The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

Above the void, the Behemoth's bell-like eyes locked onto the blue figure.

"Ning Jing! Hand over the Ghost Emperor's Heart!"

The sound waves shook the clouds apart.

The girl in green stood on the void, her dark iron sword gleaming with an eerie light.

A sneer appeared on her lips.

"Want it? Come and take it yourself!"

Before the words were even finished, the sword had already left a hundred afterimages, each of which transformed into a ferocious ghost head that lunged at the giant.

The Behemoth's fists collided, and golden ripples spread outwards.

The demon's head shattered upon impact with the ripples, but three deep, bone-revealing gashes still appeared on its chest.

court death! "

The giant flew into a rage, his fist tearing through space, and Ning Jing hurriedly parried with his sword.

"clang!"

Amidst the clanging of metal, Ning Jing's tiger's mouth split open, and the Yin Iron Sword let out a mournful cry, unable to bear the weight any longer.

Her face was deathly pale, the Ghost Emperor's heart pounded violently within her, and black energy overflowed from her seven orifices.

"Netherworld Guide!"

She bit her tongue, and her blood drew strange runes on the sword.

In an instant, the world changed color, and countless pale ghostly hands reached out from the void, grabbing the giant's limbs.

The Behemoth's grin grew even more menacing.

"The end of the strong crossbow!"

Its muscles swelled again, and the ghostly hands broke off one after another.

Ning Jing's pupils contracted sharply. Before she could change her move, a fist the size of a casserole dish slammed into her abdomen.

"puff--"

Ning Jing crashed to the ground, creating a crater ten feet deep. Before the dust had settled, the shrill cries of the poisonous beasts echoed across the battlefield.

"Hiss—Heart-stealing!"

The colorful swarm of insects immediately changed direction and surged into the deep pit like a flood.

The Behemoth swooped down from the sky, each step causing the earth to shake.

Two destructive torrents rushed toward the same target from different directions, crushing the Yin soldiers and Gu worms along the way into mincemeat.

Atop Blood Mountain, a figure in white slowly emerged from the crack.

Jiang Chuan's flowing robes and spotless appearance were completely out of place on the bloody battlefield.

He glanced sideways at the wounded mountain spirit beside him and extended his slender fingers.

"Come."

The mountain spirit was stunned, its amber eyes reflecting the man's cold and aloof face.

She raised her hand as if possessed, but gasped in surprise the moment she touched it.

Her fingertips began to transform into bronze sword blades!
"Good sword."

Jiang Chuan sighed softly, his palm brushing over the mountain spirit's gradually transparent body.

When the last wisp of demonic energy dissipated, all that remained in his hand was a broken, blunt sword, its blade covered in cracks and radiating an ancient aura that sent chills down one's spine.

At the edge of the deep pit, Ning Jing stood up, leaning on his sword.

Her hair was disheveled, her blue dress was torn, and black blood kept spilling from the corner of her mouth.

Looking at the two powerful enemies approaching, she suddenly chuckled, her laughter tinged with madness.

"Flowers bloom on the other shore, revealing the road to the underworld!"

The Yin Iron Sword was driven into the ground, and the ghost head statue at the hilt suddenly opened its blood-red eyes.

Fiery red petals fell from the sky, each petal burning with a ghostly blue flame, instantly covering the entire deep pit.

Ning Jing swung his sword, and petals shot into the sky, transforming into a fiery red sea of ​​flowers stretching for miles.

"Back off! Back off!"

The commander of the ghost soldiers shouted loudly.

The well-trained Yin soldiers immediately retreated, while the Gu worms at the forefront turned into green smoke with a "hiss" as soon as they touched the petals.

The Behemoth came to an abrupt halt, only to see the sea of ​​flowers suddenly boil over, its fiery red color instantly transforming into blazing white lava!

The Gu Poison Beast let out a shrill scream as half of its body sank into the lava, its carapace rapidly carbonizing and peeling off.

The Behemoth dug its claws into the ground to steady itself, but was suddenly entangled by a giant fire serpent that sprang out from the sea of ​​flowers.

The giant python's scales were all made of spider lily petals, which wrapped around the giant's skin tighter and tighter, causing the giant's bronze skin to turn an unnatural purplish-red.

"ferry!"

Ning Jing shouted sternly.

A small peach wood boat emerges from the depths of the lava flower sea, with a dark figure standing at its bow.

A bony hand extends from beneath the ferryman's cloak, pointing at the two ferocious beasts struggling in their death throes, as if counting the souls to be collected.

Just as death was about to strike, a white rainbow streaked through the sky.

Jiang Chuan rode the wind on his sword, the broken sword beneath his feet emitting a clear, melodious sound.

He nimbly passed through the sea of ​​lava flowers, the flames automatically parting to make way for him, without even catching a tinderbox.

"Jing'er".

This soft call sent a jolt through Ning Jing's body.

She turned mechanically, her pupils reflecting the face she had longed for day and night.

The Yin Iron Sword clattered to the ground, her lips trembled, and the frenzied fire in her eyes gradually died down.

"gentlemen?"

Jiang Chuan reached out and gently wiped the bloodstains from her face, his movements as tender as if he were polishing a precious gem.

Ning Jing suddenly threw herself into his arms, her ten fingers gripping his white robe tightly, choking back tears and unable to speak.

Jiang Chuan sighed softly and held her trembling body tightly.

The red spider lilies bloomed silently around them, and the lava gradually cooled to a dark red.

The ferryman's boat had vanished without a trace, leaving only the charred remains of the Behemoth and the poisonous beast as evidence of the carnage that had just occurred.

"I thought I'd never see you again."

Ning Jing's voice was muffled against Jiang Chuan's chest, her tears soaking through his white clothes.

She suddenly looked up, revealing a smile tinged with tears.

"Don't leave me this time."

Nine hundred years ago, a scholar named Xu Jingting was on his way to take the imperial examination when he encountered a heavy rain at night and sought shelter in a dilapidated temple in a remote mountain.

The rain poured down.

Xu Jingting wiped the rain off his face and looked up at the dilapidated mountain god temple in front of him.

The temple gate was half-collapsed and the eaves were incomplete, yet it was the only place to shelter from the rain in this desolate mountain wilderness.

He tightened the satchel on his back and strode into the temple.

"Who?!"

A loud shout suddenly rang out, and Xu Jingting stopped in his tracks, only then seeing the situation inside the temple.

Inside the temple, seven or eight burly men sat around a campfire. When a scholar, looking like a drowned rat, burst in through the open door, they all turned around in unison.

"Hey, where did this pretty boy come from?"

A burly man with a face full of scars grinned, revealing a few yellow and black teeth.

Xu Jingting quickly clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"Gentlemen, I was merely passing by and seeking shelter from the rain. I had no intention of offending you."

"Passing by?"

The leader, sitting in the center, squinted his eyes.

"What are you, a scholar, doing traveling in this desolate wilderness in the middle of the night?"

"I am on my way to the capital for the imperial examination, and I have been delayed."

"Taking an exam?"

A skinny man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face suddenly interrupted.

"Brother, this kid definitely has some money on him!"

He rubbed his hands together as he stood up, his eyes gleaming with greed.

Xu Jingting subconsciously took a half step back, his back hitting the damp temple wall.

"I only have a little bit of silver on me. If you gentlemen could do me a favor..."

He paused, then mustered his courage and spoke.

"Once I pass the imperial examination with flying colors, I will repay you handsomely."

"Hahaha!"

The bandits burst into laughter, with the skinny man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks laughing particularly loudly.

"A scholar's mouth is a deceitful devil! Brother, why don't you..."

The scarred leader raised his hand to stop his men from speaking, and looked Xu Jingting up and down.

"You can stay overnight, but you have to hand over your valuables."

Just as Xu Jingting was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he suddenly caught sight of a figure huddled in the shadows behind the bandits.

It was a disheveled girl, her hands bound with rough hemp rope, her clothes tattered.

Seemingly sensing the scholar's gaze, the girl slowly raised her head, revealing a pale face.

Those eyes—Xu Jingting's heart skipped a beat—were as black as ink, yet surprisingly bright, as if they could see right through people's hearts.

"What are you looking at!"

The weasel-faced bandit noticed the scholar's gaze and kicked the girl in the shoulder. "This is our entertainment tonight!"

The girl let out a muffled groan, but did not cry out. She just stared intently at Xu Jingting, her eyes seeming to hold a thousand unspoken words.

Xu Jingting felt a tightness in his throat, and a surge of hot blood rushed to his head.

"My lords, it is not the act of a hero to bully a weak woman. We should..."

"Not as good as what?"

The scarred leader sneered.

"Scholars, mind your own business."

Xu Jingting took out a piece of warm, white jade from his pocket.

"This is a family heirloom jade, quite valuable. I would like to use this jade to exchange for this young lady's freedom."

The temple fell silent instantly, and even the sound of rain seemed to fade away.

The bandits' eyes all fell on the jade.

Even in the dim firelight, the jade's translucency and exquisite carving were evident, clearly indicating it was of superior quality.

The bandit with the pointed snout and monkey-like face rushed forward and was about to snatch the item.

Xu Jingting suddenly withdrew his hand and stepped back.

"Release them first!"

"court death!"

Enraged, the bandit drew his short knife and lunged at the scholar.

Although Xu Jingting is a scholar, he learned some martial arts from his father when he was young.

He instinctively raised his oil-paper umbrella to block it.

With a "crack," the umbrella ribs broke, and the blade tore through his sleeve, leaving a bloody gash on his arm.

"stop!"

The scarred leader suddenly shouted.

"Give me the jade, and you can take the person with you."

Xu Jingting watched them warily, slowly moved to the girl's side, cut the ropes with his pocket knife, and then threw the ancient jade to the leader.

The girl staggered to her feet, but her legs went numb from kneeling for so long, and she fell directly into the scholar's arms.

Xu Jingting blushed instantly, but still managed to steady her.

"Thank you, young master."

The girl's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet it possessed an indescribable charm.

The bandit with the pointed snout and monkey-like face stared at the two men resentfully.

"Brother, are we just going to let her go like that? What about that young lady?"

"Shut up!"

The leader played with the ancient jade, a greedy glint in his eyes.

"Scholar, you may leave now."

Xu Jingting helped the girl slowly retreat towards the temple gate, and the rain immediately soaked their clothes.

I had only taken a few steps when a loud shout suddenly came from behind me.

"Stop! Leave your bundle behind too!"

The scholar felt a chill; this was clearly a sign that the man was going to back out.

He held the girl's cold hand tightly.

"run!"

The two plunged into the rain, followed by chaotic footsteps and curses.

Xu Jingting pulled the girl along, stumbling and struggling through the muddy forest, the only sounds in his ears being his own heartbeat and the shouts of his pursuers.

"Young master, this way."

The girl suddenly tugged at his hand and pointed to a path that was almost invisible.

Without thinking twice, Xu Jingting followed her into the bushes.

The branches whipped against my face, leaving tiny bloody scratches.

He tripped and fell forward—

In a dizzying moment, he instinctively pulled the girl into his arms, and the two tumbled down the steep slope.

Xu Jingting's back slammed heavily against a protruding tree root. The excruciating pain made his vision go black, and in his last moments of consciousness, he only remembered the girl's deep, dark eyes.
After an unknown amount of time, Xu Jingting felt a little warmth.

He struggled to open his eyes and found himself lying in a cave.

A campfire was burning nearby, and in its light, a slender figure was standing with her back to him, seemingly roasting something.

"you're awake?"

A clear female voice sounded.

Xu Jingting then saw clearly that the figure was a girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old, who was using a branch to hold his outer garment and dry it by the fire.

The girl turned around, revealing a stunningly beautiful face with exquisite features, delicate eyebrows, and lips like a touch of cinnabar. However, her skin was unusually pale, almost transparent in the firelight.

"Did...did you save me?"

Xu Jingting struggled to sit up, but the movement aggravated his injuries.

The girl put down the branch, quickly walked over, and pressed him down.

"Don't move. You have multiple abrasions and need to rest."

Her fingers were icy cold, but unexpectedly, they made Xu Jingting feel at ease.

"Those bandits."

"I beat him away."

The girl said it casually.

“I was originally tied to the hillside, but I broke free of the ropes while they were chasing you.”

Xu Jingting then noticed a red mark around the girl's wrist, clearly a mark left by the rope.

He felt a pang of guilt.

"Thank you for saving me, young lady. My name is Xu Jingting. May I ask your name?"

"My name is Ning Jing."

The girl smiled slightly, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"You're welcome, sir."

"gentlemen?"

Xu Jingting was taken aback.

"I am but a scholar taking the imperial examination; I do not deserve such a title."

Ning Jing stubbornly shook her head.

"In my eyes, all scholars should be addressed as 'sir'."

She turned and took a worn-out earthenware bowl from beside the fire, which was filled with steaming soup.

"Have some hot soup, it'll warm you up."

Xu Jingting took the bowl and found a few pieces of unknown wild vegetables floating in the soup, but the taste was surprisingly delicious.

He sipped his drink slowly, then suddenly remembered something.

"Miss Ning, where are your family? How did they get captured by bandits?"

Ning Jing's expression darkened.

"I have no family. I have lived alone in the mountains since I was a child."

“Sir, may I come with you? I can be your maid and take care of your daily needs.”

Xu Jingting almost choked on the soup.

"This...this won't do! I'm penniless and my future is uncertain."

"I don't need wages."

Ning Jing interrupted him.

"I just want a place to stay. Don't worry, sir, I won't interfere with your life."

Xu Jingting hesitated. The girl in front of him had saved his life and was homeless; he should help her out of both compassion and reason.

But if a man travels with a young girl, it's bound to attract gossip.
"Ok."

Xu Jingting sighed.

"But once you get to the capital, you'll need to find a proper place to stay."

Ning Jing's face broke into a bright smile.

"Thank you, sir!"

The rain stopped the next morning.

Xu Jingting checked his injuries. Although he was sore all over, they were all superficial wounds and wouldn't affect his journey.

Ning Jing found a sturdy wooden stick somewhere to give him as a walking stick, and applied mountain herbs to his wounds.

"Miss Ning knows so much."

Xu Jingting sighed.

Ning Jing smiled without saying a word, but carefully helped him straighten his disheveled clothes.

Under the sunlight, Xu Jingting noticed that Ning Jing's skin was so white it was almost transparent, and he could vaguely see the bluish veins underneath.

Her eyes had an unusual pale purple hue in the sunlight, making her seem otherworldly beautiful.

And so the two set off together.

Throughout the journey, Ning Jing always walked half a step behind Xu Jingting, as respectful as a real maid.

She wasn't a talkative person, but whenever Xu Jingting needed something, she was always the first to notice and provide it. (End of Chapter)