The Transmigrator’s Cultivation

Arc 20: Affairs of Frozen Snow Plains | Chapter 377: Past (1)

Xu Ziqing was somewhat surprised. “Oh?”

There was only one Xu Ziluo. With Zhuang Wei’s memory as a cultivator, could he really have mistaken someone for her?

Besides, there couldn’t possibly be another Xu Ziluo from the Xu family!

However, he didn’t ask and waited for Zhuang Wei to continue.

Zhuang Wei sighed slightly and smiled, “The reason is complex and hard to explain, Brother Ziqing. Please allow me to share it slowly.”

After saying this, he paused for a moment before beginning from the time he entered the Great World.

He spoke of how, a hundred years ago, with Xu Ziqing’s assistance, he gained a spot to enter the Great World. Grateful, he thought he must not let down his friend’s good intentions. Yet, as soon as his feet touched the ground, he could only hurriedly bid farewell to his friend before immediately chasing after Xu Ziluo.

He needed to mention Xu Ziluo’s whereabouts.

Xu Ziluo, being selfish, had once admired Tian Liang. However, after the Xu family encountered misfortune and she failed to secure a promising future, she cleverly used her means to attach herself to a Foundation Establishment cultivator recruited by a prominent family. Upon arriving in the Qingyun Great World, lacking support, she naturally clung tightly to that cultivator, unwilling to leave his side.

Also accompanying her was Xu Zishu, who was used to flattery. With her charming words and laughter, she managed to convince the Foundation Establishment cultivator to take her and Xu Ziluo along, as they both came from the same place, making it most convenient to travel together.

Although Zhuang Wei had arrived, he was of little concern to them and could only follow from a distance.

This group had decent fortune; both Foundation Establishment cultivators were noticed by a fifth-tier sect and, with many benefits offered, became inner disciples of that sect. Xu Ziluo and Xu Zishu were naturally brought along with them.

However, due to Zhuang Wei’s inferior aptitude and cultivation level, he could barely manage to become the most insignificant outer disciple, a mere servant.

Fortunately, Zhuang Wei had a broad mind. Though he felt a bit sour about Xu Ziluo’s actions, he diligently performed his duties as a servant. Though life was a bit tough, the spiritual energy in the Great World was far richer than in the Small World. He remained calm, and his cultivation steadily progressed.

At the same time, he didn’t forget to inquire about Xu Ziluo’s news.

However, Xu Ziluo was not faring well in that sect.

She had originally been a proud daughter of heaven, spoiled and accustomed to luxury, unable to endure hardship. Though she had attached herself to the Foundation Establishment cultivator and entered the inner sect, her status was merely that of the cultivator’s concubine. That cultivator, being quite talented, managed to enter the Dragon Ascension Gate with strong resolve, but he was fond of women. Since he liked women, how could he remain loyal to Xu Ziluo alone?

A fifth-tier sect was considered a mid-tier sect in the Qingyun Great World, with abundant resources, and it also attracted a fair share of unscrupulous characters. Many cultivators with low cultivation but pleasing appearances would do everything they could to curry favor with the inner disciples.

Before long, the Foundation Establishment cultivator had seven or eight concubines by his side, and Xu Ziluo was merely one of them.

Due to her nature, Xu Ziluo was favored in her clan, but now, in the contest for affection, she found herself outmatched by the many rivals, including Xu Zishu.

Xu Zishu was quite favored and had lost the previous deference she showed to Xu Ziluo. For a time, Xu Ziluo found herself constantly constrained, to the point of grinding her teeth in anger.

It was then that she remembered Zhuang Wei.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but sigh.

Now that Xu Ziluo had remembered Zhuang Wei, it seemed his friend would likely wholeheartedly plan for her sake.

And in reality, this was indeed the case.

After Xu Ziluo remembered Zhuang Wei, she began to use him well. She even took advantage of the Foundation Establishment cultivator’s good mood to get Zhuang Wei promoted to the inner sect, making him a servant.

In theory, even if his status was low, being in the inner sect was far better than being in the outer sect. However, for Zhuang Wei, this was just the beginning of everything.

Xu Ziluo had many secretive tasks she wanted Zhuang Wei to handle.

If Zhuang Wei succeeded, she could eliminate her rivals. If he failed, she could throw him under the bus, distancing herself from any consequences.

Such a devious plan was not lost on Zhuang Wei, who was no fool. Yet, even though he understood, he couldn’t refuse Xu Ziluo’s requests entirely.

Therefore, during that period, Zhuang Wei truly did a lot for Xu Ziluo. However, he absolutely refused to partake in anything cruel or life-threatening, which ultimately left Xu Ziluo somewhat dissatisfied. If all she needed was someone to run errands or gather information, why would she need a loyal confidant like Zhuang Wei who would never betray her?

As time went on, Xu Ziluo grew increasingly annoyed with Zhuang Wei.

Zhuang Wei worked hard to please her but could never fully satisfy her, leading to an internal struggle that burdened him considerably.

Over time, this struggle began to turn into a mental affliction for him, and his cultivation, aside from surging to the ninth layer of Qi Refining while in the outer sect, showed no further progress.

This was a clear indication of his torment.

Later, news circulated among the inner disciples.

In a remote area on the back mountain of the fifth-tier sect, a spatial rift had unexpectedly opened. Inside, a storm raged, but occasionally treasures were swept out by the winds. These could be high-grade spiritual herbs or magical treasures that had lost some of their spiritual energy but were still valuable, as well as various other rare materials, all of which left people salivating after inspection.

The entire sect buzzed with excitement.

Since some seriously injured and dying ferocious beasts occasionally emerged from the rift, it became known as the “Wuyao Land,” a place many disciples eagerly flocked to.

However, despite the apparent abundance of treasures within, the storm was fierce. If one entered recklessly, their life would be at risk. Moreover, if word got out to other sects, the rift could no longer be protected. Should a larger sect come to compete, how could their fifth-tier sect secure enough benefits? They might end up with nothing at all.

After much discussion, the sect devised a plan.

They promised hefty rewards to the lower-aptitude outer disciples and servants to go ahead and scout the area, setting up a teleportation array to allow later arrivals to enter safely.

However, even with the promise of a reward, anyone with a bit of sense would hesitate to gamble with their life.

After all, this was a sect of immortals; they couldn’t force their disciples to take risks, lest trouble ensue.

Later, the sect committed: that anyone who volunteered to enter the spatial rift and returned safely would become an inner disciple. If they did not return, they could pass this opportunity on to friends and family, regardless of their status or aptitude, without any regrets.

As soon as this announcement was made, it stirred up quite a commotion.

How could mere severe injuries and a spot in the inner sect compare? Spending time in the outer sect was just a waste; it was better to fight for a chance, as there was still hope.

Moreover, those seeking to secure fortunes for their families and loved ones were particularly attentive to this opportunity.

In just a short period, dozens of people expressed their willingness to go.

At this point, Zhuang Wei couldn’t help but reveal a bitter smile.

Xu Ziqing slowly spoke up, “So, did Xu Ziluo make a request to Brother Zhuang?”

Zhuang Wei’s expression had settled into calmness as he nodded.

Upon learning this, Xu Ziluo immediately went into a frenzy.

At that time, she was being suppressed by Xu Zishu, but once she became an inner disciple, wouldn’t that make her more prominent? Even if she wanted to become a partner with a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she would have enough standing.

Before long, she sought out Zhuang Wei.

Though Zhuang Wei was increasingly disappointed, he truly preferred to take his chances with the rift than continue to act against his conscience, and so he agreed without hesitation.

When he saw Xu Ziluo’s ecstatic reaction, it only deepened his bitterness.

—Rather than saying Zhuang Wei was in love with Xu Ziluo, it would be more accurate to say he was infatuated with the young lady of the Xu family who had saved his life in childhood and taught him to read and write. Later, when Xu Ziluo’s personality drastically changed, Zhuang Wei felt disappointment, yet whenever he recalled the past, he couldn’t help but protect her memory, seeing not the domineering girl but the person who had once shared warmth with him.

Now, in such a despondent state, he felt that even if he truly vanished without a trace, it would still be better than facing the now unrecognizable Miss Ziluo.

Soon, the sect gathered everyone before the spatial rift.

Zhuang Wei leaped in, fully aware that he would likely be torn to shreds, but he didn’t look back, having shed the last remnants of attachment.

Inside the rift, he witnessed many of those who had come with him being shredded by the storm. Zhuang Wei, being the highest in cultivation among them, had his spiritual power leave his body, desperately trying to protect himself.

Against all odds, he managed to find a few gaps and struggled to survive.

A sudden gust of wind surged in, and Zhuang Wei felt a bright flash before landing firmly.

Originally, this seemed to be a stroke of good fortune; however, just as he managed to see that he was in a scene akin to a secret realm, he felt a bloody wind rush toward him. Looking up, he saw the menacing presence of a fourth-order demon beast lunging at him!

A fourth-order demon beast was comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator—how could Zhuang Wei contend with it? His spiritual energy was nearly exhausted, leaving him with only ten percent, all of which he was using to escape.

Zhuang Wei was not a coward; having narrowly survived the storm, he didn’t want to seek death. He made a desperate dash, only to be relentlessly pursued by the fourth-tier demon beast, playing with him like a cat with a mouse.

If he could escape by sheer luck, it wouldn’t be too bad. However, his good fortune was short-lived. A moment later, the fourth-order demon beast lost interest and used its long tail to block Zhuang Wei’s path. It then lunged and clawed at him, inflicting severe wounds on his legs and back, blood flowing everywhere, leaving his face pale.

Zhuang Wei still attempted to escape, but ultimately, he was pinned down by the fourth-tier demon beast. Its fierce jaws were about to snap down on him—

At that moment, Zhuang Wei vaguely saw a flash of purple fabric drifting past in the distance.

Desperate to survive, Zhuang Wei called for help with great effort, but he held little hope—he simply wanted to make one last attempt.

But in the next moment, the fourth-order demon beast toppled heavily, its immense weight causing Zhuang Wei’s chest to ache and make him spit blood. However, he then realized that the owner of that purple fabric had truly saved him.

From a state of longing and suffering to feeling hopeless, and then experiencing a breathtaking twist of fate.

Zhuang Wei’s ordeal had indeed subjected him to much torment, making him acutely aware of his suffering.

When Xu Ziqing heard this, he finally let out a sigh of relief. Without thinking too much, he spoke, “The one who saved you must be Master Le Zheng.”

Zhuang Wei’s face brightened, shedding the earlier heaviness as he smiled, “That’s right, it was Hezhi.”

At that moment, Xu Ziqing finally understood how Le Zheng had intertwined with Zhuang Wei’s fate. Zhuang Wei, deeply disappointed with Xu Ziluo, had been saved by Le Zheng, and as they interacted, it was not surprising that his feelings gradually shifted. However, he vaguely sensed that things were probably not as simple as they seemed.

Sure enough, Zhuang Wei continued, “I originally thought I would be tossed aside upon waking, but to my surprise, when I opened my eyes, I saw Hezhi.”

Translator: Lynn

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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