Chapter 22

The fact that Uncle Master Chang lingered in the Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm, unwilling to leave, was not only something Xie Chang'an had heard from Yu Chunshan before; others knew it as well. It had become a cautionary tale frequently used by the masters of Chishuang Mountain to discipline their disciples.

"Don't end up like your Uncle Master Chang."

"He had reached the peak of the Sword Intent Realm, and even he got trapped inside. Just how much do you think you're worth?"

Even those in the Sword Immortal Realm could encounter unpredictable dangers within Li Meng City; at best, one might become addicted, and at worst, lose their life.

The group had lost their initial excitement, their hearts filled with trepidation.

Yu Chunshan knitted her delicate brows, deep in thought, seemingly contemplating what wish she should make. Brother Liu whispered to Xie Chang'an to discuss the matter. Only Brother Cao was suddenly enlightened: "I could open eight or ten gambling dens inside, get rich through gambling, then collect all the world's treasures and cultivation clues. Wouldn't that be both fun and a way to improve my cultivation? Killing two birds with one stone!"

Shen Xi: "..."

A paper crane flew in, fluttering unsteadily. Shen Xi reached out; it landed on his fingertip and quickly folded itself into a scrap of paper.

"Junior Brother Zhang has arrived."

Zhang Fanruo had finally broken through to the Sword Intent Realm before the city opened and had been granted permission to descend the mountain. He had met several fellow cultivators from other sects along the way and traveled with them. When Shen Xi and the others met Zhang Fanruo, he was in high spirits and introduced the friends he had made on the journey.

"This is Fellow Daoist Liu Xisheng and Zhou Lanqing from the Nanyue Grotto-Heaven."

"This is Fellow Daoist Zhai Ziqing from the Yunsheng Jiehai Pavilion."

"And this is Fellow Daoist Tong Yan, a rogue cultivator, but a rare Spirit Cultivator."

Shen Xi was speechless, seemingly surprised that Zhang Fanruo could meet so many people on a single trip. They exchanged greetings, and upon learning the identities of Shen Xi and his group, Shen Xi and Xie Chang'an naturally became the focus of the others' attention.

It was unavoidable; one was the first disciple of Chishuang Mountain and future sect leader, and the other was the closed-door disciple of the world's greatest, with the potential to become the greatest herself. It was hard not to pay attention to such people.

Shen Xi was evidently accustomed to being the center of attention, but what was surprising was Xie Chang'an—whose background, after the commotion caused by Daoist Wenqin at the apprenticeship ceremony, had gradually spread. It was hard to imagine that an ordinary palace maid who had escaped the flames of Chang'an could have such a destiny.

The gazes cast upon her were different from those cast upon Shen Xi; they were mostly curious and envious, even harboring faint jealousy. Yet, the young girl seemed oblivious, smiling shyly and timidly as if afraid of social interaction.

Seeing her smile like this, Zhang Fanruo couldn't help but twitch his lips. It reminded him of the time Xie Chang'an had almost finished off Wang Ting with a single sword strike, only to hide in her shell and pretend to be pure and innocent.

A ruthless person who would risk physical disability to open the "Long Night Unwithered," treating half a year like ten, forcing her way from the Sword Qi Realm directly to mastery of the Sword Intent Realm—if she smiled so bashfully, it definitely wasn't real shyness, but an act.

Liu Xisheng and the others were indeed fooled, interpreting Xie Chang'an's circumstances as sheer good luck and sighing over it in private. Zhang Fanruo couldn't be bothered to correct them.

He had arrived late and missed Shen Xi's briefing on the precautions for Li Meng City. He was eagerly wanting to go out and roam the town with Liu Xisheng and the others when Shen Xi dragged him back, hauling him into a room to give him a private lecture.

"Stop being so heartless. Many have been lost in Li Meng City; Uncle Master Chang is only mentioned repeatedly because his cultivation is high. In truth, every sect, including Chishuang Mountain, has lost disciples who never returned; it's just that their cultivation was mediocre, so they didn't attract attention. You don't want to be the next one, do you?"

After Shen Xi finished the general warnings, Yu Chunshan chimed in, showing how worried the Tianyi Peak lineage was about this Junior Brother Zhang. Even if Zhang Fanruo hadn't been nervous, he was feeling a bit tense now.

He was a lover of excitement by nature and feared loneliness most of all. The Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm of Li Meng City struck his weakest point: one person, one world; once you enter the city, you are scattered, and meeting again does not guarantee recognition.

"Actually, I've heard a lot about Li Meng City from them along the way. Liu Xisheng says the Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm can be broken. He claims that if you kill the City Lord of Li Meng inside, all illusions will collapse. The City Lord usually appears in different identities, meeting everyone inadvertently; it just depends on whether you have the opportunity to realize it and seize the chance."

The group looked at each other. Brother Liu couldn't help but ask, "Where did he hear this? I have never heard of such a thing."

Shen Xi frowned: "It is best not to believe unverified information, or you might go astray inside, which will do you no good."

Zhang Fanruo spread his hands: "I don't know about that. Regardless, it's an extra piece of information, so just listen to it for now."

He actually had little interest in the Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm, but with all his peers out for training, he was the only one left behind due to his insufficient realm. The more he thought about it, the worse he felt, and combined with Xie Chang'an's words, Zhang Fanruo had been stimulated and had truly broken through that final hurdle to the Sword Intent Realm during the time they were out.

However, having just entered the Sword Intent Realm, it was still a bit of a stretch to navigate Li Meng City; Zhang Fanruo had become the weakest of the Chishuang Mountain group.

Zhang Fanruo was unconvinced: "Although I just broke through, I spent longer in the Sword Qi Realm than you did, which proves my foundation is solid!"

Shen Xi replied with a cold sneer.

Zhang Fanruo pouted, aggrieved: "Why aren't you worried about Junior Sister Xie? She joined the sect much later than we did!"

Brother Liu rolled his eyes: "Except for Senior Brother Shen, Junior Sister Xie is the most steady and reliable among us. You should worry more about yourself!"

Zhang Fanruo clicked his tongue: "You've all misjudged her. Xie Chang'an seems steady and obedient, but there's a ruthless streak in her bones. She’s always ready to risk her life at a moment's notice. With that character, she might just throw her life away inside!"

Yu Chunshan smacked the back of his head: "Stop with the bad omens!"

Zhang Fanruo: "..."

Xie Chang'an, who had been innocently dragged into the conversation, flashed everyone a blank, naive smile. Her eyes, illuminated by the candlelight, were crystal clear and innocent, like a harmless, gentle little animal, making Yu Chunshan reach out and stroke her hair.

Zhang Fanruo: "...Can we even go on like this?"

Amidst the bickering, the day for Li Meng City to open arrived quickly. No matter how prosperous the small town was, everyone was preoccupied with the Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm and had no heart to explore. Liu Xisheng and the others were anxious and left the inn early that day to head to the city gate.

The inn where Xie Chang'an and her group stayed was right in the center of the town, with a main road extending straight to the city gate, which was vaguely visible amidst the misty hills in the distance.

Before the hour of the Rat arrived, they were in no hurry. They looked out from the second floor, seeing many people walking in groups of twos and threes toward the city gate.

They were all cultivators heading to the Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm, hoping to temper their bodies and minds and find their destiny.

Regrettably, those who soared to success were few; most ended up trapped within, unable to extricate themselves.

Yu Chunshan and the others, who had been somewhat excited and expectant, fell silent at the sight, silently watching their peers walk away, as if infected by the mood. These strangers might be seeing them for the last time tonight; they might never meet in the real world again.

And so it was for them as well.

Shen Xi's expression was grave, and he suddenly said: "I hope that on the day we leave the city, not a single one of us will be missing."

"But..."

Zhang Fanruo opened his mouth, wanting to say that if one or two were missing, there was nothing they could do, after all, even Uncle Master Chang, at the peak of the Sword Intent Realm, was trapped inside. But under the terrifying gaze of Shen Xi, he swallowed his words.

He heard Xie Chang'an chuckle softly beside him and couldn't help but feel his teeth itch.

"Junior Sister Xie, did you hear that? Don't hold us back!"

"I'll do my best," Xie Chang'an replied quickly.

Seeing that the time was near, the group left the inn and walked to the city gate.

Fluorescent lights filled the sky, like dandelion seeds scattered by the wind, except they were gentle orbs of light. Xie Chang'an reached out a finger and tapped the nearest orb.

The light shattered instantly, turning into a small lantern in her hand, translucent and exquisite, like crystal glass.

The city gate was not fully open, only a slit, wide enough for one person to pass through at a time. Behind that slit lay a world of bizarre and colorful illusions—the unknown dream of the Wandering Immortal.

After Xie Chang'an injected spiritual power into the palm-sized Li Meng lantern, its dim yellow light flickered with her heartbeat, like a star plucked from the heavens.

"Why do you seem so happy?" Zhang Fanruo asked suspiciously. If not for the necessity of training, he wouldn't want to come to this haunted place at all.

"Because I have already decided what wish to make."

The young girl tilted her head and smiled at Zhang Fanruo before entering the city, her features as beautiful as a painting, light and joyful.

He was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but ask: "What wish are you going to make?"

Born from the dream, wandering the immortal realm to experience death; Li Meng City would grant all your wishes.

Xie Chang'an thought to herself that she only had one wish for now: to become stronger, strong enough to decipher the secret of ascending and crossing the tribulation.

With the strength of Fang Qinglan, she could only block part of the lightning tribulation for Perfected Immortal Canmiao. To penetrate the mysteries of the Heavenly Dao and even share the burden of the Heavenly Tribulation, one would need the cultivation of the peak of the Sword Immortal Realm.

This was, of course, impossible to achieve in reality. Even a genius like Shen Xi had only just stepped into the Sword Heart Realm. Even if Xie Chang'an tried her utmost, she could not reach the Sword Immortal Realm before the other person underwent the tribulation.

But in the Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm, it was possible.

The Heavenly Dao had ultimately left a glimmer of life for Canmiao, although she had not chosen it in the end.

Then, there must be a way for Zhu Xuanguang to survive the fatal tribulation.

If she could reach the peak of the Sword Immortal Realm within Li Meng City, she would face corresponding challenges and gain the necessary experience and insight; perhaps she could truly find that glimmer of hope.

What one thinks is what one wishes; what one wishes is what one obtains.

The moment she stepped into Li Meng City, her resolve was set.

...

The night was long and silent, yet not pitch-black. Countless stars shone brilliantly, brushing against waves and clouds, lingering within.

"I heard Canmiao has fallen."

The person who spoke pointed at a star in the brilliant galaxy surrounding them. The orb of light landed on his fingertip, forming a rotating Profound Martial star chart. The six stars of the Southern Dipper were arrayed within, the secrets of heaven swirling and phenomena shifting.

After a moment, he lost interest and wiped away the star chart hovering at his fingertip.

"Although Perfected Immortal Canmiao was in a hurry to undergo the tribulation, her foundation was stable. Theoretically, it shouldn't have been a problem. After all, when your master, Perfected Immortal Shen, underwent the tribulation, he faced eighteen levels and eighty-one lightning strikes, and she had the ability to handle it. Who knew this Heavenly Tribulation would far exceed eighteen levels, causing her to fall at the final step."

Standing beside him, the other person who had not spoken until now was Zhu Xuanguang, who should not have been here.

"Indeed, so there is not much time left for me."

After Canmiao's failed tribulation, the countdown of the Heavenly Dao for Zhu Xuanguang would only accelerate. To the world, being on the Immortal Register was an unreachable honor; to Zhu Xuanguang, it was a death warrant.

"Years ago, my grandmaster, the previous City Lord of Li Meng, in order to decipher the mysteries of heaven, exhausted his life's work. By comparing the changes of the stars to all living things on earth, he created the Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm, a world that encompasses everything. However, the Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm is, after all, a mortal creation and cannot transcend the rules of the Heavenly Dao. Those within it can only reach the peak of the Sword Immortal Realm at most and stop there. My grandmaster never found the answer he sought."

The person who had just wiped away the star chart looked solemn, gazing at the flowing starlight world before him as if looking at the most difficult puzzle in the world.

"Before you, Canmiao also held a glimmer of hope, wanting to find the secret of breaking through to ascension from within. I made an exception and opened the city gate for her alone."

"But she failed," Zhu Xuanguang said.

"Correct. She went in for a turn and ultimately returned in defeat."

The current City Lord of Li Meng, You Yue, nodded. There was an undisguised look of regret on his face. If Canmiao had succeeded in her ascension, it would not only be her personal fortune but would also mean that the world's cultivators would have one more hope to strive for.

"So I want to know, did Shen Liuzhi, Perfected Immortal Shen, truly succeed back then?"

"You were there at the time," Zhu Xuanguang said.

"I was indeed there, and many people saw him soar away through the rosy clouds," You Yue frowned. "But for all these years, has Perfected Immortal Shen ever sent a message from the upper realm to Chishuang Mountain?"

The matter of the broken sword and extinguished lamp was a top secret of Chishuang Mountain. Zhu Xuanguang could tell Xie Chang'an, but there was no need to tell You Yue. He simply said: "Since he ascended, he has transcended the mortal world; the ties of the world are cleared."

This statement was, in effect, an indirect answer to the question.

You Yue sighed: "I understand. It seems that even with your ability, you are not confident in successfully passing the Heavenly Tribulation. But if even you cannot pass, I fear no one in this world can. To cultivate to the end only to find one cannot take a further step—it is no wonder Canmiao could not wait and preferred to gamble on that ethereal chance."

The death of Canmiao was a sentiment of mourning for every cultivator, and it was also everyone watching the door to higher realms become narrower.

Zhu Xuanguang said significantly: "Everyone's destiny is different, and the price that must be paid is also different."

Canmiao had had the opportunity to ascend, but the price required sacrificing the entire sect. She had been unwilling to pay that price, so naturally, she could only end in failure.

Although You Yue did not go to witness the ceremony, the commotion on the day of Canmiao's tribulation was so great that the news naturally reached him.

He asked: "Then, is Perfected Immortal Zhu willing to pay that price?"

Zhu Xuanguang was calm: "I do not know what price I need to pay. Only when the time comes will I know how to choose."

You Yue: "Then do you still want to enter the Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm?"

Zhu Xuanguang: "I must enter. Please, City Lord, bring up Xie Chang'an's star chart."

You Yue raised an eyebrow: "So Perfected Immortal Zhu is here for his disciple. But allow me to remind you: Xie Chang'an is only in the Sword Intent Realm. Even if she gains enlightenment inside, it is impossible for her to leap forward immediately upon coming out. And with your tribulation day approaching, and having Canmiao's precedent, going in this time will do more harm than good. Don't end up failing to temper your disciple and delaying yourself as well."

Zhu Xuanguang was silent for a moment: "If I leave, she will be the only one left on Chongming Peak. She needs tempering, and while I am still here, I can still push her."

"Fine. I will not interfere in the matters between you and your disciple. Since Perfected Immortal Zhu has this request, I will naturally fulfill it."

You Yue laughed. His long, slender fingers gestured casually, and a star fell from the sky into the mortal realm, which he then grasped in his palm.

With one hand plucking the star and the other forming a seal, the starlight flared intensely, dazzlingly bright, wrapping Zhu Xuanguang within.

Zhu Xuanguang felt the starlight as cold yet light as drifting clouds. His consciousness seemed to lighten, drifting as if riding the wind, straight up to the ninth heaven.

You Yue's voice echoed in his ears, slow and lingering, seeming both far and near.

"If you truly believe it, everything is real. Once you enter this Dahe Wandering Immortal Realm, your memories and cultivation in the real world will be temporarily sealed. Birth, aging, sickness, death, love, hatred, and resentment—you may indulge in them as you wish. Many great masters have drowned in them, lingering and refusing to leave. Perfected Immortal Canmiao also met her downfall here; I hope Perfected Immortal Zhu will take care of himself!"