The fourth night

With a single palm, Huo Zhanbai pushed open the rusted door and swiftly entered the book depository.

"Xue Ziye!" he exclaimed involuntarily, seeing the purple-clad woman kneeling on the table.

Half of the bookshelves were empty, the table was in chaos, and there were more than a dozen precious elixirs, including the Dragon Blood Pearl and the Blue Luan Flower. Additionally, the table was piled high with books: "Secrets of the Outer Court," "Golden Orchid Circulation," "Simple Questions," "Behind the Elbow Formula"… Layer upon layer stacked beside her. Because the pile was too high, half of it collapsed onto the unconscious woman, almost burying her.

He called out, but there was no response. His heart sank even more, and he quickly went over to help her up.

Under the bright lamp, her pale and haggard face was terrifying. She raised her face, lying in his arms, and she looked extremely pale and weak.

"Xue Ziye!" He called out to her ear, one hand pressing on her back to rapidly infuse inner energy, protecting her already weakened pulse. "Wake up, wake up!"

Her head swayed without any response to his pushing, and in her hand, she still tightly held a volume of the "Ling Shu."

"Valley Master!" Frosty Red and Little Crystal rushed in, exclaiming at the doorway.

Could it be that the scene from twenty years ago was about to repeat itself?

"Quick, come and help me support her!" Huo Zhanbai urgently shouted, closing his eyes and concentrating. After a while, he suddenly pushed with a flat palm on her back. It was as if a gentle tide surged into her limbs and bones, and Xue Ziye's body trembled.

Huo Zhanbai immediately changed his palm into fingers, instantly pressing ten acupuncture points on her body, transmitting inner energy along her spine and unblocking the stagnant blood vessels that had been stuck for a long time. Initially, he pressed very quickly, but as he went on, his fingers slowed down. White vapor gradually rose from the top of his head, and his forehead faintly glowed red, seemingly concentrating all his inner energy at his fingertips.

With each finger pressed, Xue Ziye's complexion improved. When the twelve points were pressed, a light breath gently escaped her lips.

"It's done!" Frosty Red had been monitoring the Valley Master's pulse all along, and at this moment, she couldn't help but rejoice.

This lazy young master turned out to have such skills?

"Valley Master, please wake up," Frosty Red, who was usually calm and steady, was so anxious that she was about to cry.

"Ah… Ah Hong?" Xue Ziye suddenly sighed softly, her finger moved slightly, and her eyes slowly opened. "What's wrong with me? Don't cry, don't cry… I'm fine. I just fell asleep after reading for too long, right?"

She struggled to sit up, and as soon as she saw Huo Zhanbai, she was surprised. "Why are you here too? Hurry back to Winter Pavilion and rest. Who told you to run around? Where's Green, that little brat? Why didn't she watch him!"

Huo Zhanbai looked at the woman who scolded as soon as she woke up, frowned, and shook his head.

"You're not skilled in medicine," he brushed away the finger pointing at his forehead, "so you rushed here to seek last-minute salvation?"

Xue Ziye, hit in the sore spot, became furious. She casually threw the medical book in her hand, but quickly pulled back her hand. "Yes… in this volume of the 'Ling Shu'! I just saw—"

She took the book, quickly glanced through it, and her face showed joy. However, suddenly feeling her chest and lungs freezing, she coughed slowly, feeling that she couldn't breathe out.

"Valley Master, Valley Master! Stop thinking about it." A golden-purple hand stove was promptly handed over, and Xue Ziye treasured it as if it were a treasure, not daring to let it go for a moment.

She couldn't speak, feeling as if a large piece of ice had been stuffed into her chest and lungs, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Following soon after was Niu Granny, handing over the hand stove with a worried face. "Your body can't endure this anymore. You have to rest first. I'll go to the pharmacy immediately to have them decoct the medicine for you."

"Okay," Xue Ziye endured the cough and whispered, "Use the prescription I usually take."

At the age of fourteen, she fell into an icy river and drifted all night. Since then, she developed a cold syndrome. The cold entered the Shaoyin meridian, and her pulse was mostly deep or deep-tight. Her lungs were often cold, and she sometimes felt chills. At that time, Master Liao Qingran had prescribed her a formula to take daily for conditioning. However, over the more than ten years, due to mental and physical exhaustion, this condition had gradually worsened, penetrating into her bones, and the prescription was not as effective as it used to be.

"Perhaps it's not enough," Niu Granny frowned as she observed Xue Ziye's complexion, "this time, it's more serious."

"In that case... add five qian of White Tiger heart," she pondered, continuing to cough.

"Tiger heart is extremely hot, and Valley Master is already weak. How can she endure it?" Niu Granny straightforwardly objected, considering, "Why not remove the Guizhi herb from the prescription and add one liang of Chuanxiong and six fen of Man Jingzi?"

After a moment of contemplation, Xue Ziye nodded, "Agreed. Supplement it with Guilingji, and it should be fine."

"Yes," Niu Granny acknowledged and turned to leave.

Frosty Red on the side could only marvel. Having followed the Valley Master for many years and received personal guidance, she thought she had received the true transmission. However, she had never considered that the herbalist in the valley surpassed her in medical skills!

"Cough, cough..." Watching Niu Granny leave, Xue Ziye turned to look at Huo Zhanbai, smiling with a wry twist of her lips, "Cough, you can relax. Mo'er's illness won't go untreated..."

"It's fine. I'm used to your scolding." Huo Zhanbai said, "But you, be careful with your own health."

"Hehe..." Xue Ziye chuckled, covering her mouth, "You still owe me six hundred thousand. I... cough, how can I be willing to close my eyes."

But before she could finish her sentence, a violent fit of coughing ensued, and blood seeped through her fingers!

"Valley Master! Valley Master! Please stop talking!" Frosty Red was alarmed, rushing to support her swaying figure, "Huo Seventh Young Master, Huo Seventh Young Master, quickly help me take the Valley Master back to Summer Garden! The hot spring there is most beneficial for her!"

The warm spring water gradually immersed her cold skin.

Xue Ziye lay in the Snow Valley hot spring, and her pale face gradually took on a rosy hue. The stifling coldness in her chest and lungs began to dissipate. By the hot spring, the grass and trees flourished, and the weeping willow branches, draped along the lakeside, hung down gracefully. Countless butterflies danced and chased, resting on the branches, forming strings that hung down to the water's surface.

It was a sight only found in the dense forests of Southern Chu, unexpectedly appearing in the depths of Snow Valley.

When Xue Ziye woke up, a silver-white Nightlight Butterfly flew past her eyes, resembling a drifting snowflake.

"Ah..." Exhaling a long breath from her chest, she wearily opened her eyes and found herself soaking in warm water, surrounded by a fragrant aroma. She moved her limbs and began to recall how she had suddenly returned to the hot spring in Summer Garden.

"Oh, you're awake?" Suddenly, a large smiling face appeared in front of her, approaching. "Take your medicine quickly!"

"Ah!" She exclaimed in surprise, instinctively ducking into the water, and swiftly delivered a slap, "Get away!"

Caught off guard, Huo Zhanbai was smacked directly, and the medicine bowl in his hand clattered to the ground, scalding him.

"Ah Hong! Lü'er!" Xue Ziye, immersed in the water, shouted, "Where are you two? Letting patients run around?"

"Valley Master, you're finally awake?" Only Little Crystal walked out of the pavilion by the spring, almost in tears of joy. "You... you fainted in the book depository this time, and everyone was terrified. They've all gone to the medicinal garden and pharmacy now. Who has time for the patient?"

Gradually recalling the events in the book depository, Xue Ziye's expression eased, "Overreaction."

"How long have I been unconscious?" She asked, raising her head, signaling for Little Crystal to bring the white robe placed on the white stone near the spring.

"For more than a day." Huo Zhanbai frowned. Snowy fluttered over, and as he flew past, he let out a murmur, then threw a purple brocade robe near the water's edge, "Everyone was frightened by you."

"Hehe..." She lowered her head, knowing that Niu Granny's medical skills were not inferior to hers.

"Well, I know you mean that you've at least saved me once, so, about that debt of six hundred thousand, can it be reduced a bit?" She joked, trying to change the topic.

"My intention is not about the debt; it's that you, this woman, need to give me—" Huo Zhanbai was about to say something.

"Alright, get out!" Without waiting for him to finish, Xue Ziye pointed to the garden gate, scolding, "I need to get dressed!"

Unable to argue, Huo Zhanbai walked away but stopped at the doorway, "I say, in the future, you should—"

"Look!" A censer whizzed over, shattered at his feet, and scared him, "Go back to Winter Pavilion for recovery! I'll come to check on you at night!"

With a wry smile, Huo Zhanbai turned away—looking like this, it didn't seem like she had an ill-fated love.

After he disappeared from the doorway, she pondered for a moment before slowly standing up. With a splash, the sound of water, Little Crystal quickly stood behind her and shook the purple robe to wrap around her body. She took a piece of cloth, started to wring out her damp long hair.

Butterflies, disturbed by her movement, fluttered up, making a rustling sound in the air. The water's surface seemed to

The northern sky had a faintly pale blue hue.

Mohe was known as the extreme northern region, but what lay north of Mohe?

During her time in the Moga Village, she remembered Snow Huai mentioning an ancient legend from their clan. According to the tale, passing through the frozen river and traversing the vast snow-covered wilderness beyond would lead to an immense and boundless sea of ice—

That, indeed, was the true extreme north. The sky above the ice sea was filled with colorful lights.

Snow Huai... when we were fourteen, we looked at the North Star on the ice river and made a wish to traverse the snowy plains together, heading to the extreme north to witness those dreamlike lights.

Now, are you waiting for me beneath the Northern Lights?

Unfortunately, these butterflies couldn't fly beyond that frozen ocean.

After taking Niu Granny's concocted medicine, in the evening, Xue Ziye felt her energy pulse increase significantly. The breathing in her chest became smoother, and the coldness in her limbs subsided. She resumed her habit of not sitting still, starting to walk around the valley with Lü'er.

First, she visited the Winter Pavilion to check on Huo Zhanbai and his bird. Finding that he was obediently resting and recovering, she only diagnosed his pulse, prescribed a calming and nourishing qi prescription, and instructed Lü'er to stay behind to take care of him.

After teasing the snow eagle for a while, she stood up, preparing to leave, and suddenly stopped at the door, "The medicine for Mo'er has already started to be prepared. It will be ready in seven days—you still have time to rush back within the deadline."

She spoke without turning her head, standing by the door. Huo Zhanbai couldn't see her expression.

By the time he recovered from his joy, the figure in the purple attire had disappeared into the snowy night.

Why did he feel a bit lonely? She walked away with the glass lamp, passing through the fragrant medicinal garden, thinking somewhat dazedly. This time, she had done everything she could. If this medical case still couldn't cure Mo'er's illness, then she truly had no solution.

Eight years of life, in such a monotonous and desolate existence, this person seemed to be the only bright color.

In these eight years, his annual visits had gradually become the only days she looked forward to in a year—although after meeting, most of the time was spent bickering, quarreling, and drinking.

After each of his departures, she would instruct the maids to bury new jars of wine in the snow, waiting for the reunion next year.

However, this time, she couldn't continue the deception.

She couldn't even imagine what would happen if Mo'er couldn't be saved this time. Would Huo Zhanbai rush back to kill her?

Ah... she lifted her head, looking at the snowfall in the night sky, suddenly feeling life was so heavy and helpless, as if the entire sky was a net from which no one could escape, enshrouding everyone's fate.

Passing by the Autumn Garden, she suddenly remembered the patient whose Ren and Du meridians she had sealed. She couldn't help but shudder. Due to her physical condition, she hadn't visited Mingjie for two days.

She couldn't resist turning away from the main path, heading towards the Autumn Garden.

However, just as she turned around, she suddenly froze.

Was she dreaming? In the heavy snow, on the frozen lake surface, a person stood silently. Draped in a long robe, sideways, looking down at the lake. From afar, that familiar silhouette seemed as if the person sleeping beneath the ice for many years had truly awakened. On this snowy night, they quietly returned to the mortal world.

"Xue Huai?" she called softly, afraid to break this dream, approaching the lake cautiously.

On this moonless night, the snow fell endlessly, obscuring the face she had yearned for.

"Xue Huai!" unable to restrain herself any longer, she ran towards the snow-covered lake, holding a lantern. "Wait for me!"

"Xiao Ye..." the person standing on the ice turned around upon hearing her, sighed as he saw the lantern-wielding woman rushing towards him. He stretched out his hand slowly, calling out softly, "Is it you who came?"

She rushed into his embrace. It was solid and warm, dreamlike and unreal.

When did he grow so tall? Surprisingly, he could envelop her with just one hand.

"It's really you..." the man murmured to himself, holding her tightly, as if afraid she would melt like snow if he let go. "Is this a dream? How, how did time pass so quickly, just a dozen years?"

However, that faintly familiar voice made her instantly freeze.

No—not! This, this voice was...

"It's like I had a dream, and when I woke up, everyone was dead... Xue Huai, the clan leader, the swan... all dead..." the voice above her head sighed deeply, like the wind whistling by. "Only you're still here... only you. Sister Xiao Ye, it feels like I had a dream."

"Mingjie!" she finally looked up, seeing the face of the person. She exclaimed in shock.

The light from the ice and snow reflected on his face, pale and handsome, with features similar to Xue Huai's—typical appearance of the Moga Clan. However, his eyes were a melancholic light blue, as if looking at a bottomless lake.

"Mingjie?" she looked at him incredulously. "Have you already..."

"Yes, I remember everything now..." he raised his head, took a deep breath, gazing at the snowy night. "Sister Xiao Ye, I remember everything... I forced the golden needle out."

"That's wonderful." She looked at the golden needle he held between his fingers, unable to contain her joy. "Wonderful, Mingjie!"

She reached out to feel the Baihui acupoint on his head, and indeed, there was no more golden needle. "Wonderful!"

"Xue Huai, did you die when I took you to escape?" He bent down, looking at the frozen young man under the ice—who still maintained the appearance of fifteen or sixteen, with facial features somewhat resembling his. Gazing at his best childhood friend through the thick ice, his eyes turned into a sorrowful shade of blue.

"Sister Xiao Ye... that night, those people broke in. I only saw you two holding hands, running on the ice river... I shouted for you, but suddenly, you fell..." He stared at the place where his childhood companions disappeared. "At that time, I couldn't remember you anymore..."

He murmured somewhat dazedly, his eyes subtly displaying a dangerous shade of purple. "It feels like I had a long dream... killing countless people."

"Mingjie." The past suddenly returned, and Xue Ziye couldn't express the excitement in her heart. She just held onto his hand tightly, realizing his arms were covered with scars, evidence of the hardships he endured.

"Who did it?" she gritted her teeth, asking each word with a flash of anger in her normally calm eyes. "Who killed them? Who destroyed the village? Who turned you into this!"

Tongue shifted his gaze to the face beneath the ice for a moment, his eyes reflecting countless emotions.

"It was the bandits near the Blackwater..." he said coldly, "those wretched thieves."

The wind came from outside the valley, and the snow fell from the night.

Half of the lake was frozen, covered in snow and ice, while the other half emitted warmth, rising like a thousand white veils.

And there they stood, facing each other in silence on the ice, with no sense of how much time had passed.

"Those bandits back then, in order to seize a Dragon Blood Pearl stored in the village, sent people to massacre the village," Tong had been looking at the face under the ice all along. "They burned houses, killed adults... I and the other children were taken captive, sold to the Great Illumination Palace, and had our memories sealed... sent to the arena as assassins."

As Xue Ziye looked at the face of Snow Huai, frozen in time from twelve years ago, memories of that bloody night flooded back, and the piercing pain made her cough violently. Just for a Dragon Blood Pearl, just for one Dragon Blood Pearl.

Those people destroyed a village, took countless lives, and ruined the lives of the three of them!

"Mingjie... Mingjie..." she held the hand of her childhood companion, her voice trembling. "The children taken from the village, were they all sent to the Great Illumination Palace?... Were you the only one who survived?"

He remained silent, nodding slightly.

The killers trained in the Kunlun Mountains' Great Illumination Palace had been a well-known force in both the Western Regions and the Central Plains for a hundred years. She had heard something about it—but she could never fathom the brutal training those children went through at the arena.

"I was even ordered to fight with fellow clan members—I killed all my companions, just to survive," he raised his head, looking at the snow falling from the sky. "For over a decade, I lived without a past, without family or friends, completely detached from this world—just a dog raised by the Illumination Palace, surviving."

He recounted calmly, his voice like a river flowing beneath the ice, calm and unruffled.

However, the undercurrents hidden within shook Xue Ziye's heart. She trembled gradually, her hands shaking. "So, this time, this time you dueled with Huo Zhanbai because... you accepted orders from the Illumination Palace?"

"Yes," Tong's eyes showed a faint shade of purple, pausing slightly before continuing, "Qilian discovered another Dragon Blood Pearl. The Palace ordered me to come and take it back."

Xue Ziye shivered. "If you can't retrieve it, will you be killed?"

"Heh," he smiled, "be killed? That's the lightest punishment."

"The wind is getting stronger. Let's go back," he looked at the thickening snow and took off his long coat, covering her thin shoulders. "I heard you fainted today... don't stand in the wind and snow in the middle of the night."

That warmth instantly surrounded her.

Xue Ziye held the hem of the long coat, but her body was still trembling.

"Let's go back to the Summer Garden," Tong turned around, picking up the glass lamp to lead the way.

However, she suddenly grabbed his hand. "Mingjie!"

"Hmm?" He responded to this unfamiliar address, feeling that the hand he held was so cold and trembling that it hurt. He lowered his eyes, concealing the cold light that flashed through them.

A blood-red bead, placed in his palm, exuding a compelling and intimidating aura, almost causing the flying snow to freeze.

The Dragon Blood Crimson Cold Bead!

He took a sharp breath, and blurted out, "This—"

"Take it!" As she included the bead in his palm, Xue Ziye looked up, her eyes showing the impulse of making a major decision. "But don't tell Huo Zhanbai. Don't blame him... he also fought with you because he had to save someone important."

Tong hesitated to look at her, not immediately understanding the meaning behind her words. He just held onto the bead tightly, his eyes revealing a joyous expression—

While Xue Ziye mumbled with her head down, his hand suddenly slowed down.

Blood Seal! Not yet. It's not time yet... I have to wait for the right moment.

His hand ultimately gently rested on her shoulder, and he spoke softly, "You seem tired. Aren't you?"

Xue Ziye nodded silently, and the tears that had been suppressed for days finally streamed down—over these days, facing Huo Zhanbai and Tong, she had experienced so much exhaustion, self-blame, and inner turmoil. Despite bearing the name of a divine healer, she had exerted all her efforts but couldn't hold onto the threads of life slipping through her fingertips.

Master Qingran... Master Qingran... Why did you hastily leave the valley back then, pushing the eighteen-year-old me into the position of Valley Master? You left me with only this purple jade hairpin, but there was still so much I hadn't learned...

If you were still here, your disciple wouldn't be in such a situation now.

"Go back and rest early," Tong led her towards the Summer Garden, whispering gently.

As they walked, the wind gradually became warmer, and the snow melted as it reached mid-air.

In the soft and warm wind, he suddenly felt a headache, a slight movement near the Baihui acupoint.

How could the gold needle sealed by the Demon Lord be unlocked by someone else?

—Just now, he had used the Qiankun Teleportation to forcibly shift the Baihui acupoint and even the gold needle by an inch, making this woman believe he had truly regained his memory. However, it couldn't be sustained for too long; the shifted acupoint would return to its original state after a quarter of an hour.

But now, it didn't matter... He had already obtained the Dragon Blood Pearl.

Holding the meticulously acquired Dragon Blood Pearl, he suddenly found it somewhat laughable—after risking his life multiple times to forcibly snatch it, he ended up getting it through a roundabout scheme. It turned out that no matter how shrewd and strong a woman was, when faced with such matters, she would also close her eyes.

Indeed, more enticing than the Illusion Technique...

He lowered his eyes, concealing a cold smile within, holding Xue Ziye to the Summer Garden.

"Mingjie," she stopped as they entered the room, "I feel... you shouldn't go back to Kunlun."

He was surprised. Could this woman be having unrealistic thoughts, insisting on making him stay here? His blood seal had not been broken yet, and if she harbored such thoughts, it would be troublesome.

Tong frowned, somewhat troubled, not knowing how to convince her.

"Rest first," he could only say.

Deal with it tomorrow. If it really didn't work out, return to the palace and find a way to break the blood seal—after all, today he had already obtained the Dragon Blood Pearl. It was time to contact the scattered disciples outside the valley... Once the task was completed, he should return to Kunlun as soon as possible. Miaohuo and Miaoshui must be waiting eagerly by now.

Watching him turn away, Xue Ziye suddenly spoke anxiously, "Mingjie?"

"Hmm?" He responded, feeling a bit slow to grasp the meaning behind the words, and then said, "What is it?"

"You won't suddenly leave again, will you?" Xue Ziye always felt a kind of unease in her heart, as if the companion she had regained would disappear as soon as she woke up.

—She suddenly regretted giving him the Dragon Blood Pearl just now.

Tong shook his head, but he was somewhat surprised by the woman's keen intuition.

"Mingjie," Xue Ziye looked at him and suddenly whispered, "I'm sorry."

Sorry? He was stunned for a moment, "Why?"

"On that night twelve years ago, I forgot about you..." as if those words had been suppressed in her heart for many years, Xue Ziye let out a long breath, placing her hot forehead in her palms, "I fought desperately with Xue Huai to escape, but forgot that you were still trapped there! You were still locked in that dark room!... I, I'm sorry."

She covered her face, "You killed for me at the age of six and were locked in that dark room—I treated you as my only younger brother, swearing to treat you well for a lifetime... but, but at that time, I abandoned you along with Xue Huai! I'm sorry... I'm sorry!"

Tong was a bit stunned, and various illusions vaguely emerged in his mind.

Two people running hand in hand... a village engulfed in flames... surrounded by screams, everyone avoiding him. He screamed and ran desperately, but... the fear of being abandoned caught up with him.

In an instant, he felt a kind of haze swallowing him up, quickly suppressing those illusions. He quickly pressed them down.

"It's okay," he smiled, lowering his head, "I didn't die, did I? Don't be sad."

Xue Ziye buried her head in her hands and didn't speak for a long time.

"Goodnight," she finally put down her hands and whispered.

"Mingjie, I will never let you go back to that dark place."

As he stepped out, the air felt stifling, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Tong gripped the Blood-dripping Sword, sensing an indescribable discomfort coursing through him, as if something inside and outside was making his heart restless—what's going on... what's going on? Could it be that the words of that woman just now affected him?

It's fake... all of it is fake.

The illusions kept appearing, but they couldn't shake his heart. He himself was someone who used illusions to control others, so how could he believe any illusions imposed on him? Besides, those things were already meaningless to him. He was a person without a past. Tong smiled faintly, and his eyes turned into a lustrous color:

A killer doesn't need a past.

What he needed was the Dragon Blood Pearl in his hand. What he wanted was freedom and power!

Stepping out of the Summer Garden, the cold wind carrying snow blew onto his face, finally cooling his mind. He held the blood-red pearl in his hand, smiled coldly, reversed the sword hilt, and twisted it with a crack.

A thin snake emerged from inside, spitting out red venom.

"Chi, go." He tapped the snake's head.

Chi immediately turned into a red light, swiftly leaping into the snow, slithering like lightning. Following that, more snakes crawled out of the sword hilt, the tiny thread-like snakes coiling into a ball and then scattering in all directions. These were the offspring of the Blood Snakes of Kunlun, unafraid of ice and snow. Once released, they would immediately search for their mother.

His companions who got separated in the cold pine forest, they should still be searching for his whereabouts, right? After all, the entrance to this Medicine Master Valley was too well-hidden, and the terrain of the snowy region was complex, making it not easy to find.

Otherwise, those martial artists from the Central Plains should have already found their way here, right?

Tong watched Chi quickly leave and retracted his gaze.

The face under the ice was smiling at him, serene and gentle. It carried a strange familiarity that surged from the depths of his bones. In the moment of facing her directly, Tong felt his heart tremble suddenly, overwhelmed by an inexplicable and intense emotion.

What kind of feeling was this? Sorrow, longing, trust, but also with...

"Crack!" Before he could come back to his senses, the Blood-dripping Sword had ruthlessly slashed down!

How can this be... how can this be?!

When I was repeatedly defeated and humiliated in the Shura Arena, when I rolled and screamed on the cold ground, when I knelt under the throne and was caressed on my head by the Demon Lord, when those martial artists from the Central Plains captured me and used all kinds of torture... Xue Huai... How can you be so peaceful!

How can you!

The ice cracked open in an instant, the sharp sword directly cutting the face under the ice.

A trace of blood slowly spread from the pale face, seeping into the icy spring below, freezing instantly. However, the young man, slightly bending his body in a relaxed pose, remained calm and serene.

The sword was stuck in the ice, and Tong, with trembling hands, held the hilt, suddenly feeling weak.

He slowly knelt on the ice, panting heavily, his eyes gradually turning dark.

No... no... he was about to be controlled by those illusions...

Absolutely not. He must return to Kunlun as soon as possible!

"Six-six is smooth... Three doubles, lucky me... Hey hey, dead woman, how about that? I won again..."

At noon, the sun had already shone into the Winter Pavilion, where people were still lying high on their beds, muttering and playing finger-guessing games. With a proud expression on his face, he seemed to be immersed in an infinitely beautiful dream. He had won twelve rounds in a row against Xue Ziye.

Huo Zhanbai was woken up by Snowhawk.

He grumbled while half-asleep, patting the bird that was perching on his forehead. After tossing it down, he turned over and continued to sink into his dreams. Recently, he slept so well that the various past troubles that used to haunt him no longer clung to him like nightmares.

"Goo!" Snowhawk's feathers instantly stood up, rushing towards the person high in bed, fiercely pecking at his buttocks.

"Ouch!" Huo Zhanbai shouted, leaping up a foot from the bed. He glared fiercely at the bird, but Snowhawk stood on the pillow, looking at him without fear, cooing and occasionally lowering its head to peck at something it held between its claws.

Huo Zhanbai's eyes suddenly froze—this is?

He reached out, pinching the thing that was wriggling between Snowhawk's claws, his eyes shining brightly: Kunlun Blood Snake! This was something from the Devil Sect, how could it appear in Medicine Master Valley? If the offspring were here, the mother snake must not be far away. Could it be... could it be that those people from the Devil Sect have already arrived here? Is it to search for the lost Tong or for the Dragon Blood Pearl?

Holding the half-dead little snake, he was stunned for a moment, then suddenly felt a shock. He immediately stood up.

He had to go check if Xue Ziye was okay!

—Originally, he only went to get the Dragon Blood Pearl to cure Mo'er, but unexpectedly, it attracted the relentless pursuit of the Devil Sect. Has he harmed Xue Ziye?

However, Summer Garden was nowhere to be seen.

"Gu Master got up early and went to Autumn Garden to treat Young Master Mingjie." Xiao Jing frowned, somewhat timidly, "Lord Huo, could you please persuade Gu Master not to worry so much? She coughed all night yesterday."

Coughed all night? Huo Zhanbai's heart skipped a beat when he saw the handkerchief in Xiao Jing's hand, covered in numerous spots of blood. He immediately walked away. This illness was partly due to his own involvement. The robust woman was gradually withering away day by day.

He briskly walked along the maple forest path towards the place. Before entering, he saw Shuanghong standing on the corridor, waving at him.

"Gu Master is treating Young Master Mingjie." She spoke softly, "This morning, she had another bout of illness."

Huo Zhanbai stopped outside the curtain, feeling a bit uneasy. Considering how dangerous Tong was, he couldn't rest assured letting Xue Ziye be alone with him. He instinctively strained his ears to listen carefully.

"Mingjie, are you feeling better?" Xue Ziye's voice sounded tired and worried.

"Internal energy, internal energy... can't return after reaching the dantian... like being stabbed by needles... can't circulate energy..." Tong's breathing was rapid, indicating internal energy disorder. "Ah, I forgot, you haven't undone the blood seal!" Xue Ziye suddenly realized, "Endure it for a moment, and I'll do it for you—"

Huo Zhanbai's heart skipped a beat. Unable to bear it any longer, he pushed the curtain aside and shouted, "Stop!"

The two inside were startled. Xue Ziye, holding a golden needle about to pierce Tong's dantian, also froze.

As if remembering something, her hands began to tremble violently, and she couldn't force the needle any further.

"Absolutely do not undo his blood seal!" Huo Zhanbai snatched the golden needle away, coldly looking at the weak and ill killer on the bed. "Once he recovers his martial arts, he's capable of anything."

Tong glanced at him like lightning, the needle-like sharpness in his eyes disappearing instantly. "Cough, I haven't received any orders from the Demon King. Why would I randomly kill people?" he coughed with a bitter smile, looking at Xue Ziye, "Moreover... Xiao Ye is my only relative in this world... I've finally found her, how could I..."

Huo Zhanbai couldn't help but find it amusing. "Hell, Tong, hearing you say such things is truly amusing."

However, seeing Xue Ziye's lost and bewildered expression, Huo Zhanbai suddenly felt uneasy.

"Anyway," he concluded, tossing the golden needle back into the tray, "unless you leave this place, don't even think about undoing the blood seal!"

There was a deepening darkness in Tong's eyes, a fleeting sharpness of murderous intent.

"Ziye," Huo Zhanbai suddenly turned around, extending his hand towards the still dazed female physician, "What about the Dragon Blood Pearl? Give it to me for safekeeping—keeping such things with you is never safe."

Dragon Blood Pearl? Subconsciously, Tong's hand tightened around the sword hilt.

He looked at Xue Ziye, his eyes turning a faint shade of purple. However, he heard her listless response, "It's gone... along with four other medicinal herbs, I took them to the alchemy room yesterday to refine medicine for Mo'er."

Tong's hand slowly loosened, and he silently sighed in relief.

"That's good..." Huo Zhanbai also seemed relieved but looked towards the person on the bed with an expression that seemed to say, "Let's see what you're up to now." Mumbling to himself, "Some people should give up by now."

"I've asked Lü'er to prepare a horse for you. You should also go back and prepare your luggage," Xue Ziye put away the medicine box, looking at him, "If you go late and delay Mo'er's illness, Qingshui Yin won't forgive you—after so many years, she only has that one hope left."

Huo Zhanbai was secretly shocked, quickly collecting himself and nodding.

Indeed, Mo'er's illness couldn't be delayed. He must return within the one-month period! As for this side, since the Dragon Blood Pearl had entered the alchemy furnace and the Demon Cult no longer had a target, with Tong's internal energy sealed, there shouldn't be any major problems.

"I'll go prepare now," he nodded, turning around.

Before leaving, he reiterated, "Remember, never undo his blood seal unless he leaves!"

"I got it." She pulled a stern face, showing an impatient gesture of dismissal.

Seeing Huo Zhanbai's figure disappear into the fiery maple forest, Xue Ziye's eyes dimmed. She swiftly pulled down the curtain, plunging the room into darkness again. A trace of light passed through the bamboo curtain, reflecting on the pale face of the woman.

"Mingjie," she clung to the curtain, looking through the gap at the autumn scenery outside, suddenly saying, "Give me back the Dragon Blood Pearl, can you? Please?"

Tong's eyes glowed in the darkness, his hand subconsciously gripping the sword hilt.

He looked at Xue Ziye, eyes momentarily turning a deep purple, but heard her casually saying, "I was just kidding," not waiting for his response. "Things that have been sent away, why would you want them back?"

Before he could figure out the truth in her words, she had walked to the bedside, picked up the golden needle, and looked back at him with a smile. "I'll take it out for you, Mingjie."

Undo the blood seal? In an instant, his eyes sparkled like lightning.

She held the golden needle, adjusting the angle and depth of the insertion into his dantian. A portion of her delicate and snowy neck was revealed. He couldn't see her expression but felt the atmosphere in the room become stifling.

Suddenly, there was a sharp pain in his dantian!

Without thinking, he clamped her wrist!

However, before he could twist her neck with force, the blocked internal energy surged out, refilling his limbs and entire body.

"Done." She raised her head, looking at him. "Now, you're fine, Mingjie."

He was stunned, his hand frozen on her neck, and the blood-stained sword had been drawn half an inch.

"Now, you've recovered just like before." Xue Ziye seemed oblivious to his threatening gesture. She stood up slowly, speaking lightly, "But there's still one gold needle left in your heart."

He suddenly rose!

In just an instant, his sword was against her throat, forcing her to the window.

"What did you find out?" He spoke coldly, with no intention of denying.

"I just found out—when you tricked me into undoing your blood seal," Xue Ziye smiled as if she hadn't sensed his hostility. "I'm really foolish. How did I not think of it earlier? You couldn't have forced out the golden needle with your internal energy when your dantian is still sealed, right? You were just lying to me."

"Heh. How would I know what you're talking about with Mo Jia and Ming Jie? I just made up some lies." Tong sneered, his eyes sharp as needles, carrying a hint of killing intent. "Why didn't you tell Huo Zhanbai the truth earlier? Why did you instead undo my blood seal?"

Xue Ziye just laughed, "Mingjie, until now, I'm not afraid of anything."

She raised her head, gazing at him in the darkness, her eyes tranquil. "I just don't understand why, Mingjie, even when you know that Demon King treats you like a dog, you still sacrifice everything for him? Everything you told me was a lie, right? So, do you really know who the culprit is that destroyed the Mo Jia Village? Is it really those bandits by the Black Water?"

Such calm and serene eyes made him suddenly feel a shock—never has someone under the threat of the Blood Sword been able to maintain such a gaze! Those eyes... those eyes... in his memories...

"I don't know." In the end, he answered indifferently, "I don't know anything about Mo Jia Village."

Xue Ziye stared at him in a daze, her eyes filled with sadness and calm.

"So, I want to know, Mingjie, will you—" she calmly uttered the last few words, "really kill me?"

Tong's eyes flickered slightly, silent. In the silence, a flash of white light struck, knocking her down to the ground.

Blood flowed densely from her hair.

"Foolish."