AUOF - 60

There was no sound from the depths of Du Sheng Cliff for a long time, and Yen Jinglou grew bored. His lowered eyelids revealed a hint of weariness.

“Let’s go,” Yen Jinglou said, placing his hand on Cui Wanning’s shoulder as he turned to leave.

Her body leaned into him, her lips curling upward almost imperceptibly. Just as she took a step forward, a faint noise came from behind them.

“Hmm?”

Yen Jinglou turned his head at the sound.

A pair of pale hands appeared, followed by her upper body, and then she climbed up completely, sitting wearily on the edge.

—Unharmed, full of energy, brushing the dust off her skirt.

Yen Jinglou narrowed his eyes. Cui Wanning felt his grip loosen, but instead of leaving, the man strode toward her.

He looked down at Sang Li, his gaze shifting slightly to notice the delicate bracelet now adorning her wrist. The bracelet emitted a faint glow, and through it, he could sense that the so-called malevolent object had obediently attached itself to her soul.

—Hua Gu Ling had actually willingly accepted her as its master.

Finding this amusing, Yen Jinglou let out an ambiguous laugh, his gaze softening with an interest he himself didn’t realize.

“Get up.”

He extended his hand.

Sang Li ignored it, acting as if she hadn’t seen it, and got up on her own.

Her face was smudged with dirt, but her smile was radiant and bright: “Lady Ningyue was correct—this Hua Gu Ling truly is a treasure. However, there’s one thing different from what she said—it’s surprisingly docile and easy to tame.”

Docile and easy to tame?

Impossible!

The indignation nearly shattered Cui Wanning’s calm facade.

She remembered when Yen Jinglou first brought Hua Gu Ling to her, she had been overjoyed for a long time. The weapon was exquisitely crafted, versatile in its transformations, and she had loved it deeply. But the moment she touched it, it transformed into a massive fiery ribbon. If not for Yen Jinglou’s timely intervention, she would have been reduced to ashes!

Cui Wanning knew well that divine artifacts were difficult to tame.

Despite her fear, she endured and patiently spent time with it. Over half a month, it either summoned ice blades to try and kill her, attempted to burn her alive, or caused the poisonous plants she cultivated to grow uncontrollably, forcing them to backfire on her.

Cui Wanning couldn’t understand why it refused to accept her, and these experiences made her abandon any hope of making it her own.

Yet here, after only the span of an incense stick burning, Sang Li had returned.

Not only had she survived the elite assassins with top-tier cultivation, but she had also tamed Hua Gu Ling!!

Something that was originally hers had now become the servant of someone she despised.

Cui Wanning’s fingers trembled, and she couldn’t help but glance at Yen Jinglou. A smile lingered on his lips as he gazed intently at Sang Li. Unlike his usual cold and sinister demeanor, his gaze was peaceful—eerily reminiscent of the way Cui Wanning was familiar with.

A sudden pang struck her heart. When she looked at Sang Li again, a wave of panic overwhelmed her.

Her chest tightened painfully, and Cui Wanning broke into a fit of coughing.

Yen Jinglou glanced at her briefly before quickly averting his gaze. “Chang Jun.”

He summoned his personal guard and casually tossed a black box from his arms to him. “Sang Li, I’ll trust you once. Don’t disappoint me.” With that, Yen Jinglou helped Cui Wanning leave Du Sheng Cliff.

The box was light.

She shook it gently but heard no sound. Carefully opening a small gap, Sang Li peeked inside with one eye closed.

—It was golden.

No mistake, it was the Liuyan Pearl!

That despicable Demon Lord had actually given her the Liuyan Pearl!!

Having successfully completed her mission and received such an unexpected reward left Sang Li thoroughly satisfied. She happily patted the box twice, then carefully stowed it away, preparing to return to the villa to bid farewell to Liu Liu.

________________________________________

Cui Wanning’s health had already been fragile.

After a bout of intense anger, her blood stagnated, and she coughed violently for some time before finally calming down after taking two doses of medicine.

This caused Yen Jinglou’s brows to furrow deeply.

“What medicine can cure Lady Ningyue?”

The medicine master shook his head: “Lady Ningyue’s condition is rather peculiar. In mortal terms, it resembles a deficiency in qi and blood, with the heart spirit unsettled. Normally, nourishment and medicinal treatment should lead to quick recovery, but…”

His expression was perplexed, and he struggled to articulate further.

Cui Wanning interrupted him: “It’s a chronic illness from birth. A Yan, don’t worry.” She grasped his hand. “But you—are you really going to give the Liuyan Pearl to Sang Li?”

Yen Jinglou sneered: “That’s a fake.”

Cui Wanning froze.

“If Ji Hengyu wants it, I’ll give it to him,” he said with a sinister smile. “But whether he has the fortune to take it is another matter.”

The real Liuyan Pearl still rested in the treasury.

What Sang Li held was merely a counterfeit. Once he retrieved the genuine article, the formation would activate, affecting an area spanning hundreds of miles. Since he couldn’t kill Ji Hengyu for now, he would at least make him suffer.

Moreover, he wanted to test Sang Li’s loyalty.

He wondered whether she would take the pearl back to the Ling Clan, completely escaping his control, or bring it to Gui Xu to hand over to Ji Hengyu.

If she truly remained loyal, and if Ji Hengyu intended to use her as a pawn, she would undoubtedly return.

As for the outcome, Yen Jinglou awaited it with anticipation.

Yen Jinglou, burdened with countless responsibilities, stayed with Cui Wanning for a short while before returning to Fucha Palace.

Once he left, Cui Wanning coughed up a pool of black blood.

Chun Ling panicked: “Miss! I’ll call the Demon Lord back!”

“Wait!” Cui Wanning grabbed Chun Ling’s arm.

Blood still stained her lips, and within her organs burned a raging fire, greedily consuming her already frail life force.

The pain grew stronger and stronger.

Cui Wanning believed that it wouldn’t be long before she was reduced to lying in bed all day like a cripple. Even more terrifying was the fact that the Fan Sha flower had granted her immortality, meaning she would endure this hellish torment for eternity—day and night, without end.

Every time she thought about it, Cui Wanning was overwhelmed with fear.

She couldn’t wait any longer—not even for a single minute!

Cui Wanning clutched Chun Ling’s sleeve tightly, her voice faint as a wisp: “Has Sang Li left yet?”

Chun Ling replied: “The people below have reported that Sang Li has returned to the villa and seems to be looking for someone named Liu Liu.”

Liu Liu…

Coldness filled Cui Wanning’s eyes as she leaned in and whispered a few words into Chun Ling’s ear. If Yen Jinglou were to ask, she would blame it on the servants. If he saw through her lie, she would admit that jealousy had driven her actions. Since he had already seen through her inherent flaws, he would surely tolerate and forgive her.

After all, her current identity was Luo Wanwan.

Chun Ling was shocked upon hearing this. When she met those frosty, beautiful eyes, an involuntary chill ran down her spine. She nodded: “This servant will make the arrangements immediately.”

Cui Wanning’s brow relaxed slightly.

Her icy hands gently gripped Chun Ling’s wrist, her voice soft and pleading: “Chun Ling, don’t think I’m evil. I just want to survive. Only by surviving can I protect you, protect us.”

She had undergone countless reincarnations.

She had passed through the animal realm and walked the human path, each life marked by poverty and suffering, endless bullying. Each lifetime carried the memories of the previous one, layer upon layer of pain stacking until, in the end, she no longer knew what happiness felt like.

Yen Jinglou and the Fan Sha flower were her last lifelines.

She wanted to break free from the mire and sit alone atop the highest pedestal. She wanted eternal life on that pedestal, receiving the worship of all.

________________________________________

Sang Li quickly returned to the villa.

Before entering the gate, an unusual stench hit her nose.

She sniffed deeply—it smelled like blood.

Out of caution, Sang Li avoided the main entrance and chose to climb over the wall instead.

The sight inside the courtyard left her utterly stunned.

Bloodstains were everywhere, the place in complete disarray. Her donkey lay beneath a tree, its abdomen torn open, entrails spilling across the ground. The uneaten carrots from the basket were scattered around its hooves, making her eyes water.

But there was no time to mourn the donkey now.

She rushed into the house, stepping over shards of broken vases, and saw signs of struggle on the bed. A simple hairpin lay scattered near her feet.

Sang Li picked up the hairpin and confirmed that it still carried traces of Liu Liu’s scent.

She was certain—someone was trying to use Liu Liu to threaten her.

Other than Cui Wanning, Sang Li couldn’t think of anyone else.

Her chest felt suffocated, as if stuffed with cotton, making it hard to breathe. Her gaze drifted past the door to the small donkey that had accompanied her, now pitifully collapsed in the corner.

Her hand clenched tightly around the delicate hairpin, nearly crushing it.

Finally, after taking a few deep breaths, she quickly followed the trail of the scent.

Following the path, she arrived directly at a dark grove behind the villa.

Amidst the towering, oppressive forest, she heard faint moans coming from nearby.

Sang Li took a step forward, but Hua Gu Ling tugged at her fiercely, attempting to stop her.

She gripped the hairpin tightly, casting a guiding light spell, and cautiously approached.

The wind rustled through the branches.

The dim light revealed a barrel standing silently among the shadows.

To be precise, it wasn’t just a barrel—it contained a person.

Only their head was visible above the rim, drooping now, with tangled hair obscuring their face.

Sang Li cautiously took another step forward.

Crack.

A dry branch snapped underfoot.

She slowly raised her head.

At the sight of that face, Sang Li’s pupils widened gradually.

It could no longer be called a human face.

Her eyelids had been cut away, leaving her unable to close her eyes. Only her eyeballs remained wide open, glaring with rage. Complex, eerie talismans covered every inch of her face, carved deeply into her flesh like some kind of malevolent sorcery.

Seeing Sang Li, she seemed startled, struggling to move her lips. Her throat was hollow, revealing only a blackened cavity.

Sang Li’s legs went limp, and she collapsed to the ground.

The girl in the barrel stared at her with blood-soaked eyes, her horrifying visage conveying emotions of both pleading and resentment.

Sang Li hadn’t interacted much with Liu Liu and thus had no emotional attachment to her.

All her feelings stemmed from the memories left behind by the original host. Yet, even as a stranger, no one could remain unmoved by this scene.

She couldn’t reconcile the mutilated girl trapped in the barrel with the cheerful, delicate willow spirit she remembered. She couldn’t even associate her with being “human” anymore.

Her heart ached painfully.

Tears streamed down Sang Li’s face as she gazed at her.

Her limbs trembled as she struggled to crawl closer.

Liu Liu’s pupils contracted sharply, and with great difficulty, she gave a slight shake of her head.

Before she could get close, a pair of strong hands abruptly pulled her back.

Sang Li turned her tear-filled eyes to meet a familiar face.

Her mouth hung half-open as she tried to speak, finally managing to force out a shaky tone: “Liu... Liu Liu...”

Ji Xun still held firmly onto her arm: “You can’t go near her. She’s already become a puppet corpse.”

Her heart ached with unbearable pain.

This was an empathetic reaction emanating from Sang Li herself.

She wept with her head bowed, her sobs weak and frail.

Ji Xun loosened his grip slightly: “If you take her out of that barrel, the corpse worms inside will instantly swarm you. Even with Hua Gu Ling’s protection, if you get too close, you’ll end up like her.”

The puppet-corpse technique was the most insidious and malevolent art in the six realms.

Whether human, ghost, demon, or spirit, anyone who came into contact with the corpse worms would be transformed, reduced to a pitiful puppet trapped in the barrel, completely at the mercy of others.

Ji Xun continued: “Moreover, there’s a Soul-Binding Formation set up around here. Once you step into it, you won’t be able to move.”

As he spoke, he cast a spell, revealing the invisible formation surrounding them.

The web-like array was woven tightly around Liu Liu, waiting for Sang Li to approach and trigger it.

Even if Sang Li avoided the trap, a group of hidden assassins lay in wait beyond.

Fortunately, Ji Xun had arrived in time. The assassins had already been dealt with, and he had stopped her from walking into danger.

Unaware of all this, Sang Li slowly rose to her feet.

With a gentle twist of her wrist, the bracelet chimed softly. After a few notes, Hua Gu Ling dispelled the binding formation.

Step by step, she walked toward Liu Liu.

Ji Xun didn’t ask questions but dutifully followed behind her.

Sang Li looked down at Liu Liu.

Liu Liu tried to lift her head, and the two faced each other across a short distance.

Sang Li slowly reached out her hand.

Fear flashed across Liu Liu’s face as she tried to retreat, but there was nowhere to hide. Finally, Sang Li’s hand gently touched her cheek.

A flood of memories surged through her mind.

The little fox had saved the dying willow spirit on a snowy day. She had said she had nowhere to go and wanted to follow her.

At that time, the little fox was struggling to survive amidst blades and dangers, barely able to protect herself. She had told the willow spirit to find a good family to stay with.

But in the vast four seas, where could one find such a family?

Liu Liu had said she didn’t ask for much—just a small patch of earth to root herself in.

Though these weren’t her own memories, they felt as though they were branded onto her soul.

Sang Li gazed at Liu Liu in a daze.

One look, yet it felt like an ocean separated them.

In her palm, Hua Gu Ling transformed into an icy blade and, without hesitation, pierced through Liu Liu’s temple.

Her eyes softened with relief, gratitude, and a hint of reluctance. Finally, her head lolled to the side, and she breathed her last.

Sang Li stood motionless, her expression blank, her form like that of a puppet.

This was her first time killing someone. It hadn’t been as difficult as she imagined, but it was far more painful than she had anticipated.

Killing a stranger, someone she had never met, filled her with anguish.

Her position caused her pain; even the act of “living” itself brought her suffering.

She realized that every day here might force her to face such choices.

Before her eyes, the dead willow spirit reverted to her original form.

A fragile willow branch drifted away with the wind. She stood still, like a withering wooden statue.

Sang Li continued to stare at her own hands.

Suddenly, a pair of large hands enveloped hers.

She raised her head blankly.

Ji Xun held her hand tightly, slowly pressing it against his face.

The cool touch brought her back to her senses.

Her fingertips gently brushed his cheek, her wandering pupils gradually focusing.

“Ji Hengyu,” Sang Li whispered his name softly.

“Mm,” he responded.

“I’m hurting.”

“I know.” Ji Xun placed her hand over his heart. “It told me so.”

His gaze burned with intensity.

Her voice was dry and sore as she stared into his eyes, parting her lips: “You’ve been following me this whole time.”

He didn’t deny it: “Yes.”

The pursuers had arrived.

Hua Gu Ling touched her fingertips, warning her of the approaching danger.

Her expression gradually cleared, and she spoke, word by word: “What if I said I want to return to the Demon Palace?”

Ji Xun didn’t hesitate: “Then I’ll follow you.”

“And…” Sang Li hesitated before probing further, “What if I want to kill Lady Ningyue?”

His eyelashes fluttered slowly. “Don’t even think about it,” Ji Xun replied. “I’ll accompany you to do it.”