The mortal realm.
After Mù Ànxiào pondered Zhāng Yán's words in her mind, a flicker of uncertainty arose within her. She glanced at Piāo, who was holding Mù Liáng, then lowered her gaze, asking with her mind, "Master, what do you mean?"
In the celestial realm, Zhāng Yán, as he walked towards the immortal forest, said, "The axe in Piāo's hand is useful to you. At this time, you absolutely cannot use the Soul Sword." He also couldn't forget to glance behind him, checking if any celestial beings were following him.
Mù Ànxiào: "The axe? Why can't I use the Soul Sword?"
"The Soul Sword is your magical artifact. When you fight monsters with it, those monsters imbued with your spiritual energy will never truly die. On the contrary," Zhāng Yán stopped by a tree, his expression serious, "they will grow larger and larger, and eventually, they will absorb the spiritual energy within your body."
"Ah?" Mù Ànxiào hadn't expected things to be so dire, and after hearing Zhāng Yán's words, she became afraid.
Zhāng Yán, deeply sensing Mù Ànxiào's fear regarding the matter, continued, "Therefore, using Piāo's is safer."
"Master, what should I do then?"
"This..." Zhāng Yán pondered for a moment and said, "When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten. Your master believes that with your abilities, you will surely find a way to turn danger into safety."
"Master..."
"As long as you pass this trial, your spiritual energy will greatly increase. Moreover, as far as I know, those monsters are much more valuable than the demon souls you usually catch."
Mù Ànxiào's eyes lit up as she listened to Zhāng Yán, then she cautiously glanced at Piāo and the others, lowered her head, and said with her mind, "Master, you won't ask me for this time's silver, will you?"
After every mission, Zhāng Yán would always ask her for half of the silver earned. This time, she was earning this silver while potentially wasting her spiritual energy, so she didn't want to give it up.
Since she wasn't good at lying to Zhāng Yán, she spoke her mind directly.
"What do you think?"
"You..." Mù Ànxiào frowned and said with her mind, "Master, my spiritual energy might be lost. My spirit needs silver to compensate. You doing this is too much bullying."
"Your master is not bullying you. Besides," Zhāng Yán said, "did you not understand what your master said?"
"Master..." Mù Ànxiào repeated, lowering her eyes to think, and gave a dry laugh. "Master, this greatly harms spiritual energy. The fact that my life can be saved is already a miracle, let alone spiritual energy. How could it possibly increase back?"
"Why don't you try and see?" Zhāng Yán said earnestly.
Mù Ànxiào stared at the ground, a cold smile appearing without a sound, and said with her mind, "Master, I know my chances of winning are slim. Those monsters are all very powerful. I..."
"Mù Ànxiào, can you stop being so pessimistic?" Zhāng Yán interrupted sternly. "You are my disciple. I know better than anyone whether you live or die. Just consider catching monsters as your mission, and the silver..."
"If all the silver is mine, I won't be so pessimistic."
That's right, after going in circles, Mù Ànxiào just wanted the silver.
Hearing Mù Ànxiào's words, Zhāng Yán glanced at the few large money bags hanging from his waist, hesitated, and then said, "Fine, it's all yours."
"Really?" Mù Ànxiào was excited.
Zhāng Yán: "Mm, as long as earning silver can give you motivation and confidence, your master doesn't mind not having this silver." Saying this, he suddenly felt that Mù Ànxiào was becoming harder to fool.
Mù Ànxiào nodded, "Don't worry, I will definitely earn that silver. When the time comes, I'll treat you to mortal realm vegetable buns. You must come."
Zhāng Yán smiled wryly, "You are truly stingy. Alright, go."
"Okay." Mù Ànxiào agreed with her mind, laughed twice, then raised her face and saw Mù Xiāng glaring at her, startling her. "What are you looking at me for?"
Mù Xiāng: "That demon barrier was created by you."
"I..."
"Don't say it wasn't you. If it wasn't you, why are you smiling?" Mù Xiāng had been observing Mù Ànxiào since she arrived. Although she hadn't spoken, she had captured Mù Ànxiào's every move, including every expression.
Fēng Qǐ Shí and the others had also observed Mù Ànxiào.
Hēi Fēng: "Mù Ànxiào, things are so dire, and you can still smile?" He glanced at the demon barrier being controlled by Yuè Cí over there.
Mù Ànxiào followed Hēi Fēng's gaze to look over there, ignored Hēi Fēng, and looked at Piāo, "Give me the axe."
"The axe?" Piāo frowned.
"..." Mù Ànxiào saw that it was inconvenient for Piāo, so she looked at Mù Xiāng again. "Take care of your nephew. I guarantee I'll go and deal with the monsters in the demon barrier immediately."
Earlier, it was her feeling wronged that caused the demon barrier to reassemble. Therefore, this time, to prevent the monsters within the demon barrier from breeding, she deliberately suppressed her inner grievances and embarrassment, trying her best to maintain a positive mindset.
As for their attitudes and tones, she paid them no mind.
"You..."
"If you waste more time with nonsense, we'll miss our chance," Mù Ànxiào interrupted.
Seeing Mù Ànxiào's demeanor, Mù Xiāng stopped finding fault and stepped forward, reaching out her hand to Piāo.
Piāo looked down at Mù Liáng, who was slowly sitting up, and said, "Go."
The next second, Mù Liáng started crying.
Hearing Mù Liáng's cries, Piāo and Mù Xiāng were stunned.
Mù Xiāng had not interacted with her nephew before. Seeing him like this, she became flustered. "Liáng'er, come to your aunt. Auntie will hold you."
Mù Liáng continued to cry.
Fēng Qǐ Shí and Hēi Fēng exchanged a look and turned to help Yuè Cí.
Yè Yú, seeing Mù Xiāng's helplessness, his eyes sank. He stepped forward, pushed Mù Ànxiào away forcefully, and walked to Mù Xiāng's side. He stared at the loudly crying Mù Liáng, frowned, and uttered a single word: "Look."
Mù Liáng completely ignored Yè Yú and continued to cry.
Mù Ànxiào, supporting her arm that was hurting from Yè Yú's forceful push, pouted, feeling annoyed with Yè Yú in her heart.
Seeing that Mù Liáng wasn't responding, Yè Yú looked at Mù Xiāng doubtfully, and then was about to reach out to snatch the child. Piāo said angrily, "You idiot, what are you doing?"
Yè Yú's eyes sank, and he lowered his hand.
Mù Liáng was startled and began to cry loudly.
Mù Ànxiào, listening to Mù Liáng's cries, helplessly covered her ears and crossed her arms, looking at Yè Yú. "Idiot, aren't you quite capable?"
Upon hearing this, Yè Yú turned and glared at Mù Ànxiào, then turned back to speak. Just then, Wǎn Shā walked to Piāo's side. "Child, don't cry anymore," she said, freeing one hand to stroke Mù Liáng's face.
Immediately, Mù Liáng pouted, looked at Wǎn Shā pitifully, and reached out his small hand.
Wǎn Shā: "Do you want me to hold you?" she asked, glancing at Mù Xīn, whom she was holding.
Mù Liáng pouted again, about to cry.
Unable to bear Mù Liáng's crying, Mù Xiāng stepped forward and said, "I'll hold her." As she spoke, she reached out her hand.
Seeing this, Wǎn Shā gently handed the sleeping Mù Xīn to Mù Xiāng.
Then, just as Mù Xiāng was about to touch Mù Xīn, Yè Yú gently pulled Mù Xiāng away, stepped forward, and took Mù Xīn himself. He gave Wǎn Shā a foolish smile and said, "She won't fall."
Wǎn Shā: "Alright, I trust you." Saying this, she glanced at Mù Xiāng, stepped forward, and took Mù Liáng from her.
Just like that, Mù Liáng became quiet.
Piāo breathed a sigh of relief.
Wǎn Shā, while tidying the robe wrapped around Mù Liáng, looked at Fēng Qǐ Shí and Hēi Fēng, who were controlling the demon barrier with Yuè Cí, and said, "Mù Ànxiào, how much resentment do you hold in your heart?" She looked at Mù Ànxiào.
Mù Ànxiào knew that the demon barrier changed with her emotions. She admitted that when Yè Yú pushed her away just now, anger had arisen in her heart. Therefore, she didn't argue with Wǎn Shā, saying, "Your emotions, sometimes you can't control them yourself, and I am no exception."
"You still have a point," Wǎn Shā said disdainfully.
Mù Ànxiào's gaze flickered. "I will for my actions..." she started, but at that moment, a fissure appeared in the demon barrier over there, followed by crackling sounds. She swallowed the rest of her words, turned sideways, and quickly said, "Quick, you all go into the reception hall." As she spoke, she looked back at Wǎn Shā and the others.
Wǎn Shā: "What are you going to do?"
"Don't worry about it," Mù Ànxiào said, having no time for further chatter. "Go in." As she spoke, she looked at Piāo.
Piāo understood Mù Ànxiào's intentions and quickly conjured the axe, handing it to her.
"Thanks," Mù Ànxiào said as she took the axe. "You go in too."
"I'll help you."
"I don't need you," Mù Ànxiào said, gripping the axe tightly. She turned around and quickly ran behind Fēng Qǐ Shí and the others. "Stop."
Fēng Qǐ Shí and Hēi Fēng ignored Mù Ànxiào. Only Yuè Cí looked back at Mù Ànxiào. "What are you doing?" he asked, still casting the spell.
Mù Ànxiào: "My spiritual energy is involved in this. I'll do it."
"You..."
"You all get away. This is my thing, and I'll handle it myself." Mù Ànxiào interrupted, glancing at Wǎn Shā and the others rapidly running towards the reception hall. She breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, Piāo stopped at the bottom of the steps and shouted, "Mù Ànxiào, I'll help you."
"Go in," Mù Ànxiào roared.
Piāo was stunned, turned, and followed them inside.
Seeing this, Mù Ànxiào felt relieved and looked at the unmoving Hēi Fēng and Fēng Qǐ Shí, frowning. "You all go in."
Fēng Qǐ Shí and Hēi Fēng: "..."
This time, even Yuè Cí ignored Mù Ànxiào and turned back to continue casting his spell.
Mù Ànxiào took a step back, listening to the monsters' roars, her heart sinking. She glanced at the three of them, then without a second thought, skirted around them, raised the axe, and regardless of the consequences, directly shattered their spell.
Immediately, the spell, upon contact with the axe, reversed direction and struck Fēng Qǐ Shí and the others. Subsequently, the three of them sat back on the ground together.
Yuè Cí: "You're crazy." He clutched his chest, preparing to get up.
Mù Ànxiào: "Go in." As she spoke, she stood in front of the demon barrier.
Hēi Fēng: "Mù Ànxiào, these demon barriers..."
"Hēi Fēng, you are older than all of them. You should know that demonic arts cannot be easily broken by spells. Of course," Mù Ànxiào said, glancing sideways at the demon barrier behind her, which seemed to have quieted down a bit, continuing, "even if you annihilate all the monsters within, as long as I am alive, this demon barrier will not disappear. Therefore, only I can resolve it. Understand?"
Hēi Fēng: "You alone are not enough."
"You said that as long as I have courage, as long as I have guts, no matter what I encounter, I won't die. You..."
"Mù Ànxiào, now is not the time for you to say such things. We must cooperate with you." Hēi Fēng interrupted, supporting himself on the ground and struggling to stand up.
The yin messengers would not die, but they could be injured by spells and demonic arts. And Hēi Fēng, having been a yin messenger for so long, had never been injured by his own people. This feeling was quite novel to him. But he was not angry.
Fēng Qǐ Shí: "Mù Silly Girl, now is not the time for you to be foolish." Saying this, he also got up.
Yuè Cí also stood up. "Mù Ànxiào, those monsters are extremely fierce. If you don't listen, you'll definitely be torn alive." He glanced at the axe held high by Mù Ànxiào. "Put down your axe and let me do it."
Mù Ànxiào: "How much is each monster worth?"
"...." Yuè Cí frowned.
Mù Ànxiào glanced at Fēng Qǐ Shí and Hēi Fēng, who were about to cast their spells, and shouted, "I'm asking you, how much is each monster worth? I'll kill them all, give you half the silver, and keep the other half for myself."
"Mù Silly Girl, this is not the time for you to make money," Fēng Qǐ Shí shouted. "Don't be foolish anymore."
"You're the one being foolish, Shěn the Madman," Mù Ànxiào said halfway, then turned to look at the monsters stirring restlessly behind her within the demon barrier. She then turned back to Fēng Qǐ Shí. "If you're a partner, listen to me, and I'll give you silver."
"Mù Silly Girl, I don't care about silver. You..."
"Then it's all mine," Mù Ànxiào interrupted, looking at Yuè Cí. "You should understand that my spiritual energy is in the demon barrier. Besides me, no one else can break it. If you don't agree, I'll get anxious, and the monsters will mutate. Hurry and decide."
Yuè Cí understood that the lives of those monsters were tied to Mù Ànxiào's emotions. If he continued to provoke Mù Ànxiào now, the monsters would become even more rampant later. Moreover, if the monsters, uncontrolled, were to rush out of the Mu family and harm other mortals, it would be troublesome.
Considering all the disadvantages, his eyes sank, and he said, "You have a plan."
"I don't fight battles I'm not prepared for," Mù Ànxiào lied.
Yuè Cí nodded. "Alright, if you can kill them all, all that silver is yours." He saw that Mù Ànxiào was fond of money, so he wanted to give her such motivation.
Mù Ànxiào's lips curved. "A promise is a promise."
Yuè Cí nodded, looked at Fēng Qǐ Shí and Hēi Fēng, and said, "Let's go in."
Fēng Qǐ Shí: "You..."
"We can't affect her emotions anymore. If it continues like this, it will only get more troublesome. Brother Qǐ," Yuè Cí said with genuine sincerity, "trust me."
"Let's go," Hēi Fēng compromised. He believed that Mù Ànxiào's decision must be the right one.
Mù Ànxiào saw Hēi Fēng and Yuè Cí compromise and couldn't help but raise her lips slightly. She looked at Fēng Qǐ Shí. "Shěn the Madman, go in."
Hearing this, Fēng Qǐ Shí looked up at Mù Ànxiào. "You are not allowed to die."
"Can you stop cursing me?" Mù Ànxiào was angry.
Fēng Qǐ Shí looked at Mù Ànxiào's angry expression and thought about what Hēi Fēng and Yuè Cí had said. He gave Mù Ànxiào a bitter smile. "Mù Silly Girl, if you need anything, call me. I am your partner."
"Mm," Mù Ànxiào nodded.
Fēng Qǐ Shí also nodded and turned to leave first.
Seeing this, Mù Ànxiào breathed a sigh of relief.
The next moment, Mù Ànxiào looked at the door closed by Yuè Cí, narrowed her eyes, extended two fingers, and used her mind to gather spiritual energy to retract the barrier that had been covering only Sister-in-law Mù Xiāng and place it around the entire reception hall.
Inside the reception hall, Fēng Qǐ Shí stood by the door, looking in panic at the suddenly erected blue barrier. He quickly shouted, "Mù Silly Girl, why did you do this?" He vigorously pounded on the door.