[Ding—Main Mission Five: Form the Nascent Soul is complete.]
The system notified Su Luowei that the mission was complete, but she didn't care. Her entire focus was on Meng Shuying.
Meng Shuying looked somewhat disheveled, with bloodstains on her face and body. Even her long hair was singed by the lightning, emitting an unpleasant smell.
But her eyes shone with light, and she exuded an energetic vitality, like bamboo shoots bursting from the earth after a spring rain.
Su Luowei's anxiety slowly eased, and she felt an overwhelming urge to cry and laugh at the same time. Finally, she nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "Yes, you did it."
Though she had just endured a harsh tribulation and was exhausted, Meng Shuying, driven by a deep impulse, forced herself to move toward Su Luowei.
One step, two steps…
She drew closer and closer.
Her face lit up with a smile, and her eyes sparkled with joy, eager to share her emotions with her Senior Sister.
Her heart was filled with so many things she wanted to tell her.
She wanted to explain everything, to clear up any misunderstandings.
To tell her that the incident with Tian Fuling was just a misunderstanding and that she had always loved only her Senior Sister.
To share with her the experiences she had had over the years, the many places she had seen.
To speak of the loneliness and longing she had felt, and the deep love she harbored for her.
She had said it so many times before, but this time, she wanted to hear her Senior Sister's response.
Now that she had formed her Nascent Soul, she wondered if her Senior Sister would agree… to become her Dao companion.
But just as she was about to reach her, someone blocked her path.
It was Min Lanmeng.
Min Lanmeng stared at her, her once charming smile completely vanished, her gaze dark and unreadable.
"Meng Shuying, how dare you cultivate demonic arts?"
Min Lanmeng had only vaguely suspected it, but during Meng Shuying's tribulation, she had clearly sensed demonic energy from her.
How dare she cultivate demonic arts! How could she?
And even more, how could she still successfully form her Nascent Soul after doing so?
Min Lanmeng's expression was strange—she seemed angry, but there was also a hint of disappointment. Yet, she didn't display the usual revulsion that righteous cultivators had towards demonic cultivators.
It was as if she wasn't upset about Meng Shuying's demonic cultivation itself, but rather about something precious to her being tainted.
With a wave of her hand, the formation activated once more, this time shrinking in size, trapping Meng Shuying inside a barrier like an inverted bowl.
The change happened too quickly for Su Luowei to react. Seeing Meng Shuying trapped, she rushed to help but was blocked by Jiang Ye.
"Qionghua Peak is purging its own. Please step aside, Senior Sister Su."
Su Luowei had sensed the demonic energy from Meng Shuying during the tribulation and couldn't deny the possibility that Meng Shuying had cultivated demonic arts.
She quickly calculated her options but didn't back down. "Even if she has cultivated demonic arts, she must be taken to the Discipline Hall and handed over to the sect leader for judgment."
Min Lanmeng smirked, seemingly amused by Su Luowei's determination. "You don't seem surprised at all? Ah, given your close relationship, you must have known about her demonic cultivation long ago. No wonder. Without demonic arts, how could she have formed her Nascent Soul in just over ten years?"
Su Luowei did know that Meng Shuying would eventually cultivate demonic arts because in the original story, she had fallen into darkness after unlocking the Demon Seal.
In the original story, after forming her Nascent Soul, Meng Shuying had killed Min Lanmeng, who had been watching over her during the tribulation. Normally, the back mountain was deserted, so the act went unnoticed, but a passing disciple from Baizhan Peak had witnessed the entire event.
It was then revealed that Meng Shuying had gone mad, slaughtering her own master.
Meng Shuying was swiftly captured by Baizhan Peak's leader, Nie Wentian, and it was only then that the sect learned she had fallen into demonic cultivation.
People said that her mind had been corrupted by demonic arts, driving her to murder her master. Others claimed that Min Lanmeng had known about her demonic cultivation but had concealed it out of love for her disciple.
Her master had always cared for her, yet Meng Shuying had repaid her kindness with cruelty, igniting widespread fury within the sect. Countless disciples demanded that the sect leader execute her to avenge Min Lanmeng.
Meng Shuying was not one to surrender easily. She escaped from the sect's prison, severely injuring the guards, and vanished into the mortal world.
The Qingxu Sect never stopped pursuing her, but after spending some time in hiding, Meng Shuying suddenly reappeared in the sect and unleashed the Demon Seal, plunging the world into chaos.
Everything started when Meng Shuying killed Min Lanmeng.
That was why Su Luowei had insisted on being present during the tribulation. She knew that even though Meng Shuying might dislike Min Lanmeng, she would never strike first.
But Min Lanmeng was another story.
With this in mind, Su Luowei drew her spiritual sword and confronted Min Lanmeng. "Whether she has cultivated demonic arts or not, as long as she hasn't committed any heinous acts, she will always be my Junior Sister."
Min Lanmeng's lips curled into a mocking smile. "I didn't expect Jian Xuehan, who hates demonic cultivators, to raise such a disciple."
Turning away from Su Luowei, Min Lanmeng spoke to Meng Shuying, her tone tinged with regret. "I never thought someone with your talent would choose the easy way out. With your abilities, you could have formed your Nascent Soul in just another few decades without resorting to demonic cultivation."
Meng Shuying's face remained cold. "Stop pretending. We both know who the real demonic cultivator is."
Jiang Ye had formed her Golden Core by siphoning the spiritual energy of others. Everyone knew that a Golden Core formed in such a manner could not progress further.
Yet Jiang Ye had advanced to the late stage of the Golden Core.
While others might believe that Min Lanmeng had assisted Jiang Ye in her cultivation, Meng Shuying saw through the truth—Jiang Ye's advancement was due to secretly practicing demonic arts.
By chance, Meng Shuying had also acquired a demonic technique, but she had always adhered to the righteous path. It was only during the tribulation, when her spiritual energy was depleted, and she was desperate to survive, that she had resorted to drawing upon the demonic energy within her.
"Even now, you refuse to admit it. If you hadn't cultivated demonic arts, how could your body contain such powerful demonic energy?" Min Lanmeng's fan transformed into a long whip, which coiled around Meng Shuying like a silver snake.
Weakened from the tribulation, Meng Shuying was caught off guard and couldn't defend herself in time. The whip's barbs dug into her flesh, immobilizing her.
Su Luowei hadn't expected Min Lanmeng to actually attack. Knowing they were outmatched, she silently communicated with Wen Miaomiao. "I'll hold them off. You go get the sect leader!"
Wen Miaomiao, her eyes fixed on the unfolding scene, hesitated for only a moment before summoning her spiritual sword and flying off. Jiang Ye quickly followed, leaving only the three of them behind.
Meng Shuying was a newly formed Nascent Soul cultivator but severely injured. Su Luowei, in the late stage of the Golden Core, had no chance against Min Lanmeng.
Their only hope was for Wen Miaomiao to return with help.
Min Lanmeng knew this too. With a thought, she sent ropes of spiritual energy to bind Su Luowei's limbs, lifting her into the air. As Su Luowei struggled, she was encased in thick, impenetrable walls of spiritual energy, her efforts futile.
A Golden Core cultivator was like a child before a Nascent Soul cultivator, powerless to resist.
"Min Lanmeng, what are you trying to do?"
"I'm merely upholding the sect's integrity." Min Lanmeng tightened her grip on the whip, dragging Meng Shuying closer.
She leaned in, lifting Meng Shuying's chin to examine her face closely.
"Not exactly a beauty, but I'll make do. If I miss this chance, who knows when the next one will come." She muttered to herself, her voice low enough that even Meng Shuying couldn't fully hear her.
Watching Min Lanmeng's cold assessment, a bold suspicion formed in Su Luowei's mind.
Min Lanmeng was also a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Min Lanmeng was nearing the end of her life.
She wasn't here to protect Meng Shuying during the tribulation or to punish her for demonic cultivation. She intended to seize Meng Shuying's body.
It all made sense now.
Why had Meng Shuying, in the original story, killed her master so soon after forming her Nascent Soul?
Because if she hadn't, she would have been the one to die.
Or perhaps there
was another possibility—Min Lanmeng had succeeded in the body snatch, and the Meng Shuying who later wreaked havoc on the world was actually Min Lanmeng.
Shocked by the revelation, Su Luowei's heart raced in fear. She shouted with all her strength, "Meng Shuying, be careful! She wants to steal your body!"
"Oh? You figured it out." Min Lanmeng turned to smile at her, but to Su Luowei, her face now looked like that of a venomous snake, ready to devour them whole.
"Even though you're Jian Xuehan's niece and killing you might cause trouble, I can't let you live now that you know."
"Meng Shuying," Meng Shuying's voice was cold and firm. "If you harm my Senior Sister, I will never forgive you."
"You should worry about yourself first," Min Lanmeng replied, dismissing her threat. "Time is short. We mustn't delay."
She dragged Meng Shuying to the center of the formation, biting her finger to draw a blood rune in the air. The blood transformed into a barrier, isolating them from Su Luowei.
Min Lanmeng sat cross-legged opposite Meng Shuying, forming hand seals as she chanted a spell. Soon, a three-inch tall figure appeared above her head, a tiny figure identical to her—it was her Nascent Soul.
The Nascent Soul opened its eyes, smirked, and then turned into a wisp of smoke, entering Meng Shuying's spiritual sea.
Inside Meng Shuying's spiritual sea, a tiny Nascent Soul also resided. Sensing the intruder, the small Nascent Soul immediately opened its eyes, casting a spell that stirred the spiritual sea into a tempest.
A fierce wind, capable of destroying everything in its path, swept toward Min Lanmeng. She merely smiled, her protective lotus blossoming into a shield that enveloped her.
With her spiritual sea under attack, Meng Shuying was entirely focused on the internal battle, unable to sense anything outside. Min Lanmeng was equally absorbed in the fight.
The only remaining threat was Su Luowei, but with her securely contained, Min Lanmeng had no concerns.
Su Luowei, though unfamiliar with the specifics of body snatching, could see Meng Shuying's face growing paler, the demonic mark on her forehead reappearing.
Trapped within the walls, Su Luowei watched them from above, her anxiety growing.
If Meng Shuying lost, she would die, leaving only Min Lanmeng behind. Not only would Min Lanmeng take her body, but she would also eliminate Su Luowei, the only witness.
But even if Meng Shuying won, demonic cultivation and killing her master, no matter the justification, the Qingxu Sect would never let her go.
"Xiao Ba! Is there any way for me to get out of here? We can't just let Min Lanmeng steal her body!"
"I'm sorry, Host. No one can alter the course of the story, not even you. But don't worry, Meng Shuying won't die." Xiao Ba's voice was filled with regret, but there was nothing it could do.
"That's not the point!" Su Luowei shouted in frustration.
It wasn't about life or death—it was about the invisible chains, the hands that manipulated others' fates.
Both she and Meng Shuying had been forced to follow a path they didn't choose.
But she refused to accept it.
Meng Shuying hadn't cultivated demonic arts; it was Min Lanmeng's manipulation. Faced with the thunderous tribulation and no way out, she had no choice but to draw upon the demonic energy within her to survive.
Killing her master was Min Lanmeng's doing. She had tried to steal Meng Shuying's body, leaving her no choice but to fight back.
For a moment, Su Luowei fell silent, and Xiao Ba thought she had finally given in—just as she had so many times before.
But then she spoke, her voice strong. "Why should others decide our fate?"
"If you didn't want me to save her, why bring me here?"
"Since I'm here, I won't stand by and do nothing."
"Rules, destiny, none of it matters—they can only control those who are afraid."
"When I'm no longer afraid, no one can stop me."
With each word, her aura grew stronger.
The sun shone brightly, with not a cloud in sight.
Su Luowei looked up at the blazing sun overhead, her eyes glistening with tears.
How painful it must have been for Meng Shuying, to be pushed away and left alone on Qionghua Peak for all those years.
How lonely it must have been, forced to travel the world, hiding from danger.
Sunlight bathed the entire mountain, golden and brilliant.
Su Luowei had made her decision.
She bit through her tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and used a secret technique to ignite her spiritual sea, breaking Min Lanmeng's binding.
"What are you doing, Host? Calm down!" Xiao Ba cried out in alarm.
But Su Luowei felt more clear-headed than ever.
The spiritual walls shattered as she landed on the ground, leaping to Min Lanmeng's side. She drew her sword across her palm, letting her blood fuel her strike.
With her spiritual energy as the fuse and her blood as the medium, her sword broke through Min Lanmeng's defenses and pierced her chest.
Min Lanmeng's Nascent Soul was outside her body, leaving her vulnerable. Su Luowei's strike, fueled by her burning spiritual sea, was devastating.
The sword stabbed through Min Lanmeng's body, the pain forcing her Nascent Soul to return.
Though the blow wasn't fatal, it was a severe wound.
"Su Luowei! How dare you ruin my plans!" Min Lanmeng screamed in rage.
"Why… wouldn't I dare?" Su Luowei smiled, pushing the sword deeper.
In Meng Shuying's spiritual sea.
Her newly formed Nascent Soul was no match for Min Lanmeng's. As she began to lose, a flash of determination crossed her tiny Nascent Soul's eyes, and she prepared to gather the demonic energy within her to deliver a final, desperate blow.
Even if it meant fully embracing the demonic path, she wouldn't die here!
But before she could act, Min Lanmeng's expression twisted in fury, and the next moment, she fled Meng Shuying's spiritual sea.
Sensing something wrong, Meng Shuying opened her eyes to see her Senior Sister's sword piercing Min Lanmeng's body.
Physical injuries might not be lethal to a Nascent Soul cultivator.
But what was deadly was the life force of a Golden Core cultivator, burning with a fierce resolve, clinging to Min Lanmeng's wound.
"You would do this for Meng Shuying?" Min Lanmeng's voice trembled with disbelief.
Su Luowei's spiritual energy surged, and she drove the sword even deeper.
"I am her Senior Sister. I always have been, and I always will be. If she goes astray, I must guide her. If she's in danger, I must protect her."
A rich fragrance of lilies burst from Meng Shuying, as Su Luowei's spiritual energy and life force flowed into her, healing her injuries.
Finding a sudden reserve of strength, Meng Shuying broke free from the silver whip, kicking Min Lanmeng away.
Su Luowei's sword flew with her, and as she fell, Meng Shuying caught her.
Meng Shuying held her Senior Sister close, watching as she coughed, blood pouring from her lips, staining the scorched earth like flowers blooming in the ruins.
With her spiritual sea burning, Su Luowei's life force was rapidly depleting.
She looked at Meng Shuying, her eyes misting with the pain in her body, soft and tender, like the fog over Yanmo Mountain at dawn.
In the sunlight, the mist in her eyes shimmered with light.
"It's just a shame that I won't be able to keep my promise to you."
Her spiritual energy spent, her voice was so faint that it could be blown away by the wind.
But Meng Shuying heard her clearly.
She said, "And if you truly like Tian Fuling…"
"I don't like her! I only like you! Senior Sister! Senior Sister!" Meng Shuying cried, holding her with one arm while desperately reaching into her Qiankun bag with the other, searching for the Revival Pill.
As long as the Golden Core remained intact, the Revival Pill could save her life.
The pill she had kept in her bag during the entire tribulation, even at the brink of despair, was now trembling in her hand.
Her voice shook, her body trembled, and it took several tries to pull the stopper from the bottle.
"Senior Sister… take this, and you'll be fine."
"I spent so much time, traveled to so many places to gather those herbs… I finally convinced Uncle Master Yun Fei to refine this pill, and as long as you take it, you'll be okay…"
Su Luowei glanced at the Revival Pill in her hand and used the last of her strength to place her hand on Meng Shuying's chest, whispering, "Remember what I once told you… Meng Shuying… never forget the heart with which you began your cultivation."
That night, beneath the flowers and moon, her Senior Sister had told her never to forget the heart with which she began, no matter what happened.
She had thought that, like everyone else, Meng Shuying cultivated to achieve immortality and bring blessings to the world.
She hadn't known that Meng Shuying heart was her.