Chapter 1727

Chapter

1727

. Even I feel a bit of pity for her—hidden in the deep mountains, a qilin

“I really don’t know what realm this woman reached at her peak.”

“When I accidentally saved her by the waterfall back then, the result was that she just woke up, and yet she already displayed such terrifying power…”

The white-robed young girl stared blankly at the scene, her clear eyes widening in astonishment. She didn’t approach the white jade bed but stood a short distance away, remaining on guard.

Faint strands of chaotic light wafted and lingered around the white-robed woman, causing the void itself to show signs of collapse. Each thread of chaotic light collided and then silently vanished, tearing apart the surrounding space. This showed just how terrifying the energy contained within each strand was—seemingly, even one strand could destroy the heavens and the earth.

At that moment, she didn’t dare to approach recklessly and risk her life.

The Great Red Bird followed behind her, craning its neck to look ahead, speaking cautiously, “While you were away from the cave, I didn’t dare to get close. Even in her severely injured, unconscious state, this woman is frightening. Terrifying energy is contained within her body. Anyone who dares approach or touch her might be obliterated instantly.”

“When I picked her up by the waterfall, she was covered in blood, barely breathing. I hesitated for a long while, and only out of a ‘let’s try’ mindset did I save her… no, I rescued her.”

“I just hoped she wouldn’t repay kindness with enmity.”

“But looking at her now, she’s almost as beautiful as I am. She should not be a bad person.”

The white-robed young girl furrowed her delicate brows and muttered softly.

Hearing this, the Great Red Bird almost rolled its eyes at her. At a time like this, and she’s still preening herself and complimenting her own beauty? It remembered clearly that back then, Gu Xian’er insisted on leaving this white-robed woman to her fate. Whether she survived or not depended entirely on her own luck.

Of course, the white-robed woman was such a terrifying existence that even if she had been gravely wounded, Gu Xian’er could not have helped much. Even if she emptied all her private reserves of precious medicines, it probably wouldn’t have sufficed.

While Gu Xian’er and the Great Red Bird were quietly conversing, the white-robed woman lying on the white jade bed suddenly moved slightly. Her long eyelashes fluttered.

Her eyes, as clear as the moon, suddenly opened, staring straight at the ceiling of the cave. Her gaze seemed a little dazed and confused, as if she hadn’t fully awakened. Her vision hadn’t fully focused, making her expression seem vacant and blank.

Seeing this, Gu Xian’er and the Great Red Bird immediately fell silent, watching carefully for the white-robed woman’s next move.

“

Hiss…

”

“My head… hurts…”

“Where… is this?”

At that moment, the white-robed woman seemed unaware of the girl and bird in the cave. She raised her slender, graceful hand to her forehead and sat up from the white jade bed.

Her voice was cold and clear, like a gentle, steady rain—slightly chilly, yet soothing. Though her gown was still stained with blood, it did nothing to diminish her beauty and elegance—peerless, breathtaking, capable of toppling empires.

Even Gu Xian’er had to admit: this was the most beautiful woman she had ever encountered in Cangmang, bar none. Her face was flawless, like carved jade, with eyebrows like green silk, a high nose, clear, serene eyes, and lips naturally red and glossy, as if crafted by the heavens themselves—a perfect creation of nature. Not a single flaw could be found.

Even a simple smile could captivate countless men, driving them to willingly surrender their hearts.

“Such a beautiful woman… yet she was gravely injured and nearly killed. I wonder who her great enemy was, to strike so ruthlessly.”

“Even I can’t help but feel pity.”

Gu Xian’er murmured softly, admiring the white-robed woman as one would a rare beauty of the world.

But to the Great Red Bird beside her, her behavior seemed almost self-indulgent. It rolled its eyes, thinking that Gu Xian’er looked like a budding flower comparing herself to a full bloom—

how could she measure up?

“Who are you?”

Only now did the white-robed woman seem to notice Gu Xian’er and the Great Red Bird, her gaze confused.

Gu Xian’er fixed her clear eyes on her, gradually lowering her previous caution. She noticed that although the white-robed woman had awakened, her state seemed off, as if her spirit had been damaged and she had forgotten something.

Clearing her throat, she composed herself and, hands clasped behind her back, spoke calmly, “This is my cave. I saved you, I brought you back from the waterfall.”

“Hmm?”

The white-robed woman looked at her, her confusion deepening. Her head throbbed painfully, and she couldn’t remember much—her origins, identity, name, or why she was here.

“You saved me?” The white-robed woman muttered.

Suddenly, blurred memory fragments flashed through her mind like flowing water: a shattered sky, an enormous black lotus, falling fragments of heaven, terrifying black mist, and the owner of cold, indifferent eyes.

Who was that? Why did looking into those eyes bring such chilling fear and dread?

The white-robed woman pressed her head in pain. She recalled only that she had been struck by that blurry figure and then plunged into endless darkness. She couldn’t remember who that figure was, nor why she felt powerless, terrified, and despairing whenever she saw him.

“Senior, it seems your spirit has been injured. You’ve just awakened. It’s best not to recall the past yet. Wait until your injuries improve before trying to meditate on them,” Gu Xian’er advised softly.

She hadn’t expected a single sentence to plunge the white-robed woman into pain. Feeling a bit pity, she didn’t continue her act and whispered her advice.

“Thank you…”

“I will find a way to repay the life-saving favor.”

The white-robed woman’s exquisite face was pale. Forcing herself to recall the past made her head pound unbearably, so she had to give up. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and offered a faint smile to Gu Xian’er.

Gu Xian’er shook her head, “I didn’t really do much. I just happened to bring you back from the waterfall.”

“Regardless, you did save me. Otherwise, I don’t know when I would have awakened.”

The white-robed woman smiled, looking at the girl dressed in white, feeling some inexplicable closeness—perhaps because she had saved her.

Gu Xian’er, who had been cautious, finally relaxed. If the white-robed woman were the type to repay kindness with enmity, she would have immediately triggered a hidden move to escape.

“Senior, is this your important item? I see you’ve been clutching it even while gravely injured.”

Gu Xian’er then handed the white-robed woman an ancient, rustic bronze mirror from the jade table nearby.

The bronze mirror wasn’t large, its edges blurred, and the surface darkened and rusted by age.

The back bore patterns worn nearly indistinct, showing signs of an age long past, with totems of ancient beasts and sacred rituals—Pixiu, Yazi, Xieniu, and others.

“This…?”

The white-robed woman looked at the mirror, still confused. It felt familiar and important, but she couldn’t remember its origin. She hesitated briefly but took it anyway. Though Gu Xian’er didn’t know its history, the white-robed woman clearly valued it highly, so it must be extraordinary.

At first curious, she soon let it be, not intending to claim it. Meanwhile, the Great Red Bird kept nudging Gu Xian’er, saying it was certainly a good item, but though Gu Xian’er was fond of wealth, she had limits—she wouldn’t take someone else’s treasure.

Gu Xian’er then explained to the white-robed woman where she was. The white-robed woman was mysterious and gravely injured. Clearly, she had faced a powerful enemy, so Gu Xian’er hadn’t informed the Xieyue Sect about her, avoiding unnecessary trouble. Now, with the woman amnesiac, there was even less reason to reveal her presence.

Feeling a bit embarrassed and guilty, the white-robed woman had to rely on Gu Xian’er while she recovered.

Gu Xian’er, now using the alias Gu Xian’er, had not revealed her real name.

Over the next few days, the white-robed woman rested in the cave, recovering, while Gu Xian’er processed the gains from her recent external journey, preparing to refine her sword path essence.

Though amnesiac, the white-robed woman’s experience and insight were intact. She could point out Gu Xian’er’s deficiencies and flaws with precision, which delighted Gu Xian’er.

Since arriving in Cangmang, Gu Xian’er had relied on exploration alone—no mentor guidance, only trial and error. Now, a few pointers from the white-robed woman brought clarity and understanding, and just a few days of training surpassed years of previous effort. Their relationship grew increasingly harmonious. However, after these days, one night, dark clouds rolled in, covering stars and moon in the mountains.

The land was pitch black, silent, impossible to see one’s hand before the face. A faint, wailing sound suddenly echoed through the mountains, startling birds and beasts alike. Mountain spirits and deer trembled. The chilling, oppressive aura was uncanny.

In the void, an invisible portal seemed to open. Shadowy figures emerged, drifting across cliffs and valleys, rivers and waterfalls, crying softly…

Inside the cave, the Great Red Bird, sleeping curled in its nest, woke terrified, its feathers standing on end.

“Xian’er… Xian’er… the sound is back…”

Flapping its wings, it shouted in fear.

Gu Xian’er, sitting cross-legged on a mat, also heard it. She frowned delicately, uneasy though not as terrified as the bird. She had heard these eerie wailing sounds many times at the Xieyue Sect—it always made one feel anxious and fearful. That this area was considered ominous was not surprising.

“Wait a few hours; the sound will fade. Just don’t leave the cave for now,” she whispered, worried that loud noises might attract attention from the unseen figures.

“It seems this area was tainted by some misfortune long ago…”

The white-robed woman stepped down from the white jade bed, stopping at the cave entrance. Through the formation, she observed the outside. But everything was shrouded in darkness, stars and moon obscured.

Gu Xian’er quietly approached, asking, “Senior, do you see something?”

The white-robed woman frowned, shaking her head, “No… but it feels like a summoning, calling ancient heroes back to the mortal realm.”

Ancient heroes returning to the mortal world?

Gu Xian’er was stunned. Suddenly, her fear lessened.

The white-robed woman smiled faintly. “Shall we go see?”

Gu Xian’er, emboldened, agreed without hesitation.

With a flick of her sleeve, the two vanished from the cave, reappearing in a dim, desolate, and broken ruin.

The faint outlines revealed collapsed ruins and buildings: pavilions, pagodas, temples, halls, and broken, decayed pillars overgrown with moss and weeds.

Scattered among the ruins were fragments of corpses, broken weapons, exploded alchemy furnaces, and shattered cauldrons.

Gu Xian’er tightened her clothes against the chill, feeling invisible presences moving past her, as if someone was watching from behind. The cold wind brushed her ears, giving her goosebumps.

Then, the wailing sobs returned. Gu Xian’er’s pupils contracted slightly as a gap appeared in the clouds, letting cold moonlight spill in.

A hunched, ragged figure appeared on a low hill. Its pale, bloodless face hidden by messy hair, it cried to the moon, tears falling continuously.

“Grandmother…”

Gu Xian’er almost shouted. She recognized the figure—it was the one who had saved her life and brought her to Xieyue Mountain. She hadn’t expected the sect’s long-feared, mentally unstable, often-missing grandmother to appear here, weeping at the moon.

Sensing someone, the disheveled figure vanished as if into thin air.

The white-robed woman beside Gu Xian’er’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“A qilin hidden in the deep mountains… seems I shouldn’t leave the cave until my injuries heal, or I’d be too conspicuous,” she muttered.

Gu Xian’er remained stunned from the recent shock.

The next morning, thin mist curled over the mountains as the sun rose.

Gu Xian’er left the cave early, returning to the ruins to find the grandmother from the night before.

But the desolate ruins were empty. After circling around, she found nothing and reluctantly gave up.

Dong… dong… dong…

Suddenly, a vast, ancient bell tolled across Xieyue Mountain.

Gu Xian’er, just back at the cave, barely settled, had to hurry again towards the sect. This was the sect’s ancestral bell, tolled only for major events to summon elders and disciples.

All disciples and elders, upon hearing it, were required to go, without exception. In the sect’s main square, streams of divine light shot from surrounding mountains and islands. Many elders and disciples had already arrived, having rushed over upon hearing the bell.

The vast, spacious square could accommodate countless cultivators and beings, encompassing heaven and earth.

When Gu Xian’er arrived, many peers and young-mid generation disciples had already gathered, while disciples from other eras stood closer to the front.

“Junior Sister Xian’er…”

“Come this way.”

A gentle, elegant voice called to her.

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