After My Faked Death Failed, My Ex-Wife Came Chasing After Me - Chapter 37

Lu Ting’an: Sorry, wifey, the system made me do it

Lu Ting’an let out a couple of laughs, sheathed her sword, and said, “Alright, alright, I’ll stop messing around. How could I ever be your match?”

Lin Zheng shook her head and said seriously, “Not so. With your natural talent, if you are willing to persevere in bitter cultivation, you will certainly surpass me in the future.”

“Truly?” Lu Ting’an felt herself floating on air again upon hearing this. She felt the gloom that had shrouded her heart for days dissipate slightly. She couldn’t help but ask, “But didn’t those people in the sect say my talent was so poor it looked like it had been gnawed on by a dog? You believe in me that much?”

Lin Zheng nodded slightly, her tone calm: “I believe in you.”

Her gaze was sincere and devoid of any pretense. Lu Ting’an was momentarily stunned; the tips of her ears grew slightly hot. She rubbed her head sheepishly and said, “Then… thank you for the sword you gave me.”

Lin Zheng said, “It is nothing. Once Master returns from the Crane-Crowned Immortal Bridge, we can ask him and the Sect Leader to temper this sword with fire.”

Lu Ting’an froze. “He only just got back from the Moonlit Pool of the Stone Cliff a short while ago. Why has Master gone out again?” That man travels way too much; he’s definitely a high-energy individual.

Lin Zheng explained in a soft voice, “This time it is for next month’s Grand Gathering of Heroes. At that time, all the hundred immortal sects will send their disciples to participate, to seek the Way and debate swords at the Immortal Bridge. This is a tradition that has lasted for many years.”

Lu Ting’an suddenly understood. “Oh, no wonder you wanted to go into seclusion. It’s so you can make a showing at the Grand Gathering, right?”

Lin Zheng remained silent, which served as a tacit admission. After a long while, she said in a heavy voice, “As the Head Senior Disciple of the White Cloud Deer Reflection Sect, I must not bring shame to Master. I must do my utmost to seize the title of Chief.”

Hearing this, Sun Youqing’s words—”If they are not of our race, their hearts must be different”—flashed through Lu Ting’an’s mind, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy. This poor girl probably didn’t realize that while she was working so hard, the Master she respected so much didn’t care about her at all.

Thinking of this, Lu Ting’an coughed twice and said, “Actually, you don’t need to worry so much. Our White Cloud Deer Reflection Sect has a hundred-year foundation. Is it really going to lose its reputation just because we don’t get the Chief title at some ‘Grand Gathering of Heroes’ thing? These are all external things; don’t push yourself too hard.”

Lin Zheng lowered her eyelashes and let out an imperceptible sigh. Lu Ting’an did not understand. On the surface, the Grand Gathering of Heroes appeared to be just a place for the hundred immortal sects to spar and exchange insights on cultivation, but in reality, undercurrents were surging. If a sect could seize the title of Chief, it would not only increase their prestige in the immortal world but also attract exceptionally talented young cultivators to join them, which was of great benefit to strengthening the sect’s power.

Since she first participated in the Grand Gathering at age thirteen, she had held the title of Chief for many consecutive years, earning great fame. Now, though the winds of change were blowing within the immortal world, whenever people spoke of a sect that taught without discrimination and whose students were everywhere, the White Cloud Deer Reflection Sect was still considered number one. If she were to accidentally lose, she didn’t even dare to imagine the fury Sun Youqing and the Sect Leader would feel; perhaps they would even expel her from the sect directly.

Seeing her silence for so long, Lu Ting’an thought she had taken her words to heart and smiled. “Since nothing is happening today, why don’t we sneak down the mountain…”

“No.” Lin Zheng interrupted her coldly. With a blank expression, she said, “I have already informed the Sect Leader. At the hour of Zi (midnight) tonight, I will enter the Heavenly Gate Bridge in the back mountains for seclusion, until the Grand Gathering of Heroes begins next month.”

Lu Ting’an was speechless, feeling snubbed. she could only let out a sheepish “Oh.” Just as she was about to say something else, a familiar mechanical voice suddenly dropped into her mind—

[Ding— The plot node “Hinder the Female Lead’s Seclusion” has finished loading. Host, please be prepared. Current Female Lead Blackening Value: 40%, Favorability towards Host: 30%.]

When Lu Ting’an heard these two numbers, she was instantly stunned. “No way? After all my hard work, why did the Blackening Value go down? Wait… how did the Favorability go up?”

Before she could finish, the system added a timely blow: [Detected that the previous plot node has not yet been completed. Five life points will be deducted from the Host. Deadline: Midnight tonight.]

Lu Ting’an nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. Wait, isn’t this cutting it too close?

The system did not speak; it simply projected a giant display screen in her mind and began a cold, ruthless countdown.

Lin Zheng noticed the strange look on her face and couldn’t help waving a hand in front of her. “Lu Ting’an, what’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing.” Lu Ting’an had a massive headache and gave a random response. “I suddenly remembered I have something to do. I’m leaving first.”

With that, she turned and bolted, leaving Lin Zheng standing there alone in a daze.

She didn’t return to the Moon-Filling Pavilion but ran all the way to the Hall of Oneness in one breath. It happened to be the end of the sect examinations, and the disciples were all relaxing, being too lazy to practice their swords. Lu Ting’an burst in suddenly to find Chen Yunxiao and the others huddled together playing Pai Gow. Upon seeing her, they frantically tried to hide the tiles, startled. “Little Junior Sister, why are you—”

“Stop talking nonsense.” Lu Ting’an had no time for small talk and asked directly, “Who can help me go to the Hall of Floating Life to get something? It must be fast; you have to have it back by the hour of Hai (9-11 PM) tonight.”

Guo Jingchen put down the tiles he was hiding and asked blankly, “Little Junior Sister, what’s so urgent?”

Lu Ting’an said, “The Pure Breath Restoration Lamp. Tell that Old Toad that I’m the one borrowing it.”

Chen Yunxiao pondered for a moment, stood up, and looked at her with bright eyes. “Little Junior Sister, I will go for you.”

Lu Ting’an glanced at him. Both simultaneously remembered their previous awkward conversation and stiffly looked away. She rubbed her nose and gave a dry laugh. “That… I won’t trouble Second Senior Brother. Third Senior Brother, your qinggong is the best, why don’t you make the trip for me?”

“Huh?” Ye Wanlan gave a reluctant cry, but immediately received sharp glares from the others. He quickly changed his tune. “To share the burdens of Little Junior Sister, I will not refuse even unto death. Just wait, I can be back by the hour of Xu (7-9 PM).”

Lu Ting’an gave him a grateful bow. “In that case, many thanks to Third Senior Brother.”

By the boundary between the hour of Hai and Zi, Ye Wanlan finally succeeded in bringing the lamp back.

Panting and wiping the sweat from his forehead, Ye Wanlan smiled at Lu Ting’an. “That Old Toad was hesitating and didn’t want to give it at first, but I used both threats and bribes, and he finally behaved. But Little Junior Sister, what do you actually want this lamp for?”

Lu Ting’an happily took the lamp in her hands and thanked him. “Oh, don’t worry about it, Senior Brother. I have a great use for it anyway.”

Ye Wanlan watched her skipping away into the distance, momentarily confused.

Lu Ting’an hid the Pure Breath Restoration Lamp in her spatial bag and rushed non-stop toward the Heavenly Gate Bridge in the back mountains. Just as she turned a corner, she saw two familiar figures standing before a cliffside waterfall. She immediately retreated and hid behind a giant boulder to peek.

Sun Youqing had returned from the Immortal Bridge at some unknown point. He likely traveled day and night, as his face was sallow and his brow showed signs of exhaustion. Lin Zheng stood opposite him, carrying only a simple travel pack. She bowed and said, “Master, I will enter seclusion tonight to seek a breakthrough into the Nascent Soul Stage in preparation for next month’s Grand Gathering of Heroes.”

Sun Youqing’s expression was indifferent; he didn’t seem to take her words to heart. He waved his hand casually and said, “Fine, I know. Go.”

Lin Zheng’s fingers curled slightly. She let out a soft sigh but ultimately couldn’t help but speak: “…Please be at ease, Master. I will certainly give my all and not bring shame to the White Cloud Deer Reflection Sect’s name.”

Sun Youqing nodded. Under his deer-horn mask, his eyes flickered between light and dark as he said coldly, “It is not ‘giving your all,’ it is ‘you must seize the title of Chief.’ Otherwise, why would the Sect Leader and I have allowed a member of the demon race to be the Head Senior Disciple? Do you wish to make the White Cloud Deer Reflection Sect a laughingstock?”

Hearing this, Lin Zheng’s heart gradually tightened. She opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing, only nodding silently in response. “Disciple follows Master’s teachings.”

Being too far away, Lu Ting’an couldn’t hear their conversation and could only fret from the side. Seeing Lin Zheng’s poor expression, she guessed the talk hadn’t been pleasant. She waited until Sun Youqing left, then watched as Lin Zheng gathered spiritual energy at her fingertips and lightly swiped at the waterfall. A water gate instantly split open in the center of the waterfall, revealing a stone bridge made of green slabs leading straight into the depths of a cavern.

Lu Ting’an thought to herself, “So that’s the Heavenly Gate Bridge. Not gonna lie, it’s pretty spectacular.”

Lin Zheng walked straight in, and the water gate slowly closed. Lu Ting’an finally emerged from behind the rock and stood at the edge of the waterfall, chin in hand, deep in thought.

In the original novel, the Little Junior Sister used the Liyin Demon Core she stole from Lin Zheng to command the evil spirits in the back mountain hunting grounds, drawing them all toward the Heavenly Gate Bridge. The spirits swarmed into the cavern, following the scent of a living person. At that time, Lin Zheng was at a critical moment of her breakthrough. To save herself, she had no choice but to forcibly interrupt her cultivation, causing her meridians to reverse and making her vomit blood. She escaped through another cave exit and fled all the way to the “Immortal Watching the Sea” peak of Flowing Cloud Ridge. It was there she found the Pure Breath Restoration Lamp that Lu Ting’an had secretly hidden. Relying on her incredible willpower to stabilize her internal breath, she endured for a day and a night and finally succeeded in her breakthrough.

Lu Ting’an looked toward the waterfall with a pained expression. Although she knew that according to the plot, Lin Zheng likely wouldn’t die, her heart still couldn’t help but tighten. After all, having one’s meridians reverse could result in a total loss of cultivation at best, or death at worst. That day and night would surely be extremely difficult to endure.

The time on the giant display in her mind ticked away second by second. Lu Ting’an gritted her teeth, steeled her heart, and pulled the demon core from her spatial bag. She muttered a few words, and spiritual energy poured from her palm, lifting the demon core into the air where it flickered with an eerie red light.

Almost simultaneously, rustling sounds came from the previously quiet valley, like ghosts walking at night, accompanied by chilling hissing sounds.

Lu Ting’an didn’t dare open her eyes and could only speed up her chanting. The movement at the bottom of the cliff became more intense; she could even feel those things rapidly climbing the cliff walls. Her legs were so weak she could barely stand, holding on only by a thread of willpower.

After a short while, she snapped her eyes open and was stunned by the sight before her. Liyin truly was a great demon of a thousand years; under the guidance of her demonic qi, nearly every evil spirit in the back mountain hunting grounds had emerged, blackening the sky. Black smoke formed from resentment churned incessantly, letting out ear-piercing shrieks. Several times they tried to pounce on her, but it was as if they were wary of something.

Lu Ting’an froze, then looked down. The fox-shaped jade pendant at her waist was emitting bursts of faint light, quietly supporting an invisible barrier that protected her firmly within.

Lu Ting’an suddenly felt a wave of guilt and couldn’t help but curse in her mind: “You dog of a system, I feel less and less like a human being now. Can you not make me do such wicked things next time?”

The system responded coldly: [Host, please do not go Out of Character (OOC). Complete the plot node as quickly as possible.]

Lu Ting’an cursed under her breath and had no choice but to urge her internal energy, raising her hand to swipe at the waterfall. The water gate slowly opened, and those restless evil spirits, as if finally finding an exit, flooded into the cave like a tide.

After finishing all this, Lu Ting’an was nearly exhausted. But she didn’t dare delay for a second, rushing toward the “Immortal Watching the Sea” peak with the Pure Breath Restoration Lamp.

Deep in the cavern, at the end of the Heavenly Gate Bridge.

Lin Zheng sat cross-legged, her back straight as a spear. Spiritual energy surged around her, rushing violently through her meridians. Her brow was tightly knit, and fine beads of cold sweat had already broken out on her forehead.

She was drawing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into her body to break through. She had reached the critical moment, but at the very instant that bottleneck was about to loosen, she suddenly felt a disturbance from the outside world.

Lin Zheng’s five senses were exceptional; she immediately felt an extremely strong sense of resentment rapidly approaching from outside the stone door. Her heart jolted in shock.

The Heavenly Gate Bridge is a sacred site for cultivation; how could there be so much evil energy?

In that moment of distraction, the spiritual energy that had been circulating in an orderly fashion within her meridians suddenly fell into chaos, like a stampeding horse, slamming violently into her dantian.

“Weng—”

A buzzing roared in her ears, her blood surged, and a sweetness hit the back of her throat. Lin Zheng forcefully swallowed the blood back down, but her fingertips trembled uncontrollably.

At the same time, the shrieks of the evil spirits outside drew closer. The resentment followed like a shadow, making even the heavy stone door groan under the pressure.

Lin Zheng gritted her teeth and forcibly circulated her power, letting the spiritual energy surge back up from her dantian. The pain in her meridians was like they were being torn apart—it felt as if she were being physically shredded. She let out a muffled groan and suddenly sprayed out a large mouthful of fresh blood. The bright red splattered onto the green stone floor, a shocking sight.

In the next instant, countless evil spirits burst through the stone door, howling as they rushed toward her. Lin Zheng forcibly stabilized her consciousness, shouted, and summoned “Shattered Moon.” Her spiritual energy exploded outward, sending the black smoke scattering in all directions. But after just a moment, they gathered again and pounced toward her once more.

Lin Zheng’s heart sank, knowing things were bad. She quickly bit her fingertip and drew a protective talisman, then slammed her hand against a hidden brick on the stone room’s wall. With a muffled “thump,” a deep secret passage suddenly opened behind the wall. Lin Zheng didn’t have time to think; she flipped into it, and the entrance closed behind her, cutting off the near-frenzied shrieks outside.

After escaping death, Lin Zheng leaned against the wall and stumbled forward, her body swaying. Bits of crimson continued to seep from the corner of her mouth, and a cold, sharp light erupted in her eyes.

These evil spirits could not possibly have broken into the Heavenly Gate Bridge on their own. Someone must have let them in.

Who? Just who exactly would use such despicable methods to take her life?