Song Qianji chuckled: "Want to look in the mirror? Should I apply some rouge and powder for you, maybe buy you new clothes?"
"That won't be necessary. How could my elegance be obscured by mundane adornments! Even without makeup, I'd still surpass that consumptive wretch."
Song Qianji: "Keep talking like that and we'll get to experience Purple Cloud Temple's formation firsthand!"
Before his words faded, the mountain forest rustled violently as crowds descended upon them.
People wearing deep purple robes with auspicious cloud patterns emerged from all directions, some holding horsetail whisks, others clutching array disks.
Their expressions were grave, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Surrounded on all sides, Xian Jianchen preemptively shifted blame, pointing at Song Qianji: "Look at you, jinx! Getting your master into trouble again!"
Song Qianji pointed at himself: "Hah? Me again?"
Xian Jianchen turned and shouted: "Little Qingwei! Where's your master? What, doesn't want to see me?"
The Chess Devil, aged and ill, had withdrawn from worldly affairs for years, receiving no outside guests. To the Purple Cloud Temple disciples, he was more like a spiritual belief, a trump card never to be played.
Knowing he was there was enough.
The true leader wielding power was Qingwei Zhenren, who had inherited the temple master position.
Song Qianji had dealt with him once at Huawel Sect, vaguely remembering him as a meticulous and careful cultivator.
Qingwei Zhenren bowed in greeting: "Honored guests, forgive our inadequate welcome. My master is gravely ill and unable to receive visitors. Please understand."
"No need to trouble him with tea. I just want to see him once, then I'll leave immediately." Xian Jianchen's tone was provoking.
Qingwei Zhenren said solemnly: "Sword God, our Purple Cloud Temple has long enjoyed peace. In these turbulent times, we only seek self-preservation. I beg you not to make things difficult for us!"
The cultivators present were all seasoned, none young, each at least Golden Core completion. Though their eyes showed fear when looking at Xian Jianchen, not a single one stepped back!
Song Qianji nodded, tugging Xian Jianchen's sleeve: "Understood. We'll leave now."
He could understand their concerns. The news of their visit to Purple Cloud Mountain wouldn't remain secret for long.
Nowadays, anyone "harboring" Song Qianji and Xian Jianchen would become enemies of Huawel Sect and the "Righteous Immortal Alliance."
If the two entered Purple Cloud Temple and met with the Chess Devil, who would believe they hadn't secretly reached some agreement or plotted some scheme?
After Xu Yun reached half-step Transformation Stage, the Cultivation World's situation had drastically changed. Meanwhile, Xian Jianchen was severely injured without his Lifebound Sword. This was the perfect time for settling old scores.
If Thousand Canals were defeated, other sects supporting it would inevitably face retaliation later.
While the Chess Devil lived, all worries could be set aside. But if the Chess Devil were to fall, Purple Cloud Temple truly shouldn't actively participate in warfare for years to come.
Yet Xian Jianchen sneered: "Trying to drive me away? That just makes me want to stay even more."
Purple Cloud Mountain soaked in crimson sunset, its lush green forests like sinking into a sea of blood.
Cold sweat dripped from Qingwei Zhenren's forehead, but he was prepared: "Sword God, in that case, I must offend. Please both board this purple cloud and descend the mountain promptly."
As he spoke, violent winds rose, tearing the colored clouds apart.
The mountain's purple mist instantly thickened, transforming into rolling cloud seas. Even between plants, scattered rocks, and pavilions, an indescribable terrifying pressure emanated.
Xian Jianchen laughed heartily: "The Purple Cloud Temple's Grand Formation! It's not like I haven't experienced it in my youth!"
But as he spoke, he pushed Song Qianji forward: "Your turn, disciple!"Song Qianji was so furious he wanted to draw his sword—not to cleave the drifting purple clouds, but to slash Xian Jianchen.
Why bother going to the ends of the earth? Let's just part ways here and now.
"Wait—" a clear voice rang out.
From the depths of the purple mist, a figure in goose-yellow rushed out, holding up her skirt. "Let them in."
Realist Qingwei sighed helplessly. "Who asked you to come?"
The disciples of Purple Cloud Temple, having lost control of the formation, exclaimed in surprise, "Little Martial Aunt!"
The purple mist was swept away by the mountain breeze, revealing the charming face of the young woman in yellow.
Li Ying deactivated the formation. "This is Master's intention."
She then turned to the visitors. "Master wishes to see an old friend. Sword God, Song King, please follow me."
Her back was straight, her expression solemn, displaying a dignified, businesslike demeanor.
The Purple Cloud Temple disciples bowed to her. "Farewell, Little Martial Aunt!"
Realist Qingwei let out a long sigh. "Gentlemen, please!"
The mountain path stretched long as the sky gradually darkened. A flock of weary crows flew across the sunset.
The empty mountains were silent, devoid of birdsong, with only the echoes of three pairs of footsteps.
Li Ying suddenly spoke. "Senior Brother Song, it's been so, so long. I never imagined I'd see you here today. Everyone outside said you were dead... Ahem, what I mean is, I never, ever believed you were dead, not for a single moment. But seeing you safe still makes me so happy."
Though she had been calm and authoritative earlier, she now seemed somewhat flustered. "Just now, I heard Senior Brother Qingwei say that the Sword God always travels alone, so anyone accompanying him must be Song Qianji. I ran to tell Master, then rushed out to meet you. My hair might have gotten messy from the wind. It's really troublesome that flying is forbidden on Purple Cloud Mountain..."
Xian Jianchen shook his head inwardly.
But Song Qianji listened patiently, nodding occasionally with an "Mm."
Li Ying kept talking until she realized she had said too much. "I've been talking so much—don't you have anything to say to me?"
Song Qianji thought seriously for a moment. "You've grown taller."
Li Ying instantly relaxed and whispered, "You can't see it, but I've grown quickly."
Song Qianji agreed wholeheartedly. "You're right."
He wondered how the plants in Song Courtyard were faring. Had the seeds he planted before leaving home sprouted and branched out after several spring rains, blooming luxuriantly with lush leaves?
Li Ying didn't know what he was thinking, but she saw a smile in his eyes.
The evening breeze carried the fragrance of hydrangeas, and the sunset tinged the young woman's cheeks with red.
Xian Jianchen could no longer stand it. "Hey, haven't you had enough?"
Song Qianji found him inexplicable. "What have I done now?"
Xian Jianchen, suppressing his irritation, transmitted his voice. "I summoned the formation to open, but you summoned a pretty young girl to lead the way. Your face is bigger than mine, making your master lose face."
"..."
Song Qianji thought, One of these days, I’ll shove you into a lotus vat and stuff your foul mouth with mud.
Fortunately, Xian Jianchen didn't have to endure much longer.
Li Ying murmured to herself, "Why does the path feel shorter today? We've barely spoken a few words."
Xian Jianchen looked around. "Little girl, aren't we going up the mountain? It's almost night—isn't your master stargazing at the summit?"
"Replying to Sword God, Master moved to the valley floor three years ago. The mountaintop is windy and damp, and stargazing is taxing—unsuitable for an invalid. The valley floor is warm as spring, humid, and with the Spirit Gathering Formation, it ensures the Spirit Qi remains rich and undisturbed."
"No more stargazing, huh." Xian Jianchen suddenly said. "Then what about tea? This season, there's his favorite Purple Gold Jade Dew."Li Ying shook her head: "Sword God, you jest. Purple Gold Dew is cold in nature and clashes with medicinal properties—it shouldn't be consumed in excess."
"At least you still... play chess, right?"
Li Ying shook her head again: "Chess consumes mental energy, and calculating variations is especially draining. When the itch for chess strikes, I just fiddle with a few pieces—consider the game played."
Xian Jianchen fell silent.
Song Qianji also had nothing to say.
The mountain path returned to stillness.
The setting sun blazed brilliantly.
Stargazing strains the eyes, watching chess wounds the heart, and drinking tea harms the spleen and stomach.
When life reaches its end, must everything one has ever loved be relinquished, one by one?
Song Qianji thought: No matter how much of a bastard Xian Jianchen is, he's still human. His silence—is it because he sees his own reflection in another's plight?
"We're here." Li Ying sounded somewhat reluctant. "My master has other guests today, so I won't accompany you further. Oh, I forgot to mention earlier—after giving up tea, stargazing, and chess, my master has developed a new little hobby..."
Li Ying cleared her throat softly, as if persuading herself: "Just some harmless amusement."
The valley was serene, the sunset gradually sinking.
A small bamboo hut, draped in twilight glow, lay quietly hidden deep within a sea of flowers.
Song Qianji took two steps before sensing another powerful aura, his mind stirring.
Had Chess Devil taken up reading, writing, and self-cultivation?
Xian Jianchen, more perceptive than him, had already charged inside. Afraid he might cause trouble, Song Qianji nodded to Li Ying and hurried after him.
Inside the small bamboo hut, the Chess Devil they had imagined to be utterly wretched was instead slamming the table and roaring:
"I've got a leopard! Didn't expect that, did you? Hand it over!"
"Nian Rushen?" Xian Jianchen halted, eyes wide. "Duo, Duo Qingzi? It really is you?"
The Calligrapher Sage pushed chips with one hand while feeling out dominoes with the other, utterly unperturbed: "If you can come today, why can't this old man?"
Chess Devil pointed a trembling finger, adopting a heartbroken stance: "Song Qianji, you brat, you're really hanging out with him? What did he promise you? You're making a pact with a tiger—you'll end up skinned!"
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