Chapter 453: Disciple of the Jade Maiden Palace

“Shui Miao, you haven’t been to the Ninth Heaven recently, right?” Xiaocaide paused, then asked softly.

Recently?

Shui Miao quickly shook her head inwardly, “I haven’t been to the Immortal Realm for almost over a year now.”

“That doesn’t make sense then! When I returned, I heard someone say you had appeared at a small sect recently. If that’s the case, someone must be trying to frame you!” Xiaocaide was skilled at reading people. She stared intently at Shui Miao with an outwardly innocent expression, carefully observing every move Shui Miao made.

Shui Miao immediately frowned, showing a look of disbelief. “Someone framing me? Why? The only people I’ve offended in the Ninth Heaven are from the Yuxu Sect. Could it possibly be them trying to frame me?”

“I don’t know either, but I’ll keep an eye on things and investigate discreetly to uncover the truth and clear your name,” Xiaocaide nodded at Shui Miao with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. Our Jade Maiden Sect is a branch established by the Goddess of the Nine Heavens herself. We act with principles and integrity, unlike those small sects that indulge in misconduct all day. However, if it’s convenient for you, could you tell me how you offended the Yuxu Sect? Of course, if it’s inconvenient, that’s fine too, hehe…”

“There’s nothing inconvenient about it…”

Shui Miao directly recounted her entire experience of going to the Yuxu Sect without omitting a single detail, hiding nothing at all.

Compared to the situations Xiaocaide had mentioned, Shui Miao felt her own experience at the Yuxu Sect was nothing significant.

As she recounted the events, Shui Miao mentioned Ling Shuai, which immediately caught Xiaocaide’s strong interest.

Xiaocaide said, “Ling Shuai does exist. He’s currently the Great Demon-Subduing Marshal of the Fifth Heaven, commanding hundreds of thousands of celestial soldiers and generals to guard the entrance between the Immortal and Demon Realms. His responsibilities are extremely important. Why would he give you a jade pendant? You’re just an ordinary mortal.”

“I don’t know that either,” Shui Miao shook her head in bewilderment.

Previously, she had heard from Ye Xian that he was once Heiming of the Immortal-Demon Realm, an extremely powerful ruler. Ling Shuai’s previous life was merely a child Heiming had taken an interest in. Ling Shuai gave her the jade pendant as repayment for a favor. In other words, the Ling Shuai who now guarded the exit of the Immortal-Demon Realm was actually someone who had once followed her previous incarnation.

Considering this, Ling Shuai was likely a pawn placed by Heiming.

Thinking of this, Shui Miao couldn’t help but feel her mind was insufficient to grasp the situation—it was simply too incredible.

Seeing Shui Miao lost in thought, Xiaocaide subtly sensed her thoughts. Upon receiving Shui Miao’s mental musings, Xiaocaide was instantly shocked.

Incredible—if everything was true, then wasn’t he the reincarnation of the Demon Lord Heiming?

Xiaocaide worked hard to calm herself and showed no expression on her face. Carefully, she asked again, “Is the jade pendant still with you?”

Shui Miao shook her head, “Initially, it merged into my soul, but later it was taken by a middle-aged scholar…”

“A middle-aged scholar? Who is this middle-aged scholar?”

Xiaocaide found Shui Miao’s experiences increasingly unbelievable.

Shui Miao then proceeded to recount everything—how the middle-aged scholar initially transformed into an old monk, then gradually revealed his true identity as the divided spirit of Wuji Tianzun.

This entire account was convoluted, bizarre, and beyond comprehension.

Xiaocaide was left speechless.

So were Baihuxian, Shi Kuiwang, and all the fox demon sisters.

“This matter actually involves Wuji Tianzun. No good—I must go to the Immortal Realm and report this to the Goddess of the Nine Heavens. I need her to personally investigate and get to the bottom of this,” Xiaocaide could no longer sit still.

“Dear Sister Caidie, if possible, please kindly ask the Goddess for guidance on what I should do next,” Shui Miao honestly said. After experiencing so much, she was truly exhausted. She really wanted to completely let go of these numerous troubles and peacefully cultivate.

“Alright.”

Xiaocaide nodded. Considering how special Shui Miao’s case was, she added, “But to verify your true identity, I need a drop of your blood. Are you willing?”

“No problem.”

Shui Miao didn’t hesitate at all and immediately gave Xiaocaide a drop of blood.

As a disciple of the Jade Maiden Sect, Xiaocaide possessed a celestial talisman. With a flicker of her mind, the talisman transported her back to the Jade Maiden Sect.

After Xiaocaide left, the atmosphere at the scene remained very serious.

Originally, everyone had been chatting happily without knowing Shui Miao’s identity.

Now that they knew, they couldn’t help but feel fear.

Just think—someone who was a reincarnation of the Demon Lord Heiming from the Immortal-Demon Realm, with Wuji Tianzun as their sworn enemy, was someone they couldn’t possibly please or dare provoke.

“Let’s… drink…”

The awkward atmosphere became unbearable. Suddenly, Shi Kuiwang broke the silence by raising his wine bowl to toast Shui Miao.

Shui Miao smiled slightly and raised her bowl as well.

Baihuxian quickly raised her bowl to join them.

Everyone focused solely on drinking, not daring to utter another unnecessary word.

Shui Miao sensed their thoughts through spiritual perception. Therefore, she didn’t speak much either, silently drinking and waiting for Xiaocaide’s return.

Approximately over an hour later, a tall, burly man suddenly entered the peach blossom garden.

As soon as this man entered, he shouted roughly, “What’s going on here! Where has everyone gone?”

Upon hearing the voice, Baihuxian quickly stood up to greet Shui Miao and went to intercept the burly man.

Hearing the voice, Shi Kuiwang also hurriedly whispered a greeting to Shui Miao, saying the Mountain God had just broken through his cultivation and that it wasn’t appropriate for him to be here—he needed to avoid being seen. Without waiting for Shui Miao’s response, Shi Kuiwang vanished with a flash.

However, the fox demon sisters showed no fear at all.

Xuehu took the opportunity to approach Shui Miao, her face slightly flushed as she softly said, “Shui Miao, no matter what kind of story you carry, I’m willing to always stand by your side!”

“Thank you, Sister Xuehu…”

Shui Miao felt deep gratitude that Xuehu supported her so much.

These fox spirits had at least a hundred years of cultivation, so it was perfectly reasonable for Shui Miao to address them as “sisters.”

Xuehu gently shook her head with a tender smile, “Call me Xiaoxue. If you leave, would you take me with you?”

Hearing this, Shui Miao finally realized—Xuehu had feelings for her!

Seeing Shui Miao stunned, Xuehu hurriedly explained, “I don’t mean anything else. I just want to follow you. Even if it means going to the Immortal-Demon Realm to become a minor demon, I’m willing.”

“S-Small Snow, I might bring you into danger.”

Shui Miao was deeply moved. This was the first time someone had actively wanted to follow her.

Xuehu shook her head seriously, “I’m not afraid. Rather than staying here aimlessly wasting my days waiting for death, I’d rather see the outside world. If I could be as mighty as your previous incarnation, I wouldn’t regret dying.”

“…”

Shui Miao was momentarily speechless. She had only ever wanted to live an ordinary life.

Yet others were willing to risk their lives to follow her!

“Hahaha! So it’s my brother Shui Miao who’s honored us with his presence! I failed to greet you properly, please forgive me, forgive me!”

Accompanied by Baihuxian, the Mountain God laughed heartily as he hurried toward the pavilion.

Seeing the Mountain God arrive, Xuehu lowered her head and quickly stepped back.

It was evident that although Xuehu held a high position, she was also extremely afraid of the Mountain God and Baihuxian.

She had her own difficulties too. Shui Miao noticed Xuehu’s actions and immediately stood up, smiling respectfully at the Mountain God, “Your Lordship is too kind. I’m just an ordinary person. Coming here today without bringing any gifts, I feel extremely embarrassed!”

“What are you talking about! Between us brothers, who needs gifts? That’s way too cheesy, too cheesy indeed!” The Mountain God grabbed Shui Miao’s hand, sat her down, personally poured her a cup of wine, then laughed heartily and drank. His face, covered in thick beard, looked exactly like the fierce Zhang Fei from TV dramas, and his热情 (enthusiasm) was indeed hard to handle.

Shui Miao glanced at Baihuxian, who immediately displayed a very fake but dazzling smile.

No wonder those with status have it easier. My previous life was quite impressive, and this life benefits from that too! If not for the previous conversation, Baihuxian wouldn’t have been so restrained, and the Mountain God wouldn’t have been so courteous—he might have even killed me on suspicion of being a lover.

The Mountain God continued drinking heartily, but Shui Miao had other thoughts.

Suddenly, Shui Miao interrupted, “Your Lordship, I have a question about my cultivation that has been troubling me. As the Mountain God, you must be knowledgeable…”

“Brother, just speak directly. Whatever I can do, I’ll help you without hesitation,” the Mountain God pounded his chest with pride, clearly displaying his generous nature.

So Shui Miao explained how she had hit a cultivation bottleneck and couldn’t generate celestial energy.

Upon hearing this, the Mountain God’s eyes flickered. He immediately waved for everyone else to leave, even Baihuxian had to retreat.

Baihuxian was shocked that the Mountain God was even keeping her at arm’s length, but she had no choice but to leave in displeasure.

As soon as the fox demons left, the Mountain God firmly pressed Shui Miao’s shoulder and began transmitting his voice directly into her mind.