We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 535: It Is Time for Me to Leave… (2 in 1)

After leaving the City Lord’s Residence, Xiao Mo walked along the long street alone, heading back toward the courtyard where he lived.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Xin Xiao’er leaning against the doorframe, her cold, indifferent eyes quietly watching him.

“Miss Xin.” Xiao Mo gave a slight nod in greeting.

“Mm.” Xin Xiao’er nodded lightly, her tone still cool and distant. “You are going to the Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm?”

“Yes.” Xiao Mo answered with a smile. “Elder Hongxia said we will be going in these next two days. When does Miss Xin plan to go?”

“Now.”

Xin Xiao’er threw down those two crisp words, then walked out of the courtyard and left without looking back.

Xiao Mo had long since grown used to her frosty manner.

The only thing that left Xiao Mo somewhat surprised was that Xin Xiao’er’s true cultivation realm was actually the Nascent Soul Realm. She had hidden herself deeply indeed.

But that makes sense too. If she were not a full major realm above me, how could they ensure she would be able to kill me?

Xiao Mo laughed silently in his heart, but his expression remained calm as still water.

In truth, after spending these days together, he had already faintly guessed that Xin Xiao’er should be the final contingency Tushan had sent to deal with him.

If he had not been “accidentally” killed by those endless dangerous missions, then in the end, the one to strike at him would most likely have been this person.

In any case, Tushan would never allow him to return alive.

It was only that perhaps even Tushan had not expected him to step into the Nascent Soul Realm so quickly.

And it was precisely because he had stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm that Tushan felt there were more and more uncontrollable factors. They could no longer wait to make their move.

This trip to the Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm, with Xin Xiao’er going along as well, was the clearest proof.

“We are all humans. Why push me this far?”

Xiao Mo smiled bitterly and shook his head. Then he walked into the courtyard, sat down cross-legged, and entered meditation.

“Senior Xiao...”

About the time it took an incense stick to burn later, a man’s voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard, carrying a hint of urgency.

Xiao Mo opened his eyes, walked forward, and opened the courtyard gate. “Hongfei? Is something the matter?”

“Senior, it is nothing major. It is just that a letter for you arrived at the bookstore, so I hurried over to deliver it.” Zhao Hongfei held up a letter in both hands and respectfully presented it to Xiao Mo.

“Thank you.” Xiao Mo accepted the letter and casually instructed him, “Right. Help me pass a message to Li Ke, Zhang Xue, and the others. Today, at three quarters past the hour of the rooster, have them wait for me at the bookstore. You should come as well. There are some things I would like to tell you all.”

“Yes, Senior.” Zhao Hongfei firmly committed Xiao Mo’s instructions to memory before taking his leave.

Holding the envelope, Xiao Mo turned and went back into his room.

He gently opened the envelope and drew out the neatly folded letter paper inside.

On the white paper, the first thing that entered his eyes was the young woman’s beautiful, delicate handwriting.

[Xiao Mo, I am writing to you again...

It has already been such a long, long time since the last time I wrote to you.

Actually, I have wanted to write to you this whole time, but Sister Yueshi said you must be very busy over there. If I wrote one letter after another, she was afraid I would disturb you. Besides, at that time, the great battle was about to begin.

I thought about it and felt she was right, so I held myself back.

Afterward, I had to enter seclusion, so I had even less chance to write to you.

But during the days I was in seclusion, it was not as though I did nothing at all.

Every day, beneath the Moon God Tree, I prayed for you with all my heart.

I do not know whether that actually helped or not, but since the Moon God Tree is Tushan’s divine tree, then... it should have at least some use, right?

Now it seems the Moon God Tree really was useful after all!

And do you know?

When I came out of seclusion and saw your letter first thing, when I learned that you were safe and sound, I felt so light all over that I almost cried.

I truly do not dare imagine what I would become if something happened to you.

No, no, no! I will not say such unlucky things.

You are perfectly fine, aren’t you?

As long as you are all right, that is enough!

Peace and safety are the greatest blessing!

As for what happened on your side of the battlefield, aside from the peace and good news you reported in your letter, I have already heard about the rest too.

Now that our Myriad Demon Alliance has withstood this great battle, the Heavenly Demon Alliance and the Sacred Demon Alliance’s allied army will surely fall into disorder.

And sure enough, according to the information sent back by our Tushan informants planted among them, although the Heavenly Demon Alliance and the Sacred Demon Alliance are still nominally calling themselves an allied army, in reality, they have already dissolved their alliance.

There should not be anything major left on the front line now. You could actually come back.

But who would have thought that some Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm would suddenly appear?

Xiao Mo! You absolutely must not go to this Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm!

Although Master did not tell me much, I can feel that place is extremely dangerous!

And Master told me that after the Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm closes, you will be allowed to come back from the front line. You will arrive just in time for the holy-daughter ceremony.

At that time, you will never have to go out again. We can stay together forever.

Oh, right. I have also stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm.

My cultivation has finally caught up to yours.

What do you think? Am I impressive?

All right, I will not say too much more, or else you will complain that I am rambling again.

I will be in Tushan, waiting for you to come back.]

After reading the letter the young woman had written to him, Xiao Mo could not help the curve that rose at the corner of his mouth.

Between the lines on that paper, what flowed out was nothing but the young woman’s unconcealable joy and anticipation.

“That girl... is still so innocent.”

Xiao Mo gently put away Tushan Jingci’s handwritten letter, shook his head, and murmured softly.

“Go back...? How could it be that easy?”

Indeed, now that the front-line crisis had been resolved, the Myriad Demon Alliance no longer needed to station heavy troops in Flowing Sand City.

And in the end, Xiao Mo was still Tushan Jingci’s trusted aide. Whether in sentiment or reason, he ought to return.

But how could the Grand Elder possibly allow Xiao Mo to return to Tushan alive?

Now, the Grand Elder kept promising Jingci that once the Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm closed, she would let him return to Tushan.

And Tushan Hongxia had also said that Xiao Mo should render service inside the secret realm, then return in glory.

Those two were merely singing the same tune. They had clearly discussed this long ago.

The Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm was his deathtrap.

Putting away the envelope, Xiao Mo picked up paper and brush and began writing a reply to Tushan Jingci.

Barring any accident, this might be the final letter he would write to Jingci in this life.

After the time it took two incense sticks to burn, Xiao Mo finally put down the brush in his hand. He gently blew over the ink on the page, and only after the characters had dried did he carefully fold the letter paper and place it into the envelope.

He stood and began tidying his room.

After all, once he left this time, he feared he would never return. It was better to organize this room in advance, lest it trouble someone else later.

“Xiao Mo... Great benefactor, Young Master Xiao... dear Young Master Xiao...”

Just as Xiao Mo had finished tidying half the room, Xiangniang’s sweet, syrupy call suddenly came from the courtyard.

Immediately afterward, Xiangniang pushed open Xiao Mo’s door without the slightest hesitation.

“Xiangniang, how many times have I told you? When entering someone else’s room, you should knock first.” Xiao Mo straightened and looked at her helplessly, his tone carrying a sigh of long habit.

“Are Young Master Xiao and I still ‘someone else’? Between the two of us, isn’t there only one step left?” Xiangniang blinked, her expression so innocent it was almost deliberate.

“What step?” Xiao Mo asked casually.

“My foot is already out there, of course the only one missing is yours, Young Master Xiao,” Xiangniang answered as though it were perfectly natural, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

“...”

Xiao Mo was speechless for a moment. He only shook his head and continued lowering it to pack his belongings.

“Xiao Mo, where are you going? What, are you moving out?” Xiangniang leaned in close beside Xiao Mo. Seeing that he was almost clearing out everything in the room, she could not help asking curiously.

“Elder Hongxia called for me earlier. The day after tomorrow, I am to go to the Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm.”

As Xiao Mo packed, he explained casually.

“And Jingci also sent a letter. The Grand Elder said there is nothing major left on Flowing Sand City’s side now. Once I return from the Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm this time, I am to go directly back to Tushan. So I thought I might as well pack my things ahead of time, so I will not be in a rush when I leave.”

“Really? That is wonderful!”

Xiangniang’s eyes immediately shone with joy, and her whole person seemed to brighten.

“I have long since gotten sick of staying with you in this wretched place. That Xin Xiao’er acts so high-and-mighty every day. Just seeing her annoys me! I wish I could find a few men to give her a proper lesson!”

“Enough. She is a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, after all. You would do well to show a little respect.” Xiao Mo sighed, his tone carrying some helplessness.

Aside from being clingy and troublesome, Xiangniang’s mouth truly was too fierce.

Every time she cursed someone, she would casually drag in dog demons and pig demons to defile their entire ancestral line. It was simply unbearable to hear.

“Her? A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator? Her?” Xiangniang blinked, her face full of disbelief, her mouth open wide enough to fit an egg.

“Mm.” Xiao Mo answered, his tone calm. “She has already gone to the Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm. I will meet with her and several other Nascent Soul cultivators outside the secret realm, then act together.”

“Hmph. So what if she is in the Nascent Soul Realm?” Xiangniang curled her lip, her eyes full of defiance. “I still want to take a cucumber and—”

“Cough, cough, cough!” Xiao Mo coughed heavily several times and hurriedly cut her off.

“Fine, I will not say it.”

Xiangniang shut her mouth resentfully, but then she turned and sat down on Xiao Mo’s bed with perfect ease.

The long legs beneath her skirt crossed over each other, and her raised foot lightly kicked Xiao Mo’s lower leg again and again.

“I came to find you today because I originally wanted to ask whether you wanted to go to the Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm together to seek opportunities.” Xiangniang tilted her head, her eyes shifting with a charming light. “Since you have already been sent there, then I do not need to ask. I will go with you!”

“I can go, but you cannot.” Xiao Mo raised a hand and patted Xiangniang’s knee, moving her long leg aside. His tone became a little more serious. “This Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm is not that simple.”

“Not that simple? Young Master, you mean...” After this reminder, Xiangniang faintly guessed something.

“In short, there is no such good thing under heaven.” Xiao Mo explained simply. “With this kind of ancient secret realm, how do you know whether it is a blessed land or a dangerous ground? If it truly is a tremendous opportunity, then why would they announce it to the world and invite everyone to share in it?”

He paused. His gaze fell on Xiangniang’s face, and his tone grew solemn.

“You stay properly in Flowing Sand City. Do not throw your life away for some vague, illusory opportunity.”

“Then why are you still going? How about... Young Master, you do not go either.” After Xiao Mo put it this way, Xiangniang immediately stood, unease rising in her heart. Her tone was full of worry. “No matter how great the opportunity is, it cannot be greater than your life...”

“It is fine. Have I not survived near-death situations every time? Moreover, there will be other Nascent Soul cultivators traveling with me this time. We can look after one another.” Xiao Mo smiled faintly, his tone calm.

After speaking, Xiao Mo extended his hand toward Xiangniang.

Xiangniang looked at that large hand Xiao Mo had extended. She tilted her head slightly, the light in her eyes flickering faintly, then placed her small hand in Xiao Mo’s palm.

Xiao Mo shook her hand off. “I was telling you to give me your military-merit jade token.”

“Ah? Oh... here.” Xiangniang froze for a moment before reacting. She hurriedly took the jade token from her waist and handed it to Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo’s fingertip lightly swept over his own jade token, transferring half of his military merit into Xiangniang’s token.

“Young Master, what is this...” Xiangniang blinked in confusion.

“For you.”

Xiao Mo handed the jade token back to Xiangniang, his tone solemn as he instructed her.

“Xiangniang, you are now in the early stage of the Golden Core Realm. Take all this military merit and exchange it for rare cultivation treasures. It should be enough for you to cultivate to the Nascent Soul Realm. Once you return to Tushan, go properly into seclusion and cultivate. Do not concern yourself with the world’s chaos again.”

“Xiangniang, in truth, your talent is not low. It is only that your heart has never been able to settle.”

“I also roughly know the reason.”

“Most of you foxes believe in the method of dual practice, but with your temperament, you would not lightly entrust yourself to someone else, much less do the sort of thing where you share one man’s bed today and run to another man’s courtyard tomorrow night.”

“But when you see foxes whose talent is not as good as yours actually relying on dual practice to raise their cultivation to be comparable with yours, naturally, your heart becomes somewhat unbalanced.”

“I do not dare deny the Dao of dual practice, because Daoism also emphasizes dual practice. This itself is a perfectly upright Great Dao. But I also believe that relying on your own strength alone, you can still walk farther and stand higher.”

“I only hope that in the future, you will not care about other people. You need only see clearly the road beneath your own feet and walk it one step at a time.”

“Young Master...” Xiangniang pressed her lips together. Her eyes reddened faintly, and the unease in her heart grew stronger. “Why do I feel as though... you are arranging your affairs before death?”

She raised her beautiful head, her fox eyes staring straight at Xiao Mo, their light wavering.

“Tell me honestly! Is this Phoenix-Bird Secret Realm extremely dangerous? How about... Young Master, we truly do not go. No matter how great an opportunity is, it is not greater than life...”

“There are some things I have no choice but to do, and some places I have no choice but to go.” Xiao Mo smiled warmly, placed the jade token gently into Xiangniang’s palm, and closed her fingers over it.

“All right. I still have some matters to handle, so I will head out first. I... will not be coming back.”

Xiao Mo placed his bundle into his storage ring, then turned and walked out the door.

“Young Master!”

Xiangniang watched Xiao Mo’s figure gradually recede. Her eyes trembled, and her voice shook slightly.

“Are you leaving today?”

“Leaving?”

Xiao Mo stopped. He raised his head and looked up at the clear blue sky overhead. The corners of his mouth curved faintly.

“It is time.”

“I really... should leave now...”