Glimpse into the myriad aspects (1)
Shaoling had really left her. After realizing this, Gu Wusi lowered her arms and fell into a deathly silence.
Ye Yingying finally broke free from the entanglement. She flicked her sleeves, nimbly leaped in front of her, and provocatively asked the dejected Gu Wusi, "Out of ideas?"
She tilted her head, a sly glint in her eyes.
Gu Wusi raised his eyes, his cold gaze glaring fiercely at her, without saying a word.
"Oh, by the way, the Qi family has put an exorbitant bounty on your head." Ye Yingying crossed her arms and raised her chin with interest. "Why don't you just surrender? I'll take you back and get the reward, and maybe I can even share some with you?"
At this moment, Ye Yingying was quite smug, completely unlike her disheveled appearance when she was being chased by the blood energy.
Gu Wusi let out a cold snort and continued to glare at her.
"Don't blame me, you're all alone now anyway," Ye Yingying continued, talking to herself.
After saying that, she bent down and picked up the black sword from the ground, her fingertips lightly tracing the smooth blade.
"Tsk tsk, it's really sharp." Ye Yingying couldn't help but admire it. Suddenly, she flipped her wrist, and the tip of the sword was pressed against Gu Wusi's throat. She said mockingly, "How about I use it to end you?"
The black sword trembled in her hand, emitting a piercing hum. Zhao Yuxiao frowned, unable to discern for a moment who the villain was.
Ye Yingying lowered her eyes, glanced at the sword, and suddenly put it down: "Never mind, Shaoling is still kind-hearted."
These words were like a sharp knife, piercing Gu Wusi's heart. She abruptly looked up, her eyes bloodshot: "I don't need your pity!"
In an instant, the surrounding spiritual energy surged violently, all rushing towards Gu Wusi. Yun Yanqiu thought she was about to self-destruct her primordial spirit, so she quickly cast several talismans, forming a net that trapped Gu Wusi within.
Gu Wusi struggled in vain, then suddenly lowered her head, her expression gloomy. Her hair was disheveled, her gaze fierce, and a sinister smile curled at the corner of her lips: "The Ghost Calculator's formation is complete..."
As she spoke, she slowly raised her face, a trail of blood running down her lips, as if a venomous snake were uttering a curse: "None of you will live."
The next moment, she parted her lips slightly, and a complex incantation appeared on the tip of her tongue. The incantation suddenly burst forth with a blinding light, like a drop of oil falling into dry wood, instantly igniting Gu Wusi's clothes and setting them ablaze.
Before anyone could react, the black sword emitted a mournful clang, forcefully breaking free of Ye Yingying's restraints and transforming into a streak of black light that rushed towards Gu Wusi.
The fire burned fiercely, and the scalding flames formed a barrier, keeping out anyone or anything that tried to approach Gu Wusi.
The black sword kept striking the barrier of flames, and cracks gradually appeared on its blade as it was scorched by the intense heat. Each collision sent out dazzling sparks.
Gu Wusi, however, laughed wildly amidst the flames, the flames licking her skin and burning her black hair into wisps of ash.
The burning pain constantly stimulated her nerves, but her laughter grew increasingly manic, as she regarded this excruciating pain as the greatest pleasure in the world.
“It’s over…” Her hoarse voice, accompanied by sparks flying, swept over the crowd through the distorted heat, a triumphant smile curving her parched lips.
She will not be taken prisoner; only she herself can bring about her death.
Gu Wusi wore a satisfied expression. Her vision was distorted and blurred by the flames, and she could only vaguely make out a dark shadow circling around her. Her unfocused pupils shifted slightly, and she closed her eyes the moment she saw the dark shadow clearly.
The flames devoured the last piece of her clothing, and the excruciating pain transformed into a gentle solace. In the instant her consciousness faded, she seemed to hear someone calling her name from within the flames. The voice was ethereal and melodious, growing clearer as it approached.
"Sister Gu, can I go with you?"
It was a young boy's voice, and in a daze, it took Gu Wusi back to the distant past. In a small courtyard filled with the rich aroma of medicine, the boy, who had just recovered, had clear eyes full of expectation.
She didn't answer, closed her eyes, and let her consciousness drift into a deep sleep, ushering in her own peace.
The flames gradually died down, leaving behind a pile of ashes. The jet-black longsword lay silently among them, motionless. Its blade had shattered into two the instant it forced its way into the flames, the blood essence dissipating and the soul within it vanishing with it.
Zhao Yuxiao stared blankly at everything before him, feeling an indescribable shock.
Ye Yingying hadn't expected Gu Wusi to do such a thing. She was stunned for a moment and looked at the puppet not far away. The puppet lay on its side on the ground, seemingly lifeless.
She exchanged a glance with Wu Yue, who shrugged helplessly. Who knew that Shao Ling would ultimately choose Gu Wusi?
"What do you plan to do?" Yun Yanqiu suddenly asked her from beside her.
Ye Yingying sighed and turned around: "What else can we do?"
She walked straight back to the center of the hall and picked up the gleaming white stone from between the skull's fingers. The stone had a rough surface, except for one smooth and flat side, as if a piece had been deliberately shaved off.
Ye Yingying held the stone in her hand and turned it slightly. The edges of the stone reflected a colorful luster, like a pearl.
This is indeed a Soul-Suppressing Stone. If it were polished into a round stone, it would be exactly the same as the one she saw at the Ghost Calculator's place.
She put the stone in her palm, clenched her fist, and gathered all her spiritual power into her palm, crushing the stone into powder.
Then, she spread her five fingers, and a ghostly blue flame burst forth from her palm, transforming into a dragon that flew out of the hall.
Flames danced and swirled through the long corridors and houses, illuminating the ruins. Wherever they went, clusters of blue flames rose up, flickering in the air like lanterns, lighting up every corner of Tianjin.
As more and more lights appeared, the clouds that had lingered over the city gradually faded, casting golden rays down. The wind and snow stopped, and fine mist rose from the ruins, shimmering in the sunlight.
In the distance, several unidentified wild birds flew in and landed on the rusted bronze bell, chirping loudly. Their cheerful voices echoed for a long time among the ruins.
As the sun grew stronger, the flames of the entire city gradually faded under its light, and the memories buried in the ice and snow, along with the melting snow, silently seeped into the earth.
The dragon returned to Ye Yingying's palm and transformed back into a dancing flame.
"Alright." Ye Yingying flipped her palm and dissipated the flames.
She put one hand on her hip and gestured with her chin at Wu Yue: "I've done what I promised you, so don't follow me anymore."
Wu Yue frowned slightly: "You're going to find the Ghost Calculator?"
"Of course!" Ye Yingying smiled, then suddenly turned her head to look at Yun Yanqiu, a sly smile in her eyes. "You'll come with me, right?"
Yun Yanqiu nodded silently, then turned to Zhao Yuxiao, who was still lost in thought: "Zhao Yuxiao."
Zhao Yuxiao's shoulders trembled. He came to his senses, pursed his lips, clenched his fists, and said with a determined look, "Senior... I want to pack up Brother Shaoling's belongings and find a quiet place for his burial."
Yun Yanqiu seemed to have anticipated his words and nodded, saying, "Go."
Zhao Yuxiao slowly stepped forward and tore a strip of cloth from the hem of his robe. He knelt on one knee, carefully gathering the broken sword together and meticulously wrapping it with the cloth. As he rose, his gaze lingered on the pile of embers for a moment before quickly looking away.
The four of them retraced their steps along the broken main road, stepped out of the mottled city gate, and crossed the valley crevice. With the wind and snow gone, the world opened up before them, and they discussed their next plans as they walked on the soft white snow.
"Gu Wusi said the Ghost Calculator Formation is complete. Have you figured out how to deal with him?" Wu Yue asked, looking at the back of Ye Yingying's head.
“We don’t even know what kind of formation he set up, how can we think about it?” Ye Yingying crossed her arms behind her head and twisted her neck.
“Didn’t they say he forged a soul-summoning banner? This is the clue,” Wu Yue said matter-of-factly, then turned to Yun Yanqiu, “Do you know Yun Yanqiu?”
"It's hard to say."
"Hard to say?" Wu Yue couldn't help but click her tongue in surprise. "Then I think you're in grave danger too."
"Whether the outcome is ominous or not, why don't you do the math and see?"
Ye Yingying was just joking, but Wu Yue pursed her lips and said seriously, "Forget it, we won't count anyone's fate anymore."
Upon hearing this, all three of them stared at her in shock.
"What, did Zhan Yan's words upset you?" Ye Yingying raised an eyebrow. She never expected that Wu Yue would give up based on someone else's one-sided story.
Wu Yue, on the other hand, seemed indifferent and readily admitted, "He's right, the calamity is just a trick to fool people."
"If it were true, I would have died in the illusion long ago."
"What?!" Zhao Yuxiao stopped abruptly, suddenly exclaiming excitedly, "Then the death calamity you predicted before was...?"
"Hmm." Wu Yue tilted her head, her hair brushing against her cheek. "I knew I would die here."
"So you've come here to die?" Ye Yingying's eyes twitched, both angry and amused.
"You can't say that. The calamity I foresaw is here, but so is the chance of survival." Wu Yue waved her hand dismissively. "In that case, we definitely have to come."
At this point, even Yun Yanqiu couldn't help but rub his forehead and let out a helpless sigh. He should have expected Wu Yue to be so audacious, but he owed her a favor and had no choice but to play along.
Fortunately, the trip was worthwhile.
They walked a little further, and as the snow thinned, a fork in the road came into view.
Wu Yue stopped and pointed in the direction to the three of them: "If you go that way, you can get from the post station to Lizhou and Lingyun Alliance."
After giving directions, she waved goodbye to herself and walked in the other direction.
She hadn't gone far when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind her. Wu Yue turned around and found that Zhao Yuxiao had followed her.
What are you doing here?
"I'll stay with you."
"Why are you keeping me company?"
"I'll help you clear your head," Zhao Yuxiao said directly. "The senior said you were kicked out of the clan for trying to divine your fate."
Why does Yun Yanqiu say everything?! Wu Yue turned her head irritably and glared at the blurry figure in the distance.
She withdrew her gaze and said to Zhao Yuxiao bluntly, "No need, go back to your Lingyun Alliance."
"No, I'm worried about you being alone when you're in a bad mood."
"I'm not unhappy," Wu Yue said helplessly.
"So where are you planning to go? We can't go back to the Valley of the Witches."
Faced with Zhao Yuxiao's persistence, Wu Yue could only say in frustration, "I originally thought that understanding the destiny tribulation was the ultimate in divination, but now it seems there are other mysteries. I need to find a quiet place to study it in seclusion."
"Then let's just go to the Lingyun Alliance," Zhao Yuxiao said, extending the invitation as a matter of course.
The invitation was so blunt that it frightened Wu Yue: "Even if you're this attentive, I won't be moved."
“I want to take Shaoling back for a proper burial.” Zhao Yuxiao looked at Wu Yue solemnly. “Please help me find a good place near Lingyun Alliance.”
“Zhao Yuxiao.” Wu Yue was confused. “Why are you so concerned about him?”
Zhao Yuxiao lowered his eyes and said heavily, "Shao Ling wasn't a bad person at heart, he just trusted the wrong person. It's such a pity that he's leaving like this..."
"Oh, so you finally realized Gu Wusi isn't a good person?" Wu Yue chuckled. "Who was it that spent a little time in her yard before so confidently declaring she was a nice person and rushing to speak up for her?"
“That is…” Zhao Yuxiao was about to argue, but then he thought about it and pursed his lips. “I was confused before, but now I understand. Black and white, good and evil, are not so clear-cut.”
"Good to know." Wu Yue nodded in satisfaction. "It seems Yun Yanqiu and your father can worry less."
"So you agree to come with me to the Lingyun Alliance?"
"Tsk." Wu Yue frowned. "You really are..."
In the distance, Yun Yanqiu watched the two figures, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Ye Yingying, seeing this, asked in confusion, "What are you laughing at?"
"It's nothing." Yun Yanqiu withdrew her gaze, full of relief. "I just feel that he and Zhao Huai Ren do have some similarities."
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