When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 81

Volume Four: Those Years When I Was a Master

[Rough and not set in stone: Foundation Establishment → Enlightenment → Integration → Temptation → Golden Core → Nascent Soul → Soul Division → Body Integration → Void Glimpse → Mahayana → Void Shattering → Tribulation Transcendence → Supreme Immortal]

Dead or Not?

The ancient battlefield ruins in the Cangshan Blood Sea were left behind from the great war between humans and demons a hundred years ago. Here, black fog filled the sky and a blood-red moon hung high, making it a land of great evil and calamity.

Many human cultivators and members of the Demon race had already set foot into the ancient battlefield ruins, and almost none had returned alive. Traces could still be found where people had once tread, but one wouldn’t have to walk far before seeing fresh blood and bones.

Severed limbs and broken walls reflected each other, while mournful winds and bloody rain intertwined, filling the ancient battlefield ruins with sinister gales that were chilling to the bone. Desolation thrived, and under the bleak, dreary moonlight, countless eerie shadows were born, like lonely ghosts wandering everywhere.

Wen Nuan walked at the rear of the group, guarded by four demon soldiers.

Logically speaking, these four demon soldiers, whose cultivation was only at the Demon Soul Realm¹, were no match for Wen Nuan at all.

But Wen Nuan didn’t touch them, and they didn’t dare to touch Wen Nuan. After all, their role was merely to guard her; they had no right to question or interfere with anything else.

Her ring finger twitched slightly. The joint of her finger felt as if it were wrapped by a silver-white string. One end was wound around her ring finger, while the other was wound around the finger of Yu Wan Zhao, who was at the front of the group.

The recent tremor was likely Yu Wan Zhao pulling on this string. What her intention was, Wen Nuan didn’t know. After all, Yu Wan Zhao hadn’t glanced back at her even once. Perhaps she had just touched it by accident?

【I’ve looked up this string. It’s a forbidden treasure unique to the Demon race, called Quexie².】the System explained. 【It has a function similar to the Soul-Locking Chain, but Quexie is much more powerful.】

Wen Nuan looked at the Quexie on her ring finger. At the time, Yu Wan Zhao had wanted to tie her little finger, but Wen Nuan had refused and had her tie the Quexie to her ring finger instead.

It was a small, wicked indulgence of hers.

“How is it more powerful?”

After the female lead had tied it on her, she didn’t even say what it was, probably fearing that Wen Nuan would find a countermeasure, so she deliberately kept silent.

【Quexie is forged by its creator using their own meridians. Then, with their heart’s blood³ as a catalyst, demonic power to grant it a soul, and spiritual power to animate it, the Quexie comes to life.】the System said. 【The one bound by Quexie cannot leave the owner’s side by more than a hundred meters. If they exceed this distance or forcibly break the Quexie, it will enter the bound person’s bloodstream and completely shatter their Nascent Soul, causing both their body and soul to be annihilated. The owner of Quexie will also suffer a backlash, and the final result will be mutual destruction, with both of them annihilated.】

【Once Quexie takes effect, the only way to undo it is if one of the two bound individuals is willing to sacrifice their life to dissolve it. Otherwise, Quexie cannot be undone.】

Wen Nuan looked at the faintly visible Quexie on her ring finger and sighed, “She really was willing to pay such a steep price.”

【Although I know you won’t run, the female lead is worried. Your strength is far greater than hers. If you were to resist to the death, the female lead and the male lead combined would be no match for you at your full strength. The female lead must guard against you.】

“Forget it, let her tie it if she wants.” Wen Nuan looked toward Yu Wan Zhao, worried. “Using her own meridians to forge Quexie and irrigating it with her heart’s blood… can her body handle that?”

【I can’t detect anything from this distance. You need to get closer to the female lead for me to scan her physical condition.】

The System’s detection equipment had a range limit. At this moment, Wen Nuan and the female lead were dozens of meters apart, so it couldn’t scan anything at all.

Wen Nuan said, “I’ll figure something out. Be ready to scan her when I do.”

The System nodded: 【Alright.】

Ever since they entered the ancient battlefield ruins, Liu Qingsui had noticed something strange about Yu Wan Zhao’s ring finger. When Yu Wan Zhao’s finger twitched just now, Liu Qingsui immediately observed Wen Nuan’s condition and was surprised to find that the same finger on Wen Nuan’s hand also twitched slightly.

The Soul-Locking Chain had been destroyed by Wen Nuan. Yu Wan Zhao’s strength was no match for hers. She clearly could have escaped, so why was Wen Nuan still here, constrained by Yu Wan Zhao?

A pile of thoughts flashed through Liu Qingsui’s mind, finally locking onto an idea that shocked him to his core.

He violently grabbed Yu Wan Zhao’s wrist, looked at her ring finger, and said in horror, “You actually forged a Quexie!?”

Yu Wan Zhao was not surprised that Liu Qingsui would find out. She shook off his hand and said flatly, “En.”

“Are you insane?” Seeing her admit it so calmly, Liu Qingsui growled, “Don’t you know your own condition right now!? And you still dared to use your own meridians and heart’s blood to forge a Quexie? Are you f#cking trying to die?”

“The Soul-Locking Chain couldn’t hold her at all. Only Quexie can.”

Yu Wan Zhao wasn’t surprised that Wen Nuan had destroyed the Soul-Locking Chain, so she had forged the Quexie early on, planning to replace the chain with it.

But because of Liu Qingsui’s nonsense, she had been overcome with anger and fainted, never getting the chance to make the swap.

Liu Qingsui glanced at Wen Nuan. “Does she know what Quexie is?”

Yu Wan Zhao hadn’t told Wen Nuan what Quexie was. Wen Nuan had asked, but she hadn’t said.

“You didn’t tell her, did you?” Seeing her silence, Liu Qingsui knew that Yu Wan Zhao definitely hadn’t told Wen Nuan what Quexie was.

This Yu Wan Zhao had a stubborn temper, as unyielding as a rock.

“If you won’t tell her, I will!” Liu Qingsui turned to go, but Yu Wan Zhao grabbed the corner of his robes. “What’s the use in telling her? Quexie has already taken effect. It’s too late.”

Once Quexie was bound, it could not be undone, unless one party willingly died. Otherwise, if Quexie sensed resentment, it would backlash against the other party, resulting in mutual destruction.

Liu Qingsui was dumbfounded. “You’re gambling with your life!?”

Yu Wan Zhao gave a faint smile and glanced at Wen Nuan, who was walking slowly behind them. She sighed softly, “This life of mine was lost to her hands long ago.”

Liu Qingsui couldn’t persuade the now-frenzied Yu Wan Zhao. The person named Wen Nuan had become her obsession, her shackles. Besides herself, no one could talk her out of it.

He looked at the Quexie between the two of them, then at Wen Nuan’s current expression.

“Wan Zhao?” Liu Qingsui was a little puzzled. “The Soul-Locking Chain was destroyed by Wen Nuan. With her Mahayana Realm cultivation, she could have clearly escaped or killed you. So why did she let you bind her with Quexie?”

Yu Wan Zhao froze abruptly. “…What?”

“I’m saying, with Wen Nuan’s Mahayana Realm cultivation, why would she obediently let you bind her with Quexie without resisting?”

Liu Qingsui found it strange. Judging by the grudges between them, their relationship should be that of enemies who couldn’t wait to kill each other, not the harmonious one they had now.

Could it be that when they were in the Fire Cold Cave Abode, the skin-to-skin contact between them led to some feelings?

Yu Wan Zhao couldn’t bear to kill Wen Nuan anymore, and Wen Nuan couldn’t bear to leave Yu Wan Zhao either?

Could it be that these two were, as the human storybooks said, a pair of embittered lovers⁴ who were destined to love and kill each other, their love and hate inseparable?!

Liu Qingsui’s words were like a sudden blow, shattering Yu Wan Zhao’s delusion.

Why was it that back at the Qianyuan Upper Palace, Wen Nuan, who could have fought her to the death, was instead captured and made to suffer in the Fire Cold Cave Abode?

Why was it that Wen Nuan, who could have clearly destroyed the Soul-Locking Chain, was still trapped by her in the Fire Cold Cave Abode for ten days and ten nights, suffering endlessly?

Why was it that after destroying the Soul-Locking Chain, Wen Nuan, who could have easily turned the tables, killed her, and escaped, instead allowed herself to be effortlessly bound by Quexie and controlled by her?

…

For a mid-stage Mahayana Realm cultivator to kill her, a late-stage Body Integration Realm cultivator, was as easy as flipping a hand.

She could have clearly killed her?!

Yu Wan Zhao murmured in a low voice, “You clearly… could have killed me?”

Seeing her lips move and her voice small, Liu Qingsui leaned closer. “What did you just say?”

Yu Wan Zhao ignored Liu Qingsui and turned to walk toward Wen Nuan.

She had to ask and understand just what Wen Nuan was doing all this for.

Wen Nuan’s brow furrowed. Looking at the layers of black fog in the distance, she could tell something was heading their way.

And it was getting closer.

Wen Nuan summoned the Abyssal Ice Sword. The white jade hilt was in her hand as she stared intently at the black fog that was silently drifting over.

Just as Yu Wan Zhao was about to approach Wen Nuan, she saw her holding the Abyssal Ice Sword, looking at her coldly.

“Wan Zhao?”

She was calling her.

Yu Wan Zhao stood calmly before her, even as Wen Nuan met her with a weapon drawn.

Her lips moved, but Yu Wan Zhao seemed to have gone deaf, unable to hear what Wen Nuan was saying at all. She could only see the Abyssal Ice Sword stabbing toward her.

Just like five years ago. She had trusted so much that Wen Nuan wouldn’t kill her, but the moment the tip of the Abyssal Ice Sword pierced her chest, a bone-deep chill spread through her. She felt like she had already died.

And now, the same scene was replaying. She was still trying to kill her!

Yu Wan Zhao’s eyes turned crimson. She stared fiercely at Wen Nuan, the corners of her mouth curling into a cruel, bloodthirsty smile. “This is fine too. Let’s perish together!”

She charged forward, right into the path of the flying Abyssal Ice Sword.

Seeing Yu Wan Zhao run over, Wen Nuan brought two fingers together and directed the Abyssal Ice Sword to stab toward the black fog.

The black fog couldn’t dodge in time and was pierced by the Abyssal Ice Sword. A shrill roar echoed through the sky. As the black fog dissipated, it revealed a Profound Darkness Heaven-Swallowing Python!

It had a wide, enormous triangular head covered in countless tiny, sharp, azure-blue scales that looked as if they were directly embedded upright into its skull.

Its body was blackish-brown with large, irregular reddish-brown spots on its back. The python’s body, as thick as the roots of a thousand-year-old tree, coiled in the air. Its reddish vertical pupils stared deathly at Wen Nuan, its gaze terrifying.

Liu Qingsui’s brow furrowed tightly. “It’s a Sixth-Rank Spirit Beast, a Profound Darkness Heaven-Swallowing Python!?”

He saw the Abyssal Ice Sword on the python’s body and realized that Wen Nuan hadn’t been trying to kill Yu Wan Zhao just now, but to repel the python that had been behind her.

The python slammed its massive tail viciously toward Wen Nuan. Wen Nuan immediately swept up Yu Wan Zhao and dodged, narrowly avoiding being hit.

Yu Wan Zhao watched as the python charged over at high speed. Everywhere it passed, the mountains and rivers trembled, and the forests shook.

She looked up at Wen Nuan. So you weren’t trying to kill me?

“How did you discover it?”

Not a single person among them had noticed this python’s approach.

Wen Nuan saw the python chasing relentlessly after her and knew she had to find a way to deal with it.

Although it was already a Sixth-Rank Spirit Beast, it was still one heavenly tribulation away from shapeshifting. She glanced at the sky above. This python’s tribulation should be coming soon.

“When your cultivation reaches my level, you will naturally be able to sense it.” Wen Nuan tossed Yu Wan Zhao to Liu Qingsui. “You two, fall back!”

Yu Wan Zhao: “…”

So it’s my fault for having a low cultivation level?

My aptitude is already excellent! It only took me five years to cultivate from Nascent Soul to Body Integration. Isn’t that impressive?!

Liu Qingsui was naturally no match for the python. After assessing the situation, he immediately pulled Yu Wan Zhao back.

Seeing Yu Wan Zhao still wanting to rush forward, he said urgently, “What are you doing?”

“I can’t leave her alone. I’m going to help her.” Yu Wan Zhao shook off Liu Qingsui’s hand.

“You’ll only be a hindrance if you go. Wen Nuan will have to divert her attention to protect you.” Liu Qingsui blocked Yu Wan Zhao’s path. “She’s already at the Mahayana Realm. The python can’t harm Wen Nuan.”

Yu Wan Zhao clenched her fists, her gaze fixed on the battle in the sky.

The python was too massive; a casual swing of its tail could injure the innocent.

Its bell-sized, blood-red vertical pupils were already filled with rage and frustration. The person before it kept injuring it. A light slash from the sword in her hand could freeze its wounds and prevent them from healing. Wisps of cold energy seeped into its body, causing the python immense pain.

In agonizing pain, the python thrashed its body violently. The surrounding demon soldiers were smashed to pieces by its tail.

Liu Qingsui looked up at the sky, his brow furrowed. “What is she doing? The python is already furious, yet she’s still provoking it?”

Yu Wan Zhao’s eyes were deep. She clenched her fingertips and said in a heavy voice, “This python is about to face its tribulation. She’s forcing it to undergo its tribulation early to kill it amidst the heavenly lightning!”

Liu Qingsui was shocked. “A Shapeshifting Heavenly Tribulation is comparable to a human’s tribulation for advancing from the Void Glimpse Stage to the Mahayana Realm. Has Wen Nuan gone mad?”

The moment his words fell, dozens of silver lightning bolts flashed across the ink-black sky. A fierce wind howled, the earth shook, and an unnerving rumble filled the air. In the blink of an eye, the heavenly tribulation had arrived.

The python let out a heart-wrenching roar amidst the lightning. A dense black fog enveloped everyone, making them feel as if they had gone blind. They could only hear the python’s extremely painful cries.

Everyone stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move. Liu Qingsui felt a gust of wind beside him. He reached out to grab, only to find the person next to him was gone.

He cried out in panic, “Yu Wan Zhao? Yu Wan Zhao?”

Wen Nuan heard the male lead’s anxious shouts. The female lead is gone?!

The python had already been blasted to smithereens by the tribulation. With her there, the python could forget about successfully shapeshifting.

The black fog lingered. Wen Nuan could only release her spiritual sense to search for the female lead.

Because of Quexie, the two of them couldn’t be more than a hundred meters apart. Wen Nuan was already at the Mahayana Realm; her spiritual sense could extend for thousands of meters.

As her spiritual sense moved, Wen Nuan’s eyes shot open. She turned around and caught the approaching person in an embrace.

“Why did you come here?”

Yu Wan Zhao hugged Wen Nuan tightly. Just now, when the black fog covered the sky, Wen Nuan’s figure had vanished before her eyes. She could only hear the python’s roars, and she couldn’t sense Wen Nuan’s aura at all.

Worried that something had happened to Wen Nuan, she had plunged headfirst into the black fog, relying on Quexie to sense Wen Nuan’s location.

As she was held in Wen Nuan’s arms, hearing the still-fiery beat of her heart, she let out a sigh of relief and said, “Came to see if you were dead or not.”

Wen Nuan released her. “I’m not dead.”

“What a pity.”

The corners of Yu Wan Zhao’s lips secretly curved upward.

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The author has something to say:

Female Lead: There’ll always be a time when I can do you in.

Wen Nuan: On the bed, for instance?

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