Chapter 336: Meng Shushu's Fury, the Green Token

Chapter 336: Meng Shushu's Fury, the Green Token

Far away in the Ice State, the Quiet Snow Palace underwent a transformation. A black cave spewed forth crimson radiance, causing the once-eternal ice and snow to begin melting. Mu Qianliu was oblivious to these events.

He was on his way to the Jade State.

Before dying, he wanted to see that gentle woman one last time. He would rather die outside the Spirit Domain than face that eerie woman in the Quiet Snow Palace again. Even in death, he feared she would find him and scatter his ashes to the winds.

"How dare you deceive me! You deserve to die, you truly do!"

A voice filled with madness, anger, and boundless hatred echoed through the mountain range where the Quiet Snow Palace was located.

"I loved you so deeply, I cared for you so much, and I gave so much for you. Yes, I took some of your essence, but you enjoyed it too!

"How could you betray me? How could you try to escape? I hate you, I hate you so much! You deserve to die; you deserve a slow and painful death!"

The ice and snow on the mountain range where the Quiet Snow Palace resided continued to melt, and the black cave slowly expanded, spewing forth more and more crimson radiance.

It didn't seem particularly scorching, yet the ice and snow relentlessly melted away.

No one knew what calamity these changes in the Ice State would bring. Even Mu Qianliu himself was unaware of the severity of the situation. In his opinion, it merely meant that the Ice State had fallen under occupation.

In truth, the Ice State could now be considered occupied.

As long as one stayed away from the Ice State, there was no danger. And among the Eighteen States of the Spirit Domain, the Ice State was not a major concern.

The letter Mu Qianliu had sent, with his changed appearance, was not given much attention as it was not recognized. It took some time before it finally reached the recipient's desk.

And the recipient was busy preparing for the trip to Evergreen Pavilion, paying no attention to the letter.

Su Lingxiu and the others were still in the Grand Zhou Imperial City, and under Zi Yun's guidance, they visited the Qing Prince's Mansion as guests.

Xiang Qing was overjoyed to discover that the Evergreen Pavilion had such a close connection to Zi Yun.

Su Lingxiu sold Xiang Qing several pills refined using the Heaven and Earth Spirit Mechanism, including one pill refined with the power of the Heaven and Earth laws.

This was an opportunity for Xiang Qing to rapidly increase his strength, and by extension, his status as the Qing King.

Xiang Qing marveled at his decision to adopt Zi Yun as his goddaughter, considering it the wisest choice he had ever made.

Meng Chong was about to embark on his journey through the Spirit Domain.

Zi Yun bid him farewell with reluctance, wanting him to stay, but she knew Meng Chong wouldn't listen. She could only see him off with a heavy heart.

"Alright, work on improving your strength. Aren't you going to participate in the Heaven's Pride Face-off too?" Meng Chong tugged at Zi Yun, who was hanging on his arm.

"I'm leaving. See you again before the final battle of the Heaven's Pride Face-off," Meng Chong said, waving goodbye as he strode away.

The Spirit Domain was vast, and he intended to explore, wander, and gain insights into the martial way.

"Wait for me. I'll be able to refine the Heaven and Earth Spirit Mechanism soon!" Zi Yun huffed.

Evergreen Pavilion stayed in the Grand Zhou Imperial City longer than ever before, as the city was bustling with activity. Su Lingxiu and the others were busy sightseeing.

Eventually, Shi Er, Meng Shushu, and Zhou Ying joined them for a few days of fun in the imperial city.

Li Xuan emerged from the Grand Zhou Imperial Collection Pavilion and returned to the Evergreen Pavilion. He had perused the core collection of treasures within, including secrets that involved various major events in the history of the Spirit Domain, rumors, and even the records of once-renowned Heaven's Pride.

It was no wonder that the Grand Zhou Empire was comparable to the Superlative Spirit Sect. Their collection of secrets was indeed impressive.

However, Li Xuan was a little disappointed that he couldn't find the secret of the Divine Bridge among the treasures in the Collection Pavilion.

The secret of the Divine Bridge was probably the most closely guarded secret of all, not even recorded in the Collection Pavilion. It was likely passed down from generation to generation among the higher-ups to prevent any leaks.

Su Lingxiu and the others returned to the Evergreen Pavilion, planning their next destination.

"Zi Yun, will you come with us?" Yue'er asked.

"I'd like to, but my foster father said he wants to get me a spot somewhere, and it might involve some of the Grand Zhou Empire's resources. I want to stay and see what it's about," Zi Yun replied after some thought.

Although she felt that staying with the Evergreen Pavilion would be better, with an endless supply of pills and the guidance of experts, and it would be easier to see Meng Chong...

But the secrets of the Grand Zhou Empire also piqued her curiosity, and she couldn't resist the urge to find out what they were.

"That's fine. I'm also curious about the secrets of the Grand Zhou Empire. If you want to find us, Zi Yun, you can use the communication talisman to contact the Alliance. They can help you reach us quickly through their communication channels," Su Lingxiu said with a nod. "Or we can meet again after the Heaven's Pride Face-off."

With their sightseeing in the Grand Zhou Imperial City complete, the Evergreen Pavilion opened its doors once more to treat patients. After this round of treatments, they would depart for their next destination.

"Let's go to Yunshan State next and pay a visit to an old friend," Su Lingxiu suggested after some thought.

Du Yu'ying and Yun Miaomiao were in Tai Miao Sect, so it would be a good opportunity to visit Yunshan State and reconnect. They had gotten along well during their time on Canglan Island.

Moreover, they were both from the Inner Realm.

As the Evergreen Pavilion began treating patients again, the queues reappeared. Most people came to treat old injuries and hidden ailments, and some sought to purchase pills.

Zi Yun also helped out at the Evergreen Pavilion.

One day, the queue of people suddenly parted.

A graceful and dignified woman with a stunning figure and unparalleled beauty approached. On her left and right were two beautiful maids, each holding a box.

"It's the Princess!" someone whispered in the crowd.

It was none other than Grand Zhou's current Princess, Xiang Wei! Once the dream girl of countless Grand Zhou Heaven's Pride, many had tried to win her favor by displaying their talents and making remarkable achievements.

However, the Princess suddenly decided not to marry.

There were even rumors that she had taken a male favorite.

This caused countless Heaven's Pride to seethe with jealousy, secretly cursing that they should have been the favored one.

Of course, the rumors of the Princess's romantic affairs didn't spread for long before they were banned from discussion, and it was never confirmed if she had indeed taken a favorite.

The identity of the favorite, if there was one, remained a mystery.

However, there were whispers within a certain royal mansion that the Princess had already set her heart on someone and secretly given her affections.

But even that eventually died down.

Princess Xiang Wei had come to see them off. She represented the Xiang House in the Grand Zhou Imperial City and wanted to forge a connection with the Dan Yi Xian Zi, Su Lingxiu.

Shi Er led Princess Xiang Wei into the Evergreen Pavilion, where Su Lingxiu, Zi Yun, and Yue'er were waiting.

Su Lingxiu had a good impression of Princess Xiang Wei. They had spent time together during their sightseeing in the imperial city, and the Princess gave her the feeling of an older sister.

Meng Shushu took Shi Er's place at the entrance of the Evergreen Pavilion, continuing the treatments.

"Today is the last day. Evergreen Pavilion will be leaving tomorrow," Meng Shushu announced.

"Quick, it's the last day, and I haven't had my old injury treated yet," someone said.

"Hurry up, those in front," another urged.

"Hey, brother, your body looks withered. Even if you go to the Evergreen Pavilion, I'm afraid it won't help much. Why don't you give up your spot?"

This man, whose body seemed to be wasting away, stood quietly in line, his gaze fixed forward. There were only a dozen people ahead of him, and he was not here for treatment but to meet Xiang Wei.

Initially, Mu Qianliu had intended to go to the Inner Realm, but as the Spirit Domain's gate wouldn't open without an order from the Superlative Spirit Sect, he had no choice but to seek out Xiang Wei.

Mu Qianliu was reluctant to meet his lover in such a state, but he had no other option and so, he steeled himself.

The method for refining the Heaven and Earth Spirit Mechanism that he had shared with Xiang Wei in the past came to his mind.

"Did she get my letter?" Mu Qianliu wondered. If Xiang Wei had read his letter, she wouldn't be so calm and carefree, tending to patients at Evergreen Pavilion.

"I hope no one else knows about me besides her," he thought silently.

He dared not mention the events in Ice State to Xiang Wei, fearing that she would try to take revenge and end up in danger. That eerie woman was too formidable.

Even in death, he didn't want to die in the Spirit Domain. He preferred to pass away in the Inner Realm, taking one last look at the gentle woman he loved without disturbing her peace and bringing her trouble.

Finally, it was Mu Qianliu's turn.

He was about to ask someone to inform Xiang Wei that an old friend had come to visit when he was shocked to discover that the one treating patients was none other than Meng Shushu!

He rubbed his eyes, afraid that he was hallucinating or mistaking someone else for her. But indeed, it was truly Meng Shushu.

"Meng Shushu?" Mu Qianliu exclaimed, both excited and incredulous.

Unaware that the Spirit Domain's gate had opened, he was astonished to see Meng Shushu in the Spirit Domain, which could only mean that the gentle woman he loved was here as well.

Meng Shushu, focused on treating patients, suddenly heard someone call her name, the voice vaguely familiar. She looked up, puzzled.

Before her stood a man whose body seemed to be withering away. His cheeks were hollow, his hair dry and yellow, and his eye sockets sunken. The man looked like a dried-up corpse.

Such injuries had affected his source, and even his source had dried up.

His condition was worse than Yue Changming's had been, and what was even more bizarre was that Meng Shushu felt that this man had somehow indulged himself to the point of emptying his own body.

"Who are you?" she asked, confused. She didn't recognize this man.

"It's me, Shushu. Is Wan'er here? How did you both come to the Spirit Domain?" Mu Qianliu asked, his voice shaking.

Meng Shushu's expression changed drastically, and her eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't associate this man with the graceful and handsome Mu Qianliu she knew.

The difference was too stark.

However, the man before her was indeed Mu Qianliu from back then!

Meng Shushu immediately dragged Mu Qianliu out of Evergreen Pavilion, closing the clinic and using the surrounding array to shield them from prying eyes and ears.

"Mu Qianliu, how dare you show your face here?" Meng Shushu said, not giving him a chance to explain. "How dare you deceive me, Meng Shushu, someone who respects you so much, and Sister Su, who adored and loved you so deeply! You said you had an emergency and left without returning.

"As it turns out, everything you said was a lie! You played with Sister Su's emotions.

"And here I see you have so many lovers in the Spirit Domain, leaving your marks everywhere, living up to your reputation as the playboy of the Mu family!

"Just look at yourself now! You've ruined yourself, haven't you?" Meng Shushu's anger grew as she scolded him.

Mu Qianliu remained silent, letting her vent her anger. When she finally paused, he said painfully, "Yes, I hid the fact that I had many lovers, but there's one thing I didn't lie about.

"Wan'er is indeed the one I like the most!"

"You still have the nerve to say that? Mu Qianliu, you're full of crap!" Meng Shushu exploded.

She continued her tirade, venting all the anger that had been bottled up inside her.

"How is Wan'er doing?" Mu Qianliu asked when she finally stopped.

Meng Shushu fell silent for a moment before replying, "Sister Su passed away a long time ago."

Mu Qianliu's body swayed, and he grabbed Meng Shushu's arms. "What? How did Wan'er die?"

Meng Shushu gritted her teeth. "Sister Su's body was severely weakened after giving birth to Lingxiu. Her health deteriorated, and she eventually passed away."

"What about the spirit pills? What about the pills I gave her?" Mu Qianliu demanded.

"They were all used up. Otherwise, how could Lingxiu have been born?" Meng Shushu replied.

Mu Qianliu fell silent, his sunken eye sockets unable to shed tears.

"What about her father?"

"He's dead, too. Killed by someone."

"What happened?" Mu Qianliu asked, startled.

"It was someone from the Hidden Pavilion. Lingxiu has already taken revenge," Meng Shushu explained briefly.

Mu Qianliu's eyes blazed with fury, and he growled through clenched teeth, "Tang Jianyuan!"

"What did you say?" Meng Shushu asked, taken aback.

"How is Lingxiu doing?" Mu Qianliu asked, suppressing his anger.

"Don't worry about her. Lingxiu has a loving teacher and senior brother, and she's doing well. She's even known as the Dan Yi Xian Zi, renowned throughout the Spirit Domain. But your appearance here has put me in a difficult position," Meng Shushu said, her expression complicated.

Should she tell Su Lingxiu that this was her biological father? Would Su Lingxiu still be able to live such a happy and carefree life if she knew?

"As long as she's doing well, I, a man who deserves to die, won't bother her," Mu Qianliu said, nodding.

Then, with trembling hands, he took out a light green token from his bosom and handed it to Meng Shushu. "This is the most precious thing I own. I had to leave the Inner Realm in a hurry because of this.

"Find a reason to give it to Lingxiu.

"Remember, this token holds unknown secrets, so don't explore it recklessly. When the time is right, the token will give her a prompt.

"Also, remember, whatever you do, do not go to Ice State. Never go there. It's an extremely dangerous place.

"The Ice State now is not what it used to be. Remember my words!" Mu Qianliu emphasized.

Meng Shushu hesitated to take the token, but seeing Mu Qianliu's state and his pain, she eventually accepted it.

After giving his instructions, Mu Qianliu prepared to leave but turned back and said solemnly, "Shushu, whatever happens, don't tell anyone about me. Pretend that nothing happened, that you never saw me or knew me.

"Remember, no matter what, don't mention me to anyone, not even that you've seen or recognized me!"

Meng Shushu was puzzled by Mu Qianliu's grave tone. What had happened to him that made him so fearful?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end