In the grand Jade Purity Hall, Daoxuan Immortal sat regally in his dark green robes, his long beard cascading down to his chest. The hall was bustling with the heads of the other branches of Azure Ethereal Vapors. Ten years had passed since the battle on Mount Qingyun, and out of the seven main sects, three had new leaders. This scene was vastly different from when Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu first arrived at the Azure Ethereal Conclave.
The position once held by Cangsong Daoist of Dragonhead Peak had been taken over by Qi Hao. On Chao Yang Peak, Shang Zhengliang’s place was filled by his disciple Chu Yuhong. On Luoxia Peak, Tianyun Daoist’s seat was now occupied by his junior, Feiyun Daoist. Among these changes, only Feiyun Daoist could converse easily with Daoxuan, as they were of the same generation. The heads of Dragonhead and Chao Yang Peaks, however, found themselves in more awkward positions. Qi Hao, though young, was a standout among his peers and was familiar with the senior members. Chu Yuhong, on the other hand, remained silent, seated at the back, never uttering a word.
The elders present, such as Tian Yike of Dazhu Peak, Master Shuiyue of Xiaozhu Peak, and Zeng Shuchang of Fenghui Peak, had not seen each other for a long time. The usual quarrels and arguments that often colored their meetings were conspicuously absent, and a newfound harmony reigned in the hall.
Behind Master Shuiyue stood Lu Xueqi and Wen Min. Lu Xueqi, as always, was stunningly beautiful, her face serene and unemotional, but there was a subtle chill emanating from her, something unseen before.
Wen Min, on the other hand, while standing quietly behind Master Shuiyue, had wandering eyes, frequently glancing at Song Daren, who was behind Tian Yike. Each time she did, Song Daren would smile, his honest face making him look quite endearing. Wen Min would scowl at him but then turn away, her heart still flustered.
Tian Yike’s wife, Su Ru, also joined them, calling her daughter Tian Ling’er to her side. Mother and daughter spoke in hushed tones, as if they had a lot to catch up on after so long apart.
Accompanying Qi Hao were not only Tian Ling’er but also his junior, Lin Jingyu. They stood together, Lin Jingyu with Zeng Shushu, the son of Zeng Shuchang. They had both survived the battle at the Dead Swamp and had formed a bond through their shared experiences.
This gathering at the Azure Ethereal Conclave was informal, and everyone was relatively relaxed. Even Daoxuan Immortal’s conversation with Tian Yike, Zeng Shuchang, and Master Shuiyue was light and jovial, with only Master Shuiyue remaining cold and reserved.
When Li Xun of the Incense Valley entered the Jade Purity Hall, this was the scene he beheld. But soon, his gaze fixed on the frosty beauty, his eyes flickering like flames.
Xiao Yicai stepped forward and announced, “Master, Li Xun has arrived.”
Daoxuan Immortal smiled and greeted Li Xun, who approached and bowed, saying, “Junior Li Xun of the Incense Valley greets Daoxuan Immortal.”
Daoxuan Immortal replied warmly, “Rise, rise, no need for formalities.”
Li Xun stood, then bowed to the others, “Junior Li Xun pays respects to the revered seniors of Azure Ethereal Vapors.”
Tian Yike and Zeng Shuchang, among others, nodded in acknowledgment.
Daoxuan Immortal inquired, “How is your master? I haven’t seen him in years. I heard he recently went into seclusion, and it worried me.”
Xiao Yicai, now standing beside Daoxuan, added, “Master, Li Xun just told me that the elder Cloud Master has already come out of seclusion.”
Daoxuan Immortal was surprised, “Is that so, my nephew?”
Li Xun respectfully replied, “Indeed, my master came out of seclusion a few days ago and sent me to pay our respects to Daoxuan Immortal. He also asked me to deliver a letter to you.” He then handed an envelope to Daoxuan.
Daoxuan took the letter, pondered for a moment, and opened it. He read the thin sheet of paper carefully, his expression unchanged, betraying no emotion.
After finishing, Daoxuan placed the letter back in the envelope, held it in his hands for a moment, and then set it on the nearby table. Li Xun watched him nervously, unsure what the great Daoxuan Immortal would say.
Daoxuan finally spoke, “My nephew, did your master give you any specific instructions before you came here?”
Li Xun hesitated, then said, “My master instructed me to pay my respects to Daoxuan Immortal, the great pillar of the righteous path. Before returning to the Incense Valley, I am to follow your every command.”
Daoxuan laughed, “Your master is quite cunning, passing all the responsibilities to me. Very well, your master mentioned in his letter that he will arrive here in no more than three days. For now, you may stay at the Azure Ethereal Conclave.”
Li Xun was relieved and thanked him, “Yes, as you command.”
Daoxuan nodded, then turned to Lu Xueqi, “Xueqi.”
Lu Xueqi, caught off guard, stood up and bowed, “Uncle Master, I am here.”
Daoxuan smiled, “You and Li Xun are old acquaintances. In the coming days, please show him around the Azure Ethereal Vapors and make sure he is well cared for.”
Lu Xueqi frowned, glancing at Master Shuiyue, who also frowned, looking at Daoxuan. Master Shuiyue sighed and said, “Since Uncle Master has given the order, Xueqi, you know him well, so it’s best you take him around.”
Lu Xueqi lowered her head, “Yes, I will follow your command.”
Li Xun was delighted, smiling at Lu Xueqi, “Thank you, Sister.”
Lu Xueqi nodded, showing no further reaction.
As the meeting adjourned, Tian Yike left with Su Ru and Song Daren. Song Daren, however, couldn’t help but glance back.
Tian Ling’er, seeing this, giggled, “Father, Mother, you should hurry and arrange a match between Master Brother and Auntie Shuiyue’s disciple, or he might really go mad.”
Tian Yike was taken aback, but Su Ru, more perceptive, laughed, “What, you have someone in mind? Is she from Auntie Shuiyue’s sect? Come, tell your master, and I’ll help you.”
Song Daren stammered, “Little Sister, I—”
Tian Ling’er interjected, “Master Brother likes Wen Min, Auntie Shuiyue’s disciple!”
Tian Yike grumbled, but Su Ru chuckled, “Well, you have good taste, but I can’t just—”
Song Daren, eager, said, “She… she feels the same—”
Tian Yike and Su Ru exchanged looks, amused. Su Ru said, “Alright, I’ll help, but if she agrees, it’s all on her.”
Song Daren beamed, but Tian Yike muttered, “You’re so hopeless.”
Su Ru smiled, “Let’s go home, then.”
On the way back, they flew through the clouds, returning to Dazhu Peak. Tian Yike, without a word, headed to the Quietude Hall, while Su Ru told Song Daren, “Go rest, and don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
Song Daren, unable to stop grinning, walked away, while Su Ru, shaking her head, followed Tian Yike, who was fuming.
Su Ru sighed, “You should go to Auntie Shuiyue yourself, you know.”
Tian Yike grunted, “I won’t beg her.”
Su Ru smiled, “Then he’ll be a lifelong bachelor.”
Tian Yike shrugged, “I don’t care; it’s not me who’s a bachelor.”
Su Ru laughed, playfully hitting him, “Really, you’re too stubborn!”
Tian Yike, still looking stern, said, “Fine, I’ll go.”
Su Ru, satisfied, changed the subject, “Did you notice anything strange about Li Xun today?”
Tian Yike responded, “About Daoxuan asking Lu Xueqi to host him?”
Su Ru nodded, “You noticed too?”
Tian Yike said, “If it was wrong, your sister would have refused. She agreed, so it must be alright.”
Su Ru pondered, “But Lu Xueqi is her favorite. Do you remember, on Flowing Wave Mountain, that night, when I punished the seventh disciple, she—”
Tian Yike cut her off, shaking his head, “Don’t bring it up.”
Su Ru sighed, “It’s been ten years. I wonder how Xiaofan is doing.”
Tian Yike, after a long silence, said, “He’s the deputy leader of the Ghost King Sect, known as Ghost Li, Blood Prince. Quite powerful, they say.”
Su Ru, sitting quietly, said, “He was a good child, so respectful. Now, he’s been expelled.”
Tian Yune, anger flashing, said, “They expelled him, not me. I didn’t—”
Su Ru stood, “Enough, not now.”
Tian Yune, frustrated, stomped off, leaving Su Ru to sigh and follow.
***
Night fell, and the sky was heavy with dark clouds. At the foot of a desolate mountain, a fire burned in a sheltered spot.
Zhou Yixian, along with the newly joined Ghost Li and Xiao Hui, arrived at the base of Kong Sang Mountain. It was late, so they made a campfire and prepared to spend the night.
Though used to traveling, Zhou Yixian still complained loudly, rubbing his back. Eventually, he lay down, and the others settled in. Xiao Huan warmed her hands by the fire, while Ye Gou Daoren, after laying down Ghost Li and their supplies, sat heavily, breathing deeply.
Ghost Li, still in a stupor, was placed away from the fire. Xiao Huan had decided to take him, and for a long time, he remained in a drunken daze, occasionally waking to drink more. Ye Gou Daoren, having to carry him, was exhausted.
Ye Gou Daoren, after a long rest, looked around. Zhou Yixian was snoring, and Xiao Huan was sleeping nearby. Ghost Li lay motionless, and Xiao Hui was nowhere to be seen, likely searching for fruit.
Sitting by the fire, Ye Gou Daoren’s face was shadowed, his eyes flickering. After a while, he stood, approaching Ghost Li, the firelight stretching his shadow. He stood over Ghost Li, ready to act.
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