Meng Linjiang had been under Lord Yunshan's tutelage for eight years, yet he had never found a sword that suited him.
Because his cultivation was so poor, many of the divine swords Lord Yunshan found for him were impossible to control. It was like a starving ghost standing before a magnificent imperial feast, able to look but unable to eat. After several failed attempts, Meng Linjiang lost his temper and declared that he would no longer seek a sword; he would wait for a sword to seek him.
Consequently, Lord Yunshan could only leave a Life-Death Incantation on his current blade to protect his life.
Now, Meng Linjiang had exhausted his talismans and spiritual tools without subduing the fox demon. Instead, he was being hunted. Of the thousands of incantations his Master had taught him, he could only successfully cast a few. The youth who had radiated heroic spirit in the house was now battered and utterly helpless.
Su Yuji mocked him: "Little Daoist, you could have left during the day, so why come back to die? Is it that you, too, lust after my beauty and want a romantic tryst under the moon?"
Meng Linjiang's limbs were bound by streaks of demonic energy, rendering him unable to move. His clothes and hair had been disheveled during the struggle, yet his face remained stubborn and defiant—a sight that made Su Yuji’s heart itch with desire.
She reached out to touch his Adam's apple, where a bead of sweat was rolling down, but was shrieked back by a flash of golden light from the Life-Death Incantation on his sword.
"What is that?!" Su Yuji asked in terror.
Meng Linjiang gave a cold snort. Though his heart was screaming in panic, he maintained a composed facade, looking down at her as she scrambled up from the ground. "Scared, are you?"
Dark light flickered in Su Yuji's eyes. Demonic energy scattered as her fingers transformed into sharp, ghastly claws.
"Still playing tricks at death's door!" Her voice dripped with murderous intent. As she swung her hand, a fierce wind rose. Three thick tails manifested behind her, her demonic power surging as she fought Meng Linjiang for control of his sword. "Since you insist on opposing me, I shall no longer show mercy!"
Meng Linjiang’s expression darkened when he saw her three tails. This was truly beyond his capabilities. Who could fight a three-tailed fox? He could barely handle one!
As Su Yuji’s power vied for his blade, Meng Linjiang focused every ounce of his strength to resist, but he was no match for this old demon. The long sword gave a low, unwilling hum before flying out of his hand and landing far away.
Before Meng Linjiang could even utter a curse, Su Yuji’s overly beautiful face was before him, accompanied by her lethal claws.
The youth's pupils contracted. At the brink of death, two streaks of spiritual essence flew in from the front and back, both landing precisely on Su Yuji. One severed her claws; the other forced her to her knees.
Meng Linjiang watched blankly as Su Yuji, who had just held the upper hand, now knelt before him, screaming in agony.
"Who is it?!" Su Yuji hissed, half in terror and half in rage. "What is the meaning of this!"
"Daoist Meng, are you alright?" Hearing Song Ya's voice, Meng Linjiang turned around. He saw Chang Yao flicking her fingers, casting a high-level incantation that he hadn't been able to learn despite thousands of days of practice.
A brilliant spiritual light flashed before his eyes, shattering the demonic energy binding his limbs while simultaneously sealing Su Yuji in a cage.
Before Meng Linjiang passed out, his only thought was: Which immortal sect produced this genius?!
"Daoist Meng!" Song Ya rushed forward anxiously, but after a few steps, she too collapsed into a faint.
Chang Yao’s gaze bypassed Su Yuji and landed on the young man stepping out of the shadows. The spiritual essence that had severed the fox's claws came from Shi Tianhao, who had rushed back to help.
However, Shi Tianhao never expected such a surprise upon his return.
The demonic energy flowing in the air was so familiar, so nostalgic. The face beneath the flowering tree was seventy to eighty percent similar to the one he remembered; the only difference was a tear-shaped mole beneath her right eye.
But no matter how he looked at it, this was his little sister—the one whose soul was supposed to have been obliterated by the Great Heavenly Tribulation at the Golden Luan Terrace ten years ago.
"A'Yao?" Shi Tianhao’s voice trembled.
Chang Yao tilted her head slightly and gave him a faint smile. The usually gentle and steady Shi Tianhao was overcome with emotion, stepping forward to pull her into a tight embrace.
After returning to the mortal world from the long chaos, everything felt both strange and familiar to Chang Yao. This included her brother.
The commotion by the river drew the villagers, and before long, the whole village knew what had happened. Shi Tianhao had to deal with the villagers and explain the situation.
Chang Yao stood beneath the pear tree by the river, watching over the unconscious Meng Linjiang and occasionally glancing at her second brother, who was surrounded by people. As a demon, he was supposed to be hated and feared by mortals, yet he always managed to interact with them gently, making them feel close to him. He truly had a talent for being a disciple of an immortal sect.
Shi Tianhao severed one of Su Yuji's tails and spared her life on the condition that she never step foot on Mount Changtuo again. He then cast a Heart-Clearing Incantation on the bewitched villagers to calm their spirits and provided a medicinal formula to prevent future trouble.
A demon could be so kind and gentle to mortals.
Chang Yao watched quietly, thinking that her second brother's desire to become human was likely unstoppable. Even if their eldest brother locked him up for another few hundred years, it would be useless.
The villagers were deeply grateful to Shi Tianhao, kneeling in thanks. It took him a long time to get away and speak with Chang Yao.
After the siblings stared at each other in silence for a moment, Shi Tianhao reached out and gently rubbed her head, just as he had when they were young. He sighed softly: "Both Big Brother and I thought you had failed your tribulation—that your soul had vanished at the Golden Luan Terrace. There was no trace of your spirit in this world, and even Wujiu Mountain lost its connection with you. It has been without a master until now."
Because Wujiu Mountain was masterless again, the demon realm believed Chang Yao was truly dead.
Chang Yao explained simply: "This is probably one of the few advantages of being a half-demon."
She looked at the Yunshan uniform Shi Tianhao was wearing and asked the question that had been on her mind: "Second Brother, how did you become a disciple of the Yunshan Sect?"
"That is a long story." Shi Tianhao’s lips twitched in a helpless smile. "My Love Tribulation has returned. Its starting point is Kunlun Yunshan."
Chang Yao: "..."
"But I have been in Kunlun for three years and still haven't found that person," Shi Tianhao said with a bitter laugh.
"They will come," Chang Yao said, changing the subject. "You left during the day. I thought you intended to let the fox demon go. Why did you come back?"
"Leaving during the day was so I could return later to solve it alone without making a scene." Shi Tianhao turned to look at the still-unconscious Meng Linjiang and sighed. "Who knew Junior Brother Meng had the same idea? Though his cultivation is poor, his character is quite good."
Chang Yao asked, somewhat puzzled: "Why did Song Jixue take such a useless disciple?"
Compared to Yan Zibian, this boy couldn't compete in any way.
Shi Tianhao, who had been trying to avoid mentioning that person, was stunned to hear Chang Yao bring him up voluntarily.
"Though he lacks talent for cultivation, Lord Yunshan is actually quite good to this disciple." Shi Tianhao observed Chang Yao’s expression. "His requirements for Junior Brother Meng are not very high."
Chang Yao raised an eyebrow, her gaze suspicious, silently asking: Are you sure?
Shi Tianhao weighed his words: "Lord Yunshan has... changed a lot over these years."
If he was certain back then that Song Jixue loved Chang Yao, it was hard to say now.
Chang Yao did not press him. She looked at the sky and said thoughtfully: "Second Brother, take care of yourself in Kunlun. Wujiu Mountain is still masterless; I think I must go back and see it."
Her primary concern was Wujiu Mountain, not Lord Yunshan.
Shi Tianhao didn't know whether to feel relieved or not, so he simply nodded.
The joy of their reunion was quickly tempered; the newly returned Chang Yao seemed to have much to do.
The first task was to re-establish the bond with Wujiu Mountain and become its new master.
The worlds of humans and demons are day and night reversed. In an instant, it went from night to day. Chang Yao stood at the foot of Wujiu Mountain. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, and the towering canopy cast vast shadows. Amidst the piles of decaying leaves, a few flowers and plants struggled to sprout.
She walked along the shaded path, step by step up the mountain. Occasionally, she passed streams where gold and silver treasures sparkled, making the mountain scenery look magnificent. Birds and beasts peeked out from behind leaves, and the trees bloomed in tribute as she passed, expressing the mountain's affection for her.
Chang Yao could feel the changes in her body. Having reshaped her flesh through a second life, not only had her appearance changed slightly, but the spiritual veins she had once lost had returned. Her power had not diminished much, and she had even gained something.
Because of this, she was in a good mood, believing there would be no issue with re-bonding with the mountain. However, when she stood before the Spirit Statue and released her demonic power, she failed. The incantations on the statue did not activate or align in the correct order.
Chang Yao didn't believe it and tried again. The statue remained unmoved. The surrounding trees swayed their branches as if cheering her on.
She tried several times without success. The kindness and intimacy Wujiu Mountain felt for her were real; it was not rejecting her. In fact, the mountain was masterless because it was waiting for her return. So why did the bonding fail?
She tried all day to no avail. When night fell, she went to the Cliff of Nameless Tablets.
Stars filled the sky, and the path was lined with brilliant red demon flowers. Chang Yao discovered a new nameless tombstone at the cliff's edge. It was likely erected by her two brothers.
Chang Yao stood before the tablet and whispered: "Why did I fail?"
No one answered. Even though she had been dead for ten years, no demon dared to approach the bamboo house or the waterwheel.
Chang Yao stood silently by the waterwheel until dawn. She spent several days reviewing all the techniques she had ever learned. Her slender fingers drew characters in the air, finally casting the Heart-Clearing Incantation Song Jixue had once taught her.
After calming her mind, she returned to the Spirit Statue, only to find a Great Demon waiting there.
With the body of an ox, a snake's tail, and a single eye, the Great Demon Fei stood before the statue looking at her. It spoke in human tongue: "The Mountain Spirit has been exceptionally active lately. I guessed it was you."
Chang Yao said expressionlessly: "Your guess was quite accurate."
She walked forward, her gaze sweeping over the injury at the corner of the Fei's eye. She raised an eyebrow: "You’re injured?"
The Fei said in a heavy voice: "Your husband is indeed the number one master of the Heart Sword."
"He injured you?" Chang Yao blinked. "When?"
"Six months after your death. The mortal plague was incurable. He found me, and the Heart Sword Zhigui severely injured me and forced me to retreat." The Fei snorted. "Did you intentionally spare him that day to leave behind a source of trouble?"
Chang Yao said leisurely: "I was busy with my tribulation. How could I care about killing him or not?"
She stood before the statue and waved her hand: "I’m busy bonding now. If you want revenge, go yourself. But you aren't allowed to leave the mountain for another six hundred years."
The Fei stomped its hoof in dissatisfaction and said reluctantly: "The reason you failed to bond is that your Heart Essence is missing half."
Chang Yao looked over in surprise. The Fei turned away coldly: "The Mountain Spirit asked me to tell you."
Her repeated failures these days had made the mountain anxious, so it sent a messenger to tell her the real reason.
The wind hissed. Chang Yao looked up at the Spirit Statue, her expression slightly dazed.
Missing half of my Heart Essence.
When she first bonded, her Heart Essence as a half-demon was complete. But later, she had given half of it away. To whom?
Only that person. She had once saved Song Jixue and lost her spiritual veins, and she had given him half of her Heart Essence. Why had she forgotten such an important matter?
Was Song Jixue really that unimportant to her?
Chang Yao rubbed her forehead. This was a problem. To successfully bond with Wujiu Mountain, she had to get the other half of her Heart Essence back. She had to find Song Jixue and dig it out of his spiritual veins.
Chang Yao returned to the mortal world and went directly to Shangyuan City.
It was spring, and the city was full of festivals. It was lively everywhere, day and night. After a brief stroll through the city, she headed toward Kunlun, chanting the Heart-Clearing Incantation over and over on the way. Occasionally, she encountered a few disciples from the three mountains of Kunlun—all low-level disciples who had only recently entered the sect.
At the Kunlun Celestial Stairs, disciples returning on their swords gathered to land, as this was the boundary between the three mountains. The long staircase seemed endless, with mountain rocks towering on either side, flanking a deep abyss.
Shi Tianhao was waiting for her at the stairs. Upon returning to the mortal world, Chang Yao had sent him a voice transmission about entering Kunlun to retrieve her Heart Essence. Shi Tianhao was shocked and hurried to arrange her entry.
Shi Tianhao led Chang Yao away from the crowds to a corner of the stairs, lowering his voice: "Since the events of back then, the inspections in Kunlun have become stricter and stricter."
"I am a half-demon. Most of their arrays are useless against me," Chang Yao said nonchalantly.
Moreover, entering Kunlun wasn't difficult for her. The hard part was entering Yunshan to find Song Jixue.
Shi Tianhao spoke as he walked forward: "Lord Yunshan hasn't been in Kunlun since last August. Although there was no official announcement, as far as I know, he went to the Ghost Folk Realm with people from the two sects of the Upper Court. He only happened to return last night... and he was injured. He is blind."
Chang Yao couldn't help but touch her face, thinking: That is truly heaven helping me.
"His injury..." Chang Yao started to speak but was interrupted.
"Senior Brother Zhan!" A familiar voice came from behind. Both paused and turned to look.
Meng Linjiang was descending on his sword, carrying several beautifully wrapped boxes. He waved to Shi Tianhao (Zhan Rong) and was delighted to see the woman. He said excitedly to Shi Tianhao: "Is this not the lady who saved me that night!"
Chang Yao recognized what was in the boxes at a glance—they were all snacks that Lord Yunshan liked to eat.
Meng Linjiang stared at Chang Yao with a curious gaze. "Are you also a disciple of Kunlun?"
"My brother is the disciple of Yunshan. He unfortunately met with disaster during an excursion recently. I came to claim his belongings after hearing the news," Chang Yao said, looking down sadly.
Shi Tianhao: "..."
Although this was the cover story for bringing her in, hearing her say it was still a bit strange.
Meng Linjiang was taken aback and asked Shi Tianhao: "Her brother wouldn't happen to be Junior Brother Jin Shu, would he?"
It seemed he also knew about the Yunshan disciple who had died during an excursion.
Shi Tianhao nodded: "Exactly. Her name is Jin Rou. I’m about to take her to Haoran Peak."
"Right, right. You go ahead then. I'll come find you later." Meng Linjiang waved and hurried away on his sword.
Chang Yao looked in the direction he went, then back at Shi Tianhao: "Who is Jin Shu?"
Shi Tianhao said expressionlessly: "Our Big Brother."
"..." Chang Yao was stunned. "Big Brother is here too?"
"He is undergoing the Tribulation of Eight Sufferings. After the death of his identity as Jin Shu, he has only one tribulation left. It’s just... he’s still in Yunshan." Shi Tianhao’s expression was strange. "He is among the new batch of disciples recruited by Yunshan at the beginning of the year."
Chang Yao followed Shi Tianhao in silence for a while, then asked: "Second Brother, you've been in Yunshan for three years. Surely you haven't watched him undergo the Tribulation of Eight Sufferings every time?"
Shi Tianhao smiled bitterly: "I don't know why Big Brother’s tribulation points are always here."
In these three years, aside from waiting day and night for his own Love Tribulation person to appear, he had spent all his energy worrying about his elder brother. The identities for those tribulations were always tragic and heart-wrenching.
Every time he thought of the suffering Big Brother endured, Shi Tianhao worried about what he would do to Yunshan once he restored his identity as the Young Lord of the Phoenix Clan after completing his tribulations.
Chang Yao rubbed her face. It seemed she really was here to collect her brother's belongings.
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