Now that the truth had come to light and it was known that Nan Zhi had been framed by Qinglong, there were still those who suspected that the evil treasure was on her person.
But when the heavenly lightning and earth fire had descended that day, even a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator like Qinglong could not escape the fate of having his soul extinguished.
If Nan Zhi truly possessed an evil treasure that should not exist in this world, how could she have obscured the heavenly secrets and escaped under the divine lightning?
It was one thing for a Foundation Establishment cultivator with no sect heritage to have some attainments in formations and, by a stroke of luck, break the Two-Form Inversion Formation and draw down the lightning to kill a Nascent Soul master.
But if she carried an evil treasure and still emerged from the heavenly lightning completely unscathed, that would truly be defying the heavens.
Therefore, without needing much explanation, everyone present agreed that the evil treasure must still be with Huiyuan.
What?
Why would he still hunt Nan Zhi after obtaining the treasure?
It must have been a diversionary tactic concocted by Qinglong and Huiyuan.
Now that Huiyuan had fled and his whereabouts were unknown, he might have left the Great Song, but there was no guarantee he wouldn't return.
If Ningxue Ancestor of the Qingjing Sect was willing to stay in the mortal realm, it was naturally for the best.
The only fear was that another Daoist Qinglong would appear.
“Please rest assured, everyone. In the past, our Qingjing Sect was negligent, but something like the affair with Qinglong will certainly never happen again. Once the Northwest Circuit Demon Suppression Monastery is rebuilt, every six months, disciples of the Qingjing Sect will come to the mortal world to temper their hearts, joining the Demon Suppression Division to do good and eliminate evil. This will ensure peace in the mortal realm.”
Meifu smiled and continued:
“As for that fallen immortal, our Qingjing Sect will also publicize his crimes and search for his tracks alongside our fellow Daoists from the Wuwei Sect. As for that heavily injured Foundation Establishment female cultivator...”
He paused and bowed to Abbess Miaoyun:
“Our Qingjing Sect has always cherished talent. We have heard that this girl possesses extraordinary aptitude. If the Demon Suppression Division is willing to let her go, she could try her luck at the Wenxian Platform during next year’s sect recruitment. Since she could break Senior Uncle Mo’s Two-Form Inversion Formation, she must have some talent in formations. Perhaps she might even have a chance of joining the formation lineage.”
“That will depend on her own fortune,” Miaoyun replied with a slight smile. She did not accept on Nan Zhi’s behalf, speaking ambiguously: “She is currently suffering from severe injuries...”
Meifu understood immediately and laughed. “Since it was the negligence of our Qingjing Sect that caused this trouble, we should naturally show our sincerity. There is no need to inform our Ancestor; my brother and I can make the decision to provide five hundred mid-grade spirit stones and various cultivation resources to help this fellow Daoist recover. How does that sound?”
Miaoyun smiled. “I heard that the Miaoling Secret Realm will open next year. I wonder if I might be bold enough to ask for an entry token for her?”
“Then let us add a piece of top-grade Lightning Struck Spirit Marrow as well. How about that?”
Canzhi gritted his teeth and said, “Abbess, you may not know, but the Miaoling Secret Realm is a place agreed upon by the major sects for new disciples to train. Although she has reached Foundation Establishment, she has not passed the Heart-Inquiry Stone nor ascended the Wenxian Platform. She is not a member of our Qingjing Sect. Sending her to the Miaoling Secret Realm in the Ten Directions Mountains would truly be against the rules.”
“Rules are fixed, but people are flexible,” Qiu Buguo interjected with a sneer. “If not for this girl, who knows how much more evil your Senior Uncle Qinglong would have committed? What do a few cultivation resources matter? Can’t you even afford an entry token? Truly, the Qingjing Sect is not as generous as our Wuwei Sect.”
These words were meant to needle them.
Although Qiu Buguo had no connection to that little demon suppressor, seeing the Qingjing Sect suffer a setback was worth supporting Miaoyun with a few words.
Meifu and Canzhi were indeed embarrassed. After a moment of thought and weighing the pros and cons, they agreed.
After all, the girl was likely to join the Qingjing Sect eventually. Giving her the token early wouldn't be a loss.
The atmosphere then became harmonious as they discussed the details.
Shen Luohe and Hua Xijian, who had remained silent, stood on either side below the others, not even exchanging a glance.
They were like complete strangers.
...
...
Nan Zhi did not know that a massive windfall was coming her way. She was standing on a hill outside Dingyuan, watching Nan Yi’s coffin being buried from a distance.
According to the customs near Dingyuan, if someone suffered a violent death, they had to be buried after seven days of mourning at home; otherwise, their soul might not find peace and they would be unable to achieve reincarnation.
The sounds of flutes and drums echoed through the air.
There weren't many mourners. About twenty young men played music as they escorted the coffin containing Nan Yi’s body into the earth. It wasn't until the yellow soil was shoveled over it and Chen Jingui’s heart-wrenching wails rang out that Nan Zhi snapped back to her senses.
“My son!”
“My poor Brother Yi! How could you leave us like this!”
“You’re so cruel!!”
The white-haired Chen Jingui seemed to have aged ten years overnight. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she was so spent that she couldn't even shed tears anymore, only able to howl with a raspy voice.
Nan Dazhuang had thinned considerably, his clothes hanging loosely on his frame. A thick hemp rope was tied around his waist, and his hastily made hempen mourning clothes and shoes were brand new.
Their child lay inside that coffin.
The people around them tried to comfort them, but the couple was deaf to their words, staring fixedly at the coffin, hoping the baby-faced youth would return.
Fearing that the existence of the Mayfly Wood would be leaked, Nan Zhi had only said that Nan Yi died because of the disaster caused by Qinglong when she brought his body back.
Hua Xijian had secretly told Nan Zhi that the Demon Suppression Division had pills that could make people forget, which many demon suppressors gave to their families before they died.
She didn't want them.
The life of Danxia Fairy was full of tragedy. If even this life as Nan Yi was forgotten, it would be too miserable.
“Big Sister...”
Nan Ye, dressed in hempen mourning clothes, leaned against a willow tree and softly called out to Nan Zhi.
“Big Sister, are you alright? Big Brother is about to be buried. Go and see him off. When we were little, he loved being with you the most... Now that he’s gone, I’m sure he’d want you to be there.”
“There is no need.”
Nan Zhi shook her head.
The person in the coffin was not Nan Yi, but merely a corpse covered in a Paper Skin Garment.
Nan Yi was no longer in this world.
Moreover, Chen Jingui and Nan Dazhuang probably didn't want to see her right now.
On the day she brought Nan Yi’s body home, both Chen Jingui and Nan Dazhuang had fainted. After waking up, they were in a daze, still feeling as if it were a dream.
Since then, the two had handled Nan Yi’s funeral arrangements, weeping every day. They refused to say a single word to Nan Zhi, and their eyes held a faint resentment that they might not even have realized themselves.
“Aren't you an immortal? Why couldn't you protect him?”
“Why didn't you send Brother Yi away with the others back then?”
“Why did you come back, but your brother is dead?”
“Aren't immortals supposed to protect mortals? We’ve never done anything wrong in our lives, so why do we have to endure this?”
Nan Zhi could guess their thoughts without them saying a word.
Human nature was complex. Although she could understand the couple’s irrational lashing out in their extreme grief, Nan Zhi faintly understood:
A barrier had finally formed between them.
Surprisingly, though she felt a sense of loss, she wasn't particularly sad.
Perhaps the moment she had struck with that needle, Nan Zhi had already anticipated this outcome.
“Big Sister, I know you’re sad. Father and Mother don't mean it; please don't hold a grudge against them.”
Nan Ye shed tears as she took Nan Zhi’s hand.
“I know it must have been incredibly difficult for you to send us away that day. That Daoist Qinglong was so powerful that even the entire Demon Suppression Division was no match for him. The fact that you could return alive is a blessing from the heavens. How can Big Brother’s death be blamed on you? It’s just that Father and Mother are confused right now and resent the immortals, and you as well...”
“I have made all the arrangements. During the Demon Suppression Division’s assessment next year, if you are willing and have the heart to pursue cultivation, go and seek a clerk position and plan your future slowly. I know you are intelligent and reliable. I’ve left enough money and pills at home for you to cultivate to Foundation Establishment, along with two life-saving artifacts. That should be enough.”
Nan Zhi gently hugged her sister and wiped away her tears.
“When I am not here, take good care of the family. If there is an emergency, go to the Demon Suppression Division. If it is a life-threatening matter, crush the communication talisman I left for you. Sister Ye, you can’t rely on anyone in this world. Just remember one thing: the Great Dao of cultivation is beneath your feet. Only by walking it steadily and wading through the hardships yourself will it be real.”
“Big Sister, you’re leaving? Where are you going? You’re going to pursue the Dao, aren't you?”
Nan Ye sensed something. Her breathing quickened, and her eyes filled with tears.
“Will... Big Sister, will you come back?”
Nan Zhi said nothing, only looking at her with a calm and peaceful gaze.
After a long while, Nan Ye understood. Her lips faltered, but in the end, she didn't ask Nan Zhi to stay.
No wonder they say the Great Dao is heartless.
She watched from afar as Nan Zhi’s figure disappeared into the clouds, the tears on her face flowing even faster.
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