?、、、、、、、

  As soon as he walked out of the temple, Wen Min saw Lu Xueqi standing aside and went over to her, saying: "Junior sister, are you leaving now?"

  Lu Xueqi slightly shook her head and said: "Since I've come out, I'd like to take a walk around. Staying in the house all the time makes me feel stifled."

  Wen Min nodded and said: "That's also true, you be careful yourself, I'll go back first."

  Lu Xueqi nodded slightly and said, "Yes, Shijie slow down."

  Wen Min smiled and turned to leave. As she watched her figure gradually disappear into the bamboo forest, Lu Xueqi stood still for a moment, but didn't know where to go for a while, so she walked aimlessly.

  The bamboo forest is deep and lush, with greenery everywhere. The mountain wind blows from above, causing the bamboo tips to sway in the wind, making a rustling sound.

  On the slightly moist soil, new buds broke through the ground, and from time to time, you can see the sharp heads of bamboo shoots poking out from under the earth, full of vitality.

  In the distance, where the bamboo branches were dense, a clear bird call came, and even in the surrounding air, there was a hint of the unique fragrance of bamboo. Lu Xueqi took a deep breath, this place did not have the worldly aura, it was always the favorite of those who cultivated Taoism, and also the reason why cultivators often distanced themselves from the world.

  However, although I have distanced myself from worldly affairs, those worldly emotions and relationships seem to still linger on, never leaving me for even a moment.

  She walked with a light step, her feet seemingly moving of their own accord, and before she knew it, Lu Xueqi suddenly realized that she had once again ended up at the back mountain. She smiled wryly to herself, although she hadn't intentionally thought of coming here today, perhaps because she came so often, her feet had simply walked her here on autopilot.

  Since she had come, she might as well enjoy it. Lu Xueqi didn't turn back and continued to walk slowly up the mountain, the stone steps leading layer by layer upwards. Not far away was the secluded Wàng Yuè Tái (Moon Viewing Platform) on top of Xiao Zhu Peak.

  It was daytime, and with Master Shuiyue's recent bad mood, no one came to this remote place. The surroundings were even more quiet. Fortunately, Lu Xueqi was used to this tranquility, so she walked up by herself. Every blade of grass, every tree, every rock, and every boulder here was extremely familiar to her.

  She had just stepped onto the Moon Viewing Platform when she was startled to see a figure standing alone in front of her, dressed in a long robe that was being blown about by the mountain wind. The figure's back looked very familiar - it was none other than Water Moon Master, the master she and Wen Mian had been searching for but couldn't find.

  Lu Xueqi was shocked in her heart, walked forward and bowed to Shuiyue Dashi, saying: "Master."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī's body shook slightly, as if he had just realized that someone was behind him. He turned around and looked at Lù Xuě Qí, nodding his head and saying, "It's Snowy, huh."

  Lu Xueqi looked at Master Shuimeng, only to see her teacher's face slightly pale, still a sad expression, but at this moment, more of it was desolate.

  She was worried and said, "Master, it's very windy here, you must take care of your body."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī smiled and said, "Every day you stand here, but I haven't seen you do anything. Although this old body of mine is not as strong as yours, it's not weak enough to be blown away by the wind."

  Lu Xueqi was startled and hastily said: "Master, disciple didn't mean that, I am..."

  The Master of Water Moon waved his hand slightly tiredly, with a faint bitter smile at the corner of his mouth, saying: "I know, you don't need to explain."

  Lu Xueqi stood silently beside Master Shuimeng, but for a moment, she didn't know what to say.

  And Shui Yue Dashi seemed to have no intention of speaking either, so both master and disciple fell silent for a moment.

  It wasn't long before Master Shuǐ Yuè gazed into the distance and suddenly asked, "Do you think the view from this Moon-Gazing Pavilion is beautiful?"

  Lu Xueqi was taken aback, not knowing why Master Shuiyue suddenly asked this question. However, she still replied honestly to her master: "As the saying goes, beautiful scenery is often found in dangerous peaks. Here, the rocks are steep and towering, with cliffs hanging in mid-air. Looking down from above, the sea of clouds is like a mighty wave, with green mountains as companions. This is indeed a place of breathtaking beauty."

  Shui Yue Dashi nodded slightly, her eyes showing a hint of distraction. She spoke slowly: "Actually, many years ago, when your Master Su Rou was still cultivating on Xiao Zhu Peak, she also loved the scenery here just like you do, and would often sneak away alone to play here."

  Lu Xueqi was taken aback, and she looked up at Master Shuimeng. She saw that Master Shuimeng let out a soft sigh and said: "I and Su Shi have been together since we were young, I was only one year earlier than her when we became disciples of our master Zhenyun. When we were young, we ate from the same table and slept in the same bed, truly like sisters. She is usually more lively than me, but she loves to secretly run to this place alone whenever she has been wronged. Whenever she was upset, she would also come to this Moon-Gazing Pavilion."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī said up to here, the corner of his mouth moved a little, as if recalling some past events, with a hint of smile, but this smile had not yet emerged, and was replaced by an even deeper look of confusion and vicissitudes on his face.

  "But... since she got married, she hasn't come back here again."

  Lu Xueqi listened quietly to Shuiyue Dashi's words, and said in a low voice: "Master, when Su Shi uncle married Tian Shi uncle of Dazhu Peak, weren't you unhappy in your heart?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī was taken aback for a moment, then slightly shook his head, sighed and said: "Although Tián Bù Yì has a bad temper and is somewhat eccentric, he is a good match. You, Sū Shī Shū, marrying him is your good fortune, and also shows that you have discerning eyes."

  Lu Xueqi heard this and was indeed surprised, as everyone knew that Shuiyue Dashi had always looked down on Tian Nanyi, but she didn't expect her to think this way. She couldn't help but ask: "Then why did you treat Master Tian like that in the past..." Her words trailed off as she suddenly stopped speaking.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī smiled slightly and said, "You're still scowling at him with a frown and speaking coldly, aren't you?"

  Lu Xueqi's face turned red and she said, "Disciple dare not think so."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī said with a calm tone, "I've always treated him this way, it's not like I'm hiding anything or being overly cautious. Although Tian Bu Yi and I don't get along, to be honest, he's actually not bad. In our Qing Yun Men, there aren't many people who can compare to him."

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī seemed to have suddenly thought of something, his eyebrows furrowed slightly as he said: "The eldest disciple under Tián Bù Yì's seat is called Sòng Dà Rén, right?"

  Lu Xueqi nodded, but didn't know why Master Shuiguetze suddenly asked about Song Daren, and said: "That's right, now Master Song has taken over the position of the first seat of the Dazhu Peak sect. Master, how did you suddenly think of Master Song?"

  Shui Yue Dashi remained silent for a moment before saying, "That Wen Mingshi sister of yours, doesn't she have some kind of understanding with this Song Daren?"

  Lu Xueqi was startled, and for a moment didn't know what to say. Wen Mian and Song Daren had mutual feelings, and most people knew about it. The sisters on Xiaozhu Peak often teased Wen Mian about this, but at the beginning, Tian Naiyi had gone up the mountain to propose to Song Daren on behalf of Wen Mian, only to be rejected by Shui Yue Master. This made Wen Mian secretly heartbroken and unhappy for many days. Now that Shui Yue Master asked so suddenly, Lu Xueqi's mind was racing, but she didn't know whether it would be better to speak the truth or hide some things for her senior sister Wen Mian.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī was a man of great experience, and just by looking at Lù Xuě Qí's hesitation, he had already guessed more than half of it. He shook his head and let out a deep sigh.

  Lu Xueqi couldn't help but feel a little anxious, she and Wen Min had an extremely good relationship, although her own love life was not going smoothly, she still hoped that this older sister who had taken care of her since childhood could have a good ending, so for now she mustered up the courage to say: "Master, actually Wen Min sister...

  Before he could say a few more words, Shuiyue Dashi calmly said: "Forget it, forget it. Let's just find a date and marry off Wen Mian."

  Lu Xueqi was stunned for a moment, almost not daring to believe her own ears. Master Shuimeng looked at her and smiled, saying: "How is it? Don't you think I'm an old stubborn man who refuses to change with the times and won't help my disciples achieve their goals?"

  Lu Xueqi was overjoyed in her heart and hurriedly smiled: "Master, look at what you're saying. How dare the disciples think that?"

  "Thank you so much on behalf of Wen Min!"

  Master Shuiguet looked at Lu Xueqi's rarely seen genuine smile, his mouth moved slightly, but he let out a light sigh, turned around, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed silently into the distant sea of clouds.

  Lu Xueqi was delighted and saw that Master Shuiyue's expression was different, so she carefully asked: "Master, why did you suddenly think of this matter?"

  Shui Yue Dashi fell silent for a moment, then asked instead of answering: "Xue Qi, you also followed me to Da Zhu Peak. What do you think about the death of your Master Su?"

  Lu Xueqi's expression turned solemn, and after a moment of contemplation, she said seriously: "I think that Su Shifu and Tian Shifu have a deep affection for each other, and followed him without showing any signs of pain."

  "Yes." Master Shuimeng sighed softly, lost in thought for a moment before speaking, "I originally didn't want you to be disturbed by emotions and neglect your cultivation, but what's the point of cultivating for an entire lifetime anyway?"

  Lu Xueqi didn't know what Master Shuimeng meant, and for a moment she didn't dare to respond. She only heard Master Shuimeng say slowly: "Speaking of longevity, it's still an illusory nothingness. A lifetime of bitter cultivation is just a waste of several hundred years of empty time. Your master Su views his hundred-year Dao lineage and life as if they were worthless, this determination and insight are truly beyond my comprehension."

  Lu Xueqi's heart suddenly felt a pang, and she cried out: "Master..."

  "A lifetime of cultivation, cultivating a lifetime, yet having cultivated the Tao, but losing human nature. What's the point of this suffering?" Master Shuiyue sighed and said faintly, "Actually, what is the Tao? What does it mean to attain the Tao? I've cultivated for a lifetime, until today, but I'm really somewhat unclear about it."

  Lu Xueqi stood aside, not daring to speak. Master Shuimeng silently stood still, stunned for half a moment, suddenly shook her head, seemingly unwilling to think about it anymore, turned around and headed down the mountain. Lu Xueqi looked at her back and called out: "Master, where are you going?"

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī's body stiffened for a moment, and he said: "As for Wén Mǐn's matter, my mind is already made up. You can go and talk to her about it now. However..."

  She paused for a moment, then turned around, with a hint of pity on her face, and looked at Lu Xueqi: "But have you ever thought about yourself, Xueqi?"

  Lu Xueqi was taken aback, saying "What?" She immediately understood and her face turned pale, slowly revealing a helpless smile. In a low voice, she said, "Master, I'm not destined for greatness, I dare not dream of it."

  Shui Yue Dashi gazed at his elegant and unparalleled disciple, seeing her white clothes fluttering with an otherworldly air, but the sorrowful color on her face had accumulated to an unknown extent.

  Shuǐ Yuè Dà Shī's heart suddenly ached inexplicably and he called out: "Xuě Qí."

  Lu Xueqi looked up at Shuiyue Dashi, who said calmly: "Xueqi, your path of love is fraught with difficulties, yet you refuse to turn back. Your master has no way to advise you on this matter. As your master, I am also unwilling to see you like this. In the future, if there's a chance for change, don't worry about the rules and regulations of Qingyun Gate; I'll take care of them for you." Lu Xueqi's body shook violently, and she couldn't help but call out: "Master..." But for a moment, she didn't know what to say.

  The Master of Water Moon smiled at her, but then sighed and turned away, disappearing into the rocky stairs in no time. Only the mountain wind carried her faint whisper: "Ask the world, what is love..."

  Lu Xueqi stood still, her mind in a mess for a moment, after several moments of distress and introspection, she still couldn't think of any results, but at that dazed moment, she suddenly thought: not long ago, in the abandoned charity house outside Heyang City, Tian Naye also said similar words to her.

  ——

  Hu Xi Shan, Gui Wang Zong.

  A lovely figure appeared in the mountain pass where the Ghost King Sect's main hall was located, and unlike everything else around her that was dull and grey, this figure seemed to be shining with dazzling light as she moved, bringing a splash of color to the oppressive atmosphere.

  Occasionally, disciples of the Ghost King Sect would pass by in the corridor, and almost no one could resist her charm. However, as the woman's gaze swept across them, they all quickly walked away, seemingly not daring to have more contact with her. It seemed that even within the Ghost King Sect, she was a special existence.

  And she was indeed very special, with eyebrows and eyes like a painting, tender and charming to the extreme. Although she had one part less of the flirtatious intention compared to the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox Xiao Bai, she had one part more of gentleness. However, despite this, as someone who used to be the Miao Gongzi of the Huanhuan Sect, Jinpinger standing upright and confidently on the territory of the Guiwang Sect still seemed somewhat dazzling.

  Jin Ping'er was clearly not concerned about the gaze of those around her, and being stared at by many people seemed to have become a habit for her. In the final battle against the demonic beasts, she had barely escaped from the hundred caves that suppressed demons in the ten million great mountains of Nanjiang, returning to Zhongtu. The twists and turns of this experience were unknown to anyone, and she hadn't mentioned it to anyone either.

  At this moment, she had only one direction, the Demon King wanted to summon her.

  After passing another intersection, the path in front of her split into two paths to the left and right. Jin Bao'er stopped in her tracks, gazing at the path on her left for a moment, with a hint of unusual color flashing across her eyes before disappearing, then stepped onto the path to the right.

  The strange earthquake that suddenly occurred a long time ago still shows the losses caused to the Gui Wang Sect everywhere. On the rocky walls, there are many cracks of varying sizes that appear from time to time, and in these well-ventilated tunnels, a faint bloody smell still lingers, unable to be dispelled.

  This faint smell of blood, Jinpinger naturally also felt it, but she was surprised in her heart and didn't show it on her face. At this moment, her status in the Guiwang Sect was not as good as that of the Hehuan Sect, so she wouldn't interfere with other people's business. In her heart, she was secretly shocked, and with her experience and knowledge, she could naturally feel that there was something strange about this bloody aura.

  As she walked through the corridor, she had already reached the outside of the house where the King of Ghosts was. She stopped in her tracks, just about to call out for someone to report her presence, when suddenly the stone gate in front of her creaked open and a voice came from inside, saying: "Is that you, Ping'er? Come on in quickly."

  Jin Bier was startled, but a smile appeared on her face. "Yes," she said, and walked in.

  All that can be seen is the spacious and bright stone room, the furnishings are not luxurious, but also dignified and majestic. The King of Ghosts is sitting behind a desk, with a large white paper in front of him, and the four treasures of the study are placed beside him, apparently practicing calligraphy.

  Jin Ping'er glanced at Gui Wang and smiled: "Master is in a good mood today, how did you think of writing?"

  The King of Ghosts raised his head to look at Jin Ping'er, and smiled slightly. Jin Ping'er's smile suddenly froze on her face, as she felt the King of Ghosts' gaze was like two sharp blades piercing through, and when their eyes met, they both felt a stinging sensation in their eyes.

  Fortunately, Gui Wang quickly withdrew his gaze and looked at the white paper in his hand, beckoning with his hand: "Come over and take a look, how is my handwriting?"

  Jin Bier's heart was secretly shocked, in the past when she was with Gui Wang, she had never felt this way before. How could it be that in just a short period of time, Gui Wang's magical powers and abilities seemed to have advanced by leaps and bounds?

  However, she wasn't that kind of shallow person. She thought to herself in secret, but a smile appeared on her face as she walked over, bringing with her a gentle breeze. "I'm actually an uncouth commoner who doesn't understand the first thing about writing," she said with a laugh. "For Zong Wang to ask me to come take a look, truly puts me in a difficult position."

  The Demon King smiled and didn't respond, stepping aside. Jin Ping'er stood beside the table, looking at the white paper on it, only to see a large character staring back at her: Kill!

  Each stroke of this character is like iron painting silver hooks, with extremely heavy force, as if it wants to penetrate the paper and come out. There is no elegant air of regular script, nor does it resemble cursive script's lightness and heaviness being natural and free in spirit. A single, murderous aura comes rolling forth.

  Jin Ping'er's heart skipped a beat, as if she felt a cold gaze beside her, but instead heard the Ghost King's gentle laughter, saying: "Ping'er, how do you think this character is written?"

  Jin Ping'er had a smile all over her face, like the spring breeze blowing by, filling the whole room with spring. She smiled and said: "This character 'Zong' is really well-written, even if I practiced for ten years, I wouldn't be able to write such a good character."

  The Demon King glanced at Jin Biao'er with a faint gaze, and under his gaze, Jin Biao'er felt a chill seep into her heart, but the smile on her face remained unchanged. She kept smiling until she herself felt that the muscles on her face were slightly sore from maintaining the smile, when the Demon King suddenly shifted his gaze away.

  Jin Bao'er secretly breathed a sigh of relief, while inwardly shocked and amazed. This time back, the Ghost King was completely different from his usual demeanor - his body emitted a fierce and murderous aura, like a huge wave crashing over, pressing in on him. Moreover, looking at the Ghost King's appearance, he himself seemed to have no intention of hiding anything.

  This is quite different from his usual style, has something else happened in these days?

  Jin Bier's heart secretly thought back, and the other side of the Ghost King had already spoken: "Dao Chang, why don't you also take a look, how is this character written by Lao Fu?"

  Jin Bier's heart skipped a beat again, and she turned around in shock. It turned out that in the corner of this stone room, there was actually another person standing, dressed in Taoist robes, with a solemn expression. Jin Bier's mind was racing, and she felt even more surprised and suspicious. After entering this stone room, although she had been shocked by the Ghost King's strange and murderous aura, her spirit had been taken away, but this person had been standing aside, collecting his breath, without being discovered by herself, apparently not to be underestimated.

  The Taoist priest walked up slowly and looked at the words on the white paper for a while, then said, "Good handwriting."

  The Demon King's eyes still held a cold intent, but his face remained smiling as he asked: "What is good about it?"

  "This character is great because its strokes and meaning complement each other, the character has a killing intent, it's transparent and rare, truly rare!"

  The Demon King stared at the Taoist, who remained expressionless and slowly retreated to stand three feet away from Jinping. The Demon King suddenly burst out laughing and said, "Well said, well said, Daozhang's words have won my heart." The Taoist slightly bowed his head, which was equivalent to thanking him.

  Jin Bier couldn't help but take another look at the Taoist priest, and just then, the Ghost King said: "Bier, let me introduce you. This is Qiang Shu, the guardian deity of my sect, Cang Song Dao Zhang."

  The whole bottle child raised an eyebrow, a sharp color flashed in his eyes, and then smiled at Cang Song, saying: "Long admired, long admired ---"

  Cang Song Dao Ren nodded at Jin Ping Er, and then the Ghost King said: "Ping Er, this time we called you back because our Holy Sect is about to have a rare event that happens once in a thousand years. We need your help." Jin Ping Er smiled and said: "Master, just give the order, I will definitely do my best."

  The Demon King smiled and said, "As for the specific matters, I have already discussed them with Daozhang Cangsong. You can ask him later and you will know. Although this matter is not urgent at the moment, it still needs to be handled promptly. You two may go down now and discuss it carefully." Jinping nodded her head, and together with Daozhang Cangsong, they paid their respects to the Demon King and withdrew.

  The stone gate slowly closed, and the two walked shoulder to shoulder in the passageway. For a while, neither of them spoke, except when they passed by the fork in the road just now, Jin Ping'er couldn't help but glance at the left path again.

  At this moment, a voice suddenly came from beside his ear, "Gui Li, the deputy sect master of the Ghost Sect, has left Hu Xi Mountain for many days and has not returned yet."

  Jin Bier's eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes turned cold. She glanced at Cang Song Dao Ren, but he seemed oblivious, only saying that after finishing the sentence, he walked forward by himself.

  After a moment, Wanping slowly reappeared with a hint of mysterious smile, gave a cold laugh and followed him over.