Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 159 - Mirage Woman (1)

The wind blew, causing the branches of the Bi Yi flowers outside the hall to rustle softly, as if thousands of fiery-colored birds were about to spread their wings, adding a touch of vibrant color to the otherwise desolate courtyard.

Gu Baiying’s gaze fell on the small bridge in the distance.

This was the Elysium Hall.

Outside, it was snowing lightly. The ground was covered with a layer of silver frost, and on the small bridge, someone was dancing with a staff. The staff was green, the dress snow white, and her movements as graceful and light as a goose. She had a head of silky, dense black hair. As she danced, her hair fluttered in the wind, and a snowflake landed on her head, becoming a melting silk flower.

Red flowers, white snow, and the beauty’s staff stirred up cascading petals, making the Elysium Hall on Gufeng Mountain look like a celestial realm. The young man gazed at the familiar scene before him, his brows slightly furrowed.

His boots made a soft crunching sound as they stepped on the snow, a sound that seemed to alert the dancing woman. She suddenly stopped and raised her eyes to look. Her delicate face was more charming than flowers, like a Snake Shaman Goddess.

It was none other than the Fairy Qinghua.

Gu Baiying was stunned, but before he could speak, Fairy Qinghua also saw him. She stared at him for a moment before walking towards him.

She stopped in front of Gu Baiying. The young man had grown taller than her, and Fairy Qinghua slightly tilted her head up to look at him, smiling, “Baiying.”

Gu Baiying remained silent.

The wind swept up the snow on the ground, making it seem even colder outside. Fairy Qinghua reached out, grabbed his sleeve, and led him into Elysium Hall, saying, “It’s getting colder outside. Let’s go inside and warm up.”

He did not move, allowing Fairy Qinghua to pull him into the hall.

Inside the Elysium Hall, it was just as it had been when he left—empty and desolate, with not a single person around. Not far from the long table was a small bronze brazier, emitting a faint red warmth.

Gu Baiying seemed lost in thought.

There had never been a brazier in his hall. Cultivators did not fear the cold, and if they felt cold, it was an opportunity to temper their Dao heart. Sensing his confusion, Fairy Qinghua said gently, “I found the hall too cold, so I asked Danshu to set up this bronze brazier.” She picked up the teapot from the table and placed it on the brazier to warm it, “Isn’t it a bit warmer now?”

The hall was indeed warmer than before.

The cold, which he usually didn’t notice, became palpable with the brazier. The small red flame seemed to fill the entire hall in an instant, like a young animal yearning for the warmth of its mother’s fur, instinctively drawing one closer.

Steam soon rose from the teapot on the brazier. Fairy Qinghua lifted the teapot, poured the hot tea into a cup, and handed it to Gu Baiying.

He reached out to take it, feeling the warmth seep through his palm. Fairy Qinghua thought for a moment, then picked up a piece of pastry from a plate on the table.

The pastry was shaped like a small flower. She took a bite and smiled lightly at Gu Baiying, “Your pear blossom cakes are much sweeter than those made by the sect leader.”

At these words, the boy’s previously guarded and resistant expression suddenly seemed to crack, turning into one of confusion.

“Recently, I talked with the sect leader about your spiritual veins.” She finished the pastry and took a sip of tea before speaking lightly, “Back then, when I fought with Gui Diaotang, his demonic aura corroded me, and even you were affected. It wasn’t apparent at birth, but now the flaws in your spiritual veins have become more severe. The sect leader once planted a Qinchong seed in the Black Marsh, which can repair the flaws in your spiritual veins. It has now matured.”

Gu Baiying lowered his eyes. “The Qinchong seed is gone.”

Fairy Qinghua smiled, extended her clenched right hand, and then opened her palm. Instantly, a bright green light illuminated the entire hall. A green seed lay in her palm, exuding a continuous and vibrant life force. Just by looking at it, one could feel their spiritual veins gradually filling with strength.

“This is…”

“I know your Qinchong seed was accidentally taken by Zanxing. However, don’t forget that when we were in the secret realm of Li’er Country, I passed my lifelong cultivation technique to her. At that time, I also extracted the Qinchong seeds from her body.” Fairy Qinghua looked at the seed in her palm. “After returning to Gufeng Mountain, the sect leader and I nurtured this seed with our qi. Now, it has just matured. Baiying, if you take it, you will no longer suffer from the stagnation of spiritual energy.”

The incident in the secret realm of the Li’er Country was a secret known only to Zanxing and her group. He looked up at Fairy Qinghua before him. She sat there, looking exactly the same as she had in the secret realm—cool, calm, and with a touch of unfamiliar care.

The hall seemed the same as before, yet somehow different.

Gu Baiying felt as though he had forgotten something important, but he couldn’t recall it at the moment. He only felt that Elysium Hall had welcomed the warmest winter it had seen in years, making it hard to leave.

Fairy Qinghua urged him softly, “What are you waiting for? Take it.”

He then reached out and took the Qinchong seed.

The Qinchong seed was almost sprouting. From the tip of the seed, a small green shoot emerged, carrying the fragrance of plants, emitting a sweet aroma.

Gu Baiying held the seed, about to consume it.

Fairy Qinghua looked at him gently.

The warm fire in the bronze brazier seemed to pause for a moment, and he suddenly crushed the Qinchong seed in his hand.

Fairy Qinghua was shocked and exclaimed, “What are you doing…”

A silver light flashed past her, and Xiu Gu showed no hesitation. The exquisitely beautiful woman seemed like a shattered clay doll. Her face still held a look of astonishment, but her body gradually began to disintegrate.

The young man stood up, shedding his previous sleepy bewilderment. His eyes were bright, and he looked ahead calmly.

The surroundings quickly began to lose color.

The Elysium Hall, the Biyi Blossom trees, and the snow-covered small bridge all appeared like painted masks in a marketplace. When a basin of clear water was poured over them, the paint washed away, revealing the true face beneath the mask.

The torches on the stone walls flickered dimly, and the long black corridor seemed endless. This was still the same secret chamber from before. Mimi lay at his feet, seemingly fainted from fright, and Zanxing was nowhere to be seen.

From the darkness came the sound of applause, followed by a woman’s voice, seemingly sincere yet false, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such an outstanding prey, someone who could break through my illusion.”

Gu Baiying coldly watched the woman emerge from the darkness.

She was a captivating and alluring woman, with long, slightly curly brown hair casually draped over her back. Her eyes were narrow and long, with a natural seductive charm in her gaze.