Incense Valley, Secret Chamber.

  An ancient screen separated the space of the stone room. Xiang Ye in a grey robe stood quietly on the spot, patiently waiting.

  After a long time, the hoarse voice of Yun Yilang, the master of Fengxiang Valley, finally came from behind the screen: "I heard that this time you tracked down the nine-tailed celestial fox, your movements were strange, and at the last moment, you suddenly ordered all the disciples to withdraw. Is this true?"

  Shangguan Ce's mouth curled up with a faint cold smile, he could guess who Yun Yiluan was referring to when she said "I heard". At this moment in the entire Fengxiang Valley, apart from himself, only Li Xun, Yun Yiluan's most beloved disciple, could speak to him.

  Shang Guan Ce didn't differentiate anything either, and slowly said: "Not bad."

  Yun Yi Lan fell silent for a moment before speaking: "In that case, as your senior brother, I am quite perplexed. Please enlighten me, little brother."

  Shangguan Ce bowed slightly towards the screen, saying: "I dare not. I was on my way to track down the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox when I met someone, so I ordered all of you to return immediately and report back to our senior brother at once."

  Yun Yi Lan's voice was clearly taken aback, saying: "Who is this person, that you, my junior brother, would pay such attention to?"

  Shangguan Ce slowly spat out two words: "Witch Demon."

  Behind the screen, he suddenly fell silent, and there was no sound for a long time.

  Shangguan Ce stood there patiently, and Yun Yiluan's reaction was already within his expectations. When he saw the witch that day, he was also shocked in his heart, not a small matter.

  It wasn't until after a while that a gentle voice came from behind the screen: "They, finally couldn't bear it anymore."

  Shangguan Ce couldn't hear anything from Yun Yiluan's voice, no matter what this senior brother was thinking in his heart. Was it anxiety or shock? He couldn't hear any of it at all. He stared at the screen and continued: "There is one more thing..."

  Yun Yiluan murmured a faint "en", this time with some surprise.

  Shangguan Ce took a deep breath and said, "The witch demon has obtained two of the five tribe's sacred artifacts: the Black Staff and the Bone Jade."

  "What?" Yun Yiluan finally couldn't keep calm anymore and blurted out from behind the screen.

  Shangguan Ce's eyes flashed with a hint of cold smile, but his expression remained unchanged as he said: "It should be that the beast demon found a Li tribe sorcerer from somewhere and taught him the 'Black Fire' magic. Then, it used this to stir up strife between the Miao and Li tribes, and snatched the Black Stick Bone Jade from the hands of the Miao tribe's Grand Shaman. Later, the Li tribe sorcerer wanted to rebel against the beast demon, but the beast demon was prepared and had the sorcerer killed with the 'Black Fire Pearl', taking back the two sacred artifacts."

  Yun Yi Leng coldly snorted, saying: "There's actually someone as reckless as you!" After a pause, his voice revealed a hint of severity, saying: "These few sacred artifacts are crucial, why didn't you take action?"

  Shangguan Ce's face was calm and collected as he said, "When I arrived, the Hei Ya Gu Yu had already fallen into the hands of the witch demon, and there was also a fierce dragon by his side."

  Yun Yi Lan fell silent, and after a long while, he let out a slow sigh and said: "Heaven's will, heaven's will! Our hundred-year plan was ruined in an instant!"

  Shangguan Ce remained silent and did not speak.

  ※※※

  Qingyun Mountain, Tongtian Peak.

  White clouds drift by, surrounded by an aura of immortals, this place is like a paradise on earth. The sound of cranes echoes, clear and pleasant to the ear, reverberating across the sky.

  The "Yu Qing Hall" that was destroyed in a fierce battle ten years ago has been rebuilt and looks even more magnificent than before. Dozens of giant red stone pillars support the beams, and the roof is made of yellow glazed tiles that shine brightly in the sunlight, dazzling to behold.

  In the center of the hall, a high and towering pagoda-like structure made of jade, with thirty-six layers from large to small, stacked from bottom to top, culminating in a sharp yellow stone tip that shines brightly.

  Eaves facing eight directions, flying out, the four sides of east, south, west and north are carved with golden dragons playing beads, the four sides of southeast, southwest, northwest and northeast are carved with colorful phoenixes dancing, the mouths of golden dragons and colorful phoenixes all hold crystal wind chimes, drifting with the wind, emitting a clear and crisp sound, adding a few more touches of fairy spirit.

  In the midst of the crane's cry and wind chime sounds, Lu Xueqi, dressed in white, slowly ascended the stone steps in front of the Jade Clear Palace.

  Next to them, there were several Qingyun disciples sweeping the stone steps from time to time. When they saw Lu Xueqi, they nodded and paid their respects. Among them, one or two young men who had just entered the sect and were still shallow in their Tao, were captivated by Lu Xueqi's beauty. After a glance, they didn't dare look again, their faces slightly red as they lowered their heads.

  Lu Xueqi returned the courtesy, her face as expressionless as ever, and walked towards the majestic temple at the end of the stone steps.

  Behind her, a loud " splash" sound suddenly came, a dragon-like voice broke the silence here. Lu Xueqi didn't turn around, it was the Qingyunmen mountain spirit beast Water Qilin in the icy pool of Bishuihantan, which had crawled out of the water to bask in the sun and sleep on the shore again.

  Everything here is so quiet and harmonious, who would have known that a young man once stormed out of here and plunged into another dirty and bloody world?

  Lu Xueqi walked down the long stone steps, silently glanced at the towering Jade Clear Hall, and walked in.

  Inside the grand hall, light shone in from all directions through the open windows, making it particularly bright and without any dark feeling. The leader of Qingyun Gate, Fang Zhēn Tiān, who was also the number one righteous person under the heavens, sat upright on the main throne with a smile on his face. To his right, another person sat, who was none other than Lù Xuě Qí's mentor, Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī of Qingyun Gate's Xiǎo Zhú Fēng peak.

  Lu Xueqi was taken aback, she had returned from the southern border this time because she was sent by Daoxuan Zhenren, so she first went back to Changmen Tongtian Peak to report to Daoxuan Zhenren, and then planned to return to the mountain to see her master Shuimoye Dashi. Unexpectedly, Shuimoye Dashi was also at Tongtian Peak. Moreover, looking at the Yuqing Hall, apart from Daoxuan Zhenren and Shuimoye Dashi, there were no other people present, as if they had been waiting for her return.

  When Lu Xueqi entered the grand hall, Daoxuan Zhenren first smiled warmly. Beside him, Shuǐ Yuè Dàshī, who was always cold and aloof, showed a few hints of affection in his eyes for his most beloved disciple, which was different from how he treated others.

  Lu Xueqi walked up and first bowed to Daoxuan Zhenren, saying: "Greetings, Sect Leader."

  Then she turned her head and bowed to Master Shuizhuyue, but towards this master who was like a mother to her, she spoke more casually, saying: "Master, why have you also come here?"

  Daoxuan Zhenren smiled and said, "I received news yesterday that you would be returning to the mountain today, so I sent someone to inform your master. And since there were some trivial matters to discuss with your master, I invited her over."

  Lu Xueqi responded with a sound, and Shuǐ Yuè Dàshī sat beside her, looking at this beautiful disciple of hers. Lu Xueqi's face, which was as beautiful as snow, still looked as lovely as ever, without any expression, but somehow, upon closer inspection, it seemed that her complexion had a hint of pallor.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī's heart stirred secretly, and his two slender eyebrows also furrowed slightly, unnoticed by others.

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren didn't seem to have any experience of being with Shui Yue Da Shi and Lu Xue Qi for many years, and at this moment he didn't think there was anything wrong with Lu Xue Qi either. He just smiled and continued: "Xue Qi, how did the trip to Nan Jiang go? Did you visit Yun Lao Xian Sheng, the master of Fen Xiang Gu?"

  Lu Xueqi fell silent for a moment, and then recounted her experiences in the southern border one by one, except that she concealed the scene of parting with Gui Li in Tianshui Village under the cover of night.

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren and Shui Yue Da Shi sat there without saying a word, slowly listening to Lu Xue Qi's account. When they heard that the master of Fengxiang Valley, Yun Yi Lan, still hadn't appeared, and only Shangguan Ce and Li Xun came out to explain, the two exchanged a glance, with strange expressions in their eyes, but they didn't speak either.

  Later on, Lu Xueqi's expressionless face spoke of the time when they were in the Seven Li Duan of the Nanjiang Miao ethnic group. When Gui Lie appeared, everyone was fighting fiercely, and Daoxuan Zhenren's face suddenly turned cold. However, Shuǐ Yuè Dàshī seemed to be thinking more, and also knew his disciple's thoughts, so he couldn't help but take a few more glances at Lu Xueqi. When Lu Xueqi spoke of Gui Lie being ambushed by Li Xuán and injured by her "Shén Jiàn Yù Léi Zhēn Què", although her tone didn't change, a hint of sadness flashed across her eyes.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī let out a soft sigh in his heart and closed his eyes.

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren and the others retreated to stand beside Shui Yue Da Shi after Lu Xue Qi finished speaking, glanced at Shui Yue Da Shi, snorted coldly, and said: "That scoundrel Zhang Xiao Fan, ten years ago we didn't eliminate him, now indeed he has become a hidden danger."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī opened his eyes, intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Lù Xuě Qí beside him, and said lightly: "This is all fate, it can't be forced."

  Lu Xueqi's face seemed to have turned a few shades paler.

  Daoxuan Zhenren pondered for a moment before saying, "From what Xue Qi said earlier, it seems that this person's Dao has made great progress over the past decade."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī nodded slowly and said, "Zhāng Xiǎo Fán was able to instantly use the Xī Xuě Zhū's demonic power to absorb the vital energy of over a dozen Lí tribe warriors, killing them. After being injured by Lǐ Suān, he immediately counterattacked him. Even the famous Pure Yang Jade Ruler from Huǒ Xiāng Gǔ couldn't withstand it... This level of cultivation is no longer below... She glanced at Lù Xuě Qí and said, "It's already surpassed Qiér and your sect's Xiǎo Yì Cái."

  Lu Xueqi's face was expressionless.

  Daoxuan Zhenren slowly shook his head, and Shuǐ Yuè Dàshī was taken aback, saying: "What's wrong, Brother Daoxuan? Don't you think I'm mistaken?"

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren sighed and said, "That demon was ambushed by Li Xun in the front and injured by the divine sword's 'Yu Lei' true method. Not only did it not die on the spot, but it could even fly up and counterattack. I reckon that what withstood the divine sword's true method must be the Tian Yin Temple's true law 'Da Fan Bo Re'. Then, using his sect's Taiji Xuanqing Dao to break open the divine sword's true method's array, he rushed towards Xue Qi. Afterward, Xue Qi said that this person's eyes were like blood, and the magic stick of the Blood Devouring Pearl was greatly flourishing, so it must be that he used the Blood Devouring Demon's power to subdue Xue Qi. From these words, it can be seen that he has combined three families' true laws, his Dao cultivation is extremely high, and most likely has already surpassed our sect's disciples."

  He glanced at Lu Xueqi and said, "It's just that by then he was already exhausted, his strength was spent, so he couldn't hurt you again. Otherwise, your Divine Sword Thunderous Fury would have been broken, leaving you with no power to fight back, it was extremely dangerous. Xueqi, this person seems to have combined the three schools of Buddhism, Taoism and Demon into one, his path is unpredictable, be careful if you meet him again in the future."

  Lu Xueqi's mouth moved slightly, her hand grasping the Tianyue divine sword tightened and loosened quietly, she said in a low voice: "Yes."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī gazed at her and sighed inwardly, then suddenly said: "Qí ér, you've had a hard journey, go back and rest first. I still have matters to discuss with your Master, I'll return later as well."

  Lu Xueqi responded with a sound, looking towards Daoxuan Zhenren. Daoxuan Zhenren shook his head and smiled, saying: "Look at my memory, it's really getting old and muddled. Xueqi, there's nothing else here, you should go back to Xiaozhu Peak and rest well."

  Lu Xueqi finally came out and first bowed to Daoxuan Zhenren, then said to Shuiyue Dashi: "Master, I'll go back first."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī nodded and said: "You may go."

  Lu Xueqi nodded and slowly backed out, disappearing from the sight of Daoxuan Zhenren and Shuimoye Dashi after a moment.

  Dao Xuan sighed and said: "What a Zhang Xiaofan... Alas, what a pity."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī said calmly: "That child has become like this, we can't escape the responsibility!"

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren's eyebrows furrowed, and his face suddenly darkened. "Shui Yue Shimei," he said, "what do you mean by this?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī's expression remained unchanged, but his tone was unwavering as he said, "It doesn't matter, Zhang Xiao Fan has abandoned the light for darkness, and we are also somewhat to blame."

  "Could it be that Water Moon Sect's sister thinks my actions back then were wrong?"

  Shuǐ Yuè glanced at Dào Xuán Zhēn Rén, only to see his face turn unusually serious. He sighed and said slowly, "Eldest Brother, don't think too much about it. If I were in your shoes, I would do the same thing. As I just said, Zhang Xiao Fan's fate is predetermined by heaven, it's the will of heaven!"

  Daoxuan Zhenren fell silent for a moment, his expression gradually relaxing, but the atmosphere in the great hall seemed to become somewhat awkward. After a while, Daoxuan Zhenren slowly said: "You also heard just now that Xueqi went ahead and still didn't see Yun Yilun, the master of Cloud Valley. What do you think?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī hummed and said, "That old guy Yún Yì Lán is always mysterious and likes to play with abstractions. This time, who knows what he's up to? But his cultivation is not to be underestimated. In the southern border, there aren't many people who can harm him. So we don't need to worry too much, but rather..."

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren was taken aback and said: "What?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī turned to Dào Xuán Zhēn Rén and said, "This time you didn't send any other disciples, only sending Qí ér alone to Nán Jiāng Fān Xiāng Gǔ, and you didn't even discuss it with me beforehand!" After speaking, her face suddenly turned cold, and she let out two cold laughs.

  Dào Xuán Zhēnrén's eyebrows furrowed, and he said, "Shīzi, the reason behind this, I've already told you later on. You didn't object to it either, did you?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī stood up and said calmly, "I don't object, but my disciple has always been hot-headed and stubborn, as you know. It's better to leave some room for maneuver in everything."

  Having said that, he didn't even wait for Dao Xuan Zhen Ren to speak and simply walked out of the grand hall.

  Dao Xuan gazed at her back, suddenly shook his head and let out a long sigh.

  ※※※

  Kitsune-yama

  Ice stone chamber.

  The Ghost King Sect, from the Ghost King down to Qing Long and You Ji, were all standing in the stone room. Beside them were Gui Li and Xiao Bai. In the most secluded corner, a man dressed entirely in black, Ghost Sir, stood alone.

  But now, no one had the mind to notice that dark figure, everyone's spirit was tensely focused on the great wizard standing beside the icy stone platform of Bi Yao.

  The ghost's fist clenched involuntarily, and in this situation, he didn't let Xiao Hui follow him. Looking at the withered figure of the great witch and the face of Bi Yao in the white mist, his determination was like steel, but his body began to tremble slightly.

  Ten years have passed, and the longing of ten years has been haunting me all the time. This dream, this hope, is now right in front of my eyes.

  The Grand Wizard's body swayed slightly, and the people behind him stirred restlessly. Gui Li couldn't help but take a step forward, and even Gui Wang, who was normally extremely calm, had his eyes twitching at the corners.

  The great wizard turned his head and smiled at the crowd, indicating that he was fine, and the crowd finally put their minds at ease.

  After just one night's rest, the great wizard I saw today seemed to be in no better spirits than yesterday, and instead appeared to be declining even further. Every wrinkle on his aged face was deeply etched, as if extracting what little life he had left.

  Inside the stone chamber, there was only the Grand Shaman's gradually labored breathing sounds.

  The King of Ghosts and Gui Lie, who was standing beside him, exchanged a glance, both seeing the faint anxiety in each other's eyes.

  Suddenly, the great witch stretched out her hand with a trembling motion, pointing in the direction of the "Huanhuan Bell" held by Biyao's hands.

  A golden bell stands upright in the white hands, shining with soft light. On the body of the bell, a reflection slowly emerges - an old hand that is getting closer and closer.

  The next moment, the withered hand touched the Huanxian bell, and everyone in the icy stone room held their breath.

  From the tip of the great wizard's fingers, a faint blue light slowly emerged, gradually shining brighter, but as this light flashed incessantly, the wizard's face became even more lifeless, like dead ashes.

  It was as if I had heard a call, and suddenly, the silent wind chime that had been silent for ten years burst out with a clear and crisp ring, lightly echoing back.

  The Demon King and the Ghostly Emperor's faces suddenly showed excited expressions, and the two men couldn't help but take a step forward at the same time. Only after a moment did they come to their senses and restrained themselves, but their eyes were already fixed intently on the Grand Sorcerer's fingers.

  After the crisp ringing sound, a layer of golden light slowly rose on He Huan's body. Although it was not bright, almost at the same time as this layer of golden light rose, the great witch's face suddenly showed a look of effort. In an instant, the cold air in this icy stone room suddenly became much colder.

  The people present almost simultaneously changed color, and those who could stand here were all masters of the Taoist school. Almost subconsciously, Gui Wang, Gui Li, and Xiao Bai floated up.

  But just as the cold air expanded in an instant, the soft golden light on the honeysuckle bell suddenly turned into a fierce and almost tangible flame, making a "rumbling" sound that spread rapidly in all directions within the stone chamber.

  The great wizard was the first to bear the brunt, and his body was originally weak. In an instant, his entire body was struck by this intense light and sent flying into mid-air, spewing out a mouthful of fresh blood.

  The King of Ghosts' figure was like a ghost, suddenly appearing beside the Great Witch Doctor, catching his body. Gui Li simultaneously appeared in front of him, the Soul-Eating Magic Stick materializing in mid-air, a mysterious blue-green light ring flashing into existence, blocking the Golden Bell's intense and overwhelming attack. Meanwhile, a small white figure appeared beside the Ice Stone Platform, raising its hand, a gentle white light slowly descending, enveloping the Huanhuan Bell within.

  In an instant, the trembling wind chime gradually calmed down, and that piece of golden light also slowly disappeared. The temperature in the stone room returned to normal as well.

  Everyone looked at the great witch doctor who was being supported by Gui Wang, only to see that after this blow, the great witch doctor had blood seeping out of all seven orifices. Anyone could tell that this old man had already reached the brink of death, with only a hint of residual energy left.

  In the midst of silence, everyone looked at each other in dismay, unable to utter a word.

  Until a sigh broke the deathly silence. The great wizard slowly opened his eyes and struggled to stand up straight.

  The King of Ghosts was moved, stretched out his hand to support him, but the Great Witch Doctor slowly shook his head. The King of Ghosts nodded silently, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, and slowly withdrew his hand.

  The grandmaster gasped for a moment, lifted his sleeve, and slowly wiped away the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth. He opened his mouth to speak, but the voice that came out was hoarse beyond compare: "This young lady's remaining soul is indeed inside this Huawan bell."

  Everyone was silent.

  The great wizard took a deep breath and said, "This Huawan bell is an extraordinary treasure. The spiritual power it contains is like a solid formation that can protect Miss's soul. However, if outsiders want to take it out, they must break this Huawan bell."

  Just as he said that, his body suddenly shook and a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out from the mouth that had just wiped away the bloodstains. Gui Li rushed up a few steps and supported the old man in his arms, his lips moving slightly before finally saying, "Senior, you should rest for now."

  The grandmaster glanced at the young man, smiled faintly, and suddenly lowered his voice, saying: "Don't forget what you promised me that day in Qili Valley."

  The demon's expression changed slightly, and he nodded: "Don't worry, senior!"

  The great wizard let out a breath, slowly pushed open the ghostly energy, and turned to face the Ghost King and others: "Nowadays, in order to break the Ling power of the Huanhuan bell, but cannot harm Miss's soul, I can only set up the 'Soul Summoning Array' from the Southern Territory Witchcraft, see if it can summon Miss's soul out of the bell body, cough, cough, cough..."

  A violent cough interrupted his words, and the crowd looked at each other in silence. Everyone could see that the old man was on his last breath, and it was unclear whether he would even make it to the time when this "soul-calling" ritual was supposed to take place.

  The Demon King's teeth bit down, and he took a step forward. He clasped his fists together in respect to the Grandmaster and said: "Grandmaster has gone to such great lengths for this young girl, I am eternally grateful. As for other matters, Grandmaster need not worry, just focus on casting your spell with peace of mind. Regardless of the outcome, the Demon King's Sect will definitely not disappoint you."

  The Grand Master nodded slowly, his eyes comforting, and after a brief pause, he said in a low voice: "The Soul Summoning Technique is a ghostly technique, it's not suitable for too many living people to be present. Please ask Ghost Ji Gongzi and the Sect Master to stay and help, while the others temporarily leave."

  Guili and Guiwang nodded at the same time, and others didn't wait for them to say more, they retreated one after another. After a moment, only Dazhu Shi, Guiwang and Guili were left in the cold ice stone room.

  The great wizard's face turned pale, his body slowly trembling, but he could no longer stand up, and his body went soft, slowly sitting down on the ground.