AUOF - 4

“So... you really aren’t going to kill me?”

Sang Li asked, shrinking her neck, her small figure trembling with apprehension.

“Hmm?” Ji Hengyu’s gaze drifted ambiguously over her. “You seem eager for me to kill you. If that’s the case...”

“No, no, no! I want to live! I want to survive!”

Sang Li hastily refuted, almost biting her tongue in her panic.

Ji Hengyu couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Beneath the faint moonlight, his features appeared even more ethereal and refined.

He flicked open his fan.

The folding fan instantly expanded, and Ji Hengyu leapt onto it, seemingly about to leave.

Sang Li scurried after him, looking up at him with pleading eyes: “Lord Ji, aren’t you taking me with you?”

Ji Hengyu’s expression remained indifferent: “Gui Xu is full of prying eyes. If others see me entangled with a mere maid, it would invite gossip.” He continued, “You can return invisibly—or is it that...”

He paused slightly: “You don’t know how to use invisibility techniques?”

Sang Li was caught off guard but forced herself to reply: “I do, I do.”

“Mm.” Ji Hengyu said, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t. I’ve already eradicated all the demons around here. Walking back will only cost some effort—consider it exercise for your health.”

Sang Li: “…”

What the hell kind of twisted logic was this about “exercise for your health”?

Who wanted to exercise in the middle of the night?

Ji Hengyu ascended into the sky on his fan.

Not long after, he returned suddenly. Just as Sang Li thought he might have taken pity on her, she heard him ask: “What did you say your name was again?”

“Sang Li.”

She reluctantly gave her name, clearly unhappy.

Ji Hengyu murmured it silently, furrowing his brows slightly as though displeased by something. In the end, he said nothing and turned to fly away once more.

Sang Li was left speechless. So he had come all the way back just… to ask her name?

This guy must have some screws loose.

Now unable to run or return home, it seemed there was no other option but to stay.

Gazing at the dark, looming jungle before her, Sang Li resigned herself to walking back.

Along the path were several demon corpses, scattered like dirty rags among the treetops and bushes. Blood of various colors stained the surroundings, resembling cheap paint that had gone bad long ago, mixing together to emit a foul stench.

Sang Li couldn’t hold back and vomited.

Afterward, she felt overwhelmed by her pitiful situation. She sniffled, trying to hold back tears, but eventually broke down completely, wailing loudly.

She simply felt unlucky.

After three years of hard work, she had finally been accepted into her dream university, only to be transported into this fictional world without ever seeing the school gates. And to top it off, she wasn’t even human anymore!

As Sang Li cried below, Ji Hengyu watched from above.

The man rested his chin on his hand, staring at the cloud-observing mirror. “Why is she crying?”

The red qi emerged, “Perhaps she’s sympathizing with her similarly unfortunate kind. It seems this little fox is quite compassionate.”

The black qi reminded, “She’s a fox spirit, and those killed were demons—they’re not the same species.”

The red qi pondered, “They taste similar when eaten.”

Black qi: “….”

Uninterested in their bickering, Ji Hengyu lowered his gaze thoughtfully: “I should have left one alive.”

Red and Black qi: “?”

He smiled faintly: “Let’s see if she’ll still feel sympathy and shed tears when the demon attacks her.”

Just as he spoke, Ji Hengyu’s smile faded slightly. “Ah, so there really was one that slipped through…”

The previously tranquil Moon Forest was suddenly swept by fierce winds. Several clusters of black mist gathered, forming a black whirlwind that charged straight toward Sang Li.

Night Demons.

Common Abyssal Demon Seeds, active at night and skilled at devouring dreams.

Humans attacked by Night Demons often became mute, catatonic fools.

Still immersed in her sorrow, Sang Li instinctively sensed a chilling presence behind her.

Without thinking, her body reacted first, rolling out of the way.

Before her eyes, the black mist coalesced into a gaunt, tall figure with limbs like tree trunks, a completely black body, no face, and only a pair of narrow, deep-red eyes hanging on its head.

Sang Li froze for two seconds.

In a panic, she threw out a spell. The pale blue incantation caused no harm to the demon but instead enraged it, causing it to lunge at her with claws extended.

In desperation, Sang Li used a flying technique, sprinting toward the edge of the Moon Forest.

The perimeter of the Moon Forest was protected by a barrier that prevented demons from approaching. If she could escape, she’d succeed.

Night Demons could possess plants. It leaped from one tree to another, only two steps away from easily grabbing her.

Above, Ji Hengyu watched the spectacle for a moment, finding it uninteresting: “Ji Wu, go.”

A flick of his finger sent the red qi flying.

The red qi materialized into a human form identical to Ji Hengyu. After glancing down at the mortal realm, his figure flashed past in an instant.

Just as the Night Demon was about to grab Sang Li, Ji Wu stepped in front of her, forming seals with both hands. A silver talisman completely bound the Night Demon.

Ji Wu’s figure flashed again, and his arm pierced directly into the Night Demon’s lifeline.

In an instant, a piercing scream echoed through the Moon Forest. His expression remained impassive as he forcibly extracted the demon core, gripping it firmly in his palm.

In the span of a single breath, the Night Demon lost its life.

Zzzaaap!

Ji Wu withdrew his hand, fluorescent blue blood splattering across his face.

The Night Demon stopped moving.

Its gaunt body, like a tree branch drained of moisture, quickly withered, collapsed, and finally dissipated into a small wisp of mist.

Sang Li was utterly dumbfounded.

Under the soft glow of the moonlight, he calmly admired the demon core in his fingertips.

His aloof, elegant face, even smeared with blood, looked as though the stains were merely embellishments on pristine snow.

Ji Wu absorbed the demon core, the surging evil energy filling him with delight.

Only then did he turn his attention to Sang Li.

His pupils were black, but a faint red mist floated subtly within them. The invasive look in his eyes made Sang Li feel as though she too had become prey.

Suddenly—

Her wrist was yanked up.

The man’s palm was icy cold, like puppet skin. The sticky, undried blood transferred to her fingertips, making her shudder violently in discomfort.

Sang Li grew uneasy and tried to pull away.

Ji Wu, created by Ji Hengyu himself as a split [body], lacked the five senses. To him, this body was merely a vessel for his soul. All sensations, including touch, were transmitted clearly to Ji Hengyu through this body.

Feeling the slickness in his palm and the unfamiliar stirring in his heart, Ji Hengyu guessed what Ji Wu intended to do and calmly intervened: “Don’t do anything unnecessary.”

Though he received the order, Ji Wu persisted stubbornly: “She’s injured.”

Only then did Sang Li notice a streak of blood on her wrist. Against her pale skin, the mark was strikingly vivid and glaring.

Ji Hengyu showed no intention of letting go.

She felt awkward. His gaze and actions left her feeling flustered and unsure of how to respond.

“It’s just a minor wound. Thank you, Lord Ji, for saving me...”

For some reason, Sang Li felt that Ji Hengyu was acting strangely.

He certainly didn’t look like the kind of benevolent person who would go out of his way to save others.

“Lord Ji, my hand...”

Sang Li gave a slight twist to her wrist, her voice sounding unnatural.

He slowly released her, his eyes still fixed on her face.

“Then I’ll take my leave. Thank you, Lord Ji.”

Sang Li gave a slight bow and fled past him in a rush.

The next moment, it felt as though the bones in her legs had snapped, and her body fell backward.

A pair of hands firmly caught her shoulders.

Sang Li’s height only reached his chest, and this position left her completely trapped within his embrace.

Her breathing faltered, her mind grew numb, and her weak limbs made her feel oddly comfortable in Ji Hengyu’s arms.

Ji Hengyu caught a faint whiff of the subtle fragrance emanating from the hollow of Sang Li’s neck.

The soft touch in his otherwise empty palm irritated him—if before he was merely impatient, now he was outright angry.

Ji Wu was an evil soul.

In the Abyssal Prison, Ji Hengyu had created him using the malevolent energy of tens of thousands of ancient demonic seeds and a strand of his own soul.

This soul was malicious, unruly, ignorant of etiquette, and lawless—far less obedient than the black qi, which was a spirit of ill omens.

Before devouring his prey, Ji Wu clearly intended to toy with her first.

If not for the sake of mastering the Binding Calamity Dao, Ji Hengyu would never have created him.

Ji Hengyu formed seals with both hands, recalling Ji Wu just as he was about to proceed further.

As soon as Ji Wu vanished, the bewitchment spell receded with him.

Sang Li scratched her cheek, having no memory of what had just transpired.

Seeing the bloodstains and remnants on the ground, she shuddered and quickly ran out of the Moon Forest without lingering.

Ji Hengyu remained where he was.

He sat atop his fan, his expression calm. But those familiar with him knew he was displeased.

Ji Wu was well aware of what awaited him next, yet he wasn’t flustered: “It’s been too long since I’ve been out—I wanted some entertainment. Let’s call it even this time; otherwise, the trouble would eventually fall on you.”

Ji Hengyu remained silent, closing his fingers as the split body rapidly disintegrated before his eyes.

To forge such a body required fragments of Ji Hengyu’s skin, scales, flesh, and blood, along with strands of emotional essence extracted from living beings. As expected, it consumed considerable effort.

Upon destruction, the evil soul would lose all memories tied to the body, resetting everything to zero.

He reabsorbed the now significantly diminished red qi back into his consciousness, thinking to himself that next time, he’d find a more obedient source of emotional essence—otherwise, it would end up being troublesome like today.

—Annoying.

By the time Sang Li returned to her quarters, it was already the third watch (Hour of Yin).

She had barely lain down when someone shook her awake: “Ali, wake up quickly.”

Sang Li’s heavy eyelids fluttered open, revealing a round, adorable face.

Her memory automatically supplied the name—Mudan.

Her roommate.

Sang Li’s body ached all over, and she was still terribly drowsy.

She yawned and struggled to sit up from the bed. “What time is it?”

“It’s already the fifth watch (midnight).”

The fifth watch…

Meaning she had slept for less than two hours.

“Hurry and get dressed,” Mudan urged. “Today, Lord Ji is descending the mountain to subdue demons. Strange, though—normally, Lord Ji goes out with the disciples of the mountain gate. Today, however, he has requested the fairy maids to accompany him.”

As she spoke, Mudan handed Sang Li a set of clothes.

The fabric was an icy blue, made of an unknown material. It was lightweight, with simple yet charming cloud patterns embroidered on it.

After changing into the outfit, Mudan noticed Sang Li hadn’t styled her hair and thoughtfully arranged it into a flying pin similar to her own.

“Today is different from usual—we can’t afford to be careless. If we displease Lord Ji or the inner disciples, the overseer will punish us.”

They were different from the lesser immortals who ascended after enduring heavenly tribulations.

Most of them were mortals with unopened spiritual orifices before death. After dying, they were fortunate enough to be enlightened by a higher being, opening one spiritual orifice and ascending as “corpse-released” immortals. Even in the celestial realm, they could only serve as lowly maids.

They couldn’t cultivate immortal techniques or join the sects. Even the outer disciples guarding the halls were not to be provoked.

Sang Li’s thoughts drifted for a moment.

The events of last night replayed in her mind. Recalling Ji Hengyu’s serene, faintly smiling face, she shivered involuntarily.

Could Ji Hengyu really intend to lead her into a trap?

“One more thing,” Mudan added. “Unless something unexpected happens, the Celestial Pavilion disciples will also attend the gathering. If you see Jin Min and the others again, don’t be reckless like last time—you suffered quite a bit then.”

Mudan’s earnest advice finally brought a strange name to Sang Li’s attention.

“Jin Min?”

Mudan: “Have you forgotten? That little Celestial Pavilion disciple who made you kneel in punishment for seven days. He’s not a good person—you shouldn’t confront him head-on.”

Sang Li hadn’t fully assimilated the original host’s memories. Her mind was hazy, and despite racking her brain, she couldn’t figure out who this person was. Still, she nodded: “I understand. Thank you, Mudan.”

From what she remembered, the original host had been entirely focused on her mission and hadn’t interacted much with the other fairy maids, including her roommates.

Despite her aloof demeanor, Mudan had taken the time to warn her today, showing her to be a kind-hearted and considerate girl. Sang Li couldn’t help but feel a bit warmer toward her.

The two set off together toward the front hall.

Along the way, Sang Li’s curiosity about Gui Xu prompted her to ask a few more questions.

“I’ve heard that Lord Ji’s immortal marrow was damaged. Can he still descend the mountain to subdue demons?”

Having never read the original story, Sang Li’s limited knowledge came solely from her best friend’s accounts. Now that she was here, the more she learned, the better her chances of survival.

Mudan: “Lord Tianheng is of the Kuí lineage. Even if his immortal marrow is damaged, demons still fear his innate abilities.”

“The Kuí lineage?”

“Yes.” Mudan glanced around and lowered her voice. “Lord Tianheng is the last divine dragon in existence. However, for some reason, he doesn’t like others mentioning his origins. If you ever see Lord Ji, don’t bring this up—it might displease him.”

Sang Li was stunned. Her best friend had only mentioned that his blood could suppress ancient demons but hadn’t said anything about his true form. No wonder he had two...

Wait, so he’s a dragon!

As they conversed, they arrived at the Guanglin Front Hall.

The square in front of Guanglin Hall was filled with Gui Xu disciples, numbering in the thousands. The outer disciples guarding the halls wore uniforms of silver and white. In comparison, the attire of the Demon Subduing Guard disciples, who had been admitted into the inner halls, was far more elaborate.

Their outfits were sleek black suits with snug cuffs. Silver-threaded qilin cloud patterns adorned their robes, and even their jet-black sashes were made of premium materials. Every scale-like detail was meticulously crafted. Standing at the forefront, the Demon Subduing Guard exuded confidence and discipline, setting themselves apart from the rest.

The fairy maids and servants stood at the sides, the most inconspicuous of all.

Mudan worked in the medicinal garden, mainly responsible for drying herbs or watering plants. This was her first time seeing so many Demon Subduing Guard disciples since arriving at Gui Xu, and her eyes widened in awe.

“I wonder if I’ll get to see Senior Sister Yuezhu…”

The name rang a faint bell in Sang Li’s mind.

In the original story, Ji Hengyu had taken in three disciples. Among them, Yue Zhuqing, the second senior sister, was the most popular. With her unmatched martial prowess and ethereal, aloof beauty, she was revered as the new generation’s goddess for both men and women.

Even though Sang Li hadn’t read the novel, she had come across countless illustrations of Yue Zhuqing on various platforms, each with millions of views that never seemed to drop.

Suddenly, the surrounding noise fell silent.

Everyone bowed deeply in unison, and Sang Li followed suit, lowering her head—

“Respectfully greet Lord Ji!”

She stole a glance from the corner of her eye.

The figure at the front emerged surrounded by attendants. From this distance, he wasn’t clearly visible—only the shimmering celestial light around him blurred his form.

Behind him stood a woman in green robes, exuding an imposing presence. This must be Senior Sister Yue Zhuqing, whom Mudan had mentioned earlier.

“Demons are wreaking havoc in the mortal realm, and the Upper Celestial Realm’s forces have yet to return after descending to subdue them. The matter is urgent. I will lead an elite team to eradicate the demons. The return date is uncertain, and during my absence, Senior Sister Yue Zhuqing will oversee the sect’s affairs.”

Ji Hengyu’s voice echoed through the hall via a sound transmission talisman, neither too loud nor too soft, calm and measured in tone.

“Yes.”

The disciples responded in unison. After he departed, Yue Zhuqing stepped forward to address the group, assigning tasks and responsibilities.

The briefing lasted nearly half an hour. Once it concluded, all the maids from Huansha Garden were summoned to the rear hall.

Inside the hall, Ji Hengyu sat in the main seat, flanked on either side by a man and a woman. The man had a pale, cherubic face, handsome features, and a cheerful smile as he gazed at the assembled fairy maids.

The woman wore a simple green robe, her long hair tied back with a white jade hairpin. Her expression was reserved, her demeanor cold and distant.

But compared to them, what made everyone even more nervous was Ji Hengyu himself.

His posture was relaxed, lazily waving his jade fan back and forth. Though he seemed mild-mannered, his presence radiated overwhelming pressure.

“Lord Ji, all the maids are here.”

The overseer bowed deeply with utmost respect.

Ji Hengyu surveyed the group, then casually pointed his fan at a few individuals: “These ones...”

The chosen girls’ faces lit up with joy, but their smiles froze instantly when he added, “Not them.”

Their expressions fell, and they slunk away dejectedly.

“They appear foolish. Bringing them along would only cause trouble.”

Ji Hengyu then used his fan to single out a few others: “And not them either—they seem too clever. Difficult to manage.”

Sang Li: “...”

Out of the original fifty-plus maids, only seven or eight remained after Ji Hengyu’s meticulous selection.

His gaze swept repeatedly over those who remained. Mudan, who had been selected alongside Sang Li, nervously clutched the edge of her sleeve, too afraid to raise her head.

“You, step forward.”

Sang Li didn’t look up, unsure if he was referring to her.

Mudan nudged her slightly, whispering, “Lord Ji is calling you...”

Sang Li felt disoriented.

Was Ji Hengyu really planning to involve her in something dangerous?

Her heart was uneasy, filled with foreboding about the journey ahead.

Though she was a hundred and eighty times reluctant, under Mudan’s persistent urging, Sang Li finally shuffled forward, head bowed, her movements stiff and unwilling.

“Raise your head.”

Sang Li slowly lifted her gaze.

At the sight of her face, the young man standing beside her eyes brightened, and even Yue Zhuqing, who rarely showed emotion, flickered with a glimmer of surprise.

Born with a strikingly radiant and dazzling beauty, even a single glance felt intrusive. Yet, even amidst the celestial brilliance of the hall, her allure remained undiminished.

Ji Hengyu spoke calmly, finalizing his decision: “It will be her. Prepare accordingly; she will accompany us tomorrow.”

He began to grow weary, handing over the remaining details to Yue Zhuqing before leaving with Li Ningxi.

“Lord Ji, could it be that you chose that maid because she’s beautiful?”

Li Ningxi was also a corpse-released immortal.

Among the celestial ranks, corpse-released immortals held the lowest status. However, he had been fortunate—just seventeen years old at the time of his death, he caught Ji Hengyu’s attention and was taken as a direct disciple.

He was the youngest of the three disciples, with the most mischievous and unruly personality, making him the hardest to discipline. Seeing no one around, he boldly teased Ji Hengyu.

Ji Hengyu didn’t grow angry. Instead, he paused thoughtfully before shaking his head, replying, “I don’t remember. I didn’t get a good look.”

Didn’t get a good look?

Li Ningxi pursed his lips.

Unconvinced.

Never would he have expected that someone of Lord Ji’s age could still pretend so well.