Emerging from the humble abode, Wen Min noticed Lu Xueqi standing to one side. She walked over and inquired, “Junior Sister, are you heading back now?”
Lu Xueqi slightly shook her head and replied, “Since I’m out, I thought I’d take a stroll around. Staying cooped up in the room all the time can get rather stifling.”
Wen Min nodded in agreement, “That’s true. Be careful, then. I’ll be heading back now.”
Lu Xueqi nodded gently, “Yes, Senior Sister, take care on your way back.”
With a smile, Wen Min turned and left. As she watched Wen Min’s figure gradually disappear into the bamboo grove, Lu Xueqi stood in silence for a moment, unsure of where to go. She decided to wander aimlessly.
The bamboo forest was deep and lush, with a sea of green everywhere. The high mountains sent a cool breeze through the treetops, causing the bamboo leaves to sway and rustle softly.
The slightly moist earth beneath her feet was dotted with new sprouts, and occasionally, the sharp tips of emerging bamboo shoots poked out, full of vitality.
In the distance, from the dense bamboo, the clear chirping of birds could be heard, and the air carried the distinctive, refreshing scent of the bamboo. Lu Xueqi took a deep breath, appreciating the atmosphere that was free from the mundane, which made it a beloved retreat for cultivators like them.
However, while her body was far from the mortal world, her heart seemed never to have left the earthly ties.
Taking light steps, Lu Xueqi wandered without a specific destination. Unconsciously, she found herself at the back of the mountain. With a wry smile, she realized she had ended up here again, although she hadn’t intended to. Perhaps her feet were used to this familiar path.
Since she was here, she decided to continue up the mountain. The stone steps led upward, and not far ahead lay the secluded Moon Viewing Platform on the summit of Little Bamboo Peak.
It was still daytime, and with Master Water Moon in a bad mood recently, no one ventured to this remote spot. The surrounding area was unusually quiet, but Lu Xueqi was accustomed to the solitude. She walked up, feeling intimately familiar with every blade of grass, every rock, and every crevice.
As she stepped onto the Moon Viewing Platform, she was startled to see a solitary figure standing there, their robes fluttering in the wind. The silhouette was familiar—it was her master, Master Water Moon, whom she and Wen Min had been unable to find.
Lu Xueqi was taken aback and approached, bowing respectfully, “Master.”
Master Water Moon’s body trembled slightly, as if only now realizing someone was behind her. She turned, looked at Lu Xueqi, and nodded, “Ah, Xueqi.”
Lu Xueqi gazed at her master, noticing the pale, sorrowful face, but more than that, a profound sense of loneliness.
Concerned, Lu Xueqi said, “Master, the wind is strong here. Take care of yourself.”
Master Water Moon smiled faintly, “You stand here all day and seem fine. Though I may not be as young as you, I am not so frail.”
Lu Xueqi, startled, quickly replied, “Master, that’s not what I meant. I—”
Master Water Moon waved a hand, a hint of bitter smile on her lips, “I know, no need to explain.”
Lu Xueqi fell silent, standing beside her master, unsure of what to say next.
Master Water Moon also remained quiet, and the two of them stood in silence for a while.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Master Water Moon gazed into the distance and spoke, “Do you find the view from the Moon Viewing Platform beautiful?”
Caught off guard, Lu Xueqi nevertheless answered honestly, “They say the best views are from the highest peaks. This place, with its precipitous cliffs and floating clouds, is indeed a breathtaking sight.”
Master Water Moon nodded, her gaze distant, and continued, “Many years ago, when your Aunt Su Ru was still cultivating on Little Bamboo Peak, she too loved the scenery here. She often sneaked out to play here alone.”
Lu Xueqi was surprised, looking at Master Water Moon, who sighed softly, “Su Ru and I grew up together. I entered under Master True Rain’s tutelage just a year before her. We ate and slept together, truly like sisters. She was livelier than me, but whenever she felt wronged, she would come here to sulk alone.”
Master Water Moon’s expression softened, a hint of a smile forming, but it was soon replaced by a deeper look of melancholy.
“Yet, after she married, she never came back here.”
Lu Xueqi listened quietly, then asked, “Master, were you not happy when Aunt Su Ru married Uncle Tian on Great Bamboo Peak?”
Master Water Moon paused, then shook her head, sighing, “Tian Yibei, though temperamental, is a good match. It was her fortune to marry him, and it shows her wisdom.”
Lu Xueqi was surprised, “Then why did you treat Uncle Tian so harshly?”
Master Water Moon smiled, “Did you think my scowls and cold words were out of spite?”
Blushing, Lu Xueqi replied, “I didn’t mean to imply that.”
Master Water Moon shrugged, “Though we don’t get along, he is a decent person. In our Azure Ethereal Conclave, few can match him.”
Seemingly struck by a thought, Master Water Moon furrowed her brow, “The eldest disciple of Tian Yibei, is his name Song Daren?”
Lu Xueqi nodded, puzzled, “Yes, he has taken over as the head of Great Bamboo Peak. Why do you ask, Master?”
Master Water Moon was silent for a moment, “Does your Senior Sister Wen Min have some feelings for Song Daren?”
Lu Xueqi was taken aback, unsure how to respond. Everyone knew about Wen Min and Song Daren’s mutual affection, but Master Water Moon had once rejected Song Daren’s proposal, causing Wen Min great distress.
Master Water Moon, with her astute observation, saw Lu Xueqi’s hesitation and shook her head, sighing deeply.
Finally, Lu Xueqi mustered the courage, “Master, actually, Wen Min…?”
Master Water Moon interrupted, “Never mind, I’ll arrange for her to be married to him.”
Lu Xueqi was stunned, hardly believing her ears. Master Water Moon smiled, “Don’t you all think I’m a stubborn old traditionalist, unwilling to see the good in my disciples?”
Overjoyed for Wen Min, Lu Xueqi replied, “Master, we never thought that. Thank you!”
Master Water Moon, seeing Lu Xueqi’s genuine smile, sighed again, turning to gaze at the distant sea of clouds.
Lu Xueqi, noticing her master’s distant expression, cautiously asked, “Master, why did you suddenly think of this?”
Master Water Moon was silent for a moment, then asked, “Xueqi, when you went to Great Bamboo Peak, what did you think of your Aunt Su Ru’s death?”
Lu Xueqi’s expression turned serious, “I believe Aunt Su Ru and Uncle Tian shared a deep love, and she followed him without regret.”
“Yes,” Master Water Moon sighed, “I never wanted you to be troubled by such emotions, but what is the point of lifelong cultivation if it leads to this?”
Lu Xueqi, sensing her master’s confusion, was speechless. Master Water Moon continued, “Eternal life is elusive. A lifetime of hardship gains but a few more centuries. Your Aunt Su Ru’s determination and clarity of vision surpass mine.”
Lu Xueqi, feeling a pang of sorrow, called out, “Master…”
“A lifetime of cultivation, yet humanity is lost. What is the point?” Master Water Moon sighed, “What is the Dao? I have spent my life in pursuit, yet it remains unclear.”
Lu Xueqi stood silently, watching her master, who, after a long pause, shook her head and turned to leave. Lu Xueqi called out, “Master, where are you going?”
Master Water Moon paused, “Decide Wen Min’s matter. But, Xueqi, have you thought about yourself?”
Lu Xueqi, startled, “What do you mean?”
Master Water Moon, with a hint of pity, “Your path is difficult, yet you persist. I can’t change that, but I will support you. If there’s a chance, the rules of Azure Ethereal Conclave won’t bind you.”
Lu Xueqi, moved, called out, “Master…”
Master Water Moon smiled, then sighed, turning to leave. Soon, her figure disappeared, leaving only the echo of her voice, “What is love, really?”
Lu Xueqi stood, her thoughts in turmoil, remembering similar words from Tian Yibei.
———————————
In the Ghost King Sect, within the dim, gray corridors, a graceful figure appeared, radiating a brilliant light, a stark contrast to the gloom. Every passerby was drawn to her, but she kept her distance, a unique presence in the sect.
She was Golden Bottle, formerly of the Pleasure Sect, now standing in the Ghost King’s territory. Her direction was clear: the Ghost King summoned her.
Passing through a junction, the corridor split. Golden Bottle paused, glanced left, and proceeded right, noting the damage from a recent earthquake and the lingering scent of blood.
Approaching the Ghost King’s chamber, she prepared to announce herself, but the door creaked open, and the Ghost King’s voice called, “Bottle, come in.”
Surprised, she smiled and entered. The room was spacious and well-lit, with the Ghost King at a desk, writing. She noted the large character ‘Kill’ on the paper, each stroke powerful and menacing.
Golden Bottle, unsettled, complimented the Ghost King’s calligraphy, but he sensed her unease. He then introduced another figure, Daoist Cang Song, and mentioned an upcoming significant event for their sect.
After a brief exchange, Golden Bottle and Cang Song left, and in the corridor, she learned that Li Xunhuan, the deputy leader, had been away for days. Her expression turned cold, and with a mysterious smile, she followed Cang Song, her thoughts filled with intrigue and suspicion.
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