At this moment, she heard the group of girls whispering. Although their voices were very low, Jian Lin still heard them.
They said that their senior sister’s whereabouts were unknown, and they decided to rush back to Xuan Yin Pavilion as soon as possible to find their master for reinforcements.
The more Jian Lin heard, the more her heart sank. No way, the senior sister they were talking about couldn't be Jiang Xueyin, could she?
Jiang Xueyin was in danger again. She had to admit, this protagonist's halo was truly formidable.
Knowing this, Jian Lin decided to pause her search for the Demon Lord and go look for the missing Jiang Xueyin.
She closed her eyes and released her divine sense, using her divine power to track people down. It was a matter of minutes.
Soon, she arrived at the bottom of a valley. Jiang Xueyin looked pale and weak, resting against a tree. There were bloodstains on her white skirt, indicating she was injured.
Soon, another person approached, using leaves to hold water to feed her. Jian Lin looked closely and, to her surprise, it was her good junior brother, Ning Xiao.
How long had it been? The male and female protagonists had already gotten together. Were they magnets, attracting each other so powerfully?
Jian Lin withdrew her divine sense and, in the blink of an eye, found the bowls and plates on the table empty. Xiao Li had eaten everything.
Fine, Xiao Li was her savior, so buying her another chicken was a divine act. There was no need to be so stingy.
While Xiao Li was eating her second chicken, the disciples of Xuan Yin Pavilion finished their tea and started to leave one by one, continuing their journey.
After Xiao Li finished eating, Jian Lin stored the carriage at an inn and, with Xiao Li, headed towards the mountains not far away.
The boundary between the mortal realm and the demon realm was separated by a mountain range and an abyss. Jiang Xueyin had fallen into that abyss.
As they reached the edge of the abyss, a cold wind howled, so strong it made people sway from side to side.
A mortal would have been scared to death, but for Xiao Li, it was like a fun game.
She transformed into her original form and happily roamed the abyss. Jian Lin followed, chasing after her and playing with her with a smile.
After a god and a dragon had their fill of fun, they leisurely descended to the bottom of the abyss.
The valley floor resembled a pristine forest wonderland, and Jian Lin couldn't help but let out an exclamation of amazement.
Xiao Li felt the joy of her dragon form and refused to transform back into human shape. She simply shrank her body and slithered through the air like a small snake.
Jian Lin ignored her and followed her intuition, heading to find Jiang Xueyin and Ning Xiao.
After passing through a dense forest and crossing a small stream, she looked up at a cave high above. Jian Lin picked up a stone and threw it upwards.
She remembered it should be here. If she hadn't thrown it at the wrong spot, they would definitely come out.
As expected, not long after, a cautious voice came from inside, "Who goes there? Are you human or ghost? State your name, and I shall spare your life."
Jian Lin smiled. Ning Xiao was indeed putting on a brave front, trembling terribly but still saying he would spare her life.
Jian Lin's heart stirred, and she decided to tease them. "Neither human nor ghost. This is my territory. You two intruded, you should have greeted me."
The cave went quiet for a moment. Ning Xiao cautiously poked his head out. He saw a green-clad girl standing at the bottom of the valley. She had a very heroic appearance and a smiling face, not like a bad person.
Ning Xiao thought for a moment and quickly believed her words.
How could a girl appear out of nowhere at the bottom of this ten-thousand-foot abyss? She said she was neither human nor ghost, so it was highly likely she was a god?
Since she was a god, they indeed could not be impolite.
"Please forgive us, Immortal Aunt. My sister is injured. We will come out now!" Ning Xiao shouted, then retreated into the cave, supporting Jiang Xueyin as they came out.
Jiang Xueyin was indeed seriously injured, leaning half of her body on Ning Xiao as they hobbled out.
Jian Lin raised an eyebrow. Seeing their intimate movements, she had to sigh. In this uninhabited place, a man and a woman alone, their feelings were developing so quickly.
Because Jian Lin had changed her appearance, neither of them recognized her. They only addressed her respectfully as Immortal Aunt.
Immortal Aunt was fine. Jian Lin didn't mind. She called Jiang Xueyin over to examine her wounds and ask what had happened.
From them, Jian Lin learned that the Demon Palace had suffered heavenly lightning that night, and the demon realm’s people were fleeing everywhere. The immortal sects and aristocratic families wanted to take advantage of the situation. While they were discussing how to capture the Demon Lord, internal strife broke out.
Chaos compounded chaos, and all parties fought amongst themselves.
Xuan Yin Pavilion, being all female, bore the brunt of it and was bullied by groups.
Jiang Xueyin, fulfilling her duty as senior sister, sacrificed herself as bait for her disciples.
During this time, she encountered Ning Xiao, who was also fleeing. They traveled together and accidentally fell into the abyss.
Jiang Xueyin sighed, "At this point, I don't know what the meaning of this demon-slaying war is anymore."
Ning Xiao casually said, "Yes, I know the Demon Lord. He's quite a good person."
Jiang Xueyin wanted to say something but stopped. She probably didn't agree with his idea, but thinking that Ning Xiao was her savior, she didn't refute him.
Jian Lin watched the spectacle from the side, understanding that this was a process of awakening.
If they communicated more, their ideas would gradually change, and they would become a couple who could change the world.
Thinking of this, Jian Lin decided to help them, to end the chaotic battle in the cultivation world sooner.
Jian Lin not only healed Jiang Xueyin's injuries but also gave them each a cultivation manual. With a mischievous intent, she reminded them that practicing alone was fine, but if they practiced together, their cultivation would improve twice as fast.
Jiang Xueyin blushed upon hearing this, while Ning Xiao scratched the back of his head and chuckled, happily tucking the manual into his embrace.
After resting for a night, Jian Lin sent them both away from the abyss.
After confirming they were far away, she called Xiao Li and returned to the small town to continue her journey to find the Demon Lord.
Xiao Li still didn't want to transform back into human form. She wound herself around Jian Lin's hair bun, pretending to be a hairpin.
Jian Lin indulged her. She drove the carriage alone, following the Demon Lord. The scenery along the way changed several times, from barren wasteland to lush greenery. The only constant was the absence of any human figures.
As the two drew closer, Jian Lin felt the power of array formations obstructing them.
Various formations to clear traces and confuse enemies were used. They had been very cautious on their journey, fearing discovery by enemies.
They had indeed done a good job. If Jian Lin hadn't recovered her divine power, she wouldn't have been able to find them with her former self.
She left the carriage in the last village and walked over three mountains, arriving at the depths of a valley.
Feeling a sense of closeness to her destination, Jian Lin quietly approached and hid in a tree to peek. In the distance, there was a small wooden house, quiet and with no one entering or exiting.
After a long while, the wooden door creaked open, and Xie Jin stepped out, followed by Hong Qu.
He said something to her, and Hong Qu nodded. With a flash, she flew into the mountains. Jian Lin guessed she might be looking for herbs. Since she didn't dare to see the Demon Lord, she might as well follow her and take a look.
Hong Qu entered the deep mountains and soon transformed into her original form, lowering her head to sniff the air, diligently searching for something.
Jian Lin followed all the way and saw Hong Qu begin to climb a tree. The tree was towering into the clouds, at least a hundred meters tall, requiring three people to embrace it. It was at least a hundred years old.
Hong Qu began to climb up. Jian Lin was very worried. Can foxes climb trees? She hoped she wouldn't fall.
Suddenly, the branches rustled loudly, and Hong Qu slid down, using her demonic power to stabilize herself before climbing up again.
See, this is what happens when you can't climb trees!
Jian Lin was extremely worried and hurried to the base of the tree to wait. If Hong Qu fell again, she could help to shield her.
This time, Hong Qu climbed higher, and there was no movement for a long time. Of course, if she fell now, she would fall even harder.
Indeed, not long after, branches and leaves rained down, and a fiery red figure fell. Jian Lin quickly reached out to help, catching Hong Qu.
Hong Qu, falling into a warm embrace, was so startled that her fur bristled. She struggled to jump down and asked vigilantly, "Who are you?"
"Uh," Jian Lin decided to fabricate an identity for herself. "I am... the Mountain God."
Hong Qu tilted her head and sized her up, seemingly believing her. Appearing out of nowhere in such a place, she certainly couldn't be a mortal.
She wrinkled her nose and sniffed seriously, saying doubtfully, "Mountain God? Why do you feel a bit familiar?"
Jian Lin quickly used magic to conceal her scent, forgetting that Hong Qu was a demon and could recognize her by her scent.
"Perhaps because I have a common face," Jian Lin fumbled, changing the subject. "By the way, what are you looking for? I'll find it for you. This is my territory."
With Jian Lin saying this, and her scent disappearing, Hong Qu indeed didn't press further. She spoke of what she was looking for, called the Jade Crown Lotus Cauldron, a precious herb said to grow on ten-thousand-year-old trees, which she was looking for as a medicinal ingredient.
Upon hearing the words "medicinal ingredient," Jian Lin's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, "Who needs it? Is the injury serious?"
"It's my master," Hong Qu did not hide anything. "The injury is not light, otherwise, I wouldn't be so weak that I can't even climb a tree."
So that was it. No wonder Hong Qu fell.
Thinking that she was the cause of it, Jian Lin felt even more guilty. She quickly stated, "Don't worry, I'll find it for you. Wait for me."
As Jian Lin spoke, she tapped her toes and flew upwards. Twisting and turning, she quickly climbed to the top of the large tree. In a hollow among the branches, she found the Jade Crown Lotus Cauldron.
The herb was as its name suggested, jade-colored and lotus-shaped, growing at the top of a hundred-year-old tree, exuding spiritual energy.
Jian Lin carefully picked it and went down to give it to Hong Qu.
Hong Qu was very happy. She raised her hand and thanked Jian Lin solemnly, then turned to leave.
Jian Lin called out to her and voluntarily offered, "What kind of injury does your master have? I know medicine. Why don't I go back with you to take a look?"
Since she wanted to see the Demon Lord anyway, she might as well go in her most friendly capacity now.
Hong Qu hesitated for a moment, then agreed and took Jian Lin back to the small wooden house.
As soon as they opened the door, they heard Xie Jin's voice. He said in surprise, "Hong Qu, you're back so soon? Did you find it?"
Hong Qu responded, flashed aside to let Jian Lin out, and explained the situation. "Yes, fortunately, the Mountain God helped. Look, is this the thing?"
Xie Jin came out and saw Jian Lin, looking very confused. "Are you... the Mountain God?"
How had he never heard of a Mountain God in this place? He was afraid it was some cultivator pretending to be a god.
Just as he was about to express his doubts, he saw the Jade Crown Lotus Cauldron in Hong Qu's hand and said with surprise, "It is indeed this item. It's great that you could find it!"
With the Jade Crown Lotus Cauldron, Xie Jin's attitude towards Jian Lin changed. Even if she was pretending to be a god, if she said she was the Mountain God, then she was the Mountain God.
"Thank you, Mountain God, for your help. Please have a seat. Forgive me, I need to attend to my master for a moment and give him his medicine." Xie Jin said, walking into the inner room.
Jian Lin did not sit. She carefully looked through the curtain.
She saw a tall man lying on a wooden bed. Xie Jin plucked a Jade Crown Lotus Cauldron, put it into the medicinal soup, and turned to feed it to the Demon Lord.
Jian Lin could not see the Demon Lord's face because Xie Jin was blocking the view, but she could hear his voice.
He weakly asked, "Is there an outsider? Who is it? Please invite them in and let me meet them."
Xie Jin knew the Demon Lord was uneasy. He turned sideways, looked back towards the door, and said to Jian Lin, "Mountain God, if you don't mind, please come in for a chat."
Jian Lin raised her hand and lifted the curtain. From a short distance, their eyes met.
The moment the Demon Lord saw her face, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.