CHAPTER 957: CHAPTER 125: LONG XIANYIN’S PLEA

Immortal Mountain of Sumeru.

Gu Xi returned to the Sumeru Ancient Palace on the mountain peak with a look of confusion.

In the ancient palace, Bai Ying was quietly cultivating. Nine white light pillars formed an area of supreme domain, enveloping her, making her appear so pure and holy.

Beside her, Ping’er was also cultivating the same path but only had a single faint light pillar manifesting, which was still unstable. Yet, due to the presence of the nine great light pillars, it did not disappear.

Bai Ying seemed to be testing the method herself, personally imparting the Dao to Ping’er.

Gu Xi walked over. She silently watched this scene but hesitated to speak several times.

Gu Xi did not understand why she had an overwhelming desire to speak, but this feeling tormented her heart constantly, making her unable to forget Zhou Ying’s complex and beautiful face at that moment.

"What’s wrong with me? Have I gone mad, or is my heart in turmoil? Why do Sister Zhou Ying’s words touch my spirit so deeply? Have I forgotten something? Or missed something? Why did I feel so uncomfortable at that moment when Sister Zhou Ying seemed dazed?"

Gu Xi murmured to herself, her beautiful face showing an expression of bewilderment that she was not good at hiding. Such a bewildered expression could be seen even by an ordinary person, let alone by Bai Ying.

Bai Ying continued cultivating silently, but did not speak directly. She waited until Ping’er’s cultivation was stable, then moved, leaving behind the tail of a demon fox that imprinted an ancient path with divinity, deriving nine light pillars to guard Ping’er.

Only then did she suddenly appear in front of Gu Xi.

"Xi’er, what’s wrong, why is your heart in turmoil? Haven’t you cultivated the Jade Fox Clear Heart Domain to Great Perfection? Why is this happening? What exactly happened?"

In front of Gu Xi, only then did Bai Ying reveal a shocked and incredulous expression.

"Sister Bai Ying, Xi’er came here to tell you about this. Xi’er wanted to keep it in her heart, but her thoughts were so clear that she couldn’t hide it. Even when trying to forcefully hide it, her mind was unsettled and hard to calm. After thinking it over, it seemed better to tell you, Sister."

Gu Xi showed a thoughtful expression, looking very cute.

"Xi’er, it’s because you’re too pure and straightforward that you’ve cultivated the Jade Fox Clear Heart Domain to perfection. If you have any doubts now, you naturally cannot keep them hidden. Talk to your Sister, and she’ll help you resolve them."

Bai Ying smiled slightly, gently stroking Gu Xi’s head, and spoke softly.

Gu Xi nodded lightly, then without speaking, she used a crystal light pillar to derive the earlier scene, attempting to manifest Zhou Ying’s form and that moment’s scene.

Because Gu Xi felt that no matter how much she said, it was better to let the past be recreated through Dao traces.

This would better display everything from a broader perspective.

Gu Xi manifested everything, but in this Dao trace void, there was no connection to Zhou Ying at all.

Yet in this Dao trace, Zhou Ying was supposed to exist, but she seemed nonexistent.

Everything was unchanged, but Zhou Ying’s existence was absent.

Including Zhou Ying’s voice.

From start to finish, it seemed Gu Xi was there talking to herself.

"Huh? How... how come Sister Zhou Ying isn’t in my derived Tao Law memories? It’s impossible, I still remember that moment when Sister Zhou Ying’s expression changed."

Gu Xi was somewhat incredulous and derived the Dao trace once again to revisit the past.

But this time, it was the same.

Gu Xi seemed disbelieving, gathering all her power to derive it again with full force.

This time, Zhou Ying appeared.

But the instant she appeared, Zhou Ying faced Gu Xi directly and said, "There’s no need to derive it, Xi’er. Some things you should choose to forget. I just suddenly achieved enlightenment."

"Ah— The Tao rules I derived are virtual, how have you come to life, Sister Zhou Ying?"

Gu Xi was stunned.

Even Bai Ying beside Gu Xi had a somewhat uncertain expression, revealing a very serious look.

But then, Zhou Ying from within the Tao rules suddenly stepped out from the void, and with Zhou Ying who stood quietly at the foot of the mountain, she seemed to cross space-time and suddenly merged, appearing right next to Gu Xi. She said, "Because I’ve always been by your side, Xi’er. These matters are merely a kind of Dao transformation; there’s nothing else to it. Didn’t you want to understand the wonders of the Heavenly Spirit Eye Domain? Later, I’ll teach you."

"Ah— Really, Sister Zhou Ying? That’s wonderful, I’ve always wanted to have such abilities, both powerful and fast in cultivation, and it can also remedy my lack in enlightenment. Sister Zhou Ying, you’re wonderful, I like you so much."

Gu Xi immediately said happily.

Because of her joy, her confusion and emotional knots unconsciously disappeared with the realization of a dream.

The power of dreams sometimes is so magical that it can eliminate emotional knots and dispel madness.

Zhou Ying smiled too, reached out to fondly stroke Gu Xi’s head as if she were a big sister, full of caring intentions.

Bai Ying’s eyes flashed a trace of strange color, but she did not speak.

"Xi’er, get familiar with the entry methods to the wonders of the Heavenly Spirit Eye first. I’ve talked to you about it before. Try perceiving it in reverse this time, and you’ll naturally have a different understanding. Hmm, go ahead, and I’ll later check your progress. If your progress is too lacking, even if I wanted to teach you this cultivation technique, I can’t help if you can’t meet the requirements."

Zhou Ying spoke softly.

"Don’t worry, Sister Zhou Ying, I’ve already had a deep understanding last time. This time, switching to reverse understanding, how could it possibly stump me? Sister Zhou Ying, hehe, just prepare your proud methods to teach the clever and lovely Gu Xi!"

Gu Xi said with a giggle, completely unburdened, joyfully stepping into the Forbidden Chamber of the Sumeru Ancient Palace to cultivate.

The scene fell into a tranquil silence.

"Zhou Ying, what’s going on? You owe me an explanation, why can’t the Dao Trace depict you, and how can you Harmonize with the Void? Isn’t this something even the Immortals can’t achieve?"

Bai Ying asked with concentration.

"Sister Bai Ying, it’s just that I’ve mastered a certain rule, and Xi’er’s lack of strength is the reason."

"You don’t have to hide it. During Xi’er’s third engraving, I secretly infused a Power of Laws, and although it engraved you, it attracted your true self to merge with the virtual you. Zhou Ying, haven’t you felt how I’ve treated you? I, Bai Ying, can say with a clear conscience that I’ve treated you like a sister, how could you bear to deceive me? Could it still be because of Zhou Yan’s matter that you hold a grudge? If so, I... I will find a way to let him enter the War Soul Hall or the headquarters of the Purgatory Refiners in the Dark God Domain, under the first palace, the Wenhua Palace, as compensation. How about that?"

Bai Ying pondered slightly, speaking somewhat lost.

Zhou Ying did not speak.

Bai Ying sighed and continued, "Zhou Ying, in our Sumeru Immortal Mountain, there are not many female cultivators, each of whom is my sister, like family. Where does this leave me if you act like this? I am truly saddened."

Bai Ying’s words were disheartened but were purely persuasive without any forcefulness.

"Sister Bai Ying, it has nothing to do with you. The reason I am not bound by Heaven and Earth, like the Immortals, is actually... there really is an unspeakable reason, which involves a certain truth.

Sister Bai Ying, as long as you believe that I will never harm you and will never betray you, that’s all that matters. This matter, I really hate myself for knowing, because knowing it means being afraid.

Incredibly afraid, yet unable to share with anyone.

So, this crime, it’s enough for me to bear it alone, bringing another person into it might cause a great calamity.

And, if it weren’t for the sudden panic this time, I would still seal this truth in the depths of the Heavenly Spirit Eye’s domain, locked within the Soul Sea."

"Sister Bai Ying, I know you’ve been very good to me, and I feel the same way, willing to risk death a thousand times over for you without any hesitation. But let’s just let this matter go.

This is poison, this is disaster, and it is also the last glimmer of hope, something that really cannot... be disclosed."

Zhou Ying’s words were sincere but carried a pleading tone, merely hoping that Bai Ying would not inquire further into this matter.

"This... Zhou Ying, if it is difficult, you don’t have to speak about it. I’m just very worried about your terrifying ability... since you put it this way, I won’t trouble you about it anymore. Furthermore, your frightening ability to derive Void shadows and merge with the True Void, do not display it again. This is a serious matter, once it gets out, you’ll catch the attention of endless Supremes, maybe even be refined and studied. Though Dark God Domain cultivators are generally united, a sufficient interest would drive a Top Venerable unchecked into madness."

Bai Ying said with a solemn expression.

"I understand, but it was out of necessity, because that scene, you can’t know, if you know, it would lead you closer to the truth. The truth is, oftentimes... harsh and powerless."

Zhou Ying nodded slightly in explanation.

"Then suppress this memory within the Soul Sea. You do this, and so will I."

"Hmm."

...

Long Xianyin, near death, has been suppressed by the Blood River Power to the point of being weaker than an ordinary woman, let alone resisting Zhou Yan’s current state of Blood Qi Fury.

Amid the blood light, Long Xianyin was completely shackled, without even the strength to resist.

This blood light not only confined Long Xianyin but carried a unique restorative ability, continuously restoring Long Xianyin’s damaged Divine Body, temporarily mending her Divine Body and Divine Soul.

But Long Xianyin felt no happiness, instead, endless fear rose in her heart.

She knew her temporary wholeness signified only one thing — a terrifying end.

Not only the Divine Body, but her Divine Soul was about to be violated by this despicable man.

But Long Xianyin had no time to think, Zhou Yan was already approaching.

With a hook and a pull of his hand, Zhou Yan lifted Long Xianyin with a force of Blood Qi, suddenly drawing her into his arms.

"Ah——"

Long Xianyin exclaimed, struggling desperately but unable even to move.

Zhou Yan coldly stared at her, his eyes as icy as a sword shimmering with cold light.

However, Zhou Yan’s expression did not change, he spoke coldly, "A bet is a bet, the promise was not kept, now you’ll be at my disposal!"

"You scoundrel! Despicable! Taking advantage of others!"

Long Xianyin roared in anger, her eyes seemingly spitting fire.

Yet Zhou Yan merely struck towards Long Xianyin’s skirt with a fierce grip, and the ragged, ice crystal-studded skirt instantly shattered under Zhou Yan’s domineering strength.

...

"Please... please spare me..."

In near despair, Long Xianyin’s beautiful eyes filled with crystalline tears, she almost begged, her face looking dim and plaintive.

She knew, apart from pleading for perhaps a sliver of hope, there was truly nothing else.

So even someone like her, the Xuanling Venerable, let go of everything, begging desperately, her words mournful.

Such actions, even an iron-hearted cultivator, would be moved, the heart would soften.

But Zhou Yan directly ignored it, in the midst of Long Xianyin’s pleas, his hand harshly...