After listening to Zhu Xia's words, Gu Qingfeng didn't say anything.
Because he could completely understand this matter, so naturally there was nothing to say. The only thing that made him somewhat puzzled was the so-called great fortune.
Upon inquiry, Zhu Xia responded, "The Bing Xuan Heart and the Yanyang Heart were refined by the Empress back then using the sources of water and fire. If they can be perfectly fused, unlocking their inner mysteries, achieving immortality would be a certainty..." "If they truly were refined from the sources of water and fire, then fusing them would indeed present no difficulty in achieving immortality."
Gu Qingfeng knew of the sources of water and fire. This thing was considered one of the top origins within the Natural Order, extremely precious. If perfectly fused, it would be equivalent to merging with the Natural Order itself. Once merged, one would possess the Natural Order's protection, and becoming an immortal would only be a matter of time.
Looking at Zhu Xia, who was utterly dejected and filled with despair, Gu Qingfeng spoke up, "You needn't lose heart. The sources of water and fire are not something that can only be perfectly fused through Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation."
Hmm?
Hearing this, Zhu Xia couldn't help but tremble all over, seeming extremely agitated. "Could it be, Venerable Lord... you... you have another method?"
"I cannot be certain for now, after all, I have never come into contact with the Bing Xuan Heart, nor do I know what mysteries it truly contains."
Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then said, "How about this: hasn't Leng Yanqiu already fused with the Bing Xuan Heart? Where is she now? Take me to see her. Let me examine the Bing Xuan Heart first."
"Venerable Lord, you..." If anyone else had said these words, Zhu Xia naturally wouldn't have believed them. After all, the Bing Xuan Heart and Yanyang Heart came from Yun Nishang's hand. The Empress said that only Dual Cultivation could perfectly fuse them and unlock their inner mysteries. Since the Empress said so, it must be true.
But it just so happened that these words came from Gu Qingfeng's mouth, instantly rekindling hope in Zhu Xia's originally despondent heart.
She knew Gu Qingfeng's identity, and she knew his capabilities even more.
Even the Empress said Gu Qingfeng's existence was peerless in heaven and earth.
Then he...
Not daring to hesitate, nor to think too much, Zhu Xia hurriedly kowtowed in thanks.
Gu Qingfeng raised his hand to lift her up, asking, "No need for superfluous words. Take me to see Leng Yanqiu."
With an excited heart, Zhu Xia led Gu Qingfeng into the Ice Profound Sect's spiritual vein underground palace. On the way, hearing that Zhu Xia had imprisoned Leng Yanqiu here left Gu Qingfeng quite unable to understand.
"Venerable Lord, you may not know. I spoiled that girl Yanqiu since she was young, so her personality is somewhat arrogant and willful. But her heart is still kind. Since I dared not reveal your identity, when that girl heard I wanted her to undergo Dual Cultivation with you, she was very..." The remaining words, Zhu Xia absolutely dared not utter.
Gu Qingfeng shook his head, smiling faintly. "You forced a woman to do something she dislikes. No one would agree, let alone becoming Dual Cultivation partners."
"Fortunately, Yanqiu still listens to me somewhat. After some persuasion, she finally agreed."
"Since she agreed, why did you still imprison her here?"
"Ah!"
Zhu Xia sighed heavily. "Although Yanqiu agreed verbally, her heart might still... Most importantly, the Yanyang Heart has always been in the hands of the Nine-Hua Alliance. The Alliance also knows the secret of the Bing Xuan Heart and Yanyang Heart. Some people have always wanted to get their hands on Yanqiu. I was worried she might go astray, so I had no choice but to imprison her here."
Indeed, Zhu Xia knew that while Yanqiu agreed verbally, her heart must be resistant.
Since she dared not reveal Gu Qingfeng's identity, she also couldn't explicitly state how formidable Gu Qingfeng's abilities were.
That's why she went to great lengths to hold this celebration and invite Gu Qingfeng. Firstly, to intimidate those Edict Envoys; secondly, to intimidate the Nine-Hua Alliance; and at the same time, to take this opportunity to let Leng Yanqiu witness Gu Qingfeng's capabilities.
In Zhu Xia's mind, it would be best if Yanqiu agreed. If she didn't, it wasn't important. As long as Gu Qingfeng agreed, everything would be fine.
Now, although Gu Qingfeng refused Dual Cultivation, he was willing to lend a hand. This made Zhu Xia's heart surge with excitement and immense gratitude.
Of course, she understood clearly in her heart that the reason Gu Qingfeng was willing to help was entirely out of respect for the Empress.
The facts were exactly as Zhu Xia thought.
When Gu Qingfeng arrived at the Ice Profound Sect and discovered those Edict Envoys hiding in the shadows, he had already guessed Zhu Xia's purpose: nothing more than wanting those investigating Yun Nishang's Edict Envoys to know of his existence.
Yes.
He knew.
Originally, he didn't want to get involved. But the appearance of that painting made him change his mind.
After learning that Hongxiu was the reincarnation of Yun Nishang's bloodline, perhaps his sense of guilt towards her gradually dissipated. But there was one point Gu Qingfeng had to admit: throughout his five hundred years of cultivation, Hongxiu had been secretly accompanying him. Every time he encountered danger, she would appear in time, and she had even saved him before.
Perhaps Hongxiu did this for the sake of karma.
But for Gu Qingfeng, the fact that Hongxiu saved him was real.
That's why he changed his mind.
Not for the so-called karma, but to repay the debt of gratitude he owed Hongxiu.
As for Zhu Xia's personal motives, since he was already here, if he could help, he might as well do so. Zhu Xia was Hongxiu's person. Helping her could also be considered a way of repaying Hongxiu's kindness.
Hearing Zhu Xia mention the Yanyang Heart, Gu Qingfeng asked, "How did the Nine-Hua Alliance learn the secret of the Bing Xuan Heart and Yanyang Heart? It seems quite a few people know about this."
Gu Qingfeng knew that hiding in the shadows of the Ice Profound Sect were not only Edict Envoys but also some special individuals. Although that group hadn't shown themselves, they were all concealed in the shadows, constantly probing with their spiritual senses.
"I have also been investigating this matter, but so far, I haven't been able to find out anything. There are too many hidden experts within the Nine-Hua Alliance; I dare not delve too deeply. As for who exactly holds the Yanyang Heart, I truly do not know."
As she spoke, Zhu Xia seemed to remember something and added, "I have always felt the existence of the Nine-Hua Alliance is highly suspicious, yet it doesn't seem to be targeting the Empress. Otherwise, the Bing Xuan Heart probably wouldn't have been preserved at all. I have always suspected..." Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow. "You suspect the Nine-Hua Alliance's existence is targeting me?"
"I dare not speculate recklessly, I only have my suspicions."
Hearing Zhu Xia say this, Gu Qingfeng thought carefully. It did seem a bit like that. If they were targeting Yun Nishang, why didn't they seize the opportunity during the Cataclysm to snatch the Bing Xuan Heart, but instead specifically took the Yanyang Heart, which was karmically linked to him?
This was indeed worth pondering.
Shaking his head, he didn't continue thinking about it. Following Zhu Xia, they walked into the main hall of the spiritual vein underground palace. Zhu Xia approached a stone door, then removed a bracelet from her wrist, bit her finger, and dripped blood onto the bracelet. The bracelet immediately bloomed with radiant colors. Then, Zhu Xia pressed the bracelet against the stone door. The stone door emitted a glow—it was an array formation.
After the array formation activated, the stone door gradually opened.
"Yanqiu..." Zhu Xia called out Yanqiu's name. But when she walked in, the stone chamber was empty.