After I Died My Dao Companion Drowns in Endless Regret Chapter 2

Wei Yunshu dismounted her donkey and helped the startled girl who had fallen to the ground, gently soothing her emotions.

At the same time, the disciple from Buzhou Peak’s sharp gaze, like a blade, pierced towards her. Her brow held a hint of confusion, as if contemplating something significant. After a long while, she raised her hand to salute Wei Yunshu and asked, “You look somewhat familiar. May I know which sect you belong to?” Her voice was clear and bright, open and honest.

“A wandering cultivator without sect or school,” Wei Yunshu paused for a moment. “Bo Fengliu.”

“So it’s Daoist Friend Bo,” the Buzhou disciple smiled, not overthinking her words. She couldn’t discern the other’s cultivation level, but her spiritual energy was exceptionally pure and righteous, certainly not belonging to the scoundrels of the Corridor of Sins. It was her first time traveling far from the Buzhou Peak, and she didn’t harbor much caution. After letting down her guard, she also introduced herself to Wei Yunshu, “True disciple of Buzhou Peak, Xie Zhichao.” A few breaths later, she asked again, “Is Daoist Friend Bo also here because of the matter with the evil cultivators in Funeral Heaven Pass?”

Wei Yunshu shook her head, her gaze lowered, and she said softly, “Just passing by.” Seeing a trace of worry appear on Xie Zhichao’s face, she inquired, “What happened here that I haven’t heard about?”

“It happened just a few days ago. I discovered it while passing by,” Xie Zhichao scratched her head and sighed. “Funeral Heaven Pass is, after all, Cloud City’s territory, and you likely know the situation of Cloud City.”

“What happened to Cloud City?” Wei Yunshu had deliberately avoided news about Cloud City during her journey, so her memory of it remained from three years ago. She knew that Senior Brother Yun Dansu had always been dissatisfied with her and coveted the position of Cloud Sovereign. Although her master had said he was incapable of handling important matters, with the assistance of the elder stewards, the situation shouldn’t have been too dire, Wei Yunshu mused. However, when she looked up, she met Xie Zhichao’s surprised expression. She smiled apologetically, “I’m sorry, I was cultivating in seclusion in the mountains, so I’m unaware of the outside situation.”

“I see,” Xie Zhichao said with sudden understanding. Among cultivators, many lived in seclusion, detached from worldly affairs. However, in the eyes of disciples from major sects, this was considered a minor path. How could one understand the world without experiencing it? And how could one comprehend oneself without understanding the world? Thus, upon reaching a certain cultivation level, disciples from all sects would choose to descend the mountain for trials to temper their Dao heart. Still, their cultivation was not her place to comment on. She smiled at Wei Yunshu, explaining, “Three years ago, a major upheaval occurred in Cloud City. After the Cloud Sovereign’s demise, the Consort began investigating the matter and discovered that many elders in Cloud City had colluded with demonic forces, secretly plotting against the Cloud Sovereign. After a significant period of bloodshed, the matter was settled. However, even with revenge served, the Cloud Sovereign could never return…”

Towards the end, Xie Zhichao’s tone carried a hint of lament.

Wei Yunshu’s eyelids twitched, and she softly asked, “Demonic forces?”

“Yes,” Xie Zhichao said with emotion. “The demonic cultivators from the Corridor of Sins are most adept at corrupting the minds of people. It’s unexpected that even the elders of Cloud City were tainted. Although the Consort is now the steward of Cloud City, she cannot shoulder this burden alone. As the position of Cloud Sovereign remains vacant, there will always be those who covet it.”

“Perhaps she still holds onto the belief that the Cloud Sovereign is still alive. For the past three years, she has been searching for people who bear a striking resemblance to the Cloud Sovereign. Truly, her love runs as deep as the sea.”

Wei Yunshu did not agree with Xie Zhichao’s words. She thought to herself, Could it be that she fears I’m still in the mortal world and wants to eliminate me? If that were the case, I should have avoided Cloud City disciples even more. Just as she was about to gather more information about Cloud City, she suddenly heard a crisp snap. It turned out Xie Zhichao had slapped her own forehead.

“I remember now!” she stared intently at Wei Yunshu. “I finally know why you look so familiar. Your appearance bears a resemblance to the portraits of the Cloud Sovereign circulated in the world. If the people from Cloud City find you, wouldn’t you be able to enter Cloud Sect and become a true disciple? This is a path to ascend to heaven!” By the end, Xie Zhichao winked, offering a playful smile. Whether cultivators or mortals, regardless of their disposition or innate talent, bringing them all back to Cloud City… this action was somewhat reckless.

Among the Four Great Powers of the Fu Li Immortal Realm, the Luoshui Divine Palace had already fractured. Now, even Cloud City, the foremost among the four sects, was in such a state. Could it truly be the time of “demonic rise and Dao decline”?

Wei Yunshu let out a bright smile. “Others’ immortal paths are not my own.”

“Indeed,” Xie Zhichao nodded, looking at Wei Yunshu with great admiration. The story of the Cloud Sovereign and the Luoshui Divine Maiden had been passed down for too long. She had met many people who tried to craft faces resembling the Cloud Sovereign to enter Cloud City. But the path of cultivation allowed no such strange arts. Only by taking one step at a time could it truly be one’s own. “The world laments the Luoshui Divine Maiden’s deep affection, but if her affection were truly so deep, why would she bring back people who resemble the Cloud Sovereign? The Abyssal Vortex is an inescapable place; the Cloud Sovereign could never have survived. Even if, for the sake of argument, the Cloud Sovereign truly returned alive, seeing the people in Cloud City who resemble her, would she find it utterly chaotic? Or would she be moved by the Luoshui Divine Maiden’s sincerity? If I were the Cloud Sovereign, I would probably feel disgusted. What about you?”

Wei Yunshu looked at Xie Zhichao with amusement. In such a short time, this young Daoist from Buzhou had opened up so much, truly a pure heart. She didn’t say much, only furrowed her brow in thought. “If I were the Cloud Sovereign… I would…”

“What would you do?” Xie Zhichao looked at Wei Yunshu with anticipation. She had encountered so many people moved by the Luoshui Divine Maiden’s affection that she was losing track of who was right and who was wrong.

Wei Yunshu’s gaze flowed, her clear eyes shining like lightning beneath a rock. She smiled, “Life and death are one trial; rebirth is not me. The vast mountains and rivers, why must we meet again?”

“That’s well said,” Xie Zhichao’s expression was conflicted. “But are karmic relationships so easily severed?” A figure unexpectedly surfaced in her mind. Feeling melancholy, she forcefully suppressed the person who had imprinted themselves on her heart. She knew the principles: impure senses lead to the loss of the six spirits, but taking that step was incredibly difficult.

Wei Yunshu gazed at Xie Zhichao, knowing that she was using the matter of Luo Lingfeng to express her own feelings. She did not speculate wildly or pry, but softly said, “Let it be, this is the principle of the Great Dao. To desperately seek the severance of emotions is also to fall into ‘attachment.’ The Great Dao’s lack of emotion is the heavens’ impartiality, not indifference or the cutting off of feelings.”

Xie Zhichao nodded, feeling her chest suddenly open up. She had come down the mountain for her trials, and also to distance herself from the figure who persistently entangled her. But after listening to the Daoist friend’s words today, she immediately realized her actions had been somewhat forced. She no longer suppressed those thoughts, and they ceased to bother her. After a long sigh, she sincerely bowed to Wei Yunshu, changing the subject to the main topic. “Cloud City will react sooner or later. Originally, they only needed to dispatch some Golden Core disciples to resolve this. However, I heard that the Consort herself is coming.” Her fingertips traced the wine gourd at her waist, and she resisted the urge to drink. “I also heard that her departure is because an female cultivator bearing a strong resemblance to the Cloud Sovereign has appeared in Funeral Heaven Pass.”

“Regardless of the starting point, it’s good if they can resolve the situation in Funeral Heaven Pass,” Wei Yunshu said.

“Indeed.” The area was close to the Corridor of Sins. Before sunset, the surroundings fell into a dim twilight. Wei Yunshu looked up at the darkening sky. The vast and imposing fortress city was reduced to a vague outline. “The city gates have already closed. I’m afraid we’ll have to enter the pass tomorrow.”

Xie Zhichao, like most Buzhou disciples, was not one for ostentation. Her travels were not as grand as those of cultivators from the Dustless Sea, with their fine steeds, luxurious carriages, and exquisite residences. She said indifferently, “Then we’ll sleep under the stars for a night. If the demonic cultivators dare to come, they can try my blade.” After a pause, she looked at the mortal girl clutching her basket and said, “We didn’t manage to move all the villagers. Although the villages here have formations, formations without a controller are lifeless. It’s good for us to stay here and look after these villagers.”

Wei Yunshu naturally would not refuse. Disciples of the immortal sects were educated from a young age to protect the mortal world and eradicate demons and uphold righteousness. While there might be open strife and hidden struggles among fellow cultivators, as long as their hearts were not too wicked, they would not abandon mortals to their fate. After escorting the mortal girl back to the village, Wei Yunshu and Xie Zhichao politely declined the villagers’ invitation and headed towards a hill not far outside the village. From here, they could observe everything happening in the village and provide timely aid if needed.

Xie Zhichao sat on a protruding rock, drinking wine. However, she showed no signs of intoxication; the more she drank, the clearer her eyes became, shining like stars. She turned to look at Wei Yunshu, who was meditating with her legs crossed, and blinked. “Daoist Friend Bo, why don’t you ask me why I use a saber?” Buzhou Peak was the true lineage of the sword path; almost every disciple was a sword cultivator.

Wei Yunshu followed Xie Zhichao’s lead and smiled, “Saber and sword are not separate, both are about unity.”

“Eldest Senior Sister says the same thing,” Xie Zhichao propped her chin with her hand. Her dark hair and the red silk ribbon tying it were blown by the wind. “My Senior Sister is the foremost sword cultivator of Buzhou, and I will also stand shoulder to shoulder with her in the future. But I don’t want to snatch her position, so I practice the saber. In the future, I will be the foremost saber cultivator of Buzhou!”

“The Cloud Sovereign reached the Nascent Soul stage at a hundred years old, and by two hundred, she had achieved the Cavern Heaven manifestation. I believe I can too!”

Wei Yunshu smiled in agreement, “Yes, Daoist Friend Xie is of extraordinary talent, you will surely surpass the Cloud Sovereign.” Xie Zhichao’s words stirred her thoughts, and she couldn’t help but drift back to the day she formed her Nascent Soul. On that day, what brought her the most joy was not becoming the youngest Nascent Soul True Lord in the immortal realm, but the prospect of going to the Luoshui Divine Palace to marry Luo Lingfeng.

Only later did she realize that on that day, hers was the only truly happy smile.