After Changing Her Fate, the Vicious Female Villain and the Protagonist Got an HE! - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Traveling

The matter of Qingzhu Peak caused a great uproar in the Lingxiao Sect.

Most fellow Daoists in the sect were aware of Wu Yuan’s past conduct, but since it didn’t affect their own interests, they didn’t interfere much.

Now, this person was severely punished by the Sect Leader, forbidden from cultivating for a hundred years. Given his current lifespan, he had no hope of advancement in this life.

For several consecutive days, disciples from various peaks of the sect discussed the matter in private non-stop.

Wen Shurong stayed in her cave dwelling on Ruoyun Peak, cultivating while awaiting news of the stolen Demon Suppression Pagoda.

On the sixth day, the divination lasting over half a month by Tianji Peak finally yielded a result.

The hexagram indicated that the Demon Suppression Pagoda was located in the southwest, on the border between the human and demon races, in the ancient city of Futian.

Upon hearing this news, Wen Shurong was stunned for a long time, and unknowingly, two streams of clear tears fell.

Her Master… had perished in the ancient city of Futian.

Legend had it that those who sacrificed themselves to form an array had a very slim chance of preserving their true spirit.

That year, upon hearing the devastating news, she traveled day and night, taking a full half a month to reach the ancient city of Futian. She stayed there for a long time but failed to see her Master’s true spirit materialize.

Later, the elders of Qingzhu Peak summoned her back, using the excuse of urgent matters at the peak.

Tears hung in Wen Shurong’s eyes. Lost in memories, she remained motionless for a long time.

Ruyi, due to the spiritual pet contract, could roughly sense its owner’s sadness, but it didn’t know how to comfort her, pacing frantically back and forth in the cave dwelling, occasionally scratching the ground with its paws.

After a while, the Zither Spirit couldn’t bear to watch and picked it up, making a shushing gesture, indicating for it to stop moving and making noise.

The Zither Spirit knew very well that what Wen Shurong needed most right now was silence.

Given enough time, she could slowly adjust.

Early the next morning, Qin Niyun arrived at Ruoyun Peak.

As she approached the familiar cave dwelling, in the next instant, she saw the girl in green emerging from inside.

After a night had passed, Wen Shurong appeared calmer and more composed than before.

Subconsciously, she had never truly accepted the fact of her Master’s death years ago.

It wasn’t until yesterday, upon hearing the news of the Demon Suppression Pagoda and hearing the name Futian Ancient City again, that the memories she had subconsciously avoided were finally uncovered.

The deceased was gone, and no matter how unwilling she was, she had to face it.

Qin Niyun noticed the change in her Junior Sister immediately, which sparked a pang of heartache.

Just as she was about to offer comfort, she heard the girl in green speak first: “Senior Sister, now that we know the whereabouts of the Demon Suppression Pagoda, I would like to go to Futian Ancient City first, and then travel around the Xuan Yuan Realm with Senior Sister to search for the Fire Spirit Pearl.”

Qin Niyun was not surprised, nodding in agreement: “I was also planning to go to Futian Ancient City. I can accompany Junior Sister.”

“Senior Sister, that place is on the border between the human and demon races. It’s more dangerous than other territories of the human race.”

“For me, this is also a form of cultivation experience.”

Wen Shurong gazed at the white-robed girl before her. After meeting her eyes for a long time, she broke into a sudden smile.

Her Senior Sister was blessed with strong Destiny. Even when in danger, she could turn peril into safety.

The matter was thus settled.

At sìshí yīkè (9:15 AM), the two set off together, leaving the sect and rushing toward the southwest.

Nine years ago, Wen Shurong had not yet formed her Golden Core and spent a full half month traveling to Futian Ancient City. Now, heading there again, traveling day and night, she reached her destination in just five days.

The city walls of Futian Ancient City reached a hundred zhang in height, and the walls were densely inscribed with Demon Suppressing Talismans.

As Ruyi approached the area, its body trembled uncontrollably.

Wen Shurong cast a Spirit Isolation Technique on it. After consulting with Ruyi, she allowed it to temporarily enter her spiritual beast pouch for rest.

When she came here back then, she had no spiritual pet with her. Although she saw the Demon Suppressing Talismans, she didn’t have much of a reaction.

Now, seeing Ruyi’s behavior, she immediately gained a clear understanding of the talismans’ power.

The fact that it could strike such fear into a third-tier demon beast, yet still struggled to withstand a large-scale beast horde, testified to the terrifying nature of the latter.

Nine years later, re-entering Futian Ancient City, Wen Shurong’s heart was extremely complex.

For cultivators who often went into long seclusion, nine years was not a long time, but she felt as though a lifetime had passed.

Walking on the wide street, she gazed at the tallest building in the city, her gaze fixed for a long time.

Her Master had cast the spell there, sacrificing herself to form the array.

Qin Niyun sensed her Junior Sister’s distress and chose to accompany her silently, not interrupting her.

About the time of half an yìzhǎn, a loud shout came from afar.

“The Young City Lord is passing through, everyone clear the way!”

As soon as the voice fell, the cultivators who had been walking in scattered groups on the street quickly moved to the side.

Wen Shurong’s memories were interrupted by this. She moved with her Senior Sister toward the side of the street.

Before long, a majestic, crimson divine steed with double wings on its back pulled a magnificent, golden, domed carriage adorned with multiple layers of pearl curtains. It sped past, heading toward the city gate.

After the carriage left, discussions arose one after another on the street.

“Is the Young City Lord leaving the city? Across the gate is the demon race’s territory!”

“Leaving the city gate doesn’t necessarily mean going straight. Don’t forget, this Flying Heaven Crimson Steed can travel by air.”

“Speaking of which, are the demon race not making any moves recently?”

“Probably not, or Futian Ancient City would have been under martial law already.”

“It’s really thanks to Senior Yue Lan back then. Otherwise, this city would have been gone long ago.”

“Senior’s great righteousness… If it were me, even with the ability, I couldn’t sacrifice myself to protect a whole city.”

“Fortunately, the people of Futian Ancient City are not ungrateful. Over the years, they have spontaneously built a shrine for Senior Yue Lan and offer incense day and night.”

Qin Niyun listened to these discussions and looked at the girl in green beside her.

“Junior Sister, I once read an ancient text that documented that although a cultivator’s death prevents entry into the six paths of reincarnation, if a trace of their soul can survive and receive incense offerings, there is a small chance they can cultivate the Divine Path as a soul body and reshape their physical body.”

Hearing this, Wen Shurong was first delighted, then quickly calmed down again.

“I stayed here for a long time back then and never saw my Master’s true spirit materialize.”

Qin Niyun explained: “If the soul is too weak, it’s possible that it cannot materialize for a long time. Why don’t we go to that shrine first and take a look?”

Wen Shurong agreed without hesitation.

Half an zhuxiang later (about 15 minutes), after some inquiries to learn the specific location, the two gradually approached the shrine.

The place was bustling with people coming and going, and the incense offerings were abundant.

To enter the shrine at the moment, one had to queue up.

Wen Shurong and Qin Niyun walked to the end of the line and waited patiently.

It was also at this moment that she sensed something amiss.

“Senior Sister, do you feel like there’s a pair of eyes watching us in the crowd?”

Qin Niyun was originally observing the structure of the shrine. Hearing the voice transmission, she immediately scanned the surroundings with her spiritual consciousness.

After a short while, she transmitted a reply: “I haven’t found anything unusual yet. Does Junior Sister’s feeling come from inside the shrine or outside it?”

Wen Shurong affirmed: “Outside. I just had a spine-chilling feeling. I’m wondering if there’s a puppet arranged by the mastermind lurking here.”

Having said this, she immediately added: “This strange feeling only lasted for a moment. I can’t sense it now, as if… it was just my imagination.”

Qin Niyun hesitated for a moment, then transmitted a query: “Since that’s the case, is Junior Sister still planning to enter the shrine?”

Wen Shurong quickly replied: “Of course I am. Regardless of whether the enemy is here or not, I won’t let them influence my original decision!”

The queue outside the shrine was long, and the two continued to wait.

About the time of half an yìzhǎn, a sudden commotion occurred in the distance.

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators got into a fierce fight for an unknown reason.

The change came suddenly. Many ordinary people were caught in the crossfire before they could react, losing their lives innocently.

The battleground moved closer and closer. Seeing them about to burst into the shrine and cause widespread destruction, Wen Shurong and Qin Niyun instinctively acted in unison, instantly subduing everyone.

However, just then, another unexpected turn occurred.

The six bound Foundation Establishment cultivators suddenly turned black in the face, simultaneously spat black blood, and fell to the ground, lifeless.

Seeing this scene, Qin Niyun’s heart sank abruptly.

She had a premonition that a huge trouble was imminent.

As expected, the next moment, cultivators belonging to the Futian Ancient City Enforcement Team sped in from the northwest.

The leader, clad in silver armor, saw the six corpses on the ground, all of whom had turned black, and his sharp gaze instantly fixed on them.

“Did you kill these people?”

Wen Shurong calmly explained: “They were trying to force their way into the shrine. Senior Sister and I only acted to restrain them. We do not know the cause of their death.”

The silver-armored cultivator glanced at the corpses again, then looked back at the two girls, saying solemnly: “Judging by their appearance, they seem to have been poisoned. Futian Ancient City prohibits private duels. These people blatantly violated the city rules for an unknown reason, and now they are dead, leaving no evidence. You cannot escape suspicion. Follow me to the City Lord’s Mansion.”

As his words fell, the ten people behind him simultaneously spread out. From their posture, they were ready to act immediately if the two disagreed.

Wen Shurong had no intention of starting another fight. She transmitted a message to her Senior Sister, and after a brief consultation, they finally agreed to go to the City Lord’s Mansion.

They knew they were innocent, but this matter was clearly directed at the two of them from the very beginning.

Upon arriving at the City Lord’s Mansion, the interrogation they had expected did not occur.

The silver-armored leader led them into a magnificent hall, then turned and left, disappearing without a trace. The next moment, the hall’s restrictive spells were activated. The golden, magnificent palace instantly transformed into a inescapable prison.

Wen Shurong tried to attack the restriction, but all her attacks were reflected back.

She narrowly dodged the rebound, then turned to find Qin Niyun staring thoughtfully at a certain spot in the hall. Out of curiosity, she transmitted a question: “Senior Sister, did you find something?”

Qin Niyun retracted her gaze and pondered: “When Junior Sister attacked the restriction, I saw a trace of the Illusion-Truth Shadowless Talisman’s presence.”

Wen Shurong suddenly realized: “That is to say, everything we see now is not real. We have unknowingly fallen into a fantasy realm constructed by the enemy.”

Qin Niyun nodded: “That can be confirmed. The Illusion-Truth Shadowless Talisman is a fifth-tier talisman. It can trap not only Core Formation cultivators like us, but also Soul Transformation cultivators. The reflected attack is the most significant feature of this talisman. Moreover, if my judgment is correct, we are being held by more than just one talisman; it is a Talisman Array!”

Wen Shurong’s expression gradually became serious: “Does Senior Sister have a way to break the array?”

A slight smile appeared on Qin Niyun’s face. She said calmly: “Just the two of us definitely can’t do it, but don’t forget, we have backup.”

With that, she waved her sleeve and took out the Cang Lan Flute.

Seeing this, Wen Shurong immediately understood. She flicked her sleeve, taking out the Shan Hai Zither from her storage ring…