This is a quiet place deep in Fenxiang Valley, built closely against the mountains. It is surrounded by tall walls on three sides, and only the main entrance is ajar, making it difficult to see what is going on inside.
Although Fenxiang Valley has undergone such huge changes in the past few days, there are still no disciples of Fenxiang Valley around here, because this is the residence of Yun Yilan, the owner of Fenxiang Valley, and his place of retreat.
Ever since Yun Yilan started to retreat, all disciples of Fenxiang Valley have been prohibited from entering. Of course, the disciples of Fenxiang Valley on the outside are naturally defensive like a copper wall. And those who can enter Tianxiang Residence, except for those who have been deeply relied on by Yun Yilan,
Apart from Shangguan Ce, only his direct disciple Li Xun can come in and out here to meet his mentor.
As for others, including the elders such as Lu Shun, they are also prohibited from entering or exiting.
Even when the Xuanhuo Altar of Fenxiang Valley was infiltrated and the Nine-tailed Sky Fox that had been suppressed for three hundred years was released, and even the legendary Xuanhuo Jian, the legendary treasure of Fenxiang Valley, appeared, Yun Yilan
He actually never left seclusion and just let Shangguan Ce take charge of the overall situation.
What exactly was he locked up in that small courtyard?
This question has lingered in the minds of many disciples of Fenxiang Valley from time to time.
The sky gradually became brighter. In the slightly humid morning air, Shangguan Ce gently opened the door, walked in, and closed the door.
What appeared in front of him was a small courtyard that he was already familiar with, a few Bodhi trees, their branches gently swaying in the morning breeze, and except for a path in the middle, surrounded by green grass. Apart from that, there was nothing else.
The leader of one of the three major sects of righteousness in the world, his residence seems to be simple to the point of simplicity.
At the end of the path, there is a two-entry hut with white tiles and gray walls, built against the mountain. The door made of paulownia wood is painted purple and is still ajar.
Shangguan Ce walked over, pushed the door open, and closed it again.
The surroundings suddenly became quiet, as if all the troubles in the world were shut out of the room by him raising his hand.
There was no one in the room, there were only a few simple pieces of furniture, and there seemed to be a thin layer of dust on the tables and chairs.
Shangguan Ce calmed down, walked straight to the back room, came to a cabinet, opened the drawer on the left, put his hand in and seemed to turn something. After a while, a low voice sounded from behind him.
The entire wall slowly receded to the right, revealing the hard rock of the mountain wall and a secret passage carved in the middle that could only accommodate one person.
Shangguan Ce did not hesitate and walked in. Not long after his figure disappeared into the secret passage, the door slowly closed again, and no trace of it could be seen anymore.
In the dark passage, there are pebble-sized pebbles that emit light at regular intervals for illumination. And he never felt any stuffiness while walking. Naturally, there are ventilation channels here.
This secret passage was not long, and he soon reached his destination, a stone room about the same size as the inner room outside. There was nothing in the stone room, but there was a screen across the middle, blocking his sight.
Suddenly, an extremely old voice came from behind the screen: "Is it Junior Brother Shangguan?"
Shangguan Ce took two steps forward, stopped four or five steps away from the screen, and said respectfully: "That's right, senior brother, are you feeling well?"
That voice seems to be that of Yun Yilan, the world-famous Master of Fenxiang Valley. I just don’t know why. In the past, this giant of the righteous path, who was as famous as Daoxuan Zhenren of Qingyun Sect and Master Puhong of Tianyin Temple, sounds like this right now.
Like a dying old man who has lost his vitality and lacks vitality.
He seemed to laugh softly and said lightly: "My body? Are you feeling better? That's all. Just wait for death."
Shangguan Ce's face changed, and his expression was very complicated. He was about to say something, but was cut off by Yun Yilan's feeble voice: "How is the matter?"
Shangguan Ce pondered for a moment and said: "We probably found out that the one who secretly provoked the fishmen that night was Jin Ping'er of the Hehuan sect of the demon sect. I think she came because she was killed by a fishman under the Hehuan sect in the Death Swamp.
So he takes revenge."
Yun Yilan was silent for a moment behind the screen, then her voice suddenly dropped and she said, "Then is she aware of the big thing we are secretly planning?"
Shangguan Ce suddenly paused slightly, and for a moment, the voice behind the screen was suddenly filled with majesty.
"In my opinion, not yet."
"That's good," Yun Yilan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Otherwise, if the matter is leaked, years of hard work will inevitably come to naught."
Shangguan Ce nodded and said, "Senior brother, don't worry."
Yun Yilan paused for a moment and said, "Have you found out the person who sneaked into the Xuanhuo Altar and released the nine-tailed sky fox monster?"
Shangguan Ce said: "Last night, Junior Nephew Li Xun and Ke Ruhui tracked Jin Ping'er near Tianshui Village. I heard that he came back this morning and told him that Gui Li from the Demon Sect's Ghost King Sect also appeared there and plotted against him, which led to Ke Ruhui being attacked and killed.
Fortunately, Lu Xueqi from the Qingyun Sect, who came to Southern Xinjiang last night to inquire about our senior brother on behalf of Master Daoxuan, passed by and offered a helping hand, so we were able to escape from the attack of the two demons."
"Ghost Li?" Yun Yilan's voice paused and said, "Is it the Zhang Xiaofan who betrayed Qingyun ten years ago?"
Shangguan Ce nodded and said: "It is that person who caused a sensation in the world at the battle at Qingyun Mountain. Zhang Xiaofan betrayed Qingyun. In just ten years, his Taoism has advanced by leaps and bounds. Now he is the number one general under the Ghost King."
Yun Yilan snorted and said: "Old Daoxuan is old and his head is a little confused. He has such a talent but can't use it."
Shangguan Ce smiled and then said: "Master Nephew Li Xun came back and said that he suspected that the person who sneaked into the Xuanhuo Altar and caused trouble that night was Gui Li, and to rescue the Nine-tailed Sky Fox, there is no secret spell from our Fenxiang Valley.
Only by using the Xuanhuo Jian, which is the essence of all fires, can we unlock the confinement of the Xuanhuo Refining. From his point of view, I am afraid that the Xuanhuo Jian is on Gui Li's body."
Yun Yilan was silent for a while, then suddenly said: "What do you think?"
Shangguan Ce's face changed across the screen, and after a moment he respectfully said: "I also think it's very possible."
Yun Yilan's voice came from behind the screen, saying: "When I met Dao Xuan, he claimed to be a well-known and upright person. He always had the idea of letting go rather than killing the wrong person, and he praised me for it.
Zan, do you still remember?"
Shangguan Ce was startled. He didn't know why Yun Yilan suddenly mentioned this long-ago event, but he could only nod his head and said: "Yes, I was with senior brother at that time, and I remember clearly that Master Daoxuan did say so."
Yun Yilan smiled faintly and said: "But I think ten years ago, on the Tongtian Peak of Qingyun Mountain, what was his mood when he used the Zhuxian Ancient Sword to attack the disciple named Zhang Xiaofan? I'm afraid it was Ning who was wrong.
Don’t let it go!”
Shangguan Ce remained silent.
Yun Yilan laughed softly, and then said: "Go ahead! You should be in charge of the affairs here."
Shangguan Ce hesitated for a moment, then asked: "Where is Gui Li..."
Yun Yilan's voice came clearly from behind the screen.
"I would rather kill the wrong person than let him go!"
The muscles on Shangguan Ce's face moved, and then he nodded and said, "Yes."
After that, he turned around and left.
Soon after, his figure disappeared into the secret passage. A moment later, a low sound of a mechanism sounded, and it was obvious that he opened the secret door and went out.
In the silent stone room, Yun Yilan's laughter suddenly rang out, with a hint of desolation and a hint of ridicule: "You put all your thoughts on Xun'er, saying that he imagined it, thinking that I
Don’t you know? Three hundred years ago you neglected your duty and lost the Xuanhuo Jian, but three hundred years later, junior brother! You still haven’t made much progress!”
"Hehe, hehe..."
The desolate and desolate laughter echoed slowly in the cold stone room.
After leaving Tianxiang Residence, Shangguan Ce walked out of the door. Somehow, with his level of practice, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
He composed himself, pondered for a moment, and then walked outside. Taking familiar twists and turns along the way, he came to a rather majestic-looking palace, with three words hanging on the plaque:
Mountain and River Hall.
The name goes with this tall and majestic palace, and it really seems to look down on the world. I wonder if the ancestors of Fenxiang Valley built this palace to meet guests, thinking that one day, it would be the best in the world.
The taste of.
Shangguan Ce thought in his heart and walked in slowly.
There were people sitting in the hall. Except for the Fenxiang Valley disciples who stood aside, the guests here were mainly righteous people who came to greet them. There were about a dozen people, and Li Xun was sitting with them to accompany them.
In Shangguan Ce's eyes, the most important thing among them was actually the two people sitting at the top.
Lu Xueqi.
Dharma.
These two outstanding disciples of the two most famous sects today naturally represent the sect behind them. Therefore, although they are not as old as some other elders, they are ranked higher.
Faxiang was still wearing moon-white monk robes, with a kind smile on his face. He smiled and talked to Li Xun, and he responded appropriately. Li Xun and Faxiang had known each other for a long time, and they were somewhat happy to meet each other. They talked happily, but between talking and laughing, he
But his eyes occasionally glanced at Lu Xueqi, who was sitting next to the Prime Minister.
Shangguan Ce saw this situation in his eyes. When everyone saw him walking into the hall, everyone stood up one by one. Shangguan Ce returned the greeting with a smile, walked to the seat, and glanced at Lu Xueqi and Fa Xiang unexpectedly.
The two men saluted him at the same time. Lu Xueqi remained silent, while Fa Xiang smiled and said, "We haven't seen each other for many years. It's really rare that Master Shangguan is as healthy as ever."
Shangguan Ce shook his head and laughed: "I'm old, I'm old, I'm no longer useful." After saying that, he stretched out his hand to invite everyone to sit down.
He changed his mind. Over the years, Faxiang's reputation in Tianyin Temple and the world's righteous path has been rising. All parties believe that he is the next successor of Tianyin Temple, so this time he came on behalf of Master Puhong of Tianyin Temple.
, not unexpected.
But in Qingyun Mountain, it seems that they have heard that Xiao Yicai, a long-term disciple, is the most valued young disciple by Master Daoxuan. Of course, Lu Xueqi has also been very dazzling and powerful in the past few years. In addition, with her peerless beauty, she is talked about by the Taoist monks all over the world.
.
Shangguan Ce's mind was spinning, and he secretly guessed that Qingyun Sect sent Lu Xueqi for some other purpose, but naturally he would not show it on his face. Everything was as usual. He smiled and said to everyone: "Everyone, I'm here, Shangguan Ce. I would like to thank you all very much for this." Comrades are concerned about Bigu. The volcanic eruption a few days ago is indeed a normal change in the world. Thanks to your blessing, there has been no damage to Bigu."
The Dharma Minister smiled and said: "Amitabha, this is the best. However, after hearing these rumors, the owner of the Fenxiang Valley, Yun Yilan, seems to be in trouble with Senior Yun. My mentor, Master Puhong, has always been on good terms with Senior Yun, so he asked me to replace him. The old man came to say hello."
As soon as he said this, he revealed what most people here were thinking. After all, Fenxiang Valley was acting strangely here, especially since such a big thing happened, but the owner of the valley, Yun Yilan, never showed up, which was really strange.
For a moment, everyone agreed and focused their attention on Shangguan Ce.
Shangguan Ce smiled and said: "Actually, to tell you the truth, I just came here from Tianxiangju, the valley owner's residence."
Everyone's "ah" and "oh" sounds suddenly broke out. Shangguan Ce waited for everyone to calm down a little, stood up, cupped his hands to everyone, and said with a smile: "Everyone has expressed your concern and kindness. I have reported them to the Valley Master one by one. Yun Gu The Lord is extremely grateful. However, Senior Brother Yun is in seclusion at a critical moment and does not come out to meet guests. It is rude and I ask for your forgiveness."
After saying that, he smiled and clasped his fists, and Li Xun beside him also stood up and saluted with him.
Everyone looked at each other in confusion. After a while, Fa Xiang stood up and said with a smile: "Since Shangguan Donor has said so, Senior Yun must be in good health, so we can rest assured. We are really disturbed here."
Shangguan Ce and Li Xun said at the same time: "Where, where."
Fa Xiang glanced at Lu Xueqi beside him, and saw that the woman beside him had an expressionless face, almost as cold as ice, especially her face, which was almost pale and transparent, with a faint hint of desolation.
Fa Xiang smiled bitterly in his heart, knowing that Lu Xueqi would not take the initiative to speak no matter what, so he had no choice but to speak out for Lu Xueqi on her behalf and said: "Senior Yun is in good health, so that would be the best. In addition, Senior Brother Li Xun said this just now It seems that there are demons from the demon cult taking advantage of the chaos to cause trouble. Is there anything that needs our help?"
Shangguan Ce pondered for a moment and said: "The devils of the Demon Cult are very cunning and love to add insult to injury. They secretly attack the valley during natural disasters. It is really hateful. Fortunately, we have a tight defense and drove them out of the valley. Although we can't let this matter go. , but unfortunately we can’t find them now. Fenxiang Valley has sent out many disciples, and so far, except for some little people, only Senior Nephew Li Xun and Miss Lu Xueqi last night tracked down the Jin Ping’er of the Demon Sect’s Hehuan Sect. Unfortunately, they were let go again. She ran away. Now I don’t know how to trace her?"
Fa Xiang frowned, and everyone else was speechless. Moreover, the Demonic Cult is now very powerful, and Jin Ping'er is a well-known tricky woman in the world. Some righteous people with low moral standards may not want to offend her.
But here in Fenxiang Valley, due to various reasons, they actually don't want other factions to get involved.
At that moment, Shangguan Ce winked at Li Xun. Li Xun understood, took a step forward, cupped his hands and said: "I would like to thank you all for your kindness. However, Fenxiang Valley has tried its best to investigate this matter even though it takes time, so I will Don’t bother you guys…”
"Wait a minute!"
Suddenly, a cold word came from beside him.
Everyone was startled, and when they looked back, it was the frosty woman Lu Xueqi who had been silent all this time.
This aloof and cold woman in the eyes of everyone in the world has a face as cold as frost, but there is a faint glimmer in her originally cold eyes at this moment. I don't know what she is thinking in her heart?
"Those Demon Cult monsters," her voice echoed in everyone's ears, "mostly went to a place called Qili Cave."
Others immediately started talking, but Li Xun was shaken, and there was a strange look in Lu Xueqi's eyes.
"Last night when we were fighting with those demons from the Demon Cult, Senior Brother Li Xun and I both heard the demon Jin Ping'er's argument against..." Her voice paused for a moment before returning to normal, saying: "To the Demon Cult's Ghost King Sect's
Gui Li said "Qilidong" three words.
Shangguan Ce frowned and glanced at Li Xun. For some reason, Li Xun didn't tell him this news.
Above the main hall, everyone's eyes fell on Fenxianggu and the others. Shangguan Ce's mind turned, and then he smiled and said: "I didn't expect Miss Lu to have clues. In this case, Bigu immediately sent people to investigate. As for all of you colleagues,
In fact, there is no need to go, after all, this is the southern border, and you are just here to greet our Valley Master. So I understand your thoughts."
Everyone agreed.
Li Xun quietly stood behind Shangguan Ce in the crowd and looked towards Lu Xueqi. Last night he tracked Jin Ping'er and found out that Jin Ping'er was not inferior to him in moral conduct. Secondly, Jin Ping'er had always been cunning and tricked him repeatedly.
Get rid of it. When he was angry and remembered that Lu Xueqi was still in the abandoned Tianshui village, confronting Gui Li from the Demon Sect's Ghost King Sect, he hurried back.
Unexpectedly, on the way, he met Lu Xueqi who was returning with a sword. After meeting, he couldn't help but be shocked. At that time, Lu Xueqi seemed to have lost her soul. Her face was pale without a trace of blood, and her white clothes were even more bloody.
There is a little bit of bright red, which is the trace of blood.
In panic, he shouted repeatedly, which seemed to call Lu Xueqi back from her strange mood, but she only looked at him silently, and then went straight back to the Incense Valley.
What happened to this cold woman and the ghost Li who was once from the same family as her in the abandoned Tianshui village?
Is it a fierce fight? Is it a conversation?
Somehow, once Li Xun thought of this, an inexplicable anger surged in his heart.
His expression changed complexly according to his thoughts, and none of this escaped the eyes of Shangguan Ce and Faxiang.
However, these two people did not say a word, they were smiling and talking happily.
Finally, the other sects who decided to send greetings turned around. Since they had a close relationship with Fenxiang Valley and the news was provided by Lu Xueqi, Lu Xueqi and Faxiang stayed and went to Qilidong with the people sent by Fenxiang Valley to take a closer look.
Ichiban.
Almost at the same time, Gui Li, Xiao Bai and Xiao Hui appeared in front of Ma Tou Mountain.
Looking at the tall mountain that looked like a horse's head, Xiaobai smiled sweetly and said: "It is said that there is a deep cave on this mountain, and the dog god believed by the Miao people lives in the cave. There is a narrow mountain road at the foot of the mountain, only one person can walk, and he walked in
, which is Qilidong where the Miao people live."
Gui Li looked at the mountain in front of him expressionlessly, and walked forward silently without saying a word. From last night until now, he has not said a single word.
Xiao Bai stood behind, looking at his back, with a faint smile on his lips. He turned around and patted Xiao Hui who was lying on his shoulder, and said with a smile: "Then let's go."
Xiao Hui squeaked twice, grinned, suddenly jumped off her shoulder, ran forward in three steps and two steps, jumped up to Gui Li's shoulder with a whoosh, sat down, turned around and waved to Xiao Bai.
Xiaobai shook his head slightly, chuckled, and followed.