Chapter Fifty-Four: Bai Shengyun Leaves the Demonic Sect

Huo Tianqing heard these words and said nothing, his gaze probing as he looked at the tightly shut wooden door.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, his expression became playful and he let out a quiet laugh, turning his eyes toward the grand entrance array of the Evil Sect in the distance.

At the same time, Gu Ruohan also turned to look, his face blank but his eyes burning with hatred and anger.

"This Bai Shengyun is getting more and more arrogant. Does he really think the Evil Sect is just the Old Mountain?" he ground out, his voice filled with resentment.

Huo Tianqing, however, seemed unconcerned, patting Gu Ruohan's shoulder with a cheerful smile. "Isn't it better that he's gone? If he'd stayed, we'd have to send someone to find him—what a waste of energy."

Gu Ruohan nodded, his expression thoughtful.

He gazed at the wooden door that seemed unlikely ever to open for him again. Still unwilling to give up, he stepped forward once more, gently knocking and calling inside, "Yingying, open the door, will you? I want to see you."

Xie Yingying had already calmed down quite a bit, but hearing him disturb her again from outside, she felt both helpless and frustrated.

Gu Ruohan knew she would not open the door for him, so he simply stood outside, sighing to Xie Yingying within, "I really didn't expect it at the time. I thought… Ah, I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"

Xie Yingying was thoroughly impatient. The dispersal of her harem and the decision to let Gu Ruohan leave had little to do with his previous actions. She simply wished for freedom from entanglements—she had no desire to spend her days in amorous affairs. She was not her former self, and her heart had no interest in cultivating the Way of Romance.

"Yingying…" Gu Ruohan sighed again. "Come out, let's talk properly, please?"

Xie Yingying pressed her forehead and clicked her tongue. She stood abruptly, stormed toward the door, and flung it open, the wind lifting her hair.

She crossed her arms and spoke coldly, "Whatever you have to say, say it quickly."

Gu Ruohan was surprised to see her emerge, but a faint light flickered in his eyes; he felt hope still lingered between them, and he began explaining, incoherent and hurried, "Yingying, I never meant to hurt you that day. I didn't know things would turn out like that. I was jealous because so many people were around you, and I did consider breaking things off with you, but I regretted it. I looked for you, I've always been searching…"

Xie Yingying listened for a long time, arms folded, her face expressionless throughout.

For a quarter of an hour, Gu Ruohan explained his choices that day, apologizing repeatedly, his voice growing hoarse and his emotions ever more intense.

Yet Xie Yingying remained unmoved, her manner indifferent, as if nothing he said mattered.

Gu Ruohan finally fell silent, standing dazed where he was.

"Are you finished?" she asked coldly.

"Yingying…"

"Enough." She raised a hand to stop him, then covered her mouth with a yawn. "I'm tired. I need to rest. If fate allows, we'll meet again."

With that, she turned to go inside. Gu Ruohan reached out and seized her arm tightly.

Xie Yingying looked at his hand, the knuckles white with strain, sighed, and turned to face him, utterly at a loss.

"Gu Ruohan," she said, her expression solemn and grave, "dismissal of my harem has little to do with your actions. The main reason I asked you to leave, I've already explained. I've thought about it at length, and I don't blame you for your choices then. From now on, we'll each walk our own path—if we meet again, we can be friends, can't we?"

Gu Ruohan pressed his lips together, his eyes full of reluctance and unwillingness.

Seeing this, Xie Yingying spoke calmly, "I made this decision after careful consideration—to protect myself, I asked you all to leave. People act for their own survival, birds for their food; you surely understand this principle. So I can comprehend your decisions, and I hope you can understand mine."

Gu Ruohan pursed his lips into a thin line, at a loss for words; suddenly, he felt the urge to let Xie Yingying go, realizing there was now a gulf between them.

Xie Yingying, truly weary, shut the door and went back to her room to rest.

Huo Tianqing, who had watched for a long time, stepped forward and raised an eyebrow at Gu Ruohan. "Don't you think Yingying has changed?"

Gu Ruohan gave a bitter smile. "She simply doesn't like me anymore."

By now, the snows of Old Mountain had melted completely, and the vegetation flourished even more.

Bai Shengyun flew back to Old Mountain by sword, golden light streaming to the woods on the mountainside.

Following behind him, at a slower pace, was Ning Qingqing. She was puzzled—she couldn't fathom why Bai Shengyun had rushed back upon hearing the words "Purple Gold Bell."

The back-and-forth had exhausted Ning Qingqing to the point of collapse.

Bai Shengyun landed and strode deep into the woods, with her close behind.

A gentle breeze stirred, and the trees whispered melodiously.

Soon, a courtyard appeared before them; as Bai Shengyun entered the gate, a person inside opened the door and greeted him respectfully.

"Young Emperor," said the Elder of Eight Lakes.

Bai Shengyun wasted no time. "How does the Purple Gold Bell unleash its full power?"

The elder showed no reaction, only asking calmly, "Young Emperor, did you give the Purple Gold Bell to Xie Yingying?"

Bai Shengyun narrowed his eyes, impatient. "Speak quickly."

The elder simply pursed his lips, refusing to elaborate.

Bai Shengyun raised an eyebrow, stepping forward as a fierce wind swept his robes. "My words mean nothing now?"

"I wouldn't dare," the elder bent low, bowing again.

"Then stop wasting time and speak!"

"Before giving the Purple Gold Bell to Xie Yingying, did you inject a strand of your divine sense into it?" The elder stroked his white beard, his tone resigned.

"I did. Now I want to know how to activate the strand shielded by the Purple Gold Bell."

"To harm the enemy by hundreds, and take their place," said the Elder of Eight Lakes. He turned, went back inside, and retrieved an ancient tome from a worn cabinet, handing it to Bai Shengyun. "Young Emperor, the method is recorded here. You need only perform the ritual."

Bai Shengyun accepted the tome, wiped the dust from its cover, and asked without looking up, "Must her soul be wounded?"

"Yes," the elder nodded gently.

Bai Shengyun gave no further reply, his expression dark and uncertain. He tucked the tome away and headed toward his residence.

From afar, Ning Qingqing extended her divine sense, witnessing the entire exchange and hearing the elder's instructions. In that moment, she wished she could slap herself.

She had never imagined that her words would lead Bai Shengyun to discover a way to pursue Xie Yingying!

Now, anxiety gnawed at Ning Qingqing’s heart. If Xie Yingying returned, Bai Shengyun would surely ignore her completely, making it even harder for Ning Qingqing to gain favor and remain by his side.