Chapter 25 Part 1

Descending from Sweet Spring Mountain and traveling another half day brought her to Hibiscus Goose Territory.

The fog hung thick here, with overlapping peaks and deep forests. Even with the sun high overhead and the daylight blazing hot, the place still carried a somber, chilling gloom. As for silence, it rivaled Sweet Spring, though the cliffs towered even higher, with a thin layer of snow capping the summits.

Unsure exactly where the Female Immortal lived in seclusion, Mu Qian Tan could only try her luck and search around.

Just after entering the mountains, Mu Qian Tan noticed the dense spiritual energy in the area. She found a clean spot to rest and recover, then summoned White Pupil to circle overhead in search.

She had figured that even a recluse would have some dwelling, making it tricky to find but not impossible to spot traces of. Yet after circling for two days, she hadn’t glimpsed even a shadow of the Female Immortal.

During a break, as Mu Qian Tan pondered if she’d come to the wrong place, a farmer shouldering a hoe happened to pass by.

She stopped him and asked the name of the peak. The farmer replied it was Hibiscus Goose Mountain. She asked if any immortals lived in seclusion here, and he said he’d never seen any.

After bidding the farmer farewell, Mu Qian Tan confirmed she was in the right spot and dismissed his second answer from her mind. If an immortal wanted to hide from mortals, they’d go unnoticed even passing daily, so he would naturally deny it.

Certain she was on track, she next guessed that the recluse might have set up an illusion spell in the mountains. The next time she searched, she took out the letter, hoping to reveal her purpose in coming here.

But that method yielded no results either.

Counting the days, the Female Protagonist was about to meet the Male Protagonist, yet here they were circling an empty mountain. It would take time to rush to the main plot destination, and if they missed it, she’d have to endure Li Biyuan nagging her to death again.

Mu Qian Tan frowned, considering whether to call it quits for now.

“Master, who are we looking for?” Shang Shan sprawled at the edge of the crane, peering out and trying to hook a cloud with her hand.

Receiving no response, Shang Shan called again: “Master! Master!”

Mu Qian Tan said: “Shut up.”

Shang Shan said: “Oh.”

Mu Qian Tan hadn’t paid attention to when she had started calling her Master, but she hadn’t stopped her—after all, it was only proper.

Yet for some reason, she called it out endlessly, one after another. Even when answered, she had nothing to say, as if she just wanted to call out the title. It was infuriating, making Mu Qian Tan want to beat her.

Give her an inch, and she’ll take a mile.

In the distance, the hazy sun leaped, stretching time and senses endlessly. Mu Qian Tan gazed at the horizon, thinking to herself: How long would this slow search take?

After some deliberation, she decided not to waste more time. She’d handle the main plot first, then return after completing her tasks without rush. She lightly stroked the crane’s neck and turned its flight direction around.

Shang Shan seized the chance: “Master, why the sudden change in direction? Where are we going?”

If not for this Brain-Damaged Dragon delaying them so long at Sweet Spring Mountain, they wouldn’t be pressed for time now, unable to even complete the basic delivery task to Hibiscus Goose. Mu Qian Tan was already irritated, and the question only worsened it. She said coldly: “Don’t ask questions.”

She had made many concessions on the Sweet Spring Mountain trip, which was unbelievable in itself. Yet this Brain-Damaged Dragon always left her regretting those decisions afterward, puzzled by her own mindset at the time—just like at Prosperous Joy Workshop.

Completely inexplicable.

“Oh….” Shang Shan glanced at her again and again, unsure why she was angry again. Just as she started puzzling it out, a colorful cloud brushing past caught her eye, and she forgot the question.

Guiding White Pupil at full speed for four days, the two arrived at a lush mountain forest.

Walking through the green woods, the wind rustled the trees, dyeing everything emerald. Though it was her first time here, the scenery felt entirely familiar. All these mountains and waters looked much the same.

After crossing into this world, Mu Qian Tan had spent plenty of time in forests. At first, it felt novel, but now it had grown dull and tasteless.

Modern society was too noisy and fast-paced, but if she could carve out her own space, she could steal moments of quiet amid the bustle, finding purpose and joy. Not to mention the convenience: food from the convenience store downstairs, wireless internet, and more.

Even setting that aside, there was one crucial point—no sense of disconnection. In the modern world, even living differently from those around her, she never felt like the only unique one in a vast world. Not like now, surrounded by ancients she couldn’t connect with, making her feel utterly out of place.

The Modern World had its hardships, but there were many kinds of suffering in life. Austere cultivation and poverty were worlds apart, yet both had their own intolerabilities.

Having lived twenty-seven years as a modern person, she fundamentally preferred liveliness. Her past life hadn’t been ideal, but she’d never grown tired of that era. Yet now, just days after transmigrating, she already felt fed up.

This body’s Original Host had lived in isolation at the center of Narrow Sea, with not even a bed in the hall, making meals inconvenient. Such a life seemed common in Tianyu Sect, and thus in the Cultivation World too. Even someone high up like Panxiang Yin showed no sign of ease or joy.

Mu Qian Tan couldn’t help but question herself: She had ambitions to reach the pinnacle of the world, but could she truly endure a century of lonely cultivation?

Her feet crushed swathes of fallen leaves. The path ahead looked open but hid dangers everywhere. Mu Qian Tan stopped, closed her eyes, exhaled slowly, and opened them again.

She pushed aside the messy thoughts. Before figuring out how to live, she at least needed to survive first.

Mu Qian Tan rallied her spirits and surveyed her surroundings. Soon, she spotted a clear stream winding through the green fields below the clouds. Ripples spread from one spot on the calm surface, where someone seemed to be splashing around in the water.

Perhaps her luck from the previous days had finally turned, letting her effortlessly find the plot entry point. She guided the crane down, landing in the woods about a hundred meters from the water player.

Stowing White Pupil, Mu Qian Tan led the way straight toward the stream. As the damp floral scent in the air grew stronger, they made out the playful figure in the water: a girl with slightly dark skin and long limbs, running through the creek with wild laughter echoing from afar.

Closer up, they saw her face—around thirteen or fourteen, with a low nose bridge dotted in freckles, frizzy hair tied in five or six or seven colorful little braids, wearing custom beast-hide clothes soaked and muddy.

Amid the splashing, her lean, wiry build became clear—thin arms and legs, but brimming with strength. At her feet was a pink lump that occasionally leaped high, spraying a jet of water at her cheek. The girl splashed back, both human and beast playing happily, oblivious to the approaching pair.

“What’s that?” Shang Shan stared at the pink lump, curious, and overtook Mu Qian Tan to run ahead.

As soon as she appeared in the girl’s view, the immersed play halted. The girl spotted the strangers approaching and tensed with wariness.

As they drew nearer, the girl realized they were heading her way. She scooped up the Pink Small Beast, waded to the opposite bank, shoved it into the bushes, patted its rear to send it off, then turned back, stepping on stones to ask: “Who are you? I don’t know you.”

Shang Shan dashed to the creek’s edge, cupping her hands to shout: “Don’t be scared, we’re just passing through.”

The girl pointed to the stream’s end: “Go around, don’t come this way. Bandits ahead.”

“Bandits?” Shang Shan asked: “Good bandits or bad ones?”

The girl snorted, puzzled: “Bandits aren’t good. Of course they’re bad, bullying everyone.”

Stories often featured classic bandits—strong and righteous, robbing the rich to help the poor. Unsure if she’d misunderstood, Shang Shan had asked. Now knowing otherwise, she nodded and turned back: “Master, bad bandits here. Should we deal with them?”

Mu Qian Tan had just reached her side, looking at her coolly: “Now you ask my opinion? Why not charge ahead all hot-blooded?”

Shang Shan tilted her head up: “Because you’d get mad. You got mad when I agreed to help the Weasel, so I wanted to ask you first, see if you want to step in.”

Mu Qian Tan said: “What if I say no?”

Shang Shan said: “Then I’ll go alone and toss the bad guys in jail.”

Still couldn’t shake that busybody habit, but luckily, they had come here precisely to exterminate bandits. Mu Qian Tan looked toward the girl across the stream: “Fine.”

With approval, Shang Shan beamed and waved at the girl: “Bandits are no problem, don’t worry. We’re from an immortal sect, here to beat bad guys.”

At the word “immortal,” the girl exclaimed in surprise, her expressive features lighting up. Grown up in the village, she’d seen plenty of demons but never immortals. Curiosity exploded, and she rapid-fired questions: “Real immortals? The kind that fly around from legends? Do you cast spells? Don’t lie to me!”

She shaded her eyes with her hand, peering across the stream. The girl talking the most wore a demon ghost mask, a bit scary and unconvincing, but the aloof woman beside her had a genuine immortal air.

Shang Shan said: “Of course! I’m Shang Shan. What’s your name? Can you guide us?”

Mu Qian Tan murmured: “Head to their village first.”

As Shang Shan added that, the girl couldn’t contain her curiosity and waded back across.

Up close, her face brimmed with hearty charm. Smiling revealed two big front teeth, eyes squinting into crescent moons like stream-washed bends. Wringing out her pant legs, she bubbled excitedly: “I’m Tan Que, que from sparrow! Where are you from? What immortal arts do you know? Really helping wipe out bandits? Wow, you’re so pretty, great great, I’ll take you to the village!”

Close in age, with similar interests and both chatty and lively, Shang Shan and Tan Que hit it off fast. Arm in arm, they bounded down the mountain, asking and telling everything, laughing uproariously. Their cheerful chatter echoed through the woods like kids on an outing.

Mu Qian Tan followed at a steady pace. Descending the last steps onto the packed dirt road, she looked up to see spiked barricades lining both sides, tips coated in special poison, aimed outward against foes.

Past the defenses lay the village gate and a two-zhang-tall watchtower. A cloth-headed man in simple garb stood atop it, long spear in hand, scrutinizing the three descending the mountain.

Spotting a familiar face, he climbed down and approached from afar: “Little Bird? Who’s with you?”

Closer up, he slowed, eyeing the two strangers warily and stepping forward to pull Tan Que away: “Who are they?”

Tan Que grabbed him instead, bouncing: “Quick! Take them to see Mom! Immortals here to exterminate bandits!”

With them along, entering the village went smoothly.