Demons, controlled by heart-worms, possess strange and sinister pupils that feed on spiritual energy, bringing endless destruction.
The "Tome of Demons" contained too little information. The "heart-worm" mentioned was unknown; even this ancient being, nearly a millennium old, had never heard of it.
If the "sinister pupils" mentioned were the same blood-red eyes seen on the ghost infant and Ziying, then the matter would require investigation through the ancient texts of the Demon Realm.
Endless destruction…
Feeding on spiritual energy…
She silently recited these eight characters.
That one "sinister pupil" had once hidden behind the Heavenly Gate. Her inability to ascend was related to her cultivation method, but for over a thousand years, no one in the cultivation world had successfully ascended. Could it be connected to that "sinister pupil"?
She recalled that even after her realm had broken through the tribulation, the Heavenly Gate remained closed until she intended to use the "Yellow Springs Gate," sacrificing the beings of the cultivation world…
Since it fed on spiritual energy, the entire cultivation world would become its hunting ground. The Heavenly Gate only opened when she was about to sacrifice the cultivation world. Could this mean it sensed someone "stealing its food," felt threatened, and thus opened the gate to deal with her, the troublemaker?
At that time, when she met those chilling, sinister red eyes, she felt a dissonance. That piercing, oppressive gaze that dug into her soul felt as if someone from a higher, different dimension was observing her through those evil red eyes.
Also, the "sinister pupils" were cultivated with "heart-worms." Where did this "heart-worm" come from, and who was responsible?
The Demon Realm?
But the passages between the Demon Realm and the cultivation world had long been sealed. At least, in her previous lives, she had found no activity from the Demon Realm—
Wait a moment.
Gu Junshi suddenly remembered something.
This life was the original plot, featuring the "little pampered husband."
Perhaps this "Son of Destiny," this Overlord, could uncover many truths and secrets that she had not noticed.
For a moment, she considered many possibilities but lacked evidence. She had a strong premonition that if she didn't clarify the matter of the "sinister pupils," even if she killed her husband to prove her path, she might not be able to ascend smoothly.
Gu Junshi's eyes darkened.
As she was lost in thought, a "creak" sound suddenly came from the window frame, followed by a white object flying rapidly towards her.
Gu Junshi instinctively prepared to act, but found her inner energy once again stagnant, unable to mobilize her power. Thus, in the next instant, the white mass transformed into a figure with long limbs, and as it held her, who stood frozen, she did not resist.
"Stinky woman, caught you—"
Gu Jun's eyes flickered, and she shifted her gaze to see Wei Li in a purple-gold robe, a fox-tail wrapped around his neck, his lips naturally rosy, as beautiful as a demon.
"Now that you're in my hands, have you thought about how you'll beg for mercy?"
Dressed so ostentatiously.
With a face of unparalleled splendor.
It was him again.
He was truly a persistent phantom.
Wei Li frowned. Silky, smooth, fragrant hair brushed past Gu Junshi's cheek. He sniffed her, but she remained motionless, making no sound or reply.
Something was wrong. How could that stinky woman be so obediently in his grasp?
A bad premonition arose in his heart. He immediately examined her surroundings and hesitantly asked, "You are… Gu Yi?"
There was no spiritual energy or ghost cultivation aura on her. She was weak and powerless, like a true mortal.
Gu Junshi's eyes flashed.
Feigning surprise: "Sect Master Wei?"
Wei Li's expression changed. He roughly pushed her away in disgust: "How can it be you? Where is she?"
Gu Junshi stumbled from his unceremonious push, feigning ignorance: "Who?"
He scrutinized her expression for a long time, his fox-like eyes narrowed, and he was about to leave. But then he thought of something and turned back. With a wave of his sleeve, the "Fox" character soul-locking curse on her face reappeared.
It was truly Gu Yi!
His face soured.
They… had switched back?
Wei Li's alluring face was haughty, his eyes sharp: "Why are you here?"
Seeing that he so easily believed her to be the mortal "Gu Yi," Gu Junshi decided to play along. After all, the Nine-Tailed Fox was a reckless creature, and causing a scene in such a place would be too troublesome. She said, "I don't know. I just woke up here. Sect Master, do you know where this is?"
He didn't care if she died.
Wei Li, seeing her useless demeanor, felt extremely disgusted and annoyed.
He had come to settle the score with that stinky woman, but he hadn't expected her to bring the person back again. What was she trying to do?
However, this Gu Yi was still useful.
What wouldn't that woman do for Heavenly Spiritual Roots!
No, he had to keep an eye on Gu Yi, ensure she had a loving relationship with her Heavenly Spiritual Root husband, and prevent that stinky woman from swapping back again.
Having made up his mind, Wei Li unceremoniously swept Gu Junshi out of the Scripture Repository like a gust of wind.
It transformed into an ordinary white fox before her, haughtily declaring: "From today onwards, you must take me wherever you go, but you are forbidden to mention my identity to anyone, including your husband. If you obey me obediently, after this newcomer ranking event ends, I will remove the soul-locking curse on you."
Gu Junshi: "...Alright."
Although she didn't know what it intended to do, as she was playing the role of "Gu Yi," she seemed to have no reason to refuse this condition.
Besides, keeping it under her watch would prevent others from acting foolishly and hindering her.
"Why would the Sect Master be in the Scripture Repository?"
This was also a coincidence. Wei Li had been looking for that stinky woman and followed the scent. Upon arriving, he found the barrier of the Scripture Repository damaged. He guessed that the stinky woman was likely inside.
He intended to catch her off guard but didn't expect her to be so cunning. She lured him in, ran off herself, and then used a trick of "stealing the dragon and replacing it with a phoenix," returning the real Gu Yi.
He had no idea what she was trying to do, but she had definitely broken the barrier of the Scripture Repository. No one else had the ability. What was she trying to find inside?
Her origins were unknown, and her actions were always mysterious. He suspected she had malicious intentions and might be conspiring with demons and heretics.
But none of that concerned him. He never had human righteousness and wouldn't interfere with the struggles between righteous and evil factions.
"Don't concern yourself with matters that don't concern you."
Wei Li glanced at her coolly with his fox-like eyes.
"Let's go," he said, flicking his fluffy white tail.
Gu Junshi picked up the treasure-seeking rat on her shoulder and took a step to leave, only to see the Nine-Tailed Fox remaining stationary.
He grumbled, "Are you expecting this Sect Master to walk back on his own?"
Gu Junshi raised an eyebrow and, complying readily, bent down to pick up the fluffy ball. The feel was quite good, soft and smooth. Only then did the Nine-Tailed Fox seem satisfied: "Remember, this Sect Master dislikes walking on his fox legs. You must carry me like this wherever you go from now on."
Gu Junshi: "…" She understood. Walking on its short legs would be quite difficult. Perhaps she should just break its legs so it wouldn't need to walk anymore.