Chapter 496: Ultimate Challenge

Celestial Master Zhong’s memories reminded “Gu Qingcheng” of the dangers in separating the two ghosts. Hearing this, Ghost Mother seemed somewhat shaken, but said dejectedly, “Even if you want me back, what’s the point? I’ve lost my Yin Pearl. It would be much better for me to stay with Ah Ran.”

She still refused to return to “Gu Qingcheng”, and was even willing to remain by Liu Churan’s side.

“Gu Qingcheng” pressed her, “Do you not value our master and servant bond? Or do you truly hate me?”

She had grown used to having the Yin-Yang ghosts by her side. Recently, she found it hard to adjust without their companionship. Even as the people around her constantly changed, “Gu Qingcheng” could expect the umbrella sword’s Yin-Yang ghosts to accompany her for as long as she lived. So, Ghost Mother’s words hit deep.

Logically, Ghost Mother should have been completely dead set on “Gu Qingcheng” by now. She wouldn’t have any rebellious feelings, or even join forces and run away with Liu Churan. If the other person involved hadn’t been someone so familiar, “Gu Qingcheng” couldn’t imagine how long this journey to retrieve her weapon would have dragged on.

“I… Ah Ran needs me more.” Ghost mother hesitated, before glancing at Liu Churan again.

Perhaps the memories from that time in the secret realm were too deeply ingrained in Ghost Mother. In the end, she chose Liu Churan over “Gu Qingcheng”.

“Gu Qingcheng” fell silent. Since Ghost Mother had made her stance clear, she stopped insisting.

Ghost Mother, still uneasy, continued, “And didn’t you give my Yin Pearl to that Madam Yu? I saw the memories in her Yin Pearl. You gave it to her before, and now you’ve also given my Yin Pearl to her. Isn’t that enough?”

Her tone was filled with bitterness. Despite being the original host, Ghost Mother couldn’t control the Yin Pearl. Worse still, after “Gu Qingcheng” had taken it, she gave it to someone else.

That person had an exceptionally rare Mystic Yin Physique. To Ghost Mother, it meant she had lost her role by “Gu Qingcheng’s” side. So, after receiving a message from Liu Churan, Ghost Mother, unwilling to be neglected, chose to leave.

Ghost Mother felt overjoyed that “Gu Qingcheng” came looking for her. However, seeing Liu Churan’s pitiful state, and not wanting her friend to be so lonely, she willingly decided to stay behind.

“Then… Sword Ghost, who will you choose?”

“Gu Qingcheng” sighed, not wanting to say anything more. She looked to Sword Ghost, waiting for her decision. Sword Ghost, who inherited kindness, glanced at Liu Churan, then at “Gu Qingcheng”. Finally, she said, “I will still stay with Master.”

“You…”

The previously happy Ghost Mother now felt a surge of anger. The two ghosts were meant to be one, yet Sword Ghost had chosen differently. What irked her even more was that this meant, Sword Ghost could continue spending every day by “Gu Qingcheng’s” side.

Ghost Mother grew even more jealous. In her heart, she wished for “Gu Qingcheng” to beg on her knees for her to come back. However, “Gu Qingcheng” brushed the matter off lightly before checking on Liu Churan, leaving Ghost Mother conflicted.

“Ye…” Ghost Mother instinctively tried to call out “Gu Qingcheng’s” other name, but was met with a piercing gaze from her. That look sent a chill down Ghost Mother’s body, and the scolding words she had intended to say got stuck in her throat. She swallowed her unfinished sentence, and watched as “Gu Qingcheng” crouched beside Liu Churan.

Asleep, Liu Churan had shed her usual hostility and looked much like a slumbering Sleeping Beauty. Dressed in red, she lay there serenely, without pretense. Once a simple, unassuming girl, it was hard to say when she had transformed into this yandere figure.

“Gu Qingcheng” sighed softly and reached out, intending to check Liu Churan’s pulse to see if she was healthy. But before she could make contact, Liu Churan’s defensive instincts kicked in again. She lashed out fiercely, attempting to tear “Gu Qingcheng” to pieces.

“Gu Qingcheng” was unfamiliar with this technique. She figured that Liu Churan had learned something new. “Gu Qingcheng” quickly stepped back, her hand tracing a pattern in the air. A single drop of blood naturally squeezed from her skin, transforming into a red thread. It floated in the air before wrapping around Liu Churan’s slender wrist.

“Gu Qingcheng” focused on sensing Liu Churan’s pulse, and found that it was beating abnormally. Something seemed to be flaring up within her, ready to break free at any moment. Continuing her investigation, “Gu Qingcheng” delved deeper into the energies in Liu Churan’s dantian. Unexpectedly, she encountered a strange vision.

A skull shot forward, nearly sending “Gu Qingcheng” into a panic attack and trigger Qi Deviation. The abnormal pulse told her that Liu Churan had recently gotten her hands on some evil technique. This technique was probably what lent her the ability to control non-humans. How else could she have dominated the Yin Fetuses so thoroughly?

“Gu Qingcheng” mused on Liu Churan’s deep-rooted obsession. No matter what she said, it seemed Liu Churan had no intention of letting her go. Sighing again, “Gu Qingcheng” turned her gaze to Liu Churan, focusing on her slender neck.

With a slight exertion, “Gu Qingcheng” could rid the world of this enormous burden.

But this was Liu Churan, the foster daughter with whom she had shared hardships. “Gu Qingcheng” couldn’t bring herself to do it. With a deep sigh, she retracted the red thread she had used to diagnose the pulse. The thread transformed into flower petals, drifting softly to the floor.

Once formed, Flower Burial was difficult to erase. For this reason, “Gu Qingcheng’s” unique presence was impossible to imitate or wipe out. She suddenly resented the overly showy nature of her abilities and could only bend down to pick up the petals. “Gu Qingcheng” made sure she didn’t leave too many traces of Flower Burial behind at the scene.

Looking over, she noticed that Fairy Fengya was already drinking leisurely. She appeared slightly tipsy with a rare flush on her face. The bottle beside her was already empty—something even “Gu Qingcheng”, who could handle her drink, dared not try after just three bottles.

But it seemed that Fairy Fengya had developed a real fondness for this wine, so “Gu Qingcheng” didn’t stop her. She was actually a bit curious to see if the usually composed Fairy Fengya would behave differently when drunk.

“Gu Qingcheng” continued her busywork, collecting the remaining wine like someone cleaning up after a party. She planned to enjoy some later herself. “Gu Qingcheng” had also thoroughly looted Liu Churan’s bag of holding.

She took stock of the bottles of spirit wine, calculating how long she could go without resorting to stealing again.

However, when she glanced back, she saw that Fairy Fengya had already emptied a second bottle. “Gu Qingcheng” hesitated but reluctantly returned to rummaging through a second bag of holding.

This one, though, was placed in a much trickier spot, forcing “Gu Qingcheng” to focus on handling it carefully.

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TL: Did my best to edit with Grammarly. Score for all three chapters was above 90 out of 100. Dunno how good that actually is. If Quillbot continues to have errors, I’ll start using Grammarly.