Chapter 24
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Chapter 24: White Emperor Bai Lian Has Come, So We Are Saved
No matter how you look at it, both from the surface and deep within, it was a bustling night.
Everyone involved felt the same way.
Even Lu Wantong, who had continuously denied her past, was no exception.
As she passed through the thick stone gates of Xiwu City and looked ahead at the orange-red lights, she suddenly realized her heart felt much calmer than before.
The billowing waves of emotions that had once been tumultuous seemed to solidify in that very moment, and they didn’t seem like they would break forth anytime soon.
Lu Wantong stared down the narrow street, her thoughts drifting.
Was this because she was almost home?
Her vision began to blur, the orange glint of light growing distant behind a bustling celebration.
People were selling goods at stalls.
Others performed street juggling.
A bare-bellied white-haired dancer twirled in the streets.
Someone stood by a fence telling the legendary stories of King Daming.
And yet others pushed a giant wood carving of King Daming down the street.
Laughter and conversation were the heartbeat of the place.
Of course, occasional discordant moments broke the harmony.
“Mama!”
At the street corner, a child’s cry pierced through the festive lights.
A young woman, dressed in traditional Mingzhou attire, rushed out from the side, “Don’t cry, mother is here.”
The child, clutching a handful of candy, stopped crying instantly, her face lighting up with a pure, untainted smile.
“…”
Lu Wantong held her breath.
The joy of when her father used to take her to festivals came rushing back.
She remembered the day before she left Sand Region for the Duxian sect.
Not knowing whether she would ever return, she spent half a day touring Xiwu City.
Ah.
That old man who sold tree bark was still there today, standing at his stall.
She quickly walked past, but to her regret, the stall didn’t have tree bark anymore. Instead, it was filled with intricately crafted handmade wood carvings.
“Girl, would you like one?”
The old man raised his head, revealing a kind and gentle smile, holding a wooden stick in his hand.
Lu Wantong shook her head.
She didn’t need that kind of thing now, and Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian was right here—she couldn’t keep her waiting too long.
She moved on.
As she walked, she noticed many familiar faces from the day she left.
The aunt who used to sell dancing girl costumes had changed her business to ceremonial headscarves.
The guy who once sold roasted chestnuts now peddled little human-shaped sugar confections.
The girl who sold meat now offered sweet potato noodles.
The same place, the same people, but different times and different paths.
Did people change gradually like this?
Lu Wantong paused at the crossroads, an unfamiliar pain filling her heart.
She turned back, waiting for Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian and the others, who were trailing behind her.
She saw Elder Martial Sister Su and Elder Martial Sister Hong Yi both tugging at Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian’s clothes. Then, with a mischievous gleam in her eye, Elder Martial Sister Su spoke innocently.
“Elder Martial Sister, that kid who just passed by was so cute! (╹▽╹)”
“Elder Martial Sister, do male and female cultivators only have children when they’re together?”
“Elder Martial Sister, how does one have a baby? Could you teach me?”
Bai Lian noticed the system tasks appearing before her.
Task 1: Guide the third Martial Sister hand-in-hand.
Task 2: Provide theoretical guidance to the Third Martial Sister.
Task 3: Say nothing.
((*・∀・）ゞ
Bai Lian was perplexed.
But before she could decide, her master suddenly “floated” out like a ghost.
Pa.
The moment the phrase “Children must not interrupt” appeared, Su Youwei’s head was knocked by An Lan several times.
(｀ﾍ´)ﾉ(。﹏。)
Knock… knock…
Su Youwei was completely taken aback.
Who am I? Where am I? What did I just say?
“We are not here to play but to do business,” An Lan sternly reminded her.
Su Youwei hung her head low, apologizing.
She swore, she didn’t mean to cause trouble. She didn’t know how to give birth—after all, for all these years, she just ran and fought, and no one ever discussed this topic with her.
“…”
Bai Lian found that the system had automatically selected Task 3 for her—Tea Ceremony +1.
She had nothing to say. Her Tea Ceremony skill had reached 19 points without her even noticing, and it seemed close to the 25-point limit.
Sigh. If only she could trade those 19 points for Magic Array Skill!
Feeling disheartened, Bai Lian gently took hold of the third Martial Sister’s hand as she shut off the system panel.
“Stay close to me and don’t get separated.”
The bitter sadness on the third Martial Sister’s face instantly faded.
Good!
Who wouldn’t like an Elder Martial Sister like Bai Lian?
Noticing her master’s gaze, Bai Lian extended her left hand.
Ah.
But An Lan walked past her, oblivious to Bai Lian’s unspoken wish to hold hands.
Who do you think I am?
I am the Immortal Heavenly Lord!
Even if you twist my arm, I won’t do something childish like holding hands!
An Lan addressed Lu Wantong, “Go see your family first, then we’ll handle the dark curtain problem.”
Lu Wantong nodded repeatedly.
“Go.”
Bai Lian stared at her master’s back, her mind whispering that her master had “despised” her!
“Let’s go too.”
Seeing the master and Martial Sister Lu leave, Bai Lian tugged the third Martial Sister along, chasing after them.
They walked from the bustling city to a narrow alley, where dim lanterns flickered. Suddenly, Lu Wantong, who had been leading, stopped.
“Martial Sister Lu?”
Bai Lian softly called out.
Lu Wantong didn’t respond; she stood there, like a statue of ice.
Bai Lian quickly noticed her body temperature dropping, sensing something was wrong. She released her Divine Sense immediately.
In moments, the smile that had been on Bai Lian’s face vanished.
Her Divine Sense passed through a simple defensive magic array at the end of the alley and entered a vast, unstable space—ten times larger than the outside world.
This was the Lu family home.
Yet, there was no one inside.
Not even the usual signs of life, like birds or insects, could be found.
Bai Lian could feel the absence of life.
Though there were traces of a past life, like clothes hanging or unfinished pills, they were all now empty.
That red mark? It was a bloodstain.
Bai Lian paused, startled.
If she sensed it, how could Lu Wantong, who had lived here for twenty years, not have noticed?
After all, the magic array was meant to defend against enemies, not her.
Poof.
In an instant, all of Lu Wantong’s strength drained away, and tears began to streak down her face.
She knelt, weakly pressing her hands against her dampened skirt.
“Why?”
“Didn’t we agree this was a trade, that it wouldn’t hurt my family? That my father’s wounds had been healed?”
Her voice was hoarse, and her cry echoed like the sorrowful howl of a wounded wild fox.
Tears flooded her face, leaving it a mess.
“…”
Bai Lian opened her mouth to say something comforting but found herself unable to speak.
She had never experienced anything like this before, and her memories didn’t hold the role of parents, so she couldn’t empathize.
There were no words of comfort to offer, no way to revive Lu Wantong’s family.
As she had suspected, the space around them was empty, and not even the faintest hint of a soul disturbance could be found.
At this moment, it was the Third Martial Sister who stepped up.
Her small body was enough to hold Lu Wantong.
“Martial Sister Lu.”
The sudden warmth made Lu Wantong raise her head.
Her tears clouded her vision, but she could still make out the colors of the clothing in front of her.
Why?
Even though I did something wrong to you, why are you still here comforting me?
This doesn’t make sense!
“Karma… it must be karma!”
Lu Wantong whispered softly.
If only she had never thought of gaining an advantage by persecuting others from the start, things wouldn’t have turned out like this, right?
She is the one responsible for the death of other members of the Lu family.
She is the one who caused so many innocent people to die.
It’s all her fault!
“Martial Sister Lu?”
Su Youwei’s voice trembled as she noticed the more she tried to comfort Lu Wantong, the more the latter’s body shook.
This is the prelude to something big.
What should I do?
Su Youwei was at a loss and could only cast her gaze toward Bai Lian.
Elder Martial Sister, I can’t handle this.
The tears in her eyes rippled, ready to fall at any moment.
“I can’t help… I will try, though.”
Bai Lian walked over to the Third Martial Sister and Lu Wantong, but this brief journey of just a few steps suddenly felt like crossing a ravine.
She stopped.
She looked up in astonishment.
At the same time, in different parts of the town, countless others also raised their heads.
That was an eerie change that no one in Xiwu Town wanted to see!
What was once the brilliant night sky, filled with stars and the lights from below reflecting off one another to form a beautiful scene for the festive celebration, had now turned into a vast black shadow rising from the distance.
Nothing could resist its advance.
Yellow sand, oases, starry skies…
Everything it touched was consumed in an instant.
It wasn’t just a black wave—it was an evil black beast!
Its jaws opened wide, its face gleaming with greed, as it clung to the walls of Wuxi City, ready to swallow the whole city in one gulp.
How did it get here so fast?
Bai Lian was dumbfounded.
When she had just stepped off the Cloud Chasing Boat, the black shadow was still hundreds of miles away from Xiwu City. She quickly calculated, and based on the shadow’s speed, it should have taken at least three hours to reach the city. But now, it had only been half an hour.
In this proximity, Bai Lian understood what her master meant earlier.
This “Black Beast” was indeed a collective of negative emotions!
Even she was affected, unable to shake the thought of running away from here; no one needed to say anything.
“Monster, monster!”
A moment later, the parade float cries shattered the eerie silence in the city.
Like winding a spring, those who had been frozen in place suddenly started to “go wild.”
“Leave here, quickly, leave!”
Someone shouted as they ran toward the gate.
“Who dares disturb the peace here!”
A cultivator with spiritual fire tried to attack the black beast like a thunderbolt.
But no matter how powerful his wave of attacks, once they entered the giant beast’s “mouth,” they caused no ripples.
“What on earth is going on?”
Everyone was confused.
Just moments ago, they were enjoying the Sacrifice to King Daming festivities.
And now, a horrifying phenomenon had appeared, with death looming over their heads.
Just one word—
Damn!
“Help! I don’t want to die yet!”
“Mama!”
“Don’t panic, everyone! Don’t panic!”
But can fear be dispelled with just a few words?
The more people shouted not to panic, the more panic spread. The stampede quickly evolved into chaos.
If not for the cultivators nearby, hundreds would have died before the black beast even reached the city.
We need to get out of here first…
Bai Lian clenched her teeth.
She barely managed to hide her fear, though every effort was required.
If she still had the Innocent Heart, it would have been much easier.
Now was not the time for such thoughts.
Bai Lian shook her head lightly.
She was about to pull the Third Martial Sister and Martial Sister Lu away when she suddenly saw her master step forward.
“Although it’s a little troublesome, it’s not impossible.”
Hey?
Right!
Bai Lian’s frantic heart calmed down. With the master around, what was there to fear?
No, no, no.
Bai Lian quickly shook her head again.
She realized her thoughts were flawed.
She had come to the Sand Region to help the Third Martial Sister, but now she was hoping to shift the burden onto her master.
Is this right?
Hadn’t she promised her master that violence should only be used when absolutely necessary?
If the master is exposed, she’d be the one to blame.
Something is wrong.
Bai Lian rubbed her forehead.
She had been affected by the negative emotions of the black giant beast, but fortunately, she woke up in time.
The immediate priority was to get the Martial Sisters to safety, then she could enter the black beast alone to investigate the source of the chaos.
“Master, you and the Martial Sisters go first… huh?”
Bai Lian’s voice faltered.
Where is the Master?
The place where her master stood just moments ago was empty.
She quickly turned her gaze toward the outskirts of the city.
As expected, the master had already flown into the air.
A gentle white light flowed from her master’s feet, spreading in all directions like a long river rushing through the sky.
Bai Lian felt a wave of warmth.
If the negative feelings were like the cold snowfall of the 12th month, then the power flowing from her master was as warm as the spring breeze carrying the scent of peach blossoms in the third month!
“This is…”
In a flash, the people who had been running and shouting suddenly stopped.
They glanced quickly at the master, who was floating in mid-air.
The bright light interfered with their view, obscuring her master’s face.
But for now, no one paid attention to that.
“Stop! Really stop!”
“Where? Where?”
“What stopped?”
“That black thing.”
As they said, An Lan’s glow stood like an indestructible reef in the Black Sea. No matter how violently the black waves beat against it, it couldn’t breach the walls of Xiwu City, now bathed in white light.
After trying dozens of times, the black giant beast was forced to bypass Xiwu City, rushing elsewhere.
Cheers erupted in the city.
“Success!”
“Yay, yay!”
Countless people jumped with excitement.
Bai Lian felt a mix of emotions.
On one hand, she was relieved that the black beast had gone.
On the other hand, she felt ashamed for not solving the problem herself and relying on her master.
She promised she would protect the master, yet it was the master who kept taking care of her.
She can’t do anything; she’s such a waste!
Bai Lian sniffled, noticing her master turning toward her in mid-air.
Ah.
The master smiled?!
She wiped her eyes hard, thinking she was seeing things, but there it was—a distinct upturn of the corner of her master’s mouth.
She saw her master’s lips move, as though saying “silly child.”
[Is the master trying to comfort me?]
Bai Lian forced a weak smile.
And then…
Sudden changes!
The gentle white light shifted into transparent water splashes, each connecting to form a vast sea of blue waves.
Crash…
The sea surged, and the sound of waves echoed through every corner of Xiwu City.
“?
Bai Lian was stunned.
Wait, what’s happening here?
If she wasn’t mistaken, her master’s spiritual root should be a special Qi-type, completely unrelated to waterfalls and waves.
Why is the master doing this?
Then, Bai Lian saw a round moon appear behind her master, like a jade plate.
“…”
Bai Lian’s eyes widened.
The moon looked strangely familiar.
Could it be…?
What the heck!
Bai Lian finally understood!
Just as she imagined, the bright moon rose to the sky, and one star after another began appearing on the huge black curtain, connecting to form a dazzling Milky Way.
But that wasn’t all.
A stream of columns of water spurted from the “ocean” beneath her master’s feet, forming a frame that resembled a palace of the sea god.
Under the starry night sky, a mythical white deer-like beast emerged, galloping joyously across the sea.
Sea.
Stars and moons.
Fu Zhu godly beast!
These elements may not seem significant on their own, but when combined, they form a dreamlike vision.
“Hiss—”
Bai Lian couldn’t help but take a sharp breath. Even someone unversed in the situation could immediately grasp what the master was implying.
“White Emperor Bai Lian, this is White Emperor Bai Lian!”
At first confused, a cultivator suddenly yelled with all his might. He ran and laughed like a madman, shouting “White Emperor Bai Lian” over and over.
“Who is White Emperor Bai Lian?”
Those who had never heard of the name looked at each other in confusion.
One man nearby immediately began explaining.
“What, you’ve never heard of White Emperor Bai Lian? Let me tell you, White Emperor Bai Lian is one of the most powerful beings in the world…”
The commotion spread quickly through every corner of Xiwu City.
Of course, the loudest cheers came from a cultivator standing on a rooftop.
“White Emperor Bai Lian is here, there’s light now; White Emperor Bai Lian is here, Xiwu City will be peaceful; White Emperor Bai Lian is here, we will be saved!”
Such a call would have seemed overly dramatic under normal circumstances.
But for the people of Xiwu City, who had just faced the threat of death, this shout was a beacon of hope in the dark night.
And “White Emperor Bai Lian” herself was already a symbol of brilliance.
Thus, one person was influenced. Then two, then three, and soon a hundred…
“White Emperor Bai Lian!”
“Long live White Emperor Bai Lian!”
Thousands of voices rang out in unison, each shout louder than the last. Since the Sacrifice to King Daming began half a month ago, nothing in Xiwu City had ever been so electrifying.
But at that moment, something strange happened.
Bai Lian clearly saw a white-glowing arrow, rising above the sea of sound, its tail ablaze with a three-meter-high flame.
With a tensioned pull from an unseen bow, the arrow shot into the boundless night.
Wow.
The flame immediately lit up the dark sky.
But perhaps because it was too small, and the night too vast, the flame burned brightly for only four or five breaths before it vanished.
“…”
Bai Lian felt as if she had grasped something, but before she could think further, a figure appeared before her.
It was Shifu!
In that moment, the master’s earlier grandeur disappeared. She stood there, as plain and innocent as a neighbor girl.
Bai Lian’s blood pressure shot up.
She was overwhelmed with emotions, unable to calm her heart, as it swelled with the “love” her master had just poured into it.
She wanted to grab the master’s collar and ask, “Why?!”
She could forgive Martial Sister Tong Yao—after all, Tong Yao was young and hadn’t been able to investigate Bai Lian’s background. But now, even her master was joining the ranks of those spreading rumors about her.
Where was the justice?
The task options appeared before her:
[Task 1: “Stupid woman, I’ll challenge you!” Rush forward and knock the master down (Reward: an upper-grade Spirit Tool – Golden Sun Ring).]
[Task 2: Loudly ask her why she is persecuting you (Reward: an average-grade Spirit Tool – Flying Dragon Helm).]
[Task 3: Complain, “Master, didn’t we agree before that you would not use your power unless absolutely necessary?” (Reward: +1 Soft Skill)]
“Hmm…”
To be honest, Bai Lian was quite tempted by Task 1.
The reward was an upper-grade Spirit Tool, which meant even if she failed, she wouldn’t be killed by her master.
But the problem was…
Bai Lian glanced at the Third Martial Sister still comforting Martial Sister Lu.
There were people watching, so…forget it!
Aside from Task 1, Bai Lian wasn’t interested in Task 2 either.
She sighed and said in a put-upon tone, “Master, before we came…”
Faced with Bai Lian’s reproach, An Lan remained unfazed.
She nodded calmly. “That’s exactly why I disguised myself as you, taking this into consideration.”
“???”
Bai Lian was stunned.
Was there really such a reason?
“I, I, I…”
She stuttered, her mind struggling to comprehend.
She had to admit, her master’s plan was clever.
Unless Yue Wuyang stood by and watched, Bai Lian’s focus would be drawn away by her master’s presence.
But…
This time Bai Lian felt truly wronged. “Master, could you consult me next time before you do something like this?”
“Oh, I remembered.”
An Lan nodded.
Bai Lian opened her mouth, but she wasn’t convinced. Did her master really remember?
An Lan changed the subject, “Let’s not discuss this now. We must find the source of the black fog quickly. If it spreads to the entire Sand Region, even I will have a hard time dealing with it.”
“Hmm.”
Bai Lian wasn’t concerned with that issue for now.
She had gotten used to such disruptions—if she went out and wasn’t harassed, that would be a miracle.
This time, however, her reaction was intense because she never expected her master to “backstab” her.
Bai Lian approached the Third Martial Sister and Martial Sister Lu.
“Don’t wander around here. The three of you stay put. My master and I will go investigate outside the city.”
The Third Martial Sister looked up and said, “Elder Martial Sister, I…”
Bai Lian shook her head lightly. “Don’t worry. I’ll leave an avatar here.”
“Well, then.”
Bai Lian reached out and patted the Third Martial Sister’s head fondly, offering her a smile of encouragement.
After a moment, she used the True Secret of 500 Million Dharma Bodies to manifest a new avatar. Then, with her master, she headed toward the outskirts of Xiwu City.
“Elder Martial Sister, be careful!”
The Third Martial Sister and Hong Yi raised their right hands, their voices tinged with concern.
“Don’t worry.”
Bai Lian waved her right arm, but didn’t turn around.
For the safety of the Third Martial Sister, no matter how dark the path may seem, she would continue forward.
[Go for it, Bai Lian!]
Near the western gate of Xiwu City, Bai Lian exchanged a glance with her master before stepping into the boundless darkness outside the city.
Her body was immediately swallowed up.
With her disappearance, all the lights around her went out.
Bai Lian realized she couldn’t see.
It was as if she were in an extremely precarious situation, her breathing strained.
“[See Through Vacuity]!”
She shouted lightly, activating the spell. However, the spell that could penetrate falsehoods did not work.
In desperation, Bai Lian activated her Qianhuan Real Eyes.
She had intended to save it for combat, but now, unable to see and with no divine sense to guide her, she had no choice but to use it.
Silver beams poured from her eyes.
Like a sharp blade, they cleaved through the darkness before her.
“Finally, I can see clearly.”
Bai Lian sighed in relief.
Under the influence of her Qianhuan Real Eyes, her hair and eyebrows had turned icy white, and an invisible cold air radiated from her body, creating a barrier against the surrounding negative emotions.
“Master, we…”
Bai Lian turned excitedly.
But there was no one in front of her.
“…”
Bai Lian spun around, realizing she had lost her way in the wilderness.
