Chapter 491: The Past

Xu Xing pulled his gaze back from the distance, then took out his phone and symbolically snapped a photo.

"Of course I remember that."

Master Mei Zu — among the Thirteen True Immortals of Tai Xuan, she was the most mysterious.

Even the myths passed down since the primordial era never mentioned her true name.

"I still remember — back then my cultivation was still very low, and I hadn't even met little Yin Xue yet." A trace of emotion colored Master Mei Zu's tone.

Time spares no one; in the blink of an eye, so many years had already passed.

"Mm?"

Xu Xing was a little surprised: "That can't be right. The first time we met, I remember you didn't have any cultivation at all."

Master Mei Zu froze for a moment, then said: "Why… would you say that?"

"The first time we met was at the altar of the Willow Spirit race, wasn't it?" Xu Xing looked at her. "You really were still very small back then, but at this point you should remember."

Once a cultivator reaches a certain realm, their control over themselves becomes absolute.

So no matter how distant the memory — even the hazy, half-formed memories from before one could understand — none of it would be the least bit blurred.

Even ordinary high-level cultivators were already like this.

Let alone her, a True Immortal who wielded the Dao of the 'True Self.'

"…" Master Mei Zu was silent for quite a while. "I thought… you hadn't recognized me."

After all, the second meeting after that was separated by a very long stretch of time, and she had changed a great deal.

Xu Xing gave a slight shake of his head: "My realm wasn't high back then, but I was at least at the peak of Soul Transformation — how could I possibly not recognize you?"

"But if you did recognize me, then why didn't you correct me when I said 'first time meeting'?"

"Emm… well, you see, you were still so young back then at the Willow Spirit race, I thought you wouldn't remember." Xu Xing explained.

"Figured that since you didn't remember, there was no need for me to bring it up."

Saying this much, he couldn't help but laugh at himself:

"Though I was actually being a bit melodramatic back then — I never brought it up out loud, but in my heart I was always hoping you'd remember on your own, and then thank me for it."

"So that's how it was…" Master Mei Zu sighed softly.

From past to present, she had always thought Dao Brother hadn't recognized her, and had always believed she had hidden it well.

Yet in the end, everything that followed had all stemmed from a misunderstanding…

In that instant, she thought of many things.

But very quickly, she laughed again as she always did: "Then shall I thank Dao Brother now?"

"There's no need for that."

"Really no need?" She playfully blinked. "This time it won't be a verbal refusal while secretly hoping in your heart, right?"

Xu Xing: "…"

I just told you about it, and you're already using it to tease me?

Seeing him like that, Master Mei Zu merely smiled lightly and said no more.

She turned back to look into the distance. By now the sky had risen another three inches, the mist drifting in the mountain stream began to rise, tinting the maple forest into a cinnabar painting that seemed soaked in water.

The scene of this moment was reflected in her eyes, but her heart couldn't help but recall the many things of the past.

Scenes from before now flowed across the lake of her heart with perfect clarity.

The Willow Spirit race…

It was a race from the primordial Xuan Realm.

Their entire race was born upon a single 'Willow Spirit Tree,' thirty chi wide and nine hundred zhang tall.

They weren't a particularly powerful race themselves, but with a Soul Transformation-level Willow Spirit Tree, bullying the remote human tribes of that era — who hadn't even widely spread Soul Transformation cultivation methods yet — was no problem at all.

And she was born in a human tribe near the Willow Spirit race's lands.

Because of her innate deficiency, frail body, and the resulting lack of qi and blood, the elders classified her as one of those with little value.

Later, without surprise, she was chosen to be offered to the Willow Spirit race — an 'offering' for the Willow Spirit Tree to draw upon the essence of life.

In the year she was one and a half, she was sent into the Willow Spirit Tree along with the other human children.

If nothing unexpected had happened, she should have been drained of her life essence by the Willow Spirit Tree and perished, body and soul alike.

But perhaps it was not her fate to die?

Dao Brother, who had just broken through to Soul Transformation, was traveling the four directions, spreading the human race's Soul Transformation cultivation methods.

He happened to arrive at the human tribe near the Willow Spirit race's lands, and upon hearing of what had happened, went alone to the Willow Spirit race.

Even without cultivating, she would never forget that scene.

On that day, a crimson sword-light tore open the gloom pressing down overhead.

Although Dao Brother was bleeding all over when he cut through the Willow Spirit Tree and walked in, looking utterly wretched, many of the humans used as offerings — just like her — were scared into crying on the spot.

But she felt that the figure she saw then had never been taller.

Including her, all the humans used as offerings were saved just like that.

"Dao Brother still remember? I was the only one who wasn't scared into crying by you!"

Xu Xing paused, but after only a brief moment of recollection, he remembered.

The Willow Spirit race…

Back then, when he killed that tree, it had actually been quite dangerous — because he was in such a rush to kill the tree and save the people, he had carelessly taken a hit.

Of course, in the end, it was still his good self, Xu, who was one step ahead!

But then again, when he was killing that tree, his overall image did look a bit wretched.

So after he charged in, the children who had just woken from unconsciousness saw him and were all scared into wailing!

And Master Mei Zu was the only one who wasn't scared into crying.

She didn't cry; instead, she stared fixedly at him.

Back then, he had thought the child had been frightened into shock, that her mind was damaged…

Only after a thorough check did he realize she had no issues at all; though her blood qi was scarce and her body frail, her soul was far purer than an ordinary person's…

"Hmm, that's true."

It wasn't surprising the elders hadn't noticed.

A tribe with a maximum cultivation of Jin Dan, whose inherited cultivation methods leaned toward 'body refining,' would naturally see someone like Master Mei Zu—with her innate blood qi deficiency—as worthless.

"Though I knew your talent was exceptional back then, I never imagined you'd remember events from such a young age."

Had she not mentioned it today, he would have continued believing Master Mei Zu only recalled it later.

"Mmm~"

Master Mei Zu's eyebrows lifted slightly.

As the brilliant golden dawn light shone upon her, her hair seemed gilded with sacred radiance, lending her skin a faint translucent quality.

Who could have imagined?

That little girl, once with scarce blood qi, weak and frail, nearly becoming a 'sacrifice,' would one day ascend to become a True Immortal atop the pinnacle?

Now, looking back, she was utterly unlike the short, tiny, emaciated child of those days.

It could not help but stir feelings of life's transformations.

Both hearts held private thoughts, yet neither spoke again.

They gazed silently into the distance until the sunrise fully rose and the observers on the viewing platform gradually dispersed…

Master Mei Zu suddenly looked toward a certain direction.

"Brother Dao, look over there— isn't that one of your Sword Sect's juniors?"

Xu Xing followed the direction she indicated.

Indeed, a figure moved through the crowd.

It was Lin Changsheng, the strongest in the Soul Transformation division after the grand competition.

…

…

Outside the Hehuan Sect.

Among the bustling crowd, occasional Mei cultivators could be seen.

Since it was a public place, their behavior was restrained, yet they still exuded charm, drawing many to pause and watch.

But to Lin Changsheng, they held no appeal whatsoever; he even found them noisy…

Only near those Mei cultivators dressed in purple robes did he slow his steps slightly.

Yet as he gazed at the figures on stage, his mind pictured that bright, ethereal form.

In the end, he could only sigh and leave.

Huh???

Wait, what's with the sigh after looking? Are you here just to pick a fight?!

Along the way, some recognized him as last year's Xian Sect Grand Competition champion and came specifically to take photos with him.

As the most-watched event in the Tai Xuan Realm, the champion of the Xian Sect Grand Competition naturally had high popularity.

Even past champions…

After taking photos, some asked why he had come here.

He felt there was no need to hide it, so he said he had encountered some cultivation problems.

What struck him as odd was that everyone who heard this nodded knowingly, then gave him a strange smile…

No!

I really do have cultivation problems!

But after thinking it over, he decided there was no need to explain the truth, so he said nothing.

Soon after, Lin Changsheng left the crowded tourist area and entered a section normally closed to the public.

It was beneath a red maple tree.

A breathtaking figure reached out to catch a spiraling maple leaf, dressed in red and blue robes that blended together perfectly.

Her beauty transcended gender.

Her eyes, like a clear pool, shimmered; her skin outshone snow; her neck was long and elegant.

It was Yue Zhongfeng, the Celestial cultivator.

Sensing someone's approach, she turned her head: "You're here."

She released the maple leaf, letting it drift freely downward.

"I've kept you waiting."

"It's fine," Yue Zhongfeng said coolly, then turned and walked forward. "Follow me."

Seeing this, Lin Changsheng stepped forward to follow.

Because Yue Zhongfeng deliberately slowed her pace, Lin Changsheng caught up in just a few steps.

They walked side by side for a while.

He noticed the red maples growing denser, yet the Mei cultivators were nowhere to be seen.

Soon, ahead he saw a sign with several large characters—

【Anti-Scam Training Center】

At the sight of those words, memories of his brief time with Sheng Qingqing during the Xian Sect Grand Competition flashed through his mind again.

"…" He paused for two seconds. "How long would training take for my situation?"

I don't know—I haven't ventured into this area. You need a professional for the specifics.

Huh? Then why did you ask me so much before?

Just curiosity.

Fuck!

You dog!

Lin Changsheng felt a pang in his balls.

But the person Chang Xiao recommended really is skilled. Generally speaking, unless the case is especially severe, recovery can be achieved within a month.

I've never eaten pork, but I've seen pigs run.

As long as you're not a total lickspittle and cooperate actively, it should also be within a month," Wu Zhongfeng said bluntly.

I'm not a lickspittle, damn it!

I was tricked!

Trick me, fine!

Lin Changsheng shouted inwardly.

And… Qingqing's situation still hasn't been resolved.

Even if it was a trick, what if she's just destined to be with me…

Lin Changsheng suppressed his chaotic thoughts, and just then Wu Zhongfeng's voice reached his ears:

"We're here."

Looking ahead, he realized he had arrived at the entrance of a blessed land not found on any map.

Through the vortex-like gate, he could see a spacious, brightly lit hall; on either side of the blessed land's entrance stood two Tianren cultivators with cold expressions.

They merely nodded slightly upon seeing Wu Zhongfeng.

Inside the hall, many people sat in the waiting area, holding lottery numbers they had drawn, their expressions filled with reluctance.

"Because this kind of thing is hard for most people to talk about, the training facility was built inside a specially designated blessed land."

"..." Lin Changsheng glanced at the people sitting in the waiting area and couldn't help saying, "They're all..."

"Yeah, like you—lickspittles who fell for emotional scams."

I'm not a lickspittle, damn it!

After mentally rebutting, Lin Changsheng continued staring into the hall.

More than ten days ago, right after the Grand Competition ended, he couldn't resist going home to ask his elders.

But when he learned that Sheng Qingqing's true identity was a Returning Void cultivator from that world, and that everything he'd experienced was her carefully planned scheme, he froze.

His first thought was disbelief!

Qingqing had never deliberately approached me—she only wanted my resources. How could she possibly have been tricking me?

Could it be that my elders saw me getting too close to a woman from a small world, so they...

His elders saw right through his thoughts.

Then they plainly said: "You little brat, who cares who you like? We sword cultivators don't forbid this."

As long as you don't break the law, even if you fall for a pig, we won't bother you.

Hmm...

Just then, Chang Xiao contacted him, saying he'd introduce him to a senior of the Hehuan Sect who specialized in "emotional scams," and urged him to attend a couple of classes so he wouldn't get scammed again.

At first, he wanted to refuse.

After all, the training fees were exorbitant, and he didn't think he had any problems...

But just as he was about to refuse, he received news that he had been selected as a member of the second batch of ascension envoys.

Then, even the Hehuan Laozu of the Dongzhen Realm—the Seven Emotions Sword Master—personally sent him a message, telling him to prepare well.

Though his elders didn't know the full details, they knew that when a Hehuan Laozu inquired, nothing was simple.

So they stopped letting him run wild and ordered him to go to the Hehuan Sect, attend the training, and adjust his mental state in the shortest time possible.

All expenses would be covered by the family.

"Go in," Wu Zhongfeng said to him. "Once you've cured your lickspittle disease, fight me again."

I'm not a lickspittle, damn it!

He was tired of saying it in his mind.

How many times have we fought? Have you ever beaten me once?

And I'm supposed to be carrying out my mission as a member of the second batch of ascension envoys—how do I have time to fight you?

He grumbled inwardly, then walked into the blessed land, pulling out his phone to call the Hehuan Sect's senior.

Since I'm already here, why not give it a try? The family's paying anyway.

If my mindset doesn't change after this course, then that just proves I have no problem to begin with. (End of Chapter)