Chapter 18 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

Bai Lian scratched her head, feeling a bit foolish. Initially, she had come to play the dating sim, with the vast world of heroines waiting for her to charm them. How could she possibly remember supporting characters in the game, especially the male ones? The young man before her was likely just one of those characters with visual artwork in the storyline. "You must dual cultivate or die" was a game full of content-rich side quests beyond the main plot of wooing the heroines. The official artist had also specially created beautiful artwork for those supporting roles on side quests. Thus, she figured this Tang Chuhuan was probably a supporting character in one of the side quests she'd done, hence the familiarity. Of course, if it was only vaguely familiar, that particular quest likely wasn't important. After all, the quest target was a man, and she naturally couldn’t be bothered with it. But since the game had turned into reality now, she couldn't afford to be rude. "So you're Young Master Tang. I am Bai Lian, a disciple of the sixty-fourth generation of the Taihua Sword Sect. And the one over there is..." "Bai Lian?!" Just as Bai Lian was about to introduce Mu Jianli, she was startled by Tang Chuhuan’s sudden intense reaction and looked up in bewilderment, only to find the young man with a delicate appearance staring at her intently. The look in Tang Chuhuan’s eyes was filled with reminiscence and longing, almost as if they were lovers reunited after years apart. Bai Lian was immediately covered in goosebumps. Oh no. Could her reputation have already spread beyond the Taihua Sword Sect, beginning to circulate among ordinary people? After all, that kind of gaze was all too familiar to her. In the few years since joining the Taihua Sword Sect, her fame among her fellow disciples had grown, and many held some rather special feelings towards her. The way those same disciples looked at her when confessing their feelings was no different from Tang Chuhuan's gaze now. It was terrifying; even as a woman, she absolutely didn’t want to be liked by a man! But this shouldn’t be happening... The difference between immortals and mortals wasn’t a joke. Cultivators absorbed spiritual energy for years, resulting in bodies without blemish, clear minds, and an aura of transcendence. This aura of transcendence, when viewed by mortals, was akin to gazing upon the radiance of the sun and moon; one could only feel insignificant, like dust, and not dare to expect the stars to bend down. In the face of stars, people might feel wonder or admiration, but surely no one would be ** towards them, right? Uh... Bai Lian suddenly recalled those from her past life who dared to go after even the most unlikely targets. Perhaps... not impossible? "Why does Young Master Tang react this way? Have you perhaps seen Bai Lian before?" she asked cautiously. Hearing this, Tang Chuhuan’s eyes reddened, and a look of sorrow appeared as he gazed at Bai Lian. But he quickly collected himself and smiled warmly on his delicate face. "Chuhuan is just a mere mortal. Naturally, I've never had the chance to meet the immortal Bai." "But we have family members in the Tang clan who cultivate in the Taihua Sword Sect. Occasionally, they mention the great Bai when returning home." “Chuhuan has always admired the path of cultivation, and so, influenced by this, I've held a deep respect for Bai Immortal. Meeting you today, you are indeed a celestial beauty.” “Chuhuan acted indiscreetly; I ask for Bai Immortal's forgiveness.” Oh, he’s just star-struck. No worries then. Hearing Tang Chuhuan's explanation, Bai Lian sighed in relief. Achieving immortality has always been something people pursue eagerly; the temptation of eternal youth is too great. Therefore, it’s normal for mortals to look up to cultivators, and some even place clay figures of cultivators on altars, hoping for divine protection. However, the path to immortality is elusive, with only one in ten thousand having the aptitude. Most people spend their lives without even touching the threshold of cultivation. And even upon entry, most remain in the early realms their entire lives. Like her and Mu Jianli, who had reached advanced realms only a few years after starting, such prodigies were rare even in the vast world of cultivation. “Senior Sister, who are you talking to?” Just then, Mu Jianli’s voice came from behind. Bai Lian's face lit up, seeing her like finding a savior, and she quickly moved over to Mu Jianli’s side. “Jianli, how did you finish so quickly?” Although it was a perfectly normal question, Mu Jianli felt somewhat insulted. Her status felt challenged for no reason. Mu Jianli pondered briefly, tilting her head in confusion, “It was just a minor enlightenment, easily grasped, so of course, it didn’t take long.” ? Darn genius. If I'd known, I wouldn’t have asked. Now I’m annoyed! Feeling a bit sulky, Bai Lian was about to turn away from Mu Jianli, but the next second, she found herself hugged around the waist by her. Mu Jianli leaned in and asked quietly by her ear, “Senior Sister, you’ve already charmed several people while Jianli was meditating briefly. Are you truly some sort of enchanting fox spirit?” “What? You’re the...” Bai Lian was about to retort when she was interrupted. “I am Tang Chuhuan from Gusu. And you must be Mu Jianli, the esteemed immortal?” Tang Chuhuan’s voice woke Bai Lian from her thoughts, and she hurriedly freed herself from Mu Jianli’s embrace, slightly flustered. In just a few days, she had grown accustomed to Mu Jianli’s affectionate gestures. If this continued, wouldn't she end up like a defenseless ball of fluff? Without realizing it, her guard against Mu Jianli was dropping, and she might unconsciously reveal her identity. When that time comes, Mu Jianli’s actions would only intensify, and she might become something like a secret treasure in a basement. Seeing the frog in the warming pot noticing the danger, Mu Jianli frowned slightly, her sharp gaze returning to the instigator. Upon clearly seeing Tang Chuhuan's face, she frowned: “It’s you?” Clearly, she recognized Tang Chuhuan. This surprised Bai Lian. In the game, Mu Jianli was one of the first heroines to join her harem and accompanied her the longest through the storyline. Yet, she hadn’t expected that Mu Jianli had some connection with Tang Chuhuan. Could there have been missing information in the game? Driven by curiosity, Bai Lian couldn’t help but lean closer to Mu Jianli and ask, “Jianli, do you two know each other?” Mu Jianli gave her a strange look but, seeing that Bai Lian was genuinely puzzled, leaned in and answered softly. “Senior Sister, the Tang family of Gusu is the mortal asset supported by our Taihua Sword Sect. The matter of the demonic cave was reported by the head of the Tang family to the sect.” “For this investigation, we need the Tang family’s assistance.” “And this Tang Chuhuan is the heir of the Tang family. You should know of him.” With Mu Jianli's reminder, long-forgotten memories finally resurfaced in Bai Lian’s mind. In the game, Bai Lian and Mu Jianli were investigating the headquarters of an evil cult located in the heavily guarded city of Gusu. The Tang family, being the most powerful in Gusu, was heavily victimized by the cult. The cult initially planned to secretly take over the Tang family, a clan with a century-long history in Gusu, to manipulate mortals more effectively as their fuel source. But the Tang family, with the backing of the Taihua Sword Sect, had inevitably encountered cultivation. Thus, once they detected the cult’s presence, they swiftly sought aid from Taihua Sword Sect, far away. This initiated the plot from half a year ago of Mu Jianli heading out to investigate the cult. Following her ambush by the cult and subsequent injury, which required her to recuperate at the sect, Bai Lian seized the moment to claim the title of Taihua Sect’s Eldest Senior Brother. Later, the two of them arrived in Gusu, starting a renewed investigation into the cult. Their base of operations was the Tang family in Gusu city. Throughout Mu Jianli’s chapter, the Tang family played an incredibly crucial role, appearing consistently. But the key point was... she really didn’t have any impression of Tang Chuhuan. Come on, does anyone really watch an AV without skipping, or play a dating sim focusing on the story?!