Chapter 10 Part 1
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Chapter 10 Part 1: Rebel, Do You Know Your Mistake?! (1)
Xingluo Fortress has a characteristic not found elsewhere: even when the crimson sun rises from the east, the sky remains a dim shade of blue.
Though the scenery may not be considered grand, it has a unique ability to elevate one’s mood.
It was meaningful that the founder of this sect, linked to the first emperor of Heluo Country, chose this very place to begin their work.
In the early morning hours.
Within the morning breeze.
Bai Lian returned to the mountaintop, holding the jade rabbit close to her chest. She was about to begin her journey back to the Duxian sect.
Before leaving, however, she cast one last glance over her shoulder at Xingluo Fortress, hidden within the vast starry magic array.
The real world is vastly different from the game world.
The Xingluo Fortress in the game was magnificent, but in reality, this immense, dock-like structure looms even more, resembling a celestial entity in the sky, bearing the weight of the world’s tumult.
“This is probably my first and last visit here.”
Bai Lian whispered to herself.
In this life, her unexpected encounter with the fourth Martial Sister meant she could avoid coming to Xingluo Fortress.
With that, her connection to this place was completely severed.
Of course, there was still the chance to further her relationship with the eldest princess, but the princess herself had already turned her back on Xingluo Fortress. As an outsider—perhaps even an insider—Bai Lian had no true link to it anymore.
“Fly across the starry sky?”
Bai Lian looked into the distance, the memory of many predecessors of Xingluo Fortress coming to mind.
It is said that when the Guafeng Disaster strikes, the cultivators of Xingluo Fortress will board ships at the “ferry crossing” and ascend into the boundless sky, chasing after the ancient path of the stars, hoping to carve their names into the cosmos.
“But the sky is like a net, trapping and killing its inhabitants.”
A thousand years have passed, yet none of the ancestors of Xingluo Fortress have ever succeeded in reaching their goals.
Bai Lian’s expression darkened.
Her thoughts drifted to her own uncertain future.
She sought the secrets hidden within the East Divine Land not only to aid her master in defeating the Red Dust Heavenly Lord but also to uncover a safe path to ascend to the Immortal World.
Would she truly find the Ancient Starry Sky Road?
“Haw.”
The jade rabbit, sensing her inner turmoil, raised a paw and gently nudged her cheek.
Bai Lian was shaken from her thoughts, smiling faintly.
“Am I a bad woman?” she asked herself.
Though she held the jade rabbit in her arms, her thoughts were consumed by her master.
She cared deeply for her master, yet found herself caught up in complicated feelings with the jade rabbit.
Not to mention, there were still her Martial Sisters…
This isn’t right!
The jade rabbit tilted its head in confusion.
Bai Lian had moments of sadness every month.
Strange.
With Bai Lian’s cultivation, why would her mood be influenced by her physical state?
Yet the rabbit refused to believe that Bai Lian could be a villain.
If Bai Lian were truly evil, she would have cast aside Fang Yan and the others when she had the chance. Instead, she worked hard to resolve the issues in the Taicang Basin.
So, the jade rabbit shook its head.
Sigh.
Bai Lian smiled to herself, her mind at ease.
It doesn’t matter if she’s good or bad.
She gently stroked the jade rabbit.
No matter what, she would pursue both the secrets of the East Divine Land and the path of the Ancient Starry Sky Road.
Her feelings for her master and Martial Sisters remained unwavering.
The infamous title of “Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian” would precede her, no matter how wicked or misguided she was.
“Let’s go.”
Bai Lian’s space manipulation abilities allowed her to move with incredible speed, quickly nearing the Duxian sect.
This time, she avoided appearing directly in the sect to avoid involving her fellow disciples unnecessarily.
Her time spent refining her skills with the magic array provided her with the means to sneak in undetected.
“Did you hear? The Taixuan Taoist Sect was struck by a calamity, and one of its branches was destroyed by the Demon of the Outer Realm.”
Bai Lian froze mid-step.
The Demon of the Outer Realm.
She knew this name all too well.
On one hand, within the Duxian sect, there was Martial Brother Chen Yizhi, whose bloodline carried the demon’s influence.
On the other hand, during the later stages of “The Battle of the Gods,” the Demon of the Outer Realm had reappeared, bringing the first calamity that affected all of East Divine Land.
This demon’s involvement had led to the collapse of the first cycle and a conflict that even the usually calm master had to intervene in to defend the sect.
It was difficult for Bai Lian not to be reminded of these terrible monsters at a time like this.
But that made the situation even more troubling.
Why would the Demons of the Outer Realm appear now? Wasn’t their emergence supposed to occur decades later?
Bai Lian felt uneasy.
She suspected her fears were correct—that the great calamity had come earlier than anticipated.
The sense of urgency was overwhelming.
But Bai Lian knew that worrying wouldn’t help.
This was nothing like dealing with the jade rabbit. There were countless ways to “handle” the rabbit.
Now, facing this unexpected turn of events, she was lost, unsure of how to proceed.
At first, she had planned to confront Xu Pan and Marquis Wu’an after spending time with her master, but those plans were already disrupted.
Her power had grown, but taking on two opponents alone was still no easy task.
Even if she couldn’t eliminate them, she could at least delay their influence and stop them from creating further problems.
Unfortunately, those expectations were dashed.
“The Emperor and Marquis Wu’an went missing during a trip east, and now Heluo Country has descended into chaos.”
The news came from a traveling cultivator.
Bai Lian suspected the Taixuan Taoist Sect was behind it.
After all, the Taixuan Taoist Sect had a longstanding feud with Heluo Country.
The Heluo Country’s first emperor, once undefeated, was killed by the leader of the Taixuan Taoist Sect during the Battle of Daming Mountain.
That battle had been spectacular, a sight to behold with its radiant sword techniques.
Even after the sect splintered, no one dared to challenge them.
Now, with Xu Pan and Marquis Wu’an in charge, Heluo seemed to be making a resurgence. It was likely that the Taixuan Taoist Sect was wary of this.
Bai Lian shook her head.
She had little she could do for now.
But that was alright.
This would be the perfect time to focus on strengthening her own cultivation.
As she left the small town, Bai Lian overheard more gossip. Some said that with no ruler in Heluo, former court officials were now pushing for the eldest princess to take the throne.
“An Empress?”
Bai Lian thought it was an interesting development.
By five in the afternoon, she had returned to Qiongming Peak.
This time, no one greeted her.
It wasn’t that her Martial Sisters knew of her exploits with the jade rabbit and were deliberately ignoring her.
According to the plan, next year’s internal ranking battle for the Ten Thousand Immortals League was approaching, and many qualified disciples had been sent into the sect’s secret realm for training.
Yan Yue was the one who informed Bai Lian.
Under the shadow of the blood-red tree, Yan Yue put down her lyre, folding her hands under her chin, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
For a moment, Bai Lian thought she saw Si Yunshang in her gaze.
Then, Yan Yue’s voice carried a familiar, teasing tone.
“Bai Lian, you’ve returned from your travels. Didn’t you go to seek guidance from your master before coming to me? Your master won’t be upset, will she?”
“…”
Bai Lian opened her mouth.
How could she possibly have had time for that?
She had intended to visit her master, but when the moment came, she found herself hesitating.
No way out.
She felt guilty!
[You’ve already taken advantage of your master multiple times, so there’s no need to feel guilty now.]
Despite trying to reassure herself, Bai Lian ultimately found herself turning back.
She walked and walked, then arrived before Yan Yue.
Who would’ve thought that Yan Yue would mess with her composure?
At that moment, a new task popped up in front of her eyes.
[Task 1: Gaze affectionately at Yan Yue and say, “I’ve missed you, Yan Yue.” (Reward: Muscle-revitalizing Ointment)]
[Task 2: Shout loudly and scold, “What is your intention in sowing discord?” (Reward: Ice Crystal Bead)]
[Task 3: Honestly admit that your master is the broadest-minded person you’ve ever met. (Reward: Tea Ceremony +1)]
Muscle-revitalizing Ointment?
At first glance, Bai Lian was shocked.
Does this mean her legs will be broken?
In a game, Bai Lian would have tried Tasks 1 and 2.
But this wasn’t a game. She wasn’t foolish, and she wouldn’t gamble with her life.
She chose Task 3.
Bai Lian began to sing her master’s praises in front of Yan Yue.
What is this? Yan Yue wondered.
Is this really the same person?
