Chapter 13: Heartbreak

"Call out your master, or I will slaughter every last person in the Floating Cloud Cave."

The domineering voice echoed through the valley, piercing the heart of the green-robed man like a sharp sword. His expression shifted drastically. If someone without real strength spoke such words, they would merely be treated as a joke. However, the person who had destroyed his junior martial brother's body with a mere wave of his hand was a subordinate of this very speaker, meaning the visitor was fully qualified to make the threat.

"All of you, stand down."

Just as the green-robed man was at a loss for what to do, a voice carrying thirty percent age and seventy percent coarseness came from the sky. Immediately afterward, a crushing pressure descended from the heavens.

Lei Yan felt a shock in his heart. Though the person had not yet arrived, his momentum was already here. The pressure, akin to Mount Tai bearing down from above, caused Lei Yan's feet to sink abruptly. The ground collapsed instantly, and gravel splashed in all directions from beside his feet. The heavy pressure made Lei Yan's legs tremble uncontrollably, bending to the point where they seemed on the verge of collapsing into a kneel at any moment.

"Arrogant punks must pay a price." Seeing Lei Yan's awkward plight under the pressure, the green-robed man revealed a trace of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"This pressure..." The White Tiger's expression changed as it warned, "Lei Yan, be careful. This pressure is no longer ordinary pressure."

"Not ordinary pressure?" Lei Yan was startled. Prompted by the White Tiger's warning, he immediately compared the Azure Dragon's pressure with the one he was currently experiencing. The Azure Dragon's majesty was entirely a release of pressure, akin to being caught amidst ocean waves. While the current pressure gave him a similar feeling, there was one distinct difference: binding. The Azure Dragon's pressure imposed no physical restraints on him, allowing him room to resist. But this present pressure was subtly seizing control of his body with a bizarre force. Aside from maintaining a defensive posture, he was completely unable to put up any further resistance. This comparison instantly revealed the terrifying nature of the current pressure.

"What on earth is this?" Lei Yan asked through clenched teeth.

"A domain. A celestial domain," the White Tiger said with a solemn expression. As it spoke, it revealed its true form and let out a roar toward the sky, "Roar—!" It seemed to be struggling to break free from the constraints originating from the domain.

"Another domain. Damn it, what on earth is a celestial domain?" The pressure caused Lei Yan's bones to emit cracking sounds, and his entire body was slowly crawling toward the ground at a turtle's pace.

"Let me tell you," Qing He slowly said from within the Five Elements Pagoda. "A domain is actually just control over the environment. When one's strength reaches a certain stage, or when one's comprehension of heaven and earth reaches a certain level, one can control the environment within a specific range. Controlling the environment is no easy feat; even I would not dare claim to be able to do so. Therefore, what the other party is using is merely a pseudo-domain."

"A pseudo..." Lei Yan was already too suppressed by the external pressure to speak.

Qing He smiled, seeming to know what Lei Yan wanted to ask, and continued, "A pseudo-domain is also known as a freedom domain, a domain unique to scattered immortals. Once their true form is destroyed and they can no longer cultivate their own inner cosmos within their bodies, they have no choice but to seek alternative paths. Hence, a pseudo-domain is merely a minor technique. A true domain is a self-domain, which can only be comprehended after a cultivator gradually understands heaven and earth and constructs their own cosmos within. A scattered immortal's pseudo-domain must eventually transform into a self-domain before their realm can advance. However, for cultivators who possess no domain, scattered immortals are indeed vastly more powerful."

Lei Yan was still somewhat bewildered, but the situation gave him no time for deep contemplation. Unable even to speak, Lei Yan certainly lacked the mental capacity to ponder other matters.

"Sigh..." Seeing streams of blood spurting from the surface of Lei Yan's body, Qing He sighed helplessly and waved his right hand. A ripple of spatial energy radiated outward with the Five Elements Pagoda at its center. When the ripple swept over Lei Yan, the terrifying pressure acting upon him vanished instantly. Lei Yan's body felt light, almost leaping up.

Just as Lei Yan regained his footing, a figure descended from the sky, slamming into the ground like a meteorite. A massive amount of mountain stone shattered and tumbled down the mountain. The air was filled with a thick cloud of dust, momentarily shrouding the figure.

"Which senior has come to my Floating Cloud Cave? Could it be to assist this little brat?" An astonished voice rang out from within the dust as the newcomer sensed a powerful pressure bearing down on him.

"Impossible. Could the cave master have been knocked down?" Hearing the words of the Floating Cloud Cave Master, the green-robed man wore a look of utter disbelief.

"Grand Patriarch, did you knock him down?" Lei Yan also asked with some doubt.

Qing He did not answer Lei Yan. Unleashing the celestial domain once again had left him even weaker, and his form was beginning to flicker in and out of visibility. If he did not acquire Lei Yan's body soon, he might vanish entirely. In his urgency, Qing He sent a voice transmission to the Floating Cloud Cave Master.

"Floating Cloud Cave Master, is it? I don't care what method you use, force the brat opposite you into a desperate situation. Otherwise, the Floating Cloud Cave will vanish from this world, starting with you." Qing He's voice suddenly appeared in the Floating Cloud Cave Master's mind. At the same time, the domain Qing He had cast was abruptly withdrawn from the cave master.

The sudden withdrawal of the celestial domain caused the Floating Cloud Cave Master's chest to tighten, and a mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips.

"Cave Master!" A chorus of gasps rang out. Among the disciples of the Floating Cloud Cave, the cave master was an undefeated myth; even when facing Mahayana cultivators, he had never been in such a sorry state.

"Who is this person? Why is he so strong? The domain just now... a true celestial domain..." The Floating Cloud Cave Master ignored the cries of shock and looked across with terror in his eyes. However, the terror was concealed behind his mask, making it impossible for others to detect. "Why? Why does that person want me to drive the boy opposite me into a desperate situation? What is his true plot?"

With too little information gathered, the Floating Cloud Cave Master could not guess Qing He's intentions. Facing a genuine celestial being, he did not even have a chance to flee, leaving him no choice but to follow Qing He's instructions. He asked aloud, "Puff, what is your business with this old man?"

"It seems the Grand Patriarch must have exerted pressure on him," Lei Yan thought to himself, noticing the distinct softening of the Floating Cloud Cave Master's tone. Backed by this leverage, Lei Yan organized his words slightly and spoke, "I won't mince words. Hand over my woman."

"His woman? Could it be... Impossible." The Floating Cloud Cave Master's heart skipped a beat. Hearing Lei Yan's words, he immediately thought of the woman he had brought back from outside a few days ago. That woman had been purely accidental. His trip outside had originally been to seek someone capable of refining Yin Pills. When he found Jing Hui back then, he discovered that Jing Hui was merely a Nascent Soul cultivator, prompting him to control him using the Soul-Bewitching Technique. However, when he cast the technique, it was blocked by that woman. Given his current cultivation level, he did not dare use the Soul-Bewitching Technique on a Nascent Soul cultivator a second time, leaving him no choice but to use the woman as leverage against Jing Hui.

"Your woman? What a joke. Is my Floating Cloud Cave Master the kind of person who would forcefully seize another's wife?" the Floating Cloud Cave Master said righteously.

"Whether you are or not, call out the person you are preparing to marry, and a single question will reveal the truth," Lei Yan said coldly.

"Audacious! Is the Cave Master's wife someone you can just demand to see?" the green-robed man roared angrily.

"Puff, my tolerance is limited..." Halfway through his sentence, the Floating Cloud Cave Master suddenly recalled Qing He's words and thought to himself, "This might be an opportunity."

"Zhang Yutai, go bring Feng Yun over," the Floating Cloud Cave Master instructed the green-robed man.

"Cave Master..." The man named Zhang Yutai was about to advise caution, but seeing the look in the Floating Cloud Cave Master's eyes, he immediately replied respectfully, "Yes."

"Feng Yun? Could it really not be Ling'er?" Lei Yan's heart stirred. "No, perhaps he is trying to trick me with someone else." Having the memories of the two women from the inn, Lei Yan was not afraid of the Floating Cloud Cave Master attempting to deceive him.

A moment later, Zhang Yutai led a woman out from the depths of the cave.

"Ling'er!" Lei Yan's gaze tracked the appearing woman. The figure of this newcomer was far too similar to Qing Sheng's—even down to her gaze—except that her face was veiled by a silk cloth draping down to her chest. Furthermore, upon emerging, she merely glanced at Lei Yan before shifting her focus entirely to the Floating Cloud Cave Master.

"It's not Ling'er." A trace of disappointment flashed across Lei Yan's eyes. The glance the woman had cast his way earlier was so indifferent, so cold. That kind of gaze clearly treated him as nothing more than a passerby. If she were Qing Ling, she would never exhibit such an expression, even if she were under restraint.

"Husband, why have you summoned Feng Yun?" the woman named Feng Yun asked, bowing slightly to the Floating Cloud Cave Master.

"Feng Yun, stand aside for a moment," the cave master instructed.

Feng Yun curtsied slightly and stepped behind the Floating Cloud Cave Master.

"Feng Yun, do you recognize the person opposite?" the Floating Cloud Cave Master asked.

"I do not," Feng Yun replied without the slightest hesitation.

The Floating Cloud Cave Master shifted his gaze to Lei Yan and asked, "Puff, do you have anything else to say?"

Qing Ling was extremely lively, sometimes even doing things that disregarded female modesty. Facing him, she would alternate between shyness and explosive anger. Yet the woman before him gave an impression of dignity, virtue, and poise; she walked at a measured pace, her steps as standard as if measured by a ruler, giving Lei Yan the impression of a noble lady of a great household. The difference between the two was simply too vast.

"I suppose I recognized the wrong person. Cave Master, offense taken, I shall take my leave now." Lei Yan's gaze dimmed as he turned to leave.

"Oh? No matter how lacking my Floating Cloud Cave may be, it is not a place you can come and go as you please." The Floating Cloud Cave Master's expression sank. Remembering Qing He's words, he had no choice but to keep Lei Yan here. Only by keeping him could he be driven into a desperate situation—or rather, attacking him would also plunge him into despair.

"What do you mean?" Lei Yan turned back, a murderous intent lingering in his eyes.

"Wait." Qing He's voice suddenly echoed in the minds of both Lei Yan and the Floating Cloud Cave Master, causing the two of them to freeze simultaneously.

"Floating Cloud Cave Master, has this woman been subjected to a spell like the Soul-Bewitching Technique?" As an outsider, Qing He had been observing everything around him, including the newly emerged woman. He noticed that the woman named Feng Yun showed a momentary flash of dullness in her eyes when Lei Yan turned around.

"Indeed." The Floating Cloud Cave Master's expression shifted. Remembering his momentary laxity when Lei Yan turned around, which had allowed Feng Yun to reveal a flaw, he felt overwhelming regret.

"Was this woman brought back by you from a small mountain on the southwestern border of Qing Province, near Jiang Province?" Qing He asked again.

The Floating Cloud Cave Master nodded.

"Good! Excellent! Hahaha..." Qing He burst into laughter. Seeing how much importance Lei Yan placed on this woman, a flawless plan suddenly formed in his mind. "Floating Cloud Cave Master, this woman is the ultimate medicine to drive the brat opposite into a desperate situation. I want you to erase this woman's shadow from that boy's heart. Surely you know what to do."

"Could she be the obstacle in that boy's heart? Only by breaking through this obstacle can his cultivation advance?" The Floating Cloud Cave Master fell silent. He suddenly thought of certain cultivation techniques based on emotions, where one's cultivation would reach a new tier with every emotional breakthrough. "Does that mean this kid isn't some celestial's disciple? And I was just foolishly plotting to kill him..." As he thought about it, cold sweat broke out all over the Floating Cloud Cave Master.

Confusion clouded Lei Yan's face. The few sentences that had slipped from the Floating Cloud Cave Master's mouth clearly indicated he was communicating with Qing He, yet Lei Yan had no way of knowing what the two were discussing.

"Puff, do you not wish to see Feng Yun's true face?" Having figured things out, the Floating Cloud Cave Master suddenly spoke up.

"True face? What do you mean? Could it be... Impossible... No matter how similar someone looks, she is not Ling'er..." Lei Yan's heart stirred.

"Feng Yun, remove your veil," the Floating Cloud Cave Master instructed the woman behind him.

Feng Yun obediently unfastened her veil, revealing a face identical to Qing Ling's right before Lei Yan's eyes.

"This... Could she be Qing Ling's twin sister?" Lei Yan found it hard to believe his eyes. Aside from the difference in temperament, the high bridge of her nose, her full lips, and the dimples on her cheeks when she pursed her mouth were carved from the same mold as Qing Ling's.

"Is she really not Ling'er?" Lei Yan's heart began to waver.

"The name Feng Yun was actually given to her by me on the way back to my Floating Cloud Cave. I recall she seemed to have another name previously, something like Ling... Oh right, Qing Ling." As the Floating Cloud Cave Master spoke, he closely watched Lei Yan's reaction.

"Ling'er? It really is Ling'er!" Lei Yan's heart trembled. Despite such close proximity, he had failed to recognize Qing Ling, and a wave of self-blame began to consume him.

"Ling'er! It's me, I'm Lei Yan. Do you not remember me?" Lei Yan cried out softly as he rushed forward.

The Floating Cloud Cave Master leaned forward slightly and struck out with a palm. With a loud crash, the disparity in strength meant Lei Yan was sent flying backward before he could even react.

"Lei Yan!" The White Tiger leaped forward, intercepting Lei Yan. At the same time, the massive rebound force caused it to skid a distance across the ground.

A mouthful of blood spewed from Lei Yan's mouth. Disregarding his injuries entirely, Lei Yan stared at Qing Ling. "Ling'er, do you really not know me?"

Qing Ling did not acknowledge Lei Yan. Even seeing him injured, her gaze remained devoid of the slightest ripple. The Floating Cloud Cave Master's figure suddenly blocked Qing Ling as he sneered, "You call yourself Lei Yan, right? You should know her name is Feng Yun now, and she is my woman. Please conduct yourself with dignity."

The self-blame of failing to recognize Qing Ling at close range, coupled with Qing Ling's indifferent, stranger-like gaze, sent Lei Yan's mind into a state of chaos. "Ling'er, have you forgotten the first time we met by the edge of the woods? At that time, you and your martial uncle disguised yourselves as a grandfather and granddaughter to force me to go to the Poison King Valley..."

"Have you forgotten the days when we fought each other? It was you who gave me the opportunity to survive..."

"Have you forgotten our first kiss during the competition..."

"Have you forgotten the days we spent living together in Longba..."

...

Lei Yan shouted until his voice was hoarse.

"Why do I feel somewhat pained?" The White Tiger stood behind Lei Yan and took a deep breath.

Lei Yan's voice acted like a key unlocking the gears of time, slowly pulling Qing Ling's memories back—their first meeting, their first fight, their first kiss, the times she stood blankly watching Lei Yan cultivate, the time she risked her life during the Soul-Sealing Array to pour her true essence into his body... the time she tried with all her might at the inn to pull him out of the Earth Element artifact... the time she shed tears of sorrow in the carriage because he refused to take her along...

A complex look flashed through Qing Ling's eyes. Those memories suddenly surfaced, yet they felt so distant—as distant as events from a past life—making it impossible for Qing Ling to look Lei Yan in the eye.

"Not good. I wouldn't have thought this brat held such importance in her heart." Sensing the change in Qing Ling, the Floating Cloud Cave Master's expression shifted, and he silently muttered a string of incantations.

"Indeed, that was a very long time ago." A trace of firmness flashed across Qing Ling's gaze as she curtsied slightly to the Floating Cloud Cave Master and said, "Forgive me, husband, for putting you in a difficult position." She then turned to look at Lei Yan. "Young Master Lei, I did not expect you to come here. To be honest, my memories of being with you have become very blurry. If you hadn't brought it up just now, I truly would have forgotten. If it were as bone-deep as you claim, how could I have forgotten? That is correct—thanks to your reminder, I have recalled these memories. However, these memories hold nothing worth cherishing... I must ask you not to disturb me and my husband..."

"Forgotten? Nothing worth cherishing? Do not disturb me and my husband..." The words exploded in Lei Yan's mind like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, shattering the image of Qing Ling standing blankly watching him practice during cultivation; shattering the image of Qing Ling desperately pouring her true essence into his body during the Soul-Sealing Array; shattering the image of Qing Ling trying with all her might at the inn to pull him out of the Earth Element artifact; shattering the image of Qing Ling weeping in the carriage because he wouldn't let her come along...

"No!" Lei Yan let out a low roar. His mind was entirely chaotic, rendering him incapable of calm thought. If he had only exercised a modicum of caution or paused to think, he would instantly have discovered the overwhelming number of suspicious details in the middle of it all.

"Ling'er—no, Qing Ling, I suppose. I only need you to answer me one question now: have you ever loved me?" Lei Yan's voice was calm—terrifyingly calm. The composed tone did not seem angry at all over Qing Ling's words, yet everyone present could sense an impending explosion hidden beneath that tranquility. Even the White Tiger's gaze toward the Floating Cloud Cave Master and the others grew ferocious because of Lei Yan's emotional state.

"I never asked you to love me," Qing Ling said slowly. Yet as the words left her lips, hot tears flowed uncontrollably. "Why am I saying such heartless words? Why am I weeping? Aren't those memories unworthy of cherishing? Why can his emotions sway me so?"

Seeing the tear tracks on Qing Ling's face, Lei Yan suddenly jolted awake. "The Soul-Bewitching Technique! It must be the Soul-Bewitching Technique!"

"Floating Cloud Cave Master, you truly deserve to die. Do you know that you have crossed my bottom line?" A monstrous murderous intent was unreservedly released from within Lei Yan's body.

"Dammit... Just a little more." Qing He, who had been waiting for an opportunity, was rejoicing that he was about to acquire Lei Yan's body, only for this trivial little episode to shatter his plans. With a ferocious look in his eyes, Qing He sent an angry voice transmission to the Floating Cloud Cave Master: "Kill that woman!"

"No!" The Floating Cloud Cave Master felt a pang of unwillingness. If he killed Qing Ling, Jing Hui would become uncontrollable; who would refine Yin Pills for him then? If he were to cast the Soul-Bewitching Technique again without his spiritual sense fully recovered, his cultivation would remain stagnant forever, leaving death as his only outcome. That would be no different from killing him.

"You should know what kind of person I am. If you kill her, I will certainly not treat you unfairly. With my help, your cultivation can reach a brand new tier. How about it?" Qing He tempted him.

The Floating Cloud Cave Master's heart wavered. Wasn't having Jing Hui refine Yin Pills meant to elevate his own strength? Yet now, an even greater temptation lay before him—the assistance of a quasi-immortal. Of course, if the other party truly was willing to help him, it would be ten times, nay, a hundred times better than taking Yin Pills. But would the other party really help him? He hesitated.

"Golden Ghost, Wooden Ghost, obey my command! Kill the Floating Cloud Cave Master!" Lei Yan shouted. But at the exact moment Lei Yan gave the order, Golden Ghost and Wooden Ghost received a competing command from Qing He: Kill Qing Ling.

While the Floating Cloud Cave Master hesitated, two figures had already surged forward. Time left no room for deep thought on his part. A thought flashed through his mind: "In wealth and honor, one seeks risk. I'll stake it all! At worst, I'll just use the Soul-Bewitching Technique on Jing Hui again once my spiritual sense recovers." Seeing a streak of light slashing toward his neck, he pulled Qing Ling directly in front of him.

*Slash!* A spray of blood erupted, and Qing Ling's body was blasted backward by a massive force at the same instant.

"No!" A piercing cry of anguish burst from Lei Yan's throat. His figure lunged toward Qing Ling.

In a sunken pit, Qing Ling's body was pinned to the ground by several jagged rocks, and blood was gushing out from her throat. Lei Yan leaped into the pit, shoved aside the rubble weighing down on Qing Ling, and like a madman, pressed his hands over the gaping wound on her neck while frantically muttering, "Ling'er, you'll be fine. You'll be fine. You can't leave me. I won't allow you to leave me..."

"Lei... Da... Cough... Cough..." A mouthful of blood welled up at the corner of Qing Ling's lips. Her gaze toward Lei Yan began to blur. She raised her right hand slightly, wanting to wipe away the tears at the corner of Lei Yan's eyes, but halfway up, her arm fell limp and dropped. From beginning to end, a trace of a tear lingered at the corner of her eye.

"No—!" Lei Yan raised his head and roared in fury. He felt as though his heart had shattered like glass, and the pillar that had always supported his spirit collapsed in an instant.