Chapter 331 - 146: Sycophantic Qing Lian

Back then, Xu Lei had stolen the Puppet-Exorcising Bell to drive Bai Ling away.

However, after those two Enchantresses killed Xu Lei, they didn’t take the Puppet-Exorcising Bell with them.

That was because Xu Lei hadn’t placed the Puppet-Exorcising Bell in his Qiankun Cloth Bag at the time.

At that time, Xu Lei was, of course, only carrying a single Qiankun Cloth Bag.

The rest of his things had been transported and hidden in a cave in the Great Xing Mountain Range.

That Qiankun Cloth Bag was indeed taken by the two Enchantresses.

However, there was nothing of value inside it.

As for the Puppet-Exorcising Bell, Xu Lei had left it in the carriage.

The carriage was blown apart by Mei Xiong, and he hadn’t even noticed that the bell was a Magical Artifact.

He probably just thought it was some kind of ornament for the carriage.

In any case, the two Enchantresses left quickly after that.

Thus, the Puppet-Exorcising Bell eventually found its way back into Bai Ling’s hands.

Seeing her command the Human Puppets with such skill and ease, Xu Lei felt a sense of gratification.

But Xu Lei didn’t call out to Bai Ling.

He had been reincarnated and was now a different person.

Besides, Bai Ling had rushed past too quickly.

’Besides, I’ve already been reincarnated. Is there any real need for us to meet again?’ Xu Lei pondered this.

As for why Bai Ling was here...

Xu Lei guessed it was the explosion from his dynamite that had drawn her here.

After all, in his past life, Xu Lei had used dynamite in front of her to kill a Loose Cultivator.

And there were the massive explosions Xu Lei had set off in the Eastern Wilderness Marsh.

While Bai Ling hadn’t witnessed them firsthand, perhaps she’d had her Creepy Spirits observe the entire event.

It was just that Xu Lei himself couldn’t see the Creepy Spirits.

So, if Bai Ling had been somewhere not far from the city when the dynamite exploded tonight...

For instance, in the next city over, or in the nearby mountain forests.

...then she would have rushed over.

After all, no one else in this world used dynamite.

And Xu Lei had never taught anyone else how to make it.

Upon seeing a technique so similar to the one her master had used, Bai Ling would naturally want to come and investigate.

’She must still remember me.’

Xu Lei could feel it.

But even so, Xu Lei didn’t chase after Bai Ling to reveal himself.

Seeing that Bai Ling had grown up strong and healthy, and was doing so well now—and judging by her youthful appearance, her cultivation progress must be excellent—Xu Lei felt relieved.

After all, if her cultivation weren’t impressive, she couldn’t possibly still look as youthful as a girl of sixteen after forty years!

’Still, I’ll have to be more careful about using dynamite from now on.’

He continued his train of thought. ’Bai Ling might track me down because of it, which means Bodhisattva Guan Yun might, too!’

’Looks like I need to figure out how to develop a shotgun!’

’The kind that can fire in rapid succession.’

’That way, I can also use it to drain the Magical Power of other Cultivators.’

’Plus, it’s different enough from dynamite that it shouldn’t be traced back to me.’

As he thought this, Xu Lei gazed once more at Bai Ling’s figure disappearing into the night.

’Also, I wonder if that girl took what she said at my grave all those years ago to heart?’

’Is she single-mindedly focused on achieving the Dao so she can reverse time and bring me back?’

’Pursuing the Dao is one thing.’

’After all, every Cultivator seeks to attain it.’

’But because of me, she might hate those two Enchantresses!’

’I hope she won’t recklessly seek revenge on them for my sake in the future, will she?’

Xu Lei was a little worried about this.

If he himself were to seek revenge, it wouldn’t matter if he failed.

After all, if he died, he could just start over.

But if Bai Ling went for revenge and failed, she wouldn’t get a second chance.

However, even with her extraordinary talent, Bai Ling had only been in cultivation for a little over forty years. Her cultivation couldn’t be that high.

For now, she wouldn’t dare to run off and seek revenge.

So Xu Lei decided not to dwell on it.

He prepared to continue on his way to the Great Xing Mountain Range.

He needed to retrieve all his Treasures.

Then, he would use the Demon Cores within to practice his cultivation and raise his level as quickly as possible.

Once his own cultivation was strong enough, he would be the one to take revenge first.

That would also prevent Bai Ling from taking the risk herself.

But Bai Ling’s talent was extraordinary; after all, she was born with a special constitution.

During the years Xu Lei had spent with her, she had formed her Original Lotus Platform at a very high speed.

For a moment, Xu Lei wasn’t sure if he would be the first to reach the Ninth Realm and take revenge...

...or if Bai Ling would get there first and risk it all!

’If that girl really is faster than me when the time comes!’

Xu Lei thought again. ’Then I’ll have to stop her!’

’I can’t let her risk her life like that on my account.’

’So, while I don’t need to go out of my way to reunite with her, I’ll still have to keep an eye on her from time to time.’

’I have to make sure she doesn’t do something foolish, like running off to the Eastern Wilderness Marsh to risk her life in a fight.’

Of course.

Bai Ling was no fool.

Plus, she had her Creepy Spirits—invisible to most—acting as her eyes.

She wouldn’t take such a risk unless she was confident of her success.

Therefore, Xu Lei felt he just needed to check in on Bai Ling’s cultivation from time to time.

After all, if Bai Ling reached the Ninth Realm...

...between pursuing the Dao and getting revenge, she would likely choose revenge first.

At that point, Xu Lei would have to stop her.

He absolutely could not let her, with her one and only life, risk it all for his personal grudge.

With that thought, Xu Lei stopped dwelling on it.

He turned and headed in the opposite direction from where Bai Ling had gone.

Continuing on toward the Great Xing Mountain Range.

However...

...just after Xu Lei had traveled another few hundred meters...

...he suddenly sensed something fly past in the sky above.

It was just like on Earth, the feeling of a plane flying overhead at night.

Xu Lei’s brow furrowed.

’Could that be Bodhisattva Guan Yun? Did she also hear the huge explosion I caused?’

’Did she rush over to check things out, just like Bai Ling?’