Chapter 159 — Loneliness

Zhou Yixuan gave a dry laugh and said, "Truth be told, I don't know much about the Phantom Moon Cave either. The cave was never famous to begin with. It only became known throughout the world because, a thousand years ago, that Ancestor Qing Ye went into seclusion there to comprehend the Way, and because the Ancient Immortal-Slaying Sword appeared within it. But over the years it has served only as a repository for the Ancient Sword Immortal-Slaying, and only the head of Qing Yun has ever been permitted to enter, so its fame has gradually faded."

Ming Li said, "Oh? Is there more?"

Zhou Yixuan hesitated, then said, "I don't care what you're planning, but that place, you'd best stay away from it."

Ming Li's brows lifted. "Why?"

Zhou Yixuan sighed and said, "You surely know your own situation well enough. That Phantom Moon Cave is a vital stronghold of Qing Yun. If you go up Canglan Mountain and someone discovers you... don't forget, at this very moment there are thousands upon thousands of the righteous path on Canglan Mountain. If your identity is exposed, I fear you couldn't escape even if you turned into a bird and flew."

Ming Li said coldly, "That's my affair. Just tell me what you know about the Phantom Moon Cave, and that will be enough."

Zhou Yixuan shook his head and muttered under his breath, "Young people these days really have no patience... Very well. The cave was named Phantom Moon because, so the tales say, on nights of the bright moon the strange rocks before it blaze with a dazzling, dreamlike splendor. But more important still is a natural anomaly within the cave itself: anyone who walks in feels as though they have fallen into a waking dream. Those whose will is not firm will sink deep into it and never pull themselves out, and all the cultivation they have accumulated will be destroyed in an instant."

Ming Li was taken aback. "What? There's such a thing?"

Zhou Yixuan snorted, looked Ming Li up and down, and said, "I advise you to give up your foolish hopes. If you enter that Phantom Moon Cave, you'll be walking straight to your death."

Ming Li gave a cold laugh. "How can you be so sure?"

Zhou Yixuan said, "I know you won't accept it, and I know how stubborn you are, but I'll tell you the truth." His face slowly grew solemn, and unexpectedly he took on an air of dignity that was imposing without anger, and he said in a deep voice, "Being firm of will is not about the temper of your character. The way I see it, your life has been one storm after another, with setbacks piled up like mountains, and countless wounds buried in your heart. If you fall into that illusion, I fear it will stir up everything you carry within, and you will never be able to pull yourself free."

He paused, seeming to hesitate, but after a moment's thought he went on anyway: "And there's this: the magic treasure you carry is a thing of the utmost evil and misfortune, and the blood and spirit within your body have long since merged into one with the demonic power of the Blood-Devouring Orb and the like. Such demonic things will only do you harm inside that kind of illusion. So let me urge you once more, put this notion out of your head."

Ming Li gazed at Zhou Yixuan as though seeing the man for the first time, watching him in silence. Zhou Yixuan met his look without flinching. After a long while, Ming Li said not a word, and slowly turned away.

Just then, another commotion swept through He Yin City: a great host of Qing Yun disciples appeared on the city walls and along the streets, shouting something to the crowds below. Zhou Yixuan and the others were startled, and pushed their way through to listen carefully. The Qing Yun disciples were announcing to all that the beast-demons were about to arrive, that He Yin City was no longer safe, and that the common folk should flee north, at the very least past the Canglan Mountain range.

Zhou Yixuan listened with a bitter look on his face, shaking his head and sighing without end. He turned to Xiao Wan and the others and said, "Alas, now we're in real trouble. I wonder... hey, where's that fellow Ming Li?"

Xiao Wan and the Wild Wolf Daoist both started, and hurried to turn around, only to find empty space behind them. The crowd was dense beyond counting, and Ming Li's figure was nowhere to be seen.

A vast sea of people, a clamor of voices. Zhou Yixuan stood amid the crowd, frowning and shaking his head, while Xiao Wan beside him was silent, saying nothing, only gazing quietly into the distance. After a long while, she gave a soft sigh, and in that sound there seemed to linger a note of sorrow.