After Being Certified by the Immortal Lord on the Path of Ruthlessness - Chapter 11

Taibai Mountain is the place closest to the Heavenly Palace.

Here, there are endless ranges of peaks and mountains, as well as crimson clouds that blend seamlessly with the sky.

But only the moon appears on the fifteenth day of the You month, once every thousand years otherwise, it is an endless night.

So when the moon appeared on the horizon, Lily of the Valley cried out excitedly, “Mianhao, quick! Transformation! Can we transform now?”

Jiang Mianhao was also stunned. Since childhood, she had heard Elder Banyan’s stories about how the moon only appeared once every thousand years.

Watching the outline of the moon emerge in the sky, Lily of the Valley was beyond thrilled.

“Seems like Elder Banyan wasn’t entirely right!” Lily of the Valley waved her branches inside the barrier, trying to break free. “We don’t have to wait a thousand years. We can descend the mountain to cultivate tomorrow!”

Jiang Mianhao couldn’t help but cheer, “Hooray!”

The jubilant Lily of the Valley and Sleepwell Grass swayed back and forth inside the spiritual barrier, causing the energy spheres to collide repeatedly.

Lost in their excitement, the two of them didn’t notice the dazed expression of Mi Xiu standing behind them.

The moon cut through the dark clouds, gradually revealing its edges.

The previously curled-up mimosa now fully unfurled, a fleeting look of joy crossing its face before its gaze settled on Ye Qingge standing beside it.

The immortal lord, who had been standing with hands clasped behind his back since their arrival, remained motionless, facing forward.

The body before them was nothing more than an empty shell.

“I’ve been on Taibai Mountain for three thousand years,” Mi Xiu murmured softly, almost to herself. “Yet this is the first time I’ve seen such a phenomenon.”

Her voice was so light and quiet that the two plants, busy celebrating, didn’t catch her words.

“Hurry, hurry!” Lily of the Valley was frantic, but trapped inside the spiritual barrier, she rolled backward and said, “Mi Xiu, stand next to Mianhao! It’d be best if we all transformed tonight.”

The energy sphere rolled along the ground, and though soil smeared all over Lily of the Valley’s face, she didn’t stop, pushing Mi Xiu and Jiang Mianhao into the same position.

The rising moon finally broke through all symmetry, its cold yet gentle light bathing the earth.

Lily of the Valley, still struggling with the energy sphere, suddenly froze because the moment the moonlight touched her, the barrier vanished instantly.

At the same time, it transformed into a powerful surge of spiritual energy that, along with the moonlight, seeped into her roots.

Freed at last, Lily of the Valley immediately took human form. After stretching her limbs with a few bounces, she positioned herself behind Jiang Mianhao.

Still encased in the energy sphere, Sleepwell Grass waved her leaves excitedly. The moment the moonlight touched her, every leaf began to glow with a faint green light.

In the deep night, her leaves, roots, and stems all shimmered.

A small crack formed in the spiritual barrier, and threads of silver light, mingled with moonlight, quickly seeped into Sleepwell Grass’s roots.

Lily of the Valley didn’t dare blink, afraid something might go wrong.

Fortunately, once the moon fully emerged, it hung steadily in the sky.

When the barrier completely disappeared, the swaying leaves began to change.

The leaf stems gradually transformed into slender, pale limbs as a maiden’s body slowly materialized in the moonlight.

Lily of the Valley blinked once, and in a flash of pale green light, a jade-green dress twirled open in the night, its fluttering hem intertwining with the maiden’s long hair.

“Lanlan!” The girl, having spun in a full circle, steadied herself and looked at Lily of the Valley with a radiant smile.

The once-excited Lily of the Valley, who had been bouncing around, now stood frozen, staring at the girl before her, utterly speechless.

The emerald-green dress accentuated the girl’s snow-white complexion, her round, bright almond eyes brimming with laughter. Though her figure had yet to fully mature, she stood like a fresh bamboo shoot in the endless night, radiating a vibrant and tenacious vitality.

Lily of the Valley was momentarily dazed by her smile, her clear and limpid eyes drawing her in like a mesmerizing abyss.

“Lanlan!” Jiang Mianhao stepped forward, waving a hand in front of her face and tilting her head to ask, “Is it not very pretty?”

The mirth in the girl’s eyes quickly dissipated, replaced by thick disappointment.

Jiang Mianhao frowned slightly and murmured, “It seems like it really is…”

“Don’t frown.” Warm fingertips gently pressed against the girl’s furrowed brow, soothing it as Lily of the Valley said softly, “I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than you.”

The vanished smile returned, and the girl’s clear eyes sparkled once more.

Jiang Mianhao chuckled lightly. “Lanlan and Lujiu are also very beautiful.”

But Lily of the Valley shook her head earnestly. “In my eyes, I can only see you.”

Such straightforward praise made Jiang Mianhao blush. “If you keep complimenting me, I’ll get shy,” she chided playfully.

As if remembering something, Jiang Mianhao turned to look beside her.

The dense spiritual barrier around Mi Xiu remained undisturbed.

Seeing Jiang Mianhao’s successful human transformation, Mi Xiu softly congratulated her, “Congratulations, Mian Mian. You’re so beautiful.”

Flustered by the praise, Jiang Mianhao crouched beside Mi Xiu and asked gently, “Xiu Xiu, how are you feeling?”

Mi Xiu swayed her branches and leaves, smiling bitterly. “To be honest, I don’t feel anything.”

The high-hanging moon had begun to retreat into the clouds after Jiang Mianhao’s transformation. Watching its gradual disappearance, Jiang Mianhao grew anxious. She looked up and asked, “Can we help Xiu Xiu?”

Her question was directed at Lily of the Valley, but the latter seemed entranced, propping her chin in her hands and gazing dreamily at Jiang Mianhao.

With a sigh, Jiang Mianhao picked up Mi Xiu and walked over to Ye Qingge.

“Lujiu,” Jiang Mianhao called softly. “Can you help Xiu Xiu?”

Ye Qingge, standing with her hands behind her back, remained motionless, as if she hadn’t heard the plea not even turning her head.

The closer proximity allowed Mi Xiu to see Ye Qingge clearly, confirming the suspicion in her heart.

This immortal lord before her was nothing but an empty shell.

“It’s alright, Mian Mian,” Mi Xiu said gently. “I’ve waited three thousand years already. Another thousand won’t matter.”

Watching the moon vanish halfway, Jiang Mianhao couldn’t bear it. Mi Xiu’s words left a sour ache in her heart.

“What should we do, Lanlan?” Jiang Mianhao asked despondently. “The moon is disappearing. Must Xiu Xiu really wait another thousand years?”

Perhaps the distress in her voice snapped Lily of the Valley out of her reverie. “What’s wrong, Mian Hao?”

Jiang Mianhao lifted Mi Xiu’s pot and sighed. “The moon is setting, but Mi Xiu hasn’t transformed yet.”

Glancing at the vanishing moon and then at Mi Xiu, Lily of the Valley frowned.

“It’s alright,” Mi Xiu said with a self-deprecating smile. “Though I’ve grown for three thousand years, my spiritual power is only half complete. Naturally, I can’t transform.”

“Only half!” Lily of the Valley immediately realized. “If we replenish the missing half for you, can you transform then?”

Jiang Mianhao caught on too, nodding eagerly. “Yes, yes! If your spiritual awareness is restored, you’ll definitely be able to transform!”

“No, no, this is too much trouble for you,” Mi Xiu’s voice trembled with tears. “Even my own family wouldn’t help me like this, and I’ve already burdened you so much.”

Her words reminded Ling Lan of that day’s events and how her own attitude had nearly cost Mi Xiu her life.

What had initially been just a suggestion now saw Ling Lan sitting cross-legged, beginning to channel her energy. “Mianhao, quickly lay Mi Xiu down. I can try something.”

The protective barrier given by Ye Qingge was brimming with spiritual energy, all of which was absorbed under the moonlight. A soft pink glow emerged, continuously flowing into Mi Xiu’s body.

Watching the moon rapidly wane, Jiang Mianhao sat down beside Ling Lan and mimicked her posture, channeling her own energy as well.

The spiritual energy they had just gained from the barrier was now entirely transferred into Mi Xiu’s body.

At last, the previously unresponsive barrier cracked open with a faint fissure.

Ling Lan’s lips had turned pale, yet she refused to withdraw her hands.

Finally, as the last sliver of moonlight lingered, the mimosa before them began to transform.

A deep violet light shimmered, and a nimble young girl appeared before their eyes.

Jiang Mianhao, barely holding on, coughed lightly as the green glow connecting her to Mi Xiu flickered and then severed.

Ling Lan withdrew her hands and steadied the exhausted girl beside her, whispering, “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” Jiang Mianhao replied weakly, her gaze lingering on Ling Lan’s pallid lips before she couldn’t help but ask, “How about you?”

Ling Lan helped her up. “I’m fine. It’s just that my spiritual energy is severely depleted.”

For some reason, Ling Lan had only intended to replenish Mi Xiu’s energy, but once her own spiritual power began flowing, it spiraled out of control. An invisible, overwhelming force seemed to drain her, making it impossible to break free.

Had Jiang Mianhao not stepped in to share the burden, Ling Lan might have been forced back into her original form due to the severe depletion.

Mi Xiu, now successfully transformed, had no time to celebrate. Overcome with guilt, she knelt beside them.

Her long violet hair blended eerily with the night, and her strikingly beautiful, almost bewitching face was streaked with tears of remorse.

“I’m sorry, Lanlan,” Mi Xiu sobbed, placing her hand over Ling Lan’s wrist. “My body was too damaged. Maybe I shouldn’t have lived at all.”

Ling Lan merely frowned and reassured her, “Don’t say that. Now that both you and Mianhao have successfully transformed, we should be happy. Don’t think about death.”

“That’s right, Xiu Xiu,” Jiang Mianhao said softly, patting Mi Xiu’s hand. “No matter what, the most important thing is that you’ve transformed. Spiritual energy can always be regained.”

Her voice grew weaker toward the end. Having just transformed, the severe depletion of energy had left her physically drained.

The moonless night was terrifyingly dark, with occasional gusts of wind rustling the leaves.

Finally, the figure who had been standing with hands behind her back stirred.

Ye Qingge closed her eyes briefly before reopening them, turning to observe the three girls huddled together.

Amidst the pink and violet hues, the green stood out vividly.

As if sensing something, Jiang Mianhao also looked up, meeting the gaze fixed upon her.

“Lujiu,” Jiang Mianhao blinked, her lips curling into a faint smile.

But the smile didn’t last long. Darkness clouded her vision, and she collapsed into Ling Lan’s arms.

Hearing Jiang Mianhao’s call, Mi Xiu glanced back discreetly at Ye Qingge.

With just one glance, she swiftly turned her head back, urgently calling out, “Mian Mian! Mian Mian, are you okay?!”

Watching the person faint before her eyes, Ye Qingge’s brows furrowed slightly as she quickly strode toward the trio sitting together.

Just moments ago, Jiang Mianhao had been lively and energetic after successfully taking human form in the sky. How had she ended up like this upon landing?

As Ye Qingge came to a stop behind Jiang Mianhao, a pink lily-of-the-valley blade was flung at her feet.

Ling Lan tightly embraced Jiang Mianhao, who had collapsed onto her shoulder, and raised her eyes coldly. “My Mianhao has already completed her transformation. There’s no need to trouble the Immortal Lord any further.”