Asking the Heart
Xie Lanchen suddenly grabbed Yun Wei's wrist and pulled her away from the pavilion.
"Let's go." The boy's face was ashen, and his steps were quick and heavy.
Behind him came Ning Xihe's gentle farewell voice: "It's a pity the game is not over. Miss Wuming, thank you, Junior Brother. Let's meet again another day."
Yun Wei's wrist ached from his grip, and she frowned, coldly rebuking him: "Xie Lanchen, let go."
He acted as if he hadn't heard her, pulling her to a secluded rocky outcrop several hundred paces away before releasing her hand. He crossed his arms and sneered, "Five Cranes Parting the Clouds, she used the White Piece to transform into a crane. The formation was a test to see if you were truly Yun Wei. And yet you were chatting and laughing with her?"
She looked up at him, her gaze cold and clear: "She acts with integrity and shows no malice. There are so many curious and probing people in this world. If no one hinders my path of revenge, I can tolerate such thoughts. Everyone has their own destiny. She pursues her path, and I wield my sword. We will not interfere with each other, and we can live in peace."
Seeing her so calm, the young man suddenly took a step closer, almost breathing in her ear, and his voice was squeezed out from between his teeth: "You really are magnanimous... How many people in the Guiyun Sect can be trusted?"
Yun Wei did not back down, but only turned her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over his still pale lips and the fine sweat on his forehead. She then changed the subject abruptly: "How is your injury?"
Seeing the young man's expression stiffen, she continued, "If there's nothing else, then I'd like to ask: three years ago, during the sect competition, at the end of the Path of the Heart, why did you fall when you were just one step away from reaching the summit? With your foundation, cultivation, and unwavering will, you are not someone that ordinary illusions could shake. Could it be..."
Xie Lanchen's expression froze, and the scene from the Journey of Inquiry three years ago suddenly flashed into his mind.
The phantom was stunningly beautiful, with a cool and aloof expression, yet she smiled faintly at him. She was the one he had buried deep in his heart, longed for day and night, but could never have...
His throat was dry, and he abruptly turned his face away, saying in a hard voice, "It's just old news... Why bring it up?"
They're running away again.
Yunwei stared at him for a moment, then suddenly raised her hand and flicked his forehead with her fingertips.
The action came suddenly, carrying a mixture of intimacy and admonition. Xie Lanchen was completely stunned, feeling a burning heat where Yun Wei had touched him, which made him feel flustered and confused.
But her voice was clear and crisp, yet it seemed to contain a faint, almost imperceptible ripple: "The past can be left unmentioned. But tomorrow, when you embark on your journey, you must stand firm. If you stumble again..."
Yun Wei paused for a moment, then said, "I will no longer stand at the peak and watch coldly as I did three years ago."
Xie Lanchen looked slightly puzzled and raised his eyes to look at her.
What did she mean by those words?
Three years ago, during the sect competition, he felt that his spiritual path had strayed, and he missed the top spot.
She stood atop the towering peak, her gaze sweeping down, devoid of joy or sorrow, like a deity looking down upon the dust.
These words now seem to conceal a hint of...concern? Or perhaps...?
He dared not think too deeply; a thousand emotions churned within him, ultimately coalescing into only one sentence:
"……have a finger in the pie."
*
The following day at dawn, north of the Martial Arts Peak of the Guiyun Sect, the Path of Inquiry was opened.
Three thousand azure stone steps stand here, leading directly to the Lingxiao Terrace.
The stone steps are wide, and each step is covered with dark patterns, resembling unknown talismans.
At the starting point, a stone tablet stands majestically, with the two characters "问心" (ask your heart) on it, as red as blood.
The sixteen disciples who had survived the previous rounds of brutal elimination stood solemnly before the stone steps, the atmosphere heavy with tension.
Some people turned pale and clenched their fists; some closed their eyes and tried to calm themselves; others had sharp eyes and were eager to try.
Elder Wu and Elder Wang stood in front of the monument.
Elder Wu's face was ashen. He lingered on Yun Wei for a moment, making no attempt to hide his disgust.
Elder Wang, with a solemn expression, raised his voice and said: "In the final round of this competition, there will be three tests on the path of the heart. The first test is 'regret,' which examines past regrets. If there is a gap in the heart, demonic obstacles will arise. The second test is 'fear,' which amplifies inner fears. Those with weak will will have their Dao heart damaged in an instant and fall into the abyss. The third test is 'the Dao,' which examines whether your Dao heart is pure and firm."
"But remember this! When you reach the third level, the stone steps will collapse depending on your state of mind. Only those who are single-minded and courageous can step through the void and reach the Lingxiao Platform."
Elder Wu snorted coldly, picked up the Floating Dust Mirror in his hand, its surface hazy and shimmering, faintly reflecting the changing human hearts.
His gaze was fixed on Yun Wei again, and his voice rose: "The Floating Dust Mirror is here! It reflects every thought, down to the smallest detail! If there are any wicked people with evil intentions, illegitimate foundations, or those who betray their masters and ancestors, they will be exposed on this path. Don't even think about deceiving the heavens and the sea, or tarnishing the century-old reputation of my Guiyun Sect!"
Xie Lanchen stood beside Yun Wei and scoffed upon hearing this: "Elder Wu should look at others more. What's the point of repeatedly making things difficult for a woman with no memory? Is this Path of Inquiry designed specifically for her?"
"Lan Chen!" Elder Wu's face darkened, and he shouted sternly, "As a disciple of the Guiyun Sect and the future sect leader, how can you be so inconsiderate and repeatedly protect this person of unknown origin!"
"Elder, please calm down." Ning Xihe spoke gently, easing the tension. "Junior Brother Xie is also concerned about the sect's reputation and doesn't want innocent people to be wronged. The time has come, so let's begin." She turned her gaze to Yun Wei and nodded slightly.
At this moment, a disciple in white robes couldn't contain himself and stepped forward from the crowd. It was Zhang Yuan, who was teamed up with Ji Lun and Ning Xihe.
With an arrogant expression, he shouted, "This disciple is willing to go first and pave the way for my fellow disciples!" Before he finished speaking, he had already leaped onto the first stone step.
Unexpectedly, the moment his toes touched the ground, the dark patterns on the stone steps suddenly lit up, sending him flying. The bright yellow Cloud Trace Bead around his neck shattered instantly, losing its spiritual light.
Elder Wang shook his head and sighed: "He's restless, greedy for quick success, and has become obsessed with his own goals. Zhang Yuan, you're eliminated!"
"Elder! This disciple was only in a moment of desperation! Please, Elder,..." Zhang Yuan struggled to get up, his face filled with anxiety and resentment, but the teleportation array beneath him had already lit up, instantly engulfing him, and his voice came to an abrupt halt.
The audience was deathly silent.
The expressions on everyone's faces became even more solemn.
Ning Xihe sighed softly, walked to her side, and whispered, "The perilous path of the Heart-Seeking Path is evident. Why don't we set off together? Perhaps we can look out for each other. This time, let's compete openly and fairly for the top spot, shall we?"
Yun lowered her eyes, her mind filled with thoughts: she observed that Ning Xihe was well-mannered and composed. As a woman, she was highly respected in the Guiyun Sect, which was truly remarkable. She couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Ning Xihe, who was also a talented woman.
During yesterday's game, Ning Xihe kept mentioning "old friends," and today he took the initiative to suggest "looking out for each other." Is he genuinely appreciating talent, or is he trying to use the opportunity of playing together to further confirm his own identity?
Thinking of this, she glanced at Elders Wu and Wang standing solemnly not far away, and her heart skipped a beat: Five Cranes Soaring Through the Clouds... Could the "Five Cranes" refer to the five elders who hold the power of the sect and each hold the Floating Dust Mirror?
If this is true, the deeper meaning behind Ning Xihe's actions is probably far more complex than a simple test.
Just as she was about to speak, Xie Lanchen stepped in front of her, forcefully separating her from Ning Xihe, and whispered to her, "That old scoundrel has the Floating Dust Mirror; he will never be well-behaved. Whatever you see or hear later, remember it's all an illusion. Trust your sword and kill it."
Yun raised her eyes slightly, her gaze briefly meeting his. She noticed a barely perceptible anxiety hidden in his eyes and knew he was worried that Elder Wu was using the Floating Dust Mirror to cause trouble and secretly target her.
She nodded slightly and said no more. The three of them stepped onto the azure stone steps at the same time.
As soon as she landed, Yun Wei felt a cold, sticky, invisible force trying to penetrate her sea of consciousness.
She sneered inwardly, her eyes clear and unwavering. The Broken Dust Sword at her waist seemed to sense her presence and trembled slightly, emitting a low hum.
This "Quest for the Heart" was indeed well-deserved of its reputation. It was just a pity that her will had already been tempered a thousand times and could not be shaken by such a trivial trick.
She suppressed the strange feeling and continued walking upwards with firm steps.
Those I failed to save in the past were not those I lacked the power to help; it was fate playing tricks on us, and the human heart being so treacherous and unpredictable. Yun Wei thought to herself.
The tragic deaths of the people of Shitang Town were a lasting pain in her heart, but not a sin of hers.
Today, let these three thousand stone steps be my witness. My heart is clear, and I have no regrets about binding her sword heart or hindering her path.
Thinking of this, her steps became increasingly steady, as if she were walking on flat ground, and she quickly left Xie Lanchen, Ning Xihe, and the other disciples behind.
From the clouds on both sides came screams and cries of agony. Disciples were unable to withstand the illusions, their minds collapsed, they fell down the stone steps, and were eliminated.
Upon entering the second area, the surrounding atmosphere changed abruptly.
Yunwei keenly noticed that five floating dust mirrors were cleverly concealed within the swirling mist.
She recalled that Elder Duan had said that the Floating Dust Mirror was the most precious treasure of the Guiyun Sect, with each of the five elders holding one. It seemed that Elder Wu had gone to great lengths this time, determined to make her reveal herself on the Path of Inquiry.
The mirror's light was dim and fixed on her, trying to probe into the deepest fears in her heart.
Her eyes turned cold, and without hesitation, the Duanchen Sword was drawn from its sheath.
With a series of crisp cracking sounds, the five deeply hidden Mirrors of Dust shattered and disappeared into the mist.
Almost at the same instant the Floating Dust Mirror shattered, a majestic figure appeared out of thin air in front of Yun Wei.
"In terms of character and responsibility, how can you even begin to compare to Lan Chen? Although he is an adopted son and joined the sect a little later, he acts with composure and thoroughness, always prioritizing the sect's greater good, eliminating hidden dangers from all sides, and never boasting or taking credit. But you..."
Before the "father" could finish uttering his hurtful words, she had already swung her sword, its sharp light instantly severing the illusion in two.
There was a time when she truly longed to earn a word of recognition from this high and mighty being through diligent practice and slaying demons, a warm look from her father, not the sect leader.
But in his eyes, there was only the sect's authority, absolute control, and pawns to be used.
Daughter? Perhaps she was always just a more convenient tool.
"Stop being so noisy." Yun Wei's voice was cold. "Xie Lanchen is not your pawn, much less a yardstick for you to measure and suppress me."
The boy may seem gloomy and unpredictable, but he is actually thoughtful and affectionate. He just uses indifference to disguise himself. His goodness has never needed to belittle her to prove it.
"And my path, Yunwei's path," she slightly raised her chin, her gaze like a sword piercing the vanishing phantom, "is never subject to the opinions of others, much less to the judgment of a hypocrite like you. Since you do not acknowledge me as your daughter, then cease your manipulation in the name of your father. From now on, wherever my sword points, it will be solely according to my heart, and it will have absolutely nothing to do with you."
"Such a filthy illusion should have been annihilated with a single sword strike long ago," Xie Lanchen's voice came from behind.
Yunwei turned her head slightly and saw that Xie Lanchen was already standing not far away.
The boy's gaze was fixed on the spot where the illusion had vanished, his eyes so gloomy they seemed to drip with tears.
"What a load of 'always prioritizing the sect's interests' and 'never boasting about his achievements'... It makes me want to vomit. The sect leader's ability to fabricate lies to glorify himself is truly unparalleled, even after ten years. It's disgusting."
He walked closer step by step, stopping beside her. "He used me as a raft to step on you? He doesn't even deserve to be called one!"
Xie Lanchen turned his head and looked at her cool profile. The gloom in his eyes faded a bit and turned into an extremely complex emotion. His voice also softened a little, but still had the awkwardness unique to young men. "However, what you said just now was surprisingly pleasant to hear."
Upon hearing his words, Yunwei's heart suddenly stirred.
The boy was always sharp-tongued and sarcastic; he had never given such a direct and honest approval before.
A very subtle restlessness swept through her heart, but she quickly composed herself, forcibly suppressing this untimely strange feeling, and said calmly, "Keep up, we're almost at the third level."
Xie Lanchen had just opened his lips, seemingly wanting to say something more, the complex emotions still surging in his eyes, when he was interrupted by another voice.
“This journey of self-discovery is fraught with peril, far more dangerous than anticipated,” Ning Xihe said, quickly catching up with him, her tone sincere.
After a brief moment of rest, the three of them continued walking side by side.
From then on, her mind and spirit remained clear and perfect, and no illusion could ever get close to her again.
Finally, at the third trial, Yun Wei's vision was suddenly swallowed by an impenetrable gray-white mist, making it impossible to see her own hand in front of her face, and even the figures of Xie Lanchen and Ning Xihe, who were right next to her, became blurry.
Countless whispers and murmurs flooded her mind:
"A mere woman, whose soul has survived by sheer luck, instead of seeking refuge and living a life of ignominy, she insists on returning to seek revenge. Isn't that just courting death? Does she want to be killed by her own father again?"
"Even if you've forged a life-sharing pact with Xie Lanchen, forged a new sword to protect you, and received your mother's help to rebuild your soul foundation, so what? When you were the Sword Master, you were still defeated and killed by the Sect Master. Now that you've come back, with your cultivation not even half of what it used to be, how can you turn the tide? You're dreaming!"
"You've clearly fallen for Xie Lanchen! He betrayed his adoptive father for you, risked his life countless times for you, and accompanied you on perilous journeys to seek revenge. Do you really feel nothing at all? Admit it! Speak up! Tell him you're in love with him..."
Yun Wei paused, her thin lips moved slightly, and her voice was cold: "Where my path lies, I will go, even if it means facing a million men. Why should I avoid it because of fortune or misfortune? The hatred for the hundreds of lives lost in Shitang Town is not just my personal grudge, but a matter of justice that Heaven has failed to uphold! If a father is unjust, his son can also take up his sword and strike him down! As for Xie Lanchen... what does he have to do with you?"
After she finished speaking, the Dust-Breaking Sword in her hand emitted a buzzing sound, and the sword energy swept across the thick, viscous fog around her.
The fog dissipated slightly, and visibility improved a bit.
Xie Lanchen and Ning Xihe were both trapped in the illusion of inner demons, their figures swaying precariously.
Yun Wei pointed her fingers like a sword, swiftly striking in mid-air, and two Pure Heart Sword Techniques struck between the two men's eyebrows.
Ning Xihe groaned, clutching her temples, her eyes gradually clearing: "Thank you."
Just as Yun Wei was about to speak, she noticed that the stone steps behind the three of them were collapsing at a speed visible to the naked eye, with the broken stones falling into the sea of clouds below without making a sound.
The three had no time to say more and ran forward quickly.
After an unknown amount of time, the fog had thinned to the point that the faint outline of Lingxiao Terrace could be seen ahead.
Ning Xihe suddenly said, "The position of leader has always belonged to only one person..."
Xie Lanchen paused slightly, a cold glint in his eyes: "Then you..." He frowned, but swallowed the words back, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "But there are three of us."
This top spot can only belong to Yunwei.
Yun Wei didn't stop, her gaze sweeping over Xie Lanchen's tense profile and Ning Xihe's slightly changed expression. Her voice was clear and cold: "The Path of Inquiry tests whether one's Dao heart is unbreakable and whether one can overcome all difficulties to reach the end. The sect rules have never explicitly stated that there can only be one champion. If one's heart is unhindered and one works together to ascend the Lingxiao Terrace, wouldn't that be more in line with the true meaning of 'Inquiry of the Heart'?"
Upon hearing this, the boy seemed to be deep in thought.
Just as the three were about to step onto the top of the platform, Xie Lanchen suddenly stopped.
Yun Wei immediately stopped and turned to look at him: "Xie Lanchen?"
Her heart sank suddenly.
The boy was pale and his eyes were unfocused; he was once again tormented by his inner demons.
He stared at the empty space ahead and murmured, "...Yunwei?"
That person was a deep-seated obsession he never spoke of.
Because of that momentary lapse in concentration, the stone steps beneath his feet collapsed with a crash, and he plummeted downwards.
"Thank you, Junior Brother!" Ning Xihe exclaimed in surprise.
At the critical moment, Yun Wei didn't think twice and grabbed his wrist tightly.
She lowered her head, meeting Xie Lanchen's suddenly awakened eyes, filled with shock and disbelief, and said, word by word:
"This time, I've got you."
Three years ago, she stood on the Lingxiao Terrace and watched the boy fall. Although she had doubts, she did not lift a finger.
Today, she will never let go again.
Xie Lanchen's pupils constricted, as if he couldn't comprehend what was happening before his eyes.
She actually bent down for him, she actually took action for him?
However, this loss of composure lasted only a moment. The boy almost immediately turned his face away and shook off her hand.
He staggered a step, steadied himself, raised his hand and forcefully wiped away non-existent dust from the corner of his lips, deliberately avoiding her gaze.
“…Mind your own business.” The boy’s voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment. “I was just almost tripped up by my inner demons and lost my focus for a moment… Who needs your help? I can handle it myself.”
But his flushed ears, his slightly heaving chest, and his refusal to meet her gaze revealed his true feelings.
At the top, Ning Xihe also reached out his hand without hesitation.
Yunwei grabbed Xie Lanchen's sleeve with one hand and grabbed Ning Xihe's hand with the other. The three of them finally leaped onto the Lingxiao Terrace together.
As soon as she regained her footing, the boy immediately took a half step back, distancing himself from her, and crossed his arms, coldly snorting, "Next time, just take care of yourself. If you fall down because of my little 'accident,' it'll be a huge joke." His tone was harsh, but it sounded like he was trying to cover up the panic and trembling he had just experienced.
Just then, a cold and authoritative voice slowly rang out:
"very good."
"The three of you have had quite an interesting day."
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