Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Goodbye, Breakthrough

Going out now would definitely expose her. Song Yin’s fists clenched and then relaxed, but in the end, she turned her head away.

Are you kidding? I’m the Demon Venerable, after all. Performing my past self in front of those two from the Great Peace Sect? No way.

Unfortunately, her hearing was too good, and she heard Shen Yirong’s disappointed voice clearly.

Shen Yirong: “Alas, am I disliked?”

Shen Yirong felt the timing was wrong, so she closed her eyes again and waited quietly.

Everything was silent. The voice Shen Yirong was hoping for didn’t appear. She looked at the broken mirror, her eyes showing a hint of disappointment and sadness.

Just as she was about to put the mirror away, she saw the mirror surface lightly flicker. Then, Song Yin appeared before her.

The bright moonlight illuminated Song Yin’s face. Her appearance hadn’t changed, and her complexion looked quite rosy. She was still wearing the washed-out white Great Peace Sect uniform and said softly, “Immortal Master Shen.”

Shen Yirong was overjoyed. She grabbed Song Yin’s hand and pulled her into the tree hollow. They squeezed together, watching the wind and snow outside.

Song Yin could already feel the gazes of the two people from the Great Peace Sect. She tried her best to ignore them but still felt completely humiliated.

However, when Shen Yirong grabbed her hand, she found that the other party’s hand was excessively cold. She temporarily put aside the matter of face and wrapped her hands around Shen Yirong’s.

As her hand slowly warmed up, Shen Yirong looked at Song Yin’s face in the faint moonlight. Long, curled eyelashes concealed the emotions flickering in her eyes. Song Yin looked very serious at the moment, as if she were doing something extremely important.

Shen Yirong let her hold her hand, quietly observing the other’s face. In the past, she didn’t dare to look much, afraid that her overflowing tenderness would be discovered. Now, she could look all she wanted.

Song Yin felt completely uncomfortable being stared at, but a joyous feeling couldn’t help but spring up in her heart. She said reservedly, “Immortal Master, why are you looking at me?”

Shen Yirong smiled, “Because you’re beautiful. You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen.”

Song Yin became slightly flustered, “Does the Immortal Master truly believe that?”

This statement sounded wrong. Shen Yirong had never demeaned Song Yin’s appearance. Why would she ask such an insecure question?

Shen Yirong instantly suspected the Great Peace Sect. Although the Great Peace Sect was a prominent righteous sect, with so many people in the sect, it was hard to guarantee there weren’t a few scoundrels.

Shen Yirong’s brow furrowed tighter and tighter. Her tone immediately became serious, “Why do you say that? Did someone say you aren’t beautiful?”

Song Yin hadn’t expected the other party to be angry because of this, and a genuine smile emerged, “No. I just wanted to get your definite compliment.”

Shen Yirong breathed a sigh of relief, “So that’s it. What else do you want to hear?”

The wind and snow gradually lessened, but the sound of her heartbeat became more and more pronounced.

Song Yin wanted to hear the other party say, I like you.

As she thought about it, her mind was filled with those three words.

Stop it! Song Yin, your and her identities are different now. You are the Demon Venerable, and the Demon Venerable should act like one.

Song Yin felt her mind gradually returning to normal, but she forgot that her current behavior—disguising herself as another to coax someone—was already very un-Demon Venerable.

Shen Yirong didn’t know what the other party was thinking. After her hand warmed up, she rummaged through her spiritual ring, took out a pile of paper-wrapped candies after some searching, and placed them in Song Yin’s palm.

“I don’t know if you can eat them. If not, try to see if you can take them into the mirror.”

Looking at the paper-wrapped candies in her palm, Song Yin’s eyes slowly showed a hint of disdain, but then remembering they were given by her Master, a bit of joy emerged.

Disdaining and delighted at the same time, she finally said sullenly, “Thank you.”

Shen Yirong rubbed her hands together and exhaled a puff of white air, “Thank me for what? It’s a shame I don’t have anything else to eat. You should try them. They taste quite good.”

Shen Yirong’s gaze was too eager, as if she really hoped she would eat them. Song Yin hesitated for a moment, then unwrapped the paper and put the candy in her mouth.

Song Yin’s face changed instantly.

Ugh! So awful! Why is it so sour! My tongue is going to shrink from the sourness! That dead Mei Xin dared to harm this Venerable!

Her salivary glands worked frantically. Song Yin felt her mouth fill with saliva. She definitely had to complain harshly about Mei Xin’s taste!

Shen Yirong saw her eyes wide open and asked expectantly, “Is it delicious? I really like this flavor.”

Song Yin’s contorted expression paused. Then, the muscles on her face slowly returned to normal. She quickly chewed and swallowed the candy, then pulled up the corners of her mouth and said with great effort, “It’s very delicious.”

Shen Yirong sighed in relief, “Right? It’s a pity there’s not much. Next time I run into Venerable Mei, I’ll ask her for some.”

“No!”

Shen Yirong was startled by her passionate outburst and couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “Why not?”

Before Song Yin could answer, Shen Yirong seemed to understand, “You dislike Venerable Mei, don’t you?”

Song Yin admitted, “Yes.”

Disliking Mei Xin, disliking Liu Qianfeng, disliking the Great Peace Sect, disliking everything that could steal her Master’s attention.

Shen Yirong felt inexplicably sorry for the current Song Yin.

She knew Mei Xin had done very excessive things to Song Yin, but she, the Master, had clearly done worse, yet Song Yin didn’t dislike her.

Why?

This question had been hidden in Shen Yirong’s heart for a long time. Perhaps now she could know the answer.

“Then, why don’t you dislike the Sword Venerable?”

Song Yin froze. After a long time, she let out a soft laugh, “No, I dislike her too.”

Dislike how good she was to everyone else, and how bad she was to me.

I was already preparing to give up, yet this person dragged her sick body and risked her life to save me.

So why?

Song Yin also had questions she wanted to ask. Just as she was about to open her mouth, she heard the sound of crunching snow outside the tree hollow.

A hand suddenly appeared, gripping the edge of the tree hollow. Immediately after, someone bent down to look inside. It was an unfamiliar face.

The person outside the tree hollow said apologetically, “Hello, my daughter and I are lost. Can we squeeze in with you?”

Shen Yirong was startled. The curse energy crisis in Central Yue Kingdom hadn’t been resolved. Logically, ordinary people entering this area should fall asleep.

She instantly became vigilant, “It’s too cramped here, it’s inconvenient.”

The person who spoke seemed somewhat regretful. She looked around again, “Well, alright then. We’ll set up a temporary shelter nearby.”

After saying that, she shouted behind her, “Girl, come help.”

But her call went unanswered, and an awkward expression appeared on her face. She stood motionless, like a statue frozen by the cold wind.

After a while, another person’s voice was heard, “You called me?”

Shen Yirong felt that the tone was quite similar to Senior Sister Mei’s, and couldn’t help but poke her head out to look. The person didn’t look like Senior Sister Mei.

Shen Yirong had a guess in her mind. She couldn’t help but harass the sword spirit: Suyu, can you help me check if they smell like Sect Master Liu and Venerable Mei?

The Suyu Sword had suffered great damage and was usually in a deep sleep. Being woken up now, it was inevitably a bit annoyed, plus it still hadn’t forgiven Shen Yirong for denying her identity as the Sword Venerable.

However, no matter what, Suyu couldn’t bear to say harsh words, only replying in a grumpy tone: Hmph, I don’t have a nose, and I’m not a dog.

Shen Yirong found this sword to be quite petty. She softened her voice and pleaded: Just help me this once, okay?

Using the tactic of acting cute, the sword spirit couldn’t quite resist.

“Hmph. Don’t worry, they are just two ordinary people.”

Shen Yirong was still a little suspicious. She quietly used her spiritual energy to check and found no anomalies.

Well, it makes sense. She had made herself clear. Sect Master and Senior Sister should have returned. There was no reason for a Sect Master not to stay in their sect, but instead follow an unimportant person around.

The Liu Sect Master in her memory was quite responsible.

Watching the two outside struggling to set up a shelter, with one corner collapsing as they secured another, Shen Yirong finally called out, “Come in.”

The mother and daughter quickly put away the shelter and eagerly scooted into the tree hollow.

The mother was very talkative, “Oh dear, the wind and snow here are much worse than in Changting Kingdom. Miss, you are so kind.”

Song Yin: “…”

These are clearly Liu Qianfeng and Mei Xin, what are they pretending for!

Is the Sect Master and Emotionless Dao Venerable so idle?

Song Yin’s fists were clenched tightly. If she couldn’t expose her inner demon predicament, she would definitely give these two a good beating!

Liu Qianfeng sensed the hostility keenly. She turned her head to look at Song Yin and said cheerfully, “Is this perhaps your daughter, Miss?”

Looking at Song Yin’s murderous gaze, Liu Qianfeng was even happier. She didn’t give Shen Yirong a chance to refute and went straight to the next sentence, “Oh, what’s your name, Miss? Your daughter is truly beautiful.”

Shen Yirong was caught off guard by her enthusiasm and forgot to explain, “Shen Baiyi.”

After saying it, she remembered that Song Yin was the person in the mirror. If she couldn’t maintain herself and vanished, wouldn’t it scare these two mortals to death? She was about to speak but was interrupted by Song Yin.

“I am not her daughter.”

Song Yin’s voice was very deep, clearly indicating anger. Shen Yirong quickly grabbed her hand and gently shook her head.

Looking at Shen Yirong’s difficult expression, Song Yin endured it.

Liu Qianfeng was surprised to see this. She couldn’t help but exchange messages with Mei Xin.

“What trick is she up to? Acting as a spirit in the mirror and being so obedient and gentle.”

“Trick? Bai Yuzan is not here.”

Liu Qianfeng’s mouth twitched. When people are speechless, they lose the desire to converse. She ignored Song Yin’s warning gaze and continued talking to Shen Yirong, “Are you having a conflict? Alas, children at this age are prone to rebellion. Listen to me, a meal of stir-fried pork with bamboo shoots will fix it.”

Shen Yirong protected Song Yin like a mother hen guarding her chick, “No.”

Liu Qianfeng was almost furious at her behavior. She still adamantly denies being Shen Yirong.

Liu Qianfeng chuckled, “You can’t spoil your child too much.”

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but let her face turn cold, “Say one more word, and I’ll ask both of you to leave.”

Liu Qianfeng was somewhat surprised. She really wanted to expose the mirror spirit as Song Yin in disguise, but she was afraid Song Yin would go mad, which would be difficult to handle.

Let’s just play along for now.

Liu Qianfeng smoothly conceded, “Oh, I talked too much. I apologize.”

Seeing that the other party seemed sincere, Shen Yirong also let go of her anger. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the two of them, and said muffledly, “It’s alright.”

The world returned to silence.

When the wind and snow grew heavier, Shen Yirong opened her eyes. Seeing that the mother and daughter were asleep, Shen Yirong quickly told Song Yin, who was sitting right next to her, “You can go back now.”

Song Yin looked at the two people pretending to sleep. She closed her eyes, turned into a wisp of smoke, and slipped into the Myriad Manifestations Mirror.

Seeing Song Yin return to the mirror, Shen Yirong breathed a sigh of relief. She wiped the mirror surface, put the mirror into a separate spatial bag, and then put the spatial bag into her spiritual ring.

The tree hollow was too small for her to sit and cultivate. After a sigh, Shen Yirong gathered her clothes and closed her eyes again.

In a daze, she felt Song Yin was still by her side. Her body became very warm, so warm that she couldn’t open her eyes.

Song Yin held Shen Yirong’s hand. She suddenly noticed a tear in the cuff of her right sleeve.

She lowered her head to look closely, but a sword was placed horizontally across her neck.

Song Yin slightly raised her eyes and sneered, “Sect Master Liu is quite idle.”

Liu Qianfeng merely moved her sword closer, “The feeling is mutual. What exactly do you intend to do?”

Song Yin leaned against the inner wall of the tree. Her eyes were disdainful, “This Venerable would like to ask, why did Sect Master Liu trespass into the Southern Territory and snatch this Venerable’s cultivation vessel?”

Liu Qianfeng was speechless. Strictly speaking, this matter was their fault, but looking at Song Yin, she seemed unaware that Shen Yi was Shen Yirong.

Seeing Liu Qianfeng unable to answer, Song Yin reached out and pushed the sword away, “Perhaps Sect Master Liu can enlighten me. Why are you so obsessed with a mere cultivation vessel? Is it because of this face?”

Song Yin let out a soft laugh, her eyes teasing, “Or is it because of something else?”

Song Yin’s barrage of questions stunned Liu Qianfeng. Only now did she realize that her series of actions to snatch the person might have been counterproductive.

After some thought, she put away her sword, “It was merely a mistake on my part. But even if she is not that person, this face of hers cannot become your cultivation vessel.”

As a crimson color slowly climbed into the depths of Song Yin’s eyes, Mei Xin also stood up.

The atmosphere inside the tree hollow instantly became tense.

“Boom!”

The sparse spiritual energy around the tree hollow violently stirred. The three people inside felt the aura of the lightning tribulation immediately.

The sleeping Shen Yirong frowned restlessly. The surrounding spiritual energy rushed into her body, but she remained completely unaware.

Liu Qianfeng’s face changed, “This is absolutely not the lightning tribulation one should face when breaking through to the Golden Core stage! Damn the heavens!”

The situation was critical. She ignored the argument with Song Yin, stepped out of the tree hollow, and looked up to see rumbling thunderclouds. Lightning traveled like a coiling dragon through the dark clouds, but there were fine golden threads within those dark clouds.

The lightning had a spirit. Seeing Liu Qianfeng emerge, it exploded with a roar. The echoes between the mountains were continuous, as a warning.

Liu Qianfeng smiled coldly, “If threats were useful, why would there be cultivators like us!”

Mei Xin followed closely, drawing her sword. Immediately, the entire tree was encased in ice, and the entrance to the hollow was sealed.

The thunderclouds seemed enraged. Lightning instantly poured down, heading straight for Liu Qianfeng. However, the targeted person stood still, a smile even playing on her lips.

An ice blade shot up from behind Liu Qianfeng. It cut straight into the sky, instantly shattering the lightning bolts and the thunderclouds.

Under the moonlight, Mei Xin calmly sheathed her sword.

Song Yin heard the thunder disappear. She removed the barrier around Shen Yirong. This barrier had consumed a lot of her spiritual power, allowing the inner demons to surge forth.

She forcibly suppressed the inner demons. Looking down, she found that Master’s forehead was covered in sweat, looking as if she were in a nightmare.

Song Yin knew that there were many risks during the tribulation. Many cultivators with unsteady minds would give rise to inner demons during the tribulation. This was something she understood all too well.

But she was already suffering from the distraction of her inner demons. Waking the person up now might cause her to be affected by the other party’s inner demons.

Song Yin scoffed and thought: This person has made me suffer so much. It’s only right that she suffers a bit now. Besides, cultivators are going against the heavens; how can they progress without some setbacks?

Song Yin made a very cold decision: she wouldn’t interfere!

The Shen Yirong in her arms suddenly sniffled, sounding as if she were crying.

Song Yin was silent. Song Yin looked up. Song Yin thought.

One second later, Song Yin compromised.

In her nightmare, Shen Yirong heard many people calling her again.

“Sword Venerable!”

“Troublemaker.”

“Little Yirong.”

“Senior.”

“Oh, my dear Martial Niece.”

“Junior Sister.”

Those voices were very familiar, but she could only recognize some of them. She couldn’t remember the rest.

She tried to remember, but every time she had that thought, her head ached terribly. She seemed to see many people, but they were all blurry shadows. She wanted to touch those shadows, but as she reached out, she couldn’t help but retreat, as if touching them would cause something terrible to happen.

“Shi…”

Shen Yirong’s mind cleared for a moment. She heard Song Yin’s voice. Unlike the jumbled mass of other voices, Song Yin’s voice was coming from a different direction. Unconsciously, she followed that voice.

Song Yin’s voice grew closer, and the chaotic voices faded away. Her heart felt closer and closer.

“Master, open your eyes.”

Shen Yirong finally surfaced from the water of the dream and returned to reality.

Her body was filled with spiritual energy. The energy circulated automatically in her spiritual meridians. The small sword in her sea of consciousness emitted excited sword chirps. But looking around, Shen Yirong didn’t find that person.

Right. That was just a dream.

Only she was left in the tree hollow. Just as she was wondering, someone walked in, trembling.

“Ah! What terrifying lightning! All the trees in this area are ruined.”

Liu Qianfeng spoke while observing her surroundings. She was surprised to find that Song Yin’s aura had vanished.

Shen Yirong vaguely realized. The lightning she spoke of must have been the tribulation lightning. Did I just pass the tribulation so haphazardly?

She saw that the mother of the pair suddenly looked at her with admiration, “You are an immortal, aren’t you? You split the thunderclouds in the sky with a single sword just now.”

Shen Yirong was startled. So I passed the tribulation while sleepwalking?

Splitting the thunderclouds with a single sword sounds so cool. Why couldn’t I keep that memory!

Shen Yirong pounded the ground regretfully, “Why is this happening!”

Liu Qianfeng: “Immortal?”

Shen Yirong recovered from her annoyance. She straightened her posture, lowering her eyebrows and voice: “What is the matter?”

Liu Qianfeng almost couldn’t hold back her laughter seeing her like this. She quickly stopped herself and wiped away tears that weren’t there, “To be honest, Immortal, my daughter and I are traveling to the Demon Realm to seek medicine. But the Demon Realm is truly perilous. Since we were fortunate enough to meet you, we wish to ask you to take us along.”

Shen Yirong was puzzled. Going to the Demon Realm for treatment? Isn’t that just feeding the demons?

Once they eat them, there’s no need for treatment.

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but let her face turn cold, “Nonsense. What kind of illness requires a trip to the Demon Realm for treatment?”

Liu Qianfeng patted Mei Xin’s shoulder, crying sincerely, “This child was stung by a scorpion demon before and has become dull and clumsy. The doctor even said she wouldn’t live past twenty! Oh, my child! Why is your life so bitter!”

Liu Qianfeng hugged Mei Xin. From Shen Yirong’s perspective, she was trembling all over, clearly overwhelmed with grief.

But in reality, Liu Qianfeng was struggling not to laugh.

Mei Xin wanted to say something but heard Liu Qianfeng transmitting a message to her.

“Don’t speak. That jar of peach blossom wine is yours.”

Mei Xin fell silent. She looked genuinely a bit foolish.

Shen Yirong was half-skeptical, “Even so, you don’t need to go to the Demon Realm, do you?”

Liu Qianfeng wiped her tears, “An immortal passed by and said that the antidote only requires the tail of the same scorpion demon as medicine. That demon is at the edge of the Demon Realm.”

Shen Yirong was initially hesitant, but hearing that it was at the edge of the Demon Realm, she felt that her Golden Core cultivation should be enough. The demons on the periphery were equivalent to the Qi Condensation stage of cultivators, separated from her by a large realm.

She thought for a while, “I can take you, but you must stay close to me. If we don’t find it at the edge, you cannot follow me deeper.”

Liu Qianfeng said happily, “That is natural. If it cannot be cured, then it is her fate.”

Shen Yirong gave an “Mhm,” but she was still uneasy. So, she walked up to Mei Xin and reached out to check her pulse.

…She was indeed poisoned, and this was the pulse of an ordinary person. Further checking revealed that even her spiritual roots were useless; she had no cultivation aptitude.

Perhaps I was overthinking things.

Shen Yirong temporarily put down the feeling of unease inside, “I still don’t know your names.”

“My surname is Yun, my name is Yi, and my little girl is Yun Ran.”

The names were quite pleasant.

Shen Yirong smiled, “Then we will set off at dawn. Remember my words, do not stray far from me.”

Liu Qianfeng nodded, “Don’t worry, we will never stray from you. However, where is your daughter?”

If you’re going to act, you have to act fully. Such a large person disappearing without a reaction could arouse suspicion.

Shen Yirong was stunned, “She is not my daughter. We were just traveling companions and parted ways when the time came.”

Shen Yirong’s words seemed to have a hidden meaning.

She looked around but couldn’t find any trace of Song Yin. Yet, she felt that the other party had been here.

Shen Yirong shook her head. She felt she must have developed a complex about Song Yin.

Thinking carefully, Song Yin was still plagued by her inner demons. The cursed energy here was so thick; the other party couldn’t have found her so quickly. Furthermore, Sect Master Liu had disguised her from head to toe.

Stop scaring myself. The future is free and new.

Shen Yirong comforted herself like this until the sun rose again.

She emerged from the tree hollow. Thinking that she was at the Golden Core stage now, she could fly on her sword. She widened the sword until the scenery below was invisible before taking Liu Qianfeng and the two towards the Demon Realm.

Although it was her first time flying on a sword, she handled it as skillfully as if she had used it thousands of times.

Shen Yirong was momentarily puzzled, then suddenly realized.

Aha! I really am a genius! Perhaps I can become some kind of Venerable in the future too.

The closer they got to the Demon Realm, the warmer it became.

The Demon Realm and the Southern Territory were separated by a mountain range. The Southern Territory was covered in snow, while the Demon Realm was full of thriving spring greenery.

Stepping into the Demon Realm, Shen Yirong felt like she was melting. Her breath was no longer cold.

She turned to look at the continuous expanse of snow, and suddenly remembered Song Yin.

This really is goodbye this time.

Shen Yirong adjusted her mood. She was ecstatic.

This time, I am a cultivator who can protect others.

It was best not to be too ostentatious in someone else’s territory. She landed her sword and said sternly to the two behind her, “We’ve arrived at the Demon Realm. Stick close to me.”

Liu Qianfeng: “Understood. Thank you, Immortal Master.”

Liu Qianfeng held Mei Xin’s hand and closely followed Shen Yirong. Suddenly, she stopped.

It was Shen Yirong’s first time in the Demon Realm. Everything was new to her. The vegetation on the periphery of the Demon Realm was abundant, and there were many birds.

Birds stood on tall trees, looking down. One even landed on Shen Yirong’s shoulder.

Seeing it was just a sparrow, Shen Yirong stroked its head.

Further ahead was a patch of flowers. Butterflies of various colors flew back and forth among the blossoms.

A crimson butterfly suddenly flew away from the flowers and headed towards Shen Yirong.

Shen Yirong raised her hand, and the butterfly landed on her fingertip.