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Chapter 10: Illusions

He had been running for what felt like an eternity, his mind reeling. Nothing was going according to plan.

He had been reborn. Surely, fate wouldn’t grant him a second chance only to torment him further.

Dizziness, brought on by blood loss, overwhelmed him, and he collapsed. A gentle breeze, like an unseen hand, cushioned his fall. A voice, unfamiliar and ethereal, drifted through the air.

“Strange,” it murmured, as if to itself. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

The voice unwrapped the bandages from his face, revealing the crisscrossing wounds beneath. As the fabric fell away, the wounds began to bleed again.

The voice seemed amused by this development. It waved a hand, healing the wounds on his face, but neglecting his severed left arm.

Whether this was intentional or not, the male lead remained unaware. When he regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a stone platform inscribed with intricate runes. Before he could examine it further, the ground shook, and the platform crumbled beneath him, sending him tumbling into the darkness below.

He landed hard, the impact jarring his spine. He knew instantly that his back was broken. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

The dimly lit chamber was suddenly illuminated by flickering candlelight, revealing a series of portraits lining the walls. They weren’t images of deities or revered figures. They seemed to depict the same person, over and over again.

Unable to stand, the male lead used his hands to prop himself up, his gaze drawn to the far end of the chamber.

There, on a platform of cold jade, sat a skeleton, its bones gleaming in the candlelight. Time had ravaged its clothing, reducing it to dust.

The male lead’s eyes were drawn to a string of jade beads adorning the skeleton’s wrist. Greed flickered in his gaze.

He had seen those beads before, in his past life, on Luo Nianshang’s wrist. Someone of her stature wouldn’t wear anything useless.

Desire outweighed the pain wracking his body. He dragged himself forward, his expression growing more desperate with each movement. Finally, he reached the skeleton.

He looked up, meeting the empty gaze of the skull.

A shiver of fear ran down his spine. The skull had been facing forward before. Now, it was tilted downwards, as if staring directly at him.

But it was just a corpse. He had taken plenty from the dead before.

Perhaps his movements had shifted the skull’s position.

His fear subsided, and he reached for the beads, but he couldn’t quite reach them. He strained, his fingers brushing against the jade, but he couldn’t get a proper grip.

His fingers found a gap between the beads, and he yanked, ignoring the potential damage to the skeleton.

He grinned triumphantly, slipping the beads onto his wrist.

A searing pain shot through his head.

“Hahaha, how amusing. You writhe like a pathetic worm.”

Pain, both physical and mental, overwhelmed him. He would have fainted, but he found himself trapped in a state of agonizing awareness.

He looked up to see the skeleton had shifted position again. Its bony fingers cradled its skull as it watched him writhe on the ground.

The male lead’s suffering seemed to amuse it. It rose from its platform, stretching its limbs with a series of bone-crunching pops. “I can’t believe fate chose you,” it said, its voice filled with disdain. “I waited for so long, only to be saddled with a worthless wretch!”

The word “worthless” stung, but the male lead was too preoccupied with his own agony to retaliate.

“Hmm, that’s not right,” the skeleton murmured. “Your aura of destiny is fading.”

It circled the male lead, its movements accompanied by a chorus of unsettling clicks and pops.

As it leaned in, its bony fingers tracing the male lead’s fading aura, the male lead grabbed its leg, his eyes filled with hatred.

The skeleton was unimpressed. It was about to remove the male lead’s head and put it back on backwards when the sound of barking and meowing echoed through the chamber.

After a rather lengthy freefall, Lü Qingyan landed squarely on Bai Jingxue’s back.

Bai Jingxue gasped for air, struggling to free herself from the weight crushing her. “Get off me!” she hissed.

Lü Qingyan, startled, scrambled to her feet, her voice filled with concern. “I’m so sorry! Are you alright? Did I hurt you?”

Bai Jingxue, her head spinning, opted for silence.

This entire descent had been rather illogical. The Demon Lord and Luo Nianshang were significantly heavier than them, yet they hadn’t fallen through.

As if on cue, a loud thud echoed through the chamber, followed by a yelp from the Demon Lord and Luo Nianshang’s calm, yet slightly strained, voice. “Would you mind getting off me?”

They looked up to see the Demon Lord sprawled in Luo Nianshang’s arms, looking strangely delicate.

The Demon Lord scrambled to her feet, brushing at her clothes as if she had been contaminated by something foul.

“You need to eat more,” she grumbled. “Your ribs are like knives.”

Luo Nianshang discreetly poked at her ribs, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

The Demon Lord, ignoring her, grabbed her dog and then noticed the male lead, sprawled on the ground in a pathetic heap, and the skeleton observing them with amusement.

She had seen plenty of skeletons in her lifetime, even the animated variety. This one didn’t faze her. The male lead, however, was far more intriguing.

She studied him for a moment, then raised her foot, aiming for his neck.

In a flash, he vanished.

Bai Jingxue frowned. The male lead might not be a physical threat anymore, but his ability to evade danger was truly remarkable. The original plot might not be set in stone, but his plot armor was definitely intact.

Suddenly, she was lifted into the air. Finding herself face-to-face with a grinning skull was rather disconcerting.

She braced herself for a lecture, but the skeleton simply set her down and returned to its platform, where it proceeded to stare at the remaining occupants of the chamber, its bony fingers scratching its skull.

“Am I still dreaming?” it muttered. “Why do a cat and a dog have such…”

It trailed off, but even without eyes, Bai Jingxue could sense its bewilderment.

With a sigh, the skeleton slumped back onto its platform. Its bones rattled, then crumbled into dust, scattering in the wind.

The events unfolded so quickly that everyone was left reeling.

“This isn’t good,” Bai Jingxue thought, rushing over to cover Lü Qingyan’s nose.

As expected, both Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord collapsed.

This chamber clearly had some kind of hidden mechanism. It might not be fatal, but it could induce sleep.

Bai Jingxue recalled Luo Nianshang’s pre-journey divination, which had predicted a romantic entanglement. She wondered who the female lead’s dream lover would be.

She felt a tug on her tail and turned to see Lü Qingyan staring at her, her eyes pleading.

Knowing she had something to say, Bai Jingxue freed her tail from the dog’s grasp. “What is it?” she asked, her voice flat.

Lü Qingyan, relieved that Bai Jingxue was willing to speak, wagged her tail and settled beside her. But her joy was short-lived.

“This doesn’t make sense,” she sighed. “In the original story, the male lead obtained the inheritance without any trouble. He wasn’t this pathetic.”

Bai Jingxue glanced at the sleeping figures of Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord. Even in their unconscious state, their brows were furrowed, their fists clenched. They were clearly on edge.

Having spent so much time with Lü Qingyan, Bai Jingxue could read her like an open book.

“Are you afraid of the unknown?” she asked.

Lü Qingyan shook her head. She met Bai Jingxue’s emerald gaze. She had always admired Bai Jingxue’s strength, her ability to remain calm even in the face of adversity.

Pushing aside her anxieties, Lü Qingyan embraced her usual optimism. Melancholy was a fleeting emotion.

She was preoccupied with a more fundamental question: who was she? Was she a dog with Lü Qingyan’s memories, or was she truly Lü Qingyan?

And was this world truly the world of the novel? If not, what did it mean for their future?

Bai Jingxue, unaccustomed to seeing her so subdued, missed the carefree, cheerful Lü Qingyan.

She looked away, her voice soft but firm. “Does it really matter?” she asked. “Just live the life you want to live.”

She glanced at the sleeping Luo Nianshang, her words carrying a hidden meaning. “Make sure those who are good and noble remain that way.”

“If you’re unsure about the future, then use your own eyes to see the truth. The answers will reveal themselves.”

Lü Qingyan seemed to take her words to heart. Her tail resumed its happy wagging, and her eyes sparkled with renewed enthusiasm. “I bet the Demon Lord will get the inheritance,” she declared.

Bai Jingxue agreed. The dual cultivation manual was definitely more suited to the Demon Lord. Luo Nianshang was far too detached from such desires.

But she was currently Luo Nianshang’s pet, and she felt obligated to support her. “I think it’ll be the female lead,” she countered.

Their disagreements were nothing new. In their past life, Bai Jingxue had been a homebody, content to spend her free time indoors. Lü Qingyan, on the other hand, had loved outdoor activities.

They had settled their differences with a simple game: rock, paper, scissors.

Unfortunately for Bai Jingxue, she had terrible luck. She always lost, forcing her, a reluctant participant, to endure morning jogs and grueling gym sessions. She had even developed muscles.

The memory brought a bittersweet smile to her face. The pain of those workouts had long faded.

Her mood lifted, she felt playful. She held up a paw, her claws extended. “Want to bet on it?”

Lü Qingyan, eager to play, extended a paw. “Let’s do it!”

Bai Jingxue’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “One, two, three…”

Lü Qingyan realized a moment too late that a dog’s paw could only form the “paper” hand gesture. But she assumed the cat would be limited as well.

To her surprise, Bai Jingxue’s paws, crossed at the wrists, formed a perfect “scissors.”

The black cat grinned. “I win.”

Chapter 9: Sword Wound

After hearing Bai Jingxue’s words, Lü Qingyan fell silent, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, the battle below had ended. The slug demon’s remains had dissolved into the rain, indistinguishable from the puddles forming on the ground. Scattered around the area were the undigested remains of its victims.

Among the animal carcasses were human bones. Fu Yuan closed her eyes and chanted a sutra, guiding the souls of the deceased towards peace.

When she turned to check on the male lead, he was gone. She frowned, but decided not to dwell on it.

She sheathed her sword and sensed something approaching from above. Instinctively, she reached out, and a black cat landed gracefully in her arms.

Fu Yuan recognized the cat as her ancestor’s companion. Out of respect, she decided to take the cat with her.

Another gust of wind brushed past her, and she felt something land on her head. She flinched, swatting at it, only to find a fluffy white dog clinging to her hair.

She stared at it, her brow furrowed. It looked exactly like the Demon Lord’s pet. She wanted to toss it aside, but it was just too adorable.

After a moment of deliberation, she decided to take both the cat and the dog with her. The Demon Lord was one thing, her pet another.

As a cultivator of the righteous path, she had to be reasonable. She couldn’t stoop to the level of those savage demon cultivators.

And so, Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan ended up perched on Fu Yuan’s shoulders, one on each side. The woman had surprisingly broad shoulders.

Bai Jingxue glanced at Lü Qingyan. “Have you figured it out yet?” she asked with her eyes.

She had wanted Lü Qingyan to follow her. This secret realm was dangerous. The slug demon had been a minor threat compared to what else lurked within. If Lü Qingyan wandered off alone, who knew what would become of her.

Traveling with Fu Yuan was the safest option.

Lü Qingyan tilted her head. “Figure what out?” she asked.

Bai Jingxue narrowed her eyes and turned away, refusing to engage.

There was no point in wasting her breath. She wondered where Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord were.

She hoped they weren’t together. Their personalities clashed, and their powers were too evenly matched. If they fought, it would only hinder their chances of escaping this place.

Of course, the universe seemed determined to test her patience. On the other side of the secret realm, the Demon Lord and Luo Nianshang were indeed having a rather heated discussion.

Well, it wasn’t exactly a discussion. It was more like a one-sided rant from the Demon Lord.

“Luo Nianshang, you infuriating woman!” she fumed. “You’ve lived for thousands of years, yet you can’t even recognize a blatant trap? You just had to play the hero! Do you really think you can save everyone? Get over yourself!”

Luo Nianshang, knowing she had been reckless, remained silent, her gaze downcast.

As they had flown over a swamp, she had spotted a baby lying in the mud. The umbilical cord had been freshly cut, and the child was naked, without even a blanket to protect it from the elements.

There wasn’t a soul in sight, not even a ghost. It was a clear trap.

But the bait was a real, living child. Luo Nianshang couldn’t ignore it. She had descended to rescue the infant, only to be nearly swallowed by a monstrous fish demon lurking beneath the murky water.

The fish demon hadn’t been a threat to Luo Nianshang, but the stench of the swamp had lingered on her clothes.

The child in her arms had fallen asleep, its small face flushed, occasionally letting out a whimper. It was a pitiful sight.

The Demon Lord stared at the infant, her anger fading. She chided herself for worrying.

This was Luo Nianshang, the woman who had single-handedly slain two Demon Lords.

But now, it was Qiu Yingxi who sat upon the throne of the Demon Realm.

She glanced at Luo Nianshang’s sword. Even sheathed, it radiated a chilling aura. She wondered if it would be painful to die by that blade.

Her anger dissipated entirely. The truth was, she hadn’t been concerned for Luo Nianshang’s safety. She had been furious because the fish demon had splashed mud all over her.

The Demon Lord was meticulous about her appearance. Even after cleansing herself with a purifying spell, she still felt a phantom stench clinging to her clothes.

She knew it was irrational, but she couldn’t help it. She began to unbutton her robes.

Then, she paused, sensing a gaze upon her.

She looked up, meeting Luo Nianshang’s clear, unwavering eyes. After a moment of silence, she chuckled. “Are you that interested in my body, Venerable One?”

Luo Nianshang turned away, her voice stiff. “That wound on your chest… it looks like it was caused by my sword.”

The Demon Lord’s eyes widened. She glanced down at the faint scar on her chest and let out a bitter laugh. “If you’re willing to take credit for it, Venerable One, perhaps you’ll allow me to return the favor.”

Luo Nianshang frowned. She had no recollection of ever injuring the Demon Lord. The fact that someone could so perfectly mimic her sword energy was unsettling.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said coldly.

The Demon Lord couldn’t reveal the truth. It would expose her weakness. Her cultivation method was unique, but it came with limitations.

If those limitations were discovered, she wouldn’t survive.

Especially not with Luo Nianshang, the champion of the righteous path, a woman known for her ruthlessness, standing before her.

The Demon Lord tossed her discarded robes aside and donned a fresh set.

At their level of cultivation, such precautions were usually unnecessary. But this secret realm was unpredictable. There could be hidden dangers, fatal traps that could cripple even the most powerful cultivator.

She wondered how her disciples were faring.

They had left the swamp behind and arrived at a field carpeted in forget-me-nots.

The Demon Lord plucked a flower, crushing it between her fingers, its blue petals staining her skin.

She sauntered over to Luo Nianshang, her gaze falling upon the sleeping infant. “You certainly have a way with people, Venerable One,” she said, her voice laced with mockery. “Not only do you charm the righteous cultivators, but even animals and infants fall prey to your manipulative ways.”

As if to prove a point, she snatched the child from Luo Nianshang’s arms. The moment she did, the infant began to wail, its face turning as red as a beetroot.

She hastily returned the child, scoffing. “What a crybaby,” she muttered.

Luo Nianshang, sensing her frustration, decided to try a different approach. “You’re actually quite pleasant,” she said.

The words were unexpected, delivered without preamble.

The Demon Lord raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” she asked, her voice skeptical. “And what, pray tell, makes me so pleasant?”

Luo Nianshang faltered. She wasn’t sure how to answer.

“Kind?” No, that didn’t fit. The Demon Lord had a penchant for smiling while inflicting pain.

“Compassionate?” Same issue. Definitely not.

“Generous?” The woman was notoriously vindictive. If someone stole a foot of fabric from her, she would retaliate by taking three feet and hanging them upside down for good measure.

“Beautiful?”

Luo Nianshang turned, her gaze sweeping over the Demon Lord from head to toe. Finally, she nodded. “You’re beautiful.”

The Demon Lord, surprised by the unexpected compliment, knew she was beautiful. But coming from Luo Nianshang, it felt like an insult.

After all, Luo Nianshang was the one who possessed an ethereal, almost otherworldly beauty.

The Demon Lord’s lips twitched. “How predictable,” she sneered. “Even you, Venerable One, are susceptible to such shallow observations.”

Luo Nianshang didn’t respond. She sensed her cat nearby.

A moment later, Fu Yuan arrived, the cat and dog in tow.

Seeing that the Demon Lord was unharmed, Lü Qingyan leaped down, her tail wagging furiously as she settled beside her.

The Demon Lord, pleased that her dog had chosen her first, felt a surge of smug satisfaction. She had won this round.

Bai Jingxue, however, sauntered back to Luo Nianshang and resumed her leisurely grooming session.

Luo Nianshang, observing the cat’s lack of enthusiasm, couldn’t help but envy the Demon Lord.

“It must be me,” she thought sadly. “The cat doesn’t like me enough.”

Bai Jingxue, mid-lick, felt a shiver of apprehension.

Fu Yuan bowed respectfully. “Ancestor.”

Luo Nianshang nodded and handed her the infant. “If you cannot find its parents,” she instructed, “take it in as your disciple.”

Fu Yuan cradled the child, her movements stiff with anxiety. She didn’t want to hurt the delicate infant.

“Yes, Ancestor.”

The child’s features seemed familiar, reminding her of someone. She dismissed the thought, attributing it to exhaustion.

As she recounted the events of her journey, her thoughts returned to the mortal she had rescued from the slug demon.

There was something strange about him. She emphasized this detail in her report.

Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord exchanged a knowing glance.

Fate, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor. “Well, well,” the Demon Lord purred, her smile not reaching her eyes. “The little rat followed us.”

The secret realm was no longer a priority. Luo Nianshang handed Fu Yuan a jade pendant. “This contains three strikes of my sword energy,” she said. “Gather the disciples and meet me at the location where you encountered the slug demon.”

She scooped up the grooming cat and flew towards the designated spot.

The Demon Lord, unwilling to be outdone, followed close behind.

Lü Qingyan, momentarily forgotten, stared after them, then bolted after them, barking frantically.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!”

The Demon Lord, realizing her oversight, doubled back and scooped up the dog.

By the time they arrived, the male lead was long gone.

Luo Nianshang sighed. “We’ve lost him.”

Bai Jingxue’s heart sank. It seemed the male lead was indeed favored by fate.

She hoped this world wouldn’t descend into the chaos of the original story.

The Demon Lord surveyed the area, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “How repulsive,” she muttered, perching on a branch.

Suddenly, the entire secret realm began to shake. The Demon Lord leaped into the air, her eyes narrowed.

After what felt like an eternity, the tremors subsided.

But the message was clear.

The Demon Lord looked towards the west, where the setting sun was inexplicably rising again.

She patted the dog’s head, a sly smile spreading across her face. “It seems the true prize has revealed itself,” she purred.

Luo Nianshang remained silent, her gaze fixed on the crimson sun.

Except, it wasn’t the sun.

Bai Jingxue knew exactly what it was. It was a human eye. Someone had reached the heart of the secret realm.

And the secret realm had awakened.

Luo Nianshang shot towards the west, a streak of silver against the crimson sky.

“That old woman is surprisingly quick,” the Demon Lord muttered, annoyed at being outmaneuvered.

With a burst of speed, she caught up to Luo Nianshang, a smug grin on her face.

The cat and dog exchanged a weary look.

“I don’t think those two will ever get along,” Lü Qingyan sighed.

This time, Bai Jingxue didn’t turn away. She nodded in agreement.

Chapter 8: Realizations

Bai Jingxue gleaned a crucial piece of information from the male lead’s ramblings: Luo Nianshang would be able to escape this secret realm even without his interference. If that were the case, there was no need to worry.

The rain continued to fall, and the male lead began to feel a burning itch where the raindrops touched his skin. The crisscrossing sword wounds on his face felt like they were on fire.

In his previous life, he had relied on deceit and manipulation, rarely engaging in direct combat. Even his capture by the Demon Lord had resulted in a swift and merciful death. He had never truly suffered. But this time around, things weren’t going as smoothly.

Yet, instead of reflecting on his own actions, he blamed Luo Nianshang for his misfortune.

His expression twisted with bitterness. He stumbled towards the shelter of a large tree, seeking refuge from the relentless rain.

The tree he chose happened to be the one where Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan were perched. Looking down, Bai Jingxue saw the top of his head.

She glanced at her claws, then at a small mound of earth rising from the ground. It moved slowly, inching towards the male lead’s feet.

Bai Jingxue was puzzled. The creature was right there, yet the male lead seemed oblivious. Even the demonic cultivator remained silent.

Unaware of the impending danger, the male lead retrieved a cracked porcelain bottle from his sleeve. With only one hand, he struggled to remove the cork with his teeth, then poured out the contents.

Bai Jingxue’s sharp eyes noticed the clumps forming in the powder. It was old, most likely expired. Judging by the scent, it was a low-grade hemostatic powder.

She couldn’t believe it. The arrogant male lead of the novel, reduced to using expired, low-grade medicine.

A small smile crept onto her face.

Ouyang Ba poured the powder onto his wounds, then tore a strip of fabric from his sleeve to bandage his arm.

The creature seemed particularly interested in him. It made no move to attack as he tended to his wounds.

The side effects of the expired powder hit him with full force. He cried out in pain, gripping his sword and trying to pull himself up. But his sword plunged into the ground, piercing the creature’s flesh.

A shrill, childlike shriek filled the air, a sound that conveyed both pain and fury.

Before the male lead could react, a slimy appendage slammed into him, sending him flying into another tree.

The ground trembled, and cracks spiderwebbed across the surface. Bai Jingxue instinctively covered Lü Qingyan’s eyes with her paw. This creature was nightmare fuel for anyone with trypophobia.

“Jingxue, why are you covering my eyes?” Lü Qingyan whined.

She swatted Bai Jingxue’s paw away and took one look at the creature emerging from the ground. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted, thankfully landing safely on the sturdy branch.

Bai Jingxue shook her head and turned her attention back to the scene below.

The male lead’s face was obscured by the bandages, but his eyes were wide with terror.

The creature was a pulsating mass of slime, like a giant jelly that had rolled around in mud. Countless tentacles sprouted from its body, each tipped with an eye.

And each eye held a different expression: some gleeful, some enraged. It was truly horrifying.

So those eyes peering up from the vortexes had belonged to this thing.

The creature’s flesh was translucent, the rain washing away the clinging mud to reveal its gruesome contents.

Bai Jingxue saw the eagle carcass within its body and recalled a passage from the novel.

This creature was a slug that had somehow achieved sentience. It could have become a powerful demon beast, but without proper guidance, it had devolved into this monstrous form.

“Consuming too much resentment can lead to some rather unpleasant mutations,” she thought, pushing the unconscious dog behind her as she observed the situation.

The male lead, now a mere mortal, was paralyzed by fear, unable to speak as he stared at the grotesque creature before him. He pleaded with the demonic cultivator for help, but his cries went unanswered.

The slug demon, its slimy body undulating, dragged itself forward, leaving a trail of eyes in its wake. The eyes that were dragged complained, their cries echoing like those of a distressed infant.

The eyes on the upper portion of its body, however, seemed to find the situation amusing, their expressions mocking the misfortune of their counterparts.

This was more terrifying than any horror movie. Lü Qingyan, who had just regained consciousness, promptly fainted again.

Bai Jingxue sighed and covered the unconscious dog’s eyes with her tail.

Seeing the creature’s slow movements, Ouyang Ba regained some of his composure. He struggled to his feet, his legs trembling, and turned to flee.

But he didn’t get far. Something wrapped around his waist, pulling him back. He looked down to see a bloodshot eye staring up at him, its expression filled with malicious glee. A tentacle had ensnared him.

Bai Jingxue was reminded of sticky toys from her past life, the kind with long, stretchy appendages that could grab and hold onto anything. This creature was similar.

It seemed to mimic the abilities of the creatures it consumed. The way it had burrowed through the earth had been reminiscent of an earthworm.

In the blink of an eye, the male lead was back before the slug demon. The tentacles parted, revealing a gaping maw. There were no teeth, just a smooth, gelatinous cavity. It could only swallow its prey whole.

Terror gripped Ouyang Ba. He reached out with his remaining hand, pushing against the creature’s flesh, but his hand sank into the slime, as if it were quicksand.

Bai Jingxue watched from her perch, her mind racing. She needed to know. If the male lead died so easily, it would mean that the concept of protagonist plot armor, of being chosen by fate, was nothing more than a figment of her imagination.

But if he survived, it would confirm that he truly possessed some kind of destiny.

As the male lead’s body sank deeper into the slime, Bai Jingxue felt a surge of anticipation.

A flash of sword light sliced through the air, cleaving the slug demon in two. The male lead, miraculously, was still alive, though covered in slime and utterly pathetic.

The severed halves of the slug demon writhed, its flesh bubbling and reforming. It was still alive.

Bai Jingxue wasn’t interested in the male lead’s survival. Had he died, she would have made sure his coffin was nailed shut, just to be safe.

Her attention was focused on the source of the sword light.

A young woman, dressed in the robes of an Ejian Sect disciple, landed gracefully before them. Her sword shimmered, surrounded by an ethereal glow, like dandelion seeds caught in the wind.

Bai Jingxue recognized her. A small, rose-shaped birthmark adorned the back of her neck, its pale pink hue a stark contrast to her surrounding skin.

She had been so focused on the female lead and the Demon Lord that she had forgotten about the other members of the male lead’s harem. This was Fu Yuan.

In the original story, their first meeting had been orchestrated by the male lead, a classic damsel-in-distress scenario designed to win her affections. He had charmed her with his fake heroism.

But this time, things were different. Fu Yuan had initially moved to help the male lead, but seeing his pathetic state, she had recoiled. She stood at a safe distance, her voice wary. “Are you alright?”

Then, a flicker of confusion crossed her face. “You have no spiritual energy,” she said. “How did a mortal like you get in here?”

Something was amiss. Fu Yuan’s guard went up.

But her attention was quickly drawn back to the slug demon. The severed halves had regenerated, forming two separate creatures.

With a flick of her wrist, she sent a vine whipping towards the creatures, pulling the male lead to safety.

Bai Jingxue noticed something peculiar. She could see a faint aura surrounding the humans and demons, and Fu Yuan’s aura was significantly stronger. The outcome of this battle was already decided.

Sensing Lü Qingyan stirring, she whispered, “Close your eyes.”

Lü Qingyan, her mind still clouded with sleep, obeyed, but her words betrayed her dreamy state. “Is Jingxue going to give me a good morning kiss?” she mumbled.

Bai Jingxue rolled her eyes. Couldn’t that idiot dog think about something else for once?

The battle below was losing its appeal. A mischievous idea took root in Bai Jingxue’s mind. She decided to have a little fun with the poor, clueless dog.

“Who are you?” she asked.

Lü Qingyan didn’t hesitate. “Lü Qingyan,” she replied. “Your girlfriend.”

“Ex-girlfriend,” Bai Jingxue corrected.

Lü Qingyan’s ears drooped, but she quickly recovered. “Right, right. Ex-girlfriend. So what were you going to say?”

Bai Jingxue found her endearing, almost regretting her plan to mess with her. But her mischievous side won out.

“How can you be so sure that you’re Lü Qingyan and I’m Bai Jingxue?” she asked calmly.

Lü Qingyan blinked, her brow furrowing. “What do you mean?” she asked, confused. “How could we be anyone else?”

Bai Jingxue licked her paw, her demeanor nonchalant. “Perhaps there is no Bai Jingxue or Lü Qingyan,” she said. “Perhaps there is no transmigration. What if we’re just cats and dogs with implanted memories?”

Lü Qingyan’s eyes flew open. She hadn’t seen the slug demon this time, so she remained conscious.

The dog stared at her, a look of utter bewilderment on her face. She didn’t seem to recognize herself anymore.

Bai Jingxue’s tail twitched as she continued, “Or perhaps there are no implanted memories. What if Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan never existed? What if we’re just sick, our minds clinging to a fabricated past?”

Lü Qingyan broke out in a cold sweat. She shook her head and began to pace in a circle, her claws scraping against the bark of the tree.

After a while, she stopped and looked up at Bai Jingxue. “Aren’t you scared?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Bai Jingxue glanced at the battle below. She didn’t seem particularly concerned about her own identity.

She smiled. “Of course I’m scared,” she admitted. “But I still exist.”

Her calm demeanor seemed to reassure Lü Qingyan. The tension eased from her face.

Bai Jingxue, seeing her deep in thought, didn’t interrupt. Only when Fu Yuan had finally defeated the slug demon did she speak again, her voice soft but firm.

“So,” she said, “let go of those false memories, that fabricated past. Find your own path.”

Chapter 7: Fateful Encounters

The secret realm seemed deceptively peaceful. The spiritual energy here was even richer than outside, yet Bai Jingxue felt a strange unease, a restless energy coursing through her veins.

Her irritation only intensified as the dog beside her continued its incessant chatter. She whirled around and delivered two swift punches to Lü Qingyan’s head.

“Ow! Hey, that didn’t hurt at all!”

Bai Jingxue stared at her, wondering if, like in their past life, Lü Qingyan was deliberately downplaying the pain to tease her. The sound of her skull cracking had been quite convincing.

She sighed and turned towards a towering tree, its branches disappearing into the dense canopy above. With a powerful leap, she landed gracefully on a high branch.

Even with her enhanced vision, the dense foliage obscured her view. Looking up, she could only see a few eagles circling overhead.

One of the eagles, sensing her presence, swooped down, its talons extended, ready to snatch the small black cat.

In a flash, a white blur intercepted the eagle, sinking its teeth into its neck. With a few violent shakes, Lü Qingyan snapped the eagle’s neck.

Releasing her grip, she watched as the lifeless bird plummeted towards the ground. The moment it landed, a swirling vortex appeared, swallowing the carcass whole.

The forest returned to its tranquil state, its beauty unsettling.

“Jingxue, wasn’t that amazing?” Lü Qingyan barked, her tail spinning like a propeller. Her eyes were wide, her head tilted, her entire being radiating a desperate need for praise.

Bai Jingxue could have handled the eagle herself. It wasn’t a spirit beast, merely a wild animal. What truly astonished her was Lü Qingyan’s ability to teleport.

She wanted to compliment her, but fear of encouraging further entanglement held her back. She settled for a noncommittal “mm-hmm.”

They had been separated from their respective owners, their fates intertwined once more in this unexpected pet duo.

Despite their limited power, Bai Jingxue was determined to save the female lead from her tragic fate. If Luo Nianshang succumbed to her love-struck destiny, it would only torment Bai Jingxue further.

“Yes,” she thought, “this is all for the sake of my own sanity. It has nothing to do with the fact that Luo Nianshang is a decent person.”

She repeated this mantra three times in her mind.

Their entry into the secret realm had been rather chaotic. The crowd, overcome by greed, had surged forward. Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord had remained unmoved, but the cat and dog hadn’t been so fortunate.

Bai Jingxue walked ahead, her feline grace a stark contrast to Lü Qingyan’s bouncy gait, which resembled a happy dance.

Unable to contain her excitement, Lü Qingyan resumed her chatter. “Jingxue, do you think there’s any way to stop them?”

Silence.

“Jingxue, Jingxue, the female lead is treating you well, right? I’ve been so worried about you.”

Silence.

“It would be so much easier if we could transform back into humans. Then we could actually do something. Oh, and I have a secret. I think the Demon Lord is illiterate.”

Lü Qingyan lowered her voice for that last bit. Bai Jingxue finally stopped and turned, her brow furrowed. She wanted to ask how Lü Qingyan had reached that conclusion, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort.

With a sigh, she shook her head and continued walking, leading the way.

“Venerable One,” the Demon Lord purred, her voice laced with amusement. “What a coincidence that we should end up together.”

They had landed in a desolate wasteland, littered with bones and withered trees. The air was thick with resentment, a palpable energy that clawed at their minds.

Luo Nianshang, however, was protected by her inherent divinity. Like a cold, ethereal moon, she radiated a gentle light that repelled the lingering spirits.

For the Demon Lord, these spirits were nothing more than sustenance, fuel for her cultivation.

When Luo Nianshang didn’t respond, the Demon Lord couldn’t resist prodding her further, her questions deliberately provocative.

Her red lips curved into a sly smile. “You’ve lived for so long, Venerable One,” she said. “Surely, there must have been someone who captured your heart?”

Luo Nianshang’s fists clenched, her expression hardening. She quickened her pace.

The Demon Lord, finding her reaction amusing, kept pace, her voice dripping with mockery. “Don’t tell me you’ve never experienced the joys of love, Venerable One.”

Luo Nianshang remained silent.

The Demon Lord clutched her chest dramatically. “Such a shame,” she sighed. “It’s one of life’s greatest pleasures. You really should try it. If you find the men of the righteous sects too dull, perhaps a demon cultivator could satisfy your needs. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to personally deliver one to your doorstep, bound and ready.”

That was it. Luo Nianshang couldn’t take it anymore. She dared not turn around, afraid of revealing her flustered state. “How absurd!” she snapped.

Despite the Demon Lord’s relentless teasing, Luo Nianshang hadn’t drawn her sword. She simply increased her speed, her footsteps a blur as she tried to shake off her pursuer.

The Demon Lord, watching her hasty retreat, chuckled and followed close behind.

Luo Nianshang’s face was as cold as ice, while the Demon Lord trailed her, her laughter echoing through the desolate landscape.

Luo Nianshang regretted her earlier kindness. She suspected that her gesture of offering the shoes had given the Demon Lord the impression that she was open to such frivolous banter. But the truth was, she was incredibly awkward when it came to matters of the heart.

When she had been young and inexperienced, her fellow disciples had been caught up in a whirlwind of romances. She, however, had been focused on her cultivation.

As time passed, her peers had married and started families. She had continued to cultivate.

Eventually, those she had known passed away, replaced by a new generation of disciples, who, in turn, embarked on their own romantic journeys. And still, she cultivated.

Was romance truly more fulfilling than the pursuit of enlightenment?

What was wrong with these young cultivators? They lacked dedication!

How could they hope to protect the realm and usher in an era of peace if they were so easily distracted by frivolous pursuits?

The Demon Lord, hot on Luo Nianshang’s heels, suddenly doubled over, clutching her stomach. She had inadvertently absorbed a particularly potent, and unpleasant, wisp of resentment.

She had no choice but to abandon her verbal assault on Luo Nianshang. “Ugh, what foul energy,” she muttered. “Disgusting.”

Dark clouds gathered overhead, and a deafening clap of thunder shook the earth. A steady rain began to fall.

The raindrops sizzled as they hit the ground, accompanied by a low, guttural moan that sent chills down their spines.

Lü Qingyan retreated beneath the shelter of a large tree. “I think that might be acid rain,” she whimpered.

Bai Jingxue shook her head. She had touched the rain, and it hadn’t harmed her. Something was lurking beneath the surface.

She wondered if, in gaming terms, this would be considered a boss fight or a mini-boss.

Despite the danger, Bai Jingxue remained calm. She glanced at Lü Qingyan, who was humming cheerfully beside her. “Aren’t you scared?” she asked.

Lü Qingyan grinned, her face radiating pure joy. “Not at all,” she replied. “To think that I’d be lucky enough to find you again in this life. It’s a miracle!”

Coming from anyone else, those words would have sounded insincere, but Bai Jingxue believed her. Lü Qingyan had a way of defying expectations.

Her tail relaxed, and she asked, “How did you die?”

Lü Qingyan’s face fell. “I was on my way to find you,” she said sadly. “A flowerpot fell from a window and hit me on the head.”

Bai Jingxue couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Lü Qingyan had always been the lucky one. She hadn’t expected such a mundane accident to claim her life.

But Lü Qingyan seemed to have no regrets. Her curiosity piqued, she asked, “What about you?”

“Car accident,” Bai Jingxue replied flatly.

To be more precise, she had drowned. She had been driving home from the hospital after collecting her test results when her car swerved off the road and plunged into a reservoir. She had been conscious the entire time, and it was Luo Nianshang who had pulled her from the water.

Swirling vortexes began to appear in the ground, as if something was churning the earth from below. Looking closer, Bai Jingxue saw eyes peering up from the depths.

They stared at the cat and dog perched in the tree, their gaze filled with malice and hunger.

Sensing the danger, Bai Jingxue arched her back, her fur bristling. She hissed at the creatures below.

Even Lü Qingyan, oblivious as she was, felt a surge of unease. She barked furiously at the ground.

She had never been prey before. Instinct took over, and she panicked. But she quickly regained her composure.

“Jingxue, you go first! I’ll hold them off!”

Bai Jingxue shot her a sideways glance. “Did the Demon Lord give you anything for protection?” she asked.

Lü Qingyan blinked, tilting her head in confusion. Then, she lifted her chin, revealing a collar hidden beneath her fur. “Does this count? She put it on me to stop me from running away.”

Bai Jingxue sighed. There was no point in scolding a dog.

The bell Luo Nianshang had given her could be used for defense, but it offered no offensive capabilities.

As Lü Qingyan opened her mouth to speak, Bai Jingxue placed a paw over it, silencing her.

Then, she sniffed the air. Her pupils constricted. She recognized the scent. It was the male lead.

A moment later, his voice reached them, accompanied by the heavy stench of blood and a string of angry curses.

“You manipulated them into creating a diversion,” he snarled. “Did you even consider my well-being?”

The shadowy figure beside him was barely visible now. “Hmph,” it replied coldly. “If you weren’t so incompetent, I wouldn’t have had to intervene.”

The male lead, however, was too consumed by fear to listen. The terror of his impending death clung to him like a shroud, twisting his features into a mask of resentment. “The only one who survived this place in my past life was Luo Nianshang,” he muttered. “I was going to wait until she was weakened after leaving seclusion and drug her then. Now, I’m not even sure I’ll make it out of here alive.”

The demonic cultivator couldn’t take it anymore. “Is that all you ever think about?” he roared.

He had lived, and died, for over ten thousand years. This was the first time he had questioned his judgment.

He had always believed that the body was merely a vessel, that the soul remained untouched. He might have been a villain, but he had never been interested in such base desires. He was starting to regret choosing this particular host.

The male lead bristled at his words. “Lust is a natural human desire!” he retorted. “Are you saying you’re not human?”

The demonic cultivator’s form flickered, his voice laced with chilling amusement. “I’m a ghost,” he replied.

Lü Qingyan, perched in the tree, had to stifle a laugh. The male lead looked pathetic, one arm dangling uselessly at his side, his face crisscrossed with sword wounds.

However, the moment he appeared, the swirling vortexes in the ground began to disappear.

Bai Jingxue watched impassively as the rain, mixed with the male lead’s blood, splattered onto the ground. The crimson hue faded, until the rain was clear once more.

The creatures below hadn’t given up on their prey. This was merely the calm before the storm.

Bai Jingxue settled down, preparing to enjoy the show. If the male lead’s presence drew out the creatures, she would have a chance to observe their attack patterns.

Her tail swished back and forth excitedly. Lü Qingyan, sensing her mood, sighed.

“Oh no,” she thought. “Jingxue’s up to something.”

Chapter 6: The Secret Realm

The “death trap” part was certainly true. The novel, in its absurdity, had also bestowed upon the secret realm a rather absurd purpose.

Despite its grand-sounding name, the “inheritance” within the Qiankun Secret Realm was nothing more than a dual cultivation manual. This manual would play a pivotal role in the male lead’s rapid ascent to power.

The male lead, in his previous life, hadn’t entered the secret realm. He had only heard rumors of those who had entered and never returned. After his rebirth, he had intended to use the secret realm to eliminate the Demon Lord, only to be dragged inside himself.

Bai Jingxue, perched on Luo Nianshang’s shoulder, flicked her tail back and forth, pondering how to use her current advantages to prevent the female lead from entering the Qiankun Secret Realm.

A small bell, strung on a red cord, hung from her neck. It remained silent as she moved.

She leaped down from Luo Nianshang’s shoulder and glanced back. The female lead sat in meditation, as still and unyielding as a stone statue.

With a flick of her tail, Bai Jingxue slipped out of the chamber and headed towards the most populated peak of the sect.

She could see the flow of spiritual energy with perfect clarity. Drawing upon this energy and channeling it into her paws, she moved with incredible speed, the scenery blurring around her. It reminded her of the thrill of racing in her past life.

She reached a cliff overlooking the grand hall where the sect leader resided. The green tiles of the roof were visible through the swirling mist.

Estimating the distance, Bai Jingxue realized she was about twenty stories above her target.

Undeterred, she took a running leap and landed gracefully on the tiled roof.

Aside from a slight tingling in her paw pads, she was unharmed. Clearly, this black cat body was no ordinary creature. But the novel, with its focus on steamy encounters, offered little insight into the world’s intricacies. Her knowledge remained limited.

Licking her paw, she calmly surveyed the sea of white-clad disciples gathered before the grand hall. After listening for a while, she realized these were the elite disciples chosen to enter the secret realm.

The Ejian Sect was primarily a sword cultivation sect, its male and female disciples evenly balanced. Within the sect lay a forbidden zone known as the Sword Pool, where countless sword spirits were sealed.

Upon reaching the Nascent Soul realm, disciples were granted the opportunity to enter the Sword Pool and choose a sword spirit to bond with. The chosen spirit would reside within their sword, gradually merging with it, enhancing its power.

The swords wielded by the disciples before her shimmered with spiritual energy, indicating that they had all surpassed the Nascent Soul realm.

Suddenly, a young woman caught Bai Jingxue’s attention. As if sensing her gaze, the woman looked up.

“What’s wrong, Senior Sister Fu?” someone asked.

Fu Yuan smiled. “Nothing,” she replied.

Bai Jingxue was surprised by her keen senses. She let out a sigh of relief, then a thought struck her.

“Why am I hiding?” she wondered. “I’m just a cat.”

Emboldened, she sat at the edge of the roof, observing the disciples below. Fu Yuan, however, didn’t look up again.

This young woman was another significant member of the male lead’s harem. She possessed a rare physique, ideal for dual cultivation, making her a prime target for those seeking to exploit her power. Unwilling to become a tool, she had fled to the Ejian Sect, collapsing at their gates.

Had the disciples found her a moment later, she would have died.

But her rescue hadn’t been her salvation. After the events of the Qiankun Secret Realm, she would still end up on the very path she had sought to avoid.

Bai Jingxue stared at her pink paw pads, a strange sense of amusement washing over her. But she wasn’t laughing at those who struggled against fate. She was laughing at fate itself.

The sect leader concluded his speech and dismissed the disciples.

As Bai Jingxue turned to leave, the sect leader suddenly appeared before her.

“Elder Bai, a moment, please.”

Bai Jingxue blinked, her ears twitching in disbelief. Elder Bai? Sure, her surname was Bai, but did they not see the black fur covering her body?

She struggled to recall the sect leader’s name from the novel, but it eluded her. He had been a minor character, poisoned by the male lead and dissolved into a puddle of goo. The epitome of a disposable extra.

The disposable sect leader held out a jade slip. “Please take this with you,” he said.

Paws weren’t exactly designed for carrying objects. To take the slip, she would have to hold it in her mouth. Bai Jingxue, too lazy to even open her eyes, turned to leave.

Then, the scent of dried fish wafted into her nostrils.

It smelled divine. She swallowed, tempted. But she turned away, her demeanor aloof.

She, Bai Jingxue, would not be swayed by such petty bribes!

Inside the chamber, Luo Nianshang frowned at the jade slip. After a moment, she set it aside and scooped up the cat, carefully wiping away the dried fish crumbs clinging to her whiskers.

“You glutton,” she chuckled.

Bai Jingxue’s face flushed, despite being covered in black fur. She let out a haughty meow, as if in protest.

Luo Nianshang patted her head, her voice soothing. “Yes, yes, you’re not a glutton.”

Looking into the female lead’s gentle eyes, Bai Jingxue thought that perhaps this peaceful existence wasn’t so bad after all. She had food, shelter, and companionship. A bit boring, perhaps, but not unpleasant.

It reminded her of her past, of the simple life she and Qingyan had longed for: a steady job, a comfortable home, and each other’s company.

She didn’t understand why, but despite her best efforts to let go, memories of their time together kept resurfacing.

She couldn’t deny it. She still missed her.

Her melancholic musings were interrupted by the female lead’s voice.

Luo Nianshang’s face was clouded with worry. “The divination revealed that I will encounter a romantic entanglement on this journey,” she sighed.

Luo Nianshang, who had been single for millennia, was stunned. Romance had never been a priority for her.

However, those memories were distant now, fading into the mists of time. She only remembered her unwavering dedication to cultivation, her relentless pursuit of power that had ultimately led her to this position.

To confirm the accuracy of the divination, she glanced at the black cat in her arms and had an idea. She performed another divination, this time focusing on the cat.

“Hmm, another romantic entanglement,” she muttered. “Perhaps I’m out of practice.”

Bai Jingxue shuddered. If the female lead was indeed going to the secret realm, then the “romantic entanglement” was most likely referring to the male lead.

That scumbag? A romantic entanglement?

Panic surged through her. She struggled in Luo Nianshang’s grasp, meowing frantically. But her efforts were futile. The female lead couldn’t understand her.

Resigned, Bai Jingxue allowed herself to be carried towards the Qiankun Secret Realm, a sense of dread settling over her.

The Ejian Sect contingent wasn’t the first to arrive. A multitude of cultivators, their robes representing various sects and factions, had gathered before the swirling mist that marked the entrance to the secret realm. They were divided into three distinct groups: demon cultivators, righteous cultivators, and rogue cultivators, the latter further split into those aligned with demonic or righteous practices.

The Ejian Sect, being the most powerful sect in the righteous realm, was granted the most advantageous position. The sect closest to the entrance hastily yielded their spot, eager to curry favor.

Bai Jingxue watched their obsequious display with a mixture of amusement and disdain.

Any other leader might have acknowledged their gesture, but this was Luo Nianshang. She would likely forget about it the moment they turned their backs.

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She sensed something nearby. She tore her gaze away from the crowd and looked towards the left.

There she was. Lü Qingyan, held firmly in the Demon Lord’s grasp. And her fur had grown back.

As expected, Bai Jingxue could hear her ex-girlfriend’s thoughts loud and clear.

“Jingxue, why are you ignoring me?”

Bai Jingxue, met with those pleading eyes and the sight of that wagging tail, couldn’t bring herself to face her. She turned away, covering her ears with her paws.

Their exchange went unnoticed. The Demon Lord’s attention was focused solely on Luo Nianshang.

Their gazes locked, and the bustling crowd fell silent.

The Demon Lord, staring at Luo Nianshang’s impassive face, forced a smile. “We meet again so soon,” she purred.

Luo Nianshang merely nodded. Those who reached a certain level of cultivation developed a faint awareness of the threads of fate that bound all living things. She had once been able to sense the Demon Lord’s future, but that connection had vanished.

A sense of unease settled over her. There were only two possible explanations for this. Either the Demon Lord’s cultivation had surpassed her own, or their fates had become intertwined.

Seeing that Luo Nianshang was lost in thought, the Demon Lord, her attempt at conversation rebuffed, fell silent.

With the return of her poison pearl, her health had been fully restored, eliminating her allergy to dog fur. Today, she had opted for a more revealing outfit.

The Qiankun Secret Realm had no visible entrance. It existed as a shimmering mirage within the swirling mist, a world of lush greenery beckoning from beyond the barren wasteland they stood upon.

Those who had attempted to enter prematurely had been enveloped by the mist, their bodies dissolving into wisps of blood-red energy that vanished with a sickening gulp.

Knowing the dangers that lay ahead, Luo Nianshang had decided to accompany the disciples herself. She hadn’t expected the Demon Lord to do the same.

As if on cue, the mist began to dissipate, revealing the wonders within the secret realm. Rare beasts roamed freely, and long-extinct herbs and spirit plants flourished in abundance. The eyes of the cultivators gleamed with avarice, their breaths growing ragged. But they dared not move.

As anticipation reached fever pitch, the Demon Lord, with a playful smile, stepped towards the secret realm.

And then, her leg was yanked back.

She looked down to see her dog clinging to her robes, its teeth firmly embedded in the fabric. Thankfully, she hadn’t chosen to wear anything too revealing today.

The smile froze on her face. Even the opportunity to flaunt her power before Luo Nianshang couldn’t erase her annoyance.

Lü Qingyan, who had been desperately trying to get Bai Jingxue’s attention, felt a surge of panic as the secret realm beckoned.

Seeing the Demon Lord about to enter, she had lunged, her small body filled with an unexpected strength.

“Don’t go in there!” she shrieked in her mind. “You’ll be ravaged by the male lead!”

Bai Jingxue, her ears no longer covered, listened to the commotion with a mixture of amusement and concern.

The secret realm was a death trap for those not chosen by fate. And the chosen one, of course, was the male lead. In the original story, only the male lead and a select few female cultivators had emerged from the secret realm alive.

Their survival had been attributed to their “fated” connection with the male lead.

Bai Jingxue looked up at Luo Nianshang’s chin and let out a plaintive meow.

The crowd, their attention focused on the Demon Lord and her unruly pet, missed the flicker of concern in Luo Nianshang’s eyes.

She gently stroked the cat’s head, her voice soft as she transmitted her thoughts directly into Bai Jingxue’s mind. “Are you scared? Don’t worry, I won’t take you in there.”

Bai Jingxue shook her head and meowed again, but her efforts were futile. The female lead couldn’t understand her.

She scanned the crowd, but the male lead was nowhere to be seen.

“Jingxue, what do we do? We can’t let them go in there!” Lü Qingyan cried out in her mind.

Bai Jingxue, unable to ignore her any longer, sighed. “I don’t know,” she admitted.