Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 45

Compared to a demon form, the advantage of Yunzhou was that she didn’t need to constantly watch the direction or maintain protective formations. The three of them could rest in shifts, always retaining enough energy to respond to sudden situations.

Yue Tingxi readily agreed: “Let me get through this whirlpool first, then I’ll look for a suitable place.”

However, once she passed through the whirlpool, what appeared before her eyes was a large group of ferocious shanzi fish.

This time, Yue Tingxi didn’t worry at all. In fact, she even seriously considered the rumor she had heard upon entering the shallow water layer about “capturing them alive for a high price.”

Although the shanzi fish were fierce and had six legs, once they were out of water, they were half-dead, no different from ordinary carp.

“Suoliu, go check the bamboo baskets in the eastern area,” she said after forming a plan, temporarily hiding from the shanzi fish, using pure water spirit energy as bait to lure them away from the crowd. She transmitted the instructions to Qin Suoliu: “Take as many as you can. Those bamboo baskets have space arrays inside—once filled, they’ll turn red.”

Qin Suoliu had indeed seen her use these special bamboo baskets when she was young. At first, she was surprised, but then immediately understood what this snake was planning.

The shanzi fish would follow the same method to enter. The interior chamber of the cave was dry; all they had to do was trap the fish, put them into the bamboo baskets, and provide just enough water spirit energy for survival, so they could be brought out alive.

Even when she still had a human form, Tingxi had wanted to catch fish, and now there were no restrictions.

So she set up the spirit beast eggs, looked for bamboo baskets, and explained the method to Lan Fengqing.

“How fun! I want in too!” Lan Fengqing rolled up her sleeves and even summoned some bowl-shaped and bucket-shaped magical tools. “My tools are similar to Tingxi’s bamboo baskets. We can catch more fish!”

Once they were ready with the containers, Yue Tingxi suddenly transformed her snake body, enlarging it several times, and snapped at the greedy shanzi fish!

One by one, the fish were transported to the inner chamber, while the two young ladies simply focused on capturing and putting them into containers.

The most arrogant shanzi fish, proud of their serrated teeth, were tightly bound by Lan Fengqing with fine vines, unable to even make a clashing sound.

Yue Tingxi almost forgot how many years it had been since she had done this in her demon form. As a child, she had eaten her fill in the fish pond of the Qingyu Mountain Elder, only to be scolded afterwards.

She had almost wiped out a species in the pond and was punished with a month of no meals, which had been agonizing.

Now, with the inner chamber formed, she no longer had to worry. She hadn’t decided yet how many shanzi fish to sell and how many to keep for themselves.

Not hearing the young ladies call a stop, she decided to send all visible shanzi fish into the inner chamber, even those trying to escape.

By now, the Xuanshui Secret Realm had been open for several days. Those with capital and ambition had long reached the deep parts of the shallow water layer or the ruins layer, which allowed them to harvest abundantly.

After catching the shanzi fish, Yue Tingxi, satisfied, looked for a vacant spot and set up an isolation barrier to prevent Yunzhou—still without a disguise spell—from being seen by other cultivators, then released Qin Suoliu.

After summoning Yunzhou and ensuring the disguise, Qin Suoliu did not immediately enter. She couldn’t help but reach out to touch the massive, pitch-black snake head.

Although giant creatures usually cause fear, she liked this Tingxi regardless of her form. Perhaps it was precisely because it was Tingxi that she liked her in any form.

She wanted to be coiled, even carried. The enlarged Tingxi’s tongue had grown longer and wider, and she even hoped that one day she could be entirely wrapped and gently pressed by her upper jaw.

“…What’s wrong with you again?” Yue Tingxi had no mind-reading ability. Feeling the touch, she was puzzled. “If Yunzhou is ready, I’ll release Miss Lan too.”

She sensed Lan Fengqing’s embarrassment at staying in the inner chamber.

Qin Suoliu reluctantly withdrew her hand, voice calm: “Okay, I’ll go in first.”

Yue Tingxi sensed a hint of disappointment but decided to accompany her outside a bit longer, letting Lan Fengqing enter first.

Speaking by sound transmission, Lan Fengqing’s attention alternated between the eggs and the fish. When Tingxi called, she simply took the eggs to pilot Yunzhou, unaware of the unusual interaction.

Qin Suoliu, carried in a water-spirit-isolating bubble, ascended with the giant snake.

Having spent a long time together, Yue Tingxi noticed her vague memories slowly becoming clearer—things the young lady enjoyed as a child and some secret desires she dared not speak aloud.

“When we were caught in the spirit whirlwind, did you encounter… an emergency that required diverting attention?” Tingxi asked delicately, hinting at those four mysterious numbers.

Before Qin Suoliu could answer, she added, “If you haven’t decided how to tell me, just distract yourself and calm down first.”

“…Thank you, Tingxi. I do need to think carefully,” Qin Suoliu murmured, unconsciously moving closer.

“This place isn’t suitable. Find another method,” Tingxi said.

She remembered that the young lady enjoyed being coiled; if such actions could make her feel better, she didn’t oppose it.

Qin Suoliu didn’t immediately respond. Realizing Tingxi’s suggestion, she opened her mouth but hesitated.

Tingxi then said: “You go first. If I think it’s inappropriate, I can refuse, right?”

“…I want to be carried for a little while,” Qin Suoliu whispered. “Just for a moment…”

Tingxi was puzzled.

Out of politeness, and since she had suggested it first, she restrained herself from asking further, only confirming: “Inside the bubble? Or… not?”

As soon as she spoke, Qin Suoliu dispersed the water-spirit-isolating bubble.

…This felt really strange.

Even when carrying beasts, Yue Tingxi usually only carried infants. Her small canine, Yunruan, liked carrying pups and young spirits.

But she was a snake. In her usual form, carrying or holding something in her mouth often meant eating it.

The usually tidy young lady didn’t mind the dirt this time?

Moreover, disguised as “Ni Wangshu,” Qin Suoliu had a faint fragrance of herbs, tasting slightly bitter and medicinal, yet still pleasantly fragrant, lying quietly in her mouth.

She remained still.

Recalling the first time she had asked Tingxi to coil her as a child, she remembered Tingxi’s confused expression. Even though Tingxi indulged her now, her mood must be complicated.

Just a little while, she thought, needing a safe place to organize her chaotic thoughts.

Earlier, amidst the spirit whirlwind and confinement in a special space, she had heard a familiar yet strange female voice. Cold, calm, emotionless, slightly low—like someone disillusioned with life—but she recognized it as her little sister, Qin Yingguang.

She instinctively called her sister’s name but received an unexpected reply:

[First meeting, I am 7364. The secret realm map and messages you possess were sent by me.]
[I am both your assistant and a special instrument once tasked to assist [Lan Chaoyao]. Call me the 7364 system.]
[The World Consciousness has now severed my link with the tasking organization and erased all surveillance over Lan Chaoyao. I will continue assisting you until Lan Chaoyao dies.]

Then, the 7364 system sent a series of coordinates:

[Follow these coordinates for consecutive transmissions to exit the ruins layer.]
[The World Consciousness messenger will aid in positioning; you need not worry about being sent to danger.]

Qin Suoliu wanted to ask more, but the mystical connection had already been severed.

Even without more identity details, she tried connecting her little sister’s name, the gray moth, and the strange status of “Qin Yingguang” in the Iris Whale illusion with the 7364 system.

Breaking down her sister’s name and numbers:

Seven – Qin, Three – food radical, Six – Guang, Four – missing.

It was unlikely a coincidence, but she had her theory and wanted to verify it.

…Yet if correct, how could her sister, who had never traveled far, become a tool aiding intruders?

She couldn’t understand, but the feeling of being quietly carried by her favorite demon eased her anxiety.

How to tell Tingxi? Or perhaps wait, investigate first, then tell her?

Unable to decide, she turned to think about investigation methods. Suddenly, her vision brightened, her force dissipated, and a cleansing spell rolled over her.

Yue Tingxi decided it was time. Mainly because the aroma on Qin Suoliu made her feel light-headed, she feared she might accidentally eat her.

“What kind of incense did you use?” she asked, pushing her to the Yunzhou gate, reverting to human form, brushing off the remaining scent. “Next time, clean it first before you want me to carry you!”

She wasn’t afraid of poison or fragrance, just that this aroma was odd.

Qin Suoliu, still not fully back to herself, instinctively replied: “Sorry. I’ll clean it first next time.”

Tingxi didn’t know how to respond, pushed her harder, entered the main cabin, and asked Lan Fengqing: “How long will it take?”

“The ascent has minor obstacles. If nothing unexpected occurs, one day should suffice,” Lan Fengqing replied. “Tingxi, you’ve worked hard. Would you like to rest first? I’ll call if needed.”

Previously, she had casually called Tingxi “sister,” but now sincerely wanted to.

Tingxi wasn’t really tired, but the incense made her uncomfortable. She accepted and entered the rest cabin.

Qin Suoliu and Lan Fengqing exchanged a glance. With encouragement in their eyes, Qin Suoliu moved to the other end of the resting berth, far from Tingxi, to meditate and refine the spirit plants.

Only a faint bitterness lingered in her heart.

A day later, Yunzhou emerged from the shallow water layer and exited the Xuanshui Secret Realm.

In an uninhabited area, Qin Suoliu removed the disguise from Yunzhou, reminded Tingxi and Lan Fengqing to remove theirs, and headed for the Qin Mansion.

“Though I have many doubts, the spirit plants from the secret realm must be quickly transferred to Baiyao Valley!”

Lan Fengqing decided to plant a spirit plant and close her cultivation first to return to her normal state.

“Contact me through the gray moth if needed,” Qin Suoliu reminded.

“You too. That spirit plant is valuable. Once I return to Baiyao Valley, I’ll consult my master and ancestors, then inform you!” Lan Fengqing said.

When Yunzhou reached the foot of Qingxu Sect, Lan Fengqing parted ways, rushing into the sect’s protective barrier.

The cabin was left with just the two and the eggs, silent and a bit lonely.

…And the egg.

The spirit beast egg had awakened, wobbling in its silk nest, faintly pecking at the shell. From experience, Tingxi knew it wouldn’t hatch in less than ten to fifteen days.

“Shanzi fish?” Qin Suoliu asked upon reaching Qin Mansion. “The mansion doesn’t have such a big pond, and placing them in a viewing pond isn’t safe.”

After all, they were ancient spirit beasts. Once provided enough water, they might jump and bite.

Yue Tingxi had considered this. She had planned to give some baskets to Luo Yansha for sale, but worried that the Red Dust Pavilion might target her, kidnap her, or extort more fish.

So, it was safer to let the Qin family handle the fish. With Qin Suoliu mediating, they wouldn’t lose out on profits.

Though she had just been strict with Qin Suoliu, mentioning profits now seemed cold.

“Not decided yet. But I want everyone to taste the shanzi fish first. Thank you for your care these days,” Tingxi said.

Before tasting, she tested for poison. The first shanzi fish she encountered had been poisoned, and even after time passed, she worried about residual toxins.

“Tingxi, no need to be polite. If I didn’t host properly, it would be rude,” Qin Suoliu replied, discreetly returning to calling her “Tingxi” instead of “Sister Tingxi.”

Tingxi, now used to “Sister Tingxi,” glanced at her but turned away at eye contact.

Better to maintain distance like before.

Yunzhou soon landed at Qin Mansion. Qin Suoliu had informed her mother in advance, so Lan Kongming and the elders were waiting.

Summer had arrived. Stepping down from Yunzhou, Tingxi felt the heat and heard the noisy cicadas.

Qin Yingguang hurried from the library, coinciding with servants moving materials and spirit plants from the secret realm.

“Sister! Tingxi!” The little girl was out of breath but still smiled brightly. “Secret realm exploration was hard! Rest now; I’ll prepare ice drinks!”

Qin Suoliu tousled Qin Yingguang’s hair and hugged her before letting her go to the kitchen, her gaze dark.

The young lady had gained a lot from the secret realm and naturally needed to report to the elders. Tingxi, mindful of her position, thanked Qin Yingguang for the red sugar dessert and took the spirit beast egg to see Luo Yansha.

She hadn’t expected Luo Yansha to have already prepared a nest with an ice box for cooling—though this fire-element egg disliked cold, so the ice box was for Luo Yansha’s enjoyment.

“…What kind of egg is this?” Luo Yansha examined the blue egg with red patterns.

“Most likely a Bifang,” Tingxi said while eating ice powder. “Don’t spoil it. It has a big appetite and a temper. Too much pampering, and it might sit on your head!”

“Bifang bird! Flying mount!” Luo Yansha’s eyes lit up. “I’ve hatched many chicks. Can I just treat it similarly?”

“I’m not sure. Better hatch it first,” Tingxi replied. “I’ll check the library later for related texts. The Bifang is quite famous.”

Luo Yansha thanked her repeatedly and got a jar of wine to celebrate: “Let’s drink to my spirit beast!”

Tingxi wanted to drink, but memories of the young lady pouring medicine tea previously and later bringing her to the Qin wine estate held her back.

—That person valued private drinking with old friends, yet refused Qin family wine.

“I’ll drink tea instead. Haven’t rested much lately, and I’ve been alert the whole time,” Tingxi said.

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