The Demon Lord and I: Frenemies - chapter 43

Chapter 43

The footsteps gradually faded away.

[They’re gone. You can detoxify now.]

It hurt-intensely. After the numbness came a burning sensation, as if ants were gnawing at every bone and limb. Her senses ebbed and surged, even her Sea of Consciousness was muddled and unclear, but only Xiao Shi’s cries rang out with unusual clarity.

This feeling reminded Chu Zaishuang of her childhood. Back then, to treat her Soul Separation Syndrome, every time she took medicine, her body would react in a similar way. During those moments, Xiao Shi would always chatter noisily, urging her to expel the medicinal power quickly.

Yao Wensheng, as an Alchemist, had once wondered why the medicine he concocted was ineffective, never able to cure Chu Zaishuang’s illness completely. Later, her parents couldn’t bear to see her suffer from the medicine, so they tacitly accepted Xiao Shi’s existence and no longer forced her to fuse her Dao Heart or continue cultivating.

“Xiao Shi…”

[Here I am!]

The prison cell was dim and unclear. Suddenly, everything fell silent by her ear; she could no longer hear Xiao Shi’s voice, only feel the slight swaying beneath her. Chu Zaishuang couldn’t open her eyes. With all her strength, she managed to move her fingers, retrieving an Antidote Pill from her Mustard Seed Ring and swallowing it with difficulty.

The poison was clearly not something an ordinary Antidote Pill could resolve. She waited a moment but still couldn’t lift her hand, struggling to swallow half of another pill.

It was a leftover Elixir from her last trial, one that could instantly make a person feel invigorated.

Not long after, she suddenly spat out a mouthful of foul blood, splattering onto the floor covered in Magic Arrays, blooming like a hellish, demonic flower.

Chu Zaishuang took a deep breath, finally regaining her strength. She felt spirited and wiped the blood from her lips with her sleeve. “Looks like this method still works, though it dirtied the floor.”

After detoxifying, Xiao Shi spoke again: [Forget about the mess, we’re stuck on Qiandu Island now-Tracking Butterfly is useless!]

“That’s normal. They even dared to capture the Medicine Elder; this is not something Tracking Butterfly can solve.” Chu Zaishuang stood up and looked around at the walls, discovering ancient script filled with sealing techniques. “Lu Hengzhou is at least an Eight Leaves cultivator. The Qiandu Island he created-even my parents can’t get here immediately.”

[So we’ll have to wait a long time?]

“We can’t wait. If they take me hostage, my parents will be even more passive.” Chu Zaishuang said, “They can’t get in for now, but we can get out-we just need to find someone to help.”

[Who?]

“Another Eight Leaves cultivator.”

*

Herb fields stretched to the horizon, reeds swaying in the wind.

Inside the small building, the usual crowd of servants was nowhere to be seen. Lu Hewei sensed something was wrong and rushed up to the second floor, running straight into Shan He and the others. The family’s cultivators were already prepared to depart, dressed in black robes and holding strange masks. Seeing the Young Master appear, they were all extremely surprised.

“Shan He, where is my father?” Lu Hewei looked at the black-robed men, feeling increasingly uneasy. “Why is the Defensive Grand Array activated on the island!?”

Qiandu Island forbade outsiders from entering at will, but would never activate the Defensive Grand Array directly. This was an agreement among all the Island Lords-no matter what internal friction occurred, they always presented a united front to the outside. Once the array was activated, no one could enter, only leave; it was tantamount to tearing off all pretenses.

Shan He said, “The Island Lord has gone to the Array Core of the Qionglian Twelve Islands.”

Chu Chenyue and Su Tingyun had created the main island years ago, establishing the Array Core that supported all the islands. Attacking from the outside was useless-the Array Core would block High-Level Cultivators and the Chaos from the shattered Flower Mirror. But if the core was destroyed from within, the Qionglian Twelve Islands would collapse in the ensuing turbulence.

Lu Hewei asked in panic, “Why did Father go to the Array Core…”

“Young Master, you’ve long known this. Whether it was his earnest teachings or sending me to Thousand-Gold Peak, the Island Lord’s intentions were always for the betterment of Qiandu Island.”

“What are you saying? If the Array Core is destroyed, the entire Qionglian Twelve Islands will vanish-how could that be better for Qiandu Island!?”

“No one wants the Qionglian Twelve Islands to disappear, but only by forcing things to this point can we gain leverage.” Shan He replied, “You must have noticed-even though the Island Lord tried his best to build good relations, the two Sect Leaders remained indifferent. They spoke of joint management but only relied on the Medicine Elder. Both are Eight Leaves Alchemists, yet they ignore the Island Lord.”

“You’re treated the same in the sect. No matter how noble your background, you’re never respected. Of course, we won’t destroy the whole island, but only by making them experience pain firsthand will they understand the neglected Island Lord and recognize Qiandu Island, which has always lingered on the outside.”

“Experience pain firsthand?” Lu Hewei trembled, feeling a faint ache in his shoulder-the spot where his father once stepped on him. “…Why must it be pain?”

Shan He said solemnly, “Only pain is remembered clearly. Only then will they appreciate the importance of Spiritual Herbs, the importance of Qiandu Island. We are irreplaceable.”

Lu Hewei was stunned.

“Young Master, perhaps you still can’t understand the Island Lord’s intentions and think he’s too harsh with you, but blood ties between father and son can’t be severed. The Island Lord has always cared for you.” Shan He took a brocade box from his robe and pressed it into Lu Hewei’s hand. “Chu Chenyue and Su Tingyun are both highly accomplished. The Island Lord isn’t certain of success, so he asked me to give you this Elixir.”

Lu Hewei took the box and asked, “What is it?”

“It’s a Divine Elixir to enhance your cultivation. The old formula only gave temporary strength, but the Island Lord poured his heart into creating a new one that lasts. There is only one such pill in the world.” Shan He said, “The Island Lord said, if he falls, you’ll have the cultivation to stand on your own.”

At these words, the brocade box seemed to weigh a thousand pounds-Lu Hewei almost couldn’t hold it.

After handing over the box, Shan He pulled up his black hood and donned the strange mask. “Young Master, we must depart to support the Island Lord. With no one left on the island, you can find a place to absorb the Divine Elixir’s power.”

“If Qiandu Island survives tomorrow, the family will prosper. If it doesn’t, the Island Lord should have taught you how to leave the island.”

Under the pale sky, the black-robed cultivators rose into the air, gathering like a swarm of bees, heading for the Array Core of the Qionglian Twelve Islands.

Lu Hewei watched them leave, then opened the brocade box in his hand. Inside lay a single Elixir, which he placed in his mouth.

In an instant, it felt as if flames erupted in his abdomen, fierce spiritual energy surging through his meridians. Lu Hewei couldn’t help but fall to his knees, feeling as if his body would burst apart. His face flushed red, then turned deathly pale from pain. His Sea of Consciousness indeed expanded, but the advancement in cultivation came with the agony of being torn apart, even his limbs felt scalded by boiling water.
Only pain is remembered clearly.

The Elixir refined by his father, unexpectedly, was just like his father-always bringing him endless suffering.

*

Inside the pitch-black cell, the Wuwo Sword finally broke the array. Chu Zaishuang slipped out, planning to take advantage of the lingering medicinal effects to find the unconscious Medicine Elder. After the Heavenly Treasure Weasel tested the medicine, it entered a weakened state. Once the effects wore off, she too would decline, so time was of the essence.

Ascending the ladder, daylight suddenly broke through. The cell was actually hidden in the dark part of the ship’s hold, which explained the swaying sensation earlier. Standing at the bow, Chu Zaishuang realized she was on a solitary boat. Apart from the boundless expanse of Spiritual Herb, there was no sign of anyone.

“Can you sense where the Medicine Elder is?”

[There’s probably a Magic Array; I can’t locate him right now. But there’s a boat not far away, similar to this one.]

“It might be another prison ship.” Chu Zaishuang plunged into the water. “It’s been so long, the Medicine Elder should be waking soon. As long as we release him, we can return.”

One Leaf for Qi Gathering, Two Leaves for Essence Condensation, Three Leaves Heart Bloom, Four Leaves Mind Insight, Five Leaves for Spirit Separation-each stage brought new abilities. After Six Leaves, cultivators reached the Transformation Realm, able to open their own space and create unique Transformation Realm Techniques, which varied according to their Primordial Spirit Flower.

Transformation Realm Techniques were exclusive spells unique to each cultivator, inaccessible to others, and served as trump cards for High-Level Cultivators. Before fighting, many tried to discern their opponent’s Primordial Spirit Flower, hoping to deduce their Transformation Realm Technique from its characteristics.

The Medicine Elder’s Primordial Spirit Flower was Licorice, which harmonized medicinal properties. His Transformation Realm Technique could neutralize all poisons and had terrifying restorative power. It was said that Yao Wensheng survived countless severe injuries in battle; as long as he had a breath left, he would struggle to his feet and return to his original state. Because of this, he was less guarded, relying on his unmatched skills.

At the time, the medicine Shan He used was mainly paralytic. It couldn’t kill Yao Wensheng, but it could render him unconscious and allow them to take him to the island for disposal.

Splashes churned beneath the boat, tossing up stray leaves and causing layers of white foam against the hull.

Chu Zaishuang swam to the side of the boat Xiao Shi mentioned, only to find it was quite large. Several iron chains anchored it to the water’s surface, and the giant ship was far from the shore, connected only by the chains, which occasionally clanged together.

Ancient script was carved into the planks, making it impossible to break through the hull directly-clearly another prison ship.

Confirming there was no one aboard, Chu Zaishuang hurriedly climbed in to search for the Medicine Elder, heading straight for the depths of the hold.

A prison door blocked her path, far sturdier than the Alchemy Room’s wooden door, without even a crack to be found.

“Damn, they’re much more cautious imprisoning him.” Chu Zaishuang looked around, probing with the Wuwo Sword, muttering, “It should be possible…”

[The iron chains outside are rattling! Someone’s approaching!]

Chu Zaishuang’s heart tightened. She wanted to find a place to hide, but there wasn’t even a panel on the ship. Suddenly, a gust of wind rose behind her; she nimbly dodged to the side, evading the attack as if she had eyes on her back!

Turning around, she saw the fierce face of her attacker. Her eyes flashed: “You?”

*

Elsewhere, Lu Hengzhou led his clan in a surprise attack on the main island. Not only did they fail to reach the Array Core, but they also fell into the enemy’s ambush. His plan had two steps: first, to raid Yao Wensheng and the medicine vault, threatening the island’s Spiritual Herb reserves; second, to gather cultivators and besiege the Array Core, using the opportunity to negotiate and redivide power.

As long as either step succeeded, there was a chance to turn the tables and force concessions.

Unexpectedly, Su Tingyun guarded the medicine vault, while Chu Chenyue had already stationed people at the Array Core. The Shuo Yu Array was ever-changing, and no one could break in!

She was also an Eight Leaves cultivator, far inferior to Su Tingyun-or so it seemed!

Killing intent surged, rain fell like pearls, instantly repelling the cultivators clad in black, grinding out layers of blood mist in the fierce whirlwind. Lu Hengzhou stood atop the Jade Alchemy Furnace, swept his hand forward, and the Jade Cauldron suddenly expanded, absorbing the crimson rain mist, narrowly escaping disaster.

Chu Chenyue interlocked her four fingers, facing Lu Hengzhou in the air, preparing to cast another spell. Seeing his shocked expression, she said calmly, “Is it so surprising? True, you’ve always thought my cultivation was low, and that only with Su Tingyun, a Nine Leaves, could I hold the position of Sect Leader.”

“But perhaps you don’t know-I used to be far more ruthless than him. Only after becoming a parent did I restrain myself, to set a proper example.”

Lu Hengzhou’s voice was fierce: “Chu Chenyue, so you’ve wanted to act all along, yet you always put on airs, spouting fake talk about joint management!”

“People often say, ‘Spare others when possible,’ but they rarely know the preceding line.” Chu Chenyue pointed with four fingers, suddenly unleashing the rain array, her voice cold: “The full line is, ‘Emerging from the cave, unmatched; spare others when possible!'”

With a thunderous roar, a swift Rain Dragon burst from the horizon. Torrential rain fell, striking the black-clad cultivators and eliciting cries of anguish. The Lotus Flower Sect cultivators, previously struggling, seized the momentum and rose with the Rain Dragon, quickly gaining the upper hand.

Chu Chenyue’s Transformation Realm unfolded, devouring the world, clashing directly with Lu Hengzhou’s pale gray spiritual energy, breaking through with clarity!

This was a duel between Eight Leaves cultivators-the Rain Dragon roared, engulfing the gray energy, and the outcome was decided in an instant!

“Lu Hengzhou, I’ve given you many chances, but mercy does not mean I’m easy to bully.”

*

Gray-yellow spiritual energy surged; Chu Zaishuang sensed the Fierce Wind’s power and dodged again with agility.

Wood chips flew behind her, but the prison door, reinforced with seals, remained unmoved. She stared warily at her attacker. She’d tried to break the door with the Wuwo Sword and was ambushed, never expecting to encounter someone she knew.

Lu Hewei saw her move as lightly as a swallow and sneered, “I noticed last time-your skills have improved. Doesn’t match your useless cultivation, does it?”

“Just a bit better than you. After all, you don’t even have a hand left, only a claw.” Chu Zaishuang eyed his bulging veins and sharp nails on his right hand, surprised. “That doesn’t look like a cultivator’s hand.”

She hadn’t recognized Lu Hewei at first because his appearance had changed drastically-not only was his expression ferocious, but his face was covered in fur, exposing sharp teeth, and his right hand had become a Werewolf Claw, no longer shaped like five fingers. His clothes were disheveled, but his aura was astonishing, as if he’d just advanced, his cultivation far surpassing their last encounter.

The once arrogant youth in white was now barely human.

“This is a gift from my father, to help me improve my cultivation. How could you possibly understand?” Lu Hewei didn’t seem to mind at all. He raised his wolf claw, showing off proudly, as if boasting about a jade pendant in the Lecture Hall. “Speaking of which, aren’t you the Sect Leader’s Daughter? Why are you always so shabby, without a single decent artifact? Could it be your cultivation is so useless that the Sect Leader only cares about Chu Bingxiao and has no time for you?”
He mocked, “Don’t you feel wronged? Your parents are the Sect Leader, but since childhood you haven’t gained any advantage, living just like an ordinary disciple. They’ve never given you anything.”

Since childhood, he had noticed that Chu Zaishuang and Chu Bingxiao were extremely modest. Perhaps the Sect Leader feared it would look bad, so the siblings were no different from ordinary disciples, rarely receiving privileges due to their background. The few exceptions included Chu Zaishuang entering the Lecture Hall at the early Three Leaves stage.

Chu Zaishuang nodded, “That’s true. My parents still can’t compare to your father. They never gave me anything, but they also never gave me a beating. Compared to you, my childhood has its regrets.”

Lu Hewei shouted, “Deep love brings strict discipline! What could a useless person like you possibly understand!?”

“I may be useless, but I can still tell the difference between love and perversion.” Chu Zaishuang looked him up and down slowly. “How pitiful.”

“What?”

She replied calmly, “You were never loved as a child, were you? That’s why you think my parents never gave me anything.”

Lu Hewei could only see external things-magical tools, elixirs, cultivation level. Anything intangible did not exist for him.

Yet in this world, there are many things that cannot be spoken or touched, but still exist.

“Nonsense!”

Lu Hewei was enraged by her words, unleashing a barrage of gray-yellow wind blades, attacking her fiercely.

The cabin was cramped, unsuitable for using the Sleeve Arrow. Chu Zaishuang felt the boat shudder and dashed toward the bow, widening the distance between them. “I told you last time, if you keep doing evil, I’ll watch you drown!”

“It’s you people who are too much! What have my father and I done wrong!?”

At the doorway, the Wuwo Sword raised an invisible cord. Lu Hewei, rushing after her, was caught off guard and stumbled, nearly falling before propping himself up with one hand. The whistling Sleeve Arrow flew at him, but was mercilessly slapped aside by his wolf claw, landing hard on the deck with a crisp sound!

[He’s suddenly so strong!] Xiao Shi exclaimed in shock, [Is this Four Leaves Mid Stage? Or Four Leaves Late Stage!?]

Chu Zaishuang recognized the familiar scene and suddenly understood, “He took the elixir they tested. Didn’t they say some elixirs cause limb transformations? The Taohuo Wolf Beast Cultivator was once used for testing.”

Lu Ge had said the formula was missing an ingredient and required frequent experimentation. The test subjects did not have the Twin Spirit Heart Flower, but by adjusting the dosage, they created another unknown elixir.

The heavy fog lifted-the test subject was the Alchemist from Qiandu Island, and the Divine Elixir was consumed by Lu Hewei.

The wolf claw repeatedly reached for her, but was repelled each time by the Wuwo Sword. Now, she had grown adept in battle, not only attacking with the Wuwo Sword but also defending skillfully, even occasionally using the Lotus Cloud Thirteen Forms!

With a shift of thought, following the Dao, her breath flowed along the sword. There was no need to release a killing aura-she could still defeat her enemy again and again!

Lu Hewei was repeatedly forced back by the invisible sword. Seeing his right arm sliced open and bleeding, he exclaimed, “This shouldn’t be your level…”

This shouldn’t be her level!

This shouldn’t be the level of early Three Leaves!

He had thought he could easily kill Chu Zaishuang, but who would have guessed she had hidden her strength from the very beginning, deceiving everyone since her initiation!

“No wonder you were so smug just now. Turns out your parents gave you a protective magical tool!” Lu Hewei did not understand the principle of the Wuwo Sword. He suddenly catalyzed the remaining elixir in his body and shouted, “But my power is far greater than this!”

This time, his left hand also transformed into a wolf’s paw, striking her and sending her flying!

The Wuwo Sword enveloped Chu Zaishuang’s body, but the shockwave still made her cough up blood. She quickly swallowed the remaining half of her elixir.

Both had taken elixirs, but Chu Zaishuang feared side effects and had only taken half during detoxification. Now, after a prolonged fight, she was nearing the period of weakness as the medicine waned. Su Hongli had said the whole pill was too potent to take at once and needed further refinement.

But now, there was no time to worry!

Perhaps the formula itself contained a curse, one that had killed its creator and led to the destruction of countless villages. Now, two types of elixirs had been concocted, and their users were locked in a deadly duel!

Chu Zaishuang used her left hand to wield the Wuwo Sword, constantly fending off increasingly fierce attacks. She felt her spiritual energy surge within, but a faint weakness began to show. She knew she had to end this quickly, but could not withdraw her left arm.

Lu Hewei had already realized her weapon was in her left hand and focused his defense there, no longer colliding with the blade.

In the midst of battle, she stayed alert to his attacks, but her mind wandered. She couldn’t help but move her right hand, occasionally clenching her fingers as if to assist her weakening left hand.

Why must the Wuwo Sword be used with the left hand? Couldn’t she use her right hand?

Was it because she didn’t carry a Sword? So she couldn’t wield dual swords like her father?

But the Wuwo Sword was formed by imagination, while the Youwo Sword required a physical object. That seemed unreasonable.

Suddenly, her father’s words echoed in her mind:

“The Youwo Sword is worldly, the Wuwo Sword is transcendent. Only when the two swords unite can one break through all things.”

In a flash of insight, Chu Zaishuang’s mind cleared. She swung out her right hand, joining it with the left and the Wuwo Sword, not knowing what she had unleashed, only pouring all her strength into a strike at Lu Hewei!

Perhaps, neither Youwo nor Wuwo required a physical blade-only mortals failed to grasp the sword intent, and thus could not wield the invisible twin swords!

Lu Hewei was used to her single sword. He barely dodged the first strike and was about to counterattack, but the second sword struck him squarely between the brows, and he let out a wail as blood splattered!