Chapter 2019: Red Dress

Wuxia Xianxia

The voice was remarkably familiar. Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he fixed his gaze forward.

As the spirit formation opened, the mist parted, and a woman in red robes stepped through. Her brows were like distant peaks, and her dark eyes shone. Crowned with a phoenix coronet, she was breathtakingly beautiful, almost otherworldly. Draped in a long red gown, she exuded an air of unparalleled elegance and grace.

Her gaze fell upon Qin Sang, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Granny Jing?" Qin Sang was equally surprised. Granny Jing was Senior Qingzhu's daughter, her true name Qingjun. When Qin Sang first met Qingjun in the market, she had concealed her cultivation, assuming the alias Granny Jing and appearing as an elderly, frail woman. It wasn't until before entering Zhifeng that Qin Sang learned Granny Jing's identity was merely a disguise, and Qingjun's true appearance was exquisitely beautiful, no less striking than Chen Yan's.

However, seeing Qingjun again, she had changed once more. Qin Sang vividly recalled that when Qingjun had revealed her true form before, she wore white, untouched by dust, like a celestial maiden from the moon palace, ethereal and otherworldly. Now, her appearance was as beautiful as it had been a century ago, with no trace of age on her face, yet the impression she gave Qin Sang was entirely different. Her fiery red gown, brilliant as the morning glow, created a striking visual impact. This woman's demeanor was ever-changing, leaving Qin Sang somewhat bewildered as to which was her true self.

"Interesting! Back then, I wanted to ask if you'd found that person's remains, but then you mysteriously vanished. Later, I learned you'd angered Earl Dongyang and Chen Yan in the Ziwei Palace. I remember you weren't even at the Core Formation stage then, only Pseudo-Core, right? Yet you escaped, disappeared for years, and now you reappear with *this* level of cultivation?"

Qingjun's lips curled into a slight smile as she scrutinized Qin Sang from head to toe, an interested expression on her face.

His feeling was correct; this woman had indeed changed. Her demeanor and temperament were completely different from his memories. Qin Sang mused internally.

Confirming that this woman was indeed Qingjun, Qin Sang suppressed these thoughts. He cupped his hands in a respectful salute and complimented, "Many years have passed, yet Senior's elegance remains unchanged. This junior humbly apologizes for disturbing your peaceful cultivation, and hopes Senior will not take offense."

Qingjun was Qingzhu's daughter. Since Peach Blossom Valley was her homeland, encountering her here was not surprising. However, Qin Sang recalled Qingjun's tone from their previous encounter, which suggested little affection for Senior Qingzhu. Moreover, Peach Blossom Valley wasn't considered a blessed cultivation ground, so Qin Sang hadn't expected to reunite with Granny Jing so soon. What surprised Qin Sang most was Qingjun's subtle aura; he couldn't discern her true cultivation level. There was only one possibility: Qingjun had already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm! On second thought, Qin Sang realized this was normal. Over a century had passed since their last meeting, and a hundred years ago, Qingjun had dared to infiltrate Shaohua Mountain, plotting to ambush and kill Leng Yun.

"I've never mentioned Peach Blossom Valley to anyone else. How did you know I was here? You must have another purpose for coming, right?"

Qingjun instantly saw through Qin Sang's intentions. "Come inside and speak," she said, turning and walking into the spirit formation. Qin Sang thanked her and quickly followed.

Passing through the spirit formation, the valley indeed unfolded into a riot of blossoms, painting the entire area red. The peach trees were meticulously pruned; some were in full bloom, while others bore ripe, crimson immortal peaches, their fragrant scent filling the air. A gurgling stream wound its way through the peach grove, eventually flowing into a clear pond. There were no grand pavilions here, only a delicate courtyard with a few wooden houses, built beside the pond, nestled against the mountain, and hidden among the peach trees.

Senior Qingzhu's last words on the cliff face were merely a depiction of the most deeply etched memories in his mind.

Qin Sang's thoughts shifted. Just as he was about to speak, an incredibly pure spiritual energy washed over him, far more abundant than that in the immortal caves of Yun Youzi and Li Yufu.

But wasn't Peach Blossom Valley supposed to have only one spiritual vein?

"I relocated a spiritual vein from the Yuanshen Gate; it's quite usable," Qingjun said indifferently, noticing Qin Sang's surprise.

"Yuanshen Gate? Could Leng Yun be...?" Upon hearing this, Qin Sang gasped, his face filled with shock.

When he was at Yinshan Pass, he had specifically inquired about the Yuanshen Gate. He had learned that the Yuanshen Gate remained among the top sects, showing no signs of decline, and that Leng Yun was still alive. He had assumed Qingjun had failed to kill Leng Yun in the Ziwei Palace. Hearing that Qingjun could actually relocate a spiritual vein from the Yuanshen Gate, a flash of insight struck Qin Sang. He suddenly realized something, finding it almost unbelievable. The Qingzhu family had a blood feud with the Yuanshen Gate, so Qingjun would certainly not compromise with Leng Yun. There was only one possibility...

"Precisely. Leng Yun's Five Directions Pagoda was corrupted by the Blood Filth Divine Light, and I killed him in the Ziwei Palace. Such a vast foundation as the Yuanshen Gate couldn't simply be disbanded or handed over to others, so I disguised myself as Leng Yun and became the Sect Master. Most Yuanshen Gate disciples couldn't see through my true form, though Old Ancestor Scarlet Hair and a few others did discover some clues. Firstly, the war was raging fiercely at the time, and I actively joined the battlefield, bearing a significant burden. Secondly, the situation was already a fait accompli; I didn't indiscriminately kill innocents within the Yuanshen Gate. Moreover, Earl Dongyang and the others were aware of our past grievances, so after a few warnings, they tacitly accepted it..."

Qingjun recounted the events in an understated manner.

Qin Sang knew that the situation was certainly not as simple as Qingjun made it sound. Leng Yun's death meant the vast foundation of the Yuanshen Gate had been usurped. How could the Nascent Soul patriarchs of other sects not feel a sense of shared peril upon witnessing such a scene? Even with various justifications, they would not allow someone to act so brazenly. Unless, her power had reached a level that forced everyone to compromise!

Qin Sang secretly observed Qingjun. He couldn't tell if it was an illusion, but he vaguely sensed that Qingjun's aura seemed even more profound and concealed than that of the early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators he had encountered in the Seven Kills Hall!

Qin Sang was startled by this thought. A century ago, Qingjun had needed extensive planning and even requested his assistance to deal with Leng Yun, who had barely formed a Nascent Soul. In just over a hundred years, could she have made successive breakthroughs and already reached the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm? This was far too astonishing. Even with excellent spiritual roots, it would be difficult to break through so quickly, wouldn't it? Or had there been some hidden secret before?

Qin Sang fell into deep thought. Qingjun gave him a contradictory feeling. Back then, Qingjun had disguised herself as an old woman, hiding in Wen Yue Workshop. Yet, she had dared to infiltrate Shaohua Mountain, approaching Earl Dongyang's immortal cave, showing no concern about her whereabouts being discovered by him. Her cultivation level had always been mysterious, seemingly fluctuating, making her inscrutable.

As Qin Sang's mind wandered, they passed through the peach grove and arrived beside the wooden houses.

"Speak, why have you come?" Qingjun suddenly stopped and asked Qin Sang.

Qin Sang noticed two graves behind the wooden houses. The names of two women were inscribed on the tombstones in elegant script. Indeed, both beauties had passed away. Qin Sang knew the identities of those buried there and sighed with sorrow. He wished Senior Qingzhu could reunite with them in the netherworld!

Qin Sang cast aside his miscellaneous thoughts, offered a silent blessing, and took a deep breath. He then stated solemnly, "This junior has come at Senior Qingzhu's request, to bring his remains back and inter them in Peach Blossom Valley."

As he spoke, a light flashed at Qin Sang's fingertip, and he retrieved the ice coffin containing Qingzhu's remains. Qingjun seemed to have had a premonition; she gazed steadily at the ice coffin, her eyes filled with a complex emotion.