Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 79

Chapter 79: The Banquet, Reunion Again

A task that Shen Yirong found very difficult was solved so easily.

In her impression, Sect Master Liu was supposed to be a frivolous old eccentric with poor swordsmanship, but now she seemed ridiculously strong.

Liu Qianfeng, who squeezed back through the spatial rift, clapped her hands. Her gaze fell directly on Shen Yirong. “Is it enough to just swap them?”

Shen Yirong nodded. “That’s enough. After the array is modified, the array core can be replaced by any object with abundant spiritual energy.”

Chang Yuantan’s expression didn’t change much upon hearing this news. She thanked Shen Yirong. “Thank you all for your assistance. If you don’t mind, please stay at the Nine Heavens Sect for a few more days.”

Seeing her return to her stiff and proper demeanor, Liu Qianfeng bent down and locked her arm around Chang Yuantan’s neck. “Stop acting! It’s rare for us to gather. Let’s enjoy tonight, just like the old days.”

Bai Yuzan frowned upon hearing this. “Yuantan’s body is not suitable for drinking. Neither is the Venerable’s.”

Shen Yirong watched their playful antics from the side, but unexpectedly, Bai Yuzan’s eyes landed directly on her.

Just as Shen Yirong felt awkward, Bai Yuzan looked away again.

Shen Yirong had a slight apprehension toward Bai Yuzan, after all, this person had been treating her illnesses for many years.

Speaking of which, it was fortunate. This person had not charged her any extra fees for consultations, probably due to her friendship with the Sword Venerable.

Pity I’ve forgotten it all.

Watching everyone frolic, Shen Yirong felt a little sad.

Just as she was lamenting, she heard the sizzling sound of static electricity near her ear. This sound was exactly the same as the one she heard when she reunited with Shen Shuci.

Not long after, Shen Shuci’s voice began to sound intermittently.

“Host… host, I’ve found a clue. Don’t worry. I’ll be back.”

It felt like entering a place with poor signal. Shen Yirong asked worriedly: Are you alright?

“V-very well. Don’t worry about me.”

She didn’t expect Shen Shuci to find a clue in such a short time, but more than that, Shen Yirong was concerned about Shen Shuci’s safety.

She couldn’t help but instruct: If it’s dangerous, come back. Don’t push yourself. Where are you? Can you contact me at all times?

There was silence in her mind for a while, and then she heard Shen Shuci’s voice again.

“I’m in Central Yue. Yes, I can contact my Master at any time. I’m a system. I can’t die.”

In just this brief period, she had managed to run off to Central Yue. She didn’t know how.

But it was good that Shen Shuci was alright.

Shen Yirong instructed a few more times, after which their conversation was interrupted.

While she was talking to Shen Shuci, the group rushed up the mountain again. Shen Yirong and Song Yin walked at the back. Actually, the people in front wanted to talk to them, but seeing the strange atmosphere between the two, they didn’t interrupt.

“The matter here is resolved. We can go back to the Demon Palace now.”

Song Yin’s voice was light, but it wasn’t hard to hear the anticipation in her words. “Our marriage banquet must be lively. Also, this time, bring Shen Shuci back to the Demon Palace. She really wants to be your daughter.”

Shen Yirong didn’t need to be told this; she could see it. She had never seen a system so fixated on wanting to be the host’s daughter.

This feeling was strange because Shen Shuci and she should be the same age, or Shen Shuci might even be older.

Shen Yirong was conflicted. “Wouldn’t that be stealing the future of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?”

Song Yin chuckled. “That’s not important. I’ve already thought about the clothes Shen Shuci will wear on the day of the marriage banquet. I’ll let her try them on today.”

Shen Yirong smiled helplessly. “I’m afraid not.”

Song Yin: “?”

Song Yin’s question was quickly answered, as Mei Xin pushed Su Zhao and joined them.

Su Zhao was trembling all over. She choked up. “Shuci is missing. Please, everyone, help me.”

The group, immersed in joy, was startled.

Chang Yuantan said calmly, “Don’t panic. The Deputy Pavilion Master will be fine.”

But Su Zhao’s trembling couldn’t stop. She reached out to divine again, and blood continuously spilled from the corner of her mouth.

Bai Yuzan stepped forward to interrupt. “Do you want to die?”

Seeing that the scene was about to descend into chaos, Shen Yirong quickly spoke up. “Pavilion Master, rest assured, Deputy Pavilion Master Shen is fine. She just sent me a message.”

Su Zhao finally gave up on divining. “Really? You’re not lying to soothe me?”

Shen Yirong shook her head. “I can swear to it.”

Su Zhao immediately relaxed. “I apologize for losing my composure. But Shuci really likes you.”

The faint sense of loss in her words made Shen Yirong very uncomfortable. She gave an awkward laugh. “Haha.”

This matter was hard to explain, so Shen Yirong remained silent.

The group continued walking up. At the point where they needed to split up, Chang Yuantan stopped Shen Yirong. “Sword Venerable.”

Shen Yirong turned back. “Sect Master, what is it?”

Chang Yuantan: “I hope you can attend the banquet tonight.”

She then looked at the aloof Song Yin next to Shen Yirong, offered a proper smile, and said, “And the Venerable, I hope the Venerable can grace us with her presence.”

Shen Yirong answered for her. “We will definitely be there.”

Chang Yuantan smiled gently. “That’s good.”

Yao Jun pushed Chang Yuantan away.

When Shen Yirong looked at Song Yin, she noticed that Yao Ling’s gaze was constantly fixed on Yao Jun. She smiled. “How was your talk with your sister?”

Yao Ling was a little annoyed. She said with a strong survival instinct, “I didn’t talk about anything much. I won’t leave the Demon Palace.”

This was a declaration of loyalty.

Looking at Yao Jun in the distance, Song Yin sneered. “If you truly can’t forget her, this Venerable can capture her and confine her for you in the Demon Palace.”

Yao Ling instantly broke out in a cold sweat. She quickly said, “The Venerable misunderstands. I have no relationship with her.”

What a simple and brutal dangerous thought. Capturing the heir of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion wasn’t enough, and now she was setting her sights on the Nine Heavens Saintess. Wait, Yao Ling was the former Nine Heavens Saintess.

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but laugh.

Song Yin looked at her and asked, “What are you laughing at?”

The group continued to move forward. Shen Yirong walked in the front, her hands behind her back. In the gentle breeze, she teased, “I’m laughing that the heirs of these immortal sects have all fallen into your hands. It’s like they were raised for you.”

Song Yin took two steps forward to walk side-by-side with her.

She tentatively reached out to hold her Master’s hand, and when she found the other party didn’t resist, she became more bold.

Shen Yirong generously let her hold her hand.

In the sunlight, Song Yin’s face was much softer, less daunting, and unfamiliar, unlike the Demon Venerable who terrified the world.

She talked about some trivial matters, most of which concerned the marriage banquet.

“The environment in the Demon Palace is not great. If you want to move somewhere else, I can arrange it.”

Seeing Song Yin’s excited expression, Shen Yirong felt that if she said yes, this person would be capable of stealing someone else’s land to host the wedding banquet.

Shen Yirong quickly agreed. “The Demon Palace is quite good, but did the Venerable forget something?”

Song Yin pondered and then understood. “Are you talking about Shuci? Can she make it back before the wedding? If not, I will intervene.”

A cold glint flashed in Song Yin’s eyes, looking like no one could stop her.

Shen Yirong smiled. “Not that. Venerable, you forgot that I haven’t agreed to you yet.”

Song Yin’s originally excited face slowly dimmed. She stared intently at Shen Yirong.

Being stared at like this by Song Yin, Shen Yirong felt a sense of panic that her freedom was about to leave her. Remembering the words Song Yin had just said to Yao Ling, Shen Yirong quickly said, “Haha, I agree to you.”

Song Yin’s face instantly went from cloudy to sunny.

Shen Yirong breathed a sigh of relief. But as she walked, she started to feel sleepy again, even though it wasn’t even afternoon yet.

She yawned widely, reaching up to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes. They were only a short distance from returning, but she just couldn’t stay awake.

She swayed and allowed herself to lean into Song Yin’s embrace. Surrounded by the scent of orchids, Shen Yirong felt very content.

Song Yin looked at her. “Can’t walk any further?”

Shen Yirong nodded vaguely.

Without any hesitation, Song Yin immediately picked her up, but she carried her with some difficulty.

Entering the dream last night consumed too much energy. Although she had recovered somewhat with medicine, she still felt a bit powerless.

Yao Ling, standing nearby, worried, “Why don’t you let your subordinate do it?”

Song Yin’s trembling hands instantly steadied. She coldly ordered, “You have worked hard too. Go rest first.”

Seeing the Venerable acting as usual, Yao Ling thought she must have been mistaken. She bowed and accepted the order. “Yes.”

After she left, Song Yin’s arms started shaking again. She struggled forward with her burden of love. Whenever she felt like she couldn’t hold on, she would look at her Master’s sleeping face.

After looking, she felt energized again.

Stopping and starting along the way, she finally brought the person back to the room and put her back on the bed.

She looked at the sun outside the window and frowned.

However, since that Bai Yuzan person had examined her, Master should be fine. She was probably just too exhausted and worn out lately.

It was good that she was sleeping.

Song Yin pulled a bracelet from her chest pocket. She put the bracelet on her own wrist, then held her Master’s hand. When she closed her eyes, the bracelet also lit up.

Then, she entered her Master’s dream again.

The place she woke up this time was a bit special. She woke up in her Master’s bed, and something very heavy was pressing down on her chest.

Song Yin opened her eyes and met a pair of blue eyes. She was startled, thinking Mei Xin had appeared in her Master’s dream.

“Meow~”

Song Yin grabbed the fat cat under its armpit and lifted it up. The fat cat turned into a pure white, chubby cat stick.

The cat was docile. It didn’t bite, but just meowed while staring at Song Yin with those blue eyes.

Heh, truly fond of furry things. I don’t know what’s to like about this kind of shedding pet.

Song Yin reached out and rubbed the little cat’s face. “Heh, fatty.”

She rubbed it a few more times.

The kitten struggled out of her grip, jumped off the bed, and ran away with a pattering sound.

There was an alarm clock in Shen Yirong’s room. Song Yin saw the time was 9:30 AM. Shen Yirong would have already gone to work by this time.

Song Yin felt a little regretful, but…

The scent of Shen Yirong on the bed was very noticeable, mixed with the smell of sunshine, so warm.

Song Yin burrowed back under the covers. She wrapped herself in the blanket.

The alarm clock’s hands ticked. She only reluctantly got up when the hour and minute hands both stopped at twelve.

When she stepped out of bed, she noticed a pair of slippers on the wooden floor, as if she was supposed to be there.

Song Yin put on the white bunny slippers, casually tied up her long hair, and walked into the living room. The pure white Maine Coon cat was squatting in front of its food bowl, its tail sweeping the floor rhythmically.

It turned and met Song Yin’s gaze, then got up and rubbed against Song Yin’s leg, as if they were very familiar.

Song Yin looked at the white fur on her trouser leg, her eyes full of distaste.

Annoying.

After a short while, the cat bowl was full.

Song Yin looked at the cat-pig happily eating. The corner of her mouth lifted slightly, and then she turned her attention to the computer screen.

She studied diligently like this until the night grew dark.

Outside the French windows was another expanse of lights. The computer displayed 23:46.

Following a “boom,” the window that had allowed a clear view outside was blurred by raindrops.

Song Yin closed the computer. Even though this was a dream world, she was still worried.

She walked into Shen Yirong’s room, then opened the wardrobe and changed into Shen Yirong’s clothes.

Rushing out the door, the red numbers on the elevator slowly descended from 12 to 1.

Song Yin opened her umbrella and stepped into the heavy rain. Following the direction in her memory, she found Shen Yirong’s company.

The other person was standing at the company entrance, looking worriedly at the sudden downpour.

Song Yin’s tense heart finally relaxed. She walked over and held the umbrella above the other person’s head. In Shen Yirong’s surprised gaze, Song Yin smiled softly, “Let’s go home.”

This dream was still so real, so real that Shen Yirong didn’t want to wake up.

There were too many things to face upon waking, but when the stars dotted the dark sky, she still opened her eyes.

Song Yin was resting her head by the side of her bed. Shen Yirong reached out, wanting to tidy the stray hair near her ear.

Before she could touch it, Song Yin woke up.

Shen Yirong wanted to retract her hand, but Song Yin cooperated by rubbing her head against her hand. Shen Yirong felt like she was stroking a cat.

She couldn’t help but keep petting for a while, and Song Yin allowed her to.

Shen Yirong reluctantly withdrew her hand.

“Master Shen, Venerable, the banquet is about to begin.” Yao Ling’s voice sounded outside the room.

Song Yin coldly replied, “You go first.”

“Yes.” The footsteps outside gradually faded until they could no longer be heard.

In the quiet room, Song Yin reached out to her, just like in the dream. “Let’s go.”

The two walked together on the path. Perhaps due to the array modification, the miasma had been suppressed, and much of the floral scent in the Nine Heavens Sect had disappeared, but it was still a very beautiful immortal sect.

Shen Yirong sighed. “I dreamed of the Venerable again.”

“Mm. What did you dream about?”

“I dreamed you brought me an umbrella, and helped me dry my hair after I took a shower.”

Song Yin remained calm. “So, was it a beautiful dream or a nightmare?”

“It was originally a nightmare, but because you were in it, it became a beautiful dream.”

Song Yin visibly brightened up.

Shen Yirong was truly at a loss for what to do. She always dreamed of her bitter life as an office worker, and Song Yin always appeared in her dreams.

But in the previous times, Song Yin hadn’t changed clothes. This time, she was actually wearing her blue jeans and shirt, her hair simply tied to one side with a hair tie. Although her face was still cold, her demeanor was much softer.

She greedily wished to see Song Yin wear it one more time.

But this was only a wishful thought. If Song Yin could truly go to the present world, that would be terrifying. After all, there was still a feud between them, which would mean an inter-world pursuit.

She hoped Shuci could find the person who harmed her. She definitely wanted to vent her anger.

The Star-Gazing Hall was brightly lit. Before they even got close, they could hear laughter and talking, and Bai Yuzan’s somewhat despairing advice: “Don’t drink so much.”

Shen Yirong’s messy heart was infected by the chaotic atmosphere. She pulled Song Yin to quicken their pace.

After pushing the door open, everyone’s eyes fell on the two of them.

“Sword Venerable!”

“Junior Sister.”

“Troublemaker.”

Various forms of address rose and fell. Shen Yirong recalled that when she almost developed a heart demon, what she heard were also people’s calls for her.

At that time, she was anxious about who she was, so she was very afraid, but now she was somewhat intoxicated by the feeling of blending into the crowd.

She pulled Song Yin to sit down. She unceremoniously filled her wine cup to the brim. The faint scent of peach blossoms wafted toward her. Shen Yirong drank it all in one gulp. “It’s sweet.”

Liu Qianfeng tilted her head and laughed. “Haha, do you like it?”

Shen Yirong liked the taste. She took another sip, but tasted a hint of nostalgia. She stared blankly at the empty wine cup in her hand for a moment.

Her momentary distraction caused the noisy group to quiet down.

Chang Yuantan chuckled softly. She lightly clapped her hands to draw everyone’s attention. “It’s rare for us to gather. How about we play a game, just like before?”

Liu Qianfeng cheered. “Great! But this time, no cheating!”

Bai Yuzan shook her head at the sight of these mad people, but didn’t object.

The game was very simple, similar to Truth or Dare. Shen Yirong even suspected she was the one who taught it to them.

However, they had a special prop, a jade-colored cube. The activation method was singing…

Liu Qianfeng was the most lively one in the group. She led the singing, and it was quite pleasant to listen to.

Shen Yirong hid among them, trying to coast by unnoticed.

During the singing, the artifact began to spin, and a person’s name appeared on top.

Su Zhao.

Su Zhao couldn’t see, but she could feel many eyes on her. “Is it me?”

Seeing her current state, Liu Qianfeng’s voice softened a lot. “Mm. What do you choose?”

Su Zhao sighed. She placed a spatial bag full of spirit stones on the table. “I forfeit.”

If one chose neither, they had to pay a price.

Song Yin, who was originally uninterested, immediately became intrigued when she saw the spatial bag embroidered with two chubby rabbits.

Shen Yirong was happily watching the show. Seeing Song Yin suddenly straighten her back, she leaned in and whispered, “You want it?”

Song Yin nodded.

Shen Yirong rolled up her sleeves. “Watch me find a way to win it for you.”

Song Yin’s face slowly started to burn. This wasn’t from shyness, but from the rush of joy.

The singing started again. Chang Yuantan.

Since Mei Xin was sitting across from her, Mei Xin asked the question.

Mei Xin tilted her head. “Do you like my Master?”

Chang Yuantan, who had been composed, gave a wry smile. “Change the format.”

Mei Xin looked at her legs. “Then stand up.”

Chang Yuantan: “…”

If she didn’t know that Mei Xin’s emotional aperture had just sprouted, she would suspect deliberate retaliation.

She reluctantly placed a bag of spirit stones on the table, and added a zither string. “I forfeit. In addition to spirit stones, I add something the Sword Venerable gave me back then.”

Liu Qianfeng thought it was a good idea. “That’s good! If you forfeit, how about replacing the spirit stones with other valuable items?”

Simply put, Liu Qianfeng didn’t have any spirit stones.

Everyone knew this but laughed and didn’t expose her.

The game continued. This group of people seemed less like long-lost friends and more like enemies with a life-or-death grudge, tormenting each other mercilessly. Thus, more people forfeited.

Before long, three more spatial bags were added to the pile of forfeited items. The animals on the spatial bags were all very plump.

Shen Yirong felt Song Yin’s breathing become much faster next to her. She turned to look at Song Yin’s wine cup—it was empty.

“What’s wrong?”

Shen Yirong touched Song Yin’s forehead with concern. Her temperature was slightly high.

The game became unimportant. Shen Yirong reached out and looped her arm through Song Yin’s. “If you don’t feel well, come back with me.”

Song Yin shook her head. “I’m fine.”

The game had been going on for so long, but neither of their names had been called yet. Song Yin had already understood the rules: the forfeited items would eventually fall into the hands of those who hadn’t forfeited.

However, Song Yin wasn’t one to strictly follow rules. She just wanted to see who ended up with these things, and then she would buy them.

If the transaction wasn’t voluntary enough, she would find a way to make it voluntary.

Shen Yirong was still worried, but when the singing stopped, the next victim was her.

She looked at Bai Yuzan across from her, full of confidence.

The sackcloth-wearing healer sighed as she looked at Shen Yirong. “Do you not regret choosing Song Yin?”

The atmosphere in the room turned as cold as Bai Yuzan’s tone.

Song Yin also watched the person next to her nervously.

Shen Yirong hadn’t expected this question. She was a little embarrassed, looked down at the wine cup on the table, and suddenly picked it up and drank it all.

Wine emboldens the timid, but the timid person wasn’t drunk at all. She was very clear-headed.

Shen Yirong’s eyes were exceptionally firm. “No. Before I made this choice, I considered many possibilities. No matter what the outcome is for me later, I will not regret it.”

Shen Yirong’s eyes sparkled brightly at this moment, reminding people of the arrogant brat who had not yet grown into the Sword Venerable.

The arrogant brat, when drunk, would loudly proclaim that she would definitely become the greatest sword cultivator in the world.

Later, the arrogant brat really did it. But the arrogant brat disappeared, and what remained was the cold and aloof Sword Venerable.

However, Song Yin didn’t know any arrogant brat. She only knew the person in front of her who would not regret her choice.

It seemed that after a long period of waiting and doubt, she finally tasted the flavor of happiness.

Liu Qianfeng broke the silence in the room. She rubbed her arms and muttered under her breath, “How cheesy.”

Then she shouted, “Come on, come on, let’s continue!”

This night was destined to be turbulent. The shadows of the people inside were cast on the windows. After the game, the sound of a zither started again.

Someone also performed a sword dance, though any professional could tell it was badly done.

Mei Xin’s faint commentary filtered through the window into the night. “The dance is wrong.”

The room immediately erupted in laughter.

Liu Qianfeng, humiliated, tossed the sword aside and angrily said, “You do it!”

Mei Xin actually picked up the sword on the floor and started dancing.

But soon, the people inside became alarmed.

The zither music came to an abrupt halt. Chang Yuantan yelled, “Venerable Mei! Have mercy!”

A thin layer of frost covered the windows. Although winter had passed, it started snowing outside.

On an old tree outside, someone was sitting on a branch watching the excitement. She reached out and caught the snowflake falling from the sky, watching it melt into water in her palm.

The face that always smiled had no smile now. She lay against the tree trunk with one hand resting behind her head, and used the fingers of her other hand to cast a spell.

The people inside were in a panic. No one saw the wine left in Mei Xin’s cup fly out of the cup and pass through the open door onto the tree.

Yun Huiming opened her mouth. The wine entered her mouth, and she smiled.

She thought: Junior Sister’s skill has become more refined.

The group didn’t disperse until late at night.

Shen Yirong successfully won the pile of items, but the person who wanted the reward had secretly drunk alcohol and became the little lunatic on her back.

She felt helpless, but also amused. “If you can’t hold your liquor, why did you sneak a drink? No one forced you.”

The drunk Song Yin was like a completely different person. She pointed at the stars in the night sky and shouted, “So many stars.”

“Mm, they are stars.”

Song Yin giggled foolishly. She nestled against Shen Yirong’s neck, very dependent. “I like you.”

Shen Yirong’s heart softened. “Mm, I like you too.”

“But many other people like you too.” Song Yin’s voice was tearful.

She wasn’t drinking vinegar, so why the sourness?

Shen Yirong gently coaxed, “That’s different.”

Song Yin seemed very sleepy. Her voice became lighter and lighter, but because they were so close, Shen Yirong still heard clearly.

“Master… don’t leave.”

Shen Yirong stopped.

The wind blew her hair, chilling the tears Song Yin had shed on her neck.

As her mind was filled with complex emotions, the sound of static electricity came from her ear again.

“Host, host, host…!”

A jumbled voice message, lagging, with many words slurred and indistinct. Finally, it seemed to be forcibly cut off.

Everything came to an abrupt halt.