After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 2

One hour later.

Ji Xun Yue had changed her appearance and concealed her internal cultivation, blending into the line of aspiring cultivators. She accepted a “Dust-Severing Pill” distributed by an Immortal Lady.

This pill was designed to make mortals forget their earthly ties and focus entirely on cultivation. Naturally, she had no use for it and casually crushed it into fine powder.

A moment later, the “Stairway to Heaven” slowly retracted, signaling the end of the recruitment. A massive ferry appeared before the crowd, carrying them toward the Point to Immortality Platform.

Along the way, those around her excitedly discussed ascending to godhood, occasionally letting out gasps of wonder at the misty scenery of the Immortal Realm below. Ji Xun Yue found the chatter noisy and retreated to the stern of the boat for some peace.

She gazed absentmindedly at the scenery, pondering the words Yu Qian Chan had said when they parted. Their paths were different; Yu Qian Chan only mentioned that there might be a misunderstanding regarding the recent events and invited her to the Qionghua Palace for a detailed talk when she had time before bidding her farewell.

What kind of “misunderstanding” could there possibly be?

Upon arriving at the platform, Ji Xun Yue was about to disembark when she noticed a young girl, roughly thirteen or fourteen years old, standing motionless. She was staring blankly at the departing line, her face filled with worry.

The girl was half a head shorter than her and quite pretty, with a pair of spirited almond eyes that looked remarkably like Ji Linyin’s.

Ji Xun Yue couldn’t help but ask out of concern, “What is wrong? Are you not going down?”

The girl snapped out of her daze and looked toward the voice. She saw a young woman watching her; the woman had a refined appearance, wore a simple hair bun, and possessed a calm yet noble aura.

The stranger’s concern filled her with gratitude. “I… I am a bit scared. It feels like I am dreaming.” After saying this, she lowered her head uneasily.

Seeing this, Ji Xun Yue gave a soft laugh and said gently, “It is not a dream. Everything you see is real.”

The girl fidgeted with her fingers, sounding fearful. “But I don’t know anything, and I don’t know what I am supposed to do.”

“If you don’t know what to do, just follow me for now.”

“Really? Thank you, Big Sister!” The girl’s eyes lit up. “I… my name is Zhong Ling.”

“A name as beautiful as the spirit of the mountains and rivers,” Ji Xun Yue praised, quickly inventing a pseudonym. “My name is Ye Jin Yue.”

Zhong Ling smiled shyly and called out sweetly, “Thank you, Sister Jin Yue.”

Even the smile was somewhat similar. Ji Xun Yue dazed for a moment before snapping back to reality and nodding with a smile.

The two left the boat and stepped onto the Point to Immortality Platform. It was a circular stage paved with white jade, with hundreds of cloud-thrones floating above it. The arriving gods and immortals were gradually taking their seats.

Seeing real immortals for the first time, Zhong Ling gasped repeatedly in wonder.

Ji Xun Yue looked up and saw Yu Qian Chan, sitting at the highest point, winking at her. She couldn’t help but offer a knowing smile. Although the God Race governed the Immortal Realm, they rarely made public appearances; her friend was the sole representative present.

Just then, a surge of abundant spiritual energy approached from behind. Ji Xun Yue instinctively turned around and saw an elegant, otherworldly man walking past her.

The man had a slender, tall build and wore robes as white as snow. His features were cold and clear, exuding a sense of detachment. Sensing her gaze, the man glanced at her before looking away.

That look was light and fleeting, like a dragonfly brushing the surface of water, yet it stirred ripples in her heart.

The Immortal Realm actually has a handsome man of this caliber?

Ji Xun Yue was momentarily speechless, watching the man step forward and ascend through the air to take his seat.

A while later, once everyone had arrived, the ceremony finally began. Yu Qian Chan opened the ritual, followed by speeches from several elders of the Immortal Realm. Ji Xun Yue felt herself growing drowsy.

Zhong Ling, however, was curious about everything, peppering her with questions. “Sister Jin Yue, are Gods and Immortals different? What is the difference between the God Realm and the Immortal Realm?”

Ji Xun Yue answered them all. “The God Race are descendants of the ancient gods. The Immortal Race are mortals who gained immortal fate through cultivation. The God Realm is home to the God Race and promoted Immortals, while ordinary Immortals live in the Immortal Realm below it.”

Zhong Ling was genuinely impressed. “Sister Jin Yue, you know so much.”

Ji Xun Yue quite enjoyed the compliment.

After several speeches, the time for choosing a master finally arrived. Twenty-four gates appeared in the sky. After the immortals chose a gate to enter, the gates shuffled their order and landed before the cultivators.

Once a mortal ascends, they can choose to start their own sect or stay within an existing one. Over time, some sects grew into prestigious organizations with significant influence. In the current Immortal Realm, there were six such major sects.

In the early days, there was no filter, and cultivators always prioritized the famous sects while the sects only picked the most talented disciples, causing much dissatisfaction. The rules were later changed to be more fair.

Zhong Ling was puzzled. “It feels like there are more immortals than us. Is there enough room for everyone?”

Yu Qian Chan caught Ji Xun Yue’s eye and gave a signal. Ji Xun Yue understood and began walking toward the third gate, explaining to Zhong Ling as they went:

“In fact, the total number of immortals is even higher. Those who came today are the ones interested in taking disciples, but whether a match is made depends on the mutual choice of both parties.”

Once a mortal sets foot on the path of cultivation, they lose the ability to reproduce; this is the price of longevity. Consequently, many take on disciples to ease their boredom.

Ji Xun Yue suddenly stopped and looked hesitantly at Zhong Ling, who was following her. “Do you… also want to choose this gate?”

She was entering with the specific intent of targeting Xuan Huai, but she didn’t know what Zhong Ling might encounter by following her.

Zhong Ling nodded without a second thought, her almond eyes full of anticipation. “Sister Jin Yue, can I stay with you?”

Each “Sister” tugged at her heartstrings. Ji Xun Yue was moved and broke into a bright smile. “Of course you can. Let’s go.”

The two passed through the gate into a pitch-black passage. Zhong Ling nervously grabbed Ji Xun Yue’s sleeve. Ji Xun Yue took her hand, comforting her. “Just follow me. Don’t be afraid.”

the girl’s hand was slightly cold and covered in calluses; she had likely suffered quite a bit in the past. Zhong Ling instinctively tried to pull back at first, but then gripped her hand tightly.

In the darkness, her voice was clear and pleasant. “Thank you, Sister Jin Yue.”

After walking for a while, they reached an exit that led to the entrance of a palace. They were first led to a side hall to change into uniform disciple robes. The robes were primarily white with silver patterns that shimmered faintly depending on the light—simple, elegant, and possessing a detached, immortal flair.

As soon as she stepped into the main hall, Ji Xun Yue immediately spotted the handsome man from earlier. She felt a mix of surprise and regret.

Apprenticing under a handsome man would be a treat for the eyes. I’m really afraid that Xuan Huai’s face is as ugly as his heart. That would truly ruin my appetite.

Ji Xun Yue scanned the thirty or so Immortal Lords and Ladies sitting solemnly in the hall. She didn’t recognize any of them, and she couldn’t tell which one was Xuan Huai.

Once all the cultivators had made their choices, a total of thirteen people had selected the third gate.

The master of ceremonies, Immortal Lord Yue Heng, stepped forward, gave a brief speech, and began introducing the immortals seated in the hall.

Ji Xun Yue listened carefully. Most were rogue immortals with less than two or three thousand years of cultivation. By the time only the elegant handsome man and a few Immortal Ladies remained, she still hadn’t heard the name “Xuan Huai.”

Did Yu Qian Chan point to the wrong path, or did I misunderstand her signal?

Ji Xun Yue hadn’t expected her grand plan to take down her arch-rival to fail before it even started. If that were the case, she would have to apprentice under someone else first and then find a way to get close to him.

In that case, the handsome Immortal Lord wasn’t a bad choice. Regardless of his cultivation level, he was pleasant to look at.

He was the next to be introduced. Ji Xun Yue waited with bated breath, listening intently.

Yue Heng cleared his throat. “Immortal Lord Xuan Huai. He has walked the path of immortality for over two thousand years. His swordsmanship is profound, and he refines medicine to help the world.”

Ji Xun Yue: “…”

Hearing just the first two words, she was struck dumb, staring blankly at Xuan Huai.

He is Xuan Huai? The rival who has been provoking her for a thousand years?

She had imagined Xuan Huai to be a man of hypocritical, sanctimonious appearance. How could he possibly have such a transcendent and refined aura?

Xuan Huai’s gaze happened to sweep over her. Ji Xun Yue hurriedly lowered her head, fearing her reaction would arouse suspicion. Recalling how she had just felt a bit of admiration for him, she felt both annoyed and amused.

Seeing her acting strange, Zhong Ling tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “Sister Jin Yue, are you alright?”

Ji Xun Yue shook her head slightly and composed herself. When she looked up again, she met Xuan Huai’s gaze. Although they were far apart and she couldn’t be sure who he was looking at, her intuition told her that Xuan Huai was looking at her.

Could he have recognized me?

She was absolutely confident that no one in the Immortal Realm could see through her disguise. With only two thousand years of cultivation, it should be even more impossible for him.

After the introductions, the cultivators began choosing their masters.

The first cultivator stepped forward to face the scrutiny of the immortals. Though panicked, he managed to calm down quickly. His talent was average; he requested to join the most senior Immortal Lord but was rejected, eventually being taken in by an Immortal Lady.

Zhong Ling was seventh, right before Ji Xun Yue. By the time the fourth person went up, Zhong Ling was already visibly anxious, trembling with nerves.

Ji Xun Yue knew the girl had good potential. She whispered, “Zhong Ling, don’t be nervous. Your talent is great. Just stand there with confidence, and an immortal will surely want to take you as a disciple.”

Zhong Ling nodded, but when her turn came, she still couldn’t do it.

“I… my name is Zhong Ling.” She walked to the center of the hall, but after introducing her name, she got stuck. She lowered her head timidly, not daring to look at anyone.

“Little girl, lift your head,” an Immortal Lady reminded her gently.

Zhong Ling bit her lip and fearfully looked up. She frowned, forcing herself to look at the high-and-mighty immortals, her almond eyes filled with confusion and helplessness.

However, what awaited her was a long silence.

Some immortals exchanged glances, their expressions showing a mix of helplessness and regret. A person with a weak heart would find it difficult to endure the long road of cultivation. Teaching such a person to immortality would require extra effort, and if they failed, it would bring shame to the sect. This challenge made them hesitate.

As if realizing her fate, Zhong Ling’s head dropped again. Her hands were tightly interlaced, looking utterly lost.

Ji Xun Yue was incredibly anxious, only wishing she could step up and take the disciple herself. If a person wasn’t chosen, they wouldn’t be sent back to the mortal realm, but without a teacher, it would be hard to even cross the threshold of cultivation.

Seeing the situation, Immortal Lord Yue Heng tried to ease the tension. “Zhong Ling, is there a specific teacher you have in mind?”

Zhong Ling looked at Yue Heng, her mouth opening several times, but she couldn’t say a word. Yue Heng was at a loss and exchanged looks with several familiar immortals, all of whom shook their heads.

Ji Xun Yue felt a pang of heartache seeing Zhong Ling’s awkward and embarrassed state. Perhaps she should just go to Yu Qian Chan, ask for a favor, and take Zhong Ling back to the Demon Realm to teach her herself.

During the standoff, a voice suddenly spoke from the hall, breaking the silence.

“Since you have no one in mind, are you willing to come under my sect?”

The voice was like cold jade, yet it possessed a touch of warmth that smoothed the agitation in Ji Xun Yue’s heart.

Looking toward the source… it was actually Xuan Huai?

A sense of gratitude surged in her heart, only to be quickly buried by more complex emotions. She had originally thought of Xuan Huai as a mere clown, yet he was the one who stepped in to stop Zhong Ling’s humiliation.

Zhong Ling stared at Xuan Huai, seemingly in disbelief.

Yue Heng reminded her, “Zhong Ling, are you willing to take Immortal Lord Xuan Huai as your master?”

Only then did Zhong Ling snap out of it, saying hurriedly, “I… I am willing! Thank you… no, thank you, Master!”

Ji Xun Yue sighed in relief, yet felt a bit of chagrin. The outcome of Zhong Ling apprenticing under Xuan Huai was, to some extent, influenced by her. But remembering Zhong Ling’s initial lost expression, she really couldn’t have ignored her.

Zhong Ling was led to the other side, frequently looking back at Ji Xun Yue. She smiled purely, her eyes bright as stars, radiating the joy of a successful apprenticeship. The blush of her previous embarrassment hadn’t fully faded, making her look exceptionally cute.

Ji Xun Yue smiled back. Since things had come to this, she would protect Zhong Ling.

At that moment, Yue Heng called out, “Next.”

Ji Xun Yue composed herself, stepped forward, and gave a respectful bow. “Disciple Ye Jin Yue greets the Immortals.”

Her composure naturally earned many nods of approval. Just as she was about to continue, someone in the hall spoke first.

“Not bad, a good prospect. How about joining my Yanming Sect?”