After My Death, the Female Lead Breaks the Heartless Path - Chapter 26

Xu Jingqiu had lived this long, yet it was the first time she had personally experienced the sensation of being worshipped by so many people. Startled, she instinctively hid behind Yin Ruolan.

She had only ever witnessed such scenes involving fervent believers and never imagined it would happen to her.

Seeing Xu Jingqiu frightened, the werewolf quickly urged the other demons to rise: “Quick, quick, quick, stop now. We’ve scared the deity.”

Though it was the truth, Xu Jingqiu found the statement unsettling. She coughed, stepped forward again, and shot a glare at Yin Ruolan, who was silently laughing. “Do you know me? Why are you calling me a deity?”

The werewolf was taken aback, not expecting Xu Jingqiu to remember nothing. However, the clan leader had already instructed that no matter what the deity said, they should bring her to the clan, and he would explain everything.

“We do know you. I first met you when I was just a cub,” the werewolf said respectfully. “As for why we call you a deity, the clan leader will explain it to you.”

“Now, we humbly request that you accompany us to our clan. As for these demons.”

The werewolf looked hesitantly at Xu Jingqiu, who had regained her composure and said, “They came with me. They can be trusted.”

The werewolf nodded in relief and made a “please” gesture, signaling everyone to continue forward. Illusions of a village began to appear on the previously flat grassland, gradually solidifying into reality, with demons visible inside.

The demons escorting them along the way seemed more like they were keeping watch than providing protection. While Xu Jingqiu was respectfully led at the front, the others were closely monitored by the demons.

Though irritated, Yin Ruolan had no choice but to endure it, watching as the werewolf eagerly chatted with Xu Jingqiu. It was only because Xu Jingqiu remained as aloof as ever toward outsiders that she felt slightly better.

But that relief lasted only until they entered the large demon village.

The place where the demons lived was vastly different from what she had imagined it was simply a large village, still using stone tools, with little trace of spiritual energy flowing through it.

Moreover, many of the young demons running around were not yet in human form, and even the adult demons rarely took on a fully human appearance.

Although demons had the choice between human and original forms some preferring their original forms due to a dislike of humans, while others chose human forms for easier cultivation and movement, as the heavenly dao favored humans, the current state of many demons being only partially transformed or not transformed at all indicated a problem. The lack of spiritual energy was likely a major reason.

This secret realm could protect them from external attacks but could not prevent the depletion of spiritual energy. Without spiritual energy, cultivation was naturally impossible.

After a brief discussion, the demons were taken elsewhere to rest, and Liu Ruichu was assigned to secretly protect them. Only Yin Ruolan and Wen Banxia remained with Xu Jingqiu as they ventured deeper to find the clan leader.

After leading them to the village, the werewolf returned to his post, and a fox demon took over as their guide. Along the way, the fox demon repeatedly flirted with Xu Jingqiu. Yin Ruolan could no longer bear it and pulled Xu Jingqiu into her arms, blocking the view entirely.

Facing the dark-faced Demon Lord, the fox-person smiled coquettishly: “Divine One, is this person your Dao companion?”

“I am,” Yin Ruolan answered coldly, cutting in before anyone else could respond.

The fox-person looked quite disappointed: “Ah, is that so, what a pity. Then, Divine One, have you considered taking a concubine?”

Yin Ruolan/Xu Jingqiu/Wen Banxia: …

Holding back the fuming Yin Ruolan on either side along with Wen Banxia, Xu Jingqiu forced a smile: “No, please lead the way.”

The fox-person waved a hand and swayed gracefully as she walked ahead: “Alright, alright, so serious. Please come in, all three of you. The clan leader has been waiting for some time.”

Only when she saw that the fox-person was truly continuing to lead the way did Xu Jingqiu breathe a sigh of relief. She rarely took the initiative, but she reached out to hold Yin Ruolan’s hand, which slightly improved the latter’s mood. Wen Banxia could only let out a bitter laugh and follow behind.

Along the way, they encountered many younglings, all of whom seemed particularly fond of pouncing on Xu Jingqiu. No matter how they tried to stop them, it was impossible. Within a few steps, Xu Jingqiu was covered in fluffy little creatures, with some half-demon younglings circling around, calling out “Divine One” one after another.

The fox-person couldn’t help but sigh at the sight: “As expected of the Divine One, still as popular as ever. Off, off, all of you! Do you even let the Divine One walk?”

The little fluffballs bared their teeth at her but continued clinging to Xu Jingqiu.

Xu Jingqiu laughed awkwardly, unable to resist stroking the fur. She didn’t try to shake them off, allowing them to hang on as she continued forward, though she made sure to keep one hand free to hold Yin Ruolan’s hand and comfort her.

It wasn’t until the clan leader arrived that the little fluffballs scattered in a hurry.

The clan leader, Bai Xuan, smiled apologetically: “My apologies, Divine One. It’s been a long time since we last saw you, and the young ones are a bit too excited. I will have someone admonish them.” As he spoke, the little white tiger in his arms let out a soft “meow,” then leaped directly into Xu Jingqiu’s arms and settled there without moving.

Bai Xuan: …

“Bai Yi, come back! Do not be disrespectful!” the clan leader scolded sternly, but the little white tiger paid no heed, still lying comfortably in place.

Yin Ruolan suddenly recalled the cat café they had visited when they were still a couple back then, all the cats would swarm around Xu Jingqiu as soon as she entered.

So, this kind of charm had carried over here as well?

Bai Xuan grew increasingly anxious. Since Bai Yi was nestled in Xu Jingqiu’s arms, he didn’t dare do anything, and his scolding had no effect. He could only stand by helplessly, hoping that Xu Jingqiu wouldn’t take offense.

Seeing the situation turning awkward, the fox-person slipped away: “Well, I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. Divine One, until we meet again~” She even threw a wink at Xu Jingqiu, which Yin Ruolan promptly and mercilessly blocked.

Yin Ruolan looked at the little creature snuggling in Xu Jingqiu’s arms: “This is…”

Bai Xuan replied somewhat awkwardly: “She is my daughter, the young clan leader, named Bai Yi. She hasn’t yet learned to shapeshift or speak. My apologies, Divine One, for my daughter’s impertinence.” It had to be said that the little fluffballs were truly hard to discipline. No matter how many times they were taught, they never broke this habit.

Over a hundred years ago, when Xu Jingqiu first arrived, the young ones in the clan had loved pouncing on her. Though they had all grown up since then, their descendants had inherited the same habit.

Xu Jingqiu smiled and habitually stroked the head of the little white tiger in her arms, just as she used to pet Xiao Bai, it was quite soothing. “Not at all. But why can’t she take human form? I’ve noticed many young ones in the demon tribe are still in their original forms. Has something happened?”

“And what exactly is going on here? Why was this secret realm created?”

Yin Ruolan also looked over. The clan leader pondered for a moment, weighing his options, before finally deciding to ask first, “May I ask, O Divine One, who are these two to you?”

“One is my partner, and the other is, my sister. For you, they will be excellent collaborators,” Xu Jingqiu replied, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

Unfazed at having his concerns laid bare after all, he had more than just himself to consider the clan leader maintained his composure and asked, “Would the two of you be interested in learning some secrets about our demon tribe?”

Yin Ruolan nodded almost without hesitation, while Wen Banxia hesitated for a moment. In that brief hesitation, she suddenly realized the difference between herself and Yin Ruolan.

For Xu Jingqiu, Yin Ruolan would give up everything. In comparison, she had hesitated. What was she hesitating about? The impact on herself? The consequences for her sect? The repercussions of knowing these secrets?

In this regard, she truly fell short of Yin Ruolan.

Upon receiving his answer, Bai Xuan gave a slight bow and led the three to his residence. After inviting them to sit in the main hall, he slowly began, “This secret realm was established over a hundred years ago by you, Divine One, and her, as a sanctuary to protect the demon tribe.”

Bai Xuan still remembered the first day he met Xu Jingqiu.

Long ago, humans, demons, and the demon tribe coexisted peacefully. But at some point, humans and demons became irreconcilable enemies, and the demon tribe was dragged into the conflict. Initially, the demon tribe was unwilling to participate. Compared to humans and demons, the demon tribe was weaker, took longer to cultivate, and had longer lifespans.

However, humans had somehow acquired a spell that allowed them to enslave the demon tribe, turning demons into their spirit beasts, bound to obey their commands for life.

Some even went so far as to extract demon cores to refine elixirs. For a time, the demon tribe lived in constant fear, forced to take up arms. They were then categorized by humans as part of the demon faction and subjected to widespread hunting. The demon tribe had tried to resist, but no demon could withstand the celestial arts of Penglai. Without exception, they were captured, leaving behind mostly the elderly, weak, and injured.

At that time, Bai Xuan was merely the young clan leader. The old clan leader stayed behind to cover their retreat, while he led the tribe in fleeing. Yet no matter where they fled, they could not escape human pursuit. Humans had infiltrated every corner of the demon realm, and because the demon tribe had stood by idly during the demon realm’s plight, they had no refuge there.

This was a sin they had committed, and they had to bear the consequences themselves.

This one-sided slaughter continued until Xu Jingqiu appeared.

Bai Xuan only saw two people dressed in strange attire suddenly appear between the two sides, seemingly unaware of what was happening. The Penglai celestial soldiers, seeing that Xu Jingqiu did not immediately aid them, assumed she was there to help the demon tribe and charged at her with their weapons raised.

With just a flick of her hand, Xu Jingqiu transformed a black crystal floating beside her into an array of weapons he had never seen before, effortlessly cutting down all those men. The other person didn’t even lift a finger.

“What’s going on here?” Xu Jingqiu asked innocently, pointing at the fallen celestial soldiers, completely unaware of the shock she had just delivered to the demon tribe.

The demons had always believed humans were untrustworthy, but Bai Xuan thought differently. He sensed something unique about the human before him and as it turned out, he was right. Upon hearing of the demons’ plight, Xu Jingqiu and her companion readily agreed to Bai Xuan’s plea.

The black crystal descended into the heart of the demon realm, and a secret domain rose from the ground. Every human who had trespassed was “politely” escorted out. Under the protection of this newfound sanctuary, the demon realm no longer had to flee.

Afterward, the two departed. The demons, preserving their memory of the pair, painted their portraits and passed them down through generations, telling their descendants that these were their deities.

“To be honest, we once questioned your motives,” Bai Xuan admitted. “But in the century that followed, you never reappeared, leaving no one to answer that question. So, we too wish to know, why did you choose to help us so selflessly?”

Xu Jingqiu searched her memories but found nothing. In the end, she could only shake her head. “I don’t know. I don’t even recall what you’ve just told me.”

“There’s no need to worry,” Bai Xuan reassured her. “Your companion once entrusted us with a task: if possible, we were to plant the Memory-Seeking Grass and await your return.”

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