The old crone was no longer a hunchbacked old woman, but a noble lady of cold, stunning beauty.
The black-robed woman was no longer an ugly woman, but a dignified and graceful beauty.
Within the chamber, whether it was Lan Feier, Shui Yunruo, or Huo Wu Chen Yue, they all recognized these two. The one disguised as the old crone was none other than the Taixuan Elder of the Nine Hua Alliance, Xiao Danrou, who also held another identity: the Hall Master of Cloud-Heart Hall.
And whether it was the title of Taixuan Elder of the Nine Hua Alliance or Hall Master of Cloud-Heart Hall, either identity was enough for her to walk unhindered across the Four Great Regions. Xiao Danrou herself was even one of the famously renowned Ten Phoenix Hairpins of the Four Great Regions.
The Ten Phoenix Hairpins were the ten most influential women in the Four Great Regions.
As for the one disguised as the ugly black-robed woman, she was the valley master of Xiaoxian Valley, Qing Zhu.
She was also one of the Ten Phoenix Hairpins of the Four Great Regions.
And the name Qing Zhu, valley master of Xiaoxian Valley, was known to everyone in the Four Great Regions. In the hearts of many, Xiaoxian Valley had long been revered as a sacred land, for its existence had almost become synonymous with healing the world and aiding the common people. Having been passed down for two thousand years, many senior experts of the Four Great Regions had their injuries treated at Xiaoxian Valley. By Qing Zhu's generation, her exceptional medical attainments were not only known to all in the Four Great Regions, but her reputation had even spread to the Great Northwest Territory.
These two women—one the Taixuan Elder of the Nine Hua Alliance and Hall Master of Cloud-Heart Hall, Xiao Danrou, the other the widely praised valley master of Xiaoxian Valley, Qing Zhu—were both among the Ten Phoenix Hairpins of the Four Great Regions.
Under ordinary circumstances, one was noble and coldly beautiful, holding an exalted status like the moon surrounded by stars.
The other healed the world and aided the people, her virtuous name spreading far and wide.
Yet these two individuals had now disguised themselves and come here to snatch a spiritual treasure.
After recognizing them, Lan Feier, Shui Yunruo, and Chen Yue could hardly believe their eyes.
And when Xiao Danrou and Qing Zhu realized their identities had been exposed, a trace of awkwardness flickered across their expressions.
They could no longer concern themselves with the exposure of their identities; they were more eager to figure out what was happening now.
The five women looked at each other. They could all see something was wrong in each other's eyes, and they were very certain that everyone seemed to share this feeling.
"What on earth is happening?"
Xiao Danrou felt her whole body weak and limp, without a shred of strength. It seemed she could barely stand steady. She took a few steps back and said, "Qing Zhu... Qing Zhu, you... you are highly skilled in medicine... do you know... what... what is the reason?"
Qing Zhu was no better off than her. The other women's hearts jolted, their faces paling with shock. Then they all looked toward Gu Qingfeng in the corner. They still clearly remembered this fellow saying this place was a trap, and a bizarre one at that, claiming someone had used some Mystic Breath to lure them here.
He also said...
That if they didn't leave soon, it would be too late.
Originally.
No one had believed him.
Because they had carefully inspected the Cave Manor Eye several times and found no so-called Union Bliss Flower. But now, they began to doubt.
Although none of them had ever seen the Union Bliss Flower or been enveloped by its Mystic Breath, at this moment they were all absolutely certain they had definitely fallen victim to the Mystic Breath.
Heavens!
Everything this fellow said was true!
It was also at this moment that they realized the horror of the situation.
Thinking of this, the five of them no longer dared to hesitate. They immediately sat cross-legged, trying to see if they could expel the Mystic Breath.
Unfortunately, it was useless. No matter their cultivation level or what profound immortal arts they employed, nothing worked. Chen Yue attempted to use her Xiantian bloodline, but failed.
Lan Feier tried to use her Xiantian inheritance, also failing.
Shui Yunruo attempted to use her Xiantian treasure body, failing as well.
It simply wouldn't work. Exerting all their strength not only had no effect.
They were like this, and Xiao Danrou was no exception. She felt herself on the verge of collapse and murmured, "Qing Zhu... you... you are proficient in medicine... is there... is there any way?"
Was there a way?
The answer was definite.
No.
"It's no use. The Mystic Breath befuddles the mind, disturbs the heart-spirit, tempts the heart-soul, and confuses the heart-realm... No matter how powerful one's cultivation or Xiantian endowments, they are of no avail..." "But... he... he... why is he unaffected..." "I... I don't know..." Qing Zhu shook her head, her gaze fixed on Gu Qingfeng.
Lan Feier collapsed on the ground. Shui Yunruo and Chen Yue were no different, and neither were Xiao Danrou and Qing Zhu.
In the corner.
Gu Qingfeng sat cross-legged. He appeared perfectly normal.
And indeed, that was the truth.
He cultivated the Great Freedom Heart Sutra. His mind, heart-realm, heart-soul, and heart-spirit had long since transcended.
What was Great Freedom?
It meant acting according to one's own will, following one's heart's desires, with all matters centered on the self. I exist, therefore I am free.
In this world, it was only a matter of whether he was willing or unwilling, wanted or did not want.
If he was unwilling, if he did not want, nothing in heaven or earth could affect his mind.
Let alone a mere Mystic Breath; even if he ate the Union Bliss Flower, it would be no different from chewing a blade of grass.