Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Luo Ci listened intently. "Do you hear anything?"

The little furball, busy sweeping all the pastries from the tray into its mouth, looked up and shook its head.

[Help!]

Another cry.

Luo Ci pricked up his ears. Seeing that neither the little furball nor the Snow-Robed Immortal heard it, he realized it must be a telepathic cry.

One after another, the telepathic cries were frantic and chaotic. It was the first time he had heard such dense psychic cries, and judging by their urgency, it must be some dire situation.

Frowning, he focused on locating the direction, his fluffy little ears twitching—now standing upright, now folding back.

He determined it was coming from the southeast.

"To the southeast."

The Snow-Robed Immortal flicked his sleeve, shifting the winds. The grand ornate vessel slowly turned its bow toward the southeast.

As they drew closer, he could sense more and more panicked, despairing telepathic cries.

Standing on tiptoe, Luo Ci leaned over the boat's railing to scan below.

Soon, a barren wasteland of a mountain came into view.

It was barren because the spiritual energy here was extremely thin—not even common spirit plants or flowers grew.

Yet nestled among these mountains were orderly rows of small buildings, teahouses, taverns, and shops, resembling a tiny celestial town.

However, ominous clouds blotted out the sky above the city, unleashing a deluge like the heavens had ruptured, instantly submerging half the city.

The sudden disaster sent everyone fleeing in panic, stumbling desperately toward higher ground.

Most of the city's structures had been built in a basin, now flooded, forcing the people to crowd onto the mountains.

"What's going on?" Luo Ci furrowed his brows. "The skies are clear everywhere else—why is it only storming here?"

The Snow-Robed Immortal glanced at the dense clouds. "This water resembles the *Wuwang Sea*—feather-light yet boat-sinking. It's no ordinary rain."

Back when the divine realm's apocalyptic flood poured into the mortal world, it was only barely contained with *Xirang*. The floodwaters left in the immortal realm became the *Wuwang Sea*.

The flood in this city was far from the scale of the apocalyptic flood, but this water couldn't support boats—not even a single feather could float on it. Unless one had a flying spiritual artifact, escape was impossible. But such artifacts were costly, and clearly not everyone could possess one.

The little furball, full from its meal, let out a burp and sniffed the air. "There's a fishy smell."

Luo Ci's ears twitched sharply—floodwaters, screams, and countless telepathic cries. The noise around him was overwhelming. After straining to focus, he finally pinpointed the sound to a hidden cave in the valley. He pointed in that direction. "There's crying coming from that cave."

The Snow-Robed Immortal gestured, and several Snow-Robed Immortals departed to investigate.

Before long, a spirit-binding rope brought back a Luo fish. The Snow-Robed Immortal had it placed in a prepared white jade basin.

Luo Ci peered inside and saw that the fish was remarkably vibrant, its scales resembling feathers, with a small horn like a sapphire quill on its forehead. Though only the size of a palm, its cries were deafeningly loud.

He crouched down and poked the fish's horn. "Little one, do you know you've made quite the mess?"

The Luo fish slowly stopped crying, its round, beady black eyes staring at him cluelessly.

As a little fox who had seen many mystical creatures, Luo Ci could tell at a glance that this Luo fish had only just awakened its spiritual awareness.

The little Luo fish blinked its beady eyes, glancing at the little furball. Even though the furball had shrunk in size, it was still larger than the fish. From its perspective, it looked like a big cat licking its lips, staring at it as if ready to swallow it whole at any moment. Terrified, the little Luo fish quivered.

Luo Ci gathered up the little furball into his arms and gently patted the little Luo fish's head. "Why were you crying alone in the cave?"

The little Luo fish's beady eyes slitted happily.

Now, Luo Ci could perfectly conceal his aura as a Wild Beast, transmitting harmless emotions through telepathy. The little Luo fish flipped onto its back in the white jade basin, blowing a string of bubbles: "Gurgle... bloop... gurgle..."

The Snow-Robed Immortal standing nearby could only hear the rhythmic bubbling but couldn't understand what it meant.

Luo Ci, however, nodded along. "Mhm, I see..."

The little Luo fish had been migrating with its school when it slowly awakened its spiritual awareness. Distracted by play, it fell behind.

Crying and flailing about, it eventually lost its way. Since Luo fish prefer shade, it hid in the cave.

Luo Ci pointed downward for the little Luo fish to see. "Look, your crying causes floods. Though the city is still some distance away, your tears have already drowned it. If you keep crying, the flood might spread to other immortal cities—then it’d be truly uncontrollable."

"Blorp..." The little Luo fish saw the submerged city and realized the disaster it had caused.

During its migration, it had glimpsed bustling immortal cities from afar—nothing like the ruins before it now, with collapsed gates, pillars, and shops.

The little Luo fish blinked its shiny black beady eyes, its mouth making "blorp-blorp" sounds, on the verge of crying again.

Remembering that its tears brought floods, it puffed up its cheeks, holding back its tears.

Luo Ci watched as the little Luo fish trembled, shedding tiny flecks of luminous motes. It flapped its tiny, hidden wings, flying out of the white jade basin. Spiritual energy wreathed it as its body grew larger and larger—until it seemed to blot out the sky. Long, silken streamers extended from its belly as it soared through the air.

Having seen Wild Beasts capable of shaking heaven and earth in the ancient realm, Luo Ci remained unshaken, but he was still green with envy of the little Luo fish's sudden growth. "Wow, is this your true form?"

The little furball licked its paws lazily. "Just a transformation spell. Many spirit beasts instinctively learn to alter their size depending on the situation—some as small as a speck, others vast enough to obscure the sky."

Luo Ci tilted his head in confusion. "But I wasn’t born knowing how..."

The little furball: "..."

The little fox had been so doted upon by the ancient gods. While other spirit beasts struggled against nature, he rolled in the divine palace's grass, chasing butterflies woven from godly essence. Never facing danger, how would he know what instincts he had?

The Luo fish flapped its cloud-like wings, letting out a plaintive, duck-like call: "Jiu-yi—"

Luo Ci: "You want to set things right, don’t you?"

The Luo fish nodded, spread its wings, and turned toward the city.

After observing for a while, Luo Ci noticed the refugees had spotted the Luo fish but were too afraid to approach.

Thinking it over, he summoned his little bell. As its melodious chime rang out, a vast mirage unfolded before everyone’s eyes.

To them, the Luo fish transformed into an ark, and the raging floodwaters gradually calmed, parting to create a path. One by one, they steeled themselves and boarded the ark under its guidance.

"Jiu-yi..." The Luo fish let out a piercing call, carrying the people on its back as it soared into the sky.

But then a new dilemma emerged.

With at least a thousand people aboard, where could they be taken?

Luo Ci propped his chin thoughtfully, pondering, when an idea sparked. "Little Luo fish," he said, "take them to *Fuzhe Grotto-Heaven*."

He transformed the bell into a small white dove, leading the way ahead of the Luo fish.

The Fuzhe Grotto-Heaven not only brimmed with ambient qi but was also vast in size, spanning over ten mountain peaks—more than enough to accommodate thousands of people.

Even the houses were ready-made. It was said that this place had once been the headquarters of a certain immortal sect, which later fell into decline, but the buildings remained intact.

Most importantly, it was serene, with few disturbances.

...

The Fuzhe Grotto-Heaven was located near the Cloudtop Sect. After flying for five full days, the Luo fish and the ornate barge arrived, and the dense ambient qi flooded into everyone’s qi sea, gradually rousing those trapped in the illusion.

Man Yu was the first to awaken.

It felt as though he had just emerged from a dream—the sudden flood had destroyed their mountain gate, and everyone had fled in panic. Then, a colossal vessel appeared, and they boarded it to escape the deluge. Everything seemed like a dream.

But he knew it wasn’t.

Before him lay a divine valley, lush and vibrant, entirely different from their desolate former home. Nourished by ambient qi, the land was covered in rare herbs and spiritual plants. A single deep breath filled one with vitalizing vigor.

"Could this really be a dream?" Man Yu mused aloud.

After exchanging a few words with his fellow disciples, he suddenly noticed an exceptionally lovely young man nearby and exclaimed, "Fellow Immortal Luo..."

A massive ornate barge floated in the air, and the youth cradled a tufted familiar in his arms, gently stroking it.

The creature was wreathed in deep crimson baleful aura, its mane jet-black, with esoteric markings flickering in and out of sight. Though small in size, when its crimson-lunar vertical pupils shifted toward them, an overwhelming sense of dread washed over the onlookers—as if they were facing not just a beast, but terror itself.

Hearing the commotion, the beast cast a dismissive look in their direction before turning its head away, lifting its chin as the youth continued petting it.

In stark contrast to the beast stood the snow-robed youth beside him. He seemed to hail from an ethereal realm, his jade-like features and silver-white hair untouched by worldly dust. Man Yu had never seen a more transcendent immortal—his gaze carried a compassion devoid of warmth, yet when his eyes returned to the youth, his expression softened entirely.

One by one, white-garbed retainers descended from the ornate barge, their steps leaving no trace on the ground. The sight left the onlookers dazed, wondering if they had perished in the flood and were now witnessing a deathbed vision.

Luo Ci was speaking with Immortal Lotus. Earlier, the little Luo fish had sensed the presence of its kin near the Fuzhe Grotto-Heaven and guessed that its school might have passed by—perhaps they would return.

The Luo fish was still young and had lost its guiding elders. If left alone, it might start crying again.

Luo Ci decided to stay with it for a few days, hoping to witness the migration of its kind. Just as he shared his plan with Immortal Lotus, he heard a familiar voice and turned to recognize the speaker immediately: "Man Yu!"

He walked over, eyes crinkling with joy. "It really is you!"

Man Yu couldn’t help but smile in return.

Relieved that Luo Ci still remembered him, he exhaled softly. Recalling the earlier illusion, he pieced together what must have happened.

"Thank you for saving us..." Man Yu bowed sincerely. Gradually, the others from his sect realized the truth and approached, offering their thanks as well.

Luo Ci was nearly overwhelmed by the chorus of gratitude, his ears burning and cheeks flushing rosy.

He could tell their gratitude was genuine, and it warmed his heart.

Biting his lip shyly, he said, "You were the first friend I made in the immortal realm. Friends help each other, right?"

Man Yu’s chest warmed at the words. Being forthright by nature, he nodded firmly. "If there’s ever anything you need, the Adversity Peak Sect will move heaven and earth for you."

Luo Ci tilted his head. "Adversity Peak Sect?"

After Man Yu explained, Luo Ci realized that the desolate place they had lived in wasn’t a small immortal city at all—it was a mountain sect.

The Adversity Peak Sect, to which Man Yu belonged.

Strictly speaking, the Adversity Peak Sect wasn’t a formal sect.

It had been founded by a roaming adept to take in those with poor aptitude or no noble lineage—anyone without a sect affiliation, so long as they were upright in character, could join.

"Nanshan" meant "difficult mountain"—anyone in need could seek refuge there.

After the founder passed away, the sect gradually declined. Without a leader or a proper hierarchy, it became little more than a gathering of rogue practitioners supporting one another.

That was the Adversity Peak Sect.

Man Yu glanced around, puzzled. "But where is this place? How can the ambient qi be so abundant?"

Luo Ci let out a soft gasp. "The Adversity Peak Sect was destroyed in the flood—it’s uninhabitable now. So I brought you all to the Fuzhe Grotto-Heaven. I hope that’s alright?"

Though Yun Xi had given him the Fuzhe Grotto-Heaven, Luo Ci would eventually return to the ancient realm and couldn’t stay long. Rather than let it go to waste, it made sense to let them live here, with Yun Xi extending his protection.

From what he’d seen during the flood, most of the Adversity Peak Sect’s members were virtuous-natured—helping each other in times of crisis. They were decent people.

He scanned the crowd but found no otherworldly cultivators—likely because the sect was too poor to attract any.

These survivors were all local cultivators.

Since they were local cultivators, it was possible they might miss their old home. So he had discussed with Immortal Lotus earlier—if needed, the floodwaters could be diverted, and they could be taken back.

The Fuzhe Grotto-Heaven!

Not just Man Yu—everyone froze at the words.

One of the most spiritually abundant places in the immortal realm—who hadn’t heard of it?

Yet now they had the chance to live here.

Looking at the rare flowers and herbs covering the ground, they hesitated even to step on them.

Their old Adversity Peak Sect couldn’t even grow a single mundane crop!

Before Man Yu could speak, the others nodded eagerly, bobbing like ducklings. "We accept! Of course we accept!"

Seeing their delight, Luo Ci smiled. "Good, that’s settled, then."

But Man Yu was uneasy.

Truthfully, he still didn’t know Luo Ci’s true origins. The Cloudtop Sect had suppressed the details, keeping it only among inner circles. Moreover, probing a friend’s background was frowned upon in the immortal realm.

He was glad to live in the Fuzhe Grotto-Heaven—the Adversity Peak Sect’s ambient qi had been too sparse, stagnating their progress for centuries.

Some among them were nearing the end of their natural spans. Cultivating here might grant them another century of life.

But Man Yu worried—the Adversity Peak Sect lacked the strength to withstand other sects. If others came to lay claim, they’d be outmatched.

Yet seeing everyone else immersed in joy, he held back. They had just survived a disaster—voicing his concerns now would only cast a pall. He determined to speak with Luo Ci privately later.

...

Preoccupied, night crept in unnoticed.

Man Yu decided it was time to confide in Luo Ci.

Luo Ci resided in the largest cavern mansion of the entire Fuzhe Grotto-Heaven, a magnificent palace adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. The deeper one ventured, the more serene it became. A dozen Snow-Robed Immortals stood guard silently outside the gate, and after stating his purpose, he was permitted entry.

The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he froze.

The Snow-Robed Immortal sat quietly beneath a flowering tree, engaged in a solitary game of chess, while a plump, furry creature sprawled on the branches, purposefully shaking the branches until petals rained down.

With a flick of his hand, the immortal brushed away the petals, his voice cool as a mountain spring: "How juvenile."

"You're the childish one—no, you're hypocritical," the furry creature shot back, perching on the tree trunk with a mocking laugh. "And all that 'how I've missed you' nonsense? Seems to me you and that clay figure would prefer silent avoidance."

The immortal replied, "The sentiment is mutual."

The little furball snorted but didn’t argue further.

After a pause, the immortal spoke again, his voice cool and detached: "You’re so lucky."

Born as a fluffy beast, acquainted with the Little Fox Lord early on, and often cradled in his arms.

Unlike him—born a lotus, never to know the warmth of the Little Fox Lord’s embrace.

The immortal left the latter half unspoken, but the little furball inexplicably understood.

He couldn’t help but fluff up his fur.

This immortal really was seething with resentment.

Man Yu entered, catching fragments of their conversation but not fully grasping it. He cautiously made his way through the corridor, stopping to bow respectfully in the courtyard before proceeding into the hall.

The two were too absorbed in their squabble to pay him much attention.

Once inside, he finally exhaled slowly. For some reason, passing through that space had felt oppressive.

Looking up, he saw Luo Ci seated properly at the desk, her bare toes curled slightly, strands of hair framing her cheeks. Her crystal-clear eyes focused intently as she lifted her thin sleeve slightly, delicate fingers gripping a brush while she sketched on the paper.

This scene was all too familiar to him. During their earliest days together, he had often seen her chronicling her journeys for someone else.

Man Yu approached and hesitated before speaking: "Writing to him again?"

He remembered that Luo Ci had someone she cared for in the mortal realm.

Surely it must be someone she loved.

Otherwise, why would she so willingly share every joy and worry with them?

Man Yu pondered quietly.

But in his eyes, Luo Ci… was so remarkable. She could easily find someone suitable in the immortal realm, without constantly pining for the mortal world.