Chapter 75: If Not Bai, Then Who?

Yan Shu glanced at the long sword Yu Wenche had drawn from her heart, then turned her gaze to the demonic cultivator woman and hesitantly asked, “Should we… still question the heart?”

The woman was silent for a moment, then suddenly grew angry, scolding Yan Shu, “What kind of eyes do you have?! The fish you keep, all looking so radiant and splendid, seemed like premium breeds, but they’re just pretty and useless! Question the heart? What nonsense! A waste of my cultivation for nothing!”

Yan Shu pursed her lips and replied meekly, “I told you, I’m not that kind of relationship with them. Besides, Xiao Jihan saw through the illusion…”

The woman’s eyes widened at this, “Are you saying my illusion isn’t good enough?”

“No, no, absolutely not!” Yan Shu waved her hands hurriedly. “You’re so skilled, how could the illusion you create be lacking?”

Even if it was, she wouldn’t dare say so.

The woman’s expression softened somewhat at Yan Shu’s words. She was about to speak when Yu Wenche’s slightly puzzled voice sounded, “Why hasn’t this illusion vanished yet?”

The woman: …

Yan Shu: …

We dare neither ask nor say anything.

The woman’s face darkened instantly. With a wave of her hand, she dispelled the illusion and spoke coldly, “Your Shu’er is in my hands, and I’ll tell you this: within this cave lies a mystical treasure left by the upper realm, the Dragon Abyss Sword, but its appearance lasts only a quarter of an hour.”

“Now, you have two paths before you. Take the left path to obtain the Dragon Abyss Sword, but your Shu’er will die. Take the right path to save your Shu’er, but the sword will forever elude you.”

As her words fell, two paths appeared before Yu Wenche.

Yu Wenche glanced at them, then at Xiao Jihan, and without hesitation stepped onto the left path.

The woman looked over at Yan Shu triumphantly, “See? It’s not my illusion that’s faulty, it’s your poor taste in men!”

That damned competitive spirit.

Yan Shu nodded helplessly, “Yes, yes, you’re right.”

She grew curious, “Is there truly a mystical treasure from the upper realm, the Dragon Abyss Sword, in this cave?”

The woman scoffed lightly, “Of course not.”

This answer was within Yan Shu’s expectations. She asked again, “Then… where does the path they chose lead?”

The woman looked at her in surprise, “Why do you still care about them after how they treat you?”

She had already told her, she was not that kind of relationship with them.

Yan Shu was too tired to argue. She replied calmly, “Isn’t it normal? We’re neither kin nor bound by obligation. Saving me is a favor, not saving is their duty. They simply chose their duty. Why should I expect others to sacrifice their interests to save me?”

The woman was stunned by Yan Shu’s question, momentarily unable to rebut.

After a long silence, she sighed deeply, “Perhaps you are right. Without hope, there is no disappointment.”

Yan Shu looked at her innocently, “Then, could you tell me where the path they chose leads?”

“Why worry about whether they live or die?” The woman gave her a sidelong glance. “Just wait patiently. Those two fish of yours—either too selfish or too clever, either way, not good sorts!”

After saying this, she snorted lightly, waved her hand, and disappeared from the cave.

Yan Shu hadn’t yet understood what was happening when she realized her surroundings had changed. Where once the cave had many passages, now only a single entrance remained, the mouth shimmering with light, obviously sealed by some kind of restriction.

The restriction was inscribed with Buddhist seals, clearly laid by a high monk.

She had no idea when all this had happened, and couldn’t distinguish whether the earlier scene had been an illusion or if this was now the illusion.

Ah, the woes of a poor student.

She too wished for Xiao Jihan’s ability to see through illusions at a glance!

The woman’s voice sounded in the void, “Don’t panic, this is actually the cave mansion where I was originally imprisoned. The cave you saw before was just an illusion. Kongwu, that bald monk, imprisoned me here for over two thousand years, while he enjoyed freedom outside!”

At this, her voice paused, then continued: “Your temperament suits me well. Since we are fated, I’ll gift you an innate spiritual treasure—the Red Lotus of Karmic Fire.”

As she spoke, a lotus platform appeared before Yan Shu.

“The Red Lotus of Karmic Fire originally had twelve leaves, each capable of breaking formless illusions and formations. Three leaves were eaten by that bald monk Kongwu, but the remaining nine are more than enough for you. The Red Lotus is one of the strongest innate treasures, able to release karmic fire and burn all things through the power of cause and effect.”

“In this world, unless one is a sage, all carry karmic burdens. So, even if you face enemies far stronger than yourself, as long as you sit firmly upon the lotus, they cannot harm you.”

“Your two fish will take a while to arrive. I will guard you while you refine the Red Lotus of Karmic Fire and absorb it.”

Though somewhat surprised that fortune had fallen to her, the cannon fodder female supporting character, Yan Shu, nevertheless embraced the principle: never refuse a free gift. She sat down at once to refine the lotus.

The woman laughed, “I like your carefree nature. Abandoned, yet you don’t sob and wallow in misery; when opportunity comes, you accept it without pretense or false modesty. If your path weren’t righteous, I’d want to take you as my disciple.”

Better not. She had no desire to be confined for thousands of years.

The Red Lotus of Karmic Fire was not difficult to refine. After a drop of blood for recognition, it took only moments to fully absorb it into her dantian.

Yan Shu immediately felt a warm current arise from her dantian, nourishing her entire body. Her sea of qi noticeably expanded.

No wonder cultivators spend all day seeking fortune. It truly is a delightful thing.

The woman’s voice sounded again, “The Red Lotus is now refined. With its aid, your heart’s trial during tribulation will be much easier. Simply follow the lotus fire’s guidance.”

Yan Shu opened her eyes and sincerely said, “Thank you.”

The woman made no further sound, and the cave fell silent.

Xiao Jihan and Yu Wenche had yet to arrive. Yan Shu suddenly spoke, “Sister, you actually have no way out, do you? Only when Xiao Jihan and Yu Wenche arrive and break the cave’s restriction will you be freed.”

There was a brief silence, then the woman’s voice slowly sounded, “How did you know?”

Yan Shu spread her hands, a little innocent, “Just a guess. You said you’ve been trapped here for two thousand years, the restriction and barrier are still intact, and since you couldn’t leave all this time, you certainly can’t just walk out now.”

The woman chuckled lightly, “I thought you were simple, but you’re not so foolish after all. You’re right, I am indeed waiting.”

Yan Shu paused and asked again, “Are you a demonic cultivator?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” The woman scoffed, “Though the karmic fire lotus has burned away my demonic aura for a thousand years, it’s still clear I’m a demonic cultivator.”