Chapter 139: A Secret?

"Back then, he used a forbidden technique to fuse his soul with mine, intending to exert control over me. However, he never imagined that the technique he obtained was flawed. The cost of such a fusion is that one person’s soul is permanently devoured, causing the original owner of that soul to vanish forever. Although his soul was stronger than mine at the time, his status as the initiator violated the laws of heaven, which in turn weakened his soul’s essence.

He withered day by day without even realizing it. But he didn't take it to heart, and at the time, I was so repulsed by our connection that I ignored his condition. That was until his enemies came knocking.

He was a demonic cultivator, naturally despised by those so-called righteous practitioners, and the battle that day was earth-shattering. Just as he was about to be defeated, I activated a grand formation, wiping out everyone else present—some of whom were innocent.

Burdened by such sin, I could no longer remain in the sect. They stripped me of my status and crippled my cultivation, leaving me with no choice but to stay by his side. Yet, even his side was not safe. I was betrayed by a villain who used some method to tear our souls apart, scattering my seven mortal souls and six spiritual essences while tricking him into believing I had betrayed him.

Later, I was saved by a mortal. I endured untold hardships to reclaim my scattered soul fragments. But I never expected that my savior was the reincarnation of a lone star of ill omen. Because he had slaughtered the world for the sake of a lover, the human realm was filled with vengeful spirits. The heavens punished him with ten thousand lifetimes of reincarnation. That life was his 6,666th, and because he had saved me, I didn't want to owe him anything. Furthermore, I foresaw that his destiny would change in that life, so I left one soul and one essence within him.

A person's spirit is divided into souls and essences; there are three souls—the Heavenly Soul, the Earthly Soul, and the Life Soul—and seven essences: the Heavenly Rush, the Spiritual Intelligence, the Vitality, the Strength, the Central Pivot, the Essence, and the Unity.

I had already transcended my mortal coil, so for me, the Life Soul was merely a means to consolidate my strength. But because I was already plagued by heart demons, I knew my cultivation would never progress further. So, I left my Life Soul and my Spiritual Essence inside him.

As he reincarnates lifetime after lifetime, my soul and essence will gradually merge with his. In a few more lives, he should be able to break free from his cursed fate."

After listening, Qin Yu’s mind was filled with disbelief. To think that one’s own soul could be integrated into another’s to defy the heavens and change fate! She couldn't even begin to fathom the implications.

Having unburdened himself, Nangong Yao felt a sense of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted. Seeing Qin Yu’s incredulous expression, he laughed, "This world is full of wonders; you’d best not be so surprised."

Qin Yu snapped back to reality and pouted. She thought to herself that while he might be knowledgeable and experienced, she was just a small mortal—how could she understand such things?

"So, losing that soul and essence didn't affect you at all?" Qin Yu asked.

Nangong Yao shrugged. "What kind of effect could it have? Look, I'm perfectly fine! I’m not like you mortals! Hmph!"

*You were a mortal too, you jerk!* Qin Yu thought.

"In that case, I'll tell Zi exactly that when I see him next," Qin Yu said.

"Hmph, yes, tell him exactly that. And make sure to describe how miserably I suffered when I was betrayed by that scoundrel! Hmph! That’ll teach him not to cherish me!" Nangong Yao said with a haughty air.

Qin Yu finally realized that their relationship wasn't just a simple friendship, but she didn't mind. To her, love was above all else.

"Alright, you go ahead and get back to your work. I'm going to check on Xiao Meng. Brother Li should be coming out of seclusion in a few days; there will likely be a fierce battle then. You should prepare yourself as well," Qin Yu said with a smile.

Nangong Yao nodded. "I know! Alright, you can go now!" As he spoke, he ushered Qin Yu toward the door.

Thinking there was nothing else to do, Qin Yu happily allowed herself to be "pushed" out.

As she stepped out, she happened to see Qian Xiao leaving the room next door, which she recognized as Xia Cheng’s. Qian Xiao smiled at her, waved a notebook in her hand, and headed downstairs.

Qin Yu shrugged, shoved her hands into her pockets, and followed. Seeing Qian Xiao sitting at a table below, writing and sketching, Qin Yu wisely chose not to disturb her and turned toward the basement instead.

Meanwhile, after Qin Yu left, Nangong Yao coughed up blood. It stained his pristine white robes, leaving behind mottled crimson spots.

He pressed his hand to his lips, watching the blood drip through his fingers. He gave a bleak smile and whispered, "The Life Soul, eh..."

"Shangguan Fengzi, so many years have passed... I truly still owe you, don't I?" He had lied to Qin Yu; how could he be unaffected? That was a piece of his own soul and essence! "Shangguan Feng, I wonder if I can hold on long enough to see you again? I miss you so much..."

Nangong Yao gradually slumped over, his vision blurring. Finally, he lost consciousness. At that moment, a figure appeared in the room.

It was Ruoruo, the man-eating flower that once chased Wang Bing and the others! She looked at the unconscious Nangong Yao, a flash of resentment crossing her face. It was all that Shangguan Feng’s fault! If not for him, her master wouldn't have ended up like this!

Why should her master have to pay the price for that man’s sins? If she ever saw that guy, she would certainly whip him with a leaf!

Ruoruo helped Nangong Yao up and fed him a pill, then emitted a red glow, slowly merging into his body.

A moment later, Nangong Yao slowly regained consciousness. Looking at the small man-eating flower beside him, he said gently, "Thank you, Ruoruo."

The only answer was silence. Nangong Yao gave a bitter laugh and drew Ruoruo back into his consciousness. He then sat cross-legged and began to heal his wounds.

Returning to the scene, after Qin Yu entered the basement, she saw Xiao Meng standing to the side, shouting instructions to those training.

Qin Yu walked over and called out, "Xiao Meng."

"Oh? Xiao Yu, you're here! Come and see! I'm training them!" Xiao Meng said excitedly.

"I remember that training duty was supposed to be left to Xue Qi and the others, wasn't it?" Qin Yu laughed.

"Ahem... well, haha! You see, I suddenly remembered I had some training of my own to finish! I'll do it right away!" With that, Xiao Meng ran off to do push-ups.

Qin Yu chuckled, watched the group training vigorously, and then quietly exited the basement.

Some in the basement caught sight of her and offered a faint smile before returning to their tasks.

Everyone was fighting for the crisis that was soon to come.