An Encounter with the Tsundere Immortal Lady Chapter 5

The cultivation world was vast. Even on the avian mount, the journey would take half a month. But for cultivators, time passed differently; half a month was like the blink of an eye.
Night fell. The sky was full of countless stars and a bright moon. A cool breeze, filtered by a protective barrier, whispered past their ears. Beside them flew seven giant green birds in formation. Such beautiful scenery, however, was completely overshadowed by a strange and magnificent purple glow spreading across the sky in the distance.
The faint purple light danced in the dark night, forming magnificent shapes. A ribbon of light stretching for thousands of miles looked like a celestial maiden dancing gracefully in the heavens. The bright celestial display even lit up a grand palace on the ground below. The majestic palace, which should have been hidden in darkness, was now bathed in layers of soft light from the purple sky. From a distance, it looked as ethereal and magical as a mist-shrouded fairyland.
This contrast between light and dark seemed to divide two worlds.
Lin Wuxi and her party arrived at the Xuantian Secret Realm at this moment. Although she had long heard of the breathtaking, unparalleled beauty of the Xuantian Secret Realm, when she finally saw it with her own eyes, Lin Wuxi was still utterly stunned. What incredible power could have created such a sight!
And when they finally landed at the palace in the Xuantian Secret Realm, Lin Wuxi finally believed that this unbelievably beautiful scene before her was real. These carved beams, painted pillars, and the purple sky—they were no mere phantoms.
Entering the magnificent palace, they were greeted by a hall easily a hundred meters wide. The hall was lavishly decorated with beautiful carvings. Its style, however, did not seem to be the work of cultivators. Cultivator architecture, like that of the Wanhen Sect, tended to be more austere and ethereal. But this palace was the height of opulence, resplendent and dazzling, exquisite beyond compare. The murals on the walls, the coiling dragons on the pillars, even the incredibly intricate and luxurious pure gold throne in the center of the hall—all showed that this place was utterly different from the style of the cultivation world.
This palace was not built by cultivators.
Her companions clearly already knew this, but no one knew who had built it. Its origins, like those of the Xuantian Secret Realm itself, were a mystery.
Though Lin Wuxi was awestruck by the palace’s beauty, she faintly sensed a cold indifference from it. It was different from the cool detachment of the cultivation world; it was a noble, imposing coldness, one that looked down on all creation. This feeling… Lin Wuxi glanced at Yu Huang, who was walking ahead discussing matters with the martial uncles. She suddenly felt there was a resemblance between the palace and Yu Huang.
She frowned slightly. It shouldn’t be like this, she thought. Not for a place, and not for a person.
Led by the martial uncles, the group passed through a corridor to the left of the main hall. The long, narrow corridor was exceptionally quiet, with only the crisp sound of their footsteps echoing. Every five meters, special formations on the walls lit the entire passage brightly. The intricate patterns on the walls looked even more opulent.
Soon, they rounded a corner, and the view suddenly opened up before them. A cool night breeze greeted them, and the shimmering surface of a lake came into view. A small, ornate pavilion stood in the lake’s center, and in the moonlight reflecting on the water, it possessed a breathtaking beauty.
Countless gilded doors lined the sides of the long corridor. The martial uncles led the Wanhen Sect disciples into various rooms, likely to discuss matters concerning their upcoming venture into the Xuantian Secret Realm.
Though it was late, Lin Wuxi felt no desire to sleep. She leaped onto the roof of the palace, nearly a hundred meters high. The palace stood on the border between the Xuantian Secret Realm and the cultivation world. From the rooftop, she saw the cultivation world’s bright moon and stars occupying one half of the sky, while the Xuantian Secret Realm’s purple celestial display took up the other. The indistinct line between them seemed to be the chasm separating two worlds.
Unwilling to waste such a beautiful night, Lin Wuxi took a small table and her tea set from her storage bag. Amidst the boundless scenery and the fine night, surrounded by jade roof tiles and palace walls, she sat down and began to prepare tea, intending to drink alone.
These tea things had been treasured by Lin Wuxi from her life before the Wanhen Sect. But since joining the Wanhen Sect, she hadn’t touched them for nearly seven years. If her storage bag wasn’t naturally dust-free, they would likely be thick with dust.
Dust-covered memories surged forth with these old belongings. Before she could fully reminisce, her hands had already instinctively begun the familiar motions of preparing tea. Watching the gentle steam curl upwards, with the clear tea ready, Lin Wuxi was about to take a sip when she sensed someone approaching. She turned, and a familiar figure met her eyes.
“It’s you.”
It was Yu Huang.
Yu Huang didn’t say much either. She walked over and sat down opposite Lin Wuxi at the small table.
“What is this?” Her cool voice held a hint of curiosity.
Lin Wuxi took another cup from her storage bag, poured Yu Huang a cup of the clear tea, and replied, “This is Mingyun tea from the mortal realm. Though it’s a mortal brew, it’s known for its mellow flavor, delicate appearance, fragrant aroma, and clear brew. It’s made from carefully selected and cultivated leaves. Senior Sister, please try some.”
The tea in the cup was clear and bright, its color inviting. The gently rising steam carried a subtle, fresh aroma. She pursed her thin lips; it seemed worth a taste.
At first, it was just a very light, fresh taste. After a moment, the flavor in her mouth deepened, and as she swallowed, a refreshing sweetness spread from the tip of her tongue deep into her chest.
Cultivators pursued immortality, consumed elixirs and spiritual medicines, and drank morning dew and celestial nectar. They had long left behind the mundane food and drink of the mortal world. Yu Huang, having grown up in the Wanhen Sect, naturally had no chance to learn about such things. It was normal for her not to know about tea.
“How is it?” Lin Wuxi poured Yu Huang another cup, the vast scenery their backdrop. “It’s just a pity… my tea garden is probably all overgrown now.”
Her gaze lowered, Lin Wuxi stared into the distance, somewhat lost in thought.
“Something so beautiful… who could bear to let it fall to ruin?”
Yu Huang could see Lin Wuxi’s sadness, but having never faced hardship, she couldn’t understand its cause.
Lin Wuxi’s lips curved slightly. “Thank you for your kind words.” Her smile was sincere and lovely.
Yu Huang paused. “You’re welcome.” Lin Wuxi’s smile was radiant and beautiful, but Yu Huang felt… something wasn’t quite right in her own heart. She felt something was missing. Why is she sad?
Before Yu Huang could understand, Lin Wuxi had already stood up. “Thank you for your company tonight, Senior Sister. If we have the chance to meet again, I’d like to let you try other mortal delicacies. For now, I have a little of this old tea left. If you don’t mind it, I hope you’ll accept it.”
With that, Lin Wuxi took a small, beautifully shaped porcelain bottle from her waist pouch and placed it on the table. She bowed, then, riding the night breeze, she returned to the palace.
Stroking the exquisite porcelain bottle in her hand, Yu Huang’s eyes grew thoughtful. They were both disciples of the Wanhen Sect. Why did she say, ‘If we have the chance to meet again?’
At daybreak, everyone gathered at the entrance to the Xuantian Secret Realm. The Xuantian Secret Realm was opening today. The three hundred young disciples were loosely divided into three main groups. The leading groups were naturally from the Wanhen Sect, the Buddhist Sect, and the Hehuan Sect. The other smaller sects and schools aligned themselves with one of these three. The three major sects would each follow different routes, with little interaction expected between them.
Lin Wuxi glanced at the other two main factions. One group wore monk’s robes, their expressions solemn; they had to be from the Buddhist Sect. The disciples from the other major group all had dark hair, were barefoot, and wore silver bells on their ankles. They were likely from the Hehuan Sect.
Seeing Lin Wuxi’s interest, Zhou Cheng, who was nearby, explained, “The Buddhist Sect disciples are known for being calm, dignified, wise, and understanding. They always strive to do good. The disciples of the Hehuan Sect, however, are mostly unrestrained and follow their desires. They often act unpredictably, valuing their true nature above all. Are you curious about them, little friend?”
Lin Wuxi waved her hand. “Not particularly, just a little curious.”
Qi Chun, who was nearby, overheard and whispered to Lin Wuxi, “Don’t worry, Senior Sister. The Buddhist Sect disciples might look serious, but they’re actually very kind. And the senior sisters from the Hehuan Sect… well, they can be a bit mischievous sometimes, but they’re good people too!” she added, puffing out her chest as if to protect Lin Wuxi.
Lin Wuxi smiled. “I understand. Thank you.”
Qi Chun blushed and quickly waved her hands. “No need to thank me, it was nothing!”
While they were talking, the elders from the three major sects had already gathered. They began preparations to open the Xuantian Secret Realm.
A large number of high-grade spirit stones were taken out, piled up like a small mountain to the side. Immediately, disciples began to place the expensive high-grade spirit stones into the secret realm’s enormous formation. Generally, the larger and more complex a formation, the greater its power. Formations in the cultivation world were usually about three feet wide; a ten-foot-wide formation was already quite rare. But this formation before them, nearly three hundred feet wide, undoubtedly exceeded the known limits of the cultivation world.
But the Xuantian Secret Realm had far too many things that surpassed the cultivation world’s understanding. This formation was just one of them.
As the number of spirit stones increased, the originally dim formation began to emit a faint, bright purple light. Its intricate and complex patterns appeared even more beautiful and mysterious. By the time all the spirit stones were in place, the formation’s light was so bright it seemed to lift off the ground. The beautiful, dazzling purple light illuminated everyone’s faces; in their eyes, only fascination for the scene before them flickered.
The preliminary preparations for opening the secret realm were complete. The elders of the three sects each took out a jet-black jade pendant. Although their shapes differed, their patterns and materials were identical. When the three jade pendants were put together, they formed a Black Tortoise. Without any action, the combined pendant floated up on its own and landed in the formation’s core.
The elders swiftly formed profound and obscure hand seals, changes flickering through their hands. The Black Tortoise in the formation gradually showed movement. The purple light in its eyes grew stronger, eventually surging straight into the sky. The layers of clouds in the sky seemed to be affected by these two beams of purple light, gradually parting to both sides, forming an opening around the huge formation. Then, the six elders shouted. A bright light shone down from the purple sky, covering the entire formation. The elders’ deep voices transmitted into everyone’s ears: “The Xuantian Secret Realm is now open. You all must remember to return within a month.” As they spoke, the light enveloped all the disciples qualified to enter the secret realm.