"So that's why you've become so mystical and cryptic lately, you little imp. Turns out you learned it all from that Nameless woman. Jin'er, you should see less of her in the future, better yet, stay far away from her."
"Ah! Big Brother, Nameless Empress said you've always had a deep misunderstanding about her. It seems that's really the case."
"I have no misunderstanding about her, just pure aversion."
"Jin'er knows why Big Brother is averse to Nameless Empress. Actually... Nameless Empress isn't what Big Brother thinks she is. Even though Nameless Empress is the envoy of Karma and the incarnation of fate... she... she cannot graft Karma, nor arrange fate, much less control anyone's Karma or fate."
"That's exactly why I'm averse to her. You say she can't even graft Karma, can't even arrange fate, yet she has the nerve to call herself the envoy of Karma and incarnation of fate. Next time you see that Nameless woman, help me pass on a message."
"What message does Big Brother want Jin'er to pass on?"
"Tell her: if your head isn't big enough, don't wear such a big hat. Just stay quietly at home. Don't go around wearing the hat of Karma and Fate, pretending to be a divine prophet, spouting nonsense."
"Ah! Big Brother!"
Little Jin'er frowned. "How can you say that about Nameless Empress?"
"I've said it. What can she do about it?"
"Nameless Empress will hear it."
"So what if she hears it? Am I afraid of her?"
"No wonder Nameless Empress gets angry whenever she mentions you. Big Brother must have said a lot of bad things about her."
"Calling her a little woman is being polite. If I see her in the future, believe me, I'll slap her across the face."
"Big Brother, stop talking. We know you're impressive, alright?"
"Oh? Little girl, from your tone, it sounds like you're not convinced?"
"Hmph! Jin'er is not convinced. What are you going to do about it, Big Brother?"
Gu Qingfeng leaped up, landing right on Jin'er's white horse. He laughed heartily, "Today, I'll let you see just how impressive Big Brother can be!"
"Ah! Big Brother is so bad! Don't! Ah, it tickles! Big Brother, Jin'er was wrong..." Over here, Gu Qingfeng and Little Jin'er laughed and played.
Meanwhile, within the Cloud Mist Sect, a major event was unfolding—at least, a major one for Huode.
At this moment, in a courtyard of the Cloud Mist Sect, Huode and Feiyue stood obediently.
Opposite them, seated in the courtyard's pavilion, was a woman.
This woman wore magnificent attire, appearing stunningly beautiful, dignified, and noble. Her aura and presence were both incredibly powerful.
Both Huode and Feiyue knew this woman. Her name was Nalan Qianqiu, both the senior sister of Empress Su Hua and a respected Empress of the Immortal Dao, holding a pivotal position in the Immortal Dao and even the Great Wilderness.
Though they knew Nalan Qianqiu, it was merely an acquaintance, having met a few times without any deep friendship. They had no idea why Nalan Qianqiu had suddenly descended upon the Cloud Mist Sect.
Huode lowered his head, pondering inwardly whether Nalan Qianqiu had come for Gu Qingfeng. As he was lost in thought, Nalan Qianqiu's voice rang out.
"Huode, there's something I want to ask you. I hope you answer truthfully."
"May I ask what matter Empress Qianqiu wishes to inquire about?"
Since Nalan Qianqiu was a respected Empress of the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao, Huode naturally dared not be negligent, his words and demeanor serious and restrained.
"Has he... truly returned?"
Upon hearing this, Huode's heart skipped a beat. Sure enough, Nalan Qianqiu had come for Gu Qingfeng. Feigning confusion, Huode asked, "I'm not sure who Empress Qianqiu is referring to..."
"Why pretend ignorance with me? Must I spell it out clearly?"
"This..." Huode wasn't sure whether he should tell Nalan Qianqiu about Gu Qingfeng's return. With others, playing dumb might have worked, but facing an Empress of the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao like Nalan Qianqiu, it was likely impossible to hide. After much deliberation, Huode finally nodded. "The Gu kid... has indeed returned."
"Is he in this world right now?"
"He should be."
"What do you mean 'should be'?"
"The Gu kid was at Cloud Mist Sect yesterday. He said he was going out for a stroll and hasn't returned yet."
"So he left Cloud Mist Sect yesterday and hasn't returned until now, correct?"
"Yes."
"Where did he go yesterday? Did he go to Elixir-Eater Town?"
Hearing this question, Huode was startled. He remembered clearly that when Gu Qingfeng left yesterday, he had indeed said he wanted to go to Elixir-Eater Town for some delicious food. But how did Nalan Qianqiu know? Puzzled, he asked, "Has Empress seen the Gu kid?"
"He really did go to Elixir-Eater Town!"
Nalan Qianqiu took a deep breath, her expression looking extremely anxious. Standing beside her was an old man in gray robes, who also wore a panicked look. "This is terrible. The one who took Jin'er away from Elixir-Eater Town yesterday must have been... must have been the You Di."
Hearing the old man mention Jin'er, Feiyue asked nervously, "Is Jin'er here too?"
Huode also looked puzzled. "Empress, did Jin'er come with you this time? And what happened at Elixir-Eater Town? Did the Gu kid take Jin'er away? When did this happen?"
"Jin'er arrived long ago."
Huode and Feiyue exchanged glances. "But we've never seen Jin'er."
"That's because she deliberately avoided you."
"Avoided us? Why would Jin'er avoid us? And why did she come here?"
"To find the You Di."
"What!" Huode asked in shock. "How did Jin'er know the Gu kid had returned? Wait, didn't Jin'er lose her memories? Why would she come here looking for the Gu kid?"
Nalan Qianqiu did not respond, merely standing there quietly with her eyes closed, her face full of worry.
Beside her, the old man in gray robes spoke. "You two are unaware, but Jin'er's past memories have long since been restored... After regaining her memories, she sneaked out alone to wait for the You Di here. Empress was worried about Jin'er's safety, so she had me secretly follow her. Just yesterday, Jin'er went to Elixir-Eater Town to chat with Patriarch Luo Xuan. There was also a mysterious man. They talked for a long time, and then that mysterious man took Jin'er and disappeared."
"I searched every corner of this world but couldn't find Little Jin'er. So, I immediately informed Empress. It was only now that I realized that mysterious man must have been the You Di."
At this point, the old man sighed with deep remorse. "It's also my fault for being careless."
As he spoke, the old man knelt down. "I beg Empress to punish me!"
"This has nothing to do with you. You've never seen the You Di before, so it's normal not to recognize him. Moreover, even if you had recognized him as the You Di, what could you have done?"
Nalan Qianqiu shook her head slightly, murmuring, "All of this is predestined... long predestined..."