Chu Yinghong and Dongfang Qingqi went back to the cave several times later but found nothing.
The cave did not lead to other places as they had thought. Half an hour's walk took them to its end. They searched carefully, examining every branch of the cave, yet they couldn't find even a single feather of the Gu Diao.
Only in the branch where Xuanji and the others had hidden, there was a large patch of dried black blood on the ground, silent and eerie, as if it were telling a shocking, earth-shattering secret.
Dongfang Qingqi searched nearby for a long time, "There seems to be no trace of escape," he said, then walked over to Chu Yinghong and crouched beside her to quietly observe the pool of blood.
"Look at this," said Chu Yinghong, who had been quiet until now, pointing at the bloodstain, "What could have happened to make this demon bleed so much?"
He thought for a moment, "You and I each stabbed it once, perhaps it bled from those wounds."
After saying this, he shook his head, "No, those two wounds aren't enough to cause this much blood flow."
Chu Yinghong gazed blankly for a long while, then suddenly whispered, "Could it be… it disappeared out of thin air? The traces here look as if a larger creature swallowed the Gu Diao whole."
Upon saying this, both fell silent simultaneously.
They were battle-hardened cultivators who had seen thousands of demons. Although the Gu Diao was not among the largest of demons, it was surely among the top ten most difficult to handle. If there was something in the world even more formidable than it, capable of swallowing it whole without resistance, what frightful entity could that be?
In the numerous Paths of Reincarnation, the Heavenly Dao is esteemed, the Asura Path is deadly, the Hunger Ghost Path the cruelest, the Hell Path the fiercest. Among the many beings of demons, immortals, humans, and ghosts, there were indeed too many they hadn't witnessed, and pondering this did not lend itself to explanation. However, among the six paths, only the Heavenly Dao and Asura could easily kill a demon invisibly.
Yet, for them to believe that an immortal or a Shura had suddenly appeared in this small cave just to slay a demon and then disappear was harder to believe than a sow speaking.
After groping around the cave for a long time, the two sighed and decided to give up.
"Let's go back," Dongfang Qingqi said, "We have delayed too long in Lutai Town, I fear we might miss the Flower Pinning Conference."
Chu Yinghong nodded but her gaze shifted towards the arm he had bound up with wood and bandages.
Knowing what she meant, he grinned and tore off the bandages, throwing the wood to the ground, then flexibly stretched his fingers and suddenly struck a pose, hitting the cave wall.
There was no crumbling rock, no sound, and when he removed his palm, only a deep handprint remained on the wall. He had impressively imprinted his hand onto the rock barehanded, with ease, as though crushing a piece of tofu.
Chu Yinghong couldn't help but show a look of admiration and smiled, "Island Master's Soft Palm skill has deepened again."
Dongfang Qingqi laughed heartily and knocked on his injured arm with his other hand, saying, "Shaoyang's antiseptic medicine really lives up to its reputation. Thanks to it, I have recovered this quickly."
Chu Yinghong walked out of the cave with him, adding, "Island Master's skill is profound, his inner breath pure, allowing him to recover in just a few days. Speaking of which, I wonder which new disciples Fuyu Island will send to this year's Flower Pinning Conference?"
"I'm ashamed to admit, the selection of disciples is entirely up to my wife, and I am not privy to her decisions," he said of his wife, and a gentle softness appeared on his typically robust face, his usually unruly expression softened, "But I imagine Pian Pian and Yu Ning will certainly be part of it."
These two were outstanding young disciples of Fuyu Island. Unlike the robust and ancient style of Shaoyang Sect, their technique emphasized softness, lightness, and skill, particularly the Dual Swordsmanship practiced by a male and female pair. At the last Flower Pinning Conference, although Pian Pian and Yu Ning did not win, their striking presence in red and white, red as fierce fire and white as fresh snow, and their beautifully flowing Dual Swordsmanship, left a fresh memory in everyone present. They were the top contenders to win at this year's conference.
Chu Yinghong, recalling that extraordinarily beautiful competition from five years ago, also smiled, "I remember when little Pian Pian was only five years old, she came to Shaoyang Peak to play, wearing a big red silk ribbon, chasing after Minxing for apples. Now in the blink of an eye, she's already a graceful young lady."
Dongfang Qingqi suddenly sported a strange expression, coughed twice, and then said softly, "That was Yu Ning, Heroine Chu."
"Eh?" For the first time, Chu Yinghong showed an embarrassed look, "Then... Pian Pian is...?"
"Yu Ning is a female disciple, Pian Pian is a male disciple..." Dongfang Qingqi was also a bit embarrassed, "Heroine Chu should not mind, even the fellow sect brothers on Fuyu Island get them mixed up."
The fault lies with his wife, peculiar and eccentric, who insisted on giving a boy a girl's name, causing Pian Pian to feel depressed whenever others ask for his name. A man in his twenties, being called "Pian Pian" here and there is indeed a problem.
"Hehe, it was my confusion..." Chu Yinghong laughed apologetically a few times, easing the awkwardness away.
"Will the esteemed lady also attend the Flower Pinning Conference this time?"
Dongfang Island Master nodded and smiled, "Last time my wife was unwell and couldn't come, and she has always been brooding over it. She will certainly come this time, and I presume she has already arrived at Shaoyang Peak with her disciples."
Chu Yinghong, hearing the eager tone in his words, was sure he was in a hurry to reunite with his wife and softly said, "The couple of the island master really make one envious of their deep affection."
Dongfang Qingqi laughed heartily, "Heroine Chu and Mr. He Yang are no less a match made in heaven!"
Chu Yinghong felt a sweetness in her heart when he mentioned her husband.
Back when her mentor was selecting a successor, she was also full of ambition, believing that she was the obvious choice for the new sect leader. But her mentor called her in and only said one sentence, "Yinghong, you are too clever. So clever that it becomes your weakness."
She walked out still puzzled about what it meant, only to find that three days later, her mentor had ascended to immortality, leaving behind a will appointing Chu Lei as the new sect leader.
At that time, she felt as if the sky had fallen. Her prideful nature could not endure such humiliation, and that very night, she was prepared to gather close friends and leave Shaoyang to start her own sect.
That was also when her senior brother, He Yang, arrived, and they talked heartfelt throughout the whole night at the top of Shaoyang Peak. His demeanor, light as clouds and gentle, moved her. He Yang was like a cloud in the sky, gentle, generous, and refined. If there was anyone in this world she could willingly subordinate herself to, it might only be him.
The next day, when they came down from the peak, they were holding hands.
Half a year later, they were married.
All these years have flown by, yet nothing has changed between them; it's as if time still dwells in that sunrise-drenched morning when he held her hand and gently stepped over a large rock that barred their path.
She also gradually understood her mentor's foresight; Chu Lei indeed was more suited to be the sect leader.
She is a blade, a sharp edge without a sheath. That sharpness not only harms the enemy but also hurts oneself.
He Yang is her sheath, softly hiding away all her sharpness and spikes.
Without him, what would today's Chu Yinghong look like?
Recalling these past events, she could not help but feel reflective and smile, temporarily setting aside the matter of the Gu Diao.
On returning to the inn, three little ghosts had faces full of glee, having done something they were proud of, each appearing mysterious.
Looking at them, she seemed to see her younger self.
These children, one day, will also grow up to bear the heavy duty of expanding the sect. Along the way, misunderstandings might happen or even splits. But as long as there is a common belief, they can surely keep going.
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