Category: Mistaken Era

Mistaken Era – Chapter 10

Cui Xiaoxiao couldn’t really explain it clearly to her two senior martial brothers, but she took the opportunity to describe it in detail to her second senior martial sister when they were alone picking wild vegetables.

After listening, Jiang Nanmu widened her eyes slightly and said, “You mean Qin Lingxiao not only helped dispel the poison for you, but also wants to marry you because of that?”

Cui Xiaoxiao was picking wild vegetables by the road with her old dog Jixiang. Upon hearing this, she wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, “Although the Nine Profound Sword Sect has a decent reputation, a traitorous disciple who could kill their own master can hardly be a righteous person. Although his cultivation is high, he is far inferior to our master in terms of being a decent human being! I once made a vow to our master to turn over a new leaf and help further develop our sect. How could I defile the honor of our sect by submitting myself to some lowly major sect just because I was coerced?”

Jiang Nanmu pondered for a moment. Ever since their master passed away, this Cui Xiaoxiao did indeed seem to have changed, no longer misanthropic, and her temper had improved considerably.

She couldn’t help but wonder what had happened during those three days and nights when the master took Cui Xiaoxiao into seclusion in the mountain cave before his passing. Why did the master seem to have expended all his energy after coming out of seclusion, rapidly withering before his eventual demise, while Cui Xiaoxiao appeared to have become a completely different person, no longer stubborn in character?

When Jiang Nanmu tentatively asked about it, Cui Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together and said softly, “Have you heard of the Tracing Back the Light technique?”

Jiang Nanmu shook her head. She had never heard of such a thing before.

Cui Xiaoxiao gave a bitter smile, no longer speaking, her hands gradually slowing down as she picked the wild vegetables, unable to stop reminiscing about those final moments she spent with her master…

Only she knew that Master Tang Youshu had exhausted all of his lifelong cultivation to invoke the Tracing Back the Light technique, just to allow her to re-witness that most unforgettable scene from her nightmares.

She had always thought that her mother had heartlessly sold her daughter because she disliked her ill-fated destiny and wanted to send the ominous star far away.

When little Xiaoxiao stood by the carriage, she saw with her own eyes that after the carriage carrying the tearful little girl left, her thin, haggard-looking mother emerged trembling from the dilapidated courtyard.

Her mother was also covered in tears, gazing at the departing carriage.

Her uncle was still complaining to her mother, “When others sell their daughters, even if it’s just an indenture, it’s at least ten taels of silver! You only got three taels, and then you gave that three taels to the carriage driver—what sense does that make! Sister, have you gone mad from illness?”

Her mother’s gaze turned cold as she said softly, “Even without the physician saying so, I know this illness of mine won’t last much longer. You all believed that itinerant practitioner’s words that if I’m gone, you won’t be able to keep my little Xiaoxiao either. If that’s the case, it’s better to find her a place where she can be clothed and fed. That tooth-puller is a local villager, a fairly reliable person. I took less silver so that he would take good care to arrange for Xiaoxiao to become a maid in a good household, giving her a secure position. I gave the carriage driver money in the hopes that he would take care of Xiaoxiao along the way… I sold a ten-year indenture contract, so after ten years when Xiaoxiao grows up, she can redeem herself and pursue her own path. As her mother, I’m incapable, so this is the last thing I can do for Xiaoxiao…”

Towards the end, her mother’s words became choked in her throat as she gazed vacantly at the departing carriage, full of reluctance to let go.

Meanwhile, the grown-up Xiaoxiao who stood by simply froze there in a daze.

At that moment, the boulder of cynicism and misanthropy that had accumulated in her heart from being abandoned by her mother seemed to have been moved aside.

It turned out her mother didn’t dislike her ill-fated destiny, but was terminally ill and unable to take care of her. Knowing her uncle’s family was unreliable, she could only make arrangements for Xiaoxiao’s future before her demise…

At that moment, shards of those deliberately forgotten past events came flooding back into her mind.

Ah, her dear mother had doted on her deeply since childhood. Although the family was poor and she couldn’t attend a private school, her literate mother had personally taught her to read and write…

On the night before she was sold, her mother had hugged her tightly as they slept. When she woke up the next morning, she found the hair by her mother’s face damp with moisture.

Little Xiaoxiao had wanted to call out “Mother,” but it seemed the word was stuck in her throat, only silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

When she tried to move her feet, the familiar family doors and loved ones had dissipated like smoke and clouds.

Tang Youshu used an extraordinary technique to briefly trace back through time, replaying past scenes.

Cui Xiaoxiao could only observe, like a spectator unable to speak to those from the past or truly reunite with her mother.

The master had once regretfully said that there were even more exquisite ancient techniques than tracing back time that could actually reverse the flow of time, freely traversing past and present.

Rather than his method that simply expended his lifelong cultivation to briefly manifest past scenes that quickly faded, without truly letting one be present within them.

However, such an exquisite method that defied the heavenly laws, even for those at the immortal ranks, could not be used frivolously lest they receive divine retribution.

Tang Youshu had expended his cultivation to restore the truth of when Cui Xiaoxiao was sold as a child, resolving the knot in this unruly girl’s heart.

He knew his own destiny was fulfilled, coupled with expending his cultivation which further depleted his Yang vitality. But if it allowed Cui Xiaoxiao to untie her heart knot and turn toward kindness, then his bitter efforts would not have been in vain.

Recalling her master’s parting words before his demise, Cui Xiaoxiao let out a long sigh.

The master did not consider her to have an ill-fated “Ten Injuries” destiny. On the contrary, such an extremely Yin destiny that severed mundane attachments could, with the right opportunity, manifest as an extraordinarily rare and capable talent.

Cui Xiaoxiao was originally fated for a short life, yet had lived to this age—evidence enough that this seemingly wretched destiny was in fact a crack in the heavenly mandate.

So-called “destiny” may be decreed by heaven, but it has the word “human” above it, meaning that although destiny is mandated by heaven, it is not immutable by human effort.

It’s just that the true study of destiny and symbolic arts have been too neglected by the world, giving rise to fallacies until the point of having the preposterous notion that one’s entire life is determined by destiny.

For the first time since she was cognizant, Cui Xiaoxiao heard someone say her Eight Characters were actually auspicious.

At the time, she doubted Tang Youshu was talking nonsense, only asking what if he had mistaken the plague god for a treasure due to his failing eyesight.

In Cui Xiaoxiao’s view, ever since her adopted father Tang Youshu had forcibly “bought” her, his physical condition had deteriorated day by day—clear evidence of her formidable ability to harm others.

However, Tang Youshu merely gave a faint smile: “My longevity was already depleted, what does it have to do with you, little girl? As for your path thereafter, it is entirely up to you. Although I told your senior martial brothers that you could bring glory to our sect, I was merely indulging them. This Lingshan Symbol Sect of ours is but a minor school I painstakingly established with my own blood and effort, without any great sectarian glory. In any case, I’m leaving our sect in your hands. Do with it as you wish, just don’t let your senior martial brothers starve, and my parting instructions will not have been in vain…Take them all down the mountain to experience the world. You…will undergo great transformation.”

And so the begging bowl of the Lingshan Symbol Sect was passed down into the hands of the young Cui Xiaoxiao.

Recalling her master’s earnest entreaty for her to revive their sect, Cui Xiaoxiao quickened the motions of her hands, no longer dwelling on the past but single-mindedly focused on digging up wild vegetables—at the very least she had to feed her fellow disciples for now.

Seeing Cui Xiaoxiao speak a bunch of disjointed words without answering her question, Jiang Nanmu sighed and no longer asked, joining Cui Xiaoxiao in digging instead.

They had now arrived at a place called Crimson Creek State, with streams winding everywhere. Their senior martial brother had utilized symbol spells to control the water, even catching a few plump fish from the streams.

With the plump fish and wild vegetables, tonight’s dinner became rather luxurious. Not only was there a fish head and vegetable stew, but also grilled plump fish to go with the flatbread they brought from Fei County, allowing the few of them to eat quite heartily.

The senior martial brother, who usually berated Cui Xiaoxiao harshly, was even amicable during dinner, personally helping himself to give Cui Xiaoxiao two extra servings of fish.

Before Cui Xiaoxiao could feel touched, Ji Wuqi spoke bluntly that she likely did not have many days left to live. He was simply being sympathetic to someone about to die.

When the day came for her demonic possession, he hoped she would not blame him, as the senior martial brother, for having to severely subdue her, a righteous extinction of evil kin.

There was no alternative, for exorcising demons and safeguarding the righteous path was the duty of a chivalrous hero. Even with her lofty position as sect leader, it would not matter.

Cui Xiaoxiao glanced at the somewhat evasive eyes of her second senior martial sister and junior martial brother, whose implied meaning was likely the same.

In truth, Cui Xiaoxiao was also very worried about being tainted by the malicious demon pearl’s possession, but after so long a period, besides the mark appearing on her wrist, there were no other abnormalities.

Hearing her senior brother’s words, she stated that even if she did become demonically possessed, she would likely be quite weak. After all, the demon pearl required attaching itself to someone harboring deep resentment in order to fully manifest its demonic nature.

However, if her senior brother kept constantly berating her with such harsh language, it would be easy for her to develop deep grievances. So he had better not blame her if she only went after Ji Wuqi to bite him when the time came!

Seeing that she still had the heart to joke around, Ji Wuqi glared at her fiercely once more before lowering his head to continue drinking the soup and eating the fish.

During the meal, Ayi took another look at the map and discovered that Cui Xiaoxiao had led them down the wrong path, adding quite a detour from their destination of Phoenix Pool in the Qilao Mountains.

Not quite believing it, Cui Xiaoxiao took the map and saw that it was indeed true! It seemed that yesterday at a fork in the road, after wavering for a bit, she had taken the wrong turn. Fortunately, it wasn’t too much of a detour. They just needed to backtrack in the morning to find the right path again.

After eating, it was time for their nightly cultivation practice.

Although the Symbol Sect focused primarily on talisman refinement, circulating true qi in the dantian was still required to catalyze the activation of spiritual talismans by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon.

Therefore, night meditation was almost a mandatory path for any cultivator.

Compared to her three fellow disciples, Cui Xiaoxiao lacked any foundation in meditation, inevitably prone to the mistakes of a beginner. Before long, her lower back started aching and she wanted to move around a bit.

When she half-opened her eyes, the other three disciples remained steadily focused in meditation. However, her old dog Jixiang who had been laying by her feet was nowhere to be seen.

She looked around and saw Jixiang following the stream, heading towards some dense bushes. She quickly got up to chase after him, but as she walked, a heavy fog gradually arose around her and the stream beneath her feet had inexplicably become viscous.

Cui Xiaoxiao abruptly stopped in her tracks and called out loudly for Jixiang.

In the empty space around her, there was no sign of the old dog. At that moment, a pitch-black mountain cave eerily materialized in front of Cui Xiaoxiao’s eyes. The sudden appearance of this cave was jarring, its shape monstrous, resembling a leering skull.

Cui Xiaoxiao scrutinized it briefly before turning to flee. She valued her life dearly and had no curiosity that would compel her to enter a cave of such sinister semblance!

But just as she turned, a tremendous suction force emerged from behind, instantly pulling her slender body in.

Mistaken Era – Chapter 9

Sect Leader Qin seemed to have never considered what to do if Cui Xiaoxiao refused.

This was not out of arrogance on Qin Lingxiao’s part. Whether it was inner cultivation or outward reputation, Qin Lingxiao was impeccable.

In the whole world, it was not just his fellow disciple Ling Zhushan who wished to become his cultivation partner and ascend together. If he wished to take a wife, perhaps all the female cultivators in the world would happily let him choose.

And now, for him to voluntarily favor and take a liking to the pathetic female leader of a small, unorthodox sect, how could Cui Xiaoxiao not feel immensely honored and tearfully accept?

It was precisely for this reason that when Qin Lingxiao heard Cui Xiaoxiao refuse without hesitation, in a rather blunt manner, he finally looked at her in astonishment.

“…I do not have much patience, so you need not put on an act. If you are dissatisfied with my low-key marriage proposal and wish to broadcast it openly, I’m afraid your scheming would be wasted effort. I have no interest in mundane affairs and no time to play house with you.”

Qin Lingxiao instinctively assumed Cui Xiaoxiao was trying to negotiate for more benefits.

Cui Xiaoxiao resisted the urge to roll her eyes and bluntly said, “Sect Leader Qin, you seem to have misunderstood. I have absolutely no intention of marrying you. Nor do I wish to waste your time in cultivation.” You are overthinking this…”

Seeing that she showed no signs of coyly playing hard to get, Qin Lingxiao’s brow furrowed tighter, but he patiently explained, “Since you have absorbed the demonic bead, even if you are not demonically possessed, you will still suffer its malign effects. To quickly expel it from your body, there are only two methods: either kill you, or join me in secluded dual cultivation in the Cold Pool. Expelling the demonic bead requires seven days, during which you must focus all your efforts to assist me. Marrying you protects your reputation and avoids disgracing my Nine Profundities Sword Sect’s name. It is an inevitable compromise.”

What? She was afflicted by the demonic bead’s vile effects? And needed to share an intimate bath with this man to fully cleanse herself?

Was this really a proper method upheld by the righteous path?

Cui Xiaoxiao looked down at her wrist, suppressing her inner anxiety, before raising her head, “Thank you for the reminder, Sect Leader Qin. However, my Talisman Sect also has methods to exorcise demons and dispel toxins. Allow me to discuss with my fellow disciples upon return and see if we can resolve this ourselves. If the demonic bead is expelled, I will certainly hand it over to you voluntarily. What do you think?”

Cui Xiaoxiao knew that Qin Lingxiao’s urgency to “save” her could not simply be due to a desire to help others.

It seemed this Sect Leader Qin was determined to obtain the demonic bead, even at the cost of his marital ties, in order to fully acquire it as soon as possible.

Fortunately, this Qin person greatly valued his reputation in the righteous path, and she had not been demonically possessed yet. Otherwise, he would undoubtedly choose the first method without hesitation – killing the chicken to get the egg, cleaving her in half…

However, this did not mean that she would be cowed by his intimidation into obediently following his every order!

As Cui Xiaoxiao frowned in contemplation, Qin Lingxiao gradually realized that this woman did not seem to be deliberately scheming to marry him, nor did she understand the benefits of marrying him or the severity of the demonic bead’s malign effects.

Thinking this, he finally lowered his gaze and coldly stated, “You appear to have not cultivated for very long, so of course you would not understand what I just told you. I will give you some time to consider it properly before you respond. Of course, the prerequisite is that you do not become demonically possessed, for if that happens, it would actually make things easier for me.”

After speaking, he saw Cui Xiaoxiao cupping her fists to take her leave, showing no signs of changing her mind to accept his marriage proposal, which caused him some displeasure.

Although Qin Lingxiao usually immersed himself in cultivation, never sparing a glance at his admiring female pursuers, for an unorthodox female sect leader to disdainfully reject his overtures left him rather unhappy.

Thinking this, he could not resist adding a mocking remark, “Without a renowned master to guide one’s cultivation, it is like a woman marrying into the wrong family, wasting her entire life. However, if one can marry a diligently cultivating husband, it is akin to gaining a new master. You have already joined the wrong sect, do not miss this opportunity as well.”

For this Cui Xiaoxiao to pursue cultivation, yet join the tutelage of an incompetent like Tang Youshu, her efforts would ultimately amount to nothing more than a mortal life. If she were not so foolish, she should seize this marital opportunity and give herself a chance to change her destiny.

Regrettably, no matter how plainly he spoke, this girl with a fox-tail braid remained unmoved.

When he derided her for joining the wrong sect, Cui Xiaoxiao’s large eyes narrowed slightly, and a mocking smile appeared on her lips as she said, “Although I am ignorant of cultivation, I understand quite a bit about human affairs. I have never heard of powerful cultivators from various sects having the habit of taking lowly wives. If you look down on me so much, yet wish to marry me, Sect Leader Qin, you are quite contradictory. Moreover, you said I have a grievously ill-fated destiny, are you not afraid that by marrying me, I might suppress and kill you?”

As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, a mischievous light flickering in her large eyes, her fox-tail-like long hair swaying behind her head in a vexing manner.

Qin Lingxiao realized this unorthodox female sect leader truly held grudges, simply because he had mentioned her ill-fated destiny, and she was now getting back at him.

Cui Xiaoxiao looked at Qin Lingxiao’s frosty expression and continued probing, “Your sect, from top to bottom, clearly looks down on my Mount Ling Talisman Sect. Why would you debase yourself by marrying someone from my unorthodox, deviant path? Is there really no benefit for you? Why would you make such a sacrifice? Sect Leader Qin, if you are unwilling to speak the truth, then we have no need to continue this discussion.”

In terms of cultivation, she was definitely no match for Qin Lingxiao. But when it came to the cunning to scheme against others…the despicable scoundrels and swindlers Xiaoxiao had encountered far outnumbered the demons this Qin had subjugated!

Qin Lingxiao was once again harshly rebuked by this sly girl’s words. Faced with such an untamed woman, he felt it was like casting pearls before swine and was too lazy to further persuade her, simply stating a final warning:

“Your bloodline is special, and you have also been afflicted by the demonic bead’s malign effects, which may manifest even more severely. When that happens, you may wish for death over life…Sect Leader Cui, take care…”

Cui Xiaoxiao was silenced for a moment by the description of the malign effects.

She recalled the demonic bead that had suddenly appeared in her pocket. Qin Lingxiao had said her bloodline was special – could the bead have been seeking her out?

If so, did the demonic bead intend to assimilate and possess her like the woman from the Bai family?

At this point, Qin Lingxiao could no longer be bothered to look at the sharp-tongued Cui Xiaoxiao.

He had made up his mind not to meddle further, letting Cui Xiaoxiao experience the torment of the demonic bead’s malign effects. Otherwise, the foolish girl might think she was an irresistible beauty who could bewitch any man into marrying her.

Thinking this, Qin Lingxiao waved his sleeve, summoning his sword-qi, and flew away gracefully on his sword.

Such a display of flying on one’s sword was not something ordinary people could witness.

Cui Xiaoxiao sensed the coolness in Qin Lingxiao’s tone just now, as if her unwise refusal had caused the Sword Sect Leader to view her as lacking discernment.

However, she had no time to dwell on the heavenly genius’ feelings, staring intently at the line on her arm instead.

Could what Qin Lingxiao said be true? Had she really been afflicted by the demonic bead’s malign effects?

When Cui Xiaoxiao returned and told her fellow disciples about the demonic bead’s ominous energy invading her body, they immediately jumped back in alarm.

Ayi was especially quick, slapping an exorcism talisman onto their Sect Leader’s forehead.

Cui Xiaoxiao peeled it off in annoyance, “I haven’t been demonically possessed yet!”

The second senior martial sister, Jiang Nanmu, awkwardly approached to examine Cui Xiaoxiao’s wrist, then seeming to recall something, instructed Cui Xiaoxiao to quickly reference their master’s secret manual for any solutions.

Cui Xiaoxiao flipped through it repeatedly, finding only this one relevant passage regarding toxins:

Their master Tang Youshu liked to meticulously record his daily cultivation life in an autobiographical secret manual. Around two hundred years ago, Tang Youshu had also visited the Soul-Shattering Serpent Cave that Wei Jie had breached, witnessing the might of the two-headed giant Soul-Shattering Serpent.

The Soul-Shattering Serpent dwelled in a deep valley beneath the Phoenix Pool of Lao Mountain. True to its name, once afflicted by its venom, even a great cultivator of a hundred years would suffer having their soul scattered.

Especially in the first three days of being poisoned, all the blood in one’s body would boil, preventing any focused effort to expel the venom. No matter one’s cultivation prowess, they would be boiled alive by their own blood in an excruciating death.

Back then at the Soul-Shattering Serpent Cave near the Phoenix Pool, Tang Youshu personally witnessed someone survive after being bitten.

That person was none other than his future master, the demonic Wei Jie!

At the time, Tang Youshu was very puzzled as to how his master had achieved this.

It was only later that he discovered Wei Jie had desperately captured the serpent after being poisoned, beheading it before slashing open his wrists to perform a blood transfusion, replacing his tainted blood with the serpent’s.

This unorthodox method allowed Wei Jie to survive by a thread, but also caused him to be covered in serpentine scales due to his blood being mostly replaced by the serpent’s, which drastically altered his temperament to be as vicious as a serpent’s.

However, Wei Jie did not seem to want to be permanently controlled by the serpent blood. So as his cultivation deepened, he devised a way to resolve it – refining the yin toxins within his body into a demonic bead to be expelled.

Unfortunately, this process greatly diminished his methods and cultivation level temporarily. It was precisely because of this that Qin Lingxiao had the opportunity to slay his master.

Upon reading this, Cui Xiaoxiao suddenly realized that the demonic bead within her had a profound connection to the Soul-Shattering Serpent, being the refined malign energies from Wei Jie’s demonic nature.

It seemed Qin Lingxiao’s words were not mere intimidation after all.

However, her master’s book also mentioned that there was a wondrous antidote grass within the Soul-Shattering Serpent Cave that had aided Wei Jie in surviving the venom.

Fortunately, their destination was indeed the Phoenix Pool of Lao Mountain, so perhaps they could find this unusual herb in the valley beneath.

With this thought, Cui Xiaoxiao felt slightly reassured.

Upon hearing that Cui Xiaoxiao had rejected Qin Lingxiao’s proposal, the second senior martial sister could not help but exclaim in amazement, “Oh heavens, Qin Lingxiao was willing to marry you in order to save you! And you actually refused!”

Her words were filled with endless regret. It seemed the exceptionally handsome and powerful cultivator Qin Lingxiao truly had a way of capturing women’s hearts. His pride was well-founded.

Even the eldest senior martial brother commented that if one could marry and jointly cultivate with Qin Lingxiao, one’s cultivation would soar rapidly. For Cui Xiaoxiao to reject without a second thought not only impeded her cultivation progress but also displayed muddled thinking.

However, he felt Qin Lingxiao’s thinking was also muddled for being willing to compromise his marital destinies to save a conniving woman. Could he have been bewitched by Cui Xiaoxiao’s pretty looks? If he truly lacked such determination, he might struggle to overcome the heavenly tribulation and ascend.

Mistaken Era – Chapter 8

As for the man with the surname Jin, after squandering his family fortune and offending the magistrate, coupled with his previous bullying and oppression of men and women in the village, he had offended countless people. Without the protection of officialdom and wealth, his luck had run out. The few fellow disciples from the Talisman Sect were too lazy to stay and witness his final fate.

Although the evildoer was punished and they vented their anger, the few disciples of the Talisman Sect still had an uncertain future ahead. 

After finishing the last oily pancake they had brought from Fee County, Ji Wuqi let out a burp and said dejectedly, “The curse cast by our master is too domineering. Who knows when it will be lifted?”

Sitting behind Ji Wuqi and applying ointment to the burn on his neck, Ayi turned to ask the Sect Leader Cui Xiaoxiao, “Sister Cui, shall we head to a more lively town next? The taste of hunger is too unbearable!”

Cui Xiaoxiao was carefully drawing talismans with a brush dipped in cinnabar ink according to the sect’s secret manual illustrations. Hearing this, she did not respond but instead focused on her breathing and copied the patterns meticulously.

After drawing a few talismans and comparing them with those in the book, she nodded in satisfaction, at least now able to draw the patterns accurately. The talismans she drew this time were the basic Water Talisman that Talisman Sect disciples learned upon joining, using the five elements of Water to summon a nourishing rain when activated.

She put down her brush and waved one of the talismans in the air while chanting an incantation, hoping to summon rain. 

The three fellow disciples widened their eyes, eager to witness their new Sect Leader’s abilities.

However, the talisman merely floated in the air before slowly drifting down, showing no signs of change. 

Cui Xiaoxiao tried again with two more talismans, but they simply fluttered down like pieces of toilet paper.

Jiang Nanmu let out a disappointed sigh while Ji Wuqi burst into laughter, “I really thought you had some skills, but now it seems that night’s events were just a fluke!”

Cui Xiaoxiao pursed her lips briefly before dismissing the frustration and changing the subject, “Master once mentioned in the secret manual that the origin of our Talisman Sect is not Mount Ling. Master had a great opportunity at the Phoenix Pool in Lao Mountain in the past and learned the profundities of Talisman Sect from his master Wei Jie. If we wish to improve our cultivation, we should visit the Phoenix Pool in Lao Mountain.”

As the Sect Leader had spoken, the remaining disciples naturally obeyed. Cui Xiaoxiao prepared to pack her belongings but accidentally dropped a bead from her pocket.

Jiang Nanmu picked it up and realized it was the tarnished demonic bead from that night. 

The bead appeared even duller than before, merely an unremarkable stone ball now.

Cui Xiaoxiao took the bead and examined it, puzzled as to how it had ended up in her pocket. 

Although the demon had participated in its own subjugation, she had only taken its shed skin and had no intention of keeping the demonic bead.

However, Ji Wuqi was convinced Cui Xiaoxiao had taken it and sneered disdainfully, “A dog can’t change its habit of eating feces! You even swore in front of our master to reform, yet you shamelessly steal without asking!”

Cui Xiaoxiao earnestly refuted, “Do you think I could steal from the pocket of that heavenly genius who split the demon in half with a sword? I don’t know how this bead ended up in my pocket either.”

Ji Wuqi paused, finding her reasoning sound, and muttered to himself, “If you didn’t steal it, how could this bead have wandered into your pocket?”

Hearing this, they all looked at the demonic bead with trepidation. However, the dull, grayish stone showed no reaction, lying motionlessly on the table, making it difficult to sustain their fear for long.

Eventually, Ji Wuqi concluded that this greed-natured demonic bead was naturally attracted to greedy individuals. Coincidentally, among those present, Cui Xiaoxiao had the worst character as a deceitful woman, so it was understandable for the demonic bead to be drawn to her.

The second disciple, Jiang Nanmu, suggested returning the demonic bead to the Sword Sect’s leader, but Cui Xiaoxiao did not wish to deal with the Sword Sect again. 

That Qin Lingxiao had spoken disrespectfully and dared to read her fortune, as if being handsome gave him the right to recklessly expose her scars!

While unaware of this object’s wonders, she could not leave it unattended, lest more innocents suffer like that woman from the Bai family.

With this in mind, Cui Xiaoxiao rummaged through her belongings and took out the Soul-Sealing Wooden Box left to her by her late master.

This wooden box was said to be made from the Paulownia wood where phoenixes nested in the Wilderness of Immortals. As the phoenix was a bird of fire, the Paulownia tree it nested in was also a Yang object capable of trapping demons and dispelling evil.

After placing the demonic bead inside the wooden box, Cui Xiaoxiao felt slightly relieved, planning to search for a artifact to dispel the bead’s evil when they returned to Mount Ling’s Talisman Sect’s Artifact Pavilion.

However, she did not realize that the moment the wooden box closed, the previously dull bead suddenly emitted a fleeting deep blue, ghostly glow…

On the way to the Phoenix Pool, the scenery was beautiful, but they soon encountered disciples from the Nine Profundities Sword Sect again.

The leading Sword Sect disciple handed Cui Xiaoxiao an elegant invitation. 

Cui Xiaoxiao did not know its purpose, and the messenger, Jiang Zheng, arrogantly said, “The Master has invited Sect Leader Cui for a discussion at the nearby stream pavilion.”

Cui Xiaoxiao did not wish to go, suspecting that Qin Lingxiao had noticed the missing spirit bead and thought she had taken it, thus looking to pick a fight.

Regrettably, despite Ji Wuqi claiming to have used a concealment talisman to hide their tracks, they were still found by these Sword Sect disciples.

Cui Xiaoxiao was inclined to refuse, but the Sword Sect disciples were not polite, already holding a sword-qi blade to her neck.

As Ji Wuqi and the others were about to clash with the Sword Sect disciples, Cui Xiaoxiao quickly stopped them and agreed to meet Qin Lingxiao alone.

When she arrived at the stream pavilion, Qin Lingxiao was seated, controlling seven spirit swords with his sword-qi as they rapidly circled above his head, emitting a faint golden glow.

Upon noticing Cui Xiaoxiao’s approach, he gently snapped his fingers, recalling the swords before lightly tapping the jade table beside him, indicating for her to sit and drink tea.

For the esteemed leader of the preeminent Sword Sect to humble himself and invite a member of the lesser Talisman Sect for tea, others would have felt greatly honored.

However, Cui Xiaoxiao knew this was a trap and did not sit. Instead, she smiled and candidly said, “Sect Leader Qin, you wish to discuss something, don’t you? I’m not entirely sure how that bead ended up in my pocket. Since I participated in subjugating the demon, it’s not unreasonable for the spirit bead to belong to me. However, if Sect Leader desires it, I can understand and gift it to you to maintain harmony between our sects.”

This slippery rhetoric was honed from Cui Xiaoxiao’s experiences in the Jianghu.

Recognizing her inability to defeat Qin Lingxiao’s sword-qi, Cui Xiaoxiao proactively extended an olive branch to swiftly resolve the matter and avoid further trouble.

Hearing her words, Qin Lingxiao let out a cold laugh of disbelief and slowly drawled, “You didn’t take it?”

After the silkworm incident, the Sword Sect disciples had thoroughly investigated the new Talisman Sect Leader’s background and reported it to Qin Lingxiao.

A female pickpocket who had roamed the streets for years was claiming she didn’t steal something? Who would believe that?

Cui Xiaoxiao nodded, though not expecting this Sect Leader to believe her, as that was simply the truth.

She took out the Soul-Sealing Wooden Box from her pocket and handed it to Qin Lingxiao, hoping to swiftly resolve the matter.

As soon as Qin Lingxiao’s hand touched the wooden box, it suddenly burst into raging flames.

Startled, Qin Lingxiao hastily circulated his inner energy to strike the box away.

At that moment, a bright light flashed, and the previously dull demonic bead seemed to regain its energy, becoming translucent and glowing.

It agilely evaded Qin Lingxiao’s attempts to grab it, fleeing like a shooting star through the clouds, but then abruptly changed course and charged towards the standing Cui Xiaoxiao instead.

Caught off guard, Cui Xiaoxiao was struck by the bead, knocking her to the ground. She felt a surge of heat on her wrist and a scorching sensation in her chest before the demonic bead vanished without a trace.

As she tried to get up, Qin Lingxiao suddenly approached, grabbed her wrist, and rolled up her sleeve, revealing sinuous, snake-like talisman patterns etched onto Cui Xiaoxiao’s wrist.

“What is this?” Cui Xiaoxiao asked, enduring the pain in her chest.

Qin Lingxiao’s expression was complex, glaring at Cui Xiaoxiao as if he had swallowed dog feces, seeming indignant and reluctant.

Finally, he appeared to make a decision, slowly raising his eyes to meet Cui Xiaoxiao’s and asking, “It seems you are also aware that I must have this demonic bead…Since this aligns with your desire, I shall comply. I don’t know if you have previously chosen a cultivation partner?”

Huh? Cui Xiaoxiao did not expect Qin Lingxiao to suddenly ask such an unrelated question.

However, Qin Lingxiao did not seem interested in her answer, continuing, “You probably haven’t, otherwise you wouldn’t have schemed so elaborately against me. Regardless of the sect’s teachings, finding a suitable cultivation partner can double one’s progress. I have already formed my Golden Core and only need to undergo the final transformation into a Yuanying before ascending through tribulation. If you cultivate with me, it would bypass a hundred years of bitter cultivation…You should be aware that such a shortcut would not normally be available to you, but by deceiving me and absorbing the demonic bead, you have left me no choice but to comply with your desire…However, we shall keep this union simple. I do not wish to openly flaunt it to the world!”

Qin Lingxiao spoke as if forced to eat feces. But Cui Xiaoxiao did not think marrying him would be like consuming a ginseng fruit either!

She stared at him in bewilderment and hesitantly asked, “Sect Leader Qin…have you gone mad? I have a cooling talisman here, would you like one to clear your head?”

Qin Lingxiao was still in a foul mood, coldly stating, “You intentionally took the demonic bead and absorbed it into your body, clearly scheming for this marital relationship?…My Nine Profundities Sword Sect has always valued its reputation, so of course I will take full responsibility. But a forced marriage will not be sweet. Miss, you have schemed so elaborately, you had better not regret this later…”

He desperately needed the demonic bead to suppress the demonic nature within him. And this Cui Xiaoxiao had intentionally absorbed the bead, her motives were clear!

If he wanted to claim the bead for himself, he would either have to kill Cui Xiaoxiao or join her in secluded cultivation for seven days and nights.

Although the Talisman Sect of Mount Ling was not a major sect, it still focused on demon subjugation and exorcism, aligning with the righteous path. If he killed this scheming woman, it would tarnish the renowned Sword Sect’s reputation.

Secluded dual cultivation might not sound proper. But if he refused, word would spread that he had seduced and abandoned a woman, branding him as one who deceived women for lust.

For the present situation, his only option was to temporarily take her as his partner through a legitimate marriage, which would allow him to absorb the demonic bead, and they could discuss further later… Moreover, her bloodline was the counter to his demonic cultivation; if he found a suitable method, he might even permanently resolve his affliction.

By making her his wife, she would also be protected from being used against him by others with ill intent.

Qin Lingxiao had encountered countless women scheming to ensnare him before, but never imagined being deceived by such a wily vixen this time.

Amidst his vexation, he could only console himself: This woman has an unusual destiny, and her bloodline counters Wei Jie’s demonic nature, so marrying her might not be a total loss.

With this thought, Qin Lingxiao’s mood gradually calmed, his displeasure diminishing as he awaited the devious Talisman Sect Leader’s grateful response to his proposed marriage.

Mistaken Era – Chapter 7

Of course, an insignificant minor sect leader like Cui Xiaoxiao could hardly be considered a threat, let alone provide any cultivation assistance to Qin Lingxiao. He was not some base mundane man infatuated by feminine charms.

With this thought, Ling Zhishan’s heart settled somewhat.

After leaving the silkworm field, the senior disciple Jiang Zheng resentfully said, “It’s all these wandering tricksters disrupting our master’s great undertaking. Allow me to go deal with them…”

But Qin Lingxiao said, “No need, the demon pearl was tainted, but it can still be used…”

As he spoke, he reached for the pocket containing the demon pearl, only to find it completely empty, the pearl vanishing without a trace…

Qin Lingxiao’s brow furrowed slightly as realization dawned – that girl called Cui Xiaoxiao had leaned in close to speak with him earlier.

Could she have stolen it? But he had been utterly unaware, which should have been impossible given his cultivation level.

It seemed the demonic nature consuming him from within had significantly dulled his senses…

More alarmingly, when he earlier sensed the scent of Cui Xiaoxiao’s blood, for that fleeting moment, the demonic cultivation force he absorbed seemed to abruptly still, like water drained away, giving him a sense of impending purification.

Though Qin Lingxiao slew his master Wei Jie to attain righteousness and absorbed most of his power to soar as a cultivation prodigy, in recent years the latent demonic nature from Wei Jie had become increasingly resonant.

Thinking this, Qin Lingxiao couldn’t help touching his own forehead, knowing best the reason for concealing that mark.

As he exited the silkworm field, waving away the others to stand alone on the stone bridge and gaze down, the moonlight reflected his image rippling in the water, faintly glowing with celestial spirit light.

With a sweep of his hand, the concealing mark was revealed – the red lotus had two petals that had gradually turned from deep crimson to jet black.

Once the red lotus fully darkened, it would signal his complete possession by the demonic resonance forces, his mind devoured and many years of cultivation instantly ruined.

To prevent this, Qin Lingxiao had desperately sought a solution.

Three years ago, the giant rock on Mount Jiulu that had sealed the demon pearls “Greed” and “Wrath” suddenly cracked open, allowing them to slip into the mortal realm and wreak havoc.

If Qin Lingxiao could find these two demon pearls and properly harness their power, he could temporarily suppress the surging demonic resonance within him. After all, the demon pearls originated from Wei Jie’s own demonic energies, a case of fighting poison with poison.

The demon pearl that had been stirring up trouble in Fei County was actually the “Greed” pearl of the two.

Unexpectedly, it had become attached to an ordinary woman. Perhaps the silkworms’ nature of endlessly, greedily consuming mulberry leaves resonated perfectly with the “Greed” pearl, causing that woman to become cocooned in the silkworm field and assimilate with the worms, developing a craving for human flesh.

But even the finest demon pearl could only temporarily alleviate the issue like quenching thirst with poisonous wine. The optimal solution was to find Wei Jie’s true “counter” to permanently suppress the demonic nature within him.

Only those with an extreme yin bloodline destiny could accomplish this. But such fated individuals tended to have short lifespans, usually dying in their youth. For that girl to have survived to sixteen or seventeen, she was truly one in a million.

When he first joined Wei Jie, Qin Lingxiao heard from fellow disciples that Wei Jie’s fate held an ominous destiny – he must never encounter someone of extreme yin nature.

However, for someone to possess such a destiny required being born under the yin convergence of the Nine Profundities stellar alignment.

This nine-fold conjunction only occurred once every seven hundred years. It was said that back then, Wei Jie scoured the realm hoping to eradicate anyone with such a fate, but those fated rarely survived to adulthood, so he never succeeded in finding them.

Qin Lingxiao never imagined that two centuries after destroying Wei Jie’s primordial spirit, someone with this extraordinary fate would appear!

Thinking of this, his gaze could not help but follow that slender, small figure gradually merging into the moonlight…

Cui Xiaoxiao? Quite interesting.

As for the several fellow disciples of the Talisman Sect, after experiencing the horrifying silkworm farm incident, they barely managed to escape with their lives.

Ji Wuqi was a bit more tragically affected, covered in blisters from being burned by fire. Even after he chanted a healing talisman, it only temporarily alleviated some of the pain.

However, compared to the pain on his body, the little liar he had always looked down upon surprised him even more.

No one expected that tonight, after narrowly escaping danger several times, it was actually the half-baked Cui Xiaoxiao who turned crisis into good fortune.

The young A Yi has never concealed his likes and dislikes, so he said with admiration: “Sect Leader’s junior sister, just based on a few words from others, you actually deduced the whole situation. You’re truly formidable! I saw the talisman you drew, you actually drew it wrong! Yet you were still able to subdue the demon, it’s really amazing!”

Hearing her junior brother’s reminder, Cui Xiaoxiao hurriedly looked again at the talisman she had picked up and kept in her pocket. Oh, that’s right! She originally wanted to draw an exorcism and dispelling talisman, but due to painting it hastily earlier, she made a few mistakes…

When she flipped through the book to compare… Ah! This talisman is… a love spell talisman!

According to the secret manuals passed down from her master, this was once the Sect’s best-selling talisman. Even for the extremely elderly, obtaining it would make them feel like a newlywed every day.

However, the production of this divine talisman was not high. Her master could only refine two pieces per year. But it could still earn a prosperous income to support the disciples of the Sect, being considered the treasure of the Lingshan Talisman Sect.

Now recalling old dog Jixiang’s urgent biting of the demon’s neck earlier and his insistent desire to get closer…

Cui Xiaoxiao finally understood why the demon had suddenly lost its mind, looking dazed as it embraced Jixiang, then exploded in embarrassed rage…

No wonder the demon pearl was defiled, it was really her fault… This talisman was too lecherous!

When she sincerely wanted to explain to her fellow disciples that as a young girl, she absolutely did not intend to draw such a lewd talisman, she found that the old dog in the courtyard still had some lingering passion, wagging its tail flirtatiously at a female dog…

Seeing Cui Xiaoxiao holding her long braid, embarrassed yet smiling, Jiang Nanmu’s heart was also somewhat excited.

Their departed master Tang Youshu devoted his life to reviving the Talisman Sect.

However, he often said that due to his innate lack of skill, no matter how hard he tried his entire life, he could never reach the highest realms of “talisman” mastery.

Even at the end, Tang Youshu was unable to reach the boundary-crossing transcendence stage, only passing away at the ripe old age of 202 years.

But their worldly-wise master was overjoyed when he met Cui Xiaoxiao, as if a gold prospector had discovered a nugget in the sand, directly stating that this girl was a heaven-sent person to revive the Talisman Sect.

Previously, Jiang Nanmu did not understand her master’s words, but tonight’s subduing of the demonic giant silkworm made her believe 30% of what her departed master said.

Leaving aside this Cui Xiaoxiao’s character, with just a tattered beginner’s manual, she could actually draw the Sect’s former prized talisman. Isn’t she clearly someone innately gifted in the talisman arts?

Perhaps just as the master said, the hope of reviving the Lingshan Talisman Sect now rests entirely on the shoulders of this young girl.

At the very least, the Lingshan people’s livelihoods are temporarily secured for now.

Because of that massive insect hide as proof of merit, the whole county views Cui Xiaoxiao and them as celestial beings descended to earth.

What’s more, these immortals truly have lofty integrity and view money as dirt, refusing the reward and only requesting a month’s food supply, as well as a burial ground to lay that ill-fated woman to rest.

However, during that woman’s burial, the Jin family’s servants came to obstruct them, glaring angrily and saying that if they buried such an evil demoness in the county, the local people would not be able to live in peace.

Ji Wuqi could not stand these people, saying this land was given by the county magistrate, so they have no say in it!

But those servants produced an official document from the magistrate stating: “The lord has only just learned that you want to bury that licentious woman who violated decorum. He has ordered the land to be reclaimed! Who doesn’t know that this woman shamelessly seduced our old master in the past? Now she has caused so many deaths, even if you bury her, we will dig her up, dismember her bones and scatter her ashes!”

Ji Wuqi wanted to argue more, but Cui Xiaoxiao pulled his sleeve and said: “Senior Brother, don’t argue anymore. What they say is reasonable. Even if we bury her, we cannot guarantee that woman will rest peacefully in the earth.”

Ji Wuqi actually felt quite sympathetic to that woman’s plight and said angrily: “Then what should we do? Just discard her remains on a disorderly gravesite?”

Cui Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said: “As long as she returns to the five elements, then she will rest peacefully in the earth. Senior Brother, could I trouble you to use your fire talisman technique to cremate this woman?”

Ji Wuqi understood and felt this was a solution, so he raised his fire talisman to refine and cremate her.

Soon, all worldly worries dissipated in the flames, the remains finally placed into a small porcelain urn.

Cui Xiaoxiao then scattered these ashes into the river flowing through Fu County.

This river extends and irrigates the local fertile fields. Since some people could not accept this ill-fated woman, then let her ashes spread throughout the terraced fields of Fu County.

After understanding this woman’s suffering, A Yi also felt unsettled and protested: “An innocent person was forced to become a demon. Yet those committing misdeeds behind the scenes live without worry, complacently going about their days. What reasoning is this?”

However, Cui Xiaoxiao looked at the winding flowing river, stretched her neck, and said lazily: “What’s the problem? Unfair things in this world are too numerous to count. Our master used to say that becoming an immortal is not difficult, what’s difficult is in our time as humans, being able to follow our hearts without overstepping bounds. If one has to go against their true nature and live hypocritically as a person, then even becoming an immortal won’t bring much happiness… Do you all want to go have some fun with me?”

The remaining few looked at each other, because their departed master indeed used to speak in this manner. The old man always said immortal cultivation was not difficult, but he had too many worldly infatuations in life which caused him to lose focus, unable to achieve the true path.

However, what exactly did this new Sect Leader mean by “having fun”?

Soon, they would understand the meaning behind Sect Leader’s words about having fun.

One night, Jin Youde, who was clearly sleeping soundly in his own home embracing a beautiful concubine, ended up lying disheveled on the bed of the neighboring prefecture’s governor hundreds of miles away.

Moreover, this Lord Jin also seemed to have lost his mind, embracing the governor covered in stubble and acting intimately without restraint.

When the servants who heard the governor’s cries for help rushed in and saw that scene, they felt so disgusted they could not eat.

Although Jin Youde held immense power in Fu County, this time he had slept with the governor!

Utterly disgraced, the disgusted governor ordered his men to immediately beat this madman senseless in the courtyard.

No matter how Jin Youde tried to explain, he was beaten half to death, his leg bones even broken. When his family finally managed to carry him back home, they found that the Jin family’s entire gold and silver treasury, as well as the property deeds, had mysteriously vanished overnight.

Jin Youde was shocked speechless, his eyes rolling back as he fainted… Such ghostly occurrences could not but make one suspect the meddling of the late Lady Bai.

When he awoke, he hastily summoned the Taoist priestess surnamed Cui, only to learn that she and the others had disappeared without a trace. And the documents regarding the old Bai family case had somehow found their way to the still-furious Magistrate.

As a result, Jin Youde had barely caught his breath when he was arrested and taken away in a carriage.

As for Cui Xiaoxiao and the others, when they left Fei County, their limbs were aching and sore from the exertion of scouring the Jin family’s treasury for gold and jewels in the dead of night.

The spiritual concealment spell their master had cast proved remarkably useful. With the Jin family’s ill-gotten gains turned to ash, it was only fitting that their unjust wealth should vanish overnight.

Mistaken Era – Chapter 6

Offended by Qin Lingxiao’s words, the smile constantly adorning Cui Xiaoxiao’s face vanished, and she coolly told him, “Since the demonic creature has been dealt with, if you have no other business, Sect Leader Qin, please feel free to leave with your disciples.”

Saying so, she paid no heed to the expressions of the powerful cultivators from the Nine Profundities Sword Sect. She walked directly towards the demon lying in the green pus, gently brushing aside its disheveled long hair as it gasped faintly.

The demonic nature seemed to have mostly dissipated from the creature as it neared its last breaths. Its face had shed, appearing more human – more like a woman’s visage.

When it slightly lifted its head, half of the face could be seen covered in old burn scars.

Cui Xiaoxiao examined its wounds, realizing there was no way to save it.

She removed her smoke-scented coat, leaving only a loose shirt on. After using clean water from another barrel to wash away the smoke water on her face and neck, she waited until the smoke scent on her body had mostly faded before approaching the creature again and squatting down beside it.

“I only recently joined the Talisman Sect, so I’m not proficient in much else. But I have mastered the purification incantation, so allow me to guide you on your final journey. I’ll resolve the vexations in your heart and give you ultimate peace…”

She took out a talisman painted with a flower petal and placed it on the woman’s forehead, then began murmuring the incantation.

The woman’s expression was initially ferocious, but gradually the murderous aura in her eyes dissipated. She seemed to awaken from a long dream, her eyes filled with profound dazedness.

She muttered painfully, “I was framed by that bastard Bai Youde…I did not violate my marital vows…”

At this, Jiang Nanmu and the others were stunned.

For they recalled the casual gossip Cui Xiaoxiao had exchanged with the gatekeeper over their meal about local family matters.

To speak of Bai’s wife, one must first mention the man Bai Youde. It was said that he was originally the son of the Bai family, a wealthy silkworm farmer in the county.

Or rather, he was a stepson who entered the Bai household when his widowed mother remarried into the family. Before changing back to his original surname Jin, he was indeed called Bai Youde.

Unfortunately, the sole biological son left behind by the Bai family’s late wife was sickly and passed away soon after Youde’s stepmother remarried into the family, leaving behind a pregnant wife.

It was rumored that the pregnant wife was unchaste and had improper relations with her young stepbrother-in-law, casting doubt even on the unborn child’s parentage.

After the ugly affair was discovered, the old master of the Bai family naturally would not stand for it. But then the daughter-in-law mysteriously burned to death in the woodshed, so the matter was dropped.

When the old master planned to deal with the stepson, he suddenly fell deathly ill himself and passed away.

This stepson Youde had long been assisting his stepfather with the family business, installing his maternal relatives in key positions to essentially hollow out the Bai family’s operations.

After the father passed, the lord Jin took advantage of his official connections to brazenly split off from the Bai household, reverting to his original surname and establishing a separate business.

“Alas, all that was left of the Bai family was an empty shell that withered away. But the Jin family’s business flourished, becoming the local tycoons.”

So this demonic creature was actually the legendary burned wife of the Bai family!

Little Xiao gently probed, “You didn’t actually die in the fire back then, did you? You escaped. But why did you then turn demonic and start killing people?”

The Bai wife gasped painfully, looking at the girl’s clear eyes, her heart seemingly calmed as she said brokenly, “I…killed people? I don’t know anything, only that a black-robed masked person saved me. They said if I wanted to heal my burns, I should swallow a medicinal pill. After that…I…I can’t remember anything…”

Tears streamed down her face as she continued in a shaking, bewildered tone, “I…killed people…I thought it was all just a dream…not real…”

It seemed she was gradually recalling the memories of her demonic rampages and descending into immense anguished self-reproach.

Xiaoxiao knew the woman had been too deeply demonized before, her original consciousness likely devoured. Now nearing her final breaths, some of her human nature had resurfaced.

She placed the purification talisman petal on the woman’s forehead and said softly, “I understand. Rest well. The demon that committed those evil acts was not you. I hope in your next life, you won’t encounter any deceitful people and can live in peace…”

But the woman continued weeping upon hearing this, “I’m so full of hatred…I hate…”

Having been so deeply demonized, and now further wounded by Qin Lingxiao’s sword qi, she would definitely experience excruciating spiritual backlash in her final moments.

However, Xiaoxiao’s purification petal talismans were left behind by her master and would grant her ultimate peace.

The petal talisman soon melded into the woman’s forehead, and the furrows on her brow smoothed out, the anguish leaving her face as she slowly closed her eyes.

Yet even in her last lingering moments, tears still hung in the corners of her eyes, carrying a world of resentful unwillingness.

Qin Lingxiao had not left, standing behind Cui Xiaoxiao until the creature breathed its last, before asking, “How is it? Did you know this demonic creature?”

Cui Xiaoxiao stood up, retrieving her coat from the ground and putting it back on. Lowering her eyes, she took a deep breath and said, “I’ve heard rumors that the former owner’s daughter-in-law was locked in the woodshed with smoldering tobacco leaves and burned alive. The smoke scent lingered heavily for days. The woodshed where the incident occurred is not far from this silkworm field. And coincidentally, this silkworm demon greatly loathed the smell of smoke, which made me wonder. My master said evil demons often arise from the malicious resentful thoughts of people. Humans and demons are but a fine line apart. So I pondered whether this demon that appeared in the silkworm field for no reason could be related to that mysteriously missing Bai daughter-in-law. Now, hearing her words, it seems my guess was correct.”

Only then did Qin Lingxiao understand why Cui Xiaoxiao had insisted on stopping him from killing the demon.

However, he did not think he was wrong. Did this Cui Xiaoxiao really believe there was a way to save someone who had turned demonic?

Thinking this, he stated, “She has already committed murder, an unforgivable evil. If you show leniency towards demons out of pity, you will eventually be devoured by them in turn.”

Cui Xiaoxiao dismissively said, “Different sects have different ways of dealing with demons based on their laws. Sect Leader Qin can simply follow the methods of his own righteous sect.”

As she spoke, her gaze lingered on the closed eyes of the ill-fated woman.

Initially, no body was found at the fire scene, likely because this woman had managed to escape the blaze. But as she was pregnant at the time and exposed to smoke and flames, she probably lost the child.

If her guess was correct, the so-called “medicinal pill” was actually that tainted demon pearl. Someone must have deceived this cloistered woman into consuming the demon pearl, purposefully nurturing the pearl within her to trigger her demonic transformation, before then cultivating her as a demon.

The sinister plot behind this was truly insidious!

Thinking of this, she suddenly turned to Qin Lingxiao and asked, “Sect Leader Qin normally stays far removed from secular affairs. Why did you personally come to deal with this demon?”

Qin Lingxiao’s thoughts were exceptionally lucid. He naturally perceived Cui Xiaoxiao’s probing intention – could she be suspecting that he, the esteemed sect leader of the Sword Sect, would exploit a feeble woman to nurture a demon?

His brow furrowed in displeasure at this thought.

Prior to this demon subjugation incident, he likely would not have paid any mind to a rootless maidservant like her.

Who in the cultivation world did not know that the Sect Leader Qin was aloof and disdainful, arrogantly keeping to himself?

However, this young female sect leader from a minor sect was insightful and able to extrapolate broader implications, proving she was no fool.

When Qin Lingxiao was in an obliging mood, he was willing to provide some explanation to the astute: “This demon pearl was forged two hundred years ago by the demon patriarch Wei Jie from the seven emotions and six desires he had cultivated. Unfortunately, it was sealed within a giant rock on Mount Jiulu. Not long ago, that rock shattered, and two of the demon pearls it contained slipped into the mortal realm. I was once Wei Jie’s disciple myself, so I feel responsible for eliminating the evils he left behind. After a long search, I finally tracked down the whereabouts of one of the demon pearls.”

The previous master he spoke of was none other than Wei Jie, the demonic scourge who unleashed bloody chaos across the land two centuries ago.

The mention of Wei Jie made many modern cultivators grit their teeth in hatred, while also inwardly lamenting his wasted genius.

If one were to use the phrase “heavenly prodigy,” Qin Lingxiao himself could hardly be considered worthy compared to Wei Jie.

After all, Qin only stole his master Wei Jie’s cultivation to cross the final threshold as a shortcut into the upper realms.

The only one in the past seven hundred years who had reached the pinnacle of attainment through his own strength was Wei Jie.

The young Wei Jie was truly a prodigy! At a tender age, he single-handedly forced his way into the Broken Soul Serpent Cave, slaying the twin-headed giant vipers with his bare hands.

Though he was severely poisoned, enduring immense torture as a result, this allowed him to comprehend the dao of channeling true qi to suppress the venom, forming his own unique cultivation method of refining the elixir from there.

However, it was also the constant torment of the serpent’s poison that drastically altered Wei Jie’s temperament, compounded by a deep blood feud he harbored. He then later went on a solitary massacre through the preeminent Sword Sect’s Lingyunge, challenging that sect’s leader to a duel while slaughtering the entire disciple population.

Over the subsequent decades, as Wei Jie’s demonic power deepened, he strayed further down the path of fiendish evil with grandiose visions of standing unrivaled by slaying all other cultivators!

By the time Wei Jie’s demonic powers reached perfection, the serpentine poison had seeped into his marrow, transforming him into a serpentine humanoid – his entire body covered in massive python scales, his features twisted into a ferocious, cruel visage.

And the once sole surviving young sect leader Qin Lingxiao from Lingyun Pavilion endured humiliation, concealed his identity, and became Wei Jie’s disciple under his mortal enemy. From then on, he laid low, biding his time to strike.

Finally, taking advantage of the chance when Wei Jie entered seclusion every ninety-nine years to renew his qi circulation and refine his elixir, Qin Lingxiao launched a sneak attack, shattering Wei Jie’s primordial spirit.

Such a righteous deed naturally won him widespread acclaim in the orthodox cultivation world – if not for Qin Lingxiao, the realm would still be plagued by the toxic scourge of the demon patriarch Wei Jie.

After hearing Qin Lingxiao’s explanation about the demon pearl’s origins, Cui Xiaoxiao expressed some understanding.

So this demon pearl was actually forged from the contaminated energies that the demon patriarch Wei Jie cultivated before his death.

Truly a demon was a demon – even a hundred years later, the foul stench lingered for eternity.

After Xiaoxiao performed the rites to peacefully release the woman’s soul, she instructed the servants hiding outside the silkworm field about Making the proper funeral arrangements, before leaving with Ji Wuqi and the others.

Being so slim made her large eyes appear especially bright and lively. The red mole beside her left eye lent her smile a charming roguishness. Especially when she fully smiled, her whole being exuded an indescribable grace that inadvertently drew people’s gazes to linger on her enchanting expression.

However, she had kept a solemn demeanor earlier, emanating an aloof, chilly air that made others hesitant to approach.

The beautiful woman Ling Zhishan standing beside Qin Lingxiao also silently watched Cui Xiaoxiao’s departing back.

Though petite in stature, Cui Xiaoxiao carried herself with an unrestrained, graceful bearing as the long ponytail swaying at her waist seemed to beckon like a swishing fox’s tail…

Ling Zhishan couldn’t help turning to glance at Qin Lingxiao, noticing his gaze still fixated on the young woman’s retreating figure. She unconsciously bit her lip.

Ling Zhishan was the current palace master of the Yin-Yang Palace in the Yougu Valley, renowned in the world for their alchemical and qi-cultivation arts, a gathering place for female cultivators.

She had also once been a disciple under the demon patriarch Wei Jie. Later, she betrayed the demonic master alongside her senior brother Qin Lingxiao, abandoning the evil path to establish the Yin-Yang Palace specializing in alchemy and qi cultivation. She had fully supported Qin Lingxiao’s founding of the Nine Profundities Sword Sect.

Although Qin Lingxiao had never promised to become her dual cultivation partner, the disciples of both sects assumed she was his betrothed, expecting them to eventually ascend together after marriage.

But Qin Lingxiao’s overly focused gaze towards Cui Xiaoxiao made Ling Zhishan feel a slight discomfort in her heart.