Chapter 55: The Refining Furnace (Part 10)

“Miss, now that you’ve taken our spirit stones, can we leave?” After a few exchanges, one of the masked individuals couldn’t help but speak up.
As soon as he opened his mouth, he revealed too much; they sounded only a dozen or so years old, which explained their lack of thoroughness in handling the situation. The four of them hadn’t drawn their swords and had been throwing spirit stones instead. They were clearly disciples from his sect who didn’t want to alarm the people of Penglai and didn’t have any magical artifacts on hand. When they encountered a cultivator obstructing them, they used spirit stones to demonstrate their sincerity.

This girl was quite cunning; she saw through their intentions but kept quiet about it. When they tried to leave, she drew her sword to block them. When they retaliated, she retreated into her protective barrier, using a basket to catch the spirit stones.

Xu Qianyu called for someone to reveal the truth, feeling a bit embarrassed, and stepped forward with an outstretched hand, saying, “That ice spear, give it back to me.”
She still needed it; she had saved up for a long time to buy the hidden arrow.
The four youths exchanged glances, gritting their teeth, and drew out the icicles from their bodies, carelessly wiping the blood on their clothes, clattering as they tossed them into Xu Qianyu’s palm.
However, when the last youth placed down the sixth icicle, his move was swift like lightning. Suddenly, he pressed down on Xu Qianyu’s wrist, which was as pale as snow.

“You!” Xu Qianyu felt a chill in her arm and immediately retracted her wrist, noticing a round golden seal had appeared on her arm, with runes flickering. “What is this?”
“Of course, it’s my mark. I hold grudges. Since you’re such a greedy girl, I’ll mark you, and you’ll pay for it next time,” the youth said, seemingly afraid of being struck by her. He suddenly pushed the other three, and they dragged the girl in green away, fleeing through the broken window.
A golden dragon flew down from above, lowering its head and swishing its tail as they jumped on and escaped.

Xu Qianyu had just seen this enormous golden dragon soaring in the sky, its fiery breath illuminating the darkness, its whiskers fluttering, vivid and lifelike, thinking it was a heavenly lantern from the realm of Water Moon Flower Realm, not realizing it was their “mount.”
“Qianyu!” Ruan Zhuqing ran back. He arrived just in time; Xu Qianyu reached into his possession and pulled out something resembling a crossbow, aiming at the retreating figures of the four youths. It seemed like a needle struck the youth on the backside, making him straighten up. But in the blink of an eye, they had become small black dots under the moonlight, indistinct.
Ruan Zhuqing watched as the needle pierced the window frame, pillars, and tables of other diners like celestial Flower, leaving behind exquisite ice Flower that quickly vanished. He rarely showed such a pained expression: “Junior Sister, you’re too extravagant!”

Xu Qianyu was also startled; that shot had indeed released many needles: “What kind of magical tool is this? I’ve never seen it before.”
“Junior Sister, you even hit a mortal,” Ruan Zhuqing pointed out as he noticed one needle had struck the back of the young master sitting at the table with the abducted girl. He had been slumped over the table, unconscious, and the needle blossomed into an ice flower on his back before melting away, leaving only a small tear in his silken robe.

Xu Qianyu was not overly surprised: “What happens if it pierces him?”
“It won’t be much.” 
“Then it’s fine.”
“Fine?!” Ruan Zhuqing looked at her disapprovingly.
Xu Qianyu lifted her chin. “Look at what he’s holding in his hand.”
Ruan Zhuqing leaned down to peek under the table and saw that the young master’s right hand, hanging between his knees, held a bright piece of silk. Upon closer inspection, he felt his ears heat up; it looked like a woman’s binding garment.

Xu Qianyu leaned in to whisper: “He just took advantage of the moment with her in public, thinking it was a couple’s playful behavior, but I just saw that girl with her hair down. She’s not even married yet.”
Ruan Zhuqing blushed at the mention of “playful behavior” and turned away: “He looks well-dressed; how could he be this kind of person?” He praised her. “Your reaction was pretty quick. If it were up to me, you should have shot him with another needle.”
Xu Qianyu glanced at the young master’s left hand, grasping a cup; perhaps it was that girl who had drugged him to bring him down. After all, among the four white-clad people, only one was holding her; the other three merely surrounded her without touching her. Combined with the girl’s words, it seemed like… calling friends for a private escape.

Xu Qianyu found it amusing and couldn’t help but smile. In the past, as the Avalokiteshvara of Nanling, she had often engaged in such unconventional matters. Yet that youth was foolish enough to mark her; fearing a conspiracy, she lifted her sleeve to show Ruan Zhuqing.
Ruan Zhuqing remarked, “This birthmark is quite unique.”
However, he saw that the light faded, leaving behind a heart-shaped mark resembling a birthmark, still crooked and unremovable: “…”
Xu Qianyu’s face clouded over with concern, and she urgently asked, “Quickly tell me, what kind of magical tool is this crossbow?”

It would be best if it were poisonous, making that youth unable to sit for three days.
Ruan Zhuqing explained: “It’s the Heavenly Fairy Gu.” If you hit someone, you plant a phantom Gu (poison) in them. If you recite the Celestial Fairy’s incantation, that person has to grant you a wish right then and there. This needle can only be used once; once it blooms, it cannot be reclaimed. Do you know how many spirit stones I spent to buy a single shot?”

“How unlucky.” Xu Qianyu thought about that needle piercing the lecherous youth; what wish could he possibly have? She stuffed the crossbow back into Ruan Zhuqing’s storage bag, “Indeed, a waste. Count how many needles I used; I’ll pay you back with spirit stones when we get back.”
Today, she had actually earned quite a few spirit stones, so she could afford it.
The two of them dared not delay any longer and quickly walked out while chatting.

Xu Qianyu asked, “Did you send Yu Chu back? How come you returned so quickly?”
“You wouldn’t understand,” Ruan Zhuqing panted. “I was afraid you would be at a disadvantage, so I drew a teleportation array to send Xiao Chu directly back to Songtao Yuxue Courtyard. But with my spiritual power, that teleportation array can only be drawn once a night.”
He glanced at the time, and his smile froze: “Let’s hurry; we’re running late.”

The giant bird flew anxiously, its wooden head just piercing the restrictions of Penglai when the dazzling white light from the top of the giant tower in the training ground extinguished layer by layer, leaving only a faint green glow to outline the tower under the starry sky.

This signified midnight, the time when the sect entered the night.
Xu Qianyu quickly changed back into her disciple robes on the giant bird, her insides flipping and churning. Suddenly, she noticed the brightly lit land approaching, with many figures coming and going, and was startled: “Why are there so many people? Could they be here to catch us?”
“We’re only a bit late; it shouldn’t be such a big deal,” Ruan Zhuqing replied, feeling puzzled. “Don’t mention where you’ve been. You’re about to enter the Water Moon Flower realm; we need to avoid giving anyone a reason to stir trouble.”

The giant bird landed among the trees. Xu Qianyu brushed the leaves off her sleeves, trying not to attract the attention of the few disciples who were talking nearby, sneaking back.
However, contrary to her wishes, the leading senior brother Su spotted her at a glance and walked over. He gave a slight bow, blocking her path. “Junior Sister Xu, you’re here. Where have you come from?”
Before she could concoct a response, he asked again, “Did you see Chen Duo just now?”
“Chen Duo?” Xu Qianyu was baffled. “No.”

Senior Brother Su exchanged glances with several other disciples, seemingly conveying some unspoken message. He said to her, “Please come with us to the Discipline Hall for questioning.”
Xu Qianyu became alert. “What is it? Where are you taking me? You have to make it clear before I go with you.”

She had a conflict with Chen Duo, which was well-known throughout the sect. Given the current situation, it was clear that Chen Duo must have done something wrong, and naturally, the suspicion fell on her.
A few tall miscellaneous disciples came forward to pull her, but Xu Qianyu refused to go. Amidst the commotion, a weak shadow suddenly ran out from another side and stood in front of Xu Qianyu, saying, “It was… it was me. It has nothing to do with her. Just take me away.”

Everyone was shocked. Xu Qianyu recognized her profile and exclaimed in surprise, “Yu Chu?”
Yu Chu was quickly seized by the miscellaneous disciples, and Xu Qianyu grabbed her sleeve, refusing to let go. “What’s going on with you? What do you mean it’s you? You need to explain!”
Yu Chu’s face was tense; she simply used her cold hand to remove Xu Qianyu’s hand and turned her head away, refusing to answer, “Just take me away.”

Xu Qianyu watched as she was taken to the Discipline Hall, feeling furious enough to stamp her foot. “Is she out of her mind?”
Yu Chu was timid; how could she have acted so ruthlessly? If she didn’t do it, why was she claiming responsibility?

The incident had to start a few hours earlier.
At that time, Ruan Zhuqing had sent Yu Chu back to Songtao Yuxue Courtyard via a teleportation array. This place served as the residence for outer sect disciples, and all the pavilions looked similar. Yu Chu, drunk, leaned against the wall to walk and momentarily lost her way.
When she reached a pavilion, someone from a tree suddenly threw a stone that shattered a window with a loud crash. A moment later, someone climbed out from the window, angrily grabbing Yu Chu by the collar.

Under the moonlight, the two enemies met, and the tension was palpable. The face before her, filled with malice, bore an unhealed scar at the corner of its mouth.
Chen Duo smiled sinisterly, “You’re feeling bold, huh? Seeing me at a low point, and you think you can step on me?”

Recognizing him, Yu Chu felt a surge of anxiety and stammered, “I—I didn’t mean to…”
Chen Duo could not retreat in time, and he froze in disbelief, staring at the filth covering him. He raised his hand to slap Yu Chu, but suddenly, a giant fiery phoenix image burst forth from her, screeching fiercely and pushing him back several feet with a sweep of its wings.
“Phoenix Fire?” Chen Duo swatted at the flames that erupted around him, looking utterly disheveled. “Did you cultivate? Weren’t you a useless piece of trash?”
As the confrontation continued, Yu Chu gradually sobbed up and realized she had the upper hand, so she decided to make a run for it. However, just after taking a couple of steps, someone leapt out from the bushes and blocked her path.

The female cultivator was petite and graceful, her skirt jingling softly as she sternly reprimanded Chen Duo, “What are you doing?”
Her voice was soft and sweet. Yu Chu exclaimed in surprise, “…Miss Lu?”
“Don’t be afraid.” Yu Chu attempted to run again, but Lu You directly grabbed her arm and pulled her behind her. Lu You had reached the fifth level of the foundation building and was strong enough that Yu Chu couldn’t break free. “Xiao Chu, I will seek justice for you.”
Chen Duo extinguished the flames, his forehead bulging with veins as he visibly prepared to explode with rage, gritting his teeth, “And who are you?”
“I’m Lu You,” she said, her skirt’s bells tinkling as she moved. “I’ve long been fed up with you bullying Xiao Chu. If you’re a man, then fight fair and square instead of picking on girls. Who would respect you?”
Yu Chu hurriedly tugged at her sleeve, but Lu You ignored her and continued to angrily curse Chen Duo.

Indeed, this was a play that Lu You had meticulously planned; she was the one who had thrown the stone to draw Chen Duo out.
Yu Chu, feeling distanced from her, must have blamed her for not stepping up. Today, Lu You decided to take on the role of a strong female protagonist from ancient tales and confront the villain to win back Yu Chu’s heart. As for Chen Duo, she had her own plan: According to her card, she had once crossed paths with Chen Duo in childhood, and the shop had an item related to their past—a bell.

She exchanged for an ancient copper bell and hung it on her skirt.
When Chen Duo saw the bell, he should remember their childhood connection, and then they could reconcile, turning enmity into friendship. This was a two-for-one scheme. Lu You had seen many similar situations and, upon seeing the vague “connection,” believed the bell must be a gift from Chen Duo.

As she spoke, the bell tinkled, and Chen Duo’s gaze followed the sound, landing on the ancient copper bell tied with red string on her skirt.
Then something unexpected happened: Chen Duo’s expression shifted from shock to a fierce glare. His teeth clenched, and he suddenly slammed his palm down!

This palm struck with uncontrolled spiritual energy, sending both of them crashing to the ground, their ears ringing.
Yu Chu, being of a lower level, fainted immediately. Lu You hadn’t even reacted before Chen Duo seized her collar, revealing a face filled with rage.

Chen Duo had indeed crossed paths with Lu You when he was wandering the streets in his childhood.
He once found a bell in the mud, cleaned it up, and treated it as a treasured possession. One day, while playing with the bell by the roadside, a luxurious carriage from the Lingyue Immortal Sect stopped beside him. The curtain lifted, revealing a boy in white and a girl, with the boy saying, “Senior Sister Lu, go check if that’s the bell you’ve been looking for.”
The girl exclaimed, “But the ground is all muddy! My skirt…”
The boy got out of the carriage, kicked him with the tip of his foot, and extended his hand, “Hey, little beggar, that bell is ours. Hand it over.”

Chen Duo’s mouth fell open; it was the first time he had seen someone from a sect. They were about the same age as him, yet their clothing was pristine, and they carried an air of superiority.
The girl who leaned out of the carriage was as pure and beautiful as a heavenly fairy. But when she noticed him looking, she seemed startled and pulled the curtain down.
Seeing that he had been silent for a long time, the boy directly snatched the bell from his hand. When he noticed the little beggar wouldn’t let go and saw no one around, he unleashed a sword energy that knocked him to the ground, stepping on him to seize the bell before the two drove away, leaving the little beggar filled with hatred, lying in the rain.

…

This incident had originally just been a seed of resentment buried in Chen Duo’s heart. However, after suffering at Xu Qianyu’s hands, he forcibly practiced his techniques to advance and became increasingly irritable and obsessive. Today, upon seeing Lu You’s bell, it was like adding fuel to the fire, driving him into a frenzy.
At that moment, Chen Duo was gripping Lu You’s neck, his eyes red as he said, “So it’s you? Hahaha, you’ve reached the fifth level of foundation building? How unfortunate I’m at the eighth level,killing you is no challenge at all. Hahaha, you high and mighty people, don’t you look down on beggars? Didn’t expect this, did you? Here’s what you get for looking down on me!”
It turns out that bonds are not always good memories.

Facing Lu You’s cries for help, the system coldly replied, “Items in the shop are neutral; the risks are yours to bear. This is clearly stated in the manual for the book crossing task. Did you forget, host?”
Forgot. As she moved in and out of these worlds, she had indeed almost forgotten.
Lu You’s throat made a clucking sound; Chen Duo was truly risking his life!
Her hands twitched helplessly on the ground. Even though the system did not recommend her forcibly summoning the Demon King, out of fear, she had to shout, “Xie Yuzhen, save me…”
Inside the pavilion, Xie Yuzhen heard the call and opened his eyes.

That day, he had waited for the young lady for a day and night, but Xu Qianyu had stood her up. He closed his eyes and sank into the cold, eternal night. Now, as Lu You forcibly summoned him, it was as if a voice was telling him: Get up quickly; Lu You is the love of your life; she is in danger right now, and you must save her.

Within him, two unmerged demon souls forcefully fused together at the sound of that voice. He actually got up from the bed.
In pain, cold sweat continually streamed down the boy’s face. His eyes were pitch black, his expression blank, and black energy erupted from his shoulders. The once fierce, clawing black dragons that had imprisoned him now lay at the feet of the Demon King like defeated dogs.
Xie Yuzhen stepped out step by step, the demonic energy causing the wind in the pavilion to swirl incessantly, knocking the wind-water cart off the table, which shattered into pieces with a loud crash.
Suddenly, Xie Yuzhen stopped, looking at the debris on the ground.
The grip of that voice on him seemed to have loosened a bit.

He watched coldly as the wooden pieces and gold ingots melted and twisted under the scorching black energy, and the numbness in his heart gradually awakened into a bittersweet hatred.
The young lady’s betrayal had shattered a self-deceptive dream. Xu Qianyu was taking care of Wuzhen, not him, Xie Yuzhen. He had never meant anything to her.
Since his birth, no one had dared to toy with him in such a way.
But when he saw the wooden pieces about to be swallowed, Xie Yuzhen suddenly crouched down, frantically rescuing the debris from the black energy.

His fingers trembled; the withered jasmine flowers crumbled to powder and slipped through his fingers. He returned the pile of wooden pieces and gold ingot debris to the bed and pulled the quilt over them, then vanished like mist.
At that moment, Chen Duo was still choking Lu You when he suddenly felt his hair being yanked, forcing him to lift his face inch by inch to see a boyish face that looked almost inhuman. The boy had a pale complexion, thin lips that curled into a shallow arc, and a long, icy hand that suddenly tightened around the back of his neck.
Xie Yuzhen recognized him.

It was the same boy who had been beating up the young lady before.
As Lu You coughed and choked, she saw Xie Yuzhen in a black robe, like a figure wrapped in dark clouds, exuding a terrifying presence, and she immediately felt relieved. His deep black eyes did not look at her. “Get out of here.”

Seeing Xie Yuzhen’s pale complexion, Lu You felt guilty but could only crawl up and hide the unconscious Yu Chu in the bushes before running away herself. In the distance she heard Chen Duo’s screams and closed her eyes.

…

Xie Yuzhen was now sitting in the tree branches, his long legs stretched out at an angle that allowed him to see the two lamps at the entrance of the Discipline Hall.
In the light, there was a girl with double buns, anxiously pacing back and forth, bargaining with the disciples on night duty at the entrance, asking them to let her in.
Strangely, when Xu Qianyu appeared in his line of sight, the hatred within him faded. Xie Yuzhen fixed his gaze on her.
He did not kill Chen Duo; he simply destroyed his meridians. Chen Duo, lost and desolate, called out for Xu Qianyu one moment and Yu Chu the next. He did not correct him.
Did today’s events make the young lady anxious? Did she care? He curled his lips into a smile.
Someone called out to him from below the tree. He looked down, and Lu You’s eyes were glistening with tears; her voice was hoarse and pitiful due to her injured neck: “Xie Yuzhen, why aren’t you going back to rest?”

Xie Yuzhen had sorted everything out. He neither used his powers to heal nor comforted her. Just sitting alone in a tree made her feel uneasy, and she followed his gaze. All she could see were the two lonely lights at the Discipline Hall.
Xie Yuzhen turned his head to look at Lu You. After not seeing her for a few days, he felt that her face was no longer as captivating as it had been before.

“Can I take you back?” Lu You asked, covering her neck. “By the way, there’s a restriction in your pavilion; I can’t get in. Can you open it and let me see you?”
“That’s not a restriction I set; didn’t you know that?” The boy gave her an innocent smile, which made Lu You feel a chill in her heart. “It was set by Wuzhen. I can’t open it, so I can’t let you in.”