Chapter 18

As soon as they walked out of the range where the bell could sense, Song Xun Ji set Helan Xi down. Helan Xi cast a simple spell on his ankle. Although he was now able to move around freely, he still walked with a dignified and steady pace, accompanying Song Xun Ji back to the Ruthless Path Academy.

Helan Xi: “Where shall we discuss this in detail?”

Song Xun Ji: “At my immortal dwelling.”

Helan Xi gasped—whose immortal dwelling? It couldn’t be his, could it?

No, no, he had left in a hurry and hadn’t had time to tidy up. His immortal dwelling was probably in no better shape than Snowy’s doghouse right now.

Helan Xi composed himself and said, “Let’s go to yours then.”

Song Xun Ji didn’t object.

Helan Xi followed Song Xun Ji to the door of the immortal dwelling. While Song Xun Ji opened the door, Helan Xi glanced at his own immortal dwelling next door and then at Zhu Ruo Shuang’s immortal dwelling. Neither had lights on.

Thinking about the striking mark of the Otherworld on Zhu Ruo Shuang’s collarbone, Helan Xi unconsciously hugged the ancient book in his arms.

Song Xun Ji said, “Come in.”

After meeting Zhu Ruo Shuang, Helan Xi had thought that his first visit to a fellow Daoist’s immortal dwelling would be to hers, but it turned out to be Song Xun Ji’s. He calmed his thoughts, but as he was about to step inside Song Xun Ji’s immortal dwelling, he suddenly heard the sound of four feet behind him.

Both young men turned around at the same time, only to see Snowy, in an elegant posture, squatting in the snow, holding a bamboo basket in its mouth. Inside the basket was a scroll tied with a pale blue string.

Song Xun Ji bent down to pick up the scroll. After opening it, it was written in the hand of True Master Yi E: “Song Xun Ji, Helan Xi, hurry to the Gui Xu Discussion Room — Dongfang Jiming.”

Helan Xi read the note and nodded gracefully to Snowy: “Thank you.”

Snowy, seeing the two young men standing together at the door of Song Xun Ji’s immortal dwelling, gave them a profound look.

Helan Xi sighed inwardly. It seemed he wouldn’t be able to make his first visit to a Daoist’s immortal dwelling tonight. It would have to wait for another day. But…

Helan Xi hesitated for a moment and then stepped into Song Xun Ji’s immortal dwelling. He had already placed one foot inside, but then quickly retreated and casually said to Song Xun Ji, “Let’s go.”

By the time they reached the Gui Xu Discussion Room, Zhu Ruo Shuang was already there. True Master Yi E was chatting with her, saying how one could get tired of the endless ice and snow of the Ruthless Path Academy. It would be so poetic if one could transform into an autumn river and flow east.

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “True Master, isn’t there enough autumn water in the Tai Shan Dao Academy?”

“How could it be the same?” True Master Yi E was about to elaborate with Zhu Ruo Shuang when he noticed the other two beauties of the Ruthless Path had arrived. “Ah, you’re here? Sit down.”

The three members of the Ruthless Path sat in a row before True Master Yi E. True Master Yi E was not only being observed by three pairs of seemingly cold eyes but also realized that it made sense why Song Liushu had harbored resentment since he couldn’t win Helan Xi’s heart.

Even sandwiched between two beauties like snow and frost, the youth still glowed like the brilliance of spring. It was dazzling.

True Master Yi E quickly gathered his thoughts and said, “During Dean Jiang’s retreat, I am taking care of all the affairs of the Ruthless Path Academy. You all should be aware of this by now?”

All three nodded.

True Master Yi E sighed softly, “I’ve discussed with True Master Fei Yue. There’s no harm in learning the dual cultivation techniques of the Hehuan Path.”

Song Xun Ji: “Mm.”

Zhu Rushuang: “Alright.”

Helan Xi: “Oh.”

Although Helan Xi said “oh,” he couldn’t help feeling slightly disappointed with True Master Yi E.

Could it be? True Master, didn’t you say something completely different at the Misty Crossing that day? How grand was your speech back then! Just a few hours later and you’ve given in so easily. Aren’t you worried Dean Jiang will hold you accountable when he comes out of retreat?

“Dean Jiang won’t hold me accountable.” True Master Yi E didn’t know if he was speaking to them or to himself, “The dual cultivation techniques of the Hehuan Path not only improve cultivation but can also save lives in critical moments. Who wouldn’t want to learn such a treasure? To be honest, I’ve learned it myself…” True Master Yi E paused, realizing he had said too much, and lowered his voice, “In any case, I’m doing this for your own good.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang thanked him with understanding: “Thank you for your concern, True Master.”

True Master Yi E stood with his hands behind his back, looking out at the vast snowy plains. After a long silence, he chuckled in resignation and regained his usual humorous demeanor: “But don’t worry. I won’t let the dual cultivation techniques affect your Ruthless Path hearts. Helan Xi, Song Xun Ji, I have something to give you both.”

True Master Yi E took out a small, delicate vanity case from his sleeve. The vanity case was beautifully made, with floral patterns of blooming flowers, and emitted a faint floral fragrance.

Opening the vanity case, inside it was red velvet, upon which rested a pair of rings.

Each ring had a silver band with a fiery red gem embedded in the center. The red gem gleamed brightly, with intricate patterns on its surface, resembling tangled emotions.

True Master Yi E gestured for them to take a look: “What is this? The first one to answer wins.”

Helan Xi wasn’t interested in playing the answer game, but responding quickly and correctly to the dean’s questions had become an instinct deeply ingrained in him.

The vanity case was so ornate and fragrant, it was most likely something from the Hehuan Path Academy. What kind of treasure from the Hehuan Path would come in the form of rings?

Helan Xi quickly thought of an answer: “[Liu Xu Wei Meng]?”

“Correct!” True Master Yi E smiled heartily, praising him: “As expected of Dean Jiang’s prized disciple, you have the same style as my old friend Zhi Jin.”

Helan Xi, though modestly saying “You flatter me,” thought to himself: True Master, even though Shangguan Shen was the top disciple back then, I feel I might actually be more impressive than he was.

[Liu Xu Wei Meng] referred to a fleeting, elusive feeling, like flowing thoughts or delicate dreams. It was fitting for these rings, named after it.

These rings could capture every emotion expressed by the wearer, whether it be love, hate, resentment, or attachment. Nothing could escape the fiery “red eyes.”

In theory, those who practiced the Ruthless Path would show no reaction when wearing [Liu Xu Wei Meng].

Helan Xi: “What did you see?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “A person wearing a Nuo mask, I couldn’t see their face clearly, but… it should be a woman, right? True Lord Feiy Yue said that because I have no one I love in my heart, ‘it’ won’t have a definite shape. ‘It’ is formed from my thoughts. If I dual cultivate with ‘it’, it’s practically like dual cultivating with myself. Although dual cultivating in an illusion can’t compare to reality, it might still remove the Mark of the Other Shore on me.”

Helan Xi: “What exactly is the Mark of the Other Shore? Did True Lord Fei Yue tell you? What effect will it have on you?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “No, I feel like he is somewhat evasive about this matter.”

Song Xun Ji’s prediction was correct. Even if True Lord Fei Yue knew the origin of the Mark of the Other Shore, he wouldn’t tell them.

Helan Xi, absent-mindedly looking in the mirror, had a sudden thought: “What about True Lord Feiyue? Who is the person he loves? Did you see it in the ‘Box of Wind and Moon’?”

“I saw it.” Zhu Ruo Shuang recalled, “A young man with a slender figure, but he kept his back to me, so I couldn’t see his face clearly. I only know he was wearing white.”

Helan Xi raised an eyebrow: “Oh, another case of cut sleeves, huh?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang curiously asked: “Why did you say ‘another’? Is there someone else with cut sleeves?”

“Let me tell you,”Even though it was just the two of them, Helan Xi leaned in and lowered his voice, “A lot of people in the Hehuan Path Institute are cut sleeves. I personally heard them call their fellow Daoists ‘baby.'”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “Really? Are you serious…”

The two of them gossiped about the Hehuan Path Institute. Seeing Helan Xi’s apparent interest in the ‘Box of Wind and Moon,’ Zhu Ruo Shuang asked, “Shiyu, do you want to take a look inside?”

“Me?” Helan Xi waved his hand repeatedly, “No, no, like you, I would probably only see someone wearing a mask. By the way, Zhu Yun, I have something very important to tell you.”

Helan Xi then recounted to Zhu Ruo Shuang everything he and Song Xun Ji had discovered in the ancient library. Zhu Ruo Shuang looked at the Mark of the Other Shore in the ‘Twelve Books of Taihua,’ his expression becoming serious again.

Finally, Helan Xi couldn’t resist sharing with his good friend: “And today, Song Xun Ji hugged me.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang was startled and shocked: “How could that be?!”

Was Song Xun Ji hugging him such an impossible thing? Zhu Ruo Shuang almost jumped in surprise. Helan Xi explained: “Because I sprained my foot, and True Lord Fei Yue didn’t allow us to use spells in the ancient library.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang suddenly understood: “Oh, I see.”

Helan Xi blinked: “You’re not surprised anymore?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang laughed: “What’s there to be surprised about? There was a reason. If it were me, I would hug you too.”

Helan Xi thought about it and realized it made sense: “Back to the Thirteenth Dao Institute, do you have any leads?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang pondered: “Like you, I’ve never heard of the Taihua Sect having a Thirteenth Dao Institute, nor have I seen the Mark of the Other Shore elsewhere in the sect.”

Helan Xi shrugged: “Of course, you haven’t seen it. The three of us never had the chance to wander around the Taihua Sect.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang suggested: “Maybe we should ask people from other Dao Institutes.”

“Other Dao Institutes?” Helan Xi said uncertainly, “Is there anyone from another Dao Institute who likes to wander around the sect and is barely trustworthy?”

Helan Xi: “What did you see?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “A person wearing a Nuo mask, their face unclear, but… it should be a woman, I think? The True Monarch of Scarlet Moon said that because I have no one I love in my heart, ‘it’ won’t have a distinct form. ‘It’ is shaped by my thoughts. If I cultivate with ‘it,’ it would essentially be like cultivating with myself. Cultivating in an illusion, though not as good as in the real world, might still help eliminate the Other Shore Seal from my body.”

Helan Xi: “What exactly is the Other Shore Seal? Did the True Monarch of Scarlet Moon tell you? What kind of effect will it have on you?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “No, I feel like he might be avoiding the topic.”

Song Xun Ji’s prediction was indeed correct; even if the True Monarch of Scarlet Moon knew the source of the Other Shore Seal, he wouldn’t tell them.

Helan Xi absentmindedly looked in the mirror and suddenly had an idea: “What about the True Monarch of Scarlet Moon? Who is the person he likes? Did you see them in the [Fengyue Treasure Box]?”

“I saw them,” Zhu Ruo Shuang said, thinking for a moment. “A young man with a graceful figure, but he was always facing away from me, so I couldn’t see his face clearly. All I know is that he was wearing a white robe.”

Helan Xi raised an eyebrow: “Oh, so he’s into broken sleeves again.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang was puzzled: “Why did you say ‘again’? Is anyone else into broken sleeves?”

“I’m telling you,”Although it was just the two of them, Helan Xi leaned in and whispered, “Many people in the Hehuan Dao Academy are into broken sleeves. I’ve heard them call each other ‘darling’ with my own ears.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “No way? Is that true…?”

The two of them spoke some gossip about the Hehuan Dao Academy. Zhu Ruo Shuang noticed that Helan Xi seemed very interested in the [Fengyue Treasure Box], so she asked, “Shi Yu, do you want to go in and take a look?”

“Me?” Helan Xi waved his hands repeatedly. “No, no, I’ll probably see a masked person just like you did. By the way, Zhu Yun, I have something very important to tell you.”

Helan Xi then shared with Zhu Ruo Shuang everything he and Song Xun Ji had discovered in the Ancient Book Vault. Zhu Ruo Shuang’s expression grew serious as she looked at the Other Shore Seal in the Taihua Twelve Books.

At the end, Hean Xi couldn’t help but share with his good friend: “Also, today, Song Xun Ji hugged me.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang froze, shocked: “What?! How could that be?!”

Was it really impossible for Song Xun Ji to hug him? It almost made Zhu Ruo Shuang jump in surprise. Helan Xi explained, “Because I twisted my ankle, and the True Monarch of Scarlet Moon doesn’t allow us to use magic in the Ancient Book Vault.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang nodded in understanding: “I see now.”

Helan Xi blinked his eyes: “You’re not surprised anymore?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang smiled: “What’s so surprising about that? There’s a reason for everything. If it were me, I’d hug you too.”

Helan Xi thought for a moment and realized it made sense: “Back to this thirteenth academy, do you have any ideas?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang pondered: “Like you, I’ve never heard of a thirteenth academy in the Taihua Sect, and I haven’t seen the Other Shore Seal anywhere else in the sect.”

Helan Xi shrugged: “Of course you haven’t seen it. We three didn’t have a chance to wander around the Taihua Sect at all.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang suggested: “Maybe we should ask people from other academies.”

“Other academies?” Helan Xi said uncertainly, “Are there any people from other academies who like to wander around the sect and are even somewhat trustworthy?”