li Yu,” he asked softly, a persistent note in his voice, “Even now, are you still hiding the truth from me?”

That “matter from the past” again…

Three encounters, and he had asked twice.

What exactly happened back then? Why was he so persistent?

Even if she had read the novel carefully, it wouldn’t have helped; there were too many things the original story didn’t explain.

So, how should she answer?

Should she just brush it off like last time?

Or was there a way to get him to reveal what he wanted to know?

Li Yu: “I don’t understand what answer you’re looking for.”

Would this work?

Would he tell her, or at least give her a hint?

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “How long do you intend to deceive me?”

Li Yu: “…”

She didn’t know how to respond; talking to a cryptic person was exhausting.

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “All I want is the truth. Is that so difficult for you?”

Li Yu: “…”

Yes, it was incredibly difficult!

Li Yu swore she had never encountered such a difficult question in her life!

It wasn’t intellectually challenging, just…directionless, leaving her completely clueless.

Perhaps out of desperation, she dared to look into his dark eyes.

She usually avoided his gaze, afraid of being exposed, but hoping to find a clue, she tried.

It felt like staring into an abyss.

And within that abyss, only a single, unwavering obsession.

This was the second time she hadn’t seen any “love” in his eyes.

Although she had no proof, she suddenly felt that perhaps his feelings for the original owner weren’t as deep as the novel described.

He seemed fixated on an answer that only the original Li Yu could provide.

But what was that answer?

And what did it mean to him?

As Li Yu was lost in thought, Si Qinglan’s voice came from outside.

“I’m back!” Si Qinglan entered, her steps as light as a breeze. “The new herbs are growing well. I’ll bring you some in a couple of days.”

Weisheng Xuanzhu quickly looked away, his expression returning to its usual indifference, as if nothing had happened.

Li Yu frowned slightly and finished her tea.

Si Qinglan insisted they stay for dinner.

The atmosphere at the table was relatively normal, mainly thanks to Si Qinglan’s constant chatter.

As if afraid they weren’t fully aware of the current situation, she talked nonstop, like a one-person stand-up comedy show, the silence never lasting more than three minutes.

After dinner, Weisheng Xuanzhu left, saying to Li Yu before leaving, “I’ll deal with those…unpleasant voices. You just focus on recovering.”

Li Yu didn’t respond, avoiding his gaze.

She felt something was off, but she couldn’t pinpoint it.

As soon as he left, Si Qinglan sat beside Li Yu, a gossipy glint in her eyes.

“He really cares about you.”

“…Yes, but for what reason was unclear.

“He arrived so timely, perhaps he sensed your danger in his sleep and forced himself to wake up to help you.”

“…Unfortunately, his feelings were misplaced. She still couldn’t answer his question.

“He’s been here for over three thousand years, and you haven’t given him any response, yet he’s still so patient…” Si Qinglan rested her chin on her hands and asked, “I’m increasingly curious, how did you two meet?”

“…Coincidentally, Li Yu was also very curious.

She wasn’t just curious about how they met, but also about what happened back then, what lie the original owner told him, or what misunderstanding existed between them.

Si Qinglan winked at her. “I didn’t dare ask before, but now that we’re so close, tell me!”

Li Yu sighed deeply.

Tell her what? She knew nothing.

Li Yu: “I don’t want to talk about that.”

Si Qinglan: “…”

After a brief silence, Si Qinglan sighed. “Fine, fine, I know, you only want to talk about your little disciple who went to the Demon Realm.”

Li Yu: “…Do I?”

Si Qinglan: “She’s the only thing on your mind now.”

That statement seemed accurate, yet it sounded…strange.

Si Qinglan: “Don’t even deny it, you’re still wearing your Harmony Bell, even though the other one is broken.”

Li Yu instinctively touched the bells hidden beneath her sleeve.

She had only destroyed Mu Tao’s bells at the entrance to the Demon Realm; hers remained intact.

Without its counterpart, it was now just an ordinary trinket, no longer chiming on its own, no longer allowing her to sense Mu Tao’s location.

Yet, she hadn’t removed it.

She didn’t know why.

Si Qinglan: “I’m really curious, you were so reluctant, what could possibly be so important that you had to abandon her?”

Li Yu: “…”

Si Qinglan: “I know you won’t tell me, so I’m just curious, is it…very difficult?”

Li Yu: “Perhaps.”

Si Qinglan thought for a moment. “How long will it take?”

Li Yu: “Maybe three years…”

Si Qinglan: “Then, after three years, will you go to the Demon Realm and bring her back?”

Li Yu opened her mouth but didn’t answer.

She knew that after three years, she wouldn’t have to go to the Demon Realm; Mu Tao would return on her own.

But three years seemed like such a long time.

She wasn’t an immortal of this world; she couldn’t perceive time as they did, decades passing in the blink of an eye.

Before leaving, Li Yu asked Si Qinglan for some flower tea and returned to Chaoxi Pond.

Her days returned to their usual tranquility.

The mountain gate was repaired, and once the outsiders left, they wouldn’t be able to find their way back.

Yet, some still lingered, refusing to leave.

Si Qinglan said that they were still hoping for the Heavenly Gate to open, waiting for Weisheng Xuanzhu to return to his slumber.

Although their persistence was ridiculous, they were no longer as arrogant.

Days turned into months; the seemingly unbearable wait passed surprisingly quickly.

From spring to autumn.

But Li Yu felt a sense of detachment, the passing time unreal.

Perhaps wary, the black-robed figure hadn’t appeared again.

Mount Chao Yao was as peaceful as before, just…missing someone.

The outsiders who had insisted on staying gradually gave up and left.

Her injuries were healing, the physical discomfort lessening, her spiritual energy slowly returning, but she still hadn’t fully recovered to her pre-Lingzhou state.

Even that state was already considered weak for the original owner, but for the current her, it was a milestone.

During her recuperation, she practiced various spells she hadn’t tried before.

It wasn’t her imagination; she had access to memories she didn’t possess before.

These memories weren’t detailed, just vague impressions guiding her as she cast spells.

It was more like instinct than memory.

She had gained this instinct after her last severe injury.

This was reassuring; at least she no longer had to rely on the unreliable system assistance for combat.

Li Yu had thought these peaceful days would continue.

Until one day, she heard news about Mu Tao from Si Qinglan.

The girl had killed someone in the Demon Realm; word had spread.

In that ruthless world, killing for survival was normal.

But she had killed the current Demon Lord, the revered leader of countless demons.

“Mu Tao… There’s no turning back…” Si Qinglan’s voice was filled with worry.

She said something else, but Li Yu couldn’t hear, her mind reeling from the news.

Mu Tao had killed the Demon Lord.

It was a plot point from the original story; she shouldn’t be so surprised.

But how long had it been?

Just half a year, and the protagonist had accomplished what took her three years in the original story?!

This efficiency was terrifying!

Chapter 59: “The Three of Us, We’ll Kill Him!”

Everyone stared, frozen in place.

In the sudden silence, sunlight, previously obscured by the spiritual light, streamed through the massive crack in the sky, casting golden beams onto the blue world.

Large snowflakes fell, sometimes tinged with gold, sometimes a soft, moon-like white.

“The Heavenly Gate! The Heavenly Gate is closed!”

Someone exclaimed, as if awakening from a dream.

More and more people came to their senses, their eyes wide with shock, unsure what had just happened.

Snow fell on their shoulders, carrying a deep winter chill.

“What happened?!”

“Someone tried to stop the Heavenly Gate from opening!”

“Who is behind this?!”

Li Yu frowned as the shouts echoed around her.

Perhaps the Heavenly Gate wasn’t just closed.

Although it hadn’t been open before, she could sense its location.

But now, despite the formation still active, the surrounding spiritual energy abundant, she couldn’t sense it anymore.

If this wasn’t an illusion, then the connection between the human realm and the Heavenly Realm had been severed…

She had hoped to use the Heavenly Realm’s power to counter the black-robed figure; now that plan was ruined.

As everyone stood in stunned silence, the snowflakes silently fell onto the formation.

A layer of white frost formed on the hands of the cultivators maintaining the formation, extinguishing the spiritual light at their fingertips.

Someone cried out in pain as the frost spread, flowing down their bodies like water, then rapidly expanding outwards upon reaching the ground.

Silently, the frost enveloped the entire formation, immobilizing everyone within it, except for the Exalted Immortal at the center.

“Someone is breaking the formation!”

The belated warning sounded like a joke.

By the time everyone reacted, the light of the frost-covered formation had already faded.

The formation’s power dissipated, and the blue sky shattered.

Silently, like dust motes scattering in the wind and snow, disappearing into the returning sunlight.

“There’s something wrong with the snow! Protect yourselves with spiritual energy!”

Someone shouted, and the cultivators quickly conjured protective barriers, blocking the falling snow.

Cries of surprise, angry shouts, and confused murmurs filled the air.

Unharmed, Li Yu didn’t interfere.

She had a suspicion, though still uncertain, and looked towards where the Heavenly Gate had vanished.

The falling snow slowly coalesced, forming a dark figure in the sky.

The figure, backlit by the sun, was indistinct.

“Opening the Heavenly Gate?” A cold voice echoed through the air. “A bunch of insignificant mortals, you think you’re worthy of ascending?”

The voice was deep and resonant, reaching everyone’s ears.

The dismissive words, devoid of any emotion, neither mocking nor sarcastic, just a simple statement of fact.

Someone, enraged, started to shout, but the snowflakes instantly transformed into sharp ice shards, hovering menacingly above them.

Sunlight, refracting through the ice, created halos.

Seemingly harmless, yet carrying a chilling aura.

A flicker of surprise appeared in the eyes of a Mount Chao Yao disciple.

He then shouted joyfully, “It’s Lingyao Revered One!”

Since the breach of the mountain gate, Mount Chao Yao had been filled with outsiders.

They were arrogant, their words dripping with disdain for the Mount Chao Yao disciples.

They said that Cangming Revered One, the head of the Three Revered Ones, guardian of the Upper Spirit Lamp, had not only almost lost the Lamp, but also released the Demon Bone she had secretly kept for over two hundred years, a heinous crime!

And they said, “Like master, like disciple,” implying that with such a leader, the disciples of Mount Chao Yao couldn’t be any better.

The disciples had been constantly belittled and ordered around.

If it weren’t for Qingxuan Revered One, these outsiders would have imprisoned all the dissenting voices in the Spirit Restraint Hall.

Although most disciples also feared and loathed the Demon Bone, unable to understand why Cangming Revered One protected that little wolf demon,

Seeing their once revered sect being trampled upon, who wouldn’t feel resentful?

The disciples often wished that Cangming Revered One hadn’t been injured.

Or that Lingyao Revered One hadn’t entered hibernation; then these outsiders wouldn’t be so arrogant.

“Lingyao Revered One is awake!”

Cheers erupted from the Mount Chao Yao disciples.

The ice shards above no longer seemed like deadly weapons but a protective force.

“Kun Peng Monarch of the North Sea!”

“How is he awake?!”

The immortals from other sects exchanged uneasy glances.

Weisheng Xuanzhu looked down at them coldly, his dark eyes emotionless.

Someone bravely stepped forward and asked loudly, “Kun Peng Monarch, are you preventing us from opening the Heavenly Gate? Are you protecting Li Yu?”

“Li Yu, as the guardian of the Upper Spirit Lamp, not only kept the Demon Bone by her side, but also defied the entire immortal world to send it to the Demon Realm!” another person quickly added. “Such actions are a threat to the world and should be judged by the Heavenly Realm!”

“Have you been asleep for too long, Kun Peng Monarch? Have you lost your sense of right and wrong?!”

“Mount Chao Yao first lost the Upper Spirit Lamp, then released the Demon Bone. We just want an explanation! You’ve delayed us for so long, and after agreeing to open the Heavenly Gate, now you’ve changed your mind. Are you mocking us?!”

“Is Mount Chao Yao defying the entire world?”

Si Qinglan frowned. “There’s no need for such harsh words.”

“Si Qinglan!” someone shouted angrily. “You were the one who agreed to open the Heavenly Gate! Now that you’ve changed your mind, shouldn’t you give us an explanation?!”

Explanation, explanation, always demanding explanations.

Si Qinglan opened her mouth, wanting to defend herself, but realized that anything she said would only worsen the situation.

She took a deep breath and gritted her teeth.

Accusations and insults, each one more offensive than the last, echoed around her.

Suddenly, someone stepped forward, attempting to mediate. “Everyone, please calm down. We should trust Mount Chao Yao, trust Qingxuan Revered One’s character! She agreed to open the Gate before Kun Peng Monarch awakened; perhaps there’s a misunderstanding!”

“Kun Peng Monarch has just awakened; he might not know what happened.” He continued, “Li Yu’s actions are akin to releasing a tiger back into the mountains, the consequences could be dire! As terrestrial immortals, we don’t have the authority to judge her. That’s why we need to open the Heavenly Gate and seek guidance from the Heavenly Realm!”

His seemingly conciliatory words carried a hidden threat.

He looked up at Weisheng Xuanzhu and said loudly, “Kun Peng Monarch, if you step aside now and let us open the Heavenly Gate, we promise not to mention this matter to the Heavenly Court!”

“Exactly!” someone shouted impatiently. “Step aside now, and we’ll let this go. But if you insist on protecting her, then don’t…”

His words abruptly stopped.

After a brief silence, a strange gurgling sound came from his throat.

Everyone turned to look. Although his protective spiritual energy was still active, a layer of frost was forming on his body.

The frost spread from his open mouth, and he struggled to speak, but the ice quickly covered his lips, silencing him.

Within seconds, his entire body was encased in ice, his protective aura disappearing.

If it weren’t for the two nostrils still visible, allowing him to breathe, he would have looked like a corpse.

This scene silenced everyone, and they quickly moved away from him.

Those who had spoken so boldly just moments ago now hid behind the crowd.

Fear filled the air; no one dared speak.

Li Yu found it amusing.

So many people, easily silenced by a single person.

Indeed, in the face of absolute power, no one dared to say “no.”

So, the original Li Yu could have protected the little protagonist; she simply chose not to.

No wonder Mu Tao had said, “But Master, you never truly intended to save me.”

The master she respected so much, when she was unjustly accused and bound to the execution platform, didn’t even try to defend her, just readily caving in to the pressure of “the greater good.”

How could she not resent her, how could she not hate her…

As everyone stood in stunned silence, the dark figure in the sky, like a gust of wind, appeared before them with impossible speed.

Many instinctively stepped back, leaving only the frozen cultivator in place.

“The Upper Spirit Lamp, the Demon Bone, these are matters of Mount Chao Yao.” Weisheng Xuanzhu’s voice was cold, his gaze sweeping across those who had spoken earlier. “Since when do outsiders have a say in Mount Chao Yao’s affairs?”

“But…” someone started, then met Weisheng Xuanzhu’s dark gaze.

He lowered his voice, seemingly intimidated. “But this matter…concerns the well-being of the world…”

“So concerned about the world, where were you when resentment was running rampant in the human realm?”

“With the laws of heaven in place, human calamities aren’t something immortals…”

“Are your disciples also immortals?” Weisheng Xuanzhu interrupted.

The man was speechless.

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Has the Demon Bone harmed any innocent lives?”

“The Demon Bone injured many disciples from various sects at the entrance to the Demon Realm!”

“Indeed!” Si Qinglan quickly added. “She only injured those who blocked her path while escaping and didn’t kill anyone. Besides that, she hasn’t harmed any innocent lives.”

“You’re biased, Qingxuan Revered One!” someone shouted angrily.

“It’s the truth!” Si Qinglan glared at him. “The Demon Bone never harmed anyone. Everyone saw it; how can you accuse me of being biased?”

“Even if she hasn’t harmed anyone, she still has a Demon Bone!”

“What’s wrong with having a Demon Bone?!” Si Qinglan retorted, raising her voice. “It has been sealed for over two hundred years! If it weren’t for needing her help to find the Upper Spirit Lamp, the seal wouldn’t have been broken!”

“Even if the seal was broken, you were still planning to hide her!”

“She didn’t hurt anyone even after the seal was broken. As long as we kept an eye on her, nothing would have happened!” Si Qinglan said angrily. “You’re accusing us of releasing a tiger back into the mountains, but who forced her to flee to the Demon Realm in the first place?!”

“This concerns the Heavenly Demon, this isn’t a game! And what about the Upper Spirit Lamp, also under your watchful eye? How did you lose that?!” the man retorted.

He was pulled back by his fellow disciples, realizing he had raised his voice too much and might become the next example. He quickly shut up and retreated into the crowd.

Weisheng Xuanzhu asked again, “Where is the Upper Spirit Lamp now?”

“It has already been retrieved by Cangming Revered One,” Si Qinglan said, a sneer in her voice. “But Mount Chao Yao is no longer worthy of guarding it, so it’s not in our possession.”

Everyone could hear the sarcasm in her words.

So, they all looked at an elderly Daoist with a long white beard.

The Daoist froze, then conjured the Upper Spirit Lamp, his voice trembling. “This, this… This old one is just…safekeeping it…unable to guard it, truly unable…”

Weisheng Xuanzhu raised his hand, and the Lamp flew into his palm.

His eyes were cold as ice. “The Upper Spirit Lamp hasn’t been lost, the Demon Bone hasn’t harmed anyone, how does this concern the world?”

“This…”

The immortals exchanged glances, speechless, although feeling that this wasn’t logical.

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Mount Chao Yao has guarded the Upper Spirit Lamp for over four thousand years, and you haven’t lifted a finger. Now that we’ve made a small mistake, one that hasn’t even caused any real harm, you’re all clamoring for an explanation.”

“…”

“Have you…been waiting for this day for a long time?”

“T, this… What do you mean, Kun Peng Monarch? We just…”

“There’s unresolved resentment in the human realm, yet you’re here discussing how to punish Li Yu, who has guarded the Upper Spirit Lamp for over four thousand years.” Weisheng Xuanzhu made the Lamp disappear with a flick of his wrist.

“But the De…” someone started to argue, then felt a sudden chill.

He glanced at the frozen cultivator, whose breathing had weakened, and quickly shut up.

“It seems the ‘world’ isn’t that important after all…” A cold glint appeared in Weisheng Xuanzhu’s dark eyes. “Just a sword anyone can wield, unable to slay demons, yet capable of slaying gods.”

“Unfortunately, this sword is useless against me.” He chuckled coldly. “The word ‘world,’ coming from your mouths, is laughable.”

His harsh words silenced them, making them ashamed.

Many wanted to argue,

But the ice shards above them descended slightly, and after a moment of silence, they all fell quiet.

“The Heavenly Gate will not be opened again. The Upper Spirit Lamp will return to Suiqiong Cave. And whether Li Yu was right or wrong is not for you to judge.”

Weisheng Xuanzhu raised his hand, unleashing a brilliant, sky-reaching light.

The icy blue light enveloped Mount Chao Yao, quickly repairing the broken mountain gate.

He lowered his hand and asked calmly, “Does anyone else require an explanation?”

The immortals remained silent.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want an explanation, but the menacing ice shards were still hovering above them.

Holding a sword to someone’s neck and asking for their submission, this was a first for Li Yu.

Sometimes, actions spoke louder than words.

Perhaps the original Li Yu was too reasonable, allowing herself to be morally kidnapped by a bunch of useless talkers.

She had thought the Three Revered Ones of Mount Chao Yao were all righteous and honorable.

If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn’t have believed her colleague capable of such actions.

But thinking about it, it wasn’t that surprising.

Weisheng Xuanzhu wasn’t an immortal or a demon but an ancient divine beast, having lived for countless years, perhaps lacking some…humanity.

He volunteered to guard the Upper Spirit Lamp not for the sake of the world, but for…a certain someone.

Such a person being morally ambiguous was perfectly normal.

As Li Yu thought this, the ice shards above turned into water, raining down on the immortals, sparing the Mount Chao Yao disciples, drenching and humiliating them.

The frost on the frozen cultivator melted.

He gasped, his body covered in purple frostbite, as if he had just escaped death.

Many quickly fled.

Si Qinglan watched them leave and breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Yu silently stepped out of the formation.

Weisheng Xuanzhu asked, “Are you alright?”

Li Yu: “I’m fine.”

She replied softly, avoiding his gaze.

For some reason, her mind felt blank, as if she had forgotten something.

Si Qinglan, in high spirits, invited her two colleagues to Qianlizhu.

In the past, she would have avoided having them together.

But after the recent events, she had a lot to discuss with them.

Before they even reached Qianlizhu, she started chattering away.

Then, as if remembering something, she summoned a butterfly and sent it to the Spirit Restraint Hall.

“I almost forgot, your disciple is still locked up there. Now that those people are gone, we can finally let her out.” Si Qinglan said, hurrying inside and pouring three cups of tea.

Li Yu hadn’t seen her move so energetically in a while. As expected, happiness was invigorating; even the flowers in Qianlizhu seemed brighter than usual.

After they sat down, Si Qinglan sighed heavily, relief in her voice. “Thank goodness the Heavenly Gate didn’t open. Otherwise, who knows what kind of punishment the Heavenly Realm would have inflicted upon Li Yu!”

Li Yu: “I was prepared.”

Si Qinglan: “You were practically suicidal! Ever since returning from the Demon Realm’s entrance, you’ve been acting like you didn’t care whether you lived or died!”

Li Yu just smiled, not arguing.

Si Qinglan rolled her eyes and looked at Weisheng Xuanzhu. “She’s been acting very strange lately; I can’t communicate with her at all! Thank goodness you arrived in time. Otherwise, I don’t know how much more spiritual energy and medicine I would have had to waste on her!”

She paused, and seeing no response, pouted and finished her tea in one gulp.

After a brief silence, she asked, “Weisheng, why did you suddenly wake up?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Noise.”

Si Qinglan: “You were woken up by the noise?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Mm.”

Si Qinglan: “Your sleep quality is terrible. How did you manage to sleep for hundreds or thousands of years before?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Perhaps the North Sea is quieter.”

Si Qinglan nodded thoughtfully. “Regardless, I’m glad you’re awake.”

She muttered, “So much has happened lately, I thought we wouldn’t make it…”

Li Yu: “We’ll make it.”

“I know, I know, but it’s hard not to worry!” Si Qinglan took a deep breath and smiled. “Now that the mountain gate is repaired, we just need to fix Suiqiong Cave, and everything will be back to normal!”

Well…not necessarily.

Perhaps in three years, the demons would invade.

Si Qinglan: “By the way, Weisheng, how long…how long will you stay awake this time?”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “I don’t know.”

Si Qinglan frowned. “Li Yu’s injuries won’t heal anytime soon, and that black-robed figure is incredibly powerful. Both the mountain gate and the seal on Suiqiong Cave were broken in an instant. If you go back to sleep, and he returns, we won’t be able to handle him!”

She sighed. “And it’s his fault Mu Tao is in the Demon Realm now!”

Weisheng Xuanzhu was silent for a moment, then looked up. “You haven’t told me about Mu Tao.”

Si Qinglan: “W, well…”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “A Demon Bone, and you dared keep her on the mountain.”

Si Qinglan: “Nothing happened, did it?”

Li Yu: “…”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Where did you find her?”

Si Qinglan: “The human realm…”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Where in the human realm?”

Si Qinglan: “It was over two hundred years ago, how would I remember?!”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Knowing she had a Demon Bone, why did you bring her back?”

Si Qinglan: “I, well…”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Why did you keep it a secret from me?”

Si Qinglan: “…”

After a long silence, Si Qinglan slammed the table. “What’s with the interrogation?!”

Li Yu jumped, her hand trembling.

Si Qinglan: “Look at your questions, so heartless!”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “…”

Si Qinglan: “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you would kill her!”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “…”

Si Qinglan: “Do men even deserve to know women’s secrets?!”

Weisheng Xuanzhu: “…”

Si Qinglan’s sudden outburst was startling.

From being interrogated to being the interrogator, in just a few seconds.

“Alright! Back to the topic!” Si Qinglan poured herself a cup of tea, calmed down, and then said loudly, “Give us a rough estimate, how long will you stay awake this time? We have to find a way to lure out that black-robed figure while you’re still here.”

She made a slashing gesture across her neck.

“The three of us,” she said seriously, “We’ll kill him!”

Chapter 58: Severing the Heavenly Gate

After returning to Mount Chao Yao, Li Yu felt disoriented.

Perhaps to help her recover, Si Qinglan shielded her from all outside disturbances. No matter the chaos on the mountain, this small courtyard within Qianlizhu remained peaceful.

Perhaps because of that strange dream, her recovery this time was faster than before.

As she meditated and cultivated, she felt more connected to this body, more attuned to the flow of spiritual energy within her.

Seven days later, Si Qinglan sent her back to Chaoxi Pond.

When she left, Chaoxi Pond was covered in snow. Now, upon returning, the snow had melted, and new buds were sprouting on the trees.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

A thin layer of dust covered the furniture in the long-unoccupied house.

Before Li Yu could even comment, Si Qinglan waved her sleeve, dispelling the dust.

Si Qinglan: “I’ve instructed the disciples to guard this place, but if anyone disturbs your rest, they might not be able to stop them. Send me a butterfly message if you hear anything.”

Li Yu: “Okay.”

Si Qinglan: “Disciples will deliver your meals every day.”

Li Yu: “Mm.”

Si Qinglan: “If you feel unwell, you…”

Li Yu couldn’t help but chuckle. “There’s no need to be so worried.”

Si Qinglan was momentarily speechless, then frowned and said loudly, “So you think I’m nagging now? Fine, I’m busy anyway; I don’t have time to worry about whether you live or die!”

Li Yu opened her mouth to explain, but Si Qinglan turned and said curtly, “I’m leaving!”

She transformed into a green light and disappeared.

Li Yu sighed, entered the familiar room, and looked around, her gaze finally settling on the ice flower by the window.

She seemed to hear Mu Tao’s voice.

Sweet, cheerful, clinging to her side.

But the room was empty.

After a moment of silence, Li Yu looked away and lay down on the bed, exhausted.

The following days were peaceful, filled with eating, sleeping, and cultivating, without any disturbances.

Despite claiming she didn’t have time to worry about her, Si Qinglan still visited occasionally, bringing medicinal herbs and elixirs, chatting with her to ease her boredom.

It reminded Li Yu of when she first arrived in this world.

Sometimes, she felt this peaceful life was how it should be, but most of the time, she felt like something was missing.

This feeling drove her to cultivate diligently.

Because whenever she stopped, she couldn’t help but think about what was missing.

Those thoughts darkened her mood, making her feel restless, the only remedy being constant activity.

She couldn’t describe the feeling, just a heavy weight in her chest whenever she relaxed, making it difficult to eat or sleep.

This restlessness even made her consider something absurd.

Was she really supposed to wait here for three years, until Mu Tao became the Demon Lord and attacked Mount Chao Yao, to complete the remaining 30% of her mission?

Couldn’t she just visit Mu Tao in the Demon Realm after recovering a bit?

Not to interfere, not to reveal herself, just…three years was a long time to wait, doing nothing, her heart filled with anxiety.

Just a quick check on the protagonist’s progress, that shouldn’t be a problem, right?

The system’s response was, of course, —Negative.

【The protagonist has her own path to follow, and so do you.】

“So, you’re saying there are things I need to do in the human realm while she’s growing stronger in the Demon Realm?”

【Affirmative.】

“…”

Not surprising, work was work; as long as she was alive, the grind continued.

But besides dealing with the mess she left behind, what else could there be for her in the human realm?

Li Yu pondered.

She had already, unknowingly, completed most of the male protagonist’s plot points.

In the original story, after abandoning the protagonist and returning to Mount Chao Yao to face punishment, what else did he do besides suffering and recovering?

It seemed he spent three years recuperating.

And recuperating shouldn’t be considered a main storyline mission.

Perhaps because the person involved was different, the subsequent events had also changed…

Those outsiders were currently demanding that she open the Heavenly Gate.

And they wouldn’t leave until she did.

Their constant demands and occasional conflicts with the Mount Chao Yao disciples were a problem.

Someone had to deal with it.

But as long as they were here, the problems wouldn’t end.

Cultivators had long lifespans; this could drag on forever.

So, was the main storyline the system mentioned related to opening the Heavenly Gate?

The Heavenly Gate wasn’t opened in the original story; the entire story took place in the human and demon realms.

But the black-robed figure also didn’t exist in the original story.

This was confirmed by the system.

Since he was a new character, could she introduce another, equally non-canonical force to counter him?

Si Qinglan had said that if she opened the Heavenly Gate, and the Heavenly Realm learned about the Demon Bone, she would be punished.

She wasn’t afraid of punishment. Having almost died already, she was practically fearless.

But she was curious; when the Heavenly Realm closed its gates, no one besides the original owner was willing to remain in the human realm.

Now, after four thousand years, if the Gate was reopened, would any celestial being be willing to come down and deal with this mess?

Even if they did, wouldn’t they also be bound by the laws of heaven?

Could these celestial beings, having lived in the Heavenly Realm for four thousand years, suddenly face the immense resentment and the restrictions imposed by the laws of heaven, and truly outmaneuver the black-robed figure?

Regardless, opening the Heavenly Gate would drastically change the story.

Li Yu paused, considering this.

She knew her thoughts couldn’t be hidden from the system.

So, she waited for its reaction.

After a few seconds of silence, the system didn’t respond, confirming that this path was feasible.

A drastic change…good. The latter half of the novel was already chaotic anyway. If the world was destined for turmoil, why not accelerate the process?

Let them fight! Let the Heavenly Realm and the black-robed figure fight!

She would be the one resting comfortably, watching the chaos unfold from afar!

Having made her decision, Li Yu summoned Si Qinglan with a butterfly message.

“The sun hasn’t risen from the west, has it? What’s so important that you’re summoning me?”

This was Si Qinglan’s first question upon arriving.

There was curiosity in her eyes and a rare smile on her lips, seemingly pleased by Li Yu seeking her help.

But Li Yu simply said, “Inform the others that I will open the Heavenly Gate after I recover.”

“You…” Si Qinglan was speechless. “Wait, you’re actually going to open it?”

“Mm, didn’t I mention it before?”

“You had just woken up, your mind was still foggy.” Si Qinglan frowned. “I didn’t think you were serious.”

“Well, I wasn’t. It was just a casual remark, a bit of a desperate measure.” Li Yu poured herself a cup of tea. “But I’ve thought about it. I can’t give them the explanation they want, and this can’t go on forever.”

Li Yu brought the teacup to her lips and blew gently on the surface.

Steam rose, obscuring her eyes. She took a sip, then put down the cup and continued, “The human realm is in chaos, and that black-robed figure is hiding somewhere, plotting something. I’m too weak to stop him. If a celestial being descends from the Heavenly Realm, it would be a good thing.”

“…”

“Besides, aren’t those people refusing to leave until they get their way?” Li Yu lowered her voice. “Their constant harassment…it’s tiring for you.”

“I was just complaining; I can handle it.”

“I know you can, but there’s no need to endure this.” Li Yu looked at Si Qinglan and smiled faintly. “I’m the only one who can open that Gate anyway. It’s my decision. Instead of exhausting yourself dealing with them, just agree and appease them.”

“Appeasing them by giving them what they want? They’ll just demand more!” Si Qinglan rolled her eyes.

Li Yu: “I said, it’s my decision whether to open it or not. You just agree for now, and if anyone bothers you again, don’t hold back, just tell them off.”

Si Qinglan: “And what should I say?”

Li Yu thought for a moment, cleared her throat, and imitated Si Qinglan’s sarcastic tone, “Why are you so impatient? Is opening the Heavenly Gate such a simple task? Cangming Revered One hasn’t even recovered yet!”

Si Qinglan: “…”

Li Yu continued, “Speaking of her injuries, you contributed to them, didn’t you? You’re so capable, why not open the Heavenly Gate yourself instead of waiting for her to recover?”

Si Qinglan: “…”

“If you say it like that, anyone with a shred of decency will stop pestering you.” Li Yu smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Then you won’t have to listen to their constant nagging.”

Si Qinglan: “…”

Li Yu took a sip of tea and, seeing the confused look on Si Qinglan’s face, asked, “What? Is there something wrong with that?”

Si Qinglan looked at her thoughtfully. “Is that…how I usually talk?”

Li Yu: “Isn’t it?”

Si Qinglan: “It is, but…why does it sound so strange coming from you?”

Li Yu tilted her head innocently and shrugged.

Si Qinglan fell silent, staring at the steam rising from her teacup.

After a long moment, she said softly, “Releasing the Demon Bone isn’t a small matter, you will be punished, severely punished.”

Li Yu: “I dared to sever the Harmony Bells, what punishment could I possibly fear?”

Si Qinglan: “…”

Li Yu: “I should also bear some responsibility; I can’t just cause trouble for Mount Chao Yao.”

Si Qinglan: “…”

Li Yu: “After all, I’m the head of the Three Revered Ones.”

Si Qinglan: “…”

Li Yu: “You’re usually more talkative than this.”

Si Qinglan: “You’re usually less talkative than this.”

Li Yu couldn’t help but chuckle.

Si Qinglan sighed, poured herself another cup of tea, and drank it all in one go.

Her expression was like someone drowning their sorrows in alcohol.

But it wasn’t alcohol, and Li Yu had never seen Si Qinglan drink.

Her sorrow was real.

After a brief silence, Si Qinglan finally spoke, “You can’t take it back, have you thought this through?”

Li Yu: “Mm.”

Si Qinglan clenched her teacup, seemingly suppressing her worry, and said softly, “Alright then.”

Those two words were filled with reluctance.

Soon after Si Qinglan left, news of the impending opening of the Heavenly Gate spread throughout Mount Chao Yao.

This news excited everyone.

The Heavenly Gate had been closed for over four thousand years, countless cultivators yearning for the Heavenly Realm, yet there was no path.

In the past, no one would dare force the only remaining god in the human realm to open the Gate.

But now, armed with the righteous cause of protecting the world, they could point their fingers at the god who had committed a grave sin.

Perhaps some genuinely wanted her to be punished, but others simply wanted the opportunity to go to the Heavenly Realm.

Celestial immortals and terrestrial immortals had vastly different statuses.

Celestial immortals resided in the Heavenly Realm, a place rich in spiritual energy, far from worldly concerns, with the hope of ascending to godhood.

Terrestrial immortals, although achieving longevity, were still bound to the mortal realm, their progress hindered.

Before the Heavenly Gate closed, those who achieved immortality in the human realm could ascend during their Heavenly Tribulation, passing through the Gate, catching a glimpse of the Heavenly Dao.

If they were recognized by the Heavenly Dao, they could stay in the Heavenly Realm and become celestial immortals.

If not, they would return to the human realm as terrestrial immortals, with no loss.

This was why achieving immortality was referred to as “ascending to the Heavenly Gate.”

For four thousand years, no one who achieved immortality in the human realm had ascended.

It was hard to believe that none of them desired to glimpse the Heavenly Dao.

Now, with the Heavenly Gate about to open, this was their chance.

Even if they had to return to the human realm eventually, that single glimpse would be enough to fulfill their lifelong yearning.

Li Yu’s assumption was correct. Since agreeing to open the Heavenly Gate, Si Qinglan hadn’t been bothered as much.

Initially, there were still some who urged her, but when she made it clear that she wouldn’t be pressured, they all became more polite.

Si Qinglan scoffed, “A bunch of bullies, preying on the weak.”

She slammed the table. “I’ve finally understood, being nice to them is useless. You take one step back, and they’ll take two. You take two steps back, and they’ll shit on your head!”

“That’s how it is,” Li Yu said calmly, resting her chin on her hand. “If I wasn’t injured, they wouldn’t dare speak so loudly.”

“And if Weisheng was awake, those who haven’t even ascended to the Heavenly Gate wouldn’t dare point fingers at us.”

Li Yu suddenly became curious. “Have you ascended?”

Si Qinglan: “Of course, when I became an immortal, the Heavenly Realm hadn’t closed its gates yet, and Heavenly Gates were everywhere.”

Li Yu: “But the Heavenly Dao deemed you a terrestrial immortal?”

“What?! Is that all you think I’m capable of?” Si Qinglan frowned, then said loudly, “The Heavenly Dao allowed me to stay, but after looking around, I couldn’t find the person I was looking for, so I returned to the human realm to continue my search!”

The person she was looking for, that ancient god who bestowed a sliver of divine power on her, allowing her to take human form?

The original story only mentioned that Si Qinglan traveled the human realm for millennia, unable to find any information about that ancient god, then returned to the island and founded Mount Chao Yao.

She had even given up the opportunity to stay in the Heavenly Realm to find this god.

Li Yu couldn’t help but sigh. “You’re quite persistent.”

“Persistent? I think it’s normal.” Si Qinglan’s voice was soft, a thoughtful look on her face. “I didn’t find him, so I stopped looking.”

Li Yu: “…”

She seemed to have touched a nerve.

Si Qinglan: “Actually, I did hear about her later.”

Li Yu: “What did you hear?”

Si Qinglan lowered her gaze and muttered, “…Not telling.”

Li Yu: “…”

Now she was being secretive.

Si Qinglan: “By the way, how are your injuries?”

The abrupt change of topic…

Fine, she’d play along.

Li Yu: “They’re alright.”

Si Qinglan: “What do you mean, ‘alright’?”

Li Yu: “…”

Si Qinglan: “Can you be more specific?”

Li Yu thought for a moment. “Not good, not bad… Better than when I left Mount Chao Yao with Mu Tao.”

Si Qinglan: “Still sounds pretty bad.”

Li Yu: “Indeed.”

Si Qinglan: “Get some more rest, I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Li Yu: “Mm.”

The pale green light disappeared, leaving Li Yu alone.

She looked at the ice flower by the window, her gaze unfocused.

In the blink of an eye, early spring passed, and warmth returned to Mount Chao Yao.

The visiting immortals were no longer discussing the Upper Spirit Lamp’s fate, just waiting for the Heavenly Gate to open and the celestial being to arrive with an answer.

They were impatient, although not daring to urge her directly, diligently setting up a spiritual energy amplification formation near the Heavenly Gate.

They were cautious, they hesitated.

They hinted, they implied!

To hasten the opening of the Heavenly Gate, they demonstrated their sincerity through actions!

“Has Cangming Revered One seen the formation?”

“If Cangming Revered One lacks spiritual energy, we are willing to assist with the formation!”

Cangming Revered One, confined to her residence, hadn’t seen it, but her colleagues had.

Si Qinglan scoffed, “So eager, as if they’re rushing to reincarnate.”

With the formation already in place, if she still refused, their politeness and patience would soon wear thin.

The outsiders were impatient, and Li Yu didn’t intend to delay much longer.

Opening the Heavenly Gate was something she wanted to do.

With their assistance, saving her some effort, there was no reason to refuse.

So, after nearly two months of seclusion, Cangming Revered One finally appeared before the assembled immortals.

On the southern shore of Mount Chao Yao, countless people followed her, their gazes fixed on her as she entered the formation.

Si Qinglan, her brow furrowed, looked at Li Yu with worry.

The Heavenly Gate, the only passage to the Heavenly Realm from the human realm, was said to be located at the horizon, where the sea met the sky.

Dozens of cultivators stood at designated points, activating the formation.

Li Yu stood at the center, a sudden nervousness washing over her.

She wasn’t sure if she could open the Heavenly Gate; she had never done it before.

She had considered asking for the system’s assistance, but it claimed this was beyond its capabilities; it could only locate the Gate and ensure her spell didn’t miss.

This response made Li Yu feel both amused and frustrated.

Fortunately, she vaguely remembered how to open the Gate, perhaps from that dream where she met the original owner.

As the formation activated, a golden light erupted, and a surge of spiritual energy enveloped her.

Li Yu took a deep breath and, relying on her hazy memory, instinctively formed a complex hand seal she couldn’t possibly memorize.

A blue light surged from her palm towards the sky, gradually spreading, covering the heavens.

The world was bathed in blue.

At the distant horizon, a brilliant golden light slowly rose.

It ascended, piercing through the blue clouds, a beam of light illuminating the world.

Everyone stared at that light.

The last Heavenly Gate connecting the human realm to the Heavenly Realm.

It was slowly opening.

Suddenly, snow began to fall.

Light, white snowflakes, falling out of season.

As everyone watched in confusion, the snowflakes coalesced into a pure white form, like a guided blade, slashing towards the beam of light!

A deafening boom echoed, and a massive crack appeared in the blue sky.

The golden light vanished.

Chapter 57: She Almost Thought the Snow Would Never Stop… p2

Li Yu sighed and placed the sundial back within the tree’s core.

When she opened her eyes, a tightness in her chest made her cough violently.

A wisp of green light floated in through the window and transformed into a human form.

Li Yu met Si Qinglan’s disapproving gaze.

“Still alive, I see,” Si Qinglan said sarcastically.

“I want to die,” Li Yu said weakly with a wry smile, “but there are still things I haven’t finished…”

“If your hand still works, you can write a will, and I’ll try my best to fulfill it.” Despite her words, Si Qinglan sent a sliver of healing spiritual energy into Li Yu’s forehead.

Li Yu: “That’s too much trouble.”

Si Qinglan: “Haven’t you caused me enough trouble already? Even sealing the Heavenly Demon requires using my territory.”

Li Yu: “I’m sorry.”

Si Qinglan: “…What’s there to be sorry about?”

Silence fell.

The pale green light flowed into Li Yu, easing the pain.

Li Yu closed her eyes, focusing on circulating the healing energy.

After a while, Si Qinglan withdrew her hand and sat down beside the bed, sighing.

Just as she sat down, Li Yu chuckled softly.

“What are you laughing about now?” Si Qinglan frowned. “Seriously, Li Yu, have you lost your mind? Why do you always giggle inexplicably after waking up from your injuries?”

Li Yu: “I was just remembering the last thing you said to me.”

Si Qinglan: “What?”

Li Yu imitated Si Qinglan’s tone and said seriously, “You better not let me see you again, or I really will intervene.”

Si Qinglan frowned, a hint of exasperation in her eyes.

“And here I am again, and you did intervene…by healing me.” Li Yu couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Her voice was weak, her words laced with a weary humor, but there was no mirth in her eyes.

Si Qinglan didn’t continue the joke, just asked in a low voice, “What happened?”

Li Yu: “What do you mean?”

Si Qinglan: “Weren’t you taking Mu Tao to the Demon Realm? You entered the passage; why did you come back alone?”

This made Li Yu curious.

She looked at Si Qinglan and asked, “I thought I fainted. How did I get out?”

Si Qinglan was momentarily speechless, her own question unanswered, now facing a question from the person who was supposed to answer.

Si Qinglan: “That Linchi bird brought you back.”

Li Yu: “Xiang Hanyu?”

Si Qinglan nodded. “She anticipated you going to the Demon Realm and waited at the entrance. But the place was swarming with cultivators from the immortal sects; she could only hide and observe.”

“Soon after you entered the passage, they dispersed,” Si Qinglan said calmly. “She was worried and went to check, finding you there… She wanted to take you back to Lingzhou, but your injuries were too severe; she couldn’t heal you, so she brought you back here.”

“She dared enter that place…?”

“For a demon at the Heavenly Tribulation stage, entering and exiting the Demon Realm isn’t difficult.” Si Qinglan conjured a cup of flower tea with a flick of her finger. “You’re lucky she went to check; otherwise, you might not have survived.”

She handed the teacup to Li Yu. “Sit up and drink some water.”

How thoughtful, she was indeed thirsty.

Li Yu took a deep breath, sat up despite the pain, and drank the tea in one gulp.

Si Qinglan took the empty cup and asked again, “So, what happened?”

Li Yu changed the subject. “How’s Mo Yichu?”

Si Qinglan: “Badly injured. He’s currently in the Spirit Restraint Hall, bound by soul-restraining barriers, unable to cultivate or heal.”

“…”

“With those outsiders still here, I can’t release him, he just has to endure for now.” Si Qinglan said. “At least he’s in much better shape than you, and he hasn’t complained.”

“Weisheng Xuanzhu entrusted him to my care.”

“He’s asleep anyway, so he doesn’t know what happened. Don’t feel too guilty.” Si Qinglan said comfortingly. “You expended a lot of energy in the City of the Undying; that kid is just repaying your favor.”

“Mm,” Li Yu nodded.

Si Qinglan: “You still haven’t told me what happened.”

Li Yu: “I…”

Si Qinglan: “Third time’s the charm. Change the subject again, and I’ll be angry.”

Li Yu thought for a moment, then said calmly, “I let Mu Tao go to the Demon Realm alone.”

Si Qinglan: “I know, I’m asking why.”

Li Yu: “Why what?”

Because the system forced her to, what other reason could there be?

Si Qinglan wouldn’t understand that.

“You were so close, why turn back?” Si Qinglan frowned. “That’s the Demon Realm, Mu Tao is still so young, how could you leave her there alone?”

Li Yu: “I told you, I have unfinished business.”

Si Qinglan: “…”

After a long silence, Si Qinglan bit her lip and said in a low voice, “You severed the Harmony Bells.”

Li Yu: “Mm.”

Si Qinglan: “What ‘unfinished business’ requires severing the Harmony Bells?”

Li Yu leaned against the bedpost and replied softly, “Some things…are difficult to explain, even I don’t fully understand.”

“You were the one who tied them, and you were the one who broke them… You were severely injured protecting her, yet you endured the backlash of the oath to abandon her.” Si Qinglan’s eyes were filled with confusion. “What are you thinking? I really don’t understand.”

Li Yu: “…”

Si Qinglan: “Li Yu, I can see…you can’t bear to leave her.”

Li Yu lowered her gaze, not answering.

Si Qinglan: “You had no reason to come back.”

Li Yu couldn’t help but chuckle. “Why, are you unhappy that I’m back?”

“How can I be happy?” Si Qinglan retorted. “Are you back to lead Mount Chao Yao? Do you think you’re still the revered Cangming Revered One, the guardian of the Upper Spirit Lamp, the only Exalted God in the human realm?”

She made the teacup on the table fly back onto the tray with a flick of her wrist.

She looked at Li Yu and said calmly, “You released the Demon Bone, committed a grave mistake. Your return has only caused me trouble.”

Li Yu: “How much trouble?”

Si Qinglan: “Many people are demanding that you be imprisoned in the Spirit Restraint Hall. I’ve been arguing nonstop to let you recuperate here.”

Li Yu glanced at her system stats.

【Character Compatibility: 51%】

The number made her slightly nervous, but then she remembered that the kill threshold was lower now, and she felt numb again.

“…Thank you,” she said.

“No need for thanks, just…my unfortunate fate.” Si Qinglan muttered. “If you were also imprisoned, Mount Chao Yao would truly be in chaos.”

“So, what’s the current situation?” Li Yu asked softly.

“Those people are refusing to leave.” Si Qinglan rolled her eyes. “They are waiting for you to wake up, demanding an explanation.”

“What explanation can I give them?” Li Yu said nonchalantly. “I was controlled by the Demon Bone, will that work?”

“You can try,” Si Qinglan’s tone was slightly resigned. “After all, no excuse could be more absurd than you releasing the Demon Bone and then returning.”

She sighed. “I don’t know when we’ll get rid of them.”

To get rid of them, she needed to understand what they wanted and then satisfy their demands.

“The Demon Bone is no longer in the human realm; what else do they want?”

“They want to decide what to do with the Upper Spirit Lamp, of course. After all, it contains the Heavenly Demon Soul Seed, it can’t be left just anywhere.” Si Qinglan said sarcastically. “We are willing to hand it over, but they haven’t decided who should take it.”

“Not surprising, the best option is still to keep it in Suiqiong Cave.” Li Yu said calmly. “When I recover, I can try to reseal it.”

“They don’t trust us.”

“Right, whatever.” Li Yu smiled nonchalantly.

Si Qinglan: “Besides the Upper Spirit Lamp, there’s also the matter of…you.”

Li Yu: “I really don’t know what to tell them, help me out?”

Si Qinglan: “Explaining yourself is one thing, the bigger problem now is…they want you to open the Heavenly Gate.”

Li Yu: “Open the Heavenly Gate?”

“They think that the only Heavenly Gate shouldn’t be guarded by you, that this matter needs to be reported to the Heavenly Realm…and that another god should be sent down to deal with it.” Si Qinglan’s voice was filled with worry. “They don’t dare punish you themselves, but once the Heavenly Gate is open, and the Heavenly Realm learns of your actions…Heavenly Tribulation would be the least of your worries.”

Si Qinglan couldn’t help but add, “Why did you even come back? They were about to leave after deciding what to do with the Lamp, but now they’re refusing to leave until you open the Heavenly Gate. It’s so annoying!”

“What do I have to fear anymore?” Li Yu said numbly. “When I recover, I’ll do as they ask. As long as they leave.”

“You’re truly…” Si Qinglan sighed, exasperated. “Forget it, I don’t even have the energy to argue with you.”

Li Yu was silent for a moment, then asked, “How long was I unconscious this time?”

Si Qinglan: “Half a month.”

Li Yu: “That explains why the snow has melted.”

Si Qinglan: “…”

Li Yu: “Si Qinglan.”

Si Qinglan: “What now?”

Li Yu: “I want to return to Chaoxi Pond.”

Si Qinglan: “Wake up, there’s no one there to take care of you!”

Li Yu: “I know.”

Si Qinglan: “…Fine, do as you please.”

Si Qinglan took a deep breath. “But wait a few more days. In your current state, you might die in there, and no one would even know!”

Li Yu smiled faintly and looked out the window, saying nothing.

Winter was finally over.

So much had happened in just a few short months, it felt like a lifetime.

She had almost thought the snow would never stop…

Chapter 57: She Almost Thought the Snow Would Never Stop… p1

It was late at night, no stars in the sky, only a solitary moon.

The sea was an inky blue, occasionally rippling with moon-white crests.

This winter had been long, the endless snow seemingly never ceasing.

It fell softly, swallowed by the waves.

So cold, her blood almost freezing.

A faint light flickered above the sea, and she saw a towering tree, its form hazy and indistinct.

Its trunk was dark, its leaves a deep blue, its roots entangled and reaching deep into the inky ocean, emanating a soft, moon-like glow amidst the misty water.

For the first time, she reached out and touched it, as if touching someone in a deep slumber.

The trunk rippled with light where her fingers brushed against it, the ripples spreading throughout the massive tree.

Dewdrops formed on the blue leaves, trembling and falling as the sea breeze blew past.

Like a soft rain, they fell onto the ocean, transforming into moon-white pearls that sank slowly into the depths…

She saw another “self,” standing amidst the swaying shadows of the tree, faint as a wisp of smoke, as if a gentle breeze could make her disappear completely.

She instinctively tried to approach, but an invisible force held her back.

The figure turned to look at her, her deep blue eyes like the deepest ocean, silent and lonely.

As their eyes met, the figure extended a finger.

A touch on her forehead, and the countless leaves swayed like waves in a calm sea.

The faint, misty light in the world around her flowed towards her, like streams converging into a river.

The cool finger on her forehead lifted, and the smoky figure became translucent.

She instinctively reached out to hold on, but grasped nothing.

The figure, fainter than the moonlight, dissolved into specks of light.

The light lingered beneath the swaying tree, gradually forming a green jade sundial that floated into her palm.

The towering tree disappeared, the blue light fading.

And the moon in the sky, seemingly eternal, crumbled like peeling paint, disappearing into the darkness.

The long night remained, the lightless sea remained.

Only the snow, falling on her heart,

Seemed like it would never stop.

…

Her head ached, her breathing heavy.

A burning sensation spread through her body, yet she felt so cold.

Spiritual energy flowed into her damaged meridians, a cool, gentle touch, like spring rain extinguishing a fire, dispelling the chilling cold.

She heard voices, muffled, as if underwater, indistinguishable.

This hazy sensation lingered.

Li Yu finally opened her heavy eyes.

Her eyelashes fluttered, beads of sweat glistening on her pale skin.

Her blurry vision gradually cleared, and she saw her surroundings.

It was all so familiar.

Outside the window was a clear sky, the snow gone, replaced by a colorful garden in full bloom.

She thought she would never see these flowers again.

How did she get back here?

Li Yu pondered.

She had fainted in the passage to the Demon Realm.

That place, where those inside couldn’t leave, and those outside wouldn’t easily enter, where cries for help went unanswered, she hadn’t even summoned a butterfly message, so who brought her back?

Her mind felt foggy, unable to think clearly, so she gave up trying.

Regardless of how she returned, it was good to be back.

If she hadn’t, she would have woken up in darkness, alone, injured, cold, forced to find shelter and recover by herself.

Just the thought of that made her shudder; it wouldn’t be much different from being dead.

Sometimes, she felt like she was playing a game, and Qianlizhu was her respawn point. Whenever she “died” outside, she would wake up here. It was strangely comforting.

But she didn’t know how long she had been unconscious, how Mu Tao was doing…

She glanced at the 99% blackening value…

So close to 100%, what was the reason?

The little girl must have entered the Demon Realm already.

Alone in that ruthless, lightless world, with only the power of the Demon Bone to rely on.

She would face many dangers, many hardships, gradually adapting to and mastering the Demon Bone’s power, forcing herself to grow up quickly, becoming the feared new Demon Lord.

Everything was unfolding as destined.

Li Yu tried to recall the little protagonist’s thoughts in the original story when she was abandoned.

Something about everyone having their own Dao… [T/N: Dao – complex concept in Chinese philosophy, often translated as “way,” “path,” or “principle.”]

Had Mu Tao also thought that when the Harmony Bells were severed?

Perhaps she had indeed thought that her master’s Dao was different from her path…

But that wasn’t true; Li Yu didn’t have a “Dao.”

She wanted to be with Mu Tao, face everything together. Even weakened, she didn’t want to abandon her.

But she had no choice.

If she had known this plot point was unavoidable, she wouldn’t have made so many promises.

The most hurtful thing was making sincere promises, earning someone’s trust, and then failing to keep them.

She knew she and Mu Tao would meet again, just like in the original story, Mu Tao would eventually return to Mount Chao Yao.

But she didn’t know how Mu Tao would look at her then…

In the original story, it only took Mu Tao three years, relying on the Demon Bone’s power, to establish her reputation in the Demon Realm, become the new Demon Lord, and return to the human realm, filled with hatred, destroying Mount Chao Yao.

That day, the girl in red, her innocence gone, only a cold, unwavering hatred in her eyes.

Li Yu had dreamed of that scene countless times.

Every time, Mu Tao would snap her sword in two, walk towards her step by step, and recount her resentment.

Then, with a cold smile, she would plunge the broken sword into Li Yu’s chest.

She knew there wouldn’t be a broken sword this time, no fatal blow.

But she couldn’t help but feel both anticipation and dread for that inevitable reunion…

Li Yu realized she couldn’t think about Mu Tao; perhaps her body couldn’t handle the emotional turmoil. Just thinking about her made it hard to breathe.

So, she stared blankly at the flowers outside the window, letting her mind go blank.

After a while, she remembered the dream she had while unconscious.

A dream unlike any she had experienced before.

In her dream, there was an inky blue sea and a towering tree.

That tree was her spiritual root; she had known that since arriving here.

As for the sea, during those days when she was studying spells on her own, the system had told her that it was her sea of consciousness.

She had been curious and asked, “Do all cultivators have such a sea, such a large tree?”

The system told her that everyone’s sea of consciousness was different.

Hers was a blue sea, while others might have valleys, grasslands, forests, deserts…

And within the sea of consciousness, there might be a single plant, or countless flowers and trees, but the largest and most vibrant one would always be the spiritual root. The vastness of the sea and the size of the root reflected one’s cultivation level.

What was the significance of a large tree growing in a vast ocean?

The system’s answer was just a guess.

It said that the appearance of the sea of consciousness reflected one’s state of mind.

Cangming Revered One, aloof and solitary, yet carrying a desire to protect the world.

A vast, lonely ocean, a single tree reaching for the sky.

Perhaps this was Cangming Revered One’s state of mind.

Li Yu had often wondered, if this world was real, where did the original owner of this body go after she arrived?

Did she simply vanish?

But now, she seemed to have seen her.

In that strange dream…

Perhaps it wasn’t just a dream.

Li Yu closed her eyes, her consciousness entering her sea of consciousness. She looked up at the towering tree.

The prohibition symbols that once covered it were gone, leaving only the dark trunk and the lush, blue leaves.

She walked across the surface of the sea, each step creating ripples.

Reaching the tree, she gently touched it.

A soft blue light flickered on the tree, and the green jade sundial from her dream appeared in her palm.

Was this…given to her by the original owner?

Not just the sundial, but all the light from her spiritual root had flowed into her in the dream…

Li Yu lowered her gaze.

【This is the world-protecting artifact, the [Jinxu Gui], entrusted to the original owner by the last ancient god!】

“Is it powerful?”

【Probably!】

“How do I use it?”

【I don’t know.】

“Silence or guidance, all to control variables, right?”

【Well, that…】

Forget it, there was no point in asking. This system kept so many secrets from her, one more or less didn’t matter.

This…Jinxu whatsit…

【[Jinxu Gui].】

Right, what it was, how to use it, might be important, but it was like advanced math to her; she couldn’t understand it.

No matter how much she pondered, she wouldn’t suddenly grasp it.

Since it was a reward from a main storyline mission, she would eventually find a use for it, and the system would surely guide her then. Overthinking was pointless.

 

Chapter 56: 【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 99%!】p2

As darkness enveloped her, the world fell silent.

A faint blue light flickered in the darkness.

Li Yu, holding the light in one hand, Mu Tao’s hand in the other, cautiously walked forward.

In the seemingly endless darkness, Mu Tao looked at the figure before her, her racing heart slowly calming down.

For a moment there, she had lost herself.

Thankfully, her master was still here. As long as her master was with her, she had nothing to fear.

The power of the Demon Bone was truly terrifying…

If she could control it, she could protect her master, never letting her be hurt again.

The path was dark and long; she didn’t know where it led.

But she wasn’t afraid, just silently following Li Yu, her gaze fixed on the soft blue light, walking with her into the deepest darkness.

A swirl of dark green appeared in the seemingly endless darkness.

As they approached, she saw it more clearly.

It was a vortex, like a gaping maw, silently floating in the darkness.

Was this…the Demon Realm?

Mu Tao thought this, then felt her master’s hand tremble slightly.

This tremor made her pause, her head tilting in confusion. “Master, what’s wrong?”

She didn’t know that her master’s heart was in turmoil.

Li Yu herself didn’t understand. She had endured so much, yet a simple main storyline event was making her feel so…awful.

It was ironic; the moment she entered this darkness, the system’s voice echoed in her mind.

Host, please stop. Let the protagonist walk this path alone.

Regardless of the changes to the plot, the protagonist must become the Demon Lord for the main storyline to continue.

The male protagonist severing the Harmony Bells and leaving the female protagonist alone in the Demon Realm is a crucial plot point, essential for her becoming the new Demon Lord.

Without this event, given the protagonist’s current temperament and her dependence on the host, she will never become the Demon Lord—therefore, this plot point cannot be changed or avoided.

What a ridiculous request! She didn’t want to hear it.

Let the protagonist walk this path alone?

She had made so many promises to Mu Tao, how could she abandon her here?

Didn’t the system know the severe consequences of the male protagonist’s actions in the original story?!

She was here to change the ending; there was clearly a better path, why force her to follow the original, disastrous plot points?!

She couldn’t make this mistake, no matter what.

So, she continued walking, holding Mu Tao’s hand tightly.

But the system’s voice persisted.

【Host, please stop.】

【Host, please stop.】

【Host, please stop.】

It was so noisy, so annoying.

For the first time, she found its voice irritating.

【This is the true entrance to the Demon Realm. If you go any further, there’s no turning back!】

She didn’t understand why she should turn back.

She didn’t have the original owner’s sense of duty or her unwavering Dao heart!

She was just someone dragged into this world!

The system wanted her to change the ending, and she had been diligently cooperating, changing many plot points!

She had come so far; just a few more steps, and everything would be different.

But why was the system forcing her to give up now?

Becoming the Demon Lord was good; then Mu Tao would never be bullied again.

But if it meant being alone, it wouldn’t be what Mu Tao wanted…

【Host, this is the main storyline…】

Shut up! She didn’t want to hear it!

What would happen if she didn’t follow this main storyline?!

【The reason you were brought here is that the author’s story has deviated significantly from the outline, turning all the characters into puppets, unable to control their own fates, ultimately leading to the protagonist destroying the world in her despair!】

【To fix this deviation, an outsider, someone objective, must guide the story back on track, preserving the key plot points while filling in the missing details from the original outline!】

What did the original outline have to do with her?

She was certain that Mu Tao wasn’t a puppet; she was her own person!

And everyone she knew in this world was real, not controlled by anyone!

What was wrong with how the story had progressed so far?

Mu Tao wasn’t alone anymore, Mount Chao Yao wouldn’t be destroyed, what was wrong with that?

【Who is the black-robed figure, someone who didn’t exist in the original story? Haven’t you ever wondered?】

…

【The Heavenly Demon died over four thousand years ago. Why did its Demon Bone appear four thousand years later, and why was it brought to Mount Chao Yao by Si Qinglan? Have you ever considered this?】

…

【Without resolving these questions, can this world truly achieve the peace you envision?】

…

【If the crucial plot points aren’t met, if the outline isn’t completed, this world will inevitably collapse in an unpredictable way!】

So…

What would happen?

【You will never complete your mission, never return to your world!】

That didn’t sound so bad.

Mu Tao wouldn’t become the Demon Lord, the main storyline wouldn’t progress, and she couldn’t go back, so what?

She could stay with Mu Tao forever…

【If the main storyline cannot continue, the higher-level system will deem this world unsalvageable, and you will be erased! Based on current data, without your influence, the protagonist will inevitably destroy the world!】

…

【Is that the outcome you want?】

…

【Do you still insist on continuing?】

…

【Only by surviving, completing the main storyline, and fulfilling the outline can you truly save the protagonist, save this world!】

But why didn’t you tell her this plot point was also unavoidable…

She had made so many promises…

【This is also a necessary part of the protagonist’s journey to becoming the Demon Lord.】

So, you knew everything but chose not to tell her.

【Please understand, the system’s silence and guidance are to control variables.】

【Please believe that the system’s mission is to help you save this world, not to harm you.】

Li Yu chuckled coldly in her mind.

How ironic; she had vowed to never become like the male protagonist in the original story.

【Don’t be discouraged, Host, your previous efforts weren’t in vain. The protagonist will not become as twisted as in the original story.】

Could she explain this to Mu Tao?

【The system has detected that this action could have unpredictable consequences for the world’s stability. For the safety of the host and the world, any speech that reveals plot details will be muted.】

Fine, she knew what to do.

Li Yu took a deep breath and stopped abruptly, feeling an unprecedented calmness.

She told herself to suppress her compassion, no matter what she heard.

“Master?”

“…”

“Why did you stop?”

“…”

Receiving no response, Mu Tao tightened her grip on Li Yu’s hand.

“Master, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me…” She gently shook Li Yu’s wrist, seeking the reassuring chime of the silver bells. “Master, please say something…”

Silence.

Why was her master ignoring her? Impossible!

This must be an illusion, like in the City of the Undying. She was always so clumsy, so easily separated from her master…

But it was fine, she had the Harmony Bells, she could find her master!

Thinking this, she released Li Yu’s hand and activated the bells with her spiritual energy.

The familiar chiming came from right in front of her, and she froze.

“Mu Tao, I can hear you…” Li Yu’s voice trembled slightly.

“Master!” Mu Tao grabbed her wrist, her voice filled with panic. “What just happened?!”

The light in Li Yu’s palm flickered.

She turned around, her gaze lowered, and gently pried open Mu Tao’s fingers.

Mu Tao: “Master!”

Li Yu: “Enter here. The Demon Realm is just beyond this passage.”

Mu Tao: “Then…what about Master…?”

Li Yu: “I’m only taking you this far.”

Mu Tao tightened her grip on Li Yu’s wrist. “What are you talking about, Master?”

“…”

“You said you would go to the Demon Realm with me, that you would always be by my side, that you would teach me how to control my power! You promised, you promised you would always be with me!” Mu Tao looked at Li Yu, her eyes red with pleading. “Master, you’re joking, right?”

“No.” Li Yu took a deep breath.

She didn’t turn around, just said coldly, “I’m only taking you this far.”

“Why?!” Mu Tao cried, her voice choked with tears.

She stared at Li Yu, hoping for a sliver of compassion.

“Master, you promised, you promised me!”

“There’s no ‘why’,” Li Yu said coldly, pulling her hand away.

“Master, did I do something wrong? Was it…because I didn’t control myself earlier…? I, I’ll definitely control it next time! I didn’t, I didn’t kill anyone! You said injure, not kill, I remember!”

“…”

“Master, please don’t leave me…”

Before Mu Tao could finish, a deep blue light flashed.

The red string on her wrist snapped.

And the silver bells shattered.

She stopped pleading, staring at the broken pieces falling to the ground.

The sound of shattering silver was so loud, so piercing…

It made her breath catch, her heart ache.

—These are Harmony Bells, a pair. One for you, and one for me. From now on, no matter where you are, no matter how far apart we are, as long as you activate them with your spiritual power, I will be able to find you.

Was that also a lie…?

Qin Yuan had said that once the Harmony Bells were tied, they represented a lifelong bond, and forcibly breaking them was equivalent to taking half the life of the person who tied them.

Why?

Her master had left Mount Chao Yao for her, abandoned everything, even defied the entire immortal world…

She no longer doubted her worth, no longer doubted her master’s affection.

But why?

She had finally believed she could have all of this.

Yet, her master chose to sacrifice half her life to abandon her here…

The blue light still lingered beside her, but the person who created it had turned and left without a word.

That retreating figure was the only whiteness in this darkness.

She saw a pearl falling, landing on the ground, shattering in her heart.

Where did it all go wrong?

She wanted to cry, to plead, but her throat was dry, the words caught.

She wanted to run after her master, but her foot touched the broken bells.

And she lost all her courage.

The resolute figure disappeared into the darkness, until she could no longer see her.

For the first time, she realized that her heart, once filled with emotions,

Could also be empty.

…

Her steps grew heavier.

Blood trickled from her lips, staining her clothes.

She was so tired, the path so dark and long, seemingly endless.

【Congratulations to the host for completing the crucial “Severing Ties” plot point and successfully advancing the main storyline!】

You’ve got to be kidding me, you damn system…

She had done everything the male protagonist was supposed to do.

If it had told her this was her job, she could have just killed herself on the first day…

【You’ve worked hard, Host!】

【The system will now issue rewards—】

Hold on, not yet…

【All advanced spells unlocked.】

【World-protecting artifact [Jinxu Gui] unlocked.】

Wait…she felt…

Like she was dying?

【The host’s current mission completion rate is 70%. The system restriction level has been lowered to—Low!】

【The character compatibility kill threshold has been lowered to 30%!】

System, are you even listening?!

【Protagonist Blackening Value +34%!】

【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 99%!】

What was all that? She couldn’t hear clearly…

【Host, are you alright?】

Alright my ass, her chest hurt, she felt like she was dying!

【What?!】

Were the Harmony Bells really that potent…?

She couldn’t hold on any longer…

【This is the passage between realms! Host, get out of here before you faint!】

Chapter 56: 【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 99%!】p1

Although the innkeeper’s firecrackers were finished, the night remained lively.

The quiet New Year’s Eve was ignited by that first spark, crackling sounds echoing continuously.

Later, colorful fireworks lit up the distant city walls.

“Fireworks!” a child wearing a tiger hat pointed at the sky.

The innkeeper patted the child’s head and said with a playful smile, “Look, fireworks! They’re scaring away the Nian beast!” [T/N: 年兽 (Nian shou(beast)) is a mythical beast in Chinese folklore, said to appear during the New Year.]

Mu Tao stood beside them, her eyes wide, her mouth slightly open, gazing at the sky.

Suddenly, she blinked and ran back into the inn, up the stairs, and into their room, jumping onto the bed beside Li Yu.

“Master!” Her eyes were shining.

“Hmm?”

“Let’s watch together!”

“Okay.”

The human New Year was lively, and amidst this liveliness, Li Yu was reminded of her past.

A past even before arriving in this world.

—Her childhood.

New Year’s Eve as a child was truly lively.

Many relatives gathered around a table, squeezed together.

The table was laden with food, and the children, after filling their bowls, would gather at the coffee table, sitting on small stools, playing cards while eating.

Everyone talked and laughed, their voices loud enough to drown out the TV.

She remembered being one of those children, sitting on a small stool by the coffee table, watching TV.

Red envelopes from the elders were piled on the sofa behind the coffee table.

Later, the adults would take the children to the rooftop to watch the fireworks unobstructed.

After the fireworks, after the cold wind, everyone would return to their homes, cook dumplings, eat, and then go to bed, lulled to sleep by the ending notes of the Spring Festival Gala. [T/N: Spring Festival Gala, is a televised New Year’s Eve variety show in China.]

New Year’s Eve as a child was truly special.

As an adult, she rarely watched fireworks anymore.

Not that there weren’t any, but even when she heard them, she only found them noisy, no longer feeling the urge to watch.

But tonight was different.

It wasn’t as lively as her memories, but she felt the same warmth.

The distant fireworks lit up the sky.

They were probably less dazzling than a single spark of spiritual energy, but even having seen countless brilliant spells, she still found them beautiful.

And such a scene was even more meaningful with company.

That night, Mu Tao asked Li Yu many questions about the human New Year traditions.

They huddled together in the small bed, their voices soft, talking until they yawned and finally fell asleep.

After a night of rest, they left the small inn and continued their journey, following the system’s guidance.

A long time seemed to have passed, and the immortal sects’ Soul Searching Techniques never ceased.

These techniques were different from sensing auras directly. Her concealment spell couldn’t hide from them; she had to constantly maintain a more energy-consuming barrier.

Li Yu felt more alert, her control over spiritual energy improving.

Although these improvements were born from fear of being caught, she believed they would be useful in the Demon Realm.

Now, the question was, how far was this legendary Demon Realm?

The system’s answer made her want to roll her eyes.

【Almost there!】

Almost there! Such a helpful answer!

So concise, so definitive, and so vague.

In the past, she would have pressed for a more concrete answer.

But now, she didn’t bother.

She had asked this question countless times, and the answer was always, “Still very far!”

And if she asked how far “very far” was, whether it could estimate the time, the answer would be no.

Because the host is injured, your travel speed fluctuates, so the system can’t calculate it accurately, boohoo!

Thinking positively, the answer changing from “very far” to “almost there” meant they were indeed close.

But their journey hadn’t been completely undetected.

The immortal sects might have already deduced their destination based on their movements.

It wasn’t her imagination; the closer they got to the Demon Realm, the more frequent the Soul Searching Techniques became.

This forced Li Yu to expend more energy on concealment.

Fortunately, they had slowed down, spending less time traveling and more time resting, allowing her to recover slightly. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to handle this constant harassment.

The original story mentioned a unique energy flow at the entrance to the Demon Realm, a one-way vortex that made entering easy but leaving difficult.

This, besides the demons’ intolerance of heat, was another reason why there were so few demons in the human realm.

Besides heat, demons also loathed immortals and righteous cultivators.

Demons themselves were generally tolerated in the Demon Realm, but human cultivators, without sufficient power, would likely be captured and devoured.

In the original story, the male protagonist dared to send the protagonist to the Demon Realm precisely because of this.

Among the many immortal sects in the human realm, how many disciples could freely enter and exit the Demon Realm?

And among those who could, how many could withstand the demons’ hostility?

Even immortals would hesitate to enter the Demon Realm to retrieve the Demon Bone.

It was a place easy to enter, but not so easy to leave.

But the little protagonist was different.

With the Demon Bone, other demons were wary of her, and even if anyone dared to attack, the Bone would protect her.

Thinking of this, Li Yu couldn’t help but sigh.

The once weak protagonist, after entering the Demon Realm, not only became the new Demon Lord but also led the demons out of that one-way passage.

The power of the Heavenly Demon was like a cheat code; no wonder the immortal sects insisted on destroying the Demon Bone.

But even though they wanted to destroy it, they didn’t dare enter the Demon Realm.

Li Yu knew that the immortal sects also knew that if the protagonist truly intended to enter the Demon Realm, their only chance to destroy the Demon Bone was to ambush her at the entrance.

The path ahead wouldn’t be easy, but she believed she could do it.

Even if she didn’t believe in herself, she should believe in the protagonist’s halo, right?

Thinking this, Li Yu felt reassured.

With this newfound confidence, she and Mu Tao continued their journey, finally arriving at the entrance to the Demon Realm at the end of winter.

This entrance was hidden in a mountain forest in the human realm.

There was a small river in the forest, and within the river, a hidden “eye.”

This “eye,” closed at the bottom of the river, was invisible and intangible to ordinary beings. Only with sufficient spiritual power could it be temporarily opened.

As expected, the place was heavily guarded by cultivators from the immortal sects.

Li Yu had expected an ambush, but she realized she had been overthinking it.

These cultivators were incredibly obvious, their interception formation set up in plain sight, no attempt at concealment, either incredibly confident or simply…stupid.

Regardless of the reason, their waiting game had indeed caught their target.

But this large-scale deployment made Li Yu hesitate.

Soul Searching Techniques covered the entire forest, forcing her to constantly maintain her concealment barrier, a significant drain on her energy.

But if they left now, where could they go?

The surrounding area was filled with cultivators; would they have to retreat further, continuing to hide and wait for them to leave?

Who knew how long they would stay…

As long as Mu Tao didn’t enter the Demon Realm, the danger remained.

And here, in the human realm, these cultivators could attack freely, while she had many restrictions.

If they left now, and were found later, the situation might be even worse.

“Master, what do we do now?”

Mu Tao’s worried voice brought Li Yu back to reality.

She frowned and said in a low voice, “We go through.”

Mu Tao’s worry deepened. “But Master, in your current state…”

Li Yu: “Delaying this will only make things more difficult. Even if we don’t go through today, we’ll have to eventually.”

Mu Tao: “…”

Li Yu: “Constantly hiding and running is draining my energy, preventing me from recovering. It’s better to use our remaining strength to enter the Demon Realm; they won’t dare follow us there.”

Mu Tao bit her lip, her brow furrowed, but didn’t speak.

Li Yu sighed, took her cold hand, and said seriously, “This time, it’s your turn.”

Mu Tao looked up, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Mu Tao: “I… I can?”

Li Yu: “You can sense the power of the Demon Bone, can’t you?”

Mu Tao blinked, confusion and surprise in her eyes.

Li Yu: “You can sense its presence, and you can try to use it, right?”

Mu Tao nodded hesitantly. “But Master, you never wanted me to use it…”

Li Yu gently patted her hand. “The situation has changed. We have no other choice now; we need its power.”

One couldn’t hold it in forever.

When there was no other choice, why not use the power of the Demon Bone?

They were at the entrance to the Demon Realm; using it here wouldn’t reveal their location or affect the human realm.

Once inside, Mu Tao would be truly free.

Li Yu knew Mu Tao must be afraid, but to survive, she had to learn to control that power.

Before, she had only told Mu Tao not to use it.

Now, it was time to teach her when to use it.

Li Yu: “Everyone says the power of the Demon Bone is evil, but how do we define ‘evil’?”

Mu Tao opened her mouth, unsure how to answer.

“Many in the human realm believe that demons are evil and immortals are good. But there are demons who become immortals, and immortals who fall into darkness. Good and evil, like right and wrong, aren’t always clearly defined.” Li Yu tightened her grip on Mu Tao’s hand. “Everyone wants to kill you, but I’m willing to protect you, because I believe that good and evil reside in the heart. You’re my disciple; you won’t do anything I wouldn’t approve of.”

A flicker of something appeared in Mu Tao’s eyes.

Li Yu: “No matter how ‘evil’ the power, as long as it’s in your hands, I believe it will be used for protection, not destruction.”

Mu Tao: “Does Master…really think so…?”

“Of course!” Li Yu said seriously. “I didn’t want you to use it before because you couldn’t control it. I was afraid you would do something you regretted.”

Mu Tao lowered her gaze, her face filled with worry. “But can I…control it now…?”

“It’s within you, no longer sealed. You can choose not to use it, or you can try.” Li Yu gently cupped Mu Tao’s face. “Remember what I said, we just need to enter the Demon Realm. We can injure those who block our path, but we cannot kill.”

“Injure, but not kill,” Mu Tao repeated seriously.

“Yes!” Li Yu smiled and pinched her cheek gently. “Trust yourself, you can do it.”

Mu Tao pursed her lips, her expression nervous, but she nodded resolutely.

“Don’t feel pressured, just treat it as a simple trial. I’ll be right beside you.” Li Yu smiled gently. “It’s okay to make mistakes; I won’t let you make any irreversible ones.”

Mu Tao’s eyes teared up, and she nodded vigorously.

The sky above the forest darkened.

Li Yu took a deep breath and asked softly, “Ready?”

Mu Tao nodded.

The next second, the concealment spell dissipated, and the Soul Searching Techniques immediately locked onto them.

“The Demon Bone is there!”

A shout echoed through the forest, followed by a flash of blue light.

Li Yu, carrying Mu Tao, instantly flew towards the river—this flying technique, which she had just learned, was much more efficient than the crane, especially without having to maintain its form.

“Activate the formation!” someone shouted.

Before Li Yu could even land, countless golden lights erupted beneath their feet.

At the same time, resentment gathered in the sky, like threads of red in the wind.

Li Yu sent a blast of spiritual energy towards the river, parting the water.

The light dissipated at the bottom, touching the hidden “eye.”

The “eye” slowly opened, revealing a bottomless darkness.

Ignoring the formation beneath their feet, Li Yu pulled Mu Tao towards the darkness.

But with her depleted spiritual energy, breaking through the formation wouldn’t be easy.

The golden light blocked their path, its swirling energy like sharp blades, trapping them.

Li Yu released Mu Tao’s hand, formed a hand seal, and created a protective barrier, shielding Mu Tao.

“Break the formation!” she shouted.

Mu Tao took a deep breath, and a dark red mist emanated from her raised hands.

The resentment in the sky, bypassing the golden light of the formation, converged towards her palms.

A black flame suddenly erupted from the red mist.

Mu Tao’s eyes turned crimson.

Her expression hardened, becoming cold and menacing, like a death god.

The black flames, like a growing flower, surged upwards, silently enveloping the world.

As the last vestiges of daylight vanished, even the falling snow turned black.

It was as if black fire had consumed the sky and clouds, leaving behind dark, falling ashes.

The “ashes,” though light, burned through the golden light of the formation like fire on paper.

A gust of wind, and they were gone.

Terror filled the eyes of the immortal cultivators.

The black snow fell on them, and someone cried out in pain.

Panic erupted, some fleeing, some trying to defend themselves, the formation now unguarded.

“Let’s go!” As the barrier dissipated, Li Yu grabbed Mu Tao’s hand.

But Mu Tao didn’t respond, the crimson in her eyes deepening.

“Mu Tao!” Li Yu frowned and channeled a sliver of spiritual energy into her forehead.

Mu Tao’s body trembled.

The crimson in her eyes faded, and the blood-red mist in her hands disappeared.

The black flames above continued to burn, embraced by the swirling resentment, the black snow staining the white earth.

The immortal cultivators struggled in the black snow, their protective spiritual energy flickering and fading.

Mu Tao, shocked by the scene, let Li Yu pull her towards the dark abyss at the bottom of the river.

“The Demon Bone has escaped!” someone shouted, but they were powerless to stop them.

They plunged into the entrance to the Demon Realm, disappearing instantly, like a speck of dust in the vast world.

The “eye” at the riverbed slowly closed, the parted water flowing back together.

The black flames in the sky gradually dissipated, and the snow turned white again.

Only wisps of resentment lingered in the air.

Was that…the power of the Heavenly Demon?

The injured cultivators stared at the broken formation, speechless with fear.

…

Chapter 55: Staying Here…Didn’t Seem So Bad

The snow on Mount Chao Yao fell relentlessly throughout the night, finally ceasing at dawn.

The unfinished demon-slaying formation shimmered on the mist-shrouded Cloud Platform.

The spiritual runes of the formation glowed with a golden, sun-like light.

In two days, at most, when the formation was complete, the little wolf demon with the Demon Bone, imprisoned in the Spirit Restraint Hall, would be destroyed.

But last night, she escaped.

The person who helped her escape was her master, the guardian of the Upper Spirit Lamp’s seal—Li Yu, the Exalted Immortal.

Four thousand years ago, when the Heavenly Realm severed its connection with the human realm, she was the only god willing to stay and protect the world, the only one who could open the Heavenly Gate from the human realm.

For four thousand years, all the immortal sects in the human realm revered her; countless people considered meeting her an honor.

Yet, this Exalted Immortal, without telling anyone, took in a wolf demon with a Demon Bone as her disciple, raising her for over two hundred years!

If it weren’t for the theft of the Upper Spirit Lamp and the incident in Lingzhou, everyone would still be in the dark!

According to the disciples on the mountain, this Exalted Immortal was indifferent to everything except for her little disciple.

Just how much she favored her disciple was common knowledge.

“Cangming Revered One always preferred quiet. Without her permission, no disciple could enter or leave Chaoxi Pond. But that Mu Tao was different; she could come and go as she pleased…”

“We didn’t know what was so special about her. Such weak aptitude, yet she was accepted as Cangming Revered One’s direct disciple. And during the Cloud Platform Trial, it’s normal for disciples to get injured during sparring, but only she was rescued by Cangming Revered One herself…”

“Cangming Revered One hasn’t left the mountain in four thousand years, not even Chaoxi Pond. It’s incredibly rare for disciples to even see her!”

“Yet, she not only personally took Mu Tao to the human realm for training, but upon returning, she even established a rule! No one was allowed to gossip about Mu Tao or bully her, and if she found out anyone had wronged her, there would be severe consequences!”

For the guardian of the Upper Spirit Lamp to favor a girl with a Demon Bone was unsettling.

More importantly, since the demon’s imprisonment, the Exalted Immortal hadn’t made any public statements.

Making a statement didn’t guarantee trustworthiness, but not making one was definitely a problem.

The surge of resentment in the human realm, the breach of Mount Chao Yao’s mountain gate, the theft of the Upper Spirit Lamp, the awakening of the Demon Bone, these consecutive events made people suspect a conspiracy.

Although many claimed that Li Yu harboring the Demon Bone suggested ulterior motives, everyone knew that if she was truly evil, the Upper Spirit Lamp wouldn’t have remained sealed for four thousand years.

Their accusations were simply a way to pressure Mount Chao Yao into handing over and destroying the Demon Bone.

This way, they could prevent anyone from using it to harm the human realm.

As for Li Yu, having guarded the Upper Spirit Lamp for four thousand years, they believed that her protection of the Demon Bone stemmed from compassion, unwilling to see an innocent child bear such a burden.

And because of this belief, they were even more worried about her rescuing the demon.

Her disciple had been imprisoned for so long, yet she neither agreed to destroy the Demon Bone nor offered an explanation, her motives clear.

She was severely injured in the human realm, too weak to protect her disciple. Afraid of others realizing this and acting recklessly, she avoided them, trying to buy time.

So, the assembled immortals created a temporary no-fly zone.

This barrier was so vast that even Winged Clan members couldn’t easily escape.

—At least, not a severely injured immortal like her.

Qingxuan Revered One, Si Qinglan, didn’t object to destroying the Demon Bone.

She had cooperated, albeit reluctantly, with everything they asked of her.

The breach of the mountain gate had indeed weakened her significantly; her depleted spiritual energy was evident; she likely couldn’t, and didn’t have the strength to, help Li Yu.

Li Yu, although a god from the West Sea and not afraid of the ocean, was severely injured, burdened by Mu Tao, and pursued relentlessly; escaping beyond the barrier was almost impossible.

The immortals had considered every possibility, yet they never imagined that their plan would be foiled by an ordinarily rule-abiding junior.

No one would have guessed that a junior from Mount Chao Yao would have the audacity and the ability to freeze the sea, create a protective formation, and help Li Yu and the Demon Bone escape right before their eyes!

Although he hadn’t said anything, he must have been instructed by someone!

Everyone turned to look at the most likely culprit.

Within the Flower Soul Hall of Qianlizhu,

Facing the immortals’ fury and accusations, Si Qinglan was enraged, unleashing a torrent of insults at the kneeling Mo Yichu.

As she raged, the usually vibrant flowers in the hall withered silently.

“How dare you! That’s the…Heavenly! Demon! Demon Bone!!!” she shouted, her brow furrowed. “Tell me, how dare you?!”

The usually amiable Qingxuan Revered One was now terrifyingly furious.

The disciples of Mount Chao Yao were terrified, and the other immortals were stunned.

She declared that she never would have imagined such recklessness from a Mount Chao Yao junior!

She was heartbroken, she was furious!

Her emotions surged, her breathing ragged!

She almost hated this useless disciple!

She declared:

Such a grave mistake at such a young age, this couldn’t be tolerated!

He must be punished, severely punished!

—But!

He wasn’t her disciple…

“Everyone knows Lingyao Revered One’s temper.” Si Qinglan’s expression turned troubled. “Mo Yichu is his only disciple, his precious treasure. I cannot overstep my boundaries…”

She turned to the other immortals and raised a finger. “How about this, I’ll confine him to the Spirit Restraint Hall, and we’ll decide on his punishment after Lingyao Revered One awakens?”

Protecting him! This was blatant favoritism!

Such a dramatic performance, only to let him off lightly in the end!

How could the other immortals tolerate this?

“Qingxuan Revered One, isn’t this a bit…inappropriate?” someone said with a sneer. “Everyone knows that Kun Peng Monarch’s hibernation lasts for centuries, perhaps even a millennium. Your junior released the Demon Bone, and we’re supposed to wait for him to wake up before getting an explanation?!”

“You’re right; this isn’t appropriate… How about this!” Si Qinglan conjured paper, brush, and ink. “I wouldn’t dare punish Lingyao Revered One’s disciple, but all of you, with your high cultivation and great power, are surely fearless. Whoever wants an explanation, write your name and sect here, and leave your mark. Everyone will bear witness, so when Lingyao Revered One awakens, he won’t come looking for me.”

The immortals exchanged glances.

Si Qinglan: “As long as there’s a single name on this paper, I’ll hand him over, life or death, no longer Mount Chao Yao’s concern.”

This was clearly a list of enemies.

If everyone signed, it wouldn’t be a problem, but Si Qinglan said that even a single signature was enough for an explanation.

Once their goal was achieved, who could guarantee that others would share the responsibility?

If there were only a few names, or even just one, they would live in constant fear for centuries.

After a long silence, someone coughed and said, “Now that the Demon Bone has escaped, punishing a junior won’t change anything…”

“Yes, yes, Qingxuan Revered One, there’s no need to make things so difficult.”

“Just confine him for now, and we can discuss his punishment later. The priority is retrieving the Demon Bone!”

“And the demon-slaying formation must be completed!”

Si Qinglan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief as they spoke.

She looked at the injured Mo Yichu, her heart aching, but she could only say coldly, “You’ve committed a grave mistake, reflect on your actions in the Spirit Restraint Hall.”

She sighed and ordered someone to take him away.

Half an hour later, after everyone left the Flower Soul Hall, Si Qinglan wandered through Qianlizhu.

Looking at the flowers, their colors muted by the snow, a sense of melancholy washed over her.

No matter how beautiful, they were out of season, out of place.

Just a single snowfall, and they were buried…

How meaningless.

Si Qinglan smiled wryly.

The no-fly zone had been lifted, and over a hundred disciples from the mountain were now pursuing the escaped demon.

The immortal sects were also sending messengers; soon, the entire human realm would be searching for her.

Li Yu, I can’t help you anymore.

Can you handle this alone…?

---

She couldn’t handle it anymore; she was exhausted.

Although she was reluctant to admit it, her internal injuries were severe.

Even without expending energy to conceal herself in the human realm, she didn’t have the strength to maintain the crane’s form and fly to the Demon Realm with Mu Tao.

When even the speed-enhancing technique dissipated, she stumbled in the deep snow.

Mu Tao quickly supported her, her light brown eyes filled with concern.

Her eyes slightly red, she whispered, “Master, let’s stop, let’s rest for a bit, alright?”

They were moving slowly; the pursuing cultivators might catch up soon…

Li Yu wanted to appear strong, but after a moment of thought, she nodded silently and let Mu Tao lead her to a large tree to rest.

As she sat down, she silently comforted herself.

It’s okay, you’ve done your best.

You’re exhausted; it’s fine to rest.

Sharpening the axe won’t delay the chopping of wood; there was no need to work herself to death.

As she was comforting herself, Mu Tao conjured a wind barrier and crouched down beside her, her eyes filled with worry. “Master, rest for a while. I’ll go find us something to eat.”

Li Yu nodded, holding onto her wrist. “Don’t use your demonic energy, it will attract attention.”

Mu Tao: “Don’t worry, Master, I won’t!”

Li Yu: “Don’t go too far.”

Mu Tao: “Mm!”

Li Yu: “If you encounter any danger…”

Mu Tao raised her right hand and gently shook the Harmony Bells. “One chime means I’m safe, three quick chimes mean danger! Don’t worry, Master, I won’t be reckless! I’ll ring the bells immediately if I’m in danger!”

Reassured, Li Yu released her wrist.

Mu Tao took a deep breath and ran into the snow.

As the red figure disappeared into the distance, Li Yu closed her eyes, focusing on regulating her breathing.

Finding food in this snowy wilderness wouldn’t be easy, and Mu Tao was gone for a long time.

Thankfully, the Harmony Bells connected them. Whenever Li Yu felt uneasy, a soft chime would reassure her of Mu Tao’s safety.

When Mu Tao returned, she carried an armful of firewood and two fish she had caught somewhere.

Having already cleaned the fish by the river, she built a fire, then returned to Li Yu, sat down beside her with a smile, and started grilling the fish on skewers.

Li Yu: “You caught fish in this weather?”

Mu Tao smiled and raised an eyebrow. “It wasn’t easy, but I know where fish like to hide in winter!”

Li Yu chuckled. “You even know that?”

“We can exchange spirit stones for food, and the spirit stones Master gives me every year are more than enough, but the other disciples don’t like me. They always make fun of me when I go down the mountain. If I can get it myself, it’s better to avoid them and save the spirit stones.”

“…”

“There are two rivers in the mountains, plenty of fish! Whether it’s spring, summer, autumn, or winter, I can catch them whenever I want!” A hint of pride appeared in Mu Tao’s eyes. “Master, you have no idea how good I am at catching fish. Even some cats can’t compare to me!”

“So impressive.”

“Not just fish, I can catch many small animals!”

The sky darkened, and the flickering firelight illuminated the girl’s smiling face.

Li Yu hugged her knees, watching the girl happily grilling the fish, her anxiety easing.

The last time she sat by a fire like this, there were many people around, she thought.

It was summer then, no snow, they sat around the fire, with pots and bowls, meat and vegetables, and a carriage to sleep in.

Life was full of ups and downs. Just half a year, and her life had changed so drastically.

But this wasn’t so bad.

The fire was bright, its warmth seemingly dispelling the winter chill, crackling in the night wind, illuminating the falling snow.

The faint smell of smoke and grilling fish drifted away in the wind, a tranquility she had never experienced, even in her dreams.

She and Mu Tao, like protagonists on the run.

With nothing but each other.

And when night fell, they sat by a fire, grilling whatever food they could find, sharing memories.

And at the end of their conversation, one of them would say—No matter what, we’ll find a place to belong!

She suddenly felt the urge to say something to Mu Tao.

She had many stories to tell.

But Mu Tao probably wouldn’t understand, and she couldn’t explain, so she suppressed the urge.

As the night deepened, the fish was cooked.

Li Yu took the skewers, and Mu Tao sat beside her, reminding her, “Be careful, Master, it’s hot!”

Li Yu nodded, carefully tore off a piece, cooled it down, and then took a bite.

The fish…how to describe it…

Li Yu, not a picky eater, had a simple thought.

—Those scenes in movies and novels where protagonists caught fish or chicken and grilled them over a fire, enjoying a delicious meal, without any seasoning, were all lies.

The fish smelled good, but it didn’t taste good.

It had an earthy taste, a hint of bitterness from the smoke, and tiny bones hidden within the flesh. Nothing about it was praiseworthy.

But she didn’t find the taste particularly bad; she could eat it.

When she argued with her family as a child, even when she felt like running away, her mother would still drag her to the dinner table.

She would refuse to eat any dishes out of spite, just forcing down plain rice, tears streaming down her face.

Of course, she wasn’t being spiteful now, and there were no tears, just this bland, slightly tender grilled fish.

It was Mu Tao’s cooking; she could eat it.

The fire burned throughout the night.

They leaned against the tree, its warmth lulling them to sleep.

The wind and snow howled, yet the world seemed incredibly still.

As if all their fatigue could be dispelled in this quiet night.

In the following days, they continued their journey, hiding and resting.

Even a weakened god was still powerful. The spells cast by the only remaining god in the human realm weren’t easily seen through by ordinary cultivators. As long as they avoided high-ranking disciples, they wouldn’t be in too much danger.

Li Yu, realizing this, relaxed slightly.

Her exhausted body couldn’t handle a fast pace anyway, so she and Mu Tao slowed down, using their recovered spiritual energy for concealment.

Li Yu was grateful she hadn’t refused Qin Yuan’s gifts.

Those small, exquisite pieces of jewelry, forgotten in her spatial pouch, were now their source of funds.

They didn’t have to worry about food or travel expenses.

Having left Mount Chao Yao in a hurry, empty-handed, after visiting a human town, Mu Tao’s small bundle returned.

It wasn’t a full kitchen this time, but it contained all the essential seasonings.

Even though they were constantly hiding, often awakened in the middle of the night by searching parties, forced to flee, she still insisted on preparing proper meals.

Li Yu thought that perhaps this was the greatest comfort in their current situation.

She didn’t know how far the Demon Realm was, but this journey wasn’t as tiring as their previous trip to the human realm.

It felt like…a vacation.

A vacation combined with a game of hide-and-seek.

She lost track of time and distance, the towns and villages they passed, the nights they spent in the wilderness.

She had never been to so many places, even including those childhood trips she barely remembered.

But it also didn’t feel like a long time.

At least, winter hadn’t ended yet.

The snow in the human realm fell and melted, melted and fell again.

A faint miasma lingered in the air, but the ordinary people, oblivious to it, continued their lives.

As they traveled, they stumbled upon a scene of festive red.

Children wearing tiger hats played in the streets, houses decorated with red paper and lanterns.

A snowman outside a house even had a red scarf.

Li Yu suddenly realized that the long winter was almost over.

“Master, what are they doing? It looks so lively!”

Mu Tao asked curiously, her light brown eyes scanning the festive scene, seemingly enjoying it.

“They are celebrating the New Year,” Li Yu replied softly, a smile in her eyes. “It’s also called the Spring Festival, the first day of the first lunar month. After the New Year, it will be spring soon.”

There were no such festivals on Mount Chao Yao. Mu Tao nodded, not quite understanding, and followed Li Yu into an inn.

That night, the innkeeper gave them two plates of dumplings.

She said it was New Year’s Eve, her staff had gone home, there weren’t many guests, and she had made a lot of dumplings with her children. She had just cooked some and, feeling sympathetic towards the two travelers, brought them some extra.

“It’s New Year’s Eve; you have to eat dumplings. This is a gift, no charge.” The innkeeper smiled warmly. “Eat up! Let me know if you want more.”

Li Yu thanked her, and the innkeeper left.

Before they finished their dumplings, crackling sounds came from outside.

They walked to the window and looked down to see the innkeeper and her two children lighting firecrackers.

Mu Tao’s eyes widened. “Master, what are those? Can I play with them too?”

“Those are firecrackers,” Li Yu said, smiling. “If you want to try, you can ask them.”

Mu Tao called out, “Innkeeper! I want to light firecrackers too!”

The innkeeper looked up, surprised, then smiled and waved.

“Come down here, little girl!” she called out, her breath misting in the cold air.

Mu Tao, abandoning her dumplings, happily ran downstairs.

Li Yu smiled and shook her head, then took the remaining dumplings, walked to the window, leaned against the frame, and watched Mu Tao playing below, enjoying the night breeze.

There were no firecrackers on Mount Chao Yao. Mu Tao, fascinated by them, seemed even more excited than the two children.

Li Yu looked at her carefree smile and had a thought.

Staying here…didn’t seem so bad…

Chapter 54: “Master Will Never Be Late”

Li Yu, without hesitation, led Mu Tao south, following the system’s guidance.

A formation blocking their path at the Spirit Restraint Hall, a no-fly zone over Mount Chao Yao, and countless cultivators, their power unknown, either intercepting them or pursuing them relentlessly!

These immortal sects were determined to eliminate the Demon Bone, practically setting up a dragnet over Mount Chao Yao.

The male protagonist hadn’t faced such obstacles in the original story!

As a severely injured person, receiving such “respect” made Li Yu feel the world’s malice converging upon her.

Fortunately, the system was being somewhat helpful, providing assistance without any noticeable side effects.

She repeatedly felt like she was reaching her limit, but somehow, she managed to keep going, like a final burst of energy before death.

Lost in these chaotic thoughts, a loud boom echoed from behind.

The formation created by the birds shattered, scattering them. The black mist at its core expanded, trying to block the pursuing cultivators.

Despite its best efforts, without the formation’s power, the mist was no match for them.

Countless lights zipped through the mist, continuing their pursuit.

Li Yu suddenly felt a chill that didn’t belong to winter.

It wasn’t her imagination; she saw resentment gathering in the sky.

Mu Tao, with her current temperament, couldn’t control the power of the Demon Bone.

Her sadness, her fear, her anger, all could trigger it.

No, even if she was destined for demonic cultivation, she couldn’t use the Heavenly Demon’s power now!

They were too close to the Upper Spirit Lamp; it might affect the seal!

And if Mu Tao used demonic energy to harm someone here, wouldn’t that prove she was a threat?

It didn’t matter what the other immortal sects thought, but Si Qinglan had entrusted Mu Tao to her, placing her complete trust in Li Yu.

Making that decision required immense resolve and meant facing the consequences alone.

Consequences she couldn’t even imagine, yet Si Qinglan hadn’t complained, just a simple “take care of yourself,” and shouldered the burden for both of them.

How could she let Si Qinglan regret her decision?

“Mu Tao.” Li Yu tightened her grip on Mu Tao’s hand and said firmly, “Don’t use that power, at least not now!”

The growing coldness in Mu Tao’s eyes flickered slightly.

“You can’t control it yet. Leave everything to me; I can get us out of here,” Li Yu whispered.

The strong wind almost swallowed her words.

But she knew Mu Tao could hear her.

Mu Tao’s breathing slowed, the coldness in her unfocused eyes gradually fading.

She lowered her gaze, seemingly regretting her earlier impulse.

She didn’t know why, but for a moment, she had wanted to kill everyone pursuing them.

It wasn’t what her master wanted…

But she had thought that if she killed them all, no one would be able to harm her master, no one would dare threaten her again.

Was it because of the Demon Bone?

Ever since returning to Mount Chao Yao, she had been imprisoned in the Spirit Restraint Hall.

Everyone said she had a Demon Bone, that she was connected to the Heavenly Demon, a threat to the world.

They seemed to be right; she had injured her master in Lingzhou and had just harbored murderous thoughts…

Her master, having guarded the Upper Spirit Lamp for over four thousand years, should have been the first to abandon her.

Yet, when everyone wanted her dead, only her master stood before her, shielding her, defying everyone else.

She couldn’t…she couldn’t disappoint her master…

But could she truly control it?

Did she, with her Demon Bone, deserve her master’s kindness?

Amidst her panic, Li Yu’s voice echoed in her ears.

“The Demon Bone won’t corrupt your heart. After we leave here, I’ll teach you how to control it… It will become your power, a power you can use to protect yourself, a power you can use to obtain everything you desire.”

Mu Tao clung to every word, despite the howling wind.

She looked up, her red-rimmed eyes wide with disbelief, a flicker of hope igniting within her.

She would always remember this night, the wind and snow, her master holding her hand, running with her through the storm.

Behind them were the shouts of countless unfamiliar faces.

Their footprints in the snow, the vast world, it seemed that besides the cold wind, the snow, and the crescent moon, nothing else belonged to them.

She had become an outcast, seemingly without having done anything wrong.

But it didn’t matter anymore; she wasn’t afraid.

Her master would take her away from Mount Chao Yao, to a wider world.

With her master’s guidance, she would learn to control the terrifying power within her.

One day, she would be able to protect herself, protect her master…

And obtain everything she desired.

The long, cold night seemed endless.

The deep blue light flickered in the darkness, as if it could mend the broken world.

Mu Tao didn’t know how long they had been running, nor where they were going.

She just looked at Li Yu, her mind blank, willingly following her to the ends of the earth.

Until they reached the end of the road, the boundless blue sea stretching before them.

A familiar figure stood at the edge of the water.

His robes billowed in the wind, his sword held firmly at his side, like an impassable barrier.

Their eyes met. Without a word, he moved his sword slightly, and the falling snow gathered around him.

A familiar formation rapidly expanded from where he stood.

The formation’s light surged upwards, transforming the snowflakes into countless ice shards, as if trying to encase the entire world in ice.

“Senior Brother…are you going to stop us too…” Mu Tao’s voice trembled.

Having run this far, Li Yu was too exhausted to think.

She instinctively gathered spiritual energy in her palm, then, hesitating whether to attack, noticed the sea behind Mo Yichu rapidly freezing over.

The ice extended outwards, towards the invisible mountain gate.

So this was Si Qinglan’s plan…

Li Yu pulled Mu Tao towards the formation.

The formation didn’t harm them; all the ice shards pointed towards their pursuers.

They ran across the ice, towards the distant flickering light of the broken mountain gate.

The ice behind them crumbled, the sea before them froze, the broken gate beckoning them like a distant beacon.

A wisp of black mist brushed past them, the little black bird and its flock flying towards the horizon, where the sky met the sea, without a word.

As the ice stopped forming, the blue light in the distance coalesced into a crane.

Li Yu pulled Mu Tao onto the crane and breathed a sigh of relief.

She shielded Mu Tao, glancing back at the ice formation on the shore, holding back their pursuers.

The shoreline was too far away; she could no longer see clearly.

The unreality of it all intensified.

Had they truly escaped?

How long could Mo Yichu hold them off?

Would they be caught?

【Don’t worry, Host, the no-fly zone won’t be lifted anytime soon. Even if they break through that defense, they won’t be able to catch up!】

Then…

What would happen to the person who helped them escape…?

【Don’t feel guilty, Host. Justice will be served. The male protagonist is just an accomplice; his punishment will be much lighter than in the original story!】

【While it appears you’ve implicated the male protagonist, overall, you’ve performed a good deed!】

Thank you very much!

Such comforting words, so subtly sarcastic.

【Eek!】

But thinking about it, the system did have a point.

If it weren’t for her, the male protagonist’s fate would have been tragic.

First, risking everything to save the protagonist from the execution platform, then fleeing to the Demon Realm, enduring severe injuries, and severing their bond by shattering the Harmony Bells.

He almost died, then returned to Mount Chao Yao to face punishment alone.

His survival was entirely due to plot armor.

But that wasn’t the worst of it. The person he sacrificed everything to save became the world-destroying demon lord, killing his master, destroying his sect, crippling his cultivation, and toying with him mercilessly.

Compared to that, she was truly a benevolent benefactor.

If Mo Yichu knew his original fate, he would be eternally grateful to her.

Thinking this, Li Yu’s guilt lessened.

As the tension within her eased, the previously unnoticed pain surged through her body.

Fortunately, she remained conscious, her vision clear; otherwise, she and Mu Tao might have fallen into the seemingly endless ocean below.

The pain was intense, the exhaustion overwhelming, her breathing, which had just eased, becoming labored again.

She leaned heavily against Mu Tao.

Her protective spiritual energy seemed to have dissipated, perhaps to conserve energy for flight.

The cold wind made her shiver.

This was the first time she truly felt the cold of this world.

So this was how cold winter was on Mount Chao Yao.

“Master!” Mu Tao quickly took her cold hand, wanting to turn around, but Li Yu leaned against her, preventing her from moving. “Master, what’s wrong?”

She also wanted to know what was wrong.

System, any insights?

【You’re not dying, Host. You can close your eyes and rest. The system will watch over the crane.】

Not dying…that was good.

If there wasn’t any immediate danger, she really needed to rest.

“I’m fine, just…a bit tired,” Li Yu whispered, wrapping her arms around Mu Tao’s waist, seeking warmth. “Let me lean on you for a bit…just a bit…”

“Alright…” Mu Tao replied softly.

Her heart pounded erratically.

It beat so fast, so hard, she wanted to crush it within her chest.

Her master’s hand was so cold, colder than usual.

Her master’s body trembled slightly, as if afraid of the wind.

She saw snowflakes landing on her master’s hair, something that never happened before.

She suddenly resented the wind and snow.

But without them, her master wouldn’t be leaning on her.

Mu Tao lowered her gaze, suppressing the demonic energy, and conjured a faint light at her fingertip, gently enveloping her master.

She felt her master’s breath, her heartbeat, the most comforting sound in this lonely world.

The long, cold night seemed endless, but her heart gradually calmed.

If this ocean truly had no boundaries, if this long night never ended, as long as the moonlight remained, it wouldn’t be so bad…

She didn’t know why she had such a strange thought.

But for a moment, it felt as natural as breathing.

Perhaps, as long as she was with her master, anywhere was fine.

Mu Tao smiled.

---

Li Yu woke up to the system’s alarm.

There wasn’t any immediate danger, but they were approaching the human realm. If they continued flying with spiritual power, they would have to conceal themselves.

She didn’t have enough spiritual energy left to maintain both spells simultaneously.

She took a deep breath and looked at Mu Tao.

Mu Tao was still in the same position, her head drooping, her eyes closed, a thin layer of snow covering her, a faint light flickering at her fingertips, held close to her chest.

Li Yu froze.

That faint light, a thin layer of protective spiritual energy, was solely for her, maintained even in her sleep.

This little girl…

With so little “clean” spiritual energy, not enough for herself, yet she gave it all to Li Yu.

Li Yu bit her lip, suppressing a surge of emotion, and reached out to brush the snow from Mu Tao’s hair.

Mu Tao stirred, opened her eyes, and turned around.

As their eyes met, Li Yu gently brushed the snow from Mu Tao’s eyelashes.

Mu Tao closed her eyes instinctively, then opened them again, seeing Li Yu smiling gently.

“Master.”

“Hmm?”

“Master!”

“What is it?” Li Yu continued brushing the snow off her.

“Master!!”

As Mu Tao called her name a third time, she threw her arms around Li Yu, hugging her tightly.

The embrace was so tight it made Li Yu’s breath catch.

But she didn’t push her away, just gently patted her back.

“I missed you so much,” Mu Tao mumbled, her face buried in Li Yu’s embrace.

She said she had missed her terribly, constantly thinking about her.

The Spirit Restraint Hall was dark and cold, the soul-restraining barriers making it difficult even to activate the Harmony Bells. She hated that place, she was afraid of that place.

Qin Yuan and her senior brother often visited, but they never mentioned what the others outside planned to do with her, but she knew, she had always known.

Everyone wanted her dead; the guards had told her.

She desperately wanted to return to her master but was also terrified of never being able to.

She hadn’t forgotten her master’s promise to protect her, no matter what.

Her fear wasn’t from doubting her master, but from knowing that this was a serious matter, a burden not easily borne.

She was afraid she wasn’t worthy of her master’s protection, she felt she wasn’t worthy.

She said she thought about it every day.

Whenever she was alone, she would huddle in a corner and think.

Before the Harmony Bells chimed, she wondered if her master hadn’t contacted her because she was still unconscious, or because she had abandoned her.

After the bells started chiming, she wondered if her master’s silence was because the time wasn’t right, or because she was preparing to abandon her.

It was like two voices arguing in her head.

One saying that her master would never abandon her, the other saying that she was a burden, and protecting her would cost her master dearly…

She had thought about it countless times.

She still clung to a sliver of hope, hoping for her master’s protection.

But hope was intertwined with reason.

She repeatedly told herself that even if her master abandoned her, she shouldn’t resent her.

Because only by abandoning her could her master be safe…

Mu Tao’s words, choked with tears, each one like a drop of water, fell heavily on Li Yu’s heart.

Although soft, each word resonated deeply.

Li Yu: “What were you thinking last night?”

Mu Tao: “I was thinking…I will never doubt Master again.”

She leaned against Li Yu and continued softly—

Her master had left Mount Chao Yao for her, abandoned everything, even defied the entire immortal world.

She felt both incredibly guilty and incredibly happy.

She must be the most selfish person in the world…

“You’re not…” Li Yu gently stroked Mu Tao’s hair, her voice filled with heartache. “You’ve already thought too much for my sake…”

Li Yu knew Mu Tao was sensitive.

She knew that Mu Tao must have been scared and sad in the Spirit Restraint Hall…

But she didn’t know the extent of her suffering, her internal struggles.

She couldn’t imagine how Mu Tao endured those cold, dark nights, knowing her life was in danger…

All because of a single promise?

Li Yu lowered her gaze. “I…came too late…”

Mu Tao shook her head softly. “Master will never be late.”

As long as her master came, it was never too late.

She had waited for over two hundred years at Chaoxi Pond; how could she not endure a mere twenty days?

Her master’s touch was even gentler than she remembered.

Such a wonderful master, how could she be late…

Thinking this, Mu Tao closed her eyes again.

Only when the crane landed did she leave Li Yu’s embrace.

As they touched down, Li Yu used her remaining spiritual energy to conceal Mu Tao’s demonic aura.

As the light from her fingertips faded, she looked at the unfamiliar, desolate landscape.

“Master, where…where are we going?” Mu Tao tugged at her sleeve.

Li Yu: “The Demon Realm.”

Mu Tao: “The Demon Realm?”

Li Yu: “Only there…are you safe.”

Mu Tao: “Where is the Demon Realm?”

Li Yu thought for a moment, then replied softly, “The Demon Realm…is a dark and desolate place.”

She said that it was cold, dark, barren, with no concept of right or wrong, only the law of the jungle.

The inhabitants of the Demon Realm had long lifespans but didn’t enter reincarnation.

They were born with considerable power. If it weren’t for their inability to withstand the heat of the human realm, they would have long since escaped their dark, barren world and invaded.

Li Yu sighed softly.

In the original story, the protagonist, relying on the power of her Demon Bone, gradually gained a foothold in the Demon Realm, eventually becoming the Demon Lord, leading the demons to invade the human realm with the promise of “freezing the human world forever.”

It was a cool storyline, but she no longer liked it.

Now, she just wanted to find a safe place in the Demon Realm with Mu Tao, patiently helping her master the power of the Demon Bone.

Once Mu Tao could freely use that power, like in the latter half of the novel, they would be truly safe…

Mu Tao: “Do we…have to go?”

Li Yu stroked her hair. “I’ll protect you.”

Mu Tao’s eyes widened. After a moment of silence, she nodded obediently.

Li Yu could see the worry in her eyes.

She thought for a moment, then said softly, “If you don’t like it there, we can always sneak back to the human realm.”

Mu Tao: “Really?”

“Mm, once you can control your power, you won’t be a danger to the human realm. Then you can return anytime.” Li Yu winked and lowered her voice conspiratorially, “We’ll do it secretly, without telling anyone!”

Mu Tao’s face lit up with joy.

Seeing her happy expression eased Li Yu’s fatigue and pain.

She also looked forward to that day.

Then, she could take Mu Tao away from the Demon Realm, show her the places she had never seen, let her try the food she had never tasted…

That day, she believed, wouldn’t be too far away.