News of Aunt Su's awakening, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, caused quite a stir among Qingxu Temple's higher ranks. After all, her former identity as a Shadow Snake Pavilion Silver Mask Emissary was too sensitive. But with Tang Xiaoqi's forceful protection and the Temple Master True Immortal Xuan Xuan and Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng's judgment based on her previous various acts of assistance and having no malice toward the sect, a final decision was ultimately made. Su Wan'er—this was the name she requested to restore—was officially permitted to remain at Qingxu Temple for recovery.
Her temporary status was designated as Guest Elder, with Tang Xiaoqi holding full responsibility for her safety and care. This was both a form of protection and a disguised observation. Simultaneously, their aunt-nephew relationship was confirmed by the Temple Master personally, recorded in archives, giving this blood kinship an official status. Tang Xiaoqi settled Su Wan'er in a quiet courtyard beside his own cave dwelling.
Here spiritual energy was abundant, environment elegant, far from sect bustle, conducive to recuperation. He personally set up protective and spiritual-gathering formations, and assigned two careful, steady female inner disciples to handle daily care. Initially, Su Wan'er's body was extremely weak. Even long periods of sitting were difficult; most of her time still required bed rest.
Tang Xiaoqi came almost daily. Sometimes he transferred pure spiritual power to help restore her meridians; sometimes he brought carefully refined solidifying-origin pill medicines from the sect's pill hall; most often, he merely sat quietly with her, chatting. He would narrate his experiences over these years—from being a "trash" upon entering Qingxu Temple, to adventures in secret realms, to various engagements with the Shadow Snake Pavilion, and finally Father Xu Zhan's release. His narration was calm and objective, neither deliberately aggrandizing hatred nor avoiding his own growth and insights.
Su Wan'er always listened quietly, her gaze complex. Hearing of his difficulties upon entering the sect, she showed heartache; hearing of his near-death escapes, she unconsciously gripped the quilt; hearing of Xu Zhan's final moments, she drooped her eyes in sorrow, but her gaze held more relieved mourning. As her body gradually recovered and she could slowly walk, Su Wan'er also began speaking more actively. She began proactively asking Tang Xiaoqi about the sect's current situation, about the cultivation world's latest developments.
Her thinking remained sharp; often from a tiny bit of information, she could infer underlying undercurrents. This day, the sun was pleasant. Tang Xiaoqi supported Su Wan'er in slowly walking beneath the corridor. Her face remained pale, but her eyes had regained brilliance, no longer dead silence. "Xiao Qi," she stopped, gazing at a newly transplanted plum tree somewhat resembling the Xu Lan Mountain Manor backyard in her memory, speaking softly: "My life was saved by you.
This debt, Aunt Su remembers in her heart." Tang Xiaoqi smiled gently: "Aunt Su is too polite. We are family." Su Wan'er turned her head, looking at him seriously: "Exactly because we are family, there are things I must tell you, tell Qingxu Temple." She took a deep breath, as if making a decision: "Regarding Xu Lan Mountain Manor's truth back then, and about the Shadow Snake Pavilion. everything I know." Tang Xiaoqi's expression became solemn. He helped her sit on a nearby stone bench: "Aunt Su, please speak." The following several hours, Su Wan'er laid out all the core secrets she knew without reservation. She confirmed that Xu Lan Mountain Manor's destruction's root cause was the "Purification Origin" core the Xu family had guarded for generations—that World-Cleansing Azure Lotus seed.
The demonic entity coveted this item to compensate for its own origin deficiency, attempting to achieve a perfect demonic body. When the manor was attacked back then, it wasn't only the Shadow Snake Pavilion's overt forces, but also demon beasts secretly incited by the demonic entity and some hidden demonic cultivation families—the manor with its formidable defenses was destroyed in thunderous fashion. "Within the manor. there was an insider." Su Wan'er's voice carried icy hatred: "Otherwise the protective formation wouldn't have been breached so quickly from within. But during my years infiltrating the Shadow Snake Pavilion, I never fully identified who the insider was.
It seems. the involvement runs very deep, even Shadow Snake Pavilion higher-ups were tight-lipped about it." Regarding the Shadow Snake Pavilion, she provided even more detailed information: its general organizational structure—beyond the overt Pavilion Master, elders, and hall administrators, there was a more mysterious "Dark Hall" directly obeying the demonic entity's remnant soul; several known, relatively important secret base locations (some may have been abandoned after the demon nest's destruction); and partial lists of sleeping pieces she knew about, hidden in other righteous sects or families. "The Shadow Snake Pavilion's core strength truly suffered heavy losses in the Ten Thousand Poison Marsh battle, but was by no means completely destroyed." Su Wan'er affirmed: "'Dark Hall' forces barely moved. The Pavilion Master. that old monster, extremely cunning. I suspect he long ago made a clean getaway.
Moreover, though the demonic entity is sealed, its whispers and temptations continue. As long as negative emotions in the world don't perish, forces attached to it won't completely die. As far as I know, the pavilion has been conducting some 'Seed Plan,' secretly transferring some core members and resources, hiding them, awaiting opportunity." She also mentioned the Shadow Snake Pavilion had countless connections with overseas evil cultivators, even some neutral gray-area powers, obtaining resources and support through trade and intelligence exchange. "Finally, regarding the residual forces I personally commanded." Su Wan'er admitted frankly: "As a Silver Mask Emissary, I also had some directly subordinate forces, mostly forced or profit-driven rogue cultivators and small families.
After I 'betrayed' the Shadow Snake Pavilion, most scattered like apes when a tree falls. But there are a few extremely hidden sleeping pieces that perhaps. can still be contacted, usable as informants." She detailed the contact methods, recognition codes, and possible hiding places of these sleeping pieces. "This intelligence might help the sect guard against threats and clear some hidden dangers." Su Wan'er spoke as if unloading a heavy burden. Though exhausted, her gaze was clear and open: "I know, words are cheap.
You may verify this information item by item. I, Su Wan'er, from this day forth, break all ties with the Shadow Snake Pavilion, having no further connection." Tang Xiaoqi listened seriously, memorizing every word. This intelligence was too important! Not only did it confirm some sect speculations, but provided unprecedented details, especially regarding the "Dark Hall," "Seed Plan," and sleeping pieces—priceless treasure.
He looked at Su Wan'er's open gaze; the last trace of doubt from her past identity also dissipated. This sincerity of surrender was sufficient. "Aunt Su, thank you." Tang Xiaoqi spoke solemnly: "This intelligence is crucial to the sect. I'll immediately report to the Temple Master and Senior Brother." Su Wan'er shook her head, holding his hand, her eyes earnest: "Xiao Qi, Aunt Su has no other requests.
Only wish you safety, wish Qingxu Temple lasting peace. My life was salvaged. In the future, I only want to watch you in this courtyard. live well." Sunlight passed through the plum tree's branches, falling warmly on both. Past shadows and barriers, at this moment, with honest information sharing and kinship confirmation, truly began melting like ice and snow.
Aunt and nephew, in this courtyard after calamity, felt for the first time blood-tied peace and warmth. This hard-won kinship and trust would become another solid barrier for them, even Qingxu Temple, facing future storms.