Chapter Fifteen: Seeking the Immortal Brahma at the Sacred Temple of the Returning Void

A surge of secret delight rose in her heart, and she embellished her words further: "If you choose to lay down your arms and make peace today, I could help you save this white-robed youth’s life!"

Don’t believe what he says!

Bai Mu, hearing this, hastily tried to object, though his voice was faint. Yet even this small effort stirred the sword energy wildly within him, sending waves of pain through his body as he writhed in Ling Yan’s embrace.

Watching his pitiful state, even the Old Ancestor of the Grey Crane couldn’t help but click his tongue in sympathy.

"Very well, I accept your terms," Ling Yan said, undaunted as she fixed her gaze on the Grey Crane, awaiting his method for saving Bai Mu.

But the Grey Crane only smiled strangely and slowly shook his head. "Words alone are empty. How can I trust what you say?"

"If this white-robed youth wakes and seeks to harm me again, I could suffer greatly!"

Ling Yan raised her head impatiently, her brows knitting in anger. "Grey Crane, do you take me for a fickle, dishonorable person?"

"If you don’t wish to cooperate, that’s fine. I alone am more than capable of dealing with a half-crippled demon like you!"

With that, Ling Yan leveled the Jade Chill Flute in her hand, ready to attack the Grey Crane.

Having lived for thousands of years, the Grey Crane was no fool; he hurriedly intervened, waving his hands. "Wait, wait! Let’s talk this over!"

He quickly changed his tone. "I can see you’re no ordinary girl. Your skills and treasures are extraordinary—surely you hail from a noble lineage."

"Very well. Today I shall tell you how to save this youth, but you must keep your promise."

"Enough with the nonsense!"

Ling Yan scolded him impatiently: "Grey Crane, from this day forth, our paths are separate. As long as I find no evidence of you harming others, I will not trouble you further. If you can truly reform, I may even plead your case with the gods!"

He chuckled.

"You speak boldly, little one."

The Grey Crane muttered to himself, then cast his sharp gaze over Bai Mu, relishing the calamity. "If I’m not mistaken, this youth has been invaded by the sword energy from that ancient blade. His cultivation is insufficient, and he knows nothing of swordsmanship, so he cannot control the sword energy raging within him."

"Ordinarily, he may be able to bear it, but when the full moon comes, he will suffer the torment of sword energy again and again."

Though it won’t kill him, the agony is surely unbearable, and over time it will hinder his cultivation and even harm his organs. By then, not even the greatest immortal could save him!"

"What must be done to cure him?" Ling Yan asked cautiously.

That’s simple!

The Old Ancestor of the Grey Crane replied unhurriedly, "Head fifty miles north through the mountain path, then south for seven hundred miles past Wild Mountain, and you’ll reach Floating Jade Mountain. If he can become a disciple of a master there and learn their sword techniques, which rival the powers of heaven and earth, not only will he be able to channel the sword energy within him, but he’ll also gain the ability to wield that ancient blade imbued with primordial power to its fullest!"

Floating Jade Mountain?

"You mean you want me to seek out Brahma Immortal at the Ruins Sanctuary to teach him swordsmanship?" Ling Yan’s delicate brows arched in surprise.

"Precisely," the Grey Crane said with genuine admiration. "I never expected someone so young to know so much about the Wildlands. Even the ancient Brahma Immortal is familiar to you—your family must be illustrious indeed. Which sect are you from?"

"That’s none of your concern."

Ling Yan’s expression darkened, her voice cold. "Since you’ve revealed the cure for Bai Mu, I’ll keep my word and no longer trouble you. Leave now, and never harm mortals again!"

The Grey Crane sneered, casting a glance at the body of the Dream Tapir among the rubble, then his figure blurred and vanished from their sight.

"Ling Yan, you shouldn’t have let that ancient demon go," Bai Mu said, remorseful.

It’s fine!

Ling Yan smiled reassuringly at him. "That demon now has less than half his former strength; he won’t cause much trouble. Once you’ve recovered and mastered the sword arts, when we combine our skills, what need have we to fear the Grey Crane?"

"Ling Yan, thank you. You’re the first woman in my life…" Bai Mu gazed at her, the beauty who seemed almost celestial, his face flushing red, suddenly embarrassed.

Ling Yan blushed and lowered her head, but, constrained by her maidenly pride, she feigned anger and scolded him: "Bai Mu, don’t speak nonsense! We are merely travelers who met by chance—far from anything like romantic affection!"

No, no…

Bai Mu waved his hands in frantic explanation: "Don’t misunderstand, Ling Yan. You really are the first woman I’ve ever met!"

"I trained in the mountains with my master, and besides seeing his stern, square face every day, my only companion was his Qiongqi beast. You truly are the first woman I’ve seen, and certainly the most beautiful in my life!"

Ling Yan smiled, her heart quietly moved. Hearing Bai Mu’s earnest praise, she felt a sweetness blossom within her, as though she’d tasted honey.

Truthfully, in her own heart, Bai Mu was also the first man Ling Yan had encountered since descending to the Wildlands.

In the divine realm, she was often surrounded by her father, her brother, and her elders. Occasionally, she’d see other ancient immortals visiting the Jade Dome Hall with their disciples, but in the end, they were gods—not humans.

Bai Mu, however, was flesh and blood—a living, breathing man.

And during their nearly ten days together, Ling Yan had already developed secret feelings for him. Though she knew this violated the strict taboos of her divine kind, and risked being branded an outcast, she wished only to savor this fluttering sensation in her heart, so different from the cold world she’d known in the heavens.

"Ling Yan, why are you so quiet?" Bai Mu struggled to rise from the ground, curiosity on his face.

Oh…

"It’s nothing. I was just thinking about something," Ling Yan replied, cheeks flushed, brushing his question aside.

In truth, anyone with a keen eye could see the subtle undercurrents between them, but Bai Mu, naive and oblivious, continued to ask, unaware: "What were you thinking about?"

I…

In a flash of inspiration, Ling Yan hesitated, then answered, "I… was thinking about sending you to Floating Jade Mountain to seek a master."