“Reality and illusion overlap, danger and opportunity coexist…” Yun Qingxue softly repeated the words of the Purple Song Sage, then suddenly spoke with disdain, “Master, is there any difference between your explanation and not explaining at all?!
And even if you want me to go somewhere, couldn’t you knock and wake me up? Although I am your disciple, it’s still not appropriate for you to sneak into a young woman’s chamber without even a word of greeting!”
The more she spoke, the stronger Yun Qingxue’s urge to roll her eyes became.
The Purple Song Sage sighed leisurely. Faced with his disciple’s reproach, he replied with apparent melancholy, “Your master also wanted to give you a heads-up, but no matter how hard I knocked, I couldn’t wake you from your sweet dreams!”
Yun Qingxue gave an awkward smile. Normally, she was a light sleeper, easily roused by the slightest disturbance. But last night… she seemed to have passed out!
Merely from a single sparring match, she had fainted without even being injured. This filled Yun Qingxue with a sense of defeat, realizing just how weak her body truly was.
“Master, why do you suddenly want me to go to the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm?” Not wishing to dwell on the previous topic, Yun Qingxue got straight to the point.
The Purple Song Sage smiled, but his expression was unprecedentedly solemn. “Because your master wants you to become strong! Qingxue, you are the queen of the Flora Clan! On your journey here to become my disciple, you must have deeply experienced the law of the jungle that governs this continent.
By staying by my side, all I can teach you are rigid lessons. To become truly strong, you must forge your own path through experience!”
A glint of determination flashed in Yun Qingxue’s eyes as she nodded solemnly at the Purple Song Sage. “Master, Qingxue refuses to remain weak!”
Her identity and status destined her to become prey if she did not grow stronger…
In this world, even if she provoked no one, too many eyes were fixed upon her. The Flora Clan’s Tongyun, who sought to kill her and take her place…
Chen Qing, who had branded her a ‘seducing demon’ without reason and sought to eradicate her to ‘save the world’…
Or Cangyan, who wished to control her to seize the Flora Clan’s power…
And even Yun Sisi, who had tried to kill her out of sheer jealousy…
Thinking of these people, Yun Qingxue’s resolve hardened further as she repeated, “Master, Qingxue refuses to remain weak forever!”
Seemingly sensing her determination, the Purple Song Sage nodded in satisfaction. “Remember this resolve of yours, and it will not be in vain that your master exerts great effort to open the gate to the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm for you. However, I must remind you—once you enter, you will no longer be under the protection of your master or your two senior brothers. No matter what dangers you face, we will not be able to come to your aid. Everything will depend on you alone…
If you encounter a formidable foe, it is entirely possible for you to lose your life there. Knowing this… do you still wish to go?”
In the end, the Purple Song Sage couldn’t resist asking once more.
Yun Qingxue listened attentively, then raised her head, her gaze clear and unwavering as she met her master’s eyes. With utmost seriousness, she asked, “Master, if I survive the trials of the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm, will I emerge as a true powerhouse?”
The Purple Song Sage studied her for a moment before nodding gravely. “If you make it out, your progress will be anything but trivial. But remember—danger and opportunity go hand in hand! As I’ve said, you may also never return.”
“Master, I will go!” After a moment of contemplation, Yun Qingxue declared with unshakable resolve. She trusted that the Purple Song Sage’s intentions were for her benefit. Moreover, if she lacked the courage to endure hardship and face danger, how could she ever hope to become strong?
“Are you certain?” the Purple Song Sage pressed once more.
Yun Qingxue nodded firmly. “I am.”
The Purple Song Sage studied her, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. With a wave of his hand, a beautiful jade bracelet materialized in his palm.
Yun Qingxue recognized it at once—it was the storage bracelet the Purple Song Sage had confiscated when forcing her into fasting.
Returning the bracelet to her, the Sage then produced a large bundle and handed it over. “Inside are books I’ve selected for you, as well as two life-saving magical artifacts. Take them with you.”
“Thank you, Master.” Without hesitation, Yun Qingxue stored the bundle in her bracelet with a flick of her wrist.
“Master, you may now open the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm for me!”
“Not so fast…” The Purple Song Sage chuckled leisurely. “Your master is still uneasy about sending you alone, so I’ve arranged two companions for you.”
Companions? Yun Qingxue was taken aback. Earlier, the Sage had implied that Jin Lin and Mo Changxing would not accompany her. Yet now he claimed to have found her two teammates…
With so few people on Luoyun Mountain, who could they be if not Mo Changxing and Jin Lin? Yun Sisi and Daise?
Those two…
Yun Qingxue inwardly shook her head. If those two came along, her master would surely have even more reason to worry!
Setting Daise aside, Yun Sisi alone—if that woman truly traveled with her, Yun Qingxue wouldn’t even need to face the dangers of the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm before being betrayed and killed by her!
She didn’t have to wait long. The person designated by the Purple Song Sage soon descended from the sky—albeit in the most ungraceful manner possible.
The figure plummeted face-first, limbs splayed, as if flung haphazardly from the heavens!!!
Just as Yun Qingxue braced for a face-plant, an unseen force seemed to cushion the fall slightly before the person crashed onto the ground.
“Thud!” A dull impact echoed as flesh met earth.
“Ugh~” The fallen figure let out a groan. Yun Qingxue glanced around, ignoring the sprawled individual, and looked back up at the sky…
Her master had mentioned two companions—where was the other one?
The sky stretched vast and blue, dotted with leisurely drifting clouds as the morning sun climbed higher. Yet no second figure appeared.
“Disciple, what are you looking at?” Noticing her gaze, the Purple Song Sage followed it upward, seeing nothing but clear skies. Puzzled, he asked, “What is it?”
Yun Qingxue lowered her eyes, turning an innocent yet composed look toward him. “Master, didn’t you say you found me two teammates? There’s only one here. Where’s the other?”
The Purple Song Sage’s expression darkened with exasperation, finding his disciple increasingly adorable. So she’d been staring at the sky all this time, waiting for the second companion he’d promised?!
“If you’re looking for the other one, you needn’t search the skies—it’s right here with me!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage