Mortal Mirror

In the darkness, a wisp of wind blew past, and Li Ergou inexplicably felt a shiver run down his spine. He sensed an immensely powerful aura rising from the depths of the water, bringing with it a feeling of oppression.

As this sensation grew stronger, a deafening roar echoed, and a towering pillar of water shot into the sky.

At that moment, the sky seemed to brighten.

As the silvery-white water column descended, Li Ergou saw a peerless beauty, like a celestial being, gracefully falling from mid-air.

Her white dress only added to her infinite charm.

The woman landed on the ground, flicked her sleeve, and looked at Li Ergou. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, followed by a surge of killing intent, so palpable it felt like a physical force pressing down on Li Ergou.

It felt as if countless mountains had crashed down upon him. Li Ergou felt suffocated. This was power, immense power, the most powerful person he had ever encountered.

His forehead was instantly covered in fine beads of sweat, a testament to his inner terror. Terrifying, truly terrifying.

Although the woman said nothing, Li Ergou knew that if he remained silent, he would surely die in the next moment.

He quickly looked at the blood-colored stone bead and said, "Big brother, stop playing dead! Say something! Fairy, it's not me who's looking for you, it's this guy! He's the one you're after."

He spoke rapidly, fearing that the woman might accidentally kill him.

The woman looked at the blood-colored stone bead, then at Li Ergou, and her clear voice rang out, "Hmph, it's you again. Didn't I say you weren't allowed to mention my affairs to anyone? Now that you've broken your promise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Li Ergou was anxious, wondering why the damned blood bead was silent.

Just as he was about to explain, the blood bead finally made a sound, "Big sister, are you... well?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the stone bead emitted boundless blood-colored light, and a man in colorful clothes flew out from within.

The man had delicate features and a tall stature, resembling a scholar. It was hard to imagine that this person was so bloodthirsty and cruel.

Li Ergou was slightly surprised, thinking that people really couldn't be judged by appearances.

Even those with thick eyebrows and large eyes might not necessarily be good people behind the scenes.

The woman looked at the man, and that one glance seemed to travel through time, back to ten thousand years ago.

That day, the sun was bright, the weather was perfect, and a few clouds drifted in the sky. A gentle breeze made the air particularly refreshing.

Three enormous fish were playing in the lake when suddenly, an old Taoist priest in coarse gray clothes flew over. The old man saw the fish, and a glint of inspiration flashed in his eyes. He stopped.

Then, he said, "Oh, all things have spirits. I didn't expect you little fellows to gather together. I, Ji Lantian, will do a good deed and enlighten you."

The fish seemed to understand human speech and nodded in agreement.

The old Taoist reached out a hand and flicked it three times at them, and three points of light flew from his fingers.

They landed on the heads of the fish. The fish felt as if half of their bodies had melted, and then, a sharp sword seemed to cleave through their minds, dispersing the chaos and bringing clarity. In an instant, the fish gained sentience.

They instantly understood many things. The fish looked at the old man and immediately bowed to him.

The old Taoist laughed and said, "You little fellows have a connection with me in the future. When we meet again, I hope you will all uphold the heavens' virtue of cherishing life, do more good deeds, and never do evil. Otherwise, the Great Dao is merciless, and don't blame me for being ruthless and killing you."

The fish nodded in agreement, their eyes shining with intelligence, as if guaranteeing that they would remember the old Taoist's words. But alas, time is like water, and ten thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

The day they met again was a completely different scene.

The woman looked at the man for a moment, and finally sighed, "Wuming, you've finally come."

Ji Wuming nodded, his eyes filled with remorse, "Big sister, I've finally come to see you, not for anything else, but to say goodbye."

A strange look flashed in the woman's eyes, and her voice became stern, "What are you going to do again? Wasn't the last punishment enough? Xuan Ye has already become someone's mount for you and me.

Aren't you going to stop causing trouble?"

Ji Wuming looked at the crescent moon in the sky, his voice turning manic, "Stop causing trouble? Hahahaha, hahahaha, stop causing trouble? Li Hongyu, how can you ask me to stop causing trouble? Do you know how I've spent these years? I live in loneliness and fear every day.

Even if I'm immortal, what does it matter? That place is worse than death. Don't worry, the ten thousand years of punishment will soon be over. I won't implicate you.

I've come here just to see you one last time. I want you to know that it's not just Xuan Ye who loves you, but also me, Ji Wuming.

This time I've come to tell you, Li Hongyu, I love you, I love you. Anything Xuan Ye can do for you, I can do too.

And I, I'm even willing to die for you.

If you ask me why I love you so much, I think I can only answer: 'Because it's you, because it's me.'" His voice was now trembling, and his breathing was rapid, showing that he had mustered immense courage to say these words.

If Li Ergou hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed that this ruthless killer could have such an unknown side. So, he also has people he fears, things he dreads, and weaknesses.

He sighed inwardly, thinking that it was better to be a single dog, as no one could hurt him. At that moment, he felt incredibly powerful, like a piece of iron, invulnerable to swords and spears, impervious to all magic.

Seeing Ji Wuming pour out everything he wanted to say, he felt as if he had been liberated, and the depression in his heart had vanished.

Li Hongyu was silent for a long time after hearing these words. Finally, she shook her head slightly and said, "Wuming, actually, Xuan Ye and I have never blamed you, even for the trouble you caused back then. But over the years, we've advanced and retreated together, fighting enemies together.

You and Xuan Ye are like my younger brothers, and I love you both.

A thought gives rise to a flower, and a thought causes a flower to fall. In this long and arduous world, we must ultimately walk our own path.

Wuming, let go of your obsession. If you cling to one thought, you will be trapped by it. If you let go of one thought, you will find freedom in your heart. Some people and some things are serendipitous, not to be forced. Forcing them only brings pain. In that case, why not relax your mind and let things take their course?"

Ji Wuming laughed loudly upon hearing this, "I knew it, I knew it, you still love Xuan Ye, don't you."

Li Hongyu looked at him, her eyes filled with regret, "Wuming, I've said so much, don't you understand? I treat you and Xuan Ye like my younger brothers. Why must you force me like this?

I've also said that I've never blamed you. So, what else do you want? Back then, when Xuan Ye left, we all swore before the Peerless Sword Sovereign that we would never harm living beings again. Now you're sacrificing the universe and recreating the Blood Spirit Bead, using your divine soul to leave your body. What are you trying to do?"

Ji Wuming sighed, "Big sister, forget it. I've said everything I need to say, and you don't need to worry about me anymore. But don't worry, if I can be reborn this time, I will definitely find that old guy, the Peerless Sword Sovereign, and avenge my past humiliation, letting him know that I, Ji Wuming, am not to be trifled with."

Hearing these words, Li Hongyu raised her eyebrows, and a hint of indescribable sharpness flashed in her eyes.