Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: After Song Yin Took Out the Spirit Stone Pouch…

After Song Yin took out the spirit stone pouch, she shook it again. The clinking sound of the spirit stones was so pleasant that Shen Yirong’s heart swayed involuntarily for a moment.

No! Shen Yirong, you have your own integrity! Song Yin is weakened by her inner demons right now, and Sect Master Liu and Senior Sister Mei are both here. When else can I run if not now?

Miss this village, and you miss the inn!

Shen Yirong forcefully turned her eyes away, but even though she couldn’t see it, the clinking sound of the spirit stones still echoed in her ears.

Liu Qianfeng hadn’t expected her opponent to use this move. She turned Shen Yirong back around, holding her shoulders to persuade her: “Child, listen to me. The Song Yin of today is not the same as before. She is obsessive and irritable. Staying by her side will only lead to harm. The Great Peace Sect may be poor, but we will never lack food or clothing. At worst, the Sect Master will brew wine to support you!”

Brewing wine?

Shen Yirong recalled that the wine brewed by the Sect Master was not bad in quality, and the income from each jar was probably considerable.

Shen Yirong’s heart wavered again. In this light, returning to the Great Peace Sect wouldn’t be so bad? Returning to the Great Peace Sect also meant freedom. Under the protection of the Sect Master and Mei Xin, she could completely live as a carefree mountain sovereign.

While she was struggling, Song Yin’s voice rang out unhurriedly, “Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones a month, plus access to the Demon Palace’s resources at your disposal.”

The people who gasped weren’t just Shen Yirong; Liu Qianfeng also inhaled sharply. Her benefits as Sect Master for so many years hadn’t reached this level yet.

Wretched rich person!

Seeing Shen Yirong’s sparkling eyes, Liu Qianfeng was at her wit’s end.

She scolded with a sullen face, “So what if you have a few lousy spirit stones? Can you give her the warmth of family!”

Song Yin sneered, “How many spirit stones is the warmth of family worth?”

Shen Yirong felt dizzy. If she had these ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, her cultivation speed would increase significantly, and she wouldn’t have to worry about the heavy consumption of the spirit gathering formation.

However, Song Yin’s words were a bit too unpleasant, and Sect Master Liu’s face turned green.

Shen Yirong looked at Sect Master Liu with great concern, worried that she might be too old to be angered to death. But just with that look, she heard Song Yin’s composed voice again.

“Fifty thousand high-grade spirit stones a month.”

Shen Yirong felt like she couldn’t breathe. How did the spirit stones suddenly multiply fivefold?

She rubbed her ears and asked uncertainly, “Venerable One, how much did you say?”

Song Yin tore through space again. The light of the spirit stones in the space was so dazzling.

Song Yin looked at Liu Qianfeng provocatively, “This Venerable said fifty thousand spirit stones.”

Liu Qianfeng was provoked. She started rummaging through her spiritual ring. In the end, all she found was two thousand four hundred and thirty-one high-grade spirit stones. This was her hard-earned private savings from selling wine.

She quickly sent a message to Mei Xin: How many spirit stones do you have left?

Mei Xin was dutifully guarding Qi Wu and the others. Hearing Liu Qianfeng’s voice, she put away her sword and started rummaging through her spiritual ring. After checking, she replied: None.

Liu Qianfeng was shocked: Not a single one?

“Cultivating sword. All used up.”

Shen Yirong watched Sect Master Liu’s face grow increasingly unpleasant. She couldn’t help but ask, “Sect Master, are you alright?”

Liu Qianfeng forced a smile, “I’m fine.”

Shen Yirong was about to say that’s good, but saw Sect Master Liu grit her teeth and raise her hand.

The pain on her neck made Shen Yirong gasp in surprise. She only managed to utter a “You” before she spun around and passed out.

Liu Qianfeng knocked Shen Yirong out, picked her up, and ran.

What a joke! She came here to snatch the person in the first place! Why compare spirit stones! Why waste words!

“Liu Qianfeng!”

Song Yin’s explosive shout shook the snow off the trees. Liu Qianfeng felt a chill run through her, but she pretended not to hear and ran even faster.

She didn’t dare to look back, afraid that Song Yin would catch up.

After flying a long distance, she quickly sent a message to Mei Xin: Go! Back to the Sect!

Mei Xin turned and flew away upon hearing the command. Once she moved, the people behind also started to move.

Mei Xin sensed the movement and waved her sword, freezing the people behind her.

Liu Qianfeng ran in a panic for a while and was surprised to find that Song Yin’s aura was getting farther and farther away.

Based on her understanding of Song Yin’s strength, Liu Qianfeng instantly felt suspicious. She reached out and touched Shen Yirong’s wrist, then carefully checked Shen Yirong’s face for any illusions or disguises.

Nothing. This person looked exactly like this.

Liu Qianfeng was overjoyed. She hadn’t expected snatching the person from Song Yin to be such an easy matter.

Before long, Mei Xin caught up with her, flying on her sword beside her.

Liu Qianfeng tossed a few more illusion talismans behind her. If those people caught up, they could be stalled for a little time.

Looking at Shen Yirong’s sleeping face, Liu Qianfeng felt like she was dreaming. She exclaimed, “This is great. She’s finally back.”

Liu Qianfeng couldn’t hide her excitement. She said excitedly, “When we get back, we must prepare a huge feast, making all the dishes this child loves. And open that jar of wine under the peach tree.”

Mei Xin listened from the side and suddenly said, “That jar of wine, you forbade me to touch it.”

Liu Qianfeng laughed exasperatedly, “How many times have you stolen my wine over the years? Are you even going to fight with your junior sister for this one jar?”

Mei Xin pursed her lips.

The wines she stole were all of inferior quality, but the one under the peach tree was different. It was hundreds of times better in taste, effect, and age.

Mei Xin said flatly, “Master was right.”

Hearing Mei Xin mention the word “Master,” Liu Qianfeng frowned slightly, “What did your Master say?”

Mei Xin looked at Shen Yirong’s unconscious face, “Master said you play favorites.”

Mei Xin spoke without emotion, but Liu Qianfeng could imagine how that person had said that sentence to Mei Xin.

That dead fox must have had a very pleasant expression, probably with wrinkles around her eyes from smiling.

Thinking of her late friend, Liu Qianfeng’s mood was somewhat low, “You shouldn’t believe everything your Master said.”

Mei Xin: “What should I believe? What shouldn’t I believe?”

Liu Qianfeng was amused by her, “Your Master was such a talker, how can I explain it clearly to you?”

Mei Xin gave an “Oh.” Then she added, “The cursed energy is very thick. Be careful.”

The cursed energy was indeed getting thicker and thicker. Liu Qianfeng had to use her spiritual energy to strengthen her protection, but for some reason, the cursed energy slowly approached her and eventually wrapped around her.

Liu Qianfeng frowned deeply. Besides protecting herself, she also had to protect Shen Yirong in her arms and control her sword.

She tried to use the Sleeve Universe to absorb the cursed energy, but the absorption speed was far less than the rate at which the cursed energy was produced.

Liu Qianfeng secretly frowned, “Did you see the former self of the Corpse King in the Myriad Manifestations Mirror?”

Mei Xin shook her head and then nodded, “One looked very similar. I’m not sure.”

Liu Qianfeng was even more worried. The Corpse King in Central Yue Kingdom was very low-key. It was only when the Myriad Manifestations Mirror accidentally fell into Central Yue that people realized there was such a powerful Corpse King here. As for the rest of the information, very little was known, as the intelligence from the Tianji Pavilion was also incredibly expensive.

Spirit stones. Thinking about them makes me worry.

Liu Qianfeng’s brow furrowed. She and Mei Xin could fearlessly face most strong individuals in the world, but Song Yin was one of the exceptions. Now, this cursed energy was also slowing down her departure.

Should we find a place to hide first?

Hiding didn’t seem useful either. The other party would definitely cause trouble at the Great Peace Sect. Liu Qianfeng thought it over and over, finally stopping and landing.

She put the unconscious Shen Yirong down, supporting her with one hand, then took a white jade piece from her waist and made it float.

Liu Qianfeng bit her fingertip and drew talismans on the jade tablet.

The originally rectangular jade tablet slowly took on a human shape. Blood gradually seeped into the jade tablet, and the jade doll’s features slowly formed.

Liu Qianfeng blew a breath onto the jade doll. With a flash of white light, the jade doll transformed into Shen Yirong’s appearance.

Liu Qianfeng commanded, “Go find the Demon Venerable and go back with her.”

The jade doll, now looking like Shen Yirong, smiled, “Okay.”

Mei Xin looked at the departing jade figure, “Will that work?”

Liu Qianfeng sighed, “It won’t work, but it should last for half a month without being seen through. The cursed energy is getting thicker. It’s not good to travel like this. Let’s find a place to hide first.”

The two searched for a while and finally slipped into a farmer’s cellar. The cellar was piled with sweet potatoes, forcing them to squeeze together.

Liu Qianfeng set up a formation to protect the cellar, and the cursed energy inside the cellar was also completely dispelled.

After all this, she checked Shen Yirong’s neck again. Seeing the area was slightly red, she couldn’t help but blame herself, “My hand was too heavy.”

Mei Xin looked at Liu Qianfeng’s distressed expression and said abruptly again, “Playing favorites.”

Liu Qianfeng, who was still feeling distressed, was amused and annoyed. She unceremoniously gave Mei Xin a rap on the head, “I haven’t seen your junior sister for four hundred years. Isn’t it normal to pay a little more attention?”

Mei Xin thought about it, “Oh, yes.”

Liu Qianfeng rubbed her forehead.

“Wuu…”

The unconscious person suddenly made a sound. Liu Qianfeng couldn’t help but wipe her tears, “Poor child, she must have been terrified by Song Yin. She’s still crying while unconscious.”

“Fifty thousand spirit stones!”

Shen Yirong jolted upright like a fish, nearly hitting the wall of sweet potatoes opposite her. She rubbed her neck, regaining consciousness, and looked around.

Why does Sect Master Liu have an expression of disappointment?

That wasn’t the point. Shen Yirong felt a sharp pain in her heart just thinking that fifty thousand spirit stones had just flown away.

Liu Qianfeng naturally felt unwell seeing this. Her voice lowered slightly, “Are you still willing to return to Song Yin for the spirit stones?”

Liu Qianfeng’s voice was full of fatigue and disappointment, making Shen Yirong feel embarrassed.

Although spirit stones were good, there were too many things separating her and Song Yin, so leaving was the best course of action.

But she also didn’t want to go back to the Great Peace Sect.

She shook her head, “No, I don’t plan to go back to the Demon Palace, but I’m also not going back to the Great Peace Sect with you.”

Liu Qianfeng didn’t quite understand, “Then where do you want to go? Although the cultivation world is far less dangerous than before, your cultivation level is too low right now.”

Shen Yirong understood, but she still didn’t want to cause trouble for the Great Peace Sect, nor did she want to replace the original owner’s identity and continue living. Since she had been reincarnated, she wanted to live as herself for once.

She hadn’t fully experienced this cultivation world yet.

The Sword Venerable was gone. It was time to put an end to this identity.

Shen Yirong said solemnly, “Thank you, two Venerables, for rescuing me from the Demon Venerable. But this junior is truly not the Sword Venerable. This junior’s name is Shen Yi, and I am just an insignificant small person.”

Liu Qianfeng frowned. The joy of reunion turned into anger, but seeing that the eyes were no longer dead, her anger gradually dissipated.

She pondered, Is it really good to return to the Great Peace Sect as the Sword Venerable?

The eyes belonging to the Sword Venerable were stagnant water, but Shen Yi’s eyes were full of vitality.

Perhaps being Shen Yi is better than being the Sword Venerable?

Liu Qianfeng leaned against the cellar wall, thinking for a long time.

Seeing the Sect Master deep in thought, Shen Yirong didn’t interrupt.

After a while, she watched as Sect Master Liu took out all her spirit stones and a mask from her spiritual ring.

Shen Yirong watched Liu Qianfeng carefully put the mask on her face. The mask was cool, and then it seemed to stick to her face. The originally hard texture slowly became soft and moist.

After an itching sensation on her face, she heard the Sect Master chuckle.

“Whether it’s Shen Yi or the Sword Venerable, this face represents storms and strife. This mask is what I used when I traveled in my youth. It can change your appearance. Now I give it to you.”

After giving this gift, Liu Qianfeng still didn’t stop, “And these spirit stones.”

When the spirit stones fell into her palm, Shen Yirong recoiled as if burned. She quickly refused, “They are too valuable. I can’t accept them.”

Liu Qianfeng forcefully placed them in Shen Yirong’s hand and sighed, “You look like the Sword Venerable. Consider these spirit stones my self-deception, alright? Don’t refuse me.”

Shen Yirong couldn’t describe her feelings, but eventually, she accepted the bag of spirit stones.

“Thank you, Sect Master.”

Seeing this, Mei Xin also rummaged through her spiritual ring. After searching, her lips curved downward, looking somewhat bitter.

She searched again and pulled out the remaining paper-wrapped candies, “Here.”

Shen Yirong took the handful of paper-wrapped candies and smiled after receiving them, “Thank you, Venerable One.”

Mei Xin asked her, “Where are you going next?”

Shen Yirong remembered that this place was closest to the Demon Realm, and the repair of the Myriad Manifestations Mirror required a Fox Clan demon bone. After thinking, she said, “I should be going to the Demon Realm next.”

The Demon Realm was divided by various forces, and some demons harbored strong malicious intent towards humans.

Mei Xin said bluntly, “Your current cultivation is too dangerous.”

Shen Yirong naturally knew this, so she planned to break through to the Golden Core stage before going to the Demon Realm.

Liu Qianfeng, who had been silent all this time, also spoke up in disagreement, “Yes, that is too dangerous. Why don’t you let Mei Xin accompany you?”

Shen Yirong quickly refused, “No need. I will protect myself well. Thank you, two Venerables, for your concern.”

Seeing Shen Yirong’s firm attitude, Liu Qianfeng could only sigh and acquiesce, “Since you’ve made your decision, I won’t stop you.”

Liu Qianfeng tidied Shen Yirong’s messy hair and said reluctantly, “Change your clothes before you go. If you pass by the Great Peace Sect in the future, remember to come up the mountain to see us.”

Liu Qianfeng’s face hadn’t changed much from four hundred years ago, but a closer look revealed her fatigue.

A feeling of sadness welled up in Shen Yirong’s heart. She took a deep breath and let it out, then responded with a smile, “I will.”

“She is going to the Demon Realm.”

The voice was hoarse and muffled, like someone with a severe cold.

Song Yin looked at the person. She was riding a two-headed horse, dressed in silver armor, but the helmet was gone. A head of snow-white long hair was draped behind her. The lower half of her face was covered with a fine iron mask, and her complexion was deathly pale. She held a long spear in her hand.

“Immortal Master Song, I have already separated all the Immortal Masters who came here.”

Song Yin looked at the shattered jade doll at her feet and said softly, “Thank you for your trouble.”

Ling Minzhi’s reaction was somewhat slow. It took a moment for her to realize Song Yin was thanking her. She tried to smile, but the sound that came out was “Heh heh.”

A look of shame slowly crept across her pale face, “Apologies for looking like this now.”

Song Yin was also curious, “Who refined you into a Corpse Puppet?”

Ling Minzhi: “It was Yingzhi. When I opened my eyes, she was already close to dying of old age.”

After speaking, Ling Minzhi suddenly gasped. She stepped back, away from Song Yin, and grabbed the mask on the lower half of her face, seemingly enduring something.

Song Yin understood that the other party was hungry. A Corpse Puppet without a master, and such a capable Corpse Puppet, no wonder the Tianji Pavilion coveted her.

What the Tianji Pavilion didn’t expect was that after the Myriad Manifestations Mirror was deployed, it captured a lot of people but not the one they truly wanted.

There had been no news of Corpse Puppets harming people in the Southern Territory all these years. If there had been, the Demon Palace would never have failed to react.

The only explanation Song Yin could think of was that Ling Minzhi had been relying on willpower to stay in the tomb, suppressing her appetite.

If the conjecture was true, this level of willpower was terrifyingly strong.

Song Yin looked at Ling Minzhi, “Help this Venerable show the way.”

Ling Minzhi shook her head. She seemed to have sobered up, “Okay.”

A ball of dark, black flame flew out from Ling Minzhi’s fingertip. The flame pulsed like a heart, finally flying in front of Song Yin.

Ling Minzhi’s voice sounded very tired, “Immortal Master Song, if you need anything, you can summon me again.”

Song Yin nodded. She watched the silver-armored, white-haired woman slowly walk away, eventually hidden by the dark cursed energy, disappearing from sight.

The ghost fire would guide her to Shen Yirong’s location.

Song Yin walked ahead, with the two Protectors following behind.

Qi Wu’s face was full of admiration. The Venerable One actually knew the Corpse King of this place and didn’t seem surprised at all. She had just seen that the Corpse King was extraordinary.

Qi Wu was preoccupied with how to bring the Corpse King into the Demon Palace, and then she realized that Yao Ling next to her was unusually quiet.

She couldn’t help but send a message: What’s wrong?

Yao Ling raised her eyes faintly: She actually ignored me.

Qi Wu understood. She didn’t have sisters and didn’t understand that kind of emotion. After a brief show of concern, she continued thinking about how to strengthen the Demon Palace’s power.

Song Yin walked for a while, then ordered the people behind her, “Go back.”

Qi Wu was startled but instinctively agreed, “Understood!”

The two hadn’t gone far when Song Yin suddenly spoke, “Stop.”

Qi Wu bowed, “What are the Venerable One’s instructions?”

Song Yin thought about how much Shen Yirong treasured the Myriad Manifestations Mirror. She sneered, “Invite Valley Master Bai to the Demon Palace for a visit.”

Qi Wu smiled, “Your command.”

With a whoosh, Qi Wu and Yao Ling vanished from the spot.

Seeing them leave, Song Yin’s normally straight back slightly hunched. She tested the spiritual power in her body and her expression turned exceptionally gloomy when she found it still hadn’t recovered.

If it weren’t for her poor health, how could she have let Liu Qianfeng take the person away? Fortunately, Ling Minzhi was here to help; otherwise, it would have been difficult to conclude the matter.

Just now, Ling Minzhi had relayed the entire conversation between Liu Qianfeng and the others.

What Song Yin hadn’t expected was that Master had actually refused Liu Qianfeng.

Thinking of this, Song Yin’s mood brightened considerably. It turned out she wasn’t the only one who had been rejected. Balanced.

The ghost fire seemed to sense Song Yin’s mood and burned more vigorously. The cursed energy parted wherever it floated, saving Song Yin a lot of trouble.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Song Yin finally saw Shen Yirong’s figure. The other party had changed into a grey outfit, her face had become very ordinary, and the spiritual ring on her hand had also been removed.

Song Yin was about to step forward, but then she sensed the aura of others.

She quietly concealed herself and looked up at the two sneaky figures.

After seeing them clearly, Song Yin let out a soft laugh.

The two people tailing Shen Yirong were none other than Mei Xin and Liu Qianfeng.

Looking at the slightly vulgar posture of Sect Master Liu, Mei Xin couldn’t help but ask: Didn’t you say you were letting her go?

Liu Qianfeng smiled: You believed my words.

Mei Xin stopped talking. She followed Liu Qianfeng. Whatever the other party did, she did too.

Just then, Shen Yirong glanced back. Liu Qianfeng didn’t dare to move.

Although she used an invisibility spell, she couldn’t guarantee that Shen Yirong wouldn’t break it, so it was better to be cautious.

Mei Xin and Liu Qianfeng hid behind a tree. In their sight, Shen Yirong’s expression and movements were very clear, as if they were watching her up close.

Shen Yirong’s face was full of confusion. She kept feeling like she was being watched.

But the forest was peaceful, the wind and snow were ordinary, and there was absolutely no one there.

Shen Yirong scratched her head, “I must be too stressed, being paranoid.”

She stopped worrying and continued on her journey. Her mood was great now that she had regained her freedom, and she was humming a song all the way.

Although her cooking and embroidery were disastrous, her singing was surprisingly pleasant.

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but feel a little smug. She chatted with the sword spirit: Suyu, what do you think about me becoming a music cultivator instead of a sword cultivator?

Suyu spent most of its time in sleep, only responding when Shen Yirong actively summoned it.

The result was that Suyu was startled to hear Shen Yirong contemplating giving up sword cultivation.

“Master! Don’t talk nonsense.”

Seeing the sword spirit anxious, Shen Yirong couldn’t help but laugh and explain: Just kidding. You’re afraid I won’t use you, aren’t you?

Suyu was indeed thinking that. It wanted to rub against its Master’s arm and act spoiled like before, but when it moved, it remembered it was locked in the spiritual ring.

Shen Yirong had changed her face and didn’t dare to take the Suyu Sword out. It was too easy to expose her identity.

After thinking for a long time, Shen Yirong still asked.

“Suyu, do you want to switch to a powerful new Master?”

“…No. Master will become strong very quickly. Do you hate me? Or are you worried again that you are not the Sword Venerable?”

Shen Yirong hadn’t expected the other party to be so astute. She smiled and said, “I don’t hate you.”

“Then it’s the other reason.”

Shen Yirong still nodded: “Mhm?”

Shen Yirong waited for the sword spirit’s reply, but it stopped talking, seemingly sulking.

Shen Yirong had never seen it like this before and couldn’t help but feel helpless.

She continued walking, curious about the area where the demons lived. She reached out and touched her chest. Two pieces of mirror were hidden there.

Shen Yirong looked up at the sky. It was still a long way from midnight.

She muttered to herself, “I wonder if Song Yin would be curious about what demons look like.”

The people observing in secret were startled.

Liu Qianfeng couldn’t help but signal Mei Xin with her eyes. She asked: Does she really like Song Yin?

Mei Xin nodded.

This time, having been mentally prepared, Liu Qianfeng was not too surprised, but her brow furrowed tightly.

Mei Xin asked again: Are we going to follow her all the way to the Demon Realm?

Liu Qianfeng nodded.

The Demon Realm was too dangerous. How could Liu Qianfeng be at ease? However, their identities were too sensitive, and they would have to disguise themselves.

Shen Yirong was completely unaware that she was being watched. She kept traveling until the moon climbed onto the branches again before stopping.

She found a tree hollow and hid inside, then took out the two pieces of mirror and placed them over her heart.

Liu Qianfeng could recognize the fragments of the Myriad Manifestations Mirror, but she didn’t understand Shen Yirong’s actions at the moment.

Liu Qianfeng: What good can putting that broken magical artifact on her chest do?

Mei Xin: Summon Song Yin.

Liu Qianfeng nearly burst out laughing, but fortunately, she held it in just in time.

She was very happy, but someone else was not.

Song Yin watched Shen Yirong’s actions silently. She looked at Mei Xin and Liu Qianfeng. The eyes of these two had been fixed on Master and hadn’t wavered.

She tried again and found that her body still hadn’t recovered, so casting an illusion on the two high-cultivation peeping tom could be counter-effective.

Shen Yirong’s voice clearly reached Song Yin through the snow.

“Huh? Why isn’t it coming out yet? Was I lied to?”

Song Yin: “…”