Chapter 55

"Others may not be able to do it, but I will definitely do it. What do you think, Zhumei?" A calm and indifferent voice came from the hillside.

Xiaozhu was startled and looked up, only to see the cold wind on the hilltop blowing the clothes of a person sitting alone in a wheelchair, with a red dot between his eyebrows, shining like flowing light.

"Ye Liuyun!" Xiaozhu gritted her teeth.

Ye Liuyun gazed deeply at Xiaozhu, his future wife. Two flying claws shot out from the wheelchair's handles, digging into the soil in front of Xiaozhu.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Liuyun was in front of Xiaozhu, the iron claws retracting.

Xiaozhu was taller than the average woman, so Ye Liuyun had to look up slightly to meet her eyes.

He sighed, "No matter how much you misbehaved in the past, I never got angry. Why did you take the Ice Jade this time? Do you really want me to fail the 'Heart-Testing Path' of Qingxuan?"

"Since you claim to have a natural talent for the Dao, how could a mere Heart-Testing Path be a challenge for you?" Xiaozhu looked down at Ye Liuyun, smiling faintly, but her eyes were on his legs.

There is no greater insult than staring at a cripple's legs.

But Ye Liuyun did not fly into a rage. He simply said, "Preparation prevents trouble. Besides, I haven't walked this path before. How do I know if it will be difficult? If I get stuck at the last step, the Ice Jade might help me get through."

"Can you even walk in your condition?" A hint of mockery flashed across Xiaozhu's beautiful face.

"Don't throw a tantrum. Give me the item." Ye Liuyun lowered his head slightly. No one could make him bow, except for Xiaozhu.

"I'll give it to you, but only if you agree to annul our engagement."

"You know that's impossible."

"Why?"

"Because you are Xiaozhu, and I am Ye Liuyun. Our union is predestined." Ye Liuyun raised his head, looking at her. His eyes were like a deep, clear spring, hiding many unknown secrets, slightly melancholic.

Nine out of ten women in the world could not resist such a gaze, but Xiaozhu's heart was as hard as iron.

Xiaozhu said, "Ye Liuyun, do you think all women should like you and pity you? Let me tell you, I don't like you. I have someone I like."

"Who is it? I'll kill him." Ye Liuyun said calmly, not getting angry at Xiaozhu's words.

"His name is Shen Lian." Xiaozhu smiled.

"So it's him. It's understandable that you look up to him. But how did you meet?"

Xiaozhu pointed in the direction of the Su Family Manor and said slowly, "He's right there. Do you dare to go?"

The area was flat, and the Su Family Manor was still visible.

Kuhui clasped his hands together and said, "Xiaotu, don't listen to Miss Xiao's nonsense. She just met Shen Lian today. There's a remarkable person there who is skilled in Daoist arts."

Kuhui knew Ye Liuyun was proud. If he tried to dissuade him, it would backfire. It was better to remind him and let him decide for himself.

Ye Liuyun looked at Kuhui and smiled lightly, "I was so caught up in trivial matters of love that I forgot to greet Master Kuhui. My apologies."

"You and I are friends beyond the mundane. We value the heart, not the form." Kuhui stood alone, his tattered monk's robe fluttering, but in his heart, he wondered how Shen Lian was faring and whether he had truly received guidance from the remarkable person.

No matter whether one practices martial arts or cultivates the Dao, only after putting in effort can one understand the importance of family background and destiny.

"Why are you afraid to go when you hear it's powerful?" Xiaozhu continued.

Ye Liuyun gazed at the Su Family Manor from a distance and said softly, "I remember, there used to be nothing but flat land there."

Xiaozhu laughed, "You really don't dare to go."

"Since it's strange, why should I go?"

As he spoke, Ye Liuyun's fingers moved like lightning, striking various vital points on Xiaozhu's body.

His martial arts were even more unfathomable than when Shen Lian had last seen him. Xiaozhu felt a sharp pain in her head, a slight dizziness, and was then restrained by Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun gently held the limp Xiaozhu and smiled at Kuhui, "Master, would you honor me by visiting my Famous Sword Manor? Shen Lian and I have an appointment. If he doesn't die, he will surely come to me. Then everything will be clear."

Kuhui nodded slightly. Both of them were promising figures who might one day enter the realm of immortals. He certainly wouldn't miss the chance to observe their meeting.

******

The moon was bright, and the pavilion was lonely.

Now, only Shen Lian remained in the pavilion, the second test being to walk out on his own.

Shen Lian felt his pulse, the time passing minute by minute.

He did not move recklessly, nor did he practice his qi.

He only thought that it made sense they were fed and given drink beforehand, as the second test would take a long time.

Shen Lian did nothing but wait.

He waited for the moon to set and the sun to rise.

At least nine hours had passed since the master of the place disappeared.

The food he had eaten was gradually being digested.

The moon was indeed moving, but it was far from setting, and there was no hope of the sun rising.

The entire pavilion and the garden outside were real, with the fragrance of flowers and the sound of flowing water, all genuine.

The only strange thing was the absence of insect sounds.

Not a single insect, not even an ant, had appeared.

Shen Lian's spirit could sense the tiniest details, but he detected no signs of living creatures.

Apart from the occasional breeze, there was no other sound.

Even if one were to stay for nine hours, in such an environment, even half an hour would feel unbearable.

Shen Lian tried to enter a meditative state but found that no matter what, he could not achieve it. His mind was exceptionally clear.

A silent loneliness spread in his heart. In this state of mind, he felt no different from the grass, trees, and rocks.

Only in such absolute solitude, with nothing to do, would one encounter the most terrifying enemy: loneliness.

Shen Lian had always thought he was not afraid of loneliness, able to chat and laugh or go about alone.

It was only now that he realized how much he would welcome even a cat or an insect to talk to.

He needed a response.

But the only response he got was the cold moonlight and the rustling of the wind.

Apart from the slight change in the moon's position, the courtyard remained largely unchanged.

The wind blew from four directions, with roughly equal force from each side.

To be precise, the scenery in all four directions of the courtyard was identical, but as the moon moved, the shadows cast by the moonlight made the scenery appear different.

Shen Lian finally stood up and walked in one direction, passing through the flower beds and looking at the thick fog.

Without hesitation, he walked into it, the sound of flowing water like a beautiful melody.

His feet were on a stone path, each step firm.

Ahead, the thick fog cleared to reveal four doors.