Chapter 50:

That night, Xie Xuechen’s group remained in Mirror Flower Valley but did not stay within the valley itself, instead returning to the floating cloud vessel. Fu Lansheng ordered the floating vessel to hover above the valley entrance, from where the entire Mirror Flower Valley could be viewed from the deck. After nightfall, the valley was quiet and serene, with blossoms hidden among the foliage, fireflies flickering, and countless lotus lanterns floating along the Jade Belt River, resembling a cascade of stars from the heavens illuminating the mortal world.

Among the five sects of the Immortal Alliance, Mirror Flower Valley boasts the most potent spiritual energy. Yunxue City and Xuantian Temple are both bitterly frigid regions. Bixiao Palace thrives with vibrancy and prosperity but is ill-suited for tranquil cultivation. Lingju Island lies isolated overseas, encircled by the sea and perpetually threatened by demonic forces. Only Mirror Flower Valley enjoys perpetual spring-like weather, brimming with spiritual energy. The valley’s natural terrain forms a spiritual convergence array, nurturing exceptionally lush medicinal herbs and rare blossoms. The valley’s cultivators are renowned as the finest healers in the world.

On the floating vessel, Nan Xuyue and Mu Xuanling stood side by side, overlooking Mirror Flower Valley. Moonlight flowed across their faces—handsome as jade, pure as the moonlight, yet tinged with a faint sorrow.

“When my three spiritual passages were sealed and I suffered severe injuries and lost a leg, my father sought out renowned physicians, but all were helpless. We even came to Mirror Flower Valley seeking treatment. At that time, the valley master was not Su Ningzhen, but her master, Venerable Miaohua. Venerable Miaohua offhandedly mentioned that if Su Ningxi were still alive, there might be a solution. My father pressed her for details, and only then did she explain that Su Ningxi was born with the Yin Yuan Divine Maiden constitution, possessing infinite vitality within her body. She could heal any injury or disability, even regenerate lost limbs. If she cultivated to the peak, she might even bring the dead back to life.”

Upon hearing Nan Xuyue’s words, Mu Xuanling grew even more puzzled. “If the Yin Yuan Divine Maiden possessed infinite vitality, how could she have died from complications during childbirth?”

“My father asked the same question back then, but Venerable Miaohua refused to elaborate further, so Su Ningxi’s death must have had another cause. However, the Yin Yuan Divine Maiden is not immortal—she is simply born with a thousand-year lifespan, and her body remains uncorrupted for a thousand years after death. If she cultivates to the Dharma Body stage, she can sustain her vitality, retaining the possibility of resurrection even after death. If she fails to reach the Dharma Body stage, then her fate is uncertain.” Nan Xuyue sighed lightly, gazing at Mu Xuanling with deep eyes. “Later, my father brought me to Bright Moon Manor to search for Su Ningxi’s whereabouts. Because even if the Yin Yuan Divine Maiden had perished, her vital energy would remain undiminished for a thousand years, perhaps still offering hope to heal my injuries. If that path failed, my father planned to beg Gao Fengxu for the Chaos Pearl, rumored to possess miraculous powers capable of anything. But both paths were blocked, as Gao Fengxu refused.”

It was during that time that Nan Xuyue met Mu Xuanling.

He knew his hopes were slim, never expecting to regain vitality at Bright Moon Manor, nor imagining that the careless words of a little demon slave could dispel his despair and help him rediscover a reason to live.

Mu Xuanling sensed the weight of his emotions in his gaze. Unable to respond, she averted her eyes, gazing instead at the lotus lanterns drifting along the Jade Belt River below. “Sang Qi slaughtered Bright Moon Manor but failed to find the Chaos Pearl. I believe this must be true. If he had truly obtained the Chaos Pearl, he wouldn’t have needed to wait years in silence and scheme so meticulously to eliminate the Demon Sovereign and deceive the Jade Gate Sutra.”

“Then… did the Chaos Pearl disappear?” Nan Xuyue slightly lowered his gaze, lost in thought.

“The Chaos Pearl… Su Ningxi…” Mu Xuanling murmured, “I feel there must be a connection between the two.”

She did not tell Nan Xuyue about the relationship between Sang Qi and Su Ningxi because she had promised Su Ningzhen to keep the secret. Sang Qi hated Su Ningxi for her betrayal, yet could not forget her. He had gone to great lengths searching for her body, likely because he had learned the secret of the Yin Yuan Divine Maiden, hoping to resurrect Su Ningxi… and was Gao Fengxu’s insistence on marrying Su Ningxi also related to her unique constitution?

Su Ningzhen knew the truth but refused to speak of it. This secret was likely even more difficult to reveal than Sang Qi and Su Ningxi’s forbidden love…

Mu Xuanling sighed softly and turned to Nan Xuyue. “Nan Xuyue, once Xie Xuechen defeats Sang Qi, I will transmit my cultivation to you. Perhaps by then, you too can restore your spiritual passages and be reborn.”

Transferring one’s cultivation is dangerous and extremely draining. She had just transferred her powers to Abao, leaving her spiritual passages weak, so she could not do the same for Nan Xuyue. And with Xie Xuechen facing Sang Qi’s threat, she dared not risk weakening him either. She could only wait until the major task was completed before repaying Nan Xuyue for his devotion.

Upon hearing Mu Xuanling’s words, Nan Xuyue showed no joy, merely offering a faint smile. “There’s no need to speak of transferring cultivation again. After so many years, I’ve already grown accustomed to this broken body. Whether I can restore my spiritual passages and cultivation no longer matters to me. Even if one cultivates to the Dharma Body stage and gains a thousand-year lifespan, for humans, immortality may not be a blessing—it could just be a longer, lonelier emptiness. Better to spend a few decades with a beloved companion.”

Nan Xuyue’s words made Mu Xuanling think of Feng Xiang, stirring a sigh within her heart. “Yes… you always think more deeply than others. Some people live a thousand years without ever grasping these truths. But if there’s even a sliver of hope, I still want to try. Your life shouldn’t end like this.”

“I already said that day,” Nan Xuyue replied firmly, rejecting her kindness, “that the one transferring cultivation must be someone extremely close. What right do I have to receive such a great gift?” He turned and slowly walked toward the cabin.

Mu Xuanling watched his slow, retreating back and lowered her head in sorrow.

“Brother, why doesn’t Nan Xuyue want to accept it?” Abao and Fu Lansheng were hiding in the distance, both shoulder to shoulder, eavesdropping from the shadows. “If Nan Xuyue could cultivate again, that would be great. He’s such a good person; he deserves to live a long and happy life.”

She didn’t know why she was hiding, but Fu Lansheng had insisted she sit down, even raising a barrier to conceal their presence. His suspicious expression made her doubt his motives.

Fu Lansheng sighed. “Men’s hearts are complicated. You’re still too young to understand. Even if I explained, you wouldn’t get it.”

Abao tilted her head, her big, bright eyes sparkling with curiosity, brighter than the stars, making Fu Lansheng feel a bit embarrassed.

“Mu Xuanling feels guilty toward Nan Xuyue and wants to make amends this way. If he accepts, their debts are cleared. If he refuses, she’ll always owe him something in her heart. He wants her to keep thinking of him…” Fu Lansheng sighed again, fanning himself. “Nan Xuyue seems gentle, but his heart is wild. He’s pining for a flower already claimed, hurting both himself and others. Master Xie isn’t someone to be trifled with.”

Abao wrinkled her little face doubtfully. “Nan Xuyue isn’t as bad as you say. You’re just… projecting your own thoughts onto him.”

Fu Lansheng ruffled her hair. “Did your sister teach you that?”

Abao nodded eagerly, betraying Mu Xuanling. “My sister also said that you’re the kind of person who doesn’t understand what you should, but gets the things you shouldn’t.”

Fu Lansheng held his fan, his handsome face darkening. “What else did she say?”

Abao opened her mouth but was interrupted by Fu Lansheng. “Never mind. I’m sure it’s nothing good.”

Abao blinked her eyes and innocently said, “My sister said she’ll teach me to cultivate when I follow her. She said if I stay with you, I’ll only learn about homosexuality, public indecency, and bastard children…”

Fu Lansheng covered his face, unable to bear looking at Abao anymore. Honest children can be so hurtful.

“Your sister isn’t a good person either. She never even went to school and can’t even read properly,” Fu Lansheng muttered. He dared not say this in front of Xie Xuechen or Mu Xuanling. “And don’t repeat this to Master Xie or your sister!” he added hastily.

“Master Xie will teach us to read,” Abao said seriously.

“Then… you really are going to leave with your sister…” Fu Lansheng looked at Abao’s little face, feeling a sudden pang of reluctant affection. Although it had only been a little over a month, he had grown fond of her.

Abao nodded. “Mother told me to follow my sister. I like her the most. She saved me, helped me get back my father’s treasure, and chased away the bad guys.”

“Abao, I’m pretty good too, right?” Fu Lansheng coaxed. “I have so many treasures. You won’t miss me at all?”

Abao lowered her head, biting her finger, her little face conflicted. “Hmm… Brother, since you have so many treasures, can you give me a few?”

Fu Lansheng snorted. “You actually dare to ask? You only care about money, not people. You’re heartless! I raised you and cared for you for nothing!”

“Then can you leave them to me when you die?” Abao, unfazed, settled for the second option, pouting. “Sister Xiang said we’re family. When you die, I can inherit your estate.”

So the bastard-child comment wasn’t going to go away, huh?

Fu Lansheng took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and pinched her tender little cheeks, gritting his teeth. “You really know how to push me to the edge…”

Was it because Heaven thought he was too blessed that it sent this little creature to torment him?!

In the Mirror Flower Valley, the Moonlight Banquet Hall.

As agreed, Xie Xuechen and Mu Xuanling arrived on time for the banquet. Su Ningzhen sat alone at the head seat, beside her a flowerpot and a small celadon bottle—but Gao Qiumin was nowhere to be seen.

Mu Xuanling asked, “Master Su, have you made your decision?”

Su Ningzhen’s gaze locked onto Mu Xuanling, as if searching for answers on her face. She spoke hoarsely, “This flower beside me is called Xiang Jian Huan. It feeds on blood, but if the blood it consumes is from a blood relative, its petals will turn black.” Su Ningzhen picked up the celadon bottle. “This contains Qiumin’s blood. I concealed this test from her. Regardless of the result, today’s events in this hall must remain between the three of us. If you agree, we must swear a soul oath. Otherwise, pretend I never brought it up.”

Mu Xuanling inhaled nervously and nodded. “I agree.”

Xie Xuechen, however, cast a cold glance at the delicate flower and said, “I disagree.”

Su Ningzhen’s eyes narrowed, her tone icy. “Master Xie, what do you mean?”

Xie Xuechen countered, “What do you mean, Master Su?” His gaze grew colder and sharper. With a flick of his wide sleeve, a sudden gust of force swept across the table, striking the flowerpot. The delicate flower emitted a piercing, infant-like wail. Blood-red droplets seeped from the fallen petals. The flowerpot exploded, scattering soil, revealing what lay buried within—a pinkish, bald, one-eyed, mouth-filled little creature, about the size of a potato, with a gaping blood-red mouth. The flower’s branches and leaves were actually its lower limbs.

Mu Xuanling took half a step back, her heart tightening as she warily looked at Su Ningzhen. “This isn’t Xiang Jian Huan. It’s Qiu Feng E. When blood is dropped into it, it forms a blood pact, allowing it to control the person’s mind.”

Mirror Flower Valley was home to countless rare plants and flowers. Qiu Feng E and Xiang Jian Huan looked similar, but while Xiang Jian Huan was a rare flower, Qiu Feng E was a beast disguised as a flower. Its body was as soft and alluring as a flower, but its stamen was a mouth full of sharp teeth. Once someone was lured close by its “petals,” it would bite them and drain their blood. Once blood was drawn, the victim would be controlled by its floral scent and cries, becoming its slave.

“Master Su, no matter how similar a plant and a beast may look, their auras are different,” Xie Xuechen said coldly. “Born with ten spiritual senses to perceive auras, the Yin Yuan Divine Maiden could do so as well. Didn’t Su Ningxi ever tell you this?”

With his scheme exposed, Su Ningzhen no longer hid her intentions. Her expression darkened, she slammed the table and vanished from sight. The entire Moonlight Banquet Hall was instantly shrouded in a chilling killing intent.

Xie Xuechen immediately grasped Mu Xuanling’s hand, pulling her protectively into his arms. The banquet hall unfolded like a blooming lotus, its walls slowly retracting to reveal a golden cage-like formation that trapped the two inside. Dozens of cultivators surrounded the cage, watching them warily.

“Master Xie,” Su Ningzhen’s voice rang out coldly, “you conspire with a demoness and attack Mirror Flower Valley. Don’t blame us for showing no mercy in punishing evil.”

Xie Xuechen swept his cold gaze around. “Master Su, this formation cannot contain me. If I break free, countless lives in Mirror Flower Valley will be lost. Are you truly willing to sacrifice your valley for personal gain? Is this the responsibility of a valley master?”

Su Ningzhen’s breath caught, then she erupted in fury. “Nonsense! I act in the name of justice to eliminate evil! Everyone, heed my command—form the array and defend!”

With a sweep of her whisk, Su Ningzhen unleashed a sharp, killing intent toward Xie Xuechen. The golden cage erupted with blinding light, temporarily blinding those inside.

Gao Qiumin felt both satisfaction at seeing Mu Xuanling trapped and reluctance at the thought of Xie Xuechen being harmed. She hesitated. “Master, if Master Xie is harmed here in Mirror Flower Valley, how will we explain it to the Five Sects of the Immortal Alliance?”

Su Ningzhen’s gaze remained fixed on Mu Xuanling, cold and unyielding. “Why should we explain ourselves?”

It would not be easy to kill Xie Xuechen, but her true target was only Mu Xuanling. Her hand holding the whisk trembled slightly—her twenty-year hope was right before her eyes… right before her…

Xie Xuechen drew his sword with his right hand and gently covered Mu Xuanling’s eyes with his left, his voice soft. “Ling’er, close your eyes.”

Familiar words from a familiar voice made Mu Xuanling’s shoulders tremble slightly. She had intended to fight, but now she lowered her hands, obediently leaning into his embrace, fully trusting and relying on him…

In Xie Xuechen’s hand, the Jun Tian sword shimmered with radiant light, brimming with battle intent. His phoenix eyes narrowed. Suddenly, he opened his fingers, releasing the sword. It flew forth, creating countless illusions, like a meteor shower crashing into the golden cage, erupting in a piercing hum that echoed for dozens of miles…

On the floating cloud vessel, Fu Lansheng heard the sharp hum and was immediately startled, leaping to his feet and rushing outside. At noon, sunlight bathed Mirror Flower Valley, where the golden cage stood glaringly visible. Fu Lansheng couldn’t believe it. “Su Ningzhen has gone mad! How dare she attack Master Xie?!”

Abao was too short to reach the edge of the boat and jumped anxiously, trying to see outside, asking worriedly, “Has elder sister encountered danger?”

Fu Lansheng lifted her up into his arms so she could see outside. Abao widened her eyes and nervously grabbed Fu Lansheng’s shoulders: “Brother, go quickly and save elder sister!”

Fu Lansheng bitterly smiled: “With my abilities, I might not even be able to defeat Gao Qiumin. Who will save whom is still unknown. Don’t worry, with Sect Leader Xie present, no one can harm Mu Xuanling.”

Abao unhappily puffed her cheeks: “You understand yourself pretty well. Then why don’t you cultivate your skills?”

Fu Lansheng: “…”

“Brother Fu, fly the empty boat above the Yan Yue Hall and block the sunlight,” Nan Xuyue approached Fu Lansheng, her expression serious. “That golden cage draws power from sunlight; as long as the sunlight persists, the golden cage remains unbroken. The stronger the sunlight, the stronger the cage becomes. Su Ningzhen, knowing her strength was insufficient, lured the power of heaven and earth to confront Sect Leader Xie. She chose this time for the meeting with premeditated intent, not a sudden impulse.”

Fu Lansheng’s smile faded, his handsome brows furrowed: “I understand. It seems that Miss Mu’s background is not simple at all, to provoke Su Ningzhen into attacking Sect Leader Xie.”

Even though Xie Xuechen was immensely powerful, eventually he would reach his limit. The Jinwu Phantom Sun Formation was the strongest formation of Mirror Flower Valley, possessing both offensive and defensive capabilities. At noon, it reached its peak. Sunlight striking the golden cage caused the temperature inside to rise sharply, and from all directions, it continuously launched scorching magical arrows, all of which were blocked by the Jun Tian Sword Formation. Each time Yu Que Tian Po struck the golden cage, the cage’s glow dimmed by a third, but after a while, it recovered as if nothing had happened.

Mu Xuanling’s forehead was covered with sweat, her temples damp, and Xie Xuechen’s expression grew increasingly serious. At that moment, the floating cloud boat appeared above Yan Yue Hall, and the surroundings abruptly darkened, causing the golden cage to lose half its brilliance.

A trace of a smile flickered in Xie Xuechen’s eyes, the vermilion mark between his brows glowing red. The Jun Tian Sword immediately surged with renewed vigor, emitting an excited screech. Yu Que Tian Po activated again, and ten thousand sword shadows converged into a single, unstoppable beam of sword qi, directly striking the top of the golden cage.

—clang…

A deafening explosion rang out, the sound waves rippling outward like ocean waves. Lower-level cultivators struck by the sonic blast spat blood and fell to the ground, crying out in pain.

Su Ningzhen, already weak inside despite her outward strength, could not withstand the soul-shaking clang. Her face paled, and she plummeted from the air. Gao Qiumin quickly caught her before she could fall disgracefully.

The golden prison shattered under that single sword strike, disintegrating into specks of golden sand that vanished into nothingness.

Xie Xuechen wrapped his arm around Mu Xuanling and flew out of Yan Yue Hall, heading toward where Su Ningzhen had fallen. The elders of Mirror Flower Valley hurriedly formed a formation to resist upon seeing this, but the sight of Xie Xuechen already filled them with dread, and they had no will to fight…

Xie Xuechen coldly swept his gaze over the crowd, saying, “I have no intention of opposing Mirror Flower Valley. I only have a few questions for Su Ningzhen. I can pretend today’s events never happened.”

The elders exchanged glances. They had long known of Xie Xuechen’s relationship with Mu Xuanling, and when Su Ningzhen claimed that Xie Xuechen had colluded with demons to harm Mirror Flower Valley, they had not doubted her much, thus setting up the Jinwu Phantom Sun Formation to deal with Xie Xuechen. They had originally believed this formation could trap Xie Xuechen and leave him severely weakened, but who could have imagined that Xie Xuechen would be so formidable that even the combined strength of Mirror Flower Valley could not subdue him. Now that Xie Xuechen had broken free, they feared he would retaliate mercilessly, yet he said he would not pursue the matter…

The eldest elder stepped forward solemnly: “Perhaps there has been some misunderstanding. If Sect Leader Xie has any questions, we will answer truthfully if we know the answers.”

Xie Xuechen slightly nodded and turned to Su Ningzhen, whose face was pale and expressionless: “Elder Sect Leader Su, will you speak for yourself, or must I ask?”

Su Ningzhen understood the veiled threat in Xie Xuechen’s words. If he asked, he would expose her sister Su Ningxi’s forbidden love with Sang Qi for all to hear…

Su Ningzhen suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. Gao Qiumin cried out in alarm, repeatedly calling, “Master! Master!”

Su Ningzhen coughed violently. The eldest elder’s expression changed as she stepped forward and grasped Su Ningzhen’s pulse, her face darkening: “Sect Leader, your spiritual energy…”

She had originally assumed that Su Ningzhen had not fully recovered from the injuries inflicted by Sang Qi’s attack, but now she showed signs of imminent spiritual depletion, clearly indicating that Su Ningzhen was deliberately dispersing her own powers. The eldest elder glanced at Gao Qiumin and immediately understood but chose not to expose it, merely sighing: “Why must you go to such lengths…”

Mu Xuanling, watching Su Ningzhen spit blood, asked in confusion: “Sect Leader Su, what deep resentment do you hold against me?”

Mu Xuanling truly could not understand. Even if she really was the daughter of Su Ningxi, Su Ningzhen might not treat her with the same affection as she did Gao Qiumin, but she should not go to such extremes as to conspire against her and even oppose Xie Xuechen. The more intense Su Ningzhen’s reaction, the more it seemed to confirm that her origins were questionable?

Mu Xuanling felt it was absurd, even frightening. Could it be that she was actually the daughter of Sang Qi and Su Ningxi? Otherwise, why would Su Ningzhen go to such extremes?

Nan Xuyue and Fu Lansheng landed behind Xie Xuechen, observing the tense atmosphere in the courtyard. Fu Lansheng coughed lightly and interjected, “The five sects of the Immortal Alliance are like branches of the same tree. Why let a mere misunderstanding damage our harmony…”

Su Ningzhen sneered coldly: “What right does Mu Xuanling have to call herself part of the Immortal Alliance? Sect Leader Xie has forsaken his duties for personal reasons, and both Azure Heaven Palace and Yunxiu Villa have done the same. Can such an Immortal Alliance still be considered united?”

Gao Qiumin glared at Mu Xuanling with hatred: “I truly regret not killing you back then at Moonlit Villa!”

Mu Xuanling looked at Gao Qiumin and smiled: “Miss Gao finally remembers me?”

While Mu Xuanling was smiling and speaking, no one expected her to suddenly whip out Duan Nian, wrapping it around Gao Qiumin’s waist and pulling her close before anyone could react. Su Ningzhen, lacking strength despite her willingness, failed to intervene in time. The eldest elder had just moved to stop her when Xie Xuechen blocked her path. Gao Qiumin struck at Mu Xuanling with her palm, but Mu Xuanling did not evade. Instead, she thrust her sword into Gao Qiumin’s palm. Gao Qiumin couldn’t pull back in time and was slashed across her palm, drawing blood.

Mu Xuanling withdrew her sword, gazing at the warm blood on the blade. She gently blew, and the blood droplets floated upward, seemingly wrapped in a breath of air. She then pressed her own hand against the other side of the blade’s edge, the sharp sword qi immediately slicing through her delicate skin. Blood droplets seeped from the wound, slowly hovering, enveloped in a red magical formation, intertwining and probing with Gao Qiumin’s blood before gradually merging together.

Mu Xuanling exhaled deeply, her expression complex as she looked at Gao Qiumin.

The eldest elder only now realized what was happening. All the high-level cultivators present who had any discernment recognized the red magical formation.

It was the Blood Refining Formation, which could only merge the blood of those who shared the same bloodline.

The eldest elder stared at Mu Xuanling and Gao Qiumin, their similar facial features now obvious. Her voice trembled: “You are… the daughter of Su Ningxi?”