Inside Youyue Valley, morning mist lingered, and spiritual energy was dense. Shaying walked slowly along the blue stone path, with cultivated bamboo swaying on both sides, dewdrops falling with clear sounds. When disciples in the valley saw her approaching, they stopped their tasks one after another, respectfully bowing.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Shaying!"
"Good morning, Valley Master's wife!"
Shaying nodded slightly, a smile on her lips, but her steps didn't stop as she headed straight for the depths of the valley. She had something on her mind, a trace of worry faintly visible between her brows.
Passing through a plum grove, the view suddenly opened up. A delicate small courtyard stood quietly, with exotic spirit flowers and rare grasses competing in beauty, but untended, appearing somewhat desolate and cold. Shaying pushed open the courtyard gate and said softly, "Yuyi, I'm here."
No one answered from inside, only a faint spirit tea fragrance wafting out. Shaying was already used to this and pushed the door to enter.
The room was simply furnished—a meditation cushion, a long sword, several jade slips. Yuyi sat cross-legged on the cushion, eyes slightly closed, spiritual energy circulating around his body. The Golden Thread Immortal Robe he wore glowed with faint golden radiance in the morning light, making his appearance appear even more cold and transcendent.
Shaying quietly watched for a moment, a warm feeling rising in her heart. Yuyi was always like this—except for cultivation, it was cultivation, rarely stepping out of this small courtyard, let alone leaving Youyue Valley. Yet even so, Yuyi had never truly refused her requests.
"Yuyi." Shaying called softly.
Yuyi slowly opened his eyes, starlight seeming to flow in his pupils, calm and waveless, "What is it?"
Shaying stepped closer, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Can you spare some time today to go out with me?"
Yuyi slightly tilted his head, seemingly somewhat surprised. Shaying's heart tightened, and she quickly explained, "Yesterday the Lieyang Gang killed over ten of our Tianyin Pavilion disciples at Youming Cave, including Qing'er who had just joined. My senior sisters all have important matters and aren't in the valley. With just Frost Shadow and me, our strength really isn't enough. I'm worried they might come again today, so I'd like to ask you to go."
Yuyi fell silent for a moment and said, "Alright, where to?"
Joy rose in Shaying's heart, but she suppressed her excitement on her face and said, "Youming Cave."
Yuyi nodded, stood up, and the spiritual energy around his body withdrew, the Golden Thread Immortal Robe's radiance also dimming. He walked to the side, took out an item from his Storage Ring, and handed it to Shaying.
"This is a combat Storage Ring with some Dharma Treasures inside. Take it first."
Shaying accepted the Storage Ring, moved in her heart. Yuyi never actively mentioned these things normally, yet today he unexpectedly gave it to her—this trust and care made warm currents surge in her heart.
"Thank you." Shaying said softly.
Yuyi didn't respond, just changed into a pale blue dharma robe, secured the Longyuan Sword at his waist, and turned to walk outside.
Shaying hurriedly followed, but some doubt rose in her heart. Yuyi agreeing to go out so readily today was extremely rare in her impression. Normally, Yuyi almost never left his room, let alone left Youyue Valley.
The two left Youyue Valley, piloting a flying boat toward Youming Cave. The flying boat cut through the air, spirit wind brushing their faces. Shaying sat beside Yuyi, watching his cold profile, her thoughts churning.
As the flying boat traveled, Shaying tentatively asked, "Yuyi, do you... have something on your mind?"
Yuyi looked ahead and said indifferently, "No."
Shaying wanted to speak but stopped, ultimately not asking further. She understood Yuyi's temperament—things he didn't want to discuss couldn't be asked out.
About an hour later, the flying boat slowly descended. Before Youming Cave, people were everywhere, with hundreds of cultivators gathered here, some in groups of three or five conversing, others sitting cross-legged alone cultivating, bustling with activity.
Yuyi descended from the flying boat, his gaze sweeping across the scene before him, his brows slightly furrowing. Shaying noticed his unusual expression and said softly, "What's wrong?"
Yuyi didn't answer, just quietly stood there, his gaze somewhat dazed. Two years ago, he had also cultivated here. At that time, Youming Cave wasn't this lively. He often trained with his fellow disciples—though his strength wasn't great, he was happy and carefree.
But now, looking at the bustling crowd before him, he felt an indescribable sense of alienation. Those laughing conversations, those sparring matches, seemed very far away from him.
That doesn't belong to me...
This thought flashed through Yuyi's mind, and he immediately closed his eyes, entering a selfless state, deaf to everything in the outside world.
Seeing this, Shaying sighed slightly in her heart. She knew Yuyi's character and didn't disturb him, turning to walk toward a group of Tianyin Pavilion disciples.
"Senior Sister Shaying!" Several newly accepted junior sisters saw Shaying and immediately excitedly gathered around.
"Senior Sister, you're here!" A junior sister's eyes were bright, "We were worried. Yesterday the Lieyang Gang killed so many of us—what if they come again today?"
Shaying smiled gently and said, "Don't worry, I'm here."
The junior sisters were immediately reassured, gathering around her chattering. Shaying patiently listened, occasionally responding, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
Just then, an arrogant voice suddenly rang out, "Oh, Tianyin Pavilion people still dare to come?"
Everyone looked toward the voice to see a burly man leading over ten people striding over, his gaze contemptuous, a cold smile on his lips. It was precisely Lieyang Gang's Lieren.
The Tianyin Pavilion disciples' expressions changed, and someone said angrily, "Lieren, you killed so many of us yesterday, and today you still dare to provoke?"
Lieren sneered and said, "Provoke? I'm just here to seek justice. Your Tianyin Pavilion disciples recklessly released sound wave techniques while cultivating, injuring many of our Lieyang Gang members. We went to ask for antidotes, and you refused—that's why we fought."
Shaying frowned and said, "Since you were asking for antidotes, why not discuss first before killing people directly?"
Lieren shrugged and said, "Discuss? Your Tianyin Pavilion people are arrogant and wouldn't listen to our explanation at all. Besides, killing to pay for killing, owing debts to repay money—it's only right."
Shaying said coldly, "Then fine, let the killer come out to die, and this matter will be settled."
Lieren's expression changed, just about to speak, but the Tianyin Pavilion disciples could no longer restrain themselves, shouting angrily one after another, "Lieren, you killed Qing'er—today you must pay with your life!"
"Yes, avenge Qing'er!"
Seeing this, a trace of dread flashed in Lieren's eyes, but he quickly resumed his arrogant manner and said, "Want revenge? You're not qualified!"
Just as both sides were at daggers drawn, a clear voice suddenly rang out, "Everyone, please hold your hands."
Everyone looked toward the voice to see several flying horses descending from the sky, with cultivators wearing daoist robes seated on them. The leader had white hair and beard, appearing immortal and daoist—precisely one of Chunyang Sect's top ten experts, Xuanzhenzi.
Xuanzhenzi descended from the flying horse and cupped his hands to Shaying, "This must be Tianyin Pavilion's disciple Shaying? This poor daoist is Xuanzhenzi, one of Chunyang Sect's top ten experts. Regarding today's matter, this poor daoist would like to be a peacemaker. I wonder if you could give me some face?"
Shaying said indifferently, "Senior Xuanzhenzi, this matter involves the lives of my Tianyin Pavilion disciples, I'm afraid it's not easy to mediate."
Xuanzhenzi smiled and said, "Disciple, you may not know, but this matter indeed has some misunderstandings. How about this—both sides take a step back, the Lieyang Gang compensates some Spirit Stones, and Tianyin Pavilion no longer pursues the matter. How about that?"
Shaying said coldly, "Killing requires paying with life—this is the rule of the cultivation world. If Lieren won't come out to die, then we go to war."
Xuanzhenzi's expression darkened as he said, "Disciple, you need to consider the consequences of going to war."
Shaying was just about to speak when a cold voice suddenly rang out, "Truly long-winded!"
Everyone looked toward the voice to see Yuyi slowly opening his eyes, his gaze indifferent, as if looking at a group of ants.
Yuyi stood up and said indifferently, "Enough nonsense has been spoken. Since they don't accept, there's no need to continue talking. I'll handle the remaining matters."
As his words fell, the spiritual energy around his body surged, the Golden Thread Immortal Robe instantly transforming into a Battle Soul Dharma Robe, killing intent overflowing. He reached out and beckoned, and the Longyuan Sword automatically flew into his hand, the sword body humming, red sword qi circulating.
Xuanzhenzi's brows furrowed as he said, "Who are you?"
Yuyi didn't answer, his figure flashing as he charged into the crowd.
Xuanzhenzi was greatly alarmed and hurriedly summoned his long sword to meet Yuyi. The Longyuan Sword in Yuyi's hand chopped lightly, seemingly without force, but Xuanzhenzi didn't dare be careless, meeting it with his full-power sword.
The two swords touched, emitting a clear ringing sound. Yuyi borrowed the force from this contact, his figure flying backward like a swallow, straight into the densely populated area.
Before he landed, the Longyuan Sword had already split into eight sword qi, shooting out in all directions. Wherever the red sword qi passed, cultivators didn't even have time to grunt before falling on the spot.
Seven people, instantly perished.
Xuanzhenzi was furious, roaring as he pounced toward Yuyi. But Yuyi didn't clash head-on with him, instead using his palm, foot, and sword's edge to borrow force, his figure shuttling through the crowd like a phantom. Every time he struck, one person fell.
His fighting style was extremely unique—in group battles, he killed the weak first, then dealt with the strong. Those cultivators were like paper before him, unable to block a single sword strike.
Shaying stood to the side, quietly watching, no worry on her face. She knew Yuyi's strength—these people were far from enough.
In a brief moment, except for Xuanzhenzi, no one else stood on the field.
Xuanzhenzi looked at the bodies covering the ground, his eyes blood red, and said angrily, "You... you only kill the weak—what kind of skill is that?"
Yuyi indifferently glanced at him, lightly flicking the Longyuan Sword with his finger, the sword body emitting a clear ringing sound.
"Seeing that you've made a name for yourself with difficulty, I'll give you a chance." Yuyi said indifferently, "If you can withstand one move from me, I'll spare your life today."
Xuanzhenzi was furious and said, "Arrogant!"
He formed seals with his hands, chanting words in his mouth, spiritual power surging around his body. A Pure Yang Sword Art condensed and blasted toward Yuyi. This was his full-power strike, sufficient to split mountains and crack rocks.
Yuyi just casually struck with his sword, red qi shooting out, colliding with the Pure Yang Sword Art.
Boom!
The Pure Yang Sword Art instantly dispersed, the red qi's momentum undiminished, straight through Xuanzhenzi's chest.
Xuanzhenzi's eyes widened, severe pain coming from his meridians, as if thousands of sharp blades were cutting inside his body. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't make a sound.
The next moment, his body flew out over twenty zhang like a kite with a broken string, heavily crashing to the ground, never to make another sound.
The entire field fell silent.
Yuyi put away the Longyuan Sword, the Battle Soul Dharma Robe transforming back into the Golden Thread Immortal Robe, turning to walk toward the flying boat.
"Shaying, I'll wait for you on the flying boat."
As his words fell, he had already entered the cabin, tightly closing the door.
Shaying came back to her senses, watching the direction where Yuyi disappeared, complex emotions rising in her heart. Yuyi had made an exception to act for her, even spending so much time. This affection made her heart both moved and bittersweet.
"Senior Sister Shaying!" The junior sisters excitedly gathered around, "Who is that older sister? So amazing!"
"Yeah, she killed Xuanzhenzi with one move—so strong!"
"Senior Sister, is she your dao companion?"
Shaying smiled helplessly, glancing at the flying boat, sighing in her heart. Dao companion? If only she had such fortune.
She patiently answered the junior sisters' questions, soothing their excited emotions, but her gaze occasionally drifted toward the flying boat.
Inside the cabin, Yuyi sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion, eyes slightly closed, spiritual energy circulating around his body. He didn't think about the earlier battle, nor did he think about Shaying's gaze, just immersed in cultivation, as if everything in the world had nothing to do with him.
Only he himself knew what today's exceptional outing was truly for.
Perhaps it was just because of Shaying's request, making some soft place in his heart tremble slightly.