"Was that figure... the Heavenly Demon?"
By the time clarity returned to Ling Xiao's eyes, the peak of Path-Enlightenment Mountain was already pitch black.
Not far away, Xiao Tu, Fu Yunao, and Nian Qingyun stood to the sides, watching him with tense expressions.
"How could this be..."
Though it felt like only an instant, an entire day had actually passed.
Ling Xiao took a deep breath and looked up towards the Jade Wall. But now, the wall had already dimmed, becoming no different from ordinary mountain rock.
Past and present life?
Was that figure his past life, or his present one?
And in the end, did that demon die, or... live?
"Young Master, are you... alright?" Xiao Tu and the other approached, their brows furrowed with concern.
"Did I... do anything?" Ling Xiao was worried. Although he had only been an observer throughout, witnessing the demon's slaughter of all living beings, this matter was ultimately related to the Heavenly Demon's true body. If he had lost control in the illusion, the consequence... would be eternal damnation.
With just a wisp of his soul, and the ancient Pangu Stone standing guard, he still failed to resist the mysterious power within the stone wall.
So, this world is truly ten thousand times more dangerous than he imagined.
The God's perspective was his golden finger.
But relying on it too much would lead one astray.
"Do anything?" Xiao Tu and Fu Yunao glanced at each other, then shook their heads. "Young Master, you just stood here, stood for a full day. Did you... see something in that stone wall?"
"You didn't see anything?" Ling Xiao frowned slightly, the unease in his heart growing stronger.
Dammit!
Was it a conspiracy?
Was I, the hunter, played today?
"No... I didn't see anything..." The two shook their heads in disappointment.
Just then, Nian Qingyun suddenly walked over from the distance and stood there, silently watching Ling Xiao.
"You saw?" Ling Xiao frowned, and Nian Qingyun only nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes seeming slightly red.
"What did you see?"
"Ling Xiao, tomorrow, here, let us end this ill-fated relationship." In the end, Nian Qingyun didn't say anything more. She turned and walked down the mountain.
The night wind was cool, scattering the moonlight covering her. A solitary figure left behind countless strands of dark hair.
The person in her eyes, whose heart did they disturb?
An endless cycle, imprinted in the dusk.
Turmoil? Or peace?
Finally understanding, joy and sorrow are but a moment.
A wheel of the moon, reflecting the traces of my tears.
Love is turmoil, clouds stretching, flowers blooming, scattering into traces.
No matter how the seas change, I want to wait for one person.
Love is peace, silently knocking on whose heart's door?
Until the seas dry and rocks crumble, I'm willing to be... the one by your pillow.
Tears, like broken strings of pearls, fell down Nian Qingyun's peerlessly beautiful cheeks, dripping onto the green stones of the mountain path, blossoming into pure, bright light.
If the destiny shown on the wall is a bond of love I cannot sever...
Ling Xiao, forget it.
"What's... wrong with her?" Watching that suddenly lonely figure, Ling Xiao felt an indescribable irritation.
The Nian Qingyun just now, though her temperament was still aloof and her words no different from usual, made Ling Xiao feel... that something wasn't quite right.
"The Tai Xuan Dao Sect... Since you are so mysterious, you've probably long been targeted by the Holy Church, right? If..." A dark glint flashed in Ling Xiao's eyes, and killing intent surged in his heart.
He would never allow any threatening individuals or forces to exist.
Since this Tai Xuan Dao Master and Dao Son were suspicious, he had to find a way to eliminate them.
Mystery inspired fear.
But if... this Tai Xuan Dao Son had a demonic body, he wondered if the Tai Xuan Dao Sect could withstand the Holy Church's sanctions?
As for whether they were in cahoots...
Heh, in this world, what absolute loyalty exists?
With the Holy Church's ruthlessness, they would rather kill by mistake than let anyone slip away easily.
I need to find a way to pin this pot on that Dao Son's head.
A mysterious demonic path reincarnator, hiding in seclusion right under the Holy Church's nose.
Thinking about it is a little exciting.
Ling Xiao chuckled coldly and turned to walk down the mountain.
Since the Tai Xuan Dao Master hadn't attacked him now, he probably hadn't detected the secret on his body. Otherwise, once such a forbidden constitution appeared in the world, the Tai Xuan Dao Sect would never stand idly by.
But even so, Ling Xiao still felt somewhat uneasy.
After all, only the dead keep secrets forever.
The Heavenly Demon's true body would be exposed sooner or later. Might as well make preparations early.
The Dao Principle of Reincarnation... it should taste quite delicious, shouldn't it?
It's not that I covet the opportunity on you.
It's just that your blind eyes have obscured the light of this world!
Only when there was no one left at the peak of Path-Enlightenment Mountain did two figures finally walk out from under the Jade Wall.
It was the Tai Xuan Dao Master and the Dao Son!
"Dao Son... did you see clearly Ling Xiao's past and present lives?" The Tai Xuan Dao Master's voice was humble, standing beside the Dao Son like a servant.
"With just a wisp of his soul, it wasn't very clear. But... the aura within him should be unmistakable." The Tai Xuan Dao Son shook his head slightly, his expression always calm.
Finally, I've waited for you.
"That Dao Palace Divine Maiden, however, is somewhat... interesting."
"Dao Palace Divine Maiden? Dao Son means that Nian Qingyun?"
"Mm. This woman is not from this realm. But... never mind. When the secret realm opens this time, I will go personally. The truth will reveal itself then." A trace of amusement curled on the Tai Xuan Dao Son's lips. "Whether it is him or not, depends on his... destiny."
...
In Path-Enlightenment City, Ling Xiao sat in his room, drinking alone... yet not drunk.
Fu Yunao and Xiao Tu had already returned to their respective rooms.
Outside the window, a bright moon illuminated the sky. Tonight's Path-Enlightenment City was somewhat quiet.
Tomorrow was the Myriad Sects Grand Competition, followed by the opening of the secret realm.
With Lin Xi and Xia Chen's strength, they would undoubtedly enter the secret realm to compete for the opportunity.
Lin Xi was no longer a concern. Xia Chen's reliance was something Ling Xiao hadn't figured out yet, but with Shui Yue'er by his side, the latter's movements would no longer be a secret.
As for that Tai Xuan Dao Son, I wonder if he would enter the secret realm this time?
When the time comes...
A demonic light flickered in Ling Xiao's eyes. I kill, you take the blame.
In the future, you will be the Tai Xuan True Demon!
"Scheming again, aren't you?" Just as Ling Xiao was lost in thought, a cold, childlike female voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Hmm?" Ling Xiao's heart shuddered, and the power of his Dao Principles nearly manifested as an attack. But in the next instant, he calmed down.
"Feng Ling?!"
Dammit!
Being a villain for too long makes me always feel like someone is out to get me!
"Hmph, looking at you so serious, someone is about to be unlucky, right?" Feng Ling, dressed in black, walked up to Ling Xiao, picked up the immortal brew in front of him, and drank half of it in one gulp.
"Pfft!"
But before the wine could reach her throat, she instantly spat it out,coincidentally...
...all over Ling Xiao's face.
"What... what is this thing? It tastes awful!!" Feng Ling's eyes were wide with shock. Clearly, it was her first time drinking alcohol, and her small face was already flushed.
"This is called the 'Worry-Free Elixir'! What would a little girl like you know?" Ling Xiao snorted coldly, picked up the cup, and drank it all in one go.
"Ling Xiao, you... do you have some unspeakable difficulty? How... how did you manage to drink such terrible medicine?"