Chapter 91

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Chapter 91: Title

"Bai Bai Mama!"

Zhuque’s unnatural cry made the three humans clutch their splitting heads. Lu Ciyou and Yan Li, still disoriented from spatial distortion, jolted fully awake.

Xia Wuwei frowned and flicked spiritual power to seal the bird’s mouth. "Quiet."

Yan Li’s half-demon body trembled under the divine beast’s influence. She spat blood, prompting Lu Ciyou to rush over with an elixir.

"A Li."

With Zhuque silenced and medicine working, Yan Li focused on the sect leader-robed woman. Remembering her imprisoned Master at Cliff of Reflection, she choked out: "Master Fan…please save our Master."

Xia Wuwei tilted her head. "Whose disciple calls me ‘Master Fan’?" She’d come to investigate Wentiang Peak’s disturbance, only finding a talking bird and youths – one shouting "Bai Bai Mama", the other using formal titles.

"You don’t know us?" Lu Ciyou helped Yan Li stand, staring at Xia Shi. They recalled Pei Jiu’s warnings from the cliff prison, yet hoped for recognition.

Xia Shi couldn’t be controlled! Lu Ciyou refused to believe…until seeing the cold unfamiliarity in those eyes.

"What about Suiyin?" Lu Ciyou shouted, clutching both bird and friend. Three pairs of eyes bored into Xia Shi. If even she could be memory-wiped and trapped in Sanqing, who could stop Thirteen Ghost Domains?

"Suiyin?" Xia Wuwei repeated before shaking her head. "Never heard."

Lu Ciyou gritted her teeth. Desperate, she grasped at Qinghu Region’s tragedy from Four Hundred Years Ago – Xia Shi’s deepest wound.

"Four hundred years—"

"Visitors?"

The smiling voice froze their blood.

Pei Jiu!

"Wuwei, new friends?" The woman’s gentle tone contrasted with her icy gaze.

Xia Wuwei smiled back. "Strangers spouting nonsense."

As she moved toward Pei Jiu, Yan Li tried to grab her, but her wrist felt pinned down by an invisible force. She could only watch the hem of Pei Jiu’s robe slip past her eyes.

"With the Nine Realms in chaos and the Thirteen Ghost Domains stirring trouble, Senior Sister Ye Xiao and Huaiwen are away. Sanqing must remain secure," Pei Jiu hinted, glancing at the two figures down the corridor before turning to Xia Wuwei. "We must be wary of strangers. Don’t you agree?"

Xia Wuwei nodded after a moment’s consideration. Her master and senior sister had entrusted Sanqing to her care – she couldn’t fail them.

"I leave these two to you. The main peak awaits." Xia Wuwei’s unwavering trust in Pei Jiu extinguished the last hope in Lu Ciyou and Yan Li’s hearts.

Pei Jiu watched Xia Wuwei depart before facing the prisoners. She sealed their spiritual power and marched them to the Discipline Hall.

What was once a place for disciplining wayward disciples now served as a prison. Yan Li’s expression darkened with each step – over half of Sanqing Realm’s disciples and elders crowded the cells.

"We’re short on space, young master." Pei Jiu gestured. Two unfamiliar figures in Sanqing robes opened a cell door. Yan Li noted their foreign features – imposters.

The barrier formation clicked into place as they stumbled inside. Two existing prisoners looked up, sparking mutual shock.

"Miss Wen!" Lu Ciyou gasped at the frail woman. Wen Zhishu swayed when standing, only steadying through Qin An’s support.

After intercepting Qin An days prior, the pair had failed to break her trance-like obsession with fetching chestnut cake for Sanqing. Their forced return led straight to captivity.

"You too…?" Wen Zhishu trailed off at their grim faces. "What of Suiyin and Xia Shi?"

Silence hung until Yan Li demanded, "Explain this."

Qin An’s tear-rimmed eyes told the tale: "Post-Immortal Sect Conference, half our inner disciples dispersed. Our sect leader entered breakthrough seclusion… only to emerge deranged next dawn, wounding elders before banishing himself to the Cliff of Reflection. Then Pei Jiu arrived wielding Elder Wuwei’s spiritual power. She twisted the protective formation, trapping thousands."

"After vanishing briefly, she returned with Elder Wuwei last month, declaring her sect leader. Dissenters got imprisoned. My sisters suspected Elder Wuwei’s condition but…" Qin An’s fists clenched. "Those outside? Pei Jiu’s puppets."

Helpless rage choked her voice. Yan Li’s chest tightened – she recalled Master Fan urging her homecoming at Canghai. Had her senior sister known?

Useless, she’d claimed then, with her shattered Golden Core. Useless! Had she come, might she have exposed Pei Jiu? Aided her master?

Demonic tears streaked Yan Li’s cheeks as corrosive energy flooded the chamber. The emotional turmoil cracked her resolve, awakening something ancient within.

"A Li!"

Lu Ciyou held Yan Li’s trembling body tightly, wiping tears from her face. "What’s in your mind? Tell me! Just tell me!"

"Senior sister!"

"Miss Yan Li!"

Qin An and Wen Zhishu urged anxiously from beside them.

"A Li, A Li! Look at me. Don’t think about anything else!" Lu Ciyou kept calling while muttering lowly, "Are all Sanqing Realm folks wooden blocks? Can’t even speak when troubled!"

"Ah! Right, Zhuque! Zhuque!"

Remembering the hidden Zhuque, Lu Ciyou hastily pulled it out. Xia Shi had said Zhuque could suppress demonic energy – just let it cry near Yan Li when problems arose.

"Quick! Make noise!"

Dizzy from being shaken, Zhuque opened its eyes only to recoil at Yan Li’s demonic aura, neck straining to shriek. When no sound came, the impatient young lady brought the creature closer for scolding – then noticed its sealed beak.

"……"

Zhuque gazed at her pitifully.

Lu Ciyou abandoned the creature to check Yan Li. Left on the table, Zhuque sensed watching eyes. Turning, it saw two figures – one vacant, one frail. The sickly woman stared downward.

Every feather stood erect as Zhuque flapped desperately toward its keeper. Had speech been possible, wails would’ve filled the air. But Lu Ciyou simply stuffed the struggling creature back into her sleeve while soothing Yan Li.

"A Li… A Li…" The repeated calls worked – with spiritual power sealed, the dragon remained dormant. Yan Li gradually stilled beneath the familiar voice.

"A Ci… Ouch!"

Cheek pinched painfully, Yan Li’s brows knotted. The young lady meant business.

"Didn’t I say share your burdens? Stop brooding alone!" Lu Ciyou growled through clenched teeth, fingers still squeezing. "Exactly like your Master Fan! So tight-lipped!"

Released, red fingerprints bloomed on Yan Li’s pale cheek. Instantly remorseful, Lu Ciyou kissed the marks twice. "Why endure silently?"

Though Yan Li always maintained Sanqing proprieties, blushing even during private moments with Lu Ciyou, this public display before Qin An and Wen Zhishu burned her ears.

"Don’t…"

She pushed lightly at Lu Ciyou’s shoulder. The young lady shot a glance sideways. Wen Zhishu averted her eyes with a smile while Qin An kept hers firmly lowered.

Endless Sea.

Xia Shi emerged from the pool, sensing the spiritual power inside her surging like tidal waves—even the Great Ascension realm might not compare.

The formerly milky-white pool water had turned completely clear.

“Well?”

Yan Ge had prepared tea by the poolside. She pushed a cup toward the opposite seat, gesturing for her to approach.

Xia Shi walked over and clasped her hands in a formal bow.

Since this opportunity came from Yan Ge, proper gratitude was due.

“After undergoing tribulation, you’ll shed that ‘Half-step Sword Immortal’ title.” Yan Ge observed the wisp of immortal qi circling Xia Shi, amusement flickering in her gaze.

Xia Shi knew the title mocked her limitations, but why would Yan Ge help her ascend?

“What’s your intention, senior?”

Through the tea’s rising steam, Xia Shi caught the immortal’s faint sigh, words scattering like wind-blown petals.

“Consider it… a bored spectator wanting entertainment.”