Fortunately, although she had been injured by the demonic energy, the wounds weren’t severe, and she didn’t remain unconscious for long.
When she opened her eyes again, the sandstorm had passed. She found herself lying beneath a large boulder, covered by an outer robe. The surroundings were silent, and QiongQi, now back in her little tiger form, lay beside her. Seeing her awake, QiongQi hummed and nuzzled against her neck.
“Xiao Tiantian,” Luo JinXiao croaked, realizing her throat was hoarse. She turned her head and coughed a few times.
This seemed to be a safe haven, with towering stone pillars around, stretching beyond sight. She lay at the base of one, a good place to hide.
Qu WeiYin was sitting beside her, leaning her head on her hand, elbow resting on a rock, seemingly asleep.
Usually so pristine, she now appeared a bit disheveled and worn. Stray hairs fell across her face, concealing her eyes. Her lips, full and ripe like fruit, were marred with cuts, the blood dried into scabs.
Her thin clothing reminded Luo JinXiao that the robe covering her was Qu WeiYin’s.
She recalled being hit by demonic energy but felt no lingering effects now-full of strength. Had Qu WeiYin healed her? Yet, Qu WeiYin’s spiritual energy typically disrupted her celestial veins rather than aiding them.
Could the demonic energy have somehow dissipated on its own? Luo JinXiao was puzzled.
She petted QiongQi’s head, whispering, “Did you find this place?”
QiongQi eagerly nodded her furry head, then tugged on her sleeve, directing her gaze to two unconscious people-a man and a woman-lying nearby. They were breathing, albeit faintly.
This trip hadn’t been in vain. Luo JinXiao sighed in relief, patting QiongQi’s back. “I’ll have Little Martial Aunt feed you a few cows when we get back.”
Excited, QiongQi leapt up to lick her face.
Luo JinXiao held her off, then rose, legs still stiff, and hobbled to Qu WeiYin, kneeling beside her.
Qu WeiYin slept deeply, her breathing labored, brow furrowed, resting but uncomfortable.
Seeing her like this, Luo JinXiao felt a tug at her heart, a slight ache. She quickly draped the robe back over Qu WeiYin, then tidied her hair.
Tucking the strands behind her ear, Qu WeiYin’s delicate features were fully revealed, beautiful and pitiful.
Maybe only she felt this sympathy, Luo JinXiao thought, entranced.
Sensing Luo JinXiao’s gaze, Qu WeiYin’s eyelids fluttered open.
Caught off guard, both blushed. Qu WeiYin, just waking, blushed more intensely, turning her head. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” Luo JinXiao stammered, retreating. “I thought you might be cold, so I covered you.”
Qu WeiYin’s dark eyes lowered to her hands. “Mm.”
“Since you’re awake, let’s head out,” Qu WeiYin said, standing but nearly stumbling. Luo JinXiao quickly steadied her, concern in her eyes.
“I’m fine. Just got up too fast,” Qu WeiYin reassured, brushing off Luo JinXiao and walking through the stone pillars.
Luo JinXiao scratched her head, hurried to follow, then returned to hoist one of the unconscious people onto her shoulder, nudging QiongQi. “Help carry the other, or do you want Little Martial Aunt to do it?”
Grumbling, QiongQi grabbed the man’s pant leg and dragged him forward.
As they reached an open area, Luo JinXiao noticed Qu WeiYin wasn’t using her sword to fly. She was about to ask when a piercing scream echoed nearby. Looking around, she muttered, “What kind of place is this, with people screaming?”
Qu WeiYin heard it too, pausing to listen, her gaze indifferent but directed at the sound.
She hesitated, then looked at Luo JinXiao, who showed no intention of helping, prompting her to frown.
“Sounds like a woman. Go help her,” Qu WeiYin said.
“Really, Little Martial Aunt?” Luo JinXiao asked.
“Go,” Qu WeiYin insisted, her tone carrying a hint of gentleness.
Luo JinXiao felt her heart melt, dropping the woman she carried and rushing to assist.
Qu WeiYin watched her silhouette disappear, shaking her head with a sigh, yet a smile lingered on her lips as she lowered her gaze.
The rocky terrain was difficult to navigate, littered with debris. Luo JinXiao half-ran, half-bounced like a duck, finally locating the source-a young woman facing two demons, half human, half dark mist. Where flesh met mist, bone was visible, grotesque.
Demons partially formed.
Without hesitation, Luo JinXiao leapt, her divine sword landing in her hand mid-air. As she descended, one demon’s human form separated from the mist.
It let out a whale-like wail, dissipating into smoke, while the other demon followed suit.
Resting her sword on her shoulder, Luo JinXiao disdainfully watched the smoke dissipate. Scared off so easily-pathetic.
Turning, she met the girl’s wide-eyed gaze. “It’s you? I unsealed your energy. These small fry shouldn’t scare you.”
Judging by her cultivation, she shouldn’t panic over these demons.
“Right,” the girl stammered, eyes wet with fear. She exhaled deeply, her gaze darting nervously as if expecting another monster.
“I’ve never seen demons, so…”
“Never seen demons?” Luo JinXiao laughed, wiping her sword before sheathing it. “Even if you’ve never eaten pork, you’ve seen pigs run. You were tied up in that tower for ages-surely you’ve seen demons.”
“Before they caught me!” the girl protested, raising her voice to appear less timid.
“Enough. I saved you twice-I’ve done my part. I’m going to find my Little Martial Aunt,” Luo JinXiao said, waving her off, intending to leave when her sleeve was caught.
“Can I come with you? I snuck out to train and know nothing. Help me,” the girl pleaded, fear stripping her of earlier arrogance, hands clasped.
Luo JinXiao glanced at Qu WeiYin’s direction, then the girl, hesitating. By righteous duty, she shouldn’t refuse, but personally…
Fine, I’ll help once more, Luo JinXiao thought, shaking her head.
“You can come, but stay silent and don’t bother my Little Martial Aunt. Follow behind, got it?” Luo JinXiao instructed. The girl, frightened, nodded quickly.
Returning to Qu WeiYin, who was waiting, Luo JinXiao saw her cold gaze shift away once assured of her safety.
“What took so long?” Qu WeiYin asked, a hint of reproach in her voice.
“I chatted a bit-sorry to keep you waiting,” Luo JinXiao replied, smiling as she bounded to Qu WeiYin’s side, playfully nudging her face close.
Her eyes sparkled like stars, and Qu WeiYin felt her heart skip.
“Let’s hurry,” Qu WeiYin said dryly, pushing Luo JinXiao away, striding forward.
As they walked, Luo JinXiao couldn’t resist asking, “Little Martial Aunt, I know you don’t want QiongQi flying and drawing attention, but why aren’t we using swords? Walking like this will take forever.”
Qu WeiYin paused, biting her lip before responding, “Stop talking.”
Unfazed by the scolding, Luo JinXiao took it as a chance to observe the demon realm. In her past life, Qu WeiYin spent a millennium in this sunless place.
Red sand, barren branches, no stars or moon, no seasons.
No wonder she always seemed so lonely.
Lost in thought, a thud behind caught her attention. Turning, she saw the girl from before, fallen and clutching her ankle in pain.
Qu WeiYin frowned, watching, nudging Luo JinXiao’s arm silently.
Understanding, Luo JinXiao tapped QiongQi’s springy backside. “Help carry one more.”
QiongQi bared her teeth, refusing indignantly. An ancient beast, she wouldn’t be a mount.
Luo JinXiao sighed; she couldn’t drag a conscious person like the others.
Conceding, she handed the woman on her shoulder to QiongQi, then approached the girl. “Can you walk?”
The girl, tears in her eyes, shook her head, then wailed, “My leg’s broken, and I can’t fix it. It hurts so much…”
Luo JinXiao covered her ears, bewildered. “With your power, you can’t fix a leg?”
Ignoring her, the girl continued to cry.
Frustrated, Luo JinXiao silenced her, feigning anger. “Stop crying and be quiet!”
Startled, the girl sniffled, gazing up at Luo JinXiao, tears and snot smearing her hand. Disgusted, Luo JinXiao wiped it on the ground.
“Which leg?” she asked.
The girl extended her right leg, and Luo JinXiao placed her hand on it, channeling spiritual energy to heal it.
“Done. Get up,” Luo JinXiao said, dusting her hands, ready to leave when the girl clung to her legs again.
“Carry me a bit further, just a bit!” the girl pleaded tearfully.
Exasperated, Luo JinXiao glanced at Qu WeiYin, who walked ahead, sword in hand, leaving only a cold silhouette. Panicking, she relented, crouching. “Fine, hurry up. We need to move.”
Sniffling, the girl climbed onto Luo JinXiao’s back.
Luo JinXiao lengthened her stride, catching up to walk beside Qu WeiYin.
But Qu WeiYin’s face was pale, tense with hidden anger.
“Little Martial Aunt, are you unwell?” Luo JinXiao asked, concerned.
“No,” Qu WeiYin replied tersely.
“Then why do you seem…”
“Quiet,” Qu WeiYin interrupted, her tone sharp, silencing any protest.
Luo JinXiao was at a loss, glancing around before timidly asking, “Could it be you don’t want me carrying someone else?”
Qu WeiYin stumbled, nearly tripping. She smoothed her skirt, snapping, “Who you carry is none of my concern.”
Even if Luo JinXiao were dense, she now understood the source of her anger. Relaxed, she smiled instead.
“Little Martial Aunt, are you hurt? Is that why you’re not flying? Should I carry you?” Luo JinXiao suggested, letting go of the girl, who shrieked as she fell.
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