Chapter 55
Sheng Ningyu couldn't quite explain her feelings for Xie Qianjing.
Or perhaps, she simply can't tell anymore.
Undoubtedly, after spending these days together, Sheng Ningyu has discovered that she feels very special towards Xie Qianjing. She likes his appearance, his aloof and pure demeanor, and the slight curve of his lips when he looks at her.
Even when Xie Qianjing repeatedly threatened to kill her, Sheng Ningyu didn't take it to heart.
She seemed to have a natural trust in Xie Qianjing.
But is this love for him, or guilt over that sword strike?
Sheng Ningyu was unaware.
The sounds of disciples from various factions in the academy playing and laughing came from near and far, while the winter scenery was filled with the sound of snow falling and silence.
Sheng Ningyu walked forward, but saw Xie Qianjing slow down, raise his hand, reach out from the corridor, and catch a snowflake.
Sheng Ningyu followed him and also extended her hand.
A snowflake landed in her palm.
It appears light and delicate, almost like a pear blossom blown down by the spring breeze, yet when the snow melts on the skin, it brings a bone-chilling cold.
Sheng Ningyu suddenly understood what Xie Qianjing had once said.
She sighed silently, looked sincerely at Xie Qianjing, and did not hide anything.
"I have no idea."
With a single glance, it is clearly within reach, yet it is like the bright moon in the distant sky.
It appears gentle, yet feels cold to the touch; reaching out, one cannot grasp even a fraction of its essence.
It cannot be kept, nor can it be remembered.
Xie Qianjing suddenly smiled, but this smile was not as gentle and otherworldly as it had been before, like the shimmering spring water; instead, it carried a hint of aloofness and indifference.
The spiritual bones in his spine suddenly began to ache, and his body, covered in wounds, seemed to have been nailed with Soul-Eating Nails again. The nails that pierced through flesh and bone emanated a chill within him, and his long, dark hair fell behind his head, making his face appear even paler.
Xie Qianjing lowered his eyes and withdrew his hand that had been extended out of the corridor, his knuckles turning slightly white.
Let's go.
The voice of the inner demons chuckled eerily in my ears, and all sorts of piercing words echoed in my mind.
Xie Qianjing, I don't like you.
I like many people. I like Chu Chang'an's youthful innocence, I like Feng Shaojun's noble arrogance, I like Li Qingfeng's unrestrained and romantic nature...
Of course, among all these people, I admire my second senior brother the most for his elegant demeanor, like a refined gentleman.
Xie Qianjing listened without changing his expression.
He agreed with these words and believed he should remember them.
A warm feeling enveloped his fingers.
"What are you thinking about now? Your palms are bleeding!"
Sheng Ningyu saw the bloodstain and was stunned for a moment. She immediately covered her palm with spiritual power and began to rummage through the Star River Pouch without hesitation, taking out many spiritual medicines that the people of Yunwang Palace, Feng Xiaosheng, and Yang Xiuzhu had given her.
For some reason, they all seemed to assume that she was very weak and about to die.
Sheng Ningyu didn't actually feel that much pain. In fact, apart from the pain she felt when she used her spiritual power to execute a complete set of sword moves, she didn't feel anything unusual on a normal day.
Sixty years have passed; she's long since gotten used to it.
Xie Qianjing: "It doesn't hurt."
Sheng Ningyu glanced up at him briefly and said, "If I say it hurts, then it hurts."
Xie Qianjing paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Okay."
He responded softly, without resisting, obediently extending his hand and letting her do as she pleased, which made Sheng Ningyu both annoyed and amused.
She almost began to have doubts.
With Xie Qianjing's gentle and good temper, could he really subdue the demons and become a "venerable one" who makes those high-level demon cultivators tremble in fear?
While sprinkling spiritual medicine on the wound, Sheng Ningyu couldn't help but ask, "Why are you suddenly like this? Could it be..." She abruptly stopped, raised her hand to set up a soundproof array, and then spoke again, leaning closer to him and asking in a low voice, "Is it because you can't control the demonic energy?"
She held his wrist, and as she drew closer, a warm feeling washed over her.
It was as if the bright moon falling from the sky had completely dissipated the ice and snow.
Xie Qianjing paused for a moment, then lowered his eyelashes: "I was just thinking about some things from the past."
He knew he should kill Sheng Ningyu.
A white robe trailed in the shadows of the nearby corridor, almost blending into the falling snow.
It looks thin and lonely.
Sheng Ningyu was somewhat skeptical, but she also knew that as long as Xie Qianjing didn't speak, she wouldn't be able to get anything out of him.
But many times, Sheng Ningyu felt that Xie Qianjing wanted her to remember.
It's really strange that I want her to remember, yet I don't want to tell her.
Sheng Ningyu had initially tried to keep a cold expression, but as she thought about it, she couldn't help but laugh first.
"Xie Qianjing." She uttered these three words, drawing out the last syllable, sounding somewhat absent-minded.
A moment later, a soft laugh rang out, almost drowned out by the sound of falling snow.
"Then I won't think about it."
Sheng Ningyu was startled. She looked up and met those pitch-black eyes.
He and she gazed at each other for a moment, then he suddenly brought up something else.
“Yang Xiuzhu is bound by the Heavenly Dao and has also been corrupted by the demonic energy. This illness is difficult to cure. Even though you ventured into dangerous places for him and searched all fourteen continents, you still couldn't find a cure,” Xie Qianjing said. “Perhaps my flesh and blood…”
Before he could finish speaking, Sheng Ningyu had already guessed what he was going to say and decisively cut him off: "No."
It had been a long time since she had done such delicate work by herself. Finally, the bandaging was finished. Sheng Ningyu breathed a sigh of relief. She clapped her hands and became more and more satisfied with the bow she had tied. She smiled and pointed her fingertip at Xie Qianjing's palm: "Don't take it off until the injury is healed."
Xie Qianjing nodded slightly. He seemed to have calmed down a bit, and the faint demonic energy that had been lingering around him had finally dissipated.
Sheng Ningyu felt a sense of relief, but before she could take a few steps forward, she heard Xie Qianjing's voice drifting lightly from her side.
Why not give it a try?
His voice was soft and clear, unlike the low, hoarse one before; it was pure confusion.
Xie Qianjing: "It's just some flesh and blood."
Sheng Ningyu didn't even turn her head: "Junior Brother Yang wouldn't agree."
Xie Qianjing: "Whether you're willing or not, we should ask." He paused for a moment, then said softly, "Junior Brother Yang is very good, I don't mind."
His flesh and blood had been used by countless people, and Xie Qianjing had long since become indifferent to the scars left on his flesh and blood.
As the two were about to walk out of the corridor, the laughter and chatter of the disciples from various factions in the academy grew louder and louder, almost drowning out their conversation.
Not far away, a familiar disciple greeted them and excitedly rushed towards the two. Amidst the heavy snowfall, a disciple from an unknown sect suddenly lit a snow-melting talisman and threw it into the air. The snowflakes within a five-foot diameter centered on him instantly vanished, and the world suddenly changed. Amidst the shifting light and shadows, birds sang sweetly, as if it were a fleeting moment of spring.
"Ha! Well done, Senior Brother Bao! Where did you get those talismans?"
"Sigh, I got it from that young master of the Chu family."
Oh, Sheng Ningyu thought.
This is what she taught Chu Le and the others when she was in the Phoenix Clan's territory.
She listened to their conversation with great interest, only to see the disciples arguing and chattering amongst themselves.
"How dare you be disrespectful to the Sword Master! Our Sword Pavilion experiences no snow all year round, why would we need such a talisman?"
"If it wasn't needed, why would the Sword Master have researched this back then?" a disciple retorted. "Besides, it's even called 'Flying Snow Melting.' I bet the Sword Master must have disliked snow back then, which is why he specially used this talisman to create a snow scene!"
"Alright, alright, stop making unfounded assumptions about the senior. With this Snow Melting Talisman, isn't that enough for you to play around with?"
The disciples laughed and cheered, and Sheng Ningyu suddenly understood the answer.
“But I do mind, Xie Qianjing.”
The sound wasn't loud, and the tone was languid and unrestrained, yet it drowned out all the noise.
She was dressed in the robes of a disciple of Yunwang Palace, arms crossed, leaning against a pillar in the corridor, gazing into the distance.
Her light blue skirt trailed on the ground, resembling a blooming lotus flower.
She was completely relaxed and lacked any of the aloof and resolute demeanor of the legendary "Bright Moon Sword Master." When she spoke, she didn't even turn her head, her voice carrying a lazy laugh, and she was completely unserious.
"I would be very angry if I saw someone else eating your flesh and blood."
Sheng Ningyu lowered her eyes, thinking casually.
If anyone dared to do such a thing, she would never back down, even if she only had a quarter of the spirit bone.
Xie Qianjing's long eyelashes trembled, and she slowly turned her head away.
The sunlight that condensed in the empty space created by the Snow Melting Talisman was scattered by the winter wind, falling in wisps onto her.
An extremely uncomfortable feeling welled up in his heart, as if something was surging again. Xie Qianjing thought for a moment, and it was probably the murderous intent towards her.
If he wants to truly master all the demonic energy, he must kill her.
Yuan Shuhe, Feng Jiutian, and the others finally crossed the sea of people and arrived in front of Sheng Ningyu.
They were talking amongst themselves, and Sheng Ningyu summarized it all into one thing.
With the Ghost Tower about to open, various factions are stirring. Qingyi Academy is now the safest place, and many sects are even trying to let more people in.
"Only the Chu family is strange," Yao Youling muttered. "They inexplicably sent a steward to take Chu Le away. We had all agreed to go to the training grounds for another match."
As he was speaking, he suddenly stopped: "Hey, Immortal Master Xie, what happened to your hand?"
Upon hearing Yao Youling's address, Feng Jiutian's lips twitched, and Yuan Shuhe froze completely.
The two thought almost simultaneously: calling a demon lord "immortal master" is no different from openly insulting him!
However, as they slowly turned around, they saw the Demon Lord, known as "Immortal Master," with a smile on his lips and his eyes crinkling, his attitude seemingly even gentler than before.
"I suffered some minor injuries," Xie Qianjing said. "I troubled... Fellow Daoist Mingyue to treat them for me."
How can you be so happy even though you're injured?
Yao Youling was completely baffled. Looking at the layers of bandages, he asked in confusion, "Immortal Xie's injury seems rather serious."
If it were a minor injury, it wouldn't be bandaged up so tightly, would it?
Feng Jiutian couldn't listen any longer. He abruptly changed the subject and looked at Chu Yanshu beside him: "Fellow Daoist Chu, did your brother mention anything about his departure this time?"
Chu Yanshu shook his head: "He went back in a hurry this time, and I don't know why."
Her face was pale, clearly nervous. Ji Qingwu patted her hand and looked at Sheng Ningyu helplessly.
Sheng Ningyu comforted him, "The Chu family is located near the East Sea, in a unique geographical location. Moreover, they have a deep foundation and many retainers and disciples stationed there, making them heavily guarded. They are just as safe as you think, and Chu Le will be fine."
With her words, Chu Yanshu suddenly relaxed.
She recalled Chu Le's words and said, "The Ghost Cang Tower will open, and the Ghost Market will also open. This year will probably be very lively."
Under the Sword Master's intrigued gaze, Jin Xianyao and Yuan Shuhe, sweating profusely, quickly changed the subject to their studies, mentioning the upcoming Thousand Mountains Trial, which barely managed to divert the interest of the lively and outgoing younger disciples.
However, there was one person who was not diverted from the topic.
The group of people, bickering and joking, headed towards the classroom for the next spiritual awareness class. Sheng Ningyu was at the very end of the line, pulling Xie Qianjing along with her. She smiled and set up a soundproof barrier, then looked at Yuan Shuhe.
"Waiter!"
She spoke with such emphasis and intonation, making even the simplest three words sound incredibly rhythmic and expressive.
Yuan Shuhe shivered and subconsciously leaned closer to Xie Qianjing. Xie Qianjing lowered his eyes and glanced at him lightly, which made Yuan Shuhe suddenly realize what was happening!
How could he have forgotten that this "Immortal Xie" was no ordinary person either!
Yuan Shuhe immediately stood up straight, but under Sheng Ningyu's gaze, he still trembled like a little quail.
Sheng Ningyu sighed, somewhat saddened, and said, "I thought we were already friends, but you actually kept all this from me..."
Yuan Shuhe was no match for such an offensive and quickly explained the whole story.
It was said mysteriously by Qingniao Yiyehua, a disciple, during class this morning.
The news came from the city that never sleeps in the mountains and seas.
After listening, Sheng Ningyu removed the soundproof array.
Yuan Shuhe knew he should turn around and leave, but after taking a few steps forward, he couldn't resist turning back and setting up a soundproof array.
Sheng Ningyu raised an eyebrow slightly: "What's wrong?"
Yuan Shuhe hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "This news came suddenly, as if it were deliberately meant to lure you into a trap. In addition, the Chu family previously claimed to have found the reincarnation of a sword cultivator... Senior, you must be extra careful and take care of yourself."
Finally, he even asked, "Senior, aren't you going to lead us into the hall? My brother should be teaching a class. He has something he wants to say to you. If you're not busy, why don't you wait with us in the hall for a while?"
The boy probably didn't realize that when he said these words, his face was full of worry, much like his older brother Yuan Bushu.
Sheng Ningyu smiled, her gaze towards Yuan Shuhe becoming even more loving: "I'm just a little sad, I won't do anything impulsive, and I certainly won't leave Qingyi Academy. You can rest assured and go to the hall where the lessons are being taught, I'll have Immortal Xie with me."
Yuan Shuhe subconsciously looked up and met Xie Qianjing's indifferent gaze, and shivered again.
Yes.
The Demon Lord looks indifferent and ruthless, as if nothing in the world matters to him. With him around, he can probably persuade the Sword Lord not to act impulsively.
With that thought, Yuan Shuhe felt completely relieved. He bowed to the two of them and quickly caught up with his fellow disciples ahead.
"Senior brother, what were you talking about with Fellow Daoist Wang just now?"
Feng Jiutian, standing to the side, couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
Haha, how could their young lord bear to let Sword Master Mingyue copy these palace rules?
However, the agreed quantity cannot be changed...
Ji Qingwu asked in confusion, "Fellow Daoist Feng, why are your hands starting to shake?"
Feng Jiutian smiled blankly: "It's nothing, I just remembered some happy things."
He was punished by the young lord for making the pastries he prepared at Ling Shui Meng Fu Sheng so badly that he must be the first person in the Phoenix Clan to be punished according to palace rules.
Below the white jade steps.
Sheng Ningyu watched her disciples' departing figures, then turned her head and whispered in Xie Qianjing's ear, "Do you know the way to Gui Cang Tower?"
She had to admit that the person who set up this scheme knew her very well.
Perhaps that person was targeting the "Sword Master reincarnation" hidden by the Chu family, but Sheng Ningyu was also captivated by this news.
sword.
Her natal sword.
Sheng Ningyu's heart was almost filled with this news.
In the world of cultivation, everyone knows how important a natal sword is to a sword cultivator.
Xie Qianjing: "Are you going to find your sword?"
Sheng Ningyu: "Yes."
Xie Qianjing lowered his eyes, and after a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, almost word by word: "What is the name of your sword?"
What's the name?
Since waking up, Sheng Ningyu has tried her best to restrain herself from thinking about this matter, and she doesn't even dare to think about the name of her natal sword.
“My heart holds its own bright moon, and eternal joy remains without flaw.” Sheng Ningyu recalled the past and slowly smiled. “My sword is called the ‘Flawless Sword’.”
This was the name she chose when she was young, but it was her second senior brother, Rong Que, who personally interpreted the meaning of her sword after she grew up.
Xie Qianjing also chuckled softly, but his laughter was low and hoarse, as if it were overflowing from his throat.
"A good name."
The young man curled his lips into a slight sneer, but he was so strikingly beautiful that he was like a captivating demon, and even with such malice, he did not inspire disgust.
Sheng Ningyu felt something was off, but before she could think about it, Xie Qianjing spoke up calmly.
"The area within a hundred miles of the Ghost Cang Tower is a forbidden zone for human cultivators. It is gloomy and mysterious, with a total of forty-nine checkpoints. Unless it is during an auction, no one may enter without the permission of the tower master."
Is it that complicated?
Sheng Ningyu, who held the token given to her by Yan Ruchao back then, had no recollection of such a complicated situation.
She thought for a moment, then asked, "What about the ghost market?"
Xie Qianjing: "Okay."
The Ghost Market also has forbidden areas; if you want to go there, you can only walk inside after reaching the coast of the East Sea.
These rules simply don't apply to Xie Qianjing.
"Didn't you promise Young Master Yuan that you wouldn't leave Qingyi Academy?"
Sheng Ningyu snapped out of her reverie and laughed, "It was just something to fool a child, would you really believe it?"
Back then, she used this trick to trick her senior brother Fei Fou several times.
Xie Qianjing: "The former palace master will probably be angry."
How can reminiscing about the past not be enjoyable?
...
At the very edge of the East Sea, inside the Ghost Cang Tower
With a loud crash, all the wooden doors on the hundredth floor were suddenly blown open from the inside by a gale. The demons and ghosts in the building seemed to understand something, and they all put down what they were doing and prostrated themselves on the ground.
"Welcome, Ghost Lord."
A deluge of letters and kites swirled up from the ground, and a dark shadow materialized from above, slowly descending, its long, pale fingers catching one of them.
It comes from Yunwang Palace.
【The moon will be bright at night. 】
What a load of nonsense.
Yan Ruchao frowned, and purple ghostly flames emerged from his fingertips, burning the paper kite to ashes.
After all these years, have you also learned this art of mystification?
Winding and meandering.
bother.
Yan Ruchao stood up and said coldly, "If any of the palace maids from Yunwang Palace come, stop them."
"Yes, OP!"
Yan Ruchao glanced indifferently at Gui Canglou, released his divine sense to confirm that the sign outside was still standing, then curled the corners of his mouth and nodded in satisfaction.
He then unfurled the kite again.
This time, it was finally the news Yan Ruchao wanted to see.
[Having heard of the rising sea of clouds, I will return soon.]
His Daoist partner is still the best.
It was concise and skillful, without revealing any secrets in the words, lest the message be intercepted by others, and yet it still got the message out.
Although Yan Ruchao was still unsure what message his Daoist partner was conveying.
Yan Ruchao repeatedly read Han Yuyi's paper kite, and his mood strangely improved a lot.
Counting the days, the jade burial suit should arrive soon.
very nice.
I wonder what new things she'll bring?
-----------------------
Author's note: Forgive me: ?
Yuan Bushu (expressionless): Jian Ge, a lineage passed down through generations.
Ugh, I'm such a procrastinator! This is still a 24-hour red envelope giveaway! I can't believe it!
I can definitely do it tomorrow!
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