The scourge of demonic beasts has long plagued the region of Qingcheng.
Shu Fu didn’t know much about the "Qiongqi," only that the battle to exterminate it years ago had been exceptionally brutal. Tong Yao had perished, the Tong clan had declined, and the original host of her body had suffered greatly as a result.
Jiang Ruoshui’s misfortunes could be attributed half to the Qiongqi and half to the idiocy of the Jiang family.
As for the rest, she was completely in the dark.
And so, Shu Fu, carrying a belly full of questions, followed Jiang Xuesheng and Liu Ruyi through the bustling streets, listening as they recounted the whole story amid the clamor of the marketplace.
...
The Qiongqi’s first rampage occurred roughly seven or eight years ago.
At that time, the three great cultivation clans—the Qi, Jiang, and Tong families—stood in a tripartite balance around Qingcheng, each guarding their own territory without encroaching on the others. The three clans coexisted harmoniously, never overstepping boundaries or clashing over resources or influence, earning widespread admiration.
Yet, in the midst of this peace and prosperity, the demonic beast "Qiongqi"—a winged, tiger-like creature—suddenly emerged, abducting a commoner from the Tong family’s domain.
The Tong clan, known for their righteousness, immediately dispatched disciples to hunt down the beast’s lair upon hearing of its attack. But their efforts vanished without a trace, yielding no results.
Days later, a disciple discovered a bloodstained scene in the outskirts, along with a shattered Tong family insignia.
The Tong patriarch was furious, vowing bloody vengeance—but it was all for naught.
Because they simply couldn’t find the Qiongqi.
You see, though the beast seemed brazen, it was eerily elusive. Every so often, it would swoop into the city, snatch someone, and vanish without a trace, leaving behind no scent or trail, as if it had evaporated into thin air.
The Tong family repeatedly came up empty-handed, failing even to catch a glimpse of the beast. Not only did they lose face, but their gates were splattered with paint by grieving families of the victims.
It was said the Qiongqi "resembled a tiger and delighted in devouring humans." Those it took were never heard from again—no bodies, no remains—clearly sacrificed to the beast’s insatiable appetite, leaving not even ashes behind.
Faced with such horrors, who could remain calm?
Even more terrifying, the Qiongqi grew increasingly ravenous. At first, it took only one person at a time, but soon it began abducting entire households, treating the surrounding hundred miles as its personal larder.
Over time, its demonic power and size swelled. Initially no larger than an ordinary tiger, it eventually grew as tall as an elephant, with skin like bronze and bones like iron, impervious to ordinary cultivators’ attacks.
Then, one day, the now-colossal Qiongqi stormed into the Tong family’s territory, spewing flames, burning and slaughtering as it turned their peaceful haven into a living hell. In mere moments, pavilions and towers were reduced to ashes, flames and blood staining half the sky, painting a scene straight from the underworld.
At this critical juncture, the Qi family’s patriarch was struck by a rare heavenly tribulation, his disciples scattered and incapacitated by the lightning, unable to lend aid. Meanwhile, the Jiang family claimed their "patriarch was in seclusion, leaving no one to make decisions," refusing to intervene no matter what.
Left isolated, the Tong family could only muster their entire clan for a desperate battle, ending in mutual destruction and the near-extinction of their lineage.
Tong Yao, concerned for her kin, rushed to their aid alone—and never returned.
...
"Ever since then, the Tong family seemed to be plagued by misfortune, encountering one disaster after another until they gradually faded into obscurity."
Liu Ruyi sighed softly, her once-bright eyes dimming slightly. "The Tongs were known for their unyielding, indomitable spirit, and Tong Yao was the most formidable among them. If possible, I would have liked to be her friend."
—Unyielding, indomitable.
Shu Fu rolled these words over her tongue, recalling the overwhelming force of the sword technique "Lone Radiance," and felt a flicker of respect for this "mother" she had never met.
It was a pity that, though she had inherited Lone Radiance, she couldn’t wield it with mastery—always falling just short of its true essence.
"But the Qiongqi is already dead, isn’t it?"
Once the two had finished recounting their story, Shu Fu immediately voiced her doubt. "You mentioned capturing the Qiongqi—what did you mean by that?"
"True. The Qiongqi that once wreaked havoc was indeed slain by Tong Yao’s sword."
Liu Ruyi gave a slight nod. "However, in recent months, rumors have resurfaced in Qingcheng about 'monsters abducting people.' According to descriptions, the creature bears an exact resemblance to the Qiongqi, only smaller, as if it hasn’t fully matured yet."
Shu Fu frowned. "What about the Jiang and Qi families? With the Tongs gone, are they doing nothing?"
"The Qi family’s main lineage is obsessed with swordsmanship—they care little for worldly affairs, spending their days either meditating or dueling with masters. As for the branch families…"
Liu Ruyi’s lips curled with faint mockery, lending her delicate features an unexpectedly sharp edge. "Well, you’ve seen what they’re like."
"..."
Recalling Qi Xinlei’s "graceful demeanor," Shu Fu couldn’t decide whether to roll her eyes or laugh, her expression caught between the two.
"So, the Qi family’s upper ranks are all single-minded fools who don’t lift a finger. Meanwhile, the lower ranks run wild with no one to rein them in."
She digested the situation and summed it up succinctly: "A crooked branch grows from a withered tree—they’re doomed sooner or later."
"More or less."
Liu Ruyi nodded in agreement, then added airily, as if an afterthought, "As for the Jiang family… best not to mention them."
Shu Fu blinked, sensing that Liu Ruyi’s tone when she said "best not to mention them" carried the unspoken implication: "I’m not singling anyone out—I mean every last one of them is trash."
Jiang Xuesheng, ever the picture of patience, explained gently, "The Jiangs prioritize profit. Unless someone offers them a hefty sum, they won’t lift a finger either."
Shu Fu: "..."
Are these supposed to be cultivation clans, or just local gangsters collecting protection money?
"Precisely because the Jiang and Qi families are unreliable, we decided to come here ourselves."
Jiang Xuesheng paused before continuing in his mild voice, "The battle against the Tongs was brutal—we heard of it and never forgot. Recently, while traveling, we caught wind of these rumors and came to investigate, hoping to rid the region of this menace."
Liu Ruyi said breezily, "From the rumors, this 'Qiongqi' is likely just a juvenile, nothing to fear. Once we locate its nest, the two of us should have no trouble dealing with it."
"..."
Shu Fu listened quietly, her expression unchanged, but inwardly, she was already running the numbers.
If they could capture the Qiongqi beast, it would serve three purposes at once: upholding justice by eliminating a threat to the people, avenging the original host’s grievances, and securing a recommendation letter to join one of the Four Great Sects—truly killing three birds with one stone.
With experienced hands leading the way, the mission wasn’t overly difficult for a beginner’s task.
Shu Fu mulled it over and felt she owed Tong Yao a debt of gratitude, directly or indirectly. By all accounts, she ought to accompany them on this venture.
Liu Ruyi welcomed the idea warmly, and Jiang Xuesheng raised no objections, so the matter was settled pleasantly.
“The most recent sighting of Qiongqi was near the ‘Hidden Wood Forest’ south of the city. It’s said that in the past, Qiongqi’s unexplained disappearances also occurred around that area. There may be something peculiar about that forest.”
Jiang Xuesheng gave meticulous instructions, thorough to the point of being fussy. “After nightfall, we’ll investigate the forest. Shu Fu, the Hidden Wood Forest is shrouded in miasma. Take these Clear Mind Pills with you, just in case.”
Shu Fu didn’t refuse. Accepting the vial, she thanked him.
Jiang Xuesheng added, “Qiongqi is ferocious by nature, and your foundation isn’t deep yet. It’s best to prepare more protective artifacts. There are a few shops in Qingcheng with excellent quality and craftsmanship, and their designs are quite fashionable—the kind female cultivators tend to favor. Liu Ruyi, take her to browse.”
“Understood. You sure know how to charm a lady,” Liu Ruyi drawled, stifling a yawn before tugging at Shu Fu’s sleeve to pull her along. “You’re perfect in every way, little girl, except your style is too plain—like a bowl of bland broth. Come, let me spruce you up.”
“That’s really not necessary—”
Before Shu Fu could finish her polite refusal, she was already half a street away, dragged along helplessly.
……
The shops Jiang Xuesheng mentioned were located in Qingcheng’s liveliest district, the western quarter, resembling something of a modern shopping street.
Shu Fu first made a detour back to the inn to explain the situation to Fangfei, who had been waiting, and repeatedly warned her not to follow. After all, there was no telling whether the tragedy from the original storyline might strike elsewhere. Then, she followed Liu Ruyi to their destination.
Liu Ruyi, clearly familiar with the city after prior explorations, led her confidently into a store and waved a hand airily. “Pick whatever you like. Consider it my welcome gift.”
Shu Fu hastily waved her off. “I have some savings, there’s no need—”
Before she could finish, a shrill female voice cut in like a blade scraping against her eardrums: “Oh? If it isn’t the distinguished disciple of Xuanyu Palace! Even a grand sect like yours deigns to shop in our humble little store?”
“...”
Shu Fu rubbed her ear and reluctantly turned to look.
Whether it was “fate’s cruel irony” or “just as expected,” there stood Qi Xinlei, clad in fiery red robes, her sharp chin tilted high and eyes sweeping disdainfully—as if she were trying to strike a pose of lofty superiority.
Except she was overdoing it. The effect was less “aloof majesty” and more “threatening to impale someone with her chin.”
This girl’s mental resilience is impressive, Shu Fu mused.
If it were her, after being publicly humiliated by Liu Ruyi in the teahouse earlier, she wouldn’t have been able to hold her chin this high.
Judging by Miss Qi’s demeanor, she must have reclaimed her sense of superiority somewhere, conveniently wiping away the shame from half an hour ago to resume her haughty act.
Sure enough, her next words were: "Brother Xuan heard I was upset, so he brought me to the shop to pick out a few magical artifacts. He told me not to worry about the cost and just buy the most expensive ones."
She even let out a disdainful "hmph" through her nose, practically wearing the words "I have a brother, do you?" on her face.
Ah, so she had gone crying to the male lead.
Shu Fu mused to herself, "This male lead is quite the central air conditioner, treating every little sister so well," while smiling and nodding at Qi Xinlei. "Got it, you do your shopping. We're just strangers passing by—no need to report every purchase to me."
Qi Xinlei choked on her words: "You—!"
Without waiting for her to erupt, Shu Fu tugged at Liu Ruyi's sleeve and turned to examine the shelves. "Liu Ruyi, what’s this?"
"A bracelet made of fire-patterned jade. Mediocre quality, not worth much."
Liu Ruyi rattled off the details effortlessly, her slender fingers gliding over the merchandise. "If you want a bracelet, you should take a look at this one. Premium Kunlun jade—deep green, like a fragment of a mountain stream wrapped around your wrist. It also has a calming effect. Feel it, isn’t it cool to the touch?"
Shu Fu was tempted and reached out, but before she could touch it, a hand swooped in and snatched the jade bracelet away.
"Shopkeeper, I’ll take this."
Qi Xinlei’s voice was crisp and bright, and she shot them a triumphant glance. "Name your price—I can afford it. You do business in Qingcheng; surely you know who I am?"
Well, she was dead set on ruining their shopping trip.
Based on Shu Fu’s reading experience, villainesses usually came with a "self-destruct" buff—they’d always show off in front of the protagonist, only to get flattened and left writhing on the ground. It seemed this world followed the same rule.
Ah, what a pointless struggle.
Shu Fu wasn’t particularly angry. She and Qi Xinlei despised each other, so it was only natural they’d find ways to annoy one another. They had already gotten under Qi Xinlei’s skin, so it was fair game for her to retaliate.
There was no reasoning in these things—it was all about who could outdo the other. As long as your move was more irritating and left the other party more miserable, you won.
And when it came to that, Shu Fu had full confidence.
She quickly whispered to Liu Ruyi, and after exchanging a nod, they turned and headed to a smaller shop next door.
Liu Ruyi scanned the shelves, picked up a pair of pearl earrings, and smiled. "Shu Fu, look at these—"
"I’ll take them!"
A haughty voice cut in—no surprise, it was Qi Xinlei, relentless as ever, driven by her self-destruct buff to follow them into the shop.
Liu Ruyi arched a brow and smiled. "Fine, they’re yours. Shu Fu looks good in anything, so we can afford to be picky."
She then pointed at a jade hairpin. "See this one—"
"I’ll take it!"
"This phoenix hairpin with gold filigree—"
"I’ll take it!"
"This gem-studded necklace with seven-colored jewels—"
"I’ll take it!"
...
After this back-and-forth, Qi Xinlei, with her deep pockets, had claimed nearly half the jewelry in the shop, her declarations swift and decisive.
The plump shopkeeper grinned from ear to ear, personally wrapping each piece while bowing repeatedly, bobbing like a round, jolly ball.
A mountain of gold and jewels lay piled together, their dazzling brilliance nearly blinding to the eyes. Miss Qi’s vanity was immensely satisfied, her cheeks flushing a healthy pink as she lifted her chin even higher.
The shopkeeper, sensing the undercurrents of tension between them, hurried to flatter her: "Such fine treasures only truly shine when worn by someone like Miss Qi. Those with plain looks and vulgar dispositions could never do them justice."
"Quite right. For common folk like us, simple stones and bones are more than enough."
Liu Ruyi smiled faintly, offering a slight curtsy before turning on her heel and striding toward the door. "Let’s go. We should find a place more suited to our tastes."
Qi Xinlei blinked in surprise. "You’re not buying anything?"
Liu Ruyi did not answer, her figure already vanishing beyond the threshold with a graceful flicker.
Just then, Shu Fu piped up with an air of innocent curiosity, "Fellow Cultivator Liu, those pearl earrings you showed me earlier—are they truly rare?"
"Naturally, they are rare," Liu Ruyi replied, her eyes crinkling with deeper amusement. "In the East Sea, there’s a type of flatfish whose eyes are pure white, without a single blemish. After death, their eyes roll back, hardening into jade-like stones that people fashion into jewelry. And come midnight, those eyes will still be staring right at you."
Without waiting for Shu Fu to ask further, she launched into a rapid-fire explanation:
"That phoenix hairpin adorned with gold? It’s merely gold-plated—and not even with real gold, but a juice extracted from ‘golden grass’ that mimics the real thing. Wear it long enough, though, and yellow spots will bloom across your skin, lingering for years."
"That gem-studded necklace? The stones are of the lowest grade, merely soaked repeatedly in the blood of a demon beast called the ‘Jade Hare of Qiongzhi.’ It makes them appear flawless and radiant. But the scent of the hare’s blood lingers. In the city, it’s harmless, but venture into the wild, and you’ll likely be swarmed by a horde of furious hares biting you to death."
"That bracelet—"
"That jade hairpin—"
...
Finally, she sighed softly. "These are all novel little trinkets, amusing in their own way, but hardly beneficial to one’s health. I only wanted you to see them, not to buy them."
Shu Fu: "..."
She knew it would be wild, but not this wild! The rabbits in the cultivation world were downright terrifying! Were these the legendary steel-toothed bunnies?!
Qi Xinlei: "..."
She had known none of this.
And she had bought all of it.
