Chapter 48: Qin Wan’s Blessing in Disguise

Near Xiaoxi Village, a massive mountain known as Mianyang Mountain suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

This towering peak stretched into the clouds, shrouded in mist that lingered year-round, making the whole place look like a realm from legend. The fog danced over the rolling mountains below, as if immortal maidens were weaving white ribbons across the land, turning everything into a breathtaking scene.

The sheer wonder of this mountain was intoxicating, as if one had stepped straight into a paradise.

Qin Wan’s eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes. Gazing around in a daze, she found herself lying on a spotless white bed.

She rose carefully, her expression empty, then forced a bitter smile. “So, I’ve already made it to heaven? I wonder if my father and mother will come for me.”

An old, weathered voice rang in her ear: “Girl, you really are dead! But this isn’t heaven, and you’re not going to see your parents here!”

Qin Wan looked around warily. “Who’s there? Who’s speaking? Show yourself!”

“Ah, can’t do anything with you!” Right then, the corner of the room shimmered, and an elderly figure slowly revealed himself.

Qin Wan peered closely and recognized the old man who had once read her fortune when she was a child.

Beaming, the old man stroked his wispy beard and shuffled over, gently patting Qin Wan’s head. With the tenderness of a grandfather, he said, “Little one, it’s only been a few years—have you really forgotten this old man already?”

The tension in Qin Wan’s chest finally eased when she saw who it was.

Drawing a shaky breath, Qin Wan looked up at the old man and hesitated. “Grandpa, what are you doing here? Don’t tell me you’ve passed away too?”

As soon as she spoke, the old man’s kindly face turned stern. He puffed his cheeks in mock anger and tapped her on the head. “You little thing, after all this time, the first thing you do is curse me dead?”

Ouch… Qin Wan yelped and quickly covered her head, looking wronged. She muttered, “But Grandpa, look at this place—aren’t we already in heaven? That means neither of us is alive anymore!”

The old man shot her a look and suddenly put on a stern face. “Who told you this was heaven? Still, you really did die.”

Qin Wan stood frozen, completely stunned by what she’d just heard.

She stared in confusion at her own body, which looked perfectly normal—she could hardly believe she was supposed to be dead.

Watching her bewilderment, the old man spoke casually, “I’ve actually been secretly keeping an eye on you for more than ten years now.”

“I calculated that your brush with fate would arrive these past few days, so I hurried over, though I was still a step too late.”

“Still, it turns out you weren’t meant to die!”

“Somewhere in all this, fate lent you a hand. That brocade pouch your sweetheart gave you—at the very last second, it forcibly anchored your soul.”

“That gave me my chance to bring your body back. To save you, I sacrificed five hundred years of my own life, shielded you from heaven’s gaze, and snatched you back from destiny itself. Now, even the heavens think you’re dead.”

“You’ve survived your mortal trial, girl. From here on out, both your body and soul have been completely reborn. Your path in cultivation will be twice as smooth as before!”

“Of course, I didn’t save you for nothing. Are you willing to join my Heavenly Mystery Sect from now on?”

Before he’d finished speaking, Qin Wan dropped to her knees and bowed deeply, overflowing with gratitude. “Thank you, Elder, for saving my life!”

But soon curiosity got the better of her. “Still… Elder, what is this Heavenly Mystery Sect? I’ve never heard of it before!”

The old man couldn’t help but shake his head at her innocent confusion. He answered patiently, “Child, I am Tian Xuanzi, the current leader of the Heavenly Mystery Sect.”

Tian Xuanzi looked up at the sky, his eyes full of complicated emotions. After a moment, he went on, “The Heavenly Mystery Sect has been around for ten thousand years. Back then, even if it wasn’t at the very top, it was definitely among the most renowned on the Sword Qi Continent. Our name carried weight across the realm!”

“Those were our golden days—every disciple was a powerhouse at the Sword Emperor Realm. We even had several Sword Saints among us. But everything changed after that day.” The pain on Tian Xuanzi’s face was clear. Collecting himself, he continued his story to Qin Wan.

“This might be hard for you to fully grasp, but listen closely. Ten thousand years ago, children grew up in peace. The Sword Qi Continent was prosperous, kingdoms flourished and people wanted for nothing. It was the kind of life everyone longed for.”

“Yet, beneath the surface, danger was always looming. This world wasn’t just for humankind—there was also the Demon Domain of the Demon Race and the Monster Realm of the Monster Race. Three powers, each holding their territory, neither invading nor interfering with each other. For a while, there was peace.”

“The Monster Race’s Deity was a benevolent ruler by nature. She abhorred violence, never encroached on others’ lands and kept her people in check. The Demon Race, on the other hand, had Lin Mo. After becoming Demon God, he unified the Demon Race. Ambition burned within him.”

“As time passed, Lin Mo wasn’t satisfied living in the darkness of the Demon Domain. He dreamed of conquering the world and merging every territory into the Demon Domain so he could become ruler of everything!”