In the early morn, as the sky began to lighten, dark clouds gathered above the realms surrounding Azure Ethereal Vapors. Soon, raindrops started to fall, gradually increasing in intensity until the world was shrouded in a grey mist. The sound of rain was everywhere, veiling the towering mountains in a dreamy, mysterious aura.
The pattering of rain on emerald bamboo leaves seemed unaltered through the ages, perpetually lonely atop Azure Ethereal Vapors. From the moss-covered eaves and rooftops, water droplets transformed into curtains, cascading like pearls onto the stone-paved ground, splashing into tiny shards of luminous water.
The wind stirred in the rain, carrying a faint dampness and fine rain powder, lingering around the windowsills, as if it too was yearning for something.
Lu Xueqi stood alone by the window, gazing at the rain-drenched, misty mountains, the continuous rain creating an ethereal, cold atmosphere. Only the distant, resonant sound of rain on bamboo leaves echoed through the landscape.
As the breeze passed, her raven-black tresses gently fluttered, the rain’s cool touch penetrating her skin. She pressed her lips together, resting her hand on the windowsill, the sound of the rain both near and far, finally settling deep within her heart.
But was there still a ripple?
Footsteps sounded outside, followed by a soft knock on the door. Lu Xueqi turned silently, her mind returning from the foggy rain. She walked over and opened the door, revealing her senior sister, Wen Min.
A faint smile touched Lu Xueqi’s lips. “Senior Sister.”
Wen Min’s eyes flickered with concern as she noticed the weariness in Lu Xueqi’s face. She entered the room, and Lu Xueqi closed the door. They sat down in the simple chamber. Wen Min glanced at the neatly arranged bed, then sighed. “Did you not sleep last night?”
Lu Xueqi replied quietly, “I couldn’t sleep.”
Wen Min looked at Lu Xueqi, feeling a pang of sorrow. Having entered the Sect of Lesser Bamboo Peak earlier, they had always been close. Given Lu Xueqi’s aloof and proud nature, besides their master, Water Moon, Wen Min was the only one she could confide in. Recently, troubles had been plaguing Lu Xueqi, and Wen Min, though anxious, could do little to help, watching as the rift between Lu Xueqi, her master, and the Elders of the Azure Ethereal Conclave widened.
A heavy silence filled the room. Wen Min didn’t know what to say, but after a moment, Lu Xueqi spoke softly, “Senior Sister, I’m truly sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you.”
Wen Min was taken aback. “What are you talking about?”
Lu Xueqi continued, “I heard that Elder Tian and Elder Su Ru from the Great Bamboo Peak came with Song Daren to propose marriage, but Master refused and had a heated argument with Elder Tian.”
Wen Min laughed bitterly, her smile tinged with melancholy. “Ah, it’s nothing. Besides, it’s not your fault. It just wasn’t meant to be, and we all know Master has always disliked those from the Great Bamboo Peak.”
Lu Xueqi shook her head. “No, that day I defied Master and angered her, which is why you were also affected. If it weren’t for me, with Elder Su Ru there and Elder Tian giving such importance, your match would have likely succeeded. I’m truly sorry, Senior Sister!”
Wen Min smiled and exhaled. “Stop blaming yourself. I’m fine, and Master was just angry. There might be another chance in the future.” She looked at Lu Xueqi. “Forget about my issues. What are you planning to do? You can’t keep clashing with Master like this.”
Lu Xueqi’s face paled, and she remained silent. Wen Min pondered for a while. “Junior Sister, I understand your feelings, but this isn’t a solution. He has already fallen to the dark path, shunned by the righteous. Moreover, the horrors you witnessed in the battle against the Beast Demons…”
Wen Min stopped abruptly, seeing Lu Xueqi’s color drain, pain etched in her clear eyes.
The room fell silent, the rain outside a somber, solitary backdrop.
Finally, Wen Min murmured, “He may truly be gone. Holding on will only hurt you.”
Lu Xueqi, pale, stood and looked out at the misty, dreamlike mountains. The raindrops, like ice-cold tears, carried an unreal sensation.
“I know,” she whispered, “he might be gone. Sometimes, I think it’s better for him. I know Master’s reprimand was not wrong; it’s my fault for my foolish hopes. I shouldn’t have…”
Her voice choked, and Wen Min rose to comfort her, but Lu Xueqi turned, her white robes swirling like a solitary cloud.
Her eyes glistened, a hint of desolation in them. “Senior Sister, I know, but I can’t let go. Even if I cut this emotional thread a thousand times, I can’t escape. Since returning from the southwest, I’ve told myself he’s dead, everything is over. But every night, I dream of the Snake Valley, his death at the hands of the Beast Demons…”
She stopped, her expression so intense that Wen Min felt worried. But Lu Xueqi quickly calmed down, though her eyes still held a deep sorrow. “Then, I wake up, drenched in cold sweat, as if in an icy dungeon.”
She looked at Wen Min, her demeanor fragile, her body trembling. “Senior Sister, what’s wrong with me? What is happening to me?” She collapsed into Wen Min’s arms, her thin frame quivering. In a low, anguished voice, she said, “Senior Sister, I can’t take it anymore. I’m about to break…”
Wen Min held her tightly, this once proud and aloof woman now the most heartbroken person in the world.
Silence enveloped everything, the rain outside growing more urgent, a faint sobbing carried by the wind. Outside the small house, by the edge of the bamboo grove, Master Water Moon stood silently, holding an oiled umbrella, staring at the house in the storm.
Then, she slowly turned and disappeared into the bamboo.
In the world, the winds howled, the rain fell, a time of profound sorrow.
******
In the city of Heyang, it rained as well. Zhou Yixian, Xiaohuan, and the Wild Dog Daoist emerged from a secluded alley, joining the throngs on the bustling streets. They stepped back, trying to avoid the crowd and the rain, discussing their next move.
This time, the group was divided. Xiaohuan insisted on returning to the abandoned house, while Zhou Yixian staunchly refused, and the Wild Dog Daoist surprisingly supported Zhou Yixian.
Xiaohuan, though outnumbered, was quick-witted, and even though the Wild Dog Daoist disagreed, he often found himself silenced by her glare, leaving Zhou Yixian as the main opposition.
Standing by the roadside, Zhou Yixian lowered his voice. “You silly girl, why go back to such a dangerous place? Do you want to die?”
Xiaohuan retorted, “For someone your age, do you even know what honor is, Grandpa?”
Zhou Yixian growled, “Honor? Honor, my foot! You’ll be dead before you can talk about honor. That ghost-like creature is too powerful. We’d be walking to our graves if we go back.”
The Wild Dog Daoist nodded, “Right, it’s not safe…” Xiaohuan glared at him, and he immediately stopped talking.
Xiaohuan turned to Zhou Yixian. “Grandpa, if it weren’t for him, we would be dead. Shouldn’t we at least go back to see?”
Zhou Yixian remained calm. “Because he saved us, we must cherish our lives. If we go back, we might fall into a trap and waste his effort.”
Xiaohuan was at a loss for words. Zhou Yixian smirked, “Got nothing to say, huh?”
Xiaohuan snapped, “Don’t you care about your savior, who is so enigmatic and powerful?”
Zhou Yixian replied nonchalantly, “He’s well-equipped with skills and treasures. His aura is even more sinister than that coffin. He won’t die easily. Plus, you saw his fortune ten years ago, predicting a life of twists but not an early death. What’s to worry?”
“Did you really see my fortune?” A voice suddenly emerged, startling the trio. They turned to see Ghost Li, materializing as if from the rain.
Despite the heavy rain, the streets were crowded with refugees, too fearful of the approaching beast demons to notice the weather. Lately, tensions had run high, and the presence of Azure Ethereal Conclave disciples helped maintain order, but the city teetered on the brink of madness.
Xiaohuan beamed, “It’s you…”
Zhou Yixian and the Wild Dog Daoist frowned. Zhou Yixian grumbled, “It’s you…”
Ignoring them, Ghost Li looked at Xiaohuan, noticing her genuine joy. A warmth crossed his eyes, and he nodded. “It’s me.”
The monkey, Xiao Hui, perched on Ghost Li’s shoulder, greeted Xiaohuan with a chirp, clearly happy to see her.
Xiaohuan smiled, “You remember me, Xiao Hui.” She looked at Ghost Li, hesitant. “Are you… okay?”
Ghost Li nodded. “I’m fine.”
Relieved, Xiaohuan examined him, blushing slightly, then shifted her gaze to Xiao Hui. “Come here, let me hold you.”
Xiao Hui chirped, leaped into Xiaohuan’s arms, making her laugh. As she tried to dry him, the monkey shook, spraying water everywhere, causing Xiaohuan to yelp. She closed her eyes, and soon, her clothes were drenched.
Opening her eyes, she glared at Xiao Hui, who blinked innocently. Xiaohuan huffed, tossing him back to Ghost Li, where he climbed up, giggling as Xiaohuan tried to fix her clothes.
Exasperated, Xiaohuan peeked at Ghost Li, then fixed her clothing. Ghost Li turned to Zhou Yixian, who shifted uncomfortably. “Hey, old man, I remember you as my savior. Don’t make me regret it.”
Zhou Yixian stammered, “I’m a great man.”
Xiaohuan and the Wild Dog Daoist shivered at the eerie answer, but Ghost Li ignored it, asking directly, “Who are you really?”
Zhou Yixian straightened, “I am a great man, indeed.”
Seeing the disbelief, he continued, “Fine, I’ll tell you… In my youth, I was handsome, talented, and brilliant. I used to gather herbs and once fell into a deep ravine, but miraculously survived. I found a secret manual left by an ancient master, mastered it, and became a sage.”
Xiaohuan interrupted, “I’ve heard this story before, Grandpa. Many heroes in legends have similar experiences.”
Zhou Yixian glared, “Shut up. I learned the earth-escape technique from that manual, making me a sage.”
Ghost Li coldly asked, “So, your earth-escape technique is from that manual?”
Zhou Yixian nodded, “Exactly. Teachable lad.”
Looking at the skeptical faces, he realized they didn’t believe him. But since he was unwilling to reveal his true identity, Ghost Li decided not to press further. Though he sensed a connection to Azure Ethereal Conclave, he had no reason to distrust Zhou Yixian and his companions.
Deciding to leave, a sudden, terrified scream erupted from the south of the city. A monstrous bird, with blood-red eyes and massive wings, descended, its talons grabbing two people before soaring away.
The city fell into a deadly silence, then chaos. People screamed, wailed, and ran in panic.
Only the rain continued, falling silently, as if nothing had happened.
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