The Ice-Cold Beauty Senior Sister Keeps Falling for Her Own Theories - Chapter 17

“Little Junior Sister?!”

“Little Junior Sister, it’s great that you’re okay.”

“Little Junior Sister, we were just looking for you. We didn’t expect to run into you here. Hurry and come with us, let’s leave this place quickly…”

Feng Jie watched as the members of Bixia Sect suddenly surrounded her. She had no choice but to stop, slightly embarrassed, and rubbed the tip of her nose with a sheepish grin. After all, she couldn’t break character as the group’s beloved.

“Hello, Senior Sisters. Hello, Senior Brothers.”

Lu Yishu and the other disciple, due to their severe injuries, had already been sent back to the sect ahead of the group.

Leading the team was Qing Fengwan, her face etched with worry. She quickly stepped forward, turning Feng Jie around to inspect her carefully. Only after confirming she was unharmed did she relax slightly.

In a gentle tone, she took Feng Jie’s hand and said, “Little Junior Sister, the situation is urgent. You must come with us now. The sect just sent word, demonic cultivators have launched a large-scale invasion, and we’ve been urgently summoned back. Rumor has it that many demonic cultivators have infiltrated this training expedition. Their intentions are unclear, so for the sake of safety, we must leave immediately. In half an hour, the seven major immortal sects will jointly activate a formation to seal the entrance to the secret realm and trap the demonic cultivators inside. By then, the entire Lixin Cliff will be locked down.”

“Demonic cultivators?” Feng Jie’s first thought was of the demonic cultivator she had encountered earlier while searching for the Memory Pearl.

“No, I can’t go with you. I have something very important to do.”

Feng Jie turned and decisively broke into a run.

“Junior Sister!”

Qing Fengwan immediately chased after her, setting up a barrier to trap her.

“Nothing is more important than your life.”

Seeing Qing Fengwan’s expression grow increasingly stern, Feng Jie had no choice but to yield.

“It really is important, more important than my life. Senior Sister, could you please let me go~~” She gently tugged at Qing Fengwan’s sleeve.

“No.”

With that, Qing Fengwan patted Feng Jie’s hand lightly, then turned and took out the secret realm token, speaking decisively: “Activate the formation.”

Feng Jie had been inside the Lixin Cliff before the seven immortal sects created the secret realm, so she didn’t possess a secret realm token. To leave, they had to gather enough power from the tokens to open a large exit so they could all leave together.

Feng Jie didn’t understand the formation they were setting up, but seeing them take out their secret realm tokens, she guessed their intention.

However, she truly couldn’t leave.

If she left, what would happen to Gongsun Muhan?

Once Gongsun Muhan succumbed to demonic cultivation, Feng Jie would surely die, and likely faster than if she were trapped in the Lixin Cliff.

Noticing that everyone was focused on setting up the formation, she secretly channeled her spiritual power and struck the barrier.

It didn’t budge.

…

She didn’t give up. Her eyes darted around, and she lowered her head to shake the chibi-style Bixin Sword at her waist, whispering, “Oh, adorable and powerful sword, since you helped me escape from the black-clad man before, can you also break this barrier and teleport me to the Demon Array? You know, the one in the demonic formation.”

The spirit of the Bixin Sword broke out in a cold sweat internally.

You don’t even know where the demonic formation is, and you’re counting on me, who’s been sleeping in a coffin for centuries… I really don’t know what my previous master saw in her…

Although she couldn’t take Feng Jie to the demonic formation, breaking this barrier was a piece of cake.

For the sake of her master, she’d help.

“Last time.”

No sooner had the words been spoken than Feng Jie saw the barrier shatter into pieces, struck by a surge of spiritual power shot from the Bixin Sword. At the same time, the colors on the pendant dimmed, the sword spirit had unilaterally severed the external connection, clearly annoyed by her meddling.

Without wasting a moment, Feng Jie channeled all her spiritual energy, her feet moving as if carried by the wind. Like a bolt of white lightning, she dashed recklessly through the forest.

The ancient trees around her all looked identical, but the situation left no room for hesitation or navigation.

In less than fifteen minutes, she had already covered most of the forest.

Suddenly, a black figure descended from above, landing with his back to her and blocking her path. A sense of foreboding washed over Feng Jie.

She swerved right to dodge him.

Hey, are you serious?

She swerved left.

Left, right, left, right, left, right…

Feng Jie had no choice but to stop, bracing her hands on her knees. After confirming no one was pursuing her from behind, she bent over, panting heavily, and asked, “What… what do you want?”

“Hand over the Bixin Sword, or else…”

The moment he spoke, Feng Jie recognized him, it was the black-clad man she had encountered earlier in the coffin catacombs.

This was bad.

Tan Feng turned around, his eyes narrowing as he fixed a piercing gaze on Feng Jie. The Bixin Sword, he was determined to have it.

“Sir, I truly have no idea what the Bixin Sword is!”

She pinched her thumb and forefinger together to emphasize her point. “Look, I only have this tiny bit of spiritual power, how could I possibly be connected to such an extraordinary divine artifact?” She flashed a cautious grin, her white teeth on full display. “Right?”

Tan Feng’s expression darkened. This Feng Jie really wouldn’t admit defeat until she was cornered.

He let out a cold laugh and unfolded his palm, revealing a treasure-seeking device glowing brightly. “What do you have to say now?”

Seeing Feng Jie’s bewildered expression, he guessed she intended to stubbornly deny everything. With no time to waste, he promptly put away the device.

A surge of purple spiritual energy instantly enveloped Feng Jie, lifting her into the air.

“Let… let go…”

The invisible spiritual force tightened around her neck, turning her face crimson. She felt as if she were suffocating.

“You have three seconds. If I don’t see the Bixin Sword, I won’t hesitate to perform a soul search.”

What to do… Feng Jie felt as though her mind were trapped as well, unable to come up with a solution.

The system? Probably unreliable as usual.

“Three!”

The Bixin Sword? But she had cut off the connection…

“Two!”

Where there’s life, there’s hope. It wasn’t worth dying for the favor of a sword!

“Wait…”

Before Tan Feng could call out “one,” a wave of demonic energy sliced through the air, abruptly severing his spiritual hold.

He didn’t even have time to hear the rest of Feng Jie’s words before countless streams of demonic energy rained down on him like meteors. Instantly, he erected a spiritual barrier, focusing solely on evading the sudden onslaught.

Trapped by the demonic energy, Tan Feng was immobilized, and Feng Jie fell to the ground with a thud, finally freed from his control.

Ignoring the scrapes on her elbows, she scrambled to her feet and was about to make a run for it when she realized she recognized the demonic cultivator who had intervened.

That green-faced, fanged mask, it had to be him. What was he doing here? Was his sadistic curiosity acting up again, wanting to watch someone suffer?

No, she had to escape before he noticed her.

Feng Jie ran for quite a while, only relaxing when she turned back and could no longer see any trace of the two figures. She thought she had finally shaken them off, but as soon as she turned her head, she saw someone leaning casually against a tree trunk.

She gasped sharply, “Hiss!” How had this person gotten here so fast?

“You, what do you want?”

“Oh, so you remember me?”

Feng Jie rolled her eyes. With that blue-faced, fanged mask of yours, who could possibly forget?

Xie Zhi laughed heartily a couple of times. This person was rather amusing, unlike ordinary people who all seemed to harbor fear and hatred for demons.

“I saved you, and now I’m here to collect my reward.”

Feng Jie stared at him in shock, wanting to say something but holding back with a deep breath. Objectively speaking, he had indeed saved her life.

“Fine, name it.”

Just as Xie Zhi was about to speak, Feng Jie hastily interrupted him.

“However, I have something very important to do right now. Unless it’s something that can be resolved instantly, like stabbing myself with a sword again, I’ll repay you next time.”

Xie Zhi curled his lips into a smile. That’s not up to you.

“I want you to keep something for me.”

“Huh?”

“That’s it?”

“Alright, give it to me. I have urgent matters to attend to and I’m in a hurry.” Feng Jie agreed extremely readily, completely unaware that she was dealing with a demon known to all as cunning.

Hearing this, Xie Zhi straightened up, stepping away from the tree trunk and moving two steps closer to Feng Jie.

“Mm.”

In an instant, Feng Jie only saw black sleeves fluttering.

When she opened her eyes again, a chilling cold enveloped her, and as far as she could see, demonic energy coiled around the branches, with bones scattered everywhere.

“You!”

She was seething with anger, but before she could express it, Xie Zhi spoke.

“This is a demonic array. What I want you to keep for me is at the center of this array.”

A demonic array?

There was only one demonic array at Lixin Cliff, right? That must be where the Demon Heart is!

Then Gongsun Muhan, must be here too.

Heaven really is helping me, Feng Jie thought, glancing sideways at Xie Zhi. Suddenly, she found that blue-faced, fanged mask not frightening at all, but rather pleasing to the eye.

“Ah, why didn’t you say so earlier? Since you saved me, of course I’ll help you out of friendship.”

Xie Zhi gave her a strange look and continued, “Inside this demonic array lies my demon clan’s sacred artifact, the Demon Heart. In another quarter of an hour, it will take form and appear in the world.” As if remembering something, he paused. “What I need you to keep for me is precisely that.”

He didn’t mention, and didn’t dare to, that “keeping” it wasn’t as simple as it sounded. It meant being inhabited by it, becoming the host of the Demon Heart.

“No problem, leave it to me.”

Feng Jie paid no attention to the oddity in Xie Zhi’s words, too busy scanning the area for any sign of Gongsun Muhan.

So, it’s just keeping the Demon Heart? That doesn’t sound difficult. I’ll just find a hidden spot, dig a hole, bury it, and make sure no one can find it.

Moreover, with this demon’s help, I can prevent Gongsun Muhan from being possessed by the Demon Heart, greatly reducing the chance of her turning into the ultimate villain. How perfect!

Ah, ah-choo!

Out of nowhere, she suddenly sneezed. Was someone cursing her?

Suddenly, a brilliant light erupted from her waist. Puzzled, she took down the Bixin Sword, holding it in her hand but unable to figure out what was happening.

The next moment, it unexpectedly revealed its true form, transforming from a chibi version to its original state!

What’s going on?

“Bixin Sword?”

Seeing that Xie Zhi had recognized it, a flicker of vigilance flashed in Feng Jie’s eyes. She quickly tightened her grip on the Bixin Sword, holding it close to her chest. This was meant for Gongsun Muhan, if he coveted it, she would, she would…

Before she could even think of a way to defeat him, Xie Zhi spoke.

“Don’t worry, I have no interest in the spiritual artifacts of your cultivation world. Calling it a ‘divine weapon’? The sacred relics of my demon realm are a hundred times stronger.”

Feng Jie had just breathed a sigh of relief when her heart leaped into her throat again.

In the distance, she spotted a figure lying face down on the ground. Demonic energy swirled violently, converging toward that spot. Though she couldn’t see the person’s face, the long hair trailing on the ground confirmed it was a woman.

Her heart was torn, part of her hoped it was Gongsun Muhan, while another part prayed it wasn’t.

If it wasn’t, she could still cling to the hope that Gongsun Muhan was unharmed, quietly absorbing demonic energy in some hidden corner.

But if it was her, she couldn’t bear to imagine the suffering she must have endured, lying on the ground, unable to stand, how excruciating the pain must be.

Twenty meters.

Fifteen meters.

Ten meters.

…

Three meters.

She inched closer, gradually realizing the figure was moving. Feng Jie covered her mouth, unable to believe what she was seeing.

The woman’s body was covered in deep gashes, some so severe the bone was visible, with torn flesh exposed. Her feet were especially gruesome, her shoes were gone, and not a single patch of skin remained intact.

Yet she hadn’t given up. She was still pushing forward.

Using one arm to support her entire body, she clenched her other hand into a fist, guarding a faint wisp of spiritual energy as she dragged herself forward with immense difficulty.

It was the only source of light in this demonic energy-infested land.

But even that was on the verge of fading…

“Eldest… Eldest Senior Sister.”

How could this have happened? Why was she suffering so much? If only she had arrived sooner, would Gongsun Muhan have been spared this agony?

Feng Jie could hold back no longer. Choking back sobs, she rushed forward in three swift steps, gently gathering the woman into her arms.

Hearing that tearful cry of “Eldest Senior Sister,” a deafening roar echoed in Gongsun Muhan’s mind. The tightly wound string inside her suddenly snapped, and the bloodstained arrow hidden in the shadows fell to the ground with a clatter.

Stiffly, laboriously, and slowly, she turned her head.

The first thing she saw was a cascade of glossy black hair, draped over her shoulder and mingling with the strands at her temple… then, a robe that seemed light but felt heavy, still carrying the lingering warmth of another’s body.

Her gaze traveled upward until she saw Feng Jie’s face.

The Bixin Sword had been cast aside. Feng Jie knelt beside her, holding her so carefully she barely dared to move, afraid her clumsy hands might cause Gongsun Muhan more pain.

“Eldest Senior Sister… I’m sorry, I should have run faster, come sooner.”

“I should have saved you earlier. I shouldn’t have been so arrogant…” letting you endure imprisonment, escape, and even a cliff jump…

Plip.

A tear fell onto the robe, seeping into the fabric.

Gongsun Muhan struggled to extend her clenched fist. Plip. Another tear fell, landing directly on her hand, against her skin.

An intense, searing warmth instantly spread through her.

It was her. It really was her, not an illusion.

“Don’t cry.”

She opened her palm, and the wisp of spiritual energy transformed into a butterfly, fluttering back to Feng Jie’s chest.

Xie Zhi hadn’t followed. Seeing Feng Jie rush toward the heart of the demonic array was exactly what he had hoped for.

Besides, he could sense that the woman’s life force was fading, sustained only by sheer will. It wouldn’t be long before she was gone, no threat to the Demon Heart.

Moreover, if his guess was correct, the woman had an unusual relationship with Feng Jie. Her death would precisely ignite Feng Jie’s desires.

And this demon heart was particularly drawn to those consumed by intense cravings.

Suddenly, the demonic energy surrounding Feng Jie and the others, along with all the nearby miasma, dispersed. The ground rumbled violently, as if shaken by an earthquake…

Xie Zhi stood not far away, a sinister smile curling his lips as he gently stroked the snake-shaped mark on his little finger.

“The time has come.”