Chapter 581: Emerging From Seclusion

In the seventh year after Xiao Mo emerged from seclusion.

Because Xiao Mo had immersed himself within the River of Time, involving karmic threads spanning a full thousand years.

This had, indeed, taken no small toll upon him.

However, after seven years of quiet recovery, Xiao Mo was, for the most part, no longer troubled by any lasting harm.

One day, as Xiao Mo sat meditating with his eyes closed in the courtyard.

Upon a certain peak in the direction of the Tushan clan, ripples of spiritual energy suddenly shuddered outward, layer upon layer, spreading in every direction.

Xiao Mo slowly opened his eyes, his gaze turning toward the source of that spiritual energy ripple.

That was a blessed cave-heaven, where only a single person had been in seclusion.

He understood at once, Junmeng had emerged from seclusion.

Xiao Mo rose to his feet and flew swiftly toward where Gui Junmeng was.

By the time he arrived, Gui Junmeng had just gracefully stepped out from within the cave dwelling.

Sensing the aura of a peak Immortal realm cultivator radiating from her, Xiao Mo could not help but feel a jolt of surprise.

To his mind, for Junmeng to have broken through to the late stage of the Immortal realm during this seclusion would already have been no small feat yet he had not expected that Junmeng would go even one step further, reaching the very peak of the Immortal realm, which was truly beyond expectation.

And as Gui Junmeng sensed the profound resonance of the Immortal realm's Dao radiating from Xiao Mo, an undisguisable joy flickered through her eyes as well.

"Xiao Mo... congratulations, you've entered the Immortal realm." Gui Junmeng said happily, her eyes curving into a smile.

"Compared to you, this is nothing at all." Xiao Mo said with a smile, shaking his head, his tone carrying a note of admiration. "I truly didn't expect that you, Junmeng, would already have reached the very peak of the Immortal realm. That's truly remarkable."

"Actually... it's not that I'm so remarkable..."

Gui Junmeng shook her head gently, a complicated look flickering quietly through her clear eyes.

"During this seclusion, I could faintly sense Jingci's presence as well."

"Between Jingci and me, it seems as though some strange connection has formed. Whatever insights each of us gains during our seclusions seem, somehow, to pass between us."

Gui Junmeng paused, then continued.

"And when I emerged from seclusion, Jingci emerged as well, at the same time. She, too, should now be at the very peak of the Immortal realm..."

"The two of you can share each other's insights and realizations?"

Hearing Gui Junmeng's words, Xiao Mo could not help but pause in surprise.

But on further thought, this did not seem entirely impossible after all.

Because, strictly speaking, Jingci and Junmeng had originally been one and the same person.

It was only that the human bloodline and the demon bloodline had been separated from one another, giving rise to the two people they were now.

And now that both of them had cultivated to the Immortal realm, comprehending the great Dao during seclusion at the same time, it was indeed possible that some inexplicable connection might arise between them, in ways beyond ordinary understanding.

"Oh, right, Xiao Mo..." Gui Junmeng seemed to suddenly remember something, her tone urgent and anxious. "What about Sister Liu Shui? How is Sister Liu Shui now?"

"Sister Liu Shui, she..."

Xiao Mo hesitated, the words rising to his lips only to be swallowed back down again, a heavy sorrow surfacing in his eyes.

And seeing this expression on Xiao Mo's face, how could Gui Junmeng possibly fail to understand what had happened?

Her heart sank at once.

"Come... I'll take you to see Sister Liu Shui..."

Xiao Mo let out a soft sigh, and flew toward a certain peak.

Half an incense stick's time later, Gui Junmeng followed Xiao Mo to stand before Liu Shui's gravestone.

Because Liu Shui's body had perished along with her Dao, leaving no remains behind, Xiao Mo had built her a memorial tomb containing her personal effects instead.

Xiao Mo and Gui Junmeng each lit a stick of incense for Liu Shui.

The pale smoke curled upward, drifting away on the wind.

Xiao Mo also told Gui Junmeng of how Liu Shui had failed in her seclusion.

At the same time, Xiao Mo informed Gui Junmeng that he had, with the aid of the River of Time, intervened in the course of Liu Shui's karma for her next life.

Learning that Liu Shui would have a good beginning and a good end in her next life, and would even become a cultivator of the Jade Simplicity realm, Gui Junmeng felt considerably comforted in her heart, and yet her friend's passing still left her spirits quite low, that hollow, melancholy feeling impossible to shake off no matter what.

On the way back, Gui Junmeng said nothing at all, only walking with her head lowered, as though lost in quiet thought.

Xiao Mo did not disturb her.

He understood how deep the bond between Junmeng and Sister Liu Shui had been.

Besides, Junmeng was a person of delicate feeling and deep loyalty.

The pain of losing a friend would, in the end, require her own time to gradually heal.

"Xiao Mo..." Just as Xiao Mo was about to step into the courtyard, Gui Junmeng gently tugged at the hem of his robe.

"What is it?" Xiao Mo turned around, smiling faintly, his gaze gentle.

"Will there come a day when you, too, leave me behind, just as Sister Liu Shui did?" She slowly raised her head, gazing earnestly into Xiao Mo's eyes, her tone carrying an undisguisable trace of fear.

Hearing Gui Junmeng's question, looking into those clear, water-like eyes of hers, Xiao Mo's lips parted slightly, only to catch in his throat, and for a moment he did not know how to answer.

"Xiao Mo... promise me... don't leave me alone... will you..."

Seeing that Xiao Mo had not answered, Gui Junmeng's slender hand gripped the hem of his robe even tighter, her fingertips paling slightly.

"Mm—" Xiao Mo nodded with a smile, his voice gentle yet firm. "Don't worry. No matter what happens, I will never leave you."

"Truly?" Gui Junmeng raised her face, asking once more to be certain, her eyes shimmering with careful, hopeful anticipation.

Xiao Mo smiled, reaching out to gently stroke Gui Junmeng's long, flowing hair, saying softly:

"Truly..."

…

At the Tushan clan.

When Tushan Meng learned that Tushan Jingci had successfully emerged from seclusion, having broken through in one stroke to the very peak of the Immortal realm, she was overjoyed.

Not only that, the great formation array had now been completed as well.

Tushan Meng felt that she could finally proceed with that final step.

To Tushan Meng's mind, once that moment came, the Tushan clan would become not merely the foremost power in the demon race's territory, but even the Ten Thousand Laws Realm itself would count for little. As for the humiliation of the two wars between humans and demons, the Tushan clan would repay it all, twice over, on behalf of the entire demon race!

However, just as Tushan Meng was making her final preparations.

That night, Tushan Jingci walked alone into the courtyard where Tushan Meng resided.

"Jingci, what is it?"

Looking at her disciple before her, Tushan Meng smiled faintly, asking softly.

"Master." A sharp flash of killing intent suddenly flickered through Tushan Jingci's eyes. "I request that Yuan be put to death!"

"On what grounds?" Tushan Meng asked, still smiling, her tone unhurried.

"No grounds are needed. This person is far too dangerous. I have a feeling that she is using us, and if Master continues to trust her, the entire Tushan clan may well be doomed beyond redemption!"

Tushan Jingci said coldly, her voice carrying an unshakable certainty.

"Heh heh heh... Jingci, my dear..." Tushan Meng laughed softly, her tone carrying a deeper meaning. "Yuan is using me, but am I not using her in turn as well?"

Tushan Meng rose to her feet, reaching out to pat Tushan Jingci's shoulder gently, the gesture carrying a note of reassurance.

"I have already reviewed that formation diagram she gave me, together with several of the elders, over and over again. Rest assured, she cannot pull any tricks on us!"

"And before long, I will make you the very first cultivator, since the ancient era, to step into that legendary, long-lost third realm!"