Chapter 218: The Long and Winding Path Through the Ravines

Xinyi did not know how to respond; if he were to act rashly, he might implicate Long Qi and the other, and besides, he still did not know where Lingxiang was.

Yet that person's silent, unmoving appearance caused him to feel immense pressure. Xinyi's entire body was taut, like an arrow ready to be released. It was at this moment that he saw a smile appear on that person's face; the string of his tension snapped instantly, and he drew his blade, ready to strike.

However, before his blade could even leave its sheath, he saw that person's hand gestures shift, and in an instant, Xinyi was rendered completely unable to move!

Watching as that person approached step by step, Xinyi could not break free from the witchcraft no matter how he tried; with his hands behind his back clutching his blade, he was like a stone statue.

When that person reached his side, she flicked her fingers again, then pointed at Xinyi's chest. Xinyi felt a sudden sense of foreboding, yet he was helpless; in his heart, he thought, could it be that he was to meet his end here today!

Just then, a Yellow Talisman flew out from Xinyi's clothing and was caught by that person in one hand.

"I don't understand what you mean by that. I am Lingxiang; could I possibly be a monster?"

Was it actually Lingxiang? But what was her intention this time? And when had the Yellow Talisman been placed in his robes?

While Xinyi was half-doubting, he suddenly felt his body loosen; the binding technique had actually been undone. Just as he was completely bewildered, he heard Lingxiang say:

"Your heart is in chaos."

Hearing this, Xinyi was startled at first. Looking into Lingxiang's clear, calm, and ripple-free eyes, he finally gave a self-deprecating smile after a long while: "Clearly just a little girl, yet you see everything so clearly."

Lingxiang smiled gently and sat down under a nearby tree: "If something is troubling your heart, you might as well tell me; perhaps I can even help you plan a thing or two."

Xinyi did not know where he had slipped up, but it was clear that Lingxiang had seen through him long ago, which was why she had deliberately revealed a flaw to provoke his suspicion.

What a woman with such keen insight.

Xinyi shook his head and sat down helplessly to the side: "Your foot..."

"Hey, I am an Elder of a sect after all; if I didn't have some skills, wouldn't that be an empty reputation?" Lingxiang said, brushing off her skirt, "Although it hasn't healed completely, it's no longer a hindrance, just that I cannot travel in a hurry."

This was indeed true; Lingxiang might have low cultivation, but as an Elder of the Yuanqing Sect, she naturally had her own expertise—the eight Elders of the Yuanqing Sect each had their own duties, and every one of them had their own specialty.

Lingxiang's skill with Pills was such that even if Tu Mi were alive, it would likely be no better than this.

Xinyi sighed helplessly...

"Mother! Your child is unfilial!" Xinyi knelt before Lady Lu's skin, weeping bitterly, his fists clenched tight, his heart filled with a mixture of regret and fury.

He hated himself for being unable to save his mother, and he regretted why he had insisted on returning to the valley that night.

A pair of hands gently patted Xinyi's back like a breeze passing by. Xinyi looked up instantly, and what met his eyes was Lady Lu's warm face.

"Mother!"

"My child, do not cry. Life is short, and there will always be joys and sorrows; partings and deaths are the norm. Mother would eventually have such a day, it is only a matter of sooner or later."

Xinyi shook his head; his life's efforts had been to save Lady Lu, and now, seeing her like this, he found it impossible to accept no matter what.

Yet Lady Lu did not seem to want Xinyi to be trapped in sorrow; after a moment, she said sternly: "My child, Mother knows your character best, and having such friends by your side, Mother is very relieved. But this is a final parting between heaven and man, and Mother does not have much time left; there are some things I must let you know..."

"What? The truth is actually like this?!"

Lingxiang was shocked upon hearing this; she never expected that the one who betrayed the Youlu Lu Clan was actually the Lu Family Family Head!

Xinyi also could not accept this fact even now, yet it was what his mother had said herself.

Back then, Cheng Yifu learned that the Lu Family Family Head was colluding with the Demon Race and quietly informed Lady Lu of this, which was why Lady Lu had deliberately chosen that day to take little Xinyi out of the valley.

Lady Lu had once discussed with Cheng Yifu that they intended to seek help from the Yuanqing Sect, but only after leaving the valley did they learn of the Yuanqing Sect's plight; by then, it was already too late.

"According to Senior Long Sheng, the mechanism Dharma Array of the Lu Family Fortress was opened by Cheng Nuo back then. Why would he do such a thing?" Lingxiang was greatly puzzled upon hearing this.

Xinyi lowered his head in deep thought, and after a long while, he finally spoke: "The Lu Family Fortress is located in a deep valley, and the fortress itself is like a wine pot with only one entrance and exit. At that time, demons suddenly appeared in the fortress; if the mechanism Dharma Array had not been closed, everyone would have been buried in the valley."

Lingxiang finally understood; no wonder Maidong had been able to escape from the valley filled with mechanisms back then—it must have been because of Cheng Yifu's actions!

This was troublesome; in this way, the Lu Family Family Head could be said to be the enemy of the Long, Lu, and Qiao families, and then Xinyi...

"Why would he do such a thing?" Lingxiang truly could not guess the reason for the Lu Family Family Head's actions.

Xinyi took the Deer Horn Twin Blades from his waist, staring at the long and short blades in his hands with reddened eyes: "For these two blades..."

These two blades were the obsession of the Lu Family Family Head, and he had not been acknowledged by the blade spirits.

"But those who carry the Deer Blade must have burdens to bear before they can uphold its will; otherwise, they will sink into the endless demonic souls of the blades..."

Xinyi suddenly wanted to throw the two Deer Blades away, to throw them far away, but he tightened his grip and then loosened it. If he were to discard them, how could he face Cheng Yifu and his aunt, and how could he face the hundreds of souls of the Lu Family!

Looking at the pained Xinyi, Lingxiang did not know how to offer comfort for a moment; putting herself in his shoes, if she had heard this, she feared she could not be as forbearing as he was.

"Maidong..." Lingxiang suddenly said: "There is also Maidong; she cannot do without you, so you are not exactly all alone."

"Just as you said, to uphold its will, one must have burdens. Since I am already burdened, why sigh and grieve? Rather than that, it is better to carry the weight and move forward."

Speaking of Maidong, Xinyi's expression finally relaxed a little; at the thought of Maidong's smile, Xinyi could not help but smile as well.

"That is a silly girl..."

Indeed! He had long since abandoned his own name; there was no longer a Chengguining in this world. Now, the two of them were just two disciples of the Yuanqing Sect—one was Xinyi, and the other was Maidong.

Lingxiang smiled upon hearing this and looked at the two youths sitting in the array: "Indeed, there are also those two fools."

"The Long, Lu, and Qiao families have already passed into history; why dwell on who was right and who was wrong? No matter how clear right and wrong are, it only adds to the trouble. Since the days are peaceful now, why not let this tranquility continue?"

Let this matter be put to rest! Hatred is something that only causes tragedy to spread infinitely!

Lingxiang looked up at the sky, where the white mist was dreamlike and illusory. She suddenly felt that whether her Spirit Root could be repaired did not seem so important anymore.

For so many years, she had been chasing a way to break the curse, but in fact, it was just an obsession. Even if she could really repair her Spirit Root, what then? To cultivate with devotion and transcend the world?

Lingxiang did not believe she could do that; she glanced at Long Qi, who was meditating not far away, and a warmth surged in her heart.

"Now that I am at Foundation Establishment, I am not inferior to you. You don't have to worry that I will surpass you in the future; at worst, I will protect you from now on!"

Recalling the day Long Qi broke through his realm and said this to her triumphantly, the corners of Lingxiang's mouth could not help but lift.

Since one is already in the red dust, why be annoyed by the dust?

Just as the two were lost in their own thoughts, a mocking sound suddenly came from the forest.

"Fucang Elder truly has a silver tongue; with just a few words, you have dissolved the hatred of a sect annihilation. It is truly an eye-opener!"