Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: You Again? How Could  This Be?

 

“Master, Master, what are you thinking about?”

 

The sword spirit’s voice was mature, just a little too cheerful.

 

Suyu was put away in the spiritual ring, Shen Yirong commanded it to play dead and not move, while the pastries sent by the young Song Yin were laid out on the table.

 

Shen Yirong passed the pastries out the window. A hand took the pastries and then passed a paper-wrapped candy back in.

 

With too much sugar intake recently, Shen Yirong tossed the paper-wrapped candy into her spiritual ring. She rested her head on her hand, still trying to figure out the meaning of Song Yin’s words.

 

Was I discovered?

 

Thinking carefully, it was impossible. Shen Yirong considered her acting flawless; if she were still in the modern world, she would consider becoming an actress or something.

 

Moreover, if she had been recognized, how could Song Yin treat her so well?

 

Shen Yirong stretched. She wanted to practice her sword forms but was afraid of being seen by Senior Sister outside the room, so she simply chatted with the sword spirit.

 

“Suyu, do you think she saw something?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“Then what do you know?”

 

“I know you are my Master! I defeated countless swords to come to Master’s side. I must work hard to become better, so that only I am by Master’s side!”

 

Shen Yirong was stunned. She had never heard this statement before. Did the original owner have other swords?

 

Shen Yirong felt a little guilty.

 

“I am not your Master.”

 

The sword on the wall trembled slightly. Soon, Shen Yirong heard the sword spirit’s wronged voice.

 

“Does Master not want me anymore? Although Master is very weak now, Master is Master. I won’t be wrong.”

 

Shen Yirong got a headache. She really wanted to explain clearly, but the sword spirit’s voice was so aggrieved that if she said any more, this guy would burst into tears.

 

She had no choice but to put this matter aside for now.

 

Song Yin hadn’t been around for the past two days. Shen Yirong could only feel her lingering scent on the pillow in the morning. Perhaps she was about to leave the mirror.

 

Shen Yirong looked at the figure outside the window and couldn’t help but call out, “Venerable Mei.”

 

The person outside the window turned her head, a hint of biscuit crumbs still on her lips, “Hmm.”

 

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but smile, but she had something she wanted to ask, “Has Sect Master arrived?”

 

Mei Xin shook her head, “She got lost, but people from the Demon Palace have arrived.”

 

Mei Xin added, “The Grand Protector and the Third Protector of the Demon Palace have come.”

 

Hearing that Sect Master Liu was lost, Shen Yirong was not surprised at all. She sighed. The Demon Palace people arriving first meant she wouldn’t meet Sect Master Liu.

 

The snow and wind in the sky gradually lessened. Shen Yirong looked up. The entire sky was chaotic, like a shattered mirror. Demons and ghosts began to fall from the black, irregular fissures.

 

The world in the mirror had been disturbed, causing its trajectory to deviate from history.

 

Shen Yirong saw countless golden, transparent ribbons extending from the Imperial Palace. The ribbons began to mend the chaotic space here. However, the pure white energy mass belonging to Lu Ci was slowly eroded by the golden threads, leaving only the heart area still white.

 

Shen Yirong knew that was no longer Lu Ci.

 

Mei Xin said flatly, “She is dead.”

 

Shen Yirong looked at the slowly mending sky. She seemed to hear the cheers of the people on the streets.

 

The calamity that had plagued this place was finally over, and this winter became lively again.

 

Shen Yirong seemed to hear Ling Yingzhi’s crying and couldn’t help but close her eyes and sigh.

 

Song Yin stood on the tall mountain behind the General’s Residence, watching. The mountain wind blew her robes. She watched the golden threads gradually disappear but still couldn’t figure out what they were.

 

This scene was almost identical to what happened four hundred years ago. Song Yin looked at Lu Ci floating above the Imperial City. She was wearing a simple white robe, holding a bronze mirror, but her eyes were tightly closed and never opened again.

 

“Venerable One, we have arrived and are confronting Shen Shuci of the Tianji Pavilion.”

 

Song Yin glanced at the person in the sky and coldly ordered, “Exterminate her directly.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Song Yin flew down from the mountain. When she returned to the courtyard, she saw her past self and Mei Xin guarding the door, one on each side.

 

The young Song Yin was squatting by the door. Seeing Song Yin arrive, she stood up, “I have something to tell you.”

 

Song Yin saw her serious look and didn’t refuse.

 

Shen Yirong saw Song Yin. Just as she was about to greet her, she was called away by the young Song Yin.

 

Looking at the two figures leaving, Shen Yirong found it very surprising. She muttered, “That’s insane. They’re actually getting along so harmoniously.”

 

After a while, the young Song Yin returned, holding a memory stone.

 

Seeing the young Song Yin flying back happily like a butterfly, Shen Yirong couldn’t help but ask, “Did the Venerable One give you the memory stone?”

 

The young Song Yin shook the memory stone in her hand and smiled, “Yes. Immortal Master, could you take a picture with me?”

 

Since the night before last, Shen Yirong noticed that the young Song Yin in her eyes was no longer a ball of energy. She could see her appearance and clothing.

 

When Song Yin hadn’t arrived earlier, she was wearing the unchanging white robe of the Great Peace Sect, but now she had changed outfits.

 

A red dress swayed in the wind, with a layer of white sheer fabric on the outside. Her hair accessories were also more elaborate, with many pearls adorning her dark hair. Paired with her slightly flushed cheeks, she looked incredibly charming and radiant.

 

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but look a few more times.

 

Meeting Shen Yirong’s gaze, the young Song Yin asked nervously, “Immortal Master, do you think it looks good?”

 

Shen Yirong’s eyes held a smile, “It looks good.”

 

It looked good, but wasn’t this Song Yin’s clothing?

 

Did Song Yin finally come to her senses? Did she decide to be nicer to her past self?

 

The genuine compliment made the young Song Yin’s cheeks flush even more. She suppressed the tears that were about to fall and stepped forward, taking Shen Yirong’s hand to request, “Immortal Master, can you take a picture with me?”

 

Shen Yirong was noncommittal. She smiled, “Of course.”

 

This memory stone was not much different from a camera. Mei Xin became the one to help take the picture.

 

The snowy scene in the courtyard, paired with the sky still threaded with gold in the distance, with a white bird soaring across the sky, was a rare sight.

 

Mei Xin recorded it and handed it to Shen Yirong, “Look.”

 

Shen Yirong infused spiritual power into it, and the freshly recorded image was projected into the air.

 

The young Song Yin’s face, which had been full of anticipation, instantly changed. She squeezed a snowball and threw it at Mei Xin’s forehead, “Why did you photograph the bird!”

 

Mei Xin: “?”

 

In the projected image, the flying bird in the distant sky was clearly visible, but the two people nearby were just blurry double images.

 

The environment and the bird were perfect, but only the people were a blurry mess.

 

Shen Yirong was a bit speechless. She restrained the young Song Yin, who was about to punch Mei Xin, “Venerable One, please record it again.”

 

Mei Xin wiped the snow from her forehead, “Oh.”

 

The memory stone returned to Mei Xin’s hand. However, the beautiful heavy snow that had been falling earlier became smaller and smaller, and finally stopped completely.

 

The young Song Yin looked up blankly, and suddenly her mouth drooped.

 

Seeing her distressed expression, Shen Yirong felt a surge of pity. She quickly asked Mei Xin, “Venerable Mei, please summon some snow.”

 

Mei Xin drew the sword from her waist without a word. She tossed the long sword into the sky. Before long, heavy snow began to fall over both the Central Yue and Yuexi Kingdoms.

 

The strong wind whipped the snowflakes, and soon there was a shala-la sound again.

 

Shen Yirong felt her face stinging. She sensed something was wrong. Looking down, she saw many small, round ice pellets lying at her feet.

 

Shen Yirong was anxious, “Venerable Mei, not this kind of snow, soft snow!”

 

Mei Xin seemed to understand. She waved her hand to recall her sword. After the long sword was sheathed, the falling snow was finally what Shen Yirong and the young Song Yin wanted.

 

Everything was perfect. The young Song Yin stood obediently beside Shen Yirong. She looked up at Shen Yirong’s smiling face and suddenly reached out and linked arms with her.

 

Shen Yirong was a little surprised, but she didn’t mind.

 

Mei Xin finished recording and handed the memory stone to Shen Yirong.

 

This time, the projected image was correct. The two people stood together smiling in the snow, only one person had a flushed face.

 

Shen Yirong thought it was good. She reached out to return the memory stone to the young Song Yin, “Here, if you don’t like it, we can record a few more times.”

 

The young Song Yin just looked at her and didn’t take the memory stone. Shen Yirong felt her eyes looked a bit red, so she anxiously asked, “What’s wrong?”

 

That face, which looked on the verge of tears, suddenly smiled, “Were you fooled? Immortal Master Shen cares about me very much.”

 

Caring was a given.

 

The young Song Yin’s words made Shen Yirong laugh. In her memory, the past Song Yin was not this mischievous.

 

As she thought about it, Shen Yirong’s mood soured.

 

Her hand was suddenly nudged by the young Song Yin. Shen Yirong looked at her.

 

The young Song Yin smiled and said, “This memory stone is for Immortal Master.”

 

She was silent for a moment, then smiled again, her tone soft, “Immortal Master, please don’t forget me.”

 

Shen Yirong was startled. She replied, “Okay.”

 

She solemnly opened her spiritual ring, then placed the memory stone containing their images inside.

 

This was the first non-spirit stone item Shen Yirong had ever put in it.

 

When she looked up again, the bright eyes before her were tinged with an insurmountable sadness.

 

Shen Yirong reached out to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eye, but the young Song Yin grabbed her hand and placed it on her cheek.

 

The young Song Yin’s voice choked, “From now on, may Immortal Master’s heart be clear and her path to the Great Dao unimpeded.”

 

“May you be loved by others.”

 

The world suddenly began to shake. The young Song Yin let go of her hand.

 

Then someone pulled her. She thought it was Mei Xin, but when she turned her head, it was Song Yin.

 

Shen Yirong was somewhat accustomed to Song Yin’s unpredictable appearances.

 

“Venerable One.”

 

Song Yin responded with an “Mhm,” “We can go now.”

 

The earth and sky split in half. Shen Yirong heard the sound of the mirror shattering.

 

Shen Yirong suddenly floated in the air. She watched Song Yin pick her up and fly towards the cracked sky.

 

Looking down over Song Yin’s shoulder, the young Song Yin waved at her with red-rimmed eyes.

 

Amidst the roaring of the world, Shen Yirong clearly heard her voice.

 

Goodbye.

 

Shen Yirong suddenly understood. The other party knew everything.

 

But once they passed through the sky, everything vanished.

 

Shen Yirong felt that cursed energy again. They flew out of a cracked crystal mirror.

 

The people on the street were still asleep. Shen Yirong couldn’t immediately regain her senses. She stared blankly at the shattered mirror, but the young Song Yin was not inside.

 

There was noise in her ears again. Shen Yirong looked up and saw three people standing under the sky.

 

One person wore layered purple sheer robes, paired with a white veil that was short in the front and long in the back, draping to the ankles behind her. The white veil in the front covered the upper half of her face.

 

That person was holding a bronze mirror, and the exposed lower half of her face was very familiar.

 

Shen Yirong saw the small mole near her lip and instantly realized her identity.

 

Shen Shuci.

 

Just then, the eyes of the veiled woman turned towards them. She directly abandoned the fight with Yao Ling and Qi Wu.

 

However, as soon as she moved, she was wrapped around the waist by a vine extending from Qi Wu’s sleeve. The thorns on the vine carried poison, and Shen Shuci’s lips quickly turned blue, but she continued to move downward as if she felt nothing.

 

Shen Yirong felt the noise near her ears become heavier and more pronounced. The sounds seemed to drill into her mind.

 

Shen Yirong covered her ears, trying to stop it, but it was useless.

 

Song Yin noticed Shen Yirong’s abnormality. Her eyes turned cold, and she reached out, ready to crush Shen Shuci.

 

But the other party suddenly looked up, then raised the mirror and shone it on Song Yin’s face.

 

Song Yin suddenly paused. Everything before her eyes changed. She heard the sound of rain, smelled blood, and saw the person lying motionless on the ground.

 

The heavy rain spread the blood on the person, and also washed the blood from the long sword clean again.

 

She heard her own cold voice, “Do you have any last words?”

 

After Song Yin made her move, the noise in Shen Yirong’s ears disappeared.

 

She sighed in relief. Although Shen Yirong found this Shen Shuci somewhat terrifying, the sense of security with Song Yin around was very strong.

 

As long as Song Yin’s inner demons didn’t flare up, she had absolutely nothing to worry about.

 

Wait.

 

She thought the same thing last time, and then Song Yin’s inner demons flared up.

 

Shen Yirong tremblingly turned her head and was speechless when she saw the red vine-like patterns under the collar of the other party’s robe.

 

The vine patterns on Song Yin’s body were about to crawl onto her face. Shen Yirong quickly called out in her ear, “Venerable One!”

 

The vines seemed to settle down a bit, but Song Yin still hadn’t fully regained consciousness.

 

Shen Shuci ignored the vines around her waist. As if she felt no pain, she continued flying towards Shen Yirong.

 

Seeing the person getting closer and closer, finally reaching her by scraping along the ground, Shen Yirong was in a panic. She summoned Suyu and slammed the pommel against the other person’s head.

 

“Stay away from me!”

 

With a thud, Shen Shuci fell to the ground. The bronze mirror in her hand dropped, rolled a few times, and lay by Shen Yirong’s leg.

 

Shen Yirong held the sword, looking at Shen Shuci, who was sprawled on the ground and seemed somewhat dead. She breathed rapidly and then slowly calmed down.

 

But Shen Shuci suddenly came back to life and grabbed her ankle.

 

“Ah!!”

 

Shen Yirong flinched, and again used the sword as a hammer, hitting the other person’s head.

 

The other party slumped again.

 

Shen Yirong quickly dragged Song Yin away.

 

She stared intently at the person lying on the ground.

 

Sure enough, the person’s body moved again.

 

The noise returned to Shen Yirong’s ears, but this time the noise slowly became clear. She heard someone calling her.

 

“Host.”

 

The voice only sounded once, then turned back into noise and slowly disappeared, but Shen Yirong felt like she had fallen into an ice cellar.

 

She stared intensely at Shen Shuci, not even noticing when Qi Wu and Yao Ling arrived beside her.

 

Qi Wu looked at Song Yin’s pale face. She didn’t dare to delay and reached out to check Song Yin’s pulse, but was slapped away by the recovered Song Yin.

 

“This Venerable is fine.”

 

Two beams of light flew out of the shattered Myriad Manifestations Mirror. The light landed and transformed into the figures of Mei Xin and You Runing.

 

Qi Wu’s gaze towards You Runing was hostile. She hadn’t expected a Great Peace Sect spy to infiltrate the ranks of the cultivation vessels. Fortunately, the Venerable One was wise and saw through the spy’s disguise.

 

Although You Runing was protected by Mei Xin, with the Venerable One present, Mei Xin was nothing.

 

Qi Wu began thinking about how to punish You Runing, this hateful spy. She stared intently at Mei Xin and You Runing, asking, “Venerable One, what should we do next?”

 

“Leave.”

 

“Understood! Huh?”

 

Qi Wu couldn’t believe her ears.

 

Song Yin didn’t explain. She just picked up the dazed Shen Yirong and headed out of Central Yue Kingdom.

 

Qi Wu convinced herself after thinking about it. She took the fragments of the Myriad Manifestations Mirror and then cast a spell to pierce Shen Shuci’s heart with a vine thorn.

 

Only after doing all this did she signal the overly obedient Yao Ling to leave.

 

The two flew behind the Venerable One. Seeing the Venerable One looking down and wiping the sweat from the person in her arms, they exchanged glances.

 

Yao Ling couldn’t help but transmit her voice: I don’t know, but the Venerable One seems to have fallen for her.

 

Qi Wu was shocked: So the Venerable One let Mei Xin go because she wants to hurry back and treat her illness?

 

Yao Ling was very gossipy: This person is incredible. She has the face of an enemy, yet she managed to make the Venerable One fall in love with her.

 

Qi Wu stopped replying. She looked back and saw that Mei Xin had caught up with them.

 

Qi Wu couldn’t help but request instructions, “Venerable One.”

 

Song Yin frowned, “Let her chase.”

 

Then she looked at Shen Yirong in her arms. The other party seemed frightened by something and kept burrowing into her embrace.

 

Song Yin was also annoyed at her body, but right now, she had to run quickly before those people arrived.

 

But before she could fly out of Central Yue’s border, her inner demons began to act up again. Her spiritual power surged wildly under the pressure of forced suppression.

 

She gritted her teeth inwardly and had no choice but to stop in Central Yue Kingdom.

 

Song Yin found a secluded village and hid there. The villagers were still asleep. She unceremoniously chose a tiled-roof house and temporarily settled down.

 

After moving far enough away from Shen Shuci, Shen Yirong gradually regained consciousness.

 

She found herself lying in bed, with Song Yin guarding her beside the bed.

 

Shen Yirong wanted to ask Song Yin about her inner demons, but then she realized that the two Protectors and Senior Sister Mei were in a confrontation outside the house.

 

She changed her words right on her lips, “Venerable One, are you feeling better?”

 

Song Yin didn’t answer, “Shen Shuci is dead. You don’t have to worry.”

 

Shen Yirong looked at Song Yin. She hadn’t expected the other party to lie just to reassure her.

 

If Shen Shuci was the System, then it had no life, so how could it die?

 

Shen Yirong didn’t expose her. She just looked around the environment and asked, “Where is this?”

 

“Central Yue Kingdom. We are free.”

 

We are free. That meant she could cultivate and reach the Golden Core stage.

 

She should have been happy, but Shen Yirong kept remembering the illusion of Song Yin in the mirror.

 

Knowing she was an illusion, how did the other party feel when she said goodbye?

 

Shen Yirong found that she couldn’t be happy.

 

Seeing her like this, Song Yin felt another surge of jealousy. Her voice still held no discernible emotion, “Are you thinking about the illusion in the Myriad Manifestations Mirror?”

 

Shen Yirong nodded.

 

Only after nodding did she realize the gravity of the situation. When she looked up to explain, she found the other party’s expression very calm, seemingly not jealous.

 

Song Yin took out the broken mirror from her sleeve, “This is for you.”

 

Shen Yirong took the mirror from her hand. The mirror was completely damaged, and infusing spiritual power into it had no effect.

 

Shen Yirong suddenly felt very tired. The mirror was broken.

 

Seeing Shen Yirong’s sudden slump, Song Yin’s lips couldn’t help but pull down. The sourness in her heart emerged bit by bit.

 

She was unwilling to admit her inner fragility, and unwilling to admit defeat to her past self.

 

The current her was no longer the child from before. She was the Demon Venerable. She could forcefully demand the other party, demanding that she not be sad for that illusory shadow.

 

Yes, that’s how it should be.

 

Song Yin’s eyes slowly grew cold. She slowly extended her hand.

 

Then she tucked the blanket around Shen Yirong.

 

“The Myriad Manifestations Mirror can still be repaired. It’s not impossible for you to see her.”

 

Shen Yirong’s fatigue suddenly vanished. She excitedly grabbed Song Yin’s hand, “Venerable One! Is that true?”

 

Song Yin felt very uncomfortable inside, but looking into Shen Yirong’s eyes, that anger transformed into a bitter emotion.

 

She turned her face away, not wanting to look, but said, “This Venerable never lies.”

 

Shen Yirong thought so too. Such a major Demon Venerable shouldn’t lie about this matter.

 

Seeing that Song Yin wasn’t angry, Shen Yirong began to ask, “Venerable One, how can it be repaired?”

 

Song Yin’s knuckles were white from clenching, but Shen Yirong didn’t notice.

 

Song Yin still maintained a cold, seemingly reliable face, “Actually, even without repairing it, there is a way for you to see her briefly.”

 

A light appeared in Shen Yirong’s eyes, “Then how do I do that?”

 

Song Yin’s knuckles were already white, but Shen Yirong didn’t notice.

 

Song Yin was still cold-faced, looking very reliable, “If you want to see her, place the Myriad Manifestations Mirror on your chest at midnight.”

 

“Is that all?”

 

Song Yin nodded, “Mhm.”

 

Shen Yirong looked at Song Yin’s face. Her common sense told her that Song Yin was lying, but her heart kept thinking, What if?

 

There’s no harm in trying.

 

Shen Yirong placed the Myriad Manifestations Mirror on her chest.

 

Song Yin: “…”

 

Song Yin suddenly stood up with a thump. She looked like she was about to devour Shen Yirong whole.

 

But she did nothing, only turning around and leaving.

 

As she left the room, she instructed the two Protectors at the door, “Watch her closely.”

 

“Yes! Venerable One!”

 

Song Yin glanced at Mei Xin, disdainfully walked past her, and headed out.

 

She walked and fumed until she couldn’t sense Mei Xin’s presence before stopping.

 

She stood by a well, looking at her reflection in the water.

 

Then she cleared her throat, but furtively released her divine sense to look around.

 

After confirming no one was present, she cleared her throat again.

 

Song Yin took a deep breath, “Immortal Master Shen, it’s me.”