Chapter 311 - 139: Fighting into the Eastern Desolate Swamp

With the Dao Seed, she began her Cultivation.

After being continuously nourished by Xu Lei’s Phoenix True Flame...

Finally, the white blemishes on Bai Ling’s body and face vanished completely.

She transformed into an adorable and beautiful young girl with skin as fair and delicate as porcelain.

Dressed in a beautiful, exquisite new set of traditional white gauze robes...

...with a small Jade Pendant around her neck, her hair styled with beautiful ornaments and pins...

She was instantly, utterly charming.

Like a fairy who had fallen to the Mortal World.

This day was the Lantern Festival.

The streets were ablaze with lanterns and bustling with people.

"Ling’er, happy birthday."

Xu Lei gave Bai Ling a lantern. He also gave her the Jade Pendant that had once belonged to Wei Qingning, saying, "This Jade Pendant can alter your appearance.

Consider it your birthday gift.

In the future, if I’m no longer around...

...when you travel the world, this Jade Pendant will help you disguise yourself.

It will make many things more convenient."

The reason for all this was that Bai Ling had suddenly declared she wanted to celebrate her birthday.

Actually, Bai Ling didn’t know her exact date of birth.

But she wanted to make the day she met Xu Lei her birthday.

And now, exactly one year had passed.

"Thank you, Master."

Bai Ling’s beautiful eyes glistened with emotion.

Now, both of her eyes were identical.

Both had become equally lively and beautiful.

Her smile was bright and radiant. "Ling’er loves it," she chirped.

"Today is your birthday, so you’re the boss. Whatever you say, goes."

Xu Lei smiled. "I’m glad you like it."

"Really? Then Ling’er is in charge today!"

Bai Ling said, "So Master will listen to everything Ling’er says?"

Xu Lei nodded.

Bai Ling’s beautiful eyes lit up.

"Master, there’s a magic show over there, let’s go have a look!"

"Master, Master, Ling’er wants a piggyback ride."

"Master, there are people dancing over there."

"Master, that man breaking a boulder on his chest is so cool! Is he a Cultivator too?"

"Master, Master, they’re releasing wish lanterns over there. Let’s go release one too."

"Come on, come on. Let’s go see."

"Master, Master, what wish did you make?"

"My wish? I hope I can always be with Master!"

Bai Ling chattered away, pulling Xu Lei along as she ran here and there, hopping with joy.

Now that the afflictions on her body were healed...

...she had also become so beautiful.

She could feel it in the way passersby and vendors treated her when she shopped.

Now, she was charming.

In fact, she had already become lively, cheerful, sweet, and adorable half a year ago.

She was nothing like her former self.

It was as if the timid, weak, and self-conscious Bai Ling of the past was a completely different person from the girl she was now.

"You want to always be with Master? How could that be possible?"

Xu Lei laughed. "I’m already old. One day, I will die."

"Your Cultivation is extraordinary," Bai Ling said. "You won’t die that quickly!

You can live for at least another ten or twenty years, right?

Didn’t you say that Ling’er’s talent is extraordinary?

When Ling’er’s Cultivation gets strong and she achieves Ascension...

...then Ling’er will help you become strong too!

Doesn’t the saying go, ’When one person achieves enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven’?

Master, you have to do your best to live on, and wait for Ling’er to become really strong!

I’ll help you achieve eternal life, so you never age or die.

Then we can stroll through the streets together every day!

We can watch the magicians!

And the men who break boulders on their chests!

And eat tanghulu!"

Xu Lei couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Bai Ling was, after all, a little girl just over eight years old.

So her words were still full of innocence.

But there was a seriousness within her innocence that was quite moving.

"Alright, alright."

Xu Lei patted Bai Ling’s head. "In that case, I’ll be waiting for that day."

Afterward, Xu Lei took Bai Ling’s hand, and they continued to wander through the bustling, brightly-lit streets.

Suddenly, Bai Ling froze.

Xu Lei followed Bai Ling’s gaze and looked forward.

Up ahead, he saw Bai Ling’s parents.

They were running a small stall, selling trinkets.

But some ruffians were causing trouble for them.

Xu Lei and Bai Ling just watched.

The ruffians flipped their stall over.

And then left.

Xu Lei walked forward, holding Bai Ling’s hand.

"Honored guests, what would you like to buy?"

The couple didn’t recognize Bai Ling. They just said respectfully, "Apologies, our stall has run into a bit of trouble.

If you could just wait for us to finish cleaning up!

We still have some clean items here!

Please, take a look and see if there’s anything you’d like."

Bai Ling remained silent.

"Master, let’s go!"

Then, she looked up at Xu Lei and said, "You are my family. You’re the only family I have!"

"We’ll take this pellet drum."

But Xu Lei picked up the child’s toy, tossed them a Silver Yuanbao, and said, "Keep the change. The rest is for you."

Amidst the couple’s shocked and profuse thanks, he turned and left with Bai Ling.

"For you."

Xu Lei handed the pellet drum to Bai Ling. "That Silver Yuanbao just now," he said.

"Consider it as me buying you from them, severing the debt of your birth.

From now on, you don’t have to think about them anymore, and you don’t have to feel conflicted over this.

Just focus on your Cultivation."

"Thank you, Master."

Bai Ling’s eyes welled with tears. "Ling’er won’t think about them.

Having Master is enough for Ling’er."

「Three more months passed.」

Bai Ling’s Cultivation had finally reached a level where she could use the Dharma Gate Xu Lei had taught her to communicate with the Creepy Spirits.

She successfully communicated with them.

Previously, Bai Ling had been unable to communicate with them.

She couldn’t understand what those monsters were saying.

Those monsters used to gnaw on her constantly, tormenting her until she was like a living ghost.

But she had no way to resist them.

And no one could help her.