Chapter 28 A voice resonated within her—for…
"Divine Fire?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Lixia was filled with confusion. If that were the case, then the fire she used should be the fire of purification, a good thing, so why did it bring such intense pain?
Chang Yi seemed to have anticipated her reaction and patiently explained, "Because the flame within your body contains an extremely pure righteous energy, evil spirits vanish upon contact and thus avoid it. However, you are currently unable to withstand this flame, which is why you experience unbearable pain when using it."
At this point, she shook her head, a complex mix of emotions flashing in her eyes.
"It must have been excruciating pain. Human records never mention divine fire, but I happened to have been to the Demon Realm and had the fortunate opportunity to peruse its historical scrolls, thus learning of its existence. However, why does this young friend possess divine fire? Could it be—"
Fearing that she would reveal that she was a powerful demon from some sect who had infiltrated the sect as an undercover agent, Shen Lixia quickly said, "I don't know either. I became like this after being struck by lightning during my senior sister's tribulation that day."
Chang Yi smiled and said, "No need to be nervous, young friend. Although I am not completely open-minded about the alien races, I understand that there are good and bad among them. Only the demon race is not so innocent at the moment. There is a record in the history of the demon race that says that the divine fire is above all other flames. Even the phoenix, which can be reborn, must be subordinate to its owner. This is because it belongs to the incarnation of the constellation that carries the world, the Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Symbols."
Hearing this, Qiao Yanshen touched the corner of her eye—a wave of sourness rose within her, making her eyes feel hot. This wasn't the first time she'd felt this way, which made it all the more noticeable.
She looked at Shen Lixia, whose expression showed no change, only surprise at Chang Yi's words: "Vermilion Bird? Isn't that the deity worshipped in this world? I thought it was just a legend, I never imagined it actually existed..."
"In the ancient times, it was the Four Symbols constellations that guided all living beings to resist the then extremely powerful demon race, separating the heavens and the earth, and sealing the mighty demon race within the upper realm's demon domain to prevent them from wreaking havoc on the world. However..."
Chang Yi stopped there and didn't continue. Seeing that she was holding back, Shen Lixia didn't ask any further questions.
Instead, Qiao Yanshen pressed on, "But?"
Her expression was more serious than ever before, which made Shen Lixia feel a little strange, but she didn't know how to describe it.
It wasn't the usual thirst for knowledge that drove me to get to the bottom of things, but rather...
Senior sister seemed to be suppressing some kind of emotion. Although her voice sounded calm, Shen Lixia could sense a slight tremor in it.
"Senior Sister?" she called softly to Qiao Yanshen, carefully taking her little finger in hers. The finger felt cooler than usual, reflecting Qiao Yanshen's sudden change in mood.
Chang Yi stared at Qiao Yanshen, noticing a faint blue light flickering in her eyes. "Young friend, do you really want to know?"
"I do want to, please tell me." Qiao Yanshen's voice was firm as he bowed to Chang Yi again. "This is very important to me, regardless of whether it's true or not."
"According to the records of the demon race, even though there were still wars afterward, this war brought stability to both realms that has lasted to this day, meaning that there is no longer a crisis that would affect the survival of the entire Heavenly Dao Law. However, at the same time, the price was extremely heavy."
Chang Yi's gaze fell on the teacup in her hand, tracing the tiger stripes.
"The stars are immortal, but their incarnations will perish. The Vermilion Bird, who led the army to quell the wars in all directions, eventually fell to the upper realm due to exhaustion of its power. Its remains fell to the earth, where they ignited a blazing fire of purification, once again blessing the world before dissipating into the heavens and earth."
Qiao Yanshen pursed his lips, his nails digging into his palms, almost drawing blood.
A voice echoed in her heart—why, why...
The words spoken by the person in the dream resurfaced.
I would give my life for her.
The connection between the two... the more she thought about it, the less clear it became. She felt as if her mind was about to be torn apart, and grief surged continuously. Suddenly, everything went dark before her eyes, followed by a bright red color.
"Senior Sister!"
Shen Lixia quickly reached out and pressed down on Qiao Yanshen's shoulder. Without even bothering to find a handkerchief, she hurriedly tore off a piece from her clean undergarment and used it to wipe Qiao Yanshen's face.
It wasn't until he saw the bloodstains spreading on the white fabric that Qiao Yanshen belatedly felt a sharp pain and realized that what was wet on his face was not tears, but blood, flowing from his eyes, nose, and mouth, weakly pooling into a shocking red, spreading out like two fish tails after being wiped away, radiating the lingering warmth of death.
"Stop thinking about it—stop thinking about it!"
The boy's anxious shouts pulled her back from her daze. Deep in her consciousness, it seemed as if someone sighed softly. Then, her chaotic thoughts were sealed away. Qiao Yanshen was numb for a moment, but then her mind slowly cleared.
She felt the blood trickle down her chin, only to be carefully and urgently wiped away by Shen Lixia. The soft cloth gently and repeatedly wiped her skin until the last trace of pale red disappeared.
A slightly cold hand touched her forehead, the chill calming her boiling blood. After scanning with spiritual energy and finding no serious injury, Yan Xueya's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and she withdrew her hand.
These two apprentices are too strange. One has divine fire, and the other suddenly bleeds from all five orifices. It is truly a coincidence that misfortune is made in heaven.
After the bloodstains were wiped clean, Shen Lixia cupped Qiao Yanshen's face in her hands. She could only utter a few sobs, unable to say a word for a while, so she simply held her tightly.
Qiao Yanshen patted Chen Lixia's back, and was about to habitually say something to comfort her, but was stopped by the boy's low voice.
"It's alright... Senior Sister. Don't dwell on unpleasant things; the history recorded by others isn't necessarily true..."
Her voice was trembling with sobs.
"I am here, and even if we are separated from each other occasionally, I will never disappear."
Although it sounded somewhat incoherent, it was an instinct that compelled him to speak. Qiao Yanshen bit his lower lip, opened his mouth several times but couldn't say anything, so he closed his eyes and softly hummed in agreement.
"good."
Shen Lixia's body temperature wafted through her clothes, melting away the previous chill like ice meeting fire, leaving only warmth.
It's so warm, so incredibly warm. I just want to stay here and melt into it.
You don't need to play the role of someone who is depended on and always reliable; you can simply cling to her like a child.
Such a thought quietly murmured in Qiao Yanshen's heart. The two embraced tightly, and before they knew it, a glow appeared. Qiao Yanshen felt the familiar heat surging from the other's body once again, slowly flowing to his side—but no longer a fierce burning, but rather a gentle, comforting sensation that washed over his cold body, emitting a soft hissing sound.
The originally flowing blue spiritual energy was attracted to it, and the two converged and intertwined. Water and fire depended on each other and were endlessly regenerating, forming a strange scene that only the two of them could perceive.
Yan Xueya, standing next to Chang Yi, stroked her chin and watched this scene.
"Oh my..." Chang Yi's lips curled up slightly, "What a harmonious scene, they have a very good relationship."
“I heard they entered the sect together, perhaps they already had a deep friendship. But their compatibility is so perfect… it’s almost in line with the principles of the Five Elements: water and fire intertwined, metal and wood intertwined, ice born from this, wind born from this, life goes on and on…”
“You are quite knowledgeable in this area, perhaps you can give them some pointers.” Chang Yi listened attentively to her words, nodding occasionally.
Yan Xueya shook her head, only smiling, until the light emanating from the two of them subsided.
Upon regaining their senses, Shen Lixia and Qiao Yanshen simultaneously released their arms from each other, their faces flushed red with blood.
"Seniors, we..."
"Alright, it's good that your spiritual energies are in harmony and so compatible." Yan Xueya waved her hand. "Don't apologize. As long as you don't rely on this method too much, it will be beneficial to your cultivation."
“With water and fire in balance, perhaps young friend Yanshen can alleviate some of the pain caused by the divine fire. The two of you are destined to be together; cherish this connection,” Changyi added.
The two sat back down, and Qiao Yanshen lowered his head to feel the lingering warmth on his fingertips.
Seeing their silence, Chang Yi continued to explain: "Perhaps you two really do have some connection with the Four Symbols—such people do exist in the world. Their ancestors were blessed by the Four Symbols in ancient times, and thus possess some of their characteristics and powers. If you don't remember, it doesn't matter. Taihui accepts disciples from all kinds, as long as their Dao heart is firm and their conduct is upright and honest. I believe that you two young friends are upright and not those who follow crooked paths."
She glanced at the iron sword at Qiao Yanshen's waist, then turned to Yan Xueya and said gently, "Xueya, I remember there is a cave on Frostblade Peak with a mineral vein that absorbs the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Why don't you ask them to take a look and pick out a couple of pieces of material?"
Yan Xueya was surprised that her thoughts had been seen through, so she nodded slightly and looked at Qiao Yanshen.
"If anything unexpected happens, send a message to Ye Zhong and I will come immediately. The cave is on the back of the mountain, where spirit beasts live in the shallows, so you can find it by following their tracks."
Qiao Yanshen and Shen Lixia rose, bowed to the two, and then left the hall without hesitation. The hall doors opened and closed again, and the interior fell silent once more.
The silence was broken only when Chang Yi spoke up.
"Xueya, you're thinking about her again."
The young woman swept her loose hair back. Her features were gentle, yet she possessed an imposing aura. Her eyes cast fine shadows through her eyelashes, but could not conceal the sharp gaze that could pierce through one's soul in an instant.
Yan Xueya's breath hitched for a moment, then she lowered her eyes, raised her hand and picked up a strand of white hair that had fallen on her shoulder, which looked like jade. Her previously raised eyebrows were now slightly lowered, as if she was much more tired.
A smile played on her lips, yet it was a bitter taste that was almost unbearable. Her voice softened as she said, "Yes... the Five Elements theory I'm talking about now was taught to me by her."
"That student surnamed Chen does indeed possess an aura similar to hers. And the Purple Heaven Divine Lightning is something I've also seen on her before..."
Unwilling to reopen old wounds, the young man sighed and took out a token from his storage pouch.
The token is covered in a bright silver color, shimmering like moonlight. Its surface is narrow, yet it is intricately engraved with totems representing the five elements.
And at its very center, there was a name, its surface shimmering and flowing—
Si Changxi.
"I came back for the important matter of adjusting the mission, and I hope you can keep this token safe. The four True Monarchs in the sect, including you, can decide for yourselves who will hold it and act as my representative in the sect's affairs for a period of time."
Hearing the seriousness in her tone, Yan Xueya frowned. "Has that person really reappeared? I heard Yi Xiaohan mention him before, and I thought it was just a rumor..."
Si Changxi, who had previously identified himself as Changyi, nodded and said solemnly, "It is her. I must stop her this time to prevent more sects from suffering a massacre."
She placed the token on the table.
"This journey is fraught with danger, and I do not know when I will return. I entrust Taihui to you. I am truly sorry for the increased workload. If you return safely, I will make it up to you properly."
Yan Xueya waved her hand, "We were once classmates, and now we share the same fate in the sect. How can you say you owe me anything? Just go and capture that person."
Even so, she could tell that Si Changxi's obsession with the person she spoke of was not solely out of hatred.
Rather, it is a more complex and obscure emotion.
Perhaps it was the righteous's pity for the sorcerer, or perhaps it was curiosity.
"There is one more thing I haven't told those two students, but you must be careful—their souls are unusual. I can't figure out the deeper layers, but they seem to be mixed with another aura, extremely cold and sinister... If they weren't born this way, then they have been possessed. You must be extra careful."
"Possessed? They don't seem to be... but it makes sense. If they were ghosts who should have reincarnated several times but were wandering the world, their disguise skills would be exquisite." Yan Xueya nodded, put away the token, picked up the teacup, and felt the rich aroma of butter tea filling her nose.
However, Si Changxi's next words made her hand tremble slightly, almost imperceptibly.
“Since you’ve already made up your mind, why not take those two as your disciples after they return?” Si Changxi said with a smile. “The two of them are very similar to you and her back then, especially Qiao Yanshen, who already has sword intent. With your guidance, they may become the most outstanding talents in the sect in the future.”
"...I will consider it." Yan Xueya pursed her lips, and the sound of the howling wind outside the hall seemed to become clearer, lingering in the warm room.
Seeing her reaction, Si Changxi said nothing more and stood up to straighten her clothes. Yan Xueya stood up with her to see her off. Before stepping onto her longsword, Si Changxi turned back, her dark eyes gentle and calm.
"Take care, Xueya."
"Take care, Sect Master."
A gleam appeared on the sword, and the young man's figure vanished into the snowstorm in an instant. Yan Xueya closed the palace door, sat back in his chair, picked up the scrolls on the table, and began to peruse them.
This was the task Si Changxi had given her, along with the related documents she had recently collected.
The sect used to have many tasks closely related to the affairs of mortals, but for some reason, there have been far fewer recently, replaced by various tasks involving the senseless slaughter of spirit beasts and the plundering of mountains and fields to collect materials.
As a result, many students, no longer tasked with quelling disasters and exploring secret realms, naturally became idle; and with this idleness, they lost their sense of propriety, spending their days doing nothing, and bad apples began to grow.
And those who secretly sabotaged the secret service...
Yan Xueya's fingertips landed at the end of the file, gliding over the names and surnames.
Lin He'an.
He was the elder who had previously made those outrageous remarks in the hall, and also Lin Fenghua's elder, a pillar of the Lin family.
That's incredibly bold.
Sensing Yan Xueya's feelings, the natal sword within her small inner world hummed slightly, as if it were excited.
As a sword belonging to soldiers, having drunk countless drops of blood, it stirs with anticipation of seeing blood again.
—Consider this the first gift from Master to his two new disciples.
After closing the file, Yan Xueya looked towards the palace gate, then looked away after a moment, having made up her mind. She closed her eyes and sent out her divine sense. A moment later, a bird, pure white except for a deep blue tinge in its tail feathers, flew in through the open window.
She wrote a letter, folded it, and tied it along with the token to the bird's leg, then stroked its feathers, which blended seamlessly with the snow.
"Give it to Ruan Luoying."
Tomorrow at noon, True Lord Mingji will hold an apprenticeship ceremony. All three True Lords are invited to bring their personal disciples to witness this event.
As for managing the sect, she is truly powerless to do so now, so let Ruan Luoying take over.
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Author's note: I always feel that even though I've exceeded the word limit, the theme of each chapter is too unclear, so I can't think of a chapter title every time.
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