Qingyun Mountain, Tongtian Peak.

  In the Jade Clear Palace, the solemn and majestic scene of the past seemed to have changed on this day. The chaotic footsteps inside and outside the palace were endless, and the suppressed but anxious whispers spread like ripples in the water. In the distance, there seemed to be a noisy sound, which was unimaginable in the past that it would openly occur on the Tongtian Peak, and at this moment, the noise seemed to be getting louder and closer to the Jade Clear Palace.

  The Yuqing Temple is extremely high, standing above the sea of clouds. Even if you've crossed the Rainbow Bridge and climbed up from the stone steps by the Emerald Pool, it would take a while to reach the top. Judging from the size of the sound, it's likely that they've already passed halfway up the stone steps.

  Upon hearing the news, Xiao Yicai, the eldest disciple of Tongtian Peak, rushed to the scene with several junior brothers and hastily walked into the Jade Clear Palace. His handsome face somehow revealed a few hints of fatigue, and it was unknown what could have caused this young master of the Qingyun Gate's younger generation to be so exhausted.

  Although his face was tired, as soon as Xiao Yi walked into the grand hall, he still had a solemn expression, furrowed his brow and slightly angrily said: "What's going on? Are you not satisfied with the trouble you've caused? Who has the guts to make such a commotion here?"

  Several young disciples who were guarding the gate of the Grand Temple hurried over, Dao Xuan Zhen Ren had been in seclusion for a long time since his battle with the Beast God, and his temper had become unpredictable and eccentric. Most of the major and minor affairs of Tongtian Peak were handled by this highly respected senior brother, and many young disciples looked at Xiao Yi Cai with reverence.

  The noise was getting louder and louder, but most of the young disciples had a strange look on their faces. One of them leaned in close to Xiao Yi Cai and whispered: "Xiao Shixiong, it's Su Shibo from Dazhu Peak who has arrived."

  Xiao Yicai was taken aback and exclaimed: "Su Ru Su Shu?"

  The people around nodded one after another, and Xiao Yi only then asked in surprise: "What did she come here for? Since she came, why didn't she report it, and instead caused such a commotion?"

  The words were left unspoken, as the commotion outside the Jade Clear Palace suddenly grew louder, as if someone had finally lost their patience. A clear whistle echoed from afar, like a phoenix's cry, rising slowly and majestically.

  Xiao Yizai's face changed, and he hastily walked quickly towards the main gate of Yuqing Hall, saying: "It's bad, hurry up and wait, Cao Shidi, Xu Shidi, you immediately go to the backyard, invite a few Shu Shu to come over to persuade Su Shu, we are all younger generations, it's not good to speak, hurry up!"

  Two young disciples beside him hastily nodded and turned to run towards the back hall of Yuqing Temple. Xiao Yi Cai took big strides towards the entrance of Yuqing Temple, just as he was about to reach the gate, the clear whistle suddenly became urgent and emitted a sharp sound. Xiao Yi Cai's face turned pale, his body flashed and he floated towards the entrance, while shouting in a deep voice: "Su Shu Shu, we can talk things over, don't..."

  Before he could finish his sentence, a loud "Ah" and "Aiyo" suddenly came from outside. Xiao Yi's body stiffened and he froze in place. At the entrance of the Yuqing Hall, under the distant warm blue sky, more than a dozen figures tumbled in from outside, none of whom could stand firmly on their feet. Each of them spun around uncontrollably before crashing to the ground with a thud.

  A sudden commotion broke out in the Jade Clear Palace.

  "Hey!"

  A cold hum, but only a slender figure appeared in the great hall of the Jade Clear Temple, it was Su Rou.

  This sound, instantly stunning the entire audience, in the vast Jade Clear Hall, there was no longer a single sound, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the woman who suddenly burst into anger.

  Her raven-black hair was coiled into a bun, with a crimson jade pin in the shape of a golden phoenix with outstretched wings inserted at an angle. The phoenix's beak held three crystal emerald pendants that swayed gently. Her two eyebrows were shaped like willow leaves, cold yet elegant, with a hint of charm; her red lips were tightly closed, and her cheeks were as white as snow. A pair of bright eyes shone with unparalleled clarity, with a hint of anger in them. Gone was the loose clothing she usually wore, replaced by a simple yet tight-fitting outfit that accentuated her figure, losing some of its flirtatious charm but gaining a few degrees of fervor. By her side, she grasped a scabbard-adorned emerald-green sword, its light flashing brightly. Although the sword was sheathed, its aura wafted out in layers, giving people the feeling that this sword had a spirit of its own and was about to leap out and dance wildly.

  Xiao Yicai's eyes twitched a few times, and he subconsciously felt a chill on his back.

  Su Rou's face was as pale as frost, her eyes icy cold, and she swept a glance over the people in the Jade Clear Palace. In that one glance, although her face was beautiful, no one dared to meet her gaze.

  Xiao Yicai glanced at the young disciples who were slowly getting up from the ground, groaning with pain. Although they had some bruises on their faces, they only suffered minor injuries, and none of them seemed to have any serious internal injuries or bleeding. Seeing this, Xiao Yicai felt a lot more at ease, thinking that Su Ru, despite her sudden outburst of anger, still showed some restraint as a fellow member of the same sect and hadn't used her full strength. Otherwise, judging from what those elders had said in private conversations about "that woman being really formidable", these disciples would have suffered even greater pain.

  It was just then that Xiao Yicai suddenly felt a chill in front of his eyes, and it was Su Rou's gaze that finally fell on him. Xiao Yicai dryly laughed and took a step forward, cupping his hands together in greeting, while secretly taking a peek at the dark green sword in Su Rou's hand, saying: "Why is Master Su so free today, coming to our Tongtian Peak?"

  Su Rou coldly looked at Xiao Yi Cai, let out a cold snort, and completely ignored Xiao Yi Cai's question. She didn't even acknowledge Xiao Yi Cai's greeting, still standing there with an arrogant attitude, her pretty face frosty, and said in a chilly voice: "Don't waste words, go get Dao Xuan for me!"

  As soon as this was said, nearly a hundred Tianyun Peak disciples on the Jade Clear Palace immediately became restless. Xiao Yi Cai's face also changed, and he stared blankly for a moment before saying: "Su Shibo, hasn't something happened? Master has been in seclusion all along, right? And what about Tian Shibo, why didn't he come with you?"

  He didn't mention Tian, it was fine, but as soon as these words came out, Su Rou's face changed instantly, her expression changing with three parts sadness, three parts anxiety, and even three parts anger and a thread of icy killing intent.

  "Roar!"

  Suddenly, a low growl like the roar of a wild beast came from the Jade Clear Palace, and everyone was shocked. Later, they found that the strange sound came from the dark green sword in Su Ru's hand. Su Ru's five fingers were pale, and her slender fingers had no blood color due to exertion, as if she also felt something. The hilt of the sword was originally bright, but now it was even more radiant, emitting a loud roar like a wild beast.

  Such a majestic and powerful sword, held in the hands of Su Rou, who usually looked gentle and docile, did not feel out of place at all, but instead seemed to add wings to a tiger, increasing its ferocity.

  Xiao Yicai subconsciously took a step back, his scalp numb, but he didn't know what he had said wrong. This was still his elder and uncle's wife, and her husband Tian Buyi was the powerful head of Qingyun Gate's Dazhu Peak. No matter what, he wasn't someone to be easily offended. Logically speaking, Su Ru's intrusion into the Jade Clear Palace this time was already a huge mistake, but looking at Su Ru's expression, there wasn't even a hint of fear, and instead she seemed determined to cause trouble, and it would be big trouble at that.

  In the eerie and low hum of the dark green sword, Su Ru said to Xiao Yi Cai in a cold voice: "Call Dao Xuan out, I want to ask him what he has done with Nie Yi."

  Xiao Yizai's body shook violently, and he suddenly raised his head. The crowd in the Jade Clear Hall fell silent instantly.

  Just then, a hurried footsteps sounded from the back hall, and an old voice came from afar: "Su Shimei, is it that something has happened to Yixi? Let's talk about it properly, we are all under Qingyun. Don't be rash!"

  As the voices faded, several old men emerged from the back hall in a line. The first two were one with black hair and one with white hair, both sporting white beards. However, it was the older man with slightly darker hair who spoke in that aged voice. As for the elderly man with the white beard, he was none other than Elder Fan, who had once acted as the arbiter of a martial arts competition on Qingyun Mountain when Zhang Xiaofan was still there to attend the Seven Veins Gathering.

  For nearly a decade, Qingyunmen has gone through two major wars, the previous generation of elders either dead or injured, and their numbers are no longer many.

  Su Ru looked at the few elderly men walking over, furrowed her brow, let out a cold snort, but still didn't show any intention of restraining herself. The white-bearded old man Fan Chang Lao glanced at Su Ru, cleared his throat, and muttered two sentences under his breath.

  The black-haired old man next to him looked around and saw that more than a dozen young disciples had blue noses and swollen faces. He frowned, just about to speak to Su Ru, but Su Ru turned to the coldly said: "Elder Fan, are you scolding me?"

  Fan Changlao's face turned red as she glared at him, but he immediately shook his head and said, "Where, where, Su Shifu, you and I, and also Ye Yixing, have been friends for many years. I admire you and don't have time to scold you."

  That old man with black hair turned his head to look at Master Fan, furrowed his brow, and Master Fan dryly laughed and made a gesture, saying: "Master Yang, you speak, you speak."

  The black-haired old man, called Yang Shixiong, turned his head and said to Su Ru: "Su Shimei, calm down first, what's going on? You're usually a cautious and gentle person, how did you do something that even Ye Yizhi wouldn't dare to do today?"

  Su Rou's face was still icy, but the light of the sword in her hand had dimmed slightly and it no longer emitted that low, strange howl. The people around her all secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Just now, Su Rou standing there holding the sword had an aura so powerful that even ordinary Qingyun disciples were terrified.

  Su Ru glanced at Yang Changlao, her mouth twitching slightly as she sneered: "Just because it's not easy and others don't dare to do it, doesn't mean I won't dare to do it. I want to see Dao Xuan, call him out."

  Several elderly people looked at each other, gazed for a moment, and then Yang Lao said with a cough: "Su Shimei, the master has been in seclusion for many days, it's really not convenient to come out. Why don't you tell us what made you so angry first? Also, how is Tian Shidi doing? Why isn't he with you?"

  Su Rou's eyebrows furrowed, and her already beautiful face became even more stern as she loudly said: "He still hasn't made you all withdraw from the Tongtian Peak!"

  As soon as this was said, Yang Changlao, Fan Changlao and everyone on Tongtian Peak changed their expressions. Yang Changlao hastily said: "Su Shimei, you absolutely cannot speak nonsense about this matter! Tian Shidi is the first seat of Qingyun's Seven Veins, in our Qingyun Gate, apart from Daoxuan, he and Zeng Shuchang are the most respected. How could there be a matter of detention? It's absolutely impossible!"

  Su Ru sneered and said coldly, "Don't think we don't know what happened to Daoxuan Shixiong. It's precisely because we knew about the situation that he took a great risk to come up the mountain to advise him. But this time, there's still no news until now. If I didn't come to ask you people for help, who else would I look for?"

  Yang Changlao was stunned, and Fan Changlao, who was standing beside him, suddenly turned around and asked Xiao Yicai: "Xiao Shidi, has the first seat of Dazhu Peak come to Tongtian Peak recently?"

  Xiao Yizai shook his head, saying: "There isn't, disciples have always been in charge of handling the affairs of Tongtian Peak, but over the past few months, Tian Shishu indeed hasn't reported wanting to come to Tongtian Peak."

  Su Ru glanced at Fan Changlao and said coldly: "Do you think he came to do what, will he post a letter of introduction and wait slowly for tea?"

  Fan Changlao's face turned red, and he didn't say a word. Yang Changlao then said to Xiao Yicai: "Xiao Shixiong, since that's the case, you immediately go to the back mountain ancestral hall and ask the master brother. If possible, it would be best to invite him here, so everyone can talk face-to-face and understand each other."

  Xiao Yicai hesitated for a moment, nodded and said: "Good, I'll go now." After that, he turned around and walked quickly towards the back hall, and left in a hurry.

  Yang Changlao watched as Xiao Yicai's figure disappeared, then turned around and smiled: "Su Shimei, I also know that you and your husband are deeply in love, and it's understandable to be worried, but this time you rushed into the Jade Clear Palace so recklessly, it's really a bit excessive."

  Su Ru was silent for a moment, then said lightly: "Yang Shixiong, what you said is right. If it's really not easy and nothing big happens later, I'll just be suspicious and Su Ru will accept the punishment of Qingyunmen's door law."

  Yang Elder waved his hand and smiled: "You see me, I'm not that kind of person"

  Su Ru's words suddenly turned sharp, and she cut off the conversation with an iron-like tone: "But if nothing really happened on this Tongtian Peak, Yang Shixiong," her clear and bright eyes sparkled, shining with determination, and her words were like a surging emotion that left no room for hesitation or retreat:

  "In two thousand years, the Qingyun Gate will have an unworthy disciple named Su Rou. For his entire life, he will be thinking of and tied to a person. On the Tongtian Peak of Qingyun Mountain, he will make a statement to the ancestors and to the loud and clear Master Brother who is in charge!"

  With a soft cry, she swung her hand like a knife, and the dark green sword light burst forth in an instant. The sound of breaking air and shrill whistling rose from the ground, followed by a dull thud. Flying dust swirled around, and everyone felt only a slight tremble beneath their feet, as if it were an earthquake. When the dust finally settled, Su Ru's dark green sword was already inserted into the stone slab in the center of the Jade Clear Temple, with its scabbard still attached. The ground around where the sword had pierced showed not even a single crack or fissure.

  In the midst of it all, that handle of the dark green sword inserted into the ground seemed to have left Su Rou's palm, but the momentum of the sword's edge was even more fierce, like a ferocious beast licking blood, and let out a low growl.

  That Young Master looked at the dark green divine sword stuck in front of him and Su Rou, and bitterly smiled: "Su Shimei, isn't it still not time for that? Why have you already taken out the 'Moesnow' that has been sealed for over a hundred years?"

  Su Ru coldly smiled and said: "Yang Shixiong, you know that back then, it wasn't easy for me to seal away this Mo Xue. With him around, even if I did seal it, I wouldn't care. But if something happens to him, I'll have to use Mo Xue to ask for guidance from our Master."

  Yang Changlao shook his head and sighed, saying: "I thought you would have changed your temper after being married to Tian Shidi for many years. Forget it, I won't be able to advise you anyway. Let's just go sit down together and wait for Xiao Yi to invite our Master over."

  Su Rou's face was expressionless, but she hummed a sound and slowly walked with Yang Changlao to sit down on one side.

  In the Jade Clear Hall, the atmosphere slowly eased up. Yang Changlao lowered his voice and whispered something to Su Ru, seemingly comforting her not to be too anxious. The other elders either stood behind Yang Changlao or sat down, except for Fan Changlao who slowly walked to one side of the Jade Clear Hall's gate, keeping a distance from Su Ru.

  As for the other young disciples, their status was not enough, and with Su Rou's angry prestige, they stood farther and farther away. Among the many elders of Tongtian Peak, this Master Fan was usually the most easy-going and humorous, although his Taoist practice was not as good as that of the other senior elders, but among the young disciples, he was the most popular, regardless of whether he was his own disciple or other masters' nephews, they were all very close to him.

  At this time, everyone saw Fan Changlao standing alone on one side. Many young disciples of the younger generation quietly approached him, including several who were just thrown in by Su Rou and were also Fan Changlao's disciples.

  Fan Changlao looked at the several disciples, shook his head, and a little disciple next to him couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Master, why is that Su Shu so fierce? She usually looks very gentle, how can she be so fierce when she gets angry?"

  Old Master Fan with the white beard glared at his disciple, snorted and blew on his beard, saying: "You guys have just entered Qingyun Gate for a short time, what do you know? That woman was capable of anything when she was young and reckless!"

  The young disciples slowly gathered around, each listening intently. Someone whispered: "Ah, I couldn't tell, Master Su's appearance is so extraordinary, he must have been a stunning beauty in his youth?"

  Fan Changlao smiled slyly and secretly glanced at Su Ru and Yang Changlao, only to see them engaged in conversation, clearly neither of them had noticed the young disciple's side. He plucked up his courage and said: "Speaking of which, she was also one of the most famous female disciples of our Qingyun Gate this generation, just like... uh," he nodded, a mysterious smile suddenly appearing on his face, lowering his voice to say: "Just like that little Zhuxian Peak's Lu Xueqi now."

  The disciples around him all let out a collective "ah" of understanding, each looking as if they had suddenly grasped the meaning, nodding their heads in unison to indicate that they had understood Master Fan's intention.

  Fan Changlao couldn't help but feel a little smug, saying: "Actually, when it comes down to it, she's not bad in terms of her skills, but there are still those who surpass her. Like Dao Xuan Shixiong and Wan Shixiong, they're both rare talents that only appear once every thousand years. Of course, they're stronger than her. It's just that everyone sees how young and beautiful she is, plus she has a powerful backer in her master Zhen Yun Dashi, so no one dares to provoke her. That's why she dares to cause trouble everywhere. I still remember when she single-handedly turned Qingyun Gate upside down, and then there was that fierce mother-tiger Shui Yue... Ah, you little stinker, what are you doing hitting me? Be honest, I haven't finished speaking yet!"

  Elder Fan's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he continued: "At that time, the Water Moon... Hmm, why are you all looking at me like that? Oh, I see, you don't know who I'm talking about, do you? Hehe, actually, it was the current Water Moon Master of Xiaozhu Peak. She's Su Rou's senior sister, and back then, her fierce personality was just as famous as Su Rou's in our Qingyun Sect. Hey, you little stinker, why are you always pulling on me? I'm telling you, even if I am old, I'm still your master, so don't be so rude! Now, where was I?"

  "Hmm, now that I think about it, speaking of Shuǐ Yuè... That Sū Rú back then was quite fierce and dared to do anything, but after marrying Tián Bù Yì from Dà Zhú Fēng, she seemed to have changed into a completely different person, just like the one you guys normally see. We old folks found it quite strange, but I suppose it's all for the better. However, when it comes to that Shuǐ Yuè, not a single bit has changed - back then she was as fierce as can be, and now she still is! Even her disciples, take Lù Xuě Qí for example, the one you guys like so much, are almost identical to how Shuǐ Yuè used to be!"

  Fan Zhang turned around abruptly and shouted: "You little brat, why are you always pulling me? It's been a long time since I've had a good scolding, isn't it?"

  His voice suddenly stopped, his mouth slightly agape. A group of young disciples stood beside him, their heads bowed in silence, motionless. Outside the entrance of the Jade Clear Hall, Master Shuiyue stood with an indifferent expression, her eyes fixed on Elder Fan. Beside her, Wen Mian also gazed at Elder Fan, but his face was filled with anger.

  Elder Fan's forehead was instantly covered in sweat, his old face flushed bright red, and he took a few steps back, extremely embarrassed, unable to stop smiling bitterly. Master Shuimeng slowly walked in, but never looked at Elder Fan again, while Wen Mian glared at him with great reluctance.

  Fan Changlao, among these young and old masters, has always been known for being talkative. This time, he was caught on the spot, and the scene was extremely embarrassing. However, Su Ru and Yang Changlao's side obviously didn't know what had happened here. Su Ru saw Shuiyue Dashi unexpectedly arrive, a hint of surprise flashed across her face, she stood up and said: "Sister Master, how did you come?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī slightly furrowed his brow, glanced around and said: "I was about to ask you, you weren't at Dà Zhú Fēng, how did one person run all the way up to Tōng Tiān Fēng? Even if there's something going on, it should be Tián Yì who goes to take care of it, what brought you here?"

  Su Rou's mouth twitched slightly as she looked at her senior sister, and suddenly a pang of sadness hit her heart, causing the corners of her eyes to redden.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī was taken aback, a flicker of unease flashing across her mind. She glanced at Yáng Cháng Lǎo beside her, who shook his head with a bitter smile, but for the moment didn't know how to begin speaking. Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī felt a slight sense of urgency in her heart; she and Sū Rú had grown up together since childhood, their bond was deep, not ordinary at all, truly like close sisters. This time seeing Sū Rú seemed as if something big had really happened, making her even more worried. The corner of her eye flashed with a glance, and suddenly she saw that black-green divine sword stuck in the ground - Mò Xuě. This shock was no small matter.

  Just as she was about to ask Su Rou, there was a sudden commotion in the back hall, and Xiao Yi rushed in like a whirlwind, his face filled with an unusual look of alarm.

  "Something's happened! Something's happened!"

  Everyone in the Jade Clear Palace was shocked, and Su Rou was even more so, as if she had been struck by five thunders. She only felt a loud noise in her mind, which shook her to the point of dizziness, and the worry that had been swirling in her heart for a long time almost shattered. But before she could react, everything went black and she nearly fainted.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī grasped Su Rú's pale face and turned to shout at Xiāo Yì Cái, "What is going on? Tell me clearly!"