The movements were sharp and decisive, a single blow meant to kill. If it were an enemy, why would they be given such an easy way out?
Lingxian Manor was a sect that hunted demons. Enemies were likely only demons, but the wounds on Shen Yan's body were clearly inflicted by human hands.
Ye Ziling stared at the scars around the wound, finding it more and more peculiar.
The moon climbed higher, now a full moon. The蛊 (gu) poison within her body acted up violently, as if sensing the night.
Once the poison erupted, her entire body felt as if it were being gnawed by thousands of mosquitoes. It was like a wildfire spreading through her flesh, accompanied by bone-gnawing pain. She truly understood what it meant to wish for death but be unable to achieve it.
Now that Shen Yan was dead, she had no idea how to cure the poison in her body.
The night was cool, yet her body felt like it was burning with an intense fire, unbearable. Sweat dripped down her chin. She could only circulate her cultivation technique to alleviate the discomfort within her.
"Crazy girl, how are you?" Mu Heng strode forward and supported her.
Ye Ziling shook her head, releasing his hand, her voice noticeably weakened by the pain, "Go find the wolf demon."
The wolf demon's cave was an extremely cold place, which could temporarily suppress the burning sensation in her body and relieve her discomfort.
Seeing her suffering, Mu Heng didn't dare to delay. He quickly helped her to the cave.
As the two arrived outside the entrance, they saw the wolf demon's corpse lying on the ground. Its waist bore the same diagonal slash that Shen Yan had on his body.
Mu Heng crouched down to examine the wolf demon's body. What struck him as odd was that the wolf demon's inner core had not been removed. However, its gall bladder was gone. A hint of confusion arose in his mind.
Could it not have been the work of a celestial candidate?
"You stay here and watch," the burning sensation in her body grew stronger. Ye Ziling couldn't afford to be so cautious. She asked Mu Heng to guard the cave entrance and went into the ice cave alone.
Her clothes were already soaked with sweat. As the skirt was made of gauze, the sweat clung to her skin once it soaked in, outlining her graceful figure. It was as if a semi-transparent veil was draped over her, hazy and alluring.
Ye Ziling sat in meditation on the ice stone. Her hair was slightly disheveled, falling casually onto her face. As her body temperature decreased, her once rapid breathing gradually steadied.
Gradually, the burning sensation in her body vanished instantly. She closed her eyes, breathing lightly. Having been so focused on suppressing the poison in her body earlier, she hadn't noticed that someone else was standing in the cave.
Duanhun Gu?
Having witnessed everything, the man's ears turned a shade of red. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed, but he ultimately remained silent. Taking advantage of her closed eyes, he stepped out of the cave.
It wasn't until her sweat had evaporated that Ye Ziling tidied her skirt. When she walked out of the cave, Mu Heng was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a dark cloak hung from a nearby tree branch.
She was puzzled for a moment, thinking Mu Heng had left it behind. She grabbed it and tied it around herself, then headed towards the inn.
This guy always disappeared without a trace. Oh well, tomorrow she would instruct him to send people to transport a piece of ice stone from the cave back. She could use the extreme cold to forcibly suppress the poison whenever it acted up.
Upon returning to the inn, Ye Ziling saw no one around and went into her room, closing the door.
Just as she was about to take out the demon core to repair her spirit, she noticed that her belongings seemed to have been moved. She walked directly towards the cabinet. Seeing that the demon core was still there, her delicate brows furrowed, and her heart grew more confused.
Strange, the demon core wasn't touched, nor was her money. What exactly was going on?
Before she could ponder for a moment, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She had no choice but to put the demon core back in the cabinet and get up to open the door.
Mu Heng stood outside the door, still holding a food box. His brow furrowed, and he carefully observed her complexion. Seeing that she looked well, he breathed a sigh of relief. "I've already sent people to transport the ice stone to Jiuling Palace. Now that we have the demon core, why don't we return to Jiuling Palace to recuperate?"
Ye Ziling glanced out the door and closed it. "Come in and talk."
Mu Heng nodded, placed the food box on the table, and casually pulled up a chair to sit down.
Ye Ziling felt that he was intentionally or unintentionally observing her expression. Guessing his concern, she said leisurely, "I won't die."
The mere gu poison could torment her, but it couldn't kill her instantly. She refused to believe that no one in this world could cure this poison.
"No need. If we suddenly interrupt the martial examination and return to Jiuling Palace, it will surely arouse the suspicion of other sects. We must wait until the martial examination ends."
Mu Heng looked at her serious expression and nodded in agreement.
In any case, Xuan Lang was at the palace. Although he wasn't the most benevolent, his professional capability was undeniable.
"Miss Ye."
As the two were talking, a knock came from outside the door. Hearing a familiar, sweet young girl's voice, they exchanged a glance, recognizing it as Shen Yueru.
The young girl peeked at the door, then pressed her ear against it, but heard no sound from within.
Strange, she had heard some noise just now. Seeing her come, did they pretend not to be there? Humph, they really had an opinion of her.
Ye Ziling waved her sleeve, and the door creaked open. The girl outside lost her balance and staggered a few steps, her plate of pastries almost scattering. Fortunately, she steadied herself in time.
Ye Ziling sat on a rosewood chair, fanning herself lightly. Seeing Shen Yueru holding a plate of pastries, her tone was much gentler than usual towards her. She asked the reason for her visit, "It's so late, Miss Shen, what brings you to find me?"
Shen Yueru scanned the room and saw Mu Heng there as well, her heart secretly filled with annoyance.
If her father hadn't insisted she come to apologize, she would never have come. Since she was here, wouldn't it be a waste not to teach these two a lesson?
Ye Ziling poured her a cup of tea and gestured for her to sit. "If you have something to say, say it while sitting."
Shen Yueru pulled a rosewood chair and sat down. Her delicate eyebrows curved slightly, and she said charmingly, "Miss Ye, I was rude before. I attacked you without understanding the situation. Please accept this plate of chestnut cake as my apology."
Ye Ziling glanced at the peach-shaped chestnut cakes on the plate, a cold smile flashing in her eyes.
"Miss Shen is very thoughtful, but I don't particularly like sweet foods. Let's just let the last incident go."
These words were interpreted differently by Shen Yueru. She had humbled herself to apologize, and what more was she unsatisfied with? Refusing to accept the chestnut cake was clearly showing her displeasure, wasn't it?
How could Shen Yueru tolerate this slight? The smile on her face instantly froze. She frowned and said, "Miss Ye, are you still dwelling on that day's events?"
Mu Heng rolled his eyes subtly. This idiot, it was just a plate of chestnut cake, acting as if she had suffered such a great wrong.
"I think it's Miss Shen who is dwelling on it."
Seeing her kind intentions rejected, Shen Yueru's pretty face contorted into a frown. She slapped the table and stood up, abandoning all pretense. "Take it or leave it! If my father hadn't forced me to send it to you, I wouldn't bother serving you. If you don't eat this cake today, I won't leave!"
After all, her father had said that if this plate of chestnut cake wasn't delivered, she wouldn't have to go back. She had already humbled herself this much, and Ye Ziling was still not satisfied? Were people from Jiuling Palace so great?
"I lost to you last time because I wasn't prepared. This time, I want to see what capabilities your Jiuling Palace truly possesses!" Shen Yueru's face was filled with anger. She reached for the whip at her waist and prepared to swing it at Ye Ziling.