Master is Also Running Away from Marriage Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 70

Seasons turned as time flowed by, and winter arrived once again.

The largest artifact shop in Red Sleeve City had just opened its doors when a beautiful female immortal walked in.

Though she seemed to be in a hurry, her appearance was not the most striking. Yet, her smiling eyes were as warm as a spring breeze, and her demeanor was humble and unpretentious in every gesture.

“What would the young lady like to purchase?” The shop assistant glanced at the spiritual robe she wore. Each inch worth ten thousand spirit stones and immediately recognized her as someone of extraordinary background. His tone grew exceedingly eager. “To be honest, whatever artifact you desire, we have it here.”

This artifact shop had only risen to prominence in Red Sleeve City over the past decade. No one knew the origins of its owner, but it had quickly become the largest artifact shop across the Three Realms. Rumor had it that as long as one could afford the price, this shop could procure anything.

“Do you have any artifacts that can increase speed or conceal one’s aura?” The female immortal blinked her lovely eyes, asking with utmost sincerity.

“You’ve come to the right place, young lady!” The assistant beamed as he enthusiastically introduced, “This Rainbow Gown will conceal your traces the moment you wear it, no ordinary eye could detect you.”

“This cloak is impervious to blades and can block most tracking spells.”

“This Golden Bell Shield can reflect most formations.”

…

However, despite her seemingly young bone age, the woman was not easily fooled. Most of the artifacts the assistant presented failed to catch her interest.

“To be honest,” she seemed to weigh her words carefully, a troubled expression crossing her face, “the person I’ve provoked is no ordinary cultivator. Just recommend the best artifacts you have, spirit stones are not an issue.”

“Please follow me, young lady.”

Hearing this, the assistant realized she was indeed a high-paying customer and perked up, leading her directly to the storeroom.

The storeroom was filled with a dazzling array of artifacts, truly living up to the reputation of the “Number One Artifact Shop in the World.”

Yet, even in the storeroom, most of the artifacts the assistant introduced failed to satisfy her. His competitive spirit thoroughly roused, he pulled out item after item, his throat growing hoarse from explanations until he noticed the woman’s gaze settling on a hairpin placed in the corner.

The hairpin appeared simple and elegant, unremarkable among the glittering ornaments. But the moment the assistant saw it, his expression changed.

“Young lady has excellent taste. This is indeed a concealment artifact, but… it’s not for sale.” He hesitated before continuing, “A customer crafted this personally to win the favor of their beloved. The final gilding process was our shopkeeper’s specialty, so it was sent here for finishing. In a couple of days, we’ll be returning it to its owner, it’s not available for purchase.”

“Really can’t be sold?” The woman clearly adored the hairpin. “Could you ask the owner for me? Any amount of spirit stones would do.”

“No, that person isn’t lacking in spirit stones either.” The assistant wiped cold sweat from his forehead, firmly refusing as he carefully covered the hairpin with gauze. “Please don’t ask further. It must have been a new employee who didn’t know better and displayed it by mistake.”

“Alright then!” Mu Ling didn’t wish to trouble the assistant further. Seeing how hard he had worked, she pointed listlessly at two other artifacts. “I’ll take these two.”

Mu Ling knew this wasn’t the fault of the artifact shop. Over the years, she had been meticulously pampered by a certain swindler, enjoying only the finest goods from across the three realms. Her standards had been raised so high that few things could catch her eye these days.

The shop assistant had dutifully accompanied her for so long. It would be impolite not to buy something.

The assistant hadn’t expected Mu Ling to be so agreeable. Wiping sweat from his brow, he looked up to thank her when he suddenly noticed a faint, indistinct figure materializing behind Mu Ling.

The storeroom was layered with protective arrays even a Great Ascension cultivator shouldn’t have been able to enter. Who could this intruder be?

The assistant’s heart skipped a beat. Just as he was about to cry out in alarm, he caught sight of the token in the figure’s hand and instantly paled.

All this happened in the blink of an eye. Mu Ling, busy examining other artifacts, didn’t notice the assistant’s change in expression.

After circling the storeroom, her gaze inevitably returned to that hairpin. She truly adored it.

Moreover, she could faintly sense a surge of spiritual energy emanating from it. With this hairpin’s assistance, she might actually be able to evade Yan Qi’s pursuit, if only temporarily..

Unfortunately, the hairpin already had an owner.

As Mu Ling turned to settle her bill, the assistant scurried over, his face scrunched into an obsequious smile that nearly swallowed his eyes. Though he had been attentive before, he had never displayed such fawning deference. “Miss, it seems I was mistaken. This hairpin doesn’t belong to anyone.”

Mu Ling’s eyes widened in surprise at this unexpected boon. “Then, how many spirit stones does it cost?”

The assistant’s gaze flickered imperceptibly behind Mu Ling. His mind raced as he suppressed his shock. “You… you’re the ten-thousandth lucky customer of our shop. According to store policy, all your purchases today are completely free.”

Mu Ling froze, stunned by this stroke of luck. But something so unusual had to be suspicious. She studied the assistant carefully, his cold sweat and evasive eyes and suddenly understood.

“Then I’ll graciously accept!” Mu Ling took the hairpin but scowled and added coldly, “As for the person following me, charge her ten times the price in spirit stones.”

“T-that…” The assistant stammered, unable to voice the truth.

The hairpin had been meant for her by “the person following” all along!

Not to mention, the entire shop belonged to “that person” how could he possibly charge his own employer?

…

Unaware of the assistant’s inner turmoil, Mu Ling stormed out of the shop, clutching the hairpin indignantly.

Just as she expected, it wasn’t long before a shadow materialized beside her, brazenly falling into step.

Gritting her teeth, Mu Ling ignored the bewitching face of her unwanted companion and marched forward angrily.

This was her act of rebellion, running away from home. Only now had Mu Ling belatedly realized the truth behind someone’s feigned fragility. The thought of all the concessions she’d made out of pity filled her with fury, prompting her to pack her bags and leave that very day.

For the past half month, Mu Ling had been on edge, fearing that the wretched female swindler would catch up to her. Today, she had been rather pleased with her own counter-tracking skills, imagining Yan Qi regretting her actions and desperately searching everywhere for her. Little did she expect that this woman had been lurking right beside her all along.

The more Mu Ling thought about it, the angrier she became. She decided to simply pretend not to see that damned woman and strode forward without even glancing sideways.

The streets on either side were bustling with noise and excitement, teeming with crowds of people. A lively scene that hadn’t been seen in centuries.

The human realm had always been the most resilient and tenacious of all. Despite enduring hardships and once being a land of sorrow, given the slightest opportunity, humans recovered with astonishing speed, like wild grass that could never be fully burned away.

No one knew the exact reason, but the spiritual energy in the world had suddenly vanished overnight. Due to the catastrophe caused by Song Tianxing, most cultivators had their spiritual power drained, rendering them no different from ordinary people. The hierarchy of the immortal realm was reshuffled, and sects like the Qingyi Sect, which had stayed out of the conflicts, rose to prominence. Among the newborns in the world, the proportion of children with spiritual roots had significantly decreased.

The Qingyi Sect led by example, returning to the most traditional method: immersion in the mortal world.

Eventually, most cultivators came to their senses and gradually adopted the original and time-honored practice: cultivating through the faith of ordinary humans.

Those who upheld virtue would receive abundant support, while those who lost it would find themselves abandoned. Cultivators who lost the hearts of the people would inevitably be forsaken by the heavens.

Thus, since the shift in cultivation methods, even demonic cultivators had to gather genuine faith and devotion from a portion of the populace. Cultivators no longer stood aloof, enslaving the masses. Instead, many descended into the mortal world to experience its trials. To earn gratitude and faith, numerous cultivators performed good deeds, and the human realm began to transform for the better.

Over the years, the mortal world had undergone earth-shaking changes.

More and more cultivators chose to live incognito among the masses, tempering their minds and souls.

As Mu Ling walked, she noticed that the owners of the medical clinics, charity houses, and even the restaurant owner who often fed the beggars were all cultivators in disguise.

To cultivate immortality, one must first cultivate humanity.

This was the new heavenly decree, teaching the world its rules.

And all of this…

Mu Ling watched as the frenzied horse about to trample a child suddenly collapsed without a sound. The surrounding crowd exclaimed that the gods had intervened, and the child’s mother, still shaken, knelt with her child to give thanks to the heavens. Her gaze finally couldn’t help but land on Yan Qi, who had just retracted her hand.

All of this was because of Yan Qi, wasn’t it?

She had suffered immensely under the cruelty of the world, with every reason to despise it. Yet, she had single-handedly pierced the festering tumor plaguing the three realms, securing blessings for humanity and ushering in a brand-new era for all.

Thinking of everything Yan Qi had endured, Mu Ling’s heart softened, and she couldn’t help but glance at Yan Qi again.

As if seeking Mu Ling’s sympathy, Yan Qi whose hair had previously returned to black had now turned it white again.

Sensing Mu Ling’s gaze, the usually aloof and indifferent woman immediately looked back, her eyes softening, a faint smile curling at her lips, carrying a hint of pleading.

“Shifu…” Mu Ling heard Yan Qi speak softly, her voice tender.

Mu Ling’s face flushed uncontrollably. She glared at Yan Qi, turned away, and strode forward with large steps though the corners of her lips curled upward despite herself.

The moment she saw Yan Qi, Mu Ling was no longer angry in fact, there was even a faint trace of happiness in her heart.

But Mu Ling didn’t want to express her forgiveness so quickly.

Over the years, most of their travels had been arranged by Yan Qi, leaving Mu Ling with few opportunities to wander freely like this.

She still wanted to explore to see the wilderness and plains of the northern lands, the small bridges and flowing streams of the southern regions, to taste the sorghum wine of the highlands, to listen to the folk tunes of the river towns.

After all, this vibrant and dazzling world around her was painstakingly crafted by none other than Yan Qi, the one by her side.