Chapter 18
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Yuchi Rui sneered, not moving an inch. The gleaming blade reflected his sinister brows and eyes as he said each word slowly, “Return Yuanju’s life!”
Crash!
At this moment, the distant mountain-like ruins trembled, and then a hand broke through the soil, weakly shaking: “Uncle, uncle…”
With another crash of falling bricks and tiles, a person suddenly sat up from below, looking disheveled and coughing incessantly. It was none other than Yuchi Xiao:
“Sorry to interrupt, I’m not dead yet, cough cough cough—”
“…”
Yuchi Rui blinked, expression blank.
Then, he quickly sheathed his sword and took out a bunch of items from his arms, including soul-summoning lanterns, soul-catching cages, reincarnation wind chimes, spirit-transferring talismans, soul-locking boxes… clattering sounds as he stuffed them all into Ying Kai’s arms without hesitation, saying seriously, “Here you go, thank you.”
Yuchi Xiao coughed intermittently, “Do you keep thinking I’m already dead, uncle?!”
With another loud crash, Meng Yunfei also emerged from the dust, coughing violently, struggling to pull out his zither and sword from the pit.
Ying Kai breathed a sigh of relief when he saw everyone was okay, then asked, “Shuangce, what’s going on?”
Xu Shuangce’s face showed no expression as he waved his hand and threw out an object.
Ying Kai caught it and immediately turned pale. “The Thousand Mirrors Realm?!”
“The ghost cultivator hasn’t been completely dispersed, just the bridge that shuttles through time and space was broken, so it temporarily retreated. If there are other fragments of mirrors in this world, it can still come back.” Xu Shuangce raised his eyebrows slightly. “Go back and investigate the Mirror Palace yourself, Ying Kai. Judging from the shape of the shattered mirrors, there should be more than one fragment circulating in the world.”
Ying Kai looked puzzled.
He tightly held the piece of bronze mirror, allowing the sharp edges to embed into his palm. After a while, he suddenly asked, “Why did they specifically hunt down men and women carrying heavy yin energy? What does this have to do with the deceased Law Flower Immortal?”
Xu Shuangce remained silent for a moment before saying, “They are looking for someone.”
“Who?”
Xu Shuangce didn’t answer any more questions. He turned his head and glanced around, his gaze fixed on the distant “Xiang Xiaoyuan.”
Their eyes suddenly met, and Gong Wei’s spine tensed.
—Both Senior Brother and Yuchi Rui were here. It was an extremely rare opportunity. Should he reveal his identity now?
With Ying Kai and Yuchi Rui teaming up, it should be possible to save his life from Xu Shuangce’s sword. But what if their reaction wasn’t as quick as Xu Shuangce’s? After all, proving his identity would take some persuasion, while Xu, the big shot, would not hesitate to strike with his sword. The fierce beast just now was torn to shreds in the blink of an eye…
As he struggled inwardly, Gong Wei suddenly felt his scalp tingle.
Xu Shuangce was actually taking a step toward him!
The fear of being killed once again came roaring back, and Gong Wei dared not move rashly. He could only watch as Xu Shuangce walked slowly, his boots stopping in front of him:
“Where were you when you entered the illusion earlier?”
“…”
Xu Shuangce’s tone grew heavier. “I’m asking you, hmm?”
“I’m too dull, with low cultivation. I couldn’t enter Sect Master’s illusion… I just felt like I was knocked unconscious by someone, and I thought I was definitely going to die. Who knew that when I woke up, I was already here. Please, please forgive me, Sect Master…”
“Xiang Xiaoyuan” stammered, not daring to lift his head, and it took a long time for Xu Shuangce to repeat indifferently, “Knocked unconscious by someone.”
Since the illusion has been completely shattered by Yuchi Rui, no one can verify the truth of these words. Gong Wei stared at the ground in silence. “Didn’t even enter the illusion,” Xu Shuangce said again, softly and deliberately, word by word.
“It’s normal for a junior disciple like Xiang Xiaoyuan to have low cultivation. There’s nothing wrong, Shuangce.” Seeing the situation was not good, Ying Kai hurriedly tried to smooth things over: “Besides, even if he had entered the illusion, he wouldn’t have been able to do anything useful or help in any way. Why bother investigating? Let it go!”
Senior brother, I was raised by your own hands after all. Don’t you feel any familiarity with me at all? Even Xu Shuangce has suspected me at least twice?
Gong Wei felt extremely desolate inside, but at this moment, he suddenly heard Ying Kai discover something and exclaimed in surprise, “Wait a minute. Can you raise your head and let me see?”
“!”
Surprised, Gong Wei raised his head hopefully, and the two stared at each other for a while.
“…”
Ying Kai clapped his hands, suddenly enlightened. “Isn’t this Xiang Xiaoyuan?!”
Gong Wei was stunned, and only Yuchi Xiao sensitively perceived something: “Alliance Leader Ying, could it be that you were also by this kid before—”
Given Sect Master Xu’s status, it was impossible for him to know any rumors or quirks about a minor outer disciple in his sect. He furrowed his brows, only to hear Ying Kai laugh and say, “It’s not a big deal. It’s just that two years ago when I was doing things for Cangyang Sect, I met this kid. When I was coming down the mountain, I accidentally let him follow me for two miles. He wouldn’t say anything when I asked him, and he wouldn’t agree to be sent back. We tangled up step by step for half a day until I finally encountered a senior disciple of Cangyang Sect who took him away—At that time, I was puzzled why this kid liked to follow people around. Later, after hearing what others said, I found out that this person is the legendary Young Master Xiang.”
He shook his head with a wry smile and continued, “Shuangce, this kid is a bit dull, but it seems he’s become more enlightened now. Let’s not be too hard on him!”
Yuchi Xiao glanced at Gong Wei with a half-smile, saying, “Yeah, that’s how he always is.”
If Gong Wei’s expression was blank just now, then now he was completely blacked out.
What does “always” mean? What does it have to do with you? Why are you joining in the kicking when I’m already down?
Xu Shuangce’s expression wasn’t much better than his, but he only uttered two words, “Get up.”
“Sect… Sect… Master…” Gong Wei stammered nervously.
Before he could finish speaking, his throat suddenly felt numb, as if blocked by an invisible lump. He tried to speak but couldn’t make a sound—Xu Shuangce had silenced him again.
Then Xu Shuangce lifted his robes with one hand and shouted, “Blood River Carriage!”
A gale swept down from the clouds, followed by the breaking of the night sky’s dark clouds. A huge carriage descended from the sky. The carriage was magnificent, with huge wheels and exquisite decorations. Four giant birds, Di Jiang, Bi Fang, Mie Meng, and Gu Diao, were harnessed to the reins, and they rushed in all directions as they landed, stirring up waves of air. Xu Shuangce threw Gong Wei into the carriage and then got in himself. Ying Kai waved from behind, “Wait, Shuangce, what exactly happened in the illusion? And the abnormality at the Guiyuan Mansion before…”
Xu Shuangce replied indifferently, “Go ask that brat from the Yuchi clan. If it’s unclear, go ask me on Cangyang Mountain.”
The door of the carriage slammed shut, and he didn’t look at the others again, saying in a deep voice, “Let’s go!”
The four giant birds spread their wings simultaneously, and the carriage rose from the ground. Gong Wei fell backward and hit the wall of the carriage. Soon, clouds filled the sky outside the window. This luxurious carriage actually flew through the clouds like a shooting star, swiftly heading towards Cangyang Mountain.
The interior of the carriage was spacious and wide, like three overlapped halls, with all the furnishings one would expect. Xu Shuangce sat upright in the center, his hair and robes neatly arranged, his eyes slightly closed and his expression solemn. Gong Wei, on the other hand, shrank into the corner, trying to curl up as much as possible, vigilantly watching Xu Shuangce and his mind buzzing.
The Thousand Mirrors Realm shattered? How did the fragments end up in the hands of the ghost cultivator? Who is the other party?
Xu Shuangce, who had spent the whole night playing a tune under the moonlight and starlight, seemed like an unreal bubble in the illusion, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
It’s been twenty years, is he still holding a grudge against that wedding?
Suddenly, Xu Shuangce opened his eyes wide. “What are you looking at?”
Gong Wei avoided his gaze like an electric shock, humbly lowering his head.
Xu Shuangce said, “Come here.”
Gong Wei hesitated for a moment, then cautiously got up and moved to the golden sandalwood table.
“Sit.”
Gong Wei: “…”
Gong Wei knelt down cautiously, catching a glimpse of the No Way Out Sword lying horizontally on the table. His heart constricted with pain, and then he felt a chill on his forehead as Xu Shuangce’s cold thumb pressed against it, a fierce force rushing into his mind!
For cultivators, the sea of consciousness is the most vulnerable spot. Xiang Xiaoyuan’s fragile sea of consciousness was no match for Sect Master Xu’s prowess. He penetrated directly, conducting a thorough inspection, then Xu Shuangce asked, “Have you not formed your core yet?”
Gong Wei, forced to maintain his tilted head position, replied, “Reporting to Master, disciple has half demonic bloodline, unable to form a core.”
In fact, with Gong Wei’s cultivation, it would be easy to form a core within the sea of consciousness of a small demonic creature. With the core, the power of the Law Flower Immortal’s soul could be fully unleashed, relieving him from this plight. However, the trip to Linjiang was too hasty, and there was no time to avoid Yuchi Xiao’s scrutiny to form the core. Furthermore, he had been thinking of retrieving Xiang Xiaoyuan’s soul from the underworld to exchange it for his body. He feared that if he formed his core and couldn’t integrate it with his half-demonic body, it might instead harm the original owner’s lifespan, so he had not taken action.
Fortunately, he had not acted. Each person’s golden core was unique, and a grandmaster like Xu Shuangce could discern them. If he had formed his golden core, his true identity might have been exposed by now.
Xu Shuangce stared at “Xiang Xiaoyuan” motionlessly for a while before slowly releasing his hand. He chuckled meaninglessly, “Half-demon.”
Gong Wei humbly replied, “Disciple is incompetent.”
Xu Shuangce looked at him without saying anything, then unexpectedly repeated, “What were you looking at just now?”
I was looking at you, Sect Master.
Gong Wei glanced at the imposing divine sword emitting a powerful pressure and earnestly replied, “I saw Master’s extraordinary martial prowess and exceptional beauty, like a god descending to earth. For a moment, I lost control, and I beg Master’s forgiveness!”
Xu Shuangce remained silent.
After a while of silence, Gong Wei hesitated and said, “Since childhood, disciple has heard of Sect Master’s legendary deeds and admired Master’s magnificence. To be able to see Sect Master with my own eyes today fills me with awe and excitement beyond words. I earnestly hope Sect Master will forgive disciple’s disrespect!”
The surroundings remained silent.
“…”
Gong Wei closed his eyes and steeled himself. “Sect Master’s profound cultivation is vast as the sea, and his splendor shines like the sun and moon. Seeing it makes one feel ashamed of their own shortcomings and unable to restrain the admiration, feeling overwhelmed and dizzy! Disciple—”
“Is that so,” Xu Shuangce’s indifferent voice finally came from above, asking, “Do you truly hold me in such high esteem?”
Gong Wei replied resolutely, “Disciple speaks not a word of falsehood!”
“What about the Law Flower Immortal?”
Very well.
After praising him for half the day, now he wanted him to curse himself.
Gong Wei silently recited to himself, “As fish cannot live without water, so too am I dependent on others,” then took a deep breath and said, “The Law Flower Immortal disregarded the rules of the sect and the prestige of Cangyang Sect, attempting to assassinate the Sect Master, with crimes too numerous to count! The Law Flower Immortal has always been frivolous and unworthy of being a generation’s grandmaster. Disciple is disgusted by his actions!”
Xu Shuangce asked, “Do you truly believe that?”
“Absolutely!”
The carriage fell silent. After a long while, Xu Shuangce said leisurely, “Gong Zhiyu, Grand Elder of the Punishment Hall.”
His four long and powerful fingers tapped alternately on the table, making a sound as clear as gold and jade.
“Since joining the Immortal Alliance at a young age, never cultivating, never building a foundation, his roots and soul are no different from ordinary people’s. Yet overnight, he suddenly broke through to the later stage of the golden corel, causing a sensation in the world of cultivation. The ancient three major illusions have long been lost, and only Gong Zhiyu in the entire world knows two of them. His origin, background, and magic power are all unfathomable. His strength once surpassed the third-ranked swordsman of the world, Yuchi Rui, only second to me and Ying Kai.”
Xu Shuangce paused, then leaned slightly forward and said softly:
“But I always thought, if Gong Zhiyu revealed his true self, there would be no one in the world who could match him.”
They were too close. Gong Wei discreetly leaned back, but the next moment, Xu Shuangce chuckled softly from his nostrils, and the chilling breath hit the side of his ear:
“—How could the noble Law Flower Immortal Gong Zhiyu be interested in a half-demon like Xiang Xiaoyuan?”
In that instant, the two were almost touching, and Gong Wei’s scalp went numb.
With a thud, he stood up, took a step back, and clasped Xu Shuangce’s hand, then knelt down. With sincere emotions, he loudly declared, “Master!”
Xu Shuangce froze in place.
“Although disciple’s status is lowly, disciple is deeply loyal to Cangyang Sect, as clear as the sun and moon! When the Law Flower Immortal attempted to assassinate Sect Master, his actions were insane and despicable, causing chills in people’s hearts. Disciple swears never to associate with such a person! Even if it costs my life, I will never allow this person to possess my body for resurrection!”
“…”
Gong Wei knelt on the ground, his voice impassioned. “Please judge clearly, Master!”
Xu Shuangce stared motionlessly at his own hand, which Gong Wei held onto tightly as if it were a lifeline.
The air seemed frozen, and after a while, he finally raised his hand with this connected posture, lifting Gong Wei’s chin. “…What did you call me?”
Usually, anyone with a slightly thinner skin would have thrown in the towel by now, but Gong Wei was resolute. “Master.”
“…”
“Sect Master educates the people, and everyone in Cangyang Sect, from top to bottom, are disciples of the Master, not just disciples, but akin to sons!”
Xu Shuangce’s pitch-black pupils stared straight at him. Suddenly, he smiled strangely and said, “Good.”
Good what?
No matter how quickly Gong Wei’s mind turned, he couldn’t guess the Sect Master’s intentions. At this moment, the giant birds emitted sharp cries one after another, then dove downwards!
The entire carriage tilted, catching Gong Wei off guard as he slipped from Xu Shuangce’s grasp with a clang, hitting the table in front. Then, his whole body slid along the edge of the table to the left, banging into the wall with a snap, before sliding to the right with the tilt, crashing into a large standing vase. Suddenly, the carriage leveled out, and Gong Wei, caught off guard, fell backward. Just as he was about to roll backward, he felt his wrist tighten as he was held back.
Xu Shuangce pressed him down without expression, but unexpectedly, the giant birds dove downwards again, abruptly changing direction. Gong Wei’s entire body went headfirst, his forehead hitting the table in front of Xu Shuangce with a thud.
Boom—
The four giant birds landed steadily, and the carriage slowly came to a halt.
“…” Gong Wei maintained the posture of bowing to Xu Shuangce, feeling desolate inside, unmoving.
“Get up.” Xu Shuangce said coldly, releasing his hand and standing up, straightening his clothes before stepping off the carriage.
The dawn had broken, and the giant carriage landed at the peak of Cangyang Mountain, bathed in the golden light of the rising sun. The elders and immortals had already led their respective disciples to await there. As they looked over, it was a sea of people, all bowing in unison: “Greetings, Sect Master!”
Their gaze could only see Xu Shuangce’s shoes stepping on the white jade bricks. After walking a few steps forward, his voice came from above:
“The disaster in Linjiang has been resolved, but it has been confirmed to be related to the Law Flower Immortal. It has been handed over to the Immortal Alliance for handling.”
—It really was the Law Flower Immortal! The elders and immortals all paled in shock, bowing again: “Sect Master is wise!”
“Sect Master,” the frontmost Jingxu Daoist Spiritual Master stood up and asked softly, “The Peach Disaster is imminent, and it is of great importance. I wonder if you would like to rest in the Xuanji Hall first, or convene the elders to discuss in the Heaven Extreme Tower? We also need…”
Before he could finish his words, Xu Shuangce suddenly turned to look at the giant carriage.
Gong Wei, who was trying to slip away by lifting the curtain, froze in midair.
The scene seemed completely still. Under the gaze of everyone, Xu Shuangce reached out his hand and calmly said:
“Come here, beloved disciple.”
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