Chapter 128: The Whispers of the Heart

All held their breath.

The figure was swallowed and vanished within the massive column of white light.

Perched on the clouds, the woman in white, perhaps due to overexertion, stumbled as well, unable to maintain her balance any longer, and slowly descended.

But then, where did that sudden laughter come from?

So desolate, yet so indomitable!

A red gleam burst forth within the white column, crimson as blood. The man, drenched in blood, emerged like a mad demon, howling to the heavens.

The night grew darker.

With disheveled hair and torn clothes, the spattered blood like mist, only the Bloodlust Orb shone brightly, illuminating the entire sky.

He raised his head, eyes wide, and charged upward.

The wind howled, carrying the stench of blood. Lu Xueqi’s face was as pale as snow, devoid of color. Gazing at the approaching figure, she instinctively thrust Tianya forward.

A blue light pierced through the bloody mist, hurtling towards him.

Tianya quivered!

That gaze, deep and intense, was both maddeningly familiar.

Do you remember, many years ago, the reckless young man…?

The wound was right before her eyes.

The red glow surged, submerging the two figures.

Ghosts wailed, filling the air with their cries.

Those of the righteous path cried out, rising into the air. But before they could react, another strange white shadow, swift as lightning, flew up.

Within the red glow, a bloodstained hand, like a demon’s cruel claw, reached out for her.

Yet, Tianya quietly lowered.

She stood alone in the storm, facing him, gazing silently.

The bloodied hand pressed against her chest, the fierce demonic energy roaring at the edges of his palm.

Those crazed, bloodshot eyes were right before her.

Whose heart was gently beating…?

As the red light dissipated, a figure fell limp.

Lu Xueqi stood mid-air, eyes closed, a red handprint on her robe, shocking and vivid.

After the storm, were there still tears…?

Moments before the righteous crowd, the sudden white shadow snatched the unconscious Gui Li, cradling him away—it was Xiao Bai.

She examined Gui Li’s injuries, frowning, shaking her head, and muttered, “Really, I can’t take this man. Even if he values sentiment, he doesn’t have to be so extreme…”

Gui Li did not respond, already unconscious. But after the initial shock, the righteous crowd shouted, and Xiao Bai, with her enchanting eyes, momentarily stunned them.

Lu Xueqi slowly descended, the blood-red handprint on her robe almost etched into the fabric, drawing all eyes. They could almost imagine how close that demon’s hand had brought death to this woman!

Yet, she had escaped, and the one grievously injured was still the demon.

The young prodigy of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, indeed, was extraordinary.

Xiao Bai’s gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Lu Xueqi, scrutinizing her closely. She nodded, a smile playing on her lips, “Truly a peerless beauty, no wonder men would go mad for you.” She then glanced at the unconscious Gui Li in her arms, and, seemingly by chance, turned to look at Li Xun, who stood to the side, a pained expression on his face.

Li Xun’s face flushed with anger. His right hand, burned by Gui Li’s demonic force, was half scorched, looking terrifying. He did not know if it would affect his future cultivation. Hearing the sudden, mocking words from this bewitching woman, he raged, “Who are you? This Gui Li is a monstrous demon, if you know what’s good for you…”

“Ha!”

Xiao Bai suddenly laughed, facing the crowd of righteous individuals. She deliberately held the unconscious Gui Li closer, drawing the attention of those around her. She said coolly, “You don’t know? I’ve never been one to know what’s good for me!”

Li Xun was speechless, at a loss for words. Meanwhile, the pain in his right hand intensified, making him even more anxious.

At that moment, a surprised cry came from behind.

“Nine-Tailed Fox! She is the Nine-Tailed Fox!”

The crowd was startled. Lu Xueqi and Fashi, not knowing the secrets of the Incense Valley’s Mystic Fire Altar, were taken aback. But the disciples of the Incense Valley fell into chaos. The one who cried out was the senior disciple, Lü Shun.

Xiao Bai glanced at Lü Shun, thought for a moment, and nodded, “You must be the shameless old man who hid behind Yun Yilin and Shangguan Ce, the two old villains, back then.”

Lü Shun’s face turned red with anger, his finger pointing at Xiao Bai, trembling. Amidst the sneaking glances, he roared, “What are you looking at? Don’t just stand there, catch this monster!”

Xiao Bai chuckled, holding Gui Li as if ready to fly. Lü Shun flew forward to intercept her, but Xiao Bai merely snorted, not even glancing at him. A white shadow floated, a dark light flying from her sleeve, striking Lü Shun’s sword.

In mid-air, Lü Shun grunted, forced to retreat, clearly having suffered a setback.

The crowd was aghast. Although Lü Shun was not as famous as Yun Yilin or Shangguan Ce, he was still a respected elder of the Incense Valley. Yet, he was repelled by the Nine-Tailed Fox, a testament to her incredible power.

The crowd shouted, rushing forward. Xiao Bai frowned, her face showing disdain, her body swaying, dodging several people, about to fly when a sudden chant came from behind, a golden light surging forth.

Xiao Bai frowned, showing surprise for the first time. She turned, her sleeves fluttering, sending out a light green glow.

“Mahayana Dharani,” she looked at Fashi, nodding, “I didn’t expect such talent from the Celestial Sound Temple. Indeed, a great sect on par with the Azure Ethereal Conclave.”

Fashi clasped his hands, “Thank you for your praise.” Though polite, the golden light grew stronger, a shining gold bead flying from his sleeve, heading straight for Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai snorted, the green light retreating, her body floating with Gui Li, soaring into the sky. Moments later, the ground where she stood was hit by the bead, a loud boom, a huge crater formed by the Buddhist power.

Not wanting to linger, Xiao Bai turned to leave, but a blue light, a sharp hiss, filled the air—Lu Xueqi’s Tianya sword. Xiao Bai’s face turned cold, reaching out, directly into the myriad sword beams. A clear, ringing sound, Lu Xueqi’s sword beam disappeared, her face showing surprise, Tianya returning to her hand.

Without hesitation, Xiao Bai, cradling Gui Li, vanished into the air. The crowd was shocked, moments later, someone saw the white shadow, flashing like lightning, heading across the river, shouting loudly.

Xiao Bai entered a wooden hut. Moments later, just before the crowd arrived, she flew out from the window, carrying not only Gui Li but also a small, sleeping monkey, Hui Hui…

When the crowd arrived, Xiao Bai was already gone. The righteous crowd cursed and shouted, but most were secretly alarmed. The Nine-Tailed Fox’s profound cultivation was not to be underestimated.

By now, the battle in Qili Cave had finally quieted. All that remained was a raging inferno, and the painful cries of countless Miao villagers.

In the distance, the injured chief, Tu Muguo, was shouting, leading a group up the mountain, obviously to check on the Great Shaman’s condition. At the mountain’s waist, people had already surrounded the shaman, their voices echoing.

Returning to the area, the surrounding flames roared, the sounds of wood crackling, broken beams falling, a scene of utter devastation.

Fashi sighed, his face full of compassion, flying into the fire, helping the Miao people. Inspired by him, the other disciples of the Incense Valley followed.

Li Xun felt the pain in his right hand ease slightly. With proper treatment, it should not hinder him, and he relaxed, taking a deep breath.

Just as he hesitated whether to join the rescue, a voice came from behind, “Senior Brother Li.”

Li Xun turned, seeing Lu Xueqi, Tianya returned to its sheath, in her hand, her white robe glowing in the firelight.

Her face was as cold as ever, her eyes fixed on Li Xun.

Feeling uneasy under her gaze, Li Xun asked, “What is it, Junior Sister Lu?”

Lu Xueqi gazed silently at Li Xun, and after a long pause, she spoke, “Was it you who injured Gui Li’s right shoulder with the Jade Ruler?”

Li Xun’s mouth went dry, and he answered, “Yes.”

Lu Xueqi’s hand tightened on Tianya, her fair skin showing a faint tinge of blue, but her face remained as white and emotionless as snow.

She nodded, turning away.

Li Xun felt a surge of unexplained anger, shouting, “Junior Sister Lu, what do you mean?”

Lu Xueqi paused, her white figure nearly engulfed by the flames.

“Good skill! Very impressive!”

The voice, slow and clear, came from the person who did not turn, word by word.

Li Xun was left speechless.

Lu Xueqi walked forward. Suddenly, the roof of a large building, weakened by the flames, creaked and collapsed, a massive beam, burning fiercely, crashing down toward her.

Startled, Li Xun tried to shout, but before he could, Lu Xueqi gave a low cry, filled with sorrow and anger. Her left hand swung, Tianya unsheathed, a blue light bursting forth, shattering the beam, sending sparks flying, blocking her and Li Xun, engulfing her in the rain of fire.

Li Xun stared at the fiery rain, transfixed.

Night deepened.

Xiao Bai, as a swift white light, moved through the mountains, far from Qili Cave. After half an hour, she found a secluded spot on a mountain slope and stopped.

She gently laid Gui Li down. He was covered in blood, much of it seeping into the Bloodlust Orb, which glowed with a malevolent red. It seemed like a spirit, devouring its master’s essence.

Sighing, Xiao Bai tried to take the Devil’s Rod from Gui Li’s hand, but even in his unconscious state, he clutched it tightly, as if it were his only lifeline.

Unable to remove it, she shook her head and gave up. But her eyes fell on her own hand, her fingers, once white, now turning red, trembling slightly.

Xiao Bai smiled, whispering, “Such a fine Tianya, truly a legendary weapon…”

A thud came from beside her, startling Xiao Bai. Turning, she saw Hui Hui, drunk, fall off her shoulder, landing beside his injured master, snoring and falling asleep again.

Xiao Bai laughed, saying, “Stupid monkey!”

“Zzzz…”

“Your foolish master is almost dead!”

“Zzzz…”

Xiao Bai, speechless, rolled her eyes and kicked the monkey away, then squatted beside Gui Li, examining his injuries, sighing.

The night was cold, the chill penetrating her bones.

Had she experienced this cold before, many years ago?

Gui Li awoke, his mind filled with this thought.

Opening his eyes, he saw a starry sky.

The Miao night, at this moment, was finally peaceful, the flames and noise gone. The fields were dotted with countless stars, twinkling, some big, some small, like playful eyes, watching the world.

Intense pain erupted from his right shoulder, spreading through his body. Even he, strong as he was, couldn’t help but gasp.

“You’re awake,” a calm, caring voice sounded beside him.

Gui Li turned, seeing Xiao Bai’s face.

He struggled to sit up, but the movement worsened his wounds, causing him to grimace. Xiao Bai looked at him, “You’re badly hurt, rest now.”

Gui Li looked down, seeing his right shoulder bandaged, and other minor wounds treated. Clearly, it was Xiao Bai’s work while he was unconscious.

He whispered, “You saved me. Thank you.”

Xiao Bai shrugged, “I didn’t do much. It was mostly your own tough luck, I didn’t expect you to survive that.”

Gui Li snorted, recalling the battle in Qili Cave, feeling a wave of despair, unable to speak.

Xiao Bai said, “Still, the Miao people were the unluckiest. Their homes burned, their people killed, even their revered Great Shaman, I fear, is in grave danger…”

Gui Li’s body suddenly trembled.