Chapter 10: A Frenzy of Dancing Demons, Part 3

The young man shook his head gently, his voice hoarse, “I don’t remember.”

“Ah, how did you end up with amnesia…” Shen Xiao sighed with regret.

The black-robed youth was silent for a moment, then spoke again in that rough voice, “…Mount Ling.”

“Mount Ling, Mount Ling, I know you want to go to Mount Ling,” Shen Xiao said helplessly. “Ever since you appeared before me, those are the two words you repeat most often. Ask you anything else, you say you can’t remember. Ah! Never mind, maybe later we’ll meet a cultivator skilled in alchemy who can cure this amnesia of yours.”

The black-robed youth sat quietly in the shadows, as silent as a dead tree in the forest.

In truth, he had met Shen Xiao half an hour before Shi Xianyu did. At the time, he’d been gravely wounded, and Shen Xiao had helped save him, tending to his injuries. Perhaps the trauma had been too severe, for he’d forgotten everything about his past. The only thought lingering in his mind was a compelling urge: to go with Shen Xiao to Mount Ling.

Clearly, he recognized Shen Xiao, but Shen Xiao did not know him.

Why was this? Why could he remember someone who did not know him, and why did he have such a powerful desire to go with this person to Mount Ling? And that girl—who was she? If she went to Mount Ling, would it have anything to do with him?

The black-robed youth lifted his gaze, looking across the fire at the sleeping Shi Xianyu, lost in silent thought.

Perhaps only by traveling to Mount Ling would he find his answers.

……

The next morning, Shi Xianyu woke to the soft sounds of activity.

Groggily opening her eyes, she saw Shen Xiao and Lin Yuan were already up—one was fetching water to extinguish the remnants of their campfire, the other was removing the centipede’s venomous fangs, grinding them down to a usable size for weapons.

Her face flushed red as she hurried to rise, feeling as embarrassed as she used to back in her student dormitory when she was the last one out of bed.

But once she stood up, she realized something: neither of the other two seemed to have any intention of washing up.

Shen Xiao had meditated all night, his clothes immaculate as if new, and since his cultivation was near the fasting stage, he no longer needed food, nor did he need to brush his teeth.

The other youth remained shrouded in his black robe, for whom washing up seemed equally unnecessary.

Only she, after a night’s sleep, had wrinkled clothes, messy hair, and a sleepy face.

Ah, such was the fate of a mortal—she was so very mortal.

With a sigh, Shi Xianyu packed up her blanket, took out a wet wipe to clean her face, then used her comb to tidy her hair into a neat bun.

Breakfast was out of the question for now; she didn’t want to slow down her companions. As usual, she grabbed two slices of bread and a bag of strawberry milk, mounted her big-horned sheep, and ate as they traveled to save time.

Along the way, Lin Yuan kept glancing back at her, his gaze puzzled.

Thinking he must be hungry too, Shi Xianyu waved her bread at him, “Want some? I have plenty in my bag.”

Lin Yuan lowered his thick lashes and shook his head.

Shi Xianyu didn’t think much of it and finished her breakfast at an unhurried pace atop her sheep. Then she fished out a lollipop, savoring its sweetness.

Lin Yuan glanced back at her again.

The girl on the white sheep had her cheeks puffed with candy, her eyes bright and pure, her lips slightly pouting from the lollipop, making her look adorable and lively.

She reached into her bag with one hand, produced another lollipop, and offered it to him, her slender white wrist exposed. “Want one? It’s orange-flavored,” she mumbled.

Lin Yuan’s face reddened suddenly. He seemed to want to say something, but finally said nothing and turned away, continuing down the road, presenting only his black-clad back to her.

Shi Xianyu, holding the lollipop, was bewildered. She glanced at the candy, then at the two men ahead, and asked uncertainly, “Brother Shen, is my candy bothering Lin Yuan?”

She remembered Shen Xiao saying yesterday that Lin Yuan had a keen nose; perhaps the orange scent, though pleasant, was too artificial for him.

Shen Xiao didn’t answer but shot a teasing look at the black-robed youth beside him. “Lin Yuan, Little Fish wants to know if the smell is too much for you?”

Lin Yuan’s voice was low and rough, but Shi Xianyu heard him clearly—

“She ate it last night.”

Shi Xianyu: “…?”

What did that mean?

She’d eaten it last night, so she couldn’t have it today?

Shen Xiao looked back and, sure enough, saw Shi Xianyu’s shocked expression, which made him burst out laughing. “Little Fish, you know, beast cultivators only eat once every seven or eight days. Lin Yuan has probably never seen anyone like you, doesn’t know that ordinary people eat twice a day.”

Shi Xianyu’s eyes widened even more. In her heart, she quietly canceled lunch…

She hadn't expected that people here only ate twice a day! But traveling like this, having three meals a day really was a luxury. Resolving to endure, she decided not to dwell on food for the rest of the journey.

…Yet, when the sun set and they stopped to rest and make a fire, she took out her bread, only to be struck by Lin Yuan’s slightly astonished gaze!

It was as if she ate an enormous amount, more than anyone else!

But she really didn’t eat that much—twelve hours had passed since breakfast, and her belly was growling!

Shi Xianyu felt deeply aggrieved.

At that moment, Shen Xiao casually sat down, sweeping his robes aside and smiling, “Watching you eat makes me a little hungry as well. Perhaps I’ll eat something myself tonight.”

Warmth filled her heart at his words—how thoughtful of Daoist Shen! He must have noticed her awkwardness eating alone and decided to keep her company.

Shen Xiao took a few green dates from his bag. “You two should try some as well.”

Shi Xianyu’s smile froze.

Ah… Of course, a Daoist at the fasting stage eats only a few dates for dinner.

Shen Xiao tossed one to her; it landed steadily in her palm—an oval green date, its skin crisp and tender. When she bit into it, sweet juice flowed out, the flesh was crunchy, the fragrance filled her mouth, and even her mind felt clearer.

Amazed by the taste, Shi Xianyu felt a warm fullness spread from chest to belly after eating, a distinct sense of satiety.

Lin Yuan’s reaction was much the same—first surprised, then chewing thoughtfully and finishing it, clearly wanting more.

“It’s delicious!” Shi Xianyu licked her lips. “Brother Shen, what kind of date is this? Just one and I feel full and invigorated!”

“This isn’t a date, but the fruit of the Lark Tree,” Shen Xiao replied, spitting out the pit and digging a shallow hole at his feet to bury it. “I found them by chance passing through Sunward Mountain. Fate has brought us here; perhaps years from now, a Lark Tree will grow here, bearing more fruit.”

Inspired, Shi Xianyu did the same, digging a little hole in the grass beside her and burying her pit. “Who knows, maybe one day, three travelers will pass by, pick some Lark Fruit to fill their bellies, bury the pits, and plant more trees, yielding even more fruit.”

Shen Xiao smiled at that. “Though your cultivation is shallow, Little Fish, your words often carry a touch of Zen.”

She waved her hand modestly, “It’s nothing, really, haha~”

Her laughter stopped abruptly as she frowned and clutched her stomach, “Oh no…”

“What’s wrong?” Shen Xiao asked quickly.

Lin Yuan, always silent, also looked over, puzzled.

“My stomach… hurts a bit…” Shi Xianyu bit her lip, her frown deepening with unease. This couldn’t be happening—was it because she ate too much? The cycle of digestion was working too fast, and now, out here in the wild, she was about to be embarrassed!

Shen Xiao saw her discomfort and suddenly understood, quickly offering comfort. “No worries, no worries. The Lark Fruit has a cleansing effect. If this is your first time, the reaction can be a bit strong.”

Flushed, Shi Xianyu stood up, clutching her stomach. “I need to… excuse myself!”

Without daring to meet the two men’s eyes, she turned and hurried toward the depths of the woods.

Behind her, Shen Xiao called out, “Little Fish, don’t go too far!”

She thought, Would I dare stay close? Didn’t you say Lin Yuan’s sense of smell is super sensitive?

She ran a bit farther, and when she couldn’t hold it any longer, hid behind some bushes to deal with the “cleansing” effects.

Though the process was mortifying, the results were undeniable—she felt lighter and cleaner, as if all her organs had been purified. Her senses seemed sharper, too; the lingering taste of the lollipop, once sweet and pleasant, now struck her as a harsh, artificial flavor. She wondered if she could stomach bread, cookies, or instant noodles ever again.

Remarkable—if she ate a few more Lark Fruits, perhaps she could reach the fasting stage too.

As she was marveling at this, a woman’s voice suddenly echoed from the depths of the dark forest:

“Child… my child… child…”

A chill ran through Shi Xianyu. In the darkness, the voice was truly terrifying.

Not wanting trouble, she hurried back toward camp.

The voice faded after a while.

Breathless, Shi Xianyu returned, asking Shen Xiao and Lin Yuan, “Did you hear anything just now?”

“Hear what?” Shen Xiao asked.

“A woman’s voice…” she panted, “In the forest, calling for her child. Didn’t you hear it?”

Shen Xiao frowned slightly. “We were sitting here; we didn’t hear a thing.”

She turned to look at Lin Yuan.

“Don’t bother,” Shen Xiao said, rubbing his nose awkwardly. “I was worried you’d mind, so I had him cover his ears.”

Shi Xianyu: “…………”

Thank you both, really.

Shen Xiao coughed, then said seriously, “The Black Abyss Forest is full of demons and monsters. The voice you heard was most likely a creature imitating human speech to lure you away. Still, with the remains of the thousand-year centipede here, lesser monsters shouldn’t dare approach. If one has shown up now, it must be either starving or… something even more fearsome than the centipede.”

Shi Xianyu asked anxiously, “What should we do? Should we leave now?”

Shen Xiao shook his head. “Traveling at night is dangerous and disorienting. Don’t worry, rest easy—Lin Yuan and I are here. Nothing will happen.”

She was about to agree when the voice sounded again! The mournful wail of a woman seemed right at her ear, as if breathing down her neck—

“Child… my child… where are you…”

Shi Xianyu’s hair stood on end! In a flash, she dove behind the two men, just as Lin Yuan snatched up a centipede fang and drove it fiercely into the spot where she’d just been standing!