Heyang decided it was best to take Xuehua back to the Palace of Eternal Flame. Perhaps the divine flute made a mistake with the Guya Mirror, he thought. Since the mirror did lead him to Xuehua, Heyang concluded that she must possess a fragment of Feihong’s soul. But the odd thing was, that no matter which direction Heyang took he could not find the exit of the forest. The forest was dead of all sounds except for the rain. Now that the sky was completely covered, the surrounding trees loomed over the two figures- the long branches resembling claws. The howling wind stirred the dark clouds above. Heyang could sense that there wasn’t a soul in the forest. These signs must be due to a sinister energy. Heyang started to get a headache, he was not afraid of any evil spirits, but with Xuehua unconscious how could he send her away? Heyang thought for a while and decided to confront the demonic energy head-on before Xuehua wakes up to prevent her from being frightened.

Heyang found the large cavern that the foul energy was coming from. Before entering the cavern, Heyang transformed Xuehua into a hairpin and slipped her into his sleeve that way he could eliminate the demon and keep her by his side. Heyang outstretched his hand in front of him, the palm of his hand pointing downwards. Heyang whispered a few words under his breath and suddenly a sword materialized in his hand. The legendary sword, forged by Heyang from hellfire, emitted a deep red glow- at the appearance of the sword, the walls of cavern suddenly shook at the overwhelming force. This was the all-powerful sword that can kill anyone with just one slash. The sword that all immortals admire and fear.

Surprisingly, further down inside the cavern, there were large flowering trees as if bordering the entrance to a mystical place- red plum blossoms. Beautiful, delicate flowers swaying in the wind, covering the entire cavern with its sweet scent. Then as if by magic, pure white snow began to fall from the sky, settling on the long branches. Even Heyang couldn't help but admire the contrast of red and white. As he walked down the path, the crunching snow beneath his feet echoed down the cavern. Heyang knew that the illusion must have been created to lure him into the cavern. But who knew about his affinity with plum flowers?

At the end of the path, a hazy fog hung over the ground, expanding into a large, barren space. At the center a large plum blossom stretching over and covering the entire sky of the cavern. Petals rained down and mixed with the fog creating a dreamlike scenery. Then a gust of wind blew by opening a path directly under the plum blossom. Catching Heyang’s sight was a small, delicate girl dressed like the flowers- in red and white, reaching for a branch. Heyang without hesitation sent his sword flying straight into the girl’s body, cutting through the fog and flowers. The girl turned to face Heyang and smiled wickedly, not bothering to dodge the incoming sword. Before the sword could slash the girl's body in half, she dissipated into thin air. A cold laughter reached Heyang’s ears, the sound bouncing off the wall, creating an endless echo.

The girl reappears floating in thin air and reaches to cup his face. “You are heartless, my lord,” the girl says in an enticing voice. “How could you have the heart to hurt me? Don’t you recognize me?” she continues, while intertwining her fingers behind his neck. She smiles delicately and looks into his eyes adoringly. Her body pressed against his, proudly showing off her beautiful, enchanting features.

Heyang looks coldly at the smiling girl then closes his eyes. “What do you wish to accomplish by taking on that form?” he says, standing still, his body emitting a dark aura.

The girl sighs and pouts at Heyang’s coldness. “So not even the body of your past lover can move you? You really are heartless Heyang.” She said, arching her eyebrow. The girl steps back from Heyang, her hands softly touching her face. “I thought you would be happy with this face,” she said, smiling beautifully. Once these words left her mouth, Heyang grabbed the girl by the throat and lifted her. “You have no right to wear that face,” he said, his eyes piercing her. The girl suddenly felt as if a mountain was weighing down on her. The grip of his hand grew tighter by the second. Her smiling ceased. The evil spirit could not escape the powers of a High Immortal.

The girl didn’t struggle against his grip, knowing that it would be useless. Instead, she started laughing wildly. “I knew… you would be hard… to fool,” she said, struggling to breathe. Her illusion began to dissolve, reverting back to her previous form. “Since when…. did you find out….. about my identity?” she questioned, barely able to get the words out. No one should have been able to escape the effects of the Guya Mirror. She recreated his most precious memory. How could he have seen through everything with one glance?

Heyang threw the girl onto the ground. He turned around not bothering with the evil spirit, he decided to leave his sword to deal with her. He starts walking back down the path toward the entrance of the cavern. All the plum blossoms and snow had dissolved with the image of Feihong. All that remained was the jagged rocks and dirt.

“Wait!” Guya cried out while struggling to pick herself up. The High Immortal had drained the evil spirit from her energy when she got to close to him. She was too careless from the very beginning. Heyang had taken precaution when the first took the Guya Mirror from the sealed chamber. He stripped most of its energy, and the rest was used by the mirror to gain a physical manifestation. Who knew that he would see through everything so quickly. She had originally planned to use the image of his love to regain some of her cultivation. If he leaves, then she would surely be vanquished. “I’m the spirit of Princess Guya.” she began, holding her hands in front of her. “The soul that created the Guya Mirror,” she said, at that moment, the Guya Mirror that had escaped, reappeared in her outstretched hands.

Heyang looked briefly at the mirror then back at the girl. He had enough of the evil spirit and summoned the sword into his hand once again. This time he would aim for the mirror. Heyang raised the mirror, preparing to strike until he saw the reflection in the mirror. Heyang furrowed his brow, his surprise was evident.

Princess Guya sneered at his reaction- now she has the upper hand. “Did you know that your beloved is trapped in here?” Heyang could not tear his eyes away from the image of a sleeping girl in Guya Mirror.

“I supposed you didn’t,” she said walking up to Heyang, with an arrogant expression. “Do you know that if you destroy the mirror, she can never return?” Guya once again reaches to touch Heyang’s face. This time his eyes are on her, listening to every word she says. She tugs on the strands of his hair, pulling his face to her level, and gently whispers into his ear. “If you give me your heart, I can tell you how to get her back,” her words cause Heyang to waver. Guya smiles victoriously. Now that she is free from the sealed chamber, she just needs enough cultivation to continue with her manifestation. If she consumed the heart of a High Immortal she will no longer be afraid of anything. Guya knew that all she needed to do was play to his weakness. She summoned a sharp dagger in her hand and aimed it right at Heyang’s chest- drawing a bit of blood. Heyang didn’t move or show any signs of resistance. Guya took this opportunity to plunge the dagger into his chest.

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When Xuehua was little, she spent a lot of time being lugged around by Taotao, who did everything from catching snakes to shooting wild birds with rocks, to swimming in the deepest lakes. Growing up with this sister, Xuehua developed the maternal instinct to protect and nurture the mischievous girl. So when she woke up from her sleep and saw the High Immortal being beaten by an evil spirit, she could not stand still.

After all, this was the honorable man that had saved her. How could she not return the favor? But surprisingly, when she tried to move her body, there was no reaction. Xuehua saw the evil spirit walk closer to the High Immortal and even summoned a dagger, and aimed it right at his chest. Xuehua started to panic. Why is the High Immortal just standing there? Could he have fallen into her trap?

Xuehua tried her best to move, but her body just would not listen to her. She had never felt this frustrated before. In a last attempt to save the High Immortal, Xuehua used her 20,000 years of cultivation to break the spell that she was under. She chanted an incantation and she felt her body grow warmer and warmer. Then suddenly she found herself in the High Immortal’s arms. His face showed genuine surprise, his eyes widen at her sudden appearance.

But before she could even speak a word to him, a cold dagger pierced through her chest. Pain shot out from where the dagger was embedded in her chest. Xuehua has never felt such excruciating pain in her life- it was so painful that all she wanted to do was cry out loud, but no sounds could come out. Blood started filling up her mouth and her long stream of coughs only made her chest more painful. Was she dying? She couldn’t tell where she was at or what was going on anymore. She desperately gasped for breath. In her muddled state, she wondered who was the person calling for her. The soft, gentle hands that tightly hold her cold hand as if trying to comfort her.

Clear tears began to flow down her white skin, clouding her sight. Xuehua tried to blink the tears away, she wanted to see the person who’s calling her name. She didn't know anyone outside of the Valley. Who could it be? Who? Xuehua tried to hold on despite the immense pain. But what is she holding on for? These questions flowed through her head and came as quickly as they were gone, like a constantly flowing river. The pain distracted her from everything. Then Xuehua thought about Taotao. Did she know of her suffering?

Her tears had already dried up as if there was no more to be shed. Perhaps she was too tired to cry, Xuehua thought. Every breath became more and more painful. Xuehua closed her eyes, maybe if she went to sleep, she wouldn't have to suffer anymore. But Xuehua couldn’t sleep, not with the voice calling her from the distance. Who was calling her? With her last bit of energy, Xuehua pried open her eyes and she saw the High Immortal hovering over her. His hands covered blood, softly caressing her face. He is beautiful, she thought, looking at him dazedly. He is the most beautiful being she has ever laid her eyes on. The beautiful man who she sacrificed her life for- Xuehua thought that it must be all worth it. But why did he make such a sorrowfully face? Was it for her? Xuehua wanted to tell the High Immortal to not worry. At least she will die from doing a good deed. Xuehua tried to smile at him but she couldn’t hold on anymore. Her vision was covered in red- the color of blood that covered Heyang’s hands, and she slowly drifted into the void.