The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Someone actually found this place?"

Deep within the dark cave, the guard's voice was low and alert.

"Whoever it is, kill them without mercy."

The other voice was even colder.

"Anyone who attempts to hinder the Palace Master's great cause will only have one path—death."

The blade flashed.

They didn't even ask who the visitor was, nor did they give him a chance to speak.

To the Heavenly Apostles who guard this place, intruders have only one identity: enemies.

Since they are enemies, there's no need for further words; just kill them.

However, the flash of the blade went out as soon as it appeared in the darkness.

A bright arc of light flashed by.

"I'm sorry, but many people want to kill me. Unfortunately, you are not skilled enough. On your way to the Yellow Springs, please give my regards to your palace master."

The Snow Soul Fan arrived through the air, its surface drawing a cold, silver arc in the darkness before spinning once and silently returning to its owner's hand.

The guards who rushed out didn't even have time to scream before they fell to the ground.

Their knives were still in their hands, not a single drop of blood had yet stained the blades.

"It seems that Sister Zhi was quite polite to me before."

Kong Sangyu's fingers had just moved away from the jade flute at his waist.

He didn't even have a chance to make a move.

"You know that's good. Let's go."

Tang Xixue put away her Snow Soul Fan, took out a mask and handed it to Kong Sangyu, then put it on herself.

"Wear this properly to avoid inhaling the Crimson Dust Gu."

A silver mask covered most of his face, revealing only a pair of cool, aloof eyes.

"You all stay put and wait for us to come back."

The two left Yin Kong and Bai Tang on the back of the Azure Scaled Eagle.

Two little white kittens were perched on the eagle's back, their fluffy heads huddled together, looking incredibly adorable.

But as soon as they turned and stepped into the cave, the two little ones leaped up and landed lightly in their arms.

A faint aura emanated from them, like a transparent veil, enveloping their tiny bodies.

"Since they want to come, let them come along, lest they sneak in."

Kong Sangyu looked down at Bai Tang, who was rubbing against his clothes, and shook his head helplessly and indulgently.

He knew they were afraid of danger inside and didn't want to leave their owner.

"Um."

Tang Xixue responded with a sound of agreement, without saying anything more.

Yin Kong perched on her shoulder, his blue eyes warily fixed on the darkness ahead.

On her wrist, a silver dragon of wind and snow coiled into a silver ring, radiating a faint dragon's might.

But Yin Kong and Bai Tang were not afraid at all, and even curiously poked their heads out to examine the small silver dragon.

The Snow Dragon also raised its head slightly, looking at the two little white cats, as if they were communicating silently.

A moment later, an invisible wind surged from them.

The wind was gentle and soft, like a transparent barrier, surrounding Tangxi Xue and Kongsang Yu.

The Crimson Dust Gu, permeating the depths of the cave, would silently repel itself upon touching this wind barrier, unable to get close.

Thank you.

Tang Xixue spoke up.

She knew that the spirit beasts were protecting them.

Neither she nor Kong Sangyu had a natal Gu within their bodies.

To the Crimson Dust Gu, they are like two blank sheets of paper, most easily written on and invaded.

Stepping into the lair of the Crimson Dust Gu is an extremely dangerous undertaking.

But none of them stopped, and none of them hesitated or wavered.

"Sister Zhizhi, look ahead!"

Kong Sangyu's voice suddenly stopped, and the boy's voice carried an almost shocking solemnity.

Tangxi Xue raised her head.

The cave suddenly opened up before us.

The enormous dome rises high, like a natural underground palace.

Above this underground palace hangs a giant crimson nest.

Like a crimson heart, it hangs upside down on the top of the stone wall, its surface covered with countless fine lines that undulate slowly and regularly in the darkness.

With each rise and fall, tiny specks of crimson light escape from the nest, like drops of blood splattering from a heartbeat.

"This is the Crimson Nest! Inside the nest are countless newly born Crimson Dust Gu."

They are waiting for the moment to break out of the nest.

The entire giant nest was like a malignant tumor hanging between heaven and earth, which could burst at any moment and pour countless Gu worms down on the human world.

"Let the flames burn them all away."

Tang Xixue gazed at the crimson nest, her eyes more serene than ever before.

She took out a longbow from her spatial storage.

Its silvery-white body is long and slender, shimmering with light.

She took the arrow, nocked the string, and drew the bow. Her movements were fluid and graceful, without a single wasted moment. The arrowhead burst into flames, as if the rising sun had coalesced within them.

"Whoosh—"

The arrow pierced the air.

The flames drew a dazzling arc in the darkness, like a shooting star traveling against the current, before crashing into the Crimson Nest.

Golden flames licked the crimson nest walls, like a silent trial.

The moment the Gu mother in the nest was engulfed by flames, she let out an extremely faint and piercing wail.

The crimson nest ignites when exposed to fire, and flames instantly engulf the entire cave.

A wave of heat hit them, and even the transparent wind barrier surrounding them was scorched and rippled.

At this moment, Kong Sangyu felt that Tang Xixue was even more dazzling than the flames!

"Sister Zhi, you're so cool!"

He suddenly realized that what had been shot by the arrow was not Jiang Chao, but his heart.

In his heart, Sister Zhi used to be as gentle as a spring breeze.

But now, this Sister Zhi is as radiant as the rising sun.

He couldn't take his eyes off either of them.

At the same time.

Zhiyue Courtyard.

Moonlight streamed through the windowpanes, falling on the faces of the sleeping children.

Their eyelashes trembled slightly, like tender yellow buds about to break through the soil in spring.

Then, a child rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up.

"Huh? How did I fall asleep?"

"It's already dark, how long have I been asleep?"

Another child has awakened.

Then, more children woke up.

Anyone in this area who was infected with the Crimson Dust Gu was awakened as the Gu Mother in the Crimson Nest was burned to ashes.

They looked around blankly, as if waking from a deep dream.

In my dream, there was an endless red mist.

Now that the fog has lifted, they have awakened.

"Walk."

Inside the cave, Tang Xixue turned around and pulled Kong Sangyu up.

The two transformed into streaks of light and sped toward the cave entrance at top speed.

Behind them, the cave had been transformed into a sea of ​​fire.

The flames surged like waves, chasing their retreating figures.

They rushed out of the cave.

A chilly breeze swept over me, carrying the scent of snow and pine resin.

Fortunately, the mountains were covered in deep snow, with every inch of land blanketed in white. No matter how fierce the flames raged inside the cave, they could not ignite the snow-covered forest outside.

Otherwise, the fire would surely have spread.

However, as soon as they stood firm, they were met with dozens of cold gazes.

The Heavenly Apostle of Fengxiao Pavilion.

They were stationed nearby and, alerted by the fire, had already formed ranks and were waiting.

The cloak and long robe blended almost seamlessly into the snow-covered landscape.

"Follow my way, offer my sincerity."

They chanted in unison, their voices echoing through the empty snow valley with an eerie reverence.

"Beneath the nine heavens, all lives are sacrificed."

The Reincarnation Pendant lit up in his palm. Its light was cold and profound.

Tang Xixue placed her hand on the hilt of the Longevity Sword.

The sword was not yet drawn, but its sword intent had already spread.

"Trying to stop me? You think you're worthy?"

However, before her sword was drawn, its gleam had already fallen.

The sword light descended from the heavens, as swift as lightning.

All the Heavenly Apostles fell before they could even see the newcomer clearly.

One after another, they fell like withered branches blown down by the wind.

A clear, cool voice descended from the clouds.

"Sister-in-law—I've come to pick you up."

The sound was clear and pure, like a mountain stream flowing over jade.

It was clearly a very pleasant voice, yet it carried an innate detachment, as if every word spoken was separated from this world by a thin layer of frost.

The person who came was the Holy Son of Moon Brahma, Yun Boyan.