The Cool and Aloof Immortal Master Has Fallen to the Demonic Path (Transmigration) - Chapter 23.1

Chapter 23.1

Black, so black.

She was crawling on the ground, trying to find a trace of light to illuminate her life, but what she got was a sharp blade gently slicing open her skin and flesh.

Blood, thick, sticky blood gushed out. The heavy, pungent smell of blood rushed into her tiny nostrils.

Shen Yin let out a difficult gasp: “No, don’t drink my blood.”

In the darkness, only faint light and shadows illuminated the man’s hem. Her soft little hand reached out and then slowly fell back down. She had no strength and couldn’t fight against the powerful Immortal.

She could only clearly see the fresh blood on his lips, dripping down, incredibly chilling.

That was her blood.

Shen Yin had been an orphan since childhood. She didn’t know who her parents were, or even her own name. Even her name was arbitrarily given by Mo Tianji.

She grew up mixed with beggars, constantly wandering. Food and clothing were uncertain, and going hungry was a common occurrence.

Because she was young, occasionally older beggars would share some food with her.

That day, a torrential rain poured down, washing away the dilapidated temple where they temporarily resided. They scattered everywhere. She also got separated from the beggars she had relied on. She ran away all alone. Her tattered clothes were soaked by the rain, and her small body couldn’t resist the onslaught of the strong wind and heavy rain. She fell down, and a stone accidentally cut her skin and flesh.

She was like a withered lotus, drifting and trembling in the wind and rain, about to be completely destroyed.

But her blood attracted an Evil Spirit.

Vessel Bodies are born to be eaten. If they were easy to find, no one would live long. Generally speaking, unless one tastes the blood firsthand, only Spiritual Consciousnesses and Evil Spirits can sense the fresh blood of a Vessel Body. Evil Spirits often reside near the sea of blood and rarely venture into inhabited areas. This is a law of heaven and earth. Evil Spirits mixed among people are bound to harm innocent lives, so once they leave the vicinity of the sea of blood, they will be hunted down by righteous people.

As for Spiritual Consciousnesses, they are either in a deep sleep or have a master, residing in their original artifact for years, and rarely show up.

The Evil Spirit attracted was Zi Ying, who had not yet devoured the Purple Whip’s spiritual consciousness.

She was originally an Evil Spirit from the vicinity of the sea of blood. She accidentally found a Half-Divine Artifact. Using the power of the Half-Divine Artifact, she concealed her murderous aura and secretly sneaked into the human world. When she reached the Immortal Spirit territory, Mo Tianji caught her red-handed. She was already exhausted from fleeing, but suddenly smelled a strange fragrance, which led her to secretly search for it.

At that time, due to being chased by Mo Tianji, she had already been beaten back to her original form, which was how she looked when she died.

The rain gradually stopped. Shen Yin, whose eyes were previously closed due to the pouring rain, opened them slightly.

Zi Ying was hacked to death by various knives during her lifetime. Every inch of her skin had wounds of varying depth. The most terrifying thing was that her head and body were only connected by a layer of skin and flesh. Shen Yin was just an ordinary person at the time. Where had she seen such a sight?

She was so scared that she cried loudly. Zi Ying laughed and held her completely stiff little leg. That was the cut made by the stone. She slightly lowered her lips and sucked a mouthful of her fresh blood. Her smile gradually became maniacal: “Vessel Body, it’s truly a Vessel Body. I’m so lucky!”

Zi Ying was still excited about finding a treasure, but in the next moment, Mo Tianji caught up. She cursed: “Thief, you’ve chased me for seven days and seven nights. Are you interested in my beauty?”

Mo Tianji stood with his hands behind his back, staring coldly at Zi Ying: “Audacious Evil Spirit, you dare to harm human lives. Today will be the day your soul dissipates.”

Mo Tianji was different from the ferocious Zi Ying. He wore a white robe and had a handsome appearance, with the demeanor of an Immortal.

He was exactly like the Immortals in legends.

Due to her fear of Zi Ying, Shen Yin couldn’t help but ask him for help: “Immort… Immortal, save me!”

Zi Ying covered her lips and let out a low laugh. She looked down at her, her eyes filled with mockery: “Little sister, do you think he’s any better? Only he knows whether he’s chasing me because I harmed human lives or because of the Half-Divine Artifact in my hand.”

“Shut up!” Mo Tianji was angered. He swung his long sword, unleashing streaks of light, not avoiding them, but smashing directly toward their location.

Zi Ying grabbed her by the collar, lifted her into the air, and avoided Mo Tianji’s light streak. She smiled brightly: “See? I told you he’s not a good person. He wants to kill you to silence you.”

Shen Yin was already terrified. She didn’t understand why Mo Tianji, who looked like a banished Immortal, wanted to kill her, while the cruel and malicious Zi Ying was saving her instead.

Seeing Zi Ying help her, Mo Tianji let out a surprised “eh” and looked at her a little longer.

Mo Tianji saw the wound on her leg and the blood gushing out, as well as faint bite marks on it. He narrowed his eyes: “You, an Evil Spirit, don’t look like such a kind-hearted person. Could she be a Vessel Body?”

This was the first time Shen Yin heard the words Vessel Body. She didn’t understand, but she clearly saw the fleeting greed in Mo Tianji’s eyes. That look was the same as the evil beggars who snatched food from her bowl.

She saw it, and Zi Ying naturally saw it too.

“Hahaha.” Zi Ying couldn’t help but burst into loud, harsh laughter: “I thought those who seek immortality were single-minded, taking the salvation of the world as their duty. I never thought there would be a wicked person like you. You actually covet a Vessel Body too.”

“That’s right, she is a Vessel Body.” Zi Ying held her with one hand and touched her calf with the other. Her fingers were stained with blood, which she brought to her lips and gently sucked: “It’s a shame she hasn’t been nourished by spiritual objects yet. Otherwise, if I swallowed her now, I definitely wouldn’t fear you. But she’s human. You, a dignified elder of Immortal Spirit Sect, are you going to eat her?”

Immortal Spirit Sect, Shen Yin had heard of Immortal Spirit Sect.

The area they often roamed was near Immortal Spirit Sect. They were ordinary people who lived under the protection of the Immortal Spirit Sect. The old beggars said Immortal Spirit was a land of blessings, and the Immortal Spirit Sect occasionally recruited ordinary people to join the mountain. That was a chance for them to ascend to heaven. She also fantasized about joining the Immortal Spirit Sect to change her life on the run, but the old beggars said that only those with extremely high aptitude had the opportunity. And at this moment, she saw an Immortal from the Immortal Spirit Sect.

But he didn’t seem as good as the old beggars described.

That pair of eyes, with just a glance, made Shen Yin feel as if thousands of tiny needles were piercing her heart, causing unbearable pain.

Mo Tianji did not deny it.

Shen Yin became even more afraid.

He seemed to truly want to eat her. The longing in his eyes nearly extinguished Shen Yin’s last bit of will to survive.

Since she could remember, she had been a beggar, seeing mostly various ugly faces. It was common for people to bleed profusely fighting over a mouthful of food. She knew how to distinguish good from bad, and she could differentiate between greed and kindness.

The one who saved her was not human, and the Immortal wanted to kill her.

Shen Yin’s bright eyes gradually dimmed. Zi Ying placed her on a tree. Watching Zi Ying and Mo Tianji fighting, she knew that no matter who won or lost this battle, she wouldn’t live long.

She was extremely timid, huddled on the swaying branch with nowhere to escape. If she made any move, she would likely fall and be shattered to pieces instantly.

The instinct to survive prevented her from moving recklessly. Although she would die regardless of the outcome, those near death always hope for a turning point, just like she would always think a big steamed bun might fall from the sky when she was starving.

With a little hope, she witnessed the battle.

She couldn’t see anything clearly in the fight between the Immortal and the Evil Spirit, only scattered light and shadows, and the sound of sword cries.

Zi Ying was not Mo Tianji’s match to begin with, and after being chased by Mo Tianji for seven days and seven nights, she had already exhausted her power. Although the Half-Divine Artifact assisted her, the Half-Divine Artifact had not recognized her as its master, so she couldn’t unleash the artifact’s full power and gradually began to lose ground.

Mo Tianji’s expression became increasingly cold, and his attacks grew heavier.

Both the Half-Divine Artifact and the Vessel Body would belong to him.

He conjured a powerful light and thrust it out. Zi Ying threw out the purple whip in her hand, unleashing her last spiritual energy. The two forces collided with the purple whip, startling the dormant artifact spirit into awakening. It was a child around seven or eight years old. He was groggy and unaware of his location.

At this moment, Zi Ying was already pushed to the brink. Seeing him float out, a wicked thought arose in her mind. She suddenly pounced on him, opened her mouth, and bit off his head, swallowing him at an extremely fast speed. Mo Tianji let out a despairing roar as he watched the scene: “No!”

He hated that the Half-Divine Artifact was destroyed and even more hated Zi Ying’s actions. He was driven mad with anger, wishing he could execute Zi Ying with his sword instantly.

Just as he rushed over, Zi Ying’s figure flickered, slowly fading until she was no longer a solid entity. Her body wavered and transformed into a long whip, falling onto the ground. Mo Tianji held the long whip, touching the whip’s body and shedding two tears: “Evil Spirit, how dare you! You actually damaged a divine artifact!”

Mo Tianji suddenly became disheartened, but no matter how much he shouted, Zi Ying never responded.

Mo Tianji’s hateful gaze finally fell upon Shen Yin, who was placed on the branch. He scoffed, grasping the purple whip. His figure flickered as he floated into the air. He landed beside Shen Yin and picked her up.

The victor of this battle was Mo Tianji, but he was not entirely the victor.

The Half-Divine Artifact he wanted had been occupied by the Evil Spirit. He absolutely could not lose the Vessel Body before him. Once he nurtured her sufficiently with spiritual medicine, taking her blood and eating her flesh would surely make his cultivation advance by leaps and bounds. He could surpass others even without the Half-Divine Artifact.

Shen Yin was completely disheartened, but at this moment, a savior arrived.

“Senior Brother Mo!” A slightly aloof female voice rang out. Before the person arrived, a sky full of flower petals drifted down. Pink and white petals fell from the sky. A few petals landed on Shen Yin’s face. The soft petals stuck to her cheek, carrying a faint fragrance and a coolness that soothed her terrified heart.

Shen Yin looked up and saw a woman in a white dress stepping through the air. She held a long sword and wore a chain woven from flower petals around her waist. Although it was a bit strange, it was exceptionally eye-catching.

Behind her followed several disciples in green robes, both male and female, all with a dignified and righteous bearing.

A subtle twitch appeared at the corner of Mo Tianji’s mouth, and even his eyes were forced to become suddenly calm. He lowered his head and respectfully replied: “Sect Master.”

The woman was the current Sect Master of Immortal Spirit Sect—Jing Shu.

Jing Shu smiled calmly: “I heard from my disciples that Senior Brother Mo was chasing an Evil Spirit. I wonder if the Evil Spirit has been subdued?”

The purple whip and Shen Yin in Mo Tianji’s hands felt somewhat troublesome at this moment. Seeing that he couldn’t avoid it, he let go of Shen Yin, holding the purple whip out to Jing Shu: “Sect Master, please see for yourself.”

Jing Shu hadn’t spoken yet. The man in the green robe behind her said: “The one in Senior Brother Mo’s hand is the Purple Jade Whip, a Half-Divine Artifact. I’ve long heard that a Half-Divine Artifact was born in the sea of blood and stolen by an Evil Spirit. I didn’t expect it to reach our Immortal Spirit territory.”

Mo Tianji’s hand holding the purple whip tightened slightly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his palm. He lowered his gaze: “It is the Purple Jade Whip, but it can no longer be called a Half-Divine Artifact, unfortunately.”

The man was confused, and even Jing Shu was puzzled: “Why is that?”

“Just now, that Evil Spirit devoured the original spiritual consciousness of the Purple Jade Whip. I’m afraid this divine whip will become a Demon Artifact.”

Jing Shu reached out her hand. A faint blue light seeped into the purple whip’s body little by little, but before it could fully enter, it was repelled by a red light.

The purple whip suddenly glowed with a bright red light, mixed with black. The color was very striking. The purple whip flew into the air, transforming into the figure of a woman covered in knife scars, then slowly disappeared, returning to a purple whip in Jing Shu’s hand.

After the ugly face of the Evil Spirit appeared, the man quickly said: “What a pity, what a pity. It’s best to destroy it as soon as possible, lest it cause disaster in the human world in the future.”

After expressing his opinion, the people next to him also offered their views: “No, no. This Purple Jade Whip is a Half-Divine Artifact after all. Although it was swallowed by an Evil Spirit, that Evil Spirit will clearly be trapped in the Purple Jade Whip and become a new spiritual consciousness. If we can save it, it will still be a divine artifact.”

“I’m afraid the Evil Spirit’s malevolence will be difficult to eliminate.”

“…”

Their concerns and considerations were all somewhat reasonable, but only Jing Shu could decide the matter.

Mo Tianji hadn’t said much since Jing Shu arrived. His respectful attitude made it impossible to find fault with him. Shen Yin moved her body slightly. Although it seemed calm here, she hadn’t forgotten Mo Tianji’s expression just now.

She had only moved half a step when she became unable to move. Her small and thin body seemed to be nailed to the spot.

Shen Yin opened her mouth. She wasn’t mute, but at this moment, she couldn’t make a single sound.

She couldn’t call for help, nor could she leave. She could only watch helplessly as the group argued over the purple whip.

Jing Shu had a headache from their arguing. At that time, Jing Shu hadn’t been the Sect Master for long and hadn’t adapted to the myriad of responsibilities the Sect Master had to worry about.

She occasionally still longed to sneak out and play, and her attention was easily drawn to things unrelated to important matters.

For example, at this moment, Jing Shu, who should have been seriously considering how to handle the Half-Divine Artifact, was drawn to the disheveled, ragged Shen Yin. She held the purple whip and approached Shen Yin. She squatted down beside Shen Yin, gently brushed aside her messy hair, and stared into her eyes: “Oh, what a pretty girl.”

Shen Yin was usually dirty all over. How could a little beggar have a clean face? But today, due to the continuous washing by the rain, her little face was somewhat clean, revealing some fair skin and bright eyes.

With her hair brushed aside, Shen Yin also saw Jing Shu more clearly.

Jing Shu was very beautiful. Her eyes were not fierce like Zi Ying’s, nor were they full of greed like Mo Tianji’s. Her eyes were clean and clear, full of gentleness, like the moonlight at night.

This must be an Immortal!

She stared in a daze. Mo Tianji had already followed, clenching his hands slightly in nervousness.

Before he could say a word, the green-robed disciples had gathered around. They had argued for a long time without a conclusion, and in the end, they still had to wait for Jing Shu to decide what to do.

“Sect Master, what should we do with this Purple Jade Whip?”

Jing Shu touched Shen Yin’s little face, then tossed the purple whip in her hand to one of the green-robed disciples: “Send the Purple Jade Whip to Sword Spirit Peak. Hopefully, the sacred spiritual consciousnesses of the Heaven-Reaching Seal and the Passing Years Lamp can enlighten this Evil Spirit.”

With her command, all the green-robed disciples, including Mo Tianji, respectfully complied: “We respectfully obey the Sect Master’s order!”

At that time, she felt that Jing Shu was incredibly majestic.

Jing Shu should be able to save her. After all, even Mo Tianji listened to her. Shen Yin wanted to open her mouth, but still couldn’t make a sound.

She couldn’t ask for help, and her expression gradually showed some distress.

But Jing Shu seemed interested in her. She touched Shen Yin’s face and asked Mo Tianji: “Senior Brother Mo, who is this girl?”

Mo Tianji naturally didn’t dare to tell Jing Shu that she was a Vessel Body, his chosen tonic.

He struggled for a moment, and a lie escaped his lips: “This is a new disciple I’ve taken a liking to. I see her bone structure is excellent, and her talent is certainly extraordinary. I intend to teach her well.”

No, that’s not right.

Shen Yin wanted to protest, but she still couldn’t make a sound. She didn’t know what Mo Tianji had done. Tears were about to roll down Shen Yin’s face, but Mo Tianji’s sharp glance forced them back.

She was still a child. A small child would not dare to resist out of fear.

When the green-robed disciples heard that Mo Tianji wanted to take her as his disciple, they all looked her up and down. A female disciple in green robes touched her forearm, then pinched her hand bone and said: “This child is just five years old. Her innate talent is indeed good, but Senior Brother Mo, this is not right. Senior Brother Mo already has his beloved disciple, Ruxue. Our Sect Master still doesn’t have a single disciple. Since her bone structure is excellent, why don’t you let our Sect Master take her instead?”

Mo Tianji just casually fabricated that her innate talent was not bad, using this excuse to bring her back to Immortal Spirit Sect to satisfy his private desires. Who would have thought that Shen Yin actually had some talent and bone structure? Facing the woman who checked her bones and asked for a disciple for Jing Shu, he was momentarily speechless.

Jing Shu was the one who smiled, stood up, and gently patted the female disciple’s hand back: “Alright, Junior Sister Han. Why are you forcing him like this? I already have a candidate for a disciple.”

The female disciple frowned slightly: “Could it be the infant girl rescued a few days ago?”

Jing Shu did not deny it. This made the other green-robed disciples anxious.

“Sect Master, that is still an infant. How can you tell her innate talent? Please reconsider, Sect Master.”

The rules of Immortal Spirit Sect were that the Sect Master and the Chief Elder could each only take one personal disciple in their lifetime. Only these six individuals would have the opportunity to compete for the Sect Master position in the future. Checking bones to assess innate talent required waiting until at least three years old, preferably after five years old. The bones of an infant have not yet fully developed, making it difficult to discern their innate talent.

Now Jing Shu actually wanted to take the infant girl she rescued as her disciple. If the infant’s innate talent was mediocre in the future, wouldn’t that waste a spot for a direct disciple?

It would also affect the quality of the competition for the Sect Master position in the future.

The Jing Shu of that time was still somewhat impulsive in her actions. She believed in the word “fate”: “It doesn’t matter. Yuehua and I are destined. Even if her innate talent is limited, it would still be excellent to let Senior Brother Mo’s disciple take over the Sect Leader position in the future.”

“That’s true. Why would you senior siblings worry about this?”

Mo Tianji then took the opportunity to ask: “Is the infant girl called Yuehua?”

“The infant girl had a life token hanging around her neck, which bore the three characters Shen Yuehua.”

Mentioning the name, Jing Shu suddenly remembered to ask Shen Yin’s name: “Senior Brother Mo, what is this child’s name?”

Mo Tianji hadn’t even had time to properly examine Shen Yin, so he naturally didn’t know Shen Yin’s name. He couldn’t rashly let Shen Yin speak, so he simply told Jing Shu: “She doesn’t have a name?”

His voice was slightly tearful: “Good.”

A few drops of warm tears fell onto her neck, rolling down her neck, one by one, striking her soft heart…