Volume One: Hidden in the Deep Abyss Chapter Thirty-Nine

As expected, she saw through Jinli's scheme. "What game?"

Ruixin glanced at the doll in her hand. "These are my toys. I was born this way, fond of sharing. Why don’t you join in, or you can play with my dolls as well."

Jinli gazed at her quietly. Ruixin suddenly burst into laughter. "You are the calmest person I’ve ever met. I like your eyes."

The next instant, her smile vanished. She fiddled with the silk threads, and the disciples who had been hanging their heads raised their eyes, dull and vacant, suddenly lunging at Jinli like beasts.

She sheathed her sword and formed seals with her hands. Golden light enveloped the disciples who had lost their consciousness; countless golden threads bound them, saving many in the process.

Yet before one wave subsided, another, even greater, surged forth. Unprepared, she could not form seals in time; kicking and sweeping, she repelled the disciples, but those who fell rose again, tireless and relentless.

But Jinli grew weary.

She tried to control fire, but could not use it here—she could only immobilize them, saving whoever she could.

Her robes fluttered as she moved, blood quickly dripping to the ground, spreading into a vast scarlet stain.

Her expression was clearly wan.

More and more bodies pressed in, drowning her in their numbers. A single red thread bound all her limbs, suspending her in midair. Ruixin, barefoot, strode on the wind and approached, standing over countless mindless disciples.

"You are the first to survive in my puppet formation for so long. The last was the Emperor of Nine Mysteries—pity he died."

Ruixin played with her hair, winding it around herself, seductive. "Tell me, do you think you'll survive?"

Jinli slowly raised her blood-stained lips in a smile. "I believe I still can."

Now, she possessed only a half-divine body: poisoned by the Beauty Moth, injured by the Star Punishment, her cultivation depleted from healing Gengyuan’s mermaid tail. At this moment, she truly was no match for Ruixin.

"You are quite interesting. Not only wounded in the past, but poisoned, yet you endured so long. Unfortunately, I have little time to play with you today, so you must die."

As Ruixin finished, red threads slithered over Jinli’s body like vipers, seeking to penetrate her heart.

Jinli cried out in agony.

Just then, a water dragon surged forth, striking Ruixin and flinging her against a massive stone before she could evade.

From several meters above, a towering wave erupted, sweeping away the disciples.

The red threads fell away, and Jinli, suspended in midair, was caught in someone’s arms.

Gengyuan looked at the barely breathing person in his embrace, eyes filled with endless worry and guilt. "A Jin? A Jin?"

Jinli slowly opened her eyes, and only then did Gengyuan smile. "Thank goodness, thank goodness."

Jinli closed her eyes, too weak to move, leaning into Gengyuan’s arms, her voice faint. "Had you arrived half an hour earlier, I wouldn’t be so gravely injured."

"My fault. I’m sorry, I was late."

Ruixin rose, clearly furious, and shouted at Gengyuan, "You destroyed my toys!"

When Gengyuan looked up, all tenderness vanished; his youthful face was grim, his eyes murderous. "You hurt A Jin?"

Ruixin laughed, "What? Is she your little lover?"

Gengyuan held Jinli tightly, his face cold as he stared at Ruixin. Jinli spoke again, "Don’t look into her eyes—be careful, she’ll control your mind."

He smiled, "Except for you, no one can control me."

Then he turned to Jinli, "Rest for a while. I’ll take care of this."

Jinli nodded and fell silent.

Countless blades of water shot toward Ruixin, but she was no pushover—her red threads entangled the water blades easily.

She moved with incredible speed, and the two fought fiercely.

Ruixin, born a Demon Lord, was naturally more powerful than Gengyuan, especially after absorbing the consciousness of so many disciples. Gradually, Gengyuan began to lose ground.

Entwined in red mist, Ruixin smiled at Gengyuan, lips curling, "You carry the scent of the Sovereign?"

Ruixin seemed suddenly invigorated, binding Gengyuan tightly. She greedily pressed herself against him; Gengyuan recoiled in disgust. "Get off!"

"The Sovereign, yes, the Sovereign is returning!"

Ruixin’s joy overflowed as she stroked Gengyuan’s face. "You carry the Sovereign’s demonic blood. Are you the vessel for the birth of the Evil Bone?"

"I am not!"

"Whether you are or not, this is your fate. You must accept it."

Unable to move, Gengyuan finally couldn’t endure it any longer. Black mist mingled with blue radiance, Ruixin’s eyes filled with greed. "Yes, yes, just like that."

Her Sovereign was about to return.

Gengyuan broke free from Ruixin’s restraints; the surge of power sent Ruixin flying, and she vanished into shadow.

Gengyuan landed, his legs buckling as he knelt, vomiting a mouthful of black blood.

He looked at Jinli, unconscious not far away. After taking a deep breath, he rose and hurried to her side.

Once assured Jinli was safe, the sea calmed, and he carried her away.

When Sangli and Qisui arrived, countless disciples were unconscious, but Jinli was nowhere to be found. Their unease grew.

"Hurry, search for Her Lady’s whereabouts."

Yun An obeyed, saluting and leading the celestial soldiers away.

In the valley, birdsong was clear and melodious, the sound of running water gentle. Jinli slowly awoke.

She found herself lying on a simple bed, surrounded by rustic furnishings, evidently a farmer’s courtyard.

"A Jin, you’re awake."

Jinli stepped out, and Gengyuan, dressed in plain clothes, smiled brightly at her. The elderly woman behind him smiled as well, carefully examining the heavenly beauty before her, her mind stirring.

Gengyuan helped her to sit. Jinli smiled gently, thanking the old woman, "Thank you, Granny, for your hospitality."

The old woman smiled throughout, glancing at Gengyuan and then at Jinli, before asking, "What is your relationship?"

Jinli quickly replied, "He is my elder brother."

Gengyuan paused, looking at her, his eyes filled with grievance.

The old woman’s delight was immediate. She took Jinli’s hand and said, "Oh my, such a lovely girl! How about marrying my son and becoming my daughter-in-law? Would you agree?"

Jinli froze, and Gengyuan’s reaction was even more intense. He immediately separated their hands. "Granny, I’m afraid that won’t do."

"Indeed, Granny, marriage is a lifelong matter and shouldn’t be made so hastily."

Gengyuan nodded quickly, but the elderly woman was not so easily deterred by such fine prospects. "If you won’t marry, then let your brother wed my daughter. I worked so hard to save you both—you must give me something in return!"

At this moment, greed showed plainly on her face.

Just then, a clear voice called out, "Mother."

Jinli looked—it was a girl whose appearance was not perfect but could be called charming.

This must be her daughter.

Xiaoyan, seeing the beautiful girl before her, was transfixed. Her features were exquisite, a rare beauty.

Like the fairy tales she’d heard—an immortal descended to the mortal realm.

"Xiaoyan, come, this is the young master I told you about."

Xiaoyan glanced over: the boy in plain clothes had lowered his gaze, his face cold as ice, but his handsome features, though silent, were enough to captivate any woman. These two strangers were so attractive, it was hard not to envy them; their beauty stirred the heart.

"Miss Xiaoyan, sorry for the intrusion," Jinli smiled.

Xiaoyan’s gaze was evasive, not daring to look directly at her. "Oh..."

Tongue-tied, she didn’t know what to say, nor did she recognize many words. She’d always played with ugly creatures, which made her prideful, but now, faced with someone more dazzling than herself, she couldn’t help but feel jealous and awkward.

The girl’s calm composure, gentle confidence, made Xiaoyan want to look, yet she dared not.

The boy, meanwhile, had not spared her a glance. So she sat beside Gengyuan, only for the youth to subtly move away, increasing the distance.

"Brother, my name is Xiaoyan. What’s yours?"

Such a prize—if she could win him, not only the village, but even the town would envy her for marrying such a fine man.

"Gengyuan."

Gengyuan replied in a low voice, ignoring her.

At that moment, Jinli coughed, and Gengyuan quickly turned to her, concern evident. "What’s wrong? Are you still uncomfortable?"

Jinli shook her head. "Just choked on water, nothing serious."

Their gentle exchange was piercing to witness, and Xiaoyan felt an inexplicable surge of jealousy.

That night, Xiaoyan clung to the old woman. "Mother, I don’t care, you must make him stay."

She coquettishly pleaded. The old woman saw through her daughter’s heart, patting her hand to reassure her, "Don’t worry, Mother knows what to do. They won’t leave."

On the roof’s edge, the youth in black wore a dark expression, his eyes gloomy. He toyed with a blade of grass, which soon crumbled to dust.

Jinli sat cross-legged inside, her chest burning, sweat soaking her clothes, her lips pale.

The door opened; Gengyuan entered.

"Leave!"

She had set up a barrier, just so he wouldn’t see her suffering from the Beauty Moth’s torment—a sight like a rain-drenched begonia, fragrant and alluring.

The girl caught a whiff of mint that nearly broke her resolve, raising her voice to drive him out. Yet the youth did not leave; instead, he drew close, his finger tracing her lips. Her bright eyes opened in shock, gaze limpid.

His voice was hoarse, eyes full of pain. "Are you suffering?"

The girl’s silent recitation of the Clear Heart Mantra collapsed; she jerked away from his hand, curling up, head bowed, reciting the mantra over and over.

"These years, when it flared up, you didn’t seek others?"

Only the one who cast the moth could cure it. Besides, what did he take her for?

Jinli raised her hand and slapped the youth’s handsome face, her eyes burning with anger. "Get out."

Gengyuan felt a hint of relief—these years, she still cared about him.

Watching the divine girl tormented by the moth’s poison, biting her lips, her eyes moist, her fair face flushed—it almost seemed a feast for the eyes. He felt a wicked urge toward the divine.

Just the thought made his heart tremble with excitement.

He crossed his legs, sitting upright, palms together in a blue lotus gesture. Blue light flowed around him, and Jinli gradually realized he was trying to help her.

So the two sat face to face, blue-violet celestial light enveloping them.

The burning in her heart and body slowly eased, as if all the previous agitation was soothed. What she did not know was that Gengyuan leaned close to her. "Come closer."

His voice was clear and gentle, and the peace she felt was something she desired, so she inched closer.

Then, coolness pressed against her lips.