192 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

"This time, the return was hasty. I made you wait for too long, Senior Brother." "There's no need for such formalities between us. Find a place to sit. Tell me, did you have any epiphanies during your trip to Kunlun Mountain?" Jiang Yue lounged casually against the Sword Casting Pool, his demeanor relaxed. "It was no different from the previous times." "Do you still remember the initiation teachings of the Northern Punishment Palace?" Jiang Yue's voice was gentle, carrying an inexplicable comfort. "Naturally. The teachings of our sect explain that the Northern Punishment Palace is named as such because we humans are born with numerous sins and are blinded by many illusions. Entering the path of cultivation is a process of cleansing these sins, a process of punishment." "What's incomprehensible to the common people is also what you fail to understand at this moment. They are unable to see clearly because they are deeply entangled; your lack of clarity is because you have never been entangled. Without ever being veiled by illusions, how can one expect to make breakthroughs?" Ran Fanyan nodded silently, though it was clear that his mind was no longer on Jiang Yue's teachings. By now, the little one back at the palace must be fully awake. What kind of fuss would she make upon realizing he was not there? "Are you distracted by unfinished matters at Rongku Pavilion?" Jiang Yue asked considerately. Ran Fanyan pondered for a moment before replying, "On my way back this time, I picked up a beggar child. Her mind is not yet developed, and I'm uncertain of how to handle it." "Handle it? Does Ran Fanyan really need to ponder this so deeply?" Jiang Yue laughed lightly, his handsome face gently shaking. "If you feel inclined to take care of her, take her in as a disciple. If not, you could leave her in the care of any of the Taoists at the Northern Punishment Palace or foster her into a good home down the mountain." "Hmm..." Ran Fanyan thought deeply, his spotless, slender fingers lightly tapping against the rough stone wall. "I'll... take her as my little disciple." Recalling the beggar child's endearing face and her profound dependence on him, Ran Fanyan felt there couldn't be a better choice for someone to place under his tutelage. "I knew by the look on your face when you mentioned her that you'd accept her," Jiang Yue laughed. "So, you're taking in a new disciple. What gift are you preparing this time? I remember you asked me for swords for Luo Sheng and Cen Ran." With the decision to take in the beggar child as his disciple settled, warmth surged in Ran Fanyan's heart, bringing a smile to his lips. "So, Senior Brother, can you still forge swords?" "I may not be able to forge any more swords for the next few years, which is truly a pity. However, you really should come up with something new this time for a Sect gift. Continuously having me forge swords shows no sincerity, does it?" "Senior Brother is right." It was similar to the situation with Wanjia Village; who knew if there was a life like Chen Sitong’s within this array? Ning Songwu remained motionless in place. Here, closer to the center of the formation, there were significantly more wandering corpses and resentful spirits than in the outskirts. With her senses dulled, Ning Songwu had to rely on instinct to evade dangers. Suddenly, the nauseating stench vanished, replaced by a fresh grassy aroma and a familiar yet hazy voice from her memories. "Why are your eyes closed? Open them." A gentle voice spoke softly, followed by Ning Songwu feeling someone prying her eyelids open. More accurately, it was a demon's doing. Ning Songwu's emotions were complicated. Unlike last time, she was not entirely lost in an illusion. She was fully aware that this was false, yet she still opened her eyes. Standing before her was a girl with short, snow-white hair, large eyes, and red irises, blinking adorably. Looking at a much older Yuan'er than she remembered, Ning Songwu’s gaze softened for a moment before turning cold again. "I closed my eyes to escape." At the word "escape," Yuan'er became agitated, her eyes filling with tears as she clung tightly to Ning Songwu. "You can't leave! There are monsters outside! They'll eat you alive!" Indeed, going outside would be dangerous, but what awaited her were not monsters but ghosts. She couldn't tell whether it was her consciousness or body trapped in this place. Ning Songwu pried Yuan'er's hands off her, noticing a tree not far away. She decided to try the same method she had used last time to get out. Ignoring Yuan'er's terrified gaze, Ning Songwu ran headlong into the tree. Leaves fell as she collided, and blood began to trickle down her face. The sensation was too real. Her vision blurred, and the world around her started to double. Could it be that this time, her body was also trapped in the illusion? Seeing Yuan'er rushing towards her, Ning Songwu sighed inwardly, "This is far more troublesome than last time." Yuan'er helped Ning Songwu up from the ground, her voice filled with distress and sorrow. "Do you really want to escape from me that badly? Just because... just because I'm a demon." The words were too familiar, taking Ning Songwu back to those days where they relied on each other for survival. She had to admit, the formation had won, crafting illusions that directly struck at her deepest emotions. It was truly nauseating. The scenes around her shifted continuously. As she ventured deeper, there were more houses, eerily silent with no sign of life. Ran Fanyan took only a glance before continuing in the direction Chen Sitong had fled. Suddenly, she felt a jolt and came to a halt. The scene ahead began to twist and contort, and a familiar voice reached her ears. The scenery was undoubtably familiar, though it shouldn’t have occurred in this time and place. It was an event from four hundred years ago. In the illusion stood a girl identical to Ran Fanyan, gazing blankly at the sky. A man with a cane slowly approached her, speaking as he reached her back, "What are you thinking about, little one?" Ran Fanyan looked back, seeing her master, and shook her head. "I'm not sure what to think about." Ran Xiaogui sat down beside her. "Why not try thinking for yourself?" Ran Fanyan shook her head again. "Following Master is enough for me." "Master will leave one day. What will you do then?" Ran Xiaogui turned to her, his gaze filled with bewitchment. "Come with Master." Ran Fanyan watched the unfolding illusion coldly. Having detected the oddity early on, she stayed outside of the illusion, slicing her sword to dispel it, which sullied her master’s image. Powerful spiritual energy shattered the illusion into fragments that fell like snowflakes. Beneath the illusion, the village was still empty, leaving only a trembling Chen Sitong.