I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script-Chapter 147
Wasting a God-Given Talent
Idleness is part of human nature.
One day, when Xu Shulou awoke to the sound of birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, this phrase suddenly surfaced in her mind.
She pushed open the window to check the sky and realized it was nearly noon. Living here, it was easy to lose track of time. After all, there was nothing urgent to do—what did it matter if she rose early or late?
With a clear conscience, she flopped back onto the bed, only to spring up again like a carp leaping from water. Who said there was nothing to do?
After tidying herself up, she decided to visit all her neighbors—her plan was to meet everyone and gather as much information as possible about the passage.
The day before, she had visited an elder who enjoyed gardening. Perhaps out of loneliness, the elder had rambled on endlessly about flower care, often repeating the same sentences due to a muddled mind. Too polite to leave, Xu Shulou had ended up spending the entire day there.
And the day before that? It had rained. Visiting others in the rain seemed impolite, so she had stayed home guilt-free, watching the rain all day.
As for the day before that, Xi'e had dragged her to a small gathering where she spent the day telling stories. Her tales of the cultivation world had been repeated seven or eight times already, yet the others never seemed to tire of them. After all, in recent years, she was the only newcomer who had ascended—everyone else’s stories had likely been told seventy or eighty times over.
And the day before that?
A sense of unease crept into Xu Shulou’s heart. Even she had begun to overlook the passage of time—this place was truly unsettling.
Here, there was no calendar like in the mortal world, no months, no dates, no festivals. Even the seasons could change at will. Xu Shulou couldn’t even calculate exactly how long she had been here.
She took out a brush, intending to mark a stroke on paper for each passing day, a reminder of time’s flow.
As she pushed open her door, Xi'e was waiting outside, holding a delicate little basket. With a charming smile, she said, "A few sisters and I are going to pick peaches in the orchard. Come with us, won’t you?"
Xu Shulou shook her head. "I need to visit some neighbors."
"Oh," Xi'e didn’t press further. "Then let’s plan for another day!"
"Alright." Xu Shulou watched her retreating figure and suddenly called out, "Xi'e, how many years have you been here?"
Xi'e paused, turning back with a puzzled look. "Too long to remember. Why do you ask?"
"Nothing," Xu Shulou smiled. "I just thought you seem different from those who speak slowly."
"Maybe because I’m always thinking about where to have fun, unlike them, who don’t think about anything," Xi'e replied with a radiant smile. "Enough chatter—I’m off to pick peaches!"
"Alright."
———
Perhaps heaven rewards the diligent. After days of searching, Xu Shulou finally encountered a "kindred spirit."
When she knocked on the door, the person inside only opened a crack, most of his body hidden in shadow as he eyed her warily.
But upon hearing Xu Shulou’s purpose, he suddenly grew agitated. Grabbing her collar, he yanked her inside. "Come with me!"
Xu Shulou didn’t resist, stumbling after him into the house, down into a basement, and finally into a large, soundproof wooden crate.
Sitting cross-legged opposite each other, Xu Shulou twitched her lips. "Senior, what’s the meaning of this?"
"Shh," the man gestured wildly, as if deranged. "I suspect we’re being watched."
"Oh?"
"Don’t you think this paradise is a bit… suspicious?"
Xu Shulou countered, "What do you mean?"
"I suspect there’s a grand conspiracy at play."
Xu Shulou listened intently.
"Maybe this isn’t the real immortal realm," the man gesticulated excitedly. "Maybe someone’s deliberately keeping us trapped here!"
Xu Shulou shook her head. "My ascension was real—that indescribable, natural sensation can’t be faked. And the spiritual energy here is genuine. I believe this is the true paradise."
Like a painting of an immortal realm—everything else could be imitated, but not this misty, ethereal energy.
"Maybe someone’s artificially channeling spiritual energy to deceive people like you!"
"That’s unnecessary," Xu Shulou reasoned. "If someone had the power to forge an immortal realm, they’d also have the power to kill us outright."
"Maybe they have other motives?" The man seemed disappointed by her skepticism. "Maybe they’re keeping us here for some sinister purpose, watching our reactions, or even planting spies among us!"
"I don’t feel like I’m being watched."
"Fine. Everyone thinks I’m mad anyway," the man slumped against the crate wall, pointing at his own face. "But look at me. Do you think a true paradise would reduce someone to this state?"
Staring at his unkempt stubble, dark circles as if he hadn’t slept for months, and bloodshot eyes, Xu Shulou couldn’t argue. "I’m not saying this place is flawless."
The man grabbed her shoulders eagerly. "What flaws?"
"Rather than fake, I think this paradise is…" Xu Shulou pushed his hands away, choosing her words carefully, "incomplete."
The man froze. "You mean…"
"As if some essential elements were removed, leaving only the parts meant for indulgence," Xu Shulou explained. "Of course, I’ve never been to the immortal realm before—maybe this is how it’s always been, and we’re overthinking it."
"Essential elements, like what?"
"Like responsibility. Like the drive to improve," Xu Shulou analyzed. "Cultivators who ascend are handpicked by the heavens, surviving trials of strength like heavenly lightning and tests of will like inner demons. And after all that, we’re expected to do nothing? Our talents, our temperaments—all wasted. Forgive my arrogance, but this feels like wasting a god-given talent."
"Yes!" the man agreed fervently. "Responsibility, drive, talent, temperament… I’ve had vague thoughts like this before, but never articulated them so clearly."
"Everyone’s nature and desires differ," Xu Shulou continued. "Some may stop at immortality and enjoy this carefree existence. But others would want to keep advancing. This paradise seems to bar the latter’s path—doesn’t that seem unreasonable?"
"Exactly!" Now calmer, the man no longer seemed like a conspiracy-obsessed lunatic. "What do you propose?"
"I've been gathering information these past few days," said Xu Shulou. "One thing in particular caught my attention. Some say the passage to the mortal realm was sealed a thousand years ago, which means something significant must have happened back then. Though most people are unaware, immortals neither age nor die, and they cannot leave this realm. That means those who lived a thousand years ago must still be here. We just need to find them and ask."
"You think I haven't tried? They’re impossible to track down," the man sighed. "I even tried making a scene in the square—beating drums and gongs to draw attention—but hardly anyone paid me any mind. Most just cast soundproof barriers around their homes and shut themselves off from the outside world."
Xu Shulou pondered, "What if we spread a rumor that the immortal realm is collapsing to lure them out? Though I suppose they might gang up and beat us to death for it."
"...Very likely," the man agreed. "But they’re not fools. Why would they believe the immortal realm is just crumbling out of nowhere?"
Xu Shulou raised three questions: "How many others like you feel something is amiss here? How much of your power remains? If you went all out, how many immortal mountains could you topple? If we’re doing this, we might as well make it big."
"..." The man fell silent for a moment before weakly asking, "Immortal friend, may I ask… what exactly did you do in the mortal realm?"
Xu Shulou misunderstood, assuming he was inquiring if she had held positions like elder or sect leader, and shook her head. "Just an ordinary cultivator."
"And here I thought I was the mad one," the man muttered. "But truly… I pale in comparison."
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