#17: Venom

The hall was brightly lit, with howling winds and a dark, oppressive sky. When Bian Qingxuan opened her eyes, this was the scene before her.

Her clothes were torn, and she knelt on shattered glass, her hands holding up the impossibly heavy Jiuzhou Cauldron, her entire body drenched in rainwater.

The sky was pitch black as a man with an injured head, dressed in a black robe adorned with eagle patterns, sneered and approached her with several unsavory followers.

“Qingxuan,” he said mockingly, lifting her chin with his folding fan, “how many times have I told you not to compete with me? Father has so many children, yet you are the wildest one. Your mother was nothing but a lowly whore, slept with by thousands of men. My mother showed mercy and took her in. You should’ve stayed obediently in the wastelands, guarding it quietly. Why cause trouble? Look at you now—trying to harm your elder brother and ending up like this. It pains me to see you like this, Qingxuan, the most beautiful bastard in our family.”

The man claimed to be Bian Qingxuan’s older brother, but his face bore no resemblance to Bian Lingyu’s.

With his fan, he pushed open her collar. Kneeling under the weight of the cauldron, Bian Qingxuan could neither resist nor fight back. Behind her, the others laughed lewdly, their eyes roaming over her exposed skin.

“Kneel properly,” he taunted. “Beg my mother for mercy; perhaps she’ll spare that wretched mother of yours. Or maybe if you endure a little longer, Father will soften his heart?”

He snorted and left, leaving the other men behind. They exchanged glances and surrounded her.

“Qingxuan, is that look in your eye dissatisfaction with the Young Master?”

“The Young Master is too merciful to discipline you. We can take care of that for him.”

She raised her gaze, clearly seeing the lust in their eyes.

For a fleeting moment, Bian Qingxuan’s expression faltered, then she smiled faintly and murmured, “You’re going to take care of me?”

Their hands already touched her clothing, laughing brazenly.

Bian Qingxuan joined in their laughter, her smile decadent. Suddenly, she released the Jiuzhou Cauldron, hurling it at them. The men were instantly crushed to the ground, their ribs shattered, blood spurting from their mouths.

They stared at her in shock and anger: “You’re insane!”

Bian Qingxuan rose from the ground, amused. She spoke softly: “Useless trash. You couldn’t even handle the Jiuzhou Cauldron, yet you dared fantasize about me?”

Blood flowed profusely from her knees, where shards of glass were embedded.

She paused thoughtfully, plucking out the sharpest shard from her knee, then walked toward the men. Panic seized them: “What are you doing, you lunatic! Get away, get away! Young Master, save us!”

They tried to push the cauldron off, but it pressed down on them like an invisible shackle, heavier than mountains. Their faces turned red with effort, but they couldn’t budge it an inch.

“Shhh,” Bian Qingxuan raised a finger to her lips. “Don’t shout. Being dragged here hasn’t put me in a good mood.”

The men cursed hysterically: “Bastard born of a whore! Release us!”

Coldness flashed in Bian Qingxuan’s eyes as she feigned regret: “Why won’t you stay quiet? Then I’ll just cut your tongues out first. Don’t worry—your Young Master will join you soon enough. I promise.”

The sky rumbled with thunder and lightning.

Rising from a pool of blood, a severed eyeball rolled to her feet. She stepped on it carelessly, smirking disdainfully.

“A mirage?”

How impressive—to send her back to the day her mother died.

She wasn’t in a rush to escape. As far as she knew, mirages weren’t nightmares. They reflected people’s inner desires, consuming them while they indulged in sweet illusions.

Sometimes accurate, sometimes not. After all, there were those without desires and those—not entirely lost to madness—who still harbored yearnings and obsessions. The mirage would prey on what it sought.

Let her see what the mirage thought she desired. She sneered softly—it wouldn’t show her mother’s body being devoured again. That would only enrage her. How could it tempt her into submission or possession that way?

As if confirming her thoughts, not long after she sat on the corridor, a figure slowly approached her.

The person held an umbrella, patting her head and saying gently: “You’ve made such a mess. Would you like to come home with me?”

Bian Qingxuan’s previously smiling lips froze, and she coldly slapped the hand away, inwardly cursing foul luck.

Is this it? Is this all!

She didn’t want any of this! She didn’t need warmth or pity. What she wanted was supreme power, unparalleled strength—no one would dare bully her again. She would crush everyone beneath her feet. She would kill her brother, her father, all her useless siblings!

Her lips tightened, her eyes stormy with resolve.

A jade-white glass flute materialized in her hand, seemingly attuned to her will. It spun through the air, shattering the mirage into pieces.

When she returned, the flute pierced through the head of the Untransformed Toad before her.

Catching the flute, she smirked coldly: “Foolish creature.”

The true form of Qingshui Village revealed itself before her. She was furious that the Untransformed Toad dared toy with her. Though she couldn’t defeat the strongest one yet, mirages, illusions, and seduction? It had no idea who the true master of these arts was. Sending such small fry to deal with her was suicide.

She didn’t bother hiding the golden-glowing flute, proceeding cautiously. The strongest Untransformed Toad was still somewhere unknown. While she could easily kill ordinary ones, facing the ancient remnant would be another matter entirely.

Without Bian Lingyu around, she wasn’t eager to engage in battle. Exorcism was fine, but risking her life foolishly? Never.

The protective peach wood sword hung at her waist as she passed through countless mirages. None of them posed a challenge. Her jade flute shattered them one after another. She pondered silently: Where was the real Untransformed Toad?

If the ancient remnant were personally overseeing everything, escaping the mirage wouldn’t have been so easy.

Her expression turned sly, tinged with malicious curiosity.

Could it be that in Qingshui Village, there was still an Untransformed Toad with lingering consciousness? Among their group, was there someone it yearned for in its past life?

For Bian Qingxuan, this was undoubtedly good news. If that unlucky soul was in danger, she would be safe. She might even have time to pursue other matters.

Thinking of Shi Luoyi, whose behavior was becoming increasingly unpredictable, her gaze darkened.

Shi Luoyi had already succumbed to her inner demons once. Perhaps it was time to awaken them again.

This couldn’t continue. Since she cherished Wei Changyuan so deeply, the solution lay there.

It had already been three years. If it were anyone else, they would have long since become completely devoted to her. But that youth, the sword cultivator born with an innate sword bone, was still resisting and wavering.

This was her best chance. Shi Luoyi, would he become your inner demon, leading you to destruction?

Bian Qingxuan’s luck was indeed good—whatever she desired, she seemed to encounter effortlessly.

She deliberately sought out Wei Changyuan, and to her surprise, she actually found him.

Gazing at the solemn grand hall before her, Bian Qingxuan’s eyes flickered. The Wei family, the leading household of immortal cultivation families.

Let’s see who the person Wei Changyuan secretly cherished in his heart truly was now.

Was it her, or his childhood sweetheart?

Wei Changyuan stood under the corridor.

From inside the room came the sound of his mother’s coughing. The door opened, and Wei’s father stepped out, frowning as he looked at him: “Changyuan, must you be so stubborn and make your mother and me angry?”

The youth was silent for a moment before replying: “Father once taught me that as a cultivator, one must not act against heaven’s will or feel ashamed of their actions. My senior uncle sacrificed himself for the sake of all living beings, falling into slumber. How can we betray our word and dissolve the engagement at this time?”

Wei’s father’s stern gaze fell on his son: “It is not I who asks you to break your promise. You know the situation of the Wei family. For thousands of years, the rules of immortal cultivation families have been strict, clinging to outdated traditions. But generation after generation, the quality of our lineage has declined, and our heritage is gradually being lost. Tens of thousands of years have passed, and though the former glory remains, it pales in comparison to the depth of the sects. No one has ascended in ages.”

“You are my only son, the most promising descendant of the Wei family, born with great expectations. I did not keep you at home but sent you to Hengwu to train, humbling myself to form ties with the Dao Lord and Princess. My only wish is for the Wei family to regain its former glory, or at least receive the Dao Lord’s protection to secure a few more years of peace, avoiding being trampled upon. Cultivators contend with heaven—it is a cruel path. Have you forgotten the fate of the Jiang family? A thousand-year legacy destroyed in an instant, leaving only Jiang Qi, a mere child.”

“The Dao Lord’s sacrifice was noble, selfless, and righteous. But without his protection, Buye Mountain is vulnerable. His youngest daughter is barely a hundred years old—what can she possibly achieve? Without its master, even the mountain’s protective array has dissipated. Do you not realize that when a master dies, the mountain’s protective arts fade? Do you still believe the Dao Lord lives and will awaken? How can Luoyi protect Buye Mountain or her father’s legacy? She will only be devoured by wolves and tigers! And you speak to me of righteousness? I have not coveted the Dao Lord’s opportunities or the inheritance of Buye Mountain—that is my final act of righteousness. I cannot allow you to be dragged into this vortex.”

The youth clenched his fists, stubbornly insisting: “There is also my master—he will protect her. And I can too. I will work harder in my cultivation to protect her and Buye Mountain. Father, please grant me your blessing!”

“Changyuan, you are still too young.” His father’s gaze was unreadable, coldly stating, “Go see Xue Rao, your master’s niece. She has admired you since childhood. I believe you two will get along well.”

The wind chimes under the corridor rang softly.

The youth lowered his head, his sword strapped to his back, saying nothing as he silently knelt down.

Clouds shifted, and the wind passed. Wei’s father flicked his sleeve and left.

The youth raised his eyes to the dark sky, his brow furrowing slightly as he sensed something amiss. The sword on his back hummed faintly. Wei Changyuan’s expression turned cold, his mind clearing somewhat. He vaguely remembered that he should have been elsewhere, exterminating demons, not returning to the family estate.

Behind a pillar, Bian Qingxuan watched as he began to break free from the mirage. Crossing her arms, her expression grew sullen.

Perhaps appearing in Wei Changyuan’s mirage was destined to displease her. If Wei Changyuan had transferred his affections elsewhere, she would despise him for being unfaithful. But seeing him foolishly struggle against his father’s orders to guard his little peacock, she felt frustrated.

She was certain her gentle care had moved Wei Changyuan, yet he ultimately chose his original feelings.

How was she inferior to Shi Luoyi? Blind fool.

In the end, it was all thanks to this cursed mirage. She could already guess what would happen if Wei Changyuan didn’t break free—

To usurp his true body, the mirage would lay eggs inside him, ensuring he successfully defied his parents and married Shi Luoyi, consummating their union.

Her face darkened. Such a trifling mirage dared to compete with her for a man! And so ineffectively—it hadn’t even begun before Wei Changyuan sensed something was wrong.

Then she would lend it a hand! Bian Qingxuan flicked her fingers, and her golden flute soared into the air, its glowing aura silently replacing the mirage.

Once done, she curved her lips into a smile: “The Wei family’s spiritual jade has already been lent to me. Why go through all this trouble?”

The flute sank into Bian Qingxuan’s body, a flash of irony crossing her face. Who knew how conflicted and tormented Wei Changyuan would feel after the mirage ended? But so what? Those who obstructed her path would receive no mercy from her!

After today, he would surely devote himself entirely to her, deepening Shi Luoyi’s inner demons.

The Wandering Flute emitted a faint golden glow in the air, and the illusion collapsed and rebuilt in an instant.

Wei’s mother was gravely ill and needed one more ingredient for her medicine.

The Wei family was filled with sorrow. The test subjects couldn’t withstand the backlash of the elixir, and dozens had already died.

Wei’s father, his face grim, ordered the capture of orphaned mortals to test the medicine.

Just as they were about to force-feed it, a hand stopped them. Wei’s father turned his head, his voice cold: “Changyuan, let go. I never taught you to show mercy. Do you want to watch your mother die?”

Wei Changyuan pursed his lips, snatched the bowl of medicine from his father’s hand, and drank it all in one gulp. His hoarse voice said: “Father, don’t harm others. If Mother needs someone to test the medicine, I can do it.”

Wei’s father looked at him, sighing deeply.

At night, Wei Changyuan finally realized something was wrong. What he had consumed was supposed to be the most potent herb in his mother’s medicine, Nine-Tailed Grass, which should have caused excruciating liver pain. Instead, he only felt his body burning with heat.

He endured for a long time, frowning as he tried to expel the medicine from his body. But the more he circulated his energy, the faster the medicine spread.

He could only immerse himself in the icy pool in the courtyard. Yet the medicine couldn’t be alleviated once it entered the body. No matter how much Wei Changyuan resisted, his consciousness gradually faded…

Under the moonlight, a maiden clad in gauze glided over, her steps light as a lotus.

She stepped into the icy pool and gently embraced the youth’s burning body: “Brother Changyuan, is it unbearable? Shall Rao help you?”

Wei Changyuan opened his unfocused eyes, biting his mouth until it bled. He tried to summon his Light Feather Sword, but it didn’t respond.

With all his strength, he pushed her away: “Leave. Don’t touch me.”

Xue Rao laughed softly: “But this isn’t Nine-Tailed Grass—it’s the Aphrodisiac Pill. If left untreated, Brother Changyuan might explode from the poison. I know you have a fiancée, and I know you won’t like me. Tonight’s events will fulfill my obsession—I won’t say a word, and as long as you don’t tell her, she’ll never know.”

She clung to him like an inescapable water snake, her arms wrapping around him, pressing against his chest.

Wei Changyuan’s vision blurred, but he stubbornly tried to push her away.

Just as Xue Rao was about to make another move, a sudden force flung her away. When she turned her head, she saw that the youth in the icy pool had been taken by someone else.

“Brother Changyuan, wake up!” A young girl anxiously shook him.

Wei Changyuan vaguely saw the shadow before him change, his hoarse voice calling out: “Little Junior Sister?”

The girl wiped away her tears and smiled: “It’s me, Brother Changyuan. You’re safe now.”

“I’m poisoned. Stay away from me.”

Bian Qingxuan feigned concern: “How could this happen?”

The youth struggled to breathe.

Bian Qingxuan gently placed her hand on his shoulder, biting her lip: “If this continues, you’ll die. Brother Changyuan, I can’t bear to watch you die. Let me help you. I want to save you.”

The girl’s eyes shimmered with affection and tears. She leaned forward, gently embracing him.

Wei Changyuan gripped her arm, as if to push her away. But after a long while, he slowly tightened his hold…

Bian Qingxuan buried her head in his shoulder, smiling faintly.

The gauze curtains closed, the moonlight cool as water.

Bian Qingxuan sat atop the roof beam, coldly watching the “her” in the illusion entangled with Wei Changyuan.

She sneered: “Men of this world—if you’re truly determined to resist, she cannot force you. Especially since this is only an illusion. Everything is false.”

If it were her brother, Bian Qingxuan thought, he would rather die or castrate himself with his bone spikes than touch her.

Thinking further, several months ago, about what had happened between Bian Lingyu and Shi Luoyi. Fire blazed in Bian Qingxuan’s eyes. If he truly didn’t want it, how could that little peacock force him? That ignorant fool!

The angrier she became, the harder it was to maintain the illusion. Her face darkened. Where was Bian Lingyu now? Surely not with Shi Luoyi again?!