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Su Miaoqing was the daughter of Su Qianyi, the Hall Master of Wuya Hall. Like her father, she possessed a Fire Spiritual Root and cultivated the Nine Scrolls of Asking Heaven—the signature, unmistakable technique of Wuya Hall.
The realization hit Xiao Yifeng like a bucket of ice water. The entity inside the temple who had pulled her to safety must be Daoist Qingxu.
But Xiao Yifeng felt no joy. In his previous life, when he entered this place fifty years later, Daoist Qingxu was dead—utterly annihilated, with not a shred of divine sense remaining.
What did this imply? It implied that Daoist Qingxu was currently on the very brink of soul dispersion.
A Mahayana expert facing the annihilation of his soul would be driven by an overwhelming, primal instinct to survive. It was hard to imagine such a desperate entity inviting Su Miaoqing over out of pure benevolence just to pass on a legacy.
Xiao Yifeng knew the cruelty of the cultivation world better than anyone. His anxiety spiked, his heart pounding against his ribs.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. A dangerous gamble formed in his mind.
Ahead, the eccentric monster was guarding the Celestial Ladder, clearly intending to intercept anyone who tried to pass.
Xiao Yifeng let out a strange, unhinged laugh. He bit his finger and pressed it against the center of his forehead.
Boom!
He frantically circulated his fire-attribute cultivation technique. Heavy flames erupted from his body, wrapping him in a blazing inferno.
The people around him stared in bewilderment. Why was he activating his technique here? Was he trying to provoke the monster?
"Xiao Yifeng, disciple of Wentian Sect's Wuya Hall, requests an audience with Daoist Qingxu!" Xiao Yifeng bellowed, his voice amplified by spiritual power, echoing across the vast staircase. "This disciple possesses a treasure vital to the Daoist! I beg for an audience!"
The others were stunned. Daoist Qingxu? Who is that? And isn't his name Wuchen? Why is he suddenly Xiao Yifeng of Wuya Hall?
"Kid, stop playing tricks," the eccentric cackled from above. "If you obediently become my male pet, I might forgive your earlier disrespect."
Lin Xiao and Liu Yue felt their scalps tingle, a chill running down their spines as they looked at the lecherous monster with renewed horror.
Buzz!
Suddenly, a beam of red light shot out from the depths of the palace again. It swept over Xiao Yifeng, scanning him.
Above the palace, the massive lightning sphere seemed to enrage, firing a bolt of blue lightning to intercept the red beam. But the red light ignored the interference, latching onto Xiao Yifeng and yanking him violently toward the temple.
The speed was blinding.
"Where do you think you're going?!" The eccentric roared. He lunged, swiping his claw at the passing streak of red light.
Bang!
The red light pulsed, slamming into the monster with tremendous force. The eccentric was blasted backward, vomiting a mouthful of blood onto the stone steps.
He could only watch helplessly as the light carried Xiao Yifeng past the trials, through the Gate of Reincarnation, and into the temple.
The remaining survivors looked at each other, dumbfounded. What the hell is going on? Since when does an Immortal Abode have a backdoor for VIPs?
The eccentric howled in fury. After glaring at the others, he abandoned his blockade and scrambled up the stairs, terrified that the two "VIPs" would strip the temple of all its treasures. He didn't care about Su Miaoqing or Mo Shuiyao, but that kid... that kid was too strange.
With the monster gone, the pressure lifted. The survivors on the first step let out a collective sigh of relief and began their climb.
Xiao Yifeng was dragged through the palace corridors at breakneck speed, passing through layer after layer of barriers.
He recognized the path. It was the same route he had taken in his previous life. His guess was correct: Daoist Qingxu was guiding him.
He sighed deeply. Dealing with the remnant soul of a Mahayana expert was infinitely more dangerous than facing the eccentric outside. This was the true crisis.
Why do I always run into these ancient monsters? he thought bitterly, frantically calculating countermeasures.
Before he could formulate a plan, he passed through a final barrier. The scenery shifted instantly.
The cold, dark stone of the palace vanished, replaced by a vibrant, small world filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers.
He stood in a verdant meadow stretching as far as the eye could see. Tall grass swayed in the breeze, and golden orioles flitted through the air. It was a scene of absolute peace and harmony.
In the center of the meadow stood a colossal willow tree. Thousands of weeping branches danced in the gentle wind, enhancing the tranquility of the realm.
Beneath the tree stood a graceful figure in a green dress, her hair fluttering in the breeze. Who else could it be but Su Miaoqing?
Sitting at the base of the willow was an old man in cyan Daoist robes. He leaned against the trunk, his eyes closed in rest. With snow-white hair and a youthful, unwrinkled face, he possessed an ethereal, transcendent aura, yet his expression was kind and amiable.
The red light deposited Xiao Yifeng gently under the tree and dissipated.
Seeing him, Su Miaoqing’s face lit up with joy. "Xiao-Feng! You're here too!" She ran over, grabbing his arm. "This is our Wuya Hall's former Hall Master, Daoist Qingxu! He's our Ancestor Master! He's so kind—he saw I was injured and even helped heal my hidden wounds."
Seeing she was unharmed, Xiao Yifeng relaxed slightly. He smiled at her, then stepped forward, bowing deeply to the old man.
"Disciple Xiao Yifeng of Wuya Hall pays respects to Ancestor Master Qingxu."
"Good, good, good." Daoist Qingxu opened his eyes, stroking his beard with a benevolent smile. "Kid, how did you know it was me?"
"Ancestor Master used the most orthodox Nine Scrolls of Asking Heaven to save Senior Sister," Xiao Yifeng replied respectfully. "And seeing the care you showed her... this disciple merely made a bold guess."
"Haha! I never expected that after all these years, my Wuya Hall would produce two such heaven-defying talents. Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer at such a young age... the younger generation is truly fearsome!" The old man chuckled heartily.
"It is merely luck. This disciple does not deserve such praise," Xiao Yifeng said modestly.
"Alas..." Daoist Qingxu’s smile faded into a nostalgic sigh. "Decades ago, this poor Daoist entered the Reincarnation Immortal Abode and became trapped. Times have changed. I do not know the state of Wuya Hall. Who manages the hall's affairs now?"
Xiao Yifeng told him everything, holding nothing back about the hall's decline. Su Miaoqing jumped in frequently, puffing her cheeks in anger as she described the bullying they suffered from other lineages.
Hearing their plight, Daoist Qingxu let out a long, sorrowful sigh. "It is all my fault. I was too eager to revitalize the sect and trapped myself here, severing the legacy. I am a sinner of Wuya Hall."
"Ancestor Master, please do not blame yourself," Xiao Yifeng consoled. "Once you escape this predicament, you will surely restore our glory."
Daoist Qingxu nodded. He looked at Su Miaoqing with a twinkle in his eye. "So, Su Qianyi is the Hall Master now? That brat... he was the most mischievous one back in the day."
Su Miaoqing’s eyes widened. "Ancestor Master, are you saying my dad was a troublemaker? Tell me everything! I need ammunition to tease him when he puts on his stern face!"
Qingxu stroked his beard, laughing. "He was the least diligent, always dreaming up wild ideas. But he was also the most innovative. I am surprised, but not shocked."
"Ancestor Master, when you get out, you have to teach the other halls a lesson! Vent our anger!" Su Miaoqing said, clenching her small fists.
"Of course. Once I escape, I will restore the inheritance. No one will dare look down on Wuya Hall again. Our Myriad Thunder Heavenly Prison is a technique that once shook the world," Qingxu promised.
Su Miaoqing nodded vigorously, her face full of confidence and adoration.
Xiao Yifeng watched this harmonious scene silently. He glanced around the idyllic meadow, his gaze lingering on the artificial perfection of the illusion.
He let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Why does my young friend sigh?" Daoist Qingxu asked, his tone gentle. Su Miaoqing also looked at him in confusion.
Xiao Yifeng stepped forward, placing himself between Su Miaoqing and the old man. He pulled her behind his back, shielding her.
Bowing deeply, his voice rang out with grim resolve:
"Disciple is willing to offer this body to Ancestor Master to help you escape. I only beg Ancestor Master Qingxu... please spare Senior Sister."
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