Chapter 26: Something Wasn’t Right! p1
The dozen or so cultivators who accompanied them stayed behind. The maid led the four of them to the finest room on the second floor.
Zhao Xianchen had mentioned the princess more than once during their journey.
The Third Princess of the Huai Kingdom, Qin Yuan, had been obsessed with immortals since childhood.
The emperor doted on her, and all the Eighth-rank cultivators of the Huai Kingdom had, at some point, instructed her.
Yet, she still felt it wasn’t enough and insisted on joining an immortal sect.
The imperial cultivators who taught her tried to dissuade her, saying that immortal sects weren’t as extraordinary as she imagined, that they themselves were elites from various sects, and that studying under them was no different from being in a sect.
—But she wouldn’t listen.
She believed that while her teachers were skilled, they weren’t true immortals.
At nine, she was sent to a hidden immortal sect, fulfilling her wish. She remained there until fifteen, when she finally received permission to travel and train in the mortal realm.
After leaving the sect, Qin Yuan traveled the human world with her sword, eventually returning to Yanyang to resume her life as the favored Third Princess of the Huai Kingdom.
Six years later, the cultivators who had once taught her rushed to greet her outside the palace.
Surrounded by her former teachers, the first question she faced was, “How was your experience cultivating in the immortal sect?”
The princess sighed and replied listlessly, “Don’t even ask.”
Her teachers had been right; immortal sects weren’t as wonderful as she had imagined. Even the most powerful sect leader wasn’t much stronger than her teachers.
There were no true immortals in the immortal sect. Everyone was still subject to the changing seasons, aging, sickness, and death.
Since then, the princess’s obsession with finding immortals had lessened, and she shifted her focus to an old issue she encountered during her travels at fifteen, an issue she had been powerless to resolve.
Her decision not to return to the sect wasn’t solely because she realized immortal sects weren’t that special, but because of this unresolved issue she had encountered.
She thought perhaps only with her status as the Third Princess could she gather enough power to address it.
And she had been working on it for six years.
This issue happened to be the matter of the Moon Capital of the former southern kingdom.
Even before sending the envoy to Mount Chao Yao, the princess had already spent a fortune searching for capable individuals to resolve this centuries-old problem plaguing the human realm.
Although she hadn’t learned any extraordinary skills during her six years in the immortal sect, she was no longer as spoiled as before and had taken the sect’s teachings about “exorcising evil and eliminating resentment” to heart.
The original story mentioned that Qin Yuan had immortal destiny. If she went to Mount Chao Yao, she might have become an immortal.
After the City of the Undying incident, the princess had asked the male protagonist if he could take her to Mount Chao Yao.
Her intentions were clear.
But the male protagonist had already developed feelings for the female protagonist and didn’t have the authority to bring outsiders to the mountain, so she could only remain in the mortal realm, living as an ordinary human.
Mo Yichu didn’t have the authority, but she, as one of the Three Revered Ones, certainly did.
This girl was so eager to cultivate; why not help her?
And if this Third Princess could keep the male protagonist occupied, she wouldn’t have to worry about the little protagonist rekindling their relationship!
Lost in thought, Li Yu didn’t notice the maid opening a door.
She quickly composed herself and entered.
A painted screen depicting cranes blocked their view. A slender figure sat behind it, her long fingers toying with a flower.
She plucked a petal, letting it drift to the ground.
Dignified, elegant, beautiful!
As expected of a princess, truly…
—Suddenly, the figure leaped up from her seat like a monkey, tossed the flower aside, and rushed out from behind the screen.
A bright smile adorned her face, her eyes sparkling like stars.
Her light yellow dress accentuated her youthful charm, and the pure white sword at her waist added a touch of heroism.
Her joyful gaze immediately landed on the immortal at the front.
Her hair as dark as ink, her features picturesque, dressed in pristine white, she looked like a solitary moon descending from the heavens.
And those deep blue eyes held a coldness rarely seen in the mortal realm.
The maid bowed. “Princess, Lord Zhao has brought the immortals!”
Qin Yuan helped the maid up and then quickly approached Li Yu, performing an immortal sect greeting.
She looked up with a smile. “Immortal!”
This was an immortal; she was certain.
She considered herself highly talented in cultivation, and her teachers were among the best cultivators in the world. She was skilled in sensing auras.
Whether human or demon, strong or weak, she could discern their cultivation level with a single glance.
Zhao Xianchen had brought back three people.
One was a wolf demon, her cultivation clearly low.
One was a human, his cultivation unfathomably deep.
And the last one, no matter how hard she looked, she couldn’t sense any spiritual energy, appearing completely ordinary.
But with such an appearance, such an aura, how could she be ordinary?
Visible strength was impressive, but strength that couldn’t be sensed was the true mark of an immortal, truly unfathomable!
Zhao Xianchen’s letter mentioned that this person was the respected master of the other two.
This further confirmed her judgment.
—What was it called?
The Great Dao is simple! Return to the origin!
Seeing a true immortal, the Third Princess’s eyes teared up with excitement.
Qin Yuan: “This humble mortal doesn’t know how to address you, Immortal. Should I call you Exalted Immortal or Exalted God?”
“Li Yu,” Li Yu replied calmly.
Exalted Immortal or Exalted God, that was too high-profile.
She was just here to watch the show, with no real abilities. If possible, she preferred being addressed by name…
“Immortal, you are so humble, willing to let this mortal address you by name.” Qin Yuan’s smile widened. “My name is Qin Yuan, the ‘yuan’ from paper kite… May I know the characters of your name, Immortal?”
Why did she need to know the characters?
It was just “li” from leave and “yu” from jade, two simple characters. Saying it directly seemed a bit plain.
How could she answer in a way that sounded more elegant?
As Li Yu pondered, Mu Tao suddenly said, “No one on the mountain addresses my master by name directly. Just because Master doesn’t mind, doesn’t mean others can be disrespectful!”
Her tone held an unusual impatience.
Such a tone, such words, were somewhat rude to a princess.
Qin Yuan was taken aback, her mouth slightly open.
The maid beside her wanted to say something but was stopped by Zhao Xianchen with a look.
An awkward silence filled the room.
Li Yu didn’t remember the protagonist being so rude to Qin Yuan in the original story.
In her vague memory, even when the princess was constantly clinging to the male protagonist, the protagonist had just endured it silently, crying alone where no one could see her.
Had she spoiled Mu Tao too much?
It was good that the little protagonist was no longer insecure and withdrawn, but this was the princess of the human realm. It was best to be polite.
Thinking this, Li Yu looked at her little disciple.
“Mu Tao, don’t be rude.”
Mu Tao bit her lip and fell silent.
【Protagonist Blackening Value +1%!】
【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 17%】
Uh oh…
Although just one point, it still reflected the little protagonist’s mood.
Was her tone too harsh?
As Li Yu was reflecting, Qin Yuan quickly waved her hands. “She wasn’t rude, not at all! The Young Immortal is right; I was being disrespectful. Please don’t mind me, Immortal!”
Qin Yuan realized the immortals were still standing at the door and quickly invited them to sit behind the screen.
Zhao Xianchen tried to follow, but the maid stopped him. After a brief exchange of glances, Zhao Xianchen nodded in understanding and left the room with the maid.
Qin Yuan, having lived in an immortal sect since she was nine, didn’t have any airs of a princess.
Not only that, but she was also quite casual, starting to chatter as soon as they sat down.
Qin Yuan: “Lord Zhao mentioned in his letter that you reside on Mount Chao Yao, a hidden immortal mountain in the South Sea, and that even the lowest disciple there has cultivation above Seventh-rank. Is that true?”
Mo Yichu: “Not really.”
Qin Yuan glanced at Mu Tao. “I thought so.”
Li Yu noticed Mu Tao turning away, seemingly not wanting to speak, likely feeling a bit embarrassed.
Qin Yuan, however, continued chatting regardless of whether anyone responded.
“I’ve heard that the Luoyu frequently causes trouble in the waters near Lan City. This monster is difficult to find, and fighting it at sea is risky…”
“I’m incredibly grateful to the three immortals for eliminating this threat for the people of Lan City! If you have any requests, please don’t hesitate to ask; I will do my best to fulfill them!”
“Was your journey here comfortable?”
“You must have suffered from the bumpy roads. Perhaps you should rest in Yanyang for a few days before continuing your journey.”
“This is the best inn in Yanyang. I’ve reserved the three finest rooms for you. Meals from the best restaurant will be delivered regularly, ensuring your comfort before you depart.”
“Have you ever heard storytelling in your immortal mountain? Traveling for days can be tedious. Would you like me to call a storyteller to entertain you?”
“Immortals…”
Listening to the princess’ enthusiastic chatter, Li Yu was reminded of a certain colleague.
This was a true social butterfly.
She could talk endlessly, even without any response.
She hadn’t noticed this when reading the novel.
If this princess decided to join Mount Chao Yao, she might be accepted as Si Qinglan’s direct disciple with her personality.
As Li Yu was lost in thought, Qin Yuan had already changed topics several times.
When Li Yu tuned back in, Qin Yuan was looking at Mo Yichu.
“Mortal immortal sects rarely accept demon disciples, but I heard that Mount Chao Yao has many demon disciples. Is it because demons have longer lifespans and are more likely to achieve enlightenment?” Qin Yuan looked at Mo Yichu curiously. “Are there many human cultivators like you on Mount Chao Yao?”
Li Yu’s ears perked up.
The princess changed topics quickly. Had she already entered the main event, ready to pursue the male protagonist?
Let the show begin! She wanted to see the skills of this love rival who made the protagonist so jealous in the original story.
Mo Yichu: “There aren’t that many humans on the mountain.”
Qin Yuan: “Then they all have achieved longevity like you?”
“Their lifespans are indeed longer than ordinary humans, but not as long as you might imagine.” Mo Yichu explained seriously, then added, “For humans to achieve longevity, they must ascend to the Heavenly Gate and become immortals. Very few mortals can achieve this, Princess; there’s no need to yearn for it.”
Qin Yuan, usually talkative, was momentarily speechless.
Tsk! Blockhead!
Li Yu barely suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
There really were people who, when asked about their expertise by a beautiful girl, would reply so bluntly and seriously, “Don’t even think about it, it’s impossible.”
She was truly speechless.
The fact that such a blockhead was universally loved in the novel could only mean that the author’s pen was the most powerful artifact in this world!
But Qin Yuan was also remarkable, recovering from the awkwardness almost instantly.
After a moment of thought, she asked politely, “I don’t think I’ve asked for your name yet.”
Mo Yichu: “Mo Yichu.”
“Mo Yichu…” Qin Yuan repeated the name, her eyes downcast, seemingly lost in thought.
After a few seconds of silence, she looked up.
Qin Yuan: “Young Immortal, there’s something I don’t understand.”
Mo Yichu: “What is it?”
Qin Yuan: “Is your surname Mo, or Mo Yichu?”
Mo Yichu: “Mo Yichu.”
Surprise flickered in Qin Yuan’s eyes. “Your surname is…uncommon…”
Mo Yichu: “Has the Princess encountered it before?”
Qin Yuan didn’t answer, just asked tentatively, “I heard from Lord Zhao that you’re over three hundred years old?”
Mo Yichu nodded.
Qin Yuan: “Were you born on the immortal mountain?”
Mo Yichu: “I lived in the human realm when I was young, but I was too young to remember anything.”
Qin Yuan: “Were you ever seriously injured when you were young?”
Mo Yichu: “…I was burned before joining the mountain.”
Qin Yuan: “Is that true?”
Mo Yichu frowned. “What do you mean, Princess?”
Li Yu, listening, also felt that something wasn’t right.
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