Chapter 36: Ask Not of the Past, Nor the Future
Li Yu was almost certain that within the City of the Undying, the person who had become the core of the formation was everywhere, yet possessed no discernible consciousness.
If Qin Ruoheng still had any control, she shouldn’t be reliving the same pain she endured three hundred years ago when the true “core” returned to this place.
He had been her only emotional support, aside from the bird, during those nine years when she strived to live for herself.
If she still controlled the formation, she would protect him…
But she didn’t.
Three hundred years ago, when she first became the core, Qin Ruoheng could still control the resentment and save the little black bird.
But today, not only could she not protect anyone, but even the black bird, her constant companion, was now being attacked by the resentment that had once saved and protected it.
The situation with the formation must be dire, Li Yu thought.
It was consuming Qin Ruoheng. If this continued, her consciousness might completely dissipate, merging with the formation, becoming its eternal, untraceable, and indestructible core.
Then, the City of the Undying would become a true, never-dying ghost city.
System…
【I’m here.】
I know, you never answer plot-related questions. The only time you provided a backstory was just a brief overview of the current stage of the main storyline.
I don’t know if you’re doing this to minimize the influence of the original plot…
But this time, can you tell me Qin Ruoheng’s fate in the original story?
【Her soul was scattered, returning to heaven and earth.】
Was this an unchangeable outcome?
【To extract the core, you need to purify the demonic obsession and eliminate her resentment. But the moment the obsession and resentment dissipate, her soul, with nothing to cling to, will be consumed by the backlash of the formation.】
The resentment in the human realm would affect the seal on the Heavenly Demon.
To prevent the resentment from accumulating further, this formation had to be broken.
And to break the formation, they had to sacrifice the core, right?
【Not necessarily. The author’s plot isn’t set in stone.】
If it can be changed, then stop with the vague answers and give me a hint!
【If you can purify the entire formation before extracting her, you might be able to preserve a fragment of her soul.】
Purify the entire formation?
That sounded much more difficult than purifying just the core.
Li Yu looked at Mo Yichu.
It wasn’t that she underestimated him; as the male protagonist of Demon Bone, his abilities were exceptional.
But he wasn’t an immortal or a god; purifying the entire formation alone was almost impossible.
If it were possible, Qin Ruoheng wouldn’t have met such a tragic end in the novel.
Was there anything she could do to help without triggering Heavenly Tribulation…?
Li Yu pondered.
The black bird, seeing their hesitation, couldn’t help but ask, “Can the second method…extract her from the formation?”
Mo Yichu: “It can…”
The black bird noticed the conflicted look in Mo Yichu’s eyes, a mix of hesitation and struggle.
After a moment of silence, it looked at its former friend, now a stranger, and asked softly, “Then, what’s the price?”
Its cultivation was low, its knowledge limited.
For so many years, its greatest desire had been to save Qin Ruoheng from this formation.
She was so gentle, so kind, so yearning for freedom.
She shouldn’t be trapped here forever.
The seemingly eternal sea of resentment above blocked the moon she loved.
This wasn’t the ending she deserved.
But it never knew the price of her freedom.
“Before succumbing to her inner demons, my mother was just a mortal. She couldn’t even enter the formation, let alone become its core.” Mo Yichu paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “But she’s inside the formation now. If she loses the power of her demonic obsession, she will be consumed by the backlash of the formation…”
Black Bird: “Consumed…what will happen…”
Mo Yichu: “…”
This question was too cruel for the straightforward Mo Yichu to answer.
She would answer instead.
Li Yu sighed and said in a low voice, “Her soul will be scattered.”
There wasn’t much surprise in the black bird’s eyes; it had already guessed the worst possible outcome.
Whether three hundred years ago, or now, it had always anticipated this ending.
It wasn’t unwilling to believe it, just didn’t know how to face it.
If all its efforts for three hundred years were just to witness her demise…
What was it supposed to do now?
The black bird seemed tired.
It stopped circling and landed on the ground.
Its small body looked so helpless.
Li Yu couldn’t bear to see it like this. Even knowing that she couldn’t do much, and that Mo Yichu might not be able to either, she still offered a sliver of hope.
“There’s another way,” she said.
The black bird looked up at her, tears in its eyes, as if clinging to a lifeline.
Li Yu: “If we can purify the entire formation, we might be able to preserve a fragment of her soul.”
Silence fell.
After a long moment, Mu Tao whispered, “That doesn’t sound easy.”
Li Yu nodded slowly.
It wasn’t just “not easy”; it sounded impossible, even to a layman like her.
But Mo Yichu seemed to be deep in thought.
Trusting the only “expert” here, a flicker of hope arose within Li Yu.
Although she didn’t know Qin Ruoheng, she had witnessed her life in the illusion.
That quiet, gentle woman, like a resilient plum blossom enduring winter, like a caged bird still yearning for freedom.
She had an indomitable spirit, never giving up, no matter how difficult the situation.
Li Yu didn’t want her to give up on herself.
“The formation was initially activated by the blood sacrifice. Later, it expanded to this scale because of the tens of thousands of people massacred in the city,” Mo Yichu said. “Only by dispelling the pain and resentment of the original sacrifices and the trapped souls can we truly purify the entire formation.”
Mu Tao tilted her head in confusion. “Isn’t that as difficult as dispelling all the resentment in the City of the Undying?”
“Not exactly. The resentment here is difficult to dispel because it has accumulated over time.” Mo Yichu patiently explained, “For three hundred years, the trapped souls have been reliving the pain of the massacre, generating new resentment with each death. This resentment, trapped by the formation, attracts more resentment from the outside. And with the seal preventing it from dissipating, the resentment only grows stronger, making it almost impossible to cleanse.”
The black bird nodded. “Indeed.”
Mo Yichu: “But resentment is different from pain and suffering. To dispel it, we need to make all those souls…let go.”
Li Yu: “…”
Mu Tao: “That sounds even more difficult…”
Indeed, it didn’t sound very promising.
Tens of thousands of earthbound spirits, making them all let go, was that even possible?
“If we could set up a formation here to amplify spiritual energy, perhaps…”
Mo Yichu trailed off, hesitation in his eyes.
“Perhaps what?” The black bird flew up, its voice filled with urgency.
“The Unasking Flower…” Mo Yichu muttered. “Master Li Yu has an Unasking Flower.”
Li Yu: “…”
Mo Yichu: “If the formation’s range is large enough, we might be able to spread the power of the Unasking Flower throughout the entire City of the Undying.”
Mu Tao: “Like when we were on the ship, spreading the power of the Wind Spirit Pearl?”
Mo Yichu: “I’m not sure, but we can try.”
So that was possible?
As expected of the big iceberg’s disciple, talking about erasing the memories of so many people so casually.
He seemed as indifferent as the two immortals who had made decisions for him in the past.
It was like the souls entering reincarnation, drinking Meng Po Soup, all their resentment and pain erased along with their memories.
If these souls, trapped by the formation, hadn’t died in the massacre, they would have entered reincarnation, forgetting everything and starting anew.
Using the Unasking Flower to erase their memories, break the formation, and free them, could be considered a good deed.
Mu Tao: “But to activate the formation, the person who sets it up must remain within it. Wouldn’t they also be affected by the Unasking Flower?”
Mo Yichu: “A barrier can prevent that.”
Mu Tao nodded. “Then it seems feasible.”
The black bird was silent for a moment, then whispered, “But…will she also forget us…”
Mo Yichu: “…”
Li Yu looked up at the sky.
Qin Ruoheng’s consciousness, scattered throughout the city, couldn’t be protected by a barrier. If they used the formation to spread the power of the Unasking Flower, her past would be erased.
Perhaps, for her, forgetting wasn’t a bad thing.
Even if there was reluctance, it was like dying and being reborn.
Li Yu: “If we don’t do this, not even a fragment of her soul will remain.”
The black bird didn’t speak, just landed on Mo Yichu’s shoulder.
It said that it was fine even if she forgot. It remembered every happy moment they shared.
Perhaps one day, she would remember, just like he had.
Or perhaps, it was better if she never remembered.
That past might not be worth remembering.
“During those three hundred years when you forgot everything, you must have lived a much better life than us,” the black bird whispered, tears welling up in its eyes.
It had realized this the moment it recognized him.
While it had spent three hundred years searching for a way to save her, trapped in the past, the child who was forced to leave them had lived a far better life.
Letting go of the past meant freedom from pain.
If Qin Ruoheng could also start anew like him, it wouldn’t feel so reluctant…
“This time, I’m counting on you,” the black bird said, its small, black wings patting Mo Yichu’s cheek.
“Mm.”
The plan was set; now it was a matter of execution.
Creating a formation large enough to amplify the power of the Unasking Flower and spread it throughout the entire city was no easy task.
Such a large formation couldn’t be drawn directly with spiritual energy; they needed other materials.
And this city had plenty of rubble.
Like the mythical Jingwei bird, the little black bird tirelessly gathered countless stones from all over the city for Mo Yichu. [T/N: 精卫 (jīngwèi) is a mythical bird in Chinese folklore that tries to fill the sea with stones and twigs.]
Mu Tao also helped, using her skirt to carry the stones she collected, making trip after trip to the altar.
But she was timid and didn’t dare wander the city alone. Li Yu, also afraid of being alone and attacked by the resentment shadows, stayed with her, using her spatial pouch to carry stones as well.
She might as well be racking up steps on her fitness tracker.
Her after-dinner walks used to be along scenic rivers or tree-lined paths.
Walking back and forth in this desolate and creepy place on an empty stomach was a first.
Perhaps because she had something more important to do, she didn’t feel very hungry.
With their combined efforts, the massive spiritual energy amplification formation gradually took shape.
Even with the aid of spiritual energy, it was a huge undertaking.
Initially, Mo Yichu could barely walk steadily.
But as they worked, his injuries, both physical and mental, from reliving the past, gradually healed.
This incredible regenerative ability amazed Li Yu.
—This was the true meaning of “as long as you’re not dead, you’re alive”!_
To kill someone with such a body, one would have to either completely incinerate them or destroy their soul.
According to the novel’s setting, although Si Qinglan was the weakest of the Three Revered Ones, her abilities were incredibly useful.
Not only could she create such a body, but she could also create strange things like the Unasking Flower, which offered simple, yet effective solutions.
Such a wonderful colleague; she had to strengthen their relationship after returning to the mountain.
Of course, that was something to consider later!
Now, the priority was to resolve this centuries-old resentment.
To ensure the formation covered the entire city, Mo Yichu infused the core with spiritual energy, testing and modifying it over a dozen times.
Finally, after repeated attempts, a faint light flickered briefly throughout the dark city.
The little black bird, overjoyed, danced and twirled above the core, its tail feathers swaying.
But such a large formation required a tremendous amount of spiritual energy to activate.
Just that brief activation had already strained Mo Yichu, who was still recovering from his injuries.
To spread the power of the Unasking Flower throughout the entire city through this formation, even draining all his spiritual energy might not be enough.
The black bird also seemed to realize this and landed on his shoulder, asking worriedly, “Do you need to rest?”
The little bird was pragmatic, asking if he needed to rest, not whether he could do it.
After all, in its eyes, whether he could do it or not, there was no other way. It had to try, even if it cost him his life.
“Let’s rest for a bit,” Mo Yichu said, sitting down against the altar.
The Unasking Flower rested in his palm, its petals as white as snow, capable of erasing all pain and suffering.
But could he really activate a formation that could affect an entire city?
Li Yu could see the uncertainty in Mo Yichu’s eyes. He was afraid of failing but unwilling to give up this only chance to save Qin Ruoheng.
If the resentment in the city wasn’t so strong, they could ask for help from cultivators outside.
But with such heavy resentment, even Eighth-rank cultivators doubted their ability to maintain their sanity. They were the only ones who could do this.
As Li Yu was staring at the formation, lost in thought, Mu Tao’s voice brought her back to reality.
“Master.” Mu Tao looked up at Li Yu, worry in her eyes. “Your internal injuries have flared up again. You should rest too.”
Such a thoughtful little disciple, still worried about her “internal injuries.”
It felt a bit guilty using such a lie to deceive a girl who cared so much for her.
“Alright,” Li Yu replied softly, sitting down against a nearby wall.
Mu Tao followed and sat beside her, hugging her knees.
In the distance, the shadows and earthbound spirits continued their endless chase, unwilling to rest until dawn.
This had been happening for over three hundred years.
Would it finally end tonight? Li Yu wondered.
If the formation was activated successfully, they would have a much gentler ending than in the original story.
System, can I help?
I mean, without doing anything else, could I just lend someone my spiritual energy?
【Hmm…】
Not a direct refusal, so it was possible, right?
【Transferring spiritual energy isn’t difficult, Host, but…】
But what? Don’t stop halfway!
【The host has just suffered a backlash from using a spell. Transferring a large amount of spiritual energy now will likely cause discomfort for a period of time.】
Discomfort for a period of time?
How long was that?
【About ten days or half a month.】
Just ten days or half a month?
That was like having a minor illness.
A little discomfort in exchange for such a great deed, it would be heartless to refuse!
Why the hesitation?
【The system is just worried that the host will blame it for not explaining the situation beforehand.】
No, no, I can work even with a fever. I’m not that fragile!
As long as I can help, a little discomfort is nothing!
I’m ready!
Tell me, what should I do?
【Same as before, the host just needs to raise your hand.】
Didn’t she need to remove the Spirit Severing Hairpin?
【No need. Spiritual energy is different from cultivation level.】
Alright!
Li Yu stood up excitedly and took two steps towards Mo Yichu, then, realizing her “elderly immortal” shouldn’t be so energetic, she slowed down, resuming her usual languid pace.
—Almost slipped up there! A few more skips, and she would have been exposed!
Mu Tao, who had been spacing out, saw her master approaching Mo Yichu, stood up in confusion, and quickly followed.
Li Yu slowly raised her hand, her slender index finger pointing forward. A stream of soft blue light flowed from her fingertip towards the worried Mo Yichu.
As his nearly depleted spiritual energy was replenished, a look of shock flickered in Mo Yichu’s eyes, quickly replaced by understanding.
He stood up, knelt down, and kowtowed three times to Li Yu, then, before she could feel awkward, stood up and rushed towards the center of the formation.
The black bird followed, its wings flapping.
Li Yu turned to watch, the flow of spiritual energy from her fingertip continuing, like a thread of fate, pulled taut by someone who didn’t believe in fate.
He channeled the continuous flow of energy into the formation’s core, and the white Unasking Flower floated into the air.
As the white light intensified, a barrier enveloped everyone who looked at the flower.
The formation, made of rubble, glowed with a pure white light, illuminating the long-dark city.
White flowers bloomed from every spark of light.
Uncarried by any wind, yet as if propelled by a spring breeze, they slowly spread outwards.
The Unasking Flower in the air also began to glow.
The light was soft, not dazzling.
Nourished by the continuous flow of spiritual energy, it became translucent.
Suddenly, the flower vanished momentarily.
Before Li Yu could react, a massive flower, large enough to cover the sea of resentment in the sky, bloomed above the City of the Undying.
White light, like snowflakes, fell from the sky.
The resentment-formed shadows gradually disappeared.
The earthbound spirits looked up at the sky, the white light falling into their despairing eyes, like snow covering the ugliness of the world.
The dilapidated altar trembled slightly.
Faint figures appeared on the decaying wooden pillars.
Their souls, the most corrupted by the formation over the past three hundred years, were barely recognizable, devoid of consciousness.
Although reincarnation was no longer possible for them, as the light touched them, they finally found release.
Hundreds of souls gradually dissipated from the altar.
A pure white figure slowly materialized at the center.
Light as a bird, enveloped in a snow-like glow, she flew towards the white flower in the sky, curling up within its gentle embrace.
Perhaps this was the only moment in her life when she was truly free from all worldly attachments and emotions.
As the flower slowly faded, a pure white soul fragment landed in Mo Yichu’s hand.
The little black bird stood on his shoulder, silently watching the soul fragment, tears in its eyes.
Li Yu, weakened, lowered her hand.
Mu Tao immediately supported her.
Li Yu sighed.
—This was good.
They would bring her back to Mount Chao Yao.
Back to Mount Chao Yao, away from this human realm that had consumed her.
Then there would be no need to ask about the past or the future.
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