Chapter 333: Confusion Clears, Reunion After a Long Separation
Daylight gradually broke, and the morning sun shone down.
The sudden disaster had quietly dissipated without a trace.
Although the villagers felt tired after waking up, they still started their day as usual. But looking at the collapsed houses and damaged streets in the village, many villagers couldn’t help but whisper and gossip, spreading strange rumors.
…
Inside an empty guest room at the inn.
“Mmm…”
Qiu Shuihan’s eyes fluttered, her lips pursed slightly, and after the flowing light around her shoulders gradually dissipated, she exhaled softly.
Yun Yue dispersed the sinister Yin energy from her fingertips and said softly: “Rest for a few more days, and you should gradually recover. But it’s best not to use your Yin energy during this time, to avoid aggravating your injuries.”
“Thank you, Miss.”
Qiu Shuihan pulled her clothes back up, covering her slightly exposed skin, a sweet and charming smile appearing on her face: “It’s truly rare to see someone with such extraordinary cultivation and a kind heart in the demon and ghost world, Miss.”
“It was just a small effort.”
Yun Yue glanced at Tang Qianmen, who was sitting silently beside her, and sighed inwardly.
This woman, perhaps she shared a similar fate, but now she seemed lost and timid, a demon growing in her heart.
Meanwhile, Lin Tianlu and Mo Duanyan were sitting at the table.
“…”
Mo Duanyan had already removed the black mist, bamboo hat, and veil that concealed her face, revealing a charming face different from before, a hint of allure in the corners of her beautiful eyes.
Although she still retained some girlish innocence, the black lotus mark blooming between her eyebrows gave her a mature and seductive aura she hadn’t possessed before. Her lowered eyes and silence made her seem cold and indifferent, as if she were heartless and emotionless.
It was hard to imagine such a drastic change in just a few short months.
Lin Tianlu pondered for a long time, poured her a cup of warm tea, and then asked: “Can you tell me now, Miss Mo, what exactly happened to you during this time?”
“I… originally planned to return to my sect, participate in the memorial ceremony, and then wait for your visit during the New Year, Master.”
Mo Duanyan clasped her hands tightly in her lap and whispered: “But I was attacked by a monster along the way and barely managed to maintain my consciousness after being corrupted by this black energy, wandering aimlessly for more than a month.
Until… I regained my senses and could sense the fluctuations of the black energy, wanting to free others who were suffering like me.”
Lin Tianlu frowned slightly, flicking her forehead:
“There’s no need to hide anything from me, what exactly happened to you back then?”
“I…”
Mo Duanyan pursed her lips, finally letting go of her worries, and sighed softly: “I was captured by a strange old man and taken to a mysterious cellar, filled with black energy… It wasn’t just me, there were also many other young girls who suffered the same fate. The moment the black energy entered our bodies, we became crazed, only knowing how to fight and kill, absorbing the black energy released from each other’s bodies after death, like fighting insects.”
“I regained my consciousness halfway and escaped secretly in the night. But not long after, I heard rumors about the ‘Possessor’ wreaking havoc in several towns and villages, and I knew that those ‘insects’ had been released, starting to harm the world.”
She took a deep breath and said in a low voice: “I’ve become this… neither human nor ghost, I have no face to see my family anymore. So, using the last of my strength, I tried my best to slay those insects and free them.”
“But the black energy spread much faster than I imagined. Before I knew it, the number of people corrupted by it far exceeded the number of girls who were initially affected. Even though I traveled and fought tirelessly, the number of Possessors didn’t decrease, and the disaster only intensified. Until I arrived in Fengtai County, and…”
Mo Duanyan looked up at him, her voice softening: “I met Incense Master Tang and the others, and then… I encountered you, Master.”
“…”
Lin Tianlu was silent for a while.
Then, he reached out and rubbed the young woman’s head:
“You’ve suffered a lot during this time, Miss Mo, thank you for your hard work.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Mo Duanyan’s expression softened slightly.
But her face no longer had its previous innocence and naiveté.
The life-or-death experiences of the past few months had clearly changed this young girl, making her more mature, cold, and elegant, her aura otherworldly.
But this bitter experience made one feel pity and sympathy for her.
“Do you remember who attacked you?”
“I don’t know.”
Mo Duanyan shook her head: “That strange old man never showed his true face, he only appeared as a phantom. And after I escaped from that hellhole, I never saw him again, he seemed to have just let those Possessors spread freely.”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment and then smiled gently: “Well, it’s good that you’re safe, Miss Mo. As for the abnormalities in your body…”
“It should be fine.” Mo Duanyan pursed her lips and whispered: “Although my mind was confused at first, I was fine after a few days of adapting, and… my cultivation is far greater than before, my strength is like a monster’s now. It’s just that this transformation only seems to have happened to me, the other Possessors are mostly in a daze, fighting and killing until they’re completely drained, becoming vessels for the black energy.”
Lin Tianlu hesitated slightly, then suggested: “If you don’t mind, Miss Mo, can I examine your condition?”
“Please do, Master.”
Mo Duanyan nodded obediently, without any resistance.
“Please relax and don’t struggle.” Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious as he placed his hand on her shoulder, focusing his mind and senses.
As his spiritual energy and consciousness gradually entered her body, he quickly sensed a powerful surge of black energy flowing within her.
But unlike the wriggling black threads he had seen before, this black energy had condensed into a liquid-like form, flowing and surging within her energy center, converging in her chest and solidifying into a black jade-like substance, perfectly integrated and balanced with her flesh and blood, pulsating with an astonishing life force.
Just a few months ago, this young girl had only been practicing ordinary martial arts and cultivating internal energy, with just a faint trace of internal breath within her body.
But now, her entire being had been transformed, her dark internal energy surging like a river. In terms of cultivation alone, she was almost on par with a grandmaster, perhaps even surpassing them!
And this abnormality…
…was indeed very similar to Cheng Qingyu’s condition.
But the extent of their transformations was vastly different.
“Mmm—”
Mo Duanyan frowned slightly, a pained expression on her face.
Lin Tianlu suddenly felt the black energy within her body churning, as if trying to forcibly repel his spiritual energy.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“It’s a bit… bloated.”
Mo Duanyan whispered hesitantly: “I’m not used to this power yet, I instinctively want to…”
“Calm down.”
Lin Tianlu pondered inwardly and channeled his spiritual energy into her limbs and meridians.
The previously resistant black energy, after the influx of spiritual energy, calmed down after a brief moment of agitation and began to intertwine and merge with his spiritual energy harmoniously.
Hum—
A strange humming sound echoed.
Yun Yue, who had been quietly observing, couldn’t help but look surprised.
Strange patterns appeared on Mo Duanyan’s skin, emitting a faint dark light.
But unlike the chaotic and disorganized marks he had seen before, the black patterns on Mo Duanyan’s body were incredibly intricate and mysterious, spreading from her neck like a beautiful and seductive black lotus, faintly blooming on her cheeks, the demonic patterns covering her face, her lips stained a dark red, not terrifying or sinister, but rather alluring and captivating.
“Hu—”
As she closed her eyes and exhaled softly, a charming blush appeared on her cheeks.
After Lin Tianlu removed his hand from her shoulder, Mo Duanyan opened her eyes again, the blush fading, her expression quickly returning to its previous coldness and indifference.
And the shimmering black patterns on her body also faded, disappearing into her skin, as if the astonishing transformation had never happened.
“How do you feel?”
“Very comfortable.”
Mo Duanyan pursed her lips slightly, a faint smile appearing: “Thank you, Master.”
Lin Tianlu sighed softly and chuckled: “It seems there’s no need to worry about your physical condition, Miss Mo.”
Although the origins of that black energy were strange and its nature hard to grasp, it had completely merged with Mo Duanyan’s body, becoming a part of her, almost like her soul or internal energy. As long as she remained calm and composed, there shouldn’t be any problems.
As for the horns on her head, they seemed to be a physical mutation, almost like exposed bone. It wouldn’t be good to remove them forcibly.
“However, I’m curious about how you three met.”
Lin Tianlu looked back at Tang Qianmen and Qiu Shuihan: “Miss Mo wanted to eliminate those Possessors, and you two—”
Qiu Shuihan smiled elegantly and seductively, stood up, and curtsied gracefully: “I am the previous generation’s successor of the Lingluo Valley, my name is Qiu Shuihan. I came to Fengtai County to see what secrets were hidden in the secret realm, but the situation is far more complex than I imagined. By chance, I met Incense Master Tang and Miss Mo, it can be considered a strange twist of fate.”
Mo Duanyan’s eyes turned slightly cold, and she snorted softly, but didn’t say anything more.
Although she had been teased and humiliated by Qiu Shuihan not long ago, they had helped each other during their subsequent experiences.
It was fine to let it go for now.
Tang Qianmen hugged herself, her face filled with a complex expression as she looked away and whispered: “My reason is similar. I heard about Miss Mo from a woman and went to meet her. But being chased by the Luo Xing Soultaker was unexpected.”
Lin Tianlu nodded in understanding.
However, this identity of the previous generation’s Lingluo Woman…
“There’s no need to worry, Master Lin, the relationships within the Lingluo Valley are complex, and people are drifting apart, I harbor no resentment.” Qiu Shuihan seemed to know his thoughts and chuckled: “Besides, you saved my life just now, Master Lin, how could I have any complaints? I’m truly grateful.”
“Since you have no ill intentions, Miss Qiu, I naturally won’t make things difficult for you.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Master Lin.”
The smile on Qiu Shuihan’s beautiful face became even brighter and more charming as she curtsied, her eyes seemingly flickering with a strange light.
Lin Tianlu then looked at Tang Qianmen, whose expression was gloomy: “Incense Master Tang, do you still remember the mysterious woman who gave you the information?”
“Not clearly, I only remember that she had a very seductive and alluring figure, unlike any ordinary woman.”
“In that case, I won’t ask any further.”
He smiled wryly, giving up on getting to the bottom of it for now.
Clearly, Mo Duanyan, Tang Qianmen, and even Qiu Shuihan were all pawns in this conflict, manipulated by others.
The only difference was whether they had the strength to fight and resist.
“What are your plans now?”
“I… don’t want to go back yet.”
Mo Duanyan clenched her hands and whispered: “Although you just comforted me, Master, and told me not to worry too much, I still can’t let it go… Perhaps I’ll be able to calmly return home after some time.”
“That’s fine.” Lin Tianlu had no objections.
This little girl was calmer and more mature than he had expected.
“Then you two—”
“I will leave.”
Tang Qianmen murmured listlessly: “I won’t harm anyone, I’ll just find a quiet and peaceful place to recuperate.”
Qiu Shuihan’s eyes twinkled, and she chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand: “I share the same thoughts as Incense Master Tang. Although I’m very interested in you, Master Lin, my injuries still need time to heal, I might not be able to travel with you.”
“It would be best if you could stay away from conflict and live in seclusion.”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but tease.
Qiu Shuihan smiled seductively and curtsied: “Your suggestion is quite appealing, Master Lin. After all, I’m tired of the schemes and plots within the Lingluo Valley and dislike the conflicts in this world. It would be quite nice to find a peaceful place and live in seclusion.
What do you think of my and Master Lin’s suggestion, Incense Master Tang?”
“…I have no objections.”
Tang Qianmen replied indifferently, still seemingly lacking in enthusiasm.
But she bit her lip lightly, and after a moment of silence, she raised her eyes and said in a deep voice: “Can you tell me, Master Lin… when you took most of my soul, was it to make me change my ways and turn over a new leaf? And now that I’ve betrayed the Zhaoxiao Court and abandoned my past… was I wrong?”
Lin Tianlu was slightly stunned.
Looking at her anxious and uneasy eyes, he finally understood.
After a moment of thought, he smiled gently and said reassuringly: “Actually, with your centuries of experience, Miss Tang, you already know the answer in your heart, there’s no need for a junior like me to point it out.”
“But, but you…”
“But don’t forget, Miss Tang, half of your soul is still with me.”
Lin Tianlu tapped his chest and said seriously: “Whether your actions are against your conscience, we can both sense it, there’s no need to be so lost and uneasy. If you truly act with kindness and sincerity, you can walk this earth with your head held high.”
“…”
Tang Qianmen blinked repeatedly, her eyes flickering as she lowered her head again, her lips pressed together tightly.
Seeing her silence again, Lin Tianlu didn’t say anything more.
After all, a demon who had lived for hundreds of years, her experiences and insights far surpassed those of mortals, there was no need for others to “guide” her.
What she needed was just a little “nudge” when she was lost.
There were inner demons at every level of cultivation, and after abandoning darkness and embracing the light, naturally, some “obstacles” would remain, requiring careful reflection and repentance to overcome.
After all, doing good deeds… wasn’t something that could be achieved just by saying a few words.
Lin Tianlu rubbed his chin and mused: “However, you’re both injured, it would be dangerous to leave this place and encounter other Luo Xing Soultakers, where can you go to be safe?”
Qiu Shuihan frowned slightly, realizing that this was indeed a problem.
If she returned to Lingluo Valley, she would naturally be safe. Even if the Luo Xing truly had malicious intentions, she had the strength to resist.
But the current situation in Lingluo Valley…
“If you don’t mind, why don’t you three come to our Lunar Valley and stay for a while?”
“Hmm?”
A strange female voice suddenly came from outside, making Qiu Shuihan and the others’ hearts tremble. They looked towards the voice in surprise and uncertainty.
Then, the wooden door of the guest room slowly opened, and a beautifully dressed, mature woman walked in. The hem of her skirt revealed glimpses of her legs, her silver hair cascading down like a waterfall, a faint, elegant, and dignified smile on her breathtakingly beautiful face: “Our Lunar Valley is located in a remote and desolate area, even the Luo Xing can’t find it, there’s absolutely no danger there.”
“—Valley Master?!”
After seeing the newcomer’s face clearly, Lin Tianlu was surprised and delighted: “Why are you here?”
“If I said it was just a coincidence, would you believe me, Tianlu?”
“This…”
“I had a premonition, and it would be too dangerous to send disciples, so I decided to come out with Eighth Elder and see what has changed in the world.”
The Valley Master smiled gently and said softly: “And after passing through Fengtai County, I roughly understood the situation. If you three have no place to go for now, it would be a good choice to come back to Lunar Valley with me.”
Lin Tianlu suppressed his surprise and mused:
“Wouldn’t this… be too much trouble?”
“It’s no trouble at all, just a few extra rooms.”
The Valley Master chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand, and walked over gracefully, speaking kindly and gently: “Besides, Tianlu, don’t forget, you’re our Lunar Valley’s only good son-in-law, we naturally have to help you.”
Feeling the pleasant fragrance, Lin Tianlu quickly smiled politely and cupped his hands: “Then I must thank you for your concern, Valley Master.”
“There’s no need for such formalities.”
The Valley Master gently pressed his hands down and whispered: “How is Ruoyu now?”
“She’s sleeping in the next room, she probably needs to rest for a while longer.”
“Take good care of her, if she’s injured, Jingyun will be very worried.” The Valley Master smiled and gently touched his chest: “But you also have to take care of yourself, if you come back looking thin and haggard, Jingyun will be worried sick, unable to eat or sleep.”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly.
Seeing his embarrassed expression, a hint of amusement flickered in the Valley Master’s eyes. She quickly looked at Qiu Shuihan and Tang Qianmen, who were standing there silently.
“What do you two think of my suggestion?”
“This…”
Qiu Shuihan was speechless for a moment, hesitating.
After all, this was too sudden.
Lin Tianlu chuckled and briefly introduced them.
…
After hearing about his close relationship with Lunar Valley, Qiu Shuihan’s thoughts stirred, and a joyful smile appeared on her face as she curtsied gracefully: “If the Valley Master of Lunar Valley doesn’t mind our intrusion, then it would be our honor.”
To be so highly regarded by Lin Tianlu, and even related to him by marriage, perhaps it was truly worth a visit.
Moreover, they were injured and had made an enemy of the Luo Xing, traveling alone was indeed dangerous. To have a safe and peaceful place to stay was a blessing.
“You’re welcome.”
The Valley Master smiled and nodded: “After your injuries are healed, you’re free to stay or leave as you please. But I hope you can keep the location of our Lunar Valley a secret.”
“Please rest assured, I wouldn’t betray your trust.” Tang Qianmen made a solemn promise.
Qiu Shuihan chuckled: “Lunar Valley has a close relationship with Master Lin, even if you gave me the courage, I wouldn’t dare to act recklessly.”
The Valley Master was quite satisfied with their response.
Those who achieved Savage Realm cultivation in this world, besides those with unwavering Dao hearts, were all clever and adaptable people. Naturally, they knew how to assess the situation and act accordingly.
“But the most important person—”
She turned and looked at the young girl: “If you want to resolve the abnormalities in your body, little girl, you must come to Lunar Valley with me. We have the methods and techniques to help you cultivate.”
Mo Duanyan was stunned.
