I Need To Find A Way To Make Her Love Me Again - Chapter 60

The night was long, but dawn always breaks. As the first light of morning chased away the last lingering shadows, the vast mountain forests began to wake. It was a brand-new day, bright yet uncertain, no one knew what was destined to unfold.

Only the morning breeze remained constant cool, refreshing and clearing the mind. High above the azure clouds, a man stood perched upon a crane. His narrow, shrew-like eyes glinted with a strange, piercing light. Xu Pingxi looked down, nodding as he watched his disciples below moving dharma instruments and raising banners to set a grand formation. Seeing everything proceeding exactly as he had planned, a look of smug satisfaction crossed his face.

Sensing someone approaching, he remained motionless, already guessing who it was. As the figure came to a halt behind him, he asked, “Did you bring the Desiring Bell?”

Liu Ruoni replied crisply, “Yes, Sect Leader. Yan Xiaoling has successfully modified it. From now on, the Human Ghouls can be controlled without the need for the Luna Moths.”

As she spoke, she stepped forward, holding out a dark gold bell with both hands, offering it to the man.

Xu Pingxi glanced sideways and reached out to take the small, exquisite object. He examined the tiny trinket, which hummed with mysterious, boundless energy, and a satisfied smile spread across his lips. “You have worked hard these past few days,” he praised.

Liu Ruoni showed no emotion at his words. She remained deeply respectful as she replied, “For the Sect Leader and the long cherished wish of our Ancestor, I would do anything.”

Hearing this, Xu Pingxi was even more pleased. “Good child. I am at ease leaving such heavy responsibilities to you. I believe that in the future, you will certainly be able to shoulder the pillars of Qingding Mountain.”

“I will give my utmost to meet your expectations, Sect Leader.”

Looking at the obedient and devoted Liu Ruoni, Xu Pingxi’s smile deepened. It was thanks to her that his great plan was proceeding so smoothly. With his dreams on the verge of becoming reality, he couldn’t help but laugh aloud. “After today, our sect’s prosperity will surely reach new heights!”

“Congratulations to the Sect Leader on the impending success of the great cause,” Liu Ruoni complimented him. Her gaze then drifted down to the cultivators moving the instruments below, specifically to a woman in the lead who was shouting orders imperiously. “However, I am still worried that Yan Xiaoling might cause an unexpected problem.”

“After all, her temperament is quite unstable.”

At the mention of Yan Xiaoling, the man’s smile faltered. He also shifted his gaze to the woman leading the group below. Having worked with her for years, he knew exactly how foul her disposition was. That was precisely why he had demanded she modify the Desiring Bell, to ensure he could control the Human Ghouls should she suddenly lose her mind and ruin the plan. However, things had gone well so far, and she hadn’t had an “episode” yet. He couldn’t get rid of her just yet.

“She does need a close eye on her,” he said. “If you are worried, go and watch her.”

“As you command.”

Liu Ruoni bowed and withdrew, silently merging into the back of the crowd. A few cultivators glanced at her but didn’t react. She blended in naturally as they walked for a distance. Once she sensed that the watchful eyes from above were finally gone, a faint, cold snort escaped her nose. It was so subtle and fleeting that no one noticed, and no one realized when her figure vanished from the group.

The sun leaped over the mountain ridges, and in a flash, it hung high at noon, radiating a defiant heat. It cast the shadows of the standing men directly beneath them. The crowd was dense, their brocade white robes dazzlingly bright under the sunlight.

A tall cultivator stepped forward, holding a high mirror. Spiritual energy flowed from his fingertips, causing the twenty-eight constellations carved into the bronze rim to rotate visibly. The intertwined Yin and Yang fish at the center of the mirror seemed to come to life, wiggling their bodies and breaking free from the Four Images. Once free, they hovered in the air, momentarily lost, until a loud boom echoed. The ice coffin, surrounded by the crowd, was suddenly flung open. The black and white fish, as if guided by an invisible force, swerved and swam toward it.

The four Luna Moths perched on the ice coffin rolled their bulging black eyes. Sensing something joyful, they began to pulse their abdomens rhythmically. A low, eerie creaking sound rose as the rubble and earth began to shake. The flat ground suddenly heaved like a giant black python emerging from the depths, splitting into several branches to greedily claim the territory.

From the widening cracks, strange noises erupted. One after another, grotesque Human Ghouls with flailing limbs crawled out from underground. A wave of bone chilling yin energy surged forth, nearly suppressing the vibrant yang energy of the bright day. The overwhelming stench of evil made everyone’s hearts tremble.

Sensing the shift, Yan Xiaoling noticed the crowd’s unease. Her pupils narrowed into slits, and she barked impatiently, “Whoever dares to lose focus at this critical moment will face no mercy from me!”

Just as she finished speaking, a thick, powerful male voice reached everyone’s ears.

“What do the disciples of Qingding have to fear from mere demons and ghosts?”

“The heavens are about to fall, the earth is about to rise. The power of the sun and moon is within our grasp!”

“Focus your minds! Prepare to welcome the opening of the Heavenly Gate!”

The man’s words acted like a stabilizing force, instantly dispelling the terror in the disciples’ hearts. They had gathered here for the chance to ascend to immortality and rule the world. Now that success was within reach, how could they cower? Besides, with the Sect Leader here to protect them, what was there to fear?

Thinking this, the cultivators stayed in their positions. Remembering the man’s teachings, they bit their fingers to smear blood on the formation, focusing their spirits and gathering spiritual energy to surge toward the sky.

A blinding burst of spiritual light shot into the heavens. The previously clear sky was suddenly ripped open, a fissure appearing as fierce, wicked winds rushed inside. The clouds began to churn and tumble, forming towering walls of vapor.

Seeing the heaven and earth change, Xu Pingxi, watching from his crane, saw the opportune moment. He tossed a five inch token into the air. On its dark sandalwood body, beneath the line dividing yin and yang, was a golden dragon coiled around a sword. It absorbed the spiritual energy gathered from hundreds of people. The dragon’s protruding eyes flashed with an eerie light, gathering the momentum of thunder to drive away the worldly evils.

“The Southern and Northern Dippers illuminate the sky, five colored clouds dance in chaos!” the man shouted at the top of his lungs. The sacred banners fluttered violently in the wind. The expressionless Human Ghouls, as if receiving a command, all turned their heads simultaneously to face the cultivators on the field.

“The Holy Palace of the Purple Micro opens, the Jade Maiden of Peach Blossom invites the immortals!” As the man’s final cry fell, the Human Ghouls, who had been standing obediently, seemed to have the shackles of their souls shattered. Like starving tigers pouncing on prey, they lunged forward, tearing through the elegant Taoist robes.

Piercing screams immediately shook the heavens, snapping the other cultivators out of their meditative trances.

The sounds of flesh being torn and agonized cries followed in rapid succession. The sight of the Human Ghouls brutally slaughtering their comrades was a terrifying shock to everyone.

Many screamed, “Sect Leader, save us!”

However, the man sitting high upon the crane acted as if he didn’t see his disciples being butchered. He watched with total indifference as the Human Ghouls tortured and killed.

The cultivators were trapped. They were bound by the Blood Sacrifice Formation and could not break free; they could only watch helplessly as their spiritual energy was drained away while the ghouls slaughtered them.

Someone finally realized the truth and cried out in despair, “Sect Leader! Why are you killing us?”

It was the question on everyone’s mind. Their Sect Leader had lied to them. He was wiping them out. Why?

“What did we do wrong for you to treat us like this?”

“Because you are too stupid, of course.”

The woman at the center of the crowd suddenly burst into laughter. Her mocking voice reached every cultivator’s ears: “A bunch of small minded people dreaming of getting something for nothing, thinking they can step into the clouds.”

“Even the gods would spit at the sight of you.”

“Why should we leave you alive?”

Yan Xiaoling’s eyes flickered as she sneered, “You are only fit to be fodder for my Human Ghouls.”

The sharp, cruel mockery cut through the disciples like a blade. Regret, resentment, and fury twisted together. Even as they were bitten and their necks snapped, their wide open eyes remained filled with a hatred that would not dissipate. And that was exactly what Yan Xiaoling wanted.

With a flick of her eyes, the Luna Moths on the ice coffin flapped their wings and flew toward the fallen cultivators. They spat out white silk, reattaching the severed limbs. Cultivators from famous sects who died with such intense hatred were the perfect raw material for high-level Human Ghouls.

Xu Pingxi cared nothing for the corpses of his disciples. His eyes were fixed on the token floating in the air. As spiritual energy gathered in the golden dragon, it seemed to come to life, the tail coiled around the sword began to wag. Sensing something, he looked up at the sky.

A massive gate, shimmering like translucent jade and colorful glass, slowly emerged from the sea of clouds. The gate was hundreds of feet high, its double doors tightly shut. Seven stars rotated on its surface, each one so dazzling that it was impossible to look away.

It was true. When a world shaking phenomenon occurred, the Gate to the Immortal Realm would appear. It was said that a single thought could lead to heaven or hell, a true test for mortals.

Of course, he would be the one to ascend and stand at the peak. Xu Pingxi’s ambition surged. Just as he prepared to fly toward the sky on his crane, a cold blade suddenly appeared. It shot toward him from behind with ferocious power. Fortunately, his reactions were swift; he narrowly dodged the strike and turned back, his eyes wide with surprise at the newcomer.

When Yan Xiaoling saw who had appeared, her face immediately darkened. “Bitch, you still dare to show your face?”

“Your mouth is as foul as ever,” Yan Xingyu shouted, her voice half-filled with rage and half-filled with malice. “A tongue that can’t say anything good should be ripped out.”

Yan Xiaoling’s expression shifted again, her eyes curving into a smile. “Rou’er, you’ve really grown cruel. If my dear sister saw what you’ve become, her heart would break.”

As she spoke, she reached out to the ice coffin beside her. Her fingers brushed away the frost lingering on a green tinted brow. She looked down at the woman’s beautiful face. The faint lines at the corners of her mouth from years of smiling were still visible. The ice crystals hanging from her eyelashes had almost merged with her pale skin. It was a coldness that no touch could thaw. A dark, unreadable emotion flashed in Yan Xiaoling’s eyes, but it was quickly washed away by the mounting excitement in her mind.

She laughed, “What should we do, Sister? Your daughter is becoming a bad child, too.”