The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Immortal."

The white-clad ghost hovered in midair, bowing respectfully to Yun Yanshuang as she appeared.

"Lead the way," Yun Yanshuang commanded coldly, her tone devoid of emotion.

"Understood."

The ghost obeyed without hesitation, well aware that her destination was the place where Wang Liyuan had discovered the fabled Life and Death Cicada.

With a swirl of pale mist, she transformed into a wisp of spectral smoke and drifted deeper into Wanlong Mountain.

"Follow her," Baili Moxue said, her gaze sharp as she leapt forward, chasing the ghostly guide.

Through the dense forest, the trio—Baili Moxue, Yun Yanshuang, and Yun Wenxuan—followed the ghost's trail for an indeterminate amount of time. Along the way, they encountered countless fiendish beasts and malevolent spirits, narrowly avoiding danger time and again.

Finally, they arrived before a dilapidated bamboo house, its structure half-collapsed and enveloped in an eerie stillness.

"Immortal, this is the place," the ghost said, reappearing in her humanoid form and addressing Yun Yanshuang with reverence.

"Good. You've done well."

Yun Yanshuang infused the ghost with a wisp of Lunar Ascent energy as a reward before opening the black gourd at her waist. The ghost bowed once more before transforming into a thin stream of smoke and returning to the gourd.

With that done, the trio cautiously approached the decrepit, shadowy bamboo house.

"Let's split up and search," Baili Moxue suggested the moment they stepped inside.

The group immediately fanned out, each person scouring different parts of the house in search of the legendary Life and Death Cicada.

But despite overturning every plank and probing every corner, their efforts yielded nothing.

"Sister-in-law, I couldn't find anything," Yun Yanshuang said, her expression tinged with disappointment as she returned to Baili Moxue.

"Auntie, neither could I," Yun Wenxuan added, his tone filled with frustration.

The bamboo house fell silent, the air heavy with despair.

Baili Moxue stumbled outside, her movements unsteady. She gazed at the vast, sprawling forest ahead, her eyes drawn to the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy.

Tears slid silently down her cheeks.

"So… it seems my husband's fate truly cannot be changed," she murmured, her voice trembling with grief.

"Sister-in-law, don't lose hope! Even if we couldn't find the Life and Death Cicada, there must be other ways to bring Brother Yantian back to life!" Yun Yanshuang said, trying to comfort her.

"And what other ways might those be?"

Baili Moxue's lips curled into a bitter smile. She knew her sister-in-law's words were meant to console her, yet they only deepened her sorrow.

"There must be a way," Yun Yanshuang replied, though her voice faltered. Even she found it hard to believe the empty reassurance she offered.

"If only…" Baili Moxue sighed, defeated.

Supported by Yun Yanshuang and Yun Wenxuan, she left the desolate bamboo house, her steps unsteady as if the weight of her despair had drained her strength entirely.

In a shadowed corner near the bamboo house, a figure cloaked in black stood silently, watching the trio leave with slumped shoulders and heavy hearts.

It was Yun Yanshui.

Only after a long while did he withdraw his gaze. In a swift motion, he darted into the bamboo house.

Releasing his spiritual sense, Yun Yanshui thoroughly scanned the entire structure, leaving no detail unchecked. He searched meticulously until his attention was drawn to an adjacent room where a large water jar sat.

When his spiritual sense reached the jar, it was abruptly blocked by a strange and unidentifiable force.

In an instant, Yun Yanshui appeared in the room, his eyes narrowing as he approached the old, blackened water jar surrounded by debris.

Peering inside, he felt an inexplicable unease. Though the jar appeared empty, its depths seemed unfathomable, an abyss of endless darkness.

"Strange…"

His brows furrowed as he studied the jar. Slowly, he extended his hand toward it.

The moment his fingers touched the rim, an overwhelming suction force erupted from within.

Yun Yanshui's expression changed, and he tried to retreat, but the jar's pull was far too powerful. Even with his formidable cultivation, he found himself utterly unable to resist.

Helpless, Yun Yanshui was dragged into the jar.

Blackness.

A boundless void of darkness. So thick and impenetrable that even outstretched fingers disappeared into the abyss.

Within this mysterious and oppressive space, Yun Yanshui's spiritual energy was entirely suppressed, and his divine sense was completely sealed.

At this moment, Yun Yanshui felt utterly powerless, as though he were an ordinary mortal stripped of all strength.

"What is this place? My spiritual energy and divine sense are completely suppressed. Is this world bound by some kind of restrictive force?"

Standing silently in the endless darkness, he could feel the oppressive suppression weighing down on him. Yun Yanshui dared not act recklessly.

Was he afraid?

Human instinct fears the unknown, and even someone like Yun Yanshui was not immune to that primal terror.

But he quickly adjusted his mindset, forcing himself to suppress the unease clawing at the edges of his thoughts.

Doing nothing wasn't going to help. He tentatively lifted his foot and took a cautious step into the darkness.

Just one simple step, yet it sent a shiver through his entire body. Every hair stood on end, and he feared that even this small action might draw the attention of something lurking in the shadows.

"Seems safe… for now."

After standing motionless for what felt like an eternity, and sensing no immediate danger, Yun Yanshui allowed himself a measure of relief.

His courage grew, and his pace quickened. Soon, he found himself moving briskly through the pitch-black void, heading in a direction chosen purely by instinct.

What began as a cautious walk turned into a jog, then a full sprint.

Though his spiritual energy and divine sense were bound by the strange rules of this space, his physical strength remained intact. As a result, Yun Yanshui's speed increased dramatically, the sound of rushing wind roaring past his ears.

After what felt like hours—or perhaps mere moments—he spotted a faint light in the distance.

A tiny, pinprick of light at the edge of the abyss caught his attention, shining like a beacon amidst the endless dark.

Driven by a sudden, inexplicable sense of urgency, he surged toward it.

When he reached the light, he found its source—a skeleton bathed in a radiant, ethereal glow.

The skeletal remains sat cross-legged in the void, its bones gleaming with celestial brilliance, as if it were the sole star illuminating this oppressive darkness.

"You've finally arrived, old friend."

A calm, elderly voice echoed through the darkness, startling Yun Yanshui. He spun around like a startled cat, his gaze darting in every direction.

"Who's there?" he demanded, his voice laced with wariness.

"I'm right in front of you," the voice replied, serene yet tinged with mystery.

Yun Yanshui's eyes widened, and he instinctively stepped back. His gaze snapped toward the glowing skeleton, and his heart leapt with dread.

He retreated several paces, fearing the remains might suddenly spring to life and attack him.

However, the skeleton remained motionless. Instead, a figure emerged—a translucent old man dressed in flowing white robes, his face kind and gentle.

"Who are you?" Yun Yanshui asked, his voice tense.

Despite the old man's benevolent appearance, Yun Yanshui knew better than to lower his guard. Many cultivators who looked kindhearted were wolves in sheep's clothing.

"Ah, it seems your awakening hasn't yet occurred," the old man said, a faint sigh escaping his lips.

"Awakening? What are you talking about?"

The old man waved a hand dismissively. "No need to delve into that for now. Since fate has brought us together again, why not sit and chat for a while?"

"You know me?"

Yun Yanshui's brows furrowed, a flicker of curiosity igniting within him.

"Know you? More than that! But alas, you haven't awakened, so you're not truly him."

"Who is this 'him' you keep mentioning?"

"You'll know in due time, once the moment is right," the old man replied with a hearty laugh. He gestured, and the void around them transformed.

Suddenly, they were seated in a serene pavilion surrounded by lush mountains and flowing rivers. A stone table appeared between them, adorned with a steaming pot of celestial tea and delicate porcelain cups.

"Come, have a taste. This was… no, his favorite tea."

The old man smiled warmly at Yun Yanshui, gesturing to the cup before him.

But Yun Yanshui remained wary, his eyes narrowing at the offered tea. He didn't move.

"Don't worry, it's not poisoned."

The old man chuckled softly, clearly amused by Yun Yanshui's guarded demeanor.

Still, Yun Yanshui said nothing and made no move to touch the tea.

Shaking his head, the old man lifted his own cup and drained it in one gulp. "See? No poison."

Even then, Yun Yanshui sat rigidly, refusing to let his guard down.

"Ah, it seems that after all these endless years, your caution remains unchanged. Just like his."

"You keep talking about 'him.' Who is this person you're referring to?" Yun Yanshui asked, his voice sharp with suspicion.