Chapter One Hundred and Eleven: Past Life's Vows

"Perhaps I've seen you before…" The words slipped from her throat unbidden.

A flicker of surprise crossed the woman's face, so brief it was almost imperceptible, quickly replaced by a mocking, bitter smile. "You haven't seen me, but I know you."

For some reason, despite her ghostly appearance, Yunsi felt no fear. Instead, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as though separated by a lifetime.

The woman tilted her head, watching her. Her smile softened, carrying an indescribable feeling.

Yunsi, captivated by her smile, shifted her gaze to the red flower in the woman's hair. The crimson petals were strikingly beautiful.

Yunsi's eyes crinkled into a smile as she joked, "Though I haven't met you, you give me a sense of déjà vu. Perhaps we have unresolved ties from a past life."

The woman smiled too, her slender fingers plucking the red flower from her hair and offering it to Yunsi. Her red lips curved.

"Perhaps you've forgotten. A thousand years ago, you brought me to this Nine Nether Yellow Springs. You told me to wait here for someone, to take him to find you when I met him. But I've waited for him for a thousand years."

"I was born because of you, so I listened and waited here alone for a thousand years. I didn't even know who I was waiting for or if he would ever come."

"And now, I've cultivated here by consuming residual souls, only to end up like this because of you. I refuse to accept this!"

"Everything you say, I don't remember. If it's about repayment… what do you want to do?" The words she was about to say got swallowed back. She thought to herself that she must have offended many people in her past life, as they all seemed to hate her now.

The woman lowered her gaze with a slight smile, her eyelashes softly brushing her eyes. Her charming demeanor gave her a look of concealed allure.

With graceful movements, she replaced the flower in her hair and raised an elegant eyebrow. "I've already found the person you were looking for. Now that my true form is destroyed, I don't want to leave like this."

"…I propose a trade. You're mortal now, but after you die, let me take one of your souls."

Yunsi stared at her for a few seconds.

Unexpectedly, this ghost was quite reasonable, not resorting to force. This satisfied Yunsi. Since it was a matter for after her death, Yunsi readily agreed.

The woman smiled sweetly and added, "Then let me take a drop of your blood too?"

Without waiting for Yunsi's response, the woman grabbed her hand and pricked her fingertip.

"Ah—"

Yunsi awoke in pain, her vision filled with Junfeng's anxious face.

Was it a dream?

Instinctively, she glanced at her finger, where the blood had yet to coagulate. Only then did she realize it wasn't a dream.

"Immortal, I just saw…"

"I told you, she was acting possessed. I pulled her out of the water, and she walked towards this place as if enchanted…" The child spoke angrily, as if he had been greatly wronged.

Yunsi's gaze fell on a small sprouting plant beside Ye Bai, the blood on it being rapidly absorbed. She looked down at her cut finger, lost in thought…

"Are you alright?" Junfeng's voice broke through her thoughts.

Yunsi blinked her large eyes at him, speaking softly, "Immortal, I'm so tired. I have no strength at all."

Junfeng took off his cloak and wrapped it around her, then lifted her into his arms. Turning to the King of the Underworld, he said, "I apologize for today's disturbance."

The King of the Underworld replied courteously, "Emperor Qiyang, there's no need for apologies. It seems you are both tired, so I won't keep you. Safe travels!"