The two arrived at the entrance, gazing at the golden light emanating from the cave mouth. They exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing with caution.
The barrier's fissures widened, and several small demons revealed their true forms, squeezing through the narrow opening.
Ye Ziling tightened her grip on the silver hairpin in her hand, ready to step forward and demand an explanation. However, Bai Yu was a step ahead. A silver sword appeared in his hand as if by magic, and within a few moves, he had felled the demonic beasts. His swordsmanship was sharp and precise, severing the heads of several bats. Only two were left alive.
His white robes remained as ethereal as ever, unstained by a drop of blood.
"Speak, who sent you?"
His handsome brows were tightly furrowed, a killing intent glinting in his eyes. An icy, awe-inspiring aura emanated from him.
The two demonic beasts transformed into human form, exchanged a look, and hesitated to speak.
Just as Ye Ziling was about to step forward and press them, Bai Yu blocked her with his hand. He moved to stand before the two beasts, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he raised his sword to strike.
He used his sword to lift the severed heads from the ground. Brain matter splattered, and dark blood flowed out.
The two demonic beasts looked at Bai Yu, their eyes filled with terror.
"Speak if you have something to say. Don't delay your journey," Bai Yu's voice was like a whisper from hell, chilling to the bone.
The two beasts trembled uncontrollably, unable to withstand his oppressive aura. Finally, one of them stammered, "It… it was… Sect Master Shao Lin who sent us."
Ye Ziling and Bai Yu exchanged glances, a growing hint of mockery in their eyes. They clearly didn't believe it. Shen Qingfeng detested demonic creatures the most; he would never ally with them, even in death.
He swung his silver sword again, and the head of the beast that had just spoken rolled to the ground.
Bai Yu let out a cold laugh and leisurely picked up its skin with his sword, playing with it. He looked at the trembling beast huddled in the corner and said dismissively, "Lying. That's the consequence."
The beast shivered all over, then immediately knelt down, trembling. "It… it was… the Deputy Palace Master of Jiuling Palace who sent us… He said to come and check if Ye Ziling was dead and to bring her body back for confirmation. We couldn't report back without the body, so we saw a barrier here and wanted to look inside…"
"So, you haven't returned to report yet?" Bai Yu's expression became even colder.
"Yes…"
Bai Yu's brows relaxed slightly, and with a flash of his sword, the beast's head also fell to the ground.
Ye Ziling glanced leisurely at the several headless corpses on the ground, then hooked her lips with satisfaction. "Immortal Bai Yu seems righteous, but your methods are even more ruthless than mine."
Bai Yu sheathed his sword, his expression returning to its usual calm. He looked at her and replied, "If you weren't so unwell, would it be my turn to act?"
"I'll reinforce the barrier." Ye Ziling turned to enter the cave and raised her hand to cast a spell, but Bai Yu stopped her.
"Wait."
As Ye Ziling withdrew her hand, she saw Bai Yu walk past her and raise his palm, restoring the barrier.
"You are weak," he said indifferently. "I will handle the barrier."
After dispatching the demonic beasts, Ye Ziling finally noticed two figures behind her.
"Greetings, Saintess."
Two youths, around fifteen years old, carrying a large basket of medicinal herbs, were walking towards the exit, clearly intending to leave the valley.
Ye Ziling couldn't help but feel puzzled. Wasn't there a rule forbidding anyone from leaving the valley?
"Why are you leaving the valley?" Ye Ziling stepped forward to ask.
The two youths stopped and turned around, both startled to see Ye Ziling and Bai Yu.
One of the youths regained his composure and quickly replied, "Reporting to the Saintess, the valley collects two baskets of herbs every month, specifically to send to Second Young Master."
Second Young Master? Could it be her second elder brother?
Seeing the demonic beasts nearby, and fearing the two youths might be attacked, Ye Ziling decided to accompany them out of the valley and visit her second elder brother.
"How can I be left out?" Bai Yu's voice came from behind. In a blink, the killing intent in his eyes vanished, replaced by a faint smile.
They left the valley together and arrived at the street, with the two youths following them.
The late autumn season brought a slight chill, and the number of pedestrians on the street had significantly decreased.
Ling Zhao, seeing that Ling Xi had not been in good spirits for the past few days, used Shen Yueru's birthday as an excuse to have him accompany his junior sister out for a stroll. However, Ling Xi remained pensive throughout the journey, even more aloof than usual.
Shen Yueru skipped to a candied hawthorn stall, tugged on Ling Xi's sleeve, and pointed to the most appealing string of red beads. "Senior Brother Ling, I want that one. I can't reach it!"
Ling Xi glanced at the candied hawthorns, then at Shen Yueru's expectant gaze. He reached out his long arm, took down the candied hawthorns, and handed them to her without a word.
He stared at the candied hawthorns in his hand, his expression darkening, and a certain person's face flashed rapidly through his mind. He remembered buying a string for Ye Ziling when they were at Yunzhong Ridge.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Ling." Shen Yueru happily took the candied hawthorns, took a bite, and closed her eyes contentedly.
Meanwhile, Ye Ziling and Bai Yu were leisurely strolling through the street. Bai Yu suddenly spotted the candied hawthorn stall and said to Ye Ziling, "Since we're out of the valley, shouldn't we buy something for the children in the valley?"
"Immortal Bai Yu has reminded me," Ye Ziling said with a chuckle. As she glanced at Bai Yu, he seemed to have noticed something, his gaze fixed on the candied hawthorn stall, his eyes narrowing coldly for a moment.
Ye Ziling instinctively looked towards the candied hawthorn stall. Just as she turned her head, a pair of large hands covered her eyes.
The warm palms against her cheeks caught her by surprise.
Ling Xi snapped back to reality, and in a daze, he saw a familiar figure in the distance. He instinctively chased after it. That elegant figure—he wouldn't mistake it. Even though he had personally buried her body a few days ago, he still felt she was alive.
"Senior Brother Ling! Where are you going?"
"Junior Brother…"
Ling Xi didn't look back, hurriedly maneuvering around the people blocking his path. But for some reason, the street, which had been sparsely populated moments ago, was now thronged with people obstructing his way.
"What kind of person are you? You look decent, but can't you watch where you're going?"
…
He bumped into many people along the way, but Ling Xi paid them no mind, continuing forward, his eyes searching everywhere for her.
"...Bai Yu? Let go."
Bai Yu feigned a playful laugh, his voice reaching her ear. "Don't look. You can't buy that many anyway. I didn't bring enough silver today, so there's none for you."
Ye Ziling struggled to remove Bai Yu's hand and looked up at him, a teasing smile on her lips. "It's alright. I still have money on me. I could buy the whole stall."
Just then, a youth behind them suddenly reminded Ye Ziling, "Saintess, Second Young Master has sent someone to tell you to come and see him."
"Alright, I understand," Ye Ziling replied indifferently, turning around and waving to the youth.
"Go ahead. I'll buy the candied hawthorns. I'll find you later to regroup," Bai Yu said calmly.
Ye Ziling glanced at Bai Yu, then turned and left with the youth.
By the time Ling Xi pushed through the crowd, Ye Ziling was nowhere to be seen.
Could he be suffering from excessive longing and seeing illusions? Impossible. He had seen her clearly just now. It definitely wasn't an illusion!
"Scholar Ling?" Bai Yu saw Ling Xi searching anxiously and stood beside him, smiling leisurely. "It's been a few days, and the Scholar seems to have become much more haggard."
Ling Xi looked up. Remembering the figure beside Bai Yu, his gaze grew shadowed, and he asked in a deep voice, "Was she here just now?"
"Her? I don't know who Scholar Ling is referring to?" Bai Yu's expression was now composed and indifferent, his demeanor utterly serene.
Ling Xi wasn't blind. Bai Yu had deliberately sent the people nearby away; he must know who he was looking for.
"Is she still alive?" Ling Xi's voice was somewhat hoarse as he stared intently at Bai Yu, demanding an answer.
Seeing Bai Yu still didn't reply, Ling Xi's pupils contracted, and his heart felt as if it were being gripped by something, causing him almost unbearable pain.
"...Where is she?" Seeing Bai Yu still unresponsive, Ling Xi's heart grew colder and colder.
Bai Yu sneered, his expression clear and cold, and said indifferently, "Are you referring to Ye Ziling?"
"Didn't you force her to the edge of the cliff, and she fell to her death? I imagine Scholar should know better than I do."
Bai Yu's face suddenly turned icy. He looked at Ling Xi with a half-mocking expression, a flicker of sadness in his eyes.