Xu Qingtong opened the Storage Bag. Inside were a Jade Slip, a Hairpin, and a suit of armor.
As he looked at the Hairpin and armor, a sense of foreboding rose in his heart. This Hairpin and silver armor were the Spirit Artifacts he had forged for Dongfang Hui after learning Artifact Refining. They held special meaning!
Now Hui'er had returned these two Spirit Artifacts to him. What exactly did she mean?
Xu Qingtong quickly steadied his emotions, cupped his fist toward Shen Haotian, and said, "Thank you, Sect Master. I'll head back first."
"Where are you going?" Shen Haotian asked.
"Rest assured, Sect Master. I'm returning to my own cave abode! If I go out, I'll certainly report it to you!"
Shen Haotian nodded and said nothing more, for he had noticed that Xu Qingtong seemed dispirited, as though something weighed on his mind!
Upon returning to his cave abode, Xu Qingtong hurriedly took the Jade Slip from the Storage Bag, pressed it to his forehead, and began to read.
As he read on, tears trickled down his face without his realizing it.
"Fifty years have passed since we parted; each day I longed for you, yet never saw you. Suddenly I heard my beloved Xu had come, but alas, his heart had changed! The spring breeze and I are merely passing guests, while you embrace the river of stars with autumn waters by your side..."
"I dare not keep the treasures you gave me at my side, and now return them to you. Three lifetimes of good fortune brought me to you; henceforth, across mountains and rivers, we shall never meet again. Send no more silken letters hereafter; speak no more of each other's virtues and faults..."
"I have learned the Heart-Severing Canon; should we meet another day,