Chapter 135: Isn’t This Exactly What You Wanted? - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 135: Isn’t This Exactly What You Wanted? [When you heard that you could leave Taoshan, amidst the joy that surged in your heart, there was a sliver of reluctance.] [Though this is exactly what you wanted, Meng Hongshang had already claimed a place in your heart. In moments like these, you found yourself unexpectedly hesitant.] [Meng Hongshang, completely oblivious to your inner conflict, happily dressed you in a robe she had sewn herself.] [Donning the robe, you suddenly transformed, becoming a Daoist priest exuding an ethereal aura akin to that of the immortals.] [Paired with your transcendent demeanor and appearance, you and Meng Hongshang appeared to be a couple blessed by the heavens.] [Subsequently, Meng Hongshang informed you that the scattered immortal’s dwelling in Cuiyun Mountain had emerged, inevitably attracting a swarm of cultivators.] [Some of them might even be land-immortal cultivators, more powerful than the rest.] [However, treasures have their own spirits. If you are destined, even if mighty cultivators arrive, your fate might still prevail, allowing you to claim a treasure from the dwelling.] [With a heavy heart, you and Meng Hongshang left Taoshan, setting out for Cuiyun Mountain, thousands of miles away.] [Though Meng Hongshang's Peach Blossom Cloud could travel a thousand miles a day, since there were seven days before the dwelling would be accessible, neither of you were in a rush, choosing instead to take in the glorious landscapes of this earthly celestial realm.] [When you had leisure time, both of you would enjoy vigorous exploration amidst the mountains and rivers, finding great joy.] [Alternating between traveling and stopping, you reached Cuiyun Mountain precisely seven days later.] [At the outskirts of Cuiyun Mountain, you saw numerous cultivators.] [However, most of these cultivators were weaker than you, with only a few exuding a stronger presence.] [Meng Hongshang explained that these were young disciples and rogue cultivators.] [The previous owner of this scattered immortal's dwelling was not particularly powerful and had ultimately succumbed to the exhaustion of their lifespan.] [Not having transcended the great tribulation of life and death, they were considered the lowest tier of scattered immortals.] [Such places were ideal for novice disciples to gain experience.] [Perhaps it was because Meng Hongshang belonged to the higher echelons of this immortal realm.] [After spotting you, nobody disturbed your peace, but instead observed you with curiosity.] [Although Meng Hongshang, known as the Peach Blossom Lady, was famous far and wide, she had always remained single.] [Now, with a man by her side, how could their curiosity not be piqued?] [You were somewhat puzzled about the distinctions among scattered immortals and the hierarchy within this celestial realm.] [Subsequently, Meng Hongshang explained the concept: scattered immortals face a life-and-death tribulation every 500 years, and no one knows its exact form.] [It could manifest as the depletion of one's lifespan, the natural end of life, heavenly tribulations, or unexpected accidents, among other possibilities.] [If one survives it, their life is extended by another 500 years. If not, they perish entirely.] [After surviving the first, one becomes a one-turn scattered immortal; after the second, a two-turn, and so forth.] [Surviving nine such trials grants the opportunity to attain immortal status.] … Observing Meng Hongshang’s explanation in the scene, Su Mo suddenly thought of Yan Chixia, who preferred hiding rather than confronting demons. Perhaps. He was currently in his disaster-avoidance phase. Unable to predict where the calamity may strike from. Hence, hiding in the deserted Lanruo Temple was his best bet. … [In the scene, Meng Hongshang continued explaining the other hierarchical distinctions.] [In this earthly celestial realm, the ranks are divided into martial practitioners, cultivators, scattered immortals, and terrestrial immortals.] [But due to differences in techniques, methods, magical weapons, and fortune, one’s rank may not accurately reflect their combat prowess.] [For example, a martial practitioner who reaches the sacred innate realm might not be easily defeated by a scattered immortal and might even strike back if lacking suitable treasures or techniques.] [However, martial practitioners have shorter lifespans, and reaching the sacred innate realm is immensely difficult. Meng Hongshang hadn't met such a practitioner in centuries.] [The same goes for cultivators; a fortunate one with a potent treasure could even slay a terrestrial immortal.] [Such was the case with Nangong Liuli, who, without being a scattered immortal, used her sword techniques and the Immortal Binding Rope to trap Meng Hongshang.] [Given these reasons, one cannot solely rely on rank to judge combat superiority.] [Moreover, cultivators can advance to become scattered or terrestrial immortals upon achieving perfection in their cultivation.] [However, lacking a strong foundation, one shouldn't aspire to be a terrestrial immortal but rather enjoy being a scattered immortal for a few centuries.] [Meng Hongshang, due to insufficient foundation and lack of support, could only remain a scattered immortal.] [Hearing this, you couldn’t help but worry for her.] "Hongshang, doesn't that mean you only have less than 150 years to face your scattered immortal tribulation?" [Meng Hongshang nodded gently.] "It's all right. I'll strive to find some powerful treasures to smoothly overcome it." [Hearing this, you looked toward the distant Cuiyun Mountain.] [At this moment, Cuiyun Mountain was shrouded in dark clouds, lightning flashing, and thunder rumbling, with lightning occasionally striking the mountain. Perceiving this, pedestrians quickly left the mountain's vicinity.] "Hongshang, do you think there might be treasures within the scattered immortal's dwelling that could help you with the tribulation?" [Meng Hongshang gently shook her head.] "I'm not sure." "But the news about this dwelling resurfacing today had already spread far and wide five years ago." "So, we'll have to rely on luck too." "Let’s see if we have a connection with this dwelling." [After hearing Meng Hongshang's words, you couldn’t help but harbor a bit of anticipation.] [Wondering if the two of you could have such a fateful connection.] [Just then, off in the distance, you vaguely saw a middle-aged man climbing laboriously up the path on Cuiyun Mountain, braving the lightning storm.] [You could discern that this middle-aged individual barely showed signs of even basic qi cultivation, inferior to some martial practitioners.] [You puzzled over this individual's odd behavior.] [You then turned to Meng Hongshang.] "Hongshang, why is that person climbing the mountain in such stormy weather?" "Aren’t they afraid of being struck by lightning?" [Seeing this, Meng Hongshang calculated some of this middle-aged man's fate.] "Su Lang, we have good fortune ahead of us." "Peach Blossom Cloud Cover, go!" [Right then, Meng Hongshang summoned the Peach Blossom Cloud Cover, whisking the middle-aged man from the path to your presence.] [The man, feeling the world spin around him, found himself before you and Meng Hongshang before he could react.] [Seeing you both, a fleeting fear crossed his gaze.] "Who are you, and why have you brought me here?" [Perplexed by Meng Hongshang’s action, you chose trust, simply standing aside in silence.] [Meng Hongshang smirked.] "Qingzhu Sanren, Zhao Qinghe!" "Isn’t it true that you were the original owner of Cuiyun Mountain's dwelling?" [The man’s expression changed abruptly as he immediately denied it.] "Immortal Lady, you jest. How could I be the owner of Cuiyun Mountain's dwelling?" [Meng Hongshang refrained from further verbiage, turning to you instead.] "Su Lang, bind him up. He’ll be useful when the dwelling emerges." [Immediately grasping her intent, you understood.] [This middle-aged man was likely the reincarnation of Cuiyun Mountain’s scattered immortal.] [Though you didn't know why he only started cultivating in middle age, you followed Meng Hongshang's direction, tying the man up with his own clothes.] [Realizing escape was futile, the man wore a desolate expression.] [Then, he shared his tale.] "Enigma in the Womb, enigma in the womb. No guesses, thinking is futile. Realize only after death; all things cycle. Eternal and true. Borrowed confusion hides the beginning; how can triviality comprehend the cosmic law?" "So be it." "I admit I am indeed that Qingzhu Sanren Zhao Qinghe, but in this life, I am Liu Moran. Zhao Qinghe is past; please call me Liu Moran." [Hearing his confession, you promptly inquired.] "I see you just started cultivating—why didn’t you begin sooner?" [Meng Hongshang, from the side, explained.] "Su Lang, you’ve only recently entered the cultivation world. Whether a scattered immortal can awaken to the womb's enigma also depends on the strength of their primordial spirit." "Upon exhausting his lifespan, his primordial spirit should have been extremely weak, hence awakening the memory at forty." "He likely foresaw this, which is why the dwelling was set to reappear now." "However, he probably didn’t anticipate that the secret of this place would have spread throughout the cultivation world." [Hearing her, Liu Moran gave a bitter smile.] "How could I not have considered…" "I was simply taking a gamble." "Since you've already captured me, I'll lead you into the dwelling." [Meng Hongshang smirked lightly.] "Since you're being so tactful, we shouldn't take advantage completely." "Here's the dwelling medallion back to you." [Hearing Meng Hongshang, gratitude shone in Liu Moran's eyes.] "Thank you very much." [Observing the situation, you began to inquire.] "What is this dwelling medallion?" [Meng Hongshang patiently explained to you.] "Su Lang, obtaining this dwelling medallion allows one to control all the restrictions and formations within the dwelling." "It's similar to my Taoshan." "Once we've taken the treasures, the rest is up to Liu Moran." [Liu Moran's eyes gleamed confidently.] "Years ago, I comprehended a formation from the remnants of an ancient dwelling, named the Five Elements Annihilation Array." "Within it, the five elements are reversed, severing all vitality." "Sword rain, toxic miasma, treacherous waters, heart-consuming fire, and sinking sands." "Unless some grandmaster level scattered immortal or terrestrial immortal desires to take over this dwelling, or five supreme five-element treasures are united, entry is futile!" [Hearing Liu Moran’s claim, you couldn’t help but be surprised.] [Indeed, even the weakest scattered immortal possesses unique techniques.] [As you all conversed, Cuiyun Mountain was already engulfed in a relentless downpour, with lightning weaving through the sky.] [A pitch-black portal suddenly appeared at the mountain's peak.] [Upon seeing this, Meng Hongshang promptly utilized her artifact to carry you and Liu Moran towards the portal.] [Simultaneously, other cultivators began moving as well.] [Some traveled on crimson gourds, others on flying swords, some on spirit beasts, and some in carriages pulled through the sky by four handsome horses, each with their own flying artifact.] [Yet, none matched the speed of Meng Hongshang's Peach Blossom Cloud.] [You, Meng Hongshang, and Liu Moran were the first to enter through the portal.] [Once inside, you discovered you had arrived in a stone cave.] [Within the cave, there were five entrances ahead, each leading in different directions.] [Liu Moran spoke up upon seeing this.] "The middle path." [After saying this, Liu Moran headed directly for the middle path.] [Meng Hongshang and you followed closely behind.] [After traversing a long corridor, you found yourselves in a massive cavern.] [In this cavern lay a pool, with a sandalwood bridge crossing over it.] [At the end of the bridge were several stone cabins, outside of which were stone tables, benches, and chairs, elegantly arranged.] [Returning to his dwelling, nostalgia flickered in Liu Moran's eyes.] [As you walked, you noticed the stone tables piled with bamboo scrolls, which piqued your curiosity, prompting you to pick one up.] [Its contents were all alchemical insights.] [August 10th, Year of Jiawu, added one more centigram of snake tongue grass, extended the flame by three moments, the pill was ruined, tasted rank and bitter.] [Three qian of iron thorn grass, paired with two fen of night-blooming jasmine, crushed and taken with water, can detoxify the pill poison…] [Picking up another large bamboo scroll, you found the words "Miscellaneous Records of Southern Border Plants" inscribed in large characters.] [Unrolled, the records were filled with interspersed personal annotations and critiques.] "The elder of Shushan’s Pill Hall, Ling Xuzi, can't recognize my 300-year-old foxtail grass!" … "The Medicine Immortal Sect claims moon-eater grass is only for spirit beast feed, a laughable notion." … "Flight flower, fitting its name, I wonder what elixir can utilize its essence to be refined…" … [Observing the densely packed script, you were somewhat surprised.] [It turns out this scattered immortal was also an expert in alchemy.] [At this moment, Liu Moran emerged from one of the central stone cabins with a medallion.] [Crafted from black jade, Liu Moran flicked it, sending a stream of light into the medallion.] [He then performed an Illusory Flowers and Moon Reflecting technique.] [An image, akin to a movie screen, appeared mid-air, showing that group of disciples.] [They currently hesitated before the five stone paths, none daring to proceed for fear of triggering any traps.] [Liu Moran did not hesitate, and the Five Elements Annihilation Array instantly activated, entrapping all within.] [Everyone desperately brandished magical artifacts in response, yet faced with the manifestations of the five elements, the inexperienced disciples were at a loss.] [Those who couldn’t cope simply exited through the portal.] [Only a few well-grounded youths continued struggling within.] [Among them, a female cultivator wielded a plantain fan, dispelling many attacks from the formations into nothingness.] [Seeing this, Liu Moran chuckled softly; he harbored no malice, merely wishing to drive them away.] "That youth truly has grit, but carelessly using a precious Sun Wind Fan bestowed by their elders is wasteful." [Liu Moran increased his power, and torrents of sword rain, toxic miasma, weak waters, heart fire, and flowing sands struck in unison.] [Amidst utter chaos, the crowd became even more overwhelmed.] [As you watched with interest, noticing two figures approaching from outside the portal, your heart skipped upon recognizing one.] "Nangong Liuli!" (End of Chapter)