Treading Snow's large eyes curiously observed Lin Zitong. It seemed to know Lin Zitong was the reincarnation of Princess Yu Shu, even nudging her affectionately with its head.
Lin Zitong stroked Treading Snow's head. Though she had initially intended to refuse, she found herself falling for the magnificent steed. The thought of leaving such a horse with General Qing Jiang felt like caging a bird. It would be better to let it stay with her, to gallop once more in the vast world.
So, she mounted the horse. After a brief adjustment, she felt something was missing.
Right, Treading Snow was a warhorse. How could she ride it without a weapon in hand?
Lin Zitong immediately used a Ranging Talisman to retrieve the true form of the Red Divine Umbrella.
Treading Snow seemed to regain its former spirit, unable to resist raising its hooves and letting out an impassioned neigh!
In that moment, with Treading Snow beneath her and the Red Divine Umbrella in hand, Lin Zitong appeared transformed into the Princess Yu Shu, who had galloped across battlefields a thousand years ago!
General Qing Jiang watched, momentarily mesmerized.
Lian He, standing nearby, couldn't help but tear up. "She truly is the princess's reincarnation. So alike, too alike!"
Lin Zitong rode Treading Snow around the Spirit Observation Platform, stopping before Yan Shouyi and extending her hand.
Yan Shouyi grasped Lin Zitong's hand and leaped onto the horse behind her. Holding the reins, he cradled Lin Zitong in his arms, their expressions intimate, like an immortal couple.
Lian He once again couldn't help but remark, "Back then, the General and the Princess were just like this."
General Qing Jiang watched silently for a long while, his eyes filled with unspoken envy.
He envied Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong for being born a thousand years later, for experiencing even a brief moment of bliss.
Unlike his own fate and Princess Yu Shu's a millennium ago, their lives were a constant escape, ending in tragedy.
"Yan Shouyi, Lin Zitong, you must be happy..."
General Qing Jiang secretly rubbed his eyes, quickly regaining his stern demeanor.
After Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong dismounted from Treading Snow, and Lin Zitong had stored Treading Snow within the Soul Summoning Bell, General Qing Jiang spoke:
"Once you leave the Spirit Observation Platform, we may not be able to converse. I can only offer assistance at critical moments. If you have the chance, you can visit us here at the Spirit Observation Platform."
General Qing Jiang was but a lingering wisp of consciousness, each appearance consuming a portion of his essence.
If he appeared too often, he feared he would vanish from the world before Yan Shouyi could find the other half of Princess Yu Shu's soul.
"As for you, Lian He," General Qing Jiang said, "you accompany Yun'er through reincarnation by means of your soul. Can you manifest frequently to help?"
Lian He replied, "Reporting to the General, my cultivation method is unique and requires miasma to sustain my power. My soul remains weak, and I can only intervene at crucial junctures."
"Miasma?" General Qing Jiang blinked. "Did you cultivate this method specifically for me?"
Lian He nodded. "The General is peerless, his body brimming with surging miasma. I knew this method would one day prove useful."
"But cultivating such a secret technique must come at a price, surely?" General Qing Jiang, who perceived all, inquired.
Lian He smiled. "For the General and the Princess, I would not hesitate to face death."
"Alas."
General Qing Jiang sighed, his heart filled with immense guilt towards Lian He.
He turned to Yan Shouyi. "Shouyi, I shall impart to you a technique for controlling miasma. This way, in times of crisis, not only will your strength increase, but you can also summon Lian He for aid. However, this technique is ferocious and should not be used except in dire straits. You must carefully consider before acting."
Gaining another skill effortlessly, Yan Shouyi was naturally pleased. He had suffered the torment of miasma for years, always careful not to lose his temper, lest he spiral out of control.
If he could harness the miasma for his own use, it would be a tremendous boon.
General Qing Jiang simply touched Yan Shouyi's brow, and the knowledge of the miasma control technique materialized in his mind.
These memories were not directly transferred by General Qing Jiang; rather, they had been hidden within Yan Shouyi's soul all along, and the General had merely awakened them.
Thus, Yan Shouyi possessed an understanding of the miasma control technique equivalent to General Qing Jiang's thousand years of contemplation and comprehension. He only needed to digest it further to be able to use it!
"Thank you, General!" Yan Shouyi clasped his fist.
General Qing Jiang waved his hand. "Everything I have done is for you, and also for myself."
While the General spoke with Yan Shouyi, Lian He was by Lin Zitong's side, explaining how to use the Shu Ling Snake.
The Shu Ling Snake was a treasure of the Shu Kingdom. It could be used as a hidden weapon, and it could also forcefully subjugate others' souls, severing soul contracts!
Lin Zitong's previous accidental acquisition of Kurokawa Lu from Fukada Ichiro, without understanding the Shu Ling Snake, was a testament to its power.
At that moment, the sound of a bell echoed from outside the Spirit Observation Platform.
Yan Shouyi was unsure of its meaning, but General Qing Jiang explained:
"Longhu Mountain is urging you to leave."
Yan Shouyi smiled. "I have a good relationship with the current Celestial Master. I could stay here for another whole day!"
"You misunderstand. The Spirit Observation Platform is only effective during specific periods. Even if you didn't leave, we would have to depart soon," General Qing Jiang clarified.
It turned out that the activation of the Spirit Observation Platform required favorable timing, location, and human harmony; one could not stay for as long as they wished.
Upon hearing this, Yan Shouyi could only regretfully comply and began to bid farewell to General Qing Jiang and Lian He.
The encounter at the Spirit Observation Platform, spanning a thousand years and revealing past loves and hatreds, left a deep impression on Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong.
But more importantly, they had resolved many doubts and seen a glimmer of hope.
As the appointed time arrived, the blue light of the Spirit Observation Platform slowly faded. General Qing Jiang, seeing this, could only smile and wave goodbye, returning to Yan Shouyi's sea of consciousness.
Lian He also knelt and kowtowed to the pair before returning within Lin Zitong.
Soon, the Spirit Observation Platform returned to its original state, leaving only Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong behind. All that had been seen and heard seemed like a dream.
"Big fool," Lin Zitong called out.
"Hmm?"
"General Qing Jiang and Princess Yu Shu, they suffered so much."
Yan Shouyi sighed and gently embraced Lin Zitong. "They were, after all, our past lives. We empathize with their story."
Lin Zitong hugged Yan Shouyi back. "We will be alright, won't we?"
"We will, absolutely," Yan Shouyi comforted her. "We still have a large group of companions by our side."