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

Chapter 77: To Kill

In the afternoon, Master Yu Ling was still humming a tune as she bathed in the pool at her residence on Mount Yu.

“That Chen Yin is really something else,”

She mumbled to herself with a hint of annoyance. “Why hasn’t he brought Xiang’er back yet?”

“Is that brat even capable? Or will I have to go myself—”

She stopped mid-sentence.

Her humming ceased abruptly, and her eyes flickered with a subtle glint.

The next moment, she vanished from the bath and reappeared in the main hall, fully dressed.

Her small frame was enveloped in a luxurious robe, and she held a teacup delicately in her hand, her red lips sipping the fragrant tea. She spoke nonchalantly:

“Well, this is a surprise.”

“…You old geezers from the main sect have time to visit Mount Yu?”

As her words faded, several shadowy figures entered the hall.

“Hehe, Yu Ling, it’s been a while. How have you been?” A kind and elderly voice spoke.

“Don’t even bother.” Master Yu Ling pouted. “You wouldn’t have traveled all this way unless you were hoping I was doing poorly.”

“Get to the point. What do you want?”

The leading figure chuckled softly. “Can’t we just visit an old friend?”

“Who’s your old friend? I don’t know you.”

Master Yu Ling glared at them with disdain. “Are you going to talk or not? If not, I’m sending you away.”

The shadow chuckled. “Very well. I’ll get straight to the point.”

“We heard that your little ones from Mount Yu have been investigating the matter of Changli Palace. Are you aware of this?”

Yu Ling’s eyes narrowed, but she still said nonchalantly, “Who knows?”

“Those two kids of mine are wild. They run around all over the place. How would I know what they’re up to?”

“But let me warn you, either bring concrete evidence or keep your mouths shut.”

“If you dare touch my children without any proof…” Yu Ling’s eyes flashed with a murderous glint.

“…You’ll face the consequences.”

The shadowy figures exchanged glances. The leader continued to smooth things over with a smile. “Alright, let’s not talk about that for now.”

“Your little disciple, is her name Yu Xiang?”

“Yes. What about it?”

“Does Immortal Yu Ling remember where you found her?”

The air in the hall suddenly grew cold.

Yu Ling’s expression darkened. She glared at them and said slowly:

“That was over a decade ago. How would I remember?”

“You’re joking, Immortal Yu Ling. How could you forget such an important matter?”

The shadow chuckled sinisterly. “How about we help you remember?”

“You found that little girl in Ziqing Province, didn’t you?”

“Surely Immortal Yu Ling wouldn’t forget… that Changli Palace was the largest sect in Ziqing Province?”

Yu Ling fell silent.

She understood. These people wouldn’t have come to confront her unless they knew something.

“Cut to the chase. What do you want?”

Yu Ling said coldly.

“Don’t worry, Immortal Yu Ling.”

The shadow said in a clear voice, “You’re a respected guest elder of our sect, a renowned figure in the entire cultivation world.”

“We have no intention of antagonizing you. However, your disciple Yu Xiang possesses exceptional talent and a remarkable root bone. Why not send her to our main sect for further training? In time, she will surely become a peerless prodigy, on par with Frost Moon Sword Immortal.”

Yu Ling’s expression turned icy.

“So you’re here to steal my disciple?”

She raised her chin proudly and snorted. “What if I refuse?”

The shadow sighed inwardly.

“Yu Ling, why bother? It’s only been a month since your injuries. Even your prized ‘Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra’ is struggling to heal you. Why antagonize the main sect at a time like this?”

Master Yu Ling scoffed. “You bunch of old geezers! I’m out there risking my life, while you sit back and reap the benefits. And now you’re trying to stab me in the back?”

“Aren’t you afraid of this getting out and turning the Mist Spirit Sect into a public enemy, facing the wrath of the entire cultivation world?”

“Afraid? Of course we are.”

The shadow said with a smile, “That’s why we wouldn’t dare provoke you, Yu Ling, without being fully prepared.”

He slowly produced an object from behind his back.

Yu Ling’s pupils constricted.

She recognized it. The Immortal Binding Pot, a treasure from an ancient immortal realm. It could trap anyone below the True Immortal realm for three days, regardless of their cultivation level. But it was a single-use item.

“…You’re willing to go to such lengths for me?” She lowered her eyes.

“For you, Yu Ling, any cost is worth it.”

The shadow laughed. “Please, Immortal Yu Ling, accompany us to the main sect.”

Yu Ling closed her eyes slowly.

Her long eyelashes fluttered, then she opened her eyes, a mocking smile on her lips.

“Do you really think you can do as you please just because I’m injured?”

“…Do you even understand the meaning of being the strongest cultivator below the True Immortal realm?”

Before she could finish her sentence, the shadowy figures reacted as if facing a formidable enemy, retreating in unison.

The next moment, Yu Ling opened her eyes.

A dark golden light flickered in her gaze.

***

The journey back to Mount Yu took a few days.

As they walked along the mist-shrouded mountain path, Shen Shuanglian said with a hint of nostalgia:

“The fog is still as thick as ever on your mountain.”

“It’s always like this on Mount Yu.”

Chen Yin turned his head and looked around, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. “The fog never dissipates.”

“Perhaps it’s because of the Mist Yu flowers.”

“Mist Yu flowers… are those the flowers that grow on your mountain?”

“Yes.” Chen Yin smiled. “They’re very fragrant. I’ll pick one for you when we get back.”

Yu Xiang stared at their backs, lost in thought, her head lowered silently.

At the end of the dusty path, a mist-shrouded residence stood peacefully beside a waterfall.

…Finally, home.

Chen Yin felt a surge of energy and ran towards the entrance, kicking open the door and shouting cheerfully:

“Old woman! I’m back—”

“Coming…” His voice trailed off.

The entire residence was in ruins.

Broken furniture was scattered everywhere, some reduced to dust.

The air was thick with the stench of blood and a lingering aura of powerful spiritual energy.

It looked like a battlefield.

“This…” Shen Shuanglian covered her mouth in shock. Yu Xiang’s eyes widened, and she rushed inside.

“Master!”

Xiang’er frantically searched the residence, while Chen Yin’s eyes turned cold. He took a step forward and headed straight for Master’s bathroom.

He pushed open the door. The steam-filled bathroom was silent, a delicate figure lying motionless by the edge of the pool, her face hidden by the mist.

…The entire pool was stained crimson with blood.

As if sensing someone approaching, Master, who had been lying there with her eyes closed, slowly opened them. She glanced at Chen Yin, then closed them again.

“…You brat. Had your fun? Coming back so late.”

“I’m sorry.” Chen Yin said seriously.

“Heh, what are you apologizing for? Didn’t you bring Xiang’er back?”

Master said calmly, “I can hear that girl yelling. Tell her to be quiet, she’s disturbing my sleep.”

Before she could finish her sentence, a pair of large, warm hands rested on her shoulders.

Since Chen Yin cultivated the same “Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra” as his Master, his spiritual energy flowed into her body without resistance, soothing her chaotic meridians.

His expression became increasingly cold and serious.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, “I should have waited until you recovered before going to find Xiang’er.”

“If you were fully healed, you wouldn’t have been afraid of them.”

“Even injured, I’m not afraid of them.”

Master chuckled. “Looking down on your Master, are you? Let me tell you, with a single finger, I can crush all those old geezers—”

“It was the Mist Spirit Sect, wasn’t it?”

Master’s voice stopped abruptly. Her eyes dimmed after a moment of silence.

“You’d better… stay out of this.”

She scooped up a handful of water and poured it over herself, her voice calm. “I’ll make them pay when I recover.”

Chen Yin didn’t speak.

His eyes were as cold as stone.

Soon, Yu Xiang and Shen Shuanglian found them. Shen Shuanglian gasped in shock, while Yu Xiang rushed towards Master, on the verge of tears.

“Master…”

“Hey, hey, hey, why are you crying? I’m not dead yet.”

Master pouted with dissatisfaction. “You brat, you’ve been out playing for so long. You deserve a good spanking.”

“When I recover, I’ll pin you down and give you a proper beating—”

“We’ll talk about that when you recover.” Chen Yin interrupted her.

He stared at his Master intently, his voice emotionless:

“Use all the medicinal pills you have and focus on healing your injuries for the next two days.”

“Hey, you prodigal child.” Master grumbled. “Do you know how expensive those pills are? Each one is worth a fortune! Are you going to pay for them?”

“Okay.” To Master’s surprise, Chen Yin readily agreed.

“No matter what you have to do, recover quickly and be able to protect yourself.”

“I’ll have Shen Shuanglian stay here and protect you. Just focus on healing.”

Master seemed displeased with his domineering tone but only frowned and asked:

“Where are you going?”

Chen Yin turned his head and looked towards the Mist Spirit Sect’s main branch, his eyes cold and determined.

“…To kill.”

Chapter 75-76: They Both Learned Bad Habits

As Chen Yin’s figure vanished into the night sky, Nan Xiaoxiang stood there, her gaze lingering on his retreating form.

A moment later, a commotion erupted throughout the clinic.

“The young mistress is back!”

“Young Mistress?! Are you alright? Did that cultivator do anything to you?”

“I’m fine.” Nan Xiaoxiang shook her head calmly. “He just needed my help urgently and was a bit rough. He didn’t harm me.”

“Thank heavens!”

The servant said with lingering fear, “We were so worried about you, Miss. We immediately contacted the governor and your father. The master has already prepared the carriage and was about to personally request help from the Canghe Sword Sect!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to my father.”

Nan Xiaoxiang paused after taking a couple of steps and instructed in a low voice:

“Don’t speak of this matter to anyone. Pretend it never happened, understand?”

“Yes, Miss…”

“Also, prepare a few empty guest rooms.”

She lowered her eyes, her voice calm. “There will be patients coming in a few days. We’ll need them.”

The servant nodded, then said with a hesitant expression:

“Miss, about the Canghe Sword Sect… should we still inform them that you’re safe?”

Hearing this, Nan Xiaoxiang frowned, seemingly troubled.

“I’ll… handle it myself.”

The servant didn’t dare to ask any further questions and left.

Nan Xiaoxiang stood alone in the moonlit courtyard, her gaze fixed on the night-blooming jasmine flowers swaying gently in the breeze.

“Perhaps… being kidnapped would have been more peaceful.” She murmured to herself.

***

When Chen Yin returned to Luo Luo’s inn, dawn was breaking.

As he pushed open the door, a soft voice whispered:

“Be quiet. She just fell asleep.”

Chen Yin turned and saw Luo Luo lying beside Ya Ya, both sleeping soundly.

He was silent for a moment, then asked, “Don’t you need to rest as well?”

“It’s fine. Those of us in this line of work are used to going without sleep.”

Qingying replied softly, then gently closed the door, leaving the little foxes to sleep peacefully.

The two of them walked along the corridor outside the room.

“What are your plans now?”

“I’m going with you.” She said seriously. “You’re the only one who knows where my brother is in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.”

Chen Yin chuckled. “You’re choosing to trust me? What about your sect?”

Qingying was silent for a long time before shaking her head slowly.

“I agreed to join the secret division because I wanted to protect A’Chen.”

“If something really happened to him in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain, what’s the point of me staying in the secret division?”

“You’re more resolute than I expected.”

Chen Yin’s smile faded, and he said seriously, “In that case, I have something to ask you.”

“Was your secret division… involved in the Changli Palace incident?”

Qingying narrowed her eyes slightly, scrutinizing Chen Yin.

“Why are you so fixated on Changli Palace?”

“It’s related to my Junior Sister. It’s important to me.” Chen Yin said, his gaze unwavering.

Sensing his determination, Qingying’s eyes softened slightly.

“…You’re right. The secret division was involved in the Changli Palace incident.”

“But unfortunately, that was over a decade ago.” She crossed her arms casually. “A’Chen and I hadn’t joined the secret division yet. We only heard snippets of information from other members.”

Chen Yin frowned slightly. “The secret division is responsible for handling the sect’s dirty work. Since they were involved in the Changli Palace incident, I assume the truth is far different from the rumors circulating outside.”

“I don’t know the specifics.”

Qingying hesitated for a moment, then said slowly, “But… it’s said that the Changli Palace incident was truly horrific.”

“And with the secret division’s methods, there’s no way anyone from Changli Palace could have survived.”

Chen Yin nodded silently, his eyes flickering with a mix of emotions.

“I understand. But you don’t have to follow me.”

He said softly, “Stay here and take care of Luo Luo and the others. In a couple of days, when Ya Ya and the others are feeling better, take them to Yanxia Province and find Miss Nan, the physician who treated them.”

“Her clinic can help them recover.”

“What about you?” Qingying asked, her brow furrowed.

“I need to return to Mount Yu.”

Chen Yin’s gaze drifted towards the distance. “I have to take Xiang’er home.”

Qingying didn’t ask any further questions and simply said coldly, “Alright. Come find me in Yanxia Province as soon as possible.”

“And do I still need to keep the sword energy in my body?”

“Keep it.” Chen Yin grinned. “Consider it a souvenir.”

“If you ever miss me, just look at that sword energy. It’ll help ease your longing.”

Qingying pursed her lips, a cold glint in her eyes. She ignored his teasing and returned to her room.

After Qingying left, Chen Yin’s smile faded.

…He still didn’t fully trust her.

Since Luo Luo, Ya Ya, and the others were all relying on Qingying’s care, keeping that sword energy in her body was a necessary precaution.

As the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon, Chen Yin entered the room one last time.

Luo Luo was sleeping soundly, her lips moving slightly as if she was having a sweet dream.

She hadn’t rested properly for the past few days, worried about Ya Ya and the others. Now that they were finally safe and stable, exhaustion had finally overcome her.

Chen Yin left a note, then sat beside the bed and gently stroked Luo Luo’s hair and ears.

“Now, you can finally reunite with your friends safely.”

“…And I don’t have to feel so guilty anymore.” He murmured softly, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Luo Luo, in her sleep, seemed to have dreamt of something pleasant. Her ears twitched, and a sweet smile appeared on her chubby face.

Chen Yin leaned down and kissed her forehead gently, then, bathed in the first light of dawn, he set off to find Xiang’er.

***

“Senior Brother, wake up!”

Before the rooster had crowed three times, Yu Xiang was already banging on Chen Yin’s door.

“If you don’t get up, I’m coming in and pulling your blanket off!”

A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a refreshed-looking Chen Yin.

“What’s all the commotion… It’s so early. Can’t we sleep a little longer?”

“Look at the time! You’re still sleeping?”

Yu Xiang looked at him suspiciously. “Why do you always look so tired?”

“Don’t tell me you’re staying up all night… doing things that are bad for your health?”

Chen Yin: “…”

Crap. Has Xiang’er been corrupted too?

He coughed awkwardly and said, “Just assume I have needs that I need to take care of myself. I’m too tired to explain.”

The moment he said those words, he regretted it.

Because he saw Shen Shuanglian standing behind Yu Xiang.

“Uh, that’s not…”

Chen Yin was about to explain, but Shen Shuanglian didn’t seem to mind. She just asked softly:

“It’s getting late. We’ve rested for a night. Shouldn’t we head back today?”

Chen Yin nodded. “Yes. If we don’t take Xiang’er back soon, I’m afraid Master will lock me out of the mountain.”

Shen Shuanglian didn’t say anything more, just lowered her eyes slightly.

Sensing her mood, Chen Yin asked, “What about you, Senior Sister?”

“Me?”

Shen Shuanglian hesitated, her lips pressed together. “I… I’ve completed my mission, I should probably return to the sect.”

“Are there any other options?”

“Huh?”

“I don’t want you to go back to the sect now.” Chen Yin looked into her eyes seriously.

Shen Shuanglian was surprised by his words and became flustered.

“B-but where else can I go if I don’t return to the sect—”

“Come back to Mount Yu with me.”

Chen Yin said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

But his words left both Shen Shuanglian and Yu Xiang stunned.

“Go to Mount Yu? Why?” Shen Shuanglian’s face flushed slightly.

“I want to talk to Master about Changli Palace properly.”

He looked at Shen Shuanglian calmly. “It might involve some secrets of the Mist Spirit Sect. I want you to hear it too.”

Shen Shuanglian’s eyelashes fluttered in confusion.

“But… Master Yu Ling… she doesn’t seem to like me very much.”

“Don’t worry.”

Chen Yin grinned. “Master might act tough, but she’s actually a softie deep down. She’s just tsundere, you know.”

“She’ll be delighted to have a beautiful girl like you visit Mount Yu.”

Shen Shuanglian was still hesitant, but then she heard Chen Yin whisper, “There are some things I don’t want to put you in a difficult position.”

“Be obedient. Okay?”

His tone was gentle, like he was coaxing a sulking girlfriend.

Shen Shuanglian felt a warmth spread through her heart and nodded obediently.

Yu Xiang watched them silently.

A faint, dim light flickered in her dark eyes.

“Alright.”

Chen Yin said cheerfully, “Let’s go. Back to Mount Yu.”

Yu Xiang said nothing, quietly following behind them.

Shen Shuanglian, however, walked up to Chen Yin with a hesitant expression and whispered through voice transmission:

“By the way, there’s one more thing…”

“Hmm?”

“If you…” Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she seemed embarrassed to say it out loud. “If you really have needs that you can’t handle…”

“You c-can come to my room…” Her voice was barely a whisper.

Chen Yin stared at her for a long time.

After a while, he took a deep breath.

“Senior Sister, you’re still recovering. Regular checkups are necessary.”

“But I still have to say… what I said to Xiang’er earlier, it was just a joke.”

“Don’t take it seriously, okay?”

Shen Shuanglian blinked playfully.

Chen Yin frowned, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

…Crap.

Senior Sister has learned bad habits too.

Chapter 74: The Physician, Xiaoxiang

Inside the inn.

Outside, the night was at its darkest, the moon hidden behind thick clouds. The world was enveloped in a peaceful silence, the last moments before dawn.

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered. Luo Luo and Chen Yin sat quietly, barely daring to breathe.

Qingying, as always, stood by the door, her eyes cold and observant.

By the window, Nan Xiaoxiang gently held Ya Ya’s wrist, her slender fingers lightly tapping the pressure point between her thumb and index finger.

After a long while, she withdrew her hand and said calmly:

“Severe exhaustion, weakened constitution, frail meridians. If you were mortals, I would tell you to prepare for the worst.”

“Fortunately, you’re demons. After transforming into human form, your meridians are more resilient than ordinary mortals. I can temporarily sustain your lives with acupuncture.”

“Three parts each of cinnamon twigs, millet stone flower, longan fruit, and dried ginger, simmered for two hours. Two bowls daily. I’ll prescribe further treatment after three days.”

Luo Luo’s eyes lit up with hope. “That’s great! Ya Ya and the others will be alright!”

Chen Yin also breathed a sigh of relief and bowed slightly. “Thank you.”

“You trust her that easily?”

Qingying, still guarding the door, said with suspicion, “A mortal physician, treating demons with such confidence? Isn’t she afraid of the differences between humans and demons?”

Chen Yin was about to speak when Nan Xiaoxiang retorted calmly:

“What else can she do? Can you treat them? Or are you going to find a veterinarian?”

“You!”

Qingying’s eyes narrowed in anger, but Chen Yin quickly intervened, “Hold on, we’re not physicians. Why don’t we listen to what the doctor has to say?”

Nan Xiaoxiang glanced at them with her alluring, fox-like eyes, then sat down at the table and took a sip of tea.

“After transforming into human form, demons’ bodies, meridians, and organs are no different from those of humans. And you cultivators, before achieving immortality, aren’t you also mortal?”

“You eat food, you drink water, just like ordinary people. You just happen to know some spells and manipulate spiritual energy. Without your spiritual powers and spells, without specific body tempering techniques, how different are your bodies from those of mortals?”

“We call you ‘immortals’ out of respect. Don’t actually start thinking you’re gods.”

“Don’t underestimate the art of medicine.”

Nan Xiaoxiang finished her tea and said softly, “It’s not as simple as you think.”

Her words were calm and composed, not what one would expect from a mortal speaking to cultivators.

Qingying’s expression flickered for a moment before she snorted and turned her head away, refusing to speak.

Chen Yin could only chuckle awkwardly.

…This physician has a strong aura.

Not only was she unfazed by the presence of cultivators, but she even dared to retort their words with sharp wit. Her words sent chills down Chen Yin’s spine.

“Alright, their condition has stabilized.”

Nan Xiaoxiang stood up slowly, her eyes sweeping over Chen Yin. “Please escort me back, Immortal. I’ll give you the prescription for their follow-up treatment.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

Chen Yin bowed gratefully, then instructed Luo Luo to take care of Ya Ya and the others. He left the room with Nan Xiaoxiang.

“Miss Nan, I apologize for any disrespect earlier. The situation was urgent.” Chen Yin apologized again as they were leaving.

Nan Xiaoxiang, as if she hadn’t heard him, nodded silently. After a long pause, she finally spoke:

“I have one question for you, Immortal.”

“When you were standing outside my room earlier… were you peeking at me while I was bathing?”

“Absolutely not.”

Chen Yin patted his chest reassuringly. “Even if I were a pervert, I wouldn’t do something like that in this situation. There are people waiting for me to save them. I wouldn’t be so irresponsible.”

“Heh, so you’re saying that if you didn’t need my help, you would have stayed and watched?”

Nan Xiaoxiang’s gaze seemed to pierce through him, leaving Chen Yin speechless for a moment. He coughed awkwardly and said shamelessly:

“Who knows? If I didn’t need to save anyone, I wouldn’t have come to your clinic.”

Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t answer. She lowered her eyes and said casually:

“You’re quite the smooth talker, Immortal.”

…Translation: You’re a good liar.

Chen Yin pretended not to notice the underlying meaning and chuckled, scratching his head.

“So, Miss, shall I escort you back?”

Nan Xiaoxiang was silent for a moment, a rare flicker of discomfort crossing her face.

“Is there… a way to get back without flying?”

Chen Yin: “…?”

You want me to summon a car from the System Shop and drive you back?

He hadn’t figured out the System Shop yet and wasn’t planning on using it until he understood it better.

“Uh, this is the fastest way.”

“A slower method is fine too.” Nan Xiaoxiang looked at him seriously.

Chen Yin was in a dilemma. He didn’t mind taking his time to escort her back, but he couldn’t forget about Xiang’er and Senior Sister, who were still asleep.

If he didn’t return before dawn, who knew what they would think?

“I’m sorry, Miss Nan, but I’m a bit pressed for time.”

He thought for a moment. “How about this, if you’re truly afraid of heights, just close your eyes. I promise you’ll be home as soon as you open them. Quick and convenient, right?”

Nan Xiaoxiang still looked hesitant. She whispered, “Will I… fall?”

“No! Just hold on tight to me.”

Nan Xiaoxiang glared at him playfully.

Chen Yin chuckled awkwardly, then asked tentatively, “Th-then if you’re not comfortable with that… I can hold you?”

“…Are all immortals as shameless as you, taking advantage of women?”

“…I’m sorry.”

In the end, she relented.

On the Eternal Light sword, Nan Xiaoxiang closed her eyes, her hands gripping Chen Yin’s robe tightly, the wind whistling past her ears.

Her legs felt weak, as if she would collapse if she relaxed her grip.

Chen Yin, however, had the leisure to glance at her.

He had to admit, Nan Xiaoxiang’s beauty was exceptional, even by the standards of the cultivation world, let alone the mortal world.

With her natural beauty, dressed in a simple white dress that was neither too flamboyant nor too plain, she possessed an elegant charm, like a plum blossom blooming in the snow.

And more than her beauty, Chen Yin admired her courage and composure.

To ordinary mortals, cultivators were powerful and unconstrained by mortal laws, their lives at the mercy of these immortals. So whenever mortals encountered cultivators, they would be nervous and fearful, afraid of offending them.

But Nan Xiaoxiang remained calm and collected in their presence, speaking with confidence and even daring to retort Qingying’s words.

Such composure was rare in a mortal woman.

“Miss Nan, have you treated cultivators before?”

“The only clinic in Yanxia Province that treats immortals is our Xiaoxiang Medical Clinic.” She replied, her eyes still closed, her voice calm, though her body trembled slightly.

“You’re that impressive… Who did you learn your medical skills from?”

“Half from my ancestors, half self-taught.”

“With your beauty and talent, you must have many admirers, right?”

Hearing this, Nan Xiaoxiang was silent for a long time before sighing softly.

“Why beat around the bush, Immortal? If you’re interested in my appearance, the worst you could do is find a secluded spot and force yourself on me. Such subtle hints are rather crude.”

Chen Yin almost stumbled.

“…No, do you really think so lowly of me?”

“Whether you’re a decent person or not is not for me, a mere mortal, to judge.”

Nan Xiaoxiang’s expression remained calm. “From the moment you kidnapped me, I’ve already prepared for the worst.”

“Why don’t you just be straightforward, Immortal? What can a weak mortal woman like me do to resist you?”

Chen Yin struggled for a moment, then finally managed to say:

“Miss, do you have a persecution complex?”

“…”

“It was just a casual question. How did you come up with all that?”

Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t answer. She kept her eyes closed, her body trembling slightly despite her efforts to appear calm. It was a sight that evoked pity.

Chen Yin sighed.

He had to admit, Nan Xiaoxiang’s concerns were valid.

Ordinary mortals were powerless against cultivators. If they encountered righteous cultivators, they might be fine. But if they encountered those with ill intentions, they could be brutally exploited and abandoned without anyone caring.

Had this girl truly prepared herself for the worst, as she had said?

Chen Yin was even more intrigued. He couldn’t help but ask:

“So you were willing to treat those little foxes, even though you knew you might be harmed?”

“If you truly intended to harm me, Immortal, I wouldn’t be able to escape even if I refused.”

She said calmly, “I might as well practice medicine one last time and fulfill my purpose.”

“I don’t practice medicine for others. It just makes me happy.”

Chen Yin chuckled. “I thought you might secretly poison the little foxes and use them as leverage to force me to protect you.”

“I did consider it.” She lowered her eyes. “But I gave up on the idea.”

“Why?”

“Because I only heal. I don’t kill.”

Her matter-of-fact tone made Chen Yin fall silent.

After a while, Nan Xiaoxiang suddenly felt her feet touch solid ground. She opened her eyes and found herself back in her own courtyard.

“Alright,” Chen Yin’s voice came from beside her. “I’ve fulfilled my promise and brought you home safely.”

“You… truly don’t intend to harm me?” Nan Xiaoxiang asked hesitantly.

Before she could finish her sentence, Chen Yin flicked her forehead lightly.

“Stop thinking so negatively about people.” He said with a lighthearted tone. “There are still good people in this world.”

“…Like you?”

Nan Xiaoxiang rubbed her forehead and blinked.

“Alright, I don’t have much money on me. Take these spirit stones as payment for your services.”

Chen Yin handed her a small pouch. “In a couple of days, if the little foxes are doing better, I’ll bring them here for you to treat.”

“You wouldn’t mind, would you, Miss?”

Nan Xiaoxiang was silent for a moment, then smiled.

“A physician treats all living beings equally.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Chapter 73: A Habitual Kidnapper

That night…

After Yu Xiang and Shen Shuanglian had fallen asleep, Chen Yin quietly got out of bed and slipped out the window.

Guided by the faint connection of the master-servant contract, he arrived at a small inn in the neighboring town.

On the second floor, as Chen Yin approached the door, it swung open. A fluffy little fox leaped into his arms.

“Young Master, you’re safe!”

“Of course. Who do you think I am?”

Chen Yin patted her head affectionately. “Your Young Master is invincible.”

Luo Luo snuggled her head against his chest.

A cold snort came from beside them.

“Pervert.”

Chen Yin coughed awkwardly, put Luo Luo down, and turned to Qingying.

“How are Ya Ya and the others?”

“Not good.” Luo Luo’s expression immediately fell. “Sister Qingying and I applied some medicine, but it can only temporarily relieve their pain.”

“They’re too weak. They collapsed shortly after escaping and haven’t woken up yet.”

Chen Yin walked over to the bed and saw five emaciated fox girls lying there, their bodies frail and skeletal. He couldn’t help but frown.

He checked their conditions one by one. Their meridians were incredibly weak, too fragile for him to even try healing them with his spiritual energy.

“They’re too weak. Even the nourishing pills I have would be too much for them.”

Qingying leaned against the doorframe, her expression indifferent. “But we don’t have time for them to recover slowly.”

“If they’re not treated soon, they’re in danger.”

Chen Yin pondered for a moment and asked softly, “Does your secret division have any medical knowledge?”

“What are you thinking?”

Qingying looked at him as if he were an idiot. “The secret division is responsible for killing, not saving. Of course we don’t know anything about medicine.”

“If you want to save them, why don’t you find a physician?”

Easier said than done, Chen Yin thought with a sigh. But where could he find a physician at this hour?

“Xianyun Province is too desolate. We probably won’t find even a mortal physician within a hundred miles. If we want to find one, we’ll have to travel further…”

Chen Yin’s voice trailed off as he fell into deep thought.

…That’s right.

They were already at the border of Xianyun Province, bordering Yanxia Province to the east.

Although Yanxia Province wasn’t a major province and lacked immortal mountains and blessed lands, it had a large mortal population and was considered a relatively well-known province.

Since there were few cultivators there, the mortals lived peaceful and prosperous lives.

“Yanxia Province is only a few hundred miles away. If I’m fast enough, I might be able to ‘borrow’ a mortal physician before dawn.”

Qingying glanced at him with a strange look when she heard the word “borrow.”

But Chen Yin was becoming more and more convinced that his plan was feasible. He muttered to himself, “Ya Ya and the others are too weak. Immortal herbs would be too potent for them. It’s better to find a mortal physician to treat them.”

“This could work. It’s worth a shot.”

Chen Yin said in a low voice, “You take care of Ya Ya and the others. I’ll go to Yanxia Province and bring back a physician.”

“Be careful, Young Master!”

Luo Luo waved goodbye obediently, while Qingying simply turned her head away.

Leaving the inn, Chen Yin soared into the night sky, transforming into a streak of sword light, heading east under the moonlight.

***

Yanxia Province bordered Xianyun Province.

By the time Chen Yin finally found a relatively prosperous town, it was almost midnight.

The streets were deserted, most houses were dark, and only a few windows glowed with candlelight.

The medical clinics were definitely closed at this hour, so Chen Yin could only go from door to door, searching.

After a long and arduous search, he finally stopped in front of a grand-looking medical clinic.

“Xiaoxiang Medical Clinic? Judging by its size, it must be a reputable clinic.”

Chen Yin muttered to himself and then, with a single step, silently appeared inside the clinic’s courtyard.

The large clinic was shrouded in darkness. Most of the residents were asleep. Only a few rooms still had flickering candlelight.

Unsure where to find someone, Chen Yin approached a room with a lit candle.

But as he got closer, he heard the sound of running water coming from inside.

And the faint sound of a woman humming.

…Who takes a bath at this hour? Chen Yin felt awkward.

He had no choice but to wait outside until the woman finished bathing before asking about the physician.

However, to his surprise, an hour passed, and the only light in the entire clinic was still coming from that room. The woman was still bathing.

Chen Yin was starting to lose his patience.

Honestly, besides his Master, he had never met anyone who could take such long baths.

Seeing that there was no end in sight and he was running out of time, Chen Yin gritted his teeth and coughed lightly.

“Ahem. Excuse me, Miss, when will you be done bathing? I have a question.”

The sound of running water stopped abruptly, followed by a wary voice:

“Who’s there?”

“Uh, I’m a traveler seeking medical attention.”

Chen Yin said innocently, “I was going to wait until you were done bathing, but… your bath time is a bit inhuman.”

After a long silence, a soft and gentle voice came from inside:

“Just a moment.”

So Chen Yin waited patiently.

But ten minutes passed, and there was still no further response.

Impatient, Chen Yin called out again, “Miss, are you almost done?”

The moment he finished speaking…

A commotion erupted around him. Countless torches lit up the night as a swarm of servants poured in from all directions, surrounding Chen Yin and the room.

“Protect the young mistress! Catch the pervert!”

Chen Yin: “…”

…I knew it.

Surrounded by a sea of angry servants holding torches, Chen Yin could only force a wry smile.

“Miss, I just wanted to ask for medical help. I had no intention of being a pervert.”

“Liar!”

One of the servants glared at him. “Sneaking into the clinic in the middle of the night, who would do that for medical help? And you’re lurking outside the young mistress’s room while she’s bathing! You’re clearly a pervert!”

“Exactly! Which shameless scoundrel is trying to take advantage of our young mistress’s beauty?!”

Chen Yin’s expression: sweating bullets.

Seriously, who the hell is your young mistress? Does she have some kind of legendary beauty that’s worth me traveling all this way just to peek at her bathing?

Seeing that he wouldn’t be able to leave before dawn if he kept stalling, he sighed:

“Forget it, I’m in a hurry. I’ll just ask directly. Who’s the physician in your clinic?”

“Hmph, still pretending!” The servant said indignantly. “Even a three-year-old child in Yanxia Province knows that our young mistress, Nan Xiaoxiang, is a renowned physician, respected even by the governor. You still want to act like you don’t know her?”

She’s that impressive, huh?

Then I won’t hold back.

Chen Yin didn’t bother explaining anymore and simply said, “Excuse me, then.”

With that, he dashed forward, bursting through the door and into the room.

Inside, a delicate woman in white sat by the bathtub, her beauty reminiscent of Xi Shi. She looked utterly surprised by Chen Yin’s sudden intrusion.

*Xi Shi: One of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China.*

Before she could even speak, Chen Yin scooped her up over his shoulder and ran.

His Eternal Light sword flashed through the air. He leaped onto the sword and, amidst the gasps and shouts of the mortals below, soared into the night sky.

“A-an immortal?!”

“Oh no, the young mistress has been kidnapped by an immortal!”

“Quick, inform the master!”

***

The Eternal Light sword sped through the air like the wind.

Chen Yin, disregarding any semblance of decorum, carried the woman over his shoulder, his mind focused on getting back as quickly as possible.

The wind whipped past, but the woman remained silent and motionless.

Chen Yin was worried that he might have scared her to death and nudged her gently.

“Hey, Miss, are you still alive? Make a sound if you are.”

The woman remained silent.

Helplessly, Chen Yin put her down, only to find that she was not only fine but also looking at him with clear and bright eyes, her expression devoid of fear or panic.

Her pristine face glowed under the moonlight filtering through the clouds.

Faced with her calm and composed gaze, Chen Yin felt a wave of embarrassment.

“Uh… I’m sorry, Miss.”

He apologized softly. “It was wrong of me to kidnap you in the middle of the night, but my friends are in urgent need of medical attention. I had no other choice.”

“I’ll personally escort you back and apologize properly, okay?”

The woman seemed to ignore him and simply asked in a calm voice:

“Is this how you immortals invite people?”

Chen Yin scratched his head awkwardly.

“I’m truly sorry… As long as you treat my friends first, I’ll let you decide my punishment, how about that?”

The wind howled as the Eternal Light sword soared through the clouds, bathed in the silvery moonlight.

The woman glanced at him briefly, then turned away, her long eyelashes fluttering.

“…Fine.”

“The patients come first. We’ll settle our score later.”

Chen Yin nodded eagerly.

The wind whipped at the woman’s white dress and hair. She lowered her gaze and suddenly whispered:

“You… stand in front.”

“Why?”

“The wind is too strong. I’m just a mortal.”

Chen Yin obeyed and moved to the front of the sword.

But the woman hesitated for a moment, then gently grabbed the hem of his robe and closed her eyes.

“…What’s wrong now?”

“…I’m afraid of heights.” She said matter-of-factly.

Chen Yin was silent for a long time, then sighed.

…I feel like I didn’t just kidnap a physician.

I kidnapped an ancestor.

Chapter 72: Time to Go Home

“Senior Brother!”

Yu Xiang rushed towards him, her voice filled with worry. “A-are you alright?”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine.” Chen Yin blinked in confusion. “What’s wrong, Xiang’er?”

“Did something happen just now?”

Yu Xiang was speechless, her mind racing.

She called out to the System in her heart again, but this time, no matter how she called, there was no response.

Even the System Shop, her points, everything had vanished.

It was as if the System had been nothing but a dream.

Yu Xiang felt a wave of confusion and helplessness, standing there frozen in place.

Chen Yin was about to ask her what was wrong when Shen Shuanglian spoke softly beside him:

“…Let’s talk about this after we leave.”

***

Xianyun Province, a remote inn on the eastern side.

Chen Yin kicked open the door, stretched lazily, and said with a relieved expression:

“Ah~ Finally done. I can finally get a good night’s sleep.”

He flopped onto the bed, finding a comfortable position, and mumbled to himself:

“I’m exhausted. After all that effort, I finally managed to snatch Xiang’er back.”

“Master shouldn’t scold me when we get back to the mountain, right?”

The thought cheered him up, and he started humming a tune.

Yu Xiang, however, seemed preoccupied, her expression hesitant.

“Alright, things have calmed down now.”

Chen Yin sat up slowly and asked softly, “What happened before we left?”

“I…”

Yu Xiang was about to speak when Shen Shuanglian interrupted her.

“There’s no rush. You’ve been working so hard for your Junior Sister. Now that it’s over, get some rest.”

“Everything’s fine now. We can talk after you’ve rested.”

Yu Xiang glanced at her and nodded silently.

Seeing their secretive behavior, Chen Yin pouted playfully, feigning jealousy.

“Fine, I’ll take a nap. We can talk about everything after I wake up.”

With that, he lay down and instantly fell asleep, snoring softly.

Shen Shuanglian exchanged a look with Yu Xiang, and they quietly left the room, heading next door.

As soon as they entered the room, Shen Shuanglian asked directly:

“Your System is gone too, right?”

Yu Xiang was stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“Could it be that yours…”

“It seems so.”

Shen Shuanglian sighed softly and sat down at the table, pouring herself a cup of water.

“From now on, we’re no longer Chosen Ones.” She said, her clear eyes downcast.

Yu Xiang was confused. “What happened?”

“Tell me about yours first.”

Shen Shuanglian took a sip of water. “Why did your System suddenly attack Chen Yin?”

Yu Xiang’s expression darkened.

“Because… I chose to go home with Senior Brother instead of following the plot.”

“I knew it would kill it.”

“…And me too.” She murmured.

Shen Shuanglian glanced at her and put down her cup. “It seems your System had quite a temper.”

“Eh? Didn’t yours?”

Yu Xiang asked in surprise.

“My System… well, how should I put it?” Shen Shuanglian pondered for a moment.

“It always seemed to feel guilty about being bound to me, so it never forced me to follow the plot.”

“Even after suffering multiple backlashes and knowing its time was running out, it still insisted on letting me choose.”

“In the end, it chose to sacrifice itself to destroy your System.”

“This…” Yu Xiang lowered her head, filled with regret. “So there are good and bad Systems too.”

“Mine was definitely a villain System. It only cared about completing the plot and surviving, regardless of the consequences for others.”

Shen Shuanglian chuckled wryly. “Being bound to a System is never a happy thing.”

“It’s like knowing there’s a predetermined ending, even a tragic one, and being forced to walk towards it.”

“Without any chance of resistance.”

Yu Xiang and Shen Shuanglian exchanged a look, seeing the same helplessness in each other’s eyes.

Indeed, some things could only be understood by fellow Chosen Ones.

“Then…” Yu Xiang hesitated. “Should we tell Senior Brother about this?”

This time, Shen Shuanglian fell silent.

After a long while, she propped her head up with her hand, her hair cascading down her arm.

“…I don’t know.”

“For someone bound to a System, revealing its existence is no different from directly disrupting the plot. It would lead to a lose-lose situation.”

“Although we don’t have Systems anymore, logically, we shouldn’t be restricted by that anymore.”

“But,” she said hesitantly, “what if Chen Yin encounters other Chosen Ones in the future? If he knows about the existence of Systems, he might become a target for elimination.”

“I’d rather believe that most Chosen Ones’ Systems are like yours, not like mine.”

Yu Xiang nodded in agreement.

“Then… let’s keep it a secret from Senior Brother for now.”

She said softly, “It’s better for him not to know.”

They reached a consensus to keep this matter from Chen Yin.

Meanwhile, in the other room, Chen Yin slowly opened his eyes.

He stared at the ceiling for a long time, lost in thought, before murmuring softly:

“Chosen Ones… Systems…”

So, there was another layer to this world.

It sounded like the System novels he used to write back on Earth.

No wonder he had always felt something was off about Xiang’er’s actions but couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

After a moment of silence, he took out two rusty metal fragments from his pocket and examined them carefully.

The material of these fragments was strange. They seemed thin and fragile, easily breakable, nothing like immortal artifacts. But in reality, they were incredibly durable. Chen Yin couldn’t even leave a scratch on them despite using all his strength.

Neither immortal nor ordinary, their peculiar shape didn’t belong to this world.

But at the moment, the two fragments were lifeless, like ordinary pieces of scrap metal.

Chen Yin examined them for a while, then was about to put them away when he noticed something else glowing in his pocket.

This time, he was truly surprised. Because this item hadn’t reacted for a long time.

…It was the scroll.

He took out the scroll. It was glowing faintly, as if it was drawn to the metal fragments.

Hesitantly, Chen Yin brought the fragments closer to the scroll. In a flash of light, they disappeared, as if absorbed by the scroll.

Intrigued, Chen Yin quickly entered the scroll’s space.

Inside, the statue he had found in the bamboo forest of the Heavenly Path Perilous Domain was now floating in the center, exuding an air of authority and solemnity.

And the two metal fragments, like two cowering mice, lay at the foot of the statue, trembling slightly.

The statue had been in the scroll’s space for a long time, but it had always been inert. Chen Yin had simply ignored it.

Now, seeing the statue finally react, he reached out towards it curiously.

But the next moment, a strange image appeared before his eyes.

“What… what is this?”

“System Shop… points?”

His gaze swept across the dazzling array of images and text, and he was completely captivated.

“Okay, I recognize pills and cultivation techniques.”

“…What’s perfume? Why is that in the System Shop?”

“Beauty magazines? Game discs? Holy crap, why are there even adult magazines?!”

The vastness of the System Shop was overwhelming. It took Chen Yin almost two hours just to browse through the catalog.

It seemed to have everything. Not only items from this world, related to cultivation, but even things from his previous life on Earth.

And there were many things he had never seen or heard of before, things that seemed to belong to another world entirely.

He spent the entire afternoon browsing.

As night approached, a knock came from the door.

“Stinky Senior Brother! Wake up, you lazy pig!”

After a while, Chen Yin finally opened the door, his voice weary.

“Xiang’er… how long have I been asleep?”

“Four hours.”

Yu Xiang pouted. “If you sleep any longer, you’ll turn into a pig.”

But then she noticed the dark circles under Chen Yin’s eyes and his exhausted expression.

“Senior Brother… you’ve worked hard.”

She bit her lip, her eyes filled with concern. “It’s all because of me that you’re so tired… You must have exhausted yourself these past few days.”

“If you want to sleep, go back to sleep.”

Chen Yin didn’t know how to explain and could only chuckle awkwardly.

“I-I’m fine… By the way, where’s Senior Sister?”

“She went downstairs to get food.”

“Let’s go down too.” Yu Xiang took Chen Yin’s hand and was about to lead him downstairs.

But Chen Yin hesitated and said softly:

“…Xiang’er, I have something to ask you.”

Yu Xiang stopped and turned around gracefully.

“Do you miss home?”

Chen Yin asked seriously, “I mean Mount Yu. Our little home with you, me, and Master.”

Yu Xiang’s dark eyes flickered with confusion, then she lowered her head and whispered:

“Of course I do.”

“I dream about it every night, about going back to those days when the three of us were together on Mount Yu.”

Carefree and happy, their entire world contained within a small mountain peak.

“The scent of the Mist Yu flowers. The temperature of the pool behind our hut. Even Senior Brother’s smelly blanket.”

She smiled, her eyes bright and innocent.

“That was truly the best home for me.”

Chen Yin’s eyes softened. He gently pulled Yu Xiang into an embrace and, as she blushed, kissed her forehead softly.

“…Me too.”

“You two are the best family I could ask for.”

This time…

It was truly time to go home.

Chapter 71: The System’s Backlash

“I’m taking her.”

Chen Yin’s words were spoken with such ease and confidence…

…That the entire demonic sect’s grand hall fell silent.

The Dao Master stared at him for a long moment, then burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, are you joking?”

“Of course not.”

Chen Yin shrugged. “She’s my only Junior Sister. What else am I supposed to do but take her home and make her my wife?”

Yu Xiang, her tears still fresh, stared at Chen Yin in disbelief.

“Oh?”

The Dao Master raised an eyebrow. “Are you so confident that you can take her from me?”

“I don’t know if I can,”

Chen Yin’s smile faded slightly. “But if you don’t let her go, you might die.”

“Is that so? Then let’s see what you’ve got.”

With that, he slowly stood up and took a step forward.

As his foot landed, a resounding thud echoed in the hearts of everyone present.

It was as if his step had landed on their very souls.

The immense pressure instantly made Yu Xiang’s face pale. She struggled to stand, ready to shield Chen Yin.

“Stop! If you dare touch him, I’ll fight you to the death!”

Shen Shuanglian also leaped onto the platform, landing gracefully beside Chen Yin. She whispered:

“He might be a Grand Clarity Realm expert. If he has also comprehended Dao Rhythm, your sword technique might not be enough to defeat him.”

Chen Yin nodded. “That’s true.”

“Although that sword strike is infused with Dao Rhythm, it’s still a bit strained against a true Grand Clarity Realm cultivator.”

“Fortunately…” He lowered his gaze, and the flawless white jade Eternal Light sword slowly emerged from his sleeve.

The pristine sword hovered before him. He held it with one hand, his expression calm and unwavering.

“…I never said that was my only sword technique.”

Shen Shuanglian stared at him in awe.

“Since you’re so confident, then show me what you’ve got!”

The Dao Master slowly approached, a murderous glint in his eyes. A black sphere, as silent as the void, slowly materialized in his hand.

The moment the black sphere appeared, all the candles in the hall extinguished, plunging the vast space into darkness, as if all light had been absorbed by the sphere.

In the darkness, Chen Yin’s voice reached Yu Xiang and Shen Shuanglian’s ears:

“Get back. Protect yourselves.”

Yu Xiang wanted to say something, but Shen Shuanglian pulled her hand and retreated to a safe distance.

“Senior Brother, he—”

“Trust him,” Shen Shuanglian whispered. “It’s enough.”

The black sphere in the Dao Master’s hand expanded, an oppressive aura emanating from it.

As the sphere grew larger, a desolate and decaying wind swept through the hall, making it feel like a forgotten ruin, filled with the stench of rot.

He held the sphere with one hand, the other behind his back, his voice cold:

“You have one last chance to reconsider.”

Chen Yin stretched his neck, a carefree expression on his face. “Ah, it feels good to finally let loose.”

This wasn’t Mount Yu. He didn’t have to worry about destroying the mountain with his sword and being scolded by his Master.

And there was no one to worry about injuring. Xiang’er and Senior Sister had obediently retreated to a safe distance.

Besides the scroll’s space, this was the first time Chen Yin could freely unleash his three sword techniques without any restraint.

It felt incredibly liberating.

“Why do you people always like to give others a chance?”

Chen Yin raised his sword, a playful smile on his lips. “Do you really think anyone cares about your pathetic offer?”

“Seriously? That’s just disgusting.”

The Dao Master’s eyes narrowed, and his aura turned menacing.

“You like to talk? Then die!”

He released the black sphere. As if freed from its constraints, its oppressive aura expanded exponentially, consuming everything around it.

The terrifying power, resembling a black hole, forced everyone in the hall, from ordinary demonic cultivators to elders, to prostrate themselves, desperately resisting its pull.

Chen Yin stood motionless before the black sphere, his gaze calm and unwavering.

The Eternal Light sword hummed in his hand.

“I’ve been waiting for this.” He whispered to the sword.

You’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, haven’t you?

He slowly raised his sword, an ethereal aura emanating from its blade.

It was an enigmatic and profound aura, ancient and primordial, like the dawn of time. But it was also becoming increasingly intense and fervent.

The crystal-clear blade of the Eternal Light sword began to glow, like a beacon in the darkness.

Brighter and brighter.

From a tiny flicker, it grew into a radiant moon, then transformed into a blazing sun.

Eternal darkness, illuminated by a single, enduring light.

“—Second Sword.” Chen Yin whispered.

The next moment, the blinding sword light erupted.

Like the sun piercing through the night.

The scorching light, like boiling water, slowly consumed the darkness. The black sphere in the air shattered under the force of the strike.

Everyone was blinded by the intense light.

Only the Dao Master remained standing, unmoving, as the blinding sword light filled his vision.

“Weng!”

The afterimage of the bright light lingered in everyone’s eyes.

As the dust settled, Chen Yin stood calmly on the platform, his sword in hand, his clothes spotless.

Across from him, the Dao Master was silent.

He slowly looked down at his arm.

…His left arm was gone, severed cleanly at the shoulder.

He stared at the empty space for a long time, then slowly looked up and asked:

“…Why didn’t you kill me?”

“It’s not that I didn’t want to.”

Chen Yin shrugged lightly. “It’s my sword that didn’t want to kill you.”

He wasn’t joking.

The moment his Second Sword struck the Dao Master, the Eternal Light had shifted slightly on its own.

So in the end, the sword had only severed his arm.

Even so, the wound was clean and cauterized, as if there was no cut at all.

The Dao Master couldn’t understand that power. He only felt a strange numbness where his arm had been, no pain, no spiritual energy, no sensation.

It was as if his arm had simply vanished from existence.

He had never seen or heard of such a strange and domineering power.

He glanced at the sword in Chen Yin’s hand.

“What’s the name of that sword?”

“Eternal Light.” Chen Yin answered without hesitation.

“Do you recognize this sword?”

The Dao Master didn’t answer. His eyes, filled with an unreadable emotion, were fixed on the sword.

After a long silence, he let out a deep sigh.

“The eternal night is not desolate, for the Eternal Light shines forever.”

“…You may leave.”

He closed his eyes slowly. “From this day forward, our demonic path no longer needs a Holy Maiden.”

Chen Yin was taken aback, confused by the sudden change of heart.

“Then we’re even.”

Chen Yin said softly, “I’ll take my Junior Sister home, and you get to live. We’re square now.”

With that, he sheathed the Eternal Light sword and slowly descended from the platform, walking towards Yu Xiang and Shen Shuanglian, as countless demonic cultivators watched with fear and awe.

“Let’s go,” he smiled.

“Everything’s alright now.”

Yu Xiang, still reeling from the earth-shattering sword strike, seemed lost in thought. After a while, she finally mumbled in a daze:

“Senior Brother…”

“Hey, hey, hey, don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts now.”

Chen Yin said quickly, “You’re already mine now, you have no say in this.”

“You don’t have to make any more difficult choices. Senior Brother will take care of everything.”

Yu Xiang was silent for a long time, then her nose twitched, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Hey, don’t cry now.”

Chen Yin panicked. “We can talk about everything when we get home. We’re still in their lair.”

“Don’t air our dirty laundry in public.”

Hearing this, Yu Xiang burst into laughter, her tears turning into a smile.

“Stinky Senior Brother. Who’s your wife?”

“We’re all family on Mount Yu. Why wouldn’t you be considered my wife?”

Chen Yin’s serious explanation made Yu Xiang both angry and amused.

Shen Shuanglian remained silent, following closely behind Chen Yin, observing the two of them.

“Alright, stop crying.”

Chen Yin reached out and wiped away Yu Xiang’s tears, gently rubbing her swollen eyes. He said softly,

“It’s time to go home. Master is waiting for us on the mountain.”

“…Okay.” Yu Xiang nodded obediently.

“This time, when we get back, you have to tell Senior Brother everything. No more secrets.”

“Okay.”

“That’s more like it.” Chen Yin finally smiled, a sense of relief washing over him.

As the three of them walked out of the main hall, Yu Xiang suddenly stopped.

A weary and venomous voice echoed in her mind.

“…Yu Xiang, you have disappointed me greatly.”

“The moment you step out of this demonic sect’s main altar, the plot will collapse completely.”

“And I, who failed to maintain the plot, will disappear along with it.”

“Since you’ve chosen to be ruthless, don’t blame me for being unkind.”

Yu Xiang’s eyes widened in horror.

“Senior Brother, watch out!”

Chen Yin frowned and was about to turn around when an invisible wave of energy shot towards him.

The Eternal Light sword appeared in his hand instantly. As he was about to strike, a faint, ancient sigh echoed in the air.

“…Sigh.”

“Forget it.”

“I don’t have much time left anyway. Might as well do one last good deed.”

Shen Shuanglian froze, and a faint wave of energy emanated from her as well.

The two invisible waves collided in mid-air. The next moment, a furious voice filled with despair rang out:

“!? You! You’re insane!”

“Stop it! I’m not giving up! I’m not giving up!!!”

The ethereal voice echoed for a moment, then faded into nothingness.

The surroundings were calm, as if nothing had happened.

But Chen Yin instinctively reached out his hand, and two objects appeared in his palm.

…Two small, broken pieces of metal.

Chapter 70: I’m Not Here to Pick You Up, I’m Here to Take You

Countless eyes stared at Chen Yin, both on and off the stage.

But he remained unfazed, standing there calmly, as if he were in his own backyard.

Yu Xiang covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with disbelief, her voice choked with emotion.

“Senior Brother… how could…”

“Oh?”

The Dao Master of the demonic path, intrigued by this dramatic turn of events, raised an eyebrow and said playfully, “So, this is the Senior Brother you’ve been yearning for, Chen Yin, is it?”

“Hehe, to dare barge into the main altar of the demonic path with just two people, you’re quite bold.”

“And this young lady beside him—”

Shen Shuanglian removed her mask, revealing her delicate and elegant features. She said calmly,

“Shen Shuanglian, of the Mist Spirit Sect.”

At that moment, not only did Yu Xiang’s expression change, but a surprised voice also rang out in her mind:

“What the hell?! Shen Shuanglian?!”

“Is she crazy? What is she doing here?” The System’s voice was laced with panic.

“She’s a Chosen One! How dare she come to the demonic sect’s main altar?!”

“Doesn’t she know this will severely violate the plot?!”

Seeing Shen Shuanglian, the Dao Master seemed even more intrigued. A sly smile appeared on his lips.

“Haha, it’s the renowned Frost Moon Sword Immortal, Fairy Shen.”

“As I expected, this Nether Ritual is becoming more and more interesting.”

Before he could finish his sentence, a green figure flashed before him.

Yu Xiang spread her arms protectively, her eyes red-rimmed with determination.

“Don’t touch him. Let him go.” She said in a low voice.

The Dao Master narrowed his eyes.

“Shouldn’t the Holy Maiden reconsider? If we let him come and go as he pleases, wouldn’t that make our demonic path look weak?”

“Don’t forget, you are ultimately the Holy Maiden of our demonic path.”

At the same time, the System roared frantically in her mind:

“Forget about your damn Senior Brother! This is a disaster!”

“If Shen Shuanglian dies here, not only will her plot be ruined, but ours will collapse too!”

“We’ll all die!”

“I don’t care.” Yu Xiang’s voice trembled slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on the Dao Master. “He can’t get hurt.”

“Otherwise, you can forget about ever seeing the completed ‘Quenching Nether Mantra’.”

“You!”

The System was about to curse in frustration.

The Dao Master looked at her with amusement, but he didn’t speak immediately, seemingly lost in thought.

But at that moment, a playful voice came from below:

“I say, Xiang’er, have you forgotten Senior Brother’s words again?”

Yu Xiang turned around, stunned, and saw Chen Yin looking at her with a calm and carefree expression.

“Remember what I said? Don’t keep everything bottled up inside. Junior Sisters are meant to be spoiled.”

“It’s okay to rely on your Senior Brother sometimes. Isn’t it?”

He walked towards the platform, his steps firm and unwavering, as if he didn’t even notice the terrifying presence of the Dao Master.

“Senior Brother, I…” Yu Xiang’s eyes welled up with tears, and she looked at him helplessly.

“We’ve been out playing for a while now. It’s time to go home.”

Chen Yin smiled. “If we don’t go back soon, Master will hang us upside down from a tree and spank us.”

Yu Xiang hesitated, reaching out a hand, then quickly withdrawing it as if she had been burned.

“Senior Brother… I’m sorry.”

After a long silence, she finally looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen, and whispered:

“Xiang’er… Xiang’er can’t go back with you…”

“I’m not asking if you can.”

Chen Yin’s voice was calm. “I’m asking if you want to.”

Yu Xiang was stunned for a moment.

“Anything you can achieve in the demonic path, you can achieve with your Senior Brother’s help.”

“The demonic arts, the matter of Changli Palace, everything.”

“Silly girl, why carry all the burden on your own?” Chen Yin’s eyes softened, his tone filled with brotherly affection.

“If you want to, Senior Brother will take care of everything for you.”

Yu Xiang was about to speak when a mocking voice interrupted her:

“Oh? Now this is interesting.”

The Dao Master looked at Chen Yin with amusement. “How can a mere Cloud Ascending Realm cultivator like you make such arrogant claims?”

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

Chen Yin didn’t even spare him a glance, his voice cold and dismissive.

The Dao Master’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Heh, I’d like to see…”

He slowly returned to his throne, propping his head up with his hand as if watching a play.

“Will the Holy Maiden choose to trust our demonic path and the demonic arts she has cultivated for so long, or will she trust a weak, powerless Cloud Ascending Realm cultivator?”

Yu Xiang pressed her lips together, her gaze towards Chen Yin filled with avoidance and bitterness.

“Senior Brother, you already know about Changli Palace, don’t you?”

“…I’m sorry,” Chen Yin whispered.

“I didn’t have much time to investigate. I only know the general situation.”

“Your real name… is Yin Mengwan, right?”

“The daughter of Yin Changli, the Sect Master of Changli Palace, which was destroyed by the Mist Spirit Sect over a decade ago.”

Yu Xiang’s breath hitched, and tears streamed down her face.

“Silly girl, why didn’t you tell me and Master?”

His eyes were filled with the helplessness and affection of a family member, his voice incredibly gentle. “Tell us, and your ridiculously strong Master and your ridiculously handsome Senior Brother will help you get revenge.”

Yu Xiang was silent for a long time, then shook her head slowly.

“Mount Yu is ultimately a branch of the Mist Spirit Sect.”

“I-I don’t want Master and Senior Brother to fight against our own sect because of me—”

“Heh, you overestimate the Mist Spirit Sect.”

“—And underestimate Master and me.” Chen Yin chuckled.

He walked up to Yu Xiang and, as he had done countless times in the past, placed his hand on her head, gently ruffling her hair.

Just like every day on Mount Yu.

“What happens at the main sect is none of our business. I can leave the Mist Spirit Sect.”

“But I can’t lose my family. I can’t lose you.” He looked at Yu Xiang intently.

The familiar warmth of his hand on her head, like a gentle flame, almost made Yu Xiang break down completely.

She covered her mouth, her head lowered, tears splattering onto the ground.

“Senior Brother…”

“Let’s go. Come home with Senior Brother.” Chen Yin said seriously.

Before Yu Xiang could respond, the System screamed in her mind:

“Think carefully! If you keep defying the plot, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“Don’t overestimate your Senior Brother and Master. If you push me too far, none of you will survive!”

Yu Xiang’s body trembled slightly.

She had witnessed the System’s strange power countless times over the years. It was a power that didn’t belong to this world, a power that transcended all cultivation levels.

She didn’t dare gamble. What if the System truly lost control and eradicated her, her Senior Brother, and her Master?

“It seems our Holy Maiden is still hesitant.”

The Dao Master, growing impatient, finally spoke. “Boy, if you don’t have the power to back up your words, stop trying to act cool.”

“Playtime is over. I can spare your life for the sake of the Holy Maiden. But if you continue to interfere and disrupt our grand plan…”

“Then… don’t blame me for being ruthless.” His eyes turned cold.

Chen Yin simply raised his eyelids and glanced at him nonchalantly.

Then, he turned back to Yu Xiang.

“Xiang’er, are you really unwilling to come home with Senior Brother?”

His eyes held a hint of disappointment.

Yu Xiang shook her head frantically, like a frightened animal. “N-no…”

“I don’t hate you, Senior Brother, I just…”

She bit her lip hard, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

“…I’m sorry.” She suddenly crouched down, hugging her knees and sobbing.

“Xiang’er is really a coward… I’m too afraid to gamble…”

Chen Yin slowly squatted down and patted her back gently.

“Xiang’er, what are you afraid of?”

“Xiang’er isn’t afraid of dying…”

She looked up at Chen Yin, her eyes red and swollen.

“…What Xiang’er is most afraid of is never seeing Senior Brother again.”

She cried with heartfelt sorrow.

Chen Yin was reminded of their time on Mount Yu, how Xiang’er would always find a secluded spot to cry whenever he went too far with his pranks.

She would cry until her eyes were swollen, looking utterly heartbroken, but with a stubborn streak that refused to let her return until Chen Yin came to find her.

Even if it meant crying in the wilderness all night.

But Chen Yin always found her.

Every time, when Xiang’er’s voice was hoarse from crying, she would hear Chen Yin’s apologetic voice:

“I’m sorry, Xiang’er… It’s Senior Brother’s fault.”

“Don’t cry anymore. Senior Brother will take you home and make you something delicious.”

And every time, Xiang’er would pout, her voice small. “Stinky Senior Brother. Xiang’er won’t forgive you.”

But her grip on Chen Yin’s hand would be tight.

Afraid to let go.

Just like today.

Xiang’er was huddled there, crying like a child, just like she used to.

Nothing had changed.

The boy would always find the crying girl and bring her home.

“…It’s okay. Don’t cry, Xiang’er.”

Chen Yin said gently, “Since you can’t make up your mind, let Senior Brother take the blame.”

Yu Xiang’s sobs gradually subsided. She slowly lifted her head, looking at Chen Yin with confusion.

“There’s nothing I can do. You’re my only Junior Sister.”

“If I don’t take you back, Master will be furious.”

Chen Yin slowly stood up and, in full view of everyone, turned to face the Dao Master of the demonic path.

“Hey, you in the black clothes.”

The Dao Master narrowed his eyes.

“Sorry, buddy.”

Chen Yin grinned at him.

“This person…”

“…I’m taking her.”

Chapter 69: Senior Brother Is Here to Take You Home

His Senior Sister was also dressed in the ornate shamanic robes, which accentuated her graceful figure. The mysterious and elegant mask she wore added an air of allure and mystique.

Her entire appearance exuded an ethereal and enigmatic beauty.

But even with such beauty before him, Chen Yin had no time to admire it.

He quickly blended into the crowd, moving closer to Shen Shuanglian, and whispered through voice transmission:

“Senior Sister?! What are you doing here?”

Hearing his voice, Shen Shuanglian looked around frantically. Her eyes lit up with surprise when she saw Chen Yin beside her, his head lowered, his mask removed.

“You’re really here.”

“Didn’t I tell you this place is dangerous? Why didn’t you leave?”

“…I was worried about you.” She whispered.

Chen Yin sighed in frustration.

As expected.

He had thought she would listen to him. It seemed he had overestimated her obedience.

“Sigh, can you please stop making me worry?”

Shen Shuanglian bit her lip, her bright eyes flickering with a mix of emotions.

Chen Yin wanted to find a way to get Shen Shuanglian out of there, but they were already surrounded by the crowd, making it difficult to escape. They could only continue moving forward with the procession.

“Do you know where they’re going?”

“The main hall. That’s where the Nether Ritual will be held.”

As the long line of people slowly shuffled forward, Chen Yin repeatedly warned Shen Shuanglian:

“Stay close to me and don’t wander off, understand?”

“The demonic path’s Dao Master is most likely a Grand Clarity Realm expert. If you’re discovered, it’ll be difficult for me to save you.”

“I don’t need you to save me. I can take care of myself.” Shen Shuanglian retorted, a hint of defiance in her voice.

“Must you always contradict me?”

Chen Yin sighed helplessly. Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, he reached out and pinched her waist.

“…Mmm!!”

Shen Shuanglian let out a muffled gasp, her face flushing crimson.

“Wh-what are you doing…” she asked, flustered.

“Punishment for not listening.”

Chen Yin said playfully.

“You… why are you so childish?”

“You’re one to talk.”

They bickered quietly through voice transmission, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the entrance of the main hall.

The crowd stopped at the entrance and began chanting some kind of prayer towards the hall doors.

“…Um,” Shen Shuanglian, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

“Hmm?”

“When we enter the hall… please try not to be too shocked.”

After a long hesitation, Shen Shuanglian took a deep breath and decided to reveal the truth to Chen Yin:

“Actually, your Junior Sister… is the current Holy Maiden of the demonic path!”

She blurted it out in one breath, then waited nervously for his reaction.

But to her surprise, Chen Yin’s expression remained unchanged. He stared at her for a long time before finally squeezing out a single word:

“…That’s it?”

Shen Shuanglian was stunned.

“Y-you’re not surprised?”

“You silly girl, you didn’t follow me in here just because you were worried I’d be shocked and lose control after seeing my beloved Junior Sister as the demonic Holy Maiden, did you?”

Chen Yin sighed softly. “I’ve known for a while.”

“About Yin Mengwan being my Junior Sister.”

“I’ve known for a long time.”

Shen Shuanglian stared at him blankly for a long time before finally lowering her eyes.

“So… you already knew when you intervened at the Fairy Conference.”

Her eyes were filled with a mixture of sadness and disappointment.

All this time, she had just been acting childishly and impulsively.

He didn’t need her help at all.

Seeing her expression, Chen Yin couldn’t bear to scold her. He said softly,

“But thank you anyway. I appreciate your concern.”

Shen Shuanglian didn’t answer. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

At that moment, the doors to the main hall creaked open, and the crowd surged forward.

“We’ll talk about that later.”

Chen Yin gently took Shen Shuanglian’s hand. “Stay close to me, and don’t get lost.”

Shen Shuanglian felt the warmth and strength of his hand, a sense of comfort washing over her. She let him lead her forward.

The procession moved slower than expected.

The vast number of demonic cultivators slowly filed into the hall, then lined up on both sides in an orderly manner.

Chen Yin and Shen Shuanglian hid among the crowd, remaining silent and observing their surroundings discreetly.

At the front of the hall, Chen Yin noticed two figures.

One was Xiang’er, dressed in a simple white robe. She sat beside the throne, casually playing with a teacup, a bored expression on her face.

The other was a man sitting on the throne.

Even with a single glance, Chen Yin felt a deeply unsettling aura emanating from the man.

…A surging, bloody aura, as if countless mountains of corpses and seas of blood were hidden beneath his calm gaze.

Was he the Dao Master of the demonic path?

Chen Yin quickly averted his gaze, not wanting to attract attention at such a crucial moment.

Soon, as the procession took their positions, a figure dressed as a priest walked to the front of the hall and announced in a clear voice:

“One person suffers, a hundred ghosts are spared.”

“Let the Ten Thousand Nights Nether Ritual commence!”

Dim candlelight illuminated the hall, and two rows of strangely dressed individuals walked to the front, performing a rhythmic dance with a peculiar charm.

The demonic cultivators on both sides began to chant in unison.

Chen Yin glanced around and realized they were surrounded by demonic cultivators. Moving now would be too conspicuous. So he decided to just sit back and observe this ritualistic dance, which resembled a religious ceremony.

The ritual was long and solemn. The rhythmic dance had a strange beauty, captivating to watch.

Chen Yin stared intently at the dancers.

Beside him, Shen Shuanglian had no interest in the mesmerizing performance.

She lowered her head slightly, her gaze stealing glances at Chen Yin beside her.

They were surrounded by the low and solemn chants, both dressed in ornate ritual robes.

She suddenly found the scene beautiful.

It reminded her of watching TV shows as a child, those romantic scenes of brides in white wedding gowns exchanging vows in a church.

Back then, the innocent little girl would always be moved by the bride’s happy smile, imagining if one day she would also meet someone who would hold her hand and lead her into this sacred place.

It must be the happiest thing in the world.

She tightened her grip on Chen Yin’s hand slightly.

“…What’s wrong?” Chen Yin whispered, turning to her with concern.

“…Nothing.”

Shen Shuanglian pursed her lips and smiled at him softly.

Chen Yin was taken aback. He rarely saw Shen Shuanglian smile.

In his memories, his Senior Sister was always a quiet and reserved girl, only speaking more freely when she was with him.

She was easily flustered by his teasing, but she rarely smiled.

But Shen Shuanglian’s smile was truly beautiful.

It was like a pavilion by the lake during the rainy season, a smile that could cleanse one’s soul.

He stared at her for a moment, then couldn’t resist pinching her cheek playfully.

“Mmm… what are you doing?”

“It’s a shame for you to hide such a beautiful smile, Senior Sister.”

Shen Shuanglian blushed and lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze.

Time passed slowly, and the dance and ceremony finally came to an end.

After the dancers left the stage, the priest returned and announced in a clear voice:

“The eternal night is vast, and without the moon, it’s hard to see. Please, Dao Master, ignite the Nether Altar’s bonfire and bestow the only light upon this eternal night.”

The man sitting on the throne finally stood up.

He walked down the steps with steady strides, looking down at the demonic cultivators gathered in the hall, his gaze sharp and intense.

“The eternal night is vast, and without the moon, it’s hard to see.”

“One person suffers, a hundred ghosts are spared.”

“Our demonic path has been passed down through the ages, a lone candle flame in the endless night, a solitary moon in the darkness.”

“Heaven and earth are indifferent, treating all living beings as insignificant. In this world of suffering, who is willing to sacrifice their life to bring peace to a hundred ghosts?”

His words were cryptic and confusing. Chen Yin didn’t understand most of them, but he understood the last sentence.

…Could it be that this so-called Nether Ritual…

…was a human sacrifice?

The Dao Master’s hawk-like gaze swept across the crowd of demonic cultivators. His eyes narrowed, then slowly stopped at a certain spot.

“How about… we let the little rabbit who foolishly wandered into the tiger’s den—”

“—fulfill this sacred duty?”

Chen Yin’s pupils constricted.

As soon as the Dao Master finished speaking, the demonic cultivators surrounding Chen Yin and Shen Shuanglian stepped back in unison, creating a large empty space around them.

Shen Shuanglian looked around frantically, her grip tightening on Chen Yin’s hand.

“Don’t be afraid,” Chen Yin whispered reassuringly.

“You two, are you enjoying our Nether Ritual?” The Dao Master’s voice boomed from the stage.

“Oh dear, it seems we’ve been discovered.”

Chen Yin sighed, then decided to drop the act. He slowly removed his mask.

“I didn’t expect the Dao Master of the demonic path to be so hospitable.”

“Then we… shall humbly accept your invitation.”

As the mask fell away, Yu Xiang, who was sitting on the stage, gasped and shot to her feet.

She couldn’t believe it. The face she had yearned for day and night, the face that haunted her dreams, was standing before her, amidst a sea of demonic cultivators, a calm smile on his lips.

It felt like a bolt from the blue.

“Se…” Her voice was stuck in her throat, unable to escape.

“Yo, Xiang’er, long time no see. Did you miss your Senior Brother?”

Chen Yin waved at her with a smile, his voice gentle.

“Senior Brother is here…”

“…to take you home.”

Chapter 68: A Troubling Heart

Outside the prison cell, Zhao Han paced impatiently.

“What’s taking that Wang Wei so long? What’s so interesting about a bunch of scrawny little foxes?”

He pondered, a wave of suspicion washing over him.

Could it be… that guy has some kind of twisted fetish? Is he interested in young girls?

The thought sent shivers down Zhao Han’s spine, and he shrugged, trying to dismiss it.

“Whatever. They’re just a few little foxes. Let him do what he wants.”

Just as he was thinking this, Chen Yin emerged from the cell, carrying the empty food tray.

“Yo, finally done?”

Zhao Han greeted him with a chuckle. “So, how were those little foxes? Did they meet your expectations, brother?”

“Of course.”

Chen Yin smiled at him. “But there’s something that doesn’t meet my expectations.”

“What’s that?”

“…You.”

Before Zhao Han could react, a sharp dagger was pressed against his throat.

“Try moving, and you die.” A cold female voice spoke from behind him.

Zhao Han was stunned. As he tried to speak, he realized that his meridians, vocal cords, and even his ears were sealed.

He could only stare at Chen Yin, his eyes wide with fear.

“Don’t worry. I won’t kill you.”

Chen Yin smiled gently. “I promised someone they could deal with you.”

Zhao Han could only watch helplessly as a fox-eared girl emerged from behind him.

Then another, and another.

After all the fox girls had escaped, Qingying asked in a low voice, “What now?”

“Zhao Han has to go to the gate for guard duty for a certain period every day.”

“During that time, there are no other guards besides us.”

“You and Luo Luo will take advantage of that time to get them out.” Chen Yin said softly.

“But who will replace Zhao Han?”

“I will.”

As he spoke, the mask on Chen Yin’s face shifted subtly. In a matter of moments, to Zhao Han’s astonishment, he transformed into Zhao Han himself.

Even his physique and voice were identical.

“I’ll keep watch. You guys focus on getting them out.” Chen Yin whispered.

“Alright.”

***

As their shift change approached…

A young man stood by the entrance of the main altar, yawning out of boredom.

After a while, he heard a voice behind him:

“You’ve worked hard. I’m here to relieve you.”

The young man looked up and saw Chen Yin, disguised as Zhao Han. He couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Old Zhao, why are you so eager today? You usually drag your feet until the last minute.”

“Well, I decided to be proactive for once. Don’t make it sound like I’m always slacking off.”

The young man laughed. “Come on, what else are you good at besides slacking off?”

“Alright, I’ll be going now.”

“Take care.” Chen Yin smiled and watched the young man leave. His eyes flickered with a mix of emotions.

After a moment, he gestured discreetly.

Following his signal, several figures swiftly slipped out of the entrance.

Once he was sure they hadn’t been detected, Chen Yin said to Luo Luo, “Find a safe place to hide. There are many rogue demonic cultivators in Xianyun Province. Be careful not to expose yourselves.”

“What about you, Young Master?” Luo Luo asked anxiously.

“I’ll come find you after I’m done here.”

Chen Yin patted her head reassuringly. “Don’t worry. It’ll be easier for me to move around alone.”

Luo Luo nodded softly and whispered, “Be careful, Young Master.”

Chen Yin nodded and watched as Luo Luo and Qingying disappeared silently into the night. Then he stretched lazily, resuming his carefree demeanor.

“Ah~ It’s so much easier to move around alone.”

“Now, I don’t have to hold back.”

He hummed a tune as he strolled around the entrance. When the time was right, he turned and headed back inside.

But after taking a few steps, he saw a group of demonic cultivators rushing past, their expressions urgent.

Hmm?

Chen Yin stopped one of them and asked, “What’s going on? Why is everyone in such a hurry?”

“Last night, someone reported seeing an outsider entering the main altar. We’re searching for them now.”

Chen Yin narrowed his eyes.

…That shouldn’t be possible. Had they been exposed so quickly?

“Did anyone see what the intruder looked like?”

“Not clearly… but they said the person was wearing blue clothes.”

Blue clothes? Then it couldn’t be Qingying, Luo Luo, or the fox girls.

An unsettling thought crossed Chen Yin’s mind.

…It couldn’t be, right?

***

Meanwhile, in the grand hall deep within the demonic sect’s main altar…

The dimly lit but imposing hall was empty except for a lone figure sitting on the throne.

It was a man in an extravagant black fur coat. His face was thin and angular, as if sculpted by a knife, and his aura was aloof and reserved.

Despite simply sitting there, his presence felt like a churning sea of blood, its power surging endlessly.

He remained motionless, his head resting on his hand, like a statue.

After an unknown amount of time, a figure entered the hall and knelt before the throne.

“Dao Master, we haven’t found the intruder.”

The man narrowed his eyes slightly, then closed them again.

“You may leave.” His voice was deep and raspy.

The subordinate hesitated. “Should we… continue searching?”

“No need.”

The man waved his hand dismissively. “If there’s a bug in our midst, it’s only because of tomorrow’s Nether Ritual.”

“We’ll just wait for them to walk into our trap.”

“Yes.” The subordinate bowed respectfully and left.

The man tapped his fingers rhythmically on the armrest, seemingly lost in thought.

After a while, he finally said:

“Summon the Holy Maiden.”

Not long after, Yu Xiang, dressed in a simple white robe, entered the hall. She looked at the man and simply said, “Dao Master.”

Although her address was respectful, her tone lacked any deference.

“Are you prepared for tomorrow’s Nether Ritual?” the man asked calmly.

“What’s there to prepare?”

Yu Xiang snorted disdainfully. “Don’t I just have to sit there and watch?”

“Hehe. You are the Holy Maiden of our demonic path. With such a dismissive attitude, what will the other disciples think?”

The man wasn’t offended, his voice remaining calm and steady. “The Nether Ritual is a grand event that occurs only once every hundred years. As the Holy Maiden, you should set an example for the other disciples.”

Yu Xiang simply turned her head away with a dismissive humph, saying nothing.

The man pondered for a moment, then asked, “Have you encountered any bottlenecks in your cultivation recently?”

“Don’t worry about it. My cultivation is progressing smoothly.”

Her voice was cold and distant, making it difficult to continue the conversation.

“That’s good.”

The man stood up slowly, walked to the edge of the platform, and said in a clear voice:

“I allowed you to become the Holy Maiden of our demonic path, bestowing upon you vast resources and power, even granting you freedom without interference.”

“All I ask in return is that you embody the hope for the revival of the demonic path.”

“If you can cultivate the ‘Quenching Nether Mantra’ to its peak, then no one in the cultivation world will be able to stop you.”

“As long as you promise to revive the glory of our demonic path as the Demonic Sovereign of All Ages, you will have complete freedom in all other matters.”

“…Don’t forget our agreement.” The man’s tone was calm.

Yu Xiang turned her head away, her voice stiff. “Don’t worry. You say this every day, I’m already sick of hearing it. Of course I won’t forget.”

The man nodded slowly, his eyes scanning the decorated hall. A smile suddenly appeared on his lips.

“Do you know who we’re offering sacrifices to in this Nether Ritual?”

Yu Xiang shook her head. She had no interest in the demonic path’s affairs and wouldn’t bother learning about them.

“The first Demonic Sovereign of All Ages.”

The man said slowly, “He once divided the cultivation world with the renowned Primordial Immortal, bringing the demonic path to its peak.”

“But in the end, he met a rather melancholic end. It’s quite a shame.”

Yu Xiang frowned, unsure of his intentions.

“…Forget it.”

The Demonic Sovereign of All Ages waved his hand. “Go back and rest. Don’t be late for the Nether Ritual tomorrow morning.”

“Understood.”

Yu Xiang pouted and slowly backed out of the hall.

The hall returned to its usual darkness and silence. The man sat back on his throne, his expression calm and composed.

…He wondered if that little bug would add some excitement to tomorrow’s Nether Ritual.

A sly smile appeared on his lips.

***

Chen Yin, disguised as Zhao Han, had been searching with the other demonic cultivators for several hours when they finally received the order to return to their rooms and rest.

Back in his room, he was becoming increasingly convinced that the intruder wasn’t him, Luo Luo, or Qingying.

“…I hope I’m wrong. Otherwise, we’ll have a lot more to deal with.”

With that thought, Chen Yin lay down and fell asleep.

He slept soundly until the next morning, when he was awakened by the noisy commotion outside.

“What’s all the noise…?” He rubbed his eyes and stepped out of his room, only to see the usually deserted corridors of the main altar now filled with a procession of demonic cultivators, marching in an orderly manner.

They wore strange and eye-catching attire, resembling ancient shamanic ritual garments, their faces hidden behind intimidating masks. They carried torches, drums, and totems of various shapes and sizes.

As they walked, they chanted words that Chen Yin couldn’t understand, like some kind of prayer.

Chen Yin froze, taken aback by the grand spectacle.

…This is the Nether Ritual?

It was much more impressive and lively than he had imagined.

He was about to join the procession and blend in with the crowd when he inadvertently turned his head and saw someone nearby. His heart skipped a beat.

…Senior Sister?!

Chapter 67: Have You Ever Hated Me?

A cacophony of snores echoed through the room.

Zhao Han was slumped over the table, dead drunk. Chen Yin glanced at him indifferently, then quietly slipped out of the room.

After navigating through a maze of winding corridors, he arrived at a hidden room and knocked three times. The door slowly creaked open.

“Young Master.”

“How did it go?” Chen Yin entered the room and asked softly, “Did you manage to map out the general layout?”

“Yes.”

Qingying unfurled a scroll. Although crudely drawn, it clearly depicted the layout of the entire main altar.

“This place is truly massive. The tunnels are incredibly complex. It took me a long time to complete this map.”

“And these are the most heavily guarded areas.”

Following Qingying’s finger, Chen Yin mentally noted the locations.

…The Dao Master’s chambers and the main hall of the demonic sect’s main altar.

“Those two places are heavily guarded. We won’t be able to approach them easily.”

She lowered her voice. “There are a few other areas with less security, but we didn’t dare get too close to avoid arousing suspicion. We only observed from a distance.”

Chen Yin nodded as she pointed out several locations, then said casually, “Impressive. As expected of someone from the secret division, you’re quite skilled at this.”

“Am I to understand that as sarcasm?” Qingying asked coldly.

“Consider it a compliment.”

Chen Yin shrugged, committing the map to memory. He turned to Luo Luo and said,

“Good news. Your friends are alive, and they seem to be safe.”

Luo Luo’s eyes widened, her ears and tail perking up.

“Really?” she asked excitedly.

“When have I ever lied to you?” Chen Yin smiled gently.

“Tomorrow, you’ll stay by my side. I’ll find a way to see them and confirm their safety.”

“That’s great! Thank you, Young Master!”

Luo Luo cheered and hugged Chen Yin’s arm, rubbing her cheek against him.

Chen Yin patted her head affectionately.

Qingying stood silently, her arms crossed.

“Alright, let’s get some rest for now.”

Chen Yin said softly, “I’ve heard that the demonic sect’s main altar is also sparsely populated, with most of the rooms unoccupied. We can stay in any empty room we find.”

“Let’s use this empty room for now.”

Luo Luo didn’t object, but Qingying stared at him intently and said, “What about me?”

“If you don’t want to sleep with us, find yourself an empty room.”

Chen Yin said nonchalantly, “There are plenty of them. Just be careful not to be discovered by any passing demonic cultivators.”

“But I doubt you’ll be able to sleep peacefully that way.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Qingying said coldly. “Those of us in this line of work are used to sleeping like this.”

“I’ll be next door if you need anything.”

With that, she turned and left the room without another word.

Chen Yin watched her leave, a scoff escaping his lips.

…What an arrogant woman.

To be honest, if he didn’t want to avoid unnecessary trouble, he would have loved to pin this arrogant and aloof woman down and spank her hard. Her defiant and resentful gaze was incredibly alluring, stirring a primal desire for dominance within him.

But then he realized how twisted that thought was and quickly dismissed it.

After making the bed, Chen Yin lay down and stared at the ceiling.

Luo Luo curled up beside him, her tail swaying gently.

“Luo Luo,” Chen Yin suddenly spoke.

“Have you ever hated me?”

Luo Luo’s ears perked up curiously. “Hate? Why would I hate Young Master?”

“Because, when I think about it, what I did was no different from those demonic cultivators.”

Chen Yin said slowly, “We both forced you into a contract and used you for our own purposes.”

“Don’t you resent me?”

Luo Luo bit her finger, tilted her head thoughtfully, then shook her head.

“No, I don’t hate you. Because Young Master is good to me. You never force me to do anything, and you buy me lots of delicious food.”

Chen Yin couldn’t help but chuckle at her answer.

…This girl, her simple heart could be won over with just a few snacks.

Perhaps this was the embodiment of “Orcs will never be slaves, unless you provide food and shelter.”

Even so, Chen Yin remained silent for a moment, then said:

“Luo Luo, once this is over, we’ll cancel the master-servant contract.”

“I’ll give you back your freedom. You can go wherever you want.”

Luo Luo’s eyes dimmed with disappointment, and her ears drooped sadly.

“Young Master… don’t you want Luo Luo anymore?” she asked timidly.

“Don’t overthink it. I’m just giving you back your freedom.”

He gently stroked Luo Luo’s hair and said softly, “You’ve been away from home for so long. You should go back and see your family. So they won’t worry.”

Luo Luo lowered her head, lost in thought for a while, then mumbled softly:

“Then… Young Master can come with me…”

“What?”

“I-I mean…”

Luo Luo averted her gaze and whispered, “Wouldn’t Young Master want to visit my home?”

“You can consider it a vacation.”

Chen Yin pondered for a moment and nodded slowly. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“After this is over, if I have time and nowhere to go, I can visit you for a few days.”

Luo Luo’s expression brightened. “Then I’ll treat you to the best wine we have at home.”

“And we have so many delicious foods that you can’t find anywhere else. I’ll let you eat your fill!”

“You only think about food.” Chen Yin chuckled silently. “Be careful, one day you might actually eat me out of house and home, and I’ll have to abandon you on the streets.”

“No, you won’t. Young Master is the best to me, you wouldn’t be so heartless.”

Luo Luo grinned, revealing her adorable fangs.

Chen Yin gently stroked her fur, feeling a warmth in his heart.

…Actually, if Luo Luo had shown even a hint of hesitation or resistance, he would have readily released her from the contract and given her back her freedom.

He always felt a twinge of guilt for using such a naive and innocent little fox.

But seeing that Luo Luo seemed to be enjoying herself and didn’t mind the arrangement, he decided to let things be.

He would definitely miss her if he let her go now.

“Young Master, Luo Luo can’t sleep. Can you tell me another story?”

“Another bedtime story?”

Chen Yin cleared his throat and began, “Once upon a time, there was an innkeeper…”

The candlelight flickered and died. Soon, soft and even breathing sounds filled the air, coming from Luo Luo, nestled against Chen Yin’s chest.

***

The next day, as the sun rose high in the sky, Zhao Han finally woke up with a pounding headache.

He rubbed his temples and slowly opened the door. As he stepped out, he was greeted by Chen Yin, holding a tray of tea.

“Yo, you’re awake, Brother Zhao. I just finished making you some hangover tea.”

Zhao Han sat down at the table, his head still fuzzy, and watched as Chen Yin poured him a cup of tea. He said with satisfaction, “Good job, kid. You’re learning fast.”

“Hehe.” Chen Yin smiled sheepishly, then asked tentatively, “About what you promised last night, Brother Zhao…”

“Oh, you mean seeing those little foxes?”

Zhao Han slapped his forehead. “I drank too much and almost forgot.”

“It just so happens that it’s time to feed them. Grab some leftovers from the kitchen and come with me.”

Chen Yin followed him obediently, his smile fading the moment they were out of sight.

There were indeed plenty of leftovers in the kitchen, usually cleared out in the morning.

Under Zhao Han’s instructions, Chen Yin picked a few decent-looking dishes and followed him deeper into the main altar.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a hidden prison cell.

“Here we are.” Zhao Han casually unlocked the cell door. “If you’re interested, you can go down and feed them.”

Chen Yin forced a smile, carrying the tray of food as he slowly descended the long staircase.

The prison was even worse than he had imagined. There was no light, and the air was thick with a suffocating stench of dampness and decay.

Chen Yin reached the bottom of the stairs and finally saw who he was looking for.

Behind a dilapidated door, several emaciated young fox girls huddled in the shadows.

They were dressed in tattered clothes, their bodies skeletal, as if they were nothing but skin and bones. Their fur was dull and dirty, clearly unwashed for a long time.

Their lips were parched, their eyes lifeless, and their wrists and ankles, bound by chains, revealed protruding bones.

Even Chen Yin couldn’t help but gasp at the sight.

“Ya Ya!” A cry of anguish rang out beside him.

Luo Luo, her eyes red-rimmed, rushed towards the fox girls.

“Luo… Luo?”

The fox girls, who had been unresponsive to Chen Yin’s arrival, slowly lifted their heads upon hearing Luo Luo’s voice. A flicker of light returned to their eyes.

“I-is it really you?”

“You… you weren’t captured by them too—”

“No… Wuu, wuu, I’m here to save you…”

Luo Luo held the hand of the weakest-looking fox girl, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

“I didn’t have the courage to save you back then. I could only watch as they took you away…”

Seeing Luo Luo’s heartbroken sobs, the fox girls finally came to their senses. They huddled together, tears of joy and relief streaming down their faces.

“Luo Luo… seeing you again is like a dream…”

“I thought… we would be trapped in this prison forever…”

Chen Yin stood silently, watching their emotional reunion without a word.

After a long while, Luo Luo’s sobs subsided.

She wiped her tears and turned to Chen Yin, her expression serious.

“Young Master.” Her voice was unusually firm.

“I know.” Chen Yin nodded calmly.

“Don’t worry.”

“His life is yours.”

“Do with him as you please.”