Chapter Eleven: True Wisdom Lies in Letting Go

The system’s persistent urging made Ning Xianyu realize that now was, indeed, an excellent opportunity. This arc on Flower Melody Island was pivotal; the fighting was fierce, the chaos rampant—perfect for taking action while still following the plot’s flow.

Meanwhile, Xuan Yuan Tunhan’s eyes brimmed with murderous intent and scorn. A mere Qi Refining stage junior dared plot against him? Did they really take him for one of those insignificant side characters in the story, someone anyone could trample on as they pleased? Rage boiled within him, a dark force gathering in his soul, yearning to burst forth.

Outside, Du Juezi sensed something was amiss, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.

Oblivious to the deadly aura looming behind her, Ning Xianyu swayed left and right, grinning as she mocked the system for being foolish.

“I don’t have time for that. Scheming against people isn’t my style. I’m much better off as a salted fish, eating, sleeping, and basking in the sun—how comfortable is that?”

How delightful it was to live as a salted fish; plotting against others was exhausting. Killing people wasn’t something a modern-day salted fish youth like herself should be doing, either. All the hard work and risk would just benefit the male lead and Du Juezi; she had no intention of being part of it.

The system looked down on her. “No wonder you’re called Ning Xianyu—‘Xianyu’ sounds just like ‘salted fish.’ It suits you perfectly.”

“Say whatever you like,” Ning Xianyu replied, utterly unconcerned. “See, sometimes working hard is the most pointless thing you can do.”

“Du Juezi has worked for years, becoming the number one sect leader of the Six Realms, yet he’s still unsatisfied, always striving for more.”

“And the great demon lord has lived for over a hundred thousand years—what of it? He’s the most powerful in the world, but there isn’t a single soul he can trust beside him. How lonely it must be atop that peak.”

After her lengthy exposition, her conclusion was simple: “Struggling is useless. Lying flat is the true path.”

“Tch!” The system snorted in disdain and ignored her.

Alas, with such a host, when would it ever get its chance to shine?

“Hey, System, do you think I should take this chance to warn the demon lord? Maybe I could redeem myself and earn some merit.”

Even if she couldn’t become number one, clinging to the true number one would let her lie flat just as well. She really was a clever little thing.

The system retorted, “Didn’t you say you wanted to lie flat? Why bother with all this?”

Xuan Yuan Tunhan closed his eyes again, a faint, cold smile curving his lips. Redeem herself? How wishful. He, Xuan Yuan Tunhan, needed no one’s warnings.

Outside, Du Juezi glanced up at the sky. That strange feeling from before seemed to have faded.

How odd. What was that unsettling sensation in his heart? Could it be his cultivation was unstable and he was about to face inner demons? That would be bad—he’d have to go into seclusion to stabilize his realm once this was over.

They spent another night there. At dawn, everyone rose and set off for the sea.

Before departing, Xuan Yuan Tunhan handed something to Ning Xianyu for her to use later.

Ning Xianyu was delighted. “Is this a flying artifact?” Wonderful—she’d finally be spared from carrying the demon lord around, and the pressure would lessen.

Outside, the group had already assembled. Ning Xianyu strode forward with flair and tossed the artifact ahead. Instantly, it expanded into a massive ship, black and gold with two decks—bizarre yet extravagantly luxurious. The black color, however, seemed rather ominous.

“Black Pearl? Captain Jack?” she mused. What a peculiar taste.

Xuan Yuan Tunhan frowned. Captain who?

Everyone boarded the ship, which then took off, soaring above the waves. Ning Xianyu stood at the bow, gazing at the glittering water below, exhaling deeply.

So this was the taste of freedom.

They flew over the sea for half a day before a radiant, shimmering island appeared ahead. Ning Xianyu had never seen such a beautiful place. The island was vast and lush, a riot of color even from afar.

Around the entire island was a circular barrier, and with her heightened perception, Ning Xianyu quickly realized it was a shield formed by spiritual power.

“What a lavish display! An island this size, surrounded by such a powerful spiritual array—how many spirit stones would that take?”

Her fondness for the wealthy Flower Melody Island grew instantly. A place like this—beautiful, remote, and brimming with spiritual energy—would be perfect for retirement.

“That’s Flower Melody Island, located on the Condensed Pearl Sea,” the system explained. “The whole island is supported by a single Xuan Ning Jade Pillar—the only one in the world. The spiritual energy here is abundant, making cultivation twice as effective.”

But then the system added, “Cultivating here isn’t as wonderful as it sounds. All the female disciples have been turned into spiritual furnaces by Immortal Lady Longyue. Either they get drained dry by her, or they drain others and then get drained themselves. No matter how you look at it, death is inevitable. Don’t even think about retiring here.”

Ning Xianyu shuddered and quickly dismissed the idea.

No sooner had she shivered than a hand landed on her back.

“Stand up straight!”

Always shrinking back, leaning against him, yet daring to slouch—he really wanted to straighten her out.

Terrified, Ning Xianyu stood ramrod straight just as the ship came to a halt on the sea’s surface. The pressure here was extraordinary, so much so that even the fish fled far away.

At that moment, several other flying artifacts arrived, landing one after another on the water.

Ning Xianyu remained still at the prow, affecting a masterly air, while Du Juezi went to greet the other sects.

“Lord Mo Yu, long time no see! Did you get hurt yesterday, ha ha?”

“Our ancestor rarely leaves home—he might have been a bit heavy-handed. Can you still take it?”

Du Juezi was truly black-hearted, greeting Lord Mo Yu by immediately rubbing salt in his wounds.

A ship resembling a phoenix landed nearby, its passengers all clad in feathered robes. The most prominent among them wore black plumage—that was Lord Mo Yu, master of Blazing Phoenix Mountain. His expression was sour; he’d been wounded yesterday and hadn’t recovered.

Not far from them was another ship, pure white and ethereal, carrying the people of Cloudswallow Sea, each with an immortal air—though all dressed in white, giving off an air of mourning.

“Master Qi, it’s been a while. Your cultivation seems even more stable now.”

Pfft!

Ning Xianyu nearly burst out laughing.

Du Juezi, usually honest and guileless, turned out to have quite a wicked tongue. First, he called attention to Lord Mo Yu’s injuries at the hands of Xuan Yuan Tunhan, then he praised Master Qi’s “stable” cultivation, which was really a jab at his lack of progress over the years.

A few words made it clear: Jade Immortal Sect and Blazing Phoenix Mountain, as well as Cloudswallow Sea, were not on friendly terms.

Lord Mo Yu seethed with anger, his chest burning with pain. Yesterday, he’d seen the Jade Immortal Sect below and tried to give them a show of force, never expecting that even the infamous ancestor would show up at a mere Hundred Flowers Festival. His carelessness had cost him dearly.

He had underestimated them!