24.01 - Dungeon Growth Log

Regaining her senses, Summer Song quickly helped the girl up. “Are you alright?” The girl from the tavern looked pale. “I'm... thank you, young master…” “Can you walk?” Summer Song glanced at Gu Pei Jiu, who was facing off against two figures in straw raincoats, her heart tense. The question, though caring, was half-hearted. “I can walk…” “Xia Wu Yin, take her away from here,” Gu Pei Jiu cast a brief side glance at Summer Song, her voice calm and quiet. Summer Song responded quickly, observing the movements of the two demonic disciples from a distance while supporting the tavern girl and leading her out from behind Gu Pei Jiu. “Thank you for saving me, young master.” Once outside the tavern, the girl finally breathed a sigh of relief, her face showing a hint of lingering fear. “If it weren’t for…” “It’s alright, it wasn’t me who saved you. If not for the big boss inside, we’d both be goners today.” Summer Song scratched the back of her head with a cheeky grin. “But if you’re really grateful, maybe you could waive my tab next time?” “Of course.” Just as Summer Song was about to get happy, the tavern girl shyly smiled, her eyes flickering with a mischievous glint. “By the way, I still have a jar of aged daughter’s wine. Would the young master like to try it?” Summer Song: “…” The tavern girl covered her mouth with a delicate laugh. “Young master, don’t worry. The daughter’s wine is on the house too.” No, no, it’s not about whether you waive the tab… System: “Tsk tsk tsk…” Summer Song: “… Peach blossom brew is fine, the daughter’s wine is a bit too strong… I can’t handle my liquor… Uh, miss, you should find a place to hide quickly, it’s chaotic here—” “At least give me your name, young master.” The girl held Summer Song’s hand, her wrist pale and her voice soft. “M-m-my name is Summer Song. Summer as in the season, and song as in music. Not… summer as in the season, song as in music. M-miss, you should head back soon—” “You haven’t asked for my name, young master.” My goodness, she’s calling herself “this humble woman”?! Feeling a chill from the unexpected intimacy, Summer Song, who had never faced such a situation before, awkwardly smiled. “Well, what is your name?” System: “Oh my, what a mess we have here.” Summer Song: “…” “This humble woman’s name is Mo Qiu Ran.” The girl smiled, her lips curving. “Young master, you must return for a drink next time.” While Summer Song was entangled in flirtatious banter, the scene inside the tavern was escalating towards a deadly confrontation. “Brother, they all ran away.” The straw-coated figure holding a half-strand of white paper blades sounded aggrieved. “Bai Ren couldn’t kill them all. Bai Ren is so useless—” “It’s alright.” A juvenile voice, gentle and tender, spoke up. It came from the other straw-coated figure holding a pale short flute. “Big brother will help you kill them all.” Upon hearing this, Gu Pei Jiu’s eyes sharpened instantly. She flicked her red ling, sweeping it horizontally towards the two! “Swish—” The flying red ribbon shattered the tables and chairs around them. The usually soft and ethereal silk now wielded incredible sharpness. The two figures in straw raincoats jumped in different directions. However, Gu Pei Jiu’s attack was fierce, and the one holding the white paper blades couldn’t dodge in time. The straw hat on his head was swept away, revealing a ghastly pale face in the bright tavern light. It was the face of a seven or eight-year-old, filled with childishness but with unusually large, hollow black eyes, red lips, and white skin, like a ghostly child from the underworld. “Ah… I’m so angry, my hat got swept away—” Bai Ren’s voice was clear, “Brother, brother, I’m so angry—” The other straw-coated figure’s black eyes narrowed slightly. He brought the short white flute to his lips. Gu Pei Jiu reflexively flicked her red ribbon, and the ethereal silk instantly folded in midair, sweeping towards the head of the figure with the white flute! The figure with the white flute dodged swiftly, and the next moment, a cold, piercing flute sound erupted! An eerie wave spread with the sound, one after another! This was the summoning flute for the puppet! Gu Pei Jiu’s pupils contracted sharply. She retracted the red ribbon and, in a flash, left the tavern— Meanwhile, Summer Song had finally managed to send Mo Qiu Ran away. Before she could even catch her breath, she felt her collar tighten. Suddenly, she was lifted off the ground— “W—what?” The fierce wind made it impossible to speak. The familiar fragrance of peach blossom brew and the cool scent of sandalwood mixed, creating a unique aroma. … Senior Sister? Was she going to run away? It made sense. Although there were only two enemies in the village, there could be more demonic ambushes outside. Even the most capable person couldn’t fight off so many. If it were her, she’d run too. The only difference… she’d be the fastest to run. The girl moved swiftly, her steps light. Her speed even surpassed Summer Song’s upgraded ghost-shadow method by a good margin. Holding Summer Song with her left hand, she continuously threw yellow talismans with her right hand. Summer Song watched wide-eyed as the talismans, painted with inscrutable cinnabar symbols, were affixed to various doors around the village in an eerie sequence. Only after Gu Pei Jiu had made a full circle did Summer Song realize that her senior wasn’t running away. She was setting up an array! At the same time, the sharp, piercing flute sound rose again— The roof of the tavern was suddenly ripped open with a loud crash. The two short figures in straw raincoats flew into the air from the broken rooftop. Their cloaks were thrown off to avoid hindering their movements, revealing two ghostly figures dressed in white. One held a strand of paper blades that rustled in the night wind, while the other held a white short flute, with deep black paint drawn under his left eye resembling a teardrop. They hovered in mid-air, like specters overlooking the world. Gu Pei Jiu landed on the ground, setting down Summer Song. Looking up at the two demonic disciples above, her black eyes deepened. “Xia Wu Yin,” she called. “Here!” Summer Song stood at attention. “We’re leaving the village.” The bright moonlight shined down, reflecting her gentle features and calm voice. “Are you scared?” “……” Leaving the village? Does that mean running away? And why would I be scared of that? Summer Song’s mind was confused. Well, it’s never wrong to make a good impression in front of one’s superior! After all, she’s the big boss who could give a raise! In a flash, Summer Song straightened up. “Not scared at all!” The moment the words left her mouth, she heard the system’s somewhat desperate voice. “Host... that person just played the flute.” Summer Song was baffled. “??? What about playing the flute?” System: “I observed that his flute summon probably called for over a thousand Grade A demonized puppets around the village…” Summer Song: “!!!!” Why couldn’t you have mentioned such an important thing earlier?! My gosh!! Summer Song nearly choked on the spot. Just as she was about to express her deep inner worries to Senior Sister, she looked up and saw the girl, her hair bound with a crimson ribbon, looking back at her, stars seeming to flicker in her somber eyes. Summer Song was momentarily at a loss. What… should she say now? “Swish swish swish—” Clearly, their enemies were giving them no time for idle chatter. In the sky above, countless paper blades rained down like a downpour! “Hehehe—hurry up and die—” “The feeling of killing the top disciple of Dan Peak… would be wonderful, brother, brother, let me kill her, okay?” The childlike voice carried an innocence mixed with murderous intent! “Clang clang clang—” With a sweep of her red ribbon, Gu Pei Jiu’s agile movements nullified the sharp paper blades, easily countering the hard with her soft approach— Her red silk swirling above, blocking the relentless attacks. Summer Song felt her body lift again, this time falling into a tender embrace. The girl leaped, her red silk fluttering, the night wind gently moving. Summer Song heard a soft voice. “Xia Wu Yin, you’re very brave.” “I’ll protect you.” “Let’s break through together.” No… the bravery was just an illusion… Honestly. If she knew there were a thousand Grade A demonized puppets outside, she wouldn’t have boasted like that even on a dare! But clearly, Gu Pei Jiu had no time to worry about her feelings. Holding her tight, she soared forward, the red silk floating around, soft yet incredibly strong, shielding them from all the paper blades— Summer Song suddenly had a delayed realization. She was being princess-carried by… the Senior Sister of Dan Peak…? The cool sandalwood mixed with the peach blossom brew scent, carried by the whistling cold wind, reached deep into her heart, warming it and making it flutter. Summer Song: “…” Dying under the peony flower, ah, even being a ghost would be worth it! This is a 3S-level beauty! Unaware of the little trickster’s thoughts, Gu Pei Jiu moved swiftly, taking three steps in quick succession, soon reaching the village outskirts. “Ah… Brother, is she looking to die?” Bai Ren’s voice was clear. On the other side, the boy in white remained silent. The two of them followed Gu Pei Jiu out of the village. “Close your eyes.” Just before leaving the village, the girl’s voice was cold. “Don’t look.” But it was too late. Summer Song saw it. An ocean-like multitude of eerie blue soul fires flickered in the night, surrounding the village, vast and chilling. The eerie laughter of the boy who had followed them came from above. “Hehehe—Gu Pei Jiu, not only will you die, but the villagers will all perish too—” His eyes widened abruptly, glaring down malevolently at the girl in the red and white maple clothes who held the boy in the burlap robe. His voice turned sinister and twisted—"Those villagers died because of you! It's all because you're alive, because you came here, that they had to die—they were innocent, and it's all your fault—they were killed because of you!" What kind of twisted logic is that! Just as Summer Song was about to argue, everything went dark in front of her. A gentle red ribbon covered her eyes, shielding her from the terrifying sight of the demonized puppets outside. “No one will die.” Summer Song felt herself being set down. The faint scent of sandalwood and peach blossom brew lingered amidst the earthy, cold smell outside the village. The girl’s voice was calm. Her voice, although serene, was like a faint light, giving an inexplicable strength to those in darkness. “Precisely because I am here, no one will die.” Everything was pitch black, devoid of light. “Roar—” The eerie roars of the demonized puppets were terrifying, like the wails of malevolent spirits. “As expected of the top disciple…” The boy with the white flute chuckled lightly, pressing the flute to his lips. “But no matter how powerful you are, with a thousand puppets sending you off, this place will be your burial ground!” The flute sounded suddenly! “Hahahahaha—if you must hate, hate that you bear the detestable name ‘Pei Jiu’!” Summer Song heard Bai Ren’s manic laughter and the sound of paper blades slicing through the air. “Just hurry up and die already—Gu, Pei, Jiu!” The red ribbon covering her eyes was soft. Summer Song pulled it aside slightly and peeked out, only to let out a gasp and step back in fear! Countless monstrous demonized puppets surged towards them with deadly intent! The ground shook as the horde advanced, the magnitude of which left Summer Song dumbfounded! She had been in this novel world for five or six years and had never witnessed an event of such scale!! “Don’t be afraid.” Perhaps noticing the boy’s movements behind her, Gu Pei Jiu’s usually cool voice softened slightly. Summer Song watched her casually affix a talisman to a wutong tree at the village entrance, “I'm here.” The talisman on the tree trunk spontaneously combusted! “Clang—” The ferocious demonized puppets hadn’t even reached them when they hit an invisible barrier with a loud “boom”. Summer Song looked up in surprise, noticing a massive golden barrier descend from the sky just as the talisman burned away, encasing the entire village and herself within its protection! The demonized puppets outside the barrier pounded furiously against it, their actions causing a resonant pounding sound. The expressions of the two demonic disciples changed slightly. Summer Song suddenly recalled the yellow talismans that Gu Pei Jiu had thrown around the village before leaving— So that’s what it was… She was setting up an array… “Humph.” Bai Luo sneered, waving his white flute. “You’re only delaying the inevitable!” With his motion, numerous puppets began to wail and howl, their cries eerily echoing in the night. Summer Song watched as one puppet, ablaze with ghostly blue flames, struck the barrier with a powerful punch, causing it to tremble! Summer Song’s eyes flashed green: Puppet Scouting! [S-level Bluefire Puppet, Skill: Break Array—] There were S-level puppets among them!? “Aaaah—kill them quickly—brother—” Bai Ren’s hysterical laughter echoed above. His face, pale as a sheet, was flushed with a manic red. “If they’re all dead, no one can bully us anymore!” Summer Song: “…” Who the hell bullied you? You’re the ones bullying us right now!! Thinking a thousand against two is a display of bravery, come down and fight one on one, you coward! “Stay inside; do not come out.” While Summer Song was manically ranting in her head, Gu Pei Jiu’s voice came, calm and steady, “Don’t worry, the barrier won’t break.” Summer Song hesitated to argue. Gu Pei Jiu looked at the young boy tugging at the red ribbon, his dark hair tied back with a green ribbon, looking up at her as if wanting to say something. For some reason, seeing Xia Wu Yin like this softened her heart a bit. He was an outer disciple of Dan Peak. No matter what, he was still just a child. Now… she had to protect him. She reached out and patted his head. “Stay here.” Then she turned to leave the barrier. “Senior Sister.” Summoning his resolve, the boy’s voice suddenly called out from behind, filled with solemnity. “Hmm?” The girl in the red and white maple clothes turned back to look at him, the moonlight casting a radiant glow on her impassive eyes, making her breathtakingly beautiful. Summer Song spoke with conviction, “Senior Sister, I’m sorry, I won’t skip classes again!!” Gu Pei Jiu: “…” System: “…” Feeling complicated, the girl stepped out of the barrier. “...It has nothing to do with that.” The demonic cult people were targeting her. This day was bound to come. Outside the barrier, as Gu Pei Jiu stepped out, she became like prey surrounded by wolves—a flood of puppets rushed madly toward her! The red silk protected her body, sweeping away the puppets that approached her without mercy. The red ribbon was sharp and strong, wounding all within its reach. “Oh~ not hiding away anymore?” The boy with the white flute sneered, “Such bravery. I’ll make sure to leave your body intact!” Gu Pei Jiu slightly raised her head, looking up at the two boys in the air. After a moment, she spoke softly, “Standing high allows you to see far?” “Standing high allows you to kill more people—” Bai Ren shouted wildly, “Gu Pei Jiu, prepare to die!” Inside the barrier, Summer Song watched as multiple S-level Bluefire puppets, their bodies engulfed in terrifying flames, charged towards Gu Pei Jiu! … They couldn’t just sit and wait for death! But she couldn’t leave the barrier either— She needed to calm down! Summer Song observed for a moment. Although there were many puppets outside the barrier, most were relentlessly attacking the barrier, trying to breach it. The most powerful S-level puppets were targeting Gu Pei Jiu, attempting to encircle and kill her. “Roar—” The puppets attacking the barrier growled hoarsely, their movements frantic and mechanical, their soul flames flickering— “Awooo—” The gut-wrenching screams were like those of tortured souls, sending shivers down one’s spine. Summer Song was startled, and some horrifying memories began to surface. She shook her head, taking a step back— A subtle, despairing sound suddenly emerged. Amidst the howling, it was faint yet impossible to ignore. “Help me…” “… Save me…” “I don’t want to…” Summer Song’s eyes widened slightly. What was that voice? “I don’t want to… Please save me…” It was coming from a puppet! It was the puppet desperately pounding the barrier! Summer Song stared at the puppet’s flickering ghostly blue soul flame and vaguely noticed a hint of white within it. This was… “A partially demonized puppet, but nearly fully transformed.” The system’s voice had a subtle tone. “It still retains human consciousness but can no longer control its demonized body.” “I don’t want to… Save me, please save me—” “Ahhh—” “Awooo—” The last trace of pure white flame was swallowed by the ghostly blue, and the pitiful, faint voice vanished, replaced by the puppet’s intensified ferocity! “Were all these demonized puppets… once… humans?” Summer Song slowly realized, “All… of them?” The system’s voice sounded mechanical and heartless. “Yes, all of them.” In fact, they were originally humans. Humans turned into demonized puppets…? Wait! Wait— Summer Song's pupils contracted sharply as something buried deep in her memory began to resurface. Demonized puppets, the male lead, a massacre, the demonic cult’s Thousand Souls— And the plot— Summer Song suddenly shivered, swiftly raising her head to look at the two boys in white in the air— The plot of "Boundless Winds and Moon" was about to begin!!! Demonized puppets, demonized puppets, no wonder she had read this part in the book before but hadn’t realized it. How could she have forgotten something so important… She had to do something! Ye Ze! The demonic cult’s twin boys in white, Bai Ren and Bai Luo! She had been too complacent; she almost forgot she was living in a novel! There was a crucial plot line about the demonic cult, about Ye Ze… and his parents! Summer Song clenched the wooden puppet in her pocket. Now that the demonic cult’s boys in white were here, it was an opportunity to approach the demonic cult. No matter what… What should she do? “Hiss—” The last Bluefire puppet was ruthlessly cut down by the red ribbon. The soft red ribbon, infused with spiritual energy, was sharp as a sword, wounding all it touched. “Creak!” Gu Pei Jiu’s pupils contracted slightly as she turned to look. She saw a thin crack forming on the golden barrier! There was no more time to waste. “Slash—” Bai Ren also noticed the crack in the barrier. He laughed wildly, throwing the thin paper blade in his hand. Before Gu Pei Jiu could wave her red ribbon, the paper blade embedded itself straight into the crack! “If it breaks, they—” Bai Ren’s eyes widened, his laugh filled with wild glee. “They’ll all die!” “You are guilty—guilty simply by being alive—” The sharp flute sound grew more terrifying, and the crack on the barrier spread like a spider web as the paper blade pierced through it— “…” Summer Song stared at the crack, clenching the glass puppet in her hand. How can you get close to the white-clad boys? “Standing high allows one to kill many people, right?” The girl’s voice, clear and serene like a cool stream, stood out among the roars of the puppets. Summer Song instinctively looked towards Gu Pei Jiu and held her breath. “That’s right—” Bai Ren sneered, glaring down at her, “Especially when it comes to killing ants like you—” “So.” The girl in the red and white maple clothes tilted her head up, her black eyes calm and unperturbed, illuminated by the golden glow of the barrier mingling with the moonlight. “Standing high can also save many people, right?” In the next moment, red silk ribbons fluttered, golden threads shimmering along them. The girl in the red and white maple clothes rose into the air, graceful like a red maple leaf carried by the autumn wind. Gu Pei Jiu's voice was light but clear, “In that case…” Summer Song felt momentarily dazed. The girl in red and white, her voice clear as a cool stream, each word like a song or poem. “[First Penalty—Flowing Flames, Heavenly Execution].” —Even without heart or emotion. —Standing at a high place. —You are born to save. As her words fell, the world changed! The girl riding the wind easily stood higher than the white-clad boys. The soft red ribbons around her spread widely, filling the sky in the blink of an eye. The once clear night sky suddenly filled with dark clouds and thunder. The scattered red ribbons entwined the thunder-laden black clouds, turning the night sky blood red, the moon concealed. The heavens rumbled as flames descended from the sky! Summer Song's eyes widened in shock. "What the...?" The crashing flames seemed like demonic fires from hell. The red ribbons danced amidst the flames, torrents of searing fire raining down, turning the area outside the barrier into a sea of devastation in an instant! “Ahhh—” The sharp cries of the burning puppets echoed relentlessly, and amidst the wind and thunder, the pale faces of the two white-clad boys turned ashen— “How is this possible…?” Bai Ren muttered, “Impossible... impossible!” Before his words were even finished, countless blazing embers flew towards him! “Boom—” Bai Luo waved his hand, summoning a translucent white barrier that barely deflected the intense flames. But with a powerful strike, the barrier shattered, and a trickle of blood appeared at the corner of Bai Luo's mouth. “We need to go—” “It’s the Heavenly Execution Ribbon!!!” Bai Ren screamed, looking up at the girl towering above him. “Gu Pei Jiu, the Heavenly Execution Ribbon is with you!!!” “Quickly, let’s go!” Bai Luo shouted hoarsely. As the fierce flames surged, he grabbed Bai Ren by the collar and hurled him towards the village. Amidst the blazing sky, the girl in the red and white maple clothes stood with red silk ribbons fluttering around her. Her black eyes, now aflame, remained calm and indifferent. Her gentle red ribbons shimmered with light, “【Second Penalty—The Hellfire, Earthly Annihilation】” “Boom—” The earth began to tremble! The ground cracked open with countless fissures, and countless puppets fell into the crevices. Scalding lava erupted through the cracks! The scorching lava, the screaming puppets, and the hellish landscape formed in an instant. Thousands of puppets were annihilated in the blink of an eye. Heavenly Execution, Earthly Annihilation. Flowing flames and lava, heavenly execution and earthly annihilation. The ancient Heavenly Execution Ribbon! Summer Song’s eyes were filled with blazing flames and the scent of scorched earth. Powerful—undeniably powerful. Absolute power. Is this the strength of a double S-rank? Summer Song recalled a previous quote. It was an evaluation of the top disciple of Lingxi Peak in "Boundless Winds and Moon." To be a top disciple, one must be capable of single-handedly defending a peak with the strength equal to a million soldiers. —A single individual, as strong as a million soldiers. While Summer Song lay shocked beyond measure, overwhelmed and wanting to lay down and shout “666”, it seemed the barrier couldn't withstand the immense impact outside, and a spider web-like crack expanded rapidly— System: [Host, be careful!] “Bang—” A sharp paper blade pierced through the barrier, coldly grazing her hair before embedding into the damp ground behind her. “Snap—” The golden barrier shattered into countless pieces! “Bang—” Suddenly, a white figure fell out of the sky. Bai Ren, thrown by Bai Luo, crashed right into Summer Song. Caught off guard, she was strangled, and due to inertia, they fell to the ground, rolling together— What the...?! By the time Summer Song gathered her wits, the sharp edge of a paper blade was against her neck, leaving a red mark. Bai Ren’s ghostly pale face, framed by the blazing inferno, was filled with malevolent resolve. His black eyes were bloodshot. “I’ll kill you…” Bai Ren…? Summer Song, who was racking her brains on how to approach these demonic cult members, felt elated. “Oh my, what a godsend!” The endless blaze behind her illuminated Bai Ren’s ghostly pale face and resolved gaze— Unable to kill Gu Pei Jiu, he hoped to at least kill a small fry from Lingxi Peak! Bai Ren’s grip tightened, just as he met a pair of deep purple eyes! ——【Soul Captivation】. Bai Ren froze, his movements halted. The boy pulled a small puppet from his pocket, his purple eyes deep, completely unafraid of the blade at her neck. She grinned cheekily, “Why so hostile? Here, let me show you something cool.” System: “……” At Sword Peak. The earth-shaking tremors disrupted everyone’s peace. “Eldest Miss!” Xiao Cui’s panicked and anxious voice called from outside, “Eldest Miss, wake up, there’s a celestial phenomenon—” Chu Yao opened her eyes, her light brown irises filled with anger. Dressed in white undergarments, her hair loose, she held a sword in one hand and pulled aside the bamboo curtain covering her window. A blood-red sky. What was once a pitch-black night gleamed with ominous flames. The stars and moon were hidden, with torrents of fire descending from the crimson sky. The earth trembled audibly, and even from a distance, one could clearly smell the intense scent of scorched earth. Chu Yao’s light brown pupils contracted. She dropped the curtain and threw on a blue and white sword robe, strapped her sword to her waist, and disappeared in a flash. At Lingxi Peak. An elderly man looked up, gazing at the crimson sky filled with flames, and sighed softly. “Jiu’er…” At Beast Peak. “Chirp~” A bird with yellow feathers and red beak flitted about before landing on the finger of a man wearing Beast Peak attire. He stood at the peak, looking into the distance at the crimson sky, a strange light gleaming in his dark eyes. Outside the village. The moment the barrier shattered, Gu Pei Jiu halted her assault. The flowing flames gradually extinguished, and the lava ceased. But whether A-level puppets or S-level Bluefire puppets, they all turned into charred corpses in this heavenly retribution. The girl in the red and white maple clothes floated in the sky, the red ribbons fluttering around her, the remaining flames flickering. Golden light shimmered around her. Bai Luo, holding the white flute, suffered intense backlash from the massive puppet annihilation, coughing up blood uncontrollably. On the other hand, Bai Ren’s paper blade was against the boy’s neck, his body stiff. Gu Pei Jiu looked silently at the shattered barrier and the kidnapped Summer Song. The Heavenly Execution Ribbon entwined in her hand, she spoke calmly, “Did you go through all this trouble just to kill me?” Bai Ren remained silent, facing away from Gu Pei Jiu, staring blankly at the boy before him with deep purple eyes. Summer Song's voice was barely a whisper, “Now, your first command is to answer her with what you want to say—” As if punched, Bai Ren came to his senses. Still staring at the boy in front, without looking back at Gu Pei Jiu, his voice was venomous, “My purpose is to see you dead, Gu Pei Jiu!” “Good, good.” Summer Song smiled slightly, stuffing a small wooden puppet into Bai Ren's pocket. “Now, second command, take this puppet, hold me hostage, and escape with your brother.” “…Yes.” With those words, Bai Ren tightened his grip on Summer Song, pulling her up with the paper blade against her neck. He looked at Gu Pei Jiu, hiding a hint of confusion in his cold black eyes. …Follow orders. Escape, with brother. Keep the puppet. Hold… the master hostage. Summer Song nearly choked as he tightened his grip. Dammit, couldn’t he be a bit gentler?! Gu Pei Jiu coldly stared at Bai Ren. “Let him go.” Meanwhile, anyone’s attention drawn to Bai Ren, Gu Pei Jiu didn't notice Bai Luo hiding among the puppet corpses and using the barrier to avoid the worst of the flames. Trembling, Bai Luo pulled a talisman, struggling out from under the puppets. In a flash, he appeared beside Bai Ren, grabbing his collar. His voice hoarse, “Ren, we have to go.” Bai Ren instinctively loosened his grip, the paper blade leaving Summer Song's neck. He glanced at Summer Song's purple eyes, dazed and unfocused. “Swish—” Like a blade, the red silk darted toward Bai Ren the moment he released Summer Song. Bai Luo rolled away, pulling Bai Ren with him, dodging the Heavenly Execution Ribbon. He shattered the talisman in his hand! “We will not let you go, Gu Pei Jiu.” “You better be careful—” Bai Luo’s voice was icy cold, and as the talisman stone shattered, both he and Bai Ren vanished simultaneously. The moment Bai Ren disappeared, Summer Song closed her purple eyes, then casually lay on the ground. After a moment of silence, she heard approaching footsteps and suddenly began laughing. “You’re amazing, Senior Sister.” She spoke. Beside her, the girl in the red and white maple clothes retracted her red ribbon, looking at the bloodstained wound on Summer Song's neck, “You’re injured.” There was a trace of guilt. “……” Summer Song, who had intentionally given them a chance to escape, tilted her head and continued to smile, “It’s nothing.” “……” Gu Pei Jiu knelt down, her slender fingers gently tracing the wound on Summer Song's neck. The scent of scorching earth lingered in the air, mixed with the faint fragrance of peach blossom brew and sandalwood from the girl’s embroidered white sleeve. For a moment, Summer Song was slightly dazed. “Does it hurt?” Gu Pei Jiu's voice, cool and gentle like a clear spring, carried an unexpected warmth. “...No, it doesn’t.” Gu Pei Jiu remained silent. “Senior Sister, you’re incredible.” As Summer Song regained her composure, she heard herself say, “You’re the most powerful person I’ve ever seen.” Heavenly Execution and Earthly Annihilation. Gu Pei Jiu remained silent, pulling out a white bandage from her sleeve to simply wrap the wound on the boy’s neck. “Why did you close your eyes?” She asked. The usually talkative boy was silent this time. Doesn't want to talk? Gu Pei Jiu didn’t mind. She had asked but didn’t necessarily expect an answer. After applying the bandage, she lifted the boy up, noticing for the first time since the crisis began just how frail and light this child called Xia Wu Yin was. Not quite skin and bones, but clearly lacking any extra weight. And he was injured. Gu Pei Jiu was slightly lost in thought. —She had told him to stand there, inside the barrier, and he had stood there obediently. He hadn’t moved at all, yet he still got hurt. This was her responsibility. Indisputably. “Let’s go, Xia Wu Yin.” Maybe out of a sense of pity, Gu Pei Jiu’s voice softened, taking on a tone one might use to coax a child, “I’ll take you out of here.” A warm breath, a gentle voice. An embrace scented with peach blossom brew. Bringing a sense of security. — I’ll take you out of here. A gentle breeze, the girl in the red and white maple clothes holding the boy in burlap, stepping over the charred remains of puppets. Amidst the burnt and hellish landscape mixed with the light sandalwood, Summer Song heard her voice. “I’ve heard… if you close your eyes, you won’t see ghosts.” Even though it wasn’t the true reason. It was because of the Soul Captivation. But for some reason, she suddenly wanted to say this. She wanted to say it to the person with the warm embrace. Even if it was just a meaningless excuse. “There are no ghosts,” Gu Pei Jiu said. Just because you say there are no ghosts doesn’t mean there aren’t, what about their dignity? Summer Song silently retorted. Gu Pei Jiu continued, “If there were evil spirits, they would harm you even with your eyes closed.” Summer Song didn’t respond, only gripping Gu Pei Jiu’s red maple robe tighter. The cool night breeze lightly caressed. “If you want to keep your eyes closed, then keep them closed.” The soft breeze mixed with the girl’s clear voice, “You can keep them closed until dawn; no evil spirit will harm you.” With her here, no evil spirit would harm. Summer Song said nothing, only snuggled her head deeper into Gu Pei Jiu’s chest. Gu Pei Jiu didn’t find anything odd about it and flew towards Lingxi Peak with Summer Song in her arms. Meanwhile. While Gu Pei Jiu was taking Summer Song back to the mountain, Chu Yao arrived, sword in hand. All she found were charred puppet corpses and the lingering remnants of flame clouds in the sky. “Tsk, was I too late?” Clicking her tongue, Chu Yao turned to leave. However, she caught sight of a paper blade stuck in the ground out of the corner of her eye. Frowning, she used her sword to pick up the paper blade. It was a soft, thin strip of white paper, its end cut into a sharp point. Infusing it with inner energy, it straightened and radiated a sharp glow. “The Twin Souls of the Demonic Cult, Bai Ren and Bai Luo?” Chu Yao snickered, the flaming white paper blade quickly consumed by fire. She stood, giving a cold hum. “Trash.” Such a grand display of descending fire and flowing magma couldn’t have been caused by those two demonic cult trash. A sudden crackling sound of a twig breaking filled the air. “Who’s there?” Her sword flew out, the blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight as it struck the ground next to the sound source! Behind a wutong tree at the village entrance, a man dressed in rough hemp clothes trembled all over, raising his hands high. “Heroine! Please spare me! I’m from Mo Village…” “Oh?” Chu Yao raised her hand, and the sword flew back into her grasp. She casually twirled it, narrowing her eyes. “A villager? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?” “I... I was sent by the village chief to check the situation…” He swallowed nervously, still shaken. Chu Yao’s lips curved into a smile, her light brown eyes gleaming softly. “Oh? Then tell me, who was it fighting here just now?” “The demonic cult seemed to be chasing Gu Pei Jiu from Lingxi Peak…?” The man relaxed slightly upon seeing she wasn’t intent on killing him. Gu Pei Jiu? A gleam flashed in Chu Yao’s eyes. The chief disciple of Dan Peak, and the one personally appointed by the head of Lingxi Peak, Gu Pei Jiu? She glanced around at the fractured earth, the remnants of lava and fire, and the charred puppet corpses piled high, looking like a scene from hell in the cold moonlight. “Tell me everything you know.” Chu Yao’s voice was cold, her sharp blade glinting in the moonlight. “From start to finish, leave nothing out.” The man shivered under the heavy killing intent and immediately started talking. “At the time, the girl named Gu Pei Jiu was drinking in the tavern with a young boy wearing a green ribbon…” A boy with a green ribbon…? —I’m Summer Song. Enough. … Why is it always him! Chu Yao gripped her sword tighter, pushing her thoughts aside to listen further. “Then I ran out, not knowing what happened after…” “I understand.” Chu Yao said coolly, “You can go back now. Tell the villagers there’s nothing to worry about.” The man, feeling relieved, turned to run but was stopped by her cold voice after just a few steps. “Wait!” The man stopped, trembling as he turned. “Heroine, you…” Under the hazy moonlight, the girl in the blue and white sword robe, her light blue ribbon fluttering in the breeze, spoke. “That boy with the green ribbon, do you know his name?” “This…” The man hesitated. Chu Yao snorted, “I’m just asking. If you don’t know, it’s fine.” “He seems to be someone I know.” “Earlier, Miss Qiu Ran from the tavern mentioned…” The man hesitated a bit. “There was a boy with a green ribbon named ‘Summer Song’ who saved her. It should be the same young master who was drinking with Gu Pei Jiu… I just don’t know if he’s the one you know.” Chu Yao: “…” …It indeed was that annoying braggart again! Author’s Note: Ah, ten thousand words, exhausting. Good morning, everyone. == Thanks to Chai Gui for the rocket launcher: fired on 2018-05-23 15:30:33 Shang Han for the mine: fired on 2018-05-23 18:09:44 Shang Han for another mine: fired on 2018-05-23 18:12:25 Qin Duo for the mine: fired on 2018-05-23 19:07:57 lfdp for the mine: fired on 2018-05-23 21:35:38 Everyday buttering up big shots _(:3∠?)_ Thanks to the reader "lfdp" for watering with 32 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 23:04:24 Reader "Xi Wei" for watering with 30 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 23:03:05 Reader for watering with 5 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 22:30:55 Reader "Little Lion 2" for watering with 5 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 22:22:20 Reader "Lost in the Cage Little Miu" for watering with 4 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 20:57:50 Reader "Meow Star" for watering with 50 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 20:25:03 Reader "Dawn" for watering with 10 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 20:01:30 Reader "Autumn Water Ming" for watering with 10 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 16:25:51 Reader "Lv Qiu Mi Er" for watering with 30 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 16:15:49 Reader "Vitamin" for watering with 5 servings of nutrient solution on 2018-05-23 15:42:27 == Squeezing out ten thousand words nearly killed me otz Alright, unless something unexpected happens, I’ll be updating at 11:30 every day from now on. Occasionally… there might be fake updates at 2:00, just happily ignore those (panda eyes.jpg).