Chapter 92: Greater and Lesser Dengdeng Islands

The secret hidden in He Yu’s tomb? Gu Yi couldn’t help but pay closer attention.

“It is said that beyond the continent, there are two islands, called Great Deng and Little Deng. The realm of Unity, so rare on the mainland, is commonplace on those islands. Every cultivator who strives for the mysteries of immortality dreams of leaving the continent and journeying overseas.”

“Yet, separated by the vast sea, the locations of the two islands have become secrets unknown to all. Nations have sent fleets to search for them, some returning empty-handed, some lost forever, and perhaps the islands are truly sanctuaries cut off from the world, where those who reach them never wish to return. Over the past century, legends about them have never ceased.”

“Cultivators follow a path: upon reaching Unity, they go out to sea in search of the two islands. Only a few remain, such as the Lady of the Rain Palace, who bears heavy responsibilities and cannot leave, or the Master of the Seventeen Towers, who chooses to stay and protect our nation.”

Gu Yi had noticed as well: those who reach Unity are few. Most so-called talents are stopped at the Purification stage, like the Fourth Princess, like Shu Le. On one hand, Unity is indeed difficult to attain; on the other, many who reach it simply leave.

“So what does this have to do with He Yu?” Shu Le glanced at Shu Yu, who sat silently to the side, and said softly, “He Yu once reached Great Deng. His spiritual energy does not belong to the mainland.”

Shu Yu, eyes closed, murmured, “Just rumors from outside, not to be trusted. If his corpse truly revealed the way to Little Deng, the Lady of the Palace would have killed him long ago.”

Shu Le pressed, “Even if the rumors are false, He Yu did go to Great Deng, didn’t he? Otherwise, why are you all scrambling for him?”

“Are Great Deng and Little Deng… really such wonderful places?” Shu Yu asked, doubt clouding her voice. “Perhaps not.”

Gu Yi watched these two spar, thinking that perhaps the one called He Yu really had been there, but he wouldn’t have carved a map onto his body.

“Has anyone from our nation gone and returned?” Gu Yi asked curiously.

Shu Le shook her head. “We have sent people out to sea, but none have come back. Maybe someday, someone will return.”

“Who?”

“The eldest princess.”

“Oh… So He Yu’s connection to the islands is why everyone wants him.”

Shu Yu scoffed, shaking her head, words held back.

Gu Yi said, “Tsk, if you have something to say, just say it.”

“I doubt you’ll believe me even if I do.”

“Go on, then.”

Shu Yu finally spoke, “The Rain Palace seeks He Yu not because of the overseas islands, but because the Lady of the Palace was furious that someone dared kill one of her Pavilion Masters. She sent me to investigate and bring back He Yu’s body. The rumors about the islands are just tales spun by those with ulterior motives. What has cultivation to do with geography? Wasn’t Little Yuan Mountain once an ordinary peak?”

“Impossible,” Shu Le objected. “He Yu did go to Great Deng, didn’t he?”

Shu Yu retorted, “So what if he did? A useless man remains useless, even overseas. It’s your Little Yuan Mountain immortal who truly might have left for the islands.”

Her words startled Gu Yi and Shu Le.

Shu Le hurried to say, “The immortal of Little Yuan Mountain is still there. His successor is here—how dare you speak such nonsense?”

“Who knows? The Rain Palace will find out in time.”

“Gu Yi, tell her! Isn’t the immortal still on the mountain?”

Shu Yu’s clear gaze bore into Gu Yi.

“He’s there, I suppose,” Gu Yi replied.

“You’re lying.” Shu Yu’s eyes burned. “I’ve seen plenty of men lie. Your mouths are made for deceit, but you can’t fool us women of the Mo clan.”

Gu Yi laughed.

“I think you’re ugly,” he said, unmoved, “but somehow beautiful as well. You say my face is that of a liar, but I didn’t even blink just now. Do you think there’s any difference in saying two opposite things?”

Just guessing, really—what’s the point of pretending to be some micro-expression expert?

“Unreasonable,” Shu Yu muttered, resigned to cursing him.

Shu Le couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re only just realizing? He really has a knack for infuriating people.”

“Heh. Why are you so happy?” Gu Yi didn’t let her off, either.

All they could do now was chat, but Gu Yi still wanted Shu Le to recover quickly, so he drew another dual-element healing talisman for her.

Shu Le stifled a strange groan, clearly struggling to endure.

“…Your control of spiritual energy has grown more exquisite.”

“If I didn’t have some skill, how could I be the immortal’s successor?”

Shu Le had never asked before, but this injury seemed to have deepened their friendship. “Gu Yi,” she said.

“Hm?”

“I’ve told you a secret. Will you share one with me?”

Gu Yi smiled. “Alright, ask away.”

Shu Le, being a cultivator, was naturally most curious about matters of cultivation.

“What is the immortal of Little Yuan Mountain really like? How did you gain his legacy?”

Gu Yi poked at the fire with a branch. “What’s he like… In short, he’s someone who achieved Saint of Clouds in a very short time.”

Shu Yu listened intently, quietly opening her eyes.

“Is he from our nation?”

“I think so.”

Shu Le continued, “When our country fought with Liang, the front-line soldiers said the immortal was a dashing youth. Is that true?”

Gu Yi nodded without hesitation. “Yes, he’s quite the handsome man.”

“Then why does he always refuse to meet us, keeping us out with the Four Stone Dragon Gate Array?”

Gu Yi spoke in earnest, “An immortal devotes himself entirely to cultivation. There are always many who wish to visit; should he meet them all? If he chooses, should he meet the commoners or the nobles?”

He teased Shu Yu as he spoke, “Can’t you tell if a man is lying? Do you think I’m telling the truth now?”

Shu Yu couldn’t answer, so she simply ignored him.

Shu Le pressed on, “And how did you…”

“Actually, I’m not really the immortal’s successor. You’re all mistaken.”

Both girls were shocked.

Gu Yi spoke with a straight face, “The immortal is actually my elder brother. We grew up together, so don’t ask if I have any special talent—I don’t. I just got lucky, happened to be his brother, and we’re close.”

Suddenly, Shu Le seemed enlightened. “That explains it. No wonder.”

Gu Yi thought it odd—what did she mean, no wonder? Was he that disappointing?

“If I survive, will you take me to meet your brother?”

“No need. Though he’s brilliant, able to enter the Heart at dawn and break through at dusk, that’s talent, not something you can learn.”

Shu Le argued, “It’s not about seeking anything, just admiration.”

“You admire him?” Gu Yi asked, a sly smile on his lips.

“I do. I witnessed the spectacle of Little Yuan Mountain’s outer hundred miles shining like day all night. I respect anyone capable of such a feat, and hearing he once single-handedly stopped a war makes me admire his virtue even more.”

Gu Yi felt a bit embarrassed. “Actually, it’s not that remarkable. I asked him to stop the war. He’s rather lazy—you see, so many come to see him, but he never comes out.”

Shu Yu rolled her eyes at his smug expression and shameless words. “As an enemy, I too respect the immortal. But his brother is clearly a very different sort of person.”

Damn it!

Boom!

Suddenly, the earth trembled, and stones fell from the cave ceiling.

All three reached for their swords at once.

“We’ve been discovered!”