Chapter 131 Yicheng Trial 12 Xie Jiaoyue came into contact with the pillar of light...
Xie Jiaoyue was sucked in the moment she came into contact with the pillar of light. Before she went in, her hand was still stretched out, gazing sadly at the sword sheath that had been left outside.
She was upset. What if someone came and took it from her? It was her favorite sword she had carefully selected from dozens of scabbards.
Once completely absorbed into the beam of light, Xie Jiaoyue had no time to mourn the possible demise of her sword sheath.
The murderous aura that permeated the surroundings swept towards Xie Jiaoyue without mercy. Xie Jiaoyue reacted quickly and immediately circulated her spiritual energy to build a barrier.
If she had been even a second later, she would likely have been invaded by the murderous aura and then controlled by it.
If she were under control and there were other people around, she might just draw her sword and start a random fight.
She was surrounded by pure blackness; even if Xie Jiaoyue held her hand in front of her eyes, she couldn't see anything. After stabilizing herself, she had no choice but to release her spiritual sense to slowly explore her surroundings.
A quarter of an hour later, she was still completely unaware, unable to sense or perceive anything. The only thing that wouldn't disappear was the endless aura of killing intent.
Even though she continuously circulated her spiritual energy to resist, she still felt her mind gradually becoming muddled.
She couldn't help but close her eyes briefly to calm her feverish brain, but when she opened them again, the scene before her had changed.
She was confined to a transparent space of one or two square meters, and the surroundings were no longer pitch black, but a scene that was very familiar to her.
It turned out to be the first time I encountered a monster.
Xie Jiaoyue was eager to try her hand at it. She hadn't had much fun playing Warcraft before, and even though she knew it was just an illusion, she still wanted to have some fun!
Soon, the surrounding transparent barrier disappeared.
Xie Jiaoyue, carrying her natal spirit sword, rushed forward like a streak of light.
Perhaps influenced by the killing aura, she immediately launched a deadly attack aimed at the monster's neck. Unexpectedly, the monster's neck was surrounded by a ring of stiff mane, which produced a metallic humming sound when it clashed with her sword.
Xie Jiaoyue became even more excited. The more she could withstand the blows, the better. She used all the sword techniques she had learned before, even going through them twice, before finally killing the monster completely.
Cool.
After she killed the monster, the scene in front of her changed, and something new appeared.
It was a creature Xie Jiaoyue had never seen before. After careful examination, she discovered it was a demon beast.
The status of demonic beasts in the cultivation world is rather ambiguous. Unlike magical beasts, which are universally hated and must be eradicated, they are not like demons like Feng Qianqian, who have already achieved harmonious coexistence with the human race. They cannot even be compared to the nine-tailed fox demon in the auction house, who has reached an agreement with the human race, and the two sides live in harmony, like creatures between two different kingdoms.
Demonic beasts typically refer to demons that lack full intelligence, driven solely by instinct. They attack humans and other demons alike, acting on pure instinct. When in a good mood, they ignore everything; when in a bad mood or hungry, they attack. They may develop full intelligence and become true demons, or they may live their entire lives in a daze, neither truly great nor small.
It's like an ordinary wild beast capable of cultivation.
Just as mortals wouldn't exterminate wild beasts, the attitudes of humans and demons towards monsters are also ambiguous. Some people want to kill them to prevent future troubles, while others feel that as long as they aren't the kind that attack people insanely, or because of resource needs, they don't care whether to kill monsters or not.
Xie Jiaoyue belongs to the latter type; she doesn't want to cause trouble for herself unless others provoke her.
She looked ahead.
The demonic beast had clearly noticed her; her figure was reflected in its scarlet eyes, turning her white clothes crimson. It seemed to be contemplating how to tear Xie Jiaoyue to pieces.
The demonic beast stomped its hooves on the ground, and after three muffled thuds, it charged straight at Xie Jiaoyue.
Xie Jiaoyue didn't hesitate either, once again raising her sword to meet the demon beast.
Perhaps due to her previous experience killing monsters, Xie Jiaoyue's swordplay was even sharper than before, and she finished off the monster in two-thirds of the time it had taken before.
Normally, Xie Jiaoyue's studies are rather slow and hesitant, spent either reading or meditating. She doesn't have much time for actual combat. This is the first time she has felt so exhilarated. Her hair is soaked with sweat, and she feels exceptionally refreshed.
Xie Jiaoyue plopped down on the grass, intending to start meditating and recover her condition right there.
Just as she was about to begin a full cycle, she heard several soft, weak cries from the young cubs.
The faint, weak voice sounded like crying, and it was coming from about a hundred meters to her right.
Xie Jiaoyue looked up and saw a small hill there. Could it be the lair of a demon beast?
Xie Jiaoyue stopped meditating, took a pill to restore her spiritual energy, and walked towards the small hill to check on the cub's condition.
On the right side of the small hill, there was a hole about the height of a person. Xie Jiaoyue could walk in without bending over. Surprisingly, the cave was not dark inside. Although there was no luminous pearl, there were small holes of various sizes covered with grass mats on the mountain walls, through which sunlight leaked into the cave and illuminated it.
A cub lay on a soft haystack with its belly exposed in this environment.
The cub seemed to be hungry, its mouth open as it whimpered and cried, uttering broken, demonic words.
Only demonic beasts that have developed intelligence and have the opportunity to become true demons can speak demonic language.
Xie Jiaoyue poked the tiny cub covered in soft fur with one finger, making the cub turn over unhappily and refuse to show its belly.
Xie Jiaoyue took out a strip of meat and enticed it around the cub's nose, causing the cub to squeal and pounce on it to eat. After finishing the first strip, the cub, which was no bigger than two palms, began to rub its head against Xie Jiaoyue's fingers.
In theory, Xie Jiaoyue killed its mother, so to be on the safe side, she should have taken the cub with her.
In reality, any intelligent being should know that in the situation just now, the demon beast attacked first, and Xie Jiaoyue was merely protecting herself; there was no basis for revenge.
Xie Jiaoyue looked at the little cub that kept rubbing against her, and after thinking about it, decided to let the child go.
This is just an illusionary space. Even if it weren't, Xie Jiaoyue wouldn't have planned to kill the child.
She was confident that even if a child went astray and became her enemy, they would never be able to beat her.
Just as she didn't think Chu Xingjin would really use her as cannon fodder.
After killing the two creatures, Xie Jiaoyue waited for a while, but nothing changed. She thought this meant she had passed the test of the light pillar's consciousness and could finally begin learning the sword technique left in the light pillar. However, after a while, she actually left the space.
Xie Jiaoyue returned to the sixth floor of the tower with a blank expression. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Pianxian standing in front of her with a nervous look on her face.
Pianxian had clearly come out earlier than her, and was now in top form, even having changed her clothes.
"Sister Jiaoyue, you're finally out! Did it go smoothly? Did you gain the pillar of light's approval and learn the sword technique? Are you injured? If you are, I'll heal you!"
Xie Jiaoyue said, "It went very smoothly. I wasn't injured. If you approve..."
She turned back to look at the pillar of light, which had returned to its original state, as if she had never been inside. She reached out and poked it, but the pillar of light no longer accepted her touch.
"It should have been obtained."
Although it seems like I didn't learn anything, I just gained more practical experience.
Pianxian breathed a sigh of relief. She had learned a great deal inside the pillar of light, and even her cultivation had improved considerably. Her gratitude towards Xie Jiaoyue was evident in the change in how she addressed her. Naturally, she hoped that Xie Jiaoyue would also have a smooth journey.
Pianxian glanced out the window and subconsciously lowered her voice to Xie Jiaoyue, saying, "Sister Jiaoyue, it's already dark. Gong Shiyu and the others must have left by now. Let's take this opportunity to leave quietly. Maybe no one will notice that we've been here."
She frowned: "But I can't go back now, and I don't know where I'll stay tonight."
It's already dark; time seems to pass so quickly within the beam of light.
Xie Jiaoyue started walking towards the stairs. After taking the first step to make sure she was really leaving, she turned around and took Pianxian's hand to walk with her.
"Do you know Yang Yang? You can go and ask her if she'd be willing to take you in."
"Sister Jiaoyue, can't I live with you?"
“Your sister Jiaoyue has nowhere to live, and she sleeps under the open sky every day, like a homeless cultivator.”
The tower was even quieter at night than during the day. Apart from the sound of two people's footsteps, there was not a sound. Combined with the pitch-black environment, it made one feel as if they were still in the pillar of light.
Xie Jiaoyue took out a luminous pearl, which could only illuminate a few steps ahead. She could clearly feel that Pianxian was closer to her, and the two of them held hands even tighter.
It's a bit too quiet.
Did Gong Shiyu really not realize that she had secretly entered the tower, and just give up on targeting her?
Things went too smoothly, as if Gongshi Yu were a fool.
Xie Jiaoyue cautiously did not leave through the tower entrance. Instead, she stopped at the third floor and, with Pianxian, went to the window again, intending to return the way they had come.
They even went so far as to change the window to a different floor and the one facing the car, to avoid being staked out.
She didn't let Pianxian come out with her, but instead instructed Pianxian, "Do you have a spirit communication mirror? Let's exchange the mirror number. Wait for my message in a bit. If I tell you it's okay, then you can come out. Otherwise, stay in the tower with it. Take this bottle of fasting pills. This is the safest place in the entire training ground. If all else fails, you can stay here and cultivate until Director Wan returns."
Xie Jiaoyue descended along a rope, slowly making her way down while observing her surroundings, planning to return immediately if anything went wrong.
Nothing happened until her feet touched the ground.
She loosened the rope and took two steps forward, and there was still no problem.
Xie Jiaoyue still didn't send a message to Pianxian. Instead, she bent over and quickly circled the tower once more.
Could it be that Gong Shiyu really didn't discover anything?
As soon as she took out the Spirit Compass, the surroundings changed drastically. The mound of earth beneath her feet exploded, and the spreading poisonous mist instantly enveloped Xie Jiaoyue completely. A suffocating pain immediately spread throughout Xie Jiaoyue's body.
Gong Shiyu wanted to kill her!
Pianxian shouted loudly, "Sister Jiaoyue! Catch this! It's the antidote!"
If Sister Jiaoyue protects her, she will protect Sister Jiaoyue in return!
At this moment, Pianxian had completely overcome her usual fear of Gongshi Yu. She didn't have time to think about what would happen if she were caught by Gongshi Yu. She was only focused on getting Jiaoyue out of this situation. She couldn't watch Jiaoyue fall into danger in front of her.
She threw out the elixir she had refined in the tower, the strongest antidote she could offer.
I just learned this! As long as the powerful being doesn't lie to her, it will definitely work!
As it turned out, the pill worked.
After Xie Jiaoyue caught and crushed the pill, she clearly felt that the pain all over her body was not as unbearable as before, and it was obviously under control.
Previously, when the pain struck, Xie Jiaoyue was caught off guard and knelt on the ground, unable to stand up. But now she was able to support herself with her sword.
The sword in his hand emitted a series of buzzing sounds, as if it too was angry on behalf of its master.
A sword that has developed sentience is different. Xie Jiaoyue stroked the hilt with her index finger to soothe the spirit sword, indicating that she also knew that things were different.
Unlike yesterday's minor squabbles, this time it was no longer an immature prank. Gong Shiyu genuinely wanted Xie Jiaoyue dead; he wanted Xie Jiaoyue's life.
Why is this happening? In just one day, why has Gong Shiyu's attitude changed so drastically, with his killing intent suddenly becoming so intense?
Xie Jiaoyue couldn't help but laugh. Gong Shiyu was such a coward. His killing intent was already so strong, yet he still chose such a despicable method as poisoning. After successfully poisoning her, he didn't dare to come forward and take her life.
Gongshi Yu, not far away, smacked the servant's head hard: "Did I tell you to give me this kind of poison? I clearly told you to give me Mafeisan, just to restrict Xie Jiaoyue's mobility! What did you do? You almost ruined Xie Jiaoyue's face! What am I supposed to do if her face is ruined?"
The servant did not resist and respectfully replied, "Young Master Yu, the master deliberately sent Director Wan and Sword Master Qingyuan away to give you a chance to kill Xie Jiaoyue. It has been a day and a night, and you have not made a move. If the master finds out, he will be unhappy."
Gong Shiyu found it very incomprehensible: "We have no deep-seated hatred for Xie Jiaoyue, so why do we have to kill her? What is Father thinking? Wouldn't it be better to keep her for me?"
He could also take the opportunity to avenge the Chu ruler, wipe away the shame, and make the Chu ruler feel more at ease while he was away.
The servant, who never fought back or retaliated, couldn't help but glance at Gong Shiyu.
How could such an intelligent person like my master have given birth to such a good-for-nothing?
"Young Master Yu, Xie Jiaoyue's mother is Gongshi Rao. How can you say there is no hatred between her and the Gongshi clan?"
Gongshi Yu waved his hand: "It's not a blood feud, just some minor grudges. Xie Jiaoyue doesn't even seem to regard the Gongshi clan as a target for revenge."
He was still aware of the situation. The two had already clashed several times before. Xie Jiaoyue clearly did not regard the Gongshi clan as a mortal enemy. She had some hatred and resentment, but that was all. It was not even as attractive as the training ground.
"Master has learned from other sources that if Xie Jiaoyue goes to the Eastern Region, she will contact the Gongshi Clan of the Eastern Region and separate the Gongshi Rao lineage from the Gongshi Clan of Yicheng."
The servant was furious: "How could she even think of such a thing? Does she know what kind of embarrassing situation this would put the Gongshi family of Yicheng in? They would have no face left in the entire cultivation world."
Gong Shiyu looked at the attendant, his mouth agape, but he didn't say a word for a long time.
"Young Master Yu? What's wrong?"
Gong Shiyu scratched his head: "It's nothing, I just think Dad is pretty amazing."
He thought the Grand Elder wanted to kill Xie Jiaoyue because he believed Xie Jiaoyue was exceptionally talented and might do something to the Grand Elder because of Gong Shirao when she grew up. Therefore, he was in a hurry to take action in order to eliminate any future troubles.
That sounds exciting, that's what people in the cultivation world should do, that's how it's written in storybooks.
Unexpectedly, the Grand Elder simply didn't want the Gongshi clan to lose face.
How shameful could it be? Who in the entire city of Yi would dare to laugh at the Gongshi clan?
It's pointless. Killing someone for such a reason is less interesting than leaving the person alive.
Author's note: I finished writing it around 6 PM last night, but then I thought I'd update it at 9 PM, and then I forgot...
It seems that my memory has deteriorated since I was diagnosed with hepatitis B. I took Chinese medicine for a week, but I felt that my life shouldn't be so miserable, so I gave up.
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