Lian Xiao spoke in a deep voice: “Do you truly believe I would not dare? You injured Qian Yi, formed factions among officials, were jealous of talents, and delayed choosing a successor for the Ghost Realm’s high priest. Did you think I was unaware?”
Yan Gu did not argue, her voice becoming weary: “Oh? It seems you have long wanted to eliminate me. Then do it. I hope you do not wither for a thousand years, but instead, die with me!”
Lian Xiao said nothing more, crimson spells surrounding Yan Gu, beginning to extract her soul.
Yan Gu seemed to endure excruciating pain, biting her teeth, not even letting out a groan. When a wisp of red smoke drifted from her chest, she finally screamed like a broken heart.
I buried my face in Mu Chen’s arm, unable to watch. A deafening, mournful cry rang in my ears. When I looked up, I was blown back by a powerful air current.
Mu Chen’s long robe wrapped around me, using his arm to block the current.
“Lian Xiao! You think extracting my soul can kill me! You’ve forgotten, I am the high priest of the Ghost Realm, the most outstanding priest! Even without a soul, I can live! I will kill you, kill this wretched person, and destroy the Ghost Realm!”
With her soul extracted, Yan Gu’s form scattered. The binding ropes were now useless against her. Her soul flew out, hair flying, the bright red wedding dress making her eyes look fierce, like a mountain spirit.
Lian Xiao’s face was a sickly green, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He pressed his palms together, weaving a blood net that trapped her soul, the last word of his spell clear to me: “Seal!”
As the words fell, the blood net dragged Yan Gu into the river’s source. The water immediately turned murky and dark, dense black qi permeating it.
I was stunned. This river had indeed become the River of Bones. I looked up, my voice trembling: “Mu Chen…”
His expression was also grave: “When I saw Yan Gu in the palace, I suspected from my memories that she was not my birth mother. After my father noticed, he imprisoned me in the palace.”
“If Yan Gu is not your birth mother, then…” I was surprised, “Could Qian Yi Shen Jun be?”
I was startled by my own thought, yet it might be true. Qian Yi had transformed into a mortal form and was never recognized, but Mu Chen could recognize her at a glance.
The article is mostly coherent but contains fragments that add little to the overall plot, particularly sentences that delve into speculation or side notes that stray from the main narrative. I will remove these unnecessary elements for clarity. Here is the edited version:
I had always thought it was due to his high cultivation, never considering this possibility. Perhaps Mu Yin would also have this ‘heavenly eye’ in a few years. I was increasingly astonished but immediately understood.
If Qian Yi’s appearance was changed to Yan Gu’s, and using marriage as a reason to resign from the high priest position and retire to the deep palace, such a speculation was not impossible.
Lian Xiao had likely planned this from the beginning, not letting go of Qian Yi, keeping her by his side. Even if the divine realm could not find her, they would not search in the Ghost Realm’s palace. The high priest’s resignation after marriage was also reasonable.
No wonder historical records did not mention this, no wonder outsiders did not know why the Qing Na River became the River of Bones overnight.
I suddenly wondered, if Yan Gu had not been power-hungry, would Lian Xiao have taken her soul to save Qian Yi?
Finally, the cave became quiet. Lian Xiao injected the soul into Qian Yi, then spat out a mouthful of blood, looking at us with weary eyes: “This river has become like this because of me. I never thought that thousands of years later, I would harm my own descendants.”
I asked: “How can the spell be undone?”
“It cannot be undone,” he said decisively. “Yan Gu’s cultivation is extremely high, having practiced for thousands of years.”
With your abilities, attempting to undo it would only allow her to be reborn. She swore to destroy the Ghost Realm, and then the realm would be doomed.
I felt a sense of desolation, knowing the origin of the River of Bones yet unable to do anything. Would I and Mu Chen only be able to gaze at each other from afar in this lifetime?
Mu Chen spoke: “Let’s go back.”
Knowing we could do nothing by staying, yet unwilling to give up. I looked at him, feeling utterly discouraged: “I am not resigned to this.”
He nodded, his hand caressing my face: “Neither am I.”
My nose tingled, and I was crying uncontrollably again. Unwilling to return to square one, even the previous Ghost King said there was no way, so perhaps it truly cannot be undone. If Mu Chuan were to risk being devoured by the ghost realm to break the seal, I couldn’t be so selfish.
Mu Chuan wiped the tears from my cheek, saying, “Suo Suo, as long as we’re both still alive, we’ll find a way.”
A white-hot light circle appeared beneath my feet, and as I began to sink, I reached out and hugged his waist, burrowing into his embrace.
Before returning, my head buzzed, and my heart felt like it was about to split. I held him tighter, hearing his low growl in my ear: “Suo Suo, let go. Do you want to die?”
“I don’t want to!”
Let me stay by his side a little longer.
With his cultivation, he wouldn’t be in pain temporarily, his heartbeat still normal. I didn’t want to let go, knowing once I did, I didn’t know how long it would be before I could hold him again.
He tried to pry my fingers away, and I cried out, “I don’t want to! You can’t let me go!”
His force grew stronger, and my fingers were painfully bent. Enduring the pain, I let go, watching him move further away until he disappeared. I fell heavily to the ground. After a long while, urgent footsteps approached from the forest.
Seeing Zhen Nü, I grabbed her and asked, “Where’s Mu Chuan?”
“He’s already returned safely. Qing Yuan, the Great Priest, has gone to find him,” she said. “What happened? Didn’t find the clue? Why are you crying like this?”
I wiped my tears and told her everything, feeling more miserable with each word.
Zhen Nü thought for a long time, then took my hand. “Return to the Divine Realm. This time, I’ll find Yao Chi Immortal. She once told me that if we return without success, we could explain the details to her. The Immortal has eight thousand years of cultivation and might be able to help you.”
My wilted heart suddenly reignited, and I nodded, “I’ll go right now! Help me tell Mu Chuan to wait for my return!”
“Okay…”
Before she could finish, I had already rushed towards the Gate of Reincarnation.
As long as there was a glimmer of hope, I was satisfied.
At least, I still had something to look forward to, preventing me from falling into complete despair.
Leaving the gate, I unsealed Fu Yun and leaped up: “Go find Yao Chi Immortal.”
“Okay,” it flew swiftly, saying, “Although Yao Chi Immortal has high cultivation, her curse techniques are slightly lower than the Supreme God’s. If even the Supreme God couldn’t do something, how could she easily promise to help you?”
I suddenly stopped, the wind still rushing past my ears, my thoughts spinning. If what Fu Yun said was true, then Zhen Nü was deceiving me. Recalling Zhen Nü’s unrestrained gaze, I was shocked: “Return to the Ghost Realm.”
The Gate of Reincarnation hadn’t closed, and someone emerged. Looking up, I saw a solemn face directly approaching, landing on Fu Yun: “Stop.”
I stared at her, “Zhen Nü, what are you doing?”
Zhen Nü’s eyes narrowed, “Do you really want to die? After going to the Corpse Bone River, the water became more polluted, and the resentful spirits are about to become uncontrollable. If you and Mu Chuan get closer, you’ll be walking to your death! Your heart is already half-consumed. Even if you want to die, I won’t let you!”
