Chapter 106 - The Harem Rescue Project

The wild wind howled as dark clouds gathered ominously over Lin Qianshuang's location. Thunder held its wrath back due to Mu Weiyin's presence, yet stubbornly lingered in the skies. Mu Weiyin, having practiced cultivation for centuries, witnessed such a phenomenon for the first time—where the individual hunted by tribulation lightning sought not ascension, but was purely targeted for obliteration from this cultivation realm. Her delicate silver lashes fluttered as she gestured with one hand, her robes fluttering in the layered winds. Rings of divine golden light swirled at her feet, and her mysterious, ink-gray eyes critically observed Lin Qianshuang, weakened and coughing blood on the ground. Only two types of people would be forcibly obliterated by the heavenly way: those who descended upon this realm as ascended cultivators without permission, and those heinous beings who had violated the heavenly principles. The aura of virtue around the person on the ground was triple-layered, affirming she wasn’t the second kind with a heinous reputation. A spark of curiosity gleamed in Mu Weiyin's elusive eyes—a rare emotion spreading across her face. This demon cultivator sprawled on the ground, her power amassed over time, if truly one of those descended divine beings, could she really be so feeble? Should she evade divine punishment and cultivate anew, her progress should exponentially enhance. The Tiankui Mirror, an ancient artifact Mu Weiyin had long since refined and merged to achieve an immortal body, prevented the thunderclouds from reaching their target. After lingering for ages, they reluctantly dissipated, retreating to the upper realms. Under the clear sky, the gloom faded. The blazing sun resumed its perch, casting its scorching rays upon all. Xiao Lanle had steeled herself to face the heavenly lightning alongside Lin Qianshuang, braced even for the worst outcome—a complete obliteration. Mu Weiyin’s unexpected intervention left her slightly stupefied. Watching Mu Weiyin effortlessly repel the thunderclouds, a mix of envy and inferiority welled up within Xiao Lanle. Mu Weiyin rescued them with such ease, whereas she had felt powerless to protect the one she loved from imminent peril, resigned only to perish alongside her. Xiao Lanle sheathed her spiritual sword within her core, stared at her palm, and slowly seemed to grasp something intangible in the air, blood trickling from her fingers onto the ground. Ultimately, she was still too weak. Mu Weiyin's arrival brightened Lin Qianshuang’s eyes. With the powerful city master’s aid, her life was safeguarded. Relieved, she intended to retrieve a few demon pills from her storage jade slip for recovery. Suddenly, she found her hand had shrunk and was covered with fur. Her furry little paw poked at something soft and plush. Lifting her head, she saw Xiao Lanle appear several times larger, while she lay miniature on her arm. Clearly, her magical energy depleted, she reverted to her original form. Xiao Lanle’s expression shifted subtly as she cradled Lin Qianshuang, her lively eyes curiously studying her. She hesitated to touch her at first due to the blood on her hands. She affectionately nuzzled the soft face of the silver-white little beast, its bright blue eyes blinked up at her adorably. “Senior Sister, you're so cute! Is this your true form?” Xiao Lanle's words made Lin Qianshuang feel embarrassed, her fluffy paw covering her face in dismay. It was the first time anyone called her cute, let alone her junior sister, shattering her image as the dignified senior sister. Surprisingly, Xiao Lanle didn’t question her current state or mention her demonic aura, simply delighting in tossing her gently into the air and catching her like a little fluffy ball. Seeing Lin Qianshuang's befuddled, tangled tail, Xiao Lanle seemed to thoroughly enjoy herself. Lin Qianshuang lay on Xiao Lanle’s arm as Xiao Lanle patiently untangled her knotted tail, soothingly injecting a stream of spiritual energy into her, helping her heal. The silver-white little beast that Lin Qianshuang had transformed into hung her head in defeat, ignoring Xiao Lanle. A tuft of her fur stood rebelliously on end, huffing in displeasure. Unhappy, her vanity pricked, she had always maintained a responsible and caring image before Xiao Lanle. Now, treated like a pet by her little junior sister, her dignity lay in tatters. Regardless of Xiao Lanle’s sincerity, feeling pained as if struck by news of a sudden loss, she resisted acknowledging her. The thunderclouds had completely dissipated, not threatening to return. Mu Weiyin’s sleeves fluttered as she drew in the surging aura around her, lightly descending before Xiao Lanle. She leaned slightly, looking down at her and said, “Lanle, don’t act impulsively anymore. Sacrificing your life isn’t worth it. Next time, consider the consequences. Remember, I am your true path companion. If you fall for someone else's sake while they live, I will ensure they accompany you in death.” “This time, I was careless. Senior Sister is my dearest friend, and I couldn’t stand idly by when she was in trouble.” Xiao Lanle’s eyes held a deep-seated sorrow as she tightly held the little creature in her arms, expressing her grievance, “Father has passed, Senior Brother Liang, whom I grew up with, betrayed me. Within the sect, only Senior Sister Lin truly understands me. Weiyin, if you were in my place, could you bear losing someone close to you again?” Mu Weiyin's face fell silent, recalling her own escape with Xiaochi from Tiankui City. Her thumb unconsciously shifted over the jade ring on her finger, her heart eerily still. She could comprehend Xiao Lanle’s sentiment but couldn’t truly empathize with such feelings of sorrow and regret. Years of emotionless cultivation had stripped away her fundamental human emotions. "I didn't consider your feelings; my apologies for making you upset." Mu Weiyin looked at the little silver-white creature poking its head from Xiao Lanle's embrace, focused intently on her, and said, “Lanle, your Senior Sister’s demonic energy is depleted, and her vital essence is damaged. I can restore her to her human form within three days, unharmed, and bring her back to your side. You can leave her to me." Xiao Lanle hesitated for a moment, but seeing Lin Qianshuang nod in agreement, indicating she needed Mu Weiyin's help, she handed her over to Mu Weiyin. Mu Weiyin grasped Lin Qianshuang by the scruff of her neck, not intending to hold her gently, as she told Xiao Lanle, "Tomorrow is the Sect Master's trial. Be cautious in everything. I expect you to emerge from the trial in the secret realm safe and sound." As a whirlwind scattered leaves upon the ground, Mu Weiyin's figure transformed into a golden light, leaving Xiao Lanle standing alone on the desolate green plain. Xiao Lanle's calm and graceful demeanor crumbled momentarily. She gazed at her empty hands, a sense of loneliness and desolation spreading through her heart. She wasn’t yet strong enough to control everything she desired. Even in front of someone she cherished, she had to conceal her true feelings. Her spiritual sword manifested, offering comfort as it hovered before her. Xiao Lanle took hold of the Suwen Sword. Pure sword intent enveloped the bright blade, extending to the fingers gripping its hilt. A fierce sword aura radiated from her, slicing through the surrounding vegetation with its slicing force. Her true cultivation level, suppressed for so long, gradually revealed itself. The golden lotus-shaped nascent soul within her dantian rotated and unfurled, forming a field of sword energy. Everything within a few miles halted momentarily. Holding a jug of clear wine, Xiao Lanle approached the riverbank, her expression regaining its tranquility as she watched the fish playfully darting in the river. She glanced towards the sky with a cold sneer; the heavenly way was unjust, protecting a vile being like Liang Jingxuan. Faced with Liang Jingxuan, her sword aura had no effect against him, yet he hadn't even formed a demon infant. He shouldn’t seem so unperturbed against someone with higher cultivation than him. To avoid exposing her cultivation and to execute her vengeance while undercover next to Mu Weiyin, she had to watch helplessly as her father died from poison before her eyes. Xiao Lanle felt a touch of melancholy. She cynically glanced skyward, lips curling, “How long can you protect him? Sooner or later, I’ll make fish food of his remains.” She downed the jug of wine, the fiery liquid searing through her body, as she clutched the only relic left by her father, a list of enemies. Supporting herself against a tree, memories of her time with Mu Weiyin sparked a wave of nausea, prompting a dry heave. Not one of them would escape her wrath—not a single one. A menacing glint of red flared in her eyes. Xiao Lanle smiled sweetly with a hint of malice. Gaining power that surpasses the five major sects of cultivation, eliminating anyone she chose would be simple. By then, no one could stop her. Even if she were to “disgrace herself” by marrying Senior Sister Lin, in a world that deems it scandalous, she’d tear out the tongue or tear apart anyone who dared speak against it. In a spacious courtyard, Lin Qianshuang, bored, arranged her furry body comfortably on a chair to bask under the sun. Her snowy belly was soothingly replenishing its magical energy, while five handsome youths in thin robes awkwardly stood around, none daring to step closer. After Mu Weiyin brought her here, she left her in the backyard with five cultivation vessels for energy reconstitution. Lin Qianshuang knew that Mu Weiyin's gesture of helping her regain her human form was merely a façade to gain Xiao Lanle's favor. She, too, had matters to discuss with Mu Weiyin and complied by coming along. However, before she could voice her intentions, Mu Weiyin was promptly called away by urgent reports from guards, departing swiftly after giving her a cursory glance. Had she known the city master was so busy, she wouldn’t have disturbed her. Contemplating this, Lin Qianshuang looked exasperatedly at the quivering youths before her. The five attractive young men maintained expressions of fear for ten minutes straight, each one shrinking back cautiously. Their eyes were wide, as if she were a monstrous beast about to devour them whole. Her original form was absolutely non-threatening; was it that frightening? Besides, she had plenty of demon pills stored and practiced the sword path of a renowned sect. She would never harm the innocent, as it would damage her virtue. Coughing to get their attention, Lin Qianshuang felt it necessary to clarify. Before she could speak, the boys, pale with fear, looked for the nearest exit to escape. One even bumped his head against the doorway and fell. Amused by their antics, Lin Qianshuang knew her laughter was inappropriate; she composed herself and said, "I mean no harm. I don’t need you as cultivation vessels. Also, the exit is in that direction. Please use it." Without glancing back, all five darted for the door, taking her words as permission to flee. Was she really that terrifying? Her original form looked so adorable... unless it enlarged. Lin Qianshuang twitched her fluffy tail despondently and let her pudgy paw drop, creating paw prints on the ground like numerous plum blossoms. “Mortals, no sense of discernment. I wanted to chat, but recovering alone is rather dull.” A calm and steady voice chimed, breaking her train of thought. "Little demon cultivator, bored alone, as it happens, I am feeling restless myself. Come over; I have something interesting to show you." The voice seemed to waft down from the eaves, playful and teasing. Lin Qianshuang looked up at the red-clad woman perched atop the roof, her lips twitching in mild exasperation. Ever since her master arrived at Tiankui City, she found her on rooftops more often than not. How had she never realized before that her master had a penchant for climbing? Resigned, Lin Qianshuang couldn't help but wonder why she always had to interact with her master in such odd places.”