Wei Yunshu’s face was solemn and she did not respond.
After Xie Zhichao saluted Luo Lingfeng, the smile on her lips slightly faded. She had never met Luo Lingfeng in person and her impression of her was mostly based on external rumors. Seeing her casually kill a sect disciple at will now, a trace of coldness appeared in her heart. That disciple’s conduct was indeed improper, but Luo Lingfeng’s attitude and actions were too rash. Moreover, her words of apology were spoken without any apology in her demeanor, as if this were merely a trivial matter.
The arrogance of a Cavern Heaven True Monarch was truly like this.
After a long while, Wei Yunshu finally replied, “We have suffered no losses. True Monarch should apologize to those who have been oppressed by the Cloud City disciples.” Her face showed no emotion, making this ordinary face appear dull and rigid. A trace of melancholy lingered in her heart, perhaps because of Luo Lingfeng, or perhaps for herself.
Xie Zhichao’s eyelids twitched. “Cavern Heaven True Monarch” was still quite distant for them. If it were a senior from her own sect, it would be fine, but the person before them was clearly the ill-tempered one. She also hadn’t expected Wei Yunshu to say such a thing. She subtly tugged at Wei Yunshu’s sleeve, signaling her to remain silent.
Luo Lingfeng narrowed her eyes. She showed no signs of anger, nor did she put on the airs of a Cavern Heaven True Monarch. She gazed intently at Wei Yunshu and simply said, “You two boarded this ship bound for the Southern Continent, likely after seeing the Luoshui True Invitation.” After a pause, she smiled again and leisurely said, “How about we have a small gathering in my pavilion?”
It was difficult to refuse an invitation from a Cavern Heaven True Monarch. Wei Yunshu looked at Xie Zhichao’s slightly stiff expression, not wanting to put her in a difficult position. Thus, she raised her sleeve and performed a salute, saying, “Then we will trouble the True Monarch.”
The person before her spoke with neither humility nor arrogance. Even though her entire being was enveloped by Luo Lingfeng’s gaze, her demeanor remained calm and indifferent. Compared to Yun Dan, her bearing was clearly closer to Wei Yunshu’s impression of her. Luo Lingfeng’s mind suddenly flashed with a thought. She was startled by her own idea, knowing that this ordinary face bore no resemblance to the person in her memory. Could it be some kind of disguise technique that she hadn’t noticed? Luo Lingfeng thought to herself that she was unwilling to let go of this trace of sensation. After all, at her level, every sensation had a harbinger. She immediately urged her Dharma technique, using her Dharma eyes to examine Wei Yunshu. However, the final outcome disappointed her; the person before her showed no change, still appearing so ordinary that she could be lost in any crowd.
Perhaps that sensation was just a coincidence, Luo Lingfeng mused.
When Luo Lingfeng was using her Dharma technique to investigate her, Wei Yunshu had already sensed it. She was not worried about Luo Lingfeng discovering anything; she stood calmly in place, allowing herself to be scrutinized. Only when Luo Lingfeng said, “Please,” did she flick her whisk and move her feet to follow.
Perhaps it was because there were few Cloud City disciples on the ship, so only two attendant figures were seen outside the pavilion. They were extremely fearful of Luo Lingfeng, trembling and not daring to raise their heads. Luo Lingfeng, on the other hand, had not taken them to heart from beginning to end. Without even a glance, she entered the pavilion.
This treasure ship was a spiritual artifact, containing its own internal dimension. From the outside, the pavilion within seemed to occupy only a small space, but upon entering, they realized it was no less than a portable mini-cave dwelling. Inside the pavilion, a warm stove emitted wisps of smoke, and there was even a pool of clear water, nurturing a pool of fragrant green lotuses. Amidst the curling mist, it was exceptionally tranquil. There were no attendant youths inside, but Yun Dan, dressed in a white robe, was sitting on a small couch reading a book. Hearing the commotion, she immediately got up and greeted them with a hint of surprise. Perhaps the appearance of Wei Yunshu and Xie Zhichao was unexpected, as her expression stiffened for a moment before quickly regaining composure. After saluting Luo Lingfeng, she respectfully stood to the side.
“This True Monarch always keeps her disciples by her side,” Xie Zhichao whispered through a telepathic message. After giving some benefits to the stewards, her and Wei Yunshu’s accommodations were not bad, but compared to this place, it was like comparing a candle to the sun. However, it was understandable; who in the Immortal Realm did not treat a Cavern Heaven True Monarch with courtesy?
Wei Yunshu smiled, her gaze sweeping over Yun Dan. Keeping someone who looked so much like her deceased Dao companion by her side at all times? What exactly did she want? If there was hatred, it should have vanished with her “demise.” Why was she still clinging to it and wallowing in despair? Wei Yunshu genuinely hoped Luo Lingfeng could move on and stop hating. It was she who had taken a wrong step back then, forcing the marriage, and in the end, she had paid with her life, willing to do so. After that, all karmic ties were settled, and neither owed the other anything.
“Daoist friends, please sit.” Luo Lingfeng flicked her sleeve, and a small table with teacups appeared before them. With a slight flick of her hand, she caused the wind-blown lotus leaves in the pool to sway. Dewdrops condensed into pearls and flew out of nowhere into the cups. “This is not wine, but Lotus Moon Dew. Please, Daoist friends.”
The hands of Cavern Heaven True Monarchs held precious items. Ordinary people would not have the opportunity to use them. Wei Yunshu and Xie Zhichao were guests, but they were not shy. They generously raised their cups and took a sip. This surge of spiritual energy, accompanied by a cool sensation, descended into their abdomen. Wei Yunshu felt her soul fragment become even more refined.
Luo Lingfeng spoke with a smile. “To the point of issuing the Luoshui True Invitation, it seems the situation over there is not optimistic.” Her gaze finally shifted away from Wei Yunshu. She looked at Xie Zhichao and casually inquired, “Are you the only one from Buzhou Peak who has come out?”
Xie Zhichao saw that she was finally getting down to business and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. There were too many “love affairs” related to this person. Seeing her made her sweat nervously. She understood Luo Lingfeng’s implied meaning and replied, “I happened to be leaving the mountain for trials and heard about the matters of the Luoshui Divine Palace, which is why I decided to go.”
“I see,” Luo Lingfeng said with a feigned understanding. She hooked her lips and said lightly, “I thought Buzhou would also come out for the ‘Taiyi Sword’.”
Xie Zhichao’s heart tightened again upon hearing this. She did indeed wish to observe the Taiyi sword’s intent, but she knew her own capabilities. She was aware of what she should and shouldn’t take; she had a clear understanding in her heart.
Wei Yunshu’s gaze lingered on Luo Lingfeng when she heard her mention “Taiyi.” After meeting Xie Zhichao, even if she didn’t intentionally inquire, she could hear things related to Cloud City and Luo Lingfeng. Few of them were related to eradicating evil cultivators; most were about Luo Lingfeng’s extensive search for the things she left behind, though her purpose was unclear.
“Master, is the Taiyi Sword truly at the Sunset Burial Mounds?” Yun Dan couldn’t help but ask. She hadn’t heard any news about anyone obtaining the Taiyi Sword. If that sword were truly found by Luo Lingfeng, would it fall into her hands? Thinking of this, Yun Dan felt a surge of eager longing.
“I don’t know,” Luo Lingfeng said with a raised eyebrow. She said indifferently, “Three years ago, I entered the Abyssal Vortex and only found the Cloud Sovereign’s corpse but not the Taiyi sword. It’s not impossible that it fell into the hands of evil cultivators from the Corridor of Sins. Whether it’s true or false, whoever released the news has a purpose. We’ll find out when we go.”
Yun Dan let out an “Ah.”
It was said that the Cloud Sovereign was ambushed by demonic forces and thus severely injured and killed. The Corridor of Sins also seemed to acknowledge this matter. However, it was never clarified which great power in the Northern Continent was responsible. Yun Dan had once thought it was mere imposters, intended to boost the morale of the disciples of the Corridor of Sins. But now, with Luo Lingfeng mentioning it, she felt uncertain. Could the Cloud Sovereign’s bedside companion have mistaken her enemy?
