Chapter 18: An Invitation from the Sacred Origin Immortal Palace

The white-clad woman who had followed Bai Ling showed no trace of any spiritual energy throughout her body, yet to the onlookers, she appeared even more terrifying than Ji Kun usually did.

Some even felt an eerie familiarity with her face, as if they had seen her countless times before, though they could not quite place where.

Bai Zhentian raised an eyebrow, and Xuan Ningyue’s expression darkened.

The woman descended through the air, gradually growing larger in the eyes of the crowd. She seemed like a celestial maiden sent from the heavens, appearing in a dreamlike manner.

Her beauty drew a sharp intake of breath from the men of Liuyue City. Her figure was exquisite, and the gentle breeze in the air perfectly outlined her slender waist beneath her flowing purple gown. Her snow-white legs alone caused many men to swallow hard in admiration.

Zili hovered a hundred meters above the ground, having witnessed everything that had transpired in Liuyue City from afar.

At first, Bai Ling’s explosive speed surprised her, then the appearance of the Wind Shadow Technique left her silent. Finally, the mysterious and terrifying power that erupted from Bai Ling when Ji Jiu’er unleashed the Nine Heavens Sacred Energy Technique of the Shengyuan Immortal Palace made her yearn to witness it up close.

What was the source of Bai Ling’s sudden, fearsome power?

Even the first form of the Nine Sacred Heavenly Technique, a centuries-old inheritance of the Shengyuan Immortal Palace, was defeated.

In the final strike, Bai Ling defeated Ji Jiu’er, leaving her severely wounded. Zili was truly shocked and worried that Bai Ling’s last blow might have killed Ji Jiu’er, cold sweat pouring down her forehead.

Zili’s mission this time was to protect Ji Jiu’er at all times under the orders of the Palace Master, and once Ji Jiu’er severed all karmic ties and ended her engagement, to return to the Shengyuan Immortal Palace. This was her charge.

Yet, Ji Jiu’er’s fiancé had boldly declared he would challenge her, even if it took three years, ten years, or thirty years...

Such a prolonged conflict gave Zili a headache. But a day later, Bai Ling declared a three-day battle.

This made Zili, standing on the clouds, smile like a blooming flower...

What followed far exceeded Zili’s expectations!

At this moment, her mind was in turmoil as she glided through the void...

Everyone in Liuyue City held their breath. The terror of a Tianyuan Realm master—whose very essence could traverse heaven and earth—made no one dare to provoke him.

Unless they wished to court death.

Of course, except for Xuan Ningyue, Bai Zhentian, and Ji Kun, who whispered softly to Ji Jiu’er.

Time seemed to freeze as Zili quietly floated in the void for a full quarter of an hour.

No one could guess what this Tianyuan Realm master from Ji Jiu’er’s sect was thinking. Most speculated that she might be so humiliated that she would lash out in rage and kill Bai Ling with a slap.

Bai Ling stared at Zili drifting through the void, feeling immense pressure. What exactly was she planning?

It seemed...

Things were about to escalate.

Not only had Bai Ling defeated Ji Jiu’er, but the terrifying identity behind her—the Shengyuan Immortal Palace—loomed large. With his current strength, if even one of their masters appeared, he would be dead countless times over.

Now, Bai Ling had not only beaten Ji Jiu’er but had also publicly disgraced the mighty Shengyuan Immortal Palace, rubbing its reputation into the dirt.

When Bai Ling appeared in midair at the black spot, a headache struck him instantly, and countless escape plans echoed in his mind.

The Wind Shadow Technique.

She could fly...

He might as well stand still and quietly await her.

He thought that although he had defeated Ji Jiu’er, it was justifiable in front of so many witnesses.

Could it be that the Shengyuan Immortal Palace’s people were truly so shameless?

But then...

Zili’s next words were like the most beautiful sound in the world, leaving everyone dumbfounded, frozen in place!

Floating through the void, Zili softly said, “Bai Ling! Are you willing to join the Shengyuan Immortal Palace and become a disciple of our sect?”

Her voice was gentle, yet it struck like thunder in the hearts of countless people, making every heartbeat in Liuyue City race uncontrollably.

At that moment,

Ji Jiu’er’s choked voice echoed through the heavens, filled with weakness and confusion, perhaps warning Zili: “Senior Sister, the Shengyuan Immortal Palace does not accept males! For thousands of years, it has only taken female disciples.”

Hearing this, Zili’s body trembled involuntarily, a faint, embarrassed smile crossing her face, but she gave no explanation.

Indeed, she was motivated by a desire to nurture talent. The power Bai Ling displayed astonished her.

With Ji Jiu’er’s karmic ties not yet severed, finding another promising candidate for the Palace Master seemed not a bad idea.

As for fate and love?

They were all within the same sect now, and in the river of time, who said past affections could not be rekindled?

Thoughts like these brought a joyful smile to her exquisite face, leaving countless men dazed.

Everyone in Liuyue City watched with mixed feelings—envy, jealousy, and admiration for Bai Ling.

This youth, awakened only three days ago in Liuyue City and perhaps the last awakening in the world, now wielded a terrifying power that indeed justified the Shengyuan Immortal Palace’s outreach.

Then,

Bai Ling’s response made Zili’s smile vanish gradually. The crowd in Liuyue City was instantly stunned, and Ji Jiu’er, tears streaming down her face, spat out another mouthful of fresh blood.

Bai Ling looked at Zili floating in the void and smiled faintly.

“I! Refuse!!”

His voice rose sharply, responding to Zili’s invitation like a grenade exploding in everyone’s ears!

Xuan Ningyue’s face blossomed with a radiant smile.

Bai Zhentian’s tense expression relaxed immediately.

Only Ji Kun continued to softly comfort Ji Jiu’er...

“What did he just say? Did I hear wrong?” The head of the Ye family furiously rubbed his ear and asked the elder of the Xiao family beside him.

“That kid said... he, he refuses!” The head of the Li family wore a grim smile.

“Ah... ahhhh!! What the hell... say that again!!!”

“Damn, is this guy an idiot?!”

“How could he reject the Shengyuan Immortal Palace!!!”

“Is he brain-damaged from birth or what?!”

The crowd erupted instantly, some even coughing up old blood at Bai Ling’s words.

Such a divine opportunity—the Shengyuan Immortal Palace, with its millennia of heritage, extending a voluntary olive branch to take him as a disciple. Moreover, the palace was said to have only female disciples for centuries, and Bai Ling might have become the first male disciple in its entire history!

And this young man, standing before the lord’s mansion of Liuyue City, exuded an ethereal, otherworldly aura, his handsome face worthy of a prodigy...

Yet he refused!

Countless men felt as if they had swallowed a dead fly, deeply uncomfortable. Many even wanted to immediately kneel down and become his disciple...

Even as an outer disciple or named disciple...

They were the proud elite of Liuyue City, and just the countless beauties of the Shengyuan Immortal Palace made many men swallow hard in disbelief...

Zili’s smile froze in an instant, her nerves short-circuited. Had she heard wrong?