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Chapter 22

 

At this moment, Xiao Xiao didn’t have time to care about the strange look in “Jie’er’s” eyes. Taking advantage of the shock caused by the cowhide drum she just set up, she wanted to strike while the iron was hot and persuade the Four Great Sects to retreat.

 

After all, they had already taken back the Golden Core, and Wei Jie had not yet become the Demon Lord, so there wasn’t enough public outrage. Except for Qin Lingxiao, whose soul had traversed back, probably no one would insist on killing someone for stealing the Golden Core.

 

As soon as she spoke, it indeed shifted everyone’s attention.

 

Seeing that Cui Xiao Xiao’s words had taken effect, the other elders cast strange glances, silently accusing Soaring Cloud Pavilion of sitting idly by.

 

Qin Lingxiao sneered in his heart once again: This Cui Xiao Xiao, so many cunning tricks! She was trying to divert trouble and provoke everyone’s dissatisfaction with Soaring Cloud Pavilion.

 

But the other three sects were really just a bunch of rabble, completely useless! If it were two hundred years later, he wouldn’t need the help of these people at all. He alone could deal with the Wei Jie in front of him.

 

As for the other three sects’ dissatisfaction with Soaring Cloud Pavilion, Qin Lingxiao didn’t take it to heart either. He was used to being the lord who looked down on the world, and had long been accustomed to looking down on all living beings. He couldn’t learn to be cautious and please others everywhere.

 

So, despite the strange looks from the other cultivation sects, Qin Lingxiao maintained his usual coldness, his expression indifferent, standing there steadily without saying a word.

 

Now, his calm demeanor made the other elders even angrier, thinking: The young pavilion master of Soaring Cloud Pavilion is actually such a cunning fellow, used to ordering others around!

 

Thinking of this, the other elders also called back their disciples and stopped fighting. After all, their own old weaknesses had been exposed one by one. If they continued fighting, who knows what other ways to break through that Sect Master Cui of the Talisman Sect could see.

 

They had to hurry back and repair the loopholes in their own techniques. Otherwise, if their enemies took advantage of them, the consequences would be unimaginable.

 

The elder of Ebony Peak was the first to say, “Sect Master Cui, since you said you will properly discipline your disciple, let’s stop here for today. The Golden Core has been retrieved. We shouldn’t waste time here. After all, there are still sect affairs waiting for everyone. Come, let’s divide the Golden Core and each return!”

 

Upon hearing this, Cui Xiao Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that she had finally passed this hurdle…

 

But before she could catch her breath, her obedient disciple Jie’er suddenly swung the long whip around his waist. With a snap, the whip actually attacked from a tricky angle, wrapping around the cloth bag in the hands of the Ebony Peak elder.

 

The cloth bag flew into the air and happened to fall into Cui Xiao Xiao’s hands.

 

Wei Jie’s force was very strong, and the cloth bag was also ripped apart. The Golden Cores rolled out from the torn cloth bag and touched Cui Xiao Xiao’s palm…

 

The power of the Gold Consuming Curse was still there. The Golden Cores instantly turned to ashes, blown everywhere by the wind…

 

Wei Jie originally wanted to snatch back the Golden Cores to threaten and force everyone to retreat, so they could leave smoothly.

 

Unfortunately, the cloth bag fell into Cui Xiao Xiao’s hands. He never expected that his half-way master was so righteous. She used some technique to directly grind the Golden Cores to ashes, eliminating future troubles.

 

He couldn’t help but give Xiao Xiao a thumbs up – worthy of being his master, doing things thoroughly, leaving no way out!

 

Now, the orthodox cultivators who were ready to leave with dignity all widened their eyes, wishing they could strangle this damned master-disciple pair to death.

 

Cui Xiao Xiao was also dumbfounded, smiling awkwardly at everyone, “Um… this… actually I didn’t do it on purpose. Please listen to my explanation…”

 

This batch of Golden Cores was related to the cultivation advancement of the powerful experts in the major sects, the result of ten years of painstaking effort. They were actually turned to ashes by that Sect Master Cui of some Talisman Sect. It was really infuriating!

 

At this moment, Qin Lingxiao gave his attendant beside him a look without any expression.

 

Now was the perfect opportunity. Many orthodox cultivation sect disciples had gathered, and Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie were one more unrestrained than the other.

 

Now that they had provoked public outrage, as long as they were attacked with full force, Wei Jie would either die or be severely injured.

 

Since the Broken Soul Snake was already dead, Wei Jie no longer had the fortune to become a demon.

 

Cui Xiao Xiao thought that only she could see the flaws of other sects? Just now, Qin Lingxiao had imperceptibly observed Wei Jie’s moves and also saw that his cultivation was insufficient and his true qi was hard to sustain.

 

This former master of his was indeed a natural genius. Just relying on unorthodox methods, he was already not to be underestimated. It’s a pity that his cultivation was insufficient and hard to continue!

 

This time, he wouldn’t even give Wei Jie a chance to become a demon. Let Wei Jie die among the common people, weak and powerless…

 

The disciples of Soaring Cloud Pavilion looked at Qin Lingxiao and immediately understood when they saw the young pavilion master’s signaling gaze. They provocatively wanted to rush towards Wei Jie again.

 

The head of the Demon Subduing Wei Family, Wei Jingfeng, did not move. Two identical girls suddenly jumped out from behind him. They looked like a pair of twins.

 

They were also wearing silver armor, but in their hands… were long, coffin nail-like spikes.

 

When they jumped in front of Wei Jie, blocking the disciples of Soaring Cloud Pavilion who pounced over, the twins’ identical faces were expressionless, their eyes even a little hollow, exuding an indescribable eeriness.

 

How could those few disciples take a little girl seriously? Seeing them coming to block, they immediately circulated their qi, ready to shake off the two little girls. Wonderful Immortal Mountain and Soaring Cloud Pavilion had always gotten along well. Seeing Soaring Cloud Pavilion take action, the disciples of Wonderful Immortal Mountain also set up qi shields to assist.

 

The qi gathering technique of Wonderful Immortal Mountain was to collect the qi of surrounding living beings and make it their own. So their qi shields were unmatched in the world. The qi flow in the void twisted and quickly formed qi shields, ramming straight towards the two little girls.

 

Just when everyone thought the two little girls would definitely be blown away, the two little girls acted at the same time, leaping into the air.

 

They raised the coffin nails in their hands and stabbed towards the qi shields. At the same time, their other empty hands grabbed in the void, and half a black, muscular ghost claw suddenly appeared in their hands.

 

The ferocious ghost claw moved its black, sharp claws, then clenched into a fist, like a hammer, letting the little girl swing it and smash it towards the coffin nail.

 

With two sharp, ear-piercing “clang” sounds, the coffin nails were actually hammered into the qi shields by the hammer-like ghost claws.

 

The originally formless qi shields actually showed obvious cracks. In the gaps, crimson blood even flowed out. Where the cracks opened, it was like opening the gates of the underworld. It seemed like countless wronged souls were wailing and crying…

 

The wailing and the lingering impact sounds mixed together, making everyone cover their ears and retreat continuously.

 

The disciples of Soaring Cloud Pavilion still wanted to show off. They raised their qi swords and were about to stab. The two little girls raised the ghost claws in their hands again in unison and attacked their faces with the coffin nails.

 

Those few Soaring Cloud Pavilion disciples were hit squarely. The next moment, their souls were visibly knocked out of their physical bodies, leaving only their dumb, wooden bodies, maintaining their original postures without moving…

 

Fortunately, the elder of Wonderful Immortal Mountain knew a little about ghost and god arts. He hurriedly rushed over and pressed their soul-returning acupoints while silently chanting incantations to guide their departed souls back.

 

The next moment, these few disciples with separated souls woke up pale-faced and sweating all over, but they collapsed to the ground trembling like a sieve, powerless.

 

The elder of Ebony Peak Qi Sect saw this and his face greatly changed. He said in a low voice, “This… could it be the Ghost Summoning Technique of the Wei Family!”

 

As the Demon Subduing Wei Family guarding the border between the living and the dead, their signature skill was the ability to control ghosts, strip bones and souls, and reverse yin and yang.

 

These two little girls were young, but their Ghost Summoning Technique was already so impressive. The strength of the other members of the Wei Family was even more not to be underestimated.

 

If they really pushed this family to desperation, they could do anything. They only needed to open the gates of the underworld to overturn the world and make the living beings of the nine states suffer.

 

Wei Jingfeng let the two little girls take action, also intending to sound a warning. Now, no one dared to look down on the Wei Family and casually challenge them.

 

Back then, with his elder brother’s matter, the Wei Family was indeed in the wrong. As a family of demon subduing for generations, every generation’s head carried a heavy responsibility. But his elder brother was bewitched by the female demon and nearly caused a catastrophe.

 

Fortunately, he finally remembered the responsibility of the Wei Family members and was willing to atone with his death. Regarding this, the Wei Family members could only acquiesce and not interfere.

 

But the Four Great Sects actually thought that forcing Wei Jingling to death was their own accomplishment! Did they think the Wei Family members closed their doors and didn’t come out because they feared the power of the Four Great Sects?

 

Now that the Four Great Sects were stepping on their faces and provoking them again, if they didn’t show them some severity, they would really think the Wei Family members were just tomb keepers.

 

Of course, not everyone in the Four Great Sects was ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth. For example, the elder of Ebony Peak knew the reason why the Wei Family members were not to be provoked.

 

Seeing that Soaring Cloud Pavilion and Wonderful Immortal Mountain had been slapped in the face, the elder of Ebony Peak came out to smooth things over, “These junior disciples don’t recognize the head of the Wei Family. Please forgive them. Since you have come out to vouch for him, we should naturally forgive Wei Jie once. We just hope that he will mend his ways in the future and not commit crimes again… Young Pavilion Master Qin, now that things have come to this, we should each return. After all, Qilao Mountain is the intersection of yin and yang. Too much killing may disrupt the balance of yin and yang, which is really inappropriate.”

 

Qin Lingxiao, having experienced a hundred years, had personally experienced the disaster of the gates of the underworld nearly opening back then. He just didn’t expect the Wei Family to be so unfathomable.

 

If such a Wei Family was silently wiped out in one night back then, the consequences of the gates of the underworld opening were unimaginable…

 

But after the gates of the underworld opened back then, it seemed to have only massacred the entire Wei Family. After Wei Jie was killed, phoenixes circled and cried mournfully at the Phoenix Pool, releasing heavenly fire and burning a hundred miles around Qilao Mountain. The opened gates of the underworld also closed as a result.

 

Although some demons and monsters escaped, Qin Lingxiao led the Four Sword Sects to subdue demons and eliminate monsters everywhere, gradually exterminating them.

 

And it also accumulated countless prestige for his world’s number one sword sect.

 

But now thinking carefully, the gates of the underworld were suddenly opened and closed abruptly that year.

 

During this period, it seemed that only Wei Jie alone went up Qilao Mountain. What happened was only known to him alone.

 

Now, not only he had crossed back two hundred years, but Cui Xiao Xiao was also the biggest variable.

 

Cui Xiao Xiao actually took in Wei Jie as a disciple. This was really like a mouse taking a cat as its master, not wanting to live!

 

Moreover, in his previous memory, when Wei Jie was chased to the foot of Qilao Mountain by the Four Great Sects for stealing the Golden Core, the Wei Family members never showed up from beginning to end, letting the people of the Four Great Sects beat Wei Jie off the cliff!

 

Why was there such a big change this time when time flowed backwards for the same event? Qin Lingxiao really disliked the feeling that the current state of affairs was not under his control.

 

Thinking of this, Qin Lingxiao made up his mind to take away Cui Xiao Xiao, the biggest variable. He absolutely couldn’t let her stay by Wei Jie’s side.

 

But looking at her appearance, she was getting along with the demon quite well. It seemed she wouldn’t leave with him.

 

Thinking of this, while everyone’s attention was on the Demon Subduing Wei Family members, he suddenly leapt up, approached Xiao Xiao, and at the same time, a pair of black iron chain shackles appeared in his hand. One end of it snapped and locked onto one of Cui Xiao Xiao’s wrists.

 

These shackles had some tricks. They were called Soul Locking Shackles. As the name implies, once locked, without the spiritual key, one would be locked to death. No blade could chop them open.

 

These chains were usually used to lock demons. Qin Lingxiao was afraid that Cui Xiao Xiao would not be willing to go with him, so after locking Cui Xiao Xiao, he planned to lock the other end to his own wrist.

 

But before he could lock it, Wei Jie pulled Xiao Xiao again, helping her stretch out her hand to block. As a result, during the grappling and exchanging of moves, Qin Lingxiao made a mistake while blocking and locked the other end onto Wei Jie’s wrist…

 

When Wei Jie pulled Cui Xiao Xiao back, Xiao Xiao was dumbfounded seeing the shackles connecting her and Wei Jie. She turned to Qin Lingxiao and said, “What are you trying to do? Why did you lock me and him together?”

 

Qin Lingxiao’s Yintang acupoint also turned a little black. He could only grit his teeth and say, “If you come with me, I will unlock the shackles. Otherwise, you can only sever your own arm to be separated from him.”

 

Cui Xiao Xiao found that Sect Master Qin doesn’t know how to speak without threatening others. Before she could answer, Wei Jie said, “Why is the gentleman so obsessed with my master? For what reason?”

 

Qin Lingxiao snorted coldly and said in a deep voice, “The Wei Family may have protected you, but they didn’t protect this woman. She stole something important from me and hasn’t returned it yet. This is a personal grudge between me and her. The gentleman has no right to interfere!”

 

Cui Xiao Xiao was so angry that she almost laughed at Qin Lingxiao’s words. In this reverse flow of two hundred years, Sect Master Qin’s appearance had become more childish, but how did his skin become thicker?

 

What did she steal from him? Could it be that Demon Bead?

 

But Wei Jie looked at Qin Lingxiao coldly and said, “My master said that someone shameless wanted to forcibly marry her. I think… could it be the gentleman, using the name of capturing thieves to do the deed of kidnapping a beauty?”

 

Xiao Xiao was also infuriated to death. She even casually replied, “Jie’er, this… you saw through it too?”

 

Qin Lingxiao’s handsome face turned red with anger again. He never thought that in just a moment after returning to two hundred years ago, Cui Xiao Xiao would even have the spare time to talk about this matter with the demon.

 

Were she and Wei Jie intimate friends separated for two hundred years? They talked about everything!

 

But it was a fact that he had proposed to Cui Xiao Xiao before. The proud self-esteem of the former number one sword sect in the world would not allow Qin Lingxiao to lie in front of Cui Xiao Xiao.

Wei Jie was just saying it casually, but seeing this young man from Lingyun Pavilion getting angry with a cold and solemn face but not refuting, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

He couldn’t help but size up this young man, thinking: How old is this kid? He’s actually thinking about getting married? Lingyun Pavilion is used to producing wine sacks and rice bags who are confused by lust, but this so-called young pavilion master is too outrageous!

Qin Lingxiao saw the look in Wei Jie’s eyes as he sized him up, as if looking at a scoundrel, making him even more stifled and intolerable.

The two, who originally had a master-disciple relationship, were now staring at each other in this chaotic two hundred years ago, seeming unable to continue their ill-fated master-disciple relationship this time…

Cui Xiao Xiao took this opportunity to purse her cherry lips in front of the Four Great Sects and said loudly to Qin Lingxiao, “Listen well, I will not marry you. Give up and don’t pester me anymore!”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was surprised in their hearts! Especially the female disciples present. Who doesn’t know that the young pavilion master of Lingyun Pavilion is gentle and refined, a young master like a banished immortal?

Unexpectedly, in private, he would also pester a woman relentlessly…

Qin Lingxiao’s cheeks were now flushed red with anger, really looking like a young man whose courtship was rejected.

He knew that with the Wei Family backing them, he couldn’t capture these two and temporarily couldn’t take Cui Xiao Xiao away. He didn’t need to get into a verbal dispute with them here.

He said to Cui Xiao Xiao with a gloomy face, “Fine, since you love being with him so much, I’ll grant your wish. If you regret it, don’t come crying to me! You’re on your own! Remember, those who leak heavenly secrets will not have a good end!”

 

Chapter 21

Xiao Xiao regretted it. She shouldn’t have returned the Golden Core to Wei Jie without knowing the reason behind it.

If it were anyone else, they would never let their mother’s painful and bloody tears become a nourishing delicacy in someone else’s mouth!

Xiao Xiao knew that at this moment, she should have drawn a clear line with Wei Jie early on, but when she looked at him, she seemed to see an unknown pain in his seemingly calm purple eyes.

Xiao Xiao, who lost her parents early just like Wei Jie, still didn’t succumb to reason. Her mouth automatically made the decision, and she slowly said, “I don’t know if you asked for permission or just took it without asking when you used someone’s mother’s blood to refine pills. If it was a gift from someone, but they changed their mind and wanted it back, even if you’re in the right, there’s no need to call for violence. But if you took it without asking, it’s stealing.”

She raised her head and asked her disciple loudly, “Is your mother willing to give her blood to the people of the Four Great Sects for pill refinement?”

Wei Jie didn’t expect his little master to be so bold, daring to say such irrelevant words to confront the people of the Four Great Sects.

He looked at Cui Xiao Xiao with a hint of laughter in his eyes and said lightly, “The enemy who forced my husband to death is irreconcilable. How could there be any reason to give it to them?”

Cui Xiao Xiao nodded and said, “You see, they are unwilling to give it, but considering your hard work in refining pills, they still returned the Golden Core. Such a righteous person, and you famous orthodox sects still want to label them as thieves? What kind of reasoning is this? Do you want the world to know that you are thieves?”

This… The people of the Four Great Sects were so angry that they almost rolled their eyes.

A demon woman’s blood, just take it if you want. Why do you need to ask her permission?

Do you need to go to the pig pen and ask the fat pig if it’s willing to be slaughtered every time before eating pork?

This wild chicken Sect Master is obviously trying to stand up for her wayward disciple.

Some people were already angry from being drenched in the rain, and after hearing Cui Xiao Xiao’s forceful words of reason, they became furious: Such a demon-born scourge, everyone should kill them. Why waste words with them!

So, except for Soaring Cloud Pavilion, the disciples of the other three major cultivation sects angrily surrounded them, ready to capture this pair of thieving master and disciple together!

Cui Xiao Xiao found that no matter how many hundreds of years apart, some orthodox sects are the same, unreasonable and barbaric. As long as they consider themselves righteous, they can shout and kill anything they don’t like.

Before being beaten by them, Xiao Xiao quickly whispered an apology to Wei Jie. She didn’t know the story behind the Golden Core. If she had known earlier, she would never have handed it over to the people of the Four Great Sects.

Wei Jie looked at Xiao Xiao with some surprise. This little girl was actually very clever. She should have guessed his intention of deliberately calling her master loudly was to drag her into troubled waters.

Unexpectedly, she just said the reason for stealing the Golden Core, but she seemed to empathize with him very much, with tears in the corners of her eyes, and even spoke up for him, offending the Four Great Sects…

From this perspective, the little girl’s brain was actually not very bright… Since she was foolish, she shouldn’t be beaten anymore. Otherwise, he was afraid that she would be sold in the future and even help others count the silver.

Thinking of this, Wei Jie swung his whip again, blocking the attackers once more. While blocking, he whispered to Xiao Xiao, “Find a chance and escape!”

If it wasn’t for the urgency of the situation, Xiao Xiao would have been amused by this guy. If he hadn’t stopped her just now, shouting “Master, don’t be afraid”, she would have fled long ago!

However, it seems that her refutation of the Four Great Sects’ words on his behalf just now has awakened this demon’s conscience, and he no longer intends to drag her along to be beaten.

Because of Wei Jie’s obstruction, Xiao Xiao successfully retreated and leisurely moved behind Wei Jie, away from the attacking crowd.

But seeing more and more people attacking Wei Jie, Xiao Xiao hesitated – should she just leave him alone here? Would he be beaten off the cliff again?

This time, there is no Broken Soul Snake waiting for him. He might die from serious injuries at the bottom of the cliff.

Although this demon will eventually die, if he dies too soon, how can she find the statue of Zhu Jiuyin? How will she return to two hundred years later then?

As she was thinking, she saw Wei Jie turn his head in the crowd, staring at her and silently mouthing, “Why aren’t you leaving quickly!”

This guy, he still has the time to care about her… Xiao Xiao had been wandering the streets since she was a child, acting on her own nature. It was precisely because of Wei Jie’s look back that she made up her mind not to abandon Wei Jie and run away alone.

No matter what, he is also the respected master of her master Tang Youshu, so he counts as half a grand-master to her!

Grand-master, your disciple will save you for a while…

Of course, even if Xiao Xiao was righteously charging ahead, she would never personally take action. Because she was clear about her current strength. Although she could transform water into talismans, she couldn’t continuously fight against the various cultivators.

However, back then, although these Four Great Sects were mighty and powerful, they all ended up being defeated by Wei Jie.

No matter how powerful the techniques are, there will be weaknesses and flaws. If you know where the flaws are, it will be much easier to confront them.

Coincidentally, Wei Jie had thoroughly studied these Four Great Sects that were a thorn in his side back then, and her master Tang Youshu had recorded the weaknesses and flaws of the Four Great Sects summarized by Wei Jie in that thick autobiographical secret manual.

Xiao Xiao had glanced over it before, but these Four Great Sects were all perished sects, so naturally, she didn’t pay much attention to it.

At this critical moment, it seems that the book indeed contains a golden house!

Xiao Xiao touched the secret manual wrapped in oiled paper in her bosom, took it out leisurely, and read two pages – okay! Enough to use!

When she raised her head again to examine the moves of those attacking disciples, there were indeed loopholes everywhere, simply unable to withstand a single blow.

After all, the ones fighting were disciples of the various sects with low cultivation. The flaws of the sects appeared even more obvious.

Although the young Wei Jie’s movements were agile, he was cultivating unorthodox methods after all and hadn’t fully developed yet. At this time, his body had been cut by Qi swords and Qi knives in many places, bleeding profusely.

Xiao Xiao knew he couldn’t hold on for long and immediately reminded loudly, “Pay attention to the area between the Dihu and Xuanmu acupoints on the faces of the disciples of the Sect of the Heavenly Heart. That’s where they breathe and circulate Qi. Once that area bulges, it’s when the Thunderbolt Palm is about to strike… Also, don’t directly clash with the Qi knives of Ebony Peak. The force of these Qi knives has three stages. Those disciples have poor coordination between the second and third stages. As long as you dodge one stage, you can find an opening to disrupt their rhythm! Ah, the Qi shield of Wonderful Immortal Mountain! Don’t bother with them. This defensive style of fighting, just wait until their Qi is exhausted and the shield is thin before attacking.”

At this time, the ones attacking Wei Jie were precisely the disciples of the three major sects: Sect of the Heavenly Heart, Ebony Peak, and Wonderful Immortal Mountain.

As for the disciples of Soaring Cloud Pavilion, they were constantly stopped by Qin Lingxiao, who let them not join the fight for now, watch from the sidelines, and only go for the final blow at the end.

Wei Jie listened to Cui Xiao Xiao’s reminder. It was truly a few words that awakened him from a dream. He also changed his strategy accordingly.

He was born clever and was able to draw inferences from one example. During the fight, he comprehended the points Xiao Xiao mentioned.

So he switched from whip to sword, holding that broken sword according to Xiao Xiao’s instructions, avoiding their sharp edges and finding the breathing flaws of those people, attacking leisurely.

His Qi wasn’t strong, and the true Qi wrapped around his swinging sword wasn’t powerful enough, but starting from the flaws of the various sects, it was like using a bamboo pole to lift a thousand-pound iron ball, using just a clever force. His movements were as graceful as a fluttering spring swallow.

However, when Wei Jie gradually broke through the opponents’ offense and defense, he was secretly surprised in his heart – his little master had actually broken through the exquisite attacks of the three major sects in an instant… How did she have this ability?

During a break in the fight, he couldn’t help but glance at Cui Xiao Xiao in astonishment.

Xiao Xiao received his gaze, not feeling guilty at all, only putting her hands behind her back with a nonchalant demeanor, putting on the appearance of a transcendent sage.

Grand-master, it is you who summarized it well. Disciple Xiao Xiao is truly unworthy of receiving it!

Wei Jie had no time to look at his little master’s nonchalant and sage-like appearance. He turned his head and concentrated on continuing to break through the attacks of the three major sects.

Soon, the situation of many people attacking one person began to turn around. The disciples of the Sect of the Heavenly Heart and Ebony Peak were knocked down by Wei Jie one after another.

As for the Qi shield of Wonderful Immortal Mountain, although it was indestructible, Wei Jie listened to Xiao Xiao’s reminder and didn’t engage at all. Without the support of the two attacking sects, Sect of the Heavenly Heart and Ebony Peak, the Qi shield of Wonderful Immortal Mountain disciples had no use and moved around in the crowd like stupid cows.

Not to mention the disciples of the three major sects who were fighting felt perplexed, even the elders of the three major sects who were watching from the sidelines were secretly alarmed. They all ignored their disciples being beaten and unanimously looked towards that lively young girl commanding Wei Jie.

At this time, Cui Xiao Xiao was still imitating the usual posture of her master Tang Youshu, letting the wind blow her ponytail, hands behind her back, expression calm, gaze slightly lowered, like a true Immortal who had attained the Dao, composed and unperturbed.

The little girl actually portrayed the bearing of a generation of a major sect’s grandmaster, looking unfathomable.

Even if someone wanted to launch a sneak attack on her, they had to consider: This Sect Master Cui is so good at commanding her disciple in a fight, so how formidable must her own skills be?

As the elders of the sects, they naturally knew the weaknesses and flaws of their own sects. However, these flaws were mostly well hidden in the flamboyant Qi circulation techniques. Unless one had profound cultivation or was a senior elder of the sect, they absolutely couldn’t see through them.

But this little girl who appeared out of nowhere, how did she understand them so clearly, and even clearly stated the way to break through them, word by word?

Looking at her young age, could it be that she really had discerning eyes? Did she come up with a countermeasure in just a moment?

Lingshan Talisman Sect? What kind of sect is this, hiding a crouching tiger and a hidden dragon?

At this point, the few elders looked at each other and became more and more alarmed. They firmly remembered the name of Lingshan Talisman Sect in their hearts, planning to send someone to investigate after returning, to see what was behind this previously unknown sect, and who this Cui Xiao Xiao, who popped out of nowhere, really was!

As for Cui Xiao Xiao, although she appeared nonchalant like a sage on the surface, her heart was actually boiling: How should this situation be concluded in a dignified manner?

She could see that although Wei Jie was coping well, his internal Qi was limited at this time before he became a demon, making it difficult to sustain for too long. If the Four Great Sects continued to attack in waves, Wei Jie would eventually be defeated.

Moreover… that Soaring Cloud Pavilion had been refraining from action the whole time! Thinking of this, she saw Qin Lingxiao glaring at her gloomily with one glance and had an idea in her heart.

Taking advantage of Wei Jie knocking down the last disciple of the Wonderful Immortal Mountain whose Qi shield was depleted, she cleared her throat and said, “Young Pavilion Master Qin, you instigated the disciples of the other three major sects to charge ahead, but you led your own disciples to watch from the sidelines. It’s a bit unfair, isn’t it? The saying goes, all cultivators in the world are one family. My Lingshan Talisman Sect is an upright sect. If my disciple made a mistake, I will naturally discipline him. Is there anything that must be resolved with weapons? Um… Jie’er, quickly retreat. Allow me to have a good chat with the elders.”

She knew very well in her heart that even if Wei Jie was more powerful now, he was no match for the disciples of the Four Great Sects. It was just that now he had found their flaws and suppressed those people.

If the elders and people from Soaring Cloud Pavilion also took action, Wei Jie wouldn’t be able to withstand it with his current strength.

So after the martial attack, it was time for the civil path.

She first had to point out Qin Lingxiao’s ulterior motive, and then have a good chat with the Four Great Sects.

However, Wei Jie raised his eyebrows high – this “Jie’er”, the little girl called it quite smoothly!

Chapter 20

Cui Xiaoxiao was unaware of Qin Lingxiao’s thoughts. When he asked if she wanted to return, she simply replied, “Of course I want to go back. Do you know where the divine statue of Zhi Jiuyin is?”

The seal on the statue was placed by her master Tang Youshu back then, but her master had never left any information about the statue. Since Qin Lingxiao had also traveled back, everything could be easily resolved if he could obtain the statue and they could reactivate it together.

However, Qin Lingxiao said, “That statue was originally found by Wei Jie. How would I know its whereabouts?”

Upon hearing this, Cui Xiaoxiao felt a pang of disappointment, thinking: Does this mean I have to wait until Wei Jie finds Zhi Jiuyin before I can return?

At that moment, someone came towards them, shouting in anguish, “It’s terrible! That demonic Wei Jie used some method to fill the valley with poisonous gas. The people who went down the cliff to chase after him have all been poisoned and fallen unconscious!”

Earlier, when Cui Xiaoxiao and Wei Jie had been battling the Soul-Devouring Giant Serpent in the valley, the commotion had attracted the attention of the disciples from the four major sects on the mountain.

After Cui Xiaoxiao and Wei Jie left the valley, some people channeled their inner energy to jump down the cliff. Unfortunately, the poisonous miasma from the Soul-Devouring Serpent’s venom had not dissipated, causing these people to be poisoned and collapse.

Those standing on the cliff saw this from afar and dared not descend, instead attributing the poisoning of their fellow disciples to that half-demonic Wei Jie.

Upon hearing the report, Cui Xiaoxiao instinctively wanted to explain and use the snake bile from her water pouch to detoxify those people.

However, as soon as she started speaking, that person glared at her and shouted, “It’s her! I saw her following that bastard Wei Jie and even helping him escape. Clearly, they’re in cahoots! Young Pavilion Master Qin, quickly apprehend this demoness before she flees!”

Seeing the disaster being pinned on her, Cui Xiaoxiao remained calm, as she had already devised an escape plan. She swiftly explained, “It seems there has been a misunderstanding. Hidden beneath the cliff is the Soul-Devouring Giant Serpent, and it was its poisonous miasma that incapacitated your fellow disciples… As for the lost spirit pills, I have retrieved them for you. Here, let me return them.”

As she spoke, she took out the cloth bag she had taken and tossed it to an elderly man in black robes, “Sir, please check, the spirit pills are all inside. Let this return the property to its rightful owner. Moreover, my encounter with the pill thief was merely by chance. I have no further involvement, so I shall take my leave…”

At that moment, a black figure resembling a soaring dragon leapt out from the crowd, extending its long arms in an attempt to snatch the bag of spirit pills from Cui Xiaoxiao’s hands.

Unfortunately, it was a step too late, as Cui Xiaoxiao had already thrown the bag to the people from the four sects.

It turned out that Wei Jie had noticed the cloth bag had somehow ended up in Cui Xiaoxiao’s possession. Seeing her return the spirit pills without consulting him first greatly displeased him.

Fueled by anger, Wei Jie’s expression grew increasingly cold. The tall man in a black robe, with his hair fluttering in the wind, shot a sidelong glance, his faint purple pupils flickering with an enchanting light. His thin lips beneath his high nose were slightly pursed, accentuating the alluring charm of his handsome jaw.

Cui Xiaoxiao felt somewhat guilty under his glare and averted her gaze.

However, upon reflection, those spirit pills were stolen goods, and she had merely returned them to their rightful owners. What was wrong with that? She defiantly glared back at Wei Jie.

Yet this handsome man was like the waters of West Lake – even his anger and resentment were intoxicating. Even with a cold, piercing gaze, his handsomeness was overwhelming. If one stared too long, they might lose self-control.

Truly a descendant of the Demonic Seductress, his eyes brimmed with a captivating charm that could bewitch the world.

Xiaoxiao found herself faltering, hastily averting her gaze and silently reciting the mind-clearing incantation taught by her master.

However, she was not the only one nearly mesmerized by the demonic allure. Many female disciples from the four sects with insufficient mental discipline gaped at Wei Jie, seemingly unable to divert their eyes. Even some men appeared dazed as they stared at him…

Before Cui Xiaoxiao could regain her composure from the spellbinding masculine charm, Wei Jie suddenly dropped his angry expression. Taking a few steps forward, he grabbed Cui Xiaoxiao’s hand and loudly proclaimed, “Master, I don’t blame you. You must have feared them and had no choice but to return the spirit pills. Don’t be afraid, your disciple will rescue you!”

After speaking, he surveyed the surrounding disciples and deliberately raised his voice, “This is my master, Wei Jie! Let’s see who dares bully her!”

Seeing his father’s killer from long ago reappear before his eyes, Qin Lingxiao was seething with hatred, his teeth practically aching. Until he heard Wei Jie call Cui Xiaoxiao “master”, he couldn’t believe it and glared back at her in disbelief.

She hadn’t mentioned taking Wei Jie as a disciple earlier! She must be insane to accept such a demonic person as her disciple!

Cui Xiaoxiao never expected Wei Jie to suddenly change tactics, clinging to her like a helpless infant and shamelessly calling her “master” in front of the four major sects.

For a moment, she was caught off guard by Wei Jie’s underhanded ploy.

At this point, the people from the other three major sects who had been fighting Wei Jie rushed over, exclaiming in disbelief, “This little girl is your master? Is there really a sect in this world that dares accept you, Wei Jie? Speak up and let us learn of this!”

Wei Jie glanced at Cui Xiaoxiao, resenting how she had silently stolen his spirit pills, and enunciated each word, “My master is the sect leader of the Numinous Mountain Talisman Sect – Cui Xiaoxiao!”

Upon hearing this, the others were stunned before erupting into raucous laughter, “What kind of dog fart Talisman Sect is that? Never even heard of it! Isn’t that just a sect you established yourself, Wei Jie? And she’s your master? Just some little girl?”

Wave after wave of laughter filled the air, with many people laughing uncontrollably.

This was understandable, as two hundred years ago, Tang Youshu had not yet accepted Wei Jie as a disciple, let alone established the Numinous Mountain Talisman Sect independently.

To randomly claim a sect’s existence was akin to a dog or cat erecting a grand banner!

Amidst the mocking laughter, Cui Xiaoxiao sighed inwardly, “Master, I have disgraced you, bringing shame even two hundred years into the past!”

That damn Wei Jie, revealing her sect at this moment was practically defaming the Numinous Mountain Talisman Sect! Even if she vehemently denied it now, people would likely not believe her.

As the sect leader of the Talisman Sect, how could she allow others to ridicule her sect? After sighing, she resolved to display some divine abilities. She casually took out a water-summoning talisman and, with a snap of her fingers, summoned a torrential downpour over the heads of those doubled over in laughter.

This bizarre and sudden heavy rain immediately drenched the crowd, forcing them to cease their raucous laughter.

Such effortless control over summoning rain required a certain level of cultivation. Yet this young lady had accomplished it with ease. Could a Numinous Mountain Talisman Sect have truly emerged without anyone’s knowledge?

Before the founding of the Spirit Mountain Talisman Sect by Tang Youshu, the art of talisman refinement was never considered a prestigious path, and there were no renowned figures in this field.

When Cui Xiaoxiao displayed her mastery of the Water Summoning Art, it was enough to intimidate the Four Great Sects from two hundred years ago.

“If you all have had your laugh, then listen to me,” Xiaoxiao snapped her fingers again, stopping the sudden “downpour.”

She spoke loudly, “My disciple has been unruly and committed a transgression. On his behalf, I apologize to you all. However, I have already returned the Golden Dan to him. I implore you great ones to be magnanimous and pardon him this one time. Or else, let me know how much silver you require, and I will make sure this child Wei Jie finds a way to compensate you all!”

In this situation, where she was clearly outnumbered, and now inexplicably bound to this demon, even if she claimed not to know him, no one would believe her.

Bearing in mind that he had saved her life in the valley, Cui Xiaoxiao hardened herself and tried to smooth things over for Wei Jie, persuading the Four Great Sects to back off. If everyone remained amicable, she could also make a graceful exit.

It would be best if this Wei fellow showed some sense and didn’t bite the hand that fed him!

Wei Jie, however, seemed rather oblivious. Dissatisfied with Cui Xiaoxiao’s submissive tone, he was about to speak when his newfound Shifu pinched him hard on the waist.

The small red mole at the corner of the young Shifu’s eye seemed ready to drip blood as she glared at Wei Jie, clearly warning, “If you dare say another word, I’ll feed you snake venom and send you to the heavens!”

Unfortunately, her charming appearance and wide, round eyes only added a touch of girlish cuteness to her intimidation.

Wei Jie glanced at her sideways, his arched brows furrowed as if contemplating some mischievous scheme, but he refrained from speaking further.

As for the elderly Xuan cultivator, he was an elder of the second-greatest sect after Lingyun Pavilion, the Demonic Wood Peak Qisect.

He never expected this so-called Talisman Sect Master to openly admit Wei Jie’s theft and unhesitatingly return the Golden Dan.

The old man clutched his wet beard, thinking that since she had confessed, further accusations would be pointless…However, how did this little girl summon rain? Without a change of clothes, what would they do?

Just as the Demonic Wood Peak Elder was about to compromise and hurry back to change and drink, Qin Lingxiao spoke in a gloomy tone, “If a thief is caught, returning the loot is expected. But if we don’t severely punish them, won’t people mistake us and think the Four Great Sects’ Dan Rooms are open to all?”

Hearing this, the other three sects immediately chimed in angrily, demanding severe punishment for Wei Jie and his master who enabled his misdeeds.

Cui Xiaoxiao realized that Qin Lingxiao was deliberately stirring trouble.

If it was just about taunting Wei Jie, Xiaoxiao could remain a spectator and not intervene in others’ affairs.

But now that Wei Jie represented the Spirit Mountain Talisman Sect, Xiaoxiao couldn’t stand by and watch her sect’s reputation plummet into the cesspool of two centuries ago. She had to try and salvage it.

Clearing her throat, she quietly asked Wei Jie, “Why did you steal their Golden Dan when you had nothing better to do?”

Wei Jie lowered his long lashes and looked at her, seemingly amused that someone was defending him. He honestly answered, “They refined this batch of Golden Dan using my mother’s blood as an ingredient…”

Upon hearing this, Xiaoxiao instantly understood, for she had read about precious materials used in talisman refinement and pill concoction in her master’s secret manuals.

Wei Jie’s birth mother was a Femme Fatale. These beings could invert the minds of mortals and bewitch the human realm with their charm. Their youthful, ageless blood had the power to preserve one’s prime.

Throughout history, emperors secretly sent people to hunt Femme Fatales and obtain their blood to achieve longevity and preserve their youth.

For cultivators, if they could acquire a Femme Fatale’s blood to refine pills, the potency of the Golden Dan would be significantly enhanced.

Years ago, when the Four Great Sects besieged Elder Mountain and killed Wei Jinglin, it was said that the fleeing Femme Fatale appeared, weeping bitterly as she watched Wei Jinglin’s blood spill, her tears of grief staining the forest.

At that time, the Four Great Sects wished to capture the Femme Fatale alive and flay her for her precious skin and blood. Alas, she managed to escape.

However, the Femme Fatale’s tears of blood scattered in the forest were collected by the Four Great Sects’ people, who hastily began refining pills with it.

Such a precious ingredient naturally called for refining the once-in-a-decade Golden Dan. Little did they expect that before they could even start the furnace after the ten-year period, Wei Jie appeared and stole the Golden Dan clean.

After hearing Wei Jie’s explanation, Cui Xiaoxiao felt a twinge of guilt.

Her original plan was to return the loot to appease the Four Great Sects’ anger, then rebuke Wei Jie’s misconduct in the name of the master, expel him from the Talisman Sect in front of the four sects, and sever all ties with him cleanly.

As for any future misdeeds committed by Wei Jie, it would no longer concern her or the Spirit Mountain Talisman Sect.

But she never expected that Wei Jie’s reason for stealing the Golden Dan was out of filial piety!

Chapter 19

No! How did this Qin Lingxiao appear more youthful, completely unlike his previously captured mature look in his twenties or thirties?

It was as if the Sect Leader Qin had cultivated some rejuvenation technique, making him seem much younger?

Cui Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but widen her eyes, staring at the young Qin Lingxiao before her as her mind raced.

However, she immediately recalled that Qin Lingxiao was said to be the young pavilion master of the Lingyun Pavilion that was destroyed by Wei Jie back then.  

It was to avenge the extermination of his sect that he had concealed his identity and joined Wei Jie’s sect as a disciple.

After killing Wei Jie, he reverted to using his original name Qin Lingxiao. But the Lingyun Pavilion had long been destroyed, so Qin Lingxiao simply established a new sect, becoming the founding patriarch of what is now the Nine Mystic Sword Sect.

The current Qin Lingxiao should still be the carefree young pavilion master of the Lingyun Pavilion, unaware of life’s hardships.

His current cultivation base was not high, hence his forehead lacked the imprint of the eight-petal lotus. His appearance exuded youthful immaturity, though he already cut a tall and slender figure as a handsome young man.

However, his bright and elegant looks paled in comparison to Wei Jie’s bewitching masculine charm.

Cui Xiaoxiao had originally thought this Qin Lingxiao shouldn’t recognize her. But when her gaze met the young Qin Lingxiao’s, she immediately sensed something was amiss.

Because when Qin Lingxiao saw that the people emerging were Wei Jie and Cui Xiaoxiao, his pupils involuntarily constricted sharply, as if greatly shocked.

Moreover, the way he looked at Cui Xiaoxiao did not seem like a first encounter.  

When he spoke, he addressed Cui Xiaoxiao directly: “How did you end up here?…And you even brought him out?”

Originally, when the ancient divine statue absorbed the power of the two demon pearls, it had also drawn in Cui Xiaoxiao and Qin Lingxiao, who each possessed one of the demon pearls.

However, Qin Lingxiao was in his elemental spirit form back then, so when he was sent back two hundred years, his elemental spirit lacked a physical body to reside in and naturally attached itself to his younger self.

The current Qin Lingxiao outwardly appeared as a youth, but inwardly contained the weathered soul of the great Sect Leader Qin who had experienced two hundred years.

Initially, when Qin Lingxiao first returned two hundred years ago, he was greatly shocked as well.

But upon seeing the familiar palaces and halls of his former Lingyun Pavilion, along with his once well-known loved ones, Qin Lingxiao pondered and suddenly felt it wasn’t so bad.  

Ever since he rose to fame, he had been overshadowed by Wei Jie’s presence.

Even after becoming the paramount figure of the Sword Sect, there were those who whispered behind his back, saying that without absorbing Wei Jie’s powers, he would have been a nobody, nothing more than a treacherous disciple who killed his master and ancestors.

This time, by returning two hundred years, although he had lost the cultivation of a hundred years, he could start anew and surely avoid all regrets, achieving even greater and more perfect attainments through his own efforts.

Moreover, this time he would absolutely not allow Wei Jie to rise to prominence and exterminate the entire Lingyun Pavilion.  

Events unfolded just as they had before – he led his disciples to Elder Mountain to intercept Wei Jie in his father’s name.

Back then, the young and frivolous Qin Lingxiao had underestimated the unknown Wei Jie, even leaving midway to hunt a black flood dragon in the Misty Origin River to collect dragon oil for his mother’s pill refinement.  

As a result, the disciples sent to apprehend the spirit pill thief were heavily injured by Wei Jie, who was ultimately knocked off the cliff. However, this granted Wei Jie a fortuitous opportunity to cultivate an unmatched demonic art.

When Wei Jie emerged from seclusion, he allied with the Demonic Fox Clan and steadily grew his power, amassing forces to establish the Demonic Sect. His first act of vengeance was to single-handedly strike against the Lingyun Pavilion, destroying the centuries-old cultivating sect overnight.

Thinking of this made Qin Lingxiao’s teeth itch with hatred. This time, on his second go-around, he would keep Wei Jie firmly trampled in the dust, never allowing him a chance to rise!

So this time, Qin Lingxiao did not frivolously go hunt the black flood dragon. Instead, he personally led his men to Elder Mountain.

Earlier, while the other three sects dispatched disciples to encircle and attack Wei Jie, Qin Lingxiao had the Lingyun disciples stand by at the mountain’s base.

For he was well aware that even if everyone went up, it would only result in mutual losses against Wei Jie.

Moreover, in that battle, the Lingyun Pavilion would lose its four most powerful disciples, leaving it defenseless against Wei Jie’s massacre thirty years later.

Therefore, this repetition of past events saw Qin Lingxiao only posting guards at the mountain’s base, waiting for the clashing sides to exhaust each other. Once Wei Jie fell off the cliff and was poisoned in the serpent’s den, he would lead his men into the valley and easily finish off Wei Jie with a single sword while he battled the venom.  

However, all these plans were disrupted when he saw Cui Xiaoxiao and Wei Jie emerge unharmed from the valley.

No matter how Qin Lingxiao calculated, he never expected Cui Xiaoxiao to also travel back two hundred years, and to even mingle with Wei Jie, seemingly disrupting the course of events by allowing Wei Jie to leave the valley safely.

What was going on? Could Cui Xiaoxiao’s presence have made the Soul-Devouring Serpent disappear as well?

It was in extreme shock that Qin Lingxiao had uttered those words.

Once he spoke, Cui Xiaoxiao immediately guessed that this young Qin Lingxiao must recognize her!

Qin Lingxiao must have, like her, been sent back two hundred years by the ancient mysterious statue.

The Wei Jie standing beside Cui Xiaoxiao looked at Qin Lingxiao. Although he didn’t recognize this youth, judging by his attire, he should be from the Lingyun Pavilion.

Seeing the way the young man stared intently at Cui Xiaoxiao, it seemed there was quite a grievance between them…

Thus, Wei Jie’s long eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized the two, asking Xiaoxiao in a low voice: “What’s going on? Do you know someone from the Lingyun Pavilion?”

A myriad of emotions swirled within Cui Xiaoxiao as she looked at the two men awaiting her response, momentarily unsure of how to explain.

However, before Xiaoxiao could answer, the people from the other three major sects saw Wei Jie and rushed over, shouting: “Thief, where are you running?”

Wei Jie drew his sword to engage them, while Xiaoxiao swiftly retreated and sprinted down the mountain.  

Qin Lingxiao ignored Wei Jie and directly gave chase after Cui Xiaoxiao, seizing her wrist and saying sternly: “What have you done? I’m asking you, why don’t you answer?”

Cui Xiaoxiao glanced at Wei Jie, who was preoccupied, then grabbed Qin Lingxiao’s collar and said through gritted teeth: “I should be asking you! If you hadn’t pulled some stunt, how could I have ended up in this godforsaken place?”

Qin Lingxiao’s nose nearly bumped into hers, his face reddening with anger. He dragged her around the mountain bend and, once they were far from the fighting crowd, said sternly: “Did you happen to obtain the divine statue of Zhi Jiuyin?”

Zhi Jiuyin, also called Shi Long, was the mountain deity of the ancient Zhong Mountain. The Classic of Mountains and Seas records it as having a half-human, half-serpent appearance, its opening eyes bringing daylight and closing eyes bringing night. 

It was the ancient deity that controlled the yin-yang and darkness of time.

Cui Xiaoxiao immediately thought of the statue she and her fellow disciples had found in the cave…Could that be the Zhi Jiuyin that Qin Lingxiao spoke of?

Seeing Cui Xiaoxiao not deny it, Qin Lingxiao was convinced it was so. 

He glared angrily at Cui Xiaoxiao: “This is all your doing, you actually broke the seal on Zhi Jiuyin. I shouldn’t have entrusted that inept Tang Youshu with dealing with the divine statue in the first place…Now with the heavens and earth inverted, returning us to two hundred years ago, if Wei Jie seizes this opportunity to commit even greater massacres, it will be the calamity you have brought upon us!”

Faced with this blame flung at her, Cui Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes – she couldn’t have accomplished this “great deed” alone, the great Sect Leader Qin played an integral part too!

She shook off Qin Lingxiao’s hand and studied his much younger face: “Little brother, speak more respectfully to your sister! If your disciples hadn’t tried to capture me, how could we have touched that statue’s mechanism and been sent here? Instead of interrogating me, you should be thinking about how to get us back quickly!”

It had been a long time since Qin Lingxiao was mocked in such a manner. Seeing this rude girl address him as “brother”, his youthful lips pursed into a line, intending to properly discipline her!

However, in their earlier tussle, Qin Lingxiao had sensed that his current inner energy was not much higher than this dead girl’s.   

Damn it, after all this was two hundred years ago, and Qin Lingxiao’s current body was far too shallow in inner energy. Even with his mastery of energy cultivation and spirit pill refinement, it would take time and opportunities to improve.

However, this also meant he no longer had to endure the backlash of his demonic nature. This sense of unfettered lightness was something Qin Lingxiao hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Qin Lingxiao swiftly weighed the pros and cons, and felt that redoing this journey was better.

As for this Cui Xiaoxiao, she didn’t belong in this era and was an existence that defied the laws of nature. Of course she was eager to return…

With this thought, Qin Lingxiao let out a cold laugh. He couldn’t allow this variable to run amok. He would first take her back to the Lingyun Pavilion and imprison her in the rear mountain. If she was sensible, after he killed Wei Jie, he might find an opportunity to send her back. However, before then, he absolutely could not allow Cui Xiaoxiao to reveal heavenly secrets and disrupt his plans.

Qin Lingxiao suddenly reached out to grab Cui Xiaoxiao’s wrist and seal her acupoint to render her unconscious. If it were the Qin Lingxiao from two hundred years ago, he wouldn’t even need to move, a flick of his finger could pierce her accupoints with his energy needles.

But now, as soon as Qin Lingxiao raised his hand, Cui Xiaoxiao sensed it.

Over these past few days of sitting in meditation, she had been contending with the demonic pearl within her, rapidly accumulating energy in her dantian. Earlier in the valley, due to being poisoned by the serpent’s venom, she had again used her dantian’s energy to expel the poison, so her inner power was currently surging.

Although Qin Lingxiao’s movements were swift, to Xiaoxiao’s eyes they appeared slowed down. After a few bouts of exchanging blows, Xiaoxiao realized the great Sect Leader Qin could no longer unleash his seven flying swords whirling overhead!

She parried swiftly and decisively kicked towards Qin Lingxiao’s abdomen.

Qin Lingxiao dodged, finally managing to grab Cui Xiaoxiao’s ankle, then seized her shoulder, gritting his teeth: “Do you still want to go back or not?”

Cui Xiaoxiao looked at Qin Lingxiao’s slightly reddened face, feeling that while his current cultivation was low, he exuded a more human quality, unlike the transcendent deity aura of two hundred years later who held all under heaven in his grasp.

If Qin Lingxiao also wanted to return, then everything could be negotiated. So Xiaoxiao told him to release her first, and they could calmly discuss a solution.

Qin Lingxiao also knew he could not subdue Xiaoxiao for now, so he stopped fighting and listened as she briefly recounted her encounter with Wei Jie.

As Cui Xiaoxiao spoke, Qin Lingxiao understood: Since Wei Jie had avoided being injured and bitten by the serpent due to Cui Xiaoxiao’s involvement, that was for the best!

On the path of cultivation, lacking either innate talent or fortuitous opportunities doomed one to failure.  

This time, Wei Jie had missed the opportunity to become demonic, so he could not become the paramount demonic lord, much less have the ability to single-handedly strike against the Lingyun Pavilion!

With his memories of two hundred years of cultivation, everything would come naturally. Given time and by following the proper steps, he could still achieve transcendence through his status as the young pavilion master of the Lingyun Pavilion.

This time, even if he personally slew Wei Jie, no one could accuse him of being a treacherous disciple who killed his master and ancestors to usurp his position!

Chapter 18

However, after careful recollection, Cui Xiaoxiao gradually understood: The severely injured Demon Lord Wei Jie, who was originally supposed to engage in a decisive battle with the four major sects, managed to escape without fighting due to her obstruction.

Moreover, when the two of them fell, their excessive weight caused the egg in the pit to shatter, prematurely attracting the Soul-Devouring Twin-Headed Serpent.

Then, with her assistance, Wei Jie was able to calmly prepare and, aided by the Soul-Settling Talisman, effortlessly kill the Soul-Devouring Serpent without being affected by its venom.

This… didn’t she unintentionally change the events that occurred two hundred years ago?

If he wasn’t bitten, how could he have been poisoned, and how could he have cultivated the divine skill to counteract the demonic nature, eventually leading to his soul being scattered by his disciple Qin Lingxiao’s attack? How could Master Tang Youshu have become heartbroken, left, and established the Talisman Sect?

How would these altered events unfold?

Cui Xiaoxiao closed her eyes in anguish, seemingly having inadvertently disrupted Wei Jie’s path to becoming a demon.

She didn’t know how the heavens would punish her, this person who interfered with the laws of nature. Would it rain down a million thunderbolts, zapping her into shreds?

However, Wei Jie misunderstood Cui Xiaoxiao’s pained expression, thinking she regretted taking him as a disciple.

Thus, he slowly straightened his body, lowered his gaze towards the distressed young girl, and coldly sneered, nonchalantly mocking her: “What? Is the master regretting taking me as a disciple?”

As he spoke these words, his enchanting, profound eyes contained a smile, yet it wasn’t a genuine one, reflecting more of a cold indifference towards the cruelty of the world.

When Cui Xiaoxiao raised her head to look at his jade-carved, handsome face, she felt a chill in her heart. She thought: If she didn’t investigate thoroughly, taking in this demonic thing would be an utter misfortune for the Talisman Sect!

However, if she were to retract her acceptance now, this fellow might harbor resentment.

Although she didn’t care much about his origins, she was deeply concerned about his future infamy and absolutely couldn’t allow his evil deeds to tarnish the name of the Numinous Mountain Talisman Sect.

But to drive away this evil disciple, she needed to be tactful and withdraw gradually, not abruptly severing ties. After all, this person would become the future Demon Lord, extremely sinister.

Currently alone, she was likely no match for this Demon Lord who single-handedly slew the Soul-Devouring Serpent.

With this thought, Cui Xiaoxiao blinked, took a deep breath, and smiled unconvincingly: “How could that be? You possess remarkable talents and are undoubtedly a rare genius. Good, you will… surely achieve great things in the future! Your master is truly fortunate to have taken you as a disciple!”

Upon hearing this, Wei Jie suddenly fell silent, widening his handsome eyes and silently staring at Xiaoxiao.

He could tell that this young lady was being somewhat insincere, but he didn’t know why she didn’t immediately retract her acceptance. Didn’t she realize that once tainted, she would face endless troubles?

In fact, his earlier request to become her disciple was not sincere. His single-knee kneel was merely a superficial ritual, purely intended to tease this ignorant little girl.

Once she learned of his origins, she would naturally regret her decision and make an unsightly attempt to disassociate herself from him.

This wasn’t a problem, as he had endured enough disdainful looks since childhood to become indifferent. He merely saw it as a way to amuse and entertain himself.

But he never expected this little girl, who claimed to be the sect leader of the Numinous Mountain Talisman Sect, to defy convention and stubbornly refuse to immediately disown him as her disciple…

Fine, since he was idly bored anyway, he might as well indulge his new “master” for a while.

With this thought, Wei Jie slowly smiled, bowed to Xiaoxiao, and said: “I too am fortunate to have joined your sect!”

As for Cui Xiaoxiao, after flattering her new senior disciple with empty praises, her heart was burning with anxiety.

After all, she didn’t know how to return to two hundred years ago, and she had interfered with the laws of nature, unaware of the potential consequences.

However, what perplexed Cui Xiaoxiao even more was Wei Jie himself—this notorious Demon Lord from the legends didn’t seem as despicable as depicted. At the very least, during the crisis when the strange serpent attacked, he didn’t abandon her and flee alone.

As Cui Xiaoxiao pondered with a troubled mind, she heard Wei Jie casually ask: “Master, I still don’t know your name. You’re… sixteen years old this year, right?”

Cui Xiaoxiao let out a slight sigh, thinking to herself: “They didn’t know each other’s identity and happily took each other as master and disciple. She and Wei Jie were truly unique!”

However, what did this young man mean? ‘Sixteen years old this year’? Was he belittling his master for being too young and inexperienced?

She shot him a sidelong glance: “My name is Cui Xiaoxiao, and I’m seventeen this year… I don’t know how old I’ll be next year…”

May the heavens protect her and allow her to safely pass through this calamity; otherwise, next year would bring not a birthday but a memorial day.

“Oh…” Wei Jie heard his master’s incoherent words and slowly raised his head, his eyes beneath his sword-like brows seeming to glimmer faintly. He extended his long fingers, slowly calculating, and asked with a probing tone: “Seventeen… a good age. The master is actually two years younger than me… so you were born in the year of Guichou(Ox)… a Yin year. Master, when is your birthday?”

Cui Xiaoxiao’s gaze fixed on his inquisitive look, and she slowly smiled: “Why? Does the disciple also practice fortune-telling? Are you trying to see if the master’s birthday is auspicious or not?”

Her extremely Yin birthday in the past two hundred years would be an ominous talisman, and she would never reveal it to this Demon Lord!

Seeing that she didn’t answer but instead asked a question, Wei Jie didn’t mind too much. He merely smiled faintly and said: “I was just wondering about the master’s birthday so I don’t miss the opportunity to wish you well in the future… There’s no need to calculate the master’s fortune, as it must be good. At least, after meeting the master, I seem to have encountered continuous good luck, always able to turn danger into safety…”

Cui Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement: “It seems my destiny is indeed compatible with yours, disciple…”

Wei Jie had a demonic and ominous beauty, but when he smiled, the corners of his mouth revealed sharp canine teeth, making him look like an eighteen or nineteen-year-old young man.

If she hadn’t time-traveled from two hundred years ago, Cui Xiaoxiao would never have imagined that this man, smiling so innocently, would become the notorious Demon Lord who would make people tremble in fear years later.

The master and disciple smiled warmly at each other.

Cui Xiaoxiao stood up, intending to take advantage of this harmonious atmosphere to lecture her disciple about the profound master-disciple bond, which she likened to a chance encounter, before parting ways.

She wanted to bid farewell to her disciple and let the obedient young man cultivate independently in the future. She was not from two hundred years ago, and if she remained by Wei Jie’s side for too long, she might interfere with too many laws of nature. It would be better for them to separate temporarily.

However, at that moment, they heard human voices calling out from above their heads: “There was some commotion down there earlier. Wei Jie must be hiding in the valley below. Come on, let’s hurry down and take a look!”

It seemed that after searching fruitlessly, the four major sects heard the sounds of combat coming from the valley below and decided to investigate.  

Upon hearing these voices, Wei Jie said to Xiaoxiao: “We should leave quickly, or we won’t be able to escape.”

However…Cui Xiaoxiao looked at the serpent’s corpse lying on the ground and had a sudden thought: “I’ve heard that the venom of this ancient giant serpent has miraculous effects. Why don’t we collect some to bring with us? It might prove useful in the future!”

According to the original course of events, Wei Jie had to be poisoned in order to undergo demonic tranformation and become the Demon Monarch. So if he was bitten by the snake venom, everything could revert seamlessly and all would be well in the world!

She could also rid herself of the suspicion of interfering with the laws of nature and calmly find a way to return to two hundred years later.

So she wanted to lure Wei Jie into going near the snake’s head again to see if there was an opportunity to get things back on track.

Unfortunately, her newly accepted disciple was no fool. After looking at the snake’s head, he rejected the idea: “The snake has just died, and its body is not yet stiff. Taking its venom now may not be advisable…”

Cui Xiaoxiao didn’t really expect to easily deceive the great Demon Lord. She dejectedly stood up, pondering her next move.

Wei Jie had been observing his master’s face the entire time. Seeing the disappointment on her pitiful little face…

He pondered for a moment, then untied his wine gourd and suddenly walked towards the male serpent’s head. Cui Xiaoxiao’s spirits lifted as she silently cheered for the snake’s head: “Come on! Don’t die completely, go! Bite him fiercely!”

As if sensing Sect Leader Cui’s calls, just as Wei Jie used his sword to pry open the snake’s mouth, its dazed pupils seemed to regain focus, emitting a murderous aura as it suddenly opened its jaws wide and viciously bit towards Wei Jie’s extended arm.

Fortunately, Wei Jie was quick-handed, immediately withdrawing his arm. He then picked up a large rock nearby and repeatedly smashed it forcefully against the serpent’s head.

Soon, the snake’s head lay motionless. He then continued to pry its jaws open with his bare hands, using his sword to prop it open and the gourd to extract the venom dripping from its venomous fangs.

Cui Xiaoxiao held her breath in anticipation, hoping for a miracle that would allow the not-yet-dead snake’s head to bite Wei Jie, putting everything back on the right track.

But Wei Jie’s strength seemed extraordinarily great as he used his sword to prop open the snake’s mouth, effortlessly collecting the venom without incident.

After obtaining the venom, he handed the gourd to Cui Xiaoxiao: “Here!”

Cui Xiaoxiao was dazed, not understanding Wei Jie’s intentions.

Wei Jie pursed his lips: “Wasn’t the master eager to have it? I took some for you. Keep it safe, but be careful not to accidentally ingest the venom, or even the highest heavenly immortals couldn’t save you.”

So he had misunderstood that Cui Xiaoxiao wanted the snake venom, which prompted him to risk himself and personally collect it for her.

Cui Xiaoxiao felt her cheeks flush. She had exhausted so many schemes in hopes that Wei Jie would be bitten by the venomous serpent, only for him to filially risk himself simply because his master desired it…

Ever since her adoptive father and master, she couldn’t recall anyone treating her so kindly.

Yet now, for no apparent reason, she owed Wei Jie a favor.

In this situation, hoping for her disciple to be bitten by the snake would be outright cruel.

Fortunately, she had the venom in hand and could use it to poison him a few drops at any time, allowing Wei Jie’s path to becoming a demon to resume its proper course.

For now, she could only take it one step at a time. She would wait for Wei Jie to reveal his true ugly nature, allowing her to revert the Demon Lord to his original form without any guilt…

The path Wei Jie took to lead her away followed the route where the Soul-Devouring Serpent had come, along an upturned earthen path that seemed to extend to the mouth of the valley.

After walking for a while, they seemed to enter a winding, secluded path, causing one to lose their sense of direction.

However, Wei Jie appeared quite adept at discerning directions, always able to find inconspicuous paths through the exceptionally dense foliage.

Cui Xiaoxiao was perplexed as to why he was so familiar with the area.

Wei Jie candidly explained: “…I lived on Elder Mountain for a few years as a child, so I’m naturally familiar with it.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Xiaoxiao was infuriated: “So you knew there was a Soul-Devouring Serpent in the valley below, yet you still jumped down?”

As Wei Jie cleared the thorny branches blocking their path, he nonchalantly smiled: “I said I wouldn’t jump, but you insisted on jumping, Master. To preserve the green mountains and forests, I had no choice but to give it a try.”

Listen to that – it became the master’s fault again.

Observing the tall man walking ahead, Cui Xiaoxiao became increasingly vexed: Befitting of someone destined to become a Demon Lord, he was truly cunning! Despite knowing those people were pursuing him, he didn’t reveal it. And despite knowing about the serpent in the valley, he didn’t warn her, intending to use her as a shield. How vile!

No, she had to be on guard against him. With the pursuers from the four major sects outside, at the very least, she needed to keep an escape route open for herself… With this thought, Xiaoxiao’s gaze fell upon the cloth bag containing spirit pills tied to his waist.

Nonchalantly catching up to him, in the blink of an eye, she deftly transferred the bag into her own embrace…

Thanks to Wei Jie’s familiarity with the route, it didn’t take long for them to exit the valley, leaving their pursuers far behind.

Those from the four major sects seemed to deeply resent the thief who stole the spirit pills, dispatching people not only to pursue them up the mountain but also to stand guard below.

So when Wei Jie and Cui Xiaoxiao emerged together from the ravine, someone immediately blocked their path.

“Wei Jie! Where do you think you’re going?”

Cui Xiaoxiao looked up and saw that the four major sects wore white, azure, black, and grey robes respectively, with a group of white-robed people standing at the forefront.

Judging by their cold gazes, these white-robed people’s attire… was identical to that of the Nine Mystic Sword Sect two hundred years later. No wonder she had mistaken them earlier as pursuers from the Nine Mystic Sword Sect.

However… the one leading these white-robed people at the front… wasn’t that Qin Lingxiao?