A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 217 Where are you going?

Sunlight streamed into the gloomy two-story building, instantly warming every corner.

The magic array on the ground still showed signs of tearing, and there were scratches from the four ghostly blades stabbing at the edges. The bloodstains in the array had long since dried, and it was silent and devoid of any human presence, as if the scene just now had never happened.

In front of the main gate on the first floor, He Suian carried Xiang He's body as they walked, his tall and slender figure standing out, brushing past the soldiers who were entering.

Shen Zhuoci looked at him silently. When he walked to his side, Shen Zhuoci placed the large umbrella in his hand on Xiang He. "Don't worry too much, he may just be unconscious."

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness,” He Sui’an glanced down at the large umbrella, his eyes filled with tenderness. “This humble official will escort her back first. If there are any unusual developments on the Emperor’s side, please inform Your Highness.”

"Do not worry."

He Sui'an stopped talking and continued walking out of the palace. There was no one else by his side. The tenderness in his eyes had disappeared at some point, and his eyes had lost their former luster, becoming empty and deep, like the loneliest star in the night sky.

Black Crow perched on his shoulder, tears streaming down its face. "The Yin-Yang Umbrella, which shouldn't be touched so easily..."

"do not talk."

The person in my arms was still breathing, though very lightly, but I could feel her shallow breaths.

Perhaps she's just asleep, and hasn't actually left...

As they carried him out of the palace, Xing Ji and Zhu Nan had already prepared a carriage. Seeing their master's expression and the girl in his arms, their cold eyes were filled with sorrow.

But he quickly composed himself, lifted the carriage curtain, and waited quietly.

They did not see Xiang He's spirit floating in mid-air until the carriage drove away.

Her spirit emerged, and no one, human or ghost, could see her. Even the black crow could not sense her presence, only saying, "She is gone."

Xiang He looked up at the sky, the bright sunshine was a bit dazzling. She glanced back at the palace, and in just one glance, the sky suddenly darkened.

Looking up again, the dark clouds pressed in, obscuring the previous brightness, heavy as if about to fall, until after everything turned gray, thunder rumbled.

A bolt of lightning struck, and Xiang He felt a pang in her heart. She quickly turned her head to take one last lingering look at the departing carriage.

"Shouldn't we go back now..."

The murmur went unheard; this glance felt like a final farewell, a deep longing welling up in his eyes, as if he wanted to etch it all into his heart forever, filled with endless yearning and reluctance.

A drop of light fell from the corner of her eye, and the lightning bolt struck Xiang He, disappearing in an instant.

—"Boom!"

A muffled rumble of thunder shook He Sui'an, who was feeling uneasy. He reached out and lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. The sky was overcast and thunder was rumbling. Suddenly, a cold drop of water hit the back of his hand.

Just one drop triggered countless others to fall, and outside, a torrential downpour began. The drenching rain pounded against the ground, further stirring his heart, which was trying to suppress his sadness.

He withdrew his hand and looked down at Xiang He, who was lying on his lap, his eyes tender and sorrowful.

It's like there's an empty space in my heart.

-

-

"Master, why isn't Second Senior Brother back yet?"

"You need to stay in the hospital for further observation."

"Can't we go visit them?"

The elder gently tapped the younger child's forehead, "What's the rush? We'll go down the mountain together tomorrow."

"Oh……"

As the familiar voices rang out, the white mist in front of me gradually dissipated, revealing a familiar view, with the temple clearly visible.

It is Shanqing Temple.

Shanqing Temple is located halfway up the mountain, accessible via a long, winding mountain path.

The temple gate is flanked by large trees, which were renovated ten years ago and look quite grand.

She's back...

With joy evident on his face, Xiang He rushed inside, but there was no one there.

She ran from the front hall to the back hall, still clinging to the memories of so many years she had lived there; this was the place where she truly belonged.

Filled with joy, I wandered around, but I couldn't find any of my fellow disciples.

She couldn't help but feel strange, but this was her own room. She pushed open the door and entered. The furnishings were exactly as they had been before she left, without any changes.

Looking at the familiar scene, Xiang He felt a warmth in her heart; it turned out that everyone was waiting for her.

Thinking of her fellow disciples and her most respected master, she turned around and continued her search, wanting to let them know the good news of her return.

Upon arriving at the back hall, Xiang He still found no one there, which puzzled him.

"Where did they all go..."

She muttered something and ran to the backyard. Next to the courtyard, there were vegetables and fruit trees with unripe fruit hanging on them.

"Tsk! Did they all go down the mountain? But someone has to stay behind to watch the house..."

Frustrated, Xiang He walked to the courtyard and looked down, wondering, "Could they have all fallen in?"

Suddenly amused by her own thought, Xiang He turned and looked up at the mountain. "Could it be that they are cultivating on the mountain?"

He clapped his hands together and exclaimed, "It's possible!"

She hurried up the mountain, following the familiar path and enjoying the familiar scenery. While she was having a great time, she didn't realize that there was an emptiness in her heart.

I ran happily up the mountain, with people's voices in my ears.

Her face lit up with surprise, and she quickened her pace.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on me, and the sky turned orange-yellow.

A sultry wind blew across the mountain, but Xiang He didn't feel hot; instead, she felt cool.

Upon reaching the summit, one sees a group of people dressed in Taoist robes sitting on the ground around an elderly man with white hair.

They were all familiar faces. Xiang He's eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she softly called out, "Master..."

Finding her voice trembling, Xiang He shouted happily, "Master! Fellow disciples! I'm back!"

She spoke with great emotion, unable to contain her joy.

Her words finally received a response; everyone stopped talking and turned to look at her, their eyes filled with undisguised joy.

"Second Brother is back!"

Upon finally hearing her address, Xiang He's previous tension, fear, and doubt vanished instantly.

She still thought, still thought it was just a dream...

It turned out not to be.

Her eyes reddened and a burning passion ignited within her. Her cheeks flushed with excitement, and when she saw her master beckoning to her, she couldn't stop the tears from falling.

She rushed over, knelt down, and hugged her master tightly, her voice trembling with sobs, "I thought... I thought I would never come back... Master..."

The master gently patted the back of her head, softly comforting her, "What nonsense are you talking about? We're back now, aren't we?"

"Ok!"

Hearing familiar words, still the same strict yet gentle master, surrounded by a group of doting fellow disciples, Xiang He felt a homesickness she had never experienced before.

She cried for a long time until she was exhausted and then sat facing her master, sobbing.

As the setting sun gradually faded and night was about to fall, the faintly visible moon peered at the people on the ground.

Xiang He took a breath to calm her excited heart, her eyes crinkling with a smile, "Master, do you know? I went to an unknown ancient place!"

The smile in her master's eyes faltered noticeably, and Xiang He tilted her head in confusion, "What's wrong, Master?"

Master smiled and shook his head. "Nothing. Why are you so happy? Did something fun happen?"

Xiang He nodded vigorously, "I'll tell you..."