Chapter Seventy-Eight: Arrival

Lu Caiwei was momentarily stunned by the sudden surge of joy, her eyes filled with confusion. Not long ago, she had lost even the opportunity to enter the Guiyun Immortal Sect. Now, however, she found herself favored by one of those ancient holy lands that existed only in legend—it was so overwhelming that she could barely comprehend it.

She stared blankly at Shen Yu.

Shen Yu said nothing.

The scene grew quiet.

The maiden, hailed as the most gifted saintess of Yaochi in a thousand years, did not hurry her. She stood there, and simply by her presence, she seemed to draw all attention to herself.

It was a kind of aura.

The spiritual energy in the air flowed straight toward her brow, surging from all directions, overwhelming the world, as if she formed a small world of her own.

Seeing this, Shen Yu thought, so it is true.

There were many of the most powerful constitutions in the world: the Innate Dao Body of the Daoists, the Saintly Embryo of the martial artists, the Innate Sword Body of the sword cultivators, and above all, the most revered Celestial Spirit Body.

He had heard from Su Mo that when the Saintess of Yaochi was born and broke through her realm, there was a natural phenomenon—spiritual energy poured into her body like a waterfall descending from the heavens, astonishing all who witnessed it.

Now, seeing it with his own eyes, she was indeed the legendary Celestial Spirit Body.

And that was not all. It was said that Wan Jianyi of Kunlun and He Pianpian of Yaochi were both destined heirs of the ancient cultivator lineage, and rumors even hinted that they would one day become Dao partners. A physique to match the Celestial Spirit Body was thus self-evident.

Wan Jianyi of Kunlun was very likely to possess the legendary Immortal Spirit Body.

Thinking of this, Shen Yu felt a sudden surge of energy for reasons he could not explain—a rare excitement gleamed in his eyes.

In his previous life, those with these constitutions were always the strongest in the cultivation world, without exception.

And now, with so many prodigies and monsters emerging, the world was bound for another era of great strife, where stars would shine bright in the firmament.

The great Dao struggle among the nine holy lands, the increasingly cruel path of cultivation—the grandeur and turbulence of it all was something he looked forward to.

At last, Shen Yu spoke: "That place is excellent. If you wish to go, then go."

The Yaochi Holy Land accepted only women, and every girl who entered was exceptionally gifted. For her to be admitted was naturally the best path.

Lu Caiwei, seeing Shen Yu so absentminded, felt a sudden, inexplicable annoyance. She retorted, "I won’t go."

The people behind He Pianpian all showed expressions of surprise.

"Why not?"

He Pianpian then glanced at Shen Yu, as if to say he was acceptable—no more, no less. She possessed an innate sense for spiritual energy and could thus discern his cultivation: not high, not low. To reach the Golden Core stage of the Daoists at such an age was ordinary in her eyes.

Lu Caiwei shook her head. "I have things of my own to do."

He Pianpian pondered for a moment, then spoke calmly, "Perhaps you do not yet know the true extent of your talent. May I speak with you in private?"

She glanced at Shen Yu as she finished.

Shen Yu found this amusing—this foolish girl had no idea how precious this opportunity was, but he knew it well.

He hadn’t expected the grand Saintess of Yaochi to be so patient and meticulous in her explanation. The Saintess he had known three thousand years ago was nothing like this—their temperaments could not have been more different.

Shen Yu rose and walked off into the distance.

Half an hour later.

Lu Caiwei came skipping over to Shen Yu’s side.

Looking at the seven long ribbons fluttering in the distance, Shen Yu said, "I can’t tell if you’re clever or a fool."

Lu Caiwei looked completely at ease, not the least bit regretful. "Hey, someday I’ll be stronger and more beautiful than her."

Shen Yu was perplexed.

Lu Caiwei dropped the subject and asked, "So, do you practice the Way of the Sword-Bearer, or the Way of the Swordmaster?"

Shen Yu thought for a moment, then answered earnestly, "It makes no difference to me now."

Lu Caiwei’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Shen Yu smiled. "Let’s say the Way of the Swordmaster."

"Alright! Then I’ve decided," Lu Caiwei declared confidently. "I’ll learn the Way of the Swordmaster and become the greatest sword immortal under heaven, and then I’ll beat you so badly you’ll be running for your life!"

Shen Yu gazed at the sky. "It seems her words gave you a lot of confidence."

Lu Caiwei lifted her chin proudly. "I’ve always been extraordinarily gifted! You’d better prepare yourself!"

The corners of Shen Yu’s mouth curved upward in a faint, untroubled smile.

Perhaps this silly girl would never know how much fortune she had received. The swordmaster’s method Shen Yu had taught her, whose name he had never revealed, was already one of the world’s rarest treasures, not to mention he had personally refined her dantian and meridians.

It was only natural that He Pianpian was so impressed—Lu Caiwei’s aptitude was like an uncut gem, already shining with its own light among the masses.

On the journey that followed, apart from stopping at a few ancient relics, the two traveled the land, fighting for justice, slaying demons and monsters. If not for the fact that their path closely shadowed the long caravan, Lu Caiwei might have truly believed herself to be a wandering heroine of the martial world.

By the edge of a rushing river, Lu Caiwei, now able to command her Jade Sword at will, slew a carp spirit in the water with a single stroke.

In a remote, deserted mountain, they encountered dozens of murderous bandits. After killing for the first time in her life, Lu Caiwei squatted by the roadside, vomiting violently, barely able to stand.

The most perilous moment came when they met two rogue cultivators who worked seamlessly together—one a martial artist, the other a cultivator. In the chaos, Lu Caiwei managed to slay the cultivator with all her strength, while Shen Yu dispatched the martial artist with a single thrust to the heart.

Often, it wasn’t that trouble sought them out—it was Shen Yu who sought trouble. Along the way, battle after battle, Lu Caiwei’s beautiful eyes gradually gained a trace of sharpness.

The once ignorant little girl was finally beginning to mature.

As they drew closer to their original destination, Lu Caiwei grew ever more silent.

The gates of Guiyun Immortal Sect.

They had arrived.

As the caravan slowly passed beneath the towering gates—dozens of yards tall—the journey at last came to an end.

From a distant peak, Shen Yu looked out over the palace complexes, the peaks rising and falling, clouds drifting in the air. This foremost cultivation sect of the Eastern Ancestor Province resembled a celestial palace, shrouded in immortal mist.

Shen Yu’s initial interest in this place had arisen when he heard, back in Cangmang Town, that the Guiyun Immortal Sect possessed a guardian beast thousands of years old—one who could speak, breathe clouds and mist, cast spells to change its shape, and cultivate by drawing on the world’s spiritual energy. Its powers were extraordinary.

Anything connected to three thousand years ago now piqued his curiosity.

Lu Caiwei simply gazed in a daze at the massive gates inscribed with the name Guiyun Immortal Sect.

This journey of nearly a year had been truly fantastical.

But most important was the fact that her teacher—the one who had taught her—was said to be buried behind these very gates.

Lu Caiwei asked, "How do we get in?"

Shen Yu considered. "I’ve heard there’s a grand gathering at the Guiyun Immortal Sect in a few days."

Lu Caiwei smiled. "So we’ll sneak in."

Shen Yu nodded. "Exactly."