After Faking My Death, I Became My Rival’s "White Moonlight" - Chapter 3

Half of his body was surging with a chaotic black current, while the other half was encased in a golden formation that was slowly devouring the darkness.

Two completely different energies were clashing within his spiritual veins, causing Shi Qing unbearable pain. In his blurring consciousness, the scenery before him seemed to shift back thirty years, back to the moment he flew toward the Demon-Suppressing Array at the bottom of the Void Abyss.

One half was a thick, ink-like demonic energy rising toward the sky; the other half was the golden light of the barrier behind him, scattering like shattered starlight across the Starfall Sea, rippling with golden waves.

All the events of the past should have dissipated within that array the moment Shi Shuangyu sacrificed his body. He only wanted to leave the past behind and live a good life, but unfortunately, heaven does not always grant human wishes.

He felt like he was dying. His dantian was damaged and burning hot, yet his heart meridian was injured and freezing cold. Heat and cold ravaged his body, intertwining and fighting for dominance. He had only been alive for a month; he did not want to die yet.

Gradually, the black energy was completely swallowed by the golden light. His heart meridian and divine soul felt like a parched riverbed finally welcoming the spring rains, finding a sense of peace.

“Shi Shuangyu!”

As if dream and reality were overlapping, a cold, familiar voice rang out beside his ear. It was likely a hallucination.

A chilling scent of plum blossoms drifted into his nose. It was somewhat familiar, but it felt like an icy blade piercing his newly calmed soul.

It hurt. In his blurred state, Shi Qing did not know if he had moaned in pain. The sharp agony in his soul vanished as quickly as it came, and the scent of plum blossoms, tinged with frost and snow, enveloped him. He drifted into a heavy stupor, falling completely into darkness.

When Sect Leader Bai Ye and the five other Peak Masters arrived, they saw Xie Ciyou, who had been in seclusion for years, standing tall in his white robes under the clear moonlight, looking like a deity descended to the mortal realm.

Sect Leader Bai Ye rubbed his eyes to ensure he was not dreaming before hurriedly stepping forward to salute, “Immortal Lord Ciyou.”

The last time the Chaowu Gallery had emerged was during the Great Immortal-Demon War. After Immortal Lord Shuangyu fell and Xie Ciyou dissolved the Immortal Alliance to lead his disciples back into seclusion, their reappearance now could only mean the world was facing another catastrophe.

Xie Ciyou was still holding someone. He shifted his gaze from the person, his voice sounding somewhat cold, “Sect Leader Bai Ye.”

“Present!”

“Demonic energy causing chaos within the jurisdiction of the Qingyun Sect. Quite the ‘Number One Immortal Sect’ you have here.”

His voice was low but not heavy, and though it was indifferent, it carried a natural authority that made Bai Ye’s legs go soft, nearly sending him to his knees.

Xie Ciyou spoke again, “Where is Gu Zhanyue?”

“Reporting to the Alliance Leader, ever since the Qingyan Gate was rebuilt, Immortal Lord Zhanyue has not lived in the Qingyun Sect for long. He has been busy with the arrangements for the Great Immortal Sect Competition recently and rarely returns.”

Hearing the title “Alliance Leader,” Bai Ye felt the same crushing pressure Xie Ciyou had radiated years ago, a power that could decide a person’s life or death with a wave of a hand.

Xie Ciyou looked extremely young, appearing somewhere between a youth and a young man, with a divine and elegant countenance that was both cold and noble. Despite many people present being older and more seasoned, no one dared to look down on him.

When Xie Ciyou first emerged to participate in the competition years ago, he was only sixteen but already at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. Beside the genius of the Qingyun Sect, Shi Shuangyu, the cultivation world had produced another young prodigy. A single glimpse of him at the assembly had unsettled the hearts of countless young cultivators.

Later, he claimed first place in the competition with a single strike. “A single strike” was literal; even if he suppressed his cultivation to match his opponent, no one could withstand one blow from him. Many of his peers had their Dao Hearts shattered that year.

The current Xie Ciyou did not look as youthful as he did at sixteen, but he still appeared no older than twenty. He radiated a solemn authority and an icy chill; no matter how beautiful he was, he only inspired people to keep their distance.

Xie Ciyou said, “The Immortal Alliance is dissolved; there is no need to call me Alliance Leader. Wake this person up and ask clearly about what happened.”

Bai Ye immediately responded, “Leave the investigation to us. Alliance, Immortal Lord, you should first…”

Before he could finish, his gaze was drawn to the person Xie Ciyou was holding. Seeing a youth in the robes of a Qingyun Sect outer disciple, Bai Ye froze, “Is there something wrong with this person? Immortal Lord, please follow me to the Qingxiu Peak to rest. You can leave the boy in your arms to us.”

Xie Ciyou glanced at the person hanging off his arm. His investigation had shown that this person had very low cultivation, an unstable soul, and an injured heart meridian. He should not have been capable of fighting anyone. Yet the sword marks on the surrounding trees, while seemingly chaotic, were clearly scattered outward from the center of the array, as if caused by an object being repelled.

Furthermore, he glanced at the pile of dust on the ground, his eyes darkening.

Two days later.

It was late morning, and the sun was climbing higher. Clouds swirled among the pavilions of the Upper Immortal Terrace of the Qingyun Sect, creating a landscape of mist and flowing jade.

It was late midsummer, but the chill on the immortal mountain was still heavy. Although the outer disciple robes had basic temperature-regulating properties, Shi Qing could not help but shiver as he passed the Cold Jade Pool. He pressed his fist to his lips and let out a muffled cough.

Senior Brother Chen, walking in front, looked back with concern, “Your body has not fully recovered, and now you have encountered such a disaster. It has been hard on you. Senior Brother Chen is only following the Sect Leader’s orders to bring you to the Qingyun Hall to understand the situation that day. It is just a formality; do not worry.”

Senior Brother Chen was an inner disciple, gentle and refined, with a temperament as soothing as a spring breeze. On the day Shi Qing was reborn, it was Chen and his patrol who found him and brought him back. Since then, Chen often visited the outer sect to check on him.

“Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Chen. I am just a bit nervous being summoned by the Sect Leader. Will there be many important figures at the Qingyun Hall?” Shi Qing asked, glancing at Chen Ji, who was walking ahead of the group.

He was the last one to wake up among everyone involved. As soon as he opened his eyes, Chen Ji was waiting to lead him to the hall for questioning. On the way, they ran into Senior Brother Chen and came together.

“Important figures? It should just be the Sect Leader and the Peak Elders. The Sect Leader sealed off the Northern Peak after the incident, and I have not heard of any other visitors,” Senior Brother Chen said. He turned to Chen Ji and asked warmly, “Senior Brother Chen Ji is the first disciple of Immortal Lord Zhanyue; perhaps you know if the Immortal Lord has returned?”

Chen Ji was handsome with sharp features, but he had a habit of keeping his brow furrowed, giving him a severity that did not match his young age. His voice was deep and serious as he replied, “Master received the message, but he is currently discussing the Great Competition with the other sects. He ordered me to return first to confirm the details.”

The Great Immortal Sect Competition was originally a decennial event. It had been suspended during the war, and since then, the various sects had been too damaged to restart it. Word was that after meeting last year, they decided to relaunch it this year, and the preparations were nearly finished.

After decades of suspension, the disciples were all eager to make a name for themselves.

Immortal Lord Zhanyue was the original male lead, Gu Yan; Zhanyue was his courtesy name. According to the original plot, after Shi Qing sacrificed himself, the world was at peace. Gu Yan became the leader of the immortal sects. Everything regarding the competition likely required his approval, which was why he could not leave.

Hearing Gu Yan’s name, Shi Qing dazed for a moment. To others, the war was thirty years ago, but to him, it was still vivid. Especially regarding Gu Yan, the character of “Immortal Lord Shuangyu” seemed to exist only for him: saving him when he was down, training him, silently accompanying him, resolving his troubles, and avenging his blood feuds. He had essentially paved Gu Yan’s way to the top.

Shi Qing’s summary: The character of Shuangyu was nothing more than a “cheat code” or a “golden finger” for the male lead. Everything was for Gu Yan’s benefit and needs, with no sense of self whatsoever!

Worse, the System had tied him to the male lead, forcing him through the plot for over a decade. Many of his actions were against his will, yet he had to maintain the persona. Every time he had to look at Gu Yan with “affectionate eyes,” his skin would crawl. Most frustratingly, he was supposed to become Gu Yan’s Daoist partner. If he had not completed the plot quickly, he might have lost his “purity.”

Following behind the two senior brothers, Shi Qing shook his head and began planning how to handle the interrogation.

They soon reached the doors of the Qingyun Hall. The doors were wide open. The group kept their heads down as they waited outside. After the two senior brothers paid their respects, Shi Qing and the others followed Chen Ji inside. Senior Brother Chen, having only escorted them, waited outside.

The group curiously and fearfully peeked at the people seated on high. Shi Qing was no exception. He looked up to see Sect Leader Bai Ye in the center, appearing as kind and approachable as ever. Then, he let his peripheral vision drift to the others.

Suddenly, a flash of white robes entered the corner of his eye. Following the robes upward, a stunningly beautiful yet frost-cold face came into view. Shi Qing’s pupils constricted instantly, and his lip twitched uncontrollably.

Why was Xie Ciyou here!

Those familiar white robes felt like a piercing blizzard against his spine. The surrounding air seemed to drop several degrees. Shi Qing’s already pale face turned as white as paper. His breath hitched, and for a moment, it felt like he might just faint on the spot.

As if sensing something, the figure’s long, lowered lashes lifted, revealing deep, icy eyes. Their gazes met, catching the shock and horror in Shi Qing’s eyes before he could look away.

It is over. Will he recognize me?

Shi Qing felt his heart leap into his throat. His normally quick-witted mind was like a rusted iron sword, stuck and unable to move.

He heard several gasps around him. The cold light in Xie Ciyou’s eyes flickered as he swept a chilling gaze over the people around Shi Qing before lowering his eyes again, no longer looking at them.

Shi Qing glanced at the disciples next to him. Seeing them all staring at Xie Ciyou as if their souls had been snatched away, he let out a silent sigh of relief.

Perhaps because they were in someone else’s sect, Xie Ciyou had restrained his sharp, authoritative aura compared to his terrifying days as the Alliance Leader. He was like a sheathed sword. With a face that exquisite, it was hard not to be mesmerized.

Xie Ciyou likely thought Shi Qing was just like the others, stunned by his beauty, and could not be bothered to pay them any mind.

Shi Qing lowered his head, trying to relax his facial muscles so he would not look too stiff. His heart was filled with gloom. How did he end up running into his arch-rival, Xie Ciyou?

“The solitary snow of a high mountain, the bright moon hanging in the clear sky.” This described Xie Ciyou and Shi Qing. Xie Ciyou was cold as frost and arrogantly aloof; Shi Qing was praised as noble, pure, and ethereal. The world called them the “Incomparable Twin Immortals,” and mentioning one inevitably led to comparisons with the other.

However, many of the things Xie Ciyou did when he was ordered to settle the chaos were just background details in the script. During that time, Shi Qing was tied to Gu Yan’s side, so his actual contact with Xie Ciyou was not frequent.

But those few interactions were enough for the entire cultivation world to know that the “Twin Immortals” did not get along.

He had no intention of making an enemy of Xie Ciyou, but as a major supporting character, Xie Ciyou had made things difficult for Gu Yan several times. As a key character on the male lead’s side, Shi Qing had no choice but to challenge him. Because of this, Xie Ciyou disliked him even more. A man who was usually sparing with his words always went out of his way to be exceptionally sarcastic toward him, causing their meetings to end on a sour note.

The man on the high seat sat silently with his eyes lowered. His slender hands rested casually on the armrests, his white robes stacked like soft clouds. He looked like an exquisite white jade statue or a solitary snow lotus blooming on an icy peak.

But at this moment, Shi Qing had only one thought: Is it too late to vomit blood and pretend to faint?

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