Chapter 58 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

Bai Lian was somewhat confused. "Is there a problem with entering the Hehuan Underground Palace?" She scratched her head, unsure why Mu Jianli had such a strong reaction. Leaving aside any schemes Tang Chuhuan might have, Bai Lian was very familiar with the inner workings of the Hehuan Underground Palace. She had gone through the guides and maps of the place multiple times. She knew every nook and cranny, even the exact number of grasses in each corner. Moreover, both she and Mu Jianli were cultivators at the Qin Xin stage. Even if they encountered danger, they could handle it. There was no reason not to enter the underground palace. "No, it's nothing," Mu Jianli lowered her head, concealing the complex emotions in her eyes. Senior Brother... is he still fixated on that Blissful Scripture? Even if he got himself killed in a chaotic sword fight, turning into a woman, he still wants to practice those dual cultivation techniques of absorption? If that's truly the case, she would certainly feel disappointed. And then she would unhesitatingly... turn Senior Brother into something that belonged solely to her. At this time, Yuan Fa Monk saw them from afar and approached. He seemed like a benign monk, clad in a worn-out and patchy kasaya, resembling a devout ascetic. But Bai Lian was well aware of how depraved this seemingly amiable monk actually was. Unlike the Grand Ancestor of Taixu Mountain Villa, who relied on the virgin blood of maidens for life extension, Yuan Fa Monk, though less than a hundred years old, had already reached the late Qin Xin stage. Although his cultivation was augmented by exploiting furnace cauldrons, leaving his spiritual energy shallow and his foundation unstable, making it nearly impossible for him to break through to the soaring stage, he was still in his prime. Thus, his manipulation of innocent women was not out of a need for life extension but purely for amusement. His peculiar interests were even stranger than Xie Cai's, not only enjoying cuckolding others but also preferring others to raise his offspring. Under the guise of bestowing children from Buddha, he used his magic on women wishing for children, leading them to conceive. Ordinary couples, oblivious to the truth, not only did not blame him but were even grateful. Those who realized something was wrong and came to demand accountability were all killed by him. Such a person deserved no sympathy in death. "My, my, esteemed guests visiting Suzhou City, why not come by my Joy Temple for a visit? Could it be you find my humble temple too modest?" Yuan Fa Monk joked as he approached, causing Bai Lian to furrow her brows slightly. As expected, just like in the game, he was full of sycophantic flattery. Anyone would think he was an official of Suzhou City, entirely lacking the demeanor of a monk. "Master Yuan Fa is joking. The Joy Temple is splendid; how could it be considered modest?" she replied coldly, revealing a rare demeanor that intimidated others from a thousand miles away. Even though she and Yuan Fa were both at the late Qin Xin stage, she was far superior to him in every aspect. Now that she fully released her aura, Yuan Fa felt an overwhelming pressure. He couldn't help but raise his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat off his bald head. At this moment, the Grand Ancestor of Taixu Mountain Villa was still hanging on the sword behind Bai Lian, and Yuan Fa was no match for that old man, let alone Bai Lian. With their superior destination unknown, survival was his only option. He couldn't fathom why Tang Chuhuan had failed to notice Bai Lian and Mu Jianli sneaking into Taixu Mountain Villa, forcing them to abandon the carriage and protect the general. She claimed to be but a mere mortal, unable to manage the fairies of the Taihua Sword Sect. Humph, but this was preferable. Joy Temple and Taixu Mountain Villa, though comrades in wicked ways, cared only for self-interest, void of any true camaraderie. Now that the old one was vanquished, any blame from the superiors would fall on Tang Chuhuan. By then, Yuan Fa would become the sole support of their superiors. Perhaps he should even thank Tang Chuhuan. Standing in the shadows, Tang Chuhuan noticed the irrepressible joy on Yuan Fa's face, her lips curling slightly. She addressed Bai Lian, "Fairy Bai, I’ll have my men watch over this fiend first while I take you to the tunnel entrance." As soon as she uttered these words, Yuan Fa's expression changed drastically. "Very well," Bai Lian nodded, releasing the Grand Ancestor of Taixu Mountain Villa to be guarded by Tang Chuhuan's attendants. "Please wait, esteemed guests. I’ve heard that the tunnel is exceedingly strange, capable of bewildering one's mind," Yuan Fa said urgently. "Wouldn't it be imprudent to go there rashly?" Bai Lian smiled faintly, "My Taihua Sword Sect fights with heart and sword, shattering all worldly laws. Mere mind-influencing tricks are not to be feared." Indeed, she wasn't just boasting, for disciples of the Taihua Sword Sect honed their sword hearts from the commencement of their cultivation, making them immune to the seduction of the Hehuan Palace's toxins, which could affect ordinary people and average cultivators. In the game, Mu Jianli lost control of her senses after succumbing to the allure of Joy Temple's toxin, coupled with the toxic allure of Hehuan Palace, ultimately forcing herself upon Bai Lian. Although, to be honest, she wasn't entirely unwilling at the time. This time, however, with Mu Jianli being reborn six months earlier, she was immune to the toxic allure altogether. As for Bai Lian, there was even less to worry about. Her White Lotus Sword Intent inherently possessed purity, unaffected by minor toxicity unless excessively dosed by allure's toxin. Laughable. An impossibility. After all, aside from Jianli, no one could get close enough to poison her. Surely Jianli wouldn't poison her, right? "Oh, Miao, do you want to come with us into the tunnel?” Bai Lian suddenly asked Jiang Miao. Ever since Tang Chuhuan showed up, Jiang Miao had been unusually silent, seemingly lost in thought. Jiang Miao shook her head, "No, Black Lotus Sister. I have other matters to attend to." Her appearance at Taixu Mountain Villa had been a spontaneous decision, originally intending to seek out Bai Lian at the Taihua Sword Sect. But now her objective had changed. She wanted to investigate this Black Lotus Sister. Though it was their first meeting, there was an inexplicable feeling of familiarity, coupled with Tang Chuhuan’s address... "Fairy Bai." Could Black Lotus Sister’s surname be Bai? Judging by the reaction to being called Fairy Bai, it seemed likely that Black Lotus Sister possessed another identity. Of course, she knew Black Lotus couldn't be Bai Lian's real name, but combined with the familiar sensation that Bai Lian brought her and Mu Jianli’s treatment of Bai Lian, she couldn't ignore the absurd suspicion gnawing at her mind. Because in this world, the only person who gave her this sense of security was him... But... if Black Lotus Sister truly was that person she longed for, how should she face it? "Alright," Bai Lian nodded, not noticing the conflict on Jiang Miao's face. Instead, Mu Jianli keenly observed her expression. She understood Jiang Miao’s feelings, as she had experienced similar emotions shortly after her own rebirth. But to her, it didn’t matter if Bai Lian was a man or a woman, as long as she remained the person from her memories. Of course, she had no intention of revealing Jiang Miao's inner conflict to Bai Lian. Because right now, it was amusing. Avoiding the inevitable would only heighten the reaction. When Jiang Miao discovers you're Bai Lian, how will you face it? Suddenly, she felt a bit excited about it...