Help, I’m Being Forced to Marry a Frail and Sickly Immortal Doctor! 82

Chapter 82: The Path of the Dao is Nameless 

“As long as you stay by my side.”

After a few breaths of pause, Ning Ruoque put Yin Buran down, and only then did she begin to breathe cautiously and observe the other’s expression.

She now wished she could dig a hole and bury herself, or practice her sword for three days and three nights to escape reality.

How could she have been so impulsive as to kiss her directly?

She’s really getting more and more bold and reckless!

But on the other hand, that warm and soft touch still lingered on her lips, and Ning Ruoque was a little unsatisfied.

She secretly observed for a long while and found that Yin Buran was not angry because of this.

She just lowered her eyelids, hiding the emotions in her eyes.

Ning Ruoque was not sure if Yin Buran felt a little better. She took out another piece of chestnut cake.

She didn’t dare to stuff it directly into the other’s mouth, so she tentatively brought it to Yin Buran’s lips and coaxed her in a gentle voice, “Do you want to eat something sweet?”

Yin Buran only took a small bite, and then, without any warning, she hugged her with her cheeks puffed up. She hugged her very tightly.

The sweet fragrance of chestnuts filled Ning Ruoque’s arms. Yin Buran rubbed against Ning Ruoque’s neck a few times and took a deep breath.

As if she were marking her territory, or confirming if this person was real.

“In the hundred years that you were gone, I missed you every day.”

She buried her face in Ning Ruoque’s arms, her tone half-wronged, half-complaining.

With Yin Buran’s personality, it was very rare for her to express herself so directly.

So even though Ning Ruoque had heard it several times, her heart was still soft. It was as if a seed had taken root and sprouted in her heart.

She patted Yin Buran’s back and was about to comfort her a little more.

But Yin Buran suddenly spoke, “If one wants to bring a dead person back to life, the last step is to summon their soul.”

“For ten years, I went to many places you had been to, listened to the rain at the border, searched for plum blossoms in Cangzhou, and burned soul-guiding incense for three thousand nights.”

She was very calm, and the wind and frost, the thousands of miles of travel in her words were all mentioned in passing, as if she were talking about someone else’s story.

Then her tone changed, and she frowned. “But after the technique was completed, there was no movement at all. It wasn’t as the book had said.”

“I don’t believe I failed, but… but—”

Ning Ruoque was stunned on the spot.

Because of her memory loss in the past, it was difficult for her to understand Yin Buran’s emotions.

Alone, she did not believe that there was a white-haired person in the world.

Now, as if it were a matter of course, when she saw her dark hair turn to snow, she finally knew that the past hundred years of separation had been full of bitterness.

In just a blink of an eye, the corners of Yin Buran’s eyes began to turn red, and with a flicker of her gaze, a tear was about to fall.

Ning Ruoque quickly pulled the person into her arms and awkwardly kissed her on the cheek.

But the latter’s tone was still low, and she grabbed her sleeve and refused to let go. “If I could have…”

Ning Ruoque did not want her to wallow in self-pity, so she interrupted directly, “It’s fine. Ranran, I’m here.”

She let Yin Buran hug her, rub against her chest, and be as sticky as a piece of maltose.

Until Chu Xuan’s voice suddenly came from behind, “Are you two done? We’re about to set off.”

Ning Ruoque did not let go, but continued to soothe Yin Buran’s back.

When she turned around, Chu Xuan was leaning against the door, her chin raised as she looked at them.

She even said with a faint smile, “Tsk, tsk, tsk. So arrogant.”

That look was extremely deserving of a beating.

Ning Ruoque ate the remaining half of the chestnut cake herself.

Then she took Yin Buran’s hand and calmly walked past Chu Xuan. “Let’s go.”

Chu Xuan immediately showed an exaggerated expression. “Oh my, so clingy. It’s killing me!”

As soon as her voice fell, Ning Ruoque turned back and punched Chu Xuan’s shoulder hard.

Chu Xuan didn’t care at all and laughed.

She took a few quick steps, casually scooped up Si Mingyue, who was beside her, and leaped off the flying boat.

Ning Ruoque also wanted to take Yin Buran down.

She saw Yin Buran hook her arm around her neck and said in a small voice, “Don’t listen to her. You can hold me more.”

She turned her head away, and as if it were hard to say, she bit her lip, and her voice became smaller and smaller.

“You don’t have to ask where to kiss. Whatever you want to learn, I can also teach you.”

“As long as you stay by my side…”

Only the last sentence, she said with great weight, with a deep obsession.

Ning Ruoque’s heart softened, and she inexplicably felt her face turn red. Her hand was on the hilt of her sword, but she couldn’t suppress her pounding heart.

But she replied with a “alright” without any hesitation.

She rubbed Yin Buran’s head again, carried the person up with ease, and also stepped on her sword and leaped off the flying boat.

*

Before they left, the Medicine King and Qin Jiangli had repeatedly reminded the two of them to be careful.

Ning Ruoque strictly abided by this and was very vigilant all the way.

Fortunately, there were no accidents, and for some reason, they didn’t even see a single demonic beast.

On the flying boat, the sword light hung down like a curtain from a distance. When they got closer, they only saw sword marks that had cut through the earth.

They were so long that they couldn’t see the end, and so deep that they were like river valleys, cutting the entire land into pieces.

And the soil was a deeper brown than other places, and to this day, not a single blade of grass grew.

The poisonous mist formed a screen, making it impossible to see the specific situation inside.

But just from these traces, one could get a glimpse of how tragic the great war of that year was.

The Demon God Taotie, who loved to feed on human desires.

At that time, there were many loopholes in the formation of the ancient battlefield, and demonic beasts had invaded the upper realm and the human world through the loopholes.

The major immortal sects were attacked from all sides and were unable to spare any effort. But if they did not stop the Demon God, the human race would probably fall into a state of eternal damnation.

So Ning Ruoque had gone, just her alone.

And now, standing at the place where she had died, Ning Ruoque’s mood was as calm as when she had faced the Demon God.

She was only worried that Yin Buran would be moved by the scene, so she had not let go of her hand.

Her body temperature was continuously passed over, and it had already warmed Yin Buran’s hand.

The four of them did not approach rashly and sized it up from a distance.

“The formation of the ancient battlefield has been repaired and patched up for a long time. It’s a good thing that it has been stable these years.” Chu Xuan hugged her chest and sighed.

Finally, she grinned. “But after I’ve made the final adjustments, I can take out my Nine Heavens Xuan Yao Grand Formation to use, hahaha.”

Si Mingyue clapped her hands in cooperation and praised with sincere feeling, “You’re amazing!”

Chu Xuan also clapped her hands and sighed, “I’m amazing!”

An artifact cultivator with such talent as her was really rare. Even if she were a little more narcissistic, it would not be too much.

Ning Ruoque was also happy to see her friend’s work. At least for the human race, it was a great thing.

Just as Chu Xuan’s tail was about to reach the sky, Yin Buran asked out of the blue, “Now can you remember why your formation has to have the word ‘Jue’ in it?”

The Jue-character Nine Heavens Xuan Yao Grand Formation, this was the full name of the formation.

Chu Xuan pulled at her curly hair, and after thinking hard, she still spread her hands and sighed.

“No. I will forget anything related to you two. Just like the bracelet that Ning Ruoque gave you, I have no impression of it at all.”

She seemed to have thought of something and was suddenly shocked. “Wait, this formation can’t also be related to you two, right?!”

Yin Buran shook her head. “I have no memory of this matter. Besides, your formation was also made after the Demon God’s war, right?”

After she finished speaking, she walked forward, leaving Chu Xuan alone to mutter in bewilderment.

“Damn it…”

Another sound of a sword’s hum resounded through the sky, making one feel inexplicably at ease.

As the four of them got closer and closer to the light screen, a huge arena that was being built in the distance gradually came into view.

The flag of the Sword Pavilion fluttered in the wind, and scattered camps were scattered around.

Chu Xuan stroked her chin. “It seems that your position as Sword Venerable is about to be lost.”

“If it’s gone, it’s gone. I don’t care.”

Ning Ruoque had only participated in the grand ceremony back then to test her sword and had no intention of taking the position of Sword Venerable.

Later, the sect master had invited her to join the Sword Pavilion several times, but she had also politely refused.

She was more concerned about other things now.

A familiar fluctuation of spiritual energy came from the biting wind. The broken blade in her body let out a low hum, and the light screen also seemed to ripple a little.

However, as soon as the light screen changed, the black mist inside also scrambled to push forward.

That was the poisonous mist formed from the Demon God’s corpse. Its power was not small, and it was unknown what else was inside.

Ning Ruoque said in a low voice, “A part of my life-bound sword is here.”

Yin Buran asked, “Do you want to get it back?”

Ning Ruoque hesitated for a while, and in the end, she shook her head. “No need. If I take it out, the barrier will disperse.”

She had the Nebula Dark Gold that Yin Buran had given her and could use the original broken blade to reforge one.

Regarding this answer, the three of them were not surprised.

Si Mingyue held her veiled hat and asked, “Since we can’t move here, should we go and check the barrier now?”

“Let’s go and check. So many demonic beasts have appeared in the upper realm, but there has been no movement at all in the ancient battlefield. It’s very strange.”

It was actually very normal for a few demonic beasts to occasionally invade the human world. After all, the battlefield barrier was already very old.

But Ning Ruoque was just not at ease and had to confirm it herself.

Chu Xuan also asked, “Do you suspect that there’s a problem with the barrier?”

Ning Ruoque: “Mm, and we haven’t seen a single scattered demon on our way here.”

This was the most abnormal thing. Of course, it was also possible that the Sword Pavilion was active here and had also cleared out the surrounding small fry.

After this question and answer, Ning Ruoque was like a pen that had suddenly run out of ink, and there was no more to say.

She awkwardly pinched Yin Buran’s hand and subconsciously looked at the other.

Ning Ruoque’s stealth technique was very good. She could both avoid people and demons, and she was used to doing things herself.

In the past, she would also solve this kind of work alone.

But now that she had suddenly brought three people with her, she didn’t know how to arrange them.

If she let the three of them wait in place while she went to investigate, it would not be safe, and second, Yin Buran would definitely get angry.

Yin Buran covered her mouth with her sleeve and yawned, and only then did she speak unhurriedly, “Which immortal sect is in charge of the sentry this year?”

Si Mingyue quickly answered, “The Taiyi Sect.”

Hearing the familiar name, Chu Xuan frowned. “Tsk.”

Such a coincidence, it was hard not to think of Yan Lingge’s jade bracelet.

Yin Buran said faintly, “Let’s go and ask the people of the Sword Pavilion first. They arrived earlier than us. Have they found anything unusual?”

The three of them had no objections and readily agreed.

Chu Xuan walked ostentatiously in the front. There was no need to check her identity. Someone from the Sword Pavilion came up and asked, “What is the Sect Master here for?”

The person who came was dressed in clean and neat red clothes, with a sword on her back. At a glance, she was an acquaintance, Miao Hongxiang.

Four days ago, she had just won a place in the social event held by Azurefall Creek, and she had rushed to prepare for the Sword Discussion Ceremony.

Si Mingyue was wearing a veil and asked in a soft voice, “Is there a leader of your group here?”

Miao Hongxiang enthusiastically led the way for the few of them. “Yes, the law enforcement elder is here!”

She did not ask about their purpose, like a well-behaved and sensible junior, knowing her place.

While Miao Hongxiang was excitedly walking in the front, Chu Xuan gave Yin Buran a look.

She secretly transmitted a message, “Why is it this old-fashioned Jiang Ai?”

Earlier, when the Heavenly Eon Sect had held the secret realm ceremony of the Mirage Sea Realm, she had also represented the Immortal Alliance to give a speech.

Yin Buran was not surprised. “The Sword Discussion Ceremony is extremely important to the Sword Pavilion. It’s normal for her to be here.”

It was just that in this way, it would not be easy for them to bypass Jiang Ai and directly ask the people under her.

Si Mingyue shook her head repeatedly, and the silver ornaments on her forehead jingled. “I’m not familiar with her.”

When she looked at Ning Ruoque again, this person was already daydreaming, looking at the sword light in the sky, not even blinking.

As for Yin Buran, she had long been spoiled by her junior sisters of Azurefall Creek and would definitely not be able to be pleasant and polite to people.

They’re all unreliable! Chu Xuan was heartbroken and sighed, covering her forehead.

She rolled up her sleeves. “Alright, I’ll go and negotiate with her.”

This team will fall apart without her!

Miao Hongxiang had no idea about the “flirting” behind her and happily led Chu Xuan into the tent.

After she returned, her gaze shifted to Yin Buran.

Then she bowed politely, “Divine Pivot Lord, I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Yin Buran nodded. “I’m here to find something.”

She was planning to find an excuse to send her away.

However, the woman in red suddenly came up, exceptionally excited. “Forgive my impertinence, but where is the sword cultivator who was with you last time? What’s her name? How can I contact her?”

“Can you let her have another match with me? I like her so much!”

After she had said this in one breath, she didn’t even take a breath or pause.

Si Mingyue exclaimed with a smile, “Wow.”

Ning Ruoque: “…”

Her peripheral vision swept over Yin Buran’s expression. As expected, a certain person’s face was not very good.

Yin Buran’s brows were tightly furrowed, and she directly refused, “No. Don’t even think about it.”

These words were already very impolite, but Miao Hongxiang was single-minded and did not notice Yin Buran’s strange emotions at all.

She was still persistently rambling, “Then let her be my junior sister. I really like—mmph?”

Just as she was halfway through, Yin Buran, from somewhere, took out a piece of plum blossom cake and forcefully stuffed it into Miao Hongxiang’s mouth.

The latter was so bitter that her face turned blue, and she desperately patted her chest.

In front of her, Yin Buran slowly wiped her hands with a handkerchief, extremely cold and unfeeling.

“No. We’re of different generations.” She dropped this sentence and pulled Ning Ruoque’s sleeve to leave.

Miao Hongxiang hadn’t even swallowed the plum blossom cake and stared at the two of them’s backs in a daze. “Ah?”

Yin Buran pulled Ning Ruoque and walked away quickly.

It was as if she couldn’t stay for a moment longer. If she were a second later, she would bristle!

Si Mingyue covered her mouth with her sleeve and snickered. “Pfft, hehe.”

Yin Buran glanced at her. “Is it very funny?”

Si Mingyue quickly shook her head like a rattle-drum. “No, no.”

Ning Ruoque took out a piece of chestnut cake and brought it to Yin Buran’s lips, trying to coax her.

The latter turned her head away and refused to eat. “I’m not that petty, and I won’t argue with a junior.”

Of course, she knew that Ning Ruoque was very popular among sword cultivators. She was very rational and not sad at all.

Yin Buran comforted herself and was about to let it go.

Who would have thought that a sound of footsteps would come from behind, and Miao Hongxiang would catch up again.

She boldly stopped Yin Buran, her expression sincere. “Senior, you must have misunderstood. I don’t like her in that way.”

She bowed solemnly. “I just admire her very much. I apologize for my overstepping.”

Ning Ruoque let out a long sigh of relief.

Fortunately, this junior was quite sensible. Otherwise, Yin Buran would probably have sulked into a cat ball.

However, immediately after, Miao Hongxiang showed a rather simple and honest smile and announced—

“Actually, the person I like the most is the Sword Venerable, Ning Ruoque!”

Yin Buran: “…”

The atmosphere seemed to freeze for a few breaths, and Ning Ruoque sucked in that cold breath again.

Now even Si Mingyue’s beautiful purple eyes widened. “Wow!”

Wonderful, truly wonderful. She felt sorry for Chu Xuan for missing such a fun thing.

Miao Hongxiang was very familiar and introduced to Yin Buran endlessly.

“I have many precious portraits of the Sword Venerable, clay figurines, and the same style of sword pendant, as well as her personal inscription!”

After speaking, she even took out a clay figurine on the spot. It was a round, black-clad little person with a sword on its back.

Its face and body were fat and very cute, but its expression was fierce. With a dot for a mouth and a nose, it actually had a three-point resemblance to Ning Ruoque.

Yin Buran couldn’t take her eyes off it for a moment.

She didn’t have this in her collection.

Si Mingyue also found it interesting and boldly went up to ask, “Do you have any more? Give me one.”

The little girl was very straightforward and took out two more clay figurines with different poses. “Of course. I made these myself. It’s great that you like them too.”

Ning Ruoque felt that it was hard to describe.

She had long known that many people in the Sword Pavilion loved to worship her portraits, and it had even developed into a complete industry.

It was just that when she really met someone like Miao Hongxiang, she still couldn’t handle it.

Miao Hongxiang handed the clay figurine to Yin Buran and asked enthusiastically, “Divine Pivot Lord, do you want one too?”

Yin Buran’s gaze flickered, and she lowered her eyelids. The words of refusal were stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t say them.

But she was very petty and didn’t want to accept Miao Hongxiang’s gift at all.

After a moment of struggle, she simply asked in a cold voice, “What do you like about Ning Ruoque?”

Ning Ruoque quietly reached out, trying to pull Yin Buran’s hand, which was hidden under her sleeve.

Then she was ruthlessly slapped away.

Miao Hongxiang, on the other hand, was not shy at all. “Because she saved me when I was very young.”

She described the situation at that time with vivid emotion. “At that time, the village had suffered a demonic calamity. I was hiding in a water vat, trembling. Just as I was about to be discovered.”

“The Sword Venerable suddenly descended from the sky, and with a ‘thwack,’ like a legendary god of war, she pierced that tiger demon with one sword strike.”

After Miao Hongxiang finished speaking, she smiled foolishly, and after smiling, she stroked the clay figurine. “She has saved so many people. She definitely doesn’t remember me. But I grew up listening to her stories.”

“I originally planned to practice my sword hard, so that one day she could hear my name, but unfortunately…”

Ning Ruoque was stunned for a moment, and only then did she find some fragments from the corners of her memory, barely matching them with the high-spirited girl before her.

Miao Hongxiang looked up at the bright but not dazzling light screen in the distance.

The sound of the sword’s hum brushed past her hair, and also past her eyes, which were full of longing.

“Divine Pivot Lord, look at this sword light.”

“I often wonder, to what extent do I have to achieve before I can take her place and guard here?”

It was extremely quiet all around, with only the sound of the wind.

Ning Ruoque’s mood was complicated.

She didn’t know that fate was so mysterious. By coincidence, there was actually such a day of reunion.

And the person she had casually saved back then was actually constantly chasing after her footsteps.

Only when Yin Buran sighed softly did Miao Hongxiang wake up as if from a big dream.

She scratched her head. “Sorry, sorry. Did I say too much again? It’s just that I was moved by the scene and couldn’t help myself—”

Who would have thought that Yin Buran would say directly, “It’s fine.”

She took the clay figurine from Miao Hongxiang’s hand, pulled Ning Ruoque, and turned to leave.

Leaving Miao Hongxiang standing there in a daze.

On the contrary, Si Mingyue leisurely bid farewell to Miao Hongxiang. “Goodbye. Good luck!”

She lifted her skirt and chased after them, following a little behind the two of them.

Ning Ruoque carefully observed Yin Buran’s expression. “You’re not angry anymore?”

Yin Buran snorted lightly, did not answer, just patted the clay figurine, and put it into her storage bracelet.

*

On the other end, Chu Xuan was sitting opposite Jiang Ai, drinking tea.

She actually did not dislike this law enforcement elder of the Cloud Sword Pavilion, the Deputy Alliance Master of the Immortal Alliance, and the renowned sword cultivator.

It was just that because their personalities did not match, she could not say that she liked her very much.

“The Sect Master is here to visit. Do you want to know if there is anything unusual in the ancient battlefield recently?”

Chu Xuan crossed one leg in a carefree manner and nodded in acknowledgment. “Yes. I want to change the grand formation of the ancient battlefield, so naturally, I need to understand the situation here first.”

Compared to her, Jiang Ai’s sitting posture was very rigid, and there was not even a single wrinkle on her sleeves.

“There is indeed something, but it’s my own deduction. I don’t know if the Sect Master is willing to believe it.”

Chu Xuan: “Go on.”

Jiang Ai continued, “The Sect Master naturally knows that the situation of the human race is very different from a thousand years ago.”

In the early years, the goddess had blessed all living beings, and with the ancient battlefield as a dividing line, she had suppressed all the demon race in the harsh climate of the far north.

But ever since the goddess had fallen silent, the demon race had gradually become active again.

Not only had many monsters sneaked into the upper realm and the human world, but they had also repeatedly organized demonic beast tides to attack the barriers and restrictions of the human race.

And in the end, a demon god was born.

The demon race’s momentum was high, and the human race’s defense line was repeatedly defeated, suffering heavy losses.

The war between humans and demons was constant, and the two sides had already reached a point of no return.

Only after Ning Ruoque and the Demon God had perished together was there another hundred years of peace.

Jiang Ai said in a deep voice, “In these hundred years, the demon race has been quiet, and we have been able to recuperate. Logically speaking, we should have recovered a lot of our strength.”

“But I always feel that the demon race seems to be improving faster.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow.

In the past, the number of humans was not as large as the demon race, but most of the demonic beasts did not use their brains and would not cooperate.

The weak only cared about charging recklessly, and the strong mostly acted alone.

In addition, with the help of the goddess, the human race had a firm upper hand.

But now, the monsters that Ning Ruoque and the others had encountered were all strangely unreasonable, and they had even cunningly learned to use the greed of the human heart.

This kind of abnormal increase in strength had only occurred when the Demon God was still alive.

Could it be that, as Ning Ruoque had guessed, the Demon God had a chance of reviving?

Chu Xuan was greatly shocked in her heart, but her face did not show it. She just pretended to be serious.

“Fellow Daoist Jiang, you might as well speak more clearly. This is not a small matter.”

Jiang Ai nodded. “A few days ago, I passed by a barrier and vaguely sensed a strange sound. It’s just that the Sword Discussion Ceremony is imminent, and I really can’t get away.”

“Fellow Daoist Chu is highly skilled in the dao of formations. Would you be willing to make this trip for me?”