After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 35

The strange environment was filled with a bone-chilling, oily coldness. This was a realm of chaos; everywhere one looked, there was only nothingness. It did not resemble an illusion designed for a trial.

Ji Xunyue shook off Fan Sheng’s hand and calmly rubbed her wrist. “Senior Brother Fan, what is the meaning of this? Why can I no longer sense Master’s location?”

“Junior Sister, you know the answer in your heart. Why bother asking?” Fan Sheng said unhurriedly. “I am the one who tampered with things.”

A playful smile curled his lips. He expected this little junior sister, who had only recently stepped into the Immortal Realm, to show an expression of panic and dismay.

However, the woman before him smiled faintly and said calmly, “What is it that you want to do, Senior Brother?”

Fan Sheng finally looked at her properly. “You show no fear in the face of danger. I truly admire that.” His expression darkened as he continued, “I hope you can remain this indifferent when you are at death’s door.”

These words were truly beyond Ji Xunyue’s expectations. She had guessed that Fan Sheng had other motives, but she had not expected him to want her life. Unfortunately for him, the more he put on airs to threaten her, the more amused she felt.

“Why do you want my life, Senior Brother?”

Fan Sheng, denied the reaction he wanted, instantly lost the pleasure of toyed with his prey. He snorted coldly. “Since you are about to die here, I am willing to tell you why. I have taken an interest in your aptitude. I want your Immortal Bone.”

Stealing my Immortal Bone? Could this be related to the Five Devouring Array?

Ji Xunyue raised an eyebrow, continuing to draw information from him. “I am merely in the Second Realm. How did I catch your eye?”

“You have been famous for a while now, Junior Sister. There is no need to feign modesty. I was present at the competition on the first of the month. Your performance made me look at you in a new light. Stealing your cultivation won’t boost mine much, but your aptitude is truly exceptional. It will aid my long-term cultivation.”

As he spoke, Fan Sheng swiped two fingers across his arm, slicing a long wound from which crimson blood flowed. He let his arm hang, allowing the blood to drip onto the ground. The droplets acted like water falling into a boiling pot of oil, evaporating the instant they touched the surface.

The Five Devouring Array required the blood of the caster as a catalyst. He was setting the array.

Fan Sheng offered some “kind” advice. “Please do not move, Junior Sister. Otherwise, your death will be even more painful.”

Ji Xunyue finally realized why this coldness felt familiar; she had felt the same sensation when she touched Yuan Wanyi’s catalyst. However, even though she was inside the array, she could not perceive its presence. What shocked her even more was that Fan Sheng dared to commit murder so brazenly during a trial.

“Are you not afraid that after I die, my Master will settle the score with you?” Ji Xunyue asked.

Fan Sheng said disdainfully, “You are only in the Second Realm. Is it not perfectly reasonable for an accident to happen when you fall into such a dangerous illusion alone? As for me, once we parted in that previous illusion, we never met again. Why would the Immortal suspect me? Furthermore, I intend to shed a few tears for you. Who would have thought that my first meeting with the one I loved at first sight would end in eternal separation?”

He had certainly thought things through, acting his part from start to finish. He had lured Xuan Huai away, and no one had seen her with him at the end. Even if Xuan Huai grew suspicious, he would find no evidence of a culprit.

With so many doubts remaining, Ji Xunyue did not want to waste more time going in circles. she needed to understand the situation as quickly as possible.

“Senior Brother, is your array not ready yet?” She began to close in on him step by step.

“I told you, do not move!” Seeing this, Fan Sheng attacked her directly. “You forced my hand!”

Ji Xunyue remained unhurried, neutralizing his move with a casual wave of her hand. She laughed softly. “Senior Brother, it is not yet certain who will kill whom.”

“You!” Fan Sheng’s eyes widened. “Your cultivation, how did it suddenly increase so much? This is impossible! It is even higher than—”

Before he could finish his sentence or even see her movements, he was flipped backward by a surge of energy and coughed up a mouthful of blood. He was horrified. Clutching his chest, he looked up. The woman who had subdued him in a single move looked down at him with a murderous intent that was completely at odds with her delicate beauty.

“Who… who are you?”

“You are in no position to ask questions. Now, it is my turn.” Ji Xunyue said with contempt, “If your answers do not satisfy me, I will kill you. Do not worry; no one will know why you died. I will even attend your funeral, Senior Brother.”

As someone in the Seventh Realm, Fan Sheng could judge the strength of his opponent. Facing Ji Xunyue, he only knew that she was strong, stronger than any immortal or elder he had ever met. Her power was unfathomable and suffocating. How could such a person exist in the Immortal Realm? He thought she was an easy target, only to find he had walked into his own grave.

Fan Sheng asked with a trembling voice, “What do you want to know?”

“To steal an Immortal Bone, you must be using the Five Devouring Array,” Ji Xunyue said. “Why can I not perceive the array?”

She actually knows about the Five Devouring Array!

Fan Sheng had originally planned to stall her, but he no longer dared to hide the truth. “This place… is only a small part of the array. All the illusions of the Lingxi Immortal Tree combined form the complete array. That is why ordinary people cannot discover it.”

Even for Ji Xunyue, it was the first time she had seen an array constructed in such a manner. With Fan Sheng’s strength, he certainly could not have built such a massive array alone. Moreover, this array must have taken a long time to set up. It was likely ready before anyone even entered the illusions.

So, anyone who knew of the Five Devouring Array could use blood as a contract to arbitrarily plunder the cultivation of those weaker than them? This trial was not a spontaneous event; it was a long-premeditated hunt.

“How did you make the Breath-Condensing Cord lose its effect?” Ji Xunyue asked.

Fan Sheng slowly sat up and pulled out a jade talisman. “With this, I can enter illusions where others are present. Anyone I touch will enter the Slaying Realm with me. As the name suggests, the only way to leave this place is through death.”

Looking back, there were much simpler ways to link two people together, yet the organizers had chosen the easily countered Breath-Condensing Cord. This was indeed a conspiracy. However, she did not know if the elders had done this intentionally or if subordinates were taking advantage of the situation for their own schemes.

Ji Xunyue narrowed her eyes. “Who gave that to you? I suspect you are not a disciple of the Chongfeng Sect.”

Fan Sheng gritted his teeth and said with difficulty, “That is correct. I am from the Yanming Sect. My master is… Fang Qingchen.”

“Fang Qingchen?!”

This was yet another piece of unexpected information. Ji Xunyue repeated the name and could not help but sneer. No wonder he had not brought his own disciples out for experience, claiming none were capable. In reality, he had released his disciples into the dark to hunt.

She continued, “How many people know about the Five Devouring Array, and how many are participating? How many lives do you intend to take?”

No wonder the competition requirements had been changed. The purpose of allowing immortals to participate was to make low-level cultivators lower their guard and join the trial with a glimmer of hope, only to lose their lives and pave the way for the murderers to increase their cultivation. If a cultivator met with an “accident,” there was no way to hold anyone responsible. In the end, the matter would simply be dropped.

Seeing her persistent questioning, Fan Sheng panicked. “I… I do not know! Master only gave me the jade talisman and told me to strike when I found a suitable target. I have no idea how many people are involved!”

“Within the Yanming Sect, how many people know about the Five Devouring Array?”

“I am not sure of that either. As a disciple of Elder Yan, Master holds a significant position in the sect. No one dares to question what he does.”

Ji Xunyue tutted. Not long ago, she had sworn never to associate with Fang Qingchen. Now, it seemed she would have to find an opportunity to meet him. Since he was willing to take her as a disciple and was someone who knew about the Five Devouring Array, approaching him seemed like a shortcut to solving the problem, a good breakthrough point.

She wondered how Fang Qingchen would feel if he knew his disciple had been trampled under her feet once again. However, he would never find out.

Ji Xunyue approached Fan Sheng and crouched down. Fan Sheng pulled back his neck and retreated in terror. “You… you said you would not kill me!”

Ji Xunyue smiled radiantly and said leisurely, “Please do not move, Senior Brother. Otherwise, your death will be even more painful.”

She threw his own words back at him. Fan Sheng tried to scramble to his feet to escape, but in an instant, he became unable to move. He watched helplessly as Ji Xunyue waved her hand gently in front of him. Then, he lost consciousness.

“Noisy,” Ji Xunyue said, standing up and looking at the unconscious man on the ground. She had erased all memories of their encounter. Long-term memories could only be sealed, as erasing them would damage the spirit, but short-term memories could be deleted directly without others noticing.

Her gaze fell on Fan Sheng’s wound, and she could not help but frown. Though she was unwilling, she healed his injury to ensure no evidence was left behind. Afterward, she carefully studied the surrounding illusion, thinking about her next move.

Knowing that such a massive array could be built and that disciples were taught how to enter the Slaying Realm, she still did not know how many people in the Immortal Realm from top to bottom were in on it. Although she had gained further clues, she was still lost in the fog.

Investigating further after escaping would be a matter for later; the priority now was to immediately stop innocent disciples from being harmed.

The slaughter would only end once the first-place winner claimed the Lingxi Fruit. She could not afford to delay; she had to clear the trial as quickly as possible. However, since she was trapped in the Slaying Realm, she was faced with a stalemate: the only way out was to kill Fan Sheng.

Still, she thought, since I am inside the array, even if I cannot perceive its presence, I should be able to destroy this specific node. She just didn’t know how much damage this would deal to the overall operation of the Five Devouring Array.

Ji Xunyue wasted no more time. She pressed her palms together and gathered her spiritual power, intending to erase the array within this illusion through sheer brute force. The spiritual energy coalescing around her took physical form, emitting a pure, cleansing radiance that illuminated the gloom of the space.

Just as she was about to strike:

“Wait! Wait a moment!”

A withered, ancient voice echoed through the space. It did not belong to Fan Sheng.

Ji Xunyue paused her movements, her posture wary. “Who is there?”

“This old one is named Sang Wo, the controller of the Lingxi Immortal Tree’s illusions. I beg the Demon Lord to stay her hand and not destroy the array here. This array has been carved into my very life force. If you destroy it, I will perish along with the Immortal Tree. Furthermore, your identity would be exposed, which offers you no benefit at all.”

The voice was hoarse and chaotic, sounding like a man of great age, yet the speed of his speech was not slow. Ji Xunyue could not tell if he was lying, but for the sake of caution, she withdrew her technique.

She said coldly, “You recognize me? If you are begging for mercy, why not show yourself?”

The illusion suddenly grew bright, and a path appeared out of thin air.

“This old one is unable to move. I can only invite you to follow this path so we may converse.”

To uncover the truth, Ji Xunyue did not hesitate. She stepped into the passage and walked forward until she entered a hidden space concealed within the Lingxi Immortal Tree.

The interior was dark and damp. Looking up, she saw a massive, white, web-like object suspended in the air. It extended infinitely in all directions, its edges vanishing into the darkness, making it impossible to tell just how gargantuan it truly was. This web seemed capable of connecting every single illusion space.

Sensing her arrival, the web vibrated, and his voice filled the room: “My respects to the Demon Lord.”

Ji Xunyue stared at the web. “Are you… a demon beast? Is this your true form?”

Spiritual plants were not supposed to have the ability to speak, yet the appearance of this monster was far removed from any demon beast she knew.

“Correct. Long ago, when I was on the verge of death, I merged with this tree. I have survived until now by absorbing its spiritual energy. Though I am rendered immobile because of it, I can still use my abilities.”

It seemed that after merging with the immortal tree, Sang Wo’s power to create illusions had become even more formidable.

Ji Xunyue asked, “How did you recognize me?”

Logically, since she had changed her appearance, Sang Wo should not have been able to guess her identity.

“Everyone is within the dreams I have manifested. Naturally, I can peer back into your memories.”

“Knowing so much that you shouldn’t… it seems I truly cannot leave you alive.”

“Please, do not!” Sang Wo pleaded quickly. “Rest assured, Your Excellency, I did not see much of your memory. Having lived for tens of thousands of years, I naturally know what should be said and what should stay hidden. Furthermore, I possess information that Your Excellency desires. Perhaps we can make a deal.”

Ji Xunyue asked directly, “Who laid the Five Devouring Array?”

Sang Wo answered just as plainly, “It was the Elders.”

Though not entirely surprised, Ji Xunyue still frowned. She had suspected the Elders were merely turning a blind eye, but she hadn’t expected them to be active participants—organizing the competition, setting the array, and condoning disciples using the illusions to commit murder.

Sang Wo added, “This array is hidden within the illusions; it is nearly impossible to discover. Even if an investigation is launched afterward, it will yield no results and the matter will simply be dropped.”

“Simply dropped…” Ji Xunyue repeated in a low voice, her tone tinged with anger. She looked at Sang Wo with a scrutinizing gaze. “Since you are in league with the Elders, why tell me this? Did you do this on purpose?”

“Fan Sheng encountering Your Excellency was precisely my arrangement. Do you still not understand my painstaking efforts?”

“You want to negotiate terms with me?”

Sang Wo’s voice became solemn. “Indeed. I have lived for many years and fear nothing except death. I can guarantee the safety of your junior brother, stop the array, and help you claim the top prize easily. In exchange, Your Excellency must promise that no matter what happens in the future, the Demon Realm will not harm me.”

He stopped referring to himself as “this old one” and adopted the posture of an equal.

Ji Xunyue still had doubts. “The Elders are using you. Have you never thought of using the power of the God Realm to rid yourself of them?”

Sang Wo began to laugh, his hollow, raspy voice filling the entire space. Why? Because the mastermind behind the Elders was in the God Realm itself.

He had already prepared his excuse: “A few people have died; does the God Realm care? What they care about is the stability of their rule. How high does Your Excellency think my chances of survival are after this is over? I have no choice left. I only want to keep my life.”

Ji Xunyue understood his meaning. If it wasn’t just cultivators using the array to harm their peers, but even immortals, or perhaps…

Since the array could not be extracted, Sang Wo absolutely could not be allowed to live. Sang Wo sensed her hesitation. “Your Excellency is a smart person. Surely you will keep our conversation today a secret?”

Lives were at stake. Agreeing to his terms for now was indeed the best course of action. Ji Xunyue thought for a moment. Yu Qianchan already knew about the Elders’ involvement; this was merely confirmation of her suspicions. Without physical evidence, there was no point in speaking out now, as it would only alert the enemy.

She said tonelessly, “You are in the Immortal Realm. I cannot look after you in my daily affairs.”

“The world is bound to change sooner or later. Naturally, I must plan ahead.”

It was normal for someone who had lived for tens of thousands of years to be calculating, but Ji Xunyue felt his words were heavy with hidden meaning. She frowned but eventually agreed to his conditions.

“Rest assured, Your Excellency. I have stopped the array, though those who have already entered the Slaying Realm cannot be saved.” Having received a satisfactory answer, Sang Wo could not help but laugh several times.

Afraid of raising suspicion, he added an explanation: “You need not worry about the Elders holding me accountable. There is no such thing as a perfect plan. It is normal for things to go slightly awry. Besides, several people have already died; if too many perish, there would be a risk of the matter blowing up.”

This trial was merely an experiment; the Elders had already told him to stop while he was ahead. On the other hand, since the Elders were about to become expendable pawns, he had been instructed to reveal their conspiracy to Ji Xunyue. He was simply following the current, using this as an opportunity to reach an agreement with her and secure a backup plan for his survival. Under his step-by-step guidance, Ji Xunyue believed his words.

“Enough. Send me to Xuan Huai.” Having been delayed for too long by these successive turns of events, Ji Xunyue did not want to chat further and urged him coldly.

“As you command,” Sang Wo answered readily, yet he did not move immediately. Having achieved his goal, he was in high spirits and decided to offer a small favor.

Lowering his voice, he continued. “I wonder if Your Excellency is curious about the past of your Immortal Master? I managed to capture a small fragment of his memories within the illusion.”