Chapter 329: Fang Yuzhu
In the Early Qin cave dwelling, a woman in a pure white dress stands gracefully, surrounded by golden bamboo leaves that shower her in a light rain, making her look ethereal and unparalleled, a true Immortal.
Although it's not the first time Wang Xuan has seen the female practitioner, he still finds her stunning. Her quiet presence alone seems to bring an aura of immortality to the entire environment. And in fact, she truly is... a being who has attained immortality.
"Greetings, Immortal," Wang Xuan says, with a calm demeanor. As for the teasing about "thousands of women in the ranks of immortals" that's something he'd only dare joke about when alone.
Facing the actual person, who would dare to speak so frivolously about a supreme immortal? It would likely get one smacked to death.
The female practitioner stands with her back against the bamboo boat, her figure slender and graceful, her black hair shimmering, her face flawless, detached, and tranquil.
"My name is Fang Yuzhu." She smiles, her beauty dazzling, enough to silence a room instantly if she were in the outside world.
Wang Xuan is slightly surprised. She's very approachable, lacking the arrogance of a supreme being, simply stating her name in a natural manner. Perhaps it's because her spirit awakened early and has wandered the mortal world, adapting to the modern pace of life.
Though she's understated, Wang Xuan doesn't overstep but keeps a polite distance, maintaining a proper respect.
"You seem a bit restrained," Fang Yuzhu remarks with surprise, then smiles. "That's not like you. I remember you being quite bold."
Indeed, she doesn't seem like someone from ancient times; her speech and behavior aren't much different from modern people's, except for her almost unreal beauty and the faint halo that seems to surround her.
How was he bold? Wang Xuan thinks they haven't had much interaction, mainly because he's always been wary and intentionally kept his distance.
Suddenly, he recalls something. The night he released Fang Yuzhu's fragmented spirit, she appeared in his dreams.
In his mind, the stunningly beautiful and unattainable female practitioner revealed another side to her, wearing white with red shoes, floating in mid-air, following by his side, startling him. Then, he boldly retaliated by touching her face.
Wang Xuan snapped back to reality, showing surprise. Standing under the vast sky, even a supreme being commanding a powerful faction in the backdrop of the great beyond has another side to them.
He felt the need to reevaluate the female practitioner, yet he remained cautious, deciding not to mention the dream incident.
"I've always held great respect for immortals. When we first met here, I thought of rescuing the immortal from peril, but that was presumptuous of me. With your unparalleled powers, you freed yourself upon awakening."
"Thank you for awakening me, or there might have been troubles," said Fang Yuzhu, acknowledging the truth. She had merely predicted the general trend of events back then.
She invited Wang Xuan to sit. Despite her ethereal presence, she was approachable and down-to-earth.
A young woman came in to make tea, her elegant and fluid tea-making skills a pleasure to watch. She didn't linger and soon left.
"This era is much better than ours. Though society has its issues and some divisions are irreparable, people can still live on. In the Early Qin era, even I faced survival crises. To live, one had to fight fiercely. There were threats from humans, unimaginable monsters, divine birds, and beasts. It was a time of blood for food and survival of the fittest." Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
Wang Xuan was moved, realizing even such a celestial being had emerged through the struggles among various races, painting a rather terrifying picture of that era.
Then, Fang Yuzhu cheerfully spoke about the current era. Wang Xuan was surprised to find that she, having integrated into this age, was just like any modern urban woman, even sharing some of her favorite accessories and perfumes.
He was speechless for a moment, and then, through his spiritual eye, he noticed the female practitioner's dressing room, filled with various dresses, lipsticks, bags, and more. He automatically imagined her wearing cheongsams, evening gowns, hot pants, and high heels... quite a dazzling thought indeed, considering she is a celestial being.
"Are you looking at those clothes? To blend into modern society, I've bought a variety of them but haven't tried them on yet," the female practitioner said with a smile, seemingly aware of his spiritual eye and guessing his thoughts.
Then he changed the subject, looking at Wang Xuan, "What have you been eating? You change every day, even more incredible than when I was young!"
Wang Xuan glanced at Old Zhang, what kind of remark was that?
Zhang Daoling skillfully made tea, with movements filled with Daoist charm, "I mean, how could your realm advance so fiercely in just a few days? You've broken through again, faster than I did back in my day."
He then looked towards the female practitioner, "Probably faster than the Immortal here back in her day, right?"
The female practitioner nodded, looking at Wang Xuan with a surprised expression. When they first met, he was insignificant, and in just over half a year, not only had he stepped into the realm of the extraordinary, but he had also advanced to the late sixth stage in the mortal world.
Her surprise at such speed led to some speculation in her mind.
Wang Xuan said, "I found the half lotus pod left by Shakyamuni and ate two seeds. I didn't expect to break through consecutively."
"Ascetics talk about karma; their things aren't so easily taken without a price to pay in the future," Old Zhang remarked.
"I suppose that counts as passive fate. I think they're pretty good people," Wang Xuan said.
"Fate, indescribably wonderful," Old Zhang nodded, then looked at him and the female practitioner, remaining silent for a while before saying, "Things are a bit messy."
"Zhang Daoling, lend me that copper mirror of yours for a few days, so I can see for myself and save you from talking nonsense," the female practitioner said with a smile.
Old Zhang quickly shook his head, "I didn't bring it. Last time I used the mirror on myself, it exhausted its energy. I left it in the New Moon to absorb extraordinary substances."
"Excuses!"
Old Zhang kept quiet, fearing it would be lent but never returned.
He looked around, changing the subject, "Immortal, your bamboo boat is truly marvelous, preserving your body intact until now, making you invincible. Wise and visionary! How about I trade the mirror for your boat?"
"Let's talk business," the female practitioner said. "As Wang Xuan mentioned earlier, with the excessive crossing of immortals and demons into this realm, acting recklessly, it's necessary for people like us to step forward and jointly impose restrictions. I think it makes a lot of sense."
Old Zhang nodded, agreeing without hesitation. At their level, no one wished to see a bloodied present world; all parties need to adhere to rules.
"On my way here, I even encountered a young demon, ambitious and even wanting to devour me to become the Demon Emperor," Old Zhang sighed, noting the young demons and immortals were too bold.
"Why keep him then? Just kill him," Wang Xuan said.
Old Zhang casually said, "I'll leave him to you. He was coming for you anyway. If I were to strike, I'd go after his father, but since he calls me 'uncle,' I won't make a move."
"Who's his father?" Wang Xuan asked.
"The Demon Emperor Qi Yi," Old Zhang casually mentioned.
Wang Xuan: "..."
He was stunned. That so-called young demon was the Demon Emperor's own son?!
