White Crane, Venerable Spirit Butterfly, Iron Trigram... Bald Shuhang! (Two-in-one chapter)

"I understand. After this trip is over and I return to China, I'll go find the Great Waterfall!" Song Shu said, clenching his fist. Having leaped over the Dragon Gate, the power of his Blood Qi and qi would solidify into true qi. At that moment, he would truly be considered a cultivator who had entered the inner sanctum! Only then would he be able to shed his status as a novice cultivator!

"Hmm... seeing how motivated you are, I'm relieved," Venerable White smiled, then added, "Actually, going against the current doesn't necessarily mean you have to find a waterfall."

"If we're not looking for the waterfall, then what do we need?" Song Shuhang blurted out the question instinctively... but as soon as the question left his mouth, he immediately felt immense regret!

No waterfalls... there's the sky, the deep sea, even outer space and stuff. Damn it, why can't I optimize my "straightforwardness" so I don't speak too quickly?

In front of him, Senior White stood with his hands behind his back, revealing a mysterious smile.

"Senior White ~~" Song Shuhang swallowed hard, wanting to plead with Venerable White —at least not to send him to heaven with Disposable Flying Sword!

But as the words reached his throat, he suddenly remembered his "straightforwardness"... Don't rush to speak; think carefully before you speak!

What if Senior White didn't intend to send him to heaven using a 'Disposable Flying Sword'?

If I rashly ask Senior White not to use the "Go You" skill on me, it might just pique Senior White's interest in using the "Go You" skill instead?

No rush. We can wait until Senior White is about to use the "Go You!" skill before using Onion Lady's memory of the true teachings, "Five Hundred Ways to Surrender," for a final stand!

Although he hadn't used Onion Lady's true skills in the real world, he had repeatedly practiced "Five Hundred Ways to Surrender" countless times in Onion Lady's dream memories spanning hundreds of years... What's terrifying is that he had also repeatedly practiced "The Charm of the Beautiful Banshee" skill in his dreams—truly a memory he'd rather forget...

Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about it! It's so shameful to even think about it!

Anyway, just as Song Shuhang something, he suddenly changed his mind.

He gave a simple smile, "Senior White, besides waterfalls, is there any other way to experience the feeling of 'Dragon Gate Leap'?"

"Hmm." Senior White smiled and nodded, then said, "Not long ago, my understanding of the 'Great Dao' deepened a bit, and I comprehended an interesting ability. This ability can fulfill your requirement to sense the 'Dragon Gate Leap' realm!"

An interesting ability? It seems Senior White really doesn't intend to use the 'Go You' skill on him. That's great! At the same time, Song Shuhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief—thankfully, he had stopped himself in time and hadn't spoken out of turn again.

So Song Shuhang asked, "Senior White, what kind of interesting ability is it?"

The Venerable White did not answer immediately, but instead asked in return, "Shuhang, are you aware of the ability 'Real Illusion'?"

"Real Illusion, I know! It's clearly just a virtual world, yet it has a real tactile feel!" Song Shuhang nodded— the Venerable White's signature Passionate Desert, and that Young Man in Blue with a White Horse...

All of this was merely Venerable White's memory or imagination, but under the influence of the 'Real Illusion' ability, it allowed people to reach out and touch the sand, and to feel the young man in white on a horse and in White Horse robes. Even the injuries sustained in the desert would be vividly experienced upon returning to reality.

Furthermore: the Passionate Desert and the Young Man in Blue with a White Horse were actually the culprits that worsened Song Shuhang's Height Phobia! It's another unbearable memory.

"The interesting new ability I've grasped is similar to 'Real Illusion.' Similar, yet completely opposite!" Venerable White stood with his hands behind his back, a handsome smile playing on his lips.

"Similar abilities, yet completely opposite?" Song Shuhang was puzzled.

"Its name is 'Illusory Reality.' Under the influence of this ability, some real events can be turned into illusions. I've only scratched the surface of this ability, but it's very interesting... Let me demonstrate it for you," said Venerable White.

Mastering the basics? Sounds fun? Wait, senior, let me prepare first.

However, before Song Shuhang could speak, Venerable White snapped his fingers, seemingly having already activated that ability.

Song Shuhang immediately focused his attention, concentrating on preparing for the potential impact of Senior White's abilities.

However, after a moment, Song Shuhang did not experience the same illusion of entering another world as when entering the 'real (illusion)'.

He didn't sense any change in his surroundings.

"Senior White, did you use the 'illusory (real)' ability?" Song Shuhang asked in confusion.

As he spoke, he looked at Senior White with a puzzled expression... Upon seeing him, Shuhang was startled.

Three meters away, the Venerable White's eyes were vacant, and his face was blank, as if he was in a daze.

How come he was talking one second and then suddenly lost focus the next? No wonder that 'Illusory Reality' ability hasn't been activated yet; it turns out Senior White was just daydreaming.

Immediately afterwards, Song Shuhang discovered something terrifying.

The Venerable White, lost in thought, seemed to be heading towards him before he drifted off... Even after his thoughts wandered, his body instinctively lifted his leg and moved towards Song Shuhang.

One step, two steps, and then... Senior White's body suddenly seemed to be tripped by something, slowly but firmly falling forward!

The long-awaited Flat-Ground Fall —because Senior White hadn't Flat-Ground Fall in so long, Song Shuhang had almost forgotten about this ultimate killing move of his.

"Senior White, Stop!" Song Shuhang shouted, rushing forward frantically and reaching out his hands to support Venerable White.

Although he didn't know if his strength could withstand the terrifying impact of the Venerable White's fall, he had to try... There was no other way; Song Shuhang only had the option of 'helping' or 'not helping,' and there was no option to jump away.

The destructive force of Venerable White's Flat-Ground Fall has a radius of one hundred meters... Song Shuhang simply couldn't escape within one hundred meters before Venerable White fell to the ground.

'Have the will but not the strength' describes having the intention to do something, but being unable to do it due to objective reasons (such as physical limitations).

Song Shuhang had tried his best to help Venerable White, but in the end, the distance between White Venerable was only half an arm's length. He watched helplessly as Venerable White... collapsed to the ground.

'Boom...'

A deafening roar shook the heavens and the earth. Song Shuhang felt the whole world tremble. Everything he could see was turning over, and his body was involuntarily falling, falling, endlessly, as if he were about to fall into hell in one breath.

Horrible!

It was like the end of the world... What's even more terrifying is that this time, Venerable White was seriously distracted and couldn't spare the power to protect Song Shuhang.

Song Shuhang felt as if rocks were flying everywhere, and his whole body was in excruciating pain.

Am I going to collapse today?

I finally survived so many episodes without dying from Senior White's Disposable Flying Sword, only to end up hanging from Senior White's Flat-Ground Fall?

Just as Song Shuhang was lost in thought, a piece of stone flew towards him in the chaos.

As Song Shuhang tumbled, he had no way to dodge. In the end, the stone shard grazed his scalp... The stone shard was like a sharp razor, slicing through Song Shuhang's head and shaving off a large patch of hair...

The next moment, Song Shuhang's vision went black, and he fainted.

Mom, Senior White's absent-mindedness is terrifying.

***************************

At this very moment, over the Eastern Sea.

The three pairs of wings on the back of the True Lord White Crane flapped merrily.

The thought of soon seeing its beloved Venerable White filled it with a sweet joy, making it want to burst into song to express its excitement.

Suddenly, a sword light shot towards him at high speed... The sword light was accompanied by meteor Glow Effect, which was quite beautiful. Moreover, the arc of its flight was also very unique, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes up, sometimes down. And... it was very fast.

"Huh, is that Senior White's sword aura? Is it a one-time use flying sword?" True Lord White Crane sensed the aura emanating from the sword from afar.

What's on the sword? True Lord White Crane stared wide-eyed, peering through the 'meteor Glow Effect' at the object on the flying sword.

Then, it spotted a pale-faced, familiar-looking man on the flying sword.

"Huh, isn't that Fellow A-Qi of the Su Clan? Why is he riding on Senior White's Disposable Flying Sword?" True Lord White Crane wondered.

Although True Lord White Crane and Su Clan’s Seven were not close friends, they were still friends in the same circle, and would at least greet each other when they met.

So, go up and say hello.

Venerable White Crane flapped his wings and approached the sword light, waving towards Su Clan’s Seven from afar. "Hello, Fellow A-Qi, how are you..."

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh~~~" Fellow A-Qi responded to True Lord White Crane with a long string of screams. The next moment, the sword light 'whooshed' past True Lord White Crane.

When True Lord White Crane turned around, Fellow Su Clan’s Seven had already vanished without a trace.

That speed is outrageous!

True Lord White Crane: "..."

Fellow Su Clan’s Seven, what are you up to?

After a moment, True Lord White Crane shook his head.

Never mind him. Seeing Senior White is more important... Senior White, here I come!

I wonder if you still remember me, senior? I was that Little White Crane at the edge of the Heavenly Horn Cliff!

The more True Lord White Crane thought about it, the more eager it felt to return home. So it continued to flap its wings and happily flew towards a small island in the Eastern Sea.

On the other side.

At the confluence of the Eastern Sea and the Pacific Ocean lies a Mysterious Island that has never appeared on any world map. The entire island is shrouded in supernatural forces, and even the most advanced technology cannot detect its existence.

Countless colorful butterflies flutter above the small island—this is the home of Miss Soft Feather, Spirit Butterfly Island.

Venerable Spirit Butterfly sat quietly in a pavilion, sipping tea made by her daughter.

At the same time, the Venerable One asked, "How does Soft Feather plan to handle the matter between the Chu Aristocratic Clan and the Void Sword Sect?"

"Junior Sister hasn't taken any action yet. Her intention is to observe the situation first, at least until the battle between the Void Sword Sect and the Chu Aristocratic Clan at the 'Immortal Severing Platform' is over, before acting accordingly." A giant Spirit Butterfly carrying a cell phone fluttered beside the Venerable Spirit Butterfly. The voice of Liu Jianyi, the senior disciple of Spirit Butterfly Island, came from within.

"Very well. Since Soft Feather wants to observe the situation quietly, you should also refrain from interfering in the affairs of the Void Sword Sect and the Chu Aristocratic Clan time being," Venerable Spirit Butterfly said calmly.

"Understood, Master," Liu Jianyi replied loudly. He preferred to observe and wait for things to develop—because it saved him effort.

"Yes, but keep a close eye on the Void Sword Sect's actions. If any of them dare to attack Soft Feather... you know what to do, right?" Venerable Spirit Butterfly emphasized.

"Understood, Master," Liu Jianyi replied... Hopefully, the Void Sword Sect won't do anything reckless. After all, his actions consume a lot of his stamina. Every bit of stamina saved is precious.

Venerable Spirit Butterfly nodded in satisfaction and hung up the phone.

The giant Spirit Butterfly returned the phone to the Venerable Spirit Butterfly, then flapped its wings and happily flew back into the swarm of butterflies.

Venerable Spirit Butterfly took another sip of tea, opened a laptop in front of her, logged into the chat software, and joined the 'Nine Provinces Number One Group'.

Well, the Venerable's own account wasn't in the Nine Provinces Number One Group. So... he secretly logged into his daughter's account again.

Upon opening the Nine Provinces Number One Group chat... the screen was filled with various poses of 'Senior White's emoticons', almost blinding Venerable Spirit Butterfly.

"Huh? Isn't this Fellow Daoist Bai's picture? How did it turn into an emoji?" Venerable Spirit Butterfly asked, puzzled.

He scrolled through the group chat with puzzlement until he finally found the answer at the very beginning of the chat history.

"So, these are emojis made by Soft Feather herself?" Venerable Spirit Butterfly's heart stirred when she saw this.

These are emojis that my daughter made herself.

The Venerable One swiped his finger... and silently downloaded the [Senior White Sticker Pack].

Then, he saw that in the Nine Provinces Number One Group, most of the online members had changed their profile pictures to the 'Venerable White' emoticon.

"Is this a trend in the group?" Venerable Spirit Butterfly murmured.

Since it's trendy, my daughter can't be left behind. Besides, these are emojis that my daughter made herself!

So, Venerable Spirit Butterfly selected a "Happy Senior White" emoticon from among many Venerable White's emoticons and casually set it as Soft Feather's profile picture.

"Hmm, not bad, very good." Venerable Spirit Butterfly nodded in satisfaction.

Then, he clicked on 'Senior Song' in his friend list and checked the chat history between Soft Feather and Song Shuhang.

"Hmm, not bad." Venerable Spirit Butterfly nodded in satisfaction again. It was good that her daughter and this 'Senior Song' didn't seem to be getting closer to a 'romantic relationship'.

Finally, Venerable Spirit Butterfly logged off, completely satisfied...

On the other side, at the border between China and Korea, deep beneath an ordinary house, lies a secluded cave dwelling.

The disciple of the Copper Trigram Immortal Master, the Iron Trigram Diviner, is hiding in this cave in seclusion.

The divination slip from his master, described as "extremely auspicious, extremely lucky, and with great fortune," terrified the Iron Trigram Diviner. He hid in his secluded retreat, not daring to step out of the gate.

In addition, he set up nearly three hundred defensive formations above his secluded retreat site—because of the example of the 'Lay Buddhist Xian Gong' from the Nine Provinces Number One Group, Lay Buddhist Xian Gong was once enjoying his seclusion when he was inexplicably hit by an atomic bomb!

The Iron Trigram Diviner, felt that with his current terrifying luck, it wouldn't be surprising at all if an atomic bomb suddenly exploded over his head. He had to be on guard.

After being in seclusion for a long time, the Iron Trigram Diviner was feeling a bit bored... After all, he wasn't really in seclusion; he was just avoiding 'bad luck,' and it was impossible for him to really be in seclusion for several years.

Bored, he took out his phone and logged into the Nine Provinces Number One Group to spy on others.

Iron Trigram doesn't like to chat in the group, but he enjoys watching the seniors in the group chat about various topics.

When I opened the group chat today... the screen was filled with emojis of a very beautiful senior colleague.

"What's going on?" Iron Trigram quickly swiped his phone to read the chat history.

A moment later...

"So this is the legendary Venerable White, whose aura is unparalleled. Just as Master said, she is indeed an extremely beautiful person," the Iron Trigram Diviner murmured.

After thinking for a moment, he quickly opened the group chat and decisively downloaded the 'Senior White Sticker Pack'.

After downloading, he searched through the emoticons and finally found a satisfactory one—the 'Senior White's Blessing' emoticon.

Iron Trigram promptly changed the emoji to his own profile picture.

After setting his profile picture, Iron Trigram held his phone upright and enlarged the "Blessing of the Venerable White" emoticon to fill the entire screen.

Then, he found the incense burner, lit incense, and began to worship.

"Although we've never met, Senior White, whose Fortune is unparalleled... please bless me so that I may have good luck and survive this great calamity in my life," the Iron Trigram Diviner earnestly pleaded.

After the worship, perhaps because his soul found solace, Iron Trigram felt that his mood had indeed improved a lot?

******************************

On a remote island in the Eastern Sea.

After an unknown amount of time, Song Shuhang groggily opened his eyes.

As far as I remember, I experienced Senior White's sudden Flat-Ground Fall up close, didn't I?

I must be seriously injured by now, maybe even more so than 'Chu Chu'... It's a miracle I survived being hit by Senior White's 'Flat-Ground Fall' at such close range.

"Huh? That's strange, why don't I feel any pain at all?" Song Shuhang blinked.

He Hang glanced at his body and was surprised to find it completely unharmed!

Not only on the body, but also on the ground, there were no craters left from Bai Qian's impact.

Is it a hallucination? Such a realistic hallucination is truly rare.

As Song Shuhang was pondering this, he then noticed that Venerable White's body... was indeed lying face down on the ground! Motionless, as if he had collapsed.

Song Shuhang: "..."

Holy crap! Did Venerable White really Flat-Ground Fall?

Why aren't there any craters in the ground? Did Senior White control his momentum just before falling? If so, why isn't Venerable White getting up? Is he playing dead?

No... wait a minute.

Could it be the effect of the 'illusory (real)' ability that Venerable White used just now?

Contrary to 'real (illusion)'... this ability can turn some things that have already happened into illusions. Could it be that Venerable White really Flat-Ground Fall, creating a huge crater? And that poor little cultivator surnamed Song got to experience Venerable White's Flat-Ground Fall service up close?

But in the end, these real events, under the influence of the 'real (illusion)' ability, became an illusion?

If that's really the case, wouldn't this ability be defying the heavens?

Seventh-Grade Venerable is actually that terrifying?

"Wake up, Senior White, wake up, snap out of it." Song Shuhang squatted down next to Venerable White and poked the Venerable White was lying on the ground.

"Hmm?" Venerable White rubbed his eyes, then looked at Song Shuhang with a confused expression.

Song Shuhang raised his gaze slightly and asked, "Senior White, why were you daydreaming just now?"

"Hmm, I was distracted just now?" Venerable White sat cross-legged on the ground, rubbing his eyes again. "I haven't fully mastered this 'Illusory Reality' ability yet. Sometimes when I use it, it requires too much mental energy, and I accidentally lose focus. I hope it didn't have any negative effects?"

"Probably not," Song Shuhang replied.

Suddenly, Doudou poked its head out of the tent and chimed in, "Nothing else affected, woof, except for Shuhang's head."

"My head?" Song Shuhang touched his neck in confusion. "Is everything alright?"

He had barely finished speaking when a sea breeze blew in.

The howling sea breeze carried a chill.

Song Shuhang felt the sea breeze was very refreshing... except for his head, which seemed a little too cool?

So he reached up and touched his head.

"..." Song Shuhang.

Unconvinced, he reached out his other hand and touched his head.

Song Shuhang: "..."

Before him, Venerable White stood with a solemn expression, his face devoid of any emotion.

"Senior White... um, do you have a mirror?" Song Shuhang asked.

The Venerable White drew his sword with a swift motion and held it up in front of Song Shuhang. The blade gleamed, clearer than a mirror.

Song Shuhang looked at the sword.

The mirror reflected the image of a fair-skinned young man. The young man had fair skin and a gentle face... but there was something wrong with his hair—his hair, which was originally a normal boy's hairstyle, had a bald patch down the middle.

Song Shuhang: "..."

"Let's shave it all off; it'll grow back quickly anyway," Venerable White suggested.

Song Shuhang let out a long sigh.

Unexpectedly, he had been trying to prevent his 'True Self' in his Sea of Consciousness from going bald, but was he going to go bald first in reality?

After going bald... will I become stronger?

"Shave it." Song Shuhang sighed heavily again.

Venerable White stretched out his hand, his palm covered with a thin layer of spiritual energy, and gently stroked Song Shuhang's head.

Three thousand strands of hair, a source of endless worries... have fallen to the ground.

"Senior Brother Shuhang!" At this moment, the little monk ran over quickly, looking at Song Shuhang with a happy expression. "Are you also going to become a monk?"

"No, Senior Brother just wants to change his hairstyle," Song Shuhang said firmly.

"But, Brother Shuhang is very handsome." The little monk put his hands together. "I feel that Brother Shuhang is very suitable for being bald; he was born to be a monk."

Song Shuhang: "..."