Chapter 223 - 223 221 The Gentleman is Pure and Bright

Words : 1581 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

223: Chapter 221: The Gentleman is Pure and Bright 223: Chapter 221: The Gentleman is Pure and Bright Qing Xuan picked up a jade pen carved with silver frost flowers and raised her arm lightly before bringing the pen down onto a sheet of pure white rice paper, inscribing sixteen characters. Heaven above and earth below, all but a vast expanse. Approaching like wind and rain, departing as if dust. “There are sixteen phrases on the ancient stele, and in the five hundred years since its erection, you are the only one who has deciphered all sixteen phrases.” Qing Xuan casually tossed the Jade Pen into a small pool for washing brushes and said, “That is also why, despite Fang Geyu’s clear act of stealing the secret treasure, the Empress did not pursue the matter.” Because the significance of a Decipherer far outweighs the so-called secret treasure of the Emperor. Even in Qing Xuan’s heart, the fact that the treasure was stolen by someone was rather a matter of great satisfaction. Baili An indeed had not thought that there would be such twists and turns in the story, and for a moment, his thoughts were thrown into disarray. He gazed at the beautifully written ink characters on the rice paper, somewhat distracted. He did not understand why his own blood had caused a reaction in the ancient stele? Qing Xuan said that the ancient stele had stood in the Mortal World for five hundred years, but he had only been dead for two hundred years—how could he have any connection with the boundary stele of Immortal City? The boundary stele came from the pristine ruins of Heavenly Capital in Kunlun. He was born in the mortal world and, after death, became a demon—there seemed to be no possible connection to that boundary stele. His thoughts were jumbled, and a slight headache began to form. Qing Xuan looked up at him and sat down with a turn of her body, elegantly crossing her legs and resting her hands gracefully on her knees while calmly observing the young man in front of her. “Alright, the last question. If you answer correctly, today you will be able to safely leave the Inner City, and the rewards from ghost hunting will be bestowed upon you to the last penny. As for the matter of Fang Geyu stealing the treasure, I, too, can turn a blind eye and act as if I know nothing. But the premise is…” The woman’s thin lips lifted like a crescent moon, her smile thinly cold, “Your answer must suit my heart.” Considering the slight pressure she had unleashed just now, it was enough to throw Baili An’s mind into chaos and almost cause his spirit platform to collapse. She claimed to be the Seal Keeper, but her strength was clearly not as mild as that of a civil official. If she wanted to take his life today, Baili An faintly felt that even with that silver sword, he would not be able to harm her in the slightest. With such reasoning, what kind of powerful being then was the Empress, who has never revealed her sanctity in the Mortal World? He had once promised Fang Geyu that upon meeting the Empress, he would have a strategy to ensure his safe exit. Until this moment, he realized that beneath the vastness of the immortal gods, all strategies and plans seemed so fragile. Even in the most perilous of mountains and seas, Baili had never felt as helpless as now. Luckily, this Seal Keeper Qing Xuan seemed not to have seen through his true identity as a corpse demon. Having been close to death for a long time, with the body of a demonized corpse, Baili An could feel the emotions of his once mortal being slowly growing cold and fading away. Fear, joy, indignation, sorrow—all became bland as water, not stirring unless a large stone was cast into it. It was the same at this moment, as if unable to feel panic or fear at all, he calmly looked straight at the woman in front of him, waiting for her question. Qing Xuan looked into his eyes for a long time and did not see the emotion she wanted to see, seeming somewhat bored. She indifferently asked, “Previously you said you entered Xianling City initially for your own purpose, with something you wanted to obtain. So please tell me, what is that thing you want?” There is a rule in Xianling City that one must not covet or scheme for the objects within the Inner City without having been officially rewarded; otherwise, it would be considered a crime of rebellion. Not to mention the prized items given to the top twenty rankers of the grand examination. Even though countless Guest Elders and Cultivators within the city each came for these divine grant items, before obtaining their results, no one would dare reveal their secret desires and wishes. Precisely because of the word ‘greed’, geniuses and powerful beings from all over the world gathered here. But Immortals often despised the greed of mortals most of all. That is why Qing Xuan established such city regulations. The various rules and taboos of the city had already been clearly explained to Baili An by Fang Geyu. Thus, the answer today, as long as one avoids the taboos in the heart of the Seal Keeper, can smoothly survive this ordeal. One had to align with her heart. As an immortal from Kunlun Mountain, she regarded mortal desires as deviant, greedy, painful, and wicked. Now, to show her that even the heart of a mortal could hold a pure land was the key. Not to be greedy—that is what a clever person would do. In many ways, Baili An was indeed exceedingly clever, having exhaustive strategies, yet in some respects, he had his own obsessions and determinations. He looked deeply at the female officer and said seriously and calmly, “I came for Immortal Tears.” The beautiful Seal Keeper’s narrow eyes grew colder, even sharp, and within the frost-free Inner City, in an instant, snow stretched to the sky, and a wild wind howled. Despite knowing the danger, he had walked towards it. The two maids fanning themselves too could not help but shake their heads repeatedly, looking at him as if he were dead. “Immortal Tears, the top reward of the grand examination—you certainly do dare to say it.” Qing Xuan’s voice was extremely cold as she scrutinized him closely, “Do you think, with your cultivation, you are qualified to covet and desire this item?” Baili An replied, “It is not covetous desire, but a determination to obtain the item.” Qing Xuan did not continue on this subject and let out a faint breath. In the cold temperature of the grand hall, it was clear to see the frosty mist slowly exhaling from the woman’s red lips. She then said, “You know what I detest the most, yet you still answered in this manner. As someone who is not stupid, may I hear your reasons?” Baili An looked into her eyes, noticing she was also staring into his, and he said, “To clear the thorns within one’s heart, to facilitate interaction between individuals—Si Chen came here for Immortal Tears and would seek to lawfully obtain what his heart desires with the grand examination rules. With a clear conscience, why conceal the truth due to the lady’s taboos?” A gentleman should act openly and honestly, as clear as the sun and moon. The female officer at the side of the table, with her profoundly distinct black and white eyes, gazed deeply at Baili An. After a while, the sharpness of her features relaxed, and her calm gaze retracted. The large sleeves with delicate patterns of mountains, rivers, and snow waves danced lightly above the table, the golden embroidery within them flickering as if ignited by fire, burning and shining brilliantly. The brightness of the sleeve patterns quickly faded, and on top of the table, in addition to pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, ten neatly laid out items appeared. Her pale fingers picked up a pendant from the table, as clear as a droplet of water, playfully twirling it between her fingers. Baili An’s gaze was fixed on the jewel in her fingers, unable to be drawn away. Qing Xuan gave him a faint look, noting the many treasures on the table, some even more valuable than Immortal Tears, yet the young man had not spared a glance to any other item. The killing intent in her eyes dissipated a little, and she said faintly, “The prizes for the top ten of Xianling City are all here; this is Immortal Tears.” Baili An fell silent, for he clearly knew that although she had taken out Immortal Tears, she would not easily hand it over. Qing Xuan said again, “Immortal Tears, unrivaled in the world. This Immortal Tears was left behind by an unnamed immortal who perished atop the snow mountains of Kunlun a thousand years ago. You should know that even the Empress could not unlock the secrets of this Immortal Tears.” She picked up a ball of white fleece from the table which looked ordinary, but when the item lay in her hands, the two maids fanning on either side showed subtle changes in their expressions. “Extend your hand,” Qing Xuan said lightly.

Chapter 223 - 223 221 The Gentleman is Pure and Bright

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