Chapter 4 Part 2
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
This chapter is edited by omileye nofisat. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 4: Poverty Discourages Me (Part 2)
The only way to sever her connection with Bai Lian would have been to go back to the moment they first met, in front of the fruit stall.
If, on that day, she could have walked past Bai Lian without saying a word, she would have completely cut off any ties between them.
But she hadn’t.
Now, the only course left was to continue with her previous plan—finding a way to halt the growth of the ominous “Death” words hovering over Bai Lian’s destiny.
Seeking Knowledge
“Thousands of Flowers” might not be enough.
An Lan decided she needed more guidance, and the best way to find it was by consulting those more knowledgeable than herself.
In a flash, she arrived at the sect’s library and approached the younger Martial Brother who looked much older than her.
“Which sect has the most old men?” An Lan asked bluntly.
“?”
“It doesn’t matter if they’re strong or not. The older, the better. I need to ask them some questions.”
Though puzzled, the Elder of the library replied, “The Taixuan Taoist Sect and the Taiqing Taoist Sect have many immortals who have lived for centuries. There are also ancient sects on the boundless sea. Additionally, at the easternmost end of the sea, within the Return Ruins, there’s a mysterious turtle rumored to have existed since the beginning of the world.”
An Lan sighed. “I’m not as familiar with the East Divine Land as you are!”
“Ha?”
The Elder was startled. Elder Martial Sister, are you possessed by some old monster?
He quickly warned her. “It’s dangerous out there right now. An ancient demon has been seen roaming the land. It might attack the Taixuan or Taiqing sects at any moment. I think you should wait before heading out.”
An Lan froze mid-step, her clenched fist trembling slightly.
“Iron Fist him!” a fleeting thought urged.
But she suppressed the urge and unclenched her hand.
“What ancient demon? Just a baseless rumor!” she scoffed before vanishing from the library.
—
Bai Lian’s Room
Meanwhile, Bai Lian had returned to her room.
Winter had passed, but spring had yet to fully arrive.
Rubbing the spots where she’d been struck, she decided to practice the “Thousands of Flowers” technique.
Perhaps because An Lan’s spiritual energy had recently coursed through her body, she found it surprisingly easy to mobilize her own Qi. The process was smooth, as though she had practiced it countless times before.
Soon, the bedroom warmed under her influence. Bai Lian extended her hands, conjuring two pure white lilies.
“I may not be as talented as my younger Martial Sisters, but I’m not mediocre either,” she thought, her confidence rising.
She dispelled the flowers, reflecting on her status. With the best Spiritual Root, she still had much to be proud of.
Sitting at her desk, Bai Lian spread out a large sheet of white paper and began sketching.
The scene she envisioned for their family portrait—a classroom with herself, Master An Lan, and her two Martial Sisters—began to take shape.
This would be a long project, but Bai Lian was determined to finish it. She was convinced that once the painting was complete, the supernatural phenomenon of paintings rearranging themselves on the walls would cease.
—
The Journey to Hening City
On February 2, spring thunder rumbled, and heavy rain poured down.
After half a month of rest, Bai Lian prepared to leave the peak for Hening City.
Her strength hadn’t grown significantly during this time, but her tea ceremony skills had reached 9 points, giving her an ethereal grace.
Basic Skills:
Hard Skill: 295
Soft Skill: 307
Light Skill: 313
Focus: 411
After surpassing 400, her Focus had only increased by 1 point in the past half month.
In her current Nascent Soul Stage, Bai Lian felt nearly invincible.
Against an enemy in the Soul Changing Stage, she might not win, but her powerful divine sense and the artifacts An Lan had given her could ensure she held her ground.
Initially, she planned to bring only her second younger Martial Sister on the trip. However, the pleading eyes of her third younger Martial Sister and the jade rabbit convinced her to take them all.
To avoid attracting attention, Bai Lian disguised herself and her companions. She rolled up the jade rabbit’s ears, making it look like a “strange white cat.”
“Come on, learn to meow!” Bai Lian urged.
“Meow, meow!”
“Nice!” She nodded with satisfaction at her handiwork.
Carrying an oil-paper umbrella and a plain sword, she and her companions—now with their hair dyed black—set out.
—
The Flying Boat
To save time, Bai Lian booked a spot on the Guangtong Sect’s flying boat.
The journey was scenic and far from boring.
Hening City lay in the northwest corner of the East Divine Land, about 6,000 miles from Castle Peak City, the hometown of Bai Lian’s second younger Martial Sister.
For ordinary people, this distance was unimaginable. But for cultivators, it was merely a routine journey.
Bai Lian didn’t mention the proximity to Castle Peak City, fearing it might stir painful memories for her younger Martial Sister.
Hening City, a small border city in Heluo Country, served as a hub for unaffiliated cultivators due to its unique location. Unlike Wutan State, Heluo was a nation founded by cultivators, surpassing even the Duxian Sect in strength.
—
The Auction
“Elder Martial Sister, I heard the auctions in Hening City are famous. Can we go?” Xiao Jinse asked excitedly on the deck of the flying boat.
Bai Lian hesitated.
The auction was a staple event in countless web novels—where protagonists often stumbled upon treasures.
But…
She touched the storage pendant at her chest. Poverty weighed heavily on her.
“Younger Martial Sister, don’t forget the purpose of our trip,” she said, patting Xiao Jinse’s head.
Money?
She had none.
It wasn’t for lack of effort; she was single-handedly keeping Qingming Peak afloat. The fact that she wasn’t drowning in debt was already a miracle.
