Chapter 19 Reunion Across Lifetimes

Her round eyes sparkling with laughter, Yan Feixiu strode toward them with the Mysterious Abyss Sect disciples, radiating vitality. "I knew you'd be here! Where's that mule Chen Qian?"

"Senior Brother Chen and Junior Brother Bu have already headed deeper in," Chang Jinxin explained while glancing at the middle-aged cultivator beside her. "Might this be a senior disciple under Sect Leader Wei of the Western Plains?"

The man clasped his hands in greeting. "You flatter me. I am Zhuang Jing."

Only then did the group notice the newcomers weren't solely from the Mysterious Abyss Sect—a contingent from the Western Plains Sect accompanied them. Located near the Misty Wastelands, the Western Plains Sect had been overwhelmed by the demon beast crisis. With a major sect like Mysterious Abyss offering aid, their hospitality was natural. Zhuang Jing was the head disciple of Sect Leader Wei Nan.

As the three exchanged pleasantries, Gu Pinglin's gaze fixed on the young girl beside Yan Feixiu.

No more than twelve or thirteen, her features were blossoming. Though less stunning than the peerless beauties who once surrounded Duan Qingming in their past life, her gentle presence soothed the soul—especially the faint dimples that appeared when she smiled, cradling a tranquility that calmed all around her.

No wonder someone as extreme as Duan Qingming loved her serenity, Gu Pinglin thought inwardly.

Qu Lin.

Her name suited her. In their previous life, she had died because of him, her devotion to Duan Qingming profound. Duan Qingming, in turn, treated her uniquely—only her death could provoke his genuine rage, even causing him to fail a breakthrough. Were it not for the divine-level Heaven Mending Art, his innate talent would have been damaged. He had exacted the cruelest revenge: shattering Gu Pinglin's spiritual meridians. Even after Gu Pinglin later obtained the Transformation Art and returned to the path of cultivation, those years of despair remained a lifelong wound.

Truthfully, Gu Pinglin hadn't realized Duan Qingming cherished Qu Lin to such depths.

Now, reborn and looking back, Gu Pinglin smiled bitterly.

Though fiercely competitive, he had always upheld principles—unlike Duan Qingming's unscrupulous nature. Yet, driven to extremes by Bu Shuihan's death, he had harmed this innocent girl. He owed her a debt.

As Yan Feixiu's cousin's daughter, Qu Lin was newly joined to the Mysterious Abyss Sect and still shy. Noticing the young cultivator staring at her, she flushed and retreated behind her cousin.

The familiar scene tugged at Gu Pinglin's memories. In their past life, she had stood beside Duan Qingming, drawing all eyes to him—yet inexplicably, Gu Pinglin had noticed her. Then, too, she had hidden behind Duan Qingming.

Qu Lin was indeed endearing. Though Gu Pinglin's actions in their past life stemmed from vengeance against Duan Qingming, he hadn't been wholly indifferent to her. Had she not been so devoted to Duan Qingming—had she not taken her own life—he might have even considered marrying her as his Dao companion. Things might have unfolded differently...

 

After exchanging courtesies, Chang Jinxin, Zhuang Jing, and Yan Feixiu sat cross-legged on the ground, their disciples following suit. Though the Spirit Heart Sect couldn't rival the Mysterious Abyss Sect's influence, it held respectable renown in the cultivation world. Many Western Plains disciples eagerly approached to socialize. Those from the northwest were famously robust and hearty, their openness fostering quick camaraderie. Soon, disciples from all three sects mingled freely.

True to northwestern customs, several Western Plains disciples produced gourds of Spirit Spring Wine and dried spirit-beast jerky, sharing generously as hosts. After polite refusals, the group cheerfully indulged.

As Chang Jinxin, Zhuang Jing, and others chatted about recent major events—vaguely mentioning "Eastern Sea" and "Penglai Island"—Gu Pinglin understood. Events were unfolding as they had before: upheaval brewed on Penglai Island, and Nan Zhu would soon be recalled.

Qu Lin sat quietly with her senior sisters, meticulously slicing jerky for others. Noticing Gu Pinglin's lingering gaze, she glanced at him, then quickly averted her eyes, suppressing a smile.

Gu Pinglin drifted into thought.

A hand appeared before him, offering a silver cup filled with potent liquor.

Who'd expect this refined facade to hide a demonic spirit, carrying such things? Gu Pinglin pushed the cup away. "Thank you, but I don't drink."

Though slender, Gu Pinglin had never lacked tolerance. In their past life, he'd outlasted even Bu Shuihan in multi-day drinking bouts. Yet after the incident with Qu Lin, he rarely touched alcohol—and never drank to excess.

If not for that drunken stupor, I'd never have harmed Qu Lin or doomed the Spirit Heart Sect. No one could have foreseen their rivalry—once a normal contest between opponents—spiraling into mortal enmity after her death.

"Oh?" Duan Qingming withdrew the cup and drained it. "Don't tell me you can't drink."

Renowned for his capacity, Duan Qingming's challenge pricked Gu Pinglin's pride—he'd never believed himself inferior. "Drunkenness leads to blunders," Gu Pinglin retorted coolly. "Nothing to boast about."

"Blind you to admiring women?"

Gu Pinglin saw no need to hide his interest in Qu Lin—in fact, he wondered: Without joining Mysterious Abyss in this life, will Duan Qingming still fall for her? Testing, he asked, "What do you think of her?"

Duan Qingming didn't spare a glance, pouring another cup. After a slow sip, his lips curved. "Gu Xiaojiu, your taste is truly disappointing."

Stunned, Gu Pinglin stared at him.

"The path of cultivation tolerates no distractions," Duan Qingming added idly. "If you wish to defeat me, stay focused."

Gu Pinglin watched him, emotions churning, and said nothing.

 

At dawn, the wasteland's fog thickened to a blinding white haze, obscuring anything beyond ten paces.

Disciples from all three sects set out per plan. Each Spirit Heart disciple received emergency talismans. Golden condors couldn't navigate the dense fog, so Chang Jinxin repeatedly stressed the need to return by the agreed time.

Most squads had finalized their rosters. Gu Pinglin's team consisted of seven. As the sect leader's personal disciple and highest in cultivation, he was unanimously chosen as leader. He accepted without demur, swiftly assigning positions and responsibilities.

True to form, Duan Qingming stood alone beneath a dwarf tree, having changed into a fresh white robe overnight—snowy patterns embroidered along vermilion cuffs, a fine silk belt at his waist.

This fastidiousness is excessive. Gu Pinglin shook his head, amused.

In their past life, Duan Qingming had taken the same southwestern route as him—smooth and uneventful. Now, Gu Pinglin couldn't predict his path. Who could ever fathom Duan Qingming?

His attention shifted to the Mysterious Abyss Sect's movements. Discovering Qu Lin's squad also heading northwest shocked him—in their past life, all Mysterious Abyss disciples had gone southwest.

Gu Pinglin quickly understood.

The Mysterious Abyss Sect revered strength. Previously, disciples likely followed Duan Qingming's lead. Without him, their altered course made sense.

As Qu Lin's team announced their departure, Gu Pinglin immediately ordered his squad forward. Striding past her, he murmured a few words.

Puzzled, Qu Lin looked up—but the young man's figure had already vanished into the thick fog.

The mist swallowed the exchange, leaving no trace of the fleeting encounter.

 

Gu Pinglin led his team northwest, felling over twenty low- and mid-level demon beasts. When inexperienced disciples faltered, his swift commands averted disaster. They even encountered a high-level demon beast. Gu Pinglin directed the battle calmly—exhausting but victorious after half a day. Only one disciple sustained minor injuries.

Half a month later, their harvest proved rich: every hundred-pouch bag overflowed with materials for pills and elixirs, including a low-grade demon core worth significant merit points. With time to spare, the elated squad agreed to press onward.

Gu Pinglin, however, remembered the fate of Wang Yu and Liu Taixue in their past life—both in his current squad. As Swallow Marsh neared, he ordered a halt to rest. Before they settled, another team emerged: five cultivators led by a woman.

While Wang Yu and others hesitated, Gu Pinglin recognized her instantly, lips tightening.

She was Zhang Lian of the Six Paths Sect, who had once brought disciples to Spirit Heart seeking access to the Spirit Cave. The Six Paths Sect had arrived earlier, and Zhang Lian's team seemed equally successful, now preparing to return.

Spotting Gu Pinglin's group, Zhang Lian signaled her disciples to stop. Her gaze fixed on Gu Pinglin—his preternatural poise drew attention.

"Young Master Duan's junior brother?" she asked, recalling him.

With Chang Jinxin absent, Gu Pinglin stepped forward as the sect leader's disciple. "Sister Zhang. I am Gu Pinglin of Spirit Heart with my fellow disciples."

"Spirit Heart!" Her disciples brightened, exchanging greetings.

The sects shared close ties. Zhang Lian knew of Yue Songting's new disciple. "So you're Junior Brother Gu," she smiled coquettishly. "Truly exceptional."

Skilled in flattery, Gu Pinglin reciprocated politely.

"Where is Young Master Duan?" Zhang Lian inquired.

Her lingering interest was clear, but Duan Qingming clearly hadn't reciprocated. "We parted days ago," Gu Pinglin replied. "I don't know his whereabouts."

Disappointment flickered across her face. As a young woman, she couldn't press further and deftly changed topics. Gu Pinglin, a former sect leader, matched her decorum.

As camaraderie warmed, a disciple joked, "Strange—don't Junior Brother Gu and Sister Zhang share similar features?"

The others scrutinized them and burst into laughter.

"Now that you mention it! Sister Zhang looked familiar earlier."

"Sister, did you lose a brother?"

"Oh?" Zhang Lian touched her cheek coyly. "No wonder I felt kinship with Junior Brother Gu. Even unwed, we might pass as siblings." She winked. "If I disguised myself as him to meet Young Master Duan... would he mistake us?"

Gu Pinglin smiled faintly.

Beneath his sleeve, his left fist clenched and struck the ground softly.

Duan Qingming... truly detestable.3