Chapter 54: “Master Will Never Be Late”
Li Yu, without hesitation, led Mu Tao south, following the system’s guidance.
A formation blocking their path at the Spirit Restraint Hall, a no-fly zone over Mount Chao Yao, and countless cultivators, their power unknown, either intercepting them or pursuing them relentlessly!
These immortal sects were determined to eliminate the Demon Bone, practically setting up a dragnet over Mount Chao Yao.
The male protagonist hadn’t faced such obstacles in the original story!
As a severely injured person, receiving such “respect” made Li Yu feel the world’s malice converging upon her.
Fortunately, the system was being somewhat helpful, providing assistance without any noticeable side effects.
She repeatedly felt like she was reaching her limit, but somehow, she managed to keep going, like a final burst of energy before death.
Lost in these chaotic thoughts, a loud boom echoed from behind.
The formation created by the birds shattered, scattering them. The black mist at its core expanded, trying to block the pursuing cultivators.
Despite its best efforts, without the formation’s power, the mist was no match for them.
Countless lights zipped through the mist, continuing their pursuit.
Li Yu suddenly felt a chill that didn’t belong to winter.
It wasn’t her imagination; she saw resentment gathering in the sky.
Mu Tao, with her current temperament, couldn’t control the power of the Demon Bone.
Her sadness, her fear, her anger, all could trigger it.
No, even if she was destined for demonic cultivation, she couldn’t use the Heavenly Demon’s power now!
They were too close to the Upper Spirit Lamp; it might affect the seal!
And if Mu Tao used demonic energy to harm someone here, wouldn’t that prove she was a threat?
It didn’t matter what the other immortal sects thought, but Si Qinglan had entrusted Mu Tao to her, placing her complete trust in Li Yu.
Making that decision required immense resolve and meant facing the consequences alone.
Consequences she couldn’t even imagine, yet Si Qinglan hadn’t complained, just a simple “take care of yourself,” and shouldered the burden for both of them.
How could she let Si Qinglan regret her decision?
“Mu Tao.” Li Yu tightened her grip on Mu Tao’s hand and said firmly, “Don’t use that power, at least not now!”
The growing coldness in Mu Tao’s eyes flickered slightly.
“You can’t control it yet. Leave everything to me; I can get us out of here,” Li Yu whispered.
The strong wind almost swallowed her words.
But she knew Mu Tao could hear her.
Mu Tao’s breathing slowed, the coldness in her unfocused eyes gradually fading.
She lowered her gaze, seemingly regretting her earlier impulse.
She didn’t know why, but for a moment, she had wanted to kill everyone pursuing them.
It wasn’t what her master wanted…
But she had thought that if she killed them all, no one would be able to harm her master, no one would dare threaten her again.
Was it because of the Demon Bone?
Ever since returning to Mount Chao Yao, she had been imprisoned in the Spirit Restraint Hall.
Everyone said she had a Demon Bone, that she was connected to the Heavenly Demon, a threat to the world.
They seemed to be right; she had injured her master in Lingzhou and had just harbored murderous thoughts…
Her master, having guarded the Upper Spirit Lamp for over four thousand years, should have been the first to abandon her.
Yet, when everyone wanted her dead, only her master stood before her, shielding her, defying everyone else.
She couldn’t…she couldn’t disappoint her master…
But could she truly control it?
Did she, with her Demon Bone, deserve her master’s kindness?
Amidst her panic, Li Yu’s voice echoed in her ears.
“The Demon Bone won’t corrupt your heart. After we leave here, I’ll teach you how to control it… It will become your power, a power you can use to protect yourself, a power you can use to obtain everything you desire.”
Mu Tao clung to every word, despite the howling wind.
She looked up, her red-rimmed eyes wide with disbelief, a flicker of hope igniting within her.
She would always remember this night, the wind and snow, her master holding her hand, running with her through the storm.
Behind them were the shouts of countless unfamiliar faces.
Their footprints in the snow, the vast world, it seemed that besides the cold wind, the snow, and the crescent moon, nothing else belonged to them.
She had become an outcast, seemingly without having done anything wrong.
But it didn’t matter anymore; she wasn’t afraid.
Her master would take her away from Mount Chao Yao, to a wider world.
With her master’s guidance, she would learn to control the terrifying power within her.
One day, she would be able to protect herself, protect her master…
And obtain everything she desired.
The long, cold night seemed endless.
The deep blue light flickered in the darkness, as if it could mend the broken world.
Mu Tao didn’t know how long they had been running, nor where they were going.
She just looked at Li Yu, her mind blank, willingly following her to the ends of the earth.
Until they reached the end of the road, the boundless blue sea stretching before them.
A familiar figure stood at the edge of the water.
His robes billowed in the wind, his sword held firmly at his side, like an impassable barrier.
Their eyes met. Without a word, he moved his sword slightly, and the falling snow gathered around him.
A familiar formation rapidly expanded from where he stood.
The formation’s light surged upwards, transforming the snowflakes into countless ice shards, as if trying to encase the entire world in ice.
“Senior Brother…are you going to stop us too…” Mu Tao’s voice trembled.
Having run this far, Li Yu was too exhausted to think.
She instinctively gathered spiritual energy in her palm, then, hesitating whether to attack, noticed the sea behind Mo Yichu rapidly freezing over.
The ice extended outwards, towards the invisible mountain gate.
So this was Si Qinglan’s plan…
Li Yu pulled Mu Tao towards the formation.
The formation didn’t harm them; all the ice shards pointed towards their pursuers.
They ran across the ice, towards the distant flickering light of the broken mountain gate.
The ice behind them crumbled, the sea before them froze, the broken gate beckoning them like a distant beacon.
A wisp of black mist brushed past them, the little black bird and its flock flying towards the horizon, where the sky met the sea, without a word.
As the ice stopped forming, the blue light in the distance coalesced into a crane.
Li Yu pulled Mu Tao onto the crane and breathed a sigh of relief.
She shielded Mu Tao, glancing back at the ice formation on the shore, holding back their pursuers.
The shoreline was too far away; she could no longer see clearly.
The unreality of it all intensified.
Had they truly escaped?
How long could Mo Yichu hold them off?
Would they be caught?
【Don’t worry, Host, the no-fly zone won’t be lifted anytime soon. Even if they break through that defense, they won’t be able to catch up!】
Then…
What would happen to the person who helped them escape…?
【Don’t feel guilty, Host. Justice will be served. The male protagonist is just an accomplice; his punishment will be much lighter than in the original story!】
【While it appears you’ve implicated the male protagonist, overall, you’ve performed a good deed!】
Thank you very much!
Such comforting words, so subtly sarcastic.
【Eek!】
But thinking about it, the system did have a point.
If it weren’t for her, the male protagonist’s fate would have been tragic.
First, risking everything to save the protagonist from the execution platform, then fleeing to the Demon Realm, enduring severe injuries, and severing their bond by shattering the Harmony Bells.
He almost died, then returned to Mount Chao Yao to face punishment alone.
His survival was entirely due to plot armor.
But that wasn’t the worst of it. The person he sacrificed everything to save became the world-destroying demon lord, killing his master, destroying his sect, crippling his cultivation, and toying with him mercilessly.
Compared to that, she was truly a benevolent benefactor.
If Mo Yichu knew his original fate, he would be eternally grateful to her.
Thinking this, Li Yu’s guilt lessened.
As the tension within her eased, the previously unnoticed pain surged through her body.
Fortunately, she remained conscious, her vision clear; otherwise, she and Mu Tao might have fallen into the seemingly endless ocean below.
The pain was intense, the exhaustion overwhelming, her breathing, which had just eased, becoming labored again.
She leaned heavily against Mu Tao.
Her protective spiritual energy seemed to have dissipated, perhaps to conserve energy for flight.
The cold wind made her shiver.
This was the first time she truly felt the cold of this world.
So this was how cold winter was on Mount Chao Yao.
“Master!” Mu Tao quickly took her cold hand, wanting to turn around, but Li Yu leaned against her, preventing her from moving. “Master, what’s wrong?”
She also wanted to know what was wrong.
System, any insights?
【You’re not dying, Host. You can close your eyes and rest. The system will watch over the crane.】
Not dying…that was good.
If there wasn’t any immediate danger, she really needed to rest.
“I’m fine, just…a bit tired,” Li Yu whispered, wrapping her arms around Mu Tao’s waist, seeking warmth. “Let me lean on you for a bit…just a bit…”
“Alright…” Mu Tao replied softly.
Her heart pounded erratically.
It beat so fast, so hard, she wanted to crush it within her chest.
Her master’s hand was so cold, colder than usual.
Her master’s body trembled slightly, as if afraid of the wind.
She saw snowflakes landing on her master’s hair, something that never happened before.
She suddenly resented the wind and snow.
But without them, her master wouldn’t be leaning on her.
Mu Tao lowered her gaze, suppressing the demonic energy, and conjured a faint light at her fingertip, gently enveloping her master.
She felt her master’s breath, her heartbeat, the most comforting sound in this lonely world.
The long, cold night seemed endless, but her heart gradually calmed.
If this ocean truly had no boundaries, if this long night never ended, as long as the moonlight remained, it wouldn’t be so bad…
She didn’t know why she had such a strange thought.
But for a moment, it felt as natural as breathing.
Perhaps, as long as she was with her master, anywhere was fine.
Mu Tao smiled.
Li Yu woke up to the system’s alarm.
There wasn’t any immediate danger, but they were approaching the human realm. If they continued flying with spiritual power, they would have to conceal themselves.
She didn’t have enough spiritual energy left to maintain both spells simultaneously.
She took a deep breath and looked at Mu Tao.
Mu Tao was still in the same position, her head drooping, her eyes closed, a thin layer of snow covering her, a faint light flickering at her fingertips, held close to her chest.
Li Yu froze.
That faint light, a thin layer of protective spiritual energy, was solely for her, maintained even in her sleep.
This little girl…
With so little “clean” spiritual energy, not enough for herself, yet she gave it all to Li Yu.
Li Yu bit her lip, suppressing a surge of emotion, and reached out to brush the snow from Mu Tao’s hair.
Mu Tao stirred, opened her eyes, and turned around.
As their eyes met, Li Yu gently brushed the snow from Mu Tao’s eyelashes.
Mu Tao closed her eyes instinctively, then opened them again, seeing Li Yu smiling gently.
“Master.”
“Hmm?”
“Master!”
“What is it?” Li Yu continued brushing the snow off her.
“Master!!”
As Mu Tao called her name a third time, she threw her arms around Li Yu, hugging her tightly.
The embrace was so tight it made Li Yu’s breath catch.
But she didn’t push her away, just gently patted her back.
“I missed you so much,” Mu Tao mumbled, her face buried in Li Yu’s embrace.
She said she had missed her terribly, constantly thinking about her.
The Spirit Restraint Hall was dark and cold, the soul-restraining barriers making it difficult even to activate the Harmony Bells. She hated that place, she was afraid of that place.
Qin Yuan and her senior brother often visited, but they never mentioned what the others outside planned to do with her, but she knew, she had always known.
Everyone wanted her dead; the guards had told her.
She desperately wanted to return to her master but was also terrified of never being able to.
She hadn’t forgotten her master’s promise to protect her, no matter what.
Her fear wasn’t from doubting her master, but from knowing that this was a serious matter, a burden not easily borne.
She was afraid she wasn’t worthy of her master’s protection, she felt she wasn’t worthy.
She said she thought about it every day.
Whenever she was alone, she would huddle in a corner and think.
Before the Harmony Bells chimed, she wondered if her master hadn’t contacted her because she was still unconscious, or because she had abandoned her.
After the bells started chiming, she wondered if her master’s silence was because the time wasn’t right, or because she was preparing to abandon her.
It was like two voices arguing in her head.
One saying that her master would never abandon her, the other saying that she was a burden, and protecting her would cost her master dearly…
She had thought about it countless times.
She still clung to a sliver of hope, hoping for her master’s protection.
But hope was intertwined with reason.
She repeatedly told herself that even if her master abandoned her, she shouldn’t resent her.
Because only by abandoning her could her master be safe…
Mu Tao’s words, choked with tears, each one like a drop of water, fell heavily on Li Yu’s heart.
Although soft, each word resonated deeply.
Li Yu: “What were you thinking last night?”
Mu Tao: “I was thinking…I will never doubt Master again.”
She leaned against Li Yu and continued softly—
Her master had left Mount Chao Yao for her, abandoned everything, even defied the entire immortal world.
She felt both incredibly guilty and incredibly happy.
She must be the most selfish person in the world…
“You’re not…” Li Yu gently stroked Mu Tao’s hair, her voice filled with heartache. “You’ve already thought too much for my sake…”
Li Yu knew Mu Tao was sensitive.
She knew that Mu Tao must have been scared and sad in the Spirit Restraint Hall…
But she didn’t know the extent of her suffering, her internal struggles.
She couldn’t imagine how Mu Tao endured those cold, dark nights, knowing her life was in danger…
All because of a single promise?
Li Yu lowered her gaze. “I…came too late…”
Mu Tao shook her head softly. “Master will never be late.”
As long as her master came, it was never too late.
She had waited for over two hundred years at Chaoxi Pond; how could she not endure a mere twenty days?
Her master’s touch was even gentler than she remembered.
Such a wonderful master, how could she be late…
Thinking this, Mu Tao closed her eyes again.
Only when the crane landed did she leave Li Yu’s embrace.
As they touched down, Li Yu used her remaining spiritual energy to conceal Mu Tao’s demonic aura.
As the light from her fingertips faded, she looked at the unfamiliar, desolate landscape.
“Master, where…where are we going?” Mu Tao tugged at her sleeve.
Li Yu: “The Demon Realm.”
Mu Tao: “The Demon Realm?”
Li Yu: “Only there…are you safe.”
Mu Tao: “Where is the Demon Realm?”
Li Yu thought for a moment, then replied softly, “The Demon Realm…is a dark and desolate place.”
She said that it was cold, dark, barren, with no concept of right or wrong, only the law of the jungle.
The inhabitants of the Demon Realm had long lifespans but didn’t enter reincarnation.
They were born with considerable power. If it weren’t for their inability to withstand the heat of the human realm, they would have long since escaped their dark, barren world and invaded.
Li Yu sighed softly.
In the original story, the protagonist, relying on the power of her Demon Bone, gradually gained a foothold in the Demon Realm, eventually becoming the Demon Lord, leading the demons to invade the human realm with the promise of “freezing the human world forever.”
It was a cool storyline, but she no longer liked it.
Now, she just wanted to find a safe place in the Demon Realm with Mu Tao, patiently helping her master the power of the Demon Bone.
Once Mu Tao could freely use that power, like in the latter half of the novel, they would be truly safe…
Mu Tao: “Do we…have to go?”
Li Yu stroked her hair. “I’ll protect you.”
Mu Tao’s eyes widened. After a moment of silence, she nodded obediently.
Li Yu could see the worry in her eyes.
She thought for a moment, then said softly, “If you don’t like it there, we can always sneak back to the human realm.”
Mu Tao: “Really?”
“Mm, once you can control your power, you won’t be a danger to the human realm. Then you can return anytime.” Li Yu winked and lowered her voice conspiratorially, “We’ll do it secretly, without telling anyone!”
Mu Tao’s face lit up with joy.
Seeing her happy expression eased Li Yu’s fatigue and pain.
She also looked forward to that day.
Then, she could take Mu Tao away from the Demon Realm, show her the places she had never seen, let her try the food she had never tasted…
That day, she believed, wouldn’t be too far away.
Leave a Reply