She was actually one year older than Shen Yi, now nineteen years old. It had been three years since she came back to life, and she had never had her menstrual period. Her aunt had once asked her why she still hadn’t gotten it. Afraid of worrying her aunt, she lied and said her health was poor and it wasn’t time yet, probably needing a while longer.
Although she had deceived her aunt, she knew the truth. It must be because her soul was incomplete. Now, thanks to accumulating merit through catching demons and eliminating evil, her soul was gradually being nourished, and her body was becoming more robust.
Yan Wuyou came out of Lin Yao’s room to find He Lian Mingche and Xiao Yuanzi already waiting downstairs.
“Third Brother, what’s wrong with Junior Sister?”
“Third Senior Brother, why is your face so red?”
Yan Wuyou rubbed his forehead, hesitated for a moment, then said seriously: “I was just about to discuss this with you. Junior Sister is unwell and needs seven days of recuperation before we can continue our journey.”
“Seven days?” they exclaimed in unison.
Yan Wuyou nodded. He Lian Mingche and Xiao Yuanzi exchanged glances, then nodded solemnly at each other. He Lian Mingche said earnestly: “Third Brother, we’ll entrust Junior Sister to your care. I have urgent matters to attend to and must take my leave.”
Yan Wuyou looked at Xiao Yuanzi, who also wore a serious expression: “Senior Brother, I need to hurry back to prepare medicine.”
In the end, only Yan Wuyou remained to care for Lin Yao.
By dinnertime, Lin Yao had gotten up and come downstairs. The two sat facing each other, silently staring at a plate of bizarrely shaped buns on the table.
“Senior Brother, while I’m not picky about food, the buns you made are… certainly unique in appearance,” Lin Yao spoke first.
They were truly hard to put in one’s mouth.
Though Yan Wuyou thought this to himself, since it was his first time cooking, having his efforts criticized like this didn’t sit well with him. He spread his hands: “If you can do better, you try.”
Eventually they reached an agreement and mustered the courage to knock on their neighbor’s door…
“Eat slowly, you two. You must be starving.”
“Thank you, Auntie Gu!” Lin Yao said between large mouthfuls of rice, her words barely intelligible.
“Are you two married yet?”
Upon hearing this, Yan Wuyou choked on his rice. Just as he was about to speak, Auntie Gu gave him a knowing look: “I understand, I understand. How could any family disapprove of such a handsome young man and lovely girl?” She and Uncle Gu then looked at them and laughed heartily.
Lin Yao quickly put down her chopsticks and waved her hands: “Auntie, no, we’re not…”
“I understand, I understand. Young people are shy. Don’t be embarrassed – mutual affection is nothing to be ashamed of. I just worry whether your families might be too distressed and harm their health.”
Well, the more she explained, the worse it got!
Yan Wuyou rubbed his forehead awkwardly: “We’ll be returning home in a few days.”
Auntie Gu looked relieved: “That’s good, that’s good.” Uncle Gu said kindly: “If you don’t know how to cook, you can eat with us old folks these few days. The young lady can learn from my wife too.”
Lin Yao could only nod.
“Uncle, Auntie, we can’t just eat for free. If there’s any work that needs doing, please feel free to assign it to me,” Yan Wuyou said.
“Good, good. Young people should be diligent to provide shelter from wind and rain for their families.”
From then on, Yan Wuyou and Lin Yao began their days of mooching meals. Of course, being idle and enjoying the fruits of others’ labor was shameful, so the two began living a blissful life of “the men plow and the women weave”!
During the day, Yan Wuyou followed Uncle Gu to water wheat, plow fields, and harvest late rice. Sometimes he’d even chew on grass roots while herding sheep. Uncle Gu greatly admired this talkative and capable young man—he had prospects and was a fine lad!
Lin Yao stayed in the village, picking vegetable leaves, kneading flour, and making dumplings with Auntie Gu. Sometimes she’d hum little tunes while mending clothes. Auntie Gu adored this quiet and obedient girl—she wasn’t noisy and knew her place!
Seven days later, the pair gave the last bag of flour from Bai Shaoyan’s house to Auntie Gu, who prepared a bundle of steamed buns and flatbread for their journey.
“Uncle, Auntie, thank you for everything these past days,” Lin Yao bid farewell sincerely.
Auntie Gu held Lin Yao’s hand, reluctant to let go. “Take care on the road, dear child.” She then turned to Yan Wuyou, “Don’t just focus on traveling—mind your wife’s health.”
Yan Wuyou had grown quite accustomed to this new identity and responded smoothly, “Will do!”
As they reached the village entrance, a tremendous roar suddenly echoed from the depths of Maoling Mountain. They exchanged glances: something was wrong!
“We can’t let the demon descend and harm the villagers!” Yan Wuyou declared, turning back with wind-like speed toward Maoling. Lin Yao quickly gathered her energy and flew after him.
Deep in the forest, they looked up at the massive white snake as thick as an old tree stump. The serpent’s beady eyes scrutinized them while its crimson forked tongue flickered with ominous hisses—
That was it! The sound had come from this creature.
“Are we even enough to fill its stomach…” Lin Yao whispered nervously, tugging Yan Wuyou’s sleeve.
“It’s not here for you too, is it?” Yan Wuyou tilted his head and murmured.
Lin Yao felt somewhat guilty. “How should I know?”
Suddenly, the giant snake’s head transformed into a human face with grim features. “Hand over the Bone Exchange Pill.” Now Lin Yao couldn’t deny it. She patted her chest and transmitted her thoughts: Tao Tao, it’s here for you!
Tao Wu: Truly, when peaches fall in Maoling, even snakes bully them!
Staring at the eerie human face, Lin Yao forced an awkward smile. “Brother Snake, look—you can already manifest a head. Soon you’ll achieve full human form. What’s the rush?”
“Don’t fool me. Human form isn’t the same as being human,” the serpent hissed venomously. “Why do humans get to live in the light while we demons must hide like rats in these dark, sunless mountains even after cultivating human forms?”
“Humans follow human ways, demons follow demon paths,” Yan Wuyou declared, drawing his Wind Piercing Sword. “What’s wrong with deep mountains? You look plump and prosperous—aren’t you better off than those below?”
“Clever words won’t save you! Since you refuse a toast, you’ll drink a forfeit—” The white snake reared its head, baring sharp fangs as its tail whipped violently, stirring a powerful gust toward the duo.
They nimbly dodged the attack, hearing a thunderous crash as the tree where they’d stood moments before splintered and fell. Yan Wuyou brandished his Wind Piercing Sword, guiding it with energy as the blade spun rapidly toward the serpent. Lin Yao channeled her power, transforming purple fire in her palms into countless sparks that rained down like a storm of pear blossoms.
Despite its bulk, the serpent moved with startling agility, evading vital strikes. Its tail lashed out once more—The two soared into the air. Yan Wuyou manipulated his sword while igniting Talisman Fire, channeling the sword’s energy to strike the white serpent with the talismans’ restraining force. Lin Yao chanted incantations, swiftly weaving hand seals as the Purple Fire intensified, gradually forming a massive violet dome that enveloped the serpent.
Seizing the opportunity, Yan Wuyou formed a seal and struck at its vital spot—
Realizing the danger, the great white serpent thrashed its tail wildly, shattered the purple barrier, and fled!
How could they let it escape back to the mountains? Using qinggong, they pursued it relentlessly—until they reached a cave entrance where the serpent abruptly vanished. It was nearly noon, with bright sunlight outside, but as they peered into the cave, they were met with utter darkness.
“Be careful,” Yan Wuyou said, igniting a cluster of Talisman Fire and tossing it into the cave. The darkness seemed to devour everything—the flames extinguished instantly upon entry.
Lin Yao’s heart sank, her expression growing solemn. The Purple Fire in her palm suddenly surged uncontrollably as Tao Tao materialized in her true form before them, urgently declaring, “I sense the aura of a tree demon—it’s an innate ability unique to our tree clan.”
Yan Wuyou crossed his arms, scrutinizing Tao Tao. “A tree demon? Meeting an old acquaintance in foreign lands—aren’t you going in to investigate?”
Tao Tao rolled her eyes before releasing a wisp of purple energy into the cave. Moments later: “Just as I thought! It’s in the underground river, but I can’t discern what it is.” With that, she swiftly dissolved into specks of purple light and returned to Lin Yao’s body.
“Thank you, Tao Tao. Astral Projection is too draining—leave the rest to us!” Lin Yao exchanged a determined glance with Yan Wuyou, who nodded in agreement.
Yan Wuyou ignited several Talisman Fires and threw them into the cave repeatedly. This time, the flames took longer to extinguish. After multiple attempts, the fires finally burned steadily.
“The evil aura has mostly dissipated. Let’s proceed.” Yan Wuyou drew a fire starter from his waist, struck it alight, and entered the cave. Lin Yao followed cautiously behind as they explored by the faint glow.
“Strange. How do we descend from here?”
“Patience. It’s watching us from below.” Yan Wuyou chuckled coldly before raising his voice. “Having fun?”
“Ai—” A sigh materialized from nowhere as the ground vanished beneath them, sending them plummeting downward. In the darkness, Lin Yao instinctively clutched Yan Wuyou’s arm, while he pulled her protectively against his chest.
Moments later, they landed on something soft and damp—wet muddy ground.
They found themselves in another cavern, devoid of sunlight or mountain breezes—an isolated subterranean cavity inverted within the mountain. Countless blue lights flickered in the darkness like swarming fireflies or an endless starry river. As their eyes adjusted, the shimmering blue radiance no longer dazzled them. The glimmering source revealed a vast underground river, where a moon-white serpent—the very one from the mountain—coiled at its center!
“What, did you summon me here just to watch you bathe?” Yan Wuyou taunted. “Hiding your head and tail, too cowardly to show your true form—how pathetic must you be!” His tone abruptly sharpened, eyes glinting dangerously. “Or are you afraid I’ll recognize you?”
The great white snake burst into laughter upon hearing this. As the laughter faded, it transformed into a man dressed in dark, form-fitting attire. A large cloak with an attached hood enveloped most of his body, and a black mask covered him from his forehead down to his upper lip.
The cave’s pervasive, shimmering blue light reflected on his lips, revealing a dull, parched grayish-white hue. Though his features were obscured, his voice and lips suggested a young man afflicted with a stubborn illness. No wonder he sought to seize the Bone Exchange Pill!
“With such a severe illness, instead of properly preparing for your demise, you come to this remote, ancient forest to pick a burial site?” Yan Wuyou mocked.