Chapter 29

Unlike Kong Sang, where immortal halls are found everywhere, most of the residences of the immortals in Kunlun are suspended pavilions.

Beneath these pavilions stretch countless layers of cloud staircases, appearing majestic and vast, exuding grandeur.

Since that day she saw Shaoyou, Liu Shuang hadn’t encountered him again.

Whenever she sought an audience, Shaoyou was always busy within the immortal pavilion and unavailable to outsiders.

The ministers of the Kunlun Immortals came and went from the immortal pavilion in an endless stream. Compared to Liu Shuang, the idle and rather carefree young miss, Shaoyou clearly bore far greater responsibilities.

Since emerging from seclusion, he had been continuously managing Kunlun’s internal affairs.

Though Liu Shuang, as his “former fiancée,” wasn’t treated coldly in Kunlun, she also didn’t leave much of an impression.

Bai Zhuixu was growing increasingly anxious, afraid that the Huanyan bead within Liu Shuang might become permanently irretrievable if left for too long.

Day after day, he inquired about Kunlun’s situation.

Bai Yuxiao approached Liu Shuang and suggested, “That Jimo Shao You appears gentle, but in truth, he’s unyielding to both soft and hard approaches. Why don’t we secretly search for the Shennong Cauldron?”

Liu Shuang glanced at him.

“And then, after being discovered using the Shennong Cauldron, no one leaves Kunlun alive?”

If one dared to tamper with an artifact of an immortal realm, they had to be prepared for the possibility of being killed on the spot.

As expected of Bai Yuxiao, always coming up with troublesome ideas.

Bai Yuxiao pouted.

“I’m only trying to help since my elder brother is so worried about your situation.”

This comment made Liu Shuang give him a meaningful look.

“Could it be that you…?”

Bai Yuxiao nearly jumped.

“You, you, you… Young Miss, I warn you not to make wild guesses! Of everyone in Kongsang, you’re the one I dislike most!”

His overly defensive reaction amused Liu Shuang. She teased, “If I’m the one you dislike the most, then who do you like the most—Fairy Mi Chu?”

“Anyway, Mi Chu is better than you—more beautiful, gentler, more understanding, and even more hardworking.”

Liu Shuang chuckled softly.

A few days ago, she might have felt aggrieved for her predecessor.

But now, traveling from Kongsang to Kunlun, Liu Shuang had come to see through Bai Yuxiao’s true nature: a person who says one thing but means another.

His tough words hid a soft heart.

If Bai Yuxiao truly detested her predecessor, he wouldn’t have gone along with her schemes to torment Yan Chaosheng.

Though he often called her ugly for swallowing the Huanyan bead, his gaze lacked disdain.

He had simply grown up bickering with her and likely found it unbearable to treat her with kindness.

Liu Shuang somewhat understood this twisted mindset.

Bai Zhuixu, the elder brother, had always doted on her predecessor, and as a younger sibling, Bai Yuxiao both envied and resented her.

But Bai Yuxiao had also watched her predecessor grow up.

If he truly disliked her, it was unlikely to be to any great extent.

Their bickering was their way of interacting, but deep down, Bai Yuxiao still cared for her.

It was precisely because Chishui Chong understood this dynamic that he entrusted Bai Yuxiao to accompany and protect her.

As for how much Bai Yuxiao admired Mi Chu, Liu Shuang had never met her and couldn’t judge.

This potential adversary was highly regarded in Kongsang.

Not just Bai Yuxiao, but even Bai Zhuixu spoke of Mi Chu with nothing but praise.

If not for the harm inflicted by Mi Chu’s illusions in her past life, Liu Shuang, now inhabiting her predecessor’s body, might have believed herself in the wrong and unjustly accused Mi Chu.

But those who walk the night road will eventually encounter ghosts.

Knowing Mi Chu wasn’t the benevolent figure she appeared to be, Liu Shuang was confident that her flaws would one day come to light.

For now, she couldn’t expose her, but in time, she would settle the score.

Her predecessor’s life wouldn’t be lost in vain to Mi Chu.

Bai Zhuixu worried himself sick over the matter of the Shennong Cauldron, while Liu Shuang thought to herself that she, too, must strive to extract the Huanyan bead.

She might be able to endure it if the bead remained, but Madame Zi, who adored her daughter, would never accept it.

Thus, over the past few days, Liu Shuang waited outside Shaoyou’s immortal pavilion whenever she had the chance.

Her earlier assurance wasn’t merely to placate Bai Zhuixu; she had a genuine plan.

Having lived centuries later and known Shaoyou for a hundred years, she understood him well.

She knew something that would fulfill Shaoyou’s wish in this time.

She had expected Shaoyou’s residence to reflect his personality—perhaps with bamboo or elegant orchids planted outside.

But instead, there was a splendid bloom of blue-purple hibiscus, stunningly beautiful.

Shaoyou had been preoccupied with his duties and rarely returned.

Liu Shuang waited patiently, occasionally channeling spiritual energy to these living beings.

Spreading her fingers, a verdant green glow enveloped the entire immortal pavilion.

The hibiscus had yet to awaken their spiritual consciousness, but they basked in her favor daily.

At her arrival, they would stretch their leaves and rustle in the wind to welcome her.

Once, in the Ghost Realm, Liu Shuang managed to cultivate an entire sea of flowers.

In Kunlun, with its abundant immortal energy, this was hardly a challenge.

One day, after yet another fruitless attempt, Shaoyou finally returned to his immortal pavilion the next morning, having found some free time.

When Liu Shuang sought him out, she was stopped at the pavilion entrance by two young immortals.

The immortals hesitated and said, “Please forgive us, Immortal Lady, but the Young Master already has a guest. It’s not convenient for you to enter.”

“A guest?”

Before Liu Shuang could inquire further, Shaoyou stepped out, followed closely by a young woman.

The woman was clearly upset and said, “Why won’t you agree, Brother Shaoyou? I’ve heard it was the Chishui clan that first broke the engagement! After how she treated you, could it be that you still have feelings for her? I’m a descendant of the Feng clan. Whatever the Chishui clan can offer Kunlun, I can offer even more! If only… if only the two immortal realms could form a marital alliance, everything would be better. Don’t you want to know why the Feng clan’s spiritual vein has never run dry?”

Her last sentence was brimming with temptation so powerful that even Liu Shuang couldn’t help but glance at her.

Among the Four Immortal Realms, three had their spiritual veins running dry, while the Feng clan’s remained abundant with spiritual and immortal energy.

Furthermore, they had consistently produced Heavenly Lord, and every Feng descendant was exceptional.

But Shaoyou remained unmoved. “Immortal Lady Caiyi, if you’ve said your piece, please return. I’ve already informed the Crown Prince to send someone to escort you back. The matter of the spiritual veins is an issue for all immortal realms, not one between you and me.”

Feng Caiyi, clearly dissatisfied, pressed further: “Then why is it that Chishui Liushuang can?”

Shaoyou hesitated briefly before answering, “The matters of the older generation are not for me to defy.”

Feng Caiyi bit her lip.

“Then… then that means you don’t like her either, right?”

Shaoyou gazed at her calmly.

Though he was gentle by nature, as the future master of the immortal realm, his silence carried an imposing weight that made Feng Caiyi feel an inexplicable sense of trepidation.

She knew she shouldn’t meddle in Shaoyou’s personal affairs, yet how could someone in love not care about such things?

Hidden among the flowers, Liu Shuang unintentionally overheard the exchange.

When she glanced up, she unexpectedly locked eyes with both Shaoyou and Feng Caiyi.

Feng Caiyi glared at Liu Shuang and said, “You were eavesdropping!”

That was an unjust accusation—it was they who chose to have their conversation here.

Liu Shuang hadn’t even been allowed inside the immortal pavilion.

Feng Caiyi strode over and circled Liu Shuang a few times.

“I’ve never seen you in Kunlun before. You must be the young miss of the Chishui Clan. What’s this? Didn’t you treat Shaoyou so coldly before? Why are you here now?”

“And you’re a descendant of the Feng Clan?”

Feng Caiyi lifted her chin.

“That’s correct.”

Her lips curved into a slight smirk.

In front of Liu Shuang, she shed the shy demeanor she displayed before Shaoyou, adopting the arrogance befitting the favored daughter of the Feng Clan.

Indeed, Liu Shuang thought.

The current Heavenly Lord bore the surname Feng, and his successor, Feng Fuming, was Feng Caiyi’s elder brother.

In mortal terms, Feng Caiyi was practically a princess.

But as a fellow daughter of a realm’s lord, Liu Shuang, the sole heir of the Chishui Clan, wasn’t about to back down.

With a faint smile, Liu Shuang replied, “My reasons for being here are my own and have nothing to do with you, Fairy Caiyi.”

Feng Caiyi sneered and stared thoughtfully at Liu Shuang’s veil.

“I’ve heard that the young miss of the Chishui Clan is quite the beauty. Yet here you are, unwilling to show your face. Why hide?”

With that, she reached out to remove Liu Shuang’s veil.

Liu Shuang reacted swiftly, blocking her hand.

Their spiritual energies clashed, and although Feng Caiyi withdrew her hand, Liu Shuang’s wrist tingled with numbness.

Feng Caiyi was several centuries older than the original Liu Shuang and far more advanced in cultivation.

Although Liu Shuang felt the pain, she concealed it well.

Now that her soul was complete and she diligently cultivated, her excellent spiritual foundation would allow her to surpass Feng Caiyi in time.

For now, though, she knew she wasn’t a match if a fight broke out.

Feng Caiyi, however, was surprised.

She had acted on the assumption that Liu Shuang, known to be a weakling, wouldn’t be able to fend off her sudden strike.

Yet Liu Shuang had managed to block her.

Feng Caiyi raised her hand again, preparing to tear away the veil, when a streak of blue light intervened, forcing her back a step.

She turned to see Shaoyou, his expression cold.

“Celestial Maiden Caiyi, Kunlun does not permit such unruly behavior.”

Feng Caiyi clenched her teeth and stomped her foot.

Though unwilling, she dared not defy him further.

She retreated with her maidservant in tow.

“Thank you, Jimo Shaoyou,” Liu Shuang said quickly.

Shaoyou replied, “It is I who must apologize for the poor hospitality, allowing the Chishui Young Miss to suffer such indignity in Kunlun.”

Liu Shuang sneaked a glance at him.

He was like water—gentle and composed, yet resilient beyond measure.

The harshest words he’d ever spoken to her in her past life were when he told her not to call him Master, for he did not wish to be her teacher.

Shaoyou’s tone turned indifferent.

“If the Chishui Young miss has no further matters, please return and rest. I have pressing business to attend to.”

“Wait,” Liu Shuang called out.

“I came today to tell you something. I know you’ve been searching for a remnant soul. I know where it is!”

Shaoyou stopped in his tracks and turned to face her.

Liu Shuang lowered her voice.

“You’re looking for your mother’s remnant soul, aren’t you?”

Shaoyou’s expression remained calm, his gaze steady and devoid of any ripple of emotion.

“Young miss presumes too much. I know my own thoughts better than anyone. If you wish to borrow the Shennong Cauldron, you still need my father’s permission. I’ve already told you—I cannot activate it.”

“I’m not lying to you, nor am I trying to deceive you.”

Liu Shuang pursed her lips, her eyes fixed on him.

“I know you want to see her. Come with me, just to see. Then you’ll know I’m telling the truth.”

In his previous life, Shaoyou had searched for his mother’s remnant soul for five hundred years.

It had always been his deepest wish.

If she could help him fulfill this wish earlier, sparing him from the arduous quest that forced him to leave his responsibilities as the son of Kunlun’s master, Liu Shuang felt she must do so.

Shaoyou had once told her that, to find the remnant soul, he had journeyed across the Eight Wilderness and taken many wrong turns.

In one perilous encounter, he even lost a millennium’s worth of cultivation.

Shaoyou had always helped her.

Now, for the first time, she could help him.

Shaoyou remained silent, his calm gaze fixed on Liu Shuang, revealing neither joy nor longing.

Liu Shuang thought to herself: Shaoyou, burdened by the weight of Kunlun’s responsibilities, likely doubted how she had come to know his innermost desire.

Naturally, he wouldn’t trust her so easily.

She blinked, pointed to her face, and said nonsensically, “Jimo Shaoyou, just give me a chance. I want to regain my original face but don’t know how to ask for your forgiveness. So, I thought if I help you find the soul you’re looking for, you could help me activate the Shennong Cauldron in exchange. How about it? If you agree, meet me here at the stroke of midnight tonight.”

With that, she smiled and waved her hand.

Shaoyou glanced at her, then turned and left.

After returning, Liu Shuang immediately sought out Bai Yuxiao.

“Second Young Master, may I borrow something from you?”

Bai Yuxiao raised an eyebrow.

“What is it?”

“ The Transcendent Mirror ?”

“Oh, Chishui Liushuang, you’ve come to ask me for something?”

Bai Yuxiao said smugly, pinching Liu Shuang’s face.

“You’re asking me? If I’m in a good mood, I might lend it to you.”

Liu Shuang’s face hurt from his pinch, but she calmly smiled.

“I beg you.”

Bai Yuxiao paused.

“What happened to your pride?”

“I’m using it to beg you,” Liu Shuang said.

“If you’re still not happy, should I beg you a few more times?”

Bai Yuxiao gritted his teeth.

“No way, I can’t lend it to you.”

Liu Shuang rubbed her face and glared at him.

If you’re not going to lend it to me, why are you letting me beg?

“Why not?”

Bai Yuxiao cleared his throat.

“It’s just not possible. The Transcendent Mirror is a family treasure of the Bai Clan.”

Liu Shuang pressed her palms together.

“Just for one day, one day!”

“One day won’t work either.”

“Stingy!”

Bai Yuxiao glared at her, his face turning from white to red and back again.

What should he say?

The Transcendent Mirror was passed down to the clan’s matron by his family—did Liu Shuang want to marry him, or was she after his brother?

Under her disdainful gaze, Bai Yuxiao ground his teeth.

“What are you going to use it for? I’ll tell you this: if I lend it to you, it’s just for one day. If you lose it, I won’t let you off easily!” He sighed.

Never mind, he was a free spirit.

Why was he making such a big deal out of this?

Liu Shuang said, “I can’t tell you what I need it for just yet, but I promise to return it in perfect condition. I came to Kunlun for the Shennong Cauldron, didn’t I? I’m borrowing this to retrieve the Huanyan bead as soon as possible.”

After receiving the Transcendent Mirror from Bai Yuxiao, Liu Shuang was very curious and asked him how to use it.

In her previous life, while in the heavenly realm, she had heard that Mi Chu had used the Transcendent Mirror .

When she woke up in the original body, Bai Yuxiao had used this mirror to throw Yan Chaosheng into the Nine Thoughts Pool.

This mirror was the only one of its kind in the world, and by paying a certain price, it could allow one to travel through the Eight Wilderness.

She hadn’t realized it was a family treasure of the Bai Clan.

But how had it ended up in Mi Chu’s hands seven hundred years later?

The Transcendent Mirror shimmered with concentric ripples.

Liu Shuang touched it with her finger, and the water-like ripples spread outward in layers.

Before midnight, Liu Shuang carefully held the Transcendent Mirror as she left.

Everything was ready.

Now, it all depended on whether Shaoyou would believe that she had no ill intentions toward him and whether he would come.