Transmigrated Into A Waste Who Married The Villain. Chapter 25: Illusion (Combined Inversion)

Though Qu Weiyin was surprised, she complied. Luo Jinxiao raised her hand, and the narrow cave entrance soon frosted over, becoming encrusted with layers of ice, sealing it tightly.

Flames roared outside, and the cave walls continued to tremble, but inside it was cool, except for the warmth radiating from the bodies pressed closely together.

The two were in extremely close proximity, with Luo Jinxiao nearly cradling Qu Weiyin in her arms. The slender waist of the woman was held tightly, and it was difficult to discern whose scent lingered in the air.

As Qu Weiyin quieted down, she suddenly became aware of her heart racing wildly. Since Luo Jinxiao was slightly taller, she had to tilt her head just enough to see the opposite wall over her shoulder.

Time seemed to halt, and after an indeterminate period, the noises outside finally subsided. Through the ice-covered entrance, they could faintly see the massive head of the Candle Dragon moving away.

Both of them finally let out a sigh of relief. Qu Weiyin attempted to push Luo Jinxiao away but soon realized that the cave was too narrow; they were already at the farthest possible distance from each other.

“What are you doing back here? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Qu Weiyin looked up, anger filling her phoenix eyes.

“It’s a long story. After going down that last tunnel, there were many forks, and I thought I might find a path to reach you, so I circled around to try,” Luo Jinxiao explained.

Feeling intimidated by the intensity of Qu Weiyin’s gaze, she instinctively reached to scratch her head to ease the embarrassment, only to realize that her hand was still resting on Qu Weiyin’s waist.

Clearing her throat, she stood up straight.

Qu Weiyin was too weary to argue further. Her remaining anger brewed as she coldly asked, “Is it even possible to go back?”

Upon hearing this, Luo Jinxiao quickly nodded with a smile. “I’ve made a mark. Even though this cave is narrow, it connects with other passages, as if it were excavated by someone. Could it be that the tomb of the gods was built by humans?”

Qu Weiyin shot her a glare and pushed her to the side. “Do you think the Divine Clan was wiped out for no reason? Do you think the Celestial Realm turned into ruins without a cause?”

With a twitch of her slender waist, Qu Weiyin freed herself from Luo Jinxiao’s embrace and stepped away, distancing herself. “The demise of the Divine Clan was due to internal strife and infighting. The tomb of the gods wasn’t built by deities; it was built by humans.”

“Just like not all cultivators are good people, neither are the gods,” Qu Weiyin added, her expression indifferent.

Luo Jinxiao attempted to respond, but just then, another commotion erupted outside. Assuming the Candle Dragon had returned, she hurriedly reached out to grab Qu Weiyin, but Qu Weiyin roughly swatted her hand away.

Feeling wronged, Luo Jinxiao rubbed her hand. “Master Uncle…”

“Don’t move. There are people outside,” Qu Weiyin said, frowning as she turned her gaze toward the ice-covered entrance. “Are there others coming in?”

Luo Jinxiao strained to listen as well and quickly recognized the footfalls. She surprisedly took a couple of steps forward and knocked on the ice, creating a fist-sized hole.

Peering through the hole, she unexpectedly locked eyes with Yan Ying.

“Idiot, your idiotic sister is here,” Yan Ying rolled her eyes.

Before Luo Jinxiao could grasp what was happening, Luo Ning lunged forward, urgently questioning from the other side of the ice, “Sister, I finally found you! Are you hurt?”

“I’m not,” Luo Jinxiao shook her head, then waved her hand to melt the ice barrier. Luo Ning quickly squeezed through the opening and enveloped her in a tight embrace.

“Sister, after I came down, I searched everywhere for you! I thought something had happened to you! Thank goodness, thank goodness, heaven has protected you,” Luo Ning said, her face scrunched with worry, but her eyes and bright smile radiated warmth.

“Enough. Do you think this is a good place to linger?” Qu Weiyin coldly observed them from the side, interjecting, “Stop wasting time and hurry up.”

After saying that, Qu Weiyin turned and made her way down the tunnel, with Luo Jinxiao hurriedly pulling Luo Ning along to follow.

“What in the world is going on? You coming down is one thing, but why did you bring her along?” Luo Jinxiao asked, gesturing toward Yan Ying with her chin as they walked.

“Idiot, maybe you should speak more respectfully. If it weren’t for this fool…” Yan Ying shot a sidelong glance at Luo Ning before looking away. “I wouldn’t be here in this cursed place suffering for your sake because of her sister.”

“Are you hurt?” Luo Jinxiao suddenly recalled something and pulled Luo Ning aside to inspect her carefully.

“I’m fine! I just ran into that giant snake; it can breathe fire and almost roasted me,” Luo Ning said with a bright smile, shaking her head like a bobblehead.

“Giant snake?” Yan Ying rolled her eyes dramatically and slapped her forehead. “That’s the Candle Dragon!”

Luo Ning completely ignored her, continuing to pull Luo Jinxiao along while excitedly recounting their experiences since coming down.

It turned out that the two of them had fallen down another path and, without Qu Weiyin to guide them, their journey had been far more perilous. A few times, they had been chased by giant pythons, barely escaping their grasp, only to then run directly into the irate Candle Dragon.

Hearing this caused Luo Jinxiao’s heart to race with fear.

“Here we are,” Qu Weiyin suddenly announced as she took a step forward. Before them lay an expansive stone path, no longer the dark and confined cave. The corridor was long and wide, with sturdy stone slabs underfoot. Above them, hanging lanterns lined every few steps, their flames still vibrant after a millennium, casting a bright light along the path.

“After coming down that passage, I arrived here,” Luo Jinxiao said as she looked down at her markings.

“Master Uncle Qu, if we follow this path, will we be able to get out?” Luo Ning asked eagerly, her eyes shining with hope. To her surprise, Qu Weiyin decisively shook her head.

“Straight ahead lies the true tomb of the gods. Those with fate may escape; those without, will die,” Qu Weiyin stated with an intriguing tone.

“What?” Yan Ying gasped in shock, then gritted her teeth. “Luo Ning, I’ll truly be getting killed because of you today!”

“It has nothing to do with me; I never asked you to follow.” Luo Ning retorted defiantly.

“You!” Yan Ying was at a loss for words, then finally relented. “Fine, fine, let’s just say I’m asking for trouble!”

Luo Jinxiao didn’t pay attention to their bickering; instead, she continued to gaze into Qu Weiyin’s eyes. When she spoke the word “god’s tomb,” her eyes slightly widened. Could it be that there was something in the tomb that she wanted to find?

As these thoughts filled Luo Jinxiao’s mind, she didn’t voice them. Instead, she silently followed behind Qu Weiyin, letting Luo Ning and Yan Ying argue behind her.

The path wasn’t long, but it was oppressively quiet. At the end of the road stood a wall. Before Luo Jinxiao could get a good look at the wall’s design, Qu Weiyin placed her hand on it. With a burst of golden light, the thick wall vanished completely, leaving nothing behind.

Luo Ning behind her gasped in awe, prompting Luo Jinxiao to quickly look down. She was astonished to see that the once-primitive stone path had transformed into luminous white jade. The eerie lanterns that surrounded them had changed into brilliant night pearls, filling the space with dazzling light and vibrant colors that felt enchanting.

It turned out that the earlier scene had merely been an illusion; this was the true tomb of the gods.

Before them stood an immensely wide grand hall, its lofty ceiling adorned with hazy murals. Though unclear, the artwork conveyed a sense of solemnity. As they entered, everyone instinctively lifted their heads and fell silent.

Only Qu Weiyin remained composed, seemingly unfazed by such sights. She walked straight toward the center of the hall.

Although the hall appeared extravagant, it was eerily empty, save for a throne-like structure in the center, a vibrant crimson that seemed almost translucent, resembling a gem carved to perfection. It clashed starkly against the overall shimmering whiteness of the hall.

Luo Jinxiao suddenly felt as if her gaze were captivated by the throne, unable to look away. The red light danced before her eyes, gradually becoming hazy.

Time felt like it stretched into infinity before she abruptly came to her senses. Looking around, she realized that she was now utterly alone in the unsettling silence, the vastness overwhelming. Luo Jinxiao couldn’t help but furrow her brow as she called out softly, “Master Uncle?”

“Luo Ning?”

“Idiot?”

No one responded to her.

Luo Jinxiao realized she had fallen prey to another illusion. She muttered to herself, wondering what treasures lay within the tomb that warranted such heavy guarding. Cautiously, she moved forward, trying to find a way to dispel the illusion.

Suddenly, she noticed that the previously empty throne now had a woman seated upon it. The figure was alluring, her legs crossed, and she sat barefoot, making it hard to tell whether her skin was whiter than the jade scattered across the ground.

“Luo Jinxiao,” the woman spoke, her crimson lips parting, releasing a fragrant aroma. She raised her delicate arms, her sultry gaze lingering on Luo Jinxiao as she pinned her with a beguiling stare.

The woman wore a flowing red dress that cascaded around her like blooming lotus petals, and when Luo Jinxiao unexpectedly locked eyes with her, she found the woman’s pale red pupils reminiscent of poppy flowers—beautiful yet concealing a hidden danger.

Luo Jinxiao gasped, recognizing this figure as Qu Weiyin transformed by demonic energy.

She couldn’t tell whether this was a vision from her past life or the present. All she knew was that she felt enveloped by fear, leaving her unable to escape.

Seeing her motionless, the demonic Qu Weiyin suddenly smiled. She stood barefoot on the ground, her arms stretching gracefully, slowly rising to her full height. The hem of her gown slid down her fair skin, trailing behind her like a flowing river.

Step by step, she approached, an alluring scent wafting toward Luo Jinxiao as she drew near. Luo Jinxiao felt her scalp tingle with dread; she wanted to flee, but her legs refused to move no matter how hard she willed them.

This incarnation of Qu Weiyin was different from the one she knew now; she exuded an aura of divine beauty mixed with a dangerous allure. The demonic figure advanced until she stood right before Luo Jinxiao, her cold, delicate hand coming to rest gently on Luo Jinxiao’s face, caressing her softly.

With trembling fingertips, the pale arm gradually settled upon Luo Jinxiao’s shoulder.

Luo Jinxiao felt a wave of terror wash over her. She struggled desperately to reclaim control over her body, but found herself powerless, passively enduring Qu Weiyin’s approach.

“Why won’t you look at me?” Qu Weiyin asked, her voice tinged with a hurt tone. Her eyes held a mix of bitterness and vulnerability that made it almost irresistible to want to embrace her.

Luo Jinxiao fought hard to suppress the strange thoughts swirling in her mind. Her heart raced, pounding like a drum as panic set in, leaving her unsure of what to do next.

Why was this happening? Luo Jinxiao lamented inwardly, and she could only shut her eyes tightly, praying for this ordeal to end swiftly.

Yet the Qu Weiyin of the illusion clearly had no intention of stopping. She pressed her entire body against Luo Jinxiao’s, her arm lingering on Luo Jinxiao’s shoulder, and amidst the panic, her lips brushed against Luo Jinxiao’s cheek.

In that instant, Luo Jinxiao felt as if she might explode from the inside out.

She couldn’t differentiate her emotions—she felt shy, afraid, and tinged with an inexplicable longing.

Qu Weiyin’s lips were not cold like her hands; they were warm and soft, as though encapsulating all the beauty and sweetness of the world.

“Master Uncle…” Luo Jinxiao couldn’t help but whisper.

At that moment, the sword at Luo Jinxiao’s waist suddenly vibrated, emitting a piercing scream that jolted her awake. In an instant, she regained her ability to move. Gritting her teeth, she summoned all her strength and pushed the figure before her—this “Qu Weiyin”—away.

Gasping for breath, she was drenched in sweat, as if she had just emerged from a profound dream.

The “Qu Weiyin” fell to the ground, and Luo Jinxiao drew her sword, raising it to strike. However, the figure on the ground suddenly wrapped her arms around herself, looking on the verge of tears.

In that moment, her breathtakingly beautiful face appeared so pitiful, it elicited a deep sense of pity.

“Don’t kill me,” she pleaded.

“Stay with me,” she said.

Luo Jinxiao nearly found herself enchanted once again. She quickly shook her head to dispel that softness in her heart and shouted, “I’ll accompany your grandpa!”

With that, her sword swung down, and the illusion shattered abruptly. Before her was still the grand hall, but now everyone was present, having fallen into the illusion themselves.

Yan Ying was wildly hacking at a column, furiously cursing as she chopped. “Stupid idiot, fox spirit, worthless! What skill do you have to make her follow you everywhere!”

Then came a barrage of foul-mouthed tirades. Luo Jinxiao tilted her head back, sneezing.

Her instincts told her that despite not knowing why, she was indeed the target of Yan Ying’s scorn.

Luo Jinxiao decided to temporarily ignore Yan Ying’s rants, thinking it might be best to let her remain lost in the illusion for a while. She turned to search for Qu Weiyin but couldn’t find her anywhere. Anxiety crept into her heart, prompting her to hurry toward the central throne.

Sure enough, Qu Weiyin was half-kneeling on the ground, her shoulders shaking slightly, trembling all over.

Luo Jinxiao assumed she had also been drawn into the illusion. She rushed forward, reaching out to touch Qu Weiyin’s shoulder and softly calling out, “Master Uncle?”

Qu Weiyin did not respond, her shoulders still quaking. When Luo Jinxiao attempted to grasp her hand, she felt the dampness of her robe.

She was crying.

Seeing this seemingly powerful and fearless demon lord reduced to tears made Luo Jinxiao’s heart ache.

How could I pull her out of this illusion? Luo Jinxiao’s mind raced with worry, unsure of what to do. She called out to Qu Weiyin two more times, but still received no answer.

Finally, she steeled herself, gripping Qu Weiyin’s wrist and forcefully pulling her upright from the ground. Qu Weiyin, caught off guard, almost stumbled as she stood.

Luo Jinxiao opened her arms, cautiously enveloping Qu Weiyin in an embrace.

For a brief moment, both of their bodies grew rigid.

When she was a child, she would often cry, yearning for someone to give her a comforting hug, but there had never been anyone. Now, she felt that perhaps this method would help in some way.

As Luo Jinxiao held Qu Weiyin, she gradually sensed the tension in her body easing; Qu Weiyin stopped trembling and crying, her hands hanging limply at her sides, unmoving.

“Master Uncle, hang in there; I’ll find a way to break this illusion now,” Luo Jinxiao said, beginning to channel her spiritual energy, a silvery light gathering in her palm.

“When did I ever say that this level of illusion could trap me?” Qu Weiyin’s calm voice suddenly resonated, and as her words hit Luo Jinxiao’s ears, the energy in her hand dissipated in an instant. She involuntarily recoiled backward, startled and defensive.

Then, a wave of scorching heat enveloped Luo Jinxiao, making her wish she could punch herself.

What an embarrassing situation this had become.

Qu Weiyin remained calm, but the tear streaks on her face betrayed her, confirming that she had indeed been caught in the illusion, only managing to break free.

“Master Uncle…” Luo Jinxiao fidgeted, unsure of how to address the situation.

“It’s nothing; I just saw some family and memories from the past,” Qu Weiyin replied coolly, evaluating Luo Jinxiao for a moment before turning her gaze back to the throne.

Behind her, Luo Jinxiao was pacing back and forth, stamping her feet in frustration. She regretted letting her guard down so easily.

What Luo Jinxiao couldn’t see was that as Qu Weiyin turned away, her calm demeanor instantly turned pale. She raised her hand, pressing four fingers against her chest, where her heart was racing with alarming speed.

Her gaze drifted slightly, and she exhaled, seemingly trying to steady her mind.

It was as if she was lingering on the memory of the gentle embrace from moments ago.

“Watch out, Sister!” Luo Ning, having just broken free from the illusion, suddenly shouted. Luo Jinxiao reacted quickly, dodging out of the way. At that moment, Qu Weiyin, having anticipated the danger, saw her react just in time; she released the Moonlight Star Sword, which transformed into a red beam, piercing through several charging giant pythons and pinning them to the wall.

The tail of a python swung towards Yan Ying, waking her up from the illusion while knocking her to the ground.

Following the pythons, the Candle Dragon rushed in. Its enormous, sinister head squeezed through the entrance, roaring furiously. A putrid wave of air rushed in like a tempest, threatening to overwhelm them. Luo Jinxiao lifted her hand to conjure an ice barrier in front of them, creating a shield for everyone.

Luo Ning hurriedly stepped forward to assist, and together, they worked to hold back the rampaging Candle Dragon.

At last, Yan Ying had woken up. Watching the scene before her, she cursed as she stood beside Luo Ning. The peacock, which had been nestled against Luo Ning’s shoulder, unfurled its wings and flew directly toward the eyes of the Candle Dragon.

While this fierce battle unfolded, Qu Weiyin remained surprisingly calm. Her brows furrowed as she observed the Candle Dragon, then glanced at the throne behind her.

She clenched her right hand tightly, seemingly engaged in a fierce inner struggle.

If she could obtain it—if she could just acquire the divine artifact—then she could exact her revenge on that person and finally put an end to all this.

She needed power, power as strong as she had possessed in her previous life.

As for that girl… Qu Weiyin turned her gaze toward Luo Jinxiao, who stood resolutely with a serious expression. Her garments fluttered with urgency, and her long hair danced behind her. Under the harsh light reflecting from the Candle Dragon’s gaze, her skin glimmered remarkably, and her red lips looked luscious.

So foolish.

Qu Weiyin ceased her hesitations and turned to stride toward the throne. Just then, however, Luo Ning called out “Sister!” in a voice filled with terror, prompting Qu Weiyin to instinctively look back. She saw that the Candle Dragon, realizing it could no longer hold them back, began to rear its head and breathe fire everywhere, seemingly intent on destroying everything in the area.

Luo Jinxiao found it hard to bear the onslaught alone; gritting her teeth, she let out a powerful shout, unleashing her spiritual energy. In an instant, it radiated through the area, momentarily clashing with the Candle Dragon. Dense frost began to coat the palace, resisting the flames with an icy embrace.

Qu Weiyin’s eyes widened in surprise. She was filled with confusion about how Luo Jinxiao had acquired such formidable spiritual energy.

But in the end, humans could not rival divine beasts, especially when the Candle Dragon had been tainted by demonic energy, its corrupt aura infiltrating the area. Luo Ning could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground. Seeing this, Yan Ying rushed forward to block her, leaving Luo Jinxiao alone to bear the weight of the battle.

Qu Weiyin, filled with rage, swept her sleeve, stepping forward to place Luo Jinxiao behind her. With a golden glow emanating from her hand like a dragon surfacing from the waves, she launched an attack aimed at the head of the Candle Dragon. Just then, the peacock let out a piercing cry, causing the Candle Dragon to roar back, its sun-like eye suddenly erupting with blood that splattered all over Qu Weiyin.

Without flinching, Qu Weiyin murmured incantations under her breath, and the Moonlight Star Sword suddenly expanded, rising into the air like a small vessel, emitting a buzzing sound as it throbbed with energy.

The Candle Dragon was now in a frenzy. It charged into the hall, its massive tail thrashing behind it as it spun and collided violently throughout the space. Yan Ying quickly pulled Luo Ning behind a column for safety. Luo Ning still wanted to go look for Luo Jinxiao, but Yan Ying forcefully shoved her back against the wall, exclaiming, “Idiot, are you crazy?”

“But Sister…”

“She has Master Uncle Qu protecting her; there’s no need for you!” Yan Ying said impatiently, her voice raised in frustration.

On the other side, Luo Jinxiao and Qu Weiyin stood side by side, blocking the flames from the Candle Dragon while trying to find an opportunity to strike a fatal blow. However, the creature was simply too large, making it difficult to find an opening.

The Candle Dragon swung its massive tail, nearly sending Luo Jinxiao flying. Qu Weiyin hurriedly shoved her aside just in time, but Luo Jinxiao stumbled and fell directly onto the throne, which resembled a ruby.

She felt a sharp pain as her hand was scratched, blood oozing out and merging with the vibrant red of the gem.

As Luo Jinxiao attempted to rise from the throne, it suddenly began to shake beneath her. Unable to hold back a curse, she looked up again, only to find that the throne had vanished. Now, she was sprawled on the ground, staring at the white jade tiles where a sword of pure, white light had embedded itself.

The sword was surprisingly gentle; it had no sharp edges and appeared rather smooth, resembling a carefully crafted piece sculpted from white jade, even lacking a defined blade.

Suddenly, the surroundings seemed to fall silent, leaving only the sound of her breathing. Luo Jinxiao’s gaze fixated on the sword. Before her, an illusion unfolded: a snow-covered expanse with a blood-soaked sword plunged into the ground, its blood gradually absorbed by the blade, leaving only swirling white snowflakes around.

Solitude. Power.

The illusion abruptly vanished, and the sounds of the world returned. Luo Jinxiao was astonished to realize that the sword was now firmly in her grasp.

It felt as though they were created as one.

She slowly turned her head, noticing that Qu Weiyin was still fighting alone. The sword in her hand appeared accustomed to such scenes, remaining steady while slowly growing colder.

Luo Jinxiao tested its weight with a swing of her hand, and a magnificent beam of white light shot from the sword, striking the body of the Candle Dragon and creating a deep wound that was visible down to the bone. Simultaneously, the wound froze instantly, preventing it from healing.

The Candle Dragon let out a pained roar, its body thrashing even more violently. Luo Jinxiao was astonished at how obedient and effective the sword was; overwhelmed with joy, she leaped into action. As the sword contacted the Candle Dragon’s body, it transformed into a lethal blade that sliced through like cutting a strand of hair, effortlessly cleaving the creature in two.

The Candle Dragon began to struggle, and Qu Weiyin lifted her gaze toward Luo Jinxiao, her eyes wide with astonishment. She then glanced at the sword in Luo Jinxiao’s hand, her fists clenching involuntarily.

“Moonlight Star Sword,” she murmured. Seizing the moment of the Candle Dragon’s collapse, the sword lunged forward toward its head. With a deafening roar, the enormous body of the Candle Dragon crashed to the ground, thrashing for a while before gradually calming down.

The light in its eyes slowly faded, ultimately transforming into a stone sculpture.

Only then did Luo Jinxiao let out a sigh of relief. She sat down heavily, panting while looking at the sword in her hand. Could this be the divine artifact Qu Weiyin had been searching for? It truly was impressive.

Just as she lifted her gaze to speak to Qu Weiyin, she found herself staring directly into her icy, piercing eyes, filled with murderous intent.

Unable to help herself, Luo Jinxiao instinctively took a step back, her mind racing with the thought: Could it be that Qu Weiyin had given her the sword?

But she hadn’t sought it out, nor had she made any pact.

Before she could begin to explain, Qu Weiyin strode over, grabbing her by the collar and yanking her up. Her phoenix eyes flared with anger, her knuckles turning white as she gripped tightly.

“Master Uncle, I didn’t…” Luo Jinxiao started to clarify, but Qu Weiyin interrupted her.

“How did you forge a pact with it?” Qu Weiyin’s voice was low and intense.

“I didn’t,” Luo Jinxiao said, confused. She glanced at the now ordinary-looking sword in her hand and shook her head repeatedly.

“This is an ancient divine artifact. If there is no pact, you would not be able to wield it at all.” Qu Weiyin gritted her teeth, furious to the point where she felt like she wanted to execute Luo Jinxiao right there.

If she killed Luo Jinxiao, she could regain the divine sword.

A pact once formed could only be undone through the complete annihilation of the soul.

Qu Weiyin’s grip tightened around Luo Jinxiao, and her eyes gradually dulled as shadows of doubt began to cloud her mind.

Luo Jinxiao felt the intent to kill radiating from Qu Weiyin, her legs grew weak as she hurriedly turned her head away, refusing to look at her.

“Master Uncle Qu!” Luo Ning sensed the tense atmosphere and attempted to intervene, but Qu Weiyin remained impassive. Suddenly, a golden light sprang forth, binding Luo Ning and Luo Jinxiao tightly.

The murderous intent intensified, the tip of the Moonlight Star Sword pressed against Luo Jinxiao’s neck. In a fit of desperation, she called out softly, “Master Uncle…”

She made no move to retaliate; she merely uttered her name.

Qu Weiyin’s pupils flickered as she stared blankly at Luo Jinxiao, her grip gradually loosening.

The two were mere fists’ distance apart, acutely aware of each other’s heartbeats—one filled with panic, the other with an inexplicable sense of conflict.

After what felt like an eternity, Qu Weiyin finally released her hold, her arm dropping weakly to her side. The Moonlight Star Sword emitted a soft hum as it returned to its sheath.

Only then did Luo Jinxiao feel steady once more. She breathed heavily, clutching her chest as she thought to herself how truly perilous it had been; she had almost died at Qu Weiyin’s hands.

Yet this time, strangely enough, she didn’t feel as afraid.

“Pick up your sword. Let’s go,” Qu Weiyin commanded in a stern voice, turning away to walk toward where the sword had been drawn. Her figure gradually began to fade. Luo Jinxiao sighed in relief, but before she could fully process what had happened, she quickly followed after her, pulling along the bound Luo Ning and Yan Ying.

“Sister, what happened to Master Uncle Qu? It was so frightening!” Luo Ning whispered.

Luo Jinxiao shook her head, brushing off the question. “She’s probably just gotten older and isn’t in a good mood.”

As the group opened their eyes again, they found themselves back in the dense forest. Chang Siyu and the others were milling about, and upon spotting Qu Weiyin, they hurried over.

“Master Uncle Qu! What happened to you? Thank the heavens, we finally found you! We’ve sent word back to notify the elders to send more people; thank goodness, thank goodness!” Chang Siyu’s expression was genuine relief, not a façade.

Then, he noticed Luo Jinxiao behind her, and his smile faded. “Ah, she’s still alive too.”

Luo Jinxiao rolled her eyes.

That seemed unnecessary.

“Tell them not to bother returning; you go take inventory to see if anyone is missing,” Qu Weiyin said blandly, her expression not particularly happy.

Assuming she was just tired, Chang Siyu nodded, his face still beaming as he complied. Lu Fanzhi rushed in from the side, throwing herself into Luo Jinxiao’s arms and bursting into tears. “Jinxiao, you scared me to death! I thought you all had died! The Celestial Realm is so dangerous; are any of you hurt?”

After saying that, she tugged on Luo Jinxiao, inspecting her from head to toe. But when she spotted Yan Ying, her expression dulled again, revealing her disappointment.

“Ah, she’s still alive too.”

“What do you mean by that?!” Yan Ying rolled up her sleeves, ready to confront her.

“Alright, alright,” Luo Jinxiao interjected, pulling Lu Fanzhi away helplessly, “We’re all fine. What about you? Did you run into any dangers?”

Luo Fanzhi was shaking her head when Chang Siyu stepped forward, a serious expression on his face as he addressed Qu Weiyin. “Master Uncle Qu, we’re missing someone—a new disciple named Wei Ziran. The sect hasn’t seen him around, should I send people to search for him?”

“No need,” Qu Weiyin replied, shaking her head. “He isn’t here. Next time you venture out, make sure to verify everyone’s identity as well.”

Chang Siyu nodded, looking confused.

“Let’s go; it’s not a good place to linger. Back to the No Regrets Sect,” Qu Weiyin stated, turning to leave.

The return journey was devoid of the laughter and cheerfulness they had during their arrival; everyone was tired, and as soon as they climbed onto the back of the Qīngluán, they slumped in various directions, quickly falling into deep sleep.

Though Luo Jinxiao was equally fatigued, a heavy feeling weighed on her heart, and she found it impossible to rest. Instead, she sat at the tail of the bird, gazing into the distance.

It was midnight, and the sky was vast, adorned with countless stars scattered like broken diamonds, their faint light shimmering. Where the stars congregated, a river of stars flowed, and beneath it, white egrets soared, spreading their wings high.

A full moon hung behind her, like a silver disc, casting a gentle light that made her seem smaller in comparison.

She looked at the sword in her hand, struggling to understand its peculiar nature. While divine swords truly empowered their wielders, she always harbored the uncomfortable feeling that she had taken something belonging to the demoness.

And the illusion from the tomb still lingered in her mind, causing her cheeks to flush at the memory.

Why was she subjected to such an illusion? Luo Jinxiao pinched herself to regain composure, trying not to dwell on it.

As she did so, a flash of red fabric appeared beside her, and a long leg bent as Qu Weiyin settled down cross-legged next to her.

A faint floral scent enveloped her, and Luo Jinxiao instinctively recalled the enchanting fragrance from the illusion, shifting away unconsciously.

“What’s the matter, afraid of me?” Qu Weiyin said coldly.

Luo Jinxiao dared not respond and quickly shook her head.

“You’re stubborn,” Qu Weiyin said with a cold laugh. She unexpectedly produced a flask of liquor from somewhere and poured it into her mouth, a drop trickling down her chin. Luo Jinxiao felt her throat suddenly dry, hastily averting her gaze.

This was bad; she must have been enchanted by the illusion.

Stay calm and indifferent, have no desire for beauty; that is the true path, Luo Jinxiao silently recited.

“Master Uncle, is there anything else I can do with this sword for you?” Luo Jinxiao whispered. After all, it was something Qu Weiyin had longed for, and now it had fallen into her hands—she genuinely felt guilty about it. “Except for taking a life,” she added.

Qu Weiyin looked surprised at her words, turning to Luo Jinxiao. The girl’s eyes sparkled like stars under the moonlight.

Quickly, Qu Weiyin looked away, sneering, “You really are foolish.”

“No need for that; the divine sword has its rightful owner. It has recognized you, and you are it,” Qu Weiyin sighed softly and took another swig from the flask.

Hearing this, Luo Jinxiao grinned. She scratched her head and suddenly remembered something. “Master Uncle, I recently read about the Heart Intent Method. I tried it, and it worked really well. Just wait and see.”

Before Qu Weiyin could respond, Luo Jinxiao lowered her head. Murmuring to herself, a beam of silvery spiritual energy enveloped Qu Weiyin, causing the bloodstains from fighting the Candle Dragon to vanish completely without a trace.

Qu Weiyin looked down at herself in surprise, and after a moment, she remarked, “Why do you always study such strange things?”

“I read about them in books; they’re quite fascinating,” Luo Jinxiao said with a smile.

The two sat together for a while longer. Once Qu Weiyin finished the flask of liquor, she set it aside.

“Master Uncle, I have another method,” Luo Jinxiao seemed to be enjoying herself now. She winked at Qu Weiyin, then closed her eyes and muttered something. Opening her eyes again, she pointed at Qu Weiyin’s flask.

“Try this.”

Qu Weiyin, surprised, picked up the flask and gave it a shake, finding it full again, as if it had been magically refilled.

She leaned in for a sip, a smirk forming at the corners of her lips. “It’s fragrant. What is this?”

“It’s the liquor my master keeps hidden in the cellar. He never lets me touch it, so I snuck in and figured out a way to bring it out without going into the cellar,” Luo Jinxiao replied with a laugh.

“Elder Liu’s liquor—I’ve asked for it multiple times, and he never gave me any. This is nice,” Qu Weiyin said, inhaling the rich aroma. She seemed to be in a good mood as she took another swig.

“Master Uncle, I have something I want to ask,” Luo Jinxiao said.

“Ask away.” Qu Weiyin answered curtly.

“Did that illusion… signify anything?” Luo Jinxiao asked, her heart racing.

“I don’t know,” Qu Weiyin replied, shaking her head. “It’s merely a reflection of inner fears and desires—nothing new there.”

Luo Jinxiao nodded slowly, feeling somewhat amused yet exasperated. What she had seen couldn’t be categorized as mere desire, let alone fear.

“Why do you ask? What did you see?” Qu Weiyin suddenly turned her gaze to her.

Their eyes met, and staring into Qu Weiyin’s slightly arched phoenix eyes, the scenes from the illusion flashed back in Luo Jinxiao’s mind, causing her to quickly turn her face away, feeling a rush of heat.

“Is it something you fear?” Qu Weiyin seemed a bit concerned; there were many who entered illusions and could never escape, and she worried for Luo Jinxiao given her low cultivation.

“It’s not that,” Luo Jinxiao hurriedly shook her head.

“The future? Or perhaps a desire?”

At this, Luo Jinxiao was so startled that she shook her head more vigorously.

“Then what else could it be?” Qu Weiyin furrowed her brows, her impatience evident.

“It’s nothing, just some odd things. It’s really not important. Master Uncle, I’ll just go and rest for a bit,” Luo Jinxiao said, lifting her leg to run, only to be yanked back by Qu Weiyin’s firm grip.

“Master—”

“Less chatter,” Qu Weiyin growled, forcibly pressing Luo Jinxiao down onto the enormous tail of the Qīngluán. “Do you know how dangerous it is if someone gets trapped in an illusion? The tomb of the gods has everything, not just a divine sword. If we don’t clarify this now, we could face dire consequences later.”

“Ah, um, what if the origins of this sword are known to others?” Luo Jinxiao quickly shifted the topic, trying to distract her.

Qu Weiyin, initially intending to give advice, suddenly remembered this detail upon being prompted. She nodded in agreement. “Right, remember not to tell anyone else—just say it’s a summoned spirit artifact.”

“Thank you, Master Uncle,” Luo Jinxiao replied sweetly, attempting to crawl away again, only to be pulled back to her spot by Qu Weiyin’s single-handed grip.

“Don’t try to dodge the topic,” Qu Weiyin admonished. Not understanding why Luo Jinxiao was behaving so coyly, she knelt down and pressed her firmly, two fingers raised, channeling faint golden spiritual energy into Luo Jinxiao’s mind.

Footsteps of pristine white, delicate and firm, echoed lightly against the shimmering floor as a red skirt trailed behind her, tracing a beautiful arc.

The woman’s enchanting silhouette gently leaned against the girl, her soft hands caressing.

With ruby lips whispering something and slowly leaning closer, their warmth engulfed Luo Jinxiao, eyes shimmering like pale phoenix feathers, casting sultry glances…

Suddenly, Qu Weiyin’s eyes widened in shock as she quickly shoved Luo Jinxiao away. Stumbling to her feet, she looked at Luo Jinxiao in disbelief.

“Master Uncle, let me explain; I don’t even know what…” Luo Jinxiao rushed to get back up, trying to approach Qu Weiyin, but was once again met with her retreat.

Her voice trembled unnaturally as she pressed her forehead, and with an angry tone, she shouted, “Don’t come near me!”

Her mind was in chaos, not only filled with confusion but also flushing with heat that made her too embarrassed to look up.

Qu Weiyin, the once-renowned demon lord of her previous life, now found herself in such a predicament…

As Luo Jinxiao was about to say something more, she heard Qu Weiyin softly mutter, “Get lost,” before she leaped into the air, her figure disappearing instantly.

Luo Jinxiao buried her face in her hands, wanting to cry but finding no tears. This was it—she had completely angered the demoness.

It seemed that now, her life was truly in jeopardy…