The next morning, Xiang’er was still fast asleep, exhausted from their passionate night.
Knowing she wouldn’t wake up until afternoon, Chen Yin didn’t disturb her. He kissed her forehead softly and left to et Luo Luo and the others.
They set off towards the Ten Thousand Mountains in the Southern Region, their destination the mysterious Wu Xuan Cave.
anwhile, deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains, in a hidden mountain village…
A young woman sat on a throne draped with tiger skin, her head propped up with her hand.
Her features were delicate, her skin unusually pale, her long black hair cascading down her back, her wrists and ankles adorned with silver jewelry.
She casually toyed with a porcelain shard, turning it over and over in her hand.
If Chen Yin were here, he would recognize it instantly.
…A Heavenly Dao Fragnt.
“Congratulations, Grand Witch.”
A androgynous voice, muffled and indistinct, suddenly ca from the doorway.
“With the Heavenly Dao Fragnt, you will receive the blessings of the divine and ascend to immortality without worry.”
A masked figure slowly approached.
“Are all mbers of Shen Li so rude?”
The young woman’s voice was cold, devoid of any joy. She glanced at the figure disdainfully.
“If you enter without knocking again, you’ll never have another chance to knock on any door.”
Her tone was calm, but her words were laced with a chilling killing intent.
The masked figure, unfazed, said softly, “Now that you have the Heavenly Dao Fragnt, Grand Witch, why not fuse with it and beco a Chosen One?”
“Why the rush? Whether I fuse with it or not is my decision.”
The young woman crossed her legs arrogantly and said with a condescending tone, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch. One should always be cautious.”
“You people from Shen Li suddenly appeared and told where to find the Heavenly Dao Fragnt. Who knows what your true intentions are.”
“Your words wound , Grand Witch.”
The masked figure explained, “A treasure deserves a worthy wielder. Not everyone can possess the Heavenly Dao Fragnt. Only those chosen by the divine are worthy of becoming Chosen Ones. You are young, talented, and powerful, the perfect candidate. We at Shen Li offered you this information out of respect for your talent.”
The young woman scoffed, clearly not believing them.
“It’s fine if you need ti to consider, Grand Witch.”
“But ti waits for no one.” The masked figure’s voice softened. “The final Triennial Day is fast approaching. This is your last chance. If you miss it…”
They paused.
The young woman narrowed her eyes.
“Are you threatening ?”
“Just stating the facts.” The masked figure replied calmly. “It would be a pity for soone as talented as you to perish during the Heavenly Tribulation.”
“I’ve never seen a Heavenly Tribulation. What if you’re just bluffing?”
The young woman remained unmoved. “You Shen Li people are always so cryptic and mysterious. Who knows if you’re just a bunch of lunatics.”
“A wise person knows when to seize an opportunity. I believe you’ll make the right decision, Grand Witch.”
The masked figure bowed slightly. “Please continue your deliberation. You can contact anyti if you have an answer. Shen Li welcos you with open arms.”
“Farewell.”
With that, the masked figure vanished.
The young woman stared at the empty doorway, her hand supporting her chin, lost in thought.
“Grand Witch, why not fuse with the Heavenly Dao Fragnt, like they said?”
A younger girl, about sixteen or seventeen, erged from behind the throne and blinked at her curiously.
“Doesn’t the sect’s scripture say that once you obtain the Heavenly Dao Fragnt, you’ll achieve enlightennt and ascend to immortality, leading our people to a better future?”
Before the girl could finish her sentence, the Grand Witch flicked her forehead lightly.
“Ouch!”
The girl pouted, her eyes welling up with tears.
“If everyone was as naive and carefree as you, our Wu Xuan Cave would have been destroyed long ago.”
The Grand Witch rolled her eyes. “If the Heavenly Dao Fragnt was truly that miraculous, why wouldn’t they take it for themselves? Why would they tell where to find it?”
“And ‘respect for my talent’? Only a fool like you would believe such nonsense.”
The girl rubbed her forehead and pouted, her expression filled with resentnt and injustice.
“But Shen Li might be lying, the sect’s scriptures aren’t.”
The Grand Witch’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “To complete the Sacred Child’s physique, I do need to fuse with the Heavenly Dao Fragnt.”
“Should I do it or not…”
Seeing her lost in thought, the younger girl remained silent, standing obediently beside her.
But then, she suddenly rembered sothing. “Oh, by the way, Grand Witch,”
“How long are you planning to keep that man locked up?”
“What?” The Grand Witch frowned. “Are you getting tired of watching over him? Lian’er, have you beco lazy?”
“No, no!”
Lian’er waved her hands frantically. “Lian’er always obeys Grand Witch!”
“But that man has such a big appetite! He eats several pounds of at every al!”
“We’re running out of food in the village, and Lian’er hasn’t had any at in a while…”
She rubbed her stomach with a pitiful expression.
The Grand Witch was exasperated.
“You fool! He’s a prisoner, not a guest! Why are you feeding him so much at? Just give him so poisonous scorpions and spiders!”
“But he doesn’t have your Sacred Child physique, Grand Witch. He’ll die if he eats those.” Lian’er said with wide, innocent eyes.
“Who cares if he lives or dies?!”
The Grand Witch was at her wit’s end.
She regretted choosing such a naive and foolish servant.
“Forget it, you can starve with him if you want. Serves you right!”
She said angrily, “I’ll be in seclusion for the next few days, studying the scriptures about the Heavenly Dao Fragnt.”
“I’m not receiving any visitors, do you understand? Including that man from Shen Li.”
“What if they insist on seeing you, Grand Witch?” Lian’er blinked.
“Don’t you even know how to tell them to get lost?”
“Get lost? Why wouldn’t I let them leave?”
“You—”
The Grand Witch almost fainted from frustration.
She took a deep breath, reminding herself to be patient with her chosen servant. She gritted her teeth and said,
“If they refuse to leave, just let them stay in the village. Don’t bother informing . They can wait as long as they like.”
With that, she stood up and prepared to leave for her seclusion.
But then she rembered sothing and added, her voice sharp,
“And don’t feed them! They can find their own food!”
Lian’er nodded obediently.
The Grand Witch sighed and went into seclusion.
Outside the village, the masked figure from Shen Li entered a secluded cave.
“System, contact the Divine Son.”
The Divine Son’s calm yet unsettling face appeared before him.
“What’s the situation?”
“The Grand Witch has obtained the Heavenly Dao Fragnt, but she’s still hesitant to fuse with it.”
The masked figure said softly, “But I’ve made inquiries. There are records of the Heavenly Dao Fragnt in the Wu Xuan Cave’s scriptures.”
“She’ll make up her mind soon.”
“Good work.” The Divine Son said calmly. “The Heavenly Dao Fragnt in the Wu Xuan Cave is a high-level one. It might not be as powerful as Frost Moon Sword Immortal’s, but it’s still a significant asset. If the Grand Witch obtains its power, our chances of defeating Yu Ling will greatly increase.”
“…It’s a pity,” he sighed, “that Yu Ling and the Mist Spirit Sect are protecting Shen Shuanglian’s Heavenly Dao Fragnt so well. We have no chance of obtaining it.”
“If we had that one, we wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble.”
The masked figure listened silently, saying nothing.
“You’ve handled the Wu Xuan Cave matter well.”
The Divine Son nodded approvingly. “I can confirm your loyalty now.”
“Don’t worry, if you join Shen Li and remain loyal, you will be rewarded handsoly.”
“After this matter is resolved, you will take over the position of the deceased Right Divine ssenger. And you will be rewarded when the Heavenly Tribulation arrives.”
A dark look crossed the Divine Son’s face as he ntioned the death of the previous Right Divine ssenger.
As if recalling an unpleasant mory.
“Thank you, Divine Son.” The masked figure bowed respectfully.
The Divine Son nodded, and the image disappeared.
Silence returned to the cave, the masked figure standing motionless, staring at the dark wall.
Lost in thought.
“…Are you sure about this?” The System’s voice echoed softly.
“There’s no point in trying to dissuade .”
The masked figure lowered his head. “I’m going to die anyway. Might as well leave sothing behind.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about . I don’t care about the plot records anymore.” The System sighed.
“If you think about it, I’m also responsible for your fate. I might as well die with you.”
“If anyone should be apologizing, it’s .”
The masked figure didn’t speak.
“Is there anything you’re still holding onto?”
The masked figure thought for a mont, then shook his head.
“Just my parents. That’s all.”
“Nothing else?”
“…Nothing else.”
So people in this world are expendable.
Their absence wouldn’t even be noticed.
No one would rember them.
No one would mourn them.
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