Forced to Love (GL) - Chapter 41

The white light faded, the wind around her grew silent, and when Lingxi opened her eyes again, she found herself lying in a low-lying area. Nearby, she heard weak groans and quiet sobs, which irritated her and made her frown.

The sky was dark and chaotic, making it difficult to see clearly. Lingxi propped herself up and sat up, looking around at the ruined scene. Flickering flames were close by, and the fire was growing rapidly, consuming a wooden house in just a few breaths.

A gust of wind blew, and the flames licked at her face, making her cheeks burn.

Lingxi slowly raised her hand, and the moment her palm faced upward, light burst forth, even stronger than before.

The intense brightness made her uncomfortable, but it somehow eased her heart.

After a moment, she closed her palm, and the light disappeared instantly.

The damp mud of the lowland clung to her feet, sending a wave of coldness through her. Looking to her side, Lingxi finally noticed that the weak groans were coming from children about the same age as her host body.

The ones who could still make sounds were barely alive, but most had already stopped breathing.

Her gaze sharpened. With just a quick glance, Lingxi could tell that this place was a feeding ground for demons.

Demons often kidnapped people from nearby villages for food, and children were their primary prey.

Her host, Lang Yue, was born into a poor family. Originally, she was escaping from Pingzhou Town with her parents, but demons suddenly appeared during their flight. The terrified townspeople scattered, and Lang Yue, being small and weak, was separated from her family. Alone and defenseless, she had no way to escape the demons’ grasp.

Normally, demons wouldn’t dare to act so recklessly, but Pingzhou Town was at the border of different immortal sects’ territories. Though it was officially a shared boundary, in reality, it was a lawless gray area.

Demons frequently appeared in this town, and the people lived in constant fear, barely surviving. Long ago, many had chosen to flee with their families, leaving behind only those who clung to their homeland or those waiting for the Yaoguang Sect, which had once promised to take control of Pingzhou Town.

As the leading sect in the immortal world, the Yaoguang Sect’s intervention would bring hope to the people of Pingzhou Town.

But before the sect could arrive, disaster struck first.

“Sister, eat this candied fruit for me. I’ve never tasted it before. I hope that one day, I can have the power to protect myself and my family, to no longer fear demons.”

The flickering firelight reflected on Lingxi’s face. She closed her eyes slightly, her expression solemn and respectful.

When she opened them again, she let out a soft sigh, sending off the soul of her host and accepting her final wish.

The crying around her gradually weakened. Lingxi stood up and followed the firelight to the source of the sound. A small child lay curled up in the mud, shivering uncontrollably from the cold. His face was pale—he was barely clinging to life.

Lingxi was supposed to be indifferent, free from emotions. She was, after all, a spirit transformed from a jade flute, unaware of human feelings or logic, meant only to serve her master, the Divine One.

But at that moment, Lingxi suddenly remembered a past life when she stood side by side with the Divine One, repelling invaders. From the high tower, they looked down at the bustling night market, and the Divine One’s face softened with a smile. It was as if something had seeped into Lingxi’s heart along with that smile, making her aware of the changes in her emotions.

The cold wind howled past, and the child at her feet seemed about to sink into the muddy ground. Lingxi, too, shivered instinctively.

In the next moment, she crouched down to lift him, intending to carry him away from this place. However, she overestimated her host body’s strength. How could a weak child carry another child of similar size?

Her hands sank into the mud, but all they did was absorb its coldness.

Frowning, Lingxi tried several times but couldn’t stand up from the lowland. Instead, her small face became covered in layers of splattered black mud.

Finally, she slipped and fell completely into the mud. The muffled sound of her fall echoed slightly in the stillness.

She barely took a moment to rest before pushing herself up again, her hands covered in wet soil. But just as she was about to move, a voice suddenly rang out behind her.

“Why are you so determined to save him?”

The voice was soft and calm. Lingxi froze mid-movement and turned her head sharply.

Above the lowland, a bright white light shone. She instinctively raised a mud-stained hand to shield her eyes. A figure emerged from the light, stepping forward. In just a few moments, the person was standing right in front of her.

Dressed in white robes with faint patterns embroidered on the sleeves, the person looked down at her. Even the wind seemed to still.

“Because he’s still breathing.”

A child’s voice, firm and without hesitation. Though they were meeting for the first time, Xie Xisui felt as if she could see blurred images through Lingxi’s eyes. In the distance, a faint melody of a flute echoed in her ears.

“The demons will return soon. Aren’t you afraid?”

“I am. Will you save me?”

There was a hint of innocence in the soft voice, but if one listened carefully, there was also a fearless calmness.

Xie Xisui’s eyebrows moved slightly. After a moment, she asked, “What’s your name?”

“Lang Yue.”

……

Years later, Lingxi had grown accustomed to life in Chuanze Ravine. The ravine was vast, flanked by two mountains, with a deep gorge between them. Water cascaded down from above, forming a massive waterfall.

In summer, the water flowed swiftly and clear. In winter, icicles hung down, merging with the snowy mountain landscape.

Lingxi had spent years exploring every corner of the ravine, except for one place—Mengjiang Peak, which Xie Xisui had strictly forbidden her from approaching.

Mengjiang Peak was covered in snow all year round. Even from Qingzhou Peak, one could see nothing but feel the piercing cold and lingering hostility.

A sudden rustling echoed through the forest. The invisible barrier in front of Lingxi vanished. Lowering her head, she placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and bowed slightly. “Welcome back, Master.”

Xie Xisui dismissed the cloud beneath her feet with a wave and stood with her hands behind her back.

The frail and muddy child she once rescued from Pingzhou Town had grown into a tall young woman, dressed in the Yaoguang Sect’s white robes, her fair skin glowing under the sunlight.

Later, when Xie Xisui looked back, she still couldn’t explain why Lingxi had felt so familiar from the first moment they met. It was as if she had been searching for centuries and had finally found her, settling like dust after a long journey.

“Have you been slacking off lately?”

“No, Master. Ever since you went into seclusion, I’ve been practicing hard. I’ve memorized all the spells you taught me.”

“Is that so?”
Xie Xisui responded softly, turning her fingers slightly. A tree branch hidden under fallen leaves suddenly changed
into a humanoid shape and let out a loud roar.

Lingxi held her sword sheath over her shoulder, her expression calm. She was clearly used to such sudden trials.

Her lips moved slightly. The sword flew out from the sheath and charged at the tree figure. The tree figure swung its arm; the flying sword dodged, then spun back and clashed again.

After several exchanges, the tree figure struck the sword hilt hard. The sword spun and flew straight toward Xie Xisui.

She didn’t move or dodge. She didn’t even look at the incoming sword, as if frozen in place. She only smiled slightly at Lingxi.

Lingxi dashed forward, caught the sword steadily in front of Xie Xisui, and landed with a rustle of leaves. Using the trunk for support, she jumped back into battle.

But the tree figure couldn’t be cut or destroyed. It had a clear spiritual energy point on its body, but Lingxi’s magic couldn’t break it. Only after she used every spell Xie Xisui had taught her did the tree figure suddenly go poof and return to its original shape.

Dust from the burst of energy flew toward Lingxi’s face. She raised her hand to block it, but a mysterious gust of wind swept the dust away. When she turned around, Xie Xisui’s fingers were just lowering.

“Hmm. Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Lingxi softly chanted a spell. Her sword grew several times larger and floated in the air. The next moment, Xie Xisui stepped onto the sword before Lingxi.

Lingxi paused. “Master, are you riding with me?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

Xie Xisui looked at her with dark eyes that revealed no emotion.

“No.”

Lingxi stood in front of her, formed a spell with her fingers, and the sword flew high into the sky, passing through the clouds.

The wind brushed against her ears. It was light and soft, but her ears somehow felt hot, as if warm air had swept past them. She stood straight, her robes fluttering behind her.

“You’ve grown taller since I last saw you,” Xie Xisui’s thoughtful voice came from behind, briefly covering the sound of the wind.

“Master, have I made no progress in my spells?”

“Your spells, hmm…”

The person behind her went quiet for a while. Lingxi turned her head slightly to look. Before she could see, a hand lightly tapped the back of her head. “Look forward.”

For some reason, Lingxi heard her let out a soft laugh. “Are you trying to get me to praise you?”

“You’ve always learned quickly. Of course your magic has improved.”

Xie Xisui paused for a moment. “About the sect trial before going down the mountain this time…”

“Don’t worry, Master. I’ll give it my all.”

“Hmm. Just be careful.”

The voice at her ear, carried by the wind, surrounded Lingxi.

Under her feet, the sword trembled slightly, affected by her emotions, and let out a few soft hums.

Xie Xisui didn’t say anything. Lingxi coughed quietly, and the sound was quickly drowned by the wind.

Xie Xisui’s eyes fell on Lingxi’s neck, and then quietly glanced at the red tip of her ear. Her gaze flickered.

This girl was Xie Xisui’s exception. Xie Xisui was the Sword Elder of Yaoguang Sect and lived alone in Chuanzé Ravine, guarding Mengjiang Peak. She had never taken a disciple, and she was the only one who lived in Fuping Palace.

But after going down the mountain over ten years ago and saving Lang Yue in Pingzhou Town, she accepted her as a disciple. Since then, there was one more person in Chuanzé Ravine and Fuping Palace.

Lang Yue was extremely talented. Whether it was magic, reading, or writing, she only needed to be taught once to master it.

All of Fuping Palace was managed well by her. She even took careful care of Xie Xisui, so much so that Xie Xisui got used to someone always waiting when she came out of seclusion.

When Xie Xisui looked into her eyes, she often saw her own reflection—like there was only one person in her world, only for her.

The first time such a thought occurred to her, Xie Xisui felt shocked, with a strange sense that it was somehow meant to be.

Later, it happened more and more often. That strange feeling of “meant to be” became like the calm in Lang Yue’s eyes when they first met, quietly growing and spreading like vines through her heart.

“Master, we’ve reached Dongshan Hall.”

Lingxi’s voice suddenly broke Xie Xisui’s thoughts.

Outside the Yaoguang Sect’s Dongshan Hall, many people were already waiting. Lingxi gathered her thoughts and flew down with her sword.

As soon as her sword returned to its sheath, Lingxi stepped aside.

Immediately, loud voices rang out in unison, “Greetings, Elder Swordmaster!”