Chapter 343 - 173: Opportunity
There’s no denying, Qin Mengyao’s sudden "act of dying for love" startled Qingqing and Gu Haitang so much that their hearts skipped a beat.
Rushing to the edge of the cliff, they looked down but saw nothing but endless clouds and mist, not a trace of a person.
"She must have used the fog to escape! I’m going down too," Qingqing wiped away her tears and was about to move.
Gu Haitang, also choked with emotion, prepared to use Sword Control to follow.
Just then, a cold female voice echoed from the cliff: "Enough, what’s the use of crying?"
The two turned their heads to see Ji Mingyu and her young maid, who had evidently been there the whole time, watching everything.
Both of their faces showed signs of wariness, which made Ming Yu quite displeased; every time they met, it was with this expression, as if guarding against a thief.
Gu Haitang, somewhat unwilling, said, "Are you satisfied now?"
Ji Mingyu responded sternly, "Not satisfied. You’re just too anxious. How could you possibly talk things out in front of the senior sister?"
"Only by creating opportunities for the two to be alone, using your gentleness and affection to melt the ice in his heart, could there be any chance of success."
What do you know, though she was just parroting back quickly learned theories, Mingyu’s words moved the two girls considerably, making them feel it was quite reasonable, already pondering how to create such opportunities.
This made Ji Mingyu somewhat regretful. She only wanted to appear confident and take control of these little girls, not genuinely trying to guide them in reconciling with Chu Xuan.
In hindsight, she wished she hadn’t said anything... Ji Mingyu immediately changed the topic: "There’s an ancient battlefield below. You’ve both been involved in the Hundred Flowers Banquet, and personally experienced the terror of celestial demon crystals. Do I really need to say more?"
"Qin Mengyao is likely interested in that place, which is why she dragged Chu Xuan along to explore."
"What are you planning to do now?"
"Chase after them!" the two girls said almost in unison.
"But that place is not only fraught with danger—it also isolates the senses of Divine Sense and Divine Techniques. Do you even know that place well enough? Are you confident you can find them successfully?"
They were immediately stumped, exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat powerless.
Ji Mingyu took advantage of the situation: "I give you two choices now: One is to obediently give up and go home."
"The other is to follow my instructions; I will protect you in secret and guide you in catching up to Chu Xuan, but you must not act recklessly. Do exactly as I say."
Now Qingqing and Gu Haitang understood, realizing she was still using them.
Both girls were a little displeased, but the situation outweighed their own feelings. They discussed privately and agreed to the matter.
Strategist Xiaoxue silently wished: Hope everything goes smoothly, and both sides don’t hold each other back.
...
On Chu Xuan’s side, after being pulled off the cliff by his senior sister, he had guessed her intentions.
Sure enough, as they descended, Qin Mengyao emitted a red light from her body that enveloped both of them, continuing deeper as she transmitted her voice:
"There’s an ancient battlefield down here. In ancient times, a great battle between immortals and demons occurred, splitting the sky and earth, cutting off Spiritual Qi, and causing chaos in the earth’s veins. Even after countless years, it remains a highly dangerous place."
"There are many demons roaming, and the residual laws can provoke a cultivator’s Heart Demon."
"But I’m not afraid; you’ve all said I’ve gone demonic, but I’m merely waking up, realizing my true heart."
"But are you okay, junior brother?"
Upon hearing the concerned tone of his senior sister, Chu Xuan was at a loss for words, akin to being asked about one’s mental health by someone mentally unstable themselves...
In fact, cultivators like Qin Mengyao, whose mindset becomes deeply demonic due to their cultivation, are not quite the same as ordinary demon cultivators.
Ordinary demon cultivators are merely born into the demonic path; or enjoy committing acts of murder and arson, calling themselves demonic.
Qin Mengyao is closer to the essence of demons, stronger and more dangerous. In the end, her temperament can easily become alienated, resembling real demons like the Outer Celestial Demon, just still wearing a human skin.
Chu Xuan felt his senior sister wasn’t that severe yet. You might say she’s demonic, but she seems quite lucid.
But calling her normal doesn’t fit either; she’s become noticeably more obsessive.
Chu Xuan still suspected it was related to the Seven Kill Stele, so he asked, "I have a Buddha relic on me, no need to worry about me."
"Besides, that Seven Kill Stele of yours—could you let me see it?"
"Sure." Qin Mengyao handed it over straightforwardly, showing great trust in him.
As soon as Chu Xuan held it, he felt the palm-sized blood-colored stele was heavy. Before he could see its form clearly, a murderous aura rushed at his mind, bringing forth countless killing illusions, leaving him feeling as though his entire body was being torn apart.
This feeling was somewhat reminiscent of when he deduced fate on Celestial Secret Peak.
Seeing this, Qin Mengyao initially wanted to subdue the unruly Seven Kill Stele, but Chu Xuan quickly recovered. After all, he also possessed the Seven Kill Fate, had previously controlled the Blood God Armor, and theoretically met the criteria for the Seven Kill Stele to choose a "host."
The front of the stele bore seven vigorous, ancient "Kill" characters, written in some kind of ancient tadpole script, with complex strokes.
Yet, regardless of the creature, whether intelligent or not, once they saw these seven characters, they could understand their meaning. Just one glance could chill them to the bone.