Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 74

The Jade Mountain inhabitant took the initiative to handle the fireworks. At the appointed time with the children, the fireworks burst into the sky.

Streams of light ascended—some flowing like miniature waterfalls, others blooming like clusters of flowers.

At first, Bifang glanced at the fireworks and then at Luo Yansha, silently complaining about how this person never looked at him. “What’s so great about fireworks? If I wanted to, I could spit one out myself…” But eventually, he too stared at the sky, captivated by the varied patterns bursting above.

Qin Yingguang simply lay down on the rooftop, listening to the distant rumbles and curling her lips slightly, greedily savoring her last moments as an ordinary human.

Yue Tingxi sipped her juice, quietly leaning against Qin Suoliu.

Yet, in truth, after learning the truth about the reincarnation and the World Consciousness, their hearts were far from calm.

But now, there was no other choice. To win and bring true peace to this world, they had to remember past sufferings and the departed, and keep moving forward—even if it meant stepping onto a path of no return.

Her fingertips itched, and Yue Tingxi instinctively looked down. She saw the Eldest Miss’s hand reaching out, playing with her fingers.

She moved her hand so that her fingertips slipped into Qin Suoliu’s fingers and gently pressed onto the back of her hand, silently locking the hand she loved most to touch herself. Her thumb traced two strokes across her palm, and she heard the faint laughter of the Eldest Miss beside her.

—As long as the homeland they cherish is not touched by war or demon calamity, and the people and demons they care for can live long, that would be the best outcome.

If the time comes when sacrifice is unavoidable… she already knew what she could do.

“Qingwu, remember your duty: guard the Xishan, preserve the lives of the demons, and protect the mountain’s spiritual veins.”

At the same time, on the Tribulation Platform, Xie Zhi, transformed into human form, once again instructed the demons beside her. Her bronze-colored hair fluttered in the autumn night wind.

“…Will this world be destroyed by the counterattack plan?” asked the Jade Mountain inhabitant.

“If the plan succeeds, no,” Xie Zhi replied. “However, according to projections, the world will inevitably face a great disaster. The World Consciousness will notify the other seven demon mountains and the key human powers that can serve as the ‘pillars’ to protect their territories. To what extent they succeed will depend on themselves.”

“Will the seal of the demon realm be opened?”

“If nothing unexpected occurs, it shouldn’t be. Since leaving the secret realm, I’ve reinforced it multiple times,” Xie Zhi explained. “Rest assured, the World Consciousness is fully aware of the dangers of demons. This time, the location of the seal is a key focus area. At least until the ghost domain secret realm is closed, I will guard it well.”

The Jade Mountain inhabitant gazed into her eyes, silent for a long while.

She wanted to say that this plan might cost the lives of many ordinary people. Unprotected young demons might not survive either.

Moreover, once disaster strikes, the original peace and order would collapse, making it difficult to maintain the surface calm.

But she knew clearly that the World Consciousness needed sufficient strength.

And if successful, this plan could save more lives, spare more innocents, and prevent further invasions—though perhaps only temporarily. After all, even the World Consciousness does not know whether organizations like the Book-Crossing Bureau exist elsewhere in the void, lurking in secret.

She took a deep breath, putting aside the unpredictable future, and shifted the topic.

“Can I directly assume that you won’t return?”

“It’s fine to think that for now,” Xie Zhi smiled casually. “After all, I’m the creation of the World Consciousness. If necessary, I can act as its sword. If the power isn’t enough, I am destined to step forward and burn my soul.”

Seeing the Jade Mountain inhabitant frown, she teased, “You can’t expect me to let your jade cabbage and the others sacrifice themselves, can you? I am the ‘Scale of Salvation’! If the critical moment comes and I just watch, what kind of ‘savior’ would I be?”

“…I don’t intend to stop you,” muttered the Jade Mountain inhabitant.

“Oh, you don’t need to hide it from me,” Xie Zhi smiled. “I know you too well.”

Xishan was the World Consciousness’s favorite demon mountain, worthy of guarding the child of the demon Bashe, and a reliable piece in the larger plan.

Thus, after subduing and sealing Bashe, Xie Zhi left a fragment of her soul in the mountain. Initially to observe, it became curiosity—watching the child grow into independence.

If there was anyone most familiar with Qingwu, she guessed she could at least be one.

“You don’t really think I would forgive you just because you explained everything, do you?” Qingwu said. “Though the World Consciousness acted out of necessity, the suffering caused in the invaded small worlds, the war and crises left unchecked… all these sacrifices are real.”

“Even if all memories were erased, nothing could restore everything to its original state.” Thinking of Lan Kongming’s confessions, she sighed. “Children lose parents, innocents lose devoted companions. No matter the reason, these blood debts will one day become the World Consciousness’s curse.”

“And you are no exception, Xie Zhi. You are both observer and player.”

“After all that tough talk, you still don’t really want me to perish along with the Book-Crossing Bureau, do you?” Xie Zhi winked. “Earlier, you even complained about raising such good children—but you are just as much a demon yourself.”

“Yes. Knowing the truth, I wish I could personally pull you and the World Consciousness from your divine pedestals,” Qingwu sneered. “Let you taste the suffering you’ve created.”

“But I lack the power, and you’ve witnessed hundreds of years of cycles and bloodshed. If the World Consciousness has a soul, it must already be corrupted. Choices like yours are bound to have consequences. Right and wrong, punishment, are not for an outsider like me to judge.”

Just like her long-standing hatred of Bashe, she would never recognize, forgive, or feel grateful for anyone who brought suffering, even a godlike being like the World Consciousness.

Gratitude and daily friendship are different matters entirely.

“If you survive, I’ll be watching you forever,” Qingwu said sternly. “No one should ever be a black or white piece on a god or deity’s chessboard again.”

Their eyes met for several moments, and then Xie Zhi laughed aloud.

“Interesting. Then I must survive well, just to be watched by you forever.” She narrowed her eyes, her warm orange veil flowing around her, brushing across Qingwu’s chin.

Qingwu, as usual, didn’t bother replying and rolled her eyes, going to clean up the fireworks remnants.

The next morning, the group departed Xishan aboard the white jade flying boat given by Qingwu.

When the two Eldest Misses disguised themselves, Yue Tingxi touched the mustard seed ice wheel returned by the ancestress, recalling her instructions: “Whatever happens, prioritize your own life. Preserve the green mountains, and you won’t lack firewood.”

This was almost identical to what Aunt Lan told Qin Suoliu.

Qin Yingguang disguised Luo Yansha, attaching the silver-gray Grey Moth magic to her body.

The previous night, she had promised her sister and Tingxi that if danger arose, she would escort Luo Yansha and her mother out of the ghost realm to safety.

Even an ordinary cultivator or a small fledgling, she could still save.

“Won’t you disguise yourself?”

Luo Yansha’s voice suddenly came.

“I want to verify a guess, so not yet,” Yue Tingxi nodded.

Though keeping her appearance, her body was now Bashe’s. She wanted to see if the ghost-realm cultivator recognized Bashe, and if so, whether she could learn why the demon realm seal had to be opened.

High-level cultivators could often see the essence of a person, so she would approach openly to gain more information.

“Then your identity…” Luo Yansha hesitated. Seeing Yue Tingxi standing beside others without disguise, she worried it might draw suspicion.

“Tell others that the Eldest Miss is confined, and I accompany her on her behalf,” Yue Tingxi said.

Luo Yansha didn’t ask further, hugging Bifang tightly, taking deep breaths.

“To be honest, I’m nervous,” she admitted. “Even on the road, we haven’t entered Zhenyun Valley yet…”

“Normal. You know how dangerous the place is. Years ago, powerful cultivators died there,” Yue Tingxi patted her shoulder, only to receive Bifang’s glaring stare.

Luo Yansha nodded quietly, then said, “But I don’t regret it. Whether I live or die, I will enjoy this exploration of the secret realm.”

She could have stayed in Xishan. No one would force a novice cultivator to follow if she didn’t want to.

Yet she felt an opportunity had been handed to her. Even if unqualified, she would experience something memorable in life.

Before Yue Tingxi could respond, Bifang in Luo Yansha’s arms started squawking loudly, causing annoyance.

“Xiaochenjing can’t bear me saying ‘die’!” Luo Yansha laughed, soothing the bird.

Soon, Qin Suoliu returned from her disguise, sitting beside Yue Tingxi.

She still wore red, disguised as “Ni Wangshu,” two reds, one bright and one pale, sitting close together. As Lan Fengqing described, it looked like “two closest colors on a palette.”

“How do you feel?” Qin Suoliu asked.

“Well… I’m used to it,” Yue Tingxi said. “It’s not my first time entering a secret realm. The ghost realm, though dangerous, is just an independent small world. I wasn’t afraid at Nascent Soul stage, so there’s no need now.”

If they faced enemies beyond Tribulation-level, panic would be useless.

She took Qin Suoliu’s hand, frowning slightly, “So cold… are you really that scared?”

“Yes, it’s the final battle,” Qin Suoliu closed her eyes, leaning on her shoulder. “Let me stay a while, and I won’t be afraid.”

Yue Tingxi didn’t reply, simply cupping her face, kissing her repeatedly in private.

“Rest assured, I will always stay by your side.”

Half a day later, the white jade flying boat entered Zhenyun Valley territory, landing on the Stop-Sword Platform near the Cui Shan Inn.

Yue Tingxi wore a simple mask and, with the four others properly disguised, brought Bifang down from the boat, storing him in the mustard seed ice wheel.

Upon entering the inn’s main hall, they overheard murmuring cultivators:

“Did you hear? The ‘Twin Fox Asuras’ are entering the ghost realm too!”

“Ha? Not surprising. The secret realm is perfect for killing. Remember the Ghost Sword Sect? They slaughtered there and were never caught.”

“They shouldn’t be stupid enough to appear in their murderous forms, right? How could anyone tell?”

Yue Tingxi: …

The intruders really had too much time on their hands—trying to provoke them even at the edge of death.

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