Chapter 344: A Carnivore Eyeing Her Prey

As Ye Wenxin observed Jin Xiaoqin, who was so cheerful that she was even drinking alcohol, she realized how many emotions Jin Xiaoqin was concealing beneath her calm demeanor. Ye Wenxin didn’t take the drink and questioned Jin Xiaoqin about her sudden happiness.

“Master, why the sudden drinking?”

“Just warming up. Here, have some too,” Jin Xiaoqin said, pushing the bottle towards Ye Wenxin’s mouth. Ye Wenxin had no choice but to take a few sips. The alcohol was extremely spicy, and as soon as she drank it, she felt her throat burning, causing her to cough a few times.

Although she was accustomed to spirit wine, which was mild-tasting but potent, this drink had a sharp, spicy taste, much like Jin Xiaoqin herself. At first glance, Jin Xiaoqin would never seem like the type one would consider as a Dao companion. She possessed the bold spirit of a female warrior but also the delicate emotions of a young woman.

Seeing the familiar scene, Ye Wenxin was afraid that another confession was imminent. To avoid the death flag’s return, she found an excuse to slip over to Xuan Luofei’s side, avoiding Jin Xiaoqin, and the incessant chattering of the two ghosts in her ear.

“Zhu-zhu, you finally came looking for me?” Xuan Luofei gave a reserved smile. Even though she knew Ye Wenxin was the one who had consumed Zhu-zhu, her hatred towards Ye Wenxin was quite mild. Perhaps it was because she practiced the Demon Subduing Qin, or perhaps because she hated Zhu-zhu’s killer more than the one who ate her.

“Hahaha, I forgot for a moment. Let me check your pulse, Senior Sister Xuan,” Ye Wenxin responded awkwardly, hastily changing the subject. While reading her pulse, Ye Wenxin discovered that Xuan Luofei’s dantian was in disarray, seemingly due to recent excessive use of qi.

While it wouldn’t lead to Qi Deviation, it could result in severe side effects. Ye Wenxin’s expression turned grim. Xuan Luofei’s willingness to help was clearly not much better than Jin Xiaoqin’s.

Xuan Luofei, sensing the change in Ye Wenxin’s breathing, smiled indifferently. “I just need some rest, Zhu-zhu, don’t worry about it.” She withdrew her hand, and then gently played the guqin.

This time, however, the guqin did not have any demon subduing effects. She simply played a cheerful tune. Ye Wenxin couldn’t muster a smile. As she looked around at everyone present, she thought of the old saying—one’s fate in the Martial World was not in one’s own hands.

Yet, what truly made one’s fate uncontrollable often came from within oneself. She sighed inwardly and noticed that Fairy Fengya was still standing in the distance. She looked exactly the same as she had half a month ago, her clothes pristine, making Ye Wenxin wonder if the female lead’s halo came with a washing machine effect.

Their gazes met, and Ye Wenxin gave her a smile. Initially, she thought Fairy Fengya had no reaction, as she merely nodded slightly without approaching. Then, Ye Wenxin accidentally met Long Qinger’s piercing gaze.

Her heart jumped, and she expected Long Qinger to come over and warn her again. However, she only turned her head away slightly, doing nothing more, leaving Ye Wenxin even more bewildered.

The night continued, but tonight was completely different from before. The air was filled with laughter and merriment, yet amid the joy, there was also the sound of weeping, mourning for the deceased. The mingling of emotions painted a picture of the many facets of life.

As dawn approached, the two ghosts returned to the sword to rest. Ye Wenxin took a short nap and woke up feeling refreshed. It was only then that she realized how formidable the godlike weapon, the umbrella sword, truly was. It absorbed the excess Yin energy from her body, serving as nourishment for the ghosts, creating a complementary effect.

She walked around the area with the umbrella sword, which remained calm inside the sheath unless there was a threat. As Ye Wenxin walked, she saw the umbrella sword fly out on its own, killing Yin Fetuses in the distance and consuming their Yin Cores, contributing to its own sustenance and well-being.

Even after leaving the secret realm, the umbrella sword could continue to devour demons and ghosts. The change in environment wouldn’t impact it negatively, but might even be beneficial for the ghosts’ physical and mental health.

Ye Wenxin stretched and noticed some movement not far off. Looking over, she saw Fairy Fengya had already risen, still in her white robes, which fluttered as if stirred by an unseen wind.

She had returned to her true form. She had probably faced numerous problems over the past half-month that led her to reveal her real identity. Ye Wenxin smiled at her but didn’t engage in conversation.

There were two reasons: first, she had no topic to discuss, and second, she was still uncomfortable with what had happened in that illusion. Although it had been fake, it had still exposed Ye Wenxin’s greatest flaw.

She still harbored fear towards Fairy Fengya and felt an insurmountable sense of inferiority, which made her react passively to Fairy Fengya’s words. That was the case even now, Fairy Fengya would also render her more passive, causing her to gradually lose her identity as the Demon Lord.

Ye Wenxin needed to balance her mindset to avoid losing her true self.

Fairy Fengya showed no intention of approaching. She merely drew her long sword and engaged in a simple morning practice. Without using any qi, she practiced basic swordsmanship. The umbrella sword, eager to try, took the initiative to engage in combat with Fairy Fengya.

Fairy Fengya completely blunted its sharpness, leaving Ye Wenxin rather distressed. However, hearing the descriptions from the two ghosts, she couldn’t help but laugh. Fairy Fengya stopped her practice and pointed her sword in Ye Wenxin’s direction, seemingly issuing a challenge.

The wind began to stir, and sword intent manifested, taking the form of a phoenix. Although she wielded the Cold Soul Sword, it gave off a fiery impression. The golden phoenix aura around Fairy Fengya intensified, with gold and red wings fully spread.

Just when Ye Wenxin thought that she had worked hard enough, she forgot that time was not frozen for others. Fairy Fengya was a genius, one who was both naturally gifted and hardworking.

Her sword dance was beautiful, though her movements were noticeably slower, as if trying to convey something to Ye Wenxin through this method.

It took Ye Wenxin a few seconds to realize that Fairy Fengya wanted her to learn the sword technique. Yet, true to her usual silence, Fairy Fengya preferred to demonstrate the moves multiple times rather than speak a single word.

Ye Wenxin actually wanted to learn, but she remembered her own combat setting.

Long-range adaptability: 300%

Close-range adaptability: -100%