After I Died My Dao Companion Drowns in Endless Regret Chapter 37

It wasn’t until Luo Lingfeng’s figure disappeared that Jiang Jiuxiao sank to the ground, letting out a sigh of relief. Her cheek, brushed by the sleeve, seemed to retain that sinister, cold touch, as if a venomous snake with a flicking tongue had crawled over her. Jiang Jiuxiao’s face changed repeatedly. The dread of having walked through the gates of hell could not be dispelled.
Luo Lingfeng knew about that matter, but she didn’t kill her.
She didn’t believe that someone like Luo Lingfeng possessed “sisterly affection.” So, what was her purpose in doing this? Jiang Jiuxiao frowned, unable to figure it out. She slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and glanced towards Wu Huan’s corpse. Her stomach churned, and she couldn’t hold back. She retched once, and her limbs twitched slightly.
The True Spirit of the Universal True Form Map revolved around Luo Lingfeng and asked softly, “True Monarch, why didn’t you kill her?”
Luo Lingfeng covered her mouth and coughed. Her left palm held a shocking amount of blood. She sighed softly and said casually, “It’s not time yet.”
The True Spirit responded with an “Oh” and then slapped its own head, “You need to find a place to rest and recuperate.”
Luo Lingfeng pointed casually and said with a smile, “Let’s go to the Chaos Tree.” This was a tree with a history longer than the Four Sects. Half of it was in the Sunset Burial Mounds, and the other half connected to the Corridor of Sins. In the past, Cavern Heaven True Monarchs had tried to solve this problem, but unfortunately, they failed. Later, they continued to try, but the results were always unsatisfactory. After that, immortal sect cultivators understood this point and no longer put effort into the Chaos Tree. Instead, they built a defense line at what was once a boundary.
Luo Lingfeng certainly didn’t have the ability to uproot the Chaos Tree, but she found a parasitic tree seed in Cloud City’s treasury, named “Blood Thorn.” This tree seed was brought by Cloud City’s ancestor and had been sealed in the treasury, its vitality almost completely depleted. Luo Lingfeng had spent a lot of heavenly treasures over the past three years to activate it. This tree seed was somewhat sinister, feeding on “flesh and blood.” Once planted, cultivators from the Corridor of Sins who wanted to pass through the Chaos Tree would have to pay a corresponding price. Of course, the immortal sect here also had to be careful. They had to constantly come to clear the overgrown blood thorns, as this tree seed devoured flesh and blood indiscriminately.
Planting blood thorns was not a foolproof solution, but other than that, no other substance could inhibit the Chaos Tree.
“Some treasures left by the ancestor don’t seem to be from the Fu Li Immortal Realm,” Luo Lingfeng said softly, frowning. Not to mention Cloud City’s ancestors, just the Luo family’s ancestor named “Luo Wuqing” had a very mysterious origin, coming from an unknown place and returning to an unknown place. Luo Lingfeng pondered for a moment, recalling the fleeting glimpse of the “Shang Qing Secret Record” not long ago.
To say it was a fictional story written by someone, yet the characters on it contained Dao rhythm, and it also involved some names that could not be recorded. At the very least, it came from a Cavern Heaven or even higher realm cultivator. Luo Lingfeng scanned ten lines at a glance. When she saw the names of the six Divine Monarchs in the Shang Qing Divine Realm, her eyes suddenly narrowed. Besides “Tai Sui” who was at the head, the remaining five were clearly the five Venerables of the Corridor of Sins, named “Yong He,” “Chao Ling,” “Qiong Sang,” “Ji Jun,” and “Rahu”!
However, this booklet was taken from an evil cultivator’s disciple. There was nothing wrong with them revering the five demon Cavern Heaven cultivators as Divine Monarchs. Luo Lingfeng scoffed and continued reading. She vaguely saw words like “Gan Yuan,” “severance,” and “fragments,” some of which were smeared out. Further down, the names that appeared were “Yun Huai,” “Si Jun,” “Luo Wuqing,” and “Sang Buwei.” Luo Lingfeng’s expression suddenly changed because these four were the ancestors of the Four Sects of the Immortal Realm! The booklet recorded that they originated from the “Shang Qing Divine Realm.” So, what kind of place was the Shang Qing Divine Realm? Was it the “Upper Realm” in the eyes of the Fu Li Immortal Realm? Luo Lingfeng quickly flipped through the pages, but there was little useful information afterward. Probably the important parts were torn off. Her expression gradually concealed itself. She looked down at this half of the “Shang Qing Secret Record,” and then she laughed again, slowly throwing it into her storage pouch.
What did the Shang Qing Divine Realm or the Fu Li Immortal Realm have to do with her?
On the other side.
After Wei Yunshu and her group left the Luoshui Divine Palace’s territory, they boarded the “Pivot Flying Palace” refined by Shi Wufang. It embodied the “Great Dao of Simplicity” of Buzhou disciples, appearing quite plain. Compared to those luxurious flying palaces, it was more like a thatched hut. However, this flying palace was a True Artifact with thirty-six restrictions. Not only was its flight speed extremely fast, capable of instantly leaping over ten li, but when all restrictions were activated, it could also resist the combined attacks of several Nascent Soul Daoists.
There were three Buzhou disciples on the ship: Shi Wufang, Xie Zhichao, and Ying Yue, who had been picked up from the Luoshui Divine Palace outpost and kept her head down without saying a word.
There were also two guests: Wei Yunshu and Yu Changfeng, a demon cultivator from the Dustless Sea.
“Although I am a demon from the Dustless Sea, I have no connection with the Dragon Palace lineage. According to your terms, I am a rogue cultivator.” After boarding the flying palace, she feared causing misunderstanding and proactively stated her clear distinction from the Dustless Sea. Ying Yue, with her glib tongue, also added a lot of information, emphasizing the matter of the Southern Continent’s spiritual veins. In her eyes, Yu Changfeng was a great hero.
Xie Zhichao got angry when she saw Ying Yue. Looking at her lively and cheerful expression, she snorted coldly, “Anyone who didn’t know would think you were the one who did it.”
Shi Wufang’s gentle gaze fell on her at the same time. Ying Yue instantly felt her vital energy diminish. Senior Sister had personally come to apprehend her. Although she didn’t mention punishment on the way back and even smiled gently, Ying Yue still felt a chill in her heart, with a bitter feeling of “my life is over.” She lowered her head, her eyes rolling, still showing a restless expression. After a while, she looked up and said with a chuckle, “Senior Sister, since two guests have come to Buzhou Peak, why don’t you let me guide them around?”
Xie Zhichao was even more annoyed when she heard Ying Yue trying to snatch her job. She gave Ying Yue a cold glance, “Why do you need to? You’ve only just reached Foundation Establishment. Shouldn’t you be consolidating your cultivation?”
Ying Yue leaned against Xie Zhichao, gently shaking Xie Zhichao’s arm, and said in a soft, spoiled voice, “Third Senior Sister, are you tired this time? When I go back, I’ll send you that jar of ‘Jade Mountain Tilt’?”
Xie Zhichao subconsciously reached for her wine gourd with her free hand. “Jade Mountain Tilt” was a top-tier fine wine brewed by her uncle, and only one jar was obtained by a single peak. She had already obtained Senior Sister’s jar. As for her junior sister’s… she hadn’t reached the point of plotting against her junior sister. But now that her junior sister had offered it herself, it was different. Xie Zhichao was already savoring the taste of “Jade Mountain Tilt” in her mind. She licked her dry lips, almost agreeing. However, seeing Wei Yunshu’s smiling face, she suddenly sobered up. She reluctantly refused Ying Yue and said righteously, “Fellow Daoist Bo is my friend, so of course I will guide her around. Junior Sister, you should honestly practice your sword.”
Ying Yue let out an “Ah,” and immediately said, “Then Senior Yu Changfeng is my friend, Senior Sister, let me host her.” Ying Yue’s eyes sparkled with bright light. She winked at Shi Wufang, as if saying, “Please.”
But before Shi Wufang could speak, she heard Yu Changfeng say, “I heard that Buzhou Peak is the pinnacle of swordsmanship in the Fu Li Immortal Realm. Any guest who wishes to challenge the sword can walk on the Sword-Challenging Path.”
Shi Wufang nodded, “That’s right.” She smiled at Yu Changfeng and asked, “Does Fellow Daoist Changfeng wish to walk the Sword-Challenging Path?” Guests who came to Buzhou Peak generally fell into two categories: those who came to visit friends and family or enjoy the scenery. When facing such guests, Buzhou disciples would also suppress their warlike thoughts and treat them with worldly courtesy. The other type were those who came to challenge the sword. They would walk the Sword-Challenging Path. Once they embarked on this path, no matter which Buzhou disciple they challenged, the other party would accept. And when a Buzhou disciple challenged them, there was also no room for refusal. During sword battles, injuries and disabilities were common.
Yu Changfeng’s eyes suddenly burned with a bright light. She said loudly, “Indeed, I do!”
Ying Yue’s face instantly drooped upon hearing this. Her idea of touring Buzhou Peak with her fellow Daoist to avoid punishment was completely dashed. She stood up and walked to Yu Changfeng’s side, quietly saying, “I’m telling you, my Senior Brothers and Sisters are ruthless. They won’t show mercy…”
Xie Zhichao watched Ying Yue immediately “betray” her fellow disciples and smiled helplessly. Buzhou disciples were not afraid of others watching them practice swords. There were memory stones everywhere. With Junior Sister’s explanation, the bloody and fierce sword battles became much more interesting. She turned to look at Wei Yunshu and asked, “Fellow Daoist Bo, do you want to try the Sword-Challenging Path?”
Wei Yunshu shook her head and politely declined with a smile, “I don’t cultivate sword intent, so I won’t waste time.”
“Alright, then let me guide you around Buzhou Peak,” Xie Zhichao patted Wei Yunshu’s shoulder and laughed heartily, “Although we Buzhou disciples are few, we have many mountains and affiliated cities. Although it can’t compare to the prosperity of the Eastern Continent or Southern Continent, it has its own charm. For example, on Clear Crane Peak, you can always see the marvelous sight of ‘A lone crane soars through the clear sky above the clouds.’ And on Ten Thousand Scale Peak, a fellow Daoist once inscribed a poem on the wall, saying, ‘Snow feathers stand inverted, golden scales leap into the clear sky’…”
“I think you’re just being greedy, Third Senior Sister, aren’t you?” Ying Yue suddenly turned to look at Xie Zhichao, smiling as she exposed her flaws, “You still haven’t compensated for secretly eating the fish in the Heavenly Pond. When Senior Sister Ran finds out you’re back, you’re finished.” Ying Yue’s face was filled with schadenfreude.
Xie Zhichao’s face was slightly red. She glared at Ying Yue, but her gaze lacked any deterrence.
She turned to Wei Yunshu and said seriously, “Fellow Daoist Bo, don’t listen to my junior sister’s nonsense. I’m not that kind of person.” By the end, she was clearly a little short of breath. Not to mention the wine in the sect, the fish in the water, the animals on the ground, and the birds in the sky, it seemed she had caused quite a bit of trouble for them.
Wei Yunshu: “Mmhmm, I believe Fellow Daoist Xie.”
Xie Zhichao felt even more embarrassed when she heard this. Just as she was about to confess, she suddenly heard Wei Yunshu ask, “How does it taste?” Xie Zhichao was stunned. She immediately reacted. That previous sentence was actually just teasing her! “Fellow Daoist Bo, you—” Xie Zhichao looked at Wei Yunshu’s smiling face, then at her junior sister, whose eyes were rolling, clearly up to no good. She instantly deflated. What was there to explain? She said, “It tastes excellent! When we return to Buzhou Peak, I’ll treat you to one!”
Ying Yue propped her chin and said faintly, “But Third Senior Sister, you still owe money.”
Xie Zhichao: “…” She suddenly slapped her forehead and, with a flick of her sleeve, threw out a jade talisman used for recording merits. She sighed in frustration, “I forgot to exchange resources at the Luoshui Divine Palace! What a huge loss!” She had gone there specifically for the Heaven-tier Cloud Sand, but she didn’t get a single penny and ended up with a body full of injuries.
Shi Wufang said softly, “The Luoshui Divine Palace itself is in trouble. I’m afraid it won’t be able to fulfill its promises. How about this—”
Before Shi Wufang could finish speaking, Xie Zhichao’s eyes lit up, and she looked at her with anticipation, “Senior Sister, are you willing to pay off my debt?” At Buzhou Peak, Senior Sister was the wealthiest person.
“What are you thinking?” Shi Wufang’s tone was still gentle, and her smile was like a spring breeze blowing across her face. She continued, “If you work for Junior Sister Ran for three years, you should be able to pay it off.”
Xie Zhichao: “…”
Wei Yunshu listened to their words, her eyes and eyebrows curved in a smile.
There was also competition among the disciples of Buzhou Peak, but the relationship between fellow disciples was not bad. They laughed and chatted, unlike Cloud City, where words often concealed hidden intentions.
Listening to Xie Zhichao and Ying Yue laughing and joking, Wei Yunshu’s mood was unusually relaxed. She didn’t think about the past, nor about the future. Her eyes were filled with the present lightness.
“Fellow Daoist Bo, may I have a word?” A voice suddenly reached her ears.
Wei Yunshu looked up at Shi Wufang’s smiling face. She quietly walked out of the hall, following Shi Wufang’s steps to another side hall.
The hall was empty. Besides a low table with a bronze vase and incense burner, there were only two futons. Wei Yunshu and Shi Wufang sat opposite each other on the futons. After a few breaths of silence, Shi Wufang’s gentle voice sounded.
“Fellow Daoist Bo, you took something at that time. Was it the sacred heart of a saint that several Cavern Heaven True Monarchs were fighting over?”
Several Cavern Heaven True Monarchs fighting fiercely. This news simply couldn’t be concealed. However, those who knew the item had fallen into her hands must be very few. Wei Yunshu’s mind raced several times before she decided to confess, “Yes.” She gazed at Shi Wufang, and a hint of chilling coldness unconsciously appeared in her eyes.
“Fellow Daoist Bo, there’s no need to worry. We sword cultivators have our own Dao heart and don’t need external objects,” Shi Wufang smiled gently. Then she asked, “I just want to ask Fellow Daoist if you need to use it to refine a puppet avatar.”
Shi Wufang’s words were startling. A chill suddenly rose in Wei Yunshu’s heart. She carefully looked at the person sitting opposite her. Her expression was calm and serene, and her gaze was pure and righteous, without any evil thoughts or greed.
Wei Yunshu hesitated for a moment and sighed, “I don’t know much about the sacred heart of a saint, but I personally watched it being refined by evil methods in the spiritual vein of the Southern Continent. It cannot fall into the hands of others, and I will not use it.”
Shi Wufang asked again, “Then do you want to destroy it?”
Wei Yunshu shook her head. She had actually thought about it, but looking at this heart, clear as a red crystal, she couldn’t bring herself to do it for some reason. Whose heart was this? Was that pitiful person with the potential of a Saint still alive?
Shi Wufang didn’t think much of it. She frowned and said, “Something tainted by evil is indeed difficult to deal with.” Without waiting for Wei Yunshu’s response, she simply skipped the topic and asked, “Then does Fellow Daoist Bo need a puppet body?”
Wei Yunshu’s attention had previously been drawn by the sacred heart of a saint. Now, hearing Shi Wufang’s question, she suddenly reacted. She had once thought of asking Shi Wufang to create a puppet avatar for her, but she had never mentioned it to anyone. How would Shi Wufang know? Could she see the anomaly in her body? “How did Fellow Daoist know?” A hint of caution was hidden in Wei Yunshu’s tone.
Shi Wufang pointed to her own eyes, “Don’t underestimate an artifact refiner.” After a pause, she added, “Zhichao said you are a mountain cultivator, but both your origin and name are a disguise, aren’t they? But it doesn’t matter. My Buzhou disciples do not inquire about origins. You saved my junior sister, so you are a friend of Buzhou. What kind of puppet avatar do you need? Just tell me, and I will do my best to create a perfect body for you.”
Wei Yunshu looked at Shi Wufang for a moment, then said seriously, “Thank you.”
This Senior Sister of Buzhou cultivated the “Grand Supreme Morality Sword Scripture” and walked the path of “ultimate goodness is like water.” Her entire being exuded a gentle and introverted grace like flowing water. However, at this moment, a crimson fire suddenly erupted in her eyes, like a brilliant sun emitting dazzling and scorching light, making it difficult to ignore.
Wei Yunshu unfastened her storage pouch and handed it to Shi Wufang. She pursed her lips and said, “Although I have accumulated some wealth over the past hundred years, I only have this much with me. If it’s not enough, I will try to find more.”
Shi Wufang thought, How could a friend of Buzhou be asked to search for treasures herself? Buzhou sword cultivators were often in poverty, but their treasury still contained some items if one searched carefully. If all else failed, she would add her own. When she opened the storage pouch, even Shi Wufang, who was accustomed to treasures, couldn’t help but gasp. How was this “a little”? This was clearly wealth that ordinary cultivators could not accumulate in a hundred years. Shi Wufang said, “It’s enough.” Her gaze swept through the storage pouch, finally resting on a simple, ancient jade box. She didn’t open it, but she knew it contained a flower by sensing it. Shi Wufang reached out, took out the jade box, and handed it to Wei Yunshu, saying, “This item is useless.”
Wei Yunshu lowered her gaze, her expression dazed.
The box contained “Heaven’s Untouchable Spring,” the last flower she had searched for Luo Lingfeng.
This kind of flower was extremely domineering. Wherever it bloomed, no other plants would exist.
It had no special effects; it only looked like a snow lotus under the moon after blooming, elegant and ethereal.
In the past, she only thought that the flower was beautiful and complemented the ethereal Luo Lingfeng, but she forgot its name—Heaven’s Untouchable Spring.
“Fellow Daoist Bo?” Shi Wufang’s concerned voice sounded.
Wei Yunshu suddenly returned to her senses. She found that she had already opened the jade box.
The box contained a formation that kept “Heaven’s Untouchable Spring” from withering for three years. But what was the point of keeping such a flower?
Shi Wufang looked at the jade box. A puzzled expression lingered on her elegant face. She asked, “Why would one pick such a flower? Why would one keep such a useless flower?”
“Heaven’s Untouchable Spring” could be called the cancerous tumor of spiritual plants. With it present, one could forget about seeing the flourishing spring scene. If it were near a spiritual plant that could suppress it, it wouldn’t even be able to grow, perfectly embodying the meaning of “bullying the weak and fearing the strong.”
Wei Yunshu was silent. The daze from her trance had not yet dissipated. Her eyes held an indistinguishable mix of sorrow and joy.
After a long while, her eyelashes subtly moved. She slowly exhaled a breath of frustration that had been stifled in her heart. Her fingertips gently touched the jade box. The intricate formation patterns were instantly erased by her. Without the spiritual energy supply, “Heaven’s Untouchable Spring” finally reverted to its original form, gradually withering and fading.
The jade box was not an ordinary item, but after the formation patterns were removed, it directly transformed from a magical artifact into a mundane object. Shi Wufang originally wanted to ask, but when she saw Wei Yunshu’s expression, a inexplicable feeling of sorrow and desolation arose in her heart, like the bleakness of winter when snow falls, like the chilling cold that always accompanied one on a desperate path. However, just as Shi Wufang was about to dispel that inexplicable emotion in her heart, she heard a “snap.”
The jade box was closed.
A gentle breeze blew, and her heart felt as if it had been gently embraced by spring, the chill instantly dissipating.
“Fellow Daoist Bo?” Shi Wufang called again, her voice very soft, as if afraid to startle something.
Wei Yunshu stood up and bowed to Shi Wufang with a raised sleeve. She said, “Thank you.”
Later, she didn’t bother with “Heaven’s Untouchable Spring,” believing that the flower no longer existed. Unfortunately, it still remained, only it happened to be out of her sight.
Shi Wufang quickly returned the bow, “You’re welcome.”
She looked at Wei Yunshu, deep in thought.
With the Pivot Flying Palace, it only took half a month to reach Buzhou Peak.
Buzhou Peak was located above the highest heavens, but unlike Cloud City’s floating island, it was a towering peak that pierced through the clouds. Outside the main peak, uneven smaller peaks gathered, like stars surrounding the moon, encircling the peak that resembled a pillar of heaven. Originally, there was no path leading into the mountain. However, Buzhou’s founding ancestor, Sang Buwei, intended to make this mountain her sect’s location, so she raised her sword and cleaved a path. The sword scar extended for a thousand li, and the sword intent had not dissipated for thousands of years. Thus, this mountain path also became the Dao of Sword Comprehension for Buzhou disciples.
“Actually, even the main peak of Buzhou was almost cleaved open by Ancestor’s sword. The main hall now is built on the sword scar. However, the sword energy there is sharp and piercing, and the sword intent permeates the bones. Ordinary disciples are not allowed to approach without permission,” Xie Zhichao introduced to Wei Yunshu. She then pointed to a slightly shorter peak on the right side of Buzhou Hall. Three magnificent palaces stood there, their light soaring into the sky, appearing grand and majestic. “That’s the Guest Hall, the most expensive place in all of Buzhou. I’ll take you there first.”
Yu Changfeng asked, “Where is the Sword-Challenging Path?” Her face was grim, and she was taciturn, rarely speaking in the flying palace.
Xie Zhichao was startled when she suddenly heard her speak.
Shi Wufang looked at Ying Yue and said, “Junior Sister, take Fellow Daoist Changfeng there. Afterward, come to my hall.” Not representing a sect visit, one could naturally be more casual. Since Yu Changfeng was fully focused on the Sword-Challenging Path, she let her go. As for the other guest, Shi Wufang believed Xie Zhichao could host her well.
Xie Zhichao watched Shi Wufang’s hurried departure and sighed with emotion, “Senior Sister is busy with sect affairs and never gets a moment of rest.”
Wei Yunshu asked, “Then why don’t you go help?”
Xie Zhichao’s expression remained unchanged, “Senior Sister has the talent to govern the world. Buzhou’s mundane affairs are easy for her. Of course, I can’t go and cause trouble.” She wrapped her arm around Wei Yunshu’s, laughing heartily, “Come, come, come, I’ll take you to see the spring with giant fish longer than a person, whose tail is made of—” Xie Zhichao suddenly got stuck.
Wei Yunshu smiled and continued, “Red cinnabar and golden scales.”
Xie Zhichao took a sip of wine and replied loudly, “Yes, yes, yes!” Back in Buzhou’s territory, she felt even more uninhibited and carefree than in the Luoshui Divine Palace. She didn’t even go to the Guest Hall. Stepping on a ray of sword light, she hastily took Wei Yunshu to see the wondrous sight of fish leaping from the Heavenly Pond. It was dusk, and the lingering rays of the setting sun cast a dazzling golden light.
“I’ll catch one,” Xie Zhichao whispered slyly.
Just as she was rolling up her sleeves, preparing to show off her skills, a cool voice sounded.
“‘How can one know that strange creatures share the same essence, and even though they have not become dragons, they possess divine power?’ Why don’t you continue reciting? Xie Zhichao, how can you bear to eat them?”
Xie Zhichao stiffened. The next moment, her vigorous spirit dissipated, and she turned around dejectedly, calling out, “Senior Sister Ran.”
The female cultivator called “Senior Sister Ran” ignored her. With a flick of her hand, a stream of snow-white sword energy entered the water, scooping up a plump golden scaled fish. She threw it to Xie Zhichao and said testily, “Grill it.” Turning her head, she smiled at Wei Yunshu, “Fellow Daoist, this fish is my treat for you. It has nothing to do with that person named Xie, not even a single spiritual pill.”
Xie Zhichao, who was scraping scales and gutting the fish, immediately became displeased, “I put in the labor.”
Senior Sister Ran’s eyes shifted, and she smiled, “Senior Sister’s order: for the next three years, you are to obey my commands.”