Chapter 14: The Ancestral Master’s Realm Watches Over Descendants
Li Chen and Lin Ying were truly exhausted, yet they had barely covered five miles. One of them said, “The weeds farther ahead look tougher and older. Let’s go pull those out first.”
Hearing this, Li Chen suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes flickering with interest. He whispered, “Wait a moment, Lin Ying, look over there.” Lin Ying followed the direction of his pointing finger and saw a patch of grass where faint glimmers flickered intermittently, like stars fallen to earth. They exchanged a glance, both feeling a strange surge of curiosity. Carefully, they approached and parted the grass, only to discover a cluster of peculiar little flowers emitting a soft glow under the night sky. Dewdrops rolled on the petals, each bead seeming to harbor some mysterious power. This unexpected discovery instantly swept away their weariness, their eyes sparkling with the thrill of exploring the unknown.
Li Chen crouched down and gently touched the strange flowers. The petals trembled slightly, radiating a brighter light, as if responding to him in a friendly manner. Suddenly, a gentle melody floated on the breeze, haunting and melodious, as if echoing from ancient times. They followed the sound, passing through a quiet bamboo grove, until the scene before them opened up—a mystical garden bathed in starlight. At its center, a woman dressed in ancient robes, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, danced gracefully. She waved a glowing fan with each motion, causing the surrounding blossoms to bloom more brilliantly. The air was filled with a faint floral fragrance and a magical aura, enchanting their hearts as if they had stepped into another world.
Li Chen and Lin Ying stared in astonishment—they had encountered the Flower Fairy! The two quickly bowed and greeted, “Honored to meet you, Flower Fairy!” The woman with the ancient attire delicately held her fan, stepping forward with a charming smile. “To meet two outstanding individuals such as yourselves is a great honor for me, little flowers,” she said gracefully.
The Flower Fairy gently approached and took Lin Ying’s small hand, her heart blooming with joy. “Meeting a sister feels so warm and happy!” Lin Ying lightly touched her cheek and replied, “That’s strange—I feel the same way!”
Hand in hand, they moved to sit beneath a tree, chatting quietly and giggling softly. “Sister, how did you two come to be here?” the Flower Spirit asked.
Lin Ying then recounted the events at Lingxiu Peak in Gui West for her. The Flower Spirit lowered her gaze thoughtfully, then said, “Lingxiu Peak is a gateway, and that woman is a transporter. She must have sensed the shared aura you bear with the Patriarch, which is why she transmitted you into this Patriarch’s spatial realm.”
Lin Ying looked incredulous and asked, “Which sect and which Patriarch is this?”
“The First Generation Patriarch of the Kunlun Immortal Sect. That transporter was arranged and left behind by him.”
“Wow! Brother Chen, that’s our Kunlun Immortal Sect’s First Patriarch!” Lin Ying exclaimed.
Li Chen nodded. “No wonder it’s not dangerous. There are even spiritual herbs here.” Then he asked, “Where is the First Patriarch now? Is there anyone else inside?”
The Flower Spirit replied, “I don’t know where the Patriarch went. There are about three thousand people here—all direct descendants and household servants of the First Patriarch. When the Patriarch left, he passed on the sect to his disciples but took his descendants to cultivate here in seclusion. This place has minor spiritual veins, with concentrated spiritual energy. Strange flowers, exotic herbs, and spiritual medicines often take on sentient forms. They come here frequently—I’ve heard all this from them.”
Li Chen laughed heartily. “What a fateful coincidence! We’ve accidentally entered the secret spatial realm of the Patriarch himself!” He then asked, “Will these fellow disciples welcome us?”
The Flower Spirit said, “It’s hard to say. At least some harbor no goodwill. Lingxiu Peak mainly functions to replenish reserve forces by recruiting talented cultivators, but the masters here treat them as servants. From time to time, people are transmitted in. Those who refuse to obey are executed on the spot. Survivors become servants. Your situation is uncertain!”