Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 381 - 379

Chapter 381: 379

The Golden Python, having listened to their conversation, changed its mind from its initial plan to take its master’s hair and disrupt the ritual.

It quickly slithered up to the woman and pulled out one of her hairs.

The woman felt a slight prickle on her head, but she just brushed at the spot with her hand, not overly concerned. She kept her eyes glued on the wizard’s spell without even blinking.

"Has her soul been bound yet?"

"It’s not that easy. Her soul is merely under control for now, it hasn’t been extracted yet. Her soul-power seems stronger than others. I see our master has spent quite some time on it."

She was familiar with the spell for controlling others’ souls. Many could be cast successfully in one go, but those affected would only suffer a momentary headache and then feel fine.

If the soul resisted and did not wish to be controlled, those under the spell would be in uncontrollable agony, wishing for death’s swift arrival.

Xiao’er, who was heading off into the desert, awoke halfway with an unbearable headache and squatted down.

Shangguan Xuanyi rushed up to her, grasping her hand firmly, fearing that she might harm herself.

At this moment, he hated himself intensely for being forced to watch her in agony without being able to do anything about it.

Xiao’er, seizing a moment of relative lucidity, managed to speak: "Brother Shangguan, it feels like someone’s trying to control my consciousness. I don’t know what I might do..."

Immediately after this, Xiao’er lapsed into dullness once more.

"I won’t let anything happen to you!" Shangguan Xuanyi assured her, his gaze never leaving Xiao’er as she pushed him away and continued on her path.

"You two, protect the young lady well. I’m going to investigate!" Shangguan Xuanyi ordered the two guardsmen, Feng Hen and Feng Xing, who had followed him.

He needed to find the person casting the spell at once and inflict the severest of punishments!

"Yes, Master." Both answered in unison.

Once the Golden Python plucked one of the woman’s hairs, it quickly made its way to the altar.

As the wizard was casting the spell with her back turned, the Golden Python swiftly replaced the hair in the holy water.

Next, it slid under the table, finding a spot with the best view, ready to enjoy the show.

Those who dared harm its master like this were clearly courting death!

The spell-casting wizard noticed that the control over the soul she had tamed abruptly slipped from her grasp.

This girl’s soul was too formidable. This was the second time it had happened and this time she lost complete control.

She turned to look at the altar, where she noticed that the hair in the bowl hadn’t changed. However, there were a few droplets of water on the table.

She glanced at her sleeves and saw a wet patch on one. She assumed that she had accidentally touched the holy bowl and spilled some of the holy water but dismissed it without much thought.

A soul that has completely broken free needed to be bound again.

This woman’s soul-power was simply too strong. She pondered for a moment and said: "Shengyi, come over and assist me. Something is odd about this woman’s soul. It broke free twice. We should combine our powers to control her as soon as possible."

Spell-casting also depended on the right timing and place. If the most opportune time passed, there would be a higher risk of rebound, particularly with these kinds of nefarious spells.

The woman in red nodded when she heard this and said, "Okay! Please, Master, wait a moment for me to cleanse my hands."

Hearing they were about to start anew, another woman announced, "I need to use the restroom."

She had waited for so long, eaten so many seeds, drunk so much tea, she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

What a headstrong little wretch! Who’d have thought within her, is such a troublesome soul!

The wizard didn’t mind her coming and going. She was just there to watch the proceedings and was of no help. Once Shengyi-sanitation had completed washing her hands with the holy water she brought, they began the spell-casting again.

Finally, the Golden Python could communicate with Xiao’er.

"Master, someone was using your hair to harm you with a foul spell. But I have replaced your hair with hers. When you come over, remember to pretend to remain as you were before, let them continue the ritual, then sit back and watch the drama unfold!"

After hearing the Golden Python’s words, Xiao’er let out a sigh of relief. She had finally recovered her hair.

The feeling of her consciousness being controlled, being manipulated by others, was terribly horrifying. She hated being under someone else’s control.

"I am coming over now." Xiao’er could perceive the Golden Python’s location, and so she could head straight over.

She was curious to see the one who hurt her suffer from their own actions.

Xiao’er looked at Feng Hen and Feng Xing, pondered for a moment, and said, "I’m okay. You guys just follow me from afar."

A person whose spirit was manipulated just dismissed it like that? Feng Hen and Feng Xing gave each other a glance, both discerning the concern from the other’s eyes. Could they trust her words?

The Lady of Rui’an couldn’t possibly be controlled that easily, could they?

"Follow me from afar, don’t let anyone notice, I want to see who wants to harm me."

Only then did the two nod their heads in understanding.

The wizard and Shengyi cast a spell together, combining their powers. Indeed, they quickly managed to control the soul of the owner of the hair strand.

To prevent the soul from resisting and breaking out of control, the wizard sped up the spell casting process.

The golden python felt Shangguan Xuanyi approaching and quickly slid off the table, slithering rapidly towards him.

He wouldn’t let him spoil his well-planned scheme!

Shangguan Xuanyi found his way here by instinct. He swiftly moved towards the altar using Qinggong, suddenly feeling something fly over and bite his hand.

He was about to shake it off when a golden flash stopped him.

He lifted the golden python to his eyes.

The golden python released his hand, grew a bit larger, and spat a strand of Xiao’er’s hair onto the back of his hand.

"Is this your master’s hair strand? You got it back?"

The golden python nodded.

"Is your master okay now?"

The golden python nodded again.

Then the golden python glanced back towards the altar direction, then turned its head back to Shangguan Xuanyi and shook its head.

"Are you telling me not to go ahead?"

The golden python nodded. It climbed onto Shangguan Xuanyi’s head, used its mouth to pluck one of his hair strands, placed it in his hand, then nudged Xiao’er’s hair strand with its head.

Without mind communication, the golden python indicated that it was almost dizzy from nodding.

Shangguan Xuanyi watched the golden python’s movements and ventured a guess:

"Is the wizard still casting the spell?"

The golden python nodded.

"So, you’re saying you stole the hair strand from that girl, replaced it with the hair of the person who wants to harm her, and you want me to not interfere with the spell casting?"

The golden python nodded vigorously. Thankfully, communicating with this person wasn’t too difficult!

Shangguan Xuanyi smiled at the golden python: "Good job!"

That girl was truly fortunate to have such a spirit-infused snake as her pet.

At this moment, Xiao’er also appeared in their sight.

On seeing Shangguan Xuanyi, Xiao’er’s eyes lit up.

"Brother Shangguan, I’m fine now!"

Shangguan Xuanyi studied her from head to toe before finally nodding.

"Master, am I great!" The golden python sought praise.

"Yes, truly smart!" Xiao’er reached out and touched its snake body, deciding to avoid its head.

"I’ll pretend to be soulless and continue ahead, you guys just follow me!"

"Alright!" Shangguan Xuanyi nodded in agreement, only if the spell continued could they eat their own fruit, just killing them would be too cheap for them!