Chapter 153: Destiny

“Though I do not understand why I must die, may I first descend into the Cold Pool to retrieve a leaf of the Seven-Leaf Lotus? Xin’er has suddenly started coughing up blood. Miss Mu Ziyan and Master Gu Yu both say she has been poisoned and that only the Seven-Leaf Lotus can save her. Therefore, I must go down now,” Mo Bai declared with unwavering resolve.

Xiao Xue was momentarily stunned. She had never expected Mo Bai to return this time solely for the Seven-Leaf Lotus. Logically, that single leaf should be able to cure Nalan Xin’er’s illness. Yet Mo Bai clearly was not lying. What, then, had transpired?

Mo Bai, aware of the urgency, spoke truthfully: “It was Miss Yu Rou who prepared the medicine for Xin’er. During the process, she told me she favored Wu Luohua. I knew Xiao Hua’s beloved was Gan Yu, but Yu Rou mistakenly thought it was Xin’er. So, she tampered with the medicine while brewing it. Ah, the complications born from a single matter of the heart have brewed today’s troubles.”

Xiao Xue was taken aback, unprepared for such an unexpected twist. Yet today, she had been given a death order—to take Mo Bai’s life. Though she did not fully understand why, she sensed that something was amiss. In her moment of confusion,

Mo Bai said, “Miss Xiao, whatever matters there are, we shall discuss them after I retrieve the Seven-Leaf Lotus. I must go down first.” Before Xiao Xue could respond, Mo Bai summoned a surge of spiritual energy and plunged directly into the icy waters of the Cold Pool.

The water was piercingly cold, but this posed no challenge to Mo Bai. Soon, he spotted the monstrous fish again. It seemed to sense his presence. The giant fish swung its tail and launched an attack at Mo Bai.

Mo Bai understood that the fish had become wary after being toyed with by him last time. It had learned to defend itself against the chilling aura protecting him. The fish’s serrated teeth tore a large hole in Mo Bai’s protective cold aura, making his presence even more evident. Mo Bai knew that if he did not kill this giant fish, it would not be easy to obtain the Seven-Leaf Lotus.

Anxious, he summoned a murderous intent. With a single hand motion, he unleashed the Great Jade Conch Technique. The swirling orb of light beneath the water stirred powerful currents, as if churning the entire pool. Mo Bai let out a roar and struck at the giant fish.

The fish seemed enraged and charged at Mo Bai’s spiritual attack. This confrontation resulted in mutual harm. Mo Bai shattered the fish’s two teeth, but the fish rammed into his body violently. Fortunately, Mo Bai’s reflexes were swift, reducing the force of the collision. Even so, his chest ached. The strength of these beasts far exceeded that of humans. Perhaps the ancient primordial battles had not truly ended; in strange places, such creatures still thrived.

Mo Bai pushed such thoughts aside. Gritting his teeth, he spun his hands, causing the four-phase golden bell around him to tremble slightly. A cold sword shot out from the bell, piercing the giant fish’s body. But the fish, seemingly provoked, ignored this lethal strike and exhaled a dark black mist. Mo Bai was startled; he realized this fierce fish’s greatest weapon was not its toughness, but this poisonous gas.

Immediately, Mo Bai summoned a spiritual shield to envelop himself. Even so, the poison, moving along a special aquatic channel, entered his lungs. Just a small amount made him dizzy. Yet his mind was clear as a mirror—he could not afford any lapse now. Raising his left hand, a red light flashed. The fish emitted an incredible howl, its belly twisting, losing all its arrogance. With the flow of the pool’s water, it could no longer protect its beloved Seven-Leaf Lotus.

Mo Bai’s scar near his left eyebrow glowed faintly red. He reached out to pluck the swaying Seven-Leaf Lotus. At that moment, a splash sounded in the pool. A white figure plunged into the water. Before Mo Bai could react, a white spiritual sword shot toward him.

Mo Bai was taken aback. He had already detected the direction of the spiritual sword’s flight. The attacker, relying on their own senses upon entering the water, launched a surprise strike. If Mo Bai tried to catch the sword, the Seven-Leaf Lotus might shatter. Thinking quickly, Mo Bai moved his hand, forming a spiritual shield on his wrist. But the white spiritual energy was too powerful, shattering the shield instantly.

Gritting his teeth, Mo Bai seized a brief pause in the white energy’s assault and positioned his body before the Seven-Leaf Lotus. The white spiritual sword pierced through his chest. Mo Bai twisted his body, absorbing the energy, enduring the pain. Then, using all his strength, he plucked one leaf and propelled himself out of the water.

Yet the figure behind him pressed closely, surfacing alongside Mo Bai. Quickly glancing back, Mo Bai saw no sign of Xiao Xue. He understood then that the one who had struck him in the water was indeed Xiao Xue. The world’s affairs shifted unpredictably — what was the true reason?

There was no time to ponder further. Mo Bai dashed toward the cave’s entrance. Just as he was about to leap out, a white spiritual light formed a crescent arc, aiming directly at his chest. Mo Bai had no choice but to pull himself back inside the cave. Turning to Xiao Xue, he asked, “Miss Xiao, do you intend to kill me?”

Xiao Xue’s expression was cold and impassive. “When you entered the cave, I told you—today, it’s either you or me.”

Mo Bai looked toward the icy pool. “Are you and I to be as cold and heartless to each other as this pool?”

Xiao Xue hesitated. “Perhaps. We can only keep company with the ice alone; we cannot blend together.”

Mo Bai nodded. “Very well. Today, I have a request for you. Even if I die, I hope you will help me fulfill it. Will you agree?”

Xiao Xue fell silent for a long moment. “Speak. Heaven or earth, I will accomplish your wish. But if I die by your hand, will you stay here in this pool with me for three years?”

Mo Bai’s voice rang out loud and clear: “If you perish, I will stay here with you for three years.” From his bosom, he produced the precious Seven-Leaf Lotus and said, “If I cannot deliver this medicine to Miss Mu personally, I hope you, Miss Xiao, will hand it to her and save Xin’er.”

“What is your relationship with the Nalan family’s girl that you would sacrifice so much for her?” Xiao Xue asked, moved.

“If it were you, I would do the same,” Mo Bai replied softly.

“Very well. If you die, I swear to save Nalan Xin’er. I pledge my life upon it,” Xiao Xue vowed solemnly.

“Though I do not know why you wish to kill me, I understand it must be for a reason that troubles you deeply. So I will not ask further. Begin,” Mo Bai said, placing the Seven-Leaf Lotus upon a large stone and raising his hand.

The thousand-year ice thorn in Xiao Xue’s hand whistled mournfully as she twirled it. Tears seemed to glisten in her eyes, yet she charged forward without hesitation. Her strike bore the power to destroy heaven and earth, aimed straight at Mo Bai.

Mo Bai had never seen Xiao Xue like this. Her overwhelming attack was not terrifying to him; rather, her celestial figure stirred something within his heart. Truthfully, Mo Bai and Xiao Xue were not close—they had only met a few times at the Spirit Ascension Arena. Yet every encounter had been fraught with conflict.

Xiao Xue had selflessly helped Mo Bai save Xiao Hua and Gan Yu, standing together against the final desperate strike of Gui Hai Yidao.

Within the Yi Hua Sect, though they had met only once, they had fought fiercely, like old friends. Their words were few, but their similarities profound. And today, they were to draw swords against each other. Yet Mo Bai would never regard Xiao Xue as his enemy.

With a wave of both palms, Mo Bai summoned a vast spiritual energy, countering Xiao Xue’s blow. The energy surged and spilled, shaking the entire cave dwelling.

Blood slowly trickled from Xiao Xue’s lips. Mo Bai was even more drained, having already been struck underwater by her. His face was pale. Neither used flashy spiritual techniques; they relied solely on their spiritual power to fight. Perhaps neither knew how this battle would end. Maybe only when one’s vitality was utterly exhausted would they stop.

A tremendous explosion rocked the cave as their spiritual energies clashed and forced them apart. Both fell to the ground with heavy thuds. Lying there, they looked at each other, their bodies stained with blood. Remarkably, the blood remained vividly red despite the chilling atmosphere—a true marvel.

Xiao Xue coughed and spat blood again. Yet after doing so, she felt some relief. Gathering her last strength, she drew the thousand-year ice thorn from the ground and, looking haggard, said, “Mo Bai, do not blame me. I am also not acting of my own free will.” A tear, the first in twenty years, traced down her cheek.

With a trembling hand, she hurled the ice thorn toward Mo Bai. He had no strength left to block it. Yet he did not close his eyes. His gaze rested on the Seven-Leaf Lotus upon the stone. He thought of the little witch who would soon be lively and well again—a beautiful, joyous prospect. But such happiness would not include him, which was a pity.

Still, Mo Bai smiled, though he lacked the strength to touch the scar near his left eyebrow. Perhaps he simply did not wish to.