After I Died My Dao Companion Drowns in Endless Regret Chapter 107

Not only was Sang Buwei’s current whereabouts unknown, but even the historical records of her past were vague, containing only a few brief sentences. All that could be heard now were rumors of unverifiable authenticity, spread throughout the land. But the Dragon Lord and the Cloud Lord are not dead. If I get the chance, I have to rescue them, Wei Yunshu thought. But when will that chance come? As the thought surfaced, an endless melancholy filled her eyes.
“This matter cannot be rushed,” Xie Zhichao murmured, frowning as if trying to calm her own heart with those words.
Ran Xiuyun looked at the increasingly distracted Xie Zhichao and took a deep breath. Composing herself, she said, “Improving our own strength is what’s most important.” The three of them from Buzhou Peak had similar talents and could afford to wait for one another, but Wei Yunshu… there was no need for her to be held back by them. “Senior Sister Bo, you don’t need to worry too much about us at the Academy. Just keep moving forward.” Seeing a trace of worry appear in Wei Yunshu’s eyes, she added, “If one of us achieves a breakthrough first, then no matter what we encounter, we’ll have a strong backer.”
Wei Yunshu nodded. She then discussed Daoist techniques with Ran Xiuyun and Xie Zhichao for a while longer. It was only when the sun sank below the western mountains that she rose to take her leave. The sky was filled with crimson clouds, like a raging fire from afar, magnificent yet inexplicably desolate. A cool breeze blew, bringing a touch of chill to her cheeks. Wei Yunshu suddenly returned to her senses and slowly made her way back to the Tianque Blessed Land.
Though two years had passed, A’mang looked the same as ever, but the Tianque Blessed Land had changed drastically. The once cold and leaking cave dwelling was now adorned with decorative gems. All sorts of spiritual herbs had been planted along the small path, untouched by the fierce gales and blazing fire, and were now swaying in the wind. These exotic herbs had the effect of regulating spiritual energy, subtly transforming the surrounding violent atmosphere; they were quite extraordinary. She hadn’t left anything for A’mang, and with A’mang’s abilities, she couldn’t have obtained them herself. Where did these things come from? Wei Yunshu’s brow furrowed in an instant.
Seeing Wei Yunshu’s sharp gaze and sudden coldness, A’mang grinned and playfully stuck out her tongue. Before Wei Yunshu could ask, she said cheerfully, “They were sent by your Daoist friend.”
“Which Daoist friend?” Wei Yunshu’s face remained tense.
A’mang said, “True Monarch Yue Ying of the Tian Nu Pavilion.” She pulled a beautiful gemstone from her robes and added happily, “She gave me this too.”
The coldness on Wei Yunshu’s face deepened; she hadn’t considered this possibility. Her gaze swept over the flowers and herbs, and she said with a grim face, “From now on, you are not to accept anything from anyone.” When A’mang was not yet in human form, she had been very lenient with her. A’mang had assumed she could make her own decisions on matters Wei Yunshu hadn’t specifically instructed her on, but now she was startled by Wei Yunshu’s stern expression. Her donkey-like stubbornness hadn’t even surfaced before it was suppressed by the cold pressure. A’mang replied with a troubled look, “I understand.”
Wei Yunshu grunted in acknowledgment and walked straight into the cave dwelling without another glance at A’mang. She was not in a good mood. The return of her lost memories brought her immeasurable pain. She could pretend that nothing was wrong in front of Ran Xiuyun and Xie Zhichao, but when she was alone, she couldn’t stop thinking of that face, of that tragic past entangled in love and hate. It was a series of choices that pushed them down this path. If I had done things differently back then, would anything have changed? But after merging with the shadows of her past and countless versions of herself, Wei Yunshu knew that even if she could do it all over again, she would still make the same choices. The myriad diverging paths were just illusions; only a single road remained before her.
The true self cannot be stripped away, nor can the pain and regret. This is what I must bear on my path to the Dao.
Wei Yunshu gave a sad smile.
Outside the Tianque Blessed Land.
Yue Ying flew over carrying a storage pouch. She didn’t know that Wei Yunshu had already returned from her seclusion and only wanted to give A’mang some rare seeds to plant on the floating island to improve the environment. A’mang, having just been warned by Wei Yunshu, refused despite her eyes longing for Yue Ying’s good things. She just hung her head, looking utterly dejected.
Yue Ying asked with suspicion, “What’s wrong with Daoist Friend A’mang?”
A’mang said, “The True Monarch is back.”
Yue Ying was stunned for a moment, then broke into a delighted smile. “Daoist Bo is out of seclusion? Did she successfully break through? Daoist Friend A’mang, quickly, go announce me, I wish to see Daoist Bo.”
A’mang pondered for a moment. The True Monarch only said I couldn’t accept things, she didn’t say I couldn’t pass on messages. So she agreed. But before she could go, Wei Yunshu came out herself.
“Daoist Friend Yue Ying.” Wei Yunshu gave a Daoist salute and spoke calmly.
Yue Ying noticed a slight difference in Wei Yunshu but didn’t pay it much mind. After all, it was common in the Shang Qing Divine Realm for one’s temperament to shift after a breakthrough. She hurriedly stepped aside, returned the salute, and smiled brightly. “Congratulations to Daoist Bo on achieving the Upper Immortal
Realm.”
Wei Yunshu smiled faintly. “With Daoist Friend Yue Ying’s cultivation, you will also be breaking through soon.”
“Yes, and when that time comes, I’ll have to make a trip back to the Tian Nu Pavilion.” A look of melancholy crossed Yue Ying’s face, but she quickly suppressed it. She gazed at Wei Yunshu and said, “Daoist Bo has been in seclusion for several years, so you probably don’t know about some of the things that have happened recently, do you?”
Having interacted with Yue Ying before, Wei Yunshu knew her curiosity and love for gossip were quite intense. After a moment’s thought, she guessed the reason for her visit. “I do not,” Wei Yunshu said, shaking her head. “I would be glad to listen.”
Yue Ying’s eyes lit up, knowing that Daoist Bo was willing to hear her stories. She instinctively took a step forward to take Wei Yunshu’s arm, but Wei Yunshu subtly avoided it. Yue Ying didn’t mind and chattered on, “Daoist Bo, do you remember the battle at Hengjue Mountain? Many Created Beings were captured then.”
Wei Yunshu replied, “Yes.”
Yue Ying said, “Some were taken back by their creators, others were taken to the Demon-Hiding Cave to be executed, but there was one very special case. She was the one you captured!”
Wei Yunshu thought for a moment and answered, “The one who called herself Zhaoqing?” Among the many Created Beings with Intelligence, she was the only one who had left a deep impression on her.
“Exactly!” Yue Ying nodded emphatically. “She is the Created Being with Intelligence of Xuan Immortal Zhaosu from Xuan Qing Mountain. She was taken away after the chaos at the Heavenly Mystery Institute. She’s a bit different from the others; she doesn’t want to replace her original self, but rather sees herself as a separate person. When the news reached Xuan Qing Mountain, they were unwilling to come for her and even demanded that the Academy execute Zhaoqing. But somehow, Xuan Immortal Zhaosu found out about this, and she came to the Academy personally to take Zhaoqing back.”
“Did she take her back?” Wei Yunshu asked, though she knew from Yue Ying’s tone that she hadn’t.
As expected, Yue Ying said, “No.” A look of excitement appeared in her eyes as she continued, “In order to take Zhaoqing back, Xuan Immortal Zhaosu made a pact with the White Lord to lecture at the Academy for ten years! Ever since she arrived, the Zhaowen Hall has been packed. Daoist Bo, you should go listen too. True Immortals and Supreme Immortals are too distant for us; the experience of a Xuan Immortal is just right.”
Wei Yunshu did not want to get too involved with the Shang Qing Divine Realm’s “Severing All Selves” Daoist method. She had not paid it any special attention, but when she broke through, Severing All Selves had become one of her “future selves.” She was about to find an excuse to refuse when she suddenly heard Yue Ying say, “You and your friends from your sect are all so strange. You’ve been at the Academy for years, so how come you never go to the Zhaowen Hall? It doesn’t even cost merit points. Don’t tell me the Black Lord has pointed you toward a different path?” Yue Ying’s tone was one of genuine confusion, and upon hearing it, Wei Yunshu’s heart tightened.
“The Black Lord said that we have not yet even determined our own paths. Listening to too many others will easily lead us into a maze of confusion,” Wei Yunshu explained, smoothly shifting the blame to the young Tai Sui.
“But Daoist friend has already plucked the Dao Fruit and achieved the rank of Upper Immortal. Is your path still not set?” Yue Ying asked again.
Wei Yunshu smiled. “My former self was not set, but my present self is naturally set. When I have time, I will go and listen with you, Daoist friend.”
After getting a definite answer, Yue Ying immediately beamed. She didn’t dwell on the matter any longer and said, “Let’s ask Sister Yuan to come with us then. Speaking of which, since you went into seclusion, Sister Yuan has also disappeared. When she reappears, she won’t also be an Upper Immortal, will she? Then I’ll have to hurry up and catch you all.”
Sister Yuan? Yuan Chu? Wei Yunshu paused. She had almost forgotten about her. Hearing Yue Ying mention her now, a face with a gentle smile appeared in her mind. From Yuan Chu, she sensed an indescribable strangeness. The urge to not associate with her was strong, even stronger than her aversion to the cultivators of the Shang Qing Divine Realm. After thinking for a moment, she asked Yue Ying, “How much do you know about Daoist Friend Yuan?”
Yue Ying replied, “A true disciple of the Jade Capital Dharma lineage. Her status is quite high, both in the Jade Capital and here at the Academy. She is as gentle as water, kind to others, and has an excellent reputation.” Although their first meeting hadn’t been so pleasant, Yue Ying had grown to quite like Yuan Chu during their later interactions, so her words were full of praise.
Wei Yunshu gained no new information. Fearing Yue Ying would see through her, she didn’t press further. After a short chat, they went their separate ways. Three days later, Yue Ying dragged Yuan Chu along to find Wei Yunshu, inviting her to attend Xuan Immortal Zhaosu’s lecture. Recalling her earlier promise, Wei Yunshu agreed without the slightest hesitation. Yue Ying was overjoyed, while Yuan Chu gave Wei Yunshu several extra glances, her dark, deep eyes seeming to hold a different kind of emotion. Wei Yunshu noticed. She silently looked back at Yuan Chu, but only saw a clear transparency. A sideways glance fell upon a strand of snow-white hair. Wei Yunshu couldn’t help but think of Luo Lingfeng, and a sour feeling welled up in her heart.
Just then, Wei Yunshu heard Yue Ying ask, “Sister Yuan, there’s a question that has been bothering me for a long time.”
Yuan Chu said softly, “Go on.”
Yue Ying’s gaze had followed Wei Yunshu’s to the white hair, glistening like snow. It wasn’t that she had never seen a white-haired cultivator, but she felt that on Yuan Chu, the white hair, contrasted with her gentle face, gave rise to an inexplicable melancholy. She lowered her voice a little. “Sister Yuan, why is your hair white? Was your foundation injured in the past?”
“No.” Yuan Chu shook her head with a smile. Her gaze fixed on Wei Yunshu as she said softly, “I was just heartbroken.”
So that’s it… A look of pity appeared on Yue Ying’s face, and she didn’t ask any more questions.
Wei Yunshu, however, felt a sense of unease all over. She was heartbroken, so why is she looking at me? But she couldn’t help but glance at Yuan Chu a few more times. White hair… practices water techniques… her interest in me is completely baffling. Who exactly is Yuan Chu?
As they spoke, the three arrived at the Zhaowen Hall. It was still a magnificent scene, teeming with people, but it was slightly different from usual. There was no lecturer on the stage. Amidst the crowd’s commotion, a deacon from the Academy hurriedly squeezed through the people and announced loudly, “The Zhaowen Hall is closed today. Fellow Daoists, please return.”
“Huh? Closed? What’s going on?”
“Where’s Xuan Immortal Zhaosu? Is she not lecturing anymore?”
“Let’s go, let’s go. Finally got some free time, and this trip was for nothing.”
Since the deacon had spoken so clearly, the people gathered in the hall naturally dispersed one by one. But there were a few who were unwilling to give up, craning their necks to look at the stage, as if by doing so they could see the person they were waiting for appear.
“What on earth happened? Should we ask on the Merit Record?” someone whispered.
Wei Yunshu was lost in thought. Before she could do anything, Yue Ying had already quickly posted a question on the Merit Record. About fifteen minutes later, someone answered.
“A hidden Created Being with Intelligence named Chen Jiming has been captured in the Academy. The lecturers are currently in a meeting.”
One must know that although the Wu Xiang Heaven Domain did not have a Heavenly Mystery Institute, after opening the domain and establishing the Academy, it had imported the latest spirit-discerning rituals from the outside world. In addition to that, there were layers upon layers of protective arrays. For a Created Being with Intelligence to sneak in despite such precautions, how could it not be alarming? Was this the only one, or were there more? Was this for personal reasons, or was it a conspiracy by Xuan Tian Ji? Did he have accomplices in the Academy? One question after another emerged. The Academy could not avoid them and had to resolve the matter completely.
Yue Ying was stunned for a moment, then sighed, “Those Xuan Tian Ji fellows are truly audacious.”
Wei Yunshu frowned. The name was familiar. Before entering the Academy, she had killed a cultivator from the Tian Yuan Sect by Jinxin Lake who had called himself Chen Jiming. Was that the real Chen Jiming? Or was he already a Created Being? Wei Yunshu knitted her brows, her gaze falling on the composed Yuan Chu. A moment later, she said, “Daoist Friend Yuan, may I have a word with you?”
Yuan Chu nodded and smiled. “Of course.”
“My apologies.” Wei Yunshu clasped her hands in a salute to Yue Ying, with no intention of explaining. Yue Ying knew that some secrets were not for her to hear and departed with a carefree smile.
Yuan Chu’s gaze moved to Wei Yunshu’s face. “Shall we go to the Taiqing Blessed Land?”
Wei Yunshu didn’t want to bring her back to the Tianque Blessed Land either, so she immediately nodded. “Alright.”
The Taiqing Blessed Land was suffused with spiritual energy and brimming with pure qi. Rare flowers and exotic herbs competed in splendor on the island, and palaces were scattered about, hidden in the ethereal mist. From time to time, strains of immortal music would drift down, painting a truly magnificent immortal scene, a world apart from the Tianque Blessed Land. As she stepped onto the island, waves of spiritual energy washed over her. Although it couldn’t increase her cultivation, it was far more comforting than being in the Tianque Blessed Land.
Yuan Chu said warmly, “If Daoist Bo likes them, you can transplant some flowers and herbs from the island.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Wei Yunshu said, shaking her head.
Yuan Chu stared at Wei Yunshu and said with a smile, “But didn’t Daoist Bo accept all the things that Daoist Yue sent?”
A’mang accepted them, it has nothing to do with me. However, Wei Yunshu felt no need to explain too much to Yuan Chu. She simply said, “I have already cultivated to the Upper Immortal Realm. I will go to the Shangong Hall another day to change my cave dwelling. These decorations are useless.”
“I see.” Yuan Chu smiled. “Daoist Bo may not know, but the Tianque Blessed Land is different from the others. Change is born from its lack, so it doesn’t matter if a Cavern Heaven or an Upper Immortal resides there. Which is to say, the Shangong Hall will not change your cave dwelling. In that case, does Daoist Bo still wish to refuse my kindness?”
Wei Yunshu was speechless. The gentle gaze came over her like water; though it wasn’t suffocating, it couldn’t be easily ignored. The more Yuan Chu acted like this, the more confused Wei Yunshu became, and the more she wanted to push her kindness away. “I do not need external objects. I use a place of quiet solitude to temper my heart,” Wei Yunshu replied.
Anyone else would have known to back down at this point, especially someone like Yuan Chu. But what Wei Yunshu received was Yuan Chu’s relentless questioning. “So my gifts will disturb your heart’s song, but Yue Ying’s will not?” A smile remained on her face, but her eyes were scorching, like a raging fire that had burned away all her previously displayed gentleness, leaving only a sharpness forged and tempered by flames.
But Wei Yunshu was not afraid of Yuan Chu. She raised her eyes and looked steadily at the person before her, saying calmly, “That has nothing to do with Daoist Friend Yuan.” She felt no sense of having walked into a trap. Casually, she brushed away a fallen flower that had landed on her sleeve and added, “I came here to ask if you noticed anything unusual that day. If you do not know anything, then I will inquire elsewhere and no longer disturb you.”
“I wasn’t the one who fought him at Jinxin Lake. What could I have noticed?” Yuan Chu said, crossing her arms. The smile at the corners of her lips vanished, and her dark eyes were tinged with a chill. She looked at Wei Yunshu’s face, her tone of reply quite nonchalant.
“My apologies for the disturbance.” With that, Wei Yunshu turned to leave.
Yuan Chu watched her back intently and said, not too loudly and not too softly, “You’re so nervous that you had to avoid the crowd to bring this up. What are you worried about? Even if the Academy traces things back to you through Chen Jiming’s memories, you acted with integrity, so you have nothing to fear, do you?” Seeing Wei Yunshu stop, she slowly approached. “It’s common knowledge that cultivators of the Wu Xiang Heaven Domain do not have Created Beings with Intelligence. You have the Black Lord as your backer, so who would dare investigate you? Unless—”
Wei Yunshu suddenly turned her head, meeting Yuan Chu’s gaze. She said calmly, “Unless what?”
In that instant, Yuan Chu sensed a fleeting murderous intent. She feigned ignorance and raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Unless you’re afraid—that the Tian Yuan Sect will come looking for trouble.”
Wei Yunshu went along with it. “He was a true disciple of the Tian Yuan Sect, with a high status. If the disciples of the Tian Yuan Sect find out, won’t they come and disturb the cultivation of my junior sisters and me? We do indeed have the Black Lord as our backer, but the Black Lord cannot watch over us at all times.” She looked deeply at Yuan Chu, finding it difficult to see through the true emotions on that completely masked face. What has she guessed?
Yuan Chu hummed in understanding. “How about this. I will resolve this for you, but you must help me with something in return.”
Wei Yunshu watched Yuan Chu without a change in expression.
“I won’t ask you to do anything that violates your principles,” Yuan Chu said with a smile. “Have you heard of the Essence of Red Water?”
Wei Yunshu lowered her gaze and said flatly, “No.”
Yuan Chu said, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t know, I can tell you. It is in the Red Sea of the Wu Shi Heaven Domain. A single mass is nurtured every ten thousand years. It is an incredibly rare treasure for those who cultivate water techniques. Help me obtain the Essence of Red Water.”
Wei Yunshu’s brow furrowed slightly. The Essence of Red Water was far away in the Wu Shi Heaven Domain, and it only appeared once every ten thousand years. It would certainly be coveted by countless people. Trading a small matter for such a rare treasure—Yuan Chu’s calculations were a bit too convenient.
“Don’t be so quick to refuse. I’m not asking you to go alone. I will naturally accompany you,” Yuan Chu said, looking at Wei Yunshu. She flipped her wrist, revealing a silver-colored, unusual stone. “Remember the Origin Stone I mentioned before? This is it. If you smelt it into your life-bound sword, its power will surely increase significantly. If you help me succeed, this Origin Stone is yours.”
Sword light like starlight swirled gently around Wei Yunshu’s body. Just by looking at the Origin Stone, the Taiyi Sword being nurtured in her acupoints let out an extremely excited hum, as if it would leap out at any moment and collide with the stone. Wei Yunshu’s breath hitched slightly. As her cultivation improved, the power of the Taiyi Sword was gradually falling behind. If the sword’s level was insufficient, there would inevitably be flaws when she drew it. This Origin Stone was very attractive to her. But this was a condition proposed by the Yuan Chu who had revealed her malicious side, and Yuan Chu was someone she instinctively wanted to avoid.
“Why me?” Wei Yunshu asked.
Yuan Chu said warmly, “Created Beings with Intelligence are rampant in the major Heaven Domains. If a creation of Xuan Tian Ji blocks our path, having a cultivator who possesses a Created Being with Intelligence would, on the contrary, become a problem.”
Wei Yunshu knew she was referring to Yue Ying, but she still wasn’t convinced by this explanation. She gave a light laugh and said, “The cultivators of the Wu Xiang Heaven Domain do not have Created Beings with Intelligence. As a true disciple of the Jade Capital Dharma lineage, surely you can find a fellow Daoist, can’t you?”
Yuan Chu laughed and said, “I want the Essence of Red Water, but don’t you think they would want it too? Their temperaments are constantly shifting, making it difficult for me to trust them.”
What does that sentence mean? At this moment, Wei Yunshu’s nerves were stretched taut. The slightest disturbance would put her on high alert.
Yuan Chu leisurely put away the Origin Stone and said with a smile, “In my opinion, you are the best partner for this, but not the only one. If you are unwilling, I can only settle for second best.”
This was a gamble.
Wei Yunshu could not only think about her own cultivation. Behind her were Buzhou Peak, the Fu Li Immortal Realm, and thousands upon thousands of people waiting.
After a moment of deliberation, Wei Yunshu looked at Yuan Chu and said, “I would like some time to consider.”
“Of course,” Yuan Chu agreed readily. “There is still a year before the Essence of Red Water truly forms.”
Wei Yunshu grunted in acknowledgment. She had nothing more to say to Yuan Chu. After a polite word, she took her leave.
Yuan Chu stood alone under the tree, finding the swaying grass and trees particularly displeasing to the eye. Droplets of water leaped and danced with the fluctuations of her mood. In the end, they didn’t shoot forward, but instead transformed into wisps of mist that adorned the hem of her robes.
“You’re angry.” A small white bird hopped onto a branch.
“Am I?” Yuan Chu glanced expressionlessly at the White Tai Sui and retorted, “Why would I be angry?”