Chapter 40: Be Good Part 2

Unable to see clearly, Huo Zhi could only fumble for the storage space within her Immortal Talisman Sect Token and take out a Protective Talisman to activate.

Bang! The Protective Talisman Huo Zhi had just activated shattered, followed by the roar of a beast.

Sensing that things were very bad, Huo Zhi ignored her remaining dizziness and scrambled away desperately.

The footsteps of the Demon Beast chasing her were heavy, shaking the very ground.

Huo Zhi activated a Teleportation Talisman. She didn’t know where it would send her, but anywhere was better than being torn apart by a Demon Beast.

When Huo Zhi reappeared, her dizziness had lessened slightly. All she could see was an endless expanse of white. A blizzard was raging, and visibility was extremely low.

Just as she steadied herself, she felt the ground tremble. Over ten grayish, grimy creatures were crawling towards her. They had a pair of very long tusks, still stained with blood and bits of flesh, looking like walruses.

Huo Zhi’s body felt weak. She forced herself to use her strength to flee, erecting several ice walls behind her as temporary barriers.

The Walrus-like Demon Beasts behind her had no intention of letting her go. They crashed through the ice walls and continued their pursuit.

Those Walrus Demon Beasts were Barbarian Beasts, lacking sentience. There was no reasoning with them. As Huo Zhi fled frantically, her Spiritual Sense swept the surroundings, searching for a safe place. She discovered a group of people heading her way. Gritting her teeth, Huo Zhi decided that regardless of whether these Human Cultivators had ill intentions or not, they could at least communicate. She’d head towards those people to save her life.

As Huo Zhi fled in disarray, Wenren Sumian hurried back.

“It seems there’s been some unusual situation in the Extreme North Region lately. Many cultivators from the sect have gone there. I only managed to borrow one from a Senior Sister in closed-door cultivation. Given your current state, I cannot leave. I’m not in the habit of socializing here and have no one I trust. How about issuing a bounty instead?” Wenren Sumian said to Moyi Guihua upon her return.

“No need, there’s no time. Just teleport that woman from earlier over. Can you help prepare some higher-grade Talismans she can use? Of the Fire Attribute, something to keep warm.” Moyi Guihua said.

“Alright. I’ll go prepare them immediately!” Wenren Sumian said, looking extremely obedient.

No one would ever imagine that Head Seat Wenren, who struck terror into the hearts of the disciples, had a side like this.

Moyi Guihua sat cross-legged, absorbing the Supreme Clarity Meridian Sculpting Talisman. Her body gradually felt better.

But just as her meridians were nearly healed, her Golden Core was still shattered. Moyi Guihua’s Spiritual Qi was blocked, and she still couldn’t muster any strength, remaining somewhat weak.

Wenren Sumian was quite fast. She soon returned to Moyi Guihua’s side with a Storage Bag.

“The Extreme North Region is dangerous, but it’s beneficial for Ice Attribute cultivators. As long as she doesn’t provoke those Ice Attribute Demon Beasts, she’ll be safe. Many Immortal Talisman Sect cultivators have recently gone to the Extreme North Region. Rumors say a rare treasure has appeared. It’s also an opportunity for her.” Wenren Sumian said to Moyi Guihua in a low voice.

“So, for Huo Zhi, this is actually a good thing? You’ve done a good deed, is that it?!” Moyi Guihua complained inwardly, but her face didn’t show it. She checked the things Wenren Sumian had prepared; they were actually quite decent.

Linlang hadn’t been teleported to the Extreme North Region yet. It wasn’t convenient for Moyi Guihua to show her temper, so she continued speaking kindly to Wenren Sumian.

“Mianmian, I heard your Embroidery Institute has a treasure. It’s extremely fast to activate, can ignore Spiritual Qi lockdowns, and teleports up to fifty li in an instant. Can you borrow it for her?” Moyi Guihua’s eyes were charming, her voice gentle.

“Yes, I… I’ll lend it to her.” Wenren Sumian’s expression showed some shyness as she spoke. She actually took off the bracelet from her wrist and erased her own Spiritual Sense Mark from it.

“The Extreme North Region is very cold. Can you also lend her a Talisman Robe for warmth?” Moyi Guihua added.

“I can. But you… you care so much about her, yet you’ve never treated me this way…” Wenren Sumian said, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

“Mianmian, come here. Are you jealous? She is my life-saving Benefactor. My treatment of her is all for repaying kindness. She is different from you. If you were in the same situation, I would treat you the same way, even better. Do you believe me?” Moyi Guihua crooked her finger, beckoning Wenren Sumian closer. She spoke in a soft, low voice, her finger tracing along Wenren Sumian’s chin. Wenren Sumian’s face flushed red at a visible speed.

“I don’t like her calling you Elder Sister.” Wenren Sumian pursed her lips and said.

“Oh, what a possessive one you are. I just won’t let her call me that anymore. Don’t be upset. Elder Sister will hug you.” Moyi Guihua said, embracing Wenren Sumian.

Wenren Sumian’s body stiffened momentarily, then she also wrapped her arms around Moyi Guihua. Her arms were trembling slightly. Her lungs, which had been much calmer, started acting up again, heaving violently. She stifled a cough, holding it back.

“How did you get this cough? How can you be so pitiful?” Moyi Guihua rubbed Wenren Sumian’s back soothingly and asked.

“It’s… that black Qi. I’ve sealed it here in my chest, so there’s often some discomfort. It’s nothing serious.” Wenren Sumian gasped for breath as she spoke.

“Mianmian, you’re truly adorable. You don’t need to hold back your coughs. Ah, by the way, that hairpin of yours is a Protective Talisman Artifact, right? It can withstand a blow from a Soul Formation Stage cultivator. Can you also lend it to me? Only letting you call me Elder Sister, how about that?” Moyi Guihua whispered as if sharing a secret right next to Wenren Sumian’s ear.

“Y-yes, you can.” Wenren Sumian said, pulling out the hairpin. Her ears turned red.

Moyi Guihua was thinking of extorting a few more things when hurried footsteps sounded. Linlang was coming in from outside.

Moyi Guihua released Wenren Sumian.

“I’m ready.” Linlang said, running up to the two of them.

“This is the stuff she prepared for you. Take it. This is the Teleportation Talisman Artifact—input Spiritual Qi to use it multiple times. This is a Protective Talisman Artifact, fully charged it can withstand a blow from a Soul Formation cultivator… Once you’re ready, teleport over. You must be careful. Protecting Huo Zhi and bringing her back is the most important thing.” Moyi Guihua said to Linlang, handing over the items Wenren Sumian had just given her, along with the Storage Bag.

“Mm. I understand. There’s one more thing. Huo Zhi’s body has been invaded by your Spiritual Qi. How can it be extracted?” Linlang asked, looking at Wenren Sumian.

“There are Talismans inside drawn using my own Spiritual Qi, including Extraction Talismans and corresponding Attack Talismans.” Wenren Sumian said, showing Linlang an example.

“Good, I understand. Please teleport me over.” Linlang said immediately.

Wenren Sumian activated the Teleportation Talisman in her hand. A beam of white light struck Linlang, and she instantly vanished, having been teleported away.

Moyi Guihua breathed a slight sigh of relief. She could only hope that Huo Zhi had good fortune and would come back safe and sound.

Linlang also had some combat experience. She hoped the two wouldn’t encounter anything too formidable.

“Are you feeling better?” As soon as Linlang left, Wenren Sumian slowly edged closer to Moyi Guihua. She looked like she wanted a hug, but seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Looking at Wenren Sumian, Moyi Guihua found she no longer wanted to be close to her.

Although this person wasn’t bad-looking—quite beautiful, in fact—and there were some childhood bonds of affection…

But…

Whether it was the Devil Qi’s doing or not, the fact remained that she had such a terrible temper and, taking her anger out on Huo Zhi, had actually sent a person to such a dangerous place. This had already left a bad impression on Moyi Guihua, and she didn’t want to bother with her anymore.

Just now, in order to get more things from her and ensure she obediently sent Linlang away, she had spoken a few soft words. Now she couldn’t be bothered.

And who knew if Wenren Sumian’s current demeanor was an act? The dignified Head Seat of the Immortal Talisman Sect couldn’t possibly be this naive.

“I need to enter deep meditation to recover. Don’t disturb me. Be good.” Moyi Guihua smiled as she said this to Wenren Sumian, then closed her eyes and entered meditation, ignoring Wenren Sumian.

A shadow flickered in Wenren Sumian’s eyes. She stayed as close to Moyi Guihua as possible, her eyes fixed on her without touching.

“You’re so good to her. For her sake, everything just now was an act, wasn’t it? Can’t you continue the act? This makes me feel like I can’t control the Devil Qi again. I’m really afraid I’ll go borrow another Teleportation Talisman Artifact and go to the Extreme North Region to kill Huo Zhi…” Wenren Sumian whispered in Moyi Guihua’s ear.

Moyi Guihua’s eyes snapped open, and she looked at Wenren Sumian.

Good grief. Wenren Sumian still wore a look of hurt grievance, but she now gave Moyi Guihua a completely different feeling.

Earlier, she’d felt her sudden change in attitude was too drastic. It had indeed been an act!

This threat-veiled tone… so she wanted Moyi Guihua to treat her like she just had.

“Mianmian, didn’t I just say it? Huo Zhi is my Benefactor. Why are you so easily angered? Alright, be good now. Come here for a hug.” The corner of Moyi Guihua’s mouth twitched. In the end, she decided to overcome hardness with softness and used a soft, tender tone.

Wenren Sumian moved closer to Moyi Guihua, wrapped her arms around her waist, and rested her chin on her shoulder. Only then did her expression show some satisfaction.

“…” Moyi Guihua turned her face away and decided to enter a very deep state of meditation, saying nothing.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Linlang had been teleported to the Extreme North Region.

Linlang circulated her Fire-Type Spiritual Qi, making the surrounding cold bearable.

“Go find the other master.” Linlang took out the Talisman Brush, fed it Spirit Stones, and then commanded it to move forward.

The Talisman Brush was indeed sentient. Like a pet, it tugged Linlang in a specific direction. Linlang hastened her steps to follow.

When she occasionally encountered Demon Beasts, Linlang didn’t engage them. She kept her Protective Barrier active and only quickened her pace, heading towards Huo Zhi’s location.

At that moment, Huo Zhi was surrounded by several cultivators, her expression bitter and frustrated. Indeed, humans were the most dangerous.

These cultivators had helped Huo Zhi drive away the Walrus Demon Beasts. However, they were not kind-hearted people. After chasing off the beasts, they surrounded her. Huo Zhi had used up all her Talismans, was out of Teleportation Talismans, and even her Identity Token had been snatched away in one swift motion.

“Got another Immortal Talisman Sect token. Not bad.” The cultivator holding the token said with delight.

“The female cultivators of the Immortal Talisman Sect are indeed quite beautiful. Since you’ve already taken the token, that beautiful female cultivator will be mine for Dual Cultivation.” Another cultivator said.

“That’s too cheap for you. I’m not into that path, but this female cultivator was encountered by all of us. If you’re taking the benefit, you should give us all some benefits too.” Yet another cultivator chimed in.

Watching them argue, Huo Zhi’s expression grew increasingly unsightly. What is this? Shouldn’t cultivators be cultivating tranquility and non-action?

The Dao of Ruthlessness Technique should be widely promoted!

The few men began quarreling. No one knew who struck first, but they actually started fighting.

Seeing this, Huo Zhi wanted to slip away. But the area was sealed off, a layer of Protective Barrier had been erected. In the air, besides the freezing scent of ice and snow, there was a hint of a sweet, bloody smell. After Huo Zhi inhaled it, she began to feel dizzy. Her face and ears slowly grew hot.

“…Help! I think I’ve been hit by some legendary aphrodisiac! What kind of dog-blood plot is this!” Huo Zhi was filled with regret and dread.