Chapter 100 Thousand Life Gu

Yan Lingxuan's shoulders visibly hunched, and she subconsciously gripped her collar, her knuckles turning white: "Not only that, they brought back a jade-faced Rakshasa from Tyrande last year, which is said to be nourished with the blood of ninety-nine virgins."

Both Lu Yao and You Qing frowned upon hearing this.

“The young master of the Ma family has had five wives, all of whom died mysteriously. He has collected their skulls and displayed them in his study.” Yan Lingxuan revealed a smile that was more like a grimace.

Lu Yao's eyes darkened as she finally understood why Yan Lingxuan's Gu energy was so turbid—it was the backlash from long-term violation of her true nature.

"One last question," Lu Yao looked at her, "Where is Yan Xiucheng now?"

Yan Lingxuan hesitated for a long time before speaking: "In Bagan."

Her voice was barely audible, “A big client wants to deal with a rival and has offered 80 million.”

Lu Yao closed her eyes.

The sacred land of Miao territory from a thousand years ago has now become an accomplice of transnational criminal groups.

She suddenly remembered her teacher's dying words: "Though the world changes, the most fickle thing is the human heart."

"Come back."

Lu Yao suddenly raised her fingertips slightly, her voice carrying an undeniable authority.

Yan Lingxuan suddenly froze, a chill creeping up her spine.

To her horror, she discovered that a translucent, jade-colored centipede had somehow climbed up her neck.

It's called Moon Shadow Gu, and its ultimate technique is called: True Word Induction.

It can release colorless and odorless neurotoxins through the toes, and when combined with the tapping sound of the feet at a specific frequency, it forms a hypnotic rhythm, making people unconsciously let down their guard and pour out their innermost feelings.

"you!"

Yan Lingxuan's voice caught in her throat, and she was surprised to realize that she had just released all the pent-up emotions of the past few years.

Lu Yao's lips curled slightly: "What? Do you think my victory was unfair?"

"You're despicable..." Yan Lingxuan's rebuke was so weak that even she could not hear it clearly.

She watched helplessly as the jade-colored centipede and the nine-star ladybug, which she had carefully cultivated, obediently flew back and lay docilely in Lu Yao's palm. Even the most unruly Soul-Separating Spider had restrained its poisonous gleam.

Lu Yao gently stroked the crystalline carapace of the Gu worm: "They are much smarter than you."

The ancient Daoist charm flowing from his fingertips made the three Gu worms tremble slightly as if on a pilgrimage.

The mortal eye is easily deceived by appearances, but the spirits of heaven and earth are the most discerning.

Even the most unruly insects know reverence; at this moment, they all bow their heads, as if on a pilgrimage.

“Your family treats you so badly, yet you still want to go back?” You Qing walked to Yan Lingxuan’s side, looking at her with a mixture of pity and curiosity. “Why don’t you beg our Imperial Advisor to help you?”

Fruit Master?

What a terrible name.

Yan Lingxuan turned her head away and sneered, "I, Yan Lingxuan, have never asked anyone for anything in my life."

"You have such backbone. I hope you can maintain it after you marry into the Ma family." You Qing sighed.

Yan Lingxuan's face darkened.

Lu Yao didn't say anything.

She wanted to see if, after a thousand years of reincarnation, Yan Lingxuan's soul would repeat the same mistakes.

A thousand years ago, Yan Lingxuan made a blood oath with the seventh prince, Xiao Yuanxiu, for the sake of Miao territory.

She helped Xiao Yuanxiu ascend the throne. Once Xiao Yuanxiu successfully became emperor, he was to grant Miao Jiang autonomy and guarantee that as long as the Great Sheng Dynasty existed, Miao Jiang would enjoy peace.

Xiao Yuanxiu did indeed ascend the throne, but he only reigned for seven days before dying suddenly.

At that time, Yan Lingxuan's carriage was traveling on the Cangwu Ancient Road when the backlash of the Blood Gu Oath suddenly took effect.

She curled up on the cushion embroidered with twin lotus blossoms, watching helplessly as her body and skin turned to ashes inch by inch.

Yan Lingxuan longed to return to her hometown and bring the good news of autonomy to her relatives, but she still died on land outside Miao territory.

After her death, the Yan family was like a candle flickering in the wind, teetering on the brink of collapse amidst the curses of the people.

The once revered priest became the sinner who poisoned the royal advisor.

In the streets and alleys, in front of stilted houses, children sang nursery rhymes cursing the Yan family.

The major families specializing in Gu poison smelled blood and began to bare their fangs.

Over three years, five brutal battles involving Gu poison turned the Miao region bloody.

The once lush terraced fields are now crawling with poisonous insects. The valleys that were once filled with melodious songs now echo with the wails of those afflicted by poison.

Meanwhile, after the new emperor ascended the throne, a proclamation against the Miao people spread throughout the land.

One hundred thousand iron cavalry trampled the ancient road of Cangwu, burning the edict of self-governance that Yan Lingxuan had won with her life, along with the Miao ancestral hall, to the ground.

The officers and soldiers threw the "Gu Scripture" into the fire, and the yellowed pages turned in the firelight.

Half of the Miao people fled to the depths of the clouds and mist in western Yunnan.

Those who remained were forced to wear traditional Chinese jackets, learn Han etiquette, and wear Han clothing. Their stilted houses were demolished and rebuilt as government offices.

When Yan Lingxuan was born, the prophecy that the high priest read from the cracks in the tortoise shell ultimately came true—the Gu would devour heaven and earth, and be devoured by heaven and earth in return.

Yan Lingxuan's name became taboo, and no one dared to mention it.

Lu Yao sat upright, contemplating how she should act now that she had been reincarnated and had the opportunity to take revenge herself.

The Miao region, which she cherished most, was destroyed, and Yan Lingxuan paid an extremely heavy price.

A promise made at the cost of one's life ultimately amounted to nothing.

Xiao Yuanxiu sought the throne of the emperor, while Yan Lingxuan only wanted a small place to live in Miao territory.

It wasn't for power and wealth, but so that the clansmen could live in peace and prosperity, and the children would no longer have to hide from war.

During the three years of severe drought, Lu Yao went to Miao territory and saw the land that Yan Lingxuan was desperately protecting.

A Miao grandmother teaches her granddaughter to identify medicinal herbs; silver ornaments glitter in the sunlight; women carrying bamboo baskets exchange mountain goods for salt at the market, their laughter ringing out like bells.

Lu Yao understood why Yan Lingxuan wanted to negotiate with a tiger, although she did not support her methods.

She didn't really hate Yan Lingxuan.

Well then, since you cast a spell on me back then, I'll return the favor today.

A wisp of dark blue light gathered at Lu Yao's fingertips, outlining ancient runes in the air.

The light gradually transformed into a crystal-clear butterfly, gently landing on Yan Lingxuan's brow.

Lu Yao's voice was calm, "This curse is called the Thousand Life Gu."

The butterfly's wings fluttered and disappeared into Yan Lingxuan's skin, leaving a light blue butterfly-shaped mark on her forehead.

“One person must be saved each day using Gu magic, otherwise, at midnight, one will suffer the pain of ten thousand ants gnawing at one’s heart.” Lu Yao’s voice seemed both near and far.

“But if you use Gu to harm people again,” Lu Yao gently lifted Yan Lingxuan’s chin, “the Gu poison you use will backfire on you even more.”

Yan Lingxuan trembled, feeling as if something was taking root and sprouting inside her.

"After nine hundred and ninety-nine people, this curse will be lifted."

"...What do you mean, host?" Yan Lingxuan frowned slightly, her eyes full of confusion.

She thought she was going to lose her life here.

Yan Lingxuan looked up at Lu Yao, a livestreamer she had never met before, and saw a complex emotion in her eyes that she couldn't understand.

"Why?" Yan Lingxuan couldn't help but ask, "You could clearly..."

"Can what?" She suddenly became speechless.

Could I kill her?

Is it permissible to torture her?

But the other party chose a spell that seemed like punishment but was actually a form of redemption.

“I don’t understand…” she murmured to herself, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

Lu Yao looked at her quietly, her gaze seemingly piercing through time.

That look sent a shiver down Yan Lingxuan's spine, as if she were in another world, yet she clearly remembered nothing.

The strangest thing is that, even though she was forced to accept this curse, she felt a strange and inexplicable anticipation.

It's as if this spell isn't the end, but a brand new beginning.

“You’ll understand once we’ve rescued 999 people,” Lu Yao suddenly said.