Chapter 171 ·A Kindred Soul Is Hard to Find!

Yingluo ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍was immersed in her own melody as she played the flute, utterly absorbed and forgetting herself completely.

Yet ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍as she continued playing, she gradually sensed something unusual.

At ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍some point, another melody from a xiao had blended into her flute music.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍sound of the xiao was deep and distant, like an ancient mountain stream hidden within the wilderness, like pine winds beneath the moonlight.

Not ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍only did it not clash with her flute, it complemented it perfectly, echoing in harmony.

Yingluo’s ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍heart stirred slightly. Her flute never paused, yet part of her attention had already shifted toward tracing the source of that xiao melody.

Eight hundred li away, at the rear mountain of the Azure Wave Sect.

That xiao melody was coming precisely from that direction.

She played as she walked slowly forward, the flute and xiao intertwining throughout the mountains and wilds.

At times like two converging streams.

At times like twin birds competing in song.

Yingluo had cultivated the Dao of Music for many years. She had always believed that within the Spirit Realm, the number of people who could surpass her on this path could be counted on one hand.

Yet at this moment, she vaguely felt that the person playing the xiao possessed attainments in musical law no weaker than her own.

This both shocked and delighted her.

What shocked her was that after ten thousand years, the Spirit Realm had actually produced such a person.

What delighted her was that the Dao of Music was finally no longer a path she walked alone.

She quickened her pace.

At the rear mountain of the Azure Wave Sect, Nether Soul sat cross-legged within his cave abode, holding a bamboo xiao as he played leisurely.

These past years, he had been utterly idle in the Spirit Realm. The main body rarely paid attention to him either, making life unbearably dull.

To pass the time, he had studied quite a few hobbies.

Zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, poetry and songs, alchemy and talisman crafting, formations and restrictions—anything that could help kill time, he had dabbled in.

And among them, the Dao of Music was the one he cared about most.

Not for any other reason.

Simply because this thing consumed the most time.

One song ended, yet the artistic conception remained unfinished, so another began.

One song after another, and an entire day passed just like that.

If he found someone to perform together with, then it became even more endless.

At this moment, he was playing with great enthusiasm because he had sensed that flute melody eight hundred li away earlier, causing him to instinctively answer it with his xiao.

It was not because he harbored any particular thoughts.

Purely because his hands were itching.

It was like a chess player arranging chessboards alone for a long time. Upon suddenly hearing someone placing pieces nearby, he could not help wanting to play a match.

Nether Soul’s xiao melody and that flute melody echoed one another in turns, one asking and one answering, unexpectedly displaying a remarkable tacit understanding.

Outside the Azure Wave Sect’s mountain gate, Yingluo stopped walking. She could already clearly sense the source of the xiao melody.

It was within the sect ahead, somewhere in the rear mountain.

She put away her jade flute, and the xiao melody ceased as well.

The mountains and wilderness returned to silence once more.

Standing in place, Yingluo smiled brilliantly before continuing forward toward the Azure Wave Sect.

Before the sect gate, the gatekeeping disciples spotted a white-robed figure approaching from afar. Just as they prepared to step forward and question her, they heard a voice sound beside their ears:

“Let her enter.”

The gatekeeping disciples were stunned. They quickly recognized it as the voice of Supreme Elder Nether Soul and hurriedly stepped aside.

Yingluo entered the Azure Wave Sect. Without needing anyone to guide her, she headed directly toward the rear mountain.

Not long after, she arrived before a secluded cave abode.

Outside the cave abode was a small bamboo grove. Bamboo shadows swayed gently, serene and pleasant.

Within the grove sat a stone table and two stone chairs.

A black-robed young man sat cross-legged upon one of the stone chairs, holding a bamboo xiao in his hand.

“Daoist Friend has come from afar. Please, sit.”

Nether Soul raised his hand in invitation.

Yingluo did not stand on ceremony and gracefully took a seat.

The two looked at one another, neither rushing to speak first.

After a moment of silence, Yingluo spoke first.

“That xiao melody earlier… was it played by Daoist Friend?”

Nether Soul nodded.

“Indeed.”

“Daoist Friend’s attainments in musical law are the highest I have ever seen in my life,” Yingluo said.

“Ten thousand years ago, there were still a few old fellows in the Spirit Realm who could exchange pointers with me in music.”

“After awakening ten thousand years later, those people had long vanished without a trace.”

“I originally believed there would no longer be fellow travelers upon this path in this world. I never expected to encounter Daoist Friend today.”

Nether Soul smiled faintly.

“Daoist Friend flatters me. I merely play a few tunes casually when idle. I cannot bear such praise from Daoist Friend.”

Yingluo shook her head.

“The Dao of Music cannot deceive people.”

“Within Daoist Friend’s xiao melody lies tranquility, clarity, and an understanding toward all things beneath heaven and earth.”

“This is not a realm attainable through casual playing.”

Hearing this, Nether Soul developed several degrees more favorable impression toward this woman.

Not because she was beautiful, though she indeed was.

But because of the seriousness she held toward musical law.

How should this feeling be described?

It was like a modern gamer who had solo queued for a long time suddenly encountering a teammate of equal skill, coordinating flawlessly with perfect understanding. That feeling was more satisfying than winning a hundred ranked matches.

“I am Nether Soul, Supreme Elder of the Azure Wave Sect,” Nether Soul cupped his hands and introduced himself.

Yingluo paused briefly before saying, “My name is Yingluo. I am of the Spirit Race.”

“Daoist Friend Yingluo has come from afar. If you do not mind, why not stay here for several days?” Nether Soul invited.

“You and I can exchange pointers in music and keep one another company.”

After brief consideration, Yingluo nodded in agreement.

She truly did wish to exchange more with this person.

After all, since awakening, this was the first time she had encountered someone capable of rivaling her in music. To simply leave like this would truly be regrettable.

Thus, Yingluo stayed within the Azure Wave Sect.

Nether Soul specifically had another cave abode opened beside the bamboo grove, less than a hundred steps from his own, making visits convenient.

From then onward, Nether Soul’s days became far more comfortable.

Every morning, the two would sit facing one another within the bamboo grove, one playing the xiao and the other the flute, performing several songs together.

At times, Nether Soul would play melodies he had heard in his previous life. Yingluo would accompany him with her flute, unexpectedly creating a uniquely charming flavor.

During dusk, the two would stroll through the mountains, sometimes discussing music, sometimes casually chatting about events within the Spirit Realm.

Their days passed leisurely and fully.

Sometimes Nether Soul thought that even living such days for a hundred years would not feel excessive.

Unfortunately, good times never lasted long.

On this day, after Nether Soul and Yingluo finished performing together in the bamboo grove, Yingluo put away her jade flute and spoke:

“Daoist Friend Nether Soul, I should be leaving.”

The bamboo xiao in Nether Soul’s hand paused as he looked at her.

Yingluo explained:

“Since awakening, I have yet to properly see the current Spirit Realm.”

“I originally planned to travel the world and see what this world has become after ten thousand years.”

“Now that I have stayed in the Eastern Continent for some time, I have already seen quite a bit of its scenery.”

“Next, I wish to visit the Northern Plains and the Western Wilderness.”

Hearing this, although Nether Soul felt somewhat reluctant, he also knew he could not force her to stay.

Though he acted according to his whims, he was not so absurd as to imprison someone merely to keep him company.

It was just that this musical companion he had finally found was now leaving. Inevitably, his heart felt somewhat empty.

“In that case, I shall not force Daoist Friend to remain.” Nether Soul set down his bamboo xiao.

“However, the Northern Plains and Western Wilderness are not as peaceful as the Eastern Continent. Daoist Friend should be extra cautious on this journey.”

Yingluo slightly raised her brows.

“Is Daoist Friend referring to the Heaven Burning Demon Sovereign and the Great Peng Demon King?”

Nether Soul nodded.

“Precisely.”

“The Heaven Burning Demon Sovereign of the Northern Plains and the Great Peng Demon King of the Western Wilderness are both vicious individuals with ruthless methods and numerous powerful subordinates.”

“Although Daoist Friend’s cultivation is extraordinary, you should still remain cautious if you encounter those two.”

Hearing this, Yingluo smiled calmly.

“Daoist Friend may rest assured. I have heard those two are both at the peak of the Tribulation Crossing Realm.”

“I too am currently at the Ninth Layer of Tribulation Crossing and can ascend to the Immortal Realm at any time.”

“If I truly encounter them, even if I cannot win, I can still escape.”

After hearing this, Nether Soul was rendered speechless.

He could hardly say that although those two were merely at the peak of Tribulation Crossing in cultivation, the beings backing them were Immortal King-level existences from the Immortal Realm.

Could the peak of Tribulation Crossing of ordinary rogue cultivators truly compare to theirs?

But he could not say such words openly.

After some thought, Nether Soul took out a talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Yingluo.

The talisman was pale gold in color, covered in densely packed patterns.

This was a small toy he had casually crafted in the style of Dragon Talismans while bored.

Although merely a casual creation, the methods contained within were sufficient not only for dealing with Tribulation Crossing Realm troubles—even problems at the Heavenly Immortal Realm would be manageable.

“Daoist Friend Yingluo, I gift this talisman to you as a farewell present.” Nether Soul handed over the talisman.

“It is not anything precious, but at a critical moment, it may protect your safety once.”

Yingluo accepted the talisman and examined it carefully. A trace of astonishment flashed through her eyes.

With her eyesight, she naturally recognized the extraordinary nature of this talisman.

This definitely was not something that could be brushed aside as “nothing precious.”

Yet she did not ask further. She merely stored the talisman away solemnly before taking out a jade xiao from her sleeve and handing it to Nether Soul.

“Daoist Friend gifted me a talisman. Yingluo has nothing with which to repay you.”

“This xiao was personally refined by me using Spirit-Nurturing Heavenly Sound Stone as material. Though it cannot be considered some treasure, it does contain several portions of my heartfelt effort.”

“I hope Daoist Friend will not disdain it.”

Nether Soul accepted the jade xiao and tested a single note. The xiao melody rang crisp and clear, its echoes lingering endlessly.

“A fine xiao.” Nether Soul praised sincerely.

Seeing that he liked it, Yingluo nodded slightly before standing up.

“Daoist Friend Nether Soul, farewell.”

Nether Soul also rose and cupped his hands.

“Take care on your journey.”

Yingluo turned and departed, white robes fluttering as she gradually disappeared into the distance.

Not long later, her figure vanished at the end of the bamboo grove.

Nether Soul sat back upon the stone chair, idly turning the jade xiao within his hand.

After remaining silent for a long while, he sighed, placed the jade xiao upon the stone table, and looked up at the sky.

In the past, he had heard people say that kindred souls were hard to find.

He had always thought such words melodramatic.

Was it not merely finding someone one could talk with? What was so difficult about that?

Now he finally understood.

The difficulty was not in finding one.

It was in finding one… and then losing them again.

The feeling was like Gu Yan from his main body’s previous life finally finding a teammate with perfect coordination after endless gaming, climbing the ranks together with dozens of consecutive victories, only for the other party to suddenly say, “I’m quitting the game. I won’t play anymore.”

That sense of loss was incomparable to merely losing several matches.

Looking toward the direction Yingluo had departed, Nether Soul murmured softly:

“When the kindred soul departs, the lingering melody still echoes through the beams.”

“But how many days can those echoes truly linger?”

Forget it.

If fate existed, they would naturally meet again.

If fate did not…

Then so be it.

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