After I Died My Dao Companion Drowns in Endless Regret Chapter 51

A deep gaze fell upon Wei Yunshu. The face that had been filled with a strange delight turned as cold as a handful of snow. White hair cascaded onto her shoulders, resembling fresh snow falling into a patch of dark red. Wei Yunshu’s answer offered no release; the so-called “love” felt more like a shackle, firmly trapping her heart and mind.
She didn’t know when this affection had begun, nor did she comprehend how such a feeling could lead one to willingly embrace death.
How should I treat Wei Yunshu? Luo Lingfeng softly asked herself, but she had no answer. She desperately wanted to grasp something, anything, even if she couldn’t eliminate this inner demon, at least she could firmly suppress it.
I must take Wei Yunshu back to Cloud City! This thought grew increasingly urgent, fueled by a desperate, resolute obsession.
But what about Wei Yunshu? She didn’t want to return to Cloud City. She was with the disciples of Buzhou, but how many days had they known each other? In the past, her heart belonged entirely to Cloud City; how could she abandon it so readily now? How could she forsake Cloud City?! It wasn’t right. Luo Lingfeng’s mind was gradually consumed by these thoughts, leaving no room for anything else. Her eyes gradually filled with a bloody hue, a blush creeping up to the corners of her eyes. Her demeanor grew increasingly frenzied, the sound of water suddenly surged, and the churning deep waters of the Abyss rumbled.
“What do you all think?” Luo Lingfeng asked slowly, her voice becoming exceptionally ethereal.
The disciples of Cloud City stood their ground, their hearts churning. Tang Changsheng, however, felt a chill seize his heart, and he involuntarily retreated step by step. His face was ashen, his lips trembling, until finally, he managed to utter, “Our four immortal sects are united, we should consider the Corridor of Sins our greatest enemy.”
“United?” Luo Lingfeng’s expression remained unchanged. Six thousand years ago, the founders of the four sects and their disciples had some acquaintance and often interacted. But over the vast expanse of time, some ascended, some met their end of lifespan, and those remaining were mere strangers with little interaction! The Fu Li Immortal Realm was a limited space, and in pursuit of Dao fruits, disciples from various families ventured out for trials, leading to constant friction. How could there be no “disputes”? Looking back a few hundred years, though there were endless arguments, at least their goals aligned regarding the Corridor of Sins. But now, could their original intentions remain? The five primordial divine lords who opened the heavens and the earth were the five great primordial demons of the Corridor of Sins. If this news spread, how many cultivators in the immortal realm would fall into demonic ways?
Tang Changsheng’s heart pounded with panic. He turned his stiff neck, trying to find a strong ally. But whether it was Jiang Pu or Wen Yutang, they all lowered their heads and remained silent. He felt a sense of dejection, inexplicably resenting their weakness. He wished he could transform into a streak of light and charge forward, but his legs were pinned to the spot, unable to move.
“It’s not her doing; we cannot force our way through the jade carvings of the Heavenly Emperor God. There should be no inheritance inside,” Wei Yunshu whispered to the grim-faced Xie Zhichao, her gaze sharp, as if she hadn’t noticed Luo Lingfeng’s oppressive stare. These five surprisingly silent deities stood in the hall. If they wanted to uncover more secrets, they would likely have to venture inside. The jade statues here were all different in appearance; which one should they choose?
“Follow the trail of the demon tribe,” suggested Xun Huan, who had entered the hall later. Before entering this place, she had already scattered the demon tribe, leaving only three. However, these three had also attacked the disciples of Buzhou, and this grudge could not be left unavenged!
Xie Zhichao turned to Wei Yunshu and softly asked, “Fellow Daoist Bo, what do you think?”
Wei Yunshu nodded slowly. “We can.” Once inside the secret realm, the rogue cultivators were not worth mentioning. The cultivators from Dustless Sea acted in an exceptionally strange and arrogant manner, with peculiar auras emanating from them. If this secret realm was established by demons or devils, then the cultivators of Dustless Sea were those who willingly succumbed to it. For Buzhou, and indeed for the entire Fu Li Immortal Realm, they were formidable enemies.
“Good!” Xie Zhichao agreed. He turned to the disciples of Buzhou, gestured forward, and laughed heartily, “Let us explore that area.” They could indeed split up, but the dangers within had exceeded their expectations. The disciples of Buzhou had already suffered several casualties and could not afford further setbacks. Xie Zhichao stepped forward first, with Xun Huan following closely behind.
Wei Yunshu did not move. She stood in place, holding her horsetail whisk, her white robes exuding a distant and serene aura. The disciples of Buzhou successfully entered another realm through that statue, and the remaining individuals couldn’t help but feel a stir of anticipation.
“Venerable One?” One of the disciples from Cloud City stepped forward, bowing to Luo Lingfeng with a humble tone that held a hint of inquiry.
Luo Lingfeng coldly spat out a single word: “Enter.”
Seeing that Luo Lingfeng no longer blocked them, the rogue cultivators were overjoyed. They bowed silently and followed closely behind the disciples of Cloud City. In the blink of an eye, only Luo Lingfeng and Wei Yunshu remained in the hall, along with the three groups of cultivators from Luoshui Divine Palace.
With a hint of malice in their gazes, not only Tang Changsheng but also Wen Yutang felt stifled. She had already heard Wei Yunshu’s conversation with Xie Zhichao. After a moment’s hesitation, she raised her eyes, her gaze as clear as flowing water, and fell upon Luo Lingfeng’s face. She said, “This disciple is being presumptuous and has offended Venerable One. I implore Venerable One, for the sake of our past affection, to release us. Upon leaving the secret realm, Luoshui Divine Palace will surely offer a generous reward.”
“Can you speak for Luoshui Divine Palace?” Luo Lingfeng revealed a playful smile.
The cultivators from Guangyuan Marsh on the side were somewhat displeased with Wen Yutang’s wording and frequently cast strange glances her way. However, they remembered where they were and did not act out.
Wen Yutang feigned ignorance of Luo Lingfeng’s deeper meaning, and said softly, “With so many seniors present, it is naturally not my place to speak for Luoshui Divine Palace. However, I believe that today’s matter will not be opposed by the seniors. Venerable One, you were also once a part of Luoshui Divine Palace, and the seniors will not refuse.”
Luo Lingfeng let out a cold laugh, withdrawing her gaze from Wen Yutang, and did not respond further.
Seeing this, Wen Yutang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Disregarding Wei Yunshu, who stood motionlessly beside her, she signaled to the disciples of the Wen family from Xiaohan Mountain, subtly urging them to keep pace with her. The cultivators of Dustless Sea and Buzhou had all gone towards the jade statue entwined with the true dragon, but they did not wish to do the same. Her gaze swept around, finally settling on the jade statue of a female cultivator draped in a shoulder drape. The inscription below it clearly read “Yonghe.”
But just as the disciples of Luoshui Divine Palace took a step towards it, Wei Yunshu, who had been standing still, swept her horsetail whisk, and a beam of white light, swift as lightning, blocked their path. Wei Yunshu did not overthink; to avoid further accidents, she wished for everyone to proceed towards the statue of the true dragon.
Due to Luo Lingfeng’s attitude, the disciples of Luoshui Divine Palace had already harbored resentment deep within their hearts. Seeing Wei Yunshu make a move now, their anger became even more difficult to suppress. Wen Yutang glanced at Wei Yunshu several times, her expression visibly displeased. Tang Changsheng was even more enraged, shouting, “Are you also going to stop us?” Jiang Pu, standing beside Tang Changsheng, tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “Don’t you think she looks like someone?”
“Who cares if she looks—” His neck felt as if it were being gripped by a hand, and it took a moment before the remaining word “like” was squeezed through his teeth.
Cloud Sovereign! She bore a striking resemblance to someone from Cloud City, but since she had been in the Buzhou formation earlier, he hadn’t paid attention to her appearance. Luo Lingfeng would never let go of someone similar to Cloud Sovereign. So, was she actually acting on behalf of Luo Lingfeng now? Had Cloud City and Buzhou cooperated? Tang Changsheng’s thoughts raced, and his heart suddenly jolted.
Among the four sects, the Buzhou sword cultivators had always been solitary, relying only on the sharp light of their swords to navigate. During the conflicts between the sects, there had been attempts to win over Buzhou, but they had ultimately been disgraced and no longer pursued them. They had always believed Buzhou to be isolated and independent in the Western Continent!
Wen Yutang’s lips were tightly pressed together, her gaze almost lost in the vast expanse of white light and swirling mist. The tall statue was obscured by the radiance, leaving only a single vacancy. Her mind raced like lightning. She quickly understood the other’s intention: to have them follow the demon tribe’s path and enter through the same passage. But what would those who came later gain?! However, if they insisted on going elsewhere, a conflict was inevitable. Although they had a Nascent Soul Daoist present, thinking of Luo Lingfeng’s ruthlessness in the Sunset Burial Mounds, she couldn’t help but tremble.
“Let’s go,” Jiang Pu sighed softly. In the past two generations, Yunmeng Marsh and Luoshui Divine Palace had no familial ties, and they had kept a greater distance from the Luo family, thus seeing more clearly. He subtly glanced at Luo Lingfeng, then quickly withdrew his gaze. Without waiting for Wen Yutang’s reply, he beckoned the disciples of Yunmeng Marsh and headed towards the only jade statue not enveloped by spiritual light. Wen Yutang hesitated for a moment, then led the disciples of Xiaohan Mountain to follow. Tang Changsheng was indignant, but his support was diminishing. He stamped his foot, cursed “bad luck,” and could only lead the disciples of his clan forward, lest he fall behind Wen Yutang.
Seeing them all heading in the same direction, Wei Yunshu withdrew the spiritual energy around her and followed. However, as she passed by Luo Lingfeng, her pupils suddenly contracted, and her form darted away like lightning, evading Luo Lingfeng’s grab. She landed about ten feet away, her snow-white horsetail whisk hanging down, resting on her left arm. The pendant hanging from her waist swayed gently. Her eyes were calm, her expression serene.
Luo Lingfeng stared at Wei Yunshu, extremely displeased with her evasive movement. Her gaze was dark, as if a storm was brewing, “So you too can be so overbearing and dictatorial. Are you not allowing those people to obtain the inheritance? Afraid they will get ahead of you?”
Wei Yunshu ignored Luo Lingfeng’s mockery. As she gently swayed her horsetail whisk, a light like rain threads descended around her, akin to the pure radiance of stars. She was enveloped in this pure radiance, gracefully moving forward again, passing through the dense mist. Luo Lingfeng did not try to grab Wei Yunshu again; her gaze became fervent, like a fire burning for countless years, falling upon Wei Yunshu. The moment Wei Yunshu’s figure disappeared, she also moved, like a shooting star across the sky, drawing a brilliant trail of light.
The true dragon statue was a hidden entrance, leading to an entirely different space. There was a sky here, but it was a deep night sky, with countless lamps floating in mid-air. Soft, clear light illuminated the high eaves and winding corridors, as if dusted with gold powder. Jade palaces, trees, and rivers were all steeped in a layer of light. When the wind blew, the light rippled, and the mottled shadows danced like aquatic plants. Ahead, the faint sound of strings and songs could be heard, melodious and ethereal.
Wei Yunshu raised her head amidst the lingering melody of the song. Brilliant yet hazy light fell upon her. Suddenly, she sensed a fluctuation of spiritual energy, and reaching out, a jade slip containing Daoist texts appeared in her palm. With a simple infusion of spiritual energy, densely packed characters appeared before her eyes, reflecting into her sea of consciousness. It was a strength cultivation technique called “Myriad Origin Rebirth Technique.” As long as a drop of vital blood and a wisp of primordial spirit remained, one could regrow a “true self” from the vital blood, essentially gaining a second life. Wei Yunshu’s eyelids twitched. If she cultivated this technique, she could likely also generate a new “body.”
This technique had no demonic or evil energy; it was a legitimate strength cultivation inheritance. However, as she read further, Wei Yunshu’s brow furrowed deeply. Strength cultivators, with their abundant and vigorous vital blood, often needed an outlet. Some chose to constantly provoke others and dissipate their excess vital blood through combat, while others chose “intercourse.” However, the former would retain a combative nature, and the latter would leave behind a trace of lewdness, both of which were detrimental to Daoists pursuing pure cultivation on their path to higher realms. Attached to the end of this strength technique was a Daoist scripture called “Severing All Selves,” which taught how to cut away these negative traits. Wei Yunshu’s expression changed.
The sound of surging water behind her announced Luo Lingfeng’s arrival. She held a jade slip in her hand, on which some Daoist scripture was inscribed. Wei Yunshu’s curiosity was piqued, but it vanished instantly. Her current concern was that if every cultivator who entered this place received a copy of the Daoist scripture and learned the method of “Severing All Selves” from the Heavenly Start Tablet, which they had not wanted others to see, what would happen? News from the Heavenly Start Tablet should have already been brought back to the peak of Buzhou by Fellow Daoist Ran Xiuyun. She wondered what the peak of Buzhou planned to do.
Wei Yunshu’s thoughts spun, and suddenly a gust of fragrant wind blew past her face. She became instantly alert and moved, narrowly dodging Luo Lingfeng’s intended approach.
Luo Lingfeng curled her lips into a smile and said leisurely, “The method of ‘Severing All Selves’ is indeed interesting, much easier than cultivating the heart. If passed on to the disciples of my sect, the sect’s combat power would certainly increase significantly.”
Wei Yunshu found it difficult to discern the truth in Luo Lingfeng’s words from her expression. After all her past illusions were shattered, her heart had finally grown cold, and she examined Luo Lingfeng as if she were a stranger. “Cultivating the heart eradicates external paths from the root, while ‘Severing All Selves’ cuts away greed and anger, but it cannot make them disappear. It is merely self-deception! With accumulated filth, who knows if it will breed evil or demons!” Wei Yunshu closed her eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid air, then reopened her bright, star-like eyes and stated definitively, “Disciples of Cloud City cannot cultivate it! Disciples of the orthodox Cultivation paths in the Fu Li Immortal Realm cannot cultivate it!”
“Everyone enters this secret realm, and everyone obtains a copy. How will you stop them? Can you stop them?” Luo Lingfeng sneered coldly, her eyes filled with mockery. “If I were a disciple of Buzhou, I would have killed everyone who entered this secret realm as soon as I discovered its potential connection to the Corridor of Sins!” Her words were filled with killing intent and chilling air, leaving no room for jest.
Wei Yunshu knew her current ferocity, so she did not argue with her, merely frowning and heading towards the corridor ahead.
Luo Lingfeng followed closely behind her and suddenly laughed, unhurriedly saying, “Even if the disciples of Buzhou wait at the exit and can erase the thoughts of the rogue cultivators, how will they deal with me? What if I insist on spreading the cultivation technique throughout Cloud City?”
Heaven’s will played tricks, hearts changed early, joys and sorrows were inconstant. Recalling past events, everywhere was filled with sadness and absurdity. The thorn embedded in Wei Yunshu’s heart had been removed, but the scar was periodically torn open, letting out copious amounts of blood! She suddenly turned her head. Her right horsetail whisk was gone, replaced by a sword six feet long, pointing at Luo Lingfeng.
Luo Lingfeng was stunned. After a moment, she threw her head back and laughed heartily, “With the power of the Taiyi, one can sever my avatars, deplete my vital essence, and extinguish a trace of my true spirit. However… Wei Yunshu, can you actually strike?” Three years ago, she had been pushed to such a point, yet she had abandoned her Dharma sword and willingly accepted death. What about now? After learning the old events, after tasting a myriad of hardships, had that soft heart become more compassionate, or had it hardened like iron? Luo Lingfeng’s face was filled with ferocity. She licked her lips and gazed gloomily at Wei Yunshu, “Don’t you think my actions are perfectly justified?”
Wei Yunshu’s thin lips were tightly pressed together. She lowered her eyelids, not responding.
Her sleeves fluttered in the wind, outlining a fiery, black-red flow of light, like the flames of karmic fire. Luo Lingfeng brazenly appraised Wei Yunshu, laughing somewhat maniacally. She moved swiftly, heading for the Taiyi Sword. Wei Yunshu knitted her brows and pushed Luo Lingfeng away with her left palm. But how could Luo Lingfeng retreat so easily? Within a few breaths, they had exchanged several blows, until sword light flew, dancing like silver light.
A line of blood seeped out, and a lock of snow-white hair fell.
Wei Yunshu clenched her palm, looking at Luo Lingfeng with an expressionless face, as if her restrained emotions had reached their limit.
Luo Lingfeng raised her hand to wipe the blood from her cheek, brought it to her lips, and gently licked it with her tongue, radiating a captivating charm. She said softly, “Come, let us kill each other.” Forget about “love”; that word is the most absurd in the world. The bustling human world comes for profit and goes for profit. How can those trapped in the mire not get stained by the mud?
Her gaze swept inch by inch over the Daoist robe, which resembled clouds and white snow. Luo Lingfeng could not control the malevolent thought of dragging Wei Yunshu down from the heavens. She had already fallen into the abyss; she did not want to see any more brilliance from the mortal world, so let everything in the world fall together!
“If you have come to your senses, then come to me and retrieve it.” Wei Yunshu’s voice was hoarse. She did not specify, but both of them knew what she meant. She was referring to the Sacred Heart that others coveted but Luo Lingfeng had cast aside. But even if she retrieved the Sacred Heart, could she return to how things were before? Could the hundred years of evil deeds be wiped clean? Wei Yunshu’s heart trembled. Even though she did not want to face it, an answer had formed in her heart. No one could turn back. A wave of weariness surged, almost engulfing her entirely.
“Don’t you want it?” Luo Lingfeng asked, her tone gradually rising, tinged with a hint of ferocity. “They all want it, why don’t you? Your body is incomplete, your soul is incomplete, relying on the Three Lights to stabilize your primordial spirit, but your spirit and body are separated. How far can you go? Aren’t you wholeheartedly pursuing the Great Dao? Then use that Sacred Heart! The attainment of the Dao fruit is within reach, and your Cloud Sovereign can then reveal yourself, tell them that you did not die at the hands of evil cultivators, but were killed by the person beside you! By the ungrateful Luo Lingfeng!”
“Stop it!” Wei Yunshu’s voice was sharp and stern. The peace had finally been broken by Luo Lingfeng’s aggressive demeanor. Wei Yunshu felt tired, but she couldn’t say she had too many regrets about her previous choices.
“Where is the Plain Dust Veil?” Wei Yunshu asked with a cold expression.
Luo Lingfeng, in a bad mood, caught a glimpse of mockery in her eyes upon hearing this and took out the true artifact, tossing it to Wei Yunshu.
Wei Yunshu caught the true artifact, as soft as silk, with her left hand, and the image of refining this Dharma artifact in the Underground Fire Celestial Furnace appeared in her eyes. At that time, she was happy, filled with joy. She personally inquired about Luo Lingfeng’s daily routines and movements, anticipating a perfect union as depicted in tales of mutual admiration. Her childhood had been difficult and impoverished, but she had met Luo Lingfeng, who was like a refreshing breeze, sweeping away all the unhappiness of those years.
In her memory, it wasn’t just the Luo Lingfeng of her childhood. Even though she had given up the idea of going to Luoshui Divine Palace to find her, she still paid attention to her, watching her grow into the Luoshui Divine Maiden praised by everyone. She had thought that after a brief separation, a grand reunion awaited her, just like the immortals in the swordsman stories Luo Lingfeng used to tell, dwelling in bliss with their Dao companions. Luo Lingfeng had shown her kindness, and in her later years, she could only see that kindness.
How had they gone astray?
Wei Yunshu lowered her eyes and saw a patch of dampness spreading on the Plain Dust Veil. She blinked, not getting lost in past memories. The Taiyi Sword had not been drawn, but the starlight around her shone brightly, and in an instant, hundreds of sword lights descended upon the Plain Dust Veil! Her sword cultivation had reached the stage of effortless control, specializing in the path of slaughter. Furthermore, the Plain Dust Veil was essentially ownerless, so with the grinding of starlight, in just a few breaths, it was ground into fragments by the sword energy and scattered in the wind.
“Our grievances and entanglements have been difficult to untangle for a long time, but what is the point of this stalemate?” Wei Yunshu’s voice was very soft. She did not want to pick out the causes and effects, nor did she want to clarify past events one by one. She was like a small boat in a vast ocean, searching for a shore to anchor. Looking up at Luo Lingfeng, the previous sternness was gone, replaced by a calmness like clouds. She sighed, as if releasing a hundred years of love and hate, and said lightly, “The fate has ended. You reside in Cloud City; go your own path to the heavens.”
Luo Lingfeng’s lips lost their faint smile. Emotions were churning within her, making it impossible to distinguish between disappointment, sorrow, unwillingness, or anger. “Path to the heavens?” Luo Lingfeng stared intently at Wei Yunshu and said coldly, “Why should I ascend?” She tried to find disappointment, regret, and other emotions on Wei Yunshu’s face, but at this moment, Wei Yunshu was like a still pool of deep water; even if the wind blew, there would be no ripples.
This was not what Luo Lingfeng wanted.
Her mood was unsettled. From countless chaotic thoughts, she abruptly pulled one out and uncontrollably magnified it, pushing all other thoughts aside. “Who knows if you are deliberately saying this! A single sentence of ‘fate has ended’ severs your ties with Cloud City? After receiving the help of Buzhou, will you not return to Cloud City to retrieve your body? Will you also take Cloud City, thus connecting the Western and Eastern Continents, and making them both belong to Buzhou?!” Luo Lingfeng’s tone was icy and sharp. Her eyes remained fixed on Wei Yunshu, and her thin lips squeezed out a few cold words, “You want to shake me off? You dream!”
Wei Yunshu: “…” Luo Lingfeng did not kill her, nor did she act to cut off all ties as she had previously predicted. But this was how she viewed her, without a shred of trust. Since neither intended to open their eyes and walk their separate paths, with different roads ahead, what was there to keep? She no longer replied, transforming into a swift light and flying towards the pavilion echoing with string music.
As soon as she entered, she saw humans and demons seated together, shoes and slippers intertwined, tables and plates in disarray.
The wind rushed towards her, carrying a strange fragrance. The starlight around Wei Yunshu twisted, dispelling the rich aroma that neared her. She focused her gaze. The demons seated there were both substantial and ethereal, all filled with vital energy. Demons like Hou Huan, whom she had encountered earlier, had their cultivation levels increased by one stage, clearly having cultivated some divine ability or marvelous technique. Wei Yunshu’s expression turned as dark as water, and she raised her hand, sending a lightning strike forward.
Hou Huan raised his hand and cast a spell, dispersing the lightning strike. He was not angry. He staggered to his feet, his face resembling that of Duke Mao, his eyes slightly glazed. He said with a smile, “What do you mean by this, fellow Daoist? Since you’ve come, why not sit with us and exchange Daoist techniques? However, I observe that you are not a strength cultivator, so our demon tribe’s techniques would be of no use to you. We are willing to exchange treasures for your Daoist texts.” By the end of his sentence, the greed in his eyes was unmasked!