Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 11: Separation

Chapter 11: Separation

During their first encounter in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, Wang Lin had grabbed Li Muwan’s wrist to escape the pursuit of a Core Formation cultivator. Now, as they parted, he similarly held her wrist while riding his Flying Sword back to Luoshui Sect.

The sea surface glimmered faintly, the thick mist having dissipated until only a thin layer remained, draping over the Demon-Cultivating Sea Domain like a soft gauze curtain.

A gentle breeze brushed their cheeks, stirring their hair. Her moon-white wide-sleeved fairy dress shimmered with flowing colors as it fluttered, resembling the tail of a deep-sea fish.

The thin mist gradually condensed into water droplets, the silhouette of the horizon flickering in and out of view, accompanied by the sound of tidal waves.

“The sea is about to transform,” Li Muwan murmured, her fingertips brushing against the watery mist as their Flying Sword figures pierced through the sea fog.

Wang Lin’s gaze softened as it fell upon her profile. “This is actually my first time witnessing the Sea of Mist transformation process.”

His responses were rarely given. During their four years living in the cave residence, no matter how enthusiastically Li Muwan shared interesting stories about the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, Wang Lin always maintained an unmoved expression and seldom offered replies. Even when he did respond, it was limited to countable instances or perfunctory “hmms.”

Yet even so, Li Muwan felt delighted.

Wang Lin could remain in closed-door meditation for long periods without speaking, enduring prolonged solitude and coldness. Li Muwan couldn’t do the same. Though well aware of the Fiend’s mercurial temperament, she would always muster courage to speak with him, often managing to touch upon topics he disliked. After being fiercely rebuked several times, she gradually grew accustomed to it.

“Because every time the sea transforms, you’re in closed-door cultivation,” Li Muwan withdrew her fingertips, transforming the lingering water mist into warm memories.

“And throughout these four years, during all four sea transformations, I’ve been extremely nervous each time, needing to personally oversee the grand formation.” Her tone carried echoes of those moments – the tension and excitement of witnessing the sea’s macroscopic transformation, mixed with lingering trepidation and a trace of invisible regret.

Yet each time, she had faced it alone. Wang Lin, wholly dedicated to cultivation, had been unaware of these experiences. Now he listened attentively, sometimes gazing ahead, sometimes glancing back at her. Her smiling face bloomed like a flower – this lively, cheerful young girl had been forced to spend four years with someone as taciturn as him.

The radiance of the person before him actually made him somewhat dazed.

Li Muwan’s tone shifted again. Raising her head with a maiden’s delicate charm, she met his gaze. “Occasionally, Spirit Beasts from the inner sea would swim by.”

“Were they beautiful?” Wang Lin found himself reluctant to look away. His handsome face revealed nothing – one had to admit his concealment skills were remarkable.

“Beautiful.” Li Muwan’s brilliance was fully revealed in those sincere, clear eyes – that rare innocence and liveliness he seldom encountered in the World of Cultivation.

“Hmm.” This sound differed from his usual perfunctory responses, something Li Muwan could clearly sense.

He wasn’t only capable of taking her to kill. It’s just that such romantic moments were as fleeting as flowing light.

The next moment, Wang Lin employed his Extreme Awareness to scout the path, pressing the Flying Sword downward closer to the sea surface.

Numerous Spirit Beasts emerged from the water. Beautiful moments are always brief. Li Muwan gazed at the Sea of Demonic Cultivation with reluctant longing.

Four years wasn’t long for cultivators, but for them, it had been unforgettable.

In the years following their separation, these bittersweet interactions would become echoes they could never forget, gradually merging into their very bones and blood.

Life in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation was fraught with constant tension. Having someone by their side whom they’d met in humble circumstances, yet could weather storms together – how could this not be considered profoundly satisfying?

Under the Fire Beast’s slaughter, the Fire-Burning Alliance’s territory lay in ruins like broken walls and debris. The alliance’s stronghold now stood before them.

“We’ve arrived.”

Wang Lin sheathed his sword and landed, the two stopping on the bamboo forest path where they first met. Their arrival startled the birds and beasts in the woods, their intermittent cries echoing like farewell whispers in the ear.

“I’ll see you off here. Thank you for these four years.” Wang Lin’s eyes held a resolve known only to himself, while the sensations transmitted from the Soul Pearl kept reminding Li Muwan.

[Soul Pearl: Fiend’s favorability decreased by 30%]

[Li Muwan: Is it because he knows we’re parting that he holds no attachment?]

[Soul Pearl: Didn’t you say unspoken farewells carry deeper emotion? Sure you won’t go with the Fiend?]

[Li Muwan: …]

Based on her understanding of Wang Lin after four years together, she knew he wouldn’t change his mind once decided, yet she found herself unconsciously shifting some perspectives.

A drop of Soul Blood flew from between Wang Lin’s brows, encircled by a wisp of crimson lightning, before settling between Li Muwan’s eyebrows.

“I’ve left a trace of Divine Sense in your Soul Blood. From now on, no one below the Nascent Soul Stage can harm you.”

Four years of mutual support, relying on each other for survival – he had fulfilled every promise made to her. Yet burdened with deep-seated vengeance, he could offer her no commitments.

When longing brings no solace, perhaps the real madness lies in refusing to grieve.

The recent drop in favorability, coupled with his straightforward return of the Soul Blood, made Li Muwan bow her head in contemplation, wanting to make one more attempt.

“Senior Brother, why not come take refuge with me at Luoshui Sect?”

Wang Lin refused decisively, “No need.”

Li Muwan lowered her head again, hiding her disappointment. After a moment’s thought, she retrieved several dozen bottles of Elixirs from her Storage Bag, roughly the same quantity she had previously mentioned to Wang Lin.

“These are the Elixirs I’ve refined over the years. Their effects are detailed inside.”

Without closer inspection, Wang Lin stored them in his Storage Bag and said coldly, “Four years ago I promised to keep you safe. Now I’ve fulfilled that promise. From today onward, we owe each other nothing.”

“Farewell.”

He turned resolutely, without any attachment. Li Muwan watched this retreating figure once more, sensing through countless wordless moments the solitude about him – a loneliness that could be shared with none.

“Senior Brother, wait.” Li Muwan called out distractedly, her reluctance transforming into vast, misty oceans.

She offered a delicate jade slip adorned with plum blossom patterns, engraved with the characters “Luo He”.

“This is for you.”

Wang Lin accepted the jade slip, turning in surprise only to see Li Muwan’s retreating figure as she rode her Flying Sword into the distance, her departure absolute.

Loneliness enveloped the solitary Fiend, his expression fading into surprise and loss.

Bamboo groves swayed in the wind, sunset saw them part, spring grass would green again, year after repeating year.

Wang Lin stood spiritless, clutching the jade slip as it transmitted her voice: “Senior Brother, though we’ve spent four years together, we never exchanged names. I am Li Muwan. I never learned your name, though it matters little now.”

“Over these four years, Wan’er thanks you for saving my life numerous times. The life we shared in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, Wan’er will never forget. Since parting is inevitable, I specially gift you this Jade Talisman – the pinnacle of my lifetime’s work in Formations.”

“Modified slightly from the Fighting Evil Sect’s Dragon-Fighting Formation, this jade slip combines defense and attack, though defense remains its fundamental purpose.”

“Wan’er knows Senior Brother has his own goals to achieve. The path of cultivation is perilous indeed. Should Senior Brother encounter danger in the future, may this formation provide some protection. If it can serve thus, Wan’er’s heart will be content.”

Fluctuations in favorability came through the Soul Pearl.

Li Muwan understood well: the Fiend’s affection came from her sincere treatment, and departed because of promises that couldn’t be made.

Useless entanglements only consume that irreparable regret. Cutting losses in time was the fiend’s response, and also Li Muwan’s acceptance.

The matter of the Soul Pearl still required careful planning.

With the Luoshui Sect now before her, Li Muwan took out her identity jade slip and entered the mountain gate.

Disciples were meditating and circulating their energy at the entrance, while patrol guards kept watch.

Several fellow disciples familiar with Li Muwan, seeing their junior sister who had been missing for years, thought they were mistaken and stared blankly for a long time. It wasn’t until Li Muwan’s clear voice called out “Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters” that they snapped out of their surprise and hurried forward with concern.

“It’s Junior Sister Li! Junior Sister Li has returned!”

Those practicing magical arts and sparring nearby also stopped their activities upon hearing this and gathered around. “Junior Sister Li is back?”

“Sister Muwan, where have you been these four years? We all thought you…”

“…”

The familiar faces and harmonious atmosphere made her, who had been away from the sect, feel cared for once again. Li Muwan smiled radiantly, hiding the disappointment and unhappiness from her journey, returning to her former liveliness and brightness.

“I encountered some dangers, but fortunately had cultivators from the Fire-Burning Alliance traveling with me, which helped me avoid peril and find an opportunity to return to the sect.”

“Fire-Burning Alliance cultivators? In our war against Xuanwu Kingdom, many disciples from various sects fell…”

“Senior Brothers and Sisters, after four years apart, since Wan’er has returned to Luoshui Sect, I should first pay respects to my master and the Grand Ancestors.” Li Muwan took her leave, thanking her fellow disciples for their concern, then mounted her flying sword and headed toward the secluded palace where the Grand Ancestor was in closed-door cultivation.

In four years, Luoshui Sect’s circumstances had greatly deteriorated, evidence that the battles against Xuanwu Kingdom and the Fire Beasts had damaged their foundation. Had she returned to Luoshui Sect back then, whether she would have survived to this day was uncertain.

The sect had regulations: unless dispatched by the sect, returning disciples must undergo inspection by the sect. The methods of inspection varied, with some even using the Soul-Searching Art to probe one’s divine sense. Unless one’s divine sense was stronger than the examiner’s, all experiences would be revealed to the searcher.

Li Muwan well remembered the sect rules from when she joined. The Soul-Searching Art would damage a cultivator’s foundation to some extent. The Grand Ancestor doted on her; as long as her words contained no flaws, she might be able to slip through.

This could also be an opportunity to test whether the Grand Ancestor knew anything about the matter of the Soul of Life.

The Grand Ancestor had been in closed-door cultivation since the ceasefire with Xuanwu Kingdom, only emerging last month. She rarely involved herself in sect affairs and had been stagnant due to the loss of many disciples, especially talents like Li Muwan – a rare alchemy prodigy with exceptional aptitude seen only once in a hundred years.

“Grand Ancestor, your junior Li Muwan requests an audience.”

Behind the silk curtain sat a graceful Nascent Soul Stage female cultivator. Her eyes were covered with gauze, but when closed, her divine sense swept over Li Muwan’s entire body.

The Grand Ancestor suddenly opened her eyes. The slender figure standing respectfully behind the silk curtain was like an orchid in a deep valley – gentle, soft, and elegant. With such temperament and bearing, in Luoshui Sect there was only one person.

The silk curtain parted slightly as the Grand Ancestor looked her over with doting eyes. “Is that Wan’er returned?”

“I heard you went missing in that great battle. Your entire squad perished, and the sect sent people to search for you multiple times without success.” A thread of divine sense fell upon her but detected nothing unusual.

“Grand Ancestor, during the battle with Xuanwu Kingdom, I was pursued by a Core Formation Stage cultivator. Fortunately, a disciple from the War God Hall saved me, but through various circumstances, I fell into the Sea of Demonic Cultivation. These past four years, I’ve been lying low in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, and only now found an opportunity to escape.” Li Muwan explained her reasons, her story containing no loopholes.

If the Grand Ancestor intended to further investigate the identity of that War God Hall disciple, it would perfectly align with Li Muwan’s scheme, for she too wished to uncover the fiend’s true origins.

Who exactly was he?

“A War God Hall disciple?” As an Elixir Cultivator merely at the early Foundation Establishment stage, her complexion radiant like frost-kissed moonlight, the Grand Ancestor probed again and confirmed her Primordial Yin remained intact.

After detecting no abnormalities in Li Muwan, the Grand Ancestor pursued the matter no further. After all, the sect had declined during the great war, and the various factions of the Fire-Burning Alliance were now bound together in shared vulnerability. Talented individuals were as scarce as morning stars in the sect, let alone a genius Elixir Cultivator like Li Muwan such talents were met by chance, not by search.

“Since you’ve returned unharmed, heaven has truly favored our Luoshui Sect.” The Grand Ancestor waved his sleeve and retrieved several bottles of Spirit Herbs from his Storage Bag. “Your Spiritual Power has been depleted the journey back from the Sea of Demonic Cultivation must have been perilous. Take these Elixirs to nourish your body and help restore your cultivation level sooner.”

“This disciple thanks the Grand Ancestor.”

Fine beads of sweat formed on Li Muwan’s forehead, fearing the Grand Ancestor might detect that crafting the Jade Slip had damaged her foundation. Though she had long prepared an explanation, if her recovering elder brother learned of this, it would surely add to his worries.

“If there’s nothing else, you may take your leave.”

“Grand Ancestor,” Li Muwan pondered briefly before suddenly kneeling to earnestly seek guidance, “Grand Ancestor, during Wan’er’s years in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, I heard cultivators speak of something called the Soul of Life. Might the Grand Ancestor have knowledge of this?”