At dusk, the sea and the sky merge into one color. The distant beach becomes less crowded, the fishing market at the foot of the mountain becomes empty, and the whistling sea breeze blows into the carved corridors, making the grass and trees in the courtyard rustle.
The sword realm exuded a hazy, soft white light, covering most of the courtyard, and making the surrounding scenery much brighter. The phantom of the famous wind swirled, sometimes turning into thousands of swords, or merging into one, gorgeous and ethereal, the original moves, the modified moves... were demonstrating the perfect Gu Ying swordsmanship.
In the sword realm, the sword energy is brilliant and the collision is fierce;
Outside the sword realm, there is no sound of swords, no sword energy, and it is silent, with only the sound of wind.
Gu Pinglin looked at the vague, ghostly white shadow in the sword realm, then turned to look at the person on the embroidered couch.
Next to the rugged rockery, under a dry old tree, Duan Qingming was half lying on an embroidered couch, seemingly resting with his eyes closed.
The fact that he could use his divine power to simulate the sword realm in the Waidan realm was enough to shock the cultivation world. However, Gu Pinglin already knew what he was capable of, so he was not surprised and simply walked to a suitable position to watch openly.
About half an hour passed, the sword realm disappeared, and Duan Qingming opened his eyes: "Have you had enough of peeking?"
Gu Pinglin asked, "How can it be called peeking when the sword is dancing in the court?"
Duan Qingming stood up and said, "I've suffered a great loss. You saw everything."
Gu Pinglin said: "Looking at the light means looking at the whole picture, not hiding something, covering up something, or pretending to be compliant."
"Scold me again," Duan Qingming said, "Are you so sure there's a trick up your sleeve?"
Gu Pinglin thought without hesitation: "'Phoenix Shadow Resting on the Wutong Tree' is not as good as 'Goose Shadow in the Clouds', and is not worthy of being the last move of Gu Ying Sword Technique."
Duan Qingming smiled and said, "Well, although I have a trick up my sleeve, I still lack an opportunity to perfect it, so I can't be considered to be lying to you." Seeing Gu Pinglin looking around, he added, "There is a moon-viewing banquet on Linggui Island. Shun Shigong sent people to invite them, but they all went there first."
"I didn't go!" A man jumped down from the roof of the corridor. It was Cheng Yi. He clapped his hands and smiled at Gu Pinglin, "Hey, you didn't notice me!"
Gu Pinglin said: "I didn't find out, but I guessed it. Brother Cheng promised to deliver the letter for me."
Cheng Yi exclaimed, "Oh, that's right, you are so smart!"
Gu Pinglin took out a letter and handed it to him: "The Qi family's master went out to sea the day before yesterday to visit Lingwu Island. They will pass by from the sea a hundred miles south tonight. Brother Cheng, please run this letter to the family elder Qi Zhen and tell him that the person he is looking for is in Penglai."
"That's easy," Cheng Yi took the letter, "I'll go." After saying that, he disappeared like a wisp of smoke.
Duan Qingming sighed, "This is the result of trusting you. Poor cousin Wan'er, he was used as a favor in the blink of an eye."
Gu Pinglin said calmly: "Returning to the Qi family is not a bad thing for him."
Duan Qingming said: "This is not like the affectionate and righteous Gu Xiaojiu."
Gu Pinglin said: "My loyalty is only to the Lingxin Sect."
Duan Qingming stood up from the couch after landing on the ground with his long legs. "Qi Shisan has gained a little from this trip outside the mountain. If Qi Zhen saw this change, he might not stop him. You are considering him, but he will definitely blame you."
"I'm not thinking about him, I just want to ask for a favor from Qi family," Gu Pinglin said, "Qi family sees you as a thorn in their side, I don't want Lingxin Sect to be implicated, since you want to prove the truth with me, I hope you can stay calm from now on and stop causing trouble."
"That's wrong," Duan Qingming said, "Am I a person who likes to stir up trouble?"
Gu Pinglin said decisively: "I hope you can be more self-aware."
Duan Qingming laughed: "I hope you can count how many words we said from beginning to end. How many times did you scold me? Since you became the head of the sect, you have been rude to me and have completely ignored our close friendship as brothers."
Gu Pinglin looked him straight in the eye: "Duan Qingming, if you die one day, it must be because of this mouth."
Duan Qingming laughed and said, "So, you betrayed Qi Shisan for me. Would you be so nice to me?"
"Am I not good to you?" Gu Pinglin said, "I do want to kill you, but as you said, I care more about Lingxin Sect. As the head of the sect, how can I not love talents? Although you and I were enemies in the previous life, I have to admit that you are a peerless genius, and I also admire you a little. Now that the past is over, you want me to follow you, and I hope you can work with me to promote Lingxin Sect."
"Is that so?"
"certainly."
Duan Qingming narrowed his eyes slightly, and did not continue the topic. He walked towards the gate and said, "It's getting late, let's go."
Gu Pinglin stopped talking and followed him out of the courtyard.
At nightfall, a full moon hangs obliquely on the eastern sea, like a pearl emerging from the water. Under the moonlight, the sea seems even deeper. Dots of luminous beads are sparsely dotted among the grass, trees, rocks, and rocks, like fireflies, illuminating the road.
The black cape fluttered steadily, blending in with the darkness of the night, making the young leader look majestic. The people around him looked graceful and calm.
The two walked side by side towards the Fairy Snake Island Pier, and guards would stop to greet them from time to time along the way.
"How long will it take to perfect the final move?"
"You want to see?"
"The Bu Tian Jue is even better than the previous life. I am more looking forward to seeing the complete Gu Ying Sword Technique than you are," Gu Pinglin said, "How about calling this move 'Magpie Bridge Shadow Dispersion'?"
"What a nice name," Duan Qingming said, "The magpie bridge is scattered, which seems a bit unlucky. Is it also the name I came up with?"
Gu Pinglin said: "Because that battle was a complete break."
Duan Qingming said "Oh" and didn't ask more about the battle: "Then do you still want to watch it?"
"Of course," Gu Pinglin said, "I have never held a grudge against you for what happened before, so why would I mind a name?"
"Don't hold a grudge against me for what happened before," Duan Qingming said casually, "Isn't your obsession that your Dao meridians have been abolished?"
Gu Pinglin paused: "It's true that this incident is hard to forget, but it's also true that I don't hate you."
Duan Qingming smiled and said, "When the shadow of the magpie bridge disappears, you will see it."
"I do..." Gu Pinglin paused, "I'm looking forward to seeing it."
Unlike the quietness of Fairy Snake Island, Linggui Island was bustling tonight. There were people coming and going on the roads and streets, including local fishermen and cultivators, as well as disciples from various sects who were not eligible to attend the moon-viewing banquet, all of whom came out to play under the moonlight. The luminous beads were as big as fists, like small suns, illuminating the roads and pavilions, and even the sea breeze seemed to have become much warmer.
As soon as the two got off the boat, a warm waiter came to greet them. They walked along the road, and at every intersection, there was a waiter to guide them in the direction.
The moon-viewing banquet was held at the "Waterfall Viewing Platform" opposite the Fairy Waterfall on Linggui Island. On the fairy pond, a small stone peak rose from the ground, several dozen feet high, with the top flattened to form a platform, with only two long suspended bridges in the east and west connecting to the outside. There was a stone at the bridge head with three large characters "Waterfall Viewing Platform" engraved on it.
The two walked along the long bridge to the waterfall viewing platform.
This place is facing the Baizhang Immortal Waterfall, and there is a soundproof barrier around it, so you can hear the sound of water, but it is not too noisy. There are railings on all four sides of the platform, which can accommodate about a thousand people. Dozens of tables were set up for banquets, and many guests have already taken their seats. To the east are the sects and families, and to the west are the independent cultivators. Because of Nanzhu's instructions, Lady Ming arranged the Lingxin Sect among the first-class sects and families. The location is very good, just on the periphery, not too conspicuous, and not to make the big sects and families dissatisfied, and the scenery outside is better, which shows that she has thought it through.
The two were led by the waiter to their seats, but Jiang Ruoxu and the others were not there. It turned out that this moon-viewing banquet was for everyone to enjoy the moon, the waterfall, and the flowers at will, without any rules or restrictions. Jiang Ruoxu and the others probably went to drink with acquaintances, and Bu Shuihan should have gone to find Qu Lin.
Countless guests were walking around holding wine glasses and wine jugs, laughing.
"The moon is beautiful, and the flowers are beautiful," Duan Qingming walked to the railing, "It's a good time to enjoy the beautiful scenery together."
There was a flower bed at the edge of the platform. It was summer now, and all kinds of exotic flowers and plants were in full bloom, with a fragrant smell. Where he was standing, there happened to be a field of peonies blooming outside the railing, with clusters of flowers, which was extremely gorgeous.
Gu Pinglin walked up to him and said, "I remember the first time we met was in the peony garden."
Duan Qingming said: "Peony is the king of flowers. Since we have the king of flowers, why should we look at other flowers? When I appreciate the peony, I am appreciating all the flowers."
If it's not the best, it's not worth a glance.
Just as Gu Pinglin was about to speak, a waiter came over and whispered, "Young Master Yao has something urgent to do. Please ask Sect Master Gu to come over."
Duan Qingming laughed beside him and said, "Your favor is going to run away."
Gu Pinglin did not respond to his teasing: "Do you know the Moon Returning Light Scroll?"
"Hmm..." Duan Qingming said, "I've never heard of it. Why are you asking this?"
"Nothing." Gu Pinglin turned around and let the waiter lead the way.
There was a hidden little pavilion below the viewing platform, facing the waterfall. The pavilion was embedded in the stone wall, hidden in the shadows of moonlight and pearl light. There were a few old vines hanging outside, making it very inconspicuous. Yao Feng and Qi Wan'er were arranged to stay here.
Qi Wan'er looked very unhappy. Seeing Gu Pinglin, she thanked him and said, "Thanks to Brother Gu's advance warning, I just got the news that the head of the family was visiting Lingwu Island and passing by. Our Qi family has a good relationship with Lingwu Island. I'm afraid they are coming for me. If they send a letter to Uncle Duan, it will be difficult for me to get away. Therefore, Brother Yao and I decided to leave the island immediately and say goodbye to Brother Gu."
Gu Pinglin asked, "Does the South Island Master know that you two have left?"
"I've asked someone to invite them," Qi Wan'er sighed and said irritably, "It seems that Ji was right to report the incident. Women are bad people!"
As they were talking, Nanzhu hurried down with the waiter and said, "You two must leave before we drink the wedding wine?"
Yao Feng looked ashamed: "It was helpless, please don't blame me, Island Master."
Qi Wan'er stepped forward and bowed solemnly: "Today's impoliteness is all because of me. I hope that Master Nandao will forgive me. Qi Shisan will come to apologize in the future."
"Since we are friends, how can you say such things?" Nanzhu stopped him and said seriously, "Am I an unreasonable person? I have asked them to prepare the boat just now. You two can follow the waiter and leave the island quickly."
Qi Wan'er was overjoyed and thanked him.
Nanzhu secretly used his internal energy and tapped the stone wall a few times with his fingers. With a slight sound, a stone door appeared out of thin air on the stone wall, and a secret passage inside the door led directly to the bottom of the pool.
"There is a teleportation array at the spiritual vein at the bottom of the pond," the waiter bowed and said, "Please come in, both of you."
Qi Wan'er and Yao Feng both bowed and said, "See you later."
Nanzhu and Gu Pinglin also said, "Take care, both of you."
After saying goodbye in a hurry, Qi Wan'er and Yao Feng followed the waiter into the secret passage and left, and the stone gate then disappeared.
Nanzhu turned around and said to Gu Pinglin with a wry smile: "Mr. Pingcang told me everything. I didn't expect that there was a demonic force behind the Ji family. I wonder how many secrets this cultivation world has hidden. What does Penglai count for? I thought things were too simple."
Gu Pinglin said: "Brother Nan, it's good that you know what's going on. Is there anything wrong with Aunt Ji?"
"Aunt Ji doesn't seem to be unusual," Nanzhu thought for a moment, "but a few disciples have disappeared on the island recently."
"Hmm?" Gu Pinglin frowned.
"He's not an important person. It happens all the time." Nanzhu waved her hand and said, "The guests are waiting. I'll go up first. You don't have to stay here alone. The view up there is great."
Gu Pinglin agreed, and after he left, he also followed the stone stairs back to the platform.
The bright moon was hanging high in the sky, and most of the pearl light was extinguished. The entire waterfall viewing platform was bathed in the silver moonlight. The platform became more and more lively, and guests walked around in groups of three or five, and waiters shuttled among them. Jiang Ruoxu and others had not returned yet, and Duan Qingming was surrounded by a group of children from aristocratic families. He held a wine glass in his hand and moved among them with ease.
Someone exclaimed, “Ascension Waterfall!”
Under the moon, mist was floating in the fairy pond. A gust of wind swept up the water, causing the waterfall to flow backwards, forming the wonder of "Ascending Waterfall", which amazed everyone.
Gu Pinglin sat down at a table not far away and looked at the man in plain clothes reflecting the moon, with a smile on his thin lips and a cold look in his eyes. The gorgeous peony beside him had its bright color washed away by the moonlight, and behind him was a silvery, majestic fairy waterfall, like a black and white ink painting.
The waterfall swayed in the wind, and my mind was in turmoil.
In the cold secret room, someone was leisurely wiping the Gu Ying sword.
"The pupil demon Xin Ji obtained the Nine Chapters of Spirit Refining, but was too foolish to know its true value, and was killed by his apprentice instead."
"The Wanfa Sect and Master Weifeng are fighting fiercely. Fighting for power and profit is always so boring."
"This world is far less exciting than when you are here."
…
"A hundred years will pass. If I ascend, you will be reduced to ashes." He suddenly laughed and sighed, put down his sword, and leaned down. "If the years go back and time goes back, do you think everything will become interesting again?"
The red shadow at the corner of the eye is very strange, making the gaze seem a little crazy.
"I wanted to take you to break through the realm and find a chance to survive, but I accidentally glimpsed the rules of the changes in the world and refined a scroll of tracing the moon and returning the light. If you activate it, you can reverse the flow of time and deceive the world."
Gu Pinglin was in mixed mood.
Before the Heavenly Dao, it was impossible for him to take me to the Ascension. The idea alone was too absurd. If it was true as he said, the Moonlight Scroll could reverse the flow of time, then he himself would not be spared if he had not broken through the realm and left. The Ninth Layer Pill God, who achieved enlightenment in one step, did he really give up the opportunity to ascend to the Ascension that was within his grasp and try again
After a while, the man stood up again, coughed lightly with the side of his face, and showed a rare bit of weakness.
What price must be paid to refine such a heaven-defying item as the Moon Tracing Light Scroll? Is his mental abnormality related to this
Gu Pinglin's heart tightened.
The man stopped coughing and became flawless again.
"Someone used Nanzhu to plot against you, so I took advantage of Nanzhu. You are so smart, but you don't even know you were plotted against."
He sighed and suddenly laughed.
"That's right, you should just look at me."
"Nanzhu, Duan clan, Xuanming sect, Guangling sect... your ruthless father and stupid brother, all those who hunted and bullied you have paid the price."
"Also, the person behind the scenes."
…
His cultivation was damaged and he was facing a powerful sect in the Demon Realm. How could it be so easy to kill him!
Gu Pinglin suddenly opened his eyes and stood up: "Wait a minute!"
It was unclear who the low shout was meant to stop, as it was drowned out by the exclamations from all around.
"Soul Sword!"
"Sword Demon Yan Sen!"
"Master Gu, be careful!"
…
The Soul Wood Sword emerged from under the waterfall viewing platform, the sword shadow hovered in the air, and dozens of sinister black sword auras went straight for Gu Pinglin!
The murderous aura stirred up a gust of wind, causing his robe sleeves to flutter. Gu Pinglin turned sideways to look at the Soul Wood Sword, clenched his fist slightly, and then released it the next moment.
At some point, a full moon appeared in the sky.
The huge moon with a bloody halo shone so brightly that it overshadowed the full moon that was originally hanging high in the sky.
The moonlight is vast, an eagle is flying under the moon, it is the night of the fifteenth day of the lunar month, the sword moves with the power of the moon pour down, blocking the attack of the soul sword!
There was a sudden silence all around.