Shen Yue was suddenly startled. She used her spiritual power to sense her surroundings but found no trace of demonic energy.
She sat directly on the bed, circulating her spiritual energy to check the seal. However, as soon as her spiritual energy touched it, it was repelled. Shen Yue’s complexion became even paler, almost transparent.
It seemed as if someone was speaking to her with his alluring, sinister voice: “Senior Brother…”
That voice, like a curse, continued to linger in her ears, eerie and ethereal.
Shen Yue’s eyes were covered with a white cloth, her vibrant red lips pressed tightly together, and her delicate brows suddenly darkened.
Meanwhile, in the abyssal depths of the sea, a colossal, rigid ice block, bound by countless chains, imprisoned a dark silhouette.
The iron chains, as thick as an arm, pulsed with immensely powerful spiritual energy, and no life form in the seabed dared to approach.
He closed his eyes, like a lifeless puppet. But in the next moment, his water-drenched eyelashes trembled slightly, then returned to stillness.
—
Shen Yue calmed the spiritual energy within her, changed her clothes, and proceeded to the front hall for the council.
It was likely that the elders had also sensed the seal becoming unstable. If that demon was released, the consequences would be unimaginable.
“Sect Leader Xi Yu, regarding the seal…”
Shen Yue lightly pursed her lips, her brows conveying her usual indifference. “I will begin my seclusion.”
While it was called seclusion, its true purpose was to reinforce the seal. This was understood by everyone.
Xin Xi couldn’t help but frown. “Then how long will you be in seclusion?”
“At most ten years.” Shen Yue’s previous seclusions would last decades or even centuries, but she was different now. She had a concern.
That would be her young disciple.
Now, no one knew when she would emerge from her secluded cultivation.
After finishing her arrangements with the elders, Shen Yue spoke with Elder Ye privately.
Elder Ye stroked his gray beard and looked at the pale-faced Shen Yue, slowly saying, “Tell me what is on your mind.”
Shen Yue, her eyes covered by a soft white cloth, had a clear and cold expression. “During my seclusion, I trouble you with any issues concerning my disciple. He is still young, so please be patient with him.”
“You are truly devoted to your young disciple,” Elder Ye said with a smile, teasing her, but he was inwardly surprised.
He had watched Shen Yue grow up. Shen Yue had been very quiet since childhood, and as she grew older, she became even more indifferent, dedicating herself solely to cultivation. He had never seen her care so deeply about anyone.
Shen Yue did not speak further, but the coldness in her brows softened slightly, no longer like the ice block she used to be.
Elder Ye observed all this, thinking it was for the better. At least she no longer appeared so frigid and devoid of human warmth. “Alright, alright. If the Sect Leader entrusts me, how could I refuse?”
Shen Yue nodded. “Thank you.”
After giving a few more instructions, Shen Yue returned to Xin Qing Hall.
In the past, upon entering the hall, she would be swarmed by a little dumpling. Whether it was an illusion or not, Shen Yue felt that the already tranquil Xin Qing Hall had become even more desolate.
It was silent, without a single sound.
Shen Yue stood there in silence for a few minutes, then used her spiritual power to search for Rong Hua’s presence. Within a few minutes, she located him.
She gently opened the door to the side hall and walked in silently, immediately sensing the boy’s presence.
A small bulge appeared on the bed. Only the boy’s head was exposed. He was sleeping with his eyes closed, as if in slumber.
However, Shen Yue could sense that Rong Hua was not asleep.
She called out softly, “Rong Hua?”
“…”
The person on the bed remained motionless, but his rapid breathing betrayed his outward calm.
The white-robed immortal pursed her lips, feeling a touch of confusion.
She knew the boy was not asleep, and she didn’t understand why the boy, who had always clung to her, was suddenly behaving this way. She also couldn’t wake someone who was perpetually pretending to be asleep.
Shen Yue’s voice grew even colder. “Your master will be in seclusion for several years. I won’t be able to teach you anything. If you have any questions, ask Elder Ye of Chang Bai Hall. If you find Xin Qing Hall boring, you can also move to live with other disciples…”
Before she could finish speaking, the system suddenly chimed in: [Why are you being so nagging like an old mother? Haven’t I told you that your character is cool and aloof? Do you know what cool and aloof means? If you continue talking, you’ll break character, and we’ll have to reload the save file.]
Shen Yue immediately shut her mouth and said dryly, “Do as you see fit.”
Fearing she would lose control of her tongue again, she slowly walked away.
But as Shen Yue reached the door and was about to open it, he suddenly spoke, calling out to stop her.
“Master…”
Shen Yue turned her head slightly. Her raven-black hair, reaching her waist, cascaded from her shoulders to her back. Her movement to push the door seemed to freeze. The wide, loose sleeves of her white robe, embroidered with golden patterns, slipped to her elbows, revealing skin as fair and lustrous as white jade.
Half of her pale, beautiful profile turned towards him. “What is it?”
The boy propped himself up on the bed, his dark eyes devoid of light, as deep and black as an endless abyss. His voice was hoarse, “Master… are you driving me away? Don’t you want me anymore?!”
Shen Yue listened to the boy’s words, utterly bewildered. Of course not. She had never had such a thought. What was this child imagining?
But all she managed to say were two simple words: “Not at all.”
“Then why are you giving me away to someone else? Aren’t you my master? I am a disciple of Xin Qing Hall! Why should I live with other disciples? If you’ve decided to take me as your disciple, why are you handing me over to others to teach me?”
The boy’s tone was calm, but his words, spoken in such an ordinary manner, were laced with bitter sarcasm and hatred.
Shen Yue was powerless to refute him; even if she wanted to, she couldn't.
Damn it! She was defeated!
Shen Yue fell silent for a moment, then opened the door and went out. Her white figure was so indifferent, no matter how hard one tried, they couldn’t melt even a corner of her icy heart.
Rong Hua’s hand went limp, and his whole body slumped heavily onto the bed.
Soon, Rong Hua could see Shen Yue’s receding figure through his blurry vision.
The soft sound of the door closing was heavy in his ears, like something incredibly cruel smashing into his heart, leaving a dull ache.
Scalding tears slid from the corners of his eyes and dripped behind his ears. The warmth that had previously suffused his body turned cold again, much colder than before. He was wrapped entirely in the quilt but felt no warmth whatsoever.
For cultivators, time was but a fleeting thought. Every year, Qingyun Sect selected a batch of disciples with the best aptitude; the rest were eliminated and sent down the mountain.
The four seas and eight wildernesses brought all sorts of people to Qingyun Sect, but very few were kept. Qingyun Sect was renowned throughout the land, and countless people came seeking its fame each year.