Chapter 13: The Seven-Day Promise, Sunset Forest

Yu Tianheng and the others stood quietly not far away, listening to the sound of Zhexian's flute, as if they had been transported into a distant world.

The flute melody was melodious, carrying endless vicissitudes and loneliness, as if it were recounting a long-sealed past.

Even Aosiluo and Yufeng, who were the most lively on ordinary days, restrained their smiles at this moment, their eyes revealing a touch of contemplation.

The flute sound gradually dissipated, and Zhexian slowly lowered the Jade Flute, his gaze still looking into the distance, as if he had pierced through time and space to return to that era when he once traversed the world.

Yu Tianheng and the others did not dare to disturb him, just standing quietly in place, their hearts filled with awe and curiosity.

After a moment, Zhexian finally came back to his senses, gently wiped away the tear stains at the corners of his eyes, turned to look at the crowd, and said indifferently: "Do you have something to say?"

Yu Tianheng and the others hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Ye Lingling could not help but ask: "Teacher, that piece just now... it was truly beautiful! But why did it sound so sad?"

Zhexian smiled slightly, his gaze carrying a touch of depth: "That was a piece written for an old friend, telling the story of his glorious life."

Yu Tianheng nodded, but he was very puzzled in his heart; the teacher's old friend?

Just at this moment, a faint sound of footsteps came from afar.

Everyone turned to look, only to see a young man wearing luxurious clothing walking slowly toward them; it was the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire—Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe wore a smile, his gaze gentle, as if he were a humble gentleman. He walked up to the crowd, nodded slightly, and said: "Teacher Zhexian, we meet again."

Zhexian put away the Jade Flute in his hand and nodded slightly toward him: "After our parting that day, I did not expect to be able to see the Crown Prince again."

"Crown Prince, you aren't here to force Teacher Zhexian to go teach that idiot Xue Beng, are you?"

Dugu Yan spoke bluntly, scaring her teammates on the side into staring at her with wide eyes.

My vice-captain! Don't scold someone's younger brother right in front of the Crown Prince!

Yu Tianheng was also startled, but he still gripped Dugu Yan's hand to show his stance.

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe did not get angry; instead, he smiled slightly, looked at Dugu Yan with a gentle gaze, and said: "This must be Senior Dugu's granddaughter, Miss Dugu Yan, right? I came here today not for the sake of my fourth younger brother, but because I sincerely wish to invite Teacher Zhexian to my mansion for a chat. Teacher Zhexian is overflowing with talent and possesses extraordinary strength; I have admired you for a long time and simply wish to discuss some insights on cultivation with you, with absolutely no other intentions."

Dugu Yan was stunned by Xue Qinghe's attitude; she had not expected this Crown Prince to be so magnanimous, not showing the slightest anger at her bluntness.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but was gently tugged on the sleeve by Yu Tianheng, signaling her not to say any more.

Zhexian glanced at Xue Qinghe and said indifferently: "Many thanks for the Crown Prince's kindness, but I have always preferred quiet and am not quite used to going to such bustling places. I appreciate your intentions, Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe still wore a gentle smile on his face, seemingly not surprised by Zhexian's refusal. He nodded slightly and said: "Since the teacher is unwilling, I will not force the issue. However, if the teacher changes your mind in the future, the doors of the Prince's Mansion are always open for you."

Zhexian smiled faintly and did not say much.

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe did not say anything more, nodded slightly to the crowd, and then turned and left.

His back remained calm and elegant, as if the invitation just now had been merely a casual mention and he had not taken it to heart.

After Xue Qinghe had walked far away, Dugu Yan could not help but curl her lips and whispered: "This Crown Prince is quite good at putting on an act. He clearly doesn't know what he's plotting in his heart, yet on the surface, he puts on the appearance of a humble gentleman."

Yu Tianheng gently patted her shoulder and whispered: "Yan'er, watch your words. The Crown Prince is, after all, a member of the royal family; it is not appropriate for us to discuss him too much."

Dugu Yan snorted; although she was unconvinced in her heart, she knew that what Yu Tianheng said was reasonable, so she did not say any more.

Zhexian looked at the crowd and said indifferently: "Let's end today's cultivation here. You all go back and get some good rest, and continue tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded one after another and then left separately.

——

Day after day, seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

Dugu Bo arrived at the gate of the Heaven Dou Imperial Soul Master Academy as promised, waiting for Zhexian's arrival.

He stood beside a luxurious carriage, his gaze looking toward the inside of the academy from time to time, appearing somewhat anxious.

Before long, Zhexian's figure appeared at the academy entrance.

He was still in a white robe, his expression indifferent, as if nothing in the world could disturb his state of mind.

"Little friend, you have finally come." Dugu Bo greeted him, his tone carrying a touch of urgency.

Zhexian glanced at him and said indifferently: "Let's go, to that place you mentioned."

Dugu Bo nodded and then signaled for Zhexian to get into the carriage.

The carriage slowly started and drove toward the direction of the Sunset Forest.

……

Deep in the Sunset Forest, poisonous fog filled the air, and the air was permeated with a pungent, fishy smell.

Dugu Bo led Zhexian deep inside all the way, and soon they arrived at that valley.

The valley was surrounded by towering cliffs, and thick green poisonous fog filled the surroundings, blocking all living things from entering.

"This is the place." Dugu Bo pointed at the poisonous fog, his tone carrying a touch of anticipation.

Zhexian nodded, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings, and said indifferently: "Is the Extreme Yin and Yang Land you mentioned inside?"

"Yes." Dugu Bo nodded and explained: "I accidentally discovered this place more than ten years ago and transformed it into a medicinal herb garden."

"There are many Immortal Herbs growing inside; if little friend can remove the toxins from my body for me, you may take all of these Immortal Herbs."

"Let's go, let's go in and take a look."

After speaking, Zhexian took the first step.

Dugu Bo was startled to see this; one must know that the poisonous fog on the periphery could be compared to his Bilin Snake Poison.

Without the Antidote Pill he had developed, ordinary people could not enter at all.

But soon he thought of something else, shook his head, and gave a bitter smile.

"I am truly muddled. With his martial soul, how could mere poisonous fog possibly do anything to him?"

Dugu Bo followed behind Zhexian and stepped into the valley together.

As soon as Zhexian entered the valley, thick green smoke rushed toward his face.

However, Zhexian was completely unaware, his expression remaining calm and unruffled, and he walked straight toward the front.

The True Phoenix Flame on his body burned the poisonous fog with a "sizzle" sound.

Dugu Bo followed closely behind him.

Very quickly, the two of them entered the mountain valley.

What Zhexian did not expect was that before him was actually an inverted cone-shaped mountain hollow; the valley where they stood was the edge of this hollow, and thick heat rose from within the hollow, the heat being very humid and carrying a hint of the unique scent of sulfur.

"There is a hot spring here?"

PS: ()**

(End of this chapter)