Chapter 064: All That’s Left Is to Flee for One’s Life

Yuwen Che gazed at her astonished face and found her utterly adorable. Whether it was the face she wore after taking the Illusion Speech Pill, or her original appearance, in his eyes, every frown and smile was so beautiful it left him breathless.

He smiled gently and said, “With a spirit now dwelling in it, this Nine-Section Thunder Whip is no longer just a post-heavenly spiritual treasure. As your cultivation grows, it will also become stronger.”

Yan Shu felt a tangle of emotions. She felt as though she’d deceived a pure-hearted child who trusted her completely. With a complicated expression, she looked up at Yuwen Che. “I gave it a name before, but it doesn’t seem very fitting. Can I change it?”

Yuwen Che didn’t understand why she asked, but still replied, “If the artifact spirit has already accepted the name, it cannot be changed.”

Yan Shu: …

Sensing her unease, Yuwen Che hesitated and asked, “What did you name it?”

Yan Shu’s expression was difficult to describe. “Golden Fur.”

“Why did you think to call it Golden Fur?” Yuwen Che was somewhat surprised. “After the Thunder Whip transforms into a flood dragon, it seems to have little to do with the name Golden Fur. Or does that name hold some deeper meaning?”

Yan Shu replied, “No, it’s simply a dog’s name.”

Yuwen Che: …

The atmosphere grew awkward for a moment, and even Xiao Jihan gave her a speechless glance.

Yuwen Che really couldn’t bring himself to praise such a name, so he coughed lightly and changed the subject, “For now, restoring your spiritual power is what matters most.”

What was done was done—there was no use dwelling on it. Yan Shu set her guilt aside, thinking she could make it up to Golden Fur by feeding it some spiritual energy after they got out.

She put away the Thunder Whip, sat cross-legged, and began to circulate her internal energy to recover her strength.

The innate Dao Embryo and her mutated spiritual root were so domineering that as soon as she entered meditation, Yuwen Che clearly sensed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surging toward her. The change was subtle, but for someone at Yuwen Che’s level, it was obvious.

His heart trembled. He quickly cast aside all distractions and entered meditation as well. He wanted to be someone worthy of standing by her side.

A single sash divided the mountain peak into two worlds—one side demonic, the other celestial.

Sensing the surge of spiritual energy, the demonic beasts encircling them grew agitated. But, deterred by the Demon-Sealing Sash, they hesitated to approach, only baring their teeth and snarling from a distance.

For the moment, an eerie balance had been achieved.

But at the foot of the mountain, the disciples of the Primordial Sect were not so fortunate.

With Yuwen Che gone, they felt as if they’d lost their anchor. Though none spoke of it aloud, unease gnawed at them all. As night fell, their anxiety grew, and they began to regret underestimating Yan Shu and Xiao Jihan—and even more, their rashness in attacking Yan Shu to win the favor of their junior sister.

Thinking thus, many cast glances at Dan Zhiqing. But Dan Zhiqing, after Yuwen Che departed, had sat down to meditate and had not spoken a word since.

The senior-most disciple had to step up. “Enough. Senior Brother has only left for a while. We should hurry to the heart of the region. There are so many of us, all at the Golden Core stage—what’s to fear in this middle ring? As Senior Brother instructed, patrols and watches must continue as usual!”

With order restored, the group regained some composure and hurried to their tasks. The stronger disciples were posted at the cave entrance, while those of lesser cultivation, and the female disciples, were assigned to the rear.

As night deepened, the entire mountain suddenly began to tremble. It was as if countless demons hidden in the darkness had been stirred and were running wild. This was no ordinary disturbance—a single demon or even a group could not have caused such chaos.

Those meditating snapped open their eyes, faces ashen with fear, finding panic mirrored in each other’s expressions.

Dan Zhiqing was no exception. Shielded at the very center, she stared into the pitch-black night outside the cave and asked hoarsely, “Where are the brothers on patrol?”

Her words only heightened the group’s fear. With such commotion, the patrol should have given a warning, but there had been nothing—no sign at all!

This silent disappearance was more terrifying than a scream or a shout. At least with the latter, one could guess what had happened; with the former, it was dread in utter silence.

Someone whispered, “The brothers on patrol must have crushed their jade talismans and exited the secret realm, right?”

“Nonsense! If they didn’t leave, what, were they eaten by demons?” snapped another.

At that, everyone turned to look, their faces growing even paler.

The cave fell deathly silent—one could hear every breath.

A female disciple beside Dan Zhiqing said, “Junior Sister, why don’t you contact Senior Brother?”

Dan Zhiqing did not reply.

She resisted this suggestion. She could never forget the faint pride and respect in Yuwen Che’s voice whenever he mentioned Yan Shu. Even though Yan Shu was nothing to him, he spoke of her as if she were his greatest honor.

And she, Dan Zhiqing, was only a burden to him.

If she begged for his help now, wouldn’t that confirm her own uselessness? After today, she feared she’d have no place in his heart at all.

She gritted her teeth and replied coldly, “What’s there to fear? Demons in the middle ring are stronger, but the most powerful are only third or fourth rank. There are so many of us at the Golden Core stage—surely our power isn’t just for show?!”

Someone couldn’t help but protest, “Junior Sister, you may be new to the secret realm and not know—Golden Core can handle third-rank demons, but if they swarm us, even a Nascent Soul would have to flee for their life!”

Dan Zhiqing remained unmoved. “We still have our jade talismans. Weren’t you all boasting about slaying demons before? Now that they’re here, isn’t this your chance?”

Chance, my foot.

Faced with their master’s only daughter, the others dared not voice their anger. One disciple said, “Since Junior Sister won’t contact Senior Brother, I’ll do it.”

He took out the Mystic Spirit Mirror and sent a message to Yuwen Che.

But there was no response.

At this, everyone’s faces grew even whiter.

Suddenly, from the cave entrance, a disciple on watch cried out, “Demons! So many demons!”

These disciples had all grown up within their sect and usually sparred with their fellows—none had much real combat experience. Now, faced with true danger, they began to panic.

Hearing the shout, one disciple exclaimed, “We can’t stay in the cave—we’ll be wiped out!”

Others quickly agreed. “Hurry! While the demons haven’t reached us, we must get to the open ground outside!”

At his words, everyone sprang into action, filing out in haste.

But as they emerged and looked outside, their legs turned to jelly.