Chapter 6: Silver Bell

Every year, Lin Qiyou’s birthday was celebrated with great grandeur. Even within the sect, the Lin family would hold an extravagant event—after all, as the young lady of the Lin family, she couldn’t afford to lose face anywhere.

But this year was different.

Because of the mission related to her promotion to an inner disciple, Lin Qiyou had to leave the sect just before her birthday.

So, there was no festive banquet with lanterns and decorations for her fifteenth birthday. However, the accompanying disciples still arranged a small celebration for her in the inn a day early, since the real business would begin tomorrow.

Dressed in white, now blossoming into a little beauty, Lin Qiyou stood in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by fellow disciples congratulating her and presenting gifts—she was drowned in presents and flattery.

As a noble young lady of a prestigious family, Lin Qiyou was well-versed in etiquette. Yet, while smiling politely in response, her lively eyes would often steal a glance toward the window.

A black-clad youth named Qing Mu leaned against the window, sword in arm, gazing into the distance.

A breeze swept past Qing Mu’s face from outside, making his hair flutter lightly across his handsome brows and eyes—causing several female disciples nearby to blush and look away shyly.

Lin Qiyou frowned slightly, glancing at the table piled with gifts, feeling somewhat annoyed. These things… she wasn’t that fond of them.

What a jerk!

This Qing Mu was such an immature guy. Why had he never given her a gift on any of her birthdays all these years?

She didn’t care about the gifts themselves, nor was she greedy for what he might give.

His money was all from the Lin family—it wasn’t any different from what she gave herself.

She just wanted an attitude!

Of course, even if he gave her something, she would toss it out the window right away!

Everyone else knew to flatter her with gifts; why was he the only one who didn’t?

All day long, he just wore that sour face!

“Miss Lin, look! This is something I asked my father to get early this year…”

Lin Qiyou’s attention was drawn back by a male disciple beside her. She smiled politely and listened.

Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, someone approached Qing Mu. It seemed to be a girl…

The noisy crowd made it hard for Lin Qiyou to catch what Qing Mu and that female disciple were talking about, but judging by their smiles and laughter…

What?

Lin Qiyou’s eyes snapped wide open. She saw Qing Mu handing the finely wrapped gift to the female disciple, who covered her mouth and giggled, while Qing Mu scratched his head awkwardly.

What was going on?

For more than an hour after that, Lin Qiyou’s mind was consumed by a single question.

Did Qing Mu have an affair with that woman?

Was that gift meant for her?

Frustration churned in her chest as she sat fuming alone in her now-empty bedroom.

“A backstabber! Has he forgotten his own identity? How could he be flirting with other women? How can such a person still be my Death Warrior, entrusted with protecting me?”

Qing Mu was a Death Warrior.

A Death Warrior should focus solely on her, not run around chasing after other women!

This had happened when they were young—why was he falling back into this habit now?

Knock knock knock—

Lost in thought, the door was knocked on. Lin Qiyou quickly called out, “Come in.” A female disciple entered and quietly closed the door.

“What did they say earlier?”

As soon as she noticed Qing Mu’s flirtations with that woman, Lin Qiyou had secretly asked one of the female disciples to investigate.

“Hmm, it seems their relationship really is somewhat unusual. Qing Mu gave that junior sister a gift. He said he actually forgot another gift, which is by his bedside at the residence.”

The female disciple answered.

“Ah…”

Lin Qiyou’s brow furrowed in displeasure. “Where are they now?”

“I don’t know, only that they went out.”

After saying this, Lin Qiyou waved the disciple off and began stomping in anger.

You’re a Death Warrior who can’t control your lower desires—totally incompetent!

My strength has almost caught up with yours these past few years, yet you still act so distracted, flirting with fairies?

Shameless!

“Dummy… you’re not a dummy, not at all. You’re just a scoundrel.”

Lin Qiyou stood up and left her bedroom, heading straight to the adjacent room—that was Qing Mu’s.

“Tsk!”

Sure enough, she found a silver bell carved with cloud patterns at his bedside.

He hadn’t taken it away?

What nonsense—using this thing to court a fairy?

That woman must be out of her mind to fall for you!

I was actually curious about what kind of gift I might refuse.

Just this?

Seeing it makes me furious!

Lin Qiyou picked up the bell and was about to toss it out the window, but then thought better of it and hung it at her waist.

This was evidence—couldn’t just throw it away!

With that, Lin Qiyou stormed off.

…

……

The next day, the actual birthday, two elders led Lin Qiyou, Qing Mu, and a dozen other sect disciples to the Demon Cult Lair.

After subduing the guards at the entrance, everyone cautiously entered a Mine.

The mine tunnels were illuminated by spells. Walking among them, Lin Qiyou, the silver bell hanging at her waist, felt strange. Why had Qing Mu shown no unusual reaction upon seeing the bell? He was so calm.

Moreover, the woman he had spoken to yesterday seemed distant and unfamiliar with him today.

Worth observing.

“Miss, is something the matter?”

Qing Mu noticed Lin Qiyou’s gaze and asked casually.

Two years ago, Lin Qiyou had insisted he address her as “Miss” to establish a clear master-servant relationship.

“Nothing!”

Lin Qiyou responded curtly and ignored Qing Mu completely.

Moments later, Lin Qiyou suddenly felt the soil beneath her feet loosen. Someone shouted nearby, “There’s a spatial array here!”

Immediately, Lin Qiyou was dizzy as the world spun and she was transported to an unfamiliar place.

When she regained consciousness, some time had passed since the teleportation.

Before her eyes stood a giant humanoid statue, crushing skulls beneath its feet, muscles bulging, eyes wide and furious.

Surrounding her were piles of bones, and a rancid stench filled the air.

This seemed to be an Altar. Several candle stands were placed at the four corners in an orderly fashion, and symbols were drawn on the ground.

Realizing she was alone, Lin Qiyou’s heart tensed. She quickly drew her longsword, alert to her surroundings.

It wasn’t an illusion—others had certainly been teleported elsewhere.

Why was she so unlucky to be the only one here?

“Ssssss…”

The sound of something crawling echoed in the darkness. Lin Qiyou formed a hand seal with her left hand, constantly scanning the area, finally fixing her gaze on the enormous statue.

The statue was wooden. From behind its head came the sounds of countless knocks on wood, and then the huge head of a Centipede emerged from behind the statue’s own head.

Seeing this, Lin Qiyou’s skin crawled. She had never seen a Centipede this large. The hand seal she had prepared immediately burst forth.

But the Centipede was unbelievably fast. It crawled downward while the attack shattered the statue’s head, sending splinters and dust flying.

Under the cover of dust, the giant Centipede quickly reached Lin Qiyou’s front. She seized the moment to swing a sword energy strike at its head, but whether by coincidence or design, the Centipede reared up at its front and dodged the attack.

Seeing the Centipede preparing to attack, Lin Qiyou’s heart sank.

On her birthday, she might actually meet her death here?

At that critical moment, Lin Qiyou suddenly felt the silver bell at her waist begin to vibrate.