Before White Yu could even react, a deep and solemn voice suddenly echoed through the tower.
“You can see me?”
Eh?
Who? Whose voice was that?
(Д≡Д)
White Yu instinctively looked around, but saw nothing. Don’t tell him… another ghost?
Yet in Yun Jiao’s eyes, that glowing figure—like a walking light bulb—floated down from the altar and drifted toward her, stopping just two steps away. The surroundings blazed even brighter, so bright it stung her eyes.
“So that is the case… You’ve not yet cultivated, yet your heavenly eye is open.” From the searing light, the man’s voice sounded again, touched with approval and praise. “A fair talent.”
Yun Jiao squinted, stepping back. Too bright! Her eyes were going blind!
Perhaps noticing her discomfort, the man raised his hand. The white glow dimmed, as though intentionally restrained. In an instant, his figure became clear—visible even to White Yu.Yun Jiao finally saw his face, and froze. For a moment, even her years-long deadpan seemed about to crack, her eyes widening ever so slightly.
The man was clad in pure white, simple and clean, like the first snow of early winter. His ink-dark hair fell to the ground, tied loosely with a white cord. And that face—no words could capture it. Any attempt would be an insult to such perfection. If she had to describe it in one phrase: too perfect to look at directly.
Yun Jiao suddenly felt like her eyes had been wasted for more than twenty years. Damn—what sort of divine-level face was this?!
“Anc… Anc… Anc…” Beside her, White Yu was utterly stunned, eyes bulging, mouth hanging open. He stammered “Ancestor” but couldn’t get the rest out. His mind was blank, his legs trembling. Was this really… their Patriarch?!
He had to be dreaming. Definitely dreaming. Mother of heaven, the Patriarch actually manifested!
w(Д)w
The man’s gaze slid toward White Yu. Whatever he thought, his expression shifted ever so slightly—cold. Though his face hardly moved, disdain was written across every flawless line.
A frigid snort followed. Hmph! Worthless wood.
White Yu felt a pang in his chest, as though pierced by an arrow.
Then the Patriarch turned back to Yun Jiao, his eyes softening. His voice was gentle. “What is your name?”
“Yun Jiao,” she answered automatically, still half dazed by his devastating looks.
“Mm.” He nodded. “Since you have entered my lineage, you must cultivate diligently, that you may soon ascend the great path.” With a flick of his hand, a blue book materialized. He extended it toward her. “This is the Xuanxin Manual. Practice it well.”
Yun Jiao hesitated, staring at the book without taking it.
White Yu, on the other hand, nearly fainted with shock. He gasped, trembling with disbelief and wild excitement.
Tr… Tr… Transmission!
The Patriarch was personally granting her a transmission! Apart from the founding masters of the great sects, she was the first person ever to be directly taught by their Patriarch. This girl’s luck was beyond heaven!
Seeing her still unmoving, he nearly snatched it himself. He shoved her shoulder anxiously. “What are you waiting for? Take it!”
But Yun Jiao still didn’t reach out. Instead, she lifted her gaze to the man before her. Someone who could be called “Patriarch” must be powerful—maybe powerful enough to send her home?
“Teaching materials can wait!” Yun Jiao stepped forward, her expression earnest. “Patriarch, I have a matter… disciple has something to ask your guidance on.” She quickly adjusted her phrasing to match the setting.
Surprise flickered in the man’s eyes. This was the first time someone receiving his transmission wasn’t overwhelmed with joy, but asking questions instead. Still, her talent was decent, and compared to the fool beside her, she was exceptional. He didn’t take offense. Instead, he nodded graciously. “Ask.”
“In the mystic arts… are there any spells that can open a spatial passage, to another entirely different world?” Like, say… sending her back to Earth?
“You speak of rending the void, traversing the three thousand worlds?”
“Uh… maybe something like that?”
The man frowned, silent for a moment, then said, “As far as I know, this cosmos is divided into the Three Realms—Heaven, Earth, and Man. Within them, beings cycle through endless reincarnation. Cultivation aids them in transcending this cycle to achieve immortality. But that is limited to the Three Realms. I have indeed heard of other worlds beyond… the so-called Three Thousand Worlds. Yet to break the barrier and reach them—no one has ever succeeded.”
“…” So she really couldn’t go back? Yun Jiao suddenly wanted to stomp on her past self’s hand for helping the old man that day. This had to be history’s most tragic scam.
“Yet the Dao has three thousand paths, each with its own methods. It is not necessarily impossible.” His voice softened. “To glimpse the Heavenly Way, you must cultivate with devotion.” With that, he once more held out the book.
Forget it. If she couldn’t go back, she couldn’t. Yun Jiao finally reached out and accepted it, muttering habitually, “Thanks.”
Beside her, White Yu nearly lost his mind. His heart had been bouncing wildly, terrified the Patriarch might revoke the gift if offended. Seeing Yun Jiao so clueless, he tugged at her sleeve frantically. “Kneel! Who just takes a transmission with a thank you?!”
Yun Jiao followed custom, kneeling. “Many thanks, Patriarch.”
“Mm.” He nodded, satisfied. A fine disciple.
In the next instant, his glowing form faded and vanished. The hall darkened again, leaving only the offering table and three curling trails of incense smoke.
White Yu’s legs nearly gave out with relief, but exhilaration surged through him. He grabbed Yun Jiao, trembling with excitement. “Girl, you truly are blessed by destiny! The Patriarch manifested for you and even granted you direct transmission! I knew I wasn’t wrong about you, hahaha!”
Yun Jiao lowered her eyes to the book in her hands, sighing deeply. If she couldn’t return, then so be it. A scammer’s disciple she would be.
“I tell you, girl, this Xuanxin Manual—you must study it well! Ten thousand years ago, Patriarch Jingwu of the Bi family ascended to immortality through this very art. Clearly, the Patriarch has placed great hope in you. Work hard! The future of Qingyang rests on you!”
Was it really that impressive?
Yun Jiao pinched the book, suddenly reminded of those dictionary-thick medical textbooks from university. Only… this one seemed thin by comparison. Shouldn’t be too hard to learn, right?
(End of this chapter)