54 - A Farewell to Mr. Luo

Chapter 54 Bai Fan gritted her teeth and accepted the large spiritual pearl. "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhou." After saying that, she turned and left. Only she knew that this departure meant she wouldn't return. But she hadn't expected to owe someone a debt of gratitude before leaving. Leaving Xuanming Sect, Bai Fan felt a bit reluctant, thinking that everyone might still be waiting for her return. Before she left, Bai Fan was assigned a mount by the sect, a large gray goose with dull feathers that looked somewhat ugly. Xuanming always provided mounts for disciples going on training missions. Although Bai Fan couldn't fly by herself, at least she didn't have to walk. This large gray goose wasn't as smart as a white crane and was somewhat clumsy. If not reminded, it might make a couple of circles and take you back to where you started. Riding the large gray goose, Bai Fan returned to Immortal City. It wasn't as bustling as when she had left, with far fewer people in the sky as well. The robes of a Xuanming disciple were quite effective. As soon as Bai Fan reached the city gates, she was allowed in without any obstacles. Walking down the street, she intended to visit the same old bookstore. However, before she got there, she noticed a group of disciples from the Illusory Sword Pavilion flying toward her on their swords, exuding an air of grandeur with their seven or eight strong group. "A disciple of the Xuanming Sect." "They look so impressive. If only I could join Xuanming Sect." Standing on the side and overhearing, Bai Fan couldn't help but feel that the Xuanming Sect was truly wonderful. There, she didn't have to worry about anything but cultivation, and even outsiders treated the sect's disciples with respect. "Don't get your hopes up. Xuanming Sect isn't easy to join. Every ten years, just a few families in Immortal City get one spot. I heard that five years ago, Sun Bing from the Sun family lost his spot for some reason. Now he's still stuck in his family." "Why mention him? He used to look down on us ordinary disciples even before he left. Now that he didn't make it, he's nothing but a joke." Hearing this, Bai Fan immediately thought of how she had traded the technique of grafting spiritual herbs for a chance to enter the Xuanming Sect at the Sun family back then. She hadn't known that this opportunity had been taken from someone else. But she didn't feel bad for him; he was just unlucky. Bai Fan walked around the bookstore but still couldn't find any trace of He Yiman. In the past five years, several clerks had been replaced, so asking around yielded no new information. Just as Bai Fan was about to leave, she unexpectedly saw Zhu Qingshan, who had brought her here initially, among a group of Pure Yang Palace disciples. Perhaps Bai Fan had changed too much; he didn't recognize her as they brushed past each other. Getting to Immortal City, Bai Fan still had to visit the Sun family. After all, the connections were there; even her master was from the Sun family. Standing at the Sun family gate, she stored the large gray goose in her beast pouch. A servant at the gate, upon seeing her attire, immediately approached and asked, "Are you a disciple of the Xuanming Sect, Immortal Master?" Bai Fan nodded, considering she hadn't officially been expelled from Xuanming yet. She could still be counted as a disciple. "Please wait a moment, Immortal Master. I'll go notify them." "Alright." As the servant went inside, Bai Fan stared at the family name "Sun" on the doorframe, lost in thought. At that moment, a young man in blue robes, followed by a small attendant, walked past with a cold expression and entered the Sun residence. Judging by his attire, Bai Fan thought he might be a young master of the Sun family. But then she recalled the weak, sickly boy she'd met once in a house and figured he wasn't the same person. After a while, the servant returned excitedly to usher Bai Fan inside. Her status had changed; she was no longer a mere temporary worker but a distinguished guest. Familiar courtyard, familiar brown robes—the people welcoming Bai Fan this time were the Sun family's elders from back then. They seemed surprised when they saw Bai Fan. "May I ask what business this Daoist has with the Sun family?" Bai Fan was stunned, wondering if they didn't recognize her. Had she really changed that much? What Bai Fan didn't know was that her appearance had significantly altered due to immersing in the Clear Mind Mantra and going through a growth spurt. Dressed as a man, it was hard for people to connect her with the little girl she once was. "Don't you remember me? I used to work as a temporary worker grafting plants in your residence." Finally understanding, the elders exclaimed, "So it's you, Miss Bai. You've changed so much in five years that we couldn't recognize you." Bai Fan smiled, realizing how much she'd changed since then. "This is just a disguise. I ended up registering as a male disciple in Xuanming. Changing to women's clothing might be inconvenient now." The elders, now understanding, looked at Bai Fan with a mix of interest and amusement. Feeling a bit perplexed under their gaze, Bai Fan heard one elder sigh, "It's a shame about the pair of beautiful twin sisters the ancestor brought back from outside over twenty years ago." "Ying Yue and her sister are doing quite well in Xuanming. There's nothing to regret." One elder suddenly interjected, "The southern region has been chaotic lately. Why aren't you staying in the sect? Running around can be dangerous. Our Sun family seldom ventures out these days. Rogue cultivators outside are like madmen, attacking on sight." "I'm out on important business." "A Foundation Establishment disciple out on business? Are you close to forming your Golden Core?" Bai Fan nodded. She was essentially on a mission under the guise of training, although she was technically being exiled. The elder understood without pressing the issue. "We must congratulate you then, Miss Bai. Forming a Golden Core in just five years, that's quite a marvel." The elders congratulated her warmly. After all, Bai Fan was seen as half a Sun family member since following the Sun elder into the Xuanming Sect. This made her closer to the family. During their pleasant conversation, the young man in blue from earlier walked by, his expression darkening upon seeing the elders chatting happily with a Xuanming disciple. One attendant whispered to him, causing his face to turn even gloomier. This young man was none other than Sun Bing, who had lost his spot to Bai Fan. Though he was promising and held a high status despite being from a secondary branch, he had lost his chance to join Xuanming. Although the family had provided him with much more resources over the years, it couldn't make up for losing the status of a Xuanming disciple. Such status commanded respect in Immortal City, a respect he couldn't earn as just a Sun family member. This had left him bitter for five years, just a step away from forming his Golden Core. "Hmph." With a cold snort, Sun Bing strode past the group without greeting the elders. Bai Fan, puzzled by this, turned to see only his back. "Don't mind him, Miss Bai. That's Sun Bing, the one whose spot you took. He's still holding a grudge, although we've provided him with ample resources." Realizing it was Sun Bing, Bai Fan couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him, acknowledging his misfortune. After chatting some more, Bai Fan went to see Old Master Sun. He seemed distracted and disinterested during their conversation, obviously still holding a grudge for what had happened in the past. But Bai Fan was resolute; marrying his son was never an option. Just as Bai Fan was about to leave, she saw a frail person wrapped in a thick cotton quilt being escorted over. Old Master Sun jumped in concern, "Qing'er, what are you doing here? What if you catch a cold?" The boy, still as weak as before, lit up upon seeing Bai Fan. "Aren't you that little girl from back then?" Feeling awkward, Bai Fan nodded. She hadn't expected him to recognize her immediately after five years. His sharp memory surprised her, unlike the forgetful elders. "Never thought you'd look so heroic in men's clothing. I'm quite envious," he remarked. His voice was very pleasant to listen to. To Bai Fan, it seemed a shame that this young master wasn't born a woman; he was completely misassigned by gender. "When Young Master recovers, you can be like me," she suggested. The youth said nothing but smiled warmly at Bai Fan and then moved to sit down. "Father, you don’t need to be so cautious with me. I know my body's limits. I’ve never left the Sun family manor since childhood. Today, I just came to see the guests," he said. "You’re too reckless. If anything happened to you, how could I face your mother?" his father responded with frustration. Sun Qing merely smiled softly. It was not a forced smile but one that suggested he had come to terms with his condition. Bai Fan stared at Sun Qing, remembering that she had almost been betrothed to him. It felt awkward, as he was now shorter than her, frail and weak, like a porcelain doll that could shatter at any moment. "Father, let me talk with Miss Bai alone," Sun Qing requested. Sun Elder cast a complex look at his son but eventually led the servants out, leaving Bai Fan and Sun Qing alone. Bai Fan, puzzled, watched the departing servants before turning to Sun Qing, who warmly smiled again and said, "Miss Bai, please sit down." "What does Young Master wish to discuss with me?" Bai Fan asked. "You don’t need to call me Young Master. You are no longer a temporary worker of the Sun family. Just call me Sun Qing." Bai Fan obliged and sat down bluntly, "Then, what would Sun Qing like to talk about?" Sun Qing blinked his eyes mischievously, "I want to know why Miss Bai refused my father's proposal back then." "Of course, it was for the sake of cultivation." Sun Qing nodded, then continued, "If I were healthy, would you have accepted the proposal?" Bai Fan shook her head. "A Daoist cultivator doesn’t engage in romantic affairs." "But isn’t it true that cultivators have Daoist partners? If I were healthy and could cultivate, would you be willing to marry me?" Bai Fan shook her head again. "A Daoist partner is not a spouse. It can be either male or female and is simply a companion in the Dao. Marriage is merely for the continuation of the family line. Affection only lasts for a few decades. I, Bai Fan, am not troubled by matters of the heart." Sun Qing looked a bit disappointed. "When I saw you back then, I had an admiration for you. But due to our statuses, I couldn't express it. Later, when my father proposed the match, I was secretly pleased. It was disheartening when you refused; it felt like a missed opportunity." Bai Fan cupped her hands in apology, "I’m truly sorry. My heart is devoted to the Dao, uninterested in romantic entanglements." Sun Qing suddenly smiled brightly, "Miss Bai, there’s no need to feel bad. Such things cannot be forced. I'm not a narrow-minded person." Bai Fan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he’d hold no grudge. "Thank you for understanding, Young Master." Sun Qing unwrapped the large quilt he was wearing, propped his chin on his hand, and stared at Bai Fan, "Miss Bai, you are indeed exceptionally beautiful. Such looks would be irresistible to anyone, regardless of gender." "Young Master overpraises me. Looks are merely a façade, destined to age and fade." "If it’s just a façade, why do cultivators seek the path to longevity? I, too, wish I could live for a few hundred years, wandering the world like you, Miss Bai. Unfortunately, I’m confined by this frail body. My whole life spent within these walls, missing the vast world outside—it's something I deeply regret." The sudden somber remark from the usually agreeable and fragile young master startled Bai Fan. "Young Master, don’t think like that. This world isn’t all beautiful. The South is in chaos now; cultivation is not easy. Being an ordinary person isn’t all bad." Seeing Bai Fan startled, Sun Qing resumed his gentle demeanor and sat back properly, "Yes, being an ordinary person isn’t so bad. Who knows what tomorrow holds?" They continued talking, mostly about cultivation and related insights. Although Sun Qing was an ordinary person, as the eldest son of the Sun family, he was well-read. Even though he spent most of his days confined, he knew a lot. His understanding of the Dao even surpassed many disciples at the Dao Academy. He lamented his inability to cultivate, trapped in his circumstances. Before Bai Fan left, Sun Qing called out to her, "If someday I can venture outside, would you be willing to travel with me?" Bai Fan glanced back at the frail figure that struggled to walk and nodded, feeling it was her way of giving him a bit of hope, especially after hearing his earlier lament. Leaving the Sun family, Bai Fan planned to leave Immortal City immediately. Avoiding the teleportation fee, she chose to travel on her large gray goose. Immortal City was located in a lush area of the Southern Continent. As the large gray goose flew farther, Bai Fan's journey aimed towards the Pure Void Sect. Due to the long distance, the large gray goose needed to rest periodically. They mainly traveled over human settlements, often hidden among the clouds, seldom seen by those below. Flying above the clouds, Bai Fan felt the drastic change in seasons. The once-evergreen climate turned into the dead of winter, freezing her legs despite her spiritual energy keeping her warm. Even the large gray goose shivered, its beak covered in ice. "Let’s fly lower; it’s too cold up here. I didn't expect it to be winter in the mortal realm," she instructed. The large gray goose let out a loud cry and dove downwards, leveling off about a hundred meters above the ground, where the cold wind was less biting. Flying steadily above, Bai Fan watched the snowflakes below. In the distance, she saw a black dot moving below. Puzzled, she wondered if it was an animal hunting in such cold weather. As they flew closer, she realized it was just a human, a robust young man with dark skin, evidently a hunter. Without paying much attention, she urged the large gray goose to continue towards the Pure Void Sect. Upon reaching the sect's entrance, she stored the large gray goose and ascended the wide staircase covered in snow. Each step familiar, over a hundred in total, Bai Fan didn’t feel tired. Compared to the grandiosity of the Xuanming Sect, the Pure Void Sect seemed small, with its two hundred disciples residing in a narrow valley. Her current cave dwelling in Xuanming was much larger. As she reached the mountain gate, a blue-robed disciple holding a lantern approached her. It was already dark. Seeing Bai Fan, he asked curiously, "Who are you? This is the Pure Void Sect. Outsiders are not allowed without permission." Bai Fan looked at the stone tablet with the words "Pure Void Sect" next to her and addressed the blue-robed disciple, "Summon Li Liansheng. Tell him Big Bai is back." The disciple looked puzzled but eventually left to report. Bai Fan wasn’t familiar with the upper ranks of the Pure Void Sect. When they entered the Myriad Peaks Platform, the disciple's attire wasn’t distinctive, making her memory vague. After waiting for an unknown amount of time, she finally saw several lanterns approaching. The people came running, and Bai Fan felt a pang of nostalgia seeing the older-looking Liansheng. The child who had once cried in the basket now looked older than her. "Big Bai!" "Liansheng, you’ve aged so quickly." Liansheng, now nearly thirty, had lost his youthful appearance, while Bai Fan still looked like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old. "Big Bai, I watched from afar and recognized you only after hearing your voice." Bai Fan chuckled, thinking about her male disguise, and scratched her head, "This disguise is more convenient. I used to attract trouble and cause issues, so I dressed like this." "Big Bai, you’ve changed a lot. Now you speak like a sophisticated person," Liansheng remarked. Bai Fan rolled her eyes. Recalling her past mistakes when her beastly nature clouded her mind, she felt like burying her former self. "Did I not speak like a normal person before?" She exclaimed, and Li Liansheng laughed helplessly. "Come in quickly! Tell me where you’ve been all these years," he urged. Recognizing familiar faces, Bai Fan followed, her steps feeling much lighter as she walked. Behind her, some disciples curiously watched Bai Fan. Many of those who had been lost during the Myriad Peaks Platform competition were long gone. As a result, few recognized Bai Fan among the newer entrants. Following Liansheng into the valley, Bai Fan felt a wave of nostalgia as she looked at the familiar pavilion and the moss underfoot, emitting its well-known scent. Even the spiritual bath pool was still there. Liansheng, however, was still at the early stage of the Foundation Establishment, in stark contrast to Bai Fan, who had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment in just these few years, widening the gap between them. Liansheng led Bai Fan to the main hall of the elder of the Pure Void Sect. The scent alone made Bai Fan feel uneasy, causing her to turn her head away. "Since you’re back, you should first see Grandpa," Liansheng suggested. Pushing open the door, the old man from back then, full of vigor, saw Bai Fan and snapped his eyes wide open, "You still dare to come back?" That one sentence made Bai Fan take a step back, assuming a defensive posture. "Grandpa, please don’t be agitated. Big Bai has come back," Liansheng said, rushing to calm the old man. "Hmph, what is she back for now? Out there messing around and coming back to freeload at our Pure Void Sect? Let me tell you, there’s nothing for you here." That comment made it sound like Bai Fan had come back just for food, which agitated her. Considering she was now at the peak of Foundation Establishment, she responded boldly. "Who cares about your lousy food? I’m living freely outside, much better than this mountain hole." The old man, enraged, turned red, his hands shaking as he cursed, "You ungrateful wretch!" Bai Fan ignored him, gazing at the ceiling, thinking to herself that if he weren’t Liansheng’s grandfather, she might’ve already struck him with lightning. "All you do is bully people here. Outside of Pure Void Sect, who even cares about you? Back then, we were just cannon fodder on the Myriad Peaks Platform." "You... you..." "Grandpa." "You’re killing me here..." Liansheng hurried over to comfort the elder, who looked ill but still possessed the stature of a Golden Core cultivator. He reached out to grab Bai Fan. Sensing the danger, Bai Fan swiftly dodged his attack, clicking her tongue as she did, "Is this all you’ve got? Relying on your cultivation to bully the weak? I still remember when you almost slapped me to death. But I’m not so easy to catch now, especially since you’ve become old and slow." The elder, his beard shaking in anger, pointed at Bai Fan and said to Liansheng, "Liansheng, go help me beat this ungrateful creature to death. This disloyal ingrate will be the death of me." "Grandpa." "Hurry up." He slammed his hand on the desk, sending waves of white light towards Bai Fan. However, her quick movements allowed her to easily avoid the attacks. Outside, disciples stretched their necks to listen to the commotion, not sure what was happening inside. The crash and bang of objects being thrown were accompanied by the old sect leader’s loud shouts. Passing by, Li Xiaoyan noticed the crowd of onlookers. Frowning delicately, she scolded, "What are you all doing? Don’t you know it’s forbidden to spy inside the Pure Void Sect? Do you want to be expelled?" "Sister." "Sister, the old sect leader seems very angry." --- Thank you to my supportive companions who provided nutrients. Muah, love you all. A special thanks to those who cast votes or provided nutrients: Thanks to the angels who provided [nutrients]: Fan Ren 17 bottles; Lactic Acid Bacteria 10 bottles; I greatly appreciate everyone's support, and I will continue to work hard! * Previous Chapter * Table of Contents * Next Chapter Homepage | Desktop Version | Bookshelf | Novel Collection | Popular Novels