Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Qingxi Town.

Biyao sat by the stream, her bare feet soaking in the cool water, kicking the water droplets intermittently.

She held a newly received communication jade talisman in her hand, her dark green eyes gazing at the flowing water, her expression somewhat somber.

She knew about what happened at Liubo Mountain.

Lu Xueqi... she's still as ruthless and efficient as ever.

That's good, it saves her a lot of trouble.

Those troublesome old guys have lost some men, so they should be able to calm down for a while.

But... she gripped the Soul-Devouring Staff hidden in her sleeve.

A cold, rough touch came through her palm, and a faint, fierce desire spread through her hand, but she forcibly suppressed it.

The difference between good and evil... It seems that the hurdle in Jiang Xiaochuan's heart is deeper than he imagined.

Simply boiling the frog in lukewarm water like this isn't enough.

Perhaps... we need to take some drastic measures.

Those stubborn, incorrigible old fogies who entrenched themselves within the Holy Church, always plotting violence and hindering both her father and her...

It's time to clean up.

For the future of the Holy Church, and for... her future.

The power of Asura… Her eyes darkened.

That power is dangerous, but not entirely uncontrollable.

In her past life, she realized this a little late; in this life... perhaps she can borrow a thing or two from it sooner.

As long as you are careful, there should be no problem.

"What are you thinking about? The water's getting cold," Jiang Xiaochuan's voice rang out from the side.

After he finished practicing his sword, he walked over and sat down next to her.

Biyao snapped out of her daze, instantly concealing the deep look in her eyes and replacing it with a bright smile, splashing water at him as she said, "I missed you! Silly!"

Jiang Xiaochuan got splashed with water and wiped his face irritably: "Why did you splash me with water if you missed me?"

"I'll splash you! What are you going to do about it?" Biyao kicked him a few more times, and giggled as she watched him scramble to dodge.

After fooling around for a while, Biyao suddenly stopped, turned to look at him, and said with a more serious expression, "Hey, Jiang Xiaochuan, I'm going back tomorrow."

Jiang Xiaochuan was taken aback: "Go back? Go back where? To the Ghost King Sect?"

"Yes. I've been away for quite a few days, and I miss my mother." Biyao nodded, her tone relaxed. "And... I also have some things to take care of."

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a strange emptiness in his heart. He'd gotten used to her chattering away these past few days, and now she suddenly said she was leaving…

He pursed his lips and whispered an "Oh".

Biyao watched the subtle changes in his expression, her smile deepening. She leaned closer to him, tilted her head, and asked:

"What? You can't bear to part with me? How about... you beg me? If you beg me, I won't leave."

"Get out! Get out!" Jiang Xiaochuan's face flushed, and he pushed her face away as she approached. "Who can't bear to part with you! Get out of here and it'll be quiet!"

"You're just saying that." Biyao chuckled, stood up, and shook the water droplets off her feet.

"Alright, I'm leaving. You and your fox sister can enjoy your time together. But..."

She paused, turned to look at him, sunlight dancing on her face, a radiant smile on her lips. "I'll be back. It won't be long."

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at her, opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he just nodded: "...Okay. Be careful on the road."

Biyao gave him a deep look, then turned around. Her emerald green figure walked slowly away along the path by the stream, soon disappearing at the entrance of the town.

Jiang Xiaochuan sat there, watching the stream flow by, the emptiness in his heart lingering.

Little White came over at some point and sat down beside him, still in its fox form, its silvery-white fur shimmering in the sunlight.

She didn't say anything, but gently nuzzled his arm with her head.

Jiang Xiaochuan stroked her soft fur and asked in a low voice, "Will she... be alright when she gets back?"

Xiao Bai raised her head, her silver eyes looking at him with emotions he couldn't understand.

She let out a soft "ooh," as if to comfort her, or perhaps to sigh.

After leaving Qingxi Town, Biyao did not immediately return to Fox Ridge Mountain. She found a secluded mountain forest and activated her communication with Youji.

"Aunt You, it's me. I know about what happened at Liubo Mountain."

Do it cleanly. Those factions have been making a big fuss lately; it's time to quiet them down.

Keep an eye on the movements of those old guys: Yu Yangzi of Changsheng Hall, Du Shen of Wandu Sect, and San Miao of Hehuan Sect.

Also, check within the sect to see who else is dissatisfied with Father's "conservative" strategy and is secretly colluding with those factions. Give me the list.

Yu Ji's cold voice rang out: "Yes, young master. You... intend to use that power?"

Biyao gripped the Soul Eater tightly, her eerie green eyes flashing coldly in the shadows: "I will borrow it if necessary. Don't worry, Aunt You, I know what I'm doing."

After ending the message, Biyao looked towards Qingyun Mountain with a complicated expression.

Jiang Xiaochuan, wait for me.

Once I clear away all obstacles, once I make sure that there is no longer any distinction between "good and evil" in this world that can stand between us.

Unbeknownst to her, the moment she activated the communication, Xiao Bai, who was feigning sleep in the inn in Qingxi Town, slowly opened her silver eyes, looked in the direction she had left, and sighed softly.

"This girl... still chose that path." Xiaobai murmured to herself, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. "But... that's the real Biyao. Fine, I'll stay on Qingyun Mountain and keep an eye on him for you."

As if sensing something, Biyao turned back to look in the direction of Qingxi Town, a resolute smile curving her lips.

Xiaobai, you know me.

……

About ten days later, at Tongtian Peak, at Yuqing Hall.

Dao Xuan Zhenren was resting with his eyes closed when he suddenly heard a disciple outside the hall report that Lu Xueqi was requesting an audience.

He opened his eyes and rubbed his temples.

This girl, the matter at Liubo Mountain is over, what brings you here again?

"Let her in."

Lu Xueqi stepped into the hall, dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, her demeanor as aloof as ever.

But Dao Xuan keenly sensed that the aura of the ice-blue longsword hanging at her waist seemed different from usual, faintly containing hidden lightning. His gaze narrowed slightly.

"Sect Master Uncle," Lu Xueqi bowed.

"Hmm. You did a very good job regarding the Liubo Mountain matter."

Dao Xuan carefully chose his words, his gaze sweeping across her face, trying to discern something beneath her calm and composed expression.

"But the methods... were a bit too cruel. The messages sent back by those disciples were vague, you..."

"I have successfully completed my mission; the remnants of the Demonic Sect at Liubo Mountain have been wiped out," Lu Xueqi said calmly.

"There is another matter that I need to inform my senior master."

"What is it?"

Lu Xueqi didn't speak, but simply raised her hand and gently beckoned towards the open space outside the hall.

Dao Xuan looked over in confusion.

The next second, his pupils shrank, and he suddenly stood up from his seat!

Suddenly, the wind and clouds above the plaza outside the palace changed dramatically!

Thick clouds gathered instantly, and within them, lightning crackled and thunder rumbled!

A terrifying aura, both primordial and ferocious, yet carrying a sense of submission, descended as if it were a tangible entity!

Immediately afterward, the clouds parted, and a thick, mountain-like bolt of blue lightning crashed down. Within the lightning, the outline of a colossal figure rapidly appeared and solidified—

Shaped like a blue ox and as strong as a mountain, it was surrounded by dazzling blue lightning that crackled and popped.

The most terrifying thing is that it only has one leg!

With a single step, the entire plaza in front of the Jade Purity Hall seemed to tremble!

The giant beast lowered its head, exhaling two streams of white steam crackling with electricity from its nostrils. Its enormous, bell-like eyes first swept over the Tongtian Peak disciples who were terrified and retreating in fear.

Finally, his gaze settled on the pale-faced figure inside the hall. The ferocity in his eyes quickly faded, transforming into an almost docile... dependence?

"roar--!"

A deep, rumbling roar sounded, but it wasn't a provocation; it was more like... a greeting?

"Kui, Kui Niu?!!" Even with hundreds of years of cultivation and a heart as firm as a rock, Dao Xuan Zhenren couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, his voice even changing tone!

He looked at the ancient beast he had only seen in ancient books, at the terrifying lightning around it that could make even a master of the Jade Purity Realm tremble, and then at the girl in the hall who still looked calm. He felt that his brain was not quite working properly.

He knew of the rumors that Kui oxen roamed Liubo Mountain.

But who can tell him why this infamous, legendary beast, said to be difficult even for ancient powerful beings to tame, would act like...

Like a domesticated dog, squatting in front of the Jade Purity Hall, staring longingly at Lu Xueqi? And wagging its tail (if that short, sparkling tail counts)?

"This is a Kui Niu," Lu Xueqi stated calmly, seemingly oblivious to Dao Xuan's shock.

"I helped it escape its predicament at Liubo Mountain, and it voluntarily followed me. I believe that Qingyun Sect could gain a guardian spirit beast. I humbly request the Sect Leader to make the final decision."

Voluntary companionship? Guardian spirit beast of the mountain?

Dao Xuan glared at Lu Xueqi, then looked at the Kui Niu outside the hall, which seemed a little dissatisfied upon hearing the word "spirit beast" and was spitting out more electric sparks from its nostrils. His throat went dry, and he couldn't speak for a long time.

Add a guardian beast to the mountain? Add such a thing?

If this thing goes berserk, it could probably demolish half of Tongtian Peak!

But look at how obedient it is (relatively speaking) towards Lu Xueqi...

"How...how did you tame it?" Dao Xuan finally found his voice and asked with difficulty.

"It has never been tamed." Lu Xueqi shook her head. "By chance, it decided to trust me."

By sheer coincidence… Dao Xuan’s lips twitched.

What a coincidence!

He looked at Lu Xueqi's stunningly beautiful yet indifferent face, recalling the Zhuxian Ancient Sword that had appeared in her palm earlier, and then glanced at the lightning-streaked Kui Niu outside the hall...

Suddenly, I felt that being the sect leader was a bit... unreal.

Just how many secrets is this girl hiding?

"This matter... will be discussed later."

Dao Xuan waved his hand, feeling that he needed time to process the successive shocks.

"Now that you're back, go back to Xiaozhu Peak to rest. As for the Kui Niu... keep it temporarily in the forbidden area behind the mountain. Do not disturb it without orders."

"Yes," Lu Xueqi replied, nodding slightly to the Kui Niu statue outside the hall.

With a low roar, the Kui Niu's body suddenly surged with lightning, transforming into a thick, azure pillar of lightning that shot into the sky and headed towards the back of Tongtian Peak. It disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving only a faint smell of burning and lingering spiritual energy of lightning in the air.

The square in front of the palace was deathly silent.

The disciples looked at each other, still shaken.

Dao Xuan stared at Lu Xueqi's departing figure, speechless for a long time.

The situation at Qingyun Sect... is about to change.