Chapter Eighty-Eight: The Great Uproar

A few hours earlier.

Bai Qirui had already been waiting outside the Demonic Sect for quite some time, yet he did not feel the slightest fatigue, nor did he think of leaving. During this period, Ning Qingqing, who remained unconscious, was carried inside by the twins. Bai Qirui attempted to enter the sect as well, but was blocked by the pair and had no choice but to remain stationed at the entrance.

Although he had stayed in the same place, his injuries had improved greatly thanks to the medicinal pills—and also the food provided by Bo Meng. He had to admit, despite the strange and unusual appearance of those foods, the taste was rather pleasant. Later, Bo Meng explained that the ingredients were not so odd after all, and even beneficial for healing, especially for fortifying the soul.

He had suffered excruciating pain in his soul from the ghost infant earlier, but after consuming those foods, the pain had finally lessened.

Since Bo Meng had not yet mastered fasting and still needed rest, when night fell, she would return to the Demonic Sect. Before entering the corridor shrouded in black mist, she smiled at him and said, “I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Bai Qirui nodded at her words and, after watching her leave, continued to meditate and tend to his injuries alone.

He did not know how much time had passed before daylight returned. Before he even opened his eyes, he sensed Bo Meng skipping out from the sect. Seeing Bai Qirui still resting with his eyes closed, she approached curiously, gazing at his refined features from up close, only to feel her heart skip a beat.

In that moment, Bai Qirui opened his eyes and found Bo Meng very near to him. She flushed at once, quickly turned away, and coughed awkwardly.

Bai Qirui could see through her feelings for him, but he had long since resolved never to give his heart to anyone in this lifetime. Not wishing to give her hope, he merely smiled faintly.

Yet, recalling how she had found him, Bai Qirui grew curious and asked, “How did you know where I was that day? And how did you know whether I was from the Immortal Sect or the Demonic Sect?”

Bo Meng blinked and replied, “It was simple! I could smell it!”

“You could smell it?” Bai Qirui raised an intrigued brow.

“Yes!” Bo Meng nodded. “Though we Mist Demons closely resemble humans, don’t assume we haven’t inherited our ancestors’ abilities. In reality, we have, and ours are even stronger than other demon clans! Our five senses are exceedingly keen.”

She pointed to a concealment talisman at Bai Qirui’s waist. “Besides, your Immortal Sect’s concealment talismans hardly mask scent or sound completely. With my natural advantage, not only can I sense your presence, but I can pinpoint your location too!”

Bai Qirui nodded at her explanation and looked toward the black mist corridor, a passage from his childhood echoing in his mind:

“A concealment talisman may allow you to travel across the land, but should you encounter certain formations, or spirits, demons, or ghost cultivators, the talisman will only hide your form, not your scent or sound.

“…There are other means, though. Heavy ghostly qi—using the aura of ghosts to cloak oneself. Yet many, through carelessness, fall prey to the ghosts they employ, losing their bodies to them and becoming two souls sharing one vessel. Thus, this method has faded into obscurity.”

These were the words of an elder instructing him when he was very young. Had he not asked today, he might have forgotten entirely.

His eyes brightened. Turning to Bo Meng, he asked quickly, “Is the Banquet of Ten Thousand Ghosts still underway?”

Bo Meng nodded, uncertain what he was thinking, but replied earnestly, “Of course. The Banquet of Ten Thousand Ghosts lasts a full three days!”

“Is it possible to bring a person or demon in?” Bai Qirui pressed on.

“So long as you’re vouched for by a participating ghost or demon clan, you may enter!” Bo Meng answered, then asked, “It’s very dangerous inside—do you want to go in?”

“Yes.” Bai Qirui agreed without hesitation. “Please, lead me there.”

Bo Meng recalled the consequences of once entering the Banquet of Ten Thousand Ghosts alone, and shivered, her expression complicated as she warned again, “Some enter and are devoured to the bone in moments. Are you certain you wish to go?”

“I am.” His reply was resolute.

Seeing his determination, and remembering his cultivation—how quickly he had recovered even from severe wounds—Bo Meng relaxed and led him to the banks of the Blood River.

After some distance, Bo Meng stopped, formed a spirit seal with her hands, and pressed them together. In the void, something seemed to resonate with her. She caught hold of Bai Qirui’s sleeve, opened her eyes, and the two saw ripples in the air before them, like waves on water.

Bo Meng led him inside. Before their eyes gradually appeared pavilions and towers, a long bustling street lined with stalls, vendors hawking their wares in a cacophony. Aside from the peculiar appearance of the “people” and the strange goods for sale, the rest was no different from a lively marketplace of common folk.

Bai Qirui quickly seized a drunken ghost from a corner. The ghost reeked of wine and struggled in his grip, but Bai Qirui sealed its voice, and the two led it away.

Once they left the ghost market, everything behind them returned to desolation.

Following the method preserved in his memory, Bai Qirui transferred half the ghostly aura from the drunken spirit to himself.

The drunken ghost was young and confused, howling in terror, convinced he would die. But before long, Bai Qirui tossed him aside. The ghost looked up and saw Bai Qirui now wreathed in ghostly qi. Before he could marvel, Bo Meng dragged him back into the ghost market.

With preparations complete, the two returned to the Demonic Sect.

This time, Bai Qirui encountered Shen Ruru, greatly recovered and much stronger.

“Didn’t expect you to be so stubborn. Are you not hurt enough?” Bai Qirui asked, feigning surprise.

Shen Ruru turned, her gaze frosty, killing intent flashing in her eyes when she saw Bai Qirui, whose injuries had also improved.

Bai Qirui, noticing her look, thought she meant to strike back. To his surprise, Shen Ruru, after a long silence, gritted her teeth and said, “Let’s work together!”

“Imagine that! After how badly I wounded you, you still want to cooperate with me?”

“Enough nonsense!” Shen Ruru’s beautiful eyes were icy. “I only want to get Sheng Yun back. I imagine that’s your goal as well. Why not work together for now? Besides, only three elders have appeared so far. We were both gravely injured. If we don't join forces, how can we hope to bring Sheng Yun back?”

Bai Qirui narrowed his eyes, pondering her words. After a long moment, he had to admit she made sense.

Now that Shen Ruru’s strength had increased—whatever forbidden art she used—she was no longer a burden. Besides, if he went in alone, dangers abounded. His wounds had only just healed; another serious injury might force him to retreat entirely.

Thus, he nodded and agreed to join forces.