Chapter 47
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Chapter 47: Title
“Divine… connection…” Suiyin murmured while studying the scroll, “An act reserved only for dao companions.”
“Not dao companions…”
“Ah! Now I understand why Xia Shi was furious!” She jolted upright, turning to the meditating Yan Li. “Senior sister, did I make a mistake?”
Yan Li: “…Quiet.”
The crowded Scripture Hall buzzed with disciples studying cultivation materials, while the pair huddled in a remote corner reading about… certain matters.
Divine connection often intertwined with dual cultivation. Even established dao companions rarely attempted it. Though dual cultivation boosted one’s cultivation, it remained taboo – both for its vulgar reputation and risks of body snatching. Only the Hehuan Sect practiced it openly, while other Nine Realms sects strictly forbade disciples from using such methods.
Suiyin ducked her head, whispering, “I didn’t mean to! I was half-asleep when I felt drawn to that warm consciousness. Later I realized it was Xia Shi’s!”
Yan Li’s ears flushed pink. “Why was your consciousness in her consciousness sea?”
“…Not sure.” Suiyin recalled awakening already entangled with Xia Shi’s consciousness.
“Should I apologize?”
Yan Li opened eyes filled with unreadable emotions.
Apologize?
That would be insultingly inadequate.
“Sort this out yourselves. It’s… your private affair.” Yan Li deftly shifted responsibility.
“I must prepare for tomorrow’s Sword Selection Conference.”
“Alright.” Suiyin returned to the scroll’s passage: «Divine connection requires heart resonance».
Heart resonance…
What exactly constituted that?
Noticing Yan Li nearing the exit, Suiyin blurted: “Yan Li senior sister! I still don’t grasp divine connection! Teach me again!”
Yan Li: “…”
Stillness—
The Scripture Hall became deathly quiet.
Thud! A disciple dropped her scroll near the entrance.
Yan Li froze mid-step, slowly turning.
The flustered disciple scrambled for her scroll, loudly reciting – then mangling – the Clear Mind Mantra. Others suddenly found urgent tasks, muttering random cultivation phrases.
Soon the hall echoed with chaotic chanting.
Yan Li: “…”
After a measured breath, she strode out with forced composure.
Autumn Forest Peak.
“Xia Shi, what do you want to check?” Wen Zhishu summoned the Book of All Knowledge, glancing at the person by the table grimacing from the bitter medicine, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Xia Shi opened her palm, revealing a small golden seal hovering above it.
“Check its origin.”
Wen Zhishu’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly, though her expression remained gentle as she flipped through the book. “Is there a problem with it?”
“No problem.” Xia Shi gulped water to dilute the bitterness before adding, “I just can’t recall who gave it to me.”
“Found it!”
Wen Zhishu showed the results from the Book of All Knowledge.
She squinted at the tiny script. “Taiji Golden Seal, an artifact from the Immortal Capital dating back a thousand years.”
Several blurred lines followed, partially covered. Wen Zhishu didn’t read them aloud.
“From the Immortal Capital!” Wen Zhishu gaped at Xia Shi.
“The Immortal Capital…” Xia Shi rotated the seal thoughtfully. “How did something from there reach the Nine Realms? And who gave it to me?”
The Immortal Capital – where cultivators ascended to immortality, rumored to exist beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Could Master have…
After ascending, Master might’ve obtained this seal and sent it down.
That seemed the only explanation.
If Master sent it, there was nothing to worry about.
Xia Shi stored the seal away, tension easing from her shoulders.
“Remembered something?” Wen Zhishu whispered.
“No.” Xia Shi shook her head. “Most likely from Master.”
Wen Zhishu chuckled. “If Master Fu Qing gifted it, an Immortal Capital artifact makes sense.”
“Check Suiyin again.”
Without questions, Wen Zhishu searched. The result matched the sect leader’s previous reading:
«Half a Divine Bone forged into exquisite form»
Xia Shi studied the glowing words before murmuring, “Thanks.”
The book stated the Taiji Golden Seal’s Immortal Capital origins with no details, while Suiyin’s entry remained equally vague.
Immortal Capital… Divine Bone…
Could Suiyin be connected to…
Xia Shi massaged her temples, dismissing the wild notion.
Yet if Suiyin truly related to the Immortal Capital, her unexplained closeness might stem from the golden seal’s presence.
“Elder Huaiwen said you should rest after medicine.” Wen Zhishu lifted an incense stick.
“What’s that?” Xia Shi eyed the fragrant rod. “Aren’t flames forbidden here?”
Wen Zhishu kept preparing the incense. “Elder’s orders. Helps your recovery.”
Wispy white smoke drifted like moonlit gauze. Xia Shi sniffed lightly, catching a faint medicinal aroma mixed with subtle fragrance.
It resembled the medicines Senior Sister Huaiwen used to prepare.
Leaning on the table for support, Xia Shi shuffled toward the bed.
Wen Zhishu hurried over to steady her.
The moment her head touched the pillow, Xia Shi’s eyelids turned leaden as drowsiness engulfed her.
"Rest now."
…
"Master, how fares Junior Sister?" Ye Xiao wrung his hands anxiously, youthful features tense.
Fu Qing let out a light sigh, tucking the blanket around the pale girl before channeling spiritual power into the bedside artifact to steadily tend to her injured disciple.
"We’ll speak outside."
"Yes."
Ye Xiao and Shen Huaiwen trailed their master through swirling snowflakes.
At the Star Viewing Platform, winter’s fury draped Wentiang Peak in funeral shrouds of white.
"Report from the mountain’s foot."
Ye Xiao’s eyes reddened as he swallowed hard. "More arrive daily. Today brought envoys from Liujin Pavilion and Qingyun City. They…"
"Speak."
"They threatened to storm our gates unless we surrender Junior Sister, claiming no responsibility for harming Sanqing disciples."
Fu Qing’s voice turned icy. "Such insolence toward the Sanqing Realm!"
"Ye Xiao."
The young man turned to wipe his tears, throat tight. "Master?"
"Escort your junior sister to Sword Pavilion. None enter until I come."
"It will be done!"
…
"Senior Sister! She wakes!" Ye Xiao called excitedly, missing the ragged figure rising behind him.
Shen Huaiwen’s eyes widened. "Ye Xiao! Behind you!"
The sword cultivator spun low, blade flashing from its sheath.
No threats should breach Sword Pavilion’s sanctity.
His confusion shattered when crimson eyes met his gaze.
"Junior…Sister…"
"Kill…KILL…" Blood dripped from Xia Wuwei’s nostrils as a summoned sword quivered rebelliously in her grip.
"She’s demon-possessed," Shen Huaiwen hissed. "That madness consumes her mind. If corruption takes root…"
Upon hearing the words, Ye Xiao darted to Xia Wuwei’s side, attempting to seize the sword from her grasp.
Xia Wuwei twisted away and slashed her blade fiercely, leaving no room for mercy!
“Pei Jiu!!! You lied! You betrayed me!”
Ye Xiao parried the strike, stumbling back several steps. “Xia Wuwei! Look at me! Recognize where we are!”
“She won’t listen. Bind her with this!” Shen Huaiwen tossed a rope from the sidelines.
Ye Xiao caught it, muttering, “Simple words, hard task. This fiend isn’t easily restrained.”
“Enough chatter. I’ll draw her attention—disarm her when you can.”
“Right!”
Their teamwork proved sharp, their familiarity with Xia Wuwei’s patterns clear. Soon they trussed her tightly and heaved her back onto the makeshift bed fashioned from a long table.
“Such severe injuries, yet she fights like a wild beast.” Ye Xiao slid his sword into its scabbard.
“Who’s this Pei Jiu she keeps shouting about? Never heard the name before.”
“Likely a friend from her recent expedition,” Shen Huaiwen answered, inserting silver needles into specific points on Xia Wuwei’s scalp.
Ye Xiao pressed, “If they’re friends, why deceive our junior sister?”
Shen Huaiwen shook her head. “All answers must wait until she wakes healed.”
…
“Master! How were you wounded so gravely?!” Ye Xiao growled through clenched teeth. “Those curs actually struck you!”
Bloodstains bloomed across Fu Qing’s robes like crimson petals on snow. She wiped blood from her lips and approached Xia Wuwei.
“Wuwei’s condition?”
“Junior sister treads the demonic path,” Shen Huaiwen reported. “She’s woken confused, unrecognizing. The needles force sleep upon her.”
Fu Qing pressed a fingertip to Xia Wuwei’s brow, channeling spiritual power. Tendrils of black energy coiled around her finger.
Ye Xiao and Shen Huaiwen tensed. “Master!”
“The heart’s demons have taken root.” Fu Qing withdrew her hand, voice heavy. A cough rattled her throat as she hid her blood-specked palm from view. “After this day, speak never of Qinghu Region near her. I shall lock these memories away.”
“If remembrance returns… the choice to act remains hers alone.”
…
“Master!” Xia Shi jolted upright, pupils flickering dark red before fading.
Jagged memory fragments stabbed her skull. She kicked off the blanket, stumbling barefoot to the table. A toppled stool clattered unnoticed as she gulped cold tea from the teapot.
Clarity slowly returned. Her gaze swept the room—
Huaiwen’s medicine room inner chamber.
Cold wind seeped through a cracked window.
Night ruled the sky.
"Master…"
Xia Shi pressed her throbbing temples and grabbed the outer garment draped nearby, loosely wrapping it around herself.
She needed to speak with the sect leader and Senior Sister Huaiwen for answers.
When she opened the door, a figure stood outside, hands clasped behind his back, watching her silently.
"Where are you going?"
At the familiar voice, Xia Shi lifted her head slightly. "Master… ascended?" Her voice cracked.
Her Master had always cherished her. How could she keep something as vital as ascension secret? And those fragmented memories—the Master’s grievous injuries… How could she…
Ye Xiao frowned briefly before nodding. "Yes."
"You’re lying." Xia Shi clutched his sleeve, knuckles whitening, tears spilling as she insisted, "You’re lying!"
