Chapter 174: Tribulations in the Mortal World
Seeing this, Zhu Huiqing's eyes reddened slightly. She cupped her hands to the two and said, "Take care, my two junior sisters! Farewell!" With that, she took a step back, lightly touched the ground, and gracefully landed on the suspended iron chain. She turned back and gazed deeply at the two on the windward platform one last time before disappearing into the churning clouds.
Dongxue and Ruoyue stood there, tears welling in their eyes, their gazes piercing through the clouds as they stared intently at the empty, suspended cable. A chilly mountain breeze swept by, causing their clothes to flutter, and Dongxue finally couldn't help but sob softly.
Ruoyue stepped forward and gently embraced her: "Everything in this world is predestined. From the moment Chunxiang stepped out of Tianji Palace, she was destined to be trapped in the tribulations of the mortal world. Now that she is determined to go astray, even if we both take her with us, we may not be able to get her to shore... Let her go." As she spoke, she raised her hand and gently wiped away the tears on Dongxue's face.
Dongxue looked up with tearful eyes, gazing at Ruoyue with tender affection, while Ruoyue's eyes also held a similar tenderness. The two embraced and looked at each other, unable to contain their emotions, their lips involuntarily drawing closer. Dongxue's eyes closed slightly, Ruoyue's red lips were almost touching, their breaths mingling. With a soft "whoosh," Yu Linglong's figure appeared out of nowhere in front of them.
Ruoyue was startled and hurriedly released Dongxue from her arms. "Palace...Palace Master!" she hurriedly bowed. Dongxue suddenly opened her eyes and saw Yu Linglong, dressed in snow-white robes, standing in front of her. She was so nervous that she was at a loss for what to do. Her right hand subconsciously clutched her left sleeve, and she called out in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Palace Master!" In an instant, her cheeks flushed red, as red as honey.
Yu Linglong glanced at her indifferently, then turned away, her gaze fixed on the misty, suspended cable. Her voice was cold and indifferent: "What? When did you stop needing to pay your respects to the sect leader?" These simple words struck Dong Xue's heart like a heavy boulder.
Dongxue then realized that she had been impolite and hurriedly knelt on one knee, performing a deep bow: "Dongxue greets the Palace Master!" She tried her best to keep her voice clear and crisp, and the blush on her face had mostly faded.
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong casually placed her left hand behind her back, and gracefully twirled her right hand twice, rolling up her wide sleeves twice before turning around leisurely. She reached out and lifted Dongxue's arms, saying gently, "Get up. I was really afraid that you two might have acted impulsively and gone down from Tianji Peak. If that had happened, I wouldn't know how to explain it to Master." As she spoke, her gaze leisurely swept over the vast and boundless sea of clouds and mountains below Tianji Peak.
Dongxue stood up, remaining silent. Ruoyue stepped forward, asking with some confusion, "Palace Master, with your current cultivation level, killing Ling Xueyan would be as easy as taking candy from a baby! Why... why are you unwilling to help Sister Chunxiang?" Her eyes were full of bewilderment.
Yu Linglong slowly turned around, took a step closer to Ruoyue, and raised her hand to stroke her cheek. Ruoyue's heart tightened. This was the first time the Palace Master had made such an intimate gesture towards her. Although she was surprised, she dared not avoid it in the slightest.
Dongxue, standing to the side, watched with bright, watery eyes. Yu Linglong gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Ruoyue's forehead with her slender fingers. Her voice remained gentle, and her expression was calm and unwavering: "You have served me for so long, yet your understanding of worldly affairs has not improved much. Compared to Qiuxia, where has your heart for enlightenment gone?"
Hearing this, Ruoyue lowered her head, then quickly glanced at Yu Linglong's calm face, and said softly, "In the Palace Master's heart, I will never be as good as Qiuxia, so why compare me to her?!"
A faint smile appeared on Yu Linglong's lips: "Actually, you're a year older than me. Don't you feel ashamed to say such a thing?"
"I..." Ruoyue raised an eyebrow, wanting to refute, but found herself speechless. "Pfft..." Dongxue, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle when she saw this.
Yu Linglong tucked her hands into her sleeves, turned around and faced the vast, boundless mountain clouds once more, her voice distant and ethereal: "Although my cultivation has now transcended the mortal realm and entered sainthood, my worldly tribulations have not yet ended, and I am still wandering aimlessly..." When she mentioned this name, she paused slightly, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes, and then she took a deep breath and continued: "If I were to personally eliminate Ling Xueyan, the world's affairs would inevitably deviate from their course because of my entry into the mortal world, and Longyang City would likely experience renewed turmoil and chaos."
Upon hearing this, Dongxue and Ruoyue's eyes shone brightly as they listened intently to the Palace Master's teachings. The clear and gentle voice continued to flow: "Everyone's tribulations are predetermined by cause and effect. If one cannot comprehend the way to avoid tribulations and overcome calamities, calamities will eventually befall them. Chunxiang is already entangled in tribulations. If she cannot comprehend the Dao, even without Ling Xueyan, other tribulations will eventually find her."
Dongxue listened thoughtfully, and Ruoyue also fell into deep thought. Dongxue suddenly raised her eyes and asked with concern, "Palace Master, we haven't heard from Senior Sister Qiuxia for a long time. I wonder if she... is safe?"
Ruoyue stepped forward and gently stroked Dongxue's hand to comfort her, saying, "Qiuxia has always been quick-witted and knows when to advance and retreat in times of trouble. Her martial arts skills are also quite remarkable, so you can rest assured." Her tone was reassuring.
Yu Linglong's gaze remained fixed on the churning sea of clouds: "From the moment they stepped out of the Heavenly Palace, their safety was determined by fate. You need not worry too much. Instead, focus on cultivating yourselves and improving your cultivation to escape this mortal world."
"Yes," the two replied in unison, bowing deeply.
In the Southern Ocean, in the territory of Zhu Family Village, Baiyun City, Xie Yunfeng returned to the place where the two were separated in search of Chunxiang. He searched day and night, but still found no trace of her.
His travel expenses were long gone, his stomach rumbled with hunger, and he couldn't bear to sell his horse. Even a hero has to bow down for a meager living. Seeing the Zhu family's porridge stall still distributing porridge ahead, he stared intently at the thin yellow soup being poured out with a wooden ladle. After a long internal struggle, his gaze finally darkened, he sighed softly, and silently joined the end of the line.
After Zhu Ziyou made a mistake, Zhu Zishou took over the task of distributing porridge. He was personally serving porridge to the refugees. "Hold it steady, be careful it's hot!" Just as it was Xie Yunfeng's turn, he froze on the spot, not even holding a bowl.
Zhu Zishou looked up and sized Xie Yunfeng up, his gaze sweeping over Xie Yunfeng's travel-worn yet still undeniably chivalrous attire, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He silently took a ceramic bowl, filled it to the brim, and handed it to him, saying gently, "This brave man doesn't look like someone in distress. Have you encountered any difficulties?"
Xie Yunfeng took a sip of hot porridge and said bitterly, "To tell you the truth, I got separated from my lover here several days ago. I searched for her for days without finding a trace, and I have already run out of money. I haven't eaten a single grain of rice for two days. Thank you for this porridge, young master, for relieving my urgent need."
Zhu Zishou smiled gently and said, "Brave warrior, there's no need for such formalities. My Zhu family set up the sheds and distributed porridge to help those in need. It's fate and a fortunate thing that we were able to help you by chance."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
