Chapter 171 - Love from the Male Protagonist’s Harem

The ferocious tide of ghosts surged on. At the onset, the wave of specters was something people could manage. However, the current spirit surge was utterly overwhelming. These spirits would find every nook and cranny to exploit, inescapable and relentless. Those burdened with defending against them teetered on the brink of collapse. “Why are there still more coming!” "It seems... there are even more now!" The malevolent spirits multiplied. Heart-wrenching screams and the pungent smell of blood in the air foretold impending doom. "Howl—" Xia Ge, wielding a scythe, traced a boundary with it, using the power of Requiem to temporarily keep the malevolent spirits outside the protective boundary. Yet, since earlier, the presence of Requiem had been unstable, as if it had sensed something unsettling. But Xia Ge didn’t have the capacity to manage all these details. The missing materials for the Soul Pill could be purchased at high prices from the system market. The primary ingredient, however, was a thousand souls, and obtaining them gave Xia Ge quite the headache. Sure, malevolent souls were abundant outside, easy to capture, but... She couldn’t just go out and say, “Come here, I need to refine the pill now.” Even if she did, it wasn’t as if they would obediently enter the cauldron for her to refine! Staring at the pile of materials, though she had everything needed, the points she’d accumulated over three years were nearly exhausted. After all, the system store might have everything available, but it was extremely costly. Xia Ge seldom bought items there if she could find them in the black market. However, with no time to slowly gather materials now, she had no other choice. All the materials were ready, but what should she do about the souls of malevolent spirits? Xia Ge felt a bit at a loss for the first time. She glanced at the scroll, where the materials and methods were clearly written down, the pill formula clearly explained, everything was vividly detailed... “To gather all the evil spirits together...” Xia Ge lightly clenched the scroll. She approached Gu Peijiu. Gu Peijiu’s eyes were already closed, her black hair gently draped over her shoulders, making her eyelashes seem longer, her skin as pale as snow. She lay peacefully, as if her eyes would never open again. For a moment, Xia Ge began to fear death. It wasn’t because she’d promised someone “not to die,” but a genuine fear of death that emerged from the depths of her own heart. “Xiao Kui.” Xia Ge murmured, “Tell me... what is it like when people die?” Xiao Kui wasn’t sure: “I guess... it’s like what you saw over there last time, like Doudou, perhaps?” Forgetting everything, with only a single-minded obsession. “Is that so.” Xia Ge squatted down, gently holding Gu Peijiu’s right hand. Her mentor’s hand, always warm, now felt slightly chilly to the touch. Xia Ge couldn’t remember how many times over the years she’d held this hand, traversing the hydrangea in full bloom on Danfeng and strolling along the winding mountain path lined with white flowers. Her hand moved slowly upward, brushing past the Heavenly Retribution Ribbon, finally resting on a slightly rough strip of cloth compared to the ribbon. Xia Ge saw its true form. It was a green hair ribbon, missing a corner. After falling in love, Xia Ge lost track of her green hair ribbon. Since it wasn't that important, she never put much effort into searching for it. She had thought it might have ended up with her mentor. But... She had never imagined. This inconspicuous green hair ribbon would be cherished by her mentor, carried so closely. Just like her, seemingly inconsequential, yet cherished and protected for three years, so untouched by the storms of life. For someone who had survived hardships, it almost made her forget what grievances felt like. Warm tears swiftly slid down her cheeks. Xia Ge closed her eyes, holding Gu Peijiu’s hand, her heart both soft and pained. What does it feel like to love someone? Perhaps it meant gaining a vulnerability, and with it, an armor. Xia Ge felt she feared nothing any longer. “Xiao Kui.” Xia Ge mused aloud, “Why are humans so peculiar?” She purchased a pill from the system, swallowing it. Then, with the scythe imbued with Requiem, she drew a circle around Gu Peijiu. Subsequently, she slowly unfastened Requiem’s belt. “Host, you...” the system began. When a person sincerely and determinedly wishes to remove an Emei, if the resolve is strong enough, the Emei can choose. To refuse or to obey. The girl gradually removed the black garment, her skin soft and white as snow. She donned a simple night suit, folded Requiem neatly, and placed it beside Gu Peijiu. The power of the circle did not diminish despite Xia Ge removing the Emei. In fact, it grew stronger due to its proximity to Requiem. Removing Requiem, Xia Ge felt a heavy burden, like a mortal abruptly cast down from the immortal realm, dropping an entire level. “What are you planning to do?” asked the system. She was unfazed, giving no response to the system’s question. Instead, she crouched down, speaking softly to Requiem. “From now on, whatever you want, I can give it to you.” Requiem remained silent beside Gu Peijiu. “So, please, take care of her.” In the next moment, the scythe adorned with cloud patterns sharply lifted from the side, etching a deep, cold line in the ground between Xia Ge and Requiem. Xia Ge let the dust stirred by the scythe strike against her mask. She gazed unwaveringly at Requiem, not yielding an inch. As a bearer of a “contract,” Xia Ge could distinctly feel Requiem’s emotions. Anger. It was angry. To Requiem, a weaker being shedding its Emei to rush towards death was an insult. Yet it complied. Refuse or obey, it chose to obey. Perhaps that was the best answer. Xia Ge lowered her gaze. "I know you've said that the weak have no voice." “I am not strong enough.” Xia Ge touched her chest, speaking softly, “But... I don’t want even my heart to be cowardly.” Requiem remained motionless. “If one lacks great power,” Xia Ge stated, “then they must possess a courageous soul.” “So many twisted philosophies,” the system interjected. “It’s called courage when it’s certain success, and foolishness when it’s not.” “I understand.” Xia Ge stood tall. “I’m definitely not a genius.” The system suddenly had a bad feeling. “...What are you planning?” “I know what a ground-level alchemist is about.” Xia Ge didn’t answer directly, but merely glanced beyond the boundary. She had drawn two circles: a large one to protect herself and Gu Peijiu, and a smaller one exclusively for Gu Peijiu, reinforced by Requiem’s guard. Now, outside of the boundary, countless malevolent spirits had appeared, circling but not daring to step inside. Clutching the materials to her chest, dressed in simple black and masked, Xia Ge took steps toward the boundary. “A true ground-level alchemist uses the sky as the lid, and the earth as the furnace.” She was just one step away from being a ground-level alchemist. Yet, that step felt like an insurmountable chasm. It required an immense fortune and opportunity. She wasn’t Ye Ze; she didn’t have that kind of fortune, nor did she mind whether she’d surpass the threshold. Xia Ge had never been interested in crossing over because she’d always thought there wasn’t anyone in this world worth risking her life for, to cross that chasm of power levels. A true ground-level alchemist required not only impeccable alchemical techniques but also an unyielding soul unafraid of death, capable of withstanding the temper of the heavens. To comprehend the world’s transformations, using the sky as a lid, the earth as a furnace, harnessing the grand spirit of the world to refine divine pills. —Why indeed are humans so peculiar? Despite her previous fear of malevolent spirits threatening her life. Previously, with Requiem endowing her, she could cleave through evil spirits like tofu, but now without it, standing here, she didn’t feel afraid at all. How strange, Xia Ge thought. —She didn’t have the miraculous luck to turn decay into magic. But she had the courage to confront hardship and evil spirits for a single person. Xia Ge had always believed that brave and cheerful people were never too unlucky. “Are you crazy?! Get back! Don’t go any further! If you fail—” “If we fail, then we'll die together,” Xia Ge replied, biting her finger hard enough to draw blood. “Honestly, Xiao Kui, meeting you has been a joy.” The system was speechless. Crimson blood flowed down from her fingertips, yet Xia Ge felt no pain. It was strange how she used to feel intense pain while dealing with the Red Talisman, but now she didn’t feel anything at all. Even without anyone's comfort, there was no sense of grievance. The eyes of the evil spirits outside the barrier turned red with greed. They could distinctly sense the immense spiritual energy teeming within that blood. Xia Ge’s spiritual channels had opened, her essence being that of a priest, naturally making her spiritual energy formidable—a tempting delicacy for the spirits. Barefoot, clutching the herbs, her hair down, she stepped slowly out of the circle. "Howl—" In an instant, the evil spirits outside descended upon her like ravenous creatures, drooling over a fresh delicacy leaping into their mouths. They lunged fiercely at Xia Ge! “Ah... not yet.” Xia Ge swiftly sidestepped, distancing herself from the two protected circles. —She couldn’t allow her mentor to witness her in such a disheveled state. It was too pitiful. Because without great fortune, to become a ground-level alchemist the fastest way was through “Phoenix Nirvana.” —To shatter into pieces in exchange for rebirth. She found a mountain peak to stop at. As she looked back, the evil spirits swarmed over her like a hive! Bursting out laughing, Xia Ge taunted, “Is this all you’ve got?” “Come on, bring more!” The claws of the evil spirits shredded her flesh! Xia Ge remained unmoved as the formula in her hand suddenly shifted! "Howl—" As the flesh tore open, more evil spirits descended, alarming those already battling the spirits. Every specter paused, their noses picking up on something much tastier. They exposed their sharp fangs, charging wildly in one direction! “What’s happening?” “No idea... But at last, we can breathe a little!” “It’s really nerve-wracking..." “I can't believe it, that Xia Commander is actually a puppeteer...” “Stop it! I swear I’m gonna kill him!” “…” "Are you crazy?! You’re going to die!" The agony was intense. Evil spirits tearing at flesh, colliding with the soul. She wouldn’t die, though. The drug she bought from the system store was “Unlimited Regeneration.” No matter how her body was torn apart, even if it were minced thoroughly, within three days, it would fully regenerate. Aside from the pain, there was nothing. But gradually, the pain subsided. Xia Ge could hear nothing, her soul beginning to drift, elevating far away, observing the ravaged body beneath. The more ethereal, the more she could feel her own heart. True ground-level, irrespective of any specific kind. It transcended the need for a mortal body, surpassing worldly existence. As she sensed the flow of destiny, the world’s transformations, her heart detached, what the world existed for, and her sole relentless obsession that anchored her. This obsession was like a kite string, allowing her to grasp the mysterious essence of ground-level without losing herself. Xia Ge understood clearly what she desired. Her ethereal soul became one with the divine path, and in that fleeting moment, everything was crystal clear. She could see all that was usually hidden from her sight. Offering her body to the ghosts, seeking only a flawless end. —You will die! Xia Ge watched as more malevolent spirits gathered, seemingly every ghost from the mountains drawn to her form. They realized that her blood tasted like a potent poison, utterly irresistible. Yet she seemed impervious to their consumption; once one part was gnawed away, it would immediately regenerate elsewhere. The spirits felt a thrill of excitement. Xia Ge heard her own response to the system. —"I won't." Following the divine transformations, Xia Ge’s soul grasped the alchemical formula! In an instant! Every specter froze in motion!