Chapter 72 : Meow

“You go first, I have something to do,” Qiao Xiaoxian glanced at the mountain path.

“Don’t die. I’ll come find you after I’m done.”

“You really have something to do?” Jiang Ke’er was a little surprised.

She thought Qiao Xiaoxian was just trying to keep an eye on her, which was why she accompanied her to Hanjie Island, saying it was “on the way” or something… just an excuse.

“I need to find something very important,” Qiao Xiaoxian’s expression was serious.

“Then hurry up, come back later,” Jiang Ke’er happily waved goodbye.

“If you can’t come back, then don’t! It’s best if you die outside!”

“You hate me that much?” Qiao Xiaoxian sighed helplessly.

“Yes, I wish you’d drop dead on the spot!”

Qiao Xiaoxian sighed again, then suddenly she bent down and gently pecked Jiang Ke’er’s forehead.

“?!”

“I’m leaving.” Qiao Xiaoxian flashed and disappeared, leaving Jiang Ke’er standing on the beach in a daze.

“…Just go, why the random peck,” Jiang Ke’er took several deep breaths before her pounding heart calmed down and her body recovered from its petrified state.

Qiao Xiaoxian was gone. Jiang Ke’er was about to try to go through the pass directly when she heard a familiar voice from behind her.

“Little sister, wait a moment!”

Jiang Ke’er turned around and saw a large ship breaking through the waves towards them.

“…”

The sails were inflated by the wind, showing the patterns on the canvas and two cat-ear flags on top of the mast.

From a distance, it looked like a big cat’s head with an annoying smirk floating towards the shore, coupled with the wooden cat paws at the bow, making it look like a giant lucky cat.

“Phew, good thing we made it,” Li Shimin jumped down from the bow, followed closely by hundreds of “people” who leaped down.

These people all had animal ears and tails, or other alien features. In short, they were all demon (yao) race members.

It was Jiang Ke’er’s first time seeing so many demons, and for a moment, she was at a loss.

“Is that Jiang Ke’er?”

“Wow, she’s really cute!”

“She’s both cute and cool with a sword!”

With smiles on their faces, they familiarly surrounded Jiang Ke’er.

Running at the front were several demon big sisters.

“Wow, your fur quality is amazing! What brand of shampoo do you use?”

“Hiss~ ha~ hiss~ ha~ So fragrant, I want to take her home as a pillow!”

“Little Ke’er, can you sign an autograph for me? We all admire you so much!”

Huh?

Jiang Ke’er was a little flustered, shrinking her head and tensing her body.

“Look, look! Fluffy, fluffy! Awww so cute!”

“Awoo~~~”

Wolf howls, real wolf howls, echoed one after another from the crowd.

“Get away, get away, you’re a bit too enthusiastic, don’t scare her,” Li Shimin pushed through the crowd and squeezed in, smiling apologetically at Jiang Ke’er.

“These are all fellow demon practitioners who saw the news and said they wanted to come cheer you on… And some of my journalist friends, and a few brothers and sisters from the Revival Society… Sorry for the trouble.”

“Apologize for what?”

Jiang Ke’er felt a warmth spread through her, and the disappointment she’d felt upon arriving at Hanye Island vanished.

She no longer envied humans; what was there to envy? She had her own organization!

Instead of longing for humans who “unconditionally disliked her no matter what she did,” she should clearly cherish these little demons around her who “wouldn’t dislike her even if she did nothing!”

It sounded a bit convoluted, but…

Feeling their gazes — a mix of encouragement and worry, admiration and concern beneath the cheerful atmosphere —

At this moment, she suddenly felt that the path she had chosen was the right one, and everything she had experienced was entirely worth it.

Her fighting spirit instantly soared.

Looking at the Hundred-Pass Heavenly Road again, there wasn’t a hint of hesitation in Jiang Ke’er’s heart; she only wanted to smash it to bits in one go!

“For this competition, we’ll be acting as special correspondents, providing multi-angle live coverage to the outside world,” Li Shimin pulled out a large, cylindrical crystal device and aimed it at Jiang Ke’er.

“To prevent those sword cultivators from cheating and using underhanded tactics against you.”

“Thanks.”

“We’re all little demons; we should help each other wherever we can. No need for thanks,” Li Shimin smiled.

“We’ll wait for your triumphant return and go out for a big meal together!”

“No need to go out,” Jiang Ke’er also chuckled softly.

“When the time comes, I’ll let you try my cooking.”

“You can cook?” Li Shimin was surprised.

“Very well!”

“Alright, we’ll be waiting then!” Li Shimin showed an expectant expression.

Of course, he didn’t take Jiang Ke’er’s words seriously.

Jiang Ke’er knew this and didn’t mind.

She turned and walked towards the entrance of the Hundred-Pass Heavenly Road.

Jiang Ke’er didn’t see it, but after she turned away, the smiles on Li Shimin’s and the other demons’ faces faded.

One by one, they quietly sighed, unable to bear watching any longer.

They silently bowed to Jiang Ke’er.

They didn’t want Jiang Ke’er to die burdened with pressure and sorrow, so they tried their best to force smiles and appear relaxed and hopeful in front of her.

But they all knew that Jiang Ke’er’s life would end here.

Perhaps it would be spectacular, admirable… but dead was dead.

They would feel sad, their hearts aching as if cut by a knife.

This farewell would likely be forever.

Jiang Ke’er, we will never let your sacrifice be in vain.

The demon race, it’s time to awaken.