Chapter 29:  The Mirror of the Generation

Unlike the Kongsang realm where celestial palaces abound, the dwellings of the Kunlun immortals are mostly floating pavilions.

Beneath these pavilions stretch countless cloud ladders, appearing majestic and vast, exuding an air of grandeur.

Since the day she saw Shaoyou, Liu shuang had not seen him again. Each time she sought an audience, Shaoyou was always busy in his celestial pavilion, refusing to meet outsiders.

One after another, the ministers of the Kunlun immortals came and went within the celestial pavilion. Compared to Liu shuang, the carefree young mistress of Chishui, Shaoyou bore a much heavier responsibility. Since his emergence from seclusion, he had been preoccupied with handling the internal affairs of Kunlun.

As the “former fiancée,” Liu shuang was not neglected in Kunlun, but she also had little presence.

Bai Zhuixu was extremely anxious, fearing that the Illusion Pearl within Liu shuang would become irretrievable if left too long. He inquired daily about the situation in Kunlun.

Bai Yuxiao approached Liu shuang and said, “That Jimo Shaoyou appears gentle, but he is actually unyielding. Why don’t we secretly seek the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron?”

Liu shuang glanced at him: “And then be discovered using the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron, and none of us would leave Kunlun alive?” Daring to meddle with a sacred artifact of a celestial realm, one must be prepared to face fatal consequences. Truly, Bai Yuxiao, with his endless stream of troubling ideas.

Bai Yuxiao pouted: “Seeing my elder brother so anxious for your sake, I thought I’d help you.”

If he hadn’t said that, it would have been fine, but his words made Liu shuang give him a meaningful look: “Could it be that you…”

Bai Yuxiao nearly jumped: “You, you, you… I warn you not to speculate! In all of Kongsang, I dislike you the most!”

His obvious denial amused Liu shuang, who teased: “If I’m the one you dislike the most, then who do you like the most? Is it the celestial maiden Mi Chu?”

“Anyway, Mi Chu is better than you, more beautiful, gentler, more understanding, and more diligent.”

Liu shuang chuckled.

If it had been a few days earlier, she might have felt wronged for the original host. From Kongsang to Kunlun, Liu shuang had come to understand that Bai Yuxiao was a person whose words did not match his heart, tough on the outside but soft within.

If Bai Yuxiao truly disliked the original host, he wouldn’t have gone along with her schemes to torment Yan Chaosheng.

He called her an ugly monster for having eaten the Illusion Pearl, but there was no disdain in his eyes. It was just that, having been at odds with her since childhood, being kind to her probably made him uncomfortable.

Liu shuang somewhat understood his twisted mentality. His elder brother, the eldest young master of the Bai family, had doted on the original host since childhood. As a brother-worshipper, Bai Yuxiao was both envious and bitterly resentful of the original host.

Yet, Bai Yuxiao had also watched the original host grow up. Truly hating her was impossible. They bickered in their interactions, but in his heart, Bai Yuxiao still cared deeply for the original host.

Chishui Chong also understood this, which was why he felt reassured letting Bai Yuxiao accompany her for protection.

As for how much Bai Yuxiao admired Mi Chu, Liu shuang had not seen it herself and thus could not gauge.

This potential enemy was very popular in Kongsang. Not just Bai Yuxiao, but even Bai Zhuixu spoke of Mi Chu without a single harsh word.

If not for having been harmed by an illusion set by Mi Chu in her previous life, Liu shuang, now in the original host’s body, might have also believed herself to be in the wrong and unjustly accused Mi Chu.

However, walking in the dark for too long will eventually lead to encountering ghosts. Knowing that Mi Chu was not a good person, there would inevitably be a time when she would reveal her true colors.

For now, there was no way to expose her. Liu shuang would settle accounts with Mi Chu later.

The original host’s life could not be wasted in Mi Chu’s hands.

Bai Zhuixu was deeply troubled by the matter of the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron. Liu shuang thought to herself that she must also strive to remove the Illusion Pearl. If the Illusion Pearl could not be removed, she might still accept it, but Lady Zi, who dearly loved her daughter, absolutely could not bear it.

So, these past few days, whenever she had free time, Liu shuang went to wait outside Shaoyou’s celestial pavilion. She had previously claimed to have a plan, not just to comfort Bai Zhuixu. Having lived through hundreds of years and known Shaoyou for a century, she was well acquainted with his affairs.

She knew one thing that could fulfill Shaoyou’s current wish.

She had expected Shaoyou’s residence to reflect his personality, with either bamboo or elegant orchids planted outside. To her surprise, outside his celestial pavilion bloomed a vast expanse of vibrant blue-purple hibiscus flowers, breathtakingly beautiful.

Shaoyou had been continuously handling affairs, hardly ever returning. Liu shuang patiently waited, and when she had time, she infused some spiritual energy into these living beings.

Her fingers spread out, and a soft green glow enveloped the entire celestial pavilion. The hibiscus flowers had not yet developed spiritual awareness, but they benefited daily from her care. Upon her arrival, they would unfurl their leaves, rustling in the wind to welcome her.

In the ghost realm, Liu shuang had once cultivated a sea of flowers. In the spiritually rich Kunlun, it was even easier.

Another day passed without success, but the next day, Shaoyou found some free time. Instead of being in the grand hall for discussions, he returned to his celestial pavilion.

Liu shuang went to find Shaoyou but was stopped by two celestial youths outside the pavilion.

The celestial youths said apologetically, “Forgive us, celestial maiden. The young master already has a guest. It is not convenient for you to enter now.”

“A guest?”

Before Liu shuang could inquire further, she saw Shaoyou emerge, followed by a woman. The woman said in frustration, “Shaoyou brother, why won’t you agree? I heard it was the Chishui clan who broke the engagement first! How could you still hold any hope for her? I am a descendant of the Feng family. Whatever the Chishui clan can offer Kunlun, I can offer more! As long as… as long as our two great celestial realms form a marital alliance, everything will improve. Don’t you want to know why the Feng family’s spiritual veins never dry up?”

The last sentence carried immense temptation, even Liu shuang couldn’t help but look over.

Among the four great celestial realms, the spiritual veins of three were drying up. Only the Feng family’s spiritual veins remained abundant, their celestial power flourishing, and generation after generation produced heavenly lords. The descendants of the Feng family were all exceptional.

But Shaoyou remained unmoved: “Caiyi celestial maiden, once you’ve said your piece, please return. I have already informed the crown prince to send someone to fetch you. The matter of spiritual veins is between the celestial realms, not between you and me.”

Feng Caiyi was indignant: “Then why is Chishui Liu shuang allowed?”

Shaoyou paused: “Matters of our fathers’ generation, I dare not disobey.”

Feng Caiyi bit her lip: “Then… then that means, Shaoyou brother, you don’t like her either, right?”

Shaoyou looked at her calmly.

Though gentle, as the future master of the celestial realm, his silence inexplicably instilled fear in Feng Caiyi. She knew she shouldn’t meddle in Shaoyou’s personal feelings, but how could one not care about such things when in love?

Liu shuang, hidden among the flowers, unexpectedly overheard this. Raising her eyes, she met the gazes of Shaoyou and Feng Caiyi.

Feng Caiyi glared at Liu shuang: “You were eavesdropping!”

That was unfair. They were the ones talking here, and Liu shuang hadn’t even entered the celestial pavilion.

Feng Caiyi walked over, circling Liu shuang a few times: “I haven’t seen you in Kunlun before. You’re the young mistress of Chishui, right? What are you doing in Kunlun after treating Shaoyou brother like that?”

“You are a descendant of the Feng family?”

Feng Caiyi said, “Indeed.” Her lips curved slightly. In front of Liu shuang, she shed the demeanor of a lovestruck maiden she had shown before Shaoyou, revealing the arrogance of a proud daughter of the Feng family.

Indeed, Liu shuang thought, the current heavenly lord was of the Feng family, and the next heir apparent, Feng Fuming, was this Feng Caiyi’s elder brother. In the mortal realm, Feng Caiyi would be a princess.

But as the daughters of realm masters, and Liu shuang being the sole heir of the Chishui family, neither feared the other.

Liu shuang smiled faintly: “What I’m here for is my own business, unrelated to you, celestial maiden Caiyi.”

Feng Caiyi sneered, thoughtfully eyeing Liu shuang’s veil: “I’ve long heard that the young mistress of Chishui is stunningly beautiful. Why do you not dare to remove your veil and show your face today?”

With that, she reached out to remove Liu shuang’s veil.

Liu shuang swiftly blocked her, their spiritual energies clashing. Feng Caiyi withdrew her hand, and Liu shuang felt her wrist go numb.

Feng Caiyi was several hundred years older than the original host, and her cultivation was naturally much higher. Though in pain, Liu shuang concealed it. Now that Liu shuang’s soul was complete, with diligent cultivation, her exceptional talent would eventually surpass Feng Caiyi. But for now, if they truly fought, Liu shuang would surely lose.

Feng Caiyi was surprised. Relying on her seniority over Liu shuang and knowing the young mistress of Chishui was a waste, she had suddenly attacked, not expecting Liu shuang to block her unexpected strike.

Feng Caiyi was about to try again to remove Liu shuang’s veil when a flash of cyan light struck, forcing her back a step. Turning, she saw Shaoyou’s cold eyes: “Celestial maiden Caiyi, Kunlun does not tolerate disturbances.”

Feng Caiyi clenched her teeth, stamped her foot, and reluctantly followed her maid away.

“Thank you, young master Jimo,” Liu shuang quickly said.

Shaoyou replied, “It was my oversight, allowing celestial maiden Chishui to suffer indignities in Kunlun.”

Liu shuang secretly glanced at him.

He was like water—composed and calm, yet with an unbreakable resilience.

The harshest words he had ever spoken in her previous life were telling her not to call him “master,” as he did not wish to be her master.

Shaoyou said coolly, “If celestial maiden Chishui has no further business, please rest. I have matters to attend to and must take my leave.”

“Wait,” Liu shuang said, “I came today to tell you something. I know you’ve been searching for a remnant soul. I know where that remnant soul is!”

Shaoyou halted and turned to look at Liu shuang.

Liu shuang lowered her voice: “You want to find your mother’s remnant soul, don’t you?”

Shaoyou’s eyes remained calm, unfazed: “Celestial maiden oversteps. My thoughts are my own. If you wish to borrow the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron, you need my father’s consent. I have already said I cannot open it.”

“I’m not joking, and I’m not deceiving you,” Liu shuang pursed her lips, looking at him, “I know you want to see her. Come with me, and you’ll see I’m not lying.”

Shaoyou had secretly searched for his mother’s remnant soul for five hundred years. His lifelong wish had always been this one. Since she could fulfill his wish sooner, allowing him to avoid searching abroad as the realm master’s son under the guise of seclusion, Liu shuang naturally wanted to help him.

Shaoyou had once told her that in his search for this remnant soul, he had traversed the Eight Desolates, even taking a wrong path and losing a thousand years of cultivation in a crisis.

It had always been Shaoyou helping her. This time, she finally had the ability to help Shaoyou.

Shaoyou remained silent, looking at Liu shuang calmly, showing neither joy nor desire.

Liu shuang thought to herself that Shaoyou, born with the heavy burden of Kunlun, naturally doubted how she knew of his wish and thus wouldn’t believe her.

She blinked, pointing to her face, and made up an excuse: “Young master Jimo, please give me a chance. I want my original face back and can’t think of how to ask for your forgiveness to help me open the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron. So, I exhausted all means to learn about you. This is all my guess. How about this: I’ll do my best to help you find the soul, and you do your best to help me open the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron in exchange? If you agree, meet me here at midnight.”

With that, she waved with a smile.

Shaoyou glanced at her and left.

Upon returning, Liu shuang immediately sought Bai Yuxiao: “Second young master, may I borrow something from you?”

Bai Yuxiao raised an eyebrow: “What?”

“The Mirror of Ages?”

“Well, well, Chishui Liu shuang, you finally have a request for me,” Bai Yuxiao was particularly smug, pinching Liu shuang’s face, “Beg me, and if I’m pleased, I’ll lend it to you.”

Liu shuang’s face was nearly pulled in pain, but she smiled calmly: “I beg you.”

Bai Yuxiao was taken aback: “Where’s your pride?”

“Used up begging you,” Liu shuang said, “If you’re still unhappy, shall I beg you a few more times?”

Bai Yuxiao gritted his teeth: “No, I can’t lend it to you.”

Liu shuang rubbed her face and glared at him. If you’re not going to lend it, why make me beg?

“Why not?”

Bai Yuxiao coughed: “It’s just not possible. This is a treasure of our Bai family.”

Liu shuang clasped her hands together: “Just for one day, one day!”

“Not even for one day.”

“How stingy!”

Bai Yuxiao glared at her, his face alternating between pale and red. How could he explain that the Mirror of Ages was a family heirloom passed down to the clan leader’s wife? Was Chishui Liu shuang planning to marry him or his brother?

Under her disdainful gaze, Bai Yuxiao gritted his teeth: “What do you need it for? I’ll tell you what, I’ll lend it to you for one day, and you must return it. If you dare lose it, I won’t let you off!” Forget it, he was already unconventional; why care about this?

Liu shuang said: “I can’t tell you yet, but I promise to return it intact. Didn’t we come to Kunlun for the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron? I’m borrowing this to expedite the removal of the Illusion Pearl.”

After obtaining the Mirror of Ages from Bai Yuxiao, Liu shuang was very curious and asked Bai Yuxiao about its usage.

In her previous life in the heavenly realm, she had heard that Mi Chu had used the Mirror of Ages. When she awoke in the original host’s body, Bai Yuxiao had thrown Yan Chaosheng into the Jiusi Pool through this mirror. This mirror was unique in the world; with a certain price, one could traverse the Eight Desolates. She hadn’t expected it to be a treasure of the Bai family.

So, seven hundred years later, why would the Mirror of Ages end up in Mi Chu’s hands?

The Mirror of Ages resembled rippling water. As Liu shuang touched it with her finger, the ripples spread layer by layer.

Before midnight, Liu shuang carefully carried the Mirror of Ages out.

Everything was ready. Now, it depended on whether Shaoyou would believe she meant no harm and whether he would come.