After I Died My Dao Companion Drowns in Endless Regret Chapter 56

The Little Tai Sui, with its ten-thousand-year-old demonic body, was indestructible by any law. However, the True Nature Sword was ultimately a Dao artifact of killing. It was uncertain what the outcome would be if it were to strike. Wei Yunshu rubbed her forehead, not knowing why the Little Tai Sui and the True Nature Sword harbored such animosity. She reached out and pulled it back. The Little Tai Sui, angered by Wei Yunshu’s action, cursed at her with a series of chirps.
Suddenly, it sensed a sharp gaze fall upon it. The Little Tai Sui’s chirping stopped. It tilted its head, blinked its golden, bean-like eyes, and a look of innocence appeared on its furry face. After a “chirp,” it toppled straight into Wei Yunshu’s embrace, as if it had fainted.
True Nature poked the Little Tai Sui with her finger and said nonsensically, “It’s just like before, most skilled at feigning death.”
Wei Yunshu’s eyelids twitched. She did not respond and casually stuffed the Little Tai Sui back into her spirit beast bag. The gaze not far away was fixed on her, like thorns on her back. Wei Yunshu suppressed the emotions surging within her heart, not asking, nor turning back.
Sword light hung like the sun’s rays, and the dark night seemed to melt like winter snow under the sword energy. As the light passed, the cultivation techniques remembered by the cultivators within the secret realm were completely severed, and looks of confusion appeared on their faces. Two hours later, the disciples of Buzhou dispersed, leading the cultivators who had emerged from the secret realm. The Nascent Soul elders from various sects who had been intercepted outside were finally freed from their constraints and could fly into the forest.
Within the secret realm, there was only slaughter and bloodshed, and disciples from various sects suffered considerable losses. Even though they had been mentally prepared, seeing their proud disciples not emerge caused the Nascent Soul elders’ hearts to sink. They cast cold glances at the serene Shi Wufang. An elder from the Wen family flicked his sleeve and unleashed a divine ability, enveloping the disciples of Xiaohan Mountain. “I have received your teachings this time!” the Nascent Soul elder said sternly, then leaped into the air. The other two Nascent Soul True Monarchs from Luoshui Divine Palace also left with their disciples. However, the two Daoists from Cloud City stood in mid-air, exchanged glances, and saw shock in each other’s eyes.
Luo Lingfeng had been searching for people who resembled Cloud Sovereign, but many were only similar to the portrait, like clay figurines. However, seeing the person standing with the disciples of Buzhou today… their eyelids couldn’t help but twitch. Her spirit was pure, her bones refined, and her aura profound like the sea, at least at the same Nascent Soul realm as them. They had never heard of such a figure at the peak of Buzhou before.
Could it be that Cloud Sovereign had not died at all? Instead of Luo Lingfeng going mad as they had thought? But that corpse had clearly been sealed by Luo Lingfeng in the forbidden area of Cloud City.
Seeing the elders of the two families’ gazes fixed on Wei Yunshu, Luo Lingfeng felt a hint of dissatisfaction. Her eyes darkened, and the Abyssal heavy water leaped beside her, emitting faint thunderous sounds. She said softly, “The secret realm is full of life-and-death crises. Shouldn’t the two elders take their disciples back? Are you planning to camp out in the wind?”
The humid aura approached her face, carrying a bone-chilling coldness in the night wind. The bodies of the two elders trembled, and they both regained their senses. They suppressed the doubts churning within their hearts, refraining from looking at Wei Yunshu again. Their gazes swept over the disciples. Daoist Chu’s brows suddenly furrowed, and he opened his mouth to say, “The Su family’s—” Before he could finish, his throat felt as if it were pressed by a weapon. He had originally intended to ask about Su Yun Tian’s whereabouts, as his life plaque had not shattered. But the remaining half of the sentence could not be uttered. Daoist Chu’s face turned red, his gaze darted around, and finally, he met Luo Lingfeng’s unfathomable, silent eyes. A chill climbed his spine, and he trembled uncontrollably.
The other Daoist from Cloud City did not notice Daoist Chu’s anomaly. Instead, he cupped his hands towards Luo Lingfeng and asked, “Does True Monarch not intend to return to Cloud City with us?”
Luo Lingfeng replied casually, “I still have matters to attend to.”
The Daoist’s gaze shifted between Luo Lingfeng and Wei Yunshu, finally showing a look of sudden realization. He cupped his hands and then swept up the disciples of Cloud City, leaving without a word.
By the time the four sides became empty, the sky was just beginning to show a faint silver-gray hue.
“Eldest Senior Sister, everyone has been dispersed,” Xie Zhichao mused for a moment, then added, “We can’t rule out any stragglers. We should send some people to remain here.”
Shi Wufang nodded and said gently, “That is only right.” Without looking at her fellow disciples, her gaze fell upon Luo Lingfeng, who stood with her arms crossed, a smile on her lips. Seeing this avatar of hers, the warning bells in her heart had not ceased. She didn’t know what conflict existed between this person and Cloud Sovereign, but since Cloud Sovereign had come to Buzhou incognito, she was a friend of Buzhou, and Buzhou Peak could not be unrighteous towards its friends. Just as she was about to find a reason to send Wei Yunshu away, a faint laugh reached her ears. It was Luo Lingfeng, slowly approaching.
As she brushed past Wei Yunshu, Luo Lingfeng paused her steps, but she didn’t say much, only leaving behind a light, pleasant laugh before walking past her, leaving behind only a breeze carrying a cold fragrance.
Luo Lingfeng played with a transmission jade slip in her hand and directly asked, “When will people from Luoshui Divine Palace and Dustless Sea arrive?” She was a Cavern Heaven True Monarch, representing Cloud City. The True Nature Sword would not erase her memories.
Shi Wufang’s expression turned solemn and grave, saying, “Invitations have already been sent. In a few days, True Monarchs from Dustless Sea and Luoshui Divine Palace will arrive. However, I must ask True Monarch Luo to be our guest at Buzhou for a few days.”
Luo Lingfeng raised her eyebrows. She showed no intention of refusing and smiled slightly, saying, “Then I will trouble you.” After a moment of thought, she took out the half-volume “Shang Qing Secret Record” from her sleeve and said, “I obtained this from an evil cultivator of the Corridor of Sins. Perhaps Fellow Daoist can take a look.”
Shi Wufang reached out and accepted the “Shang Qing Secret Record.” As she saw the two free-flowing seal characters of “Shang Qing,” her pupils suddenly contracted. She didn’t know how much Luo Lingfeng knew, but since she had produced this secret record, before the Daoist friends from various sects arrived, they at Buzhou would have to discuss the matter of “Shang Qing,” and Luo Lingfeng was indispensable. Her emotions churned, but Shi Wufang quickly calmed down. She solemnly bowed to Luo Lingfeng and said, “Thank you, True Monarch.”
“You’re welcome,” Luo Lingfeng replied with a smile. Her eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings gently brushing by, casting a shadow. She looked at Shi Wufang and then slowly said, “There are many secret techniques in the Fu Li Immortal Realm. Perhaps there are indeed people hidden away, avoiding the illumination of the True Nature Sword. Several disciples of my Cloud City have unbroken life plaques, but their whereabouts are unknown. I plan to wait here until noon.”
Sending back the elders of the two families and waiting for her own disciples, was it truly out of concern for them? Or did she have another plan? Shi Wufang pondered silently, her expression remaining unchanged. “I will report this matter to my Master, and I must return to Buzhou.” Shi Wufang said, gesturing to Ran Xiuyun not far away, and gently instructed, “Junior Sister Ran, Ancestor True Nature will temporarily stay here. The remaining matters will be decided by you.”
Ran Xiuyun hurriedly replied, “Yes.”
Shi Wufang meticulously instructed her on every detail, then flicked her sleeve and stepped onto the magnificent and imposing flying carriage. The ferocious demonic dragons raised their heads and roared. Spiritual energy surged around them, and within a few breaths, they vanished into the clouds without a trace.
Sunrise over the mountains.
The sharp sword intent and the thin morning mist on the plains all dissipated.
Xie Zhichao stood beside Wei Yunshu. Sensing Luo Lingfeng’s probing gaze fixed on her, she stiffened, unable to move. She tugged at Wei Yunshu’s sleeve, covered her mouth, and yawned, saying, “Fellow Daoist Bo, shall we return to Buzhou too?” The battles within the secret realm had been incessant, and she was extremely exhausted. She needed to return to her cave mansion to recuperate.
Wei Yunshu came to her senses and softly replied.
She transformed into a streak of light with Xie Zhichao and headed towards the peak of Buzhou, without looking back at Luo Lingfeng from beginning to end.
Luo Lingfeng turned her head, gazing in the direction Wei Yunshu had departed. Before her eyes, only the clouds and mist dyed red by the morning sun remained, vibrant and brilliant.
But such beauty would soon pass, just like the countless nights in her memory.
Luo Lingfeng smiled to herself. She ignored the disciples of Buzhou Peak and walked slowly forward.
In the wild forest, leaves rustled in the wind. Sunlight cast through the gaps in the foliage onto the ground, like flickering fragments of gold.
A light cough sounded, followed by a figure crashing to the ground. The birds in the forest were startled and took flight in a flurry.
The person who fell to the ground was a young cultivator. He paid no mind to wiping the blood from his lips, merely staring blankly at the shrunken “treasure boat” in his palm. Most of its restrictions were destroyed, and it had long lost its spiritual energy. “Forget it, no need to return it.” The cultivator chuckled softly, tossing the damaged “A Reed Can Cross the Sea” to the ground. With a flip of his wrist, two jade slips of different appearances appeared in his palm.
This cultivator was Su Yun Tian, who had been the first to enter the hall. He remembered obtaining a Dao technique in the palace, but soon after, he was teleported out. He had intended to leave with the items, but everywhere he went, he encountered sword light. He felt as if he himself had been struck by a sword. However, upon internal examination of his Golden Core, there was no trace of sword intent. Su Yun Tian felt something was amiss. Fortunately, his Su family possessed a secret technique called “Su Ben Bu Mi,” which could project one’s past onto a jade slip. However, the direct lineage disciples considered this secret technique to be useless. In the entire Su family, only he had managed to cultivate it.
After pondering for a moment, just as Su Yun Tian was about to focus his mind on the jade slip, he suddenly heard a creaking sound. Su Yun Tian’s head shot up like a startled bird, his eyes filled with vigilance. He subtly put away the jade slip and looked towards the direction of the noise.
A few breaths later, water light surged, and a vast water tide rushed forward, even more boisterous. Within the misty water vapor, an illusory figure condensed from pure light stood silently on the water.
Su Yun Tian’s eyelids twitched. He stood up and bowed respectfully towards the front, saying, “True Monarch Luo.”
Luo Lingfeng gazed deeply at him and said indifferently, “Give me the transmission jade slips you obtained from the secret realm.”
Su Yun Tian’s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists. After a moment of silence, he said, “After I return to Cloud City, I will transcribe a copy of the jade slip and place it in the library.” Historically, all gains from secret realm trials belonged to the cultivators themselves, not the sects. If one was willing to transcribe a copy of a cultivation technique, they could exchange it for merit points to acquire magic artifacts and Dao scriptures. However, very few people actually did this. After all, aristocratic families had their own businesses and industries and did not lack cultivation resources.
Luo Lingfeng said meaningfully, “Will you still return to Cloud City?” Her tone was flat, like cold water flowing under ice. She raised a finger and gently pointed, sending a drop of Abyssal heavy water rushing towards Su Yun Tian. Su Yun Tian, already injured, chanted several incantations, but his protective treasures seemed like paper, instantly pierced by the Abyssal heavy water. He was sent flying backward, falling heavily to the ground. A moment later, he struggled to stand up, bright red blood slowly flowing down his face. His once refined face was smeared with blood, making him look utterly disheveled. With a thud, he knelt on the ground, his face blank. He bowed his forehead to the loamy earth, his hands raised high, holding a jade slip shimmering with spiritual light.
“Do you hate me?” Luo Lingfeng floated down gracefully. With a flick of her hand, a surge of energy forced Su Yun Tian to raise his head. The ferocity and coldness in his eyes met Luo Lingfeng head-on. However, Luo Lingfeng did not get angry. She slowly took the transmission jade slip from Su Yun Tian’s palm and smiled, “That’s more like it. You should hate me.” Saying this, she swept her sleeve, as if discarding trash, pushing Su Yun Tian away. She paid no attention to the sharp hatred gradually accumulating in his eyes, laughing heartily and walking away with a flick of her sleeve.
Extreme pain spread through Su Yun Tian’s limbs. He curled up his body, his fingers clenched tightly, his gaps filled with soil and dirt. He lay prostrate without a word until the rumbling sound faded. He slowly stood up, but before he could leave this area, he encountered disciples of Buzhou. They held their magic swords resolutely and were searching for the transmission jade slips obtained from the secret realm. Su Yun Tian pondered for a while, his gaze darkening. He frankly admitted, “True Monarch Luo has already taken it.” The disciples of Buzhou did not quite believe Su Yun Tian’s words and insisted on taking him to Ran Xiuyun. The anger suppressed in Su Yun Tian’s heart grew even more intense. He exhaled, then pressed it down.
When Su Yun Tian was brought before Ran Xiuyun, Luo Lingfeng also arrived at the same place. The vast and unrestrained water tide roared, spreading forward. Wisps of light shimmered, setting off Luo Lingfeng, making her appear distant, yet upon closer inspection, she seemed to be right before them. Su Yun Tian’s heart trembled, but Luo Lingfeng didn’t even cast a glance his way.
Ran Xiuyun, however, glanced at Su Yun Tian, who had his head bowed, and smiled, raising her eyebrows, “True Monarch Luo has already retrieved the jade slips.” She signaled to her fellow disciples and handed Su Yun Tian Cloud Sand and pills, saying, “We of Buzhou will not mistreat fellow Daoists.”
Su Yun Tian sneered inwardly. He did not push the items away. After collecting the Cloud Sand and pills, he bowed to Luo Lingfeng and left the place impatiently, launching his escape light and vanishing a hundred miles away in the blink of an eye. Compared to the transmission jade slips, the jade slip containing the “Su Ben Bu Mi” Dao technique was clearly more important. He needed to find a quiet place to fill the emptiness in his heart. Su Yun Tian thought to himself, but after only half an hour of travel, he saw a ferocious-looking Daoist standing in mid-air above the clouds, cupping his hands in a salute.
“It’s you?” Su Yun Tian had seen this person in the secret realm. At that time, he was killing immortal sect cultivators, intercepting their obtained spiritual pills and herbs, and this Daoist had witnessed it. He had initially harbored killing intent and wanted to deal with this Daoist as well, but the Daoist remained silent and joined his ranks. There was a tacit understanding between them. Su Yun Tian estimated their cultivation levels and knew it would be extremely difficult to defeat this person, so he abandoned that thought.
“Where is Brother Daoist heading?” the Daoist asked, bowing.
Su Yun Tian’s face turned grim, he did not reply. He had no intention of returning to Cloud City. He had damaged the “A Reed Can Cross the Sea,” and he was sure to be punished by his clan. However, he had not thought about where to go after leaving Cloud City.
Seeing that he did not answer, the Daoist raised the corner of his lips, revealing a meaningful smile, “If you want to avoid certain people, besides the Sunset Burial Mounds, there is only The Northern Continent. Logically, we all prefer the Sunset Burial Mounds, but it is currently occupied by Blood Thorns. You are likely aware of the recent situation. How about you accompany me to The Northern Continent? What do you say?”
Su Yun Tian pondered for a moment and readily agreed.
Ten days later.
After Ran Xiuyun confirmed that there were no cultivators in the vicinity, she followed Shi Wufang’s instructions and placed several formation discs, completely blocking the spiritual energy from all four directions. After completing this, she led the disciples of Buzhou back to report. Luo Lingfeng was also among the accompanying group. Ran Xiuyun had no past dealings with this Luoshui Divine Maiden, and moreover, she exuded an unidentifiable, strange aura, so she had no intention of speaking to her. The journey was silent until they reached the foot of Buzhou Mountain. Ran Xiuyun looked up and saw a stream of clouds. Upon it sat a refined Daoist wearing a bamboo hat and a straw cloak, holding a fishing rod. Her heart gave a slight jolt, and she quickly bowed respectfully towards the front, saying, “Disciple greets Master.”
This Daoist was another Cavern Heaven of Buzhou, with the Daoist name “Yuan Fu.” He raised his sleeve, signaling Ran Xiuyun to rise. His clear and sharp gaze fell upon Luo Lingfeng, and he performed a courtesy as an equal before saying, “Senior Sister is currently in seclusion. If there are any discourtesies, I hope True Monarch Luo will forgive them.”
Luo Lingfeng raised her sleeve in return and smiled, saying, “This time, it is Luo who has troubled you.”
True Monarch Yuan Fu waved his hands repeatedly, saying, “Not at all, not at all.” He then turned to Ran Xiuyun and instructed, “Xiuyun, you may take your junior brothers and sisters back to rest first. You have all worked hard this time. As for True Monarch Luo, I will entertain her.”
Ran Xiuyun could not have asked for more. She respectfully replied, “Yes.”
After Luo Lingfeng and True Monarch Yuan Fu’s figures departed, she straightened up and smiled at her fellow disciples, saying, “Each of you may return to your respective places. I still need to visit Eldest Senior Sister to return the True Nature Sword.”
Sword energy filled the air, and escape lights tore through the sky, leaving behind streaks of brilliant traces. High mountains and deep valleys, numerous palaces towered. In less than fifteen minutes, Ran Xiuyun arrived before the Xuan Zhen Hall on Heavenly Forger Peak. After greeting the two children guarding the entrance, she entered the hall.
Inside the Xuan Zhen Hall, not only Shi Wufang was present, but Xie Zhichao, Wei Yunshu, Ying Yue, and Elder Xun Huan were all seated behind the bronze table. Ran Xiuyun greeted Shi Wufang and then released a beam of golden light from her body, which transformed into a powdered jade-carved female child upon hitting the ground. As soon as she appeared, Shi Wufang and the others all rose and bowed.
True Nature, however, waved her hand impatiently, clearly disliking these courtesies.
Ran Xiuyun found an empty seat and sat down.
Shi Wufang composed herself and continued discussing the five Divine Lords mentioned in the secret realm, whose names were the same as the primordial demons of the Corridor of Sins. Having obtained the “Shang Qing Secret Record” from Luo Lingfeng, she had also flipped through it. However, regarding the relationship between the Shang Qing Divine Realm and the Fu Li Immortal Realm, she still could not find any clues.
True Nature rested her chin on her hand, her eyes originally closed in concentration. After a long while, she suddenly interrupted Shi Wufang’s speculations and asked, “What about that little black bird? Did it say anything?”
Wei Yunshu knew she was referring to the Little Tai Sui and shook her head, saying, “Since it appeared, it has been sleeping most of the time, and it doesn’t remember much about the past.”
“I see,” True Nature’s eyes flickered. She then said crisply, “The past of the Fu Li Immortal Realm six thousand years ago was erased by the Four Sect Founders together, who did not wish for future generations to know. Originally, I didn’t want to tell you, but the appearance of that little black bird and the secret realm signifies that things have changed, and I am compelled to speak.” Saying this, True Nature’s voice suddenly stopped. She sighed, and a trace of melancholy appeared on her young, immature face, her eyes harboring a sense of worldly vicissitudes.
Shi Wufang’s expression turned solemn. Seeing that True Nature’s attitude had softened slightly, she immediately bowed to her and said respectfully, “Please, Ancestor, tell us the truth.”
True Nature gazed deeply at her and said solemnly, “You should think carefully. Knowing those things may not necessarily be a good thing.”
Shi Wufang said earnestly, “Heaven’s secrets have changed. We should prepare early.”
“Very well,” True Nature nodded. Her expression turned stern, and she uttered a sentence, “The six Divine Lords you saw in the secret realm are all primordial gods born from heaven’s decree in the chaos since the beginning of heaven and earth! They are the only six Imperial Lords in the Shang Qing Divine Realm! Wu Xiang Venerable Tai Sui, Tian Nu Venerable Yong He, Xuan Qing Venerable Chao Ling, Tian Yuan Venerable Qiong Sang, Wu Shi Venerable Dragon Ancestor Ji Jun, Wu Shou Venerable Rahu. Except for Tai Sui, who is formless in chaos, the other five each control one Dao, forming the number of the five elements.”
“The five primordial demons of the Corridor of Sins in The Northern Continent took their titles for their own use. They are not them, but they can also be said to be them!”
Seeing the looks of horror and surprise on everyone’s faces, True Nature continued coldly, “Let me first explain the origin of the Fu Li Immortal Realm. It is not an independent small realm, but a piece cut from the Shang Qing Divine Realm by the combined efforts of the Four Sect Founders! They used supreme Dao techniques to isolate it from the Shang Qing Divine Realm. However, it is ultimately a broken continent. Although the spiritual energy appears abundant and complete, it is impossible to ascend further once one reaches the Dao Fruit realm. The final ascendants must return to the Shang Qing Divine Realm. Therefore, it is not wrong to describe the relationship between the Shang Qing Divine Realm and the Fu Li Immortal Realm as an upper and lower realm.”
Shi Wufang furrowed her brows and asked, “Are the Four Sect Founders also from the Shang Qing Divine Realm? Why did they cut off the Fu Li Immortal Realm?”
True Nature replied, “The Founder of Cloud City, Yun Huai; the Founder of Dustless Sea, Si Jun; the Founder of Luoshui Divine Palace, Luo Wu Qing; and our Founder of Buzhou, Sang Bu Wei, were all from the Shang Qing Divine Realm. As they resided in Gan Yuan region, they were known as the Four Lords of Gan Yuan. As for why they cut off the Fu Li Immortal Realm…” True Nature’s voice gradually became softer. After a moment, she answered with a non-sequitur, “Didn’t you obtain Daoist texts from over six thousand years ago in the secret realm? It contains a technique, which is the fundamental law of the Shang Qing Divine Realm.”
Wei Yunshu, who had been listening quietly, slowly uttered three words: “Severing All Selves.”