"The reason why I created Shu Shuang was for the prophesied visitor from afar, and also for you. Although I tried my best, I could only pull out a part of the protective power in the talisman array. They dissipated in the process of absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and gaining spiritual wisdom, so Shu Shuang's power is not strong enough. I also don't want her to have too much power, because it cannot be forced, and it will widen the gap between us. It's enough for her to protect you. After you reach the mountainside, you won't need her."

"I believed this at first, but gradually, I came up with an evil plan. I knew what kind of person you are a long time ago. Before you came to the wilderness, I vaguely knew your temper, so I improved my simple plan. Therefore, Shu Shuang's protection of you is not the end, but the final sacrifice is. I know this is cruel, but no one can always be by your side, except her."

"After I confirmed the improved plan, I realized that she lived for your death, and her death ultimately brought you rebirth. Maybe you didn't feel it, but after Shu Shuang's death, you were forced to walk the right path and pick up the righteousness that you once least wanted to accept."

Xia Xiao lowered his head and frowned, his face was cold and ugly. After a long time, he clenched his fists, raised his head suddenly, stared at Qing Xunzi with some anger he had never had before, and uttered:

"Is this necessary? Can't you just tell me my mission? Do I not understand what people say or must I make it so miserable? You create a living being and then destroy another. Are you controlling Shu Shuang's feelings towards me?"

"No, Shu Shuang is my most precious daughter. She is well-educated and perfect. I have never influenced her thoughts or judged her."

Qing Xunzi was also a little excited, so he spoke a little fast, but Xia Xiao only needed a little spark to completely explode. He glared, and the surrounding space rippled violently, entering a silent world. It was quiet enough here, and the surrounding houses and courtyards were all phantoms.

When he slammed his foot on the ground, the ground trembled and cracks seemed to go deep into the underworld. The dark and silent world began to collapse, and was seen by Guan Zhongyi and Liao Sai who were not far away. How could there be enough talisman arrays in the side hall? So they put it in the silent world, but they didn't expect Xia Xiao and Qing Xunzi to come.

Xia Xiao glanced at them, his face showing an irritable expression. There were people everywhere, but Qing Xunzi waved his hand and they were in another quiet place. There was no one around, and no one was looking at them to guess their intentions.

"Why does it have to be like this?"

Xia Xiao stared at his master. The person he loved the most died to protect him under the order of the person he trusted the most. He found it hard to accept this. He was so angry that he hurt himself first.

"Many years ago, no one dared to be sure that the existence of Nanhai Zhinan was Quedan, and no one knew that Yu Shangyan was on the moon. It was also an unsolved mystery when the seal was broken. If I knew these, her fate would naturally not be like this, and I would not do this, otherwise I would regret it. But have you ever thought that if Shu Shuang had not sacrificed herself, you would never do what you are doing now. Because if she existed, you would never go out with Azhu to travel the world, and you would not let Shangshan go. If Shu Shuang had kept Shangshan, and you had not been possessed by the devil, how could you have such a good situation today? The death of every person in history has been arranged long ago. Today is her, tomorrow is me, and the day after tomorrow may be you!"

"Isn't it just another timeline? If that's the case, we may not be worse off than we are now."

"No, the time we are in right now is the most successful path chosen by history!"

"Master, you haven't reached the state of seeing through the flow of time, right? Since you chose to hide it from me, why are you telling me now? I'm just curious. You could have deceived me and said that what you said that day was just to make everyone give up and let me go to the East China Sea. As long as you open your mouth, I will definitely believe it, but why don't you say it? I always thought Shu Shuang's death was an accident, but you said it was premeditated!"

In this world full of broken clouds, Xia Xiao stared at Qing Xunzi rudely, waiting for his answer. But he fell into silence for a long time, and replied with a sigh:

"You have to believe that the current road is the best, otherwise you will be sorry for the dead."

"She didn't have to die!"

"You have to cherish Ah Zhu too. She is the right choice."

"So what? Did Shu Shuang die in vain?"

"She didn't die in vain. Even if she were still alive, it would gradually dissipate with the passage of time. Didn't you notice that she was in pain when she signed the spiritual contract? After all, she is not a human. The more vitality she absorbs, the easier it is for her to lose her original power. Then, like her previous power, it will dissipate in this vast world. Of course, Shangshan is different. Her power is strong enough, so this won't happen."

Xia Xiao shouted the first two sentences almost at the same time as Qing Xunzi, but even though he frowned and looked sullen, he was no longer so irritable. He knew that his master had been very kind to him, but he just couldn't accept this reality. What was even more incredible was that Shu Shuang was so smart that she would act completely according to his plan.

Thinking of this, Xia Xiao looked nervous and asked:

"Has Shu Shuang ever resisted your plan?"

"No, she's just been improving, and every time we meet, she's happy to share your stories with me. Once, she even made me proud of her because she understands the feeling of loving someone..."

"Stop talking!"

Xia Xiao was breathing heavily, staring blankly into space, as if recalling the pain of losing Shu Shuang. He would never forget that feeling, but Qing Xunzi would always remember it.

Three years was a long time for Xia Xiao, he could get rid of all his childishness, become mature, and do many things. But for Qing Xunzi, it was just a blink of an eye. But Xia Xiao didn't believe that he would be in pain, and no one would think that such a high and mighty pope would feel sad because of something. But even if he had lost people around him countless times, Qing Xunzi would still feel that kind of strong grief, but he just didn't show it.

"Some things cannot be said, go back and prepare!"

In the blink of an eye, Qing Xunzi and Xia Xiao returned to the original courtyard. The house next to Xia Xiao was a little tilted, and several high-quality tiles kept falling and breaking, probably due to the influence of the previous silent world.

If it were the Xia Xiao from the past, he would definitely bow his head and say goodbye politely, but this time he just turned around and left.

"Wait a moment."

Qing Xunzi stopped him and admonished him:

"Forget Shu Shuang. If you continue to be obsessed with her, you will only fall deeper."

Xia Xiao was about to stop, but he quickened his pace when he heard it. How could it be so easy to forget someone? And it was he who sent Shu Shuang to him! At that time, Xia Xiao wanted to refuse, but then he got used to it, and now... he couldn't forget it!