The hall was filled with a silence as cold as the falling snow outside. Beyond the walls, the heavens were shedding soft, white flakes, as if someone were tearing the clouds apart and scattering them upon the world. But inside the pavilion, tranquility was nowhere to be found. Wui Guan, having lost all semblance of reason to her fury, lunged forward. She raised her sword against Mo Yan, launching a strike as fierce as a lightning bolt.

  However, Mo Yan was a master of the blade, a warrior without equal. He could read the trajectory of a strike even with his eyes closed. A move like that could never bypass him. His sword roared, meeting Wui Guan’s blade with a single, precise clash.

  But Wui Guan’s venomous wrath was aimed entirely at Yu Sui, who stood motionless. She struck at him again and again, only to be parried by Mo Yan’s sword every single time. Mo Yan allowed not a single blow to reach Yu Sui; not a single spark of steel touched his skin. He protected Yu Sui with an unwavering resolve, acting as an impenetrable shield.

  Yu Sui stood behind him, struggling to suppress the tempest raging within his soul. But his burning eyes and his trembling sword betrayed his every effort. His eyes gradually turned a deep, blood-red, fueled by suppressed emotions. Just as his patience reached its breaking point, he took a step forward.

  His gaze fell upon Wuzu, who was waiting for him with a calm, stoic expression. Her crimson eyes were haunting, yet unlike Yu Sui's, they held a strange sense of composure. Yu Sui took a second step, then a third, walking away from the chaos. Mo Yan, still locked in a fierce struggle with Wui Guan, noticed his departure and called out in a voice laced with anxiety, "Yu!!?"

  The hall was a battlefield. Mo Yan’s disciples were embroiled in combat with Wui Guan’s officers. Every clashing blade felt like a stab in Yu Sui's chest. He looked down and saw the body of the innocent guard lying near his feet. The sacred ground, meant for justice and peace, was now stained with blood.

  Something inside Yu Sui snapped. Tears flowed like a clear river down his face. He cast one final look at Mo Yan, who was valiantly fending off Wui Guan’s attacks, and then he turned and walked out. Wuzu followed him, casting a lingering, inscrutable glance at Mo Yan before she disappeared.

  With a final, powerful surge of energy, Mo Yan struck Wui Guan. His sword moved so swiftly it left a trail of silver moonlight in the air, sending Wui Guan flying backward. As Mo Yan saw Yu Sui walking away, his face contorted with the pain of a soul about to shatter. He cried out desperately,

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  "Yu!??... Wait! Yu, stop!"

  His heart sank when Yu Sui did not stop. Wuzu looked back once, but Yu Sui kept moving forward, never turning his head.

  However, as he reached the main entrance of the pavilion, someone appeared before him. Yu Sui’s steps froze instantly, his eyes widening in shock. Standing there was a familiar, wise face Master Wu Xiang, the esteemed teacher who once served the Xuemo Sect.

  Master Wu Xiang looked at Yu Sui with gentle eyes. In a fluid motion, he formed a hand seal. A golden mantra flared into existence and shot forward with the speed of lightning, striking Wui Guan right on her forehead. The moment it touched her, it transformed into a 'Stasis Talisman' bearing the word: "Halt."

  Mo Yan rushed to Yu Sui’s side. He acknowledged the venerable Master with a bow and immediately seized Yu Sui’s wrist.

  "Yu Sui, listen to me. Calm yourself. Compose yourself, Yu,"

  he urged, his voice trembling with concern.

  The talisman on Wui Guan’s forehead had turned her body as rigid as stone, rendering her unable to move. Her officers rushed to her side, desperately trying to peel the talisman off, but to no avail. Seizing the opportunity, Su Nian signaled the other disciples. They gathered around Mo Yan and bowed deeply in reverence to Master Wu Xiang.

  Meanwhile, Duie was still tangled in a fight with an opponent. Seeing the hall empty and Wui Guan immobilized, he suddenly stopped the man mid-swing. "Wait!!!... Why exactly are you attacking me?"

  The man looked at him in sheer confusion and annoyance.

  "Are you crazy? We’re enemies! That's why!"

  Duie let out a long sigh, placed his arm around the man's shoulder, and started walking as if nothing had happened. "Listen, you simpleton. Why are we fighting for no reason? Huh? Do you even know me? Have I ever done you any harm? Did I ever steal your property?"

  The young man scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, no."

  Duie slapped him on the back heartily. "Exactly! If we haven't harmed each other, why should we fight? Let's be friends and go get some food."

  The young man hesitated, looking suspicious.

  "No... no, what if you poison me!?"

  Duie put his arm back on his shoulder. "Oh, you innocent bird. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it long ago. This sword isn't just for show. Now come on, let's eat."

  Charmed by Duie's charisma, the young man followed him to his quarters, where the bowl of Yu Sui's spicy porridge was still sitting. Duie was laughing internally.

  He invited the young man inside, sat him down, and presented the bowl.

  "Listen, brother," Duie said solemnly. "This is a special porridge I made. It can recognize the soul of a warrior. If you are a true and noble warrior, this porridge will taste sweet to you. But if it tastes spicy... well, then you’re a pretty pathetic excuse for a fighter."

  The young man puffed out his chest, nodded proudly, and took a large bite. The first spoonful showed him his true reality. Smoke practically billowed from his ears and nose; it felt as though he had swallowed a glowing piece of coal.

  Duie watched him and said with a suppressed laugh,

  "Huh! I knew you'd find it sweet because you're a magnificent warrior. Now, don't stop until you've finished the whole bowl!"

  With that, Duie slipped out of the room, leaving the "noble warrior" to his fate.