Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Cover Blown, Instant Scrap

Shen Yirong was the first to step onto the flying sword. She glanced at Song Yin. The other person looked normal, and her posture was light as she landed on the tail of the sword, but her body suddenly tilted.

Shen Yirong quickly grabbed her and held her steady.

Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, Shen Yirong looked at Song Yin’s pale face. Without a word, she carried Song Yin onto her back.

“I can walk myself.” Song Yin stubbornly struggled, trying to get off Shen Yirong’s back.

At this moment, Song Yin was very weak, and she couldn’t break free at all.

Seeing her old habit resurface, Shen Yirong immediately said seriously, “Don’t move!”

Song Yin immediately stopped moving.

Seeing that this tactic worked, Shen Yirong maintained the strict attitude. “There’s no need to be so aggressive. At least I’m here, and worst case, the Vice Pavilion Master is too.”

Shen Yirong spoke the latter sentence with little confidence, but Shen Shuci quickly responded, “Don’t worry, both of you. Leave everything to me from now on!”

Shen Yirong was speechless internally. She truly thought this guy was short-circuited by the lightning, but she couldn’t find any evidence.

Song Yin seemed to be persuaded by them, only secretly transmitting a message to Shen Yirong.

“We can’t be seen by the people of the Nine Heavens Sect.”

So she cared about face. But that made sense. If Song Yin wasn’t strong, how could the Demon Palace enjoy its current peace?

The Demon Venerable also had the Demon Venerable’s troubles.

Shen Yirong felt a pang of sympathy. She promised: Okay, Revered One, don’t worry. Leave everything to me.

But then, Shen Yirong thought of her lack of reassuring track record, and she awkwardly transmitted: The Revered One might not believe it, but I am still very capable.

Feeling the person on her back sliding down, Shen Yirong shifted her upward.

Song Yin was jolted slightly more awake. Feeling Shen Yirong’s aura, she whispered, “I understand.”

I’ve always understood.

Song Yin’s words didn’t sound like a perfunctory comfort; it was as if she truly felt that way.

Shen Yirong froze. She turned her head to look, but Song Yin had already fallen asleep.

Shen Shuci controlled the sword, soaring through the sea of clouds.

Shen Yirong accepted that she was the Sword Venerable, but there were still many things she didn’t understand.

Seeing Song Yin in a deep sleep, Shen Yirong took this opportunity to question Shen Shuci.

“System, have you been by my side since a very early age? Were you here to complete some mission?”

Shen Shuci: “I appeared to protect you. I was by your side when you were born.”

She said proudly: “I am different from those other systems. I only brought you to this world because I wanted to protect you.”

Shen Yirong didn’t quite understand. She chuckled. “So why didn’t you help me when I was headbutted by a sheep?”

The settling of old scores came so quickly. Shen Shuci’s pride turned into embarrassment. She rubbed her face, her eyes drifting. “Uh, I only come out when your life is in danger.”

Shen Yirong eyed Shen Shuci’s back suspiciously. “I smell the scent of a lie.”

Shen Shuci tensed up and straightened her back. “Host, you must be mistaken. Hmm? But the floral scent is getting stronger. It seems we’re getting close to the Nine Heavens Sect.”

The floral scent was indeed excessively strong. Various floral odors mixed together, becoming nauseating.

Shen Yirong felt slightly uncomfortable. She summoned the wind to disperse the floral scent surrounding her and looked back at Song Yin.

Seeing that Song Yin was sleeping soundly, she couldn’t bear to wake her.

She carefully checked with her spiritual sense. Since she still couldn’t see the Nine Heavens Sect’s gate, Shen Yirong decided to let her sleep a little longer.

Seeing that the Host was no longer dwelling on the past, Shen Shuci secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It would be disastrous if the Host knew that she deliberately didn’t save her back then.

But looking at the heartwarming scene between the two behind her, she couldn’t help but feel a headache. How could she convince the Host to give up Song Yin and this world and return to the present world with her?

The three harbored different thoughts. After flying for another day and night, they finally arrived near the Nine Heavens Sect.

Shen Yirong looked down. It was a sect surrounded by a river. From above, the encircling river resembled an eye, with the Nine Heavens Sect as the pupil.

The Nine Heavens Sect was filled with various flowers, and occasionally, musical notes would sound, piercing the clouds.

The floral scent intensified. It could no longer be cleared by the wind, but the scent was bearable after it had slightly faded.

Song Yin hadn’t woken up the whole way. Shen Yirong often checked anxiously with spiritual energy, only feeling relieved when she confirmed the other party was merely asleep.

Shen Yirong softly called out, “Revered One, wake up.”

The sleeping Song Yin seemed startled awake. Her eyes snapped open, a color even more crimson than before.

She looked around blankly, her voice slightly hoarse. “Where is this?”

“This is near the Nine Heavens Sect,” Shen Yirong answered patiently.

“Nine Heavens Sect?” Song Yin held her head, seeming to be frantically recalling. Finally, a glimmer of understanding appeared in her eyes.

She looked at Shen Yirong’s back and suddenly chuckled softly. “So that’s how it is.”

Shen Yirong only sighed upon hearing this. This person had been forcefully enduring the heart demon the whole journey, probably exhausted.

As they spoke, the flying sword had already landed. Shen Shuci looked at the two behind her with difficulty. “What identities are you planning to use for the visit?”

The Demon Venerable’s identity was too sensitive. Since they weren’t planning to resort to force, a more peaceful identity would be better.

Song Yin sneered after hearing this. “Why care about their thoughts?”

Shen Yirong disagreed. “No, going in like this is too dangerous.”

A Demon Venerable afflicted by a heart demon boldly running into a righteous immortal sect? It would be a wonder if she weren’t captured.

Shen Yirong had figured it out before. Song Yin’s claim of a close relationship with the Nine Heavens Sect Master was probably a lie.

This person was terribly isolated. If not for the loyalty of the people in the Demon Palace, she would be the most despised person in the cultivation world.

Song Yin froze. She looked displeased. “You…”

Shen Yirong paced back and forth in front of her. She interrupted Song Yin directly. “Quiet! Let me think.”

Song Yin’s pupils contracted. She opened her mouth to speak again, but Shen Yirong suddenly shouted happily, “I’ve got it!”

Song Yin, who couldn’t get a word in: “…”

“Why don’t we just pretend to be people from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and follow you in? How about that?” Shen Yirong looked at Shen Shuci happily.

Shen Shuci looked troubled. She honestly said, “That won’t work. The relationship between the Nine Heavens Sect and the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion is a bit awkward.”

Shen Yirong hadn’t thought of this. In her impression, the immortal sects in the cultivation world had good relations.

“What should we do then?” Shen Yirong worriedly asked.

Shen Shuci suggested, “Use the Sword Venerable’s identity.”

At this, Shen Yirong shook her head vigorously like a rattle-drum. “How can that work? It’s too troublesome.”

The Sword Venerable’s identity was entangled with countless troubles. Shen Yirong’s current strength wasn’t enough to handle those problems.

At least, not until she became a little stronger.

Shen Shuci knew her concerns. She advised, “Don’t worry, nothing will happen. You’re not the real Sword Venerable anyway. We can just let the Demon Palace take the blame after we achieve our goal.”

After speaking, Shen Shuci looked at Song Yin. “Venerable, what do you say?”

Shen Yirong immediately reacted and looked at Song Yin too.

Seeing the two looking at her, Song Yin seemed amused. “I think it’s a good idea.”

Song Yin’s eyes were bright. She seemed quite happy to take the blame.

Shen Yirong had some reservations, but this was the only way to directly contact the Nine Heavens Sect Master. Mei Xin would surely be with her.

Shen Yirong was quite familiar with pretending to be the Sword Venerable. Knowing that she was very likely the Sword Venerable herself, she didn’t have much psychological burden.

However, she had limited interaction with this Sect Master in her past life. To be safe, Shen Yirong still asked for clarification.

“Vice Pavilion Master Shen, what should I do? Is there anything I absolutely shouldn’t do?”

Shen Shuci took out a set of cyan robes from nowhere, along with a bamboo hat. She handed these two items to Shen Yirong.

Shen Shuci happily said, “It’s simple. Just talk less. No matter what the other party says, don’t say too much.”

That was easy enough. Besides, there was a system next to her to assist.

Shen Yirong felt much more at ease. She then pointed at Song Yin, who was watching the fun. “What should she disguise herself as?”

Shen Shuci thought for a moment. “Disguise her as your disciple. That’s her specialty, in a way.”

Shen Yirong and Song Yin were both stunned. They didn’t expect that after everything, they would become Master and Disciple again.

Shen Shuci couldn’t be bothered with their complicated feelings. She thought about her own character setting and said happily, “As for me, I’ll pretend to be your adopted daughter.”

What the heck is all this?

Shen Yirong held her forehead, speechless for a moment. She cast a spell to put on the clothes. After putting on the bamboo hat, she adopted a cold expression.

“Does it look right?” Shen Yirong asked.

Shen Shuci was instantly mesmerized. She choked out, “Yes, exactly the same.”

Song Yin was equally stunned. She looked at Shen Yirong’s current appearance and couldn’t help but call out, “Master.”

Shen Yirong shifted her gaze. This action was identical to her past self.

But the next moment, panic washed over Shen Yirong’s face. She shook her head forcefully. “No, no, no. Revered One, I am not the Sword Venerable.”

Song Yin regained her composure. She looked at Shen Yirong and chuckled softly. “Naturally.”

Shen Yirong breathed a sigh of relief. That “Master” just now gave her a huge scare. Fortunately, the crisis was averted.

She looked at Song Yin’s red clothes and suddenly felt troubled.

This outfit was too distinctly Demon Venerable. It had to be changed. She did have clothes on her, which she accidentally obtained during the body swap.

But taking out that Great Peace Sect uniform now, would it make Song Yin realize something and then be embarrassed and enraged?

Shen Yirong fell into a dilemma.

Shen Shuci had already changed her clothes. She wore a simple lake-blue robe and tidied her curly hair slightly.

She looked up and saw Shen Yirong and Song Yin staring blankly at each other.

Shen Shuci didn’t quite understand, but she also noticed Song Yin’s clothing. She took out a white robe from her spatial bag. “Venerable, wear this.”

This robe had no patterns. Song Yin took it and shook it slightly, clearly disgusted.

Song Yin was about to put it on, then suddenly paused. She held the robe out to Shen Yirong and suddenly smiled. “Help me wear it.”

Shen Yirong looked at the clothes in front of her, then at Song Yin’s smile. She felt that the current Song Yin was a bit strange.

After hesitating for a moment, Shen Yirong cast a spell to help Song Yin change her clothes and then changed Song Yin’s eye color.

After Song Yin’s pupils returned to black, the strange sense of discord instantly vanished significantly.

Shen Yirong realized she had quite the obsessive-compulsive disorder to be bothered by eye color. She smiled helplessly. “Please cooperate from now on, Revered One.”

Song Yin was still dissatisfied with her plain clothes. She raised her hands to look around. Hearing Shen Yirong’s voice, Song Yin took a step forward.

The distance closed instantly. Song Yin smiled faintly. “How should I cooperate? Like this?”

“Master.” Song Yin’s voice was very gentle, so gentle it caused no ripples.

Shen Yirong was startled. This voice was exactly the same as the one in her memory. When she was still in the Great Peace Sect, she had heard this voice for many years.

She instantly felt uneasy, even afraid to face her. So she cleared her throat lightly. “There’s no need to inconvenience you so much. The Revered One can just remain silent.”

Song Yin looked at her and said meaningfully, “So I’m pretending to be mute.”

Shen Yirong didn’t mean that, but perhaps it was better this way, so she tacitly agreed.

The group tidied up and rehearsed their roles. After confirming everything was correct, they headed towards the Nine Heavens Sect.

Shen Yirong still felt uneasy. She transmitted a message to Song Yin: Remember not to leave my side.

Hearing Shen Yirong’s coaxing tone, Song Yin was somewhat speechless.

She glanced at Shen Yirong and ultimately chose silence.

But Shen Yirong took her silence as immersion in the role. She said admiringly, “The Revered One gets into character so quickly.”

The corner of Song Yin’s mouth twitched slightly.

Soon, they arrived at the Nine Heavens Sect’s mountain gate. Only one disciple was guarding the flower-ringed gate.

Shen Yirong secretly sensed the other person’s cultivation but couldn’t detect any.

The Nine Heavens Sect gatekeeper wore a veil. She sharply blocked the group with her flute. “Who goes there? State your name!”

This time, Shen Yirong was in front. She pushed up her bamboo hat to reveal her face and said coldly, “The former Sword Venerable, Shen Yirong. I wish to meet your Sect Master.”

Upon seeing Shen Yirong’s face, the disciple nearly dropped her flute.

Her mind was entirely focused on Shen Yirong. After repeatedly confirming that it wasn’t a disguise or illusion, she very seriously cupped her hands. “May I ask if you have a token?”

This immediately stumped Shen Yirong. She maintained her aloof demeanor on the surface but secretly transmitted a message to Shen Shuci.

【Token? What should I use?】

[The Rain Tracing Sword.]

Shen Yirong understood. She summoned the Rain Tracing Sword with a wave of her hand and handed the still-damaged sword to the disciple.

The disciple took the sword and bowed. “Please wait for a moment, distinguished guests.”

With that, she turned and flew away on her flute toward the inner gate, disappearing into the clouds.

After a short while, the person returned. She was no longer wary and had become extremely respectful.

Returning the Rain Tracing Sword to Shen Yirong, the gatekeeper said, “Three esteemed guests, please follow me. The Sect Master invites you.”

Shen Yirong gave a cold nod. Turning to see Song Yin standing still, she reached out and pulled her forward.

Song Yin looked at their joined hands, wondering what Shen Yirong was thinking.

It was a very long road paved with bluestone slabs. Numerous flowering crabapple trees lined the sides. Pink and white crabapple blossoms hung on the branches, and the branches on both sides intertwined overhead.

Thus, the sky also turned pink and white.

Shen Yirong felt like she had mistakenly entered some kind of wedding venue, but it was quite beautiful.

The disciple leading them saw Shen Yirong’s interest and said, “These were personally planted by the Sect Master.”

Shen Yirong needed to maintain her aloofness. She said coolly, “Mm.”

Seeing her attitude, the disciple temporarily dismissed her doubts.

“Host, she is testing you.”

Shen Yirong regained her focus. She looked back and saw the silent Song Yin and the excited Shen Shuci.

Shen Yirong: I know. But is there anything special about these crabapple trees?

Shen Shuci wore an expression of privileged knowledge: “Want to hear a story? A dramatic love triangle story.”

It sounds very cliché, but Shen Yirong was also a common person. She reservedly transmitted: Tell me.

Shen Shuci said cheerfully: “Mei Xin’s Master loves crabapple blossoms.”

With just that sentence, Shen Yirong understood. She suddenly remembered the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master using her eyes to give predictions before.

Shen Yirong was shocked: Is Senior Sister Mei’s Master also a playboy?

Shen Shuci keenly caught the word “also”: “Not really. She just understands what others need very well. And Host, why did you say “also”?”

Shen Yirong evaded the question with a laugh: I didn’t. My mouth just moved too fast, and I blurted it out.

Shen Yirong couldn’t resist continuing the gossip: Then this feels very messy. The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master also seems to have feelings for Elder Yun, so is that why the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and Nine Heavens Sect don’t get along?

Shen Shuci shook her head: “I don’t know. I’ve been looking for you for the past few hundred years. I haven’t been paying much attention to anything in the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.”

Shen Yirong was at a loss. She still wanted to hear more gossip.

The disciple didn’t know they were secretly chatting behind her. Her voice contained a hint of sadness. “The Sect Master has thought of you for a long time. Being able to see you today is a fulfillment of her wish.”

She then glanced at Shen Yirong and Song Yin’s intertwined hands. She asked softly, “Forgive my presumption, but are you and this person truly in a Master-Disciple relationship?”

Shen Yirong immediately straightened up. She stopped transmitting messages to Shen Shuci and said coldly, “Naturally.”

The question she just asked was indeed thoughtless. Seeing Shen Yirong’s displeasure, the disciple immediately apologized.

“I apologize.”

Song Yin nodded and said, “Mm.”

Song Yin looked at Shen Yirong’s back and chuckled softly.

At the end of the bluestone road, a person was waiting. That person had long fiery red hair, a white veil covering the lower half of her face, and was quietly waiting while holding a pipa.

Compared to Yao Ling’s slightly exaggerated attire, this person was very understated, and she spoke softly.

The same face, completely different personalities.

Yao Jun bowed. “I will lead the way from here on out.”

Shen Yirong simply nodded.

Along the way, many people watched them walk. Some older Nine Heavens disciples were very excited, and a few tried to greet Shen Yirong, but were stopped by others.

Yao Jun remained silent the whole way, only leading them to a remote area.

When they arrived at a standalone palace, Yao Jun bowed again. “My Master is inside the hall. I will take my leave.”

Shen Yirong nodded. She watched Yao Jun walk away, finding it amazing.

A pair of sisters with such a huge contrast.

But now was not the time for such sentimentality. She looked at Song Yin, somewhat worried, and couldn’t help but transmit a message to her: Remember not to speak, so you won’t be exposed.

Song Yin sneered. “Good.”

Seeing Song Yin’s indifferent expression, Shen Yirong always felt a little worried.

She couldn’t help but ask Shen Shuci: Is the disguise you provided really okay?

Shen Shuci immediately became unhappy: “You are doubting my ability.”

Seeing Shen Shuci so agitated, Shen Yirong had to let it go. It wasn’t like she could do it herself anyway.

She looked up at the plaque on the main hall. The three characters “Star-Catching Hall” were very imposing.

The hall door was open. In the center of the main hall, an ancient zither was enshrined.

Shen Yirong leaned closer to examine the zither. Five female figures were carved into the body of the zither.

The sword-wielding woman stood in the center, surrounded by the other four. Among the four, one sat playing the zither, one held a gourd drinking wine, one had white gauze covering her eyes, and one had some tokens hanging from her waist.

Since this arrangement felt very familiar, Shen Yirong wanted to lean in for a closer look.

“Cough, cough!”

An urgent coughing sound came from the right side. Shen Yirong immediately abandoned the ancient zither and turned to enter the right side with Song Yin and Shen Shuci.

This palace was very large, with many rooms.

Following the sound of coughing, Shen Yirong quickly found the occupied room.

Heart-wrenching coughing sounds poured out of the room, but Shen Yirong hesitated. She didn’t push the door open.

There was no smell of medicine, but instead, an extremely rich floral scent.

The alarm bells in Shen Yirong’s heart rang loudly.

As she hesitated, the door opened from the inside.

Shen Yirong subconsciously took a step back.

It wasn’t a ghost or anything else. The person who opened the door was Mei Xin.

Mei Xin scrutinized Shen Yirong up and down. “Junior Sister.”

Shen Yirong sighed in relief seeing she was fine. “Senior Sister.”

Mei Xin nodded. She looked behind Shen Yirong, then stepped aside. “Come in.”

The floral scent inside the room was even stronger. The doors and windows of this room were tightly closed. No light permeated the windows, and once the door was closed, it was pitch black.

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but frown.

She could still sense Song Yin and Shen Shuci, which made her feel much calmer.

Because Song Yin was in poor condition at the moment, Shen Yirong held Song Yin’s hand tightly, afraid of any accident.

Song Yin unconsciously responded, also gripping the other person’s hand tightly.

Mei Xin suddenly stopped. “Sect Master Chang, Junior Sister has come to see you.”

The coughing sounded softly again, and then a creak of the bed board, as if someone was getting up.

Shen Yirong heard a weak laugh.

“Sword Venerable, Demon Venerable, Vice Pavilion Master Shen, it’s been a long time.”

Shen Yirong: “…”