Among the Colorful Clouds Main Pavilion.
Yu Yi sat by the window, savoring flower tea, enjoying the cool breeze outside. She felt extremely relaxed.
But this was just a rare moment of leisure before a busy period.
Thinking about all the things she had to do later, Yu Yi’s head started to ache.
“I promised Qingluan a reward, dual cultivation with Ling’er, going to the Fengqing Sect to give the Soul Essence to Lü Qi, and also heading to the River of Forgetfulness to find the culprit behind the beast rampage… Sigh, just thinking about it is tiring.”
Even though she said it was tiring, just thinking about the first two things made her body heat up involuntarily.
‘Uh-oh… I think I’m really becoming weird.’
Coo coo, coo coo~
Suddenly, the sound of pigeon cooing reached Yu Yi’s ears.
She turned and saw a pigeon with a tuft of green feathers on its head fly in through the window, landing on the back of her hand.
This messenger pigeon came from the Fengqing Sect in Yuanzhou, and it was the exclusive pigeon of her fourth disciple, Lü Qi.
“Why would Lü Qi send a letter now?” Yu Yi found it strange.
It hadn’t been long since they parted; surely she couldn’t miss her already?
If not, then what could it be?
With doubts, Yu Yi took the message tube from the pigeon’s leg and pulled out the letter.
Opening the note, rows of neat, concise handwriting came into Yu Yi’s view.
“Dear Master. A few days have passed since you left Yuanzhou. Disciple misses you dearly. In hopes of helping Fu Yi get accustomed to the role of Sect Master as soon as possible so I can quickly return to Among the Colorful Clouds, I have stayed up for several more nights.”
“Please forgive me. Originally, everything was going smoothly, but for some reason, Fu Yi recently became like a ghost possessed, as if she were cursed, turning violent and mad. With no choice, Disciple had to temporarily trap her in a dream.”
“Disciple has already invited an exorcist to investigate the cause, so my return to Among the Colorful Clouds may be delayed. I deeply regret this.”
Possessed by a ghost? Is there such a thing?
Yu Yi thought to herself as she read.
Then, hurried footsteps came from outside. Yu Yi looked up to see Chi Ming rushing in frantically.
“Chi Ming, did I never teach you to knock before entering?”
Yu Yi asked calmly, even though she could tell Chi Ming was anxious about something. But the more one could maintain basic etiquette in a flustered situation, the more it showed maturity and composure.
‘It seems Chi Ming has been diligently improving her cultivation, but her composure still needs work.’
“Ah… Disciple is in the wrong!” Chi Ming, realizing her mistake, quickly knelt before Yu Yi and bowed.
“What made you so urgent?” Yu Yi asked.
“Master! I haven’t finished today’s training tasks, but I want to request leave to go out! So these few days of training might have to be delayed!”
Chi Ming clasped her fists, answering urgently.
Yu Yi smiled approvingly.
‘As expected of my most hardworking disciple, Chi Ming. She knows to ask for leave, unlike that lazy Doudou who fishes for two days then dries the net for ten.’
“What’s so urgent that you need to go out?” Yu Yi then asked.
“Xiaoyu… Xiaoyu is in trouble!” Chi Ming said nervously, her hands trembling as she handed a letter to Yu Yi.
Yu Yi opened the letter and glanced through it, immediately frowning.
According to the letter, the Leader of the Xingyue Alliance in Yunzhou, Chi Ming’s close friend Fang Xiaoyu, had suddenly gone mad without any warning, as if possessed by a ghost.
What a coincidence?
Both Fu Yi and Fang Xiaoyu, two people connected to Among the Colorful Clouds, had become possessed?
Strangely, Yuanzhou and Yunzhou were far apart. Even if a ghost were causing trouble in the mortal world, it couldn’t affect both of them from such a distance, right?
The more Yu Yi thought about it, the stranger it seemed. She felt there must be something fishy.
Just as Yu Yi was pondering, a knock came at the door: “Knock knock knock.”
“Come in,” Yu Yi responded.
The door opened to reveal Blue Ling’er. She had been acting shy as if she had some intent, but upon seeing Chi Ming there, she gave a light cough and returned to her usual demeanor.
“So, Little Junior Sister also has something to discuss with Master?” Blue Ling’er asked casually.
“Second Senior Sister! Xiaoyu is in trouble!” Chi Ming immediately said to Blue Ling’er.
“Fang Xiaoyu is in trouble? Did another beast rampage occur in Yunzhou? Did she get injured?” Blue Ling’er was surprised.
After all, they had just parted ways with Fang Xiaoyu not long ago. How could something happen so quickly?
“No, it’s not a beast rampage,” Chi Ming shook her head, then told Blue Ling’er about Fang Xiaoyu being possessed and the series of strange behaviors.
Just after Chi Ming finished, Yu Yi called out to Blue Ling’er: “Ling’er.”
“Disciple is here,” Blue Ling’er turned to face Yu Yi.
“A similar thing has happened on your Fourth Junior Sister’s side,” Yu Yi then explained the situation with Fu Yi of the Fengqing Sect.
When Blue Ling’er heard that Fu Yi had a period where she lost consciousness but woke up safe, she quickly realized something.
Blue Ling’er judged that Fu Yi and Fang Xiaoyu shared one important similarity.
That was, they had both “died” once.
So if they were both possessed and acting strangely, didn’t that mean…
“Ling’er.” Yu Yi’s voice interrupted Blue Ling’er’s thoughts. She asked calmly, “Are you thinking of something?”
Blue Ling’er’s delicate body trembled.
‘It’s over… Master must already know the reason. I deceived Master back then, and now I’m finally going to be punished…’
Blue Ling’er panicked inside. Would her image as an honest, reliable disciple in Yu Yi’s heart be marred?
If a rift appeared and Yu Yi no longer trusted her as before, then wouldn’t she no longer be that “unique” one?
No, that absolutely cannot happen!
So Blue Ling’er quickly thought of a remedy.
With a “thud,” she knelt before Yu Yi, kowtowing to apologize: “Disciple hid the truth from Master out of necessity!”
Yu Yi: “…What did you think of again… Forget it, I’m used to it. Get up first, then speak.”
“Yes, Master.”
Blue Ling’er slowly rose and explained, “Disciple speculates that both Fang Xiaoyu of the Xingyue Alliance and Fu Yi of the Fengqing Sect may have ‘died’ once. And the one who returned their souls to their bodies, bringing them back to life, is First Senior Sister.”
“Oh?” Yu Yi raised an eyebrow.
“Disciple doesn’t know First Senior Sister well, but I can be sure that she controls both their souls, so she can borrow their bodies at any time.”
Blue Ling’er explained, “Last time before we left Yunzhou, First Senior Sister took over Fang Xiaoyu’s body to greet me, and at the same time asked me not to tell you, Master.”
Yu Yi fell into deep thought upon hearing this.
Bringing people back to life, controlling their souls…
The scene of parting with that pink-haired loli at the River of Forgetfulness years ago floated into Yu Yi’s mind.
An overwhelming feeling of longing surged into Yu Yi’s heart involuntarily.