Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 45: Succession

Chapter 45: Succession

“What is this?” she asked curiously.

Wang Lin stared at the God-shooting Chariot as the magical artifact landed in her palm. “This is called the God-shooting Chariot, a divine artifact painstakingly developed by Celestial Treasure Senior. Activating it requires vast spiritual power support. With my current cultivation level, I cannot yet wield such a powerful magical artifact and can only seal its spiritual power with restrictions.”

“It looks quite exquisite. I never imagined it would possess such great mystical power.” Li Muwan couldn’t help but sigh in admiration – truly worthy of the immortal realm.

“If Wan’er likes it, take it.”

Li Muwan was stunned for a moment before hurriedly returning it to him. “If even Senior Brother cannot activate this artifact, how could I possibly move it? This object is useless to me. Even if you gave it to me, I’d only use it to crack almonds – don’t waste such great material on petty uses.”

Then she discovered another treasure, one she had actually seen in ancient texts. “Senior Brother, is this the Star Compass?”

“Wan’er recognizes this object too?”

“Where did you get it from?”

“The Young Sect Master of the Giant Demon Clan gifted it to me.”

Li Muwan thought to herself that such a rare treasure as the Star Compass wouldn’t be given away so easily. That pagoda was astonishing enough, yet it wasn’t obtained without reason but through someone’s commission. But if Wang Lin said it was a gift, then it must be a gift – she didn’t probe further into the reasons.

“Legend says the Star Compass can traverse the void. With this compass, one can leave Vermilion Bird Star and travel to other cultivation stars.”

“After I help Wan’er achieve Nascent Soul Formation successfully, I’ll take you away from Vermilion Bird Star.”

Li Muwan felt secretly distressed. He was advancing too quickly, and given her current condition, following him would only burden him.

Knowing it was impossible and not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm, she merely responded with a soft “Mm.”

“This is…” Li Muwan suddenly noticed the immense spiritual power covering one of the immortal herbs. “Netherworld Spirit-Covering Grass?”

“Wan’er recognizes this medicine?”

“It looks similar,” Li Muwan said. “Among the herbs recorded in ancient books, I remember one called Netherworld Spirit-Covering Grass that grows by deep pools where yin and yang converge. It can guide souls back to bodies and reassemble the three hun and seven po souls.”

“Guide souls back to bodies and reassemble the three hun and seven po souls,” Wang Lin sighed. “It actually has such miraculous effects.”

“But the ancient texts say this medicine works best if consumed within an hour of being picked. Even if Senior Brother uses restrictions to lock in its spiritual power and vitality, its effectiveness will be greatly reduced.”

“Since it’s useful, Wan’er should keep it.”

“Mm.” Even with diminished effects, it would still be several times more potent than other immortal herbs. However, since this medicine had special properties, Li Muwan would need time to study it further.

Delighted to receive the immortal herb, she pulled Wang Lin’s sleeve to continue telling her about his adventures in the immortal realm.

“Senior Brother, continue please. You were just talking about Hong Die? Why did she try to kill you multiple times?” Li Muwan asked with heartache.

“We clashed once when the Snowy Kingdom invaded the Four Sect Alliance during my mortal transformation.”

“Then when you teamed up with Chi Hu to explore treasures, she must have hated you intensely.” Li Muwan’s face showed concern.

“Hong Die achieved Spirit Transformation in just a hundred years. Though it was a rare opportunity, her experience is still shallow and her dao heart unstable. If we truly fought to the death, she might not necessarily be able to kill me.”

Li Muwan caressed his chest, overflowing with tenderness. “Did she injure you badly? Does it hurt?”

“I’m fine,” Wang Lin grasped the hand before him, feeling warmth in his heart seeing how much she cared about him.

Wang Lin continued recounting their journey to the immortal realm fragments with the three of them searching for treasures. When he mentioned the ancient divine beast “Void” in the emptiness, Li Muwan showed great interest.

“Ancient demon beasts – I’ve only read about them in ancient texts.”

“But you scolded Hong Die like that, won’t she hold a grudge against you?”

“Whatever.” Wang Lin didn’t care in the slightest. “Ignorance is ignorance.”

Li Muwan felt as if she had been scolded along with Hong Die. Lowering her eyes with an innocent expression, she murmured in a wronged tone, “Wan’er has never heard of this thing either, so Wan’er must also be ignorant.”

Hearing this, Wang Lin sensed something amiss. He cupped her small face and said, “How can Wan’er belittle herself like this? My Wan’er has read extensively, is deeply learned, well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge, exceptionally talented, and brilliantly cleverhow could she be ignorant?”

These were his words? Li Muwan found it hard to believe and laughed at him, “Has Senior Brother learned to praise Wan’er?”

“This is just who you areno need for special praise.” Wang Lin said seriously.

“Mmm.” Then she grew worried again, “But you cut off one of Hong Die’s arms and made an appointment to fight her on Vermilion Bird Star…”

“Wan’er, don’t worry. Without absolute certainty, I wouldn’t act recklessly.” Wang Lin reassured her.

He remembered everything Li Muwan taught him, learning each lesson one by one.

***

They lived in seclusion here, losing track of time. Li Muwan thought about taking each day as it came, while Wang Lin thought about how to help her quickly restore her cultivation level and achieve Nascent Soul Formation.

The vegetables she planted in the yard were harvested again and again. As the seasons changed, she had truly become someone detached from the mundane world.

Recently, however, Wang Lin left a message saying he would be away for some time and instructed the Fiend to protect her well. Li Muwan didn’t know where he had gone, but he always had his own matters to attend to, so she didn’t pry.

Yet on several nights, when she turned over, she bumped into a familiar embrace. His breathing was slightly rushedthe moment Wang Lin returned from outside, his first priority was to transfer Spiritual Power to her. Li Muwan silently held him, and no matter how he tried to hide it, she could still sense the murderous aura and bloodlust on him.

She didn’t dare open her eyes to look, only pressing closer against his chest and tightening her arms around him.

The next day, Li Muwan was basking in the sun in the yard when Wang Lin, acting as if nothing was wrong, brought out an Elixir and coaxed her into taking it.

She asked no questions, simply obediently swallowed the Elixir, allowing Wang Lin to regulate her energy and nourish her body.

He had traveled through several cultivation countries, all to find life-extending medicine. Cultivators and Demon Beastshe killed and plundered, slaughtering amidst corpses. Miraculous Pills and Elixirs from auction houses, Immortal Grass Golden Pillsanything that could be exchanged for, he exchanged for. What couldn’t be exchanged for, he stole. What couldn’t be stolen, he killed for.

As time passed, rumors spread throughout Tian Shu Country and even neighboring nations of a demonic cultivator wearing a bamboo hat, his features unclear, who would stop at nothing to kill and seize treasures, his methods cruel and ruthless.

Yet she pretended not to know, spending her days with a bright smile, tending to flowers and plants in the yard.

“Wan’er, play a tune for me,” said the weary Wang Lin, gazing at Li Muwan’s slightly improved complexion. “It’s been so long since I last heard you play the zither.”

His large hand resting on her waist exerted slight pressure, guiding her to sit at the zither platform. Li Muwan lifted her fingers to pluck the strings, while Wang Lin sat beside her as usual, taking out his wine gourd and swallowing both bitterness and happiness.

Afterward, Wang Lin went out again, though this time he was away longer.

He boldly infiltrated the sect of a fifth-level cultivation country alone, stole their Sect-Protecting Immortal Herb, but was intercepted by the sect’s Grand Ancestor. Severely wounded, he barely managed to escape from certain death, driven solely by the belief that in a valley cottage in faraway Tian Shu Country, his wife was waiting for him to return.

“Wan’er, wait for me!”

Li Muwan gazed at the sky beyond the valley, the clouds shrouded by the setting sun, but the figure she longed for did not appear.

After night fell, she went to bed as usual, the space beside her empty.

Until midnight, Li Muwan sensed movement in her sleep. A tall figure stood before the low couch, trembling slightly in the faint candlelight. His eyes were rimmed red with unshed tears, and beneath the blood-soaked black cloak, his body was covered in wounds.

His murderous aura had grown heavier. Li Muwan lifted the quilt, kneeling on the bedding as she gazed at his bloodstained form. Her throat tightened, tears welling in her eyes, words caught in her throat.

Wang Lin’s breath was unsteady. Having rushed back day and night from thousands of miles away, seeing the person on the low couch made all the killing worthwhile.

Had he not been worried about Li Muwan’s condition and needed to return urgently to transfer Spiritual Power to her, he would have preferred to recover from his injuries outside rather than make her worry. But after being surrounded by experts from five cultivation nations, he had nearly lost his life. He could no longer care about appearances – he only wanted to see her, desperately needed to see her.

“Wan’er, I’m back.” Wang Lin held a jade vial containing a rare Longevity Pill.

But given her current weakened state, Li Muwan likely couldn’t withstand the vast Spiritual Power contained within the Elixir.

She threw herself forward, embracing the bloodied body, her shoulders shaking as she wept uncontrollably. “Wang… Wang Lin, please… don’t leave again…” she sobbed.

“Wan’er… Wan’er doesn’t want you risking your life to steal medicine for me…”

“I don’t want you getting hurt…”

“I don’t want you in pain…”

“Senior Brother…”

Li Muwan cried as if her heart would break, her words barely audible.

Wang Lin raised his arms to embrace her, burying his face in the warmth of her neck. Breathing in her scent, his fatigue faded and his tense nerves relaxed slightly. Through her tears, Li Muwan smiled as if finally letting go of her stubbornness, a thought transmitting between their brows.

From now on, there would be no more deception, no more scheming to conquer Fiends with ulterior motives – just wholehearted, undivided love for him.

“Wan’er, take this pill, it will make you feel better.” Wang Lin’s voice trembled. How could Li Muwan not know he was just comforting her?

“Senior Brother, I want to return to Cloud Heaven Sect,” Li Muwan whispered against his chest.

Wang Lin would grant her every wish. “Alright.”

After lulling her to sleep, Wang Lin supported his wounded body and began transferring Spiritual Power to her again. After days of continuous Spiritual Power transfer combined with his unhealed severe injuries, exhausted, he collapsed to his knees. Large sweat droplets fell from his forehead, the taste of blood in his mouth. Lifting his head to look at the beauty on the couch, through his blurred vision he could see her complexion had improved slightly, a strand of hair falling across her face.

Wang Lin pushed himself up and moved to the edge of the couch, reaching out to gently smooth her hair with a faint wisp of Spiritual Power. Only then did he sit back and resume transferring Spiritual Power.

The two stayed in the valley cottage for half a month, but Li Muwan never took that pill.

One morning, Wang Lin transformed into a long rainbow with Li Muwan, disappearing from the valley.

Months later, Cloud Heaven Sect was in an uproar – Wang Lin had brought their sect leader back.

This time, Li Muwan didn’t plan to stay long at Cloud Heaven Sect. She merely passed the position of sect leader to Zhou Lin, entrusting him with managing Cloud Heaven Sect.

After all these years of her prestige within Cloud Heaven Sect, even without Soul Blood, everyone had long regarded her as their true sect leader in their hearts.

Zhou Lin’s eyes brimmed with hot tears as he watched his master’s increasingly frail body, suffering in silence.

Though reluctant to part, Li Muwan wouldn’t cling to what needed to be severed. Zhou Lin was her adopted disciple – she had watched him grow up, taught him Pill Crafting and Formations, helping him become a man capable of bearing Cloud Heaven Sect’s responsibilities and standing firm between heaven and earth.

In the remaining days, she would do what she wished to do.

At the pavilion in the Southern Garden’s rear courtyard, Zhou Lin served her tea. Li Muwan gazed at him with gentle eyes: “Two hundred years ago, you were just a five or six-year-old child. At that time, I was drifting through storms, with no one to rely on. Taking you as my disciple was the most impulsive decision I ever made. Watching you grow up in the Cloud Heaven Sect over these years, and now seeing you capable of supporting the entire sect, your master is deeply gratified.”

“Zhou Lin, you are a good child.” Li Muwan took a sip of tea. Zhou Lin’s tea-brewing skill had been personally taught by her, and the flavor suited her taste.

“Master…”

“I will be away for some time. The position of Cloud Heaven Sect Leader, I now pass to you.”

“Master, this cannot be.”

Li Muwan raised her hand to stop him, “My decision is final. No further discussion is needed. You are a ninth-generation disciple of the Cloud Heaven Sect. Though you are the Sect Leader’s personal disciple and have accumulated considerable prestige over the years, it is not enough to make the entire sect completely submit to you. Since I want you to succeed as Sect Leader, I will clear the obstacles for you.”

With that, she produced several drops of Soul Blood belonging to Grand Ancestors and Cloud Heaven Sect disciples from her brow. “These drops of Soul Bloodreturn them to the Grand Ancestors and disciples. This is the final path I pave for you. How far you can walk this path from now on depends entirely on yourself.”

Zhou Lin knew she never went back on her word. He bowed deeply to the seated Li Muwan.

“The name Zhou Lin was bestowed by you. Master has raised and taught me with grace I can never repay in this lifetime. I only wish for you to achieve your heart’s desire and remain unharmed throughout this life.”

On the cool terrace of the Southern Garden pavilion, Wang Lin leaned against the railing, taking in the entire rear courtyard. He held a wine pot in his hand, his eyes clouded with worry that refused to disperse.

After arranging everything, Li Muwan stayed in the Southern Garden for a few more days. She sat in the waterside pavilion playing the zither. After a century, the sound of the zither once again echoed through the Cloud Heaven Sect’s Southern Garden.

Li Muwan tried her best not to think about matters related to Cultivation level, but since Wang Lin had comprehended the Life and Death Conception, he could sense the aura of death in her music.

Gulp after gulp of fruit wine went down his throat, yet he seemed unable to taste it. Mixed with the zither’s melody, when he tasted it again and again, it turned out to be bitter.

Li Muwan had the sect bring some fabrics. She drew the designs herself and sewed according to the patterns, adorned with jewels, auspicious clouds, dragons, and phoenixes. When Wang Lin saw the half-finished red garment, it looked somewhat familiar.

“Wan’er, why are you making clothes?”

Li Muwan put down the silk thread in her hand. “This is wedding attire, sewn for us.”

Wang Lin paused. “For us?”

After their marriage by abduction a century ago, they had already been husband and wife. Although that wedding ceremony wasn’t originally prepared for the two of them, Wang Lin had never worn wedding robes.

Li Muwan held a soft measuring tape, comparing it to his shoulder width, then had him raise his arms. The measurements she recorded matched those in her memory, yet she still feared the fit might not be right.

“Wan’er?”

“Senior Brother promised to take me back to Zhao Country once to pay respects to my parents.” Li Muwan lay in his embrace, envisioning the thatched cottage in Wang Village he often spoke of.

“What about this wedding dress then?”

“Wan’er wants to wear it with Senior Brother once. Is that alright?”

“Alright.” Wang Lin gazed into her eyes and kissed her eyelids. Her long eyelashes brushed against his lips, bringing a tingling sensation.

After Li Muwan finished the wedding attire, the two set off for Zhao Country. Along the way, Wang Lin never left her side. They entered Zhao territory through an ancient teleportation array, traveling from Mount Hengyue to Wang Village. After entering the surrounding mountains, they were greeted by a vibrant and lively scene.

Layers of mountains stretched verdant and lush, several lines of white egrets traced across the azure sky. The bamboo forest path was overgrown with wild grass, and finally, the mosquito beast came to a stop before the Wang family’s small courtyard.

Pushing open the wooden door, a cloud of old dust rushed out. He used his Spiritual Power to disperse the dust, and Li Muwan peeked out from behind him. What met their eyes was an old main room, still relatively tidy.

Inside stood a worn wooden table and wooden stools, with a pile of wood segments stacked in the corner. A few old cloth towels hung on a drying line, and on the main table, three spirit tablets were enshrined.

Li Muwan glanced around the inner room before fixing her gaze on the spirit tablets. The inscriptions carved on them were particularly striking.

Wang Linthis was his spirit tablet!

A flicker of heartache passed through Li Muwan’s eyes, while Wang Lin, gazing at his parents’ spirit tablets, had tears welling up.

His palms clenched tightly. Li Muwan followed his steps forward as Wang Lin knelt before the spirit tablets, and she knelt alongside him.

“Father, Mother, your child has returned to see you.”

“This time, I’ve brought my wife to meet you both. Wan’er is gentle and treats me with utmost sincerity. I’m sure you would have loved her.”

Their eyes met, and Li Muwan smiled at him before addressing the spirit tablets, “Father, Mother, rest assured. Wan’er will take good care of Wang Lin.”

After speaking, Wang Lin kowtowed to the spirit tablets, and Li Muwan followed suit.

Wang Lin lit incense, the faint scent of burning sandalwood slowly spreading. He spoke to his parents before the spirit tablets for a while, with Li Muwan staying by his side, occasionally adding a word or two.

Outside the small courtyard, weeds grew rampant. With a mere thought from Wang Lin, the courtyard instantly became neat and orderly. Knowing Li Muwan valued cleanliness above all, and with both planning to stay in the thatched cottage for some time, he wanted to make her living conditions more comfortable despite the humble abode.

“Father and Mother would be even happier if they could see you,” Wang Lin said, wrapping an arm around her.

Li Muwan was still immersed in sorrow. “That spirit tablet… why is yours there…”

“It was arranged by Fourth Uncle’s descendants.”

Remembering the hardships he’d once described, her heart ached even more. Standing on her toes, she cupped his face. “Wang Lin, from now on, Wan’er will be here with you.”

“Mm.” Wang Lin took out his parents’ souls from the Heaven Defying Pearl to show Li Muwan. “These are Father and Mother’s souls. If it weren’t for Senior Situ’s help back then, I wouldn’t have been able to retrieve them from Teng Huayuan.”

“Senior Situ once said that if I can reach Nascent Soul Formation and rescue him, he might have a way to revive Father and Mother,” Wang Lin continued. “By then, I’ll also have greater power to protect you.”

“Wan’er, you won’t die. I will definitely help you achieve Nascent Soul Formation and extend your lifespan.”