Appreciating New Tea with an Inkstone - Chapter 39

Gu Xiyan had been staying on Mount Gan for over four months, confined mostly to the bamboo house with very limited activity. Her only company was Ye Qinming, and occasionally, harmless little spirits that Ye Qinming captured to keep her entertained.

Worried that she might become too bored, Ye Qinming decided to take her out for a walk. Moreover, a rare tianhao flower she had discovered earlier was about to bloom, which would be beneficial for Gu Xiyan’s cultivation.

Instead of carrying Gu Xiyan, Ye Qinming simply hovered in midair and, looking down at the rapidly shrinking figure below, called out, “Come up here on your own.”

Gu Xiyan tilted her head up, lightly tapping the ground with the tips of her toes. In an instant, she soared into the air, gracefully landing beside Ye Qinming, her figure ethereal and fairy-like.

“Not bad. Keep up,” Ye Qinming instructed as she led the way forward. Gu Xiyan followed closely behind, showing no sign of struggle. Even though she couldn’t see, it didn’t hinder her from flying swiftly—clearly, she had already mastered the technique.

Ye Qinming’s gaze was filled with admiration. As expected of someone she had taken an interest in—Gu Xiyan was truly extraordinary. She guided her through the air for a while before finally signaling for her to land.

Once on solid ground, Gu Xiyan took a moment to sense her surroundings. The air was thick with moisture, the dampness clinging to her skin. The spiritual energy here was abundant, and it was clear they had traveled quite a distance from the bamboo house. Based on her perception, they had ventured deeper into the forest.

Ye Qinming glanced upward. “I brought you here today to collect something valuable.”

Gu Xiyan smiled slightly. “Something valuable? I can smell a faint fragrance in the air—one I’ve never encountered before. I wonder what it is.”

Ye Qinming was silent for a moment before saying with amusement, “Your nose is like a puppy’s.” Then, she extended her hand toward Gu Xiyan, grabbing a section of her own sleeve as well.

“Well? Do you want to hold my hand, or just my sleeve?” She looked at Gu Xiyan casually, letting her decide.

Gu Xiyan reached out, hesitated for a moment, then nonchalantly took Ye Qinming’s hand. “If I fall, you’ll be able to catch me.”

Ye Qinming couldn’t help but chuckle, though inwardly, she quite enjoyed the gesture. She let Gu Xiyan hold her hand as they continued forward.

Tianhao flower was an exceptionally rare spiritual herb, originally native to the Immortal Realm. However, during a past plague, a celestial healer from the Immortal Realm had brought its seeds to the human world while curing the disease.

Thus, tianhao flowers had taken root in the human realm, though they remained incredibly rare due to the scarcity of sufficient spiritual energy. Finding even a single one was an extraordinary stroke of luck.

Tianhao flowers thrived in damp environments, preferring water-rich lands. The waters of Mount Gan flowed from east to west, converging into a marshy area—an ideal place for the flower to absorb spiritual energy and grow.

As they moved forward, the soil beneath their feet became increasingly wet and soft. Gu Xiyan could tell they were getting close, especially since the once barely noticeable floral scent had become much clearer.

“Are we here?” she asked softly.

“Yes, a tianhao flower has bloomed,” Ye Qinming replied, her gaze steady as she looked at the luminous white blossom nestled among the thorns. The flower’s core was now fully visible, surrounded by a faint glow—clear evidence that it was brimming with spiritual energy, making it an excellent supplement for cultivation.

However, the bloom wasn’t complete yet. If interrupted during this stage, the flower would self-destruct, rendering it useless. Ye Qinming had to wait.

Time passed slowly. Suddenly, Ye Qinming’s sharp gaze flickered as she glanced to the side, then just as calmly shifted back.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gu Xiyan’s nose twitching slightly. The coldness in her expression vanished in an instant, and she lowered her head, biting back a smile. She really was like a puppy.

Reaching over, she clasped Gu Xiyan’s hand and slowly traced a few characters onto her palm with her fingertip. Did you smell it?

Gu Xiyan tilted her head slightly and pressed her lips together—a silent confirmation. How many?

Two.

They continued their silent exchange, as if playing a little game, but Ye Qinming remained completely at ease, showing no tension despite the presence of others who had their sights set on the tianhao flower.

Gu Xiyan had identified two individuals based on their scent alone. The newcomers were likely demons—there was a faint, familiar musk of blood and beast that they couldn’t conceal from her sharp nose.

Just as the final petal unfurled, a fierce gust of wind suddenly roared from deep within the forest, sweeping across like a great serpent. Trees and grass bent and toppled in its wake. The wind had a single, unmistakable target—the tianhao flower.

The marsh around the flower began to churn, spiraling upward in an attempt to shield the flower. At the same time, a swirling mass of muddy water shot directly toward the two of them—it was clear the intruders had also noticed Ye Qinming and Gu Xiyan.

Ye Qinming cast a casual glance at the incoming attack, and a barrier instantly rose in front of them, blocking the mud dragon’s assault. Amid the splattering mud, she caught sight of a shadowy figure attempting to seize the flower. Her lips curled into a slight smile as she swiftly summoned a jade-green longsword in her right hand. With a fluid spin, she broke through the barrier and struck down with a powerful slash.

In an instant, the mud dragon shattered into pieces. The residual sword energy continued to slice forward, brushing dangerously close to the flower. The shadowy figure recoiled hastily, but not before a splash of fresh blood scattered through the air.

At the same moment that Ye Qinming made her move, Gu Xiyan tilted her head slightly, her left ear twitching as she picked up a sound. Without hesitation, she spun away from her original position, forming hand seals rapidly with both hands. Her fingertips glowed with spiritual energy, which she drove directly into the ground.

A roar erupted as a shadow burst from the muddy earth. Writhing in pain, it radiated a chilling, murderous aura and immediately lunged at Gu Xiyan, perceiving her as the easier target.

Ye Qinming kept up her relentless attacks, forcing the injured figure to dodge frantically. However, she kept a watchful eye on Gu Xiyan from the corner of her vision. Seeing another, smaller figure savagely charging at Gu Xiyan while letting out a shrill screech, Ye Qinming sneered coldly, “Two filthy snakes dare act up in front of me? You must have a death wish.”

From this brief encounter, Ye Qinming already recognized their identity—they were Ghost Marsh Black Serpents. Born in darkness, these creatures were embodiments of malice and deceit. Always appearing in pairs, they excelled in ambushes and were notorious for extracting and refining the brain marrow of cultivators to enhance their own powers. Even in the Demon Realm, their reputation was infamous.

These serpents were known for their obsessive nature—once they targeted someone, they would not stop until either they or their prey were dead. Judging from their behavior, they weren’t just after the flower—they likely had their eyes on Gu Xiyan as well.

The previously slender figure of the serpent suddenly expanded, growing several times larger. From beneath the veil of shadow, its true form emerged—a massive black snakehead, dripping with inky, viscous fluid. The sound of its head slamming into the marshy ground alone was enough to reveal its immense size.

Its vertical brown pupils gleamed with excitement as it fixed its gaze on Gu Xiyan. With a ferocious roar, it charged toward her, the reverse scales on its neck flaring outward like rows of barbs. Its monstrous appearance combined with its towering bulk would terrify anyone with a weaker will.

But Gu Xiyan, unable to see its intimidating form, remained unfazed. What bothered her was the foul stench emanating from the creature’s breath. Pinching her nose, she took a step back and thrust her left palm toward the serpent’s head, her tone calm but irritated. “You reek. Kindly keep your distance.”

She couldn’t help but think that she must be fated to clash with snakes—this was already the second time.

Ye Qinming’s lips curved into a smirk as she narrowed her peach blossom eyes. “I was only planning to take the flower,” she said with a chilling smile, “but since it’s you two—don’t even think about leaving.”

Her attacks grew even more ruthless. With swift, decisive steps, she crossed the marsh and closed in on the Ghost Marsh Black Serpent. Her sword, brimming with overwhelming force, plunged directly toward its vital weak spot—the seven-inch mark.

The sheer intensity of her killing intent, combined with the aura of a cultivator whose strength was beginning to return, exerted a natural suppression on demon-kind. As she advanced, the serpent grew visibly uneasy, its tongue flicking nervously. It cast a glance toward the tianhao flower, as though considering retreat.

In the next instant, however, it received a signal from its companion. Shifting its focus to Gu Xiyan, the serpent realized something—she was a mortal, and not just any mortal, but a natural-born spiritual body.

Immediately, it withdrew its vulnerable reverse scales and feigned retreat. Then, with a sudden dive, it disappeared beneath the marsh’s surface.

Gu Xiyan was beginning to tire. While her techniques were skilled, she had only cultivated for less than half a year. Her spiritual energy was nowhere near as deep as that of the Ghost Marsh Black Serpent. The only reason she had injured it earlier was due to its carelessness.

Forced back several steps, a sudden chill ran down her spine, making her hairs stand on end—it was the serpent that had vanished, now reemerging behind her. Its forked tongue shot out like a spear, aimed directly at her back.

Before it could pierce even half an inch, however, it was abruptly stopped.

Ye Qinming had woven a net of spiritual energy, binding the serpent in place and nailing it to the ground. Without hesitation, she swept her sword across with her left hand, severing its extended tongue. In the same motion, she spun and, with a swift and lethal strike of her right hand, cleanly decapitated it.

The surviving serpent, witnessing its companion’s death, let out a piercing wail. It opened its mouth and spewed a stream of corrosive black venom toward them. Ye Qinming swiftly pulled Gu Xiyan into her arms, raising her sleeve to form a barrier of spiritual energy that blocked the venom entirely.

Realizing the venom was ineffective, the serpent reared its body upright. Its massive, several-feet-long form broke through the mist as the scales on its seven-inch mark flared open. Shockingly, the creature was on the verge of transforming into a flood dragon.

Ye Qinming’s expression grew serious. She had no interest in the Ghost Marsh Black Serpent’s demon core—but one that was on the brink of becoming a flood dragon? Now, that was intriguing.

The Ghost Marsh Black Serpent’s eyes swirled with black mist as it suddenly opened its mouth, spewing forth a dense blast of black demonic energy. The resulting gust of wind was so fierce that Gu Xiyan struggled to keep her footing.

Ye Qinming stepped in front of her, crossing her hands to block the oncoming force entirely. For Ye Qinming, still weakened, this full-force attack from the Ghost Marsh Black Serpent was no easy matter. Her long hair whipped wildly in the turbulent wind as she spoke in a low voice to Gu Xiyan, who was being battered by the violent gusts behind her. “Step back—I’ll handle this.”

Gu Xiyan knew she couldn’t help and didn’t want to become a distraction, so she obediently retreated several feet away. Though unable to see, her worry for Ye Qinming heightened her senses to the extreme. Amid the chaos, she listened carefully to every movement Ye Qinming made.

The standoff between Ye Qinming and the Ghost Marsh Black Serpent continued. However, even with her weakened state, as the former Demon Emperor, Ye Qinming was not to be underestimated. Gradually, the serpent began to falter—the intensity of its spiritual energy noticeably weakened.

What Ye Qinming hadn’t anticipated, however, was a sudden surge of potent spiritual energy flying in from afar. It merged directly with the serpent’s demonic power, intensifying the pressure against her. The abrupt increase in force made her stagger back a step on her right leg to hold her ground.

Her once-clear peach blossom eyes darkened to a blood-red hue, and a murderous aura surged around her. The Immortal Realm had arrived. Ye Qinming immediately realized the situation was worse than it seemed—if her guess was correct, things were about to get dire.

With a sharp motion, she slammed her right hand down, forcibly suppressing the black-and-white intertwined energy that had nearly reached her. Damn it—just a little more, and she could’ve finished it.

But the immortals who had come to execute any demons escaping from the Abyssal Prison of Demons had no intention of giving her that chance. Armed with spiritual treasures bestowed by the fire god, they had tracked the demonic traces to this place. Upon sensing the surge of demonic power deep within Mount Gan, they immediately rushed over—only to find two demons locked in combat.

What shocked them most was the sight of Ye Qinming.

The two immortals were Xingshi and Rizhuo, heavenly generals under Fire God Yanyang. Years ago, when Ye Qinming was supposedly slain, Xingshi had been present and had personally witnessed the Demon Emperor’s appearance—it was burned into his memory.

Seeing that Ye Qinming’s strength was severely diminished and that she was already locked in battle with the Ghost Marsh Black Serpent, Xingshi believed fate was on his side. He quickly conferred with Rizhuo, deciding that one of them would hold her down while the other delivered a fatal strike.

He knew just how much the Heavenly Emperor feared the Demon Emperor—if he succeeded in killing Ye Qinming, the merit he would earn would far surpass slaying a dozen high-level demons.

This was an opportunity that would never come again. Without hesitation, they decided to strike immediately and catch her off guard.

Xingshi came with a determination to kill in one blow. With Ye Qinming’s power weakened and her attention occupied by a formidable enemy, he was convinced he could take her life.

Like a meteor, he streaked through the air, launching a devastating attack from behind. However, Gu Xiyan—having sensed the danger the moment Rizhuo moved—rushed toward Ye Qinming without a second thought.

Midway, she felt the overwhelming force of Xingshi’s killing blow, its terrifying spiritual energy unmistakable. Without pausing, she gathered her own spiritual power and threw herself behind Ye Qinming, intercepting the strike just as it closed to within a feet of her.

Ye Qinming could not withdraw her attack against the serpent, but her spiritual awareness was razor-sharp—she immediately realized that Gu Xiyan’s attempt to block Xingshi’s strike was futile. That level of force would kill her instantly.

The realization hit Ye Qinming like a plunge into an icy abyss. Her blood-red eyes widened in panic as she whipped her head around, her voice raw with fury and desperation.

“Gu Xiyan, get out of the way!!”