Chapter 110: Illusion

Xie Hongchen gazed at the person in front of him, whose eyes seemed vacant, as if devoid of any awareness. The surroundings were silent, and like everyone here, he stood still, neither alive nor dead, quietly present.

Lei Yindaji.

In his heart, Xie Hongchen silently recited this name.

Then his five fingers traced across the mountain wall, picking up a handful of dust. He reapplied the dust to the face of Lei Yindaji. Watching the familiar features blur once again, he turned around, feeling as if a massive stone had fallen into his heart.

Beside him, Yue Mihua was completely unaware of Xie Hongchen’s anomaly.

He continued to ramble on, just like before: “Later, I also joined the immortal sect. You always took care of me like an elder brother. But… why did you choose to cultivate that demonic technique? You are already the esteemed founder of the Yuhu Immortal Sect. What more could you possibly want…”

As he spoke of his sorrow, tears streamed down his face. However, Xie Hongchen’s heart was ice-cold.

A strange thought drove him—he wanted to reread Xie Lingbi’s notes. He wanted to know what had happened over these years!

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“Ah, it’s the Spirit and Devil Book… Yi Nian Shenbu feigned death and hid here to cultivate the Spirit and Devil Book? How is that possible?”

Page by page, Xie Hongchen flipped through the notes.

The early entries detailed Xie Lingbi’s discoveries, but gradually, the handwriting became messy and chaotic.

“Unexpectedly, the Spirit and Devil Book is such a profound cultivation method. It’s truly astonishing. Unfortunately, the artifact of Lei Yindaji is lost… No, is it lost, or did it fall into the hands of Yi Nian Shenbu?”

Xie Hongchen seemed to hear Xie Lingbi’s voice in his ears. He was so eager, yet perplexed. “I waited for a long time, but Yi Nian Shenbu never returned. I’m not sure if he died or left.”

“The Spirit and Devil Book is so mysterious, truly driving people insane.”

“Yi Nian Shenbu won’t come back, and my constitution and aptitude are utterly unsuitable for cultivating this demonic technique…”

As Xie Hongchen’s reading speed gradually increased, Xie Lingbi’s notes became more disorderly and frantic. “It’s impossible to succeed. Before the cultivation method is complete, I will suffer backlash and die!”

“This thing, besides that old thing, Lei Yindaji, who else can cultivate it? It’s a scam!”

“Ah, Lei Yindaji. If it’s the bloodline of that old thing, can it… wait, the Spirit and Devil Book has a method for possessing bodies!”

As time came closer to four hundred years ago, after much hesitation, Xie Hongchen finally made up his mind and turned to that page.

On that page, it was written: “I took the essence of the old thing, wanting to see if I could conceive his flesh and blood with a woman. This old thing has been suppressed for many years. I wonder if his essence can still nurture offspring.”

Indeed.

Xie Hongchen stared at this page of notes, next to which lay the cultivation method of the Spirit Demon Devil Book. Several times he considered flipping it open, but ultimately refrained.

What captivating aspects did this cultivation method possess? Even Yi Nian Shenbu couldn’t resist its allure?

After contemplating for a long time, Xie Hongchen finally removed the stitches from the notes and carefully pulled out these pages.

Xie Lingbi, in his madness, had thought of using Lei Yindaji’s essence to change his aptitude, attempting to cultivate a new body. The master and disciple had shared an affectionate bond for over two hundred years.

As the final layer of clothing peeled away, everything was gruesome and bloody.

Yet, these things could not see the light. If the people in the immortal sect knew that he was a descendant of Lei Yindaji, it would surely cause panic. With a flicker of firelight at his fingertips, Xie Hongchen turned these pages into ashes.

The next day, Qiu Cailing and a group of elders came. Everyone’s expressions were solemn.

Qiu Cailing spoke first, saying, “The cultivation method of the Spirit and Devil Book must not be preserved. All the insights and experiences recorded in Xie Lingbi’s notes should be completely destroyed. This demonic technique has been buried for many years, and we cannot let it resurface.”

Xie Hongchen replied, “That is only natural.”

Afterwards, he suddenly thought of the records in Xie Lingbi’s notes and continued, “However, temporarily keeping the cultivation method may not be a bad idea. If there are still evildoers practicing it, at least we can subdue them.”

Qiu Cailing agreed, “You are the sect master; you decide. However, Hongchen, you are still young. It might be better not to read these things to avoid falling into obsession.”

Xie Hongchen understood his concern and said, “Elder Qiu, rest assured. I can’t possibly follow in my master’s footsteps.”

Qiu Cailing frowned and added, “He is now a criminal of the sect. You should no longer refer to him as your master! As the sect master, you are an impeccable figure. Why tarnish yourself because of him?”

Xie Hongchen looked at him, sensing the coldness in people’s hearts.

He suddenly thought of Huang Rang.

What would Huang Rang say or think if she were here?

At that moment, Huang Rang was feeding the caterpillar with water that had been mixed with a spiritual pill. She was cultivating the body for the little demon and was more skilled than Di Yiqiu in terms of taking care of the little demon.

(T/N: Huang Yang is still in caterpillar form and has not yet transformed into a human.)

After all, outside of dreams, there was Xie Jiu’er, and in dreams, she herself turned to the path of martial arts.

She worked earnestly, nurturing the body of the beloved bug.

This caterpillar is quite spirited now. It has developed some spiritual intelligence and knows to secretly nibble on spiritual herbs at the medical pavilion. Everyone knows that this is the “beloved bug” of the chief and imperial scholar, and they all endure it without stepping on it.

As for Di Yiqiu, he diligently studied the tea needle Huang Rang gave him. He discovered that the enchantments on the tea needle shared similarities with the Soul-Binding Bone-Fixing Needles At the same time, he consulted the Spirit and Devil Book and wrote a partial analysis based on Xie Lingbi’s cultivation.

However, this cultivation method, feeding on resentment and pain, is clearly not solely for the purpose of body possession. Immortality?

Because of continuous body possession, can both the body and the primordial spirit remain eternally unaging and undying? He couldn’t comprehend.

But regardless, Xie Lingbi has already been punished. No matter how mystical the cultivation method is, if no one practices it, there is no need to worry about it anymore.

The world seems to have returned to normal.

Xi Yin still resides in the manor, and occasionally Bao Wu visits. After spending a long time together, the two have become like old friends. Xi Yin even helps him with tailoring and chats about family matters.

Bao Wu is not particularly interested in these topics, but he still listens patiently for a long time.

Xi Yin is different from him.

Her life has had no scenes of blades and swords. There are only peaceful years and the green sprouts of prosperity and decline. Bao Wu even thinks that this is fine.

Xie Hongchen still remains in the Yuhu Immortal Sect, serving as the lofty sect master.

As his cultivation advanced, his reputation soared. However, over these years, regardless of the type of affection from women, he always politely declined.

Di Yiqiu, due to the reformation of his cultivation with Xie Lingbi’s technique, gradually became another prominent figure in the immortal sect.

The caterpillar also underwent a cultivation reform, and Di Yiqiu named him Huang Yang. He lived with Huang Rang and Di Yiqiu, being mischievous every day. Later, influenced by his father, he developed an interest in forging.

Di Yiqiu decided to bring him along to work at the forging bureau.

He Xijin and his wife lived harmoniously, but as time passed, Qu Manying became extremely bored and even bore another child. Huang Yang also developed an affection for a girl.

Meanwhile, Shi Wenyu continued his cultivation in the Yuanrong Tower. This life went smoothly, almost perfect.

One day, Huang Rang was cultivating new breeds with students from the breeding institute. The students brought her a lot of food, but she couldn’t finish it all, so she decided to share it with the tenants.

At this moment, a tenant holding osmanthus cake spoke up after a long while, saying, “My child loves osmanthus cake the most.” Huang Rang casually replied, “There’s more here; take it back for your child.”

Unexpectedly, the tenant’s eyes turned red. After a long time, she shook her head and said, “My child has been missing, and we still haven’t found him. His father drinks every day, fell last year, and is still bedridden…”

She wiped her eyes, took a bite of the osmanthus cake, but couldn’t swallow it no matter how hard she tried.

Huang Rang felt her heart racing. She took a deep breath and casually asked, “When did it happen? Have you searched everywhere?”

The tenant replied, “It’s been two or three years; we’ve searched everywhere. Master Third Dream, you see, families like ours, why are we so miserable…”

Two or three years…

No, no, maybe it’s unrelated to the previous case of a missing child. Children going missing is not an uncommon occurrence.

Huang Rang didn’t say anything more, but she also lost the desire to continue breeding.

She returned home, and Huang Yang came out, saying, “Mom, Dad stole my secret money. Aren’t you going to do anything?” Huang Rang wasn’t in the mood to play along and, after a while, asked, “Where’s your dad?”

Seeing her gloomy expression, Huang Yang couldn’t help saying, “In the kitchen. He insists on cooking, saying, Master He and the others can all make a few dishes, so he can’t fall behind. He even forced me to learn along with him!”

Huang Rang nodded and entered the kitchen.

Indeed, Di Yiqiu was cooking. The house was filled with the fragrance of dishes.

“You’re back so early today?” Di Yiqiu frowned. Huang Rang stood behind him, and after a while, she reached out and hugged him.

Di Yiqiu was slightly startled, then stirred the pot and said, “…Do you want to stay here? Let me first kick out that stinky brat.”

Huang Rang didn’t speak, hesitating for a long time. Di Yiqiu noticed her unusual behavior and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Now, are there still mysterious child disappearances?” Huang Rang didn’t know in what kind of mood she asked this question.

Di Yiqiu was slightly surprised and said, “No reports have come in.” Speaking of this, he suddenly became serious and asked, “Did you hear something?”

Huang Rang remained silent for a long time. Perhaps, as long as she didn’t break this layer of paper, the dream could continue indefinitely. But now, she was no longer the Huang Rang of Xiancha Town.

Overlapping and intertwining timelines, having lived for several lifetimes, she had long understood that happiness built on the pain of others was only a false appearance.

She pressed her face against Di Yiqiu’s back and said, “Well… can you check for them again? Please?”

Di Yiqiu said, “Naturally. I will order the states to re-report suspicious cases from these years.”

Huang Rang slowly let him go.

If the heavens grant my wish, I hope it’s just an ordinary missing person case. That’s what Huang Rang thought.

However, the next day, Di Yiqiu received case files from the state yamen and discovered that, over the years, strange cases had been occurring everywhere. Parents losing their beloved children, loving couples separating…

Each case file was like a dark cloud hanging over this seemingly clear sky.

Yuhu Immortal Sect.

Xie Hongchen was in meditation when, unexpectedly, a rare visitor arrived — Di Yiqiu.

Seeing him again, Xie Hongchen still felt as if a grain of sand had entered his eyes. Nevertheless, he still brewed tea for him and asked, “What brings the chief here?”

Di Yiqiu went straight to the point and asked, “Is Xie Lingbi still trapped in the Yuhu Immortal Sect?”

“Naturally,” Xie Hongchen frowned, displeased, “Do you suspect something is amiss?”

Finally, Di Yiqiu said, “Xie Hongchen, ordinary children are still missing! The person truly using them to cultivate the forbidden technique might not be Xie Lingbi! Or, there might be more than just Xie Lingbi!”

Xie Hongchen’s cup in his hand clattered. In that instant, fragments of Xie Lingbi’s notes flashed through his mind. “Yi Nian Shenbu…” he murmured.

Di Yiqiu asked, “What?”

Xie Hongchen closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them again and said, “My master once recorded in his notes that he found the Spirit and Devil Book in Yi Nian Shenbu’s tomb. He also said that Yi Nian Shenbu should still be alive!”

The two locked eyes, and a chill ran down their spines.

At this moment, both of them simultaneously thought of another person. Xie Hongchen said, “Ah Rang, she must know something!”

Di Yiqiu glanced at him and corrected, “If Master Xie is still unwilling to admit that she has become my wife, at least please address her as Miss Huang.”

This correction earned a cold snort from Master Xie.