The moment she sensed that familiar aura, Luo Lingfeng’s heart was almost entirely filled with the image of “Wei Yunshu.” All the things she had previously disregarded now became nightmares, impossible to shake. Upon hearing her subordinate’s report, a peculiar light flashed in her eyes. Holding a gilded, intricately carved, hollow incense burner, she responded indifferently, “Send them all to the Cloud Sect’s outpost. First, inquire about the matter of the evil cultivators.”
Although “evil cultivators” were mentioned, she had no intention of paying them mind; the disciples within the sect would handle such matters. She was still thinking of Wei Yunshu. They had been Dao companions for decades. She knew Wei Yunshu was exceptionally earnest in her pursuit of the Dao. She came from the mortal world, transforming from a pitiable beggar into a Cloud Sect disciple, and then climbing step by step to the position of Cloud Sovereign. How could she be willing to face a fate of death and the scattering of her soul? Could it be a stratagem of “escaping with a golden cicada’s shell,” intending to start anew in the future? Yet, she had sought out so many people who resembled Wei Yunshu in appearance or spirit, each similar, but not one was her.
In the center of the plaza, Cloud City disciples held their Dharma swords. With a flick of their hand seals, streams of chaotic light danced, slowly transforming into trails of smoke that flew off in various directions. These disciples’ expressions were solemn, their eyes flashed, and they immediately followed those trails of smoke. The Corridor of Sins occupied the Northern Continent. Although major sects had disciples stationed at the borders, forming a defensive line, this only ensured that demonic forces would not launch a massive assault. As for the evil cultivators who infiltrated the Immortal Realm, it was impossible to completely block them. Therefore, sects like Cloud City possessed methods to track down traces of evil.
“That is the Soul Tracing and Path Finding technique of the Cloud Sect disciples. Some have been dead for a long time, making it impossible to trace them, but for those who have recently died, their souls have not yet dispersed,” Xie Zhichao whispered to the calm-faced Wei Yunshu while mingling in the crowd. She believed Wei Yunshu was truly a rogue cultivator who had emerged from the deep mountains, so she poured out all this common knowledge of the Immortal Realm. Finally, she added, “We at Buzhou also have secret methods, but they can only be used to trace enemies we have previously encountered, and they require superior sword or saber intent. In this regard, it is not as versatile as Cloud Sect’s methods.”
“Although it’s a bit late, we’ve finally arrived. We don’t need to worry about the matter of the evil cultivators here in Funeral Heaven Pass. Daoist Friend Bo, how about we go have a drink?” Xie Zhichao said with a smile, patting the wine gourd hanging from her waist. The wine she had just finished needed to be replenished.
Wei Yunshu was somewhat lost in thought. She looked up at the now quiet plaza, which had emptied as the Cloud Sect disciples departed, feeling a sense of loss. The relatives, who had arrived noisily, also left noisily. For the most part, they understood that they couldn’t change anything; they only sought to “avenge,” or perhaps to prevent others from falling into such a situation.
“Although I haven’t been in Funeral Heaven Pass for long, I’ve already figured out where to find good wine,” Xie Zhichao chattered incessantly. However, upon noticing Wei Yunshu’s expression, her words abruptly stopped. A moment later, she sighed softly, “Daoist Friend Bo, drowning your sorrows with fine wine!”
Wei Yunshu pursed her lips and smiled, “Then please, Daoist Friend Xie, lead the way.”
She did not indulge in pleasure. In the past, she focused solely on cultivating the Dao, rarely even touching things like wine. Even when her master tried to persuade her, she only took a few sips, not wanting to disturb her state of mind with external matters. Most cultivators in Cloud City were disciples from noble families, with servants like clouds accompanying them, emphasizing grandeur and showcasing extravagance. However, she disliked such habits. This was often criticized by those people; they would always mock her for her small-mindedness and inability to put on a show. Her origins were humble; before entering the Cloud Sect, she was a beggar fending for herself, unlike those who were born into a life of wealth and splendor. A mere commoner, occupying the position of Cloud Sovereign and managing the vast Cloud City, was naturally met with envy and hatred. She was always walking on the edge of a cliff; if she took one wrong step, she would be utterly destroyed. Yet, even so, those people still wanted to kill her.
“Daoist Friend Bo, you seem to rarely drink wine?” After settling down at a small wine shop, Xie Zhichao observed Wei Yunshu for a long time before resting her chin on her hand and asking.
Wei Yunshu took a sip and chuckled lightly, “Yes.”
Xie Zhichao seemed thoughtful. After a moment, she raised her eyebrows and smiled heartily, “There’s no fine wine in the mountains, but here in the mortal world, one should get drunk a few times! Although the wine in the alleys cannot compare to the heavenly nectar in the Immortal Palace, with the taste of the mortal world infused into it, a single sip will leave a fragrance in your mouth.”
Wei Yunshu nodded slowly and poured a cup of wine to toast Xie Zhichao.
She thought to herself, she was no longer Wei Yunshu; she didn’t need to be as cautious as walking on thin ice, fearing that others would laugh at her.
Her tense nerves relaxed, and her posture became a bit more languid. Her gaze met Xie Zhichao’s. She smiled, but ultimately said nothing, only picking up a pair of chopsticks and tapping them against the porcelain wine bowl, humming a drunken tune.
Cloud Sect Outpost.
Cloud City disciples reported the matter of the evil cultivators to Luo Lingfeng. They tracked down five individuals, mostly with cultivation below the Golden Core stage. According to their accounts, they had come out with their sect elders, but where that elder was now, they couldn’t say no matter how much they were interrogated, clearly not knowing. After the disciple finished his detailed report, he still dared not look up. The person at the head remained silent, but the imposing pressure they exerted was immense, like thorns on their back, making them restless.
In the past, the Cloud Sovereign had always been benevolent and kind. Although her cultivation was extremely high, she treated the disciples in the sect with gentleness, making it difficult to inspire fear. These disciples, being from noble families, were influenced by their surroundings and inevitably looked down on their lord. And this Consort, who had lived in seclusion in the past, was merely seen as a dodder flower attached to the Cloud Sovereign, occasionally playing music to entertain her.
Who would have known they had all misjudged this Consort! On that day of bloody upheaval, any elders who voiced dissent were scattered by the vast surge of water, their souls obliterated. The gentle, water-like Consort stood expressionlessly amidst the blood, her exquisite and beautiful clothes stained red with blood. She disregarded the powers within Cloud City and cared not if Cloud City suffered heavy losses due to internal strife. Anyone who obstructed her was killed. In the end, it was the noble families of the city who first compromised. The elders of the clans said she had likely gone mad and decided to wait and see, believing she would eventually be abandoned by everyone.
After that, when disciples saw the Consort, they were all filled with trepidation.
“So, you’re saying there is still at least one Golden Core stage evil cultivator in Funeral Heaven Pass?” Luo Lingfeng’s voice rang out. She leaned against the couch, supporting her chin with one hand, her eyes lowered, not looking at the disciple. With a casual wave of her hand, she said, “You may go. Investigate further.”
The disciple quickly bowed and said, “Yes,” and respectfully saluted. Only after exiting the great hall did he wipe the cold sweat from his brow. He didn’t want to stay there for a moment longer, and lowered his head, walking quickly forward. Only when he heard footsteps did he look up. It would have been better if he hadn’t looked; the shock he felt made him break out in a cold sweat, his eyes filled with unease and fear. He instinctively retreated to the side, his pale lips trembling. Only after the person had walked far away did he manage to squeeze out the words “Cloud Sovereign.”
He knew the Consort had been searching for people who resembled the Cloud Sovereign. But of all those who had entered Cloud City in the past, none had been as strikingly similar to the Cloud Sovereign as the person who had just walked by! The matters in Funeral Heaven Pass were not worth the Consort’s personal visit. Could it be for this person? Had she truly found the Cloud Sovereign? This thought flashed through his mind like lightning. His heart was restless, and his footsteps became even more hurried.
In the hall.
The young girl who had been brought in quietly stood to the side after offering a bow, remaining silent.
Luo Lingfeng had already obtained her identity information, knowing she was one of the relatives of a victim. An orphaned girl who had only her maid to rely on, they were like sisters. They had arrived in Funeral Heaven Pass three years ago, seemingly intending to settle down there, never imagining such a tragedy would occur. Even those who cultivated could not escape the sorrow and joy of life and death, let alone mortals in the mortal realm.
Luo Lingfeng watched the girl with an unreadable expression. After a while, she smiled and said leisurely, “Lift your head.”
The girl remained silent. She raised her head as requested, her eyes as bright as stars, fixed on Luo Lingfeng. Her hands twisted her sleeves, appearing somewhat nervous, but her face showed no fear. Luo Lingfeng recalled Wei Yunshu’s appearance. The Cloud Sovereign back then was a refined and elegant figure, like a mountain standing tall and an abyss deep. Although the person before her resembled her in appearance, her demeanor was still far from it.
Not Wei Yunshu.
Luo Lingfeng made her judgment and felt a sense of boredom.
She wanted the girl to leave, but her eyes could not be moved from that face. After a long while, she smiled and asked, “What is your name?”
The girl replied with neither humility nor arrogance, “Reporting to the Consort, this humble one’s surname is Yun, given name Dan.”
“Surname Yun?” Luo Lingfeng stood up. She brushed her sleeves and walked slowly toward the girl. She raised her hand and lifted the girl’s chin, forcing her to tilt her head higher. Luo Lingfeng gazed at those eyes, which, while agile, were not without stubbornness, as if trying to reconstruct the image of Wei Yunshu in her youth. When she met Wei Yunshu, the latter was already a renowned Nascent Soul True Lord. In the past, she had never explored Wei Yunshu’s desires, but now, tormented by her heart demon, she inexplicably fantasized about Wei Yunshu’s entire life, and she forcefully inserted herself into the period she had missed.
She knew the absurdity of this matter, yet she could not pull herself out.
How could Wei Yunshu, whom she claimed not to care about, leave such a deep imprint?
She uncontrollably began to hate Wei Yunshu’s gentleness and compassion.
Luo Lingfeng tilted her head, released her hand that was holding the girl’s chin, raised her eyebrows, and smiled, “A good name. It suits you to join my Cloud City, doesn’t it?”
Yun Dan calmly offered a bow. “This humble one is merely a mortal, with ignorant spirit and essence. How dare I presume such thoughts?” Although these were her words, there was no trace of self-deprecation in her expression.
Luo Lingfeng said with interest, “Do you truly think so? A path to heaven is laid out before you, and you are unwilling to take it?”
Yun Dan remained silent. After a long while, she raised her voice and said, “No! Others can walk it, why can’t I? The experiences I’ve had recently have made me understand that only I can rely on myself. Otherwise, by the time help arrives from others, my bones would already be cold.” Towards the end, her tone carried a hint of self-mockery. She looked directly at Luo Lingfeng and said forcefully, “With a three-foot sword in its scabbard on my back, I shall demonstrate justice for the heavens to the unjust!”
Luo Lingfeng gazed at Yun Dan, her eyes dark and deep.
During her decades with Wei Yunshu, she had learned some things about her.
The previous Cloud Sovereign had taken Wei Yunshu, who was still a beggar, back. Firstly, it was due to her extraordinary aptitude; secondly, it was because of a sentence spoken by the illiterate girl.
It was exactly the same as Yun Dan’s words just now!
Bruh *facepalms*