Chapter 695: Plotting Against Chun Yangzi

When great powers clashed, everything happened in the blink of an eye. Wang Sheng could barely follow his forefather's movements, let alone respond. Before he could react, Chun Yangzi had already hurled him like a sack at the cloaked figure outside the door.

The stranger moved almost instantly, ready to take Wang Sheng out. However, Chun Yangzi shouted, "My good grand-disciple!"

Her delicate eyebrows knit slightly. She shifted her palm strike midway and turned to catch Wang Sheng instead. Holding him up with one hand, she casually tossed him aside.

That brief delay was enough. Chun Yangzi had already shot skyward, smashing through the roof and instantly vanishing.

"

Hmph!

" The woman stomped her foot and disappeared just as quickly.

Clearly, a chase between beings of their level was far beyond what Wang Sheng could comprehend. The gap in their strength was simply too vast.

Wang Sheng flicked his left hand, and Yaoyun returned to his grasp as Spiritless. With sword in hand, he rushed out of the flower hall.

Only then did the maidens in the room come back to their senses. Their faces were pale, but instead of panicking, they withdrew swiftly yet in an orderly manner.

However, Wang Sheng had barely moved far when a figure appeared behind him. A hand clad in a white gauze glove pressed down on his shoulder.

Wang Sheng turned his head slightly, only to meet a cold and strikingly beautiful face. His heart skipped.

In a chilly tone, the mighty woman exclaimed, "The Dao of Pure Yang?! So you really are his grand-disciple! Since he said he would come back to save you, you will stay with me for now. Don't worry, I do not bully the young; I will not give you a hard time."

Though she looked no more than sixteen, she sounded as gentle as a nightingale. Before he could say a word, she lifted him effortlessly and knocked him unconscious.

Carrying Wang Sheng, she glanced at Hostess Su, who stood in a distant pavilion. She snorted coldly. "I will take this boy back to my abode. Lu Dongbin has ten days. If he does not come for him, I will destroy his successor!"

Though that was meant as a threat, it lacked confidence.

The woman turned and vanished into the night. Meanwhile, Hostess Su just covered her mouth and laughed softly.

***

At the far western edge of the Western Sky Region, a wooden coffin floated above a desolate planet. Directly above it hovered a palace that had a faint green glow.

The boundary between life and death was stark. Chains extended from beneath the coffin like tendrils, burrowing into the planet and slowly devouring its remaining vitality, hastening its decay.

Inside the palace, Mu Wanxuan had just finished cultivating. Dressed in a simple blue gown, she stood at the entrance, gazing eastward.

Junior Brother should have returned to the thirteen qi planets by now. The distance between us has never felt larger.

She brushed her fingers lightly over her lips as she reminisced once more. Like a budding orchid, her quiet longing only made her beauty more striking.

Behind her, Lin Feiyao drifted over in a short green dress. She gently asked, "Senior Sister, still can't calm your mind?"

Mu Wanxuan smiled softly and shook her head at her junior sister, whom she had grown close to.

Under Qinghua's guidance, Lin Feiyao had been breaking through one realm after another. After tens of thousands of years of cultivation, the solid foundation she had built was finally showing its true value.

It was a pity she could not follow the Dao of Life or the Dao of Death. Since she was only an unofficial disciple, she did not dare hope for more. After all, she now had the chance to become a Golden Immortal—a chance countless people would never get.

"Senior Sister, are you thinking of your husband?"

Mu Wanxuan nodded lightly. "

Mm.

"

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

She leaned against a stone pillar, a trace of weariness in her eyes.

Lin Feiyao had meant to tease her, but seeing Mu Wanxuan like this put her at a loss for words. She could only sigh softly and stay by her side.

Qinghua had privately told Lin Feiyao to keep her company more often to ensure she would not feel too lonely. Perhaps Lin Feiyao herself felt that this was her only use to one of the Four Heavenly Ministers.

***

Meanwhile, two streaks of golden light, one deep and one pale, sped toward a primal qi passage in the Eastern Sky Region. Huai Jing and Hu Chang made their way back to the thirteen qi planets as quickly as they could.

Huai Jing was eager to return to his online addictions, while Hu Chang had heard about the many interesting people and things there. Since Wang Sheng valued that place the most, he wanted to reach it and make some contributions as soon as possible.

Having met Chun Yangzi and seen Wang Shan, Hu Chang felt that he had boarded a very solid and reliable pirate ship.

***

At the border of the Northern Sky Region, upon that icy planet.

Wang Shan, who had been sitting cross-legged for a long time, slowly stirred and rose to his feet. He now looked relieved, and he seemed to grow younger. His wrinkles faded, revealing a dignified and heroic middle-aged visage.

"My original objective was simply to stop evil from befalling the people and for peace to return to the Three Realms. I wanted all beings to meet a good end and ensure they would not use brute strength or divine abilities to bring harm.

"Now that chaos stirs again among immortals and sages, the Heavenly Court still has a chance to rise. Though the Immortal Emperor has fallen, we remain. Order can be brought back to the Three Realms. All those countless lives..."

A faint golden phantasm slowly appeared behind him.

He raised his right hand slightly, and a golden whip formed within his grasp. With a light swing, he made a darker golden phantasm step out from within him.

Auspicious clouds instantly gathered around him. One phantasm had a wrathful expression, while the other wore a gentle smile. With a sweep of his sleeve, he made both return to him.

"I am greatly indebted to Lu Dongbin and that young man." Wang Shan lowered his head and sighed, unable to suppress a bitter smile. "The sacred spirit that His Immortal Majesty had sealed... Will he be the one to restore the Heavenly Court?

"If so, all of His Immortal Majesty's efforts over countless years may have been for nothing. No, perhaps he was only paving the way for another. After all, fate and the Dao rise and fall. No one can escape the grasp of the Great Dao. Perhaps reaching the level of a sage is the only way to earn true freedom."

The winds on the icy planet grew fiercer as he sighed. With a simple downward press of his hand, the entire planet quieted down once more.

***

Realm of Exiled Immortals.

Two large Shadowless Shuttles sped through the desolate space, drawing ever closer to the distant Gate of Stars.

***

Plup.

Plup.

Am I hearing water droplets?

Wang Sheng slowly regained consciousness. Before he even opened his eyes, he remembered his forefather decisively tossing him away. He was once again rendered speechless.

His cultivation had not been sealed, but it wasn't like there was really any need for it.

Spreading his immortal perception, he found himself inside a cave decorated with only a bed, a meditation cushion, and a few landscape paintings. The stone walls were completely bare.

A figure stood at the cave entrance, beyond which was a sheer cliff that dropped ten thousand

zhang

. A thin layer of light shimmered just outside.

Even looking at her from behind was enough to know that she was stunning.

She was in a white dress that had no ornamentation, yet it perfectly outlined her flawless figure. Moreover, her long black hair was tied elegantly. She radiated cold detachment, as though she kept the world at a distance.

"Oh, you're finally awake. Come here."

Even her voice was just as chilly.

Wang Sheng glanced at Spiritless, which he still held. Ling Sheng, who was in his Qiankun Ring, was also unharmed. The woman didn't even seem to have bothered with his belongings since he was just a mere Heavenly Immortal.

Upon parting ways with Mu Wanxuan, Wang Shan had captured him. His forefather then sold him out.

Wasn't I supposed to have an immense heavenly fate? Why do I keep running into such terrifying people?

Fate truly cut both ways. The internet-addicted Buddhist master had not lied to him.

Even so, Wang Sheng felt somewhat at ease this time. Though he could sense the woman's cold pride, she likely had no intention of making things difficult for him. All she wanted was to force Chun Yangzi to show himself.

Yaoyun grumbled indignantly, "

Hmph, now you know what kind of person your forefather really is.

"

Wang Sheng pretended not to hear her. He put away Spiritless and walked toward the cave entrance.

"Senior..."

"I have a question for you."

The woman turned around. She had a trace of coldness in her deep-blue eyes, yet Wang Sheng still noticed how beautiful they were. They resembled flowers blooming within mystical ice, or two perfect sapphires brought to life.

"Has that heartless man ever mentioned the name Zhi Bing to you?"

Wang Sheng blinked. Calmly, he answered, "No."

Her fingers tightened. She turned and unleashed a palm strike toward the distance. Several hundred

li

away, a mountain collapsed with a thunderous roar. Half of it vanished.

"He didn't even mention me?!" She bit her lip. For a brief moment, her expression showed both pain and sorrow. "Am I truly so insignificant to him?!"

"Well..."

"

Hmm?

" She gazed back, her eyes instantly regaining their cold composure.

"My forefather and I have only met three times. More often than not, he was too busy guiding me in my cultivation. He has never mentioned any woman's name around me."

"Is that so?" The corners of her lips curved, as though she could not quite suppress her smile. "He hasn't mentioned anyone at all?"

Wang Sheng pressed a hand to his forehead, finding her far too easy to read. He also couldn't help but find his forefather rather unreliable. This woman was clearly devoted to him, yet he kept avoiding her.

"Senior, may I ask what your relationship with my forefather is?"

She calmly replied, "I gave him my heart. We even spent several days together."

"Then, Senior, do you know that my forefather—"

"I know I'm only one of his many 'confidantes.'"She sighed softly and slowly closed her eyes. "I do not ask for him to devote himself to me alone. All I want is for him to stay by my side. It's fine if he leaves from time to time, but he should at least tell me when he will return."

She chuckled bitterly.

"Your forefather is unbearably heartless. He can't even grant me that simple wish."

"Seems like he did go a bit too far."

She frowned. "I may criticize him, but what gives you the right to do the same?"

Wang Sheng was once again rendered speechless.

She seems deeply conflicted. Just how many emotional debts did my forefather leave behind for someone of her level to feel both love and resentment like this?

He could not help but feel a bit of admiration. Still, he naturally had no intention of following in his forefather's footsteps. His heart belonged to Mu Wanxuan alone.

"I might be able to help you with this," Wang Sheng said seriously. He then invited Yaoyun out. "Why not tell us in detail about your story with my forefather? We know him fairly well. Perhaps we can offer some help. To be honest, as his juniors, seeing him wander around pains us as well. He really should find a place where he can settle down and rest."

"Really?"

She brightened up. Such simple words had clearly moved her. As it turned out, even the judgment of the strongest woman could get clouded when in love.

O' Forefather,

do not blame me for retaliating. After all, you made the first move.

"I'll even swear an oath. I sincerely wish to help you and my forefather achieve a happy union!"

Zhi Bing sighed softly. She then started recounting her and Chun Yangzi's long, tangled story of love and resentment.

"Long ago, when I had only just reached the Taiyi Golden Immortal Realm..."