Chapter 205 Rebuilding, Until We Meet Again!
After bidding farewell to the snow beast, Shen Lixia went to her residence on the mountaintop.
She found the room Yan Xueya had reserved for her—the two of them had stayed here just a few days ago. Even though it was her master's residence, Yan Xueya had never made her feel uneasy, like she was living under someone else's roof. Everything here felt so familiar, as if she had been living here for a long time. The stove was covered in ash, the windows were tightly closed, and everything was spotless.
Shen Lixia entered through a small door at the back of the room and lit the stove.
There was a pungent, sour smell in the firelight. She didn't know if it was from the moisture brought by the melting snow, or if she was just imagining things, simply finding an excuse to cough until tears streamed down her face. But Shen Lixia shook her head, not letting the tears actually seep into her eyes, and instead grabbed the blanket from the bed.
The wind outside no longer howled; the place had become a wasteland. The once overwhelming snow, like thick down, now hung pitifully and forlornly among the steep rocks.
The sound of sparks dancing and burning wood became clearer, and you could even hear the faint sound of moisture being evaporated and rising inside.
She wrapped the blanket around herself and curled up in the corner by the bed.
Beside him was a window, casting a cold blue shadow, which was made even clearer by the firelight. After a long while, the boy's heavy breathing gradually subsided.
She actually curled up against the wall and fell asleep.
Shen Lixia's sleep was restless. She felt the distant flames suddenly rush towards her, engulfing everything and burning away her very bones. A sharp, burning sensation rose from her back, a pain no less intense than throwing a hot iron into cold water, causing a sharp, piercing pain.
To become ashes, and then to rise again from the ashes, breathing painfully.
She is being dismantled, and she is being reshaped.
Then a heavy feeling pressed down, and a soft sound came from the outside. When she realized what was breaking, the hot liquid that had enveloped her had already flowed out, mixed with soft red feathers. The feather shafts shone with a beautiful pale gold, and as they detached from her body, they quickly turned into ashen dust.
A joyful voice rang out, sounding very familiar:
"It's hatched! Jiang Ning, Yin Xuan, come quick!"
The owner of the voice picked her up and noticed many broken feathers in the viscous liquid. When she spoke again, she couldn't help but show some concern: "She's so small... How come she's covered in wounds right after birth? Did she peck these feathers herself?"
Shen Lixia felt her gently touch her. The beak of a newborn bird is very soft and smooth, with virtually no offensive power, which is why the wounds on her body are so fine, as if they had been torn apart countless times.
Another figure, blurry and indistinct, entered through her still-closed eyes and approached her.
Accompanying it was a thick, strong tail, its tip swaying gently, which held the newly hatched bird close.
Judging from his appearance, this person was quite young, yet very tall, and even bore a resemblance to Yan Xueya, with flowing silver hair. She studied him for a while, and finally concluded:
"It's a bit ugly."
Immediately, she cried out in pain. It turned out that the boy who was holding her had freed one hand and grabbed her—her furry ear.
The ears were roughly triangular in shape and snow-white, reminding her of glutinous rice cakes; they were now drooping due to the pain.
"Where have you been reading all this? You're so clumsy with words!" the boy scolded her. "We little birds are the cutest!"
Shen Lixia couldn't help but laugh. But the laughter caught in her throat, causing her to choke slightly—
It turned into a faint yet clear bird song.
She woke up with a start, finally realizing what was happening to her.
The vibrant, long feathers flowed throughout the room, covering the wooden floor. The once-fiery flames in the fireplace, as if knowing their brilliance couldn't match the shimmering gold dust on the bird's feathers, extinguished themselves.
Wings grew back, accompanied by countless feathers covering the body, layer upon layer, fine and soft.
Even though her body was as tall as a person, it was still not enough to cover even a corner of the sky-covering wings of the Vermilion Bird in her memory. She was too weak and too young. At her age and with her level of cultivation, she was simply not capable of supporting such a massive body for the original High God.
She still has a lot of time to grow up.
This time, she remembered that she wasn't covered in wounds when she was born, but this time, she no longer had people who revolved around her from the moment she opened her eyes.
Now it's lost too.
In the midst of suffering, the divine fire finally reached its ultimate state.
It reshaped Shen Lixia's body.
Now that her wings have grown back, Shen Lixia is afraid to flap them. She is in great pain; the pain of having her wings severed at the base is so intense that it is deeply etched into her mind.
Perhaps sensing her intention, the feathers covering her body gradually disappeared. In a fleeting moment, she returned to her original form, her wings restored to their former glory, but no longer possessing the same indomitable strength.
Even lifting it slightly causes a dull ache.
Shen Lixia sighed and folded her wings away.
She felt it was a pity that the feeling of transforming into a bird had vanished, and because of this unresolved issue, she could not try it again.
After sitting blankly for a while, Shen Lixia extinguished the fire in the stove and left the room. As she passed through the main hall, she glanced at the long table where she had sat and talked for many times, and suddenly froze.
The teacups on both sides were still there as before, but the tea had long since gone cold because the person hadn't returned for a long time.
She collected the teacups, washed them, and put them in the cabinet.
Everything became clean and tidy again.
In the middle of the night, Qiao Yanshen heard a long, drawn-out sound of a door being pushed open. She was a light sleeper and was even more vigilant when Shen Lixia wasn't by her side.
As the footsteps drew closer, the boy's figure came into view.
Shen Lixia lowered her head, quietly burrowed into the blankets, and hugged her tightly with her arms.
Qiao Yanshen raised his hand to touch her hair. It seemed much warmer than before, with a dry, woody scent that was also faintly sweet.
She felt Shen Lixia move slightly, shifting to a more comfortable position and pressing herself tightly against her chest. She sighed softly and helplessly, then hugged her even tighter.
-
Before their letter requesting to leave the sect was delivered, someone else arrived earlier to visit them.
The young man, now dressed in a short jacket and long boots, leaned against the courtyard wall. Two short swords hung from his waist with a belt, and his storage items had been replaced with rings. His boots were made of sturdy fur. Compared to the extravagance of aristocratic students in the past, he looked more like a wandering swordsman capable of traversing mountains and rivers.
The soft ends of her hair were also cut off, leaving strands of hair behind.
Her features were already strikingly handsome, but now her eyes seemed to have been tempered into steel, radiating a light unlike her previous somber expression. Even with a relaxed expression, her habitually furrowed brows still retained a hint of seriousness.
He is a very handsome young man.
Shen Lixia blinked in surprise. "Junior Sister Lin? Come in and have a cup of tea." She had a feeling that Lin Yuxian's purpose in changing her outfit was not simple, and she wanted to ask her in detail after she sat down.
But Lin Yuqian immediately bowed and answered her question: "No. I've come to say goodbye to my senior sisters."
The peach trees are already somewhat bare; their most beautiful scenery has already blossomed to its fullest in the most beautiful spring, and now it's time for them to fade away.
“My senior sister left me a map and had someone deliver it to me. I’ve decided to leave the sect and go see the secret realms recorded on the map.” She straightened up, her eyes flickering for a moment. “It was a token of my senior sister’s affection; she said there might be an opportunity that’s perfect for me.”
They had originally planned to go together, hoping to eventually join the inner sect. At that time, the people dining at their table would truly be the future pillars of the sect.
When the latter was mentioned, the tall woman showed some embarrassment for the first time, and finally quietly asked her, "Does True Monarch Lanqiu still accept disciples?"
Lin Yuxian paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Go ahead and accept it—why wouldn't I accept it?"
Aunt Yi is a wonderful person; you two will definitely get along. However, Bailu Peak and Zhu Ming Peak are far apart, and I'm too lazy to make the trip. You can come find me then.
She once told Zulan that it was not time to leave.
But after that night, when the map was handed to her, she seemed to hear a settling sound, reminding her:
Now is the time.
It's time to go.
A fleeting memory, the rustling of peach blossoms and leaves brought her back to reality. Lin Yuxian sighed, then suddenly raised her hand, a whistle escaping from her tightly pursed lips.
A bird with black feathers, a white belly, and a bright red tail fluttered down and affectionately gripped her shoulder. It knew its limits and didn't extend its claws.
“This is my messenger,” Lin Yuxian smiled slightly. “You must remember to write to me… To be honest! Everyone else has written me at least once, but I never receive any letters from you. I’ll be gone for a long time this time, and if my senior sisters don’t write to me at all, I’ll really get angry.”
Shen Lixia had been stunned ever since she said she was leaving. Only now did she seem to come to her senses, nodding several times and hesitantly raising her hand to stroke the little bird's white down.
She pursed her lips, then finally smiled: "Okay, I'll definitely remember."
She took out the array plate she had taken from the ancient battlefield and solemnly handed it to Lin Yuxian.
Qiao Yanshen stood a little behind her, his gaze intense, seemingly reluctant, yet earnestly saying, "Then I wish you all the best, Junior Sister. May we both achieve great things when we meet again in the future."
There was a moment of silence between the three of them. Suddenly, Lin Yuqian leaned forward, opened her arms wide, and barely managed to put her arms around the shoulders of the two women, hugging them for a short while.
Qiao Yanshen blinked, but didn't struggle. Rather, she seemed less resistant to contacting anyone than before.
After letting go, Lin Yuxian straightened her clothes, a smile playing on her lips. Her face was exactly the same as when they first met; however, her smile was no longer sinister and full of sarcasm, and her eyes were as pure as clear water, revealing her joy.
After dispelling the painful and cowardly fog, she indeed possessed a clear and discerning mind.
Just like a refined gentleman, pure and gentle as jade.
The young man tucked his hair behind his ear, raised an eyebrow smugly, and declared loudly, "This isn't a farewell! I hope my senior sisters stay safe and sound!"
After saying that, she took two steps at a time and walked briskly forward for a while. Then she turned around and waved to them. Only then did she seem a little reluctant to leave, but she took a step forward with such determination.
The sword's aura sliced through the sky with chilling force, leaving only its clear sound echoing through the mountains and forests.
Until we meet again!
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