The Young Lady Only Wants to Cultivate Immortality Chapter 91

A’Ling didn’t know how long she had been climbing. Finally, she reached a slightly flatter spot and stopped, her legs feeling as heavy as if she were carrying eighty pounds of sandbags. She tilted her head up to look.
Squinting, she gathered the Feng Yuan Bone Staff in one hand. The other hand, free from the burden, forcefully wiped away the sweat seeping into the corner of her eye, fanning her flushed cheek.
After a while of squinting, a hint of joy began to appear in her tired eyes.
This is great! That faint flickering light above… if I’m not mistaken, it should be the light of the Heaven’s Gate Suppressing Evil Barrier. She could finally see the way out.
It felt like finding the exit after wandering aimlessly in the wilderness.
Even though it was still far, having a direction and a goal calmed her heart.
A’Ling’s long-held anxiety eased slightly. She smiled, tossed the Feng Yuan Bone Staff onto the ground, and took out a mat from her Universe pouch to spread on the ground.
She slowly crouched down and carefully placed Shi Qingqian, who was on her back, onto the mat.
Once Shi Qingqian was settled, A’Ling, exhausted, fell back beside her.
“I really owe you,” A’Ling gasped, her breath ragged.
While carrying Shi Qingqian up the mountain earlier, A’Ling recalled how Xing Yanchu, that wretched scoundrel, had used her as an excuse to discipline Shi Qingqian after she was reborn.
She had gone to the Demon Mountain to watch a play. When she saw Xing Yanchu disciplining Shi Qingqian, she felt a surge of satisfaction. If it weren’t for the trouble it might cause, she truly wouldn’t have wanted to get involved with Shi Qingqian.
Unexpectedly, getting involved had led to a huge loss.
Thinking about what happened afterward – Shi Qingqian’s false accusations and Huo Zhen’s reprimand – A’Ling felt as if it had happened not long ago, yet it also felt incredibly distant.
It was mainly because of Shi Qingqian; the difference between then and now was too great.
Actually, A’Ling knew that Shi Qingqian had likely hoped she would suffer a minor lesson then, and not provoke her again in the future.
She never expected things to have such serious consequences.
A’Ling still remembered the feeling of crawling on the street with a broken leg. At that time, she desperately told herself that she had to live, absolutely must not die, and had to live well, to see those who harmed her suffer a terrible fate.
A’Ling closed her eyes tightly. Even now, thinking about the past made her feel a pang of sadness for her once small and pitiful self.
She turned to look at the Feng Yuan Bone Staff. She had bought it from a clinic in the east of the city after her leg was broken, specifically so she wouldn’t need anyone’s help to stand up.
A’Ling remembered that after that incident, she had sworn countless times in her heart that she would make Shi Qingqian experience such pain one day.
She had also warned herself not to be soft-hearted again, even if Shi Qingqian died before her eyes.
Looking at the Feng Yuan Bone Staff lying there quietly, A’Ling let out a sigh. She had kept this thing to remind herself of the losses and injuries she had suffered. Now, it was amusing. A’Ling suddenly laughed.
I’ve been proven wrong.
A’Ling pursed her lips, withdrew her gaze, and turned to the other side.
Looking at the person lying beside her, A’Ling furrowed her brow and directly moved Shi Qingqian’s head so that she was facing her.
As she moved, a stray strand of hair from Shi Qingqian’s forehead slid down, obscuring part of her face.
A’Ling reached out and gently tucked the strand of hair behind Shi Qingqian’s ear.
When her burning fingers touched Shi Qingqian’s slightly cool earlobe, A’Ling felt a comfortable coolness on her hot, itchy fingers.
She gently pinched Shi Qingqian’s earlobe. The coolness from her fingertips brought a sense of relief to A’Ling’s heart.
“I’m all heated because I’m carrying you, so you should give me some coolness. It’s only right.”
A’Ling smiled and extended her other hand, pinching Shi Qingqian’s earlobe with both hands, as if it were a fun game.
Shi Qingqian’s earlobe was very different from A’Ling’s. It was narrow and thin, just like her person, appearing somewhat cold and aloof.
A’Ling released the earlobe, which had turned slightly red from her pinching. In the human world, she had heard that people with thin earlobes were often heartless.
Not only that, but they also said that people with thin lips were also very unfeeling.
A’Ling’s hand gradually moved down, tapping Shi Qingqian’s pale pink, thin lips. This person is good, she has both.
If it were in the past, A’Ling would have certainly said that there was some truth to physiognomy.
But now, looking at Shi Qingqian, whose face was still pale and whose brows were furrowed even in her unconscious state, she felt that the saying wasn’t entirely accurate.
At least Shi Qingqian wasn’t heartless. Her gaze drifted down, and she saw the shallow and deep scars on Shi Qingqian’s body. If she were heartless, how could she have gotten herself into such a state to save her?
This was nothing like the aloof, moon-like immortal maiden she usually appeared as.
A’Ling sighed heavily and reached out to stroke Shi Qingqian’s brow, trying to smooth out her furrowed brow. She tried several times, but it was unsuccessful.
She didn’t know what Shi Qingqian was thinking about in her unconscious state, or perhaps it was the pain from her injuries that was unbearable.
A’Ling’s palm lightly touched Shi Qingqian’s cheek. She leaned closer, getting even nearer.
Close enough to feel Shi Qingqian’s faint breath.
A’Ling gazed at Shi Qingqian’s closed eyes. It was the first time she noticed how long her eyelashes were. When her eyes were closed, they cast a shadow beneath them.
She also noticed that Shi Qingqian’s nose had a beautiful curve.
After warming Shi Qingqian’s cheek with her hand, A’Ling gently closed her palm, pushing Shi Qingqian’s cheeks towards the center, towards her nose.
What would look rather comical and absurd on anyone else’s face actually looked beautiful on Shi Qingqian.
A’Ling looked at the slightly pouting lips that her actions had created and her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She quickly released her hand, flustered, and averted her gaze.
For a moment, her gaze felt like it was burning wherever it landed. A’Ling searched for something to focus on, finally settling on the red mole near Shi Qingqian’s eye. She pressed her hand over it. “Haha, this mole is nice, not too big, not too small, not too high, not too low, haha.”
She laughed nervously, rambling about things that even she found nonsensical, trying to ease the awkwardness but only making it worse.
Moreover, even though Shi Qingqian was still unconscious, she still dared not look at her.
The surroundings became strangely silent. The wind was gone, the rustling of leaves had ceased, and even the mournful wailing from the depths of the valley seemed to have been silenced at this moment.
In the sudden quiet, A’Ling heard a series of thumping sounds.
They grew more frequent and louder, more impassioned and impossible to ignore than the drumbeats of dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival.
What’s happening?
A’Ling firmly covered her chest. Why is my heart beating so fast, so wildly, as if it’s about to leap out of my chest at any moment?
A’Ling sat bolt upright, her hand over her chest as she took deep breaths.
This feeling was too strange. In her two lifetimes, this was the first time A’Ling had felt such palpitations, but it wasn’t from fear. A subtle emotion seemed to be pushing its way out through this sudden agitation.
She turned to look at Shi Qingqian, who showed no signs of waking. A’Ling let out a quiet sigh of relief. Fortunately, she didn’t see my gaffe.
A’Ling patted her cheeks forcefully, trying to stop herself from thinking further. The priority was to get out quickly. Shi Qingqian’s Nascent Soul had returned to her body, but she hadn’t woken up for so long. A’Ling worried that her injuries were too severe.
She had to hurry back to find Apothecary Mu Ling.
In the Cloud Falcon Forbidden Zone of Mystic Crane Mountain, Apothecary Mu Ling was nailed tightly to the Demon Subduing Pillar by the Soul-locking demon-subduing nails.
“Speak! What is your intention in concealing your demon identity and lurking in Mystic Crane Mountain?”
The Sword Cultivator Elder, responsible for the interrogation, hammered another Demon Subduing Nail into Apothecary Mu Ling’s shoulder blade. Seeing that she only let out a stifled groan of pain before falling silent again, she irritably circulated her spiritual energy, forcibly twisting the Demon Subduing Nail within Apothecary Mu Ling’s body, tearing at her flesh and blood.
“Ah!”
A piercing cry echoed throughout the Cloud Falcon Forbidden Zone.
Apothecary Mu Ling gasped for breath and looked up at the person interrogating her. She remembered this person. In the past, she had been injured by a demonic beast and had healed her spinal injury.
She had already told them everything. She had only concealed her demon identity and entered Mystic Crane Mountain because she wished to cultivate the medical path. For the past century, she had never done anything to harm Mystic Crane Mountain.
The demon attack this time was also unrelated to her.
However, the person before her completely disbelieved her, insisting that demons were insidious, cunning, and malicious.
Apothecary Mu Ling knew that nothing she said now would be useful. She could only pray in her heart that her Lord would not be discovered.
And also that Saint Venerable Dao Rong. He was not as she had heard. If he were truly compassionate, why would he have detected her demonic energy with a single move and then paid no further attention? In that situation, what would happen to a demon who had been exposed, and how could he not know?
It was as if he had done it intentionally. Intentionally, after the demons attacked, he wanted the people of Mystic Crane Mountain to know that there was a demon within the inner sect.
He wanted everyone’s anger to be directed towards the demons.
It seemed unlikely that it was just to target her. What was she in Mystic Crane Mountain? After much thought, Apothecary Mu Ling concluded that only her Lord would be considered by Saint Venerable Dao Rong.
She had also heard recently that her Lord had entered the Pi Lingyun Valley with A’Ling.
Now, she could only hope that both of them would notice something was wrong and not return to their deaths.
She had seen Saint Venerable Dao Rong’s strength. Her Lord’s current strength had no chance of winning.
Above Qiongdian Peak, Saint Venerable Dao Rong was in high spirits.
Even the skeleton arm, which made his heart fill with hatred every time he looked at it, didn’t seem as bizarre and disgusting anymore.
Shan Xinci, with red eyes, was about to examine the injuries on Saint Venerable Dao Rong’s arm, but he refused.
“No need. The injuries are not serious, and there’s no need to worry about this flesh and blood growing back. It’s merely some flesh and blood; it’s enough to protect Mystic Crane Mountain.”
Saint Venerable Dao Rong’s expression was calm, his tone indifferent, as if he truly didn’t care that his arm had become so ghastly.
Shan Xinci felt even more distressed. She “plop”ped onto the ground and reflected on her mistakes.
“I’m sorry, Saint Venerable. I don’t know why, but I can no longer control those mutated beasts.”
Shan Xinci looked panicked. Saint Venerable Dao Rong had entrusted her alone with the matter of the mutated demonic beasts.
Clearly, before, she could control these mutated beasts, but today, these creatures obeyed the demons and were completely beyond her control.
What could be done? Shan Xinci was in a state of alarm. She hadn’t had a chance to examine the mutated beasts that hadn’t been released yet. If they were also out of control, then Mystic Crane Mountain would truly be in danger.
Saint Venerable Dao Rong saw Shan Xinci’s panicked expression on the ground and inwardly sneered, calling her useless.
However, his expression remained unchanged, and he spoke to comfort her. “It’s alright. While the mutated demonic beasts’ abilities have improved, their lifespans have significantly shortened. If they are truly out of control, just wait for their lifespans to be exhausted, and the problem will be solved.”
Shan Xinci’s eyes lit up. That was right. These things were originally created by them. As long as they didn’t create new ones, these existing mutated beasts would only live for at most two to three years before their lifespans were exhausted.
Moreover, due to artificial mutation, they couldn’t even reproduce new life.
Once the existing ones died, it would be over.
As for the existing ones, as long as this month passed and the Crane Gate was sealed, the mutated beasts wouldn’t be able to enter. At most, they could only cause harm outside.
After five years, when all the mutated beasts had died, they would still be safe.
“Saint Venerable is wise.” Shan Xinci’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she spoke from the bottom of her heart.
Saint Venerable Dao Rong’s expression remained calm, as if no matter what was said about the outside world, he was unfazed by praise or criticism, in complete control.
“Keep an eye on the Pi Lingyun Valley. Bring them back as soon as they come out.”
After giving his instructions, Saint Venerable Dao Rong waved for Shan Xinci to withdraw. He propped his head with one hand and casually waved a surge of spiritual energy to light up the Jiaoying Mirror.
He looked at the people surrounding the Pi Lingyun Valley and pinched his brow.
This time, they are a bit slow to come out.
What a pity, I can’t see the scene at the bottom of the valley. Otherwise, I could have taken another look at my good disciple from before.
A’Ling and Shi Qingqian saw the Ten Fiend Ghost Soul, and it was my good disciple, Jin Zhuyue, wasn’t it? Aren’t you surprised? Saint Venerable Dao Rong slightly curved his lips, revealing a cold smile.
His good disciple. The first time he saw her, he had felt a strange feeling, sensing that she was very different.
This difference wasn’t just her special personality, her way of handling affairs, or her astonishing talent.
At that time, Dao Rong couldn’t articulate what that specialness was.
He hadn’t expected his intuition to be so accurate. It was just a pity. If he had known she was a divine maiden undergoing tribulation back then, he wouldn’t have just asked for one of her golden cores.
What a pity, he discovered it too late. By the time he knew, Jin Zhuyue had already been refined into the Ten Fiend Ghost Soul long ago.
Speaking of which, he had to thank his good daughter. If it weren’t for her face looking exactly the same as Jin Zhuyue, he wouldn’t have guessed this.
It was also the fault of Shi Yu, that demon of the Demon Path. When they were together, she never revealed her true appearance. Of course, Dao Rong also used a false identity and a false face.
Dao Rong had originally thought the legends of ‘demons, monsters, ghosts, and spirits’ were just legends. He had tried it out of sheer boredom. When he failed, he had mocked himself for believing these baseless legends due to growing inner demons over thousands of years.
But he never expected that it was true. The moment he saw Shi Qingqian succeed, all his blood rushed to his eyes. He couldn’t believe it. Even though he knew he might die at that moment, he couldn’t help but feel ecstatic.
It’s all true!
Dao Rong excitedly watched the Pi Lingyun Valley in the mirror, his eyes gleaming. Once A’Ling came out with the Ten Fiend Ghost Soul, everything would be complete.
This time, he wanted to see who could stop him!
In the Warm Tower Cave Abode of Mystic Crane Mountain, Gu Jingyang pleaded with Heng Qingyi to intercede with the Peak Master.
“As for Apothecary Mu Ling’s character, one can find out by inquiring slightly within Mystic Crane Mountain. In the past century, has she ever done anything to harm her fellow disciples? On the contrary, over the years, she has been saving fellow disciples whom the medical cultivators in the Cave Abodes were unwilling to treat, and she has never asked for anything in return. How can we, just because she is a demon, affirm that she has ulterior motives without distinguishing right from wrong!”
Heng Qingyi really didn’t want to hear this, but Gu Jingyang insisted. “What you’re saying is useless to me. You’re not unaware of the current situation. The demons have just attacked, and Mystic Crane Mountain is filled with deep hatred for demons. If I go to speak now, I’ll inevitably be mistaken for a fellow demon.”
Gu Jingyang naturally knew this, but she couldn’t do nothing, watching Apothecary Mu Ling be executed.
She also never expected that the punishment this time would be so severe.
Heng Qingyi sighed. “Stop getting involved in these matters. And regarding A’Ling, you should also keep your distance and not get implicated.”
Gu Jingyang’s brow furrowed, and she said firmly, “A’Ling is not a spy from the Demon Realm. I can guarantee it with my life!”
Seeing that Gu Jingyang was unyielding, Heng Qingyi no longer wanted to say more. The Cave Abode was severely damaged by the attacks of mutated beasts and demons. The Cave Abode was currently tallying casualties, and she had many things to be busy with.
She ascended on her sword and did not linger, heading to Spring Water Peak to report the situation of their Warm Tower Cave Abode to Jiang Qiuchun.
Gu Jingyang’s plea was unsuccessful, and she couldn’t enter the Cloud Falcon Forbidden Zone to see Apothecary Mu Ling. She had a feeling that Apothecary Mu Ling knew something about Shi Qingqian or A’Ling’s situation.
In the secret chamber of Mount Zhuoling, A’Ling had told her that Shi Qingqian could change her form, could recover from her demonic state to normal, and that it would be undetectable.
Since Apothecary Mu Ling was also a demon, she might be the same.
She hurried back to the Cave Abode to send a message to Lan Fushang, asking her to flee immediately if she saw A’Ling and the others, and not to return.
Lan Fushang received the Phoenix Feather’s message and was about to listen to what Gu Jingyang had to say when a group of people suddenly appeared and snatched the Phoenix Feather from her hand.
Zhou Li was sent by Gong Shuangyu to monitor this place. Upon seeing Lan Fushang arrive, he immediately notified Gong Shuangyu.
Gong Shuangyu had instructed him to keep an eye on Lan Fushang. If anyone tried to tip her off, he was to report it immediately.
He had been secretly monitoring her. When he saw her Phoenix Feather light up just now, he immediately ordered people to tie up Lan Fushang.
“What are you doing? Give me my stuff back!”
Lan Fushang struggled desperately, trying to snatch the Phoenix Feather from Zhou Li’s hand.
But Zhou Li was faster. He directly summoned his Dharma artifact, the Frost Tendon Severing Whip, to bind Lan Fushang, and then applied a immobilization talisman and a silencing spell.
After ensuring Lan Fushang was immobilized, he began to read the message.
“Lan Fushang, listen to me. If you see A’Ling and the others come out, you must tell them to run quickly and not return to the Cave Abode. I’ll be there soon. Remember, if you see them, you must tell them to escape Mystic Crane Mountain first!”
After hearing this, Zhou Li snorted. As expected, it’s a tip-off.
“So A’Ling really is problematic. You two are probably accomplices as well. What audaciousness! You, quickly, take her back to the Cave Abode and hand her over for disposition.”
Zhou Li directly ordered two disciples to escort the bound Lan Fushang back to the Cave Abode. He also quickly sent a message about this matter to Gong Shuangyu.
Upon receiving the information, Gong Shuangyu went directly to report to the Alchemy Peak Master—Venerable Huanzhou, Jiang Qiuchun.
Gu Jingyang was from their alchemy branch, so she should be the one to handle it.
“If Venerable Huanzhou finds it difficult, I can also report to Venerable Cai Yun, and our sword cultivators can handle this matter.”
Heng Qingyi had originally come to report the casualties in the Cave Abode to Jiang Qiuchun. This matter was only halfway through when Gong Shuangyu arrived and said that Gu Jingyang was in league with A’Ling. The people they had stationed at the Pi Lingyun Valley had successfully captured the insider, Lan Fushang, who was planning to tip off A’Ling.
It was said that Gu Jingyang had sent a Phoenix Feather to Lan Fushang, asking her to warn A’Ling to escape when she appeared.
A hint of annoyance flashed in Heng Qingyi’s eyes. She should have sent people to keep an eye on Gu Jingyang earlier. Now, it was truly troublesome.
If it was later proven that A’Ling was a demon, then Gu Jingyang would also be finished.
She quickly bowed to Jiang Qiuchun. “Peak Master, I believe there might be a misunderstanding. You know Jingyang; she’s usually just a chatterbox. This time, she probably just couldn’t control her mouth. It’s hardly at the point of being a demon accomplice.”
Jiang Qiuchun nodded. She also believed that Gu Jingyang would not be a demon accomplice.
However, regarding A’Ling, was she really a demon?
If she was indeed a demon, then Gu Jingyang, who was with her every day, would certainly arouse suspicion.
The person still needed to be kept in their custody. Jiang Qiuchun gave Heng Qingyi a meaningful look.
Heng Qingyi immediately understood.
She continued, “It is also my fault for not disciplining my disciples properly. I will return now to handle this matter and temporarily detain Gu Jingyang in the Heavenly Illusion Water Prison. She will not be released until this matter is clarified.”
Gong Shuangyu left with satisfaction. She also knew that accusing Gu Jingyang of being a demon accomplice was a bit far-fetched. She also had a powerful mother, so it wasn’t easy to deal with her casually. Her visit was originally just to have the Alchemy Cave Abode lock up Gu Jingyang.
This way, when A’Ling and the others emerged from the Pi Lingyun Valley, they would have one fewer helper.
Gu Jingyang waited for a while, but she didn’t receive a reply from Lan Fushang. She first helped the Cave Abode arrange personnel to deal with the mutated beasts outside the outer sect and then sent a message to her mother. After that, she set off for the Pi Lingyun Valley.
However, as soon as she left Mount Warm Tower, she was tricked back by Heng Qingyi.
Heng Qingyi knew that forcibly stopping Gu Jingyang would inevitably lead to a fight. So, she simply told a lie, saying that the sword cultivators couldn’t get any information from Apothecary Mu Ling, so they handed her over to the alchemy cultivators.
Gu Jingyang had clearly been very concerned about this person just now. Sure enough, upon hearing that she had been transferred to their Heavenly Illusion Water Prison, Gu Jingyang immediately rushed over.
Heng Qingyi took advantage of her unpreparedness and bound her, locking her up.
When Gu Jingyang saw that the Heavenly Illusion Water Prison was empty, she knew she had fallen into a trap. But it was too late. To bind her, Heng Qingyi had even used the [Azure Flame Immortal Binding Chain].
Her spiritual energy was immediately sealed.
Gu Jingyang anxiously asked, “Venerable, why is this?”
Heng Qingyi sighed. “It’s for your own good. Your act of sending a message to Lan Fushang has already been caught by the sword cultivators. Lan Fushang is also being sent back to the Cave Abode. You two should just stay in prison properly.”
“As for what happens next…”
Heng Qingyi paused, her words left unsaid. Everything depended on A’Ling now.
If she was truly a demon spy, then Gu Jingyang and the others would inevitably face some punishment.
In the Pi Lingyun Valley, A’Ling finally saw the exit that was close at hand. She turned her head to look at the still unconscious Shi Qingqian behind her.
“We’re here. I’m so tired.”
“In the future, you’ll have to carry me back like this too. Look how high this mountain is, and look how heavy you are. Anyone else would have abandoned you halfway up the mountain.”
“Only I would carry you without complaint.”
“Speaking of which, last time it was also me who carried you down from Demon Mountain, and then you turned around and falsely accused me of harming you.”
“This time I carried you from the bottom of the valley up the mountain. You can’t harm me again, can you?”
A’Ling found it truly astonishing how unpredictable life was. She was carrying Shi Qingqian again, just like before. She had sworn all sorts of curses in the past, vowing never to bother with Shi Qingqian again if such a situation arose.
She had been thoroughly proven wrong, and she had proven herself wrong.
But it wasn’t her fault. It was all because of the person behind her who said nothing.
If Shi Qingqian had just opened her mouth instead of just using it for eating in her previous life, and said a few more words, their misunderstanding wouldn’t have been so deep.
Especially the fact that Shi Qingqian was the ugly dog. At that time, because of this, she had truly hated Shi Qingqian.
She felt that she was deliberately stealing everything from her.
A’Ling leaned on the Feng Yuan Bone Staff for a final rest. Thinking about this, she couldn’t help but laugh. She found the whole thing miraculous now.
She wondered what would have happened if Shi Qingqian had told her the truth in her previous life.
Thinking of Shi Qingqian saying with a straight face, ‘I am the ugly dog,’ A’Ling seriously analyzed how her past self would have reacted.
Would she have believed it?
A’Ling thought for a moment and shook her head. It’s too ridiculous. How could I have believed it? I would have just wanted to pry open her skull to see if her brain had been scalded by boiling water to say such crazy things.
After laughing enough, she continued to lean on the Feng Yuan Bone Staff and passed through the cave entrance, as tall as a person, at the mountaintop. She emerged from the Pi Lingyun Valley and saw that it seemed like many people were gathered at the bottom of the valley.
A’Ling thought, Great, there are people here. I don’t have to carry someone down the mountain anymore.
She placed Shi Qingqian on the ground, leaning against her. She retracted the Nine Heavens Immortal Binding Net and tidied Shi Qingqian’s slightly askew and wrinkled clothes.
Looking at the still unconscious person, A’Ling hesitated for a few breaths before crouching down beside her and gently placing her hand on Shi Qingqian’s pale cheek.
“I said I would bring you out, and I did. When we return to the Cave Abode, I’ll find Apothecary Mu Ling to examine you. You should wake up soon.”
“When you wake up, I have something to tell you.”
After understanding her own feelings, A’Ling seriously considered Shi Qingqian’s words about forming a bond and becoming Dao companions in the past.
“I hope you won’t be too surprised when you hear it.”
A’Ling pursed her lips and smiled. Her fingers, resting on Shi Qingqian’s cheek, playfully tapped it.
After withdrawing her hand, A’Ling stood up and waved enthusiastically at the people below the mountain, shouting.
“I’m here!”