The Misty Cloud Palace . . .
Cha-Eun Xiao wore a proud smile as he assured them, "When Feng Zhi-Ling makes a promise, you can be certain it will be fulfilled! I'm well aware of the specific ailments that afflict individuals in your sect and the restrictions you must adhere to. Your sect values virginity more highly than life itself, and as you progress in your cultivation, you'll reach stages where this material is indispensable. That's why I dedicated myself to cultivating the Regeneration Ink Lotus upon acquiring it. It's better to address such issues sooner rather than later."
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's eyes lit up with joy upon hearing this. She hastily wiped away her tears and clung to the lady in white's arm, her voice filled with happiness. "Master, now that we have the Regeneration Jade Lotus, you won't need to involve others. It can also temporarily suppress... your condition."
However, the lady in white's response took them both by surprise. "I don't want it," she stated calmly, defying Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's expectations and aligning with Cha-Eun Xiao's earlier prediction.
"Master... What did you say? You don't want it? It's the only thing that can save your life... You..." Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's disbelief was palpable.
But the lady in white remained silent, her gaze fixed on the distant mountains. Her eyes conveyed a mixture of uncertainty, decisiveness, and a hint of a smile.
Cha-Eun Xiao sighed, attempting to clarify the situation. "Don't you see that your master genuinely doesn't wish to use the Regeneration Jade Lotus?"
"Why?" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's voice quivered with surprise, directed at both Cha-Eun Xiao and her master.
The lady in white responded with a gentle smile as she stroked Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's hair, but she remained mute.
Cha-Eun Xiao continued, "It's because she has a master of her own, one who likely requires a different type of Regeneration Lotus. The Regeneration Jade Lotus can potentially evolve into the Renascence Jade Lotus with the assistance of various precious medical materials, although it may take quite some time. Her master may not be able to wait until that day arrives. I suspect she wishes to preserve it for her disciple, hoping that if her disciple works diligently enough, it will be of greater use to her."
He turned to the lady in white and inquired, "Am I correct?" He spoke slowly, seeking confirmation.
The lady in white met his gaze, her eyes once again cold but devoid of any killing intent. She maintained her silence.
"Master!" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu cried out, her eyes brimming with tears and anxiety. "Please don't do this. It's too soon for me to require it. I may never reach the same heights as you... How can you possibly sacrifice yourself in this manner?"
Her sobs intensified, making it difficult to articulate her thoughts. "Master, from the day I became your disciple, you've always saved the best for me, never indulging in anything better yourself. However, this time, I can't be so selfish. We're fortunate that Brother Feng successfully cultivated the Regeneration Jade Lotus. It's a sign that the gods are bestowing their blessings upon you. Please, I implore you to be selfish just this once. Don't be too hard on yourself... Please..."
The lady in white smiled softly as she gently ruffled Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's hair. She murmured, "Silly girl."
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu cried out with a voice filled with tears, "You've always thought of me. I can't bear to lose you! You've sacrificed everything for my sake, but I can't be so selfish as to accept it..."
The lady in white continued to smile as she said, "In our lives, there will inevitably come a time when we must part from those we love, sooner or later. It's an inevitability we can't escape."
"Then let it be later, as late as possible!" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu shouted with fervor.
Cha-Eun Xiao interjected calmly, "Is life in the Misty Cloud Palace truly so challenging?"
The lady in white was taken aback by Cha-Eun Xiao's knowledge. She turned her icy gaze towards him, her demeanor growing increasingly frosty as she spoke in a flat tone, "You are indeed an intriguing individual. You possess knowledge of my Misty Cloud Palace?"
Cha-Eun Xiao responded with a smile, "Earning the title 'intriguing' is not too difficult. I have merely heard of it. However, the Misty Cloud Palace is causing quite a stir in the entire Qing-Yun Realm. It stands alongside the Ice Cloud Palace and Jade Flower Palace as one of the realm's three Saint Palaces. I can hardly claim to have any real connections to such esteemed organizations. They are like celestial abodes for ordinary mortals. Nevertheless, I was unaware that life could be so challenging within their confines."
The lady in white continued impassively, "It appears you are well-informed."
Cha-Eun Xiao nodded, saying, "I know more than that. Given your unique disposition, you must have faced significant challenges in the Misty Cloud Palace. No matter how formidable you are, it seems you exist on a different plane from the others."
The lady in white shook her head slowly, her expression appearing troubled. Cha-Eun Xiao offered a comforting smile and remarked, "Above the Cyan Mountain, there lies a peak shrouded in mist and clouds. It has remained enveloped in fog for centuries, earning its reputation as the foremost realm in the Qing-Yun Realm."
"It is indeed a prestigious place," Cha-Eun Xiao sighed. While he possessed knowledge about the Misty Cloud Palace, he had never personally interacted with it.
In the Qing-Yun Realm, the major powers were categorized as follows: one ruler, two temples (one in the south and one in the north), three Saint Palaces concealed within the mist, and seven factions in the human world. In Cha-Eun Xiao's previous life, three of the seven factions had been his greatest adversaries, representing the most formidable groups among them.
However, these factions had significantly weakened when they pursued the Xiao Monarch. It was likely that they had already lost their coveted top-three positions among the seven factions.
Cha-Eun Xiao continued, "Nevertheless, even though the Misty Cloud Palace boasts immense power, it appears that the Ice Cloud Palace may eventually surpass it, if it hasn't already. The reason is quite simple. It boils down to... a fundamental issue within the most powerful group of your Misty Cloud Palace."
The problem at hand revolved naturally around the martial art the lady in white was cultivating. Cha-Eun Xiao paused for a moment, carefully considering his words before speaking, "Allow me to offer an educated guess based on the information I've gathered. It's possible that a particular incident led to the destruction of your medical materials garden, or perhaps the place where you used to cultivate the Regeneration Ink Lotus, the Regeneration Jade Lotus, and the Renascence Jade Lotus was affected by this incident. Is that correct? Perhaps... it could be attributed to a depletion of your good fortune?"
The lady in white's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Cha-Eun Xiao, taking a deep breath before responding in a solemn tone, "I believe you are privy to far too much information."
In her eyes, anyone who possessed such intricate knowledge of the Misty Cloud Palace's secrets was a potential threat that needed to be eliminated.
Cha-Eun Xiao remained undaunted, offering a straightforward explanation, "I am a skilled alchemist, and my successful development of the Regeneration Jade Lotus serves as a testament to my expertise. As for my knowledge, it pertains to the fundamental information about the Qing-Yun Realm, and nothing more."