Category: Mistaken Era

  • Mistaken Era 50

    Chapter 50

    Yu Ling’er’s mouth was stuffed with red dates, her cheeks bulging as she continued in a muffled voice, “Why don’t you just leave Wei Jie behind like before and secretly run away again? Didn’t you say you wanted to live in seclusion at Lingshan Mountain? With the fox tribe protecting you, hiding in the mountains, even if you become demonized, no one will be able to harm you.”

    Xiaoxiao turned to look at Ling’er and said, “But I’ve become demonized. If you help me escape, aren’t you afraid of abetting evil and letting the tiger return to the mountains?”

    Yu Ling’er replied without hesitation, “Our ancient ancestors did aid evil before, like Da Ji. Her ending was indeed not good… But she was just following the orders of the Goddess Nuwa…”

    Perhaps feeling that she had spoken ill of the fox tribe’s patron saint, Yu Ling’er quickly stopped herself. She then grabbed her fox-ear-shaped hair bun and said, “Oh, never mind that! I can’t just watch you die!”

    Xiaoxiao knew this little fox had not yet learned human insincerity. When Yu Ling’er said she didn’t care about the consequences and just wanted to help her first, it was a sincere sentiment.

    Touched, Xiaoxiao pinched Ling’er’s tender cheeks and said, “Don’t worry, with you and others who truly care for me, I wouldn’t bear to become demonized! I need to find a way to expel the demonic bead from my body!”

    In the original trajectory, it was Wei Jie who became demonized and obtained the demonic bead.

    Since he was eventually able to separate his demonic nature from his body in the form of the bead, she should also be able to find a way to expel the bead.

    The reason she had lost control today was that during her battle with the Ghost Sect cultivator, the backlash had stripped her of her consciousness, allowing the bead to take over her body.

    But when she regained her senses, coupled with the aid of Wei Jie’s inner dan, she was able to suppress the demonic bead once more.

    However, she had never expected the gap in strength between herself and that Ghost Sect’s Wan Lianshi to be so vast, leaving her powerless to resist being nearly soul-seized.

    Come to think of it, she should be grateful to the demonic bead. If it hadn’t flared up at that moment, she might have been completely controlled by Wanlian Master.

    For some reason, Xiaoxiao had a premonition that she would encounter this Wan Lianshi again in the future. She hoped her current powerlessness would not be repeated.

    This disaster today had also made her re-examine the reality that her Lingshan Talisman Sect had always had a weak and unstable foundation since its establishment.

    Her master had originally derived the sect’s talisman scripts from the Ghost Sect’s talisman arts. So how could she use these half-understood, improved talismans to defeat the Ghost Sect’s experts?

    Lost in these thoughts, Xiaoxiao fell into deep contemplation…

    Meanwhile, Wan Lianshi, who had fled back to the Prince Can’s Manor, did not bother treating the wound on his face and immediately rushed to see the Prince Can.

    The Prince Can was seated in his study, admiring a painting depicting a golden phoenix soaring through the clouds with its long tail trailing behind.

    When he lowered his gaze to Wan Lianshi’s face, his brows furrowed slightly, “Who inflicted those wounds on you? Why have they festered so badly?”

    Wan Lianshi had been enduring the searing pain on his face, but upon the Prince Can’s words, he finally looked into the bronze mirror in the study.

    What had previously been just a cut from the sword qi had now festered deeply, exposing the bone!

    Wan Lianshi gritted his teeth in hatred. If he had been injured by a powerful expert, he could accept it.

    But that Cui Xiaoxiao was just a shoddy imitation of the Ghost Sect! If she hadn’t suddenly become demonized, he would have already flayed her skin and turned her into a talisman himself!

    However, when the  Prince Can heard that Cui Xiaoxiao had become demonized and used the Punishing Sword to injure Wanlian Master, he excitedly stood up!

    The remaining pages of the Book of Life and Death only showed events related to the Prince Can himself, concealing anything irrelevant.

    So the Prince Can did not know that someone had already taken Wei Jie’s place and become demonized.

    Now, with the appearance of this “world-crossing intruder,” the remaining pages no longer displayed anything.

    This made the Prince Can , who had relied on the remaining pages for so long, feel quite uncomfortable.

    He had plotted for this opportunity for a long time. How could he bear to let it slip away? Did he always have to be one step behind fate’s chess game?

    But now, an opportunity had arisen!

    With the appearance of a demoness similar to Wei Jie’s experience, with snake scales on her arms and wielding the Punishing Sword, the Prince Can felt a sense of regaining a lost treasure!

    An individual sharing Wei Jie’s experiences would have undergone the seven trials of life and death.

    The number “seven” held profound significance in the study of yin and yang. After a person’s death, they would undergo a sacrificial rite every seven days. Thus, seven marked the boundary between yin and yang.

    In Wei Jie’s original destiny, he had undergone these “seven trials,” each more cruel than the last, like being reborn from fire. Almost no one in the world could endure them, but if one did, they would be like the reborn phoenix on his hand, able to ascend to the highest heavens!

    But now, Wei Jie seemed to lack the experiences described on the remaining pages, so how could he speak of being reborn?

    This had also greatly disappointed the Prince Can, who had coveted Wei Jie’s special destiny and planned to ultimately usurp his position.

    But now, things were different! Wei Jie had become unimportant! No wonder the remaining pages had become disordered – Wei Jie’s destiny had already been usurped!

    If this was indeed the case, the Prince Can did not need to make any changes. He only needed to patiently “assist” the demonized Cui Xiaoxiao in completing the remaining seven trials.

    Once she had passed the seven trials, the Prince Can could still take the opportunity when she was about to attain enlightenment and replace her, ascending to immortality in her stead!

    With this thought, the Prince Can quickly returned to his desk and wrote down the “seven trials” he had long since memorized.

    In the original destiny, after the snake disaster that caused his fall and demonization, Wei Jie had obtained the Defying the Heavens sword and lost his arm to the Punishing Sword, and was also framed in a case of false accusations in Luoyi City.

    It seemed that Cui Xiaoxiao had already undergone the first two trials. However, during her time in Luoyi City, she had inadvertently exposed the ghost doctor’s true face instead of being framed like Wei Jie and suffering a tarnished reputation.

    At this thought, the Prince Can let out a light laugh – since Cui Xiaoxiao had already become demonized, it would not be difficult to tarnish her reputation!

    As for the trial of losing one’s mother that Wei Jie had faced, it seemed the Prince Can would need to make some arrangements. He just didn’t know where Cui Xiaoxiao’s parents were…

    But there was no rush. The Prince Can had always been a patient angler. Now that he was certain the big fish was in the pond, he was not worried about it not taking the bait!

    With this thought, he beckoned Wan Lianshi over and gave him detailed instructions. Wan Lianshi understood and nodded in acknowledgment.

    Seeing Wan Lianshi’s festering wound, the Prince Can casually picked up a paper knife from his desk and sliced his own palm.

    As fresh blood gushed out, he dripped it onto Wan Lianshi’s cheek.

    Soon, Wan Lianshi’s facial wound rapidly healed, and the searing pain subsided.

    The Ghost Sect had a penchant for collecting strange materials, and Wan Lianshi could not resist his cravings as he greedily eyed the Prince Can’s slowly healing wound while expressing gratitude for the treatment.

    Of course, the Prince Can understood the greedy look in the eyes of his loyal dog. He smiled and said, “What’s this? Coveting my blood?”

    Wan Lianshi realized his lapse and immediately lowered his head, saying he dared not.

    The Prince Can smiled as he wiped his hand with a damp cloth, “I know of your fondness. I had originally intended to procure some fox demon’s blood for you to incorporate into your talismans before you returned to the manor. Their blood can extend one’s lifespan, far more potent than mine. But unfortunately, she managed to escape. However, my blood is not something ordinary people can withstand. If you are too greedy, you may end up harming yourself… Do you understand what I’m saying?”

    Wan Lianshi, of course, knew the secret history of the Xia imperial family being protected by the Celestial Emperor. Although the blood of the Xia family’s direct descendants could also extend one’s lifespan, anyone who caused the spilling of a Xia descendant’s blood would suffer a karmic backlash and face divine retribution!

    Hence, he immediately lowered his head in flattery, expressing that the king’s favor was as vast as a mountain, and he dared not harbor any untoward thoughts.

    The Prince Can´s smile did not falter as he told Wan Lianshi, “Many of you came to serve under me when you had nowhere else to go. You are all destined for greatness, and I will absolutely fulfill my promises to you. You know, that day is not far off!”

    Wan Lianshi hastily expressed his gratitude and stated that he would immediately carry out the king’s instructions.

    As Wan Lianshi exited the Prince Can’s study, the dark clouds in the sky had not yet dispersed, and an even darker layer had been added, signaling the imminent arrival of a violent storm…

    As for the Talisman Sect’s group, they were also stranded in that farmer’s courtyard due to the incessant heavy rain.

    The downpour was so heavy that the village roads were submerged, and the villagers had not even noticed the arrival of so many outsiders. The village chief would definitely not brave the rain to make a report.

    For the time being, they were securely hidden on the farm.

    However, just like the unending rain, Xiaoxiao’s attempt to return the lost object was also quite troublesome.

    When she was alone with her unruly disciple, Xiaoxiao tried to “return” the inner dan two more times.

    But just like the first time, although their kisses eventually became entangled and passionate, with some practice…Wei Jie always “forgot” to absorb the inner dan.

    This was truly taking advantage of his young master’s inexperience and ignorance!

    After two more attempts, Xiaoxiao saw through Wei Jie’s mischievousness. On the fourth attempt to return the lost object, she first pulled out the “Defying the Heavens” sword and held it against her obedient disciple’s slender, sturdy neck.

    Then Xiaoxiao smiled wryly and said, “The Talisman Sect has no use for defective disciples! If you fail this time, don’t blame your master for resorting to violence, and you won’t need to return it anymore!”

    Wei Jie arched an eyebrow at his master’s merciless sword. Any man would feel uncomfortable hearing the words “fail” accompanied by such a gesture, but seeing his master’s resolute stance of expelling a defective disciple, he did not seem to be joking this time. So he obediently circulated his qi and absorbed the inner dan back.

    In the instant the inner dan left Xiaoxiao’s dantian, she immediately sensed that the demonic bead seemed to have awakened due to the lack of suppression.

    At this moment, her blood was boiling, and even without looking in a mirror, she guessed that her eyes had probably turned a deep crimson again…

    After recovering his inner dan, Wei Jie had no time to stabilize his qi and immediately turned Xiaoxiao around, letting her back face him. Then he channeled his qi to her spiritual palace, helping her suppress her demonic nature together.

    After finally suppressing the demonic nature, Xiaoxiao slowly let out a breath of relief. However, when she looked down at her arms, she felt that the snake scales seemed to have increased again.

    Wei Jie had also noticed. He reassuringly squeezed Xiaoxiao’s shoulder and comforted her, “Don’t worry, we’ll find a way eventually…”

    Xiaoxiao steadied her mind and couldn’t help but look up at Wei Jie. If not for him sacrificing his inner dan to help her suppress the demonic bead’s nature, she would never have known that Wei Jie had already condensed his inner dan.

    That inner dan’s aura was rich and profound, faintly bearing the semblance of a great celestial master of the next generation.

    Xiaoxiao knew that if Wei Jie had joined a renowned master’s sect, his achievements and cultivation would likely be much higher than his current state.

    Unfortunately, he had casually joined her, a mere ninth-rate sect master.

    This was the first time Xiaoxiao felt regret and guilt for Wei Jie’s wasted talent and for having nothing worthwhile to teach him, essentially squandering a promising disciple.

    So this time, she sincerely said, “Wei Jie… there are many talented masters in the world. With your innate gifts, if you joined a renowned master, your cultivation would undoubtedly be better. The Talisman Sect has no rule about lifelong master-disciple bonds. If you encounter another capable master, you can actually take them as your new master. I would not blame you. After all… I haven’t really taught you any skills.”

    Wei Jie looked at Xiaoxiao’s face, slightly blinking his purple eyes, his lips curled in a casual smile, “Who said you haven’t taught me anything?”

    Xiaoxiao struggled to recall, but apart from some basic talisman control techniques, she didn’t seem to have taught him much else.

    Wei Jie leaned closer and said, “You are an upright person who punishes evil and promotes good. By following you, I, a stone from a cesspit, have acquired a touch of fragrance. If I joined one of those so-called orthodox great masters, wouldn’t you just be throwing this stone back into the cesspit?”

    These words hit the mark for Xiaoxiao! She had taken a detour in life, once engaging in street trickery, and felt ashamed after being taught by Tang Youshu.

    Such praise for Xiaoxiao’s uprightness was like praising a beautiful maiden’s exquisite looks, truly sweet words that melted her heart!

    After this, even if Xiaoxiao became demonized, her mood was greatly improved.

    However, after this exchange of mutual admiration between master and disciple, there was still a more pressing matter – Siluan had still not been found.

    Based on the conversation she had overheard between Wan Lianshi and Qin He in the forest, Siluan had entered the city and was nearly captured by Wan Lianshi, but someone had helped her escape.

    Xiaoxiao was very curious about who had helped Siluan and where she was now.

    But this answer was soon revealed.

    As soon as the heavy rain stopped, someone came looking for them.

    The visitor was a guard from the Demon Suppressing Alliance, delivering an invitation from the Alliance’s elderly matriarch for Wei Jie and his masters to join them for a meal by the nearby Qianjiang River.

    Xiaoxiao had a deep impression of the previous meal invitation from the Alliance, so she was not very interested in attending this banquet.

    However, the Alliance matriarch’s invitation was clearly not one to be refused. Seeing the silver-armored guards outside the farmhouse, Xiaoxiao realized there was no way for her to decline.

    Could it be that the Alliance had already learned of her demonization and was now inviting her to a grand banquet to deal with it?

    Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er would also be accompanying them, but the Alliance’s messenger said that the matriarch had only invited the two of them, and no one else was allowed to attend.

    Seeing the guard’s solemn tone, Xiaoxiao became more certain that something was amiss with this banquet.

    The location of Qianjiang had an interesting terrain. On the riverbank stood a mountain with a circular cliff shaped like an umbrella, completely covering a section of the river and blocking out the sunlight year-round.

    Moreover, the sound of the water at this part of the river seemed louder than elsewhere, making it an unsuitable place for drinking and chatting. Xiaoxiao wondered why the Alliance matriarch had chosen this location for the banquet.

    When they arrived at the riverside pavilion, they discovered an exceptionally beautiful woman sitting beside the Alliance’s elderly matriarch.

    This woman was none other than the long-missing Siluan.

    It turned out that when Siluan had returned to Luoyi City, she too had encountered the illusory city. Being from the underworld and not of the human race, her perception of the city was completely different from humans’ – she only sensed an intense, putrid stench permeating everywhere.

    Thus, she avoided it and directly entered the real Luoyi City first. However, when she entered, she realized Wei Jie had not yet arrived in the city.

    Worried that he might mistakenly enter the illusory city, she left again, but by then the mirage had already disappeared. When she returned, she encountered the Ghost Sect’s Wan Lianshi, who was preparing to return to the king’s manor.

    Wan Lianshi’s public identity was the steward of the king’s manor, though he spent most of his time away from the manor.

    He seemed to know everything happening within the manor. Even though Siluan concealed her face with a wide-brimmed hat, he still recognized her.

    The Ghost Sect truly was the nemesis of fox demonesses! Siluan was no match for Wan Lianshi, and her bewitching songs were useless against him.

    Just as she was about to be captured, a fishing net suddenly descended from above, ensnaring Wan Lianshi and allowing Siluan to narrowly escape.

    After that, she dared not enter the city again and lingered around its outskirts. However, when she tried to leave, she found that the Alliance’s people had been waiting for her outside the city all along.

    It turned out that the fishing net had been cast by the Alliance’s elderly matriarch herself, saving Siluan’s life at the critical moment.

    Siluan had privately promised to spend her life with Wei Jie’s father, without the approval of the Alliance elders. It was in a cave behind Mount Qilao that she secretly gave birth to Wei Jie.

    So this Alliance’s daughter-in-law, whose relationship was irregular, felt somewhat awkward when she saw the elderly matriarch. The two women, upon seeing each other, could only recall the shared loss of their beloved.

    It was not a pleasant memory.

    Compared to the initial outrage upon learning that this fox demoness had bewitched Wei Jie’s father, the elderly matriarch’s current attitude towards Siluan could not be called accommodating, but she at least maintained basic courtesy and did not capture or bind the demoness.

    Siluan understood that the Alliance’s hospitality towards her was not out of forgiveness, but for the sake of her son Wei Jie.

    Hence, the two women sat stiffly in silence, listening to the rushing river waters, until Wei Jie and Cui Xiaoxiao’s Talisman Sect group arrived, finally bringing some liveliness to the occasion.

    The Alliance’s elderly matriarch had sharp eyes. As her grandson approached, she slightly raised her nose and sensed something amiss, “Ah Jie, have you recently encountered demon tribes? The scent clinging to you is quite strong, as if you’ve been in close proximity.”

    This intense, lingering odor that could not be dispelled was not from a mere casual encounter, but from constantly staying together.

    Wei Jie raised his eyebrows casually and said, “My master rescued the fox tribe of Mount Tuyun. Since they have temporarily lost their dwelling, they are accompanying my master for the time being.”

    The matriarch’s eyes, hidden in wrinkled folds, flashed briefly before she smiled at Cui Xiaoxiao, “Sect Master Cui, by taking in the fox tribe, your Talisman Sect has grown considerably. Congratulations!”

    Xiaoxiao dared not consume any more food provided by the Alliance, so she was just idly sitting when she heard the matriarch’s words. She hastily smiled in return, “What is there to congratulate? I’ve only added more mouths to feed. Fortunately, they are not all finicky and in need of being provided for. When hungry, they can go hunt for themselves. Otherwise, even if I performed my stone-breaking street performance every day, I would not be able to support them all. Once I find a suitable place, I will let them settle there. My small Talisman Sect cannot accommodate too many people!”

    What nonsense! Just that Yu Ling’er alone was a spendthrift. Sometimes, before Xiaoxiao realized it, her master Tang Youshu would have bought the little fox yet another unnecessary frilly item.

    Xiaoxiao felt pained seeing her master’s silver being spent so freely, but she did not want her young master to have to support such a wasteful little fox!

    The Alliance matriarch did not seem to expect Cui Xiaoxiao’s down-to-earth response, which sounded more like insincere politeness. Thus, she did not mince her words either, “The Mount Tuyun fox tribe are demon tribes that formed a karmic bond with the Goddess Nuwa in ancient times. Naturally, they have inherited many blessings from the ancient deities. Many have exhausted great efforts trying to bring the fox tribe under their control. Now that the tribe is willing to submit to you, yet you are so dismissive… Sect Master Cui, you truly are quite different from others!”

    Hearing this, Xiaoxiao laughed openly and said, “Elderly Matriarch, you need to manage all affairs within the Demon Suppressing Alliance, so naturally you believe that the more assistance, the better, advocating maximum utilization. However, for a free-roaming recluse like myself, as long as my disciples have enough to eat and the seasons remain temperate, I am content to idly pass my days wherever I am. So for people like us, all that matters is ‘destiny’. As for other intentions, I’m too lazy to contemplate them.”

    Her words were sincere, but to the cunning elderly matriarch’s ears, she heard a different implication.

    This young lady was insinuating that the old woman had no matters too trivial to meddle in, and her invitation must hold ulterior motives!

    Upon realizing this, the matriarch’s gaze immediately turned sharp as she smiled at Cui Xiaoxiao, “Unfortunately, there are not many people in this world as free and without desires as Sect Master Cui. Take my Alliance’s disciples for example – from the moment they emerged from the womb, they have shouldered the Alliance’s responsibilities, a burden they cannot avoid…”

    Siluan, who had remained silent beside them, suddenly stood up and coldly addressed the Alliance matriarch, “Madam Wei, it was my fault for forming a private relationship with Jing Ling without the elders’ approval. But Ah Jie left the Alliance at a young age, knowing nothing. He has only been learning skills from his master. His young shoulders are too frail to bear too many burdens!”

    It seemed Siluan, like Xiaoxiao, knew that the Alliance matriarch intended to assign a dangerous task to Wei Jie, which was why she did not want him to accept it.

    The Alliance’s matriarch arched an eyebrow at Siluan, “And what do you think I would make Ah Jie do?”

    Siluan gave a bitter laugh, “Of course, it would be something the Alliance cannot directly confront the imperial Xia family over, so you will have this child stand at the fore and do what the Alliance cannot. But that Prince Can is no ordinary man – his subordinates are all vicious fiends like the Ghost Sect’s Wal Lianshi! At his young age, how could he contend against such evildoers?”

    At this moment, the Alliance’s patriarch, Wei Jing Feng, finally frowned and said, “In front of my mother, what right do you, an outsider from the demon realm, have to speak? Although you gave birth to Wei Jie, do not forget that he bears the Wei surname, not that of your demon kind. He is an adult now – how can we allow him to continue wandering so indolently?”

  • Mistaken Era 49

    Chapter 49

    When the Punishing Sword(“Defying the Heavens” Sword or “Heaven Punisher” Sword) slashed powerfully, Wanlian Master(Wan Lianshi) clearly felt an irresistible piercing aura rushing towards his face. In high-level combat, the victor is often determined when the powerful qi arrives. Wanlian inwardly cried out in distress!

    He did not know what kind of weapon Cui Xiaoxiao wielded, but it carried an overbearing might that could cleave mountains and hills. As a member of the Ghost Sect, he was not skilled in direct close combat and dared not confront her head-on.

    Thus, before the sword even arrived, Wanlian hastily retreated. The Punishing Sword’s deadliest aspect was its sword qi. Despite Wanlian’s swift evasion, the sword’s radiance still slashed across his cheek.

    The Punishing Sword struck like thunder – how could an ordinary person withstand it? Someone like Wanlian, whose hands were stained with fresh blood from countless killings, was instantly struck with excruciating pain to the marrow when hit by the sword qi. The agony caused him to let out a miserable scream as he heavily fell to the ground.

    Knowing the situation was dire, he could not even consider his fellow disciple Qin He. He seized the opportunity to ignite the Armor-Piercing Earth-Escaping Talisman in his hand, transforming into a wisp of blue smoke and vanishing before everyone’s eyes.

    At this moment, Qin Lingxiao also saw his severely injured father Qin He lying on the ground. He rushed over, supported his father, and checked his wounds while angrily asking in a tight voice, “Father, was it that bastard Wei Jie who injured you?”

    It was all due to the passage of too much time that Qin Lingxiao could barely recall some events from two hundred years ago.

    However, upon seeing the wound on his father’s shoulder where sharp claws had pierced through his spirit bones, Qin Lingxiao’s memory suddenly returned!

    In the trajectory from over two hundred years ago, after Wei Jie’s mother passed away and he fled from Luoyi City, it seemed his father had led people to pursue him, only to be injured by Wei Jie himself.

    If he remembered correctly, it was precisely the location of the shoulder blade, and the appearance of the claw marks was very similar. This wound had prevented his father from fully recovering for a long time, delaying his cultivation and also laying the hidden danger for their subsequent annihilation.

    Upon hearing his son’s question, Qin He endured the pain of his shattered spirit bones and tremblingly pointed at Cui Xiaoxiao, saying, “The one who injured me… was her! She has already been demonized. You are no match for her. Let us retreat first!”

    In reality, Qin He’s greatest resentment was not towards Cui Xiaoxiao, but rather towards his senior martial brother Wan Lianshi, who had used him as a shield!

    However, this was not the time for recriminations. His spirit bones needed to be reconnected immediately, or else his cultivation would be ruined in an instant!

    Yet upon hearing these words, Qin Lingxiao was once again greatly shocked – this time, the one who had harmed his father was not Wei Jie, but Cui Xiaoxiao instead?

    Recalling the situation just now, with Xiaoxiao’s disheveled hair and her entire being exuding an indescribable demonic aura, she had clearly become demonized!

    Carefully recollecting, Qin Lingxiao suddenly realized that Cui Xiaoxiao had already taken over and completed the greater part of Wei Jie’s path to demonization.

    At this thought, Qin Lingxiao was both shocked and enraged.

    If it had been Wei Jie who injured his father, then it would naturally be a case of blood debt to be repaid in blood. He would pursue Wei Jie to the ends of the earth and make him pay the price!

    But now, the one who had become demonized was precisely Cui Xiaoxiao!

    Although this woman was full of flaws and stubborn by nature, her essence was not evil, which was vastly different from Wei Jie… Yet just now, she had actually embraced and kissed Wei Jie… Recalling that scene, Qin Lingxiao felt like his heart was about to explode.

    It was clearly Cui Xiaoxiao who had injured his father, yet now he felt an even greater urge to tear Wei Jie apart with his bare hands…

    After Qin He finished speaking, he noticed that his son was still staring blankly at Cui Xiaoxiao, a clear sign that his feelings ran deep. This infuriated him even more!

    He could only call out to his son again. But just as Qin Lingxiao was dazed, Yu Ling’er suddenly threw back her head and let out a long fox howl.

    In an instant, many foxes came running from the surrounding forest.

    It turned out that when Xiaoxiao saw Qin Lingxiao had brought many people from Soaring Cloud Pavilion, she had no intention of prolonging the battle and had Yu Ling’er summon her tribesmen. She quickly helped the fallen Wei Jie up and had him mount one of the enormous fox demons, as big as a mule.

    Then, with the Talisman Sect’s group riding the foxes, they swiftly vanished without a trace, leaving Qin Lingxiao embracing his father in the rain.

    Watching the pair of men and women riding off together on a fox, Qin Lingxiao felt an indescribable surge of blood rushing through his chest. He could only let out an angry low growl towards the direction the Talisman Sect had departed…

    As for Yu Ling’er, she was completely terrified by Cui Xiaoxiao’s earlier demonized state.

    When they reached a safe place, she reverted to human form but dared not approach Cui Xiaoxiao. Instead, she could only tug on Tang Youshu’s robe and ask, “What happened to her just now? Was she… demonized?”

    Tang Youshu’s protective instinct towards his master remained unchanged over the two hundred years. Whether it was his grand-master or master who became demonized, in his eyes, there must have been deep grievances and understandable reasons.

    Thus, he solemnly told Yu Ling’er, “Indiscriminate killing and disregard for humanity – that is what it means to be demonized! My grand-master has merely fallen ill temporarily. She did not kill anyone, at most… at most…”

    At most, she had kissed his master Wei Jie! However, the refined Tang Youshu found it somewhat difficult to voice those words.

    Yu Ling’er then seemed to realize something and hesitantly asked, “You mean… Xiaoxiao has become a lust… demon?”

    Tang Youshu quickly covered Yu Ling’er’s mouth.

    What kind of talk was that? How unbecoming! Even if it were true, it should not be spoken aloud!

    As for Cui Xiaoxiao, she had also mounted the fox’s back earlier, supporting the unconscious Wei Jie as they frantically ran.

    During the journey, Wei Jie seemed to have sensed the jolting and briefly regained consciousness. When he saw Xiaoxiao behind him, he leaned his body heavily against his master’s soft embrace, slightly fluttering his long, curled eyelashes. His purple eyes rippled with a watery glow as he weakly asked, “Master… how are you? Do you remember what happened earlier?”

    Xiaoxiao looked around to ensure there were no pursuers before setting him down from the fox’s back.

    She now naturally understood Wei Jie’s true intention behind initially “kissing” her – her obedient disciple had no choice but to do so in order to nourish her inner dan and suppress her demonic nature.

    However, in her dazed state, believing it was a dream, she had somewhat taken the initiative and forcefully taken advantage of her disciple…

    Just thinking about their entangled lips and mingled breaths at that moment, the lingering sweet fragrance of wine seemed to still linger in her mouth, causing her toes to curl in embarrassment!

    At this very moment, Yu Ling’er’s low murmur of “lust demon” came through, as if she was angrily berating Xiaoxiao, this shameless master…

    Cui Xiaoxiao felt somewhat ashamed as she said, “That… due to the demonic backlash earlier, I don’t remember anything. If there were any improprieties, please do not hold it against me… As your master, I have always treated you like my own child, without any distinction between men and women…”

    “Once a teacher, always a mother.” As a maternal figure to her disciple, it was just barely acceptable for her to kiss her own “son.”

    Unfortunately, this “adopted son” of hers did not seem to see it that way. Upon hearing Cui Xiaoxiao compare him to a child, his originally weakened body slowly straightened up. He calmly looked her up and down and calmly said, “And where exactly do you think I am small?”

    Cui Xiaoxiao inwardly spat. She didn’t know where he was big either! No, why was she even entertaining this conversation?

    There were far more pressing matters at hand!

    Earlier, when battling the Ghost Sect’s Wanlian Master, her spiritual power was insufficient, causing her to be pulled and backlashed into losing consciousness.

    That feeling of losing control over her body was truly terrible.

    As they spoke, she suddenly felt something strange about her arms. She rolled up her sleeves and discovered that the snake scales which had been suppressed after drinking the Spirit Spring were emerging once again, and they seemed even more severe compared to before…

    Xiaoxiao bit her lip and tentatively asked, “Did my demonic nature flare up just now?”

    Wei Jie did not attempt to hide the truth and bluntly stated, “You almost killed me.”

    Xiaoxiao stared at the snake scales on her arms, helplessly covered her face, and let out a sigh…

    Regarding the segment about Wei Jie’s demonization two hundred years ago, her master Tang Youshu had already used a subtle and understated approach in the secret manual. However, he still left behind the line, “When demonization occurs, even familiars will not be recognized.”

    Now, she had inadvertently traversed the greater part of Wei Jie’s path to demonization, only experiencing her first demonization until now. In truth, she had already been quite fortunate.

    However, at present, she indeed should return Wei Jie’s inner dan first. Otherwise, if Wei Jie remained without his inner dan for too long, there was a risk of him being unable to recover it.

    And the demonic bead within her was greedy by nature. If it monopolized and refused to release Wei Jie’s inner dan, wouldn’t the danger be even greater when her demonic nature flared up again in the future?

    It was just the method of returning it…

    When she asked Wei Jie if there was any other way besides mouth-to-mouth transmission, Wei Jie gazed at her with an inscrutable expression for a long while before slowly saying, “I do not know… perhaps disemboweling and emptying the dantian would work…”

    Xiaoxiao immediately shook her head. She still had her youthful prime ahead of her and did not wish to lose her life so early just for the sake of returning something.

    At this moment, Wei Jie sat cross-legged and tapped Xiaoxiao’s hand with his long fingers, saying, “Did you not say that you view me as your own child? If that is the case, what difficulty is there? Go ahead and speak your mind.”

    Xiaoxiao had just deceived him by saying that as master and disciple, they were like mother and son, without any need for propriety between men and women. If she were to now forcefully push away his wandering hand, it would be somewhat contradictory to her words.

    She could only grit her teeth and look at her beloved disciple with a “loving” smile, “What difficulty could there be? Come, let me return your inner dan now!”

    With that, she brought her face closer to his.

    Seeing his master’s urgency, the inner dan-deprived Wei Jie was not in a hurry at all.

    He glanced at the nearby little fox, whose eyes were bulging out like eggs as she eagerly watched the spectacle. He also saw the embarrassed Tang Youshu, who did not know where to look. Then he said, “No rush, you can return it to me later…”

    After all, the Talisman Sect’s banner had not yet fallen, and it would not do to prematurely raise the flag of the Harmonious Union Sect.

    Such an intimate “oral transmission” required a more secluded location.

    Xiaoxiao’s biggest headache at the moment was not the returning of the inner dan. After all, during her demonization earlier, she had already failed to recognize even her closest relatives, so it was unavoidable that she would feel somewhat dejected.

    However, in order to prevent herself from doing anything unforgivable, it would be better to have some contingency measures in place.

    She looked at Wei Jie with tearful eyes and said, “You… don’t happen to have the coffin nail your grandmother gave you, do you?”

    This little rascal was fortunate enough to have narrowly avoided the entire process of demonization and walking the evil path by sheer coincidence. He was now considered a promising young disciple by the Demon Suppressing Alliance.

    But she had the misfortune of treading the path of demonization all the way. If she were to become uncontrollable in the future, his grandmother’s coffin nail might come in handy…

    Wei Jie ignored her words and instead asked, “What else do you find unsatisfactory at the moment?”

    Xiaoxiao frowned. Apart from accepting Wei Jie’s inner dan and the resulting fullness in her dantian, her biggest dissatisfaction at the moment was…

    “Well… I’m really hungry!”

    Yu Ling’er, who had been listening with some tension, couldn’t help but stumble at this.

    However, the little fox had once devoured an entire barbecued chicken leg in the Illusory City, so she had no standing to criticize Cui Xiaoxiao for not getting any food.

    Since the king’s manor had eyes and ears all over the city, they could not enter. However, as they were unable to find Siluan and could not depart either, they decided to stay in a nearby village for the time being.

    Wei Jie had no shortage of silver, and after spending some of his silver ingots, he not only rented a spacious courtyard but also persuaded the farmer’s family to catch chickens and chop geese, resulting in an entire table full of wine and dishes.

    Cui Xiaoxiao ate the stewed chicken with mushrooms and then a full bowl of handmade noodles with egg sauce and shepherd’s purse. Finally, she contentedly flopped down onto the warm kang bed.

    After finishing the home-brewed rice wine, Wei Jie rose to fetch a basin of hot water from the kitchen, telling Xiaoxiao to soak her feet.

    Despite having lost his inner dan and feeling weakened, he still served and attended to her.

    Xiaoxiao felt a sense of guilt, but she was also touched in a way she could not suppress.

    After all, even the usually unrestrained Yu Ling’er now regarded her with a wary expression, occasionally scrutinizing her movements for fear that she might lose control and become demonized again, harming others with a single misstep.

    Yet Wei Jie seemed no different from before, and even more attentive and filial than ever.

    This warmth amidst the cold melted the master’s heart.

    Thus, she did not rush to soak her feet. Instead, she prepared a basin of hot water for Wei Jie to wash his face, heated a towel, and handed it to him, saying, “Since you have lost your inner dan, you must be feeling quite unwell. Sit down and wipe your face. I will return your inner dan to you later…”

    Wei Jie glanced at the hot towel but offered his face instead, saying, “I am indeed feeling rather drained. Why don’t you wipe it for me, Master?”

    Xiaoxiao looked at his handsome face and, after holding back for a while, finally did not push him away. She used the towel to wipe his face.

    When wiping near his lips, there were some dried bloodstains. It was the blood Wei Jie had shed when using his body as a shield to protect Xiaoxiao from the Blood Dragon’s attack…

    As she wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth, Xiaoxiao vaguely recalled something. It seemed that during her dazed and unconscious state, someone had tightly embraced her with their body, continuously calling out her name…

    She became lost in her recollections, her large eyes unblinkingly fixed on Wei Jie’s lips.

    She was unaware that for a man and woman alone together, it was quite bold for her to stare at a man’s lips in such an unguarded manner. She also failed to notice that Wei Jie’s purple eyes were becoming increasingly smoldering…

    By the time Xiaoxiao suddenly realized that the exceptionally handsome face was too close to her own, it seemed somewhat too late.

    His lips carried an intoxicating fragrance of wine as they met hers once again…

    Xiaoxiao was still in a demonized state during the previous inner dan transmission, so she could not recall the process at all.

    But this time, she felt it vividly – the usually casual and unrestrained man was like a fierce beast possessing him, dominating and leaving no room for refusal as he enveloped her in the turbulent waves…

    When this kiss finally ended, Xiaoxiao could hardly catch her breath, feeling a sense of weakness throughout her body. But if the inner dan had just been transmitted, it was understandable to feel so drained, right?

    She leaned against the man’s sturdy embrace, her legs too weak to stand. She did not dare raise her head again, lest Wei Jie see her face flushed red like peach blossoms in March.

    After finally steadying her breathing, she quickly lowered her head to push the man away, then feigned composure and said, “Well… it’s getting late, you just recovered your inner dan, you should go into meditation to stabilize it!”

    The man remained silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, “The inner dan has not been returned yet…”

    “Oh…wh…what?” Xiaoxiao blinked her large eyes, only then understanding the implication of his words. She abruptly raised her head and glared at Wei Jie in anger, “What do you mean by that?”

    Wei Jie innocently blinked his purple eyes, looking upwards as if pondering before saying, “I forgot about needing to recover my inner dan.”

    This time, the egg was firmly lodged in Xiaoxiao’s mouth. She was so angry that her cherry lips parted as she pointed a trembling finger at Wei Jie, “Forgot? Then what exactly were you doing just now?”

    Scoundrel! If it wasn’t for transmitting the inner dan, why did he kiss her for so long?

    No! If it wasn’t for transmitting the inner dan, why did he kiss her at all?

    In her rage, she almost took out the coffin nail given by Wei Jie’s grandmother and nailed this rascal to the door first.

    Wei Jie allowed her to beat and punch him, his thin lips curling into a smile. Then he continued to use Xiaoxiao’s own words to provoke her, “You were staring at me so intently earlier. If I didn’t kiss you, I would have felt disrespectful. Just as you said, as a master, you are like a mother to me, so what need is there to talk about propriety between men and women…”

    Xiaoxiao was so angry that smoke was about to come out of her ears. She forcefully shoved this shameless rascal out with all her might, eventually driving Wei Jie out of the inner room.

    When Xiaoxiao was alone, she finally flopped down angrily on the bed, picking up a pillow to see if she could smother herself with it.

    The person had been driven out, but the strange feeling of their entangled lips could not be driven from her mind…

    Xiaoxiao was extremely flustered – it seemed she had inadvertently done something improper with Wei Jie.

    But the two of them were people separated by two hundred years, who were never meant to meet, let alone have any tangled romantic feelings.

    At this moment, Xiaoxiao decided to see if her sect had any mind-cleansing talismans. If need be, she would cast one and forget all these messy feelings first.

    After finally calming down and soaking her feet, Xiaoxiao was about to take the water basin out of the room when she noticed Wei Jie reading a sheet of paper by the lamp in the outer room…

    At first, Xiaoxiao did not want to bother with him. But then she felt the paper in his hand looked somewhat familiar, so she craned her neck to take a look. When she realized it was the letter she had previously asked Tang Youshu to deliver, she hurriedly put on her shoes to try to snatch it back, but it was too late!

    Oh no, after leaving the Illusory City, how could she have forgotten about this matter? She had even forgotten to retrieve the letter.

    With Wei Jie’s tall stature, he held the letter up high as he squinted his eyes and read, “After this parting, I hope you can take care of yourself. Although your nature is not evil, you are like a cesspit stone – whoever slights you, you will immediately fly into a rage and splash them with hot broth. Conducting yourself this way may provide temporary satisfaction, but you will needlessly offend countless people. Know that when the wall falls, everyone will push it down. You must not offend others recklessly, lest you find yourself isolated with no aid when you reach your wits’ end, abandoned by all. Also, you must not think that just because you have outstanding looks, you can go around toying with young ladies’ hearts. Who knows if you will one day become as ugly as a snake? In any case, our master-disciple destiny has ended. Take care of yourself and do not sully the name of my Talisman Sect by walking the path of demons and evil…”

    Wei Jie had a faint smile initially, but as he read on, the smile on his face gradually faded. Finally, he put down the letter expressionlessly, looked down at Xiaoxiao’s forcedly composed face, and arched an eyebrow, “Were you cursing me?”

    Xiaoxiao thought to herself: Those were words of heartfelt advice from a master, but how many unworthy disciples could understand the pain in her heart?

    However, at this moment, she had just experienced a demonic outburst. Looking back at the letter scolding Wei Jie for not walking the “path of demons and evil”, it seemed like the pot calling the kettle black…

    Disciple, you are too unaccomplished! Your master has already taken the first step into demonization before you.

    Seeing Wei Jie turn to leave without a word, Xiaoxiao suddenly felt a twinge of guilt.

    Throughout his life until now, his words and actions had been unremarkable, and his temperament was actually quite mild. When she was in danger, he had wholeheartedly devoted himself, even giving her his inner dan.

    Yet for such devotion, he was berated and scolded by his master without rhyme or reason. How could his heart not be hurt?

    Xiaoxiao could no longer remain cold towards him. She could only tug on his robe sleeve, “Hey, what did I say that was wrong? Why are you getting all huffy and trying to leave again? With that foul temper of yours, shouldn’t you… try to improve it a bit?”

    But this unruly disciple became more defiant the more she spoke, constantly trying to shake off her hand. Xiaoxiao ended up embracing his waist and said, “Alright, alright, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have written that letter, isn’t that enough? It’s so dark out, who knows if there are people from the Prince Can Manor or Ghost Sect around this village. You’ve lost your inner dan and are weakened, where could you go?”

    Wei Jie allowed Xiaoxiao to tightly embrace his waist for a long while without speaking. Only after enjoying the supple warmth in his arms for long enough did he look at his master, who stubbornly refused to let go, and slowly said, “Where could I go? Of course, to fetch another basin of water for you! Look, you’ve already soaked your feet enough.”

    Xiaoxiao looked down and indeed, her earlier agitation had caused her to kick off her shoes, and her bare feet were directly on the ground.

    At this moment, Wei Jie suddenly picked Xiaoxiao up and carried her back to the bed in the inner room. Then he playfully flicked her nose and said, “Wait here!”

    Xiaoxiao was dazed by his indulgent actions and could only watch as the tall man, with a faint smile on his face, carried the basin out in big strides.

    Scoundrel, she was his master, yet he treated her in such an impudent manner!

    It was at this moment that Yu Ling’er, who had been avoiding her, took the opportunity to come in. As usual, she first confirmed that Xiaoxiao was of sound mind before hurriedly approaching and whispering, “So, what are your plans going forward?”

    Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment before honestly replying, “I don’t know… and I may become demonized again. If you’re afraid, you can take the tribe and leave first.”

    However, Yu Ling’er shook her head, “My mother said that you are a benefactor of the fox tribe. How could the fox tribe abandon you in times of danger? Moreover, my mother is worried that the Demon Suppressing Alliance might pressure Wei Jie into subduing you. With us here, at the very least we can protect your life.”

    The fox tribe truly valued gratitude and righteousness! The old Fox King’s considerations were indeed thorough.

    So she brought over a basin of freshly washed red dates from the table to share with Yu Ling’er.

    The days two hundred years ago had truly become increasingly bitter. She would have to eat some sweet foods to endure it.

  • Mistaken Era 48

    Chapter 48

    Qin He’s following words only served to confirm Wei Jie’s speculation: “Senior Martial Brother, how could you so recklessly appear before the Four Great Sects? What if someone recognized you? Wouldn’t that have jeopardized everything?”

    The white-haired man let out a sinister chuckle. “The Four Great Sects? A pack of impostors stealing undeserved renown. Of those who witnessed me back then, who remains alive? Regrettably, I was schemed against and momentarily lost control, descending into demonic ways which resulted in this head of white hair. For as long as I live, I, Wan Lianshi, vow to have my vengeance!”

    At that moment, a fine drizzle began to fall from the sky.

    As the raindrops landed on Xiao Xiao’s head, she felt a surge of dread. Oh no!

    Although the invisibility talisman could conceal their forms and auras, this sudden downpour would surely expose their trail.

    She could only hope these two men did not look up, perhaps remaining undetected.

    Unfortunately, ill fortune prevailed over her hopes.

    As the drizzle intensified into a steady rain, Wan Lianshi narrowed his eyes before abruptly turning to glare towards the large tree where Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie were hiding.

    Xiao Xiao inwardly cursed as she looked down to see the cinnabar ink concealment talisman she had drawn was already blurred by the rain, its effects failing as their forms emerged into view.

    This white-haired man had evidently sensed their leaking auras, immediately scanning to locate them.

    The instant his gaze fell upon the master and disciple in the tree branches, two talismans materialized and flew from his hands.

    Unlike the Lingshan Talisman Sect’s paper talismans, the ones wielded by this white-haired Ghost Sect cultivator were fashioned from human skin or exotic beast hides.

    Such talismans were typically imbued with resentful spirits, so as they soared forth, Xiao Xiao’s nostrils filled with a nauseating, cloying stench of blood, as if submerged within an ocean of gore.

    Moreover, these two talismans seemed to share functional principles with the water-guiding talismans of her own sect.

    As the talismans ascended, they began absorbing the surrounding raindrops, coalescing the streams into two ferocious blood-red dragons that lunged towards them with piercing draconic shrieks that chilled the soul.

    With no time to ponder, Xiao Xiao instinctively manifested a water barrier in an attempt to block the onslaught of the two blood dragons.

    However, the kind of water shield that could normally deflect blades proved as flimsy as a curtain, instantly shattered by the rampaging blood dragons.

    Fortunately, Wei Jie swiftly erected a qi shield, barely deflecting the entwined blood dragons’ onslaught laced with yin energy, buying Xiao Xiao a brief reprieve.

    She had always remained oblivious to the true depths of this disciple’s cultivation progress. But merely observing him wield the qi shield to withstand Ghost Sect Grandmaster Wan Lianshi’s assault proved his recent advancements were far from trivial.

    While Wei Jie clashed against the white-haired man, Xiao Xiao hastily retrieved two more water-guiding talismans from her pocket satchel, silently reciting the incantations to attempt controlling the blood dragons and dispersing them back into rain droplets.

    The path of talismans relied on channeling one’s utmost spiritual force through symbolic inscriptions as a medium.

    Just as invisibility talismans required the wearer’s focused spiritual energy to manifest their effects, affixing them to someone lacking such profound insights like Tang Youshu or Yu Ling’er would render them as useless as scraps of paper.

    In contrast, the talismans wielded by this white-robed man represented a deviant, demonic path – inscribed onto beast hides or human skin, maximizing and amplifying spiritual force.

    Moreover, this man was clearly a veteran steeped in the talisman arts for many years. When it came to manipulating symbolic inscriptions, his command far exceeded Cui Xiao Xiao’s relatively nascent skills despite her ardent practice these past few months.

    As Xiao Xiao unleashed her water-guiding talismans to wrest control of the blood dragons, she could palpably sense her spiritual force being viciously constricted the moment the yellow paper talismans adhered to the blood constructs. For an instant, her vision whited out, and her soul seemed to be wrenched from its corporeal vessel, consciousness obliterated.

    Such was the terrifying consequence of crossing streams with an unfathomably profound master of the talisman path.

    Attempting to hijack another’s talisman constructs without sufficient spiritual force would invariably invite catastrophic backlash.

    Her modest master Tang Youshu exemplified a life of cultivating harmonious inner stillness, only occasionally subduing minor demonic beasts. He had never before crossed streams with fellow talisman cultivators in all his ramblings.

    That lengthy, rambling secret text chronicling his life’s insights had sorely lacked any caution about never recklessly engaging in talisman duels.

    Now Xiao Xiao was using her own blood and tears to compensate for this deficient experience within the sect’s teachings.

    In that blank, sightless instant, she felt her every pore pierced by needles as her consciousness unraveled, a sinister force seizing the opportunity to usurp control over her corporeal vessel…

    Just before losing consciousness entirely, Xiao Xiao could only murmur a faint “Oh no…” before freezing as if struck by a body-binding spell.

    However, this intruding force had clearly underestimated that there was another uninvited tenant already residing within Xiao Xiao’s body.

    The moment her soul faltered, the slumbering demon bead within, no longer suppressed by her spiritual dominance, instantly reawakened…

    As Wei Jie sensed his qi shield on the verge of shattering, he spun around intending to call for Xiao Xiao to flee first.

    But the sight that met his gaze caused him to freeze – the young lady behind him stood motionless, those once bright eyes now brimming with a bloody crimson hue!

    “Xiao Xiao!” In his desperation, he didn’t even address her as his master, directly calling out her name.

    Yet Cui Xiao Xiao seemed deaf to his cries, staring blankly ahead towards the white-haired Wan Lianshi.

    Having effortlessly deflected Xiao Xiao’s fumbling attempt to hijack his blood dragon constructs, the sodden yellow paper talismans that had adhered to them now lay crumpled in Wan Lianshi’s hand.

    After examining the talismans Xiao Xiao had drawn, he could not help but burst into raucous laughter, his body convulsing violently. “You dare emulate the Ghost Sect’s talisman arts without measuring your own insignificance? What a pity – a mere aping of superficial forms. You insolent brat! Trying to wrestle control of my blood dragons? Courting death! In that case, I still require a fresh hide to inscribe a new talisman set. Your tender flesh and delicate skin will prove most fitting material!”

    As he spoke, his hands moved as if manipulating a marionette’s strings, motioning brusquely as he commanded the soulless Xiao Xiao to approach.

    Xiao Xiao’s legs began woodenly carrying her forward in response to the white-robed man’s beckoning gestures…

    Seeing this, Wei Jie could only shout Xiao Xiao’s name again in desperation.

    He wanted to rush over and pull her back, but the qi shield he controlled was barely fending off the relentless assaults of the two blood dragons.

    If he abandoned the qi shield to grab Xiao Xiao, those blood dragons could pierce right through them like human dreidels.

    As Xiao Xiao neared the white-haired man’s grasp, Wei Jie steeled his resolve. In an instant, he affixed the qi shield to his back.

    He then lunged towards Xiao Xiao, obstructing her path with his body while using his shielded back to deflect the yin-laced blood dragons’ ferocious strikes.

    The thunderous blows rained down, each demonic impact penetrating the thin qi shield to batter Wei Jie’s back, until he could no longer restrain a spray of fresh blood from his lips.

    This blood spattered across Xiao Xiao’s face.

    If it had been anyone else’s blood, it might not have mattered. But Wei Jie was the original host of the demon bead residing within Xiao Xiao’s body!

    The moment his blood entered her mouth, it was as if the demon bead had consumed an elixir – Xiao Xiao’s demonic nature instantly flared out of control.

    The once gentle-featured young lady slowly extended her tongue to lap up the crimson droplets, her eyes burning an even deeper bloody crimson hue.

    Amidst the pouring rain, Xiao Xiao’s formerly bound tresses suddenly loosened, radiating an eerie glow as her waist-length hair rapidly multiplied in length, innumerable ethereal strands undulating like spectral tails in the wind.

    Wei Jie called out in a low voice once more, “Cui Xiao Xiao! You must control yourself, don’t let the demon…”

    Before he could finish, the demonically possessed girl let out a shrill, piercing wail before violently shoving Wei Jie away, flinging him against a nearby tree trunk.

    Her body levitated into the air, that formerly innocent cherubic face now twisted into a cruel, demonic smirk as her crimson eyes bored into the white-haired Ghost Sect cultivator who had attempted to manipulate her.

    Both Qin He and Wan Lianshi were stunned by the girl’s abrupt transformation.

    Wan Lianshi’s eyes bulged in astonishment as he gazed upwards, muttering in disbelief, “How…how could her demonic nature be so potent?”

    Yet in the next instant, his expression morphed into rapturous glee.

    Members of the Ghost Sect were known obsessive collectors, coveting the hides and remains of extraordinary beings and beasts to inscribe into talismans – the more formidable the source, the more powerful the resulting talisman artifact.

    The most profoundly cultivated experts made the finest materials for talisman inscription. In past years, Wan Lianshi had schemed to eliminate many of the great cultivators from the Four Sects right before their ascension, harvesting their remains for his talisman crafting.

    But he had never encountered a young woman possessing such staggering demonic potency before. At that moment, he itched to slay her immediately so he could harvest her corporeal materials for his talisman crafting.

    He attempted to regain control over Cui Xiao Xiao’s movements, manipulating her like a marionette once more.

    As Wan Lianshi slowly raised his hands, the levitating girl’s slender arms also rose woodenly, as if transformed into a lifeless puppet.

    Just as a triumphant smile crept across Wan Lianshi’s face, assured of his imminent victory, Xiao Xiao’s delicate fingers abruptly sprouted elongated black talons, her entire being radiating demonic malice. She then shot forward like an arrow, pouncing towards the white-haired Ghost Sect cultivator.

    “No! This woman has actually broken free of my control!”

    By the time Wan Lianshi realized what was happening, he no longer had the opportunity to redirect his blood dragon constructs against Wei Jie.

    Hastily retrieving three beast-hide talismans, he hastily recited an incantation before flinging them towards the two blood dragons.

    In that instant, the two dragons merged into one even more gargantuan, monstrous form, lunging directly to intercept the demonically possessed Cui Xiao Xiao.

    Unfortunately, his opponent was no mere inexperienced Talisman Sect novice, but a demon who had fully embraced her innate nature.

    With a piercing screech, Xiao Xiao shattered the blood dragon construct with a sweeping gesture, the raging torrent of bloody deluge raining down in a crimson downpour.

    In the next moment, Xiao Xiao’s taloned claws were already lashing towards Wan Lianshi’s throat!

    Fortunately, Qin He swiftly summoned a qi sword to stab towards the demon girl, allowing his senior martial brother to narrowly evade death.

    Thus began the chaotic clash between the demonic Xiao Xiao and the Ghost Sect master.

    Most terrifyingly, the years of diligent cultivation by these two veteran experts could barely withstand the onslaught of the demonically possessed girl’s relentless claw strikes.

    Clearly, Wan Lianshi’s earlier attempt to manipulate her had severely provoked Xiao Xiao’s wrath, her every vicious attack aimed squarely at the Ghost Sect grandmaster himself.

    Wan Lianshi, having become the sole focus of her ire, was seething with fury in turn.

    He knew that if this dragged on, he might not be able to endure much longer. Although profound in its esoteric principles, the path of talismans still paled in direct combat speed compared to the sword arts and martial disciplines.

    Without opportunities to inscribe and unleash talisman spellcrafting, he would be overwhelmed by brute force.

    Grinding his teeth, Wan Lianshi decided on a despicable ploy – abruptly shoving his own disciple Qin He into Xiao Xiao’s path of attack.

    Unable to arrest his forward momentum, Qin He was forcibly placed between the demonic girl and his senior martial brother. Struggling to fend off her fierce onslaught, his collarbone was seized in her grip, black talons piercing through his shoulder like bestial hunting claws, eliciting shrill screams of anguish from Qin He.

    By sacrificing his disciple as a blockade, the white-haired grandmaster bought a brief window to launch his counterattack!

    He had already retrieved a blood-red talisman, preparing to affix it directly onto Xiao Xiao’s brow in a bid to suppress her.

    This small crimson talisman had been meticulously refined from the heart’s blood of the three demonic beasts Wei Di had originally unleashed from the underworld all those years ago. Regardless of human or demon, having this talisman affixed would instantly seal away one’s spiritual roots, albeit only temporarily.

    But a mere moment would suffice!

    “Apologies, my disciple, but I must allow you to suffer a bit longer to stall this demoness…”

    Unfortunately, just as he was about to slap the blood talisman onto Xiao Xiao’s forehead, it seemed she was pulled back by some unseen force, breaking free from Qin He to plummet back towards the ground.

    The true culprit was none other than Wei Jie, who had finally suppressed his coughing fit to glare resolutely at the increasingly frenzied young lady.

    As a descendant of the demon-subjugating Wei Family, he could naturally discern that Xiao Xiao had fallen into demonic possession.

    Although these devious Ghost Sect master and disciple deserved no sympathy, if he allowed Xiao Xiao to continue battling in this state, fully awakening to the intoxication of slaughter, then his dear, innocent master might never be able to return…

    Reaching this grim realization, Wei Jie made a daring decision. He immediately unfurled the silvery whip coiled at his waist, lashing it towards Xiao Xiao’s ankles to pull her back to him.

    In her demonic frenzy, Xiao Xiao seemed to no longer recognize him, turning her taloned fury upon Wei Jie for restricting her movements.

    Unable to evade in time, Wei Jie’s handsome visage was raked by her claws, droplets of fresh blood spattering forth.

    Yet despite this, he refused to release his grip on the whip’s handle.

    This whip bore the Wei Family’s demon-subjugating silver artifacts, possessing the ability to subdue and weaken demonic entities. However, even after ensnaring the demonically possessed Xiao Xiao, it seemed to have no effect in restraining her.

    Instead, she turned an ominous, sinister glare upon Wei Jie, those slender black talons beginning to gather demonic energies as if preparing to tear apart the one who dared restrict her freedom.

    It was at this pivotal moment that Wan Lianshi seized the opportunity while Wei Jie was restraining Xiao Xiao’s ankles. Withdrawing twobone knives fashioned from the putrid corpse dragons of the underworld, he struck towards Xiao Xiao’s unprotected back.

    These vile blades, once drawing blood, would cause the victim’s wounds to fester and rot, capable of devouring even heavenly immortals with their corrosive toxins.

    Though focused on Xiao Xiao, Wei Jie clearly witnessed the white-haired Ghost Sect grandmaster’s treacherous maneuver from the corner of his eye.

    If he evaded Xiao Xiao’s clawed strikes, it would leave her directly impaled by those poisonous knives. Making a split-second decision, Wei Jie swiftly shifted his qi shield behind Xiao Xiao’s back to intercept the incoming blades.

    As for himself, he simply allowed the demonically maddened Xiao Xiao to lunge forward, her talons seizing his throat…

    Observing Wei Jie willingly put himself in harm’s way to protect Xiao Xiao, Wan Lianshi could not help but sneer derisively.

    This youth had somehow learned the Ebony Peak Sect’s signature qi shielding technique and utilized it with passable skill.

    But no matter how pinnacle the Four Great Sects’ skills were refined, they inevitably reached a bottleneck, incapable of further elevation.

    As for this brat, he actually refused to evade, seemingly content to be strangled to death by his own master…

    Wan Lianshi need do nothing, merely waiting for Wei Jie to be strangled lifeless. Once he expired, his qi shield would naturally collapse.

    However, at that very moment, Wei Jie suddenly leaned forward, his lips meeting Xiao Xiao’s in a deep, forceful kiss as he allowed her hands to tighten around his throat, unflinchingly…

    For an instant, the falling raindrops pattered against rustling leaves in seeming disarray, the very forest itself unsure where their turbulent energies would ultimately flow…

    This was swiftly followed by hurried footsteps and the sounds of trailing garments drawing ever nearer.

    It turned out Qin He’s anguished screams had alerted the Soaring Cloud disciples stationed outside the forest grove, who now rushed towards the commotion.

    They arrived just in time to witness the unbelievable spectacle of a lithe, bewitching young maiden with wildly disheveled tresses, radiating demonic malevolence, being passionately embraced and kissed mid-air by a handsome young man.

    Trailing just behind these gobsmacked disciples were the newly returned Qin Lingxiao, as well as Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er…

    As for Qin Lingxiao, after bidding farewell to his father, he had been making his way back to Soaring Cloud Pavilion when he happened to encounter Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er seeking him.

    It turned out Tang Youshu, still concerned for his master and grand-master’s safety, had been searching for them, with Yu Ling’er tagging along. By chance, they crossed paths with Qin Lingxiao.

    Upon seeing the Young Master, the little fox maiden immediately transformed into a canine form, circling and fawning around him.

    When Qin Lingxiao questioned their presence in this area, Tang Youshu had no opportunity to silence Yu Ling’er before she blurted out that Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie were tailing his father.

    Startled by this news, Qin Lingxiao immediately turned back to locate his father.

    Of course, he did not believe Yu Ling’er’s nonsense about his father colluding with Prince Can. However, given the rapidly evolving circumstances, Qin Lingxiao suddenly realized that aside from the potential threat posed by Wei Jie, he also needed to be wary of Prince Can, a figure who had remained obscured until this current life. Fearing his father might be placed in jeopardy, he hastened to join them.

    As for Yu Ling’er, it was only after speaking those words that she realized her tactless blunder in divulging matters that should have remained discreet.

    Tang Youshu frantically rapped her head in reprimand, but she did not dare evade, merely rushing to catch up with him lest they miss something of grave importance involving Cui Xiao Xiao and the others.

    By the time they finally reached the forest grove, they had already heard Qin He’s anguished cries echoing from within.

    Upon bursting into the grove amidst the teeming disciples, they bore witness to this astonishing scene playing out.

    Seeing the intimate mid-air embrace, Qin Lingxiao’s first thought was whether he had somehow stumbled into another illusory realm, beholding the passionate dalliance of spectral avatars.

    As for Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er, they could only gape slack-jawed, feeling as if a chicken’s egg could easily fit into their open mouths as they numbly wondered if their Talisman Sect had secretly converted into a Passion Sect!

    Of course, they remained unaware that Wei Jie’s bold actions had been an act of sheer desperation.

    He understood that the reason Xiao Xiao’s demonic nature had erupted so violently was due to the demon bead within her body reawakening as a result of her failed talisman duel against Wan Lianshi.

    Thus, in this dire crisis, Wei Jie had made the audacious gambit of orally imparting his own nascent inner dan directly into Xiao Xiao’s body.

    In this life, Wei Jie had never strayed onto the demonic path, forging his inner spiritual pearl through the yang-natured restorative waters of Fox Mountain Spring.

    With his extraordinary innate gifts, Wei Jie’s inner dan had actually formed far more rapidly than Cui Xiao Xiao’s own efforts.

    As his inner dan entered Xiao Xiao’s mouth, its abundant yang energies instantly overwhelmed her faltering consciousness, suppressing the rampant demonic nature within.

    In that instant when Wei Jie’s inner dan descended into her dantian, Xiao Xiao felt an invigorating spiritual wellspring surge forth, as if being wrenched from a pitch-black, suffocating quagmire to finally re-emerge into lucidity.

    Yet the lingering warmth upon her lips left her with a sense of disoriented haziness, feeling as if trapped within a dream.

    After all, when gazing upon such an exquisitely handsome visage day after day, having the occasional lascivious reverie of him smiling alluringly while nestling her close was only natural.

    There had even been a few instances where she dreamed of Wei Jie’s eyes smoldering with desire as he leaned in, whispering provocatively, “Does your disciple not please your eyes, Master? Why do you avert your gaze?”

    Reminiscent of that moonlit rooftop encounter when their faces had drawn so intimately close… If not for Yu Ling’er’s untimely intrusion, who knows what impropriety might have transpired between master and disciple.

    But if this truly was a dream, then she need not restrain any indecorous behavior, merely burying her abashed blushes into her pillow upon waking.

    Temporarily muddled, Xiao Xiao mistook this for one of her waking reveries, feeling the warmth and lingering tang of the wines he habitually favored upon those softly parted lips…

    Losing herself to this presumed dreamscape, she instinctively twined her arms around the back of his head, drawing him nearer…

    It was only when she noticed the dazed, widened eyes of the young man before her that she faltered in bewilderment.

    If this was indeed one of her imagined trysts, with him as the instigator, why did he now appear so startled? This loss of composure severely lacked credibility!

    Then, another low, thunderous bellow rang out – “What…are you two doing?!”

    At those words, Xiao Xiao startled back into full wakefulness, turning to behold the round, bulging eyes of Qin Lingxiao on the ground, and the equally dumbstruck, gaping expressions of Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er.

    When had they also entered this dreamscape? This had never occurred in her previous visions before…

    Feeling the cold raindrops spattering her face, Xiao Xiao was jolted into complete awareness, finally noticing Qin He lying in a bloodied heap behind her, as well as the white-haired Wan Lianshi…

    Utterly awake and lucid, Xiao Xiao abruptly shoved Wei Jie away from her embrace.

    Having already imparted his inner dan into Xiao Xiao, Wei Jie’s depleted spiritual roots faltered from this forceful repulsion, causing him to tumble heavily to the ground.

    His qi shield also dissipated, leaving Xiao Xiao’s unprotected back once more exposed to Wan Lianshi’s descending bone knives.

    Yet in that perilous instant, Wei Jie’s nascent inner dan took control of Xiao Xiao’s body, instinctively conjuring a defensive reaction.

    Her disheveled tresses whipped about as her lithe arms arced, rapidly manifesting another qi shield to deflect those lethal poisoned blades. Simultaneously, she summoned the “Defying the Heavens” sword, launching a counterattack towards Wan Lianshi.

    If they had resorted to an all-out talisman battle, Xiao Xiao would surely be outmatched against the Ghost Sect’s grandmaster – a reckless fledgling daring to challenge a venerable ancestor, hopelessly ignorant of the vast gulf between them.

    However, with Wei Jie’s yang-infused inner dan now residing within her, its potent energies perfectly complemented the intrinsic heaven-punishing powers of the “Defying the Heavens” spirit sword.

    It was as if the sword had finally reunited with its true master, its might instantly amplified several fold.

  • Mistaken Era 47

    Chapter 47 

    To be fair, the steward was not wrong – the ancestors of the Wei Family did share a deep connection with the founding emperor of the Da Qi empire.

    Unless under exceptional circumstances, the Wei Family was unwilling to openly clash with members of the imperial Xia lineage.

    However, Wei Jingfeng’s primary concern was the stolen life records remnant, so he stated, “I don’t know if he left anything else behind in this manor that could be returned to my Wei Family?”

    The black-mole steward smiled thinly without mirth. “When he initially sought refuge with our lord, bringing only his daughter, they possessed nothing but the tattered rags on their backs. May I ask what specific item you are referring to? Please clarify.”

    Wei Jingfeng could not clarify, for this matter involved profound secrets. Since the steward adamantly denied it, and they could not force entry into the manor, it would be wiser to first inform the matriarch and consult her on the appropriate response.

    Realizing this, Wei Jingfeng silently drew the sickle-like demon-subduing halberd from his waist. Before the assembled Four Great Sects, he swung the blade to sever Wei Di’s head from the corpse, intending to depart with the Wei Family retinue while carrying the severed head.

    However, the Four Great Sects had suffered catastrophic losses, their resentment undiminished and unable to directly strike at Prince Can’s manor, leaving them no outlet for this pent-up fury.

    It was at this moment that the respected Sect Master Qin He, seated in his carrying chair, spoke in a feeble voice, “This Wei Di possessed such formidable abilities… If you had informed us earlier, Wei Family Patriarch, perhaps the voodoo worm tragedy could have been averted…”

    Indeed, this Wei Di was a fugitive who had escaped from the Wei Family. His traitorous actions had brought calamity to the cultivation world, so the demon-subduing Wei Family also bore responsibility for nurturing this hidden threat.

    The simmering resentment finally found a target to vent upon – a torrent of virulent abuse descended upon the Wei Family.

    Acerbic disciples from the Four Great Sects began berating the Wei Family, accusing them of nurturing this menace that catalyzed this disastrous turn of events.

    The Wei Family’s covert, inscrutable intentions meant they had failed to promptly expose Wei Di to the world, purposely intending to weaken the Four Great Sects before replacing them entirely.

    Amidst this barrage of denunciations and curses, even the esteemed sect masters and elders refrained from intervening, evidently venting their bitter grievances upon the very Wei Family whose aid had purged the voodoo worms, ungratefully discarding that profound debt.

    The tongue-tied Wei Jingfeng made no attempt to argue with these superficial people.

    However, the twin Wei Family maidens following behind their father strode forward, glaring with vacant eyes as they gripped crude coffin nails, conjuring spectral hammers to fiercely strike the ground before the abusive disciples.

    Instantaneously, the cracking fissures emanated anguished wails of the underworld, startling those shallow-rooted disciples, their spiritual roots severed as they froze in horror, eyes glazed over as if confronting death itself.

    This immediately reminded them of the formidable abilities these twin maidens had demonstrated back at Mount Qilao.

    Sensing his disciples’ imminent embarrassment, a leading elder hastily pressed his palm against their backs, channeling spiritual energy to steady their disoriented souls.

    It was then that the younger twin sister finally revealed a mocking smile, enunciating each word as she addressed those who had slandered the Wei Family, “If the Wei Family wished your demise, we would hardly resort to such convoluted methods. You fools, are you not aware – when the Underworld Sovereign demands your life, would any reprieve remain until the final watches of night?”

    Such scheming intrigues and deceptions were beneath the disdain of the Wei Family.

    If not for their solemn duty of guarding the underworld, the Wei Family’s truly capable experts could not so easily depart from their mountain, allowing these arrogant upstarts from the secular world to indulge in such baseless calumnies.

    The Wei Family strove to avoid excessive mundane entanglements, their ancestors warning against not only unauthorized departures from Mount Qilao, but also embroilment in the conflicts of imperial powers.

    As keepers of the underworld, they must remain aloof from the secular realm. Having dealt with this traitorous matter, they had no need to involve themselves further with the imperial nobility.

    The Wei Family had arrived swiftly and now departed just as rapidly, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye with the severed head in tow.

    The remaining members of the Four Great Sects exchanged bewildered glances, surrounding the decapitated corpse, uncertain how to conclude this debacle.

    If this had merely been a case of Prince Can’s private guest committing unsanctioned misdeeds by clandestinely dabbling in demonic arts, then the indulgent prince’s professed ignorance would be understandable.

    But what if he had truly directed Wei Di’s actions?

    Seeing the Four Great Sects’ stubborn refusal to disperse, Qin He spoke up again, punctuating his words with intermittent coughs. “Fellow cultivators, please do not forget the solemn covenant our Da Qi imperial ancestors forged with the celestials of the nine heavens aeons ago. The celestials vowed to bless the Da Qi imperial lineage with longevity, allowing them to reach their natural lifespans without untimely demise. This is why over the past two centuries, the imperial household has been spared from youthful, unnatural deaths or sudden, violent ends – a divine favor bestowed upon the Xia clan by the celestials themselves. Although Prince Can was misguided in failing to discern loyalty from treachery, since he has now awoken to the truth, is it not better late than never to make amends? Otherwise, who among you would be willing to incur a celestial breach and provoke the covenant by tormenting the imperial lineage?”

    Qin He spoke truthfully – the celestials had indeed graced the Da Qi’s Xia clan with a mandate of divine protection, a key reason for their empire’s enduring three centuries of prosperity.

    His words rendered the assemblage silent.

    That black-mole, gray-haired steward then let out a derisive laugh before cupping his hands in mocking salute and arrogantly turning to depart, not even bothering to close the manor gates behind him – a blatant display of disdainful impunity, openly inviting them to come and go as they pleased.

    Qin He’s statement had compelled the Four Great Sects to begin inwardly calculating and reconsidering: although an indolent prince, Prince Can was nonetheless a legitimate scion of the imperial bloodline. The imperial clan undoubtedly possessed divine covenants – any who dared harm an imperial descendant would surely incur karmic retribution from these sacred pacts.

    Such was the privileged blessing bestowed upon celestial scions!

    For now, the prince had extended a concession by surrendering the traitorous Wei Family kinsman. If they persisted in clinging to resentment, it would be all too easy for word to spread portraying the Four Great Sects as secular cultivators oppressing an imperial prince.

    Moreover, if they inadvertently caused Prince Can’s demise, the sin of taking a life would pale in comparison to potentially invoking a divine covenant that could obliterate a century’s cultivation attainments, extinguishing all hopes of immortality.

    The pragmatic Elder of Ebony Peak had always been an opportunistic survivor. Once he grasped this notion, he swiftly pivoted with an oily smile, “Since we have compelled Prince Can’s awakening, allowing him to purge the treacherous elements from his midst, our painstaking efforts have not been in vain.”

    In the end, after a final barrage of parting threats, the assembled experts dispersed like startled beasts, all hastily abandoning the manor’s entrance.

    As the city guards withdrew and the streets became deserted once more, that gray-haired steward reappeared at the gates.

    Surveying the area, he asked the attendant beside him, “Among those cultivators earlier, did you notice that master-disciple pair Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie whom our lord mentioned?”

    This attendant was one of Prince Can’s closest personal servants. Upon hearing the steward’s inquiry, he promptly replied, “No sign of that master and disciple, only members of the Four Great Sects and Wei Family.”

    Hearing this, the gray-haired man narrowed his eyes, muttering to himself, “They did not appear? They certainly know how to bide their time…”

    After speaking, he turned to reenter the manor but suddenly glanced towards the large tree where Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie were concealed.

    Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie simultaneously closed their eyes, concentrating to elevate their spiritual force projected onto the concealment talismans to the highest level.

    Xiao Xiao’s invisibility talisman functioned admirably, not only cloaking their physical forms but also masking their auras completely. Hence, neither the Four Great Sects nor the Wei Family had detected their presence earlier.

    However, this black-mole steward’s perception was clearly sharper than those renowned experts, actually sensing their hiding spot.

    With their eyes closed and senses sealed to maximize the talisman’s effects, Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie remained unnoticed as the gray-haired man surveyed the area before finally instructing the gates to be closed.

    Wei Jie focused his senses, studying the gray-haired man intently for a moment before gesturing for Xiao Xiao to descend from the tree. After rejoining Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er in the back alley, he turned to ask Xiao Xiao, “Since the others have withdrawn, should we depart as well?”

    It was only then that he noticed the distant look on the young lady’s face.

    Initially, Xiao Xiao had not been absolutely certain that the figure glimpsed within the shattered mirror was Qin Lingxiao’s father, since he should have sustained grave injuries at Autumn Water Pond.

    However, during the earlier confrontation when the others had besieged Prince Can’s manor, this esteemed Sect Master Qin He had appeared to lead the assault. Yet with a few carefully chosen words at the critical juncture, he had subtly shifted the entire situation’s dynamics.

    This compelled Xiao Xiao to deeply suspect Qin He’s true allegiances and his relationship with Prince Can.

    It was only when Wei Jie prompted her again that Xiao Xiao regained her focus.

    Glancing towards the divine beast talisman towering atop the manor’s pavilion, she knew they could not force entry to investigate further at present.

    However, she could not neglect sharing her doubts about Sect Master Qin He with Wei Jie.

    With this thought, Xiao Xiao conveyed her suspicions to Wei Jie.

    Wei Jie’s expression turned solemn as he stated, “If that is the case, we should seek out this severely injured sect master later.”

    With that, they set off in the direction the Soaring Cloud Sect had departed, intending to catch up with Qin He’s retinue.

    Along the way, Xiao Xiao recalled Wei Jie’s pointed gaze towards the gray-haired man, so she asked if he recognized that individual.

    To her surprise, Wei Jie gave her a meaningful look before calmly remarking, “You truly do not recognize him? I had assumed your Talisman Sect shared origins with the Ghost Sect!”

    Sensing his implied meaning, Xiao Xiao inquired further, “The Ghost Sect? What manner of sect is this?”

    Seeing Xiao Xiao’s genuine bewilderment, Wei Jie slowly explained.

    Existing outside the Four Great Sects was an even more recondite sect known as the Ghost Sect.

    As the name implied, they specialized in arts of spectre subjugation, using talismans as mediums to channel formidable spiritual forces, not unlike the Talisman Sect’s methods.

    However, such cultivation techniques had gradually strayed into the demonic dao.

    Moreover, this sect was notorious for fashioning ritual implements from human bones and skin, invoking a visceral revulsion that caused the orthodox paths to disdainfully shun any association.

    The current grandmaster of the Ghost Sect was the sinister Wan Lianshi.

    It was said this man had once orchestrated the wholesale slaughter of an entire frontier village, purely to harvest materials for a single talisman, earning him the united condemnation and pursuit of the previous sect masters from the Four Great Sects.

    Unfortunately, he had eventually vanished without a trace, and the Ghost Sect’s name had not been heard from in ages.

    As for Wan Lianshi himself, legend claimed he had walked the path of demonic cultivation to such an extreme that his hair turned fully white overnight. A century ago, any mention of an albino figure would immediately evoke associations with this evil Ghost Sect grandmaster.

    Of course, there were innumerable white-haired individuals in the world. If not for Wei Jie’s personal experience witnessing the reemergence of human skin talismans within the mirror city illusion, he would not have contemplated a connection to the long-vanished Wan Lianshi.

    However, the overwhelming aura exuded by that gray-haired man while confronting the Four Great Sects was too formidable to be that of a mere manorial servant, leaving Wei Jie no choice but to harbor suspicions.

    Upon hearing this explanation, Xiao Xiao suddenly realized that from their very first encounter, when Wei Jie witnessed her using talismans bearing the Lingshan Sect’s designs, he had suspected her of having lingering ties to the long-missing Ghost Sect.

    Recalling Wei Jie’s initial probing interactions with her, Xiao Xiao gasped in belated comprehension – his true intention behind accepting her as his master!

    She had merely pitied the youth for lacking a sect to call home, offering him shelter within the Talisman Sect. Yet he had endured such indignities specifically to infiltrate the Lingshan Sect, investigating any potential links to the Ghost Sect!

    With this realization, Xiao Xiao halted in her tracks, indignantly pointing a finger towards Wei Jie’s brow as she demanded, “So you… if you initially suspected the Lingshan Talisman Sect of being unorthodox, why did you still accept me as your master?”

    Wei Jie arched an eyebrow before slowly replying, “I only harbored initial doubts that were soon dispelled. I realized you likely shared common origins with the Ghost Sect yet diverged from their path. After all, if you had truly strayed into the demonic dao, would your sect have fallen into such decline, nearly starving you to death? That would have been an excessively wretched path of evil…”

    If he had not elaborated further, it might have been bearable. But this explanation left Xiao Xiao seething, struggling to catch her breath!

    So she was too inept even to properly walk the path of evil?

    Before she could glare and retort, Wei Jie had already grasped her hand, hastening their pace. If they did not hurry, they might fail to catch up with the Soaring Cloud Sect’s retinue!

    Xiao Xiao knew this was not the time for argument, yet she was once again struck by the profound depths of this disciple’s calculating craftiness.

    With such a devious and unscrupulous mentality, it would truly be a pity if he did not eventually descend into demonic ways!

    As for the Soaring Cloud disciples, after departing the city, they had bid farewell to cultivators from the other three major sects.

    Recalling the illusory vision of his son’s inner desires, witnessing the “Wei Jie” intimately embracing the “Cui Xiao Xiao,” Qin He gazed meaningfully at his son before slowly asking, “I wonder what transpired while we were separated? Did you perhaps encounter any… special individuals?”

    Hearing his father’s query, Qin Lingxiao carefully recounted some experiences he could share, providing a succinct account.

    However, regarding Cui Xiao Xiao, he naturally omitted and streamlined as much as possible.

    After all, both he and Xiao Xiao had traveled back from two hundred years in the future – an act of profoundly disrupting the heavenly mechanics that even his father could not be informed about.

    However, it seemed his father had questioned their accompanying subordinates, for he suddenly cut to the heart of the matter, asking pointedly, “What is your relationship with that Talisman Sect Master Cui Xiao Xiao?”

    Qin Lingxiao lowered his gaze, pursing his lips before replying, “She is merely the head of a miscellaneous Talisman Sect. What relationship could your son possibly have with her? She did once steal something from me, so I wished to discipline her accordingly.”

    Qin He studied his son with a meaningful look before stating calmly, “My son, your cultivation progress has been astonishingly rapid lately, filling your father with immense pride. You must understand, with your celestial gifts, you possess attainments countless cultivators could only dream of. Cherish this blessing and do not squander it by indulging in dalliances that would impede your cultivation. When you ultimately achieve great mastery, if you wish to take a spouse, it should be a virtuous lady from an esteemed lineage like your mother, not some unknown rustic girl!”

    Hearing his father’s admonitions, Qin Lingxiao felt he was being overly concerned without cause.

    Although he had once proposed taking Cui Xiao Xiao as his wife, it had merely been a desperate attempt to suppress his inner demonic tendencies, not a sincere intention.

    Under normal circumstances, he was well aware that he could never take a woman like Cui Xiao Xiao as his spouse.

    So his father’s words rang true. Yet for some inexplicable reason, they left him with an indescribable sense of discomfort.

    Not wishing to dwell on this unsettling feeling, he simply defended the girl, “Although Cui Xiao Xiao does not hail from an illustrious cultivation lineage, she possesses extraordinary intelligence and profound spiritual insights. If she could accept tutelage from eminent masters, in my assessment, she would be no less accomplished than many renowned scions. My original intention was to convince her to join our Soaring Cloud Pavilion, bolstering our sect with such a spiritually gifted disciple…”

    At this very moment, Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie, concealed by the invisibility talismans masking their auras, had been following alongside the Soaring Cloud retinue in secret.

    Upon hearing Qin Lingxiao’s defense of her, Xiao Xiao was somewhat taken aback.

    In her eyes, a peerless young prodigy like Qin Lingxiao, the paramount sword cultivator in the world, was akin to an inflated bullish bravado – arrogant and unyielding.

    For such a rigidly principled person who rarely spoke, to now be so generously praising her intelligence and talents before his own father was truly unexpected. She had assumed Qin Lingxiao looked down upon her abilities, never imagining he would heap such accolades in her honor before his patriarchal elder.

    Qin He also seemed surprised that his traditionally filial and obedient son would dare defy him over this Cui Xiao Xiao.

    His expression darkened as he rebuked sternly, “Is our Soaring Cloud Pavilion some miscellaneous mountain hamlet that indiscriminately accepts any roaming bird or beast? Your recent conduct has become increasingly negligent and unrestrained! Return to the pavilion at once! As penance, you will transcribe the sect’s tenets and precepts a hundred times. Without my express permission, you are forbidden from leaving the premises!”

    Finishing his reprimand, he began coughing fitfully, as if struggling to catch his breath.

    Seeing his father’s anger and unhealed injuries, Qin Lingxiao could not help feeling concerned, wanting to support him. “That cannot be! If I depart, who will escort and protect you, Father?”

    Having become a sect patriarch himself in the future two hundred years from now, Qin Lingxiao could not fully contain his commanding aura when addressing his father.

    Infuriated by his traditionally obedient son’s defiance, Qin He coldly berated him, “Are you determined to vex me to death? Does Soaring Cloud Pavilion cease functioning without this fledgling disciple present? I have other matters to attend to and will not be returning immediately. You will promptly go back and face your mother!”

    Seeing his father’s genuine fury, and unwilling to aggravate his injuries from unrestrained anger, Qin Lingxiao could only take his leave, departing swiftly with a few subordinates in tow.

    However, Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie did not follow, remaining behind to discreetly tail Qin He instead.

    After Qin Lingxiao’s departure, Qin He immediately altered course, doubling back towards Luoyi City before veering into a secluded forest grove. Instructing his attendants, he ordered, “Stand guard outside this grove. No one is permitted to enter without my express command.”

    With those words, he rose from his carrying chair, using a cane to steady himself as he limped into the forest depths.

    Initially, while still within view of his subordinate disciples, Qin He’s gait appeared frail and unsteady. But once out of their line of sight, his steps grew increasingly stable and brisk, his previously hunched posture straightening upright.

    Observing this from their hidden vantage point, Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie felt a chill – it seemed Qin He’s infirmity had been entirely feigned!

    Fearing discovery, they did not approach too closely, instead surveying from a high tree branch looking down upon Qin He.

    After pinching his nose to emit a howling sound akin to a night owl’s cry, Qin He was joined by a shadowy figure emerging from the forest depths dressed in black robes.

    Under the moonlight, Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie could discern this man’s distinctive albino hair, a conspicuous mole beside his lips – it was none other than that steward from Prince Can’s manor!

    They watched as Qin He respectfully saluted the man, addressing him as “Senior Martial Brother” before speaking, “I hope you have been well?”

    However, the white-haired senior brother showed no expression, sternly rebuking Qin He instead. “Ever since assuming the role of sect master at Soaring Cloud Pavilion, indulging in domestic contentment by taking a wife and siring children, you have neglected refining your skills! I had meticulously arranged that mirror formation, yet you only needed to guard the focal nexus. How could you allow some yellow-haired girl to breach and disrupt it? If the mirror formation had remained intact, the Four Great Sects could have been compartmentalized upon entry, allowing our lord to fully absorb their spiritual energies. Where would all these resulting troubles come from?”

    The once dignified Sect Master Qin He, so commanding before his son, now hung his head unable to meet this steward’s reproach.

    Grinding his teeth, he attempted to justify himself, “Even if the nexus had not been breached, our lord’s intention was still to allow that Wei Jie brat to emerge eventually. His persistent refusal to embrace demonic ways has already disrupted our lord’s original plans. If he had perished prematurely, it could have jeopardized the grand endeavor!”

    Hearing this, Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie felt a simultaneous chill down their spines!

    Wei Jie had not expected that indolent prince was actually scheming against him. But how had they deduced his potential to tread the demonic path?

    As for Xiao Xiao, her shock was like towering tsunami waves crashing down!

    As someone from two hundred years in the future, she was naturally aware of Wei Jie’s fated descent into demonic ways and the tribulation that awaited.

    Yet why did this Qin He speak of it with such absolute certainty, expressing concern over Wei Jie failing to embrace demonhood? Could he have somehow foreseen this heavenly destiny in advance?

    Or had Qin Lingxiao divulged the truth about their spiritual transcendence across time? Including the matter of Wei Jie’s future demonic transformation and slaughter of Soaring Cloud Pavilion?

    No, based on her understanding of Qin Lingxiao, although he might engage in subtle maneuvers, he should not dare reveal such profoundly fateful secrets so carelessly.

    If he had informed his father, would that not risk implicating his own flesh and blood in any resulting heavenly tribulation?

    If Qin He’s foreknowledge did not stem from his son’s admission, how else could he be so cognizant of Wei Jie’s predestined demonic path?

    His words made it seem as if he and this shadowy “Senior Martial Brother” were heavenly overseers, painstakingly striving to realign Wei Jie’s deviated trajectory back towards the inevitable embrace of demonhood…

    At that moment, the conversation below continued.

    The black-robed albino senior brother did not seem interested in further admonishing Qin He’s failure, curtly stating, “Wei Di is dead, so controlling the Four Great Sects through the voodoo worms is no longer feasible. Unfortunately, I have lost the crucial material components needed to produce my Mind Dominating Talismans. For now, they cannot be utilized. Aside from your Soaring Cloud Sect, our lord has yet to bring the other three major sects under his command, leaving an inevitable future vulnerability… Furthermore, that escaped femme fatale Si Ling must be recaptured. Earlier, when I left the city, I encountered her by chance and could have apprehended her then and there. But regrettably, she received clandestine assistance to bypass that tribulation… However, it seems she is searching for someone and has not fled far.”

    As he spoke, the white-haired man handed Qin He a talisman. “This is a new talisman I have crafted. The femme fatale excels in bewitching men with her songs. If you encounter her, affix this to your chest area and it will shield you from her voice’s enchantment.”

    As Qin He received the talisman, Xiao Xiao could clearly see that it was fashioned from the same type of parchment as the human skin talismans affixed around the bronze mirror in the illusory city.

    She suddenly realized that if her guess was correct, then the mirror city illusion must have been this Qin He’s “Senior Martial Brother’s” handiwork!

    It seemed he was also a skilled talisman master… Could he truly be the long-vanished grandmaster of the Ghost Sect, the sinister Wan Lianshi, as Wei Jie had speculated?

  • Mistaken Era 46

    Chapter 46

    Prince Can’s original intention was to diligently follow every detail recorded on those tattered life records, patiently and meticulously laying the groundwork step-by-step to manifest the written words into reality.

    Initially, his endeavors proceeded smoothly, but at some point, events in the real world began to drastically diverge from the records’ descriptions.

    Prince Can struggled to regain control of the situation, vainly trying to steer it back on course, but the text on the tattered pages kept shifting and blurring, rendering the sentences illegible.

    And today, as Prince Can examined the dragon skin parchment soaked in the blood of exotic beasts, the densely written characters were gradually disappearing before his eyes.

    Prince Can’s expression turned grave, barely resisting the urge to reach into the vat and retrieve those tattered pages. But at that moment, a new line of large characters emerged on the otherwise blank parchment:

    “One who defies Heaven’s mandate has mistakenly arrived in this realm, his destined life records disjointed, the will of Heaven now obscured…”

    After displaying this sentence, the dragon skin remnant slowly sank to the bottom of the vat, bubbling up a stream of blood before falling still.

    Prince Can slowly narrowed his eyes, gripping the vat’s edge as he persisted in asking aloud, “One who defies Heaven’s mandate? Mistakenly arrived in this realm? What does this mean?”

    Yet the tattered pages in the blood vat did not resurface.

    Prince Can slowly straightened his stance. Although the cryptic words on the dragon skin were unclear, that mention of “one who defies Heaven’s mandate” had evidently disrupted his previously unobstructed path to immortal transcendence.

    Closing his eyes, Prince Can carefully retraced the sequence of events, realizing the greatest variable was that Cui Xiao Xiao from the Talisman Sect!

    In the original life records, he had never encountered Cui Xiao Xiao’s name!

    On this, Prince Can was absolutely certain, for the original path to immortality had been so perfect that each time he reviewed it, his blood surged with eagerness to instantly ascend, every minute detail etched into his memory.

    Yet now, that flawless epic had been reduced to an unpalatable heap of indigestible scraps.

    However, it was not too late to remedy the situation. Prince Can knew he needed to meticulously realign each deviated event back onto its proper trajectory, allowing not even the slightest discrepancy!

    Although the story on the tattered pages had undergone subtle shifts long ago, the true major divergence began with the femme fatale Si Ling’s escape.

    Perhaps only by reorienting everything back on course would the dormant life records awaken once more. For now, however, the first issue to address was how to confront the widespread condemnation from the Four Great Sects.

    Slowly wiping the blood from his hands, Prince Can’s expression reverted to its customary benevolent gentleness as he calmly exited the inner chamber…

    As for Cui Xiao Xiao, Wei Jie and their group, after confirming there were no signs of the femme fatale Si Ling nearby, they scaled the city walls to infiltrate Luoyi City.

    The detour through the illusory city had delayed them far longer than they realized, feeling as if a single day had passed above while an entire year transpired below.

    To the point that after merely eating a barbecued chicken leg, Yu Ling’er was already ravenously hungry again.

    However, this was not the time to seek food, so Xiao Xiao could only ask her to endure the pangs for now.

    It was the dead of night, but the towering city walls proved no obstacle to their passage. The sentries guarding the gates only caught fleeting blurs and faint breezes, as if ghostly specters had drifted past.

    Those soldiers did attempt to discern the disturbances more clearly, but the figures moved too swiftly, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye before the slightest sound could arise.

    Cui Xiao Xiao and her group had a clear objective – heading directly for Prince Can’s manor in Luoyi City.

    This manor was said to have been constructed during the reign of the previous Da Qi emperor while he was still alive.

    Although Prince Can shared the same mother as the current emperor, they were born under different cosmic stems.

    When the former emperor ascended as the Grand Emperor emeritus and abdicated the throne to the present ruler, the then-teenage Prince Can bid farewell to his imperial mother before taking up residence in this fief, where he had dwelled for over twenty years.

    However, it seemed Prince Can had later ordered extensive renovations to the manor, resulting in drastic changes to the layouts and positions of its pavilions and towers.

    Now, Wei Jie carried Cui Xiao Xiao as they leapt onto a tall tree directly opposite the manor’s walls, while Tang Youshu also climbed up with Yu Ling’er’s assistance.

    From this vantage point, they could see over half of the manor grounds laid out before them.

    Xiao Xiao focused her gaze intently for a moment before muttering in bewilderment, “Strange…”

    “Indeed, it is quite peculiar. The layout of this manor is intimately tied to the concepts of geomancy and the five elemental phases, yet its desired objectives seem less about attaining wealth, nobility, and domestic harmony. It appears more akin to the sinister arts of absorbing spiritual energies!”

    These words came from Tang Youshu, whom Yu Ling’er had helped hoist into the tree branches. Clutching the bough tightly, he stared fixatedly at the nearby manor layout, murmuring his thoughts.

    Though not a committed cultivator himself, he had studied geomancy and feng shui extensively since childhood, intimately familiar with the relevant classic texts. Upon seeing such an intricate estate design, he instinctively began correlating it with his prior research.

    Xiao Xiao had learned her rudimentary geomancy knowledge from the elderly Tang Youshu himself, so she naturally deferred to her master’s expertise, promptly asking, “If you understand it, explain further – what is his intention behind this arrangement?”

    Encouraged by his grand-master, Tang Youshu’s spirit lifted as he expounded, “Grand-Master, look! In the manors of wealthy nobles, the water wells are typically located in the rear courtyard or near the kitchens. Yet this manor’s well is deliberately dug right in the center of the main courtyard. Moreover, it is situated amidst steep slopes forming a sunken basin – this clearly embodies the essence of converging and pooling cosmic energies from all directions! Such arrangements are considered highly unorthodox. If an affluent villager did this, the entire neighborhood would surely condemn and vandalize his residence!”

    Yu Ling’er found Tang Youshu’s assertions rather incredulous, so she asked in a low voice, “But it’s just a well. Is there really that much significance to it?”

    Tang Youshu solemnly nodded. “Every aspect of this courtyard’s design is a meticulous arrangement, even the placement of trees and vegetation. I only glimpsed such methods briefly mentioned in a lone surviving copy of the ‘Jiang Taigong’s Water Routes’ classic. However, these layouts were originally intended to extend the longevity of those with short, frail lifespans. Could it be someone within this manor suffers from an incurable condition, resorting to unorthodox methods in a desperate bid to alter their destiny?”

    Cui Xiao Xiao had seen Prince Can before – though not as imposingly built as a martial artist, he appeared robust and vigorous, the picture of health and nobility.

    Moreover, according to the original trajectory, not only did Prince Can maintain his youthful vigor, but he even attained immortality later on, his cosmic blessings extraordinarily fortuitous.

    Would such a healthy man in the prime of his life feel compelled to meticulously arrange geomantic formations just to prolong his lifespan? Surely such existential contemplations were only befitting the elderly nearing life’s end?

    Of course, the self-indulgent obsessions of the privileged nobility were not something ordinary people could comprehend.

    It was at this moment that Wei Jie also spoke in a solemn tone, “After entering the city, I made discreet inquiries with the local populace. This Prince Can took up residence in this fief over twenty years ago, but during the first decade, he remained in extreme seclusion, never showing his face in public. It was only in recent years that he gradually began making appearances before the locals of this fief.”

    Hearing this, Xiao Xiao felt there were many strange aspects surrounding this Prince Can, yet she did not know where to begin her investigation.

    She asked Wei Jie if they should descend, but he replied, “The night winds are favorable now. We might as well observe from here for the time being…”

    Xiao Xiao agreed, seizing this opportunity to test the effectiveness of the new concealment talismans she had recently drawn.

    Ever since being transmitted to two hundred years in the past, Xiao Xiao had barely found a moment’s respite, except for those few days spent with Qin Lingxiao when she could focus on studying secret texts undisturbed in the carriage, taking the chance to experiment with new talisman designs she had never attempted before.

    Previously, she had often heard her master Tang Youshu self-deprecatingly lament his lack of spiritual aptitude, which was why the Talisman Sect had never truly flourished.

    Yet Xiao Xiao seemed to have an innate affinity, quickly grasping the ability to control and guide water flows.

    In hindsight, if not for using her own blood essence to forcibly open her spiritual apertures, her initial progress might not have surpassed even Tang Youshu’s current mediocre level as a wandering physician.

    If Tang Youshu had indeed drawn inspiration from those few human skin talismans to originally found the Lingshan Talisman Sect, he had subsequently purged all traces of their demonic origins, imbuing the talisman designs with a sense of harmony and auspiciousness.

    In contrast, Xiao Xiao’s primordial use of her yin-natured blood essence to create talismans had inadvertently reverted to the sinister roots of those demonic designs, allowing the effects of her talismans to manifest far more potently.

    Upon realizing this, Xiao Xiao had secretly and solemnly paid her respects to the youthful Tang Youshu: “Your disciple was deluded, failing to comprehend your original visionary intentions in establishing this sect.

    If blood must be used as the medium, then it is no wonder others malign the Talisman Sect as a miscellaneous, low-ranked path.”

    She must not betray her predecessor’s founding aspirations!

    As the current Sect Master, she should learn to infuse talismans with her formidable spiritual force alone.

    Now was the time to test the efficacy of these spiritual talismans.

    After affixing the concealment talismans to the backs of her and Wei Jie’s heads, she closed her eyes and silently recited the incantations. Upon reopening them, Wei Jie’s handsome visage remained clearly visible before her.

    Xiao Xiao could not help feeling deeply disappointed, but Wei Jie’s gaze suddenly sharpened as he abruptly reached out, his hand not stopping until it caressed her soft cheek.

    His large palm, slightly calloused, elicited a tingling sensation as it stroked Xiao Xiao’s face.

    Flushing red, Xiao Xiao instinctively swatted at his wandering hand, glaring as she whispered, “What are you doing?”

    From the side, Tang Youshu murmured, “Grand-Master, you…truly have become invisible.”

    It turned out Wei Jie had suddenly been unable to see Xiao Xiao, hence his exploratory touch to confirm her presence.

    However, Wei Jie seemed intent on further verification, for despite feeling his master’s tender face, his palm lingered, even lightly caressing her delicate cheek.

    After firmly swatting that indecorous hand away did Wei Jie finally retract it, as if just returning to his senses.

    Xiao Xiao hurriedly retrieved a small bronze mirror from her pocket satchel. Peering into it revealed…an empty reflection!

    Unable to fully contain her delight, Xiao Xiao realized that her spiritual force, enhanced through learning to wield the “Defying the Heavens” sword, had not only greatly benefited her sword skills but also amplified the potency of her spiritual talismans.

    Yet in her momentary distraction, her image reappeared within the mirror’s surface.

    Xiao Xiao quickly steadied her mind, silently reciting the incantations to activate the concealment talisman’s full power.

    To her surprise, under her guidance, Wei Jie swiftly grasped the technique of projecting his spiritual force into the talisman designs. Following Xiao Xiao’s example of silent recitation, he instantly cloaked his form in invisibility beneath the night.

    In contrast, Tang Youshu struggled more despite affixing the talisman, unable to conceal himself, while Yu Ling’er remained utterly clueless.

    Once again, Xiao Xiao inwardly marveled at the depths of Wei Jie’s innate talents, far exceeding his outward demeanor.

    It had taken her arduous practice to grasp these essential principles, yet Wei Jie had effortlessly mastered them after a single explanation, leaving Xiao Xiao with a distinct lack of accomplishment as his master.

    Just as they finished concealing themselves, rapid winds suddenly converged from all directions within the silent city, as numerous formidable cultivators soared towards their location.

    Unable to fully mask their auras, Yu Ling’er and Tang Youshu descended from the tree first, taking shelter in a nearby alleyway to await Xiao Xiao and the others.

    Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie fully concealed their appearances and auras, remaining in the tree.

    As for those wind-riding cultivators, their attire revealed them as members of the Four Great Sects.

    It turned out that after receiving aid from the Wei Family in the forest near Autumn Water Pond and purging the voodoo worms, they had set out for Luoyi City.

    Two days prior, as they neared the city gates, an impenetrable mist had continuously barred their path, preventing them from proceeding further.

    It was only after Xiao Xiao and her group shattered the illusory city that this obscuring mist finally dispersed, allowing the Four Great Sects to arrive later than them.

    Meanwhile, Qin Lingxiao stood beside a middle-aged man seated in a carrying chair.

    Their strikingly similar appearances left no doubt they were father and son – this white-robed man was undoubtedly Qin Lingxiao’s father, Sect Master Qin He of Soaring Cloud Pavilion.

    Focusing her extraordinary eyesight despite the late hour, Xiao Xiao could firmly confirm that the person she had glimpsed within the mirror was indeed this very Sect Master Qin He of Soaring Cloud Pavilion!

    Although she had vaguely suspected as much, Xiao Xiao still felt inwardly shaken. After all, the Sect Master of Soaring Cloud Pavilion should have been worlds apart from an idle prince!

    However, Qin He appeared gravely injured, his sallow complexion and feeble gasps indicating he could only remain upright in the carrying chair with the aid of his subordinate disciples’ windriding technique.

    Reportedly, he had returned to Luoyi City sealed within an enclosed carriage, unable to withstand the slightest breeze lest it trigger uncontrollable coughing fits. Thus, he had not disembarked throughout the entire journey…

    The Four Great Sects had clearly suffered no trivial harm from Prince Can’s treachery. Aside from the late Sect Master of Wonderful Immortal Mountain tragically perishing from his severe injuries, the other sect masters and elders, after fleeing Autumn Water Pond with the Wei Family’s assistance in expelling the voodoo worms, had spent a long period recuperating to stabilize their spiritual conditions.

    Now, the furious Four Great Sects, bent on avenging their slain disciples and elders, aimed to force their way into the prince’s manor and apprehend the treacherous ruler!

    Yet when several sect disciples initially attempted vaulting over the high walls, they were violently repelled by the potent spiritual defenses surrounding the manor grounds.

    Left with no choice, they could only besiege the main gates after midnight, unleashing deafening torrents of vitriolic condemnation.

    This raucous commotion soon drew scores of city guards converging from all sides, encircling the Four Great Sects’ cultivators.

    Originally expecting the treacherous prince to cower within his manor, unwilling to face them, they were taken aback when the main gates suddenly creaked open at that moment.

    A middle-aged man resembling a manorial steward emerged from the gates.

    This steward appeared around forty years old – though his eyes showed some crinkles, his skin remained smooth and youthful, contrasted by a head of fully grayed hair. A distinct black mole adorned the right corner of his mouth, lending him a striking appearance.

    He calmly surveyed the cultivators from the Four Great Sects. “My lord hosted a celebratory banquet three days ago at Autumn Water Pond, which should have been a joyous occasion. Yet he was greatly alarmed by the inexplicable events, returning to the manor stricken with a sudden high fever. The resident physicians are currently tending to him. Do your raucous disturbances imply rebellion?”

    The Sect Master Qin He leading the Four Great Sects had also suffered grave injuries. Supported by his son Qin Lingxiao, he struggled to his feet, glaring hatefully as he accused, “He dares claim illness? When he directed his subordinates to inflict demonic arts upon us, his courage seemed boundless! Regardless, he must present himself before the Four Great Sects today and account for the deaths of our disciples and elders!”

    These words incited another outburst of furious roars from the assembled cultivators.

    Several disciples from Wonderful Immortal Mountain, having sustained the worst losses, could no longer contain their rage, intent on forcing their way inside immediately.

    They were the sect most severely impacted, for although the Wei Family had provided timely aid, their sect master had still perished with the voodoo worm penetrating his heart, accompanied by the death of one of their elders.

    If they did not personally slay the prince, how could they face their remaining sect members?

    Seeing the Wonderful Immortal disciples charging forward, the steward did not attempt to stop them. He even gestured for the surrounding guards to hold their positions before calmly retreating a step, appearing fully accommodating.

    But the moment the Wonderful Immortal disciples crossed the threshold brandishing icy blades, a sizzling sound rang out before they were violently repelled, letting out anguished cries as their arms and faces bore scorching burns.

    The steward let out a cold laugh, pointing upwards towards the roof of the tallest pavilion tower. Even in the night, something there seemed to glimmer with a faint luminescence.

    With her exceptional eyesight, Xiao Xiao immediately discerned an image of the mythical Xunxu beast embedded at the apex of that tower.

    Such talismanic beasts were typically carved into the roof ridges of imperial palaces. This odd, vaguely sheep-like chimeric creature was said to possess penetrating discernment, most adept at distinguishing loyalty from treachery. The virtuous could pass unharmed, but it would devour any malicious intruders.

    Currently, this Xunxu beast talisman, fashioned from some unknown luminescent material, seemed to emanate an aura of ferocity, barring anyone harboring ill intent from entering the manor grounds.

    The steward let out a disdainful snort. “That Xunxu is a celestial envoy bestowed upon the Da Qi imperial ancestors by the heavenly realms long ago. This sacred talisman can perceive killing intent, repelling all who threaten the imperial lineage with untoward designs. It was later passed down to the late emperor, who in turn bequeathed it to our lord to ensure Prince Can’s well-being. If you reckless few insist on forcing your way in, I cannot guarantee your safety!”

    The Four Great Sects were naturally aware of this legendary talisman, said to have originated from an illustrious deed of the ancient Da Qi imperial ancestors that helped avert a calamity spanning the three realms. In gratitude, the celestials bestowed this sacred beast to uphold their solemn covenant.

    What should have safeguarded the heavenly temple from demonic intrusion now functioned as the treacherous prince’s personal guardion.

    Recognizing the talisman’s formidable power, the Four Great Sects knew if Prince Can refused to emerge, merely breaking in would prove impossible.

    This incited another thunderous surge of virulent denunciations.

    It was at this moment that another group clad in silver armor descended, taking formation before the manor’s main gates.

    At their lead was none other than the Wei Family Patriarch Wei Jingfeng. Gazing up at the Xunxu beast talisman, he coldly demanded, “Does Prince Can intend to remain shielded behind his imperial ancestor’s blessings, never emerging again? I have confirmed that a traitorous member of the Wei Family is harbored within this manor – one who harbors sinister intentions. By granting refuge to such an individual, what are your lord’s true designs?”

    The steward responded to the Wei Family with relatively more courtesy, cupping his hands in salute. “To be frank, our lord is also a victim deceived by this traitor, just like the rest of you venerable cultivators. A decade ago, our benevolent lord took in a father and daughter who claimed to be refugees. This man named Wei Di possessed some supernatural abilities and cured our lord of an obstinate ailment. Out of gratitude for saving his life, our lord treated Wei Di with the utmost respect, striving to fulfill his every request for rare medicines and exotic beasts to aid his cultivation. Little did we expect he would secretly plot against all of you elders, his daughter Zhuer even deploying voodoo curses in private, catalyzing these tragic deaths. Our lord was truly blindsided! As we speak, the demon cultivators within the manor are already acting on our lord’s orders to put Wei Di to death. Our lord is willing to surrender the traitor’s remains to provide closure for those elders who met lamentable ends.”

    As the steward’s voice fell, manorial guards emerged bearing a stretcher.

    Lying motionless upon it was none other than Wei Di himself, his chest penetrated by a fatal wound as he had long expired.

    Wei Jingfeng narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing his former sworn brother who had once been his late father’s trusted aide. Several long-serving Wei Family elders also stepped forth to examine the remains, confirming the stretched corpse’s identity as Wei Di.

    After they nodded in grim affirmation to Wei Jingfeng, the patriarch could not help furrowing his brow.

    He could tell at a glance that Wei Di had died from a precise, penetrating strike through the heart – a clean and decisive killing blow with no signs of struggle. Wei Di’s formidable martial skills ranked among the highest in the Wei Family, so either he had been caught completely unawares, or his killer’s prowess far surpassed his own.

    Wei Jingfeng could not help wondering what extraordinary experts Prince Can could be harboring within his manor to slay Wei Di with such ease.

    However, with Wei Di’s death, matters became more complicated!

    For years, the Wei Family had relentlessly hunted this traitorous kinsman, yet he had evaded them with remarkable stealth until they finally tracked him down by following the leads of the Corpse-Devouring Beast and puppet worms here to Luoyi City.

    Wei Jingfeng had hoped to capture Wei Di alive, for the prohibited artifact stolen by the traitor long ago remained unaccounted for.

    Failing to recover it would be a severe dereliction for the Wei Family, leaving them vulnerable to heavenly retribution. The Wei Family had kept this incident under tight wraps, hoping to make amends at the final moment to avert calamity.

    Now that both Wei Di and his daughter were dead, where could they possibly begin searching for that lost remnant?

    Of course, the loss of the life records remnant was a closely guarded secret of the Wei Family. Divulging it publicly would undoubtedly incur disastrous consequences, which was why even Wei Jie had been kept uninformed about this matter.

    The Wei Family seldom emerged from their mountain abode, only becoming embroiled in these mundane affairs due to the clandestine deployment of the voodoo worms to poach the Corpse-Devouring Beast from the underworld.

    With the traitorous father and daughter now executed, yet their stolen artifact still unrecovered, the Wei Family had no choice but to seek a personal audience with Prince Can to thoroughly investigate this matter.

    Though relatively more courteous towards the Wei Family, the black mole on the steward’s lips twitched as he smiled thinly. “I will certainly convey your request to the lord of this manor. However, an audience will not be possible today. Although you of the Wei Family are demon-subduing cultivators, you were also martial officers under the imperial ancestors who founded the Da Qi empire over a century before receiving your celestial mandata. Surely the Wei Family Patriarch understands proper decorum better than those uncouth ruffians from the mountains and forests?”

    This mole-faced steward’s words carried obvious implications – while rebuking the Wei Family, he arrogantly disparaged the other Four Great Sects as a pack of uncivilized rustic brutes.

  • Mistaken Era 45

    Chapter 45

    As for that bronze mirror, aside from the large hole Xiao Xiao had pierced through it, rendering it shattered, it appeared no different from an ordinary bronze mirror.

    However, Xiao Xiao noticed a few talisman papers stuck around the mirror’s perimeter.

    Unlike the yellow grass talisman papers used by the Lingshan Talisman Sect, these talismans were made from a smooth, delicate parchment paper.

    Wei Jie touched them and remarked, “These are made of human skin…”

    Xiao Xiao wrinkled her brow in disgust that her fellow Talisman Sect cultivators from two hundred years ago would manipulate such demonic materials.

    Upon closer inspection, she realized the symbols on these human skin talismans bore some resemblance to those used by the Lingshan Sect, though with slight variations in their renderings, revealing a shared origin.

    As a member of the Talisman Sect herself, Cui Xiao Xiao felt deeply disgraced.

    The Talisman Sect was originally regarded as a lowly, miscellaneous cultivation path looked down upon by true cultivators, often conflated by the masses with wandering charlatans peddling exorcism talismans.

    Thus, as Talisman Sect cultivators, they ought to maintain upright conduct to dispel such biases.

    Yet the shadowy mastermind behind this ordeal had clearly taken the demonic path of talismans to the extreme. If the Four Great Sects witnessed these human skin talismans akin to the Lingshan Sect’s work, it would further tarnish the sect’s reputation!

    It was unknown how many people’s spiritual energy had been drained by the controller of this formation using the bronze mirror.

    At that moment, Tang Youshu also noticed the connection, straightening the silver helmet askew on his head as he wondered aloud, “Master, these talismans, why are they so similar to our Lingshan Sect’s?”

    Xiao Xiao stared at him speechlessly, thinking: Master, I was about to ask you the same thing!

    How did you originally devise the unorthodox methods that founded the Lingshan Talisman Sect?

    Regarding Tang Youshu’s establishment of the sect, the old master had indeed written extensively about it in his secret texts.

    It seemed this was also related to Wei Jie’s experience of the Mirror City ordeal before journeying to the Four Great Sects.

    After his harrowing adventure, Wei Jie had gained some insight and told his then unenlightened disciple that instead of cultivating inner energies, he may be better suited to the path of talismans.

    If one could bring the art of talismans to its pinnacle, even those of mediocre talents could subdue all schools, attaining an unrivaled mastery.

    It was because of this remark from the master that Tang Youshu became obsessed with studying talismans. Coupled with the few talisman papers Wei Jie brought back from the illusory city that seemingly opened his spiritual apertures, Tang began delving deeply into the study of talismans, seeking out reclusive experts everywhere during Wei Jie’s lifetime.

    After Wei Jie’s death at Qin Lingxiao’s hands, Tang Youshu wandered for ten years before finally establishing the Lingshan Talisman Sect.

    Now, holding these human skin talismans, Xiao Xiao felt a sudden enlightenment: it turned out the seeds of her master’s founding of the sect had originated from these demonic talisman papers.

    However, to shed these talismans of their sinister overtones, it seemed Tang Youshu had drastically refined and improved them, stripping away their yin malignance.

    Yet perhaps it was precisely because he stopped using human skin in their production, switching to yellow grass paper instead, coupled with Tang Youshu’s modifications, that caused these once formidable, demonic talismans to lose much of their original potency.

    Naturally, the Lingshan Talisman Sect also trod a relatively mundane path, falling ten thousand miles short of the predecessor Wei Jie’s words about “subduing all schools and attaining unrivaled mastery.”

    Nevertheless, since this was the case, Xiao Xiao still had to fulfill her duty to Wei Jie by planting the seeds that would lead to her sincere master Tang Youshu’s founding of the sect, following the original trajectory.

    After a sigh, she carefully stored away the human skin talismans before handing them to Tang Youshu. Patting his shoulder, she solemnly encouraged the young master using Wei Jie’s words from long ago.

    These words invigorated Tang Youshu, his eyes shining with resolute brilliance as he declared, “Grand-Master, our Talisman Sect will certainly be able to subdue all schools and attain unrivaled mastery! Besides, I won’t need to establish my own sect in the future. As the Sect Master of Lingshan who shattered this illusory city, your legendary feats should resound throughout the world! Though my untalented disciple’s cultivation is lacking, I do possess some literary talents. Allow me to thoroughly record your illustrious exploits, ensuring more people learn of our Talisman Sect Master’s mighty name!”

    Hearing this, Xiao Xiao panicked, snatching the notebook Tang usually doodled in. After flipping through a few pages, she shook her head in anguish, “How can you write like this? This…is all my name! Do you think your Grand-Master craves such empty fame? Those vain titles are merely burdens on the path to immortality… Here’s what we’ll do – replace all instances of my name with your Master Wei Jie’s. His reputation is tarnished enough, so your chronicle can help redeem it!”

    As someone who had traveled back from two hundred years in the future, she ought to leave no traces to avoid disrupting the past. If recorded by her master, that would indeed be disastrous!

    Tang Youshu nodded shamefully, once again realizing the vast chasm separating his life’s perspectives from his grand-master’s lofty realms – a gulf as wide as heaven and earth!

    The grand-master’s humble modesty commanded utmost reverence, forever unattainable.

    Overhearing the exchange between grand-master and disciple vying to heap accolades on the other, Wei Jie couldn’t help but chuckle as he languidly reminded Tang Youshu not to record the illusory city’s events in too much detail.

    Otherwise, if Cui Xiao Xiao’s name was replaced with Wei Jie’s in the account of the Young Master Qin harboring impure thoughts, commanding his illusory self to intimately embrace and kiss, it would depict the esteemed Young Master Qin passionately kissing Wei Jie instead.

    Such sensual prose might provoke Wei Jie to violently retch, he warned.

    Overhearing this from the side, Qin Lingxiao’s face flushed red then pale, struggling to maintain his peerless dignity as he retorted, “You dare attribute the actions of a demonic illusion to me! Whatever vile deeds it committed have no bearing on me!”

    Yu Ling’er, recalling the intimate scene at the Wealth God Temple, felt a pang of jealousy as she chimed in, “Enough! Didn’t Xiao Xiao say not to record such nonsense? Tang Youshu, you mustn’t write such things. Show me your work daily!”

    Tang Youshu hugged his thick notebook, puzzled. “But you’re illiterate. How will you review it?”

    Yu Ling’er stated matter-of-factly, “We foxes are the most intelligent. If you teach me a dozen characters each day, I’ll soon become literate!”

    Tang Youshu immediately agreed, vowing to personally oversee Yu Ling’er’s reading lessons from then on!

    Preoccupied with weighty concerns, Qin Lingxiao paid no heed to their idle banter, long aware of the Talisman Sect disciples’ propensity for frivolity.

    That these people could only dwell on such trivialities after such a harrowing ordeal!

    Qin Lingxiao cut off the Talisman Sect’s rambling to directly ask Xiao Xiao, “You seemed to tell Wei Jie that when shattering the mirror, you saw someone behind it. Was it Prince Can?”

    Xiao Xiao turned to look at him, pondering before replying, “I didn’t get a clear look…”

    Seeing he could not get a definitive answer, and anxious about his father’s safety, Qin Lingxiao did not wish to linger. Chanting an incantation, he summoned winds to lift the Soaring Cloud disciples, soaring over the towering city walls to search for his father within.

    Xiao Xiao gazed at Qin Lingxiao’s departing figure, lost in thought. In truth, she had lied to the Young Master – she had seen the figure clearly.

    In that instant when she shattered the “sunset” formation, glimpsed through the cracks, she had indeed seen Qin Lingxiao…

    No, not quite Qin Lingxiao – it was a face much older than his.

    Xiao Xiao had the feeling this person was connected to Qin Lingxiao, which was why she had not mentioned it.

    Looking towards the nearby Luoyi City, although no longer an illusion, she had a premonition that the dangers within might rival the mirror city…

    With this thought, she took a deep breath and waved to the others, “Let’s go into the city and pay Prince Can a visit!”

    It had already been three days since the disastrous birthday celebration at Autumn Water Pond. She wondered how the prince intended to face the widespread condemnation.

    At that moment, within a secluded chamber in Prince Can’s manor, amidst dim lighting, the prince gazed at the blood-stained man reflected in the formation’s focal mirror, then at the shattered bronze mirror fragments littering the floor. He slowly said, “Didn’t you claim this formation was infallible? Then how did that Cui Xiao Xiao break through it so swiftly?”

    It turned out that beside Prince Can, an identical miniature city had been rendered in talisman ash.

    A hooded man clad in ritual robes knelt with the prince at the formation’s center. Just moments ago, the mirror had reflected the image of a young girl wielding a demon-subduing sword, shattering their bronze mirror with a single strike.

    As the mirror cracked apart, the hooded man had locked eyes with the girl for an instant before the shrapnel slashed across his face, leaving him drenched in his own blood.

    Fortunately, he had pulled Prince Can out of the formation in time. A moment’s delay, and he would have perished by the girl’s blade.

    Bitterly disappointed by this failure, the hooded man dabbed the blood from his face with his sleeve, venting his ire, “The formation devised by my senior martial brother was originally perfect. However, it relied entirely on the lantern oil for its potency. If infused with blood from the Enlightenment Beast, its power would have been amplified, eliminating any chance of exposing the light’s flaws. Curse those two wretched beast hunters for their utter failure! If we had the Enlightenment Beast and the Corpse-Eating Beast at our disposal, everything would have proceeded smoothly… It’s my fault for being inept. If only my senior brother could return in time to supervise the formation himself, they would never have escaped…”

    Hearing the man’s words, Prince Can sighed, “I too did not expect Hunter King and the others to perform so poorly… However, when that mirror shattered, it seemed that Cui Xiao Xiao caught a glimpse of you…”

    Upon hearing Prince Can’s words, the hooded man finally raised his head with a cold scoff, “That fleeting glance could not have revealed much about me. Besides, I was severely wounded from the voodoo worm infliction at the Autumn Water banquet, rendering me immobile – the Four Great Sects can attest to this. For some upstart sect master who emerged from nowhere to blindly accuse me based on an illusion is meaningless rhetoric!”

    The face revealed from beneath the hood was none other than an aged “Qin Lingxiao.”

    This was indeed Sect Master Qin He of Soaring Cloud Pavilion, grievously wounded at the Autumn Water banquet.

    After his injured disciples carried him away for treatment, he had arrived in Luoyi City under the protection of his close subordinates while Prince Can remained behind.

    Prince Can merely smiled faintly, his tone unchanged, “Nevertheless, your son also entered that formation earlier. If paternal love caused you to subconsciously hold back, it would be understandable…”

    Detecting the implicit rebuke beneath Prince Can’s placid remark, Qin He immediately kowtowed in solemn apology, “I would never dare! Though I have concealed my identity as Qin He, I have never forgotten my roots or the vital task you entrusted me with long ago. Earlier, I had truly steeled myself to sacrifice that child Lingxiao. But as you witnessed, that Cui Xiao Xiao’s eyesight is too keen, too cunning. Because of her, your century-long grand plan has been devastated in an instant. I await your judgment!”

    Prince Can gently reassured him, “Over these years, you and your family have diligently served me without fail. What crime could there be? When I initially took you in, I had already mentioned that as an ordinary mortal, if I wished to achieve immortality, I could only rely on assistance from mighty cultivators like yourself. As the saying goes, ‘When one attains the Dao, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.’ I am willing to offer everything to help my subordinates speedily achieve transcendence. It is only this treacherous disruption that has temporarily impeded us. I can only pity poor Zhuer…”

    As he spoke of her, Prince Can seemed overcome with sorrow, his eyes glistening with moisture.

    Wei Di knew that all this time, he had been secretly hunted by the Wei Family while Prince Can provided steadfast refuge and obeyed his every request. Without the prince’s full support, he could never have acquired so many ritual implements to enhance his own powers.

    Now, Wei Di still needed to utilize this ruler obsessed with immortality, so he responded with the appropriate deference.

    When Prince Can mentioned feeling some turbulence in his spiritual energy that needed stabilizing, Wei Di immediately rose to assist the prince in calming his disrupted inner energies.

    These scions of the imperial clan were all wholly immersed in luxury and idleness.

    It seemed this Prince Can had been inspired by someone to harbor the delusional ambition of attaining immortality with his mortal talents. Thus, he scoured far and wide, recruiting all manner of experts in an attempt to absorb their spiritual energies.

    Unfortunately, his inherently flawed spiritual roots rendered him unfit for true cultivation.

    Inwardly disdaining the prince’s delusional fantasies, yet betraying no hint outwardly, Wei Di dutifully sat opposite him as usual, preparing to channel some of his own spiritual energy as a temporary salve to satisfy the prince’s insatiable yearning for the fullness of the dantian.

    However, just as he closed his eyes to cycle his energies, Wei Di was suddenly assailed by a frigid murderous aura.

    When he reopened his eyes, he saw his chest had already been impaled by an arm.

    In that instant his heart was grasped, his spiritual energies also seemed to be continuously siphoned away by that arm.

    “Your…Highness…you…”

    Immobilized, Wei Di could only bulge his eyes in horror as he gazed at the smiling prince.

    When had this ruler acquired such formidable abilities? Moreover, those blackened talons clutching his heart bore the unmistakable signs of demonic possession…

    Despite impaling Wei Di’s heart, the prince’s smile did not waver as he spoke soothingly as before, “Since your beloved wife and daughter have already descended into the underworld, what further attachments bind you to this mortal realm? Have no further concerns – I have taken note of your lingering resentments. Rest assured, I will eradicate the Wei Family and avenge the grievances against you and your loved ones!”

    With those words, his talons clenched, bursting Wei Di’s heart asunder.

    Bulging his eyes in anguished wails, Wei Di finally slumped lifeless into the growing pool of his own blood.

    Absorbing Wei Di’s spiritual energy, Prince Can’s previously haggard and dimmed complexion visibly rejuvenated, restoring his middle-aged vigor.

    He slowly rose, kicking aside the corpse obstructing his path before turning to open a hidden mechanism concealed behind a hanging painting, following the secret passage to another chamber.

    Upon entering this inner sanctum, the prince’s customary benevolent smile gradually faded, his expression becoming indeterent and inscrutable.

    He approached a large bronze vessel in the center of the chamber.

    Illuminated by the flickering candles, the vessel could be seen filled with a deep crimson liquid, exuding an overpowering metallic stench that revealed its contents – a vat of blood.

    Yet this was no ordinary blood, but the precious heart’s blood of a yin dragon.

    It was the final spoil obtained by Hunter King before his demise – every drop of that yin-tainted dragon’s blood had been drained into this vat.

    For the entity immersed within craved a constant replenishment of blood from denizens of the underworld to sustain its existence.

    Prince Can leaned over, gazing intently into the vat.

    At that moment, something resembling thin paper slowly rose to the surface of the churning beast blood. These paper-like fragments were the tattered remnants of book pages densely covered in minuscule script.

    Prince Can had pored over these words countless times before, having long since committed them to memory.

    They told the story of a young prince who, through tireless recruitment of extraordinary individuals and ruthless scheming, step-by-step implemented a meticulous plan to ultimately achieve immortal transcendence.

    In this tale, the prince first obtained the heart’s blood tears of a femme fatale to gain eternal youth. He then brought the Four Great Sects under his control, using them to deal with a youth of the Wei surname who saw through his schemes too soon. The prince also presented the Enlightenment Beast to the emperor, incurring heaven’s wrath which caused devastating droughts across the Da Qi empire, destabilizing the imperial throne.

    Afterward, the prince supported his young son’s ascension, wielding power behind the scenes throughout the imperial court.

    By now, the prince had learned of ambitions loftier than the imperial throne – the path to true immortal transcendence unattainable to ordinary mortals.

    Thus, his capable lieutenants used the mirror city formation to drain the demonic cultivation of the infamous Wei Demon Lord, allowing the prince to seize half of his hellish power. However, the Wei Demon Lord somehow received aid in refining the demon bead within, purging his demonic nature to transcend his tribulation and ascend to immortality.

    Yet the prince ingeniously exploited the openings revealed in the tattered life records, meticulously orchestrating each step until that very Demon Lord destined for ascension was instead slain by his own disciple, his soul obliterated. Meanwhile, the prince usurped Wei Jie’s rightful celestial position, directly ascending to immortality in a single stride.

    What a seamless, perfect tale! One could admire it endlessly.

    However, Prince Can knew the original story had not begun so flawlessly. This prince’s fate should have been no different from countless other mortals – an obscure life followed by an unremarkable demise, reduced to mere ashes in the end.

    After initially obtaining these tattered life records from Wei Di, Prince Can had employed various ingenious methods over the years, constantly experimenting to alter his predetermined destiny.

    With each incremental change, the story recorded on the pages would shift accordingly.

    Until finally, he had ultimately perfected this grand epic of spiritual usurpation, detailing his brilliant rise from an ordinary mortal to achieving immortal transcendence.

  • Mistaken Era 44

    Chapter 44

    Lured by such an irresistible aroma, the Corpse-Eating Beast could not await Wei Jie’s command. It howled impatiently, wrenching free from the leash to reveal its ferocious true form, pouncing straight towards the attendant Zhuer beside Prince Can.

    This attendant Zhuer was the daughter of the renegade Wei Di from the Wei Family, so she naturally knew the beast’s formidability.

    To protect herself, the panicked Zhuer blew the whistle concealed in her mouth, activating all the worms she had planted at the banquet while also flinging countless poison-tipped darts.

    These darts could instantly inflict lethal toxins upon breaking the skin, and when combined with the puppet worms, the venom would spread through the bloodstream, amplifying the worms’ domineering power!

    Although a few of those present had only recently been inflicted, being struck by the darts would render them no different from those long-inflicted.

    For those already poisoned, the barrage of darts Zhuer flung was akin to commanding their demise.

    Fortunately, the Wei Family members including Wei Jie were clad in protective silver armor, rendering those poisoned darts useless.

    However, this whistle blast had awakened the dormant swarm of worms. The disciples of the Four Great Sects seemed possessed, collectively charging the Corpse-Eating Beast in a bid to protect their worm master.

    Among them, several deeply cultivated experts were even struck by the darts. The venom stimulated an explosive surge of their dantian’s qi, shredding their very robes into flying strips of cloth.

    Although the Wei Family’s silver-armored soldiers were quick to subdue major cultivators like Qin He and the Heavenly Heart Sect’s elders by clamping silver rings on them, preventing the worms from reaching their hearts and inducing a killing rampage, the poison had already provoked the worms into frenzied volatility beyond such simple suppression.

    At this point, Prince Can could no longer deny his involvement, as this attendant had long been kept by his side. Moreover, these inflicted individuals had all consumed the wine she had served, undoubtedly laced with worm seeds during the toast.

    Seeing some of his subordinate disciples losing control of the worms to the whistle’s influence, unable to withstand the Corpse-Eating Beast’s onslaught as they coughed up blood and perished one by one, the few elders from the Four Great Sects who had abstained from wine narrowly escaped this fate. Their eyes brimming with anguish, they gripped their swords, intent on seizing the treacherous prince.

    However, Prince Can had already retreated under the protection of his formidable subordinates when the situation became uncontrollable, his whereabouts unknown.

    The puppet worm cultivator Zhuer had also intended to flee alongside Prince Can.

    Unfortunately, the Corpse-Eating Beast suddenly turned invisible, catching Zhuer off guard as it tore off half her arm in a blood-spraying ambush. She was then pinned to the ground by the Wei Family’s silver-armored troops, forced to surrender.

    Zhuer was in too much agonizing pain to speak, watching helplessly as her arm gradually disappeared into the beast’s invisible maw, devouring it with relish. She could only wail in despair, “Father! Your Highness, save me…”

    But her father and the prince had long since vanished without a trace. As Zhuer let out another anguished scream, it seemed something had bitten into one of her feet…

    The Wei Family Patriarch Wei Jingfeng remained behind to handle the aftermath, for those frenzied experts from the Four Great Sects had erupted into unrestrained killing rampages, drenching the area in a bloody storm. Left unchecked, they would undoubtedly massacre any nearby villages.

    Meanwhile, Wei Jie led a contingent of Wei Family soldiers in pursuit of the treacherous prince. However, midway they encountered the discarded Tang Youshu, so they brought him along to continue the chase.

    But as they closed in on Luoyi City ahead, Prince Can and his entourage had vanished without a trace.

    When Wei Jie’s group entered the city, they found it eerily silent like a ghost town.

    Soon, Wei Jie also detected the city’s unsettling inversions, deducing that this could not be the true Luoyi City.

    Yet as they prepared to depart, they encountered illusory doppelgangers identical to themselves.

    Naturally, they immediately engaged the illusions in heated battle, though each pair’s circumstances differed slightly.

    The fights involving Wei Jie and the Wei Family guards were exceptionally fierce, while the bout between Tang Youshu and his illusory self was a complete chicken fight from start to finish – the real and fake versions flailing at each other with bamboo poles, eventually resorting to whacking each other’s buttocks in a comical exchange.

    Though Tang wore a helmet, the illusory blows still left his head ringing. Fortunately, Wei Jie was the first to notice their spiritual energy seemed to be draining, ordering everyone to cease fighting the “illusions” immediately.

    However, just as they prepared to exit the city, they found the gates sealed while hearing voices from within.

    Following the sounds, they unexpectedly witnessed an utterly bizarre scene at the entrance of the Wealth God Temple – the frigid, aloof Young Master Qin Lingxiao was intimately embracing and kissing their own Talisman Sect’s petite mentor!

    Upon hearing this account, Xiao Xiao grasped the key detail. In a low voice, she asked Tang Youshu, “So you never had a chance to show my master the letter I wrote?”

    Tang Youshu nodded.

    This time, Xiao Xiao truly breathed a sigh of relief. If so, then the teetering master-disciple bond could still be salvaged.

    After all, she had written those words under the assumption that she and Wei Jie would never reunite, believing their inevitable parting should be accompanied by harsh sentiments befitting his usually vexing conduct.

    However, since Wei Jie had not read the letter, why had he been sulking with such a sour face, as if she owed him a vast fortune?

    As Tang continued his account eagerly, hoping his grand-master would explain her relationship with the Young Master Qin, he was suddenly pulled aside by Qin Lingxiao for questioning…

    Now understanding that Wei Jie had yet to read her harsh farewell letter, the Talisman Sect Master regained her confidence.

    Xiao Xiao cleared her throat and strolled over to her beloved disciple leaning against a pillar, bumping his arm with her shoulder. “Enough with the posturing. Isn’t it tiring to keep scowling like that?”

    Wei Jie looked down at his much shorter master and asked flatly, “Aren’t you the one who didn’t want to be with me? Why are you talking to me again?”

    Ah, this… Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes. “I only said I didn’t want to be bound together, which was the absolute truth! After all, who wants to be literally tied to someone when relieving themselves?”

    As she spoke, Xiao Xiao made an effort to widen her large eyes, appearing more self-righteous.

    Yet Wei Jie remained unmoved, coldly asking, “But you did want to be with him, even agreeing to return to Soaring Cloud Pavilion with him? Or did you regret not marrying him earlier to become the esteemed Young Madame?”

    The “him” Wei Jie referred to was clearly Qin Lingxiao, who was questioning Tang Youshu nearby with an ashen expression, grabbing his collar as if inquiring about his father Qin He’s condition.

    Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao’s nose wrinkled in displeasure. “Enough of that already! Being stuck with him for those few days nearly starved Ling’er and me to death! With his icy demeanor, who would want to be with him? Stop dragging me into this!”

    Her heartfelt aversion clearly pleased her frosty disciple, who finally revealed a hint of fang as he smiled down at his petite master, bending slightly to bring his face close as he asked in a deep voice, “What’s wrong? He didn’t feed you?”

    At that moment, Yu Ling’er rushed over, frantically waving her sword as she shouted, “Stop arguing! Hurry! We really can’t hold on much longer…”

    Seeing their injured companions, the longtime adversaries Wei Jie and Qin Lingxiao exchanged silent glances.

    The two men finally crouched down, begrudgingly grasping each other’s hands in mutual disdain.

    The petite Cui Xiao Xiao stepped onto their joined hands, placing her own on their shoulders before softly counting, “One, two, three – launch!”

    Channeling their spiritual energy, the four arms powerfully propelled Xiao Xiao skyward, hurtling her towards the “sun”!

    Even before launching, Xiao Xiao had gripped the “Defying the Heavens” sword, extending it like an arrow to pierce that illusory sun.

    The men’s immense strength launched her remarkably high! However, midway through her ascent, Xiao Xiao clearly felt a resisting force, as if lead weights were shackling her feet, attempting to drag her back down.

    Evidently, the formation was still stubbornly resisting, striving to pull Xiao Xiao back.

    At that moment, Xiao Xiao closed her eyes and channeled her spiritual energy, achieving unity with the sword to propel the “Defying the Heavens” onward towards the “sun.”

    These past few days of needing to climb trees for fruit had allowed Xiao Xiao to masterfully apply the principles of uniting with her sword.

    Now, with the surge of her spiritual force, the “Defying the Heavens” seemed like a powerful hand dragging Xiao Xiao forward relentlessly.

    Wherever the icy sword’s brilliance touched, it seemed to cleave through the viscous, nebulous “sunlight.”

    How could a mere false sun withstand the chilling radiance of this heaven-punishing sword?

    As the resistance waned, the blade swiftly carried Xiao Xiao onward before viciously striking that ominously crimson “sunset”!

    An ear-splitting shattering sound rang out as the “sun” slowly cracked like a mirror’s surface, unleashing an agonized, demonic wail from the fissures.

    Xiao Xiao clearly witnessed a stunned face emerging between those mirror-like cracks…

    Though it flashed by in an instant, Xiao Xiao immediately recognized that person…

    Then, a scorching wave erupted from the fissures, causing the entire mirror city to crumble bit by bit into dust. Those ferocious urban ghosts and illusory selves melted away like hot wax, dissolving into the cracked ground…

    Amid the swirling debris, the backlash from shattering the formation slammed Xiao Xiao back towards the earth.

    At that moment, the two towering men on the rooftop sprang up, reaching out to catch her.

    Unfortunately, Qin Lingxiao’s movements were slightly slower, unable to beat Wei Jie, who securely caught Xiao Xiao in his embrace before landing back on the ground.

    Looking around, they were now clearly in the outskirts of Luoyi City.

    The night breeze carried the chirping of insects and distant howling of jackals, enveloping them in refreshing, vivifying air…

    This vibrant reality instilled a sense of being reborn after a brush with death.

    It was now deep into the night, with twinkling stars and a half-moon veiled by wispy clouds. Luoyi City lay ahead in the distance, its gates tightly shut in a curfew-like state.

    Yu Ling’er was the first to react, stumbling forward to grasp a handful of grass and stuff it into her mouth.

    After chewing for a moment, the grassy tang spread across her tongue. With a face of utter delight, Yu Ling’er spat out the fibrous remains and exclaimed loudly, “This grass is edible! We’ve finally escaped that hellish place!”

    However, the ordeal was not yet over.

    Cui Xiao Xiao scanned their surroundings and quickly noticed ash markings on the ground, as if someone had used talisman papers to burn lines tracing the layout of a city’s streets.

    These lines depicted an area no larger than a few acres!

    In other words, they had essentially been trapped within this tiny space, going around in circles endlessly.

    It was highly likely a temporary formation hastily erected by one of Prince Can’s subordinate experts to delay the pursuing Wei Jie and his men as they fled.

    But if this was the city, where was the “sun”?

    Xiao Xiao looked around and soon spotted a large, cracked bronze mirror hanging from a towering tree branch, with shattered fragments littering the roots below.

    Evidently, the previous illusory city had been manifested by someone adjusting the angle of this bronze mirror to reflect and distort the image of the true Luoyi City.

    Beside the mirror hung a lantern emanating an eerie red glow – the “sunset” light they had perceived within the city was likely just an illusion cast by this lantern’s reflection in the bronze mirror.

    Wei Jie led two Wei Family guards to retrieve the mirror and lantern for examination.

    However, after taking a whiff of the lantern oil, they immediately recoiled in disgust.

    The oil was greasy and overwhelmingly foul-smelling.

    As members of the Wei Family tasked with guarding the underworld, they could easily identify this as human tallow.

    As the name suggests, human tallow was oil rendered from corpses, though this batch seemed mixed with other substances.

    Upon closer inspection, Wei Jie immediately recognized remnants of saliva from the demonic beast(邪兽蜃-xieshoushen).

    The Xieshou(illusory monster) beast excelled at conjuring illusions, and adding its saliva to the lantern oil would inadvertently induce hallucinations in anyone entering the formation when ignited.

  • Mistaken Era 43

    Mistaken Era Chapter 43

    Qin Lingxiao’s eyes widened, staring fixedly at the youth in front of him who looked exactly like him. He thought to himself: “Are they all looking at the same enormous mirror?”

    However, he soon discovered that something was off. The surroundings of the person who looked like an image were not the shops around them!

    To be on the safe side, he had already drawn his sword, suspending it in mid-air, vigilantly watching the group of “people” approaching.

    Just then, the “Qin Lingxiao” on the other side also drew his sword, suddenly revealing a menacing expression and charging towards them.

    Following him were “Cui Xiaoxiao” and “Yu Ling’er,” as well as several fox tribe members and disciples from the Lingyun Pavilion.

    This… it wasn’t their image at all!

    Xiaoxiao whispered to herself, “Oh no,” and could only harden her heart to face the fake ones and fight alongside them.

    When they clashed, Qin Lingxiao’s heart felt a slight relief.

    The fake “Qin Lingxiao” was similar in appearance and technique to him, and seemed to know all his weaknesses. It kept attacking his vulnerable spots relentlessly.

    However, the opponent’s control over the sword’s spiritual energy was too weak to match him. It was no match for him within three to five exchanges.

    The others felt the same way. The fake ones in front of them seemed to lack vitality and were not a threat at all.

    But Xiaoxiao’s feelings were completely different.

    Her body had always been home to a magical pearl, which only allowed her to suppress it when her spiritual energy and the pearl’s magical energy reached a certain balance.

    Just as she was about to exchange blows with the fake Xiaoxiao, the magical pearl suddenly shouted, “Fool, stop fighting If you keep going, your spiritual energy will be exhausted!”

    It wasn’t shouting, but Xiaoxiao also discovered it. In that moment, she felt her spiritual energy seeping out like water from a leaky gourd.

    As she retreated, the fake Xiaoxiao also retreated, her face full of caution as she stared at Xiaoxiao.

    Xiaoxiao whispered to the magical pearl, “You’re really concerned about me…”

    The magical pearl snorted, “I just slept for a bit. You brought me to this dangerous place. If you get killed by the fake ones, it’s fine. But here are all illusions formed by fake people. If you die, I’ll be stuck in someone else’s body. What a mess!”

    Xiaoxiao suddenly understood. She was tied to the magical pearl like a grasshopper on a string, which explained why the magical pearl was so agitated.

    When she looked up again, the group had already clashed together, making it impossible to tell who was who.

    However, it was clear that one side was now clearly on the defensive, struggling to keep up the fight.

    Xiaoxiao shouted loudly, “Yu Ling’er!”

    Just then, one of the struggling Yu Ling’er stretched out her fox claws to scratch people and looked back with a sorrowful face, saying, “Hurry, I’m about to be overwhelmed!”

    Xiaoxiao understood the situation and immediately shouted loudly to Qin Lingxiao and the others, “Stop fighting They’re fighting because of your inner hatred, and they’re absorbing your true energy. The longer you fight, the stronger they’ll become. Hurry, recite the calming incantation to calm your heart and eliminate your hatred!”

    The fox tribe was completely convinced by Xiao Xiao, believing her to be a deeply blessed person whose guidance would not lead them astray.

    Thus, they immediately ceased fighting and retreated.

    Indeed, once the fox tribe stopped battling, those illusory fox tribesmen also halted, only lingering to lick their paws as if slowly savoring the spiritual energy they had absorbed.

    Their provocative gazes taunted others to lose control once more.

    However, Qin Lingxiao and his group seemed to have ignored Xiao Xiao’s warning, continuing to grapple with the illusions.

    Finally, one of Qin Lingxiao’s shoulders was actually pierced by a qi sword, causing him to grunt in pain.

    Xiao Xiao knew that these mirror images of people could not produce any sound.

    Hearing his injury vocalize, she realized it must be the real Qin Lingxiao, so she shouted another warning, “If you still refuse to listen to me, you will likely die here.”

    This time, Qin Lingxiao finally heeded the deception, ordering the Soaring Cloud disciples to reluctantly disengage.

    But as he retreated, the illusory Qin Lingxiao still bore a ferocious expression, pressing forward step-by-step.

    Thus, Xiao Xiao and the others could only continue falling back alongside Qin Lingxiao’s group, retreating all the way to the entrance of the Wealth God Temple.

    Qin Lingxiao clutched his injured shoulder through gritted teeth, asking, “What’s going on? Why is it still pursuing me?”

    Xiao Xiao hypothesized, “Perhaps your hostility towards it is too intense. That illusion is like a mirror reflecting you – if you harbor the intent to kill it, it will naturally seek to eliminate you in turn!”

    Qin Lingxiao bit his lip, turned away, and forcibly closed his eyes to suppress his hostile intentions. Sure enough, the illusions then stopped advancing before the temple entrance.

    Xiao Xiao now feared the other search parties may have encountered similar situations. If they failed to realize the truth, they would surely fight the mirror images to the death, exhausting their spiritual energy until perishing.

    Thus, she instructed the few fox youths following her to quickly deliver warnings to the other directions, lest they become embroiled in futile battles.

    Seeing Qin Lingxiao’s bleeding wound, Xiao Xiao could not simply stand by. They were now in the same boat, needing to work together to break through this formation.

    So she approached him and took out medical supplies from her travel satchel to dress his injury.

    Having no choice – as a lowly cultivation sect, the overall attainments of the Talisman Sect were limited, so her travel satchel contained all sorts of medicines for headaches, fevers, and the like.

    Xiao Xiao had grown up scrapping on the streets, frequently sustaining injuries large and small, making her adept at treating wounds. Her slender fingers deftly applied the styptic powder evenly into Qin Lingxiao’s torn sleeve before binding it with bandages.

    As her delicate fingers tended to his wound, Qin Lingxiao felt no pain, unable to resist lowering his gaze towards the young lady at his side.

    Her long lashes curved becomingly, her nose gentle and adorable. In profile, she resembled a carved jade beauty. Staring too long could stir improper thoughts…

    It was at this moment that Yu Ling’er suddenly let out a shrill fox cry, as if someone had stabbed her. “Ah ah ah! You…what are you doing?!”

    Unsure of the reason, Xiao Xiao followed Yu Ling’er’s line of sight…

    Only to see the illusory Qin Lingxiao at the temple entrance suddenly embrace the illusory Cui Xiao Xiao before leaning in for a deep, passionate kiss…

    Cui Xiao Xiao had never experienced such a scenario before. Even her clever mind seemed to short-circuit momentarily.

    She could only gape dumbly, her eyes stinging as if sprinkled with chili oil…

    A mirror image was the true reflection of one’s self.

    Xiao Xiao stared at Qin Lingxiao in disbelief – Please! What indecent thoughts was this righteous cultivator entertaining to provoke such a lascivious display from his illusion, shamelessly devouring the likeness of a young lady?

    Qin Lingxiao also seemed not to have expected his illusion to reveal his brief moment of impropriety so vividly.

    His face flushed red as he turned away in embarrassment, retorting irritably to Xiao Xiao, “Why are you looking at me? I’m not him!”

    At the same time, the illusory Cui Xiao Xiao finally reacted.

    The young lady crisply slapped the “Young Master Qin” twice before kicking him to the ground and stomping on him furiously!

    This time, it was Qin Lingxiao’s turn to gape, shooting an accusing glare at Cui Xiao Xiao.

    Xiao Xiao only looked at him innocently. “Why are you looking at me? I’m not her…”

    Just then, the illusory Ling’er, having rolled around enough, viciously extended her fox claws to tear at the illusory Xiao Xiao.

    However, the real Xiao Xiao merely had to glare at the tearful Yu Ling’er beside her, causing the illusory fox to immediately cower with drooping ears, not daring to move.

    Not wishing to dwell on such matters, Qin Lingxiao took a deep breath before changing the subject, “How much longer must we remain trapped here?”

    Xiao Xiao also felt rather awkward, for the illusory version was identical to her. She could not help feeling somewhat violated, yet could not retaliate against the real Qin Lingxiao.

    Seeing Yu Ling’er’s crestfallen jealousy, Xiao Xiao could only try to defuse the tension. “The tightly shut city gates we initially saw were likely the real ones. The Wei Family has undercover agents in Luoyi City – they could not have failed to detect such a large-scale formation. If the Wei Family and Wei Jie discover any anomalies, we should be rescued soon.”

    Qin Lingxiao did not seem fond of Xiao Xiao praising Wei Jie, so he scoffed coldly, correcting her, “As long as my father and the Four Great Sects are unharmed, they can subdue any demonic forces, no matter how formidable! Rather than pinning hopes on those grave-guarding Wei Family, we would do better awaiting rescue from the four sects.”

    Xiao Xiao knew that compared to the Four Great Sects, the demon-subduing Wei Family tended to keep a much lower profile. Moreover, they had traditionally dwelled in seclusion at Mount Qilao, rarely entering the mortal realm. Coupled with the later annihilation of the entire Wei Family, leaving no descendants, it was unsurprising that Qin Lingxiao held them in some disdain.

    In fact, such disparaging remarks about the Wei Family were quite prevalent among the arrogant Four Great Sects.

    However, Xiao Xiao did not appreciate it, for Wei Jie was ultimately her disciple. How could she allow others to insult her disciple’s family?

    So she deliberately smiled sweetly, speaking in a voice only Qin Lingxiao could hear, “If the Four Great Sects were so reliable, how did they end up being toyed with by Prince Can in the previous life? Rely on them? I’d sooner rely on a bundle of kindling!”

    Hearing Xiao Xiao’s words, Qin Lingxiao’s face fell as he angrily glared at her, also lowering his voice. “If not them, you expect to rely on Wei Jie? Look at who you’ve been cavorting with daily – that demon! Don’t you know what he did to the Four Great Sects later on? His slaughter of Soaring Cloud Pavilion is undeniable! No matter how you try to justify him, it’s useless!”

    Xiao Xiao was so infuriated she almost shouted, “You have the gall to bring that up! You think I wanted to cavort with him? If you hadn’t locked me together with him initially, how could I have ended up with him?”

    Qin Lingxiao was equally enraged, shouting back, “You deceitful woman, don’t quibble! Didn’t you previously agree to return with me to Soaring Cloud Pavilion? Did you ever follow through?”

    At that moment, a cold voice came from the direction of the Wealth God Temple, “So that’s how it is…”

    Hearing this familiar voice, Xiao Xiao felt a shiver run down her spine. Following the sound, she looked up to see a towering man clad in brilliant silver armor, his long legs straddling the temple’s threshold as he coolly observed Cui Xiao Xiao and Qin Lingxiao within.

    Xiao Xiao was used to seeing this man in his customary black robes. She never expected the masculine charm he exuded while donning armor – the sleek silver plates accentuated his sturdy frame, his aura of lethality overshadowing his usual graceful bearing. His striking beauty coupled with an aura of murderous intent was enough to weaken one’s knees…

    But now was hardly the time to appreciate masculine beauty!

    Seeing the suddenly-appeared Wei Jie, his taut jaw and chiseled nose radiating an icy demeanor, Xiao Xiao was unsure how much he had overheard…

    Beside Wei Jie stood Tang Youshu.

    The young master was also clad in silver armor, but his slender build caused the plates to clank discordantly against his frame. He still carried his ever-present bamboo basket on his back, naturally unable to exude his master’s graceful lethality.

    Currently, Tang stood behind Wei Jie, winking exaggeratedly at Xiao Xiao below, his urgent expression suggesting his master was in a foul mood.

    Even without Tang’s hints, Xiao Xiao could sense Wei Jie’s displeasure.

    This was because not far behind the master and disciple stood two identical illusory versions of “Wei Jie” and “Tang Youshu.”

    At that moment, the illusory Wei Jie extended a long leg to viciously kick the fallen “Qin Lingxiao” several times before striding over to the “Cui Xiao Xiao” with reddened lips. He reached out and crudely wiped her mouth…

    The brash manner left even Xiao Xiao feeling as if her own lips stung. She couldn’t help covering her mouth as she cried out towards Wei Jie, “That’s…enough already!”

    Jolted by his master’s shout, Wei Jie seemed to regain his composure.

    The illusory Wei Jie finally released the illusory Xiao Xiao with a scowl.

    As the master, Xiao Xiao also felt awkward being confronted with her disciple’s distaste, yet she could understand his brief lapse of poise to some extent.

    She could only clear her throat and say, “Oh no! How did you end up in this city too? It’s such a relief to see you…”

    Wei Jie’s tone was clipped and cold. “My apologies for interrupting your heart-to-heart with this…Young Master.”

    Xiao Xiao had never seen Wei Jie so soberly stern before. She could only try explaining, “Actually, when I initially left, it was to allow you to gain some experience. After all, your capabilities are considerable – there’s no need to constantly follow me…”

    Before she could finish, Wei Jie calmly interjected, “For intimacies between men and women, it is indeed inconvenient to have a disciple in tow…”

    Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes in exasperation. Intimacies, her foot!

    For the past few days, she and Qin Lingxiao had been enduring hunger, their mouths as dry as a desert bird’s. What intimacies could there be? Could they eat that?

    Too lazy to clarify further, she changed the subject, “What’s the deal with this illusory city? That…Madam has also returned. Do you know if she has entered the city?”

    With the Soaring Cloud disciples and Qin Lingxiao present, she could only vaguely refer to Si Ling as “Madam” to remind Wei Jie of her return.

    Wei Jie clearly understood, his brows furrowing slightly as he tersely explained, “She will not enter the city. For now, none can exit or enter this illusory city…”

    Concerned for his father’s safety, Qin Lingxiao set aside his aversion towards Wei Jie to ask, “What’s the situation with this city? Is this your doing?”

    Without even looking at him, Wei Jie continued addressing Xiao Xiao, “This city has limited capacity. Until it has fully digested those who have entered, it will not open its gates to admit new arrivals.”

    “Digested?” Xiao Xiao looked at Wei Jie in confusion.

    “You, me, and everyone else who entered. After these illusory selves absorb our spiritual energy and kill our corporeal forms, only then will the city gates reopen to lure in more people.”

    Xiao Xiao couldn’t help gasping in shock.

    According to Wei Jie, did this mean they could not leave until every single person within the city was slain?

    At that moment, the other search parties began trickling back in small groups.

    Although Xiao Xiao had dispatched warnings in time, those who had split up still suffered considerable losses, with several Soaring Cloud disciples severely injured.

    It was human nature – upon suddenly encountering identical replicas of themselves, uncontrollable feelings of revulsion would inevitably arise.

    The Soaring Cloud disciples, accustomed to smooth sailing and self-admiration, failed to rein in their killing intent despite the warnings, only to suffer the consequences of their arrogance.

    As everyone gathered at the Wealth God Temple, the illusory selves also clustered outside the entrance, glaring ominously as they jostled together, fixated on the living people within.

    Waiting for any moment of agitation or loss of emotional control to reignite the deadly battle.

    Observing this situation, Yu Ling’er fell into deep despair, murmuring despondently, “What should we do? Am I fated to starve to death? If I had known, I would have preferred dying by the beast hunters’ claws – at least I wouldn’t suffer like this…”

    Qin Lingxiao pursed his lips as he led the Soaring Cloud disciples to sit on the temple steps, entering meditation to conserve their energy.

    Meanwhile, the illusory Soaring Cloud disciples outside also began channeling their qi. It remained to be seen whether the injured real disciples could withstand their illusory counterparts if battle erupted again.

    The atmosphere among the Lingshan Talisman Sect was rather awkward.

    The long-separated master and disciple showed no warmth towards each other upon reunion. Wei Jie leaned against a pillar, eyes downcast in thought, showing no intention of greeting his master.

    As for Xiao Xiao, she did not feel comfortable speaking to Wei Jie either, only inquiring about the past few days from Tang Youshu, as well as the reason for their appearance here.

    Fortunately, Tang remained as warm and respectful towards his grand-master as ever, inviting Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er to eat as they conversed.

    Being a wandering physician, Tang always carried a large bamboo basket filled with supplies.

    This basket now resembled a treasure trove, its contents causing Cui Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er’s eyes to light up in delight.

    Especially Yu Ling’er, who licked her lips as she exclaimed, “Young Master Tang, you are truly an extraordinary man! How do you have so many pastries, oils, and sweets in this basket?”

    Tang smiled as he produced an oiled paper package. “Eat slowly, there are also barbecued chicken drumsticks here!”

    Yu Ling’er nearly leapt into Tang’s arms, her eyes brimming with tears. “How did you know I wanted to eat this? For the past few days, I’ve been dreaming of the barbecued chicken from the stall across our inn!”

    However, the illusory Ling’er showed no such restraint, shamelessly nuzzling into the illusory “Tang Youshu’s” embrace like a starving pup!

    Tang then recounted his experiences over the past few days.

    It turned out that not even a full day after Cui Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er had departed, Tang’s stomach had growled with hunger, having depleted all the food in his basket.

    Famished, he had to return to the city to purchase more provisions. While queuing to buy barbecued chicken legs, he noticed a swarm of soldiers rushing out from the streets, having heard that an incident had occurred at Autumn Water Pond where Prince Can was holding his birthday celebration. Some people who had just returned to the city saw flames raging there, tinting half the sky crimson.

    Tang knew his master had gone to attend that banquet, so in his hurry, he packed up the chicken legs and hired a donkey carriage to go investigate at Autumn Water Pond.

    However, halfway there, the carriage was commandeered by returning officials who dragged Tang out and tossed him into a roadside bush.

    He could only watch helplessly as those soldiers who seized the carriage fled.

    Later, he learned that during Prince Can’s birthday banquet, when the revelry was in full swing, the patriarch of the Wei Family, Wei Jingfeng, had suddenly appeared and accused Prince Can of privately cultivating underworld voodoo worms with the intention of bringing calamity to the mortal realm.

    These words caused an uproar among those present.

    The elder from Ebony Peak, having bonded closely with Prince Can over just a few short days, immediately slammed the table in outrage, demanding what evidence the Wei Family had to level such slanderous accusations against a prince.

    The Wei Family was known for keeping to themselves, so they had their subordinates reveal the silver rings they carried.

    Those silver rings caused the members of the Four Great Sects to be surrounded, shaking and chiming like a chorus of bells.

    As Wei Jingfeng explained the dangers of the puppet worms, the sect leaders headed by Qin He from Soaring Cloud Pavilion immediately reacted by sitting in meditation to examine their meridians.

    However, this examination inadvertently accelerated the movement of the worms within their bodies.

    Qin He and the others soon had darkened brows, glaring furiously at Prince Can.

    Yet Prince Can calmly countered by questioning how, even if the Four Great Sects had been poisoned, did that prove he – a wealthy and idle prince – was the one who administered the toxin?

    As a noble, he had no dealings with cultivators in his daily life, so why would he engage in such schemes?

    Instead, Prince Can claimed to have heard from the elders of the Four Great Sects that the renegade disciple of the Wei Family, Wei Jie, was in the city. The master he took as a disciple, Cui Xiao Xiao, also seemed quite dubious.

    Moreover, Prince Can had just discovered that the songstress Si Ling, whom he had recently become infatuated with, was actually the femme fatale who had escaped from the Four Great Sects years ago.

    Some had witnessed Wei Jie secretly meeting with Si Ling before helping her leave the city. While Prince Can did not know what sinister intentions this demonic mother and son harbored, he had been secretly dispatching people to investigate, never expecting to be wrongfully accused in return by the very Wei Family that Wei Jie had deceived.

    Was this not the case of a thief crying “Stop, thief!”?

    Overall, Prince Can presented reasoned arguments with a smooth tongue. Even the members of the Four Great Sects who discovered they had been inflicted by puppet worms wavered upon hearing his words, suspecting this was a trap set by Wei Jie in collusion with the Wei Family.

    Just as Prince Can was regaining control of the situation with his silver tongue, Wei Jingfeng’s disciple Wei Jie slowly stepped forward, holding a wriggling dog leash, yet there seemed to be nothing attached to it.

    However, a close attendant behind Prince Can suddenly turned deathly pale and kept retreating.

    What Wei Jie held on his leash was the Corpse-Eating Beast they had previously captured along with Xiao Xiao.

    This creature naturally craved rot and was drawn to yin spirits. Unfortunately, the seeds of the puppet worms had been cultivated by immersing in the resentful yin spirits drowning in the River of Oblivion in the underworld.

    If the worm seeds merely entered a human body, they could still be tempered by the person’s yang blood energy to mask their yin chill.

    However, for those who constantly handled these yin demonic objects while cultivating the worms, the sinister aura would inevitably permeate their entire body, a pungent miasma clinging persistently.

    To the Corpse-Eating Beast, such a scent was irresistible – the fragrance of a delectable feast!

     

  • Mistaken Era 42 p2

    Mistaken Era 42 P2

    Xiao Xiao pointed at the surrounding streets and buildings. “The layout of these shops and residences is completely reversed from the true Luoyi City… Look at the sunset in the sky!”

    Qin Lingxiao raised his head to see that the sun, which should have been setting in the west, was instead slowly descending towards the eastern mountains, eventually hanging motionless over the peaks and emanating a dull crimson glow.

    This place was undoubtedly an illusion! He exchanged glances with Xiao Xiao before immediately leading everyone to swiftly retreat towards the city gates.

    However, upon reaching the gate, they came face-to-face with Yu Ling’er and the others who had just entered.

    Seeing her come in, Xiao Xiao urgently asked, “Why did you enter? Didn’t I tell you to wait outside the city?”

    Yu Ling’er blinked her large eyes innocently. “But…earlier it was you standing at the gate, waving for me to come in. It’s fine, I left my mother and some of our tribesmen outside.”

    Xiao Xiao pursed her lips before abruptly reaching out towards Yu Ling’er’s navel area.

    Only after sensing the abundant spiritual energy of the harbored spirit stone did she confirm this was indeed Yu Ling’er and not an illusion.

    She ought to explain their current predicament to everyone.

    “Everyone, we may have stumbled into the Mirror City illusion…”

    Yu Ling’er heard this and repeated doubtfully, “Mirror City?”

    Xiao Xiao nodded. These past few days lying idle in the carriage, the only thing she had done was re-read her master’s secret text from beginning to end, which she had previously only skimmed through haphazardly.

    Her former sect siblings had always complained that while the master loved writing long-winded daily accounts, there were barely a few pages actually pertaining to the essence of talisman cultivation.

    But now Xiao Xiao was immensely grateful for her master’s rambling narratives akin to wrapped footbindings, as they had revealed many profound insights.

    Her master had written that after her predecessor Wei Jie established the demonic sect at Ghost Ridge Cliff, he aimed to eradicate the Four Great Sects. However, on his way to Soaring Cloud Pavilion, he stumbled into an identical replica of the pavilion’s compound.

    He became lost within for a long time, experiencing life-and-death perils before finally breaking free.

    At the time, Wei Jie had explained to Tang Youshu that it was a mirror image illusion, as if the buildings or even an entire city had been reflected into existence by a bronze mirror.

    But once trapped inside, one became part of the mirrored illusion, unable to distinguish truth from falsehood…

    Unfortunately, with her master’s rambling writing style akin to wrapped footbindings, he only briefly glossed over such consequential adventures of the predecessor before moving on.

    Now, seeing the eerie phenomena in this Luoyi City, Xiao Xiao was reminded of that passage.

    However, this mirror city illusion had appeared far earlier than the timing of Wei Jie’s recorded encounter in her master’s text.

    She did not know why such an illusion had manifested here so prematurel

    Qin Lingxiao, also a time-traveler from two hundred years past, was clearly unaware of the mirror city as well.

    Of course, this event had occurred before he became Wei Jie’s disciple, so his ignorance was understandable.

    After Xiao Xiao’s brief explanation, Qin Lingxiao also noticed the abnormalities of this city – it was far too silent!

    Even at dusk when shops were closing, the streets should not have been this utterly devoid of sound!

    Moreover, earlier when Yu Ling’er had seen the “Xiao Xiao” at the gate beckoning her to enter, she had not heard any voice.

    Perhaps as Xiao Xiao claimed, everything here was merely a reflected illusion, hence the lack of sound.

    Since this was undoubtedly a trap, there was no point lingering. With this thought, Qin Lingxiao took the lead in charging back towards the city gates.

    But upon reaching the wide-open gates, it was as if an invisible wall blocked their way. No matter how forcefully Qin Lingxiao struck, they could not break through or escape.

    Xiao Xiao pondered aloud, “Since this is a mirror illusion, we must first locate the ‘mirror’ itself. Otherwise, we may become trapped mirror people, confined to starve here…”

    As she spoke, she divided their group to search the four cardinal directions of the city for any clues to dispelling the illusory seal.

    However, the Soaring Cloud disciples were displeased with Cui Xiao Xiao’s presumptuous orders, coldly remarking, “Who do you think you are, our sect leader? How dare you instruct us!”

    Xiao Xiao could not be bothered arguing with the petulant youths, only looking to Qin Lingxiao as she said, “Although your Soaring Cloud disciples excel at abstaining from grains, you’ll occasionally need to subsist on flower dew. But everything in this mirror city is false – there’s not even a single leaf. If you’d rather not leave and starve to death here, then there’s no need to follow us. Suit yourselves!”

    “Ai ya, Xiao Xiao, you speak the truth!”

    It turned out the ever-hungry Yu Ling’er had been unable to resist sitting down at a familiar noodle stall lining the street.

    But when she lifted the bowl, she could not smell or sense any heat from the noodles. And when she plucked out a marinated egg to take a bite, she let out a pained yelp as she had bitten her own tongue instead!

    She walked over with a pained expression, telling Qin Lingxiao, “If we don’t leave soon, we really will starve to death here!”

    Surveying the ominous, lifeless city, Qin Lingxiao finally instructed his subordinates, “For now, we’ll follow Sect Master Cui’s lead. Leaving this place is most crucial.”

    Once they reached a consensus, Xiao Xiao began dividing them into groups to search the four corners of the city.

    However, when she tried distributing talisman papers to the Soaring Cloud disciples, they all refused to accept them.

    Without needing them to voice their disdain, their contemptuous sneers said enough – she had offended another major sect!

    As the esteemed Soaring Cloud Sect, cultivating the way of sword qi, what need did they have for lowly Talisman Sect talismans to preserve their lives?

    So when Qin Lingxiao slowly extended his hand to accept her talisman, Xiao Xiao had already tucked the remaining ones back into her robe.

    The Young Master’s hand awkwardly hovered in the air as he shot Xiao Xiao a piercing glare devoid of warmth.

    Fortunately, Yu Ling’er was perceptive enough to provide a graceful exit, quickly removing her waterskin from her waist and offering it to Qin Lingxiao’s outstretched hand.

    “Young Master, I noticed you didn’t bring any water. Take this – it can also help with hunger.”

    However, Qin Lingxiao showed no gratitude as he coldly tossed the waterskin back before saying to Xiao Xiao, “To prevent you from causing any mischief, I’ll join your group!”

    With that, he left two capable subordinates before leading the remaining disciples to search the western and northern city borders alongside some fox tribesmen.

    Afraid of the dark, Yu Ling’er felt safest sticking with Xiao Xiao, but she was also unwilling to leave Qin Lingxiao alone with her, so she joined Xiao Xiao’s group as well.

    Xiao Xiao did not mind either way, but the question remained – which direction should they head?

    After some thought, she retrieved a palm-sized turtle shell from her robe, a keepsake from her late master along with the secret text.

    She had Yu Ling’er drop two copper coins into the shell before shaking it and carefully observing the divination pattern.

    The coins pointed eastward – could this be an indication to travel east?

    Yu Ling’er looked on in awe, clearly not expecting Xiao Xiao to possess such skills. She eagerly asked, “How about it, does east signify auspicious tidings?”

    Xiao Xiao nodded with satisfaction. “A rare ominous omen indeed!”

    Yu Ling’er’s face fell as she hurriedly said, “Then let’s not go east!”

    Cui Xiao Xiao put away the turtle shell, unconvinced. “You don’t understand. This turtle shell of my master’s has never provided accurate divinations. When my sect siblings and I first descended the mountain, it was this turtle shell that determined our eastward path. At the time, it showed an auspicious omen, but who knew…”

    She trailed off, unable to continue. Who could have foreseen this cursed turtle shell would lead her two hundred years into the past, taking Wei Jie’s place to suffer heavenly tribulation and thunderbolts? Now, out of lingering concerns for him, she had stumbled into this illusory city.

    Evidently, the turtle shell’s omens should be interpreted inversely. Since it displayed eastward as ominous, then heading east might reveal an auspicious opening!

    Qin Lingxiao had always disdained such divinatory talismans and symbology. Seeing Xiao Xiao shaking the turtle shell like a street fortune-teller, he could only scoff silently in contempt.

    Thus, by Xiao Xiao’s decision, their group set off eastward.

    Traveling east led them to a temple dedicated to the God of Wealth. Along the way, Xiao Xiao found no anomalies – this illusory city was astonishingly realistic. Aside from being unable to consume any food or water, there seemed to be no other differences.

    Manifesting such a realistic illusion would not only require a powerful talisman, but also immense spiritual energy to sustain it. It was unknown who possessed such capabilities.

    And what was their purpose in conjuring this entire city?

    It was at this moment that Qin Lingxiao, who had been leading at the front, suddenly halted. Xiao Xiao almost collided into his back before asking, “Why have you stopped?”

    Qin Lingxiao stared directly ahead, his voice taut as he said, “Look… what is that?”

    Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er peered over his shoulders to see… another group approaching from the opposite direction.

    At their lead was a tall, handsome white-robed youth, followed by two young ladies – one lithe and graceful, the other adorably coy…

    With a single glance, Xiao Xiao felt as if she were looking into a mirror!

    The approaching group was none other than the spitting image of their own party!

  • Mistaken Era 42 p1

    Chapter 42

    The second time Qin Lingxiao saw Prince Can, this prince had become the regent, entering the capital to assist his young son’s ascension to the throne.

    At that time, Wei Jie’s demonic sect was growing increasingly powerful, having already crushed the Four Great Sects.

    To seek revenge, Qin Lingxiao had gone undercover, lurking by the Demon Lord’s side using an alias.

    It was during this period that he accompanied Wei Jie to the capital, only to discover Wei Jie intended to negotiate with Prince Can. However, Qin Lingxiao did not know the content of their private meeting.

    Qin Lingxiao was very tense upon seeing Prince Can again, fearing the prince might recognize him and expose his identity as the Young Master of Soaring Cloud Pavilion before Wei Jie.

    Unexpectedly, although Prince Can did recognize him, he chose to provide cover instead.

    Afterward, Prince Can explained it was to make amends for his previous lapse in judgment that led to the righteous path’s tragedy – the demise of the Heavenly Heart Sect Master.

    As for the reason behind Wei Jie’s meeting with Prince Can, the prince explained it was due to Wei Jie’s extortion, forcing him to privately open the national treasury to fund the construction of Wei Jie’s demonic palace.

    Such audacious and insolent demands did seem like something Wei Jie would make.

    Their final encounter was after Qin Lingxiao slew Wei Jie and founded the Nine Primordial Sword Sect.

    Prince Can sent an inscribed plaque bearing the four words “Subdue Demons, Promote Virtue” personally written by the reigning emperor at the time.

    This plaque was later hung in the main hall of the Nine Primordial Sword Sect.

    Overall, although Qin Lingxiao looked down on this prince’s mild and indulgent nature, his impression of Prince Can was not entirely negative.

    After all, he walked the path of immortality, never to cross paths with a mundane prince again.

    However, he later heard this Prince Can had also achieved immortality and ascension? At the time, his former senior brother Tang Youshu, who had long lost contact, came asking his opinion on this matter.

    Qin Lingxiao had always disdained such baseless rumors spread among commoners.

    How could he believe it? Throughout history, tales of imperial scions achieving immortality were plentiful, mostly deifications by later descendants to dupe the populace.

    Yet now, Cui Xiao Xiao was speaking with firm conviction, asserting that this Prince Can harbored malicious intentions, using his subordinate experts to instigate incidents everywhere. Qin Lingxiao’s first reaction was to scoff.

    He no longer believed a single word from this deceitful girl!

    So he coldly said to Cui Xiao Xiao, “What puppet worms? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Now that you’ve appeared, you conveniently bring up these demonic matters – it’s probably related to you, isn’t it!”

    Seeing his disbelief, Cui Xiao Xiao ordered the unburied fox youths to be brought forth, showing him that these foxes had indeed died from voodoo worm infliction.

    Initially dismissive of Cui Xiao Xiao’s actions as unnecessary, Qin Lingxiao was taken aback upon seeing the foxes’ condition.

    At first glance, their bleeding from all orifices seemed to match the effects of a femme fatale’s deadly song rupturing their meridians. But upon closer inspection, the blood from their mouths was pitch black…

    At that moment, the mangy old vixen instructed her tribesmen to cut open the chest of one of the fox youths.

    Its heart was riddled with holes, as if bored through by some unknown entity – a horrific sight!

    Noticing Qin Lingxiao’s change in expression, as if he had realized something, Cui Xiao Xiao probed, “How about it? Did you notice anything?”

    Qin Lingxiao’s handsome eyes were fixated on the black blood as he muttered to himself, “They…their manner of death is so similar to the former Heavenly Heart Sect Master…”

    He had witnessed such a death before, an indelible memory.

    When the former Heavenly Heart Sect Master tragically perished in the forest by Autumn Water Pond, he too had died coughing up black blood. Upon examining the bodies afterward, it was said the Sect Master and several elders seemed to have had their heart meridians ruptured.

    At the time, the Four Great Sects had concluded it was the demonic mother and son’s doing – the femme fatale’s deadly song had shattered their heart meridians, her signature killing move!

    The femme fatale had also perished under the siege of the Heavenly Heart Sect and the other three sects’ disciples. Witnessing his mother’s death, Wei Jie had gone berserk, demonically slaughtering countless pursuing disciples from the four sects.

    After committing such a bloody massacre, Wei Jie had fled with the fox tribe and his followers.

    Now that Wei Jie was gone, the tragic scene was being replayed.

    If the femme fatale had killed these fox youths, would the fox tribe so easily forgive her?

    Could it be, as Cui Xiao Xiao claimed, that there were hidden circumstances behind the events of that year?

    No matter how much Xiao Xiao probed further, Qin Lingxiao fell silent, only studying the fox youths’ corpses intently once more.

    Finally, Qin Lingxiao seemed to realize something, his expression abruptly changing before swiftly dashing away, with the Soaring Cloud disciples naturally following suit.

    Cui Xiao Xiao pondered the phrase Qin Lingxiao had uttered.

    He said the Heavenly Heart Sect Master’s death that year was identical to these fox youths?

    In other words, the Sect Master had not actually died by Wei Jie’s hands, but had already been inflicted by the puppet worm, coincidentally perishing when the voodoo penetrated his heart!

    If this was true, then regardless of whether Si Ling had died in Luoyi City, Wei Jie was destined to shoulder this unjust blame?

    At that moment, the veiled Si Ling standing behind them spoke up, “Sect Master Cui, if you leave the city, won’t that leave Jielang alone in Luoyi? I cannot rest assured leaving him, so I will not accompany you all. We shall meet again – please take care!”

    Without waiting for Xiao Xiao to respond, she too swiftly dashed away.

    Seeing no way to call the femme fatale back, Xiao Xiao plopped down on a roadside boulder.

    She needed a moment to catch her breath, lest she choke on her own regrets two hundred years in the past.

    After all her painstaking efforts, why did it seem like events had suddenly reverted back to their original trajectory?

    If Si Ling returned to Luoyi City, it was highly likely she would meet her demise there.

    Of course, that had nothing to do with Xiao Xiao now. All she needed was to lead the fox tribe away, find Lingshan Mountain, and live in seclusion.

    As for the fates of Wei Jie and his mother, those were not under her control.

    Yu Ling’er gazed wistfully at Qin Lingxiao’s retreating figure until he disappeared from sight before snapping out of her daze, muttering to herself, “Strange, where is Young Master Qin going? Isn’t Soaring Cloud Pavilion in the western mountain valley? Why is he heading east?”

    Hearing her words, Xiao Xiao looked up.

    Indeed, the directions Qin Lingxiao and Si Ling had departed seemed to be the same eastward path they had traveled from.

    Luoyi City lay in that direction…

    Yu Ling’er noticed Xiao Xiao’s prolonged silence and asked, “Are we going to Lingshan Mountain? But I just checked our tribe’s maps, and there is no ‘Lingshan Mountain’ in the Central Plains region you mentioned.”

    Finally catching her breath, Xiao Xiao rose and patted her skirt before pointing east. “Never mind Lingshan for now… We’re returning to Luoyi City!”

    She had no choice – she could not restrain Si Ling from going to rescue her son.

    Now that all parties seemed to be converging on Luoyi City, how could she, the catalyst behind these events, remain uninvolved?

    As the Buddha said: “If I do not enter hell, I will eventually be led there regardless.”

    Since that was the case, she might as well dive in willingly to see if she could help open a path to life for the mother and son.

    The fox tribe had no objections to Xiao Xiao’s proposal, especially upon hearing that Prince Can was also in Luoyi City – they all bared their fangs, gnashing incessantly.

    The fox tribe etched grudges spanning a thousand years. If they could find the root culprit this time, they would tear him to shreds!

    Although Xiao Xiao had dawdled on her journey here, their return was hurried.

    The foxes all revealed their true forms, the largest a five-tailed beast the size of a mule. Riding it, Xiao Xiao felt the wind rushing past, unable to clearly make out the scenery as they covered the distance to Luoyi City’s outskirts in a single night.

    Luoyi City was a prosperous metropolis, constantly bustling with merchants coming and going.

    When Cui Xiao Xiao arrived outside the city gates again, the sun was setting in the west.

    The gates had long since been tightly shut, and whether due to the reflection of the crimson sunset clouds, the entire city appeared bathed in a reddish hue.

    With her extraordinary eyesight, Xiao Xiao felt the sky above Luoyi City seemed saturated with demonic energy, staring too long even caused a stinging sensation.

    It was at this moment that Qin Lingxiao finally arrived, leading the Soaring Cloud disciples.

    Upon seeing Cui Xiao Xiao and the fox tribe outside the city, he expressed surprise, “Why have you returned?”

    Xiao Xiao could not clearly explain her reasons for coming back, so she deflected, “Weren’t you also in a hurry to return? Is there some urgent matter?”

    Of course Qin Lingxiao was anxious.

    Back at the foot of Mount Tuyun, he had suddenly realized the Heavenly Heart Sect Master’s death that year was highly suspicious, recalling a crucial fact – in the original timeline two hundred years ago, he and his father had arrived after the other three major sects.

    So by the time they reached Luoyi City, Prince Can’s birthday celebration had already been disrupted, and the Soaring Cloud disciples naturally did not attend, avoiding any infliction.

    However, this time, in his haste to intercept Cui Xiao Xiao, he had parted ways with his father Qin He, who had already joined up with the Heavenly Heart Sect and the other three major sects much earlier.

    When Qin Lingxiao had left, his father had just received Prince Can’s invitation.

    If nothing went awry, his father would undoubtedly have attended the birthday banquet alongside the Heavenly Heart Sect Master!

    If the Sect Master had truly been plotted against by Prince Can that year, then his father was in peril!

    This was why Qin Lingxiao’s expression had changed so abruptly before rushing back.

    Too many anomalies were occurring that had never manifested in the original two hundred years past.

    This could not help but cause Qin Lingxiao’s heart to race with the sense that events were slipping beyond his control. He only wished to enter the city as soon as possible to investigate the truth.

    However, Xiao Xiao barred his path, pointing towards the city gates. “No! Can’t you see? The entire city has been sealed off. If Prince Can has treachery afoot, entering now may alert him. It’s better to first check Autumn Water Pond.”

    But Qin Lingxiao pointed at the gates, “What are you talking about? Can’t you see the city gates are wide open?”

    Xiao Xiao turned to look again – indeed, the previously shut gates were now flung open, with even a few pedestrians passing through.

    Qin Lingxiao took a step forward, but Xiao Xiao pulled him back. “No, it’s not right!”

    Her gaze was fixed unblinkingly on the open gates ahead, not even noticing that she had overstepped in grabbing Qin Lingxiao’s hand.

    The ever-aloof Young Master Qin unexpectedly did not shake her off. Instead, he paused to look at the delicate hand grasping his before asking with furrowed brows, “What’s wrong?”

    It was only then that Xiao Xiao realized her impropriety and hastily released his hand, saying urgently, “I remember Luoyi City closes its gates at sunset, which has long passed the second quarter after dusk hour. How could the gates still be open? There must be some trick to this!”

    Hearing her words, Qin Lingxiao studied the city gates intently once more.

    However, they appeared just like the ordinary gates of Luoyi City, with visible pedestrian movement inside. There were indeed precedents of delaying the closing time for major events like the city lord’s birthday celebrations, allowing the entire city to revel together before shutting the gates later.

    Qin Lingxiao felt Xiao Xiao was being overly cautious.

    Moreover, he had already visited Autumn Water Pond earlier, only to find it littered with corpses and shattered tableware.

    The small island in the lake’s heart appeared stained crimson with blood, yet there was not a single living soul.

    After thoroughly searching the area without finding his father, he had rushed back to Luoyi City.

    Regardless, he was determined to enter this city!

    With this thought, he brushed past Xiao Xiao to lead his disciples through the gates.

    On their hurried journey, Xiao Xiao had not seen any sign of Si Ling, making her suspect the femme fatale had already entered the city.

    Seeing Qin Lingxiao and the Soaring Cloud disciples proceed inside, Xiao Xiao bit her lip before retrieving a bundle of blank talisman papers from her pack. Biting her finger to draw blood, she swiftly inscribed over a dozen talismans.

    She distributed the talismans among the fox tribesmen following her into the city before instructing Yu Ling’er, “Since you harbor the spirit stone within, it’s best you remain outside and wait for us.”

    Seeing Yu Ling’er nod, Xiao Xiao took a deep breath, gripping the “Defying the Heavens” sword at her waist as she led a few deeply cultivated fox youths towards the open gates.

    Once inside the city gates, the scene resembled an ordinary city at dusk. Some shops were still open, with pedestrians on the streets.

    Yet Xiao Xiao felt an indescribable sense of eeriness. After walking a few more steps, she noticed stone steles inscribed with the names of various streets and alleys.

    Initially just casually glancing at them, she suddenly did a double-take, her wandering gaze refocusing…

    These characters… why were they reversed?

    Xiao Xiao abruptly realized what had felt amiss from the beginning. With this thought, she quickly backtracked a few steps.

    She clearly remembered that on the main street leading into the city, there had been a delicious noodle shop on the left side. The amiable owner served noodles with flavorful marinated eggs, the broth richly savory yet with a runny yolk inside.

    During her stay in Luoyi City, whenever she did not know what to eat, she would bring Wei Jie and the others there for noodles.

    As she looked down that street, Xiao Xiao’s eyes slowly widened in disbelief.

    The shop that should have been on the left was now on the right!

    Not only this one shop, but the entire street seemed to have undergone a cosmic shift, with trees, shops, and buildings all swapped in position!

    It was at this moment that Qin Lingxiao, noticing she had stopped following, turned back to ask, “Why have you stopped?”

    Xiao Xiao scanned their surroundings before declaring in realization, “We have not…entered Luoyi City at all!”

    What? Qin Lingxiao did not believe her. On their way here, he had not seen any other city. So if not Luoyi City, where else could this be?

    Xiao Xiao pointed at the surrounding streets and buildings. “The layout of these shops and residences is completely reversed from the true Luoyi City