After I Died My Dao Companion Drowns in Endless Regret Chapter 57

Within the secret realm, the Daoist techniques recorded on the transmission jade slips were profound and could lead to the Great Dao. However, all those techniques were based on “Severing All Selves,” thus lacking “cultivating the heart.” For cultivators, after severing all selves, what remained would be a pure, refined, and untainted “One.” But the problem lay in the fact that those “all selves” did not disappear completely. Over time, who knew what they would become.
True Nature smiled, glanced at Wei Yunshu, and continued, “It is indeed related to ‘Severing All Selves.’ Everything began with the six deities from the Shang Qing Divine Realm. What they cultivated was the marvelous Dao of ‘severing all selves to perfect the One.'”
“What would happen to the parts that were severed and remained in the Shang Qing Divine Realm?” Xie Zhichao furrowed her brows, very confused. Even they could see the flaws in the cultivation techniques, let alone those six deities. Why didn’t they change their course?
True Nature said, “Everyone in the Shang Qing Divine Realm practices the method of ‘Severing All Selves.’ Those severed ‘non-selves’ that are not acknowledged fall into a realm called ‘Gui Xu.’ That realm is rather special; it is the void of the Great Dao. In its cyclical repetition, it can wear away the severed ‘non-selves.’ However, in doing so, those near that place suffer.”
“Over six thousand years ago, the Four Lords of Gan Yuan proposed the ‘method of cultivating the heart,’ allowing their disciples to switch to this Dao, abandoning ‘Severing All Selves.’ Cultivation scriptures are constantly evolving, but in the past, ‘everything remained within its origin.’ This time, however, it touched upon the fundamental law of the Shang Qing Divine Realm, naturally angering those Divine Lords. They were banished to ‘Gui Xu’ and serve as its guardians.”
Xie Zhichao asked with confusion, “Why did those Divine Lords try to stop them?”
Before True Nature could answer, Wei Yunshu’s voice rang out. She said gently, “Because ‘Severing All Selves’ is also their fundamental law?”
True Nature nodded, “The Great Dao they attained is closely related to the entire Shang Qing Divine Realm. Although they are born deities, they still attained the imperial position through transmitting the Dao. If the Dao were to change below, their Cultivation path would naturally become obscured and invisible. Due to Gui Xu, severing all selves in the Shang Qing Divine Realm is a bit troublesome, but it wouldn’t cause significant harm to the divine realm, so people in the divine realm wouldn’t and are unwilling to change. Frankly, it’s a dispute over their respective Daos.”
Xie Zhichao asked again, “What happened after the Four Founders were banished?”
True Nature remained silent for a moment, then said, “They diligently cultivated in Gui Xu and finally found an opportunity. The four of them joined forces to sever the vast Gui Xu from the Shang Qing Divine Realm, and using supreme secret methods, they made it move far away from the Shang Qing Divine Realm, hidden in a place unseen by the Shang Qing Divine Realm, and renamed it ‘Fuli,’ which is the continent where we are now located.”
“As for the Northern Continent of the Fu Li Immortal Realm, you should be able to guess. The five primordial demons are formed from the ‘non-selves’ that the Divine Lords of the Shang Qing Divine Realm severed from themselves, hence they share the same titles as those five Divine Lords.” True Nature thought for a moment, and not waiting for Xie Zhichao and the others to ask, she continued, “The reason our ancestors erased traces of the divine realm was out of concern that future generations would communicate with the divine realm. Then, the Fu Li Immortal Realm would be found by the Shang Qing Divine Realm and continue to be their ‘garbage dump.'”
Shi Wufang pondered for a while and said slowly, “If the place where our immortal sect seniors ascended is the Shang Qing Divine Realm, wouldn’t they be discovered by the other side?”
True Nature glanced at Shi Wufang and nodded, saying “Yes.” She then added, “Therefore, after the Four Founders established their sects and passed down their Dao techniques, they returned to the Shang Qing Divine Realm. They set up formations in Gan Yuan region to guide their descendants, not wanting to be discovered by the Shang Qing Divine Realm.”
Wei Yunshu furrowed her brows and asked, “The Fu Li Immortal Realm has not seen any cultivators attain Dao Fruit and ascend for three thousand years. Is it because something went wrong there?”
True Nature replied, “Three thousand years ago, the five primordial demons of the Northern Continent awakened and intended to attack our immortal sect. This was indeed because the Shang Qing Divine Realm had found traces related to the immortal realm. Afterward, Gan Yuan sealed the heavenly gate tightly, temporarily cutting off the path of interaction with cultivators. Because of Sang Bu Wei, I was able to obtain some news from time to time over the past three thousand years. However, two hundred years ago, Gan Yuan completely fell silent, and I don’t know the current situation.”
“If the Fu Li Immortal Realm were without anomalies, I would have kept this information hidden. But that is no longer the case. The method of ‘Severing All Selves’ has been leaked. While you deal with the Northern Continent, you must also prepare to face the Shang Qing Divine Realm from beyond the heavens.” True Nature said, shaking her head and sighing.
Wei Yunshu suddenly stood up and bowed to True Nature, saying, “I still have one question to ask Senior.”
True Nature avoided her gaze, smiled enchantingly at Wei Yunshu, and said, “Speak.”
Wei Yunshu asked in confusion, “There are six primordial gods, but only five in the Northern Continent. Did one get missed?” If that were the case, they would have to re-evaluate the strength of the Corridor of Sins. A hint of coldness lingered in her heart, and her cheeks became stern.
True Nature seemed momentarily lost upon hearing this. After a long while, she said, “That one in the Wu Xiang Heavenly Domain, Wu Xiang, is the embodiment of everything and nothing. Only Sang Bu Wei had some connection with her, but for some reason, she rarely mentioned it. As for the other three, they didn’t know much about Tai Sui either. All they knew was that this one was born without form and did not practice the method of severing all selves like the other five deities, nor did they reveal any evil aura, naturally having no evil thoughts manifest.”
Wei Yunshu breathed a sigh of relief. If the Corridor of Sins suddenly gained a primordial demon, the pressure on the immortal sect would greatly increase. Fortunately, it was not such a dire situation. She composed herself and then asked, “What about the Little Tai Sui—” The Little Black Bird and the True Nature Sword didn’t interact much, but judging from their mutual “fighting” from the moment they met, they must have known each other thousands of years ago!
“It ah…” True Nature drew out her words and chuckled, “It’s a bold name-thief, a foolish little pendant. No need to worry about it for now.” True Nature covered her mouth and yawned. A trace of weariness appeared on her childish face. She didn’t say anything more and transformed into a beam of golden light, disappearing into the True Nature Sword.
The hall suddenly became quiet.
After a long time, Shi Wufang said, “If the Shang Qing Divine Realm discovers the Fu Li Immortal Realm, I fear there will be no place for us to remain.”
“But what should we do?” Ran Xiuyun’s face showed a trace of worry. Not to mention the dangers outside, they had no way to completely deal with the five primordial demons in the Northern Continent who were immortal. “Besides strengthening our defenses, there seems to be nothing else we can do.”
“The superior Dao is to attack the Shang Qing, and destroy those who threaten our Cultivation path, leaving none alive.” Xie Zhichao stood up, her words resonant and filled with killing intent. But soon, she wilted, her expression listless, and said weakly, “But our cultivation is limited. We cannot reach the Dao Fruit realm, and we cannot break through that final gate.”
Shi Wufang said slowly, “This matter still needs to be discussed with my Master and Grandmaster.” She took a deep breath, composing herself, and said, “What we need to resolve now is still matters related to the secret realm. In a few days, the sect leaders of various sects will come to Buzhou. We need to give them an explanation for what happened in the secret realm.”
Ran Xiuyun asked, “Should we tell them the truth?”
Shi Wufang furrowed her brows and pondered for a moment, then said gently, “What do you all think?”
Xie Zhichao said without thinking, “The matters the Fu Li Immortal Realm has to face are a shared responsibility. They should know.”
“But we cannot guarantee that they will be as united with us as Buzhou is, Junior Sister Xie,” Ran Xiuyun sighed. In the past, the ancestors deliberately erased the history related to the divine realm out of fear that future generations would collude with the divine realm. Must they still not fear this now? “Luoshui Divine Palace has Luo Hengjun, who colluded with the Corridor of Sins. The demon cultivators from Dustless Sea are inherently unstable in their nature. As for Cloud City…” Ran Xiuyun paused, glanced at Wei Yunshu, furrowed her brows, and said slowly, “Cloud City, frankly speaking, is in a state of disarray. The aristocratic families may not be united.”
Wei Yunshu said, “There’s no need to mention the matter of the Shang Qing Divine Realm. We should focus on resolving the issue of the cultivation techniques in the secret realm.”
Ran Xiuyun suggested, “Let’s simply claim that the secret realm is related to the Northern Continent, and the cultivation techniques and Daoist texts within are all evil items. After this matter is resolved, we can see the attitudes of the various sects.”
Shi Wufang’s brows furrowed, a faint worry clouding her expression. She said, “It would be a pity to destroy those Daoist texts.”
“They cannot be destroyed,” Wei Yunshu said seriously. “If the Shang Qing Divine Realm finds this place, we will inevitably clash with them. And these Daoist texts will help us understand their cultivation techniques.”
Xie Zhichao stated with certainty, “If all of them are kept at Buzhou Peak, those people will surely not be convinced.”
Shi Wufang smiled gently, “When the True Monarchs from the various sects arrive, they will know how to handle it.”
After discussing in the hall for a while, everyone dispersed.
However, by the time they emerged, it was already late. A lonely moon hung on the cliff, its chilly moonlight illuminating the rustling grass and trees in the wind. Clouds spread like light gauze across the sky, occasionally revealing a few stars peeking through the thin clouds, twinkling with a solitary light. Wei Yunshu walked along the mountain path with her hands behind her back, her steps light. The moonlight and starlight fell upon her wide, flowing white robes, shimmering with radiance, as if an invisible brush were sketching her.
Wei Yunshu felt refreshed, her breathing naturally following the rhythm of nature. As her cultivation circulated, the starlight around her grew brighter. Her figure gradually blurred, as if merging into this ball of starlight and jade mist. Suddenly, Wei Yunshu sensed two sharp, scorching gazes falling upon her. She frowned slightly, flicked her long sleeve, and dispersed the surrounding starlight. She turned to find the source of the gazes and saw a familiar figure in a mountain pavilion not far away. She lowered her head, her fingers resting carelessly on the strings of a zither, plucking it lightly, producing a resonant sound like tearing silk.
The events of the secret realm had not been entirely resolved, and Luo Lingfeng was an informed party. Wei Yunshu was not surprised to encounter her here. She did not linger for long. After clearly identifying the figure, she silently withdrew her gaze and continued to climb the mountain path. Her mood was not entirely pleasant. The past events were tangled into an unsolvable knot. She had chosen to cast them all aside, but the memories remained, and without forgetting, the pain and melancholy would not diminish. How could she not feel sorrow for such a fate?
“Senior Sister Bo, Senior Sister Bo.” Lighthearted laughter broke Wei Yunshu’s reverie. Following the sound, Wei Yunshu turned her gaze towards Ying Yue, who was several feet away. She leaped down from a shimmering flying sword, like a happy butterfly flitting through a flower garden, full of vigor and joy, and rushed towards Wei Yunshu. The slight gloom and unhappiness in Wei Yunshu’s heart were instantly swept away by Ying Yue’s brilliant smile, vanishing like smoke.
Ying Yue initially addressed Wei Yunshu as “Fellow Daoist,” occasionally mixing in titles like “Elder.” But by this point, she had completely switched to calling her “Senior Sister.” She gazed at Wei Yunshu, her beautiful eyes sparkling with smiles. She didn’t continue speaking but curiously and with a hint of surprise, looked at Wei Yunshu.
“Junior Sister Ying,” Wei Yunshu said with a smile in her eyes, greeting Ying Yue and allowing her to examine her.
After a long while, Ying Yue sighed with emotion and said, “You look so alike!” As soon as the words fell, she realized her mistake, quickly covered her mouth, and apologized to Wei Yunshu, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Senior Sister Bo, I didn’t mean to mistake you for someone else.”
Wei Yunshu was not the type to get angry with Ying Yue over such a small matter. She smiled and said, “It’s alright.” After a pause, she blinked and asked, “Does Junior Sister Ying like Cloud Sovereign very much?”
“Yes!” Ying Yue nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining with brilliant, fervent light.
Wei Yunshu raised her eyebrows and asked, “Is it because of her strength?”
Ying Yue smiled, “Buzhou disciples admire the strong. I won’t deny that. But more than that, it’s because of Cloud Sovereign’s resilience and kindness. There are many legends about Cloud Sovereign in the mortal world. I’ve collected a whole box of storybooks alone. Fellow Daoist Bo, would you like to see them? Some of them I think are quite good, let me tell you…” As soon as she started talking about Cloud Sovereign, Ying Yue’s mouth couldn’t stop, chattering endlessly.
Wei Yunshu smiled gently, listening attentively to Ying Yue’s narration and occasionally agreeing with a few words. Some of the stories in the books were her own creations, but others were fabricated by the authors, simply using the name “Cloud Sovereign” to tell tales of a sword immortal who was omnipotent and omniscient, slaying demons and eliminating evil. When she was young, listening to Luo Lingfeng tell these stories, she also yearned for the name of a sword immortal. Now that this matter had come to fruition, she had finally become the sword immortal spoken of by mortals.
“The tales of slaying demons and eliminating evil are exciting, but Cloud Sovereign’s ending is truly regrettable,” Ying Yue said with a look of regret when she spoke of Cloud Sovereign’s death. Her topic shifted very quickly, and the next sentence mentioned Luo Lingfeng, “Cloud Sovereign and the Luoshui Divine Maiden’s love story was so deeply entangled. Why didn’t it have a good ending? Perhaps Cloud Sovereign’s primordial spirit hasn’t dissipated yet? I really wish to see a happy ending.” By the last sentence, Ying Yue’s face was filled with anticipation and longing.
Wei Yunshu said gently, “But the moon waxes and wanes, and imperfection is the norm in the world. Perhaps the stories in the books depict their best ending.”
Ying Yue furrowed her brows and hesitated for a moment, saying, “But I think True Monarch Luo wouldn’t think that way. If she could let go, she wouldn’t be searching everywhere for people who resemble Cloud Sovereign. Although this behavior is somewhat inappropriate.”
Wei Yunshu lowered her eyelids and said, “The living only suffer. It’s meaningless to dwell on these things now.”
Ying Yue felt something was amiss. She looked up at Wei Yunshu blankly. Just as she was trying to sort out her chaotic thoughts, a cold voice reached her ears.
“Why is it meaningless?”
Ying Yue turned her head and saw Luo Lingfeng standing in the night wind, her sleeves fluttering like black-red flames.
Her eyelids twitched, and an inexplicable sense of warning arose in her heart. She subtly took a step back, her gaze shifting between Wei Yunshu and Luo Lingfeng, as if watching a confrontation between fire and water.
“Mmm, it is meaningful,” Wei Yunshu nodded, not wanting to engage in further pointless conversation with Luo Lingfeng.
Luo Lingfeng smiled coldly. She no longer appeared aggressive, but instead gazed intently at Ying Yue, curling her lips. She said leisurely, “Little Fellow Daoist Ying, if you want to know about Cloud Sovereign’s past, you might as well ask me. After all, I spent fifty years with Cloud Sovereign day and night, so I know a little about her character.”
Ying Yue’s eyes widened upon hearing this, but she did not rashly agree. After a moment, she puffed out her cheeks and shook her head, saying, “This is not appropriate.”
Luo Lingfeng raised her hand to stroke the white hair cascading onto her shoulders, her smile deepening. Wei Yunshu turned her head, her cold gaze falling upon Luo Lingfeng, carrying a hint of defensiveness. It didn’t matter how Luo Lingfeng treated her, but she couldn’t allow her to harm the disciples of Buzhou. She had appeared deranged before, but her current gentle demeanor—besides the word “abnormal,” Wei Yunshu could think of nothing else.
“The moonlight is truly beautiful,” Luo Lingfeng smiled as she looked at Ying Yue and said softly, “It’s getting late, isn’t it?”
Ying Yue was startled. Not hearing Wei Yunshu’s reply, she belatedly reacted, covering her forehead and sighing, “I still have homework tomorrow, Senior Sister Bo, True Monarch Luo. I’ll take my leave now.” With that, she hastily summoned her flying sword, leaped onto it, and transformed into a silver streak, disappearing into the night.
Why would the moonlight be not beautiful? Wei Yunshu thought to herself.
In Cloud City, there were countless moments they had gazed at the moon together, but their hearts had never drawn closer.
The moonlight fell upon her, cool and cold, like a lonely winter snow.
How many times has the mortal world hurt from past events? The mountains remain as they were, resting by the flowing river.
Wei Yunshu remained silent, lifting her steps towards the mountain. All was silent, and the world was still. Her heart gradually calmed down, gradually forgetting memories, forgetting right and wrong, forgetting herself. She walked as if entering an empty void without knowledge or awareness, but suddenly, her wrist was grabbed, and she was forcibly pulled out of that state of selflessness.
Vines and shadows intertwined, and the moonlight was separated by the stone wall. They had already reached the cave mansion.
Wei Yunshu slowly turned her head.
“What are you defending against? Are you afraid I’ll kill the disciples of Buzhou?” Luo Lingfeng reversed the roles, pulling Wei Yunshu into the cave mansion. She pushed her against the ice-cold stone wall and asked mockingly. The cave mansion appeared simple and cold, with only a few luminous pearls embedded in the walls, casting dim light. At this moment, a dark shadow fell, further obscuring their vision. In her eyes, the silhouette of the person before her was barely discernible.
Wei Yunshu’s shoulder was pressed down by Luo Lingfeng. She could not feel any warmth. She looked at Luo Lingfeng calmly and asked, “Do you dare say you don’t have such intentions?” Everything had gone wrong. They should have been talking about chivalrous deeds together, not confronting each other like this, their paths diverging, always believing it to be the path to the heavens, but stepping into an abyss piled high with endless despair. She still felt pity for Luo Lingfeng, but what then?
“Yes,” Luo Lingfeng laughed. She answered frankly and honestly, without any intention of hiding the fierce malice emerging from her eyes. “What do you intend to do? What can you do?”
Wei Yunshu said coldly, “Buzhou’s sword intent is unyielding. The disciples of my sect are not people you can kill just because you want to.”
“Why must I act personally?” Luo Lingfeng smiled. She raised her hand and slowly moved it towards Wei Yunshu’s cheek. Just as her fingers were about to touch her lips, her vision suddenly cleared. Her fingertips only touched a brilliant starlight. Luo Lingfeng withdrew her hand and glanced at Wei Yunshu, standing several feet away. “It’s a troubled time. I don’t care about the future of the major sects or even the entire Fu Li Immortal Realm, but can Buzhou remain indifferent?”
Wei Yunshu said lightly, “If you don’t care, why did you plant blood thorns at the Sunset Burial Mounds to suppress the Chaos Tree?”
Luo Lingfeng laughed heartily, “So you pay that much attention to me.”
Wei Yunshu lowered her eyelids. She did not engage with the topic but instead asked, “What do you want? Without me blocking your path, you can walk your own way.”
Luo Lingfeng sneered. She said coldly, “I never knew I had a path beneath my feet.” Spiritual energy surged around her, shattering the precious pearls on the wall. The cave quickly plunged into darkness. Luo Lingfeng moved her steps, like a gentle breeze brushing towards Wei Yunshu. She said stubbornly, “Come back to Cloud City with me.”
Wei Yunshu’s voice turned cold, “Have you ever considered what would happen to me if I returned?”
Upon thinking of the name “Wei Yunshu,” all thoughts were drawn into a vortex, leaving only one strongest thought to support her. Luo Lingfeng’s eyes turned red. When that obsession occupied her mind, she was completely unable to think further. She could only tighten her grip on Wei Yunshu’s wrist, with such force as if she wanted to crush that puppet-like body.
Wei Yunshu did not expect to hear an answer from Luo Lingfeng. How could she know how to pull someone trapped by themselves out? A thread of pity, a thread of compassion, a thread of regret arose with infinite sorrow. “You are simply unwilling to accept it. You don’t want to be trapped in regret. What you want most is to prove that I am exactly as you perceive me, thereby eliminating your obsession and eradicating your inner demons.” Wei Yunshu stated calmly, “Only by proving my hypocrisy can you find release.”
“But Luo Lingfeng, does any of this matter? Since you decided to act that way, what difference does it make if things are good or bad? I used to wish you wouldn’t hate, but after knowing that matter, I no longer wish to persuade you. If it were me, I might not do any better than you. Go and walk your own path.”
The night wind blowing outside the cave sounded like the roar of a wild beast.
The night, like a tide, enveloped Luo Lingfeng’s ice-cold face.
She slowly released Wei Yunshu’s hand and took a step back.
Luo Lingfeng suddenly said, “Would killing an insignificant person make me regret it?”
Her face lost its smile, her expression solemn and heavy.
Cloud Sovereign must have been a complex person, but Wei Yunshu was so simple, so easily satisfied.
Even when facing great setbacks, seeing a flower bloom could make her smile again.
She couldn’t understand. After seeing so much darkness, she no longer dared to hope or believe in kindness.
Why did Cloud Sovereign marry her? Why did she elevate her to such a high pedestal? Cloud Sovereign was famous throughout the land, but she came from the mortal world, struggling in the mud. Thus, she needed the “Luoshui Divine Maiden,” the most beautiful in the world, as a superficial embellishment for her reputation?
She believed everything was an illusion and pretense, just like herself. Despite hating those people deeply, she maintained the facade of the “face” of Luoshui Divine Palace for decades.
Luo Lingfeng said again, “You said so much, but I didn’t hear a single word. All I want now is you.”