Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: The Villain, After All, She Is Like Me

 

Who was so bold as to dare absorb Song Yin’s spiritual power?

 

Shen Yirong thought carefully, finally remembering there were only two people in the room, and her own cultivation had increased.

 

The joy she felt a moment ago instantly faded. Shen Yirong looked at Song Yin’s pitch-black face.

 

Uh oh, it’s all over.

 

It was surprising that Song Yin didn’t immediately kill her, but Shen Yirong didn’t want to be trapped in the All-Phenomena Mirror like this.

 

Shen Yirong hesitated, “How about Venerable One just absorb it back?”

 

Song Yin sneered, “Do you want to turn into a zombie?”

 

Shen Yirong shuddered, “Let’s think of another way.”

 

It was strange, actually. She shouldn’t have been able to withstand the baptism of Song Yin’s spiritual power, but now was not the time to study that. She needed to figure out how to get out.

 

If she remembered correctly, the All-Phenomena Mirror was difficult to break from the inside, but easy to release people from the outside. The mirror didn’t have a master; anyone who used it would be permitted.

 

Shen Yirong had informed Qi Wu before leaving. She wondered if Elder Qi could sense that something was wrong.

 

Suddenly, she heard a muffled groan. Shen Yirong’s shoulder felt heavy. She turned her head and saw Song Yin’s head resting on her shoulder.

 

Shen Yirong was startled. She checked Song Yin’s pulse. Fortunately, the pulse was stable, just a little weak.

 

“Venerable One?”

 

Song Yin seemed to have fallen asleep.

 

Shen Yirong lifted her and placed her on the bed.

 

Looking at Song Yin’s slightly pale face, Shen Yirong sighed helplessly, “And here I was counting on you to take me out.”

 

The cultivation world had pills to restore spiritual power. Shen Yirong didn’t know if Song Yin had brought any. She looked at the silver ring on Song Yin’s hand; that was Song Yin’s spatial ring.

 

But such rings were soul-bound, so Shen Yirong gave up on the idea.

 

A faint electric crackle sounded. Shen Yirong turned her head and saw that the restriction barrier was slowly dissolving like paper being burned by fire.

 

A knock came at the door. Shen Yirong quickly pulled the bed curtain shut, obscuring the sleeping Song Yin.

 

She called out loudly, “Who is it?”

 

“It’s me.”

 

The voice at the door was also Song Yin’s. Shen Yirong relaxed when she realized who it was.

 

She opened the door and saw a golden mass of energy standing there, speaking in Song Yin’s voice, “Do you need help?”

 

Perhaps due to Song Yin’s injury, the world had regained its contours, but people’s appearances still couldn’t be clearly seen. This seemed like a warning from Song Yin.

 

Do not develop feelings for anything here.

 

The young Song Yin noticed her increased cultivation at a glance. She was surprised, “What elixir did you take?”

 

The elixir was lying in bed inside the room.

 

Shen Yirong suppressed her urge to complain, “Have you figured things out?”

 

She remembered the child breaking down because she would become a great demon lord in the future.

 

“I’ve figured it out. That’s not something I need to worry about right now. I brought shortbread. Does Master, I mean, Immortal Master Shen, want some?”

 

The golden mass of energy held out a round hand, clutching a small bamboo basket. Inside the basket were several pieces of shortbread, shaped into cute cats and dogs.

 

Seeing Shen Yirong not moving, the young Song Yin added, “No peanuts in it.”

 

Shen Yirong was shocked. Although she couldn’t clearly see the mass of energy’s face, she inexplicably felt a smile on it.

 

She smiled, “Is Immortal Master treating me as the Sword Venerable?”

 

The young Song Yin chuckled, “Does Immortal Master also know my Master cannot eat peanuts?”

 

Cold sweat trickled down Shen Yirong’s face, “Someone told me.”

 

“Then, is Immortal Master willing to become the Sword Venerable?”

 

Shen Yirong was stunned.

 

Willing to become the Sword Venerable?

 

Shen Yirong had never considered this question. But thinking back to her past life, constrained by her terrible body and the system, with neither body nor mind free, and recalling the karmic debts she carried, it all felt too heavy.

 

No, she didn’t want to.

 

Shen Yirong gently stroked the outline of the energy mass. The touch on her palm was warm, like sunlight bathing her, making her feel as if she were melting.

 

Shen Yirong smiled, “I cannot become the Sword Venerable.”

 

The energy mass nodded, “I see. This is the shortbread I made myself. Immortal Master Shen, please try it.”

 

Shen Yirong was a little surprised. She picked a small cat biscuit from the basket and bit off its ear, then frowned.

 

“Is it not tasty?”

 

Shen Yirong, “It’s delicious, just a bit too sweet.”

 

The light mass also picked up a piece. Shen Yirong watched the biscuit sink into the light mass, and when it was taken out again, half of the biscuit was gone.

 

A soft laugh sounded, “It is a bit sweet. My Master drinks medicine year-round and always told me the medicine was too bitter. I always made pastries, so I got used to it.”

 

So the pastries in her past life were that sweet, but the medicine was too bitter, and she couldn’t taste the sweetness.

 

The Valley Master of the Medicine Immortal Valley always said that if she wanted to live longer, she had to endure these things. But at the time, she always thought it was meaningless.

 

She wouldn’t die from her fragile body; she would die by her disciple’s sword.

 

Shen Yirong’s gentle laugh carried a hint of sarcasm, “The Sword Venerable is still too demanding.”

 

“Master is just sick. She wasn’t like this before.”

 

When speaking of her Master, the young Song Yin’s voice was even gentler, “So, please don’t say that anymore.”

 

Hearing her defend herself, a sense of guilt welled up in Shen Yirong, “I just feel that a child like you deserves a better person.”

 

The young Song Yin’s voice was stubborn, “I only want Master as my Master. I don’t want Mei Xin or Liu Qianfeng.”

 

Shen Yirong felt helpless. The past Song Yin looked obedient but was actually quite rebellious. According to the rules, she should call them Senior Aunt and Sect Master, but Shen Yirong was not in a position to correct her.

 

If the child wanted to call them that, so be it. Anyway, Senior Sister Mei and Sect Master Liu wouldn’t care.

 

The Great Peace Sect was an excessively tolerant sect, quite unconventional from top to bottom.

 

Shen Yirong remembered the person lying in the room. She anxiously brought the young Song Yin inside, “Come take a look.”

 

The young Song Yin was speechless looking at her unconscious self on the bed. After checking, her eyebrows were nearly touching.

 

“Well, she might be a bit weak for a while. The spiritual energy here is scarce. Did you bring any Qi-restoration pills? Or enough spirit stones would work too.”

 

Shen Yirong heard the latter part. She remembered she still had some spirit stones. After hesitating for a moment, she took out the spirit stone pouch.

 

The golden mass of energy let out an unworldly exclamation, “Wow! So many top-grade spirit stones! What would those people from the Great Peace Sect say if they saw this?”

 

Shen Yirong’s mouth twitched. The stereotype of impoverished sword cultivators really never went away; even Song Yin couldn’t escape it.

 

“Is this enough?”

 

The golden mass of energy shook its head, “No, her cultivation is too high. This is far from enough.”

 

Shen Yirong detected a hint of delight in the young Song Yin’s voice. The other party seemed quite happy that Song Yin was lying down like this.

 

“You seem quite happy? Why?”

 

“No, I’m not. Did Immortal Master misread me?”

 

Shen Yirong couldn’t see her face at all. She looked the same whether she was laughing or crying. It had to be said that Song Yin’s trick was quite effective, separating the real from the fake like this.

 

The spirit stones returned to Shen Yirong’s hands. She cautiously tucked them into her bosom. She suddenly remembered that the simulated reality in the All-Phenomena Mirror was not much different from the original reality.

 

Then the young Song Yin and Song Yin were of the same origin. This might have been the reason for breaking the cauldron seal earlier and the restriction just now. Could the young Song Yin open the other person’s spatial ring?

 

Shen Yirong’s eyes brightened. She pulled Song Yin’s hand over, “Can you open this?”

 

The energy mass wiped the plain ring with its hand, and it actually opened.

 

Shen Yirong was overjoyed. She looked inside the spatial ring, and the smile on her lips slowly faded. The ring’s space was large, but only a single sword lay lonely inside.

 

The sword was dim and lusterless, and it was entangled with many chains.

 

When Shen Yirong looked over, the sword began to glow, and the Sword Spirit’s voice rang in Shen Yirong’s mind.

 

“Master, have you come to take me away!”

 

Shen Yirong quickly closed the spatial ring. The ring must not be ordinary, as there was no sound in her mind anymore.

 

The young Song Yin was puzzled, “Is that Master’s Su Yu Sword?”

 

“No, you saw wrong. That’s a model.”

 

The young Song Yin didn’t understand, “What is a model?”

 

“It’s a fake.”

 

The young Song Yin: “I see.”

 

Shen Yirong didn’t think she believed it, but she was truly speechless. A Demon Venerable’s spiritual ring contained only the enemy’s sword, no spirit stones, and no Qi-restoration pills.

 

The young Song Yin was even less likely to have any.

 

Senior Sister?

 

…

 

Tsk! The only ones left here were all from the Great Peace Sect! Could there be a rich one among them!

 

Shen Yirong anxiously scratched her head, then lost all strength and sat on Song Yin’s bedside. She looked at Song Yin’s sleeping face and couldn’t help but reach out and poke the other person’s cheek.

 

Presumptuous!

 

Shen Yirong was startled. She looked around, finally realizing it was her auditory hallucination.

 

Song Yin on the bed was still tightly closing her eyes.

 

Ha, scaring herself.

 

Shen Yirong poked Song Yin’s face relentlessly, as if venting her frustration. This was a golden opportunity. Once Song Yin woke up, she wouldn’t be able to act so recklessly.

 

Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed by a warm touch. Shen Yirong saw her hand circled by the golden mass of energy, then pulled up, finally landing on the young Song Yin’s face.

 

“Immortal Master Shen’s hands are cold. You must take care of your health.”

 

Shen Yirong froze completely. Had this child’s brain been fried by excessive information? She was so reserved just a few days ago.

 

Now Shen Yirong was the embarrassed one. She pulled her hand back, “I will.”

 

The energy mass placed the pastry on the table. Shen Yirong could clearly feel the other party’s happiness.

 

“Does Immortal Master Shen want anything else to eat?”

 

Shen Yirong felt uneasy. The other party’s attitude was too enthusiastic. She refused, “Not for now.”

 

“Then I will decide for myself. Please try it when I’m done, Immortal Master.”

 

Shen Yirong, “Cultivators must abstain from carnal desires.”

 

The golden mass of light seemed to dim a little, “Did I offend Immortal Master in some way? Does Immortal Master dislike me?”

 

Damn it! She didn’t even have a face, yet why couldn’t she help but soften her heart?

 

Shen Yirong scorned herself, but still couldn’t bring herself to refuse, “No, I just don’t want to trouble you.”

 

The golden mass of light brightened again, “No trouble at all. Immortal Master and I need not be so distant.”

 

Shen Yirong was confused. She used to be so conventional. She would even get angry if she touched her head.

 

“It’s settled then. Immortal Master, don’t worry. The person lying on the bed is not that fragile.”

 

Shen Yirong watched the energy mass run away happily, inexplicably feeling that it resembled something.

 

A flash of inspiration struck Shen Yirong. It resembled Bu Hei.

 

She missed Bu Hei and Xiao Bai a little. Fortunately, she had asked Protector Ren to help feed them before she left.

 

Now that the restriction was lifted, Shen Yirong still wanted to ask Senior Sister Mei. Spirit stones were definitely out, but perhaps Qi-restoration pills?

 

Shen Yirong’s hope was rekindled.

 

She looked at Song Yin one more time before going out. Still feeling uneasy, she set up many restrictions outside the room. Her cultivation was still not high enough, so she could only focus on the mechanism of the restrictions. In short, these restrictions were somewhat annoying.

 

“What is Immortal Master doing?”

 

Shen Yirong was working hard with a grunt when the voice behind her startled her.

 

And she felt a stinging sensation on her back, like a needle poking her. Turning around, she saw a bluish-black mass of energy.

 

Shen Yirong automatically correlated it with a person. She stood up and clapped her hands, “General Ling, hello. I’m setting up restrictions to prevent demon attacks.”

 

“Immortal Master is working hard.”

 

The bluish-black mass of energy resembled a faintly burning will-o’-the-wisp, giving a cold feeling. Shen Yirong didn’t smell the curse energy, but she felt a hint of death.

 

This person’s lifespan seemed short.

 

Song Yin had said that they would all die.

 

Even though these were people simulated by the All-Phenomena Mirror, they had once truly existed. A pang of sadness crossed Shen Yirong’s heart.

 

She hadn’t particularly liked someone like Ling Minzhi before. She always felt like she was talking to a head teacher, not fond of smiling and too serious. But today, she suddenly wanted to chat a bit.

 

“Where is the General going?”

 

Ling Minzhi was surprised, “To see my younger sister. She is injured.”

 

“General Ling is very concerned about her sister.”

 

“Yes, she is my last living relative.”

 

The trembling bluish-black mass of energy paused. Her tone softened, laced with a plea, “My sister wants to go with you all. I spoiled her, and she is a bit arrogant, but she is a good child. She likes Immortal Master very much. Please take care of her in the future.”

 

Shen Yirong remained silent.

 

The person standing before her now was not General Ling, but a sister named Ling Minzhi.

 

This All-Phenomena Mirror was truly harmful. The one standing before her was clearly just a mass of bluish-black energy.

 

Did Song Yin also befriend them, and then helplessly watch them die?

 

Shen Yirong didn’t know whom to feel sorry for now.

 

She hid all her emotions, saying jokingly, “General, you sound like you are entrusting your child to me.”

 

“Yes, as Immortal Master thought. I know this is a hassle for Immortal Master, but I can offer you a reward.”

 

“A reward?”

 

Ling Minzhi was a mortal. A mortal’s reward was not very valuable to Shen Yirong.

 

The bluish-black energy mass burned brighter, “Yes, after I die, I can give this body to you.”

 

Shen Yirong was startled.

 

Ling Minzhi didn’t seem to find her words shocking at all. She continued to explain, “Someone once told me that my body is very special and a good material for making a puppet. I don’t know if it would be useful to you.”

 

So that was what she meant.

 

However, judging by the bluish-black energy, Ling Minzhi was probably not lying.

 

Shen Yirong was not a puppeteer, and she couldn’t bring herself to do it, “General, you don’t have to go to such lengths. I”

 

She couldn’t say it.

 

In the end, Shen Yirong could only say, “General, rest assured, I will consider it.”

 

She seemed to hear Ling Minzhi’s sigh of relief and laughter, “Thank you very much.”

 

The bluish-black energy mass seemed less cold. Shen Yirong’s mood was complex, “The General’s body is indeed special. You could cultivate the body path and become an Immortal. Why not come with us?”

 

Ling Minzhi’s reply was straightforward, “No, I cannot leave the Grand Ruler and Central Yue here.”

 

Perhaps having said too much, Ling Minzhi seemed to relax a bit. She looked at the tightly closed door behind Shen Yirong.

 

Ling Minzhi, “There is something I don’t know if I should say.”

 

“Please speak, General.”

 

Ling Minzhi chose her words carefully, “Please be more considerate of your companion, Immortal Master.”

 

Ling Minzhi had said this before. Shen Yirong was puzzled, “General, you don’t look like someone who would care about such matters?”

 

She looked quite detached and emotionless.

 

Ling Minzhi coughed, “I just feel that the personal feelings of those in high positions are easily overlooked.”

 

Shen Yirong looked perplexed.

 

Ling Minzhi coughed twice again, “I apologize for my intrusion. I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave.”

 

Ling Minzhi left. Shen Yirong saw the energy mass move quite quickly, as if running away in a panic.

 

Shen Yirong looked in the direction she left, turned back, confirmed the restrictions she set were fine, and then walked towards her Senior Sister’s room.

 

When Shen Yirong arrived, Mei Xin was squatting on the wall, looking at something.

 

Shen Yirong greeted her warmly, “Venerable Mei!”

 

Mei Xin turned to look at her, then flew down from the wall.

 

“Junior Sister, what is it?”

 

Shen Yirong was too lazy to correct her title. She sighed helplessly, “I want to borrow something from Venerable Mei. Do you have any Qi-restoration pills? Could you lend them to me first? I will definitely return them in the future.”

 

The Shen Yirong in front of her looked a little different from before. Mei Xin looked at her, “You’re about to break through.”

 

Shen Yirong nodded, “About to break through to Golden Core.”

 

Mei Xin’s words were still emotionless, “Did you dual cultivate with her?”

 

Shen Yirong quickly shook her head, her face slightly flushed, “No.”

 

Mei Xin seemed a little confused. She searched in her spiritual ring for a long time, then her searching hand paused.

 

Shen Yirong had a bad premonition looking at her.

 

“Qi-restoration pills, I sold them earlier.”

 

Shen Yirong: “…”

 

The Great Peace Sect four hundred years ago didn’t seem this poor, did it? After four hundred years, why was even the Emotionless Dao Venerable selling pills?

 

Seeing Shen Yirong’s shocked expression, Mei Xin squatted down again. She took out the contents of her spiritual ring one by one and placed them on the ground.

 

A broken furnace, a broken wine pot missing its lid, a broken-handled rattle, a pile of paper-wrapped candies, a rusted broken sword, and all sorts of other junk. The perfectly good courtyard was turned into a junk yard.

 

The only decent thing there was a well-sealed wine jar. She could smell the fruit wine even without opening it.

 

After taking everything out, Mei Xin took off the ring and shook it like she was dumping garbage. A piece of waste paper elegantly floated to the ground.

 

Silence, only silence remained.

 

At least the young Song Yin could still produce refined iron for making arrows.

 

Shen Yirong didn’t know what to say.

 

Mei Xin didn’t know the meaning of embarrassment. She stood up and stated the fact, “I don’t have any. Does Junior Sister need to replenish her spiritual power?”

 

Shen Yirong dared not speak the truth, or else she might lose her life if Song Yin lost face.

 

Mei Xin pointed to the jar of fruit wine on the ground, “This will also work.”

 

The scent of the fruit wine was very strong. Just smelling it made the spiritual power in her body restless. It must be spirit wine brewed from spirit fruits.

 

Shen Yirong was quite knowledgeable. One sniff was enough to tell her that the wine was of extraordinary quality. She was a little hesitant. After all, a jar of wine like this must be expensive. She didn’t know if she could afford to pay it back once she left.

 

She smiled bitterly and refused, “This is too valuable.”

 

Mei Xin tilted her head slightly, “Is she not treating you well?”

 

This “she” must refer to Song Yin.

 

Mei Xin: “If not, then return to Great Peace.”

 

Return to Great Peace?

 

Shen Yirong’s thoughts drifted back to the past. She smiled.

 

Returning to Great Peace would only cause trouble for the sect. She had already caused enough trouble.

 

“Venerable Mei, I am Shen Yi.”

 

Mei Xin didn’t say anything. She didn’t feel any emotion, but simply picked up the fruit wine on the ground and tossed it into Shen Yirong’s arms.

 

“It’s not valuable. You don’t need to return it.”

 

Shen Yirong hurriedly hugged the wine jar. She was a little anxious, “Venerable One, don’t lie to me. How could this not be valuable?”

 

“The Sect Master brewed it.”

 

Shen Yirong paused. She turned the wine jar around and indeed saw the character “Liu” on one side of the jar.

 

The wind blew the piece of waste paper to Shen Yirong’s feet. The handwriting on the paper was very familiar; it was Sect Master Liu’s.

 

“No stealing!!!”

 

The paper was ruined by the handwriting. One could imagine how angry the person who wrote this was, but anger was useless; the paper was stolen along with the wine.

 

So it was taken for free. No wonder she said it wasn’t valuable.

 

Shen Yirong wanted to say something, but she was afraid of revealing her identity by saying too much, so she finally held back.

 

Shen Yirong chuckled, “Your Sect Master’s brewing skills are quite good.”

 

Mei Xin, “Want more? I’ll dig some out for you after I leave.”

 

“N-no.”

 

Digging for more would probably kill Sect Master Liu. The old man couldn’t handle too much excitement.

 

Shen Yirong thanked her while hugging the wine jar, “Thank you, Venerable One. I will definitely repay you in the future.”

 

Mei Xin didn’t say anything. She began to pack up the junk on the ground.

 

Shen Yirong helped her pick them up, then carried the wine jar back to her residence. The restriction at the door hadn’t been touched, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

 

She unlocked the restriction and entered the room, only to find that Song Yin was already awake. She was sitting up, leaning against the bed railing, thinking about something.

 

Shen Yirong placed the jar of spirit wine on the table. The scent of the wine made Song Yin turn her head.

 

Looking at the jar of spirit wine, Song Yin frowned, “You went to see Mei Xin?”

 

Shen Yirong knew her old problem was acting up again. She hurriedly explained, “I just wanted to borrow some Qi-restoration pills, but she didn’t have any. However, this spirit wine can also restore your spiritual power, Venerable One.”

 

Song Yin frowned, “Liu Qianfeng’s spirit wine?”

 

As if remembering something interesting, Song Yin scoffed, but then her face turned cold again, “You were able to go out. Did I come over?”

 

The other party’s sick appearance wasn’t as terrifying as before. Shen Yirong sat on Song Yin’s bedside, “Yes. I was worried something might happen to you, Venerable One, so I asked her to come and check. But you didn’t have any Qi-restoration pills in your spiritual ring, and Venerable Mei seemed quite nice to me, so I thought I might be able to borrow some from her.”

 

After speaking, Shen Yirong mimicked the young Song Yin, grasping one of Song Yin’s hands and pressing it against her cheek, “How does your body feel, Venerable One?”

 

Song Yin was speechless for a moment. Her original plan was completely changed due to the sudden heart demon attack. Although not hopeless, the feeling of things being out of control made her feel a little anxious.

 

She felt like she was back at that time when she couldn’t grasp anything.

 

But the warmth of the person in front of her was in her hand, which slowly calmed her heart.

 

However, this person kept mentioning Mei Xin, so the jealousy in her heart surged again.

 

“You seem to like Mei Xin very much?”

 

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly. She did like her Senior Sister, but she liked her as a Senior Sister, nothing romantic.

 

If this was a crime, then she also liked Sect Master Liu, Protector Qi, Huang Li, Xiao Bai, and Bu Hei, and she liked heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and spirit stones.

 

Uh, she also liked Li Xiu, but she had a bit of a trauma with Li Xiu’s face, so pass.

 

If she liked so many people, wouldn’t her sins be too heavy? Should she be sentenced to life imprisonment?

 

Shen Yirong had no choice but to humor her like a child, “My respect for Venerable Mei is just respect. It’s different from my feelings for you.”

 

“You respect her?”

 

Why was this person’s focus always crooked!

 

Shen Yirong looked her straight in the eye, “If Venerable One dislikes it, I can abandon this respect.”

 

Song Yin detected a hint of deception.

 

A smooth-talking liar, but this liar was willing to lie to make her happy.

 

Song Yin oddly managed to soothe herself.

 

She smiled, then suddenly leaned close to Shen Yirong’s face, “Do you think she treats you very well?”

 

Shen Yirong shook her head, “Venerable Mei is just treating me as the Sword Venerable.”

 

Shen Yirong’s eyes were very calm, and Song Yin couldn’t find any flaw.

 

She withdrew her hand, closed her eyes, and said dejectedly, “It’s good that you can tell the difference.”

 

Shen Yirong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but Song Yin’s words weren’t over.

 

“After all, she is like me, a big villain who committed the unforgivable sin of patricide.”