After leaving Azure Cloud Sect, Xiao Yi wandered aimlessly through the deep mountains. The night was dark, with only moonlight illuminating his path. His mood was as dark as the night, filled with confusion and pain.
"Ling Yu..." Xiao Yi clenched his fists, "Why did you do this to me? Weren't we brothers?"
But no one could answer his questions. Only the mountain wind howled, as if mocking his naivety.
After walking all night, Xiao Yi arrived at a small town. Dawn was breaking, and early risers were already on the streets. Xiao Yi found an inn, preparing to rest.
"Guest, staying the night?" The innkeeper greeted him warmly.
"Yes, give me a room." Xiao Yi nodded.
"Right away," the innkeeper smiled, "You're a cultivator, aren't you? You look quite capable."
Xiao Yi didn't answer, just silently followed the innkeeper upstairs.
The room was simple but clean. Xiao Yi sat on the bed and took out the Azure Cloud Sword that Sect Master Qingyun had given him, examining it carefully.
The sword was entirely azure in color, with ancient runes carved on the blade, emanating a faint spiritual energy. Although he had been expelled from the sect, the Sect Master had still given him this precious sword, showing there was still some guilt in his heart.
"Azure Cloud Sword..." Xiao Yi gently stroked the blade, "From now on, you are my only companion."
Just then, noisy voices came from downstairs.
"Did you hear? Azure Cloud Sect had a traitor!"
"What traitor?"
"That Xiao Yi, colluding with the demonic path, betraying the sect!"
"Really? Azure Cloud Sect is a major righteous sect."
"Absolutely true! I have a friend in Azure Cloud Sect who saw it with his own eyes. That Xiao Yi was caught red-handed!"
"What happened then?"
"I heard he escaped and is now being hunted."
"Tsk tsk, people's hearts are truly corrupt these days."
Xiao Yi listened to these discussions, his heart bitter. The news had spread so quickly; it seemed his reputation was completely ruined. From now on, he would become a traitor that everyone would want to capture.
"Knock, knock, knock." Someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Xiao Yi asked warily.
"Guest, someone is looking for you." The innkeeper's voice came through.
"Looking for me?" Xiao Yi was surprised. He had just arrived in this town; who could be looking for him?
"Who is it?" Xiao Yi asked.
"A young lady, says she's your friend."
Xiao Yi's heart skipped a beat. Could it be Mo Wanxian? But how did she find him?
He carefully opened the door and saw the innkeeper standing outside with a veiled woman in white.
"You may go," the woman said to the innkeeper.
The innkeeper nodded and left.
The woman entered the room and closed the door behind her.
"Who are you?" Xiao Yi asked warily.
The woman removed her veil, revealing a beautiful face. But Xiao Yi didn't recognize her.
"My name is Su Qingwu," the woman said, "I'm here to help you."
"Help me?" Xiao Yi was puzzled, "Why would you help me? We don't even know each other."
"Because I know you're innocent," Su Qingwu said, "You've been framed."
"How do you know?" Xiao Yi asked.
"Because I know who the real traitor is," Su Qingwu said, "It's Ling Yu."
Xiao Yi's expression changed. "You know about Ling Yu?"
"Not only do I know about Ling Yu, I also know about the conspiracy behind all this," Su Qingwu said, "Xiao Yi, you're in great danger. The demonic path won't give up on you."
"What do you mean?" Xiao Yi asked.
"Your identity is very special," Su Qingwu said mysteriously, "You possess something that the demonic path desperately wants."
"What thing?"
"Your bloodline," Su Qingwu said, "You are a descendant of the Heavenly Profound Clan."
"Heavenly Profound Clan?" Xiao Yi had never heard of this name.
"The Heavenly Profound Clan is an ancient cultivation family that disappeared a thousand years ago," Su Qingwu explained, "Legend says they possessed a special bloodline that could restrain demonic cultivation. The demonic path has been searching for descendants of this clan."
"You're saying I'm a descendant of this clan?" Xiao Yi found it hard to believe.
"Yes," Su Qingwu nodded, "And you're likely the last descendant."
Xiao Yi fell silent. If what this woman said was true, then everything made sense. Why the demonic path was so interested in him, why Ling Yu had gone to such lengths to frame him.
"Even if what you say is true," Xiao Yi said, "why should I trust you?"
"Because I'm also being hunted by the demonic path," Su Qingwu said, "I'm a descendant of the Dark Moon Clan, the Heavenly Profound Clan's ally."
"Dark Moon Clan?"
"The Dark Moon Clan and Heavenly Profound Clan have been allies for generations, jointly resisting the demonic path," Su Qingwu explained, "But now, both clans have nearly been wiped out by the demonic path."
Xiao Yi looked at Su Qingwu, trying to determine if she was telling the truth.
"I know this is hard to believe," Su Qingwu said, "but time is running out. The demonic path's people will find this place soon."
As if to confirm her words, footsteps suddenly came from outside, and several black-clad figures appeared in the courtyard.
"They're here," Su Qingwu said, "We must leave immediately."
"Where can we go?" Xiao Yi asked.
"I know a safe place," Su Qingwu said, "But first, we need to get out of here."
Su Qingwu opened the window and looked outside. The black-clad figures had surrounded the inn.
"There are too many of them," Su Qingwu frowned, "We can't fight our way out."
"Then what do we do?" Xiao Yi asked.
"There's a secret passage in this inn," Su Qingwu said, "Follow me."
She led Xiao Yi to a corner of the room and pressed a brick on the wall. The wall suddenly opened, revealing a narrow passage.
"How did you know about this?" Xiao Yi was surprised.
"I've been preparing for this day for a long time," Su Qingwu said, "Hurry, they'll discover us soon."
The two entered the passage, and Su Qingwu closed the entrance behind them.
The passage was very narrow and dark, with only a faint light ahead. They crawled forward carefully, not daring to make any noise.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the end of the passage. Su Qingwu pushed open a wooden board, and they emerged in a grove outside the town.
"We're safe for now," Su Qingwu said, "but we can't stay here long."
"Where are we going?" Xiao Yi asked.
"To find the truth," Su Qingwu said, "and to find a way to awaken your bloodline power."
"Awaken bloodline power?"
"Only by awakening your Heavenly Profound bloodline can you fight against the demonic path," Su Qingwu explained, "Otherwise, you'll always be hunted."
Xiao Yi nodded. He had no choice now but to trust this mysterious woman.
"Alright, I'll go with you," Xiao Yi said, "but I want to know everything."
"I'll tell you everything I know," Su Qingwu promised, "but not here. Let's find a safe place first."
The two left the grove and disappeared into the vast night.
Behind them, the black-clad figures were still searching the inn, unaware that their targets had already escaped.
"Search every room!" the leader commanded, "They can't have gone far!"
But they were destined to return empty-handed. Xiao Yi and Su Qingwu had already embarked on a new journey, one that would lead them to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy and awaken the ancient bloodline power.