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Wei Ning shook his head and said, "By doing this, you will offend Phoenix Mountain. Where will you find a place to hide in the future?"
The Phoenix Maiden smiled and replied, "The paths of Phoenix Mountain are treacherous; you could never reach the Phoenix Divine Tree without being discovered. But with me, it's different. I know a way to ascend without anyone noticing."
Upon hearing this, Wei Ning couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, though he still had his reservations.
The Phoenix Maiden smiled sweetly and said, "Knowing the land, knowing yourself, and knowing me—what is there to fear?" With that, she laughed and walked away, and Wei Ning followed closely behind her. After crossing a ridge, they arrived at a riverbank. The Phoenix Maiden took out a stack of colorful paper from her pocket and quickly folded it into a paper boat lantern. She lit it and placed it in the water, saying, "It is our Miao People's custom to place our worries on this Lotus Lantern; all unhappiness will dissipate."
Wei Ning frowned, unsure of what the Phoenix Maiden was getting at.
"Come on," she urged. "Follow this Lotus Lantern, and we will find the Phoenix Tree." She led Wei Ning onward. The path was rugged and difficult to traverse, and for some reason, it began to rain, shrouding the mountains in mist that lingered for a long time. Although Wei Ning had excellent eyesight, he could only see about ten meters ahead. The Phoenix Maiden followed the paper boat as they climbed over mountains and through forests. They ventured into a water source beside a deep stone cave that appeared dark and ominous. Yet there was an entrance with stone steps that seemed man-made. The Phoenix Maiden and Wei Ning entered one after the other. At the end of the steps was a straight stone cave extending outward, with countless smaller caves alongside it—secretive and winding endlessly.
"This is where the roots of the Phoenix Deity tree lie," the Phoenix Maiden explained. "But here, the roots are tangled; if one is not careful, it would be like falling into an endless maze from which one can never escape."
At that moment, the Phoenix Maiden pulled out a black porcelain bottle from her pocket and handed it to Wei Ning. "Apply this all over your body, but be careful not to let it touch any wounds."
Wei Ning asked, "What is this?"
"Yin She Gu."
Yin She Gu is a type of Curse Poison made from snakes used by the Yi people. It involves hanging a Black Serpent upside down from a tree and tapping it with a stick while placing nine clay bowls underneath its mouth to catch the venom that drips out. The liquid collected in the bottom bowl is useful; it must be kept out of sunlight and dried in a ventilated area before being ground into powder. This powder is then mixed into food for someone to consume, especially in cold dishes. Those affected by this Curse Poison will dream of snakes while sleeping; once ingested, it takes form within their body, gnawing at their organs and draining their blood until they die in excruciating agony.
Wei Ning took a deep breath and asked, "Why are you giving me this?"
The Phoenix Maiden replied, "You will understand when the time comes."
Wei Ning covered himself with Yin She Gu and followed Phoenix Maiden into the cave. Inside, it was pitch black, and an eerie aura filled the air. Suddenly, a gust of wind brushed past his ear, and Phoenix Maiden reached out, pinching something in her hand. As she twisted her wrist, Wei Ning finally saw that she was holding a Black Serpent. If he had been careless for even a moment, it would have bitten him without hesitation. Phoenix Maiden calmly said, "Although you are a Blood Corpse, it doesn't mean you are immune to all poisons. As long as you have good intentions, this Yin She Gu is very effective against Snake Venom. Once applied, ordinary snakes will not dare to approach you."
At that moment, Wei Ning realized that he was standing on a mass of various venomous snakes, all of them flicking their tongues and ready to strike. He felt a shiver run down his spine.
The air was thick with the foul smell of snakes as a swarm approached, trailing behind Wei Ning and Phoenix Maiden. Phoenix Maiden seemed unfazed by the sight, leading the visibly anxious Wei Ning deeper into the cave.
After traversing a dark passageway, Phoenix Maiden brought Wei Ning into a vast chamber. Looking up, he could barely see the ceiling; the walls were riddled with tunnels resembling a beehive, leading who knows where. In the center of the hall stood a towering totem-like pillar about three or four meters high, adorned with hearts strung together by grass ropes. Surprisingly, they showed no signs of decay and even pulsed slightly. Countless green Phoenix Trees surrounded the base of the pillar, their roots extending deep into the ground.
"This is the Heart of the Miao People Elder Priests," Phoenix Maiden explained. "Qiqi's soul resides within this Phoenix Tree."
Wei Ning nodded and asked, "What now? How do we retrieve Qiqi's soul?"
Phoenix Maiden stepped forward and said, "I'll handle it." Just as she was about to act, her body suddenly trembled. "Oh no, someone is coming."
She intended to lead Wei Ning away, but it was already too late. A multitude of Miao Women surged from the passageway, encircling both Wei Ning and Phoenix Maiden.
The leader among them had a grim expression as she glared at Phoenix Maiden and shouted, "You are one of us from Phoenix Mountain yet you have brought this outsider into the heart of our sacred Phoenix Tree! Do you realize this is punishable by death?"
Seeing Qingyi among the group, Phoenix Maiden looked at her sharply and said, "So it was you who betrayed me."
Qingyi grinned mischievously at Phoenix Maiden and made a face. "Sister, I'm sorry! When Grandma asked me, I just told her."
Phoenix Maiden replied sternly, "Qingyi, I have treated you well. Despite your repeated betrayals against me, I chose to overlook them thinking you were just young and foolish. Who would have thought your heart is truly malicious? What do you gain from harming me?"
Qing suddenly froze for a moment and shouted, "If I kill you, then I can be you!" She took out the Phoenix Maiden mask and put it on her face, declaring loudly, "I don't want to be Qing; I want to be you! I just want to be you!" She pouted a bit, acting somewhat spoiled as she caused a commotion nearby.
Wei Ning stepped forward and said loudly, "Everyone, I am here today solely to rescue my wife, Qiqi. Therefore, I kindly ask you to spare her. I would be immensely grateful."
The leading Gu Master replied, "You are from the Corpse Chasing Wei Family, aren't you? Originally, we had some connections with your family. However, today you have trespassed into the Phoenix Tree, crossing our bottom line. You will stay here and be sacrificed alongside your wife."
Wei Ning's expression changed three times as he coldly said, "You are women, so I will reason with you. Do not think that I am afraid of you."
The Gu Master did not respond but waved his hand. A coffin slowly rose not far away. Wei Ning's heart sank as he realized that this Gu Master was about to summon the Gu Corpse.
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