Chapter 2
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Chapter 2: Master, Witness My Progress!
News of the “Nanwang City Incident” spread like wildfire.
Besides the Duxian Sect, the Heluo Kingdom and the Flying Fog Sect were the most affected.
It was nearly midnight when the eldest princess leaned against her window, her chin resting on her hands. A mournful tune played softly in the background, deepening her melancholy.
“Due to the ‘Houting Flower’ song, thousands of households were overtaken by weeds”—a line from an ancient Chinese poem that lamented an empire’s downfall as its emperor prioritized songs over military matters.
“Oh no…” The eldest princess sighed deeply before gazing up at the starry sky.
She followed a strict routine, and nightly study sessions were part of it. But tonight, the jade slip on her desk began to flash, interrupting her thoughts.
Fresh news had arrived from Xingluo Fortress.
The princess quickly extended her Divine Sense into the jade slip and froze as the contents unraveled before her.
“Bai Lian…the Star Lord’s reincarnation…”
So it’s true. Bai Lian really is the reincarnation of a Star Lord!
“I knew it! I guessed it right!”
She burst into triumphant laughter, tossing her music box onto the bed.
During her duel with Bai Lian, she had suspected that Bai Lian might embody the Great Tao of Stars or perhaps was a reborn Star Lord. Now, her hunch was confirmed.
“See? I know Bai Lian better than anyone!”
The eldest princess stood tall with renewed confidence.
Her defeat suddenly felt justified. Bai Lian had already mastered “Field,” while she was merely a Soul Changing Stage cultivator. Of course, the outcome was inevitable.
“My loss wasn’t due to weakness,” she murmured, “but to Bai Lian’s overwhelming, abnormal abilities.”
(｡◕ ˇ ∀ ˇ ◕)
A sly grin spread across her face. Bai Lian’s use of “Field” during their battle meant she had taken the fight seriously—proof that she considered the princess a worthy opponent.
“I’m not so bad after all!”
The thought of Bai Lian’s immense strength sent ripples of satisfaction through the princess. With Bai Lian around, Yu Ying’s rivals would undoubtedly feel threatened, and their anxiety would eventually make them her adversaries as well.
“I wonder how furious Marquis Wu’an must be right now. What a pity I can’t see it firsthand.”
Her fingers brushed against a large vase in the corner as emotions washed over her. She decided to seize an opportunity in the future to visit the Duxian Sect and strengthen her friendship with Bai Lian.
Meanwhile, Marquis Wu’an silently read the Shadow Guards’ report as Bai Lian returned to the Duxian Sect under the moonlight.
Long time no see.
Her gaze swept across the familiar mountains, and a contented smile graced her lips. It felt like rain after a prolonged drought.
On her way back aboard a flying boat, Bai Lian had learned that Master An Lan and Master Yan Yue had returned to the Duxian Sect two days earlier. Everyone was safe.
The only person who had changed was the Blood Tree Patriarch.
At the Taixuan Taoist Sect, the Patriarch had indulged in a feast under Yan Yue’s guidance. For two straight weeks, he consumed enough food to last him three years. By the time he left, he had grown noticeably larger, his form now an entire circle wider.
His newfound girth didn’t hinder him; instead, it made him even more powerful!
“The Taixuan Taoist Sect is amazing!”
According to Bai Lian’s fourth Martial Sister, Master Yan Yue and the Blood Tree Patriarch had recently clashed multiple times over that very statement.
“Jealousy can be such a dreadful thing,” Bai Lian muttered with a sigh, her thoughts drifting as she descended into the Duxian Sect.
Su Youwei turned her head and softly asked, “Is that so?”
However, Bai Lian had no intention of intervening. She understood that the Blood Tree Patriarch likely delighted in provoking Master Yan Yue.
They enjoyed this.
If they didn’t engage in at least one argument a day, something significant might be brewing. Better to let them vent regularly.
“Sister Bai Lian has returned!”
“Sister Bai Lian, I’m your fan!”
“Is Sister Bai Lian standing next to me?!”
Despite the late hour, the disciples of the Duxian Sect buzzed with excitement, their voices carrying through the air as they walked. Amid the cheers, a few greetings of “Martial Sister Su” interspersed themselves.
Humph.
Su Youwei clenched her fist, her resolve hardening. One day, she would command as much respect and admiration as Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian.
Upon returning to Qiongming Peak, she wasted no time. The Ten Thousand Poison Pearl required immediate repair. Once its abundant spiritual energy was restored, she would use it to achieve a breakthrough—soaring into the Golden Core Stage in one decisive leap.
The Golden Core Stage!
Once there, with the aid of her alter ego, she could effortlessly push aside Xiao Jinse, whose help she would no longer need.
An alliance?
Alliances were the refuge of the weak. Truly strong individuals stood alone. They didn’t rely on alliances; they confronted Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian head-on.
Occasionally, Su Youwei’s thoughts wandered. She couldn’t suppress fleeting images of herself and Bai Lian in… less-than-appropriate situations.
Before they knew it, Bai Lian and Su Youwei had arrived at Qiongming Peak.
But just as Bai Lian was about to ascend, a message reached her from An Lan:
“Come to my cave.”
Bai Lian complied immediately. The sight of the sand and barren landscapes had long worn thin. She even found herself missing the cold, damp interior of her Shifu’s cave.
At least it felt like home.
With a determined gait, Bai Lian navigated the forbidden area and arrived at An Lan’s cave.
To her surprise, the jade rabbit was already there, hopping about as if she had been waiting for some time.
What was going on?
“Haw haw!”
The jade rabbit greeted Bai Lian with an enthusiastic wave of her front paw, her happiness practically radiating off her small figure.
The soft sound of movement caught Bai Lian’s attention. On the bed, a delicate “girl” in water-blue gauze slowly sat up. As she moved, her long black hair cascaded like silk, and her starry eyes sparkled.
“Master,” Bai Lian greeted respectfully.
An Lan inclined her head slightly. “Your strength has improved,” she noted.
Her gaze lingered on Bai Lian for a moment. Despite Bai Lian’s best efforts to mask her cultivation level, it was as if her Master could see right through her—stripping away all pretense until her very essence lay bare.
As expected.
“As a Heavenly Lord, do you think I wouldn’t see through your attempts at concealment?”
An Lan chuckled softly. The rumors of Bai Lian’s supposed strength never failed to amuse her. These people might lack combat ability, but their imaginations were boundless.
What a waste it would be not to put their creativity to use writing novels.
Without further delay, An Lan pointed to the jade rabbit and said, “Not long ago, Queen Qiong Zhi sent a message to the Duxian Sect.”
Bai Lian’s expression shifted slightly.
Queen Qiong Zhi?
She quickly pieced it together. An Lan was referring to the jade rabbit’s mother.
“Is something wrong with the Flying Fog?” Bai Lian asked.
Both An Lan and the jade rabbit nodded.
“It concerns you,” An Lan added.
“…Me?” Bai Lian’s voice betrayed her confusion.
An Lan added, “It’s not difficult to figure out.”
Bai Lian pieced it together. Wang Qiong Zhi suspected that she might be the reincarnation of the Yaoguang Star Lord!
Previously, on the Flying Fog, Qiong Zhi had asked Bai Lian about her origins. Bai Lian had denied being the Star Lord’s reincarnation, claiming instead to have merely received the deity’s blessing.
At the time, Qiong Zhi accepted her answer. But over the past six months, rumors surfaced that Bai Lian might indeed be the reincarnated Star Lord.
Now Qiong Zhi doubted her earlier conclusion.
No, it wasn’t entirely accurate to call it a lie. Perhaps Bai Lian had lost her memories of her past life, forgetting that she was the Yaoguang Star Lord.
The jade rabbit’s gaze lingered on Bai Lian, filled with uncertainty.
No, no!
If Bai Lian truly was the Yaoguang Star Lord, her ancestor, wouldn’t that make any relationship between them… improper?
The jade rabbit’s thoughts spiraled into confusion.
But wait—on closer examination, the relationship wasn’t quite so straightforward. Yaoguang Star Lord never had children. The so-called Yaoguang Rabbits were ordinary rabbits who, through cultivating methods taught by the Star Lord, had achieved their elevated status.
Technically, they weren’t blood-related.
An Lan observed Bai Lian silently, waiting for her response.
An Lan, too, had her reasons.
She wanted to rid Bai Lian of the countless “Death” markings lingering on her. But no external solution seemed to work. If outside remedies failed, perhaps the answer lay within Bai Lian herself.
An Lan believed that understanding Bai Lian’s past might lead to a solution.
This wasn’t an absurd theory.
She was particularly intrigued after encountering the pitiful “little Bai Lian” in her thoughts.
Yes, it was all out of a Master’s concern for her disciple!
Bai Lian remained silent, watching as the system presented her with options:
[Task 1: Let out a sigh and admit, “It appears I can no longer conceal my identity. Yes, I am the reincarnation of Yaoguang Star Lord.” (Reward: Light Skill +2)]
[Task 2: Firmly deny, “I am not the reincarnation of Yaoguang Star Lord.” (Reward: Medical Skill +1)]
Bai Lian chose Task 2 without hesitation.
She noticed the unease in the jade rabbit’s eyes and didn’t want to cause her further worry. Nor did she wish to deceive Shifu on such an important matter unless absolutely necessary.
“I am not the reincarnation of Yaoguang Star Lord,” Bai Lian said, shaking her head.
“Haw haw?” The jade rabbit’s ears perked up.
An Lan nodded.
She agreed with Bai Lian. After all, Bai Lian possessed a Tao Halo—something she’d never heard associated with the Yaoguang Star Lord during her years in the Immortal World.
“Leave us,” An Lan said to the jade rabbit. “I guarantee Bai Lian is not the Yaoguang Star Lord’s reincarnation.”
“Haw!”
Relief washed over the jade rabbit’s face. She gave Bai Lian a joyful glance before happily hopping out of the cave.
Now, only Bai Lian and An Lan remained.
“Hit me,” An Lan said suddenly.
“…What?” Bai Lian blinked in disbelief.
“You heard me,” An Lan said impatiently. “Do you think you could hurt me, let alone make me bleed?”
“Of course not,” Bai Lian quickly replied.
“Then stop hesitating. Use your full strength.”
Bai Lian tightened her fist but hesitated until An Lan grabbed her wrist.
“Not like this. Use all your strength.”
“…Understood!”
Bai Lian inhaled deeply.
Encouraged by her Master’s insistence, she decided to take it seriously. She wouldn’t let Shifu see her as a weak novice.
Taking a small step back, Bai Lian focused. Her piercing gaze locked onto her target. Her fists clenched tighter.
Let me show you how far I’ve come!
She stepped forward, her clothes billowing as her fist flew.
In that instant, a tidal wave of water-element energy surged outward, cascading around Bai Lian.
The air shimmered with light, and a brilliant starry sky unfolded behind her.
An Lan’s expression flickered with surprise.
The starry sky…
Before she could fully process the scene, Bai Lian’s fist was already dangerously close.