"Ah!"
The dark shadow screamed, and suddenly a wisp of white smoke rose from the palms of their clasped hands, followed by a flame that sparked from the touching point. Gu Shi Yi felt no heat at all, whereas the dark shadow emitted a series of shrill screams,
"Ahhhh..."
The flames then spread along the shadow's arm, quickly enveloping its entire body. In just a moment, the shadow turned into a pile of black ash right before Gu Shi Yi's eyes, scattering on the deck. Once the river wind blew, it disappeared without a trace!
Gu Shi Yi was a bit dumbfounded, staring blankly as he turned his head to look at the clay figure on the cabin table, which also had its mouth wide open—they exchanged a "big eyes staring at small eyes" look. Gu Shi Yi said in a daze,
"Yanyan, you... you see... it just... just disappeared like that?"
Li Yaner swallowed the non-existent saliva and after a long while said,
"I... I saw it, since... since it's gone, you... you come back now, it's windy... and cold outside!"
Gu Shi Yi nodded,
"Okay!"
Back in the cabin, Gu Shi Yi closed the door, sat down on the bed, and stared out the window for a long time before suddenly blurting out,
"Yanyan, do you think that old man's words are credible? What if... I really go and seek a Great Demon for a Marrow Cleansing, to become a member of the Demon Clan? How's that?"
Just look at that, an expert shows their skill and you know if there's any. Thinking back to when she used to follow that old guy, dealing with Water Ghosts was so much trouble—Drawing Talismans, setting up altars, and also having to be wary of the thing jumping into the water if things went south. It was impossible to catch without toiling all night. But what did these professionals do? They didn't even have to show up in person, just drawing a talisman in the palm was enough to handle it!
No wonder everyone wants to engage in Great Cultivation; Great Cultivation is seriously incredible!
Well then... if it's about the Second Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother it is, eventually the Mana is boundless, right?
Li Yaner looked at her friend with a strange expression,
"Shiyi, you better think this through. If your Demon Clan really turns out to be pigs... once you turn into a demon, there's no turning back..."
"..."
During the journey that followed, Gu Shi Yi's nightlife became much more colorful. The second night, there was a mother who had lost her son. The third night, an Itinerant World hero whose head had fallen off. The fourth night, a fisherman who had been dragged into the water by a big fish...
All of them were attracted to something Gu Shi Yi was carrying. She had "night after night of revelry," which left her yawning all day and with dark circles under her eyes that wouldn't fade. Sixth Master Huang noticed her condition and knew it was because of "guests" on the boat at midnight. When he asked Gu Shi Yi for details, she waved her hands continuously and said,
"Sixth Master, don't ask. If I really told you, you might not enjoy your meals anymore. Anyway, Blue Moon City is not far now; I can hold on!"
Sixth Master Huang nodded and didn't press further but instructed the kitchen,
"Make some good food for Miss Gu, to nourish her well!"
The speaker meant nothing serious, but the listeners took it to heart. Just this one sentence spread throughout the ship in no time,
"Our Sixth Master is as impressive as ever, causing Miss Gu to become increasingly haggard. It is said she needs more good food to strengthen her physique!"
Old Lady Gu listened and was secretly delighted,
"Although Shiyi is on the older side, one look at her chest and behind, and it's clear she's able to bear sons. Sixth Master's concubines have been supplemented to eight rooms, yet not one has given birth to a boy. If our Shiyi could bear a son, there would be endless blessings!"
So, she even ran to the kitchen specially to help make soup.
Every night, Gu Shi Yi was busy dealing with Evil Spirits, naturally having no time to idle talk with everyone, thus, she missed out on the gossip about herself. Time passed day by day, and the last day's travel to Blue Moon City was approaching—it would be their last night on the boat. That night, Gu Shi Yi was visited by a very polite "guest,"
"Knock knock knock..."
At midnight, someone gently knocked on the door. Gu Shi Yi sat on the bed and thought to herself,
"Well, the last night is not peaceful either; do they really want to torment this old lady to death?"
Li Yaner, however, looked somewhat anxiously towards the outside,
"Shiyi, I feel the Demon Qi is particularly strong tonight!"
"Hmm, I've noticed it too!"
Gu Shi Yi nodded upon hearing this,
"You hide somewhere, I'll be careful in dealing with it!"
Li Yaner deftly hid behind the pillow while Gu Shi Yi softly asked,
"Who is it that knocks?"
"Creak..."
As the wooden door opened, standing before it was a...
How should I put this?
A clump of person.
The clump of person spoke, and its voice was quite pleasant,
"May I ask if this is Miss Gu from the Gu Family?"