Chapter 222

Chapter 222: The Rampant Curse

"So that’s how it is! The one who holds true feelings…" You You nodded, then noticed all three people in the room staring at her—even the gravely injured Long Xi. She shivered. "Wait, why are you all looking at _me_?"

The three: "……"

_Who does Wu Yue care about most? Don’t you have any clue?_

-_—-

*Ahem!* Yuan Qi snapped back to focus. "The Emotional Contract Spell only affects those connected to the cursed—blood relatives, inheritors, or Followers bound by Contract. You You remains unharmed because she isn’t Wu Yue’s Follower."

"Divine Master…" Long Xi rasped, ignoring his own injuries. "Is there… any way to save my Sect Master?"

"Not yet." Yuan Qi shook his head. "This curse stems from the demon tribes. Such magic isn’t easily broken."

Long Xi paled further.

"Do you know when Wu Yue was cursed?" Yuan Qi pressed. "The source might hold answers."

"I don’t know." Long Xi slumped. "She collapsed three days ago. She hadn’t met any outsiders."

"Are others in your Sect affected?"

"I… didn’t check." Guilt flashed across Long Xi’s face.

"You must confirm immediately," Yuan Qi warned. "Blood curses spread widely. If multiple carriers exist…"

"Sect Master!" Ling Qi burst in, breathless. "Elders from the Yinyun, Tian Zhe, Dayan, and Yunyan Sects have arrived with their celestial maidens—all seeking treatment! Fifteen more Sects sent urgent pleas. Their celestial maidens collapsed suddenly. They beg the Divine Master’s aid!"

Yuan Qi: "……"

Feng Rong: "……"

Long Xi: "……"

_This many? And all celestial maidens?!_

"How?!" Feng Rong blurted.

"How many Sects?" Yuan Qi demanded.

"Fifteen confirmed—likely more." Ling Qi hesitated. "This reeks of conspiracy. Should we let them in?"

Yuan Qi’s gaze shifted to You You—but she stood frozen, eyes distant. Slowly, she met his stare. "Yuan Papa… my Sea of Consciousness… has the Curse Seal too."

Yuan Qi: "……"

Feng Rong: "……"

Ling Qi: "……"

——————————

Fifteen Sects crowded Zhen Yan Sect’s halls. Most celestial maidens lay unconscious; only a few with high Cultivation remained awake. You You estimated half the immortal sects’ celestial maidens were now afflicted.

Yuan Qi examined each victim. "When did symptoms appear?"

Followers exchanged uneasy glances:

"Three days ago, at noon."

"Five days."

"Ten days. We only came after hearing of Wuyun Sect’s plight."

"Seven days…"

The curse hadn’t struck all at once—it spread unevenly, unlike You You’s case where contact with Wu Yue’s consciousness triggered infection. Yet Followers swore no celestial maidens had interacted recently.

Yuan Qi’s frown deepened. "I can’t lift the curse, only suppress it by—"

"Sect Master!" A Follower choked, blood spraying from his lips.

"Look! Her forehead!" someone shouted.

A red glow pulsed on an unconscious celestial maiden’s brow, etching an eye-shaped Curse Seal—identical to Wu Yue’s.

More cries erupted:

"Ours too!"

"Here as well—*cough*!"

Red lights bloomed across every celestial maiden’s forehead. Followers collapsed, vomiting blood as spiritual energy leaked from their Meridians.

"The curse activates!" Yuan Qi barked at Feng Rong. "Seal their Meridians—now!"

Hands flying through spellcasting gestures, they raced to stabilize the crowd. Fifteen minutes later, the chaos eased—but a Follower gasped, pointing at You You.

"Sect Master You! Your forehead—the Curse Seal!"

Every head swiveled. You You touched her brow. Warmth prickled beneath her fingers.