Translator: CinderTL
In a secluded corner of the southern district, Zuoqiu Zhen huddled against the wall, her hand clamped tightly over her mouth to stifle any sound. The terror in her eyes seemed almost tangible.
She had just witnessed someone being snatched away by something and dragged into a nearby alley. The creature moved with such blinding speed that she couldn't make out its form, only hearing a bloodcurdling scream followed by the violent sounds of tearing flesh and gnawing bones.
The alley was less than a hundred paces away, and she could still faintly hear the crunching of bones being crushed.
She knew her best chance was to flee while the creature was feeding, but her limbs trembled uncontrollably, and she feared any movement would draw its attention.
Her only hope now was that she remained undetected.
But fate had other plans. The feeding sounds ceased...
Tears welled in Zuoqiu Zhen's eyes as terror enveloped her, the crushing pressure nearly stopping her heart.
Whoosh...
A frigid wind whistled through the cracks, its mournful howl echoing through the alley.
Zuoqiu Zhen stared fixedly at the alley entrance. After an agonizing wait, nothing emerged. Before she could even exhale in relief, a soft chuckle drifted from behind her.
"Hee hee~"
In an instant, an icy chill pierced through her body. Zuoqiu Zhen's eyes rolled back, and she nearly fainted.
That thing... is behind me?
Overwhelmed by despair, her heart turned to ash. She slowly closed her eyes, awaiting death's arrival. She no longer wanted to struggle, knowing she couldn't anyway.
Tap!
A large hand landed on Zuoqiu Zhen's shoulder. Xu Sanyan clearly felt her delicate body tremble.
"Hee hee~"
Xu Sanyan leaned close to her ear and gently blew into it, watching with amusement as a bead of cold sweat trickled down her cheek.
Gathering her courage, Zuoqiu Zhen opened her eyes. A flicker of movement in her peripheral vision revealed Xu Sanyan. Her expression visibly transformed.
Her lips pursed, and tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she choked out, "Brother-in-law..." She threw herself into his arms, clinging tightly to his waist.
"Waaah... I'm so scared."
Zuoqiu Zhen's emotions surged like a rollercoaster, plummeting from despair to sudden salvation. The brush with death had shattered her composure, and tears streamed down her face.
Xu Sanyan froze, surprised. Brother-in-law? Does your sister know you call me that?
But he had always found it difficult to resist the embrace of a beautiful woman. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, inhaling her delicate fragrance.
After a moment, Zuoqiu Zhen calmed down. Noticing the tear-soaked patch on Xu Sanyan's chest, she felt a pang of embarrassment, yet she didn't pull away. Instead, she murmured, "Holy Son, what are you doing here?"
Xu Sanyan teased, "Why aren't you calling me 'brother-in-law' anymore?"
Zuoqiu Zhen's face flushed crimson as she buried her face in his chest again, finding a sliver of comfort in his embrace. "I was so scared just now... I thought it was that ghost..."
At that moment, Junior Sister Zhao felt a warmth against her chest. She retrieved the mother-child stone, read the message, and handed it to Xu Sanyan. The message read:
Beware of ghostly creatures. Gather at the thatched hut beneath the city bridge.
"From Fang Qingge?" Xu Sanyan asked.
"Mm-hmm," Junior Sister Zhao nodded.
Xu Sanyan fell silent for a moment, his restless fingers tracing patterns on Zuoqiu Zhen's body. She didn't resist, her small face flushed crimson as she gently lifted her arm to give him easier access.
Junior Sister Zhao pursed her lips as she watched the scene unfold. Just moments ago, she had been calling him "Brother-in-law," but now...
Xu Sanyan gazed up at the dense fog blanketing the sky, pondering whether to continue his night watch. If each strike of the copper gong meant another life lost, it simply wasn't worth it.
A human life traded to the Old Ghost at the brokerage firm could fetch three pounds of soul spirit. Even with his sixty percent cut, that would still be one pound and eight ounces—far more than the eight ounces he earned for a night's watch.
Glancing back at Junior Sister Zhao, Xu Sanyan shook his head. He wouldn't continue his watch; it was too dangerous and unprofitable.
"B-Brother-in-law... please stop touching me. Let's find a place to hide. It's too dangerous here," Zuoqiu Zhen stammered, wriggling out of his embrace, her cheeks flushed crimson.
Xu Sanyan nodded. The night was indeed perilous, especially given their limited strength. It was best to find a safe place to weather the darkness.
His gaze shifted westward, toward the city's edge. Lin Fan had mentioned hiding in a mansion there. Perhaps they could check it out. He pulled out his mother-child stone and sent a message to the others, instructing them to gather in the city's western district.
Meanwhile, in Endless Central City, Mo Xianxian's icy gaze fixed on two parallel paths a short distance ahead. One was a wide, stone-paved road indistinguishable from the rest of the city. The other was a narrow, brick-lined path that seemed utterly out of place.
The brick path was shrouded in dim sunlight. Though it was daytime, the path seemed to repel the light, as if... oil and water, clearly separated yet slowly merging.
She had been observing this spot for a long time, but the narrow path showed no anomalies. After a moment's hesitation, she tentatively stepped onto it with her small foot...
Instantly, a dizzying sensation swept over her. Mo Xianxian's eyes widened as she watched the surrounding scenery transform before her eyes. The sky shifted from day to night, and the towering buildings shrank to normal size. Staring blankly at the silent street ahead, she opened her mouth, "Where is this...?"
"This is another secret realm, somehow connected to the previous one," a voice came from behind her. Mo Xianxian quickly turned, relieved to recognize Luo Changtian of the Prayer Path Sect.
"The ghostly creatures here are extremely powerful. Even ordinary ghosts possess Peak Stage Dao Seeking Realm strength, and Soul Refining Realm cultivators are commonplace. Immortal Maiden, please be cautious," Luo Changtian warned.
"Thank you," Mo Xianxian nodded.
"Immortal Maiden, if you have nowhere else to go, why not join us? With my sister and Brother Fang, the four of us can watch out for each other," Luo Changtian suggested.
The four were among the most promising young cultivators, and their combined strength would greatly enhance their safety.
"Very well," Mo Xianxian agreed.
Just as they were about to set off, they heard the sound of frantic footsteps behind them. Turning around, they saw a figure sprinting toward them at breakneck speed.
Recognizing the newcomer, Luo Changtian gritted his teeth and spat out three words through clenched jaws:
"Tu Wanshan!"
Ever since Qi Liang had stolen his jade slip and nearly cost him his life, and later when his sister had been brutally beaten into a coma by Xu Sanyan, Luo Changtian had harbored a deep-seated hatred for the demonic sect. The animosity between them had only grown more intense.
"Demonic sect fiend!" Luo Changtian snarled.
Beside him, Mo Xianxian narrowed her eyes, her gaze sweeping past Tu Wanshan to the darkness behind him. A dense yin wind was rapidly approaching, its presence flickering ominously against the pitch-black night sky.
Seeing figures ahead, Tu Wanshan's face lit up with malicious glee. He channeled his movement technique and charged toward the pair, intending to divert the danger onto them.
"Run!" Mo Xianxian shouted, recognizing his scheme. She turned and fled immediately.
"It's always you demonic sect scum!" Luo Changtian's hatred burned even hotter, but he knew survival was paramount. He wheeled around and followed Mo Xianxian.
"Don't run!" Tu Wanshan had finally encountered people and refused to let them escape so easily, pursuing them relentlessly.
Luo Changtian's movements were graceful and lightning-fast. Glancing back at Tu Wanshan, he saw the man still hot on their heels. Fury surged through him.
"Why are you following us?" he demanded.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c276. [+2]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (6) Series, (4.1K+) Chapters, (5.8M+) Words.