My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 773 - 485: Mom! (Two in One)

The hall was deathly silent, with hundreds of monstrous corpses sprawled haphazardly on the ground.

The five adopted children of the supernatural entity Gu Huo Bird had initially believed the disciple from Yin Sword Mountain was behind this massacre. Yet, turning to look back, they saw Gu Huo Bird's figure engulfed in dense and heavy mist.

Thick, black feathers drifted upward on their own, and within the mist, her expression was profoundly inscrutable.

"Mother... what are you doing?" the spider demon couldn't help but ask.

Gu Huo Bird cast a sidelong glance at it, her voice slow and deliberate: "I've waited long enough for this day."

The gathered demons all felt a chill ripple through them. Though it was not uncommon for demons to devour one another, the haunting spectacle of a banquet of guests, just moments ago sharing drinks, now lying dead on the floor was disturbing beyond measure.

"Mother... I don't understand..."

Gu Huo Bird's figure loomed taller within the mist, her voice drifting echoingly: "The White Lotus Sect traces its roots to the Song Dynasty's White Lotus Sect. Back then, it followed the belief in Maitreya's descent, long before the concept of the Mother of Non-Birth or the splintering from the Pure Land School. This you all should know. Now, with the Dharma-ending age nearing its end, it is time for Maitreya's descent."

On the other side of the room, Yin Tingxue's eyes narrowed slightly. She had long revered Buddhist teachings, even as a Taoist, frequently studying their scriptures. Naturally, she understood the significance of Maitreya's descent as mentioned by Gu Huo Bird. Legend holds that when Maitreya descends, the entire world transforms into a pure land, a paradise. Consequently, history recounts those rallying rebellions under the banner of Maitreya, and figures such as Wu Zetian declaring herself foretold as the Dharma King marking Maitreya's coming.

Yin Tingxue's heart raced with unease. She often heard Chen Yi mention "the world descends into chaos." Could it truly be that upheaval was imminent?

Gu Huo Bird's voice tore through her reflections as she continued: "Recently, I took in the White Lotus Saint Heir Yang Shen and seized his No-Life Tripod. Today's banquet is meant to serve two purposes—one, to devour their cultivation and shatter my bottleneck, and two... to repay a favor."

"R-Repay whose favor?"

Gu Huo Bird replied unhurriedly: "The White Lotus Sect is a scourge of rebels—so tell me, whose favor else would I repay?"

The demons all held their breath, tension radiating from their trembling fingertips, their thoughts collectively drawn to a certain rumor—that the current Empress Dowager was an avid devotee of Buddhist teachings.

The intent of presenting the No-Life Tripod to her seemed clear enough.

"In time, I shall become the mountain god of these lands," Gu Huo Bird declared, sparing no further words. Turning her gaze to Yin Tingxue, she grinned warmly and said, "In any case, I must thank you, little girl."

Yin Tingxue shivered.

Even though she could plainly see the lifeless demon bodies drained of their souls scattered across the floor, her fear mingled with an inexplicable sadness deep within. These demons were undeniably wicked, yet seeing them live and then witnessing their demise remained a sight that unsettled her soul.

Lifting her head with visible effort, she fixed her gaze upon Gu Huo Bird and said, with the naivety of youth: "You… how can you do this?"

Gu Huo Bird paused briefly, then laughed without the slightest anger. Instead, her fondness for the girl deepened as she said: "Demons killing demons is no different from humans killing humans—it's a natural order. Isn't it a boon for Taoists like you?"

The argument was irrefutable. The fewer demons, the less humans suffered. Internecine conflicts within demonkind, akin to infighting among thieves, were welcomed by many Taoists. Some even supported it covertly. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Yet, the young girl shook her head resolutely and replied, "But for you, this isn't good."

Gu Huo Bird froze momentarily before bursting into hearty laughter.

The words were peculiar but carried an undeniable resonance upon hearing them. This little girl, it seemed, was not only gifted but possessed remarkable insight.

Gu Huo Bird felt her curiosity and affection for the girl surge stronger. A fine candidate for an adopted daughter indeed. However…

First, this Golden Light must be broken.

Suddenly, Gu Huo Bird waved her sleeve, her robe billowing.

The white mist gathered into the form of a sword, which thrust forward, colliding against the protective Golden Light.

As the sword's tip met the Golden Light, Yin Tingxue trembled violently, her eyes widening in disbelief. The protective light, previously impervious to the onslaught of numerous demons, began to waver and hum ominously.

Cracks spread across its shimmering surface in radiant veins.

Even though Gu Huo Bird had yet to exert her full strength, she seemed leisurely intrigued to toy with the white mist, allowing the sword and Golden Light to erode one another. Strands of mist streamed into the sword's form, tipping the balance. Yin Tingxue's hands began to tremble faintly, then noticeably, and finally with visceral intensity as she struggled to maintain the seal.

With a sharp, splintering sound, the Golden Light fractured into a jagged fissure before the entire shield shattered completely. Yin Tingxue collapsed onto the ground in pain, trying desperately to form another seal, but her fingers screamed with agony, refusing to rise.

Gu Huo Bird grinned faintly at the sight.

She had watched calmly as the other demons failed to breach the protective Golden Light, already deducing that the girl must have reached the Golden Core Realm.

The Golden Light Mantra might repel those lesser demons, but it stood no chance against her.

As for herself, judged by Taoist standards, she likely ranked as Golden Core Grandmaster now. Once the favor was repaid, she'd cement her role as a mountain god, an unparalleled power for the ages. And with this girl as her adopted daughter, once immortal and enlightened, she'd ensure blessings and prosperity lasting millennia.

"Little girl, are you still fighting fate?"

Gu Huo Bird stepped closer, speaking with a teasing smirk:

"You seem pitiful. I don't want to force you."

Yin Tingxue raised her head shakily, her fingertips numb and flickering with the instability of her soul. Her face betrayed signs of overwhelming weakness.

She mustered her strength and shook her head firmly.

Gu Huo Bird found herself amused, unsure what the young girl was clinging to. She laughed playfully and said, "You won't even feign acceptance of me as your mother?"

The girl continued shaking her head.

"Then I suppose I'll have to force the issue."

Gu Huo Bird extended a hand toward her, while her other hand activated the No-Life Tripod in preparation to extract the girl's soul into its depths.

"Wait..."

Yin Tingxue suddenly spoke.

Gu Huo Bird paused slightly, as though amused, eyeing her with the curiosity of a cat toying with its prey. Having already absorbed the cultivation of countless demons, her manner had taken on the inscrutable poise of a true master.