75: Chapter 75 (Untitled)

At this moment, as the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake's vertical pupils swept over toward Dugu Yan, her legs were already trembling slightly. It wasn't out of fear, but because her Soul Power was nearly exhausted; the prolonged struggle against the snake's poisonous mist had consumed too much of it.

Seeing the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake looking at her, Dugu Yan grit her teeth, wanting to step forward, but Meng Yiran jumped down from a tree and grabbed her arm.

Dugu Yan, held back, turned to look at Meng Yiran, who shook her head at her.

The two then looked back at the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake.

By now, Meng Yiran had also run out of Throwing Knives; the ground in all directions was littered with the ones she had thrown.

Ning Rongrong stood behind them, and although she still held the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, her Soul Power was also low.

Zhu Zhuqing lay motionless in the bushes with her eyes tightly shut, clearly knocked unconscious by the strike from the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake's tail.

Xiao Wu had been flung beneath a fallen tree, her upper body buried under a pile of fallen leaves. Her face couldn't be seen, but the fluctuations of Soul Power from her body indicated she hadn't fainted.

Then, the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake moved.

It stopped looking at Dugu Yan and Meng Yiran and instead lunged directly toward Ye Lingling.

Those vertical pupils were locked firmly onto the girl crouching beside Bai Qi, who was still tending to the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow.

It was this person who had been continuously healing its prey, keeping it clinging to life.

The snake's body coiled and sprang, its maw opening wide to release a cloud of poisonous gas so thick it smelled of rotting fish.

But Ye Lingling still didn't look up.

The Nine Heart Begonia in her hand remained lit, its green light still enveloping the large bird. Her Soul Power was nearly spent from the healing, and even her palms were shaking, yet she had no intention of stopping.

But the situation on the field was critical. Seeing the beast charging at Ye Lingling, Ning Rongrong shouted to her.

“Lingling! Run!”

Dugu Yan wanted to rush forward at the sight, but her legs refused to cooperate. As soon as she lifted her knee, it went weak, and she nearly collapsed.

Fortunately, Meng Yiran was quick and caught her.

Closing in, the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake's mouth was still stretched to its limit, preparing to swallow Ye Lingling whole.

Seeing this, Bai Qi was about to pull Ye Lingling away, but Xiao Wu suddenly stood up from beneath the fallen tree.

She was still shrouded in a faint golden light, and the brightness of her Fourth Spirit Ring had not yet completely faded.

She hadn't fainted at all. The moment she was flung away, she had activated her Fourth Spirit Ability, Paragon Golden Body.

The impact with the ground had been completely blocked by the Paragon Golden Body, leaving her without a single injury.

Xiao Wu had used that momentum to dive into the leaf pile, waiting for this exact moment—the moment the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake revealed a weakness.

She leaped onto the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake's head, her hands gripping the edges of the scales atop its head. Her fingers dug into the gaps between the scales, causing blood to seep out, yet Xiao Wu, in an inverted posture, didn't even flinch.

Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up the moment she saw Xiao Wu emerge. She hurriedly raised the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, her first and second spirit rings lighting up simultaneously as she shouted.

“First: Strength. Second: Speed.”

Xiao Wu said nothing more, giving Ning Rongrong a grateful glance before her First Spirit Ring also lit up: Waist Bow.

Xiao Wu's body arched, and her knees slammed violently into the top of the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake's head. The snake was sent flying backward, crashing into the clearing between them with such force that it kicked up a cloud of dust.

The Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake took a moment to recover, then swung its tail directly at Ye Lingling. But Xiao Wu blocked her path, taking the hit on her own body. Since the duration of Paragon Golden Body hadn't expired, she remained motionless, not even swaying.

Xiao Wu then used Teleportation to appear on the snake's head again, her legs scissoring around its neck as her Fifth Spirit Ring lit up: Soft Bones Lock.

Its neck was firmly locked by Xiao Wu. The snake's tongue flicked out frantically, and its body thrashed wildly in an attempt to fling Xiao Wu off again.

But this time, Xiao Wu gave it no chance. She grit her teeth, locking her hold tighter and tighter.

As time passed, the movements of the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake's body grew fewer and weaker.

Withdrawing his Soul Power, Bai Qi called out.

“Leave it with a breath of life. Give Yanzi the final blow!”

Xiao Wu nodded and released the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake just as its movements were about to cease.

She then used Waist Bow to kick it away. It smashed into a nearby tree, snapping it in half.

A second strike, a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth.

Xiao Wu deliberately avoided the snake's more severely injured areas, kicking it frantically.

With the seventh strike, she kicked the snake's head right into the ground. The soil overturned, and half the snake's head was embedded in the earth.

Its tail could no longer swing; its entire body lay limp on the ground, with only its belly rising and falling weakly, proving it wasn't dead yet.

Xiao Wu stood on the snake's body and curled her lip; she hadn't even had her fill of the fight before the snake gave out.

She flipped down to the ground, landing on one knee before immediately standing up.

She brushed the dust off her knees. Except for a tiny corner of her clothes that had been corroded, there wasn't a single wound on her.

She turned to Dugu Yan and said only two words.

“Come on.”

Dugu Yan looked at Xiao Wu and was stunned for a moment.

The Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake lay paralyzed, its head partially buried. The wound at its seven-inch mark that Zhu Zhuqing had previously slashed open was still seeping blood, and its scales were completely shattered, exposing the tender flesh beneath. It was utterly devoid of the strength to resist.

Dugu Yan glanced at Bai Qi again.

Bai Qi nodded and said,

“The seven-inch mark, the wound Zhuqing cut.”

Hearing this, Dugu Yan took a deep breath. She stood up with Meng Yiran's support and used the last of her Soul Power to summon the Jade Phosphor Serpent, which bit down on the seven-inch mark.

The Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake's body shuddered. The intense pain caused it to pull its head out of the ground, but it collapsed immediately afterward. Its pupils began to dilate, and its body went completely limp.

A deep purple thousand-year spirit ring slowly rose from its body.

Having ended it all, Dugu Yan slumped to the ground, panting heavily.

The Jade Phosphor Serpent beside her also completely dissipated. She didn't want to lift so much as a finger now.

At that moment, Xiao Wu walked over and reached out a hand to her.

“Your spirit ring, hurry and absorb it.”

“Let me catch my breath.”

Dugu Yan said weakly from where she sat.

The somewhat impatient Xiao Wu grabbed Dugu Yan's hand and hauled her up.

“What 'catch your breath'? The spirit ring will dissipate in a moment.”

Pulled up by Xiao Wu, Dugu Yan smiled helplessly and sat cross-legged to begin guiding the spirit ring.

The Jade Phosphor Serpent reappeared behind her as she absorbed the ring, looking more solid than before.

Dark purple patterns began to appear on the serpent's scales, similar to the markings on the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake.

Bai Qi stood by and watched for a moment, and once he was sure there would be no accidents, he looked away.

He walked back over to Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling was still kneeling beside the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow.

The Nine Heart Begonia was still glowing, but the bird's breathing was growing weaker and weaker.

The wound on its left wing had turned completely black, and the toxin had spread from the wound to its chest, continuing its relentless encroachment toward the heart.

Ye Lingling continued to release her Soul Power in an attempt to save it, but the Nine Heart Begonia's effect was only healing; it couldn't neutralize the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake's poison. This Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow certainly wouldn't survive until Dugu Yan finished absorbing her spirit ring.

Bai Qi crouched down beside Ye Lingling and said flatly, his tone devoid of much emotion,

“It can't be saved.”

Ye Lingling didn't even look up, nor did she acknowledge him.

Bai Qi didn't mind at all and continued,

“If you keep overdrawing your Soul Power, your Spirit will be damaged.”

Ye Lingling's lips trembled, and her eyes reddened. Tears welled up in her eyes but didn't fall.

The Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow opened its eyes.

Its golden pupils were already somewhat unfocused, as if covered by a layer of gray.

But it still looked at Ye Lingling, tilting its head to nuzzle her. Then, it let out a soft cry.

The sound was very soft and weak. It was just like when it had first flown into the valley, landing before her and tilting its head to look at her, letting out that same cry.

Ye Lingling's tears finally fell, dripping one by one onto the bird's body.

It gave her one last look, then closed its eyes.

Then, a purple spirit ring emerged. The outer edge of the ring was not only somewhat dark but also had a faint silver-white halo upon it.

At that moment, Ye Lingling was completely stunned. Then, she threw herself onto the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow and wailed, murmuring over and over,

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry... if only my Nine Heart Begonia could neutralize poison.”

Seeing this, Bai Qi reached out and gently patted Ye Lingling's back, his tone softening as he said,

“Lingling, absorb it. It did this so you wouldn't overdraw your Soul Power to save it, and also to give this spirit ring to you.”

But Ye Lingling remained slumped over it, crying. Even Ning Rongrong, Meng Yiran, Xiao Wu, and the now-awake Zhu Zhuqing—who was being supported by Xiao Wu—all had reddened eyes. Ning Rongrong even burst into tears.

This was the first time they had experienced life and death. Although it wasn't a person who died, they all felt more or less sorrowful.

After crying for a while, Ye Lingling sat up. Though her eyes were red and swollen, her expression was exceptionally resolute.

She immediately sat cross-legged, guided the spirit ring, and began to absorb it.

Just then, a faint silver-white light emanated from the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow's body, converging on Ye Lingling's forehead.

Bai Qi reached out, pressing his index finger to the center of Ye Lingling's brow.

Her forehead was very hot. It felt as if something were taking shape there.

“A Skull Spirit Bone! From the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow.”

Bai Qi said in surprise.

Ye Lingling's absorption of the spirit ring was exceptionally fast; she had started later than Dugu Yan but finished sooner.

After finishing the absorption, Ye Lingling didn't speak. She just lowered her head to look at the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow before her. She placed her hand on its neck and rubbed it just as she had the day before, but it gave no response.

Dugu Yan had also finished her absorption. She stood up, her legs still a bit weak, but her Soul Power had recovered somewhat.

The Jade Phosphor Serpent was behind her, its body now marked with several dark purple patterns.

“Fourth Spirit Ability: Purple Phosphorus Binding.”

Dugu Yan thought for a moment and added,

“It uses poison to create several snakes that coil around the opponent. It also has a corrosive effect. Its practical use might be stronger than I've described.”

Xiao Wu walked over, sized her up, and then patted her on the shoulder.

“It's alright, I guess. Not as impressive as mine.”

Hearing this, Dugu Yan rolled her eyes but didn't respond.

Bai Qi walked back from Ye Lingling's side, glanced at the corpse of the Purple Phosphorus Green Brocade Snake, and said,

“Let's go. It's time to head back.”

After Ye Lingling provided some healing to everyone, especially Zhu Zhuqing,

She walked to the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow's side, crouched down, and picked up the large bird. It was very light, much lighter than she had expected.

The group began the trek back, with Xiao Wu leading the way.

Dugu Yan followed behind Xiao Wu.

Ye Lingling walked in the middle. Dugu Yan glanced back at her. Ye Lingling was holding the large bird, her eyes still red, but she wasn't crying. She stared straight ahead, her gaze fixed on something unknown.

By the time they returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the sky was pitch black.

Ah Yin stood at the valley entrance, holding a lantern whose flame flickered in the evening breeze.

She saw the large bird in Ye Lingling's arms, asked nothing, and turned back to go reheat the food.

Ye Lingling set it down and crouched by the herb garden near the mountain wall.

She didn't use a shovel, digging with her bare hands instead. Even as dirt became embedded under her fingernails, she didn't stop.

The others watched for a while and reached out to help, but Ye Lingling brushed them away.

“I'll do it myself.”

The hole was dug. Ye Lingling picked it up, placed it inside, and filled it in.

Once everything was done, she stood up, patted the dirt off her hands, and turned to walk back.

Ah Yin had finished reheating the food and handed her a bowl of soup. After washing her hands, Ye Lingling took it, sat at the table, and took a sip without even blowing on it.

The soup was very hot, but Ye Lingling didn't blow on it; she just swallowed it down.

Xiao Wu sat beside Bai Qi.

She suddenly said,

“Lingling, you need to pull yourself together. Think about it: every time you use the Nine Heart Begonia, it will be there helping you.”

Ye Lingling didn't respond. After a long while, she gave a soft “Mm.”

Ning Rongrong applied medicine to Zhu Zhuqing, who winced in pain but didn't make a sound.

Meng Yiran was wiping her Throwing Knives—these were new ones Bai Qi had given her. Dugu Yan leaned against a tree trunk, holding a book she had opened, but her eyes weren't on the words.

She glanced at Ye Lingling and closed the book.

After dinner, Ah Yin was tidying up; a spark flew out and then died.

Ye Lingling finished her soup, put the bowl down, and stood up. She walked to the edge of the herb garden and stood for a while before the mound of earth where the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow was buried.

Moonlight shone on the mound. She stood quietly for a time, then turned and went back to her tent.

Bai Qi went to patrol the perimeter and then walked back.

At this time, only Ah Yin remained outside. She wiped the last bowl clean, put it away, and extinguished the fire. She looked at Bai Qi and asked,

“Is Lingling okay?”

“She's fine.”

Bai Qi looked toward Ye Lingling's tent and said,

“She's stronger than you think.”

Ah Yin nodded. After all, she had watched the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow fly away.

Although she hadn't known what it was doing then, she knew now: it must have gone to find Ye Lingling, but something went wrong.

The two chatted for a few more moments, then Ah Yin also returned to her tent.

Bai Qi sat in front of the tent for a while, then walked to the mound of earth and whispered,

“System.”