How to Handle a Sickly Yandere Demon God - Chapter 25

The pond water was icy and piercingly cold, her vision awash in crimson. Before Xu Xingxing could adjust her posture, the Underworld Serpent was violently yanked back into the pond by chains, its massive body crashing into the water’s surface and sending waves surging in all directions.

Xu Xingxing had no time to react before the fierce waves slammed her against the pond wall. She grunted, her breath-holding broken, and the foul, stinking water immediately flooded her mouth and nose.

It was a strange sensation, her body wracked with pain, her limbs numb, her mouth and nose filled with the disgusting pond water, yet she could still think calmly.

Xu Xingxing tried to relax her body, letting the current carry her to conserve energy. Forcing her eyes open, even as ice shards stung her eyeballs and blood obscured her vision, she compelled herself to observe her surroundings.

When another wave surged toward her, she timed it just before hitting the pond wall, flipped around, and pushed off forcefully with her feet against the wall. Finally regaining control of her body, she swam forward.

She held her breath again, circulating her spiritual energy to sustain herself underwater for a while longer. As she attempted to contact Xiao Hei, she searched the pond for the Nine Underworld Serpent.

More precisely, she was looking for its head.

Its body was enormous, coiled at the bottom of the pond, but the water was murky, and the light at the bottom was scarce. She could only follow its lengthy body to locate its head.

The serpent was as thick as three people embracing. As she swam along its body, the sight of its horrifying wounds pained her heart.

Shattered flesh and blood continuously seeped into the water, staining the surrounding pond even redder. Rotten, necrotic tissue floated silently in the water like skin torn away by force. Occasionally, she could see the dull, broken scales clinging to its body, covered in blood and grime, their original color completely obscured.

Unconsciously, tears streamed from Xu Xingxing’s eyes, unnoticed in the water.

Outside the Zhou residence, Xiao Hei frowned deeply, his gaze fixed in the direction of the barrier. Fang Zhiming noticed the subtle change in his expression and was about to offer some comfort when he saw Xiao Hei stand up and vanish in an instant.

Fang Zhiming instructed Qin Feng to stay put and hurried after him.

Finally, Xu Xingxing heard heavy, labored breaths. Looking ahead, she saw a massive serpent head looming over her, its eyes glowing with a faint red light in the turbid water.

She paused in the water, holding out a medicine bottle she had just exchanged from the reward pool, a remedy that could heal both internal and external injuries. She wanted the serpent to take it quickly so she could focus on finding a way to break the chains.

But the moment the Underworld Serpent saw the medicine in her hand, its body tensed instantly, and its eyes glowed an even deeper crimson. Xu Xingxing’s heart sank as the serpent opened its mouth wide and lunged at her.

Dodging its attacks wasn’t particularly difficult for her, but each time she evaded, she could feel the serpent’s rage intensifying, and with every exertion, more blood gushed from its wounds.

Growing impatient, Xu Xingxing burst out of the water, hovering in the air as she addressed the serpent, which had also emerged: “I’m here to save you!”

The Underworld Serpent clearly wasn’t listening and lunged at her again, jaws wide open. Seizing the opportunity, she tossed the medicine into its gaping mouth. The serpent seemed oblivious, its body surging with force as it clamped down on Xu Xingxing’s arm.

The Nether Serpent thrashed its head violently in midair, attempting to tear Xu Xingxing apart. When this proved futile, it clamped down on her and slammed her against the wall. Her body crashed into the stone surface, the impact compressing her chest and sending a surge of blood rushing upward, causing her to spit out a mouthful of blood.

Yet she refused to summon even a trace of spiritual energy to protect herself, fearing she might harm the serpent in any way.

Though treated so brutally, her injuries were not severe. Her arm was enveloped in the serpent’s mouth, but she felt no pain, its venomous fangs had been removed, leaving it without even a means of self-defense. It could only resist and attack in this primitive manner.

“Can’t even handle a mere worm?” Zhou Qing suddenly spoke. “Do you deserve your father’s teachings?”

Xu Xingxing’s heart swelled with grief and fury. The sound of his voice disgusted her to the core. She slapped her palm against the wall, and instantly, thick, solid ice erupted from it, surging toward Zhou Qing like an iceberg!

Zhou Qing retreated hastily as the massive ice formation crashed down, sealing him outside the door without a trace of mercy.

A third of the room was now covered in ice. Seeing that Zhou Qing would be unable to enter for a while, Xu Xingxing felt a slight sense of relief. She had no time to wonder where Lin Yue had gone. Instead, she turned to comfort the Nether Serpent, saying, “I won’t hurt you. Don’t be afraid.”

She reached out with her other hand to touch it, but aside from its two intact eyes, every part of its body was oozing blood. Tears streamed from Xu Xingxing’s eyes as she began to curse, “Who the hell did this to you? I swear I’ll make them pay!”

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here now. I will save you. No one will hurt you again,” Xu Xingxing cried, her face streaked with blood and tears, no longer caring about her appearance. “Let me save you. The chains are tearing into your flesh and bones. Let me break them, I can break them! Stop moving. Does it hurt? Let me help you.”

The Nether Serpent seemed to freeze, staring at her for a long, long time. The fierce aura surrounding it gradually dissipated.

It slightly opened its mouth, and as Xu Xingxing withdrew her hand, the last of its strength faded. It could no longer hold on and began to fall. Xu Xingxing quickly summoned a cushion of snowflakes to catch it, gently lowering it to the shore.

Xu Xingxing formed an ice blade and struck at the chains, but they remained unmoved. Each strike caused a red glow to ripple through the chains, making the serpent writhe in agony. Her heart ached at the sight, but fortunately, the medicine began to take effect, and the serpent’s flesh started healing at a visible rate.

Suddenly, a loud crash came from the icy barrier at the door. Xu Xingxing reacted swiftly, gently placing the Nether Serpent back into the pool.

She couldn’t let Zhou Qing discover that the serpent was healing.

Before long, the ice barrier shattered completely. Zhou Qing stood outside the door, dressed in dark blue, as elegant as a jade tree. Under different circumstances, Xu Xingxing might have admitted he was handsome.

But now, the sight of him filled her with utter revulsion. All she wanted was to find an opportunity to spit in his face.

“Impressive. With such spiritual power, it’s no wonder Xu Yi went to such lengths for you,” Zhou Qing remarked calmly. “But those chains are beyond your ability to break. If you force it, they will only burrow deeper into the serpent’s body.”

He had spoken two sentences, and both mentioned her father. Did this man know Xu Yi?

Wasn’t he supposed to be a rogue cultivator?

“Though you are currently at the Nascent Soul stage, the spiritual energy you unleashed just now reached the level of a Deity Transformation cultivator. How peculiar.” He took a step forward and asked, “Are you on the verge of breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage?”

Xu Xingxing had no desire to engage with him and simply retorted, “Can you cut the nonsense? Are we fighting or not?”

“You are no match for me.” He looked at her as if she were a petulant child. “Xing’er, let me help you break through to the Deity Transformation stage. How does that sound?”

Go to hell! Who gave you the right to call me Xing’er?

“Help me break through?” Xu Xingxing sneered. “For a mere Deity Transformation cultivator, you’re quite confident.”

He shook his head, his expression still calm. “You are mistaken. Zhou Qing is indeed at the Deity Transformation stage, but I am not Zhou Qing.”

Xu Xingxing froze for a moment before regaining her composure. If he wasn’t at the Deity Transformation stage, was he at the Void Refinement stage?

“Then who are you?”

“Who I am is unimportant.” Zhou Qing looked at her. “In just one hour, I can help you break through. Are you willing to become my disciple?”

“Become your disciple, my ass!”

Xu Xingxing finally lost her temper and cursed. “What are you going to teach me? How to seize a living body or skin a snake alive? Keep your demonic tricks for your mother’s soul transfer! A wicked ghost like you has no right to pretend to be benevolent and compassionate!”

He stared directly at her. Just as Xu Xingxing thought he was about to strike, he suddenly smiled. “You are very much like your mother.”

“Xing’er, since fate has brought us together, let this uncle teach you one thing.”

What audacity! How dare he call himself my uncle?

Just as Xu Xingxing was about to unleash another torrent of curses, she suddenly felt the room tremble. Several holes opened in the surrounding walls, and iron chains shot out, winding through the air like snakes as they lunged toward her!

She summoned ice blades to block them but abruptly felt her meridians freeze, her movements too slow. In the blink of an eye, she was entangled by the chains and suspended mid-air!

What… happened?

“I am aware of your abilities. If we were to truly fight, you would likely tear this room apart. Poison is far more effective.” Zhou Qing strolled in calmly.

When had she been poisoned?

Her mind raced, and she recalled the bottle of medicine Lin Yue had made her smell.

“It wasn’t your companion.” As if reading her thoughts, Zhou Qing patiently explained. “She was merely under my control and did not truly betray you. In fact, she nearly damaged her immortal roots trying to break free from my influence, so I knocked her out and took her away.”

“The Nine Nether Serpent is a top-tier spiritual beast. How could a few chains possibly restrain it? This entire pool is filled with poison that dissolves spiritual energy. You’ve been in here for quite some time, and it’s only now taking effect, you are truly remarkable.” Zhou Qing praised. “As expected of the prophesied savior foretold by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. Your talent is extraordinary.”

Xu Xingxing caught the key point: Lin Yue had not betrayed her after all! But when had she been poisoned?

She recalled the earlier investigation into Rong Jun’s identity, when Fang Zhiming and the others had battled Zhou Qing. If Zhou Qing hadn’t deliberately held back, how could three Golden Core cultivators possibly escape from a Void Refinement expert?

“So you knew about our plan all along?”

Zhou Qing did not deny it. “When I saw you this morning, I intentionally avoided you. I never expected you to be so persistent, so I had no choice but to indulge your wishes.”

“I also know the whereabouts of your other companions, but I will not harm them proactively. If they remain obstinate, however, I will have no choice but to defend myself.”

Worried, Xu Xingxing struggled, but the chains only tightened, digging painfully into her flesh.

“Don’t move. These chains are treasures from Kunlun. Brute force will not break them.”

Zhou Qing said, “One hour. Once I help you break through, I will let you down.”

Why is this guy so insane, insisting on helping me break through? Xu Xingxing had no energy left to complain and stopped struggling, waiting to see what tricks he had up his sleeve.

He clapped his hands, signaling for disciples to enter. Two of them carried a person, lining up neatly by the shore. After placing them down, they exited in an orderly manner.

Now, ten people were neatly arranged along the shore, all facing her direction.

Lin Yue was among them.

Sensing that things were not simple, she frowned and asked, “What are you going to do?”

“In this world today, let alone Divine Transformation cultivators, even Nascent Soul cultivators are exceedingly rare. We have no choice but to make do with these Golden Core cultivators.”

“Make do with what?”

“To help you break through.”

Xu Xingxing pressed him relentlessly: “How will you help me? The process, the method, the means, what exactly is it?”

“You are the savior of this world. If you merely cultivate through bitter toil, when will you ever transcend tribulation and ascend to immortality?”

Zhou Qing let out what seemed like a bitter laugh. “Your father is stubborn and inflexible, refusing to listen to advice. Now, I am on the verge of breaking through to the Unity stage, while he has only just stepped into the Void Refinement stage. Such a gap hasn’t served as a wake-up call for him, he still insists on treading the same old path. Utterly foolish.”

“If I elevate you to the Mahayana stage, will he still be so obstinate?”

“So,” Xu Xingxing gritted her teeth, “I’m asking you, what is the method?”

“Didn’t you ask me who I am?”

Zhou Qing looked at her, his expression calm. “There’s still some time. Let me explain it to you.”