Chapter 6: Ghost's Sorrow

The moment the name Yu Wuyai was uttered, the once bustling Hou Shui Forest fell silent. In an instant, the ghosts scattered, some leaving, others fleeing. Even the beautiful ghost paled and fled in panic.

Seeing Yun Wan still standing there, a kind ghost advised, "I think you, little cultivator, should hurry and run too. That Yu Wuyai is known as 'Ghost's Sorrow.' If he finds out you're involved with us, you won't fare well either." After saying this hastily, the little ghost vanished quickly.

Yun Wan remembered Yu Wuyai.

In the original story, he didn't have many scenes, but his name was quite famous. The male protagonist considered him a rival, but the other party was arrogant and never wanted to fight him. Even after the male protagonist ascended, this remained his eternal regret.

Yun Wan never expected to encounter a male supporting character from a novel while selling goods.

"Let's go." Xie Tingyun grabbed Yun Wan by the back of her collar and decisively led her away.

Unexpectedly, before the two could even leave Hou Shui Forest, their path was cut off by a red sword aura.

The sword energy was unlike anything Yun Wan had seen before. It was red like a cold flame, swift as lightning, silent yet unstoppable, easily leaving a deep sword mark on the ground. The earth on either side of the crack scorched, faintly glowing with fire.

As the dust settled, a man's figure emerged from the light and shadow.

He was very tall.

His body was straight, like a pine tree standing tall amidst a blade of wind.

His clothing was simple, black clothes outlining his strong arms and narrow waist, with faint red cloud patterns embroidered on the belt. His left eye was covered by an eye patch, his face coldly staring at Yun Wan, clearly harboring murderous intent.

—Yu Wuyai, a direct disciple of the Kunlun Mountain Sect Leader.

If Xie Tingyun's aura was restrained, then Yu Wuyai's was completely unleashed. The heavy spiritual energy pressed down like an invisible strong wind, layer upon layer, so tight it was suffocating. The nearest plants could not withstand this power. Their green leaves withered rapidly, leaving only bare branches swaying in the night.

Yu Wuyai lowered his eyelids, his aura growing even fiercer.

His gaze fell upon the "stolen goods" Yun Wan hadn't yet concealed—a high-grade refining stone used for tempering.

Yun Wan, feeling guilty, furtively hid the stone in her storage bag.

"Take it out." Yu Wuyai gripped his sword tightly, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Take...take what?"

"Everything."

Everything?

He dared say everything?

What a joke! She earned her money through her own abilities. Why should she give it away!

Yun Wan sneered. "Heh, you think I'll just take it because you tell me to?" She nudged Xie Tingyun from behind, raised her chin, and commanded, "Go."

Xie Tingyun remained calm, his expression unchanging as he glanced at the sword clutched in Yu Wuyai's hand.

The sword was one of the ancient divine swords, named Crimson Shadow. Its blade blazed like flames, its scabbard like fire, forged over ten thousand years by the raging flames of the Netherworld. Even a small wisp of its sword energy could obliterate a demon's soul, condemning it to eternal damnation.

Countless souls have fallen beneath the Crimson Shadow, never to be reborn, and Yu Wuyai has become known as the "Ghost's Bane" among demons.

Moreover—it is incredibly loyal.

The Crimson Shadow is eternal, recognizing only one master. The sword lives as long as the person lives, and dies with the person.

How wonderful...

Xie Tingyun's eyes flickered, unwilling to tear his gaze away from the longsword.

Sensing his change, the peerless sword grew displeased, its hilt lashing sharply at his thigh.

The pain caused Xie Tingyun to sigh, reluctantly averting his gaze, his tone sharp. "Make an exception."

Yun Wan instantly gained confidence, glaring threateningly at Yu Wuyai. "Did you hear that? If you don't move aside, he'll get rough."

In Yu Wuyai's eyes, Yun Wan, hiding behind and haughtily threatening him, was simply the fox in the tale of the fox borrowing the tiger's might—utterly ridiculous and laughable.

"Among the Six Realms, only the demon Huo Cangsheng exists. You are also disciples of the righteous path, yet instead of subduing demons and protecting the righteous, you collude with demons and ghosts. Why should I let you go?"

He seemed determined not to let them go.

Yu Wuyai pointed his sword at the two. "Draw your sword then."

Xie Tingyun remained unmoved, seemingly not taking him seriously at all.

Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly tense, Yun Wan couldn't help but nudge Xie Tingyun's arm. "I told you to draw your sword..."

Xie Tingyun calmly replied, "Yes, I know."

"Then you..."

Xie Tingyun paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and stepped forward, his imposing aura pressing down on Yu Wuyai—

"I am Sui Yuan, the Palace Master of Cangwu Palace. I was an old acquaintance of your master, Xuan Qing. Logically, you should address me as 'Uncle-Master.' I don't want to bother with juniors like you. Let's part ways here."

Yu Wuyai: "..." Bullshit?

Yun Wan: "..." Bullshit?

Not only Yu Wuyai, but even Yun Wan found it absurd.

Sui Yuan is a legendary figure in the cultivation world. The author, with just a few strokes, portrays him as an immortal being, revered by some, worshipped by others, and even compared to a god. Even the demonic sects, who are at odds with him, add a title of honor when mentioning Sui Yuan.

He is a born swordsman, forming his core at birth, reaching the Nascent Soul stage at a hundred years old, and reaching the Tribulation Transcending stage at two hundred. He is considered a peerless genius throughout the cultivation world. It was precisely because of his immense power that the Venerable Wuji harbored wicked intentions, wanting to offer his daughter to him to help him transcend the tribulation and ascend to immortality, thus seeking his protection.

Even if the big shot before her was truly a big shot, Yun Wan didn't believe he was the real Sui Yuan!

This was a ridiculous display of power!

Sure enough, Yu Wuyai laughed. "If you are Sui Yuan, then what you hold in your hand must be a peerless sword."

"That's right."

Yu Wuyai crossed his arms over his chest. "Draw it out, and I'll believe you."

Silence returned.

Yun Wan's eyes darted around, and she couldn't help but poke his arm. "Try pulling it out."

Xie Tingyun's eyes remained calm as he said directly, "I can't pull it out."

"...??"

What did "can't pull it out" mean?

Faced with Yun Wan's confused expression, Xie Tingyun didn't answer.

Among all the ancient divine artifacts, only one was truly special—the peerless sword in his hand. The peerless sword was originally called the Evil Spirit Sword, arrogant and gluttonous. It once devoured three spiritual mountains with a single strike, and was soon subdued by Xie Tingyun.

It wasn't because of any harmony between man and sword, nor was there any love at first sight. It was simply because Xie Tingyun's cultivation was profound. A small amount of his cultivation was equivalent to a spiritual mountain, so every time he commanded it, Xie Tingyun had to contribute a tiny bit of his cultivation.

He didn't care about loyalty, as long as the sword was easy to use, so for a hundred years their relationship was simply one of cooperation. Then... Xie Tingyun failed his tribulation, his cultivation was temporarily gone, and even his golden core was damaged in the lightning tribulation. It would take at least ten years to recover his former cultivation.

After failing his ascension, he didn't even have the money to return to Cangwu Palace, let alone spiritual power.

Now, the proud peerless sword looked down on its suddenly crippled master, refusing to let him draw it and insisting he carry it. The ton-heavy sword was incredibly heavy whether carried on his back or tucked into his waistband. If it weren't for the peerless sword's spiritual energy capable of intimidating demons, Xie Tingyun would have already discarded it.

Yu Wuyai had already anticipated that he was a low-level cultivator swindling people under the guise of Suiyuan's name. This scene made him burst into laughter, and after laughing, he sneered. "Suiyuan-jun has been in seclusion for a hundred years. You think you can just pass yourself off as him with a fake? Since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for being merciless."

Sensing its master's killing intent, the Crimson Shadow sword in his hand hummed, its blade tightly enveloped in red light.

Yun Wan's heart nearly leaped into her throat, her scalp tingling. She gripped his sleeve tightly, her tongue trembling. "Wh-what should we do? What are your chances of winning?"

Xie Tingyun's tone was calm. "Ten percent."

Yun Wan immediately relaxed. She knew it—with the aura that had driven back the demon beast, how could he possibly admit defeat so easily?

However, the next second, Yun Wan heard him utter the most cowardly words in the most defiant tone—

"Ten percent certain, I will definitely lose."

"..."

Then what the hell are you talking about?!

"Let's run..."

Yun Wan grabbed Xie Tingyun's sleeve, intending to turn and run, but he smiled contemptuously, his smile cold and aloof, unfathomable. Just as Yun Wan thought he had devised a scheme, Xie Tingyun said confidently, "We can't escape."

Yun Wan: "..."

She had never been so silent before, even when she had her cake and eaten it too.

However, Yun Wan could understand.

Yu Wuyai was the male lead's formidable rival. Since he could rival the male lead, his strength was naturally not to be underestimated. In this cultivation world where powerful figures were everywhere, even a big shot like Xie Tingyun would encounter opponents, let alone an opponent like Yu Wuyai.

—She shouldn't have overestimated Xie Tingyun's abilities.

Yun Wan suddenly thought of the golden pill that the beautiful ghost had given her.

She originally planned to sell it to other cultivators at a high price when they entered the city, but the situation was urgent now, and she couldn't delay. Yun Wan hesitated for a moment, then finally took out the golden pill from her storage bag. She stared at it with a pained expression for a while before resolutely handing it to Xie Tingyun.

"Here."

Xie Tingyun glanced at it out of the corner of his eye and frowned.

"This is a good thing that can make people stronger. Even if you can't beat him, at least it can help us escape."

Seeing Xie Tingyun still hesitating, Yun Wan couldn't wait any longer. She stood on tiptoe and forcefully shoved the golden pill into his mouth, tightening her jaw and lifting it upwards with a gulp. The golden pill slid down the man's throat and into his stomach.

Seeing him swallow it, Yun Wan was full of anticipation. "How is it?"

How is it?

Xie Tingyun savored it carefully, shaking his head. "As always."

As always, that meant no change.

Impossible! Could it be that the alluring ghost was fooling her?

Seeing Yu Wuyai getting closer and closer, Yun Wan hardened her heart and threw the storage bag over. "Everything's here. Here you go, can you let us go now?"

Yu Wuyai caught it with one hand, opened it, and even he was shocked by the "dirty stuff" inside.

Besides tempering stones and various immortal herbs, there was also a full money bag piled up underneath. This was the first time in Yu Wuyai's twenty-seven years that he had seen a cultivator earn hard-earned money from evil spirits.

"You've got quite a bit of skill."

He said this, whether it was sarcasm or praise, was unclear.

Yun Wan felt a pang of pain.

That was all money! Her hard-earned money!!

Yu Wuyai approached her with a cold smile. "But do you think I'll let you go?"

Was this guy setting a trap?

Luckily, she had been careful and hadn't handed over everything.

Just as Yu Wuyai was about to come over, she heard several chaotic footsteps beside her. Looking closely, she saw that it was Chu Tiancheng and the other disciples of the Wuji Sect.

Yun Wan inwardly cried out in alarm. She hadn't even gotten rid of Yu Wuyai, that devil of war, and now another group had arrived. It seemed she was doomed.

But the expected scenario didn't unfold.

The crowd's eyes were vacant as they drew their swords and slashed at Yu Wuyai. Yu Wuyai, equally surprised by the Wuji Sect disciples' sudden attack, hesitated for a moment before raising his arm to retaliate.

Yu Wuyai's cultivation was formidable. Even dozens of people attacking together couldn't harm him in the slightest. Strangely, no matter how many times they fell, they would eventually rise and rush towards Yu Wuyai, their delirious state resembling that of someone under a spell.

In the chaos, a misty haze rose from beneath their feet, quickly enveloping the entire Hou Shui Forest.

Before Yun Wan could even grasp the situation, the alluring ghost floated onto a nearby tree branch.

The woman's soft, fragrant body coiled around it like a snake, a seductive smile playing on her lips. Her eyes, crafted from green spirit stones, appeared even more alluring. "Little cultivator, why aren't you leaving? This illusion can only last for a quarter of an hour. If you don't leave now, it might be too late..."

She finished with a coquettish laugh, fragrant mist swirling from her fingertips.

Yun Wan reacted quickly, pulling out a teleportation talisman she had hidden beforehand, grabbing Xie Tingyun, and leaving.

Yu Wuyai glanced at their disappearing figures, his expression darkening. He swung his sword, slashing away the illusion, ignoring the bewildered expressions of the people below, coldly staring in the direction the two had gone.

"Despicable."

After a moment, his thin lips uttered two icy words.

The teleportation talisman randomly transported them to a cave.

The cave seemed to have been inhabited, with tools used by hunters still remaining.

After ensuring that Yu Wuyai and the Wuji Sect people wouldn't pursue them, Yun Wan's tense mood temporarily relaxed.

She slumped to the ground and said to Xie Tingyun, "Thanks to Sister Yan Gui, we're safe now."

Xie Tingyun didn't respond, his body swaying slightly in place.

Seeing that he was about to fall, Yun Wan quickly got up to support him. Even through her wide sleeves, she could feel the man's excessively hot skin.

Yun Wan frowned slightly. "Xie Tingyun, are you alright?"

Previous/Next