Chapter 17 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

Bai Lian and Mu Jianli descended upon a vast lake. The surface of the lake was like a clear mirror, reflecting the sky so perfectly that if not for the occasional breeze causing tiny ripples, one could easily get lost in its seamless blend of sky and water. Such a calm and tranquil scene would undoubtedly capture the hearts of even the weariest travellers, allowing them to temporarily set aside their worries in exchange for a moment of peace. Unfortunately, this serenity was soon shattered by an unexpected visitor. With a soft whistling sound, a sword aura as pure as a lotus fell from the sky, crashing onto the mirror-like lake. The mirror shattered with a thunderous roar, sending up a great spray of water and turning into a torrential downpour that drummed back onto the lake, creating untold ripples. Amidst the misty rainfall, Bai Lian held Mu Jianli who was clutching her sword at the center of the lake, gasping heavily for breath. "Mu Jianli, if you want to die, don’t drag me with you," she growled through clenched teeth. Though cultivators at the Qinxin level are seen as powerful beings capable of controlling the wind and rain, to ordinary people, they are merely beginners in the path of cultivation. Learning to control spiritual energy around oneself is considered entry-level. Further improvement allows one to levitate and fly using spiritual energy. Yet, fundamentally, flying for a Qinxin cultivator is akin to humans taking a plane; it's relying on external assistance. The difference here is akin to an ordinary person surviving a plane crash, likely ending in ruin, while a Qinxin cultivator's misadventure with sword flight might still leave them recognizable. This is why there's a saying in the cultivation world: "Improper sword flight brings tears to loved ones." Of course, these are merely issues faced at the Qinxin stage. Once one reaches the Tengyun stage, cultivators can release spiritual energy externally, which can manifest as wings or solidify beneath their feet, enabling them to seemingly walk on air or summon clouds. At this stage, cultivators are truly seen as the "immortals" in the eyes of the common folk. Bai Lian's current cultivation level is Qinxin stage nine, nearly stepping into the Tengyun realm, having already begun learning to release her spiritual energy outward, thus avoiding ending up as "Bai Lian paste." One must remember, no matter how fantastical this world might be, basic laws still apply. Falling from ten thousand meters, whether it’s onto the ground or water, the outcome doesn't differ much. Mu Jianli dangled by her collar from Bai Lian's grasp without struggling, resembling a small dog held by the scruff. Upon hearing Bai Lian's voice, her previously limp body perked up, looking at Bai Lian with bright eyes, and said, "Senior Sister, just now that sword strike truly befits the name of Bai Lian Xianzi. Jianli learned much from it; I ask Senior Sister to watch over me." Bai Lian: ? She was momentarily at a loss for words. Is this the main character's privilege? To have epiphanies at any given moment. I'm also the protagonist, so why do I have to cultivate diligently? Oh, because I'm the protagonist of a romance game. Never mind, then. Although she had her grievances about Mu Jianli's prank, Bai Lian didn't dwell on the incident. After all, both were from prestigious sects, equipped with life-saving artifacts bestowed by their sects, unlikely to meet their end by a mere fall. What's more troubling for her was Mu Jianli's increasingly bold actions. If she's already daring to lick Bai Lian while they're in flight, who knows what she'll do in the future. Dealing with just one Mu Jianli is challenging enough; how will she handle other female leads? The more Bai Lian pondered the darkness of future possibilities, the more sorrow overwhelmed her, and she chose to ignore Mu Jianli. Unaware of Bai Lian’s emotional turmoil, Mu Jianli soared to the shore from the lake, disregarding her drenched attire, and immediately found a clean spot to begin her cultivation. Bai Lian, however, couldn't bear such disregard like Mu Jianli. As a modern individual, she was uncomfortable with the wet, sticky feeling, so she circulated her spiritual energy, causing the water around her to evaporate. For a moment, steam encircled her, giving her an ethereal, almost fairy-like appearance, mesmerizing the mortals hiding within the nearby shrubbery. "Friends, since you're here, why not come out for a chat?" Once her clothes were dry, Bai Lian finally spoke aloud. Perhaps not expecting to be discovered, a rustling emanated from the shrubbery, accompanied by faint arguing. But soon, a young man emerged, leading the way out of the bushes. "I told you, with our amateurish attempts at concealment, how could we hide from such a fairy?" "It's because you don't know your place, being thieves at heart." "Young master... young master... we are actually..." "Hmm?" "Ahem, yes! It's we who were reckless, foolishly attempting to hide despite the presence of such a celestial figure. We deserve punishment!" Watching the comedic exchange between master and servant, Bai Lian's mouth twitched slightly. In the eyes of everyday people, cultivators were not always seen as benevolent beings. The three thousand paths of the Dao are varied, and whether a path belongs to righteousness, the devilish, or the sinister makes no difference to those seeking immortality. Yet, of the countless who seek the Dao, few attain it. Over time, some cultivators nearing the end of their lifespans have turned to extreme measures, preying upon the powerless yet numerous ordinary people. To these mighty cultivators, mortals are nothing but ants. As the saying goes: "Better a dead friend than a poor path," what's one more death if it means they can extend their lives? Thus, two hundred years ago, various cults sprouted like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, committing mass atrocities that even traditional demonic sects found intolerable. Eventually, under the leadership of Tian Shu God Domain, righteous and demonic paths united, spending a full century to suppress the fervor of these cults. It was during this period that the Taihua Sword Sect rose swiftly, ultimately becoming one of the top sects in the cultivation world. While the overt cults have been eradicated, the cultivation world is vast, and some slip through the cracks, lurking in shadows. These remnants, though often ineffectual, still perform sacrilegious acts to assert their existence, posing a headache for the major sects. The demon lair Bai Lian and Mu Jianli were tasked with investigating belonged to one such remnant cult. This is the background of the game "Die Without Dual Cultivation," a world far from peaceful but instead rife with chaos. A gentle flap of the wings of a cultivator can unleash an uncontrollable storm upon the heads of mortals. Despite the playfulness of the scene, Bai Lian keenly sensed the mortals' fear. "I am not the kind of heartless demon who kills indiscriminately; I won't start a massacre just because you happened to see me," she assured them. "My junior sister and I are current disciples of the Taihua Sword Sect. We encountered a little... uh, mishap during sword flight and ended up here, startling you all, for which I apologize." At the mention of Taihua Sword Sect, the leading youth among the mortals visibly relaxed. In the public eye, sword cultivators often embody a somewhat free-spirited image, yet the Taihua Sword Sect is as righteous as they come within the cultivation world. "So, you are celestial beings from the Taihua Sword Sect. I am Tang Chuhuan, heir to the Suzhou Tang family, and I greet the celestial maiden." Bai Lian finally noticed the young man before her. Clad in fine robes, his clothing couldn’t obscure his slender frame. He possessed striking features—rosy lips, white teeth, and beautiful eyebrows—reminiscent of the Jiangnan water towns. To be precise, reminiscent of the women from Jiangnan water towns. Yet, the Adam's apple at his neck and the flat chest confirmed he was indeed a man. For some reason, Bai Lian found Tang Chuhuan oddly familiar, though she couldn't recall why.