Adopting a compassionate and sympathetic posture, Xia Xiange sighed helplessly.
"Nothing has happened yet, who can predict what will happen in the future?"
Compared to the unknown future, isn't the safety of the world right now more important?
What Gu Zhong said next left everyone bewildered: what problems now could possibly threaten the safety of the nation?
"What's the meaning?"
When Xia Xiange realized that things weren't going as she had expected, the faint smile on her face faded a bit.
"How can you be so sure that the Demon King is dead? After all, he was a mortal immortal."
Lingyan instantly understood Gu Zhong's unspoken meaning: as long as they could get through today safely, there was still room for maneuver.
In reality, she truly did not know the answer to her question. Even if she valued the original source of the sword, she was still constrained by her current physical body, and it was hard to say whether the Demon King was dead or not.
Besides, given the current situation, even if the Demon King truly perishes, they still have to persuade him to come back to life.
"Everyone, now that the spiritual veins are severed and the spiritual energy is gradually declining, the number of cultivators in our immortal sect is only decreasing and not increasing, so why bother with unnecessary internal strife?"
Although celestial phenomena can be prophetic, they are not uncorrectable.
"Aren't we cultivators defying the heavens by cultivating immortality? Why should we conform to the will of heaven?"
Seeing that some people present were starting to waver, Lingyan quickly seized the opportunity to press her advantage.
"I never knew the young sect leader could be so quick-witted?"
Xia Xiange chuckled softly, it was hard to tell whether it was a genuine compliment or sarcasm.
"Elder Xia, why don't we observe for a few more days?"
It wasn't the time to break off relations, so Ling Yan forcibly suppressed her anger and adopted a posture of seeking opinions.
"Oh? What are your plans, young master?"
“Gu Zhong is my disciple, and I will naturally take him back to the Star Luo Sect and take good care of him.”
If she is truly acting strangely, or has done something that would harm the world—
I swear in the name of Xingxuan that I will give you all an explanation.
Lingyan pointed two fingers together at the sky and solemnly swore an oath. As a thunderclap echoed in response, no one could question the sincerity of her words.
"If I were to truly become a destroyer of the world, I would have taken my own life beforehand, so you can all rest assured."
Ignoring Lingyan's angry glare, Gu Zhong followed suit and swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao, which added to his credibility.
Her resolute and unyielding tone vaguely resembled that of a war god who once commanded thousands of troops.
Without her even realizing it, perhaps even without her own awareness, she had quietly undergone many changes.
The tense nerves of the cultivators present gradually eased, and the bloody battle that was about to break out was temporarily put on hold because of the two oaths.
However, whether this matter can be let go today depends on another person. If she is determined to push things to the end, then there is no way to let it go peacefully.
"This oath...it cannot be said to be anything but sincere. In that case, Young Master, you'd better take good care of your little disciple..."
Unexpectedly, Xia Xiange agreed easily, but her teasing tone revealed a hint of regret, as if she was not very satisfied with today's result, but she did not make too many demands.
This matter is not yet over, and Lingyan suspects that she must have some hidden tricks up her sleeve, but she cannot predict where the next move will be.
Now they are in a passive position everywhere and can only adapt to the situation and deal with whatever comes their way.
This is the best possible outcome.
——
Gu Zhong never expected that she would eventually be forced to return to Xingluomen for this reason and in this manner. She thought she would have to wander outside for a long time until she truly took control of her body.
Since Lingyan brought her back, she had no choice but to throw her onto the Repentance Peak as the sect leader had requested.
This Repentance Peak is where disciples of the sect are punished for their mistakes, and one can imagine how harsh the environment is.
The summit is swept by a biting, icy wind all year round, and snow falls day and night, creating a desolate snowfield as far as the eye can see.
An ordinary person who sits here for an hour will be frozen into an ice sculpture.
Even if a cultivator's body is resistant to cold and freezing, very few people can endure staying here for three days.
However, for disciples who have made mistakes, cold is the best cooling agent and can also teach them to reflect better.
To keep warm while meditating here, one must constantly circulate one's mental energy, making it an excellent place for cultivation.
However, no one is so idle as to deliberately come to such a harsh and cold place to torture themselves.
Gu Zhong should be the first person to use this place as a training ground, after all, she has been left here alone for half a month.
Ling Yan did not want to leave Siguo Peak to accompany Gu Zhong, but as soon as she returned to Xingluo Sect, Xia Xiange complained to the sect leader.
The Star Luo Sect Master was quite annoyed by her actions of protecting Gu Zhong at Blood Phoenix Mountain, which almost led to her becoming an enemy of the other immortal sects.
However, they couldn't bear to throw Lingyan into the same harsh and cold place as Siguo Peak, so they could only symbolically throw her into the Jingshi and lock her up for half a month as punishment.
Having just gained her freedom, Lingyan immediately rushed towards the Peak of Contemplation.
My panicked state of mind instantly calmed down when I saw the snowman sitting on the ground.
Ling Yan concealed her footsteps and presence, slowly walked to Gu Zhong, squatted down, and carefully examined the person in front of her.
The wind and snow turned Gu Zhong's sword-like eyebrows and sideburns into a frosty color, which did not make him look old, but rather revealed a unique beauty.
Her thick eyelashes, which hung down with her eyes closed, were covered with ice crystals, making one want to reach out and brush them away.
Her appearance doesn't change with the passage of time, yet it's still different from what I've seen before—it's an inner quality that's indescribable.
Her exposed skin was pale from the cold, making one want to cover it up.
As if sensing something, its feather-like eyelashes began to flutter, and the snowman in front of it seemed about to awaken.
Before Ling Yan could even stand up, she met those starry eyes that were slowly opening.
A hint of surprise flashed across Gu Zhong's eyes; she clearly hadn't expected Ling Yan's appearance.
"Master?"
Without any deliberate suppression or concealment, this is the most frank and natural way to address someone.
"Thanks a lot."
Hearing this familiar and long-lost address, Lingyan sighed softly and no longer restrained herself from making any unnecessary moves.
She slightly raised her hand and used a hand seal to sweep away the wind and snow covering Gu Zhong.
"How old are you? Don't you know how to clean yourself up?"
"I just think this feeling of being one with heaven and earth is really nice."
Blinking, Gu Zhong looked up at the sky, seemingly lost in thought.
Large snowflakes fell in a flurry, obscuring their vision and making it impossible to discern their expressions.
"Ah Chong, shall I tell you a story?"
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Author's Note:
Not having any drafts saved is a bad habit... Sorry, I was a bit busy today, and it's getting late!
Please leave a comment! Please give me some flowers!
Chapter 89 Astrologer and Defiant One (18)
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Gu Zhong's brows twitched slightly. She could vaguely sense what Ling Yan was about to say—the past and the naked truth that she hadn't yet figured out how to face.
Concealing the truth of the soul world and its unspeakable cruel ending, Ling Yan slowly recounted her past.
A gentle, clear voice flowed from her lips, carrying boundless passion and love, seemingly enough to melt away the cold winter.
This is a beautiful story of childhood sweethearts who fell in love with each other. They met when they were young and have the most wonderful times and memories together.
Her lover was reliable yet unreliable, but he always managed to easily stir her thoughts. Whenever she thought of him, all the gloom buried in her heart would be dispelled.
All relationships in the world end in the face of death and separation; all beauty comes to an abrupt end because of that person's unexpected death.
The unfinished ending is another person's arduous pursuit of his remnant soul.
"So, I'm just a remnant soul? Just like that lingering remnant in my sea of consciousness?"
After listening to the whole story quietly, Gu Zhong felt a pang of sadness, but also a strange sense of balance.
No matter who it is, whether it's her or this lingering regret, they are ultimately not the person Lingyan misses the most.
After the initial relief, a deep, lingering heartache remained. One couldn't help but wonder—how long must she have searched to find even this tiny glimmer of hope? Perhaps that person could never truly be found again in this world…
"No, that's not all... Ah Chong, you are you."
Lingyan carefully corrected her statement. Even if it was just a remnant soul, it had now developed self-awareness, so it could not be treated casually or rashly.
"It was my fault before... I projected all my feelings and expectations for her onto you. You are similar, yet different."
After locking himself in his cave for ten years, Lingyan pondered and questioned his own heart repeatedly before arriving at this enlightening yet sorrowful answer.
In each of these incarnations, Gu Zhong is merely a fragment of a soul. Before it is fully pieced together, he is not the Gu Zhong who shares her past memories and deep affection with her.
Perhaps they all carry Gu Zhong's obsession and feelings for her, and perhaps some aspect of them always reflects Gu Zhong's personality traits, but in the end, they are all experiencing new lives and have their own temperaments.
They were not the ones who kept her company through those endless boring years, allowing her to experience countless flavors.
She initially mistook them for her lovers, projecting her affections onto them in the wrong way. Without their approval, it seemed as if she were deceiving the innocent girl's feelings with false affection.
Such a relationship was unequal from the start.
However, some things that are given away can never be taken back.
"Master...I..."
Since that person is destined never to return, it's not impossible for you to treat me as her.
For a fleeting moment, Gu Zhong wanted to say that, but pride and self-respect completely choked him up.