Chapter 056: Questioning Li Guangjing

Recalling the past, Jianrong had once encountered a creature that was neither human nor ghost—a spirit beast that blocked her path.

“Who goes there? Move aside at once!”

At that time, Jianrong had just completed her task and was on her way back to Tianshan to report.

“Little girl, you’re quite formidable, aren’t you? Judging by your moves, you must be a Tianshan Spirit Maiden?”

“How do you know that? Speak, or I’ll kill you!” Jianrong eyed his shapeless form warily, thinking to herself: These days, any manner of demon dares to roam and cause trouble? Even dares to block me? Is this simply the ignorance of youth?

“What a temper! But your decisiveness is admirable. Those who achieve greatness are not bound by trifles. I appreciate you—and wish to help you fulfill your dreams!”

“You? Fulfill my dreams? Don’t think that knowing my identity gives you the right to presume my intentions. If you don’t give your name, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“It seems I’ll have to prove myself in a duel before you’ll look at me with respect!”

They quarreled and tangled for quite some time, and Jianrong was startled by his techniques and magical strength.

Although his attacks were never fatal, he could evade perfectly and even counterattack. For the first time, Jianrong faced someone capable of resisting the magic of Tianshan.

She eyed him suspiciously, her gaze sharp and wary. “Who exactly are you?”

“That’s not for you to know. All you need to understand is that I can help you! As a Spirit Maiden, you already hold the highest celestial rank, but you wish to become a Celestial Master—or even a Celestial Lady. Yet Celestial Masters rarely ascend or relinquish their post, and Celestial Ladies are rarer still. Someone like you would have to wait an eternity. Perhaps you should reconsider.”

“What are you really trying to say?”

“I have some suggestions. Perhaps you’d like to ally with me, and together we can build your dreams.”

Jianrong snapped back to the present. She suddenly recalled that Yan Shuo had said his goal was to fulfill his wish. This time, he had gone to great lengths to break free from his seal, leave the valley, and sneak into Beihua—surely every move was calculated. So, how did he intend to achieve his aim?

“He’s even willing to forfeit his mortal body and use forbidden arts to cultivate anew—surely to master even more powerful magic. Now that he has a human form and his strength is growing, it won’t be long before he begins to scheme for his ambitions. He changed his name to Shuo and revealed it to me—what does he really want?”

Lost in thought, Jianrong suddenly noticed Bai Yu approaching. She composed herself, affecting a calm and tranquil demeanor.

“Sister, you’re here?”

“Senior sister, what did you want to speak to me about?”

Jianrong smiled and poured Bai Yu a cup of tea. “It’s nothing really. I was just sorting through Master’s documents today and came across an ancient book. Out of boredom, I flipped through a few pages and found some passages that raised my doubts. I was hoping you could help clear my confusion.”

“Senior sister, how do you have time for such things? As far as I know, you’re always busy. Haven’t you been preoccupied with cultivating your techniques lately? I thought you wanted to discuss those issues from the other day.”

“Don’t worry, junior sister. I won’t force you into anything you dislike. Tianshan may be changing, and though I’d like to secure the women’s standing in the Xichun Hall, if you’re unwilling, I won’t insist. Of all things, sisterly affection is the only constant through the years. Since I had some free time today, I just wanted to chat with you about trivial matters.”

Hearing this, Bai Yu relaxed and took a sip of tea. She had thought Jianrong was about to rope her into more schemes.

Ever since receiving a cold rebuke from Lan Shui, Bai Yu had been cautious, careful not to offend Xuezhu Hall again.

“In that case, senior sister, do tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Very well.” Jianrong smiled, feigning contemplation, and after a long pause, finally spoke. “The book contained many strange things, but since you command a thousand doves, I thought you might know more than most—both wise and well-informed. Today I read about an item called the Mirror of Dawn. It’s described as an ancient treasure, capable of unlocking powerful formations… Junior sister, have you heard of it?”

Bai Yu thought for a long while before replying slowly, “I have heard the name Mirror of Dawn, but I’m not clear on its specific use. Besides, it’s been lost for ages, and only the Celestial Lady can activate it. I don’t think it’s of much concern, so you needn’t worry.”

“Only the Celestial Lady can activate it?” Jianrong asked, her mind whirring with new ideas. So that’s why someone is searching for the Celestial Lady—if I really am the Celestial Lady, wouldn’t that be exactly as he wishes?

“Sister, what are you thinking about?”

“Oh, nothing! I just remembered—the book said the formation could disrupt the three realms, altering the stars and controlling fate. Is it possible someone might use it to turn back time, to make up for regrets—say, to find a lost loved one?”

Bai Yu was taken aback, then let out a soft laugh. “Senior sister, when did you start thinking such things? The Mirror of Dawn may be powerful, but surely it can’t actually turn back time! I heard its real use is to create other worlds, to overturn the three realms. Who would go to such lengths just to find a relative or make amends?”

Jianrong’s face grew tense, her gaze piercing as she asked urgently, “So you mean—it could really find loved ones, even bring the dead back to life?”

Bai Yu’s laughter faded. She looked at Jianrong in alarm, swallowing her words.

Noticing this, Jianrong tried to calm her excitement, worried that Bai Yu might sense something amiss.

“Senior sister?”

“Yes?”

“Could it be that you…”

“What are you implying?”

Jianrong’s heart pounded with anxiety, and she cursed herself for her loose tongue—she shouldn’t have asked such things. What if Bai Yu figured something out?

“Could it be… you want to find the Mirror of Dawn?”

Jianrong was so startled she nearly lost control of herself, a swirl of magic already gathering in her palm. “Wh—why would I?”

Bai Yu sighed, looking at Jianrong gently. “Senior sister, I too wish I knew my parents’ fate, but the talk of the Mirror of Dawn is really absurd. It’s not only nearly impossible to find, but also cannot be activated. You should give up on the idea.”

“Give up?” Jianrong wiped her brow, breathing a sigh of relief, and replied repeatedly, “Give up, give up! Really, it was just a passing thought. I was only curious about the Mirror of Dawn, nothing more.”

“That’s good. If you ever have troubles, you can always talk to me. If you find anything interesting or have new ideas, share them! We live so close—we should visit each other and keep each other company.”

“Thank you for your concern, junior sister.” Jianrong sighed, a trace of sorrow in her voice. “Alas, the Mirror of Dawn at least gives people hope—something to strive for. What do we have to aim for? If a father and son are separated by life and death, the father can at least search for the Mirror to try to save his son. Yet we don’t even have that faint hope.”

“Senior sister, when did you become so melancholy? Did something remind you of your parents? The Mirror may have its uses, but in practice it’s barely effective. Even if you find it, without the Celestial Lady’s blessing, it cannot be activated. An inert Mirror is just a mirror—no power, and certainly no way to reverse time or bring back the dead.”

“So you mean, it really can…”

“Perhaps. I can’t say for sure. After all, it’s an ancient artifact—I’ve never seen it myself.”

Jianrong nodded, her mind finally clear. “So Shuo really does mean to achieve this! He wants to amass power and great achievements, then find the Mirror of Dawn, open the Realm of Dawn, and find his son! But every step is fraught with difficulty—why does he want my help? Could it be… could I really be the Celestial Lady?”

Bai Yu, noticing Jianrong’s distracted expression, grew curious and called her back. “Senior sister, what are you thinking about now? You’re even smiling—could it be you have someone in your heart?”

“Of course not! You must be thinking of yourself, always daydreaming about men.” Jianrong chuckled, then, after a moment’s thought, looked at Bai Yu with delight. “Junior sister, thank you for your help. In return, let me do something for you.”

“What is it?”

“Why, helping you get closer to senior brother, of course!”

“Senior sister!” Bai Yu lowered her head shyly, hiding a smile.

Jianrong raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Hey, don’t be shy! You’ll be thanking me soon enough!”