Chapter 87 - The Harem Rescue Project

The tongues of the superior purple thunder flame enveloped the entire alchemy furnace, obscuring the situation within and leaving Xiao Lanle's fate uncertain. Although these dark purple flames did not touch her body directly, the scorching heat surged towards her, creating a stinging sensation on her skin as if scalded by boiling water. Even cultivators like her felt discomfort, let alone ordinary humans whose flesh and bones would likely be incinerated to ashes upon contact with the purple thunder flame. Liang Jingxuan's ruthless decision to put Xiao Lanle in such a perilous position surprised Lin Qianshuang. In the original story, the protagonist was always lenient towards beauties, and given Xiao Lanle's past relationship with him, it was unexpected for him to act with such cruelty. Lin Qianshuang realized she held significant weight in Liang Jingxuan's heart. Despite her blatant deception and the possibility of colluding with Xiao Lanle, Liang Jingxuan's first reaction was to blame himself for wronging her, harboring hatred only towards Xiao Lanle while feeling guilty towards her. Could it be that this is the unique "white moonlight" bug? Lin Qianshuang pressed a sleep acupoint on Liang Jingxuan, to prevent any mishaps before Qingyun Zhenren arrived to hold him accountable. After all, Liang Jingxuan was the main character in this world, and who knew what unforeseen advantages he might pull out, catching her off guard. As a precaution, she wrapped several sections of mystical iron chains around Liang Jingxuan, binding him tightly from head to toe before securing peace of mind to leap atop the furnace using her demon energy. The dark purple flames licked at her toes as she hovered in mid-air. Observing the narrow, pitch-black opening of the furnace, Lin Qianshuang knew her only entry was through converting her form into a wisp of demonic energy. Xiao Lanle had been inside for quite some time, but with the protection of the mermaid pearl, she should be safe. Lin Qianshuang did not rush. She sent a tendril of demonic energy probing around the entrance for any hidden seals or traps that might hinder their escape, and once assured it was clear, she cautiously gathered her demonic energy as a shield before slipping into the furnace. Waves of heat penetrated her from the misty darkness, the wails of tormented souls resonating invisibly around the nine cauldrons—a chilling sound that sent a shiver down her spine. Regaining her physical form, Lin Qianshuang barely touched the ground when two spirit chains, as thick as arms, descended from above, trying to loop around her neck. She sidestepped, avoiding the onslaught. When the chains collided with the floor, they screeched with a metallic friction, then twisted with conscious will, snaking in agile spirals towards her limbs from all directions. The spirit chains, woven from the furnace's true energy, weren't real, so Lin Qianshuang easily shattered the ones trying to bind her. Yet, the fragments reformed swiftly at their original spot, entangling around her relentlessly. Though she could break the chains, their rapid regeneration threatened eventual confinement. A clear, cold female voice came from above. "This furnace is a righteous artifact, designed to dispel demons and subdue evil. If you don't want to be chained and submerged into the skin-melting black water below, conceal your aura immediately and look up to see where I am. You can climb along the hooks on the furnace wall; the black water won't reach here for a while." Recognizing Xiao Lanle's voice, albeit with an odd undertone, Lin Qianshuang didn't hesitate. Following Xiao Lanle's instruction, she retracted her cultivation, dimming the energy stone's surface. Drawing her spirit sword, the intent of the floating sword technique radiated subtly from the blade. The chains brushing her clothing dispersed into tendrils of white mist, and the crisis was averted. Lin Qianshuang exhaled in relief, scanning above before inching her way up the furnace wall. But it was slippery; she ascended a segment only to slide halfway down. The black water surged upwards, its surface bubbling with boiling froth. Afraid of looking down due to her acrophobia and unnerved by the acidic hissing sound, she dared not glance below. Sitting straight-backed on a protruding platform near the furnace's mouth, Xiao Lanle meditated in her black robes, her usual vivid beauty appearing pallid and lifeless. Although her eyes were closed, she anticipated Lin Qianshuang's struggles. Reaching out, she conjured a true-energy rope, knotted to a hook, which dangled before Lin Qianshuang. With the tension easing within her mind, Lin Qianshuang grasped the rope, pulling herself upward. Gaining ground, she sheepishly grinned at Xiao Lanle, saying, "Junior sister, I thought I was coming to rescue you, but it's you who ended up saving me." Xiao Lanle opened her eyes, watching Lin Qianshuang's climb with expressionless, unblinking black eyes—a gaze so intense it was disturbing, like a perfect yet eerie statue seemingly looking at her while lost elsewhere in thought. With only a small aperture overhead providing faint light, the furnace interior was otherwise dim. The narrow protrusion offered just enough space for two to sit. Settling across from Xiao Lanle, Lin Qianshuang noticed her hem stained red, likely from blood seeping from Xiao Lanle’s own garment. A thought popped into Lin Qianshuang's head as she tugged at Xiao Lanle’s sleeve, staining her palm crimson. Alarmed, she hurriedly stripped Xiao Lanle’s outer garment, finding it soaked and corroded in parts. "Junior sister, why are you covered in blood?" Something definitely seemed off, pressing on Xiao Lanle's pulse, Lin Qianshuang found no heartbeat, her body cold as if lifeless. Did the mermaid pearl fail to protect Xiao Lanle? Was she already dead? Startled, Lin Qianshuang was about to retract her hand when Xiao Lanle gripped her. Holding Lin Qianshuang’s hand, Xiao Lanle’s eyes deepened slightly as she explained, "I fell into the black water when drawn into the furnace, and my physical body was entirely destroyed. The mermaid pearl awakened the Buddhist Glass within me to preserve my life, and now my body is slowly regenerating." Buddhist Glass? Could it be that the treasured artifact of the Penglai Immortal Sect resided in Xiao Lanle's body? Intrigued, Lin Qianshuang recalled a memory of Xiao Lanle as a child, adorned with a hairpin made from the Buddhist Glass during the massacre's aftermath. Further memories were obscured by Xiao Lanle’s inner demons, which perhaps held the truth. As Xiao Lanle watched Lin Qianshuang’s contemplative expression, she released her hand and checked her pulse, seemingly assessing her cultivation level. "I’m too weak to leave the furnace now. You must be here to help me escape, so here’s a feasible method." Meeting Xiao Lanle’s secretly glowing eyes, Lin Qianshuang felt an indescribable oddity in her demeanor. She urged, "What’s the method? Tell me." Xiao Lanle bit her lip uneasily, gazing at Lin Qianshuang with a detached look, and said, "I'm not thrilled by the idea, but we...should dual cultivate. It’s the quickest way."