Chapter 9, Identity

Bai Ling remains motionless

I do not believe in any calamity! Hong Ning said angrily, quickly walking up to He Lan Xue, "You may like my senior brother, but you have now harmed my master."

Helan Xue did not respond, but smiled charmingly: "Did you not already fall for that girl once? Don't you want to experience her charm again?"

The beautiful eyes appeared somewhat indifferent, as Bai Ling looked at her, his tone as calm as his gaze: "The master has his own celestial destiny; this matter is merely a tribulation in his fate. If he can safely pass through this tribulation, in another hundred years he will be able to ascend in physical form and become a wandering immortal, which would be the best outcome. Although this situation is unexpected, it is merely a matter of relinquishing this mortal body. He understands this himself, so why must you be sad?"

Although Hong Ning was filled with resentment, she refrained from saying much. In the past, she supported Wen Xin, asking, "Master, are you alright?"

Seeing her unresponsive, Xingxian fell silent and softly called out: "Heavenly Maiden?"

Xing Xian let out a sigh of relief, nodded, and withdrew.

Since being secretly plotted against by Helan Xue, Wenxin's health has rapidly deteriorated. Hongning has been extremely anxious, searching everywhere for good medicine, and even made several trips to the city to consult with doctors. Bai Ling occasionally brings back some precious herbs, the origins of which are unknown. Perhaps considering the feelings of the two, Wenxin does not refuse them, but he appears even more composed. Not only has he rearranged the formations around him, but his practice and meditation continue as usual, and he occasionally enters seclusion.

I only acknowledge the present, and in the present, he is not a deity, but my master who has raised me for over ten years," Hong Ning murmured, "I hate He Lan Xue; she is a madwoman. Why should your matters involve my master? It is only right that those who kill should pay with their lives.

Seeing her refer to herself as "a servant," Lu Yao was somewhat surprised. She glanced at her and smiled, saying: "I often hear him lamenting the decline of his followers, naturally wishing to encourage our kin to cultivate immortality. Moreover, as the Flower Goddess, this is also part of your duty. Why do you feel the need to tell me this?"

Helan Xue looked at him, her gaze gradually turning cold: "If you do not like me, why did you save me and help me back on Kunlun Mountain? Even if I am not as good as Xiao Ke, if you treated me with even half the kindness you show your junior sister, I would be content. It is you who forced me to take action!"

With a sharp slap, before Wenxin could stop her, Hongning had already raised her hand and struck her across the face: "Do you think you are the only one who can feel sorrow in this world? Just because of one man, you can indiscriminately harm the innocent. If you have the ability, go ahead and kill everyone in the world, then ask him if he will follow you."

He Lan Xue questioned: "Isn't your sister a celestial being? Naturally, your brother-in-law should also be a divine being. How could he not recognize her?"

"No matter what happens, it is all fate," recalling Jinxiu's words from last night, Hong Ning vaguely guessed something, her expression changing as she quickly walked over: "Master!"

Hong Ning nodded

Lu Jiu Dao: "Even if I truly moved that girl, do you think she would follow you?"

He Lan Xue sneered: "Do you know who he is"

"Such a beautiful flower, yet today it is being ravaged in turns by the two of you." The magnetic voice carried a hint of laughter as a hand reached from the side to wrap around her waist

Helan Xue softly said: "You will never let anyone bully me"

In March, the sunlight is brilliant. In the distance, a grove of cedar trees appears in the valley, with a few small thatched cottages at the edge of the forest. The thatch on the eaves sways gently in the breeze, presenting a natural and simple beauty akin to a traditional Chinese painting. Having witnessed the towering buildings of steel and concrete, these houses may seem too rudimentary; however, Hong Ning has never felt any dissatisfaction, for only she knows how warm and comfortable it is inside. Having lived here for over a decade, these few houses, along with every blade of grass and tree around, evoke a sense of familiarity and affection in her, a feeling akin to "home".

Helan Xue covered her face, her eyes red as if tears were welling up, yet she struggled to hold them back, gazing at Bai Ling

A fleeting look of disgust flashed in Mei Mu's eyes, and He Lan Xue returned to her delicate demeanor, leaning into his embrace: "Lu Lang"

Hong Ning unconsciously stopped in her tracks, feeling increasingly anxious and even a bit frightened. As for the reason, she was unclear. Bai Ling had mentioned that she would return to the temple to look for her today, yet she had not encountered her along the way.

Hai Gong originally intended to reward Hong Ning generously, but later found that she was nowhere to be found

Bai Ling remained silent

The bluestone steps are clean and tidy, and the door is half ajar

Helan Xue did not express her gratitude, nor did she look at Bai Ling, and she left directly through the door

Bai Lingdao: "Sooner or later, this day will come. Do you still remember what Zhong Xian said?"

Hong Ning thought without hesitation: "It is Lu Jiu, a member of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan, who is well-versed in formations."

Helan Xue lowered her head to look at the crushed apricot blossoms on the ground, seemingly in disbelief. After a while, she suddenly raised her face, gazing in the direction where the two had departed, her beautiful eyes revealing countless shades of resentment, murmuring to herself: "So it was her"

Lu Yao raised an eyebrow: "She is merely a small demon, how could she possibly qualify to attend the immortal gathering? If she were to go, she should take you all along."

A secret was buried for a full ten years, and only now has the truth come to light. Lianhua, who is deeply loyal and righteous, and Haigong are both greatly moved. Therefore, Haigong has issued a special order, commanding the monks in the temple to guard the pond and not to spread the matter of Lianhua. It is said that the county magistrate Tao has fallen from grace, and the common people are all applauding in delight. As for the death of Zheng Ke, Haigong publicly claims it to be the vengeful spirit of Haiming seeking retribution. After all, he was a bully, and this perfectly aligns with the saying of cause and effect, serving as a warning to the world. People in this era fear ghosts and deities, and with the officials vividly recounting Haiming's appearance, it is impossible for anyone not to believe it. As for the death of Zheng Ke, Haigong publicly claims it to be the vengeful spirit of Haiming seeking retribution. After all, he was a bully, and this perfectly aligns with the saying of cause and effect, serving as a warning to the world. People in this era fear ghosts and deities, and with the officials vividly recounting Haiming's appearance, it is impossible for anyone not to believe it

Helan Xue finally revealed a smile and said softly, "I am also curious, what exactly is so good about her..."

Hong Ning's expressionless face: "The master may not necessarily ascend in body, but with diligent practice, one can certainly be recorded in the register of immortals"

"You need not provoke me, for I do not appreciate being used," Lu Jiu said as he patted her face. "We, the Northern Boundary Celestial Clan, are not like your Kunlun Clan, and I am not that ice demon. Your actions have already angered me greatly. If you wish to survive, do not employ the same tactics against me again"

Helan Xue covered her mouth: "Are you afraid of your father?"

Helan Xue had a smile that was not quite a smile, tinged with a hint of disdain: "With a fox's nature, it's no wonder you couldn't help but come out. He is determined to make you an immortal, but unfortunately, you cannot compare to your sister"

Hong Ning looked at Bai Ling and said coldly: "Is it her?"

Bai Ling did not speak and hurriedly followed out.

Helan Xue fell silent.

He Lan Xue's face turned pale, and she said with a hint of annoyance: "What are you talking about? I am just afraid that in the future, if you truly become an immortal, you will forget about me."

Lu Jiu raised her chin: "You have quite the audacity to dare to use me."

Helan Xue's expression changed slightly, and she forced a smile: "What are you talking about? I don't quite understand."

Bai Ling remained silent for half a day and said: "You are no longer the little Xue you used to be"

Lu Yao chuckled lightly: "That was merely youthful recklessness. Moreover, she later resolved to repay her kindness, willingly shedding her true form to become a mortal, having long forgotten all past events, how could she still remember anything about the divine?"

Hong Ning fell silent for a moment, then stood up and said: "I am going to gather herbs"

The long sleeves brushed past, and the entire apricot blossom grove was instantly covered in white snow

In the Flower Morning Palace, the clouds linger softly, and the morning dew dampens the embroidered curtains. With the host absent, the atmosphere inevitably feels cold and desolate. The cloud-like hair is elegantly piled high, and the bright pearls shimmer with color. Lu Yao sits by the window, allowing the nearby apricot fairy to whisper softly. She leans back against the chair, seemingly indifferent, playing with her long and beautiful nails, poised and serene, yet not lacking in charm.

"But with her here, he will never leave with me," Helan Xue said coldly. "He once lost five thousand years of cultivation because of this and failed to ascend to immortality; otherwise, what does your mere two thousand years amount to?"

Lu Jiu cast a sidelong glance and said, "How capable are you of avenging him?"

Hong Ning had lost her strength and sat down on a rock: "Master said he has little time left"

Bai Ling frowned: "Hong Ning."

He already knows that the matter has been resolved, which is why he hasn't gone again

He Lan Xue said softly, "Since you already know, why did you tell me the method to enter the formation?"

Hong Ning left the temple early in the morning, hurrying back.

"What about me?" Hong Ning finally raised her face to look at him, her tone calm. "Once you become an immortal, you will have no ties to the mortal world. For me, it would be good if Master could accompany us for another hundred years. By then, I will have already passed away, and whatever you become—immortal or Buddha—will have nothing to do with me. Now that he has been harmed by He Lanxue, once his soul returns to the underworld, we will be separated by the realms of yin and yang. Even if I were to eventually become a ghostly immortal, where would I go to see him?"

Xing Xian immediately lowered her eyelids, concealing the expression in her eyes: "That girl is determined to become the goddess consort"

The fiery apricot blossoms were particularly dazzling, and Hong Ning felt increasingly suffocated in her heart, reaching out to tug at them in a flurry.

The words in her heart were seen through by her, and Xing Xian's face turned red: "How could we be so petty? It is just that the Divine Lord will be promoted to a Celestial Being in two years, and being overly concerned about her now may hinder his cultivation."

Lu Jiu licked her earlobe: "She is merely a mortal, how can she compare to the pleasure of our dual cultivation?"

Wen Xin patted her hand and smiled: "What are you worried about? It is merely self-inflicted trouble. For us practitioners, life and death are not much different; it is merely shedding a physical form. Now that the calamity has passed, it is a good thing."

Bai Lingdao: "Master has achieved complete merit, and will not suffer in the underworld; death is but a form of life. In the future, he will surely attain the status of a ghost immortal, which perfectly aligns with what Immortal Zhong said. It is evident that this is all predestined by Heaven. Master has practiced for many years and has attained the Dao to become an immortal, which can be considered the fulfillment of his wishes. You should be happy for him."

Hong Ning shook off that hand

Jinxiu has not been seen for a long time; he must have known what would happen long ago, which is why he said those words at the time. Fate has its own design; he had the opportunity to intervene, yet he could not go against destiny.

With red rings around her eyes, she forced a smile and said, "You have lived for thousands or even tens of thousands of years, having experienced so much; how could one possibly remember everything in a single mind"

Bai Ling said no more, pulling her up: "Let's go back."

Bai Ling looked at her for a moment: "I remember that well enough"

Hong Ning comforted herself and quickly stepped forward to push the door open

As autumn departs and spring arrives, in the blink of an eye, a year has passed, and the apricot blossoms on the hillside are once again like rosy clouds

Lu Yao then exclaimed, "Is all of this true?"

After talking for so long, only this sentence touched my heart. Lu Yao sighed, I have already inquired about this matter; he is indeed a sentimental person and must still feel guilty about the events of that year. However, it is absolutely unacceptable to delay his cultivation because of this. The Emperor is also very concerned, which is why he instructed me to pay more attention. You may leave now, and if there are any matters in the future, come report to me.

Helan Xue bit her lip in silence

Wen Xin shook his head: "I had long anticipated this calamity, thus I have been guarding the formation and cultivating my inner elixir. I just did not expect that I would still be unable to escape this tribulation. These are all predestined, blaming her is of no use."

As soon as the figures of the two individuals vanished, a person appeared on the nearby rock.

What is different is that there are bloodstains on the ground, and there is also a person.

The hand was held by someone

Bai Ling is stunned

Lu Jiu Dao: "I must wait until I am ranked among the immortals"

Wen Xindao: "She took advantage of my internal alchemy practice to strike, I never expected that someone could actually break my formation"

Lu Jiu smiled brightly: "This time, I truly fell into your trap. At that moment, I had no idea what you were planning, thinking you just wanted to stroll into the formation or perhaps seek a master. " As he spoke, he raised an eyebrow: "That girl is somewhat good-looking, but as for the Ice Demon, I really don't understand what is so special about him, not even comparable to the esteemed young master of the Northern Fox Clan?"

He Lanxue's voice turned cold: "You better not provoke him, otherwise it will be too late for regrets"

The servant dares not lie in front of the celestial maiden

Helan Xue bit her lip and turned her face away: "As long as he comes back with me, I will not..."

You wanted to provoke him, but unfortunately, the method seems ineffective. Lu Jiu took the opportunity to kiss her cherry lips and said, "I thought you liked a certain type of man, daring to take such risks. It turns out you are merely a trivial ice spirit. I initially thought you had good taste, but it seems I was mistaken."

Wen Xin did not pursue the matter further and looked at He Lan Xue: "I am a practitioner. Now that you dare to do such a thing, are you not afraid of divine retribution in the future? At that time, not only will you be unable to attain immortality, but your years of cultivation will also be ruined in an instant"

Xing Xian Dao: "But back then, the Divine Lord treated her exceptionally, even taking her to the Yaochi Immortal Gathering. She was merely..." paused.

Wen Xin sighed and waved her hand to lift the curse: "It is my fate to endure this calamity, you may go now"

"Is she really that good?" Lu Jiu was taken aback, and a hint of playful interest gradually emerged in his eyes. "I would like to give it a try."

The moment the door opened, she realized what was amiss. The two windows that were usually wide open were now tightly shut, causing the room to appear somewhat dim. The two individuals inside, however, seemed unchanged from their usual selves; Wenxin sat cross-legged with closed eyes on the bamboo couch, while Bailing stood expressionless beside him

Dressed in white snow, with beautiful yet pitiful white hair, she sat motionless on the ground, lost in thought

Wen Xin opened his eyes and smiled: "I am back"

Xingxian was momentarily taken aback

Lu Jiu leisurely said: "Our Nine-Tailed Fox clan is not something you can compare to. I was born with three tails, and I have cultivated for two thousand years. After another four thousand years of cultivation, I can directly ascend to the status of an immortal, unlike those who have to toil for many years only to become wandering immortals. It is fine to play around in between, but I do not wish to truly provoke any trouble"

Helan Xue's gaze shifted slightly: "What?"

He Lan Xue closed her eyes, her soft chest rising and falling, and softly said: "How can you know the taste of her if you have not experienced it yourself?"

"What does his background have to do with me?" Lu Jiu was unconcerned, "Do you really think I am jealous about this? I just didn't expect that for him, you would actually dare to confront Wen Xin, who is a person of great virtue. Aren't you afraid of future retribution?"

Helan Xue laughed heartily and said with resentment: "I have been striving to cultivate myself, hoping that one day I could ascend to the immortal realm alongside him. Now that he refuses to be with me, what is the point of becoming an immortal!" She slowly straightened up and looked at Bai Ling: "I killed Xiao Ke, and I also caused your master’s demise. Now that I have fallen into your hands, go ahead and kill me. Aren't you seeking revenge for Xiao Ke?"

Lu Jiu pushed her away and said, "Whether I remember or not is unimportant. Don't think I am unaware of your intentions. Since you have provoked me, you should obediently comply." After a pause, he smiled gently and elegantly, "I cannot harm mere mortals, but a little spirit like you is not a problem. Although you will eventually face divine retribution, I cannot bear to let your essence dissipate so soon."

Wenxin shook his head

Lu Yao raised her eyebrows

Helan Xuedao: "Is your father not arranging a marriage for you?"

Lu Jiu Dao: "Aren't you afraid that I will deal with him?"

For the first time, a flawless face revealed a hint of guilt, and Bai Ling averted her gaze, avoiding her eyes

Lu Jiu sighed: "Am I not curious about this?"

This woman has extreme tendencies; Hong Ning feels both hatred and sympathy: "You are not wrong, but what fault does my master have? There are many more pitiful people in the world than you; do not think that everyone in the world has wronged you." After saying this, she turned to Wen Xin: "With her little bit of magical power, how could she possibly harm my master?"

"Different paths for different beings; although you and I are both of the same kind, it is better to avoid unnecessary trouble," Lu Jiu suddenly turned away from her, looking in the direction the two had gone, his eyes glimmering, "This girl is indeed quite interesting; I have always found it strange."

Hong Ning also realized that her words were too harsh, and hurriedly raised her hand to wipe her eyes: "Please don't misunderstand, I am not blaming you." She sighed and said softly: "I just want to express that life and death hold no difference for you; you can cultivate immortality, live long, and remember many things. But I am different; there is no eternal love in the mortal world. Even if you find me in the next life, I will not remember you. Therefore, in this life, I wish for you to accompany me a little longer. Please do not blame me for being selfish."

Bai Ling silently stood still

Lu Jiu seemed to be lost in thought: "It seems that my future brother-in-law recognizes her"