Chapter 25: The Saintess Chu Xuan's Tribulation of Love, Spirit Stones Required to Enter the City?

“If you truly consider me your sister, then promise our benefactor what he asked…” Mei Ruoxi looked at her elder sister’s earnest face and knew there was no way to refuse. After all, without Ling Tian’s help that day, the two of them wouldn’t have survived until now. No matter how she felt, she owed him this much. Moreover, all he asked was that she agree to join his faction—nothing more. That much she could accept. At worst, she could always deny it later.

“I agree,” she said at last, sighing softly after a moment’s silence.

Her sister had always been good to her. Mei Ruoxi never listened to anyone, but she couldn’t ignore her sister’s words. If not for her sister’s protection, she would have lost herself countless times by now.

[Celestial Court Members: 3/100]
[Mission Reward: Dao Origin +1]
[Warning: Detected the resurrection of an Emperor’s residual soul among the members. It is interfering with the host’s original memories. Proceed with caution.]

As soon as Mei Ruoxi consented, a notification rang out in Ling Tian’s mind. The first part was already familiar; he’d heard it twice before. Had it not appeared, he might have found it odd. But the latter warning made Ling Tian frown.

No wonder Mei Ruoxi had advanced so quickly—it turned out she’d awakened the residual soul of an Emperor. With such experience, guidance, and a suitable cultivation method, her rapid progress was only natural. But could her changed personality also be attributed to this residual soul? If the Emperor’s soul replaced her original memories, wouldn’t she cease to be Mei Ruoxi at all?

Yet, as she still cared about Mei Ruoyun’s words, it seemed Mei Ruoxi’s original memories remained dominant. How intriguing. No wonder he hadn’t noticed anything unusual; so this was the reason.

“Well, since everything’s settled, we won’t impose any further. We’ll take our leave now,” Ling Tian said politely, giving Mei Ruoxi a deep look before turning to go.

Xiao Ling’er and the others followed him out.

“Could I join your faction too?” Xiao Ling’er asked as they descended the mountain, coming up beside Ling Tian.

“No,” he replied bluntly.

“Why not?”

“There’s nothing to eat there,” he answered, shrugging with a hint of mischief.

Xiao Ling’er was so irked that she angrily stuffed several pieces of candy into her mouth, barely restraining the urge to hit Ling Tian. He was decent in every way—except for his infuriating mouth!

Yan Chen wisely kept silent, unwilling to draw attention to himself. Using the sect’s resources to increase one’s cultivation, then striking out solo—such things would not come so easily.

Ling Tian mulled over the Emperor’s residual soul lurking within Mei Ruoxi. He hadn’t disturbed it, not wanting to alert it prematurely. It would be better to inform Luo Qingqiu; she would know how to handle it. As for destroying the residual soul, that was out of his hands.

In any case, Mei Ruoxi’s cultivation would surely advance by leaps and bounds from now on.

“I have some matters to attend to,” Ling Tian said, swiftly taking his leave.

He went to Luo Qingqiu’s spiritual peak and recounted the situation. Luo Qingqiu’s eyes shone with understanding as she nodded, not pressing for details as to how he had discovered it. Their relationship had yet to reach that level of intimacy.

After relaying the message, Ling Tian departed directly.

“An Emperor’s residual soul? How interesting. Wouldn’t that make an excellent candidate for Holy Son?” Luo Qingqiu mused as she watched Ling Tian’s receding figure. Luo Changsheng had nearly worn her ears out over the matter of choosing a Holy Son. Perhaps this was her opportunity to contribute as the Supreme Elder. After all, she couldn’t always leave everything to others in the sanctuary she had founded.

Ling Tian looked at the creature before him—a beast with two pairs of wings and a dragon-like head—and couldn’t help but remark on its peculiar charm. At the Eighth Layer of the Sealed King Realm, it was quite formidable. Normally, spirit ships served as transportation, soaring through the skies. But since only a few were heading to the Fire God Sect, the dragon-eagle was a faster and less conspicuous choice.

Luo Changsheng was already waiting atop the beast.

“What are you standing there for? Get on! Or do you not want to leave?” Ling Tian beckoned to the two still on the ground.

Yan Chen muttered under his breath, “If you’re not going, what’s the point of getting on myself?” Moreover, this dragon-eagle looked rather fierce.

Once Xiao Ling’er climbed up, the dragon-eagle let out a roar and beat its wings, taking off. Yan Chen, left behind, cursed inwardly—targeted again, no doubt! He was about to shout when he found himself gripped tightly in the beast’s claws.

Yan Chen’s face turned green—what was this? Captured by a spirit beast while the others rode comfortably? Was there no justice left in the world?

Unable to hold back, he whispered a curse, but the wind snatched away his words before the others could hear.

“Hey, why isn’t Yan Chen up here?” Xiao Ling’er, now addressing Yan Chen by name, blinked her big eyes in puzzlement.

“Perhaps he finds it more comfortable down below,” Ling Tian replied with a chuckle, touching his nose.

Luo Changsheng, seated in front, pulled a wry face. Was this really the time for private jokes? He didn’t know why Ling Tian always singled Yan Chen out, assuming it was simply youthful mischief.

“Is that so?” Xiao Ling’er was simple, but not stupid.

“Here, have some candy…” Ling Tian changed the subject, handing her a generous handful of sweets. Her eyes sparkled as she forgot all about Yan Chen.

Ling Tian shook his head—how gluttonous she was.

That evening, they arrived at a town within the Chaos Dao Domain. The Fire God Sect was still some distance from the Autumn Sanctuary and couldn’t be reached in a day, so they needed to rest. If the journey were shorter, the Sanctuary might have sent more disciples. As it stood, the secret realms here were plentiful, making those in the Flame Domain less enticing.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Wow, the fireworks here are beautiful!” Xiao Ling’er exclaimed as the dragon-eagle landed outside the town, the drab sky illuminated by vibrant colors. She forgot all about the candy in her hand, her eyes shining with delight. All girls, cultivator or otherwise, loved a bit of spectacle.

“Let’s go have some fun!” Unable to contain her excitement, she grabbed Ling Tian’s hand and pulled him toward the town.

Ling Tian could only shake his head. He’d intended to stay just one night and saw no reason to refuse.

Yan Chen, his eyes red and streaming from the wind, now grew even more envious seeing the two of them hand in hand. He hurried after them.

Luo Changsheng concealed his cultivation and followed Ling Tian closely; should anything happen to Ling Tian, he’d never be able to return.

“What? We have to pay spirit stones to enter the city?” The four of them were stopped outside the gates by two cultivators at the Void Fusion Realm. Inside, the city blazed with lights, but outside, the night’s chill pressed in.

“That’s right. You’re in luck today—normally, there’s no fee, but tonight the Fourth Saintess of the Cold Purity Sect, Lady Chu Xuan, will be here seeking a suitable partner to undergo her Tribulation of Love,” one guard said, winking knowingly at Ling Tian and his companions.

The three exchanged looks—charging an entrance fee was good news?

“So, which of you is paying?” the other guard asked the crucial question.

“My back must be sore from sitting so long,” Luo Changsheng muttered, turning away to massage his back. He didn’t usually carry spirit stones—a matter of strict wifely oversight, he would admit in a whisper.

“Oh? My shoelaces are a bit loose. Wouldn’t want to trip,” Ling Tian said, crouching down. That left only Yan Chen and Xiao Ling’er.

Yan Chen’s expression darkened. These two are shameless! Just as he was about to make an excuse, he saw Xiao Ling’er staring at him intently. “You pay the spirit stones,” she said seriously.

He was speechless, but couldn’t refuse. If he tried to weasel out of it, could he ever return to the Fire God Sect? Her father was the sect leader, after all.

“I’ll pay, of course,” he said, gritting his teeth.

The guard accepted the stones, pausing as he heard Yan Chen’s teeth grinding audibly. “What’s that sound?”

“My back teeth—just shattered,” Yan Chen replied, agony written across his face. To be honest, this was outrageously expensive!

The guards said nothing.

“Let’s go in,” Ling Tian said, standing up at once and leading Xiao Ling’er through the gates. Luo Changsheng’s back pain vanished just as quickly.

Yan Chen felt as if “Sucker” had been branded across his forehead. Ling Tian, when we reach the Flame Domain’s secret realm, you’ll pay for this—double.

Inside, the city was as lively as expected. Most people here were above the Void Fusion Realm. For this Dao Domain’s stronger cities, such cultivation was commonplace—a clear distinction between the upper and lower worlds.

Chu Xuan was here to seek a partner for her Tribulation of Love, for two reasons: the other saintesses were searching here as well, and the location was ideal—connected in all directions, making it convenient for holy sons from other sects to attend.

Ling Tian spotted many outstanding young men—their cultivation rivaled his, though they were several years older. In their twenties, they were still considered young.

“This is delicious! And that one too!” Xiao Ling’er paid no attention to the saintess, her priorities firmly in place as she ate with gusto.

This time, Ling Tian took the initiative to pay for her food, considering it part of his promise.

“Hurry, Lady Chu Xuan’s ship has arrived!” someone shouted, and the crowd surged forward, eager for a chance to share the tribulation with the fairy-like saintess.

Even the old man tending the food stall, forgetting to collect Ling Tian’s payment, grabbed his cane and hobbled after the throng.

Ling Tian watched the stooped old man disappear into the crowd, a wry smile on his lips. One thought crossed his mind: No matter how old men get, they still love eighteen-year-old girls.