Chapter 220

Chapter 220: The Celestial Maiden’s Epidemic

The Zhen Yan Sect’s healing reputation had spread far, prompting even Wu Yue to activate her messaging talisman. Her voice dripped with theatrical resentment. “So _this_ is why you never visit me! You’ve been secretly cozying up with another celestial maiden! Sob sob… You You, you heartless fiend! I’ve pined for you until I lost all appetite—”

“And then recruited three Followers in ten years?” You You deadpanned.

“Er…” Wu Yue faltered briefly before resuming her dramatic whine. “You You, how could you misunderstand me? Those men are mere specks compared to you! Flesh and bone mean nothing—I only wanted their bodies. But _you_! I treasure your…” She hesitated, visibly wrestling with dishonesty, before blurting, “…face!”

“…” _Typical._

Dark energy practically radiated from You You’s temples. Wu Yue’s antics had only intensified since stabilizing the Xuan Guang Sect. “Enough. State your business.”

“I want to visit Zhen Yan Sect…”

“And?”

“To flaunt my new Follower!” Wu Yue giggled. “He’s devastatingly handsome—easily rivals your two. Really, you should become _my_ Follower. I’d introduce you to countless fine men. Why work so hard? Let me pamper you!”

A throbbing started behind You You’s eyes. “Stop joking. What do you _actually_ need?”

“Ugh, fine.” Wu Yue dropped the act. “We revised some high-level Cultivation Techniques but need Master Qiu’s expertise to verify them.”

“…” _Why lead with the nonsense earlier?_ “Understood. I’ll inform Qiu Zhang. Visit whenever.”

“But I mainly want to see _you_!” Wu Yue huffed before growing serious. “Also… my Disciples mentioned your investigation of that abandoned western town. I know something about it. That place… *cough*… has odd rumors. Be cauti—”

The message cut abruptly as pained shouts erupted from the talisman.

“Wu Yue?!” You You gripped the talisman. “What’s happening?!”

“…Sect Master!”

Long Xi’s panicked cry echoed before the connection died. Repeated attempts to contact them failed. Three days later, a harried Long Xi arrived at Zhen Yan Sect carrying an unconscious Wu Yue.

“What happened?!” You You stared at the alarmingly pale figure in his arms. Was this some celestial maiden plague? Another one collapsing?

“Sect Master You,” Long Xi rasped, “she collapsed three days ago. No cause found—her spiritual energy keeps fading.”

“Ling Qi, summon Yuan Papa and Feng Rong.” You You ordered while ushering them inside.

Yuan Qi and Feng Rong arrived swiftly. After examining Wu Yue, they exchanged troubled frowns. “Her body shows no injury,” Yuan Qi admitted.

“Original spirit and soul essence remain intact,” Feng Rong added. “This isn’t physical damage.”

“Then why won’t she wake?” You You pressed.

Long Xi interjected hoarsely, “Her spiritual energy diminishes daily. We’re baffled.”

You You now noticed Wu Yue’s weakened aura—like someone drained from excessive spellcasting.

“Spiritual energy depletion?” Yuan Qi’s eyes narrowed. “This requires examining her Sea of Consciousness.”

Long Xi paled. “But forcibly entering a cultivator’s Sea of Consciousness…”

“Precisely why _you’ll_ act as conduit,” Yuan Qi clarified. “As her Follower, your divine sense can approach hers. I’ll guide the inspection.”

After a tense pause, Long Xi nodded. Settling behind Wu Yue, he released a wisp of divine sense. Yuan Qi’s golden energy enveloped it, guiding the strand toward her forehead.

_Crack!_

White light flared, repelling the probe violently. Long Xi recoiled with a gasp until Feng Rong’s divine power steadied him. “I… failed,” he rasped.

As Yuan Qi considered alternatives, You You raised a hand. “Let me try. We’re close.”

Silence blanketed the room.