"My lord, I swear on my soul, I wouldn't dare hide a single thing!"
Protector Wu knelt on the ground, his heart heavy with despair.
Not long ago, he had mocked Yun Shan, scheming to seize control of the entire Yun Lan Sect and plotting against the Xiao Clan and Yao Chen.
Who could've imagined that one moment he was in paradise, and the next, plunged into hell?
His plans hadn't even begun to take shape when someone obliterated his physical body, leaving only his soul form behind.
"Alright, since you've been cooperative and sensible," Yun Xian said, "I'll allow you to dissolve yourself peacefully."
Yun Xian didn't consider himself a bloodthirsty man.
"What?!"
Protector Wu's heart leaped at Yun Xian's first words, thinking he might be spared. Once I escape, I'll find a way to make him pay dearly!
But the second half of the sentence—ordering him to end his own existence—shattered that hope. You call this mercy?
"If you dissolve yourself, you might still have a chance to enter the cycle of reincarnation," Yun Xian continued. "But if your soul is destroyed, you'll be utterly erased, gone forever."
Yun Xian spoke as if granting a great act of compassion.
In the Dou Qi Continent, reincarnation was merely a legend, its truth unproven. Protector Wu clearly wasn't willing to bet on such a fleeting myth. Seeing no mercy in Yun Xian's eyes, his despair twisted into a ferocious snarl.
"You've gone too far!"
"Even if I die, I'll make you pay a heavy price!"
Protector Wu's hands rapidly formed a series of intricate, eerie seals. A piercing shout tore through the sky: "Nine Forests Devouring Soul!"
As his cry faded, a sinister black mist erupted from his body, enveloping his soul form entirely. Soon, bone-chilling chewing sounds emanated from within the mist.
With a final "Jie jie jie!" cackle, the black mist swelled rapidly, infused with the explosive energy of a Four-Star Dou Zong's soul. Its power was enough to level the entire Yun Lan Sect!
"Hm?"
___
In the grand hall of Yun Lan Sect, Yun Yun, who was handling sect affairs, suddenly sensed something. Her gaze darted toward a distant direction, her eyes flickering with a faint azure glow before returning to calm. Was that… just my imagination?
___
Elsewhere, Yun Xian unleashed his soul force, conjuring a massive hand that effortlessly suppressed the expanding black mist. He confined it to a tiny space, compressing it further and further until the energy from Protector Wu's self-destruction was reduced to the size of a fingernail.
"Junior Martial Uncle? What are you doing out here alone?"
Xiao Yi Xian approached, carrying a basket of herbs. Even after joining Yun Lan Sect, she hadn't abandoned her old trade of gathering medicinal plants.
"Oh, nothing much. Just took down a Dou Zong," Yun Xian said casually, his words anything but ordinary.
"What?"
Xiao Yi Xian froze, her face a picture of bewilderment. Did I hear that right?
"Jie jie jie~ Meeting like this must be fate. Let's have a meal together."
Yun Xian had already neutralized the energy from Protector Wu's explosion, leaving only a faint wisp of soul fire, fragile as a candle's flame.
Snap!
With a flick of his fingers, Yun Xian tossed the soul fire onto a pile of firewood at his feet.
Who could've imagined that Protector Wu, a major antagonist in the original story, capable of capturing Yao Lao, tormenting Xiao Yan, and boasting a record unmatched even by the Soul Hall's leader, would meet such an end—reduced to kindling for Yun Xian's campfire?
"Your laugh is… quite unique, Junior Martial Uncle," Xiao Yi Xian said, her eyes glinting with curiosity as she chose her words carefully.
"Like it? Then I'll laugh some more. Jie jie jie~"
"…"
Xiao Yi Xian rolled her eyes helplessly before crouching down. She rolled up her sleeves and skillfully set up a pot, plates, and utensils. From her basket, she selected edible herbs and tossed them into the pot. In no time, a refreshing aroma infused with the scent of medicinal herbs filled the air. Yun Xian, meanwhile, retrieved some Purple Crystal Winged Lion meat from his storage ring.
"Oh! It's that beast meat from before!"
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes sparkled. She hadn't forgotten the mysterious, mouthwatering beast meat they'd eaten back in Qingshan Town. It was delicious beyond words!
"Look at you, practically drooling," Yun Xian teased. "Stick with your Junior Martial Uncle, and I'll make sure you eat well and live better!"
He reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately.
"Yes, yes, Junior Martial Uncle~"
Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't shy away from his touch. She lowered her head, focusing on preparing the ingredients.
Sitting on a nearby rock, Yun Xian watched Xiao Yi Xian as she worked, humming a cheerful tune through her delicate nose. A faint smile tugged at his lips. In terms of cooking, she's truly a clever and talented girl. She'd make a perfect wife!
He couldn't help but think of the original story, where Xiao Yan inexplicably failed to marry Xiao Yi Xian—a regret shared by countless readers. To make up for that, I'll take responsibility myself!
"All done. Time to eat!"
Xiao Yi Xian glanced at the simmering pot, her jade-like hand reaching for a small bowl. She ladled out a serving of meat broth and carefully handed it to Yun Xian.
"Mmm, looks delicious already."
Yun Xian took the bowl, inhaling the rich aroma. His appetite roared to life, and he gave Xiao Yi Xian a thumbs-up before digging in eagerly.
Watching Yun Xian devour the broth without hesitation, Xiao Yi Xian's face lit up with a heartwarming smile. She cherished his unconditional trust in her.
The Calamity Poison Body was a terrifying existence in the Dou Qi Continent, feared even by Xiao Yi Xian herself. After all, who would dare approach someone who could unleash deadly toxins with a mere gesture, let alone eat food she prepared?
"If Junior Martial Uncle likes it, I can cook for you every day," she said softly.
Realizing her words carried a hint of ambiguity, her face flushed crimson, and she waved her hands frantically. "I-I didn't mean it like that! I just meant—"
"You like me," Yun Xian interrupted, his eyes gleaming with understanding. He wasn't some oblivious light novel protagonist—he could sense the budding affection in her heart.
"N-no, I don't…"
Xiao Yi Xian's face burned with embarrassment as she stammered a denial.
"No need to be shy, Xiao Yi Xian," Yun Xian said warmly. "Love between a man and a woman is the most natural thing in the world. Besides, I'm handsome, gentle, and considerate. It's only logical that girls would fall for me."
He nodded matter-of-factly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead with a flourish.
"Ugh, such a vain Junior Martial Uncle!"
Xiao Yi Xian wrinkled her nose, then burst into laughter, her earlier embarrassment melting away.
"They say girls who love to laugh have the best luck," Yun Xian said, handing her his empty bowl for a refill.
"Meeting you, Junior Martial Uncle, is the greatest luck of my life," Xiao Yi Xian replied, her smile radiant as she took the bowl and filled it to the brim.
"With luck like that, shouldn't you pledge yourself to me?"
"No way… Senior Sister Yanran would get jealous!"
"No worries. I'll keep things balanced."
"Huh?"
____
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