Chapter 2, Splendor

The man in the brocade robe said: "I am not of the same kind, and I have my own divine retribution; it is not my concern."

Let everything take its natural course; this person is on a different path than the master. Hong Ning pondered, since he had saved her life, it would not be appropriate to say anything further. She politely asked, "What is your esteemed name, benefactor?"

Beautiful, fiery red camellias

Wen Xindao: "It is naturally false"

Wen Xin smiled without answering

Hong Ning stood at a distance, recalling the spell that Jin Xiu had cast yesterday, and could not help but ask: "Master, I would like this place to be filled with flowers everywhere, what spell should I use?"

Hong Ning directly asked: "Is there anyone who can easily summon flowers?"

The man in the brocade robe sighed softly: "I do not remember, truly do not remember"

The master is indeed concise and to the point, while Hong Ning is left in a state of both laughter and confusion, testing: "Why not use the Five Ghosts Transporting Technique to bring it from elsewhere?"

Hong Ning picked up the nearby herbal basket and stood up: "You are over three hundred years old, an old demon. By age and seniority, I could call you my ancestor, so how could I dare to take you as my junior brother"

Such words spoken from the mouth of a twelve-year-old girl seem rather strange, the man in the brocade robe smiled: "Do you still think so?"

She murmured: "Splendid."

Hong Ning felt a surge of emotion. Although Bai Ling always treated her with a cold demeanor, she knew that in reality, this senior brother cared for her deeply. As a demon, she was most sensitive to the demonic aura around her, and she thought that he must have sensed something amiss, which is why he interrupted his cultivation temporarily to come and check on her.

The person has vanished without a trace

Hong Ning said: "Then we gather vegetables and herbs, are they not very innocent?"

Hong Ning supported herself on her knees with both hands, leaning forward to look at him: "Senior brother, you are becoming more and more handsome, no wonder so many flower spirits and tree spirits are fond of you"

Though young, it is difficult to discern his actual age. His eyes are as clear as rippling water, and his face is so beautiful that it defies description. At first glance, his gentle smile appears sacred and noble, but upon closer inspection, it reveals an unparalleled brilliance, surpassing even the most splendid bloom of a hundred flowers.

Hong Ning said: "Then I can just move them along with their roots and soil, right?"

Wen Xindao: "It exists, but I have never seen it."

Wen Xin did not understand why she asked this and casually replied: "Naturally, it is an illusion, a trick to deceive the eye." After saying this, he waved his hand, and all the surrounding scenery immediately vanished, transforming into a beautiful peach orchard, with petals falling like rain.

What if it commits evil again in the future

Bai Lingdao: "It seems that there is a presence of demonic energy here just now"

Bai Ling coldly snorted: "Master instructed you to return after noon"

Bai Lingdao: "I shall go explore that cave for a while."

Red condensation is inexplicable

Is he trying to persuade himself to pursue immortality? Hong Ning chuckled softly, gazing directly into his eyes, and retorted: "Being able to feel warmth and cold, joy and sorrow is not necessarily a bad thing. Immortal couples practice together every day, right? If they are as emotionless and desireless as that, wouldn't they be just like two pieces of wood? What is the meaning of eternal life then?"

A feeling of warmth arose inexplicably, and Hong Ning couldn't help but exclaim "Oh" in surprise, followed by astonishment: "Do you know me?"

You might as well set up an altar to worship the Flower Goddess and the various Flower Spirits, as some have done before, but this method may not necessarily be effective

"We will talk about it in the future," the man in the brocade robe sighed lightly, raising his hand, "My name is Jin Xiu"

Wen Xinyang pointed towards the stone wall on the opposite bank

Wen Xin did not doubt, pondering for a moment: "This dragon must not be a primordial dragon, but rather a demon dragon that has attained its form through some fortuitous opportunity, having never worshipped the Dragon King, hence its malevolent nature and propensity to devour humans"

Hong Ning listened with curiosity

Wenxin did not hesitate: "Grow it yourself"

The man in the brocade robe raised his right hand

Wenxin noticed another thing: "According to what you said, it has grown scales and horns?"

Wen Xin smiled and said, "In this case, we must command the land and mountain deities. Such supreme magical power capable of moving mountains and shaking the earth is not something an ordinary person can possess"

Wen Xin also thought of this point: "It is best to seal it away"

That hand is very beautiful, with long and well-shaped fingers, casually stretching out as if carved from exquisite jade. Hong Ning was momentarily stunned, and when she came to her senses, she realized that she had unknowingly found herself standing amidst a cluster of flowers.

Hong Ning hurriedly asked, "What?"

Hong Ning held him back: "Are you alone?"

Wen Xin sighed: "It is rare to have cultivated to this extent; it is also its fortune. However, without guidance, it has taken a wrong path, and the future tribulations will be much heavier, making it difficult to escape. It would be better to persuade it first. If it is willing to repent and turn to goodness, no longer consuming others, it would also be a meritorious deed."

Letter of Remembrance: "When I first arrived in this place, I was skeptical upon hearing the name of the Evil Dragon Pool. Later, I inquired and learned that the pool was named fifty years ago, when someone witnessed a young cowherd being swallowed by a giant snake, dark and with legs, which was thought to be a jiao. However, over the years, I have never detected any demonic aura in that pool, nor have I heard of any nearby people or livestock going missing, assuming they were taken by fellow practitioners, and thus I did not pay it much mind"

The cold pond was like a mirror, and as the white mist entered the water, it vanished. Wenxin was observing from the shore

The man in the brocade robe smiled without answering and asked: "Since you have become a human, why do you not cultivate immortality with your master? The path of immortality is eternal, granting everlasting life. Why must you endure the suffering of this cycle of reincarnation?"

Wen Xindao: "The family of flowers and trees, the Flower God, the numerous flower fairies and flower demons, they control the spirit of flowers and trees, and they can accomplish it"

Just as I was thinking, I suddenly heard Wen Xindao say: "Could it be this?"

Hong Ning agreed: "It is most likely a snake"

Bai Ling was soaking in the pond, her garments not clinging to her body like those of an ordinary person who had been immersed in water, but instead, her loose white attire naturally spread out, undulating with the ripples of the water, making her appear as if she had merged with the water itself.

Hong Ning raised her hand to catch the petals, but there was no real sensation like yesterday: "These flowers are all illusions, they are fake"

Is there no other way besides moving mountains

The old demoness, who is over three hundred years old, twitched her lips, deliberately tilted her face to look at the sky, and sighed deeply: "Seeing that you never seem to grow up, do you now feel that immortality isn't all that great?"

Wen Xin nodded: "Once separated from the earth, the attached spirit will disperse. Although plants and trees do not enter the cycle of reincarnation, it is still a matter of demerit to casually destroy or pluck them unless it is out of necessity for survival. Not to mention that the ghostly messengers would refuse to assist you, even if a practitioner of the Dao were to personally cast spells to retrieve them from a thousand miles away, caution must be exercised. A moment's whim could sever their path to immortality, and they would surely face punishment from the Flower Goddess. If even the immortals are subject to such consequences, it would only exacerbate future tribulations, let alone the many you still require."

It is rare for her to be so eager to learn. Wenxin has mastered the spell, and the surroundings have returned to their original state: "The Five Ghosts Translocation Technique can indeed bring desired items from elsewhere, but the plants themselves possess spiritual energy and essence, and are connected to the mountains and the earth's energy, belonging to the Flower Deity. Even celestial beings cannot easily overstep their authority to summon them, for plants are different from us humans; they rely entirely on the nourishment of the earth's energy. If they are uprooted, their energy is severed, and when the energy is severed, their spirit disperses. When the spirit is extinguished, the roots wither, thus uprooted plants can no longer attain spiritual essence."

This is the will of heaven, and it is also their fate; otherwise, would this world not be filled with fairies? Wenxin chuckled, "Even among us humans, not everyone has the affinity for immortals. If an immortal cannot overcome their tribulation, they may suffer a great loss in their cultivation or even be reverted to their original form. The way of heaven is thus; it is fair to all things."

Bai Ling

Hong Ning said: "I have always thought this way"

He has already said this many times, and Hong Ning has not mentioned the matter of time travel. He smiled and said, "I am still a child now, but in a few years, others will think you are my junior disciple."

The power to move mountains and shake the earth was effortlessly displayed by Jin Xiu. Could it be that he is already several hundred years old? Hong Ning found it hard to imagine, but then she began to doubt; at that time, he had clearly just waved his hand and summoned many camellias.

Hong Ning rebutted: "Forgetting does not mean it never happened; since it has happened, it cannot be considered heartless"

Bai Lingdao: "There are no sealed items at hand"

Hong Ning felt a stir in her heart: "Do you know me?"

Hong Ning, feeling too lazy to think of flowery words, simply asked: "What is your name?"

The man in the brocade robe looked at her: "Even forgetting oneself, still so bold."

Hong Ning finally understood his meaning: "But it can still harm people"

Hong Ning was taken aback: "Can a mortal not?"

Hong Ning walked over, picked up her clothes, and put them on. Then she turned to look at him. Although her actions had already shown a calm demeanor, her face could not help but flush with heat. After some consideration, she said: "Thank you, benefactor, for your timely rescue"

Hong Ning secretly regretted, yet said, "Am I not just about to return? Such a fine day, have you not been cultivating?"

Hong Ning hurriedly stepped forward: "You ... ... "

Knowing that he did not see the beautiful scenery, Hong Ning nodded and walked away with the basket.

Wen Xin smiled and said, "Why not? That dragon has yet to attain human form, indicating its cultivation is still shallow. Moreover, Bai Ling will have the advantage in the water." After speaking, he stood up and added, "Let us go take a look as well, and seek a comprehensive strategy early on. The demon dragon may emerge again on the fifteenth of next month"

Wen Xindao: "Jiaoyuan must cultivate for five hundred years to transform into a dragon, yet now only fifty years have passed. It must have received some divine object to assist it, hence the rapid progress."

Hong Ning suddenly realized that she was lying in his arms, and a rush of heat surged to her head. Although this body was merely that of an underdeveloped twelve-year-old girl, her mind was not.

She tried to remain calm: "Could you let me down first?"

The man in the brocade robe said: "What does it matter to have feelings? In the cycle of six realms, with each reincarnation, one will forget all the emotions of the previous life completely. Just like you, who have already forgotten the reason for your own reincarnation. Is that not also a form of indifference?"

Bai Ling did not respond, yet her body had already begun to become transparent

If it were someone else who had angered him, they would have been frozen into an ice block by now, but Hong Ning did not mind: "Don't reveal your true form to scare me, I have long since stopped being afraid of you." Thinking back to her initial understanding, she found it amusing: "To be honest, back then I thought you had melted under the sun, so I was anxious. Did you really think I was afraid of you?"

Wenxin shook his head

Even immortals must take exams, Hong Ning sighed, "What is the benefit of being an immortal"

Hong Ning said: "What should I do if I really want flowers?"

Bai Ling cast her a glance of slight disdain before turning and exiting the room

Hong Ning originally thought that the dragon was fierce, so she chose the safest option. However, recalling what Jin Xiu said about sparing it, she nodded and said, "This is good."

This was certainly not an accident; Hong Ning had long known that someone had saved her, and thus she was not surprised. However, the newcomer exuded a faint yet extraordinarily delightful fragrance that made her feel a sense of familiarity.

When this issue was brought up, Hong Ning smiled and said, "The path of immortality is indeed eternal, but in my view, reincarnation may not necessarily be a form of suffering." As she spoke, she stood up and continued, "Rebirth is not much different from immortality. Rather than endlessly cultivating with a heart devoid of desires, it is better to remain in the human world forever, experiencing various interesting things. Moreover, cultivating immortality is truly too lonely; I prefer liveliness. Isn't it wonderful that the human world is filled with emotions and bonds?"

Hong Ning returned to the original topic: "In other words, they cannot be separated from the earth, the Five Ghosts Transporting Technique will not work."

Hong Ning provided a detailed description of the dragon's appearance, and reflecting on it now, she feels a sense of fear.

The man in the brocade robe indeed let her go

Flower God, Flower Fairy? Hong gazes at the sky. Over the years, I have gained quite a bit of knowledge following the Daoist priest. Ghosts and monsters are not surprising, but I have truly never encountered a living immortal. How could one be so fortunate? Most likely, it is just an encounter with a high-level demon, perhaps a flower demon.

Bai Ling was momentarily taken aback, fell silent, and indeed returned to her normal appearance

Hong Ning said: "Are you unable to?"

Bai Ling asked straightforwardly: "Is it to be collected or measured?"

He smiled and looked down at her: "Hong Ning."

Disrespectful and lacking proper etiquette

Hong Ning has always had a fondness for this vibrant color, which brings her joy and warmth. Consequently, her spirits lifted, she crouched down to gather the flowers. To her surprise, the sensation of the flowers in her hand was undeniably real, far beyond what ordinary illusions could achieve. Instantly astonished, she inquired, "Is this... high-level illusion magic? Or perhaps a translocation technique? You must also be a practitioner of the Dao, right?"

The man in the brocade robe shook his head, but then smiled and said, "I suppose so"

"It is becoming increasingly dull!" A cold, emotionless voice echoed.

The next day, upon receiving the letter, I was greatly surprised to learn of this matter. However, seeing that she was safe and sound, I felt relieved. Upon careful questioning, Hong Ning only vaguely explained a couple of sentences, stating that she had been rescued by an unknown fellow practitioner.

The man in the brocade robe said: "Love also brings sorrow and suffering, how can it compare to the transcendence and freedom of immortals?"

Hong Ning said: "That cave must lead to another place. Just because there is nothing happening nearby does not mean it is not causing harm elsewhere. For some reason, it has come this way today and encountered me."

Upon thinking of this, she no longer concealed: "There truly is a malevolent dragon in this pond, but it has left and should not return for the time being"

Hong Ning said: "It usually cultivates in other places, and I fear it has already consumed quite a number of people"

A young man dressed in a brocade robe

Bai Ling furrowed her brow and did not ask further: "I think something has happened, let's go back and talk about it later"

Bai Ling leisurely raised her eyes and said, "You really don't look like a child."

Bai Ling's expression immediately darkened

Had he fled? Red凝 was not surprised, knowing that the other party must possess a high level of skill. However, she felt an inexplicable sense of melancholy. Lowering her head, she noticed that the vibrant camellias around her had also vanished without a trace, along with the person.

The man in the brocade robe said: "It is not easy to achieve this, so let it go."

The man in the brocade robe smiled without answering

Wen Xindao: "It has transformed into a dragon so quickly, relying on that divine object. If I knew what it was, I would have my own way to handle it"

She had just gone through a thrilling experience, and logically, her demeanor was not in line with her age, which would seem strange to an ordinary person. However, the man in the brocade robe did not find it odd: "I came to save you."