Chapter 106: Princess Qingluo and the Benevolent Witch's Gu

“No!”

Baili Qingxi’s expression turned serious as he refused without hesitation. “Currently, there is truly no one reliable left within our demon clan. As for those scattered beyond our people, a few might be suitable for the task, but…”

“But what? Hurry up and tell me!” Nalan urged impatiently.

“Sigh…”

Baili Qingxi stroked the black beard beneath his chin and sighed softly. “Long before the Divine Demon War, several of our strongest left Pimudiqiu and took refuge alone in the fields of Zhuwo by the Liusha River. Among them were the demon doctor Ling Shan’s ten sorcerers and the demon master Chi Songzi…”

“So those are the traitors!”

Upon hearing this, Nalan’s face darkened, and he shouted angrily, “General, don’t ever mention those traitors in front of me again, or you’ll face military punishment!”

“Yes, yes,” Baili Qingxi quickly lowered his gaze and agreed, but then asked worriedly, “Setting those few aside, we still need a foolproof plan to find the Fire Lotus!”

“No need to think anymore!” Nalan snapped, exasperated. “I will personally lead the expedition to the Southern Wilderness this time. We will bring back the Fire Lotus and present it to Father!”

“I want to go too!”

Just as Nalan finished speaking, a clear and playful voice sounded outside the hall.

From the lilting tone, it was clearly a young woman.

“Qingluo, what are you doing causing trouble here?” Nalan frowned and whispered a reprimand outside the hall, though his voice carried a tone of indulgence and tenderness.

“Brother!”

Outside, a girl of about seventeen or eighteen appeared, her eyes sparkling with a faint blue light.

She was exceptionally sweet-looking, with a petite face still slightly chubby but charming. Her large, lively eyes seemed almost capable of speech.

Her nose was straight and full at the bridge, and her thin lips resembled two small cherries, inviting an irresistible urge to kiss.

Though not as breathtakingly beautiful as Ling Yan or Xi Yan, her delicate and adorable face radiated warmth, giving off a neighborly charm at first glance.

Her figure was also pleasing—neither tall nor slender, but well-proportioned and graceful, truly a young maiden in her prime.

“Qingluo, why are you out here causing mischief instead of sleeping at this late hour?”

Nalan’s anger from before softened instantly upon seeing this little sister named Qingluo. He even gently reached out with a slender finger to lightly tap her nose in a very affectionate gesture.

“Hey!” Qingluo pouted and lightly swatted his finger with her fair hand, a little coquettishly saying, “Brother, I’m not a little girl anymore. Why do you keep tapping my nose?”

“All right, all right.”

Nalan smiled faintly and patted her small head, patiently asking, “You said you want to follow me to the Southern Wilderness. Are you serious?”

“Of course I am!” Qingluo puckered her lips proudly. “Don’t worry, Brother, I won’t be a burden!”

“Over the years, I’ve trained under Father in our clan and also studied the sorcery and poison arts with Mother. In terms of cultivation, I’m no less than you. Taking me along will be the right choice!”

“Well…”

Nalan had intended to refuse outright but, after considering Qingluo’s words, found them irrefutable.

Though much younger, Qingluo was naturally gifted. Since birth, she had trained alongside Demon Sage Hanbi and Demon Queen Jiuyin, and her cultivation had even surpassed Nalan’s by far.

If she accompanied him to the Southern Wilderness, her expertise in sorcery and poisons would significantly increase their chances of successfully gathering the Fire Lotus.

However, despite Nalan’s high status as the proxy of Demon Sage Hanbi in Pimudiqiu—second only to one, and above thousands—he was particularly fond of this sister, even to the point of doting on her.

This journey to the Southern Wilderness promised hardships and dangers, and the thought of his sister suffering alongside him was unbearable.

Seeing Nalan frozen and silent, his expression fluctuating, Qingluo quickly ran to Baili Qingxi and sweetly coaxed, “Uncle Qingxi, I know you dote on me the most. Please help me plead with Brother to let me go along.”

“I promise that once we reach the Southern Wilderness, I’ll only gather some sorcery and poison herbs for Mother and won’t cause Brother any trouble.”

“Hahaha.”

Baili Qingxi laughed heartily, patting Qingluo’s small head with his broad palm, utterly indulgent. “Since the young princess wants to collect herbs in the Southern Wilderness, then she shall accompany Lord Nalan!”

“Just remember, once you leave Pimudiqiu, you must follow Lord Nalan’s instructions and not run around recklessly!”

“Especially since the Southern Wilderness is far less safe than Pimudiqiu. It is filled with fierce monsters and vicious evil tribes lurking everywhere. You must be extremely cautious!”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Qingxi, I won’t be a burden to Brother!”

With Baili Qingxi’s consent, Qingluo joyfully dashed out of the Wuliang Shrine, heading to her chamber to pack.

Seeing her overjoyed expression, both Lord Nalan and General Baili Qingxi could only smile wryly as they resumed discussing the plan to gather the Fire Lotus.

---

Eastern Wilderness, Han Yuan Valley.

Since reading the letter left by Fan Sheng earlier that morning, Bai Mu had gone alone to the waterfall in the back mountain to practice the Supreme Water Virtue Technique.

For an entire day, under the mysterious guidance within the Void Cauldron, and relying on the technique’s power to redirect force with minimal effort, he cautiously neutralized a small surge of sword energy within his body.

This largely contained the restless Azure Dragon sword energy.

Though the danger was not completely eliminated, once Fan Sheng returned to the valley, Bai Mu believed that learning the four sword moves he mentioned would allow him to fully merge with all the Azure Dragon sword energy—it was only a matter of time.

After circulating all the Supreme Water Virtue energy through two complete internal cycles, dusk was falling.

The western sky was painted beautifully with colorful clouds, evening birds called softly among the trees, and the entire plum forest entering Han Yuan Valley was eerily quiet.

Bai Mu could even clearly hear the sound of plum blossoms falling to the ground.