Master Mingxin of Zen

“Immortal Lord?! What brings you here?” Hansu quickly scrambled to her feet, hurriedly tidied her clothes, and looked at him with a touch of embarrassment.

“I heard… Have you been well lately? The troubles you mentioned just now, are they about the rumors outside?” Rong Ling lowered his head slightly, gazing at the girl whose height now reached his chin, his eyes unable to hide his concern.

“Me? Oh, I’m fine. It’s nothing, really. And you, Immortal Lord? What brings you here this time?”

“Hmm…” Rong Ling hesitated, considering whether to tell her about the artifact spirit of the Heavenly Mirror.

“Oh, I don’t have to know, if it’s hard to say, you needn’t trouble yourself. Speaking of which, I have something here…” Hansu reached for the necklace hidden beneath her collar, about to take it out, but was interrupted.

“Rong Ling! Why are you still here? Are you Hansu?”

Hansu looked at several people who appeared before her, seemingly unaffected by the Yaohua sect’s protective formation, and swallowed the words she was about to say.

“I greet the Immortal Lords,” Hansu bowed respectfully to the group. Even disregarding their status as domain masters, their cultivation alone far surpassed hers, making her salute entirely appropriate.

The Lady of the Underworld stepped gracefully from midair, descending as if floating on lotus petals. Witnessing her movements, Hansu finally understood what it meant to be like drifting clouds obscuring the moon, or swirling winds and returning snow. From afar, she shone like the sun rising amidst morning clouds; up close, she dazzled like lotus blossoms emerging from the clear waves.

She looked barely sixteen or seventeen, her smile radiant as spring. When she gazed at you, it felt as though all the flowers in the world paled in comparison, and you yourself seemed to float, weightless, on air.

As she drew closer, Hansu felt inexplicably nervous. At that moment, Rong Ling seemed to sense her discomfort and stepped forward, blocking the Lady of the Underworld’s line of sight. “I’ll be right there. Your injuries haven’t healed—why are you down here?”

The Lady of the Underworld, sharp as ever, instantly discerned the budding affection between them. She smiled brilliantly, her eyes alluring as spring water. Peering past Rong Ling’s body, she beckoned to Hansu behind him, and watched with satisfaction as Hansu’s face flushed and she froze in place. Then, with poise, she turned away.

Unlike her descent, she ascended several yards in a single step, joining the others.

“There are important matters to attend to. Your benefactor is safe; no need to rush to repay your debt.” With a few words and a flickering silhouette, she vanished into the air.

Rong Ling turned to Hansu. “I have matters to attend to. Take care of yourself. If danger arises, just crush this and I will come immediately.” He handed her a small jade talisman, pulled her hand over, and placed it in her palm.

The tiny, translucent jade made Hansu’s hand look soft and pink as a flower petal. Rong Ling’s heart fluttered, and he wanted to squeeze her little hand, but Hansu withdrew it.

She held the small talisman behind her back, her smile proper, yet Rong Ling felt something was subtly amiss, though he couldn’t place it.

“Thank you, Immortal Lord. Please go about your business; you needn’t worry about me.” She bowed earnestly and looked up at him.

Rong Ling departed as quietly as he had arrived.

Not long after, news spread that several unfamiliar experts had attacked Fei Xing Academy, and Dean Yu Yicong was defeated and captured.

Suddenly, the sects, who had been settling down, were thrown into turmoil again. Many insisted it was a precursor to a demon cultivator attack.

Although Sect Leader Tu Ji Daojun tried desperately to suppress the panic by contacting various factions, his efforts proved fruitless.

When they sought help from the Celestial Secrets Hall, its doors remained tightly shut, not a sound escaping.

With no other option, an agreement was reached: the five major sects would each send two representatives, and the small sect alliance would send two, to investigate the Fuhai Realm.

Yaohua sent Daojun Yuheng and Hansu; the other sects each sent a Nascent Soul Daojun and a Golden Core Master. Only the small sect alliance sent Master Mingxin and the palace lord from Yanchen Palace.

This time, Zhengyi Sect graciously provided a massive spirit vessel for transport, allowing everyone to travel together.

Daojun Yuheng, though skilled in alchemy, had some interest in swordsmanship, so upon meeting, he stood with Daojun Junjian of the Golden Sword Sect. Hansu followed, standing with a cold and handsome swordsman from Golden Sword Sect, beside the two Daojuns engrossed in conversation.

Hansu’s participation was not without reason.

She was intensely curious about Master Mingxin, who clearly came for her. They had never met, never had any contact—why would he…

Who was he, truly? What was his purpose?

If his ultimate target was her, and he had others behind him, hiding within the sect would be futile. It could even endanger her family and brothers. Better to face it head-on, exposing herself to their gaze, to see what they truly intended!

Hansu didn’t see this as reckless. She would rather die straightforwardly than live in suffocating fear. She needed answers.

So, at the first gathering, upon seeing Master Mingxin, Hansu deliberately stood at the front in a conspicuous spot, unabashedly observing him. Strangely, he seemed changed.

The arrogant, contemptuous gaze she’d seen outside Yaohua’s gate was gone. He acted as if he didn’t know her, not even sparing her a glance.

Clearly, Master Mingxin was even more deeply hidden and extraordinary than she had imagined.

Zhengyi Sect’s spirit vessel was solid and well protected, but its speed was lacking. Moreover, the skies above Fuhai Realm were ever-changing, making swift travel impossible.

Several days had passed when they encountered their first sea beast attack.

“There’s a sea beast!”

The spirit vessel was wide, with many quietly meditating in their own corners. Some, more romantic or adventurous, sat on the top deck, braving the fierce winds.

The first to notice danger was a brave master meditating on deck.

Though the vessel flew in the skies, the sea below churned like boiling water, waves clawing upward toward the spirit vessel.

This was typical of Fuhai Realm, so few paid it much mind. Who knew a colorless, transparent Seven-Life Octopus was hidden among them?

This octopus, its body soft and resilient, could regenerate endlessly. Wounding it was hard enough, and even when severed, it could reassemble.

They noticed too late. By the time the master shouted, eight tentacles were already firmly stuck to the vessel, swiftly wrapping it entirely.

The tentacles squeezed the vessel, making it creak and crack.

But Zhengyi’s spirit vessel was truly well protected. The Daojun from Zhengyi replaced the Golden Core master at the helm and activated the defensive array.

Immediately, a pale golden shield enveloped the vessel. No matter how the octopus pressed, the shield did not break.

Frustrated, the octopus anchored itself below the vessel with three tentacles. The remaining five rose high, their suckers transforming into sharp golden needles, targeting weaknesses and striking down, glinting blue in the sunlight.

It had poisoned its tentacles!

The five venomous tentacles struck the shield, which flashed brilliantly. Though unbroken, it was clear the shield wouldn’t last long.

The Daojuns attacked first, each launching their own assault.

For a moment, the small space was filled with flying treasures and dazzling spells, leaving Hansu amazed.

It was her first time witnessing six Nascent Soul Daojuns fighting together.

These Daojuns were exceptional, their timing and mastery of the elements perfect.

They had differing spiritual roots and hadn’t coordinated beforehand, yet when a pillar of fire blasted one tentacle, a black water dragon struck another, alongside gleaming golden swords, powerful arms, radiant staffs, and brush handles of gold and jade—all simultaneously severing different tentacles.

Three of them targeted the tentacles anchoring the vessel.

With such force, six tentacles were severed at once. The octopus plummeted, and the crowd was about to cheer when two people were dragged off the vessel by the remaining tentacles, disappearing into the sea.

“Hansu!” “Master Mingxin!” Daojun Yuheng saw Hansu pulled into the sea and immediately leaped after her. The palace lord of Yanchen feigned concern, calling out but making no move to help.

The nine remaining aboard exchanged confused glances. “Elder Yuan, when did the octopus break through the shield and drag them off?”

“Did I see that right? It seemed they jumped voluntarily.”

“So, what should we do?”

“See, I told you demon cultivators were up to no good, but you wouldn’t believe me. We’ve barely started our journey and already faced such a powerful beast. I’m not going on. Let’s return and prepare for battle!”

The nine argued noisily, unsure what to do.

Hansu, however, understood immediately.

On the vessel, though she hadn’t attacked with the Daojuns, she stayed vigilant. Besides, she wasn’t standing near the front, so how could she be dragged into the sea so easily?

When it happened, she saw a flash of white light. Her whole body felt powerless, unable to resist, as the light carried her off the vessel.

As the white light pulled her from the shield, the octopus’s tentacle wrapped around her, dragging her into the sea.

As for who the white light belonged to—wasn’t it obvious?

“This was all your doing, wasn’t it? What are you after?” Hansu asked coldly, looking at the person before her.

“We have no grievances. Why would I want to harm you? I merely wish to borrow something you possess.”

The speaker was Master Mingxin. His expression was solemn, truly resembling a venerable monk, but his hand slowly reached for Hansu’s collar.