Meeting, Yet Not Knowing Each Other.

A restaurant in the Capital City.

A storyteller, holding tea and fanning himself, stood amidst the lively atmosphere of the hall and began his tale in a leisurely and engaging manner:

"I've heard that the Star-Plucking Hand's Qi technique possesses an appearance resembling scattered moonlight and a fragrant Milky Way. If one were to witness this person's attack in the darkness of night, it would surely be a rare sight."

"It is said that the 'Heart-Questioning Blade' always asks a question before killing someone, and these questions are always designed to pierce the heart. This has forced some villains not to die by the blade, but to die from their blood rushing to their heads. It can be said that the blade is sharp and the words are even more so. Now, this great hero has established the Dao Seeking Villa' for three years, and his reputation in the martial arts world is far-reaching."

"Let's talk about the successor of the Yue Maiden Sword again. Putting aside her extraordinary swordsmanship, her Qi manipulation alone is exceptional. It is said that ten years ago, at a young age, she was able to lift a bronze cauldron with the tip of her sword, truly displaying the ancient style and reviving the legacy of her ancestors."

There was much discussion among those below.

A knowledgeable tourist then added:

" Yue Maiden Sword Jiang Rongyue? Such a person could slay Demonic Beast with ordinary iron even before she was a teenager. She was born with the ability to control the Heaven and Earth Qi and earth without cultivating Qi techniques. I heard that when she was born, a strange Crimson Pattern appeared on her back, just like that of her ancestor from nearly a thousand years ago."

"However, the Qi technique passed down by the Immortal Chi Yuan to her ancestors seemed unsuitable for her. This person was unwilling to fall behind the sages, so after reaching the age of marriage, she traveled the world to cultivate the remaining inheritances of the immortals scattered around, and embark on the path of the Great Dao."

"This visit is likely for the sake of the Master Su are rumored to also possess a lineage."

Someone responded:

"There are quite a few celebrities here to Martial Arts Gathering. Presumably, although the Master Su in the rumors had no other reputation before, his Qi technique must have some truth to it, otherwise how could it attract so many celebrities?"

The bystander sneered in rebuttal:

"Only the shallow-minded wouldn't know that the Legend of the Immortal is meaningless to 99% of the people in the world. Unlike ordinary Qi techniques, the Yue Maiden Sword is a special case, but the rest of the people come to this Martial Arts Gathering for other glory, wealth, and the greater good of their country."

This tone greatly displeased the others, and it sparked a dispute.

The immortal ignored the clamor of conversation, sat among the guests, calmly sipped her fragrant tea, and remained silent.

The girl seemed to be separated from her surroundings by an invisible barrier, standing aloof from the hustle and bustle of the world. Her clothes were too eye-catching for this era, and her ethereal, snow-white face and the petite girl beside her were both striking features.

Conscious power manifests as a domain, stripping away external cognition.

It is unclear when it began, but using Udu-dust to conceal oneself has become a common practice. The initial reason for doing so seems to be due to the Hanfu that Dan Zhu improved, and it gradually evolved into a habit.

So much so that even amidst a sea of people, she only felt somewhat lonely.

But Xiao Xuan's chattering voice shattered this feeling hidden deep within his heart:

"Immortal, can you hear me?"

"That Yue Maiden Sword sounds like Stigmata Awakener, let's take her as our disciple!"

Awakened One of the Stigmata.

Upon hearing this, the girl's pupils shimmered slightly, as if fragments of fleeting time had suddenly appeared.

She has spent many years wandering among the people below the mountain, and over the thousands of years, she has had several master-disciple relationships with a number of Stigmata.

But time flies, and although the Stigmata can grant these people extremely excellent Honkai Energy literacy and physical abilities, it does not increase or decrease their lifespan.

The best outcome would be to live a long and healthy life, free from illness and disaster, for over a hundred years, before turning into a handful of dust.

The joys and sorrows of this world are but fleeting thoughts.

As time flows by like a sunken boat traversing a thousand rivers, how will the waves that follow differ from the initial scene at the start of the voyage?

Do not be entangled in the cause, nor in the effect.

Isolated from the world, traveling alone.

This is the best solution, and the best outcome.

Those who have tasted the marrow will find it delicious and satisfying.

And this eternal lifespan, the emotions that can ultimately arise from the interaction with mortals, is nothing more than a grand dream.

It could be ten years, or it could be a hundred years.

Everywhere you look, things will eventually change and people will no longer be the same.

Demons and monsters are eternally eradicated, while immortals remain forever in the world.

She said softly:

"Let's see."

"Rumors circulating in the streets should not be taken at face value."

If they are truly awakened by Stigmata, then guide them to master their own power.

After this, there will be fewer demons in the mortal realm, and far fewer innocent people will be affected, which is not a bad thing.

The young girl single-handedly protected this land, but even the places she could reach were bound to have flaws.

In this era, Honkai Beast are generally weak and vulnerable. A mature Stigmata Awakener who has mastered their own power is enough to roam the world with their sword and fear no enemy.

Once she was certain that the other person was not a villain, she had no reason to hesitate to offer guidance.

While the Immortal Chi Yuan's time was precious, Udu-dust could quickly ascertain the other party's past and personality without much trouble.

Xiao Xuan sat at the table, thought for a moment, and said:

"Isn't this Martial Arts Gathering supposed to involve a fight?"

"If Jiang Rongyue really wanted that master's Qi technique, she would definitely go on stage."

"Anyway, after we stop those bad guys, we'll just wait and see. Whether there really are Stigmata or not, we'll know at a glance."

Chi Yuan said softly:

"Yes, it's almost time."

"Let's go, to Zhen'an Ward."

The girl, riding the scroll, floated above everyone's heads, blinking her azure eyes and revealing an innocent smile:

"Yay! The immortal is taking Xiao Xuan to a brothel!"

The girl ignored the remark, slid a few copper coins from her sleeve, tapped them between her fingertips and placed them on the table. She gazed into the distance, the strands of hair hanging down in front of her eyes swaying in the wind, making the color of her pupils gradually fade under the interplay of light and shadow.

The immortal slowly rose, silently walked out of the bustling noise, and stepped towards the place that inexplicably drew him in.

What could possibly be there...?

The Martial Arts Gathering was held in a courtyard belonging to Zhen'an Ward.

This was originally a high-end venue set up for upper-class families, but it is more than enough to provide a space for a mere hundred people to watch or even compete.

Aside from the local girls, only selected martial arts tourists are basically allowed to enter; those at a level like Flowing Cloud Swift Blade are naturally not allowed to enter.

After half a month of fermentation, this seemingly casual martial Martial Arts Gathering now begun.

Due to extensive publicity and even some gimmicks, quite a few experts have come here.

What people seek in this life is nothing more than wealth, fame, and a good reputation.

What good is it if one cultivates Qi techniques to a high level?

How much benefit can the act of slaying demons and monsters bring?

How much fame can one gain from punishing the wicked and upholding justice?

With that in mind, it's not surprising that some people, after careful consideration, would still join in the fun.

As always, the girl did not conceal her figure, but Udu-dust made it so that none of the people present could detect the Immortal Chi Yuan who was no longer within the scope of the banquet. Even Xiao Xuan's chatter seemed to be unilaterally and actively blocked out.

The discussions and noise here were quite different from those in the restaurant. The dozens of people in the courtyard each formed their own social circles, exchanging pleasantries and greetings, mostly polite and quiet.

Those who were the subject of discussion even in ordinary restaurants all displayed a remarkable status here.

She paid no attention to the environment or the people here. After searching for a few keywords with Udu-dust, she used consciousness correction to erase the Liao traitor's memory of this part of the plan to poison this place, returning him to a state of unconsciousness.

The initial goal of coming here was thus easily achieved.

The girl stood silently in a corner of the pavilion, gazing at the willow leaves still covered in morning dew, her eyes serene.

Xiao Xuan blinked and looked around, very lively. He had almost seen the entire huge courtyard. He also liked to listen to the conversations of the people in the martial arts world. After eavesdropping for a while, he ran back to the immortal's side and chattered on about what he had seen and heard.

Fu Hua listened to the little guy's trivial words, she felt a faint warmth spreading slowly through her body as her heart pounded.

Although the Awakened of the Tome of Cangxuan was strange, the result itself still brought about a subtle change in him.

She still didn't understand why there was something here that could attract her mind, nor could she comprehend what was happening to her.

But even if none of that matters, the child has been sleeping for so long, so it's not a big deal to let him stay here and watch the excitement for a while.

Meeting old friends brings joy.

The immortal's emotional mechanisms, which had been worn down, have been partially restored through the overlap of memories and the sedimentation of emotions.

Therefore, she not only became more accommodating to Xiao Xuan, but also paid close attention to that strange attraction. However, for some reason, the moment she stepped into Zhen'an Ward, this wonderful feeling vanished, leaving only a few traces in her chest, which made her feel listless.

Until, the sound of a piano rang out.

The Manas consciousness, flowing from top to bottom, paints a picture of thoughts, like a melody of flowing water and falling pearls, lingering and swirling around the ears.

The guests in the hall stopped talking in a daze, and their honed martial arts skills and profound Qi techniques all lost their meaning.

The soul sways, the mind ceases.

As the person's fingertips gently caressed the strings, the abruptly stopped reverie drifted freely with the melody towards the deepest desires of each person's heart. Layers of illusions and the ethereal feeling of walking on clouds brought a brief moment of joy and refreshment.

Only one person was different.

This Immortal Chi Yuan, who had entered the realm of [Sword God] and was able to reach the Manas Consciousness through the sublimation of his sword heart, and briefly ascended to a higher dimension, only experienced a moment of disorientation before being forcibly restored to himself by the thunderous sound of the Great Void Realm falling like a tsunami.

A slight daze lingered in the girl's eyes, which shimmered with a watery light, as if drawn from a dreamlike realm, stirring up ripples. The hairpin she had conjured with Udu-dust suddenly vanished, and her tied ponytail naturally came undone, her long black hair falling down her back, the ends swirling from the back of her slender legs, almost touching her ankles.

The Udu-dust's outward form was inexplicably twisted and meandering, eventually settling on her fair wrist to weave a red rope with an exquisite key threaded through the knot.

The halo of light, rippling like Ruoshui, separated the sound of the piano.

The power of consciousness and its position, which is only slightly below it, erase the passive rendering of the Manas consciousness.

The immortal could hardly care about such details at this moment. The false illusion had indeed vanished, but real memories suddenly surged back into his mind like the morning mist being parted.

At that very moment, the aura of another Udu-dust also finally dissipated like a flower petal crushed in a porcelain bowl, releasing its own unique scent.

The corresponding memories, like a retrieval system, flowed along the waves, embracing them.

She listened to her own voice, which seemed to carry a sense of helplessness, yet also a hint of doting affection, echoing softly.

"Really, this is the last time."

"Su Qing'an."

The crimson feathers drifted down, seeping into the person's consciousness and settling deep into their soul.

On that sunny afternoon with a gentle sea breeze.

The initial bond between the boy and the immortal was completely severed here by this Udu-dust.

At this point, more images and memories flashed by, obscuring the view.

The rising sun casts its rays across the shimmering water, creating a dazzling display of colors.

Dark dust was blown far away by the strong wind, and the person clutched the pendant tightly in their hand, their back view thin and lonely.

At that time, I made a promise:

"You wouldn't do this, Su Qing'an."

"This is my promise to you."

The boy rubbed the brass pendant between his fingers, as if to savor its lingering warmth, and whispered as he spoke:

"Would you like to come with me to see the sea?"

"It'll be ready in a minute, hua."

This was the first time in her life that she felt she couldn't bring herself to refuse someone.

"Good."

A Ferris wheel at dusk.

Su Qing'an gripped the wooden plaque engraved with "[Iris]", her lips parted slightly, and she whispered:

"The past is irretrievable, but the future can still be changed."

"Didn't you promise to help me?"

"Then I won't be afraid."

A water town in Jiangnan, on a boat in the lake.

The fairy whispered:

"Let's go to Mount Taixu, to my home."

But she herself didn't know if it could still be considered a home.

The person replied:

"Then let's go, I'll walk you home."

The boy wasn't sure what that meant to the person in front of him, but... he just wanted to go home with her.

Regardless,

Whether the journey is long or short.

At the Mount Taixu.

The boy could not answer the immortal's question; a forgotten sorrow surged in his chest, yet a steadfast certainty about the long passage of time remained. He could only reply:

"Does it matter, Hua?"

Thus, the Heart Seal, like the mountains and the sea, were revived and overjoyed at his arrival.

A faint smile lingered in the immortal's eyes, yet a sigh escaped his lips as he whispered:

"Does it matter now?"

Some traces can transcend time.

On the lakeside, Walking Marriage Bridge.

The girl turned to look at the person who seemed hesitant to speak due to the communication error, smiled, and said:

"You still have something to say, don't you? It's okay."

"I'll listen carefully next time too."

Su Qing'an's expression relaxed, but he returned to a gentle smile and softly agreed, seemingly accepting it gladly.

See, fools who are too considerate of others always end up getting hurt.

Beneath the Nine Nether.

She held the mangled remains of that person in her arms, grappling with the fact that she had broken her promise.

Finally, in a daze, I realized how sad I would be if this person were gone.

I am so sad that my heart feels like it's being torn apart, and my grief is so profound.

So heartbroken that even the Udu-dust seemed on the verge of shattering.

But at the very moment he slew Chi You, a fleeting thought finally shattered his reason and ignited like a raging fire.

"If only... if only..."

"Next time, I won't let go."

The girl's fingertips brushed against the corner of her slightly reddened eye, staring blankly at the teardrop. A serene expression mingled with the sudden surge of emotion, and she whispered in bewilderment:

"Su Qing'an?"

She repeated softly:

"Su Qing'an."

She sighed softly:

"Su Qing'an ..."

That person's response always left a lasting impression on me.

But it turns out that,

It will truly be something she remembers for a very, very long time.

So long ago, a full 55,000 years, so long that the boundaries between the past and the future have been blurred.

It's so absurd it brings tears to my eyes.

The usually unflappable Immortal Chi Yuan, now, after the memories of the two timelines completely overlapped, lowered her eyes and let tears stream down her face and fall to the ground.

This isn't a false memory, but it's also a memory that shouldn't be in my mind.

Thousands of years of experience and a tranquil mind have allowed the tsunami of these emotions to be slowly calmed down.

SU's Divine Key can glimpse parallel universes, and even see scenes from another Leaf World.

She had also seen so-called parallel worlds, but none of them presented a scene as vivid, clear, and identical as this.

This is undoubtedly a matter concerning the world we live in.

Even though she had confirmed this through her intuition, Fu Hua still couldn't understand why she was in this predicament.

The music continued like a gentle stream, finally drawing to a close.

The girl's fingertips gently traced the red string on her fair wrist, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.

She slowly raised her head, only to remember the person she had originally wanted to see who was playing the zither.

Then.

--Su Qing'an, who was much younger than I remembered, came into view.

The young man wore a white robe with a round collar, the wide sleeves draped over his knees as he played the zither. He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes curled, and his skin was as white as snow.

His handsome face was plain and unassuming, and his jet-black hair, as black as raven feathers, cascaded freely down his back, yet it did not appear wild or unruly, but rather obedient.

This is such a beautiful child that it wouldn't be surprising if people thought she was a girl.

His appearance was unassuming, yet the air around him seemed to be filled with the fragrance of incense, exuding a wondrous sense of peace and tranquility.

Master Su.

Su Qing'an.

Is this why I've felt a lingering attachment to this Capital City time and again, and why I even feel restless when slaying demons and Magic City?

But why is he here?

But why do I possess this memory?

How should we treat this child, and how should we deal with the emotions and Karma arising from these two sets of memories?

My mind is in turmoil, my emotions are knotted together.

Numerous questions and concerns made it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

The immortal's carefully cultivated state of mind shattered into countless shapes at this moment, and the formless and colorless primordial energy churned endlessly within his Sea of consciousness.

But no matter how much one thinks in their heart, their actions are always faster than their thoughts.

She walked slowly to the man, and as the music faded and the guests turned back in a daze, her gaze met his slightly raised eyes, and she asked:

Have you... seen me before?

The young man withdrew his fingertips from the strings, folded his sleeves, and made a gesture of respect with his hands clasped. He then looked at the unfamiliar face, his expression and demeanor both distant and polite, and softly replied:

"Never."

We met, but did not recognize each other.