As we left the shop, Xiao Mei transformed directly into human form.
Now that Xiao Mei’s cultivation had improved, she could maintain human form for extended periods.
It was nothing out of the ordinary.
Yunxia Gu and Xia Qiuxi both knew Xiao Mei, so there was no need to hide.
Afterward, our group, carrying incense, candles, and paper money, went to the cemetery.
As soon as Yunxia Gu arrived at the cemetery and saw my master’s tombstone, she couldn't hold back.
She burst into tears, sobbing, "Wuwuwu."
She hugged my master's tombstone, not saying a word.
Only after a long while did she let go.
After burning incense and paying respects to my master, my martial uncle spoke to me:
"You've returned the Nine-Segment Whip, and we still need to stay a while longer."
I responded with an "Mm," saying,
"Alright, I'll be right back!"
With that, I took the Nine-Segment Whip and, under their watchful eyes, headed towards the direction of the Rose Supermarket.
Because it was a ghost supermarket, it was invisible during the day.
I wasn't sure how I would find Rat Grandma.
But I figured that now that I was here, she should be able to sense me.
I walked along the cemetery path, heading west.
After walking about a hundred to two hundred meters, the surroundings began to fog up.
Seeing the mist, I quickened my pace.
Before long, I saw the Rose Supermarket.
Rat Grandma was standing at the entrance of the supermarket,
still cradling that large rat.
She looked at me with a beaming smile and said,
"Xiao Qin, you're here!"
"Mm, Rat Grandma. We've retrieved Wudi Laomu's Nine-Segment Whip for you."
As I spoke, I took the Nine-Segment Whip out of the cloth bag.
Shu Guifang’s expression lit up with surprise, and she quickly approached, saying,
"Good, good! Thank you so much. Laomu will be very happy when she knows."
As she spoke, she released the large rat in her arms.
I also handed the Nine-Segment Whip over.
Rat Grandma took it, examined it carefully, and confirmed it was correct, her excitement evident.
"Um, Rat Grandma, we killed Rat Thirty-Two. Is that alright?"
I asked.
Rat Grandma shook her head and replied,
"It's fine. That traitor deserved to die.
You've helped our Wudi Cave Grey Clan eliminate a traitor and retrieved Laomu's Nine-Segment Whip.
My Grey Clan owes you a favor!"
I smiled and said,
"It's nothing. Rat Grandma, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now.
My martial uncle and the others are waiting for me outside."
After saying this, I prepared to leave.
But Rat Grandma called out to me,
"Wait a moment."
"Is there something else?"
I asked, puzzled.
Rat Grandma continued,
"Xiao Qin, my Grey Clan repays kindness with kindness.
Furthermore, this time, you've retrieved Laomu's Nine-Segment Whip.
This matter requires Laomu's decision.
Please wait a moment..."
With that, she stood up straight, joined her hands in a seal,
and muttered a few words.
Finally, she stomped her foot and spoke with a hoarse voice,
"I invite Laomu to possess me!"
Upon these words, waves of strange energy erupted from Rat Grandma's body.
Her body began to sway.
After about three seconds, I could feel a mass of energy enter her body from the crown of her head.
Rat Grandma's body jolted, and then she became still.
The large rat that Rat Grandma had been holding immediately prostrated itself.
It made a "zizizi" sound.
It was clearly paying homage.
Rat Grandma’s body slowly straightened and her head lifted.
Her eyes opened, but they had turned green.
An invisible, terrifying, and powerful aura was felt.
This was the aura of Wudi Laomu, the terrifying and powerful Wudi Laomu.
The super great demon that commanded a million rats.
However, this aura flashed and disappeared.
Immediately after, Rat Grandma’s face revealed a benevolent expression.
She looked at the Nine-Segment Whip standing beside her.
She reached out, took it, and swung it in her hand.
With this swing, the extremely hard Nine-Segment Whip suddenly emitted a cluster of icy black mist and demonic fire.
Not only that, but as she wielded it, the Nine-Segment Whip also lengthened.
Finally, it became a soft whip, "swish swish swish," swaying in the air.
But upon closer inspection, it seemed that this Nine-Segment Whip was like a large, hairless rat’s tail.
No, not like.
It was a large rat’s tail.
This meant that Wudi Laomu’s Nine-Segment Whip artifact was refined from her own tail.
I watched in astonishment.
No wonder its power was so great.
After swinging the whip a few times, Wudi Laomu retracted it.
It returned to its original form as the Nine-Segment Whip.
No, to be more precise, it was like a "jian," with nine segments, but one that could be separated...
Wudi Laomu nodded slightly.
Then she looked at me with a kindly expression.
"Young man, this is the Great Demon’s tail.
Thank you for helping the Great Demon retrieve it.
The Great Demon owes you a favor.
Tell me, how would you like the Great Demon to repay it?"
Wudi Laomu spoke very kindly.
Although she still had Rat Grandma's appearance, her attitude and aura were clearly different.
As I listened, I was about to wave it off politely.
But my body froze.
Politely? What politeness!
I was currently facing a great difficulty and indeed needed help.
Since Wudi Laomu had offered, I might as well accept the favor.
I paused for a moment, then respectfully cupped my fists towards Wudi Laomu.
"Wudi Laomu, this junior truly has a matter to ask of you.
I hope Wudi Laomu can help this junior."
Wudi Laomu chuckled kindly, saying, "Hehehe."
There was none of the typical lecherous or detestable nature of a rat demon; she gave a very approachable feeling.
"Speak! If the Great Demon can do it, she will definitely help!"
I didn't hold back.
I stated directly,
"Laomu, this humble one has been cursed with a life-threatening curse.
I need a soul stone to save my life.
And the soul stone may appear in Blackwater Mountain three days from now.
However, Blackwater Mountain is controlled by the Black Demon Cult.
Although various Daoist sects have gathered there,
this humble one has no connections with them.
Therefore, I wish for Laomu to act at that time, or at a crucial moment.
To help this junior obtain the soul stone at the critical juncture,
and assist this junior in living..."