Journey to the head

Chapter 861 You Belong to Me
Hai Yiwei's expression softened slightly, but he still reprimanded sternly: "Foolish! You've already stepped halfway into the demonic path! Curses erode the mind, corrupt the soul, and create dependence. In the end, it's like drinking poison to quench thirst; you'll inevitably lose control and become a demon!"

"I have traversed thousands of years and have seen countless self-righteous individuals who manipulate curses. Without exception, they all fell into demonic possession, beyond the help of even the gods! Don't think you're any special!"

"If you still want my approval, you must never use curses again!"

Lu Qian channeled his mental power to forcefully suppress the chilling sensation lingering in his soul. He had used curses several times and had firsthand experience of their dangers, but he usually only did so as a last resort. Now, hearing Hai Yiwei's rebuke and needing his help, he bowed and agreed.

"Wei Shuai's lesson is correct. Today, he made an exception to expose the hidden enemy, but he will not act rashly in the future."

"It's not that I won't move, it's that I absolutely cannot move!" Hai Yiwei glared at Lu Qian, holding the guiding blood bead in his hand. "I'm afraid what you said before about sacrificing your lifespan to kill a great demon with a primordial spirit was also done using a curse technique?"

Seeing that Lu Qian remained silent, Hai Yiwei stood up.

"I've changed my mind. I can't just listen to Yao Yao's side of the story. I need to see what your strength is really like!"

"You possess spiritual power, which is why, with your late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, your mental power can reach the Divine Realm. Based on this, you must have some methods. And you previously said that the person who cast the spell had mental power similar to yours?"

He narrowed his eyes, and a chilling killing intent filled the quiet room.

"I will find the one who cast the spell and bring him to you. You can fight to the death, but you cannot use curses again! If you can kill him, I will take you into the Hai family and to the Dragon Palace. If you cannot kill him, hah..."

"This is the test I'm giving you!"

Before Lu Qian could respond, he strode out the door.

Late at night, in a small building near the entrance of the Jade Pot Island formation.

Mi Mengyin sat in the shadows, her hand reaching into the moonlight streaming through the window. A lifelike ice sculpture shimmered in the moonlight in her palm.

She had long, light blue hair, a slender and graceful figure, and a pair of bright and lovely big eyes on her exquisitely beautiful face.

It was Hai Shuangyao, shimmering with a holy radiance under the moonlight.

Mi Mengyin's breathing gradually picked up, turning into excited panting. Her hands began to tremble, and a sickly longing appeared on her beautiful face.

She suspended the statue in the moonlight, took out her treasured storage bag from her bosom, and carefully took out a strand of severed hair, a tattered piece of clothing, and a small piece of ice crystal stained with frozen blood.

These nights were too lonely and cold; only these treasured spoils could bring her comfort and excitement. She caressed and savored them repeatedly, letting out soft moans.

Shuangyao, my silly girl, it's been so long since we last met, and I'm starting to miss you again.

I want to feel the excruciating pain of your viscera being eroded by your extreme cold spiritual power. I want to see the icicles cut new bloodstains on your fair skin and hear your muffled groans of anger and pain. I will tremble with excitement.

Yes, that's it, Shuangyao. We'll suffer together, we'll sink together. These entanglements you can never shake off are proof of our love.

My childhood memories are of the relentless cold winds of the polar island and the cold, emotionless faces in the council chamber. Strict clan rules, brutal competition, and the law of the jungle—survival of the fittest—were ingrained in our very bones.

The way my father looked at me was less like he was looking at his daughter and more like he was assessing a tool. Siblings? They were competitors to be wary of, to be trampled on. Warmth? That was a laughable and deadly luxury that only the weak needed.

The world is supposed to be this cold and hard, except for—Hai Shuangyao.

It was a grand party, and she was like a little sun that had wandered into an icy plain, wearing a pale yellow dress adorned with pearls, her laughter so clear it could shatter ice crystals.

Her father, Hai Yiwei, a commander known for his iron-fisted and ruthless nature, looked at her with undisguised doting eyes, bending down to patiently listen to her childish ramblings. Her great-grandfather, the Grandmaster of Void Refinement, even made a face at her, making her giggle.

At that moment, I stood in the shadows, wearing the cold, stiff dark blue robes, feeling utterly insignificant. Everything she possessed represented my deepest, most secret, and most fervent desires, a distant shore I could never reach.

Why?! Why can she be so naive, so unrestrained, so bright?
I've set my sights on her, on a treasure that doesn't belong to my own world.

At that time, in order to cope with the pressure of the palace and the clan, the Mi and Hai families began a honeymoon period of feigned affection. The younger generation interacted frequently, played together, and went on trips to gain experience, which became my best opportunity.

I would deliberately knock the spirit fruit from her hand, kick her carefully constructed snow castle to pieces, and mock her dress with the most vicious words I could think of. I looked forward to seeing her feel wronged, to seeing her cry, to seeing the dazzling light on her face dim.

But this silly girl, she's the silliest, most stupid person in the world. She just pauses for a moment, then either clumsily restores everything, or glares at me angrily and says, "Mi Mengyin, you're so annoying!"

Her reaction annoyed me, made me feel powerless, and made me even more jealous.

Why?! Why can you be so indifferent when you're being bullied?!
As I've grown older and my spiritual practice has deepened, we've had more opportunities to meet. Each time we meet, provocation and teasing have become my fixed ritual.

I found that when she blushed at my mockery, was embarrassed by my attacks, and when my image was reflected in her clear eyes, she felt so happy.

I have left my mark on this pure, white, and luminous existence.

Thus, she and I shared the light.

However, Shuangyao's cultivation level began to increase rapidly.

She was loved by her grandparents and father, and she had more than enough resources to enjoy for her cultivation. Unlike me, she didn't have to fight for fresh meat among wolves.

When we met again, she easily defeated me.

No, how can I lose her? How can I go back to the darkness?

So I began to use every means at my disposal: my beauty, my allure, my body, my status as the legitimate daughter of the Mi family—all were merely tools for me to acquire resources.

I began to stand out among the younger generation of the Mi family, and I began to be recognized by the Mi family patriarch "Tianhe Zhenjun" and could call him Great-Grandfather.

Finally, in the next battle, I defeated Shuangyao.

The most exciting moment for me is when she is severely injured and unable to resist, and can only glare at me angrily with her clear and bright eyes.

I find flattering men disgusting, but crushing Hai Shuangyao's innocent and naive expression brings an unprecedented sense of satisfaction to my empty heart.

My heart was pounding uncontrollably, and I trembled as I reached the peak. Yes, that's the feeling!
The panting, groans, and cries of pain during the battle sounded like pure joy to me. The clash of spiritual energy, the clashing of spells, the mingling of sweat and blood—these were proof of our close bond. I, too, had tried with all my might to break free from her control, to sever this connection, and to reclaim myself.

However, during that trial in the secret realm, in order to compete for a rare spiritual herb, I was severely injured by a sea monster and was left barely alive, hiding in a mountain cave.

I thought I would disappear silently into some corner, like many other members of the failed Mi family.

But fate had other plans, and it was actually that silly girl Hai Shuangyao who discovered and saved me.

Why is she always so naive, so innocent, so foolish!
I had been bullying and attacking her all along; I was her enemy. Yet she fed me a elixir and helped heal my injuries. In my hazy state of consciousness, I felt the warmth of her fingers.

So, as soon as my injuries healed slightly, I immediately thanked her for saving my life with the most vicious words, and then left. But the scenes from those days were etched into my mind like a nightmare. I found myself uncontrollably recalling that moment, yearning for that touch of tenderness.

This longing filled me with even greater fear and loathing; it was more unbearable than my defeat at her hands!

From then on, our battle escalated. I will fight with all my might to possess her and to connect her with me forever!
Every time we both suffer, it's a perfect encounter for me. When I lie on the cold ground, feeling the excruciating pain of her wounds, and knowing that she is enduring the pain I've caused, I feel a long-lost peace and contentment.

Shuangyao and I are together without any barriers between us.

I gained insight into my true nature earlier than my peers in the Mi family, thus advancing to the Nascent Soul realm more quickly.

Because possessing Shuangyao is my true desire. My life goal is to pull this light into my shadow and let it be tinged with my colors.

Shuangyao, I love you so deeply. Your hatred is my best nourishment, your pain is my sweetest trophy. As long as I live, we are destined to be entangled like this, or perhaps, let us die together.

Upon learning that you possessed the Ascension Token, I immediately mobilized all my resources, selling everything I could, and finally obtained one token.

I will never be separated from you.

But now, the treasure certificate is lost, and I have been convicted of it, expelled from the main branch, and forced to marry some nasty country bumpkin, becoming a tool for the family to control him.

I will absolutely not let that happen!

Hai Shuangyao, you belong only to me, and I belong only to you!
Mi Mengyin clapped her hands together, crushing Hai Shuangyao's ice sculpture to pieces, and the flush on her face slowly faded.

But now, things are not looking good.

Lu Qian is incredibly good at hiding his tracks; he hasn't revealed his whereabouts yet. With the departure date fast approaching, I absolutely refuse to believe he's not anxious!
Moreover, although Hai Shuangyao is under house arrest, she will definitely do her best to help Lu Qian. With her support, Hai Yiwei's intervention is a foregone conclusion.

Lu Qian has probably already infiltrated Jade Pot Island through some means.

As time drags on, the hope of Mijia reclaiming the coupons becomes increasingly slim, and the worst is about to happen. I must find a way to break this deadlock.

No matter what, you should not be used as a tool for family alliances and forced to marry a disgusting man!
With a slight thought, she put away everything at hand, and the door was pushed open heavily. Mi Mengcheng walked in with a gloomy expression.

"Mi Mengyin, have you discovered something?"

Mi Mengyin shook her head pitifully, while Mi Mengcheng sneered: "Back then, you confidently claimed that your monitoring method was more efficient, and the elders believed your nonsense and arranged for us to be here. But now... I think we can take you back right away."

Mi Mengyin sighed: "Big brother, you know my abilities. With my innate divine power, the Mystic Mirror Avatar, nothing can escape my notice, no matter how subtle the movement. Moreover, I have indeed discovered some interesting things."

Now, the twelve illusory, invisible avatars of Xuanbing have woven a dense net, keeping watch on the entrances and exits, as well as those worthy of attention.

"For example, besides us, the Hai family's Ninghai Army has also set up sentries here. A few days ago, a lone Nascent Soul cultivator from the Hai family came here. They seem to belong to two different factions, which is worth pondering—"

"Shut up!" Mi Mengcheng said disdainfully. "You talk a good game, but what's the use? I'll just ask you, have you found any trace of Lu Qian?"

Just as Mi Mengyin was about to answer, her expression suddenly changed, and she stood up in surprise.

"There's movement!"

"The Hai family's navy has secretly captured that Nascent Soul cultivator from the Hai family!"

Mi Mengcheng's face fell. He had just heard a noise and thought it was Lu Qian appearing, but it turned out to be this.

He roared, "What does the Hai family arresting their own people have to do with this! If you don't get anything out of this soon, I'll report this to the family and have you detained again!"

Mi Mengyin cursed the idiot in her heart, her eyes flashing with anger as she narrowed them.

"I'm certain that Ning Haijun is looking for Lu Qian, and that Nascent Soul cultivator from the Hai family is also looking for Lu Qian, but they're not on the same side! Ning Haijun wants to save Lu Qian, while that person is doing the opposite. Now that Ning Haijun's people are arresting that person, what does that mean?"

"Ning Haijun has most likely already found out Lu Qian's whereabouts, and may even have taken him away!"

Before Mi Mengcheng could react, Mi Mengyin's supernatural clone responded again.

Mi Mengyin suddenly stood up: "Ning Haijun rode out of Yuhu Island in a cloud chariot; that's Hai Yiwei's vehicle!"

"Brother, let's follow them immediately. If we find anything, you'll be credited!"

Mi Mengcheng was overjoyed, then suddenly turned around and grabbed Mi Mengyin by the throat.

"You tricked me last time, and now you're promising to let me get the credit. What are you plotting?"

Mi Mengyin's face flushed red as she said with difficulty, "Times have changed. Whether I inform the family now and ask others to pursue it, or you, brother, track it down, what difference does it make to me, a person who is guilty, who gets the credit?"

"Why not give the credit to my elder brother? After all, we're related by blood. Besides, the family sent you to guard me, so I hope you'll treat me well."

Mi Mengcheng released her grip and sternly rebuked the disheveled Mi Mengyin: "You won't last more than a few rounds against me. Don't take any chances. If you try anything again this time, I'll kill you!"

"let's go!"

(End of this chapter)