Wang Xuan could no longer hold on, yawning continuously as he gradually drifted into a heavy slumber. He was deeply worried that the world might truly undergo drastic changes in three years. Some unsettling thoughts haunted him.
Outside the window, stars finally emerged, and a silver moon hung low in the sky. A few yellow leaves drifted down in the evening breeze, softly tapping against the window.
Inside the room, the bone trembled slightly before quickly settling back into silence, too subtle for an ordinary person to notice.
In his dreams, Wang Xuan carried a celestial sword, drunkenly lounging among the clouds, surrounded by exquisite palaces and winding rivers, with petals falling like rain and fragrances wafting through the air.
Before him stood a jade table laden with ripe peaches, fragrant reishi mushrooms, and a jade pot filled with celestial wine, its aroma lingering sweetly.
Clouds swirled, and the place felt like the Fairy Pool, filled with floral scents. Nearby, fairies danced gracefully, their delicate figures enchanting, with melodious music in the air.
Here, Wang Xuan was the unparalleled celestial sword! He wandered from the North Sea to the Cangwu Mountains, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, enjoying the fruits of the Fairy Pool, carefree in the mortal realm, drunkenly resting within the grand palace of the moon.
Suddenly, a streak of sword light cleaved through the heavens and earth, connecting to the thunderous skies, shattering the palaces of the Fairy Pool and fracturing the garden of peaches.
Wang Xuan was struck down to the mortal realm, shouting in alarm, nearly waking himself. He landed in a desolate wilderness, with the celestial sword now reduced to just its hilt.
In the cold moonlight, on a barren hill, the female sword immortal stood in mid-air, gazing at the bright moon. Her white dress billowed as if she might soar away on the wind.
Her demeanor was icy, detached from the mortal world. She glanced at Wang Xuan with evident disdain. Did he truly think that ascending to immortality would lead him to the so-called tranquil heights of white clouds and splendid palaces? Naive!
Wang Xuan felt speechless. He often labeled the female sword immortal as proud and vain, enjoying flattery. Now, it seemed she often labeled him as well, looking down on him from time to time.
He thought he felt no guilt; they were both beings of the mortal realm and immortals, and occasional disdain was quite normal.
"I haven't ascended yet, so I don't understand the essence of immortality. I just imagined this scene based on legends, awaiting your arrival, immortal."
Upon hearing his explanation, the female sword immortal seemed somewhat pleased. At least he had put in the effort, even if he misunderstood the truth of immortality.
She lifted her snow-white chin, displaying her pride, but it was better than her striking him with a sword. Wang Xuan guessed that when she ascended, she might not have been very old, thus retaining her innocent nature, unlike the old monk who could be quite cunning.
The sword immortal pointed her pristine sword at a mountain, then at herself and Wang Xuan, finally nodding.
"What do you want us to do on the mountain?" Wang Xuan blurted out.
Instantly, he was struck again, the bright sword light slicing him from one peak to another. The sword immortal followed him in mid-air, her legs as white as jade, stepping through the air as she cast him an exasperated glance.
"I didn't mean us two on the mountain..." Wang Xuan quickly corrected himself, "I meant the union of people and the mountain symbolizes immortality?"
He added swiftly, "True immortals don't necessarily sit high in the heavens; they might instead be atop unknown desolate hills."
The female sword immortal appeared slightly surprised, glancing at him curiously, her cold demeanor softening momentarily, but she soon regained her aloof expression.
Wang Xuan felt he had touched upon something profound and sighed, "True immortals possess character; why seek vanity? Residing in the Moon Palace or the Fairy Pool merely gathers more mortal impurities."
The female sword immortal looked at him with renewed interest, her impression improving considerably, yet she remained proudly turned toward the starlit sky.
Soon, she caught the subtle smile that had flickered across Wang Xuan's lips. Instantly enlightened, she struck again, sending him tumbling down the mountainside.
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Wang Xuan grimaced in pain, secretly lamenting his oversight. The sword immortal's perception was far too sharp; he thought he had grasped her essence only to be swiftly punished.
The sword immortal was swift and decisive, landing gracefully before him. She extended three slender fingers, her expression serious.
Wang Xuan's heart sank; it was indeed about the three-year period. What did she want? What were these transcendent beings scheming?
"Fairy, if you have any thoughts, please tell me." He genuinely wanted to understand the truth and know the ancients' intentions.
The female sword immortal raised her pristine left hand and drew a line in the night sky, revealing a vision: a small hill that looked unremarkable, featuring a collapsed Daoist temple, its ruins scattered.
Wang Xuan's heart stirred. Based on the archives sent by the relevant departments, the sword immortal's hand bone seemed to have been discovered at this very location.
The scene shifted, showing Wang Xuan carrying the bone to the desolate hill, burying it deep beneath the temple's remnants.
"Are you asking me to take this true bone you left behind after your ascension and bury it again?" Wang Xuan was astonished; he hadn't expected this was the reason for the sword immortal's dream—something he could handle easily.
Was this an act of returning to rest? He pondered but felt much more relaxed.
The female sword immortal raised three fingers again. Was this another mention of the three-year period? Did she want him to remain in the Old Earth for three years, or was there something else to discuss when the time came?
"Fairy, if you can't speak, I could teach you to write. The characters in the current world are much simpler than before," Wang Xuan offered.
The sword immortal utilized a secret technique to reveal Wang Xuan's thoughts, showing him the scene of "red sleeves adding fragrance"—she was helping him refine it.
Resolutely, Wang Xuan, the Grandmaster, was once again struck! The female sword immortal unleashed numerous strikes upon him.
After this experience, he felt life was tough; was it really so wrong to ponder quietly? Fine, he would be a good, silent youth, observing quietly.
Unable to speak, the sword immortal demonstrated various scenes. With Wang Xuan's considerable comprehension, he finally grasped her intent.
She was quite serious about her dream, intending for Wang Xuan to reappear at that desolate burial site in three years to meet her.
This was undoubtedly no simple matter, and Wang Xuan's heart churned.
The female immortal wanted to keep him in the Old Earth; could it also be to have him go to the underground of the Greater Khingan Mountains three years from now? Had she begun intervening in the present world for that reason?
The sword immortal was exceedingly grave, even slightly anxious—a stark contrast to her usual proud and cold demeanor, indicating just how important this was!
---
Outside, beneath the moonlight, Old Chen's heart was bleeding. He had fished out the fishing rod his friend gifted him from the reed pond behind the estate, tangled in weeds, with a large black fish still hooked at the end.
This was truly something to be discarded like worn-out shoes. After Wang Xuan lost interest in fishing, he casually tossed the fish into the pond, infuriating Old Chen, who felt it was utterly despicable.
Old Chen decided that once he returned, he would beat Wang Xuan up. He thought it best to strike early; otherwise, chances might dwindle in the future.
Sitting by the reed pond, Old Chen skillfully cast his line, appearing thoroughly enjoyed. It had been many days since he had gone fishing, and the long-lost sense of joy resurfaced.
Before long, he furrowed his brow and said, "Qingmu, go give the order to keep people away from the sickroom so as not to disturb those two during their dream meeting. Also, bring over an energy cannon to prepare for mosquitoes!"
Qingmu understood the situation immediately and quickly disappeared.
Old Chen, now transcending the Great Master level, could sense even the slightest movements throughout the estate. He detected an outsider intruding, which disrupted his fishing mood.
Soon, Qingmu returned, carrying a powerful new type of energy cannon, which he quickly set up.
"Aim at the northwest corner, yes, shift a bit more west—good, fire!" Old Chen directed. As a transcended Great Master, his mental domain was terrifying, allowing him to clearly track the intruder's movements.
Boom!
In the distance, a figure was obliterated.
"Now aim north, lower the angle a bit—good, fire!" Old Chen ordered, without needing Qingmu to locate the target with technology. It was straightforward: just fire.
In a blinding flash, another person was blown apart. This shocking turn of events startled many in the estate.
"What level of person was that?" Qingmu asked.
Old Chen scoffed, "Just fish fodder, probably only a quasi-Great Master. Too weak; they're not worth the risk of exposure for me to deal with."
Qingmu was speechless. He thought Old Chen had gotten a bit too carried away; perhaps he needed another night locked up in the mental domain being beaten by the Ghost Monk, or to be on the receiving end of a few hits from the female sword immortal.
Old Chen picked up his fishing rod and left the reed pond. There was no point in fishing anymore; he planned to head back to the sickroom, as those two should be finishing their dream meeting soon.
---
Wang Xuan was deeply worried about what these transcendent beings intended. Would the traps set by the ancients, or their schemes, lead to terrifying incidents one after another?
"Can you tell me whether all the immortal sages have perished, and what exactly is your goal?" Wang Xuan asked cautiously.
The female sword immortal remained silent but eventually unleashed astonishing abilities, directly transporting Wang Xuan from the dream realm into the inner scene!
What tremendous power! This was interfering with the present world, causing Wang Xuan's heart to race uncontrollably.
In the void, there was no sound, only mysterious particles falling from the unknown. The female sword immortal moved forward, directly reaching the deepest point. Then she touched a layer of shimmering curtain, and with a sudden burst of power, she caused the place to tremble violently.
Wang Xuan's eyes widened in shock.
On the other side of the curtain, a graceful figure appeared in the distance.
It was a vast expanse of land. She walked over a dilapidated Daoist temple, stepping on the rubble, slowly approaching from the mysterious realm. Though still hazy, it was apparent she resembled the female sword immortal closely, both in appearance and attire—it seemed to be the sword immortal herself!