They've Already Come Knocking So Soon

After hearing about Senior Disciple's situation.

Daoist Master Lingxu sighed deeply, "Alas, another poor soul lost to love~ Let him be."

"Let him... let him be?" Ling Xuanxiao questioned.

His Master's death, and Xue Yun's matter, seemed to have made Lingxu somewhat melancholic.

"Life is unpredictable. Sometimes I think, why live so tiredly? If I hadn't let go back then, perhaps we would have been together..."

Ling Xuanxiao: Master, your Dao Heart isn't very firm!!

After bidding farewell to his Master, Ling Xuanxiao returned to his peak.

Ling Xuanxiao was filled with worry. Shushan's most talented disciple, the leader of the younger generation, Senior Disciple, was now deeply in love.

How could he support Shushan in the future?

Then there was Daoist Master Lingxu, his Master, who was about to take over as sect leader. His Dao Heart seemed rather unstable too.

This was the best of times.

To achieve Dao and Immortality, to attain eternal life – this was the dream of countless people.

But it was also the worst of times.

The strong preyed on the weak, with the powerful casually taking the lives of those weaker than them.

Ling Xuanxiao mused that everyone was a protagonist in their own story. It was just that a few were protagonists in best-selling, god-like sagas, while most were protagonists in failed, unfinished tales.

Ling Xuanxiao wanted to be the former.

In his previous life, Ling Xuanxiao had contracted an incurable disease at a young age.

ALS.

He had to leave school and was admitted to the hospital.

His condition worsened, and he lay in bed for ten years.

Towards the end, even his eyes could barely move.

Back then, he just wanted to die quickly. Death would be liberation.

Living, for Ling Xuanxiao, was simply torture.

The respirator gradually stopped working, and Ling Xuanxiao felt his life was over.

Then, he found himself reborn.

He had transmigrated to this world.

In this life, he had only one wish.

To live, to achieve Dao and Immortality!!

He wanted to see a broader world.

He wanted to be the male protagonist.

However, Ling Xuanxiao discovered that this wish might not be so smooth sailing...

"..."

Upon receiving the news of Shushan's sect leader's passing, various sects came to Shushan to pay their respects.

Time passed, and guests continued to arrive at Shushan.

The Great Xia Imperial Family also arrived at Shushan.

It was said that Empress Changsun herself had brought the Princess this time.

Firstly, to mourn the deceased sect leader.

Secondly, to ask Shushan to train their unpromising daughter.

Ling Xuanxiao was responsible for welcoming the Great Xia Imperial Family.

Before him, more than a dozen warhorses of pure silver-white appeared. They were clad in thick, sturdy scale armor.

These warhorses held their heads high, their powerful hooves striking the ground with dull, resonant thuds.

Behind these magnificent warhorses, a supremely luxurious imperial carriage was steadily pulled.

This imperial carriage was exquisitely decorated, carved with various mystical and magnificent patterns, exuding an aura of nobility and inviolability.

Flanking the carriage stood neat rows of Imperial Guards, clad in golden armor and wielding sharp spears.

Ling Xuanxiao performed a Daoist礼, "Greetings, Empress."

"Daoist, you are too kind."

The Empress nodded slightly, giving ample respect to the Shushan disciple.

"Sect Leader Master is already waiting in the main hall. Please follow this humble Daoist, Your Majesty."

"Mother, it's him!"

Ling Xuanxiao looked up and saw that the sedan curtain had been lifted.

Sitting inside the sedan were Empress Changsun and her most beloved daughter, Zhao Lu.

Ling Xuanxiao blinked slightly, then his expression returned to normal.

He didn't want the matter of saving the Great Xia Princess to become public knowledge.

He'd just treat it as if he'd saved an ordinary person.

Getting involved with royalty was hardly a wise decision.

To accompany a ruler is like accompanying a tiger; the whirlpool of politics is bottomless, and one wrong step can swallow you whole.

Inside the main hall.

Empress Changsun said, "So you're the one who saved my Lu'er."

Master Lingxu, and the other three Martial Uncles, all looked at Ling Xuanxiao.

Ling Xuanxiao's face remained impassive. "Your Majesty, you must be mistaken. I have not met the Princess."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

Zhao Lu took out the amethyst crystal from her chest – an Image Stone.

Everyone looked at the incredibly clear face of Ling Xuanxiao on the Image Stone.

Ling Xuanxiao narrowed his eyes slightly. This... 4K ultra-clear?

That thing is an Image Stone!?

No wonder I didn't notice it back then. Zhao Lu's Image Stone was just too flashy and high-tech.

Royal stuff, what would I know?

Daoist Master Lingxu chuckled, "Your Majesty, please forgive him. My Xuanxiao is simply indifferent to fame and fortune."

"Not at all, it is I who should thank him properly. Without him, my precious daughter might have been separated from me forever. He is my daughter's savior."

Ling Xuanxiao forced an awkward smile.

Empress Changsun spoke, Daoist Master Lingxu replied.

The Empress spoke again, Daoist Master Lingxu responded...

Ling Xuanxiao, being the junior, had little opportunity to speak. He noticed Princess Zhao Lu's gaze drifting towards him from across the room.

When he looked back, Zhao Lu would quickly lower her head.

Ling Xuanxiao had a bad premonition.

Could it be that... the Princess has taken a liking to me because of this?

Marrying a princess, absolutely not.

Court coups, dynastic overthrow, political struggles...

Ling Xuanxiao's thoughts drifted far, far away before he finally reeled them back in.

A few days later, the sect leader's funeral concluded.

Ling Xuanxiao had been busy entertaining guests during this time and had seen Zhao Lu twice, but he had always rushed away.

Like a mouse spotting a cat.

Once everything was settled, Ling Xuanxiao returned directly to the mountain gate to continue his cultivation.

Fourth Senior Sister arrived on her sword, bringing bad news.

The sect leader Master had agreed to the Empress's request to take Princess Zhao Lu as a disciple.

Ling Xuanxiao sighed silently.

Fine, I'll deal with whatever comes my way.

Fourth Senior Sister smiled. "I saw the Princess; she's truly beautiful. You've got good fortune, kid."

"It's all just a superficial shell."

Fourth Senior Sister chatted with Ling Xuanxiao for a few more moments before leaving.

Fourth Senior Sister's real name was Su Wan. She was a standard "white lotus flower"—the kind of protagonist you'd find in a fantasy romance drama.

A "sweet and naive" type.

The senior and junior disciples all doted on her and harbored feelings for her.

This caused displeasure among some of the female disciples, who would often cause trouble for Fourth Senior Sister.

However, no matter what she went through, Fourth Senior Sister always maintained her optimistic and cheerful personality.

If you find this book to your liking, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.