Chapter 8

The reason Xu Manman sought out Immortal Lang Yin was to find out where her body was.

Based on her own deductions, she believed that Immortal Lang Yin had her corpse—or at least a part of it.

On that fateful day, she was trapped by the formation of the Burning Heaven division, and her life and death were out of her own control. She knew she had lost an arm before dying, but she was unsure if her body was further mutilated after death. She had heard that the Blood Sect had a kind of puppet called a Stitched Monster, made by piecing together bodies from different races and controlling them with puppet worms.

Initially, she dared not think such a thing, but Immortal Lang Yin had created a fake body to deceive Ning Xi, making her wonder if her own body had been mutilated beyond recognition and if it could still be stitched together for use.

“What is your purpose in asking about Manman’s body?” Immortal Lang Yin demanded sternly.

Xu Manman withdrew her gaze and looked directly at Immortal Lang Yin, her expression serious. “Whether you believe it or not, I am the person Xu Manman loved the most. I would never harm her; I can swear by the heavens.”

She raised three fingers as she spoke.

Immortal Lang Yin sneered, “I don’t believe in gods or the heavens, and I certainly don’t believe you.”

Xu Manman sighed, “If you won’t believe anything I say, then what’s the point of asking me questions?”

“You know too much,” Immortal Lang Yin replied coldly.

Xu Manman noticed the killing intent in his eyes, mixed with a hint of hesitation. He feared this woman knew too much and had hidden cards he was unaware of. He wanted to kill her but feared unpredictable consequences.

He hesitated, his fingers gripping her slender neck and pressing on the throbbing pulse. Life was so fragile; with a slight squeeze, her neck would snap, her bright eyes would lose their light, and her beautiful face would lose its color, just as it had when he arrived at the Burning Heaven division that day…

“Immortal master, could you let go of me first?” Xu Manman saw that Immortal Lang Yin’s cold eyes had lost some focus and his killing intent had diminished.

She tentatively asked in a soft voice, “I can’t escape from you anyway, and I’m afraid your arm will get tired holding me like this. Besides, I have something important to discuss with you…”

Immortal Lang Yin snapped back to reality, glancing at Xu Manman indifferently. To him, her cultivation level posed no threat; he could crush her easily. He was curious to hear what she had to say.

Xu Manman rubbed her sore neck and cleared her throat before speaking, “Do you want to avenge Xu Manman?”

Immortal Lang Yin replied, “I’ve already killed everyone in the Burning Heaven division.”

“But the Blood Sect still has three divisions: Fate-defying, Doom-bringing, and Soul-reaping, as well as the hidden Blood Sovereign. They are all responsible for Xu Manman’s death.”

Xu Manman observed Immortal Lang Yin’s reaction, seeing his brow furrow, seemingly touched. She sighed deeply and said mournfully, “Xu Manman died so tragically… She dedicated her life to the people and the country, dying young, without even having a child…”

Immortal Lang Yin gave her a sidelong glance and said, “You want me to annihilate the Blood Sect.”

Xu Manman did not deny it.

“Immortal master, you claimed to be Xu Manman’s Dao companion. Don’t you want to avenge her?”

Immortal Lang Yin lowered his eyes in thought, seeming hesitant.

“I have more important matters to attend to.”

“Like growing flowers?” Xu Manman muttered, surprised when Immortal Lang Yin did not refute her. She raised an eyebrow, starting to form a guess.

Immortal Lang Yin, an immortal, was uninterested in worldly affairs and emotions. She didn’t know what misunderstanding or fate had caused him to show special care for Xu Manman, but he was not driven by feelings, and thus not by vengeance. So his actions against the Burning Heaven division must have had another purpose…

Was it to destroy evidence or silence witnesses?

This point was unclear for now, but one thing was certain: he had Xu Manman’s complete body. The Burning Heaven division did not take or move her body; otherwise, Immortal Lang Yin would have relentlessly pursued the entire Blood Sect.

Xu Manman’s eyes darted, and she asked, “Or, do you want to revive Xu Manman?”

Immortal Lang Yin’s eyes flickered, staring straight at Xu Manman.

“Do you have a way?”

“I have an idea…” Xu Manman said slowly, trying to pique Immortal Lang Yin’s curiosity, as she turned away and paced.

“But…”

“Hurry up and say it!” Immortal Lang Yin impatiently grabbed her by the collar and pulled her in front of him.

“Hey, hey, hey…” Xu Manman kicked her feet in the air, helplessly saying, “Immortal master, you’re so impatient… Let me down, and I’ll tell you!”

Immortal Lang Yin remained unmoved.

Xu Manman gave up struggling, realizing her usual tactics were ineffective against him.

“Immortal master, you’ve been in seclusion these past few days, tending to flowers… and your injuries. You might not have heard that the Fu Yue Shenzun was also captured by the Blood Sect,” Xu Manman said.

Immortal Lang Yin raised an eyebrow and said, “I’m not concerned. Speak quickly!”

Xu Manman hurried her speech, “The Daoist Alliance held a meeting and concluded that the Blood Sect’s primary goal in ambushing Lian Yue Daozun was to lure Fu Yue Shenzun away from the island. Among the descendants of the Four Divine Beasts, Fu Yue Shenzun’s divine blood is the purest. It is said that the divine race is immortal, and their blood has the same power. Thus, the descendants of the Four Divine Beasts have unique life forces. The Fu Yue clan has eternal life; the Di Luan can be reborn from ashes; the Yun Jiao can shed its scales and rejuvenate; and the Tun Tian can sacrifice itself to extend life. The Blood Sect must be seeking the power of immortality by capturing Fu Yue Shenzun. If anyone understands the art of resurrection, it would be the Blood Sovereign.”

Immortal Lang Yin was swayed by Xu Manman’s words, especially the last sentence. Indeed, although the Blood Sect was ruthless and evil, they might truly possess the art of resurrection.

The Blood Sect’s history dates back four thousand years. Early blood cultivators believed they could increase their cultivation by devouring others’ golden cores, but none who took this path ever advanced to the Dharma Aspect stage. Only desperate golden core cultivators nearing the end of their lifespan would tread this evil path, seeking to extend their lives by a few hundred years. Such blood cultivators were rare, of low cultivation, and always hiding like rats.

However, hundreds of years ago, blood cultivators began to appear more frequently. These blood cultivators, besides devouring others’ golden cores and practicing puppet arts, also researched mysterious and unpredictable curses. But the Blood Sect only became the world’s greatest evil one hundred and thirty years ago. At that time, monks from Xuantian Temple, at the local government’s request, investigated a case of missing beggars. Forty-nine monks tracked down a cave, where they encountered unexpectedly powerful enemies. Forty-eight monks perished, with only one survivor bringing back the news, exposing the Blood Sect’s brutal and sinister nature to the world.

In that small cave, countless corpses were unearthed, with only four hundred and sixty-nine complete skeletons. Fifty-eight heavily injured individuals were found, living a fate worse than death. Some had their hands chopped off and replaced with bird wings; others had their legs sawed off and replaced with horse legs. Some were poisoned and covered in foul-smelling sores, and pregnant women had their fetuses cut out and soaked in medicinal fluids, turning them into monsters…

The cave’s horrors surpassed any imagination of hell, leaving those who witnessed them in eternal nightmares, either insane or broken. It was then that people realized the Blood Sect had committed unspeakable atrocities using humans and spirit beasts as experiments. Since then, the Blood Sect has become the Daoist Alliance’s greatest enemy.

After Xu Manman succeeded as Daozun, she never gave up on tracking down the Blood Sect. However, the Blood Sect was extremely secretive, targeting undocumented vagrants and beggars, often discovered years after the crime, with the perpetrators long gone. Hundreds of years ago, a civil war broke out, splitting the continent into seven warring nations, leading to countless refugees and vagrants, giving the Blood Sect an opportunity to grow in power, now able to rival the Seven Sects of the Daoist Alliance.

Xu Manman, known for her cautious nature and keen intellect, was not an easy target for the Blood Sect. False clues would be detected by her, forcing them to expose the location of the Burning Heaven Division to lure her into a trap. Although she and Immortal Lang Yin managed to annihilate the Burning Heaven Division’s headquarters, it likely wasn’t their full strength, as half their forces were sent to deal with Fu Yue Shenzun.

Xu Manman never believed in eternal life and could not tolerate the Blood Sect’s horrific, inhumane live experiments. With Lian Yue Daozun murdered and Fu Yue Shenzun abducted, the Blood Sect would only become more rampant. Despite her current weakened state, Xu Manman could not stand by and watch the Blood Sect wreak havoc on the world.

“Over the years, Lian Yue Daozun killed countless evil cultivators, making the Blood Sect hate her deeply and wanting to eliminate the Siyi Sect as well. I urge you, Immortal master, to deal with the Blood Sect for four reasons. First, for self-preservation; if you don’t kill them, they will come for you. Second, for revenge; every member of the Blood Sect is responsible for Xu Manman’s death. Third, to fulfill Xu Manman’s last wish. And fourth… to see if it’s possible to resurrect Xu Manman.”

Xu Manman herself didn’t believe in the fourth reason, but as long as Immortal Lang Yin believed it, that was enough. She noticed his eyes brighten, giving her confidence.

“I have already persuaded Sea Emperor Ao Xiu and Young Master Li Que to ally with the Siyi Sect to jointly fight the Blood Sect and avenge Xu Manman,” Xu Manman said cheerfully.

Immortal Lang Yin frowned slightly, seemingly dismissive, and responded, “Them? Not needed.”

“Their cultivation may not compare to yours, but Di Luan commands six thousand Feather Clan, and Yun Jiao is the king of the seas. With their help, we can locate the Blood Sect’s lair faster. Don’t you agree?” Xu Manman coaxed with a smile.

Immortal Lang Yin reluctantly nodded.

Just as Xu Manman was about to elaborate on the qualifications of the four allies, a melodious female voice came from behind.

“Immortal Lang Yin.”

Xu Manman turned to see a stunning woman, fragrant like osmanthus flowers, walking gracefully. She looked like a fairy from the moon palace—this was Qun Yu Fangzun, accompanied by two beautiful young disciples.

“Ah, it’s cultivator Xu,” Qun Yu Fangzun nodded to her, a fleeting hint of confusion and barely noticeable disdain crossing her face as she saw the mud on Xu Manman’s lower half.

Stopping three meters away, she waved her delicate hand, sending a fragrant breeze towards Xu Manman, who immediately felt as if she were in a sea of flowers; Her body was completely refreshed, and the mud and dirt vanished.

“Thank you, Qun Yu Fangzun. The Flower God Palace’s flower purification spell is truly unique, refreshing, and fragrant. I almost don’t want to bathe or change clothes anymore,” Xu Manman said with a playful bow.

Qun Yu Fangzun nodded lightly, but her two young disciples frowned, glancing disdainfully at Xu Manman. The people of the Flower God Palace were known for their love of beauty and their obsession with cleanliness; Xu Manman was already familiar with their quirks and didn’t mind.

After cleansing Xu Manman, Qun Yu Fangzun advanced with her disciples. Her sharp eyes immediately noticed the fresh bruises on Xu Manman’s neck, clearly inflicted recently, and deduced that Immortal Lang Yin was the most likely culprit. Yet, observing their conversation, she sensed no animosity between them.

Unable to decipher their relationship, Qun Yu Fangzun didn’t dwell on it. She had a clear purpose today, heading straight for Immortal Lang Yin with an uncharacteristic smile on her usually aloof face: “Immortal Lang Yin, you haven’t attended the Daoist Alliance meetings recently. Were you injured during the Burning Heaven Division raid?”

Immortal Lang Yin, maintaining his cold demeanor, didn’t directly answer her question: “I am not part of the Daoist Alliance.”

That was why he didn’t attend their meetings.

“With Lian Yue Daozun gone, the Siyi Sect needs a leader, and you, Immortal Lord, are the rightful one. Representing the Siyi Sect at the meetings is appropriate,”Qun Yu fangzun said with a slight smile.

Immortal Lang Yin’s brows furrowed, showing some impatience: “The Daoist Alliance has nothing to do with me.”

He was like an otherworldly flower, detached from worldly conflicts.

Seeing his impatience, Qun Yu Fangzun got to the point: “The Daoist Alliance has made a decision. Before we leave the Siyi Sect, I have one last thing to ask you. The offer I made sixty years ago still stands. What is the Immortal Lord’s response?”

Xu Manman, eavesdropping openly, felt she was overhearing a significant secret.

The two people in front of him were both celestial in appearance, extraordinary, and indescribably well-matched. Just standing there, it was a picture of an immortal couple, enough to make people think of the passionate and tragic love of three lives and three worlds.

Immortal Lang Yin looked confused, his deep eyes showing a hint of puzzlement as he asked, “Sixty years ago… what did you say?”

Xu Manman clutched her heart, thinking it was heartbreaking. The poor lady had waited sixty years, and he remembered nothing!

Qun Yu Fangzun remained calm, seemingly unsurprised. She smiled faintly: “Sixty years ago, I invited you to the Flower God Palace, willing to give up my position as Palace Master to you. That offer still stands.”

Immortal Lang Yin suddenly understood but declined without hesitation: “No.”

Qun Yu Fangzun, somewhat puzzled, sighed: “You said you stayed at the Siyi Sect for Lian Yue Daozun. Now that she’s gone, why stay here? Do you doubt the sincerity of the Flower God Palace? Whatever your demands, the Flower God Palace will fulfill them.”

Xu Manman didn’t originally know about this situation. She only knew that Qun Yu Fangzun had a special fondness for Immortal Lang Yin, often sending gifts to the Siyi Sect specifically for him. The disciples of the Siyi Sect were aware of this, leading to rumors that Qun Yu Fangzun was infatuated with Immortal Lang Yin, but he never reciprocated. No one understood why until Immortal Lang Yin declared to the world that he was Lian Yue Daozun’s companion, making everyone realize the complexity of their story.

Now, hearing the current conversation, if the world knew that Qun Yu Fangzun was willing to hand over the leadership of Flower God Palace, who knows what kind of gossip would arise. It was a classic case of unrequited love, where the steadfast woman loved the indifferent man.

Xu Manman sighed inwardly, feeling puzzled—was Immortal Lang Yin refusing Flower God Palace because of her? What merits did she have to deserve such consideration? Wasn’t it because of the life-saving grace from her master that he stayed in Siyi Sect?

“I have no interest in Flower God Palace. Your palace cannot meet my requirements, so there’s no need to trouble me further,” Immortal Lang Yin bluntly rejected Qun Yu Fangzun once more.

Qun Yu Fangzun hadn’t responded yet, but her two disciples behind her were already frowning, feeling heartache and indignation for their master.

Xu Manman couldn’t bear it anymore and interjected, “Qun Yu Fangzun’s sincerity is evident; Immortal Lang Yin, your words are rather cold.”

The two disciples looked at Xu Manman with eyes showing approval and warmth.

Xu Manman, smiling, turned to Qun Yu Fangzun, “Since Immortal Lang Yin won’t go to Flower God Palace, why not move Flower God Palace to Siyi Sect? There are thousands of acres of fertile land in the back mountains, perfect for growing flowers. Many male disciples in the Siyi sect would welcome it…”

Qun Yu Fangzun frowned, pursing her lips without speaking. The girl in purple behind her angrily retorted, “Nonsense! Are you suggesting Siyi Sect should swallowed the Flower God Palace?”

Xu Manman’s cunning plan failed, and she felt a bit disappointed.It seems that Qun Yu Fangzun is just a flower maniac, not a brain problem.

Yet, to say she didn’t have brain problem, she was willing to give up her position as the palace master for Immortal Lang Yin, who, in turn, refused as if Flower God Palace were a hot potato, thrown back and forth.

“Daring! How dare a mere Golden Core speak disrespectfully to Qun Yu Fangzun!” A man’s angry shout came from not far away. Accompanying the shout, a fierce whip shadow attacked Xu Manman.

Now only at Golden Core level, Xu Manman couldn’t withstand an attack from a Dharma Aspect. She reacted quickly, instinctively hiding behind Immortal Lang Yin.

The whip shadow followed her closely, targeting Immortal Langyin. He casually flicked his sleeve, neutralizing the attack. With a flick of his left hand, a green leaf shot out, moving as fast as lightning and as sharp as a blade, capable of cutting through mountains and bowing all the grass in its path.

The divine leaves of the Thousand-Petaled Hibiscus were knives, and the branches were swords. Even the Dharma Aspect Master did not dare to face it directly.

The man dodged clumsily, scampering to Qun Yu Fangzun’s side, filled with righteous indignation, “Fangzun, there’s no need to plead with him. If he won’t join Flower God Palace, I will!”

This man was Qian Luo Yaozun, the most prominent of Qun Yu Fangzun’s followers. At Daoist Alliance meetings, his most frequent phrases were “Fangzun is right” and “Fangzun speaks the truth.”

Years ago, when the Myriad Thorn Palace master and the Xuantian Temple master contended for the position of Daozun, Myriad Thorn Palace allied with Flower God Palace. The Myriad Thorn Palace master then was not Qian Luo but his master, Ku Rong Yaozun. It was said that Qian Luo was an exceptionally talented tree spirit, but was extremely lazy about cultivation until he fell for Qun Yu Fangzun. This spurred him to strive hard, eventually becoming the Myriad Thorn Palace master. However, his lifelong dream was to marry into Flower God Palace…

If Immortal Lang Yin was the heartless flower, Qian Luo Yaozun was the brainless tree.

Qun Yu Fangzun never showed him any favor, avoiding him whenever possible. Even hearing his voice made her frown.

She coldly said, “This is a private matter between me and Immortal Lang Yin. You need not concern yourself.”

Qianluo Yaozun’s face was thicker than tree bark. How could he be hurt by Fangzun’s one or two cold words? He seemed to not understand Qun Yu Fangzun’s dislike.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry.”

He waved his hands with a smile on his face, “My heart belongs to Fangzun!”

Immortal Lang Yin glanced at Qian Luo, seemingly finding him unsightly, frowned, and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Xu Manman lost her protector but luckily, Qian Luo Yaozun was entirely focused on Qun Yu Fangzun and had no intention of bothering her.

Qun Yu Fangzun took a deep breath, helplessly watching Immortal Lang Yin’s determined departure, then turned to her disciples, “Wantang, Xihe, let’s go.”

The two beautiful young disciples exchanged indignant glances, bowed their heads, and agreed.

Qun Yu Fangzun turned to leave. Qian Luo Yaozun wanted to follow but was blocked by Wantang and Xihe.

“Yaozun, please stay,” the two girls said with perfunctory smiles.

Qian Luo Yaozun was always respectful to Qun Yu Fangzun’s two favorite disciples, showing none of the airs of a palace master.

He smiled ingratiatingly, “I’ll see Fangzun off.”

“Myriad Thorn Palace and Flower God Palace are miles apart, no need to see us off,” Wantang and Xihe were extremely unkind, “Our Fangzun doesn’t wish to be disturbed now. Please understand.”

Seeing that Qun Yu Fangzun had disappeared from view, Qian Luo Yaozun sighed dejectedly, his shoulders slumping, and stopped following.

The two disciples finally turned to follow Qun Yu Fangzun.

“Why won’t Fangzun accept me?” Qian Luo Yaozun looked frustrated and heartbroken, “She won’t even let me join Flower God Palace…”

“I might know why,” Xu Manman said, stroking her chin.

Qian Luo Yaozun’s eyes flickered, turning to look at her, then frowned, “What do you, a mere Golden Core, understand?”

Xu Manman smiled mysteriously, “I understand love, and I understand women.”

Qian Luo Yaozun scrutinized Xu Manman for a moment before recalling her identity.

“You’re Lian Yue Daozun’s partner, Xu something…”

“Xu Yanyue,” Xu Manman cupped her hands.

Her current body was as beautiful as Qun Yu Fangzun, but  Qian Luo Yaozun, having eyes only for Qun Yu Fangzun, couldn’t see her beauty.

“Right, it’s you…” Qian Luo Yaozun’s eyes brightened, inexplicably starting to believe her.

A woman loved by other women must have some wisdom.

“Tell me, why won’t Qun Yu Fangzun accept me? How am I inferior to Immortal Lang Yin?” Qian Luo Yaozun asked, full of defiance.

Xu Manman beckoned him closer and lowered her voice, “This isn’t the place to talk. Come with me.”