Chapter 16

“What misunderstanding?” The Immortal Lang Yin lowered his hand and said coldly, “Two slaps and a bite on the neck are all misunderstandings?”

Xu Manman raised her head with a fawning smile, “Last night you vomited blood and fainted. I was worried that some lowly Blood Sect had taken over your body. I acted rashly out of concern for your safety. It’s my fault for being impulsive, even though I meant well to save you. It’s understandable that you’re angry. Slapping me a few times to vent your anger is fine, just so you don’t harm your health. But my body is quite fragile, and with your great power, one hit might be enough to kill me. It would be better if I handled it myself, so you don’t have to waste your strength!”

After saying this, Xu Manman raised her hand and slapped herself, the sound crisp yet not hurting her skin. She comforted herself in her heart: It’s okay, this isn’t really Xu Manman’s face; I can hit it as much as I want…

Just a moment ago, she couldn’t move, and her body reacted to the attack, freeing her from the confined state. Unintentionally, Immortal Lang Yin had saved her once again.

Immortal Lang Yin probably hadn’t expected that he came to kill Xu Manman but ended up saving her twice. Xu Manman thought that, in exchange for saving her life, slapping herself a couple of times to vent his anger was worth it.

Seeing her like this now, Immortal Lang Yin felt both satisfaction and discomfort. It seemed he had vented his anger, but not completely…

“Stop!” he shouted sternly.

Xu Manman immediately stopped and looked up at him with bright, innocent eyes, like a little puppy, just short of wagging her tail.

“Immortal Brother, do you have any instructions?” Xu Manman asked with a smile.

Immortal Lang Yin’s mind was a bit muddled by her continuous calling of “Immortal Brother,” and he coldly said, “Don’t call me that. I’m not the Immortal Master Lang Yin.”

Xu Manman’s eyes flickered, and she obediently said, “Alright, Brother.”

Immortal Lang Yin: “…”

Xu Manman, having traveled the world in her early years, understood one thing well: when encountering an absolute powerhouse, if you can’t escape, immediately kneel and call them Brother.

This way, you’re basically guaranteed not to die.

But he said he’s not the Immortal Master Lang Yin, then who is he…

“You’re probably wondering who I am,” Immortal Lang Yin said.

Xu Manman was shocked, “Brother is really a genius!”

Immortal Lang Yin sneered, “You don’t know who I am, yet you dared to say we’re family.”

“No matter who you are, as long as you love Xu Manman, we are family!” Xu Manman said it sincerely and firmly.

Immortal Lang Yin was momentarily stunned before he recovered. He didn’t deny his feelings for Xu Manman, but he looked her up and down and sneered, “Heh, you’re thick-skinned enough. I’m not sparing your life because of your flattery, but because I need to ask you something.”

Xu Manman quickly got up from the ground, brought a stool next to Immortal Lang Yin, and humbly said, “Brother, sit down and talk to avoid tiring yourself. Ask anything you want; I’ll tell you everything I know!”

Immortal Lang Yin had never seen someone so shameless and adaptable, and he couldn’t help but look at her twice.

“Are you Xu Manman!” Immortal Lang Yin stared into her eyes, not missing a single fluctuation.

Xu Manman, bowing her head, looked back at Immortal Lang Yin with sincere eyes and earnestly said, “How could I be Xu Manman! Brother, last night I thought you were possessed and saw you looking for Xu Manman, so I pretended to be her just to save you.”

Xu Manman wasn’t afraid he wouldn’t believe her, as he could see that the body and soul didn’t belong to Xu Manman.

Besides, “Xu Yanyue’s” behavior was completely opposite to Xu Manman’s.

Xu Manman had always been respectful to Immortal Lang Yin, while this “Xu Yanyue” defied him, did whatever she wanted, and even bit him, showing no regard for him.

Immortal Lang Yin might have thought of this and believed her somewhat, but still asked coldly, “Then what is your relationship with Xu Manman?”

“We are Daoist partners!” Xu Manman immediately replied.

Immortal Lang Yin frowned tightly, his palm gathering spiritual energy, and he threatened, “Tell the truth!”

Xu Manman sighed.

Under Immortal Lang Yin’s stern gaze, she bit her right finger and drew a string of runes on her left palm. The runes emitted a dim red light.

Xu Manman pressed her palm against her forehead and solemnly swore, “I swear by my inner demon, I am the one who loves Xu Manman the most, and the one who Xu Manman loves the most. If there’s any falsehood, may my heart and mind be destroyed!”

After she spoke, the red light suddenly flared and then dimmed, and the blood mark on her palm disappeared.

Immortal Lang Yin’s face turned extremely ugly. He knew that an inner demon’s blood oath couldn’t deceive one’s own heart. If the oath was false, it would immediately backfire, but if it was true, one would be unharmed.

Xu Manman had proved she wasn’t lying with her actions, though she had left a loophole in her words that Immortal Lang Yin might not catch.

“You… truly want to resurrect Xu Manman,” Immortal Lang Yin’s voice suddenly became low, as if he had been struck.

Xu Manman sincerely said, “Of course I do. I believe Brother shares the same thought, which is why I said we are family.”

“Does the Blood Sect really have a way to bring someone back to life?” Immortal Lang Yin muttered to himself, and Xu Manman wasn’t sure if he was asking her.

“This is our only hope; we can’t give up easily. The body of a Daozun doesn’t decay for a thousand years after death, so we still have time to try.”

Xu Manman gently comforted.

At this moment, she realized that the Immortal Lang Yin in front of her knew what happened during the day and had the memories of the day, but the daytime Immortal Lang Yin didn’t have the memories of the night…

The Immortal Lang Yin at night was strange, cruel, and vicious, while the daytime Langyin was aloof and indifferent.

But both seemed to share a common goal: to revive Xu Manman.

Xu Manman had a bold idea: “Brother, are you the inner demon of the Immortal Master Lang Yin?”

Immortal Lang Yin glanced coldly at Xu Manman and said, “You know.”

“I know, but I can’t believe it.”

Xu Manman was shocked, “I heard that Immortal Master Lang Yin is a heartless flower. If he’s heartless, how can he have an inner demon?”

Immortal Lang Yin clenched his fist in anger, “That old bastard deceived me for three hundred years!”

Xu Manman was startled and shrank back, nervously asking, “What did he deceive you about?”

Immortal Lang Yin, or rather, Demon Lord Lang Yin, opened his mouth to speak but then closed it, saying sternly, “What does it have to do with you? Is it something you can inquire about!”

Xu Manman immediately lowered her head, “I know I was wrong!”

Fine, it might hurt his pride, so he couldn’t say it.

Xu Manman could only guess slowly by herself.

Inner demons are born from obsessions.

In the world, any being with greed, anger, or infatuation can produce an inner demon. The stronger the being, the stronger the inner demon, and the more severe the backlash. The path of cultivation becomes more dangerous the further one progresses, as seekers of the Dao inevitably develop obsessions. When these obsessions turn into inner demons and backlash on the primodial spirit, one completely succumbs to the demonic path, losing benevolence, goodness, and rationality in human nature.

Now it seemed that although Immortal Lang Yin had developed an inner demon, he hadn’t lost his reason, and the inner demon could only appear at night. Was this inner demon born after her death? Then, when did Immortal Lang Yin start to have feelings?

She asked tentatively, “I’ve often heard Manman mention Immortal Lang Yin. She said that in her youth, she was of mediocre talent, but thanks to Immortal Lang Yin’s persistence and careful guidance, she achieved her later accomplishments. However, she often wondered why Immortal Lang Yin treated her differently…”

The Purple-Clad Demon Lord remained silent for a long time, his expression complex and inscrutable.

“Her body carries my blood…”

Xu Manman felt as if she had been struck on the head. Her ears buzzed, and her usually quick mind was momentarily sluggish.

What did the Demon Lord Lang Yin mean by that?

She suddenly recalled how earlier today, Immortal Lang Yin had visited Xu Family Village to search for her parents’ remains. Could it be because she had some blood relation to Immortal Lang Yin? Otherwise, how could she have his blood in her veins, and why would Immortal Lang Yin take such care of her?

She had almost finished making up a story of a three-lifetime love affair in her mind when she heard Demon Lord Lang Yin say, “She drank my blood for two years.”

Xu Manman tilted her head.

“What?”

“With her innate talent, how else could she have unlocked the spiritual aperture?” the Demon Lord Lang Yin said coldly.

Xu Manman suddenly remembered those two years after she met Immortal Lang Yin. Every full moon night, Immortal Lang Yin would quietly leave, and her master would bring out a bowl of fragrant medicine. After drinking it, she would feel revitalized and full of energy…

It wasn’t until today that she realized that medicine was made from Immortal Lang Yin’s blood!

She, with her mortal bones, had no ability to cultivate. It was Immortal Lang Yin who defied the heavens, using his own spiritual blood to nourish her body and forcefully opening the path of cultivation for her!

“Why…”

Xu Manman was confused and filled with even more questions, despite getting an answer.

Recalling what the Demon Lord Lang Yin had blurted out earlier—that his master had deceived him for three hundred years, and it was exactly three hundred years ago that she met Immortal Lang Yin.

Could it be that Immortal Lang Yin’s years of careful guidance, even using his spiritual blood to reshape her immortal bones, were all because he had been deceived by her master?

Demon Lord Lang Yin certainly wouldn’t clear up her doubts, only threatening, “You don’t need to know too much. I spare your life only because I need you to find the Blood Sect and do everything possible to resurrect Xu Manman. Don’t ask unnecessary questions, or I can take your life at any time. Understand?”

Xu Manman snapped back to reality, lowered her head, and slowly replied, “I understand.”

Understand my foot…

Having been reborn, she felt her world had been turned upside down, and her understanding was repeatedly shattered.

She thought Immortal Lang Yin was indifferent to her, but he publicly declared their partnership. She thought Immortal Lang Yin was heartless, but then she saw him develop an inner demon. She thought her life was pure and honorable, but after her death, she bore the reputation of being fickle and unfaithful. She thought three men harbored feelings for her, but none were sincere…

I am so wronged…

The next morning, the four of them checked out of the inn, with Xu Manman paying extra compensation. Li Que asked out of curiosity, and she brushed it off, saying she broke the bedboard during cultivation.

Li Que couldn’t help but laugh, blurting out, “With your cultivation, you can break a bedboard?”

Xu Manman rubbed the corner of her eye, glancing at him with a half-smile, “What did you say, third brother? Sister didn’t hear you clearly.”

Li Que immediately shut his mouth and distanced himself from Xu Manman.

In front of the Cardinal Tower, it was still crowded, but the Tower Master was already waiting in the square. Seeing the four of them arrive, he quickly bent over to greet them and led them to the Fuyao Array.

The Fuyao Array covered the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the Cardinal Tower, each floor accommodating hundreds of people. Each activation of the array could safely transport these thousands of people thousands of miles away in an instant.

Under the Tower Master’s enthusiastic guidance, the four of them took their seats and waited for the array to activate. Soon, they heard the sound of a great bell ringing seven times. A red light rose from under their feet, enveloping the three floors of the Cardinal Tower.

Those in the Fuyao Array felt their bodies lighten, and there seemed to be a buzzing in their ears. Before they could react, the red light had dissipated. When they opened their eyes again, the place where the characters “Huizhou” had been written on the wall was now replaced by “Youzhou.”

Many first-time travelers on the Fuyao Array couldn’t believe they could travel thousands of miles in an instant until they stepped out of the Cardinal Tower and saw the completely different scenery around them.

Youzhou was located in the western part of the continent, surrounded on three sides by mountains. Originally a remote borderland, the area was filled with miasma and poisonous insects, making it undesirable for humans to live there. Gradually, it became a gathering place for the spirit race. One of the seven sects of the Daoist Alliance, the Myriad Thorn Palace, was located a hundred miles outside Youzhou City.

As soon as Xu Manman and the others stepped out of the Cardinal Tower, they saw a tall man with green hair and golden eyes. His slightly curly hair fell over his shoulders, and he wore a crown made of woven tree vines, with a large gemstone adorning his spiritual aperture, indicating it was an artifact with an inscribed array.

The man had been staring in the direction of the Cardinal Tower with wide eyes. When he saw Xu Manman and the others, his eyes lit up, and he immediately approached.

“Are you Immortal Lang Yin, Your Majesty the Sea Emperor, Young Master Di Luan, and Cultivator Xu?” He greeted them respectfully.

The four nodded.

The man continued, “I am Jing Wuye, a disciple of Myriad Thorn Palace, sent by the Palace Master to wait for you.”

Xu Manman asked curiously, “How did you know we would arrive today?”

Jing Wuye replied with a simple smile, “Ever since I received the Palace Master’s order, I’ve been waiting here. You arrived very quickly.”

“Qian Luo Yaozun gave me a token from Myriad Thorn Palace. I intended to investigate and seek assistance from Myriad Thorn Palace if needed, but he sent someone specifically to meet us.”

Jing Wuye said, “The Palace Master heard that Qun Yu Fangzun might be in danger and was worried, so he hurried over. But with the corpse thefts here in Youzhou possibly related to the Blood Sect, he was concerned and asked Myriad Thorn Palace to cooperate.”

As they walked and talked, Jing Wuye also introduced the situation of the Tongshan Tribe.

“Youzhou is covered by the Ten Thousand Mountains, dominated by towering trees. Even from above, it’s difficult to see clearly. The Tongshan Tribe is deep within the mountains, hard to find without guidance. This matter concerns the survival of the Daoist Alliance, so Myriad Thorn Palace must contribute.”

“We appreciate your help, Cultivator Jing,” Xu Manman said with a smile.

The four followed Jing Wuye out of the Cardinal Tower. From the outside, the Cardinal Tower here looked identical to the one in Huizhou, which is also located in the most bustling area of Youzhou City. However, the customs and traditions here were very different from those in Huizhou. The area was unusually hot and humid, with many of the residents being grass and tree spirits. Unlike humans, the spirit race didn’t care much about morals and ethics, often wearing minimal clothing—just a few leaves to cover their essentials, revealing their faintly greenish, white skin.

Immortal Lang Yin was indifferent to everything, while Li Que and Ao Xiu couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.

Jing Wuye asked, “Have you been to Youzhou before, Cultivator Xu?”

Xu Manman smiled and said, “No, I haven’t.”

Jing Wuye said, “First-time visitors to Youzhou are often fascinated by the unusual sights on the road, but you seem very calm.”

As he spoke, a giant flower spirit, as tall as a person, swayed out of a shop, its petals opening and closing with bright colors, seemingly with dewdrops sliding off the edges.

“That’s a Qiluo Flower spirit. They dislike transforming into human form and often show off their flower bodies in public,” Jing Wuye explained when he noticed Li Que and Ao Xiu’s gaze on the flower spirit.

“In fact, most spirits prefer not to take human form, especially flower spirits. They find humans ugly compared to the beauty and fragrance of flowers.”

Li Que nodded in agreement.

“Humans are indeed strange and ugly, unlike us feathered folk with our colorful wings.”

Ao Xiu added, “And they lack the radiant scales that allow us to swim in the water.”

Li Que said, “Humans have bare, hairless bodies. It’s extremely unattractive.”

Ao Xiu said, “Humans wear the fur and skins of beasts, but spirits don’t wear human skin as clothing.”

Li Que said, “If it weren’t for the need to operate in human cities, I wouldn’t want to take this form either.”

Ao Xiu sighed, “Nor would I.”

Xu Manman chuckled, “I didn’t expect the two brothers to reconcile so quickly. Seeing you get along so well makes me very happy.”

The two of them stiffened and let out a cold laugh simultaneously, both turning their heads to look at the streets.

Seeing Immortal Lang Yin silent, Xu Manman asked, “Do you think the same way as them,Immortal Lang Yin? That all humans are ugly? Does that include Qun Yu Fangzun?”

Immortal Lang Yin replied, “I haven’t noticed.”

This answer was typical of Immortal Lang Yin’s character, and Xu Manman couldn’t help but laugh softly, “Then, according to the spirits, who is more beautiful, Qun Yu Fangzun or Lian Yue Daozun?”

Ao Xiu said, “Naturally, Lian Yue Daozun is more beautiful.”

Xu Manman remained silent with a smile. When Ao Xiu met her, he was blind and had never seen her face, but it was well known that Lian Yue Daozun was plain-looking. Yet he could still pretend to be deeply in love.

Li Que, on the other hand, was more honest. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I don’t remember what Lian Yue Daozun looks like.”

Xu Manman looked curiously at Immortal Lang Yin and asked, “What do you think, Immortal Master Lang Yin?”

Immortal Lang Yin pointed to two orange cats squinting under the eaves and asked, “What difference do humans see between those two cats?”

Xu Manman examined them for a while and said, “No difference.”

Immortal Lang Yin said, “Spirits view humans the same way, no difference.”

Xu Manman vaguely understood…

She had always been plain-looking and easily forgettable. Knowing her appearance was ordinary, she never paid much attention to it. She never imagined that, in the eyes of spirits, she and the world’s most beautiful woman, Qun Yu Fangzun, were “no different.”

No wonder the three males who claimed to like her were not humans.

So why did Qian Luo Yaozun fall in love with Qun Yu Fangzun at first sight, as if his life depended on it?