Category: On How to Conquer System Fairies and Make Them Your Wives

Chapter 137: This System Shop is Useless

The wind and snow seemed to intensify.

The increasing cold made all three of them uneasy.

“Strange, there’s really nothing here.”

Qingying said anxiously, “Is this formation really just a trap meant to kill cultivators?”

Chen Yin was also deep in thought.

He still had no idea how vast this place was. He hadn’t seen any sign of the swordsman, Ye Huang, who had been transported here with them.

They were completely trapped.

Nan Xiaoxiang, as a mortal, was more vulnerable to the cold than the cultivators. Her face was pale, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

Chen Yin took off his robe. “Here, take this.”

Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t refuse and gratefully wrapped herself in his warm robe.

…It did help a little.

The icy wind seemed to target cultivators specifically. As a mortal, she only felt a normal chill.

“It’s dangerous to stay here like this.” Qingying said, turning to Chen Yin with a worried expression.

Chen Yin pondered for a moment, his head lowered.

Then, he leaned down and pressed his ear against the ice.

“What are you doing?” Qingying asked, moving closer.

“If this icy plain is endless, perhaps the key to the formation is beneath the ice.”

He brushed away the snow and examined the surface of the ice, then pressed his ear against it again.

“Hmm… the ice here feels different.”

“And there’s a faint cracking sound, as if…”

Before Chen Yin could finish his thought, Qingying’s urgent voice rang out:

“Look out!”

Chen Yin finally realized what the sound was.

Oh.

It was the sound of cracking ice.

“…Crap.”

But it was too late.

A massive crack, stretching across the icy plain, suddenly appeared beneath their feet.

With a scream, both Chen Yin and Qingying plummeted into the darkness.

Chen Yin, realizing he couldn’t dodge in time, instinctively thrust his Eternal Light sword into the ice, using it as a handhold.

He caught Qingying as she fell, his arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her close.

The crack stopped spreading, about one person wide.

Chen Yin held onto his sword, the ice pressing against them on both sides, trapping them in the narrow crevice.

“Whew… that was close.”

He looked down at the bottomless darkness below and breathed a sigh of relief. “With our spiritual energy frozen, if we had fallen, we would have been in serious trouble.”

Nan Xiaoxiang’s voice came from above. “Young Master Chen! Miss Qingying! Are you alright?!”

“We’re fine,” Chen Yin replied casually.

Then, he turned to look at Qingying, who was pressed against him.

Their eyes met.

After a long moment, Chen Yin blushed and coughed awkwardly. “Well,”

“I did just save your life. Even if you don’t want to thank me, you don’t have to glare at me like that.”

Qingying couldn’t speak. The narrow crevice trapped them tightly together, her body pressed against his.

She was tall and slender, and with Chen Yin’s arm around her waist, her soft body was flush against his, her breasts slightly squished.

To make matters worse, he was subtly shifting his weight, pressing even closer.

“Hey, don’t push it!”

“I’m not doing anything.” Chen Yin said innocently. “I’m just trying to find a way out.”

“Th-then don’t press so close!”

“Sister, we’re stuck here. If I had any room to move, I wouldn’t be squishing you.”

“Besides,” Chen Yin’s gaze lingered on her chest, and he teased, “If there’s ninety-nine percent chance it’s my fault, isn’t there a one percent chance it’s because your breasts are too big?”

Qingying glared at him.

“Stop looking!”

“I’ll look, I’ll look, I’ll look.”

Qingying tried to push him away, but the crevice was too narrow. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move. Finally, she bit her lip in frustration.

…Fine.

She would let this bastard take advantage of her this time.

“So how do we get out of here?”

Chen Yin examined the ice that trapped them and said thoughtfully, “This doesn’t seem like naturally formed ice, but rather created by the formation.”

“It should melt quickly. If we warm it up a bit, we should be able to climb out.”

“You’re suggesting we melt the ice with our body heat?” Qingying frowned. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

Chen Yin shrugged. “Why don’t you ask your System if it has anything that can generate heat?”

Qingying quickly consulted the System, which said, “Let me see… There are so many things in the System Shop, I’m not sure which one will work. I’ll search for items with ‘heat’ or ‘warmth’ in their descriptions.”

Qingying nodded eagerly.

She couldn’t endure being pressed against Chen Yin like this for another second.

Anything would be better than this. She just wanted to get out.

“Try this.”

A book appeared in Qingying’s hand.

Qingying: “…”

“The description says: ‘Reading this will make your body warm.’” The System said, “Try it and see if it works.”

“No, next.” Qingying tossed the pornographic novel into the abyss without a second glance.

The System: “?”

“Then try this.” A small, round orb appeared in her hand. “This one says, ‘Inserting this into a woman’s—’”

Crack. Qingying crushed the orb before the System could finish its sentence.

“Next.” She said through gritted teeth.

The System: “???”

“But you asked for something that generates heat! You humans are so confusing.”

Qingying ignored it and glared at Chen Yin, who was struggling to contain his laughter.

“Ahem, not my fault.” Chen Yin quickly looked away.

“If you don’t forget what you just saw, I’ll castrate you.”

“…I didn’t see anything.”

After a few more tries, a seemingly normal small orb appeared in Qingying’s hand.

“This one should work, right?” The System said proudly. “The description says it contains immense heat and can melt anything. This has to work.”

Qingying nodded slowly. The orb’s shape was strange and unfamiliar, unlike anything she had seen in this world.

Chen Yin hadn’t seen it either.

“How do we use it?”

“Press that button.”

Qingying pressed the button, and a clear, cheerful voice came from the orb:

“Hengyu Particle Bomb activated. Detonation in ten seconds.”

Chen Yin: “…”

Qingying: “…What the hell?”

“I don’t know. But I suggest you throw it away. Now.” Chen Yin said seriously.

Qingying quickly tossed the orb into the abyss.

---

Nan Xiaoxiang sat at the edge of the crevice, pondering how to rescue them.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of cracking ice again.

Nan Xiaoxiang: “…”

This time, the ice beneath her feet, for almost a mile around, shattered completely.

Chapter 136: Secrets of the Formation

When Chen Yin opened his eyes, he was surrounded by a pure, infinite white.

The sky was white, the ground was white, everything was white.

He brushed the snow off his clothes and turned to see Qingying and Nan Xiaoxiang lying unconscious in the snow.

“Hey, are you alright?”

He helped them up. Qingying was the first to wake up, her eyes filled with confusion for a moment before regaining their usual coldness and clarity.

“Where are we? Did we get caught in some kind of formation?”

“It seems so.” Chen Yin looked around. “The Nether Spirit Wind must have brought us to some corner of the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain, and that man accidentally triggered a formation.”

“What about that man? Is he here too?”

“I don’t know.” Chen Yin said honestly.

He was most likely also trapped somewhere within the formation. Chen Yin kept his sword in hand, his senses alert.

But he didn’t see Ye Huang anywhere. They probably hadn’t been transported to the same place.

He then helped Nan Xiaoxiang up. She winced in pain, biting her lip.

“This place…”

“I’ve never been in this formation before, but just stay close to us.” Chen Yin said softly.

Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t say anything more and stood up, despite the pain in her ankle.

They were in a vast, snow-covered plain, an endless expanse of white stretching out before them, with only the faint outlines of distant mountains visible in the distance.

After walking for a while, Qingying said softly, “Chen Yin.”

“I noticed it too.” Chen Yin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

…Something was wrong with the snow.

It didn’t feel particularly cold to the touch, but a chilling energy seeped into their bodies, slowly freezing their spiritual energy.

Within fifteen minutes, both Chen Yin and Qingying could feel their spiritual energy stagnating.

“At this rate, we won’t be able to use our spiritual power soon.” Qingying said, her voice laced with anxiety.

Chen Yin didn’t speak. He just frowned slightly, his head lowered.

…There was more to it than that.

During his fight with Ye Huang, that strange black energy had entered his body.

It had surged through his meridians, wreaking havoc and trying to destroy him from within.

His “Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra” had immediately activated, working tirelessly to repair the damage.

His body was like a battlefield, his own cultivation technique fighting against the invasive black energy, a constant struggle for dominance.

Although his face was slightly pale, his expression remained calm, betraying no sign of his internal struggle.

For now, the “Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra” was able to keep the black energy at bay.

More importantly, the scroll in his chest had finally reacted.

The moment the black energy entered his body, the scroll had emanated a powerful and ancient aura, surging through his meridians and confronting the invasive energy, preventing it from reaching his vital points.

The black energy, weakened and contained, should dissipate eventually.

But Chen Yin had tried. While the scroll was active, he couldn’t access its space or the System Shop.

…Which meant he had to rely on himself to escape this formation. He looked around, assessing their surroundings.

And, most importantly, that man, Ye Huang, was probably also trapped within the formation.

Although his spiritual energy would likely be frozen as well, there were no guarantees. It was best to be cautious.

If necessary, he would have to ask Qingying’s System for help.

“This place is desolate… There’s nothing here.” Qingying said after exploring the area.

Chen Yin turned to Nan Xiaoxiang, who was shivering in her thin clothes, and said softly:

“Let’s find a place to rest.”

---

The snow-covered plain seemed to stretch endlessly.

They walked for a long time, but there was no end in sight.

With Nan Xiaoxiang’s injured ankle, Chen Yin couldn’t carry her at full speed.

And they didn’t even know which direction to go.

Surrounded by an endless expanse of white, it felt like they would be lost forever if they continued walking.

“How long are we going to keep walking like this?” Qingying’s voice was filled with anxiety.

She could feel her spiritual energy fading.

It was completely frozen within her meridians, unable to flow.

Chen Yin’s face also grew paler, the internal struggle within his body intensifying, a constant, stinging pain.

But his expression remained calm and indifferent.

However, Nan Xiaoxiang, on his back, sensed his discomfort.

“Young Master Chen, there’s no end to this path.”

She said softly, “Why don’t you put me down? Let’s rest for a while and think about what to do.”

Chen Yin hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

They found a sheltered spot on a snowy slope and rested.

Seeing Chen Yin’s closed eyes and slightly erratic breathing, Nan Xiaoxiang couldn’t help but ask softly, “Young Master Chen, are you feeling unwell?”

Chen Yin didn’t speak, just shook his head slightly.

Nan Xiaoxiang gently touched his forehead with the back of her hand.

A chilling coldness emanated from him, making her gasp. “This…”

Qingying also noticed his unusual state and rushed over. “Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

Chen Yin took a deep breath. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine at all!”

She said with a hint of anger, “Don’t try to act tough! If you’re injured, you need to tell us!”

Chen Yin glanced at her sideways. “Since when did you care so much about me?”

“I…”

Qingying was speechless, then she said angrily, “If you die, we won’t be able to get out of here, and we can’t defeat that man on our own.”

“So stop trying to act tough and tell us what’s wrong!”

Chen Yin looked at her curiously.

Although she was glaring at him, her eyes were filled with worry. She didn’t seem truly angry.

He smiled faintly and closed his eyes, shaking his head. “Don’t worry.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

Nan Xiaoxiang also looked at him with concern. “Young Master Chen, let me check your pulse.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Nan, but I know my own body.”

Chen Yin politely refused.

He didn’t want Nan Xiaoxiang to know about his condition. He still didn’t fully trust her.

Nan Xiaoxiang, being a clever woman, didn’t press further. But a glint of curiosity flashed in her eyes.

Qingying was still worried. She was about to reach out and check his meridians when he suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him.

She lost her balance and fell into his arms.

“You!”

She was about to protest when Chen Yin gently placed a finger on her lips, silencing her.

Her face flushed crimson.

“Shh…”

“…Don’t let Nan Xiaoxiang notice anything.” He whispered through voice transmission.

Qingying squirmed uncomfortably in his arms, then nodded slightly.

She finally managed to gather a sliver of spiritual energy and checked his meridians.

She almost gasped at what she found.

“You…”

Fortunately, Chen Yin stopped her with a look.

“…How did this happen?” She frowned and asked through voice transmission. “Did that man injure you this badly?”

“It wasn’t him.” Chen Yin’s gaze was calm, his expression betraying no surprise.

He should have known, considering that man’s confidence in coming after them.

It was that mysterious Divine Son.

After their last encounter, he hadn’t intended to let Chen Yin live.

This black energy was clearly the Divine Son’s trump card against him.

But Chen Yin had underestimated this mysterious power.

And underestimated the Divine Son’s killing intent.

“It seems I’ll have to take them seriously after we leave the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.” He thought to himself.

Qingying, still worried about his condition, asked softly, “Are you alright? Does it hurt?”

Chen Yin looked into her eyes, his gaze intense.

Qingying, uncomfortable with his stare, blushed slightly. “W-why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because I’ve never heard you speak like this before.”

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “You know, you can be quite womanly sometimes.”

Qingying pinched his waist hard, her cheeks burning.

Seeing that he still had the energy to tease her, she assumed his injuries weren’t that serious and felt slightly relieved.

“Enough. Focus on getting us out of here.” She said angrily.

Chen Yin fell silent.

Normally, a formation would have a core and a root. Destroying either one would disable the formation.

But this formation was clearly a trapping formation, designed to slowly freeze a cultivator’s spiritual energy, rendering them as helpless as mortals.

Eventually, they would freeze to death in this icy wasteland.

And this formation was massive, almost as large as Ephemeral Mountain itself. Although not as intricate or malicious as the one on Ephemeral Mountain, its sheer scale was still terrifying.

Looking at the endless snow-covered plain, Chen Yin fell into deep thought.

…His spiritual energy was frozen, and he couldn’t use the scroll.

It was unlikely they could force their way out.

The best option was to wait, at least until the black energy’s effects wore off.

With the help of the scroll and the System Shop, he might be able to find a way out.

And he found it strange that such a large formation was simply used as a trap.

…The Azure Cicada Ancient Domain was a place of opportunity left behind by an ancient Immortal.

Although it was filled with dangers, opportunities often came hand in hand with risks.

Even the sinister and deadly formation on Ephemeral Mountain had offered a way out.

Similarly, this formation couldn’t have been designed solely as a trap.

He wondered what secrets it held.

Chapter 135: The Persistent Man

“Um…” Chen Yin asked hesitantly, “You’re not talking about… the Heavenly Dao Fragment, are you?”

Nan Xiaoxiang raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Y-you’ve heard of it?”

Chen Yin exchanged a look with Qingying.

So it was true.

What was so special about this thing that everyone wanted it?

“Do you know what the Heavenly Dao Fragment is?”

“I’ve never actually seen it…” Nan Xiaoxiang frowned and lowered her voice. “But legend says it has the power to bring the dead back to life and regenerate flesh and bone. It can heal any injury or illness, no matter how severe.”

“I read about it in an ancient text passed down in my family. It said that the Heavenly Dao Fragment could be found in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain, so I wanted to try my luck.”

“Do you know where it is, Young Master Chen?”

Chen Yin thought for a moment, then asked, “What do you need it for? To save someone?”

Nan Xiaoxiang simply lowered her eyes. “I’m a physician.”

“No physician could resist something that can cure all illnesses.”

“I thought you physicians didn’t believe in such miraculous cures.” Chen Yin teased.

“The world is vast and full of wonders. The path of medicine is long and profound. Perhaps it truly exists.”

Nan Xiaoxiang’s eyes dimmed as she spoke, lost in thought.

Seeing her reluctance to elaborate, Chen Yin shrugged. “Give up. There’s no Heavenly Dao Fragment in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.”

“And it’s not as miraculous as you think. Curing all illnesses? That’s just a lie.”

Nan Xiaoxiang persisted. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because I said so. Believe it or not.”

He said calmly, “If you want to waste your life searching for something that doesn’t exist, suit yourself.”

She bit her lip, her eyes flickering with a stubborn glint.

“If you know something about the Heavenly Dao Fragment, Young Master Chen, please tell me. I will repay your kindness in the future.”

“How will you repay me? With your body?”

Nan Xiaoxiang fell silent.

Chen Yin scoffed and waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t even think about it. I don’t know anything, and I won’t tell you even if I did.”

“I advise you to leave and return to your clinic.”

Although Nan Xiaoxiang remained silent, her eyes still flickered with a stubborn determination.

She hadn’t given up.

Chen Yin noticed but didn’t say anything. If she was determined to throw her life away, he couldn’t stop her.

He would just escort her to the entrance and consider his duty fulfilled.

---

After a while, the fog thickened.

The temperature dropped slightly, and Luo Luo snuggled closer to Chen Yin, her small hand clutching his robe.

Chen Yin gently stroked her head and whispered in her ear, “Don’t be afraid.”

“Mmm…” she mumbled softly, nuzzling against him.

Qingying stood silently behind them. The fog grew denser, obscuring everything until even Chen Yin was just a blurry silhouette.

She took a step closer, her hand gripping his robe tightly.

Only Nan Xiaoxiang sat alone in a corner, the fog swirling around her, her vision turning gray, until she could no longer see anything.

She was scared.

But she forced herself to remain calm, her head lowered in silence.

Soon, even Chen Yin and the others were just blurry figures in the fog. She couldn’t help but call out softly:

“Y-Young Master Chen?”

No one answered.

Nan Xiaoxiang’s heart pounded with alarm. She stood up, her hand reaching out to where Chen Yin had been standing.

But there was nothing there.

She was alone in the fog.

Panic surged through her.

This wasn’t an illusion. The Nether Spirit Wind could truly sweep her away to an unknown place. If she got separated from Chen Yin and the others, she would be in trouble.

And with her injured ankle, she was completely helpless, adrift in a sea of fog.

“Young Master Chen?”

“Luo Luo?”

“Miss Qingying?”

She called out, her voice echoing in the fog, but there was no response.

She didn’t dare move, just crouched down and waited, her heart pounding.

She prayed for the fog to dissipate quickly.

Suddenly, she heard faint footsteps approaching.

They were very soft, but in the silence of the fog, they were incredibly clear and distinct, bringing a surge of hope.

“Chen—”

Before she could finish his name, a figure emerged from the fog.

It wasn’t Chen Yin. It was a middle-aged swordsman, carrying a strange-looking sword.

Nan Xiaoxiang had never seen him before and froze.

“Wh-who are you…?”

“Do you know Chen Yin?” the swordsman asked, his voice deep and magnetic.

Nan Xiaoxiang looked at him cautiously.

“I’ve heard of him… Why are you looking for him?”

…She didn’t know if this man was a friend or foe. It was better to be safe.

The swordsman smiled faintly. “I have some personal business with him. But I got lost in this fog and can’t seem to find my way.”

“Would you be willing to lead me to him, Miss?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know where he is in this fog.”

Although her voice was polite and gentle, her eyes were wary.

“I see.” The swordsman shook his head regretfully. “That’s a pity.”

“…A pity. My orders were to eliminate all his companions.”

“Without exception.”

Nan Xiaoxiang’s eyes widened, and countless tiny, almost invisible black dots swarmed out from her sleeves.

But the swordsman simply narrowed his eyes, and an invisible wave of sword energy erupted around him, obliterating the black dots.

“That was an interesting trick. I almost fell for it.”

He walked towards her slowly and sighed. “…My apologies.”

Seeing him raise his sword, Nan Xiaoxiang felt a surge of fear, a chilling premonition of death.

She bit her lip, ready to use her last resort.

But before the swordsman could strike, a bright sword light pierced through the fog.

It hurtled towards the swordsman, who, his eyes flashing with a cold light, retreated swiftly.

The sword light dispelled a small section of the fog, revealing Chen Yin and the others.

Chen Yin stood before Nan Xiaoxiang, his Eternal Light sword in hand, shielding her protectively.

“It’s you?”

Chen Yin looked at the man with surprise.

Qingying also recognized him as the one who had been chasing her. She frowned.

“You followed us here?”

Ye Huang gripped his sword tightly, his eyes fixed on Chen Yin.

Seeing Chen Yin’s arrival, Nan Xiaoxiang’s legs gave way, and she sank to the ground, her body trembling.

“Another one of your enemies…” she whispered weakly.

“I apologize, Miss Nan.” Chen Yin’s eyes turned cold. “Consider this me repaying your favor.”

“I spared your life once, and you still dare to come after me?”

Ye Huang didn’t answer, just raised his eyelids slightly, as if he were still half asleep.

“Not talking? Playing dead, huh?”

Chen Yin’s gaze hardened. “Then don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

This time, he wasn’t going to spare him.

The Eternal Light sword blazed with light, its clear, high-pitched ringing echoing through the air.

The fog dissipated instantly as the immense sword light hurtled towards Ye Huang.

Ye Huang’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he raised his hand, and a wisp of black energy, almost invisible, silently flew towards Chen Yin.

The sword light and the black energy collided, passing through each other harmlessly.

In the blink of an eye, the black energy entered Chen Yin’s body, making him frown.

…What was that?

Ye Huang, facing the incoming sword light, knew he couldn’t block it.

As he turned his head, he suddenly noticed something that looked like a formation core, revealed by the dissipating fog.

A formation?

Heaven hasn’t abandoned me!

Without hesitation, he channeled his spiritual energy into it. The formation core lit up, bathing the area in a bright light. A teleportation force enveloped them.

Chen Yin’s eyes widened, and he shouted, “Luo Luo!”

“Hide in the void!”

Luo Luo, startled, reached for Chen Yin’s robe, but the master-servant contract compelled her to dive into the void.

“Young Master!”

“Wait for me, I’ll be back soon.”

Before the light completely engulfed them, Chen Yin sent a comforting message to Luo Luo through their contract.

The next moment, they vanished, leaving behind only a massive sword scar that had cleaved through the passage.

The collapsing rocks blocked the path, the dust taking a long time to settle.

A few minutes later, Luo Luo cautiously peeked out from the void. Seeing the unfamiliar and dark surroundings, her ears drooped sadly.

“Young Master…” she murmured worriedly.

Unsure where the Nether Spirit Wind had taken her, Luo Luo didn’t dare wander around or disrupt the formation.

She knew that Young Master, Sister Nan, and Sister Qingying were all inside. If she accidentally damaged the formation, they would be in danger.

And with such a loud commotion, other treasure-seeking cultivators might be drawn to the area.

…She had to protect the formation until Young Master returned.

With that thought, she took a deep breath, and her body began to transform.

Her skin was covered in soft, white fur, her body growing larger, her features becoming more delicate and fox-like. She quickly returned to her true form.

A large white fox with blue eyes settled down, her powerful aura, amplified by her awakened bloodline, radiating outwards.

A clear warning to anyone who dared to approach.

…Young Master. Luo Luo curled up beside the formation.

Please come back soon.

Chapter 134: Nan Xiaoxiang’s Legs

If she had a choice, Nan Xiaoxiang would never want to owe Chen Yin a favor.

Because who knew what kind of outrageous demands this unpredictable scoundrel would come up with.

But she really didn’t want to waste her only trump card on this harmless illusion.

So, she nodded with a forced smile. “Alright, as you wish, Young Master Chen.”

Chen Yin grinned and jumped into the pit, landing beside her.

“So, what happened, Miss Nan?”

Nan Xiaoxiang’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she maintained a calm demeanor.

“I twisted my ankle in the formation…”

“And I seem to have lost my medicine pouch. Do you have any medicine for injuries, Young Master Chen?”

Chen Yin nodded understandingly and rummaged through his pockets.

Then, he produced a bottle of Yunnan Baiyao. (Traditional Chinese Medicine used for wound healing, as a pain reliever, and to stop bleeding)

Nan Xiaoxiang: “…?”

“Well, you know, the medicine we cultivators use is too potent for your delicate constitution.”

“But this is a local specialty from my hometown. It’s guaranteed to work.” He said with a grin.

…Of course, the truth was that he didn’t want to waste money on expensive medicine.

Although he now had the System Shop, his frugal nature, cultivated from a young age, was hard to shake.

He might consider using it if the System Shop offered free immortal pills.

Besides, he wasn’t obligated to treat Nan Xiaoxiang like a princess.

Chen Yin leaned closer and gently held her ankle.

“Mmm!” A soft moan escaped Nan Xiaoxiang’s lips, her face flushing crimson.

Chen Yin ignored her reaction and even squeezed her ankle playfully.

…Not bad. It felt quite nice.

Her leg was slender and toned, her skin as smooth and white as milk, a pleasant tingling sensation spreading through his fingers as he caressed it.

Chen Yin pretended to examine her injury, taking the opportunity to cop a feel.

“…Young Master Chen,”

Nan Xiaoxiang gritted her teeth. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Eh, it’s alright.”

Chen Yin stroked his chin thoughtfully. “It feels like… pork.”

…And you’re still touching it?

Nan Xiaoxiang was fuming, but she maintained a forced smile.

“Could you please apply the medicine, Young Master Chen?”

“What’s the rush? Let me see where it’s swollen.”

Chen Yin gently lifted her leg and removed her shoe, revealing her small and delicate foot.

He didn’t have a foot fetish, but he couldn’t help but admire her exquisite jade-like foot, so unlike that of an ordinary mortal.

It would be perfect with stockings.

The slight brush of her foot against his hand sent a shiver down his spine. Chen Yin blushed, surprised by his own reaction, and coughed lightly.

“Ahem… It seems you’ve twisted it quite badly, Miss Nan. Your ankle is swollen.”

“Then can you please apply the medicine?” Nan Xiaoxiang said through gritted teeth.

Having teased her enough, Chen Yin finally applied the medicine.

Soon, the pain subsided, and the swelling reduced slightly. Nan Xiaoxiang couldn’t help but ask curiously, “It’s quite effective. But I’ve never seen this medicine before. What is it?”

“Want some?”

Chen Yin grinned. “I can sell you a couple of bottles.”

“I’ll even give you a discount. One spirit stone per bottle, how about that?”

“…You might as well just rob me.”

Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t ask any further questions. She supported herself against the wall and stood up with difficulty.

The pain in her ankle was still evident, her face pale, and her forehead covered in sweat.

“Need some help?” Chen Yin asked, squatting down beside her with a playful grin.

“What kind of help?”

“I can carry you.”

Nan Xiaoxiang hesitated.

She knew this scoundrel was up to no good, judging by his mischievous grin. But her twisted ankle made it difficult to walk.

She took a deep breath and said softly, “Then… I’ll have to trouble you, Young Master Chen.”

Chen Yin eagerly helped her onto his back.

Nan Xiaoxiang had braced herself for him to take advantage of her.

But to her surprise, he was unusually well-behaved, his hands steady and his movements gentle.

They emerged from the pit, where Luo Luo and Qingying were waiting.

“Done with your lovey-dovey moment?”

Qingying glanced at Nan Xiaoxiang with a cold smirk.

Chen Yin coughed lightly. “Just helping someone in need. Don’t get any ideas.”

Luo Luo rushed over with concern. “Sister Nan, does your foot hurt?”

“It’s alright, nothing serious. I’ll be fine after some rest.”

Only when she saw Luo Luo’s sweet and caring face did Nan Xiaoxiang’s expression soften.

“If it hurts too much, I can give you a massage!”

Luo Luo blinked, her innocent eyes shining like a little angel’s.

Nan Xiaoxiang’s heart melted. She was about to thank her when a mischievous voice interrupted:

“I can give you a massage too, Sister Nan~”

Nan Xiaoxiang’s face contorted in disgust.

“No need to trouble yourself, Young Master Chen.”

Chen Yin shrugged nonchalantly, and they started their journey back.

But after taking a few steps, Chen Yin stopped and turned around with a sigh.

“It seems I can’t stay any longer.”

Nan Xiaoxiang frowned and saw that a thick fog had begun to fill the passage ahead.

“What’s that?”

“Nether Spirit Wind. It can appear anywhere in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.” Chen Yin explained. “It’s easy to get lost in the fog. We have to stay put and wait for it to dissipate.”

“How long will it take?” Nan Xiaoxiang asked with concern.

“I don’t know.”

Chen Yin casually helped her sit down. “Since you can’t walk anyway, why not take this opportunity to rest?”

Nan Xiaoxiang nodded.

The fog quickly enveloped them, reducing visibility to almost zero.

Luo Luo rushed into Chen Yin’s arms, clinging to him tightly.

Qingying hesitated for a moment, then also moved closer to him, her hand lightly grasping his robe to avoid getting lost.

Nan Xiaoxiang, however, was too proud to ask for help and could only subtly inch closer to him.

As they waited, Chen Yin, bored, asked casually, “By the way, Miss Nan, what exactly are you looking for in the Ancient Domain? It’s quite a risk for a mortal like you.”

Nan Xiaoxiang hadn’t planned on telling him.

But now that she was effectively immobile, she thought for a moment and finally said softly:

“It’s…”

“A fragment.”

Chen Yin and Qingying both froze.

…No way.

Chapter 133: You Owe Me One

The return journey through the darkness was much easier than the arduous trek inward.

Luo Luo closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they were back at the entrance of the secret realm.

“We’re finally out.”

Chen Yin gently nudged Luo Luo awake, then turned to Qingying.

“What are your plans now, Miss Qingying?”

Qingying lowered her head, and after a long silence, she mumbled, “I’ll go wherever I want. It’s none of your business.”

Her voice was filled with resentment.

Chen Yin shrugged, as if he hadn’t noticed. “In that case, farewell, Miss Qingying. May our paths cross again.”

He took Luo Luo’s hand and turned to leave.

“W-wait!”

Chen Yin turned around.

Qingying bit her lip, as if struggling to speak, then finally whispered, “You’re just leaving like this?”

“What else should I do?”

“Didn’t you want to get away from me as soon as possible?” Chen Yin asked with a playful smile.

Qingying was speechless.

She stared at him, her eyes clear and bright, then finally said softly after a long silence:

“…I have nowhere to go.”

“So?”

“If you don’t want me, I’ll leave.”

Her voice was calm, but her eyes were red-rimmed.

Chen Yin stared at her silently.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Seeing this, Qingying’s System couldn’t help but sigh. “Oh, you uncommunicative humans.”

Luo Luo also tugged at Chen Yin’s sleeve.

“Young Master, don’t bully Sister Qingying…”

Chen Yin pinched her ear playfully and said with a hint of reproach, “You little rascal.”

Then, he cleared his throat and said,

“Ahem… if you have nowhere to go, Miss Qingying, I do have a job offer.”

“The world is a dangerous place, and a weak Cloud Ascending Realm cultivator like myself is vulnerable when traveling alone. I’d like to hire you as my bodyguard. What do you say?”

Qingying thought for a moment, then asked, “Room and board included?”

“…Naturally.”

“Alright.”

She walked over to Chen Yin and bowed slightly.

“I’ll go with you.” Her voice was calm and indifferent, betraying no emotion.

But Luo Luo exchanged a knowing smile with Chen Yin and took Qingying’s hand. “That’s great! We can travel together again, Sister Qingying!”

Chen Yin said with a mischievous grin, “Just a warning. Being my bodyguard isn’t easy. Don’t quit after just a few complaints.”

A faint blush appeared on Qingying’s cold face, and she turned her head slightly.

“…As long as you’re not too unreasonable.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

Chen Yin was surprised.

“Do you… have some kind of strange fetish? Do you enjoy being bullied?” He asked cautiously.

The next moment, a long, slender leg swung towards him.

And then he found himself lying on the ground, his face bruised and swollen.

Luo Luo stuck her tongue out. “Sister Qingying is so mean!”

“He deserved it.”

Qingying snorted, but a faint smile played on her lips.

---

As they were about to leave the secret realm, Chen Yin suddenly paused.

“Wait, are we forgetting something?”

He thought for a long time, then suddenly slapped his forehead.

“Oh, right.” He turned and walked towards the left passage.

Seeing him turn, Qingying and Luo Luo also remembered what they had forgotten.

…Someone was waiting for them at the end of the left path.

The left passage led to a dark cave. Although it wasn’t dangerous, it was still unsettling.

Chen Yin seemed very familiar with the path. He held Luo Luo’s hand and walked briskly for about half an hour, finally arriving at a deep pit at the end of the passage.

A faint, shimmering barrier covered the pit. Inside, a woman in white was huddled in a corner, motionless.

Her face was pale and bloodless, her hair disheveled, her eyes wide with terror. Her pristine white dress was covered in dust. She looked utterly miserable.

Chen Yin coughed lightly and struck a hidden point on the edge of the pit with his sword. The barrier slowly dissipated, and the fear in the woman’s eyes faded, replaced by confusion.

“Ahem. Miss Nan, what a coincidence.”

Nan Xiaoxiang looked up and saw Chen Yin standing at the edge of the pit, a smile on his face.

…Ch-Chen Yin?

Am I… still alive?

Was it all… an illusion?

Her lips trembled as she gasped for air, her heart pounding.

Chen Yin squatted down and looked down at her.

“What’s wrong, Miss Nan? You look terrified.”

“Did you… see a ghost?”

Nan Xiaoxiang gradually regained her composure. Although her face was still pale, her eyes were clear.

“…You tricked me.”

She raised an eyebrow, forcing her voice to remain calm.

Chen Yin immediately protested, “Hey, don’t accuse me of lying! When have I ever lied to you?”

“You said the left path was safe.”

“It is safe.”

“If it was dangerous, do you think you would still be alive?” Chen Yin spread his hands, feigning innocence.

Nan Xiaoxiang took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

She knew that Chen Yin had deliberately sent her down this path, knowing she was afraid of ghosts.

But she had no recourse.

And he was right. If he had sent her down a more dangerous path, she would probably be dead.

After calming herself down, Nan Xiaoxiang said softly, “Young Master Chen, since we’ve met again, I have a small request. Would you be willing to listen?”

Chen Yin grinned. “No.”

Nan Xiaoxiang’s words died in her throat.

“Since you know it’s an unreasonable request, why even bother asking?”

He smiled mischievously. “Since you’re so determined to brave this secret realm alone, you must have prepared for the worst, right?”

“Then I wish you good luck~”

With that, Chen Yin turned to leave with Luo Luo and Qingying.

“Wait!”

Nan Xiaoxiang frowned, then said softly after a long hesitation:

“Young Master Chen, please help me.”

“Give me a reason.” Chen Yin narrowed his eyes, unmoved by her pitiful expression.

Nan Xiaoxiang bit her lip, her inner conflict evident.

Finally, she said softly, her voice strained, “What… do you want in return, Young Master Chen?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

Chen Yin grinned. “You owe me one.”

Chapter 132: Suffering for the Sake of Pride

After saying this, the Daoist vanished.

A pathway, shimmering with light, appeared in the center of the platform—the way out.

But neither Chen Yin nor Qingying moved.

Qingying stared at Chen Yin with a confused expression, while he lowered his head in thought.

…He had gained much from this experience.

Many of the questions that had plagued him had finally been answered.

First, the Heavenly Dao Fragment was a System. This had finally been confirmed.

Chen Yin had always been curious. What was so valuable about this Heavenly Dao Fragment that the Mist Spirit Sect was willing to risk everything, even commiting a massacre, to obtain it?

Now, it made sense if it was a System.

And the reason why Yin Changli and his wife had refused to reveal its location, even in death, was also clear.

They had given it to Xiang’er.

It was not only an act of defiance, but also a way to ensure her survival.

Only the power of a System could shield its host from the scrutiny of cultivators, protecting them from harm.

With this, the truth behind the Changli Palace incident was finally revealed.

But Chen Yin still had some lingering questions.

…Was the Heavenly Dao Fragment truly that important to them?

The elders of the Mist Spirit Sect were already Grand Clarity Realm experts. With or without a System, they were among the most powerful figures in the cultivation world.

What was the value of a Heavenly Dao Fragment to them?

Could it be related to ascending to a higher realm?

Another question was the scroll. As expected, there wasn’t a second copy here.

In his previous life, he had obtained the mysterious scroll after passing the trial here, learning the three earth-shattering sword techniques.

This time, he had also hoped to find another scroll, a treasure of such immense power.

But it seemed the scroll was one of a kind.

Even with his rebirth, there wouldn’t be a second copy.

And the Daoist’s expression… he seemed to know something about his transmigration. Chen Yin wondered if his rebirth was somehow related to the ancient Immortal.

He also wasn’t sure why the Immortal wanted to eliminate Chosen Ones.

He had a hunch.

If the Immortal truly despised Chosen Ones, why wasn’t Ephemeral Mountain a dead end? Why did he offer a way out for those who saw through the truth?

He felt that the Immortal might not have wanted to kill all Chosen Ones.

Or perhaps…

What he truly wanted to eliminate were the Systems themselves.

Lost in thought, Qingying’s voice suddenly brought him back to reality:

“Chen Yin, how… how do you know about Chosen Ones?”

Qingying couldn’t help but ask, “You’re not a Chosen One, are you—?”

“I’m indeed not a Chosen One.”

Chen Yin looked up slowly. “But you are. Aren’t you?”

Qingying’s heart skipped a beat.

The System’s voice shrieked in her mind, “Holy shit, how did he know?! I thought this guy was a golden thigh, is he actually the protagonist? But he doesn’t have a Protagonist System?!”

It couldn’t figure out Chen Yin’s background.

“There’s nothing to be surprised about.”

Chen Yin didn’t bother explaining. He simply said, “Since you’re a Chosen One, you must have a System, right?”

“Is it sentient? Can I talk to it?”

Qingying shook her head slowly. “No. It can’t communicate with non-Chosen Ones. It seems to be forbidden.”

“Then ask it for me.”

Chen Yin’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you Systems?”

Qingying felt the System fall silent.

After a long while, it sighed softly.

“Honestly, we don’t know.”

“Perhaps we’re just created beings, like that formation spirit. Or maybe we’re not even beings, just machines, tools.”

“From the moment we gained consciousness, our only purpose has been to ensure the completion of the plot records. It seems that’s our reason for existence.”

“I’m sorry.” Its voice sounded weary. “I can’t answer his question.”

Qingying relayed the System’s words to Chen Yin, who pondered for a moment, then decided not to press further.

“…Fine.”

“I don’t care about your Systems’ purpose.”

“Just don’t interfere with the people I care about.” He said softly. “Other than that, do whatever you want. It’s none of my business.”

With that, Chen Yin turned around, but not towards the exit of the formation.

“What are you doing?” Qingying called out.

“Setting up tombstones.” Chen Yin said calmly.

---

This was the last thing Chen Yin did on Ephemeral Mountain.

He cut down trees and carved them into tombstones, placing them neatly on the platform.

Each tombstone bore an inscription, either a name or a Daoist title.

Five hundred and sixty-nine tombstones in total.

Qingying watched from a distance, her arms crossed, as he completed his task.

Chen Yin worked in silence, his gaze fixed on the tombstones, his expression unreadable.

After setting up all the tombstones, he stood there for a long time, then began to read the inscriptions, starting from the first one.

“Fellow Daoist Chang Yangzi.”

“Fellow Daoist Feng Xun.”

“Fellow Daoist Huang Li.”

“Fellow Daoist Xun Kai…”

One after another, the names echoed through the empty mountain.

He read the names of Huang Manlou and Yu Manli.

He read Xu Xiu’s name.

He read the names of everyone he remembered.

Finally, he stood before Qingchen’s tombstone.

“…Fellow Daoist Qingchen,” he murmured softly.

A gentle breeze swept through the mountain, carrying the names away.

“Rest in peace,”

He bowed deeply towards the five hundred and sixty-nine tombstones.

---

In the darkness…

Luo Luo had been trapped in this lightless space for two days.

If it weren’t for the book and the night-pearl Chen Yin had left her, and the faint glow from the gem, she wouldn’t have been able to endure it for even a minute.

As she continued to read the storybook, the gem suddenly flickered, its light intensifying slightly.

Luo Luo’s ears perked up, and a look of joy appeared on her face.

“Young Master! Sister Qingying!”

“You’re finally back!”

Chen Yin gently embraced the little fox who had leaped into his arms and kissed her forehead softly. “Did you wait long?”

“Not really, just two days.” Luo Luo’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she blinked. “I thought you and Sister Qingying would be gone for ten days or half a month.”

Just two days? Qingying frowned, puzzled. They had been inside for two months.

Chen Yin, however, wasn’t surprised. He simply smiled. “I’ll tell you about our adventures later.”

Qingying looked up at his gentle smile, then lowered her gaze.

…He wouldn’t tell Luo Luo what had really happened there.

He would probably make up a fun and exciting story to entertain her.

She suddenly wondered what kind of character her brother would be in his story.

Would he still be that pure and innocent boy with a bright smile?

She thought it might not be so bad that way.

Chen Yin turned to Qingying, who was staring at the ground with a distant expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Qingying pursed her lips.

Luo Luo, nestled in his arms, blinked. She felt that Sister Qingying, usually so cold and aloof, had changed after their return from the secret realm.

“Are we leaving now?”

“Yes.” Chen Yin nodded slowly. “You’re finally free from this annoying guy.”

“Congratulations.”

“Oh… oh…” Qingying’s long eyelashes lowered.

Chen Yin looked at her, puzzled. “I thought you would be happy.”

“What? O-of course I’m happy.”

Qingying pouted. “I’m so happy I could die! Just the thought of never seeing your annoying face again makes me ecstatic! Let’s get out of here, and once we leave the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain, we’ll part ways!”

She glared at him fiercely.

Chen Yin exchanged a look with Luo Luo and shook his head helplessly.

As Qingying walked ahead, fuming, the System in her mind spoke:

“I’m telling you…”

“Don’t talk to me!”

“No, seriously, let’s be realistic…”

“What do you know?”

“Even if I don’t understand humans, I can tell you’re just throwing a tantrum.”

Qingying’s eyes widened in anger. “When did I throw a tantrum?!”

“Then tell me, where are you going after we leave?”

“I…”

Qingying’s voice trailed off.

A flicker of confusion appeared in her cold eyes.

…Right.

Now that A’Chen was gone…

And she had nowhere to return to in the secret division…

She was truly homeless.

This feeling wasn’t unfamiliar. As a child, wandering the streets, she would often wake up in the middle of the night, her heart aching with loneliness.

She bit her lip, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

“I have nowhere to go.”

The System, once again acting as a mediator, said, “Why not stay with that guy? What’s so bad about it?”

Qingying immediately gritted her teeth. “No way!”

“Why not?”

“…Just no! He only knows how to tease and humiliate me.”

She said angrily, “I don’t want to stay with that annoying bastard!”

But her voice lacked conviction, as if she couldn’t even convince herself.

The System sighed.

“Sigh. Suffering for the sake of pride.”

“You humans are so strange.”

Chapter 131: Congratulations, You’re Correct

Dust to dust.

Ashes to ashes.

Finally, Qingchen’s figure, his head bowed, slowly dissipated into nothingness.

Only the Daoist’s gentle lecture and Qingying’s soft sobs remained on the silent mountain.

Chen Yin stood behind her, saying nothing.

After a while, when Qingying’s cries had subsided, he finally spoke:

“I’ve fulfilled your brother’s last request.”

“I’ve kept my promise.”

Qingying looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen, her voice choked with tears.

“…Is that why you didn’t kill me?”

“Indeed.”

Chen Yin’s expression was impassive. “If it were anyone else who tried to kill me, I wouldn’t have shown such mercy.”

“But after learning your identity, I decided to spare your life.”

“Because I made a promise to your brother.”

In his previous life, he and Qingchen had been the last two remaining on Ephemeral Mountain.

Qingchen had spoken, and Chen Yin had listened.

He had watched as the young man, with a mixture of wry amusement and resignation, had ended his own life.

Chen Yin had stood there for a long time, staring at the spot where Qingchen had vanished.

Finally, he had bowed deeply.

“…Fellow Daoist Qingchen.”

“I, Chen Yin, am not a hero.”

“But if I ever make it out of this place…”

“I will keep my promise, for as long as I live.”

He hadn’t done anything extraordinary.

He had simply kept his word.

And he had succeeded.

As the sun began to set, Qingying finally calmed down.

She knelt on the ground, her eyes red and swollen, staring at the spot where her brother had vanished, as if he was still there, smiling at her.

Chen Yin didn’t disturb her, just silently accompanied her.

After a long while, he heard her hoarse voice.

“…Chen Yin.”

“Yes.”

“Do you think… A’Chen was smiling when he died?”

Chen Yin thought for a moment, then said:

“Unlike the others, Qingchen maintained his clarity and sanity until the very end. Even in death, he didn’t want to become like them.”

“Besides you, he had no regrets.”

Qingying didn’t reply. Her eyes, as dark as the night sky, were filled with a deep sadness.

After a while, she took a deep breath and stood up slowly.

“Thank you.”

“A’Chen and I… have no regrets now.” She said softly.

Chen Yin was silent for a moment, then reached out and patted her head gently.

Qingying looked up at him, her eyes still red-rimmed.

But she didn’t resist his touch.

“What are you doing? Trying to comfort me?”

“I’m not that shallow. You said it yourself, this would make you feel better.”

“Consider it a bonus service for your brother.” He said softly.

Qingying’s lips moved slightly, then she lowered her head and mumbled, “…I’m not that fragile.”

“But you’re not that strong either.”

“It’s okay to be vulnerable sometimes! Isn’t it?”

Chen Yin looked at her, surprised by her almost childish tone, unsure what to say.

Qingying seemed to realize that she sounded like a spoiled little girl and quickly turned her head away, her cheeks flushing slightly.

“Alright!”

“Now that you’ve fulfilled your promise to my brother…”

“We’re even, right?”

Chen Yin nodded and gently touched her forehead.

Qingying blushed and couldn’t help but ask, “What are you doing?!”

“You forgot. I still have something inside you.”

Qingying realized that the sword energy that had been lingering in her dantian was now gone.

The sudden lightness in her body made her feel strangely empty.

She mumbled softly, “Th-thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

This time, Chen Yin didn’t tease her. His polite tone made her feel uncomfortable.

A strange sense of anxiety and unease washed over her.

It seemed that after they left this place, they would truly part ways, their paths never crossing again.

She couldn’t help but frown.

Chen Yin, however, didn’t seem to notice her subtle change in mood. He said, “One last thing to take care of.”

With that,

He turned and looked at the Daoist in the sky.

The Daoist, with his ethereal aura and handsome features, looked like an immortal. He stood there, his eyes half-closed, lecturing on the Dao Scripture to the empty platform.

No one was listening. The only two people present, Chen Yin and Qingying, stood before him silently.

“We’re the only ones left. You don’t have to continue.”

The Daoist’s voice trailed off, then he smiled gently. “In that case…”

“Fellow Daoist, have you gained any insights?”

He was looking at Chen Yin.

Qingying also turned to him, curious to see what he would do.

Had he truly comprehended the Dao?

“Fellow Daoist, tell me,”

The Daoist asked with a smile, “what is the Dao?”

Chen Yin looked at him, his eyes deep and lonely.

After a long silence, he shook his head slowly.

“…I don’t know.”

A look of disappointment flashed across Qingying’s face. The Daoist also chuckled softly. “It’s alright. The Dao is not easily attained. Failure is common.”

“In that case, we’ll continue tomo—”

“There’s no need for tomorrow.”

“No one will ever comprehend the Dao from your lectures.” Chen Yin said calmly, his gaze unwavering.

“Why?” For the first time in two months, the Daoist asked a question.

“Because from the very beginning, your Dao Scripture was fake.”

…It wasn’t the Dao at all.

And this wasn’t a place for enlightenment and cultivation.

Ephemeral Mountain…

…was an execution ground.

Everyone who entered was a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

Chen Yin’s voice was calm, but his words were sharp and piercing.

His words brought a sudden silence to the platform.

Qingying’s eyes widened in shock and anger, while the Daoist’s expression remained unchanged, his smile still serene.

“What makes you say that, Fellow Daoist?”

“I’ve been suspicious from the very beginning.”

Chen Yin said slowly, “Cultivators seek the Dao and immortality. They spend their entire lives pursuing it.”

“But I’ve never heard of any Dao that could drive someone to madness in just a month.”

“They didn’t lose their minds because of the Dao. It’s because what you’re teaching isn’t the Dao Scripture at all, but a wicked and corrupted technique.”

“It doesn’t lead to enlightenment, only madness.”

The Daoist’s expression shifted subtly, but he still asked, “How can you be so sure? Perhaps they truly are lost on the path to enlightenment?”

Chen Yin shook his head.

“No one has ever said that failing to comprehend the Dao will lead to madness. We simply assume that the Dao is something abstract and profound.”

“But if failing to understand it leads to madness, then is it truly the Dao?”

“What if… it’s just a wicked and corrupted path disguised as the Dao?”

He looked at the Daoist calmly, but his eyes held a hint of suppressed anger and coldness.

The Daoist fell silent for the first time.

After a long while, he suddenly burst into laughter. “Interesting.”

“Your insight, Fellow Daoist, is enough to pass this trial.”

“Indeed, this is not a place of enlightenment, but a trap created by my master to slaughter prodigies.”

“Slaughter… prodigies?”

Qingying was stunned. “Why? Who would do such a thing? What’s the point of killing prodigies?”

“I apologize, but I’m just a spirit bound to this formation. I can’t reveal that information.”

The Daoist said with a smile, “But judging by your expression, Fellow Daoist, I assume you already have an idea.”

“I didn’t know before.”

“But now, I think I’m starting to understand.” Chen Yin said softly.

Qingying looked at them with a confused expression, as if she were listening to a foreign language.

“Since you’ve passed my master’s trial, my task is complete.”

The Daoist chuckled. “Originally, my master left a reward for those who succeeded.”

“But… strangely, I can’t seem to find it.”

“Do you perhaps know the reason, Fellow Daoist?”

He looked at Chen Yin with a mysterious smile.

Qingying was even more confused. How could a spirit bound to a formation lose the reward left by its master?

Only Chen Yin seemed to have realized something. He frowned slightly.

“But I can’t let you leave empty-handed.”

“Instead, I can answer three of your questions.” The Daoist said slowly.

Chen Yin had many questions for him. He thought for a moment, then asked, “First question.”

“Is your master the ancient Immortal?”

“Yes.” The Daoist replied calmly.

“Second question, what is the Heavenly Dao Fragment?”

The Daoist raised an eyebrow, his smile widening.

“The Heavenly Dao Fragment is the proof of a Chosen One.”

His words made Qingying’s heart skip a beat. Chen Yin closed his eyes and sighed.

…As expected.

This explained everything, even Xiang’er’s situation.

“Chen Yin, how—”

Before Qingying could finish her question, Chen Yin opened his eyes, his gaze intense.

“Last question.”

“The ancient Immortal created this formation not to slaughter prodigies…”

“But to specifically eliminate Chosen Ones.”

“Isn’t that right?” His eyes narrowed as he looked at the Daoist.

The Daoist was silent for a long time.

Finally, he sighed softly.

“I’m starting to regret this now.”

“It seems among all these people…”

“…You’re the one who should have gone mad and died.”

Chen Yin didn’t speak. He waited for the Daoist’s answer.

After a while, the Daoist looked at him with a strange smile.

“Congratulations.”

“…You’re correct.”

Chapter 130: I Promise

After that, more and more people lost their minds.

At first, it was only one or two a day. Occasionally, a small group would succumb together.

Then, seven or eight, then a dozen.

Then dozens at once.

Madness was everywhere.

She saw the dwarf weeping on the ground.

She saw the monk, eyes glazed with lust, performing obscene acts towards the illusory female cultivators.

She saw the painter laughing and crying, using his own blood as ink, painting grotesque images on the scroll.

She saw the swordsman carving open his own stomach with his blade, eating his own flesh.

It was a living hell.

Qingying knew that without Chen Yin’s initial protection, she wouldn’t have lasted this long. His jokes and teasing had kept her sane amidst the growing despair.

But as the madness spread, she became numb to it, no longer needing his constant shielding.

Her only comfort was that her brother, Qingchen, still maintained his daily routine. He hadn’t gone mad, only grown quieter, withdrawing into himself. He no longer shared his insights or greeted others, just mechanically repeating his daily routine.

But at least he wasn’t mad. Yet.

Qingying’s greatest fear was seeing her brother lose his mind. She was terrified he would become like the others.

Fortunately, Chen Yin had told her Qingchen would be the last to fall, so she held onto that hope.

---

During the final week…

Everyone lost their minds.

The platform became a madhouse. A naked old man running wildly, a female cultivator mutilating herself with a smile, people setting themselves on fire, others weeping uncontrollably.

Huang Manlou and Yu Manli sat facing each other, catatonic. A pair of illusory shoes appeared before them.

“Dao… Dao…”

“Shoes are the Dao… shoes are the Dao…” Huang Manlou mumbled, his eyes empty.

Suddenly, their eyes lit up with manic glee. “Shoes are the Dao! It’s mine! Don’t take it! Mine! Mine!”

They fought over the illusory shoes, then began to tear at each other’s scalps.

Qingying remembered their kind smiles, the love in their eyes when she first saw them.

Xu Xiu, the young girl, sat hunched over, her face pale and gaunt. She pulled out her hair, stuffing it into her mouth and muttering, “This is my only chance… I can comprehend the Dao… I can… gibberish…”

Qingying looked at her with pity, remembering her gentle smile and bright eyes. She was numb to the madness, but she felt a deep sadness.

Only Chen Yin, Qingying, and Qingchen remained sane on the platform.

The Daoist, oblivious to the chaos, continued his lecture, his voice gentle and his smile serene. It was a surreal scene, like a teacher lecturing to a chaotic classroom.

As the sun set, the Daoist asked, “Any insights today?”

No one answered. Only the sounds of madness filled the air.

“No need to be discouraged. Try again tomorrow.” The Daoist smiled and left on his crane.

Qingying watched as her brother stood up and walked towards his dwelling, his steps unsteady. She remembered his cheerful demeanor on their first day. She couldn’t reconcile that image with the haggard young man before her.

She finally broke down and sobbed.

“No… Don’t… comprehend anymore…”

Chen Yin watched her silently.

When her sobs subsided, he asked softly, “Are you done?”

“…Yes.”

“Do you need comfort?”

“…No.”

Qingying bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.

Chen Yin sighed and pulled her up. “Before we came, I asked if you were prepared for your brother’s death. You said you were, but I knew you weren’t. And now?” He looked away sadly.

Qingying wiped her tears. “Now… I hope A’Chen dies soon.” A quick release from this living hell. They had never feared death, but this slow erosion of hope, this unbearable torment, was far more terrifying. She couldn’t bear to watch him suffer any longer.

“Then you’re lucky,” Chen Yin said, his voice making her look up. “Because tomorrow is the last day.”

---

The next day, Qingying woke up early.

The moment she stepped out, she noticed the difference.

…Silence.

Yesterday, the air had been filled with the cacophony of madness.

But today, Ephemeral Mountain was eerily quiet.

Everyone was gone.

Only three remained.

Qingying understood. Yesterday had been the final act. The end of madness was silent oblivion.

Finally, only Qingchen was left.

When they reached his house, he was already dressed in clean clothes, everything neatly arranged.

He stepped out, bowed deeply towards his house, then walked towards the platform in silence.

No one spoke. The silence was deafening.

They arrived at the platform and sat down. The vast space was empty except for them.

The Daoist arrived on his crane.

“Fellow Daoists, if you have any insights today…”

The same opening words, the same lecture.

None of the three listened.

Qingchen lowered his head, Qingying’s eyes were red-rimmed, and Chen Yin remained silent.

“…Newcomer.” Qingchen suddenly spoke, holding a jade pendant.

He wasn’t speaking to anyone, more like talking to himself.

“I don’t know if anyone will ever see this. If anyone is lucky enough to not be lost… could you listen to my last words?”

Qingying watched as the confusion in her brother’s eyes faded, replaced by a deep sadness.

He took a deep breath and spoke:

“…I’m sorry. I can no longer walk this path with you. I hope when you see this, there will be others with you. If not…” He fell silent, his head lowered.

“Let me introduce myself again. I’m Qingchen, of the Mist Spirit Sect’s secret division. I didn’t have a name originally. I was an orphan. My sister and I were given our names when we joined the sect.”

“From a starving orphan to a cultivator, even given a chance at enlightenment… I was lucky. I’m content. That’s why I still have some sanity left… but that’s all. I can’t hold on any longer.”

“They say, ‘It is better to hear the Dao in the morning and die in the evening.’ I still don’t know what the Dao is, but I’m already trapped.”

“I don’t regret it,” he said calmly. “My only concern is my sister. Her name is Qingying. She’s five years older than me, also in the secret division, but even more troublesome than me.” He smiled faintly.

Qingying didn’t get angry. She covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

“Newcomer, although it’s unlikely… but if you meet my sister, please take care of her. Tell her not to be so stubborn, not to push herself so hard. Tell her to stay warm and dry. Tell her, if she finds someone she loves, to find me a brother-in-law.”

“Oh, and…” Qingchen chuckled sadly, “Don’t tell her about this place. I don’t want her to be sad. Just tell her… A’Chen is doing well.”

Qingying sobbed uncontrollably.

Chen Yin stood before Qingchen, watching as the young man, a serene smile on his face, raised his dagger.

He closed his eyes and bowed deeply.

“Fellow Daoist Qingchen,”

“I am Chen Yin.”

…I promise.

Chapter 129: A Glimpse of a Lifetime

What is being lost?

Losing your way, your direction, your sense of self. That is being lost.

One month seemed to be the turning point.

After that, the silence, the oppression, the frustration, the despair…

…all gradually transformed into madness.

It started on the platform where the Daoist gave his lectures. Amidst the Daoist’s calm and steady voice, the cultivators sat there like robots with their power switched off, their eyes dull and lifeless, their heads lowered.

Suddenly, one of them stood up and rushed towards the Daoist, his movements frantic.

“Stop talking!”

“I don’t understand!!”

“Just tell me, what is the Dao?!”

“What is the Dao?!”

He swung his sword wildly at the Daoist, but the blade passed right through him, as if he were made of mist.

The Daoist, as if he hadn’t even noticed, continued his lecture, his voice gentle, a serene smile on his face, not even pausing for a moment.

The man stared at his sword in disbelief, then reached out and tried to touch the Daoist, his hand passing through him. After a moment, a strange and chilling wail escaped his lips.

“No… it’s not real!”

“It’s all fake! It’s all fake!”

“There is no Dao!”

Qingying stared at him in shock, but Chen Yin gently covered her eyes with his hand.

“…Don’t look.” His voice was as calm as a still pond.

Qingying turned to him, curious, but before she could decipher the silent sadness in his eyes, a heart-wrenching laughter erupted from the platform.

“Haha, hahahahaha!”

“Heehee, hahaha.”

And then, a strange, unsettling sound, like the scraping of tiny teeth against wood.

She desperately wanted to know what was happening, but Chen Yin’s hand remained firmly over her eyes. She could only snuggle closer to him, her body trembling slightly.

From the corner of her eye, she saw a spray of blood on the ground before the Daoist.

At first, it was just a few drops, then it gradually flowed into a small, crimson stream.

Qingying suddenly didn’t want to look anymore.

What was even more terrifying was the silence on the platform. No one reacted to the madman’s outburst. They all remained seated, their heads lowered, their eyes dull and lifeless.

The Daoist’s gentle lecture and the madman’s crazed laughter mingled in the air, a grotesque and unsettling harmony.

A suffocating sense of dread filled the air.

After a while, the laughter gradually weakened, becoming fainter and fainter, until it finally faded into silence.

Chen Yin slowly removed his hand and said casually:

“Just a quick glimpse. It’ll be gone soon.”

Qingying did as he said and looked towards the Daoist’s feet.

She had seen many gruesome things as a member of the secret division, witnessed the most brutal and inhumane tortures.

But nothing could compare to the horrific sight before her.

What lay on the ground was no longer human.

Like a dissected animal, its flesh was torn open, the bones seemingly possessing a life of their own, having crawled out of the skin.

The mangled remains were a bloody mess, bits of flesh still clinging to the bones.

Qingying realized what had happened.

A wave of nausea washed over her, and she turned away, retching violently.

After she had emptied her stomach, a pale hand offered her a water pouch.

Qingying looked up, her face pale. “…Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

Chen Yin turned to her. “You’ll be seeing this kind of thing for many days to come.”

Qingying’s eyes widened in horror.

“If you can’t handle it, you can close your eyes.”

“H-how will I know when to close my eyes—”

“I’ll warn you.” Chen Yin’s voice was calm.

But his words sounded unbelievable to Qingying.

“You… you remember when everyone loses their mind—”

She stopped mid-sentence, regretting her words.

She glanced at Chen Yin cautiously.

He wasn’t angry. He simply fell silent, his expression unreadable. After a long while, he shook his head slowly.

“…I don’t want to remember.”

“But once you’ve seen this kind of thing…”

“It will haunt you for the rest of your life.”

…Just like now, Chen Yin could talk about it calmly, as if it were an ordinary event.

But in his previous life, the first time he had seen a cultivator’s bones crawl out of their skin and devour their own flesh…

He had vomited violently, just like Qingying, then retreated to the edge of the platform in terror.

Because what was truly terrifying wasn’t just the madman.

But the indifference of everyone else on the platform.

Chen Yin didn’t know who would be next.

He didn’t know if he would be next.

That fear was far greater than the fear of death, far greater than the fear of the endless darkness.

It was truly horrifying.

Qingying looked at Chen Yin’s dark eyes and finally understood why he had become so quiet and withdrawn after entering the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.

If it were her, she would never want to return to this place. Even the mere thought of it would send shivers down her spine.

…But this was only the first.

She had only witnessed the first descent into madness.

If Chen Yin was telling the truth, then everyone here would eventually suffer the same fate.

Qingying suddenly didn’t want to watch anymore.

“L-let’s go…” She tugged at Chen Yin’s sleeve, her voice filled with fear.

But Chen Yin shook his head. “He’s gone.”

Qingying looked up in surprise and saw that the gruesome scene had vanished.

As if it had never happened.

“This…” She turned to Chen Yin, who simply shook his head silently.

“Don’t look at the others. Just focus on your brother.”

“Next time someone loses their mind, I’ll warn you to cover your ears and close your eyes.”

Qingying hesitated, then asked cautiously,

“…Will it be more horrifying than that?”

Chen Yin didn’t answer. He just looked at her with a sad expression.

Qingying understood.

She took a deep breath and followed him.

Chen Yin noticed that her hand was gripping his tightly.

“You’re actually holding my hand. You must be really scared.”

“It’s just holding hands.” Qingying said softly. “Don’t get any ideas.”

Chen Yin didn’t tease her further.

He just ruffled her hair gently and said softly, “Let’s go.”

Qingying didn’t like people touching her hair.

It made her feel like a child.

And she was tall, being patted on the head felt strange.

But this time, she didn’t feel any annoyance at his touch.

Only a sense of warmth and comfort.

---

The next few days were like a living hell for Qingying.

At any time, in any place, someone could suddenly lose their mind.

Sometimes, it would be during breakfast, a crazed scream echoing from outside. As she reached for the window to see what was happening, Chen Yin would already be there, blocking her view with his body.

“It’s not over yet. Don’t look.”

Sometimes, it would be during their morning walk. A cultivator, his eyes dull and lifeless, would suddenly start convulsing, stripping naked and performing obscene acts in public.

Before Qingying could even turn her head, Chen Yin would cover her eyes from behind, his voice gentle. “Cover your ears.”

It happened on the platform, in the middle of the night, everywhere.

Sometimes it was a single person, sometimes several at once.

Qingying felt constantly on edge, her nerves frayed, afraid that the seemingly lifeless figures around her would suddenly snap.

These days were incredibly exhausting.

But Chen Yin had protected her well.

Besides knowing that someone had lost their mind, she hadn’t seen any of the horrific scenes.

Sometimes, Qingying wondered…

How had Chen Yin endured this alone last time?

She quickly dismissed the thought, afraid to delve deeper.

If it were her, she probably would have gone mad by now, even without reading the Dao Scripture.

Every day in this place was torture. Compared to this, the seemingly cruel and inhumane tortures of the secret division seemed almost kind.

And throughout it all, Chen Yin remained by her side, silent and supportive. Whenever someone lost their mind, he would always be there to shield her from the sight, his presence a source of comfort and reassurance.

As an old man collapsed to the ground, mumbling incoherently, Chen Yin once again covered her eyes.

Qingying hesitated, then mumbled softly:

“You’re… not that annoying when you’re not being a pervert.”

“That doesn’t sound like a compliment.” Chen Yin slowly removed his hand.

“I wasn’t complimenting you! I was saying, can’t you just stop doing that?!” Qingying stomped her foot in frustration.

“Stop doing what?”

Chen Yin suddenly turned to her, his eyes intense. “If I change, will I become the type of person you like? Will you finally be able to like me without any reservations?”

“I…”

Qingying’s face burned with embarrassment, and she quickly turned away.

“I never said anything like that! Don’t overthink it!”

“Then why should I change?”

His gaze softened, and he said casually, “I’m not your boyfriend. I don’t need to be the type of person you like.”

“If you want me to change, wait until you become my girlfriend.”

Qingying’s face flushed red, then paled. She didn’t know how to retort.

She suddenly envied Nan Xiaoxiang. If she had her eloquence, she wouldn’t be so easily flustered by this man’s teasing.

Unfortunately, she was clumsy with words. And clumsy in general. He always seemed to have the upper hand.

Frustrated, she turned and bit his shoulder hard.

“What was that for?” Chen Yin frowned slightly.

“A girl’s prerogative.” She raised her chin defiantly.

Chapter 128: Lost

Day nine. Day ten.

Half a month had passed since they entered Ephemeral Mountain.

Qingying watched as everyone around them, initially filled with ambition and optimism, gradually became silent and lifeless.

Now, they were like puppets, waking up, eating, then flocking to the platform like a tide to listen to the Daoist’s lecture, before returning to their houses in unison.

From beginning to end, not a single word was spoken.

A heavy and oppressive silence hung over the mountain, making Qingying uncomfortable. It felt like everyone here was slowly losing their humanity.

The couple, Huang Manlou and Yu Manli, no longer shared their cooking secrets with newcomers.

Xu Xiu no longer confided her worries and anxieties.

Even Qingchen had grown tired of sharing his insights, now only offering a silent bow before returning to his house.

Ephemeral Mountain became increasingly quiet.

…As quiet as the path that had led them here.

Day eighteen. Day twenty.

Their daily routine had become a rigid and mechanical cycle of eating, sleeping, and listening to the lecture. No one interacted with each other anymore, as if every second was too precious to waste on anything else.

But still, no one had comprehended the Dao.

Qingying felt a weight on her chest, as if a mountain was pressing down on her. If it weren’t for Chen Yin, she wouldn’t have been able to endure this oppressive atmosphere.

“…This is so strange,” she frowned. “This place is like a prison.”

“Perhaps you’re right.”

Chen Yin looked at the cultivators and said casually, “For them, this is a prison.”

“As long as they can’t comprehend the Dao, they’ll never be free.”

Qingying’s eyes dimmed, and she remained silent.

The first month passed.

At the end of the lecture that day, someone finally stood up and asked the Daoist:

“What exactly… is the Dao?”

The Daoist simply smiled gently. “That is for you to discover.”

The cultivator’s face contorted in pain, then he sat back down silently.

Qingying heard the soft murmurs of the other cultivators around her:

“Yes, what is the Dao?”

“What is the Dao?”

“Does the Dao even exist?”

At first, it was just a few whispers.

But then, like the buzzing of cicadas, the murmurs grew louder and louder, filling the air.

She watched as the people around her, as if possessed, repeated those meaningless words over and over again.

Their eyes were dull and lifeless, devoid of any spark.

Qingying suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

She instinctively took a step back, then felt a large, warm hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry.” This time, his voice wasn’t annoying.

“…You won’t become like them.”

Qingying looked up and saw Chen Yin gazing at the cultivators, his eyes distant and filled with an unknown emotion.

“They…” She wanted to speak, but she didn’t know what to say.

Chen Yin simply shook his head.

“They’re almost lost.”

---

As night fell, the mechanical crowd returned to their dwellings.

This time, Qingying noticed that Huang Manlou, one of the Daoist couple, didn’t enter his house. He stood at the doorway.

He took a deep breath and bowed slowly.

“Greetings, newcomer. This might be the last time I speak to you.”

“Although I suspect that by the time you see this, you’ll be like us.”

“But… I still want to ask.”

“What is the Dao?”

Qingying looked at his sad and empty eyes and bit her lip.

“This question has been plaguing us for a month.”

“Every second of every day, it haunts us.”

“We think about it while we eat, while we sleep, even while making love with our wives.”

“We haven’t made love in half a month.” He glanced back at his house, as if lost in thought.

Through the window, she could vaguely see his wife, Yu Manli, sitting on the bed, her face pale, her hair disheveled, her eyes dull and lifeless, as if she had been through a serious illness.

“Manli is already lost.”

“…I’m next.” Huang Manlou lowered his eyes sadly.

“Newcomer, I don’t know if you’ll be able to comprehend the Dao and escape this place.”

“If you do, please look after our child. Her name is Huang Qingqing.”

“Whether she’s alive or dead… it would bring us peace.”

With that, he bowed deeply and returned to his house.

Qingying stared at his door for a long time, lost in thought. Chen Yin’s voice came from behind her:

“Huang Qingqing, an elder of the Shanhe Sect’s Merit Hall four hundred years ago. Her cultivation reached the Supreme Clarity Realm. She passed away peacefully three hundred years ago.”

He walked to the door and bowed slightly. “Rest in peace, Fellow Daoist Huang.”

“You looked into it?” Qingying couldn’t help but ask.

Chen Yin’s eyes were calm. “It was their last request.”

“I don’t understand. He knew that continuing to seek the Dao might lead to his downfall, why didn’t he stop?”

“Because it was too late.”

Chen Yin turned to her. “Once you start studying the Dao Scripture, there’s no turning back.”

Either you comprehend the Dao, or you lose yourself.

“He had a good heart. He managed to maintain a sliver of his sanity until the very end.”

“But his wife is already lost.” He said softly. “There’s no point in him staying sane anymore.”

Qingying heard the deep sadness in Chen Yin’s voice.

She finally understood.

Last time, Chen Yin had also witnessed these people losing themselves one by one.

…And he had been powerless to stop it.

“Is it truly impossible to stop once you start studying the Dao Scripture?”

“Is there no way to save them?” Qingying asked, her voice filled with a desperate hope.

Chen Yin knew what she was thinking.

She was still hoping that her brother, Qingchen, had somehow escaped this fate, that he hadn’t become like the others.

But in the end, he could only say calmly:

“…I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m not confident that I would have been able to stay sane if I had studied the Dao Scripture seriously from the beginning.”

“Besides, everything here has already happened.”

He murmured, as if talking to himself, “…I can’t save anyone.”

Qingying stared at him for a long time, then lowered her head.

“…I understand.”

“Thank you.”

Chen Yin shook his head. “You don’t have to thank me.”

“Even if you hadn’t asked, I would have brought you here.”

“It has nothing to do with you. I made a promise to your brother, just like I did to Fellow Daoist Huang.”

Qingying’s eyes flickered. “When did A’Chen… lose himself?”

“He was strong.”

Chen Yin looked into her eyes. “He was the last one.”

“Okay.”

“Then I’ll stay with A’Chen until the end.” Qingying nodded silently.