For problems she couldn’t figure out, she automatically chose to ignore them and continued her spiritual root cultivation. Time passed unnoticed until a knock came from outside, snapping her out of her meditation. Overnight, her tiny sprout had grown three leaves. Though she hadn’t slept, she felt more refreshed than ever.
"Benefactor, it’s getting late. The immortals from the Divine Melody Sect are preparing to depart. Would you…" Long Aotian’s words trailed off as the door suddenly swung open, revealing Shi Xia. He froze.
"Wait a moment, I’ll be right there." Shi Xia greeted him before quickly returning inside to wake Niu Niu, freshen up, and then follow Long Aotian out.
Niu Niu seemed hesitant and reluctant, clutching Shi Xia’s hand tightly the entire way, her little head bowed low as if lost in thought.
"The immortals are right ahead," Long Aotian pointed toward a group of people and led the way.
At the front stood the trio from yesterday’s selection. Xuan Lin was also in the crowd, his face dark and gloomy.
"Sister…" Niu Niu tugged nervously at her hand.
"Don’t be afraid." Shi Xia crouched down to her level. "Once you enter the immortal sect, you’ll have a master and many senior brothers and sisters who will take care of you. You must listen to them, understand?"
Niu Niu nodded obediently, gripping her hand even tighter.
Shi Xia pulled out something she had prepared the night before and hugged Niu Niu, discreetly pressing a jade token against her forehead. Reciting the only incantation she had learned, she watched as strands of white light seeped into Niu Niu’s mind. The jade token vanished.
"Before you go, let me give you something. I’m not sure if it’ll be useful in the future…" She had inquired earlier—the Divine Melody Sect was renowned for its musical arts, with disciples skilled in sonic attacks. The jade token had been given to her by an old man who called himself the Hall Master of the Sound Kill Sect. Since both sects shared the word "sound," she figured it might help Niu Niu.
"Practice it if you get the chance after joining the sect, but remember—don’t let anyone know, especially Xuan Lin. Understood?"
She wasn’t sure how powerful these techniques were, but judging by how desperately those old men had clung to them before passing them on, they couldn’t be common. That’s why she didn’t give Niu Niu the physical token but instead imprinted its contents directly into her mind.
Niu Niu stood still for a long moment, seemingly processing the new knowledge in her head, before finally nodding.
Shi Xia patted her head and led her toward the group.
The selection trio turned to look, seemingly startled, and actually cupped their hands in greeting. "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Shunfeng."
Shunfeng my ass!
What was wrong with these three? Yesterday, they had acted like they were too good to even glance at her, yet today they were greeting her like old friends.
"Fellow Daoist need not worry. We will take good care of this junior sister," one of them said with a smile, glancing at Niu Niu. "Yesterday, we failed to recognize that you hail from the Jade Flower Sect. May we ask… which elder is your master?"
"How did you know I’m from the Jade Flower Sect?" she blurted out.
The man’s smile deepened as his eyes flicked to her robes. "You’re wearing the Jade Flower Sect’s novice attire, and your cultivation is at the third level of Qi Refinement."
Shi Xia looked down. Damn it, she’d forgotten she was still wearing her uniform! Yesterday’s outfit had been too dirty to recognize, but today’s was freshly changed. Wait… since when was she at Qi Refinement level three?
"Since Fellow Daoist comes from the number one immortal sect, why send your child to our humble Divine Melody Sect?"
"She’s not my child!"
"Ah, then your sister?"
"No."
"A relative, then…"
"No."
"…" The man fell silent.
Hey, what’s with that look like I’m a kidnapper? I can pick up kids if I want—none of your business!
"It’s getting late. We should depart," the man quickly changed the subject, sensing her irritation. He tossed a small fan into the air, which expanded into a giant platform. After bidding farewell to Shi Xia and Long Aotian, he led the group aboard.
Niu Niu stared at Shi Xia for a long time before finally releasing her hand and taking a few steps forward. Then, she suddenly turned back, crashing into Shi Xia’s arms for a tight hug. With a trembling, tearful face, she asked, "Sister… will you be Niu Niu’s sister?"
Shi Xia smiled, ruffling her hair before nodding. "Mm." I’ll be your sister.
Niu Niu’s face lit up. Sniffling, she fought back tears and reluctantly boarded the fan, looking back every few steps.
The giant fan rose into the air. Shi Xia waved vigorously until it disappeared into the distance, taking the little figure at its edge with it.
Just as she was feeling sentimental, a heavy slap landed on her back, nearly knocking her over.
"Hahaha! Benefactor, the matter is settled. What are your plans now? Why not let Long Aotian show you around Dragon City? Anything you fancy, just say the word. Rest assured—in this city, my word is law!" He struck the pose of a tycoon repaying a life debt with money.
Shi Xia’s lips twitched. "No need. I have things to do." Though Long Aotian had helped cover her identity as Shi Xia, word might still spread—especially to the Jade Flower Sect.
"You’re leaving?" Long Aotian looked crestfallen. "You’ve only just arrived, and I haven’t even properly hosted you!"
"If you really want to thank me, sponsor some travel expenses?" She was broke as hell.
"That’s easily done," he said, exuding the aura of a man whose only wealth was money. "But where are you headed? Do you need assistance?"
Shi Xia paused. Where? She honestly didn’t know! Though she now had a spiritual root, her status as the world’s enemy hadn’t changed.
Then she remembered the map on her phone. Her cheap brother had said time travel was one-way, but if the system could send her through time, maybe it could cross dimensions too? This mission seemed worth pursuing.
"By the way, City Lord Long, have you heard of the Twilight Profound Immortal’s Abode?"
"Twilight Profound Immortal’s Abode?!" Long Aotian’s expression darkened as he gave her a worried look. "Benefactor, you’re not planning to go there, are you?"
"You know of it?"
His face grew even grimmer before he finally spoke. "I’ve only heard passing cultivators mention it. It’s a hidden abode deep within the Misty Sorrow Forest. Legend says a Nascent Soul-stage rogue cultivator perished there, and the Twilight Profound Immortal’s Abode was his dwelling. They say it holds countless treasures and artifacts—including one called the ‘Wheel of Reversal,’ said to glimpse the secrets of heaven, revealing past and future."
That powerful?!
"However…" His tone shifted. "The Misty Sorrow Forest is perilous, teeming with demonic beasts. No one knows the abode’s exact location, and it’s said to be riddled with traps and formations. No cultivator who entered has ever returned. There are even rumors of Nascent Soul cultivators meeting their end there!"
Shi Xia recalled the map she had seen—it was indeed located at the southeastern corner of a forest, and by her estimation, it wasn’t deep within but rather at the edge. She figured she could give it a try.
"Benefactor, that place is far too dangerous. You must be cautious," Long Aotian said, his face etched with genuine worry. He couldn’t bear the thought of this hard-found savior rushing to her death. "No one dares to go there anymore. If you’re truly curious, why not wait until your cultivation is stronger? It’s too soon now."
"I know. Thank you!" Shi Xia waved him off.
"That’s good…" He sighed in relief. As long as she wasn’t going.
"I’ll set out tomorrow!"
"Eh? What?!" Long Aotian froze.
Shi Xia had already turned and strode back to her room.
"Benefactor, reconsider…!"
Shi Xia spent the entire night mastering a few low-level spells. She was immensely grateful for her habit of memorizing texts while learning characters, allowing her to accumulate a vast mental library of spells from various disciplines. Previously, she had treated them merely as phonetic exercises, but now she finally had the chance to study them properly.
With her current cultivation, learning spells was much easier, but even so, one night was only enough to grasp the basics. By the time she snapped out of her focus, dawn had broken—and she realized a glaring oversight.
She had memorized all kinds of spells, yet she’d neglected to learn sword flight—the must-have technique for any traveler. It was like owning a warehouse full of luxury cars but not having a driver’s license. How infuriating.
No choice but to go on foot.
Just as she left Dragon City, she spotted Long Aotian at the city gates, grinning like an idiot. He insisted on following her, spinning his reasoning with righteous fervor.
"My life was saved by you, Benefactor. How could I not repay such a debt? Before, I couldn’t find you, but now that I have, I, Long Aotian, am yours in life and death. That place is perilous—you must take me with you. I will share your fate, for better or worse."
Damn it, couldn’t he phrase repayment without making it sound so suggestive? Did he not notice the crowd gathering to gawk?
"If you come with me, what about Dragon City?" Aren’t you the city lord? Since when were you this irresponsible?
"No problem!" He waved dismissively. "There are deputy city lords aplenty. They’ve been itching for me to leave anyway."
"...And your family and friends? You’d just abandon them?"
"Benefactor, you already know my family’s all dead, don’t you?"
"Ah…" She’d forgotten about that.
"Those bastards back then didn’t even spare Ah Hua," he growled through gritted teeth.
"Who’s Ah Hua?"
"Oh, my childhood cat."
"..."
Shi Xia was at a loss. She’d tried driving him away, she’d scolded him, but the guy wouldn’t budge.
Faced with such stubborn gratitude, she had no choice but to play her trump card.
"Let me be honest—my real name is Shi Xia." So following me is dangerous.
Long Aotian froze, then looked at her with pained disapproval. "Benefactor, you already have a name as profound and meaningful as Shunfeng Kuaidi (Swift Wind Express). Why would you ever change it?"
Profound and meaningful? How much commission did you take from that courier company to spout such shameless nonsense?
"Fine. Do whatever you want." Shi Xia gave up and started walking.
Long Aotian, undeterred, prattled on beside her. "Benefactor, a name is a parent’s gift—you shouldn’t change it lightly! If you really dislike it, at least don’t change your surname. How about Shunfeng Sudi (Swift Wind Speedy Delivery)? Or Shunfeng Zhuandi (Swift Wind Special Delivery)? Or maybe Yilu Shunfeng (Smooth Sailing All the Way)?"
"Get lost!"
