199 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

The True Word Technique did not inflict significant harm on humans, so Ran Fanyin performed it without any burden. Ning Songwu walked slowly towards the woman who had been bewitched. She looked down at the woman's increasingly terror-stricken face, then Ning Songwu smiled and asked, "Why didn't you call for help on the road?" The woman's face showed signs of struggle, but then she seemed to lose her soul, becoming like a marionette. She mechanically replied, "Because if I explain everything to my father, he would forgive me." "Why did your father sell you?" "Because he is addicted to gambling and lost me in a bet." "Do you hate your father?" "No, I believe he'll get better once he quits gambling." Ning Songwu turned to face the expressionless Ran Fanyin, spreading her hands in a very helpless gesture, "Master, no one else can save her; she can only save herself." Ran Fanyin was internally conflicted. After deliberation, she decided to cast a spell on the girl anyway. Ning Songwu, watching the spell, speculated it was some sort of protective enchantment. However, she found it hard to keep watching. Ran Fanyin didn't mind. She said softly to Ning Songwu, "Let's go." Then, she turned around and started walking back. Ning Songwu looked at her retreating figure, feeling somewhat irritated. Collecting her emotions, Ning Songwu quickly followed, the two maintaining a suitable distance. Abruptly, Ran Fanyin stopped. Ning Songwu, who had been looking down at the road, didn't notice and bumped into Ran Fanyin's back. Ning Songwu covered her nose, feeling that Ran Fanyin's back was unreasonably hard, almost knocking her nose out of shape. "Do you hate humans?" Ning Songwu stopped covering her nose and laughed, "Of course not." "That's good." Ran Fanyin continued walking after saying that. Watching Ran Fanyin's back, Ning Songwu muttered, "Cen Mingqimiao." Ning Songwu felt it was unusually difficult to get dressed. After much struggle, Ning Songwu finally dressed Ran Fanyin. Because Ning Songwu had helped her dress with her eyes closed, Ran Fanyin’s attire wasn’t very proper. When Ning Songwu opened her eyes, she saw her exposed collarbone and graceful swan neck. Blushing again, Ning Songwu helped arrange Ran Fanyin’s clothes, finally covering everything that should be covered. She sighed in relief. Ning Songwu felt somewhat disheartened, unable to stop berating herself inwardly. As she was becoming distressed, a faint voice came from Ran Fanyin, "Water..." Ran Fanyin hadn't awakened, only murmured softly. There was water nearby. Ning Songwu turned and walked towards the spring. The closer she got, the colder the temperature became, indicating the spring water was even colder. However, the area was surrounded by stone walls, and the only available water source was this spring. With no container to fetch water, Ning Songwu had to use her bare hands. The moment her hands dipped into the water, they became numb with cold. Controlling her numb hands, Ning Songwu gritted her teeth and raised them. How could such cold water be drinkable? Regret surged in Ning Songwu's heart. She thought that if she had learned a little bit of magic, she wouldn't be in such a predicament. The peculiar spring water was something Ning Songwu could scarcely endure. Her whole body stiffened, and even taking a step became difficult. Gradually, she felt her thoughts dulling. The scenery before her eyes blurred, except for the clear silhouette on the ground. Letting go of the water might create a sliver of hope, but Ning Songwu couldn't let go. Gradually, even Ran Fanyin’s figure blurred in Ning Songwu's sight. Unable to hold on any longer, Ning Songwu collapsed to the ground. A thin layer of frost began to form on her, soon covering her head. At that moment, Ning Songwu suddenly released an astonishing heat, melting the frost and snow. Originally unconscious, Ning Songwu's eyes opened again, but this time her eyes were a vivid red. The Yao Huang opened her eyes and slowly stood up, still disoriented by her awakening. Rubbing her temples, the Yao Huang started organizing her memories. She recalled her intention to sabotage Ran Fanyin and how her consciousness was taken over by Ning Songwu upon entering the cave. The Yao Huang delved into Ning Songwu's memories. After understanding the sequence of events, her feelings became as complex as Ning Songwu's, though tinged with more mockery. Given Ran Fanyin’s severe injuries, this seemed like a perfect opportunity to eliminate her. Nurturing malicious thoughts, the Yao Huang stood up and approached Ran Fanyin. A flame flickered in her hand, making the dark cave much brighter. Recalling the battle five hundred years ago, this monster shattered her demon core with a single sword, separating her head from her body in front of everyone. The Yao Huang imprinted the pain and humiliation from that time onto her soul, never to forget. She sneered as she closed in on Ran Fanyin, "Meet your end!" "Master, the world has many unfair things. Junior Sister Xi Ru is just fine," Jiang Yue spoke up for Ran Fanyin. "Personally, I don't find it significant. However, as the leader of the Northern Punishment Palace, I must consider the thoughts of my disciples. Besides, that child will be protected by Ran Fanyin, which will arouse jealousy among other disciples. It won't be good for the child to grow up making many enemies." Cheng Yunhuan remained silent for a long time, then suddenly spoke, "Master, everything happens for a reason. Let Ran Fanyin be." Hongsheng Cen Silu contemplated for a moment and nodded. Late December approached, and the snowfall on Northern Punishment Mountain grew heavier. The complex palace buildings were covered in a thick layer of grayish-white snow. In the small courtyard of Rongku Pavilion, a large round stone table was laden with steaming dishes. Cen Ran sat at the table, eating lunch. Luo Sheng stood ten paces away from the stone table, holding up a massive stone pillar with his hands over his head in a horse stance. Despite the cold winter day, a thin layer of sweat dotted his forehead. Luo Sheng glared angrily at the three women—no, one woman, one girl, and one monkey—sitting at the table, while his stomach rumbled pathetically.