Mistaken Era 80

Chapter 80

Wei Jie seemed to understand Xiao Xiao’s situation without needing to ask. He turned her around, placing his large hand on her back. A steady stream of spiritual energy flowed from his palm into her body.

Like melting snow, Wei Jie’s energy eased the burning sensation coursing through Xiao Xiao’s veins.

As the heat subsided, she tried to move away from him, but his hand remained firmly planted on her back, the other gripping her arm tightly. “Enough with the nonsense!” he hissed in her ear. “Don’t move! Look at you, about to turn into a golden gecko!”

His venomous tongue was getting sharper by the day. But the gecko analogy wasn’t far off.

Still, she couldn’t let him win this battle of words.

“I merely neglected my cultivation for a few days,” she said, feigning composure. “Once I establish my own sect, I’ll have plenty of time to cultivate. No need to trouble yourself.”

Wei Jie narrowed his eyes. “Establish a sect? The Carefree Joy Sect?”

Xiao Xiao gasped. He even knew about Princess Yongning’s name suggestion! How long had he been following her?

Seeing her about to retort, he cut her off. “Don’t move, and don’t speak. A pig would make better use of this energy than you!”

His words stung, and she turned away, fuming. For now, she had no choice but to let him suppress the restless demonic energy within her.

With his divine power awakened, Wei Jie’s cultivation was advancing by leaps and bounds. Xiao Xiao could feel the immense power flowing into her, like waves crashing against a cliff.

No wonder Qin Lingxiao had fled in terror. Wei Jie’s aura was unfathomable now.

It was like a mouse facing a dragon. Only those who had experienced it firsthand could truly understand the disparity.

Xiao Xiao felt overwhelmed, unable to withstand the surge of energy. She coughed up a mouthful of blood, her body weakening. She collapsed against him.

Wei Jie’s brow furrowed, his body stiffening. His first instinct was to push her away. He hated this closeness.

But then he saw her, the streak of blood staining her lips. He hesitated.

He lifted her in his arms, carrying her out of the cold pool. He sat her down facing him, their palms touching, continuing to guide her energy flow.

He realized that her own energy, overwhelmed by his, couldn’t keep up.

So, as he transferred his energy, he instructed her, his voice low and steady, guiding her through the proper techniques.

Xiao Xiao knew this wasn’t the time to be stubborn. She followed his instructions, gradually regaining control over her own energy.

After what felt like an eternity, the golden scales on her neck finally receded. But the warmth of his energy lingered.

She felt as if her entire being had been cleansed, immersed in a soothing spring. It was like being back in her mother’s womb, safe and secure. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t even open her eyes…

Ever since leaving Guishi Cliff, Cui Xiao Xiao, despite enjoying herself during the day, had struggled to sleep at night.

She had attributed it to heartache, but now she realized it was the demonic energy, unrestrained, wreaking havoc within her.

Wei Jie seemed to sense her turmoil. His hand remained on her back, his gaze fixed on her closed eyelids. “Focus on your cultivation,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Empty your mind. Your spiritual energy is depleted…”

Perhaps it was because she harbored the demonic bead that had once been part of him, but now that his divine power was restored, he felt a strange connection to it.

Usually, the bead remained dormant, but today, he could sense its frantic energy. That was why he had followed her.

As he had suspected, her demonic nature was acting up. If he hadn’t arrived in time, who knew what would have become of her? This woman… she couldn’t be left alone for a second without causing trouble…

The thought triggered a sharp pain in his head. It felt as if his soul was being torn in two, a sensation that had been plaguing him lately.

He wanted nothing more than to avoid her, yet he couldn’t seem to break free from this inexplicable connection…

His gaze lingered on her.

Her hair was wet, water droplets trickling down her cheeks and chin.

Her dark hair, like a serpent, coiled around her slender neck, tracing the curves of her body…

His divine power might have been restored, but he hadn’t lost his memories. It was just that the memories of their time together seemed insignificant now, not even worth revisiting.

But here she was, sitting before him, her clothes clinging to her body, her hair damp, her breaths shallow as she cultivated…

Memories he had tried to bury resurfaced.

The thrill of their accidental kiss when he had helped her form her Golden Core in the forest.

The way she had flushed red, protesting yet yielding, when he had pinned her down in the mansion’s secret passage.

But the most vivid memory was of them working side by side in the steamy kitchen, preparing dinner for the disciples. She had hugged him from behind, her face pressed against his back, soothing his anger with soft whispers.

She had said that she would only ever be with him, that he shouldn’t be jealous of others…

He stared at her, the blue flame mark on his forehead flickering, unable to banish those memories.

The pain intensified, his eyes darkening.

Perhaps sensing his turmoil, Xiao Xiao opened her eyes. She found him staring at her, his expression grim, his eyes cold.

Following his gaze, she gasped and scrambled back.

She had jumped into the water in her thin clothes, and they were now completely soaked. This was mortifying!

She reached for her outer robe, but he grabbed her wrist, pulling her back into his arms…

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a flicker of hope, hoping for a glimpse of the Jie’er she knew.

But his purple eyes blazed with a chilling intensity, a hint of desperation lurking beneath the surface.

His throat bobbed, his head dipping lower. Just as she thought he was about to kiss her, the hand that had been channeling energy into her suddenly clamped around her throat…

She couldn’t escape his grasp. He squeezed, cutting off her air supply.

Panic surged through her. She clawed at his hand, gasping for breath. “What… what are you doing?! Let go!”

If he didn’t release her, she would fight back…

But before she could react, he let go, as if burned. “Don’t… don’t appear before me again! Go! Get away from me!”

Xiao Xiao coughed, clutching her throat. She saw a flicker of black in his eyes, his entire being radiating a chilling aura.

Worried about his state, she tried to speak.

But he had already drawn the Heaven-Punishing Sword, pointing it at her, his voice strained. “Leave, or face the consequences!”

Despite his menacing words, the sword, bound to its master, lacked its usual killing intent. Instead of a menacing hum, it emitted a cheerful, almost melodic sound.

Xiao Xiao had never imagined the day Wei Jie would point his sword at her.

Seeing his pained expression, she recalled Tang Youshu’s warnings.

Every encounter with her seemed to trigger a volatile emotional response in Wei Jie, detrimental to his recovery.

Had he… stared at her for too long, stirring up those emotions again? Tang Youshu had said it would harm him!

Forgetting her own pain, she turned and fled.

Wei Jie, despite demanding her departure, felt a pang of regret as he watched her run away. He had pointed his sword at her. She must hate him now!

The thought sent a splitting pain through his head. The blue flame on his forehead blazed, a constant reminder, forcing him to banish thoughts of her from his mind. With a tortured roar, he swung his sword, slashing at the surrounding trees and rocks, as if trying to break free from the shackles binding him…

When Tang Youshu arrived, his master, in a frenzy, had already wreaked havoc upon the forest.

Fortunately, he was late. Had he arrived earlier, he might have been caught in his master’s rampage.

Wei Jie, his body radiating a dark purple aura, seemed exhausted, leaning against a shattered boulder.

Tang Youshu, his heart sinking, his lips trembling, asked in a low voice, “Master… what happened?”

Wei Jie slowly raised his head, his purple eyes, tinged with black, fixed on him.

Tang Youshu stumbled back, his voice strained. “Master… you…”

Wei Jie chuckled, rising to his feet. “What about me?”

Tang Youshu couldn’t answer, forcing a nervous smile.

But a storm raged within him.

The dark glint in Wei Jie’s eyes… it was all too familiar!

Even after two hundred years, he hadn’t forgotten. That was the look in Demon Lord Wei Jie’s eyes whenever his demonic nature took over…

But how was this possible? Cui Xiao Xiao had shouldered all the burdens of his demonic path.

He hadn’t faced any trials that could have twisted his heart. His divine power was restored, his cultivation soaring. He had formed his Golden Core and was on the verge of forming his Nascent Soul, preparing for his ascension.

He had meticulously planned everything, ensuring a smooth path for his master. How could Wei Jie be showing signs of succumbing to his demonic nature?

Where… where had he gone wrong? There was no reason for Wei Jie to turn into a demon in this life! No, he must be mistaken!

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Tang Youshu followed his master down the mountain.

He needed to tell him about Prince Changshan’s suspicious behavior, urge him to act. But Wei Jie seemed distracted, his voice cold. “Those disciples who wanted to become students… are they still here?”

Tang Youshu was caught off guard. He blinked, realizing Wei Jie was talking about those persistent individuals who had been pestering Cui Xiao Xiao.

Why was he asking about them? When he heard Wei Jie’s plan to accept them all as his own disciples, Tang Youshu, struggling to make ends meet, protested, “Master, why? So many mouths to feed! And they want to be Cui Xiao Xiao’s students. What if they refuse?”

Wei Jie turned, the blue flame on his forehead flickering, complementing the darkness in his eyes. A cruel smile touched his lips. “They can either become my students or… die. It’s a simple choice, isn’t it?”

With that, he soared into the air, disappearing into the forest, leaving Tang Youshu standing there, bewildered.

A bitter taste filled his mouth. Had he done something wrong? Why was his master, perfectly fine under Cui Xiao Xiao’s care, now showing signs of turning into a demon under his watch?

Meanwhile, Cui Xiao Xiao, having fled from Wei Jie, found the little fox and shook her awake. Without explaining, she grabbed her hand and ran.

She could hear Wei Jie’s enraged roars from afar. Thankfully, she had spotted Tang Youshu arriving as she left.

Knowing Wei Jie was in good hands, she could relax a little.

But based on his reaction, he truly loathed her now. Tang Youshu’s repeated warnings about staying away from Wei Jie… perhaps he had a point.

She couldn’t keep provoking him, pushing him to the brink like this.

It seemed she truly needed to leave Luoyi City. Even if she wanted to investigate Prince Changshan, she would have to wait until Wei Jie was gone.

So, she and Yu Ling’er hurried down the mountain.

Wei Jie’s healing had been effective. Even keeping up with Yu Ling’er, who was running in her fox form, wasn’t a problem.

Yu Ling’er, observing her effortless movements, exclaimed, “Xiao Xiao, you’ve become even stronger! You’re faster than me now!”

Xiao Xiao knew it was thanks to Wei Jie’s healing, the boost to her energy reserves.

But despite her swift movements, her heart was heavy.

She couldn’t shake the image of his anger, the darkness clouding his eyes.

When they stopped to rest, Xiao Xiao settled down to meditate, while Yu Ling’er, feeling hungry, decided to search for food.

Her palate had become more refined. She was no longer the little fox who could be satisfied with plain chicken breast.

Spotting a village ahead, and knowing Xiao Xiao wouldn’t want to be around crowds, Yu Ling’er took her fellow foxes to buy something to eat.

As Xiao Xiao meditated beneath a tree, she sensed someone nearby.

Without a word, she plucked a leaf from the tree and channeled her energy into it. The leaf transformed into a blazing projectile, shooting towards the hidden figure.

Forced to reveal himself, the person called out, “Xiao Xiao, it’s me!”

Xiao Xiao’s eyes widened. It was Qin Lingxiao, the one who had fled on his four swords that night.

She chuckled, seeing him back in his white robes. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you afraid of running into your master, Wei Jie?”

She couldn’t help but laugh again, remembering his panicked escape.

Qin Lingxiao, consumed by confusion, was desperate for answers. Forgetting his pride, he asked, his face grim, “How did Wei Jie know? Did you tell him about our past life?”

Xiao Xiao leaned against the tree, her voice nonchalant. “Of course not.”

Qin Lingxiao suddenly recalled sensing a strange aura around Tang Youshu that day… A realization dawned upon him. “Did you find the other demonic bead? Who is it attached to?”

Xiao Xiao remained silent, her eyes closed. She might have left the Lingshan Talisman Sect, but Tang Youshu was still her former master. She couldn’t betray him to Qin Lingxiao.

He was desperate to find the bead to save his father. If he knew it was with Tang Youshu, he would surely cause trouble for them…

Qin Lingxiao wasn’t stupid. Seeing her reluctance to answer, and considering her falling out with Wei Jie, a bold theory formed in his mind.

He paced back and forth, piecing together the clues, before gasping in disbelief. “Could it be… Is the demonic bead attached to Tang Youshu?”

Xiao Xiao denied it immediately. “No! Impossible!”

But her hasty denial only confirmed his suspicions.

“So it is him! That weakling… he’s as cunning as ever! I should have known! He was always the most cunning of all the disciples!”

More pieces fell into place. He remembered how Tang Youshu, supposedly Wei Jie’s most loyal disciple, hadn’t seemed particularly grieved by his death. He had been the first to leave Guishi Cliff.

He had claimed to be going on a journey, but the Zhulong statue Wei Jie had won in a bet on Zhangwei Mountain had disappeared.

At the time, Qin Lingxiao had been too ecstatic about obtaining Wei Jie’s power and killing him to care about that untalented senior brother.

But now… it seemed Tang Youshu had anticipated Wei Jie’s death, taking the statue, which held the power to manipulate fate, and even the two demonic beads, and orchestrated everything.

Xiao Xiao, despite wanting nothing to do with the Lingshan Talisman Sect, still defended her former master.

There was no point denying it. He had figured it out. “You should know that Wei Jie’s power has grown significantly thanks to Tang Youshu’s help,” she warned. “And he knows you killed him. If he sees you again, he won’t hesitate to strike you down. If I were you, I would stay far away from him.”

Qin Lingxiao shuddered, remembering the murderous glint in Wei Jie’s eyes that day. It was like being back under Demon Lord Wei Jie’s reign.

But with his divine power restored, Wei Jie would renounce love and emotions. No wonder he had been so cold and distant towards Xiao Xiao.

A wave of satisfaction washed over him.

At least he wasn’t the only one who had lost everything. If Wei Jie ever realized what he had lost, wouldn’t he regret everything?

A cruel smile touched his lips. “Did you know? Wei Jie is openly recruiting disciples in Luoyi City. He even took Ling Zhishan as his student! He’s becoming more and more like the Demon Lord he once was.”

Xiao Xiao, having fled Luoyi City, hadn’t heard about Wei Jie’s recruitment drive.

But those persistent disciples who had been following her… they had indeed vanished after she left the city.

Had those individuals, so eager to join the Carefree Joy Sect, been swayed so easily by Wei Jie’s promises?

She understood their desire to align themselves with power. It wasn’t surprising that they had switched sides after witnessing Wei Jie’s strength.

But the thought of him accepting Ling Zhishan as his student… Remembering her infatuation with him, Xiao Xiao couldn’t help but pity her.

She didn’t know his motives, but Ling Zhishan was likely heading for heartbreak.

The old Wei Jie was just sharp-tongued. This new Wei Jie… he was cold, ruthless, and devoid of compassion.

She hoped Ling Zhishan had brought enough warm clothes.

But why would Wei Jie accept a disciple who had betrayed him?

Despite her questions, the fact that he had the energy to recruit disciples after healing her meant he was probably fine.

She could finally let go of her worry.