The white-robed immortal's ice-crystal eyes slowly focused, her heart churning uncontrollably.
Senior Brother Zhuang's fate remained unknown, and the threads of heavenly mechanism had been extinguished.
The Daoist she had once called "Grand Senior Brother" had now fallen completely into demonic ways, overturning heaven and earth and slaughtering the living; he was no longer a disciple of their sect.
Who else, then, had the standing and the celestial calculative power to stir the sect's karmic resonance? Who could it be?
With one senior brother fallen and the other lost to demons, she could not imagine who in this world could possibly have done such a thing. Who could use celestial calculation to pull at the karmic threads of their heaven-blessed sect? Or was this yet another scheme of that "Grand Senior Brother"?
His grand scheme had already taken shape; the demonic path had descended upon the world. Now he could finally free his hands and begin making other plans. For example, forging the sect's karmic resonance, baiting everyone on that karmic thread, and luring them to their deaths one by one.
The white-robed immortal's heart jolted. Such a thing would normally be impossible, but if it involved Grand Senior Brother, nothing was impossible. After all, the Guixu Heavenly Tome was in his hands, and his mastery of celestial tricks had reached the pinnacle of subtlety. Now he had even condensed a towering statue of the demonic head.
She drew a sharp breath, her gaze uncertain. She wanted to trace the karmic line and probe the truth, to know who was stirring the sect's karma and whether Grand Senior Brother had a hand in it. But she also knew she had little talent in celestial calculation.
When she had studied in her youth, she had been playful and uninterested in those profound, obscure, and meticulous arts. Only after Senior Brother Zhuang's disaster, in her grief and regret, did she recall her master's teachings and painstakingly study for a time.
But that hastily learned celestial skill was enough for calculating others, not for touching the sect itself, nor for dealing with someone like Grand Senior Brother. Especially one who could stir the sect's karmic response, even if it was not Grand Senior Brother, it must be a celestial-calculating master concealed in the invisible. That was not something her poor ability could pry into.
While she hesitated, she felt the familiar karmic thread of the sect snap completely. The hidden "celestial master" seemed to have noticed the disturbance, stopped the calculation, severed the line, smoothed away the spiritual ripple, and vanished again into the unseen.
That behavior was exactly like "fishing" in the formless karmic sea; and the karmic line was the fishing line.
The white-robed immortal frowned.
Heavenly mechanism appeared formless, but beneath it rolled a dark tide as vast as the ocean, with no visible shore. Within the seeming calm, immense horror could be lurking.
Often, if you were curious and looked one more time, you might see what that horror was, but you might also be gazing into the abyss forever, never to return.
Starlight flowed, and in the clear-jade cabin of the drifting boat, the white-robed immortal sat silently for a long time. Finally, she sighed. "Enough. Let's deal with the real matter first."
The karma of the sect always involved people too dangerous. Whether the monstrous geniuses of the sect itself, demonic beings like Grand Senior Brother who had broken away from it, or celestial-calculating cultivators who could secretly manipulate the sect's resonances to fish.
None of them could be approached lightly. One careless move, and the consequences would be unthinkable. And this trip had a more important matter to resolve.
With that thought, she drew back her mind, forcibly set aside the karmic induction, and returned to meditation, no longer brooding over old entanglements.
Outside the cabin, the magnificent white-jade star boat hid among the clouds, darting like a star-shuttle. Ordinary cultivators on the Kunzhou continent could not see it at all. If they happened to look up, they might only catch a cloud trail streaking across the sky.
The boat crossed into Houtu City and entered the exclusive Cloud Mooring reserved for honored guests. The entire process was silent, and karma was cut off. Few in the vast Houtu City knew the boat had even arrived.
But in the quiet, secluded reception room of Cloud Mooring, a palace-robed woman had been informed in advance and was waiting. Her face was bright and beautiful, her features like a polished jade plate, her bearing dignified and tranquil.
She sat alone in the elegant room, lifting a cup and quietly drinking tea. Only when the boat moored and the cloud aura stirred did her expression shift. She stood and walked to the steps before the jade terrace, waiting quietly.
Before long, glassy spiritual energy shimmered, and an invisible pressure descended. The palace-robed woman raised her head slightly and saw a group of white-robed women walking down the jade stairs.
Three were golden-haired maidens dressed as servants, yet their air was aristocratic. The woman at the lead wore white robes shimmering like jade and glass, her figure half real, half illusory, with a face that could topple cities and the immortal bearing of one returning to truth.
Bai Qingcheng.
At the thought of that name, the palace-robed woman was momentarily stunned. Then she quickly lowered her head and said respectfully, "This humble woman greets Immortal Bai."
Bai Qingcheng's gaze fell on her. Her originally cold, aloof bearing softened somewhat. She took a step forward, stopped before the palace-robed woman, took her hand, and said gently, "What 'Immortal'? We used to cultivate together, and you always followed me around and called me sister. After all these years, why are you being so distant?"
The palace-robed woman said softly, "I was young then and didn't understand manners. Besides... now you have entered Feather Transformation, and I am only at Golden Core. Our realms are different."
Bai Qingcheng looked at her with slight displeasure. Sensing the Immortal's displeasure, the palace-robed woman's heart tightened. She hesitated, then changed her address with an apologetic smile. "...Sister."
Bai Qingcheng's expression eased, and she smiled. "That's better."
The palace-robed woman quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and a bright smile surfaced on her dignified face.
Bai Qingcheng studied her features and sighed. "You're married now, with children. Your face has filled out a good deal, unlike back then, when you were such a thin little girl."
The palace-robed woman blushed and chided, "Sister is teasing me again."
Bai Qingcheng took her arm. "This is not the place to talk."
The palace-robed woman nodded. "Please follow me, sister."
She led Bai Qingcheng gently along the jade terrace and out of Cloud Mooring.
Although she now called Bai Qingcheng "sister," she was no longer the naive girl she had once been. She knew very well how far apart the two of them were in status and cultivation.
She dared not act negligently. Even the hand she used to hold Bai Qingcheng was cautious, afraid that the slightest presumption would offend her sister from the Bai family.
The corridor of Cloud Mooring was prepared for the highest-ranking guests. It was paved with jade and carved with cloud patterns. Above the spirit terrace, mountain-and-water paintings were reflected, making every step a delightful scene.
The palace-robed woman held Bai Qingcheng's arm as they walked, making small talk. "You must be very busy, sister. Why did you suddenly have time to come to Houtu City?"
Bai Qingcheng's gaze shifted slightly. She thought for a moment, then said, "I came to see Zixi."
The palace-robed woman's heart stirred. Smiling, she said, "Zixi is like you, sister. Beautiful as an immortal, flawless in natural endowments, pure and detached in heart, and diligent in cultivation. She is truly the most perfect child in the world, like a piece of innate jade without a single flaw. It's truly enviable. I think only you could have the good fortune to give birth to such an impeccable child."
Those words were somewhat flattering, but mostly true. And it was about Bai Qingcheng's own pearl of a daughter. Even with her cold temperament, Bai Qingcheng felt a little comforted. She squeezed the palace-robed woman's hand and said, "After all these years, that mouth of yours is still so endearing."
The palace-robed woman finally smiled with relief.
But then Bai Qingcheng seemed to think of something, and her gaze turned cold. Her expression cooled. The palace-robed woman noticed and immediately put away her smile, asking cautiously, "Sister Bai, has something happened?"
Bai Qingcheng was silent for a moment, then looked at her. "It's nothing. It's just—"
A cold glint flashed in her eyes. "Someone has been whispering in the Old Matriarch's ear, saying that Zixi has been indiscreet, that she is keeping a secret lover in a small blessed land, hiding a wild man."
The palace-robed woman's face changed drastically, turning pale.
The Old Matriarch, Zixi, hiding a wild man; every one of these was taboo.
If she got entangled in this, and it stirred up disaster, she might be crushed to pieces. Her heart trembled, and she kept silent.
But Bai Qingcheng looked at her, asking in a half-interested tone, "Dear sister, your family has territory here in Houtu City. Have you heard anything about Zixi?"
The palace-robed woman lost her last trace of color. She bit her lip, steadied herself, and said carefully, "This must be someone trying to provoke you, sister, spreading rumors to create trouble. Zixi is famous for being clever and cautious. How could she do such an outrageous thing? Besides, with Zixi's bloodline, even if she kept someone in a golden house, it would have been a girl. How could she hide a man?"
Then, in a lower voice, she added, "And here in Cloud Mooring of Houtu City, I have never heard any such talk."
Bai Qingcheng's expression relaxed slightly, but she pressed, "Sister, have you truly heard nothing?"
The palace-robed woman immediately swore she had not. Even if she had heard such a deadly rumor, she would never say it aloud. Otherwise, once the Old Matriarch's wrath descended and involved a whole clan, no one knew who would be wiped out.
Seeing Bai Qingcheng's gaze still indifferent, half believing, half not, the palace-robed woman sighed and said with a worried frown, "Zixi has always been an excellent child, the most worry-free. But my own Zhenlong cannot compare, especially when it comes to her marriage. It truly worries me to death."
Bai Qingcheng, being a mother herself, had her attention successfully diverted. She naturally cared about her daughter's marriage, so she was understanding. "You wouldn't have reminded me otherwise," she said. "That girl Zhenlong, who has she been promised to?"
The palace-robed woman hesitated, then sighed. "It is not settled yet, but judging from the Old Ancestor's intention, she will probably be betrothed to that one from the Earth Sect."
Bai Qingcheng sneered. "The Old Ancestor probably keeps his eyes for decoration."
The palace-robed woman was startled, and her palms grew sweaty. This Bai sister of hers had always been extraordinary, daring to speak ill of the Old Ancestor. But she did not dare agree. She could only smile bitterly with a racing heart.
Bai Qingcheng shook her head and said no more.
Everyone had their own fate; other clans' marriages were not her place to direct. On the matter of marriage, she herself had not been able to make her own decision back then, let alone these "sisters" who had to rely on their families. The atmosphere between the two turned somewhat heavy.
As they reached the end of the corridor, the palace-robed woman said, "I have prepared a quiet place where you can rest and we can catch up on old times."
Bai Qingcheng shook her head. "No need."
The palace-robed woman looked disappointed.
Bai Qingcheng looked at her, her tone gentler. "I know you mean well, but I need to go see Zixi first." Her gaze was clear, half-smiling.
"You've grown a lot over the years. You know which words must not be spoken. There must be something wrong with Zixi, and you realized it, but no longer dare speak recklessly."
The palace-robed woman was taken aback. "Sister, I..."
Bai Qingcheng patted her hand and shook her head. "No need to say more. I understand your difficulties."
The palace-robed woman lowered her gaze, a little moved.
Bai Qingcheng said, "Some things I have to see myself. What is heard may be false; what is seen is real."
By then the two had already arrived at the end of Cloud Mooring. Bai Qingcheng said, "Go back. If I have time, I will come find you for tea and old memories." Her voice was cool, but it carried no room for refusal.
The palace-robed woman dared not disobey. She released Bai Qingcheng's hand, curtsied gracefully, and said, "Yes, sister."
Bai Qingcheng nodded lightly, then stepped forward, her form scattering like glass petals into thin air.
The three white-robed maids behind her also faded away. Only the palace-robed woman was left standing in place, looking at the spot where Bai Qingcheng had vanished, a trace of envy and unspeakable complexity in her eyes.
Before long, Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land came into view, and Bai Qingcheng's illusory figure materialized.
She had told no one in advance.
Instead, she used the Bai family's secret Feather Transformation escape art, directly passing through Houtu City's aerial prohibitions and descending to Little Luan Mountain.
She wanted to see for herself whether the Old Matriarch's rumor was true, whether Zixi had really done something improper.
The moment Bai Qingcheng descended, her invisible Feather Transformation divine sense swept across the blessed land like a tide, examining every trace within.
Almost at the same time, her expression changed violently. She had indeed detected an anomalous aura within Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land. It was hidden, deep, clear, yet somewhat strange; but unmistakably the aura of a man.
In this isolated, tranquil, sealed little blessed land, a man was actually hidden!
Bai Qingcheng's pretty face turned cold. This little girl truly had nerve! How could she betray her mother's painstaking efforts and the Old Matriarch's expectations like this?!
She'd like to see exactly which wild man has made Zixi hide him away... He is simply courting death!
Gritting her teeth, killing intent flaring in her eyes, Bai Qingcheng dissolved into feathered spiritual light and vanished.
At the same instant Bai Qingcheng's divine sense swept over Little Red Mountain, Mo Hua, who was drawing a formation in the guest room, suddenly sensed a terrifying killing intent.
His expression changed. It was not the strongest killing intent he had ever felt, but karmically it pressed down on him like a mountain, carrying an oppression he could not resist. There was even a strange familiarity.
Mo Hua's pupils contracted. Before he could wonder at it, that formless killing intent seemed to pierce directly through Little Luan Mountain's barrier, growing closer and closer, and in an instant it reached his side. Mo Hua stood up abruptly and looked behind him.
In the empty room, white ripples rose. Then a figure of jade-white radiance, half real, half illusory, appeared behind Mo Hua, its killing intent so fierce it almost froze the air.
Mo Hua's pupils shrank. Golden light gathered in his eyes, and his divine sense began to condense into a sword. A small straw dog was clenched in his palm.
But just as his divine-sense sword was about to spring forth, his peripheral vision caught the Immortal's face, and he froze. His pupils contracted, and his mouth slowly fell open.
When Bai Qingcheng descended, her ice-jade eyes had swept across the room and seen what Zixi had been hiding: this "wild man."
The first glance showed a bright-spirited, elegant youth with an extraordinarily handsome, heavenly face. Yet precisely because of this, the youth was doomed to die. Cultivators must never be beguiled by beauty.
But when she looked again, her heart inexplicably tensed. This handsome youth was strangely dangerous. If she moved to kill him, she would suffer backlash, and the consequences would be endless.
Especially those eyes, they did not seem to be human. Bai Qingcheng's heart sounded a warning, and her killing intent slowed by half a beat, so she looked a third time.
At the third glance, she suddenly believed it. The youth's brows and eyes were very familiar, as if they were...
The killing intent on Bai Qingcheng's face vanished. Her gaze blanked, and her cold face was full of disbelief. "...Mo Hua?!"
The wild man Ziye was keeping... was actually Mo Hua?
Mo Hua was equally stunned. When he had previously deduced the karma, he had expected a "great personage" to descend.
This great personage was terrifying and might very well be hostile to him. But he had never dreamed that this great personage would turn out to be his little senior sister's mother, his own-
"...Martial Aunt?"