Changsun Xixue vs. Muyun Yao

Finding Chen Chang'an had become an obsession in Changsun Xixue's life.

Thousands of years had passed, and now, at last, she had received concrete news of him. How could she not take this seriously?

She had come to Langya in person to verify the truth of the rumors, and indeed, Chen Chang'an had been here.

However, his presence was now nearly faded, indicating he had already left Langya.

"South?"

"What would he be doing there?"

Judging by the dissipation of Chen Chang'an's aura, he must have headed south.

Without hesitation, Changsun Xixue flickered into motion, chasing straight in that direction.

Yet she had barely flown any distance when a figure suddenly appeared before her—a woman whose beauty rivaled her own.

Clad in a violet gown, the woman exuded noble grace, but what truly stunned Changsun Xixue was the overwhelming, indomitable dominance radiating from her. For a moment, she was left speechless.

"Young lady, turn back. Chang'an has matters to attend to. Now is not the time for you to pursue him."

The newcomer was none other than Mu Yunyao, Chen Chang'an's master.

After leaving Cloudsoaring Peak, Mu Yunyao had been keeping a close watch on Chen Chang'an's movements. When she noticed Changsun Xixue's appearance, she stepped in to intervene.

Hearing Mu Yunyao refer to Chen Chang'an with such familiarity, Changsun Xixue frowned, an inexplicable displeasure stirring within her.

She hadn’t expected to feel this way—why was she reacting like this?

"What he does is none of my concern."

"Whether I seek him or not is certainly not your business." Her voice was icy, her stance unyielding.

Mu Yunyao remained unruffled. After all, this was a mess her disciple had created, and Changsun Xixue was, in a way, a victim.

Because of that trivial incident, this woman had nearly wasted her entire life.

"Without this obsession, your cultivation might have reached even greater heights. With your talent, you could have had a chance to ascend to the Great Emperor realm."

"Was it really worth clinging to a mere accident like this?"

"Chang'an is occupied with his own affairs now. Even if you did meet him, what then?"

"Would you take his life? Or demand he take responsibility?"

"Neither will give you the outcome you desire."

"The world is descending into chaos. Focus your mind on that instead."

"If fate truly binds you, you will meet again in due time." Mu Yunyao spoke calmly.

"My affairs are none of your concern."

"If you stand in my way, don’t blame me for being impolite." Changsun Xixue’s tone was sharp.

"Ah, why must this girl be so stubborn?"

"Very well. If you can withstand a single strike from me, I will interfere no further."

"But if you cannot, you must return at once and cease your pursuit of Chen Chang'an. Do you agree?" Mu Yunyao asked.

A single strike?

Changsun Xixue studied Mu Yunyao warily. She was at the peak of the Undying Realm—how could this woman be so confident she wouldn’t survive even one blow?

Was this a bluff, or did she truly possess such overwhelming power?

Changsun Xixue couldn’t gauge Mu Yunyao’s cultivation, but she had faith in her own abilities.

Geniuses often defied conventional limits.

While she couldn’t rival a Great Emperor, exchanging a few moves shouldn’t be impossible. A single strike? She could endure it.

Even if she had to force herself, she would hold on!

With that resolve, Changsun Xixue cast aside all hesitation.

"Then let me see if I truly cannot withstand your strike."

"If I fail, I will leave immediately—no complaints." Her voice was firm.

"Good."

"Are you ready?" Mu Yunyao asked.

"Come!"

Changsun Xixue unleashed her full power, not daring to underestimate Mu Yunyao. Her instincts warned her—this was a terrifying opponent.

Seeing her prepared, Mu Yunyao smiled faintly.

"Not bad."

With a light chuckle, she casually swung her palm.

"This—"

The sheer force behind that effortless motion sent a chill down Changsun Xixue’s spine.

Before she could react, an overwhelming power, as if the heavens were collapsing, surged toward her.

In the next instant, she found herself flung dozens of miles away.

No resistance. No contest. They weren’t even on the same level.

Changsun Xixue couldn’t shake off her shock.

Just how strong was this woman? A casual strike had produced such devastation?

Even more frightening was the precision—Mu Yunyao had overpowered her without causing any harm.

This meant her control over her strength was monstrous, and she had perfectly gauged Changsun Xixue’s limits.

How could someone she had just met so accurately measure her power? It was terrifying!

"Go back."

Hearing Mu Yunyao’s voice, Changsun Xixue snapped back to attention—the woman was now standing before her, having appeared without warning.

"I lost. I’ll honor our agreement."

"From today onward, I will not seek out Chen Chang'an."

"But tell me—who are you?" Changsun Xixue demanded.

Who was she?

Mu Yunyao studied her briefly before replying, "Few recognize me now, but there is one in your Zhangsun family who might."

"Go ask Zhangsun Wuwo. He may give you an answer."

Zhangsun Wuwo?

The name struck Changsun Xixue like a bolt of lightning.

Zhangsun Wuwo was the Zhangsun family’s sole Great Emperor, and his existence was known to only a handful.

Changsun Xixue had been personally trained by him due to her exceptional talent, which was how she knew of him.

Did this woman know their family’s revered ancestor?

Before she could speak again, Mu Yunyao had vanished without a trace.

"What is her relationship with Chen Chang'an?"

Changsun Xixue couldn’t make sense of it. Frustrated, she shook her head, glanced once more in the direction where Chen Chang'an’s aura had faded, cursed under her breath, and finally turned away.

Mu Yunyao, too, sighed in resignation.

This was all that troublemaker disciple’s fault! A perfectly good girl, burdened with an obsession spanning millennia—truly, he was a scourge.

"That brat—always causing trouble!"

Achoo!

"Huh? How could my body sneeze?"

"Did someone badmouth me?"

Chen Chang'an suddenly sneezed, startling even Da Huang.

With a physique like his, how could he possibly sneeze?

"Bet it was your master thinking about you—maybe she misses you."

"Should we go back and visit?" Da Huang teased.

"Not a chance. She kicked me out—why would I go back?"

"Besides, I still have a lot of things to do right now. Once I’m done, I’ll go back and see her."

"Heh heh heh, when the time comes, I’ll make sure she learns just how formidable I’ve become."

"Da Huang, tell me, doesn’t this count as bringing glory to our sect?"

Bringing glory to our sect?

Da Huang shot Chen Chang'an a disdainful look and sneered, "Seems to me you’re planning to betray your master instead."