Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Heyang City, Shanhaiyuan, Room No. 1, Tianzi.

The windows were closed, the curtains were drawn, and there were no lights in the room. Only the dim light from the street outside, the lingering glow of the night market, cast blurry, shimmering patterns on the clean floor.

There was a faint scent of sandalwood in the air, mixed with the sun-dried smell of newly changed bedding, and a very faint, lingering, rusty smell of blood.

Biyao sat cross-legged on the bed, her eyes closed, her light green dress appearing dark in the dim light.

She stretched out her arms, palms up, her left hand supporting the extremely ugly short stick.

Seven days until the Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament:

That night, under a dark and windy sky, on the back mountain of Dazhu Peak, near a secluded deep pool close to the Black-jointed Bamboo Forest, a water-green figure, like a ghost, silently descended.

Biyao.

She wore a tight-fitting light green dress that allowed for easy movement, outlining her slender and alluring curves as she began to develop.

Her long hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and her face was covered by a thin green veil, revealing only a pair of bright but deep-seated anxious and longing eyes.

She concealed her aura perfectly, almost blending into the shadows of the surrounding bamboo forest. Only the acacia bell at her waist was temporarily suppressed by her secret technique, remaining silent.

But in his palm, the Bloodthirsty Bead, which had turned dark red to almost black and whose inner blood-red light faintly formed a vortex, was slightly warm, transmitting a strange, exciting pulse.

She had barely landed and was still unsteady when a shadowy figure moved in front of her, and a white figure blocked her way.

Xiao Bai remained in that languid, human-like posture, arms crossed, leaning against a thick bamboo pole, her silver hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

She looked at Biyao, her eyes showing no surprise, only a hint of understanding and a faint warning.

"You shouldn't have come at this time," Xiaobai said, her voice soft yet clear in the quiet bamboo forest.

Biyao's eyes sharpened, and she placed her hand on her waist, where her sorrowful ribbon was tied. "Get out of the way. I want to see him."

"Who are you going to see? Jiang Xiaochuan?"

Xiao Bai raised an eyebrow, her tone slightly mocking.

"Young Master Biyao, this is Qingyun Mountain, Dazhu Peak."

It's not your Ghost King Sect.

With the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament imminent, the Qingyun Sect is on high alert.

"You sneaked in at this time, are you trying to cause him trouble, or do you want to get yourself killed here?"

Biyao pursed her lips, her face pale beneath the veil, but her eyes remained resolute.

"I can't wait any longer. If I wait any longer..." She thought of the suffocating missed opportunity in her past life, and her heart ached.

I glanced at him from afar and then left. Just one glance.

Looking at the burning urgency and pain in her eyes, Xiao Bai felt a complex mix of emotions.

We are both wanderers in this world. But...

"Not even a glance," Xiaobai shook her head, her tone resolute.

He has no shortage of people "watching" him now.

Lu Xueqi stayed close by, and Tian Ling'er kept a close eye on her as well.

That one look from you is too risky.

Listen to me, go back.

Biyao bit her lower lip, her chest heaving.

She knew Xiaobai was right.

But she just couldn't help it.

That panic, that fear that if she didn't seize it now, she would lose it completely, burned within her day and night.

Just as she hesitated, the Bloodthirsty Bead in her palm suddenly jumped!

A surge of energy, several times stronger than before and carrying a fierce and chilling aura, came from within. The bead even spontaneously glowed with a layer of dark red blood light, humming softly, and faintly pointing towards the depths of the pool!

At the same time, the Hehuan Bell, which had been silent at Biyao's waist, also made a very slight "ding" sound. The bell trembled slightly and emitted a circle of pale golden, soft yet resilient spiritual light, which intertwined with the blood light of the Bloodthirsty Bead, forming a delicate balance.

Biyao and Xiaobai were both startled and looked at the dark, bottomless pool of water under the night sky.

The water in the pool moved on its own even without wind, and ripples quietly spread out in circles in the center, growing larger and larger.

Deep underwater, something seemed to be slowly awakened, drawn by the auras of the Bloodthirsty Bead and the Acacia Bell.

An extremely subtle yet heavy and chilling aura, so intense it sent shivers down one's spine, seeped up from the bottom of the pool, like a sleeping beast opening its eyes.

Biyao's expression changed drastically. She could feel an almost greedy excitement emanating from the Bloodthirsty Bead, while the Hehuan Bell was trembling slightly, as if it were both soothing and guiding.

In a flash of inspiration, almost subconsciously, she forced out a drop of her heart's essence and dripped it onto the Blood-Devouring Bead.

The blood bead was instantly absorbed, and the Blood-Devouring Bead shone brightly with blood-red light. It broke free from her hand, transformed into a blood streak, and silently disappeared into the deep pool.

The whole process was lightning fast, and even Xiaobai didn't have time to stop it.

The water in the pool suddenly surged violently, bubbling up huge bubbles as if it were boiling.

Immediately afterwards, a dark, black rod, neither gold nor iron, about three feet long, covered with strange dark red patterns, and topped with a deep purple bead the size of a dragon's eye that shimmered with a ghostly light, burst out of the water with an intensely dense and malevolent aura. With a "whoosh," it flew into Biyao's hand!

The short stick felt icy cold and extremely heavy to the touch. The malevolent energy within it was like a living thing, roaring and trying to rush into Biyao's body, but it was firmly locked inside the stick by the spiritual energy barrier she had prepared in advance, which was constructed by the Blood-Devouring Bead and the Hehuan Bell.

The deep purple bead at the top faintly echoes the blood-red light of the Bloodthirsty Bead.

As Biyao held the short stick, she felt an overwhelming sense of harmony and complete control, as if this ferocious weapon was born to belong to her.

Although the malevolent power within the staff was terrifying, it was actually quite tamed under the combined influence and suppression of her Ghost King Sect's orthodox techniques and the Bloodthirsty Bead and the Joyful Union Bell. She could unleash it with a thought.

Soul Devourer!

A name naturally came to mind.

With the Blood-Devouring Bead as its eye and the Soul-Seizing Staff as its bone, and her essence blood as its guide, harmonized by the Joyful Union Bell, this weapon, uniquely hers and extremely fierce, was unexpectedly created in this deep, cold, and eerie pool of Qingyun!

All of this happened so fast, in just a few breaths.

Biyao gripped the Soul-Devouring Staff, feeling its immense yet tamed power. A surge of ecstasy flashed in her eyes, but was quickly followed by a deeper sense of vigilance.

She immediately put away the Soul-Devouring Staff, suppressed the abnormal movements of the Blood-Devouring Bead and the Hehuan Bell, and looked warily at Xiaobai and her surroundings.

Xiao Bai glanced at the fleeting, deadly weapon, then at Bi Yao's aura, which had become even more unfathomable. A hint of seriousness flashed in his silver eyes.

This girl's luck and fortune are truly terrifying. To be able to obtain such a ferocious creature as her master and refine it here in Qingyun Mountain is truly astounding.

"Now, you should leave even more," Xiaobai said in a deep voice.

"This thing exudes too much malevolent energy. Although you suppressed the commotion just now, it may not have completely escaped the notice of the Qingyun Sect's experts. Leave immediately!"

Biyao knew the importance of things; having obtained the Soul Devourer, this trip was already an unexpected joy.

She took one last deep look in the direction of Shoujing Hall on Dazhu Peak, where the lights were scattered, warm and distant in the silent shadows of the mountains.

"I will meet him openly and honestly at the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament," Biyao said in a low voice, her tone firm and resolute.

"At that time, no one will be able to stop me."

After saying that, she no longer hesitated. Her figure transformed into a faint green shadow, blending into the shadows of the bamboo forest. With a few leaps, she disappeared into the vast night behind the mountain, her speed astonishing.

Xiao Bai stood there, looking in the direction where Bi Yao had disappeared. He then looked back at the deep pool that was gradually returning to calm, yet seemed to have gained something. He sighed softly.

"They're all getting more and more anxious... they're all getting more and more insane..." She shook her head, and her figure slowly faded away, disappearing from the spot.

……

Her aura, in this cycle, became increasingly deep and sharp at a slow but steady pace, faintly carrying a chilling edge.

But between his brows, the lingering urgency and longing were like engravings, deeply etched.

Suddenly, the deep purple bead at the top of the Soul-Devouring Staff flashed with an eerie light, and the staff emitted an extremely faint hum, as if it came from the depths of the netherworld.

Biyao suddenly opened her eyes, a flash of blood-red light appearing in them.

The Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin.

She finished her practice, and the light from the Soul-Devouring Staff dimmed, plunging the room into deeper darkness.

She rose, walked to the window, and gently lifted a corner of the curtain. The night in Heyang City was not yet over; in the distance, the towering, continuous Qingyun Mountains could be vaguely seen, their massive shadows piercing the night sky, standing silently under the sparse starlight like an ancient behemoth.

How do I sneak in?

Forcing our way in is definitely not an option.

Disguise?

Her fingertips unconsciously caressed the cold Soul-Devouring Staff, her eyes gleaming.

Perhaps... he could infiltrate the Qingyun disciples?

However, the risks remain significant.

Those old guys from Qingyun Sect, Daoxuan, Tian Buyi, Shuiyue... none of them are easy to deal with.

And Lu Xueqi, that fox... they must be there too.

Biyao bit her lip until she tasted a hint of blood.

do not care!

No matter what, she absolutely had to go this time!

You must look at him openly and honestly when everyone is watching.

Then... take him away.

She loosened the curtain, walked back to the bedside, sat down again, placed the Soul-Devouring Staff across her lap, gently stroked the cold lines on the staff with her fingertips, and closed her eyes.

She has a few more days to get more familiar with this newly acquired weapon and to get herself into peak condition.

A few days passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning, everyone on Dazhu Peak was in high spirits.

The sunlight was unbelievably bright, golden and dazzling.

The disciples all changed into clean Taoist robes, their hair was neatly combed, and they all had smiles on their faces. They patted each other on the shoulder and talked in hushed tones.

Although a closer look reveals a hint of suppressed nervousness and trepidation about the unknown competition beneath that smile, what shines brighter in his eyes is the excitement and anticipation ignited by the bright weather, the lively atmosphere, and the surging passion within him—an excitement that cannot be hidden.

Among the crowd, only the eldest brother Song Daren, the second brother Wu Dayi, the third brother Zheng Dali, and the fourth brother He Dazhi, who had actually participated in the previous Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament sixty years ago, were the four "veterans".

The four of them stood together, smiling, but their eyes held a certain composure and reminiscence born of experience.

The fifth brother, Lü Daxin, and the sixth brother, Du Bishu, were newly accepted disciples of Tian Buyi in the past few decades. Jiang Xiaochuan, Zhang Xiaofan, and Lin Jingyu were complete "newbies." It was the first time they had witnessed this grand event that Qingyun Sect only held once every sixty years. Their excitement and exhilaration were almost overflowing from their eyes.

Tian Ling'er also changed into a brand-new red outfit, which made her look more beautiful than the flowers, and she stood gracefully next to Su Ru.

But she didn't seem particularly excited; instead, she appeared somewhat absent-minded.

Her fingers unconsciously twirled the hem of her clothes, her gaze occasionally drifting to Jiang Xiaochuan, who was being pulled aside by He Dazhi to talk, before quickly looking away, a hint of barely perceptible worry hidden deep in her eyes.

The Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament in her previous life... was a crucial moment when Lu Xueqi and Jiang Xiaochuan's relationship truly began to ferment, and could even be said to have progressed by leaps and bounds.

Under the Rainbow Bridge at night... those scenes, even across a lifetime, still make her feel suffocated and panicked when she thinks about them.

Jiang Xiaochuan, on the other hand, simply had high expectations for the development of the "plot".

After all these years, I'm finally going to see this vivid and significant detail from the original work with my own eyes!

The grandeur of Tongtian Peak, the magnificence of the Rainbow Bridge, the sea of ​​people at Yunhai Square, the stunning appearances of geniuses from all schools, and those familiar competitions, duels, and upsets...

Just thinking about it made his heart race and his blood boil. He couldn't help but rub his hands together, then moved closer to Song Daren, his eyes sparkling as he asked:

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother! Are there really that many senior brothers and sisters going to the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament? Is it incredibly crowded and lively? Even more lively than our Chinese New Year?"

Song Daren was dressed exceptionally smartly today, with a warm smile on his square face. He felt happy to see his junior brother looking so eager and curious.

He patiently explained, "That's right. The Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament is the grandest event in the Qingyun Sect's history, held only once every sixty years. All the sects regard it as a top priority, and everyone from top to bottom attaches great importance to it."

Moreover, those selected to represent their respective factions are all outstanding individuals who have undergone rigorous selection and careful screening.

The scene was naturally a sea of ​​people, with banners waving, swordplay crisscrossing the arena, magical treasures gleaming, and cheers from the audience like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing down. To say it was spectacular and thrilling would be no exaggeration.

He described it vividly, and Jiang Xiaochuan's eyes lit up even more as he listened, as if he could already see the lively scene.

At this moment, He Dazhi, the fourth brother, quietly approached. He adjusted the crystal lenses on his nose that always slipped down—a pair he'd somehow acquired from some ordinary town (he claimed it was for "better studying ancient texts and observing the workings of the heavens," but Jiang Xiaochuan thought he was just faking it). Hearing their conversation, a mischievous glint flashed in his eyes behind the lenses, and his face broke into his usual "all-knowing" smile as he interjected:

"Seventh Brother, you don't know this, but the eldest brother actually has something to say, but he's too embarrassed to say it out loud."

Jiang Xiaochuan's curiosity was immediately piqued, and ignoring the fleeting awkwardness on Song Daren's face, he quickly pressed for an answer:

"Fourth Senior Brother, tell me quickly, what else is there? Are there any fun rules? Or... is there anything delicious?"

He Dazhi chuckled, deliberately clearing his throat and lowering his voice, but the volume was just right, enough for Wu Dayi, Zheng Dali, Du Bishu, Lü Daxin, and even Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan who had just walked over to hear clearly:

"Think about it, at the martial arts tournament, hundreds or even thousands of fellow disciples watch. The winner stands on that high platform, radiant with glory, receiving thunderous applause and cheers from below. Their triumphant and triumphant air goes without saying. But if..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, creating suspense, and glanced at Song Daren, who suddenly seemed a little flustered, before slowly continuing:

"But what if... some beautiful, newly arrived, young female disciples from other branches in the crowd are captivated by our senior brother's dashing, composed, and dignified demeanor on stage, and can't help but scream and cheer, their beautiful eyes sparkling... wouldn't that be an even greater joy in life? Hmm?"

As he spoke, he turned to Song Daren, whose face was already slightly flushed, and asked, feigning confusion:

"Senior Brother, tell me, am I right or wrong?"

Song Daren's face flushed red from his forehead to the roots of his neck. He waved his hands frantically, his usual kind and steady demeanor completely gone, and he even stammered as he spoke.

"Nonsense! Nothing, nothing like that... Fourth Brother, you, you mustn't talk nonsense! You're ruining, ruining Senior Brother's reputation!"

Jiang Xiaochuan chuckled inwardly at Song Daren's embarrassed expression, but feigned innocence and confusion, blinking as he asked:

"Senior Brother, why are you suddenly blushing? Is the sun too strong today?"

Song Daren shook his head vigorously, trying to remain calm, but he dared not look at He Dazhi's mocking gaze, nor at the suppressed laughter of his fellow disciples. He could only stare at the ground, his voice weak:

"No, no! There's no red... It's... it's just that the sun was really strong today, and it got... yes, from the sun!"

Seeing this, He Dazhi's smile deepened. He deliberately coughed, cleared his throat, and drew the attention of everyone around him.

Even Tian Buyi, who was whispering with Su Ru, glanced over here. His chubby face was expressionless, but a faint smile seemed to flash in his eyes.

"Oh dear," He Dazhi slapped his forehead, feigning sudden realization.

"Look at my memory! Second and Third Senior Brothers are here too, perfect!"

My memory's been a bit off lately. It seems... it seems that during the last Grand Examination, when our senior brother won two consecutive matches and stormed into the third round, there was a young and beautiful junior sister in the audience. Hmm, I can't remember her name right now...

Wu Dayi immediately understood. He was an honest man, not usually talkative, but at this moment, his cooperation with He Dazhi was seamless. He stroked his chin, a look of reminiscence on his face:

"Ah, yes, I don't remember very clearly either, but it seems... it seems to be a junior sister from Xiaozhu Peak. As for her appearance, she was extremely beautiful, with exquisite features and a great temperament. But her name..."

Zheng Dali, beaming, rubbed his hands together and added in a loud voice, "We brothers have forgotten her name; we're getting old and our memories aren't what they used to be! But that day, she clapped the loudest and most enthusiastically for our Dazhu Peak and our senior brother! Her little hands were red from clapping! And her eyes, shining like stars, and our senior brother's imposing presence on stage and his humble politeness offstage—tsk tsk, that 'exchanging glances,' that 'mutual echoing'—we saw it all clearly, we remember it perfectly!"

"Whoosh—!"

These words immediately caused an uproar among the crowd!

Du Bishu was the first to slap his thigh and laugh, Lü Daxin couldn't help but chuckle as well, Lin Jingyu kept a straight face but his lips twitched suspiciously, and Zhang Xiaofan's honest face also showed an expression of sudden realization and suppressed laughter.

Even Tian Buyi gave a soft "humph," turned his head away, and his shoulders seemed to tremble slightly.

Song Daren was utterly embarrassed and at a loss for what to do. He felt his face burning hot, wishing he could disappear into the ground. He glared fiercely at the culprit, He Dazhi, then at his "accomplices," Wu Dayi and Zheng Dali, forcing a dry laugh as he attempted a final struggle and explanation:

"No, no, that's not true! Don't listen to what Fourth Brother and the others are saying! Junior Sister Wenmin from Xiaozhu Peak... she... she only cheered for Dazhu Peak a few more times because she's from the same Qingyun lineage and respects her master's wife... Yes, that's it! It's purely out of camaraderie! You... you mustn't get the wrong idea!"

"what?"

He Dazhi immediately reacted like a cat smelling fish, exclaiming exaggeratedly. His eyes behind his glasses widened, and he pointed at Song Daren: "That's really strange! Senior Brother, neither Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, nor I mentioned that senior sister's name just now. How come you blurted out 'Senior Sister Wenmin' all of a sudden? Hmm? You remember that clearly! Tsk tsk tsk, it seems that Senior Brother's impression of Senior Sister Wenmin is not just deep, it's quite... unforgettable!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

At this, everyone could no longer hold back and burst into laughter! Du Bishu laughed so hard he was doubled over, pointing at Song Daren: "Senior Brother, just confess! Have you been having feelings for Senior Sister Wenmin all along... huh?"

Lu Daxin also shook his head with a simple smile.

Wu Dayi and Zheng Dali exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh.

Lin Jingyu turned his head, his shoulders shrugging.

Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head, looked at this and then at that, and started grinning foolishly.

Knowing he had misspoke, Song Daren made things worse by trying to explain. His square face turned a deep purplish-red. He was no match for He Dazhi, the "most shrewd man in Dazhu Peak" and the "number one gossip messenger," and he was so anxious that he was sweating and scratching his head.

Seeing his junior brothers' laughter growing louder and louder, even Su Ru covering her mouth and chuckling, and Tian Buyi turning back to look at him with a half-smile, Song Daren, in a moment of desperation, had a sudden inspiration. His gaze swept across the room and he saw Jiang Xiaochuan, who was still secretly amused by the gossip about "Senior Sister Wenmin." He immediately grasped at this as if it were a lifeline, and his voice suddenly rose, trying to divert attention:

"You, you all stop talking about me! Seventh Brother! Isn't Seventh Brother the same! Why don't you talk about Seventh Brother and Junior Sister Lu Xueqi... that, that's what..."

His words came to an abrupt end.

The laughter around us seemed to be abruptly cut off by an invisible hand, disappearing instantly.

The air suddenly fell silent. Only the birds on the distant branches continued their oblivious chirping.