[Random Dimensional Ten-Day Travel Pass]: As the name suggests, using it will immediately begin your dimensional journey~ (Note: Family members may be brought along.)
There wasn't really any need for special preparations. After all, it was a random dimension, so you wouldn't know which one you'd be transported to. As for handing over duties…
Ji Huaichu thought that during the single second she would be away from the Shattered Mirror Continent, Xia Fenghua and the others would definitely manage just fine. It was a pity this dimensional travel didn't consume any time in the Shattered Mirror Continent; otherwise, by the time she returned, most of the work would already be handled. But now? She'd probably still have to go help out after returning.
Mu Anqi, on the other hand, seriously rubbed her hands together and packed several sets of clean clothes into her storage ring. Worried her luck might land them in some desolate, uninhabited place, she also carefully stocked up on food and water.
Although she could use points to shop in the other dimension, her funds weren't exactly plentiful lately. Saving where she could was wise; the points saved could not only create a shower of peach blossoms when the mood was right but also be exchanged for future trips to other dimensions. Failing that, exchanging them for a few more items would be great too.
[Randomly selecting travel dimension…]
[Loading—(P.S.: The Nirvana Space wishes the players a happy marriage~)]
Holding Ji Huaichu's hand tightly, the familiar feeling of weightlessness during teleportation enveloped them. When they opened their eyes again, the world before them had completely changed.
Houses engulfed in flames, black smoke and ashes drifting in the air. It was like a muted video suddenly restored to maximum volume—chaotic shouts and screams reached their ears. With a roar, a burning house collapsed.
Mu Anqi couldn't immediately grasp the situation in this dimension. She didn't know what was happening or where they were. But Ji Huaichu reacted quickly. Perhaps it was the unique perception of a ghost taking effect—the moment she opened her eyes, endless black mist spread from her feet, and ghostly shadows instantly surged out, infiltrating the various houses. In a flash, the weak spirits scattered all around were completely devoured.
Such consumption held little sensation for Ji Huaichu now; the ghosts here were truly very weak. Even after devouring several dozen, her power might have increased by a minuscule amount? It was too small to feel, but it probably had.
The instant the ghostly shadows moved out, Ji Huaichu's figure flickered. A figure in black robes floated mid-air: "Where did you come from? The Profound Sky Ghost Realm is conducting business here. Idle personnel—"
A blade flashed, and a section of the black robe along with half an arm flew off. However, no blood sprayed from the cut; instead, a black "mist" bloomed in the air. This was the ghost's Yin energy.
"Aiya! Damn it, you wretched female ghost! Which faction are you from? Dare to report your name? This grandpa will spare—"
Swish! Another cold gleam flashed. The left half of the black robe was also sheared off. The ghost finally realized the situation and stopped talking, turning to flee.
"Wishing you prosperity?" Mu Anqi stared at the black-robed figure and offered sincere blessings. The shadow in mid-air whooshed down, performing a 720° spin mid-air, followed by a sideways flip and three consecutive backflips, finally landing spectacularly headfirst into the ground.
Ji Huaichu reached out and hauled the ghost over, throwing it to the ground. "Tell us everything you know."
The ghost's shadow nearly scattered from fright, taking a good while to coalesce. Hearing Ji Huaichu's question, the layers of black mist visibly trembled for a moment. The ghost stammered, "T-this… where do you two esteemed ladies come from? We are all ghost cultivators here, no acquaintance is made without a fight… ahem, whatever, I offer this entire village's… sustenance to you two…" This ghost cultivator was utterly terrified. Up close, it suddenly realized the immense pressure emanating from Ji Huaichu. Could she be some reclusive Ghost King? Or a grand ghost cultivator from some sect? As for the one beside her… it couldn't sense anything from her, as if she were an ordinary mortal! But how was that possible? That mysterious technique that made it suddenly fall and lose control of its body came from her words! Heavens, this must be a master among masters, capable of controling her aura to seem like a mere mortal.
"Regarding this world, tell us everything you know. Also, the situation with the Profound Sky Ghost Realm, the distribution of powers here, the hierarchy of strength—explain it all in detail." As Ji Huaichu spoke, she waved her hand, dispersing the ghostly shadows summoned by the black mist to various villages to rescue and settle the innocent villagers.
"This…" The ghost was stunned. What kind of interrogation was this? Why ask such common knowledge questions? Though confused, under the threat of soul annihilation, it honestly divulged everything it knew.
…
"To think we ended up in a cultivation dimension…" Mu Anqi didn't know if her luck was just that good. Could this also be a wedding gift from the Nirvana Space? A luck boost?
How bittersweet. Xia Yun had diligently and actively played the game for so long, all to buy a ticket to a cultivation dimension as soon as possible. Yet, Mu Anqi casually draws a ten-day trip as a wedding gift. How could Mu Anqi let such a golden opportunity slip? If time in the Shattered Mirror Continent weren't paused, she'd be privately messaging Xia Yun right now to loudly share the good news.
Well, though there are countless cultivation dimensions, this one might not be the same as the one He Guxia wanted to visit. After all, this world is divided into the Mortal Realm, the Ghost Realm, and the Immortal Realm. The Immortal Realm is further split into the Upper Immortal Realm and the Lower Immortal Realm. Entering the Upper Immortal Realm requires undergoing tribulation lightning tempering, while the Lower Immortal Realm is where most cultivators and sects gather. Those who enter the Upper Immortal Realm must sever all mortal ties, becoming true celestials detached from the world, essentially independent of this realm. Cultivators in the Lower Immortal Realm are divided into two factions: one focuses solely on cultivation, while the other cultivates to eradicate demons and defend the righteous path, taking it as their duty to purge the Ghost Realm, hoping to perform virtuous deeds and rejuvenate the mortal world.
Just hearing this background setting, Mu Anqi could already imagine a whole host of conflicts: between ghosts and humans, ghosts and immortals, humans and immortals, Upper Immortals and Lower Immortals…
If the protagonist were born in the Ghost Realm, they'd probably ascend to the heavens to tear down the gates of the Upper Immortal Realm, showing the world what those "detached celestials" truly are, and proving that even immortals can die. If the protagonist were born in the Mortal Realm, it could either be a tale of seeking immortality or one where, unable to save mortals after becoming immortal, they fall to become a ghost and rebel against the heavens. And if the protagonist were an immortal… well, that would depend on whether they're from the Upper or Lower Immortal Realm. They might be a savior descending to aid the mortal world, a warrior breaking down the barriers between the Upper and Lower Immortal Realms for the sake of clarity among the three realms, or perhaps one who falls to the mortal world and falls in love with a ghost or human, leading to an unfinished tale of "mortal-immortal" or "ghost-immortal" love…
Of course, it could also be an Upper Immortal who suddenly awakens, realizing that since they originated from and were born in the mortal world, they can never truly detach from it or sever worldly ties. They then discover that the entire cultivation path of the Upper Immortal Realm has gone astray, attempt to awaken the other Upper Immortals, and save the mortal beings disrupted by the Ghost Realm, only to accidentally uncover a deeper conspiracy. It turns out, this is a staggering scheme hidden from all three realms!
Just as Mu Anqi's imagination was running wild, unable to stop her brainstorming, a golden light approached in the distance. A leaf-like boat drifted through the sea of clouds, accompanied by a sharp shout: "Fiend! Cease your resistance!"
"Wait, isn't this the Ghost Realm? Shouldn't it be more appropriate to shout 'Ghost fiend'?" Still lost in her thoughts, Mu Anqi instinctively muttered the critique.
The newcomer probably didn't hear her muttering. A long sword appeared in their hand, and several beams of golden light slashed down. In their eyes lay a village in ruins, overrun by ghostly shadows, and a mortal trapped between two fierce ghosts—even if she was still alive now, once caught by two fierce ghosts, she was beyond saving. But if they could subdue her along with the ghosts, it would count as a virtuous deed.
"Not sure if this newcomer is one of the good guys. Better leave here first." Mu Anqi tugged at Ji Huaichu's sleeve. "It's our precious honeymoon. Fighting and killing would just ruin the mood."
"…Mm, as you say." Ji Huaichu glanced at the cultivator in the air, suppressed her anger, and decided to ignore them. As for the weak, nearly dissipated ghost cultivator at their feet? They'd already learned what they needed, so it had no further use.
The layered, busy ghostly shadows in the village instantly vanished into the black mist, which dissipated in an instant. Ji Huaichu slapped the weakened ghost cultivator into the black mist, devouring it, then wrapped an arm around Mu Anqi and transformed into a shadow, swiftly fleeing.
—To prevent this cultivator from "persisting in their folly" and "pointlessly throwing their life away," Mu Anqi clasped her hands together and sincerely blessed: "May you attain enlightenment swiftly and ascend to immortality."
The flying vessel behind them grew farther and farther, eventually disappearing from sight. It seemed they hadn't given chase. Mu Anqi breathed a sigh of relief. Though it was a pity she didn't get to see what moves that cultivator made, it was "no great loss."
The honeymoon trip had only just begun!
…
"Master! Master, what's wrong, Master?!" The flying vessel swayed unsteadily. The disciples controlling it struggled to stabilize it. But their master seemed to have fallen under some sort of spell; in that instant, he became as deranged as if possessed by a ghost. The cultivator, holding a long sword and wearing blue-gray Taoist robes, suddenly released his cherished weapon, letting it drop onto the deck. The next moment, he straightened up, his expression extremely solemn.
As the disciples watched in bewilderment, he solemnly moved his right foot back one step. At the same time, he raised his arms slightly to the sides and lifted his head. He gradually squatted fully, touched the ground with his fingers, and lowered his noble head… Heavens, what kind of posture was this!? The disciples were utterly dumbfounded.
"This… this looks like some kind of bird spreading its wings to fly?"
"Could it be… has Master suddenly had an epiphany, integrating the form of a bird into his techniques, using divine form to enhance his power—is this a new secret manual?"
"No, no, there's no spiritual energy fluctuation in these movements. To converge one's aura so completely—perhaps it's some kind of great perfected mental cultivation method?"
The disciples controlled the flying vessel while cautiously discussing among themselves, no longer concerned about the ghost cultivators they'd discovered below. In their view, their master was suddenly expounding the Dao through physical demonstration—how could they miss this! But after watching silently for a while, none could grasp the profound meaning within.
Until the cultivator entered the "jumping exercise," hopping up and down. The flying vessel was stable, so it didn't shake, but this only made the disciples even more confused.
"What profound meaning does this movement hold? I can't sense any flow of spiritual energy from Master… My comprehension must be too low."
"Ah, we must cultivate more diligently in the future."
"Brothers and fellow disciples, let's encourage each other! Encourage each other!"
The organizing exercise gradually drew to a close.
The moment the movements stopped, the disciples immediately stood at attention, casting fervent gazes at their master, expecting him to explain and resolve their doubts. However, as soon as their master halted, several sharp sword lights wildly slashed across the deck:
"You bunch of rebellious disciples! Your master fell under a villain's spell, and all you did was watch the show!? Where are those two ghost cultivators—"
By now, the village below was empty and silent. Where would any traces of ghost cultivators remain?
Author's Note:
The movements are from the radio calisthenics "Eaglet Takes Flight." The specific form is sourced from Baidu, and the inspiration comes from my elementary school memories. (Also, it's reasonable that you can't chat or talk while doing exercises, right?)
There's one more thing, regarding Wu Sansheng and Bai Yulai. Bai Yulai. Bai Yulai. Bai Yulai. "Lai". Well, to those readers who've been misreading it until now… you can secretly go face the wall and reflect. No one will notice. [T/N: Hopefully English readers aren't having the same problem lol]
That's all. Finally, here's today's little blessing lesson:
Ascend to Immortality"羽化登仙" (yǔ huà dēng xiān) means a person attains the Dao and ascends to become an immortal. It describes someone leaving the mundane world behind, feeling ethereal as if arriving in a celestial realm. It originates from "The Red Cliff Rhapsody". Here, we take the literal surface meaning; saying it to a cultivator counts as a blessing.
Attaining enlightenment"修成正果" (xiū chéng zhèng guǒ) in Buddhist doctrine refers to undergoing numerous trials and tribulations related to greed, anger, delusion, etc., ultimately comprehending the profound essence of the Buddha's teachings. It means one's heart remains unmoved by temptation and their commitment to goodness remains unshaken by threats – this can be called "achieving the correct fruition". In common understanding: Persisting in efforts towards a certain matter, and finally achieving the desired result.