Mu Anxiao looked at Shen Yan’s uncharacteristic expression and said with a smile, "That's right, she's just a little girl." She then looked down at Suo, "Isn't that right, Suo'er?"
"My name is not Suo'er," Suo said unhappily.
"You are a lock, so not being called Suo'er might be an insult to your identity, wouldn't you say?" Mu Anxiao said, looking down.
Suo was silent for a moment, then said, "You are right, but I am not a lock myself."
"Then what are you?"
"I am a spirit. My elder sister was deceived by a boy around fifteen or sixteen. I came here to tell my sister about their plot, but as soon as I entered, I was captured by the sect leader here and turned into this."
"Then you are a monster."
"I am not a monster, I am a spirit," Suo said excitedly.
"Aren't spirits and monsters the same thing?" Mu Anxiao asked.
"No, we spirits are formed by the combination of spiritual energy in nature. But monsters..."
"Wait a moment." Mu Anxiao raised her hand, furrowing her brow as she tried to untangle her thoughts. "Spiritual energy in nature, isn't that just air? How can it take form? I think you're overestimating yourself."
"This is something I overheard inadvertently. My sister doesn't know yet," Suo said.
Mu Anxiao stared at Suo's appearance and said, "You beat me quite badly just now."
"I apologize. Since the day I was turned into this, I have been defensive towards everyone."
"Including the sect leader?" Mu Anxiao probed.
"I dare not," Suo said.
"I knew it. That middle-aged fellow turned you into this, and you would dare disobey his orders?" Mu Anxiao said. "Wouldn't that be courting death?"
"There is a book inside him, and that book contains the method to undo my current state," Suo said eagerly.
"Why should I believe you?"
"You have touched me twice, and I haven't harmed you either time," Suo said.
"I know, but I truly don't believe you are made of air," Mu Anxiao said, casually stuffing Suo into her satchel.
Suo cried out, "It smells so bad."
"It will be better soon. Turn off your green light," Mu Anxiao said, patting the satchel.
Instantly, the green light that shone through the satchel extinguished. Suo coughed a few times and then fell silent.
Mu Anxiao’s lips curled upwards, and she looked at the pensive Shen Yan, asking, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," Shen Yan replied. She glanced at Mu Anxiao's satchel, then walked to the door and pushed it open, saying, "You wait here."
"Okay, hurry up," Mu Anxiao said softly.
Shen Yan nodded without speaking, crossed the threshold, and walked inside.
Immediately, a gust of chilling wind drifted out from the room. Mu Anxiao couldn't help but shiver. "Why is the Yin energy in here so heavy?"
"He is raising little demons. The Yin energy from little demons is exceptionally heavy," Suo whispered.
"The people of the cultivation sects are truly strange," Mu Anxiao said, then gently patted the satchel. "Right, let me ask you, can your souls directly attack people?"
"Demon souls, spirit souls, and human souls are all different. Our souls can protect ourselves when necessary, resisting those demons, immortals, or underworld officials who bully us."
"No wonder your sister could bite that fellow and injure Shen Yan," Mu Anxiao mumbled. She thought for a moment, "It seems his words indeed require deep consideration."
"What did you say?" Suo asked.
Mu Anxiao’s gaze flickered. She shook her head towards a pillar in front of her, "I didn't say anything."
"We spirits detest deception the most. If you deceive me and I find out, I will not forgive you," Suo said, his voice stiff.