32. Fragrant Grave Soil · 5 · Returning the Soul
From Gui Fang and Bei Chen's perspective, they could only vaguely see a huge, dark blue lotus fire suddenly bursting forth from the stone altar, more than ten meters high. The lotus-shaped flame seemed to be surrounded by a thick layer of black flame, crackling and flashing with golden light. Then, colorful sparks appeared, gradually outlining some kind of scene in the small area above the stone altar.
Inside the stone altar.
Zhu Qianqian spread her arms, which suddenly transformed into red wings. Warm and intense spiritual energy formed green flames that enveloped Tang Xi and Pipi.
Pipi sighed comfortably, as if she had suddenly found herself in a soft quilt, her bones feeling tingly and numb. Tang Xihe, on the other hand, was grimacing from the intense heat. If it weren't for the Undying Fire Feather Robe that Zhu Qianqian had prepared in advance, Tang Xihe estimated that she would have been burned the moment she came into contact with the flames.
At the same time, a golden-orange light began to appear on Tang Xi's chest. This faint light was not "drawn" from her body, but rather seemed to resonate with the flames around her, gently guided and awakened, reviving from within Tang Xi's body.
The golden light gradually moved towards Pipi, and the moment it landed on Pipi's forehead, Pipi was enveloped in golden light, and dazzling light spots burst forth above the array.
Bright red, turquoise, and golden orange, covering the sky and dazzling the colors, twinkling like stars, gradually outline many scenes, forming a "sea of stars in memory".
The two people outside the stone altar could also see the scene in the sky.
Bei Chen asked hesitantly, "This is... Zhu Qianqian's memories?"
...
"Bang!"
With a loud thud, the enormous, milky-white worm crashed to the ground, kicking up dust.
Zhu Qianqian, who had just transformed into human form, wiped the fine sweat from her forehead, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
"What an ugly crow!"
Zhu Qianqian's smile froze.
The crows perched in the trees chuckled, "How can there be such ugly crows? They're red and green, and they wouldn't look good even if they took human form."
"Exactly, unlike us, who have glossy black feathers!"
Zhu Qianqian retorted angrily, "I can transform into human form, can you?"
The crows in the tree were immediately enraged. They picked up branches or stones and threw them at Zhu Qianqian. After uttering a few more sarcastic remarks, several crows flew away.
They dared not do anything to Zhu Qianqian, after all, Zhu Qianqian, who could transform, was indeed stronger than many of the evil crows.
"So what if I'm ugly? I'm the first of all the crows in the sky and on earth to transform into human form!" Zhu Qianqian suppressed the tears welling up in her eyes and searched for vines to bind the maggot king.
This was a precious food she had worked so hard to obtain, and she couldn't bear to eat it; she planned to give it to "that person."
...
Not long ago, an exceptionally handsome fellow arrived in the desolate graveyard, and the monsters were all talking about 'him'.
She had short, neat hair, a tall and slender figure, an unpretentious yet noble air, and a kind and approachable demeanor. Unlike a demon, she was more beautiful than any human, with snow-white skin and golden-orange eyes that always gazed wistfully into the distance, lost in thought.
All the creatures and monsters in the Graveyard Forest were very friendly to this person. Although they did not know where 'he' came from, the person had a very warm temperament, his smile was like a spring breeze, and his dark eyelashes were curved, making people feel itchy inside.
This was the "gift" I received for the first time speaking to an adult.
Zhu Qianqian carried the maggot king, which was bound hand and foot, on her back and hurried towards a certain direction.
Every day before sunset, the adults would sit in a daze outside the forest, and Zhu Qianqian found 'him' with ease.
A shawl as black as night was casually spread on the grass, with faint golden light at the end, like the warm afterglow of the sunset. The adult was dressed in a black outfit, handsome and elegant. He sat cross-legged casually, his body swaying, which made him look like an immortal. His amber eyes were watching the sunset that was gradually setting in the west.
What's so interesting about a sunset?
Zhu Qianqian didn't understand, but she knew that this mysterious adult would come to watch the sunset every day.
Zhu Qianqian took a deep breath, weighed the maggots on her shoulder, sniffed them reluctantly, and after mentally rehearsing her plan several times, she mustered her courage and approached the adult step by step.
The adult seemed to sense something, turned his face to the side, and his exquisite face was more eye-catching than all the crystals that Zhu Qianqian had collected.
Stared at by those amber eyes, Zhu Qianqian blushed instantly, shoved the maggots off her shoulder, and held them high. "My lord, I... this is for you..."
The adult paused for a moment, blinked, and asked, "For me?"
Upon hearing the other person speak, Zhu Qianqian's face immediately went blank.
She remained frozen in that pose, her hands raised high over the maggots, for a long time before suddenly screaming. The plump maggots were flung several meters away, and Zhu Qianqian transformed back into her original form and flew away, leaving an echo in the air.
"Why are you a woman?!"
·
Enraged, Zhu Qianqian decided to go into seclusion to cultivate.
This is so embarrassing! She's determined to make that mysterious guy pay!
Zhu Qianqian continued to cultivate, preparing to find a good opportunity to avenge her humiliation.
Six months later, Zhu Qianqian was delighted to find that her skills had improved again, and she found the adults with ease.
An adult is peeling chestnuts for a baby squirrel. The prickly shells are easily opened by the adult's smooth, delicate fingers.
She actually helped the squirrel break chestnuts!
Zhu Qianqian was furious, "Hey!"
A furious roar, powerful and resounding, sent the crows and sparrows flying in all directions. Only then did the adult deign to glance at him, asking in bewilderment, "What is it?"
Zhu Qianqian felt a pang of sadness; she didn't know how to describe the feeling, only that she felt uneasy. She stared at the other person for a long time before shouting, "One-on-one!"
The other person looked at Zhu Qianqian for a while, then suddenly chuckled. "Okay."
Zhu Qianqian was stunned.
Why did she smile at me?
Ah, she agreed.
Zhu Qianqian shook her head sharply, focused her mind, and unleashed a wind technique to attack her opponent. "I won't hold back!"
The opponent raised a slight eyebrow, remaining completely unmoved by the dozens of wind blades that came straight at him.
In the end, Zhu Qianqian was completely subdued after three rounds.
Zhu Qianqian knelt down at the adult's feet, her hands and head pressed to the ground, "I lost."
"hehe."
A soft laugh sounded from above.
Zhu Qianqian couldn't help but want to look up at her, but then she thought that if she had lost, she should lose with dignity and not look at her, so she continued, "What do you want?"
"Are you Zhu Qianqian?"
Zhu Qianqian was shocked and looked up at her, "You know me!"
Upon looking up, Zhu Qianqian couldn't help but shrink her neck.
Ugh, how can there be such a perfect adult?
The adult smiled and reached out to Zhu Qianqian, "You are the most hardworking little crow in the graveyard, of course I know that. Thank you for the little bug."
"..."
She still remembers!
Zhu Qianqian carefully poked that hand; the fingers were long and slender, and the hand felt cool and comfortable to the touch.
Zhu Qianqian grabbed the handle and used it to get up.
“I am not a vicious crow. They all say I am ugly, red and green, and not a vicious crow.”
She paused for a moment, then added, "But I am the Raven. I'm almost forgetting who I am."
The adult gently patted Zhu Qianqian's head, "You are a unique and special evil crow in the world. No other evil crow dares to imitate you."
Zhu Qianqian was stunned.
Yes, all the crows in the world have black wings and can only use blue flames, but Zhu Qianqian can use red flames. She is a unique crow.
"This...you're so clever, I've never thought of that before."
The other person burst into laughter, "You're so cute."
Zhu Qianqian blushed instantly.
Thinking about it carefully, the adult never gave me a hard time; he was always gentle and kind, like a spring breeze.
But I came here to cause trouble.
Zhu Qianqian immediately lowered her head, "Actually, I initially wanted to be friends with you... I didn't have any bad intentions."
What's your name?
"I am Suzaku."
"Oh, then we're all Zhu—"
Zhu Qianqian's throat tightened, and her voice suddenly changed, "Zhuque?"
Southern Star Emperor?
What is a Star Emperor doing in this mountainous region?
Zhu Qianqian's mind went blank, but the other person made a shushing gesture, "It's a secret."
"...Don't other demons know that you are the Vermilion Bird?" Zhu Qianqian asked hesitantly.
Zhuque shook her head. "I've never been asked, so I haven't said anything."
Is it true or false?
More than half a year has passed, and I am actually the first monster to know the adult's true identity!
Zhu Qianqian's cheeks flushed with excitement, "I'll keep it a secret!"
Zhuque's expression remained indifferent, with a distant smile on his lips. He smiled at Zhu Qianqian, and Zhu Qianqian slowly wiped the smile off her face and whispered, "My lord, are you unhappy?"
"No need to call me sir," Zhuque waved her hand and said, "I sensed danger in the blessed land, so I came here specifically."
"You can sense danger? That's amazing," Zhu Qianqian said. "Some of us crow demons can also sense danger, but those are all powerful demons who have cultivated demon cores. I want to become a powerful demon."
"Become a powerful monster, and then what?"
"Then you won't be looked down upon by others."
"..."
A hint of emotion flashed across Zhuque's face.
Zhu Qianqian, oblivious, continued, "The immortals of the Demon Management Bureau are holding a selection process. If you catch their eye, you might become a regional ruler!"
Suzaku's brow twitched, and he said, enunciating each word clearly, "The Demon Management Bureau? Wasn't it abolished long ago? What kind of bureau is this?"
"I don't know. I heard that those immortals were originally cultivators who studied demon cultivation. Later, they set up their own sects in blessed lands and grotto-heavens, specifically to deal with those evil demons!"
"Setting up their own independent operation..." Zhuque muttered, frowning. "Didn't the Immortal Alliance intervene? Did they just let it run rampant?"
Zhu Qianqian tilted her head, "What is the Immortal Alliance?"
"..."
Zhuque rubbed her temples. "Nothing, I just wanted to ask when the application deadline is? Are there any requirements?"
"You want to participate?" Zhu Qianqian's eyes lit up. "Come on, I'll take you! You're so capable, you might really become the Lord of our Tomb!"
"Everyone likes you very much; you are the most suitable person to be the Lord of the Prefecture!"
"Uh, now?"
Zhuque was dragged away half-heartedly.
·
The dome of the cemetery has turned through the days and months, and in the blink of an eye, the day of selection has arrived.
The self-proclaimed immortals from the Monster Management Bureau were all dressed in black, indistinguishable from one another. Their movements were numb and orderly, devoid of life. They arrived with a particularly grand procession, accompanied by gongs, drums, and a large sedan chair.
Amidst curious, uneasy, or timid gazes, a plump immortal descended from the sedan chair, spinning two round balls in his hands. His eyes peered out from under the wide brim of his hat, scrutinizing each of the many demons.
Zhu Qianqian frowned deeply, feeling inexplicably uncomfortable with the feeling this immortal was giving off.
Before she could speak, a monster beside her said, "The celestial chief of the Monster Management Bureau, why do you give off such a sinister vibe?"
"Yes, it feels so bad."
"So you guys thought so too?"
"He's not as gentle as Zhu He."
Zhu Qianqian paused.
Zhuhe is the pseudonym of Zhuque in the tomb.
She had been disguising herself as a lonely monster from afar who had come to search for her relatives but to no avail, and thus gradually took root in this place.
Did Zhu He come today, even though I dragged him to sign up?
Zhu Qianqian tiptoed through the monster horde, soon meeting a pair of amber eyes. Clear as water, calm as ice.
Zhu Qianqian shuddered inexplicably and quickly looked away.
She knew that Zhuque wasn't being mean to her; Zhuque's eyes always unconsciously exuded a kind of pressure.
The immortal who arrived in a large sedan chair had a protruding belly that made his wide black robe reflect a shimmering sheen. He twirled two white orbs in his hands, while his other hand was behind his back. Although he was not tall, his eyes seemed to be looking down on a multitude of demons.
Only when the surrounding monsters gradually quieted down in this strange atmosphere did the immortal speak, his voice hoarse like a duck's.
"The first challenge: all the monsters in the entire Graveyard, who wants to go first?"
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