Chapter 4: Poison Can Be Cured, Soul Hard to Rest

Gu Yusheng's figure was tall and slender like a pine, his face porcelain-white like jade, almost translucent; his eyes extremely dark yet faintly glimmering, like stars reflected in an ancient well. His nose bridge high and straight cast a faint shadow on his cheeks, with a tiny cinnabar mole on the right side, as if someone had absentmindedly dotted it, adding a touch of liveliness. His lips were thin and pale; a light press of them was alluring.

His black hair was fully tied up, with a few strands scattered over his shoulders; when the wind blew, they brushed his jawline—a jawline whose contours were exceptionally handsome, neither overly rigid nor too soft, as if finely drawn in meticulous brushwork. His fingers were slender and knuckles distinct, now gripping the lustrous white Chasing‑Moon Treasure Sword; the sword, however, seemed to lose its color against him.

Suave and unrestrained, handsome and charming, undeniably the male lead, Shi Ran sighed inwardly—no wonder countless female cultivators would bow for him; with such looks, had she not been a transmigrated character, she'd surely be hopelessly addicted.

"Master is healing Senior Sister's wounds!" Unfortunately, Shi Ran is a female side character in the novel; she knows her future fate, so she keeps her distance from the male lead to preserve her life.

"What? Senior Sister is injured?" Gu Yusheng stepped over Shi Ran in a few strides and asked Xiao Muyu, "Third Senior Brother, I don't know how Senior Sister got injured—how serious is it?"

Xiao Muyu stared, looking at Shi Ran, momentarily unsure whether to tell the truth: "I… I just came back from Xiao Hua Mountain; I'm not entirely clear!"

Gu Yusheng narrowed his eyes, then turned to Luo Changfeng and Qi Chengshuang: "Eldest Senior Brother? Second Senior Brother?"

Luo Changfeng hurriedly grabbed the furious Qi Chengshuang, saying nothing, while Qi Chengshuang snapped: "It's all her fault that Ruoxue is injured—wait, I'll get my revenge on her right now!"

"What?" Gu Yusheng's eyes shifted; Shi Ran had already interjected, "Second Senior Brother is just joking! Don't listen to him—Senior Sister has been poisoned, with the Soul‑Tempering Powder!"

Shi Ran emphasized her tone: the Soul‑Tempering Powder is a poison unique to the demon race, extremely domineering; had it not been for Mei Ruoxue's closeness to Gu Yusheng, which provoked the demon saintess's displeasure, she wouldn't have coerced the original host into poisoning Mei Ruoxue.

The original host was made into someone's weapon, then Ling Xiao ruthlessly slit his throat, turning him into a ghost cultivator; the ghost cultivator was then made into another's weapon, and Ling Xiao again ruthlessly crushed his soul, scattering it to ashes.

Looking over the original host's entire life, could it be summed up in a single tragic sentence? It was nothing short of a tragedy beyond compare! From beginning to end, it took only a few chapters' worth of brushstrokes, yet it laid out his whole life.

"Soul‑Tempering Powder? A poison from the demon realm?" Gu Yusheng's voice pulled Shi Ran from her reverie: "Who did it? I'll go take revenge right now!"

"Oh dear!" Shi Ran hastily grabbed Gu Yusheng: "It's the demon saintess, the saintess! Wait a moment—let us think this through!"

Gu Yusheng didn't leave; instead, he lowered his gaze to Shi Ran's claws. Shi Ran hastily let go, realizing her carelessness—this male lead is not someone she can casually touch!

"Shi Ran! Don't pretend you're innocent!" Qi Chengshuang roared, "How could a demon‑race person get near Ruoxue's side unless you were bewitched and gave her the poison?"

This person is really annoying!

Shi Ran turned a deaf ear, smiling innocently under Gu Yusheng's doubtful gaze: "Second Senior Brother already holds a deep prejudice against me; I have no intention to explain. However, the Pearl‑Moss Grass is something I and the eldest senior brother obtained only after enduring countless perils—if I wanted to harm Senior Sister, why would I go to such trouble?"

Luo Changfeng stared at Shi Ran, mouth agape: "When did she go through countless perils? She clearly still has the black dragon, and all the heavy labor is done by him alone!"

Xiao Muyu liked to play peacemaker: "In my opinion, let's wait for the master to return before making a decision!"

Qi Chengshuang, angry, sheathed his sword: "Fine! We'll wait for the master to return and decide—I don't believe she could harm fellow disciples and still be kept by the master!"

Actually, it's just that Qi Chengshuang seized her at that moment, leaving Shi Ran only able to surrender—but who let Qi Chengshuang, though he hates evil, be so stubborn and inflexible?

Shi Ran shrugged. Given that, she turned and found a place to sit down—she was utterly exhausted! Having transmigrated, she must constantly preserve her life; along the way she's been anxious and fearful, overworked and hungry, and now she desperately longs for the big bed and sofa at home, sobbing.

Several senior brothers also clearly didn't want to deal with her, moving to the other side. Luo Changfeng frowned, glanced at the complacent Shi Ran, and quietly asked Gu Yusheng: "Did you actually hunt down a Ji‑fang bird this time? If so, the master will certainly permit you to enter the Lotus‑Flower Secret Realm!"

"The Lotus‑Flower Secret Realm?!" Shi Ran perked up her ears.

Gu Yusheng said humbly: "But my cultivation time is still short; I'm afraid I can't…"

"What false modesty!" Qi Chengshuang said bluntly: "Although your time is short, you train diligently, having slain the Ji‑fang bird—far superior to those who only squabble over jealousy!"

Those jealous ones closed their eyes, turned their heads away, unwilling to look at those three big fools!

The second fool continued: "Besides, the Lotus‑Flower Secret Realm appears only once every sixty years; its treasures are immensely beneficial for your cultivation—such opportunities are rare and must be cherished!"

The first fool patted Gu Yusheng's shoulder: "Rest assured, you won't go alone; one of us will accompany you, so there's nothing to fear!"

The third fool nodded gently: "I've heard outstanding cultivators from other sects will also attend; if a competition is held, you might even bring glory to our sect!"

As they chattered, Ling Xiao reappeared, glanced at the scene in the hall, and frowned slightly.

Shi Ran was the first to notice Ling Xiao; she suddenly felt the air grow a few degrees colder, turned her head, and saw Ling Xiao standing silently outside the hall doors.

Shi Ran hurriedly jumped up: "Master! Master, is Senior Sister alright?" Shouldn't we have to go to the underworld to chase her soul? Has my little life held up?

Ling Xiao's cold eyes swept over Shi Ran; his gaze held mountains and rivers, heaven and earth, ice and snow, but lacked the answer Shi Ran wanted. Her heart jumped, a bad premonition forming.

The third fool and Gu Yusheng also crowded forward, Gu Yusheng most anxious: "Master, the Ji‑fang bird has been slain; I heard Senior Sister was poisoned? Is it serious?"

Ling Xiao let out a barely audible sigh, walked to the main seat, and sat down.

Shi Ran almost knelt: "Big brother! Whether alive or dead, at least give me a word—can I still run away in time?"

Just then, Ling Xiao's voice sounded cold and clear:

Shi Ran's legs went weak uncontrollably: "Mas… ter, Mas… ter, what are your orders?"

"Although Pearl‑Moss Grass can cure a hundred poisons, you underestimate the Soul‑Tempering Powder! This toxin is unique to the demon realm; only the one who administered it can undo it!"

"The poisoner? The demon saintess would rather see Mei Ruoxue dead than save her—how could she rescue her? Good heavens! How could this happen?!" Shi Ran wanted to cry but had no tears, dropping to her knees. "Does this mean I can't escape this wretched plot? Must I have my neck slit again?"

Gu Yusheng and the three fools had no time for Shi Ran, urgently asking: "Master, is there truly no other way?"

"Soul‑Tempering Powder tempers the soul; the poison can be cured, but the soul is hard to rest…" Ling Xiao shook his head: "If you want the soul to find peace, you must go to the underworld to retrieve it!"

He rarely sounded weary: "As your teacher, I prepare to depart tomorrow; do your best and leave the rest to fate!"

Qi Chengshuang's eyes reddened with anger; he grabbed Shi Ran: "Master, we disciples will guard Senior Sister so no evil invades her, but you alone going to the underworld leaves us uneasy—bring Shi Ran with you!"

In Shi Ran's shocked gaze, he gave a dark, sneering smile.

"Trade merit for absolution!"