Volume Five: Chuanxi’s Former Life — Chapter 125

Jin Cheng came to heal Jin Li as usual that day, only to find her missing from her room. Just as he stepped out of the North Courtyard, he encountered Qi Sui. Qi Sui noticed him too, walked over, and bowed. "Upper God Jin Cheng."

"Where is A-Li?"

"The Lady is in good spirits today and has gone to the back mountain to clear her mind."

Jin Cheng was skeptical, but as long as Jin Li was feeling better, that was all that mattered. He went to the back mountain to search for her. The pear blossoms were in full bloom, and a gentle breeze made the leaves rustle softly.

He found Jin Li asleep under a tree.

He approached her quietly and then slowly crouched down. The young girl had suffered a severe illness and was now so thin that her chin had become sharp.

He felt a pang of heartache, but even more, a sense of guilt. He had promised Tu Shan Yan that he would take good care of Jin Li, yet he had let her be hurt time and again. He did not want to concern himself with those convoluted schemes or the struggle for power; he only wanted to protect his sister well, both in the past and in the present.

In the past, he had failed to stop her, and she had ultimately perished among the Six Realms. To have a second chance was perhaps a grace granted by the heavens; no matter the cost, he would never let Jin Li repeat the same mistakes.

No one would be allowed to.

"...Brother?"

The girl spoke softly, calling to him. Jin Cheng immediately put on a smile. "Why are you sleeping here alone? What if you catch a cold?"

Jin Li’s voice was thick with nasal congestion, as if she had just awakened from a dream. She looked around, then lowered her eyes in silence. Jin Cheng caught the loneliness and sorrow in her gaze.

Jin Cheng raised his hand to stroke her hair. "Let’s go. Brother will take you home."

He saw tears falling onto the girl's skirt. As the fabric soaked up her tears, his heart was filled with a complex blend of emotions.

"Brother, carry me."

"Alright, Brother will carry you home."

Jin Cheng gently took her onto his back. His broad back had been Jin Li’s safe haven since she was small. When she was young, just after gaining consciousness, she had once tried to challenge the Black Bear Tribe on her own and lost. When Jin Cheng found her, she was asleep under a tree.

Back then, Jin Cheng had carried her home and helped her cover up the truth.

Jin Li’s tears could no longer be contained; they flowed more and more, endlessly.

"Brother... I dreamt of him. I dreamt that he came to find me... Brother..."

"Does our little one really like that person so much?"

"...I don't know."

"Does it hurt your heart now, little one?"

"It hurts," the girl sobbed.

"Don't like him anymore, will you? Then you won't feel hurt anymore, okay?"

Jin Cheng’s tone was as gentle as a spring breeze, yet his words were as cold as the winter solstice.

She did not answer him, only wrapped her arms around his neck, then asked softly, "Brother, do you have someone you like?"

Jin Cheng chuckled. "Brother is a carefree soul; how could I have anyone I like?"

"Then, has anyone ever liked you?"

"No one would ever like Brother."

Jin Li thought to herself that if she were to leave one day, Jin Cheng might truly be left all alone, with no one by his side to keep him company. At that thought, her heart ached even more. She spoke up, "Brother, go find someone who can stay by your side."

Whether human or god, everyone needs someone to accompany them.

Jin Cheng did not dwell on the deeper meaning of her words and answered her gently, "All right."

The two chatted aimlessly as they walked.

That night, Jin Li recalled the future she had glimpsed in the Kunlun Mirror, and the more she thought about it, the more terrified she became.

Perhaps she could no longer avoid it. Whatever the truth might be, even if its bright, beautiful skin were peeled away to reveal the raw, bloody flesh beneath, she had to face it.

No matter who it was—the fate of the boy, the fate of the Six Realms—all must be changed. Even if it meant being battered and bruised, even if it meant vanishing into smoke and dust, she would alter this miserable destiny.

The next morning, she left only a letter before heading out early to the Illusory Dust.

She transformed her appearance and arrived at the secret cave that had once been buried by dust and lost.

Though everything had been buried, the demonic energy inside was overwhelming.

She raised her hand, her fingers forming a graceful orchid gesture, and a blue halo appeared, opening a deep, endless path. Sure enough, there was a hidden world within.

Without a moment's hesitation, she stepped inside.

The deeper she went, the brighter the light became. She lowered her bamboo hat slightly to conceal the immortal aura she carried. Amidst the starlight and glowing lamps, towers and pavilions stood tall. In the depths of the high cliffs, there were flickering lights, but no sunshine; it was as if this place existed forever in darkness.

She stood atop a pavilion. The people around her had demonic markings crawling across their faces and eyes of varying colors, yet they held not a shred of murderous intent. They lived here just like ordinary people.

A boat drifting on the river drew near the bank, and the person on board called out, "Miss, are you going to the other side?"

Jin Li froze for a few seconds before lowering her hat brim. She took out a Transformation Bead, causing demonic markings to crawl up her neck as well. The two sides of the river were quite far apart. As she stood at the prow, the boatman cast strange looks at her because of her unusual attire.

Once on the shore, she found herself amidst a crowd. A long slope wound upward, lined with various stalls. The demonic energy here was heavy, yet there was something peculiar about the place.

She changed into local clothing without a trace, the bells at her waist chiming crisply.

"Miss?"

Jin Li’s body stiffened, thinking she had been discovered so quickly. When she turned, she saw a man holding clusters of immortal sect artifacts. Yet, because they could not wield these items, they were nothing more than trinkets here.

"Miss, would you like to see if anything catches your eye?"

Jin Li looked closely; there were Binding Immortal Ropes, Demon-Seeking Lanterns, Universe Bags, Myriad Treasure Bracelets...

"Where did these come from?"

How could these immortal artifacts have drifted here for no reason? Could it be that the disciples who had gone missing and been injured were all harmed here?

The man became immediately alert, quickly stowing away his treasures. He gave her a meaningful look before turning to leave. Jin Li stepped forward to block him, took a deep breath, and forced a smile. "I have a batch of goods too, and I’m in a hurry to sell them, but I can't find a suitable buyer. If you know of one, could you tell me? I will reward you handsomely."

Although the man was still suspicious, the moment Jin Li produced a pouch of spirit stones, he beamed, throwing his earlier doubts to the winds.

"There is a pavilion at the top of the mountain called the 'Reincarnation Studio.' The master buys everything, especially items from the immortal sects."

She thanked him and looked toward the place glowing with brilliant lights on the cliff's peak.

If that was the case, perhaps she could find out the whereabouts of those missing items there.

She walked upward, but the higher she went, the sparser the people became. Though the lights were abundant, few dared to approach this area. Jin Li activated her Phoenix Eyes and gazed at the magnificent pavilion. It was shrouded in dense, purplish demonic energy, as if the high building were trapped in thick fog.

The demonic energy here was too heavy; she could not stay long. The foul air was eroding her, making her feel quite unwell.

She knocked on the door.

The door opened slowly, revealing two children on either side with buns in their hair, who bowed respectfully. "Welcome, honored guest."

Jin Li stepped inside. The interior was not only exquisitely decorated, but the courtyard was also spacious, filled with basins of floating lotuses that gave off a faint, elegant fragrance. Wafting from the windows came a lingering scent; she caught the sweet, fresh smell of fruit.

"Please."

She stepped into the pavilion. The golden characters on the vermilion plaque read: *Reincarnation*.

Reincarnation? How could one speak of reincarnation in a place so full of foul, stagnant energy?

"The Studio Master is upstairs. Please, honored guest, follow me."

Jin Li glanced at a long halberd displayed in the first-floor hall.

The shape of that halberd was very familiar; she felt as if she had seen it somewhere before.

The pavilion was intricately carved. She had seen some carvings before, mostly of peonies, but the carvings here were of tiny flowers. Such small patterns were difficult to carve, let alone detailing the stamens within. The person who carved this must be a master.

However, the branches of these carvings were long and winding, yet the flowers were clustered tightly together; they looked like...

"These are pear blossoms."

She looked up at the sound and saw a woman wearing a carved mask, dressed in a rainbow-colored long robe, her hair cascading over her shoulders.

She possessed a gentle and extraordinary temperament; her every move was a delight to behold. Half of her face was hidden by a golden mask, adding to her mysterious allure.

She walked slowly toward Jin Li, and a faint fragrance drifted into Jin Li’s nostrils.

"The honored guest has arrived. Please, the tea has been brewed to perfection."

She knew she would come?

Jin Li did not remove her bamboo hat. After sitting down, she lightly scanned the teacup. It was a delicate piece, and the faint scent of jasmine drifted out. She had specifically brewed jasmine tea.

The woman sat down as well, looked at Jin Li, and her red lips curved into a smile. "Guest, are you here to buy something, or to sell something?"

Jin Li tapped the tabletop lightly with her fingers and asked, "What do you sell here?"

"I sell many things. Whatever you wish for, I sell it here."

"Oh?" Jin Li picked up the cup, lifted the lid, but did not drink; she only took a soft sniff. "Hmm, a very fragrant tea."

"If you like it, Guest, you may take some with you later."

Jin Li set down the teacup. "The Studio Master is very skilled at business."

"You flatter me, Guest. It is but a small trade."

Jin Li stood up and asked, "Then, what is the Studio Master’s price?"

As she finished speaking, the woman raised her jade-white hand and clapped twice. Immediately, the two children from before appeared again, each carrying a wooden tray holding a thick scroll.

"Guest, please."

The woman handed the scroll to Jin Li.

She took it and opened it to find the prices for various items. Most started at a hundred spirit-senses.

She read while silently memorizing the contents. As she flipped further, she saw an entry for ten thousand years of cultivation and an Immortal Bone.

What kind of thing could be exchanged for an Immortal Bone? Written above it were the words: *Resurrection and Reincarnation.*