Chapter 74: Long and Short Years
“However,” Bai Zhanying’s tone turned serious, “compared to the nine provinces of the Immortal Domain, which generally stay detached from the Mortal Realm and don’t interfere in mortal affairs, the four forbidden areas of the Demon Abyss have a much stronger control over the four domains.”
“Take the Temple of the Nether Spirit, for example. It’s divided into five lineages: Blood Lord, Sha Master, Spirit Master, Demon Master, and Shaoze Master. Each lineage has its own territory and power, and a single lineage is comparable to a sect in the Immortal Domain.”
“They treat mortals as resources, and it’s common for them to use mortals for cultivation within their territories.”
Bai Zhanying gritted her teeth. “Of the province that the Immortal Domain lost back then, nearly two-thirds of the mortals died tragically…”
Luo Xue gasped. The cultivators of the Demon Abyss’ forbidden areas were truly terrifying…
However, from the Demon Abyss disciples she had fought before, she could see that their spiritual power generally carried a chilling baleful aura.
Once struck, their spiritual power circulation would be greatly hindered.
If not for her maxed-out poison resistance, even with her extraordinary physical strength, Luo Xue would have struggled against them.
“Xiao Xue, if you go to the Demon Abyss, never harm innocent lives.” Bai Zhanying instructed softly. “There are also suffering mortals in the Demon Abyss, not all of them are demons.”
“I’m willing to believe in you now, but if you fall in the Demon Abyss… I will personally end this karmic tie.”
She paused, a hint of sorrow in her voice.
“I just hope it won’t come to that…”
“It won’t.” Luo Xue’s expression was serious. She raised her hands, cupped Bai Zhanying’s face, and said with firm eyes, “Senior Sister, no matter what, it won’t come to that.”
Although she had only been awake for half a month, she had spent twelve years with Senior Sister.
Even when the sect suspected her of being a demonic cultivator, Senior Sister stood firmly by her side.
She was Senior Sister, and Luo Xue would always be her Little Junior Sister.
Remembering this… was enough.
Bai Zhanying didn’t struggle as Luo Xue cupped her face, just quietly looking into her eyes.
Suddenly, she smiled.
“Indeed,” Bai Zhanying reached out and pinched Luo Xue’s cheek. “You are Xiao Xue, the Xiao Xue who has been with me since you were a crying baby in my arms…”
“…Can we not talk about this anymore?”
Luo Xue’s expression was strange.
Being constantly reminded of her infancy gave her a weird feeling.
Coupled with Senior Sister’s appearance, which, aside from her deliberately old-fashioned attire, was no different from that of a young girl, it made her feel increasingly uncomfortable…
Bai Zhanying just smiled, but then, as if remembering something, her expression turned serious.
“By the way, although you’re nominally going as a spy for the Immortal Domain, you… probably shouldn’t take on any spy missions.”
“Why?” Luo Xue asked.
“Immortal Domain spies… all need to find a way to join the four major forbidden areas of the Demon Abyss: the Temple of the Nether Spirit, the Primordial Mother Cult, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, and the Demonic Ghost City. None of them are easy to deal with.”
Bai Zhanying said in a deep voice, “The forbidden areas of the Demon Abyss are different from the sects of the Immortal Domain. They allow disciples to kill each other within the same realm. It’s extremely dangerous.”
“After entering the Demon Abyss, it’s best to find an inconspicuous small sect and just blend in. Many small sects in the Demon Abyss are weak and won’t casually sacrifice their disciples.”
The gentle smile on her face didn’t fade, and she pinched Luo Xue’s cheek again. “If there’s a chance, I will go see you.”
“Okay.”
Luo Xue nodded in agreement, taking these words to heart.
Even from her own perspective, this was very good advice.
The forbidden areas that controlled a region were too dangerous. A slight misstep could lead to death.
Her current strength was only at the early stage of the Innate Realm, still some distance from the Spirit Condensation Realm. If she died prematurely, she would probably be killed again by that Spirit Condensation assassin when she returned.
Luo Xue didn’t like taking risks; it was better to be safe.
She would follow Senior Sister’s advice.
However…
“I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint Senior Sister. In the future… there probably won’t be a chance to meet again.”
Luo Xue looked at Senior Sister’s smiling face, a sudden ache in her nose.
After reaching the Spirit Condensation Realm, she would have to find a way to die, to return to her original world and save her little sister, Ling Ling.
If she had the chance to return, she probably wouldn’t interact with Senior Sister again, just like Su Yiyao in her previous life.
The Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss were vast. Meeting someone again was easier said than done.
“By the way, I seem to have a few Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pills, I’ll find them and give them to you…”
Bai Zhanying slapped her forehead and started rummaging through her storage ring.
Luo Xue couldn’t help but laugh. “Senior Sister, those are healing pills for Core Formation and above… I don’t need them at the Innate Realm.”
“It’s fine, I’ll put them in the storage ring for you. This ring was given to you by Master anyway.”
Bai Zhanying waved her hand dismissively and put everything into the storage ring.
The storage space of the ring was almost full.
This showed just how much she had put inside…
Unable to refuse, Luo Xue could only accept the storage ring with a wry smile.
Besides the value of the storage ring itself, the items inside would tempt even a Nascent Soul rogue cultivator.
After all, this was the collection of a Core Formation prodigy from a major sect in the Immortal Domain…
Whether in the Immortal Domain or the Demon Abyss, what rogue cultivators lacked the most were resources. Cultivation consumed a massive amount of resources, even for Nascent Soul cultivators.
Even if they were affiliated with a sect as retainers, it was difficult to keep up with the consumption rate.
Therefore, rogue cultivators either had to master a specific skill, such as alchemy or artifact refining, or explore dangerous secret realms to obtain resources.
Unlike the cultivators of major sects, who occupied blessed lands, the resources within these blessed lands were already abundant.
Of course, being a rogue cultivator also had its advantages. They were more free and unrestrained, not bound by the rules of a sect.
Moreover, after reaching a certain level of cultivation, if they wanted to join a major sect, they could only do so as retainers, unable to truly enter the sect’s core.
Luo Huaxin was a prime example. She was even the Peak Master of Falling Flower Peak, one of the four peaks of the Peerless Summit Sect, but she had no say in the sect’s decisions.
“Senior Sister, why give me so many good things…”
Luo Xue held the storage ring and asked with a wry smile.
Bai Zhanying was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice,
“In the future, no one will treat you this well.”
“Senior Sister just wants to give you all the kindness you’ll need for the future.”
Luo Xue’s expression froze slightly, and memories of the past twelve years flashed through her mind.
Every scene contained Senior Sister’s figure.
“Twelve years,” Luo Xue looked at Bai Zhanying and tilted her head. “For Senior Sister, the twelve years with me… were they long, or short?”
Compared to the lifespan of immortals, which could span thousands or even tens of thousands of years, a mere twelve years was insignificant.
But these twelve years were Luo Xue’s entire life in this world.
Bai Zhanying’s expression turned serious, as if she was pondering, then she replied earnestly,
“Sometimes long, sometimes short.”
No matter how long they lived, the memories that remained were but fleeting moments.
These were memories.
“But no matter what, I… will cherish them,” Bai Zhanying said softly, “…Forever.”
Luo Xue looked out the window. It was late at night, and the stars were twinkling.
“It’s time to sleep, Senior Sister,” Luo Xue said with a faint smile, “Can you hold me to sleep, like before?”
Perhaps in the future, there wouldn’t be another chance.
Bai Zhanying rubbed Luo Xue’s hair and said softly,
“Of course.”
The night deepened, and the candlelight was extinguished.
A graceful figure sat alone on a tree outside the courtyard, holding a wine gourd, looking at the two figures gradually disappearing in the room.
Luo Huaxin had been here all along, even during Luo Xue’s conversation with Zou Junxin, she hadn’t left.
But…
After a long time, she sighed.
“So, major sects are troublesome. Qiulin, if not for your daughter, I would have continued being a carefree rogue cultivator…”
…
“Zou Junxin actually dared to make such a decision…”
Within the Law Enforcement Hall, the Grand Elder received the news that Luo Xue was about to become a spy for the Immortal Domain, and the teacup in his hand cracked.
A violent spiritual power faintly surged around him.
But he quickly suppressed his spiritual power and calmed himself down.
“Forcibly cultivating this forbidden secret technique is still a bit difficult. My emotions are always out of control.” The Grand Elder exhaled, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But Zou Shidi, do you think letting this demonic seed go will change the game?”
“If the Underworld Water Ravine hadn’t been so useless hundreds of years ago, the rebellion wouldn’t have failed… and you wouldn’t have had the chance to sit in that position. The Peerless Summit Sect wouldn’t be humiliated by a mere Temple of the Nether Spirit.”
“The war between immortals and demons is inevitable. Without war, the Peerless Summit Sect will only continue to decline…”
The rebellion hundreds of years ago was initiated by the radicals of the Peerless Summit Sect. With the support of their Soul Transformation ancestor, they attempted to seize power and start another war between immortals and demons.
Once the Peerless Summit Sect attacked the Demon Abyss sects, it would trigger a chain reaction, and the tens of thousands of years of animosity between the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss would be reignited, the flames of war engulfing the nine provinces and four domains.
At that time, even if the moderates regained power, they would be forced to accept this war.
The radicals believed that only war could make the Peerless Summit Sect stronger. The new generation, who hadn’t been baptized by fire, was too weak.
Unfortunately, the rebellion ultimately failed.
But… it wasn’t a complete failure either.
No one had expected that the previous Sect Master, who had always advocated for a moderate approach towards the Demon Abyss, would be a secret supporter of the rebellion.
Unfortunately, the newly established Law Enforcement Hall disrupted his plan, and Zou Junxin, the Grand Elder of Dawn Light Peak, became the new Sect Master.
But it didn’t matter, there was still a chance.
Hundreds of years of planning had gradually eroded Zou Junxin’s prestige.
Many elders were secretly saying that it was Zou Junxin’s weakness and incompetence that led to the decline of the Peerless Summit Sect. Even the Soul Transformation ancestors, who usually didn’t interfere in sect affairs, were slightly swayed.
But it still needed a spark.
Luo Xue was supposed to be that spark, but Zou Junxin acted swiftly, finalizing Luo Xue’s status as a spy for the Immortal Domain within two days, even bypassing the Law Enforcement Hall.
This spark was extinguished.
Having controlled the Peerless Summit Sect for hundreds of years, he wasn’t completely incompetent. At least, he could contend with the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, who had deep roots within the sect’s lineages.
“Zhong Bo.”
The Grand Elder called out in a deep voice.
In the candlelight, the stern middle-aged man bowed.
“Grand Elder.”
“How many spies does the Law Enforcement Hall have in the Demon Abyss?”
“Reporting to Grand Elder, one Core Formation, two Foundation Establishment, and sixteen Spirit Condensation.”
The Grand Elder turned his teacup. “Find an opportunity to kill Luo Xue in the Demon Abyss.”
“This…” Zhong Bo was stunned. “Grand Elder, with all due respect, is this really necessary?”
As the Second Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, and the Grand Elder’s confidant, he was also a member of the radical faction.
He had witnessed the decline of the Peerless Summit Sect over the past thousand years, and Zhong Bo also believed that it was the end of the Immortal-Demon War that had dulled the swords of the sect’s disciples.
This move with Luo Xue was Sect Master Zou Junxin’s slight victory.
When Luo Xue escaped the internal strife of the Peerless Summit Sect, this move became useless.
But now, they wanted to forcibly act against her…
“Indecisive!”
The Grand Elder shouted sharply. “She is a Calamity Poison Body, a natural demonic cultivator. Once the war begins, do you want to see a repeat of the tragedy that befell half a province all those years ago?”
Zhong Bo was silent for a moment.
“I… understand.”
Bai Zhanying believed that Luo Xue wouldn’t do such a thing, and Zou Junxin also trusted Bai Zhanying’s judgment.
But the Law Enforcement Hall trusted no one, only believing in eliminating all future troubles with a single sword strike.
“That’s all.”
The Grand Elder leaned back slightly in his chair, his expression hidden in the candlelight.
“If no one in the Immortal Domain protects her, kill her directly. If she reaches the Demon Abyss, let the Law Enforcement Hall’s spies handle it.”
“Yes, Grand Elder.”
…
A few days later.
After the Immortal Ascension Gate ended, the Peerless Summit Sect gradually returned to its usual tranquility.
Most disciples either went out to carry out sect missions or went into seclusion to cultivate, rarely wandering around the sect.
Even the chattering Falling Flower Peak sisterhood, including Ye Ningshuang, had taken on sect missions and left.
They were now official outer sect disciples and had to carry out at least three missions each year.
The sect had many missions similar to the one Bai Zhanying had undertaken in the swamp, hunting down evil cultivators. The Peerless Summit Sect’s mission to uphold righteousness wasn’t just empty talk. Daoist Ziyang had been deeply terrified of the Peerless Summit Sect’s pursuit.
Therefore, for a time, the entire Peerless Summit Sect became quiet.
Luo Xue had nothing to do these past few days, so she could only study the divine abilities she received from Bai Zhanying.
Bai Zhanying had put aside her duties and stayed with Luo Xue, guiding her cultivation.
“If you use a sword for techniques… isn’t this two-handed greatsword a bit unsuitable? Would it be better to have another sword specifically for casting techniques…”
Luo Xue held the heavy sword that Bai Zhanying had exchanged from Senior Brother Zhang and tried circulating her spiritual power through the blade.
It was quite difficult…
—After all, this sword wasn’t designed to be used as a staff.
“It’s best to use only one weapon, one that you’re comfortable with. You have natural divine strength, and you should focus on developing that.” Bai Zhanying said patiently, but her expression showed a hint of pity. “As for divine abilities, just treat them as supplementary methods.”
She could see that Luo Xue’s talent for divine abilities didn’t seem to be very good…
And Luo Xue herself knew this. She had already seen it on the panel.
[Divine Ability Aptitude: Almost None]
Leave a Reply