Three people
The Guiyun Sect's reinforcements have arrived.
The enormous, twisted dragon corpse at the bottom of the valley exuded a strong stench. Several gray-robed disciples clung to the edge of the cliff, peering down with expressions of surprise and uncertainty.
"Senior Brother Xie actually killed that demonic dragon?" A round-faced disciple lowered his voice, unable to hide his astonishment. "This beast was something that even... even Senior Sister Yunwei couldn't do anything about."
His companion immediately clicked his tongue in disgust: "What senior sister? She's clearly a demon! She harmed innocent people; she deserved to die!" He turned to Xie Lanchen, who was standing quietly not far away, and immediately put on a fawning expression: "Senior Brother Xie is truly amazing! To have such cultivation at such a young age, the position of sect leader will surely be yours in the future!"
The round-faced disciple was puzzled and stole glances at Xie Lanchen: Has this guy gone mad? Can't you see that Senior Brother Xie's face is so gloomy it could drip water?
Although they joined the sect later, they knew that Senior Brother Xie and Senior Sister Yunwei were notorious rivals in the sect. One was the exceptionally talented senior sister, unparalleled in swordsmanship, and the sect leader's daughter; the other was a gifted adopted son who rose to prominence later in life. They had competed openly and secretly countless times.
"Who are you calling a demon?" Xie Lanchen asked coldly, his eyes, already as deep as a cold pool, now seemed to be covered with a thin layer of ice.
The tall disciple stammered, "It's...it's Yun Wei...she fell into demonic possession and betrayed the sect, the evidence is irrefutable..."
"Ironclad evidence?" The young man took a few steps forward, his cobalt blue eyes flashing frighteningly. His voice was cold and hard, carrying a hint of inexplicable malice, yet emphatically stressed: "Did you witness her fall into demonic possession and kill someone? Or did you already condemn her for the sect leader's crimes?"
"It was written in the sect's records..." The tall disciple's forehead was covered in cold sweat.
The young man narrowed his eyes, his lips moved slightly, and he uttered a few words: "The records don't say that disciples are allowed to slander deceased fellow disciples at will. Guiyun Sect's rules state that anyone who slanders a fellow disciple shall receive twenty lashes. Have you forgotten?"
The disciple who had just been flattering him turned pale, his obsequious smile freezing on his face. He hurriedly changed the subject, "Thank you for your anger, Senior Brother! It was...it was our fault! Senior Brother...aren't you coming back with us to report? The Sect Master must be very worried..."
"I have other important matters to attend to." Xie Lanchen interrupted him, his tone resolute and brooking no argument. "Go back and report that the demon dragon has been slain. As for the twenty lashes," he glanced at the tall disciple's pale face, "not a single lash was spared. I will count them when I get back."
"Senior brother, are you troubled by the sect competition in a month?" The round-faced disciple cautiously probed, trying to ease the tension. "I heard that the sect leader is recruiting many new disciples. If you're worried that newcomers will divert the sect leader's attention, why not go back and cultivate diligently..."
Xie Lanchen glanced at him coldly, with a hint of impatience and contempt: "My affairs are none of your business."
Upon hearing this, the disciples fell silent and fled the place in a panic.
Only the round-faced disciple, after escaping a long distance, couldn't help but look back.
Under the dim light of the sky atop the cliff, the young man was looking down, staring intently at the cracked Lone Goose Sword in his hand. His fingertips unconsciously and very lightly tapped the cracks on the scabbard, and his thin lips moved slightly, as if he were whispering to someone in silence.
The cliff top fell completely silent, with only the howling of the wind remaining.
A cold, white light flowed from the broken longsword named "Lone Goose," silently coalescing in front of Xie Lanchen.
Yun Wei was dressed in a plain white robe, spotless, which made her skin appear as white as jade. A touch of natural vermilion adorned her lips, and her eyes held an unyielding, icy quality, as if all the filth and noise around her could not get close to her.
Although she was resting inside the sword, she vaguely sensed the conversation outside.
The sect competition... Is Father recruiting new people to completely erase her traces, or does he have other plans?
The boy's anger...was it due to his fear of losing his position, or...was it related to her?
No, he'll only see me as an obstacle. Yun Wei thought.
He must have felt intense hatred for them, having forcibly bound them together by the life-sharing pact.
Her gaze fell on Xie Lanchen's still gloomy and tense profile. Without any pleasantries, she went straight to the point: "In the illusion, life and death hung in the balance. You personally promised to help me take revenge. Does that promise still stand?"
The boy's expression froze. The promise he had made in the illusion, which he considered a disgrace and was forced to accept under duress, was now being pointed out so bluntly by Yun Wei.
He turned his face away, avoiding Yun Wei's eyes that seemed to see through everything, and said coldly, "I always keep my word, unlike some people who can forget what they said the moment they turn their backs."
He spoke with a hidden meaning, his gaze fixed on Yun Wei's face, trying to catch even the slightest hint of emotion or guilt in her indifferent expression.
But his cold and flawless face showed only indifference, as if the old incident he was alluding to, which had bothered him for years, had never left any trace in her heart.
Seeing this, the boy's repulsion intensified, and his tone became increasingly harsh: "As for you, since you can already transform and manifest, what are you still doing clinging to this broken sword of mine? You're connected by thought, yet you keep prying into people's minds, which is utterly repulsive."
Yun Wei hummed in agreement, ignoring his sarcasm, and answered truthfully, "Don't worry, I have no interest in prying into your churning resentment. The connection between our swords is not my will, nor is it something you can control." After a slight pause, she stopped beating around the bush and stated her purpose directly, "I'm going to Biyue Manor to find the manor lord, Xu E. I'll leave now."
"Biyue Manor?" Xie Lanchen frowned, his face showing undisguised doubt. "Biyue Manor is far away in the southwest. What are you looking for there?"
Yun lowered her eyes. The sect competition a month later was her only chance to return to the Yun Sect, clear her name, and seek justice from her father.
Weapons are half of a swordsman's body. Without a divine weapon that is perfectly suited to him and can unleash his peak power, his chances of winning will be reduced by at least 30%.
Xu E's forging skills were unparalleled in the world, and what was even more remarkable was that he and Xu E had a past friendship.
Four years ago, when Gu Hong first acquired the sword, its cold light was chilling when it was drawn, yet it carried a hint of untamed spirit. Whenever the moves were about to end and the outcome hung by a thread, the ferocity within the sword would suddenly surge, like a wild horse breaking free of its reins, turning against itself.
Having heard that Xu E of Biyue Manor possessed divine forging skills, capable of transforming stubborn iron with malevolent energy, he took his sword and went there.
Now she wants to forge a new sword, and even more so, to reforge the Lone Goose Sword that has been with her for many years back to its original state.
These two tasks require finding a swordsmith with extraordinary skills. Looking across the world, apart from Xu E of Biyue Manor, there is no one else who can take on this responsibility.
Yunwei had already made up her mind, but there was no need to say anything more to the young man.
She composed herself, her gaze sweeping over the broken Lone Goose Sword at his waist. Her tone was calm and even, revealing no trace of sincerity: "We are bound by a life-and-death pact; our lives are intertwined, one prospers, the other prospers; one suffers, the other suffers. This Lone Goose Sword in your hand is now broken and its spiritual power is dissipated. If you encounter a powerful enemy, wouldn't it be a burden? I sought out Xu E to forge a suitable sword for you, to increase your strength and protect both of us."
The boy's face stiffened for a second, then a cold mockery flashed in his eyes.
He suddenly leaned in close to Yun Wei, their noses almost touching: "Yun Wei, put away your pretense. The Lone Goose Sword is more important than your life. You dared to venture into the Black Dragon Pool for it back then, do you think I really didn't know? You sought Xu E for yourself, for your sword."
He did indeed know the origin of the Lone Goose Sword; he wasn't stupid after all.
But what good does knowing do? Bound by the life-and-death pact, even if the boy is extremely unwilling, he can only follow her.
Yun Wei didn't even flinch. She simply looked back at his scrutinizing and angry eyes, which were so close to hers. His gaze was calm and unwavering, as if he were looking at an unreasonable younger brother.
Her silence was more frustrating to Xie Lanchen than any rebuttal, making him feel like he had punched empty air.
"Oh, you've reached an agreement?" A clear, cheerful voice broke the silent standoff between the two.
Suddenly, the gnarled old locust tree overhead swayed, and a pale yellow figure nimbly leaped down, landing steadily between the two.
Nangong Ya patted the dust off her clothes, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes darting between Yun Wei and Xie Lanchen with a mixture of curiosity and mischief.
"You're going to Biyue Manor, right? Count me in!" the girl clapped her hands and laughed.
Xie Lanchen frowned, his face filled with undisguised rejection: "No."
"What? This Valley Master can't go?" Nangong Ya raised an eyebrow, not showing any weakness. She took a step forward and affectionately grabbed Yun Wei's arm and shook it, but her eyes looked at Xie Lanchen provocatively. "Everyone says that Master Xu of Biyue Manor has changed his temperament drastically. Yun Wei is cold and hard-hearted. What if she says something that offends him and is detained by Xu E as material for forging a sword?"
The more she spoke, the more dangerous it seemed. Her gaze pierced Xie Lanchen again, filled with distrust: "Besides, you have a mean face and a sinister look in your eyes. You're clearly not a trustworthy or virtuous person! Who knows if you'll back out halfway, or abandon me at the first sign of danger? No, I have to keep an eye on you!" She pointed bluntly at the Lonely Goose Sword at the boy's waist, her voice rising, "And besides, this sword clearly belongs to Yun Wei! Taking it without asking is stealing! Thief!"
"You!" Xie Lanchen's face turned ashen.
"Alright, Aya, stop arguing," Yunwei said at the right moment.
Xie Lanchen exudes an excessive aura of hostility. Traveling with him is like trying to get something out of a tiger's skin; any further pointless arguments will only cause more trouble and delay the journey.
Although Aya is lively and talkative, she is genuinely kind to her. Moreover, the young girl's identity as the Valley Master of Ten Thousand Poisons and her exquisite poison skills may come in handy at crucial moments.
Yun Wei raised her hand, bent three fingers, glanced at the two of them, and said coldly, "Since you've decided to travel together, you need to agree on three rules. If you can't abide by them, it's not too late to part ways now."
Having made up her mind to go to Biyue Manor, she would not allow anyone else to interfere or disrupt the plan.
If their hands and feet weren't restrained beforehand, there probably wouldn't be a moment of peace along the way.
"First, I will be in charge of this trip. I will decide the route, itinerary, and actions. No one is allowed to act without authorization or cause any unforeseen complications."
"Secondly, you must not mention my real identity or past grievances in front of outsiders. I will act under an alias."
“Third,” she said, looking at Nangong Ya, “Aya is not skilled in sword control, so we will travel by carriage.”
"Carriages and horses?" Nangong Ya's eyes lit up, and she immediately perked up. She raised both hands to her forehead, stood on tiptoe, and looked around seriously, muttering, "Where are the carriages in this desolate wilderness? Do you expect me to walk there?"
Xie Lanchen glanced at her, his eyes full of disdain that she was indeed a troublemaker, and said sarcastically, "Do you think you can hire a sedan chair anytime you want while you're sightseeing?" He ignored Nangong Ya and walked straight to a slightly open space to the side, his slender fingers moving quickly in the air, a faint light flashing at his fingertips.
Before long, the steady sound of hooves echoed through the woods. A plain-looking carriage with a blue cloth canopy slowly drove out.
The two black horses pulling the carriage were exceptionally magnificent, with glossy black coats like satin. Their hooves seemed to shimmer with a spiritual light as they moved, and their eyes were bright and intelligent, exuding extraordinary spirituality.
This is the "Wind-Riding Steed" carriage specially made by the Guiyun Sect. It may look inconspicuous, but the inner walls of the carriage are actually engraved with powerful protective runes. Ordinary demons and evil spirits dare not approach it. Moreover, it recognizes the way and its master, so there is no need for a driver.
Nangong Ya cheered and jumped up first. She turned around and stretched out her hand to Yun Wei with a bright smile: "Come on up!"
When Xie Lanchen sat down in the car with a sullen face, he saw that Nangong Ya was already sitting next to Yun Wei on the left bench.
Looking at his empty seat and the two faces opposite him, one with "unwelcome" written all over it and the other completely ignoring him, the boy's already gloomy face instantly darkened even more, as if a layer of frost could be scraped off.
He sat down silently on the bench to the right of Yunwei, his body pressed against the cold carriage wall, trying to keep as much distance as possible from the two people opposite him, arms crossed and eyes closed.
The wheels rumbled along the rugged mountain road, carrying the three people with different thoughts, speeding towards the Jade Moon Manor a thousand miles away.
After traveling for about half a day, the sky became completely dark.
The carriage entered a desolate and treacherous mountain road. On both sides were deep and dense forests formed by towering ancient trees. The thick branches and leaves intertwined, almost completely blocking out the last rays of sunlight. Only the faint blue spiritual light emitted from the runes under the steed's hooves could barely illuminate the area about ten feet ahead.
Just then, a faint cry for help reached the ears of the three:
"Immortal Master... save me..."
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