Chapter 188: Converging the Milky Way.
The woman's pupils suddenly trembled.
Once again, her eyes revealed a vulnerability similar to that in my memory, like a cold shard of glass, sharp at the edges, yet utterly fragile.
It was clearly silent, yet one could hear the tremors of mountains collapsing and everything crumbling.
A dangerous aura, like a raging flame, ignited with a "bang" from friction, hissing and spitting fire at Luo You. Veins bulged on his neck, and even the flow of blood seemed to slow down.
Yan Xueya gently pushed her hand forward.
The sword tip pressed against Luo You's skin, the chill choking the wisps of black mist that seeped out, producing a piercing sound like water boiling.
The tiger pressed its fangs against her vital points.
A chill ran straight to the young man's brow. Frost meandered, trapping Luo You within, making him unable to feel even his limbs for a moment.
But she was already used to this pain, so she still looked at Yan Xueya with a smile, her eyes calm and undisturbed.
If she still had any emotions, she would realize that this gaze was meant to tear her apart; unfortunately, she no longer possessed that perception.
Therefore, they are happy to see other people suffer.
"You're about to be a prisoner, and you still dare to talk like that."
Unlike the sudden surge of spiritual power, Yan Xueya's voice sounded very calm, with only a hint of barely perceptible coldness, and she was not truly angry.
Their conversation was blocked by spiritual energy and did not reach anyone else's ears, but the chill swept over everyone present.
Although most of them were already at the Nascent Soul stage, they still struggled against this pressure. The difference in strength was more than just a chasm; it was probably at least seven or eight levels.
Yan Xueya noticed the movements of the others, slightly composed herself, and unhappily sheathed her sword. Then, as if realizing something was amiss, she suddenly frowned.
The higher one's cultivation level, the greater the difference between minor realms, let alone an entire major realm. The aura emanating from Luo You was clearly at the early stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, while Shen Lixia and the others, even assuming they were lucky enough to break through temporarily, would at most be at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul Realm.
This demon was very cautious from the beginning and acted in secrecy, so Yan Xueya always guessed that she was just a grunt sent there and did not pay much attention to her strange and ever-changing cultivation level.
Now that I've come to my senses, I realize that this is quite strange.
An ominous premonition rushed over her, and just as her expression changed drastically, Luo You tilted her head slightly, a hint of appreciative smile appearing in her eyes.
哢.
The sounds of breaking and crashing rose and fell, like a torrential downpour, densely filling the ears.
The frost that bound her vanished in an instant. The surging demonic energy coalesced into a thick, black swamp, rushing down the mountain ridge like a torrent, swiftly swallowing everyone into its raging torrent. Only a pair of bright, cold red eyes remained, like two eerie, ever-burning lamps etched into everyone's vision.
Upon closer inspection, it resembles a giant beast that emerges from the sea with the rising tide.
"You've finally realized it, True Lord Mingji."
The Nightmare Technique unfolded as smoothly and gently as Luo You's voice, slowly enveloping Yan Xueya's sea of consciousness and gently extinguishing the last bit of clear awareness.
She saw familiar figures being swallowed up by demonic energy, collapsing from the nightmare spell, and falling into an endless illusion.
This is an ancient art, said to have originated from the dragon race. True dragons possess many secret arts, thus they govern all things, from initially controlling celestial phenomena and geography, and the flourishing of grains and flowers, to later the races born from nature, and finally the very essence of life. Secret arts that interfere with the souls of others are ultimately too dangerous, so nightmare magic and similar arts were eventually regarded as evil magic—the dragon race created them, and also destroyed them all with their own hands.
However, some of them were still lost and hidden by people.
Its effects can range from mildly bewitching people to severely trapping them in a demonic illusion, revealing their deepest obsessions. If one becomes deeply entrenched in it, they may even fall into a perpetual slumber, reduced to a living corpse.
Yan Xueya raised her sword to strike, but in a daze, she realized that the scene before her had changed, and Luo You was no longer there. Her sword also landed on empty air.
Within the black mist, Luo You clapped his hands lightly, as if sincerely offering his congratulations.
“My goal has been you from the beginning.”
It wasn't that they were luring them into a trap; rather, the game had already been arranged.
"I will leave you all to be dealt with last. Until then, please indulge in your illusions here."
"After all, this is the last good dream."
-
Lu Changqing took Wu Zhuyue's hand. The autumn air was crisp and clear, and a gentle breeze blew through their hair, bringing a touch of coolness.
Wu Zhuyue's fingers trembled slightly, but she didn't wave her away. She just kept walking with her head down. Where was she going? She didn't know either. She just wanted to leave, to get out of everyone's sight.
She was reluctant to go back. The thought of having to start all over again with Yi Xiaohan tomorrow made her feel a spasm in her abdomen, followed by a slow, sharp pain—a feeling even more unbearable than when she had her period in the past when she was starving.
Back then, her mother would hold her in her arms, gently rubbing her belly, and telling her stories of stars. Even on the night before their separation, she would still whisper with a smile:
"When we escape to the city, we must cook a pot of meat porridge for our little Wu and simmer a few eggs... as big as a fist! If he eats them, the pain will stop."
They're all fake.
Her world is forever shrouded in illusion, where all beautiful visions shatter at the very moment they are touched.
This time, however, it wasn't fate playing tricks on her; rather, it was her own fault.
Lu Changqing said softly, "I'll go with you to see Aunt Yi tomorrow." Seeing that Wu Zhuyue had no intention of talking to her, she was not annoyed. She just walked slowly with her, not caring where they were going.
“I’m with you, Yue. Don’t lie anymore… I know you’re not truly working for those people.”
Was it not genuine...?
Just before Luo You was taken away, he actually glanced at her. That flippant smile and those words were delivered and imprinted in her mind.
She said, "Little traitor. You can run away on the first day of the month, but you can't hide on the fifteenth."
Lu Changqing's voice interrupted her recollection.
“I’ve been waiting for you…” The boy squeezed her hand. “Tell me about you, let me understand you. I’ve been waiting all this time.”
She was usually overly lively, but now she suddenly became gentle, like a branch adorned with peach blossoms, drooping under the moonlight, gently caressing the eyebrows and heart of her beloved.
Wu Zhuyue suddenly shook off her hand, quickened her pace without a word, and then, as if fleeing, never looked back.
Lu Changqing withdrew her empty hand, stopped in her tracks, and watched Wu Zhuyue's figure disappear around the corner. She thought, Wu Zhuyue needs time. Just as she herself needed to think about exactly when Wu Zhuyue stopped opening her heart to her.
Did I really understand Wu Zhuyue?
They all need time.
The brighter the moonlight, the deeper the night had become.
Even after everyone had left, Shen Lixia showed no sign of leaving.
Seeing that she seemed to be in a daze, Qiao Yanshen took a step forward and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Yue Qifeng and Yun Zhixiao stood guard nearby, and seeing the two of them getting close, they thoughtfully moved a little further away, leaving some space and strictly respecting their junior sisters' privacy.
Shen Lixia blinked, seemingly a little wistful. She raised the corners of her lips and smiled, "Senior sister, you should go back first. I want to walk around a bit more; maybe I can discover something strange."
Seeing Qiao Yanshen frown, she guessed what he was going to say and spoke first.
"Don't worry about me. If anything happens, I won't try to tough it out. Besides, Master is on the Four Spirits Peak and can come over anytime."
They also have tokens, but they only use them as a last resort.
Thinking of the token, Shen Lixia recalled her earlier confusion: "By the way, when can Senior Sister retrieve her sword and personal belongings?"
"We'll probably have to wait a bit longer," Qiao Yanshen sighed. "Senior Sister Yue just told me that we can't carry any weapons."
Therefore, it cannot be confirmed whether Luo You took Qiao Yanshen's token or not... Although it should be a certainty, since Yan Xueya would not have given the token to Luo You, she must have been able to steal Qiao Yanshen's token.
That's good, it's not like we can discover what's missing in a short time. But how she managed to sneak into the tower prison is quite intriguing.
Come to think of it, they should have already sent Sister Chi and other cultivators specializing in array techniques to deal with the problem of the sect's protective array... Shen Lixia breathed a sigh of relief, then suddenly stood on tiptoe, raised her hand to shield Qiao Yanshen from behind, and kissed her forehead.
“This is a goodnight kiss.” She smiled and said, “Senior sister must be tired after a long day, have sweet dreams.” With that, the boy waved to the other two and turned to walk in another direction.
Suspicion arose in her heart, and before she knew it, she had returned to Frostblade Peak.
This was a remote area on the outskirts of Emperor Huizong's territory, and it was quite desolate. From the outside, the mountain was covered in snow, which stood out against the fiery red of autumn, and the magnolia flowers still filled the sky.
Shen Lixia's gaze softened.
This is her home, the place where her master and senior sister are... No matter where she is, this place will always be there for her, and she can stay here anytime. Growing up, Shen Lixia had become accustomed to wandering around, never imagining that someone would protect and favor her like her mother would.
Although not bound by blood, their bond is deeper, tightly tying them together.
The moonlight, carried by the rustling wind, shone on the face of the person walking slowly through the woods.
Shen Lixia's gaze followed, meeting those calm eyes. The pale moonlight, like a snowflake, gently fell into the person's eyes, quickly melting away.
She remembered everyone's face, and she also remembered the names of those who had told her their names.
Because of the many kindnesses she has received along the way, she should remember every meal and every drop of water she has received. Her elder sister in her past life and her master in this life have both taught her to remember the good others have done for her. Love must always outweigh hatred; she must not indulge in delusion, anger, or greed, nor should she only focus on the flaws of others.
Therefore, Shen Lixia also remembered the young man's face.
She blinked, and before the memories could flood back, she cried out:
"—Wangshu?"
Then it quickly dawned on him that if this person was truly related to Si Changxi, then he must be an elder.
Perhaps sharing the same thought, the young man in white glanced at her but did not respond. The silence lasted only a moment, yet it stretched on and on, as if countless sunrises and sunsets, waxing and waning moons had passed, and even the name itself, like a pebble dropped into a deep pool, stirred up countless ripples.
Just as the boy was beginning to feel confused, Si Liuhua smiled gently and replied, "Young friend Shen."
She briefly glanced around before turning her gaze back and walking towards Shen Lixia. Shen Lixia assumed she was a fellow cultivator participating in the competition and quickened her pace.
Even if it was only for a few days, we had shared life and death. I used to think that reuniting with an old friend I had only met by chance would always be a happy occasion.
The two walked with different paces, one quick and one slow, across the dry soil.
Shen Lixia raised her eyebrows and asked curiously, "I haven't seen you for the past few days! Did you come to watch the competition or to participate?" She remembered that the other party was previously at the Foundation Establishment stage, but now that so much time has passed, it's common for someone with better aptitude to break through to the Golden Core stage.
Si Liuhua said, "I'm here to admire."
She gazed at the rolling mountains.
Completely different from what I remembered, the territory was much larger, and many more plants had sprung up. It was no longer as shabby as when I first came; magnificent pavilions had been built, and as that person had said, a pavilion had even been specially set up for conversing with foreign guests. Located on the lake, one could admire the lotus flowers in summer, watch the falling leaves in autumn, listen to the orioles and swallows in spring, and see the heavy snow in winter.
Guests from all over the world, no matter where they come from, can surely sit down here and have a good chat.
However, some people didn't live long enough to see everything completed.
One of the mountains looked familiar. Si Liuhua gazed at the silvery-white, sword-like peak, a smile subtly deepening at the corners of her lips. She asked, "What's the name of this mountain?"
Shen Lixia followed her gaze, "Frostblade Peak. Doesn't it look like a silver sword pointing to the sky?"
It has a name now. Back when the area wasn't very big, when people talked about a mountain, they would usually say "the one to the east" or "the one to the south."
The Four Spirits Sect in her memory gradually faded, and everything before her eyes felt unfamiliar.
Si Liuhua nodded: "Yes. This is my first time here. I've heard that your esteemed sect has beautiful scenery. Since we've met by chance, would you be so kind as to show me around?"
Although the faces of old friends, like dye on clothes, gradually dissolve and fade away in flowing water, there is still one person who will never be forgotten.
She at least wanted to see the place where Si Changxi grew up.
Shen Lixia paused for a moment, then laughed heartily, "Alright! But the sect is quite vast, I just hope you won't feel overwhelmed. If you get tired, just let me know and I'll take you back via a shortcut."
Bathed in moonlight, the two walked one after the other inside Emperor Taihui's palace.
A thousand years passed like a continuous cloud, slowly unfolding before Si Liuhua's eyes. As she walked, her spiritual sense constantly scanned the area, and she vaguely spotted a small wooden house behind the Four Spirit Peaks. The carefully tended vines and grass on the house had wilted slightly due to the owner's long absence, and even the abundant spiritual energy could not make the leaves turn green again.
It looks a lot like the room they lived in when they were in the demon realm, the one that the boy had rejected.
Guyu Peak, preserved for a thousand years, now bursts forth with lush greenery, resembling a realm of spring. Jingzhe Peak, Bailu Peak, Yuheng Peak... complement the autumn scenery on the outer side, with fiery reds and golden hues intertwined, creating a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.
On Jiming Peak, the platform erected for the Fire Festival still stands, with several colorful ribbons fluttering in the distance. She listened as Shen Lixia recounted the grand spectacle of that time, as well as the celebrations for other seasons and the unforgettable New Year's Eve, and smiled slightly.
Amidst the towering Wanjianfeng peaks, mist drifted, resembling dense and sharp sword energy. Upon reaching Zhumingfeng, the flickering lights brilliantly illuminated the sky, as if a fire had been set, burning a scorching hole in the night sky.
The place where a person grows up always bears her mark. The journey wasn't long, but Si Liuhua felt as if she were seeing a little boy, sometimes running ahead, bending down to pick wildflowers and holding them in his arms; sometimes hiding behind a tree, and then jumping away with a bright laugh when she approached.
She quickened her pace, but she couldn't catch up with the child—the boy was like a fawn, leaping into the intricate forest.
As they walked through the forest, the boy had grown into a young man. Time slipped away in the maze, and the opportunity was lost forever; she could no longer watch him grow up.
But Si Changxi did grow up very well and peacefully, better than she had imagined, and better than if she had been by her side.
They quickly reached the Heavenly Ladder at the entrance of the sect. The steps stretched endlessly, and the foot of the mountain was bathed in the lonely moonlight.
Shen Lixia also felt a little lost. Memories came flooding back; this was the starting point. She remembered how she was trapped back then, completely disoriented and anxious.
Returning to the sect and standing near the teleportation array, Si Liuhua let out a soft sigh of relief.
"Thank you," she said, "for showing me the place where she grew up."
She didn't say who it was, but Shen Lixia already understood.
The next moment, however, she was somewhat horrified.
wrong.
If he were a relative of the sect leader... even though Si Changxi looks young, reaching the Nascent Soul stage wouldn't have been possible in just over a hundred years. And the lifespan of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator wouldn't have allowed them to live to this point.
Her tone didn't sound like that of a junior, because Shen Lixia had heard similar things from Yan Xueya.
Gentle, gratified, and genuinely proud.
The boy took a few steps back, vaguely recalling a rumor about a certain person.
As Master Chi also said, it wasn't that no one went, but that only the sect leader could return. Si Changxi's obsession with tracking demonic cultivators was palpable even without her saying it aloud. If it were just hearsay, that would be one thing, but given her gentle personality, how could she have such a deep obsession with one person? Could it really be just driven by a sense of righteousness?
Moreover, although their eyebrows and eyes are not similar, their expressions are exactly the same.
Time may wear down many things, but everything a person experiences from childhood is not so easily forgotten. These experiences will seep into her life, silently permeating it like water, allowing her to unconsciously reveal the imprint of the other person.
They were family, but the Azure Dragon tribe had long been buried in history by the greed of the human race.
Just because Si Changxi doesn't hate doesn't mean others won't.
“…Senior Wangshu.” Shen Lixia heard her own voice sound a little hoarse. “Everything is in the past now. Don’t make things difficult for yourself.”
Si Liuhua smiled. Her cultivation aura rose rapidly at a terrifying speed, and a dense spiritual power visibly surged around her.
The wind howled incessantly, and everything was white under the pale moonlight, as if the world itself had been horrified and lost its color.
Her voice remained gentle: "You and Chang Xi are so alike, even your words are so similar. She must have taught you."
"I only want the power that could destroy an entire race to never again fall into the hands of anyone who does not deserve it. Only then can peace prevail in the world."
Just like the ideal she promised Jiang Wangshu.
The dazzling sword light was reflected in the trembling golden pupils of the young girl. She had never seen such a bright sight before, as if it were not a single person wielding a sword, but rather the night sky shattering, cascading down a thousand miles of Milky Way, a vast ocean filling the heavens. Countless stars fell in its wake, and even the bright moon paled in comparison.
With a loud bang.
What fell next were not stars, but countless figures that suddenly appeared in mid-air.
The black fog surged and covered half the sky in the blink of an eye.
"Young friend, we will never meet again."
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