Translator: CinderTL
Tu Wanshan didn't reply, instead channeling all his strength into increasing his speed even further.
The yin wind behind him, like a soul-reaping specter, drew closer with each passing moment, filling him with growing urgency.
Realizing she couldn't shake off Tu Wanshan, Mo Xianxian gritted her teeth, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
If you're courting death, don't blame me!
Pressing her finger to her brow, she channeled Spiritual Power from her Qi Sea and pointed, muttering,
"Chaos!"
Tu Wanshan suddenly lost control of his body, stumbling and nearly falling. Hearing the relentless yin wind behind him, he glared fiercely at Mo Xianxian, his eyes burning with hatred.
You vile bitch! Daring to ambush me! I'll remember this debt!
He completely forgot that he had been the one relentlessly pursuing them in the first place.
Tu Wanshan turned to face the encroaching yin clouds, his expression conflicted as he retrieved a circular disc from his storage pouch. With a wave of his hand, a layer of white light enveloped him.
Just then, the yin clouds surged forward, completely engulfing him. The white light crackled and hissed as it resisted, but it held firm.
This was one of the life-saving artifacts his father had left him. Today, he had been forced to use one.
The yin clouds swirled around him, unable to breach the light barrier, before slowly retreating. Tu Wanshan exhaled in relief, examining the disc. It was riddled with cracks, now unusable.
"Mo Xianxian!"
Tu Wanshan snarled through clenched teeth, turning to resume his pursuit. If he ever caught her, she would pay dearly for this!
Xu Sanyan and his companions huddled in a corner, silently watching the brightly lit three-story pavilion nearby.
The city was shrouded in darkness, save for this single, brightly lit structure. It was obvious something was amiss.
Even if the pavilion held some treasure, Xu Sanyan knew his limits. This was not a place for him.
"Let's go around," Xu Sanyan signaled. The others nodded and followed him as they detoured around the pavilion.
As they rounded the corner, a figure stood waiting. The trio froze. Zuoqiu Zhen's face lit up with joy as she lunged forward. "Third Sister!"
Xu Sanyan shook his head with a smile. "It seems I'm destined to cross paths with the Zuoqiu Clan."
Zuoqiu Hui exhaled deeply, instinctively hugging her sixth sister and patting her gently. Thank heavens it was Xu Sanyan we ran into...
No! Zuoqiu Hui mentally shook her head. How could she think such a thing? Xu Sanyan was a member of the demonic path, while they, as a righteous noble clan, should be sworn enemies. Yet now...
It seemed they were becoming increasingly entangled.
Wait!
Zuoqiu Hui glanced at the woman beside Xu Sanyan and clicked her tongue. "This... could it be Junior Sister Zhao from the Source Worship Sect?"
She was increasingly confused. How could someone from the Source Worship Sect be mixed up with Xu Sanyan?
"You know each other?" Xu Sanyan asked curiously.
Junior Sister Zhao smiled and nodded. "We had a brief encounter before."
"How did you... end up with the holy son?" Zuoqiu Hui asked cautiously.
"We met by chance. I'm grateful to the holy son for his protection along the way, or I might have encountered danger."
"Oh..."
Zuoqiu Hui wasn't sure if she believed her, but she wisely refrained from pressing further.
"Since we've met, let's travel together," Xu Sanyan declared, brooking no argument as he led the way toward the western part of the city.
Zuoqiu Hui's eyes flickered, but she followed.
Having witnessed Xu Sanyan's formidable strength firsthand, she dared not defy him. She gently tugged on Zuoqiu Zhen's sleeve and whispered telepathically, "How did you end up with him?"
Zuoqiu Zhen seemed lost in thought, a strange tingling sensation spreading through her body. She scratched lightly and replied awkwardly, "We just... ran into each other..."
Zuoqiu Hui frowned, sensing something strange about her sister, but she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she sent a telepathic warning: "Stay away from him. He's not a good person."
Zuoqiu Zhen lowered her head, remaining silent. But her expression clearly showed she didn't agree with her Third Sister's words.
"Sigh..."
Zuoqiu Hui gazed at her sixth sister, whose expression mirrored that of their seventh sister earlier—a blend of disagreement and stubbornness that made her want to crack open her head and see what was inside.
"You... you haven't fallen for him, have you?" Zuoqiu Hui asked, incredulous.
"Eeeh! No, I haven't! Don't be ridiculous!" Zuoqiu Zhen reacted vehemently, denying it three times in a row.
Zuoqiu Hui's heart sank.
Damn it. This isn't denial—it's practically an admission.
Just when she'd finally managed to bring their seventh sister back to her senses, their sixth sister was now causing trouble.
Are these Demonic Path demonfolk really that appealing?
Zuoqiu Hui studied Xu Sanyan, utterly baffled by what made him so attractive. Good looks?
Hmm... he's not bad-looking, I suppose.
Exceptional talent?
Well, he does seem quite capable.
Formidable strength?
Hmm...
Recalling their recent battle, there was no denying his power.
Moreover, as the holy son of the Demonic Path, Xu Sanyan wielded both authority and influence. Considering all this, he really did seem quite impressive...
A handsome, strong, talented, and powerful young man—it was no wonder Zuoqiu Zhen had fallen for him.
Zuoqiu Hui shook her head violently. No, no, he's a Demonic Path demonfolk! He kills without hesitation and even eats people to heal himself! I mustn't be deceived by his appearance!
But seeing her younger sister's lovesick expression, she could only sigh softly.
I'll try to reason with her again later.
Xu Sanyan, who had been leading the way, suddenly stopped. The three behind him halted in turn. Zuoqiu Zhen asked, "What's wrong?"
"Run!"
Xu Sanyan whirled around and bolted. Ahead, a massive horde of ghosts surged toward them like an army of the underworld, numbering at least a hundred at a glance!
"Where did all these ghosts come from?" Zuoqiu Hui's pupils constricted as she grabbed Zuoqiu Zhen's hand and followed closely behind.
No one knew where the ghosts had come from.
The ghosts swept past the houses without entering, merely drifting along the streets.
Though the four fled swiftly, they couldn't outrun the spectral tide. Xu Sanyan gritted his teeth, pointed to a brightly lit pavilion nearby, and shouted, "Get inside!"
The three women, without time to think, followed Xu Sanyan into the pavilion.
As soon as they entered, a massive wave of Yin Qi surged past outside, its icy chill brushing their hair and instantly penetrating their outer garments, making their hairs stand on end.
Xu Sanyan pressed his lips together, surveying the various goods displayed inside. This was a shop!
But the merchandise...
It was hard to describe.
Gulp.
Zuoqiu Zhen swallowed nervously, staring at the severed limbs, infant corpses, and other gruesome items arranged on the shelves. She instinctively moved closer to Xu Sanyan.
These severed limbs weren't all human; there were also parts from unidentifiable demon beasts and ghostly creatures, shriveled corpses, and souls trapped in transparent jars.
Zuoqiu Hui, too shocked to notice her sister's actions, was equally stunned by the merchandise. She couldn't fathom what purpose these things could possibly serve.
"Brother~ I want to eat!"
The girl inside the discipline ruler suddenly cried out, her desire more intense than ever before. The ruler pulsed with white light as she struggled within.
The three women startled at the urgent cry, instinctively searching for its source before their gazes locked onto Xu Sanyan's arms.
At that moment, a voice called out from behind the counter, "Six esteemed guests, what can I get for you?"
Xu Sanyan froze. Six guests?
There were him, Junior Sister Zhao, Zuoqiu Hui, Zuoqiu Zhen, and the girl in the discipline ruler—only five.
Where was the sixth...?
(End of the Chapter)
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