Chapter 66

Feng Qingli's expression suddenly changed.

Everyone knows that the sect leader of Qingniao Yiyehua has long been at odds with Mingyue Sword Venerable. Even when Qingniao Yiyehua openly bid at this auction in Guicanglou, everyone assumed it was because the sect needed it, or that Feng Qingli wanted to make great progress in his cultivation techniques and add icing on the cake.

Unbeknownst to anyone, although Feng Qingli did not go there in person, he waited outside the East Sea.

The master of Gui Cang Lou, Yan Ruchao, possesses unpredictable martial arts skills and an even more unpredictable personality. Feng Qingli has neither the interest nor the time to provoke him, so he will not make a move on Gui Cang Lou's territory.

But once we leave this place, things are hard to say.

Even though Feng Qingli had received the news and made thorough preparations, he still didn't expect it to happen so... easily.

Yes, easily.

While Chu Jiye did manage to protect the fragment of the spiritual bone, the woman who claimed to be the "reincarnation of the Sword Master" was abducted far too easily.

Including the fact that another group intervened halfway through, but for some reason, they seemed to realize they were no match for the enemy and retreated one after another.

Everything seemed perfectly normal, but Feng Qingli felt that something was off.

He gazed at the "reincarnation of the Sword Master," and a smile, befitting the sect leader of the Azure Bird One Leaf Flower Sect, appeared on his face.

"Hope you've been well."

Feng Qingli handed over a veil and said casually, "Sword Master, do you still remember me?"

The man took the veil from him, his expression indifferent, without the slightest change.

"Feng Qingli, the master of the Bluebird One Leaf Flower Sect."

wrong.

Feng Qingli pinched her fingers.

The same face, the same figure, but he was still not satisfied.

It always seems like something's missing.

Unexpectedly, a figure flashed through Feng Qingli's mind.

That female disciple from Yunwang Palace.

Her expression and demeanor were completely different from what she remembered, and even her face looked slightly more youthful than she remembered. But for some reason, the moment the reincarnation of the Sword Master was mentioned, Feng Qingli's mind immediately conjured up her image.

"Sect Leader Feng, have you come to see me?"

A naive and delighted voice interrupted Feng Qingli's thoughts. He looked up and saw Ning Jiao revealing a...

Today she wore a pale yellow brocade robe with a gorgeous gold background, and the hem was embroidered with a pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix.

That's truly a shallow and malicious thought.

Feng Qingli smiled nonchalantly: "Greetings, Madam Ning."

In just a few words, Ning Jiao had run up to him. She raised a naive, almost foolish smile, as if she had no recollection of how Feng Qingli had humiliated her and almost kidnapped her to send her home.

Her words were cut off before she could finish speaking.

Ning Jiao's gaze no longer fell on anyone else; she stared intently at the woman standing next to Feng Qingli.

A gentle breeze lifted a corner of the veil, revealing her true face beneath.

In an instant, all color drained from Ning Jiao's face.

The city lord's wife, who commanded immense respect in the ever-sleeping city of Shanhai, stood frozen in place, staring unblinkingly at the man. The words, barely escaping her throat, were: "This...person...is?"

Instantly, a group of terrified servants knelt down behind Ning Jiao.

But Feng Qingli didn't care at all.

He stared at Ning Jiao for a moment, then casually looked away. With a slight flick of his sleeve, he stopped Ning Jiao from stepping forward. His peach blossom eyes curved into a frivolous and dissolute smile in an instant.

"She's a guest invited by the Chu family. But is Madam Ning sure she wants to discuss these matters here?"

And that person remained standing beside Feng Qingli.

He didn't even glance at her, nor did he say a word to her.

It was as if the nightmare had returned.

For many days and nights, she was confined to the Sword Pavilion, only able to learn about the current rumors in the human world through scattered words from afar.

At that time, she had no of the unforgettable love and hate stories in the cultivation world, nor did she know about her own background. She was simply Ning Jiaojiao.

The bright moonlight always falls on the ground beneath the moon.

Throughout the entire Sword Pavilion, the Sword Master Guihai was nowhere to be seen. The eldest brother was always taciturn, and although the second brother was gentle, he would play the zither and flute for her and accompany her in cultivation, but he never spoke much.

Only the third senior sister, Sheng Ningyu.

Ning Jiaojiao enjoyed all of this as if she were truly with her, traveling across the Fourteen Continents, drinking and singing, and upholding justice.

However, Sheng Ningyu's letters became less and less frequent, and even when they did arrive, they were mostly about things she and others had done.

She broke her promise.

Ning Jiaojiao had seen Senior Sister Sheng standing with other people.

In the bustling marketplace, people come and go.

They stood together, so intimate, so natural. That little immortal lord is truly handsome. It seems they share the same cultivation level and comparable talent, making them companions who can journey together for a thousand years.

And what about her?

His origins are unknown, his physical constitution is far inferior, and even his health is not good.

Many people were secretly observing her. Back then, Ning Jiaojiao wasn't as capable of ignoring those gazes as she is now. Her face stiffened, and she stepped forward, "Senior Sister Sheng..."

She saw her senior sister turn around, and was almost surprised to see her, but quickly her face darkened.

"Me? Junior Sister, I have the ability to protect myself."

Under the sunlight, Ning Jiaojiao couldn't see Sheng Ningyu's expression clearly, but she could vaguely hear her laugh and pronounce her crime in a lazy tone.

"When you can withstand five moves from me, then you can consider leaving Sword Pavilion alone."

Such contempt, such nonchalance.

It was as if she were just another passerby in this mundane marketplace, no different from any other living being.

Something collapsed in my heart, and some emotion quietly grew within me.

Ning Jiaojiao doesn't remember what she replied at the time, but she vaguely remembers how she felt back then.

Jealousy, twisted emotions, a sudden surge of hatred...

Various negative emotions began to grow in my heart.

At that time, Ning Jiaojiao wondered why she couldn't also possess unparalleled cultivation.

Why is her body so weak? Why is she just another ordinary person?

Why...

It seemed she didn't even consider her a threat?

The sharp crack was extremely jarring in the silent Xuandu Hall.

Feng Qingli's previously nonchalant and carefree expression, mixed with astonishment in her eyes, formed an expression that could almost be described as losing her composure.

"Rong Que!!!"

Without a second thought, Feng Qingli rushed forward and embraced the body, but it was already lifeless.

Just now... just now she could still speak, utter her name.

Losing and then regaining, only to suddenly lose again, amidst this tremendous change, Feng Qingli almost lost control as she raised her head.

He drew out the mortal essence from his consciousness, its sharp edge transforming into countless swords, pointing directly at the person in the hall.

"Acting Pavilion Master," Feng Qingli raised his head, gritting his teeth, "could you please provide an explanation?"

Following Feng Qingli's words, all the people from the Azure Bird and One Leaf Flower sect outside the hall drew their magical artifacts and surrounded the Xuandu Hall.

A strange fragrance wafted through the room, followed by a sudden burst of crimson flowers that filled the hall, entwining everything visible and blocking all exits.

Some who couldn't withstand it were crushed into dust.

Born from entanglement, drawing strength from others.

Ning Jiao froze, then quickly covered her mouth and nose with her spiritual power.

Compared to the tension among the people inside and outside the hall, Rong Que, who was in the center, showed no fear whatsoever.

He chuckled softly, his graceful figure like that of a refined gentleman: "Since Sect Leader Feng has already guessed it, why bother asking me again?"

Feng Qingli narrowed her peach blossom eyes, put down the body in her arms, but still held onto the Red Dust Sword: "The acting pavilion master's whereabouts are mysterious, and he is not in the Sword Pavilion all day long. Why is he speaking in such a secretive way now?"

Rong Que smiled and said, "I just like to go to the Nine Heavens Pavilion to discuss music theory with people. How can I be worthy of the title 'mysterious whereabouts'?" He raised his hand and pushed away the spiritual power that was pointing directly at his throat.

"The so-called 'reincarnation of the Sword Master' is not her."

A sudden sense of relief washed over Feng Qingli, and she almost couldn't help but gasp for breath.

"How did the acting pavilion master find out?"

Rong Que smiled again, casually dropping a bombshell.

Not only Feng Qingli, but even Ning Jiao turned around abruptly, staring in astonishment at the person in front of them.

Are you surprised?

The young man in front of him tilted his head, raised his hand, and poured himself a cup of tea.

Her flowing black hair was secured with a gold and white jade crown, which was engraved with jade hairpin flower patterns. Every gesture she made exuded unparalleled elegance.

Ning Jiao asked in a daze, "How could it be my second senior brother?"

Why can't it be me?

Rong Que took a sip of tea, looked at the two people in front of him with a leisurely air, and smiled gently: "In this world, besides me, who else can describe her appearance so completely?"

Feng Qingli flicked her sleeves, putting away her worldly attachments, and coldly scoffed, "Not a single resemblance."

Rong Que did not defend himself, "But Sect Leader Feng still brought her back unharmed, didn't he?"

Feng Qingli didn't want to argue with him about these pointless rights and wrongs anymore. He said impatiently, "I don't care where you learned this move from, Rong Que. What are you trying to do by creating this puppet body?"

Rong Que said casually, "I painstakingly learned the art of carving puppets, intending to use it as bait. When it appeared in front of people, it would surely cause a stir, and perhaps I could catch a few big fish from the past... But now that it has fallen into the hands of Sect Leader Feng, it has no need to exist anymore."

Feng Qingli immediately realized: "You plotted against me."

With the reincarnation of the Sword Master falling into his hands, the Chu family member will certainly not let this go easily.

With the Thousand Mountains Trial imminent, it's possible that this Patriarch Chu might launch an attack on the spot.

Rong Que smiled, neither confirming nor denying: "I didn't expect that Sect Leader Feng really has such great abilities."

Feng Qingli stared at him for a while, then suddenly asked, "Did you also spread that rumor?"

Rong Que: "What rumors?"

Feng Qingli grinned and scoffed, his eyes filled with mockery. "The prophecies of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion are renowned throughout the land. Has Immortal Rong Que not heard of them?"

Rong Que: "Since the sect leader is aware that the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion is renowned throughout the world, how could I, a mere member of the Sword Pavilion, possibly interfere with the affairs of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?"

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over Ning Jiao, who had been sitting in a corner, before finally settling on Feng Qingli. He spoke with a half-smile: "However, I originally thought that with the appearance of this 'reincarnation,' we might be able to retrieve the piece of spiritual bone hidden in the Chu family. I didn't expect to gain nothing."

Feng Qingli didn't back down at all, a provocative smile appearing on her face: "What does the Acting Pavilion Master want to say?"

He had assumed that, given the character of this acting pavilion master, he would at least try to compete with him for the sword spirit bone in the black jade box. However, Rong Que once again surprised him.

With a flick of his sleeve, the renowned acting master of the Sword Pavilion turned around, and a melodious string sound, as gentle as pearls falling onto a jade plate, instantly ignited a crimson flame.

The "Sword Master Reincarnation" lying in the hall was instantly burned to ashes.

"It's getting late, and I have matters to discuss with Lord Qi, so I'll take my leave now."

In the blink of an eye, the white figure vanished, leaving only a few wisps of spiritual energy in the air. As they slowly descended, they resembled jade hairpins flying up, concealing the rich dew of the mortal world.

Feng Qingli sensed something was amiss. Just as he was about to speak, Ning Jiao, who had been silent until now, suddenly stepped forward.

She walked hurriedly, her magnificent robes sweeping across the chaotic scene inside the hall, but this city lord's wife, who always loved pomp and circumstance, paid no heed.

She almost collapsed in front of the pile of dust, her outstretched hand trembling, failing to touch it several times.

Feng Qingli had already turned to leave, but seeing this, she turned around impatiently and said, "Ning Jiao, what's wrong with you now?"

However, this time, Ning Jiao did not respond.

Those well-maintained, smooth hands, free of any scratches or calluses, finally touched that speck of dust.

After a long while, a laugh came from that direction.

Unlike Ning Jiao's usual innocent and crisp laughter, or her deliberately coquettish voice that seemed to be filled with brocade and satin, this time, Ning Jiao's laughter was very soft.

It was as if they had finally let go of something.

Feng Qingli stopped and looked at the person in front of him: "Are you touching its ashes?" He narrowed his eyes, squatted down as well, picked up some ashes, but couldn't find anything special about them for a long time.

That puppet was carved from wood, but now it's nothing more than wood chips.

Upon seeing this, Ning Jiao smiled brightly, her charming and radiant demeanor resembling that of an innocent and naive young girl: "I just found it somewhat amusing. Sect Leader Feng need not worry about me."

Feng Qingli narrowed his eyes, chuckled, and patted Ning Jiao's head.

"Is that so? That's for the best." He softened his voice, as if it were sweet as honey. "I also have something I want to entrust to Madam Ning for safekeeping."

...

A few days later, an explosive piece of news suddenly spread throughout the cultivation world.

"Have you heard?! This time, the Thousand Mountains Trial will be held in the Mountain and Sea Never Sleeps City!"

The news spread like wildfire throughout the Qingyi Academy.

However, the situation is different in the area where Yunwang Palace is located.

"I heard that this time, it was Old Fengjun who made the connection. Not only are the direct descendants of the eleven sects present, but also the great powers from the fourteen continents will be gathered together!"

"Hey! It seems that Chu Le will also participate? I wonder how he is doing now. Since he returned to the Chu family, we haven't heard a word from him."

Because of the lack of formations here, and the lack of fear of being overheard, everyone spoke freely.

Yao Youling excitedly muttered to herself, while Ji Qingwu blinked as she looked at Sheng Ningyu, her grape-like eyes filled with reverence.

Now that Yao Youling, Jin Xianyao and others knew her identity, Sheng Ningyu naturally wouldn't hide it from the young girl anymore. To her surprise, Ji Qingwu was so shocked that she almost fainted. When she woke up, she was filled with excitement and agitation.

"Do you think that when the senior appears, those people will readily hand over their treasures just because they see his face?!"

Just as they said those words, Sheng Ningyu and Feng Xiaosheng happened to pass by.

All five people fell silent.

Feng Jiutian's eyes widened: "The people covered by footprints are all your friends, senior?"

Yan Ruchao sneered, Yuan Bushu shook his head, Xiang Bieyun beside him smiled gently, and Han Yuyi blinked: "I'm afraid that's not the case."

Chu Yanshu asked in confusion, "What is that?"

This time, it was Feng Xiaosheng who spoke.

The youngest prince of the Phoenix Clan raised an eyebrow, and his perfect smile changed, forming a more lively and unrestrained smile than the one given to the title of "young prince".

"Where footprints are left, there is no one your Senior Sheng hasn't offended."

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Author's note: [Heart emoji] I made it!!

It's still 24/7!!! The next chapter will explain why it's at Qingyi Academy.

( ` ) starfish making a heart shape with its hands [heart shape]