Chapter 703 - 710: Weird Figures and the Buddhist Practitioner

The incident caused a massive scandal. Rumor had it that Feng San was caught in the act with someone’s cultivation partner. He was nearly beaten to a pulp on the spot before being sent back to the sect.

When Mu Zixu learned of this, he healed Feng San on the spot, only to immediately sentence him to the Sea of Suffering. He also compensated the other two involved.

Despite how quickly it was handled, the incident still became the talk of the Sect.

When Lan Yue told Song Wanning about it, she was stunned.

’Feng San didn’t seem like that kind of person.’

’He was a bit hot-headed, a lot like Mu Zixu in some respects, but he wouldn’t go so far as to deliberately force himself on someone, would he?’

Song Wanning felt something was off.

But she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

Lan Yue lamented as well, "I always thought Feng San was just a bit of an idiot, but I never expected him to do something so despicable."

"He deserves to be punished!"

"Mm."

Song Wanning nodded. If the accusations were true, then it would be no great loss even if Feng San died.

She chatted briefly with Lan Yue before immersing herself in cultivation once more.

Her diligent example greatly motivated Lan Yue, who in turn went into seclusion to cultivate as well.

This, however, was a great relief to Situ Yue. With Song Wanning out of sight, her senior brothers went back to doting on her and obeying her every whim.

She reveled in the feeling.

Daoqing observed all of this and let out a long, internal sigh.

’If I hadn’t been in danger and been coincidentally saved by Situ Yue at a critical moment, Dan Dao Peak would never have developed such a toxic atmosphere.’

’I tried to teach Situ Yue a few times. That girl says all the right things, but she just despises cultivation...’

’Sometimes, I really wonder how someone like her ever managed to cultivate enough to ascend to the Immortal Realm.’

But aside from giving his other disciples a few extra reminders, there was little Daoqing could do. After all, Situ Yue hadn’t done anything truly outrageous, and he owed his life to her.

Daoqing heaved a long sigh. ’Alchemy is so much simpler and purer. Dealing with these tedious affairs is such a waste of time.’

He shook his head. When he turned and saw the new house built for Song Wanning, a flicker of satisfaction passed through him.

’That girl Wan Ning is so much less trouble.’

...

Several more months passed in a flash, and Song Wanning’s cultivation hit a bottleneck.

She had been trying to modify her Cultivation Technique to create a self-sustaining cycle that would nourish her Divine Soul, but she was unable to make any headway and had no choice but to give up.

As she left her cultivation chamber, she ran right into Situ Yue and a few of her senior brothers.

Song Wanning greeted them with a smile and learned that Mu Zixu had entered seclusion to attempt a breakthrough.

She raised an eyebrow, went to the dining hall for a meal, and then sought out Daoqing.

When he learned that Song Wanning wanted to venture out to gain some experience, Daoqing didn’t try to stop her. He simply gave her a pile of supplies.

There were countless Elixir Pills of every imaginable kind.

Song Wanning smiled wryly. "Master, you’re about to give me all the Elixir Pills on Dan Dao Peak!"

Daoqing laughed at her words. "I’d be willing to give you the entire Dan Dao Peak!" he said, half-joking.

The two shared another laugh. Then, taking a map from Daoqing, Song Wanning left the Wuji Sect.

’It’s been almost two years since I arrived in the Immortal Realm, and I’ve been cooped up in the Wuji Sect this whole time. It’s high time I got out and saw a bit of the world.’

Following the map, Song Wanning chose the nearest city.

She discreetly mounted her Flying Sword and flew toward the city.

Along the way, she made frequent stops, filled with curiosity about everything the Immortal Realm had to offer.

’Until now, I’ve only read about so many things in books. I hope I get the chance to experience more of it firsthand on this trip.’

About half a month later, Song Wanning finally made her way at a leisurely pace to the nearest city, Linxi City.

At the city’s main gate stood what looked like a random pile of stones, but upon closer inspection, there seemed to be something more to them.

Song Wanning was intrigued and stared for a few extra moments. Before long, her vision was completely covered in a bloody hue, leaving nothing but a field of crimson.

She quickly blinked, and the discomfort in her eyes gradually subsided.

But miraculously, when she opened her eyes again, the world before her had changed dramatically.

A strange shadow now clung to the back of every Immortal.

The shadows radiated faint traces of Yin Qi, clinging to the people’s backs like second skins.

The sight made Song Wanning’s blood run cold. She immediately pulled out a mirror to check her own reflection.

’Thankfully, there’s nothing on my back.’

She stared intently at the people around her, her eyes filled with confusion.

The number of shadows varied from person to person. Some had so many they were layered one on top of the other.

Others, however, had only one.

But since entering the city, Song Wanning hadn’t seen a single person who didn’t have a shadow on their back.

Slowly, Song Wanning began to understand what those shadows might be.

’I’ve only just ascended to the Immortal Realm and have never killed anyone... is that why my back is clear?’

’But these people have all killed, to one degree or another, so they have shadows following them...’

’The number of shadows is probably the number of people they’ve killed.’

Of course, this was just Song Wanning’s theory.

Hiding her shock, she began to wander the streets.

Before long, Song Wanning stopped in front of a market stall.

The stall owner was dressed in a kasaya robe, sitting on a meditation cushion.

His expression was solemn, his body was wreathed in a golden light, and a staff lay beside him. He was a Buddhist Practitioner.

Song Wanning had seen Buddhist Practitioners in the Lower World, but they were exceedingly rare.

’I never expected to see a Buddhist Practitioner in the Immortal Realm.’

But what truly caught Song Wanning’s attention were the countless clusters of shadows behind him.

’There were genuinely too many to count...’

They were stacked layer upon layer, and each one was practically overflowing with Evil Qi. Just standing near him made Song Wanning feel oppressed.

’Buddhist Practitioners cultivate merit and virtue. How could this man be shouldering such a heavy karmic debt from killing?’

’At this moment, Song Wanning began to waver. Was my theory wrong?’

’Are these shadows not a representation of karmic debt from killing?’

Just as Song Wanning was lost in her confusion, the Buddhist Practitioner suddenly looked up, his peerlessly handsome face meeting her gaze unexpectedly.

The Buddhist Practitioner’s eyes were pure, and he had a compassionate face that should have made one feel as pleasant as a spring breeze.

’If you ignored the shadows on his back, of course.’

"Young friend, are you looking to buy something?"

The Buddhist Practitioner gazed at Song Wanning, his expression gentle.

Hearing his words, Song Wanning stopped staring and glanced at the items on his stall.

The items were all peculiar. It wasn’t their shape, but the strange aura they emanated.

She shook her head. "No, thank you. I’m just looking."

With that, she moved on toward the next stall without another glance.

Even long after she had walked away, the Buddhist Practitioner continued to stare at her retreating back.

Song Wanning felt a prickle of discomfort and spun around, only to see that the Buddhist Practitioner had already packed up his stall and gone.

’Strange...’

’My intuition is never wrong. Someone was definitely staring at me just now.’

’But I’ve only just ascended, and I’m dressed very plainly. I shouldn’t be drawing anyone’s attention.’

’After all, the Spirit Stones from the lower worlds are useless here. Ascenders are the poorest people around; there’s nothing on me worth coveting...’