Mistress of the Underworld and Her Little Celestial Wife - Chapter 97

A rose-colored transparent barrier slowly rose above the Valley of Clarity, resembling an upside-down bowl. Countless streams of spiritual power flowed around it, drawing the attention of many who looked up in awe.

In the courtyard, Yan Wan and the others gazed at the gradually closing barrier and sighed in admiration. “A major sect is truly a major sect. Just look at how sturdy this barrier is.”

Mu Yin conjured a golden-hued magic fungus and handed it to Xiao Lian, who was crouching beside her. The little girl carefully grasped the stem with her small hands and placed it solemnly into her tiny bamboo basket.

“This magic fungus has excellent medicinal properties. I noticed your Valley of Clarity’s pharmacy often runs short of this ingredient, so I’ll leave a few for you,” Mu Yin said to them.

Hearing this, Yan Wan scooted closer and sat down beside her. “Miss Yin, though this magic fungus is potent, it’s incredibly difficult to cultivate. Could you conjure a few more for us? That way, we can save more people in the future.”

Mu Yin smiled. “Conjuring more isn’t a problem, but my spiritual power is limited. I can only leave you with a modest amount.”

She added, “However, these magic fungi are quite easy to grow. I’ve made some slight improvements just place them in a dark, damp spot within the valley, and they’ll propagate on their own. As long as you protect them properly, you’ll be able to harvest a batch within a year.”

As she spoke, Mu Yin conjured another one and placed it in Yan Wan’s palm.

Yan Wan marveled at the golden magic fungus. Even among common folk, a single piece of this was worth a fortune. Most impoverished families couldn’t afford it even in dire illness, often left with no choice but to wait for death at home.

“If we can harvest a large batch in just a year, Miss Yin, you’ll have saved countless lives,” Yan Wan said excitedly. “This merits a longevity monument in your honor!”

“Longevity isn’t my concern, I just enjoy benefiting society,” Mu Yin quipped with a laugh before looking up at the now fully closed barrier. “Is it done yet?”

Hong Zhuang glanced upward and nodded. “Almost. Once the barrier turns completely transparent, it’ll be fully set.”

Yan Wan asked, “How many enemies can this barrier withstand?”

Hong Zhuang lifted her chin proudly. “This is the Five Skandha Sect’s mountain-protecting formation. Even without guards, it’ll keep all monsters out of the Valley of Clarity for five hundred years.”

Yan Wan listened with envy, watching the fading barrier with admiration. “That’s incredible. I wonder if the Sword Cultivator elder your sect sent is just as formidable. I’d love to learn some real skills.”

“Doesn’t the Valley of Clarity teach you proper techniques?”

“Pfft, the Sword Cultivators here are hardly worth mentioning. I don’t even dare call myself one when I’m outside.”

As the two chatted, Mu Yin turned her attention to Xiao Lian, conjuring a small, translucent mushroom for her. The little girl’s eyes sparkled with delight.

Once the barrier was fully set, Nian Tan finally led her group into the courtyard.

“Young Madam, Eldest Miss,” Nian Tan addressed Mu Yin and the others. “Everything has been settled. It’s time for us to return.”

With that, Nian Tan handed over a scroll. Mu Yin took it, unrolled it, and saw the Five Skandha Sect’s seal stamped upon it.

“So, it’s all done?” Mu Yin asked.

Nian Tan nodded and said, “Aside from one Sword Cultivator elder, three disciples have also been left behind to assist. They will stay in the Valley of Clarity for half a year before returning to the Five Skandha Sect. Matters regarding the Thousand People Realm have also been settled. If the Young Madam has no other business to attend to, we should return now.”

Her gaze shifted slightly toward Si Lingqing as she added meaningfully, “The Sect Leader and Madam are growing impatient.”

Mu Yin naturally understood Nian Tan’s implication. Moreover, since all her affairs in the Valley of Clarity had been concluded, there was no reason to linger.

“Very well, let’s depart then.”

“Agreed.”

Before leaving, Mu Yin bid farewell to Gongsun Ru. The usually aloof woman of the Valley of Clarity seemed to smile more deeply as she respectfully escorted the group to the valley entrance.

As they descended the mountain, Mu Yin’s legs grew weak from the journey. By the time they reached level ground, her limbs still trembled slightly.

“Young Madam, are you alright?” Hong Zhuang asked with concern. “Would you like to rest for a while?”

Mu Yin shook her head. “It’s getting late. We should hurry back. Since I can’t fly by sword, could one of you carry me later?”

Nian Tan interjected, “No need for sword flight. We’ll use a magic array for direct transport.”

Mu Yin looked surprised. “Magic array?”

Nian Tan nodded, producing a small box from which she retrieved a golden talisman that appeared exceptionally valuable.

“This is…”

“A long-distance teleportation array that will take us directly back to the mountain gate,” Nian Tan explained. “The Madam wishes to see the Young Miss quickly, so she instructed me to bring her back as soon as possible.”

This was Mu Yin’s first time hearing of such a thing. Curious, she asked, “Then why didn’t you use it when coming here?”

After a pause, Nian Tan replied, “Such precious artifacts should be reserved for crucial moments.”

Mu Yin blinked in confusion. Hong Zhuang quietly explained, “What Master means is she doesn’t have the energy to take us back, so we’re teleporting instead.”

Mu Yin: “Ah, then we’ll trouble Elder Nian.”

Nian Tan’s expression shifted slightly as she shot Hong Zhuang a displeased glance before activating the talisman. A magic array approximately ten meters in diameter formed beneath their feet, encompassing the entire group.

Mu Yin glanced back at Si Lingqing, who had remained silent throughout the journey, and took her hand, drawing slightly closer.

Feeling Mu Yin’s gesture, Si Lingqing looked down at their joined hands and gave a faint smile.

A flash of white light brought momentary dizziness. When Mu Yin opened her eyes again, she saw the familiar mountain gate and steps of the Five Skandha Sect.

Mu Yin: “…”

Just out of the valley and now facing another mountain climb, this was truly testing her limits!

Noticing Mu Yin’s dismay, Si Lingqing chuckled softly and wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting them both gently upward. Mu Yin clutched tightly at Si Lingqing’s robes, realizing her intention just as she turned to look at the others.

Before Mu Yin could speak, Si Lingqing soared into the sky with her.

Hong Zhuang started in alarm, immediately drawing her sword to follow, only to be smacked on the back of her head by Nian Tan.

“Are you stupid?” Nian Tan chided. “What would you accomplish by chasing after them?”

Rubbing her head sheepishly, Hong Zhuang joined her fellow junior disciples in ascending the mountain on foot.

Si Lingqing flew extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye, the two of them landed before the mountain gate. The two disciples on duty were terrified when they saw a black shadow swooping down, swiftly drawing their swords with a whoosh.

But upon seeing that it was the young mistress and the eldest young lady?!

Mu Yin steadied herself and smoothed her hair, noticing the two disciples at the gate gaping in shock. She quickly reassured them, “Don’t panic, this really is your eldest young lady.”

“The eldest young lady?! But you, you’re not.”

Though they didn’t finish their sentence, Si Lingqing understood their meaning. She cast them a faint glance before grabbing Mu Yin’s hand and striding through the mountain gate.

Since it wasn’t yet dark, their passage across the plaza drew the attention of numerous disciples. The sight of the two, one in black, the other in white and the reappearance of Si Lingqing, who had supposedly died, left everyone so stunned that they dropped whatever they were holding with a clatter.

Mu Yin rubbed her forehead, certain that within half an hour, the entire immortal sect would know Si Lingqing had returned from the dead.

As for Si Lingqing, her expression remained utterly impassive as she calmly led Mu Yin forward.

Mu Yin felt they couldn’t just wander aimlessly, so she activated the mushroom eyes she had planted throughout the Five Skandha Sect. Spotting Yu Luo and Si Muzhou sitting anxiously in their courtyard, she communicated through the nearest mushroom, “Father, Mother, we’ve arrived.”

Yu Luo, familiar with Mu Yin’s abilities, quickly located the speaking mushroom, a small one growing in a crack on the wall and asked urgently, “Where are you now? Your father and I will come to you.”

“No need,” Mu Yin replied, watching Si Lingqing continue forward. “We’ll be there soon. Just wait for us in the courtyard, Mother.”

After ending the connection, Mu Yin turned to Si Lingqing, who was still holding her hand, and said, “You heard what I just said, right? We’re heading to your parents’ courtyard. They’re waiting for us there.”

Si Lingqing frowned slightly and nodded.

Noticing her reluctance, Mu Yin couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy to see your parents?”

Si Lingqing countered, “Why should I be happy?”

Mu Yin was puzzled. “Do you have issues with them?”

“No.” Si Lingqing slowed her steps as if recalling something. “They treated me well raised me with care and devotion.”

“Then why do you seem so unwilling to see them?”

Si Lingqing’s brow furrowed. Since regaining her immortal status, she had lost nearly all human emotions. With Mu Yin, she could still feel a flicker of joy; she grew anxious when Mu Yin disappeared and even felt jealous when Mu Yin spoke too much with Ah Qin.

But beyond Mu Yin, Si Lingqing felt nothing toward anyone else.

She couldn’t comprehend why she should feel “happy” upon seeing Yu Luo and Si Muzhou.

Though they had given birth to and raised her, that was merely one mortal lifetime. Once, she had known happiness, sorrow, even tears but now, all of that was gone.

Si Lingqing only wanted to get this meeting over with and retreat to some quiet place.

Mu Yin noticed Si Lingqing wasn’t speaking and thought something might be wrong. She quickened her pace to catch up, grabbing her hand, and the two came to a stop.

“Si Lingqing,” Mu Yin said to her, “I don’t know why you came back to life or understand your past, but I know Father and Mother are good people. They must have loved you dearly.”

Holding her hand, Mu Yin continued, “Trust me, when you see them again, your old memories will surely return.”

Si Lingqing remained silent for a long while, her dark eyes fixed on Mu Yin. Hearing these words, she couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“Alright.”

Si Lingqing replied softly, “As you say, when I meet them, I’m sure I’ll be very happy.”

Mu Yin also smiled, squeezing Si Lingqing’s hand. “That’s more like it. After all, they’re the parents who raised you, you couldn’t possibly be so heartless. You’re not cultivating the Path of Heartlessness.”

Si Lingqing lowered her gaze. Indeed, she wasn’t practicing the Path of Heartlessness.

Gods were heartless by nature.

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