Chapter 48 In the Sea of ​​Consciousness "And I hate you, and you hate me too."...

The ocean stretched endlessly, the waterway long and winding, with only the faint sound of wind rustling through the leaves and the sound of flowing water.

The increasing chaos in the southernmost of the Seven Domains is not without reason. Firstly, most major sects are distributed in the fifth and sixth domains to protect the human race, while independent cultivators mainly linger in the fourth domain. Further south, only smaller sects remain. Furthermore, the crisscrossing waterways and complex mountain ranges mean that even powerful forces cannot suppress local strongmen. Even government troops entering the mountains struggle to outmaneuver the experienced mountain people. As a result, the chaos in the first three domains has reached the point where any spoiled brat who commits a crime will immediately flee there.

Even if the road is blocked, it's uncertain whether someone will try to ambush or kill us.

This explains why Qin Shiying has been tense since boarding the boat. After listening to Shen Lixia's explanation and staring at the water for a while, she finally confirmed that there was no immediate danger, relaxed slightly, placed her hand on the edge of the boat, and let out a soft sigh of relief.

Then, she reached under her feathered cloak, feeling that something inside was intact before turning her gaze to the other woman, shifting between the two cultivators. The woman in white sat at the bow of the boat, her long hair cascading down, her head slightly bowed, seemingly meditating with her eyes closed; the other woman leaned against the stern, sitting close to her, a thin leaf dangling from her mouth, swaying in the air, her eyes focused, like a bright sun in the rising mist. Perhaps because she was looking at something interesting, her eyes softened, no longer cold as a lurking beast.

Qin Shiying, curious, leaned closer and asked her, "Is cultivating immortality interesting?"

"It's boring."

"Would the immortal master like to say something interesting?"

Shen Lixia pursed her lips, refusing to look away, thinking to herself that this princess seemed so innocent and guileless, completely unlike the stereotypical image of a calm and ruthless person.

However, she was unaware that Qin Shiying had been sent to the Seven Regions Snowfield since childhood, patrolling the snowfield daily with a troop of cavalry to guard against invasions by foreign tribes. Apart from the scattered cavalry, the gloomy borderlands of the Seven Regions were only filled with endless snow and various snow beasts; there were no other living creatures, nor were there any distinct seasons. The only interesting things were the games that the tall female soldiers in the army played to pass the time, and the exceptionally clear stars under the expansive view.

Through long-term exposure, even the princess from this treacherous place lowered her guard and rode horses and shot arrows with these seniors, developing a bold, straightforward, and passionate nature.

"I find my senior sister interesting."

She replied casually, continuing to gaze at Qiao Yanshen, appearing extremely absent-minded. Qin Shiying, not minding the perfunctory response, actually turned to look at the woman at the bow of the boat. She saw her lips slightly pursed, her face as serene as a still lake, her soft black hair cascading down. Just one glance was enough to soothe the heart with a comforting coolness, bringing complete peace.

She was truly a celestial being.

Shen Lixia noticed that she suddenly fell silent. She turned around and found that the person was staring intently at Qiao Yanshen. After a moment of silence, she reached out and blocked her way, waving her hand twice.

"You'd better not watch it."

Without any hesitation, she reached out and gently pressed the back of her hand against Qin Shiying's cheek, turning her gaze towards her. Then, she took out a thin book from her storage bag and stuffed it into Qin Shiying's arms.

Qin Shiying looked down in confusion, and heard Shen Lixia mutter, "I just bought a random storybook to pass the time."

The cover features the words "Cold and Aloof Senior Sister, Please Love Me Gently".

When she looked at Shen Lixia with a startled gaze, she found that the other party had already begun to cultivate cross-legged. Even with her eyes closed, her aura had not diminished. The corners of her eyes, raised like thin willow-leaf knives, exuded a coldness. Qin Shiying was not a fool, and she had naturally noticed the watery luster flowing on Qiao Yanshen's body. She knew that Qiao Yanshen was using her spiritual power to set up a dense net to monitor the surroundings.

As for boatmen, there's a saying that goes, "Speak less while navigating, drive properly; otherwise, your loved ones will shed tears."

She let out a long sigh, and finally opened the book. The two lines of text were as powerful as a thunderbolt, instantly turning her to stone.

"The senior disciple of the Zhongwei Sect is a woman of integrity and discernment, dressed in white as snow, with eyes as clear as a mirror, and unparalleled in her purity and aloofness! Yet now, for the sake of that newly initiated junior sister, she has drawn her sword, her sword intent surging..."

Damn it, she just can't stop flipping through such shocking secrets of the immortal sects. This storybook must be under some kind of curse.

-

Deep within the sea of ​​consciousness, flames raged, leaving only pitch blackness and no trace of anything else.

Suddenly, the flames weakened slightly, but then instantly reignited and became even more intense as the boy slowly approached.

This is Shen Lixia's first time here.

The Sea of ​​Consciousness, or perhaps more accurately, the spiritual world, gradually takes shape as a cultivator's spiritual power increases, becoming an inner realm for meditation and contemplation. This place is the most tranquil, yet also the most fragile; it cannot be intruded upon by others, nor can it be opened to others without permission. It is a place where infinite possibilities reside. It is often said that humans have two lives: the physical body and the spirit. If the Sea of ​​Consciousness is destroyed, even an intact physical body is of no use; one will be forever rendered mentally impaired, their three souls and six spirits scattered, unable to reincarnate.

Reincarnation. Why do people all seek reincarnation? Shen Lixia closed her eyes, listening to the sound of the flames burning fiercely, and a thought emerged in her gradually cooling thoughts.

She never actually believed in any afterlife.

One life is enough, why ask for another? Is it because we feel we haven't experienced enough hardship, or are we clinging to a vague hope that in a future life without memories, we can attain happiness that will come to us without us having to reach out?

She slowly walked into the fire, yet her body, though focused on spiritual energy, could still feel the scorching pain of the flames, like thousands of needles surging forth, falling like a fine rain. However, Shen Lixia simply continued walking until she reached the heart of the flames, at which point the pain gradually subsided.

"Senior Sister always thinks I'm a bit stupid." The boy sighed, raised his hand to wipe away the sweat, then sat down as soon as he realized the sweat wasn't there. "I just can't accept becoming someone else."

She reached out to touch the flame beside her, as if teasing a bird, and did not pull back even as the flames licked her fingertips.

“Since that tribulation, I’ve been able to sense more of you. Your emotions, your restlessness… I guess you’re something that’s been lurking in my soul ever since I came into this world, right?”

The flames remained unchanged, offering no response, burning brightly with a warm hue.

Shen Lixia bent her knees, propped them up with her elbows, and supported her cheeks. "Alright, even if we're going to possess someone, you're waiting for me to become stronger, right? How about we each take a step back? You listen to me more, and I'll try my best to become more like that 'Lord Lingguang,' how about that?"

Her hand slowly touched the restless fireworks, her expression softening for once, as if she were stroking a beloved puppy, but her eyes held no emotion, only a chilling coldness that went straight to the bone.

"Otherwise, I'll commit suicide, and neither of us will have an easy time. My cultivation level can't handle it right now, so you'd better not do anything reckless, lest one day I can't bear the pain and stab myself with a sword."

The burning sounds suddenly subsided, and a deathly silence fell over the surroundings. After an unknown amount of time, the flames gradually receded, coalescing into a blurry figure. Shen Lixia narrowed her eyes slightly, and a sudden lightness washed over her. A barrier-like seal seemed to loosen, causing the pain to recede like a tide.

"As expected, only this way can I force you to say something." She chuckled and reached out to the figure, but the other person didn't even glance at her. Shen Lixia wasn't annoyed either. She withdrew her hand, her eyebrows curving into a smile, her arrogance fully displayed, sharp enough to cut into bone and blood in an instant.

If you...

The figure did not speak, but a voice rang in Shen Lixia's ear.

"Achieving ascension... allows one to bear the divine fire." The voice was muffled and hoarse, as if it had been torn apart by the wind before it reached you, leaving only a faint echo. "I did not possess you. The divine fire was already integrated into your soul. What remains on it is merely a wisp of residual consciousness."

"Why me?"

The blurry figure should have been completely unrecognizable, no matter what. But after those words were spoken, Shen Lixia clearly saw the flames slowly flowing. Although they were still burning, burning so brightly that nothing could be seen, she could still sense that the other person was smiling.

Suddenly, she felt the pain surge back, shattering her usual tranquility and igniting a torrent of rage. Her body had no blood to bleed, so only a burning heat rose, accompanied by a constant barrage of sharp, grating sounds.

However, when she reached out, she only touched a blurry image; there was no warmth to it. These menacing flames seemed to be different from the ones that had burned her to the bone. They solidified, pretending to be gentle and harmless, mocking her impulsiveness, and toying with her pain at will.

Why me?!

Her voice was hoarse, her eyes flashing with golden light, filled with intense hatred, her nails digging into her palms until they almost drew blood.

The voice gradually became clearer, lingering softly in her ear, slow as a breath, "Because you are Ling Guang, you are me who was reincarnated because Luo Chuan and she saved you, a persistent and lingering obsession. And I hate you, and you hate me too."

The smile was cold and chilling.

"If only people didn't have a next life, never entering the cycle of reincarnation, and never remembering. But you will live on, and you will slowly remember. But it's alright, after all, it's better to go to Luochuan with all your might than to live in a daze and be used as nourishment for the Heavenly Dao, isn't it?"

The divine fire dispersed and burned towards her once more.

"Just die clearly and without her finding out, that's all."

Before her consciousness faded, Shen Lixia recalled her previous dream. In the dream, a figure shouted: "Offer the God of Lingguang to the world!" A horde of madmen below echoed joyfully, their frenzied cries drowning out the rolling thunder and the clanging of chains, pushing this chilling sacrificial ritual to an irreversible climax, as if this were a justifiable way to send someone to their death. Ninety-nine chains—even a god would be immobilized. Gods are not without pain.

The sky was higher than ever before for her, for her wings were also bound. Blood and feathers were indistinguishable, the crimson stain carpeting the ground and scattered in the air, like the fate she was to accept. She had long since accepted it, yet someone told her that fate was unfair and that she must rebel.

But how can we resist?

No coincidence in the world could compare to this moment; the question had barely been posed when the person arrived with the answer, breaking all the chains and telling her—

"You are important."

In my heart, no one is more important than you.

So I will tell you how to resist, and I will resist for you.

-

As he turned the pages, Qin Shiying was engrossed in reading the storybook when the person next to him suddenly opened his eyes and leaned back as if out of control.

The boat was low-slung, the boy's face was pale, and there seemed to be blood under his nose; he was about to fall into the water.

Qin Shiying was quick, but someone was even faster, catching Shen Lixia first. Her gentle voice was full of concern as she called out worriedly, "Lixia?"

As Shen Lixia recovered from her intense heart palpitations, she met a pair of dark eyes. She struggled for a moment, managing to steady herself with Qiao Yanshen's help, and took deep breaths. The memories of the divine fire crushing her surfaced, as if she had fallen into the depths of hell, trampled by countless iron hooves.

The call reached the boy's ears much later, prompting her to look up and stare blankly at Qiao Yanshen. She was about to utter a sentence, but it was stuck between her teeth, and no matter how intense her emotions were, she couldn't get it out.

I don't think I'm important.

But she knew that Qiao Yanshen would hold her hand, just like the hazy figure in her memory, and say to her many, many times, gently and patiently, "You are the most precious person to me."

At this moment, divine fire suddenly surged through her meridians, sending a powerful message. Although still weak, Shen Lixia's expression hardened, and she stopped being dazed, looking in a certain direction.

Qin Shiying also sensed something was wrong, put away the storybook, and placed his hand on the sword at his waist.

On the river, a thick fog had risen up, so thick that the trees were no longer visible.