The Immortal Clan begins with deductive intelligence.

Chapter 109 The Past Cannot Be Retrieved

That flowing cloud-patterned sword robe from the inner sect disappeared into the side hall of the "Purple Void Palace" atop Danxia Peak, which was shrouded in white mist year-round.

This place is called "Listening to Snow Cliff," and it is the training ground of Jiang Ningshuang, a true disciple of Danxia Peak.

Several ancient pine trees grow on the edge of the cliff, and a stone table sits beneath them, with teacups still warm on the table.

Jiang Ningshuang pressed down on the escape light, lightly touched the ground with her toes, and landed under the pine tree.

The mountaintop was swept by a fierce wind, yet it could not dispel the lingering fragrance of herbs and the tranquil atmosphere that permeated the place.

She didn't rush to sit down. Her cool eyes swept over the empty cushion opposite the stone table, her gaze lingering for a moment on the still steaming purple clay cup. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she said in a low voice, "Since you're here, why bother hiding like a thief?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a tall, slender figure emerged from behind the ancient pine tree.

The newcomer was a man, dressed in a wide black robe that was not in the Sword Sect's standard attire. He had a vermilion wine gourd hanging at his waist, and his long hair was casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, with a few strands falling in front of his forehead, giving him a nonchalant and lazy air.

He was holding a pine nut that he had just peeled from a pine tree, and he put it in his mouth and chewed it with a crunching sound.

"Junior sister's words are rather hurtful."

The man patted the pine resin off his hands, smiled warmly, and sat down at the stone table opposite him. Without any hesitation, he picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea.

"...A petty thief of light?"

Jiang Ningshuang ignored his joking remarks, sat down with a flick of her sleeve, and gently stroked the rim of the teacup with her fingertips.

Zhiwei Peak is the place within the Qinghe Sword Sect that is in charge of intelligence, planning and external affairs. Although it is not as prominent as Danxia Peak and Zhujian Peak, it is the eyes and ears and mouthpiece of the entire sect.

Gu Changfeng may seem like a carefree playboy who only knows how to drink and spend his days, but he is actually a man of deep thoughts. He has been stationed in the "Listening Wind Tower" on Zhiwei Peak for many years and has handled countless intelligence reports.

The saying goes, "No one visits the temple without a reason." Since this person is waiting for you at Tingxue Cliff today, he must have no good intentions.

"Is the romance in the Hundred Herb Garden interesting?"

Gu Changfeng suddenly asked a question out of the blue, a mischievous glint in his half-closed eyes.

Jiang Ningshuang's expression stiffened for a moment, then she regained her composure and said coldly, "If Senior Brother Gu is so bored, he can go down to the market to listen to music. It's too windy here at Listening Snow Cliff, I'm afraid we can't keep such an honored guest here."

"Tsk, I hit a nerve, are you getting angry?"

Gu Changfeng leaned back against the pine tree trunk, shook the wine gourd in his hand, and spoke with a touch of emotion.

"I just passed by and took a look. This kind of friendship, untouched by the world, is like a glass cup in this cannibalistic world of cultivation. It looks clear, but it will break at the slightest touch."

At this point, he gave Jiang Ningshuang a deep look, and said meaningfully, "Junior Sister, didn't you go through the same thing back then?"

"shut up."

Jiang Ningshuang released a small amount of spiritual energy from her fingertips, and the purple clay teacup in Gu Changfeng's hand turned into dust.

"If this is just for catching up, then you may leave, senior brother."

Seeing that he was truly angry, Gu Changfeng put away his carefree smile, sat up straight, and said seriously, "Enough joking, let's get down to business."

He took out a dark-colored jade slip from his wide sleeves and gently pushed it in front of Jiang Ningshuang.

"The situation at the front is critical. On the Demon-Slaying Dike, a breach was recently torn open by several second-tier demonic beasts working together. Although it was managed to be plugged, the losses were quite heavy."

Jiang Ningshuang's gaze narrowed slightly. She didn't take the jade slip, but coldly said, "The sect has its own war preparedness department for coordination. Why would you seek out an alchemist like me for such important military matters?"

"If it were just an ordinary battle, there would be no need for Junior Sister to come."

"But this time is different. Some unclean things have infiltrated that demonic tide. The Listening Wind Pavilion intercepted information saying that someone saw traces of the Blood Fiend Sect demonic cultivators on the battlefield."

Blood Fiend Sect.

Demonic sects are known for their insidious and perverse actions, treating all living beings as worthless, and they especially enjoy using the essence and blood of cultivators to refine their demonic arts.

Jiang Ningshuang was finally moved. She reached out and took the jade slip, probing it with her divine sense.

The jade slip contained only fragmented battle reports and remnants of images sent back by scouts before their deaths.

"You mean, the demonic tide is just a pretext, and the demonic cultivators want to take advantage of the situation?"

"pretty close."

Gu Changfeng sighed and rubbed his temples.

"What our sect leader means is that the outer disciples and those cannon fodder from the vassal families can stay on the front lines, but we need to move some of our inner disciples as well."

"Firstly, I want to go to the front lines to gain experience and accumulate merits; secondly, I also want to investigate what those demonic cultivators are plotting."

He paused, his gaze falling on Jiang Ningshuang's face.

"Danxia Peak also needs to send people. In addition to being responsible for transporting the pills, it also needs a true disciple who is proficient in pharmacology and can identify symptoms of demonic energy erosion to oversee the rear medical clinic."

"And your master also said—"

Gu Changfeng looked at Jiang Ningshuang with a somewhat complicated expression.

"Going to the Demon-Slaying Dike is not only to eliminate demons, but also to examine one's own conscience."

Jiang Ningshuang tightened her grip on the jade slip slightly.

"When do we set off?"

Gu Changfeng casually tossed the half-peeled pine nut shells in his hand into the wind, patted his clothes, and stood up.

"No rush."

He picked up the crimson wine gourd, tilted his head back, and took a swig. The spicy wine went down his throat, making him squint his eyes contentedly.

"Our sect leader said that wanting a horse to run without feeding it is the behavior of a worldly landlord. Our Qinghe Sword Sect does not do that."

"Before they depart, the sect will open the Sword Cleansing Pool, giving the disciples who are about to go to the front lines a chance to cleanse their flying swords and comprehend the sword intent. This can be considered a small reward before the battle."

Sword Washing Pool.

That was the most important place of the Qinghe Sword Sect, located in a cold pool on the main peak.

The pool water is no ordinary water, but rather a collection of sword intent left behind by the patriarchs before their ascension or passing away. Ordinary disciples have no chance to see it; only true disciples who have made great contributions or have outstanding talent are qualified to enter and try.

"Sword Washing Pool —"

Jiang Ningshuang murmured softly, a complex look flashing in her eyes.

"At dawn three days from now, by the Sword Washing Pool, Junior Sister, do not be late."

After saying that, Gu Changfeng did not linger any longer.

Jiang Ningshuang remained alone under the pine tree, motionless for a long time.

A mountain breeze blows, and pine needles fall softly, landing in the already cooled teacup, creating a ripple.

She slowly raised her hand, carefully put the jade slip away from her body, and cast her gaze towards the vast sea of ​​clouds.

The past cannot be retrieved.

Once upon a time, she also thought that as long as she hid on the top of this high mountain and secluded herself to cultivate herself, she could attain immortality and remain untainted by worldly dust.

But this world is like a great furnace.

As long as you're involved, who can truly remain unaffected?

However, some people are reduced to ashes in it, while others are tempered into steel.