Chapter 14 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

Bai Lian was completely oblivious to Gu Qing Qing's complaints about her. Gu Qing Qing released Bai Lian's chin from her grasp, leaned back in her chair, and said, "Just now, the sect leader sent me a message. She mentioned she needed to borrow someone for a task and... specifically requested you." "Huh?" Bai Lian, who had just stood up, was immediately taken aback. If there was a name she dreaded hearing the most in her life, it would undoubtedly be Ling Ning Shuang. Renowned throughout the land, Ling Ning Shuang, the present sect leader of the Taihua Sword Sect, was one of only two formidable individuals in the sect's history, aside from the founder who ascended to immortality, to attain the realm of Wu Xiang. Thanks to her presence, the Taihua Sword Sect had risen to a top-tier sect in the cultivation world in under two hundred years. But none of that mattered to Bai Lian; the crux was that Ling Ning Shuang was the last character she attempted to woo in the game—and failed. In reality, Ling Ning Shuang wasn't supposed to be a capturable character in the game. The Wu Xiang Respected Ones were simply too otherworldly. Unlike the elusive Taiching or immortals, Wu Xiang Respected Ones existed in the flesh, capable of moving mountains, filling seas, and severing stars. Because of this, the game didn't make Ling Ning Shuang an overt target for capture but rather placed her as a relation to Mu Jian Li, enhancing the protagonist's gravitas. However, never underestimate the zeal of the passionate gamers. Before starting "Die If You Don’t Dual Cultivate," Bai Lian conducted exhaustive research, compiling virtually all game-related intel found online. Eventually, she discovered a method to capture Ling Ning Shuang hidden within the code, possibly remnants of an initial intention by the developers to make Ling Ning Shuang a capturable character. By exploiting system glitches and performing sophisticated operations, she finally unlocked an affection interface for Ling Ning Shuang. During that time, Bai Lian practically worked around the clock to max out this Wu Xiang Respected One’s affection, ultimately taking the sect leader's seat originally meant for her, basking as Ling Ning Shuang fawned before her. Of course, the ending was predictable: Ling Ning Shuang ambushed her, stripping her of her spiritual power. As a result, all the female leads broke free from dual cultivation techniques, turning on her mercilessly. Bai Lian didn't know if this was a predetermined game ending or if Ling Ning Shuang was so powerful she could affect reality. Either way, the might of the Wu Xiang Respected Ones in the game was indisputable. And in reality, the presence of a Wu Xiang cultivator would be even more daunting. The game, after all, had to consider the logical coherence of character actions for player experience—something reality often disregarded. After reincarnating, Bai Lian initially worried whether Ling Ning Shuang would just show up and kill her, given that she was no more than an insect to her now. Unexpectedly, Ling Ning Shuang never appeared, nor sought any vengeance, as if she was oblivious to Bai Lian's existence. This was especially strange given that all the female leads also reincarnated unaffected. Could it be that Ling Ning Shuang didn’t reincarnate herself? That made sense—Heaven’s guidance was quite clear: only those she captured would reincarnate. Ling Ning Shuang's final act of freeing herself and plunging a dagger into Bai Lian’s dantian clearly didn't indicate she had been captured. "What does the sect leader want from me?" Bai Lian inquired. She seemed much more at ease, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off her shoulders. Ling Ning Shuang not being reincarnated was indeed a relief. After all, no one would want to be targeted by a Wu Xiang Respected One—especially one they’d previously subjected to... training. "Achoo!" Suddenly, while meditating in the sect leader hall, Ling Ning Shuang sneezed. She opened her eyes, her delicate brows furrowing. "Is someone close to me talking about me?" She wondered, sensing the connection. After all, cultivating the Path of Emotionlessness meant those she was close to were rare. So closely bonded they could trigger fate... She made some calculations, gaining clarity. "It's him..." she murmured, her slender phoenix eyes narrowing slightly. "But the time has not yet come..." ... "Jian Li returned to the sect not to contest for the chief position with you.” "Six months ago, she ventured out to investigate a cult rooted in our sect's jurisdiction." "The elders assumed they were just small-time troublemakers disturbing mortals, but Jian Li’s in-depth investigation revealed otherwise." "They lure mortals with promises of immortality, using them as vessels to bolster themselves, now spreading across several towns." "It’s been said they’ve started targeting cultivators, particularly those from our Taihua Sword Sect," Gu Qing Qing explained. Images of last night’s enchanting scent filled Bai Lian’s mind, emanating clearly from that demonic den’s intoxicating incense. It seemed likely that Jian Li had seized those hallucinogenic incenses from the cult’s grasp, only to ironically use them on her. For a moment, Bai Lian didn’t know what to feel... "Is Jian Li returning to request the sect’s aid?" She asked, though she already knew the answer. This development was all too familiar, aligning precisely with the key plot of Mu Jian Li’s chapter in the game. In the game, Jian Li's return was officially for a sect competition and to vie for the top disciple position. Yet, she was actually ambushed by the cult, sustaining hidden injuries, which forced her return for recuperation. Back then, Bai Lian hadn't obtained the dual cultivation secrets yet, putting her at a slight disadvantage against Jian Li. If not for those hidden injuries sapping Jian Li’s strength, Bai Lian wouldn't have won. It felt like a plot set-up. Winning against Jian Li in the sect competition was what earned her the chance to jointly investigate the cult and obtain a powerful dual cultivation technique in their den. In subsequent plotlines, Bai Lian used that dual cultivation technique and the cult’s inflicted injuries to comprehensively conquer this icy character's mind and body. It was rumored that failing to win at the sect competition would lead to Jian Li’s NTR arc. But Bai Lian was a staunch defender of pure love, refusing to engage in such plotlines or unlock such CG scenes. In this new life as Bai Lian, she trained diligently, becoming the senior disciple of the Taihua Sword Sect well ahead of time. With her rebirth, Jian Li was no longer as reckless as in the game, avoiding the cult's ambush and even returning a year early to seek assistance—certainly a sign of growth. This thought prompted a sense of nostalgia. The plot was still familiarly recognizable, yet their reincarnations, akin to a butterfly’s wings flapping, set the story on a mysterious new course. Perhaps this time, many regrets could truly be resolved. "Exactly. Intervening with their well-entrenched schemes is challenging, even for adept cultivators," Gu Qing Qing continued. “Taihua Sword Sect is rooted here; abandoning mortals to their fate isn’t an option.” “Thus, the sect leader plans for elders to infiltrate, with Jian Li coordinating inside, to swiftly eradicate the cult.” Glancing at Bai Lian, she added, “Originally, the sect leader considered having an elder accompany Jian Li. However, Jian Li assured she could handle it independently, merely wishing for your company.” “This matter carries significant risk. If you’re unwilling to go, the sect leader won't compel you.” “What’s your take?” Bai Lian didn't hesitate in the slightest. "Jian Li is my junior sister. Come what may, I cannot stand idly by while she’s trapped in dire straits." “I’ll go." Perhaps not anticipating such a decisive response from Bai Lian, Gu Qing Qing was momentarily stunned. She then chuckled softly. Ultimately, she had not misjudged... “Go on, and take care.” “Should anything happen to you, even if flattening a thousand miles around the sect is required, I will rescue you," she concluded.