Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 32: Outing

Chapter 32: Outing

“Sixty years ago, that strand of Soul of Life from the auction ultimately fell into the hands of a Nascent Soul Stage elder from the Limitless Sect, whose Nascent Soul and physical body were on the verge of dissipating. That person absorbed the Soul of Life, refined it with essence blood for a century, and eventually reconstructed their physical body.”

“It is said that if a cultivator loses their Soul of Life, it affects their cultivation progress. Even with an incomplete Soul of Life, one can rely on miraculous pills and elixirs or cultivation techniques to compensate. But if the Soul of Life is entirely lost, one’s lifespan will eventually run out.”

“Losing one’s Soul of Life is quite rare in the World of Cultivation, which is why that strand of Soul of Life had long been coveted by major sects. Throughout history, how many cultivators have actually seen a Soul of Life? You could count them on one hand.”

“However, it’s rumored that even if a cultivator retrieves their lost Soul of Life, it might be useless.”

“…”

Such conversations reached Li Muwan’s ears.

Li Muwan stepped forward and asked, “May I ask, fellow cultivators, why is it said that even if a cultivator retrieves their lost Soul of Life, it might be useless?”

Several cultivators glanced at her, and Li Muwan clearly detected their ill intentions. But to learn more about the Soul of Life, she remained vigilant and chose to ignore their demeanor.

“Little fairy, are you also interested in the Soul of Life?” One of the cultivators, with a sharp mouth and monkey-like cheeks, licked his lips with a lecherous expression. Li Muwan felt disgusted but maintained a calm composure.

“Fellow cultivators, your vivid descriptions have piqued my curiosity. May I ask where you heard these rumors about the Soul of Life?”

The group burst into laughter. “We brothers have traveled across various cultivation nationswhat secrets haven’t we heard? But these were gathered at the risk of our cultivation levels dropping. If the little fairy wants to hear more, you’ll need to show some sincerity.”

The sharp-faced cultivator then took out several jade slips from his storage bag. The records about the Soul of Life on them were more detailed than what she had collected over the years.

Li Muwan smiled faintly and nodded. “Since they are precious items, I wonder what it would take to exchange for them.”

“Records on something as rare as the Soul of Lifewe can find anything. What treasures haven’t we brothers seen?” The cultivator rested his chin on his fingertip, teasingly gazing at Li Muwan. “But a fairy as graceful as youwe’ve never seen anyone like that. If you’d honor us with a visit to our cave residence, this Senior Brother will explain the Soul of Life records in detail. How about it?”

They were all at the Core Formation Stage. Li Muwan had the Restriction Banner and the Fiend given to her by Wang Lin; if a fight broke out, she stood a chance of winning. Judging by their attire, they weren’t rogue cultivators but likely backed by a sect, which made them so brazen.

Provoking a sect wasn’t worth the trouble. If her identity were discovered, it could bring endless trouble to the Cloud Heaven Sect.

“How do I know if your Soul of Life records are genuine? I need to verify them first,” Li Muwan retorted, hiding her calculations as she raised an eyebrow.

A jade slip floated toward her, displaying a few large characters:

Soul of Life Without Life!

It matched the records she had previously reviewed in the Scripture Repository.

Then a few more characters appeared:

Soul of Life With Life!

“Does the ‘Soul of Life With Life’ recorded in this jade slip relate to what you mentioned earlier about that Nascent Soul Stage senior reconstructing their physical body?”

The group wasn’t easily fooled either. Instead of answering immediately, they retrieved the jade slip and gestured to Li Muwan. “Fairy, please.”

If she could find an opportunity to search their divine sense and gain all their knowledge about the Soul of Life, it might help her retrieve her own Soul of Life.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Muwan decided this wasn’t the place to act. She needed to leave the main city’s market area and find a chance to seize the Soul of Life jade slips and search their divine sense.

Li Muwan made up her mind: “Lead the way.”

Several figures vanished from the market streets.

Meanwhile, Wang Lin, who had just returned to the market with a few items in hand, found no trace of Li Muwan. He could only use his Divine Sense to detect the Fiend, finally locating traces a thousand miles outside the main city.

Six cultivators, though maintaining some distance, had formed an encirclementtwo in front, two behind, and one on each side. Li Muwan remained vigilant in this desolate, uninhabited area, recognizing it as an opportune place to strike.

“I don’t have much time, so let’s settle this here,” she suddenly stopped walking.

“Oh? So the fairy prefers excitement?” The men abandoned their concealment, raising their eyebrows with lecherous expressions.

Li Muwan swiftly summoned Xiao Ling. At the sight of the green-faced, fanged monster, the group grew alert and prepared to cast spells against it. But Li Muwan was already manipulating the Restriction Banner, spinning the pole around her wrist several times before forming hand seals. She unleashed multiple Restrictions, and powerful magical imprints pressed down on them from above.

The Restrictions immobilized them within the Formation. Seizing the opportunity, she deftly snatched the Soul of Life Jade Slip from one of them.

“You… you were prepared all along,” stammered the Core Formation cultivator, his eyes wide with panic.

“You’ve been luring me here all this waywasn’t this your plan from the start?” She gripped the Restriction Banner tightly. “I merely struck first. What’s wrong with that?”

“A mere late Core Formation cultivator actually possesses such a Magical Artifact? Brothers, let’s give it our all, break this Formation, and seize her treasures!”

“As for you, you’ll serve as my Cauldron Vessel.”

Li Muwan had no patience for further talk. Just as she was about to use Divine Sense to search them, one cultivator seized the chance to deploy his Natal Magic Treasure, attacking a weak point in the Restriction’s defense.

As Li Muwan released her Divine Sense, she channeled a burst of magical power. Several bolts of lightning furiously assailed the Formation. Seeing this, Li Muwan reinforced the Magic Array, positioning the Restriction Banner overhead and casting more Restrictions. The six Core Formation cultivators had no choice but to unite their efforts.

“Brothers, hold nothing back! Once we capture her alive, her Magical Artifact goes to me, and she’ll be your Cauldron Vessel.”

“Such a treasure… Cauldron Vessels are common, but artifacts like this are rare. Even on Vermilion Bird Star, this banner is seldom seen. She must have significant backingwe must keep her here today.” They intensified their magical power, unleashing all their Natal Magic Treasures.

Li Muwan’s gaze darkened, radiating boundless killing intent. In her ferocity, she bore a striking resemblance to Wang Lin.

Just as the group united to deliver a fatal blow, Li Muwan prepared her defense and counterattack. But then, an immense force emerged from behind, accompanied by a voice that shook the entire sky, effortlessly dissipating their attacks into nothingness.

“Who exactly are you planning to keep here?”

A man in white robes, emanating an immortal’s grace, stood before Li Muwan, retracting all the Restriction Formations.

“Senior Brother,” Li Muwan called out to the familiar figure, quietly withdrawing her Divine Sense.

The group couldn’t gauge Wang Lin’s Cultivation level but felt an overwhelming terror. The lead Core Formation cultivator, recognizing the danger, pleaded, “Senior, we bear you no grudge. We merely had a misunderstanding with this woman during a transaction in the market. Now that the misunderstanding is resolved, let’s go our separate ways. What do you say?”

Li Muwan mentally calculated how to explain the exchanged items if Wang Lin inquired.

Wang Lin remained silent. Seeing negotiations futile, the men invoked their sect to intimidate him.

“We are inner elders of the Mountain Sea Sect. If you dare kill us, you’ll make an enemy of the entire Mountain Sea Sect…”

“Too noisy.”

Before the Core Formation Stage cultivator could finish speaking, Wang Lin swept his Divine Sense, and the several figures turned to ash, dissipating within the heavy fog.

This scene was all too familiar to her.

“Senior Brother.” Li Muwan stored away the Restriction Banner and Xiao Ling, stepping forward to grasp his sleeve.

Wang Lin turned and scanned her thoroughly, only ceasing when he confirmed she was unharmed. The previously crimson glare in his eyes faded, replaced by a gaze full of tenderness that Li Muwan saw.

He didn’t respond verbally, yet his eyes seemed to speak volumes.

“Senior Brother, I was waiting for you at the market when those people claimed they saw a white-robed, white-haired cultivator being chased out of the city. I was worried about you, so they lured me here,” Li Muwan explained. “I didn’t mean to get separated.”

“Hmm.” Wang Lin didn’t press about how she ended up there, instead taking Li Muwan’s hand but not heading back toward the main city.

“Senior Brother, this isn’t the direction to the main city. Where are we going?”

“Taking you to Mountain Sea Sect.”

“What are we going to Mountain Sea Sect for?”

“To kill.”

Li Muwan stared at his sharp profile, silver hair dancing in the wind. If he remained silent and still, he appeared the very picture of a gentle, refined gentleman. Who would know he was actually a Fiend who would exact revenge for the smallest grievance and show no mercy?

Li Muwan thought to herself, after hundreds of years, he still only knew how to take her killing, understanding nothing of romance. Though it seemed dull, this was simply who he was.

“Senior Brother, are we really going to destroy a sect? Those people are already dead, and Mountain Sea Sect is a major power in Tianshan Kingdom. What if…”

“Anyone who harms Wan’er, I will hunt them to the ends of the earth.”

Wang Lin’s words cut off the rest of Li Muwan’s sentence. Having a Fiend’s protection was good, but his methods were too extreme. If he ever learned the truth, would he treat her the same way? She couldn’t help but shudder.

As they approached Mountain Sea Sect, Wang Lin patted his Storage Bag and took out a straw hat, gently placing it on Li Muwan’s head.

“Senior Brother, what kind of Magical Artifact is this?” Li Muwan examined the peculiar-looking object on her head.

“This artifact was given to me by a senior. Unless the opponent’s Cultivation level is two stages higher than yours, they won’t be able to see your true appearance.”

Li Muwan gasped in amazement, a smile spreading across her face. “It looks strange, but it’s quite practical.”

Then, Wang Lin took Li Muwan’s hand and tore through the void, his intimidating voice echoing for hundreds of miles: “Grand Ancestor of Mountain Sea Sect, show yourself!”

Instantly, the protective formation around Mountain Sea Sect’s mountains activated, and thousands of cultivators appeared, densely filling the sky above the sect.

“Who dares trespass at Mountain Sea Sect’s gates?” demanded the white-bearded elder at the front.

Behind him stood ten Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, the weakest among them at mid-Nascent Soul Stage.

“Your Mountain Sea Sect disciples bullied my wife. I’m storming your sect to seek justice – it’s only natural.” Wang Lin spoke casually, bringing two fingers together with a red light swirling around their tips.

With just a thought, the protective formation shattered. An immense, terrifying Divine Sense pressed down, causing the Cultivation levels of thousands of cultivators to drop as they vomited blood. Lower-level Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators had their souls completely dispersed.

Li Muwan was horrified, a flicker of pity passing through her heart before vanishing just as quickly.

In the World of Cultivation, it was survival of the fittest. If it wasn’t him today, it would be her tomorrow.

By the time Wang Lin finished, Mountain Sea Sect had become devoid of Spiritual Energy, reduced to ruins.

In the churning mist above, a Magical Artifact glowed with golden light, radiating intense Spiritual Power fluctuations. Wang Lin used his teleportation technique to retrieve the artifact.

Li Muwan examined the magical artifact and said, “This is the Soul Gathering Lock. According to ancient texts, it can contain human souls and refine living people. However, this lock is sealed with a restrictionit must be the Mountain Sea Sect’s treasured artifact.”

Wang Lin listened carefully to her explanation, his gentle gaze lingering on her lips as he stored the Soul Gathering Lock away.

He didn’t care about being perceived as ruthless, nor did he mind if Li Muwan viewed him differently. She had witnessed his decisive brutality and his depraved madnessonly before her did he feel no need for pretense, nor any desire to conceal his true nature.

Yet this conviction wavered momentarily when he turned and caught a glimpse of compassion in Li Muwan’s eyes.

“Wan’er, let’s go back.”

Throughout the journey, Li Muwan seemed distracted. Today, the Mountain Sea Sect had fallen because of herwould the Cloud Heaven Sect someday meet the same fate due to her actions?

“Wan’er?” Noticing her mood, Wang Lin tightened his grip on her hand. “Do you think I went too far?”

“Not at all, Senior Brother. You were simply preventing future troubles. Your decision was correct.” Li Muwan wrapped her arms around his, as if to reassure him that she accepted even the merciless side of Wang Lin.

***

The two lingered in the market for a few days. Originally planning to replace her zither strings, Wang Lin noticed a guqin of excellent quality. After Li Muwan tested its tone and expressed satisfaction, he purchased it for her.

She was still wearing the straw hat and attempted to remove it, but Wang Lin stopped her. “Keep it on.”

Reluctantly, she murmured, “It doesn’t look very nice…”

Wang Lin sighed with a faint smile, unwilling to force her, and promptly put the hat away. Her spirits lifted immediately.

“Senior Brother, you mentioned experiencing mortal life during your worldly seclusiondid you also stroll through streets like this?” Li Muwan walked closely beside him, never letting go of his arm as they moved.

Wang Lin accommodated her pace.

“Yes.”

“What interesting things did you encounter in the mortal world?” Li Muwan gazed into the distance, imagining what it would be like for Wang Lin to live as an ordinary mortal.

Wang Lin shared stories of Da Niu’s family and the neighbors along the street. Captivated, Li Muwan suggested they enter a teahouse. The shop attendant, at the Foundation Establishment Stage, glanced at the couple outside but couldn’t discern their cultivation levels.

The man carried himself with extraordinary gracehis face like sculpted jade, eyebrows like ink paintings, clad in snow-white robes. A purple-gold crown studded with gems held back his silver hair, which flowed like a waterfall in the breeze. His expression revealed neither joy nor anger.

Beside him, he held the hand of a woman dressed in flowing moon-white feathered robes that shimmered with iridescence. Her skin was like refined cream, her demeanor gentle and elegant. With bright, expressive eyes and graceful speech, she exuded an aura of compassion.

The attendant had only glanced for a moment before an icy glare from Wang Lin intimidated him. An invisible, sharp aura enveloped the Foundation Establishment attendant, delivering an unambiguous warning.

Wang Lin wished he could make her wear the straw hat again, but since Li Muwan disliked it, he endured the attention while subtly shielding her from others’ gazes.

The attendant instinctively stepped back, not daring to look at the woman beside Wang Lin again, and bowed respectfully as he guided them inside.

“P-please come in, fellow cultivators…”

The teahouse also sold various miraculous pills and elixirs. Many cultivators visiting the city to procure supplies would stop here to rest. This was Li Muwan’s first time accompanying Wang Lin on such an outing.

“Is the mortal world like this too?” Li Muwan looked around curiously, her interest growing.

Wang Lin waved his hand and only ordered a pot of light tea.

The attendant eagerly explained, “This is a spirit herb tea unique to our Chu Kingdom. It’s a formula developed by a fourth-grade alchemist using various spirit herbs. It greatly benefits cultivators in recovering spiritual power, with a sweet taste and rich aroma. Most cultivators coming to the market city stop here for a cup before continuing their journey.”

Wang Lin gestured for the attendant to leave. Despite the extravagant description, he didn’t care much about its effects. He took a sip and found the taste indeed pleasant.

“This spirit herb tea is sweet and fragrant, no wonder so many cultivators are willing to come here.” Li Muwan gently fanned the air a few times, allowing the tea fragrance to enter her nose, then took another small sip.

“Senior Brother, you mentioned earlier that the straw hat was given to you by a senior. Why would he gift you such a powerful magical artifact?”

“I promised to carve one hundred wood carvings for him, so he gave it to me in return.”

Wood carvings again. Li Muwan grew increasingly curious about the wood carvings Wang Lin mentioned. Resting her chin in her hand, she moved closer to him. “Then, Senior Brother, could you carve one of Wan’er too?”

Wang Lin tilted his head to look at her.

“Wan’er doesn’t have any valuable magical artifacts to exchange. If you don’t mind, I can make several new sets of clothing for you.” Her bright eyes shone with innocence as she gazed at him.

Wang Lin’s gaze enveloped her entire figure, watching her lively features dance with expression. His heart softened, and he couldn’t suppress a smile. “Alright.”

“Then when we return to the Southern Garden, you’ll carve it for me.” Li Muwan rested her face against her arm, leaning against him. “Wasn’t Wan’er extremely dashing when using the Restriction Banner earlier? Senior Brother should carve a wood carving of Wan’er holding the Restriction Banner.”

She treated the dangerous situation they had escaped as casual conversation, hoping to help Wang Lin relax instead of always keeping a tense, stern expression.

A strand of hair fell across her forehead. Wang Lin reached out and gently tucked it behind her ear. “I noticed you handle the Restriction Banner quite skillfully. Has anyone been troubling you these years?”

Li Muwan suddenly straightened up, speaking seriously: “No, no one has been troubling me.”

She felt afraid. Although these years had been relatively stableaside from having to supply the elixirs required by the upper-level cultivation nations on timethere hadn’t been any real trouble.

If she said otherwise, she didn’t know what reckless actions Wang Lin might take.

“Wan’er has always studied restrictions, so using the Restriction Banner isn’t difficult. Moreover, Senior Brother taught me, so I remembered.”

“Mm.”

Seeing that Wang Lin didn’t say anything more, Li Muwan secretly sighed in relief. She would carefully study the Soul of Life records on the jade slip after returning to the Cloud Heaven Sect.