Chapter 0: Another Her in Another World
A moment later, Black Robe’s broken body scattered with the wind, as if it had never existed, leaving not a single trace.
The reason Qin Gou had the Goose Return Cage plant a mark within Black Robe was because he wanted to be able to contact him proactively in the future. When he had worked with Black Robe earlier, transferring the divine feather’s power to Huan Wuzhen, Qin Gou discovered that when their powers cooperated, they complemented each other perfectly, resulting in an explosive amplification of more than double the sum of their individual strengths.
Thus, such formidable combat power, if not used to display divine might for the well-being of all living beings, would be a complete waste.
Old Qin, a righteous man of his generation, in order to uphold worldly justice and eliminate evil, must unite all forces that can be united, no matter how difficult, and naturally, this includes his other self!
After all, if, as A’Yuan said, their personalities were very similar before a certain divergence point, then if the roles were reversed, Black Robe would undoubtedly act just like Old Qin.
Furthermore, if Black Robe were to suddenly appear again in the future due to A’Yuan’s circumstances, and accidentally be separated from A’Yuan even further than this time, Qin Gou wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to find him.
Of course, before doing all this, Qin Gou had also carefully consulted the system. He wondered if summoning Black Robe with the Goose Return Cage would put Qin Yuan in danger. The system directly replied “no,” just as the Falling Prison Stele had been misled by the Goose Return Cage to appear in the Daojun Imperial City back then, and A’Yuan had actually suffered no harm at all.
This also allowed Old Qin to finally summarize the Goose Return Cage’s seemingly mysterious method for controlling others’ whereabouts with a single phrase: coaxing and deception.
“Human Race! We of the Empty Illusory Snake Clan’s main lineage will never let go of the matter of the demise of our Clan Head and Huan Jing…”
“Enough, all of you. This matter, let this venerable self accompany you to discuss it thoroughly. The place where you colluded with the Erebus Sect to attack A’Yuan earlier, that was Guwu City, wasn’t it? That is undeniably Human Realm territory!” Qingyu’s silver eyes swept over the snake clan members, and she said coldly, “Thinking about it this way, it was clearly you who broke the rules between the Beast Land and the Human Race first. If this matter spreads, you won’t be the only ones who won’t let it rest!”
With that, Qingyu made a ‘please’ gesture towards the hall.
Seeing this, an elder of the snake clan said with a gloomy expression, “But that was not the Clan Head’s order, it was Huan Jing’s private…”
“Huan Wuzhen personally appointed Huan Jing as the new Clan Head. To outsiders, this would absolutely be seen as Huan Wuzhen’s high approval of Huan Jing’s actions!”
Qingyu said without any loopholes, and by this time, she was already standing at the entrance of the hall.
“The reason I want to clarify things with all of you is simply because I do not wish to create more bloodshed for no reason… Back then, every birthday, the gifts you, the main lineage of the Empty Illusory Snakes, sent, I was very satisfied with. My impression of all of you in the past was also quite good.”
“What?!”
The elders’ eyes widened in astonishment. Although they had guessed from Qingyu’s cultivation realm that she must have a significant background, they had never imagined that she was someone whom even the main lineage of the Empty Illusory Snakes had to flatter so greatly.
Immediately, Qingyu smiled, her method of self-introduction unconsciously mimicking someone’s tone.
“My name is Qingyu, Qingyu of Dragon God Island.”
…
Seeing Qingyu understandingly lead all the elders of the snake clan away, Qin Gou smiled knowingly at her. Then he turned to Qin Yuan and asked, “A’Yuan, didn’t you tell me earlier that you were going with Xiao Yan to assist Cult Master Gu of the Seed Demon Sacred Cult? How did you get involved with this Empty Illusory Snake Clan? And where is Mu Tangchun? Wasn’t Tang Nizi with you earlier?”
“Xiao Mu separated from us temporarily because Mother Fallen Prison needed the Taiping Tower for something,” A’Yuan explained truthfully. “As for the Empty Illusory Snake Clan, after A’Yuan and Mother left the Seed Demon Sacred Cult, Huan Jing suddenly contacted me, saying that after some consideration, he was willing to accept a previous transaction of A’Yuan’s, as long as I could find a complete Sky Engraved Stone for him… Who knew that it was all a trap! Huan Jing actually wanted to capture me to study my anomalous talent and Dao Body. Because, according to him, the Empty Illusory Snake’s time and space evasion technique was very similar to A’Yuan’s anomalous talent, but it had too many shortcomings in cultivation and combat power. He hoped to find even a thread of breakthrough from me.”
Hearing this, Qin Gou nodded slightly, “Then what transaction were you trying to complete with Huan Jing earlier?”
“A’Yuan wanted Huan Jing to send one of his subordinates to use the time and space evasion technique to deliver a letter for A’Yuan to some people she treasured dearly, and who might also be very concerned about me. To tell them that I am doing well here and that they absolutely do not need to worry about A’Yuan all the time. I know this idea is a bit childish and nonsensical, but I couldn’t help but keep thinking about it.” As she spoke, A’Yuan lowered her small head in shame.
Qin Gou immediately gently stroked her head, his voice gentle and comforting, “Nonsensical, but extremely thoughtful. A’Yuan, you are very much like Xiao Yan in this regard.”
“You mean like little Qin, don’t you!” Gu Feiyan was inexplicably shot and smiled with pursed lips. “Isn’t little Qin always like this?”
“That’s right, I was originally going to say that A’Yuan is very much like me, but I felt like I was bragging a bit. This is perfect, Xiao Yan said it for me!” Old Qin smiled slyly, and at the same time, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, A’Yuan’s idea was indeed quite ambitious. Sending this letter would consume one of the Empty Illusory Snake Clan’s time and space evasion techniques. It would have been reasonable for them to refuse directly. However, since Huan Jing had readily agreed and accepted the Sky Engraved Stone that A’Yuan had painstakingly obtained, he then reneged on his promise and even attempted to harm A’Yuan’s life. This was truly despicable.
Not long after.
Qingyu returned to Qin Gou’s side.
“Master, during my conversation with those snake elders just now, I learned that A’Yuan has been wanting to make a deal with them. After some discussion, they decided that as long as we don’t spread the news of Huan Jing’s audacity in openly intruding into the Human Realm and harming human cultivators to the major dynasties, they would continue to assist A’Yuan. They even intend to return the precious Sky Engraved Stone to A’Yuan! As for the deaths of Huan Wuzhen and Huan Jing, they will naturally still follow the decision of the Empty Illusory Snake main lineage.”
“What?” Qin Gou could not help but be quite surprised. “Those snake elders who were so furious just now, how did they suddenly become so reasonable after just going out with Qingyu for a while?”
“Because Qingyu frankly told them that she, who has resigned from the post of guardian of the Sea Soul Dragon Saint, has now entered the most ‘freely acting’ period of her nearly thousand years of existence.” Qingyu’s lips curved into a beautiful arc, and she smiled gently.
“Cough, it seems that these elders of the snake clan are also people with deep blessings and long lives!” Qin Gou chuckled in amusement.
Qingyu had specifically mentioned her resignation from the post of guardian of the Sea Soul. Her implication was clear: the person conversing with them now was no longer the highly constrained Sea Clan Dragon Saint. She might very well suddenly reclaim another identity that had been dormant for many years – the Lord of the Sea of Blood, who had once brought despair to all her enemies.
A’Yuan naturally had no objections to Qingyu’s proposal. Huan Jing, who had persecuted her and Gu Feiyan, was dead, and she had come for that transaction in the first place. Coincidentally, this time there was an Empty Illusory clansman who had already thought of using her time and space evasion technique to leave. She happened to be able to serve as the ‘postman’ for this one-way trip. She was Huan Sha. It wasn’t due to a change of heart; it was because she had fully assisted Huan Jing in targeting the Debt Girl earlier, and was then treated with such anger by Qiu Qianyue in the illusion. She felt that Qiu Qianyue would definitely not spare her life afterward. Her cultivation was not very high, and it was only safer and more reliable to use the time and space evasion technique with the help of her clansmen. It was for this reason that she hurried to report her intentions to an elder of her clan.
An incense stick later, Huan Sha revealed her true form as a white snake, very cooperatively transformed her surface demonic patterns into the characters written by A’Yuan, and with the help of the elders, carefully sensed the thread of time and space aura in A’Yuan’s spiritual power. Finally, she transformed into countless silver lights and completely disappeared from everyone’s sight.
…
“What is this?”
Huan Sha dazedly observed everything around her.
“This is the Empty Illusory Altar? Could it be that I, for some reason, have used the time and space evasion technique?!”
“A clansman has appeared at the Empty Illusory Altar?! Quickly report to Chan Master Miaoming!”
Hearing another exclamation, Huan Sha, who was completely confused, suddenly saw a graceful figure in a bright yellow kasaya robe enter her vision.
“No need, this nun is already here. These words… it must be A’Yuan. That little clever girl also thought of this idea!”
“You, you are!” However, as soon as Huan Sha clearly saw the face of the newcomer, she instantly broke through the restrictions of the time and space evasion technique, remembered everything before, and screamed in extreme panic, her voice trembling.
“What? Friend, you recognize this nun?” Chan Master Miaoming’s voice was warm, with a gentle smile like a spring breeze and gentle rain.
At the same time, an Empty Illusory clansman said solemnly, “Little girl, do not be rude. This is the ‘new’ Abbess of Fusheng Nunn, Chan Master Miaoming!”
“Abbess of Fusheng? Chan Master? You, have you truly entered the monastic life and become a Buddhist cultivator? But, your hair…” Huan Sha’s expression was astonished.
Hearing this, Chan Master Miaoming’s expression relaxed. She flicked her smooth black hair and smiled charmingly, “This hair was personally cut for me by someone very important to this nun back then, which is why I have always maintained its current state with spiritual power. Besides, this nun converted to Buddhism and cultivates the heart, not the form.”
With that, a pure golden karma, unique to Buddhist cultivators, lingered between Chan Master Miaoming’s fair jade fingers, finally completely dispelling Huan Sha’s doubts.
“Next, may I ask if fellow daoist could accompany this nun on a journey? Because now, many people will want to see these words that fellow daoist has delivered, and know that little one is safe.” Chan Master Miaoming’s smile was bright and clear, and she asked again very approachable.
“Of course.” Huan Sha nodded. After all, she had come for this purpose. She immediately transformed into her human Dao body and followed behind Chan Master Miaoming. She couldn’t help but sigh, “It’s just that your changes are too great, I really don’t know how to address you anymore…”
“It seems fellow daoist has indeed had a connection with Miaoming?”
Upon hearing this, the tall and gracefully proportioned Qiu Shui Yi Ren suddenly turned back and smiled. Her voice actually carried a bit of the familiar ease and freedom that Huan Sha recognized. With her delicate hands behind her back, she said, “You can call me Miaoming, or address me as Chan Master, or directly as ‘Abbess of Fusheng’! Or, my secular name… Qiu Qianyue? Fellow daoist, do as you please!”
