After Escaping From Death, He Went Even Crazier By Criticizing Black Lotus Chapter 24

Chapter 24: First Entry into the City of Ultimate Bliss—Meeting Acquaintances

The Refined Spirit Pill requires a total of eighty-one types of medicinal herbs. Three of these herbs must be personally gathered by Su Huan: the Void Spirit Flower from Tingmeng Continent, the Scarlet Heart Root from Liujin Continent, and finally, the Soul Nurturing Grass from Huayao Continent.

The Xuanji Sect is the main sect of Huayao Continent. After a quick inquiry, the latest news was uncovered: the Soul Nurturing Grass had once appeared in a secret realm called “Moon Ember,” located in the southeastern region of Huayao.

Upon hearing this news, Su Huan excitedly packed his bags, ready to depart. Xiao Jianming leaned against the mountain gate, his sword resting against his shoulder. Seeing Su Huan approach, he summoned his sword and extended a hand to him: “Get on.”

Feng Jiangyue originally wanted to go with them, but Zihuan True Lord pulled her aside and whispered a secret into her ear. Feng Jiangyue looked at her Junior Brother in astonishment, her eyes filled with the deep pain of someone watching a “silly, sweet younger brother” who, despite the family’s objections, still chose a scoundrel. She felt frustrated by his failure to meet expectations, yet helpless, and could only let her brother go.

The hostility in her eyes towards Xiao Jianming intensified rather than diminished, but she no longer insisted on accompanying them. Instead, she stuffed Su Huan with many defensive artifacts, spiritual elixirs, and talismans. She glanced with disgust at the person waiting for him, her eyes turning red, and she instructed, “If he treats you poorly, run back. Your Senior Sister will personally take you to find those herbs.”

Su Huan was utterly confused by this, but deeply moved by his Senior Sister’s generosity. He nodded solemnly, tears nearly flowing from the corners of his mouth.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jianming grew impatient. He lightly clicked his tongue and pulled Su Huan onto the spiritual sword. Their conversation ended there.

Many sect disciples were also standing near the mountain gate, either heading down the mountain for training or missions. Some, dressed as sword cultivators, looked on with envy.

Sword cultivators highly value their life-bound swords. The only person they would invite to ride their sword is their spouse. However, few people would choose a sword cultivator, who constantly fights for their life. Most prefer gentler cultivators like medicinal or spell cultivators, just in case they return one day to the tragic news of their Dao companion’s death in battle.

Therefore, sword cultivators who have Dao companions and are so openly affectionate are rare. When they appear, they easily provoke envy, jealousy, and hatred among their peers.

Damn it, did that sword cultivator just click his tongue? How dare he treat such a beautiful spouse that way!

The surrounding single sword cultivators’ eyes turned red with jealousy.

Xiao Jianming was oblivious to this. He smiled at Feng Jiangyue: “Senior Sister, please rest assured. I will take good care of Senior Brother and ensure he suffers no grievances outside.”

With that, the spiritual sword transformed into a streak of light and flew southeast.

At this moment, someone recognized Feng Jiangyue’s identity and exclaimed in surprise: “Heavens, she is Senior Sister Feng from Lichen Mountain, who broke through to the Soul Transformation stage at three hundred years old!”

The single sword cultivators heard this and cried out in shock: “What?! She is Senior Sister Feng?! Then that couple just now must be… aren’t they the parties involved in the rumors of forced possession?”

A disciple sneered upon hearing this: “What kind of outdated news is that? They broke up ages ago. I heard that when Senior Brother Su returned that day, his Golden Core was stabbed and crippled by that person. Although it was caused by demonic energy, a rift was created nonetheless. Now, the Sect Master has merely ordered that person to atone for his actions by helping Senior Brother Su find the medicinal herbs needed to refine the Golden Core-repairing Refined Spirit Pill.”

“Then why is Senior Brother Su going along?”

“This… could they have reconciled?”

The sword cultivator’s eyes widened: “No way, they reconciled after all that! What right does he have?”

Yes, what right does he have?

Feng Jiangyue wanted to ask the same question.

What right did this scoundrel have to bind his soul to her Junior Brother?

Zihuan True Lord had just informed her: “A few days ago, when I checked Junior Nephew Su’s pulse, I found his soul was extremely weak. Someone stabilized it for him, but their souls became bound together as a result. I then checked Junior Nephew Xiao, and found he was the one.

Once souls are bound, their lives are intertwined, a closeness not even achieved by Dao companions who cultivate the Life and Death Vow Technique. Junior Niece, those two are destined to be inseparable. Why don’t you stop disturbing them?”

As Feng Jiangyue thought of this, a wave of bitterness and regret washed over her. Her Master was constantly immersed in secluded cultivation and business, completely neglecting his parental duties. Eldest Senior Brother was always out training, and Second Senior Brother was unreliable and loved drinking. She had raised Fourth and Fifth Junior Brothers herself over the years.

She hadn’t even known when her Junior Brother’s soul had become so weak.

She had failed to take care of her Junior Brother.

Feng Jiangyue gripped the sword in her hand, secretly vowing that this time, if that Xiao dared to hurt her Junior Brother again, she would kill him for her Junior Brother!

*

Meanwhile, Xiao Jianming was flying on his sword, deep in thought. Since the mastermind knew his identity through Su Huan’s special Heavenly Book destiny and had gone to great lengths to conceal the aura of malice on Su Huan, setting up this scheme to deceive him, they likely wouldn’t let this bait die easily. Perhaps he could find an opportunity along the way to trick them and force them to reveal themselves.

Thinking of this, Xiao Jianming recalled another matter: the forbidden barrier he had encountered deep within Su Huan’s soul when he tried to forcefully brand him with the ‘Forbidden Possession’ mark in the illusion. That barrier was likely placed by the mastermind, and it was precisely that barrier that alerted him that someone might be controlling everything behind the sudden disappearance of Su Huan’s malice.

He couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Guarding the person so closely must be out of fear that Su Huan, the bait, might genuinely fall in love with him and thus escape their control.

It was a pity that this person’s efforts were destined to be wasted.

At the end of the vast, boundless mountains and forests, a city appeared, its banners obscuring the sky. Xiao Jianming flew down on his sword.

He said with a smile, “Senior Brother, the journey is long, and it’s getting late. Why don’t we rest here for the night?”

Although his tone was inquiring, Xiao Jianming had already dismounted his sword. He turned back, smiling, and extended his hand to Su Huan, offering to help him down.

Su Huan instinctively felt a chill run down his spine. He involuntarily took a step back and quickly said, “You swore an oath not to kill me, don’t forget that.”

Before he finished speaking, his hand was grasped without question. Xiao Jianming put away his sword and pulled him toward the city gate, his tone sounding quite hurt: “Why would Senior Brother say that? I know I was wrong, and of course, I won’t kill you.” He turned back to look at him and smiled, “If I wanted to kill Senior Brother, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”

The massive city gate they faced had three large golden characters emblazoned on a plaque cast in black iron and copper: City of Ultimate Bliss.

The City of Ultimate Bliss was a territory that belonged neither to the Xuanji Sect nor any other power. Its main purpose was trade and commerce. Anyone entering the city was forbidden from fighting privately. Anyone who killed someone within the city would forfeit their own life. Consequently, almost all cultivators were willing to come here to conduct business, and over time, it became one of the three major cities in Central Huayao.

In the original novel, the Black Lotus often came here to bid on items and find bargains. Su Huan breathed a sigh of relief. He followed Xiao Jianming, paid the entrance fee to the city guards, and entered the city.

As they passed through the city’s protective formation, the array rippled. Su Huan felt his body sink, and the spiritual energy within him completely vanished. The Black Lotus in the original novel experienced this every time he came here—it was a major characteristic of the City of Ultimate Bliss.

Xiao Jianming kindly explained to him: “Is this your first time here, Senior Brother? Don’t panic. This is a restriction set up by the City Lord to prevent high-level cultivators from fighting and destroying the common people’s homes. It will disappear once we leave the city.”

Su Huan nodded, recalling that in the original novel, the author had hinted through the words of passersby that the City Lord of Ultimate Bliss was rumored to be a rogue immortal who could not ascend due to the death of a Divine Venerable. Therefore, even a Mahayana stage cultivator would be affected by the restriction upon entering the city, becoming an ordinary person without spiritual power. If this Mahayana cultivator killed someone, they would instantly die on the spot.

In the past, before the cultivation world declined, a Sect Master, relying on his Mahayana cultivation, behaved recklessly in the city, attempting to steal treasures from the auction house. The moment he struck and killed a servant, he immediately exploded into a bloody mist and died. Since then, no one dared to challenge the rules of the City of Ultimate Bliss.

Of course, as long as the rules were not violated, the City Lord of Ultimate Bliss never arbitrarily killed anyone.

Later in the original novel, the Black Lotus exploited this point, finding a loophole to acquire most of the City of Ultimate Bliss’s spirit stones, and still managed to leave the city unharmed. However, he became the first person in history to be permanently banned from entering the City of Ultimate Bliss.

This plot point was so satisfying that the comment section roared with approval. Su Huan had also read it with great interest and was extremely curious about the city.

Xiao Jianming had already walked ahead. Su Huan quickly followed, his eyes darting around.

The streets here were very wide, lined with stalls selling various goods. They were orderly and neatly arranged in about six or seven rows. The space left in the middle was wide enough for three carriages to drive abreast, and there was still room between the stalls for five or six people to walk side-by-side. Further ahead, the street narrowed, and buildings like inns, restaurants, and auction houses appeared.

It was currently dinnertime. The first row, selling spiritual artifacts, had few customers. The second row, selling spiritual talismans, had a few more. The third row, selling various unprocessed spiritual materials, had even more people. The fourth row sold spiritual elixirs. The rows further back sold various foods, and these were currently crowded, the aroma spreading throughout the streets and alleys.

Su Huan also smelled the food and felt a pang of hunger, but Xiao Jianming had already turned into an inn without looking sideways. Su Huan hesitated for a moment, then followed him in.

Well, when traveling, it’s best to be cautious.

“Welcome, esteemed guests! May I ask… are you dining or staying the night?”

Xiao Jianming tossed him a bag of spirit stones and said, “Two superior rooms. Send some food up to the rooms later.”

“Understood! Two Heavenly-Grade superior rooms!”

“I will lead the way for you now.” The waiter took the storage bag, weighed it, and his smile became more genuine. He eagerly led the way.

Su Huan looked around at the decor. Aside from the illusory flying fish in the air, the slightly swaying flower branches growing upside down on the roof, and the lingering immortal mist covering the floor, it wasn’t much different from an inn in a television drama.

“Careful of the steps, esteemed guest.”

The waiter saw him curiously looking around and thoughtfully reminded him to watch his step. Unexpectedly, as Su Huan turned his head, he accidentally bumped into someone.

Su Huan quickly bowed repeatedly in apology: “I’m so sorry, I bumped into you because I wasn’t watching where I was going. Are you alright?”

A pleasant, melodious voice came from above his head: “It’s nothing. Fellow Daoist, there’s no need to be so alarmed.”

Su Huan felt the voice sounded familiar. He looked up and saw a man as gentle as jade, carrying a broadsword on his back. The man reached out to steady Su Huan’s bowing hand. Seeing his reddened nose, he chuckled and pointed: “Fellow Daoist, you’ve bumped your nose here.”

Su Huan was stunned.

The arrogant young man accompanying the other person scoffed from his nose: “He deserves it. Who told him not to watch where he was going? If our Young Sect Master wasn’t so good-tempered, anyone else would have given him a beating.”

Su Huan stared blankly at the two people in front of him and involuntarily murmured: “…Nangong Yi, Yue Jiusi?”

Nangong Yi was startled and asked, “Do you know us, Fellow Daoist?”

Su Huan subconsciously replied, “More than just knowing you, we are friends…”

Nangong Yi looked confused. Yue Jiusi, hearing this, sneered: “I say, your approach to striking up a conversation is too ridiculous. We have never met you. What kind of friend are you?”

Su Huan snapped back to reality. He guessed that the heart tribulation illusion must have been a prophetic dream. He smiled and said, “Not so. You may not know me, but I have met you both before.”

Yue Jiusi: “Is that so? How come I don’t know? You’re not going to say you met us in a dream, are you? That’s laughable. Alright, alright, move aside, don’t block the Young Sect Master’s path.”

Su Huan nodded repeatedly upon hearing this: “Yes, yes, I met you in a dream!”

Xiao Jianming, who had already gone upstairs, frowned when Su Huan delayed. He called out, “What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and come up to eat.”

Su Huan quickly responded, then smiled at Nangong Yi: “Fellow Daoist Nangong, we will meet again. When that time comes, we shall continue our past connection!”

Nangong Yi was stunned. He watched the young man’s figure leap up the stairs and shook his head with a smile, assuming the other party was merely a rash youth who had heard of his reputation and sought him out.

He was completely unaware that, a long time later, this youth would become the elusive cloud that made his heart pound.