Chapter 87 Sweetness She deliberately didn't go back.
With the dust settled, the group, having survived the ordeal, regrouped and headed out of the mountains.
The immortals watching the competition from above the heavens breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
"Waaaaah, that was so thrilling, so touching... Is there really no chance for Ice Mirror Immortal and Kang Ping'an?"
"What chance does a demon have with a celestial position? You're crying for a demon? I'm going to report you to Zhu Mingxian's subordinates and have you thoroughly investigated!"
"Hey, hey, let's keep our distance. What's wrong with the Nine Heavens these days? They're always trying to expose the immortals. The Prison Palace is about to collapse."
"It's a certainty that Ice Wheel Celestial Immortal likes Peach Blossom Fairy. He wanted to protect Ice Mirror True Immortal, but Peach Blossom Fairy stopped him. His angry but speechless expression was just like a mortal afraid of his wife!"
"Ice Wheel Celestial and Peach Blossom Immortal, please don't get together. These two have a grudge against each other. Let's be rational!"
"What a pity about the young widow and Yun Chuan. How much must Yun Chuan have liked her to be willing to be the father of her child with another man?"
"I still can't figure this out. Could it be that Yun Chuan Tian Xian is really impotent, which is why he let his beloved woman have a child with someone else? Just like I still can't figure out why Ming Guang Xuan Xian keeps calling Bi Tao Shen Xian 'Little Peach Juice.' Does he really love drinking peach juice that much? Does anyone know what's going on lately? I would call these two things the unsolved mysteries of the Nine Heavens."
"It's not that Yun Chuan Tianxian is incapable, but rather that she doesn't want to form karmic ties with mortals."
"But Yun Chuan Tianxian doesn't even have his memories. He's a 'big shot'! If he hadn't regained his memories, how could he know not to have karmic consequences with mortals?"
"Waaah, I just think Fairy Bitao is so kind and gentle. I thought that with that little widow dead, Celestial Immortal Yunchuan would be devastated, but Fairy Bitao's words were a revelation to me."
"I know! That line, 'Death is just the beginning of the next encounter,' is truly moving. Heaven is merciful!"
"Heaven is merciful!"
"The Fairy of the Peach Blossom is truly wonderful. Even if the husband of the True Immortal of the Ice Mirror were to be killed, it should be the Fairy of the Ice Mirror herself who should do it. Looking at it this way, I dare to say that the way the Mysterious Immortal of Bright Light handles things is a bit too cold and hard."
“Those in lower positions need to be appeased and won over, while those in higher positions only need to be ruthless and decisive. Mingguang Xuanxian was the first to notice Kang Ping'an's abnormality and decisively ordered Yun Chuan to take action, which resolved the crisis for everyone. That evil spirit should have been killed immediately. Why did we have to let him say goodbye to Bingjing Shenxian? Does an evil spirit deserve to do so?”
"What do you mean by saying that only those in lower positions need to be appeased? Do you dare to tell me where you are in that position?"
"That's right! In the Nine Heavens these days, who dares to talk about high or low positions? What, is your ancient immortal clan exceptionally noble?!"
...
The crowd quickly erupted into a heated argument over who held the highest rank among the immortals.
In the second competition, Bitao uncovered the murder committed by the successor of the Tai Sui God and his collusion with the immortals to cheat. The high-ranking immortals who oversaw the Nine Heavens acted swiftly and decisively, punishing a large number of immortals. The spiritual light of the fallen immortals fell like a rain of meteors, creating an atmosphere of fear and unease throughout the Nine Heavens.
The mutual accusations and attacks intensified.
Even Mingguang, the "future Immortal Emperor" who was once unquestioned, was fooled and deceived by the Fairy of the Peach Blossom. After regaining his memories, he failed to launch a strong "counterattack" and personally stripped off his "perfect robe." His shortcomings were exposed to the public, and more and more people began to question him.
The celestial ranks that had been balanced for thousands of years began to crack silently, and the entire Nine Heavens were subtly divided into three camps: the ancient immortals, the merit immortals, and the wild immortals, who, although of lower rank, were numerous. Inconclusive disputes could erupt at any moment.
As for the immortal positions in the lower realm competition, since most of the immortals had regained their memories, they were divided into two teams, led by Bitao and Mingguang respectively.
At this moment, Mingguang and the others remained where they were, waiting for Bingjing.
Only Bitao was squatting beside the ice mirror.
He stroked her trembling back and said, "You should have regained your memory by now, right?"
Bitao protected Kang Ping'an and awakened Bingjing because she knew that, according to Bingjing's personality, even with amnesia, she was still a person who clearly distinguished between love and hate and was fiercely opposed to evil.
She will eventually kill Kang Ping'an.
Bitao's intentions were not simply to help Bingjing and Kang Pingan say goodbye.
She doesn't have that strong desire to make others happy.
She just felt that Kang Ping'an's unusual behavior was too obvious.
The reason why evil spirits are called evil spirits is that they are almost devoid of humanity, except for their obsession with themselves.
He can take meticulous care of Bingjing while killing people without blinking an eye; there's nothing pitiful about him.
After Kang Ping'an was subdued by Yun Chuan, he did not struggle in his death throes, nor did he show any intention of resisting; his calmness was eerily unsettling.
It was so bizarre that it felt like being pushed out, like a puppet on strings with its hands and feet controlled, unable to resist.
Just like when dealing with the evil spirit, the sudden madness and kidnapping of the meteor by the celestial being is completely illogical.
Bitao was thinking of stalling for a little longer, hoping to force the person behind Kang Ping'an to reveal their true colors.
However, after several battles, amidst the despair of death and the ghostly miasma, few could maintain a normal mindset. They may have sensed that something was amiss, but they only wanted to kill Kang Ping'an as soon as possible to prevent the hordes of ghosts from launching another attack.
Not everyone is like Bitao, whose life hangs by a thread, yet still manages to play music with that very life.
After Bingjing woke up, she killed Kang Ping'an so decisively that Bitao guessed that she had regained her memories.
Yun Chuan's palm strike was truly vicious, striking Bing Jing's vital point on the back of her neck. Bing Jing was already on the verge of mental collapse because of Kang Ping'an, and taking such a solid blow would definitely leave her on the verge of death.
These immortals possess inexhaustible strength.
Bitao did not try to comfort Bingjing, as her experience was not like Yunchuan's.
Although Kang Ping'an was Bing Jing's "dream lover" who grew up completely according to Bing Jing's preferences and inclinations, after Bing Jing "replaced" someone else, she met him and perhaps developed genuine feelings for him.
Ke Kang Ping An is a ruthless and vicious ghost. Having been entangled with evil ghosts, killing them with one's own hands is the best way to sever the karmic ties.
Ice Mirror understood this principle, which is why she acted so decisively, using Thunder Spirit to shatter the evil spirit's soul inch by inch.
She doesn't need comforting.
She just needs some time to accept that she has killed her own "dream".
Bitao asked Bingjing, "You've spent the most time with Kang Ping'an. Think back, has he ever acted strangely?"
Have you met any unusual people?
"For example, does he have any connection with shooting stars?"
With her swollen eyes still bloodshot, Bitao's question seemed overly cruel.
However, even with her kneeling on the ground and her eyes red from crying, Bingjing was still quick-witted and rationally recalled the past.
She was very grateful to Bitao for helping her get a chance to do it herself.
Therefore, Bingjing answered Bitao's question very seriously: "In our past interactions, he has never acted strangely."
"He was just a simple, kind, even honest, ordinary farmer. He helped me rescue the villagers after the ghosts had passed through, and he would even mend the children's torn clothes."
Bingjing's expression still carried a hint of wistfulness and sweetness as she reminisced, making her look especially sorrowful against her tear-stained and muddy face.
But she said very clearly and logically, "He came to Wenxin Pavilion with me three times to receive missions. Each time, he just saw me off and then left."
"During this period, there were even two occasions when Meteor happened to be leading a team out to exorcise evil spirits and was not at Wenxin Pavilion. They had no chance to contact each other, not even to exchange glances."
Bitao nodded.
He patted Bingjing on the shoulder and said, "Go find your brother. He's very worried about you. He keeps looking this way. He even dropped a gold nugget earlier."
Binglun has many shortcomings, but he is definitely a good older brother.
Bingjing looked up in her brother's direction, hummed in agreement, and nodded.
After getting up by supporting himself with his hands, he walked towards Binglun.
Even though the figure behind him still looks somber, the immortals will not be consumed by nostalgia because of their "wonderful" encounter with evil spirits.
Ice Mirror was never a fool.
When Binglun saw her younger sister get up and walk over, she quickly went to meet her, hugged Bingjing with her only remaining arm, lowered her head and rested her chin on the top of Bingjing's head, her eyes reddening with heartache.
Bitao withdrew her gaze and walked towards the line waiting for her.
My mind was racing.
Zhan Kui is a lucky koi fairy, so everything about her is not suitable for reference. However, based on the events involving Yun Chuan and Xiu Niang, Bing Jing and Kang Ping An, Bi Tao is basically certain that the Heavenly Dao has given them objects of "love and separation, unfulfilled desires," and anyone from this world is destined to die.
Bitao thought with a chill in her heart: her good mother, the Daoist Bu'er, would probably never come back.
If Bitao were to delve deeper into the matter, the truth might be even more cruel.
In a lower realm competition arena of the Xuanxing Realm, there can't be so many people who 'just happen' to fit their obsessions, yet just happen to 'die'.
There are more than 3,000 immortals descending to the mortal realm this time, and some of them are cultivators who are "selected to succeed" them.
Each person's "calamity" corresponds exactly to their inner obsession.
There is only one possibility: these "calamities" are all "people destined to die" that the Heavenly Dao has pulled from other star realms, or... they are simply immortals who are accompanying the competition and taking on the role of immortals.
This speculation is even supported by precedent. In the first competition, wasn't Bitao's mother-in-law one of the two ghost kings who took turns acting as her?
Logically speaking, in the mortal realm, the natal chart and the mortal's destiny chart are like a densely interwoven net, where a change in one part affects the whole.
In the first competition in the mortal realm, Mingguang stayed in the competition realm for several years to correct the natal charts and the natal charts of mortals before he was able to return to heaven.
Bitao inadvertently affected the fates of three people, and by sheer luck, all three of them rose to prominence along with her.
Under what circumstances could a star realm still function normally after undergoing such extensive "tampering"?
Bitao followed the others down the mountain, her brows always furrowed in a knot she couldn't untangle.
Things had gone beyond her expectations, and even seemed to be beyond the scope of what these immortals could handle.
Before the sun set, they returned to Mengxia Village.
Previously, Bitao and Wei Danxin lived together, but now that Mingguang has regained his memory, and given their differing stances, it's impossible for them to live together again.
Bitao walked around the farmhouse, but instead of going back, she went to find Zhan Kui.
At that time, Zhan Kui was also having an affair with Guang Han.
"Why do you want to go back to the sect? You already know you're not a disciple of Taixu Tower, so just stay in Wenxin Pavilion!"
Guanghan: "No." He calculated that if he continued to stay in the Wenxin Pavilion, it would be "extremely unlucky."
The kind of bloodshed that you can't avoid!
But he didn't tell Zhan Kui, because even if he did, Zhan Kui certainly wouldn't listen.
Zhan Kui would definitely say, "Then you should stay by my side, the lucky koi fairy, and I can protect you!"
However, the "great misfortune" that Guanghan predicted originated from Zhan Kui.
Therefore, he pursed his lips, and as Zhan Kui pounded his chest, making a "bang bang" sound, he was even more determined than when he refused to have a child with Zhan Kui.
After all, your life is more important!
“No.” He repeated.
He must stay away from Zhan Kui.
Zhan Kui had already grabbed his weapons, even picking up a stool, when Bi Tao walked in and stopped him.
Guanghan bowed to Bitao with gratitude in her eyes, then quickly slipped away.
Bitao, with a chair propped up on her arm, looked at Zhan Kui and said, "Is this how you usually 'negotiate' with people?"
Zhan Kui: "Because it's easier to discuss things this way... Why did you come here?"
Zhan Kui put down the stool and sat down around the table with Bi Tao.
Bitao wanted to say that no matter how bad Guanghan's combat ability was, it was still much better than your half-mortal body.
Moreover, Bitao taught him several moves, and he had obviously practiced them well. He performed quite well when dealing with the tiger that the changgui had transformed into.
If he were to actually fight Zhan Kui... he could beat Zhan Kui to his true form.
But seeing Zhan Kui leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed, looking like he was the best in the world, Bi Tao silently swallowed her words.
Riding a horse on a cliff in Bitao relies on cunning, while dancing on a suspended thread in Zhankui depends on luck.
Forget it, Bitao's head is all tangled up with other things right now, she doesn't have time to worry about a koi fairy.
"I didn't need anything from you, go to sleep."
As Bitao spoke, she yawned and began to take off her clothes with ease.
Zhan Kui followed behind Bi Tao, exaggeratedly hugging himself with his arms and saying, "I knew you'd been eyeing me for a long time! Good heavens, are you finally going to make your move on me?!"
Bitao turned around and glared at her: "...If I ever really lay a hand on you, I'll put you on the stove wall and roast you like a fish."
Zhan Kui clicked his tongue and twitched, getting himself out of bed faster than Bi Tao, and with a "whoosh," he burrowed into the covers.
Laughing, he propped himself up in bed waiting for Bitao and said, "You can't possibly eat that much. My original form is huge now, hehehehe, I'll stuff you to death."
Bitao's bottom had just touched the bed when she remembered something and sat up.
Standing beside the bed, he asked seriously, "Is this bed still clean?"
Zhan Kui: "Huh? What's wrong with the bed... Oh~"
Zhan Kui understood what Bi Tao meant. Bi Tao was asking her if she and Guang Han had ever had sexual relations on Zhang's bed.
Actually, no. Zhan Kui has been celibate for a long time. He could have forced Guang Han to have a good time with her tonight.
Isn't this Bitao here? Zhan Kui loves men, but she "loves" Bitao even more, so she let Guanghan go.
But Zhan Kui lay there spread-eagled, looking at Bi Tao and said, "The bed is not clean."
"Why don't you sleep with Mingguang? What a great opportunity! Just say the other empty rooms haven't been cleaned yet, and the two of you rub your skin together, and the sparks of love will ignite!"
Bitao: "...Do you think Mingguang would sleep with me now?"
Zhan Kui: "I think he might wake up in the middle of the night, remember what you did, remember how utterly disgraced he was in front of all the immortals, and suddenly get up and strangle you to death, hahahahaha—"
Bitao got into bed and crawled under the covers.
Zhan Kui whispered in her ear, "What, aren't you afraid the bed will get dirty?"
Bitao ignored her. Zhan Kui knew her bottom line well. If the bed was really "not clean," she would definitely tell the truth.
She didn't say it, but it was clean.
Bitao wrapped herself in the blanket and closed her eyes. She was so hungry that she couldn't fall asleep for a while and her mind kept wandering.
Zhan Kui poked her from behind, disturbing her thoughts: "Hey, what are you and Mingguang going to do in the future?"
"You should worry about yourself. I have a feeling that Meteor is not simple. You should avoid provoking him."
Zhan Kui: "Hey, it's alright. Besides, didn't you say he's innocent? And I told you he loves me to death, but you just won't believe me."
Bitao recalled the many inexplicable "anomalies" of the meteor shower, and hesitated to speak. She wouldn't easily speak about things she wasn't sure about, not even to Zhan Kui.
Bitao didn't say anything and forced herself to go to sleep.
Zhan Kui wrapped his arms around Bi Tao's waist from behind, through the blanket.
"Oh, so many people admire the Fairy Bitao, and she's willingly crawled into my bed, so I won't be polite and accept her!"
Bitao ignored Zhan Kui's madness and, filled with the wonderful anticipation of being able to eat pig's trotters when she returned to Wenxin Pavilion, quickly fell asleep.
Little did she know that in the room where she and Wei Danxin once lived, there was a warm yellow light that stayed on all night.
That lamp once inspired Bitao to become weak and indulgent, desiring only "one lifetime," but now it stands alone in the cold night, forgotten by all.
Mingguang sat upright by the lamp. In the first half of the night, there was a bowl on the table containing porridge he had made from the leftover grains.
He cooked it much better than Wei Danxin. He could control the flames with his spiritual energy, and his rice porridge was fragrant and thick, making people's mouths water.
But in the middle of the night, the rice porridge that had been ignored, along with the bowl containing it, was swept onto the ground.
The thick rice porridge had clumped together and was smashed to pieces by the shards of the porcelain bowl when it was thrown to the ground.
Mingguang's original intention was to sit down and have a proper talk with Xiaotaozhi.
Let's discuss how to deal with the various obstacles they will face in the second competition.
Looking back, there are too many illogical aspects to this trip into the mountains to kill the evil spirits, as well as the previous battle against the evil spirits.
After Mingguang regained his memory, he reviewed everything that happened after he "chose" Wei Danxin as his successor and discovered that this competition arena was probably not as simple as a world plagued by a hundred ghosts.
Little Peach Branch is so clever, she must have discovered it long ago.
However, Mingguang had prepared many ways to express this idea, and several solutions regarding what to do between them. He wanted to offer them to Xiaotaozhi to choose from.
He had planned everything, but he hadn't anticipated that Xiao Taozhi had no intention of talking to him at all; she hadn't even come back.
So, just after midnight, while Bitao was dreaming of gnawing on a pig's trotter and was biting Zhan Kui, who was sleeping with his arm around her shoulder, so much so that he was dreaming of being chased and bitten by a ghost, someone knocked on the door to wake them up.
The voice of the person outside was very low. It was Yun Chuan. He quickly said, "Immortal Bitao, Immortal Zhankui, and Immortal Mingguang, summon all the immortals to gather at the stone tablet at the village entrance. There is something to discuss with the immortals."
Bitao and Zhan Kui woke up with a start, exchanged a glance, and Zhan Kui let out a "howl" and withdrew his hand.
After the two of them got dressed, they walked in the dark towards the stone tablet at the village entrance. Zhan Kui was still rubbing his hand, which had been bitten red by Bi Tao, and muttered, "What's wrong with you? Why are you biting people in the middle of the night..."
Bitao was both amused and exasperated: "I was dreaming about eating pig's trotters, who told you to put your hand to my mouth?"
“You must be really hungry…” Zhan Kui said, yawning. “It’s not even dawn yet, what’s Mingguang doing…”
On their way, the two encountered other immortals sneaking towards the village entrance in the dark, making it seem as if the group was going to do something bad.
It was so dark that not a single ray of light could be seen.
Upon reaching the stone tablet at the village entrance, Bitao and Zhan Kui first saw an array that concealed their figures and voices.
Yun Chuan stood at the entrance of the formation and personally invited all the immortals who had come to enter the formation.
Bitao and Zhankui followed the other immortals inside.
Inside, the village entrance stone tablet still stood. Mingguang stood in the center of the formation, surrounded by the crowd, casting his gaze in the direction of Bitao from afar. His golden eyes were imposing and his gaze was sinister.
Bitao didn't seem to mind; she looked away as soon as their eyes met.
Zhan Kui shuddered at Ming Guang's gaze and quickly grabbed Bi Tao's arm.
"What's wrong with Mingguang again? Who upset him?" Zhan Kui whispered in Bi Tao's ear.
Bitao shook her head.
Actually, she knew what was going on with Mingguang. She had taken a walk around the farmhouse where she stayed before going back last night.
I saw the lamp and smelled the aroma of rice porridge.
But she didn't go in; she deliberately didn't.
Mingguang is Wei Danxin, but he is not Wei Danxin.
Wei Danxin is only a part of him; he is gentle and lovely, and he will wait for Bitao to return, bring her warm rice porridge, soothe her exhaustion, and shower her with tenderness.
Mingguang can do these things too, and he might even do them better than Wei Danxin.
However, his warm yellow light and fragrant rice porridge were not merely meant to comfort Bitao, but rather as bait to lure the "prey" into the trap.
Like the beautiful and alluring mermaids in the Shangqing Realm, they use their most beautiful and seductive appearance and the most beautiful and unparalleled voice to lure those who approach them, while hiding their sharp, steel-like fingernails, capable of shattering waves and the long tails of whales and giant fish, underwater.
Once they are lured into the water, they will never be able to return to land.
Betrayal, defiance, and attempts to escape all end in being strangled in the deep sea.
Mingguang is not a slimy, fishy merman; he is the "Golden Crow" who understands the universe.
The golden crow is born to soar through the sky, its proud spirit reaching the heavens.
If Mingguang, who has no memory, is just a wild horse, you can tame it by harnessing it, riding it around a few times without falling off, and then whipping it a few more times.
The Mingguang who regained his memories of his immortal status was a golden crow with a body as large as a mountain. It had sharp claws and teeth, a strong and robust body, and golden feathers that blotted out the sky like heavenly fire, capable of both benefiting all living beings and scorching everything.
Its beak is far sharper than a mermaid's fangs, and its claws, when enraged, can tear the sky apart.
And around this terrifying "giant bird" is a group of other "beasts" gathered, ready to be driven by it at any time.
The methods used to deal with Wei Danxin are ineffective against him. If one is not careful, he will suppress them, restrain them with his claws, and peck them with his beak. Once they are under his control, they will be unable to turn the tables.
Bitao wouldn't allow herself to be easily suppressed if she met with him in private now.
But when it comes to training birds, you have to use a method that can kill them with a single blow, making them suffer so much pain that they will never dare to extend their claws or bite again before you can approach them.
Bitao hasn't figured out what to do yet.
Therefore, Bitao pretended not to see Mingguang's "anger" at her not returning home all night, quickly turned her gaze away, and stood next to Zhankui.
The immortals arrived one after another, and after entering the formation, they spontaneously found places to stand.
Before long, they once again formed two distinct teams.
Yun Chuan was the last to enter. The formation was deactivated, and the barrier blocked all prying eyes.
The clamor of conversation among the crowd was quickly extinguished after Mingguang spoke, like a bonfire in a downpour.
Mingguang didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "There are many strange things about this world. Now that you have all regained your memories, you must have also discovered some anomalies. I called you all here to exchange information so that we can discuss countermeasures together."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. The two groups were already at odds, but they had fought side by side before, so it was unlikely that they would start arguing before Mingguang had even finished speaking.
Mingguang organized the group and, to show his sincerity, spoke first: "I am in charge of the Nine Heavens' public duties, so I must have a deeper memory of the major events in the myriad realms than you all."
"I suspect that the collapse of the Reincarnation Bridge in this world was not a natural disaster, but a man-made one."
"Among you gentlemen, those immortals who are a bit older must remember that 234 years ago, a meritorious immortal ascended to the upper realm. Dissatisfied with the arrangement of his immortal position, he smashed the palace of the Eastern King Duke, causing the nine heavens to be filled with wind, rain, thunder, and dark clouds. Then he dispersed his spirit and descended to the lower realm, leaving gracefully."
"For a period of time, this matter was regarded as a 'beautiful story' that earned the respect of the immortals."
Mingguang's voice was as clear and cold as cracking ice: "As you all know, the flow of time in the Celestial Realm and the myriad realms is different. For example, in the mortal realm of the first competition, the flow of time is one day in the Celestial Realm and ten years on Earth."
"The flow of time in this realm is still unknown. But even if the flow of time in this realm is the same as that in the celestial realm, in theory, this immortal who disdained the celestial position and returned to the mortal realm should have been submerged in the endless galloping horse long ago, either his soul would be destroyed or he would be reincarnated."
"However, I discovered that in this cultivation world, almost all sects worship a Xuanmen ancestor who ascended more than two thousand years ago, and I was fortunate enough to experience his weapon once, which is called the Tongtian Mace."
As Mingguang spoke, his gaze swept over Bitao.
Bitao: "..." She pretended to be sleepy, covered her face and yawned, avoiding Mingguang's "intense gaze".
Mingguang continued, "The mace has four edges. When it strikes the skin and flesh on the back, the skin remains intact, but the flesh is torn apart."
"And the arrogant immortal who caused the Nine Heavens to be smashed and rained for days more than two hundred years ago also used a mace as his weapon."
As soon as Mingguang finished speaking, everyone's expressions changed. Some of the older people remembered the incident and immediately began to recall and add: "Back then, when that immortal ascended to heaven, I happened to be returning with the Thunder King after he had been making rain."
"Upon reaching the ninth heaven, it was discovered that the entire celestial realm was experiencing rain, and amidst the swirling rain and howling winds, an undisguised air of arrogance and pride was rampant."
"At that time, I was thinking, who is so arrogant as to dare to stir up such a storm in the heavens?"
"At that time, any immortal in the Nine Heavens could talk about the merit immortal position like the back of their hand. Some admired him, some looked down on him, but most were shocked by his audacity."
"He was dissatisfied with the celestial position he was given after his ascension, so he smashed the Eastern King Duke's palace. Then, before the heavenly soldiers could do anything, he stepped onto the Heavenly Gate and, in front of all the immortals, crushed his own immortal bones and threw himself into the tribulation of lightning, scattering his spirit to the mortal realm."
Nine days later, a gag order was issued, and discussions about the matter were forcibly suppressed, since it was indeed not a glorious thing.
At that time, the Eastern King Duke did not stop the newly ascended Merit Immortal from causing chaos, allowing him to swagger across the entire Nine Heavens. The Eastern King Duke was derelict in his duty to govern the male immortals of the Nine Heavens.
However, the Heavenly Dao of the myriad realms is often away, the Immortal Emperor doesn't care about anything, and the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water pretend to be deaf and dumb. No one questions the Eastern King Duke's crime, so they can only keep quiet about the Immortal position.
Others also remembered it and added their own details.
Finally, the image of that spirited immortal who was full of anticipation for ascension but dissatisfied with the corrupt system of the Heavenly Realm and even more dissatisfied with having to start from a low-ranking immortal position, and who simply refused to become an immortal and recklessly scattered his spiritual energy, was gradually fully sketched out.
However, some people have raised doubts: "That Merit Immortal is the founder of the Xuanmen sect, and this world is where he went after his spirit dispersed. It cannot prove that he is the culprit who harmed the common people."
The group started discussing it again, each offering their own opinions.
Mingguang waited until the crowd's voices subsided before speaking again in a low voice: "The Xuanmen Ancestor ascended to heaven because of his immeasurable merits. He not only founded the Xuanmen and gathered together the various schools of cultivation methods, but also made several countries in the human world rich and prosperous, where people did not lock their doors at night. Even if he becomes a mortal, he should be respected and admired by everyone."
"If anyone hears that he has given up being a god and returned to the mortal world, they will surely worship him as a god and regard the heavenly realm he speaks of as a filthy place."
"But in the memories of the immortals who are now 'choosing successors', do you have any memories of the Xuanmen Ancestor returning to the mortal realm from the heavens? Even hearsay is welcome."
The crowd looked at each other in silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Obviously not.
None of the memories people have of the Xuanmen Ancestor, including what they've heard, mention anything about him "returning to the mortal realm."
"Although the immortal position of celestial beings who disperse their spirits and return to the mortal realm is unprecedented in tens of thousands of years, both ascension and dispersal of spirits are accompanied by tribulations of lightning."
"A person who should have returned to the mortal world in great glory disappeared without a trace more than two thousand years ago. Since then, the cycle of reincarnation has broken down, life has become scarce, and ghosts roam freely."
Mingguang declared definitively, "Who else but him is the one causing trouble?"
Bitao only confirmed this matter after descending into the underworld. Although Mingguang's line of thinking was different from hers, he guessed it within such a short time of regaining his memories... Well, he wasn't stupid this time.
Bitao's eyes were bright, and she looked at him with genuine admiration.
Back when the two of them cultivated together, Bitao would cheer for Mingguang every time he memorized a technique. Just like now.
Moreover, the chaos caused by the meritorious immortals back then occurred precisely when Bitao crossed the rainbow bridge ditch of the Heavenly Realm, using her filthy body to sneak past the restrictions of the Immortal Emperor's Palace, and ran to the Xuanhui Hall to find Mingguang.
That marked the beginning of their deepening friendship. It was of great significance to them.
Mingguang was already paying special attention to Bitao, and when he felt her looking at him, he looked back at her.
I had rehearsed what I was going to say in my mind many times, with a clear and logical outline. But when I met Bitao's long-lost yet incredibly "familiar" encouraging and appreciative gaze, I suddenly... forgot my words.
After many years, my senses were revived before my memories came back to life, and my tongue tasted that sweetness for the first time in my life.
Mingguang's thin lips parted slightly, his mind blank except for the memory of Xiaotaozhi bringing him a piece of candy dirtier than a pebble in the pouring rain years ago.
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