114.1 - All Eyes Are On The Peasant Family’ Adorable Baby Girl

Chapter 115: Fate Ruo Qing's voice was like a whisper in the wind, yet her grip was formidable. Though it was just a strand of consciousness, she managed to leave Shen Su’s wrist red and bruised. Shen Su winced in pain but couldn’t free herself from Ruo Qing's grasp. "Xiao Su," Wei Nan Yi frowned, brushing off Ruo Qing’s hand from Shen Su’s wrist. She took Shen Su's hand, inspecting the reddened skin. Her fingers gently touched the swollen area, feeling a growing dissatisfaction towards Ruo Qing. It was only at that moment that Ruo Qing realized she had hurt Shen Su. Her deep blue eyes showed a slight flicker of surprise, and her eyelashes slowly fell as she softly spoke, "Fairy Wei, I have something important to discuss with your partner. Please understand." As Ruo Qing’s words fell, her fingertips conjured a ghostly blue peony. The moment the full peony appeared, Ruo Qing's ethereal figure vanished, while Shen Su, held by Wei Nan Yi, suddenly slumped. Wei Nan Yi quickly grasped Shen Su, letting her lean against her. Shen Su's eyes remained open, but her gaze was unfocused, and even her breath seemed to vanish, as if she were lifeless. The sudden event was connected to the illusionary peony Ruo Qing left behind. Wei Nan Yi reached out towards the ghostly peony, but before she could touch it, Jiang Rui Ping called out to her, "Nan Yi, don't worry. She won't harm Shen Su. She must have something important to ask her." Ruo Qing is the spirit of the Yu Ling Sword. The previous owner of the Yu Ling Sword was Wei Nan Yi's master; the current owner is Wei Nan Yi's daughter. Wei Nan Yi was no stranger to Ruo Qing. She knew that Ruo Qing had a gentle nature, akin to the wind and water. Unless commanded by her master, she wouldn't hurt someone voluntarily, yet, without reason, she had confined Shen Su's soul. Feeling Shen Su's lifeless body against her, Wei Nan Yi’s calm began to crumble, "Shishu, but Xiao Su—" Jiang Rui Ping could discern Wei Nan Yi's anxiety and change in demeanor, "Nan Yi, I have rarely seen you this flustered." Wei Nan Yi was aware she had almost openly revealed her vulnerability. Yet she wasn't afraid of Jiang Rui Ping knowing how much she cared for Shen Su. If Jiang Rui Ping knew how good Shen Su had been to her in the past, she wouldn't find her devotion surprising. Her life, her current cultivation, and even her ability to still take human form were all thanks to Shen Su, who exchanged her blood and life for her sake. It wasn’t just concern; she would willingly repay Shen Su with her life, but she didn't want to die yet. After enduring so many misunderstandings and finally recognizing Shen Su's mutual affection, she wanted to continue their journey together properly, having Shen Su accompany her. Though they had spent two decades walking this path together, it now felt different. Wei Nan Yi intended to pull Shen Su back, but Jiang Rui Ping blocked her. So, Wei Nan Yi could only fix her eyes on the blue peony in a daze. Though she couldn't hear or see anything happening within it, she felt Shen Su must be inside. A sword spirit had taken the soul of a demon mirror. "Shishu, Ruo Qing shouldn't just be a sword spirit, right?" Wei Nan Yi wasn't naive. She’d never heard of a sword spirit leaving its master or sword. The Yu Ling Sword always seemed overly powerful to her. That feeling was akin to facing Jiang Rui Ping—it was immensely strong but inscrutable. Jiang Rui Ping deeply gazed at the ghostly blue peony, her eyes carrying a hint of guilt, "She... she's a celestial spirit." In the tale Jiang Rui Ping had just recounted, Shen Yin Xue used everything to make her into a twelve-root spirit, a fate destined for an immortal. No need to cultivate in the mortal realm, no need to face tribulations; Heaven’s envoy would transform her into an immortal, her destiny in the celestial realm, not the mortal one. Ruo Qing was the envoy of Heaven, a so-called celestial spirit. Jiang Rui Ping's talent had already surpassed what the mortal realm could bear. Calling it receiving her was more like forcing her to leave. But she couldn't leave. She had to guard Shen Yin Xue. Shen Yin Xue lost her talents and was too kind-hearted; without her, Shen Yin Xue would be bullied to death. She admitted, deep down, she had an inherent bad quality. The accusations of being innately evil by Wu Liang Yu and others weren't wrong. She was selfish. To prevent Ruo Qing from relaying her information back, she unscrupulously imprisoned Ruo Qing. After mastering the art of refining, she outright merged Ruo Qing with the original Yu Ling Sword spirit, forcing Ruo Qing to recognize the weak Shen Yin Xue as her master. Transforming a celestial spirit into a sword spirit was absurd for other artificers. But Jiang Rui Ping, with the ultimate power of fire, feared nothing in refining. She had a unique advantage in forging and alchemy. Yet, due to this forced refinement, she feared her secret being exposed and thus never admitted to being a refiner. After Shen Yin Xue's death, she was obsessed with retrieving the Yu Ling Sword, not only for its memories of Shen Yin Xue but to sever karmic ties before she died. She intended to destroy the sword and free Ruo Qing, who had, however, refused. Celestial spirit. The unfamiliar term left Wei Nan Yi bewildered. She held Shen Su tightly, "Xiao Su and I had speculated that perhaps you never mentioned your refining skills to protect Shen Shidi’s pride." Jiang Rui Ping scoffed, "I'm not that kind." She wasn't ashamed to admit her wickedness and wasn’t eager for others to see her in a positive light. Wei Nan Yi wanted to persuade Jiang Rui Ping further, but Cen Yin interjected, "Why should an evil seed easily become an immortal?" Even as she spoke, both Jiang Rui Ping and Wei Nan Yi felt loathsome towards her audacity. Wei Nan Yi raised her hand, and golden lotus petals blossomed on Cen Yin's face. Their stems wrapped around Cen Yin's lips, stripping her of her speaking right. When the lotus stem’s tip approached Cen Yin's neck, Jiang Rui Ping stopped her, “Don't kill her. Ruo Qing said there’s a reason not to.” The topic returned to Ruo Qing, and Wei Nan Yi had another unanswered question, "Shishu, why did Ruo Qing turn you down? Doesn't she want to be a celestial spirit anymore?" A celestial spirit was still associated with the immortal realm. A dream for many in the mortal realm. Jiang Rui Ping’s gaze returned to the deep blue peony, looking puzzled as she recalled Ruo Qing’s words, "She said she wanted to save Jiang Xu." Shen Su’s soul was confined in a ghostly blue space. Though Wei Nan Yi couldn't hear her voice, Shen Su could hear them. Hearing Jiang Rui Ping mention Ruo Qing, Shen Su began to understand why Ruo Qing approached her. Ruo Qing stood before her, her eyes inquisitive, faintly showing hope, “You’re not a soul from this world. I've returned five times, never seeing you before.” Five lifetimes. Shen Su hesitated for a moment before questioning, “For Jiang Xu?” Ruo Qing had a brief moment of distraction but soon acknowledged, “Yes, she is my master. I must save her.” “But you’re not a sword spirit anymore.” Even if the sword spirit no longer existed, the master wouldn’t either. Given Ruo Qing’s true nature, it was hard to imagine from the original narrative that Ruo Qing allowed Jiang Xu to merge with her soul. Ruo Qing seemed momentarily dazed, then lightly shook her head, “Now, it’s my turn to ask you.” She appeared gentle and good-natured but wasn’t easy to deceive. Shen Su’s identity had been exposed. She had no more room to hide. Seeing that Ruo Qing hadn't encountered her over five lifetimes, fabricating lies would be pointless. Ruo Qing wanted to understand something from her, and she wanted to unravel mysteries from Ruo Qing. Honesty was crucial to grasp answers from this celestial spirit. “You guessed correctly, senior. I'm not a soul from this world. I don’t know what happened. One day, my soul suddenly arrived here. It just so happened that this body's soul had abandoned it—she didn’t want to live, but I did. I could see this world from my own world.” She paused, then disclosed part of her knowledge to Ruo Qing, “I know Yu Mu Han is the fate’s child. I know you were once forcibly merged by Jiang Xu. According to the original story, your master would die.” “I see. You witnessed the fate arranged by Heaven.” Ruo Qing murmured. Her deep blue eyes showed obscure patterns, and guilt surfaced on her expression. “I'm sorry. It's likely my constant rewinding of time caused your soul to drift here. You’re not an anomaly. I’ll find a way to send you back but I—” She Wanted to Send Her Back Shen Su didn't wait for Ruo Qing to finish speaking and immediately declined her offer, "I don’t want to go back. I like it here." "You like it here?" Ruo Qing muttered softly, her eyes suddenly brightening. "Ah, you like Fairy Wei. In that case, would you be willing to help me? Only by breaking free from the fate assigned to you can you truly stay." Shen Su suddenly understood her persistent sense of foreboding—it wasn't from Yan Bi Mountain or Lin Xian Mountain; it was from Ruo Qing. There was more to Ruo Qing's words, and they were connected to her. Shen Su's heart slowly tightened. She looked towards Ruo Qing, "Senior, you ought to tell me what happened." Ruo Qing gazed deeply at Shen Su before speaking gently, "In this world, many seek immortality, but not everyone can achieve it. Some say achieving immortality relies on talent, others say it's through diligent cultivation. However, both pale in comparison to one's fate." Through Ruo Qing's words, Shen Su learned about a worldview consistent with but extending beyond the original story. Rather than a mere overseer, the Heavenly Dao was more like an observer, the embodiment of celestial gods. Over the ages, naturally bored gods sought amusement, leading to the creation of fate. They selected specific individuals for particular stories, guiding them to grow according to the prescribed narratives. The world they could see was limited, but the Heavenly Dao could view countless worlds, selecting individuals deemed the 'Children of Fortune' or the 'Fated Ones.' In these tales focused on men, women were chosen to accompany them, becoming symbols of their deepest affections and their power. Unfortunately, Yu Mu Han was one such 'Child of Fortune.' A waste in the Falling Moon City, he gained the chance to reverse his fate upon being chosen, transforming into the most talented person after purifying his roots and meridians. Such a story was dramatic and captivating. In this world, those with twelve spiritual roots were naturally born for immortality. Hence, in Yu Mu Han's story, twelve women would serve as his companions. His fate would draw different roots from various women—some weaker, some stronger, ranging from the lowest to the highest grade. At the end of the tale, the chosen ones would step into the celestial realm with the glory arranged by the Heavenly Dao, while everyone else would merely embellish Yu Mu Han's past glory. Ruo Qing hadn’t realized he was the ‘Child of Fortune’ until she borrowed celestial power for Jiang Xu, who failed to kill him and even fell deeply in love with him. Only then did she understand Yu Mu Han was an exceptional 'Child of Fortune.' Ruo Qing didn't want Jiang Xu to die, so she rewound time. For her, it wasn’t difficult since she wasn’t defying fate but returning to the beginning of the story. However, being already fused with Jiang Xu's soul, separating herself took a great deal of effort. In the second repeating of the tale, Ruo Qing carefully noted all the women close to Yu Mu Han and realized Jiang Xu was one of Yu Mu Han's spiritual roots, while Bai Ruo Yi was the Heavenly Dao’s chosen Celestial Wife. Every woman Yu Mu Han met, whether a root or not, would be infatuated with him. Higher the root or position, deeper the affection. Any woman who didn’t love him would stand against him, becoming his adversary, eventually killed by him, stripped of their last utility. This time, she didn't let Jiang Xu merge with her soul, but didn’t expect that the residual power of the original Yu Ling Sword spirit would be absorbed into Jiang Xu, resulting in her deeper demonic transformation and severe agony. In the third rewinding of time, Ruo Qing attempted to alter the story, saving Wei Nan Yi from her fatal fate at an early node but failing as Wei Nan Yi still died miserably at another point, causing Jiang Xu to go mad. She tried killing some of Yu Mu Han's roots, but each eliminated woman was quickly replaced by someone of higher status, thus strengthening Yu Mu Han’s spiritual roots and talents, resulting in a worse demise for Jiang Xu. In the fourth rewinding, Ruo Qing sought external help, but no matter where she intervened, she couldn’t alter Yu Mu Han’s story. Everyone viewed him as a good person and supported him, making him grow stronger with every hardship, never weaker. This was her fifth and final rewind because she wanted to spare Jiang Xu the torment of demonic agony. For the third and fourth times, she let Jiang Xu merge with her soul, enduring the soul-separation process thrice, depleting her power to rewind once more. Surprisingly, upon returning, she found Jiang Xu's story changed, no longer wandering with Wei Nan Yi but brought back to Lin Xian Mountain by Jiang Rui Ping. Believing Jiang Rui Ping was her hope, she doggedly pursued her day and night. Ruo Qing paused, thoughtfully watching Shen Su. "I previously thought Jiang Rui Ping changed Xiao Xu’s fate, but now it seems you might have. You’re an outsider, unbound by fate's control, and Jiang Rui Ping, with her twelve spiritual roots, exists beyond the reach of the Heavenly Dao." Shen Su hesitated before asking, “Senior, have you never considered eliminating Yu Mu Han?” “Those within his story can’t kill him. No matter how tragic an outcome, high-status women would always sacrifice themselves for him. I lack the power to invert the Heavenly Dao. Each rewind returns to the point after he entered Lin Xian Mountain and began cultivating. His connection to spiritual energy tied him to the Heavenly Dao. Killing him with celestial power would expose me.” Ruo Qing briefly lost focus, whispering, “I can’t be discovered; if I am, I can’t stay here.” Shen Su still didn’t fully understand, “But Senior, if you believe Elder Jiang has the capability, why not seek her in previous lives?” “I am a sword spirit.” A sword spirit could only follow its designated sword. Ruo Qing could manifest here solely because Jiang Xu brought her to seek Jiang Rui Ping. She couldn’t send her consciousness to Lin Xian Mountain on her own. Moreover, unless desperate, she wouldn’t beg Jiang Rui Ping. Originally a celestial spirit in the Celestial Realm, she was proud. Forced to stay in the mortal realm, melded into the Yu Ling Sword, and coerced to acknowledge her lover as master, she held resentment towards Jiang Rui Ping. If not for Shen Yin Xue’s kindness, her feelings wouldn’t be mere resentment but utter hatred for Jiang Rui Ping. Jiang Rui Ping’s actions were exactly as she declared—brutal and irrational, showing no warmth except to Shen Yin Xue. After all her pleading, Jiang Rui Ping remained unmoved, fixated on death. Shen Su began to understand the sword spirit. Although Ruo Qing and Jiang Rui Ping had known each other for millennia, they weren’t friends but enemies. For Jiang Xu’s sake, Ruo Qing was willing to set aside enmity to implore her foe. She deeply cared for Jiang Xu. But now Jiang Xu was free, so Shen Su curiously asked, “Senior Ruo Qing, if you only wish to save Miss Jiang, hasn’t her fate changed?” Ruo Qing shook her head passionately, “No, she’s escaped being a spiritual root but veered to another extreme. She harbors deep hatred for Yu Mu Han, relentlessly causing trouble for him. Their last confrontation ended with her striking hard against him. Given Yu Mu Han’s vengeful nature, he won’t spare her. As he continues growing stronger, Xiao Xu will eventually be killed and stripped of her last value.” Seeing Shen Su remain unmoved, Ruo Qing’s voice turned grave, “Girl, you may be an outsider, but Fairy Wei is part of this world, high-born with extraordinary talent. If Yu Mu Han continues his rise, Fairy Wei will face two outcomes: fall in love with him and die sacrificially, or hate him and be killed.” Shen Su finally understood why Ruo Qing asked moments ago if she liked Yu Mu Han after learning she was the new master of Yan Bi Mountain with mirror demon blood. She scratched her sleeve, feeling a peak of worry for Wei Nan Yi’s future, “Are those the only two emotions women can have?” “Yes, in their eyes, women only feel extreme love or hatred.” Ruo Qing felt quite helpless herself. She was even more distraught than Shen Su, having watched Jiang Xu and Wei Nan Yi die four times in this story. If one were ordinary enough, one might survive as a mere background character in this narrative. But exceptional women were bound to orbit the heaven-selected protagonist, either loving him or hating him. Shen Su now understood why Zhu Xian’er seemed pitiable rather than foolish—she was just another poor soul under the control of fate, blinded, and possibly just one of his sixteen spiritual roots. "Senior Ruo Qing, have you ever told Miss Jiang?" Ruo Qing's expression changed dramatically, her ghostly visage even appearing paler. "I cannot tell them. These individuals are scripted into stories, always under watchful eyes. Whether it's time rewinding or your matter of being an outsider, it must remain a secret. If revealed, you will disappear, and I will be exposed." Shen Su pointed to herself, "So aside from me, only Elder Jiang can know." Ruo Qing nodded, her eyes filled with a hopeful gleam. "Yes, so Jiang Rui Ping cannot die." Shen Su understood Ruo Qing’s implication. Jiang Rui Ping, being powerful, could elude the Heavenly Dao’s surveillance. If she chose to live, she would be the best ally. But she was fixated on dying to follow Shen Yin Xue. If Shen Yin Xue was part of this game, she might be willing to live. But could they really bring Shen Yin Xue back to life? Wei Nan Yi might persuade her, but Wei Nan Yi’s nature wouldn’t force her shishu to do anything unwillingly, and Shen Su didn’t want to pressure Wei Nan Yi either. Shen Su saw this as a novel, while Ruo Qing witnessed everyone ensnared by predetermined fates. Her past thoughts were indeed correct. Staying close to or offending the protagonist was catastrophic, especially since possessing great talent left them without the right to distance themselves from the male lead. Yu Mu Han couldn’t be killed outright, nor could his story be altered even slightly. The Yan Bi Mountain trial was disrupted by Jiang Xu’s madness, stripping them of the trial qualification and forcefully realigning the storyline. A stronger Divided Spirit expert was even dispatched to protect the male lead, allowing him early contact with an elite like Elder Feng Yin Yue, further bolstering his strength. Momentarily lost, Shen Su turned to Ruo Qing uncertainly, "Senior, can you be sure the story can be altered?" "If the story completely crashes, he will become discarded, and his fate will disappear, allowing everyone's destinies to change," Ruo Qing was resolute about this. She took a deep breath, "It will work; I just haven’t found the method yet." Wait— Actually, it seemed the story had already changed. Shen Su suddenly recalled meeting Yu Mu Han at Yan Bi Mountain. The current male protagonist, Yu Mu Han, had been reincarnated. She had read some reincarnation novels—generally, the protagonist only reincarnated after facing utter desperation or nearing death, or being deeply humiliated. This meant that the original male protagonist’s story nodes had indeed been altered by Ruo Qing, or else he would have ascended to the immortal realm by now and wouldn’t need reincarnation. Grasping at a lifeline, Shen Su urgently asked Ruo Qing, "Senior Ruo Qing, did anyone around Yu Mu Han change in the last life?" Ruo Qing furrowed her brow, puzzled by Shen Su’s sudden question. Anxiously, Shen Su continued, "At Yan Bi Mountain, I overheard his secret. He also rewound time—his previous story must have been altered." Hearing that Yu Mu Han’s tale had been altered, Ruo Qing realized this might be a turning point and quickly recalled the events of the last life. "In the last life, with the help of some lesser demon sect members, the demon sect saintess Shui Ning caught Yu Mu Han and Bai Ruo Yi in an intimate moment prematurely. In a rage, she accidentally fell into an abyss. I knocked Yu Mu Han out, preventing him from being a hero. Shui Ning was rescued by Xiao Xu and later died saving Xiao Xu to repay the favor." In the original novel, Jiang Xu and Shui Ning were arch-enemies because Jiang Xu eventually took control of the entire demon sect and killed Shui Ning’s father. Thus, Shui Ning constantly fought Jiang Xu, fell for the male lead's gentleness, and ultimately sacrificed herself for him, eventually getting killed by Jiang Xu. In the last life, Shui Ning died saving Jiang Xu, not the male lead, causing a deviation in the storyline. Shen Su suddenly realized that what the Child of Fortune needed most was validation of their charm. Since his spiritual roots were linked to these twelve women, killing an old root allowed a new one to take its place. But if the original roots, due to the protagonist’s negligence, died for someone else instead, wouldn’t the male lead lose that root and a portion of his fortune? Perhaps it didn’t even require death—possibly, merely falling for someone else would suffice. If they didn’t adore the male lead insanely but had loved him at some point, they wouldn’t necessarily hate him. This deviation from the two prescribed emotions—infatuated love or crazed hatred—might break the pattern. If so, it was reasonable. Roots came in high and low grades, and this distinction translated into bloodlines and talents among the chosen women. Bai Ruo Yi, being the chosen Celestial Wife, was the highest twelfth-grade root. Demon sect saintess Shui Ning, with her high status and exceptional talent, ranked high among the beauties. So, her dying for Jiang Xu severed at least one high-grade root for the male protagonist, perturbing his salvation narrative and causing his rebirth. The Heavenly Dao needed a more perfect chosen one, and Yu Mu Han needed a more flawless life. Taking away one high-grade root necessitated rebirth for salvation. What if most of his roots were severed? Would Yu Mu Han remain unkillable? Especially if even the Celestial Wife Bai Ruo Yi shifted her affections? Of course, this was undoubtedly challenging, given their fates were controlled, but if accomplished… Considering from another angle, since Yu Mu Han enhanced his fate by borrowing others’ lives, couldn't she borrow his luck instead? With his protagonist aura and numerous lives, sharing just one wouldn’t be unreasonable. Shen Su grew more convinced this was feasible, "Senior Ruo Qing, can you borrow lives?" Ruo Qing's gaze changed slightly, "Miss Shen, borrowing lives damages one’s lifespan. Such a sinister tactic—" "I want to borrow Yu Mu Han’s life to ruin his fate," Shen Su interrupted Ruo Qing, sharing her thoughts. Upon understanding Shen Su's idea, Ruo Qing's deep blue eyes regained some light. Shen Su’s perspective was one she hadn’t considered before. After all, she was a celestial spirit, bound by certain principles. Quickly, however, Ruo Qing’s gaze dimmed again, and she shook her head repeatedly, "Ordinary people can't handle his fate. Even if a life was borrowed, it wouldn't end well and could result in an innocent life lost. Besides, I don’t know how to borrow lives—it’s a forbidden art. Perhaps Jiang Rui Ping knows." Shen Su understood Ruo Qing’s concern. She clenched her wrist, her eyes sparkling with resolve, "What if Shen Zong Zhu borrowed it? He has a godly body, though later ruined. He should handle such blessings. After all, the fate wasn’t given by mere mortals but gods. If the godly body couldn’t bear it, it would be nonsensical." “Shen Yin Xue?” Ruo Qing’s eyes brightened again. She bore no grudge against Shen Yin Xue, unlike with Jiang Rui Ping. In the past, she also resented Shen Yin Xue a bit, being a celestial spirit unwillingly gaining a new master. But Shen Yin Xue was soft-hearted and never commanded her against her will or excessively. Understanding the enmity between them, Shen Yin Xue often mediated, even coaxing Jiang Rui Ping to apologize. When Ruo Qing mentioned wanting to see certain sceneries, Shen Yin Xue would make a special trip, despite Jiang Rui Ping’s tantrums. Truthfully, Ruo Qing didn’t mind seeing Jiang Rui Ping upset. Despite her age, she couldn’t help but hold grudges against Jiang Rui Ping, who was extremely distasteful. She didn’t like Jiang Rui Ping even now, finding her utterly obnoxious. Living for so many years, she had never met someone more arrogant. Jiang Rui Ping audaciously imprisoned a celestial spirit and sealed her celestial power to cover her tracks. The seal was placed on Shen Yin Xue; if she hadn’t died, Ruo Qing wouldn’t have had the power to rewind time. Shen Yin Xue was kind, perhaps too much so, sacrificing her godly body to empower a female demon. Ruo Qing recalled how, when Shen Yin Xue could no longer endure, she frequently reminded Jiang Rui Ping to remember to return her freedom. Though at the end she asked for her to protect Jiang Xu and Wei Nan Yi, that was her original intention anyway. Ruo Qing never told Shen Yin Xue or Jiang Rui Ping that Jiang Xu was her chosen master before Shen Yin Xue’s death. Of course, she didn’t hate Jiang Rui Ping entirely. Nicely put, she was a celestial spirit, derogatorily, just a welcomed and sent-off envoy, still under the mercy of others. She didn’t particularly love the Celestial Realm. Jiang Rui Ping locking her up, in a way, also gave her a different kind of freedom. After all, Shen Yin Xue was a good person. If Shen Yin Xue could come back to life, it would be wonderful. Shen Su also believed it would be beneficial for Shen Yin Xue to come back. That’s why she suggested it to Ruo Qing, knowing how much Wei Nan Yi missed Shen Yin Xue. With such an opportunity presented, not using it felt like a huge waste. She didn’t even have the same reservations as Ruo Qing. Borrowing a life was a self-serving act, but it mattered whose life was borrowed. Every person has one life, but they were constantly designated to die as part of Yu Mu Han’s tale. The excellent men would become his defeated foes, dying at his hands, enhancing his prestige. The exceptional women would adorn his journey, exchanging their lives for his best spiritual roots. Why should only Yu Mu Han borrow others' lives? Is it just because he’s the protagonist? Seeing Ruo Qing somewhat persuaded, Shen Su immediately pressed the advantage. "Senior Ruo Qing, if Shen Zong Zhu comes back to life, Jiang Elder won’t want to die either, right? Then she can help us, correct?” Undeniably, this was a good idea. It was something Ruo Qing hadn’t tried, thus worth an attempt, but— "Miss Shen, borrowing a life at least requires a soul. Shen Zong Zhu perished long ago; her soul may no longer exist in this realm." Shen Su fell silent. She had overlooked this point. If Shen Yin Xue no longer existed, even if they could extract a life from Yu Mu Han, who would it be given to? However, there is an idea that the stronger the obsession, the harder it is for the soul to dissipate. At the end of her life, Shen Yin Xue went to great lengths to ensure Wei Nan Yi’s future, even using longevity pills to extend her life. Could she really let go of everything here? Shen Su rubbed her eyelids, gradually making up her mind, "Senior Ruo Qing, let me try to find it. If I can find it, then?" Ruo Qing didn’t initially understand how she planned to find it, but seeing Shen Su’s focused eyes, she realized, "Your talent allows you to perceive spiritual bodies." Ruo Qing, being called a celestial spirit, wasn’t truly a soul. She was somewhat interested in Shen Su’s talent, immediately saying, “I’ll send you out.” Shen Su nodded, but just as Ruo Qing was forming a seal, she voiced another curiosity, "Senior Ruo Qing, I’m very curious why you’re willing to experience the same story over and over for Miss Jiang. Is it just because she’s your master? But you’re not a sword spirit.” “Because,” Ruo Qing smiled candidly, even joyfully, “Xiao Xu is of my own choosing.” Perhaps only Wei Nan Yi and Ruo Qing still remembered what Jiang Xu used to be like. Jiang Xu’s upbringing was quite good; she was obedient and well-behaved. When Wei Nan Yi disappeared, she cried pitifully every day and ran to Shen Yin Xue, asking her to find her mother. But Shen Yin Xue was already terminally ill, struggling to survive. She felt sorry for her disciple, but besides ordering others to search, she herself couldn’t move. Since the sect leader was dying, Lin Xian Mountain was in chaos, with many matters to handle, leaving few able to care for Jiang Xu. And what was Jiang Rui Ping doing then? She was lashing out daily because Shen Yin Xue was dying. Jiang Rui Ping was already an extreme person, often unable to control her temper due to her broken spiritual roots. Most of the time it was Shen Yin Xue calming her down. With Shen Yin Xue dying, she couldn’t care about anything else; she turned into a mad dog, biting anyone she could, much less coaxing a child. This was also Jiang An’s brilliance in his timing to act. Ruo Qing, entrusted by Shen Yin Xue, often took care of Jiang Xu, comforting her when she cried and sometimes taking her out with the heavy and long sword to seek Wei Nan Yi. In a sense, accompanying Jiang Xu to find Wei Nan Yi also allowed Ruo Qing to get some fresh air. Staying with a dying person all day was stifling. She didn’t want to watch Shen Yin Xue coughing blood or see her skin tearing apart, nor witness her suffering. But she couldn’t stray far from Shen Yin Xue, so she could only accompany Jiang Xu within the mountains. Jiang Xu cried a lot, often dropping the sword and hurting herself. To avoid getting hurt, Ruo Qing would scare her a little, “If you cry again, I won’t help you find your mother.” Jiang Xu revered her mother the most, a frequently effective tactic. She would sob and stop her tears, tightly holding the Yu Ling Sword, obediently saying, “Sister Ruo Qing, Xiao Xu will be good. Please help me find my mother.” Maybe confined by Jiang Rui Ping, Ruo Qing really thought of herself as a sword spirit. Hearing orders for so long, encountering someone so obedient sparked a different intention. “Will you always listen to me?” The child didn’t understand her thoughts, only knowing that obeying meant Ruo Qing would stay with her, not leaving her alone. She wasn’t naive, knowing it was tough for a five-year-old to find Wei Nan Yi alone. Fearing a slow nod might lead to Ruo Qing’s change of mind, Jiang Xu bobbed her head quickly, “Yes, yes, Xiao Xu will always listen to Sister Ruo Qing.” Ruo Qing bent down, lightly pinching Jiang Xu’s still soft chin, “Will you listen to me when you grow up too?” “Yes.” Ruo Qing didn’t particularly want to go back to the Celestial Realm. Her greatest dissatisfaction with Jiang Rui Ping wasn’t being refined, but being forced to acknowledge Shen Yin Xue as her master, though Shen Yin Xue treated her well. She didn’t want the Heavenly Dao to discover her, so she had to stay within Jiang Rui Ping's imprisonment, within the sword. As long as she was in the sword, she was the sword spirit. A sword spirit wanted to freely wander needed an obedient master. Jiang Xu was perfect. Though Jiang Xu changed as she grew up, becoming crazier and less obedient, Ruo Qing believed she would eventually fulfill her promise. Before then, she might need to make sacrifices to extricate Jiang Xu from fate. She could probably do it, even with one last chance. This time, she had allies. Shen Su seemed smart and resolute. Ruo Qing did hide one thing: if all failed, she would be swallowed by Jiang Xu. If that happened, she couldn’t break free again. Without any special reason, it was simply that Jiang Xu would compensate for the missing power with demonic energy, leading to immense pain. She would endure unending torment, akin to Shen Yin Xue before death, experiencing endless agony, skin tearing, and bone-eroding pain. Having witnessed Shen Yin Xue’s death and Jiang Xu dying four times, Ruo Qing didn’t want Jiang Xu to suffer so much if they had to die. Shen Su arrived in this world because of her power. If she disappeared, Shen Su would vanish too. This wasn’t revealed to Shen Su to avoid her attempting to impede her death in a desperate situation. Ruo Qing dared not wager on how deep Shen Su’s feelings for Wei Nan Yi ran. She couldn’t expect that if they failed, Shen Su would willingly die with Wei Nan Yi for the sake of loyalty.</p> All novels on this site are uploaded by members. If your rights are infringed, please contact us, we will delete it as soon as possible. Previous Chapter | Directory | Next Chapter Bi Mi Du All Rights Reserved | Sitemap