I opened my eyes and found myself back on my small little island with my magical pond surrounding me
"Ah!" I groaned as it felt as if a man was pounding a hammer against my skull. Ugh, I love wine but I hated hangovers. Hmm... how did I get back here? I frowned as I sat up. I tapped my palm against my forehead for a while and that helped for a little bit. I cocked my head as I just lost my train of thought... oh right, how did I get back here?
"Status menu," I said aloud.
Name: Que Hei Bin Skills Title: Fifteenth Disciple of Guang Yuan Inventory Status: High Immortal Notes Level: 989 Memory Data Time Played: (Years: Days: Hours: Minutes: Seconds) 190,100:14:12:48:17 Messages
I tapped on my Memory Data tab and scrolled all down. There was nothing new that appeared next to the slot of the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe. I pouted my lips confused but just shrugged my shoulders. Since there was nothing there then nothing out of the ordinary happened. I raised my arms up and stretched before letting out a sigh.
"Let's take a bath to get rid of this alcohol smell on us and then go greet Master, Que Hei Bin. If he knows that the first thing I did was go out to eat and drink instead of go greet him and tell him I'm alright then... let's not think of the consequences... haha... ha..." I let out a nervous laugh before I shook my head to set myself straight. After my bath, I pulled on my most elegant blue robes and started to head toward my next destination.
-
I stood in front of a tall gate as I felt my heart running underneath my chest. In front of the gate, there were two men whose faces I was not familiar with. Did Master take in more disciples after me? Or were they hired guards? The anxiety from yesterday came back as my mind started to wander off. Was this still the place I thought it was? I held my hands together as I looked up the tall gate to see a golden sign at the top of the arch that read Cui Yun Mountain. This did sound like the right place... but was it? I shook my head and I didn't give it much more thought as I took a step forward. The two men looked at me and one of them held a hand out.
"Please state your name and business or else we won't be able to let you into Cui Yun mountain," the man stated.
"Is this... uh..." I tried to collect my thoughts, "is... is the Great Heavenly Warlord Guang Yuan still here?" my lips trembled. The two guards looked at each other before looking back at me with confusion in their eyes.
"Of course," the one with a rectangular face replied sternly and seemed a bit offended.
"Nothing dangerous could ever happen to our great Master," the other one with a circular face said but was more gentle with his tone. I let out a small sigh of relief internally before clearing my throat. I reached into my sleeve and then pulled out a silver badge. The badge was in a shape of a flower as it had five pedals and had the character fifteen etched into it.
"I am the fifteenth disciple of Cui Yun Mountain, Que Hei Bin, and I wish to go and greet my Master, Great Heavenly Warlord Guang Yuan," I announced. The two men's jaw dropped before they got down on their knees.
"Twenty-Eigth greets Fifthteenth!" the one with the rectangular face his bowed.
"Twenty-Ninth greets Fifthteenth!" the other one bowed. Woah! Master accepted over ten disciples since I've been gone? What a surprise!
"Quickly, rise! We are all disciples of Master, no need to be so formal," I helped to the two up. I watched as Twenty-Ninth smiled at me and Twenty-Eighth gave me an apologetic nod. I shook my head to tell him that I didn't mind. He gave me a relieved look before he turned and ran towards a rope that was located inside of the gate wall. "Wait!" I yelled out to stop him before he could pull. He turned to look at me.
"Yes?"
"Why are you ranging the emergency bell? There's no emergency here," I looked around me to check just in case I was wrong.
"Oh, don't worry senior! Master has ordered all of us, who comes and rotates to guard, to ring the bell at once if you ever returned."
"Huh? Master ordered that you rang the bell once I've returned?"
"Yes!"
"B-but, it's alright! If you ring the bell all the disciples will show up here and I don't want to disturb their training. I will just go greet Master quietly."
"I'm sorry, senior, but I can't do that. Master specifically ordered for all of us to do this."
"But it will attract too much attention..."
"B-but... senior... I don't think we can disobey master on this..."
"Please understand, senior. Master has ordered this and if we don't do it I'm afraid..." Twenty-Ninth's face turned white and I nodded my head. I knew how cruel Master's punishments could be.
"Alright, alright! Go on, do what you've been told to do. I didn't mean to make things hard for you, juniors. Sorry," I waved my hand and Twenty-Eighth gave me a thankful nod as he pulled the rope up and down. The bell echoed throughout the whole Cui Yun Mountain and even vibrated through my body. I backed away from the entrance just to be safe. A few seconds afterward, I heard footsteps heading in my direction. I looked through the gates to see Cui Yun disciples wearing our signature blue outfit running toward me. I let out a small sigh as I brought my hand up to my face and hid behind it. I hate being the center of attention. Master, why do you have to do this to me?!
"Yah!" I heard a voice yell out from behind me. I turned to see a figure wearing dark blue robes throwing a fist out at me. I dodged as I sidestepped and the figure threw another fist. This time, I grabbed the figure's wrist and pulled the figure close to me. I looked at his face and frowned as it looked familiar. "Intruder you dare to infiltrate Cui Yun Mountain?! Never on my watch!" he declared. This rough voice was familiar too. I let the figure go and he proceeded to give me an overhead kick. I bent my torso as I turned to give us some distance.
"Wait! Eleventh, that's not an intruder!" I heard Twenty-Eighth call out. Ohh, so this man is Eleventh! Hehe, he's always been hot-headed and quick to fight before talking... it's comforting to see some things never change. I reached my hand out and grabbed onto his shoulder.
"Aah!" he yelped as I turned him around and then shoved him into the ground. I chuckled as he fell on his face. His skills have deteriorated. He used to be stronger than this... or did I just get too strong? "Y-you! I will get you for this!" he got back on his feet.
"Eleventh, it's me," I quickly said and he froze. I saw his legs shake and I let out another chuckle as I watch him turn around. When his dark eyes met mine his jaw dropped almost to the ground.
"Fif-fif-fi-fifteenth?!" he pointed at me and his complexion went white. I laughed and nodded my head.
"Why do you look as if you've seen a ghost?! It's only me you are looking at," I squinted my eyes at him. Tears started to form in his eyes as he held his arms out.
"Fifteenth!" he cried as he started to run toward me.
"Fifteenth," a pleasant voice called out and Eleventh stopped moving. I turned my head toward the gate to see a man wearing luscious blue robes looking at me with watery blue eyes. This man appearance looked as if he was sculpted with a delicate hand and care. He looked as if he couldn't believe the sight he saw in front of him. He was also the most handsome man I knew in this world. He started to run toward me with his arms wide out, his white hair bouncing behind him. I smiled as I turned my body and fell into his embrace.
"Master!" I wrapped my arms around his body, "I'm back, Master!" He pulled me back to get a closer look at me as he started to touch my face as if to confirm I was really there. I frowned as I reached my hand up to wipe away his falling tears. "Master, don't cry, I'm back! Don't cry or else you're going to look weak in front of all my juniors!" I whispered and he let out a laugh.
"You unfilial disciple! You go missing for 120,000 years and now you are scolding your own Master? Aren't you afraid that I will make you run 100 laps around Cui Yun Mountain again?" he threatened with a smile on his face. I felt my stomach drop as I shook my head.
"N-n-no, Master! C-c-cry all yo-you w-w-want! Just don't make me run 100 laps again!" I begged and he let out another laugh as he pulled me in for another hug.
"My most troublesome disciple has returned after all these years. I don't know if these are tears of happiness or tears of sadness," he let out a sigh.
"Master!" I tried to push him away but he just chuckled, not letting go.
"Alright! Alright! I'm just joking!" he hugged me even tighter and I patted his back, not minding his sense of humor.
-
"Fifteenth!" I was pulled into another hug for I don't know which time, and I let out a small laugh.
"Alright, alright! You can let me go now, Second!" I protested as I tried to push him away.
"Hey! You let the others hug you for at least ten seconds but you are only going to let me hug you for only three?! You're being too unfair!" Second complained.
"Just let her go already!" I heard Fourth call out from behind me.
"Alright! Go!" Second let me go and I gave him an apologetic smile as I walked to sit next to Eleventh.
"Fifteenth," I turned around and saw First waving at me with gentle purple eyes, "come here and sit here for today," he pointed at his seat which was next to Master's seat.
"But Fir-"
"Just go! Today's feast is to celebrate seeing you for the first time in 120,000 years! Just take it as your honor to sit next to Master!" Second urged. I smiled and nodded as I went to sit in First's spot. I looked down the dining table to only see First, Second, Fourth, and Eleventh here. Where was Fourteenth? He and I were the closest. I wondered how much he has changed throughout all these years. I wonder how much everyone has changed... Sadness rippled inside my heart as the image of all my seniors sitting at the dining table flashed across my eyes. Three of those fourteen seats will never be used by their original owners again.
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"Where's the rest of the disciples?" I asked to distract myself so the ripple wouldn't come gushing out into a waterfall.
"Aiyo, Fifteenth! It's been 120,000 years! The ones who aren't here are the ones who now have a life doing something more productive than we are doing. That's why we were able to make it here so quick when Master summoned us," Second explained as he twirled a piece of his red hair.
"Hey! I am living a productive life!" Eleventh retorted.
"Haha! As if gardening every day is productive!" Second stuck his tongue out at Eleventh. Eleventh glared at Second and Fourth waved his hands up and down to calm them.
"Alright, alright! Stop arguing already! It's been a long time since Fifteenth has sat down to eat with us, and you guys are going to spend it arguing?" Fourth gave them a look of disapproval.
"That's right. Listen to Fourth you two," First scolded the two and the two nodded their heads as they turned to look at me. I looked away not knowing what to do with all this attention and I felt a hand on mine. I looked up to see Master looking at me with a worried expression.
"Tell me Fifteenth, what happened to you back then? Why did you suddenly disappear on us like that?" he asked. Silence followed afterward as I felt all my seniors attention on me. I bit my lip before swallowing.
"During that fight... to make sure that we won..." I looked up carefully at Master and hung my head low, "I overexerted my soul for energy... causing it to crack and almost break into fragments..." I confessed in a quiet voice.
"Wh-what?!" I heard Second yell out.
"Shh, Second!" Master hushed him.
"Oh... sorry!" Second whispered.
I felt Master's hand move from my hand to my shoulder, "continue, Fifteenth," he ordered. I nodded my head.
"Then... I went to a secluded place to recuperate and have been sleeping since then..." I finished. There was a moment of silence before my Master let out a sigh.
"That's a relief," he took a sip of his tea. I raised my head and looked at him.
"Master, you aren't mad?" I asked. I remembered him forbidding us to use our soul in exchange for power as it had too many setbacks. I was already considered lucky because I didn't turn into a demonic beast. I did one of the things he forbid, yet he didn't' even lecture me... was this still the same Master? He set his teacup down and looked at me with tranquil eyes. He shook his head.
"I'm not mad... anymore. To tell you the truth, I was mad for the first couple of years and I was going to punish you when you returned for doing something so dangerous... but after so long I figured that no matter what you said, no matter what condition you came back in, I wouldn't be mad at you at all, because at least you've returned," he replied, "during that battle... I already lost three important disciples and you all lost three brothers... I didn't know what to do if I had lost a fourth, so I couldn't stay mad..." silence fell over the room as the ripple returned. My vision got blurry as I felt a hot tear roll down my cheek. I felt a bit embarrassed because I've never cried in front of them before, but the sadness in my heart overwhelmed me when he mentioned those three.
"M-master... it was all my fault... please punish me... I've been an unfilial disciple... I caused the death of my seniors... I was wrong... I'm sorry..." I cried as I got on my knees and kowtowed.
"Fifteenth!" he gently scolded as he held me back up. I felt his finger brush away my tear as he patted my head.
"Don't cry, Fifteenth. I'm sure those three won't blame you... you knew how they were. Since you've returned, our Cui Yun Mountain is finally whole again," Master said.
"Euuugh... d-don't c-cry, Fifteenth! Fifth, Eighth, and Thirteenth wouldn't blame you at all," Second cried out.
"How are you going to comfort her when you are crying yourself, Second?" Fourth scolded and I looked across the table to see him rubbing Second's back.
"B-but... i-i-it's so sad..." he cried and I couldn't help laughing at how ugly his crying face look. My laugh triggered the others to laugh.
"Alright, alright! I bet that Fifteenth is hungry from not eating for 120,000 years so let's start eating!" First yelled and we cheered in agreement. I brought a piece of chicken up to my mouth and I saw chopsticks put a piece of diced pepper on it. I look up to see Master smiling at me.
"You love spicy foods don't you?"
"Yes," I smiled and nodded my head, "I'm surprised Master remembers. Thank you, Master!" I brought the food into my mouth and started to chew on the tender meat.
"Although this food is good... Fifteenth," I looked up to see Second looking at me with twinkling eyes. I knew what he meant and I just rolled my eyes at him as I continued to stuff my food into my mouth. I heard him make a whining noise but I ignored it.
"But, Fifteenth," Fourth suddenly said. I looked up at his dark blue eyes and he cocked his head.
"What?"
"How does it feel to see us again after 120,000 years?"
"Hmm... to be honest, it might have been 120,000 years for you guys but for me, it felt as if it was only yesterday since our fight against the Dark Arts Tribe. It feels a bit strange to see you guys celebrating like this when it felt like we just had dinner together two days ago," I felt tears welling back up and I blinked them away. The atmosphere just got better and I didn't want to ruin it.
"Lucky you! You didn't have to go through the suffering of missing a comrade who just disappeared after a battle. Nobody knew what happened to you so everyone thought that you died," Second commented.
"Second! Watch what you say," First warned.
"It's fine, First. Second has always been like that. I don't take any offense," I said. First glared at Second and Second gave me an apologetic nod.
"You're lucky that Fifteenth is nice," First's voice was cold and Second let out a hesitant laugh.
"Then you're saying that within that 120,000 years you never woke up at all?" Fourth looked at me confused. I opened my mouth to agree but I hesitated for a moment as I remember the video clip from yesterday. What should I answer to this? 'Your identity during the trial wasn't your real identity. The two identities will have no correlation. You won't have to take responsibility for anything. I promise you.' My voice echoed in my head and I nodded.
"Y-yeah. I didn't wake up all during all that time," I answered.
"Oohh..." Fourth nodded his head as if he was contemplating something.
"Why?"
"Huh? Oh, I w-was just thinking that you are such a deep sleeper!" Fourth clapped his hands together.
"Of course! Do you know what a pain it is to wake her up in the morning?" Second blurted out and everyone bursted out into laughter as we continued to eat.
-
I felt the wind blowing past me as I looked down Cui Yun Mountain. It was a scenery that I've always enjoyed since coming to this world. The beautiful trees that wavered in the wind along with the animals that roamed the forest. There were also villages here and there which seemed to bustle with life. It made me feel calm and reminded me a lot of Earth at the same time.
"Fifteenth," I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned my head to see Master standing beside me.
"What is it, Master?"
"Nothing... just remembering how I first met you when you were still in your animal form."
"Ahh... that's right. It's a good thing that I met Master and was able to cultivate from an animal into a Low Immortal. Did you think that the little magpie from back then would be your wonderful disciple now?"
"Haha! I knew that the little magpie would be able to cultivate into human form eventually but... wonderful disciple? What kind of wonderful disciple leaves their Master for 120,000 with no sort of news whether she is dead or alive?"
"Master! I didn't mean to but I was too injured. If I didn't leave right away then you would've not seen me standing beside you right now!" I retorted.
"Alright, alright! I'm just joking with you Fifteenth."
"Hmph."
"Haha... but Fifteenth... are you sure that you didn't wake up at all during those 120,000 years?"
"Huh? Uh, yes... I'm sure. Why?"
"Then why are you a High Immortal now?" his words made me froze before I cleared my throat. I didn't know that Master could tell what status I was at without me informing him. "And that's not all... from your energy you are even at my level of strength... stronger than the Celestial Emperor himself. Not many Immortals reach this height and those that do are regarded even better than most Celestial Beings," he crinkled his eyebrows. What? I was stronger than the Celestial Emperor and was Master's equal?! That's crazy! "Fifteenth... why is this so?"
"Ah, that is because... the place I was recuperating at is a special place with an essence that is compatible with my body. Even though I may have been asleep my body have been absorbing and cultivating that essence all these years," I clarified. I wasn't lying to him because my body has been cultivating and absorbing the pond's essence while I was asleep.
"Hmm... usually it is very hard to rise to a High Immortal through cultivation if you don't go through a trial... are you sure?"
"I-I-I'm sure... and why are you saying I didn't go through a trial Master?"
"Hmm?"
"W-Wouldn't the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe be considered a trial? My soul almost cracked into fragments. If that is not a trial, then what is?"
"Ahh... I guess that you may be right... and," Master turned to me and gave me a bow.
"Huh? No! Master! What are you doing?!" I held his arms and pushed him back up.
"It's basic etiquette. You are my equal in status now, no, you may even be stronger than me. It will be rude of me not to give you a bow of acknowledgment."
"Master! You are my Master, you don't need to ever bow to me. I should be bowing to you. Que Hei Bin will bow to Master now," I started to get on my knees but he held me up.
"Don't. You don't need to, Fifteenth. Also, you don't need to call me Master anymore either. We are on equal grounding now. I will allow you to call me by my name," he said. I quickly shook my head.
"No! This one doesn't dare to! Once a master, always a master. Once a master, always a father. Please don't do this to me, Master! It only felt like a week ago when you made run 100 laps around Cui Yun Mountain! Please don't make this hard on your unfilial disciple!" I begged and he smiled.
"Alright, alright! I won't make things hard for you anymore. Since you have been gone for so long I just wanted to tease you a bit," he chuckled.
"Master!" I complained and he laughed again.
"I already said I'm sorry. Are you not going to accept your Master's apology?"
"Hmm... alright. I accept... hehe, but in exchange," I grinned, "I will be leaving the Mountain for a couple days," I negotiated. Master frowned.
"Why? Where are you going?" he questioned.
"I want to go see Hua Mi!" I giggled and he glared at me which made me stop smiling.
"You just want to go drink again, don't you?"
"Uh, n-no! I just think that Hua Mi must miss me after I've been gone for so long. I should go pay him a visit to tell him that I'm alive and well," I let out a nervous laugh. Master side eyed me a bit before letting out a sigh.
"Alright. You may go, but you can't get too drunk! Only three bottles allowed!" he warned as he pointed his finger at me.
"Master!" I whined, "three bottles are like half a bottle for me... you already know..."
"That's why you only get three bottles."
"Hmm," I looked up at him and pouted. He shook his head.
"No matter what you do I won't let you have any more," he said sternly. I let out a sigh and nodded my head.
"Your unfilial disciple will listen and follow," I agreed, defeated. He nodded his head. My lips fell back to a straight line, "Master... do we... have their graves here on Cui Yun Mountain?" I mumbled as I stared at the ground. I felt arms fold around me as I felt a pat on my back.
"We do."
"Master... can I give pay my respects after I visit Hua Mi? My heart is not ready yet... it only felt like four days ago when I still saw them smiling in front of me..." I grabbed his arm as a tear rolled down my cheek.
"You can," he gave me permission.
"Thank you, Master," I took a step back from his embrace as I wiped away my tear. I looked up at him and smiled. He stroked my cheek and then the stroke turned into a pinch as I grabbed his hand, "Master!" I complained as he laughed and pulled his hand back.
"The sun's beginning to set already so you better get going. Also, you must return after three days or else," he narrowed his eyes and I nodded my head, yet I felt my hair stand up.
"Fifteenth thanks, Master! I will be back," I said as I swung my arm and began to fly to Hua Mi's garden.
-
It was already nighttime when I reached Hua Mi's garden... I did get a bit confused by the changed scenery so I got lost a couple times... but wow! It smelled so nice. I looked around to see tall trees that had various fruits and bushes with various berries growing on them.
"130,000 years I helped plant you guys with Hua Mi and now you guys are already so big!" I laughed as I stretched my arms up. I remember suggesting that we make our own garden so Hua Mi can brew his own wine and I can be the guinea pig to determine whether the wine taste good or not. I wonder how much wine he has already made from all these fruits. I turned the corner and saw a figure wearing dark purple robes. I raised my eyebrows. Usually, Hua Mi wears vibrant colorful robes instead of dark robes. I kept looking and saw the man hold a big wine bottle. Hehe, it must be Hua Mi then. Master probably told him I was coming and he got ready for me.
"Hua Mi, I can't believe how much your fashion has changed but it's okay. Just give me the best wine you got," I whispered as I crept my way towards the figure. I tiptoed my way towards him and he didn't seem to notice. When I was right behind him I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a back hug. "Hua Mi! It's me, I'm back! Did you miss me?" I laughed. I felt him stiffened and I giggled. Ahh, he's always been fun to tease. I let him go and he turned around. The smile slowly got wiped off my face as I realize the man wasn't Hua Mi. The man's dark brown eyes were big as he looked at me shocked.
"C-Cu Xing?" he breathed out as his hand went up and I felt his fingers brush against my forehead. Cu Xing? Huh? Wait... where have I heard this before?