Bai Yu looked up. “I know you have your ways. As long as you do it, Tingyin Pavilion will belong to Xin Jiuxian from now on. Even Huo Yuntian of the Fire Lotus Sect and Yang Yankuan of the Beast Taming Sect are here; I can personally move to take their Soul Blood and hand it over to you or Xin Jiuxian.”
Wen Li lowered her head in thought. She currently didn't have the time to slowly build up a Mid-Stage Soul Formation cultivator. Shengji, Xin Feiliu, and Linghu Ci were only at the initial steps of the Early-Stage Soul Formation realm; even a forced breakthrough would be superficial and easily exposed in a fight.
She waved her hand dismissively. “Let me think about it. But first, you must mend Xin Jiuxian’s soul completely.”
Bai Yu was puzzled. “Aren't you going to ask about Xin Jiuxian's origins?”
“What’s there to ask? One look at her face told me everything. I only came here to see what tricks you were up to.”
Wen Li stood up. “I’ll be staying here for a while. Don't disturb me until I've thought of a way.”
“Fine. I will have Xin Feiliu make the arrangements.”
Bai Yu’s soul left Bai Songxu’s body and returned to the ice bed to recuperate, while Bai Songxu collapsed onto the ground.
When he regained his senses and opened his eyes, he saw Wen Li's silhouette. Terrified, he scrambled to hide behind the Supreme Elder.
“Ancestor, it’s her again!” That stingy skinflint who wouldn't part with a single cent.
Evidently, he was aware that Bai Yu wanted to meet her.
Bai Yu’s ancient voice spoke, “Do not be rude. You should also address her as Ancestor.”
Wen Li turned and waved a hand. “I’m going.”
Bai Yu looked at Bai Songxu. “You leave too. Send Xin Jiuxian in.”
“Oh, yes.”
Bai Songxu was dazed, but he bowed respectfully and left.
The two of them exited one after another. Bai Songxu followed behind, looking at Wen Li's face—which looked different from yesterday—with some amazement. She looked so young; how could she have lived for thousands of years like the Supreme Elder? Could she have possessed someone?
Wen Li glanced back indifferently. That cold look made the hair on Bai Songxu’s neck stand up, and he reflexively shouted, “Greetings, Ancestor!” to save his life.
Hearing such an old title, Wen Li knit her brows in disgust. “Don't call me Ancestor. Call me Senior.”
She hadn't reached the end of her lifespan with a face full of wrinkles and white hair like Bai Yu. Although she had a thing for white hair, she didn't want the 'elderly' kind of white. She certainly didn't want to be called old; it made her sound like a decrepit old fossil.
“Yes, yes, yes. Greetings, Senior.” Bai Songxu nodded and bowed with extreme humility.
The two of them walked out of the barrier together.
Everyone waiting outside immediately looked up, their gazes focusing on Wen Li.
“Master.”
Hua Cishu stood up and rushed to Wen Li, nervously grabbing her sleeve to see if she was alright.
Wen Li noticed that a section of his hair had clearly been cut off. She asked, “What happened to your hair?”
Even if he was a bit crazy, he surely wouldn't play around by cutting his own hair.
Zongzheng Huangyue also walked up and called out, “Master.”
She wasn't worried at all that Hua Cishu would tattle on her.
“It’s nothing. I was just bored and playing with my hair.” Sure enough, Hua Cishu didn't mention what had happened earlier and brushed it off casually.
Bai Songxu hurried to pay his respects to the three elders, looking at Xin Feiliu. “Second Elder, the Supreme Elder wishes to see Xin Jiuxian.”
Xin Feiliu walked over. “Did the Supreme Elder say what it's about?”
Bai Songxu shook his head. “I don't know.”
Xin Feiliu looked toward Wen Li and opened her mouth as if to ask something, but she didn't speak. Instead, she turned to look at Xin Jiuxian.
“Go see the Supreme Elder.”
“Yes.”
Xin Jiuxian nodded and went inside. As she passed by, she caught a glimpse of Wen Li, her indifferent eyes carrying a hint of curiosity.
After she entered, Xin Feiliu looked at Wen Li. “I... have some things I want to ask you. If you’re willing to answer, follow me.”
“Let's go.”
Wen Li followed her away.
Linghu Ci arranged for Zongzheng Huangyue and Hua Cishu to settle in.
Huo Yuntian and Yang Yankuan, the two outsiders, wanted to follow as well but didn't dare. This time, they weren't afraid of Xin Feiliu, but of Wen Li.
They also had many questions they wanted answered.
...
Xin Feiliu led Wen Li back to the cave dwelling on her own mountain peak.
With a wave of her hand, she set up a barrier.
She turned to look at Wen Li, her tone complex. “You didn't die back then? Or did you possess someone?”
“My life is tough; I didn't die.”
Wen Li walked slowly to a table and sat down.
“Then, when Wangquan Chumo’s group entered the Ten Thousand Demon Valley and ran into trouble, and my sister rushed to save them... did you meet her?”
Wen Li fixed her gaze on her and admitted, “I did.”
Xin Feiliu's pupils trembled. “Then do you know who killed her?”
Wen Li shook her head. “At the time, I was also being hunted by the Taichu Sect. I only had a brief encounter with her before leaving. Although I also entered the Ten Thousand Demon Valley, I was behind Wangquan Chumo and Xin Yingru. After the valley collapsed and crumbled, I also fell unconscious and didn't know what happened afterward. By the time I woke up and heard the news, she had already been killed by Wangquan Chumo. The people from the Eastern and Southern Provinces were also rumored to have been killed by him.”
“So even you don't know...”
Xin Feiliu knit her brows. Back then, she had heard that someone had seen Wen Li in the Ten Thousand Demon Valley. Later, when the valley collapsed, there was no more news of her. Everyone in the Central Province said she was dead, and Xin Feiliu had believed it for all these years.
But seeing her again now, Xin Feiliu had thought she might know the truth of what happened back then. It turned out she didn't know either.
And her cultivation...
“What’s wrong with you? Why has your cultivation only reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection?”
Wen Li let out a soft sigh, sounding indifferent. “When I came out of the Ten Thousand Demon Valley back then, I was heavily injured. My cultivation fell from Peak Soul Formation to the Early-Stage Nascent Soul realm. Later, for certain reasons, I was wanted by the Central Province. I could only flee to the Western Province. My cultivation continued to drop until it finally stabilized at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. It’s been in this wretched state for all these years.”
Xin Feiliu was puzzled. “Then why didn't you come to the Southern Province to find us? With us here, things wouldn't have been so difficult for you with your cultivation in that state.”
Her eyes held concern and sentimental reflection for her.
But Wen Li said, “Our meeting during the Central Province Aptitude Battle back then was just a twist of fate. Once we parted, that fate was over. Naturally, I wouldn't come to trouble you. I like peace and quiet; I'm used to being alone.”
However, Xin Feiliu knew she was lying. Wen Li never trusted anyone. Her so-called love of 'peace and quiet' was just an unwillingness to get too involved with others. Otherwise, why would someone who liked peace and quiet take so many youths as disciples?
Rate on N.U.
