Chapter 353: Old Loli, Immortal Market
In the blink of an eye, autumn turned to winter solstice.
In the early morning, fine white snow slowly fell from the sky, blanketing the white jade palaces on the mountain peak with a thin layer of new attire.
A yin-yang fish, spanning hundreds of miles, enveloped the area above the palaces on the peak of Taibai Sect. Thousands of Taibai Sect disciples, dressed in black and white dao robes, stood on both sides of the mountain gate.
A light purple sedan chair, adorned with a crescent moon, was slowly pulled by more than ten high-level Xuan Xing Sect disciples as it flew past the mountain gate.
The Taibai Sect disciples on both sides immediately bowed their fists:
“Greetings to Dan, the High Immortal, on your arrival at White Jade Capital!!”
Inside the sedan chair, Si Xuanji, dressed in a starlight dao robe, slowly raised her hand and parted the curtain to reveal a sliver of an opening. She glanced at the main peak of Taibai Sect, known as the “White Jade Capital,” and said with a smile, “Taibai Sect’s main hall with its black jade and white bricks is truly beautiful. Every time I pass by and see it, I always want to take it back with me.”
Seated opposite her, Mr. Qi, dressed in a purple dao robe, gently stroked his beard and jokingly replied, “Heh heh… then why doesn’t the Sect Master discuss it with Elder Zu shortly and have him give you this main hall of Taibai Sect?”
Si Xuanji pouted, waving her hand with some annoyance, “If you say that, won’t that old man Zu Yuan be sarcastic with me again, saying I’m old and disrespectful, and don’t do anything proper all day? Mr. Qi, you be the judge, with my appearance, looking like a little girl of ten or so, how can I be called old?”
Upon hearing this, Mr. Qi’s face immediately showed some embarrassment. Topics concerning Si Xuanji’s appearance and age were essentially time bombs. If she was called young, it meant she was old and disrespectful. If she was called old, it meant she was old. Either way, it would displease her, and she would be banished to the frontier to breed with the Qinshui Flood Dragon.
Mr. Qi thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered something that might interest Si Xuanji and changed the subject: “By the way, Sect Master, I previously heard from Elder Wang that Young Master Ye of the Hundred Lotus Sect seems to have reached the False Core stage and is preparing to form his core.”
When it came to Ye Anping, she was no longer sleepy. Si Xuanji raised her eyebrows and feigned surprise, saying, “Oh? Four years ago, when you, Mr. Qi, recommended him to be Yunluo’s companion reader, he was only at the peak of Qi Refining. How is it that he’s about to form his core now? So quickly?”
“Heh heh…” Mr. Qi said with a look of relief, stroking his beard and smiling. “Back then, I saw that he came from a humble background and was so young yet taught Pei Lianxue. I thought he would achieve great things in the future. But today, he has still exceeded my expectations. With his Two Spirit Root aptitude, he has actually passed the Foundation Establishment stage in just four years…”
Hearing Mr. Qi praise Ye Anping, Si Xuanji’s mood also improved considerably. She nodded deeply and said, “To receive such praise from Mr. Qi, it seems that little Young Master is indeed remarkable.”
“He is indeed quite good. At least in my impression, there are few Two Spirit Root cultivators who can cultivate at the speed of a Heavenly Spirit Root like him.”
Mr. Qi stroked his beard and continued, “Moreover, Pei Lianxue, who grew up with him, had already reached the Core Formation stage when she came to Xuan Xing Sect. Xuan Xing Sect has gained two outstanding young talents.”
Si Xuanji secretly rejoiced, but her expression was somewhat vexed. She replied, “…Unfortunately, in contrast, Yunluo and Taixu Zi’s disciple seem a little less capable. Despite their Heavenly Spirit Root, they are no match for cultivators with Two Spirit Roots and Three Spirit Roots.”
Mr. Qi quickly smoothed things over for Feng Yu Die and Xiao Yunluo, saying, “Young Master Xiao and Feng Yu Die are also exceptionally talented throughout the Four Domains. Although they are no match for the young master of the Hundred Lotus Sect and Pei Lianxue at the Foundation Establishment stage, it’s hard to say after they form their cores…”
“…”
These words made Si Xuanji unhappy. She couldn’t stand anyone speaking ill of her “Rebellious Star treasure.” However, she had to admit that Mr. Qi’s words were not entirely illogical.
Core Formation is the process of having one’s meridians struck by heavenly tribulation, gathering spiritual energy from heaven and earth, and forming a golden core within the body. In other words, core formation cannot be achieved through magical artifacts or external forces; one can only rely on the muscles, bones, and spiritual energy tempered during Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment to withstand heavenly lightning.
A spirit root’s aptitude determines Ye Anping’s upper limit. Even if he comes from a humble background, surviving the seventy-two lightning tribulations of heavenly core formation is still a matter of nine deaths out of ten. Si Xuanji valued Ye Anping’s intelligence and his rebellious star destiny, not his cultivation level or aptitude, and did not mind him forming an inferior or third-grade golden core. Surviving the heavenly tribulation of core formation was what Ye Anping should do. Based on her understanding of Ye Anping, he would definitely prioritize safety and choose to undergo the second or third-grade golden core tribulation.
Mr. Qi, seeing Si Xuanji’s prolonged silence, said, “Sect Master, you haven’t met the young master of the Hundred Lotus Sect yet, have you? How about I bring him to pay his respects to you after he forms his core? You should like him.”
“Hmm?” Si Xuanji snapped back to attention, smiling and waving her hand, “Forget it. I’m not interested in chatting with a child. Bring him to see me when he forms his Nascent Soul.”
“Sect Master, Young Master Ye is not old, but he is mature, and I heard his chess skills are very good. Don’t you like playing chess?”
“I like playing, but it’s very boring.”
Si Xuanji shrugged, a hint of melancholy flashing in her yin-yang heteromorphic eyes. She turned to look out the window. “Within these Four Domains, who can play better than me? And who dares to win against me? Mr. Qi, haven’t you also been playing draws with me for decades?”
Mr. Qi smiled and replied, “I have always wanted to win against you once, but every time I’m just one step away.”
Hearing this, Si Xuanji pouted and complained, “Mr. Qi, it’s tiring to chat with you. By the way, you haven’t made a judgment yet. That old man Zu of Taibai Sect always calls me old. Do I look very old to you?”
“…”
It’s over. Despite all precautions, I still stepped on a minefield… Mr. Qi’s expression was immediately awkward, a hint of cold sweat beading on his forehead, as if he could see Lei Wanjun waving at him from the western frontier: “Hey? Why has Mr. Qi also been kicked over by the Sect Master?”
Seeing his awkward expression, Si Xuanji narrowed her eyes and smiled, “Mr. Qi, you’re more interesting looking like this, hee hee—”
“…Sect Master is joking.”
Mr. Qi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
As they chatted, the sedan chair they were in arrived at the Yin-Yang Hall at the highest point of Taibai Sect. The Xuan Xing Sect disciples carrying the sedan chair slowly placed it on the ground. Si Xuanji then took out a veil and put it on her face. She extended her fair little feet from the sedan chair and stepped onto the stone bricks of Taibai Sect’s main hall. Several Nascent Soul stage elders of Taibai Sect greeted them with clasped fists. After a brief exchange, they led her and Mr. Qi into the main hall above.
The main hall had jade ceilings and doors. Inside, a carpet symbolizing yin and yang, black on the left and white on the right, was laid out. In the center was a huge, five-sided carved table. Five jade chairs were placed before each corner of the table. Three Void Realm cultivators, dressed in different attire, were seated before the three chairs on the north and south sides.
Si Xuanji, with Mr. Qi, walked to the table. Her yin-yang heteromorphic eyes scanned the three people, and then she hopped onto the jade chair on the west side, which belonged to her, and sat down cross-legged. Seated on the jade chair on the south side, to the left, an old man with white eyebrows covering his eyes glanced over: —This person is the Sect Master of Taibai Sect, Zu Yuan, with the dao name “Heavenly Rhyme Dao Immortal,” and at the Void Refinement stage.
“Fairy Dan Yue, we have been waiting for you for two months.”
Si Xuanji clasped her hands, covering half of one eye, and smiled, “My apologies, my apologies. The Hundred Lotus flowers in the Western Regions were blooming. I stopped to admire the flowers along the way, it’s not a big deal, is it?”
“With such major events occurring in the Four Domains, you still have the leisure to admire flowers?”
“Flowers are so beautiful.”
Where their gazes met, it seemed as if a spark of electricity had flashed, causing the other two to shake their heads helplessly. The female cultivator seated on the back, clad in a silver robe, smiled and quickly smoothed things over, “Sister Dan Yue is just like before. I envy you. Having lived for so many years, you still have the leisure to enjoy flowers and the moon, heh heh…” —This woman is the Empress of Hantian Kingdom, Sun Juehu, at the Void Refinement stage.
Si Xuanji narrowed her eyes and smiled, “Heh heh, Sister Sun, why don’t you come with me to the Western Regions to admire the flowers after we’re done talking?”
“Thank you for the invitation, Sister Dan Yue, but Hantian Kingdom has too many affairs. Perhaps another day when I have free time. I also invite Sister Dan Yue to come to my Hantian Kingdom to admire the ice.”
As the two chatted, “Taibai Sect Master” Zu Yuan’s eyebrows twitched, and he exhaled a long breath, saying, “Let’s discuss official business. The Central Domain connects the Three Domains. Now that Young Master Nangong is dead, the Demon Emperor alone holds sway in the Central Domain. We must be on guard.”
As he spoke, the bald monk seated to his right, wearing a silver kasaya and with prayer beads around his neck, clasped his hands and lowered his head: “This humble monk actually believes that the death of Nancheng City is a good thing for the Four Domains.”
“What makes you say that?”
“After Nancheng City dies, his cultivation will return to the dust, adding a spiritual脉 to the already barren soil of the Central Domain, benefiting all living beings. What a good deed! Blessed be!”
Hearing this, the Empress of Hantian Kingdom, seated opposite him, showed a hint of annoyance on her face and said with a cold laugh, “Heh, Taishang Baldy. Then why don’t you use your own cultivation to benefit all souls? Your Void Refinement stage cultivation, after your death, the resulting spiritual脉 would be enough to support tens of millions of cultivators, wouldn’t it?”
“This humble monk is not yet at his destined time. If that time truly comes, then this humble monk will take his own life, so you don’t need to worry, Benefactor Sun.”
Zu Yuan was silent for a moment and said, “Wisdom Ming Master’s words are correct. Spiritual energy is not inexhaustible. Since the late stage of spiritual energy resurgence in ancient times, it has not increased. The cultivators in the world today are merely fighting for the residual spiritual energy within the mountains and soil of the Four Domains.”
“Now that Nancheng City is dead, his portion of Void Realm spiritual energy will naturally return to the mountains and soil, to be divided by the cultivators of the Central Domain. And now the Central Domain has returned to the territory of the Demon Race, his portion of spiritual energy will naturally become nourishment for the Demon Race. Perhaps in another hundred years, there will be another Void Realm cultivator among the Demon Race. At that time, how will we immortal cultivators contend against the Demon Race?”
Si Xuanji’s yin-yang heteromorphic eyes flickered over. “Then what is your intention?”
“We four should immediately gather immortal cultivators and force the Demon Race back to their territory. We cannot allow that fox any breathing room. It was the Demon Race who broke the covenant first, and we…”
“Then you go with your Taibai Sect.” Si Xuanji pouted and waved her hand indifferently, as if it were none of her business. “I only know how to eat melon seeds, I don’t know how to fight.”
“…”
The Sect Master of Wunian Sect clasped his hands together, his eyes full of sorrow. “This humble monk disagrees. Since the Demon Emperor could kill Nancheng City with his own power, it means he has also gained the recognition of the Yellow Dragon and obtained the Nine Dragon Heavenly Seal. The Yellow Dragon is a creature of the Heavenly Dao, and since the Yellow Dragon recognized him, it means the Heavenly Dao is helping the Demon Emperor rule the Central Domain. This humble monk’s heart is connected to the Heavenly Dao and will not go against it. Before coming here, this humble monk had also asked the disciples of Wunian Sect to observe a two-month vegetarian fast for Nancheng City.”
Si Xuanji smiled slightly upon hearing this. “Yes, the Nine Dragon Heavenly Seal is the Heavenly Dao of the Central Domain. Elder Zu, do you want to defy the heavens? I don’t have the ability to contend with the Heavenly Dao Yellow Dragon. Go defy the heavens yourself.”
Sun Juehu also nodded slightly upon hearing this, squinting and smiling at Si Xuanji. “I am the same as Sister Dan Yue. Whatever Sister Dan Yue does, I will do.”
Si Xuanji turned to look at Sun Juehu’s very deliberate smile, narrowed her eyes slightly, and forced a smile. “Sister Sun trusts me so much, I am somewhat flattered.”
“Sister Dan Yue, you jest. I grew up listening to your stories, Sister Dan Yue. You spat out a moon back then, and it smashed my Hantian Kingdom into ruins. Such a magnificent feat, I have always kept it in my heart.”
Si Xuanji said with a smile, “Sister Sun, you don’t need to thank me. Didn’t the spiritual moon I spat out also help you break through to the Void Refinement stage?”
“How could that be? Such great kindness, I will definitely ‘repay’! ‘Reciprocate’! Sister Dan Yue’s kindness in the future.”
Seeing these two old women chatting so “enthusiastically,” Zu Yuan turned pale. He was genuinely afraid that the two would start fighting here. This was his Taibai Sect. If these two old women started fighting, the map of his Taibai Sect would likely have to be redrawn. Today, he had activated the Taibai Sect’s grand formation, mainly to prevent these two from getting into a fight while chatting.
“Cough cough—” Zu Yuan coughed twice and said, “Speaking of which, the Nine Dragon Heavenly Seal is indeed a sacred artifact, but whether it has fallen into the Demon Emperor’s hands is still unknown. I don’t think that fox is necessarily qualified to be recognized by the Yellow Dragon. Perhaps the Heavenly Seal is still buried somewhere in the Central Domain…”
Si Xuanji turned her head and smiled, “Old man Zu, why don’t you go to the Central Domain and look for it yourself? Perhaps the Yellow Dragon will give the Heavenly Seal to you?”
“Then why don’t Fairy Dan Yue go look for it herself? If you obtain the Heavenly Seal, wouldn’t the Central Domain be in your grasp?”
“I don’t have such great ambition. The Western Regions are beautiful with their mountains and clear waters. It’s enough for me to eat melon seeds, admire flowers, and play chess.”
Sun Juehu: “Then why did Sister Dan Yue spit out that moon back then? And then create a new moon belonging to you?”
Si Xuanji turned her head and smiled, “The original moon was too ugly, full of craters. Isn’t it better to have a beautiful new moon?”
Zu Yuan: “Cough cough!! The matter of the Central Domain still needs to be discussed at length…”
Si Xuanji turned her head to look at him again: “Well, speaking of which, do you have any melon seeds? Ask Taibai Sect disciples to send some over. I’ll listen to you while eating melon seeds.”
…
The heated, gunpowder-filled conversation lasted from early morning until nightfall. Taibai Sect Master Zu Yuan wanted to persuade the other three present to gather their sect disciples and attack the Demon Race from three sides, but no one responded. Hantian Kingdom Empress Sun Juehu spent the entire time exchanging sarcastic remarks with Si Xuanji, while Wunian Sect Master Taishang Wusun remained almost silent, clasping his hands and closing his eyes as if dozing.
Mr. Qi, who had accompanied Si Xuanji, seemed to have long anticipated this outcome. He brought some homework from the Xuan Xing Sect Academy disciples and began to correct it with a brush and ink.
Si Xuanji, bored, ate melon seeds and picked at her toes, listening to their conversation. For some reason, she wondered what would happen if she had brought Ye Anping with her. Would his rebellious star push everyone’s destinies in strange directions?
“Hoo…”
Amidst the noisy chatter, Si Xuanji looked up through the window on the ceiling of the main hall towards the starry night sky, searching for that star point emitting black light. However, she saw a streak of light suddenly strike Ye Anping’s rebellious star, and her eyes widened slightly. —This is a sign of a broken pulse in the rebellious star, signifying that Ye Anping has actively stepped into a deadly calamity.
“…”
Si Xuanji immediately understood that Ye Anping had likely not chosen to undergo the inferior or third-grade golden core tribulation as she had thought, but had chosen the Heavenly Dao tribulation.
“Idiot!!”
She frowned and slammed the table, standing up from her chair. Zu Yuan, who was speaking, immediately paused and quickly turned to look at her, asking, “Fairy Dan Yue… what did you say?”
Si Xuanji glared at him, got up from her seat, turned to look at Mr. Qi, who was correcting homework beside him, and said, “Mr. Qi, I’ll trouble you.”
?
Mr. Qi looked bewildered and turned to look at her. He saw his Sect Master’s figure instantly disperse into starlight and flee.
“…”
He looked embarrassed. He glanced at the remaining three Void Realm cultivators and helplessly put away the brush and homework in his hand, then sat in Si Xuanji’s seat and clasped his fists. “The three of you, I will continue the discussion on the Central Domain matters on behalf of the Sect Master. Do any of you have any objections?”
Sun Juehu quickly smiled and said, “Mr. Qi, there’s no need for such formality. Sister Dan Yue was here before, and I didn’t have a chance to greet you. How have you been at Xuan Xing Sect recently?”
“Heh heh… Thank you for your concern, Empress. Xuan Xing Sect has always been as it is, much to my satisfaction.”
…
