Her story
Asawata became increasingly curious about what his other self had gone through.
"Let's go for a walk together, and tell me your story with him while you're at it. I'll think about how to help you."
"...Are you really going to help me?" another Asaka asked cautiously, seemingly incredulous.
Asakawa nodded: "Since you're already here, and you're another version of me after all, how could I bear to see you living like this?"
The other woman remained silent for a long time before softly saying, "Thank you. But why did you go outside?"
Asakawa: "It's so stuffy here, I want to go outside for a walk." This lush green jade palace is like a magnificent but decaying coffin; it's very uncomfortable to stay inside. Besides, she wants to observe further to see how this world differs from her original world.
“Okay.” Another woman took out a small, exquisite golden jade lovebird from her storage pouch. There was a delicate little pavilion on the bird’s back. She gently stroked the bird’s wings, her gaze tender and full of love: “Back then, I also liked to go out for walks to clear my mind. He personally made this golden jade lovebird for me so that I could fly up to a high place and sit in the pavilion to enjoy the scenery. He also said that no matter where I wanted to go, as long as I told him the name of the place, he would go with me. In those years, we went to so many places together. We visited all the famous scenic spots in the sky and on the ground…”
Asawa: "Oh, let's go, we can talk about it on the way."
“Alright, let’s go out first.” Another Chao Du led the way, then suddenly turned back. “Wait a minute, there are many hidden defensive and detection formations inside the hall. How did you get in so quietly?”
Chao Du shrugged: "If you had my cultivation level, looking at them would be no different from looking at the tables and chairs in the room. Look, those two and three, right? Just use a special secret technique to conceal your form and avoid triggering anything."
Another man, Asakawa, looked at her with envy: "You're a genius."
Asawa looked into her eyes: "If I am, then you are too."
The other one lowered his head and said, "No, I'm too stupid. I can't compare to you or him. It took me a year to even get the basics of swordsmanship."
Asakawa reminded her, "Do you remember that we are the same person? What I can do, you can certainly do too. The basic swordsmanship that took you a year to master back then, I can do too."
"...Really? Then how did you become an immortal?" The other Chaodu kept turning back to look at her.
Chao Du made a "shh" gesture: "We're about to leave. There are people outside. Pretend I'm not here, and we'll talk after we fly up."
Another Asakawa: "Okay!"
Once outside, another Chaodu woke up the Golden Jade Lovebirds. The lovebirds chirped twice and grew louder. The two Chaodu climbed onto the pavilion on the bird's back, and the lovebirds took off, flying quite steadily.
Another person snapped their fingers, and six beaded curtains hung down around the pavilion, then disappeared.
Chao Du glanced at it and immediately understood the purpose of the beaded curtain: it prevented outsiders from seeing inside the pavilion while allowing those inside to enjoy the scenery.
As the golden jade lovebirds passed by the group of cultivators who were investigating the situation, they not only did not disperse, but their numbers actually increased. Another of them, Chao Du, asked in surprise, "What are they doing gathered here?"
"Maybe she's taking a stroll to digest her food." Chao Du glanced at her. Didn't she even notice the massive thunderbolt from just now? Her alertness and awareness were far too low.
Like a rusty, dull sword, but she wanted to try to polish it and see if she could restore its original shine.
Another Chao Du didn't understand her joke and retorted seriously, "Why would a cultivator need to digest food?"
Asakawa lazily replied, "That makes sense. Maybe she's just taking a stroll to clear her head. Or maybe she's looking for me." Never mind teasing her anymore; I'll just give her the answer directly.
"Looking for you?!" The other Asakawa exclaimed in surprise, like a startled, bewildered little rabbit. "Why?!"
Chao Du glanced at the group of cultivators flying around like bees and smiled, "When I came, I made quite a commotion. Well, don't worry about it. The commotion has been resolved, and they can't find me anyway. Keep flying."
Another charioteer gave her a deep look and directed the lovebirds to continue flying.
After flying for a while, another person pointed to the sapphire-blue lake below: "This is Spirit Carp Lake, isn't the scenery beautiful? Now can you tell me how you ascended?"
Chao Du raised an eyebrow at her: She was still thinking about using the ascension method to win that man back.
Chao Du gave a perfunctory reply: "Strength, courage, intelligence, opportunity, and temperament are all indispensable. Fu Buci was able to reach the position of the First Immortal Lord, so he probably had the first four. What he lacked was temperament. If he could give up his desire for power and beauty, and have more compassion for the world, then perhaps he would succeed."
Another one, Asakawa, seemed a little disappointed: "What you said makes sense, but if I try to persuade him with these things, he'll probably get even more annoyed with me."
"If you ask me, even if you want him to change his mind, you've gone down the wrong path." Asakawa observed the surroundings and the defenses below while analyzing for her. "Think about it, did he fall in love with you back then because you were completely devoted to him and only had him in your heart?"
Another man, Chao Du, was stunned for a moment before exclaiming, "No! He said I was different from others! He said I was exceptionally brave, and that my sword gleamed..."
Asakawa nodded: "So, where is your sword? Where is your courage?"
The other Asaka looked at his empty palms, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly spoke: "Back when I was with him, he said he felt sorry for me practicing swordsmanship day and night, and he felt sorry for the injuries I sustained while practicing..."
Although Chao Du had not experienced it, he had seen many similar scenes unfold around him during his hundreds of years of cultivation in the mortal realm. He was able to smoothly add to the story: "After he achieved some small successes, he said that you don't need to work so hard in the future, that he would support you, and that you can rely on him from now on."
Another Asawata: "It's like this..."
"And then you actually believed it." Chao Du sighed softly, "But cultivating immortality is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind." Even after she ascended to immortality, she never relaxed or slacked off in her cultivation for a single day; otherwise, she wouldn't have achieved her current breakthrough in cultivation and wouldn't have had the opportunity to come to this world.
“I didn’t believe him completely at the time, but he later said that he needed me and needed me to help him with many things. At that time, my cultivation level was far behind his. He had already become an inner disciple and was highly valued by the elders, while I was still an ordinary disciple. Why should I take care of those trivial matters instead of letting him give up his cultivation time? He was very happy at the time and said that I had helped him a lot. He really loved me more at that time. He would prepare some surprise gifts for me from time to time and would also take time to accompany me to many places.” Another Chao Du recalled, his eyes full of tenderness, “If only time could stay in those days forever.”
Asahi didn't speak, listening quietly as she reminisced about those warm moments in her eyes. It was clear that few people usually listened to her tell these old stories; once the box full of memories was opened, it was hard to stop.
Another Chao Du continued, "Later, he became an elder and was responsible for leading disciples in cultivation, as well as various assessments and social engagements. I helped him with all of that. Every time I finished my work and went back, he would hug me from behind, kiss me, and say that he missed me and thanked me for being there... He would also have people prepare my favorite dishes in advance so we could eat together when I came back. Later, he became even more important and became the sect leader. He had even more things to do. As the sect leader's wife, I was busy every day, helping him handle various sect alliances and managing all sorts of trivial matters within the sect."
Chao Du felt a headache coming on as he listened to all of this: these things were such a waste of time, such a delay in cultivation, and so troublesome and trivial that they made people forget their original intentions and get lost in the sea of suffering in the mortal world.
"You're so strong, and you've even ascended to immortality. Your status in the cultivation world must be quite high. You must have someone to handle these things for you, right?" Another Chaodu looked at her and asked with some anticipation, "By the way, who is your husband? Is he a very virtuous person? I think nowadays a husband doesn't necessarily have to be very capable, as long as he's considerate."
Chao Du shrugged: "I don't have a husband. As for those trivial matters, there are people who like to handle them."
Many people only use cultivation as a tool for seeking power and profit; she just picks whichever looks good and is convenient to use.
She walks her path of cultivation, while they venture into the arena of fame and fortune.
"Huh? Aren't you lonely?!" another Asakawa exclaimed in disbelief. "You've always been alone?"
Chao Du summoned the Thousand-Jin Sword and gently stroked its black jade blade. Lightning flashed faintly within the sword, as if in response to her.
She placed her beloved sword across her lap, gently stroked the blade, and smiled, “How can cultivation be lonely? With the sword by my side, I can comprehend the mysteries of heaven and earth, grasp the subtleties of martial arts and immortal techniques, and even subdue demons and protect the peace of the world. Moreover, I am never alone. I have good friends and mentors, and I also raise two spirit birds. They are lively and sometimes a bit mischievous.”
Another Chao Du: "I see... Hey, are those two spirit birds early to bed and early to rise?"
Chao Du chuckled and nodded: "Hmm, it seems you keep one too, but I didn't see it just now?"
"...My husband later complained that they were a bit noisy, so I stopped summoning them." Another Chaodu said sullenly.
Chao Du sighed softly, "I bet you haven't been in touch with Xie Luyao for a long time, have you?"
"Xie Luyao... Yaoyao..." another Chaodu murmured, looking at the vast mountains and rivers in the distance, his thoughts seemingly flying to a distant past, "So she was your friend too?"
Chao Du: "Yes, a very good friend. Back then, when I wanted to give up the Brocade Needle Technique and switch to swordsmanship, she was the first person to support me. Even after I went to another sect, we still kept in touch every day, chatting about the interesting and difficult things that happened. Once, when I was on the verge of collapse from practicing swordsmanship, she rushed over overnight to pick me up and comfort me. We still keep in touch often now. She has become the head of a sect and is doing well."
Another Chao Du closed his eyes, his voice choked with emotion: "Back then, we kept in touch every day. When I was practicing swordsmanship to the point of collapse, she came overnight to take me back to the Immortal Garment Pavilion... But she died in the Battle of Brocade City. Our experiences seem so similar, even the people we knew were the same, except for the ending."
Asawa looked at her: "So, you want to change the ending?"
Another man, Asakawa, asked with a wry smile, "Can I change it?"
“If you want to, you can,” Asakawa affirmed.
"Oh? Then tell me how I can change?" The other Asaka's eyes clearly showed disbelief.
Chao Du tapped the white jade railing of the pavilion with his finger and smiled, "First, find your sword."
“My sword? It was just an ordinary sword, it didn’t even have a name.” The other Asaka hesitated. “Is it indispensable? I’ve already lost it…”
Chao Du's black jade sword gleamed, lightning flashing within it like an angry dragon churning in the dark clouds. He stroked its spine and comforted it, "Don't be angry, I didn't lose you. Well, it's not that I absolutely have to have the original one... Hey, I wasn't talking about you. My sword is definitely not just you, it has to be you."
The lightning in the sword finally subsided, and it even slightly raised its blade to brush against Chao Du's fingertips.
Another Asakawa was stunned: "This...this is the original ordinary sword?"
Chao Du: "Yes, I've always carried it with me. Whenever I come across any good materials, I use them to refine it. Later, it even accompanied me through a lightning tribulation. It looks pretty good now, doesn't it? Ah, of course, it's also very good to use. You are the most powerful sword in the world! The most outstanding sword!" Seeing that the lightning patterns on the sword were about to flash again, Chao Du reassured him with practiced ease.
Another one, Asakawa, chuckled and said, "It seems to have quite a temper."
“How cute.” Asakawa smiled. “Anyway, you need a sword, and then you have to practice.”
Another person, Chao Du, remained silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice with a complicated expression, "You wouldn't be trying to make me stronger than Fu Buci, would you?"
"Hmm? Is that not possible? If you're stronger than him, why would you worry about him not taking you seriously? He should be the one worrying about what he'll do if you don't take him seriously." Chao Du looked at her, and the latter shook her head repeatedly like a rattle-drum. "I definitely can't surpass him. I'm too far behind him. He's the strongest person in the Immortal Alliance. So many people want to catch up with him but can't..."
Asakawa pointed to himself: "Hey, take another look at me? I've already become an immortal, you know. Has he become an immortal?"
The other Chaodu fell into a deep silence. After a long while, he suddenly pinched his arm, gasped, and muttered, "It's like a dream. The me from the other world is actually more powerful than Buci? I've even become an immortal?! And I've come looking for him?!"
Chao Du sheathed his sword, extended his hand to her, and smiled, "If you don't believe in yourself, you can believe in me. Of course, believing in me is also believing in yourself. You are capable of being stronger than him."
The other Asaka hesitated before placing his hand in her palm: "Then... shall I try first?"
"Give it a try. You can't lose out when it comes to cultivating and getting stronger." Chao Du held her hand. "The treatment of being personally guided in cultivation by an immortal is something that others can only dream of."
The other Chao Du looked up at her, tears still glistening in his eyes, his expression much firmer than before: "Alright, I'll give it a try. Hmm? My communication jade slip has received a message, please wait a moment."
She took out an exquisite jade slip for communication from her sleeve, and her expression suddenly softened: "This was also carved by him for me by hand back then. He said that every time I received a message and saw the jade slip, I would think of him. By the way, this jade slip is made of warm jade. He said it was made of the temperature of his palm, so that I won't get cold if I carry the jade slip close to my body. When I miss him, I can hold the jade slip in my hand, and it will feel like he is holding my hand."
Asakawa: "...Tsk." This kid has a lot of tricks up his sleeve.
And it's quite obvious that this guy's trick was very successful. Even though he wasn't there, he successfully made another woman remember him and his good qualities.
Another person unlocked the jade slip, and a line of ink words appeared on it: "Su Rourui: Strange celestial phenomena have occurred. Qingyun Palace is under martial law. Please return immediately, Madam."
Chao Du discovered that his other self's face turned ashen after seeing the name on the jade slip, completely devoid of the gentleness he had shown moments before.
Oh, the cure for infatuation has arrived?
Based on his past experiences, Chao Du could roughly guess the identity behind this tender and affectionate name: "This Su Rou Rui is Fu Bu Ci's new love?"
But wait, why does she have a vague impression of the name Su Rourui, even more so than of Fu Buci? Let her look for it... Having lived a long time, she has a lot of memories. She has sealed away some memories that are not deep or important, and will look for them when necessary.
Another person, Chao Du, gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, it was her! She poisoned me and my child, trying to steal my position!"
"She poisoned you and your child, and Fu Buci still kept her alive?" Chao Du was genuinely shocked; he wasn't even putting on an act anymore.
"He first said there wasn't enough evidence, then said he needed the Su family's power, and told me to endure it for the sake of the bigger picture." As the other Chao Du said this, his knuckles cracked from clenching his fists, showing how much he hated her.
"Bear with it, haha, bear with it... How many years have I endured this?! Ever since she became one of the Six Immortal Attendants, her power has grown exponentially, even taking over the internal affairs of the Azure Cloud Immortal Palace. How much longer must I endure this?!" Another Chao Du suddenly looked at Chao Du, his eyes burning with fervor and madness, his hand gripping Chao Du's sleeve tightly. "Please help me! Make her disappear, make her disappear forever!"
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