Chapter 554: Caught Up In It

“Is there something else you need?” Ye Wenxin shifted her gaze aside, but Wen Susu quickly moved in front of her again. She didn’t say more, as if her only goal was to block Ye Wenxin’s line of sight.

Ye Wenxin looked on in silence, exasperated. She shifted slightly to the side, but Wen Susu mirrored her movements, determined not to let her look at Fairy Fengya in the distance.

“Wen Susu, don’t tell me… are you interested in me?” Ye Wenxin couldn’t comprehend Wen Susu’s behavior.

Wen Susu’s expression remained unperturbed. “Impossible. I just have a feeling the road of pursuing Fairy Fengya will be bumpy for you. I’d advise you not to get too caught up in it.”

“It seems you haven’t learned your lesson when your pages got torn up last time. Still talking nonsense with your eyes wide open.” Ye Wenxin’s pupils shrunk slightly, killing intent surfacing.

Even though she had shed Demon Lord Gu Qingcheng’s appearance, Ye Wenxin was still the same person at her core. Wen Susu was so startled that she turned and ran immediately. Ye Wenxin watched speechlessly and sighed.

“And she calls herself the Heavenly Book? Can’t even handle a fright. Or maybe I did go too far last time.”

Ye Wenxin couldn’t help but mutter to herself, but her gaze kept drifting into the distance. When she finally noticed this unconscious habit, she smiled wryly. She forced herself to walk down a different path to break free from the lingering impression of Wen Susu’s words.

And so, the first day at the city lord’s mansion gave way to the night. The surroundings had become considerably more luxurious. However, it was still the same, just in a fancier setting. Restless, Ye Wenxin decided to take a stroll outside. She hadn’t gone far when she spotted the kitsune and the bear demon.

They seemed to be deep in conversation. Ye Wenxin instinctively wanted to avoid them. The kitsune quickly turned away, unwilling to have any further interaction with Ye Wenxin on a night like this. However, the bear demon noticed her. Recalling how she—a human—had helped them earlier that day, he immediately expressed his gratitude.

“Cultivator Ye, thank you so much. We in Liu City wouldn’t have known what to do if you were not here.” Although it was established that demons had occupied Liu City, it was still weird hearing the bear demon referring to himself as a Liu City citizen.

Truthfully, Fox King, his followers, and the Soul Evokers, were all invaders on this continent. They had merely reshaped the culture here through the natural law of survival of the fittest.

However, the bear demon was an overly honest creature. He would make a reliable and steady husband but a far too clumsy and obtuse partner. Ye Wenxin nodded slightly, not showing any signs of displeasure. The kitsune tugged on the bear demon’s sleeve, trying to pull him away.

The bear demon gently brushed off her hand. “By the way, Mo’er and I are getting engaged in three days. I wonder if you might be willing to stay a few more days, Cultivator Ye.”

When the bear demon switched topics, he inadvertently touched on something else the kitsune didn’t want to discuss. Her expression soured. Ye Wenxin couldn’t leave after agreeing to Fox King’s request, so she responded, “Sure, sure.”

The kitsune grew even angrier. She stomped hard on the bear demon’s foot before storming off in frustration. The bear demon chased after her, looking utterly confused.

Ye Wenxin watched the couple rush away. She remained seated, letting her mind wander. Suddenly, she recalled something she had overlooked. She had been so busy today that she had forgotten to check on Sword Ghost.

Hurriedly, Ye Wenxin took the umbrella sword out of her bag of holding. Sword Ghost manifested on the ground, writhing painfully. She looked striking in her crimson dress as vivid as blood. Yet, her expression showed intense agony, like she was enduring some torment.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Ye Wenxin felt a pang as she looked at Sword Ghost. Gently, she ran her fingers over Sword Ghost’s skin, feeling scalding heat radiating off her.

She was like a blazing flame, threatening to scorch anything that drew close to ashes.

“I believe I can still endure it. There’s no need to trouble you, Master.” Sword Ghost pressed her lips tightly together in quiet determination. She, who had inherited all the positive traits, was the picture of composure, unlike the expressive Ghost Mother.

Ghost Mother was like a child who would never grow up, while Sword Ghost felt more like an old soul who had weathered countless hardships. Although they were one person, their contrasting attitudes made them seem worlds apart.

Ye Wenxin felt a wave of sadness at Sword Ghost’s words. Had she not suddenly remembered her, Sword Ghost might have been tortured to death.

Observing the bright moonlight tonight, Ye Wenxin repositioned the umbrella sword to absorb as much of the realm’s essence as possible. Hopefully, it would cleanse the malevolence accumulated from prolonged killing.

Malevolence was a small but highly dangerous aspect of Yin energy. Due to a buildup over a long period and the overexertion in battle today, Sword Ghost was undergoing a strange change.

Flowery patterns had emerged across her skin, making her appear like a vibrant, colorful human canvas. Yet, from another perspective, these faintly glowing patterns looked quite mystical.

Ye Wenxin searched through the memories she had inherited from Celestial Master Zhong and eventually found a solution.

She took out the golden pen and some talismans from her bag of holding. Channeling her energy, she ignited the talismans, letting them burn to ash. Once they had disintegrated, she added purification materials to a jade bowl filled with clear water. The process took about an incense stick of time.

The water in the bowl had become crystal clear once Ye Wenxin finished. Dipping her fingertip into it, she put it between her lips and shivered.

“This is incredibly potent.” Celestial Master Zhong had created this purifying water to dispel the accumulated malevolence in the Yin-Yang ghosts.

Just one sip sent a surge of energy racing through Ye Wenxin’s body, as if it were cleansing her entire being. This purifying water was effective on other beings, but few could withstand it. Ye Wenxin wouldn’t have resorted to such an extreme treatment if Sword Ghost wasn’t suffering so much.

“Come on, open your mouth,” she instructed. Sword Ghost tried but was too weak to part her lips. She gazed helplessly at Ye Wenxin.

“Why didn’t you say anything? Had you told me sooner, you wouldn’t be in this state.” Ye Wenxin gathered the feverish Sword Ghost in her arms. She tried to feed her the purifying water, but Sword Ghost didn’t even have the strength to swallow.

Left with no other option, Ye Wenxin sighed and took a small sip of the water herself. She then tried transferring it to Sword Ghost.

“Mm…” Sword Ghost whimpered instinctively in response to Ye Wenxin’s actions. At that moment, Ye Wenxin managed to breach her lips, carefully pouring the purifying water down her throat.