Above the open sea.
A white-haired woman in a white dress stood upon the azure surface of the ocean.
Her embroidered shoes touched the water, sending ripples spreading out in circles.
The deep sea, ordinarily boundless, now perfectly reflected the woman’s figure.
For hundreds of miles around her, every creature, from the common fish to the Fierce Beasts of the deep, trembled in terror.
It was as if she needed only to lift a foot clad in one of her Cloud Pattern Embroidered Shoes and tap the surface of the sea, and their very souls would scatter to the winds.
A mile away from the woman in white, a female Daoist in a Daoist Robe walked step by step toward her.
A young female disciple followed the Daoist Master, her gaze fixed on the white-haired woman with lingering fear as cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
The silent dragon’s might was like a great mountain, nearly crushing Li Sisi and leaving her breathless.
When Fuchen was less than ten ters from the white-haired woman, Li Sisi gently tugged on her master’s sleeve, looking up at her with fear in her eyes.
Fuchen gently patted her disciple’s hand and continued forward.
Finally, Li Sisi summoned her courage and followed her master.
Fuchen walked to the white-haired woman’s side and looked at her profile.
The white-haired woman’s head was bowed. Though her eyes were a brilliant gold, they felt as dark as a starless night.
She clutched sothing tightly in her hand, pressing it to her heart, as motionless as a statue on the sea.
"He’s gone."
After a long silence, the white-haired woman spoke, her voice hoarse, betraying how long she must have been crying.
"This humble Daoist knows," Fuchen nodded. "I’m sorry. I could not intervene."
"I know. Behind you stands the Tianxuan Sect, which seeks to remain aloof from worldly affairs. As an Elder of the Tianxuan Sect, you were not at liberty to act."
Bai Ruxue slowly opened her palm.
There lay a single, silvery-white Snake Scale.
It was the only thing she had left of him.
"So it is understandable that you did not act. I have no reason to demand that Elder Fuchen intervene. But sothing has occurred to , and I wish to ask Elder Fuchen about it."
Bai Ruxue slowly lifted her head, turning to look directly into Fuchen’s eyes.
"Elder Fuchen, in that ancient text I read, the one called *Guihai*, is the description of Dragon Thunder Liquid true?"
Bai Ruxue clenched her small hands. "Can Dragon Thunder Liquid truly extend one’s life?"
As soon as Bai Ruxue finished speaking, Li Sisi glanced at her master.
"It cannot."
Fuchen shook her head calmly.
"The purpose of Dragon Thunder Liquid, when consud by a Cultivator, is to improve their Spirit Vein and enhance their Root Bone. It cannot directly extend one’s life."
"And if an ordinary person consus it?"
"If an ordinary person consus it, it can forcibly create a type of Acquired Spirit Vein, allowing them to begin cultivation. However, this Acquired Spirit Vein would be incredibly fragile. Unless their innate talent is truly exceptional, they would find it difficult to reach Foundation Establishnt. Furthermore, it is only effective if consud before the age of ten."
Bai Ruxue lowered her head, gazing at the Snake Scale in her hand.
Even though she had long suspected the truth, hearing her guess confird sent Bai Ruxue’s heart plunging into a bottomless abyss.
"*Guihai*... to return to the sea..."
The sea breeze gently lifted strands of Bai Ruxue’s hair.
"I had never seen this book before. But on that day, when Xiao Mo gave the River Map and told to journey the rivers, I just so happened to see it.
If I’m not mistaken, this book... it must have been written by Xiao Mo, wasn’t it?"
Fuchen nodded again. "Yes. At the ti, Xiao Mo entrusted the Governor of Jiangnan State to send a package. Inside was a letter and a book. That book was written by Xiao Mo.
He knew you were searching for a way to extend his life in the Tianxuan Sect’s Library Pavilion.
But he knew even better that everything you were doing was a futile effort.
Xiao Mo wanted to do one last thing for you before he passed away.
So he asked to place that book where you would easily find it."
"Just as I thought." Bai Ruxue bowed her head. "Everything he did... it was always for ..."
"Miss Bai..."
At their side, Li Sisi finally couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke up.
"Miss Bai, you should leave, quickly! Those Cultivators have already locked onto your position and are on their way now. I’m sure... I’m sure Mr. Xiao wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. He would want you to live on..."
"Are they coming?" Bai Ruxue gazed into the distance. "So they’ve finally co?"
"Miss Bai..." Li Sisi took a step forward, about to say more, but her master stopped her.
"Daoist Master Fuchen, the two of you should go. It is not appropriate for you to be here," Bai Ruxue said slowly, her tone utterly lifeless.
Fuchen’s brow furrowed. She glanced at Bai Ruxue, then finally turned and started to walk away. "Sisi, let’s leave for now. We shouldn’t disturb Miss Bai."
Li Sisi looked at Bai Ruxue with worry, wanting to say more. But when she saw those vertical golden pupils, devoid of any life, she could only close her mouth and follow her master, glancing back every few steps as she left.
Not half a cup of tea’s ti after Fuchen and her disciple departed, hundreds of Cultivators descended from the sky.
Bai Ruxue’s long legs strode forward from beneath her dress. She lowered her head, gathering the long hair that covered the nape of her neck. As she walked, she tied the silvery-white scale around her neck, finally tucking it down into the collar of her dress, where it rested against her heaving chest.
When the crowd of arrivals saw Bai Ruxue standing on the surface of the sea, they were sowhat puzzled.
They had assud her injuries were too severe, forcing her to stop and rest.
But from the looks of it, she seed to have been waiting for them.
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