Mortal: Junior Sister Song Yu

A day later, the top ten disciples from the three sects in this year's Sword Trial Tournament, led by their respective Core Formation stage elders, gathered together and headed to the legendary forbidden area of ​​the three sects.

The group stopped in a miasma-filled area deep within the Yunmeng Mountains.

Ahead lay a valley completely shrouded in a thick gray fog, the fog chilling and carrying a contradictory aura of decay and rebirth.

At the entrance of the valley stands a massive, weathered stone monument with two large, blood-red characters engraved on it in ancient runes: "Forbidden Land".

The handwriting conveyed a chilling warning, as if it were a living thing, staring at every visitor.

Elder Dong, who was walking at the front, now looked much more serious.

He took out an ancient token engraved with the emblems of the three sects, took a deep breath, and poured his abundant spiritual power into it.

The token immediately emitted a deep hum, and a beam of light shot into the thick fog.

"roar--"

The surging mist seemed to awaken a sleeping giant, letting out an invisible roar before violently parting to both sides, tearing open a deep passage that could only accommodate one person at a time.

"Stay close! Don't look around, the fog here can erode your soul!" Elder Dong shouted in a low voice, and stepped in first.

No one dared to be negligent, and they filed in one after another.

The narrow path was dark and damp, with soft moss underfoot. After walking for about three miles, the sense of oppression grew stronger.

Just then, a soft green light suddenly shone through the air ahead, and everyone's spirits lifted. They quickened their pace, and the view before them opened up.

Everyone was so stunned by the sight before them that they held their breath.

A colossal tree, beyond description, stands in the very center of the valley.

Its trunk is so thick that it resembles a mountain peak, and it would probably take hundreds of people to encircle it. The bark has an ancient bronze color and is covered with dragon scale-like patterns.

The tree is thousands of feet tall, its canopy like clouds, almost completely obscuring the sky.

Sunlight can only filter through the gaps in the emerald-green leaves, turning into countless spots of light that fall down.

Most strangely, countless flexible branches, as thick as a baby's arm, hang down from the huge canopy like a green waterfall, eventually converging in a huge, vortex-like hole in the middle of the trunk.

At the end of each branch hangs a drop of crystal-clear liquid, which refracts a dreamlike luster under the light.

"This is the Tree of the Spirit Eye."

Elder Dong's voice carried a hint of reverence, "What hangs from the tree is 'Spirit Eye Elixir,' formed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth transformed by the sacred tree over a thousand years. Each person may take one drop and cultivate here for one day. Remember, this elixir is potent; one drop is the limit, so do not be greedy! Let us begin."

As soon as they finished speaking, Li Xiao and Song Yu exchanged a glance, both of them seeing excitement and anticipation in each other's eyes.

The two moved almost simultaneously, leaping into the air and landing lightly on two adjacent branches.

The branches, though seemingly supple, steadily supported the two people's bodies, and one could even feel the surging vitality within them.

Li Xiao reached out and carefully approached the end of the branch.

The drop of alcohol seemed to possess a spirit; it automatically detached from the branch, transformed into a beam of green light, and flew into his palm.

The liquid feels slightly heavy in the hand, with a texture as thick as mercury yet as smooth as silk. It has a refreshing light green color and is only about the size of a thumb, as if it contains a whole world.

He dared not delay, so he sat down cross-legged and, following the ancient method, carefully diluted the alcohol with his own spiritual power before slowly applying it to his eyes.

The moment the alcohol touched my eyelids, an extreme coolness, as if from the deepest ice of the underworld, instantly seeped into my eyes, then transformed into a cool trickle that irresistibly rushed straight to the top of my head!

Li Xiao groaned, feeling as if his entire mind had been thoroughly cleansed by an icy spring, all his distracting thoughts and fatigue swept away.

He immediately activated the "Golden Essence Technique," guiding this extremely pure energy to converge once again in his eyes, refining his divine sense.

"Senior brother, this pure liquid... it's amazing! I feel my sea of ​​consciousness boiling!"

Song Yu's delighted voice echoed in his mind.

A faint spiritual light emanated from her, indicating that she had gained even more.

"Concentrate and calm your mind; this is an incredible opportunity, don't be distracted for even a moment!"

Li Xiao responded in a deep voice, completely immersing himself in cultivation.

The alcoholic liquid circulated continuously through the meridians of his eyes, and with each cycle, it was as if his soul was being cleansed with the purest spring water.

His consciousness seemed to break free of invisible shackles, expanding wildly outward.

His divine sense, which originally could only cover a radius of one mile, now spread like a tide, covering one and a half miles, two miles... He could "see" the veins of every leaf in the valley, "hear" the subtle sounds of spiritual energy flowing in the air, and even "sense" an ant carrying food in the distance.

The whole world became clearer and more three-dimensional in his perception than ever before.

A day passes in the blink of an eye during cultivation.

As a gentle force roused everyone from their meditative state, Li Xiao slowly opened his eyes. Two dazzling golden rays, each about an inch long, flashed by, causing the surrounding air to distort slightly.

His divine sense had surged to a range of nearly three miles, and its strength and resilience were in no way inferior to those of a top cultivator in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage!

On the other hand, Song Yu's improvement was even more astonishing.

She was born with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, and her spiritual talent far surpassed that of ordinary people. Under the combined effect of the pure liquid and the mysterious spiritual eye stone in her sea of ​​consciousness, the magical power around her surged like a tide, and she actually broke through the bottleneck directly!

"Late stage of Foundation Establishment!" Elder Feng and Elder Dong exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

Song Yu's cultivation level actually broke through from the mid-Foundation Establishment stage to the late-Foundation Establishment stage in just one day!

Her spiritual sense range reached a terrifying ten miles, almost catching up with some cultivators who had just entered the Core Formation stage!

"A Heavenly Spiritual Root, truly a darling of the heavens." Li Xiao looked at his junior sister, who was radiant and whose aura was even more ethereal and otherworldly, and exclaimed sincerely.

When the day was up, everyone was transported out of the Sacred Tree space by a gentle force.

Elder Dong checked the cultivation levels of each disciple and nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, you've all made progress, especially Junior Nephew Song, who had a sudden enlightenment and broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage. Congratulations!"

However, a complex gaze fell upon Song Yu.

Bai Haozhi stood not far away, his eyes holding a hint of barely perceptible appreciation, and even a touch of regret.

He could clearly feel that the surging magical power within Song Yu's body had steadily overwhelmed him.

"Junior Sister Song."

He suddenly spoke, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, "To have attained enlightenment in a single day is truly commendable. If you have the leisure in the future, would you be willing to exchange more insights on the Dao of Formations with me?"

He emphasized the words "exchange formations" with particular force, carrying an undisguised sense of challenge.

Song Yu frowned slightly, but before she could answer, Li Xiao stepped forward and stood in front of her without making a sound. He smiled faintly and said, "Senior Brother Bai, you're too kind. Junior Sister has just broken through and her realm is unstable. She needs to go into seclusion to cultivate and is probably not free."

Bai Hao smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes: "Junior Brother Li is quite protective. Well, there's plenty of time in the future."

He gave the two of them a deep look, then turned and left, his aloof figure quickly disappearing into the crowd.

Elder Feng led the disciples of the Luoyun Sect onto the cloud boat, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy.

On the cloud boat, Li Xiao and Song Yu stood side by side, gazing at the churning sea of ​​clouds below.

"Senior brother, we've all made it into the top three this time, and you're definitely a true disciple now! When we get back, we'll tell Master this good news as soon as possible, and she'll be so happy!" Song Yu's face was beaming with happiness, and her clear eyes were full of anticipation.

"good!"

Li Xiao held her slightly cool hand tightly, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart.

Yes, Master must be very pleased to see their achievements now.

However, fate's jokes always come so suddenly.

As soon as the cloud boat landed on the main peak square of the Luoyun Sect, a strong sense of sorrow swept over them.

The once bustling square was now filled with mournful music. Countless disciples, dressed in plain white Taoist robes, looked grief-stricken, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Li Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and an extremely ominous premonition instantly gripped his heart.

"What happened?!"

Elder Feng's expression changed drastically. He grabbed a familiar disciple and asked in a stern voice.

Upon seeing Elder Feng, the disciple's eyes instantly reddened, and he cried out in a hoarse voice, "Uncle-Master Feng... you're finally back! Something terrible has happened! Our two Vice Peak Master Uncles... have perished!"

"What?!" These words struck Elder Feng like a bolt of lightning from the heavens. This late-stage Core Formation elder was so struck that he staggered and almost lost his balance.

"Explain yourself!!" Elder Feng's eyes were bloodshot as he grabbed the disciple by the collar.

"It's...it's a trap!"

The disciple in charge wept uncontrollably, "Three days ago, we made a major discovery in the search for Senior Brother Song Tianxing's disappearance. The three deputy peak masters, Uncle Liu, Uncle Wei, and Uncle Wang, personally led the attack, but who knew...who knew it was a vicious scheme devised by the Heavenly Fiend Sect and the Thousand Illusions Sect! They dispatched five mid-stage Core Formation elders to ambush us! Uncle Liu and Uncle Wang, to cover everyone's retreat,...died on the spot! Only Uncle Wei and...and Senior Sister Song returned severely injured. Senior Sister Song...she damaged her dantian foundation and remains unconscious to this day..."

Where is my mother?

A voice, seemingly emanating from an ice cave, rang out.

Song Yu's face turned deathly pale in an instant, devoid of any color. Her voice was hoarse, and her body swayed precariously, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

"In...in Bai Fengfeng's cave, but...but Granny Yao said that Elder Song's foundation is completely destroyed, her life force is cut off, and I'm afraid...I'm afraid her days are numbered..."

"mother!"

Song Yu's vision went black, and he could no longer hold on, falling straight backward.

Li Xiao pulled her into his arms; her thin body was cold and trembling.

His eyes were bloodshot, his heart was breaking, and holding Song Yu, he transformed into a blur and sped towards Bai Feng Peak like a madman!

Inside the cave, the strong smell of medicine was mixed with a deathly stillness.

Song Zhi lay quietly on the bed, her once charming face now withered and sallow, her breath as weak as a candle flickering in the wind.

She was originally a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator who was halfway to Core Formation, but now she had lost all her vitality and was no different from an ordinary person.

"mother!"

Song Yu broke free from Li Xiao's embrace, rushed to the bedside, and the tears that had been building up all the way finally burst forth like rain.

Seemingly hearing her daughter's call, Song Zhi struggled to open her heavy eyelids and saw that tear-streaked face. A weak smile managed to squeeze out from her withered face: "Yu'er...you...you're finally back..."

"Mother, hang in there! I have the best healing pills here... they can definitely save you!" Song Yu frantically pulled out a bunch of jade bottles of pills from her storage bag, trying to feed them to her mother in a flustered manner.

"Silly child...it's no use."

Song Zhi gently shook her head, her voice as light as a feather, "My dantian is shattered, my foundation is destroyed... no elixir can save me. Yu'er, don't waste your time..."

Her gaze passed over her daughter and landed on Li Xiao, who was kneeling before the bed. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions and reluctance: "Xiao'er... I have a request..."

"Master, please speak! Your disciple would gladly die for you!"

Li Xiao knelt down heavily and grasped her icy, lifeless hand.

"The one thing I worry about most in my life is Yu'er. She's aloof and doesn't understand social niceties. You're the only one in this world who watched her grow up. I've seen the affection between you two... I originally... I originally planned to preside over your dual cultivation ceremony when I came back this time... It seems I won't be able to see it..."

Song Zhi raised her hand with difficulty, her trembling hands trying to place their hands together. "Xiao'er... are you willing... to marry Yu'er and protect her for the rest of your life?"

With tears in his eyes, Li Xiao solemnly promised, each word dripping with blood: "Disciple Li Xiao! I am willing! In this life and the next, I will never betray Yu'er! If I break this vow, may I be struck down by heaven and earth!"

"well……"

Song Zhi smiled with relief and turned to her daughter, who was already sobbing uncontrollably: "Yu'er, are you... willing to marry me?"

With tears welling in her eyes, Song Yu nodded with unwavering resolve and shouted with all her might, "I am willing! I will marry no one but my senior brother!"

"Then...that's good..." Song Zhi's breath grew weaker and weaker, and her eyes began to glaze over.

Unbeknownst to them, Fairy Ziyuan had quietly appeared at the doorway. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she solemnly declared, "Nephew Song, rest assured, I, Murong Xi, am here today to witness the official marriage of Li Xiao and Song Yu! Heaven and earth bear witness to this vow!"

"Mother!" Song Yu cried out in anguish.

Upon hearing the word "willing" and the testimony of Fairy Ziyuan, Song Zhi revealed the last, most contented smile of her life.

She slowly closed her eyes, her breath completely ceased, but a smile remained on her lips as she passed away peacefully.

"mother--"

The heart-wrenching cries echoed throughout Baifeng Peak, bringing tears to the eyes of all who heard them.

Li Xiao held his distraught junior sister tightly in his arms, tears silently streaming down his resolute face.

He knew that from this moment on, he had lost even the last respectable elder in the world.

The Purple Iris Fairy sighed softly, silently turned and left, leaving this last space to the couple who had just been united but were now separated forever.

Three days later, Song Zhi was buried.

The funeral was simple; the burial took place on the back of Baifeng Peak, on a tranquil hillside facing a sea of ​​clouds.

The tombstone bears only one line of text: "Tomb of Song Zhi of Baifeng Peak, Luoyun Sect".

Li Xiao and Song Yu knelt before the tomb for three days and three nights, without speaking, drinking, or eating.

On the morning of the fourth day, Li Xiao helped the weak Song Yu to her feet and, facing the tombstone, said in a hoarse but firm voice, "Mother, don't worry, I will take good care of Yu'er."

"Mother, your daughter will listen to my senior brother and live well."

Song Yu leaned against Li Xiao's chest, his tears all dried up, leaving only endless sorrow.

For the next three years, the two observed mourning for Song Zhi, living in a simple wooden house on the back mountain of Baifeng Peak.

These three years have been three years of silence, but also three years of transformation.

Aside from visiting graves, they spend their days silently cultivating their spiritual practice.

Li Xiao channeled all his grief and anger into motivation to practice his swordsmanship.

Song Yu incorporated his longing for his mother into the deduction of the formation.

They didn't communicate much, but a glance or a gesture was enough for them to understand each other's feelings.

Grief, like a strong bond, tightly binds their souls together.

Inside the storage bag, the cultivation notes left by Song Zhi had been read countless times by the two of them.

On the last page of the journal were their last words:

"Yu'er, Xiao'er, if you see this page, it means I am no longer here. Don't grieve for me; the path of cultivation is fraught with peril. You must live well and support each other. Yu'er, you are simple-minded; listen to Xiao'er when you are out. Xiao'er, you are thoughtful, but also be considerate of Yu'er; she is your only family left..."

Every time Song Yu sees this scene, she bursts into tears again, while Li Xiao simply holds her in his arms silently.

The three-year mourning period has ended.

On this day, Li Xiao and Song Yu stood once again in front of Song Zhi's grave.

Li Xiao's cultivation has steadily reached the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage. His aura is several times more refined than it was three years ago, and his eyes are as sharp as knives.

He can now use his Instant Step three times in a row within a range of fifty feet, as fast as a ghost.

Although Song Yu's cultivation level remained unchanged, her eyes became increasingly clear and profound. She had cultivated her "Insightful Understanding" technique to a high level, and could clearly sense any trace of malicious fluctuations within a radius of several dozen feet around her.

Li Xiao looked at the tombstone, his fists slowly clenching, his knuckles making a cracking sound.

"Heavenly Fiend Sect, Thousand Illusions Sect..."

He spoke each word as if squeezed out from between his teeth, each syllable carrying a chilling coldness and murderous intent: "The blood of my Li family, the life of Yu'er's mother... I will repay this blood debt to you, penny by penny, with interest!"

"Senior brother..." Song Yu grasped his hand, her eyes showing no fear, only unwavering determination.

Li Xiao grasped her hand in return, his tone calming but revealing even greater determination: "Yu'er, don't worry. I won't act rashly before I have absolute strength."

"Senior brother," Song Yu raised her head, looking directly into his eyes, "I'll go with you!"

Li Xiao looked at her and nodded heavily.

...........................