Watching the Mountain

Chapter 229: Chapter 154: [Supplement] Jiang Ling’Er’s Metamorphosis

Not only did it melt away, but it also transformed into pure Spiritual Power and flowed into her Dantian.

”Huh?” Jiang Ling’Er looked inward, confused.

A moment later, another, stronger wisp of Evil Qi was expelled by Xiaohui and drifted toward her.

This time, she wasn’t as afraid. She tried to actively circulate her Cultivation Technique.

HISS.

With a nearly inaudible sound, the Evil Qi was once again refined. The bottleneck in her Cultivation—the barrier that had held her back for so long—trembled slightly and loosened.

”I... I think...” She lifted her head in a daze, looking at the Dog Race guard who had just rushed over to save her and was now staring back, equally stunned.

Somehow, the news got out.

At first, it was a few young geniuses from within the Dog Race. They were eager to receive the next stage of their inheritance but were suffering immensely from the torment of the Evil Qi. They approached her, anxious and eager to please.

”Miss Ling’Er, I heard you can refine Evil Qi. Could you please help me? I’ll reward you handsomely afterward. Plus, you’d truly be a great benefactor to our Dog Race.”

A Dog Demon who had taken the form of a handsome young man spoke with heartfelt sincerity, his eyes filled with admiration as if to say, ’You’re amazing.’

Jiang Ling’Er’s heart felt like it had been lightly tickled by a feather. She remembered her master’s instructions and looked at Xiaohui beside her.

Jiang Xiaohui furrowed his doggy brow. ”Ling’Er, this is very dangerous. Last time was just a stroke of luck...”

”But he said he’d praise me and thank me,” Jiang Ling’Er whispered, her eyes sparkling. ”Besides, isn’t it good to help Xiaohui’s clansmen? Wouldn’t that make you more respected here, Xiaohui?”

She desperately wanted to hear someone say ”You’re amazing.” She was desperate to prove she wasn’t the useless burden the Dog Race saw her as, just a tagalong with Xiaohui.

Jiang Xiaohui couldn’t win the argument, so he could only stand guard beside her, fraught with anxiety.

The first time was a great success.

A portion of the Evil Qi from the Dog Race genius was drawn out, and Jiang Ling’Er, pale-faced, refined it.

The other party thanked her profusely, gave her a few sparkling Spirit Stones, and patted her shoulder firmly. ”Miss Ling’Er, you’re incredible! From now on in the Dog Race, just mention my name if you ever need anything.”

Cradling the Spirit Stones, Jiang Ling’Er smiled like a child who had just snuck some candy.

’See? Someone praised me.’

Soon, it was the second time, then the third... The ones seeking her out were no longer just from the Dog Race, but Demon Cultivators from other tribes as well—the Snake Race, the Eagle Race... They came with even more generous rewards and even sweeter promises.

”Little girl, help us refine the Evil Qi in the valley ahead. We’ll not only give you Spirit Stones, but we’ll also praise you highly before the Clan Leader. We guarantee no one in the Dog Race will dare bully you again.”

”Fellow Cultivator Ling’Er, your ability is a heaven-sent blessing! Help us, and you will be an eternal friend to our tribe.”

”This is a Spirit Grass that can strengthen one’s body. It will be good for your little dog’s old injuries. Once the job is done, there will be more.”

Jiang Ling’Er was tempted every time.

’Maybe this time it’s real? Maybe if I help them this time, more people will want to be my friend and genuinely praise me?’

However, what awaited her was disappointment, time and time again.

The rewards shrank, the promises became empty words. Some Demon Cultivators’ eyes even turned cold and greedy when she was exhausted of Spiritual Power and utterly weakened.

One time, after she finished refining the Evil Qi and turned around expecting praise, she only saw the other party’s expression change in an instant. They tossed a so-called ”Spirit Grass” in front of the curious Jiang Xiaohui. The Spirit Grass instantly turned into black smoke and shot into Xiaohui’s mouth and nose. It was a potent poison.

”Why?” she asked blankly, not out of anger, but genuine confusion. ”I... I was almost done.”

The only answer she received was a cold sneer.

Xiaohui’s life hung by a thread.

She dug at the ground like a madwoman, her hands raw and bloody, until she found a small root that might be an antidote. She mixed it with her own blood and fed it to Xiaohui.

Cradling the dying Xiaohui, watching those indifferent Demon Cultivators who still wanted to control her, the last spark of light in her world was extinguished.

”I was wrong,” she said softly, not admitting fault to her enemies.

She stood up, holding Xiaohui, and gripped the short sword she rarely used. ”From this point on... I set the rules.”

The Jiang Ling’Er who needed praise, who trusted others so easily, was buried by her own hand.

From then on, the Demon Race had a new human ”killer star.”

She moved through wastelands and mountain forests, her body stained with blood, her eyes as cold as ten-thousand-year-old ice.

One by one, she hunted down the Demon Race tribes that had once deceived her, tried to capture her, and use her.

Battle, slaughter, refining Evil Qi to grow stronger, then searching for the next target.

She no longer trusted any demon, nor any human.

Except for the scarred but resolute Jiang Xiaohui, who always followed behind her.

This continued until, after a brutal chase and counter-ambush, she was severely injured and took refuge in an abandoned cave to heal. Jiang Xiaohui stood guard outside, restless and anxious.

Her eyes were closed as she circulated her Cultivation Technique to expel the Alien Demonic Power from her body.

Suddenly, from outside the cave, came Jiang Xiaohui’s voice—stifled and choked with sobs—transmitted through a Communication Jade Talisman:

”Master, please save Ling’Er! I’m begging you, she’s badly hurt and still being hunted... As long as Ling’Er is okay, I’ll do anything! Woof woof.”

’It’s Master. Jiang Xiaohui secretly contacted Master!’

Jiang Ling’Er’s heart clenched violently, but she didn’t open her eyes or make a sound.

She listened as Jiang Xiaohui hastily cut off the communication, and listened as he tiptoed back near the cave entrance, pretending to be on guard.

Tears slid silently from the corners of her tightly shut eyes, disappearing into her blood-stained hair.

A long time passed. Long enough for the injuries in her body to temporarily stabilize before she slowly sat up.

Jiang Xiaohui immediately scurried over, his doggy face filled with worry and a hint of guilt.

”Xiaohui,” her voice was a bit hoarse, yet calm. ”Pack up. We’re moving. In one month, we’re going to the eastern wastelands.”

”Huh? Why there? Your injuries...” Jiang Xiaohui asked, confused.

”Just do it,” Jiang Ling’Er said without explaining, her gaze fixed on the boundless darkness outside the cave.

’She knew Master would come.’

’That idiot Jiang Xiaohui must have clearly stated the location in the message.’

She reached for her Storage Bag, her fingertips brushing against a cold, hard object.

It was a fruit the size of a fist, its surface covered in strange patterns. It emanated an ominous yet powerful life force. It was the Sacred Object of the Dog Race, the Sun-Devouring Demon Essence Fruit.

This was something she had obtained after stumbling into the depths of the Dog Race’s Holy Land by a stroke of luck during an ambush, narrowly escaping with her life.

It was said to have immense benefits for Human Race Cultivators as well, especially... extending one’s lifespan.

Jiang Ling’Er clutched the fruit tightly in her palm.

She was now the ”killer star” hunted by the entire Demon Race, her hands stained with blood, her own survival uncertain.

’I can’t. I absolutely cannot drag Master into this endless trouble. If the Demon Race finds out about my relationship with him, Master will be in danger.’

’But, I really want to give this to him.’

’Master is the person who has treated me best in this world. He’s the only one who would genuinely praise my clumsy efforts and tell me ”You’re amazing.”’

’If I can use this fruit to trade for a few hundred years of peace for Master, then everything I’ve done... might just be worth it?’

She looked down at the sinister fruit in her hand, her gaze flickering with uncertainty.

’Then... I’ll give it to him.’

’I’ll use this last thing I have to repay Master for his guidance and praise back then.’

’And then, I’ll sever all ties completely.’

’I have to find a way to act cold, distant, and even... resentful in front of Master.’

’I have to make everyone believe that all ties between me, the Profound Pure Sect, and Master Xu Ran have long been severed.’

’That way, the blood and slaughter of my future won’t spatter onto him.’

’Master...’ she called out softly in her heart. She might never get the chance to say that name to his face again.

’If only I could, I’d love to hear it just one more time.’

’Hear him praise me one more time with that gentle, slightly exasperated voice of his, telling me ”You’re amazing.”’

’Just once would be enough.’

She wiped the cold tear tracks from her face, her expression turning hard and cold once more.

She had to adopt a different attitude to face her master.

She slowly stood up, walked to the window, and gazed out at the pitch-black night that belonged to the Demon Race.

Her gaze became indifferent and frosty again.

”Master...” she murmured, so softly it was almost inaudible. ”This was your goal all along, wasn’t it?”

She practiced over and over again into the cold air, rehearsing the cold, distant tone she would use to say those parting words when they next met.

”Master, this will be the last time I call you Master.”

The moonlight cast a long, lonely shadow of her solitary figure.

After carefully putting the fruit away, she stood up and looked at the anxious Jiang Xiaohui.

”Let’s go.”

Her figure vanished into the darkness outside the cave, as if swallowed by the boundless gloom.

Only she knew that in the deepest corner of her heart, a small, clean, warm space remained. Tucked away inside it was a clumsy little girl, eating a roasted sweet potato, just waiting to be praised.