Chapter 8: A Horde of Demons in Wild Dance (1)

For this journey to Mount Ling, Shi Xianyu had made thorough preparations!

First, she moved her sleeping quarters to the bedroom palace, ensuring she woke up every day full of energy and in excellent condition.

Second, aware that the other world was teeming with monstrous beasts, she armed herself with an array of weapons: pepper spray and a stun baton. Outdoor survival gear was also essential: a tent, clothes, food, fire-starting tools—she packed them all.

Finally, following the style of a Taoist's robes, she ordered a modernized version online: a pale blue, slanted-collar overcoat paired with trousers and cloth shoes, her hair tied up in a bun atop her head, making her look quite like a disciple of cultivation.

However, when she donned this attire, slung on her travel backpack, and mounted her bicycle, she couldn’t help but feel that the look was somewhat out of place.

This problem was soon solved by her little secretary—

The Divine Attendant brought her a sheep.

It was a snowy white sheep, with only its muzzle and two horns as black as ink. The horns were huge and spiraled, its build sturdy and imposing—clearly not a sheep from some ordinary village!

“Where did you find this?” Shi Xianyu asked in surprise, her fondness for all things fluffy compelling her to reach out and pet its head.

Oh! Though it looked soft, it was surprisingly bristly.

“A tribute offered by the villagers,” the Divine Attendant replied, hands folded within his sleeves, serene and composed. “I delivered a dream to the village chief, informing him that the Lord required a mount. The villagers then climbed the mountain together and captured this leader of the flock to present to you.”

“A leader, no less.” Shi Xianyu clicked her tongue in wonder, stroking the sheep again.

The great-horned ram looked wild and untamed but was unexpectedly docile. After being petted, it knelt on its forelegs, as if waiting for Shi Xianyu to climb onto its back.

“As it's a sacrificial offering, it requires no care, no food or water—just a bit of spiritual energy, and the Lord may command it as she pleases,” the Divine Attendant explained.

Curious, Shi Xianyu mounted the ram, but suddenly felt her waist tighten. Looking down, she found that the wide hem of her robe had been caught and was being chewed by the sheep.

“Uh…” she asked hesitantly, “Are you sure it doesn’t need feeding?”

The Divine Attendant paused before answering, “It seems there’s still some instinct left.”

Shi Xianyu tugged her robe free from the sheep’s mouth—a large chunk had been bitten out of the hem. Staring at the gaping hole, she felt a momentary daze, a faint, ominous sense of an inauspicious start.

“My Lord.”

“Hm?” She returned to herself and looked at the Divine Attendant.

A single pearl floated slowly toward her.

The Divine Attendant bowed. “Please carry this pearl with you. Should you encounter danger, crush it. I will then cast a spell to bring you back.”

“Understood.” Shi Xianyu took the pearl and tucked it safely into her inner pocket.

The Divine Attendant continued, “My soul is bound to the Celestial Palace, so I cannot accompany you. Please take care in the mortal realm. I will await your return here.”

Shi Xianyu nodded. “I can’t promise success, but I’ll do everything I can to bring him to Mount Ling.”

The Divine Attendant still looked uneasy. Normally so cold and detached, he now seemed almost fussy, speaking more than usual.

“After being refined by the spiritual energy of the Celestial Palace, you will be able to understand any language and communicate freely in the mortal world. But be wary of demons and spirits, for many lesser creatures love to mimic human speech.”

“I understand,” Shi Xianyu replied, nodding as she prepared to depart.

On the other side of the arched bridge, the scene had already shifted to another world. She rode the ram onto the bridge, the Divine Attendant following behind, still offering advice. “Though this journey is for Mount Ling, if you pass through drought-stricken villages, try urging the villagers to pray. That way, even if the journey fails, it won’t be for nothing…”

“Mm…” Shi Xianyu nodded again, feeling like a company president about to leave on a business trip, her secretary earnestly reminding her to develop new markets.

This brief moment of humor lightened the weight and anxiety of her departure.

As the ram’s hooves stepped onto the stone arch bridge, a dense forest unfolded before her, the trees shadowy and lush, the wild grass so thick it swallowed the ram’s legs, the stems and leaves packed so tightly not a sliver of space remained.

Shi Xianyu exhaled slowly, grateful she was not riding a bicycle after all.

Though the forest was dense, she could hear the voices of prayer. As long as she followed the sound, she would find the Taoist.

She oriented herself and began to wander forward on the great-horned ram.

The environment was unfamiliar and the dangers unknown, so she dared not let the ram go too quickly. While the surroundings were still calm, she took out her flower water and applied it liberally, then hugged a can of insecticide spray in one arm and gripped her water gun filled with pepper spray in the other. Thus doubly protected and highly alert, she continued on her way.

Before long, she emerged from the forest onto a small path.

Perhaps her scent was too pungent, for she encountered not a single insect along the way. She was just as glad—the trauma from that giant centipede ran deep.

Following the winding path for about half an hour, Shi Xianyu finally met the Taoist.

She saw a campfire by the roadside, beside which a Taoist in blue sat cross-legged, a long sword by his side.

Though she had only seen him once, Shi Xianyu recognized him immediately: his sword was adorned with greenish-purple feathers, and she’d never seen anyone use feathers as a sword tassel—it was quite distinctive.

The Taoist was resting with his eyes closed. Shi Xianyu rode the ram near, thought for a moment, and greeted him, “May I ask, Master Taoist, where are you headed?”

The Taoist opened his eyes and looked over; his gaze was clear and sharp, his voice bright and pure. “I wander the world, making my home wherever I go, training and tempering myself. I have no particular destination.”

Shi Xianyu was momentarily stunned—this was not the answer she had expected. Wasn’t he supposed to be heading to Mount Ling?

You desperately want to go, why must you be so stubborn?

“What a coincidence! I am much the same—wandering to cultivate myself,” Shi Xianyu began to fabricate. “I have heard that Mount Ling is brimming with spiritual energy, which aids cultivation. Why don’t you go there, Master?”

The Taoist chuckled and replied, “Young lady, do you know that Mount Ling rests upon the back of the ancient beast, the Swirling Tortoise? It drifts between the Strange Water River and the East and South Seas. Ordinary folk could not hope to reach Mount Ling, nor see it even once in their lifetime.”

Shi Xianyu cut straight to the point. “You may not know, but I have been able to sense spiritual energy since childhood. No matter where Mount Ling is, I can find its location. However, my health is poor and I cannot learn magic. The journey is perilous. If you’re willing to go, why not travel with me?”

The Taoist laughed again, glancing teasingly to the side. “What’s going on today? Usually, even after wandering alone in the mountains for dozens of days, I might not see a single soul. Yet today, I’ve met two people in a row, both wishing to go to Mount Ling with me.”

What?

Shi Xianyu was briefly puzzled, then shifted her gaze and finally noticed another person beneath the tree!

Because the person was entirely wrapped in a black cloak and remained motionless, she hadn’t noticed them earlier.

What was this?

A rival for the job?