The Demon Venerable Is Delicate and Charming (GL) Chapter 89

Three days passed very quickly, each day counted step by step. During those days, aside from Duan Wuxiu coming to sing a few lines every night, nothing happened. But once bitten by a snake, one feared peeping for ten years. Every time that hour came, Yin Wu would hold the two dragons and stand before the window, looking full of deep hatred.
No one knew what the young immortal had been thinking lately. Ever since the dragons cooperated with her, she had started dressing them up in different ways every day, saying that other people’s snakes had such things, so hers could not fall behind. Li Lingjiang hesitated several times, but under the dragons’ pleading gazes, she silently turned her head away.
These two nights, whenever Li Lingjiang opened her eyes, she saw two dragons with big red bows on their heads standing with Yin Wu. Only after Duan Wuxiu’s voice vanished did they return to bed in peace. In any case, the young immortal was not embarrassed. She even looked a little proud bringing them out. One time, Ling Xin saw them and laughed until he could not straighten his waist. That night, Little Black came to Li Lingjiang with tears in its eyes and complained.
But a dragon could not speak. It could only rub against her. After Yin Wu caught it, it was forced to wear a little skirt and walk around again, causing Little Black to shut itself away that night.
Li Lingjiang put down her sword. Today, actual combat began. Her opponent was Yin Wu. Since the two had already shown their foundation, they did not hide much. There were many flourishes, but it was more like playing around. After some people saw the clue, they clicked their tongues several times and then teased them. The young immortal accepted it gladly and quickly mingled with them.
Li Lingjiang stood quietly to the side and did not join in. Only Ada Danni had an ugly expression. Lately, Ada Danni had always tried to come over and talk, but Yin Wu pushed her back in the manner of protecting a chick. A few times, Li Lingjiang was nearly hugged until she could not breathe. Still, Ada Danni had not caused other trouble. Losing a gu insect had probably been a great blow.
Ada Danni stood beside Li Lingjiang and childishly snorted at her. “Do not worry. I definitely will not let you run away.”
Li Lingjiang took a deep breath and struggled to ease the awkwardness Ada Danni’s words often gave her. She did not answer and moved a few steps toward Yin Wu.
“Why hide? Tonight is the time to draw power. When that happens, I will definitely be able to defeat Li Wu.” After throwing down those harsh words, Ada Danni turned and left, leaving Li Lingjiang looking at her for a long while.
The ceremony was set near the next day. The clothes were distributed uniformly by the Immortal-Entering Sect: pure white robes paired with a white hair tie. Once night fell, they were especially eye-catching.
Li Lingjiang’s clothes were a little large. Yin Wu crouched and rolled up her pant legs for her. Li Lingjiang lowered her eyes and touched the swirl of hair on the young immortal’s head. “It seems the Immortal-Entering Sect only knows that our purpose is not friendly, but does not seem to know our identities. Whether there is someone pushing things from behind still needs careful thought.”
Yin Wu’s hand paused. She continued, “Perhaps some people know… forget it. I do not have much experience, so my words cannot be examined too closely.”
She raised her head. “As long as I do not drag you down.”
Li Lingjiang pressed her lips together and said nothing. Then she smiled and gave a low hum. Her lashes trembled twice. Yin Wu’s strength was far beyond what she currently showed. Li Lingjiang thought of Qingyun’s words, and her fingers curled slightly.
Yin Wu likely sensed her low mood. Along the way, she held Li Lingjiang’s hand and led her toward the gathering place. Only when they arrived did she stop and tug Li Lingjiang back.
Li Lingjiang turned in confusion. In the next instant, a piece of candy was stuffed into her mouth. Li Lingjiang instinctively held it there. It was still cloyingly sweet.
“Why give me this?”
Yin Wu thought for a moment. “Because they say eating candy makes people feel better.”
The young immortal lowered her head. “I do not know how to make you happy. Do not be like this.”
This was the first time Li Lingjiang had seen Yin Wu so careful. She froze for a moment, then silently tightened her grip on Yin Wu’s hand. She copied Yin Wu’s usual movements and slowly squeezed.
That small action successfully made Yin Wu’s eyes brighten. She was clearly coaxed much better and instantly became lively again. Li Lingjiang also curved her lips in a smile and let Yin Wu pull her into the crowd.
Everyone wore the same clothes. For a time, the two could not find their companions. In the end, they sat cross-legged beside Ling Xin and the others.
This was an enormous stone platform. Tens of thousands of people from the Immortal-Entering Sect packed it full. Scattered moonlight fell over them. Once night came, the temperature dropped. The sect robes were not thick, and when the wind blew, chill rose along the spine, bringing a fine numb feeling.
Trees circled around them in a large half ring, leaving only one entrance and exit. The shade covered many people. They were also hidden in shadow. The stone under Li Lingjiang gradually warmed. Yin Wu silently pulled back the hand she had pressed behind Li Lingjiang, squeezed it, and lowered the scorching temperature.
The elders’ clothing was much more unusual. They wore yellow robes embroidered with complicated patterns. From far away, they looked like a few large characters. Li Lingjiang stared for a while before dragging a thought out of memory with difficulty. She remembered this was called spirit-dancing.
Several people were dressed almost like street frauds. Each also held a sword. Behind them stood an altar table with an incense burner. They only lacked a banner to make the set complete.
Yin Wu seemed to think of the same thing. She could not help lowering her head as her shoulders shook. The black dragon at Li Lingjiang’s waist understood. It looked at its master, then carefully stretched out its head and poked the young immortal’s waist.
Only then did the laughter stop.
The ceremony soon began. The person presiding was not Duan Wuxiu, but another somewhat familiar person, the one who had accepted Ling Xin’s group of four without missing anyone. Li Lingjiang remembered his surname was Jiang.
Elder Jiang first stood still for a while. Then he gathered inner power in his hand. One could faintly see the air twist around him, showing his strength was not ordinary.
His finger crossed the sword edge. Under the moonlight, the blade shone cold. Blood kept spreading over the sword. The elders standing slightly behind him all made the same movement. Together, they called loudly, “Heavenly officials, guard us!”
Li Lingjiang half narrowed her eyes. All the disciples followed and shouted. Their voices almost sliced through the sky. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.
Wind rose around Elder Jiang, lifting his yellow robe. His eyes turned sharp and firm. Looking at the blood on the sword, he began moving the power inside his body. The sword slowly left his hand. Under everyone’s longing gaze, it struck the ground with a clang and sank halfway in. The blade did not shake. It reflected the disciples’ hungry, excited eyes.
He turned, picked up the incense sticks on the altar, and flicked his finger. They lit, then became sparks. He muttered quietly and placed them devoutly into the incense burner. Then he raised his voice. “The blessing begins!”
Elder Jiang turned sharply. His gaze swept across the crowd like a short knife. But no one felt afraid. It seemed only the six of them were still confused. Some people’s bodies even leaned forward, their eyes full of madness.
“You.” Elder Jiang locked onto one person. His voice was enlarged, falling into everyone’s ears. “Ada Danni, come up.”
Li Lingjiang lifted her eyes, and probing flashed in them.
What a coincidence. It just happened to be Ada Danni.
Ada Danni’s body trembled with excitement. She was actually right in front of Li Lingjiang. No one knew when she had deliberately switched positions to sit here. Her lips shook, and the sound in her throat almost could not be forced out. She thought, again. Again, she had been chosen.
“Wonderful… wonderful. It is me again.” Ada Danni could not hide the smile on her face. She murmured and moved quickly through the crowd. Her white clothes could not hide the black energy coming from her body.
Li Lingjiang rubbed the copper coins at her waist and quietly exchanged a look with Yin Wu.
Me again? So she had been chosen once before. Was it in the trial ground?
If so, the change in her nature was not impossible.
Elder Jiang named a few more people. Among them were some who could not control their emotions and cried out softly. They stood before the incense burner, knelt devoutly, and bowed together, foreheads touching the cold stone while they seemed to feel a boiling heat. Their bodies trembled like lambs waiting to be slaughtered, fully exposing their fatal weakness.
“Today is once again the day we pray to the gods.” Elder Jiang looked fiercely at everyone and placed his hands behind his back with dignity. “Heaven gave us the chance to choose and let us grow stronger. Only the most sincere faith can serve the gods. The gods will bless us.”
He pointed to the chosen people, his tone urgent. “They are today’s arrangement from heaven. They will bear great pain for us, tempering themselves and sharing their inner power with everyone. Let us feel it and pray. Let us pray to the gods with the highest faith.”
Elder Jiang sat cross-legged. The other elders followed. They closed their eyes and tilted their heads slightly, as if accepting the moonlight’s bath. “With my life, with my flesh and blood, may all gods hear our call and fulfill our wishes!”
After he finished, the sword that had sunk into the ground suddenly rose into the air and spun quickly, leaving only afterimages for the imagination.
Everyone began reciting. It was as if they had memorized it by heart. Only then did Li Lingjiang remember that someone had handed her a book yesterday and told her to remember it well. At the time, she had glanced through a few pages and set it aside.
She lowered her lashes and muddled through by moving her lips. The six of them were crowded into a narrow space, secretly observing everyone’s expressions.
Moonlight was not always clear. It gradually covered the blood color and wrapped around everyone. It was no longer pure white. Instead, it dyed their whole bodies a dim yellow. They chanted with conviction. Even the disciples who had entered later threw themselves wholly into this silent revelry. They raised their heads, closed their eyes, and wore dreamlike expressions, as if they were being saved.
But the moonlight did not blur their bodies. It made them clearer instead.
This scene was deeply frightening. Everyone’s expression was almost the same. They were clearly different individuals, yet now they seemed to merge into one. Their voices grew louder and louder. In Li Lingjiang’s ears, they actually became one tone.
Madness. Greed.
Li Lingjiang frowned and looked toward the people at the front. They knelt on the ground with straight backs, trembling. What emotion did those backs reveal? Frenzied, intoxicated, and willing even if they suffered pain and punishment. Strange smiles appeared on all their faces.
She suddenly looked back and realized the six of them were tightly surrounded. Everyone was praying for the gods’ protection.
Yet the god had fallen among them, both confused and frightened.