After My Death, the Female Lead Breaks the Heartless Path - Chapter 34.1

Hearing this, Xu Jingqiu perked up with interest. “Tell me more?” she asked, feeling a bit tired as she spoke. She lifted the little white tiger and cradled it in her arms.

But the moment she did, both Xiao Bai and Bai Yi grew agitated. Neither was willing to back down, and they started fighting right there in her arms. Neither wanted to be put down both insisted on being held.

Naturally, the scuffle ended up affecting Xu Jingqiu, leaving her covered in white fur. The real problem was that she couldn’t bring herself to let either of them go, so she had no choice but to keep holding them. While Xu Jingqiu didn’t seem to mind, Yin Ruolan’s face darkened.

Just as the unpredictable Demon Lord was about to lose her temper, Ye Shuran quickly scooped up the little white tiger she didn’t dare touch Xiao Bai, who always bit her. Then she watched as Yin Ruolan, her expression stormy, grabbed Xiao Bai by the scruff of the neck, lifted her away, and tossed her aside disdainfully. Xiao Bai obediently lay where she landed, not daring to make a sound.

So this one was all bark and no bite after all.

“Huh? Why’d you stop talking?” Xu Jingqiu asked curiously. After Yin Ruolan used a spell to blow away all the fur, she felt much lighter and her tone became noticeably more cheerful.

Ye Shuran shook her head, struggling to keep the squirming Bai Yi under control. “First, I received a request from someone named Wen Banxia, so I started preparing to come here,” she explained.

At the mention of “Wen Banxia,” Xu Jingqiu paused briefly but said nothing, simply gesturing for her to continue. Yin Ruolan’s expression, however, seemed to sour, as if she had recalled something unpleasant.

Ye Shuran gave her a slightly puzzled look before continuing, “She said you’re also currently fighting against the ‘fate’ interfering with this world, and since our goals align, we should consider cooperating. Of course, the main reason is that you’re here too. To be honest, Tian Zhi is still too restricted right now.”

On one hand, they lacked key combat strength; on the other, the world wasn’t very accommodating toward them, making many things quite challenging. Fortunately, meeting Xu Jingqiu now might help change that to some extent.

“Ahem, back to the main topic. After receiving the message, I personally led a team here. I have to say, the Demon Realm’s environment is truly harsh. Along the way, all we passed were ruins and that’s where we were ambushed. But judging from the location you sent me, there’s more than one route to the Demon Realm?”

Ruins? Xu Jingqiu recalled that the path Yin Ruolan had taken her on didn’t seem to pass through any ruins. Noticing her questioning look, Yin Ruolan nodded. “She’s referring to the abandoned routes. The towns along those paths were destroyed during the previous Immortal-Demon War and have been deserted ever since. With so many ruins making travel difficult, hardly anyone uses those roads anymore.”

After saying this, Yin Ruolan fixed her gaze on Ye Shuran, her tone carrying a chill. “How did you know about that route? Even many demons today are unaware of it.”

Ye Shuran’s eye twitched, and she rubbed her temples wearily. “Ugh, my subordinates provided the route. I’ve hardly been here myself and have always been confused about the paths in this area. No wonder the road was so hard to navigate and easy to ambush.”

“Then those people charged out, shrouded in demonic energy. But I always make it a habit to carry a database for comparison when I go out after all, we’re in unfamiliar territory. I soon discovered they were actually from Penglai, practicing some unknown cultivation method that cloaked them in demonic energy. They were probably trying to disguise themselves as demons to stir up trouble.”

“At first, the situation was one-sided those Penglai soldiers were really incompetent. But as the fight went on, they suddenly became hyper, as if they’d been injected with adrenaline though they were still no match for us. Not to mention, Xiao Bai showed up. You know what happened next: Xiao Bai swallowed them and brought us straight into Heiyun City to rest.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingqiu glanced at Xiao Bai, who was lounging nearby. Xiao Bai proudly lifted its head, clearly seeking praise. Xu Jingqiu chuckled softly and beckoned to it. Xiao Bai immediately wagged its tail and trotted over for pets, but under Yin Ruolan’s watchful gaze, it quickly tucked its tail and scurried back to its spot. Bai Yi, who had also wanted to approach, obediently nestled in Ye Shuran’s arms instead.

Ye Shuran, who had rarely been favored by cats, felt pleasantly surprised as she held the little white tiger in her arms, relishing the rare opportunity to pet its head.

Xu Jingqiu glanced at the unexpectedly harmonious pair but made no comment, saying instead, “Those people were lying in ambush along the route. They knew you would lead people to the demon realm, so they chose that path for you. They’d been there too long and ended up corrupted.”

“It seems there are some two-faced individuals on your side,” Xu Jingqiu said with a gentle smile. “You’d better check if there are any pests causing trouble when you return.”

Seeing Xu Jingqiu’s smile, Ye Shuran shuddered and instinctively leaned back. “Please don’t smile like that of course, I’ll look into it. It seems some people are growing dissatisfied. Tch. By the way, what are your plans next? Do we need to check the forbidden land now?”

Xu Jingqiu nodded. “Yes, given the current situation, it’s best to take a look. The mental corruption from this Outer God is quite severe. Yin Ruolan, can you tell us about the forbidden land?”

Yin Ruolan pondered for a moment before shaking her head. “I don’t know much about it either. I’ve only been near the edges. Since the first generation of the Demon Sovereign, the forbidden land has been off-limits to all demons even the Demon Sovereign can only reinforce the seals from the outside. Even then, there’s a risk of corruption because the forbidden land lies beneath the Demon Palace. For instance, the previous Demon Sovereign became increasingly warlike due to its influence.”

“Before his death, he regained his senses but only warned me to stay away. I know even less about the forbidden land than Siming does. The key to the forbidden land is also with Siming, we’ll need their permission to enter.”

As she spoke, Yin Ruolan felt someone gently touch her forehead. It was Xu Jingqiu. After a careful examination, Xu Jingqiu confirmed there was no corruption and relaxed. “You’re fine.”

“A long time has passed since then. Don’t worry,” Yin Ruolan said softly. Xu Jingqiu hummed in response and looked away. “Let’s go find Siming. Do you think we can?”

“Of course. Shall we go?” Yin Ruolan asked gently, standing up first and extending a hand to help Xu Jingqiu to her feet.

Ye Shuran silently hugged the little white tiger without saying a word and quietly stood up. Although she didn’t particularly want to follow and act like a third wheel, she still felt uneasy and decided to trail behind, carrying the little white tiger. Throughout this, the little white tiger kept struggling, trying to leap toward Xu Jingqiu.

Ye Shuran sneakily glanced at Yin Ruolan, who was shooting a warning look, and patted the little white tiger’s head. “If you don’t want the Demon Lord to toss you out like that Pixiu, then go ahead and try.”

Bai Yi: …

Resigned, she settled back down. Fine, this human’s hold is comfortable enough. I’ll reluctantly stay here for now and wait until the Demon Lord is gone before making my move.

The Demon Clan’s Fate Scribe was not in the Demon Palace; in fact, she was quite far away. The area around her was sparsely populated and extremely quiet.

As they approached the Astral Palace, Xu Jingqiu sensed a familiar aura before even reaching the entrance and instinctively frowned slightly. Yin Ruolan noticed this and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you nervous? The Fate Scribe is actually quite easygoing, as long as you don’t provoke her partner.”

She has a partner? No way? Xu Jingqiu rubbed her nose. “I am a little nervous, but not because of her status. Let’s go in. It might just be my imagination. I hope it is.”

Hearing their conversation, Ye Shuran froze for a moment, surprised that there was someone who could make Xu Jingqiu nervous. She was genuinely curious.

Seeing Ye Shuran’s sudden eagerness, Xu Jingqiu’s lips twitched, hoping this girl wouldn’t be scared out of her wits later. “Let’s go.”

Originally, Yin Ruolan wasn’t sure if the Fate Scribe was even there, given how elusive she was. But since Xu Jingqiu insisted that someone was inside, she felt reassured.

Upon entering, they indeed saw the Fate Scribe reading a book in her usual chair. Strangely, her partner was nowhere to be seen.

The moment she laid eyes on the person, Xu Jingqiu couldn’t help but twitch her lips before bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Senior.”

“Well, if it isn’t Xiao Qiu? And the little Demon Lord is here too? And this one, a newcomer?” Ling put down her book and smiled warmly, nodding at her.

Ye Shuran, who had been ready to enjoy the show, and Yin Ruolan, who was about to make introductions: …

So they know each other? And what did Xu Jingqiu just say? Senior?

Xu Jingqiu’s status in the Otherworldly Institute was as one of the Second Generation Seven Sovereigns, the highest-ranking investigators. The only ones she would call “Senior” were the First Generation Seven Sovereigns.

Wait, the First Generation Seven Sovereigns? Ye Shuran took a deep breath, a chill running down her spine.

The sole survivor of the First Generation Seven Sovereigns, the founder of the Otherworldly Institute Ling. And she happened to have a wife. “Ah, ah, g-greetings, Senior.”

This is bad! Why is the Fate Scribe the founder?!

Yin Ruolan: “Does Lady Fate Scribe know them?”

Ling pointed at Xu Jingqiu. “I know her. As for this young lady.” She smiled faintly. “We know each other now, don’t we? We come from the same place.”

Ling waved for all three to come closer. After a moment’s thought, Xu Jingqiu chose to sit beside Ling, followed by Yin Ruolan. At this point, Ye Shuran was visibly tense, sitting stiffly upright, while the little white tiger’s fur stood on end.

“How did you end up here?” Xu Jingqiu asked curiously.

Ling rested her chin on her hand, replying leisurely, “I left a trace of my soul here out of curiosity. Actually, it was you who summoned me, but you’ve forgotten.”

Xu Jingqiu blinked, pointing at herself in confusion. “Me?”

Ling nodded. “Mhm, you said there were some issues here and asked for my help. There’s also something here I’ve been looking for, so I agreed. Did you forget again?”

Xu Jingqiu truly had no memory of it at all. Even when she tried hard to recall, her mind remained blank.

Seeing Xu Jingqiu zoning out again, Ling knew it was best not to disturb her at such moments, lest it interfere with her recollection. Instead, she turned to the only unfamiliar face in the room. “Are you the new recruit for the Institute this year?”

Ye Shuran snapped back to attention and shook her head frantically. “I joined at the same time as her.”

Ling gave her another glance and nodded in understanding. “You’re here about the forbidden land, right?” Ling finally got to the main point.

Xu Jingqiu looked at Yin Ruolan, who nodded and said, “Yes. Xiaoqiu said there’s a problem there, and since the demon riots around the demon realm are related to it, we need to check it out.”

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