Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 5: Coral

Chapter 5: Coral

The stone chamber door opened. Li Muwan trembled at the sound, her mind in turmoil. Before she could devise an explanation for her earlier words, she dared not look at him.

Sitting motionless before the desk, she resembled a statue.

Footsteps drew nearer from behind, Wang Lin’s aura pressing down from above her.

[Li Muwan: Don’t tell me… the fiend really came to harvest Primordial Yin?]

Contemplating resistance, she spoke guiltily: “Senior…”

“Where did you gather the dew?” Wang Lin’s question froze her half-turned figure momentarily.

After a pause, she relaxed slightly.

“Just outside the cave residence.” Li Muwan turned back with a transformed expression, her glancing smile striking Wang Lin with full force. He stared blankly for a moment, unaware of his own reaction before quickly regaining composure.

“Senior Brother, let me take you there.” Li Muwan took initiative as always, rather than asking Wang Lin’s preference. She understood that when Wang Lin rarely spoke up, his need was genuine.

Thus they departed the cave residence together. The cries of spirit beasts echoed intermittently beyond the dwelling. Whenever Li Muwan ventured out alone, she exercised extreme caution.

Only after confirming no cultivator activity within a thousand miles would she emerge. If danger arose, Wang Lin meditating in the stone chamber might not risk involving himself for her sake again.

While she could barely handle ordinary fellow cultivators, against those beyond Core Formation realm she stood no chance – and Wang Lin wouldn’t take such risks either.

Now traveling with Wang Lin, she could abandon such caution, simply following closely beside him on her flying sword.

“Senior Brother, dew collection should be done at dawn. There’s no dew at this hour, but I can show you the general area.” Gazing at his distinct profile, she tilted her head slightly. “Though if you require it, you need only command me to gather it.”

Wang Lin knew her cultivation level left her vulnerable collecting dew daily. This mobile pill furnace he’d painstakingly rescued from Core Formation cultivators shouldn’t be endangered for mere dew collection – the tradeoff wasn’t worthwhile.

“Why do you gather dew daily?” Wang Lin watched her from his peripheral vision.

“I want the truth.” His voice carried penetrating authority, leaving Li Muwan no room for deception.

“When you evaded the Fire Beast previously, drinking from that gourd always restored your spiritual power. I noticed you collecting water droplets beneath rocks, but with your constant seclusion, you couldn’t gather natural dew. Since dew benefits you, collecting it is only natural.”

“We depend on each other in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation. Caring for you means caring for myself.” She didn’t attribute all virtue to him alone.

“You promised to send me away after successful Core Formation. Naturally, I must assist your advancement however I can.”

Wang Lin pondered this.

“Senior Brother, let me gather dew for you daily as before.” With Wang Lin’s cultivation focus, he lacked time for daily herb collection.

“Mn.” Wang Lin responded indifferently. Yet the sea’s dangers left him uneasy, so he implanted his divine sense upon her.

Mist rose over the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, its waters filled with jagged rocks, rare herbs, and weathered shells washed ashore during low tide.

The cave residence’s interior stood plainly visible. Li Muwan had long wished to find more distinctive corals or greenery to adorn their dwelling.

In the past, when she ventured out alone, she never dared to linger for long. But now, with Wang Lin accompanying her, she could rest assuredthough she wasn’t sure if the fiend would be willing.

“Senior Brother, there’s a stretch of sea not far from here. I’d like to take a look.”

“Several times when I came out to gather dew, I noticed a patch of coral reef there. These reefs have accumulated the Spiritual Energy of the Sea of Demonic Cultivation for thousands of years. If we bring them back to our Cave Residence, they can greatly enhance our Spiritual Power and greatly benefit your cultivation. However, that area is often frequented by Demon Beasts, so I didn’t dare approach.”

“Moreover, there might be luminous pearls at the bottom of the sea.”

“Luminous pearls?” Wang Lin assumed she wanted them for refining Elixirs.

“Yes,” Li Muwan nodded emphatically. “The Stone Chamber is rather dimly lit. I want to find a luminous pearl to place on the desk so it’s brighter when I refine pills.”

Wang Lin weighed the pros and cons. Coral reefs naturally grew at the bottom of the sea, only revealing themselves at low tide. These Spirit herbs, condensed from the essence of heaven and earth, could indeed be considered top-grade Spirit herbs. Not only could they be used to gather Spiritual Power, but they could also serve as ingredients for Elixirs.

“Lead the way.”

Hearing this, Li Muwan rode her Flying Sword ahead. Two long shadows pierced through the clouds and mist, landing firmly on a reef.

The mist dampened their clothes, and the chilling aura of the Sea of Demonic Cultivation lingered around them. She instinctively hugged her arms to warm herself.

Noticing this, Wang Lin used his Spiritual Power to dry both their clothes. Li Muwan was momentarily dazed, looking at him with surprise and gratitude.

Yet his expression remained calm. “Is this the place?”

“Exactly, Senior Brother. The coral reef is right in this area.” Li Muwan’s fingertip conjured a blue light, forming a giant ring that floated above the sea, steadily descending toward the coral reef.

The Spirit herbs around the coral reef had withered, leaving only a single coral standing out uniquely. Wang Lin immediately sensed something unusual. He grabbed Li Muwan’s wrist, pulling her toward him, and she stumbled into his embrace.

In her dazed state, a sharp red flash grazed the corner of her eye, severing a strand of her hair. Li Muwan stared blankly at the coral.

“Senior Brother.”

“This coral has an owner.” His gaze was sharp. Once the person in his arms steadied herself and stepped back, he saw a flicker of disappointment in Li Muwan’s eyeswhether from the earlier fright or because of the coral, he couldn’t tell.

“No wonder there are no other plants around the coral,” Li Muwan said. “This coral is a top-grade Spirit herb. Whatever is guarding it must be formidable.”

Wang Lin was still contemplating.

“Senior Brother, perhaps we should look elsewhere.” Li Muwan prepared to search for another spot, but before she could ride her Flying Sword far, Wang Lin pulled her back by the wrist. He launched a spell attack behind the coral, careful not to harm the coral itself.

“No need to change locations.” Wang Lin’s gaze was fierce and determined.

In an instant, a young Qiongqi emerged from behind the coral. Qiongqi was an ancient divine beast; if it were an adult, its cultivation could reach the late Nascent Soul stage.

The Spiritual Power fluctuations around him intensified. With a thought, several streams of light emanated from his brow, swiftly enveloping the coral. Right in front of the young Qiongqi, the coral was uprooted.

Immediately, he pulled Li Muwan and swiftly turned the sword around, storing the coral in his Storage Bag.

Wang Lin then took out eight spirit stones from his Storage Bag, arranging them into a Formation to restrain the Qiongqi.

Li Muwan only heard the Qiongqi’s roars echoing one after another behind them. Trembling with fear, she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.

“Senior Brother, this is a Qiongqi. They have violent temperaments and never travel alone. Young Qiongqi are protected by adults until they mature. If this cub were guarding the coral alone, it wouldn’t have been able to hold its ground.”

“I know.”

Wang Lin patted his Storage Bag, took out the Heaven Defying Pearl’s Spirit Elixir and drank it. The Flying Sword immediately reached its maximum speed again.

“Senior Brother, aren’t we returning to our Cave Residence?” Li Muwan looked ahead. They had clearly passed their Cave Residence, yet Wang Lin didn’t enter.

The reason for bypassing their Cave Residence was Wang Lin’s uncertainty about whether the mother Qiongqi would pursue them later. If their dwelling was exposed, the Cave Residence would become extremely unsafe, so it was necessary to avoid it.

“Do you want to find another Cave Residence?” Wang Lin said coldly.

“Senior Brother is afraid our Cave Residence might be discovered, worried the Qiongqi will return for revenge. Am I right?”

Not entirely foolish, Wang Lin thought to himself.

“But Senior Brother, knowing the risks, why are you still unwilling to replace just one plant?” Li Muwan muttered.

Wang Lin remained silent, landing on an impossibly high rocky outcrop.

In the distance, impenetrable thick fog loomed, with Demon Beast cries rising and falling intermittently. If the Qiongqi heard these sounds, it would naturally be drawn away and cease pursuing them.

A red light streamed from his brow into the mist. Using his Limit Divine Sense, he confirmed the Qiongqi had failed to catch up, finally setting his mind at ease.

“Wait here.” Releasing her wrist, Wang Lin left these words, imprinted a trace of Divine Sense on Li Muwan, and vanished like a fading rainbow.

Li Muwan didn’t know what he intended but could only obediently wait. For three hours, she sat cross-legged in meditation, circulating her Spiritual Power. When Wang Lin returned, he brought back numerous corals and seashells.

She stared blankly at these items Wang Lin had spent three hours retrieving, somewhat at a loss.

“Senior Brother, these are…”

“Didn’t you say these deep-sea corals can gather Spiritual Energy?”

Li Muwan carefully examined each one; their quality was no worse than the previous specimen.

And there were night pearls too!

After staring for a long while, she finally managed to shift her gaze back to Wang Lin, exclaiming in delight, “Senior Brother, night pearls are hard to find! How did you retrieve them?”

Wang Lin’s mind flashed to the low-grade spirit clams at the seabed; while retrieving the pearls, he was nearly swallowed by one. Quickly regaining focus, he didn’t respond to her.

His gray robe sleeve seemed torn, and there was a trace of weariness in his expression.

Though he wore Flood Dragon leather armor and likely wasn’t injured, Li Muwan still asked with concern, “Senior Brother, are you hurt?”

Wang Lin froze for a moment, a flicker of surprise passing through his brow. Her first reaction was actually to check if he was injured, not to focus on the corals and seashells she had been longing for.

It had been so long since anyone in this world had shown concern for him.

“No.”

They flew on their swords one after another. Only then did Li Muwan notice the bloodstain on the back of his arm.

Li Muwan maneuvered her sword forward, blocking Wang Lin’s path. He halted, displeased. “What is it?”

“Senior Brother, why didn’t you say you were injured?” Li Muwan’s expression showed worry.

Wang Lin looked bewildered, his eyes still cold.

Li Muwan grabbed his arm, her gaze fixed on the bloodstain, with a hint of accusation. “Does Senior Brother not feel pain?”

The overly intimate gesture left him somewhat flustered, but he calmly withdrew his hand.

“It’s nothing.”

Li Muwan stared at him, knowing his nature would never allow him to show weakness or vulnerability. Suddenly, she beamed, tilting her head forward to peer closely at his face.

Wang Lin looked down at her as she drew near, frowning coldly. “What are you doing?”

“You’re so impressive, Senior Brother,” she blurted out in admiration, her voice clear and gentle.

Wang Lin froze momentarily, his expression turning extremely unpleasant. Li Muwan immediately withdrew her smile, not daring to tease him further, and obediently lowered her head to await his scolding.

After a long while, no reprimand came. When she lifted her gaze again, she saw him turn his face away, his ears flushed crimson, though his expression remained unchanged.

Li Muwan secretly rejoiced.

[Li Muwan: Is the Fiend feeling shy?]

[Soul Pearl: Fiend’s favorability has changed: 10%]

[Li Muwan: So the Fiend likes being praised!]

She was becoming increasingly convinced that the Soul Pearl’s classification of him as a Fiend was accurateafter all, practicing the Death Curse Technique had firmly cemented his title as a Fiend.

Soon, another thought occurred to her. Recently, Wang Lin had hit a bottleneck in his cultivation, and his attitude had improved significantly. Could it be that he was trying to win her over, so she would willingly offer her Primordial Yin to help him advance his cultivation?

She didn’t know why such a terrifying idea had crossed her mind. To dispel this absurd speculation, she distractedly recited a heart-calming mantra the entire way as they flew on their swords.

If Wang Lin truly intended to take her Primordial Yin for cultivation, why would he need to curry favor? Her Soul of Life blood was still in his possession. If he used it to force her compliance, what could she possibly do?

Noticing that the person behind him was falling behind, Wang Lin slowed his flight speed to wait for her to catch up. She had been absent-minded the whole journey.

Just moments ago, when she was teasing him, she had been completely at easehow could her mood shift so abruptly?

Wang Lin was puzzled but had no time to dwell on it. Still, his stubborn impression of her began to shift slightly.

[Soul Pearl: Fiend’s favorability has changed: 8%]

[Li Muwan: I didn’t do anythingwhy did it drop?]

[Soul Pearl: I told you the Fiend is unpredictable.]

Unwilling to accept this, Li Muwan flew her sword forward to glide alongside him. Tilting her head up to look at him, she asked, “Senior Brother, why have you suddenly stopped liking me?”

“What did you say?” Wang Lin abruptly halted, his brow furrowing tightly, his voice cold and sharp.