Embers of Sword

Chapter 653 Two Thoughts
While Xie Xuanyi and Master Junshan were talking near the Talisman Well, Deng Baiyi and Jiang Huang, who had not seen each other for a long time, were strolling in the Tianyuan Secret Realm Forest.

Since we parted ways in Carp City.

The two never saw each other again.

When Deng Baiyi first embarked on the path of cultivation, her knowledge was limited, and she failed to discern Jiang Huang's true form...

However, after becoming Tang Fengshu's disciple, she belatedly realized that something was wrong.

The Nine Bright Phoenix Fire Array is a top-tier array pattern in the world. Not only are the array patterns complex, but it also requires "Phoenix Fire" as a catalyst.

Xie Xuanyi had lied to him, saying that Jiang Huang had a special constitution, so activating the great formation required the use of her hair and blood essence.

Deng Baiyi foolishly believed it for a long time.

When they met again, she immediately noticed the difference. In just one year, the little guy's energy and blood had far surpassed her own, comparable to the "perfected state of a grotto-heaven".

Such a speed of cultivation can only be matched by reincarnated immortals.

In this world... how many reincarnated immortals are there?

This little guy.

It's probably a true pure-blooded phoenix.

"Sister Baiyi, I miss you."

"Practicing boxing is so boring, so incredibly boring..."

"Do you know a really good steamed bun shop at the foot of Jian Gong Mountain? I'll treat you to some later!"

"...Oh right, there's a really good noodle shop in the capital!"

The little guy tugged at Deng Baiyi's sleeve, shaking it vigorously, his steps light and quick, skipping all the way.

The first two people she saw after she was "born".

One is Xie Xuanyi.

The other one is Deng Baiyi.

Demons instinctively regard the first person they see as their "closest relative"... Therefore, these are the two people she likes and is closest to the most.

Although Deng Baiyi was smiling, there was worry in her eyes.

After the conversation in the talisman courtyard ended, Xie Xuanyi found the two of them. Jiang Huang tactfully let go of Bai Yi's sleeve, leaving the opportunity to be alone with her brother.

……

……

The spiritual energy in the Tianyuan Secret Realm is extremely rich, comparable to the golden age a thousand years ago before the great calamity.

This is why plants and trees grow exceptionally well.

Deep within the secret realm, giant trees provided ample shade, and dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, showering the two figures upon them.

"Thank you, Zhen..."

Deng Baiyi spoke subconsciously, but immediately realized something was wrong after uttering the name.

The Xie Zhen standing before him now was no longer the same Xie Zhen.

Xie Zhen... is Xie Xuanyi.

"Thank you, Lord Mountain Master."

Deng Baiyi silently changed her form of address, her voice tinged with self-deprecation: "Perhaps I should have guessed it sooner."

Xie Xuanyi's identity was not difficult for her to guess.

That time when he left the country on a diplomatic mission.

She began to have doubts.

only……

Deng Baiyi asked herself, does it really matter who Xie Zhen really is?

"sorry."

Xie Xuanyi was silent for a moment, then said, "Many people want to kill me... so..."

very beginning.

He and Deng Baiyi were just casual acquaintances; he was only responsible for sending her out of Yuzhu Town.

Fate is always like this; once things become entangled, they are difficult to untangle. No matter how Xie Xuanyi, who had just awakened after being released from his coffin, thought about it, he probably couldn't have imagined that a seemingly ordinary demon-slaying incident in Yuzhu Town would sow so many seeds of karma. He had saved Deng Baiyi's life earlier.

When she was in danger while leaving the country, she also saved herself.

One cause, one effect; one drink, one bite.

"What's there to apologize for?"

Deng Baiyi laughed and said, "If I were you, I would also hide my identity. But I wouldn't dare to call myself 'Xie Zhen,' because that name sounds like it would attract a lot of trouble."

Xie Xuanyi has many enemies.

Xie Zhen is the same.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuanyi couldn't help but smile.

In fact, Deng Baiyi is right. If one really wants peace and happiness, one should completely change one's name, hide one's face, and hide in the deep mountains... But if that's the case, what's the point of living a second life?
"From now on, I'll call you 'Master Xie'."

Deng Baiyi suppressed her smile and said seriously, "When you become the head of the Sword Palace, I will start calling you 'Headmaster Xie'."

“Miss Deng…”

Before Xie Xuanyi could speak again...

She immediately said, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore..."

After a slight pause, Deng Baiyi changed the subject: "If I'm not mistaken, is Miss Jiang Huang the phoenix you brought back from your northern hunt?"

Many people in Da Chu know the story of Xie Xuanyi when he was young.

Of course she is no exception.

Back in Yuzhu Town, Deng Baiyi had grown fond of the Great Eagle Sword Immortal, and when news of Beihai's death arrived, she was deeply saddened by it.

"Yes...and no."

Xie Xuanyi was silent for a moment, then said frankly, "She has given birth to a new divine soul. The one you see now is not the one from back then."

"I see it."

Deng Baiyi said calmly, "Jiang Huang is kind-hearted and innocent... She is a good child, but there is another wisp of divine thought hidden in her divine sea."

After becoming the master of the Tianyuan Grand Array.

Deng Baiyi...

He could no longer be considered a "Qi Control Realm" cultivator.

She became a very special existence because, due to Xiaoyaozi's "delegation of authority," she could almost mobilize the vast energy of the entire secret realm. Correspondingly, after this energy was focused on her, she also possessed extremely keen "sensing," and even an alternative supernatural power that did not belong to the Qi Control Realm.

"I previously taught some powerful demons a lesson in the Shadow Wall Cave."

Deng Baiyi said softly, "The wisp of divine thought hidden in Jiang Huang's divine sea is somewhat similar to these great demons... The original owner of this wisp of divine thought is probably not someone to be trifled with, is he?"

"good."

Xie Xuanyi nodded.

In the demon kingdom, the strong prey on the weak. To thrive in this environment and become a powerful being, one must not be weak.

Xie Xuanyi's battle with the phoenix was fraught with danger... This great demon was indeed extremely warlike and ferocious.

"Actually, having 'evil thoughts' is nothing."

After hesitating for a long time, Deng Baiyi slowly revealed her true feelings: "There is black and white, turbid and clear, good and evil in this world. Even the saintly Zen master of Fanyin Temple has moments when he has evil thoughts. Great demons are inherently warlike, so it is perfectly normal for this wisp of divine thought to contain 'evil thoughts'... But it is not appropriate for these two wisps of divine soul to be separated."

Xie Xuanyi, puzzled, frowned slightly: "What do you mean by that?"

"Do you know that there's someone imprisoned in Tianyuan Mountain...?"

Deng Baiyi's voice was hoarse and somewhat somber: "That person is Chongkan. Because of his cultivation of One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones, he split his 'divine thought' in two. The wisp of his incarnation that follows the thought of Great Peace has been imprisoned here for a long time and cannot leave."

Xie Xuanyi was taken aback.

He recalled the battle at Yunhai and the life-giving fire that inexplicably ignited on Grand Master Chongkan's body... and immediately understood Deng Baiyi's meaning.

"The finest things in the world are not durable; colorful clouds easily disperse, and glass is fragile."

"I hope Jiang Huang can always be like this, happy and carefree..."

Deng Baiyi lowered her eyes and said with concern, "But after seeing the existence of that evil thought, I'm worried that she will become like Chongkan in the future."

(End of this chapter)