The next morning, Gu Xian'er went to the immortal mountain where Lan Xin resided to look for her master, Chen Yi.
On the way, she saw Song Yu again. However, Song Yu seemed genuinely intimidated and deliberately avoided her. When he spotted her from afar, he quickly left with his followers.
This made Gu Xian'er breathe a small sigh of relief. She had been worried that he might realize the truth later and come looking for trouble.
It seemed that the act she put on last night had been quite effective.
When she arrived at Lan Xin's immortal mountain, Gu Xian'er was surprised to find that Chen Yi seemed to have anticipated her visit. She had already instructed her disciples not to stop her.
Under a vibrant peach tree, Chen Yi sat dressed as she had been the day before, with her hair tied in a green spiral bun and wearing a gray gauze dress. Her eyebrows were lightly drawn, giving her a cold and elegant appearance.
Aside from Lan Xin, none of the other disciples were present. It seemed Chen Yi had been waiting specifically for her.
"Junior Sister Xian'er."
Lan Xin was the first to speak, a faint smile on her face. It seemed that after Chen Yi's guidance, she no longer carried the heavy grief and sorrow she had felt upon hearing the news the previous day.
"Senior Sister Lan Xin." Gu Xian'er's expression was slightly conflicted as she pondered how to broach the subject.
She knew Lan Xin had misunderstood her intentions. She hadn't come to formally become a disciple.
"Master is set to depart this afternoon with the envoy from the Alliance of Righteous Unity. She will join forces with other factions and sects. If you had come any later, you might not have been able to see her..." Lan Xin said.
Chen Yi sat upright under the peach tree, her eyes thoughtful as she observed Gu Xian'er.
This was the first time she had examined this girl, whom the entire Crescent Moon Sect avoided due to her "ominous misfortune," so closely.
"What a delicate little girl. If it weren't for the matter of your misfortune, you wouldn't have ended up in such a situation in the Crescent Moon Sect."
Chen Yi spoke, her voice naturally cold, like ice that had remained frozen for millennia, as if her temperament was inherently so.
Gu Xian'er wasn't sure if this was a compliment on her beauty or something else.
"Xian'er pays her respects to Elder Chen Yi..."
She carefully chose her words, intending to get straight to the point and explain her purpose.
Chen Yi's eyes fixed on her, as if she already knew what Gu Xian'er was going to say, and she interrupted, "You don't actually want to become my disciple, do you?"
Gu Xian'er was stunned. How had she figured that out?
Lan Xin, standing nearby, was also taken aback. What did her master mean?
She grew anxious and glanced at Gu Xian'er, urgently signaling her with her eyes, afraid that Gu Xian'er might miss this opportunity.
After all, she had pleaded with her master many times for this.
Chen Yi had finally relented and agreed to take Gu Xian'er as her disciple.
If Gu Xian'er became Chen Yi's disciple, she would no longer have to worry about being bullied in the Crescent Moon Sect.
After all, this was something Chen Yi had announced in front of the sect master, the elders, and all the disciples.
From now on, if anyone dared to bully Gu Xian'er, it would be a direct affront to the sect master and elders, something the Crescent Moon Sect would never allow.
"Xian'er means no disrespect. It's not that I don't want to become Elder Chen Yi's disciple. To receive your guidance would be a dream come true. However, you must understand that I already have masters. Without their consent, it would be difficult for me to take another master..."
Gu Xian'er wasn't sure how Chen Yi had discerned her intentions.
She quickly racked her brain to explain, fearing that Chen Yi and Lan Xin might misunderstand and think she was ungrateful, spurning their kindness.
A rare, faint smile appeared on Chen Yi's face, like a snow lotus blooming, fresh and captivating, exceptionally beautiful.
"You don't need to explain. In fact, I had already guessed your thoughts when you tried to find me yesterday."
She said, "If it weren't for this mission to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, I would have truly wanted to take you as my disciple. Just your temperament and character alone are already beyond what most people could hope to achieve."
Her tone was full of admiration. Initially, she had been indifferent to Lan Xin's praises and mentions of Gu Xian'er.
But now, having seen her in person, she realized that this little girl was truly remarkable.
Whether it was her foundation, her potential, or her character and temperament, there were no flaws to be found.
No wonder the sect master had sighed with regret and even made the bold decision to let her stay in the Crescent Moon Sect.
Gu Xian'er was slightly surprised. She hadn't expected that Chen Yi had known about her attempt to find her yesterday.
Despite her usual thick skin, she felt a bit embarrassed by Chen Yi's praise.
"Xian'er thanks Elder Chen Yi for your understanding." She quickly clasped her hands in gratitude.
Chen Yi looked at her with a faint smile and said, "You can rest assured. I will only publicly claim you as my disciple. Privately, you don't need to treat me as your master. This way, you won't feel any psychological burden."
"This journey to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is fraught with uncertainty. Whether it brings fortune or disaster, life or death, is unknown. Even if I truly took you as my disciple, I wouldn't be able to teach you much."
"This arrangement is actually quite good."
These words made Lan Xin's eyes dim once more, her heart trembling.
Although Chen Yi had counseled them last night and made arrangements for their future, to the disciples, it felt more like she was preparing for her death.
Their master had already accepted that she might not return from this journey.
As they spoke, the vibrant peach blossoms swayed in the strong wind, scattering like a dazzling rain of flowers. Some landed on Chen Yi's hair, while others fell before her.
She picked up a petal, and her cold, ethereal face revealed a rare hint of melancholy and sorrow.
"Life is like a peach blossom. There are days of radiant beauty, and there are days when it withers and turns to mud..."
"The blooming season is nearing its end. It's time for the curtain to fall." She sighed softly.
"Master..." Lan Xin's heart trembled, her eyes reddening, her voice choked with sobs.
Gu Xian'er wanted to say something but hesitated. Seeing this scene, she suddenly didn't know how to proceed.
In the eyes of Chen Yi and the others, this journey to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance with the envoy team of the Alliance of Righteous Unity was no different from a death sentence.
At this point, even if she tried to defend the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, it would likely be futile and might even lead to misunderstandings from Lan Xin and Chen Yi.
She sighed in frustration.
How could she explain and convince Elder Chen Yi to take her along?
Unfortunately, things didn't go as smoothly as Gu Xian'er had hoped.
By the afternoon, Elder Chen Yi was ready to depart, and Gu Xian'er had failed to persuade her to take her along.
No matter how she explained—whether she mentioned having acquaintances in the Heaven-Slaying Alliance or her desire to see it for herself—Chen Yi refused to bring her.
Not only were her explanations unreliable, but the journey to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was also fraught with danger.
Dark beings could attack at any moment, and even Dao Realm experts might not be able to protect themselves.
If Gu Xian'er came along and they encountered danger, Chen Yi herself might not be able to ensure her safety.
Chen Yi also found it somewhat unbelievable. Most people would avoid such matters at all costs, fearing the attention of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Yet Gu Xian'er was the opposite, wanting to be taken along.
On the cliff, Gu Xian'er watched with a hint of melancholy as Chen Yi departed. Beside her, Lan Xin and the others were filled with sorrow and grief.
The wind blew, and the immortal mountain was filled with falling petals. Though the scene was beautiful, no one was in the mood to appreciate it.
Afterward, Gu Xian'er returned to her cave dwelling. Since she couldn't go to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance for the time being, she had no choice but to stay in the Crescent Moon Sect.
Moreover, the white-robed woman in her cave dwelling was like a ticking time bomb, potentially causing trouble at any moment.
Even someone as powerful as her had ended up severely injured and amnesiac. If her enemies came after her, would she be able to resist?
If that happened, Gu Xian'er would likely be implicated as well.
The matter of the Heaven-Restraining Sect, which she had accidentally overheard last night, might also lead to many complications.
Since Song Yu had specifically infiltrated the Crescent Moon Sect for this purpose and had a elder-level protector by his side, he would undoubtedly take further actions.
From his conversation with Uncle Lan, it seemed that even the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty was involved.
After all, that was a superpower that even the Crescent Moon Sect dared not offend or disrespect.
Thinking about all this, Gu Xian'er suddenly felt as if she had been silently swept into several invisible, terrifying whirlpools, any of which could crush her to pieces.
In the days that followed, with an increasingly cautious and heavy heart, Gu Xian'er began preparing to condense her Sword Dao True Seed.
The white-robed woman still showed no signs of recovering her memory, and her injuries healed slowly. She spent her days resting in the cave dwelling.
Sometimes, she would go to a nearby pond, sitting by the water as if lost in thought or trying to recall her past.
She would also offer Gu Xian'er some guidance, helping her resolve doubts and difficulties in her cultivation.
The Crescent Moon Sect continued as usual, with elders leading disciples on expeditions to hone their skills. They joined forces with other factions of the Alliance of Righteous Unity to hunt dark beings.
With Elder Chen Yi gone, Elder Zhou, who had always pursued her, secretly looked after the disciples who had been under Chen Yi's care.
Gu Xian'er also went on several expeditions with Lan Xin and the others, participating in battles against dark beings.
However, as time passed, the situation in the vast expanse did not become clearer or more stable despite the formation of the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
The dark beings' counterattacks grew even fiercer.
Eventually, they began targeting the Alliance of Righteous Unity with intense retaliation.
Some dark beings used entire worlds as bait, luring hunting teams into traps where they had laid intricate schemes, waiting for the factions to fall into their nets.
There were even dark beings specifically targeting Dao Realm experts. In a short time, Dao Realm figures from various factions perished one after another.
Even the Crescent Moon Sect was not spared. An elder died outside, and all the disciples accompanying him were killed, with no one returning.
This news shocked and saddened the entire Crescent Moon Sect, and fear began to spread.
Disciples who had once been careless about facing dark beings during their expeditions now grew terrified, realizing the true horror of the dark beings and becoming reluctant to venture out.
The gruesome scenes were unbearable to witness. Factions and sects had no choice but to recall their hunting teams and seek alternative strategies.
Tragic scenes and news spread everywhere, weighing heavily on many civilizations and nations.
They had thought the formation of the Alliance of Righteous Unity would turn the tide. Yet, the current Alliance of Righteous Unity was utterly incapable of restraining the dark beings. Instead, it had only emboldened them, making them more rampant and reckless.
This left the civilizations that had initially formed the Alliance of Righteous Unity in a daze. They had believed that emulating the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would yield results.
But now, it seemed they had been overly optimistic, thinking that banding together and helping each other would intimidate the dark beings. Reality had given them a harsh slap.
The reason the Heaven-Slaying Alliance instilled fear in the dark beings was because it possessed the power to deter them.
The current Alliance of Righteous Unity lacked such power.
This made the members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity increasingly desperate to seek the inclusion of other powerful civilizations and sects.
Factions like the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, the Ancient Treasure Civilization, the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom, and the Bodhi Sacred Domain—all renowned and formidable in the vast expanse—received invitations from the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
At the same time, as one wave subsided, another rose. News came that the envoy team sent by the Alliance of Righteous Unity to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had been attacked by dark beings.
A fierce battle erupted, its shockwaves sweeping through the surrounding cosmic regions. The area was thrown into chaos and destruction, with even space-time being torn apart. A terrifying black mist surged, spanning the river of time, blotting out the sky and covering the universe.
No one knew the final outcome or if anyone had survived.
When the news reached the Crescent Moon Sect, the elders and disciples were filled with grief and silence.
Although they had anticipated this outcome, when it actually happened, they were still overwhelmed with sorrow, regret, and a deep sense of helplessness.
"Master..."
On the immortal mountain where Elder Chen Yi usually cultivated, her disciples were overcome with grief. The air was filled with sobs and cries of anguish.
Lan Xin's face turned pale, her vision darkening. She felt dizzy and nearly lost her balance.
She couldn't accept this reality. How could her master have met with such a fate before even reaching the Heaven-Slaying Alliance? She had only been on her way there.
When Gu Xian'er arrived after hearing the news, Lan Xin was still in a daze, unable to process the sudden, overwhelming grief.
"Senior Sister Lan Xin."
Gu Xian'er didn't know how to comfort her. She clenched her fists under her sleeves, feeling utterly powerless.
When she first heard the news, she had been equally shocked and disbelieving.
The peach blossoms on the mountain were still vibrant, as beautiful as a sunset, but the enchanting scenery couldn't mask the pervasive desolation.
---
In a desolate starfield, the cosmos was deep and dark, vast and cold.
A breeze blew from afar, carrying a mournful sound.
A campfire flickered among a pile of scattered rocks, faintly illuminating the surrounding darkness.
As unknown firewood was tossed into the flames, the fire crackled and grew brighter, casting light on several shadowy figures nearby.
Suddenly, a soft, pained groan broke the silence.
A woman with her hair tied in a green spiral bun, dressed in a gray gauze dress, fluttered her eyelashes and opened her eyes.
Her expression was dazed, her delicate willow-like brows furrowed as if she hadn't fully regained her senses.
"Elder Chen Yi, you're finally awake."
A slightly relieved voice came from nearby, causing the woman's gaze to gradually focus.
She turned her head and realized she had been leaning against a female Taoist priest wearing a wide Taoist robe and holding a horsetail whisk.
"Huijue Layperson?"
She recognized the Taoist priest as one of the members of the envoy team heading to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, from the Qingyi Daoist Temple.
Chen Yi felt confused. She clearly remembered that their group had been on an ancient battleship, traversing a space-time tunnel.
Suddenly, they were attacked by dark beings, and everyone fought desperately. A chaotic and brutal battle ensued.
Several people died on the spot. The attacking dark beings were incredibly powerful, with one even surpassing the average Ancestral Dao Realm existence.
They were filled with despair, knowing they couldn't escape death, and fought with all their might.
Her opponent was also a terrifying dark being, nearly at the Ancestral Dao Realm. Even at her peak, she wouldn't have been able to resist, and now, injured, she was instantly overwhelmed.
"I clearly remember being in a hopeless situation, on the verge of death. How could I...?"
Chen Yi grew even more puzzled. Looking around, she saw many familiar faces—members of the envoy team who had also been saved.
"Was it that giant hand that saved us?"
Suddenly, Chen Yi recalled something. In her moment of despair, she had vaguely seen a massive hand, glowing with golden light and surrounded by chaotic mist, reaching out from a distant place and plunging into the endless black fog.
She had thought it was a hallucination, a final glimpse before death.
But it turned out to be real.
At that moment, Chen Yi noticed a group of peculiar figures near the campfire.
There was a woman in a red dress, enchanting and alluring; a young child who appeared only a few years old; a kind-looking old monk; and a tall, burly man.
There was also a young man who seemed to have stepped out of a painting, with an immortal-like aura and divine bearing.