I wondered if it was because I missed Qing Dai so much.
When the fire cloud mark on my left chest exhibited strange changes again.
Qing Dai was the first person who came to my mind:
"Could it be that Qing Dai is in danger? Or has the life curse relapsed?"
Impossible, the life curse was already lifted, how could it relapse?
I remembered the feeling of my soul being purified by the soul stone very clearly.
The fire cloud mark remained because the life curse was connected.
If it wasn't a relapse, then something must have happened to Qing Dai?
"Qing Dai."
I called out, having a bad feeling.
No matter what, I had to see Qing Dai.
At least, I needed to confirm why the life curse mark suddenly became hot and changed.
With that thought, I quickly took out the dragon and phoenix jade pendant hanging around my neck.
I wanted to summon Qing Dai to ask her.
At least, I needed to make sure she was alright.
It would be best if she was fine.
Having not seen her for so long, it would be nice to see her tonight.
As a result, when I took out the dragon and phoenix jade pendant, my brow furrowed again.
The white dragon and phoenix jade pendant looked grayish.
When I injected Dao Qi into it, the jade pendant should have quickly turned red.
But this time, it only emitted a faint red glow.
Then I felt a jolt in my hand.
An ominous energy suddenly vibrated from within the jade pendant, the curse mark was broken!
The jade pendant in my hand immediately turned gray, losing its previous crystal clarity, becoming like a piece of gray stone.
"Wh-what's going on? The curse mark on the jade pendant is gone?"
I asked in surprise.
The curse mark on it was set by Qing Dai herself.
Its purpose was to allow her to contact me in times of danger.
And descend her spirit to protect me.
But now, the jade pendant had directly turned into a gray stone.
And the curse mark had shattered and disappeared.
This could only mean one thing, Qing Dai must have met with some misfortune…
"I need to go up the mountain to check."
For a moment, I became a little flustered.
My mind was filled with memories of Qing Dai saving me multiple times.
Without further thought, I rushed out the door, which was left unlocked.
Heading towards the direction of Old Yellow Mountain, I ran.
My only thought was to see Qing Dai.
I planned to go to the Nine Saints Mansion on Old Yellow Mountain to confirm Qing Dai was safe.
Soon, I arrived at Old Yellow Mountain.
I remembered the path to the Nine Saints Mansion very clearly.
Although the road was difficult, with my cultivation at its peak, I could move as fast as flying.
It was almost the fifteenth, and the moonlight was quite bright.
Shining upon me, it only illuminated the fleeting shadows.
I passed through the woods, running through the mountains.
My speed kept increasing.
"Qing Dai, you must not be in trouble.
You've protected me for ten lifetimes, and in this life, I haven't even had a chance to repay you.
I haven't even helped you clear out the remnants of the new dynasty and fulfill your wish…"
My mind was filled with worry.
A bad premonition permeated my entire being.
Not long after, I reached the mountain stream behind Old Yellow Mountain.
Standing before the stream, blocking my way, was that nameless old tree.
There was a curse on the old tree; only those who were permitted could enter the stream and reach the Nine Saints Mansion.
I approached the tree and first called out into the stream:
"Qing Dai, it's Qin Ze, I want to see you!"
After speaking, I circled the big tree three times.
Then, I ran into the stream.
But this time, I noticed something strange.
When I had come before, as soon as I ran a few meters, white mist condensed from ominous energy would appear ahead.
But this time, why wasn't there any?
I ran for a hundred meters, but there was nothing in the stream except rocks and bushes.
Something was wrong, very wrong.
The Yin Gate to the Nine Saints Mansion was not open.
Could it be that I circled the tree in the wrong direction?
No, that was absolutely impossible.
I had been here more than once, I wouldn't have forgotten.
"Qing Dai, Dragon Grandma, are you there?"
I called out into the stream.
My voice was filled with anxiety and worry.
My voice echoed in the stream.
Seeing no response, I ran a little further and called out again.
But still, there was no response.
I shouted and ran repeatedly.
My breathing grew more rapid, and my anxiety intensified.
Truly, I had never been so worried about someone before.
Even if that person was just a female ghost.
Unable to find the Nine Saints Mansion, I looked around the dim stream and called out again:
"Qing Dai! Are you there?"
And this time, a gust of chilling wind blew past.
I finally received a response.
However, it wasn't Qing Dai, but the voice of the chief steward of the Nine Saints Mansion, Dragon Grandma:
"Young Master Qin, please go back! The Princess is temporarily unable to receive guests."
Dragon Grandma's voice was hoarse, like a surround speaker, echoing all around.
Hearing this, my heart trembled even more.
The life curse mark suddenly heating up and fading in color.
The dragon and phoenix jade pendant turning gray, and the Qing Dai curse mark on it shattering and disappearing.
All these signs indicated that Qing Dai had definitely encountered some trouble.
The excuse of "unable to receive guests" was just a pretense…
I responded directly to the empty stream:
"Dragon Grandma, although the life curse on Qing Dai and me has been broken.
The remaining fire cloud mark is still connected to Qing Dai.
Now, the mark is fading.
I know Qing Dai must have run into trouble, please let me see her.
If you refuse, I will wait here indefinitely…"
I made my own judgment and analysis. I wasn't sure if it was entirely correct.
But the only thing I was certain of was that something had happened to Qing Dai.
She had sacrificed so much for me, and I truly didn't want anything to happen to her.
If something had happened, I also hoped to know what it was and if I could offer any small help.
I stood in place, looking into the stream.
After a long silence, Dragon Grandma's voice echoed again:
"Young Master Qin, the Princess does not wish to see you. Please go back!"
"No, let Qing Dai speak to me!"
I spoke again, this time with great persistence.
Dragon Grandma's voice responded:
"Young Master Qin, if you do not leave, then do not blame me for being impolite…"