The Black Lotus Eclipse - Chapter 3

When I woke again, I was actually at Wangchuan Lake.

After Second Sister returned from the mortal world, she lost all her powers. She cried day and night, saying the mortal man had betrayed her, and she was desperate to die.

Meng Po brewed Forgetfulness Soup for her, saving her life.

Eldest Sister was cold and indifferent to love. She offered incense to a mortal Buddha at the Ghost Bureau, saying she wanted to cultivate herself.

“Each one of you, so out of place.”

Meng Po found me and sighed.

“Qing Wu, next month it’s your turn to go to the mortal world.”

Memories pierced me like steel needles, leaving me riddled with wounds.

“I’m not going. The mortal world isn’t worth it!”

Meng Po pressed, “If you don’t go to the mortal world to face your tribulation, how will you ascend? Haven’t you always wanted to go to the Heavenly Realm?

“If you can’t reach the Heavenly Realm, how will you find your birth mother…”

Birth mother?

If I was abandoned, what’s the point in searching?

I shook my head.

“I’m not going. I’ll just stay at Wangchuan Lake.”

Though I didn’t know why I hadn’t dissipated into nothingness, being able to stay peacefully at Wangchuan Lake was enough for now. I didn’t want to ask for more.

I sank into memories, battered and scarred.

Zhuo Yuan’s voice was cold as ice: “Why did you add sugar?”

I steadied myself, searching my mind for an excuse, but couldn’t find the right one.

Zhuo Yuan stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the Black Lotus birthmark on my wrist.

“This Black Lotus…”

I hurriedly covered it with my sleeve, my whole body tense.

“This sugar is my own secret recipe. I wonder what guidance Immortal Venerable might have?”

Meng Po suddenly appeared in front of me, firmly blocking Zhuo Yuan’s scrutinizing gaze.

As soon as she spoke, a wave of pressure swept through the surroundings.

I bowed my head even lower. In the distance, Panguan ran over trembling to appease Zhuo Yuan: “Immortal Venerable, please calm your anger, please calm your anger.

“I’ve searched all the souls who crossed Naihe Bridge to reincarnate in the past hundred years, but found no such person.”

“Immortal Venerable, there’s a fairy named Le You waiting for you outside the Underworld.”

As soon as the words fell, the pressure vanished instantly.

“Enough.”

Zhuo Yuan left in haste.

I looked up in anger, watching Zhuo Yuan’s departing figure. The hatred growing in my heart made the Black Lotus on my wrist burn unbearably, as if a power was surging up endlessly.

Meng Po suddenly coughed up blood.

“Damn it, that bastard’s immortal power is boundless. Nearly made me drink Meng Po Soup myself!”

Panguan wiped his clean forehead and tried to dissuade her, “Aunt Meng, Immortal Venerable hasn’t gone far yet…”

“Immortal Venerable, my ass! Back in the Four Seas and Eight Desolations, I was powerless. After all these years, I finally made a name for myself, and I’m still powerless.

“So what if he’s Immortal Venerable? Bah!”

Suddenly, Naihe Bridge began to shake violently. The Black Lotus on my wrist traced a seal that hovered in the air above.

Meng Po was startled, “Qing Wu, stop now!”

Zhuo Yuan, who had left, turned back and walked toward me step by step…