The wind blew past, causing the paired-wing flower trees outside the hall to rustle softly, like thousands of fire-colored luan birds about to spread their wings, adding a touch of bright color to the desolate courtyard.

Gu Baiying’s gaze fell upon the small bridge in the distance.

This was Xiaoyao Hall.

It was snowing outside, the light snow covering the ground with a layer of silver frost. On the small bridge, someone was practicing with a staff. Azure staff, snow-white dress, her form as agile and graceful as a wild goose. She had hair like soft, luxuriant black satin, and when she practiced with the staff, her dark hair scattered in the wind. When a snowflake landed on her head, it became a silk flower that would melt.

Red flowers, white snow, and the beauty’s staff tip created cascading flower waterfalls, making Gufeng Mountain’s Xiaoyao Hall seem like a celestial realm. The young man looked at this seemingly familiar scene before him and slightly furrowed his brow.

Boots stepped through the snow, making fine crackling sounds. These sounds seemed to startle the person practicing with the staff. The woman suddenly withdrew her staff and looked up. Her beautiful face was more lovely than flowers, like the Serpent Witch Luo Shen.

It was Qinghua Xianzi.

Gu Baiying was stunned. Before he could speak, Qinghua Xianzi also saw him. She gazed at him for a moment, then walked toward him.

She stopped in front of Gu Baiying. The young man had already grown taller than her. Qinghua Xianzi tilted her head slightly, looked at him, and smiled gently: “Baiying.”

Gu Baiying remained silent.

The wind swept up the snow from the ground, and it seemed to become even colder outside. Qinghua Xianzi reached out to grab his sleeve, pulling him toward Xiaoyao Hall, saying: “It’s getting colder outside, let’s go inside to warm up.”

He didn’t move, allowing Qinghua Xianzi to pull him into the hall.

Inside Xiaoyao Hall, everything was still as it had been when he left. The hall was empty and desolate, without a single person. Not far from the long table, there was a small bronze brazier, glowing with a bit of red warmth.

Gu Baiying was somewhat dazed.

His hall had never had a warming brazier. Immortal cultivators didn’t fear cold, and if it was cold, it was perfect for cultivating the dao heart. Seeing his confusion, Qinghua Xianzi said gently, “I saw that the hall was very cold, so I had Danshu bring this bronze brazier.” She picked up the teapot from the table and placed it on the small stove to warm: “Isn’t it a bit warmer now?”

The hall was indeed warmer than before.

The cold that he hadn’t usually noticed became real with this bronze brazier. That tiny bit of red seemed to instantly fill the entire hall, like young animals yearning for the warmth of their mother’s fur, unconsciously wanting to huddle close.

Soon, steam rose from the teapot on the bronze brazier. Qinghua Xianzi lifted the teapot, poured hot tea into a teacup, and handed one to Gu Baiying.

He reached out to take it, and where his palm was covered, warmth passed up layer by layer from beneath. Qinghua Xianzi thought for a moment and picked up the pastries from the plate on the table.

The pastries were made in the shape of small flowers. She took a bite and smiled gently at Gu Baiying: “The pear blossom cakes you made are much sweeter than those made by senior brother sect leader.”

With one sentence, the young man’s originally guarded resistance suddenly seemed to have a crack torn open, and his expression instantly became confused.

“These past few days, I’ve discussed your spiritual meridian issue with the senior brother sect leader.” After finishing the pastry in her hand and drinking some tea, she spoke indifferently: “Years ago, when I fought with Gui Diao Tang, I was invaded by his demonic energy, and you were also affected. It wasn’t obvious at birth, but now the gaps in your spiritual meridians are becoming increasingly severe. Senior brother sect leader once planted a Qin Chong seed beneath the Black Swamp. The Qin Chong seed can repair the gaps in your spiritual meridians, and now is just when it’s mature.”

Gu Baiying lowered his eyes: “The Qin Chong seed is no longer there.”

Qinghua Xianzi smiled, extended her clenched right hand, then opened her palm. In an instant, a bright green light illuminated the entire hall. A green seed lay in her palm, from which vigorous life force seemed to flow endlessly. Just looking at it from the side, one could feel the power in their spiritual meridians gradually becoming abundant.

“This is…”

“I know your Qin Chong seed was accidentally taken by Zanxing. However, don’t forget that in the Li’er Kingdom’s secret realm, I transmitted my lifetime’s heart method and cultivation to her, and at that time, I separated the Qin Chong from within her body.” Qinghua Xianzi looked at the seed in her palm: “After returning to Gufeng Mountain, senior brother and I nurtured this seed with our Yuanli. Now it’s just at the time of maturity. Baiying, if you take it, you won’t have to suffer from spiritual energy stagnation anymore.”

The Li’er Kingdom secret realm affair was a secret known to no one except Zanxing’s group. He looked up at Qinghua Xianzi before him. She sat right in front of him, her appearance the same as in the secret realm. Cool, calm, and with a hint of inexperienced care.

This hall seemed the same as before, yet also somehow different from before.

Gu Baiying felt as if he had forgotten something important, but he couldn’t remember what it was for the moment. He only felt that Xiaoyao Hall was experiencing the warmest winter day in many years, making one reluctant to leave.

Qinghua Xianzi gently urged him: “What are you spacing out for? Take it quickly.”

He reached out and took the Qin Chong.

The Qin Chong seed was about to sprout. From the front end of the seed, a bit of green insect sprout emerged. That green energy seemed to carry the fragrance of grass and trees, emitting a sweet smell.

Gu Baiying held the seed and was about to take it.

Qinghua Xianzi looked at him gently.

The soft, warm fire in the bronze brazier seemed to pause for a moment, and he suddenly crushed the Qin Chong in his hand.

Qinghua Xianzi was startled and asked in surprise: “What are you doing…”

A silver gleam swept past her. The Embroidered Bone Spear showed no hesitation. The woman with absolutely beautiful features was like a scattered clay puppet. That face still maintained an expression of surprise, but her body gradually began to dissipate.

The young man stood up, completely changed from his earlier drowsy confusion, his eyes bright as he calmly looked ahead.

The surroundings began to rapidly fade.

The Xiaoyao Hall, paired-wing flower trees, and snow-covered small bridge were all like masks painted with oil colors in the marketplace. A basin of clear water splashed over them, washing away all the oil colors and revealing the true face beneath the mask.

The dim torches on the stone walls flickered, the black passage stretched long as if endless. This was still the same secret chamber from before. Mimi was at his feet, apparently frightened unconscious, and Zanxing was nowhere to be seen.

Applause came from the darkness, and a woman’s voice rang out, praising with seemingly genuine yet false admiration: “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such excellent prey who could break through my illusion.”

Gu Baiying looked coldly at the woman walking out from the darkness.

This was an alluring, beautiful woman. She had long, slightly curled brown hair casually draped behind her, narrow, elongated eyes, and naturally seductive charm in her features.