Chapter 73 - Chapter 72

The Demon Realm wasn't as terrifying as ordinary people imagined. At this moment, the sky wasn't too dark yet, and the streets were brightly lit. It was surprisingly livelier than Yunxiao City because many cultivators regularly entered the Demon Realm to buy and sell rare equipment. Hence, it wasn't too conspicuous. However, even without considering their cultivation realms, Song Weizhi and her companions were the center of attention everywhere they went, making it hard not to attract notice. 

Because of Song Zhixia's cultivation at the Mahayana realm, no reckless individuals dared to rush toward them. The exact location of the Soul Drawing Sect still needed confirmation, and Song Weizhi and her companions were in no hurry. They went straight to an inn and booked two rooms to rest. 

Song Zhixia instructed the innkeeper to bring some spirit fruits and spring water. Song Weizhi, on the other hand, lazily leaned on the bed in her middle garment when the innkeeper delivered the food. Even after receiving the spirit fruits, Song Weizhi continued to recline casually. 

Amused, Song Zhixia looked at Song Weizhi and said, "Senior Sister, the food is here. Come and eat." 

Song Weizhi's lips curled slightly. "No, I'm eating soft rice now. Xia Xia, come over and feed me before I eat." 

The little girl chuckled, thinking that if her Senior Sister considered this eating soft rice, then the threshold for such a life was indeed high. She obediently placed the food beside Song Weizhi on a stool. 

Song Weizhi didn't hesitate and directly rested her head on the little girl's lap, starting to eat the spirit fruits. 

Watching Song Weizhi, the little girl blushed, recalling the day when she and her Senior Sister became Dao Companion. Her heartbeat quickened, especially as today they were alone together. She wondered if her Senior Sister would do something similar today. 

As Song Weizhi lay in the little girl's arms, sensing her distraction, she couldn't resist teasing. She turned over, gently placing a kiss on the girl's lips. "Xia Xia, what are you thinking about so deeply? So absorbed?" 

The little girl swallowed nervously, avoiding thoughts of their intimate moments. She blinked and said, "Nothing, just thinking about Senior Sister." 

Song Weizhi became interested, pulled the girl closer, and kissed her earlobe. "Thinking about me, huh? I'm right here with Xia Xia. Or is Xia Xia plotting something naughty?" 

"I'm not," the little girl, feeling like her innermost thoughts were exposed, straightened up immediately. 

Amused by her reaction, Song Weizhi hugged the little girl and continued, "It's okay. Xia Xia can do whatever you want, and I'll agree to it." She then placed a few light kisses on the girl's blushing ear. 

The little girl realized her Senior Sister was intentionally teasing her, but she was still softened by Song Weizhi's kisses, leaning against her Senior Sister's embrace in a spoiled manner. 

Observing her little Dao Companion, Song Weizhi couldn't help but feel stirred. How could she resist such an opportunity? However, just as she was thinking about taking advantage of the situation, urgent footsteps approached near the inn. It was evident that they were heading straight for the inn. The romantic atmosphere was shattered by the approaching footsteps. Song Weizhi whispered something in the girl's ear, and the little girl's expression changed immediately. 

Quickly changing into proper attire, they went to find Wei Zhao, who happened to be coming out. 

"I don't know if they're from the Soul Drawing Sect, but it seems hostile." 

"Mistress, should we leave or stay and observe?" Wei Zhao asked. 

"Let's stay and observe for now. The Soul Drawing Sect is too secretive. It's better to capture someone and interrogate them directly than aimlessly search." 

The trio went to the inn's lobby, found a place to sit, and calmly waited for the arrival of those people. 

In no time, dozens of demonic cultivators surrounded the inn. The leader was none other than Zhou Qingxue, who hadn't been seen for some time. However, Zhou Qingxue's body was enveloped in black mist, and the exposed skin appeared a faint purple color, giving off an eerie feeling. 

"Qingxue? Why are you with these demonic cultivators? What's going on?" Wei Zhao was anxious to approach, but Song Weizhi stopped him. 

"There's something wrong with her expression. Wei Zhao, don't worry; when it's time to act, I'll deal with her. Trust me; I know the boundaries." Song Weizhi instructed. 

Wei Zhao's heart was in turmoil at the sight of Zhou Qingxue. However, he ultimately heeded Song Weizhi's words. 

"I've come for revenge, I've come for revenge, I've come for revenge…" Zhou Qingxue kept murmuring. Her voice gradually increased, resonating until everyone in the inn could hear. 

"Senior Sister, what's happening to her?" Song Zhixia asked from the side. 

"It seems like she's being controlled. I'm not sure about the details. We'll capture her later and find out." Just at that moment, Zhou Qingxue suddenly raised her eyes. The dullness disappeared, replaced by a fierce focus. She maliciously locked onto Song Weizhi. "Revenge, revenge, revenge!" 

Finally, as the last "revenge" echoed, Zhou Qingxue's figure moved. Her cultivation had advanced several major realms, but Song Weizhi couldn't discern the specifics. Holding a long sword, she thrust it toward Song Weizhi, while the other demonic cultivators rushed toward them. 

In the blink of an eye, the demonic cultivators rushing towards Song Zhixia were all blasted into pieces by her powerful attacks. The same fate befell those confronting Wei Zhao; their lower cultivation made them easy targets, and several had already perished under her strikes. 

However, Song Weizhi found herself somewhat restricted in her actions. She could only use the back of her sword against Zhou Qingxue, who seemed oblivious to pain. Ignoring Song Weizhi's demonic sword, Zhou Qingxue relentlessly charged toward her. Song Weizhi skillfully maneuvered around, keeping Zhou Qingxue at bay. 

Soon, Zhou Qingxue grew impatient. Veins bulged on her neck, revealing a strange dark purple color. She grinned maliciously, lifting the sleeve on one arm and cutting a long gash on the exposed flesh of her left arm. A thick black blood oozed from the wound, but Zhou Qingxue seemed impervious to pain. She swung her bleeding arm towards Song Weizhi. 

Prepared for this, Song Weizhi's entire body was enveloped in spiritual qi. The black droplets of blood, upon hitting Song Weizhi's spiritual qi, were deflected to the ground, giving birth to swarming black creatures. 

Frowning, Song Weizhi used her spiritual qi to crush these creatures. However, the remnants of the crushed bugs soon spawned new ones, growing rapidly, especially after consuming the bodies of their fallen brethren. The inn became chaotic as these creatures multiplied. 

A few remaining demonic cultivators in the inn who hadn't left were unfortunate. One of them had bugs infiltrate under their pants. Once inside, the bugs burrowed into the flesh, and in an instant, the cultivator's skin turned purple, exhibiting ripples as if countless creatures were squirming underneath. That was precisely the case. 

"Stay away from those bugs," Song Weizhi warned her companions. 

Witnessing the ongoing bloodshed by Zhou Qingxue, Wei Zhao felt a pang in her chest. The demonic cultivator had only absorbed a few bugs, transforming into a gruesome state. Wei Zhao wondered what kind of suffering Zhou Qingxue had endured to become like this. Every drop of blood from her could give birth to such creatures. 

Song Zhixia had already conjured a massive fireball with her spiritual qi, hurling it toward the bugs. Terrified of the spiritual fire, the bugs were quickly incinerated. 

Song Weizhi saw that the fire was effective. She immediately used her spiritual qi to create fire and burn the bugs. Zhou Qingxue, witnessing her bugs being incinerated, became furious. She quickly slashed open her chest, creating several bloody gashes. 

Song Weizhi realized that this method was not effective. Zhou Qingxue, in her desperate attempt to spill more blood, was draining herself. Song Weizhi decided to use her spiritual qi to envelop Zhou Qingxue, preventing her from moving recklessly. At the same time, she controlled spiritual medicine to stop Zhou Qingxue's bleeding. Meanwhile, Song Zhixia and Wei Zhao killed the remaining demonic cultivators, leaving only the one who had been infected by Zhou Qingxue's bugs. 

This demonic cultivator now seemed like a changed person. He attacked Song Zhixia and Wei Zhao without feeling pain, cutting numerous bloodied wounds on his own body. As his blood dripped to the ground, it also transformed into wriggling bugs, albeit smaller than those in Zhou Qingxue's blood. 

Seeing this, Song Weizhi threw her demonic sword, and in a moment, the demonic cultivator turned into ashes. However, this method couldn't be applied to Zhou Qingxue. Song Weizhi had to use her spiritual qi to tightly encircle Zhou Qingxue, preventing her from moving. 

"Senior Sister, what should we do now?" Song Zhixia, having burnt the remaining bugs in the inn, ran to Song Weizhi and asked. 

Song Weizhi was helpless in the current situation. Zhou Qingxue was evidently under someone's control, resembling a living dead. Song Weizhi could only rely on the system and hoped to find medicine to save Zhou Qingxue. 

[Hello, host. After system verification, there is no medicine to save this lady. Her body is filled with gu worms, equivalent to a container for the gu worms' mother. Her internal organs have been consumed by the bugs, and the system cannot reverse this. Fortunately, her three souls and seven spirits remain unaffected. Although saving her is impossible, a pill can be exchanged to grant her ten minutes of consciousness]. The system's mechanical voice echoed in Song Weizhi's mind. 

"Quickly exchange it," Song Weizhi urged in her mind. 

[Understood, host. The cost of exchanging the pill is 100 points. Current remaining points: 900.] 

With the system's confirmation, a pill appeared in Song Weizhi's hand. She used her spiritual qi to deliver the pill into Zhou Qingxue's mouth. After a few moments, Zhou Qingxue, who had been restrained by Song Weizhi, opened her eyes. 

Unlike before, this time Zhou Qingxue's eyes had focus. However, she now noticed Song Weizhi and the others. Suppressing the pain from the myriad bug bites, she spoke, "Kill me, please kill me. Wei Zhao, please, kill me. I'm a monster now, my body is in pain from the bites. My body is filled with gu worms, only by killing me can you stop me from harming others." 

She pleaded, her face drenched in sweat and tears.