Longevity Chronicles

Fire Cave Mansion, inside a warm chamber.

Tao Qian was sitting cross-legged in front of a piece of glowing Warm Jade, within which sat a lady who was favored for her spiritual elegance and whose temperament was cool and detached.

The two looked at each other, yet Tao Qian failed to see even a trace of fear in the eyes of Senior Sister Xie, not even a hint of hesitation or struggle.

All there was, was tranquility.

It seemed as if nothing in the world could shake Senior Sister Xie's composure, even though this was merely a Spiritual Resonance Avatar.

This piqued Tao Qian's curiosity—what kind of woman was this Senior Sister, exactly?

After giving Tao Qian a soft look, the avatar nodded satisfactorily and then said,

"Tao Junior Brother, our meeting is fated. If you have any questions for me, feel free to ask. I will try my best to clarify your doubts before I dissipate."

"Xie Lingji is nothing extraordinary, just a woman who desired to practice the Longevity Technique but perished halfway."

For the second time, Tao Qian's mind seemed to be fully perceived by this Spiritual Resonance Avatar.

This was somewhat similar to "Telepathy," but the odd thing was, Tao Qian didn't feel any aversion to it.

As he pondered, Xie Lingji gave him a faint smile and said,

"Don't be alarmed, Tao Junior Brother. This is one of my innate talents. I can only vaguely sense some of your thoughts regarding me."

"It is not Telepathy per se, that which one cultivates to spy on the thoughts of others intentionally."

"If you don't look at me and don't entertain thoughts related to me, I naturally won't be able to hear anything."

With that explanation, Tao Qian couldn't help expressing surprise on his face.

Was there actually such a talent?

Although it couldn't compare to Tao Qian's own abnormal Soul that could sense the hidden details of the Record, it was quite extraordinary already.

Tao Qian thought for a moment, realizing this talent could be of many uses. For instance, in battle, it could always put one step ahead of the opponent.

But upon further reflection, given Senior Sister Xie's stunning beauty combined with this talent, she probably had seen the evil in people's hearts from a young age.

At this thought, Tao Qian felt sympathy and almost involuntarily sighed.

The avatar inside the Warm Jade, however, showed a hint of surprise, then looked at Tao Qian with appreciation. She spoke even more softly,

"When I first sensed the Ascending Immortal Token changing hands, I was puzzled why Master would accept a male disciple."

"Now that I've seen your temperament, Tao Junior Brother, I understand a bit."

"Talent and qualifications are secondary; your character, Tao Junior Brother, is rare and precious in the Cultivation World."

Tao Qian had heard this comment before.

No matter how many times he heard it, he wanted to retort: Just how fearsome is the Cultivation World that even I, Tao Qian, am considered a rare good person?

However, when Tao Qian recalled his experiences in Southern Yue, he had to admit that there was some truth to these words.

Remember, right after he joined and was about to establish his Foundation, he was inexplicably targeted by the Three Demon Immortals of Miraculous Tree.

"An entire world of evil Cultivators?"

Tao Qian wondered before shaking his head.

Although there were indeed many wrongdoers, there were also good individuals.

Like Xiao Hua Daoist, like Master Xiao.

By Tao Qian's standards, they definitely counted as good Cultivators.

As these complex thoughts flashed through his mind, Tao Qian quickly clarified the misunderstanding after listening to Xie Lingji,

"Senior Sister is mistaken, I am not a disciple of Aunt Yunhua. My Master is Duobao True Monarch."

"Not long ago, when I just became a disciple of Master, Aunt Yunhua came to congratulate, and she handed over Ascending Immortal Island to me."

"Hmm?"

After Tao Qian finished speaking, Xie Lingji inside the Warm Jade paused for a moment.

Her exquisite brows slowly furrowed, and anyone seeing this would likely be compelled to reach out, smooth her brows, and do whatever possible to relieve her worries.

Tao Qian thought for a bit and then spoke of the complications between Yunhua Immortal and his Master.

Incidentally, he also mentioned his encounters in Southern Yue—notably with Infant Sect Master Xiao and Queen of Daughter Country Xue Baobao.

Without Duobao True Monarch's intervention, Tao Qian really might have become a disciple of Yunhua Immortal.

It was this Karma that left him puzzled about Yunhua Immortal's intention by gifting him Ascending Immortal Island.

Was it an indirect continuation of a Master-disciple Karma?

Or was there another purpose?

It likely wasn't anything bad, given his Master, who was skilled in calculations and predictions, did not object.

As Tao Qian was contemplating, he saw the avatar of Xie Lingji inside the Warm Jade, whose body already as ethereal as a dream, become even more translucent. It seemed only a few breaths' time remained before she would dissipate like smoke.

It seemed she sensed Tao Qian's thoughts again and did not hide her admiration for him, then spoke somewhat seriously,

"After all, my Master is the leader of the Spirit Treasure Female Immortals, and her thoughts are difficult to guess. Had it been my true body, maybe I could have figured something out, but I am merely an avatar about to scatter, and I can't deduce much."

"However, it is mostly related to my true body that perished abroad."

"To avoid it is simple, remember, Junior Brother, when you leave the Mountain Gate in the future to experience the world, do not get involved with the Xie Family, and do not provoke the people of Evil Sect, this should allow you to avoid the Karmic disaster related to me."

After uttering these three sentences, Xie Lingji's already faint form grew fainter.

Clearly, her time was near.

Tao Qian's brow furrowed slightly, as several thoughts tumbled in his mind.

Strictly speaking, this avatar of Senior Sister Xie Lingji was the first fellow sect member Tao Qian had interacted with since his initiation, as he had yet to meet anyone else.

It was just that he hadn't expected to bid farewell so soon, having barely exchanged a few words, and now his Senior Sister was about to return to the great unknown.