Chapter Fifty-Three: A Spark Ignites a Prairie Fire

Walking alone in the desolate world, surrounded by flourishing beauty, my heart remained untouched by joy or sorrow. I was blankly reminiscing upon touching a once-favored flower, yet unsure of the nature of these memories. In this stillness, the vibrant colors seemed to retreat into a somber world.

Tiny blue specks of light drifted out of the banner, like fireflies in the night sky, gently flickering in my palm. These faint sparks stirred something within me, plucking the deepest strings of my heart. I gazed vacantly, then slowly closed my fingers around them.

"Is Qiongyun Sect truly so important to you? After all this time, you haven't gone on to reincarnate. Who are you waiting for?" What was happening to me? I knew he was just a lonely soul, incapable of responding. Yet, a heaviness settled in my heart. The vivid colors made me uneasy, so I quickly retracted the banner.

What is night supposed to be like? Opening my eyes, I saw only grayness, a dull haze that stripped the world of its colors, descending upon humanity and casting shadows over my eyes and heart. Suddenly, I lay down, spreading my limbs comfortably.

Is this what it feels like to be alive? To receive the night's final gift, allowing all beings to be enveloped in dreams woven from darkness and shadow, temporarily forgetting everything, and briefly experiencing the gentle blessing of ephemeral happiness.

"Even if just for a moment, I want to indulge." Closing my eyes, the blurry images reappeared. I didn't know why I was forgetting. For humans, the most important memories are closely tied to the emotions of those moments. If emotions are lost, what do those memories mean?

"I don't want to forget. I want to remember, if only in dreams." Holding on tightly, clinging to the empty illusion, tears involuntarily overflowed. As time passed, it became harder to understand the reasons behind my actions, fearing to forget, even to forget myself.

Forgetting is like a nightmare at midnight. If I cannot comprehend the emotions in my memories, will they start to fade away? I felt like I had forgotten so much, so many things...

How can I save myself?

"It's been a long time. You look even more pathetic."

A green light intertwined with a red shadow, a face as white as jade drew closer, tearing open the boundary between dreams and reality. Before me stood a red-clad vengeful ghost with whiskers on his temples.

I immediately jumped back, drew my sword, and slashed off several of the ghost's fangs. It rolled on the ground in pain without attacking, then stuffed something into its mouth and disappeared instantly.

The spot where it vanished was right on the unfolded banner, now devoid of any trace of a soul.

Was it Qianqian's subordinate? She's a thousand-year-old evil spirit. Did she send this red ghost to steal Que Han's remaining soul to threaten me? Fine, if she wants a fight, we'll fight to the end.

After a journey of three days, I finally arrived at the territory of the Moon Shadow Sect, yet I found no trace of an entrance. While lurking in the forested area, I suddenly caught the scent of that red ghost.

It hadn't yet delivered the item to its master and was instead wandering around the forest. When I saw the red figure drift into a cave, fearing it might escape, I immediately drew my sword and pursued it inside.

Navigating the winding tunnels, I finally saw the red ghost fawning over a man in black. The cave was narrow, forcing me to press against the wall to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Master, I have brought you Que Han's soul. Please, enjoy it!"

"Guizi, you've done well this time. When we return to Xinghuo Hall, you may choose a body to resurrect yourself."

"Thank you, Master!"

"Wait, this soul is incomplete. It's just a remnant. You'll have to choose from the second-grade bodies."

Guizi? The name brought back memories of an alluring Xinghuo Hall disciple I encountered years ago on Guili Mountain. These people never change, always the same twisted individuals.

"I think it's better if you don't choose at all. Just let it vanish into smoke." I stepped into their line of sight, staring coldly at the androgynous red ghost, and with a surge of spiritual power, shattered its spirit with one strike.

"You've got some nerve, killing my servant right in front of me." The man radiated authority without anger, his black robe adorned with crimson flame patterns, looking just as he did years ago, albeit slightly younger.

"Master of Xinghuo Hall, you've maintained yourself well over the years, showing no signs of aging. Have you thrown away all those years of cultivation?" I smiled at him, glancing at the faint blue light in his hand to confirm its authenticity before quickly withdrawing my gaze to avoid arousing suspicion.

"Hahaha, you flatter me. I have been immersed in the techniques of Xinghuo Hall for centuries without a day's rest. If you doubt it, young lady, feel free to test me." He nodded and flicked his sleeve, releasing a pungent, bloody stench.

The smell was nauseating, making me cover my nose and mouth in disgust. "You Xinghuo Hall people are truly disgusting, practicing techniques that always involve human or demon lives. I really suspect you're cultivating the Path of Hungry Ghosts!"

He placed his hands on his hips and leaned slightly towards me, grinning. "A ghost? I am a hungry ghost. And what about you?" His voice trembled with laughter, a grating sound that hurt my ears.

"Still in the mood to laugh..." While he was unguarded, I slashed off one of his arms, prying open his tightly closed fingers to reclaim the remnant soul. The severed hand suddenly grabbed me, the blood from the stump forming sinewy connections that pulled me towards the man.

The stench was overwhelming, making me dizzy.

I glanced up and noticed a row of dark red scales on his neck. I laughed mockingly, "So your true form is a Blood Plum Snake? To pursue cultivation, you turned yourself into a demon. Doesn't this contradict your goals?"

"Que Han's disciple is indeed formidable. He taught you quite a lot."

How did he recognize me? Could this demon see through my true identity? What was his real plan for stealing Que Han's soul?

"What do you want?"

"That's my question for you. You took this remnant soul to resurrect Que Han, didn't you? I'm telling you, your efforts are futile. Only Xinghuo Hall possesses the method to revive a soul." He released me, pulling a jade stone from his sleeve.

The stone resembled the jade pendant at my waist. Could he be connected to what happened to me years ago? No, the Xinghuo Hall master had long sought rare creatures for his cultivation. Obtaining such a stone wouldn't have been difficult.

I sneered, "Why should I trust you? Don't tell me you had the red ghost steal the soul just to revive Que Han."

"I originally intended to absorb Que Han's soul to enhance my cultivation, but now I've changed my mind. I want you to join Xinghuo Hall, to serve me."

I couldn't guess his real intentions.

"Your words make no sense. Why would I join Xinghuo Hall?"

"Don't you want to know why Que Han died? What really happened? And what became of Luo Xi and Luo Yier? I can show you everything that happened, let you see every move they made, and help you get revenge on all of them." His voice grew more excited, veins bulging on his face like wriggling worms.

Such deceitful words, meant to sway my heart. Yet I felt a fire burning within me, a heat gathering in my chest, ready to explode. Yes, I wanted revenge, to demand justice from those people. If I could move forward, why should I care about the path of righteousness?

I bit my lip, making up my mind. "You'd better not fabricate any details about what happened."

"This place isn't suitable for discussion. Why not come back with me to the sect?"

Very well, I doubted he would try anything now. I nodded.