130 - A Farewell to Mr. Luo

Chapter 130: Rampaging Dragon Girl Bai Fan couldn't quite place who the person was; all she felt was a heaviness in her chest, prompting her to turn and leave the grand hall. Seeing Bai Fan exit, the Little Child hurriedly followed. In a place filled with corpses, one couldn’t help but feel a chill. “Bai Dan Shi, wait for me.” The canyon that once bustled with life now lay in dead silence. As she walked among the pavilions and towers, she reminisced about the curiosity that consumed her when she first arrived here. Now, comparing those magnificent structures with what she had seen in Xuan Ming, they seemed so insignificant. The old sect master had tried hard to protect this place; however, it had still succumbed to destruction. Despite her grudging resentment toward the old man, it was now mixed with a tinge of regret. The boy who used to cry in a basket and then giggle at her had vanished too — so many decades had passed. The root of all this calamity was their weakness; if only they had been stronger, such a downfall might have been avoided. Bai Fan became even firmer in her path of cultivation. She resolved to diligently practice, to break through realms, to stand on higher ground — rather than being manipulated and living in constant unease. Two days passed in silence, and the Little Child had no idea what Bai Fan was pondering. He merely stood quietly by her side. On the third evening, he softly reminded her, “Bai Dan Shi, it has been three days.” Bai Fan was startled, raising her head to glance around, realizing indeed that three days had passed. As she prepared to stand and leave, she noticed a figure standing at the entrance of Qingxu Sect, which made her steps falter for a moment. “Bai Dan Shi, there seems to be someone outside.” “There is indeed someone.” Upon seeing the figure clearly, the Little Child nearly exclaimed in surprise, whispering to Bai Fan, “It’s that mortal from the other day. How did he find this place?” Bai Fan frowned upon seeing him, wondering how he managed to find this place without her having mentioned the Qingxu Sect's location. However, Bai Fan had no intention of accepting him as a disciple since she had never planned on taking one. As a demon herself, teaching others the way of cultivation would invite ridicule. “Let’s go.” As Bai Fan began to leave, the Little Child curiously asked, “Bai Dan Shi, you’re not taking him as a disciple?” “No.” After Bai Fan and her companion had left, the young man remained standing at Qingxu Sect’s entrance, awaiting Bai Fan’s arrival as agreed. On the way back from Qingxu Sect, Bai Fan happened to pass a village where demons had appeared, prompting her to lead the Little Child to eliminate them completely. The villagers had never seen anyone like Bai Fan, who appeared ethereal and had a cute Little Child following her. They immediately assumed she was a celestial being and fell to their knees, exclaiming, “Thank you, celestial being, for saving us!” Bai Fan intended to keep up appearances but, seeing the Little Child behind her, coughed a few times before urging the crowd to rise. “Please, stand up. I merely happened to pass by and slew a few demons; there’s no need to kneel before me.” “Thank you, celestial being! Thank you!” Nevertheless, the group had not grasped Bai Fan’s words and continued to express their gratitude, kneeling as if before a deity. Ultimately, Bai Fan was left with no choice; as long as she lingered, they remained kneeling. Thus, she turned and flew away, shaking her head and remarking, “These people are truly naive, calling anyone who can fly a celestial. It's no wonder they get hunted by demons. You see, the man earlier even took on demons with a spear; that’s the difference.” Hearing Bai Fan’s comment, the Little Child lowered his gaze. “Yet Bai Dan Shi still doesn’t take him as a disciple.” Bai Fan was taken aback, realizing she was being contradictory. Yet, the man inherently lacked spiritual roots and was even lesser than she had been. Taking him on would teach him nothing; he might as well remain in the mortal realm where his skills could make him a hero. “He has no spiritual roots. Whether I take him or not makes no difference.” While Bai Fan was speaking, a group unexpectedly appeared on the horizon. Spotting that they weren't demons, she didn’t act immediately, wondering if they were approaching her or on another mission. Confirming no one else was around, she deduced they were indeed seeking her. Upon reaching Bai Fan, the group revealed relieved expressions. “May I ask if you are with the Heavenly Dao Alliance?” Bai Fan, eyeing the attractive individuals before her, found it rather peculiar. “That would be me. What business do you have?” The frontmost male cultivator’s face lit up with joy as Bai Fan responded. “Our Deputy Sect Master requests your presence; he has matters to discuss with you.” “Your Sect Master?” Upon Bai Fan’s inquiry, the man eagerly explained, “We are disciples of the South Continent Qing Ling Sect.” Hearing this, Bai Fan immediately understood. Qing Ling Sect was one of the five major sects of the South Continent, renowned for producing beauties. Now witnessing it firsthand, she conceded there was truth to the tales; their bearing was exceptional, comparable to her own. “Since your Deputy Sect Master invites me, I won’t refuse. Lead the way.” Upon hearing her agreement, the group cheerfully and promptly led the path. The Little Child, following behind, curiously inquired, “Why did Bai Dan Shi agree?” Bai Fan, nostalgically watching the Qing Ling Sect disciples ahead, replied, “When I first entered cultivation, it was thanks to an elder in their sect that I advanced. Otherwise, I would’ve suffered far more hardships. Going now repays that favor.” The Little Child nodded in understanding. “I see. This is what Yuan Jun called karma.” With that, he committed it to memory, while Bai Fan, contemplating the notion of karma, found enlightenment. Her stagnant cultivation suddenly yielded, taking her by surprise. Upon arriving at Qing Ling Sect, Bai Fan witnessed what could be called a utopia. Even amidst the war-torn South Continent, the sect maintained unparalleled beauty, living up to the "Qing Ling" name. The entire sect was enveloped in a grand barrier. Despite the surrounding demonic energy, none could penetrate it. To enter the sect, one had to pass through a water mirror to ensure none were demons in disguise, hoping to infiltrate by transforming into familiar disciples. Because of this, the inspection was extremely careful, requiring rigorous checks for all disciples returning from missions. Outsiders like Bai Fan underwent even stricter scrutiny, including revealing the contents of their storage bags. Fortunately, Bai Fan only stored mundane items, while valuables lay hidden in her dreamscape. Once inside Qing Ling Sect, one couldn't help but notice the array of beauties walking everywhere, a feast for the eyes. Shortly after, Bai Fan and her party arrived at a grand hall located mid-mountain. The stone relief read “Qing Ling," written with vigorous strength, suggestive of a person with great spirit. “Please, enter, fellow daoist.” The disciples halted at the entrance, leaving Bai Fan and the Little Child to step inside. From the outside, the hall seemed modest, yet its interior space was surprisingly vast, achieved through unknown means akin to storage bags. But unlike them, this space allowed for free passage. Within stood several late-stage cultivators, startling Bai Fan the moment she stepped in. Such a grand array inspired a hint of fear. Quickly, she paid her respects to the powerful cultivators, who only slightly nodded, seeming not to regard her as their equal. “Greetings, esteemed elders.” A kindly-looking man stepped forward from among the cultivators. “No need for formality. Today’s invitation is to inquire when the Heavenly Dao Alliance plans to invite Yuan Jun to descend again.” Bai Fan was caught off guard; she had no knowledge of when Yuan Jun would descend. Having joined the Heavenly Dao Alliance merely weeks prior, she was unfamiliar with their inner workings. “I am not privy to such information.” The cultivators exchanged subtle glances, their expressions shifting. Collectively they addressed Bai Fan, “Did Yuan Jun leave any instructions when you were sent here?” Bai Fan shook her head. The group frowned, sensing it was imperative that they convey their intentions clearly. "To be candid, we must request that you relay to Yuan Jun that all the nascent soul cultivators in the South Continent have mysteriously vanished. Currently, there are no powerful cultivators left in the South Continent. If Yuan Jun does not come soon, the next time the demons attempt an incursion, the South Continent will undoubtedly fall." Hearing this revelation, Bai Fan was utterly stunned. How could all the powerful cultivators in the South Continent disappear? And what was this about demons from another realm? At that moment, Bai Fan felt as if she were a mortal who suddenly learned that all the deities above her had perished—a sense of overwhelming shock. "We all hastily gathered from various sects. Except for us high-level members, the disciples below are unaware and are still fighting on the front lines." Bai Fan was at a loss for words. She listened as they spoke, realizing she had initially thought everyone present was from the Qing Ling Sect. Little did she know, these were prominent figures from various sects; she wondered which among them belonged to Xuan Ming. "The message must reach Yuan Jun." As they spoke, each person handed Bai Fan a token, adorned with different patterns and containing distinct auras. "These tokens contain fragments of our souls. If Yuan Jun does not come, deliver these to him as proof that we are prepared to sacrifice our lives." Carrying these tokens, Bai Fan left the grand hall, still dazed by the encounter, with the Little Child equally unsettled by the gravity of the situation. After a moment of bewilderment, Bai Fan realized something crucial: Er Chun was still on the battlefield. If anything were to happen, what then? "I must get back and inform Yuan Jun immediately. The South Continent cannot fall." With that resolve, Bai Fan hurriedly left with the Little Child. Upon exiting Qing Ling Sect, she quickly took out a jade plaque, channeled her spiritual energy into it, and in an instant, both she and the Little Child vanished from the South Continent.