238 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire
Lin Yuxue waved her hands frantically in fear, "Senior sister, you must be joking. I’m not good at combat." Luo Sheng was about to say something more when he saw Ran Fanyin making a move. Lin Yuxue and Luo Sheng's expressions changed simultaneously, and they immediately flew away from Ran Fanyin on their swords. Ran Fanyin raised her hand quietly and then chopped the air with the side of her palm. A fierce wind suddenly arose from the flat ground, splitting the black fog in two and revealing Wan Family Village shrouded within. Ning Songwu shielded her face with her sleeve as the wind was so strong it lifted her robe, making it impossible for her to keep her eyes open. It was her first time experiencing Ran Fanyin's terrifying power. The Index Elder was also startled because they had previously tried to tear open the fog but had been unable to do so. Finally, the wind ceased, and Ran Fanyin’s calm voice reached Ning Songwu's ears, "Let's go." Ning Songwu opened her eyes and looked downward. Between the mountain peaks, houses appeared, many of which had been destroyed by the strong wind, making it impossible to recognize their original state. Cold sweat dripped inside Ning Songwu's heart. She wondered if Ran Fanyin was here to save people or to demolish houses and cause destruction. Perhaps Ning Songwu's speechless look was too apparent, as Ran Fanyin explained, "There are no people left below." Ning Songwu was a bit surprised, but the next second, Ran Fanyin grabbed her and descended to the ground. Once they landed, Ning Songwu felt a wave of nausea. While in the air, she had only felt it vaguely, but now in the village, the strong smell of blood assailed her nose. The stench here was even more disgusting than that of the fish demon's breath in Bailu Village. Just as she was about to retch, a hand suddenly reached out and covered her nose. The slender fingers carried a faintly chilly fragrance that immediately quelled her urge to vomit. Looking down at the green sleeve, Ning Songwu naturally knew it was Ran Fanyin who had helped her. Her feelings were complicated as she quietly turned her head. She saw that Ran Fanyin wasn’t looking at her but staring straight ahead. After landing, Luo Sheng and Lin Yuxue went to check the houses on either side but found no trace of anyone inside. Just as they were about to regroup with Ran Fanyin, a fierce wind rose again, and black smoke emerged from the ground. In no time, Wan Family Village was once again shrouded in black fog. The pungent stench came from all directions, and Ning Songwu could no longer sense the faint chilly fragrance. "Master?" Silence surrounded her with no response, indicating they got separated from Ran Fanyin. Ning Songwu remained calm and chose a random direction to walk in. Strangely, although there should be houses here, she encountered no obstacles along the way. A chilly presence crept up Ning Songwu’s body like a bone-deep poison, causing her to hug her shoulders tightly. The road ahead was still pitch black, and fear began to set in. Ning Songwu suddenly remembered many things—her parents devoured by monsters, her narrow escape, the friends she had hurt, the life of a wandering beggar, and the humiliation by the disciples of the Cangjun Mountain. Fear, sorrow, and hatred intertwined, making her heart feel like it was about to burst. Ning Songwu stopped in her tracks, her expression one of pain. She clutched her ears tightly and finally shouted, "Who's playing tricks! Come out!" An old voice came from ahead, "Not bad, little one. Too bad you have no cultivation. Eating you won’t be very satisfying." The jumble of emotions continued to cloud Ning Songwu's mind. She fought to regain some semblance of rationality to converse with the instigator, "I don't taste good. My master tastes better. The woman in green." Ning Songwu sold out her master without a second thought. Seeming amused by this touching master-disciple scene, the voice in the darkness laughed again, "Ha ha ha, little one, you're truly interesting. But your master is too old. I prefer the taste of the young." Though Ning Songwu's face was pale from the emotional disturbance, her expression was serious, "Senior, you shouldn't be picky. My master is a cultivator, naturally more delicious than a mortal like me." "Such a dark heart you have, little one. I like it. How about you become my disciple?" "But Senior remains hidden in the darkness. I cannot tell if you are a demon or a human." Feeling her head clear a bit, Ning Songwu surmised that this unknown entity was indeed quite pleased. She wondered how Ran Fanyin and the others were doing, if they had noticed her disappearance. Comparatively, Ran Fanyin at least didn’t eat people. A figure of a woman gradually appeared in the darkness. The woman was stunning, dressed in red, exuding a captivating charm. She walked closer to Ning Songwu, her opening voice belying her appearance as it was old, "Little one, do you think I am a demon or a human now?" Ning Songwu realized that the tumultuous negative emotions in her mind had entirely subsided and let out a sigh of relief. She began to flatter the woman in red, smiling brightly, "A beautiful elder sister." Flattery always works, no matter the situation. The woman in red paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, "Little one, you're truly amusing. Now tell me, do you still find me beautiful?" Finishing her words, the woman’s face transformed into nothing but a talking skeleton, "Well, what now?" If Ning Songwu spoke her mind, she'd probably say, "Hmm, quite skeletal." But clearly, she couldn't say that now. "Senior sister's bone structure is also lovely." The sincerity on Ning Songwu's face did not seem feigned, and the woman in red was so amused by her blatant flattery that she felt very pleased, "Little one, what's your name? You have such a sweet mouth." "Junior Ning Songwu. How should I address Senior?" "… Chen Siting." "Why is Senior Chen causing… great events here?" Ning Songwu almost blurted out “causing trouble” but managed to change her words in time. Chen Siting's appearance reverted to its enchanting form, and she moved closer to observe Ning Songwu’s expression. Finding nothing unusual, she gave up. She chuckled, "You're trying to pry into my business." Though Chen Siting's face smiled, her eyes flickered coldly. Ning Songwu felt a chill in her heart, but she patted her chest and swore, "Absolutely not. If I am, may I never meet a good end in this life."