Hate?

A secret meeting of the core members of the alliance.

Qingheng-jun, Lan Xichen, Nie Mingjue, Jiang Fengmian, Jin Zixuan, Xie Lin, and others gathered together, with the Zhuoyao Golden Hairpin placed in the center, the drop of Yang Sha Marrow flowing with a gentle yet powerful force.

“The Yang Sha Marrow is extremely yang and pure, and is indeed the nemesis of Yin Iron.” Qinghengjun pondered, “However, its nature is violent. Direct use may harm oneself, and it is also difficult to accurately target Wen Ruohan.”

Xie Linyang had been thinking about this for a long time, and now he proposed a plan: "I think it can be done in two steps. First, Zewu Jun and Young Master Lan can work together to try to combine the power of Yang Sha Marrow with musical techniques. This may create a special sound field that can interfere with and weaken the resentment of Yin Iron, which can be used on large-scale battlefields to reduce the pressure on our cultivators."

Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji exchanged a glance and nodded slightly. This method was in line with the Lan Clan's expertise in music.

"Secondly," Xie Linyang continued, his gaze resolute, "I will go into seclusion, using my own cultivation technique as the foundation and the Blazing Sun as the guide, to attempt to completely refine and guide a wisp of the purest Yang Sha marrow essence into my own spiritual power. At that time, I may be able to confront Wen Ruohan head-on with this, or at least... be able to offset the Yin Iron's enhancement to him to the greatest extent possible."

This method is undoubtedly extremely dangerous, equivalent to introducing an uncontrollable and powerful external force into one's own body, causing everyone to show a solemn expression.

"Guest Xie, isn't this method too risky?" Jiang Fengmian asked with concern.

"This is, at present, the most likely way to directly restrain Wen Ruohan." Xie Linyang's tone was calm, but with an unwavering determination. "Since I possess this ability, it is my duty to do so."

Everyone knows that Xie Linyang possesses the power of life-giving energy, making him the most suitable candidate.

Nie Mingjue slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming: "Good! You have guts! Whatever support you need, the Nie family of Qinghe will not refuse!"

The plan was thus finalized. Xie Linyang began his intensive research and preparation, racing against time.

A few days later, in the evening, Xie Linyang had just come out of the "research room" that had been temporarily set aside for her, looking tired, when she saw Jiang Yanli waiting outside the tent with a food box in her hand and a smile on her face.

"Ah Li?" Xie Lin Yang was somewhat surprised.

“Lin Yang,” Jiang Yanli gently took her hand and led her to a relatively quiet place. She opened the food box, which contained steaming lotus root and pork rib soup and several delicate side dishes. “I heard from A-Xian that you and A-Cheng seemed to have some unpleasantness in the ruins? A-Cheng is a bit stubborn and speaks bluntly, but he has a good heart. If he said anything that made you sad, I apologize on his behalf.”

Xie Linyang felt a warmth in her heart and quickly shook her head: "Senior sister, you're too kind. It's nothing, we've already... talked it out."

Jiang Yanli observed her expression and, seeing that she had no resentment, understood and her smile deepened: "It's good that you've talked it out. Ah Cheng is just a stubborn mule. He keeps some things to himself and won't say them unless someone forces him to. If he has feelings for someone, he'll be even more awkward."

She patted Xie Linyang's hand meaningfully, "His feelings for you are different from his feelings for others."

Xie Linyang was stunned, her heart feeling as if it had been gently brushed by a feather, rippling with emotion. What did her senior sister mean?

“The battle at the front is intense, and it’s right for him to go back. Lotus Pier is our root, and we cannot afford to lose it.” Jiang Yanli’s tone was gentle but firm. “What you are doing here is a matter of life and death for the entire immortal sect, so you must take good care of yourself. A-Cheng… is thinking of you.”

Listening to Jiang Yanli's gentle persuasion and subtle matchmaking, Xie Linyang instantly understood his senior sister's intentions. Mentioning Jiang Cheng reminded him of the feeling of embracing each other at the ferry that day, and his heart inexplicably quickened.

She nodded and said softly, "Thank you, senior sister, I understand."

After seeing Jiang Yanli off, Xie Linyang was about to return to his tent when he bumped into Meng Yao, who seemed to be passing by.

His injuries had healed somewhat, and he was able to walk slowly on his own. Upon seeing Xie Linyang, he whispered, "Master."

Her gaze quickly swept over the food box Jiang Yanli had given her, her expression unreadable.

"Hmm." Xie Linyang responded indifferently, his attitude distant and wary. "Your injuries are not fully healed, so don't move around unnecessarily."

"Yes," Meng Yao replied respectfully, then asked softly, seemingly casually, "I saw Miss Jiang come by just now... Is there any news from Yunmeng?"

Xie Linyang felt a chill run down her spine, but her face remained impassive: "I've already said, you shouldn't interfere in the Alliance's affairs anymore. Go back and rest." She said no more and turned to leave.

He was indeed constantly testing us.

Meng Yao watched her departing figure, then glanced in the direction Jiang Yanli had left. The gentleness on her face gradually faded, turning into a gloomy expression.

Long before Jiang Cheng left Longtan Ferry, he knew that the misunderstanding between his master and Jiang Cheng had been resolved. He had no way of knowing what the two of them had said, but his master would probably never believe him again…

Meng Yao has been officially excluded from the core affairs of the alliance.

Meng Yao seemed to have no objection to this. He continued to live in a separate tent near Xie Linyang's camp, taking his medicine and changing his dressings on time every day, and his injuries were recovering at a slow but steady pace. Xie Linyang did not forbid him from going out, but every morning and evening when he paid his respects, he would always ask, "Where did you go today? Who did you see?"

Meng Yao kept her eyes down as she reported, "I went to the medical tent to change my medicine and met Miss Mianmian on the way. We exchanged a few words."

"I took a walk in the open space on the west side of the camp and watched the disciples practice their swords for a while."

"I borrowed two geography books from the Lan family, and I have already returned them."

He spoke in detail, and Xie Linyang listened attentively. There was a cold, transparent wall between them; she could see through his every move, and he could feel her scrutiny.

That evening, Meng Yao came to report as usual. Xie Lin Yang was engrossed in studying the method of fusing Yang Sha Marrow, the candlelight casting a soft glow on her profile, though her brows were slightly furrowed with concentration. She didn't look up, only saying, "Speak."

"I went to the logistics department today to pick up new writing brushes and ink. On the way, I met Young Master Wei. He asked about my injuries and made a few jokes."

Meng Yao's voice was calm and even, "In the afternoon, I copied a landscape painting in the tent, using the Xuan paper that Master gave me the day before yesterday. At three quarters past Shen time, I went to Miss Jiang's place to get the clothes that Master had instructed me to repair."

Xie Linyang finally looked up at him. She had indeed given him a ream of Xuan paper the day before, saying it was for him to practice calligraphy and calm his mind, but in reality, she wanted to see what he would write. And he really only painted landscapes, with neat brushstrokes and a bland artistic conception, revealing no thought whatsoever.

"Did your senior sister give you the clothes?" she asked.

"Yes." Meng Yao took out a neatly folded blue outer garment from her bosom. It was the one that Xie Linyang had torn in the ruins that day. "Miss Jiang's craftsmanship is excellent. You can hardly see the tear."

Xie Linyang took the clothes, her fingertips touching the soft fabric, and her heart softened inexplicably. Jiang Yanli was always so considerate, remembering even such small things. She set the clothes aside and looked at Meng Yao again: "Is there anything else?"

Meng Yao was silent for a moment, then said softly, "At the beginning of the hour of You (5-7 PM), Young Master Jin... Jin Zixuan came to the camp. I saw him from afar, but I did not go forward."

Xie Linyan's eyes flickered slightly. Since returning from the ruins, Jin Zixuan's attitude towards Jiang Yanli had softened considerably. He would occasionally bring her things, and although he was still awkward, he was no longer as cold and sarcastic as before. Meng Yao didn't need to tell her to know these things, but he brought them up himself, which made him seem quite at ease.

"Why not mention it?" she asked.

“Master didn’t ask.” Meng Yao raised her eyes, her usually gentle and smiling eyes now as calm as two deep pools of water. “Master only asked where I went and who I met.”

He was playing word games, yet his tone was so respectful that it was impossible to find fault with him.

Xie Linyang looked at him and suddenly noticed that he had lost a lot of weight. The lines of his cheeks were more defined, and his clothes, which used to fit him well, now looked somewhat loose. The candlelight cast deep and shallow shadows on his face, and after the gentle smile that always graced his face disappeared, his face showed an almost fragile paleness.

A complex mix of emotions swept through her mind.

"Go down." That was all she said in the end, before lowering her head to continue her studies.

Meng Yao bowed and stepped back to the door, then suddenly stopped, her voice very soft: "Master."

"What is it?"

"Master hasn't smiled at his disciple in a long time," he said, his tone as calm as still water. "But what have I done wrong?"

Xie Linyan's hand paused, ink spreading into a small smudge on the paper. She looked up, meeting Meng Yao's overly calm eyes. He was testing her, she knew it. But the question was too direct, too… humble.

"You want me to laugh?" she retorted, her voice turning cold.

Meng Yao shook his head: "This disciple dares not. It's just..." He paused, his voice even lower, "It's just that I feel like Master hates this disciple to death."

Silence fell within the tent. The candlelight crackled, and the footsteps of patrolling disciples echoed in the distance. Xie Linyang looked at his meek and obedient disciple before him, recalling the blood-stained, cautious Lianfang Zun in the Shadow Grass, and then the scenes of the two of them together in the Mengyu Mountains.

Two images intertwined in her mind, tearing at her judgment.

“I don’t hate you,” she finally said, her tone devoid of emotion, “but I don’t trust you either.”

Meng Yao's shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly. He slowly raised his head, the candlelight reflecting in his eyes, as if something had shattered, only to be quickly submerged in calm.

“Disciple understands,” he said, bowing again. “Disciple takes his leave.”

He left the tent, and as the curtain fell, a night breeze blew in, causing the candlelight to flicker. Xie Linyang watched the swaying light and shadows, and suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. She put down her pen and rubbed her temples.

Jiang Yanli's words from that day echoed in her ears again: "Acheng is just a stubborn mule. He keeps some things to himself and won't say them unless someone forces him to."

What about Meng Yao? Who is Meng Yao?

She didn't know. All she knew was that the young man's gaze towards her was growing deeper, and his feelings for her were becoming increasingly blatant, so deep that it frightened her.

Three days later, Xie Linyang officially went into seclusion.

The secluded training location was chosen in a natural cave behind Longtan Ferry, which was reinforced by the Lan Clan cultivators with a triple protective array. No one was allowed to approach except for the disciples who delivered meals at set times each day.

"It will take at least ten days, and at most a month," Xie Lin Yang instructed Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian. "If the Wen clan attacks during this period, we will respond according to the established plan. If..." She paused, "If anything happens to me, the research data on the Yang Sha Marrow is all here, and we will hand it over to Zewu-jun to continue."

Wei Wuxian frowned: "What unlucky talk! You'll definitely succeed!"

Lan Xichen said gently, "Be sure to be careful and act within your capabilities."

Xie Linyang nodded, taking one last look outside the cave. In the distance, the lights of the camp twinkled, and further still, the night sky was as black as ink. Jiang Cheng should be on the front lines in Yunmeng right now; she wondered how the battle was going. She took a deep breath, turned, and walked into the cave.

The stone gate slowly closed behind them, isolating them from the outside world.

The cave was simply furnished, with only a stone couch and a stone table. Luminous pearls were embedded in the walls, emitting a soft, cool light. A spirit-gathering array was carved on the central floor, and a radiant golden hairpin floated at the core of the array, with a drop of Yang Sha marrow at its tip swirling with a warm, golden luster.

Xie Linyang sat cross-legged in the formation, closing his eyes and concentrating.

The "Sheng Yang Jue" mental technique slowly circulated through the meridians, guiding the spiritual energy throughout the body towards the blazing sun. The golden hairpin sensed its master's call and trembled slightly. The light of the Yang Sha Marrow fluctuated accordingly, and strands of pure Yang energy were extracted and fed back into Xie Lin Yang's body along with the flow of spiritual energy.

The initial process went smoothly. Although the Yang Sha Marrow was violent, under the guidance of the Sheng Yang Technique and the harmonization of Zhuo Yao, it gradually merged with her spiritual power. She could feel her meridians expanding, her spiritual power solidifying, and the pure Yang fire in her dantian, representing her cultivation level in the Sheng Yang Technique, growing increasingly vigorous.

On the third day, she had successfully introduced a wisp of Yang Sha marrow essence into her dantian, where it began to merge with her own spiritual power. The progress was faster than she had anticipated.

On the seventh day, an unexpected event occurred.

Perhaps due to excessive haste, or perhaps due to overestimating his own capacity to withstand it, when Xie Linyang attempted to introduce the second strand of Yang Sha marrow essence, the previously tamed power suddenly went out of control.

It was like a boulder being thrown into a calm lake, or magma surging beneath the ice finding a breaking point. Two forces of primordial yang energy, originating from the same source but operating at different frequencies, collided and tore at her meridians, causing a searing pain to explode from her dantian and instantly spread throughout her limbs and bones!

"Ugh—" Xie Linyang groaned, his face turning deathly pale instantly.

She gritted her teeth and desperately tried to suppress the two forces by activating the Yang-Generating Technique, but they were like enraged wild beasts, rampaging through her body.

The Radiant Golden Hairpin trembled violently, and the Yang Sha Marrow at its tip shone brightly, almost piercing the darkness within the cave. More extreme Yang power surged out uncontrollably, pouring into her meridians, which were already nearing their limit.

Oh no... this is getting out of control...

Her consciousness began to blur, and everything before her eyes was spinning. She saw the stone walls swaying, the luminous pearl stretching into long lines, and her own hands, her fingertips turning an unnatural crimson, as if they were being ignited from within.

We must stop... we must...

With her last shred of clarity, she tried to sever her connection with Zhuoyao. But it was too late. The Yang Sha Marrow seemed to have chosen her as its host, frantically pouring power into her body. Fine cracks began to appear in her meridians, and her internal organs felt as if they were being roasted on a fire.

The excruciating pain overwhelmed reason.

My last impressions were the metallic taste rising in my throat and the blinding golden light that exploded before my eyes before my vision completely went dark.