Chapter 1052: For the Severed Past Twenty-One

Outside the Sun family's residence, Hu Yun lay on a branch of a large willow tree, his lips twitching slightly. He knew She Ji would definitely not harm Sun Yiqiu, but he had noticed Sun Yiqiu's 'little brother' foaming at the mouth.

However, Hu Yun didn't know what Sun Yiqiu and She Ji had done in the dream. After all, this was a true "dream-entering" technique, not the kind of dream Madam Zao had previously described where only a wisp of consciousness travels. Therefore, unless Hu Yun also entered the dream, he wouldn't know what transpired, especially since Sun Yiqiu had experienced nocturnal emissions before.

Yet, Hu Yun could still perceive the faint sadness She Ji subtly revealed as she departed. He had to admit that, as a fellow demon, he harbored no ill will towards She Ji; in fact, he even admired her "dare to love, dare to hate" spirit.

If it were possible, even for a human-demon romance, Hu Yun would have wished for them to become a couple. However, based on rational judgment, he knew that Sun Yiqiu had a more suitable match, and She Ji had her own significant troubles.

For some reason, feeling She Ji's sadness, Hu Yun suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for her. His mind was in a turmoil. He tried to get up several times but ended up lying back on the branch, choosing not to reveal himself. He could only sigh.

"Alas!"

"So, the little fox knows how to sigh now?"

Ji Yuan's voice suddenly sounded in his ear, startling Hu Yun so much that he sat up abruptly.

"Mr. Ji?"

Hu Yun looked around from the willow branch, but he couldn't see Ji Yuan. There was no sign of him, not even a hint of his aura.

"Calm your mind."

Ji Yuan's voice spoke again. Hu Yun made an effort to compose himself, then regulated his breathing and closed his eyes slightly.

After a few breaths, his inner being rippled like still water. Hu Yun seemed to sense Ji Yuan's presence, not through his aura or physical form, but through an inexplicable, profound feeling.

Hu Yun opened his eyes and looked towards a spot under the tree. There was nothing there, yet it felt as if Mr. Ji was standing right there. His sight and spiritual perception seemed to be deceiving him; only his spiritual intuition faintly registered a presence. Dimly, it seemed Mr. Ji was standing under the tree, observing the Sun residence.

"Mr. Ji, are you really here?"

"I am here, and yet not here. I stand beneath the tree, and I also sleep soundly in the small pavilion."

Hu Yun froze for a moment, then a sudden jolt ran through him. He wasn't thinking of a simple out-of-body experience, as this was clearly on a different level. He recalled a rumor about Mr. Ji, one that had never been truly confirmed yet was believed by some.

"Drunkenly lying on his couch, he slays demons in his dreams!"

"Tell me why you sighed."

Ji Yuan's voice came again, faint and elusive, almost like a hallucination. Hu Yun suppressed his other thoughts and, after a moment of silence, replied, following his intuition.

"Perhaps because I am also a demon, and I know about Sister Bai's situation, I feel some sympathy for She Ji. Mr. Ji, why does She Ji today give me a sense of, a sense of..."

Hu Yun pondered, finally managing to think of a word.

"Why does she give me a sense of fragility?"

She Ji's demeanor was not mere reluctance and sorrow; it was a complex emotion that couldn't be faked. It contained confusion, hesitation, joy, and relief, as well as profound sadness and reluctance.

But that night at the temple fair, She Ji spoke with full confidence. Even injured now, she shouldn't be so drastically different. The mountain god had clearly said before that she had fallen truly in love and constantly wished to see Sun Yiqiu.

Ji Yuan's voice remained silent for a long time; he was, in fact, pondering deeply.

"Hu Yun, do you think Li Dongdong can compete with She Ji?"

This made Hu Yun recall their conversation at the temple fair, but as the words reached his lips, he frowned again. Ji Yuan's voice, however, quickly resumed.

"Compared to Li Dongdong, She Ji is powerful in every respect: her beauty, physique, wealth, even a fabricated family background, and all the novelty and satisfaction she can offer Sun Yiqiu. Yet, She Ji is also vulnerable because she understands herself and the current situation. Because she has fallen truly in love, she will neither harm Sun Yiqiu nor wish for him to be in danger."

Ji Yuan paused, then continued.

"For a demon cultivator like She Ji, with such a clear spiritual mind, she possesses an inherent sense of the heavenly will. Perhaps she already knows she's embroiled in a tribulation, though she might not fully grasp that she faces both an old external enemy and an internal emotional tribulation. What a difficult path!"

After that remark, Ji Yuan's voice was silent for a long time. Hu Yun waited on the tree for quite a while before tentatively asking.

"Mr.? Mr. Ji? Are you still there?"

"Ah, he's gone."

The moon hung in the tranquil night sky. Ji Yuan, who had been lying inside, opened his eyes, got up, and opened the door, allowing the moonlight to stream into the room.

In the courtyard, only Lu Shan Jun was sitting cross-legged under the tree. Hearing the door open, he opened his eyes and stood up.

"Master!"

"Where is Elder Ying?"

Lu Shan Jun pointed to the guest room next to them.

"Lord Ying Dragon also went to rest. He said he'd stay here to watch over you, lest you wander off again before your children arrive."

"You make it sound as if I enjoy playing hide-and-seek..."

Ji Yuan mumbled a retort, then walked out into the courtyard, looking up at the bright moon in the sky and the splendid starry river.

"Master, Hu Yun this time..."

"It won't be easy for him!"

Lu Shan Jun frowned and spoke after a long moment of contemplation.

"Alas, ever since that boy carried the painting down the mountain, he's been destined for great things, yet his constant smooth sailing has made it difficult for him to truly grasp the Dao. This time, he's on his own; I won't help him!"

Ji Yuan looked at Lu Shan Jun and suddenly smiled.

"Haven't you helped him enough already?"

The usually stern Lu Shan Jun couldn't help but show a hint of embarrassment.

"It is this disciple's fault! Please punish me, Master!"

Ji Yuan shook his head and went back into the house.

What an overprotective big brother!

After a few steps, Ji Yuan stopped again and looked back at Lu Shan Jun.

Or perhaps... an overprotective brother of a sister?

Ji Yuan averted his gaze, couldn't help but rub his temples, then went back inside to catch up on sleep.

Lu Shan Jun was bewildered by Ji Yuan's look and couldn't help but ponder its meaning, sensing his master had a deeper intention. He also secretly worried for Hu Yun.

'Could it be that if Hu Yun is truly in danger this time, even Master won't intervene? Is it really that serious? Or am I, too, caught in a tribulation without realizing it?'

Lu Shan Jun sat down cross-legged once more. As he meditated, his slightly closed eyelids occasionally trembled.

'Is this a warning for me not to interfere so casually anymore? Yes, perhaps my clumsy intervention would completely ruin Hu Yun's path. This good-for-nothing fox, making Master worry right after his return! And I, this unworthy disciple, am a disgrace to Master's teachings!'

In the Celestial Realm's Luxuan Cloud Sea, the Northern Heavenly Mother's Cloud Sea Dharma Assembly was underway. Much like the Immortal Gathering Convention, the assembly grounds were immense. Various celestial gods and cultivators were seated in distinct areas, forming smaller gatherings within the grand assembly. Some individuals, wishing to discuss the Dao in private, had their own secluded spaces. It was common for attendees to instantly connect with others or invite a few friends to gather and observe, discuss the Dao, or simply chat, with no overly rigid constraints.

At the southwestern edge of the Luxuan Cloud Sea, near a cloud grotto, a pavilion floated in mid-air. The upper level of this pavilion had no walls, only supporting pillars, offering unobstructed views of the cloud sea in all directions. From here, one could also witness the compelling discussions and demonstrations of various magical arts taking place at the assembly. It provided both tranquility and a clear view of all the exciting events.

Guests granted access to such a pavilion undoubtedly held considerable status.

Inside, about a dozen guests were seated. Some sat directly on the floor, while others reclined, propping themselves up with their hands, taking in the various sights. Each found their own insights and enjoyment, occasionally engaging in conversation and discussion.

A man in close-fitting attire ascended to the pavilion and approached a yellow-haired man seated in the center. This man had long, flowing yellow hair and wore loose Wu-style robes that exposed his chest, giving him a dashing and unrestrained appearance.

"Great Sage, it appears the Heavenly God of the Thunder Ministry located that individual earlier."

"Oh?"

The yellow-haired man turned to look at the newcomer.

"With lightning like a mirror illuminating heaven and earth, the Heavenly God of the Thunder Ministry certainly lives up to his reputation! I presume he wasn't able to apprehend them, was he?"

"Just as the Great Sage predicted, it's said that someone intercepted them. Furthermore, the two Heavenly Gods seemed to have reservations. Though they acted strictly due to the imperial decree, they sensed something amiss when the heavenly lightning struck the demonic creature and have already submitted a request for investigation."

The man restrained his smile and nodded.

"The Thunder God has eliminated countless evils and subdued numerous demons; his lightning is an extension of his own body. When lightning strikes a demon, it's naturally not surprising that he can discern its nature. By the way, how did she escape?"

"It is said that someone intervened."

The yellow-haired man narrowed his eyes.

"Who?"

"Uh, initially, that minor mountain god intervened, claiming damage to the mountain terrain, but that was like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot. Subsequently, a female cultivator of considerable spiritual attainment stepped in to block the heavenly lightning. She introduced herself as Hu Yun, stating that she knew Lady Ying and Lady Bai, and that her sect had old ties with the mountain god. The Thunder God already harbored doubts, so he readily returned to the Celestial Realm."

"Bai Ji and Chi Long? Hu Yun? Surname Hu? Is she a fox demon?"

The yellow-haired man looked at the newcomer and questioned him, while the latter frowned and shook his head.

"I don't know about that. The Thunder Ministry's written report didn't mention it; it only stated she had considerable spiritual power but made no mention of the character for 'demon.' Uh, Great Sage, if there's nothing further, I'll take my leave."

"Oh, thank you!"

The yellow-haired man sat up, cupped his hands in greeting, watched the newcomer depart, and then fell back into thought. Bai Ji and Lady Ying were both renowned female demon cultivators.

"Hu Yun... I seem to have heard that name somewhere before?"

"Hahahaha, Brother Mihuang, have you found a clue regarding what you're pondering?"

"Brother Mihuang, why such deep thought? Let us drink first!"

"Is there anything we can help you with?"

"Hahahahaha, it's a minor matter. Please, everyone!"