Ning Menglan stood atop the highest spiritual peak of the Taiqing Sect, quietly gazing down at the peaceful and harmonious scenery below.
Recalling the words he had overheard on the Jade Extreme Flying Ship that day, his eyes couldn't help but darken with solemnity:
A spiritual vein capable of tempting every sect and noble family…
The more he thought about it, the less certain he became—just how important was Xu Wanci to the Immortal Venerable?
Important enough that, a hundred years ago, the Immortal Venerable had already paved countless smooth paths for her.
If she wished to cultivate diligently, with the Mo Shuang Sacred Orchid and her extraordinary spiritual sense, reaching the Tribulation Transcendence realm—a height many cultivators could never attain in their lifetimes—would be no difficult feat for her.
If she sought the shelter of a sect, the existence of the spiritual vein ensured the Taiqing Sect would protect her at all costs.
And then there were the countless secret realms and formations…
No matter what she desired, it seemed the Immortal Venerable had left her a way out.
Yet none of it bore even a trace of his mark.
If Xu Wanci so wished, no one would ever know of her connection to the Immortal Venerable, nor would she have to shoulder any of his burdens. She could live a perfect, long life entirely her own.
At this thought, Ning Menglan let out a soft sigh:
What a pity.
Everything the Immortal Venerable had left for Xu Wanci had instead become the very chips she staked in her desperate bid to resurrect him.
Feeling the cool breeze brush against his face, Ning Menglan collected his thoughts, his gaze regaining its usual authority:
Regardless of her identity, Xu Wanci had now become someone the Taiqing Sect must protect at any cost.
She was far too important—so much so that a single hint from her could sustain the sect’s prosperity for centuries.
Had it not been for her this time, the Taiqing Sect might never have discovered such a well-hidden spiritual vein, even after countless years.
The Longfall Plains were one of the territories under the Taiqing Sect’s jurisdiction, and all unclaimed resources within it fell under the sect’s control.
Given the spiritual vein’s immense significance, not the slightest oversight could be tolerated. Thus, the Taiqing Sect had quietly located and secured it without announcing the discovery to the world.
The matter was classified, known only to Ning Menglan and the four elders.
Yet…
Ning Menglan frowned imperceptibly as he recalled his findings during the spiritual vein’s inspection:
One of the main branches had already been drained of all its spiritual energy before the Taiqing Sect’s arrival, reduced to a lifeless husk.
And upon that withered vein, he had detected a faint, dissipating trace of spiritual energy—one unique to the Thousand Elixirs Transformation technique.
Had he not been Chu Qingchuan’s master, intimately familiar with his cultivation method, he too might have overlooked it, just as the elders had.
With a sweep of his sleeve, Ning Menglan turned and strode down the mountain, his expression grave:
He understood that opportunities in the cultivation world were rare and precious. Had Chu Qingchuan encountered such a chance, keeping it to himself would have been understandable.
But the spiritual vein was no trivial matter. Even with heaven-defying abilities, Chu Qingchuan alone couldn’t have drained an entire vein dry.
Spiritual veins couldn’t be moved at will, so what remained after reaching the Divine Transformation realm would have been useless to him.
As his sole direct disciple, Chu Qingchuan lacked for nothing—top-grade spirit stones were never in short supply. Only when breaking through to a new realm or recovering from severe injuries without pursuit would he have had any use for a spiritual vein.
And yet, despite this, he had still refused to hand it over to the Taiqing Sect.
"Master."
Ning Menglan looked at Chu Qingchuan, who now stood before the Hall of Returning Origins. His expression was stern, though a hint of detachment lurked beneath the surface.
He gave a slight nod and spoke as usual:
"Qingchuan, how has your cultivation been progressing? From what I see, your foundation is solid. In a few more years, you should be ready to advance to mid-stage Divine Transformation."
Chu Qingchuan’s voice was respectful yet warm:
"Master’s insight remains as sharp as ever. Indeed, I am only a step away from mid-stage Divine Transformation—all that’s left is the moment of enlightenment."
Ning Menglan smiled faintly:
"At this rate, other sects will surely envy the Taiqing Sect for having such a prodigious disciple."
"You flatter me, Master."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Ning Menglan asked casually:
"Was there anything else you wished to discuss with me, Qingchuan?"
Chu Qingchuan’s heart stirred, but in the end, he said nothing.
He bowed slightly. "Nothing at present."
Ning Menglan gave him a measured look. "Then you should return to your cultivation.
The path of cultivation is endless—remember to remain humble and diligent."
As he watched Chu Qingchuan’s retreating figure, he exhaled almost imperceptibly:
Chu Qingchuan’s decision to conceal the spiritual vein for his own cultivation wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.
But compared to Xu Wanci’s unreserved honesty, his actions now stood in too stark a contrast, making it impossible for Ning Menglan to regard him with the same unconditional trust as before.
Chu Qingchuan felt the weight of his master’s gaze on his back, his expression darkening step by step.
He had noticed the subtle shift in Ning Menglan’s attitude but couldn’t pinpoint the reason.
Was it because of the Formless Divine Stone that day?
Seeing the wounds on Xu Wanci’s body, even if he had used a supreme treasure to conceal his traces, his master wouldn’t have struggled to deduce his involvement.
At this thought, his eyes grew shadowed:
The Formless Divine Stone was a treasure of heaven and earth, something countless cultivators would fight to possess. Even if he had been there, even if he had acted against Xu Wanci, what wrong had he committed?
The path of the great Dao was one of life-and-death struggle—did his master truly expect him to surrender the stone without a fight?
If so, then the favoritism was too blatant.
Recalling the preferential treatment Xu Wanci had received within the Taiqing Sect recently, Chu Qingchuan’s gaze grew complicated:
He knew of her identity and understood why she risked everything to seize such opportunities.
But the more he knew, the more he regretted.
Had it not been for that incident at the Enforcement Hall, perhaps she would still believe him to be that person’s reincarnation. Perhaps every treasure she obtained would still be laid before him, as it once was.
And he—he would never have allowed her to suffer such grievous injuries, time and again.
What a pity.
With an indifferent expression, Chu Qingchuan returned to Ruoxu Peak.
Finding the peak unusually empty, he stepped into the Ruoxu Pavilion, where Jiang Qiuning stood gracefully. His voice softened as he asked:
"Qiuning, what are you doing here?"
Jiang Qiuning’s gaze was gentle, yet she didn’t take a single step forward. She replied softly:
"I’ve reached early-stage Divine Transformation. According to my family’s ancestral customs, I must return to the Jiang Clan for a time to consolidate my cultivation."
Chu Qingchuan’s brow furrowed faintly. "Must you leave so soon?"
He took a few steps closer, his voice tender:
"We’ve never been apart for so long. Why not let me accompany you? That way, I can ensure your safety."
Coincidentally, his cultivation had also reached early-stage Divine Transformation, allowing him to train alongside her in the Jiang Clan.
He left the latter unspoken, waiting with a faint smile for her response.
Jiang Qiuning merely shook her head. "Qingchuan, the place I’m going is a Jiang Clan secret—no outsiders are permitted to enter."
After speaking, she turned her gaze to the scenery outside the pavilion, her voice carrying a barely detectable hint of detachment:
"It's only been a few months. We'll meet again soon."
Chu Qingchuan hadn't expected her to refuse. A flash of surprise flickered in his eyes.
Before he could say anything more, he watched as Jiang Qiuning gracefully brushed past him:
"Qingchuan, time is urgent. I must go to the Sword Peak to bid farewell to Wanci."
She didn’t look back, nor did she leave behind any spiritual treasures—only offering the gentlest of words:
"Take care of yourself in the meantime."
At the Sword Peak.
Xu Wanci stared at the figure appearing before the wooden door, momentarily stunned before a faint smile curved her lips.
Yet anyone familiar with her would notice the weariness hidden beneath her expression.
Jiang Qiuning pressed her lips together, her eyes no longer holding the calm and tenderness she had shown Chu Qingchuan. Instead, they brimmed with complex emotions, eventually settling into restrained sorrow:
She knew how much Xu Wanci had sacrificed in her desperate search for even the faintest hope of saving the Immortal Venerable.
That day had been a near-death ordeal, yet it still hadn’t granted her wish.
She was selfish—she only wanted Xu Wanci to live.
That was why she wouldn’t, and didn’t dare, expose the lie the Taiqing Sect had kept from her.
Suppressing the ache in her heart, she quickly stepped forward:
"Wanci, are you feeling better?"
Xu Wanci replied softly, "It was just a minor injury. I’ve fully recovered these past two days."
Her gaze lingered on Jiang Qiuning, her voice carrying an unprecedented sincerity:
"I haven’t thanked you yet, Qiuning."
"If not for you and Young Master Mo Ze that day, I might not have escaped the hands of so many Transcendent Realm cultivators."
Jiang Qiuning didn’t respond. Instead, she retrieved a plate of Jade Frost Cake and a pot of spiritual tea from her storage pouch.
Pushing the cake toward Xu Wanci, she spoke as if catching up with an old friend, her tone composed and warm:
"Wanci, it’s the Jiang family who should be thanking you."
"Yesterday, we received word that Uncle Jiang Ze has successfully weathered his tribulation and ascended to the Transcendent Realm."
"All thanks to your warning. Without it, his breakthrough wouldn’t have gone so smoothly."
Had it not been for the karmic ties Xu Wanci bore, Jiang Ze would never have attained enlightenment—let alone had a chance to reach the Transcendent Realm within a century.
Moreover, if the Jiang family had fought for the Formless Divine Stone, they might have ended up in mutual destruction with other sects and clans.
It was better to withdraw from the start.
To her, aside from the Jiang family, the only person she wished to obtain the Formless Divine Stone was Xu Wanci.
Not even Chu Qingchuan was included.
At this thought, Jiang Qiuning lifted her head, her gaze firming with resolve:
"Wanci, I came to say goodbye."
"The Inkfrost Sacred Orchid you gave me has been refining my spiritual roots. After tempering them through the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation, I’m just one step away from achieving a Heavenly Spiritual Root."
"This time, I’m returning to the Jiang family to break through this final barrier."
She had always been the perfect Jiang family heir in everyone’s eyes.
She had never disobeyed her father’s orders, always prioritizing the Jiang family’s interests.
Just because Chu Qingchuan was the Child of Destiny, just because her father willed it, she had forced herself to love him without hesitation.
She had lived up to everyone’s expectations, giving everything she had—unreservedly—to Chu Qingchuan.
But when Xu Wanci handed her the Inkfrost Sacred Orchid and said, "This is just an apology gift," something inside her shifted.
Had it not been for those words, she would have done as she always had—presented the orchid to Chu Qingchuan.
To her, Xu Wanci had always mattered more than Chu Qingchuan.
She was the one she truly wished to befriend—not for anyone else’s sake, but simply because she wanted to.
That was why, on the day of the battle for the Formless Divine Stone, she had defied her father’s orders for the first time.
In that moment, she realized—she could do it.
If she became strong enough, she could be like her uncle, wielding the power to refuse the family’s demands.
Jiang Qiuning placed a prepared storage pouch into Xu Wanci’s hands, her voice earnest:
"Wanci, while I’m cultivating, promise me you won’t get hurt again, alright?"
Xu Wanci studied the emotions in her eyes, as if sensing something. Her fingers twitched imperceptibly, but in the end, she didn’t refuse.
She poured a cup of spiritual tea for her, then lightly clinked her own against it:
"I hope you achieve your wish soon."
Jiang Qiuning paused at the gesture before gripping her cup and draining it in one go.
Setting it down, she rose to her feet, her usual gentleness replaced by an unyielding sharpness.
Backlit by the sun, her expression was indiscernible—only her light yet resolute voice could be heard:
"When I return, let’s share tea again."
In the following days, Xu Wanci steadied her mind and resumed her relentless cultivation—eleven hours a day.
Time was running out. She had to reach the Nascent Soul Realm as soon as possible.
Then, rumors began spreading across the cultivation world:
A divine artifact of the Immortal Venerable had appeared in Luolong City.
Even the distant Taiqing Sect caught wind of it.
Xu Wanci closed her eyes, veiling the emotions within, as she recalled the news Duan Ziwei had just delivered:
"A divine artifact of the Immortal Venerable…?"
She knew the truth was different.
It wasn’t a divine artifact—it was the Celestial Ginseng.
The Celestial Ginseng matured once every thousand years. Before ripening, it could move freely, undetectable by anyone.
But upon maturity, it would remain in one place for three hours. However, miles away, it would conjure a companion plant capable of mimicking the spiritual aura of the strongest cultivator it had encountered.
The decoy would draw all attention while the true ginseng completed its maturation. After three hours, it would vanish once more.
In the original story, the Celestial Ginseng had been one of Chu Qingchuan’s greatest opportunities—not only propelling him to the Nascent Soul Realm but also granting him the rare Dual Nascent Soul.
This allowed him to surpass his peers and fight above his level.
Only after reaching Nascent Soul would the Formless Divine Stone come into play.
She had assumed the timeline had shifted, that the Celestial Ginseng in Luolong City would either disappear or reappear decades later as in the original plot.
By then, she would have already ascended to Nascent Soul, rendering it useless to her—so she hadn’t paid it much mind.
Yet now, the Celestial Ginseng had ripened early—just before her own breakthrough.
It seemed her luck wasn’t as terrible as she’d thought.
Xu Wanci opened her eyes, lifting her gaze to the boundless blue sky.
After a long silence, her lashes curved slightly, all traces of exhaustion dissolving into a faint, serene smile.
She kept her hand raised to shield her forehead, blocking the glaring sunlight, yet never once did she look away from the sky.
Amidst the haze, Xiao Yuyan watched the pure, joyful smile in Xu Wanci’s eyes, his gaze unmoving.
Even knowing her emotions rose and fell because of him, his expression remained as indifferent as when he first awoke.
No matter what had happened in the past, the outcome was already decided.
The one trapped in the past had always been her alone.
He observed the shifting world with quiet detachment—to him, Xu Wanci was but a speck of dust within it, insignificant.
Just then, the harsh sunlight dimmed as clouds drifted past, softening the glow yet leaving its warmth untouched.
Xu Wanci lowered her right hand from her forehead and blinked slowly.
At that moment, a light chuckle came from the doorway.
Instinctively, she turned her gaze from the sky toward the sound.
There stood a figure at ease, draped in a simple white robe, his presence ethereal yet not distant. His smile was like a spring breeze—gentle and refined.
Meeting Xu Wanci’s eyes, he grinned and performed a polite gesture, leisurely knocking on the wooden door three times.
"May I come in?"
Before Xu Wanci could rein in the lingering joy in her eyes, she froze for a moment before snapping back to reality. She rose and bowed slightly.
"Elder Rong."
Rong Shaozhi lifted her with a flick of spiritual energy and stepped closer, his voice laced with lazy amusement.
"You’re barely a hundred years old—smile more."
Without a hint of formality, he glanced around and settled comfortably by the dark jade table, teasing, "Don’t mimic the Grand Elder, all gloom and doom every day. What a tiresome way to live."
Xu Wanci lowered her lashes, the curve of her lips fading. "You jest, Elder."
Rong Shaozhi caught the shift in her expression and sighed inwardly, though his face betrayed nothing. Taking the initiative, he gestured to the seat opposite him.
"Sit. Today, a diviner came to our gates. Don’t you have anything you wish to ask?"
When Xu Wanci remained standing, dazed, he added with exaggerated gravity, "A reading from a top-tier diviner in the cultivation world—miss this chance, and it’s gone for good."
Xu Wanci’s fingers twitched imperceptibly.
Peering into the heavens’ secrets demanded an equal price. Every divination took its toll.
That was why Elder Rong avoided Taiqing Sect’s affairs whenever possible, spending ninety-nine years and eleven months of every century in seclusion.
Anyone who sought his divinations was met with bizarre excuses.
Yet this man, who always put himself first, never hesitated when Taiqing Sect truly needed him.
That was why she feared that after emerging from seclusion, he might choose to divine her origins—for the sect’s sake.
In the original tale, after the sect tournament, Ning Menglan summoned Rong Shaozhi from seclusion. To help Chu Qingchuan trace the lost half of the "Thousand Elixirs," he reversed his meridians, his cultivation regressing.
Before his divination, no one knew the text was tied to the Immortal Venerable—no one foresaw such dire consequences.
Even with Taiqing Sect’s treasures aiding his recovery, Rong Shaozhi spent years in seclusion.
Three decades later, for the sake of the Formless Divine Stone, he forced himself to divine again before fully healing, then vanished into another century of isolation.
Now, with the Immortal Venerable’s artifacts common knowledge, her next steps were predictable.
Didn’t he know divining matters tied to the Immortal Venerable exacted a terrible cost?
Why, then, had he come unasked, offering his aid?
Was it for Taiqing Sect?
Because the sect didn’t want her harmed?
Rong Shaozhi raised a brow at her stare. "Do you doubt my skills?"
Xu Wanci finally sat, shaking her head. "Of course not."
"But no matter the outcome or the path, I won’t turn back." She met his eyes calmly. "So whether you divine or not makes no difference to me."
Remembering the novel’s end—where Taiqing’s Fifth Elder’s dantian shattered and meridians ruptured—she blinked slowly.
Three breaths later, she murmured,
"As a diviner, unraveling heaven’s secrets harms you. Elder Rong, you should refrain when possible."
His smile faltered. He studied her in silence, then placed a recording stone before her, eyes bright.
"Say that again. I’ll play it for the Sect Master daily—let him see how even our disciples pity my exploitation."
Xu Wanci didn’t deflect as he expected. Glancing at the activated stone, she repeated firmly,
"Divining heaven’s will harms you. Elder Rong, you should do less of it."
Hearing her stubborn sincerity, his smile softened with something like resignation.
Now he understood why—from the Sect Master to the newest disciple—Taiqing cherished Xu Wanci.
It wasn’t just her identity...
Some souls, no matter how cruel their past, never gather dust.
Rising, he made one last attempt.
"Truly, you won’t let me divine for you? Not the outcome, just the obstacles ahead." He sighed. "I came all this way—must I leave empty-handed?"
"Elder Rong, what use is knowing the dangers?" Xu Wanci stood as well. "Avoid one, and another may arise."
"Better to charge forward than hesitate at every turn."
Rong Shaozhi turned his face away, masking a wry twist of his lips.
"If only the world thought like you."
With a wave, the recording stone flew back to his palm. "Before coming, I divined for myself. The reading said today held no peril."
"I thought it meant great fortune awaited me." He chuckled dryly. "Turns out it meant no divination was needed—hence no risk."
Leaning in, he flipped her right hand with a wisp of energy, pressing a talisman into her palm.
"Nothing precious, but if doubt ever grips you, open it."
At her bewildered look, his eyes crinkled with warmth. He ruffled her hair, grinning.
"The gift may be small, but the thought spans miles."
After speaking, without waiting for Xu Wanci's reply, he turned around and casually waved his hand behind him:
"I'll continue my seclusion now. May your journey be smooth and your wishes fulfilled."
Xu Wanci lowered her gaze slightly and bowed to Rong Shaozhi's retreating figure:
"Thank you, Elder Rong."
Amidst the chaos, Xiao Yuyan watched the scene with an indifferent expression, his face as calm as ever.
Yet the void around him seemed to drift slightly further away.
