The Young Lady Only Wants to Cultivate Immortality Chapter 102

The secret chamber fell silent once more, with only the heavy snorting of the beast lying on the ground, its sounds clearly conveying its displeasure.
A’Ling thought to herself that she couldn’t blame it. Such a ferocious beast, captured so easily. It probably never imagined a net could be cast from the void and perfectly ensnare it.
If only this method could work on that scoundrel Dao Rong, things would be much simpler. A’Ling couldn’t help but ponder if there was even a sliver of possibility.
Gu Jingyang, unusually, thought along the same lines as A’Ling, but she wasn’t as naive as A’Ling. She didn’t dare to imagine that Saint Venerable Dao Rong could be so easily netted by Shi Qingqian, like this beast.
She thought that Shi Qingqian’s ability might have an unexpected use when facing Saint Venerable Dao Rong.
For a moment, lost in their own thoughts, neither of them responded to Shi Qingqian’s question.
Finally, Lan Fushang was the first to snap out of her stunned state: “Thank you, you’ve worked hard.”
She wasn’t sure what else to say. Seeing that A’Ling and Gu Jingyang hadn’t reacted, the quiet atmosphere made her feel a bit awkward and nervous. She wanted to do something quickly to ease her unease.
But just as she was about to step forward to examine the tiger-headed, ox-bodied beast more closely, the ground trembled as she approached.
The secret chamber suddenly shook, and a sound like wind chimes echoed.
Lan Fushang nearly stumbled onto the beast. Fortunately, a hand steadied her.
Gu Jingyang, seeing the panic in Lan Fushang’s wide eyes, released her after steadying her and explained, “It’s nothing. It’s probably my mother. I’ll go and check.”
This secret chamber was made by the Bilin Pagoda, and it was difficult for messages to penetrate. The shaking and the wind chime sound were the way the outside world notified those inside when something was amiss.
Only she, her mother, and her father knew about the mechanism’s location.
Gu Jingyang had only informed Gu Jiangxue when she brought people into the secret chamber and told her to send a message inside if anything happened.
Hearing Gu Jingyang’s explanation, Lan Fushang felt a little relieved. She had just thought the secret chamber was in trouble because of the beast.
Gu Jingyang then said to A’Ling and Shi Qingqian, “My mother rarely disturbs us. It must be that something has happened outside. I’ll go out and see.”
A’Ling nodded: “Let’s go together.”
She didn’t know what had happened outside and was worried about Gu Jingyang going alone.
Shi Qingqian’s brow furrowed slightly. When she went to capture the beast, she seemed to sense some chaos outside, but she hadn’t paid much attention, returning to the secret chamber with the beast.
Hearing A’Ling suggest going out, she nodded, having no objections.
Lan Fushang had already squatted down to examine the beast on the ground. Hearing A’Ling’s words, her movements paused slightly: “You all go. I’ll finish examining the beast’s abnormalities here first. If you need me outside, just call me.”
Gu Jingyang hesitated, leaving Lan Fushang alone here, especially with a beast present.
A’Ling glanced and, after a moment’s thought, threw out the Nine Heavens Immortal Binding Net in her hand, adding another layer of security to Shi Qingqian’s restraints.
“This should be safe now,” A’Ling said to Lan Fushang, looking at the beast immobilized by the Nine Heavens Immortal Binding Net. “Fushang, you stay here then. We’ll go out and see what’s happening.”
Lan Fushang smiled and replied, “Don’t worry, I can handle this one beast.”
Seeing this, Gu Jingyang informed Lan Fushang about the mechanism for communicating with the outside, then took A’Ling and Shi Qingqian out of the secret chamber.
When the three returned to the room where they had fallen, Gu Jiangxue was already waiting for them.
Gu Jiangxue was slightly surprised when she saw Shi Qingqian.
She had never seen this person before, yet she looked so intimate with Jingyang and A’Ling. Jingyang had even brought her into the secret chamber.
Gu Jingyang noticed the suspicion in her mother’s eyes but knew this wasn’t the right place to explain Shi Qingqian’s identity. Her current status was special, and revealing it would likely cause trouble.
“Mother, did you call me for something?” Gu Jingyang blinked at Gu Jiangxue, her eyes signaling reassurance.
Gu Jiangxue had always trusted Gu Jingyang. Seeing her ask directly without excluding the stranger, it was clear she trusted this person.
Since that was the case, Gu Jiangxue spoke directly.
“The demon race attacked Mystic Crane Mountain with beasts; the beasts outside the Gu family’s barrier have retreated.”
Two matters in total, Gu Jiangxue told Gu Jingyang and the other two in the most concise words.
After hearing these two pieces of news, Shi Qingqian’s brow furrowed. Now she understood the anomalies she had sensed when capturing the beast. The chaotic scene was actually the beasts retreating.
Also, the demon race attacking Mystic Crane Mountain was likely the same situation as the ‘demons’ seen outside the Gu family before – fake demons possessed by malevolent spirits.
Dao Rong intended to blame everything on the demons. He disdained this world so much, wanting to destroy it all, yet he still cared about public opinion. He was truly a twisted, hideous, and dark person.
Such a person, besides being unable to accept failure, was likely unable to accept the collapse of his image in the eyes of the world.
When A’Ling heard about the demon race, she glanced at Shi Qingqian. With the Demon Lord present, how could the demon race attack Mystic Crane Mountain? They were probably fake demons again.
Upon hearing Gu Jiangxue say that the beasts outside the barrier had left, she felt a bit suspicious and wanted to go out to see for herself.
“I’ll go out and take a look.”
Seeing Gu Jiangxue fall silent after stating the two matters, A’Ling guessed that perhaps she had something to say to Gu Jingyang privately. It was also true that she wanted to check the situation outside, so she bowed and took her leave.
Shi Qingqian naturally followed her. The two glanced at the sky above the barrier and saw that the vast procession of beasts was indeed retreating.
However, the direction of their departure seemed somewhat strange.
A’Ling and Shi Qingqian followed the beasts for a short distance and then flew higher. They discovered that the beasts from all around Longyin Town were converging in one direction, and their advance was towards Mystic Crane Mountain.
A’Ling’s heart sank. These beasts were probably heading to Mystic Crane Mountain. Gu Jiangxue had just said that the ‘demon’ race attacked Mystic Crane Mountain with beasts. These beasts were likely going to support them!
She quickly returned with Shi Qingqian to the Gu family to find Gu Jingyang.
Gu Jiangxue had just finished explaining the specific situation to Gu Jingyang, including that Heng Qingyi and the others had returned to Mystic Crane Mountain and sent word asking them to return for reinforcements.
Gu Jingyang naturally wouldn’t refuse. Gu Jiangxue also planned to go with them. Gu Jingyang had always supported her mother’s decisions, and they could always understand each other’s sense of responsibility.
As Gu Jiangxue and the others exited the room, they happened to see A’Ling and the others returning. Thinking they might have something to say, and needing to inform others, she left first.
Just as A’Ling was about to tell Gu Jingyang what she had seen, a surprised voice from behind interrupted her words.
“A’Ling, A’Ling, is that you, A’Ling!”
Sun Juhao, carrying a basket of freshly boiled sweet potatoes, ran towards her, so happy she forgot to put down what she was holding. Her steps were extremely arduous.
“A’Ling, sniffle, Auntie almost couldn’t see you again.”
Sun Juhao stumbled to A’Ling, intending to hug her, but then realized she was still holding something.
She quickly let go of her things and stepped forward to grasp A’Ling’s arms, carefully examining the person before her.
A’Ling felt the warmth of her aunt’s palms, likely having just come from the kitchen. She was filled with the aroma of sweet potatoes, making one feel sweet and fragrant.
“Auntie,” A’Ling called out with a smile, her voice filled with the same closeness as before.
Sun Juhao’s eyes reddened at the greeting, and she hugged her tightly: “It’s good that you’re back. Auntie thought she’d never see you again. How have you been all these years at Mystic Crane Mountain? Why have you become so thin? Have you seen those beasts? Those wretched things have caused us so much trouble!”
Sun Juhao had a flood of words she wanted to tell A’Ling, a jumble of thoughts, saying whatever came to mind without any order or logic, leaving A’Ling unsure of which question to answer first.
But A’Ling knew that her aunt genuinely cared for her and was worried, which was why she was like this. She hugged her aunt back tightly, feeling a warmth in her heart and tears in her eyes. She didn’t know why, but she felt like crying again.
She now wondered if Shi Qingqian had gotten the Demon Lord’s Tears back. Ever since that item was taken by Shi Qingqian, she had felt like crying from time to time.
Gu Jingyang, who had been looking for an opportunity to speak with Shi Qingqian alone, saw this situation and a thought crossed her mind. She exchanged a look with Shi Qingqian.
Shi Qingqian had moved aside when Sun Juhao walked towards them. Sun Juhao wouldn’t recognize her in her current state, and it wasn’t appropriate for her to reveal her identity here, so she had no intention of joining this reunion.
Seeing Gu Jingyang’s signal, she glanced at A’Ling. Seeing that A’Ling’s eyes were still red as she spoke with Sun Juhao about the past years, it seemed it would take a while to finish. She quietly moved towards Gu Jingyang.
A’Ling naturally noticed the movement beside her. When Sun Juhao asked about Shi Qingqian, she had wanted to say that she was right beside them, but she also knew it wasn’t appropriate to reveal her identity now. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Sun Juhao, but the more people who knew, the greater the risk.
She had initially thought that the news of Shi Qingqian’s ‘demonic possession’ wouldn’t reach the outer disciples so quickly, but she hadn’t expected that even Sun Juhao already knew.
Sun Juhao rubbed her apron, her face filled with sorrow: “A’Ling, do you know the specifics? How could Qingqian have fallen into demonic ways?!”
After being rescued by Gu Jingyang and brought back to the Gu family, she had been helping in the Gu Jiang kitchen. She had heard this news while distributing food during the time when Mystic Crane Mountain cultivators came to assist the Gu family.
A’Ling, for some reason, thought of her previous life after her demonic possession, when she heard in the Demon Realm that Huo Zhen had cut ties with her after learning of her demonic possession. It had been a long time since she had thought of that family.
Now, for some reason, she thought of that family. She wondered what their reaction would be upon hearing that Shi Qingqian had fallen into demonic ways.
If the town hadn’t become the way it was now, and the Er Wu Hui Registry still existed, would Huo Zhen also declare that he had severed ties with Shi Qingqian?
“A’Ling, what’s wrong? You don’t know either?” Sun Juhao asked worriedly, seeing that A’Ling hadn’t replied for a long time and seemed to be lost in thought.
A’Ling brought her thoughts back. She didn’t plan to tell her aunt the reasons, so she bluffed: “I’m not clear on the specifics.”
Sun Juhao looked regretful and sorrowful: “Qingqian, that child, she’s a good child. How could she have fallen into demonic ways?!”
Everyone was saying now that these Mutated Beasts were created by demons, and demons were inhuman. How could a good child like Qingqian have fallen into demonic ways? A’Ling looked at her aunt’s heartbroken and concerned expression and, after a moment’s hesitation, asked: “Auntie, if you were to hear that I had fallen into demonic ways now, would you be this worried?”
A’Ling didn’t know why she still cared about these things. But the human heart is difficult to control with reason, and she couldn’t control this bit of concern in her heart.
Sun Juhao patted her arm forcefully: “What nonsense are you talking about? You absolutely cannot fall into demonic ways. Your heart is purer than Qingqian’s. If you became a demon, you’d likely be bullied to death by those inhuman demons!”
Hearing this, A’Ling couldn’t help but feel a little indignant, and even a hint of pride. In her previous life, after becoming a demon, she advanced smoothly, and no one dared to provoke her. In the end, she even became a Great Demon of the Divine Demon Realm, second only to the Demon Lord.
She couldn’t tell her aunt these things either. She thought, never mind. Besides, these people liked Shi Qingqian, but Shi Qingqian liked her. This little bit of imbalance in her heart was compensated by Shi Qingqian’s concern, even risking her life for her.
Seeing that she wasn’t speaking, her aunt assumed that, like before, A’Ling was angry with Qingqian and quickly tried to speak up for her.
She wasn’t sure what to say for a moment. Rummaging through her memories, she recalled something.
“A’Ling, if you see Qingqian, be sure to persuade her to return to the righteous path. She’s a really good child. When you were injured, I was scared sick, and it was Qingqian who took care of you. For the sake of those past events, if others punish her because of her identity in the future, protect her a little. Her heart is good, she’s not the wicked demon they say she is.”
“Take care of me? What care?” A’Ling asked, confused. When had she ever let Shi Qingqian take care of her?
Seeing that the conversation had reached this point and Qingqian wasn’t present, her aunt decided to tell A’Ling about those past events in detail.
After A’Ling listened, the first thing that came to mind was the chicken soup wontons. She had always thought her aunt had made them, but she never expected it was Shi Qingqian.
So, this person had been good to her for so long.
A’Ling pursed her lips and smiled, her heart feeling a surge of heat.
Seeing A’Ling smile, and quite strangely at that, Sun Juhao wasn’t sure whether to continue.
A’Ling tried her best to straighten her lips, not wanting to startle Sun Juhao. She now desperately wanted to rush into the room where Shi Qingqian and Gu Jingyang had gone, tie them up, and then whip them with the Little Wandering to ask them what else they were hiding from her, to tell her everything at once.
In the room, Shi Qingqian silently pondered Gu Jingyang’s question, unsure how to answer for a moment.
Gu Jingyang, unlike A’Ling, wasn’t as easily convinced by what she said.
Seeing Shi Qingqian’s prolonged silence, Gu Jingyang emphasized and asked again: “Qingqian, why are you so sure that Saint Venerable Dao Rong believed the legend of ‘monsters and demons’?”
Shi Qingqian lowered her eyes. She had seen it with her own eyes, so naturally, she couldn’t tell Gu Jingyang these things.
In Shi Qingqian’s long silence, Gu Jingyang guessed that this was a secret that could not be spoken aloud.
If that were the case, then this must be a fact. She wasn’t insistent on an answer. Seeing Shi Qingqian’s demeanor, this guess could be confirmed.
Saint Venerable Dao Rong did, for some reason, believe this legend.
Following this line of thought, since he already knew Shi Qingqian was one of the ‘monsters,’ and she herself said the Ten Fiend Ghost Soul was with her, then Saint Venerable Dao Rong would clearly come looking for her.
“You want to deal with Saint Venerable Dao Rong alone?” Gu Jingyang asked, though her tone was more like an assertion than a question.
Shi Qingqian remained silent regarding this question.
Gu Jingyang took this as another confirmation. No wonder she returned to the Demon Realm after saying the items were with her. She probably wanted Saint Venerable Dao Rong to find her in the Demon Realm.
“Are you confident you can win against him?” Gu Jingyang continued to press.
This time, Shi Qingqian didn’t take long to consider: “No.”
Gu Jingyang’s question didn’t really need an answer. If they had confidence, why would they be so nervous?
“What about with that legendary divine power? Can you defeat Saint Venerable Dao Rong?” Gu Jingyang’s question was based on the assumption that the legend was true.
Shi Qingqian now had an answer without needing to think: “Yes.”
Very good, Gu Jingyang thought. It was indeed ancient divine power, no wonder Saint Venerable Dao Rong wanted it.
She looked up at Shi Qingqian: “You will die, won’t you?”
Her question was somewhat abrupt, but Shi Qingqian understood its meaning. She knew that since Gu Jingyang asked this, she must have figured out the key.
This was something A’Ling hadn’t thought of. Since there was this divine power, and they already had the items, why hadn’t Shi Qingqian thought of obtaining this divine power? There must be a reason why she couldn’t possess it.
For example, to have this divine power, one must sacrifice their life.
Shi Qingqian closed her eyes tightly. After a long silence, she nodded.
Gu Jingyang was greatly shocked: “Does A’Ling know?” After asking, she negated the question herself. If A’Ling knew, her reaction wouldn’t be like this.
As expected, Shi Qingqian shook her head: “No, don’t tell her.”
Gu Jingyang did not agree with Shi Qingqian’s statement: “You can’t keep everything from her. If something happens in the future… she’ll blame herself.”
How could Shi Qingqian not know…
Things had developed beyond her expectations. Her original plan was to stop everything at her level. She hadn’t expected that A’Ling would see her Nascent Soul injured at Pi Lingyun Valley. She also hadn’t expected that because of this, A’Ling’s attitude towards her would change drastically.
She hadn’t expected A’Ling to kiss her. She hadn’t expected that the hand A’Ling held would be so warm. Even more so, she hadn’t expected that under such warmth, she would be unable to resist revealing these matters.
Perhaps, in essence, she was also just a despicable and selfish person. Drawn by a little warmth, she wanted more. She wanted A’Ling to care about her, to worry about her, and even more, to think of her.
“If that day truly comes, you—”
Before Shi Qingqian could finish speaking, Gu Jingyang interrupted her: “I do not accept any last wishes.”
Her words directly cut off the request Shi Qingqian was about to make.
Gu Jingyang gave her a sidelong glance: “I even somewhat despise such behavior. If there’s anything to say, say it while you’re alive. If there’s anything you want to do, do it before your life ends. Don’t always think about the future, and don’t think others have the obligation to fulfill things you want to do but dare not do.”
After speaking, Gu Jingyang added: “Don’t let me look down on you, and don’t underestimate A’Ling.”
Shi Qingqian stared blankly at Gu Jingyang, speechless for a moment. Just as she seemed to have an epiphany and was about to speak again, with a ‘creak,’ the door opened.
A’Ling entered the dimly lit room along with a ray of light. The light followed the door and illuminated the two figures shrouded in shadow.
“What’s wrong? Why do you look like that?”
A’Ling looked at the two people not far away, who were each silently contemplating with complex expressions on their faces, with surprise.
Seeing A’Ling, Gu Jingyang forced a bright smile: “It’s nothing. Have you finished catching up with Auntie?”
A’Ling raised an eyebrow. Looking at Gu Jingyang’s perfectly normal smile, her suspicion grew even stronger.
She couldn’t find any flaws in Gu Jingyang’s perfect smile, but having spent so much time with Gu Jingyang, A’Ling could discern genuine smiles from those meant to conceal something. She felt it, rather than saw it.
Just like now, she clearly sensed that Gu Jingyang was in a bad mood.
And Shi Qingqian, who remained silent.
Seeing that neither of them intended to explain, A’Ling pretended not to know: “Yes, have you finished talking? I have important matters that can’t be delayed.”
Gu Jingyang nodded and walked ahead: “We’re done. We need to hurry to Mystic Crane Mountain.” She assumed the important matter A’Ling referred to was going to reinforce Mystic Crane Mountain.
A’Ling waved her hand and walked towards Shi Qingqian. Standing beside her, she turned to face Gu Jingyang: “She and I need to return to the Demon Realm first. Don’t worry, we’ll get to Mystic Crane Mountain as soon as possible.”
Gu Jingyang looked confused: “To the Demon Realm?”
Shi Qingqian also turned her head to look at A’Ling, harboring doubts.
A’Ling nodded affirmatively: “Yes, we have to go to the Demon Realm first.”
Gu Jingyang thought it must be for an important reason and asked, “Do you want me to come along?”
A’Ling shook her head: “No, that place isn’t suitable for you. Shi Qingqian and I will go and come back quickly. You go to Mystic Crane Mountain first, stay in contact, and send me a stone mirror projection if anything happens.”
Shi Qingqian also remembered that A’Ling had mentioned going to the Corrupted Corpse Forest in the Demon Realm earlier.
She thought of the Iron Pagoda she had set up and felt a bit uneasy, hoping A’Ling only intended to visit the Corrupted Corpse Forest.
Hearing A’Ling say this, and with Shi Qingqian accompanying her, Gu Jingyang had nothing to worry about. The three parted ways. She left first to find Gu Jiangxue and also needed to inform Lan Fushang.
After Gu Jingyang left, A’Ling reached out and put her arm around Shi Qingqian’s neck, hanging onto her. She then blew lightly into her ear and said softly, “Let’s go.”
Shi Qingqian felt as if a small worm had burrowed into her ear, then slithered down into her heart, wriggling wantonly, making her heart tingle and itch.
She lowered her head to look at the person causing trouble without realizing it. The person was slightly tilting her head, her eyes shining with a mischievous glint. Seeing Shi Qingqian looking over, she even blew lightly on her eyelashes.
“Still not going?”
Shi Qingqian’s eyelashes trembled. As she embraced the person and stepped into the void, she finally remembered to ask: “Where?”
A’Ling wasn’t joking. She really had important matters to attend to. She planned to tie up the person who was clearly hiding something from her and give her a whipping after she finished her important business.
She would temporarily keep this in mind.
“To the Corrupted Corpse Forest.”