An Encounter with the Tsundere Immortal Lady Chapter 10

Not long after Lin Wuxi resumed her peaceful cultivation, news spread that a rare treasure was about to appear in the mortal realm. All the major sects would send their young disciples to observe.
Observing was merely a pretense; seizing the treasure was their true goal.
Whenever such a rare treasure appeared, auspicious signs would invariably manifest: perhaps colorful clouds stretching for thousands of miles, or radiant light illuminating the land, or a hundred birds singing in unison. At such times, cultivators from all walks of the cultivation world would gather at the location, all vying for the treasure.
However, treasures capable of causing such a stir almost always possessed spiritual intelligence and wouldn’t be easily obtained. Success depended entirely on one’s own strength and luck.
This time, on an island in the mortal realm, ten thousand lotuses bloomed in unison, and immortal music filled the air – clear auspicious signs of a rare treasure’s emergence.
The magnificent sea view was quite different from the landscapes of lakes and mountains on land. Under a clear, vast sky lay the azure ocean, with occasional white-crested waves rolling. The boundless sea stretched far into the distance, seemingly endless.
No martial uncles led the expedition this time; it was a grand event for the younger generation and did not require elder participation. Yu Huang was the undisputed leader, and Lin Wuxi, her guard.
Soon, the group arrived at the nameless island. Its area wasn’t particularly large, only several tens of thousands of square kilometers. But, just as the rumors described, flowers bloomed profusely, immortal music drifted through the air, and with the backdrop of the jade sea, the scenery was truly breathtaking.
When the Wan Hen Sect arrived, many people had already gathered on the island. Two of the other three major sects, the Buddhist Sect and the Hehuan Sect, were also present. Members of these two sects were gathered in their own groups, discussing something.
Lin Wuxi had encountered these two sects before in the Xuantian Secret Realm. Back then, time was pressing, and she hadn’t had a chance to observe them closely. Seeing them again, neither sect appeared as solemn as before; instead, they seemed much more casual. This was understandable. The Xuantian Secret Realm had concerned their sects’ development for the next decade, so they had to be serious. This island excursion, however, was more about broadening their horizons and gaining experience, so a more relaxed atmosphere was natural.
The Buddhist Sect was led by a young monk. Though young, he wore a kasaya, carried himself with composure, and spoke with calm assurance, certainly living up to the Buddhist Sect’s reputation.
Lin Wuxi glanced at the monk before turning her gaze to the Hehuan Sect. Its members were mostly women. Like before, they had dark hair and were barefoot, adorned with silver ankle bells. All were exceptionally beautiful, their faces like paintings.
Lin Wuxi’s gaze settled on a woman standing in the center of the Hehuan Sect members. This woman was exceptionally beautiful, with hair like a waterfall and an enchanting, alluring aura. Dressed in robes far more magnificent than those of her peers, she was so dazzling as to be unforgettable.
Could it be her? Lin Wuxi frowned in thought. Just then, the woman turned and looked towards Lin Wuxi. Her alluring face, surprisingly, held a pair of innocent eyes that seemed at odds with her enchanting aura.
“That’s Chi Nihuang, the leader of this generation from the Hehuan Sect. She looks enchanting, but she’s actually one of the rare, innocent disciples in their sect.” Before Lin Wuxi could process her thoughts, Qi Chun, who was right beside her, started explaining in a hushed voice.
“As for that young abbot from the Buddhist Sect, his Dharma name is Duan Nian. He has a resolute character and is also an exceptionally outstanding talent of the younger generation.”
“Chi Nihuang, Duan Nian, and our Wan Hen Sect’s Senior Sister Yu Huang are considered the three most outstanding talents of the younger generation in the cultivation world today.”
After saying this, Qi Chun looked at Lin Wuxi with a slightly flushed face, as if expecting praise.
Lin Wuxi smiled and patted Qi Chun’s head in encouragement. Just as she was about to say a few more words to Qi Chun, Yu Huang walked over. “Lin Wuxi, find some ores from this island for me. I want to examine them.”
“Yes, Senior Sister.” Although Lin Wuxi found it a little odd that Yu Huang would ask her to gather ores, she didn’t dwell on it. She activated her spiritual sense and began searching for ores in the vicinity.
There were numerous ore veins nearby. Though they were all of the lowest grade, the quality of the ore itself was excellent, rich with spiritual energy—something quite rare to find in the mortal realm.
When Lin Wuxi returned with a pile of ores, Yu Huang was discussing information about the island with Chi Nihuang and Duan Nian. Seeing Lin Wuxi, Yu Huang casually picked up an ore and examined it. In a solemn voice, she said, “Just as I thought. The spiritual energy in these ores is all naturally occurring. For something to draw spiritual energy over such a vast area… this treasure is definitely not simple.”
Hearing this, the expressions of all three leaders became grave. All who had come on this expedition were young disciples. Although they had anticipated that the treasure would be extraordinary, it was unlikely their sect elders would deign to participate. The elders had merely instructed them to be extremely cautious.
But now, it appeared the situation was even more serious than they had anticipated. The three of them could certainly protect themselves, but ensuring the safety of the many young disciples from their respective sects would require careful and thorough planning.
After parting ways, the three leaders returned to their respective sect groups. The rare treasure was about to emerge, and there was no time to waste.
Three days later, the area around the island was teeming not only with disciples from the three major sects but also with many more cultivators from other sects and unaffiliated cultivators who had rushed over after hearing the news. Their numbers far surpassed the combined total of the three main sects, surrounding the island completely, layer upon layer.
The island buzzed with a restless crowd, the clamor reaching the heavens. Everyone was eager and spoiling for a fight, waiting for the moment to seize the treasure.
The disciples of the three major sects—Wan Hen Sect, Buddhist Sect, and Hehuan Sect—having been repeatedly warned by their leaders, had already retreated to the island’s periphery. While they naturally desired a powerful treasure, external objects were, after all, just external. These disciples all had bright futures ahead; it wasn’t worth risking their lives for such things.
However, not everyone thought this way. The intense desire for the treasure had overwhelmed the minds of many. If not for the deterrent presence of the three major sects, these cultivators would have likely started fighting for the best spots much earlier. Even with some restraint now, at the moment the treasure appeared, the three sects would be absolutely powerless to stop them.
Greed, it exists everywhere.
The spiritual energy grew so dense it was almost tangible, and the ethereal immortal music became clearer. Everyone held their breath, their attention focused—the treasure was about to emerge!
In the island’s center, a sprout pushed its way out of the mud. Then, at an unbelievable speed, it grew, extended tendrils, unfurled leaves, and bloomed, finally becoming a pale purple lotus. In its full, magnificent bloom, it stood alone, facing myriad cultivators.
Rare treasures are formed from the essence of heaven and earth over countless millennia. Each one is exceedingly rare and incomparably precious. Thus, even though no one recognized this particular lotus, it did nothing to dampen their eagerness to rush forward.
However, this fervor vanished as the surroundings abruptly transformed. What lay before their eyes was no longer an island carpeted with flowers. Unknowingly, it had become a forest! It was beautiful, yet no one was in the mood to appreciate it.
Her companions had scattered, and she didn’t know where they were. This bewitching forest seemed calm, but it was full of hidden dangers.
It was an illusion array. One wrong step would trigger countless mechanisms and traps, trapping people in this fatally beautiful place. The bewitching forest was, in fact, a graveyard of cultivators’ bones!
There was only one way to break it: to see through the illusion.
The illusion array’s range was vast. Even though the disciples of the three sects were at the outermost edge, they were still drawn in. Lin Wuxi, Yu Huang, and the others had all been separated. In this perilous forest, it was truly dangerous for someone with her cultivation level.
Standing still, Lin Wuxi carefully observed the positions of the surrounding trees, continuously calculating in her mind. Complex formations merged, the Four Symbols and Eight Trigrams generating countless wondrous combinations. Her fingers moved rapidly, performing calculations. Finally, Lin Wuxi took her first step.
As Lin Wuxi moved with footwork that incorporated wondrous principles, the surrounding trees became sparser. The true ground emerged from beneath the carpet of light pink petals. Finally, Lin Wuxi walked out of the illusion array.
Lin Wuxi was secretly surprised. There were already four people outside the illusion array, all unharmed. They were Yu Huang, Chi Nihuang, Duan Nian, and a male cultivator in casual attire with disheveled hair. Lin Wuxi didn’t recognize him; he likely wasn’t a disciple of the three major sects. Lin Wuxi was very confident in her own skills with formations. Anyone who could get out before her must have a deep understanding of them.
Looking further, Lin Wuxi was even more astonished. The lotus flower was still there, perfectly fine. It hadn’t fled, nor had it been picked. It was truly strange.
Yu Huang glanced sideways and saw Lin Wuxi. She pursed her lips and didn’t speak, just waiting for Lin Wuxi to walk over.
After Lin Wuxi walked closer, Yu Huang said lightly, “Aren’t you my guard? What took you so long?”
Lin Wuxi, however, was so annoyed she could grind her teeth. Does she think everyone is like her? It was already a feat to break through the illusion array in an hour, and she still has the nerve to say I’m slow.
Yu Huang continued, “Although there were reasons this time, as my guard, you should always stay by my side. If you had been standing closer, I could have brought you with me into this illusion array.”
“So, do you understand now?”
Looking at Yu Huang, who was staring intently at the lotus, Lin Wuxi asked carefully, “So, understand what?”
Yu Huang turned her head angrily, glared at Lin Wuxi, snorted, and then ignored her.
Duan Nian, who was nearby, came over and said, “I think Miss Yu Huang means for you to stay close to her and not wander off.”
Lin Wuxi: “…”
“Thank you.”
The corners of Lin Wuxi’s lips curved up. She turned to look at Yu Huang, who had her back to her, and her mood couldn’t help but lift. She’s just concerned about me, why can’t she say it directly?
“Miss Wuxi,” Duan Nian said, “this lotus doesn’t seem to want to escape. It probably wants to choose a master for itself. Apart from The Boundless Fairy, we’ve all tried, but it doesn’t seem willing to follow any of us. Why don’t you try? Perhaps it will acknowledge you.”
“Okay.” After thanking Duan Nian, Lin Wuxi approached the lotus. The light purple flower swayed in the breeze, so beautiful it seemed otherworldly. It was just a pity that its outermost layer was missing a petal. Who could have been so unscrupulous? she wondered.
Her fair hand gently rested above the lotus. A faint purple light enveloped Lin Wuxi. She closed her eyes and felt a tender, young spirit enter her sea of consciousness from her palm. The light purple spirit extended slender tentacles, covering Lin Wuxi’s spiritual sense. Instantly, sealed memories surged forth, overwhelming her as if to drown her.
Lin Wuxi abruptly pulled back her hand, but it was too late. The purple lotus had already entered her sea of consciousness from her palm. Before she could react further, the rush of long-sealed memories overwhelmed her, and she fainted.
Yu Huang flashed over in an instant and caught the falling Lin Wuxi. She quickly checked Lin Wuxi’s condition and only relaxed after confirming she wasn’t in serious danger. She placed Lin Wuxi on the nearby grass and set up a protective formation around her. Only then did she turn to check on the other Wanhen Sect members, who had emerged from the illusion array while Lin Wuxi was unconscious.
When Lin Wuxi slowly regained consciousness, she saw a semicircular shield of lightning covering her surroundings. Outside the shield was an anxious face – it was Qi Chun.
Seeing Lin Wuxi finally awake, Qi Chun hurriedly asked with concern, “Senior Sister, are you okay? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
Holding her dizzy head, Lin Wuxi remembered that before she fainted, the lotus seemed to have invaded her sea of consciousness. She quickly inspected it internally and discovered a purple lotus in her originally dark and sealed sea of consciousness. It emitted a faint light, illuminating an area several square meters around it.
With a thought, a light purple lotus appeared in her palm, swaying gently and emitting a refreshing fragrance.
“This Clarity Heart Pill can help stabilize your primordial spirit. Take it quickly,” Yu Huang said. Hearing this, the purple lotus in Lin Wuxi’s palm trembled slightly, seemingly very afraid of Yu Huang.
The lightning shield around Lin Wuxi had vanished at some point. She sat up and saw Yu Huang holding a golden pill. Lin Wuxi recognized it as a Clarity Heart Pill. Without hesitation, she thanked Yu Huang and took it. She truly needed this pill right now.
A cool stream of energy spread from her dantian throughout her body, and her muddled spiritual sense cleared. She guided the true energy within her to circulate for a full cycle. Only then did Lin Wuxi open her eyes again and look at everyone.
Qi Chun, seeing Lin Wuxi’s complexion had clearly improved, her own small face flushed with excitement. Yu Huang was handling some miscellaneous matters not far away and didn’t look in their direction. Zhou Cheng, who had at some point come to stand beside Qi Chun, saw Lin Wuxi awake, cupped his fists, and said, “Congratulations, Junior Sister, on obtaining such a rare treasure! This purple lotus, capable of trapping thousands of cultivators, was subdued so easily by you. I, Zhou Cheng, am truly impressed.”
“Senior Brother, you flatter me,” Lin Wuxi replied. “This fortuitous encounter… I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse.”
Everyone fell silent. They all knew Lin Wuxi was only at the late stage of the Enlightenment realm. Although she had the Wanhen Sect’s protection, this rare treasure was indeed too eye-catching. There would always be those blinded by greed who might make unpredictable moves.
Moreover, Lin Wuxi thought with a bitter smile, I’m plagued by inner demons, and my life is already in imminent danger. What use is a rare treasure or immortal artifact to me now?
As if sensing her thoughts, the purple lotus in her sea of consciousness swayed its body, as if protesting that she had underestimated it.
Lin Wuxi smiled faintly but didn’t dwell on it. She walked towards Yu Huang. They were about to leave this island.
Without the nourishment of spiritual energy, the unseasonable flowers on the island had already withered. The ethereal music no longer lingered. Apart from the spiritual energy-rich ores, nothing else remained to prove that this small island had once held a rare treasure coveted by countless cultivators.
Everyone mounted their swords and, under Yu Huang’s lead, the Wanhen Sect members flew out over the vast ocean, beginning their journey home.