Chapter 64: Please Don't Eat Me

The system had told them that the world they inhabited was merely the story within a book, and this book unfolded based on the adventures of its male lead. The male lead was the very core of the book, its most crucial element; if he were to perish, the entire story would collapse.

Right now, Yi Tianling lay stiff as a corpse, his face pale as a ghost, bearing no resemblance to a living man. Ning Xianyu was terrified; she dragged and hauled Yi Tianling back, crying out desperately for help. After shouting twice with no answer, she was so frightened she nearly burst into tears.

Xuan Yuan Tunhan stormed out of the house in a fury, only to see her in a panic, clutching Yi Tianling as if she had just lost a loved one.

"Why are you making such a commotion?"

For reasons he couldn’t explain, her anxiety inexplicably irritated him.

Ning Xianyu cried out anxiously, "Ancestor, please look, he’s dead, he’s dead!"

Great Demon Lord, save him! The male lead is the soul of the book—without him, this world will fall apart, and you’ll be doomed as well.

Xuan Yuan Tunhan grew even more irritable and snapped, "He’s still alive."

Alive?

Ning Xianyu let go and pointed at Yi Tianling. "Look, he’s covered in frost."

How could an icicle like this possibly be alive? Even with her limited knowledge, she couldn’t be fooled.

Poor Yi Tianling, the supposed male lead, received no respect at all, tossed to the ground like rubbish—pitiful indeed.

Xuan Yuan Tunhan looked over with equal disdain, glanced twice, and repeated, "Alive."

Ning Xianyu wanted to get closer to check, but the Demon Lord simply picked up Yi Tianling and threw him into another room.

She tried to follow, but was promptly driven out.

[System, what’s the Demon Lord doing in there?]

The system replied, [If you’re brave enough, put on your glasses and see for yourself.]

Ning Xianyu considered it, but her hands trembled.

After a while, the Demon Lord emerged.

"He’s not dead. Don’t go in. He’ll be fine in a month."

Ning Xianyu asked with concern, "He really won’t die? He’ll recover in a month?"

Xuan Yuan Tunhan retorted angrily, "Or would you rather save him yourself?"

This woman could barely protect her own life, yet worried so much about others.

Ning Xianyu thought for a moment before smiling awkwardly, "I wouldn’t dare. Ancestor, you’re so powerful—whatever you say must be right."

She gave him a thumbs-up, gesturing her admiration.

Xuan Yuan Tunhan snorted and went back inside.

Ning Xianyu trotted after him, asking, "Ancestor, does this mean we’ll stay here for a month, waiting for Yi Tianling to wake up?"

Xuan Yuan Tunhan said nothing, but didn’t deny it. That likely meant yes.

Ning Xianyu scratched her head. "So… what do we do next?"

He lifted his eyelids. "Wait. When the time comes, we’ll switch back to our own bodies."

The words "switch back" were said through gritted teeth, making Ning Xianyu feel as if her neck was about to snap.

She rubbed her neck and asked softly, "Ancestor, didn’t you go to the Demon Realm for the Blood Source Stone? Is it really useless to you?"

Judging by his foul mood, it seemed the stone truly was of no use.

After all his efforts, only to fail repeatedly—she’d be upset too.

Xuan Yuan Tunhan fixed her with a cold stare. "What are you trying to say?"

Ning Xianyu gave a fawning smile. "I just meant, why did you return the Blood Source Stone so easily?"

After working so hard to seize it, why not study it further?

Xuan Yuan Tunhan replied icily, "The Blood Source Stone belongs to the Demon Realm. The Demon Realm cannot be without it."

So, from the very start, he’d never intended to keep it for himself.

Ning Xianyu was suddenly filled with respect; she hadn’t expected the Great Demon Lord to have such a broad perspective.

Seeing her look of worship, Xuan Yuan Tunhan glared at her again.

She asked, "If the Blood Source Stone is useless, what will you do in the future?"

If it was useless, wouldn’t the Demon Lord be plagued by his inner demons forever? If he couldn’t ascend, would he kill her out of spite?

Xuan Yuan Tunhan chuckled softly. "Are you hoping I rid myself of my inner demons and ascend as soon as possible?"

Ning Xianyu obediently nodded.

She dearly hoped the Demon Lord would ascend soon. Once he was gone, she’d no longer have to worry about her own safety.

But Xuan Yuan Tunhan said, "If the Blood Source Stone is useless, I’ll simply find another way. In fact, I already have."

Ning Xianyu was curious. "What way?"

Xuan Yuan Tunhan pointed to a large cauldron in the corner. He had her admire its exquisite craftsmanship and unique shape—large enough to hold a person.

Then he said, "You’ve eaten nine Night-Blooming Ephemerals and seen the Blood Source Stone. I figure, if I boil you down into a soup and drink it, I’ll surely rid myself of my inner demons."

As he spoke, he flicked his fingers, sending a spark into the cauldron, which instantly burst into flames.

Ning Xianyu clapped her hands to her face in terror.

"I’m not tasty, I’m really not! Ancestor, please spare me—I’m truly not delicious!"

"And besides, this body is yours. Please, for your own sake, let yourself go!"

Help! The Demon Lord is going to eat me—I don’t want to die!

Even the system was wailing, [The Demon Lord is going to eat someone! What do we do, what do we do?]

Their ruckus was enough to rival a dozen people, giving Xuan Yuan Tunhan a headache.

Yet seeing her so terrified, he actually found it rather amusing.

"Can’t you not eat me?"

"No. I must."

Xuan Yuan Tunhan used a spell to seal her mouth, but she still chattered away with the system in her mind.

Annoyed by the noise, he took out some wine. "Drink."

Ning Xianyu drank the wine through her tears.

[This must be execution wine. I never thought I’d die like this. System, you have to save my pathetic life!]

The system sobbed, [I’ll try, Host. I’ll set up a memorial tablet for you, and during the Tomb-Sweeping Festival, I’ll be sure to pay respects at your grave.]

[Shut up, you’re making it worse!]

After finishing the wine, Ning Xianyu’s vision quickly blurred, and the system seemed to freeze, then fell completely silent.

At last, peace. Xuan Yuan Tunhan was gratified.

He laid Ning Xianyu on the bed, making sure she was settled.

He left the tent, set up a barrier around them, and returned.

Doing a quick calculation, he realized she would be able to make her wish in half a month.

By then, he could finally be rid of this body.

Sitting on the bed, he glanced at his current hands.

Soft, weak, lacking spiritual energy and poorly tempered; this body was difficult to use, and had no talent—just a miscellaneous spiritual root.

He had no desire to use it any longer than necessary.

But the woman was still useful, so he needed to keep her close.

Taking out the Extreme Cold Spring water, he poured half of it into the cauldron, undressed, and immersed himself within.

The spring was so frigid that his body froze upon entering; even someone as stoic as Xuan Yuan Tunhan shivered involuntarily.

Nevertheless, he sat motionless, feeling the icy water temper the body, trying to guide his spiritual power to widen the meridians bit by bit.

The woman’s foundation was too poor, requiring much improvement.

At least it would spare him the trouble of having to constantly protect her.

Ning Xianyu, unaware of all that was happening, drunkenly rolled off the bed.

Xuan Yuan Tunhan frowned, and with a flicker of spiritual power, covered her with a blanket.