"By the way, I have something important to tell you!" Shi Xia suddenly remembered the main issue. "You've mistaken me for someone else. I'm really not the Demon Lord's sister—I just happen to share the same name. Seriously, you have to believe me."
Hou Chi frowned, staring at her intently for a long moment. She clearly was the one!
"At this point, whether I believe you or not doesn’t matter anymore." Why should the Demon Lord have such an adorable sister? (￣～￣)
"Huh? What do you mean?" Shi Xia was confused.
"You were the first to pass through the Jade Gate and publicly announced your name in the main hall." This fact pained him too. "All of this has already convinced everyone of your identity. Now, whether you’re truly the Demon Lord’s sister or not, it’s already set in stone."
"I can explain it to him." She really wasn’t.
Hou Chi shook his head. "How would you explain? By now, news of the Demon Lord’s sister appearing has likely spread throughout the entire cultivation world. Every cultivator out there wants you dead. Who would you even explain to?"
"Then what should I do?" In other words, the moment she stepped outside, she’d be chopped into mincemeat. Shi Xia could only think, Well, this is just fantastic.
"Right now, the only place you can stay is Xiuling Peak." It’s fine, even without the Demon Lord, you still have me. ＜(￣︶￣)＞
She suddenly felt like crying but had no tears left. Turning to look at the man beside her, she asked, "You… brought me back here to save me?"
"……" He had done it purely out of curiosity.
Assuming his silence was confirmation, Shi Xia realized she wasn’t a prisoner—no wonder the doors weren’t locked. Thinking back, during their first meeting, he had even told her to stop calling herself Shi Xia. Was it to prevent her from becoming public enemy number one? He really was a good person. A small wave of gratitude washed over her. "Why are you so nice to me?"
I can be even nicer—definitely better than that Demon Lord. "The Demon Lord’s actions are his own. None of that… has anything to do with you."
"Exactly!" Shi Xia nodded in agreement. Honestly, she found these people ridiculous. The Demon Lord was the one causing trouble, yet they were fixated on hunting down his sister. What was the logic? She hadn’t done anything wrong. It was a relief to know there were still people in this world with common sense.
"Xiuling Peak rarely has visitors." Hou Chi suddenly reached out and patted her head. I touched her head! So happy. "You can stay here without worry."
"Mm." Shi Xia nodded. "Staying here for now is fine, but can I ask a question?"
"Go ahead." I’ll agree to anything.
"Does our prison… provide meals? It’s been three days, and all I’ve eaten are five radishes." And she’d excreted more than she’d consumed. "You didn’t save me just to watch me starve, did you?"
"……"
The little sister wants food. Only then did Hou Chi remember—this sister was a mortal. Mortals needed to eat. But here came the problem: who knew how to cook? He had cultivated for over a thousand years; his memories of mortal needs had long faded. He couldn’t recall if he even possessed such a skill.
But it didn’t matter. He had a disciple, didn’t he? Bi Hong had started cultivating much later than him—he must know.
And so, Bi Hong, who had been sleeping soundly after witnessing Shi Xia’s "karmic retribution," was abruptly dragged out of bed in the dead of night by his master.
"Mas… Master!" Bi Hong was startled, rubbing his eyes in disbelief before casting a clarity spell to wake himself up. "Why are you here?" He scrambled out of bed, not even bothering with his outer robe, and bowed deeply. "What brings you here so late at night?" Could it be that his master was testing his cultivation progress? After all, since reaching the Nascent Soul stage, his master had never bothered with his training. This sudden attention was almost… exciting?
"Can you cook?" Hou Chi cut straight to the point.
"…Huh?" What kind of question was this? Bi Hong was dumbfounded.
"Can you, or can’t you?" Seeing his prolonged silence, Hou Chi pressed impatiently.
Cold sweat dripped down Bi Hong’s back. This question is too hard! He didn’t know the answer, but if he failed now, would his master never test him again? Gritting his teeth, he ventured, "Probably… yes?"
"Good." Hou Chi nodded, his expression softening slightly.
Bi Hong exhaled in relief.
"From now on, Shi Xia’s three daily meals will be your responsibility."
"WHAT?" Bi Hong felt like a thunderbolt had struck him. "Shi Xia? That brat who stole my ginseng? Master, you… want me to cook for her?" This had to be a misunderstanding. He still hadn’t settled the score with that girl. My master would never do this to me.
"Yes. Three meals a day." Hou Chi confirmed.
"……" His master really was doing this to him. Why? Forget the ginseng incident—he was one of the revered Ancestral Elders of the Jade Gate Sect, the foremost immortal sect! His name was known across the cultivation world, his status exalted, admired by thousands. And now he was being ordered to cook for some girl? This was outright humiliation.
"Master…" Don’t treat your disciple like this. "Maybe you should reconsider—"
"It’s settled." Hou Chi cut him off. "Shi Xia is a mortal, unlike us. Don’t give her food with too much spiritual energy."
"But—"
"And since we’re at it, Xiuling Peak needs some mortal amenities. Tomorrow… build her an outhouse." So she wouldn’t have to go far.
"……" Flip the table! Why me? That girl stole his ginseng, and now he had to build her a toilet? So not only was he responsible for her meals, but also her… business? Where was the fairness? The justice? The heavenly principles? This old man refuses to accept this!
"Since you’re building one, you might as well add a kitchen, a heated bath, a bathing room, a pavilion, a study… That should cover it."
"……" Bi Hong felt his heartache surge like a river.
"Master?"
"Hm?"
"Tell me honestly… are you trying to expel me from the sect?"
"……"
Shi Xia had been living on Xiuling Peak for a month now. During this time, she had asked the old man about many things in the cultivation world, including the matter of time-traveling spells. The Jade Gate Sect’s leader had once said that only cultivators at the Divine Transformation stage or above possessed such abilities.
Cultivation realms were divided into five major stages: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Divine Transformation. Each breakthrough extended one’s lifespan—Qi Refining allowed up to a hundred years, Foundation Establishment two hundred, Core Formation five hundred, Nascent Soul a thousand, and Divine Transformation a staggering five thousand years. Each major stage also had ten minor levels, each a hurdle requiring not just spiritual energy but also opportunity and enlightenment.
In the current cultivation world, the number of Divine Transformation cultivators could be counted on two hands. As for realms beyond Divine Transformation, it was said no one had ever reached them. The only being who could be considered above Divine Transformation was none other than Hou Chi.
The old man said no one knew just how powerful Hou Chi was because no one could defeat him. Even Divine Transformation experts were no match for him. If there was anyone beyond Divine Transformation, it could only be him.
Shi Xia instantly felt like she had stumbled upon a treasure. But when she eagerly sought out Hou Chi, hoping he would pull some strings to send her back out of gratitude for saving her a few times, he dropped a bombshell on her instead.
"There are three thousand realms in existence, and the place you came from must be one of them. The void can be breached but not reversed. Since you crossed through the void to get here, you can only leave the same way. There’s no going back."
In simpler terms, interdimensional travel was a one-way trip. You could come, but you couldn’t return. Even if she crossed again, she’d just end up in another of the three thousand worlds—not her original one.
Table-flipping madness! No wonder that damn system dumped her here after delivering its "package"—she was stuck here for good. Knowing the truth brought tears to her eyes.
Didn’t it feel like the whole world had gone dark in an instant?
Shi Xia wallowed in despair for days, thoroughly questioning the meaning of her existence. She couldn’t figure out why she had even crossed over in the first place. To cultivate immortality and ascend? But she didn’t even have a spiritual root. Live as an ordinary person? She was public enemy number one—step outside and she’d be turned into a pincushion.
What was the point of her transmigration?
"Hey, kid, what’s wrong?" The old scammer grinned, eyes crinkling. "If something’s bothering you, say it out loud so this old man can have a laugh too."
Shi Xia shot him an annoyed glare. She had no idea what his deal was. Ever since the radish incident, he’d had it out for her. She’d apologized, made amends, done everything—yet he still popped up now and then to sneer at her, perfectly embodying the phrase, "Seeing you miserable makes my day." What a petty old man.
Shi Xia didn’t consider herself a pessimist. She’d moped long enough. So what if she transmigrated? She’d endured hardships before. As an orphan raised by her eccentric older brother since she was five, she’d survived worse. She refused to believe that now, as an adult, she’d somehow manage to ruin herself.
The moment she thought this, everything seemed brighter. Even the air felt fresher, and the old man’s gloating expression didn’t seem so vile anymore.
"Ohoho, so it’s the scammer," Shi Xia flashed him a smile. "I was just feeling hungry. When’s dinner?"
Bi Hong’s grin stiffened, as if he’d just remembered he was also her part-time cook. His face twisted into a constipated expression. "I’m Bi Hong! Don’t get cocky. One day, Master will see through your true nature." He snorted and stomped toward the kitchen, clearly reluctant.
What "true nature"? You petty old geezer.
"Wait!" Shi Xia grabbed his sleeve. "I was just joking. I’m not actually hungry."
"Hmph!" The old man still had his nose in the air, but his expression softened slightly.
"I have a question for you."
"You think I’ll answer just because you asked?" He turned away, pretending indifference.
Ugh, now he was milking it. Shi Xia took a deep breath—no point arguing with an old child. "Fine. I humbly request your wisdom. Happy now?"
Bi Hong’s expression brightened instantly, as if bestowing a great favor. "Ask away!"
"Aside from immortal cultivation techniques, does your master Hou Chi know anything else? Something anyone can learn?" Right now, she had a target on her back from the entire cultivation world. If she didn’t learn some self-defense, she’d really end up a human pincushion.
As the saying goes, knowledge is power… or something like that. Survival comes first, after all.
