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  A faint white chill rose like light smoke, silently drifting in the icy stone room. On this day, the chill in the icy stone room seemed to be much thicker than usual, and even looking over, it had a few degrees of blur, no longer having the clarity of seeing through at a glance as before.

  The stone gate emitted a low rumble as it slowly opened, but the slender figure that came into view somehow seemed to be shrouded in a blur.

  Is it Youji?

  He thought to himself as he slowly stepped inside. The cold air in the ice stone chamber swirled around, shrouding his figure like a dream. The woman's figure stood quietly with her back to him, standing before the ice stone platform, and around her, the cold air seemed particularly heavy, even the white mist condensed from the cold air was like frost and snow, making it hard for people to see clearly.

  In the air, that faint and lingering, reverberating crisp bell sound, as if it were right next to one's ear.

  For some reason, Gui Li subconsciously stopped in his tracks. Perhaps it was because of today's events that he found it difficult to face You Ji, especially after she loudly scolded him and mentioned Bi Yao. Looking back, although Gui Li was surprised by the Ghost King's unusual behavior today, he could only remain silent about his own impulsive actions.

  Perhaps, in the hearts of these two men, a deep-seated hatred had long been buried.

  But after all, there is still a Bi Yao in this world, and she is lying in this icy stone room.

  Qī Lì glanced at the somewhat blurry figure hidden in the cold air, silently lowered his head, and after a while said: "Just now I fought with the Ghost King Sect Master, it was my fault, I don't know how things suddenly became like this. Don't be angry, I won't do it again."

  The figure's shoulder seemed to tremble slightly, but didn't say a word, still keeping quiet. The cold air around seemed to circulate faster, and even the stone room felt colder. But this icy stone room was always cold, so Gui Li didn't think much of it.

  He softened his tone, wanting to speak but hesitating. He naturally knew about the relationship between You Ji and Bi Yao. After Bi Yao's mother passed away, Gui Wang took on more responsibilities within the Gui Wang clan, and You Ji had somewhat taken on a maternal role towards Bi Yao. This could be seen from how Bi Yao always addressed You Ji as "You Ji". Now, facing him, especially in this cold ice chamber, Gui Lie actually felt a bit of genuine confrontation with Bi Yao. The depth of his guilt towards Bi Yao was hard to express, and today's battle with Gui Wang had brought them to the brink of life and death, making it even harder to put into words.

  After a long while, he let out a deep sigh and said in a low voice: "I know you're heartbroken, Bi Yao, and don't want to see me and her father quarrel again. Actually, I didn't have that intention either, it's just that at the time..."

  He furrowed his brow, and the Ghost King's unusual expression flashed through his mind again. He shook his head and said, "In any case, I promised you that in the future, for Bi Yao's sake, I will give him some leeway."

  That slender figure seemed to move again, but still didn't turn around. However, judging from her back, she seemed to have nodded silently, indicating approval.

  The demon's face was stern and silent, he remained silent for a moment, then let out a sigh, not wanting to say anything more. He slightly turned his body, intending to walk towards the icy stone platform, to take a good look at Bi Yao.

  Just as he was about to take a step, suddenly his whole body froze in an instant, like lightning, a thought flashed through his mind, like thunder rumbling in his brain.

  The black veil that Yuji always wore on her head, why couldn't it be seen from the back? Almost at the same time, a thought flashed through Kijiro's chaotic mind, and the hairstyle of this figure was actually that of a young girl, completely different from Yuji's bun.

  He spun around like lightning and shouted loudly: "Who are you?"

  The chill in the ice stone room was like a knife cutting through bone, and the faint smoke surrounding that figure suddenly began to swirl rapidly. The ghostly eyes widened, for an outsider had invaded this ice stone room, which was absolutely unacceptable to him.

  Just as Gui Li was about to make a move, a low rumbling sound suddenly came from behind him. Gui Li was startled and turned his head to look back, only to see the stone gate that had been closed behind him slowly opening again, and a figure appeared at the entrance.

  Slender and tall, with a black veil covering her face, she has an ethereal quality, but who is she if not a ghostly maiden?

  You Ji opened the stone gate, but suddenly saw a strange expression on Gui Li's face, his eyes wide open, and his facial muscles twisted, which frightened her and she involuntarily took a step back.

  But she was not an ordinary person after all, and immediately calmed down, saying coldly: "Hmph, do you still have the face to come here and see Bi Yao?"

  The ghost stared at her deeply, suddenly his face changed in shock, as if he had remembered something extremely important, quickly turned around to look, but this glance made him even more shocked, like being stunned, standing still on the spot, speechless.

  In the vast ice chamber, he was in this place, suddenly, it completely restored its original appearance. The white smoke that had been floating strangely disappeared, and the faint sound of the bell also disappeared. As for the mysterious figure, it also vanished into thin air at this moment.

  Everything seems just like before, as if it were all a dream, an illusion that has passed and dissipated...

  Bixiao lay quietly on the ice stone pedestal, her mouth still had that familiar smile, her hands clasped together, the light of the Huanhuan bell flickering non-stop, gently flowing and turning, as if staring at Gui Li.

  The ghost stood still, his whole body tense, as if he had lost all sense of awareness, motionless.

  Yu Gui slowly walked into the icy stone room and soon discovered that Gui Li was a bit off, looked at him with a glance, frowned and said: "What are you doing?"

  The corners of Gui Li's mouth moved, but he didn't speak. He simply raised his head silently and stared blankly at the icy stone chamber. Except for that thick stone door, the walls around the icy stone chamber were all hard stone, without a single gap. But now, those cold stone walls seemed to carry a hint of cruel mockery, coldly watching the somewhat laughable person.

  The fleeting gaze slowly retracted, and returned to the icy stone chamber, falling on the person lying on the stone pedestal. In those sharp eyes, somehow, a few hints of blur appeared, countless thoughts surged in like a tidal wave, and that gaze finally fell quietly on Bi Yao's hair.

  "What's wrong with you?" Yuji's voice had a few hints of impatience.

  The ghostly figure slowly opened its eyes and said in a low voice: "When you came in, did you notice anything unusual about this stone room?"

  "Young lady paused for a moment and said in a cold voice: 'What's unusual? Isn't everything still the same as before, one table and one person.'"

  The muscles at the corners of his eyes twitched, as if he had been punched.

  Yuè Jī slowly appeared beside Bì Yáo, her eyes revealing a mixture of pity and sorrow. After a moment's pause, she spoke in a gentle tone: "I know you're not doing well either, but I hope you'll think carefully about this - if Bì Yáo were to find out that you actually fought with her father using magic, what kind of emotions do you think she would feel?"

  The ghost's face was stern and silent for a moment, then suddenly shook his head, took a deep breath, and said: "Don't worry, I understand what to do."

  Having said that, he took a deep look at Bi Yao again and then turned around and walked out in big strides.

  Looking at his back, You Ji's eyebrows slightly furrowed, instinctively feeling that Gui Li seemed somewhat different from usual, but she immediately let out a long sigh. People who are hard to understand, aren't they more than just him? Even the master of Gui Wang Sect, whom she had followed for many years, wasn't becoming increasingly incomprehensible to her as well?

  She silently lowered her head, falling into deep thought. The cold ice stone room was quiet, with only the harmonious bell in Bi Yao's hand shining brightly, its light flashing like clear eyes, watching this world without stopping.

  Qingyun Mountain, Xiao Zhu Peak.

  In the early morning, a gentle breeze blows, and the lush bamboo forest on the mountain sways together, making a rustling sound like heavenly music, calming the mind. Last night's heavy rain washed away everything between heaven and earth, bringing fresh air that brushes against the face. The distant mountains are veiled in mist, and the landscape is like a painting.

  The stone path underfoot is still wet, and occasionally there are some rainwater accumulated in the gaps between the stones last night. On the stone path and on both sides, many fallen bamboo leaves have been blown down by the wind and rain last night. It's still early, so no one has come to sweep yet.

  Her white clothes were like clouds, and her elegant figure stood out from the dust. Lu Xueqi walked alone in this bamboo forest path. In the gentle morning light, her beautiful hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders, and her skin looked delicate and vulnerable to the touch, with a faint pink hue amidst its snowy whiteness, like a rare and exquisite flower blooming quietly in a deep mountain valley.

  On both sides of the stone path, tall bamboo sways gently, with dewdrops condensed on the green leaves, quietly sliding down and flying silently to the ground.

  The stone path is deep and winding, with the bright morning light shining through the dense bamboo forest, casting a gentle glow on her slender figure.

  In front of a simple bamboo hut, a figure gradually emerged, it was the place where Shuiyue Dashi, the first seat of Xiaozhu Peak, usually sat in meditation and cultivated.

  Lu Xueqi stopped in front of the small cottage, hesitated for a moment at the door, and gently patted the bamboo door with her hand.

  "Master, disciple Xue Qi pays her respects."

  "Come in!" Master Shuǐ Yuè's voice came from the small hut, without joy or sorrow, as if with a hint of emotion, light as water.

  The door creaked open with a soft "ah", and Lu Xueqi walked in, her eyes immediately falling on her master sitting cross-legged on the bamboo bed, his eyes closed in meditation, his expression serene and unruffled, showing no signs of change due to her arrival.

  Lu Xueqi quietly walked up to Master Shuimeng and knelt down, saying in a low voice: "Master, the disciple has arrived."

  She paused for a moment and then continued: "Xue Qi knows she is not worthy, disappointing your expectations, old master, and causing you distress. Please punish me!"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī slowly opened his eyes, his gaze fell on Lù Xuě Qí's body in front of him, and he stared for a long time before sighing and saying: "If I were to punish you, would you be willing to change your ways?"

  Lu Xueqi silently lowered her head, not daring to look at her master's face, and didn't say a word, but only looked at her expression, yet there was no hint of regret on her face.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī shook his head, with a hint of bitter smile: "Since you've already made up your mind and won't turn back, what's the use of me punishing you? Alright, alright. Get up!"

  Lu Xueqi's teeth were slightly clenched and her lower lip was bitten, seemingly excited but still in control of herself, stood up.

  The Master of Water Moon gently patted the bamboo couch beside him and said, "You sit down too!"

  Lu Xueqi shook her head and said, "The disciple does not dare."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī looked at her and said, "It's just the two of us here, what's there to calculate? Don't tell me you still hold a grudge against me, your master, and that we are destined to be enemies?"

  Lu Xueqi suddenly raised her head and hastily shook it, saying: "Master, I..."

  "Alright, alright," said Master Shuǐ Yuè with a smile and a wave of his hand. "You're someone I've raised and taught myself, what kind of temperament you have, don't I know?"

  She reached out and took Lu Xueqi's hand, gently pulling her over to sit beside her. She looked carefully at Lu Xueqi's beautiful and elegant face, softened her tone, and said: "No matter what, as your master, I'm doing this for your own good, you must remember that."

  Lu Xueqi's mouth twitched slightly as she said in a low voice: "Disciple understands, it was actually all disciple's fault..."

  "Never mind, at this point, we don't need to argue about who's right or wrong anymore. Ask the world, what is love? Snow falls on a thousand mountains... But can anyone truly accompany you for a lifetime?"

  At this point, it was as if Master Shuimeng himself had also touched upon his thoughts, and for a moment he became dazed and lost in thought.

  Lu Xueqi didn't dare disturb her master, but she could feel the warmth coming from her master's palm that was holding hers, a long-familiar sensation.

  It wasn't until much later that Master Shuimeng suddenly shook and woke up from his daze, let out a bitter laugh, seemingly self-mocking. He then turned to Lu Xueqi and said: "Sigh, we'll talk about these things later. I had Wenmin call you over last night, did she tell you what it's about?"

  Lu Xueqi shook her head and said: "Sister didn't say, just told me to come find Master in the morning, if there's anything to say, Master you will tell me yourself."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī nodded silently and said, "Also, Wén Mǐn that girl knows a bit, but after all not much, I'll come tell you!"

  Lu Xueqi's heart skipped a beat, seeing Water Moon Master's face with a hint of solemnity, as if there was something difficult and pent-up in his heart. She couldn't help but say: "Master, is there anything wrong? If you need me to do something, just give the order, I'll definitely do my best."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī nodded and smiled: "Of course, I believe you. However, there is a major matter at hand that concerns the fate of our Qing Yun Sect, but unfortunately, it cannot be shared with too many outsiders, including our own disciples. After careful consideration, I think among all the disciples under me, only you possess the best moral character and ability to handle matters properly. That's why I called you here."

  Lu Xueqi raised an eyebrow and asked in surprise: "Master, has something big happened to our sect?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī bitterly smiled and said, "Who says it's insufficient?"

  "What's wrong, Master?" asked Lu Xueqi.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī sank into thought for a moment, seemingly weighing his words carefully, before slowly saying: "Your Palm Gate Master Shibo, as well as Tiān Bù Yì of the Great Bamboo Peak, went missing together several days ago."

  Lu Xueqi's whole body shook, and she said: "They disappeared together?"

  Shui Yue Dashi said calmly, "That day, a Changmen disciple saw Tian Bu Yi come to Tongtian Peak and go straight to the Houzhu Temple. Since then, everyone knows that the Master's brother has been in the ancestral temple almost all the time, and since then, no one has seen them again."

  Lu Xueqi's eyebrows were tightly furrowed, clearly extremely surprised.

  Master Shuǐ Yuè nodded and continued, "After the incident occurred, due to the great implications, the current master of Tongtian Peak, Xiao Yi Cai, did not dare to cover it up. However, no matter what, he didn't dare to announce this matter publicly, but only secretly informed the masters of our several sects. Afterwards, I also went to the ancestral temple to investigate, but unexpectedly found that it had already..."

  Lu Xueqi was taken aback and asked, "What's wrong with the ancestral hall?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī shook his head and said, "The temple's main hall was almost completely destroyed. At a glance, it can be seen that it was damaged by the intense magical powers of a fierce battle."

  "What?" Lu Xueqi whispered softly.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī coldly laughed and said, "The ancestral temple is where our Qingyun Sect worships the ancestors of past generations. These two people actually dared to fight in such a solemn place, it's truly lawless. And there's something even more severe."

  Lu Xueqi was shocked again, and couldn't think of anything that could be more serious than destroying the ancestral temple, so she asked: "What else?"

  "Yesterday, Xiao Yizai hastily ran to me," said Shuǐ Yuè Dàshī, his face turning solemn and his eyes filled with concern. "According to him, after Dào Xuán Shīxiōng went missing, he tried his best to investigate but to no avail. He then thought of checking the belongings left behind by his master to see if there were any clues. Who would have thought that this search would lead to a major discovery."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī closed his eyes, seemingly a bit tired, and said: "Xiao Yì just discovered that the ancient sword of our sect has also gone missing."

  Lu Xueqi was speechless with shock.

  "Ah, I see you're a clever one," said Master Shuimeng, opening his eyes. "You naturally understand the connections and subtleties involved. Although the Xian-er-jian sword has been damaged, this matter is too important, and outsiders are mostly unaware of its damage. If it gets out, it will likely cause great trouble. Moreover, within the Xian-er-jian sword lies a huge secret that only a handful of people know, including myself as the leader of Qingyun Gate. If it were to be revealed, the consequences would be unthinkable."

  Lu Xueqi exclaimed: "Besides being a divine sword of our sect, is there any other secret to the Exterminating Immortal Sword?"

  Shui Yue Dashi remained silent, and after a long time without speaking, Lu Xueqi also didn't dare to speak, standing aside with her hands hanging down. After a while, she said in a low voice: "Disciple was impolite, I lost my composure just now."

  Shui Yue Dashi silently shook his head, and after a while said: "The master is not blaming you, but the situation here is very complicated, and the cause and effect are extremely complex..."

  She said this, and then paused for a moment, as if pondering carefully. After a while, she said: "Actually, according to reason, even I, the head of the Xiaozhu Peak sect, shouldn't know about this matter. It's just that due to the great chaos a hundred years ago, we few people happened to learn some inside information."

  Lu Xueqi exclaimed: "How many people know about this? Is it possible that such a huge secret, apart from Master, is known to others?"

  Shui Yue Dashi said calmly, "In that great chaos back then, there were five people involved. Apart from me, there was also Dao Xuan Shixiong, Tian Bu Yi, and Su Rou Shimu..."

  Lu Xueqi was listening intently when Master Shuimeng suddenly stopped, calculated silently in her mind, and couldn't help but ask: "There are only four people here, who is the other one?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī sighed and a faint hint of melancholy flashed across his face, saying: "It's you, a senior sister named Wàn Jiàn Yī."