Category: A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life

Chapter 54: How Shameless!

The Immortal Ascension Gate trials were held over three days because each trial was extremely mentally and physically demanding.

The remaining time after the trials was for recuperation and rest.

After a night passed, the aspiring cultivators arrived at Underworld Water Ravine for the second trial of the Immortal Ascension Gate: the character assessment.

Opposite to Cold Edge Cliff, Underworld Water Ravine was located in an abyss at the edge of the Peerless Summit Sect’s peaks.

Similar to its name, the sect’s residence was located beside an underground river.

The disciples of Underworld Water Ravine were mostly silent and aloof, so when Luo Xue, as usual, arrived early to scout the location, there were few people around.

Fortunately, the surrounding environment was also quite dim, making it difficult for the Falling Flower Peak sisterhood to find her.

Luo Xue found a secluded spot again, but just as she was about to sit down and cultivate, a voice suddenly came from beside her.

“Someone’s here.”

Luo Xue was startled and quickly lowered her head, apologizing.

“Sorry, sorry, I’ll leave…”

“…It’s you?”

A darker figure slowly emerged from the shadows. Although Luo Xue couldn’t see anything, she felt a sharp gaze fixed on her.

This feeling was somewhat familiar.

“Senior Brother Li?”

Luo Xue tried calling out.

Among the people she had met, the only one who was always shrouded in shadows like this seemed to be Li Guixing, one of the Peerless Four.

Hearing this address, the shadowy figure trembled slightly, but didn’t say anything more.

“Ahem, sorry for disturbing you, I’ll find another place…”

Luo Xue quickly pulled her hood lower and was about to leave.

She didn’t want to have anything to do with the Peerless Four.

“You… should be careful.”

Just then, the shadowy figure spoke again, his tone still indifferent.

“Huh?”

Luo Xue was slightly taken aback.

“Especially in your situation…” The shadowy figure paused, seeming hesitant. “Standing out isn’t always a good thing.”

Senior Brother Li… was he concerned about her?

But what was her situation? Why did she need to be extra careful?

“The threat of the Demon Abyss is always present.”

The shadowy figure said one more sentence, then fell silent.

Li Guixing’s cryptic words confused Luo Xue, and he didn’t seem to intend to elaborate.

However, the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss had indeed been at odds for many years, and there had been numerous clashes between them in secret.

Especially Underworld Water Ravine, which had the most interactions with the Demon Abyss, so Senior Brother Li specifically mentioning this should be considered a sign of concern.

After all, according to rumors, Luo Xue had been in seclusion for over a decade before coming out.

“Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother.”

Luo Xue bowed.

The shadowy figure trembled again, as if wanting to say something.

But no sound came.

However, due to Senior Brother Li’s interruption, the surrounding aspiring cultivators gradually increased.

Luo Xue couldn’t find another opportunity to meditate, so she simply waited.

The shadowy figure beside her seemed to want to talk to her again, but after several moments of silence, he still didn’t speak.

Just like yesterday, the Falling Flower Peak sisterhood started their search for Little Junior Sister, but to no avail.

Soon, as a dark mist enveloped the area and numerous figures in black robes appeared, the noisy scene instantly quieted down.

The Peak Master of Underworld Water Ravine, also dressed in a black robe, didn’t specifically single out the Peerless Four like Xi Xiaofeng had done yesterday.

Moreover, the black-robed figure didn’t seem to like talking much. He simply waved his hand, and formation runes appeared around them. Then, stairs materialized on the steep cliff face.

They seemed to lead to the top of the cliff, or perhaps straight to the sky.

“Climb the stairs,” the black-robed figure said concisely, “The higher, the better.”

It was still the same scoring system.

After climbing these stairs, one would face the pressure of a high-level cultivator’s aura.

The higher the number of steps, the stronger the pressure.

One’s performance when facing a high-level cultivator’s aura best revealed their true character.

This required not only cultivation but also the heart to face a strong enemy.

Those with cultivation but without the heart were only worthy of being someone else’s stepping stone.

As the black-robed figure’s voice fell, the test began. The crowd surged towards the stairs, and Luo Xue quickly followed.

She also wanted to see Li Guixing’s movements, but he had already disappeared.

While the aspiring cultivators and the second-generation immortals were still hesitating, Ye Liufeng of Dawn Light Peak stepped onto the stairs, taking several steps at once.

Not only that, but he also turned around, looked at the crowd, and sneered.

“Luo Xue of Falling Flower Peak, if you still have any tricks to compete with me today, I, Ye, will acknowledge you!”

Luo Xue, in the crowd, heard this and couldn’t help but feel helpless.

She didn’t even know why she had offended this Senior Brother Ye. If he wanted to compete, he should at least find a proper opponent…

Not to mention that Luo Xue was much younger than him at twelve years old, and her cultivation wasn’t even at the Innate Realm yet.

Even Ye Ningshuang, the weakest of the Peerless Four, was at the late stage of the Innate Realm. A peak Innate Realm cultivator picking a fight with someone who wasn’t even at the Innate Realm… how shameless.

However, with everyone together this time, they couldn’t cheat, right?

Thinking this, Luo Xue stepped onto the stairs.

After his provocation, Ye Liufeng didn’t wait either.

The other members of the Peerless Four had already caught up, and he didn’t want to fall behind.

Within a few steps, he had entered the area facing the pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s aura.

From here on, it was the true challenge, each step extremely difficult.

However, Ye Liufeng was full of confidence. This time, he would definitely win first place.

The problem was…

After Luo Xue stepped onto the stairs, she found that there was no pressure at all!

“What the…”

Luo Xue thought it was an illusion and took a few more steps.

The aspiring cultivator beside her was already sweating profusely, the pressure of the Innate Realm making him unable to even stand steady.

But Luo Xue still didn’t feel anything.

“Damn it, can they even cheat like this?”

Luo Xue looked up directly at the black-robed figure.

Sure enough, the black-robed figure was also looking at her, a hint of amusement seemingly hidden within his unseen face.

“Damn it, I really want to join the immortal sect with my own strength!”

Luo Xue wanted to cry. She didn’t want to cheat! She just wanted to take the test fairly with her own efforts!

The peak of the Post-Heaven Realm wasn’t impossible to reach. Who was the mastermind behind this cheating!

“Forget it, I’ll just stand here and not move. I should still be within the top hundred.”

Luo Xue made up her mind and stood still, no longer moving forward.

She had already entered the area with the pressure of a Spirit Condensation cultivator. Being able to move freely under the pressure of a Spirit Condensation cultivator at the Innate Realm was already considered the level of a promising disciple.

However, if Luo Xue used her true strength, she should be able to reach the level of a Foundation Establishment cultivator or above.

Because the pressure from the stairs was fake, and she had truly faced a Foundation Establishment cultivator, in a life-or-death situation.

Seeing Luo Xue stop, the black-robed figure frowned slightly.

He knew about yesterday’s situation. If Luo Xue’s performance today was average, wouldn’t others realize that she was cheating?

Although it didn’t matter much, but for the sake of the sect’s reputation, the black-robed figure still considered it.

“…Fine, if you won’t move, I’ll move you.”

A thought flashed through his mind.

Luo Xue suddenly felt a spiritual power lifting her body.

Then, at an astonishing speed, she rushed up the stairs.

“Damn, are cheaters so shameless now!”

Chapter 53: It’s Really Not My Intention to Cheat…

The howling wind battered them, and everyone struggled to resist.

If it were just the chill on the ground, the Peerless Four wouldn’t even need to exert their full strength.

But they were the prodigies the sect had high hopes for, the leaders of the disciples of this Immortal Ascension Gate, so the requirements were much higher.

However, the four were also in competition with each other.

Among them, there was a leader.

The young man in golden robes was Ye Liufeng of Dawn Light Peak. As a direct descendant of the sect, he couldn’t lose to anyone.

His golden robe danced, his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes shone, and he forcibly dispelled most of the chill.

Thus, Ye Liufeng had some energy to spare to observe the performance of the other four.

“Kong Lianbin’s aptitude seems to be on par with mine, Li Guixing is still shrouded in mystery… but it seems he’s also struggling quite a bit.”

The Daoist priest with squinted eyes was Kong Lianbin of Cold Edge Cliff. Although he maintained a faint smile, the beads of sweat on his forehead couldn’t lie.

Li Guixing, shrouded in shadows, didn’t say a word, but his trembling shadow revealed his struggle.

“As for Ye Ningshuang… heh, Falling Flower Peak has no one, just a little monkey acting as the king.”

Ye Liufeng glanced at Ye Ningshuang disdainfully. She was clearly the worst performer among the four, persisting only through sheer willpower, her face pale.

“As for that one who appeared out of nowhere…”

Ye Liufeng’s disdainful gaze slowly shifted to the small figure at the edge, but the scene he saw almost made him lose his composure.

“How… how is this possible!”

He saw Luo Xue playing with her bangs, looking bored, as if she found this test too simple.

His breathing quickened, and Ye Liufeng’s cultivation became unstable, the chill seeping into his bones.

“Focus.”

Xi Xiaofeng’s deep voice rang out, calming the ripples in Ye Liufeng’s heart and snapping him out of his near-trance.

Ye Liufeng didn’t dare to be careless and could only focus his mind, maintaining his resistance against the chill.

Xi Xiaofeng saw all of this. He glanced at Luo Xue, who was looking around, and sighed inwardly.

“If not for the Sect Master’s instructions…”

The outside world said that this white-haired girl, suspected to be Venerable Falling Flower’s daughter, was an unparalleled genius.

But he knew that she didn’t have any cultivation at all, not even meeting the minimum requirement for the aptitude test.

In this case, participating in the Immortal Ascension Gate was just being cannon fodder…

But the Sect Master had instructed him to accept her as a registered disciple.

The problem was, to become a disciple of the Peerless Summit Sect, one had to pass the Immortal Ascension Gate. This was the only unbreakable rule of the Peerless Summit Sect since its founding.

Then… he could only cheat.

“I’ve always treated people with kindness and sincerity, yet I’ve come to such a shameless point…”

Xi Xiaofeng lamented inwardly, guiltily avoiding Luo Xue’s gaze.

Finally, the test ended. After the elders finished recording the results, the bone-chilling wind stopped, and Xi Xiaofeng’s torment finally came to an end.

“Peak Master,” a nearby guardian elder bowed, “according to tradition, you need to say a few words.”

“I’ll pass.”

Xi Xiaofeng didn’t want to say a word more. He flicked his sleeve, turned around, and left hurriedly.

The guardian elder was stunned, but he quickly reacted, taking Xi Xiaofeng’s place and saying some encouraging words to the aspiring cultivators below.

“Little Junior Sister!”

A slightly weak but joyful voice rang out, and Luo Xue finally snapped out of her daze.

She had been standing there the whole time, not feeling anything until the test ended—after all, whether it ended or not made no difference to her.

Ye Ningshuang looked at Luo Xue with a mixture of shock and joy, her beautiful eyes shining.

“I didn’t expect Little Junior Sister to have such talent!”

“Huh?” Luo Xue blinked.

“This bone-chilling wind increases its intensity based on one’s cultivation. The higher the talent, the more efficient one is at resisting the chill with spiritual energy. That’s why it’s used as an aptitude test.”

Ye Ningshuang clapped her hands gently. “Little Junior Sister is amazing. This bone-chilling wind is like a warm breeze to you…”

“It really is a warm breeze…”

Luo Xue said with a mournful face.

She was telling the truth.

Just then, a discordant voice rang out, filled with resentment.

“Luo Xue of Falling Flower Peak, don’t get too cocky!”

Luo Xue instinctively looked towards the source of the sound and saw the arrogant young master in golden robes from earlier.

“I don’t know what tricks you used to feel so comfortable in the bone-chilling wind,” Ye Liufeng snorted coldly, “but in the next two tests, you won’t be so lucky. I am the true genius of this generation, and I will not lose to you!”

After saying that, Ye Liufeng flicked his sleeve and left.

“Little Junior Sister Luo Xue, this Senior Brother is also looking forward to your performance.”

The Daoist priest with squinted eyes, Kong Lianbin, put his hands in his sleeves and said with a smile, then also left.

As for Li Guixing, no one knew when he had disappeared.

“Don’t listen to that idiot Liufeng. He always fantasizes about becoming the next Sect Master and spouts nonsense.” Ye Ningshuang muttered beside Luo Xue. “Stay away from Kong Lianbin too. Those with squinted eyes are never good people.”

“As for Li Guixing… don’t mind him. You can hardly ever find him anyway.”

Luo Xue agreed with Ye Ningshuang’s words, especially the second sentence, which she deeply understood.

“So, Little Junior Sister, come with your Senior Sisters…”

Before Ye Ningshuang could finish her sentence, which sounded like she was trying to lure a little girl, the small figure before her vanished instantly, disappearing into the crowd.

Her hood concealed her white hair, and she was nowhere to be found in the crowd.

“Uh…” Ye Ningshuang stood there for a while, then scratched the back of her head. “Am I that scary?”

…

Luo Xue stealthily made her way back to Senior Sister’s residence deep within Falling Flower Peak and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The thought of being surrounded by those gossip-loving Senior Sisters made her scalp tingle.

After just two brief encounters, Ye Ningshuang had already revealed so much gossip, not to mention the rest of the sisterhood.

If it were just gossip, Luo Xue wouldn’t mind listening, but Ye Ningshuang clearly had ulterior motives.

She must have come to her to gather information!

If those gossip-loving Senior Sisters started questioning her, Luo Xue was afraid she would even reveal the color of Senior Sister’s underwear.

Yes, Senior Sister’s.

“In short, it’s better to avoid them…”

Just thinking about it was terrifying.

Luo Xue calmed down and turned her thoughts to what had happened today.

“Why were they helping me cheat? Senior Sister… no, it shouldn’t be Senior Sister, her personality wouldn’t allow for such a thing.”

“Could it be my convenient mother? It does seem like something she would do…”

With Luo Huaxin’s style, Luo Xue wouldn’t be surprised if she had threatened the Peak Masters with a knife.

However, as fellow Peak Masters, they probably wouldn’t be so easily threatened.

“Forget it, I’ll see tomorrow.”

After thinking for a while, Luo Xue decided to give up on further investigation. After all, without any clues, further thinking wouldn’t yield any results.

There were still the second and third trials of the Immortal Ascension Gate. At that time… she would see what was going on.

“I’ll continue to cultivate diligently and strive to reach the Innate Realm… Reaching the same level as my main body is the safest course of action.”

Chapter 52: Aptitude Test… ?

When Luo Xue finished circulating her energy a few times and opened her eyes again, many aspiring cultivators had gathered around, men and women, old and young.

Everyone was hoping to pass the Immortal Ascension Gate, cross the chasm between mortals and immortals, and transform into immortals.

It seemed that the identity verification at the gate was almost complete.

However, this time, Luo Xue didn’t cause a commotion. Instead, many aspiring cultivators, like her, found a spot and sat down to meditate.

But Luo Xue’s meditation was genuine, while theirs… was mostly for show, hoping to earn some brownie points from the sect elders.

Just then, the appearance of several graceful figures in the distance attracted the attention of the aspiring cultivators. Just as everyone was wondering why these sect prodigies were among them, they suddenly heard their calls.

“Little Junior Sister?”

“Little Junior Sister!”

“Little Junior Sister, where are you? Have you arrived yet?”

“Your Senior Sisters are looking for you!”

Luo Xue shivered at the sound of these voices.

She looked towards the source of the sound and saw the familiar long skirts of Falling Flower Peak. The leader was Ye Ningshuang, whom she had met in the morning.

“Why are they all here looking for me…”

Luo Xue really didn’t want to be in a group, especially with these enthusiastic Senior Sisters who seemed like they would chatter non-stop.

So she pulled her hood lower, concealing herself further.

With her height, if not for her silver hair, she would be hard to find even with Divine Sense.

The Falling Flower Peak sisterhood searched but couldn’t find her. As the Immortal Ascension Gate was about to begin, they could only leave in disappointment.

Only the surrounding aspiring cultivators continued to discuss.

“Are these the female disciples of Falling Flower Peak? Tsk tsk, if I could enter the sect, I would definitely choose Falling Flower Peak!”

“Shh, don’t you know? Falling Flower Peak… only accepts female disciples!”

“Really?”

“Of course. It’s said that it wasn’t like this originally, but the Venerable Falling Flower was heartbroken by her lover, so…”

Luo Xue couldn’t help but twitch her lips.

It was hard to imagine Luo Huaxin being that kind of person…

It was more likely that she was the one breaking hearts.

At least, Senior Sister seemed heartbroken.

“Hey, speaking of which, did you know that Venerable Falling Flower actually has a daughter?”

“Yes, yes, I saw her this morning. She has beautiful silver hair… Excuse me, little brother, we’re still talking here.”

Luo Xue silently moved aside.

“And also…”

The aspiring cultivators around her chattered endlessly about the sect’s gossip. If it weren’t about her, Luo Xue would have liked to hear more.

But the time for gossip was running out. Soon, a bell rang from Cold Edge Cliff.

Not too loud, not too soft, but it seemed to ring in everyone’s ears.

“Silence.”

A deep and powerful voice rang out, and instantly, all sounds on Cold Edge Cliff disappeared.

The figure of Xi Xiaofeng, the Peak Master of Cold Edge Cliff, appeared in the sky, overlooking everyone.

The other elders also appeared one after another, silently floating beside Xi Xiaofeng.

These elders were at least at the Core Formation Realm, and Xi Xiaofeng was even a Nascent Soul cultivator. With so many powerful figures appearing at once, the air on Cold Edge Cliff seemed to condense.

The aspiring cultivators held their breath nervously, their excitement for the Immortal Ascension Gate diminishing.

Xi Xiaofeng swept his gaze over the crowd, his eyes lingering for a moment before he spoke.

“Ye Liufeng of Dawn Light Peak, Ye Ningshuang of Falling Flower Peak, Kong Lianbin of Cold Edge Cliff, and Li Guixing of Underworld Water Ravine, step forward.”

As his voice fell, four figures rose from the ranks of the second-generation immortals. Looking closely, there seemed to be a technique acting upon them.

Luo Xue looked on curiously, seeing a young man in golden robes, a Daoist priest with narrow eyes, a silent figure in black, and the familiar Ye Ningshuang.

“The four of you, your tests will be several times more difficult. Any objections?”

Xi Xiaofeng said in a deep voice.

“None.”

The four immediately bowed.

“So these are the Peerless Four.” Luo Xue touched the brim of her hood, watching with amusement. “It seems the ordinary test is too easy for them, so…”

“Luo Xue.”

“Hmm?”

Before Luo Xue could finish her thought, she heard her name.

She was stunned for a moment, then a force lifted her into the air, placing her alongside the four.

The young man in golden robes looked at her with disdain, the Daoist priest with narrow eyes just smiled faintly, and the silent figure in black remained silent.

Only Ye Ningshuang winked at her.

“The same goes for you. Any objections?”

Xi Xiaofeng stared at her.

…Could she object?

“No.”

Luo Xue mumbled, feeling that her expression must be very interesting right now, but it was a pity she didn’t have a mirror to see it.

She could only use her Post-Heaven cultivation now. If she could use her Innate Realm cultivation, she wouldn’t be in this situation…

Xi Xiaofeng nodded at Luo Xue, then waved his hand.

“The aptitude test, begin!”

Suddenly, a cold and fierce wind swept through the surroundings, forcing everyone to circulate their cultivation to resist the bone-chilling wind.

Strictly speaking, there wasn’t a convenient stone in the Immortal Domain that would glow when touched, with different colors representing different aptitudes.

As far as the Immortal Domain knew, the Demon Abyss didn’t have one either.

Ordinary cultivation aptitude could only be observed through cultivation, unless it was a special case like the Xuanyin Body.

The Peak Master of Cold Edge Cliff made the aspiring cultivators circulate their cultivation in the bone-chilling wind, then the other elders would observe and record their performance, compiling a list in the end.

This was the most mature method for testing aptitude, and it was almost impossible to miss a cultivation genius.

This wasn’t just an ordinary cold wind; it also affected the soul.

No matter one’s cultivation level, as long as it didn’t exceed that of the Cold Edge Cliff Peak Master, they would have to experience the bitter cold of winter that mortals endured.

Moreover, circulating one’s cultivation could only alleviate the chill, not completely resist it.

Under such stimulation, all the aspiring cultivators and second-generation immortals present circulated their cultivation with all their might, trying to lessen the cold.

It was almost impossible to hold back under these circumstances.

Especially the Peerless Four, under Xi Xiaofeng’s special attention, were even more miserable.

They used various techniques without reservation, creating a spectacular display.

Among everyone present, only Luo Xue’s situation was strange.

In the cold wind, Luo Xue was confused.

She looked at everyone struggling and was completely dumbfounded.

“What’s going on?”

Was this wind very cold?

Why couldn’t she feel it?

She even felt a bit warm…

It couldn’t be that after experiencing so many extreme cold disasters in the apocalyptic world, she had become immune to cold wind, right?

Luo Xue looked up innocently, meeting Xi Xiaofeng’s gaze.

But at this moment, Xi Xiaofeng averted his gaze guiltily.

Clearly, this Peak Master of Cold Edge Cliff’s shamelessness hadn’t reached the required level.

“Damn it, you’re actually helping me cheat!”

Chapter 51: Il-, Illegitimate Daughter?

“Okay,” Luo Xue scratched the back of her head. “But why do you call me Little Junior Sister?”

Come to think of it, the girl had been calling her Little Junior Sister from the very beginning…

“Because you’re the youngest in this batch.”

The girl replied as if it were obvious.

“And who are you?” Luo Xue asked.

Judging by her attire, she was undoubtedly a disciple of Falling Flower Peak… or perhaps, a second-generation immortal of Falling Flower Peak?

“I’m Ye Ningshuang, and like you, I’m also a disciple participating in this Immortal Ascension Gate.”

Ye Ningshuang patted her already developed chest, introducing herself skillfully, with a natural air of pride.

She seemed very interested in Luo Xue. After introducing herself, she chattered incessantly, asking,

“Little Junior Sister, where do you usually live? Don’t tell me it’s really with Senior Sister? Isn’t it a bit… to live with her?”

“Do you never go out? Or does Senior Sister not allow you to go out? How come I’ve never seen you before?”

“Oh my, I’ve been on Falling Flower Peak for over a decade and never noticed you. You’re really good at hiding…”

The barrage of questions stunned Luo Xue, and she quickly interrupted.

“Wait, let me sort this out…”

“Okay.”

Ye Ningshuang nodded.

“First of all, what does Young Mistress of Falling Flower mean? Is it Venerable Falling Flower’s daughter?” Luo Xue asked her main question.

“…”

Ye Ningshuang’s face immediately filled with horror. She fidgeted for a moment before whispering,

“Little Junior Sister, I’m not your older sister… Young Mistress of Falling Flower is just a title.”

“?”

A big question mark hung over Luo Xue’s head.

Seeing Luo Xue’s confused expression, Ye Ningshuang realized that this Little Junior Sister was probably not very familiar with Falling Flower Peak.

So, Ye Ningshuang organized her thoughts and explained what she knew to Luo Xue.

It turned out that many people had seen Luo Xue go to the Law Enforcement Hall to find the Second Elder that day.

That was the Law Enforcement Hall!

And it was the Second Elder, known for his strictness!

He was actually… talking amiably with a young, white-haired girl…

It was simply unimaginable.

Some Law Enforcement Hall disciples dared to ask the Second Elder, and he didn’t hide anything, telling them about Luo Xue’s origins.

As a result, the entire outer sect of the Peerless Summit Sect was in an uproar.

For a time, rumors spread among the disciples that the usually stern Senior Sister of Falling Flower Peak was secretly raising a young, white-haired little sister.

Moreover, she had the same surname as Venerable Falling Flower.

This inevitably led people to think of the rumors surrounding Venerable Falling Flower, further shrouding Luo Xue’s identity in mystery.

In no time, Luo Xue unknowingly became a prominent figure in the Peerless Summit Sect.

Some even directly ranked Luo Xue as the fifth member of the Peerless Four.

The so-called Peerless Four referred to four second-generation immortals, all of them talented young disciples from the four peaks, whose strength was almost on par with outer sect disciples.

It was only because the Immortal Ascension Gate was held every twelve years that they hadn’t officially entered the sect.

The reason Luo Xue was included was because of Senior Sister Bai Zhanying.

After all, Bai Zhanying had also been one of the Peerless Four back then.

Luo Xue, who was brought up by her, although her strength was still unknown, logically wouldn’t be too far behind.

However, Falling Flower Peak already had a representative among the Peerless Four, Ye Ningshuang.

If Luo Xue, who appeared midway, took her place, it would be difficult to convince the others, so she was placed in the fifth position.

Ye Ningshuang didn’t have any competitive thoughts towards Luo Xue.

She was just curious.

After all… Luo Xue looked like a young girl just over ten years old, still a child.

And Ye Ningshuang was already eighteen, considered an adult in the mortal world.

For them to be considered peers was already a stretch.

Not to mention, according to the rumors, this white-haired girl was Venerable Falling Flower’s…

“Come, come, Little Junior Sister, I’ll introduce you to our peers,” Ye Ningshuang said excitedly. “With Little Junior Sister here, our Falling Flower Peak can definitely beat those stinky men and become the number one among the four peaks!”

Originally, each peak had one representative among the Peerless Four, but now Falling Flower Peak had two, so Ye Ningshuang was immediately filled with confidence.

However, Luo Xue wasn’t very interested in these things. She had always disliked fighting and wasn’t interested in socializing.

Without any threat to her life, Luo Xue just wanted to live a peaceful life.

“Well, in that case, I’ll go cultivate for a bit.” Luo Xue stopped and bowed. “I’m not used to crowds, please forgive me, Senior Sister.”

“Ah, so… alright.”

Ye Ningshuang was a bit disappointed, but she didn’t insist.

Thinking about it, being raised by the taciturn Senior Sister, it would be strange if Luo Xue liked crowds.

But Little Junior Sister was so diligent…

Even at this time, she was still thinking about cultivation.

Ye Ningshuang looked at Luo Xue’s receding figure and clenched her fists.

“I have to learn from Little Junior Sister’s diligence!”

“…Starting tomorrow!”

…

After parting ways with Ye Ningshuang, Luo Xue went directly to Cold Edge Cliff.

Cold Edge Cliff was the most dangerous and steepest peak among the Peerless Summit Sect’s peaks. The sect’s residence was located on a cliff face tens of thousands of feet high, a place even immortal birds rarely reached.

If one didn’t have courage and accidentally looked down, they would be scared to death.

And this was the location of the first stage of the Immortal Ascension Gate.

The Immortal Ascension Gate was divided into three stages, testing aptitude, character, and cultivation, respectively.

They were overseen by Cold Edge Cliff, Underworld Water Ravine, and Falling Flower Peak, respectively.

Those who passed all three stages would participate in the official initiation ceremony on Dawn Light Peak, becoming probationary disciples of the Peerless Summit Sect.

However, the Immortal Ascension Gate’s assessment wasn’t an elimination system, but a selection system.

In other words, even if one failed the character test, they could still participate in the following two stages.

Only those ranked within the top hundred overall could enter the sect.

Many disciples were already on Cold Edge Cliff, busy with the arrangements for the Immortal Ascension Gate.

Perhaps due to their techniques, most of the disciples here were kind and generous, and the sect atmosphere was quite strong.

Luo Xue found a secluded spot, took out her meditation cushion, and sat down, beginning to adjust her breath.

The cultivation she mentioned wasn’t to deceive Ye Ningshuang. The fake body cultivation obtained from the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art was equivalent to starting over.

Luo Xue’s cultivation had already reached the Innate Realm. She had already walked the path of the Post-Heaven Realm once, so retracing it was much faster.

However, considering the commotion she had caused at the sect gate earlier, Luo Xue put on a robe and covered her silver hair with a hood before meditating.

“This way, there won’t be any problems!”

Luo Xue nodded with satisfaction and closed her eyes.

Chapter 50: The Day of Immortal Ascension

When Bai Zhanying returned to the house, it was already late at night.

But the lights were still on in the house.

Luo Xue was holding a jade slip, her brow furrowed, surrounded by cultivation materials.

The Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art didn’t require a massive amount of resources right from the start. Instead, as one’s cultivation increased, they would upgrade their fake body.

Bai Zhanying glanced at the resources Luo Xue had consumed and knew that she had already started cultivating, a slightly surprised expression appearing on her face.

“Xiao Xue, you have such talent?”

“It’s alright.”

Luo Xue looked up at Bai Zhanying and scratched the back of her head sheepishly, but a hint of pride still showed in her expression.

“Compared to me, you’re only slightly inferior.” Bai Zhanying sat down and said faintly.

Luo Xue’s expression stiffened slightly.

Indeed, she only had “Barely There” cultivation aptitude, while Senior Sister was a pillar of Falling Flower Peak and even the entire Peerless Summit Sect.

Being only slightly inferior was already very good.

Luo Xue comforted herself inwardly.

Unfortunately, to reach the next level of cultivation aptitude, she still needed 800 survival points, which meant experiencing another crisis similar to the Mount Fengyin incident…

“Not easy.”

Luo Xue sighed.

“Indeed, not easy.”

Bai Zhanying looked at Luo Xue, her eyes flickering slightly.

She was still recalling the Sect Master’s final words to her.

It was simple: the registered disciple status and the trip down the mountain were meant to give Luo Xue a decent final period.

When she returned to inherit the position of Falling Flower Peak Master, she would be alone.

As for Luo Xue’s whereabouts…

Thinking of this, Bai Zhanying sighed inwardly. The time they could spend together was truly limited.

A few years… just a blink of an eye.

For the remaining days, she would take care of her as much as possible.

“It’s getting late. Tomorrow is the Immortal Ascension Gate. Let’s rest.”

Bai Zhanying glanced at Luo Xue and blew out the candle.

“Ah, I haven’t finished packing…”

“I’ll pack.”

As Bai Zhanying’s voice fell, the entire room became tidy again, and the remaining cultivation resources were stored in the cabinet.

“I still want to change…”

“Just sleep like this. I’ll sleep with you.”

Luo Xue heard Bai Zhanying sigh softly, followed by the rustling of clothes, and then a soft embrace enveloped her, leaving no room for refusal.

“I’ll hold you, just like before. Don’t worry.”

“Mmm…”

…

A sleepless night.

When Luo Xue woke up, Senior Sister was already gone.

Presumably, the Immortal Ascension Gate affairs had already begun, and she had rushed to make arrangements.

“Why does Senior Sister seem so strange recently…” Luo Xue counted on her fingers. “It’s been at least five years since she last hugged me to sleep, right?”

There were many other similar strange behaviors…

Forget it, she shouldn’t think about it.

The Immortal Ascension Gate was more important now.

Luo Xue composed herself, putting the inexplicable feelings from last night behind her.

After last night’s cultivation, she had mastered the basics of the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art.

Because Luo Xue already had a cultivation base, upon starting, she was already at the mid-stage of the Post-Heaven Realm, almost reaching the fourth stage, Bright Eyes.

This situation was more like rebuilding her foundation after severing it, so naturally, it was much faster.

Not to mention, Luo Xue was cultivating the Breathing Technique, which was very easy to learn.

“This Innate Realm cultivation… probably shouldn’t be revealed.”

Luo Xue calmed down and realized that the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture was actually an evil cultivation technique because it was best cultivated using Yin Poison.

However, refining Yin Poison required sacrificing many lives and extracting the Yin energy from their corpses.

Revealing an evil cultivation technique in an immortal sect…

It would be seeking death. Not only would she die, but she might also implicate Senior Sister.

Fortunately, to prevent spies from obtaining information, the Peerless Summit Sect had a barrier within the sect that concealed one’s cultivation.

Unless one deliberately probed or actively revealed it, it was impossible to see each other’s cultivation level.

“Hopefully, the mid-stage of the Post-Heaven Realm is enough to pass the Immortal Ascension Gate…”

With a nervous heart, Luo Xue finally left the house.

As expected of a grand event held every twelve years, the usually quiet Falling Flower Peak was now bustling with groups of female disciples.

Many Senior Sisters who had been in seclusion specifically chose to come out today, intending to witness the talents of the new generation of disciples.

It seemed that whether immortal or mortal, the love for a good show was ingrained in their bones.

However, Luo Xue was surprised to find that no matter where she went, many curious eyes followed her.

Unlike the usual brief glances, these gazes were almost constant.

“How strange…”

Luo Xue could only hurry down the mountain and arrive at the square in front of the Peerless Summit Sect’s gate, standing among the crowd of aspiring cultivators who wanted to enter the Immortal Ascension Gate.

As expected of the sect with the most righteous reputation in the Immortal Domain, there were many people seeking the immortal path here.

The square was packed with people, which made Luo Xue feel a little relieved.

There shouldn’t be anyone paying attention to her here…

But Luo Xue didn’t expect that when these aspiring cultivators saw her, they started buzzing with excitement, discussing amongst themselves.

“Yes, yes, that’s her, the one with the iconic white hair!”

“But this age…”

“Don’t underestimate these children of immortal families. Those who dare to participate in the Immortal Ascension Gate, the younger they are, the more terrifying!”

Luo Xue was confused. Was white hair that rare?

Well, looking around, it was indeed rare.

Besides old men, no one else had white hair like her, especially such a brilliant silver-white.

Without realizing it, the aspiring cultivators around Luo Xue thought she had made space for them and didn’t dare to approach.

She wanted to grab a few and ask what was going on, but her every move was being watched.

“Little Junior Sister!”

Just then, a clear and crisp voice rang out behind Luo Xue.

Luo Xue turned around and saw an unfamiliar young woman blinking at her, her face full of confusion.

“Why are you… here?”

The young woman looked around, frowning slightly.

“These are all mortals. Little Junior Sister, why are you with them?”

Her tone was quite disdainful towards these aspiring cultivators.

But these cultivators didn’t show any dissatisfaction. On the contrary, when they saw the young woman, their reaction was even more intense.

“Oh my god, it’s the Young Mistress of Falling Flower Peak!”

“I didn’t expect to see the Young Mistress before even entering the sect…”

“…”

Young Mistress of Falling Flower Peak?

It sounded like Luo Huaxin’s daughter…

But she was her daughter, wasn’t she?

No, that’s… not right either.

Confused, Luo Xue was led away from the square by this Young Mistress without any resistance.

“Where are we… going?”

Luo Xue struggled slightly and asked.

“To prepare for the Immortal Ascension Gate,” the young woman asked with confusion, “Little Junior Sister, aren’t you here to participate in the Immortal Ascension Gate?”

“…Yes.” Luo Xue’s eyelids twitched. “But, don’t we have to wait in the square at the sect’s gate first?”

Could it be that children of immortal families could skip some of the tests?

Hearing this, the young woman’s expression turned strange.

“Little Junior Sister, the reason they’re waiting in the square is because their identities need to be verified before they’re allowed to enter the sect, to prevent infiltration from the demonic path. We’ve been living in the sect for many years, there’s no need for that.”

Chapter 49: This Person… Killed a Foundation Establishment Cultivator at the Post-Heaven Realm

“Apologies, Sect Master, I was just lost in thought.” Bai Zhanying hurriedly bowed.

“No need to be so formal, Zhanying. We are all old fogies now. The future of the sect depends on you young ones.” Zou Junxin smiled kindly. “Among the new generation, you may not be the strongest in battle, but you are the one we are most satisfied with.”

The others didn’t object, because it was the truth.

If nothing unexpected happened, Bai Zhanying would inherit the position of Falling Flower Peak Master.

As a Peak Master, strength was certainly one aspect, but more importantly, it was one’s conduct and way of handling things—this was the painful lesson they had learned from the current Peak Master of Falling Flower Peak, Luo Huaxin, who was about to step down.

And in this aspect, Bai Zhanying was exceptionally talented.

More importantly, Luo Huaxin… was ultimately an outsider. Her becoming “Venerable Falling Flower” was just a transaction.

“Thank you for your praise, Sect Master.”

Bai Zhanying composed herself, putting the little episode with Luo Xue behind her, her expression turning serious.

“That’s good,” Zou Junxin nodded, his expression becoming grave. “I believe you have all seen the letter, the challenge from the Temple of the Nether Spirit.”

As soon as this matter was mentioned, the atmosphere in the Tea Ceremony Pavilion became tense.

“Was it issued by that Holy Maiden?”

Peak Master Xi Xiaofeng of Cold Edge Cliff spoke, worry showing in his usually stern expression.

“Yes, the Underworld Phoenix successor who was taken in by the Temple of the Nether Spirit three years ago. At an age younger than half a jiazi, she already possesses strength close to the Core Formation Realm…”

Zou Junxin sighed. “It’s truly unexpected. Where did this peerless genius of the Demon Abyss come from…”

The Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss had been at odds for tens of thousands of years.

Throughout the long years, the two sides had fought and ceased fire repeatedly.

The years of the great war between immortals and demons accounted for the majority of this time, and even during the rare periods of peace, they were still at odds with each other.

Although the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss had been in a truce for a thousand years, the conflicts in the shadows hadn’t ceased.

Both sides had their spies and were very familiar with each other.

Whenever a peerless genius emerged on one side, the other side would immediately learn about it, unless this genius had no affiliation with any faction and suddenly appeared from seclusion, surpassing everyone.

…This mysterious Holy Maiden of the Temple was such a case.

It was as if she had appeared overnight, already at the Foundation Establishment Realm, and with an almost invincible aura.

“What’s even more terrifying is that this Holy Maiden is ruthless, not even hesitating to kill her own people.”

The Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall said in a deep voice. “Rumor has it that after the lineage of the Holy Son was massacred three years ago, a new Holy Son hasn’t been appointed because the Holy Maiden personally carried out the deed.”

“Not only that, this Holy Maiden also has some strange quirks… After defeating someone, she always belittles their appearance…”

The black-robed figure spoke in a low voice.

Everyone looked at him, and the black-robed figure said helplessly,

“Don’t look at me like that. This is all information from the spies in the Demon Abyss. I don’t know if it’s true or not.”

“In any case, the Holy Maiden has issued challenges to all the younger generation disciples recently. Not long ago, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion suffered a crushing defeat, losing all face.”

Zou Junxin took a deep breath. “The Peerless Summit Sect can lose, but… let’s not lose too badly, shall we?”

“…Sect Master, this matter is difficult to handle.” The Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall shook his head and continued, “Not to mention this Immortal Ascension Gate, even the last two times, not a single disciple reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.”

“A genius in the Immortal Domain who can rival this girl would have to be at least three thousand years ago, the peerless Sword Saint who single-handedly subdued the abyss.” Xi Xiaofeng sighed. “It’s a pity that the sect erased all traces of this Sword Saint, and even his name wasn’t left behind.”

“In my opinion, for at least the next thousand years, whether in the Immortal Domain or the Demon Abyss, there won’t be a genius who can rival her.” The Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall asserted.

“Not necessarily…”

The black-robed figure spoke again.

Everyone looked at him again.

“Don’t keep looking at me like that, I’m not used to being stared at…”

The black-robed figure said helplessly.

The Peak Master of Underworld Water Ravine had been severely injured in the past, his face completely ruined, and it hadn’t healed yet.

Since then, he had always been shrouded in a black robe, and no one remembered whether he was a he or a she.

Everyone reluctantly averted their gazes, and the black-robed figure continued,

“The Holy Maiden revealed that the reason she wanted to challenge all the younger generation disciples was that she was looking for someone.”

“Looking for someone even more talented than her.”

“This person… killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the Post-Heaven Realm.”

Even the black-robed figure himself couldn’t help but chuckle.

The others were even more astonished, finding it absurd.

“A Post-Heaven killing a Foundation Establishment? Even if the Foundation Establishment cultivator stood still and let the Post-Heaven cultivator attack for three to five years, they wouldn’t be able to break through their spiritual power protection, right?”

Xi Xiaofeng’s face was full of disbelief, and the others had similar expressions.

“Even Spirit Condensation cultivators rarely kill Foundation Establishment cultivators. Every one who can do so is a renowned genius of their time. How can a Post-Heaven… kill a Foundation Establishment?” Bai Zhanying said in a deep voice.

Everyone present was of a much higher generation than her, and only at this moment could she interject.

“Perhaps it’s just her arrogant excuse. If such a person truly exists, any sect would be willing to accept them as a disciple, no matter the cost.” Zou Junxin smiled noncommittally, then said seriously, “In any case, after the Immortal Ascension Gate, the Temple of the Nether Spirit will likely come to challenge us.”

“All peaks, return and gather the most talented disciples of the past few generations, at least those who have reached the Spirit Condensation Realm. Let’s try to lose gracefully.”

At the end, Zou Junxin couldn’t help but sigh.

Having said that, everyone felt helpless.

They didn’t even dare to dream of victory…

It was conceivable how much pressure this suddenly appearing Holy Maiden had brought to the various sects of the Immortal Domain.

“Yes.”

Everyone stood up and left with heavy hearts.

Bai Zhanying was no exception.

But just then, Zou Junxin called out to her.

“Zhanying, stay for a moment.”

Bai Zhanying was taken aback, turned around, and bowed.

“Sect Master, what is it?”

“The child you adopted twelve years ago, we all know about her situation.” Zou Junxin said gently. “Zhong Bo has spoken to you many times, and I believe you are well aware.”

“This disciple understands.”

Bai Zhanying didn’t look up.

“You are a good child. You know what to do. It’s for your own good, for her good, and for the good of the sect, so I haven’t forced you to do anything about this matter.”

At this point, Zou Junxin’s tone changed. “But… you can’t keep delaying it. Eventually, everyone will suffer.”

“…This disciple also understands.”

“The sect won’t make things difficult for her during the Immortal Ascension Gate. If she passes, she will be given the status of a registered disciple.” Zou Junxin continued, “As for her whereabouts afterward, it’s up to you to decide. I will speak to the Law Enforcement Hall.”

“Yes.”

Bai Zhanying nodded slightly.

“Go back. You’ve been busy recently. Take her down the mountain for a few years of travel.” Zou Junxin smiled faintly. “After you return, Falling Flower Peak will truly be in your hands.”

Bai Zhanying was silent for a moment, then bowed again.

“This disciple will take her leave.”

Chapter 48: The Tea Ceremony Meeting

Bai Zhanying opened her eyes, looked at the nearby Luo Xue, and was stunned for a moment.

Luo Xue realized that she had overstepped her bounds and quickly withdrew her hand, sitting back down properly.

Having always interacted with younger sisters, either Xiao Yao or A’Ling, she had become accustomed to head pats…

After regaining her composure, a rare blush appeared on Bai Zhanying’s face, and she averted her gaze slightly.

“Actually… it’s fine, Xiao Xue.”

“Then can I pat your head again?”

Luo Xue reached out her hand.

Bai Zhanying immediately stood up.

“No need.”

“Cough, just kidding…”

Luo Xue said awkwardly, then looked at the storage ring on the table.

It seemed to be the ring Senior Sister always wore…

“Are there only resources for cultivating the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art inside?”

As Luo Xue spoke, she picked up the storage ring and extended her spiritual sense into it.

Storage rings were standard equipment in the cultivation world. Anyone who reached the Innate Realm and could introspect their soul could use them.

However, storage rings were generally expensive, and ordinary rogue cultivators couldn’t afford them, at most using storage pouches inscribed with spatial runes.

Storage pouches were much cheaper, but their storage space was also much smaller.

However, when Luo Xue immersed her consciousness into the storage ring, she couldn’t help but twitch her lips.

The ring wasn’t big, about ten cubic meters.

Inside was a large cabinet with many drawers, presumably for storing cultivation resources.

But besides the cabinet, there was also a rack.

And on it… hung clothes.

Lots of clothes.

They were all beautiful little dresses that young girls would like, quite girly.

Luo Xue’s hand trembled, and she almost dropped the storage ring.

…Could this really be Senior Sister’s storage ring?

Luo Xue looked at Bai Zhanying as if she had seen a ghost.

In her memory, Senior Sister always wore a simple, plain white dress and almost never changed it.

Even Luo Xue, who was closest to her, had never seen her wear any other style of dress, let alone other people.

But if these were prepared for Luo Xue…

These little dresses were clearly meant for someone over 1.7 meters tall.

“Wait!” Bai Zhanying seemed to finally react and quickly took the storage ring from Luo Xue’s hand. “You haven’t reached the Innate Realm yet, have you? I’ll take them out for you.”

With that, Bai Zhanying took out the cabinet and placed it in the room.

“As for the storage ring, come and get it from me after you reach the Innate Realm.”

“Oh, and this originally belonged to Master, not me.”

Bai Zhanying was now rambling, not even knowing what she was explaining, her face gradually turning red.

Luo Xue stood there, her expression strange.

She quickly lowered her head, hiding her amusement.

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

“These are all Master’s things. She can give them to you if she wants.” Bai Zhanying said.

“But still, thank you very much.”

Luo Xue said softly, looking up at Bai Zhanying, who had regained her composure.

Bai Zhanying looked away.

…Why did Senior Sister suddenly seem so cute?

But…

Luo Xue sat down, resting her chin on her hand, and looked sideways at the cabinet filled with cultivation resources.

“Actually, Senior Sister, I don’t understand… why are you all so good to me?”

Hearing this, Bai Zhanying’s expression froze, and a hint of imperceptible bitterness flashed through her eyes.

“Good… to you?”

If Xiao Xue knew that the most carefree time of her life was almost over, would she still think this was preferential treatment?

“We met by fate, so let’s just say it’s preferential treatment.” Bai Zhanying took a few steps closer, reached out, and rubbed Luo Xue’s white hair. “That’s how I picked you up that year. You were so small, not even the length of an arm, but in the blink of an eye, you’ve become a big girl.”

In terms of age, Bai Zhanying was old enough to be Luo Xue’s great-grandmother.

However, after years of living together, they were more like older and younger sisters.

“I don’t even remember…”

Luo Xue said guiltily.

She couldn’t even tell if the Luo Xue of these past twelve years was her or someone else.

That was why she had asked this question.

But was Senior Sister taking revenge for her head pat earlier? Why wouldn’t she stop…

Bai Zhanying sighed, but her hand didn’t stop moving. Luo Xue felt like a large chunk of her hair had already been ruffled.

Fortunately, the sect’s long-distance communication arrived at that moment.

Fluctuations of the communication technique formed around them, and a phantom of a figure in a long robe appeared.

It was the current Sect Master of the Peerless Summit Sect, Zou Junxin.

“Zhanying, come quickly to the Tea Ceremony Pavilion on Dawn Light Peak for a meeting… What are you two doing?” Zou Junxin looked at the scene before him with confusion.

“Cough, nothing.” Bai Zhanying quickly withdrew her hand. “Sect Master, what is so urgent?”

Zou Junxin immediately straightened up and said in a deep voice,

“Zhanying, what we feared… has happened.”

Seemingly mindful of Luo Xue’s presence, Zou Junxin didn’t elaborate.

Bai Zhanying’s pupils constricted, and her expression turned serious.

“Is that so?”

“You can see for yourself first. I’ve already summoned the other Peak Masters. We’ll discuss it later.”

As his voice fell, the communication technique dissipated.

Then, a dark red sword dart appeared out of thin air and clattered to the ground.

Bai Zhanying picked it up, and the sword dart instantly transformed into a blood-red envelope, emanating a sinister aura, shocking to the eye.

“What is this?”

Luo Xue curiously leaned closer.

Bai Zhanying immediately put it away, looking at Luo Xue with a serious expression.

“You can’t see this.”

“Okay.”

Luo Xue obediently sat back down.

She still had to listen to Senior Sister.

Bai Zhanying picked up the letter again, glanced at it a few times, sighed deeply, and her face was filled with worry.

“Stay home and try to cultivate the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art before the Immortal Ascension Gate. I have to go out.”

Bai Zhanying instructed, then hurriedly left.

Luo Xue watched her receding figure, her brows furrowed, the glimpse she had just caught flashing through her mind.

“A letter that looks very sinister, it’s a pity I couldn’t see the contents… There seemed to be a signature…”

“It seemed to be… the Temple of the Nether Spirit?”

…

Dawn Light Peak of the Peerless Summit Sect, Tea Ceremony Pavilion.

This was a secluded small pavilion, unremarkable from the outside, but it was the place where the highest echelons of the Peerless Summit Sect held secret meetings. It was protected by the highest level of secrecy techniques.

Two Peak Masters, the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, and Bai Zhanying sat in four seats, Sect Master Zou Junxin facing away from everyone.

The Peak Master of Cold Edge Cliff was a middle-aged man who looked quite steady. The Peak Master of Underworld Water Ravine wore a black robe, obscuring his face. The Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall looked slightly old, sitting with his eyes closed.

Bai Zhanying, who had just arrived, was representing her master, Venerable Falling Flower, Luo Huaxin. It had been this way for years.

“Four… oh, no, three Peak Masters, and Zhanying, when was the last time we gathered like this?”

Zou Junxin turned around and sat facing the four of them.

“Three years ago.” The Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall opened his eyes and said in a deep voice.

“The same matter has brought us together twice in three years. How rare.”

Zou Junxin smiled slightly, his gaze shifting to the somewhat distracted Bai Zhanying.

“What’s wrong, Zhanying?”

Chapter 47:  The Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art 

Luo Xue put down the note and looked at the jade slip.

For some reason, she had a feeling that something was about to happen.

Although everything seemed to be going smoothly since she woke up in this life, with everyone taking care of her, this care made Luo Xue increasingly uneasy.

It was like… a dying wish?

Whose dying wish?

Could it be her own?

“…”

Forget it, she shouldn’t think about these things.

Luo Xue exhaled and picked up the jade slip.

Although she had already cultivated the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture, since it was a Dao technique inheritance left by her convenient mother, Luo Xue still wanted to take a look.

And with this look, Luo Xue gasped.

“This… seems suitable for my current situation?”

The Dao technique inheritance was called the “Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art.” The name seemed casually chosen, but its contents were truly astonishing.

Daoist Ziyang and the two trafficker puppet cultivators had cultivated an evil technique called the Heaven Seizing Art, using the bodies of others as cauldrons for their cultivation.

Now it seemed that this Heaven Seizing Art was likely derived from this Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art.

However, it leaned towards the evil path.

The Heaven Seizing Art used others as cauldrons, while the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art used oneself as a cauldron.

This technique could condense an external avatar. It wasn’t a traditional clone, but an avatar that existed within the main body, invisible and intangible.

Then, one could cultivate using this avatar’s body.

It sounded a bit mysterious, but it was essentially cultivating with another body.

From the description, it seemed to be a technique cultivated by those with physical defects, as the cost of condensing an avatar was extremely high.

Most of the cultivation materials listed inside were completely unfamiliar to Luo Xue. The few she recognized were all high-level resources used by Foundation Establishment cultivators and above.

Yet these were used to help an ordinary person reach the Post-Heaven Realm?

It was too extravagant…

If not for this, how could such an evil technique like the Heaven Seizing Art be born?

Furthermore, the jade slip specifically noted that Luo Xue didn’t need to prepare these materials herself.

Luo Huaxin had already prepared them. When Luo Xue wanted to cultivate, she just needed to ask Senior Sister for them.

The reason why the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art was suitable for Luo Xue’s current situation was because she couldn’t cultivate the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture in the Peerless Summit Sect.

How could there be Yin Breath Poison within an immortal sect…

As for ordinary spiritual energy, Luo Xue would need to at least reach the Spirit Condensation Realm and possess a spiritual aperture to absorb it.

She couldn’t just abandon the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture, a supreme inheritance, and switch to the Peerless Summit Scripture, which everyone in the Peerless Summit Sect cultivated, could she?

The appearance of the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art directly solved Luo Xue’s worries.

She could use the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art to cultivate the Peerless Summit Scripture and her main body to cultivate the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture, the best of both worlds.

But…

“Why… are they all so good to me…”

Luo Xue murmured softly.

…

A day passed.

When Bai Zhanying returned, her face was filled with unconcealable exhaustion.

“Senior Sister, what’s wrong?”

Luo Xue went to greet her and asked.

Bai Zhanying just shook her head and walked into the house without saying a word, sitting down on a meditation cushion.

For Senior Sister, with her Core Formation cultivation, to show such exhaustion, it couldn’t just be from the Immortal Ascension Gate affairs.

Just as Luo Xue was thinking about how to bring up the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art, Bai Zhanying, who was resting, seemed to notice something and frowned slightly.

“Master… came last night?”

“Ah, yes…”

Luo Xue was startled. How did Senior Sister know?

“Her wine has a very distinct smell.”

Bai Zhanying saw Luo Xue’s confusion and replied faintly.

But then she sniffed the air, moved closer to Luo Xue, and asked with surprise,

“You drank too?”

“She forced me to drink a little…”

“Drink less. Although her wine doesn’t have any negative effects, it’s still an aged immortal wine. Your body might not be able to handle it.” Bai Zhanying’s expression showed a hint of displeasure. “She came at a convenient time, right after I left.”

“Senior Sister, do you have a conflict with Mother… Master?”

Luo Xue blinked, sitting opposite Bai Zhanying.

She almost blurted out “Mother”…

However, Bai Zhanying didn’t notice the awkwardness in Luo Xue’s words and just said with a hint of resentment,

“How could I have a conflict with her? I’m just unhappy that she’s been a hands-off master for over a decade, leaving everything to me, her disciple, to deal with.”

In fact, Bai Zhanying and Luo Xue were of the same generation.

Logically, their generation wasn’t supposed to handle sect affairs yet. Bai Zhanying was the only exception—because her master had run off.

“Can’t the Sect Master bring her back?” Luo Xue asked curiously.

“Find her?” Bai Zhanying sneered. “Master always appears and disappears unpredictably. Only she can find others, no one can find her, not even the Sect Master.”

But just then, Bai Zhanying realized that she had lost her composure and quickly calmed herself down.

Luo Xue had seen this many times. Whenever Master was mentioned, the usually expressionless Senior Sister would need to calm herself down.

Soon, Bai Zhanying’s expression returned to its usual calmness, and she turned to look at Luo Xue.

“Xiao Xue, why did she look for you?”

“To drink and chat? Last night, that seemed to be all she did,” Luo Xue scratched her head, then took out the jade slip. “But when I woke up this morning, she gave me this.”

Bai Zhanying didn’t even take the jade slip. Just a glance, and her expression turned serious.

“The Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art?”

“Yes.”

Luo Xue nodded.

“This is an unorthodox technique.” Bai Zhanying said in a low voice. “There were evil cultivators who used this technique to harm the world before, and the sect spent a lot of effort to eliminate them.”

“…Is that so.”

Hearing this, Luo Xue’s expression showed a hint of disappointment. She knew about the Heaven Seizing Art, and this technique was indeed very similar to it.

Although it was given to her by her convenient mother, Senior Sister, who was upright and just, probably wouldn’t allow her to cultivate it…

“However, if you really want to cultivate it, it’s not entirely impossible.”

Bai Zhanying suddenly said.

“Eh?”

Luo Xue looked up and saw Bai Zhanying’s complicated gaze still fixed on the jade slip.

“This technique… was originally prepared for me by Master. Because a long time ago, my path of cultivation was once severed.”

A faint smile appeared on Bai Zhanying’s lips, but it carried a hint of inexplicable bitterness. “If you use it, it’s fine.”

With that, Bai Zhanying took out a storage ring. “The necessary cultivation materials are all inside. You can use them as you please.”

Seeing Senior Sister’s expression for the first time, Luo Xue was stunned for a moment.

“Senior Sister…”

“I’m sorry, I let you see my weakness.”

Bai Zhanying closed her eyes, but under the setting sun, tears glistened on her eyelashes.

Everyone said she was the Senior Sister of Falling Flower Peak.

But who knew her past.

“No, Senior Sister.” Luo Xue smiled gently and reached out, as if comforting her, and stroked Bai Zhanying’s hair. “I really like this kind of Senior Sister.”

Chapter 46: A Convenient Mother

Luo Xue turned her head and saw a lazy woman, reeking of alcohol and with disheveled clothes, leaning against the corner, holding a worn-out gourd in her hand.

Her eyes were hazy as she looked at Luo Xue, yet a sly smile played on her lips.

“Are you…”

Luo Xue frowned slightly, but quickly realized something and blinked.

“Senior Sister’s master?”

Ever since Luo Xue was brought back, this Peak Master of Falling Flower Peak had been in secluded cultivation, existing only in legends.

Even Senior Sister rarely mentioned her, and whenever she did, a worried expression would appear on her face.

There weren’t many people who could make the expressionless Senior Sister show any emotion…

Luo Xue was one, and her master, “Venerable Falling Flower,” Luo Huaxin, was another.

The surname “Luo” in this life came from her.

“Very clever.”

In the blink of an eye, Luo Huaxin appeared in front of Luo Xue.

Then, a pair of soft hands reached out and gently pinched Luo Xue’s cheeks.

“But not clever enough.”

“…Mmm.”

With her cheeks being pinched, Luo Xue couldn’t speak clearly.

“Since you call Bai Zhanying Senior Sister, how can you call me ‘Senior Sister’s master’?”

Luo Huaxin let go of her hands, but couldn’t resist poking Luo Xue’s cheeks again.

They felt so soft.

“Mmm… but I haven’t officially entered the sect…” Luo Xue mumbled.

“Oh right, not yet a disciple… that is a problem.” Luo Huaxin narrowed her beautiful eyes. “How about calling me Mother? You have my surname anyway.”

“…”

Luo Xue almost choked on her own spit, making Luo Huaxin burst into laughter, completely without any image of a venerable master.

In high spirits, Luo Huaxin was about to take another sip from her gourd when she caught sight of the teacup in Luo Xue’s hand and paused.

“How about we have a toast, Mother and Daughter?”

“…Minors are not allowed to drink alcohol.”

Luo Xue’s eyelids twitched. This Venerable Falling Flower seemed quite different from the rumors.

Wasn’t she said to be heartbroken?

Why did she seem more like a carefree drunkard…

“You don’t know good stuff. This is immortal wine brewed by yours truly. Many people would beg for it.”

Luo Huaxin pouted, but didn’t insist. She just sat down next to Luo Xue and continued drinking alone.

Luo Xue didn’t know whether to leave or stay. Sitting here felt strange.

To be honest, after so many lifetimes, this was the first time she had a mother…

After a moment of awkward silence, Luo Xue decided to find something to say.

“…Mother?”

Luo Huaxin spat out her wine.

“Cough, cough…”

“Maybe… we should change the way we address each other?”

Luo Xue scratched the back of her head.

“Oh, I actually quite like it, hahaha…”

Luo Huaxin was very amused. She put her arm around Luo Xue, her soft body, reeking of alcohol, pressing against Luo Xue’s small frame, her breath warm against Luo Xue’s ear.

“You’re the first to call me Mother. I have to say, it’s a novel experience!”

“Where’s Senior Sister?”

Luo Xue asked curiously.

Senior Sister, like her, was also an orphan, taken in and raised by Luo Huaxin on Falling Flower Peak.

“She has a mother, but she’s dead.” Luo Huaxin took a sip, a flicker of reminiscence in her eyes. “An orphan of the Bai family… Never mind, I won’t bore you with these old stories.”

It seemed Luo Huaxin didn’t want to delve into this topic, so Luo Xue didn’t press further.

“What do you want to ask?”

Luo Huaxin changed the subject, seemingly casually glancing at Luo Xue.

But even this faint glance from the corner of her eye felt like a sharp blade piercing through Luo Xue’s heart, as if she could see through everything.

Venerable Falling Flower, whose reputation rivaled the Sect Master of the Peerless Summit Sect, was more than just a drunkard. Her strength was likely even greater.

Daoist Ziyang, whom Luo Xue had considered a mortal enemy in her previous life, wouldn’t even be able to withstand the pressure of her aura.

Luo Xue hesitated slightly and asked in a low voice,

“Do you think… Senior Sister wants me to pass the Immortal Ascension Gate?”

Luo Xue couldn’t tell.

Senior Sister seemed to want her to pass, but also seemed to not want her to. Perhaps even Senior Sister herself wasn’t sure.

“Do you… want to pass this Immortal Ascension Gate?”

Luo Huaxin asked in return.

“…Of course.”

Luo Xue nodded.

“Then, she wants you to pass.” Luo Huaxin smiled faintly, a gentle charm on her slightly drunken face. “Xiao Xue, whatever you want to do, just do it. No matter what, Xiao Yingying is here, and so am I.”

“Even if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up.”

…

The night passed.

When Luo Xue woke up, the drunken Venerable Falling Flower was gone.

Last night’s conversation felt like a dream, but the lingering smell of alcohol in the room was enough to prove that it wasn’t.

“I was still forced to drink a little…”

Luo Xue held her head and smiled wryly.

She couldn’t refuse this drunkard mother and had taken a sip of the immortal wine from her gourd.

It made Luo Xue’s head dizzy, like she had a hangover.

However, besides the slight discomfort, the benefits of this sip of immortal wine were also obvious.

Luo Xue looked within her soul and saw that her cultivation, after breaking through to the Innate Realm, had stabilized.

The first step of the Innate Realm, Soul Cultivation, was about to be completed, and she was about to enter the next stage, Body Forging.

If Soul Cultivation was the prelude to separating mortals from immortals, Body Forging was the true chasm between them.

The limit of martial arts in the mortal world lay in Body Forging.

The Divine Sense born after completing Body Forging was a method only immortals could possess, something mortals could never achieve in their entire lives.

With a single thought, instantaneous changes were within their control.

However, in terms of combat power, there wasn’t much qualitative change between Soul Cultivation and Body Forging.

The battles between these two realms relied on techniques and combat experience.

…Luo Xue still didn’t have any advantage in this aspect.

“If only I had a technique, even just one…”

Luo Xue sighed softly and sat up.

Then she saw a jade slip and a note on the small table beside the bed.

“Hmm?”

Luo Xue picked up the note and her expression turned serious.

It was left by Luo Huaxin.

The messy handwriting showed Luo Huaxin’s state of mind when she wrote it.

“Xiao Xue, it’s rare for me to come out for some fresh air and see you. I originally planned to just watch from afar and leave, but I couldn’t resist talking to you.”

“Although we’ve never met before, you’re the second child I’ve watched grow up… Oh, sorry, I wrote that wrong, you haven’t grown up yet, hahaha…”

“And your personality is much better than Xiao Yingying’s. She’s such a bore, not as fun as you. Our first meeting as mother and daughter can be considered a memorable night.”

“Anyway, since you called me Mother, I can’t treat you poorly.”

“This jade slip contains a Dao technique inheritance I obtained by chance when I was young. It’s quite extraordinary and has nothing to do with the Peerless Summit Sect. Consider it a meeting gift from your mother.”

Under the dim candlelight, the woman held her wine gourd, using her condensed spiritual power as ink, writing freely on the paper.

Beside her, a young girl slept soundly.

As she finished writing, a faint smile appeared on her face.

Chapter 45: Little Junior Sister of Falling Flower Peak

Luo Xue was in a good mood.

After so many reincarnations, this life was the most relaxed.

Not only did she have a Senior Sister who treated her very well, but even the elders in the immortal sect were so amiable.

“Token…”

Luo Xue examined the cyan token engraved with the words “Law Enforcement Hall” in her hand, feeling a little surprised.

The Peerless Summit Sect was mainly composed of sword cultivators, divided into four peaks.

Falling Flower Peak, Dawn Light Peak, Cold Edge Cliff, and Underworld Water Ravine. Among them, Dawn Light Peak was the head, and its peak master was also the sect master.

Although the basic techniques cultivated by the four peaks were all the Peerless Summit Scripture, there were slight differences.

The Law Enforcement Hall was formed by selecting elders and disciples from these four peaks. It was independent of the four peaks and held the responsibility of supervision.

Its authority was so great that even the sect master was subject to its constraints.

There was a saying in the Peerless Summit Sect: Better to offend the elders of the four peaks than the disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall. This showed their influence.

“Having connections with the Law Enforcement Hall before even entering the sect, it seems that this life will finally allow me to cultivate properly and according to the rules.”

Luo Xue put away the token and leisurely walked towards the small house deep within Falling Flower Peak.

Although there were groups of female disciples passing by from time to time, looking at her with curiosity, wondering why such a young child would appear in Falling Flower Peak, no one came to stop her.

The children of elders were not uncommon in immortal sects, as many cultivators found love on their path. The Peerless Summit Sect had never forbidden such matters.

Such peace and tranquility were what Luo Xue imagined the world of cultivation to be like.

Fighting and killing was so unpleasant. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone just cultivated honestly and pursued longevity?

Unfortunately, because Luo Xue hadn’t officially entered the sect, she couldn’t access the Peerless Summit Sect’s inheritance techniques, even with Senior Sister’s protection.

Immortal sects valued rules, and not passing on the Dao to outsiders was the most basic rule.

“Sigh, if only the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture had taught a few killing techniques…”

Thinking of this, she felt a headache coming on.

If she had a move or two, Luo Xue wouldn’t have been so helpless against the assassin in the apocalyptic world.

What was even more troublesome was that Luo Xue couldn’t cultivate the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture now…

This technique was peculiar. Before the Spirit Condensation Realm, she could only absorb Yin Breath Poison for cultivation. Ordinary spiritual energy had no effect at all.

Furthermore, she only had 305 survival points, and she didn’t know where to use them.

The next stage of cultivation aptitude required 1000 survival points, but even if she had 1000, after the last lesson, Luo Xue wouldn’t dare to invest them all at once.

She needed to keep some survival points on hand, in case of emergencies.

Returning to the small house, Luo Xue took out her short sword and went to the courtyard, beginning her daily practice.

These were all mortal martial arts that Bai Zhanying had collected, practiced by Luo Xue in a manner of imitation.

Although these non-spiritual combat techniques were considered insignificant in the eyes of immortals, they could at least give Luo Xue some physical skills, not letting down her “Martial Arts Grandmaster” realm.

In addition, Luo Xue also discovered that, perhaps because of the True Phoenix blood essence, her physical strength was much greater than that of ordinary Innate Realm cultivators. She could be considered a girl with monstrous strength.

This kind of strength might not be beneficial for techniques, but it was surprisingly effective in low-level cultivator fights.

Luo Xue had only practiced for a short while when a figure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard.

Bai Zhanying walked in silently and sat down on the ground.

With a wave of her sleeve, a teapot appeared out of thin air and landed on the side, starting to boil.

Luo Xue practiced, and she watched.

The peaceful time always passed quickly. After Luo Xue finished practicing the martial arts manuals, Bai Zhanying’s tea was just ready.

“Tired?”

Bai Zhanying asked softly, handing Luo Xue a cup of hot tea.

“I’m fine, thank you, Senior Sister.”

Luo Xue took the tea and drank it in one gulp, sitting down beside Bai Zhanying in a slightly relaxed posture.

Bai Zhanying sipped her tea slowly, her gaze not on Luo Xue but on the distance.

Their interactions had always been like this, seemingly distant yet harmonious.

“Xiao Xue.”

Bai Zhanying suddenly called out, breaking the silence.

She turned to look at Luo Xue and said faintly,

“You… do you really want to enter the immortal gate?”

“Yes,” Luo Xue immediately sat up straighter. “Senior Sister, what’s wrong?”

“Why?”

Bai Zhanying looked at Luo Xue, her expression very serious.

“Because I want to cultivate, I want to become stronger,” Luo Xue touched her nose. “Senior Sister, you are so powerful, I want to be like you.”

This was the truth.

Senior Sister was at least at the Core Formation Realm or above. If Luo Xue had that kind of power, all the previous crises would have been like paper.

“But…”

Bai Zhanying hesitated.

She knew very well that Luo Xue couldn’t cultivate immortality.

The Calamity Poison Body could only become an evil cultivator.

Even if she passed the Immortal Ascension Gate, even if she entered the Peerless Summit Sect, the sect would never give her inheritance techniques to cultivate.

Because no matter what, Luo Xue could only cultivate evil techniques.

Perhaps, at most, they would give her a copy of the Breathing Technique…

“But what?”

Luo Xue blinked.

Bai Zhanying was silent for a while, still unable to bring herself to tell Luo Xue this cruel fact.

“…You need to work hard.”

Bai Zhanying said vaguely, her gaze seeming to avoid Luo Xue’s.

“Okay.”

Luo Xue nodded.

Bai Zhanying forced a smile, but she was clearly preoccupied.

In the end… she was powerless.

Luo Xue looked at the suddenly silent Senior Sister. She could tell that Senior Sister was hiding something from her, something she couldn’t say.

Senior Sister Bai Zhanying was a good person.

It sounded a bit like giving someone a “good person card,” but this was the most appropriate evaluation of Senior Sister.

In fact, Senior Sister was very beautiful. Without any makeup, she had a beauty that could captivate cities, but she never dressed up.

She always wore the simplest plain white dress, and even her long hair was tied up in the most old-fashioned style with a hairpin. She always had a stern face and rarely smiled.

Moreover, her strictness towards her junior sisters made the disciples of Falling Flower Peak tremble with fear—

Incidentally, Falling Flower Peak only accepted female disciples. There were many reasons for this, one of which was that their techniques were biased towards the feminine.

There were also rumors that the Peak Master of Falling Flower Peak had been hurt by a man when she was young, so she didn’t like having male disciples on the peak.

These were just idle gossip that Luo Xue had heard. In any case, Luo Xue liked Falling Flower Peak very much, and she also liked the Senior Sister of Falling Flower Peak.

Therefore, Luo Xue believed that if Senior Sister didn’t say something, she must have her reasons.

Just like Luo Xue hadn’t revealed some truths to Xiao Yao and A’Ling, not because she wanted to hide it, but because she had to.

The two sat there silently, each with their own thoughts.

Sunset, twilight, stars, and the bright moon.

The rare leisure time always passed quickly. Due to the approaching Immortal Ascension Gate, sect affairs were busy, and Bai Zhanying couldn’t stay in the house to rest.

After drinking this pot of tea with Luo Xue, Bai Zhanying got up and left.

She didn’t say another word, just left faintly, as usual.

But looking at Senior Sister’s back, Luo Xue felt a sense of inexplicable loneliness.

…Was it an illusion?

Luo Xue sat alone in the house for a long time. The teapot beside her gradually cooled, and the last cup of tea in her hand had also lost its heat.

“Sigh…”

With a soft sigh, Luo Xue tilted her head back and drained the cup in one gulp.

If a tea master of the mortal world saw her drinking immortal tea in this way, they would probably be furious, calling it a waste of heavenly treasures.

Although Senior Sister brought it casually, in the mortal world, just one leaf of this immortal tea would be auctioned for a sky-high price, and even then, there would be no supply.

“Such a young age, yet so old-fashioned, not good.”

Just then, a lazy voice suddenly rang in Luo Xue’s ear, followed by an intoxicating fragrance.

…It was truly intoxicating.