Chapter 24: Jiang Wan in White Part 1

The fire beneath the cauldron blazed even brighter, its flames a deep, menacing crimson that kept ordinary people at bay. Shen Sheng and Anu sat cross-legged, facing the cauldron. Shen Sheng spoke, “Your explanation… I’m honored, and a bit overwhelmed.”

Anu’s expression was indifferent, and she didn’t continue the conversation.

After sitting for a while, a burst of black light suddenly erupted from within the cauldron. Shen Sheng, startled, covered her eyes. Anu, however, smiled.

“What is that?”

“Resentful Energy.”

“How can there be such intense Resentful Energy?” Shen Sheng scrambled to her feet in alarm, instinctively looking at Anu. “Are you collecting Resentful Energy?”

Wasn’t this a Divine Artifact?

Could a Divine Artifact forged by an Immortal collect Resentful Energy like a Devil Artifact?

Anu looked at Shen Sheng’s terrified face. “When the gods fell, the last remnants of their Divine Souls were laced with resentment.”

Black mist enveloped them both. Shen Sheng’s first instinct was to run, but Anu didn’t move. Instead, she grasped Shen Sheng’s hand, gazing at her intensely. “Shen Sheng.”

Shen Sheng froze, meeting Anu’s icy gaze. In that moment, a realization seemed to dawn on her. “It worked?”

“Shen Sheng, she is waiting for you. Help her protect the Source of the South River.” Anu’s eyes were complex, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came. Finally, she reached out and stroked Shen Sheng’s fair cheek. “Shen Sheng.”

The two utterings of her name were laden with profound, unspoken meaning, leaving Shen Sheng completely bewildered.

The main hall was shrouded in black mist. The cauldron rose eerily into the air, scaring the surrounding alchemists so badly they turned and fled.

“Monsters are coming…”

“Monsters are here… Quick, inform His Majesty…”

Shen Sheng turned her head to watch the spinning cauldron in mid-air. The darkness engulfed the entire hall like a thick morning fog. She instinctively tried to grab Anu’s hand, but her fingers closed on empty air.

She searched frantically, utterly unaware of what was happening. She didn’t know how long she walked. Within the black fog, tiny fragmented lights flickered.

They were like the shimmering, rippling surface of the sea. She stopped. Then came voices—a lively, jubilant cheering.

The black fog dispersed. Many people stood before the shimmering light. Looking closely, she saw a woman in white on a high platform.

Under the lantern light, her white robes were breathtaking, her black hair like ink.

By the riverbank, guards stood in formation, surrounding the woman in white like stars clustering around the moon.

Gentle moonlight fell upon the woman’s white robes, making her seem like a being from a fairyland.

Shen Sheng looked up at the woman, slowly walking towards the riverbank. She tilted her head, then turned to see a familiar face.

The Fox Demon, Bu Jiuyue.

Excitedly, she pushed through the crowd. “Bu Jiuyue.”

The Fox Demon Bu Jiuyue glanced at her sideways. “Who are you?”

Before Shen Sheng could answer, the moon in the sky turned blood-red. The people by the river cried out in alarm. Bu Jiuyue looked up and muttered to herself, “It seems Clan Leader Jiang’s divination has come true.”

“What divination?” Shen Sheng blurted out.

Bu Jiuyue lowered her head, her gaze settling on the girl’s clear eyes. After staring for a long moment, she discreetly took a step back. Shen Sheng also clenched her fists. This person is pretending not to know me…

No, Clan Leader Jiang?

Shen Sheng looked towards the high platform, her heart jolting. She asked Bu Jiuyue, “Is that Jiang Wan?”

“Everyone knows Jiang Wan, you don’t?” Bu Jiuyue stared at her as if she were a fool, then raised her hand. A beam of red light shot out, trapping Shen Sheng.

The smile on Shen Sheng’s face froze. Her entire body was paralyzed. “Bu Jiuyue, have you lost your mind? Let me go!”

“You don’t even know what’s happening today, and you don’t know anyone from the Jiang Clan. You look like a spy sent by an Evil Devil.” Bu Jiuyue coldly snorted.

Shen Sheng looked at the youthful innocence in Bu Jiuyue’s brow. Her own eyes darkened as understanding dawned. She bluffed, “Bu Jiuyue, guess how I know your name?”

“Oh, right, how do you know it?” Bu Jiuyue was stunned. Could an Evil Devil be targeting her?

Shen Sheng gave a brilliant smile. “Take me to see Clan Leader Jiang, and I’ll tell you.”

“I don’t trust you,” Bu Jiuyue put her hands on her hips, staring at Shen Sheng like she was a huge, exciting prey.

Just then, the people on the high platform dispersed. The crowd by the river began to vanish one after another, seemingly using Teleportation Talismans to escape remarkably fast.

Shen Sheng finally understood. Anu had sent her back to the time before the South River dried up.

Everyone was gone, leaving only the simpleton Bu Jiuyue and Shen Sheng.

The Bu Jiuyue of a thousand years later was alluring and seductive, exuding charm with every blink. But the Fox Demon before her was completely filled with foolish energy.

“Bu Jiuyue, let me go. I’ll give you a treasure,” Shen Sheng coaxed.

The simpleton Bu Jiuyue released her. “Don’t try any tricks. I’m very powerful.”

Shen Sheng pulled the little umbrella from her pouch and solemnly placed it in Bu Jiuyue’s hands. She instructed, “This is a treasure. At a critical moment, it can withstand a lethal blow. Remember, only one strike. Consider this a meeting gift since we’ve just met.”

Bu Jiuyue believed her. She carefully accepted the Little Umbrella and said in surprise, “This umbrella carries the aura of our Fox Clan.”

Shen Sheng didn’t respond. You gave it to me, and now I’m giving it back to you. I’ve earned a huge favor from you for free.

Not bad at all.

Bu Jiuyue was overjoyed, examining the Little Umbrella from every angle. Seizing the opportunity, Shen Sheng asked her, “What major event is happening here?”

“An Evil Devil attacked several great gods. The Clan Leader used the moon to divine the future of the South River Clan. The blood moon indicates the omens are mostly dire,” Bu Jiuyue, delighted with her new umbrella, poured out all the information.

Shen Sheng asked, “What is an Evil Devil?”

“How should I know? I’ve never seen one.” Bu Jiuyue carefully put the umbrella away. Looking up, she saw the girl had a pleasing appearance—clean features, and her frown at this moment didn’t look malicious. So, she added, “Did you just arrive?”

“Just arrived. And you?”

“I just arrived too. Do you see that?” Bu Jiuyue pointed towards a city high in the sky.

Shen Sheng looked up and saw a palace complex radiating a moonlight-like glow from the heavens. She gasped in admiration, “It’s so beautiful.”

She’d been so focused on watching Jiang Wan, she hadn’t even noticed such a massive floating citadel.

The city hung high in the sky like a bright moon, its silver glow gentle.

Having received a gift, Bu Jiuyue happily explained, “Do you see the South River? That city is controlled by the South River’s Origin Power. Only Immortals and Demigods can enter there.”

The South River was a matriarchal society, because two women who drank the South River Water could bear daughters. Children born this way carried the South River’s Divine Soul, making them so-called Demigods.

But it wasn’t something you could do on a whim. If the two weren’t truly in love, the river water was useless.

For this reason, the South River Water also served as a test—to see if it was true love or a scheming desire for a daughter.

Many people, drawn by its reputation, settled nearby to cultivate in hopes of finding a sincere partner.

Shen Sheng blinked, excitement flashing on her face. “Is Jiang Wan married?”

“No, she’s wholeheartedly devoted to the Great Dao. Why would she marry?” Bu Jiuyue waved her hand dismissively, already turning to leave.

Just arrived here, Shen Sheng quickly followed her. “I want to go to that city, alright?”

“Fly up yourself.” With a cold smirk, Bu Jiuyue, clutching her umbrella, dashed off.

Shen Sheng stopped in her tracks. She pulled a Teleportation Talisman from her sleeve, gritted her teeth, and left the South River area.

A moment later, Bu Jiuyue sensed something was off. Looking at the empty space behind her, she was dumbfounded. “I forgot to tell you, mortals can’t go there. Demons can’t either…”

Prajna City was formed by the South River. Originally a massive rock and mountain, it was transformed into a city. Like any other city, except here, there were only women.

Shen Sheng passed through the cloud layer and successfully entered Prajna City. Standing at the city gate, she looked down but couldn’t see the ground below at all.

At the gate stood a mirror, the height of a person, but there were no guards posted.

New to the place, Shen Sheng wanted to see everything. Curiously, she walked to the mirror and tilted her head.

In the mirror’s reflection, beside her, another person appeared—it was Jiang Wan in her white robes.

Jiang Wan’s face held a gentle smile, her eyes bright and clear. She was completely different from the cold, detached State Preceptor. Her skin was like ice and jade.

Surprised, Shen Sheng turned her head to look, but there was no one beside her. Yet, the mirror showed two people.

This mirror was truly strange.

Shen Sheng didn’t move, continuing to tilt her head and watch the woman in the mirror. She tentatively reached out to poke it.

Her finger met only cold mirror.

As long as Shen Sheng didn’t leave, the ‘person’ in the mirror wouldn’t disappear.

So, Shen Sheng unabashedly studied the woman in the reflection. A person’s temperament could be so different. The State Preceptor was cold and detached, an invisible pressure making it hard to lift one’s head, a bone-chilling coldness like winter snow.

But the woman in the mirror smiled gently, with the radiance of pearls and moonlight.

Shen Sheng stared intently at the person in the mirror, her gaze burning with excitement and nervousness.

Suddenly, someone walked over from the city gate. She turned to look—it was a woman carrying a Glazed Lantern. Instinctively, she stepped aside.

The woman walked to the mirror. In the reflection, another person appeared—it was Shen Sheng.

Shen Sheng blinked, not daring to speak. The woman turned back to look at her. “It’s been a long time.”