After I Died My Dao Companion Drowns in Endless Regret Chapter 79

Little Tai Sui loudly cursed and grumbled, showing no signs of discomfort from swallowing the Phoenix Fire. Wei Yunshu reached out to stroke its soft belly, her expression growing increasingly helpless. Reading Phoenix Lord’s expression, Wei Yunshu deliberated for a moment before saying, “I found it on the outskirts of the secret realm in Buzhou. As for its origins, I only know it’s from the Shang Qing Divine Realm, and nothing else. I had hoped to gather some information from your clan, but I didn’t expect to stir up such trouble.” She lowered her head guiltily at this. The Phoenix Fire was an heirloom left by the Phoenix Phoenix Lord Patriarch, its value immeasurable. Fate was unpredictable; she hadn’t expected it to fall into such a dire situation.
After the initial shock and anger subsided, Phoenix Lord’s fury gradually cooled. She met Little Tai Sui’s arrogant gaze and slowly said, “The information left by our clan’s Patriarch is not extensive. I’m afraid True Monarch will not get the answers you seek. If you truly wish to inquire about matters of the Shang Qing Divine Realm, you must find someone who has descended from the upper realm, though I suspect True Monarch Wei would be unwilling.”
Wei Yunshu’s expression was complex as she sighed, “It is difficult to discern truth from falsehood in their words.”
Phoenix Lord gave a distracted hum, her mind still fixed on Little Tai Sui. She said, “I can overlook the matter of the Phoenix Fire, but—”
Seeing Phoenix Lord hesitate, Wei Yunshu quickly added, “Fellow Daoist, please speak. I will do my best to compensate your clan.”
“It needs to stay in my Phoenix Mountain for a while,” Phoenix Lord’s eyes flickered. After a moment of thought, she pointed at Little Tai Sui. “Besides the Phoenix Fire, the Patriarch also left behind the Phoenix Feather Box. Since the Patriarch’s departure, the Phoenix Mountain lineage has had no pure phoenix bloodline, and for thousands of years, that box has remained unopened.” Wei Yunshu was somewhat surprised. She silently calculated the value of everything she possessed, only to find that Phoenix Lord wasn’t asking for rare treasures. Observing Phoenix Lord’s expression, she suddenly asked, “Are the contents of the box related to the Shang Qing Divine Realm?”
Phoenix Lord shook her head, answering frankly, “I don’t know.” Her expression was calm, but inwardly, a storm was brewing.
“This…” Wei Yunshu showed hesitation. Although she had formed a bond with Little Tai Sui, based on its usual pronouncements, it was evident it had another owner. Wei Yunshu hadn’t truly considered it her spiritual pet. Seeing Phoenix Lord raise an eyebrow, displaying a hint of impatience, Wei Yunshu’s thoughts grew more profound. She turned to the proud Little Tai Sui and said gently, “Would you like to stay in Phoenix Mountain as a guest?”
Little Tai Sui’s eyes darted about. “What delicious things does Phoenix Mountain have?”
Phoenix Lord replied, “There is the Sweet Spring and immortal fruits. In the entire Fu Li Immortal Realm, there is no place more suitable for the cultivation of the Feathered Race than my Phoenix Mountain.”
Little Tai Sui nodded, not even glancing at Wei Yunshu. It flapped its wings and instantly landed on Phoenix Lord’s shoulder, having cast its “former master” aside.
Wei Yunshu breathed a sigh of relief, but then remembered her original purpose. Before she could even ask, Phoenix Lord said, “I know what you want to say. How we proceed depends on when True Monarch Luo arrives. If you don’t mind, True Monarch Wei could also stay in my Phoenix Mountain for a few days.”
With the invitation given, no matter how urgent her inner feelings, Wei Yunshu could only nod.
Outside the Dustless Sea.
Daoist Wan Ling rode a celestial crane, weaving through the clouds.
He paid no mind to the personal feud between the Dragon Lord and the Phoenix Lord, only wishing to send the Cavern Heaven demon cultivator to the Shang Qing Divine Realm. To avoid further complications, he bid farewell to everyone and departed with a ascension talisman. If the Phoenix Lord was willing to accept the talisman, it would be for the best. If not, they would simply have to follow the Dragon Lord’s plan. Thinking this, Daoist Wan Ling’s eyes deepened considerably.
As he was about to reach the Dustless Sea, Daoist Wan Ling suddenly heard the roar of surging water. True Monarch Wan Ling frowned, placing a hand on the celestial crane. He looked forward and saw the surrounding moisture suddenly thicken, first condensing into water droplets, then slowly forming into a small stream. Finally, with a burst, an immense flood surged forth, vast and mighty, like a galaxy in the sky.
In this past year, Daoist Wan Ling had learned enough about the Fu Li Immortal Realm. Those who had cultivated water techniques to such a degree could only be the one they had temporarily set aside. Honestly, Daoist Wan Ling did not wish to encounter her, but fate had intervened. He couldn’t simply turn back. With a change of thought, gazing at the figure emerging from the surging water, he raised a hand in a salute and smiled, “True Monarch Luo.”
Luo Lingfeng flicked her sleeve, a cold laugh escaping her lips. “So, it’s True Monarch Wan Ling, returning in glory.”
As if not hearing the sarcasm in Luo Lingfeng’s words, True Monarch Wan Ling asked with feigned concern, “Why is True Monarch Luo here and not in Cloud City?” He had felt some regret upon hearing of the deaths of Yun Yong and Su Lanyin, but then he thought that those two had always been hesitant, likely wanting to observe from the sidelines. It was unlikely they would be of assistance to the Wu Shi Sect, so he felt at ease. Now that those two Cavern Heaven cultivators were dead, their disciples were sincerely coming to the Wu Shi Sect, willing to abandon their past cultivation methods to cultivate the supreme profound methods of the Shang Qing Divine Realm—a decision that Cavern Heaven True Monarchs could not make, and one that greatly benefited them.
The Wu Shi Sect was eager to have a Cavern Heaven True Monarch like Luo Lingfeng, who disregarded the overall situation and possessed sky-piercing cultivation, to further stir up the waters. However, all of this was contingent on Luo Lingfeng not bringing her madness to the Wu Shi Sect. Daoist Wan Ling did not want to argue with her; he would concede on trivial matters.
Luo Lingfeng impatiently asked, “Didn’t the Dragon Lord tell you that I was the one who severed the Cavern Heaven of the Dustless Sea?”
Daoist Wan Ling: “…” How could he not know? Seeing that Luo Lingfeng had no intention of backing down, he asked again, “Does True Monarch Luo know the secret of ‘ascension’?”
Luo Lingfeng cast a sideways glance at Daoist Wan Ling, not responding. Three hundred and sixty drops of Abyssal True Water churned in the water tide, emitting a thunderous roar like crackling lightning. The ink-black heavy water writhed like dragons, fiercely aggressive, exuding murderous intent.
Daoist Wan Ling couldn’t help but frown. This woman acted without order, unrestrained and wild. Even if he questioned her, he wouldn’t get an answer. At present, she was filled with killing intent, but this barrier prevented him from reaching the Dustless Sea. However, he had a purpose for coming and did not wish to clash with a peer of the Cavern Heaven realm. With a shift of thought, in a short time, Daoist Wan Ling changed his mind. He stroked the ascension talisman in his sleeve, thinking that giving it to the current fiend wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Wu Shi Sect. However, ascension talismans were limited. For those who had returned to the Fu Li Immortal Realm, they could only rely on ascension talismans to return before the immortal realm was completely integrated into the Shang Qing Divine Realm.
“The passage between the Fu Li Immortal Realm and the Shang Qing Divine Realm has been severed. Let alone three thousand years, if it cannot be reconnected, there will be no Dao Fruit realm cultivators appearing, even after another three thousand years,” Daoist Wan Ling said, observing Luo Lingfeng’s cold, shadowed eyes. He flicked his sleeve, assuming a composed demeanor. “Although passage from top to bottom is impossible, the true superiors of the Divine Realm possess supreme methods to temporarily open the passage. When I came, I obtained three ascension talismans from a true superior. Entrusted with their earnest instructions, I am to select the finest talents in the immortal realm. True Monarch Luo’s talent is extraordinary, her spiritual heart wise and insightful, achieving Cavern Heaven in two hundred years, unparalleled among her peers. This ascension talisman should rightfully be yours.”
Luo Lingfeng let out a laugh. “Since you returned to the Fu Li Immortal Realm, you’ve been widely promoting the ‘truth,’ saying that our immortal realm is an inseparable part of the divine realm. As for the divine realm, all you speak of is boastful talk, painting flowery pictures without any useful information. May I ask, True Monarch Wan Ling, what powers exist in the Shang Qing Divine Realm? Which faction do you belong to? After thousands of years, the two lands have long since developed different customs. We have divisions of Nascent Soul, Cavern Heaven, and Dao Fruit. I wonder if the Shang Qing Divine Realm is the same? Above Dao Fruit, and below Divine Lord, what kind of people exist?”
Question after question rained down, accompanied by the humming sound of the Abyssal True Water leaping. True Monarch Wan Ling suddenly felt dizzy. He raised a hand to his forehead and exhaled a breath of turbid air. It was good that she asked questions! He feared the other party would have no interest in the Shang Qing Divine Realm at all. In the Luoshui Divine Palace, Wen Xianren and Jiang Huangyu had directly called Luo Lingfeng a stubborn and unpredictable madwoman, but now, looking at her, where was the madness? She was the first Cavern Heaven cultivator to inquire so thoroughly about the Shang Qing Divine Realm. Fools like Wen Xianren and Jiang Huangyu, blinded by the ascension talismans and thinking they could still be Cavern Heaven True Monarchs above ten thousand people in the Shang Qing Divine Realm, were simply foolish! But when they stirred up trouble in the Fu Li Immortal Realm, the fools were precisely who they liked to use.
“The Shang Qing Divine Realm has six Primordial Gods, each occupying a territory, known collectively as the Six Heavens. They are the Wu Xiang Heaven, the Xuan Qing Heaven, the Tian Yuan Heaven, the Wu Shi Heaven, the Wu Shou Heaven, and the Tian Nu Heaven. The Divine Venerables within the Six Heavens all live in seclusion and cultivate, with their disciples handling all trivial matters. Among them, the Wu Shi Sect, where I belong, is the first of the Six Heavens, followed by the Tian Nu Pavilion, then the Tian Yuan Sect, Xuan Qing Mountain, and finally the Wu Shou Alliance,” True Monarch Wan Ling meticulously described the powers of the Shang Qing Divine Realm, his face showing unconcealable pride when mentioning the Wu Shi Sect. “Below the Dao Fruit realm, the Shang Qing Divine Realm and our immortal realm have the same titles. At the Dao Fruit realm, they are called Upper Immortals, then Xuan Immortals, True Monarchs, and finally Supreme Immortals, which is the ultimate of our Dao. To go any higher, one must carve out their own Dao, perform sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and obtain the Imperial Seal, to be called a God. But now, with all six Venerables present, there is no possibility of proving oneself through Heaven and Earth.”
Looking at the volubly speaking Daoist Wan Ling, Luo Lingfeng crossed her arms, a hint of interest in her eyes. Only after Daoist Wan Ling’s ceaseless mouth fell silent did she casually say, “Aren’t there six Divine Lords? Why don’t I see any forces from the Wu Xiang Heaven domain?”
True Monarch Wan Ling’s expression became solemn. “The Wu Xiang Heaven domain lives in seclusion. Only White Tai Sui, under Emperor Wu Xiang, occasionally appears in the Divine Realm. The last time she appeared was to handle matters in The Lifeless Chasm, and there is not much information related to her.”
White Tai Sui? Recalling the black ball calling itself “Little Tai Sui” beside Wei Yunshu, Luo Lingfeng smiled and asked, “Could there be a Black Tai Sui as well?” Before Daoist Wan Ling could answer, Luo Lingfeng added, “Also you mentioned a land called ‘Lifeless Chasm’ in the Shang Qing Divine Realm?” Her eyes were icy, emitting a coldness like snow and ice.
Daoist Wan Ling’s expression stiffened. After ascending from the Fu Li Immortal Realm, the first place he arrived at was The Lifeless Chasm. Later, after some incidents, he defected to the Wu Shi Sect in the Wu Shi Heaven realm. “The past four Patriarchs resided in The Lifeless Chasm, but it was ultimately a desolate land, not worth mentioning.”
Luo Lingfeng remained noncommittal. She asked again, “I heard you’ve been spreading the idea that the Patriarchs of our Four Great Sects were all traitors who betrayed their original masters. If that’s true, may I ask: whose disciples were they back then?”
Daoist Wan Ling had prepared his homework. Seeing Luo Lingfeng’s strong desire for knowledge, he did not hide anything and replied with a smile, “Cloud Sovereign was once a disciple of the Tian Nu Pavilion, Dragon Lord originated from Wu Shi Sect, and Luo Jun sought her Dao in Xuan Qing Mountain. As for Sword Lord Sang Buwei—she has no sect or faction, but there are rumors that she once cultivated with a certain avatar of the Emperor Wu Xiang, receiving pointers on Daoist magic and divine abilities from the Emperor Wu Xiang, obtaining true transmission.”
“Without a master-disciple relationship, she cannot be considered a betrayer of her master. However, when severing the Fu Li Immortal Realm, she also mercilessly struck Emperor Wu Xiang with a sword. If the rumors are true, isn’t that a breach of trust?”
“Fortunately, the true superiors of the Divine Realm have the means and have dealt with the traitors in The Lifeless Chasm. Even if there are remnants, they cannot stir up any waves. True Monarch Luo need not worry; upon arriving in the Divine Realm, someone will be there to guide you.” The more Daoist Wan Ling spoke, the brighter his eyes became. He recalled his predicament in The Lifeless Chasm after entering the Divine Realm and truly regretted it. The cultivation methods he practiced could only reach the Dao Fruit realm, and beyond that, he had to explore on his own. There were many barriers he couldn’t overcome, and eventually, he had to “severing all selves” to shed many burdens.
Seeing Luo Lingfeng appear lost in thought, Daoist Wan Ling took another step forward. He didn’t believe anyone could resist the temptation of the “Divine Realm.” Wasn’t the pursuit of Dao for people like them to seek the ultimate realm? He flicked his sleeve, and a talisman radiating spiritual light flew out. “This is the ascension talisman to the Shang Qing Divine Realm!” His tone was forceful and powerful.
Luo Lingfeng looked at Daoist Wan Ling calmly and said softly, “Is that so?”
Daoist Wan Ling smiled composedly. “Of course, it’s true. This talisman is for you first. If True Monarch Luo intends to go to the Shang Qing Divine Realm, you can come to Wu Shi Sect to pay respects to the Wu Shi Venerable and obtain the profound art of summoning.”
Luo Lingfeng slowly raised her eyes. She reached out, took the “ascension talisman,” and placed it in her sleeve. How could the method of operating such a talisman require others to teach her? Immediately, she urged her spiritual energy, scoffing, “If the time is right, I will naturally visit Wu Shi Sect. As for today, I have a connection with True Monarch, so True Monarch shall leave your life here!” With that, the churning long river rolled towards the sky with a roar, instantly dyeing the firmament with water. The ink-black Abyssal True Water leaped within the vast long river, like crackling lightning. With each rumble, its power increased!
Daoist Wan Ling was greatly alarmed, not expecting Luo Lingfeng to attack so readily. He activated his magic art, instantly manifesting a large hand and slapping it towards the surging long river. As the two collided, the water tide churned, shattering cliffs and rocks. The terrifying spiritual energy surged outwards, spreading into the distance. Wherever it passed, mountains were crushed, and the world turned upside down, as if the entire space were about to collapse. Daoist Wan Ling had long heard of Luo Lingfeng’s fearsome reputation and had approached her with caution. However, after their exchange, he suddenly realized that her spiritual energy was even more formidable than he had imagined. His expression turned grim. He reached out and took out a ‘Myriad Beasts Codex.’
Daoist Wan Ling had cultivated as an anomaly, and his life-bound artifact was the ‘Myriad Beasts Codex.’ This codex sealed the souls of countless rare birds and exotic beasts, which he had collected from traveling across the Three Mountains and Four Seas. After arriving at Wu Shi Sect, he received a blessing from a true superior and obtained a ‘Furious-Eyed Emerald Feathered Sparrow.’ This spiritual bird was extremely fierce. He smiled coldly at Luo Lingfeng, cast a magic art, and released the sparrow.
After a wisp of white smoke rose, a strange bird with a sharp beak, long feathers, four wings on its back, and crimson eyes appeared. Its body seemed to be composed of light smoke, not solid, as if a gentle breeze could dissipate it. As the strange bird appeared for longer, its ethereal body gradually solidified, as if descending from the ethereal to the real. Its appearance became clearer, and its ferocity grew stronger. Even Daoist Wan Ling, who controlled this strange bird, felt a chill in his heart.
As Luo Lingfeng met its crimson eyes, she raised her hand and shot out the Abyssal True Water. The water tide coiled like dragons, as if the waters of the Four Seas had all smashed down, its momentum astounding. Suddenly, she sensed something unusual. Seeing the strange bird charge over as a beam of emerald light, emitting piercing cries from time to time, the violent aura instantly approached. However, after colliding with the Abyssal True Water, it immediately dispersed into a mass of vital energy. Yet, after only a breath, that mass of vital energy reformed into the strange bird, still charging towards her recklessly, its aura becoming even more violent.
Seeing the strange bird’s vital energy gather and disperse, a look of surprise flickered across Luo Lingfeng’s face. After a moment of contemplation, her eyes sharpened. Thousands of radiant sword energies suddenly shot out from the water, scattering the strange bird once more. Then, the sword light sliced horizontally, creating the ‘River Han Realm,’ severing the vital energy to prevent it from gathering again. However, before long, a strange aura floated on each of the scattered vital energies, and new strange birds began to form within the vital energy.
Seeing this, Daoist Wan Ling showed a triumphant smile. How could this Furious-Eyed Emerald Feathered Sparrow be so easily dealt with? His suspended heart gradually settled, and he looked at Luo Lingfeng with composure. “True Monarch Luo, this action is truly unkind. I informed you of matters in the Shang Qing Divine Realm and even gave you a ascension talisman. Is this how you treat me? Isn’t this like killing the donkey after it has served its purpose?”
Luo Lingfeng stared coldly at Daoist Wan Ling. A golden-red light from her sleeve fell into the water. The vast sky above instantly turned into a surging crimson tide, like continuous radiant clouds. The strange birds formed from vital energy plunged into the crimson tide. After emitting several sharp cries, they vanished without a trace. Creatures born of vital energy could change endlessly by means of a wisp of vital energy, but when they fell into the crimson tide that could grind vital energy, they could only dissipate into smoke. The violent, fierce aura did not dissipate; it merely transferred from the strange birds to the vast sea of blood. This sight far surpassed the mountains of corpses and seas of blood Daoist Wan Ling had witnessed in the Shang Qing Divine Realm! A shiver ran up his spine, and Daoist Wan Ling was immersed in boundless hatred, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
It seemed like a long time, or perhaps only an instant, when Daoist Wan Ling suddenly came back to his senses. He saw the vast, fierce red waves surging towards him. He hurriedly urged the Myriad Beasts Codex, releasing a beast covered in clear energy. The opponent’s spiritual energy was simply too powerful, and he did not have the talisman in his hand. He immediately harbored thoughts of retreat. Disregarding the beast, he wiped the Myriad Beasts Codex again, and a golden giant eagle screeched and rushed out. Daoist Wan Ling leaped onto the flying eagle, urging it to leave quickly. This eagle flew extremely fast, like a golden lightning bolt, and in the blink of an eye, it had flown hundreds of miles. After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Daoist Wan Ling landed in a mountain. He cautiously scouted, and upon seeing that he had shaken off Luo Lingfeng, he breathed a sigh of relief.
However, as he escaped, Luo Lingfeng’s mocking words, “Fool, have you severed your mind and adaptability along with your selves?” echoed in his ears again. Daoist Wan Ling’s expression was extremely unpleasant.
Meanwhile, Luo Lingfeng expressionlessly withdrew her hand and floated towards the direction of the Dustless Sea.
Her objective had always been the Dustless Sea. She happened to encounter Daoist Wan Ling on the way. If she could deal with him, she would kill him. If he escaped, she had no leisure to pursue him.
The long day was drawing to a close. Mountains overlapped, and the bright moon and stars were nowhere to be seen.
The sea breeze blew, bringing with it a thin chill, sharp and cold.
Wei Yunshu stood by the cliff with her hands behind her back, listening to the roar of the waves crashing against the stones. Her figure was slender, and a sense of desolation and helplessness slowly appeared on her face. She thought she had broken free from such predicaments, but after burying the past, a certain emptiness remained in the depths of her heart, and she didn’t know what could fill it. The Fu Li Immortal Realm, the Shang Qing Divine Realm, the severing of selves, Little Tai Sui, the Six Divine Lords… and Luo Lingfeng. Too many things could not be clarified, could not be cut, could not be let go.
“Are you waiting for me?” The voice that reached her ears was ethereal, as if from the ends of the earth, yet it was clear. Wei Yunshu looked up, and at a glance, she saw Luo Lingfeng walking as if strolling in a courtyard. Her face showed no trace of its former pallor and sickness. She was like radiant clouds, her gaze radiant, exuding a dazzling beauty like pearls and jade.
Wei Yunshu replied faintly, “Yes.” Her expression was very calm as she answered, like a still pool with no ripples.
Luo Lingfeng looked at Wei Yunshu deeply and chuckled, “You always return after leaving.” Her demeanor was calm and serene, as if she had shed the madness that made people avoid her. Yet, from her calmness, Wei Yunshu saw a silence sunk to the very bottom of the abyss. Even without joy or sorrow, madness would always follow.
Luo Lingfeng added, “On my way here, I encountered Daoist Wan Ling, and he gave me a ascension talisman.”
This sentence was like a stone dropped into a lake, sending ripples outward. A crack appeared on Wei Yunshu’s calm face, from which leaked surprise and confusion. Ascension talismans could allow cultivators from the immortal realm to travel to the Shang Qing Divine Realm. As for what awaited cultivators there, who could say for sure? If Luo Lingfeng left the immortal realm, then this unsettling factor would be removed, and she would not have to make the choice of “killing” or “saving.” Wei Yunshu’s heart churned, and a hint of emotion appeared in her eyes.
Luo Lingfeng looked at Wei Yunshu’s eager expression, like she was desperately throwing away a hot potato, and sneered inwardly. She raised her eyebrows and raised her voice, “I refused.” Driving away Daoist Wan Ling and making a mortal enemy was indeed a firm “refusal,” wasn’t it? She took a step forward, drawing closer to Wei Yunshu, and chuckled, “You know, what I seek is not the Great Dao.”
So close.
Her white hair, stirred by the wind, slid across her cheek like a clump of untainted snow.
The bright moon leaped from the clouds, its pure light like water, falling upon Luo Lingfeng’s body, making her appear somewhat otherworldly, yet with a hint of ethereal beauty.
Wei Yunshu suddenly raised her hand and placed it on Luo Lingfeng’s shoulder. The wind blew, and her white hair fell onto her hand, like fresh snow filling it.
“What do you seek? Mountains of corpses and seas of blood? Calamities of heaven and earth?”
Luo Lingfeng gazed at Wei Yunshu, a smile on her lips. She blinked and said, “Can’t I help you, Ah Shu?”