176 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 176: They're Inside "Master specifically requested five children, so why did you only bring back four?" The man named Teng Ziming looked at his junior sister standing beside him. "There was originally another little girl. Her cultivation potential was indeed promising, but something seemed off," Zixia slowly began to explain. "She could sense my emotions. Her attention was focused on me, and she could perceive my thoughts. At that moment, I almost exposed myself. I had to avoid being alone with her and exert great control over my emotions and thoughts to avoid detection." "Interesting. The ability to read another's mind is unheard of," Teng Ziming chuckled. "By your account, wouldn't such a unique girl be more valuable as a catalyst? No, no, using her merely as a catalyst would be a waste. She should be of service to our Danyang Sect." Teng Ziming scrutinized her profile, "But none of these should serve as your excuse. After all, you're in the Dragon Gate realm, and that little girl couldn't even harm a fly. Would it have mattered if you were discovered? Was it fear of being found out, or did you develop compassion and let her go on purpose?" "Ching!" As Teng Ziming finished speaking, a shimmering blue long sword was poised at his throat. Zixia's eyes narrowed coldly upon him. One more word from Teng Ziming, and it seemed his head would roll. "Senior Brother Teng, Sister Zixia," came a voice, breaking the silence of the alchemy room. A disciple knocked on the door. Zixia withdrew her sword from Teng Ziming's neck and sheathed it forcefully, then turned her gaze back to the alchemy furnace. "Come in," Teng Ziming wiped off the bloodstain on his neck. An outer disciple entered, bowing respectfully, "Sister Zixia, two children are at the mountain gate asking for you. They address you as Sister A-Zi. We dared not treat them lightly, so I came to inform you." "Two children?" Zixia's brows knitted. "Yes, one is named Xiao Mo, and the other Jiang Xin," the disciple replied. At the mention of "Jiang Xin," Zixia's furrowed brows deepened. Teng Ziming glanced at Zixia and spoke first, "These two are friends of Zixia. Bring them to the guest peak and treat them well. Make no mistakes." "Yes, Senior Brother." The outer disciple quickly withdrew, thinking that luckily he had been diligent enough to report. Teng Ziming turned to Zixia: "I actually understand a bit about your thoughts, Junior Sister. After all, even a dog becomes cherished after years. How much more so a person? But you've already slain so many; letting one slip makes no difference. Besides, even if you spared her life, she came to find us, indicating her fate." "Don't let her escape this time. Our Danyang Sect is already at odds with the Mountain Ghost Sect. Master must break through to the Nascent Soul, or else we face disaster," Teng Ziming patted Zixia's shoulder and left the alchemy room. "Junior Sister, we're both blood-stained. Let's not feign compassion now. In the Western Regions, if we don't eat others, they'll eat us." Teng Ziming's voice echoed as he departed, leaving Zixia alone in the vast alchemy room, filled with self-loathing. Xiao Mo and Jiang Xin followed the gatekeeper disciple into the Danyang Sect, eventually arriving at a small courtyard. Along the way, Xiao Mo looked around curiously. It was indeed a small sect; there were many disciples but few who could soar through the air. In truth, most sects in this world were like this; their leaders barely reached the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stages. Having encountered higher-tiered sects in past lives, where even a Nascent Soul cultivator might only serve as a regular elder or steward, Xiao Mo found it hard to adjust to this smaller scale. However, the sect was as he'd heard—not some demonic faction, even considered righteous in the Western Regions. "You two friends may rest here," the outer disciple courteously informed Xiao Mo and Jiang Xin. "We'll bring food to you shortly." "Big Brother, where's Sister A-Zi?" Jiang Xin asked nervously with her hands clasped at her chest. "Can we see Sister A-Zi?" "Sister Zixia is currently busy but should visit when she's free," the disciple explained. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." "Thank you, Big Brother." "You're welcome, little ones." Once the outer disciple left, Xiao Mo unpacked their luggage and tethered their donkey. While arriving at the courtyard, Xiao Mo had inquired about "A-Zi." It turned out Jiang Xin's Sister A-Zi was the Danyang Sect's direct disciple of the sect master, a significant identity. Thus, the outer disciple extended such courtesy to the two young vagabonds. Shortly after the outer disciple's departure, a female disciple descended before the courtyard, "Sister Zixia requests your presence. Please follow me." "Thank you, Sister Immortal," Xiao Mo quickly nodded, feigning innocence. The female disciple summoned a magical artifact, sweeping up Xiao Mo and Jiang Xin into the air. Soon, they arrived at a mountaintop, the breeze suffused with a medicinal fragrance. The woman led Xiao Mo and Jiang Xin into a spacious courtyard. In front of a large gate, she bowed and announced, "Sister Zixia, the young friends Jiang Xin and Xiao Mo have arrived." "Let them in," a woman's voice came from inside the room. Upon hearing the voice, Jiang Xin's eyes lit up, heart pounding with excitement. There was no mistake—this was Sister A-Zi! "Please enter," the female disciple opened the door for them. As they stepped inside, the door closed automatically. It was an alchemy room. Before the furnace stood a woman. "Sister A-Zi?" Jiang Xin called out joyfully, running forward, but after a few steps, something caused her to retreat, her eyes filled with confusion and fear, "Sister A-Zi?" Zixia turned to face Jiang Xin, her gaze icy, "Ah Xin, long time no see." "Sister A-Zi... Xiao Han and the others," Jiang Xin's voice trembled. "Xiao Han and the others? Haven't you already seen what's in Sister's heart?" Zixia smiled faintly, looking towards the furnace behind her. "They're inside, right there."