In the silence, only the crackling of branches in the fire broke the stillness. The enigmatic youth and Ghost Li did not speak a word, as the flames flickered between them.
The surface of the roasted pig gradually turned to a golden hue, its rich aroma now mingled with a faint hint of char. A thin, glistening layer of oil covered the entire surface. With a final turn, Ghost Li declared, “It’s ready, you may eat!”
As soon as he spoke, Xiao Hui and the gluttonous beast simultaneously lunged forward. Xiao Hui chattered excitedly, grabbing one of the pig’s hind legs with lightning speed. The scorching skin seemed to have no effect on his grasp. The beast, however, was even more formidable. Without using its claws, it simply opened its massive maw and plunged its head into the fire, biting down without hesitation.
With this gaping bite, the already enormous mouth of the gluttonous beast stretched to an even more terrifying size. The entire roasted pig was clamped in its jaws, leaving only the leg held by Xiao Hui outside.
Enraged, Xiao Hui’s monkey face contorted with fury, refusing to let go of the leg. He jumped and screamed, but the beast paid no heed. Its sharp teeth gnashed through the meat, cleaving it into two pieces. Caught off guard, Xiao Hui fell backward, tumbling a couple of times before standing up, clutching only the pig’s leg.
The majority of the delicious roasted pig was now in the beast’s mouth, being devoured ravenously. Bones were crunched and swallowed whole, as the beast feasted like a whirlwind, its four eyes gleaming brightly despite being squeezed to the sides of its bulging mouth, clearly relishing every bite.
“Chirp, chirp…” Xiao Hui, seeing his rightful share of the meal snatched away, howled in anger. After a few frustrated cries, he too began to gnaw furiously at the leg, eating it just as quickly.
“Roar…!” The low, deep growl of the beast echoed once more as it slowly turned to look at Xiao Hui. The entire roasted pig, which had been so large, was now completely gone, swallowed whole, not even a bone remaining. Evidently, the beast still hungered, its four eyes gleaming with anticipation, fixed on the last piece of meat in Xiao Hui’s hands.
Xiao Hui, with a fierce scowl, gulped down the last bit of meat, his three eyes wide and staring at the beast. The beast drooled, its tongue lolling out, and it began to advance step by step toward Xiao Hui. In a panic, Xiao Hui threw the remaining bone far away, wearing a smirk of satisfaction. But the beast, moving with lightning speed, leaped into the air, caught the flying bone, and landed back beside the youth. Seemingly aware that this was the last morsel, it did not swallow it whole, but rather began to lick the bone lovingly.
Xiao Hui, somewhat taken aback, turned to Ghost Li, gesturing wildly and chattering. Ghost Li watched for a moment, then his expression shifted, “You think it’s like Dahuang?”
Xiao Hui nodded eagerly, then turned to look at the beast. The anger on his monkey face faded, replaced by a mix of unfamiliar warmth. He watched the beast licking the bone for a while, then cautiously moved closer, reaching out to gently touch the beast’s ferocious head. The beast growled softly in warning, and Xiao Hui leaped back, but then chattered softly and approached again. The beast’s attention now seemed to be on Xiao Hui.
After a moment, Xiao Hui’s hand touched the beast’s head, and he stroked it lightly. The beast growled softly but did not object, its attention returning to the bone. Xiao Hui then moved closer, stroking the beast’s body, his face lighting up with joy.
Ghost Li lowered his head, remembering the days on Great Bamboo Peak, when Xiao Hui and Dahuang had grown close. Time, like water, flows on, and Xiao Hui still remembered those days…
The youth suddenly broke the silence, smiling slightly, “It seems they have quite a connection, don’t they?”
Ghost Li glanced at Xiao Hui and the beast, a hint of warmth in his eyes, “Yes, it seems so.”
The youth turned, adding a small branch to the fire, then fell silent. After a long pause, he laughed, “This gluttonous beast has been with me for many years. I always thought I was taking care of it, but today I realized it’s actually much happier than I am.” His smile seemed tinged with a bitter edge, “Besides eating and drinking, even if it’s not of my kind, there’s still a monkey willing to be its friend.”
Ghost Li looked at the youth, noticing the desolate expression on his face, “If you’re lonely, why not find a friend?”
The youth snorted, his voice full of pride, “In this vast world, who is worthy of being my friend, and who would dare to be my friend?”
Ghost Li frowned, finding the youth’s arrogance somewhat grating. But then he saw the youth’s face fall, his voice softening, “But there was someone I truly believed in…”
Ghost Li, gazing at him through the flames, asked, “What happened?”
The youth’s face hardened, his laugh cold, “Later, I found out she was deceiving me. Not only that, she caused me great harm, almost destroying me forever!”
Silent, Ghost Li recalled the painful memories from ten years ago, the kind face of the monk appearing in his mind…
He shook his head violently, crushing the branch he was about to add to the fire, reducing it to powder that scattered on the ground.
The youth glanced at his hand, then said, “Do you have such heartbreaks as well?”
Ghost Li’s face darkened, and he did not answer. The youth’s eyes sparkled, “If you were to die now, is there anything left undone?”
Stunned, Ghost Li’s thoughts raced. This question, never considered before, now stood before him. Vengeance, hatred, a decade-long vow, the white-robed maiden—had he ever pondered what his final wish might be?
To save Bi Yao, if he could bring her back, he would gladly die! This thought had plagued him countless nights. But there was another, the frosty visage, still lingering in the quiet corners of his heart, gently fluttering…
Lost in thought, he was unaware of the passing time until, upon regaining consciousness, he found the youth had vanished, and the beast had flown into the night, its low growl echoing in the distance.
Xiao Hui climbed onto his shoulder, chattering. Ghost Li lifted his head, gazing at the sky, “Xiao Hui, I must see her one more time, right?”
Xiao Hui, not fully understanding, looked up at the sky, still searching for the beast.
As the embers of the fire turned to smoke, Ghost Li and Xiao Hui stood in the deep forest, the night wind carrying the faint sound of their low voices.
“…I must see her one more time…”
As the calamity worsened, beasts and strange creatures invaded the land, causing mass casualties. The disciples sent by the righteous sects to investigate either disappeared or returned injured, reporting the horror of the beasts.
The world suffered, yet the righteous forces were helpless. At this critical juncture, the news spread that the Azure Ethereal Conclave, the Immortalbane Nexus, and the Incense Valley would hold a grand assembly on Azure Ethereal Vapors, inviting all righteous forces to unite against the disaster. Cultivators from all over flocked to Azure Ethereal Vapors. In just a few days, thousands of people gathered around, most of them refugees from the central lands, seeing these cultivators as their last hope.
The Azure Ethereal Conclave was overwhelmed with the task of hosting so many visitors. As more and more disciples and refugees arrived, the accommodations on the Heaven-Bound Peak were soon filled, and other peaks were opened to guests. Despite the challenges, the thousand-year-old sect managed to accommodate everyone, though the Small Bamboo Peak, home to female disciples and the eccentric Master Water Moon, remained closed, disappointing many young disciples.
Still, this was an unprecedented gathering of the righteous, and the Azure Ethereal Conclave, as the host, saw its reputation soar. It became the guiding light of the world, and the sect’s leader, Dao Xuan Zhenren, solidified his position as the foremost figure in the realm.
At night, the Azure Ethereal Peaks were ablaze with lights, a sight unseen in millennia. The sounds of laughter and conversation drifted down from the mountain, bringing some comfort to the frightened masses. After all, with Azure Ethereal Vapors standing tall, what could go wrong?
The most serene place on Azure Ethereal Vapors was the Small Bamboo Peak. Other sects, after being kindly reminded, strictly forbade their disciples from approaching. Any disturbance here would be highly embarrassing.
Compared to the bustling activity on other peaks, the Small Bamboo Peak was quiet. Occasionally, a few beautiful disciples passed by, their silhouettes swaying in the gentle breeze, the rustling of the bamboo leaves a soothing sound.
On this moonlit night, the bamboo shadows danced on the path. Five or six disciples, led by Wen Min, walked with somber faces, deep in thought.
A chilly wind blew through the bamboo grove, and a shadow flickered.
A young girl, about thirteen, looked pale, drawing closer to Wen Min, tugging at her sleeve, “Senior Sister, there… there’s someone there!”
Wen Min and the others were startled, but she smiled, patting the girl’s cheek, “Little Shi, it’s just the wind moving the bamboo. It happens every night. You’ll get used to it soon.”
Relieved, Little Shi still felt uneasy, turning to look at the rear of the peak, “Senior Sister, there’s no one around the Moon Gazing Terrace. Isn’t it scary for Senior Sister Xue Qi to be there alone?”
Wen Min sighed, “It’s Master Uncle’s order for Xue Qi to reflect. There’s nothing we can do, but I don’t think she’s afraid.”
Another woman behind Wen Min huffed, “I can’t understand why Master Uncle treats Xue Qi this way, just because she refused the marriage proposal from the Incense Valley?”
A soft crackle came from the depths of the bamboo grove, but the women, preoccupied, did not hear it. Only Little Shi, looking doubtful, saw the shadows move, her face paling again, quickly turning away.
Wen Min sighed, “Actually, Brother Li Xun is not a bad choice. He’s handsome, well-born, and likely to become the next master of the Incense Valley. He clearly cares for Xue Qi, but love can’t be forced.”
Another woman muttered, “Why didn’t Master help Xue Qi appeal to Master Uncle?”
The first woman shook her head, “Xue Qi has always been respectful to Master and Master Uncle. This time, she openly defied them. I wonder… does she have someone in her heart?”
“Stop it!” Wen Min hissed, and the women fell silent. “We can’t make such speculations. If it gets to Master and Master Uncle, the consequences could be dire.”
They continued walking, their voices low and heavy with worry.
In the bamboo grove, a shadow moved, and Ghost Li appeared. In this place surrounded by enemies, his face was pale. He gazed at the rear of the Small Bamboo Peak, where the famous Moon Gazing Terrace lay.
The terrace, suspended in the air, was bathed in the moonlight, reflecting the beauty of the surrounding cliffs. In the moonlight, a white-clad figure stood, her back to him, gazing into the endless night, lost in thought.
Ghost Li’s face was impassive, but his eyes shone with the reflection of the moon. The white-clad figure, like a celestial maiden, seemed untouched by the mortal world.
Sensing his presence, the figure turned, her voice cold and weary, “Senior Sisters, why are you back…?”
She paused, recognizing him, her face showing disbelief, “Zhang… Xiao Fan.”
Standing still, Ghost Li could see the moonlight illuminating her flawless skin, enhancing her breathtaking beauty. He hesitated, feeling a strange reluctance to approach.
“Are you… alright?” he finally asked, his voice barely audible.
Lu Xue Qi gazed at him, her initial shock fading, “Why did you come?”
He took a hesitant step forward, his eyes meeting hers. “You seem… thinner…”
Lu Xue Qi’s face showed surprise, then joy. For the first time, a faint blush appeared on her snow-white cheeks, a tender, bashful glow.
Even without a future, even if the path ahead was dark, if there was warmth in the heart, perhaps fear would not take hold…
The beautiful, cool woman smiled, a bloom of the night, radiant in the moonlight. Ghost Li held his breath.
Lu Xue Qi spoke, her words slow and deliberate, “I’m very happy.” Her eyes were soft, like rippling water.
The night grew deeper, the moon descending.
Together, they stood on the cliff, gazing into the darkness. The wind played with their robes, their figures illuminated by the moonlight.
“Did the Incense Valley propose to you?”
After a long silence, Lu Xue Qi replied, “Yes, Master and Master Uncle both agreed.”
Ghost Li’s voice was unchanged, “I heard your senior sisters talking. You don’t want to, do you?”
Lu Xue Qi smiled, “No, I don’t.”
He turned to her, seeing her calm expression and the faint smile. A surge of emotion rose within him, his body trembling, “Come with me!”
Lu Xue Qi’s body trembled, looking at him. In her eyes, he was still Zhang Xiaofan, the resilient and determined boy.
“Where to?”
Anywhere, to the ends of the earth!
Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes shimmering. She asked, “And what about Bi Yao…?”
Like a bucket of cold water, Ghost Li’s entire being went cold. The image of the serene, green-robed figure on the icy stone platform flashed in his mind, crushing him.
He lowered his head, silent. When he looked up again, his earlier emotion was gone, replaced by a cold indifference. Lu Xue Qi watched the change in him, feeling the warmth fade, replaced by the icy darkness.
She took a deep breath, a smile on her lips, but who could see the faint tears in her eyes, that moment of heart-rending beauty?
“Next time,” Ghost Li turned and walked away, “when we meet, use your sword.”
He left without looking back, like a lover cutting all ties, the moonlight trailing behind him, a soft, futile tug that could not hold him.
He disappeared into the darkness, his path both the way he came and the direction he was going.
Lu Xue Qi, her face pale, still wore a faint, frozen smile. Her white robe fluttered in the wind, under the moonlight, until the first tear silently fell.
The bamboo, rustling in the night, filled the mountains with a melancholic symphony.
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