Chapter 788: Free Tour Guide

The night sky was vast, with scattered stars resembling dust.

Under the moonlight, a faint shadowy figure stood on a mountain peak outside Hengyue Zong. Clad in black robes, with a black cloak billowing without wind, their nearly perfect features appeared wondrous in the darkness.

Upon closer inspection, the figure looked somewhat familiar. Getting even closer, it was unmistakably Ji Ningshuang, disguised as a man.

Tonight, she was different from her usual self.

In the past, she was like a fairy descended from the nine heavens, wearing snow-white robes, pure and flawless. Now, dressed as a scholar in black, she exuded an indescribable cold allure, like a ruthless assassin.

"I'm very surprised to see you here."

Soon, an ethereal voice echoed, and before the words faded, a blurry figure solidified. Ye Chen approached slowly, step by step.

"You really are the sect leader of Hengyue Zong."

Ji Ningshuang's expression was calm, but her beautiful eyes were filled with a hazy light.

"You didn't come all this way just to discuss that with me, did you?" Ye Chen stopped three zhang away and smiled at Ji Ningshuang. "Since you've grown tired of this world, why come back? Or is this a special farewell to me?"

"You're right." Ji Ningshuang parted her lips slightly, her voice light and cold. "A prosperous era requires a path paved with blood and bones."

"So what?" Ye Chen looked at her with great interest.

"I hope to see that prosperous era." Ji Ningshuang spoke softly, then covered her face with a cold mask. "For that, I'm willing to tread on blood and bones, and bear the eternal infamy."

"The Ji Ningshuang of today feels very unfamiliar to me." Ye Chen looked straight ahead, his words calm and flat. "I don't know why, but in this moment, I feel a sense of sorrow—not for the past, but for this world. Its turbidity has turned this seemingly glorious path into one full of holes."

Ji Ningshuang said nothing, letting her cloak flutter while remaining still.

Perhaps from the moment she put on the mask, she had bid farewell to her past. She was no longer the pure and holy saintess, but a cold-blooded figure living behind the mask.

Seeing Ji Ningshuang's silence, Ye Chen smiled slightly and turned first, heading toward Hengyue Zong. "Let's go. Tonight, I'll be your free tour guide and show you around Hengyue Zong."

Behind him, Ji Ningshuang's cloak swayed as she followed at a steady pace. In her eyes, his figure was no longer as blurred as before; for the first time, it was this clear, because now she was keeping up with his steps.

In the dead of night, Hengyue Zong was utterly silent, everything peaceful and calm.

"This is the Xiao Lingyuan." As they walked along the stone steps and passed the Xiao Lingyuan, Ye Chen paused and looked at the somewhat overgrown area, smiling. "After I was expelled from Zhengyang Zong, I wandered aimlessly for a long time. Before becoming a disciple of Hengyue, I lived here."

"In the dead of night, shall we do something that men and women typically enjoy?"

Ye Chen spoke, but then added, "That line wasn't from me—just listen and don't take it seriously." He smiled and continued up the steps. "Let me tell you a secret: before the Sandian Dabizong, I entered the forbidden ground of Zhengyang Zong and saw the soul of the Taixu Gulong. I left nine clones there, so during our duel, I had an endless supply of earth spiritual energy to draw from."

"May I consider that cheating?" Ji Ningshuang's words were indifferent as she followed Ye Chen unhurriedly, though a flash of surprise crossed her beautiful eyes. If not for his revelation, she would never have known.

"Of course it was cheating; otherwise, I wouldn't have been lucky enough to beat you." Ahead, Ye Chen coughed lightly.

"You're indeed stronger than me."

"Those things don't matter." Ye Chen shrugged as he walked. "But I should clarify something. That line earlier was said by the soul of the Taixu Gulong. I don't want to take the blame for it. I'm a bit carefree, but when it counts, I'm reliable."

"If you wish, I can strip naked at any time." Ji Ningshuang interrupted Ye Chen directly, her tone flat and emotionless.

"You've truly impressed me today." Ye Chen kept walking without slowing, shaking his head with a laugh. "This world is turbid, but it's not as terrible as you imagine. Even with the mask, you're still Ji Ningshuang. You should remain proud. I hope the Ji Ningshuang behind me has emotions, not just an uncaring puppet."

"Your conversation is utterly boring." Ji Ningshuang fell silent, but the Taixu Gulong chimed in, speaking through Ye Chen.

"I say, that spot earlier was perfect for some lovemaking."

"Little girl, I'm serious." Seeing Ye Chen ignore him, the Taixu Gulong used Ye Chen's line of sight to address Ji Ningshuang. "I can responsibly tell you that if you two have a child, it would be an absolutely extraordinary existence. For the sake of the next generation, you should find a place to get closer—not even clothes need to come off."

"Look, do you see those three mountain peaks?" Ye Chen and Ji Ningshuang simply ignored the Taixu Gulong's words.

"The one on the left is Tianyang Feng, the right is Diyang Feng, and the middle is Renyang Feng. Those are the three main outer peaks of Hengyue Zong." Ye Chen was dedicated, like a proper tour guide, introducing them one by one even as the Taixu Gulong chattered on.

"When I first came to Hengyue, none of the three main peaks wanted me. What can I say? My cultivation was too low back then?" Ye Chen shrugged casually and moved on.

Behind him, Ji Ningshuang said nothing, merely glanced once before following Ye Chen again.

"Fengyun Tai." At some point, Ye Chen stopped again and pointed to several massive battle platforms nearby. "This is a great place. When I first arrived, I fought here a lot. I was broke back then, so I made plenty of money on this Fengyun Tai."

"That's the Lingqi Ge. As for what it does, you probably know—it's no different from Zhengyang Zong's."

"That's the Jielu Tang." Ye Chen pointed distantly at a grand palace. "I ended up there more than once back in the day and nearly got killed. Yin Zhiping was once the chief disciple there."

"Lingdan Ge, where Elder Xu Fu lives. He's like my enlightenment master in alchemy."

"Zhiliao Tang, Lingguo Yuan, Qiankun Ge."

Ye Chen kept walking, introducing each place as they went.

However, Ji Ningshuang behind him was truly like a puppet, silent throughout, simply following Ye Chen quietly. Whenever he introduced a spot, she would gaze at it silently, as if seeing Ye Chen's past self in those places.

Along the way, the only sounds were Ye Chen's words.

He was indeed acting like a free tour guide, and after circling around, both remained calm and composed.

After the outer sect, they arrived at the inner sect.

Just as with the outer sect, Ye Chen diligently played the role of tour guide, describing every place.

During this time, some diligent disciples were sitting in meditation on jade stones. Seeing the two pass by, they scratched their heads in bewilderment, their expressions startled. Two figures wandering like ghosts in the middle of the night was a bit eerie.

"That's Tianxuan Feng, the largest mountain in Hengyue Zong." Ye Chen paused once more and pointed to the towering Tianxuan Feng.

"Ye Chen, some disciples and elders of Zhengyang Zong are without fault." Ji Ningshuang finally spoke, gazing up at Tianxuan Feng, though her topic was different. Her words were very calm, with a tone of hope. "When the day comes to destroy Zhengyang Zong, could you spare their lives?"

Hearing this, Ye Chen's steps hesitated slightly, but he quickly recovered and smiled. "Honestly, you don't have the leverage to negotiate with me."

"However, I appreciate talent." Ye Chen continued. "You're a talent, an absolute genius one at that, so you have a say. I'll listen to you."

"Thank you." Ji Ningshuang took a deep breath.

"Is there anything you want to ask? Just for today, I'll give you this privilege—ask anything."

Ye Chen spoke, casually plucking a spirit herb from the roadside and instantly absorbing its spiritual energy into his body.

"Do you hate me?" Ji Ningshuang paused slightly, quietly watching Ye Chen's back.

"I knew you'd ask that." Ye Chen stopped as well, bending down casually to sniff a spirit flower and chuckled. "It seems I still understand you. You're not very interested in my secrets, though. But at this point, your question doesn't seem to mean much. Besides, during the Sandian Dabizong, I already gave you an answer. No one understands you better than I do, and no one understands me better than you. You know what should be remembered and what should be forgotten, so why ask more?"

Ji Ningshuang fell silent again. Beneath the mask, she lightly bit her lip, a self-mocking glint flickering in her beautiful eyes.

"Pick a place to stay. Choose anywhere." Ye Chen finally plucked the spirit flower, inhaled its fragrance deeply, and turned to the silent Ji Ningshuang.

"I'll stay wherever you stay." Ji Ningshuang said, then gently turned and headed toward Yumian Feng.

"Hey, how about you pick somewhere else?" Ye Chen hurriedly followed. Yumian Feng was already lively enough; her arrival would make it even more so than he imagined.

"Just give me a bamboo grove. I won't disturb anyone, and no one will know I'm Ji Ningshuang." Ji Ningshuang's steps were slow and rhythmic, showing no intention of stopping.

"I never realized you were so self-aware." Ye Chen shook his head and followed along, mumbling to himself.