Chapter 1281: With Feelings or Without Feelings

Chu Feng, in a gentle voice, slowly recounted the events of that year. He spoke of Qin Luoyin's maternal radiance during her dying moments, her reluctance to depart, and her constant pleas to him to protect their child and ensure no harm came to him. He recounted all of this, hoping to move her and help her remember those precious details.

Qing Yin remained calm, showing no emotion—neither joy nor sorrow, only silence. She gazed at the setting sun, and after a long time, she stretched out her hand as if to grasp a wisp of the lingering sunset glow, but it slipped through her fingers.

"You see, life is like this. Some things you cannot force. What you hope to grasp and hold often turns out contrary to your wishes. Heaven and Earth have day and night, the moon has its hidden phases of waxing and waning, and worldly affairs are unpredictable. Even the universe cannot last forever; it will eventually collapse. Why can't you let go? Many things are like the sunset slipping through our fingers—they pass and are gone. On the path of evolution, it's merely an experience. No matter how tumultuous it seemed at the time, in the overall life of a seeker of the Dao, it is nothing more than an insignificant ripple. You must let go of certain things to achieve the Dao."

She was very calm, even radiating a sense of detachment. She simply turned the page on that past chapter, saying nothing more, and her entire being merged into the crimson and golden hues of the evening glow, becoming increasingly sacred and transcendent.

Chu Feng was speechless. All his words were futile; they couldn't change her mind. Instead, she had lectured him with these so-called principles.

"One day, if that child reappears and calls you 'mother,' what will you do?" Chu Feng asked, looking at her with a serious expression.

"Such a scene will never happen. If he truly reappears that day, having regained his Celestial Venerable body, you should be the one worrying. Do you expect a Celestial Venerable to call you 'father'? I think you'd be the first to flee."

To Chu Feng's surprise, Fairy Qing Yin spoke these words with a slightly playful tone, a hint of a smile quickly vanishing from her lips.

Chu Feng: "..."

He was dumbfounded. What more could he say? His impression of her had always been one of indifference and heartlessness, yet now she could utter such words?

Perhaps this was a manifestation of even greater heartlessness? The past events he'd mentioned earlier couldn't move her, allowing her to speak these words without any emotional burden.

Or perhaps she had truly let go of everything? That's why she could be like this.

However, upon reflection of the events back then, Chu Feng did feel a bit guilty. On the Path of Reincarnation, he had struck the young Daoist priest on the back of the head with a black brick, ruining his future, which resulted in him being reincarnated as Chu Feng's son. He truly didn't know if this was karmic retribution coming full circle, or if some scoundrel in the unseen realms had deliberately manipulated fate to play such a dark joke on him.

Chu Feng had always suspected this was related to the mud idol at the end of the Path of Reincarnation. If so, it implied immeasurable horror—if even such matters could be manipulated, then the beings on the Path of Reincarnation were truly terrifying. To participate in the struggles and conflicts at that level, he still needed to work much harder; he was far from ready now!

At the same time, he also thought of the three seeds and the stone box, located at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, outside Purgatory, relatively not far from the Path of Reincarnation.

He had unexpectedly obtained them. Could there be some great karma involved?

"Luoyin, I came to you only to understand clearly, to hear it thoroughly. I respect any choice you make," Chu Feng said.

He would certainly not force anyone. There were things he couldn't let go of, still cherishing the familial bonds, friendships, and other affections from the lesser realm, but he couldn't expect others to be like him.

However, he found it hard to imagine that Qin Luoyin, who had ceaselessly whispered and tearfully urged him to take care of their child before her death, would be so utterly resolute, as if she had severed her former self.

"I truly don't recognize you anymore," Chu Feng whispered.

"Because I am not her," Fairy Qing Yin stated.

Upon hearing these words, Chu Feng's eyes flashed with divine light. He stared intently at her, and for a fleeting moment, he was impulsively tempted to call for Number Nine to eliminate Fairy Qingshi within her, and bring Qin Luoyin back.

He had always believed that if Qin Luoyin were still herself, she wouldn't be so heartless or speak such words. Perhaps she would have already been weeping and asking about the young Daoist priest's whereabouts.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Chu Feng even considered that within Fairy Qing Yin, there was another weeping soul, shedding tears of blood—that truly was Qin Luoyin.

In an instant, Chu Feng felt a pang of sorrow. He let out a low growl, then sent a telepathic message towards the distance: "Master Nine!"

Number Nine arrived silently, but ultimately shook his head at Chu Feng, telling him that Qing Yin was just one person, not two souls in one body. Finally, he even asked Chu Feng if he still wanted those long, slender legs on the other side.

"Keep them. Master Nine, you... go about your business!" Chu Feng truly didn't dare to provoke Number Nine anymore. If Number Nine became unrestrained, even Fairy Qingshi, revered as the top talent of the prehistoric era, would likely have her long legs eaten if she returned.

After all, the disparity in their cultivation realms was evident.

Fairy Qing Yin was speechless for a moment.

Number Nine took a few steps, looking back repeatedly, his eyes glowing green, showing some reluctance, which was truly unsettling.

After a long pause, Qing Yin finally spoke: "She and I were originally one. However, in the prehistoric era, I was Qingshi. I was baptized by the river of time and experienced too much. Luoyin's emotions and memories are merely a tiny ripple, a small interlude in my life. Therefore, please do not mention the old affairs of the lesser realm again."

Without a doubt, Fairy Qingshi's memories were dominant, and Qin Luoyin's experiences were only a very small part.

"The value of life is not in its length, but in its depth. Sometimes, a single moment can be eternal. I believe that one day, you will return!"

Chu Feng stared at her.

At the same time, he brought up Fairy Qingshi's prehistoric past. Could she truly abandon everything, as she claimed? If so, why did she undergo reincarnation to reappear? Wasn't it to revive the Dream Ancient Path and seek revenge for her sect?

"It's different," Qing Yin replied indifferently.

"How is it different?" Chu Feng asked.

"Let's not talk about that. You speak of Qin Luoyin returning; I advise you not to waste your time and life. In my prehistoric past, I had someone I liked."

This was intolerable. Even if Chu Feng had drunk the Elixir of Oblivion and his attachments were faint, he couldn't tolerate the mother of his child having a change of heart. Perhaps this wasn't a change of heart, but rather a historical legacy issue.

"Aren't Dream Ancient Path Celestial Maidens forbidden from marrying?" His eyes sparkled with divine light.

"Even if one doesn't marry, is one not allowed to like someone in their heart?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng's killing intent flared. He didn't want to concern himself with prehistoric matters, but since Qin Luoyin from the lesser realm had merged with Fairy Qingshi, he had to intervene. He had to get her back; he couldn't tolerate such an awful situation.

"That person wouldn't happen to be Gu Chenhai, would he?" Chu Feng asked, his face grim. Old Gu had once tried to abduct a bride and ended up getting severely beaten.

If it were Old Gu, such a scene... would be unbearable to imagine.

"You actually know him?" Qing Yin was surprised, her beautiful eyes showing a strange glint. Then she shook her head and said, "No. Don't overthink it; he eventually became a myth among myths."

Chu Feng's temper flared. He had come today to get to the bottom of things, to understand clearly, but instead, he was provoked. Was this intentional, or was she simply like this? It was unbearable.

Thus, he spoke rather emotionally, "How come he wasn't chopped up by the Martial Lunatic? Or knocked out with a brick from behind by Li the Dark Hand?"

Qing Yin turned to leave, about to vanish into the sunset. She transmitted a message: "Be careful of Number Nine. This Number One Mountain Under Heaven is the most ominous place. Though its gates appear desolate, in fact, disciples have been taken in throughout generations, and many extraordinarily talented beings were collected. However, none of the disciples had a good end; all met exceedingly tragic fates. Even Li couldn't escape disaster!"

These words made Chu Feng's hair stand on end, forcing him to ponder deeply.

At the same time, at the edge of the horizon, Number Nine, appearing like a supreme demon king in the bloody sunset, slowly turned and looked towards Chu Feng, revealing a faint smile.

His teeth were tinged with blood, having just consumed blood food. That blurred image reached Chu Feng's eyes, sending shivers down his spine.

From such a distance, it would have been impossible to discern the expression of a powerful being like Number Nine without 'Fiery Eyes.' Yet at this moment, Chu Feng saw it, and his soul bristled with fear.