Chapter 38: What Is This Thing? She Doesn't Want It Anymore!

All her soul power was absorbed by the Seven-star Spirit Meridian; those seven points of light only flickered faintly before returning to normal.

Ji Yin: …

What on earth is going on here?!

Her soul power reverted to its original state, and Ji Yin nearly lost her mind.

“What exactly is happening?”

“Demon Lord, the Seven-star Meridian is absorbing your soul power.”

“I know that. But why is it taking my soul power? And after absorbing it, shouldn’t there be some kind of reaction? Why isn’t there any response at all?”

“Well, I’m not entirely sure either. In my experience, those so-called righteous sects always act like this—mysterious and noble, making grand claims about their strength, but when it comes down to it, they’re nothing special.”

Ji Yin had no patience for the Demon Cauldron’s complaints; all she wanted to know was whether her soul power had simply vanished, taken by the ancient Spirit Meridian, or if she would have to keep feeding it like some kind of offering from now on.

If that’s the case, when will I ever be able to break through to the next level?!

“Demon Lord, I think there must be a reason for this!”

“What reason?”

“I don’t know yet, but I’m sure we’ll find out eventually.”

“Useless! I thought the Seven-star Meridian would help me cultivate demonic arts, but now it seems like a bottomless pit. Can’t I just get rid of this thing?” Ji Yin was on the verge of tears.

After all this effort, to end up like this—it was as if she’d toiled for nothing.

She’d had enough! Her mood was foul.

Ji Yin glanced around. Ji Yun was no longer in front of her. The ground was damp and there were droplets clinging to the leaves.

Hadn’t it been a clear day when she arrived, with not a cloud in the sky? When had it started raining?

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the distance.

Ji Yin already knew who it was.

Ji Shaochen approached, holding an umbrella. When he saw Ji Yin awake, he quickened his pace.

“Little Seven, you’ve finally woken up.” Ji Shaochen stepped into the pavilion and closed his umbrella. “Do you know you’ve been sitting here for three days and three nights?”

“That long?” Ji Yin had completely lost track of time.

“Father said no one was to disturb you. How do you feel? Did you manage to break through?”

At the mention of breaking through, Ji Yin felt a pang of melancholy.

“No, nothing at all. I didn’t feel a thing.” She shook her head.

“That’s impossible! You really didn’t sense any change?” Ji Shaochen couldn’t believe it. He had checked on her before; she’d been shrouded in a dense cloud of spiritual energy, more than even their father could muster.

After returning, he’d wondered if Little Seven had always been overlooked, and now, with her awakening, she would soar to greatness.

Yet now, she told him she hadn’t broken through.

The amount of spiritual energy directly affected soul power, and once one’s soul power reached a certain point, a breakthrough would naturally follow. They’d all been sure Ji Yin would succeed.

“How could there be no change at all? Where could the problem be?” Ji Shaochen muttered to himself.

“I only feel… comfortable, as if I’d just had the most restful sleep.” Ji Yin stretched her arms above her head.

If she had broken through, Ji Shaochen would sense the difference in her soul power. But now, he felt nothing, and he simply couldn’t understand how this had happened.

Watching Ji Shaochen’s troubled expression, Ji Yin stood and rubbed her stomach. “Third Brother, do you have anything to eat? I’m starving.”

“Of course I do. I’ve always kept something ready, just in case you woke up.”