Wonderous Palace, Soul Devouring Peak.
Qiu Yinger was sitting cross-legged, silently cultivating.
These past few days, she had not refrained from seeking someone out at Wutong Peak.
However, the people of Wutong Peak did not pay her much attention.
Ning Shan even informed her that her Master was in closed-door cultivation and it was inconvenient to receive guests.
Although there was no direct conflict between the two parties, they parted on bad terms.
It was clear that the other side had no intention of voluntarily handing the person over.
Now, all she could do was wait for Si Nanyan to finish her closed-door cultivation.
Suddenly, Qiu Yinger's complexion changed, and her aura began to grow erratic.
PTOO!
A stream of fresh blood spurted from her mouth.
"Hm?"
Qiu Yinger's pupils dilated, her eyes filled with disbelief.
What's going on? Am I suffering from Qi Deviation?
A strange force emerged within her, causing her vital energy and blood to roil and her Spiritual Qi to run wild, as if it might surge uncontrollably at any moment.
Qiu Yinger did not dare to be careless.
She calmed her mind and circulated her cultivation skill, attempting to forcefully suppress the chaotic aura within her body.
PTOO!
However, no matter what she did, she could not suppress it.
Another large mouthful of fresh blood surged out.
No, this isn't Qi Deviation!
Qiu Yinger's expression turned grim; having cultivated for many years, she knew this clearly.
These were not the symptoms of Qi Deviation.
It seems like… a curse?
Qiu Yinger was stunned, frantically pondering what was wrong with her. Is it a curse? What kind of curse is it? Why would I be cursed out of nowhere? And who in the world wants to harm me?
Soon, she began to bleed from all seven orifices, and heart demons arose within her mind, leaving her in a weakened state.
"Ah!"
Qiu Yinger clasped her head with both hands.
Her divine soul felt as if it were being pricked by needles, causing her intense pain and a cold sweat to break out.
Both her physical body and divine soul were being tormented.
This is bad.
Finally, Qiu Yinger began to panic. If this continued, she feared she would not be able to hold on.
This is no good. I must find my Master to save my life!
Just as Qiu Yinger was preparing to seek Si Nanyan to save her life, the strange force inside her body suddenly vanished without a trace.
PTOO…
Qiu Yinger once again spat out blood, her entire body collapsed to the ground, utterly listless.
Who exactly is it? Who wants to harm me?
A hint of wariness flashed through her eyes. The curse's silent arrival was exceedingly terrifying.
Even though her injuries were not particularly severe—she had merely lost a significant amount of essence blood—she was still frightened.
No, I must see my Master about this.
Qiu Yinger struggled to her feet and headed toward the secret chamber where Si Nanyan was in closed-door cultivation.
Even though Wen Zhixing had been captured, Qiu Yinger had not reported it. But now, with her own life at stake, she could not help but act.
...
[You have cursed Qiu Yinger with the Unfounded Curse, causing her minor injuries while you suffer severe ones.]
PTOO!
In the secret chamber on Wutong Peak, Wen Zhixing also spewed a great amount of fresh blood from his mouth.
He was already lying on the ground, limp as a puddle of mud.
"Heh... heh heh..."
Wen Zhixing's face was deathly pale, devoid of any color, yet he chuckled hoarsely.
As long as I can strike back at Qiu Yinger and exact revenge, what does it matter if I'm injured?
Due to the significant difference in their cultivation realms, the backlash was also substantial.
Wen Zhixing felt a tinge of regret; he was in such a state, yet he still failed to trigger [Revival of the Withered Tree]. I was somewhat conservative. If I'd been a bit more ruthless, I might have triggered it. Of course, I might also have died on the spot. This aspect, like with the Blood Escape Skill, is difficult to control regarding its intensity. After all, I'm not yet in the Mysterious Might Realm. When I break through to the Mysterious Might Realm, then I, Wen Zhixing, can control it however I want.
Once I've recovered, I'll continue!
Wen Zhixing thought this even as he spat out blood.
Unless he tormented Qiu Yinger to the brink of death, he would not be able to swallow his resentment.
With these thoughts in mind, Wen Zhixing, due to his extreme weakness, soon fell into a deep sleep.
...
Meanwhile, Qiu Yinger had entered Si Nanyan's secret chamber.
"Yinger, what happened?" Si Nanyan frowned, looking at Qiu Yinger, whose aura was weak.
She had been in closed-door cultivation for a long time and had truly touched the threshold of a breakthrough. However, that threshold was incredibly difficult to cross.
No wonder so many cultivators were always stuck at this step.
Wen Zhixing's realm is still too low. If his realm were the same as Feng Ruoli's, forget essence absorption; even one night of integrated cultivation would lead to a breakthrough.
"Master, your disciple seems to have been plotted against..." Qiu Yinger directly knelt down in front of Si Nanyan.
She actually did not understand what had happened, only feeling as if she had been cursed.
Quickly, Qiu Yinger reported the problems she had experienced to Si Nanyan.
"Let your master take a look." Si Nanyan raised a slender white hand, touched Qiu Yinger's forehead, and began her examination.
After a long while, a strange look crossed her face.
"Odd."
"Master?" Qiu Yinger looked towards Si Nanyan nervously.
"Odd. There's no trace of any curse left inside you, nor any abnormalities," Si Nanyan knitted her brows.
It did not seem like a curse.
Unless a great power had used a secret skill to cast the curse, it would be unlikely to leave absolutely no trace.
But if it was a great power, why bother to trouble a junior like this?
Moreover, Qiu Yinger was still alive and well.
"Nevermind that for now. Stay in the secret chamber for a few days. If there are any more problems, your master will take action." Unable to find any issues, Si Nanyan could only suggest this course of action.
"Thank you, Master." Qiu Yinger finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"By the way, Master, your disciple has other matters to report."
"Speak." Si Nanyan closed her eyes again.
"A few days ago, Deputy Palace Master Feng was pursued relentlessly by people from Righteous Sun Palace. She barely managed to escape back to the sect."
Si Nanyan, however, did not particularly care upon hearing this news, merely nodding her head. Since she was not dead, there was nothing more to be said.
After organizing her words, Qiu Yinger spoke again, "Also, Wen Zhixing was taken away by Deputy Palace Master Feng's people and has not returned to this day."
"Hmm?"
This time, Si Nanyan, who had been calm all along, suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with chilling sharpness.
"Master, forgive me! It is your disciple who was incompetent!" Qiu Yinger's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly knelt.
She felt such a suffocating presence that she involuntarily trembled.
"Continue."
"Yes..." Qiu Yinger swallowed and said again, "It happened on an evening five days ago..."
...
After hearing everything, Si Nanyan's aura gradually retracted as she fell into deep thought.
I didn't expect Feng Ruoli would actually dare to snatch my people. As fellow sect members, I've tolerated her for many years!
"Getting an inch and wanting a mile!" Si Nanyan scoffed coldly, though her expression remained calm. This matter is rather unseemly.
Si Nanyan paused for a moment before speaking again, "Is there anything else?"
"No... there's nothing more..." Qiu Yinger replied hastily.
"Good. If there is nothing else, do not disturb your master." Si Nanyan gestured for Qiu Yinger to leave.
Qiu Yinger did not dare to disturb her further and quietly moved aside.
Anger stirred in Si Nanyan's heart, but she had no time to dwell on it then. When my cultivation breaks through, that will be the time to deal with Feng Ruoli.
...
「Two more days passed.」
In those two days, the curse on Qiu Yinger did not act up, which gave her some relief. Perhaps the curse has already dissipated.
However, before she could enjoy this relief for long, that strange power emerged once more within her body.
PTOO!
Blood uncontrollably spurted from her mouth!
"Master, save me!" Qiu Yinger was horrified and cried out for help repeatedly.