Nan Yi—or rather, the lower half of Immortal Danxia—no longer bore any resemblance to a human. From the waist down, it was a thick, bloated, caterpillar-like insect body.
Attached to this insect segment were countless thread-like rootlets that struggled and explored outward incessantly. Through the thin layer of insect skin, one could even see the pus-like fluid within.
"Squelch..."
"Squish..."
"Gurgle..."
These fungal-looking rootlets writhed in the air, producing a series of nauseating, wet sounds.
"You see? I haven't let Mom lift the quilt these past few days because I was afraid of scaring her."
Immortal Danxia’s face was calm, but her eyes were filled with a mockery born of an utter desire for death:
"During the reign of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty, Qinglong conspired with Huiyuan to steal my soul from the Underworld. They attached me to this Mayfly Wood to evade the eyes and ears of the soul reapers and escape the pursuit of the Underworld.
"I was born with the memories of my past life, and for ten lifetimes, I have found no release. I have been trapped in this hideous insect body."
"Immortal Danxia was once a cultivator herself. If you truly loathe this existence, could you not have ended it yourself..."
The moment Nan Zhi spoke those words, she felt a massive pressure like Mount Tai crushing down upon her. Her movements slowed, and she couldn't help but let out a soft groan as a trace of blood seeped from her mouth.
【Cultivator "Nan Zhi" has suffered a mental attack from "Daoist Qinglong", HP -500】
【Cultivator "Nan Zhi" has gained the debuff "light injury", combat power -200, Constitution decreased by 99】
【Cultivator "Nan Zhi" possesses the "Savior" bonus; the "light injury" debuff is negated.】
A heavy snort echoed in the air.
—It was a warning from Daoist Qinglong.
He was actually keeping a portion of his divine sense here at all times!
"A Nascent Soul cultivator can project their divine sense to control everything in their surroundings. Not even the rustle of grass can escape his eyes."
Seeing Nan Zhi injured, a flash of worry crossed Immortal Danxia’s eyes, and the smile on her face grew even more bitter:
"With a body like this, what is the difference between living and being dead? Why would I not want to enter reincarnation sooner and abandon this joyless, sin-filled life?"
"The Mayfly Wood is naturally drawn to blood relatives. Every time I reincarnate, it will actively devour the blood of my parents and kin when I reach the age of eighteen.
"It continues until the parents, siblings, spouses, and children of the body I inhabit are sucked dry, turning into nourishment for the Mayfly Wood—left like withered wood, desiccated like charcoal—"
He seemed to have held it in for too long, with no one to tell of his resentment. The despairing emotions slowly accumulated until they finally collapsed like a dam bursting.
"I have reincarnated ten times. In the first life, I was born in a muddled state into the home of a charcoal burner.
"At that time, I did not know the evil consequences of the Mayfly Wood. When I grew to eighteen, I vaguely remembered some of my past life.
"I thought it was the grace of the heavens, allowing me to regain the blessings of a new life. Little did I know, it was the beginning of a nightmare."
"My parents both passed away when I was nineteen.
"My eldest brother, who had always looked after me like a father, also died suddenly the following year.
"In the fourth year, my beloved younger brother and sister, who were only twelve, both lost their lives in a single night.
"I originally suspected that an evil soul was at work, but I could find nothing.
"Rumors spread through the village that I was a Lone Star of Heavenly Slaughter. Yet, a girl from the neighboring house named Bai Yu, who sold cloth, stayed very close to me and comforted me, saying that everyone has their own fate.
"Bai Yu and I were childhood sweethearts, and her father and uncles treated me like a son, even wanting to arrange a marriage between us.
"But I was originally a woman. I only saw Bai Yu as a sister, so how could I delay her life's happiness?"
The expression on Immortal Danxia’s face gradually turned numb:
"On the day after I refused the marriage, Bai Yu's family of twelve was exterminated by a demon in a single night. When I opened my door, Qinglong was standing there, his robes fluttering, pristine and untainted."
"He stood before the terrified Bai Yu and said to me:
"'Is it because Madam has been tempted by these mortal ants and craves the sentiments of the secular world that you have been unwilling to remember the past for so long?'
"'The Mayfly Wood requires blood relatives as nourishment. Since the kin of this physical body are all dead, why not consummate a marriage with this mortal woman and sire a child or two to extend your life?'
"'Does Madam still have concerns? You once protected these mortals; now it is only right that they give back to you.'
"'This mortal girl is now alone and helpless. If she wants to live, she will naturally be willing to be your living human pillar.'"
Nan Zhi could barely hold it together.
Daoist Qinglong’s obsession with Immortal Danxia had actually reached such a point.
He could even calmly accept watching his beloved marry and have children?
Was this love?
No, this was a twisted love.
Two lines of clear tears flowed from the corners of Immortal Danxia’s eyes, her smile more painful than crying:
"I remembered everything then. I knew my entire family had died because of me, and seeing Bai Yu's family meet such a disaster, I was overwhelmed with shame. I slit my own throat on the spot."
"I thought that would end everything, but when I opened my eyes, I had been born again into the womb of another woman."
"This time, my memory was clearer. When I reached an age where I could speak, I thought of finding Bai Yu's whereabouts. If she was still alive, I had to spend my life atoning to her.
"In that life, I was born as a woman again, living by the sea where my family made a living by fishing.
"I was cautious and never dared to show any intelligence, thinking that by doing so, I could evade Qinglong and find Bai Yu.
"But when I was nine years old, one of his external incarnations found me and brought me back to the Demon Suppression Monastery."
"He told me that if I was unwilling to sacrifice innocent mortals, then when this body reached menarche, I should combine with him in dual cultivation and use the children we sired to sustain my life.
"He also said that a child's life is given by the parents, so taking it back is nothing to be ashamed of. He said if I truly liked children, I could have several; if one died, there would be others to keep me company."
Danxia’s tears had already run dry:
"Tell me, what is the difference between living like this, unable to escape, and being a raised pig or dog?
"I cannot die, yet living is worse than death. No matter where I run, he can always find me through the Mayfly Wood.
"I dare not be close to anyone, I dare not express my affection freely. The dignity I once had as a cultivator is gone, and I have turned into a monster that only knows how to suck blood. Living like this... living like this..."
"After you died, you didn't enter reincarnation but were directly born as a human to start the next life?"
Nan Zhi gradually began to understand and spoke tentatively:
"Mayflies shaking the heavens... Daoist Qinglong created this method. You are the Mayfly Wood, and the Mayfly Wood is you.
"A life like a mayfly, born at dawn and dying at dusk. Although your lifespan is short, you can truly transcend reincarnation. Without entering the Underworld or the Yellow Springs, you can achieve longevity. Isn't this what cultivators seek?"
"Seek? Hahahaha..."
The tears falling from Immortal Danxia were bitter. She pounded forcefully on the bloated, insectile lower half of her body:
"Seek what? Everyone close to me dies a violent death. Everyone who cares for me meets a tragic end. I am trapped inside this insect body, living a life that is neither human nor ghost, like a maggot in a gutter or a stray dog in a foul alley, never finding release through all generations?
"What I seek is only death. I only seek death! I only want to die!"
She practically shrieked those last words, as if shouting them for someone else to hear.
Daoist Qinglong did not respond.
"Years ago, when Father and Mother’s first two children died early, it wasn't because of some greater ghost. Although slaughtering pigs harms the harmony of heaven, the truth is that you were the one seeking death."
"The one who instructed Mother on how to kill ghosts wasn't some City God or mud ghost, but you, because you couldn't bear to see her grieve again."
"But you knew Mother’s next child was bound to be a girl. You were unwilling to be born and suffer Qinglong’s humiliation, so you refused to reincarnate for a long time, leading to Mother accidentally giving birth to a 'silly girl' like me."
As Nan Zhi spoke, her thoughts became clearer. The causes and effects, the twists and turns, all perfectly connected in her mind:
"Then since you were unwilling, why did you reincarnate as Nan Yi and become a child of my family?"
"Naturally, it was because of you."
The gaze Immortal Danxia turned toward Nan Zhi became increasingly tender, almost dripping with affection. An unnatural flush rose to her pale face.
She grasped Nan Zhi’s hand, her breathing rapid:
"In my first life, the technique I practiced was the secret technique of the Qingjing Sect, the 《Great Dao Deduction Record》. Even as a mortal, I had certain premonitions.
"I know that in this world, only you—only you—can end all of this. Only you can end my pain."
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