Chapter 44: Emperor Xiaoyao Absorbs the Soul Fragment

In truth, Leng Qingqiu learned of the Great Vehicle demon’s escape too late.
When Calamity Plague Emperor broke the seal, it slaughtered the nearby Empress’ guards.
By the time Hanyuan Dynasty noticed, half a day had passed.
In that window, the demon had turned surrounding villages and all living beings into life essence…
The situation was dire.

Leng Qingqiu sent Xia Baiqian to the area to suppress lesser threats and prevent further harm.
She planned to escort Chu Huaizhou back to the sect, then head to the palace to prepare for a decisive battle with the demon.
Chu Huaizhou refused—how could he let his disciples clean up while he sat safely behind?
What kind of master would he be?
He insisted on joining them on the front lines.
At the very least, he could briefly become a Tribulation-stage cultivator again!
He could unleash corresponding might.
Though he doubted the Nine Luminaries Abyss Ring’s dim-witted spirit could recognize his true cultivation in that fleeting moment and craft suitable techniques, he remained skeptical.
The priority now was returning Emperor Xiaoyao’s soul fragment to see if he could restore Chu Huaizhou’s strength.
Seeing his resolve, Leng Qingqiu sighed and agreed to fetch him after preparations.

This led to the scene at the sect.
Ye Feng, seeing the great sect master prioritize her over… chatting with Bai Li, felt her heart skip.
Instinctively pressing her thighs together, she fidgeted with her hair.
Despite being a capable cultivator, she felt like a lovestruck college girl—her pre-transmigration self, a dorm-bound anime fan.
Having a top-tier idol like Chu Huaizhou seek her out…
“Master…”
As he approached, his striking face close, Ye Feng’s mind spun with CEO-romance tropes:
Overbearing Sect Master Loves Me
Transmigrated and Pampered by the Top Immortal
My Master Keeps Trying to Overstep
Classic web-novel plots flooded her brain.
Her face flushed, voice a shy mumble.
“W-What’s up, Master? Coming to me so suddenly… I-I’m not… it’s too sudden…”

Bai Li, initially numb behind them, exploded, her white fur puffing up, nine tails fanning like a peacock.
Seriously? I, so cute, beautiful, generous, and gentle, run to you, and you don’t even glance, meow?!
“Hmph!”
She gnashed her teeth, pretending to chomp Chu Huaizhou, then tilted her head skyward, feigning interest in clouds.
Tch, I didn’t want your hug anyway! You’re so fake!
But the emotional whiplash hit hard. Stiffly turning, ears perked, she eavesdropped.
Seeing him gaze gently at the blushing Ye Feng, she switched to battle mode.
“Meowww! Human, I’m mad, meow!”
She leaped again. This time, Chu Huaizhou didn’t dodge, letting her cling to his back.
Her hind legs kicked, propelling her to his front.
Smiling wryly, he caught her, steadying her in his arms.
Bai Li’s front paws balled into fists, pummeling his chest.
“You were taken by bad women for days! I was so worried, and you don’t even come to me first, meow…”
“I’m done with you, meow!”
Her words were sharp, but her tails wrapped his wrist, refusing to let go.

Chu Huaizhou, bemused, glanced at Ye Feng, who was blushing and fidgeting.
Is this kid lovesick? She’s changed so much.
Bai Li’s tantrum made him chuckle.
Stroking her fluffed fur, he said, “Alright, Bai Li, I’m sorry. But now’s not the time.”
Bai Li: “What’s more important? Ye Feng, meow?! No way! I won’t allow it, meow!”
Chu Huaizhou: “Qingqiu’s seal broke. Calamity Plague Emperor escaped!”
Bai Li: “So it escaped, meow, what’s the—MEOW?!”
Her playful punches stopped, eyes wide with shock.

Ye Feng, confused by their exchange, raised her hand.
“Uh… Masters, what are you talking about?”
Chu Huaizhou waved it off.
“No big deal, just a peak late Great Vehicle demon broke its seal and is wreaking havoc.”
Ye Feng: “Huh?!”

No time to explain—time was tight.
From Leng Qingqiu’s storage ring, he pulled out the ancient青-green cauldron and got to the point.
“Ye Feng, try activating the soul in your ring. This cauldron holds its fragment.”
“Uh… okay…”
Ye Feng was still lost, questions swirling. Where did the soul fragment come from?
Chu Huaizhou was a Tribulation-stage powerhouse with Great Vehicle disciples—why fear a peak Great Vehicle demon?
Legends painted him as invincible, domineering.
But urgency was clear, even Bai Li’s childish demeanor quieted.
The demon must be special.
Sigh, I want to be strong, fight alongside Master for justice.
As a transmigrator, she had no system, and hadn’t played Black Abyss, the game she’d crossed into, only hearing of it.

Ye Feng channeled spiritual energy into her ring, its surface emitting green glimmers.
Chu Huaizhou pressed the cauldron to it. The moment they touched, he felt something mystical drain from the cauldron.
Soon, it flowed into the ring, the cauldron’s divine aura fading.
Its former trait—guaranteed success for third-grade-and-below pills—was likely gone.
No matter—he had little but spirit stones, pills, strength, and a spiritual pet.
Tossing the cauldron aside, he looked expectantly at the ring.
But it didn’t react as hoped.
The green glow flared, then dimmed, returning to its plain state.
He glanced at Ye Feng, both staring awkwardly.
Ye Feng: “Uh… Emperor Xiaoyao says… it’ll take a month to digest and wake up…”