Chapter 255 Though Dead, Still Alive (Paper) "Looking at him but not at me, what kind of person is he..."
In this illusory realm, only a false moon hangs in the sky, its light not bright enough to cast a shadowy darkness on one's face.
Wei Changzai's gaze was clear and cold, carrying a scrutinizing meaning, without a trace of warmth. However, the darkness softened his features, making Qiu Tong feel somewhat dazed, as if she were seeing him from the past.
The atmosphere at this point was calm enough for people to calm down.
Qiu Tong seemed to be convinced by his twisted logic. At this moment, a thought suddenly popped into her head: Consort Wei had only temporarily changed his mind; he wasn't dead...
Um?
She was startled, terrified by the idea, and immediately held back the tears welling up in her eyes. She glared at Wei Changzai while backing away.
If Wei Chang were to start a cult, it might soon rival the esoteric schools of Buddhism.
How can someone be so able to justify their own words!
"Wait a minute, what do you mean by that? What do you mean by looking for someone else's shadow in you?"
Wei Changzai stopped in his tracks, his elongated shadow almost completely obscuring Qiu Tong's eyes. He said softly, "Qiu Tong, is the Wei Changzai you see now?"
Qiu Tong was surprised by his keen insight, but for a moment she didn't know how to speak.
He then gave his own answer: "You are not looking at me. You are looking at another Wei Changzai. I guess you won't be as afraid of him as you are now. Is there a second me in the world?"
Did that 'Wei Changzai' tell you that I should have been born in Dongpingcang?
The person before her was filled with coldness and indifference, but at the same time, there was something else mixed in, something she had seen in Lin Feiran before.
That's why he didn't continue to approach, but chose to stop.
Qiu Tong's mind was in turmoil; she couldn't decide whether she should tell him about her rebirth. If she did, would the current situation change...?
In the silence, she suddenly spoke: "Yes. Do you believe in rebirth? In our past life, as Zhang Chunhe said, we were a pair of Daoist partners."
Wei Changzai's eyes showed no surprise, but rather an understanding of "as expected".
Therefore, the divination that Master mentioned was a lie. He knew his own future clearly, which is why he stayed near the village for three months, rescued him after the monsters attacked the village, and took him as his disciple.
Everything went so smoothly.
Their thoughts were in turmoil. Qiu Tong looked up at him and asked softly, "In our past life, about our marriage..."
Wei Changzai looked at her calmly. He tried to speak with some emotion, but he couldn't: "I don't know about my past life, and I think that wasn't me."
Qiu Tong's eyes flickered, but she calmed down and recalled her intense reaction. She felt frustrated at herself for being so weak. She pursed her lips, straightened up, turned and walked forward, saying...
"I'm not trying to reminisce about the past with you, but the sudden mention of marriage just now reminded me of some things."
In our past life, we also got married in early spring, but we were in the fox clan, not on the path to rebirth.
This place sounds familiar... I think I've heard it somewhere before..."
Wei Changzai glanced sideways and said, "The Path to Rebirth is an old name. Now it is also called the Three Bridges, which means the bridge connecting heaven, earth and man."
Qiu Tong looked surprised: "The path to rebirth is the Three Bridges?!"
She immediately recalled that in her previous life, when the two of them traveled together, they met Lin Feiran under the Three Bridges.
Although the Three Bridges are a passageway, they were originally built to save people. They contain extremely complex magic arrays and abundant spiritual power, which is why many medical practitioners gather there.
Lin Feiran went there to heal his damaged spiritual veins, but to no avail. Later, he encountered the two of them, and in his anger and resentment, he died.
Now they've moved everything there...
As Qiu Tong thought of the cult's scheme, a flash of inspiration struck her, but she hesitated again. She said, "No, the marriage is a pretense, capturing Lin Feiran is a pretense. Their real purpose is to make her die in her destiny!"
Lin Feiran died under the Three Bridges in his previous life!
But why must she die? Is it really just to get what they want...?
Wei Changzai paused, his dark eyes appearing slightly frosty in the moonlight. He said softly, "Deathly Calamity?"
...
Inside the side hall, a massive magic array had been drawn, with runes outlined and sealed layer upon layer, revealing a shimmering crimson hue.
“A sword that has come to life is different from an ordinary iron sword. As long as the sword spirit exists, the sword will not break. However, this is also a kind of balance. If the sword spirit is damaged, the sword will also crack.”
Zhang Chunhe withdrew his hand, looked calmly at the magic array he had personally set up, and continued to explain to the others.
"But destroying sword spirits is not as simple as you think. They are symbiotic spiritual beings, sharing the same origin as the world's rare and precious materials. If you want to destroy them, you must find a spiritual treasure that counters them."
This formation can temporarily restrain the sword spirit, but you still need to find the molten iron that forged this weapon and temper it with the Rootless Fire, which is also a spiritual object. Only a Venerable at least at the Divine Ascension Realm can kill it in one fell swoop.”
Bi Sheng frowned and said, "It's that complicated?"
Zhang Chunhe gave a faint smile, but there was a hint of arrogance in his eyes: "There are thousands of precious swords in the world, but only one in ten thousand can give birth to a sword spirit. If they could be destroyed so easily, why would so many people be so eager to acquire them?"
Bi Sheng pondered deeply. The esoteric sect also possessed countless treasures, including everything from rootless fire to cultivators at the Divine Travel Realm, except for the molten iron used to forge the spirit sword…
Who knows what that slippery Jin Lan used? It must be something extraordinary! He's still causing trouble for them even after he's dead!
She looked at the magic circle, and the crimson figure was indeed trapped inside. Her gaze became deep and mysterious as she thought to herself: Zhang Chunhe is so "pure and self-disciplined," so why is he willing to cooperate with the esoteric sect this time?
Having been plagued by misfortune for a long time, Bi Sheng was already holding back his anger. He was even more annoyed by Zhang Chunhe, a man whose true nature was hard to fathom. Just as he was about to exchange a few pleasantries and leave, the old man who had been sitting quietly stood up.
"The time is drawing near, and we no longer have time to find the iron used to forge the swords back then, so I will do it myself."
Zhang Chunhe's eyes flickered as he looked closer. Bi Sheng had never introduced this person's background, only referring to him as Old Chen.
He had carefully examined the man during their earlier pleasantries. The man's cultivation was extremely shallow, and his pulse was weak and feeble, making him almost indistinguishable from an ordinary old man. Even now, he still had some doubts about why such a person could come here to discuss matters.
Old Chen stood up, leaning on his wooden cane, and walked forward with A-Cheng's help. His cloudy eyes reflected the light of the magic array, and he still looked ordinary.
Then, he closed his eyes slightly, stretched out his withered hand, and parted his dry, wrinkled lips to say something.
At such close range, Zhang Chunhe couldn't hear anything clearly, but in the next moment, the captured but still moving crimson light in the formation froze for a moment.
There was no need for so-called molten iron or rootless fire; the power of words and actions alone was enough to subdue them.
Zhang Chunhe suddenly understood something, and his gaze shifted from inquiry to surprise. He rarely showed such a look, but at this moment he couldn't help but stare straight at him.
This person is the Skywalker, who lived only in legend but disappeared for nearly a hundred years.
There has been no news of them in the world for a long time, and the younger generation today rarely hears of them. Such terrifying power, where words can become law, has long become a legend.
He had met Acheng before. This boy was almost always by Bi Sheng's side, and almost everyone who had come into contact with the Nine Swords of the Secret Sect knew him.
Some people mistook Asahi for Skywalker and were quite wary and respectful of him, but people like Zhang Chunhe would not mistake him for Skywalker. Asahi was just a clumsy imitation, and the one in front of them was the real Skywalker.
Only someone like this could help the Emperor plant a life-or-death curse on Lin Feiran from thousands of miles away.
For them, incantations come at the cost of a frail body and a short lifespan. Each incantation is an unpredictable burden, and they may die suddenly after uttering a single word.
But the man called Old Chen only coughed. His originally clear voice sounded particularly hoarse from the coughing, but there was no other change. For him, the price of this curse was negligible.
He spoke again and entered the second array. Suddenly, silver light flowed along the edge of the array, rotating and converging towards the center.
Upon closer inspection, those were not rays of light, but molten iron that had been poured onto the flowing crimson. After a moment, the radiance completely stopped.
Old Chen took the handkerchief from Acheng's hand and began to cough violently and hoarsely.
"Well, when will the sword break?" he asked Zhang Chunhe.
Although Zhang Chunhe was surprised, he showed no fear or desire to curry favor. He glanced at the formation and said, "The sword spirit is damaged. From now on, the sword will be without spirit. It will break off on its own after a period of time."
"Alright." Old Chen straightened up and looked at Bi Sheng. "Finding molten iron wasn't difficult. If A-Cheng hadn't been injured, I wouldn't have bothered with such a small matter. The matter has been taken care of for you. Was what you said before true?"
Bi Sheng was equally surprised. She hadn't expected Old Chen to take action for such a matter. She immediately said, "Of course it's true. Even if Old Chen doesn't believe me, he should believe A-Cheng. He won't lie to you. This trip won't be in vain."
But the reason I've summoned you today isn't about the broken sword. To completely eliminate Lin Feiran's reliance, besides the sword, there's also…"
Upon hearing her next words, Zhang Chunhe glanced at Bi Sheng, feeling a sense of arrogance. However, this matter was ultimately none of his concern. As long as the wedding banquet could be held and Lin Feiran was present, everything else was irrelevant to him.
...
As the sun rose and set, Lin Feiran and Ru Xian had been in Yuluo City for two days. The chill in Ru Xian's body had finally dissipated, her body was in great shape, and her spiritual power had almost returned to normal.
That day, the group gathered in Guyu Courtyard. Miaoshan returned covered in wounds, but her expression was not good. She looked at Lin Feiran, who was already prepared, and asked, "Are you preparing to leave Yuluo City?"
Lin Feiran nodded: "Yes, I will leave tomorrow. I am very grateful for your understanding and support these past few days, Senior Gu."
They have been in contact with Biqing, Xun Feifei and others for the past few days. Although they know a little about the situation outside and don’t have to worry about being captured by the secret sect for the time being, hiding here is not a solution.
Rainfall City is the home of the Goddess Sect, and has been peaceful and stable for a long time. We cannot allow them to plunge the city into chaos again.
Miao Shan nodded: "Since you've made up your mind, we won't stop you. After you leave, do you want to go back to the Demon Capital?"
Lin Feiran shook his head: "No, I want to go to Beiyuan to see what's at the end of the Heavenly Punishment artifact."
“Beiyuan?” Miaoshan pursed her lips. “I have some unexpected news to tell you today. The ice pillar that has been condensed in Beiyuan for a long time has started to move today. Judging from the direction, it seems to be heading east.”
Her brows were furrowed with worry: "My mother said that because of its movement, the crack in the sky has begun to widen. If it completely leaves the Northern Plains, the Goddess Sect will be trapped here and unable to stop the spread."
As Xue was very sensitive to this direction, he frowned and asked, "Why did it suddenly head east?"
Miao Shan shook her head: "The elders are discussing with the cultivators who stayed in Beiyuan. There are many guesses, but no one has a definite answer."
She looked at Lin Feiran: "Things have changed, and there are even more unknown dangers. Are you sure you still want to go? If you want to, why don't you come with me today while it's still within the Northern Plains? We'll be fast, and with our clansmen covering us, we won't be discovered by the Secret Sect on our way back and forth."
I'll help you climb the icicles, so that if anything happens, your mother and I can catch you.
This was indeed a more reliable method, and Lin Feiran did not refuse. After considering it for a moment, she nodded in agreement.
Gu Yu sat to the side applying medicine to Miao Shan. Upon hearing this, he looked at Lin Feiran and coughed loudly. When Lin Feiran looked over, he saw Gu Yu with his back turned, winking and making faces in the direction of Ru Xian.
Lin Feiran knew exactly what he wanted to say.
As the two locked eyes, a hand suddenly appeared from the side, and a gaze like a hailstone swept back and forth between them before finally settling on Lin Feiran: "Looking at him but not at me, what kind of taste is that?"
Lin Feiran: "..."
Miao Shan, unaware of the situation, found the statement very reasonable and nodded in agreement: "That makes sense."
Gu Yu paused, turned around and approached Miao Shan, as if struck by lightning: "Little Miao Shan, you... is it really because I'm not pretty enough?"
Miaoshan looked at him and thought he was feeling inferior, so she put her hands together and said, "Don't be greedy or angry. Your appearance is determined by heaven. People are not different because of beauty or ugliness. You can feel comfortable looking at flowers, but you can also feel refreshed looking at green grass. There is no need to worry."
These words did not comfort Gu Yu; instead, they broke his heart even more: "Then what did you just say?"
Miao Shan explained, "Miss Lin has feelings for Senior Ru Xian, so naturally, seeing her beloved helps her relieve her sorrow."
Gu Yu gritted her teeth and began to mutter under her breath, "Never mind, I'm currently learning how to become beautiful. One day, I'll amaze you all..."
On the other side, Lin Feiran did not interrupt the conversation between the two. Instead, he turned to look at Ru Xian, hesitated for a long time, and then told her about the divination during Grain Rain.
"A death sentence with only a glimmer of hope?" Ru Xian raised her eyebrows, then chuckled softly. "I've known about this death sentence for a long time. I've been suffering from a terminal illness for a long time, and this reason can't stop me."
Lin Feiran still shook his head: "He said that staying in Yuluo City could cure it, but I think it's not your illness."
Instead of giving a direct answer, Ru Xian asked, "So, I will never leave Rainfall City again?"
Lin Feiran hesitated over this very point. The two of them had different personalities, but they had many similarities. For example, Xian did not believe in fate, just as she did not.
But she didn't want him to actually suffer the calamity, just as he didn't want to see her die from the curse.
After much deliberation, she offered a compromise: "How about this, Miaoshan and I will first search for the ends of the earth and see if we can find a way in. If all goes well, we can make a round trip in one day. You can wait in Yuluo City for now. Jinlan Umbrella will stay here so you can provide timely assistance if anything happens."
As if twirling a golden ring in her hand, Ru Xian readily agreed: "I can, but only until 11 PM. If you haven't returned by then, I will come looking for you."
Lin Feiran, on the other hand, felt a little uncomfortable. Now that she knew Ru Xian quite well, she asked, "Do you have something to do here?"
Ru Xian nodded: "It's a very important thing."
He rarely used such words, so she immediately nodded: "Okay, then I will go with Miaoshan now. You just do your own thing and don't need to worry about anything."
After half an hour of preparation, Lin Feiran carefully wrapped up the Golden Wave Sword, boarded the giant Kun that Miao Shan had transformed into, and the two quickly disappeared at the edge of Rainfall City.
After everyone left, Gu Yu began to pack up the bottles and jars, still feeling annoyed. "What important thing do you need to do? You can take whatever you want from Rainfall City. Do you need my help with anything else?"
Ru Xian stood up and waved his hand. Gu Yu followed in confusion, only to hear the person in front say...
"There's no need for me to take whatever I want. I'll just use some fruits and vegetables, and I'll borrow your tongue while I'm at it."
Gu Yu instinctively covered her mouth: "What exactly are you trying to do?"
A few moments later, the two entered the kitchen. Ru Xian casually tied the ends of her hair with a thin ring, and with a slight lift of her left hand, the lotus-shaped gold ring on her wrist expanded slightly, gathering the drooping cuffs to her arm.
"You wouldn't be going to..."
Under Gu Yu's increasingly surprised gaze, Ru Xian deftly placed a bowl of noodles on Gu Yu's plate, saying, "Try it, and then tell me what it tastes like."
Gu Yu was dumbfounded, unsure whether to be surprised by his cooking skills or by his proficiency.
"I was wondering why I hadn't seen you these past few days. You haven't been doing this all this time, have you? Also, have you forgotten that I don't have a sense of taste either?"
Ru Xian sat down opposite him with her arms crossed, looked down at him, and slightly raised her chin: "Open your mouth."
Gu Yu was confused, but he did as he was told. The next moment, he felt a sharp pain on his tongue. He immediately covered his mouth and gasped, "This is outrageous! I can't taste the noodles, but you can't prick me like this!"
Ru Xian placed the silver needles on the table and stopped using them: "Although you can't taste anything either, you are different from me. I was born without sensation, while you have suffered a severe injury. As long as the stimulation is appropriate, you can recover temporarily."
"eat."
Gu Yu is not a glutton, and he doesn't care much about whether he has a sense of taste or not. He is more afraid of pain. If he has to get acupuncture every time he recovers, he would rather never taste anything again.
"Very well, I will bear the pain and accompany you today."
Gu Yu pulled out his bamboo chopsticks, took a bite, and felt his tongue being attacked even more severely than before, his face turning ashen. He then swallowed with difficulty under the watchful eyes of Ru Hai.
He immediately downed several cups of tea and exclaimed in shock, "It's just a bowl of noodles, it looks ordinary, but why does it taste so mixed up?"
“Because it’s not as ordinary as it looks.” Ru Xian looked at the soup bowl. “The noodles aren’t important; the soup is the main thing. There are many ingredients used to make it, and the seasonings are also different.”
He had previously heard Lin Feiran say that the noodles her mother made tasted very similar to those made by Xun Feifei's godmother, so he wrote to Xun Feifei and asked for the recipe. However, no matter how detailed the recipe was, he was still somewhat at a loss.
For example, the so-called "simmering until it's clear and then sweet" is something he actually finds hard to understand, let alone control, whether it's clear or sweet.
To make it, you have to try it step by step and repeat it continuously.
So Ru Xian served a second bowl: "Eat some more."
As Xue frowned, he asked, "What is fishy?"
"The fishy smell is like eating raw meat; it makes you feel nauseous."
Gu Yu could only describe it, not give any pointers. He used to be so focused on cultivation that he had no time to cook. After losing his sense of taste, he became even more casual. If he hadn't had to eat with Miao Shan later, he wouldn't have cared about eating grass. So how could he know anything about cooking?
Ru Xian took another sip from the bowl, but it still tasted bland. He paused, then summoned Ling Yu. After the ripples dispersed, Xun Feifei's voice came from the other side: "Your Excellency, is there an emergency?"
Ru Xian responded and asked, "What should we do if the soup tastes fishy?"
Xun Feifei: "..."
Author's Note: Xun Feifei: Me again?
I didn't get to eat the boss's pancakes; I haven't had a full rest these past two days. [crying emoji]
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