320: Chapter 318: This Lady is Also a Matriarch 320: Chapter 318: This Lady is Also a Matriarch Though taking into account that he belonged to the deceased, just clearing a bit of his Spiritual Power node demanded immense effort.
His physical structure was greatly different from ordinary Cultivators, making it unavoidably difficult.
For the yin spirits in this area, Shou’s presence indeed had some deterrent effect, but it seemed unable to completely disperse them.
Shou, possessing considerable spiritual wisdom, also clearly understood that he could not recklessly act to drive them away, as doing so might disrupt the balance of this realm, possibly stirring up a swarm of such entities in an instant.
With the creaking noise underfoot from stepping on the wooden vines ceasing, his footsteps landed on solid ground, marking his complete departure from the territory of the old Tree Demon.
The view before Baili An darkened abruptly, prompting him to halt and silently gaze at the ancient path ahead.
Although the corpse demon was adapted to seeing in the dark, the massive shadow that filled his entire field of vision at this moment made him feel as if he had lost his sight.
On both sides of the ancient path, the river water gently murmured.
At the river’s end stood a massive, majestic Ancient Mountain, hanging inverted in this dark world.
The dark yin clouds, thick as undispellable ink, coiled around the mountains, and within those heavy clouds, one could vaguely see a huge python moving through the forest.
The scene was spectacular to the point of despair.
Baili An thought to himself, do we still need to keep going?
He couldn’t help but ask Shou, “Did your mistress also come for the Ghost?”
Shou looked bewildered.
What exactly was a Ghost?
Baili An sighed helplessly and said, “If so, how idle must she be, venturing into such a perilous wasteland for thrills?”
The mere sight of the Demon Beasts visible from the shallow mountain was already bizarre and numerous; who knew what horrors might be encountered if they ventured deeper.
He summoned the Autumnwater Sword, its bright sword light illuminating the path ahead.
“Let’s continue walking.
Although, Shou, you seem even more capable than I am, I promised to return you to your mistress, and I naturally won’t go back on my word.”
In the sword light, the figures, one tall, one short, appeared somewhat blurred by the shadows.
As the wind swept over the mountains and brushed past their faces, Baili An keenly caught a whiff of stargrass flickering through the air.
At that moment, a furious, despairing roar of a Demon Python echoed from a distant mountain.
The enormous python, which had been coiled around the corner of the mountain, ceased its movements through the forest; it descended like a collapsing heavenly pillar from between the mountains.
The giant snake’s head, as if soaked in rolling magma, fractured into a charred body before finally plummeting into the darkness.
It was unclear what Prohibition had been triggered, but Array Light swept through, instantly pulverizing most of the remaining snake body into oblivion.
In the darkness, flames rose like a vast curtain.
At that moment, Shou cried out, a look of worry surfacing on his little face.
Grabbing onto Baili An’s hem, clouds of yin energy arose beneath his feet, carrying the two of them towards the direction of the firelight.
Baili An anxiously asked, “Is something happening to your mistress ahead?”
Shou nodded, then shook his head.
Baili An did not understand what he meant until they arrived, where the glaring firelight was incinerating the continuous mountain trees.
The trees were strange; Baili An had never seen their like before.
The trunk and roots shared the same color, a deep jade blue, making them look less like trees and more like some kind of jade sculpture.
On the tree trunks, crystal leaves shimmered beautifully.
Yet, these trees covering the mountains were all being destroyed in a large fire.
The great fire roared unrestrained, stirring up a wisp of misty, crimson garment, the blood-red clothing flickering in the firelight, so vivid and intense, yet unable to conceal the thin, desolate figure within.
Looking at the silhouette in the firelight, Baili An, for reasons unknown, felt a tightness in his chest, and he found it slightly hard to breathe.
On the opposite side of the fire stood another person, dressed in fresh hunting attire, with a Vermilion Bird perched on the shoulder and a fiery sun fierce plume embroidered on the chest; it was Crown Prince Ying Xiu, whom he had just parted from on unfriendly terms the night before.
Now, he stood before Yin Baishuang, appearing quite flustered and uneasy, a far cry from his usually calm and steady demeanor.
His throat bobbed, his eyes revealing panic and guilt that could not suppress the excitement and joy.
He stuttered, “Miss Yin, I…”
It was a completely ordinary statement, but Yin Baishuang’s expression suddenly betrayed a deeply pained sensation.
All these complex emotions intertwined at the end, causing her to narrow her eyes.
As she glanced at Ying Xiu in that moment, her gaze turned piercingly cold, like a blade ready to penetrate the heart.
Ying Xiu’s eyes abruptly widened, his handsome face instantly bursting into a spray of blood.
It was unclear what method Yin Baishuang had used, but a vivid red gash diagonally marked his high nose bridge, even tearing open his upper lip, creating a terrifyingly cruel appearance.
Recalling that he, Baili An, had also once called ‘Miss Yin’, he couldn’t help but take two steps back.
He originally thought that compared to Su Jing, this master from Cangwu Palace was more approachable.
Now it seemed, Jin Sheng’s words were indeed too true!
Both were formidable ladies not to be trifled with.
Ying Xiu groaned in pain, his hands covering his cheeks, fresh blood continuously oozing from between his fingers.
His shoulders shook slightly from the pain.
Attacked so cruelly without a word of provocation, yet the Crown Prince did not show anger.
Instead, he slowly crouched down, appearing somewhat pitiable.
With a crisp crackling sound.
Embroidered with red-threaded edges, soft boots stepped out a spray of broken cold ice.
Her eyes reflecting a cluster of extremely bright firelight, yet even that bright halo could not warm the depth of her serene eyes.
Her long eyelashes seemed frosted, casting a mist no one could peer through.
Her indifferent gaze lingered on Ying Xiu for a moment before withdrawing, she coldly said, “Who allowed you to appear before me, who—allowed you to call me?”
Ying Xiu’s shoulders trembled violently, but he said nothing, only burying his face even deeper.
His silhouette appeared profoundly sad.
At his waist, the unsheathed Han Zhi Sword trembled and chimed, the rage in her eyes immense.
At that moment, Shou cried out, letting go of Baili An’s clothing and rushed to the woman’s feet, hugging her legs and crying non-stop.
The anger in Yin Baishuang’s eyes extinguished like a downpour.
She lowered her head and opened her palm, her voice no longer cold but gentle, “Shou, don’t cry, come here.”
Shou didn’t move towards her hand, he simply rubbed his cheek against her soft boots, hugging her leg, and as if presenting a treasure, he started pulling towards where Baili An stood.
Baili An certainly caught the smugness and the look of seeking approval in the little creature’s eyes.
He glanced at Ying Xiu’s wretched state, and Baili An’s scalp tingled, prompting him to take two steps back.
This wasn’t offering a treasure but a huge trouble.
Just as Yin Baishuang took two steps forward, she saw Baili An standing in the dark shadows, his icy eyes suddenly flashing with caution.
She snorted coldly, her palm instantly flipping open a small coffin.
With a slight movement of her lips, she spirited the elated Shou into the coffin.