The mountain where the Hushan Pavilion is located is Lingze Mountain, the domain of Elder Lingze. Elder Lingze enjoys brewing tea while watching the rain and snow, and thus the Hushan Pavilion was born as a place of elegance.

Elder Lingze is kind-hearted and doesn’t have much of an air about her. Although the Hushan Pavilion belongs to her, the other disciples are welcome to visit as well.

Upon learning the whereabouts of Shen Changxue, Zhong Yinyue hurriedly dashed through the snow. When he reached the edge of the cliff and looked around at the six towering mountains wrapped in heavy snow and surrounded by mist, he suddenly realized something was off.

He suddenly became aware of it.

He had just crossed into a book.

His mind was a blank slate.

He… couldn’t fly.

He didn’t even know which of these mountains was Lingze Mountain.

The Tianjue Sect has seven mountains, each overseen by one elder. Each elder has their own mountain palace for cultivation and teaching. But the problem is… when it snows, these mountains are just shadows; who knows which one is Lingze’s!

Just as Zhong Yinyue was about to panic, suddenly, a flood of memories rushed into his mind.

The memories surged like a tidal wave, and Zhong Yinyue was caught off guard, instantly suffering a splitting headache. He clutched his head, stumbled, and leaned against a nearby tree.

The headache persisted, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.

Zhong Yinyue was forced to digest these memories.

All the memories were from the first-person perspective; they belonged to the original owner, “Zhong Yinyue.”

The memories were a chaotic jumble, and in an instant, they filled Zhong Yinyue’s mind. Supporting himself against the tree, he gasped for breath in pain.

Suddenly, he felt a warmth in his chest.

A stream of energy radiated from his heart to his limbs. Zhong Yinyue could clearly feel it circulating within him.

He was momentarily dazed, but quickly found the answer in the memories he had just received—this was spiritual energy.

Cultivators all have spiritual energy circulating within them. The higher their cultivation level, the stronger the spiritual energy flowing inside them.

Zhong Yinyue recalled the knowledge that had been forcefully crammed into his brain and tried to concentrate the spiritual energy upward—reportedly, if used properly, spiritual energy could facilitate a certain degree of self-healing.

In an instant, a refreshing sensation spread through his aching head.

This felt so good.

Zhong Yinyue let out a long sigh of relief, squatting down while hugging the tree, chuckling foolishly to himself.

After feeling a bit better, Zhong Yinyue stood up and called out, “Sword, come!”

A beam of white light descended from the sky, landing steadily in front of him.

It was a long sword, as white as the bright moon, slender and thin like a cicada’s wing.

Although Zhong Yinyue was a talisman cultivator and not a sword cultivator, he wasn’t completely unfamiliar with swords; he usually relied on sword control to fly.

He jumped onto it, almost losing his balance as his body swayed violently.

Zhong Yinyue was startled, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest—below him was a cliff!

He patted his chest and cautiously flew the sword toward Lingze Mountain, as recalled in his memories.

Facing the cold wind, his hair was blown back into a slick style. As he moved through the mist, he couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth and let out a dry laugh.

With spiritual energy circulating in his body, he didn’t feel cold even in the biting wind.

Before long, he arrived at Lingze Mountain and jumped down. The sword dimmed and sheathed itself, landing in his hand.

Holding the sword, Zhong Yinyue jogged toward the Hushan Pavilion.

The Hushan Pavilion was built in a very secluded area of the back mountain for tranquility.

When Zhong Yinyue arrived, he could see through the wind and snow that there was indeed someone in the pavilion.

Snowflakes danced in the air, and that person stood with their back to him, gazing at the snowy lake below the mountain.

That person was dressed in white, just like him. However, being merely a disciple of the mountain gate, their white robe was thin and simple, unlike Zhong Yinyue’s luxurious white fur coat that resembled fine jade.

Yet, the white robe still accentuated their tall and slender figure, broad shoulders and narrow waist.

Zhong Yinyue unconsciously slowed his pace.

The person seemed entranced by the snow, and he didn’t want to disturb them, so he quietly approached.

Zhong Yinyue reached the pavilion door.

He could see the person’s profile clearly.

With those peach blossom-like eyes filled with emotion, this was indeed Shen Changxue from “his” memories.

Shen Changxue wasn’t looking at the snow; instead, he had his head slightly lowered, staring blankly at his own hands.

His eyes were lost, and his long, raven-black eyelashes fluttered a few times.

Zhong Yinyue didn’t know what he was thinking, but there was something indescribable swirling in those eyes.

Outside the pavilion, the heavy snow fell, and Zhong Yinyue didn’t notice that Shen Changxue’s fair face had turned as pale as paper, devoid of color, as if he had just endured unspeakable torment.

Zhong Yinyue stood at a distance and knocked on the pillar of the Hushan Pavilion.

The sound echoed, and Shen Changxue snapped back to reality. He lowered his hands and turned around.

Indeed, it was a face that matched the description in the original text perfectly—

【That face was as warm as jade, with deep-set eyes, shaped like peach blossoms, seemingly veiled in a layer of mist, creating a dreamy allure. Even when doing nothing, with no expression on his face, his brows slightly furrowed and lips downturned, he appeared distant yet still evoked a sense of pity.】

Not a single word was written incorrectly.

Zhong Yinyue glanced at him and immediately lost his train of thought, staring blankly.

Shen Changxue cupped his hands in greeting, bowed, and said, “Greetings, Elder Yuluan.”

Zhong Yinyue finally snapped back to reality and hurried forward to help him up.

The original Zhong Yinyue would never have done such a thing, and the Shen Changxue who was pulled up showed an unexpected look of surprise.

Zhong Yinyue held onto him and took a couple of steps toward the pavilion. He cautiously looked around to ensure no one was nearby before lowering his voice seriously, “Brother, listen to me. I know this sounds incredibly absurd, but you have to believe me, I am definitely not crazy, nor am I talking nonsense due to being possessed…”

Shen Changxue blinked his big eyes, looking utterly confused.

Zhong Yinyue didn’t care about that and blurted out, “Listen to me! This place is actually a book! A novel! Just like the kind of scripts you see when you go down the mountain! Do you understand? It’s a play! Everything is already arranged!”

“You are just a… character in this play! In the end, they will kill you, your master, that Qian Yao will skin you alive!”

“You need to find a chance to run! You have to run, Shen Changxue! Do you understand!?”

Zhong Yinyue finished speaking, his burning gaze expectantly fixed on Shen Changxue.

Shen Changxue stared blankly for a moment and slowly replied, “Elder Yuluan… are you being haunted by nightmares?”

Zhong Yinyue felt like he might spit blood.

But he knew that such things wouldn’t be easily accepted.

Zhong Yinyue took a deep breath, raised his hand to press on Shen Changxue’s shoulder, and patiently repeated, “I told you, I’m not possessed, nor am I crazy! Besides, I’m not Elder Yuluan at all!!”

“I just crossed over! Like, like… time travel? Do you understand? It’s like you read a book and got so angry that the next day you wake up and find yourself in that book!”

Shen Changxue still looked dazed: “Then why were you angry?”

“Because you died!”

Mentioning this made Zhong Yinyue’s anger flare up again.

He waved his sleeve and began to curse angrily, “What kind of idiot author writes such a stupid plot? Is this plot something he conjured up? Who writes like this? If you can’t find the spiritual herbs, then just can’t find them! Isn’t this the Tianjue Sect? Isn’t it supposed to be the best in the world? Isn’t there a whole mountain of top-tier herbalists? Can’t one demonic seed be dealt with? Do you need a disciple to run into a secret realm!?”

“If you’re going to run into a secret realm, then why does a whole bunch of elders not go? Are they all disabled? This so-called number one sect in the world is dead, and no one is left, so it has to be you!? What do you owe them? A bunch of idiots! Besides, you’ve already brought something out, and after coming out, you still managed to survive when you ran into those demonic cultivators. Isn’t that impressive? What are they not satisfied with? Huh!?”

“What exactly are they not satisfied with? That bastard has the nerve to say anything to you! If he’s so great, why doesn’t he go into the secret realm? What is he afraid of!? Isn’t he an elder? Sitting there like a big Buddha, enjoying offerings, and still making others run errands for him!?”

“Moreover, was it your intention for the spiritual herbs to be lost? Why is it all your fault? Why must you die!? And what’s with this ‘dying to atone’ nonsense? A whole mountain of idiots thinks it’s your fault! Are they sick? Did one brainless person lead to three, four, five, or six more brainless people!?”

“This is called the number one sect in the world, and these people still cultivate!? What kind of path are they cultivating, the path of beasts!?”

Zhong Yinyue’s anger surged, and the more he cursed, the more worked up he became, panting heavily.

When he turned around, he noticed Shen Changxue looking at him with a strange expression.

It was a look of disbelief. But he couldn’t tell if it was just his imagination, as he also saw something else in those eyes.

But he couldn’t articulate what it was at that moment.

Zhong Yinyue was a straightforward person, thinking that Elder Yuluan was going crazy in front of him, shattering Shen Changxue’s worldview.

Zhong Yinyue angrily said, “So I’ve said it! I’m not Yuluan! Would Yuluan go crazy like this with you!?”

Shen Changxue chuckled softly, shaking his head.

When he smiled, it was as if the spring of Jiangnan had stirred the heart.

Zhong Yinyue felt a jolt in his heart from his smile, stammering a few words, “So, you believe me?”

“Not really.” Shen Changxue replied.

Zhong Yinyue felt struck by lightning: “Why not!?”

“Elder, please forgive me, but what you said is too absurd.” Shen Changxue lowered his head and cupped his hands, bowing again, “My master treats me very well, and I need to consider this matter further.”

What was there to consider—

Zhong Yinyue was internally going crazy, but then thought it made sense.

After all, Qian Yao was very good at pretending. Before this shocking plot point of skinning Shen Changxue alive appeared, he was even recognized as a good master.

“Elder Yuluan, please don’t worry. Your intention to help is sincere, and I understand in my heart.” Shen Changxue stood up, a smile forming on his face, “I will keep what you mentioned in mind and pay attention to it every day.”

“Moreover, if what you said is true, I cannot leave immediately.”

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yinyue finally understood.

Oh right.

He was Qian Yao’s top disciple, and this was Tianjue Sect. If he didn’t have a legitimate reason to leave his master, just disappearing like that would be hard to explain.

Besides, anyone who cultivates would know how to read omens. Where Shen Changxue was, where he went, and why he left could all be divined with a simple reading.

If he wanted to leave, he would need to devise a brilliant plan to escape.

“My meaning seems to have been understood by the elder.”

Shen Changxue said.

Zhong Yinyue finally realized what he had been thinking was already written all over his face.

He coughed a few times awkwardly, adjusting his expression, “Well, as long as you’re aware…”

“May I ask what time it is today?”

Shen Changxue didn’t seem surprised and calmly replied, “The twelfth year of Yanxu, the tenth day of the cold moon.”

“Then there are still three years.” Zhong Yinyue muttered, “That’s good, there’s still time. I understand why you don’t believe me; after all, Qian Yao has indeed treated you well. But since you’re willing to trust me a little, just keep an eye on your master after you go back.”

“I know you, I understand you. You’re not foolish; you’ll definitely notice something off from the subtle clues. If you have any concerns, you can always come to Yuluan Palace to find me. I probably know the answers to the things you want to know.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Changxue bowed deeply to him again.

He lowered his head, his voice inexplicably hoarse, “Thank you, Elder Yuluan, for your concern. I am deeply grateful.”