Chapter 29

Although Ao Xiu didn’t know much about Lian Yue Daozun, his suspicions weren’t unfounded.

A Xu Manman who doesn’t aspire to become a Daozun isn’t a good Xu Manman.

Though Lian Yue Daozun has fallen, there could always be another Yan Yue Daozun!

However, her current cultivation level isn’t enough to support her ambitions, so she can only proceed gradually and methodically.

Xu Manman cheerfully made her way to the Youshi Pool.

Upon seeing the Shenxiao Sect disciple, Xu Manman gave the sect leader’s command token to him, and the disciple immediately returned it with utmost respect.

Then he promptly passed along the message and then let her in.

Entering the Youshi Pool felt like returning to the Siyi Sect.

The place was veiled in purple bamboo, serene and picturesque, with a faint fragrance lingering in the air that refreshed the mind.

Walking along a path paved with crushed stones and turning a few bends, Xu Manman came to a pond lined with colorful pebbles.

With autumn frost approaching, the air carried a slight chill, but the Youshi Pool, fed by an underground hot spring, released gentle wisps of mist that made it appear like a hazy fairyland.

Through the mist, she noticed a fluffy, round, black-and-white figure sprawled lazily at the pond’s edge, resembling a sesame dumpling with its filling exposed.

Xu Manman couldn’t help but laugh.

“While everyone outside is scrambling to ensure the safety of Tun Tian Shenzun, you’re here so leisurely—this is truly excessive.”

The round, fluffy creature turned its head to look at Xu Manman, revealing two oval black eye patches.

Its small eyes were filled with confusion.

“Ah, you…” The creature, which resembled a bear yet also a cat, spoke in a voice like that of a tender seven- or eight-year-old girl.

“Are you Xu Manman? Weren’t you dead?”

Xu Manman raised a finger to her lips.

“Shh—” She winked and grinned.

“Don’t go telling anyone.”

Tun Tian Shenzun paused and then said, “While the entire nation is mourning your death, here you are, enjoying yourself. Isn’t that even more excessive than me?”

Half an hour later, Xu Manman and Tun Tian Shenzun were soaking in the hot spring together.

“Tun Tun, that’s how things are. Tell me, can I admit my identity now? I’d rather have three romantic rivals than three Taoist partners!”

Finally, Xu Manman found someone to talk to and poured out all the frustrations she’d been bottling up.

Soaking in the hot spring, Tun Tian Shenzun listened for a while, then lazily nibbled on a piece of purple bamboo.

“You’ve brought this upon yourself.”

The juxtaposition of a round, fluffy bear-like creature speaking with the voice of a young girl yet carrying an air of wisdom was oddly harmonious.

The two soaking in the same pool created a scene of strange yet inexplicable tranquility.

Lian Yue Daozun and Tun Tian Shenzun had been close friends for many years, though few knew this.

The two referred to themselves as the ManTunTun Sisters—naturally, the elder sister was Tun Tian Shenzun, as Xu Manman’s age didn’t even amount to a fraction of hers.

Tun Tian Shenzun was an extremely lazy divine beast.

Thanks to the power of her divine bloodline, her cultivation required little effort—just occasional appearances to garner the adoration of believers, which would transform their faith into a steady stream of spiritual energy.

Legends say that in ancient times, gods cultivated in this way.

Mortals would burn incense and pray devoutly, sending their faith to the divine realm, which would then be converted into divine energy.

Though the divine realm has long since vanished, only the Tun Tian Clan continues to possess this ability on the continent.

The Tun Tian Clan resembles giant bears but with an adorable fluffiness that endears them to people.

Few realize that in their true form, they are towering and immensely powerful.

In ancient times, they were known as Iron-Eating Beasts, unmatched in strength among the four divine beasts.

With a single punch, they could shatter mountains and break the impenetrable shells of the divine turtle Fuyue.

In those days, they cultivated through fear.

At some point, they discovered that simply lounging around and rubbing their bellies earned them more faith, so they became increasingly laid-back, losing their fearsome demeanor.

The Siyi Sect maintains a close relationship with the Tun Tian Clan due to the sect’s uniquely favorable environment and the exquisite purple bamboo grown by Reverend Nian Yi.

A batch is sent monthly to the capital as food for the divine beasts.

Xu Manman and Tun Tun became close friends when Xu Manman oversaw the construction of the Cardinal Tower, which reduced the monthly offerings to daily deliveries.

At that time, Tun Tian Shenzun was moved to tears.

“Manman, to ensure I can eat fresh purple bamboo every meal, you even built theCardinal Tower. You’re so kind to me; you’re practically my second parent.”

Xu Manman pushed away her fluffy head with a smile.

“Tun Tun, that’s not how humans phrase it. Let’s just call each other sisters.”

After some negotiation, they settled on Tun Tun as the elder sister and Xu Manman as the younger.

Tun Tian Shenzun is the only one who can see through Xu Manman’s true identity at a glance because her eyes are the “Yin-Yang Eyes.”

While ordinary people see only appearances, and some gifted individuals can discern auras, the “Yin-Yang Eyes” perceive only destiny.

“Manman, I was so heartbroken when you died that I couldn’t eat bamboo for three whole days,” Tun Tun said, gnawing on another piece of purple bamboo.

“But I always had a feeling you wouldn’t die so easily. You’re someone with great destiny.”

Sitting next to Tun Tun, Xu Manman rested a hand on her shoulder and rubbed her fluffy belly with the other, laughing.

“I see you didn’t let yourself go hungry. The Blood Sect wants to capture you, but you don’t seem worried at all.”

Tun Tun swatted her hand away and mumbled, “Of course I’m worried. That’s why I’m eating more bamboo now. If they capture me, I bet they won’t feed me any purple bamboo.”

“Is that really what you should be worried about…” Xu Manman couldn’t help but laugh.

“Oh well, with so many people protecting you, you don’t need to worry about your safety. Tun Tun, I came here to ask you something. You’ve lived long enough—have you ever heard of the Soul Sect?”

Tun Tun tilted her head, pondering for a while before replying, “I think I’ve heard of it somewhere.”

Xu Manman’s eyes lit up.

“You’ve been in Tiandu for thousands of years without leaving. If you’ve heard of it, it must have been here. Where else could it be?”

“That’s true.” Tun Tun nodded.

“It must have been in Tiandu, and it probably wasn’t too long ago, or I wouldn’t remember anything about it. Manman, why are you asking about this?”

Xu Manman explained, “The body I reincarnated into has a cultivation method that directly trains the soul, making it far stronger than other cultivators. Immortal Lord Lang Yin said it might be the Soul Sect’s technique. However, I don’t fully understand this method. Whenever I practice it, my soul leaves my body and can’t return unless my body is threatened. I want to find the complete method and uncover the origin of this body.”

Tun Tun thought for a while.

“I haven’t left the Shennong Temple for two or three thousand years. If I’ve heard of it, it must have been from the guards. Actually, for things in Tiandu, you should just ask Yan Zhe. He reads the most books and knows the most.”

“Yan Zhe?” Xu Manman was momentarily confused before realizing.

“The Emperor Chengxuan?”

Tun Tun nodded.

“Yeah, he’s almost finished reading all the books in the Tianlu Palace. As the master of the Daxing Palace, he knows much more than I do.”

Xu Manman said, “I ran into him last night while looking through the Tianlu Palace’s records. He even mentioned the Mo’s Manor massacre that happened over four hundred years ago. Do you remember that?”

Over four hundred years might not be long for Tun Tun, but she only needed a moment of recollection to recall the event.

“I do have some impression of it. Such incidents are rare in Tiandu City. That night caused quite a stir. I heard the perpetrator was almost at the Dharma Aspect stage and used a forbidden technique similar to the Heavenly Demon Disintegration. It traded away lifespan for a fleeting moment of Dharma Aspect stage power. They killed many cultivators to break out, but, given their state, there was no way they could have survived even if they escaped,” Tun Tun said.

Tun Tun’s account filled in gaps left in the Tianlu Palace records.

Xu Manman pondered for a moment before asking, “Did you see the perpetrator? What did they look like? What techniques did they use? Were they from the Blood Sect?”

Tun Tun replied slowly, “I only heard about it from the guards at the Shennong Temple. Later, those guards were all transferred…”

Xu Manman’s heart sank.

“They were silenced…”

“Silenced?” Tun Tun blinked.

“Why would that happen?”

“To prevent the truth from getting out,” Xu Manman said, stroking her chin with a slight smile.

“Now I’m even more curious—what secret was hidden in the Mo Manor?”

“Do you think the Mo Manor incident is related to the Soul Sect?” Tun Tun asked.

“Not necessarily, but it’s highly suspicious,” Xu Manman replied.

“Based on the information I’ve gathered, the Blood Sovereign plans to act in Tiandu. The Blood Sect must have arrangements here. The Mo Manor case is full of unanswered questions. If it wasn’t done by the Blood Sect, then it might involve another major sect. Without leads, we can’t ignore any potential clues.”

Xu Manman decided to investigate the Mo Manor during the day.

However, on the street, she noticed a familiar figure.

Li Que was walking hurriedly, his demeanor shifty as if he feared being pursued.

This raised Xu Manman’s suspicions, and she discreetly followed him.

She soon saw Li Que looking around nervously, seemingly worried about being attacked.

Who in Tiandu would dare target the young master of Di Luan?

Xu Manman grew more curious.

She followed him for a while and noticed he was heading toward the Cardinal Tower.

—Is he trying to leave Tiandu?
—Why?

Full of questions, Xu Manman couldn’t help but reveal herself, calling out to him just before he reached the tower.

“Li Que! Where are you going?”

Her shout startled Li Que, causing him to stiffen.

When he saw Xu Manman approaching, he relaxed slightly.

Xu Manman didn’t miss his reaction.

With a faint smile, she asked, “Hmm, who are you hiding from?”

Li Que’s expression darkened.

“Don’t ask so much. I have urgent business and need to leave Tiandu. I’ll return when things settle down.”

As he spoke, he turned to leave, but Xu Manman grabbed him by the back of his collar.

“Acting so suspiciously, it’s hard not to suspect you’re colluding with the Blood Sect,” she said, narrowing her eyes.

“Spit it out!”

Li Que turned back, pried her hand off, and gritted his teeth.

“I… I have a personal enemy chasing me. It has nothing to do with the Blood Sect.”

Xu Manman chuckled coldly.

“Really? I don’t believe you. What enemy could even Di Luan not stop?”

Li Que replied seriously, “One that truly cannot be stopped.”

This piqued Xu Manman’s curiosity further.

“Now I really want to know.”

Li Que sighed deeply and pleaded sincerely, “Sister, I’ll explain everything later. Please just let me go for now. She’ll be here any moment.”

Xu Manman tilted her head.

“Is she coming from Cardinal Tower?”

Li Que nodded.

“Yes.”

Xu Manman gave him an odd look.

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll bump into her here?”

Li Que froze at her words, and at that moment, a lively, cheerful voice called out from a distance.
“Li Que! Did you come to pick me up?”

Turning her head, Xu Manman saw a petite, pretty woman bounding happily toward them, drawing the attention of passersby.

The woman lunged at Li Que, who tried to dodge but failed.

She caught him firmly, wrapping her slim arms around his neck and clinging to his back.

With a radiant smile, she exclaimed, “Li Que, you missed me, didn’t you?”

“Lingzhi…”

Li Que pried her arms off and pushed her away, his handsome face darkening.

“You’re mistaken. I wasn’t here to pick you up.”

Unbothered, Lingzhi tilted her head, laughing brightly.

“Hahaha, I know you men can’t be honest. Playing hard to get, aren’t you? You’re probably so thrilled to know I’ll marry you that you haven’t slept, right?”

Xu Manman was stunned, quietly stepping aside.

She decided to steer clear of Di Luan’s internal issues.

Unfortunately, Lingzhi noticed her.

Remembering the earlier physical contact between Xu Manman and Li Que, her expression shifted.

She pointed at Xu Manman and demanded loudly, “Li Que, who is this wild woman? Are you keeping a mistress behind my back?”

Xu Manman quickly tried to clear things up.

“I’m not! He didn’t! Li Que and I are love rivals.”

Xu Manman firmly grasped Lingzhi’s hand and said earnestly, “The lover of your love rival is a friend. So, we’re friends.”

Lingzhi blinked, confused, at their clasped hands.

Li Que transmitted his voice to Xu Manman: Weren’t you going to help me?!

Xu Manman replied calmly: I wish you happiness!