More than a dozen girls who had previously been disfigured by a gu cultivator were standing quietly on the side, witnessing the whole process of the pharmacist resurrecting the gu cultivator.
Their faces had been completely healed by the pharmacist, restoring their former appearance, but there was no hint of joy on their faces.
The girls were pale, their eyes filled with fear and vigilance as they huddled together tightly, as if they were afraid that this wicked person would suddenly attack.
The gu cultivator stiffly stood up, like a puppet without control, twisting her hands, fingers spasming from time to time, and the corners of her mouth twitching unnaturally.
Driven by her obsession in life, she walked step by step towards the east of Southern Border.
When she left the village, she suddenly twisted her head, which had only half of her face burned, in a horrifying manner, using a disturbingly inhuman 180-degree angle to look at the frightened girls in front of the inn.
On the burned and charred half of her face, the white bones could faintly be seen in the gaps between the blackened flesh. This half of her face was distorted and terrifying, much like an evil ghost from hell.
The gu cultivator opened a cold and terrifying smile at the girls, revealing her burned and deformed teeth, emitting a chilling hissing laughter.
The sudden movement frightened the girls, making them freeze in place, their faces pale, and several of them screamed and huddled together.
"Ah—!"
"Help, she has turned into a monster!"
"She will definitely come back to harm us!"
The gu cultivator let out a string of chilling laughter before finally limping away from the village, leaving the girls still in shock.
After the gu cultivator left, several brave girls mustered up the courage to ask the pharmacist, "Master Pharmacist, why did you save this wicked person who committed unforgivable acts?"
The pharmacist spoke slowly, her voice deep and gentle:
"I listen to the low whispers and prayers of all living beings, unable to bear the sight of flowers withering. I wield compassionate magic, bestowing an everlasting blessing, allowing all living things to flourish. I hold the sheaf of life in my hands, treading the world. Wherever I go, withered trees come back to life and thrive again." The pharmacist's tone was slow and solemn, her expression focused.
She half-closed her eyes, her demeanor devoted, exuding a solemn presence. Her voice, not fast nor slow, was as melodious as the clear sound of a mountain stream.
Draped in a moon-white robe, holding a handful of golden wheat ears, the pharmacist stood silent as a virgin. Her graceful figure resembled that of a supreme fairy in the mortal realm.
After hearing her words, the girls fell silent, not knowing what to say.
After all, they were just ordinary people, how could they influence the pharmacist's decision?
With that, the pharmacist left the village and headed towards the east of Southern Border.
Because she sensed the presence of the Black Flame in the old woman, that familiar feeling compelled her to follow.
After the pharmacist left, the girls breathed a sigh of relief. But there was no joy on their faces; instead, they looked even more worried.
The gu cultivator might return, and the pharmacist's appearance was truly terrifying.
With six arms and two legs, red eyes grew on her wrists, lower legs, and chest, constantly rotating to observe the surroundings.
The eyes covering her body exuded a strange and chilling aura, making people shiver. The girls dared not look directly at the pharmacist, fearing that their fear would be discovered by those red eyes.
"What kind of monster is she? Will she harm us?" A frail girl asked in a low voice, her voice filled with fear.
"How can she be a monster? Master Pharmacist has healed our disfigured faces," another plump girl said indifferently, her voice filled with trust.
"Yeah, if it wasn't for Master Pharmacist, we would've died already. She saved us, how could she harm us?" A young and innocent girl also chimed in.
"But aren't you afraid of her strange appearance and the resurrection of that sorcerer?" the frail girl still felt uneasy.
"Putting aside the eyes and the extra four arms, Pharmacist-sama looks just like a celestial being. We should be grateful to her, not suspicious." The plump girl's attitude was resolute.
"I hope you're right..." the frail girl still had some worries.
The girls discussed back and forth, feeling both gratitude and doubt towards the Pharmacist. They could only pray that she sincerely wanted to protect them, and not have ulterior motives. This nightmare was far from over...
...
A snow-white dragon soared in the azure sky, elegantly waving its slender snake-like body and massive dragon claws, flipping and flying in the sea of clouds.
She flew eastward, passing countless undulating mountains and endless fields. Finally, she arrived above an ancient and secluded mountain stronghold, nestled deep within a valley, isolated from the world.
Baixi descended in spirals and settled finally in a highland area west of the stronghold.
Baixi hadn't eaten for days, her hungry stomach growling loudly.
She flew high in the sky, searching for traces of prey.
In the jungle on the west side of the highland, the boar known as Your Majesty led the herd in search of food. Your Majesty was immense in size, bearing sturdy tusks, making it the ruler of this region.
Baixi spotted her prey and dove down like an arrow released from a bow, heading straight for where Your Majesty and the boar herd were.
Your Majesty sensed the impending danger and let out a low growl, indicating that this territory belonged to it.
However, all of this was in vain.
Baixi was a dragon, emanating a majestic aura that made all beasts tremble in fear.
As she landed, a gust of wind surged, causing the boar herd to feel an irresistible pressure.
Your Majesty bravely stood its ground, but could not help but tremble. Baixi's aura made it instinctively feel timid and fearful.
Baixi pounced on Your Majesty, her sharp claws like steel knives piercing into Your Majesty's soft throat.
Your Majesty let out a desperate howl, attempting to resist, but under the suppression of the dragon's aura, could only struggle and tremble.
The sharp claws sank deep into Your Majesty's windpipe, and fresh blood gushed out, flowing down the coarse neck covered with rough fur.
The bloody scene contrasted sharply with Baixi's originally pristine body, filled with a primal and wild presence.
Baixi didn't immediately release her claws, but instead continued to tear at Your Majesty's wound until the prey stopped struggling and fell silent before finally letting go.
Baixi released her blood-soaked claws, and Your Majesty was already dead. She opened her wide mouth, tearing at the boar's flesh with her sharp teeth and greedily devouring this fresh kill.
Blood splattered everywhere, stains covering Baixi's mouth, but she paid no attention. On the contrary, she indulged in her gluttony.
In one bite, she severed Your Majesty's thigh, the chunk of meat vanishing entirely into her mouth. With one swipe of her claw, she ripped open the boar's belly, revealing its innards.
She clawed out the liver and lungs of the boar, swallowing them with contented purrs. Then, she tore off chunks of flesh, gradually reducing the bloody prey to a mere skeleton.
After eating her full, she transformed into human form and went to the riverside to cleanse the bloodstains.
In essence, Baixi is a monster. Although summoned by Iris and regarded as a daughter, the wildness within her is ingrained in her genes.
