Wayfarer

Chapter 887: Yu'er's Curse

Within a hall in the purple moon illusory realm, the hall shimmered with golden light as a man in green robes stepped within. At the far end of the hall sat a man in a purple robe, seated cross-legged on a prayer mat—the Yuqing hierarch, Shi Tianbei.

Shi Tianbei held a horsetail whisk. His face was pale and covered with frost. His body trembled as intense cold surged within him. With the wave of a hand, he absorbed the golden light from the hall. Then, pressing his hand downward, he finally suppressed the intense cold. The frost vanished from his face.

"What are you doing here?" Shi Tianbei said, opening his eyes.

The green-robed man frowned. "Hierarch, Xia Xingchen has become a Boundless Immortal."

Shi Tianbei narrowed his eyes. His expression darkened. "In the end, he did manage to break through."

"Indeed. The Heavenly Emperor himself gave Xia Xingchen some pointers and transmitted the Jade Emperor's Frame to him. It's a particularly difficult technique to cultivate, and I never expected him to advance to the realm of a Boundless Immortal—only to have that rain of blood change everything."

"It wasn't just the blood rain," Shi Tianbei said, his tone cold. "The purple moon illusory realm played a role, and he also observed the Heavenly Emperor's battle personally. Luck was on his side."

"Indeed, Hierarch. That technique was capable of taking on the heavens. Xia Xingchen is incredibly fortunate," the green-robed man said enviously.

"Does Xia Xingchen intend to emulate the Heavenly Emperor? It won't be as easy as it seems. Still, now that he has reached the Boundless Immortal realm, don't provoke him any longer. Have you erased all traces of our earlier interference?" Shi Tianbei asked.

"They've been wiped clean. No one will trace it back to us—but this time, it was Xiao Nanfeng who thwarted our plans at the most critical moment," the green-robed man replied.

"Xiao Nanfeng? What's he doing here? Who allowed him into the purple moon illusory realm?" Shi Tianbei demanded.

"I don't know, Hierarch. I've already sent my subordinates to investigate."

Shi Tianbei grimaced. "Have Xiao Nanfeng expelled from the purple moon illusory realm. No outsiders are to be allowed here."

"Understood!"

Xia Xingchen led Xiao Nanfeng to a certain Yuqing yin pillar.

A palace surrounded by a formation of fog had been erected there. Beyond that, numerous purple-furred monsters patrolled the area.

"Yu'er is meditating here. Let's wait a little," Xia Xingchen said.

"Understood." Xiao Nanfeng nodded, then asked, "Aren't there any disciples stationed here to guard her?"

Beside them, Xia Zi smiled. "There's no need. The formation around this palace can't be breached unless Yu'er opens it up from within. Plus, these purple-furred monsters only take orders from her and won't let anyone else approach."

"They can obey her commands? How?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.

"The purple-furred monsters and formations here were prepared by the Yuqing Grandmaster's specter before it dissipated," Xia Xingchen explained.

"Good!" Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

Xiao Nanfeng was very relieved. If the Yuqing Grandmaster himself had arranged for those protections, there was nothing to worry about.

After some time, the palace doors swung open. A young woman in loose robes stepped out from within. Despite her clothing, her graceful figure was unmistakable. Her fair skin and stunning features revealed her identity: Yu'er.

However, Yu'er looked rather weary, as if she had been up for many nights in a row. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

As she exited the palace, she yawned and stretched lazily.

Halfway through her stretch, she caught sight of the three men outside. Her hands froze in mid-air.

"Yu'er, look who's here!" Xia Zi called out, grinning.

"Yu'er!" Xiao Nanfeng called out warmly.

When Yu'er saw Xiao Nanfeng, her body stiffened, and she let out a startled cry. "Ah!"

Then, she slammed the palace doors shut and hid back inside.

Xiao Nanfeng: ...

Xia Xingchen: ...

Xia Zi: ...

The three men waited awkwardly until the palace doors opened up again. This time, Yu'er looked radiant. The fatigue and dark circles were gone, replaced by an energetic and glowing demeanor. She had also changed into a vibrant red dress.

"You made us wait for you all this time so you could do your makeup and get a change of clothes? Hmm," Xia Zi teased.

"Silence!" Yu'er hissed at her brother, blushing.

Then, waving a hand, she dispelled the formation and excitedly ran over to Xiao Nanfeng.

"Nanfeng, what are you doing here?" Yu'er exclaimed.

"Ahem!" Xia Xingchen coughed abruptly, somewhat dissatisfied with Yu'er for ignoring him.

"Why are you coughing, Father?" Yu'er grumbled.

"Can't you be a little more composed and graceful?" Xia Xingchen chastised.

"Nanfeng isn't an outsider, is he?" Yu'er retorted.

Xia Xingchen's face darkened further. His daughter wasn't married yet, but it seemed as if she were already turning on her family!

"If Nanfeng's not an outsider, why bother with makeup?" Xia Zi continued teasing his sister.

"None of your business!" Yu'er scowled at Xia Zi.

Xia Zi only laughed.

Xiao Nanfeng was rather surprised. He thought that, since Xia Zi was the eldest Xia brother, he would act with more poise and gravity. Instead, he seemed to be the one who indulged her most.

"Nanfeng, what are you doing here? Come on, let's head over there and have a chat," Yu'er said, tugging on Xiao Nanfeng's hand and pulling him aside.

Xia Xingchen watched on as his face turned darker and darker. His daughter truly had no sense of propriety.

Just as their hands touched, however, a burst of purple lightning zapped Xiao Nanfeng's hand and left it numb.

"Hm?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed, surprised.

"Ugh, it's happening again!" Yu'er fumed.

"Has your condition worsened?" Xia Xingchen frowned.

"What's going on?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, concerned.

"I don't know. Recently, whenever I touch others, a surge of purple lightning erupts from my body and pushes them away," Yu'er said, frustrated.

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes widened in surprise.

Xia Zi nodded. "It really is troublesome. None of us can touch her. Father has tried to investigate, but he didn't manage to find anything conclusive. It's not just her, either—all the other holy maidens are suffering for the same reason."

"Let me try again. Hold my hand," Xiao Nanfeng called out.

"It'll hurt you," Yu'er replied worriedly.

"I'll be fine. Try it," Xiao Nanfeng insisted.

Xia Xingchen observed quietly.

Yu'er hesitated, then eventually reached for Xiao Nanfeng's hand again.

As soon as their hands came in contact with each other, another bolt of purple lightning erupted and struck Xiao Nanfeng.

This time, however, Xiao Nanfeng was prepared.

Despite the intense pain and energy flooding his body, he didn't let go.

"Let go if it's too much," Yu'er said, her eyes filled with worry.

"I'm fine," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

The purple lightning grew stronger, flooding his body until his entire form radiated with light. A storm of lightning swirled around him.

"Nanfeng!" Yu'er exclaimed.

"Enough! Stop before you get hurt," Xia Xingchen warned. "It'll only grow stronger and stronger. Even I couldn't bear it."

Xiao Nanfeng coughed up a mouthful of blood, causing Yu'er to pull back her hand in panic.

Only then did Xiao Nanfeng feel a little better.

"Nanfeng, are you alright? Don't scare me!" Yu'er exclaimed. She was on the verge of tears.

She fretted anxiously, but didn't dare touch Xiao Nanfeng anymore.

Xiao Nanfeng clutched his chest and took a few deep breaths to stabilize himself. He glanced at Yu'er with deep concern.

Xia Xingchen sighed. "We think it might be a side effect of absorbing the Yuqing yin pillar. Its energy repels all outsiders, and it may be a restriction left behind by the Yuqing Grandmaster."

"Indeed. All twelve holy maidens are experiencing the same phenomenon," Xia Zi added.

"Let me try again using my spiritual power," Xiao Nanfeng suggested.

"I'd rather not," Yu'er replied, frowning.

"Please, let's try again." Xiao Nanfeng grimaced.

If he couldn't even touch Yu'er's hand in the future, what would be the point of all this? The strength of the Yuqing yin pillar wasn't worth this side effect.

"Let Xiao Nanfeng try," Xia Xingchen said. "I don't know how to solve this problem, but he might."

He was very dissatisfied with this side effect as well. He knew that Xiao Nanfeng was skilled, and wanted to see if he would have a solution.

Xiao Nanfeng tried touching Yu'er again, but even his spiritual power didn't do the trick.

He frowned. Next, he turned to his subordinates for help.

Within Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng's main body described Yu'er's situation and symptoms to Blue Lantern, who had traveled widely and had a large repertoire of esoteric knowledge. He was one of the advisors that Xiao Nanfeng would frequently summon.

When Blue Lantern learned of the situation, he frowned. "Your Majesty, check to see if there are small markings on Xia Yu'er's earlobes."

Xiao Nanfeng frowned as his avatar did so. "Indeed. There are three small purple dots in a triangular pattern on both ears. Do you know what's going on?"

Blue Lantern hesitated for a moment before replying, "If I'm not mistaken, Xia Yu'er has been cursed."

"Cursed?" Xiao Nanfeng narrowed his eyes.

"This curse isn't something left behind by the Yuqing Grandmaster. Rather, it seems like something from my sect," Blue Lantern said grimly.

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"I'm afraid I can't provide more information without seeing her myself. Ideally, I'd like to scan her body in person."

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes twitched. "The Yuqing holy land really is filled with danger. A curse..."