Chapter 59 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

Jiang Miao was the first to leave, followed by Tang Chuhuan who led Bai Lian and Mu Jianli to the entrance of an underground passage. As soon as Bai Lian stepped through the gates of the residence of the Tai Xu Manor's elder, her gaze was drawn to the passage emitting a pink mist. The surrounding city guards all kept their distance from it, and several disheveled and pitiful individuals lay on the ground—clearly having inhaled too much of the pink mist, lost themselves, and been knocked out by their companions. This scene was exactly like when she had discovered the Harmony Palace in the game. With a wave of her water sleeves, soft ripples extended outward, creating a barrier between the pink mist and the city guards. The guards immediately felt a sense of relief, as if refreshed by a gentle rain, leaving them grateful. They cast appreciative glances at Bai Lian, evidently surprised that a celestial figure would consider their well-being. Tang Chuhuan watched Bai Lian's actions with an inexplicable melancholy. Indeed, regardless of past or present lives, as a man or woman, Bai Lian remained the same gentle and delicate soul. Some things required more than mere words to convey; attention to detail in one's actions was vital. Would an ordinary cultivator think to consider the feelings of mortals in this situation? Probably not. Oftentimes, upon contact with the celestial, one could lose their humanity and become otherworldly, much like the cult plaguing Suzhou City or her own father. "Bai Xianzi, your heart is truly as noble as the orchids; on behalf of the soldiers, I thank you," she said with a bow. "It's just a small effort," Bai Lian replied, shaking her head. "If ordinary people inhale too much of this mist, it can greatly harm their bodies. My spiritual power can block it for a while, but not indefinitely." "Tang Gongzi, have these brothers withdraw for now." "Alright," Tang Chuhuan nodded, dismissing the remaining city guard soldiers. Bai Lian stared at the deep passage entrance, pondering for a moment, before extending her hand, from which a lotus flower began to gently bloom. Mu Jianli observed this scene, her eyes glinting with admiration. This was Bai Lian's Heart Sword, an integral part of cultivating the Taihua Sword Codex or the Taixuan Mind Scripture, requiring each disciple of the Taihua Sword Sect to form their Heart Sword and continuously refine it, achieving the level of using one’s heart as their sword. And Bai Lian's Heart Sword was probably the most exquisite and beautiful she had ever seen. The lotus was a pristine moon-white, reminiscent of a sacred snow lotus on a towering mountain, emanating an intoxicating aura. Compared to Bai Lian’s Heart Sword, hers was just a simple and ordinary small sword, almost excessively plain. Of course, these observations were not the primary reason for Mu Jianli's fascination. The true reason was the faint trace of pink that appeared within the heart of Bai Lian's lotus Heart Sword—a sign that the aphrodisiac scent had permeated her entire being, even tainting the very core of her dantian. Even in her past life, when she suffered from the aphrodisiac's influence, it hadn't reached this degree of corruption; her Heart Sword had remained unscathed, the toxin unable to defile it. Yet, her senior brother remained oblivious to this. Too trusting indeed. Mu Jianli lowered her gaze, emotions swirling within her. In our past life, you did such terrible things to me, yet now, reborn, you act as if nothing happened, indulging me in every way. Do you think this will make me forget your past indiscretions? Even as a woman, you still want to enter that Harmony Palace and partake in the Bliss Ceremony. Perhaps your current kindness is merely a ruse, waiting to repeat past transgressions once you get what you desire. Hmph, senior brother, you’d better not have such thoughts, or don't blame me for taking pre-emptive action. But don't worry, I won't be as fickle as you. My affections are solely for you, and you alone. By then, I'll lock you away in a secret place no one will ever find, and no one will take you away from me. Bai Lian suddenly shivered inexplicably. Strange... Cultivators with a clear mind are supposed to be immune to cold... Why does she feel a chill? Could it be that another female protagonist has shown up uninvited? Sword Li and Xiao Miao are already difficult enough to handle, surely no more, please... Feeling somewhat guilty, she glanced around and happened to meet Mu Jianli's profound gaze. For some reason, she felt as though Jianli's eyes resembled a hungry wolf eyeing a sheep. She quickly turned her head, coughing awkwardly. "Ahem, Jianli, let's go." Mu Jianli pulled herself from her wandering thoughts and smiled slightly, "Alright, senior sister." Yuan Fa's expression hadn't improved since earlier. But as he watched Bai Lian and Mu Jianli's figures disappear into the passage, he never mustered the courage to stop them. Don't be fooled by the Tai Xu Manor's elder, who had fallen to the point of needing virgin blood to sustain his life; at his core, he was still a disciple of the esoteric sect, with a legitimate heritage. He was different, originally just an ordinary monk from a nearby temple, expelled for peeping at women bathing. If not for Shang Shi taking notice of him, he'd likely be dead by now. His cultivation to the late stage of a clear mind was entirely reliant on the harvesting techniques granted by Shang Shi. As such, his spiritual strength was quite diluted; not only was he no match for Bai Lian of the same level, even cultivators a few layers below him could easily overpower him. Frustrated with no one to vent on, he could only turn to Tang Chuhuan and question, "Tang Chuhuan, what are you playing at?" "These two girls sneaked into the Tai Xu Manor once, and now you're leading them to the forbidden grounds. What are you plotting?!" Tang Chuhuan withdrew her gaze from Bai Lian's retreating figure and gave Yuan Fa a disdainful look. "You think Shang Shi's visit to Suzhou is for what? Is it not to secure Bai Lian?" "Now that Bai Lian is in Suzhou, contrary to predictions, and we have yet to fulfill Shang Shi's demand, you're asking about my intentions?" "Use that useless brain of yours, drained by women. Without baiting them with the forbidden grounds, how else would they walk right into Shang Shi’s trap?" "For someone who prides himself as Shang Shi's right hand, you'd be better off dying beneath a woman's body, truly a waste." "You!" Yuan Fa's eyes bulged with fury. Yet Tang Chuhuan stood fearless, saying, "What? Want to kill me?" Though Yuan Fa simmered with anger, he dared not lay a hand on Tang Chuhuan. While they had been setting the stage in Suzhou for over two years, real progress was only recent, largely thanks to this accursed mortal. Shang Shi thought highly of him, and were he to act out, his life wouldn’t last until tomorrow. At that moment, Tang Chuhuan suddenly spoke up: "Now that Bai Lian and Mu Jianli have entered the underground palace and Shang Shi has long prepared for them there, even with their formidable strength, they'll struggle to cope." "You might go in now and potentially reap the benefits, earning Shang Shi’s recognition." "Think a bit smarter, don't just focus on those sordid acts." Her words enlightened Yuan Fa, transforming his resentful mood into one of great anticipation, dissipating his previous ire. He hurriedly saluted Tang Chuhuan, declaring, "Mr. Tang, you truly deserve Shang Shi's favor. Once the task is complete, we'll delve into the mysteries of cultivation together." And with that, he hastened away, planning to intercept Bai Lian and Mu Jianli via another secret route. Now, only Tang Chuhuan remained at the entrance of the passage. With a deep, mysterious gaze, she softly called out, "Ying Senior, does your promise still stand?" A sultry voice suddenly emerged from nowhere, "Certainly, what do you have in mind?" "No matter what, please ensure the safety of Bai Lian and Mu Jianli." After a moment of silence, the sultry voice sneered, “Such a womanly compassion.”