Chapter 24
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This chapter is edited by Farouq Omileye. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 24: I’ve Known the Immortal Heavenly Lord for a Long Time
The bamboo forests surrounding them were mesmerizing, yet the air was thick with humidity.
After sitting for a brief moment, Bai Lian noticed cold, white water seeping onto her dress.
This feels sticky.
This is unacceptable.
She couldn’t quite read the thoughts of the woman sitting across from her, but one thing was clear—Bai Lian didn’t like this sensation.
But she had to endure.
In moments of inferiority, humility is key.
The woman wore a sly fox-like smile, and the little old man beside her resembled a wolf in grandmother’s clothing. Bai Lian felt like a helpless Little Red Riding Hood who stood no chance against them.
Bai Lian straightened her back, matching the woman’s poised posture.
Just say it.
I’ll treat everything you say like it’s a fairy tale from Anthusia!
The young woman spoke with deliberate slowness, “Perhaps Bai Lian is familiar with the tale of ‘a man who becomes immortal and his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.'”
Bai Lian nodded.
There were countless versions of this story, and no matter who the protagonist was, in the end, their chickens and dogs would ascend to heaven alongside them.
“I’m serious,” the young woman said, her tone shifting.
As she composed herself, the air around her grew colder. “When a cultivator reaches the Mahayana Stage, they can ascend to the Immortal World. For thousands of years, it was believed that the Immortal World was situated above the mortal realm, but in reality, it exists within the mortal realm itself!”
This revelation hit like a bombshell.
But what struck the young woman the most was how calmly Bai Lian responded.
Did Bai Lian already know all of this?
If she didn’t know…
Bai Lian’s composure was unshaken—not even a deep-water bomb could make her heart flutter!
The young woman tried to peer into Bai Lian’s thoughts, hoping to find some clue by looking into her eyes.
But her efforts were in vain. Bai Lian’s eyes were empty, and there was nothing to read. If there was anything at all, it was the world in front of her that consumed her gaze.
She began to wonder if Bai Lian was simply lost in thought.
That’s impossible.
[I’ve overestimated myself.]
The young woman silently blamed herself.
Was it really that easy to read someone like Bai Lian?
After all, considering Bai Lian’s cultivation level…
At the Soul Changing Stage, she looked like a younger sister.
Do you believe that?
Anyway, the young woman didn’t buy it.
Anyone who believed it was simply foolish!
Despite living in the Snow Sea, she kept herself updated on the news from the East Divine Land.
One of the most shocking pieces of news to come from the East Divine Land recently was the attack on Duxian Sect.
The death of the unknown evil cultivator was a harsh reminder to the world.
Bai Lian’s true cultivation level was undoubtedly beyond the Transcendency Stage!
As a result, many had privately criticized Bai Lian and Jue Yunzi.
Those who criticized Bai Lian believed she was a cunning woman.
“Don’t let her deceive you!”
Others criticized Jue Yunzi, claiming that it was at his request that Bai Lian concealed her abilities.
“Sister Bai Lian is a person of integrity. It must have been at the request of Jue Yunzi that she concealed her true powers!”
Some ridiculed these individuals, calling them amusing.
Bai Lian was a Natural Saint, not foolish. What was wrong with concealing her abilities?
These critics were quite entertaining!
In the midst of these thoughts, Bai Lian remained deep in contemplation.
Hm? Above? Inside?
What did it mean?
“The Immortal World and the mortal world coexist, though they’ve been separated for many years,” the young woman explained. “Usually, only those who reach the Mahayana Stage can ascend to the Immortal World, but there are exceptions.”
Her mouth slowly formed five words—
“The Ancient Starry Sky Road!” she exclaimed.
?
Bai Lian recognized the name. It seemed the people from Xingluo Fortress had been searching for the Ancient Starry Sky Road.
“The pathway connecting the mortal world to the Immortal World hasn’t been fully shut down. If we find the Ancient Starry Sky Road, ordinary individuals who haven’t cultivated can journey to the Immortal World and experience the Immortal Spirit Qi’s benefits.”
Though Bai Lian was uncertain about the validity of this claim, the idea was undeniably tempting!
If the Ancient Starry Sky Road truly existed and she found it, it could provide Master An Lan with a chance to enter the Immortal World undetected by her enemies.
This would solve everything.
Once Shifu regains her strength, no problem would remain!
The game had stated that An Lan was not defeated due to her lack of strength, but because of being deceived by her opponent during a fierce battle.
The game hadn’t disclosed the details of how An Lan was deceived, but her memory of the event was vague—only a black painting depicting human silhouettes. One figure knelt on one knee, while the other pointed a long weapon at them.
The kneeling figure must have been An Lan.
During the game, An Lan often mentioned how she lost because her knee had been struck by a sword, revealing her identity.
“I was cheated! I was sneak-attacked!”
“That’s too shameless!”
Whenever “Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian” inquired about the details, An Lan would falter.
“I don’t want to think about it!”
Bai Lian asked, “So, you’re searching for the Ancient Starry Sky Road?”
The young woman nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
“It seems like you have some ideas; otherwise, you wouldn’t have mentioned it to me.”
“Indeed,” the young woman confirmed, gesturing to the elderly man standing beside her.
“Like you, Fairy Bai Lian, Ji Shi is also a reincarnation of an immortal from the Immortal World.”
Huh?
Bai Lian turned to look at Ji Shi.
Ji Shi forced a smile, his aging face contorting, “I was nothing more than a lowly Celestial Immortal. How could I possibly compare to Fairy Bai Lian? Besides, I wouldn’t even consider myself a true reincarnation. If I were, I wouldn’t be in my current state.”
The young woman smiled, “You’re being too modest. Without you, I wouldn’t have even known about the Ancient Starry Sky Road’s existence.”
Ji Shi stroked his white beard, smiling in a way that resembled decaying bark.
“Fairy Bai Lian, what realm did you reside in during your past life? Perhaps we crossed paths.”
…
I’m not the reincarnation of any Star Lord!
It was all the emperor of Nanwang Country’s fault! Not only did he make a mistake, but he should also openly confess it.
Bai Lian was left speechless!
At that moment, a task appeared before her.
[Task 1: Shake your head and deny, saying “You’re mistaken—I’m not the reincarnation of the Star Lord. I’m just Bai Lian, and I’ll always be Bai Lian!” (Reward: Hard Skill +12)]
[Task 2: Point to your head, shake your head, and sigh, “During the reincarnation process, my soul was affected, causing me to forget a lot of things.” (Reward: Soft Skill +11)]
[Task 3: “I traversed all realms, never restricting myself to just one place.” (Reward: Light Skill +8)]
Bai Lian was confused.
All of them involve risks.
If I choose Task 1, won’t I be beaten up and locked up immediately?
Bai Lian hesitated for a moment before selecting Task 3.
I’m afraid to take risks!
Stay steady.
If I choose wrong, I’ll die!
In the past, she could count on Shifu to come to her rescue no matter what, but things were different now.
Her rash actions had caused Shifu to enter her decline earlier than expected.
Now, she had no choice but to rely on herself.
And…
She was determined to save Shifu and live a shamelessly happy life together.
But would she be going against her original intention if she became too reliant on Shifu for everything?
Even if Shifu was ultimately saved, could she remain by her side?
While Bai Lian wrestled with these thoughts, the young woman and Ji Shi seemed unconcerned, assuming Bai Lian was simply reminiscing.
After some time, Bai Lian placed her hand on the tea table and said, “I have traversed all realms, rather than remaining confined to a single location.”
“Oh?” Ji Shi raised his slightly drooping eyelids. “Traveling throughout the Immortal World? That suits Fairy Bai Lian’s identity quite well.”
Bai Lian smiled but offered no further explanation.
Ji Shi wasn’t ready to let her go just yet. “Fairy Bai Lian, when did you descend from the Immortal World?”
After thinking for a moment, Bai Lian replied, “It’s been almost three hundred years.”
“Then we descended at nearly the same time,” Ji Shi remarked with a smile. “Those years, the Immortal Heavenly Lord disappeared, and the Immortal World was thrown into chaos. Perhaps it was a blessing for us to be reborn here.”
Hm?
Bai Lian caught the essential words.
When speaking about others, Ji Shi could only muddle through.
However, he had something specific he wanted to discuss with her—An Lan.
Bai Lian sighed, her expression turning thoughtful. “The Immortal Heavenly Lord is one of the most powerful lords, despite her reluctance to involve herself in the affairs of others. Yet, countless forces still maintain a close connection with her, such as Yuxu Pavilion and the Mountain Sea Region. When she left, those forces lost their leader. It’s no wonder the Immortal World has descended into chaos.”
Ji Shi nodded, his expression one of understanding. “Yes, it’s such a shame. Of all the Heavenly Lords, the Immortal Heavenly Lord was by far the most approachable.”
Bai Lian agreed, a faint smile touching her lips. “It’s true. I had the privilege of knowing the Immortal Heavenly Lord personally. Despite my low strength, she never looked down on me. In fact, she taught me the ‘Thousands of Flowers’ spell as a gesture of kindness.”
“Hiss—”
The young woman, who had been listening intently to their conversation, suddenly gasped in astonishment.
“Does that mean you’re the Immortal Heavenly Lord’s disciple?”
Bai Lian smiled shyly and shook her head. “Oh no, I could never be her disciple. It was just a stroke of luck that I met her in a teahouse, and we had a brief conversation.”
“That’s impressive,” Ji Shi commented, his voice tinged with admiration. “The Immortal Heavenly Lord doesn’t typically engage with ordinary people.”
As he said this, he felt a sinking sensation in his heart.
He didn’t doubt for a moment that Bai Lian was the reincarnated Star Lord. But…
The more mysterious Bai Lian seemed, the more unsettled he became.
He looked away, but noticed that the young woman’s face had grown serious as well.
Not good.
Bai Lian might even be a friend of the Immortal Heavenly Lord, and although she was only at the Transcendency Stage, she likely had many unexpected and unique ways to protect herself. If we involve her in our matter, it could potentially backfire on us.
At that moment, Bai Lian remained the only one calmly sipping her tea.