Moonlight Mystique

Chapter Thirty-Two

“Though you’ve temporarily suppressed Bodhi’s Divine Soul, your Spiritual Qi is insufficient to refine it—you’ve resorted to the Evil Path.” Fan Yue frowned. This was not a question but a conclusion.

“Indeed. Since the Immortal Realm has shown me no fairness and left my Piaomiao Sect with no path to survival, what does it matter if I descend into demonhood? The Three Realms have no laws—strength alone dictates the rules!” Song He’s eyes held no trace of compassion or immortal nobility, only stubborn defiance.

“Spare me your self-righteous excuses. This was never about the sect—just your own selfish desires. As far as I know, ever since the two Phoenix Emperors ascended to rule the Immortal Realm, they’ve granted the blessed lands of the Eighteen Eastern Isles to the immortal clans for cultivation. Your Piaomiao Sect had no talent, failing to achieve the Great Dao, yet you blame the Phoenix Clan…” Fan Yue let out a cold scoff. “They say the immortals are all hypocrites preaching benevolence and righteousness, but to shamelessly twist the truth like this—truly, you’ve opened my eyes.”

Fan Yue rarely spoke, but when he did, his words could suffocate a man. Coming from a member of the Yao Race, this retort struck Song He like a slap, nearly snuffing out the last breath in his body.

“You—!” Song He trembled with rage, his face twisted in indignation, yet he had no rebuttal. Perhaps at first, he had secretly refined the Bodhi Wood for the sake of Piaomiao, but later, when he faked his death, embraced demonic cultivation, drained the Spiritual Qi of the Eastern Sea, and even sacrificed his disciples and Bai Shuo—it was all for the dark, stubborn selfishness lurking in his heart!

Fan Yue wasted no more words. The silver chain in his palm crackled with energy. “Listening to this filth sullies my ears. Enough talk—let me send you on your way.”

The silver chain shot from Fan Yue’s hand, streaking toward Song He. With only the Bodhi’s heart protecting his Divine Soul and now deprived of Er Yun as a hostage, Song He had no hope left.

He closed his eyes, awaiting his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering—when suddenly, a Sword light flashed past. Chong Zhao’s shocked voice rang out, “Senior Sister!”

It was Er Yun. She had remained silent since Song He began speaking, but now she mustered all her strength to block the silver chain’s strike. Yet she was merely a junior immortal. Had Fan Yue not been weakened, even the chain’s residual energy would have shattered her Golden Core. The chain paused mid-air, its tip hovering an inch from Er Yun’s forehead.

“Yun’er…” Song He opened his eyes at the sight, visibly moved, and made to leave the Bodhi’s heart to intervene.

“Don’t come near me! Go!” Sensing his intent, Er Yun didn’t turn around. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed, “Father! Please, stop hurting others! Just leave—don’t return to the Eastern Sea, never come back!”

Her face drenched in tears, Er Yun summoned her Golden Core and hurled it toward the faint light above the water cave, tearing open a fissure in the ceiling.

“Go! Father!”

Having staked her life to buy Song He a sliver of survival, Er Yun couldn’t bear to look at Chong Zhao or Bai Shuo. Song He had already fallen to demonic cultivation and slaughtered his own sect. Neither Heaven nor the Piaomiao Sect would tolerate such a traitor of the Evil Path. But he was still her father. Even if it defied the Dao of immortals, she couldn’t watch him die before her eyes.

Without hesitation, Song He clutched the Bodhi’s heart and flew toward the fissure.

“Seeking death.” Watching Song He flee, Fan Yue snorted, his patience spent. The silver chain prepared to strike.

“Lord Fan Yue! Don’t!”

“Stop!”Bai Shuo and Chong Zhao hurriedly tried to intervene, but Fan Yue flicked his hand backward, erecting a barrier that blocked both of them. Unprepared, they collided with the barrier. Strangely, the spot Bai Shuo hit felt incredibly soft, as if the barrier subtly cushioned her fall. Chong Zhao, however, wasn’t so fortunate—he slammed into what felt like solid rock and was violently flung backward before crashing heavily to the ground.

Fan Yue didn’t even spare a glance at the two who had tried to oppose him like eggs against a rock. With a slight lift of his finger, the silver chain emitted a radiant glow and, without hesitation, shot toward Er Yun’s forehead.

As the demonic weapon pierced flesh, blood splattered, staining the barrier crimson. Unable to bear the sight, Bai Shuo averted her eyes.

"Father!"

A grief-stricken cry echoed through the water cavern. Bai Shuo turned to see Song He erupt with a surge of dark light, forming a solid shield in front of Er Yun. The silver chain pierced his chest instead.

The chain tore through his body, extracting the Bodhi tree’s heart before flying back into Fan Yue’s grasp.

"Lord of Haoyue Palace, everything that happened today was my doing alone. The Bodhi tree’s heart is returned intact. Piaomiao is but a minor sect of the Eastern Sea—I beg you to spare us."

Trembling, Song He tossed Er Yun’s inner core back into her body as his form gradually faded into transparency.

"Father!" Er Yun sobbed, rushing toward Song He. He raised his hand as if to caress her face. "My child… I was wrong…"

Before Er Yun could touch his outstretched hand, Song He disintegrated into dust.

"Father!"

Witnessing her father’s Divine Soul dissipate, Er Yun spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed. The barrier restraining Chong Zhao vanished, and he swiftly flew forward to catch her unconscious form.

The moment the dark light completely faded from the cavern, the sprawling Bodhi vines vanished, and the illusion of the water cavern dissolved. The sound of waves crashing against the shore reached the trio’s ears as they found themselves standing on the coast of Fire-Ice Island. The evening moon cast its glow over them, and the world seemed to regain its vitality, as though they had crossed into another lifetime.

Bai Shuo stood momentarily dazed. Seeing Fan Yue about to leave, she called out, "Lord…"

Fan Yue didn’t turn back, only pausing briefly before flicking his hand and casting a beam of light onto Er Yun. A red glow flashed, and Er Yun’s face twisted in pain as she groaned. Chong Zhao roared in fury, his expression wary. "Lord of Haoyue Palace, what have you done?!"

Caught off guard by Fan Yue’s sudden attack on Er Yun, Bai Shuo barely had time to react. Yet, the scene struck her as oddly familiar. She quickly reassured, "Senior Brother, protect Senior Sister’s core. Don’t worry—the Lord hasn’t harmed her."

By the time Bai Shuo turned back, Fan Yue had already transformed into a streak of light and vanished beyond the horizon.

Sure enough, Er Yun’s pained expression soon eased, and she fell into a deep slumber. Chong Zhao checked her meridians and, confirming her true essence remained unharmed, finally relaxed.

"What did he do?"

"He took away Senior Sister Er Yun’s memories of tonight."

In the profound silence, Bai Shuo gazed at the distant starlight, inexplicably feeling a pang of melancholy.

With a soft sigh, Bai Shuo turned to Chong Zhao, who looked puzzled and about to ask how she knew. Before he could speak, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small, glowing branch—a fragment of the Bodhi tree.

"What’s this…?"

"Bodhi wood. When that evil Bodhi tried to kill me, I secretly snatched half a piece from near its heart. This is a divine tree from the Divine Realm—far more precious than any first-grade earthly treasure. It’ll definitely help refine a top-tier Medicinal Pill for you. After all this trouble, at least we didn’t come away empty-handed." Bai Shuo grinned, stretching lazily. "Come on, A-Zhao, let’s go home!"

Seeing her bright smile, Chong Zhao suppressed his lingering questions and nodded gently.Forget it. The Half-God Lord Haoyue of the Yao Realm is as distant from them as heaven and earth—there's no point in asking further.

The inner hall of Piaomiao Island was brightly lit, the jade slip placed back on the table. Song Feng gazed at the ancestral jade slip, his face aged several years in an instant, filled with deep worry.

After today's calamity, the mountain-protecting formation had been destroyed, the spiritual power of the guardian jade slip was nearly depleted, and the twelve Liuyun disciples had perished. Piaomiao Sect was now like the setting sun, on the verge of collapse.

"Senior Brother, oh Senior Brother, your single misstep has destroyed Piaomiao's thousand-year foundation," Song Feng murmured, his eyes filled with helplessness. He coughed heavily, his body trembling, and Chong Zhao quickly stepped forward to steady him, concern in his eyes. "Junior Martial Uncle."

Song Feng waved his hand dismissively, then asked with slight hesitation, "You mentioned earlier... that Lord Haoyue erased Yun'er's memories before leaving."

"Yes. Junior Martial Uncle, what exactly is the origin of this Lord Haoyue?"

Song Feng shook his head. "The Three Realms only know that the master of Haoyue Palace is shrouded in mystery, a prodigy among demonic cultivators. Ten years ago, he emerged out of nowhere and slaughtered the Taotie of the Far North, earning his fame in a single battle. No one knows his origins, but I've heard he resides in the northernmost reaches of the Yao Realm, rarely appearing before others... After the Bodhi descended upon the Eastern Sea, your Master used his own life essence to conceal its aura—even the Heavenly Palace was unaware. Yet this time, he came to the Eastern Sea clearly for the Bodhi's heart. From this, it seems he must have deep ties to the Bodhi..."

Song Feng's voice trailed off. "Enough. Matters of Half-Gods are beyond the reach of a mere sect like Piaomiao. Zhao'er, if you ever cross paths with Lord Haoyue again in your travels through the Three Realms, treat him with respect. Do not offend him."

Chong Zhao was taken aback. "Junior Martial Uncle...?"

"If the Heavenly Palace learns of your Master's fall to the Demonic Path, Piaomiao will surely be scorned by the immortal sects and find no place in the Three Realms. Since he took Yun'er's memories, he has left us a path to survival. Though immortals and demons are distinct, Piaomiao owes him this debt of gratitude."

Though immortals and demons had long-standing enmity, it was no longer as fierce as centuries past. Only the Demonic Path was universally reviled across the Three Realms.

"Understood, Disciple will remember."

"That Outer Sect Disciple, Bai Shuo..."

Noticing Song Feng's doubtful expression, Chong Zhao hesitated, then quickly added, "Junior Martial Uncle, rest assured. A-Shuo's memories were also taken by Lord Haoyue."

Song Feng nodded, visibly relieved.

Chong Zhao recounted everything that had happened on Fire-Ice Island to Song Feng, but concealed the secret of Bai Shuo's spiritual blood and her pivotal role in the events. Song Feng only knew that Bai Shuo had left the island to gather herbs, stumbled onto Fire-Ice Island by chance, and triggered the seal—leading him to discover the corrupted Bodhi.

"She has contributed to Piaomiao nonetheless. From today onward, promote her to Inner Sect Disciple."

With the twelve Liuyun disciples gone, Bai Shuo—though lacking talent in cultivation—excelled in alchemy, making her a valuable asset to the weakened Piaomiao.

Chong Zhao's face brightened. "Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle."

"Zhao'er, after this ordeal, Piaomiao has declined further. I am old, with no hope of advancing in cultivation. The burden of our sect now falls upon you."

"Junior Martial Uncle..." Seeing the sorrow on Song Feng's face, Chong Zhao found himself at a loss for words.

"If you can win the 'Phoenix Martial Banquet' three months from now, claim the Phoenix Sword, and enter the Heavenly Palace to train, perhaps Piaomiao may one day regain its place among the Three Mountains and Six Sects." Song Feng patted Chong Zhao's shoulder, then sighed as he looked at the hall filled with jade slips.

"Junior Martial Uncle, do not worry. This Disciple will spare no effort," Chong Zhao vowed solemnly.In the far north of the Yao Realm, where icy plains stretched for thousands of miles under perpetual snow, gathered the most vicious Yao Beasts in existence. Yet now, an eerie silence prevailed—not a single beast dared to reveal its presence. All because of the majestic snow palace standing tall in the deepest part of the frozen wasteland.

The cold moonlight cast a faint glow. The rear hall, devoid of any warmth, was a place the palace lord favored for its silence—no one dared intrude. Only the wooden figure of Long Er the donkey on the desk hopped left and right, yet no matter how it tried, it was always slapped back onto the table the moment it attempted to leap off.

After his 108th faceplant, Long Er the donkey prepared for another attempt. His spiritual power had been sealed by Fan Yue, and the table was surrounded by Restrictions. Though he knew it was futile, with no one around, he might as well amuse himself.

A flash of red light—Fan Yue appeared in the hall. Long Er the donkey froze mid-hop before flopping onto the table, playing dead as a dutiful captive donkey.

The golden pig flew out from Fan Yue’s sleeve, its face beaming with joy.

"Finally! We’ve got Long Three back! Hurry, hurry—refine him now!"

Long Er the donkey pricked up his ears. At the pig’s—Long Yi Zhu’s—shouts, his eyes widened in shock as he spotted a flickering Bodhi Heart Flame in Fan Yue’s palm.

With a wave of his hand, Fan Yue summoned an intricate, ancient Formation on the ground. Flames erupted within it. Stepping inside, Fan Yue sat in meditation. The fire instantly burned away his upper robes, revealing seven starlike marks carved like chisel strokes across his chest. But now, those seven stars had sprouted sinister thorn-like patterns, forming a line that pierced straight toward his heart.

The full moon hung high in the sky. Before Fan Yue could refine the Bodhi Heart, he suddenly coughed up blood, his face as pale as paper. Long Yi Zhu, who had somehow flown onto the desk, lounged comfortably against the stiffened Long Er the donkey, legs crossed, entirely unsurprised by the scene.

"Not to be rude, but you’re already down to half your spiritual power thanks to those Restrictions. Why push yourself? Just wait one more day—once your Divine Power recovers, dealing with that wicked Bodhi would be as easy as lifting a hand. But no, you had to sign a Divine Soul Contract with her using heart’s blood at your weakest, draining your energy, and even helped her save those two immortal sect Disciples. My lord, did a donkey kick you in the head?"

Long Yi Zhu spoke lazily while giving the wooden donkey’s head a symbolic kick.

Fan Yue’s expression turned icy as he shot a cold glare at the pig. Unfazed, Long Yi Zhu pouted and muttered, "What, I can’t even say it? Look at you, injured like this—has that girl shown you even an ounce of concern? Her heart’s set on her childhood sweetheart. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice her sneaking off with a piece of Bodhi wood..."

Before he could finish, a red light slashed at the pig. Long Yi Zhu staggered, stars spinning in his eyes, too dazed to speak further.

Flames surged in the ancient Formation as Fan Yue pressed the Bodhi Heart against his chest. Slowly, it merged into one of the starlike marks, causing the vicious thorn patterns to fade slightly... Closing his eyes, Fan Yue began his meditation to refine it.

Under the bright moon, Long Yi Zhu and Long Er the donkey watched nervously as Fan Yue worked. The moment the Bodhi Heart fully merged with the star, the flames in the Formation flickered abruptly. A trace of surprise flashed across Fan Yue’s cold face—then, in a streak of red light, he vanished from the Formation.

The scene was utterly unexpected. The two wooden figures—pig and donkey—leaped up simultaneously, exchanging bewildered glances.

"D-did the Bodhi Heart eat him?" the donkey asked hoarsely.

"You’re the one who got eaten, jinx!""Where is that person?"

Long Yi Zhu seemed to recall something and let out a long sigh. "Women... truly a karmic entanglement..."

On the mist-shrouded outer island, Bai Shuo, who had been busy all night, sat on a small wooden stool beside the Medicine Cauldron, yawning as she hurriedly refined the Bodhi tree heart.

Bodhi was a divine tree. If Sect Leader Song Feng detected the aura of the divine wood, the nonsense she and A-Zhao had concocted wouldn’t fool anyone...

The drunken old turtle lay on its back in a corner, snoring loudly—hypnotic in its own way. Apart from the crackling of the fire in the furnace, the medicine garden was eerily quiet. Bai Shuo propped her chin on her hand, idly poking at the firewood, and for some reason, couldn’t help but pout.

"After going through life and death together, he didn’t even say goodbye before leaving. Monsters really have no sense of human sentiment..."

Distracted, Bai Shuo pricked her finger on a wood splinter, leaving a shallow cut. A drop of blood welled up instantly. She hissed in pain but paid it little mind. Just then, a spark from the furnace flew out, landing on her forehead. Bai Shuo quickly wiped it away, smearing blood across her brow. The dark moon mark that had appeared in the water cave flashed briefly, absorbing her blood in an instant.

Unaware of this, Bai Shuo muttered, "Why the rush? At least let me check your pulse. Even if you’re a demigod, sacrificing heart’s blood must have—ow!"

A streak of red light flashed, and something heavy crashed into her. The wooden stool shattered into splinters, and Bai Shuo tumbled into the debris, dazed.

"What the—?!"

Struggling to push the weight off her, her hands met something both cold and warm. Bai Shuo froze, then looked up—only to see a naked body and a face both familiar and strange.