Chapter 144: Chang'e and Daji - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 144: Chang'e and Daji Mount Emei. A renowned sect ranked among the top ten in the Earthly Immortal Realm. Sword Immortals often flew between its peaks, inspiring dreams of sword mastery among the local mortals. Yet, learning immortal techniques was challenging, and acquiring the innate quality even harder. It took many lifetimes of cultivation for some to barely achieve the status of itinerant immortals. Worse still, some were reborn as animals in subsequent lives, losing all opportunity to reach the Dao. Emei's admission criteria were stringent. Character, aptitude, comprehension, and even destiny were all evaluated; lacking any one could be a disqualification. Out of millions, only one might be chosen to enter the sect. Despite the mortals' jealousy, they had no way of joining. The best they could hope for was to serve as porters, transporting supplies to Emei. If they encountered benevolent immortals, they might be taught some health-preserving Qi techniques. These would become family heirlooms, passed down for generations... ... At that moment. A blue streak of light flew across the sky. Some disciples of Emei noticed and began to chatter. "Sister Nangong has returned." "I wonder where Sister Nangong went this time." "I heard it had something to do with the turbulent worlds." "Why go to those filthy and foul-smelling places?" "Not sure, but after Sister Nangong left, that Great Immortal also departed." "It must be related to that deity." "Do you know the inside story?" "Brother, you're joking, it's just speculation, nothing for sure!" ... Inside Emei's great hall. Nangong Liuli, emerging from her stream of light, stood before the hall, her figure delicate, her cold eyes isolating her from the world. Her master, Chongxu Daoist, arrived. Observing Nangong Liuli's distant demeanor, Chongxu Daoist felt a headache. His disciple was excellent in every way. Except her temperament was too aloof. "Liuli, how did things go?" Nangong Liuli didn’t reply immediately but instead presented seven jade talismans of Xiuyu. She kept four white jade talismans to herself. She had a vague worry in her heart. Thus, she did not disclose everything. "These were found on those mortals." "They appear to be artifacts crafted by a master." Chongxu Daoist took them at once. The talismans still held some energy akin to intense sunlight, but Chongxu Daoist perceived the craftsmanship as crude. They looked like playthings made by children. Thinking this, Chongxu Daoist exerted his power, concentrating on one talisman marked "Stabilize." To discover what powerful force remained there. Yet as soon as his power entered, he was overwhelmed by the imposing presence of a mighty sun. Although he was a Third Transformation Immortal, the force immobilized him. His entire power seemed frozen, unable to move. "Grk..." He waited, until the talisman’s energy completely dissipated and he broke free, regaining his power. "This!" Chongxu was shocked that the talisman’s last vestige of energy had sealed him for so long! Understand this. Not even the Emei's Haotian Mirror could act with such ease. It all happened in an instant. Nangong Liuli was curious. "Master, what happened?" Chongxu shook his head. "The energy within the talisman is uncanny." "It doesn't resemble energy cultivated by a traditional cultivator." "More like something left by innate spirits." "Probably that energy allowed those mortals to easily kill that person." "Let's not speak further. You've worked hard on this trip, rest for now." "Next, the sect master and other elders and I will delve into the origin of this energy." "To see what mysteries lie behind." "Yes, Master." Upon saying this, Nangong Liuli departed. Yet no one noticed the deep worry flashing in those eyes, usually as cold as ancient ice... ... "Ah! Yu Niang, slow down, it's too fast..." In the Liu residence. Yuluo Niang had just consumed her liquid golden elixir for the day. Su Mo, somewhat helpless, stood, donned his clothes, and headed out. "Next time, don't be so hasty." Yuluo Niang’s eyes were seductive, and her jade arms embraced Su Mo's shoulders. Her voice soft as if teasing. "Husband, I'll be more careful next time, to make you feel better." "Go practice your sword." After speaking, Yuluo Niang transformed into a white jade spider, nestling back into Su Mo's hair. Su Mo had been staying with Bai Suzhen for three days. In these days, Xiaoqing attacked him nightly. Each time more alluring, each time more skilled. No one could tell who was teaching her; she progressed so fast. Even though he fended off each attempt, who could guarantee his resistance would hold next time? He stepped out and into the backyard, casually snapping a plum branch from the flower bed, and began practicing the Innate Lesser Sun Sword Technique. Unlike other martial arts, it lacked flashy moves. It focused more on the circulation of internal true Qi. For Su Mo, it meant harnessing the intense energy of the Lesser Sun. As the plum branch danced, bursts of golden sun energy radiated, transforming the cool yard into the heat of summer. Meanwhile, Xiaoqing and Bai Suzhen carried breakfast over. Seeing Su Mo wield his sword, Xiaoqing was astounded. "Master Su is powerful." "The energy he emits feels overwhelmingly potent." "Ordinary demons, grazed, are hurt, touched, die instantly." "It doesn't belong to this world." Bai Suzhen admired and loved Su Mo with her sacred gaze. Indeed. In every lifetime, her beloved Su had been such a paragon, a dragon among men... The two women waited as Su Mo practiced the Innate Lesser Sun Sword three times. Upon finishing, they dared to approach. Curious Xiaoqing asked. "Master Su, what is this technique of yours?" "If it's martial arts, it seems terrifyingly powerful." Su Mo chuckled proudly. "Nothing much, just a minor skill." "Let’s eat." "By the way, I'm planning to return today." "If you have the time, you're welcome to visit me in Linjiang City." Hearing Su Mo intended to leave, Bai Suzhen appeared full of reluctance. "Can't you stay a few more days?" Su Mo slowly shook his head at her words. "I've stayed long enough." "There are many tasks awaiting." "Of course, if you miss me, you could come over anytime." At this, Bai Suzhen remembered something. "Master Su." "I can construct a Jiezi Array." "It connects two distant places, though materials are hard to come by." "A few years back, I happened upon a spiritual jade that can build the array." "This way, you can travel between Liu Residence and Linjiang City at will." "With little effort." Su Mo, hearing this, was immediately interested. "Ah, if that's the case, it would be excellent." "As long as this spiritual jade isn’t crucial to your cultivation." "If it helps your cultivation, it would be such a waste to use it for a mere array." Bai Suzhen gently shook her head. "I'm just a step away from achieving the Heavenly Immortal status." "Even this precious jade is but a collectible." "Master Su, you can return first." "Within seven days, I’ll come to set up the array at your place." "Alright!" ... ... Da Shang, Jizhou. Next to a lake as clear as a full moon, stood a pavilion. Inside the pavilion. A peerlessly beautiful woman, clad in ethereal red attire, exuding a cold demeanor, stood. Beside her was a young maiden, delicately sculpted like a jade statue, dressed in white. Together, they formed a scene not of the mortal world. These women were Chang'e and Daji. Even the enchanting Daji appeared as a burgeoning girl next to Chang'e. At this moment. Chang'e gazed across the lake waters, lost in thought. As if she could see Su Mo through the blue expanse. "Sister Chang'e." "We've been here all afternoon. Let's leave." At this moment, Daji was cautious, fearful of angering the divine woman beside her. From her perspective, Chang'e's face was dazzling and sacred. She seemed the most perfect creation of heaven and earth. Daji felt more than ever that a deity was truly divine, as every frown, smile, and movement radiated extraordinary allure and grace. Such a being seemed entirely beyond the mortal realm. Earlier, after Chang'e had left her arrival point, Daji had used her exquisite divination skills to locate the goddess who had descended for unknown reasons. In Chang'e, she saw the hope of finding Su Mo. She racked her brains, devising ways to make the goddess lower her guard and come to the Marquis of Jizhou's estate. Their secrecy was a success. Aside from herself, her father, and the sworn guards, no one knew of Chang'e's presence. Chang'e looked at Daji upon hearing her. Her eyes contained a vast universe, piercing into the depths of every heart. Regardless of good, evil, beauty, or ugliness, nothing could escape her divine gaze. Chang'e had agreed to accompany Daji to Jizhou because she saw that their goals aligned. They both sought their beloved. Yet, she remained unaware that both were searching for the same person. Then, Chang'e gently shook her head. She pointed ahead, towards a barren wilderness inhabited by animals. "They are coming." "Who is coming?" Though proficient in witchcraft, Daji was still in a sixteen-year-old body, with the corresponding spiritual power. She couldn’t yet perceive everything around her with Chang'e's clarity. As Chang'e's voice fell, a multitude of giants appeared on the deserted field ahead. Tall, imposing, with rugged muscles, they carried a lifeless aura. Their blue skin revealed them as not living beings but corpse puppets. "What is this!" Daji's eyes widened in shock, her cherry lips parted in astonishment. "Ancient Wu Huang tribe!" "No, these are the corpses of the Wu Huang tribe." "Why are they coming now?" "And how did they appear?!" Daji's heart pounded. In her previous life, there were never so many giants of the Wu Huang tribe. At most, when Bo Yikao presented tributes, there were four skulls from the tribe. But those were mere decayed relics. Where did these intact bodies come from? And they seemed to be refined into puppets! Could it be... Do they know of the goddess residing in Jizhou? Daji was overwhelmed with fear. Even when enemy forces besieged the palace in Zhaoge, she hadn’t been this panic-stricken. Everyone knew. The Wu Huang tribe was considered the ancestor of all Wu tribes. The subsequent branches formed the glorious ancient era. As ancestors. It signified an extreme. An ultimate of the Wu! Even now as mere corpses, they were insurmountable. Could Jizhou withstand them? The Wu Huang puppets marched resolutely, pounding the earth as they headed for Jizhou. Upon closer inspection. Their numbers reached the hundreds. Daji believed that even a single Wu Huang was beyond Jizhou's power. At this thought. She turned her gaze to the goddess Chang'e. Could she help Jizhou through this crisis? "Plop!" "Plop!" "Plop!"... The sounds of splash came through. The Wu Huang tribe had entered the lake, less than a kilometer from Chang'e and Daji. Their target was clear. They were coming straight for them! Daji’s heart leapt to her throat, and before she could seek aid, Chang'e’s lips parted gently. One word emerged. "Congeal!" As the word surfaced, the sky and earth changed, an infinite cold radiating outward in a fan shape from Chang'e. The once clear lake instantaneously turned into bone-chilling ice. The first wave of Wu Huang puppets froze solid, unable to move. "So… so powerful!" Daji's tiny mouth hung open. She couldn’t believe the scene before her eyes. Even at her peak, she couldn't achieve a fraction of this. Was this the power of the divine? For the first time, Daji understood the sheer might of Chang’e. "Wind!" Chang'e uttered her second word. The first came a gentle breeze then the wind grew stronger, turning into an unstoppable storm. The storm cut through like thousands of steel blades. The foremost, frozen Wu Huang bodies were stripped of flesh, as if by a thousand cuts. In an instant, they were reduced to pale skeletons. The remaining Wu Huang puppets raised a bizarre shield entirely made of Wu power, struggling to withstand the surrounding storm. The shield flickered, ready to vanish at any moment. Seeing their defense withstand her storm, Chang’e spoke again. "Rain!" Her cold voice rang out. Instantly, the entire world seemed to hold its breath... ... “Crack!” A flash of lightning streaked across. Was it raining? Su Mo looked up at the sky. Raindrops poured down. Yet, inexplicably, the moon remained visible, glowing brightly in the rainy night. Chang'e. Is that you? Su Mo sighed within. Emotions of longing for Chang’e surged forth without warning. Like memories surfacing unexpectedly post-heartbreak, recalling every detail of the other. It was a painful, bittersweet feeling. As though a rasp slowly scraped across the heart, leaving a persistent ache. Or a dull ache tapping against the sinuses, quietly shedding tears in the bitterness. Face wet whether from rain or tears. Suppressing his inner turmoil, Su Mo spurred his horse onward to Linjiang City. Yuluo Niang noticed Su Mo’s melancholy. She didn’t understand why he seemed so sorrowful. “Husband…” (End of Chapter)