Chapter 35

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Chapter 35: Title

Qianyu?

The spiritual weapon trembled violently at her silent call.

Powerless to summon it, Ye Qingshang realized—if the weapon could act alone…

"Qianyu, draw my spiritual power!" she commanded inwardly.

Qianyu obeyed. As it siphoned her energy, the blade’s aura doubled in intensity. Cold light sharpened Ye Qingshang’s gaze, emerald flashing in her eyes. "Qianyu—Star Spike!"

The spiritual weapon materialized before her. The sword split into three, its power multiplying as it transformed into countless feathered spikes. Yin Huai staggered backward under the sudden assault. The spiritual pressure caught him unprepared. Only when the energy dispersed and dust settled did he regain his footing.

But when he looked around, there was no sign of Ye Qingshang or any spiritual weapons—everything was utterly empty, all for nothing.

He gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath, "Damn it!"

Meanwhile, Ye Qingshang, who had successfully escaped, wasn’t faring well. Qianyu’s ultimate technique, Star Spike, had drained every ounce of her spiritual power. Depleted and defenseless, she could no longer endure the damage inflicted when Yin Huai recklessly probed her inner core earlier. A burning agony tore through her body, forcing cold sweat to bead on her forehead.

Luckily, Qianyu’s protective consciousness lingered. It carried her on its blade, flying a great distance before finally stopping, just barely preventing Yin Huai from catching her again.

"Ugh…" Blood still smeared her lips when Ye Qingshang suddenly vomited several mouthfuls more. It felt as though her insides were being ripped out, the burning pain intensifying until it consumed her last shreds of clarity.

She half-knelt on the ground, vision blurred and disoriented. Overwhelmed by exhaustion, she couldn’t make a sound, only a desperate plea echoed weakly in her mind:

*Is anyone there? Save me…*

*Master, save me… I don’t want to die…*

*So cold… it’s freezing here…*

The darkness felt hellish as she curled up in agony. Time blurred until gentle arms lifted her. Warmth radiated from the person holding her, their spiritual power soothing and quiet, lulling her toward sleep.

Before her eyes closed, she glimpsed a flash of blue—familiar and comforting. She clutched at it like a lifeline, refusing to let go even as she slipped into unconsciousness.

"Ye Qingshang, Ye Qingshang? Wake up!"

"Young master, Sister Ye is gravely injured. We should take her back to the cave to rest," Qiao Zhu urged, stepping forward to give Ye Qingshang a pill.

Mu Huaiyun hadn’t released Yin Huai’s doppelganger recklessly. Crushing the pill, he’d secretly cast a tracking spell the moment the doppelganger let its guard down. Once it was far enough, he’d led the pursuit.

Yin Huai was treacherous and known for broken promises. Fearing for Ye Qingshang’s safety, Mu Huaiyun refused to gamble with her life—hence his plan to let the tiger return to the mountain.

Sadly, the gap in their spiritual power was too vast. The tracking spell failed halfway. Just as hope seemed lost, he spotted Ye Qingshang nearby—a stroke of heavenly mercy.

"Alright, I’ll take her back to the cave."

No sooner had he spoken than a figure in white robes arrived, tracing the path of the sound transmission talisman. Spotting Ye Qingshang, Ning Jiwei’s tension eased. He checked her pulse but frowned. "Her inner core is intact. Why is she so badly hurt?"

"Master Ning, I’ve already given Sister Ye a heart-protecting pill. Since her inner core is fine, her unconsciousness must be from spiritual power depletion. Restoring it should heal her," Qiao Zhu explained.

Ning Jiwei’s gaze lingered on the corner of his robe clutched in Ye Qingshang’s hand, his expression unreadable. Still, he rose. "You look after her, Young Master Mu."

"The rest of Yunshan Sect, follow me. Find Yin Huai… and eliminate him."

"Yes!" The young disciples’ vigor cut through the gloom, their voices echoing across the land.

That night, demonic poison swept through Quan Village. Ning Jiwei led Yunshan Sect to join Mu Shezhi’s group. They searched the entire village but found no trace of Yin Huai’s doppelganger.

Three days later, reinforcements from the ten sects arrived. Together, they cornered Yin Huai on the back mountain. Trapped and with no escape, he was slain on the spot.

"Young master, you haven’t rested in days. Take a break," Qiao Zhu said, offering Mu Huaiyun a bowl of herbal soup—not meant for Ye Qingshang.

"Even boundless spiritual power shouldn’t be squandered like this, especially with your injuries still healing. Drink this. Regain some strength."

When Mu Huaiyun ignored her outstretched hand, Qiao Zhu sighed. "Fine. If you won’t drink it, I’ll give it to Sister Ye. You two—"

A cold glare from Mu Huaiyun made her quickly change tack.

"Sister Ye only lacks spiritual power. You’ve nurtured her for over three days—that’s enough. Her injuries are severe; she won’t wake for half a month. Must you push yourself like this the whole time?"

"She… got hurt by Yin Huai because of me."

Pain and guilt flickered in Mu Huaiyun’s eyes. Watching him, Qiao Zhu felt like an intruder. She shook her head, lost for words.

Now that Yin Huai had been eliminated, everyone was busy comforting the villagers of Quan Village, leaving no time for other matters. Even this medicinal broth had been prepared by Qiao Zhu during a rare moment of respite. She’d hoped to persuade Mu Huaiyun to rest while delivering the medicine, yet found her efforts futile.

She finally understood: while this young master Mu Huaiyun maintained a composed exterior, all restraint vanished when it concerned Ye Qingshang.

Releasing the tiger back to the mountains sounded simple, but this was a ferocious beast. Freed that night, it nearly destroyed Quan Village entirely. Had Ning Jiwei and the others not arrived promptly, the consequences would have been far graver. Even so, they couldn’t halt the spread of the demonic poison.

Now every villager in Quan Village was infected. Disciples from the ten sects channeled spiritual power—those lightly poisoned might survive, but among the severely afflicted, only half lived. Some elderly or frail villagers perished before treatment could reach them. Those transformed into puppet-like beings were beyond saving and had to be eliminated.

Within days, nearly a thousand died in Quan Village. Though most villagers survived, the heavy loss of life left the immortal sects bearing undeniable responsibility for their miscalculation.

Especially Mu Huaiyun.

"Young Master, have you considered the aftermath? As Quan Village’s crisis concludes, disciples will pacify the villagers regardless of fault. But you… once this ends, sect rules demand unavoidable, severe punishment. Is there truly… no alternative?"

"My solitary mistake defies solution. When I released that demon, I never contemplated evasion."

"But the penalty for releasing demons damages the inner core! Why would you…" Qiao Zhu trailed off abruptly as a mournful cry pierced the dimming twilight.

"Young Master… do you love Sister Ye?"

The question rippled through him, stirring deep currents. Gazing at the woman in his arms, Mu Huaiyun answered without hesitation, "Yes."

His resonant voice mingled with the cave’s wind, scattering into the unknown where it took root.