Compared to the last time in Rapids Valley when she was repeatedly mocked by Yin Changli, Luo Yunxiu’s resistance had improved. Covering her lips with her long sleeve, she smiled coquettishly: “Senior is truly witty and humorous.”

Liu Yixing was truly impressed by this lovesick woman. Descending from mid-air, he revealed himself, smiling and cupping his hands toward Xiang Haikui: “Brother Changli, it’s been a thousand years. Have you been well?”

With his long flowing hair and formal attire, he had quite the immortal bearing.

Xiang Haikui didn’t recognize this person, but Tian Kuang’s vibration frequency accelerated, indicating his cultivation level was even higher than Luo Yunxiu’s.

He couldn’t possibly be the King of the Underworld, so he must be one of the Twelve Palace Masters of Bi’an City, a former colleague of her boss.

But could someone explain why they were mistaking her for her boss?

Xiang Haikui had a confused expression: “What exactly are you talking about?”

“Brother Changli, there’s no escaping today.” Liu Yixing pointed at the three small monsters circling Xiang Haikui.

“These are what I mentioned last time, the weapons that the Lord has spent a thousand years developing specifically to deal with you.” When she said this, Luo Yunxiu felt a bit embarrassed.

Liu Yixing: “Even if you abandon your physical body and possess this young female cultivator, they can still track you.”

Luo Yunxiu: “I advise you to voluntarily leave this physical body and return with us to Bi’an City. Otherwise, letting them absorb you into their bellies would be too demeaning for you.”

Her advice was sincere.

Although Yin Changli had humiliated her before and even kicked her in the face, being bullied by a powerful senior was nothing to be ashamed of.

After her initial anger, she had even developed a sense of admiration.

Ugh, thinking about such a wonderful senior being absorbed by these ugly drooling monsters made her feel sick.

As Xiang Haikui listened to their back-and-forth dialogue, and with the three small monsters constantly trying to attack the jar behind her, a terrifying thought suddenly occurred to her.

The little black snake in the jar…

Dao Chen wanted to feed the little black snake to the Shen Yao…

Dao Chen ran away in terror after being stabbed…

The little black snake self-froze…

After Dao Chen returned, he seemed to be possessed by her boss’s split soul…

My goodness! Xiang Haikui was dumbfounded; her legs went weak, and she nearly slid down the wall to the ground.

It wasn’t her boss’s split soul that possessed Dao Chen, it was her boss himself!

So her boss was a black snake demon.

And what had she done?

She had scraped the scales off her severely injured, dying boss, salted him, and even chopped him in two with a cleaver!

She was dead, dead, dead.

Xiang Haikui, you’re going to die!

As she faltered, Tian Kuang, which had been glowing like a fluorescent tube, seemed to have its power cut off, falling into silence, becoming as lifeless as a dried fish.

Without the sword light’s illumination, it was as if a black cloth covered her vision, and Xiang Haikui could no longer see the three small monsters.

This wouldn’t do. Xiang Haikui broke out in a cold sweat. From what they were saying, the small monsters would absorb souls.

Her own life was in danger, and if they discovered the truth, they would take away the little black snake and target her real boss.

She needed to act bold now, but how?

“Yes, that’s right. Even if I’ve changed shells, my name and identity remain the same—I am indeed Yin Changli!” She proclaimed with overwhelming confidence, fully admitting it.

Humm…

Tian Kuang suddenly regained its radiance, and the light was even more intense.

Xiang Haikui: …

When confronting the two Underworld bigwigs, her boldness increased in an orderly fashion.

Just mentioning her boss made the progress bar shoot up straight.

Yin Changli brand ultra-fast power bank—truly unforgettable once used.

Under the surging sword light, the small monsters that were about to pounce were blasted away.

Xiang Haikui saw one of them, hit by the sword energy, fly to the entrance of the Buddhist cave, then get repelled a second time.

Oh! No wonder they only surrounded her after she walked out the door. These Underworld creatures feared Buddhist light and mental force, unable to enter the Buddhist cave!

Xiang Haikui was very close to the entrance and naturally seized the opportunity to rush back into the Buddhist cave.

Either Liu Yixing or Luo Yunxiu could have stopped her with a casual move, but neither of them acted.

Earlier, when Xiang Haikui didn’t admit it, Liu Yixing thought she was acting. Now that she had admitted it, he was instead less convinced. Joke aside, this impetuous manner didn’t resemble Brother Changli in the slightest.

Luo Yunxiu’s attention was drawn to the Tian Kuang sword: “I remember now, I’ve seen this female cultivator before…”

She explained what she knew.

Liu Yixing’s doubts were dispelled.

The evidence was irrefutable. So Yin Changli had prepared a physical body for himself early on, making full preparations for possession.

His current form was meant to mislead them.

“Brother Changli, hiding is useless.” Liu Yixing, calm and unhurried, folded his hands and smiled, “We’re just temporarily uncomfortable with the Buddhist light. After a couple of days of adaptation, we’ll have nothing to fear.”

Xiang Haikui sheathed her sword and hurried inside with her head down.

She needed to rush back to the room quickly.

After wielding her sword outside for so long, Tian Bao should have sensed it, yet there was no sign of Bai Xingxian. Something must have happened.

Pushing open the door, she saw Yin Changli still soaking in the water, his eyes tightly closed as if asleep.

Lu Xiqiao and Bai Xingxian were both lying on the ground.

“Little Bai?!” The meditation room was small, with Bai Xingxian blocking the door. Xiang Haikui kicked him through the gap.

Startled by the commotion, Yin Changli was the first to wake from his daze, his pupils contracting as he turned to look toward the entrance of the Buddhist cave.

Bai Xingxian groaned painfully, holding his head with both hands as he slowly regained consciousness.

The soul-capturing technique already damaged consciousness, not to mention the grand technique that depleted half of Liu Yixing’s spiritual power.

“What happened?” He tried to stand but stumbled back and forth a few times. “Young Master Lu?”

Lu Xiqiao’s nose was bleeding profusely, and he was completely unconscious, like a dead pig.

“Don’t worry about him for now.” Xiang Haikui checked Lu Xiqiao and found nothing seriously wrong, so she dragged him to a corner.

Only then did she dare to look at Yin Changli. “Senior, did you lose your memory after the possession?”

Yin Changli’s upper body was bare, with steam enveloping him in a hazy mist. But Xiang Haikui’s eyes couldn’t take in any of this. In her mind, a voice kept repeating, “I’m going to die.”

Yin Changli looked at her through the steam, his gaze unfathomable.

“Two bigwigs from Bi’an City have come with three small monsters. They’re waiting for you outside the Buddhist cave.” Xiang Haikui had never been able to guess what he was thinking before, let alone now. She described the pursuers, forcing herself to go on.

Bai Xingxian’s mind was muddled, but as he became clearer, he responded: “I’ve heard Uncle mention before that’s Liu Yixing, the Master of the Soul Governing Palace. His talent is ordinary; he’s only reached his current position by outliving others.”

Even if he was ordinary, with Xiang Haikui’s current cultivation level, she couldn’t possibly defeat him: “Fortunately, they’re not very smart and mistook me for Senior.”

She roughly explained the cause and effect, of course not mentioning her salting and cutting the snake.

After listening to her explanation, Bai Xingxian was stunned for a moment, with fireworks exploding in his mind.

Uncle’s true form was a snake?

And he had previously instigated eating his uncle?!

Xiang Haikui gave him a look: You’re going to die too.

Yin Changli observed the two’s expressions: There was concealment, something strange.

“Uncle? Don’t you remember me?” Bai Xingxian suppressed his panic first, hurriedly walking to the bathtub, urgently saying, “I’m Little Bai!”

After saying this, he flashed his big gold tooth. “Tian Bao sword, when I was ten years old, you pulled out my tooth with your own hands and planted it inside me!”

“Senior, where is your little black ball palace?” Xiang Haikui, seeing his current state, estimated he didn’t have much cultivation power left. If the little black ball were available, she could go out to draw the fire, and Bai Xingxian could take him away.

Clearly, Yin Changli couldn’t remember anything about the Tian Bao sword or the little black ball palace.

His eyes were filled with confusion, contemplation, and bewilderment.

Possibly also a trace of panic.

Xiang Haikui noticed his hand, which had previously rested on the bathtub, was now gripping the edge tightly, like someone who had been shipwrecked at sea, clinging to a piece of driftwood for survival.

“You’re saying that I previously held a position in the Underworld, then stole treasures and fled, being hunted by various parties…” After careful consideration, Yin Changli finally spoke, “And my true form is a snake?”

Xiang Haikui slapped her forehead. She had been too frantic. If she had let him touch the little black snake, he would have been able to identify it.

She hurriedly took the jar hanging at her waist, but the jar was covered with a tightly tied bag, Lu Xiqiao’s treasure bag.

This…

Xiang Haikui bent down to pat Lu Xiqiao’s face: “Wake up, wake up quickly!”

Apart from causing more nosebleeds, there was no response at all.

Yin Changli had initially believed half of what they said, mustering his courage to take a step toward them, but upon seeing this, he withdrew his tentative small foot.

“Forget it, let’s first think about what to do.” Xiang Haikui went to consult with Bai Xingxian. “I wonder how long it will take them to adapt to the Buddhist light?”

“There’s a way.” After all, Bai Xingxian had five hundred years of rich escape experience. “You could ask a young monk to send a message to the City Lord’s mansion, have Xiang Tianqing come and take you back. Once in the city, if you always stay in crowded places, they won’t dare to make a move easily.”

Xiang Haikui: “Why is that?”

Bai Xingxian: “The Upper Realm cannot come to the Mortal Realm, and likewise, the Underworld cannot disrupt the Mortal Realm’s order, or even contact it if possible. Violating this is a grave offense.”

Especially concerning Xiang Tianqing, who was a reincarnated soul from the Upper Realm undergoing tribulation. Her soul’s radiance differed from mortals’. Moreover, she came from a family with illustrious military achievements, with a family divine artifact protecting her soul. Liu Yixing would certainly recognize this and wouldn’t easily disrupt her growth trajectory.

Xiang Haikui nodded repeatedly, about to follow this plan, when unexpectedly, speak of the devil, Xiang Tianqing’s voice came from outside the cave: “Master Dao Chen? Little Kui?”

Xiang Haikui frowned slightly, went out again, and, looking down the long corridor, saw Xiang Tianqing standing at the entrance of the Buddhist cave with Meng Xilou and Wu Mian behind her.

Wu Mian stood with his arms crossed, a reluctant expression on his face, clearly having been forcibly brought along.

Meng Xilou stood with his hands behind his back, expressionless as always.

What were they doing here?

Approaching the entrance, Xiang Haikui slowed her steps.

The moment she stepped out, she suddenly drew her sword.

“What are you doing?”

Xiang Tianqing, standing at the front, was startled, her beautiful face losing color. Wu Mian rushed forward, spreading his arms to shield her.

Meng Xilou made no move, his eyes narrowing slightly, a murderous intent spreading in their depths.

“My sword sensed killing intent and came out on its own.” Xiang Haikui put Tian Kuang away, glossing over the matter.

The small monsters had disappeared, and Liu Yixing and Luo Yunxiu had also hidden themselves.

Bai Xingxian was right.

Meng Xilou was slightly startled and concealed his killing intent.

Wu Mian fumed: “Killing intent? Little master thinks you’re just petty. Yesterday, little master hit you, and you’re holding a grudge!”

Who hit whom? Xiang Haikui criticized inwardly but couldn’t be bothered to argue: “Senior Brother, Third Brother, Sister, what brings you here?”

Xiang Tianqing smoothed her chest, still constrained by yesterday’s unhappy parting, keeping a stern face: “The news of you injuring the Master has spread. Of course, we need to come to visit and give everyone an explanation.”

Xiang Haikui sincerely said, “Your timing is perfect.”

Bai Xingxian came out: “The Master says it’s already late, he’s not feeling well and needs to rest early. He appreciates your kind intentions.”

Meng Xilou was perfectly happy not to enter: “Then I shall visit another day.”

Xiang Haikui, following the plan, prepared to leave with them.

But Xiang Tianqing stopped her: “What are you doing?”

Xiang Haikui: “Going back to the mansion, of course.”

Xiang Tianqing admonished: “Didn’t you volunteer yesterday to stay and take care of the Master? Leaving after just one day, what will others say? Do you know that if this matter isn’t handled properly, it will cause unnecessary trouble for Father?”

“I don’t know medicine. Staying won’t help.” Xiang Haikui spread her hands. She needed to leave now to draw away the pursuers and give her boss a chance to escape.

“Then I’ll stay.” Xiang Tianqing said.

Xiang Haikui: … “That’s not necessary.”

Bai Xingxian also quickly said, “The Master is an ascetic monk. It’s not necessary. I’ll stay to take care of him.”

Xiang Haikui shook her head: “Young Master Bai isn’t from our City Lord’s mansion after all. People are watching our City Lord’s mansion’s attitude now.”

Bai Xingxian whispered: “What do we do, Little Sister Kui?”

Xiang Haikui had no choice: “Wasn’t her soul supposed to glow? If she stays, she might save Senior’s life at a critical moment.”

Bai Xingxian: “But my uncle doesn’t want to get involved with her.”

Xiang Haikui: “Tell me, what’s more important—staying single or staying alive?”

Bai Xingxian: …

Xiang Haikui truly had no solution: “Predestined relationships are unavoidable, judging by the signs.”

Bai Xingxian wanted to explain but didn’t know how.

According to his uncle’s understanding, this wasn’t predestined; someone from the Upper Realm was manipulating the strings of fate, deliberately entangling him with Xiang Tianqing.

Someone was plotting against his uncle.

But Xiang Haikui was right. At this moment, nothing was more important than preserving life.

“Tianqing…” Meng Xilou didn’t want her to stay, but knew he couldn’t control her, so he let her be.

Perfect—he could now act without worries about what was behind him.

“Xiang Haikui, you’re a troublemaker! Look how many problems you’ve caused in just a few days!” Wu Mian cursed “dirty fox” in his heart as he mounted the camel beast.

Xiang Haikui had intended to ride her camel beast tied nearby, but fearing an ambush if alone, she ran to Wu Mian’s side: “Third Brother, I haven’t slept for several nights and am very drowsy. Can we ride together? Could you take me?”

Wu Mian was startled and looked down at her.

She blinked, full of expectation.

Wu Mian then recalled her demonic transformation yesterday, that bewitching appearance so contrary to her current innocent and lovely demeanor.

Wake up!

You are a White Tiger!

He mentally slapped himself twice, pulled the reins, and went ahead, distancing himself from this fox that reeked of seduction.

Xiang Haikui had no choice but to try Meng Xilou.

Unexpectedly, Meng Xilou proactively invited her, extending his hand from his superior position: “Come, I’ll take you.”

Without hesitation, Xiang Haikui took his hand: “Thank you, Senior Brother.”

His hand was quite cold, but he wasn’t the assailant.

Yet he couldn’t be ruled out as Wu Mian had been.

Meng Xilou was highly suspicious.

However, if he was also from the Upper Realm, staying by his side might be safer now.

Xiang Haikui sat steadily behind him: “I’m ready, Senior Brother.”

Meng Xilou’s lips curled slightly as he pulled the reins, carrying her away from the Buddhist cave.

Xiang Haikui tensed her body, concentrating on the movements around her.

She couldn’t help but look back once more at the Buddhist cave.

Senior, please stay safe.

…

Xiang Tianqing watched as she left her camel beast untouched, insisting on riding with her senior brothers. Her lips turned white from being pressed together.

With a dark face, she followed Bai Xingxian into the Buddhist cave.

By this time, Yin Changli had already left the water, intending to find Bai Xingxian to ask for details.

He couldn’t remember who he was, but he could deduce that he must have been extremely suspicious by nature.

After putting away the bathtub and putting on his monk’s robe, he found several black hairs stuck to his sleeve.

His monk’s robe had originally been thrown on the desk, but later when Lu Xiqiao fainted, he had grabbed it, pulling it to the ground.

In this position, Xiang Haikui had sat before, and neither of the other two had black hair.

It was probably from when Lu Xiqiao gave her the Vermilion Bird feather, and she redid her bun, causing some hair to fall.

Yin Changli picked it up with his fingertips, about to throw it away.

The feeling of hair sticking to his fingers made his body freeze. He hurriedly closed his eyes and concentrated on sensing.

So, the seaweed that had lifted him from the sea of death was her?

Yin Changli was both surprised and puzzled, but his suspicions about her had been dispelled. He opened the door and rushed out.