Chapter 6#
Chapter 6#
Talismans?
…What talismans?
Xue Su’s body felt as if it had fallen apart, soft and aching. If another soul were in this shell, it would have fainted by now.
He didn’t want to lie on the ground in such a sorry state, so he slowly got up, supporting his frost-covered frame.
The ice frost formed when Xie Zefeng released his spiritual power cut his palm. The blood had just flowed out when it froze, like red plum blossoms blooming in the snow.
He had no feeling of surviving a disaster, nor the panic of a life-and-death moment.
Xie Zefeng let go, but the furnace cauldron mark, driven by the owner’s spiritual power, acted up even more fiercely. He even wanted to grab the retreating hand and pull it closer.
Fortunately, the bone-chilling pain slightly pulled him back to his senses.
If the other party had let go even a moment later, Chunhua would have struck.
He had already prepared to fight to the death.
But Xie Zefeng seemed to have not used his divine sense at all, completely unaware of Chunhua’s movements behind him.
Inside the room, the restrictions around the magic tools had long been broken by spiritual power. A host of spiritual treasures that could cause a storm outside were scattered all over the ground as if they were worthless.
Although Xie Zefeng stood amidst the mess with a solemn expression, the surrounding killing intent had largely dissipated.
An Wuxue’s breathing became increasingly rapid.
Xie Zefeng, however, lowered his head, motionless.
A moment later, the man raised his hand, his fingertips moving lightly, and the scattered talismans floated up into his palm.
So, he was asking about these talismans.
The talismans had runes that he had altered.
…Could it be that Xie Zefeng recognized them?!
“These talismans are not something you can draw.”
He recognized them, indeed!
Fortunately, he didn’t suspect Xue Su.
That’s right.
Xie Zefeng had personally killed him back then. Even if he thought there was a slight chance he hadn’t died, he wouldn’t have imagined that he would openly stay on Luoyue Peak, live by the Buried Frost Sea, and condescend to be a male concubine furnace cauldron offered by a small sect.
He himself couldn’t have imagined it.
An Wuxue wanted to speak, but as soon as he opened his mouth, a soft tremor, like a murmur, slipped out.
He pursed his lips tightly, tensed his body, and did not answer.
Xie Zefeng was slightly startled for a moment, then took a step forward, leaned down slightly, and grabbed his wrist.
Such a dominant, aggressive move…
What was he going to do?!
An Wuxue was startled and recoiled, trembling.
Xie Zefeng frowned and directly grabbed his retreating hand.
He hadn’t panicked even when his throat was being choked, but now, because of the other party’s aggressive move, he struggled desperately.
He was afraid that Xie Zefeng would grab his hand and call him “Senior Brother” in his ear, as he had a thousand years ago. He was afraid that Xie Zefeng’s touch would trigger an uncontrollable outbreak of the furnace cauldron mark, and he was also afraid that Xie Zefeng would interrogate and humiliate him.
He would rather Xie Zefeng kill him cleanly!
He said hoarsely, “…Immortal Venerable! I—”
“Don’t move.”
He couldn’t move.
Xue Su’s cultivation at the Foundation Establishment stage was nothing in front of an Immortal Venerable.
Xie Zefeng held An Wuxue’s wrist without moving.
A warm current suddenly flowed from An Wuxue’s wrist through his meridians to his entire body.
He was no longer cold, no longer hot, and no longer in pain.
His internal organs, which had felt shattered by the spiritual power just now, quieted down.
The furnace cauldron mark stopped acting up.
Xie Zefeng let go.
An Wuxue was stunned.
His internal injuries were healed, and the furnace cauldron mark’s outbreak was also suppressed.
Xie Zefeng seemed eager to know the answer, completely uninterested in his previous abnormality, and continued to press, “The talismans.”
An Wuxue took a deep breath, bit his lower lip, and tried his best not to make any sound.
He had almost impulsively asked the other party, “Why?”
He had indeed failed his master’s expectations, felt guilty towards Qi Xun, and was indifferent to the opinions of the sect and the two realms regarding him. Only towards Xie Zefeng did he feel no guilt.
Why could Xie Zefeng be heartless when he wanted to be, kill him when he wanted to, and then, as if bestowing a favor, heal his internal injuries and suppress the outbreak when he wanted to know something from him?
He really wanted to point at Xie Zefeng’s nose and ask these questions.
But he had died once and was no longer the impulsive young man he used to be.
He knew that if he asked “Why?”, he would return to being the An Wuxue who couldn’t sever ties with his junior brother.
He choked for a moment, then finally suppressed all his thoughts.
After gradually regaining his strength, he calmed down a bit and whispered, “…They are the sect’s talismans.”
His tone now was not as obedient as when they last met, but Xie Zefeng’s mind was elsewhere and he still didn’t react, only saying to him, “Cloud Sword Sect?”
Xue Su was offered to Luoyue Peak by the Cloud Sword Sect.
“…Yes.” An Wuxue lied, “Perhaps the Cloud Sword Sect brought them back from some secret realm or immortal disaster ruins.”
During the immortal disaster, as the chief of Luoyue, he had fought against many demonic cultivators. It was perfectly normal for some useless talismans to be dropped during the battles and picked up by others.
Even if Xie Zefeng discovered something amiss, it wouldn’t be easy to trace the origin of such insignificant, useless talismans—by then, he might have already run away.
He had prepared a belly full of lies, waiting for Xie Zefeng to continue questioning him.
But the man said no more, merely straightened up, and at the same time, used his spiritual power to lift An Wuxue as well.
An Wuxue took the opportunity to stand up, secretly observing Xie Zefeng.
The man’s expression was exceptionally gloomy, the sword pattern between his brows flickering faintly, his dark eyes deep, like an unfathomable abyss.
If he couldn’t possibly mistake Xie Zefeng, he would have thought the person in front of him was a demonic cultivator in disguise.
Xie Zefeng had returned early today, his steps still a bit unsteady when he came back, and he had been moody just now—clearly not in a good state.
This was…?
He concentrated and looked again. In just a few moments, the man’s expression was still profound, but the sword pattern had receded.
Was he overthinking?
Standing before him was Xie Zefeng, who had entered the Dao of ruthlessness, the Cold Sword Venerable who had unified the two realms and ended the immortal disaster.
How could he be related to the word “demon”?
He didn’t speak, and neither did Xie Zefeng.
The man stared at the talismans in his hand, lost in thought, his expression growing even more somber.
The surrounding spiritual power surged again, driven by Xie Zefeng’s thoughts.
He had just warmed up a bit, but was again shivering from the cold wind.
If this continued, he wouldn’t even need Xie Zefeng to kill him; his fragile body would collapse on its own.
“Immortal Venerable…”
Xie Zefeng’s eyes darkened, he closed them for a moment, then opened them again, his gaze now calm.
It was as if everything just now had been An Wuxue’s illusion.
A Heaven’s Edge Sea’s End Talisman for communication flew out from Xie Zefeng’s hand, and two immortal sect disciples guarding near the Buried Frost Sea appeared at the door, bowing respectfully, “Immortal Venerable.”
Xie Zefeng handed one of the talismans that An Wuxue had dropped to one of them and instructed, “Take this item and go to the Cloud Sword Sect. Investigate its origin. Regardless of whose hands this item has passed through, all names must be reported.”
“Remember, keep this talisman safe; do not lose it.”
“Yes.” The disciple bowed with his sword, and with a movement of spiritual power, he left.
An Wuxue: “…”
The Cloud Sword Sect would certainly not report anything.
Xie Zefeng did not continue to instruct the next person. Instead, he turned to An Wuxue and said, “I will not leave this place until the Cloud Sword Sect reports back. You will temporarily reside in Frost Sea. You may freely use the spiritual medicines and treasures above Frost Sea. But if you touch anything you shouldn’t again, even if you… I will not be merciful.”
An Wuxue had nothing to say.
Living in Frost Sea.
Living under the same roof as Xie Zefeng.
What he feared most had come true.
And, even if he… even if he what?
The man threw him a Heaven’s Edge Sea’s End Talisman.
“Your furnace cauldron mark only needs my spiritual power to be relieved. When I activated my spiritual power for you just now, I suppressed the furnace cauldron mark at the same time. This Heaven’s Edge Sea’s End Talisman was drawn by me personally. You can transmit messages even across thousands of miles. If the furnace cauldron mark acts up again, use your divine soul to activate the Heaven’s Edge Sea’s End Talisman to send me a message.”
An Wuxue remained silent.
The Heaven’s Edge Sea’s End Talisman required divine soul activation. Once a message was transmitted, it would expose his divine soul aura. He absolutely could not use this talisman.
He took the talisman, casually threw it into his spiritual pouch, and before he could say anything, Xie Zefeng had already disappeared.
The remaining female disciple then stepped forward, neither humble nor arrogant, and said, “Please follow me, I will arrange your accommodation.”
An Wuxue was still thinking about Chunhua, somewhat absentmindedly, and did not respond.
The disciple saw the blood on the corner of his mouth, thought he was unwell, and stepped forward to help him.
He waved his hand and murmured, “No, no need. Please lead the way.”
He followed the disciple out distractedly, recalling the scene just now.
Xie Zefeng’s appearance was completely different from the solemn and majestic figure he had presented in front of many cultivators at the mountain gate a few days ago.
And Chunhua…
Xie Zefeng had not destroyed Chunhua; instead, he had kept his natal sword sealed.
This person sealed Chunhua, raised Kunkun, and just now took the talismans that were clearly drawn by him, sending someone to the Cloud Sword Sect to investigate the origin of the talismans…
All related to him.
Could it be that Xie Zefeng really knew that he might not be dead, and to cut off all possibilities, he was investigating his traces?
Since he woke up, he had only regarded everything from his previous life as non-existent, living as “Xue Su,” so he had never inquired about anything related to himself.
But what if something related to him happened during these thousand years…
He still had to ask.
At this moment, the disciple led him past the pine and cypress trees he had personally planted in Frost Sea.
When Xie Zefeng’s cave mansion was established above Frost Sea, he had planted young pines here and told his junior brother, “Frost Sea is often filled with catkins, making it difficult to observe the passage of time. If junior brother ever forgets how long he has lived here, he can come and look at its age.”
Xie Zefeng, however, said, “I cannot discern the age of spiritual trees.”
“Then I will. I will help you discern it.”
“…”
Now, he stopped and looked up, seeing the tall pine standing firm.
The bright moon hung on the treetop, covered in frost and snow.
The leading disciple turned back, “Why aren’t you moving?”
This disciple, directly obeying Xie Zefeng, should know a lot of things.
He pondered for a moment, then timidly said, “Senior Sister, Immortal Venerable governs the two realms, and this is Immortal Venerable’s cave mansion. I am new here and fear offending taboos. May I ask if there is anything that cannot be done, or… anyone who cannot be mentioned?”
The disciple’s expression indeed changed slightly, and she stammered, somewhat afraid to speak.
He rolled his eyes, rubbed his wrist, deliberately exposing his palm that had been scratched by ice shards, and said weakly, “Just now, I accidentally violated Immortal Venerable’s taboo and almost lost my life…”
Seeing his bleeding palm, the disciple hesitated for a moment, took out a spiritual medicine for external injuries from her spiritual pouch, and sighed, “It’s not that it can’t be said, it’s just… Immortal Venerable and the seniors don’t like to hear it, so everyone tacitly agrees not to mention it.”
“Since that’s the case, I won’t ask anymore…” An Wuxue lowered his eyes in disappointment.
“It’s fine, everyone doesn’t mention it, but it’s not entirely unspeakable. Do you know that Immortal Venerable’s master was the previous Immortal Venerable Nanhe Sword Venerable, and he had a senior brother from the same sect?”
He feigned hesitation for a moment, then said doubtfully, “Is it that chief? I’ve heard of him, but I don’t know who the current chief of Luoyue Peak is. I wonder if the chief you mentioned… is different from what I know.”
“Luoyue Peak still doesn’t have a new chief, who else could it be? It’s that chief—just don’t mention him in front of Immortal Venerable.
“That chief was born with a heavenly jade bone and golden body, the first disciple of Immortal Venerable Nanhe, the most promising person to ascend to immortality a thousand years ago, and made great contributions during the immortal disaster.
“If you go to Sihai Lincheng, you can still see the Sihai Wan Jian Array he left for the two realms. And the sword-grinding stone at the end of Luoyue Peak’s ten-thousand-foot steps, only successive Immortal Venerables and he could leave sword marks on it.”
The disciple’s tone was full of admiration: “The sect’s disciple records are countless, and he is still on the first page.”
He listened to the young disciple in front of him talking about himself, staring at the fresh red in his palm, then raised his hand and caught a frost flower that had fallen from a pine and cypress branch in the wind, waiting for the “but” that he had heard countless times a thousand years ago.
“…But he himself went astray. After Immortal Venerable Nanhe’s demise, that chief committed too many killings and made many enemies. Originally, the cultivation world, out of respect for him being Immortal Venerable’s senior brother, dared not hold him accountable, and Luoyue disciples even revered him as their chief senior brother. But for some unknown reason, he actually cultivated turbidity and entered the demonic path!
“Not only that, he was a sworn brother with Qi Xun, the young sect master of the Lihuo Sect at the time, but he actually destroyed the Lihuo Sect’s spiritual脉, causing the turbid energy suppressed beneath the spiritual脉 to scatter, and the entire Lihuo Sect perished.”
An Wuxue still lowered his head, listening to those past events, which were just a few brief sentences in the mouths of later generations, feeling light-hearted.
As if listening to someone else’s past.
“And then?”
The disciple said, “What then? Those who cultivate turbidity and enter the demonic path are to be executed by all sects without delay. Unfortunately, even with all the sects besieging him, they couldn’t kill him. In the end, Immortal Venerable came out of seclusion and righteously eliminated his own kin. Under the Cold Sword, that person naturally died without a burial place, his bones completely gone.”
“Is there any discrepancy with what you know? Any errors or omissions?”
“No,” An Wuxue crushed the frost flower in his hand, and said calmly, “Not at all.”