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The next day.

As dawn broke, a thin mist hung in the air.

Yuelai Inn.

The air was filled with the unique, moist scent of grass and trees characteristic of the Sichuan region, mingled with the faint warmth of morning smoke. Several clumps of green bamboo in the courtyard were glistening with dew, appearing even more vibrant and verdant. In the corner, an old locust tree with gnarled branches swayed gently in the cool morning breeze, filtering through dappled sunlight.

"Tuk-tuk~"

The door to the courtyard was gently knocked on.

"Come in."

Yi Huawei's calm voice came from inside the room.

The wooden door creaked open, and a beautiful, ethereal figure stepped into the courtyard, seemingly carrying the spirit of the morning sun and the mountains.

The newcomer was dressed in pristine white, untouched by dust. The wide sleeves and hem of her robe fluttered gently in the morning breeze, accentuating her slender figure and ethereal grace. Her long, flowing black hair was held back by a simple jade hairpin, with a few strands falling softly beside her ears, highlighting her long, jade-like neck. Her features were exquisite, her nose delicate and straight, her lips pale, and her eyes clear as a mountain spring, yet deep and unfathomable like stars in an autumn night.

Shi Feixuan moved with light steps, landing silently, her body seemingly exuding a pure and peaceful aura that blended perfectly with the tranquility of the morning. Just as she was about to greet the person inside the house, her gaze suddenly sharpened, landing on a red figure leaning against the old locust tree on the other side of the courtyard.

Wanwan was still dressed in fiery red, but the fabric and cut seemed more refined. The tightly cinched waist perfectly accentuated her slender figure and graceful curves. Barefoot, she leaned lazily against a rough tree trunk, her long fingers twirling the flowing red silk. A half-smile played on her lips as she watched Shi Feixuan with great interest.

What shocked Shi Feixuan was that, in just a few days, she could sense a completely different aura emanating from Wanwan!
The previous Wanwan was alluring and captivating, her Heavenly Demon Art unpredictable and powerful yet still traceable. But now, Wanwan, though standing there languidly, seemed shrouded in an invisible, swirling aura. It wasn't a deliberately emanating pressure, but a deeper, more restrained "force," as if integrated with its surroundings! Her already captivating eyes were now even more profound, their every glance seemingly capable of drawing one's soul into their depths. Even the morning light falling upon her seemed slightly distorted by this invisible force, adding a touch of mystery and...danger!
Especially regarding Wanwan's cultivation level, Shi Feixuan found it somewhat unfathomable! A few days ago, their fight was evenly matched, neither able to gain the upper hand. But now, Shi Feixuan's keen intuition told her that Wanwan's Heavenly Demon Technique seemed to have broken through to a completely new level. Its aura flowed smoothly and endlessly, giving her a sense of unfathomable depth!
"you……"

A flicker of disbelief and astonishment flashed in Shi Feixuan's clear eyes. Her lips parted slightly, but she was momentarily at a loss for words. The Cihang Jingzhai's *Sword Canon* and the Yin Kui Sect's *Heavenly Demon Strategy* were mutually restraining, their auras highly sensitive to each other; she couldn't possibly be mistaken!
Seeing Shi Feixuan's rare loss of composure, Wanwan's smile grew even more smug and alluring. She gently straightened up, her bare feet stepping onto the slightly damp bluestone slabs, and took two steps forward with lotus-like steps, her voice soft and sweet, yet carrying an undisguised provocation:
"Oh~~ I wondered who was disturbing my peaceful dreams so early in the morning, it turns out to be the esteemed Fairy Shi."

Her beautiful eyes swept over Shi Feixuan, and she clicked her tongue, "Still acting all aloof. What, you don't recognize me after just a few days? Or... have you sensed something different?"

Wanwan deliberately released a slight amount of her ethereal demonic aura, instantly causing the peaceful and serene atmosphere in the courtyard to ripple like an invisible wave spreading across a lake rippled by a stone thrown in. A few bamboo leaves fluttered down silently without any wind.

Shi Feixuan frowned slightly, and the true energy of the Sword Canon within her body flowed naturally, protecting her and dissolving the invisible corrosive force. Her expression returned to calm, but the solemnity in her eyes did not diminish at all. She said lightly, "Miss Wanwan seems to have... made considerable progress. Congratulations."

"Congratulations?"

Wanwan giggled, her laughter like silver bells, yet possessing a bewitching allure: "Yes, congratulations! We have to thank the Alliance Leader for this!"

She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, her eyes sparkling as she glanced alluringly into the room: "If it weren't for the Alliance Leader's help, how could I have broken through this bottleneck so quickly and reached the seventeenth level of the Heavenly Demon Technique? Sigh, speaking of which, some people probably won't even touch the highest realm of 'Sword Heart Clarity' in their entire lives, right? What a pity~~"

Wanwan's words were laced with undisguised arrogance and sarcasm. The seventeenth level of the Heavenly Demon Technique—this was already close to the level of the former Empress Zhu Yuyan! It was enough to easily overpower Shi Feixuan, who had not yet reached the supreme realm of "Sword Heart Clarity"!
Upon hearing this, Shi Feixuan's heart was filled with even more turmoil.

Wuming actually possesses such ability, enabling her to break through the seventeenth level of the Heavenly Demon Technique in just a few days?! This is simply unheard of! Her jade-like hand unconsciously clenched slightly within her sleeve, but her face maintained its otherworldly calmness, only her eyes grew increasingly profound.

Just as Wanwan was about to continue her provocative remarks, Yi Huawei's voice rang out from inside the room, interrupting her:
"Wanwan."

Just two words, spoken softly, yet seemingly possessing a strange magic, instantly calmed the invisible tension in the courtyard.

Wanwan's smug smile froze, then she quickly composed herself and bowed respectfully towards the direction inside the room, replying, "Yes, Alliance Leader."

She secretly pursed her lips at Shi Feixuan and made a face, but ultimately didn't dare to be presumptuous again.

"Go to 'Bai Cao Tang' in the west of the city and bring back the medicinal herbs I asked you to fetch yesterday," Yi Huawei's voice came again, giving a routine instruction.

"Wanwan obeys."

Wanwan responded, glanced at Shi Feixuan, then swayed her slender waist, touched the ground barefoot, and gracefully left the courtyard like a burning red flame, disappearing into the morning mist.

The courtyard returned to tranquility.

Shi Feixuan took a deep breath to calm her emotions, which had been stirred by Wanwan's breakthrough and Yi Huawei's unfathomable methods. She tidied her appearance and stepped towards the open door.

The room was simply furnished. Yi Huawei sat by the window, a cup of tea steaming in front of him. He was still dressed in a blue robe, his face handsome as jade, his eyes calm and deep.

"Feixuan, please sit down."

Yi Huawei gestured to the seat opposite him, his tone gentle: "I've come early in the morning, what brings you here?"

Shi Feixuan gracefully sat down opposite him, her clear gaze fixed on Yi Huawei, and directly stated her purpose: "Sir, I apologize for disturbing you today, but I would like to introduce you to a friend."

"Oh?"

Yi Huawei picked up his teacup, gently blew on the steam, and a hint of interest appeared in his eyes: "A friend who can be personally introduced by Fei Xuan must be extraordinary. May I ask who this expert is?" Shi Fei Xuan sat upright like a lotus, and slightly parted her lips, her voice ethereal: "The person Fei Xuan wishes to introduce to Alliance Leader Yi is one of Fei Xuan's martial aunts, who is also a remarkable woman in this world today—Shi Qingxuan, the Master Shi."

"Shi Qingxuan..."

Yi Huawei repeated the name softly, his mind quickly processing the relevant information. He naturally had some understanding of this important figure in the Tang Dynasty world.

"Exactly."

Shi Feixuan nodded slightly, a complex expression in her eyes: "Qingxuan's mother was one of the most outstanding disciples of my Jingzhai in the previous generation, Bixiuxin."

She paused slightly, seemingly choosing her words carefully, before continuing, "Back then, the 'Evil King' Shi Zhixuan was exceptionally talented, yet he was both righteous and wicked, acting erratically and wreaking havoc on the martial world. His 'Undying Seal Technique' was unpredictable, and he combined the strengths of both the Flower Sect and the Heaven-Mending Sect, making him unstoppable. To resolve his malevolence and save the world, Senior Sister Bi resolutely chose to... sacrifice herself to feed the demon, using her supreme compassionate wisdom and sincere heart to try to guide Shi Zhixuan back to the right path."

"However, the complexity of the Evil King's mind far exceeds imagination. Although Bi Shibo's deep affection and influence restrained Shi Zhixuan to a certain extent, it also caused a fierce conflict between the good and evil thoughts in his body, ultimately... a split personality, plunging him into a long struggle and pain. In the past few decades, although he has not caused as much trouble as before, it has become an unspeakable regret in the martial arts world."

Yi Huawei listened quietly, his expression calm. He knew the gist of Shi Zhixuan and Bi Xiuxin's story, but hearing Shi Feixuan tell it from the perspective of Cihang Jingzhai added a touch of tragic fate.

"After Shi Zhixuan and his senior sister Bi fell in love, they had a daughter named Qingxuan."

Shi Feixuan continued, her tone filled with pity for Shi Qingxuan: "However, due to the twisted and contradictory nature of his own personality, Shi Zhixuan actually wrote down his self-created 'Undying Seal Technique' mental cultivation method on a scroll. In order to find a way to resolve his violent nature, Uncle Bi devoted himself to studying it, but little did he know that this method was strange and domineering, and extremely mentally taxing... In the end, Uncle Bi was exhausted and his lifespan was shortened, and he passed away when Uncle Qingxuan was still young."

At this point, even someone as composed as Shi Feixuan couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness in her eyes. Bi Xiuxin had given everything for the common people, for her lover, and for her daughter, yet her ending was truly heartbreaking.

Shi Feixuan looked up at Yi Huawei, her tone shifting to one of genuine admiration: "Uncle Qingxuan inherited her mother's elegance and her father's refined spirit, truly embodying the essence of heaven and earth. Even the phrase 'a fairy descended to earth' wouldn't be enough to describe her charm. Her temperament is pure and ethereal, untouched by worldly concerns; her jade-like face is breathtakingly beautiful, surpassing even the most exquisite descriptions of beauty. Her figure is perfect, embodying the essence of elegance, yet she exudes a sacred aura that makes one forget worldly concerns and dare not harbor the slightest thought of disrespect."

"Although Aunt Qingxuan dislikes the conflicts in the martial arts world and lives in seclusion for many years, she is renowned throughout the world for her extraordinary flute skills. Her flute music can evoke the chirping of birds in empty mountains, stir the flowing springs in secluded valleys, soothe the restless heart, and depict all aspects of the mortal world. In the world, no one can surpass her flute skills. In addition, she is of noble character and does not contend with the world, so many senior martial arts masters have friends with her and respect her greatly."

Shi Feixuan concluded, “I have pondered this matter. Sir, you have the world in your heart and are determined to quell the strife and create peace. Although Aunt Qingxuan is not involved in worldly affairs, her person and her art may bring a touch of tranquility and comfort to this chaotic world. Moreover, she has a special background and unique insights into the path of good and evil and the complexities of human nature. Therefore, I would like to take the liberty of introducing you to Aunt Qingxuan.”

When Shi Feixuan mentioned that Shi Qingxuan was "famous throughout the world for her Xiao (a type of vertical flute) skills," Yi Huawei's hand holding the teacup paused almost imperceptibly.

Like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, it created a subtle ripple in his otherwise tranquil heart. A distant figure, a beautiful face tinged with shyness and stubbornness, seemed to have traversed a century, quietly emerging from the depths of his mind.

In the bamboo alley, amidst the secluded bamboo groves, the clear and melodious sound of the flute had accompanied him through many times of scheming and contemplation. That purity and deep affection that remained even amidst the struggles for power, that tacit understanding forged through music... though time has passed and the world has changed, the words of Shi Feixuan that touched him at this moment still remain as clear as yesterday.

Yi Huawei's eyes showed a fleeting moment of dazedness and reminiscence, though it vanished in an instant before returning to its usual deep calm. However, that fleeting ripple did not escape Shi Feixuan's keen observation. She felt a slight stirring in her heart, but did not point it out.

Yi Huawei slowly put down his teacup, his fingertips gently tracing the cool surface of the cup. He looked up at Shi Feixuan, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

"Hearing Fei Xuan's description, this Master Shi Qingxuan is indeed a rare and extraordinary woman. Although I am but a mortal, I also admire such a person of refined taste and noble character. How could I refuse Fei Xuan's kind recommendation? I wonder where Master Shi is now?"

When Shi Feixuan saw that Yi Huawei had agreed, a faint smile appeared on her beautiful face, like the first melting of snow: "Uncle Qingxuan dislikes noise and lives in seclusion in a quiet place on the outskirts of Chengdu, called 'Youlin Xiaozhu'. If it is convenient for you, sir, Feixuan can lead the way now."

“Alright, then I’ll trouble Feixuan.” Yi Huawei stood up with pleasure.

The two left the Yuelai Inn, exited Chengdu, and headed towards the outskirts along a winding path between fields and hills.

Shi Feixuan, dressed in flowing white robes, moved with light steps along the country lane, her ethereal beauty blending perfectly with the surrounding natural scenery. Yi Huawei, in a simple blue robe, walked with unhurried steps, seemingly taking a casual stroll, yet his pace was anything but slow, always maintaining a distance of side-by-side with Shi Feixuan.

As they walked, Shi Feixuan casually gazed at the distant mountains, speaking in a calm tone as if they were just having a chat: "Sir, just now in the courtyard of the inn, I saw Miss Wanwan... she seemed quite different from a few days ago. Feixuan observed her aura, which was smooth and flowing, and she already possessed the aura of a grandmaster. Her Heavenly Demon Great Art has clearly reached a new level. I never imagined that she would improve so quickly in just a few days; it is truly astonishing."

Wanwan's breakthrough was too fast and too sudden, completely defying common sense, and all of this was clearly inseparable from Yi Huawei. She wanted to know what methods Yi Huawei had used, and what it meant behind it.

Upon hearing this, Yi Huawei remained unmoved, his gaze still appreciating the scenery along the roadside. He said calmly, "The way of martial arts is infinitely mysterious. Sometimes, breaking through a bottleneck may only require a trigger or a bit of external force. Wan'er's talent was already quite good, and she had accumulated enough before. I merely gave her a push to help her condense her true energy and open up her acupoints. In a way, it was her own good fortune."

He spoke these words casually, but Shi Feixuan was even more alarmed. Helping someone break through to the seventeenth level of the Heavenly Demon Technique was tantamount to creating a master close to the Grandmaster level, and he described it as merely "giving a push"? What profound cultivation and deep understanding of the essence of the Heavenly Demon Technique would that require?
"Sir, your cultivation is profound and your methods are unpredictable. Feixuan admires you."

Shi Feixuan said sincerely, then changed the subject slightly, with a hint of inquiry: "However, the Yin Kui Sect's martial arts style has always been known for its unpredictable and domineering nature, which is quite different from the righteous and peaceful Xuanmen righteous path. It is truly... unbelievable that you, sir, can understand its mysteries and help it break through."

Yi Huawei glanced at Shi Feixuan, smiled slightly, a smile that held a hint of unfathomable depth: "Everything in the universe has its principles. Martial arts are no exception. Regardless of whether they are righteous or evil, their essence lies in the application and sublimation of essence, energy, and spirit. If you understand these principles and grasp their key points, then all techniques can be used by you, and can also be used to help others. The so-called distinction between righteous and evil is sometimes nothing more than a difference in the mindset and purpose of application."

After a pause, Yi Huawei said meaningfully, "Take the 'Undying Seal Technique' for example. In Shi Zhixuan's hands, it is a demonic art that reverses life and death and confuses people's minds. But if you get its true meaning and use it from a different perspective, it may be able to generate infinite vitality and become a way of protection. The key lies in... where the person who wields the power is headed."

Shi Feixuan frowned slightly, lost in thought.

Although Yi Huawei's words were somewhat unconventional, the "reasoning" they contained that transcended sectarianism was something she couldn't refute.

Seeing her deep in thought, Yi Huawei said nothing more and turned his gaze to the increasingly lush and verdant forest ahead of the path. That must be where "Secluded Forest Lodge" was located.

He felt a surge of anticipation for that extraordinary woman, whose life had been filled with hardship and whose flute playing was unparalleled. He wondered how her flute music compared to the zither music of the graceful figure amidst green bamboo in his memory. (End of Chapter)