CHAPTER 168: SENIOR SISTER'S "HOMIE"?

Wave after wave of people arrived at the neighborhood of Wang Sheng's parents.

Some were experts from the cultivation world who had been specially invited, while some were instructors from the Special Warfare Unit. There were also more than a dozen elderly researchers in white coats, all with gray hair and tense expressions.

The research institute had been studying the female corpse for some time, but they had never managed to establish direct communication. Today, however, they had finally found a breakthrough.

The female immortal had sealed the Daoist arts of several Golden Core and Illusory Core Realm cultivators and had even scolded two of them with a single word: "Leave."

If those cultivators hadn't gotten up by themselves after a while, the researchers would have seriously considered taking them back as specimens to show their respective teams.

***

Inside Wang Sheng's home.

Wang Sheng's father had temporarily sealed the hole in the balcony using wooden planks, keeping the cold wind from rushing in.

Wang Sheng had moved a chair and placed it beside the Divine Position Diagram, inviting the female corpse to sit. The two candles there made it the brightest spot in the house during the blackout. For their female guest, who was not the god of plagues, the spot was just right.

Ever since she entered the house, the female corpse hadn't spoken a word. She just kept her eyes closed and sat silently in front of Mu Wanxuan.

Mu Wanxuan was afraid of ghosts. Although a glance was enough for her to tell that celestial light enveloped the female corpse, she could also tell that the female corpse was not a living person. She had almost turned and fled several times.

However, she knew that their guest's presence was unnaturally powerful and that Wang Sheng's parents were still in danger. Hence, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and follow closely behind Wang Sheng. Her small hands hadn't let go of the corner of Wang Sheng's shirt even once.

They sat in silence for over ten minutes.

Unaware if the female corpse was communicating with Mu Wanxuan through telepathy, Wang Sheng asked, "Senior, do you have something to say to my senior sister? She can't speak much, and whatever she wants to express has to be done through writing or images."

The female corpse gently craned her neck, and her ethereal voice once again echoed in their minds, like a whisper. "Is it because her divine soul is damaged, and the Six Paths of Reincarnation could not fully mend it?"

Trying to steer the conversation, Wang Sheng softly asked, "Senior, how did my senior sister's divine soul become damaged?"

With her eyes still closed, the female corpse slightly furrowed her brow, as if recalling some unpleasant memories. The celestial light around her dimmed noticeably. Instead of replying, she just kept "staring" at Mu Wanxuan.

Wang Sheng didn't dare press further; all he could do was sit upright and wait for another opportunity to speak. Were they really going to sit here like this all night?

After sitting across from the female corpse for a while, Wang Sheng began to notice a subtle anomaly. The female corpse no longer had any vitality. The death aura entrenched between her eyebrows was deeply rooted. It was as if her celestial body had long since perished, but a sliver of her immortal soul still lingered. Undying, it continued to reside within her body.

If her divine soul had already revived, why hadn't the celestial body returned to life?

Wang Sheng didn't dare to ask too much. He simply sat quietly in front of Mu Wanxuan, facing this being. They remained polite and proper, making sure not to make a fuss.

The cold wind howled and whimpered outside. This New Year's Day was truly unique.

In the master bedroom, Wang Sheng's father, who had been accompanying his pregnant wife, had already fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Outside each apartment in the building, members of the Special Warfare Unit stood guard. Fortunately, it was the middle of the night, and the power was still out; only a few people were out and about.

More and more people were gathering outside the building, yet the area remained extremely quiet.

At last, after sitting in silence for another hour, the female corpse once again communicated with them telepathically. "What is her name in this life?"

"Wanxuan," Wang Sheng immediately replied. He lightly moved his finger through the air and wrote out Mu Wanxuan's name. "Our master—the Golden Core Realm cultivator you have just subdued—gave her these two characters. My senior sister was frail from childhood and showed signs that she was going to die young. He spent seventeen years trying everything he could to save her."

The female corpse slowly nodded. Instead of falling silent again, she began conveying her thoughts more continuously. Though her thoughts were transmitted in ancient words, Wang Sheng interpreted them in modern terms.

"You both have my gratitude," the female corpse telepathically said.

"We're just doing what we have to do. After all, she's my senior sister and Master's most cherished disciple."

"Mm." The female corpse seemed to recall something.

A gentle sigh echoed in Wang Sheng's and Mu Wanxuan's minds. They were then abruptly pulled into a melancholic trance, steeped in the despair of long-lost old friends and crushing solitude.

It had a faint, unspoken sorrow reminiscent of the autumn chill, a trace of bitterness like strands of hair slipping through fingers, a bit of relief, a bit of joy, and a bit of hope.

"Since she was able to return to this place, perhaps my other Daoist friends have returned as well. My time is running out. I don't know if I'll be able to find the others."

Wang Sheng asked, "Senior, did you and my senior sister know each other in a previous life..."

The female corpse's next thought carried a trace of sternness. "Knowing more won't benefit you."

"Oh." Wang Sheng quickly shut his mouth.

At that moment, Mu Wanxuan raised her little hand and held her phone. She had once more deployed the power of memes. The cartoon character tilting its head with a bunch of question marks was easy enough for the female corpse to understand without needing Wang Sheng to interpret.

The female corpse sent out another thought. From stern, her tone suddenly turned extraordinarily gentle. It was as if she were afraid that a louder tone would scare Mu Wanxuan.

"This matter holds great significance to this realm, but you need not shoulder this burden. I lifted the Heavenly Qi Seal because I sensed that the Daoist heritage left behind on this celestial body still exists. Since this realm is relatively peaceful, just focus on your cultivation from now on.

Wang Sheng groaned inwardly. I'm just a minor cultivator,yet now I'm dealing with this short-tempered senior?

Well, she had died once after all. It was understandable that she'd have a bit of a temper.

"You appear to be using Lu Dongbin's Pure Yang Arts to cultivate. That's quite interesting. In a past life, Elder Sister, you even once guided Lu Dongbin in his cultivation. Yet in this life, you've ended up practicing the techniques of that frivolous man."

Elder Sister? Maybe she's using it as an endearment, not to signify a literal sibling relationship. Also, did she just call Lu Dongbin frivolous? Did our forefather once act improperly toward her?

Wang Sheng began to contemplate. The lofty image that he'd had of their sect's forefather cracked just a little. In a hushed tone, he asked, "Senior, who exactly was my senior sister in her past life?"

Mu Wanxuan gave him a small poke. Wang Sheng turned his head and saw that she was frowning, clearly displeased by his question.

She was herself, not anyone else.

Smiling awkwardly, Wang Sheng quickly added, "I was just a little curious. Don't be mad."

His senior sister pouted faintly, while the female corpse only chuckled softly within their minds.

She slowly and gently transmitted, "The past is long gone. Our old friends have passed, and a new life has begun. Why dwell on what once was? In her past life, she was a peerless immortal maiden admired by all of heaven. In this life, however, she is simply Wanxuan—a seeker of the Dao amid the mortal world.

"You two have only just set foot on the path of cultivation. Focus on that first. Once you enter the immortal path, you may seek the answers you desire. What you need to resolve your doubts lies within the Moon Palace.

"Tell those mortals not to use their methods to explore the Moon Palace again, however. Without becoming immortals, they will never find it. On this planet, remnants of the formations we left behind still linger. Unless someone crashes directly into the Heaven-Deceiving Array outside the planet, no one would ever realize another world remains hidden here."

The female corpse's lips finally parted slightly, giving way for a soft sigh.

Mu Wanxuan lowered her head and quickly typed something on her phone before showing it to Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng said, "My senior sister wants to ask whether you're able to recover your original body."

The female corpse smiled slightly. Her beauty was ethereal, but under the flickering candlelight and the death aura that shrouded her, her smile appeared somewhat eerie.

"This is merely a fragment of my soul. It should have dispersed long ago, yet I linger still, unable to let go due to my desire to see if anyone survived."

Wang Sheng thought for a moment. He then asked, "Is there anything I can do to help you, Senior?"

"Only my master can reshape an immortal body for me, but I'm not even sure if he's still alive. You? Maybe if you cultivate for a few tens of thousands of years, you could lend me a hand. Right now, though, there's nothing you can really offer me."

Her tone was fairly gentle, but between the lines, the implication was clear: he was weak.

The female fell silent again for a while, then slowly rose to her feet. She raised her hand and lightly pointed at Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan, sending two streaks of celestial light into them.

A wave of comprehension about the Dao arose in their minds—she had given them deliberate guidance for their cultivation.

A sword cry rang out from within Wang Sheng. Sword radiance then instantly cut apart all the insights that she had given him.

"Oh?" The female corpse's thoughts stirred. "I hadn't noticed before, but you practice Lu Dongbin's Pure Yang Arts and the Ziwei Emperor's Heavenly Ziwei Sword Art? How curious."

Mu Wanxuan had already gently closed her eyes and fallen into a deep state of comprehension. Yin and yang qi slowly circled her.

The female corpse floated closer. Wang Sheng frowned slightly, but this time, he sensed the deep emotion and reluctance in her heart. Hence, he stepped aside.

The female corpse reached out her slender, white-jade-like hand toward Mu Wanxuan's cheek. However, she paused and trembled before pulling back silently. She then turned to face Wang Sheng, immediately making him feel two piercing gazes land on him. It was as if she could see his thoughts.

Nevertheless, Wang Sheng simply stood calmly, his expression indifferent.

The female corpse said, "Use your Heavenly Ziwei Sword Art to protect her. In time, you'll be rewarded for it."

Wang Sheng only smiled.

"My wish is fulfilled. I must now check on the Reincarnation Stone left in this realm. If it's still intact, I might yet have a sliver of hope. From now on, don't let her worry about me. If she asks, just say I've entered reincarnation."

If she could open her eyes, the way she looked at Mu Wanxuan now would surely be filled with longing and reluctance. Unfortunately, she couldn't. Her eyes remained tightly shut as she stood facing Mu Wanxuan. In a flash, she took half a step back, vanished from the room, and reappeared on the balcony.

The Heaven-Earth Escape Technique—a true immortal's technique.

Wang Sheng hurried forward. "Senior!"

The female corpse didn't look back. Her long hair floated behind her. With one hand gently raised in front of her and celestial light shimmering around her, she ascended into the sky.

Wang Sheng could only stand in complete silence.

Why did she leave so hurriedly? He didn't even get the chance to tell her that corrupt cultivators were currently threatening his senior sister.

Forget it. I'll protect my senior sister myself.

That immortal was just a remnant soul after all. She probably wouldn't concern herself with the affairs of cultivators.

She was rather... unreliable.