Chapter Fifty-Five: The True Immortal of Heavenly Water

As the image played, the Ancestor of the Polar Star watched its contents intently. After a moment of contemplation, the great ape slowly spoke:

“Now that the dragon and serpent rise, those people are restless as well! Very well, Yulan will likely have to change her neutral stance!”

“Those people?”

Yulan was surprised for a moment, then seemed to recall something.

“Indeed. Without someone’s schemes, those people would never dare to so wantonly turn all the citizens of an entire city into puppet demons!” the Ancestor of the Polar Star continued.

“Isn’t it just Xia Hao? Calling him 'someone'—if that’s the case, then take a stand!” Yulan seemed to have made a momentous decision, then looked toward Xu Cheng. “The Little Underworld Envoy, your ghost messengers, and this descendant of the Demon Immortal Clan must be on the same side, right?”

Quickly analyzing the situation, Xu Cheng surmised that Yuchan Palace had originally maintained a neutral stance regarding the world, but with trouble erupting in the nearby Fuchang City, someone was warning them: this time a neighboring city suffered, next time it could be Yuchan Palace’s turn.

Yet how could Yulan and the Ancestor of the Polar Star, those old monsters, fail to see through this? Either they align with Xia Hao, or they unite with the people of Gunjou City.

“That’s right, we all belong to Gunjou City. Would Master Yulan be willing to join our ranks?”

After a moment’s thought, Xu Cheng quickly spoke.

“Let me consider it for a moment,” Yulan paced, her thoughts unreadable.

“No rush, Yulan. Did you notice the person inside the coffin on that boy’s back?” The Ancestor of the Polar Star’s gaze swept over the coffin behind Xu Cheng.

“Ancestor of the Polar Star, do you know her?” Xu Cheng patted the coffin behind him.

“Oh? You don’t know her? Yet you dare carry her on your back?” The Ancestor of the Polar Star chuckled.

“I don’t know her. Who is she, after all?” Xu Cheng was growing anxious.

Yulan immediately spoke, “Allow me. The person you carry is Master Tian Gui of the Xuantian Dao Sect, a heavenly-ranked ancestor. Over a thousand years ago, her body was destroyed by an enemy, and she was forced to fuse her soul with her corpse, treading the path of ghosts. Whether she was naturally suited for the ghost path or something else, her cultivation soared. She has endured nine rounds of thunder tribulation, yet for some reason she never ascended. When I was young, I was fortunate to meet her once.”

“She’s a heavenly-ranked predecessor of the Xuantian Dao Sect? She’s already endured thunder tribulation?”

Xu Cheng’s heart quaked—he never imagined that this girl-like figure was actually the ancestor of the Xuantian Dao Sect. That would mean even Master Lingxu would have to address her as Grand Ancestor.

“If we could awaken Master Tian Gui, what would Xia Hao amount to?” the Ancestor of the Polar Star continued.

“Whether she can be awakened is not up to me! Besides, she’s far too unstable!”

Though Master Tian Gui was like a nuclear warhead—an ultimate weapon—she was far too unpredictable.

“Indeed, Master Tian Gui’s temperament is ever-changing, sometimes good, sometimes evil. When she’s benevolent, she’s like a living Buddha; when she’s not, she could easily slaughter a city. Polar Star, you’re too optimistic!” Yulan interjected, having seen Master Tian Gui herself and thus speaking with authority.

“Very well, very well! In the end, we must rely on ourselves,” the Ancestor of the Polar Star sighed and shook his head.

“Enough. Here is the Jade Toad Token of Yuchan Palace! Little Underworld Envoy, keep it well. If I reach a decision, I’ll let you know!” Yulan produced a small jade-green frog and handed it to Xu Cheng.

“Yes, Master!” Xu Cheng responded.

This was a stroke of luck. If Gunjou City gained Yuchan Palace’s alliance, their strength would greatly increase. Even if they stayed out of it, Yuchan Palace had never liked Xia Hao. If they remained withdrawn, Xia Hao wouldn’t be able to do much about them.

Along the way, Yulan had introduced the palace’s eighteen grand formations, which could be combined into an ancient immortal array. Even immortals feared it; how could Xia Hao not?

Just as the group prepared to leave, a commotion erupted at the foot of the mountain.

What was happening?

When Xu Cheng descended, he saw a man in luxurious robes accompanied by a beautiful young woman, shouting at the most unsettling-looking person ahead: “I reached Golden Core at twenty, forged the Dao at thirty, and now I am a mighty cultivator of the Divine Soul realm! How many times have you undergone the Nine Toad Transformations? The uglier you get! With your looks, how could you possibly be my dual cultivation partner?”

So this was the infamous divorce scene, once popular in Xu Cheng’s former world’s novels?

“What are you looking at? A bunch of ugly freaks!” The man pointed at those around him, shouting loudly. “Toads yearning for swan meat! Bah!”

“Don’t slander Senior Sister!” another, slightly better-looking fellow spoke up in support.

“And what are you? If I looked like you, I’d rather be dead!” the man yelled arrogantly.

Xu Cheng was about to step in, but Yulan pulled him aside, conjuring a curtain of concealment to hide their presence.

Even if someone’s appearance was unfortunate, it was uncalled for to humiliate others—especially when it was due to their cultivation arts!

“This is a family matter; you needn’t be angry! Such incidents have occurred in Yuchan Palace more than once. Most partners never last until the final transformation. But the longer one remains ugly, the more beautiful they become after the last transformation. It’s both a trial and a tempering of the heart; when the heart is perfected, cultivation will soar!” Yulan whispered beneath the invisible curtain.

So that was the truth. But judging by the man seeking divorce, he seemed to be from the Great Xia Dynasty.

The girl being divorced only wept softly, indifferent to the torrent of insults.

Beside her, another young woman conjured frog shadows in her hand and said coldly, “Enough! If you don’t leave, we’ll take action!”

“Go ahead! If you dare, I’m not afraid. Let Xia Hao, my imperial brother, try if he wishes!” To think he was a royal! According to the current structure of the Great Xia Dynasty, he was a prince.

“I brought you here because I heard it could make you beautiful! But you only got uglier! That’s not my fault! Look at you—how could you possibly be worthy of me?” Speaking of Xia Hao, the prince’s confidence surged.

“See that, Chu Yanyan? She should be my partner, with her beauty!” He pulled the girl beside him and addressed the weeping maiden.

Chu Yanyan was indeed enchanting, radiating allure with every gesture. Xu Cheng inwardly cursed, “Enchantress!”

“Oh, you’re terrible!” Chu Yanyan pouted coquettishly. “How can I bear it? She’s so ugly—will she hurt me out of jealousy?”

Her coy tone made the prince squint in pleasure. He then said solemnly:

“She wouldn’t dare! If anyone dares harm you, I’ll stand up for you!”

“Wonderful! That’s great! My dear, be forceful. Maybe if you punch them hard enough, their faces will become prettier!” Chu Yanyan seized every chance to humiliate the disciples of Yuchan Palace.

Xu Cheng glanced at Yulan beside him, her expression unperturbed. He thought to himself: Indeed, it’s not yet time to deal with those two—they must die elsewhere.