Chapter 34

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Chapter 34: Title

"Young master, this is madness! How could you decide this?"

"That monster’s cunning! Releasing her violates our sect rules! Do you disregard Sect Leader Mu?!"

"Releasing an ancient beast carries consequences! If she harms innocents again, who bears that burden?"

"Young master—"

"Enough!" Mu Huaiyun conjured a barrier shielding Yin Huai’s clone. "I alone bear responsibility for releasing her. Go."

"Well now. Fearless youth, remarkable composure." Yin Huai’s clone vanished under Mu Huaiyun’s protection.

Among Yunshan Sect’s hundred disciples, many had never hunted monsters. Their black-and-white worldview painted villagers as victims and Yin Huai as evil. Mu Huaiyun’s mercy drew scorn—their faces twisted with disapproval.

Pity. Regret. Resentment. Fury.

Ye Qingshang saw it all through the water mirror—shocked, yet sorrowful. Whatever his reasons, Mu Huaiyun’s choice doomed him. Releasing an ancient beast broke sect rules. Even Sect Leader Mu couldn’t shield him from this wrath.

"What’s that look?" Yin Huai dismissed the water mirror, studying her. "Plotting mischief?"

"Mischief?" Ye Qingshang scoffed. "Could it surpass yours?"

"Sharp tongue." Yin Huai turned away, then paused. He leaned close, nostrils flaring—a sudden move that made her recoil.

"Strange," he clicked his tongue. "Earlier, your spiritual power surged during our fight. Now? I sense nothing. How…?"

His voice trailed off thoughtfully. Ye Qingshang lowered her lashes. "An ancient beast like you wouldn’t feel a mere cultivator’s pressure. Your joke falls flat."

Outwardly calm, she panicked inside. Even her master missed her lost power. She’d hidden it perfectly—until this thousand-year beast uncovered it in hours.

*Heavens, don’t come closer. If he discovers—*

As if hearing her prayer, Yin Huai straightened. Relief washed over her—until he lunged, seizing her wrist.

Ye Qingshang: "!!"

Foreign spiritual power—wild, torrential—raged through her veins. Pain contorted her features. His grip held fast, unbreakable.

"Cough, cough…" Blood trickled from her lips, scattering in drops onto her clothes.

Half a stick of incense later, Yin Huai finally released her. A smile flickered in his eyes, turning momentarily frenzied. "So that’s how it is. Your spiritual power remains, yet you cannot wield it. No wonder I sensed no pressure earlier." He shook his head with a sigh. "Many cultivate immortality in this world, but few end up like you. Sister, you truly astound me."

Meeting Ye Qingshang’s gaze again, he added, "Another thing puzzles me. Your inner core is exceptional—one in a million, perfect for cultivation. But you’re only fifteen. Why does it carry the aura of Gold Spirit? What… are you?"

Yin Huai’s probing gaze pierced deep into Ye Qingshang’s eyes. Spiritual pressure enveloped her, flooding her with soul-rending pain that forced tears from her eyes. She held his stare, but her vision gradually blurred.

The surroundings smeared into indistinct shapes. Something flashed through her mind too swiftly to grasp. Fragmented voices drifted around her ears:

"Immortal Lord, Immortal Lord, I beg you—save my child!"

"I can save her, but you must…"

"Your inner core is rare beyond compare."

"Gold Spirit gave this to you. Do you like it?"

"From now on, it merges with you. You… are my proudest creation."

"Ye Qingshang of Fengyuan, disciple of Master Ning from Frostbite Sect."

"You’re Senior Sister Ye? So beautiful."

"Qingshang, come here."

"A’shang."

"Ye Qingshang!"

She jolted awake, vomiting a torrent of blood that splattered her robes.

Yin Huai irritably stepped back, his expression dark. He exhaled sharply. "Whoever linked this spell to your life was a fool. Mere scattered memories, yet completely inaccessible."

Ye Qingshang coughed, her mind’s dull ache preventing focus. She’d only caught the word "memory" from Yin Huai. Still haunted by the echoes, she murmured, "What… is Gold Spirit?"

"A shred of the Netherworld King’s soul power. It shouldn’t exist in the mortal realm. Since you possess it, Gold Spirit’s blessing will smooth your cultivation path. Godhood awaits you." Yin Huai paused, scowling. "Why am I telling you this?"

"Gold Spirit…" His brow furrowed, then his eyes lit up. "Fate brought me Gold Spirit’s vessel now. I’ve slaughtered hundreds already—one more sin changes nothing."

"Your inner core is potent. I crave it." His smile widened. "I revoke my pact with your infatuated partner. I’ll… devour you."

"You—"

"Fear not, sister. If pain frightens you, I’ll cast a small spell. Quick and painless."

As Yin Huai advanced, his grin struck terror into Ye Qingshang. Though twice-lived, death’s approach still choked her with dread. Memories of her first death—a dragon’s roar piercing her flesh—flashed through her mind. She trembled instinctively.

Sensing its master’s turmoil, Qianyu thrummed inside her. Spiritual power coalesced around the blade, as if preparing to defend autonomously.