The descent down the mountain was much easier than the climb up, and Su Luowei strode ahead with a lightness in her step, as if a burden had been lifted.
Meng Shuying, just like when they arrived, followed closely behind her.
The staircase wasn't particularly narrow, wide enough for two or three people to walk side by side. Su Luowei glanced back at Meng Shuying and gestured for her to walk alongside her.
"So, what's next?" Su Luowei asked, turning her head. Dressed in black, Meng Shuying matched the solemn atmosphere of the cemetery. Luckily, they were together; otherwise, someone might mistake her for a ghostly figure and spark a supernatural urban legend.
"Is there anywhere else Senior Sister wants to visit?"
Su Luowei thought for a moment, then shook her head. She had grown up in this city, but there were no close family members left, and she didn't have any particularly close friends either. She had already seen Zhu Hanhang yesterday.
Come to think of it, there wasn't much in this world worth holding onto.
"No, since this world is an illusion, there's no point in going anywhere else. You can just take me away."
Meng Shuying hadn't expected her to be so calm and decisive, showing no attachment to this world. Normally, if a heart trial created such an illusion, it meant the person had strong emotional ties to it.
But then again, her Senior Sister had always been calm and intelligent, never one to complain or give up when facing difficulties. From the moment they met, she had been gentle and steadfast.
Lost in thought, Meng Shuying fell silent, which made Su Luowei think there was a problem. She hesitated before asking, "You haven't found a way out yet, have you?"
"There is a way, but it's not ideal. Give me two days, and I'll figure something out."
After Su Luowei had fallen asleep last night, Meng Shuying had been contemplating ways to break the illusion. She had thought of several, but dismissed them one by one.
This kind of heart trial, which targeted one's Dao heart, was unique. It couldn't be broken through by brute force. Only if the person within the illusion had a clear understanding of it and a strong sense of self, and was willing to let go of everything in the illusion, could they leave.
"We don't have time to wait," Su Luowei said seriously. "Tell me your idea."
Meng Shuying hesitated, reluctant to speak.
Seeing her hesitation, Su Luowei frowned slightly, her tone becoming firmer. "Didn't you come to help me leave the illusion? The longer we stay here, the more danger your world will be in.
"I may not know exactly who I was in that world, but I'm sure I wouldn't want to sit by and watch as my friends and loved ones suffer. Every day we delay puts them in greater danger."
If they allowed history to repeat itself, what would be the point of Meng Shuying and Wen Miaomiao sacrificing themselves to reset the world?
Meng Shuying hadn't expected her to get angry and was momentarily stunned. But she knew how to appease her Senior Sister, how to soften her heart. Lowering her head, she adopted the same earnest posture she had used in the past when apologizing for upsetting her.
"I'm sorry, Senior Sister…"
Even without the memories of their past, Su Luowei was clearly susceptible to this approach.
Seeing her pitiful expression, Su Luowei's heart softened, and her expression relaxed as she gently reassured her, "You don't need to apologize, I'm not blaming you. We're companions, after all. Whether or not your plan is perfect, we should discuss it together. It's always better to have two minds working on it than one."
Having said this much, Meng Shuying could no longer avoid it. She sighed and explained how she had left the Ask Immortal Terrace before.
"So you're saying that in order to leave this illusion, not only do I need to be determined, but I also have to jump from a high place?" Su Luowei mused. "That doesn't sound too difficult. I happen to know the perfect spot."
An hour later, the two of them were standing at the top of the high tower they had seen the night before.
It was amusing, really. When they had taken a cab to the base of the tower and Meng Shuying had seen how tall it was, she had suggested flying Su Luowei to the top.
Earlier, in the cemetery, a relatively short climb had taken Su Luowei half an hour. This tower stretched high into the sky, and Meng Shuying had gently expressed concern for Su Luowei's stamina.
But Su Luowei had firmly declined and instead pulled out a small metal device. After fiddling with it for a moment, she led Meng Shuying to the entrance, scanned a code, and took the elevator.
The elevator was a glass-walled one, allowing them to watch as they rapidly ascended, the ground falling away beneath them and the sky drawing closer.
When they stepped out at the top, Su Luowei, facing this marvel of modern technology, couldn't help but smile with pride. "You don't have anything like this in your world, do you?"
Meng Shuying shook her head honestly. "No."
Satisfied, Su Luowei grinned, though her smile quickly faded into a wistful sigh. "This world is actually pretty great, with so many interesting things. It's a shame we're in a hurry; otherwise, I'd love to show you more."
From here, they could see the entire city. Su Luowei had lived in it day after day, never thinking much of it. But now, as she prepared to leave, she felt an unexpected sense of attachment.
Noticing her hesitation, Meng Shuying spoke softly, "If Senior Sister doesn't want to leave just yet, we can stay a few more days."
After all, once they left, they could never return. Even though Meng Shuying had transcended her tribulation and become an immortal, she couldn't travel freely between worlds, let alone bring her Senior Sister back to this illusory one.
But Su Luowei was resolute. "No, my business here is finished. There's no point in lingering. Besides, I don't belong here."
She slowly approached the edge of the tower, looking down over the railing, but all she could see was a sea of clouds.
That was probably for the best. When she jumped, at least it wouldn't be too terrifying.
The railing might have been enough to stop an ordinary person, but it didn't stand a chance against Meng Shuying. She didn't even need her sword. With a simple tug, she bent the metal, creating a large gap.
Oddly enough, Meng Shuying, who was the one suggesting Su Luowei jump, looked even more pale and anxious than Su Luowei, who was about to do the jumping.
Seeing this, Su Luowei sat down on the edge and reassured her in a soft voice, "It'll be fine. I'll just close my eyes, and it'll be over quickly."
In truth, years ago, shortly after her mother had passed away and her father had returned with a new wife and child, Su Luowei had thought about jumping off the balcony.
She remembered that day clearly. The weather had been perfect, and from the balcony, she could see the lawn below, where children were playing near the edge. She didn't want to scare those children, so she hadn't gone through with it.
Just like then, she didn't want to frighten Meng Shuying now. So she asked, "Will it be scary when I jump? Like, will I be all bloody and mangled when I hit the ground?"
If that was the case, it would be awful. The tower was so high—she'd probably be shattered into pieces.
The thought of that gruesome scene sent shivers down Su Luowei's spine, and she rubbed her arms. Before Meng Shuying could answer, she quickly added, "Never mind, maybe you should leave first. I don't want to scare you."
Sensing the fear in her Senior Sister's heart, Meng Shuying's own heart clenched. She sat beside her and gently held her hand. "I won't leave, and nothing will happen to you."
Her hand was warm, slightly warmer than Su Luowei's, and when Su Luowei glanced at their entwined fingers, she felt a strange sense of comfort. Meng Shuying's words were so firm, her gaze so sincere, that Su Luowei couldn't help but believe her completely.
As Su Luowei jumped from the tower, the sudden loss of weight made her heart feel as if it had stopped. For a brief moment, fear crept in.
Luckily, Meng Shuying was holding her tightly the whole time.
She cradled her as if she were a precious, fragile piece of porcelain—carefully, tenderly, without hesitation or retreat, her heart burning fiercely for her.
In that moment, Su Luowei couldn't tell if her heart was pounding because of the fall or because of Meng Shuying.
As they plummeted, images from her life flashed before her eyes, like a lantern spinning in the wind.
In the past, she had no family, no lover, and barely any friends. She had been carefree and unburdened, but also, at times, deeply lonely.
Then she had entered the world within the book. She had loving elders, obedient juniors, close friends, and a lover who was steadfast until death. She had found purpose in life.
She had cultivated diligently, determined to protect herself and those she cared about when the darkness came.
It was as if a divine force pointed her way, dispersing the fog around her. The world became clear.
Atop the Inkstone Peak, everyone stared in awe at the two figures standing on the summit, one dressed in black and the other in white, nestled close together.
The heavens trembled, and the clouds and wind converged. Around the two, a green dragon coiled and a vermillion phoenix danced. A soft white light emanated from Su Luowei's chest, gradually growing stronger until it shone so brightly that no one could look directly at it.
Sensing the familiar aura coming from that spot, Wen Miaomiao murmured, "The divine bone…"
That ancient divine bone, which had endured millennia, had finally returned to its rightful owner. Feeling the joyous energy radiating from it, Wen Miaomiao couldn't help but remember the words Meng Shuying had spoken to her in the Ten Directions Blessed Land before her death in their previous lives.
She had said her master was the kindest person in the world, different from the so-called righteous cultivators who cloaked themselves in self-righteousness. Her master was compassionate and cared for all beings.
If her master were still alive, the five sects wouldn't be so fragmented, and humanity wouldn't be in such a dire state.
Now that her master had awakened and reunited with the divine bone, Meng Shuying must be very happy.
As the wind and clouds calmed, Su Luowei slowly opened her eyes. Her expression was calm, devoid of joy or sorrow, like frost over snow, flawless and pure. Yet in the depths of her eyes lay a trace of compassion. She was herself—Shi Fang Jushi.
Many years ago, before Meng Shuying had told Wen Miaomiao about her master, Wen Miaomiao had already heard of this person, Shi Fang Jushi.
The name "Shi Fang" came from Buddhism, representing the ten directions.
Heaven, earth, east, west, north, south.
Life and death.
Past and future.
Back then, Shi Fang Jushi had been the most powerful figure in the human realm, and there had been a rumor among the people: Shi Fang Jushi controlled the ten directions.
Out of respect and admiration for the strong, many Taoist temples dedicated to Shi Fang Jushi had been built in the mortal world, offering incense and prayers day and night.
At that time, immortals didn't distance themselves from the mortal world. They roamed freely, sword in hand, slaying demons and vanquishing evil.
Many had seen Shi Fang Jushi in person, and those who had all said the same: she shone with a radiant light, like the moon reflected in water, like the rising sun, illuminating all ten directions.
Wen Miaomiao had never seen her and couldn't imagine what kind of person Meng Shuying revered as if she were a deity. But after meeting Su Luowei, Wen Miaomiao had gradually come to understand and admire her Senior Sister's gentleness and grace. She realized that Meng Shuying had not exaggerated; her Senior Sister truly was an extraordinary person.
Now, standing before the complete Shi Fang Jushi, Wen Miaomiao finally understood. This was the real her—a figure of immense strength and confidence, capable of withstanding any storm, yet with a cold, unearthly serenity and a deep-seated compassion.
At the same moment, Meng Shuying also opened her eyes. Unlike Su Luowei, who radiated pure white light, Meng Shuying was draped in the deepest shade of black, from her core to her appearance. She was the solitary deity of destruction, etched with violence and loneliness in her very bones. Even in this lifetime, where she had experienced warmth and love, it only slightly veiled the cold cruelty that defined her.
Like a veil over the night, once the thin fabric was lifted, the darkness within remained.
The two women looked at each other, and after a brief moment of silence, they both smiled.
Like ice melting under the first rays of spring, the dawn breaking through the darkness, the first light of morning rising.
Seeing her Dao partner again, Su Luowei felt a wave of joy swell in her heart, a joy so pure that even her lips curled into a gentle smile.
"Ah Ying, long time no see." Even though they had seen each other not long ago, Su Luowei suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to embrace her.
The moment Su Luowei called her name, Meng Shuying moved forward, gently wrapping her arms around her Senior Sister.
Su Luowei closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of her presence. After a while, she pulled back slightly but kept holding her hand, hardly able to believe what she was seeing. "Ah Ying, you've transcended the tribulation!"
In their previous life, Meng Shuying had already transcended her tribulation and become a demon god. But now, even without the divine bone that Su Luowei had left her, Meng Shuying had still succeeded in transcending the tribulation. Su Luowei was both astonished and overjoyed, her smile growing wider as she held onto her.
Before she had left, Su Luowei had guessed that divine power was the key to activating the teleportation array. She had planned to return to the Boundless Sea to find Meng Shuying after transcending her tribulation. But to her surprise, Meng Shuying had managed to survive the tribulation on her own. How could she not be excited?
Still—
"Did I scare you?" Su Luowei asked sheepishly, offering her a smile. Meng Shuying had rushed from the Boundless Sea only to find her in the midst of her own tribulation and had even had to enter her trial to wake her up. Su Luowei suddenly felt like she wasn't doing a great job as a Senior Sister.
"It doesn't matter. As long as Senior Sister is safe, that's all that matters," Meng Shuying reassured her, gently squeezing her hand. "I just hope Senior Sister won't blame me."
Though they hadn't spoken of it explicitly, Su Luowei had regained all her memories, understanding the past and present. She knew that when Meng Shuying spoke of not wanting her to be angry, she wasn't just referring to the fact that she had sent her away from the Boundless Sea.
But now wasn't the time for reminiscing. Upon awakening, Su Luowei had discovered that she could hear certain unusual sounds. In the distant north, countless mortals were crying out in terror, praying desperately for someone to save them.
Forming a hand seal, Su Luowei released her divine consciousness, spreading it out from her as the center. Her awareness expanded like a flowing stream, reaching farther and farther. She "saw" the foot of Kunlun Mountain, where the demon army was wreaking havoc on the human realm. Wherever they went, blood and chaos followed. Countless people were fleeing for their lives, displaced and terrified.
Retracting her divine consciousness, Su Luowei turned to Zhan Xueying and the others, her expression serious. "Fuguang is nearing Kunlun. If he successfully drains Kunlun's spiritual vein, the consequences will be disastrous. The demon army is vast, and we must unite the forces of all five sects to stand a chance."
Zhan Xueying shook her head. "Among the other four sects, only Eastern Extremity Sect has a good relationship with us. The other three are too self-interested and won't be easily persuaded."
Su Luowei, however, smiled calmly. "Send word to Eastern Extremity Sect. Kunlun is in a dire situation and won't refuse aid. As for Penglai, I'll handle the negotiations. I have some connections there. And as for the Danyang Alliance, I'll leave it to my junior sister. You've defeated Danyang single-handedly before; they'll be too afraid of you to say no."
With just a few simple instructions, Su Luowei had outlined the plan. After assigning the tasks, she asked Zhan Xueying to raise the defensive formations, then left with Meng Shuying to head to their respective destinations.
It had been many years since Su Luowei had visited Penglai Pavilion, and she wasn't sure what the situation was there now. The journey to Penglai was long, and the distance would delay her, so she instructed Meng Shuying to head to Kunlun and wait for her after she finished her task.
Having just reunited with her Senior Sister, Meng Shuying was naturally reluctant to part again, but she also understood that Su Luowei's plan was the most effective one. Only by following her instructions could they minimize the damage the demons were causing in the human realm.
So, without hesitation, she gazed into Su Luowei's eyes with the warmth and tenderness that she reserved for her Senior Sister alone and said earnestly, "Senior Sister, take care. I'll be waiting for you in Kunlun."
Whether it was this time or the next, or every time after that, she would always wait patiently for her Senior Sister. And if, for any reason, Su Luowei couldn't come to her, she would find her again and again. They would walk this path together, steadily and without end.
In the depths of Meng Shuying's serene gaze, Su Luowei saw her own reflection. She took her hand, her tone as gentle as it was resolute. "I'll come to Kunlun as soon as I'm done."
This time, she would be there on time. She wouldn't disappoint Meng Shuying or make her feel sad.
Though Su Luowei had only been preparing for her tribulation for a few days, the world had changed drastically. The demon army had poured out of the demon realm in full force, their numbers blotting out the sky, and the path ahead was fraught with danger.
But Su Luowei wasn't afraid. She knew that no matter what difficulties they faced, there would always be someone behind her, supporting her.