Chapter 1415: Celebrating Two Years of Loyal Service

Thump, thump, thump ~ Thump, thump, thump.A knocking sounded upon the door."Who is it?"Bai Lian drew open the door, and at first, saw naught but a pair of whites of eyes.She blinked, and then from within that white, she discerned. "Second Elder, for what purpose do you grace my humble abode?""Cannot this old man merely inquire after the Saintess's well-being when he has naught else to do?" The Second Elder smiled, the smile on his aged face ought to have been benevolent, but due to his eyes being naught but white, it appeared exceedingly wicked. "The Saintess's cultivation has progressed mightily. Truly, it is a blessing unto our White Bone Path.""Oh, nay. It is you, Elder, who is the very jade pillar supporting the heavens, the very purple-gold beam propping up the seas of our sect.""Hahaha. Do you not intend to invite this old man in for a sit?""This..." Bai Lian's eyes revealed difficulty. "This one is, after all, a maiden. Would it not be inconvenient?""This old man has watched the Saintess grow since childhood. You are as a daughter to this old man. What inconvenience is there?" The Second Elder said, then squeezed his way into the room.He glanced left and right, and asked as if without intention. "Why does the Saintess, in her own room within the sect, still wear a night veil to conceal herself?"Bai Lian blinked. "Born with a beauty so peerless, one must needs keep a low profile.""Hahahaha..." The Second Elder laughed heartily, then his laughter suddenly ceased. "Ouyang has returned. I can smell his presence.""This is a good matter! Our painstaking efforts, the sacrifice of so many hidden pieces, to cover for him all along the way were not in vain. Why has the Great Elder not yet appeared?""Who can divine his thoughts?""If even you cannot, then this one is even more ignorant.""Is it ignorance, or is it a refusal to know?""This one need not know." Bai Lian smiled sweetly. "Matters of importance within the sect must still be decided by the Elders. I shall simply await tidings."The Second Elder gazed deeply at her for a moment, then rose to leave.Just before stepping out the door, he suddenly paused. "Why is the Saintess so amenable to conversation today?"Bai Lian chuckled coyly. "Look at what you say. When has this one ever been difficult to speak with? Even if there are occasional temperaments, are they not all for the great matters of this sect?"The Second Elder finally departed, the oppressive aura that had enveloped the room seeming to be severed by the door...."Perhaps this is the final test."Bai Lian murmured softly.She sat quietly for a while, confirming that no one else would disturb her. Only then did she place down a formation disk, pull open the wardrobe, lift out the tightly shut-eyed Jiang Wang, and toss him onto the bed.At this moment, Jiang Wang was under the seal of the Five Senses. Only thus could he evade those eyes that were naught but white.Bai Lian formed a hand seal, dissolving the seal of the Five Senses.Jiang Wang rose abruptly, looking at Bai Lian, his hand on his sword, silent.Though he had been in a state of sealed Five Senses, unable to hear the conversation between Bai Lian and the Second Elder, by emptying his Five Senses and calming his mind, he had been repeatedly pondering the events of today."What do you wish to ask? Ask freely." Bai Lian walked to the table and sat down without ceremony."You saved me again." Jiang Wang's voice was somewhat strained.Bai Lian smiled. "What is there to mention?""This is the White Bone Path's lair. Are you a person of the White Bone Path?" Jiang Wang asked."We are all people of the Dao." Bai Lian said.Knowing that arguing with her about whether the White Bone Path belonged to the orthodox Dao was utterly meaningless, Jiang Wang repeated. "I only ask you, are you a person of the White Bone Path?""Not I." Bai Lian extended a jade finger and pointed at Jiang Wang. "It is we.""What do you mean?""I did not intend to tell you so soon, for your 'transformation' is not yet complete." Bai Lian sighed and asked. "But since you have appeared here today, you will not cease until you have your answer, is that not right?"Jiang Wang did not answer her question, but instead asked. "So, Fang Heliang coming to Ox Head Mountain today was a trap? Targeted at whom?""A leisurely move by the White Bone Emissary, not targeted at anyone in particular. It's just that whoever followed Fang Heliang tonight was destined to die here. In any case, we are abandoning this place soon. You and that secret agent of the Arresting and Sentencing Division were merely caught in the moment."The White Bone Path would quickly leave Ox Head Mountain.Jiang Wang keenly grasped this information, but he set it aside. He turned and asked. "What does 'transformation' mean? What is 'we' and 'you'?""The white bone lotus on your back, the Flesh Regeneration Soul Return Art you suddenly mastered... are these not enough to make you think?""You have always understood me well. Perhaps these are all part of your plan. The white bone lotus could have been tattooed on me while I was unconscious. The Flesh Regeneration Soul Return Art could have been transmitted to me by you through some method... It is impossible for me to be related to the White Bone Path!""Such a divine ability as altering memory, I do not possess." Bai Lian suddenly let out a laugh. "However, I have indeed been observing you closely, even when you were but a beggar..."Jiang Wang was startled!To evade Fang Pengju's pursuit, he had disguised himself as a beggar and clung to life in the True Reality Temple. That was even before he had opened his meridians. Bai Lian had been observing him since then?Bai Lian quickly explained. "Back then, your group of beggars settling at the True Reality Temple was a choice guided by us."Her voice was faint. "The True Reality Temple is a place of great significance, a place chosen by the Venerated Deity. As early as the time Zuo Guanglie fell in battle, I was curious, so many beggars died, why did only you survive? Was it merely a coincidence?Why, after you returned to the Dao Academy, did your cultivation immediately advance by leaps and bounds?You must have noticed, no?After opening your meridians, your cultivation speed surpassed that of ordinary people.Most importantly, you could devour the White Bone Seed, you could perfectly adapt to the White Bone Path's secret techniques, you knew the Flesh Regeneration Soul Return Art! You are not ordinary, you are the White Bone Dao Child!"Bai Lian finally said. "Later I understood, the reason you appeared at the True Reality Temple was precisely the Venerated Deity's arrangement.""No, that's not right!" Jiang Wang shook his head. He believed his cultivation came from the Illusory Realm, and was utterly unrelated to any White Bone Dao Child. But the Illusory Realm was his greatest secret at present, and he could not bring it forth in defense."I fear that while your mouth says it is not right, your heart weeps bitterly.""What Dao Child!" Jiang Wang took a step back. "I have said, I can never forgive the actions of the White Bone Path. I will never collude with you, we are not of the same path!""That is because you have not yet seen the truth of this world, have not completely erased your hypocrisy, have not found your true self.""I understand perfectly who I am, I do not need your reminder." Jiang Wang controlled his emotions as much as possible, allowing himself to calm down and think."What is this White Bone Seed you speak of?" He asked."This is a very precious item, I only have one myself. It can absorb the nutrients of the host to grow, and finally perfectly control the host. But I did not expect it to be devoured by you... So you see, the Dao Seed naturally cannot be effective on a Dao Child!"Jiang Wang looked at her coldly. "You tried to parasitize me?"A rare hint of apology appeared in Bai Lian's eyes. "At that time, we were not yet familiar...""We are not familiar now either, you make me feel utterly strange!" Jiang Wang said coldly. "No need to speak further! I absolutely do not believe I am some White Bone Dao Child, even if I were, I would never collude with you bunch of human-faced beasts!"An "even if," though expressing determination, indicated wavering.Bai Lian was not in a hurry to dwell on this point, but instead counter-asked. "Which is truly human-faced bestiality? Raising fierce beasts and disregarding the lives of the common people, or extracting the Dao meridians of the Water Clan to refine Meridian Opening Pills?""Do not think to use words to shake my Dao heart!" Jiang Wang's voice was firm, as if only by being so could he resist the pressure he was under.He struggled to calm his breathing, affirming his resolve. "Bai Lian, since our paths are different, let us go our separate ways. I said before, my life was saved by you, you can take it back now."Bai Lian's eyes were exquisitely beautiful, appearing both petulant and resentful, her autumn gaze brimming with emotion. She gazed at Jiang Wang with those very eyes."How could I bear to kill you?" She softened her voice, speaking gently. "However, as long as you cooperate, I can erase your memories of tonight. Let us pretend nothing has happened. Only when you have thoroughly awakened will you remember the events of tonight.""Burying one's head in the sand?""No, merely the time is not yet ripe."Bai Lian rose and leaned in, and before Jiang Wang could react, she pressed him onto the bed and seated him firmly."Look into my eyes." She said. "I do not possess the divine ability to manipulate memories. I merely use a secret art to temporarily seal this small section of memory, so you must open your heart and mind and cooperate fully. If there is an accident, at best your mind will be deranged, at worst your soul will scatter."Jiang Wang knew full well that this was the best option.Tonight, he had stumbled into Ox Head Mountain, into the thieves' nest. He should have met his end.Bai Lian's various concealments had already saved his life. But no matter what, it was impossible for her to let him return to Fenglin City with the secrets of the White Bone Path.And he would rather die than collude with the White Bone Path.Now, the decision he must face could be postponed, and he need not die.Jiang Wang completely opened his mind, allowing his consciousness to be submerged by countless lotus petals.He felt a sense of warmth and acceptance, and of longing.Then, in this boundless sea of lotus petals, he saw a lotus bud drifting towards him.It grew taller and taller, until it was level with Jiang Wang's gaze.Then the lotus bloomed, and the center of the bloom was not a stamen, nor did it bear lotus seeds.It was... a black candle!......PS: It will officially be available for subscription at noon tomorrow. I have already given my thanks and reflections on being listed last week, so I will not repeat myself. In short, please be sure to support by subscribing. 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