351 Extra 3 - A Farewell to Mr. Luo

### Extra Chapter Three --- In the celestial realm, the few remaining Yuan Lords had already been thrown back into the Immortal Palace by the Golden Dragon and his cohorts. The Six Extremities Hall discovered the failure in plundering the Fate Energy of Yuanchen Realm, and on top of that, the Heavenly Dao Alliance's forced severance of the passage to the Yuanchen Realm by the Golden Dragon led to a loss of coordinates. After numerous efforts spanning over ten thousand years, all was in vain. Standing atop the White Jade Palace, Bai Fan had also learned not long ago that Ming Zhu was still alive. However, it was said her condition wasn't very good. Sheng Ji could only remain devoted to his granddaughter, though unrequited love rarely ended well. Ming Zhu had been in a relationship ten thousand years ago, waiting bitterly for tens of thousands of years. She wouldn't stop for Sheng Lan's persistence. Both were exceptionally stubborn individuals, likely to remain unchanged without a significant event. Sheng Ji didn't want Sheng Lan to persist in such fruitless feelings. Moreover, the other person wasn't from the Yuanchen Realm, making the future even more uncertain. Hence, he thick-skinnedly approached Bai Fan, hoping she could persuade Sheng Lan. However, Bai Fan found herself quite helpless in this matter. If Ming Zhu was really willing to listen to her, she wouldn't have ended up like this. Someone willing to wait in the darkness for tens of thousands of years couldn't possibly be moved by a mere century of companionship. Though time could gradually ease some pain, certain things could never return to their initial state. After all, first love is the hardest to forget. After thinking it over, Bai Fan felt somewhat responsible, having taken Night River's essence back then. Perhaps she owed it to repay on his behalf. Returning to the grand hall, she spread a piece of paper and began to write a letter. --- Within the Sheng Mansion of the Tian Tian Realm, everything had been renewed. On the pavilion's terrace, a chair was placed. Ming Zhu sat, eyes vacant, lost in thought. Originally from the spiritual realm, she had crossed realms for Night River. Now, she was but a skeleton of her former self. Learning that Night River no longer existed in this world, she had nearly lost all her mental support, slowly retreating into her inner world, becoming increasingly unresponsive to the outside. As she quietly watched the catkins drift, her mind was filled with scenes from thousands of years ago with Night River. Gradually, she grew drowsy and leaned against the chair. A blue figure approached from behind, covering her with a blanket. Her face was gaunt, her sleep-whispers murmuring his name, tears glittering at the corners of her eyes, sliding down onto Sheng Lan's arm: "Night River." This whisper left Sheng Lan stunned in place. --- In the main hall of the Sheng Mansion, Sheng Ji sat in a black vermilion robe, listening to his subordinate's reports. At that moment, someone dashed in from outside, standing at the door as if awaiting Sheng Ji's summons. In his hand, he held a letter from the White Jade Palace of the Xuanming Sect, bearing the personal signature of the Dragon Clan's leader. After the subordinate left, Sheng Ji turned his attention to the doorway. "What is it?" Hearing Sheng Ji's voice, the person at the door promptly bowed and said, "Great sage, a letter from the White Jade Palace." "Oh? Let me see it." Sheng Ji hadn't expected a letter from Bai Fan. "Yes." The person responded, stepping forward to hand the letter to Sheng Ji. Sheng Ji accepted the letter, then waved the person away, who quickly and respectfully withdrew. As he lifted the letter, he saw the seal of the Xuanming Sect's leader—a bright red symbol like dripping blood. The seal ensured that if the letter wasn't opened by the recipient, it would self-destruct, ensuring utmost security. Within the envelope was a sheet of paper, along with another letter addressed to Ming Zhu and Sheng Lan. Puzzled for a moment, Sheng Ji remembered his previous request for Bai Fan to help resolve his granddaughter's situation. Bai Fan bore some responsibility for this, too. If it weren't for her, his obedient little granddaughter wouldn't have turned out this way, orbiting an unresponsive person. Given Bai Fan's current status, Sheng Ji felt she should've intervened earlier. If she had intervened when her status was different, he might've gone directly to her. The letter to Sheng Ji mostly contained polite remarks, the main message being: if the Sheng family chose not to accept, the Xuanming Sect would take Ming Zhu back. She wasn't without backing, and as long as Bai Fan was around, the Sheng family shouldn't look down on her. After reading, Sheng Ji felt Bai Fan was threatening him, using the Xuanming Sect's name against him. "Hmph, if I'd acted myself back then, there wouldn't even be a place for the Xuanming Sect in the cultivation world. How dare you threaten me." Afterwards, he summoned someone and handed them a letter. "Deliver this to the young lady. Let her read it." "Yes." Sheng Lan wiped away the tears from Ming Zhu's eyes with a handkerchief. Just as she was putting it away, a knock came at the door: "Miss, the great sage has sent a letter." Surprised, Sheng Lan wondered why her grandfather would send a letter within their own home. "Where is it?" The subordinate pushed the door open and handed the letter to Sheng Lan before closing the door again. Taking the letter, Sheng Lan glanced at the signature, then looked back at the sleeping Ming Zhu. She tore open the envelope and read the content. The letter said, "I've learned of your situation with Ming Zhu from your grandfather. I bear some responsibility for Ming Zhu's current state. Miss Sheng's love runs deep, and there's little I can do. If you need anything, you are welcome to come to the White Jade Palace. However, I know Ming Zhu is from the spiritual realm. Her arrival here wasn't in her original form; perhaps returning to the spiritual realm is her final release." These few lines left Sheng Lan in shock. Ming Zhu wasn't from the Yuanchen Realm? Bai Fan's letter subtly suggested taking Ming Zhu back to the spiritual realm, where she might find herself again. In that moment, Sheng Lan saw a glimmer of hope. "The spiritual realm?" Muttering the words, Sheng Lan recalled how Ming Zhu would sometimes gaze blankly at the sky, uttering those very words. To leave the Yuanchen Realm, one had to reach the Nascent Soul stage. This was why Bai Fan’s letter mentioned Sheng Lan coming to the White Jade Palace. Re-sealing the letter and placing it near her heart, Sheng Lan knew she couldn't let her grandfather see it. She needed to cultivate diligently, to reach the Nascent Soul stage, and take Ming Zhu back to the spiritual realm. Ming Zhu, slightly awakened, looked around in confusion and then settled her gaze elsewhere. Taking a deep breath, Sheng Lan said, "I will help you find yourself. Wait for the day I have the answers." Unbeknownst to Sheng Ji, Sheng Lan began cultivating fervently, much to his surprise. Having forced her to cultivate in the past to no avail, he wondered if she'd finally comprehended the true essence of cultivation. But he didn't know Sheng Lan had another agenda, planning to leave the Yuanchen Realm altogether. Two hundred years later, Bai Fan and He Yiman finally ascended. The disciples of the Xuanming Sect gathered to bid farewell, watching the two figures rise beyond the realm. Now grown into a young lady, Bai Yu wept watching her parents ascend. Tears streaming down, she chased after them clumsily. "Mother!" Crying out repeatedly. Turning back, Bai Fan and He Yiman saw their daughter chasing them, their eyes showing a hint of reluctance. Hand in hand, they stepped into the void, vanishing from Bai Yu’s sight. Little Vermillion Bird ran over, grabbing Bai Yu’s hand, offering her strength. With more people ascending, a new story began in the Yuanchen Realm. Another hundred years passed. Sheng Ji, while overseeing preparations for the New Year feast, felt his ascension approaching, knowing he might not see Sheng Lan again. Cherishing each gathering, he made the most of their time together. However, when told Sheng Lan was nowhere to be found, even in the entire Sheng Mansion, he grew worried, especially with Ming Zhu missing too. Frowning, Sheng Ji took a letter handed to him. "This was found in the young lady's room," a subordinate said. Opening it, his face changed. "Bai Fan, this isn’t over!" he roared to the sky. ### Extra Chapter Three (Continued) Sheng Lan had been secretly preparing to head to the spiritual realm for a long time. Just a year ago, she had vaguely reached the threshold of ascension. However, to avoid detection by her grandfather, she suppressed her cultivation tightly, making Sheng Ji believe she was still in the Great Ascension stage. It was only today, as they were about to depart for the spiritual realm, that she revealed her true intentions. By the time Sheng Ji saw the letter, Sheng Lan had already embarked on the journey to the spiritual realm with Ming Zhu. At this point, even if he wanted to, he wouldn't be able to stop them. Sheng Ji knew his granddaughter's thoughts well, suspecting Bai Fan had a hand in this. Without Bai Fan’s interference, Sheng Lan wouldn't have known about the existence of the spiritual realm. Slamming his hand on the table, Sheng Ji exclaimed, "That girl! Instead of properly ascending, she insists on going to the spiritual realm. I should have suspected something when she kept visiting the White Jade Palace." On the way to the spiritual realm, Sheng Lan tied Ming Zhu's wrist to hers, fearing she might lose her in a moment of carelessness. The path ahead was a swirl of colors, filled with distorted routes and unexpected space-time turbulences. Flying alongside Ming Zhu, Sheng Lan spoke, "We are almost home. Look, the spiritual realm is just ahead." Pointing towards the spiritual realm in the distance, Sheng Lan saw a spark of life return to Ming Zhu's previously vacant eyes. Her lips parted slightly, whispering, "Home." "I promised I would take you back to the spiritual realm. Whether it's stormy or calm, I'll be with you." As they neared the spiritual realm, a clarity began to return to Ming Zhu's gaze. She frequently glanced at Sheng Lan, as if trying to memorize the person beside her. All the past experiences in the Yuanchen Realm started to feel like a dream. The closer they got to the spiritual realm, the stronger Ming Zhu felt a mysterious force pulling her, as if welcoming her homecoming. --- ### To Be Continued... --- Return to Index | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter