Chapter 128: A Perilous Rescue for Feng Nuan

Within the Qingming Palace, Qian Gui and Jiu Cang had already finished a game of chess. Seeing someone approach, they cleared the board and waited for the report.

"Heavenly Lord, Bai Yu has returned!"

Jiu Cang nodded. "Did you gain anything from this trip?"

"After descending the mountain, I first met with Junior Brother Mu Fan, then found He Yu. I have clarified the situation, fulfilled Miss He Yu's wish, and successfully concealed Liu Li's Blood Moon Divine Pearl."

"Good, very good! Tell me the details." Jiu Cang smiled. Seeing that Qian Gui and Lan Shui remained unresponsive, he calmly restrained his smile and grew quiet as well.

Bai Yu weighed the situation, selecting her words carefully to appear nonchalant and devoid of any ulterior motives.

"Mu Fan and I handled the celestial phenomena, pacified the rumors among the mortals, and investigated the situation in Youzhou. Shuo is indeed in Youzhou, though he has changed positions. There are indeed those within the Beihua court colluding with the Pingliang Kingdom and the Xihai Prefecture, and some are plotting against the Xibang envoys. Because of this, someone used a bizarre and lethal poison to harm a general’s sister; the people down the mountain are here precisely because of that."

"So, the Beihua imperial family is truly in chaos," Jiu Cang sighed.

Hearing this, Qian Gui nodded. "The power of the Empress Dowager cannot be underestimated!"

Bai Yu smiled gently. "That is exactly the case. He Yu’s request was related to this as well; she asked me to handle the matter of Liu Li’s Blood Moon Divine Pearl precisely to balance the relationships and assist Liu Li."

Jiu Cang nodded. "If her request aligns with what we needed to do anyway, it is not excessive. How did you handle it?"

"I entered Liu Zhong’s dream, appearing as the spirit of the Blood Moon Divine Pearl, and instructed him to find the pearl buried by Liu Li. He has retrieved it now and will not publicize it. Furthermore, I followed your instructions to teach Liu Li to hide the true Blood Moon Divine Pearl so that no one will ever know of it."

Jiu Cang smiled with satisfaction. "Excellent. It seems a Spirit Maiden can complete her mission perfectly well even after descending the mountain! There were no vicious conflicts this time, which is a good thing. Bai Yu, you still need more tempering."

"Yes!"

Just as the two were laughing and talking, Qian Gui suddenly felt a sense of unease and exchanged a glance with Lan Shui.

"Quick, let us descend the mountain to investigate!"

"Yes!"

Jiu Cang was stunned and asked in confusion, "Everything is calm and normal, what is the matter?"

Qian Gui furrowed his brows, leaving the game unfinished. "My disciple... it seems something is amiss."

"Oh? This is..."

Watching the expressions of Jiu Cang and Qian Gui, Bai Yu couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. "Let’s see how you handle this now!"

As she thought this, Bai Yu recalled the terrifying encounter on her way back to the mountain. She had met someone who left her utterly shocked.

In the region of Youzhou, all was peaceful and serene, when suddenly someone blocked her path. Bai Yu was astonished; it was the first time she had encountered someone capable of stopping her, and she couldn't help but land on the ground, curious to test her skills against him.

"Which ignorant fool dares to block my path?"

"Someone with the same aspirations as you!"

The two became entangled in combat. What began as an even match gradually turned into a struggle for Bai Yu to parry. Finally, seeing that his techniques were the legendary Blazing Fire Arts, she realized something was wrong and attempted to flee.

"Why are you in such a rush to leave?"

Bai Yu was restrained and unable to break free. Just as she intended to send a message via a feather dove, she was intercepted. The dove had barely flown a meter before it was incinerated into ash by a burst of flame.

"You? What do you want?"

"Since you know my identity, don't even think about escaping!"

Shuo set Bai Yu down and sneered. "I said we share the same aspirations—why won't you listen?"

"What shared aspirations or paths could I possibly have with you?"

"There is one: Xue Ze!"

Bai Yu started. "Xue Ze?"

"Yes, she is someone I also wish to eliminate!"

Bai Yu looked at Shuo in horror, not knowing what to do.

"You want to get rid of her, but you are afraid of violating the Tianshan laws, aren't you?" Shuo laughed. "I appreciate talent, but I do not force anyone. I only wish to cooperate with you on one thing, and that is Xue Ze. Once she is removed, we shall have nothing to do with each other! Of course, you are welcome to join my ranks at any time!"

Bai Yu retreated a few steps, looking at Shuo, lost.

"You have let your guard down! In fact, you can let it down completely. Isn't it best to let me do the work of removing her?"

"But, but... I have my own methods!"

"Your methods? Letting her go down the mountain to save people? Heh, even if she goes, she might not necessarily die. On the contrary, the person you hold in your heart will surely look after her in every way—wouldn't that just be asking for your own suffering?"

"Then what can be done?"

"It is simple. You just need to encourage her to go down the mountain more often!"

A layer of white mist floated over the Blue Lake, and waves of cold air constantly surged from its surroundings, making it unbearable for any mortal.

Lian Zi was being held back by Xue Ze and Ji Lin, while Feng Xing’s gaze remained fixed upon her, which only made her more reckless.

"Lian Zi, you cannot go! This is against the order, and the punishment will be severe!" Ji Lin urged.

Xue Ze also held firmly to Lian Zi, staring at the patch of frost on her feet. "Look at your feet. The Blue Lake is incompatible with you; it will suppress all your spiritual power. This matter depends on fate; you must not be impulsive!"

Feng Xing looked at Lian Zi with agitation, his eyes reddening as he pleaded urgently, "Feng Xing is deeply grateful for your great kindness, but please, do not risk your life. I only came here to try; I do not wish to implicate anyone else!"

Lian Zi looked at Feng Nuan, her heart tightening. She said firmly, "I know you are all doing this for my own good! However, I once read in an ancient book that a Tianshan disciple can bring a mortal into the lake. As long as I persist until the poison is purified, both Feng Nuan and I will be fine!"

Xue Ze shook her head, clutching Lian Zi tightly. "It is impossible. Don't you see the ice on your feet? Do you want to experience being frozen again?"

Lian Zi shed a tear, her red eyes fixed on Xue Ze as she pleaded, "Xue Ze, I beg you! You should understand me!"

Seeing the look in Lian Zi’s eyes, a wave of bitterness surged in Xue Ze’s heart. Without a second thought, Xue Ze took a step forward, but was pulled back by Ji Lin.

"Junior Sister, what are you doing?" Ji Lin blocked Xue Ze’s path, staring at her in shock.

"Don't do this!" Lian Zi also pulled at Xue Ze.

Ignoring them both, Xue Ze turned to look at Feng Xing and said, "You must entrust Feng Nuan to me without worry!"

With that, taking advantage of the moment when Lian Zi and Ji Lin were distracted, Xue Ze used a stealth technique to fly toward the center of the Blue Lake.

"Junior Sister!"

"Xue Ze!"

Xue Ze closed her eyes and withdrew her magic to sink into the water, but was suddenly met with a gust of fresh wind. Lan Shui flew over, caught Xue Ze, and teleported back to the shore.

"Senior Brother!"

"What do you think you are doing?" Lan Shui glared at Xue Ze in anger, holding her tightly.

Ji Lin looked over with relief, his heart finally at ease. Lian Zi also smiled with relief, quickly picked up Feng Nuan, and jumped into the Blue Lake.

Hearing the splash, they turned to look, only to find that all the white mist had dissipated from the Blue Lake. Ripples spread out in circles, but there was nothing else to be seen.

"Lian Zi!"

Xue Ze cried out in alarm, wanting to go after her, but she was held fast in Lan Shui’s arms. Bitterness and panic welled up in her heart, and she shed bitter tears against Lan Shui’s chest.

"Senior Brother, what should we do?"

Lan Shui cast his Blue Light Sword into the air above where Lian Zi had entered the water, establishing a magic formation.

"Lian Zi’s cultivation is still shallow; this Blue Light Sword can only dampen the gathering-spirit formation of the Blue Lake slightly." Lan Shui stroked Xue Ze’s head, using his magic to calm her emotions.

Ji Lin watched the Blue Lake anxiously, and Feng Xing stared intently at the water surface.

"Lian Zi!"

Suddenly, the sky for a hundred miles around changed, and Qian Gui arrived, setting up a massive formation.

The daylight vanished, and the surroundings were plunged into darkness, save for a staff in the air that cast a beam of light onto the Blue Light Sword.

The sword absorbed the light from the staff and scattered multiple beams into the lake, turning that area transparent. From there, one could see Lian Zi, holding Feng Nuan, struggling against the power of the gathering-spirit formation.