275 - Elasia Saga

Two months had passed. The grand competition within Frost Blossom Palace was finally underway, much to the anticipation of all the disciples and elders. From early morning, the plaza was a sea of people. Hundreds of disciples stood in a straight line, their eyes shining with excitement and anticipation, as if they had been eagerly awaiting this day for a long time. Around the plaza, eight elders watched with smiles on their faces, observing the disciples. This was not just a simple competition; they were also looking to take on some promising disciples. Understanding this, most of the disciples were brimming with determination, each resolved to show their best abilities. Typically, the head of a sect did not attend ordinary competitions. However, as this was Fu Yan's first since taking charge, she naturally made an appearance. Furthermore, news of Frost Blossom Palace's competition had spread to many sects in the Southern Domain. To show goodwill, Fu Yan had sent out invitations to them to come and watch. This was a common practice. Generally, other forces would come to observe such sect competitions. As Lu Xiao Wen had pointed out, since they intended to establish themselves in the Southern Domain, there was no need to isolate themselves. Building relationships would only be beneficial in the long run. Moreover, through this competition, it was a chance to prove to other sects that Frost Blossom Palace was truly developing and had earned the right to participate in sect activities across the Southern Domain. When Fu Yan arrived at the plaza, Yi Tu and Liu Bei Yuan He were explaining the rules of the competition. Many from other sects had already gathered, undoubtedly curious about Frost Blossom Palace's current strength. Fu Yan merely glanced around the crowd before withdrawing her gaze. She had no need to host the event herself, so she relished the leisure. As she surveyed the disciples below, Lu Xiao Wen, unexpectedly, joined her side. "How does it feel?" Fu Yan turned to him, her voice calm. With a soft laugh, Lu Xiao Wen did not answer immediately. His gaze was fixed on the plaza but seemed to drift to distant memories, recalling long-buried images. Fu Yan did not press for an answer. Instead, she searched for Ji Xian among the disciples. Though this competition was a chance for elders and peak masters to select disciples, Fu Yan was not about to send any disciples to Ji Xian's peak given his background. Thinking of Ji Xian brought a sense of vexation. Initially, she hadn't revealed his identity to see what the plans of the Ghost Gate were. Yet, since their return from the depths of the Dark Heart Lake, Ji Xian had made no moves. Could her killing of one of their Eight Generals with the power of the demonic spirit have deterred them? Regardless, Ji Xian's identity remained a threat. If she found nothing, Fu Yan might have to consider eliminating him to avoid potential dangers. "Excellent. A place dormant for over a thousand years is finally coming alive." Lu Xiao Wen eventually broke free from his reverie, speaking slowly. Although Frost Blossom Palace was far from its two-thousand-year prime, redeveloping it to this point in just a few years was nothing short of a miracle. A slight smile played on Lu Xiao Wen's lips. As the two pondered, the competition began. The first batch of disciples stepped onto the stage, and circle barriers lit up around the competition arenas. Fu Yan and Lu Xiao Wen knew this was only the beginning. After all, it would take a thousand disciples for a sect to be considered significant. Frost Blossom Palace still had a long way to go. Nonetheless, Fu Yan believed that once they could participate in the Celestial Sect Ceremony in the Central Region, Frost Blossom Palace's name would spread across the continent. The competition spanned ten days and finally reached its conclusion. Overall, the event was quite successful. The disciple who claimed first place was Zhang Si Hong, whose strength had reached the great completion stage of the Dao Merging phase, showcasing impressive skill. However, Fu Yan had no intention of taking on any disciples at present. She merely informed him he could seek her guidance if needed. Once all rewards were distributed, Fu Yan personally appointed Zhang Si Hong as Frost Blossom Palace's first senior disciple. Naturally, a minor scandal occurred when a disciple was caught cheating to win. Yuan He discovered it, and Fu Yan expelled the disciple without mercy. Thankfully, the incident had limited impact and did not cause further issues. Thus, the first great competition of the reborn Frost Blossom Palace concluded. Life returned to normal, with disciples focusing on cultivation and training. Fu Yan had initially divided her spirit to control a puppet to oversee the palace, ensuring her presence when no significant events unfolded on the continent. It meant she rarely left the palace. In the blink of an eye, six years passed. During this time, Frost Blossom Palace continued to flourish, and Fu Yan established basic trade relations with other sects in the Southern Domain. Recently, they participated in a grand event hosted by major sects in the Southern Domain, claiming an overall third place—respectable enough for a firm foothold. Returning from an auction in the Southern Domain, Fu Yan encountered the puppet ship carrying Shui Liu Qing back from her training expedition. Before Fu Yan reached it, Shui Liu Qing seemed to have already noticed her presence. Shui Liu Qing and Ji Qing Jue's expedition to the Western Domain had lasted five or six years, as they were trapped in a secret realm. Fortunately, they remained safe and unharmed. Although their bond deepened significantly, they also gained considerable experience. "Fu Yan!" A clear voice came from the puppet ship, catching Fu Yan's attention. She spotted a vaguely familiar figure. The girl wore a light gauzy dress, fluttering in the breeze. Despite being as tall as Shui Liu Qing, her face retained a youthful innocence, like an eighteen-year-old, full of vitality. She called out excitedly, waving her arms, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. Fu Yan had sensed two auras on the ship but initially assumed they belonged to Shui Liu Qing and Ji Qing Jue. Now, it seemed there was another person. Pausing, Fu Yan studied the girl on the puppet ship, finding her face familiar. After a moment, a memory flashed through her mind, and her expression turned to mild surprise. She hadn't expected it: The girl was Ming Xi! Nearly twenty years had passed since Fu Yan entered Frost Blossom Palace's trials. During that time, Ming Xi's whereabouts were completely unknown. Fu Yan was surprised that Shui Liu Qing brought Ming Xi back from her expedition. Time had flown by, and the once-tiny figure she recalled had grown into a young woman. At that moment, Fu Yan realized how quickly time had passed. "Ming Xi has become a young adult now." In the sky, Shui Liu Qing guided the puppet ship closer. As it approached Frost Blossom Palace's boundaries, she steadied the ship and stored it away. Ming Xi eagerly jumped off, landing beside Fu Yan. She had intended to hug Fu Yan, but hesitated mid-action, as though considering something. "What is it?" Fu Yan asked, amused by Ming Xi's sudden pause. Ming Xi, coming to her senses, looked up cautiously at Fu Yan and asked, "Fu Yan, if I hug you, will Sister Bai get mad and hit me?" Confused by the question, Fu Yan unintentionally replied, "What?" Ming Xi lowered her hands, glanced at Shui Liu Qing, who was storing the puppet ship, and whispered conspiratorially, "Fu Yan, did you know? Sister Shui has a dao companion!" "A dao companion?" Fu Yan was momentarily stunned before realization dawned—Ming Xi had likely met Ji Qing Jue. "Yes, yes!" Ming Xi was all smiles, then sighed with mock frustration, "When I saw Sister Shui in the Western Domain, I was so excited I hugged her. Then... then her dao companion almost attacked me!" Fu Yan stood speechless. Reflecting on this, Ming Xi sighed softly. A year ago, while wandering alone in a secret realm, she had coincidentally encountered Shui Liu Qing and Ji Qing Jue, who were battling a beast together. After two decades, Ming Xi was initially doubtful when she saw Shui Liu Qing, blinking in disbelief, wondering if her eyes deceived her. Once she confirmed it was indeed Shui Liu Qing, Ming Xi was overwhelmed with excitement, rushing forward without a second thought to hug her, exclaiming, "Sister Shui, it's really you!" Shui Liu Qing and Ji Qing Jue, having just defeated the beast, weren't expecting someone to suddenly appear. Ji Qing Jue, thinking it was an ambush, reflexively pulled Shui Liu Qing back. This sudden movement caused Ming Xi to stumble, nearly falling. Simultaneously, Ji Qing Jue retaliated with an attack. Suddenly, a massive five-headed serpent appeared, blocking Ji Qing Jue's strike, wrapping its tail around Ming Xi and gently placing her atop its head. Witnessing this, Shui Liu Qing's mind flashed back to an old scene: a young girl standing on the head of a three-headed serpent. Now, the scene before her showed a grown girl standing atop a fearsome five-headed serpent. The images overlapped in Shui Liu Qing's mind, and coupled with being called "Sister Shui," she was taken aback. Quickly, she stopped Ji Qing Jue from attacking the serpent. "Hold on, Qing Jue, she seems to be a friend of our Palace Master," Shui Liu Qing said, puzzled as she turned back to the girl atop the serpent, "Are you... Ming Xi?" Finally calming down, Ming Xi realized her sudden rush was a bit abrupt, and she bore no grudge against Ji Qing Jue for nearly attacking her. She quickly calmed the agitated serpent before lowering her gaze to respond, "Sister Shui, it's me, Ming Xi!" With that, the three soon found themselves standing together peacefully. To prevent any misunderstandings, Shui Liu Qing introduced Ming Xi to Ji Qing Jue: "Ming Xi, this is my..." She glanced at Ji Qing Jue before continuing, "My Dao companion, Ji Qing Jue." "A Dao companion?" Ming Xi looked curiously at Ji Qing Jue. Though nearly two decades had passed, Ming Xi was no longer a child and understood what a Dao companion meant. She suddenly felt embarrassed about her impulsive hug in front of Ji Qing Jue. As for why Shui Liu Qing's Dao companion was also female, Ming Xi was unsurprised; in the world of cultivators, gender was rarely a crucial factor. Moreover, Ming Xi recalled that Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li were also female Dao companions. "Sorry, Sister Ji, I didn't mean it, I was just too excited to see Sister Shui!" Ming Xi apologized sincerely to Ji Qing Jue as she realized her foolishness. Hearing this, Ji Qing Jue genuinely regarded Ming Xi for the first time. Previously, she had reflexively assumed an ambush and hadn't paid Ming Xi proper attention. Now aware that her Dao companion had indeed been hugged, albeit briefly and innocently, she wasn't angry. "It's alright, but even in excitement, remember to express yourself properly." Ming Xi nodded repeatedly, finally taking a good look at Shui Liu Qing's Dao companion and became momentarily dazzled, blurting out, "Sister Ji, you're so beautiful!" This wasn't mere flattery—Ji Qing Jue's beauty was indeed startling. With Shui Liu Qing and Ji Qing Jue deciding it was time to return to the sect, they invited Ming Xi along, who gladly accepted, longing to reunite with Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li. Thus, the earlier scene unfolded. Ming Xi recounted her encounter with Shui Liu Qing, then bashfully whispered, "Though Sister Ji didn't get angry at me, it seems she hasn't held hands with Sister Shui for months because of this." Shui Liu Qing, who had just arrived, was momentarily speechless. It was really just a misunderstanding. In their eyes, Ming Xi was still like a child, and Ji Qing Jue wasn't genuinely upset. She refrained from holding hands because Ming Xi's presence made Ji Qing Jue feel self-conscious. That's why, even when Shui Liu Qing would instinctively hold Ji Qing Jue's hand during a kiss, Ji Qing Jue would pull back upon hearing footsteps, a scene Ming Xi witnessed. They hadn't expected Ming Xi to think of it this way… Fu Yan, amused, couldn't help but find some humor in the situation. But she was surprised at how Ming Xi, having trained alone for twenty years, still maintained her innocence. Apparently, Ming Xi hadn't faced any significant hardships while away. Ming Xi's return was indeed a joyous occasion. Once back at Frost Blossom Palace, Fu Yan took Ming Xi and Shui Liu Qing to her residence at Star Moon Peak to catch up. "Sister Fu Yan," Ming Xi began, curiously looking around the peak before suddenly asking, "Where's Sister Bai?" Then she recalled something, her eyes lighting up, "And where's Little Medicinal Ball?" "Yao Tuan is traveling with Fu Juan, and your sister is in closed-door cultivation," Fu Yan responded, sensing the profound dual cultivation power from Xu You Jade Seal, her face betraying no hint of her thoughts. Ming Xi was a bit disappointed but not overly so, knowing there would be more opportunities in the future. Fu Yan poured spiritual tea for them, casually taking a seat nearby to ask Ming Xi about her adventures over the years. From what Shui Liu Qing mentioned, Ming Xi's three-headed serpent had evolved to a five-headed one, indicating significant experiences. Without hesitation, Ming Xi began recounting her journey after leaving the Southern Domain. Her experiences over the last twenty years were unexpectedly straightforward. Not long after leaving, Ming Xi followed the guidance of her three-headed serpent to the Western Domain. Being a seemingly ordinary child at the time, she faced few challenges along the way. Even when confronted by fierce beasts, they were no match for the three-headed serpent. Soon, Ming Xi and the serpent entered a secret realm and later discovered a hidden cave filled with unknown celestial treasures. Under the serpent's guidance, Ming Xi shared in consuming the treasures. Following this meal, both fell into a deep slumber and only awoke more than a decade later. The three-headed serpent had evolved into a five-headed serpent, and Ming Xi had seamlessly advanced to the early stage of the Void Transformation realm. When she met Shui Liu Qing and Ji Qing Jue, Ming Xi had only just awakened, not even a year earlier. Upon hearing this, Fu Yan and Shui Liu Qing were left speechless and astonished. "What happened?" Ming Xi asked, puzzled by their reactions. Fu Yan thought no cultivator could remain calm upon hearing Ming Xi's story; anyone with unstable feelings would probably feel an impulsive urge to faint from envy. The power of bloodline awakening was astonishingly potent. At just over twenty, Ming Xi had achieved the Void Transformation stage with minimal effort, a feat few would believe. Moreover, she now had a five-headed serpent, a being equivalent to a master of the great Ascension stage. It explained why Fu Yan had been confused earlier; though Ming Xi and the serpent had grown significantly stronger, their demeanor remained much the same. For Ming Xi, it was just a long nap that resulted in maturity. It truly embodied the saying, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Destiny seemed to have hand-fed her success. Looking at Ming Xi, unaware of her tremendous fortune, Fu Yan and Shui Liu Qing could only smile and assure her, "It's nothing, nothing at all." The conversation quickly shifted to other topics. "Sister Fu Yan, you're amazing for rebuilding Frost Blossom Palace," Ming Xi said, her face beaming with admiration, before asking, "Can I join too?" Fu Yan smiled and replied casually, "You're welcome to join anytime." Thus, Ming Xi stayed at Frost Blossom Palace, unsure of her next steps. Despite reaching the early Void Transformation stage, her actual combat experience and skills were lacking, necessitating systematic training alongside the other disciples. Ming Xi's addition was indeed a boon for Frost Blossom Palace. ... Thirteen years later. Inside the Xu You Jade Seal, a massive explosion erupted, followed by a figure emerging swiftly from the brilliance. As Fu Yan glanced up, sweat drenched her, and her grip on her sword slipped. Breathing heavily, she calmly returned to the stone platform of her cultivation abode. Once again, she had failed. Over the past two years, Fu Yan's progress in cultivation had seemingly stagnated. It appeared she had reached a bottleneck, and continuing her secluded cultivation likely wouldn't yield much in terms of breakthroughs. Reflecting on this, Fu Yan could only shake her head in resignation. Having spent around sixty years in secluded cultivation within the Xu You Jade Seal, roughly equating to twenty years in the outside world, Fu Yan had not successfully achieved ascendance into immortality. However, she was not overly discouraged. After all, ascension was inherently challenging and required the right circumstances. It seemed the time had come for her to conclude her seclusion. Once she made this decision, Fu Yan felt an involuntary sense of relief. At the moment, Bai Yue Li was not with her. The two couldn't engage in dual cultivation indefinitely; typically, they would pause after about seven to eight years. Sheathing her sword, Fu Yan took a seat and focused on calming her mind. Once her energy was completely stable, she opened her eyes. Performing a cleansing spell on herself, she changed into fresh garments before stepping out of her cultivation abode. Despite the passage of years, the illusory realm within the Xu You Jade Seal remained unchanged. With a casual glance, Fu Yan moved with a swift flicker and vanished instantly from the spot. Swish. Reappearing, Fu Yan found herself back in the Demon Domain's Demon Palace. Noticing Bai Yue Li's absence from the room, she chose to stay put, certain that Bai Yue Li would soon notice her resumption to the outside world. As expected, within moments, Bai Yue Li returned to the room with a hint of delight. "Sister!" Fu Yan looked up, greeting her with a radiant smile. Bai Yue Li snapped back to reality, momentarily surprised before striding over quickly and embracing Fu Yan tightly.