Given the series of events that unfolded when they previously stayed at a town inn, even forcing Elder Immortals Shouzhong and Cuixuan to appear before the various immortal sects—greatly contradicting their earlier wishes—the group had been traveling for days, only resting briefly in the forests at night, without seeking lodging in any towns.
Fortunately, fierce beasts like the Taotie were rare. Although the monsters and fierce beasts became more formidable as they approached the center of the Middle Lands, the dozen or so elders were not undeserving of their reputations. Immortals Guangwei and Chongyi, as promised earlier, protected their disciples thoroughly.
As they neared the White-Edged Cliff, monsters had been avoiding them for several days. Even the occasional bold fierce beast that came to provoke them was swiftly dealt with. Immortal Dongyang couldn’t help but laugh, “Who would have thought that with this girl around, even the monsters in the center of the Middle Lands would avoid us, making our journey much easier? Chongyi, why don’t you teach her to hone this ability? It could become a formidable immortal technique when she ascends.”
Immortal Chongyi also laughed, “How does one train an innate ability? I’m at a loss. You old fellow always come up with these whimsical ideas.”
“Oh? An innate ability to ward off evil and dispel filth?” Elder Immortal Cuixuan, who had been flying silently on the left, suddenly raised his drowsy eyes, his gaze sharp and penetrating as he stared at Li Fei for a long time. “What treasure does she possess that emanates such abundant pure spirit energy?”
Immortal Chongyi replied, “It’s a crystal mirror I refined when I first became an immortal. It suits my young disciple well, so I gifted it to her.”
Elder Immortal Cuixuan’s eyes remained fixed on Li Fei, his gaze carrying an indescribable meaning that made her feel uneasy. She could only slightly lower her head, striving to maintain her composure.
“In the cultivation methods of the Sea Sect, there’s a technique for controlling monsters that has nothing to do with the Five Elements spirit energy. It’s not considered an immortal technique, but rather a mystic art,” Elder Immortal Cuixuan slowly shifted his gaze and continued, “The mystic art of controlling monsters requires instilling fear in the creatures to successfully subdue them. I’ve heard it’s a method from beyond the sea. This female disciple has an innate special constitution. Coming to our Wuyue Yan might be a waste of her talents; she would likely be more suited to the Sea Sect.”
…As expected of an elder immortal, Li Fei thought respectfully, lowering her head even further.
Elder Immortal Cuixuan suddenly asked, “Where are you from? Are your parents still alive?”
Li Fei answered solemnly, “This disciple doesn’t know her background or hometown. I was raised by my master since childhood, living in remote mountains and using magical techniques to drive away monsters for a living.”
Elder Immortal Cuixuan smiled, “Magical techniques? It seems your master is also a reclusive expert. How did you come to cultivate at our Wuyue Yan?”
Is he inquiring about my background? Li Fei thought, inwardly cautious. She continued, “One day, my master suddenly left a note and departed. By chance, I met Elder Dongyang and was taken for the initial selection at the academy, thus entering the path of cultivation.”
Elder Immortal Cuixuan looked towards Immortal Dongyang, who nodded in confirmation. He then said gently, “Have you found your master now?”
Li Fei shook her head sadly, “Not yet.”
Immortal Dongyang, remembering that she had initially said she came to Wuyue Yan to find some senior brother, laughed, “You haven’t found your master, and you haven’t found your senior brother either? It’s been six years since you came to Wuyue Yan.”
Elder Immortal Cuixuan’s gaze flickered, “Six years?”
Immortal Dongyang chuckled, “Yes, this child is quite interesting. When I first saw her, she was as black as charcoal. Now she’s become a delicate beauty. If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have believed it was her even if you gouged out my eyes. She was only about ten years old then, appearing alone in Qingqiu in the middle of the night. It gave us quite a shock.”
“Oh? Qingqiu? You used to live in Qingqiu?” Elder Immortal Cuixuan also smiled. “That place is overrun with demons and monsters. You and your master were quite brave.”
Li Fei could only smile and offer a few humble words, inwardly blaming Immortal Dongyang for saying too much. She couldn’t reveal too much about her background and her master’s whereabouts. After some thought, she said, “This disciple has benefited greatly at Wuyue Yan. Having focused on cultivation with my master for these years, I don’t remember much clearly about my childhood.”
Elder Immortal Cuixuan made a sound of acknowledgment and said no more. Li Fei bowed and guided her small white cloud back several zhang, landing beside Lei Xiuyuan. She quietly let out a sigh of relief, but inwardly worried about why Elder Immortal Cuixuan had suddenly asked her so many questions. Although their interaction was brief, she could see that this immortal was quite arrogant, treating young disciples like dust. He had only praised Lei Xiuyuan a few times because of his exceptional talent, showing no regard for the others. His sudden interrogation of her was unsettling.
As she was deep in thought, Lei Xiuyuan suddenly said, “There’s a smudge of black ash on your face.”
Black ash?! Li Fei hurriedly rubbed her face, “Where?”
Lei Xiuyuan pulled her onto his white cloud, lowered his head to cup her face, and flicked her forehead lightly, chuckling, “It’s gone now.”
He just loved teasing her like this! Li Fei glared at him but couldn’t help smiling. Lei Xiuyuan always hated to see her troubled by anything, probably wishing her mind was empty of all but thoughts of him. She held his hand and looked up, chatting and laughing with him.
Seeing their intimate behavior, Elder Immortal Cuixuan turned to ask Immortal Guangwei, “Are these two already Dao companions?”
Immortal Guangwei smiled, “Not yet, but it should be soon. Interestingly, Xiuyuan came to Wuyue Yan for this girl’s sake.”
Elder Immortal Cuixuan pondered, “Oh, she came to Wuyue Yan to find some senior brother?”
“This junior is not quite clear on that.”
Elder Immortal Cuixuan smiled faintly, “You younger generation immortals, always claiming ignorance. Last time it was Qin Yangling, and now this girl’s situation is also unclear. When did Wuyue Yan become so casual in recruiting disciples?”
Immortal Guangwei was momentarily stunned, not knowing how to respond. These elder immortals had long ceased to concern themselves with sect disciples’ affairs. His sudden interest in Jiang Li Fei was quite unusual.
“Qingqiu… six years… special constitution…” Elder Immortal Cuixuan closed his eyes, seeming to mutter to himself. After a long while, he said, “When you return this time, find an opportunity to visit Qingqiu.”
Immortal Guangwei was even more surprised, “May I ask if there’s something amiss with Jiang Li Fei?”
Elder Immortal Cuixuan chuckled, “We old fogies have experienced too many storms in our years, inevitably becoming overly cautious. Just consider it an old man’s unresolved suspicion. Don’t mention this visit to others. Come see me alone when you return.”
Immortal Guangwei was puzzled but didn’t dare to ask further, only nodding silently.
Li Fei was discussing the refinement of magical treasures with Lei Xiuyuan when she suddenly glimpsed a huge white figure in her peripheral vision. She quickly turned her head to see that Ri Yan had returned. His pale green eyes were bloodshot, but at least he wasn’t as frenzied as he had been a few days ago.
Li Fei said softly, “Ri Yan, are you alright? That Qingcheng Immortal has passed away.”
He hovered beside her, his gaze intense as he looked at her, suddenly saying, “With his passing, everything becomes void. At least he’s finally free, and one of my regrets is resolved.”
Li Fei said gently, “He gave me a notebook. When we have a chance, I’ll show it to you. It’s his legacy, and I’ll keep it safe. Don’t be too sad; he went quickly.”
Ri Yan sighed with a smile, “Is that so? He still ended up giving you his things.”
Li Fei sensed a hidden meaning in his words and pondered. Suddenly, she heard him say, “My heart demon has awakened, and the seal of the Calamitous Year has begun to loosen. I couldn’t persuade Qingcheng, and that’s a regret in this life. But regrets cannot be allowed to accumulate. Keep the item safe, and don’t let anyone see it, remember!”
Li Fei’s body trembled, and she couldn’t help but look at the seal on his back. Indeed, the blood-colored seal had faded significantly. Both shocked and delighted, she quickly lowered her voice and said, “Your seal is almost broken! That’s wonderful!”
By “heart demon,” did he mean the Qingcheng Immortal?
“Ri Yan, you and the Qingcheng Immortal…” Before she could finish her question, Ri Yan interrupted her, “If you want to be an ordinary person, then don’t ask anything and don’t get involved in anything. You need to figure out what you want. If you want to return to the lands beyond the sea, I’ll tell you everything, but once you know it all, you won’t be able to stay in the Middle Lands. If you want to be an ordinary person, then don’t ask about this and that, just pretend you are ordinary. Your pure heart and loyalty are admirable, but you can’t have it both ways. You can only choose one.”
Li Fei couldn’t help but feel dejected. She turned to look at Lei Xiuyuan. This clever young man had already guessed that the nine-tailed fox had arrived and was tactfully looking away at the scenery, giving them space.
Her heart warmed. Her beloved was here.
She then looked at Immortal Chongyi in the distance, the second mentor in her life. When everyone else ignored her, it was he who brought her into the sect, carefully taught her, and cared for her greatly. This kindness, she would never forget.
Then there was Senior Sister Zhaomin, whom she regarded as a real sister in her heart. Throughout her growth from a child, it was Zhaomin who taught her countless principles, transforming the once wild child into a true young woman. This nurturing care, she could never forget in this life.
There were also her friends: Gelin, Su Wan, Chang Yue, Ye Ye, and even Ji Tongzhou. They accompanied her through her naive childhood, laughing together, striving together, and sharing both joys and sorrows. This long, warm friendship, she would likewise never forget.
Finally, there was her long-missing master. Without her master’s care, there would have been no Xiao Bang Chui of the past, nor the Jiang Li Fei of today. She had come this far because of her master; how could she forget?
There were too many, too many people who had given her warmth. Left Qiu, Hu Jiaping, even Immortal Dongyang, Immortal Qingle… Her journey, though seemingly perilous, had been smooth sailing. There was always someone by her side taking care of her. So, even until death, she would never forget all of this.
“I still want to be an ordinary person,” Li Fei looked directly into Ri Yan’s eyes. “Being ordinary is best.”
Ri Yan nodded slightly. This time, he didn’t call her a fool or stubborn. Instead, he sighed faintly, “I knew you would choose this… You’ve made your choice, and the path is yours to walk. I won’t interfere anymore, just don’t regret it later.”
Li Fei smiled lightly, “Since I can’t have it both ways, I’ll have regrets no matter which path I choose, right?”
Ri Yan smiled, “Indeed. Alright, step back a bit. I have something to say to this brat.”
Li Fei was stunned, “How could he possibly hear you?”
“Stupid question! Step back!”
Li Fei shrugged resignedly. Having decided to be an ordinary person, once the decision was made, all the troubles that had once plagued her vanished like smoke. She would no longer waver between two sides, nor would she be both curious and pained about the secrets of her background. She stepped back several zhang decisively and went to talk with Immortal Chongyi.
Ri Yan hovered in mid-air, watching Lei Xiuyuan’s back vigilantly. After a while, he said coldly, “Boy, turn around!”
Lei Xiuyuan slowly turned, quietly looking at the huge, snow-white nine-tailed fox, and spoke softly, “Elder Ri Yan.”