Chapter 312: It’s Showtime

Warning: Disturbing content.

---

Jin Xiaoqin picked up a pebble from the ground. The pebble hadn’t flown even a meter before falling into the water. However, the greenish water seemed to come alive, bouncing up and swallowing the pebble before quickly returning to its original state.

Upon closer inspection, Ye Wenxin realized that the pool wasn’t filled with water but with a mass of Yin Fetuses. They stared with blood-red eyes, as if wanting to devour the group, yet something seemed to be preventing them from doing so, leaving them to just watch blankly.

Even so, Ye Wenxin still felt her hair stand on end, and the other women, having never seen such a terrifying sight in all their years, were undoubtedly even more frightened.

Ye Wenxin’s gaze shifted to the distant waterside pavilion, its outline barely visible. But as soon as they approached the shore, the Yin Fetuses would immediately leap out to intimidate them. Finding it quite interesting, Ye Wenxin threw some corrosive powder into the pool.

The powder corroded the Yin Fetuses, yet they still devoured the incoming substance without hesitation. At this moment, Ye Wenxin confirmed that they wouldn’t attack living beings for now. Additionally, these Yin Fetuses were quite small, appearing to have just recently formed.

But if this pool wasn’t nurturing them, then why were these Yin Fetuses here? Ye Wenxin carefully observed the surroundings and came up with the only possible explanation.

“Could they be guarding something?”

“It’s possible. This might be the entrance.”

Jin Xiaoqin thought of her previous secret realm experiences and, considering the behavior of the Yin Fetuses, believed this place was likely a crucial spot. However, getting past these things would be an extremely difficult task.

Time passed slowly, and none of their attempts seemed to work. Even when Ye Wenxin specially chopped down a tree to place it there, the Yin Fetuses devoured it within seconds.

“Do we have to cross over by stepping on these Yin Fetuses, similar to how we passed through the mental barrier earlier?” Ye Wenxin proposed this new idea. Everyone hesitated, thinking Ye Wenxin’s suggestion was too crazy. Ye Wenxin awkwardly smiled; the scary part was that, she didn’t dare try it herself, worried she might truly be devoured whole.

After more attempts, the four of them had no success and eventually found an abandoned, dilapidated temple to rest in.

“But why would a temple appear in such a sinister place? Wouldn’t it contradict each other?” Long Qing’er, the youngest in experience among them, couldn’t help seeking more insight from Jin Xiaoqin.

“Perhaps this senior hasn’t completely given up hope in their heart. It’s just that with their heart being so dark, they might be a calamitous demon cultivator.” Thinking back on everything they had seen from earlier until now, Jin Xiaoqin gave a bitter smile, seeming even less confident.

“Well, that’s not necessarily true. Maybe they’re like Elder Wu.” Ye Wenxin had a different perspective, and Jin Xiaoqin nodded in agreement, sighing with concern for the Azure Wings Sect’s future. With so many internal problems, the balance between the immortal and demon sects would inevitably be disrupted, sooner or later.

Long Qing’er didn’t know about Elder Wu’s situation, so Ye Wenxin briefly explained it to her and Xuan Luofei. After hearing the story, Long Qing’er was furious, but strangely, it helped lift the heavy atmosphere.

Ye Wenxin had the lowest cultivation level among them, and was assigned to rest with Jin Xiaoqin, who had the highest cultivation, while Long Qing’er kept watch with Xuan Luofei. It wasn’t until the latter half of the night that Ye Wenxin and Jin Xiaoqin got up to relieve Long Qing’er and Xuan Luofei from watch duty.

Outside, the silence remained as dead as ever, occasionally punctuated by various screams. It was unclear whether the other immortal sect disciples were under attack or if it was just the unique cries of the Yin Fetuses.

Ye Wenxin had no intention of going out on her own. She stared fixedly at the books, searching for the Yin Fetuses’ weaknesses. They feared fire and light, much like typical monsters, but these basic essentials of the outside world were luxuries within the secret realm.

Ye Wenxin shrank her neck, then felt Jin Xiaoqin pat her head gently, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Master is here.”

It was at this moment that Ye Wenxin realized she wasn’t facing this predicament alone. Her original intention of coming here had completely changed. Now, Ye Wenxin knew she had to make sure these familiar people survived this secret realm. She grinned at Jin Xiaoqin, about to tease her, when they heard a commotion outside.

“Ah!” A piercing scream reverberated, waking up Long Qing’er and Xuan Luofei from their sleep. Everyone immediately grabbed their weapons, searching for the source of the noise, and they heard sounds of battle in the distance.

There were sounds of fighting, cries, and pleas for mercy—various voices converged, prompting the three to exchange glances before deciding to go outside and investigate.

“Senior Sister Xuan, I’ll carry you.” Ye Wenxin, fearing Xuan Luofei might slow them down, picked her up and followed the others’ footsteps.

In just a moment, they arrived at the scene, greeted by a strong stench of blood. On the ground lay several disciples of various immortal sects, their bodies torn open, intestines pulled out, and heads twisted off. It was evident that the enemy, both in strength and size, was formidable. (TL: Damn.)

What was most outrageous was that this creature wasn’t just strong; it also seemed to possess incredible speed.

As Ye Wenxin bent down to examine the scene, she felt a shadow looming behind her. Looking back, she saw it was a Yin Fetus. Unlike others that only had heads, this one had developed limbs resembling those of a human, muscular and grotesque.

The others immediately went on the defensive, shielding Ye Wenxin and engaging in combat with the adult Yin Fetus.

Ye Wenxin was the strongest, yet they were protecting her. She watched them effortlessly handle the situation, while still examining the bodies for clues.

Suddenly, her expression changed, and she warned the others, “Not good; there are many more Yin Fetuses!”

Before the words could register, another hidden Yin Fetus attacked Jin Xiaoqin, its sharp claws pierced her body; had Jin Xiaoqin not been vigilant, she might have been struck through the heart.

The Yin Fetus’s attack had injured Jin Xiaoqin, slowing her movements. Long Qing’er was preoccupied, while Xuan Luofei’s role was more supportive. Seeing everyone in danger, Ye Wenxin swiftly retrieved the talismans she had prepared from her bag of holding, channeling her qi into them. The talismans flew towards the Yin Fetuses, freezing them in place.

“What the hell is this!?” Jin Xiaoqin exclaimed in bafflement. She had resigned herself to becoming a martyr, only for Ye Wenxin to unexpectedly rescue her with another unfathomable method.

Ye Wenxin had no time to respond; a golden pen appeared in her hand, dipped in her own blood, and she began to inscribe sutras. These sutras, previously used on Madam Yu, were highly effective in dispelling Yin energy.

But Ye Wenxin’s current method was even more advanced. She wrote a series of sutras in the air and, with a swift stroke of the golden pen, directed them towards the Yin Fetuses.