After My Faked Death Failed, My Ex-Wife Came Chasing After Me - Chapter 18

Senior Sister (ears flushing red): “The fact that I turned into a fox… you aren’t allowed to tell anyone~”

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Ting’an drifted in and out of sleep within the Void Light Mirror. From time to time, vibrations echoed from the outside, as if something were trying to force its way through the barrier, but before long, everything would return to a dead silence. Curled up in the dim, narrow world of the mirror, she remained utterly oblivious to the situation outside.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought of saving herself, but within the Void Light Mirror, the Illumination Talisman at her waist was completely useless. Lu Ting’an truly experienced what it meant to be isolated and helpless. She didn’t even know when Lin Zheng and the others would realize she was missing—and even if they did find their way to Cold Peak Mountain, she feared she would have already undergone several cycles of reincarnation by then.

Lu Ting’an sat curled up, clutching her knees, and let out a long sigh as regret washed over her like a tide. If she had known it would come to this, why on earth had she provoked Lin Zheng into leaving?

“Bang! Bang!”

Another loud crash erupted overhead, and the Void Light Mirror shook violently. Caught off guard, Lu Ting’an was thrown to the ground. Her heart leaped into her throat as she scrambled on hands and knees to shrink into a corner. But just like the previous times, the commotion came quickly and vanished just as fast, soon returning to silence.

She let out a careful breath, her chest heaving, not forgetting to feel a momentary flash of pride: This is a treasure gifted by my Master; how could it be broken so easily?

Unexpectedly, in the next moment, a faint sound like the cracking of glass rang in her ears—so light it felt like an illusion. Lu Ting’an’s heart jolted; she snapped her eyes upward to see a thin crack appearing at the base of the Void Light Mirror, spreading slowly like a spiderweb.

“Crack—!”

As if a thunderclap had exploded on level ground, the floor beneath her suddenly collapsed. The light of the Void Light Mirror shattered, and a powerful force violently threw her out. Before Lu Ting’an could scream, she slammed heavily onto the cold, hard ground, the pain making her vision turn black.

“Ouch, mother of mine…”

Grimacing in pain, Lu Ting’an rubbed her aching backside. Just as she tried to crawl up, she found herself staring directly into a pair of golden vertical pupils. Looking further down, a massive snake tail as thick as a well-opening lay coiled on the ground. Its scales were a blood-red sheen, and its belly shimmered with faint purple light. Terrified, her face lost all color, and she covered her eyes, screaming at the top of her lungs.

“Don’t eat me, don’t eat me! I’m skinny and my cultivation is low—there’s no benefit in eating me!”

The giant python seemed to dither for a moment before using its tail to scoop Lu Ting’an up and dangle her upside down, studying her curiously.

“You aren’t Lin Zheng?”

Lu Ting’an was nearly nauseous from being shaken. Seeing the python speak, she was both shocked and terrified, hurrying to reply, “I’m not, I’m not!”

The giant python hissed, flicking its tongue, its expression turning suddenly cold. “You lie! If you aren’t Lin Zheng, then why do you carry the ancestral protective talisman of the Green Hills? Could it be… you stole it from Lin Zheng?”

Lu Ting’an wanted to cry but had no tears. Fighting back her dizziness, she bowed her head toward it as best she could. “Senior, I truly am not Lin Zheng. She is my Senior Sister. This jade pendant was given to me by her to protect against Soul-Eating Ghosts. I really didn’t steal it!”

“Senior Sister?” The giant python narrowed its huge vertical pupils, staring intently at her. “Which sect do you belong to, and who is your Master?”

Lu Ting’an’s brain worked at high speeds, trying to recall which sect leader in the original story had the best reputation. However, the giant python gave a sharp roar, forcing her to blurt out: “White Baiyun Luying Sect! White Baiyun Luying Sect!”

“White Baiyun Luying Sect? Is Lu Qingchen your Master?” The tip of the snake’s tail tightened around her neck, strangling Lu Ting’an until her eyes rolled back. She gasped out with difficulty, “No… no, my honorable Master’s name is Sun Youqing.”

“Sun Youqing? Why have I never heard of them?” The giant python seemed stunned for a split second, followed by a look of disbelief and fury. It slammed its tail heavily against the ground. “Is that dog Lin Qingyao also of your sect? Where is he now? Speak!”

Lin Qingyao? Lu Ting’an racked her brain to remember, but the original story didn’t seem to mention such a person—or perhaps she hadn’t read carefully enough and forgot. She said with a mournful face, “Senior Liyin, I truly do not know. There are currently nineteen elders in the White Baiyun Luying Sect, and none are named Lin Qingyao.”

The giant python froze, its golden eyes flashing. It clearly hadn’t expected her to be able to call out its name. But that trace of surprise vanished instantly, replaced by an icy tone: “How do you know my name is Liyin? Could it be that you are acquainted with that old thief Cui from the Night Moon Pool of the Stone Cliff?”

Blood rushed to Lu Ting’an’s head and her mind buzzed; because she had been hanging upside down for so long, her vision was starting to blur into patches. She bit her pale lips and forced a smile. “That’s not it… it was… the Hall Master of the Floating Life Hall who told us…”

“Jin Youdao? That meddlesome old toad.” Liyin’s voice was filled with loathing. It slowly raised its serpent head, its sharp fangs glinting coldly in the dim light as it approached Lu Ting’an. Its voice was low and malicious: “What a pity. Since you aren’t Lin Zheng, how could this seat allow you to leak my whereabouts?”

It let out a sneer, its flickering tongue brushing past her cheek. “Just as well. Since escaping from the prison of the Night Moon Pool, this seat hasn’t had the chance to have a fresh meal.”

With that, the giant python opened its blood-red maw, intending to swallow her whole!

“Monster, how dare you be so insolent!”

With a clear shout, a sword’s glow pierced through the air. A dragon’s roar vibrated as the Moonlight Sword light carved a long bloody gash into the side of the python’s neck, forcing it back several yards. Liyin was consumed by a towering rage; its golden eyes brightened, its scales stood on end, and it roared: “Little thief! Who are you to dare ruin my good business?”

Lin Zheng’s robes fluttered. She pinched a sword spell with her fingers, her brows like frost. She said coldly, “A disciple of the White Baiyun Luying Sect, acting on orders to subdue demons!”

As she spoke, dozens of sword beams rose into the air, slashing down toward Liyin in unison. Liyin’s golden pupils shrank; sensing danger, it actually took the opportunity to violently hurl Lu Ting’an away!

Lin Zheng’s expression tightened. She abruptly broke her stance and lunged forward, catching the falling Lu Ting’an firmly in her arms. Her voice was uncharacteristically panicked: “Lu Ting’an, wake up! How are you?”

Unfortunately, the person in her arms had her eyes tightly shut. Her lips were white and her chest rose and fell weakly, as if she might stop breathing at any moment. Lin Zheng’s heart suddenly constricted. She was about to check her pulse when Liyin’s massive tail swung out, pouncing like a spectral shadow. Lin Zheng shielded Lu Ting’an while dodging to the side, but unexpectedly, Liyin suddenly reared its head.

Sizzle—!

Two fangs sprayed a stream of dark green venom. Protecting Lu Ting’an, Lin Zheng had no way to avoid it; a few drops of venom splashed onto her forearm. A searing pain spread instantly, and a wave of drowsiness hit her like a tide as her ears began to ring incessantly.

Liyin laughed wildly. “Little thief! Do you know this seat has a thousand years of cultivation? With just one drop of this venom, you won’t live past noon tomorrow!”

Lin Zheng’s heart sank, realizing the gravity of the situation. If she were alone, it wouldn’t matter, but Lu Ting’an had suffered this ordeal because of her—how could she let her lose her life like this?

Thinking of this, Lin Zheng pulled several talismans from her robe and ignited them with the spiritual power at her fingertips. The talisman papers instantly burst into dazzling patterns of flame. She slapped them down onto the ground beneath her feet. A soaring flame instantly engulfed the two of them. Before Liyin could react, Lin Zheng and Lu Ting’an had vanished.

Liyin was beyond furious. It hissed and flicked its tongue, its scales standing up layer by layer as killing intent surged like a tide in its golden eyes: “Paltry tricks. This seat shall see just where you can flee!”

Lin Zheng walked down a small path, carrying Lu Ting’an with a slight stagger. Liyin’s venom was truly formidable; a piece of flesh on her forearm had already been corroded away, and the blood flowing out was dark. The wound was heavily swollen. Lin Zheng knew that if she didn’t use her internal power to expel the poison in time, she would soon be dead once the toxin reached her heart, even without Liyin chasing them.

Taking a deep breath, she gently placed Lu Ting’an down beside her. Using her remaining sanity to suppress the intense pain, she sat cross-legged and began to circulate her power to regulate her breathing. Placing her palm over the wound, she forced her spiritual energy to flow in reverse, pushing out the venom.

Brushed by the night wind, Lu Ting’an’s consciousness gradually cleared. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she forced herself to sit up. Seeing Lin Zheng close by, she felt a flash of joy, but when her gaze fell upon that gruesome forearm, she froze in shock. With a bit of guilt, she called out to her, “Lin Zheng, are you alright?”

Lin Zheng, drenched in cold sweat, said calmly, “It is nothing.”

Lu Ting’an saw the dark circles under her eyes and her trembling lips, knowing she was in great pain. After a moment of silence, she took out a Rejuvenation Pill from her robe, crushed it in her palm, and prepared to pour it onto Lin Zheng’s wound.

Lin Zheng stopped her, her face pale. “You mustn’t. This was specifically left for you by Master.”

Lu Ting’an gave her an annoyed glare. “You’re about to lose your life and you’re still worried about this? Hurry up, hold out your hand.”

Perhaps because Lin Zheng lacked the strength to argue after being poisoned, she simply let her have her way.

After applying the medicine, Lu Ting’an carefully bandaged Lin Zheng’s wound and helped her lean against a tree, asking, “How do you feel?”

Lin Zheng nodded with effort.

Lu Ting’an was somewhat anxious. She knew that given Liyin’s cultivation, a mere Rejuvenation Pill wouldn’t be enough to save Lin Zheng’s life. Unfortunately, her own spiritual power was too low to help Lin Zheng expel the poison. She could only use the Illumination Talisman first to send a message to Chen Yunxiao and the others, so they could hurry to Cold Peak Mountain to help.

A cold wind blew past, and Lu Ting’an shivered. Subconsciously, she leaned toward Lin Zheng, pressing her whole body against her side. Lin Zheng turned her head to glance at her and asked, “What are you doing?”

Lu Ting’an pouted and said, “I’m cold, lean a bit closer to me.”

Lin Zheng: “…You can just ignite a talisman to start a fire; there’s no need to lean so close.”

Lu Ting’an scratched her head sheepishly and said, “Sorry, I don’t know how.”

Lin Zheng sighed helplessly and said, “Didn’t I teach you before… never mind. Go and gather some dry branches.”

“Oh.” Lu Ting’an shrugged and picked up some dry twigs and leaves from nearby. Lin Zheng propped herself up with half her strength and used one of her few remaining talismans to light a small campfire.

The night breeze brushed past, and the firelight reflected off Lin Zheng’s profile, flickering and making her usually cold and stern features appear a bit softer.

Lu Ting’an hugged her arms, resting her chin gently on her knees. Finally, she couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “Why did you risk your life to save me?”

Lin Zheng’s fingertips were still trembling slightly, as if she were enduring great pain. She remained silent for a long time before stubbornly maintaining her usual indifference. “As the eldest disciple of the White Baiyun Luying Sect, it is my responsibility to protect you.”

For some reason, Lu Ting’an felt a slight pang of disappointment. The fire crackled; she lowered her head and poked the embers with a stick, her voice so small it was almost lost in the wind: “Then… about that Purple Sun Powder incident… you aren’t mad at me anymore?”

Lin Zheng’s breathing hitched slightly.

After a moment, she took a deep breath and forced herself to turn and look directly at Lu Ting’an, saying in a serious tone: “Don’t let it happen again.”

At the end, she hurriedly looked away, the tips of her ears flushing slightly red. “And… you aren’t allowed to tell anyone.”