World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 668: Parting For Now Is Only For a Longer Reunion
Beside the pool of the immortal palace, Lin Feiyao watched as Yaoyun stood at the palace entrance and gazed outside.
Who exactly is this fairy? she wondered.
Three days had passed since the wedding. Lin Feiyao had gone over several times to greet her, yet she only received simple replies each time, like "Mm" and "Alright." She learned nothing useful.
Lin Feiyao was a very clever cultivator. Otherwise, she could never have advanced to the Heavenly Immortal Realm as an unaffiliated practitioner. Before encountering Wang Sheng and Lishang, she had already been among the rare few independent cultivators who managed to live fairly well.
One of the key reasons behind her success was that she understood how difficult the path of cultivation was and how rare fated opportunities could be. That was why she unhesitatingly knelt and acknowledged Qinghua as her master when she was drawn into the immortal palace, felt an overwhelming pressure, and heard that he would accept her as his unofficial disciple.
Lin Feiyao naturally knew that unofficial disciples were similar to a sect's errand workers. Still, serving one of the Four Heavenly Ministers was far better than living an ordinary life as a member of the Qiling Immortal Sect.
She had already pieced together that Wang Sheng was part of the reason she gained this opportunity. Gazing toward the array in the corner, a fleeting image appeared in her mind.
Lin Feiyao smiled calmly. After so many years in the Celestial Wind Sect, she had seen all kinds of scenes. She had even refined certain medicinal pills for True Immortals meant to enhance their enjoyment.
Still, she had always felt such matters lacked meaning. Once one stepped onto the cultivation path, she thought there was no reason to chase temporary pleasure anymore. They would have endless time to indulge themselves once they had reached immortality anyway.
Even so, the glimpses she had accidentally caught were... beautiful.
Where has my opportunity truly come from? Emperor Qinghua's sudden appearance has to be connected to the pendant I crushed. After all, he looks like the figure I saw at the time. Why did Grandmaster Wensheng Zhenren ask me to deliver the pendant, then?
Maybe they rewarded me with this opportunity because I brought so many spiritual herbs back to the sect. Ultimately, though, those herbs came from Pi Kachew—no, wait. That's only his alias. His real name seems to be Fei Yu. Names are just labels for people to remember, though. Pi Feiyu, Wang Kachew, Fei Pika... They all sound fine.
Lin Feiyao had once plotted to kill Wang Sheng and Lishang, yet he granted her such a great favor anyway. Moreover, their lives would likely remain intertwined. They could even end up cultivating under the same roof.
The strange twists of fate left her at a loss.
Is the fairy standing at the palace entrance and staring outside also troubled by love? Maybe she's thinking about Pi Kachew, that flirt—ahem, thinking about that heroic sword cultivator.
Lin Feiyao had failed several times to draw information out of her. Hence, she just gave up and quietly waited for the newlyweds to emerge from the array.
They probably have no intention of coming out anytime soon, though.
Having a Daoist partner was not a bad thing. They would get to accompany whoever one loved every day, nurture their relationship for a lifetime, and grow old together. They could even raise children together in the future.
Yet a partner who would never abandon their partner was extremely hard to find. It seemed more practical to focus on growing stronger, surviving in the endless space, and becoming someone others dared not provoke.
Lin Feiyao sat down to cultivate. Sensing that her new master was seemingly omnipresent in this place, she did not dare slack off. She cultivated steadily and waited for guidance.
Unfortunately, Qinghua had no time to attend to her.
At the roots of the divine tree, the wooden coffin had opened halfway. Several gray whirlwinds spread outward, drawing endless death aura into the coffin. Gray-black chains coiled around it as the banner beside it swayed gently.
The three great arrays that the divine tree had unleashed still stood firm, yet its enormous leaves were now falling one by one.
Almost all who were attempting to break through the arrays took this as a sign that the inner array would soon deactivate. The Major forces that sought insight into the Great Dao of Life immediately unleashed their full strength, sending one Heavenly Immortal after another into the array.
The middle region had turned into a gathering point for prodigies and elders. Chaotic battles broke out nonstop as dark clouds drifted across the sky.
Spells clashed, fights raged, immortals were slain, and treasures were seized. The nature of the Dao slowly faded, and humanity's cruelty replaced it.
A layer of array separated the quiet and peaceful ring-shaped region near the trunk from all the chaos. Most of the arrays there were now empty, and the immortal palace hidden among the dense branches rested silently, undisturbed by anyone.
The divine tree shed more leaves with each passing day.
At the outer edges, its branches and foliage had already begun to wither. Every sign suggested that the final barrier of the inner grand array was about to open on its own.
The countless cultivators who believed that they had a chance to grasp the Great Dao of Life quietly gathered their power and waited for the moment that the inner array would unlock.
However, some sensed that something was amiss. They slipped away quietly, choosing not to alert anyone.
"Thinking about it, the cultivators outside are rather laughable." Lin Feiyao sighed softly as she looked toward the place where the two greatest beneficiaries of Qinghua's Daoist heritage were staying.
It had been nine days, yet to her surprise, the newlyweds still hadn't come out of the array.
Are they already trying for a child?
Lin Feiyao's lips twitched. She was just about to comfort the little fairy, who had been standing silently at the palace entrance for just as long, when movement suddenly came from the gates.
Yaoyun shimmered with immortal light, transformed into a sword, and shot toward the corner. Meanwhile, the array slowly dispersed. Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan, his wife, stood hand in hand behind it.
At first glance, they seemed no different from before their wedding. However, Lin Feiyao quickly noticed subtle changes.
Wang Sheng now appeared more dignified. His aura seemed more stable and mature, his gaze calmer and more profound. Marriage could certainly make a man mature quickly. After all, it came with new responsibilities and the weight of starting his own family.
Though he still seemed like a sharp treasured sword, his sharpness now rested within its scabbard. He appeared far more bold, and his presence had grown stronger.
Mu Wanxuan shone even more brightly. From exuding an air of cool detachment, she now radiated a genuine gentleness reminiscent of flowing water. Holding her husband's right arm, she leaned lightly against his shoulder. Her smile was still imbued with the sweetness of their brief honeymoon.
Wang Sheng caught Spiritless. Yaoyun spoke to him telepathically before returning to the Qiankun Ring.
Afterward, the newlyweds smiled at each other. When their gazes met, they looked as though they were unwilling to part. They even seemed to wish they could bind themselves to each other with an unbreakable celestial rope.
Lin Feiyao drifted over and cupped her hands in greeting. "Congratulations, you two."
Wang Sheng nodded. "Thank you."
Mu Wanxuan also bowed slightly. Even their movements were in sync.
Soon, Lin Feiyao sensed a kind of invisible boundary between them that gently kept others at a distance. Feeling awkward, she didn't know whether to continue speaking or quietly withdraw.
Fortunately, Wang Sheng warmly said, "Fairy Lin, congratulations on being accepted as the emperor's disciple."
She extended a Daoist salute to him. "I'm only an unofficial one. In the end, it is thanks to you. I can't even dare speak of repaying such a favor. If there is ever anything you require of me, please let me know."
The sword cultivator glanced at his senior sister, his gaze filled with attachment. "Well, I do have one request."
Mu Wanxuan only smiled back.
"In the future, you will likely cultivate at the emperor's side. My senior sister will be there as well. I hope you look after her."
As he spoke, he took out a storage bracelet and sent it over with immortal power. Inside were many Spirit Stones, several immortal treasures, and ten spiritual herbs. He had prepared it before leaving the array.
Lin Feiyao hesitated. "I have yet to repay the benefits you granted me. How can I accept more from you?"
Wang Sheng smiled. "Just take it. If you can keep my senior sister company and talk with her during her cultivation breaks so she does not feel lonely, that will help me greatly."
"Huh?" Sensing that something was amiss, she frowned at the couple.
Mu Wanxuan raised her hand and lightly pinched Wang Sheng's arm as a small reprimand. She then emphasized, "Wife!"
Wang Sheng immediately surrendered. "Yes, yes, Wife. I have gotten used to calling you 'Senior Sister...'"
Mu Wanxuan blinked, her cheeks flushing again. When they were alone, the term felt novel and intimate. However, in front of others, she could not help but feel shy.
She muttered, "Senior Sister..."
Wang Sheng grew serious. "We have to settle what I should call you."
"Senior Sister!"
"Alright, alright. Senior Sister!"
Wang Sheng laughed and gently tapped the tip of her delicate nose, his gaze filled with unmistakable affection.
They had not spent all of the past nine days lost in passion. On the contrary, they just held each other quietly for half of it, cherishing the rare peace they shared.
He gently reminded her, "Do not rush your cultivation. Even though your attainment in the Great Dao of Life now surpasses your progress in the Great Dao of Yin and Yang, you still shouldn't abandon the latter."
"Mm." Mu Wanxuan nodded softly. She raised a finger and tapped his chest. "No slaughter."
She was reminding him not to draw the Myriad-Slaying Sword Intent too freely.
Wang Sheng responded in agreement, then asked whether her soul lamp and communication talismans were still intact. He also reminded her not to contradict Qinghua and to regard him as she had regarded her master in her previous life.
Moreover, he gently reassured, "I will deliver your letter to Master. Don't worry, I'm sure he won't be angry."
Mu Wanxuan nodded, but concern still lingered in her eyes. She worried that Qing Yanzi would feel displeased that she was following another great figure in cultivation.
Lin Feiyao frowned. "Are you two separating?"
Wang Sheng smiled. "Mm."
Mu Wanxuan also nodded slightly.
"I can't follow the emperor in cultivation yet since I still have matters to take care of. Once I finish those affairs, I'll go find my senior sister immediately."
Lin Feiyao's frown deepened. "Why would you part right after getting married? That doesn't make any sense."
At that moment, a sigh echoed through the immortal palace.
Qinghua announced, "The time has come."
The smiles on Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan's faces froze.
Mu Wanxuan instinctively grasped Wang Sheng's arm. Her fingers tightened briefly, then slowly loosened.
Before Wang Sheng could speak again, a beam of green light descended from the center of the great palace. It wrapped around him and drew him up toward the palace ceiling.
Qinghua telepathically communicated with the three.
"Fei Yu, I will send you out using the array. Do you wish to head straight to Qiling or elsewhere? I am about to refine this divine tree. When I do, many Grand Dao and Taiyi Golden Immortals will surely intervene. Your cultivation is still shallow. It is better for you to leave ahead of time."
Wang Sheng fixed his gaze on Mu Wanxuan. "Your Imperial Majesty, please send me into space outside the array. Somewhere uninhabited will be fine, but not too far from here. I want to see you leave safely."
Qinghua laughed softly. With faint pride hidden in his tone, he replied, "Do you really think anyone out there can threaten me? You should worry about yourself. There is no end to the experts rising in the endless space. Moreover, many powerful beings have gathered here. You should leave as soon as possible.
"Do not grow arrogant just because you possess powerful treasures. Keep a low profile and stay alive. If you have enemies, remember them. One day, I will settle the accounts for you."
"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty."
Even as he spoke to Qinghua and rose higher toward the roof, Wang Sheng's eyes never left Mu Wanxuan. He hardly dared blink, afraid of losing sight of her even for a moment.
Mu Wanxuan stood quietly. Phrases such as "secluded orchid" or "blooming lotus" couldn't describe even a fraction of her beauty. Right now, she appeared to be the brightest star in space, guiding him back to her side.
The runes for the Grand Heaven-Earth Displacement Array appeared across the ceiling.
Wang Sheng couldn't help but call out, "Senior Sister! I will settle matters with Earth's cultivation world quickly. I'll be back after a few seclusions, so just cultivate with peace of mind!"
"Mm." Mu Wanxuan nodded gently. She raised her hand and made a small gesture. "Stay safe."
Before she could lower her hand, the array at the center of the palace flashed green. Wang Sheng vanished instantly.
Far away in the silent space, an array disk took shape, then disappeared in the blink of an eye. Wang Sheng stood alone in the middle of it, momentarily dazed.
Yaoyun telepathically warned, "Hurry. Heaven and earth tremored a little. It might have drawn a few experts' immortal perception."
Wang Sheng shook himself awake, took out the Shadowless Shuttle, and entered it at once. He sped toward Qinghua's Daoist heritage restriction, which was still nearby.
***
At the immortal palace on the divine tree.
The moment Wang Sheng left, Mu Wanxuan sank to her knees. She looked up at the place where he had disappeared and fell into thought.
Junior Brother will return... soon.
She repeated the words again and again in her heart, unaware of the tremors shaking the great palace or the roars echoing from every direction.
