Setting Out for the Southern Border, Jin Ping'er Seeks Him Out

Three days later, early morning.

In front of Yuqing Hall on Qingyun Mountain, hundreds of disciples stood in formation.

The sun had just risen, casting golden light upon the white marble steps and stretching everyone's shadows long across the ground.

The morning breeze stirred their robes, creating a soft rustling sound.

Daoxuan Zhenren stood atop the high steps, with the masters of each peak behind him. He wore a purple Daoist robe, his hair and beard were snow-white, and his expression was both dignified and benevolent.

"Today, you will depart for the Southern Border."

His voice was not loud, yet it reached every person's ears with perfect clarity.

"The Beast God is about to emerge, and the world will fall into chaos. This journey is perilous; perhaps some will not return."

The disciples wore solemn expressions, yet not a single one retreated.

"But—" Daoxuan Zhenren's tone shifted, "it is precisely because of this danger that you are needed."

"The Qingyun Sect has stood for a thousand years, and it has never relied on hiding from the world, but rather on generations of disciples stepping forward."

"On this journey to the Southern Border, I do not ask for you to achieve great glory; I only ask that you return alive."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the hundreds of young faces below.

"Depart."

There was no further sentimentality, no further instructions. These few simple sentences served as their farewell.

The disciples of each peak began to descend the mountain in order.

In the Xiaozhu Peak contingent, Lu Jiuyuan, Lu Xueqi, and Wen Min stood together.

Wen Min wore a moon-white Daoist robe, standing with a gentle and moving grace.

Lu Xueqi remained in her usual white attire, the Tianya Sword strapped to her back, her expression cold and aloof.

Lu Jiuyuan wore a moon-white Daoist robe, the Chengying Sword hanging at his waist, standing with a calm and composed air.

Only those who knew him well understood that this seemingly ordinary young man was the second person in the Qingyun Sect to reach the Taiqing Realm.

On the periphery of the crowd, Shuiyue stood quietly.

She did not approach, merely watching the three of them from afar.

Lu Jiuyuan sensed her gaze, turned his head, and smiled at her.

Shuiyue was slightly startled, then immediately turned her face away.

That outer robe was still tucked away at the very bottom of her wardrobe.

She had not returned it to him.

And Lu Jiuyuan had not asked for it back.

It remained hidden away, as if concealing some unspeakable secret.

"Master!"

Wen Min ran over and threw her arms around her.

"Master, we will miss you!"

Shuiyue was taken aback by the embrace, then helplessly patted her back.

"You're a grown woman now, yet you still act like a child."

"In front of Master, I will always be a child," Wen Min said with a giggle as she let go.

Shuiyue shook her head and looked toward Lu Xueqi, who was walking over.

Lu Xueqi stopped before her, remained silent for a moment, and said softly, "Master, take care."

Shuiyue looked at the disciple she had raised since childhood, her gaze softening.

"You too."

She reached out to straighten the collar of Lu Xueqi's robe, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"Take care of yourself on the road."

"Mm."

Finally, Lu Jiuyuan walked over.

He stopped in front of Shuiyue, his gaze clear and his smile gentle.

"Master, we are leaving."

Shuiyue looked at him, momentarily unsure of what to say.

The memories of that night surfaced once more—the moonlight on the back mountain, the warmth on her shoulder, and that hazy request: "Stay and keep me company."

Shuiyue looked at the young man before her with tender eyes and said softly, "Be careful on the way."

"This disciple will," Lu Jiuyuan paused, then suddenly lowered his voice, "If you like that outer robe, Master, you may keep it."

Shuiyue looked up abruptly.

Lu Jiuyuan had already turned around, beckoning Lu Xueqi and Wen Min to head down the mountain.

The sunlight fell upon his back, gilding him with a faint golden edge.

Shuiyue stood where she was, watching his retreating figure grow smaller and smaller until it vanished into the morning mist.

After a long while, she softly cursed under her breath.

"That brat, he's getting more and more unruly!"

Yet, Shuiyue's alluring red lips curved upward involuntarily.

After flying for an entire day, the group stopped in a valley to rest.

Disciples from various peaks found places to sit, taking out dry rations and water to replenish their energy.

Lu Jiuyuan leaned against a tree and closed his eyes to rest his mind.

Then, he sensed a trace of aura.

It was very faint, very distant, flickering in and out of existence.

But it was definitely there.

And... it was somewhat familiar.

He opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping toward the distant mountain forest.

There was nothing there.

But he knew that person was hiding right there.

Jin Ping'er of the Hehuan Sect.

Lu Jiuyuan's eyes flickered as he muttered to himself: Strange, why would she be here?

At this moment, that familiar aura was lingering in the distant woods.

Jin Ping'er was waiting for him.

Lu Jiuyuan opened his eyes and looked around.

The disciples from the various peaks were all resting, and no one noticed him.

He stood up and walked over to Lu Xueqi and Wen Min.

"Get up."

Lu Xueqi looked up at him: "What is it?"

"Come with me."

Wen Min looked at him in confusion: "Senior Brother, where are we going?"

"To meet a friend." Lu Jiuyuan paused, "A friend from the Demon Sect."

Wen Min's eyes widened instantly, her face filled with shock.

Lu Xueqi looked at him, her gaze devoid of surprise, holding only questions.

"Do you trust me?" Lu Jiuyuan looked at Lu Xueqi with a firm gaze.

Lu Xueqi was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Then follow me."

The three of them left the resting area silently and slipped into the nearby forest.

The woods were very quiet, with only the occasional bird call.

Lu Jiuyuan walked in front, his steps steady and his direction clear.

Lu Xueqi and Wen Min followed behind, one silent, the other full of curiosity.

"Senior Brother, who exactly is this Demon Sect friend of yours?" Wen Min couldn't help but ask.

"Jin Ping'er of the Hehuan Sect," Lu Jiuyuan replied in a flat tone.

Wen Min gasped: "Jin Ping'er?! That Miao Gongzi of the Demon Sect?!"

Lu Jiuyuan gave a soft "Mn."

"She... she's a member of the Demon Sect!" Wen Min stammered.

"I know," Lu Jiuyuan nodded.

"Then how could you be friends?" Wen Min asked, puzzled.

Lu Jiuyuan's footsteps faltered, and he turned back to look at her.

"Wen Min, the people in this world aren't just divided into the righteous path and the Demon Sect." Lu Jiuyuan said in a calm, indifferent tone: "Some people are born into the Demon Sect but are not necessarily evil. Some are born into the righteous path but are not necessarily good."

Wen Min was stunned.

Lu Xueqi glanced at him, her eyes flickering slightly.

As he continued walking forward, Lu Jiuyuan began to recount the story of how he had met Jin Ping'er.

Lu Xueqi listened quietly, saying nothing.

Passing through a dense forest, the view before them suddenly opened up.

It was a mountain stream, the water crystal clear to the bottom, with wildflowers scattered everywhere.

On a bluestone by the stream sat an incredibly beautiful woman.

She wore a goose-yellow dress, her dark hair cascading like a waterfall, and her stunning face held a hint of a languid smile.

In her hand, she held a wildflower, plucking at its petals one by one.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up.

Her gaze landed on Lu Jiuyuan, and that languid smile froze for a moment before deepening even further.

"Young Master Lu, you finally arrived."

Jin Ping'er stood up, brushed the grass clippings from her skirt, and let her gaze sweep over Lu Xueqi and Wen Min behind him.

"Hmm, why did Young Master Lu bring two little beauties along?"

Jin Ping'er licked her alluring red lips, her gaze returning to Lu Jiuyuan.

"What, are you afraid I might eat you?"