Tainted Heart | Cultivation World Series 3 (BL)

C H A P T E R 4 5

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Chapter 45

The woman who shouted in Lian Ren and Shao Ling's direction ran so fast to the point that she infused spiritual qi in her ankle to immediately approach Shao Ling's direction. She abruptly hugged him, as if she had finally met the one she lost amid her regrets and grief. Shao Ling was about to push her away, but he noticed her hand that was holding him, slightly shaking in touch.

Shao Ling stared at the beauty of the woman. She was still wearing her white and pink clothing but now covered in a pure white outer-layer robe. Her face seemed like a refined jade, her skin slightly burnt beige, and the callouses and cuts on her once slender and smooth hands from the hard work of training. The woman who was so young and responsible still lives up to her reputation, and it was none other than Yin Meng, the Mount Hua Peak Master's direct disciple.

Shao Ling stared at her for a while, then opened his mouth to speak as he patted her head. "You've grown up astoundingly."

"Yes, Elder Shao Ling..." Yin Meng responded with a cracked smile, as if she would cry and break down at any moment.

"And your Shizun?" Shao Ling said as he wandered his eyes to find the Mount Hua Peak Master.

"Shizun..." Yin Meng lingered her gaze on the jade amulet on her waist belt for a while before answering Shao Ling's question as her lips slightly trembled, "Gone."

"..." Shao Ling's left hand twitched. He finally realized why Yin Meng now looked dignified and postured. Maybe after the Mount Hua Peak Master died, she, as his direct disciple, inherited the position of the Peak Master and bore all the responsibilities not just for her peak but also for the people.

"Oh!" Yin Meng's bright expression came back when she suddenly remembered something: "Elder Shao Ling, how did you manage to escape from that bastard?"

Shao Ling was bewildered. "From who?"

"That asshole of a demon king. From what I heard from the informants, you were locked down at the depths of the stone mountain with hundreds of demon guards on standby. It was a relief that you finally escaped from that hellhole."

"........."

"I swear I did everything I could, Elder Shao Ling. I tried sending countless cultivators to the palace so many times, but they always ended up in the hands of the demon king. He was too strong for us to handle. The only thing I could do was to evacuate the mortals and build a bloodlust barrier in case there were traitors or demons in this place." Yin Meng frowned and averted her gaze. She gripped her left elbow tightly and pursed his lips in anger. Eventually, she heaved a heavy breath and closed her eyes to calm herself down. "If only Shizun was here..."

Shao Ling rested his hand on Yin Meng's shoulder, and the woman responded with an astounded expression. At the same time, a vivid image of the Mount Hua Peak Master materialized behind Shao Ling as she stared at him; it was as if her Shizun was consoling her that it would all be okay. Yin Meng bit her lip tightly to restrain her tears and nodded a few more times. She let out a childish whimper and clenched her fist.

"It must've been hard," Shao Ling said in a soft voice, wearing a gentle smile on his face.

"Yes," Yin Meng replied in a trembling voice.

"Shizun." Shao Ling shifted his gaze at Lian Ren and arched his brows, "What is it?"

All of a sudden, the tip of a blade was pointed at Lian Ren's throat. Shao Ling was about to grab and break the sword when he realized that the sword was Yin Meng's. Shao Ling was conflicted, but at the same time, he had to save Lian Ren. Shao Ling had no choice but to grab the edge of the blade with his fingers infused with spiritual qi and throw it sideways. The sword spun and penetrated the wooden wall of a house. Lian Ren was still shocked by what happened. He glanced at Yin Meng, who was looking in his direction with eyes full of loath and bloodlust. Because of Yin Meng's emotions, the barrier started to act up. The mix of black and red started to change into gold, a sign that someone with bloodlust was inside the barrier.