Zhaoyun was surprised. "An old friend?"
The phrase "old friend" could be taken lightly or seriously.
But Zhaoyun couldn't figure out how Duwei's past life could contain an old acquaintance like this.
In the mortal world, Duwei had nothing at all. He walked the Peachriver Path alone. Betrayed by everyone he knew, he walked on in solitude. After reaching the upper realm, he never let anyone get close to him. All year round, only birds visited the empty and desolate Purejade Peak. It seemed unlikely that Yan Qing was someone he met while traveling. Duwei's heart was as cold as ice, and he wouldn't take a glance at people or things that were insignificant.
Where did this old acquaintance come from?
Zhaoyun's gaze fell on Yan Qing, this time with genuine surprise in his eyes. He couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, did you know Duwei in the past? When did you meet?"
Yan Qing thought: A very, very long time ago.
At a time when no one in the world knew Xie Shiyi, he had already known him.
But facing Zhaoyun, he paused for a moment and then chose to smile, his eyes curving as he said, "Just recently, Elder. Venerable Duwei and I hit it off immediately."
Hitting it off immediately? Could that be called an old friend?
Zhaoyun wanted to ask more.
Lezhan stopped her, focusing his gaze on Xie Shiyi's eyes, covered by white silk. His brow furrowed. "Duwei, what happened to your eyes?"
Xie Shiyi had anticipated this question. He replied calmly, "Something happened during my seclusion."
Lezhan became more worried. "Is it serious?"
Xie Shiyi said, "Not serious. A few days of rest will be enough."
Lezhan sighed in relief. "That's good."
At that moment, Tianshu reached the top of the nine thousand and nine hundred steps as well. Upon seeing Zhaoyun and Lezhan, he bowed respectfully. "Sect Master, Elder Zhaoyun." Then he stood up, beaming with a bit of pride. "See, I wasn't wrong. Duwei really plans to stay at the sect for a while."
Lezhan smiled. He was handsome and elegant, with an immortal-like demeanor. Turning, he asked Xie Shiyi, "How long do you plan to stay this time, Duwei?"
Xie Shiyi was silent for a moment and then said, "I’m not sure."
Zhaoyun softly said, "It's good for you to stay longer. Before, you always stayed at Azurejade Palace, even when a blizzard was raging over the demon-slaying array. I was worried for you."
After climbing the nine thousand and nine hundred steps, Yan Qing thought he would be exhausted. However, upon seeing Lezhan and Zhaoyun, he unexpectedly felt a sense of calm, with neither fatigue nor drowsiness.
He wandered around, following his red thread, looking at the plum blossoms of the Wangqing Sect, and then at the man and woman slowly descending from the clouds. Both of them were top-level figures who could make the entire upper realm tremble with just a wave of their sleeves. Yet in front of Xie Shiyi, they seemed like parents eagerly awaiting their son’s return home, with gentle smiles on their faces.
Yan Qing had previously complained about Desireless Sect's hospitality. He didn’t expect that when he finally met the sect master of the number one sect in the world, he would find him more amiable than his own master in Springturn Sect.
Of course, this was probably due to Xie Shiyi.
Judging by the numerous Desireless Sect disciples kneeling silently on the martial arts platform, it was evident that Sect Master Lezhan wasn't as gentle and refined as he appeared.
Xie Shiyi said, "I'll take everyone back to Purejade Peak for now. If you need anything, send me a message." He had grown from a prodigious youth into the leader of the Cultivation Alliance, wielding great power. Though he was more restrained in front of his mentors, his manner of speaking still occasionally revealed his old habits.
Zhaoyun nodded with a gentle smile. "Alright, go back to the peak. I haven't seen you for a hundred years. Now I finally feel at ease."
Lezhan spoke up, "Duwei, your Purejade Peak has been empty for a century. Now that you're moving back in, do you need me to arrange for some attendants?"
Xie Shiyi replied, "No need."
Yan Qing was still observing the over three hundred outer peaks of Desireless Sect when he suddenly heard Xie Shiyi's voice. "Let's go."
"Oh, okay." Ahead of them, plum blossoms had fallen all over the ground. Although they didn't form a continuous red carpet like the one on the cloud stairs, they was still dazzlingly beautiful.
Yan Qing could feel countless gazes on his back.
From Lezhan and Zhaoyun, there was a mixture of curiosity and hesitation.
From the disciples kneeling silently, there was shock and disbelief.
All becaues of that familiar yet distant name.
"Sect Master, Elder Zhaoyun." Tianshu, seeing the two lost in thought, cautiously called out.
Zhaoyun withdrew her gaze, the gentle expression fading from her face, and said, "Tianshu, tell us everything that happened at Springturn Sect." Her smile was soft and charming, but when she wasn't smiling, her Soul Formation aura felt like a sharp, cold wind.
Tianshu, both fearful and respectful of this supreme elder, wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "Elder Zhaoyun, that boy presented the token to us in order to propose marriage to Duwei. Duwei went to Springturn Sect to investigate the Zixiao affair. There, he agreed to the marriage."
Zhaoyun's tone was surprised. "Duwei agreed?"
Tianshu replied, "Yes, and he even brought the boy back to the sect."
Lezhan and Zhaoyun exchanged glances. The two elders, each over a thousand years old, fell silent for a moment. Tianshu, seeing their expressions, could somewhat understand their feelings.
Zhaoyun furrowed her brows tightly.
Lezhan, being more open-minded, sighed and smiled to comfort her, "Don't overthink it. Don't you feel that when Duwei walked up the cloud stairs just now, he was the most relaxed he's been in a hundred years?"
Xi Zhaoyun stiffened slightly, then turned to gaze at the long flight of cloud stairs.
Plum blossoms fluttered, twisting into a red corridor. For a moment, she was lost in thought. Actually, just now, watching Duwei lead that young man up the steps step by step, she saw an image. It was as if it was a wedding procession in the mortal world, with plum blossoms and light snow, witnessed by the heavens, binding their fates together.
Jadeclear Peak was one of the ten inner peaks of Desireless Sect, located in the central south. Xie Shiyi must have taken an obscure path, as they didn't encounter many Desireless Sect disciples along the way.
Yan Qing had been constantly looking around all day, tilting his head to observe everything.
He looked at the flowers and snow, the trees and birds, as if trying to piece together in his mind the chaotic period of Xie Shiyi's growth that he had missed.
The world was pure white, the mountains steep and rugged.
Looking up, Yan Qing unreservedly praised, "Desireless Sect truly lives up to being the number one sect in the world. The scenery is indeed splendid."
Xie Shiyi said, "There is a cold spring in Jadeclear Peak where you can cleanse your body and refine your essence."
Yan Qing was surprised, "You have such a powerful pool on your peak? You’re truly worthy of being the chief disciple."
Xie Shiyi didn't respond and instead asked, "How did you cultivate in your past life?" He paused and added, "After entering the demonic realm?"
How did he cultivate after entering the demonic realm?
Haphazardly…
But how could Yan Qing tell him that? After considering it briefly, he replied, "I guided qi into my body. Why, has the upper realm found a new path for cultivation?"
Xie Shiyi said, "If you want to rebuild your foundation, you can't cultivate like that."
After his rebirth, Yan Qing had already planned how he would restore his cultivation.
In the cultivation world, everyone considered their innate bone structure to be extremely important. However, once one's cultivation reached the Void Comprehension level, one would realize that the physical body was merely a vessel. Superior spiritual roots only made it easier for spiritual qi to enter the body.
In the end, what truly mattered was one's sensitivity to the spiritual qi of the heavens and the earth. One had to be familiar with their five senses and their spiritual consciousness, refining them in their dantian in a suitable way.
But now, starting from the Qi Refining level, Yan Qing faced a long road ahead in his cultivation journey.
Hearing Xie Shiyi's words, Yan Qing was puzzled. "Why won't that work?"
Xie Shiyi replied, "Your current dantian cannot accommodate too much spiritual energy."
Yan Qing asked, "Really?" Given that Xie Shiyi was at the peak of the Soul Formation level and was the number one cultivator in the world, his words carried a lot of weight.
Xie Shiyi said calmly, "You first need to shatter your dantian."
Shatter the dantian? Destroy the dantian?
Yan Qing asked, "Wouldn't that be very painful?"
Xie Shiyi's voice was soft amidst the mountains and forests, "It won't hurt."
Yan Qing said, "Oh, really."
Lezhan had mentioned that Jadeclear Peak had been deserted for a hundred years, and its appearance truly reflected this.
The path twisted and turned, revealing a blanket of white snow, scattered with piles of dead branches and leaves.
Trouble, having slept deeply, finally woke up. Feeling suffocated in Yan Qing's sleeve, he poked at him with his foot.
Seeing that there was no one around, Yan Qing let him out.
Trouble happily emerged from the sleeve, but before he could express its excitement, he saw Xie Shiyi beside him. Swallowing his words, he shrank back onto Yan Qing's shoulder, as quiet as a mouse.
Xie Shiyi led Yan Qing to the main hall of Jadeclear Peak. The hall was grand and spacious, with only the sound of the wind swirling around. The first thing Yan Qing noticed was the forest of plum blossoms hidden in the sea of clouds and mist. Compared to these, the plum blossoms in front of the Desireless Sect's main gate seemed less vibrant.
There was a node of spiritual qi here, so the plum blossoms here were particularly crimson. The plum blossoms stood before a cliff, with a stone tablet before them. Yan Qing's gaze was drawn to the tablet, and he was about to lean in to see the characters on it when Xie Shiyi grabbed his wrist and pulled him back, saying, "Jadeclear Peak has countless formations. Do not touch anything."
Yan Qing replied, "Oh, okay."
Xie Shiyi led him through the corridors and into a side room. He cast a basic spell, blocking off the cold wind and fine snow outside, making the room warm and cozy. Yan Qing, a mere mortal, felt rejuvenated upon entering. The silk curtains and bedding looked luxurious and comfortable, and the warmth and dryness of the room amplified his exhaustion, making the weariness from his journey surge over him.
Xie Shiyi raised his sleeve, and a faint light from a candle illuminated the room. He said softly, "Rest for a while. I have some matters to attend to."
Yan Qing, who was not usually one to sleep much, felt unusually drowsy and casually asked, "Where are you going?"
Xie Shiyi paused slightly and said, "Just outside."
Yan Qing nodded. It had been a long time since he felt so completely relaxed and unguarded. In such a state, his drowsiness increased.
Outside, the sound of plum blossoms falling could be faintly heard.
Trouble bit his wing in frustration and exclaimed, "Why did you come home with him!!"
Yan Qing replied, "Yes, this is your new home. Look around, do you like it?"
Trouble was speechless. He was so upset that he wanted to run away from home, but he couldn't get past the formations Xie Shiyi set, so he could only sulk on the ceiling beam.
***
The scene changed to Springturn Sect.
Hengbai didn't return with Tianshu and the others on the cloud ship because he had to handle some loose ends.
After sealing the Void Comprehension secret realm and collecting all of Zixiao's relics, he turned around and saw Bai Xiaoxiao, whose had slightly red eyes. He couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Even the ever-kind Tianshu, who was known for his gentleness throughout the three hundred peaks, had been so frightened that he chose to slip away, leaving this mess behind for him. This alone spoke volumes about how terrifying this young man was.
Hengbai said coldly, "Stop crying."
Bai Xiaoxiao didn't really want to cry either, but he felt so wronged. Hearing Hengbai's words, he bit his lip in defiance and stopped speaking.
Hengbai, known for his sharp tongue in Desireless Sect, placed the ashes of the Skyrage blade into a box and rolled his eyes again. "Don't you know that your crying is quite annoying?"
Bai Xiaoxiao sniffled but remained silent.
Hengbai continued, "Fidgety and weepy, why do you have so many tears in your head?"
Bai Xiaoxiao couldn't help but mutter, "It's not like I want to cry."
Hengbai looked at him coldly. Once he moved past the feeling of watching a clown, he found Bai Xiaoxiao rather intriguing. Greed and jealousy were written all over his face, his thoughts entirely transparent.
Such naive individuals were rare in the Southluster continent.
Left behind by himself, Hengbai missed his chance to return to the sect with his esteemed Xie-shixiong. Feeling irritable, he couldn't resist mocking Bai Xiaoxiao further: "Don't you have a fiancé? Why are you so eager for the token? Is this your unwavering loyalty?"
Bai Xiaoxiao, his true feelings exposed, had red eyes but stubbornly said, "I wasn't after that token. I just don’t like Yan Qing's behavior."
Hengbai sneered, "You can't even fool me. Who else do you think you can deceive?"
Bai Xiaoxiao fell silent again.
Hengbai said, "Tianshu initially agreed to take you back to the sect, but he didn't expect Xie-shixiong to return as well. As for someone like you, he wouldn't dare let Xie-shixiong see you again."
Bai Xiaoxiao's eyes reddened even more, and he clenched his fists.
Hengbai looked down at him coldly. "I was genuinely impressed by your audacity back then. Such foolish intentions, yet you displayed them so openly in front of Xie-shixiong."
"What do you take him for?"
"Bai Xiaoxiao, let me tell you, if anyone in this world could deceive Xie-shixiong, it would only be Xie-shixiong himself, or it would be someone he willingly let deceive him."
Hengbai, carrying the box, walked out, not wanting to stay a second longer in this desolate place.
Bai Xiaoxiao remained silent for a long time before suddenly speaking softly, "Why are you all treating me this way?"
Hengbai’s eye twitched.
Bai Xiaoxiao wiped his tears with his sleeve, his voice barely audible, "Am I suffering all this humiliation and injustice just because I saved an elder?"
This time, it was Hengbai's lips that twitched.
Now he understood why Tianshu had made a swift exit.
Hengbai said coldly before he left, "Isn't all the humiliation and injustice you're suffering now a result of your own actions? Besides, you have the power Zixiao left within you. Most people wouldn't be able to obtain an advantage like that even after risking their lives countless times. What do you have to complain about?"
Bai Xiaoxiao's hand stopped mid-air as he was wiping his tears. He muttered, "Elder Zixiao’s power?"
Hengbai let his sword drop to his feet as he held the box containing the sword ashes. He left on his sword, unwilling to deal with him any longer. As an elder of Desireless Sect, he had long since seen through the nature of opportunities. Whether they were a blessing or a curse depended entirely on one's destiny.
After Xie Shiyi left, the peach blossoms in the valley withered. The bare branches stretched toward the sky, once again presenting the desolate and dilapidated scene of Springturn Sect, as if the peach blossom rain of yesterday was nothing more than a dream.
Sitting on a boulder, Bai Xiaoxiao looked up at the narrow patch of sky, feeling trapped in both vision and mind.
A dry leaf fell onto Bai Xiaoxiao's hair. He instinctively looked up, gazing in the direction in which Hengbai had left.
That path led to... the Southluster continent.
***
Xie Shiyi sat on the jade platform in the main hall of Jadeclear Palace. A hummingbird flew through the majestic wind and snow and the burning red plum blossoms, pausing by his hand.
He extended a finger, and the hummingbird pecked lightly at his nail.
Layers of cold, murderous encrypted messages echoed throughout the palace.
"Alliance Leader, the people you ordered us to kill have all been dealt with."
"Qin Changfeng and Qin Changtian of the Qin family of the Violetaurum continent; Xiao Luoya and Xiao Chengxue of the Xiao family; Yin Guan and Yin Xian of Lightstream Sect. All their soul lamps have been extinguished."
Xie Shiyi turned his jade-like finger. The hummingbird crumbled into dust and was swept away by the forceful wind.
His hands were made for holding both a sword and pen. Where the sword pointed, only bones were left behind; where his vermilion brush touched, words with killing intent were left behind.
White silk covered his eyes. His snow-white robe remained pristine and his black hair flowed down. He was as detached and noble as a celestial being.
Few knew how much blood stained the hands of this flawless immortal.
After sleeping for a whole day and night, Yan Qing woke up still feeling sore all over. Those nine thousand nine hundred steps were truly not for the faint-hearted. Trouble, having accepted his fate, had learned to entertain himself, squatting in a corner playing with mud and snow.
Yan Qing, with his hair disheveled, yawned without regard for his image and walked outside barefoot.
Trouble clung to his hair with his wings, exclaiming, "I'm freezing to death, when will this snow stop?!"
Yan Qing replied lazily, "That depends on the master's mood."
As he stepped into the main hall, the surrounding bronze bells began to chime.
Xie Shiyi seemed unsurprised by their entrance.
Yan Qing held Trouble, standing at the threshold of the palace. For a moment, he looked at Xie Shiyi sitting high in the hall in a daze.
In truth, he had always felt that Xie Shiyi had an innately dual nature of both good and evil. Even if he didn’t bring calamity to the world, he wasn’t a good person either. To his surprise, step by step, Xie Shiyi became the serene and refined Venerable Duwei of the present.
Seeing he had woken, Xie Shiyi rose and walked down, his robe like snow covering the steps. "Let's go to the cold spring."
Yan Qing replied, "Oh, okay."
They walked through a long corridor adorned with bronze bells and drifting with plum blossoms and snow.
Perhaps he had overslept, as his mind was a bit groggy. He couldn't help but look at Xie Shiyi repeatedly, and finally, as if driven by some unseen force, he asked softly, "Xie Shiyi, why are you helping me like this?"
It was difficult for him to define their relationship.
This question felt like it dispelled a thin layer of mist.
It forced them to face each other clearly and calmly after a long separation.
Xie Shiyi calmly asked, "Why are you asking this?"
Yan Qing thought for a moment and answered truthfully, "Because I want to know the answer."
Xie Shiyi was silent for a moment before he smiled lightly, his tone impenetrable. "Yan Qing, there are few people who can obtain answers from me without paying a price."
Yan Qing tugged on Trouble’s wings, saying nothing. Perhaps their earlier conversation had been too casual, as if time had flowed seamlessly backward to their past.
When Yan Qing stepped out of the warm illusion he had maintained, Xie Shiyi revealed his current cold sharpness.
Yan Qing asked, "A price?"
Xie Shiyi said nonchalantly, "The cold spring is in the plum forest. I'll wait for you outside."
Yan Qing didn’t accept his attempt to change the topic. "What price?"
Seeing his persistence, Xie Shiyi's voice was clear and indifferent. "If you really want to know, answer three questions for me."
Yan Qing was taken aback. "Huh?"
Previously, Xie Shiyi seemed to have infinite patience for him, indulging his every word and action. However, this did not mean he was a gentle person. On the contrary, the real Xie Shiyi was the one who was forceful and domineering.
Xie Shiyi's voice was clear and calm. "Why didn't you leave Springturn Sect? Why did you intervene in the Void Comprehension level secret realm? And why are you so persistent in this question?"
Why didn't you leave Springturn Sect?
If you wanted to see the scenery of the Southluster continent, you should have left after your rebirth.
Why did you intervene in the secret realm?
You pretended to be crazy and acted foolishly to avoid being recognized, only to fail in the end.
Why are you so persistent about this question?
—Does the reason why I helped you matter that much?
***
cela's notes:
2:02 hours
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