The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 38

Yun Xiao forced herself to look away, but her gaze seemed rooted to Fang Zhiluo, impossible to break free.

She repeatedly reminded herself not to forget her injuries, nor to forget Cangwu’s essence bl00d.

The image of Cangwu after giving her the essence bl00d—his body limp, his scales dull, and his coma lasting nearly two months—flashed before her eyes, instantly extinguishing the impulse rising within her heart.

Even if she returned Fang Zhiluo’s sword strike and palm strike, she and Fang Zhiluo could never return to their original state.

From the moment Yun Xiao’s gaze fell upon her, Fang Zhiluo knew.

She was waiting, waiting for Yun Xiao to take the initiative to approach her.

Alas, after waiting for so long, Yun Xiao never came.

Suppressing her disappointment, Fang Zhiluo gently placed the brewed tea across from her and said softly, “With such beautiful mountains, clear waters, and breathtaking scenery, how could we lack a cup of fine tea?”

This mountain was high and remote. Though it belonged to the Azure Cloud Sect, no one ever chose to come here. Over three hundred years ago, during the Flood Season, she no longer needed the Pheromone Suppression Pill to endure it. Her spiritual power alone could suppress her physical discomfort. Whether it was because she had grown accustomed to it or because she had finally recognized her own heart, she still felt restless and uneasy. In her agitation, she had come to this place.

Standing atop the mountain peak, gazing into the distance, Yun Xiao found a fleeting moment of peace. Since that day, she had made it a yearly ritual to walk this path.

The pavilion, too, had been built for appreciating the scenery.

This time, Yun Xiao didn’t refuse. She calmly sat down opposite Fang Zhiluo, picked up the teacup, took a delicate sip, and praised, “Rich in spiritual essence, with a lingering sweetness. Truly worthy of being second only to Enlightenment Tea, the Bodhi Clarity Tea.”

Setting down the cup, she retrieved the porcelain bottle from earlier and placed it on the table. “Payment.”

She didn’t want to owe Fang Zhiluo, just as he hadn’t wanted to owe her five hundred years ago.

A bitter taste rose in Fang Zhiluo’s mouth. He lowered his gaze, concealing the sorrow in his eyes, and said in a muffled voice, “Very well.”

In the Main Peak Great Hall, Guangcheng and Bai Mofeng remained locked in a stalemate.

Guangcheng argued that even if a Primordial Spirit had indeed taken residence in Meng Jiang’s Sea of Consciousness, it hadn’t hindered Meng Jiang’s cultivation. On the contrary, it had even helped him advance his cultivation. This hardly seemed like malicious intent.

As for the disciples whose cultivation had stagnated and whose luck had waned, there was no direct evidence linking their plight to the Primordial Spirit’s influence.

To probe a disciple’s Sea of Consciousness based solely on the words of an outsider would be reckless.

Moreover, the Primordial Spirit had remained hidden within Meng Jiang’s Sea of Consciousness for so many years without revealing the slightest trace of its presence, demonstrating its formidable power. Without meticulous preparation to expel it in a single strike, Meng Jiang’s Sea of Consciousness would be in grave danger.

Repairing the Sea of Consciousness was far more challenging than restoring the Dantian, and Wuwei dared not risk it.

After weighing his options in silence, Wuwei glanced sideways at Bai Mofeng and instructed, “Invite Yun Xiao here. I have questions for her in person.”

Bai Mofeng guessed Wuwei’s intentions, his expression hesitant. Yun Xiao was not a member of the Azure Cloud Sect. To put it bluntly, the only reason she had shared such crucial information with them was because she held a favorable impression of their sect.

Friendship? There had been one five hundred years ago, but its current status was uncertain.

After a moment’s contemplation, he transmitted a silent message: “Ancestor, the manuals record that those favored by the Heavenly Dao can glimpse a sliver of Heavenly Secrets before Ascension.”

He left the rest unsaid, confident that Grandmaster Wuwei’s wisdom would grasp the unspoken meaning.

Suppressing his rising excitement, Wuwei urged, “I understand the risks. Just bring her here.”

Only Yun Xiao’s glimpse of Heavenly Secrets could explain why she knew a Primordial Spirit was hidden within Xie Yunfan’s Sea of Consciousness, and why she was so certain there were two more such spirits.

He had heard of the practice of stealing Luck, a technique used by Demonic Cultivators.

Both Demonic Cultivators and the Demonic Race were despised by the Heavenly Dao. The world believed this dark art had been lost after the great war ten thousand years ago.

Now it seemed the tradition hadn’t been broken but had instead been refined. Otherwise, how could the entire Heavenly Origin Realm remain completely unaware?

Yun Xiao arrived at the Main Peak Great Hall half an hour later. She walked past everyone as if they weren’t there, settled into the chair she had occupied earlier, and asked indifferently, “Why did you call me here?”

Wuwei disliked her attitude but refrained from reacting. He asked, “How did you know there were two more Primordial Spirits hidden in the Heavenly Origin Realm?”

Yun Xiao pointed skyward. “It told me.”

Guangcheng scoffed, “Liar! If the Heavenly Dao truly gave you a hint, why haven’t you Ascended yet?”

Neither Wuwei nor Bai Mofeng reprimanded Guangcheng. They exchanged knowing glances and waited for Yun Xiao’s response.

Fang Zhiluo guessed Wuwei and Bai Mofeng’s intentions, her brow furrowing slightly as a surge of displeasure welled up within her.

Yun Xiao had informed the Azure Cloud Sect out of kindness, but now both Bai Mofeng and Grandmaster Wuwei, driven by their own agendas, were allowing Guangcheng to question her, pressuring her to reveal more Heavenly Secrets.

The moment Yun Xiao revealed that two Primordial Spirits were still hidden within the Heavenly Origin Realm, she knew Yun Xiao had glimpsed the Heavenly Secrets.

If her guess was correct, Yun Xiao had glimpsed them while grilling meat on that deserted island. She had noticed Yun Xiao’s Divine Sense lingering for an unusually long time.

Yun Xiao had originally intended for the Azure Cloud Sect to persuade the Four Great Sects to hunt down the remaining two Primordial Spirits draining the Heavenly Origin Realm’s Luck.

Now, not only had her mission failed, but she was also repeatedly subjected to suspicion.

Let whoever wants to endure this humiliation do so; she refused to play along any longer.

After all, once she gathered the three pieces of Breathing Earth and repaired the Heavenly Ladder, she could ascend to the Upper Realm. At that point, the fate of the Heavenly Origin Realm would no longer concern her.

Repeating this to herself, she rose to her feet and declared, “You’re right. I should focus on Ascension. These petty matters have nothing to do with me.”

Wuwei and Bai Mofeng panicked, leaping to their feet and calling out to stop her.

Yun Xiao ignored them, striding straight out of the Main Peak Great Hall.

Boom! A bolt of Heavenly Lightning crashed down before her feet, instantly creating a basin-sized crater in the ground.

She glared defiantly at the sky, shouting, “Why are you striking me? If you’re going to strike anyone, strike them! I’ve already said what needed to be said—it’s their own fault for not believing me!”

Boom! Two bolts of Heavenly Lightning struck Wuwei and Bai Mofeng, who had chased after her.

Wuwei, with his high cultivation, suffered only minor superficial injuries.

Bai Mofeng wasn’t so lucky; he was immediately forced to cough up a mouthful of bl00d.

No comparison, no pain, Yun Xiao thought smugly.

Seeing Guangcheng emerge as well, she immediately pointed at him and complained, “And him too! He’s obsessed with protecting that disciple possessed by a Primordial Spirit.”

The moment her words left her lips, dark clouds gathered overhead, and a bolt of lightning twice as thick as a water bucket hurtled toward Guangcheng.

Guangcheng cursed Yun Xiao inwardly as he tore a Swift Travel Talisman to escape.

Two breaths later, he was struck down, the smell of burning flesh reaching even those standing far away.

The sight of his charred, smoking body instantly delighted Yun Xiao, and she grinned widely.

Remembering that the true culprit was still safe in the Main Peak Great Hall, Yun Xiao abruptly stopped smiling and suggested tentatively, “Why don’t you just strike down that possessed disciple inside too? Straightforward and efficient, right?”

Wuwei and Bai Mofeng exclaimed in unison, “Absolutely not!”

Boom! A dry thunderclap echoed, rejecting Yun Xiao’s proposal.

As the dark clouds dispersed, Wuwei and Bai Mofeng both sighed in relief.

After this incident, they realized they needed to force out the Primordial Spirit as soon as possible. None of them wanted to be struck by lightning again.

At the same time, Wuwei became even more convinced that Yun Xiao was the one favored by the Heavenly Dao. By following her, he was certain they would achieve Ascension.

The commotion had already drawn the attention of nearby disciples, who gathered around, eager to learn what had just happened.

Bai Mofeng instructed two familiar disciples, “Take Peak Master Guangcheng to Pill Peak. Then find two others to repair the ground.”

Noticing the lingering disciples, he barked, “Disperse!”

Fang Zhiluo had remained in the Main Peak Great Hall, watching Meng Jiang to prevent his escape.

From the moment Meng Jiang entered the hall, she and Yun Xiao had placed a restriction on him, sealing his Sea of Consciousness. This prevented the Primordial Spirit within from sensing the outside world, and temporarily blocked Meng Jiang’s Divine Sense from accessing his own Sea of Consciousness.

Though she knew Yun Xiao hadn’t been struck by lightning, Fang Zhiluo’s gaze still lingered on her as she returned to the hall, unconsciously scrutinizing her.

Wuwei followed Yun Xiao into the hall and cast a silencing barrier. Lowering his voice, he asked, “Young friend Yun Xiao, do you have a method to force out that Primordial Spirit?”

Yun Xiao spread her hands. “The one I captured came out on its own. Xie Yunfan was barely clinging to life at the time.”

Wuwei frowned deeply. If he used his Divine Sense to probe Meng Jiang’s Sea of Consciousness and forcibly extract the Primordial Spirit, the spirit might sense danger and attack Meng Jiang’s Sea of Consciousness. In that case, Meng Jiang might never be able to cultivate again.

Fang Zhiluo asked cautiously, “Could your Magic Artifact directly draw it out?”

“Let’s try,” Yun Xiao replied, retrieving the Soul-Suppressing Bottle and approaching Meng Jiang.

After removing the restrictions on Meng Jiang, she snapped her fingers, putting him into a deep sleep, and activated the Soul-Suppressing Bottle.

Wuwei, Fang Zhiluo, and Bai Mofeng surrounded Yun Xiao, poised to act, ready to prevent the Primordial Spirit from escaping.

After activating the bottle for the time it takes to brew half a cup of tea, Meng Jiang’s face twisted in pain, as if enduring some torment.

Yun Xiao suspected this was the Primordial Spirit demonstrating its power. If she continued using the Soul-Suppressing Bottle, the spirit would likely attack Meng Jiang’s Sea of Consciousness.

She glanced sideways at Wuwei, awaiting his decision.

The Heavenly Dao had already issued a warning, confirming the truth of Yun Xiao’s words. Wuwei dared not cling to false hope.

A disciple with such exceptional Innate Talent appeared only once in a century, but it was not impossible.

After cultivating for over three thousand years, he had finally reached the peak of Tribulation Transcendence. Having already resigned himself to the impossibility of Ascension, he now clung to this sliver of hope. How could he possibly let it slip away?

In just two breaths, he made his decision. He nodded slightly to Yun Xiao, signaling her to continue.

Yun Xiao continued channeling spiritual energy into the Soul-Suppressing Bottle.

This action seemed to enrage the Primordial Spirit. Meng Jiang clutched his head in agony, pleading, “Stop! I don’t want to become a cripple! Ancestor, I’m your direct descendant, the most talented member of the clan, our clan’s hope! Can you bear to see me ruined?”

He writhed on the ground in agony. Suddenly, he looked up in despair and cried out, “Ancestor, he said if you don’t stop, he’ll destroy my Sea of Consciousness and kill me!”

Unwilling to bear the blame later, Yun Xiao exchanged a glance with Fang Zhiluo.

Fang Zhiluo understood immediately and placed a restraining seal on Meng Jiang.

Yun Xiao continued channeling spiritual energy, turning to Wuwei. “This Soul-Suppressing Bottle activates with spiritual energy. Whether you want to force it out all at once or gradually is entirely up to you.”

Meng Jiang crawled to Wuwei’s feet, abandoning all pride and dignity. He grabbed Wuwei’s robe hem and begged, “Ancestor, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have deceived you, but I truly don’t want to die! Please, let him go!”

Bai Mofeng stared at Wuwei with a complex expression, remaining silent.

Fang Zhiluo pressed her lips together, silently approving of Yun Xiao’s actions. This matter was far too significant for anyone else to decide; Wuwei was the most suitable person to make the final judgment. Afterward, when the news reached the Meng Clan, they couldn’t blame the Azure Cloud Sect or Yun Xiao.

A flicker of struggle crossed Wuwei’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolve. He extended his hand to Yun Xiao, silently signaling that he had made his decision.

Yun Xiao stepped forward and handed the Soul-Suppressing Bottle to Wuwei, then retreated to the side, feeling relieved to be free of responsibility.

She had done what she needed to do; whatever the outcome, she couldn’t be held accountable.

The moment Wuwei took the Soul-Suppressing Bottle, he immediately channeled his spiritual energy into it.

“Ah… Sect Leader, Sect Leader, save me! If you save me, I’ll persuade my clan to increase their tribute to the Azure Cloud Sect—by twenty percent, thirty percent!” Seeing Bai Mofeng remained unmoved, Meng Jiang gritted his teeth and shouted, “Double it! Double the original amount!”

Wuwei rebuked him, “Enough! You’ve brought this upon yourself through your own greed.” With that, he poured even more spiritual energy into the Soul-Suppressing Bottle.

Meng Jiang’s Sea of Consciousness throbbed with pain, and he knew the Ancestor was determined to extract the Primordial Spirit residing within him.

He channeled all his Spiritual Energy into a surprise attack on Bai Mofeng, then fled with the Spirit’s assistance.

Yun Xiao and Fang Zhiluo intercepted him, blocking his escape.

Wuwei abandoned his leisurely approach, pouring thirty percent of his Spiritual Energy into the Soul-Suppressing Bottle, determined to capture the Primordial Spirit.

Meng Jiang felt his head about to explode, wishing for immediate death, but the Spirit within his Sea of Consciousness refused to release him.

He regretted ever agreeing to house the Spirit, and even more, concealing this from his family and Sect.

What bullshit Innate Talent? What nonsense about bottleneck-free Cultivation? Without life, everything is meaningless.

Fang Zhiluo stepped forward, channeling Spiritual Power into Meng Jiang’s back. “Steady your mind,” she said coldly. “You must force it out yourself.” Seeing his hesitation, she added, “This is your only chance to survive.”

Yun Xiao took over. “Xie Yunfan’s Cultivation is at the Tribulation Transcendence stage. The Primordial Spirit hiding in his Sea of Consciousness can’t be more than one major realm above him. You’re currently at the Divine Transformation stage, so that cowardly rat is at most at the Body Integration Stage. With Martial Ancestor Fang’s assistance, you can exhaust him to death, even if it takes time.”

Her words were meant for both Meng Jiang and the Spirit tormenting him.

Meng Jiang heeded Fang Zhiluo and Yun Xiao’s words. Enduring the piercing pain, he plunged his Divine Sense into his Sea of Consciousness and roared, “Jin Yuanzi, get out!”

“Boy, don’t bite the hand that feeds you,” Jin Yuanzi retorted. “Without my help, how could you have become a Divine Transformation Cultivator at such a young age?” He coaxed, “Just follow my plan, and I’ll help you overcome this calamity.”

For a fleeting moment, Meng Jiang wavered, but his resolve quickly hardened. “Get out! I don’t need your help.”

Sensing Jin Yuanzi’s Primordial Spirit growing increasingly unstable, Meng Jiang steeled his mind and focused all his efforts on expelling him.

This was his Sea of Consciousness. Even after a century of occupation, Jin Yuanzi could never truly claim it as his own.

Meng Jiang’s relentless expulsion, combined with the Soul-Suppressing Bottle’s silent assault on the Primordial Spirit, drove Jin Yuanzi into a frenzy.

No, without Meng Jiang’s resistance, the Soul-Suppressing Bottle’s damage to my Primordial Spirit is escalating. I have to escape!

He unleashed eighty percent of his power in a desperate attack on Meng Jiang.

Bl00d streamed from Meng Jiang’s eyes, nose, and mouth as he collapsed to the ground.

Wuwei’s eyes filled with concern. Damage to the Sea of Consciousness could be repaired, but finding a suitable new body would be far more difficult if Meng Jiang’s physical form was lost.

In that moment of distraction, a grain-sized ball of light slipped from Meng Jiang’s ear, tracing a path down his body before disappearing beneath his robes.