Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 75

Just as a few male cultivators had a “bright idea” to have the inn question every female cultivator who checked in, Lan Fengqing presented the token given by the Star-Picking Pavilion back then to the innkeeper. With four people and a bird in tow, she checked into the inn in broad daylight under the status of a distinguished guest of the Star-Picking Pavilion.

“‘Twin Fox Asuras’ are going to the Ghost Domain Secret Realm too?!”

It wasn’t until they reached their room that Luo Yansha dared to speak, her voice betraying her excitement.

During the Mid-Autumn Night drinking session, Yue Tingxi had already realized that neither she nor Chanying were actually afraid of the Twin Fox Asuras. In fact, not only were they unafraid, but they also admired their decisiveness and ruthlessness. She even felt that having them punish the wicked was a blessing.

“Perhaps. After all, in the past two years, the only stable secret realm openings have been here. If they want to take the chance to eliminate evildoers, such as covert intruders, it would indeed be a good opportunity,” Yue Tingxi replied.

She noticed Luo Yansha’s eyes lighting up.

Knowing the true background of the Twin Fox Asuras, Lan Fengqing raised an eyebrow but refrained from revealing the full truth. She merely reminded them, “I used the Star-Picking Pavilion token. The matters of the Ghost Domain Secret Realm are significant. Since they managed to find the Salvation Scales through divination back then, they will naturally come to eliminate the source of disaster. If the inn’s host recognizes you as VIP guests, they will inform you to prevent anyone from impersonating you using stolen tokens. By tonight at the latest, the Star-Picking Pavilion will send someone over.”

“Then it’s best if the three of us handle it ourselves,” Yue Tingxi suggested. “Zha Zha, Yin Guang, and Bifang can rest here.”

As she spoke, she touched the Mustard Seed Ice Wheel hanging at her waist—Xie Zhi was inside.

Over these two years, although her cultivation had surged due to seizing Ba She’s body, she still hadn’t fully refined the Salvation Scales into a blood-contract artifact she could truly command, so Xie Zhi had remained inside the Mustard Seed Ice Wheel.

If the Star-Picking Pavilion recognized them as the Twin Fox Asuras, she planned to let Xie Zhi explain, proving that their purpose wasn’t merely to slay evildoers, but to accomplish more important matters.

Lan Fengqing’s prediction was slightly conservative. By after lunch, a female steward from the inn came to fetch them: “The elders of Star-Picking Pavilion request your presence.”

Yue Tingxi, Qin Suoliu, and Lan Fengqing were led to the room reserved for the Star-Picking Pavilion. Upon entering, they met the gaze of the Five Elders, who were arranging the divination.

“So it really is you… meeting again,” one said.

The Five Elders’ tone remained gentle, yet the Sixth Elder scoffed lightly: “The Twin Fox Asuras are using us as a shield, huh?”

“We apologize. We cannot reveal our true identities for the time being, so we had no choice but to stay as VIP guests until the ‘Ghost Gate opens,’” Qin Suoliu replied calmly, subtly admitting they were indeed the Twin Fox Asuras.

The Sixth Elder opened his mouth to retort further but was stopped by the Fifth Elder: “Shuanghan, be respectful. They are allies on this journey, and the divination was personally performed by the Supreme Elder.”

“…Last time, they took away the Salvation Scales. The divination for the disaster five years later did change—advanced by three whole years!” Shuanghan crossed his arms, angered, “How am I supposed to trust them with this responsibility?”

Yue Tingxi realized the Supreme Elder’s divinations were accurate. Before leaving, Qing Yushan had privately informed her that when confronting the Book Management Bureau, the World Consciousness might pull all the battle forces from this world, causing disasters. That was why she had to stay at Xishan, protecting the creatures and spiritual veins.

“But the divination also shows that this disaster does not involve the demon world—at least the ‘demonic calamities in the world’ can be avoided,” the Fifth Elder continued. “If the disaster is fated to occur, we’ll do our best to minimize its damage.”

She looked at Qin Suoliu. “We specifically invited you before entering the Ghost Domain Secret Realm as a temporary alliance. To be honest, the most likely demon to open the seal of the demon world is still lurking in the secret realm. Star-Picking Pavilion plans to eliminate it, but our combat power… I’m sure the three of you understand. If we can ally, we can safely calculate positions and devise strategies with minimal losses.”

“Binding and sealing artifacts we can provide,” the Sixth Elder said, extending his left hand. A high-level storage ring of obvious immense value appeared on his wrist.

“Of course. But our intelligence shows that this demon dwells in the ‘Withered Bone Blossoms’ of Ghost City. To break the city’s barrier, we must obtain the ‘Few Sprigs of Cold Crisp’ herb first,” Qin Suoliu explained. “Currently, this immortal herb is held by the ‘Ghost Sword Cultivator.’ Before we can eliminate the demon, we may need to take it by force.”

“You know the identity of the ‘Ghost Sword Cultivator’?!” the Sixth Elder exclaimed.

“Not only do we know, but we’ve met him more than once,” Yue Tingxi clicked her knuckles. “You could divinate once—if success seems likely, we’ll find him once inside the secret realm.”

The Sixth Elder instinctively reached for the star divination plate, but before taking action, he paused: “Fine, we’ll follow you.”

“Is it only the two of you?” Lan Fengqing casually asked.

“Yes. During the Xuanshui Secret Realm mission, we received assistance, but other teams suffered casualties. After returning to the sect, we heard rumors of the ‘Ghost Sword Cultivator.’ To minimize sacrifices and preserve legacies, the Supreme Elder only allowed the two of us to investigate,” the Fifth Elder explained, waving starlight to inscribe their true names in front of both of them.

The Sixth Elder’s name, “Liu Shuanghan,” had been heard by the three before during the Xuanshui Secret Realm, and the Fifth Elder’s name was “Yang Heng.” This was the first formal introduction.

Yue Tingxi, previously using the alias “Ling Jian,” now officially introduced herself as “Qing Tingxi.”

“Since you know the Ghost Sword Cultivator and want to kill him, why not have done it in the Xuanshui Secret Realm?” the Sixth Elder asked once the starlight faded. “He’s killed countless people and stolen many blood-contract artifacts and forged materials!”

“We didn’t know he’d do this later,” Lan Fengqing replied quietly, her voice tinged with anger. “You’re right—we should have killed him back then!”

“This isn’t the time for blame,” Qin Suoliu said calmly. “You’re experts in divination. Can you calculate what he intends by taking blood-contract artifacts and forging materials?”

“Although the divination is odd, it indeed points to ‘remolding demon talismans’ and ‘opening the demon world seal!’” Liu Shuanghan clenched his fists. “Moreover, the Ghost Domain Secret Realm already contains ghostly demons, making it hard not to associate the Ghost Sword Cultivator with these demons…”

“It seems the Ghost Sword Cultivator must be killed,” Yue Tingxi said expressionlessly, repeating the plan set long ago.

“Do you have any idea about the identity of this ghostly demon or its true form?” Lan Fengqing asked.

“The divination points west, extremely ominous. The western divine beast is the White Tiger, likely taking a tiger form,” the Fifth Elder said while adjusting the star divination plate. “Another source suggests it has wings—possibly the ancient ferocious beast, Qiongqi.”

“Qiongqi… If my beast-catching tools were still around, I could probably capture it in one go and make it my mount.”

At Cuishan Inn, Lan Zhaoyao looked at the intelligence sent by the 7364 system. “Among the previously seized treasures, there were items like the Immortal Binding Rope. Not sure if they’d work on a Tribulation-stage ferocious beast.”

[Host strongly discouraged from challenging stronger enemies above their level.]

“Don’t worry, I know my limits,” Lan Zhaoyao said. “One of the Twin Fox Asuras is at Tribulation stage, isn’t she? Whether Qin Suoliu or Yue Tingxi, their persona ensures they won’t just wander the realm—they’ll fight. I’ll wait to see them and the Qiongqi wear each other down before I intervene.”

He was extremely curious about their Tribulation-stage cultivation. Two years ago in the Xuanshui Secret Realm, he had taken many yuan cores and spirit embryos, yet their cultivation hadn’t advanced, despite his absorption.

Though he knew the World Consciousness restricted his activities in the secret realm, preventing tribulation lightning, this wasn’t a major obstacle.

“Still trying to hide behind the Star-Picking Pavilion, huh? Then you’ll be disgraced and made a target…”

Lan Zhaoyao took out a recording pearl to execute his plan but suddenly felt a dizziness.

When he regained awareness, he found himself holding the pearl, eyes wide with surprise.

…What exactly was he about to do?

Yue Tingxi received a message from Luo Yansha and rushed back to the room, only to find Qin Yingguang curled up weakly on the bed, her life force nearly gone.

“…Energy completely depleted.” Lan Fengqing was not surprised upon checking the pulse. “Just like in the Xuanshui Secret Realm.”

Since Luo Yansha was present, she only hinted at the similarity.

Exchanging a glance with Yue Tingxi, Qin Suoliu transmitted: “Likely interference from the invader’s side.”

“At this hour? Could it be… continuing to spread rumors about the Twin Fox Asuras?” Yue Tingxi frowned. “It does help us, but Yingguang may not have enough strength to enter the secret realm herself.”

Each time the World Consciousness intervenes through Qin Yingguang’s body, it consumes her physical and spiritual energy.

“Let’s check her condition closer to departure,” Yue Tingxi thought. “If she can’t recover quickly, she’ll temporarily stay in my inner chamber.”

Ba She’s inner chamber was far more spacious than her own, but undeveloped—more like a dark, damp dungeon than a proper abode.

No time to fuss over that. As long as they could bring her into the secret realm, it would suffice.

“I can transfer energy to her,” Qin Suoliu offered. “We share the same source. No matter how much I give her, she won’t feel discomfort. And I can easily replenish what I spend.”

Upon hearing this, Yue Tingxi instinctively looked at her, meeting the elder lady’s gaze simultaneously.

“…Then you better hurry.” Yue Tingxi turned her face slightly. “Although it’s not difficult, it still takes some time.”

She hadn’t expected to have a dual-cultivation opportunity right before the Ghost Gate opened.

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