the truth
Xie Qingfeng suddenly sat up from the couch, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
In his dream, those cold, clear eyes followed him like a shadow, and the icy blade pierced his chest.
Yunwei, dressed in white, stood before him, her voice icy: "Father, this sword strike is for Mother."
He looked around; the candlelight flickered in the bedchamber, the curtains hung low, and there was no sign of the deadly figure.
But the dream was too real... He had never lost his composure like this since Yunwei was executed.
That wicked creature has clearly perished, so why does it still appear in my dreams every night?
He rose to change his clothes, entered the main hall of Lingyun, sat down in the main seat, and lightly tapped the armrest with his knuckles. A beam of spiritual light entered the communication array in the center of the hall from his fingertips.
Before long, footsteps were heard outside the hall, and four elders filed in, but Elder Wu was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Elder Wu?" Xie Qingfeng frowned. "I gave him a secret order, instructing him to keep a close watch on Wuming. If she attempts to enter the Cold Soul Abyss, Elder Wu is to report immediately. He hasn't given any warning, so I suppose..."
Elder Wang stepped forward, his expression solemn: "Sect Master, there is no need to worry. Elder Wu carries a sect communication jade talisman. If we encounter danger, it will surely shatter to warn us."
He then changed the subject, his tone carrying a sense of recommendation: "Lan Chen performed exceptionally well in this sect competition. Now that Yun Wei has passed away, the position of young sect leader has been vacant for a long time... Since Lan Chen has both ability and virtue, the sect leader should decide on this matter as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, the other two elders nodded in agreement.
Elder Duan lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment. When he looked up, his tone was hesitant: "Wouldn't it seem too hasty to propose a young sect leader at this time?"
Xie Qingfeng slowly swept his gaze around, taking in everyone's expressions, before leisurely speaking: "As soon as Yun Wei was eliminated, he left the sect. Now that he's back, he has a 'Nameless' of unknown origin by his side, whose swordsmanship is exceptionally outstanding..."
An elder at the lower seat hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and suggested, “Sect Master, since the suspicions all lie with Lan Chen, why not summon him directly to the hall for a face-to-face confrontation? This would save us from making baseless guesses and creating unnecessary discord.”
*
Half an hour ago, at Elder Wu's residence.
He looked at the communication jade talisman in his palm, which trembled slightly before falling silent. It was the signal from the sect leader summoning him to a meeting.
Elder Wu frowned, tossed the jade talisman onto the table, and ignored it.
"Zhao Ming, did you see it with your own eyes?" He looked up, his tone urgent.
Zhao Ming bowed, his tone certain: "Absolutely true! I was ordered to monitor Wuming, and I indeed discovered that she was acting suspiciously, heading alone towards the Cold Soul Abyss under the cover of night! I dared not get too close, but I vaguely heard her muttering to the Ice Soul Key, saying something about 'mother' and 'finally finding the truth'..."
Sure enough! That wretched creature wasn't quite dead after all; it dared to come back!
"Zhao Ming, go and report to the sect leader immediately. Tell him that Yun Wei is not dead. Just as the sect leader predicted, she took the Ice Soul Key to the Cold Soul Abyss with malicious intent! I'm going to the Cold Soul Abyss right now to grind this wicked creature to dust and make sure she can never be reincarnated!"
Zhao Ming looked alarmed: "Elder, Yun Wei is cunning and treacherous. Will you be able to go alone...?"
"What's there to be afraid of! What can a mere remnant soul that survived by sheer luck possibly do?" Elder Wu waved his hand impatiently. "Go now!"
"Yes, disciple obeys." Zhao Ming lowered his head, concealing the cold glint that flashed in his eyes.
The Cold Soul Abyss is located in an extremely yin area behind the Guiyun Sect. Because it is a forbidden area, no disciple has set foot there for many years.
Yunwei stood quietly at the mouth of the abyss, dressed in white, her bare arms already covered with a thin layer of frost.
"Finally... this day has come." She murmured to herself, her breath steaming in the cold air.
She raised her left hand, and in her palm lay the translucent Ice Soul Key, emitting a faint blue light.
This is not only the key to unlocking the seal, but also the key to uncovering the truth behind the mother's demise.
She must go in, and she must make those who deserve the price pay with their blood.
"Yunwei! It really is you!" Elder Wu shouted sternly, appearing not far away. "You think you can fool everyone by pretending to have amnesia?"
Yun Wei turned around, her white robes appearing even more solitary in the dark night. "Elder Wu," she said calmly, "I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"You wretched creature!" A talisman suddenly appeared in his sleeve, transforming into a large, shimmering golden net that descended upon her.
They wanted to trap her in a net of heaven and earth?
dream.
Yun Wei lightly touched the ground with her toes and gracefully darted to the side. At the same time, the Duan Chen Sword at her waist was drawn, and the sword energy shattered the snow around Elder Wu, stirring up a cloud of snow mist that temporarily obscured the view.
As the snow mist dissipated, she stood ten feet away on a smooth, mirror-like ice surface, the Ice Soul Key in her hand merging into the ice beneath her feet.
In an instant, the ice surface trembled violently, and a dark blue light spread out from beneath her feet, forming a huge vortex.
The entrance is open; now it's time to lure you into the trap.
Yun Wei stood at the edge of the whirlpool, glanced at Elder Wu, and said sarcastically, "Elder Wu, you have cultivated for hundreds of years, yet you can't even touch the hem of my clothes, a 'dead man,' and can only follow behind and eat my dust. With such little skill, do you even deserve to talk about eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path?" After saying that, she jumped into the whirlpool without hesitation.
Elder Wu was enraged by her gaze and further aroused by the hints in her words. Without a second thought, he rushed in as well.
Deep within the Frost Soul Abyss lies a massive, winding ice path leading downwards, surrounded by eternally frozen black ice, with countless sharp ice spikes hanging upside down from the top of the passage.
On the ice wall, some twisted black shadows frozen within could be vaguely seen, their shapes bizarre.
Yunwei quickly descended the ice path, and she could feel Elder Wu's presence closely following behind.
They had to lure him deeper into the area, where it would be easier for her and Xie Lanchen to make their move, and also to avoid being noticed by outsiders.
Just then, a sharp palm strike aimed at her back.
Yun Wei reacted quickly, turning around and raising her sword to meet the attack. The Duanchen Sword collided with Elder Wu's palm strike, producing a dull thud.
She scoffed inwardly. This old scoundrel was indeed impatient, saving her the trouble of dealing with him.
"Hmph! At your last gasp!" Elder Wu felt reassured upon seeing this and pressed on relentlessly. "Yun Wei, today is your death day! Let's see who can save you now!"
Her sword tip dipped, and she suddenly chuckled softly, "How do you know no one is around?"
This time, she was not alone.
Xie Lanchen, that two-faced guy, never admits defeat and always puts on a cold and aloof demeanor, but his sword always lands where it should.
Before he could finish speaking, a long sword pierced Elder Wu's chest from behind.
His sinister smile froze instantly. He looked down in disbelief at the tip of the sword piercing his chest, then slowly turned back.
Zhao Ming was standing behind him, his face no longer showing any fear or respect, but only a cold, almost tangible killing intent.
Under Elder Wu's horrified gaze, "Zhao Ming's" face rippled like water, eventually revealing Xie Lanchen's handsome yet gloomy face.
"Lan Chen...you...you actually dared to..." His pupils shrank, he never imagined that this adopted son, whom he once thought was just a sharp blade in the sect leader's hand, a stubborn man who could never cause any trouble, would actually kill him.
The young man drew his Lone Goose Sword with unhurried movements, leaving Elder Wu slumped on the ground. He then flicked the blood off the sword and said in a cold, emotionless voice, "Old man, it's time for your show to end."
“From the day you elders and the sect leader joined forces to kill her in Shitang Town, I have wanted to personally send you all on your way one by one.”
Yun Wei stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xie Lanchen, looking down at Elder Wu who was struggling on the ground. Her voice was icy as she recounted his crimes: "Because I am a woman, you asserted that my character was unstable; because my mother had an extraordinary background, you slandered my bloodline as impure. Because my swordsmanship talent surpassed that of all the disciples of Guiyun Sect, you repeatedly suppressed me; and finally, you conspired with my father to accuse me of falling into demonic ways and put me to death."
Looking at Elder Wu's dying state, she felt no joy, only a heavy sorrow.
These people, for their own selfish desires, can easily ruin the lives and innocence of others.
Elder Wu collapsed onto the ice, blood gushing from his chest, staining a large area of the ice red. He gasped for breath, his eyes cloudy: "So what if it is?! How can a woman like you overturn the sect's rules?! Your mother, relying on her high cultivation, was arrogant and looked down on everyone. She deserved to die! You...you are the same! The sect leader...the sect leader is the one destined by heaven! You...don't even think about succeeding!"
Even now, he still doesn't think he's done anything wrong; on the contrary, he's become increasingly frantic because the defeat is inevitable.
Yunwei was filled with a myriad of thoughts: He repeatedly mentioned his mother, and his words were filled with deep resentment, so he must know the inside story.
She had to get information out of him.
Thinking of this, she stepped forward, looking down at the dying Elder Wu with disdain, her voice as cold as ice: "You keep saying my mother deserves to die, is it because she is strong, or because you are afraid?"
Elder Wu was startled by her icy gaze, and having his secret exposed, he became even more agitated. Coupled with excessive blood loss, his mind was already somewhat clouded. He tried to sit up, but the movement aggravated his wounds, causing him to grimace in pain. "You... what nonsense are you spouting!"
"I'm talking nonsense?" Yun Wei sneered, her tone resolute. "Back then, my mother's soul was scattered deep within the Cold Soul Abyss, while my father's cultivation greatly improved afterward, and he secured his position as sect leader. What kind of coincidence is that?"
"You... how could you..." Elder Wu blurted out, then realized his mistake, but it was too late.
He was shattered by Yun Wei's confident tone and speculation, and coupled with his severe injuries, his mind became clouded. "So what if it is... so what! Blame her for not knowing how to restrain herself and for being too sharp!"
He added, "Women...women shouldn't be so strong! Isn't it better to be a dutiful wife and mother? How can they be above men!"
As Yunwei listened to his frantic words, her worst suspicions were confirmed, and her body swayed almost imperceptibly.
Although she had expected it, hearing with her own ears that her mother had been murdered in such a despicable way still caused her excruciating pain that left her breathless.
She only regretted that she had been blinded by the so-called father-daughter affection in the past and failed to see the truth sooner.
A hand steadied her arm at just the right moment; it was Xie Lanchen.
The boy glanced at her, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he wanted to say something to comfort her, but in the end he couldn't bring himself to say it. He simply tightened his grip on her arm.
Yun Wei steadied herself, raised the sword in her hand, and slowly said, "You don't hate strong women, you're just too weak. So weak that you can only rely on jealousy and scheming to maintain your pathetic self-esteem! My mother is stronger than you, so you hate her; I am stronger than all the disciples you have taught, so you want to get rid of me even more."
Her thin lips moved slightly, uttering words that struck at the heart:
"In the end, you are just an incompetent and despicable coward."
"You! You wretched creature!" Elder Wu roared, blood splattering everywhere. "I have cultivated for three hundred years, working diligently for the sect... Why... Why can you people with exceptional natural talent and innate abilities easily obtain everything!"
Xie Lanchen stood to the side, his expression remaining icy.
He watched Elder Wu's pathetic, dying struggle, his eyes showing no emotion, only disgust.
"Enough." The young man coldly interrupted Elder Wu's howling, his voice as piercing as an ice pick. "The difficulty of cultivation is not an excuse for your evil deeds. Weakness is the original sin. And you are both weak and stupid, you deserve to die."
Elder Wu's expression froze for a moment, then he said to himself, "Fine... if that's how it is... you... you won't have an easy time either! Let's all die together!"
Elder Wu actually wanted to detonate his inner core and perish together with them.
Yun Wei's eyes sharpened, and the Dust-Breaking Sword in her hand gleamed coldly. She had to finish him off before he self-destructed.
Before she could make a move, Elder Wu suddenly stopped.
His eyes widened in horror as he stared at the void behind Yun Wei, as if he had seen something extremely terrifying.
"No...don't come any closer...Yun...Yun Qing...it wasn't me...I was just...just watching..." He sat there, shuffling backward on his hands and feet, incoherently calling out Yun Wei's mother's name, tears streaming down his face, looking utterly pathetic.
Yun Wei was taken aback, but immediately understood.
It was the unique environment of the Cold Soul Abyss, coupled with his severe injuries and near-death experience, that caused him to hallucinate.
Mother... are you watching all this from heaven?
In her moment of distraction, she did not notice that several sharp icicles on the rock wall above her, loosened by the earlier fighting, were about to collapse.
Almost the instant the ice pick fell, Xie Lanchen looked up, his expression changed drastically, and he forcefully pushed away the still-stunned woman beside him.
"Pfft!"
Yun Wei stumbled as she was pushed, and turned around in astonishment to see a huge ice spike piercing Elder Wu's chest, pinning him firmly to the ice.
His eyes bulged out as he stared at Yun Wei, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "Xie Lanchen is a man of deep thoughts... You used him today... but one day... he will surely turn against you..." Before he could finish speaking, his head lolled to the side, and he breathed his last.
Almost at the same moment Elder Wu breathed his last, more ice spikes and blocks of ice fell from the top, making a loud rumbling sound.
Xie Lanchen looked up, his expression changed slightly, and without hesitation grabbed Yun Wei's wrist: "Let's go!"
Yunwei let him pull her along, her expression dazed, the words Elder Wu spoke before his death echoing repeatedly in her mind.
Backlash?
Xie Lanchen led her out of the entrance to the Cold Soul Abyss without stopping, speeding all the way until they stopped in a relatively secluded pine forest covered with snow.
As soon as she stopped, before Yun Wei could even speak, she saw the young man suddenly turn around. His face was pale, his thin lips were tightly pressed together, and his eyes, which always carried a hint of gloom and aloofness, were now staring intently at her. Inside, there was a complex mix of emotions that she couldn't quite understand: lingering killing intent, a trace of fear, and a hint of worry that was almost annoyed.
He felt a surge of anger, angry at her momentary lapse in concentration in the abyss; if he hadn't reacted quickly…
"You..." Before she could say anything, she was suddenly thrown into the boy's cold embrace.
His embrace was not warm; in fact, it carried the chill that had just been brought from the Abyss of Cold Souls.
Xie Lanchen's arms tightened around her, his voice stiff as he spoke in her ear: "It's alright...it's all over." He paused, seemingly extremely unaccustomed to saying such things, his tone even more rigid, "You still have me. I'll avenge you. Whatever you want to do, I'll be there for you."
After he finished speaking, his ears felt slightly hot, and he cursed himself inwardly for saying such cheesy things, but he did not loosen his grip on her at all.
She didn't push him away immediately, but just stiffly let him hold her, feeling the turbulent heartbeat in his chest.
Was he sincere when he said that, or did he have ulterior motives?
After a long silence, she slowly opened her lips, her tone calm and serene: "If it means going against the entire sect, would you still stand on my side?"
Upon hearing this, the boy's body stiffened slightly.
He opened his mouth, but his habitual cold words stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say them.
Just then, the Guiyun Sect jade talisman hanging at his waist emitted a white light without warning, interrupting his still-unorganized speech.
Xie Lanchen's brows furrowed instantly, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes.
The young man released her, picked up the jade talisman, and immersed his consciousness into it. After a moment, he put down the jade talisman, looked at Yun Wei with a gloomy expression, and his tone returned to its usual coldness, even with a hint of chill: "The sect leader urgently summoned me, asking me to go to Lingyun Hall to see him immediately, saying that he has important matters to discuss."
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