The Demon Queen Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 47

“Get lost!” Lu Xiaoxiao hissed through gritted teeth, her mind a tangled mess of black lines.

The Sixteenth Day of the First Lunar Month

When Lu Xiaoxiao woke up that day, she finally realized that her vision was no longer pitch black. Instead, she saw the familiar ceiling of Tantai Jing’s room, filling her heart with boundless joy.

“Tantai Jing! My eyes are finally healed!”

Her face radiant with the joy of regaining her sight, she sprang up to find the person she had longed for, eager to share the news immediately.

But Tantai Jing seemed to be absent. Lu Xiaoxiao searched the room barefoot, but couldn’t find her anywhere.

Just as she was feeling dejected, she heard Lu Wanbai and Wan Qingyi’s voices outside.

Wan Qingyi tugged at Lu Wanbai’s sleeve, trying to stop her from entering. “Why are you bringing her to the library? She can’t even read.”

“Xiaoxiao’s been cooped up in the courtyard all day. She needs to get out and get some fresh air. Even if she can’t see, I can read to her,” Lu Wanbai replied, continuing to walk inside, dragging Wan Qingyi, who still clung to her sleeve, behind her.

Before they even crossed the threshold, Lu Xiaoxiao sprang excitedly out the door. The warm winter sunlight bathed her in a golden glow, and her bright eyes sparkled with a vitality they hadn’t held in months. Seeing the two figures before her, her smile curved into a crescent moon.

She threw her arms around Lu Wanbai, jumping up and down as she exclaimed, “I can finally see you again, Senior Sister! I missed you so much! Thank you for taking such good care of me all this time.”

As she bounced, her soft, raven-black hair swayed gently in the breeze, causing a tiny, delicate fang hidden at the tip of her hair to bob up and down, glinting like crystal in the sunlight.

Wan Qingyi forcefully pulled the two apart, abruptly stepping between them. She turned to Lu Xiaoxiao and said earnestly, “You should thank Tantai Jing the most. She’s been running around taking care of you for months!”

“Oh, right! And you too. Thanks for sending snacks to my room all this time, though I’m not sure if they were actually for me,” Lu Xiaoxiao said with a laugh, patting Wan Qingyi on the shoulder.

She paused, averted her gaze, and cleared her throat twice before saying, “As for our Tantai Jing… I have my own way of expressing my gratitude. I’ll give her my most, most, most precious possession.”

“Ah? Your…” Wan Qingyi began, but Lu Wanbai interrupted her.

“Xiaoxiao, you can’t just give her the Chaoyuan Sword!” Lu Wanbai quickly interjected. “Even if you insist on giving it away, then… wait until after the wedding.”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s face lit up with realization. “Your idea is even better! I was originally planning to offer myself in marriage, but now I realize that’s not enough.”

“Oh, Senior Sister, I remember you telling me about a book on magic artifacts a few days ago, something called the Immortal Path Magic Artifact Manual. It explained how to make one’s Lifebound Magic Artifact recognize someone close to you as its master. Could you find it for me again?”

Lu Wanbai’s expression turned troubled. “This is a Divine Artifact passed down through generations of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect. You haven’t even married her yet—isn’t this a bit too hasty?”

“Absolutely not! Moreover, that method requires you to expend your vital essence. You’ve only just recovered your strength and need to rest and recuperate properly,” Wan Qingyi added, stepping forward to dissuade her.

Having finished speaking, Lu Wanbai turned to leave, as if she didn’t want to acknowledge Lu Xiaoxiao. Lu Xiaoxiao hurriedly chased after her, grabbing her arm and pleading, “Our relationship is already so strong—all that’s missing is the formality of becoming Dao Companions. Besides, the Chaoyuan Sword is so temperamental; it only lets me touch it. I’ve accidentally injured her twice already, and I feel terrible about it.”

Lu Wanbai remained unmoved. This method was far too taxing on the body, and how many relationships in this world truly remained unchanged? Countless couples became Dao Companions one day only to be fighting over spiritual treasures and medicinal herbs the next.

Though she acknowledged that Tantai Jing was a cultivator of excellent character, temperament, and Dao prowess, and that she and Lu Xiaoxiao made a perfect match, she feared that introducing material interests would corrupt their pure affection.

The scene in the courtyard shifted. Originally, Lu Wanbai had been walking gracefully ahead while Wan Qingyi trailed behind, trying to stop her. Now, Lu Wanbai strode forward resolutely, while Lu Xiaoxiao hunched over behind her, clutching Lu Wanbai’s sleeve with both hands, straining with all her might to halt her progress. Lu Xiaoxiao’s feet dug into the ground with each step, kicking up thin layers of dust.

“Senior Sister, Senior Sister, please, I’m begging you!”

“I’ve never asked you for anything before. Just this once, make an exception and agree.”

Suddenly, a ripping sound tore through the air.

Lu Wanbai jerked violently, and her sleeve tore with a sharp snap. Lu Xiaoxiao lost her balance and crashed face-first onto the hard ground with a dull thud.

Wan Qingyi stood nearby, her gaze sweeping across Lu Wanbai’s face, which barely concealed her anger. Her eyes lingered briefly on Lu Wanbai’s jade-white arm before shifting to Lu Xiaoxiao, who lay sprawled on the ground, still clutching the torn sleeve.

After a moment’s thought, Wan Qingyi pulled out a copy of the Immortal Path Magic Artifact Manual from her robes and casually tossed it onto the ground. She then hurried after Lu Wanbai, calling out, “Hey, Lu Wanbai, wait up! I didn’t realize you were as fair as your name suggests!”

Only after the pair had moved some distance away did Lu Xiaoxiao slowly rise to her feet. She brushed the dust off her clothes, picked up the Immortal Path Magic Artifact Manual, and muttered to herself, “If I’d known it would be this easy to get, I wouldn’t have bothered with all that effort.”

Lu Xiaoxiao eagerly flipped through the book, finding the chapter on binding magic artifacts. It read: “To bind a magic artifact, sincerity is key. A bl00d oath is required, merging the master’s spirit with the artifact’s essence. The master’s bl00d serves as the artifact’s spiritual catalyst, forming a contract through this medium. Once established, the artifact obeys only its master’s commands, resisting control by others.”

Her eyes continued scanning the page, drawn to another passage: “To extend the artifact’s recognition to a Dao Companion, both parties must share perfect harmony of mind and pure, unwavering affection. During the binding ritual, the master can guide the process, allowing the Dao Companion’s spiritual energy to permeate the artifact, attempting to forge a dual contract. This method is exceedingly difficult, requiring the artifact’s own acknowledgment of the Dao Companion. The process drains both spiritual energy and vital essence, with a low success rate. Only through unwavering mutual affection and perfect synchronicity can the master and Dao Companion hope to succeed.”

Lu Xiaoxiao patted the Chaoyuan Sword confidently. “We’re definitely in perfect harmony,” she declared. “It’s up to you now. Be sensible. If you ever harm my Dao Companion again, I won’t be so lenient.” She then became lost in the word “Dao Companion,” giggling foolishly to herself.

This time, the Chaoyuan Sword remained docile, enduring her pats and prods without stirring.

Lu Xiaoxiao tucked the Immortal Path Magic Artifact Manual into her robes and hurried back to her room, rummaging through her belongings in search of something containing Tantai Jing’s spiritual energy.

She sat down at her desk and picked up a writing brush. “No, no, this has only been used, it wouldn’t contain Tantai Jing’s spiritual energy.”

Next, she grabbed a robe from the rack. “Hmm, this has only been worn, but it might not contain any spiritual energy.”

Just as Lu Xiaoxiao was about to put down Tantai Jing’s outer robe, sunlight streamed through the window, reflecting a ray of light into her eyes.

She reached out with two fingers and gently pinched a slender strand of hair. “Since this fell from Tantai Jing’s body, it’s no longer restricted by the Concealing Pearl. The hair has reverted to its original silver color.”

“I have the Chaoyuan Sword and a strand of Tantai Jing’s spiritual energy-infused hair. Now all I need is my Lifebound Vital Essence. I wonder if the original owner already bound the Chaoyuan Sword? Would it still work if I tried to bind it again?” Lu Xiaoxiao realized her understanding of cultivation was still too limited. She had no idea what it felt like to bind a magic artifact, since the manual didn’t cover such details. Still, the Chaoyuan Sword had always been remarkably obedient. Could it already be bound?

“Never mind. I’ll just try it first. As long as Tantai Jing’s spiritual energy can enter, it should… be about the same, right?”

Worried about making a mess in Tantai Jing’s room, she took the book and the strand of hair back to her own courtyard at Jade Glow Palace.

This method was dangerous, allowing no room for error. After closing the door, Lu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and swiftly erected a barrier.

Everything was prepared.

In the dimly lit, silent room, Lu Xiaoxiao closed her eyes and focused her mind, slowly circulating her cultivation technique to bring her body into its optimal state.

Gradually, wisps of azure spiritual energy began to envelop her, undulating gently in the air.

Suddenly, she snapped her eyes open, her hands forming rapid hand seals as she silently chanted the incantation to extract vital essence. She guided the strand of hair into her body, directing it and the spiritual energy toward her heart. As the incantation deepened, she felt the spiritual energy within her body coalesce into a thin stream, slowly flowing into her heart.

The convergence of spiritual energy triggered intense pain. Lu Xiaoxiao’s delicate features twisted in agony, her body began to tremble slightly, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.

She had never imagined extracting her Lifebound Vital Essence would be so agonizing. But when she recalled the searing, flame-like wounds that had burned Tantai Jing’s hands twice while wielding the Chaoyuan Sword, she felt her own pain was insignificant by comparison.

Tantai Jing was the Dao Companion she had chosen for life. How could she allow him to be repeatedly injured by her Lifebound Spirit Sword? This was something she absolutely refused to tolerate.

Clenching her teeth, she pressed on.

Turning her gaze inward, she observed the delicate strands of spiritual energy slowly separating the fist-sized Lifebound Vital Essence from her heart.

Her clothes clung tightly to her skin, already stained with sweat. Her face was as pale as paper, and her lips had lost all color from the prolonged agony. Fine beads of sweat covered her forehead, trickling down her eyelashes and blurring her vision.

After enduring countless hours, a searing surge of vital essence finally detached from her heart, transforming into a radiant crimson glow that hovered in mid-air.

This time, she had forcibly extracted half of her body’s vital essence. Lifebound Vital Essence contained a cultivator’s boundless cultivation and life force, its brilliance nearly illuminating the entire cultivation chamber.

Lu Xiaoxiao braced herself against the floor, gasping for breath, desperately trying to keep her swaying body from collapsing.

At that moment, the remaining Lifebound Vital Essence surged back into her heart, a process even more agonizing than its earlier separation.

A deafening roar filled her mind, threatening to shatter her consciousness. A colossal iron hammer seemed to slam into her chest with each heartbeat, each pulse accompanied by searing pain and a suffocating pressure that made it nearly impossible to breathe.

Then, a sickly sweet, metallic taste flooded her throat, followed by a gush of bl00d that stained her white robes crimson.

The once pristine white dress was now marred by crimson droplets, like poppies blooming across a winter snowfield—a stark, jarring contrast. The bloodstains spread rapidly, tracing a path from her chest to the hem of her skirt.

Lu Xiaoxiao could no longer hold herself up. She collapsed sideways onto the floor, her face etched with utter despair.

A simple bl00d oath? How could it be this difficult?

Is Wan Qingyi trying to kill me?

Did she give me a fake book?

Or is she after the Chaoyuan Sword, waiting outside for me to weaken so she can snatch my Divine Artifact?

Lost in wild speculation, Lu Xiaoxiao stretched out her fingers, straining to reach the Immortal Path Magic Artifact Manual lying just out of reach. She nudged it bit by bit until it slid into her palm, then snatched it back.

According to the manual, only one step remained. She needed to drip a strand of hair infused with Tantai Jing’s spiritual energy into the Chaoyuan Sword to complete the process.

Her trembling fingers flipped to page 18. She reread the instructions from beginning to end, confirming that her method matched the manual’s exactly. But how could such unbearable pain be part of the process?

“Garbage person wrote a garbage book,” she muttered, tossing the manual aside weakly and swallowing a handful of healing pills.

As the medicine took effect, her body finally began to recover. When she felt her spiritual energy had returned to about half its normal level, she forced herself to sit up and pondered whether to continue. “Maybe I should just take my Lifebound Vital Essence to Aunt Wan tomorrow and ask her about this,” she murmured to herself.

Just then, a sudden gust of wind blew through the window, flipping the manual’s pages and stopping at page 19.

Lu Xiaoxiao glanced over. Her eyes widened instantly, and she froze in place.

On the second page, a small note read: “For use only by Dao Companions of the Human Race, preferably with compatible Spiritual Root attributes. Using this method with conflicting attributes is strongly discouraged, as it may cause severe damage to the magic artifact’s master. Immortal Venerable Changyu, author of this manual, assumes no responsibility for such consequences!”

“Heh… I nearly lost half my life, and you put this crucial information on the second page?! Tantai Jing is barely half-Human, and she has a Fire Spiritual Root, while I have a Water Spiritual Root. Isn’t that the textbook definition of water and fire conflict?!”

Lu Xiaoxiao forced herself to sit up despite her injuries. Having come this far, she had to try, no matter how slim the chances of success.

She focused her mind, carefully manipulating her spiritual energy to guide the vital essence floating in the air. Slowly, she lowered it toward the juncture between the Chaoyuan Sword’s hilt and blade.

Where the vital essence touched the Chaoyuan Sword, a faint glow flickered, as if a connection were forming between the two.

Suddenly, an blinding light erupted, like the first rays of dawn bursting forth in full glory, instantly illuminating the entire room.

When the light subsided, the vital essence—now the size of an infant’s fist—slowly flowed along the Chaoyuan Sword’s engraved patterns before sinking into the blade and vanishing completely.

“With such a bright light, I guess it worked?” Lu Xiaoxiao murmured, gazing uncertainly at the Chaoyuan Sword hovering in the air.

Suddenly, the Chaoyuan Sword darted forward, its hilt tapping lightly against Lu Xiaoxiao’s forehead twice.

A girl’s voice echoed in Lu Xiaoxiao’s ears: “I can’t believe you! It’s been almost a year, and you’re only now thinking to claim me as your master? If I didn’t find you somewhat agreeable, I would have abandoned you long ago.” The voice was clear and playful, sounding like a girl of sixteen or seventeen.

Lu Xiaoxiao sat frozen in place, her body shifting slightly to the left. The Chaoyuan Sword followed her movement, its hilt still pointed at her forehead.

“You heard right—it’s me, this young lady! What’s so strange about a Divine Artifact like myself having a Sword Spirit that can speak? Don’t act so surprised.” The hilt bobbed up and down in front of Lu Xiaoxiao.

Lu Xiaoxiao’s lips moved silently before she finally managed to utter two words:

“Impressive!”

The Chaoyuan Sword circled her once, as if appraising her. “Sigh, the Lu Clan has truly declined with each generation. Now even their Sect has been destroyed.”

Lu Xiaoxiao vehemently disagreed. “That has nothing to do with me.”

“If you put it that way, you’re right. You never really had any connection to the Lu Clan anyway.”

Lu Xiaoxiao was shocked. “You knew about that?”

“Of course. The original Lu Xiaoxiao is dead. I exhausted my remaining spiritual energy to summon you from the future to take her place. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have needed so much of your vital essence to awaken.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiaoxiao’s eyes suddenly turned fierce. She gripped the hilt of the Chaoyuan Sword, pressed it against the ground, and roared, “So you’re the one who brought me to this dog-eat-dog world! Do you know how many times I almost died?”

“Calm down, calm down. You wouldn’t have survived in your original world either. What’s so bad about being here? You even gained a beautiful Dao Companion, didn’t you?”

The image of Tantai Jing flashed through her mind. She had to admit, if she hadn’t come here, she would never have met Tantai Jing.

Lu Xiaoxiao still pressed the sword down. “Did that master-binding spell actually work? You won’t hurt Tantai Jing again, will you?”

“……”

Lu Xiaoxiao glared coldly. “I’m talking to you. Don’t make me melt you down.”

“Tantai Jing is a demon! How could a Divine Artifact like me be wielded by a demon?”

“Half-demon,” Lu Xiaoxiao retorted. “She’s also half-human.”

“Why don’t you go take a bath first? You’re covered in sweat and bl00d—it’s disgusting even for a sword.”

Lu Xiaoxiao lifted her sleeve, brought it to her nose, and sniffed. Her brow furrowed slightly.

With a sigh, she dragged her weary body to the Spirit Spring behind the courtyard, preparing to strip and wash herself.

The Spirit Spring was surrounded by lush greenery, its waters crystal clear to the bottom. Left behind by the previous owner, she had never experienced it since arriving here.

“You’re still following me even when I’m bathing? Have you no shame?”

“I’m a Sword Spirit, not human! We’re not even the same species. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

Lu Xiaoxiao knew exactly how stubborn the Chaoyuan Sword could be. Seeing it wouldn’t leave, she reached down to untie her waist sash, stripped off her outer robe, and flung it at the sword.

“How vicious! If you don’t want to, you don’t have to!” The Chaoyuan Sword hastily dodged backward and retreated into the room.

Only then did Lu Xiaoxiao feel safe enough to remove her remaining clothes. She tossed them into the air, cast a Fire Curse Art, and incinerated them completely.

Carefully stepping into the spring, she was instantly enveloped by the warm water, which brought an indescribable sense of comfort.

She closed her eyes, feeling the spiritual energy from the Spirit Spring slowly flow into her body, nourishing her weakened form after the excessive loss of vital essence.

So, I never truly bound the Chaoyuan Sword to me before, she realized. Even without being bound, it could sever Yan Gengshen’s arm. Now that it’s bound, it must be even more powerful. She wondered if she had successfully infused Tantai Jing’s spiritual energy into it today. Though it had cost her a great deal of vital essence, she didn’t consider it a complete loss.

Lost in thought, Lu Xiaoxiao soaked in the spring for nearly an hour. The Spirit Spring’s nourishment had indeed eased her pain, but her complexion remained pale, tinged with weakness. The three months of recovery had been undone in a single day, leaving her as frail as when she was first injured.

As she prepared to leave the spring, she thought about bringing Lu Wanbai and Wan Qingyi here to experience it someday.

But before that, I must bring Tantai Jing here first…

Just as Lu Xiaoxiao finished dressing and fastened her belt, the Chaoyuan Sword spoke: “You were so badly injured earlier, yet now your cheeks are suddenly flushed. Your lips are still pale, though. You must be thinking about that half-demon Dao Companion of yours again.”

Lu Xiaoxiao flushed with embarrassment and indignation, about to retort, when the sword interrupted her.

“Aiya, I’ve been with you for a whole year! It would be strange if I didn’t understand you by now. When it comes to what’s on your mind, I know you better than anyone except Tantai Jing.”

“Can others hear you talking?” Lu Xiaoxiao asked, pressing her temples. This sword seemed to have no filter whatsoever.

“I can choose who hears me,” the Chaoyuan Sword replied. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t bother spreading your little secrets. They’re hardly earth-shattering news.”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s anxiety eased slightly.

“Enough talk. Tantai Jing will be looking for you soon. Time is short, so I’ll transmit the Profound Heaven Sword Art to you now,” the Chaoyuan Sword suddenly said, its tone turning serious.

The sword moved like a swimming dragon, arcing through the air until its hilt pressed against Lu Xiaoxiao’s forehead.

A faint glow emanated from her brow, and the text of the Profound Heaven Sword Art appeared in her mind, accompanied by illustrations of the techniques.

The Profound Heaven Sword Art consisted of three sword forms. With her current Golden Core Stage cultivation, Lu Xiaoxiao could only execute the first form, “Profound Heaven Dawnbreak.” The second form, “Flowing Clouds Severing Mountains,” required Tribulation Transcending Stage cultivation, while the final form, “Stellar River Reversal,” demanded the Body Integration Stage.

Since arriving in this world, Lu Xiaoxiao had never heard of anyone reaching the Body Integration Stage, making her doubt the reliability of this sword art.

Complementing the sword art was the Profound Heaven Body Tempering Manual, also divided into three tiers. The book in her mind claimed that upon reaching the third tier, one could kill Tribulation Transcending Stage cultivators with bare hands.

“……”

Chaoyuan Sword: Impressed, aren’t you? Isn’t my technique amazing? What was that Purple Qi Comes Eastward Manual you were clinging to before? I don’t even want to talk about it—it’s something only Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators use.

“……Then how long will it take me to reach the third tier, which the book says requires the Body Integration Stage?”

Chaoyuan Sword: Are you underestimating me? With me here, you’ll reach the Body Integration Stage in just seven hundred years at most. I guarantee you’ll become the strongest in the world. Others wouldn’t even touch the threshold of Body Integration in a lifetime.

“Then how did Lu Mingyu die?”

Uh, haven’t I been asleep for centuries? I never even met Lu Mingyu.

“……”

Tantai Jing must be looking for me by now. I need to go home for dinner. You can do as you please—go play wherever you want.

“Even in your current state, you’re still thinking about such things?”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s mind filled with dark lines. Gritting her teeth, she snarled, “Get lost!”