"Thank you... I'm sorry to have troubled you..."
Lingyan knew how difficult this request was for Gu Zhong, but apart from awakening Gu Zhong's lingering resentment, she couldn't find any other way to resolve the hidden dangers in Gu Zhong for the time being.
"Master's request is naturally due to a valid reason."
At this moment, Gu Zhong appeared particularly considerate and magnanimous, not even asking a single question.
She sat cross-legged beside the stone platform, slowly closed her eyes, gathered her consciousness, and sank into the depths of her sea of consciousness, gently touching the silver ball of light curled up in the corner.
The lingering resentment trembled, gradually unfolding, and silver light instantly enveloped the entire sea of consciousness.
When Gu Zhong opened his eyes again, Ling Yan immediately recognized that it was the remnant of his spirit.
"So, I am nothing but a regret."
This was the first thing Gu Zhong said to Ling Yan after his lingering resentment returned. It was without resentment or anger, as if he were simply stating a fact.
"So that's what you meant when you asked me about the Battle of Liding that day. What exactly happened afterward?"
Can Nian shared all of Gu Zhong's experiences and feelings within his sea of consciousness, and also heard the story Ling Yan told.
However, she was far from being as easily fooled as Gu Zhong, who knew nothing. The fact that the God of War could perish must be a major upheaval in the divine realm.
"Don't worry, I've put the little one to sleep this time, she won't know anything."
Fearing that Lingyan might have some reservations, Can Nian added another sentence.
"There's no point in trying to find out what happened back then."
However, Lingyan turned her head away, unwilling to mention the topic at all.
"Did you summon me out because of the demonic energy within this body's sea of consciousness?"
Seeing Lingyan's demeanor, and knowing that she had shared nearly ten thousand years of memories with him, Can Nian understood that there must be unspeakable pain behind this matter, so he readily changed the subject.
"Is it truly demonic energy?"
Ling Yan's eyes narrowed, and she confirmed it again with a serious expression.
"That's right."
Can Nian nodded earnestly.
"There are no demons in this world, and demonic energy should not exist here."
Lingyan explained to Cannian, who was unfamiliar with this world.
"You should now know the answer to where that demonic energy comes from."
Having understood her unspoken meaning, Can Nian smiled.
"I just couldn't believe it in the end, that the Black Fox had truly fallen into demonic possession."
Lingyan's words were filled with countless sighs, carrying endless nostalgia and lament for the past, and a sense of things having changed and people being no longer the same.
"Although you two didn't get along very well before, you always felt close to Xuanhu in your heart."
I don't know what happened afterward, but Ah Yan, she's clearly not the Xuanhu she used to be. You need to be clear about that.
Can Nian reached out and smoothed the strands of hair that fell to her temples, his words full of earnest advice.
“I know. Do you have any way to get rid of this demonic energy? This thing will always be a problem if it stays in your body.”
This was Lingyan's main purpose in summoning the remnant spirit. As a war god who had fought against demons for many years, only the original Gu Zhong knew the best way to deal with demonic energy.
"It's not difficult to expel this little bit of demonic energy; it's just a matter of lifting a finger."
The answer was yes, but what she said next shocked Lingyan.
"However, Ah Yan, I have to tell you some bad news. I can sense that this world is being corrupted by demonic energy, right to the north."
If demonic energy were to successfully enter this world, then this world would essentially be doomed.
Because all worlds ravaged by demonic energy ultimately meet only one fate—becoming a desolate, dead zone.
This is also a major reason why the war between gods and demons has been going on for years; demons only ever think about destroying the world.
The prophecy made by the elders of Xingluomen, who risked their lives for it, should be found here.
However, this world-ending calamity was not brought about by Gu Zhong, but by Xia Xiange, who must have changed the interpretation of the prophecy.
"Alright, there shouldn't be any more problems with this body. The little one woke up faster than I expected. To prevent her from causing any more chaos, just call me next time you need to. You know, she's been a real pain for me these past ten years."
Lingyan wasn't given much time to process this thorny bad news; Can Nian was already prepared to return the body to Gu Zhong on her own.
"Please take heed!"
Upon hearing this, Lingyan quickly grabbed her sleeve, looking as if she didn't want her to leave, but she didn't know what she was reluctant to part with.
"Ayan, in a way, the little guy is right. We are not the original beings after all. You have to work hard... One day, we will be able to truly reunite."
Can Nian seemed to have seen through her thoughts and feelings, and with a gentle smile, he offered a word of comfort before closing his eyes tightly.
"Master!"
When she opened her eyes again, Gu Zhong's calls still carried a lingering sense of panic.
Anyone who loses consciousness immediately after handing over their body to another soul would feel immense panic. Gu Zhong even thought that Can Nian was planning to completely erase him.
Although the body was eventually returned to her, the resentment's actions truly displeased her.
Completely losing touch and control over one's body is an experience Gu Zhong never wants to experience again.
She secretly vowed in her heart that no matter what her master said next time, she would never let that broken remnant spirit come out again.
"Ah Chong, it's alright."
Seeing her look like a frightened little rabbit, Lingyan couldn't help but laugh, but in order to prevent the rabbit from getting angry, she still had to comfort her.
"Master, what exactly did you say? Why won't you let me hear it?"
Gu Zhong, who wasn't particularly curious to begin with, was suddenly provoked by the lingering resentment and vowed to get to the bottom of it.
"It's nothing serious. She just helped you remove the demonic energy from your mind. If you were conscious, it might have some effect."
Lingyan told a lie that wasn't too big or too small, although the explanation was barely plausible.
"Demonic energy?"
Gu Zhong's eyebrows twitched slightly, raising a hint of surprise. She had heard of inner demons, but had never heard of demonic energy.
"The explanation might be a bit complicated, but all you need to know is that this thing can indeed destroy the world, but you are not the cause. We should head north and explore further."
Because there are many things that are best left unknown to the people of this world, Lingyan was unwilling to explain further.
Gu Zhong didn't press the matter further; she had complete trust in Ling Yan.
No matter what her master said, even if he said there were two suns in the sky, she would clear all her knowledge and fill it with new knowledge.
——
Upon receiving news of the demonic energy, Lingyan immediately decided to set off, refusing to rest for even a moment longer, no matter how much Gu Zhong threw a tantrum.
The matter of the demon is of utmost importance and cannot be delayed for even a moment.
Not only for the sake of this world, but also to cherish these remnants of souls, Lingyan will never allow the prophecy of world destruction to come true.
Following the instructions left by the lingering remnant, they headed north and unknowingly arrived in the Blood Phoenix Mountain area.
The mountain range, ravaged by a fierce battle, was shattered into several pieces. The once lush trees and fertile soil had all turned into withered wood and scorched earth, losing all vitality and exuding an aura of death.
Apart from the vultures that occasionally circle in the sky in search of food, there was no other sign of life in sight.
Because the spiritual energy has been completely lost, very few cultivators would return to this place. For the two who are currently wanted by the whole world, it is a good hiding place.
By the time the two reached the foot of the mountain, it was nearly dusk.
The last rays of the setting sun lingered on the tips of the bare branches, casting distinct shadows on the ground.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and as the branches swayed, the shadow appeared to be baring its fangs and claws, as if it were trying to grab something.
Although cultivators are not afraid of the dark, Lingyan's injuries have not yet fully healed. If she encounters any unexpected attacks, she will be unable to cope in time and may suffer even more injuries.
In addition, Gu Zhong was already very dissatisfied with Ling Yan's act of traveling while injured, and he didn't care about his status as a disciple along the way, nagging at Ling Yan until her ears were almost calloused.
The two eventually reached a temporary agreement to rest at the foot of the mountain for the night and then venture into the mountainside to explore again at dawn.
Since we've already come this far, there's no rush to spend the rest of the night here. Even if something unexpected happens, we can detect it immediately.
After Gu Zhong had arranged everything, the bright moon had already risen into the night sky, replacing the blood-red setting sun.
The holy light shone on the dilapidated mountains and forests, making the desolation and sorrow even more apparent.
In the darkness of night, all was silent except for the cheerful crackling of the dry branches burning brightly in the campfire.
Since cultivators don't need to sleep at night, Lingyan meditated to regulate her breathing and heal her injuries.
Gu Zhong, who was standing nearby, dared not disturb them easily, and had to keep an eye on them. So he could only idly rummage around and pick and choose.
She did manage to find a few bamboo stalks, which were still relatively intact and would be good materials for making flutes and xiao (vertical bamboo flutes).
Gu Zhong immediately drew out the smoke cloud sword that he had already tied back to his waist, using it as a chisel and his sword energy as a blade to begin carving.
This made Yanyun tremble with anger. She slipped out of Lingyan's grasp several times and ran around in front of Lingyan, like a child who had been bullied and wanted to complain to her parents.
Unfortunately, the person in meditation could not hear Yanyun's feeble cries for help, and was repeatedly pulled back by Gu Zhong.
"I'll play you a tune later, stop fooling around..."
Gu Zhong continued to carve bamboo with smoke and clouds without any mercy, while offering perfunctory words of comfort.
Just as Gu Zhong finished crafting a transverse flute and held it up to examine it in the moonlight with satisfaction, Ling Yan happened to finish a cycle of her breathing and awaken from her meditative state.
"Did you bully Yanyun again?"
Having finally found an opportunity, Yanyun hurriedly approached Lingyan with a pitiful expression and rubbed the back of her hand with the spine of her sword.
"I just used it to make a flute, you little brat! Master, shall I play a tune for you?"
Gu Zhong also sidled up to Ling Yan's side, like a peacock about to spread its tail feathers, ready to display its magnificent plumage at any moment.
"OK…"
Looking at the increasingly relaxed and carefree person in front of her, who was as playful and sincere as a child, Ling Yan's eyes were filled with warmth.
The melody rises gently, ethereal and tender, making the listener feel as if they are on a cloud, enough to soothe all pain.
It was exactly the same tune that Gu Zhong played for her in the divine realm back then…