Chapter 27: She Flees, She Pursues

When Linlang woke up, Huo Zhi was not beside her, and she felt a bit panicked. Going out, she didn’t see a trace of Huo Zhi. Asking Mei’er, she found out that Huo Zhi had been called away by Moyi Guihua.

She had Mei’er lead her to find Huo Zhi. When she saw Huo Zhi, she only saw Huo Zhi lying by the side of the Spirit Spring Pool, her long hair tied up, revealing fair shoulders and a slender neck, her face slightly flushed. Behind her was Moyi Guihua, almost leaning over her, her entire back bare.

The conversation, tones, and movements of the two were presented before Linlang’s eyes like slow motion.

What were they doing?

Linlang dared not imagine.

She only heard Huo Zhi personally admit to becoming a Guest Elder of the Blissful Union Sect and deny her feelings toward her.

“How could that be?”

“It’s simply impossible”?

As if in an instant, the world collapsed.

These past days, the things she had been suppressing and fearing burst forth.

A feeling stronger than in her previous life gouged at her heart, so painful she could hardly breathe.

Those beautiful, gentle, and passionate feelings were all an illusion. As expected, she had no right to receive any care…

Love and affection were indeed the most painful things. She shouldn’t have indulged in them, shouldn’t have coveted tenderness.

That was the root of all suffering.

It was all the effect of the Love Poison Talisman. Removing it would make everything fine.

Yes, as long as she removed it, everything would be fine!

She didn’t need anyone’s charity love, didn’t need anyone’s gentle treatment. She was reborn for revenge, not to fall into a despair similar to her previous life again.

Once the Love Poison Talisman was removed, she would never see Huo Zhi again.

And there would be no more of such troubles and pains.

Linlang thought of being free, but she couldn’t help trembling all over, couldn’t help being angry, couldn’t help being in pain, couldn’t help being jealous. The fire-type spiritual qi in her body became uncontrollable and burst out from her meridians, flames erupting all over her body.

Seeing Huo Zhi running toward her, Linlang transformed into a Cinnabar Bird, threw down all her belongings, and flew away.

As she flew in mid-air, Linlang felt a suffocating discomfort.

The Love Poison Talisman in her Sea of Consciousness was flickering.

This time, Linlang did not look back. Enduring this discomfort, she continued flying.

She remembered the mountain range near the Vermilion Flame Secret Realm. There was an area filled with Yin Baleful Qi, which no cultivator dared to approach, called Black Marsh.

As Linlang flew at full speed, Moyi Guihua activated her Flying Talisman Artifact, shaped like a bridal sedan chair, decorated in a gaudy manner with bells at each corner, as if for a wedding celebration.

Huo Zhi had no mood to criticize it; she was extremely worried about Linlang.

Linlang’s Happiness Value had suddenly dropped so much, it must be because what she and Moyi Guihua said had hurt her.

She had promised Linlang not to join the Blissful Union Sect, but what Moyi Guihua meant by Guest Elder was a different concept from joining!

And what else was causing her such distress?

Huo Zhi felt a bit regretful.

Linlang’s Happiness Value had barely reached a positive number, and now it had returned to square one.

And even after collecting so many Sound Transmission Talismans, they hadn’t exchanged one for communication. Now, she couldn’t say a single word.

Huo Zhi looked outside the Flying Talisman Artifact, her thoughts chaotic, then looked at Moyi Guihua, who still had a leisurely expression, examining her up and down.

“The little Cinnabar Bird really has a temper. Such a bad temper, running away from home over nothing, and you still spoil her? If it were me, I couldn’t bear to see you so anxious and upset.” Moyi Guihua sat beside Huo Zhi, speaking with a mournful tone.

“Sister, stop being dramatic. Can you speed up! Linlang is out of sight!” Huo Zhi held her forehead. Even now, Moyi Guihua was striking seductive poses and speaking in such a manner. She was truly exasperated.

Perhaps Linlang saw her soaking in the pool with Moyi Guihua and wasn’t happy. Linlang and Moyi Guihua had been at odds before, almost fighting, and with the common prejudice against the Blissful Union Sect, seeing her secretly soaking with Moyi Guihua and agreeing to be a Guest Elder definitely upset her.

But soaking with Moyi Guihua and agreeing to be a Guest Elder was nothing compared to her relationship with Linlang!

They were master and disciple, a genuine, non-blood-related mother-daughter relationship!

She needed to catch up to Linlang quickly and explain things properly.

Although Linlang looked mature, Huo Zhi felt her mind wasn’t mature at all. She had no experience living among humans, had been hurt by them, was starved of love, isolated, and had a reticent personality, never voicing anything.

If it weren’t for 006 broadcasting the Happiness Value, Huo Zhi wouldn’t even know when she was happy or unhappy.

And now, suddenly upset, she’d run away. Ah, such a headache-inducing and heart-wrenching personality.

All this time had been about escaping for their lives, and she hadn’t properly spent time with Linlang. She should help her become more cheerful, understand survival skills, and learn to communicate.

“What’s dramatic? You want tea first? There really is tea here. What kind of tea do you want?” Moyi Guihua produced a jade-colored teapot from thin air and asked Huo Zhi.

“Can the Flying Talisman Artifact go any faster!” Huo Zhi said.

“Stop urging me. This is the fastest speed of my artifact. Forget all that for now. I’m curious, Little Yuheng, you say you and the little Cinnabar Bird have only a pure master-disciple relationship. Is there such a firm master-disciple relationship in this world? I’ve never seen a master treat their disciple as well as you do. In that case, why don’t you also take me as your disciple? I want to learn your talisman-drawing method.” Moyi Guihua said.

“…Big sister, stop joking! Linlang is family to me, someone I’ve been through life and death with. We’ve risked our lives together. She was captured from the deep mountains by the Sky Mist Sect and has nowhere else to go. Her mental power still hasn’t fully recovered. If she gets caught again, it’ll be very dangerous!” Huo Zhi said.

“I know you’re anxious about her. My vision is better than yours, I can still see her, and we’re heading in her direction. Don’t worry, we’ll catch up. A Core Formation Stage cultivator like me can’t even catch a little Cinnabar Bird? Wouldn’t that be a waste of all my training?” Moyi Guihua looked at Huo Zhi’s expression and said with a light laugh, her gaze carrying a hint of strangeness.

So there really is such a non-blood, non-romantic “family” relationship in this world?

Moyi Guihua hadn’t intended to drive Linlang away initially. Knowing Huo Zhi valued Linlang, she naturally didn’t want to anger Huo Zhi. Though she appeared leisurely now, she was actually quite focused.

“How can there be such a large flock of birds! Trouble!” As the flying artifact advanced, a dense flock of birds suddenly flew toward them.

“Linlang might be directing them. Don’t hurt these birds. Activate the Protective Barrier, let’s charge through.” Huo Zhi smiled bitterly at the birds, knowing Linlang was aware of her pursuit and wanted to stop her.

“You really extend your love to everything related to her!” Moyi Guihua snorted but didn’t kill the birds. She activated the Protective Barrier and continued forward.

The birds had no cultivation, but they slowed them down.

“Her flight direction is wrong. What’s going on? She actually entered the Black Marsh!” Moyi Guihua’s leisurely expression changed as she said to Huo Zhi after breaking through the bird flock.

“What’s the Black Marsh?” Huo Zhi momentarily forgot what place it was.

“The Black Marsh, a remnant battlefield from the ancient Devil War that couldn’t be properly cleared. For a hundred miles around, it’s filled with Yin Baleful Qi. Spirit beasts entering there become pure, mindless Barbarian Beasts, and Human Cultivators who enter become brutally murderous and lose their sanity. It’s extremely dangerous inside!” Moyi Guihua said gravely.

“She’s already entered?” Huo Zhi’s heart tightened as she asked.

“She’s entered! I’ve already lost her position and direction. In the Black Marsh, my spiritual sense is blocked. What’s with this little Cinnabar Bird? Doesn’t she know that place is dangerous?!” Moyi Guihua said.

“…” Huo Zhi’s entire body turned icy cold. In her anger, Linlang had recklessly rushed into that unknown danger!

If something happened to her, what would she do!

She had always said she would protect her, wouldn’t let her be hurt again like in the original story, but…

“Host, the Black Marsh is indeed very dangerous. Monsters and Human Cultivators who mistakenly enter will be eroded by the Yin Baleful Qi and enter a berserk state. Ah, if Linlang dies, it’ll be the same effect as a Happiness Value of -9999; we’ll both be erased,” 006 said.

“She’s entered the Black Marsh, so there’s nothing to be done. Yuheng, I think…” Moyi Guihua patted the stunned Huo Zhi, wanting to comfort her, but before she could finish, Huo Zhi looked at her.

“Sister Moyi, please take me to the edge of the Black Marsh. I want to go in and find her,” Huo Zhi said.

“You’re crazy! You don’t want your life!” Moyi Guihua frowned.

“Ah, but she’s my disciple. I said I would protect her, yet she ran into such a dangerous place because of me. I’ve troubled Sister Moyi. Just stop the Flying Talisman Artifact nearby, and I’ll go in by myself to find her,” Huo Zhi said.

“Are you sure you want to go in?” Moyi Guihua asked again.

“I’m sure,” Huo Zhi said. Their lives were linked; how could she not go in?

When she found that brat, she would have to give her a good scolding!

As her Shizun, she had been too merciful and spoiled her.

Moyi Guihua was silent for a moment, then directed the Flying Talisman Artifact to the edge of the Black Marsh.

“Start by calling out from outside. See if she comes out. If not, then you go in. Here’s a Sound Amplification Talisman.” Moyi Guihua gave Huo Zhi a talisman.

“Alright.” Huo Zhi took the talisman, activated it, and shouted into it.

“Linlang, come out! We can talk things through; it’s all a misunderstanding. Quickly come out! I beg you, it’s too dangerous inside!” Huo Zhi shouted several times, but there was no response from within.

The Sound Amplification Talisman carried Huo Zhi’s voice several miles, but there was still no answer from inside.

“She indeed entered from this direction. If she didn’t keep flying after entering, she would have heard. Having just entered, she can’t have lost her mind immediately. If she doesn’t even make a sound, with such a lack of understanding, a disciple like that is better off not kept!” Moyi Guihua said.

“She’s not that kind of willful, disobedient child. She might have encountered some danger. She didn’t bring any talismans and still hasn’t recovered,” Huo Zhi said worriedly.

“I’m not waiting any longer. I’m going in to find her,” Huo Zhi said, looking at the black mist with no reaction at all.

Ah, fine. I’ll stop here and wait for you. Be very careful. At the edges, the Yin Baleful Qi isn’t too strong. These few Protective Talismans will help block some of it. You must run your cultivation technique at maximum speed; that might help you endure longer. Also, tie this on. If it remains unbroken and you encounter danger, tug on it, and I’ll pull you back. If she comes out, I’ll pull you back as well.” Moyi Guihua stopped and said to Huo Zhi, tying a pink silk ribbon around her wrist.

“Thank you, Sister Moyi. I’ll remember this kindness. If I don’t die, I will repay you!” Huo Zhi nodded heavily at Moyi Guihua.

“What a madwoman. I hope you don’t die. I’m still waiting for you to become a famous master and be the backing of my Blissful Union Sect,” Moyi Guihua shook her head at Huo Zhi.

Without saying more, Huo Zhi disembarked from Moyi Guihua’s Flying Talisman Artifact and walked toward the area shrouded in black mist ahead.

She activated her Protective Barrier, like a lamp entering the darkness.

The Yin Baleful Qi made the place extremely cold, but not the icy cold of the Ice Attribute; it was a gloomy, bone-penetrating chill with a hint of dampness. As soon as she entered, Huo Zhi felt extremely uncomfortable.

She felt as if there were things around her, a sense of creepiness and shivers.

“Host, don’t worry. Linlang’s Happiness Value has risen a bit; she’s not dead yet,” 006 transmitted to Huo Zhi.

“This cursed place, what’s going on, the Happiness Value actually went up! She’s gone mad; must be seeing illusions!” Huo Zhi trembled.

“The reason this place is so eerie and filled with so much Yin Baleful Qi is because too many people, Devils, and Demons died here, and it accumulated. Besides the Yin Baleful Qi, there are also some Ghosts around. You’re like a piece of fat thrown into a pack of hungry wolves…” 006 said quietly.

“Shut up!” Huo Zhi trembled even more. What 006 said gave her the visual sensation of watching a ghost movie, feeling like a long-haired female ghost with a bloody tongue and tears of blood was clinging to her back, and perhaps little ghosts clinging to her legs…

She wanted to turn around and run back!

That brat of a kid, when she found her, she’d definitely give her a spanking!

“Linlang! Can you hear me? Linlang, come back with me! There’s been a misunderstanding; let’s talk it over properly! Be good, come back with your Shizun! This place is dangerous!” Huo Zhi called out in the black mist, enduring fear and discomfort, again and again.

There was no response at all, but she kept shouting.

Under the erosion of the Yin Baleful Qi, the Protective Barrier peeled away bit by bit. When one layer was damaged, Huo Zhi hurriedly activated another and continued forward.

After walking a short distance, several rabbits with red eyes emitting black qi surrounded Huo Zhi, attempting to attack. Huo Zhi used Ice Blade Talismans to deal with a few rabbits and continued pushing forward.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Linlang felt slightly better during flight and realized Huo Zhi had followed, their distance closing.

She paid no attention and only flew with all her might at her fastest speed, not wanting to be caught or see Huo Zhi.

After entering the Black Marsh, Linlang did not go deep.

Given her current low cultivation, she wasn’t reckless with her life. She found a tree at the edge area to sit down and absorb the surrounding Yin Baleful Qi.

Yin Baleful Qi could affect the Origin Soul in the Sea of Consciousness. For ordinary cultivators and beasts, if they couldn’t control it, they would instead be controlled.

Having spent so long in the Ghost Domain, Linlang cultivated precisely the method to control such Yin Baleful Qi, allowing her to survive there for so many years.

For her, these Yin Baleful Qi were somewhat similar to spiritual qi. However, Linlang still had a physical body and needed to cultivate spiritual qi. At this moment, she only absorbed some Yin Baleful Qi to lead into her Sea of Consciousness, refined it to remove the Love Poison Talisman, and stored a bit for emergencies.

Her Origin Soul contained a strand of soul from several hundred years later, when she had cultivated the Ghost Path, and not at a low realm. These Yin Baleful Qi wouldn’t make her lose her sanity; instead, they brought a somewhat familiar feeling. She could easily tame them and absorb them.

The low-grade Ghosts and creatures eroded by Yin Baleful Qi, having lost their intelligence, seemed somewhat afraid to approach.

Linlang had only absorbed for a short while before she heard a familiar voice. It was Huo Zhi calling her.

Linlang ignored it.

This place was forbidden for Human Cultivators; no one dared to enter. Huo Zhi certainly wouldn’t come in.

Once she removed the Love Poison Talisman, she would have no relationship with Huo Zhi anymore.

But the voice in her ears repeated incessantly, making Linlang somewhat irritated. She moved a bit deeper. Once the voice disappeared, she found another tall tree and stopped to absorb again.

Linlang continued her absorption, unaware of how much time had passed, when she again heard faint sounds. It was Huo Zhi’s voice.

Linlang still didn’t want to pay attention, but the voice grew closer, hoarse and trembling. Fear transmitted through the connection of the Love Poison Talisman. At the same time, the physical discomfort Linlang had felt from being far from Huo Zhi was gradually lessening, and the Love Poison Talisman had stopped flickering.

Linlang’s breath caught; she had an unbelievable guess.

Huo Zhi had actually entered this cursed Black Marsh!

For a spirit cultivator to enter was suicide!

As Huo Zhi screamed, Linlang’s expression grew uglier.

This woman!

Why?!

Must she torment her so?!

A rough beastly roar made Linlang abruptly take off from the tree where she meditated, spreading her wings and flying toward the direction of the last sound she heard.

On the other side, all of Huo Zhi’s Protective Barriers had been completely eroded away; now she could only rely on her own spiritual qi to resist.

The Yin Baleful Qi sticking to her body made her extremely uncomfortable. Moreover, it seemed that under its influence, she heard all sorts of chaotic sounds in her ears—whispering, angry quarreling, sobbing, and the like—exactly like sounds from a ghost movie.

“Ah!” Turning her head, Huo Zhi saw a bizarre creature before her, its black-hole eyes oozing dark blood, its black-nailed hands reaching for her.

Huo Zhi screamed in fright. Her previously maintained cultivation technique broke, revealing her tail and ears.

Once the technique broke, it was like losing another layer of protection. The Yin Baleful Qi rushed in even more recklessly, and the mindless beasts around also charged forward.

Huo Zhi hurriedly activated talismans in a fluster, having no time to call for Linlang.

After throwing out quite a few talismans, Huo Zhi felt around for more and grasped something—a Small Log that she had made into a Talisman Brush. It was honest and loyal, having followed her here.

But without being fed Spirit Stones, this thing was utterly useless, just a stick.

Holding it, Huo Zhi continued throwing out talismans, dodging everywhere. After a fall, she became filthy and smelled awful. Her tail was slightly stained black, her hair disheveled, and she was in a pitiful state.

Right now, she just wanted to find a safe place and call out for Linlang again.

Apart from worrying about Linlang, she felt boundless anger.

That brat little bird, of all places, she had to go to such a dangerous spot!

Before Huo Zhi’s anger could escalate to what kind of punishment to give Linlang, she saw several more ferocious gray wolf Demon Beasts, their sharp fangs protruding, eyes with a strange red glow, bodies emitting black-gray qi, rushing toward her with murderous intent.

“Life or death!” Huo Zhi turned and ran, feeling that if she didn’t, she’d be bitten to death before she could even activate a talisman!

“Ahhh!” With a tearing sound, her clothes were bitten and ripped. Huo Zhi despaired. The talisman in her hand couldn’t activate because her spiritual qi couldn’t keep up. As she felt death closing in, suddenly her shoulder tightened, and her body rose.

Huo Zhi looked up to see a familiar bird!