Another night inside the tent.
Bai Muyao was focused on flipping through the scroll concerning monster beasts. Over the past two days, she had memorized the content nearly in its entirety. Even without the guidance of “Senior” the fox, she was confident she could handle whatever came tomorrow with ease. If luck was on her side, she might even obtain the fragment without having to encounter a single beast.
As night deepened, Bai Muyao closed the scroll, preparing for rest. She extended her hand, staring blankly at her palm. There was clearly nothing there, yet she felt a lingering sense of unease.
During dinner, Zhuang Youbai had written an “incantation” on her palm. She noticed that what Zhuang Youbai had written for her was different from what she had written for Shi Hua. Shi Hua had later joked that it was all just nonsense, but for some reason, Bai Muyao found the incantation strangely familiar. She was certain she had never seen it before, yet she felt as if she could recognize it at a single glance. In fact… she felt it was a demonic incantation.
‘A Demon Sovereign General is sleeping in these mountains!’ ‘The demons are only launching feint attacks; their true purpose is unknown—perhaps they intend to plant spies.’
Bai Muyao felt her mind descending into chaos, her thoughts a tangled mess. The little fox walked over and patted her with a paw, seemingly reminding her it was time for sleep.
“Senior, I’m going to sleep now.”
Bai Muyao packed her things and lay down, though waves of unease still crashed against her heart.
The next day, just as Bai Muyao had anticipated, the team arrived at a certain cave in the Monster Beast Mountains. Unfortunately, there were indeed monster beasts here—and more than one. Two beasts circled within the cave, releasing a powerful barrier that sealed the area off completely. If they weren’t dealt with, none of the cultivators would be able to escape.
Shi Shuyan quickly issued orders: “Six people, maintain the formation!”
She activated a formation that required six Golden Core cultivators to sustain, allowing the other cultivators to draw a continuous stream of spiritual energy through it. Those maintaining the formation would be relatively safe, spared from the front lines of the battle. Shi Shuyan quickly pointed out five cultivators with lower levels and less experience. When it came time to choose the final person, her gaze landed on a specific figure.
“Bai Muyao, you come maintain the formation too!”
“Understood!” Bai Muyao responded immediately, preparing to take her position.
Just then, she caught a glimpse of one of the beasts burrowing underground. She remembered that this specific burrowing beast would always attack the nearest target. The person closest to it, however, was completely oblivious, their attention elsewhere.
Oh no!
Without a second thought, Bai Muyao rushed toward them. She quickly realized her speed was far from enough. At that critical moment, a surge of spiritual energy gave her a sudden, forceful shove.
Who helped me?
Spiritual energy was surging violently all around; Bai Muyao had no time to think and could only continue her charge. She reached the person about to be attacked and pulled them into a tight embrace. In that instant, the beast lunged from the ground, slamming heavily into the two of them. The Youlan Spirit Jade triggered instantly, blocking the fatal strike.
Ji Rao, the one who had been saved, looked at Bai Muyao with shock, her voice trembling slightly. “Th-thank you!”
Bai Muyao smiled faintly. “It’s nothing.” She remembered Shi Shuyan’s orders and turned back toward the formation. Shi Shuyan had already found another cultivator to maintain it and gave her a look, signaling that she no longer needed to come over. Bai Muyao nodded and threw herself back into the fray.
Meanwhile, the little fox was lying on a rock, watching the battle below with boredom. Whenever a cultivator fell into danger, she would release a wisp of spiritual energy to assist in secret. With so many cultivators present and spiritual energy intertwining, Xu Qing could blend hers in without fear of discovery.
Normally, two such beasts were not something this group of Golden Core cultivators could handle. Fortunately, Shi Hua was in the late Soul Transformation stage. At this moment, Shi Hua could no longer hide her strength and revealed her true cultivation, taking a massive amount of pressure off the team. Xu Qing, ensuring that no one died, put in the minimum effort required to help. She still didn’t want to expose herself.
Xu Qing had already blocked fatal blows for five Golden Core cultivators. Her gaze landed on Bai Muyao, feeling somewhat surprised by the girl’s calm handling of the situation. In just two days, Bai Muyao had mastered and applied the knowledge of these beasts so quickly. That scroll contained at least several thousand species, each with entirely different habits and attack patterns. Even Xu Qing herself didn’t remember the habits of some of them, relying purely on overwhelming strength to crush them.
As a late Golden Core stage cultivator, Bai Muyao’s strength was gradually becoming prominent in this battle. Her fighting style was becoming more skilled, and with the perception boost from the Youlan Spirit Jade, she performed with ease. Soon, the first beast was successfully defeated. Although half of the cultivators had lost their ability to fight, those remaining were sufficient to deal with the second one.
After nearly half a day of intense combat, the battle finally came to an end. The team began to recover, while some searched the cave for treasures. Bai Muyao sat cross-legged, adjusting her breathing. She knew that the fragment she sought was buried in a corner of this very cave.
After a brief meditation, Shi Shuyan walked over. She said with approval, “Bai Muyao, I’ve been underestimating you. I didn’t realize you were so vital.” In this high-intensity battle, Shi Shuyan had discovered that Bai Muyao was not only at the late Golden Core stage but also particularly effective against monster beasts. The key to this victory, besides the late Soul Transformation powerhouse Shi Hua, was undoubtedly Bai Muyao.
Bai Muyao responded humbly, “Senior Shi, you flatter me.” She didn’t dare take the credit. She knew well that without two Soul Transformation cultivators like Shi Hua and Shi Shuyan, this battle would never have gone so smoothly. Moreover, she felt as if a mysterious force had been helping them in secret.
“Have you considered it?” Shi Shuyan asked. “Do you want to travel with me afterward?”
“This…” Bai Muyao didn’t know how to answer.
Shi Shuyan let out a soft laugh, clearly not in a rush for an answer. “Rest well first. I’m going to check on the others.”
Bai Muyao breathed a sigh of relief. Once she had adjusted her breathing, she immediately hurried to the spot where the fragment was buried, preparing to dig it out. The burial site wasn’t deep. She used spiritual energy to lightly clear the soil, and soon she saw a black fragment wedged there. The fragment was unremarkable, looking like a piece of common debris. If the system hadn’t informed her it contained a remnant soul, Bai Muyao likely would have ignored it.
Just as she reached out to take it, the little fox came to her side. After confirming she was uninjured, the fox also seemed to relax.
“Senior…”
Before Bai Muyao could speak, the little fox vanished in a flash. Turning back, she saw Ji Rao approaching; the little fox had already started avoiding her. Ji Rao, however, wasn’t here for the fox this time she was looking for Bai Muyao.
Seeing the fragment on the ground, Ji Rao picked it up casually. “Were you looking for this?” she asked with a smile.
Bai Muyao hadn’t expected the fragment to be snatched up and could only nod. “Yes.” She briefly considered lying but worried the woman might actually take it away.
Ji Rao waved the fragment in her hand and laughed. “How about this: you let me claim that fox as a spirit pet, and I’ll give this to you. What do you say?”
Bai Muyao’s brow furrowed. She had to have that fragment, but she could never agree to Ji Rao’s demand. Just as she was thinking of a counter-strategy, Ji Rao suddenly covered her mouth and giggled.
“You saved me and helped me find my Spirit Pearl. Even if I were a complete ingrate, I would still know how to repay a debt.” She offered her thanks solemnly. “Thank you for saving my life, Fellow Daoist Bai.”
Bai Muyao waved it off. “No, it’s fine.”
Ji Rao held out the fragment. “Here.”
“Thank you.”
Bai Muyao breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to take the fragment. However, the moment she touched it, a wave of darkness violently consumed her.
What’s happening?
Bai Muyao felt as if she had been sucked into a dark void. Where am I? What am I doing? Dazed, she realized she was running with all her might. Am I running for my life? Why?
She looked back and saw a dark figure in hot pursuit. The person was dressed in white, holding a long sword, their face a blur. Bai Muyao felt a surge of intense terror. She seemed to know that if she were caught, a gruesome death awaited her. Her spiritual energy was draining rapidly, and her steps were growing heavier.
Exhausted, Bai Muyao collapsed to the ground and finally saw the person who had caught up.
“Why!” She looked at that all-too-familiar face, her heart filled with shock and bewilderment. “Senior Sister… Xu Qing?”
“Why is it Senior Sister Xu Qing!”
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out; she couldn’t even beg for mercy. Xu Qing raised her sword high, the cold blade pointed directly at her throat.
“Bai Muyao!”
A shout pulled her back from the darkness into reality. Bai Muyao woke with a start, still gripping the black fragment tightly. From Ji Rao’s perspective, the moment she handed the fragment over, Bai Muyao had collapsed as if she had lost consciousness the second she touched it. She was about to help her up when Bai Muyao opened her eyes.
To Bai Muyao, it felt as if she had been running in the darkness for a long time, but in reality, it had only been a single moment. As she regained consciousness, a piercing alarm rang in her ears!
[WARNING!! WARNING!! WARNING!!!] [Detection: An epic-level disaster is descending. Hostet’s cultivation is too low; please evacuate immediately!] [Active Mission: Defeat the Demon World General.] [Completing this opportunity increases calamity survival rate by 9%; Difficulty Level: Epic.]
Bai Muyao had no time to think; it had all happened too suddenly. Ji Rao crouched down, trying to help her up. “Bai Muyao, are you okay?”
“Run!” Bai Muyao grabbed Ji Rao’s clothes. “Quick, tell everyone to run!”
Ji Rao looked baffled. “Run? Wh-what?”
However, Ji Rao didn’t need to notify anyone. In that very instant, a powerful demonic pressure violently swept through the entire cave. Every cultivator felt the suffocating threat.
Shi Shuyan trembled, looking around in shock. “Great Awakening stage? How can there be a Great Awakening stage powerhouse here!” She reacted quickly, shouting to the crowd, “Everyone, get out of the cave!”
Everyone felt that terrifying pressure. Great Awakening stage! That was an existence they simply couldn’t oppose. Even if they all joined forces, they would likely only be delaying their deaths. The scene turned into a chaotic scramble as everyone fled toward the exit.
Xu Qing transformed back into her human form. She hadn’t expected a Great Awakening stage demon to appear here. Without hesitation, she rushed toward Bai Muyao, intent on saving her. Even if it meant exposing her identity, she couldn’t care less.
As if by design, a massive black hand erupted from the ground, and several cultivators perished in an instant. The target of that black hand’s attack was none other than Xu Qing!