e window. Suddenly, she leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Si Tu Lin was seen in a small county town in the southwest some time ago. My brother didn't dare let this news leak. He wants to be wary...The figure seemed to be formed from condensed smoke, snowflakes filtering through him one by one.

Silence reigned supreme.

This feeling makes me wonder if I've lost my hearing. Is it a problem with my ears, or is there truly no sound around me

"Cough... hello" I tentatively asked.

It's so quiet here, I hesitate even to speak. Can the other side hear me

The back view was hazy and indistinct, a whole body clad in pure black. The figure stood tall and silent, resembling a sculpture.

"...Can you hear me" I asked, frowning and taking a few steps forward.

The figure in the black long coat stood motionless. I carefully crept step by step to his side and peeked.

It's actually Quan Heng!

My goodness, how long has it been since I last saw him!

How could he be here

"Quán Hēng, Quán Hēng! Is it you" I rushed to his side and called out his name eagerly.

He hung motionless in the air, staring blankly ahead.

What's the point... Is this an illusion too

I reached out and touched the edge of his sleeve, my hand passed straight through his body... Was this an image

"...What are you even doing At least give me a hint" I complained helplessly.

What on earth is this place

I stared into this dark and cold world, relying on the faint glow in my palm.

It seems there's no sound here, only snowflakes falling. I can see them but not hear the wind. It's rare to see a familiar face, yet this one seems like a phantom, unaware of anything.

"Quán Hénng, you're appearing here, are you giving me some kind of hint" I tried to provoke a response from him. "Where's your qīng luán Jiāng Qǐyún said the two of you were a pair... why don't I see her"

I reached out and brushed my hand across his body. My fingers passed straight through him, coming to rest on a cold, metallic object—a sword.

Within Quan Heng's image, there was a long sword. I grasped the hilt, and his form dissipated like rising mist.

What's this sword for And it's stuck in the snow, I can't even pull it out.

Jiang Qiyun once said that Quan Heng was one of the guardians of Liutiangong, and his figure appeared here... Could it be that he was forming an array

Are there such things in other places

The yin-yang fish and Bagua diagrams on the hilt gave me a clue. If it was an array formation, logically speaking, it would be Bagua plus a central axis or eye of nine palaces.

I crouched on the snow, using my finger to draw a simple Bagua diagram on the ground.

Legend has it that Fuxi, the ancestor of humankind, created the Bagua on Mount Gua Tai. With a single stroke, he opened up heaven and earth. The Bagua encompasses all things in the universe, reflecting the wisdom accumulated by our ancestors in their interactions with the cosmos and all living beings.

I only know the superficial, and I don't know if my deductions are correct. I'm a little frustrated that I don't have time to study properly—Jiang Qiyun hasn't taught me either. If I had known that the path of cultivation was so difficult, I should have learned it earlier!

Anyway, I've decided to start from here. If I follow the Bagua's arrangement, then finding the other positions shouldn't be difficult.

Knowing what to do calms me down. I don't have to overthink or worry.

I steadied my mind, detaching the tassels from my cloak and binding them to my sword hilt—to prevent myself from losing my bearings.

As long as the first direction was set, I felt confident to keep going. I didn't go too far when I saw a second back turned towards me.

This back view is unfamiliar to me; it must be another guardian deity of the Liu Tian Gong. As I reached out to touch him, I found a weapon embedded in his chest, just like the one planted in the ground.

These weapons are their battle formation.

Soon, I had met all the guardians of Liujing Palace.

The seventh gate was Hei Wu Chang, and I immediately guessed that the last one was Bai Wu Chang, this big guy.

Eight out of the Ten Great Hades appear here, guarding over someone... could it be that person

The center of the formation has a back figure.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, the dark-gold dragon-patterned robe sprawled out, with a small pile of snow accumulating on his shoulders.

Those hands were slender and strong, their gestures as beautiful as white jade in the dark night when they formed seals. But when wielding the sword, they were as cold and ruthless as a demon king who craved bloodshed.

Could it be him

Is he just sitting here, lost in thought

Is this really the realm of illusion Or is this an illusion itself, his back just a fabrication

I dare not get too close.

Perhaps this is an illusion, like a dream, fragile and easily shattered by the slightest touch.

If it's true, shouldn't we let him be undisturbed in his state of blissful contemplation

Jiang Qiyun once warned me, otherwise he would be worried sick, wouldn't want to part ways with me, wouldn't want him to think about me constantly, and wouldn't want him to lose his composure!

Even though celestial deities can experience the seven emotions and six desires, they cannot let them control their divine soul and spirit.

Those with divine appointments, such as celestial beings, are even more so. They discard petty love in favor of great compassion, showing mercy to all living beings and things. Yet, they themselves avoid the word "love" at all costs.

But... where between him and me could we possibly avoid this word

I am not an immortal deity. I can freely express my joy, anger, sorrow, and love, but he... seems to express himself as if it were a sin.

This is not the first time he has acted recklessly, however, even in his recklessness, he stays within the bounds of propriety.

He always has things he needs to abide by.

I couldn't help but take a small step forward, just a little one, and suddenly a howling wind whipped past my ear, with snow swirling wildly around me!

The wind cuts like a knife.

"Up...*cough cough cough* Up Yun!" The moment I spoke, snow was blown into my throat, making me cough violently.

"Qiyun!" I whispered.

Is he motionless because he can't hear Or is he also an illusion

If he's an illusion, there must be some kind of magic within him! Maybe he can help me unravel the darkness and coldness here.

I covered my face with my robe, shielding it from the icy wind that bit like a knife. I took slow, hesitant steps toward him.

Just as I was about to reach out and touch his shoulder, a wisp of blue smoke emerged from his shoulders and head, slowly coalescing into a human form.

Is it him Is he looking at me

"Qiyun This is... your soul leaving your body" I looked up at the azure figure in bewilderment.

He bent down, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at me, his eyes... a void of darkness.

This is not him.

"Mu Xiaqiao…" He opened his mouth and called me softly.

I was startled, my heart pounding with excitement!

It's been over two months! I feel like time is dragging on forever.

He hasn't forgotten me! He remembers me.

My tears overflowed my eye sockets, the bitterness and grievance filling my heart made my voice tremble.

"You... you knew it was me, why didn't you move! I thought you were an illusion too—"

He smiled, slowly approaching me and asking, “What would you do if it were a real person What would you do if it were an illusion”

What a strange question!

"If it's a fantasy, I'll keep searching! If it's real, then...then..."

"Well, then" His unearthly eyes stared straight at me.ectedly.He can be... really bad sometimes.He was so bad, acting all serious while saying things that were both subtle and vulgar. He was so open and honest, as if he didn't care about anyone else arou...