My Demon Husband Is a Snake

"Don't worry, I'm just… *cough*…" I barely uttered that I was fine when I coughed up another mouthful of blood.

Feeling that Xiao Li was about to leave, I tightened my grip on her small hand, "I pushed too hard earlier, used the heavenly fire, and overconsumed it backlashed onto myself, calling a doctor won't help."

"Oh, I remember now, you turned into a phoenix."

With a sudden realization, Xiao Li heeded my words and stayed. After a while, she murmured softly, "It was seeing me attacked by crows that made you disregard your health and unleash your full power, wasn't it?"

Don't look at how careless the little girl usually is; at this moment, she's more meticulous than anyone.

The scene that just unfolded was perfectly deciphered by her.

"If it were you facing danger, you'd do the same." A warm current flowed through my heart, and after a heavy sinking feeling, I fell into a deep meditation.

This must be the first time I've entered meditation, completely oblivious to the outside world.

But my mind was clear, and I could silently recite the spiritual power cultivation mantra Yu Longting taught me: "Dark waters surge, fate is vast; no joy today, the past is lost. The multiverse, so immense..."

Suddenly, inside my Qi Sea arose an enormous Yin Yang Fish.

As the Yin Yang Fish circled, the dried-up meridians were once again filled with surging spiritual power.

The heavenly fire that I had excessively depleted, which at first was just a tiny spark, gradually rekindled into a small flame.

However, the flame's dance was strong on the outside but hollow inside; it would need at least a year or so of cultivation.

If forced to use it again, I fear it might be extinguished forever.

Still, thankfully, I managed to regulate my internal injuries, salvaging at least half a life.

If I hadn't tended to my breath properly, I would likely have been permanently wounded.

Having recovered, I slowly opened my eyes, my blurred vision gradually clearing, "Xiao Li... Beichen..."

The room was pitch black—they hadn't turned on the lights.

Perplexed, I slipped into my slippers and got out of bed to peek out the door.

The entire courtyard was dark, too, as the lonely sound of rain softly pattered on the ground.

Could it be that Xiao Li and Beichen were not in the courtyard?

The thought flashed through my mind and I instantly returned to the room.

Picking up my phone, I called Xiao Li, only to hear the familiar ringtone coming from nearby.

Following the ringtone, I found a tattered coat by the bed.

It bore marks of a crow's claws and bloodstains from where Xiao Li was injured.

It was Xiao Li's coat.

She was gone, but her coat remained in my room.

Without time to think, I reflexively called Beichen.

Beichen's phone was turned off.

At that moment, my heart felt cold, and I snapped back to reality.

Then I remembered that just before meditating, I had surmised that Beichen had been lured away, and then my thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

"If... all this was orchestrated by the High Priest, then Xiao Li... might she have been captured for the River God's sacrifice?"

I muttered this conclusion, my whole mind bewildered. If that were true, wouldn't Xiao Li be in mortal danger?

Regret gnawed at me for my helplessness.

If only I had gritted my teeth and held on, instead of immediately passing out into meditation.

If only I had called Beichen back right away…

Xiao Li would definitely not be missing!!

Quickly regaining my composure, I picked up the ragged down jacket from the floor, took a pair of scissors, and cut off the bloodstained piece. I then stitched the bloodied fabric onto a Patchwork Man with Mysterious Silk.

As I finished sewing, the Patchwork Man sat up abruptly, clamoring, "Hurry, save me... save me... Su Wan, there are so many zombies..."

It hopped around, pleading for help.