CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER 93: A MALEVOLENT STAR ARRIVES, THE MIGHT OF THE SECT MASTER

Floating Jade City, at the Annihilation Sect’s magic treasure shop.

The female disciples tasked with welcoming guests sat wearily next to their respective shelves, while Elder Wang Lishan of the True Immortal Realm heaved a sigh of relief as if he had survived a calamity.

"Quick! Send a message with the Jade Talisman! A star of calamity has arrived!"

Instantly, a female disciple struggled to leap up and hurried to the store’s backyard to attend to the matter.

「Four hours later, at the Annihilation Sect’s quarters.」

A white cloud drifted leisurely over and stopped above the Annihilation Sect Formation. Below, the various members of the Demonic Path who had been waiting for a long time felt their hearts leap into their throats.

The information they had received was that this was a star of calamity with a highly misleading appearance, extremely high cultivation, shockingly destructive power, and ambiguous allegiance.

At this moment, the Elders were all prepared for battle, and the officials held their breaths and focused their minds.

If one were to look down from the sky, the entire Annihilation Sect would seem very peaceful, but beneath that tranquility lurked churning waves.

「In front of the Sect Master’s small building.」

Wu Wang casually pulled over a rocking chair and sat in it to enjoy the show.

Lin Suqing, who had just been about to enter seclusion to improve her Phoenix Life Fragrance Technique, was also disturbed by the commotion at the sect gate. She sat next to Wu Wang, fiddling with the flower tea in front of her as if the commotion outside had nothing to do with her.

Wu Wang was also somewhat curious about what the disciple of Pavilion Master Feng Zhizi of the Four Seas Pavilion looked like.

The message from Elder Wang’s Jade Talisman was vague and could only be summarized in one word—brat.

"Is this the Annihilation Sect?"

A murmur came from the white cloud, yet it pierced through the Mountain Protection Array and echoed in everyone’s ears.

All the Demonic Cultivators were startled and secretly praised the visitor’s profound cultivation.

And those from the ’Benevolent Emperor Pavilion’s Supervisory Group in the Annihilation Sect,’ as well as the two Heavenly Immortal Realm bodyguards from the Lin Family, were stunned for a moment when they heard the murmur. In the blink of an eye, they transformed into beams of light and returned to their residences.

They closed their doors, windows, activated formations, and sat rigidly on their beds as if they had entered deep seclusion, eyes tightly shut.

Wu Wang: ...

Was Pavilion Master Feng Zhizi’s disciple really so fierce?

Luckily, he had earlier given a few words of advice to the Grand Elder, informing him about the background of this Heavenly Immortal Realm expert.

The Young Master slightly hesitated, then a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He too was keen to see what abilities the newcomer possessed.

The Grand Elder looked quite solemn, surrounded by an aura of blood, as he levitated into the air and emerged from the Formation unhurriedly, then cupped his hands towards the sky,

"May I know which esteemed person has graced us with a visit? May you please reveal yourself?"

A small hand reached out from the center of the white cloud, gently parted it, and created a one-inch diameter hole.

A large eye peeked through the hole and looked down.

A tender and childish voice asked, "Are you... the famed Blood Hand Demon Lord of the Demonic Path?"

The Grand Elder frowned secretly. Had a child come as well?

In the Human Domain, there were countless strange people with unique abilities, and many high-level practitioners enjoyed playing tricks on others. He himself... the Blood Hand Demon Lord had also encountered such individuals before.

That was a close call.

The Grand Elder declared loudly, "Indeed, it is I."

Then came a dissatisfied mutter from the cloud, followed by a figure ’leaking’ out of it.

"What? If you’re here, why do they need me to come over?"

Looking at the newcomer, there was a small round face, a pair of apple-like eyes, wearing a tiny pink and white fairy dress, complete with a fairy ribbon fluttering behind, and a Short Sword a foot long in hand, which suited her well.

With short eyebrows and baby fat, she puffed her cheeks indignantly, attempting to appear menacing, yet she couldn’t hide the sense of liveliness about her.

Anyone would see her as a three- to five-year-old child, one who was exquisitely carved and quite elfin.

Grand Elder: ...

The Demonic Cultivators of the Annihilation Sect: ...

Wu Wang’s lips twitched slightly, and he felt somewhat out of sorts.

Other people’s Fairy Immortals are like those who step out of paintings, either fine brushwork or beauties in traditional portraitures.

Well, well. Pavilion Master Feng Zhizi’s Fairy Immortal also stepped out of a painting, but this painting was definitely from a comic book from Wu Wang’s old home on Blue Star!

And the style of that comic isn’t necessarily serious—most likely a comedic one!

Shen Nong was a pitfall, and so were all those under his command! A three-year-old at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal Realm? They must be joking!

Refund!

Suddenly, the Grand Elder’s voice rang out. It carried five parts tenderness, three parts age, and two parts caution, as if he were afraid of scaring the visitor. Even his surrounding blood qi seemed to retract.

"Little Fairy, are you looking for our Sect Master?"

"You’re the little one!"

The Heavenly Immortal retorted with a glare, "I’m over nine thousand years old this year!"

"Oh, haha," the Grand Elder chuckled as he stroked his beard. His face flushed with a red glow and his eyes brimming with nostalgia, he said warmly, "Then I’ve outlived you by quite a few years."

"Seeing that you’re a powerful senior, I won’t hold it against you!"

The Little Heavenly Immortal waved her hand dismissively, "Where’s your Sect Master? Bring him out to meet me! A mere Demonic Sect leader, reportedly not even in the Immortal Realm, and he expects me to guard him?"

"Well," the Grand Elder pondered for a moment and added warmly, "the Sect Master instructed that if the Fairy Immortal arrives, to identify herself and then go straight to his residence to report."

The Little Heavenly Immortal changed her face instantly, "He wants me to go and report?"

The Grand Elder was known for his decisive killings and a fearsome reputation that could stop children from crying with a mere glance. Yet now, he seemed as if he had committed a terrible sin. He pondered for a moment before adding warmly,

"Our Sect Master is busy in seclusion and cannot show himself."

"Damn it!"

The Little Heavenly Immortal clenched her little fists and cursed, "If it wasn’t for my master... Humph! Take me to see him!"

"Come come, this way," the Grand Elder said cheerfully as he led the way before asking, "Do you want me to carry you?"

"Eh, senior, you’re looking a bit like a bad person."

"How could that be! I am Blood Hand Demon Lord, the Grand Elder of the Annihilation Sect. How could I be a bad person? Ah, if only my daughter were a bit more promising, perhaps I would have a granddaughter about your size by now."

With his eyes filled with lament, the Grand Elder led the Little Heavenly Immortal inside the Formation, flying towards Wu Wang’s residence, one after the other.

「Before long, they were in front of Wu Wang’s wooden tower.」

The Little Heavenly Immortal was scowling, the Grand Elder had an embarrassed look, and both were gazing at Wu Wangzi, who was leisurely sipping tea with his legs crossed.

Wu Wang was in no rush. Although he felt this Little Heavenly Immortal might be troublesome, she claimed to be over nine thousand years old and was sent by the Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion. She should be clear on what could and couldn’t be said.

At this moment, the Demonic Cultivators of the Annihilation Sect, as well as more than a dozen experts temporarily residing in the sect, were secretly observing the scene with their Spiritual Sense and Immortal Consciousness.

The Demonic Cultivators might not know, but more than a dozen experts from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, as well as the two top figures from the Lin Family at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, were all aware of who this ’Little Heavenly Immortal’ was.

The only disciple of the current Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion, who had unsuccessfully attempted to break into the Transcendent Realm a thousand years ago but survived the Heavenly Emperor’s Tribulation, was now vastly changed in temperament, with the appearance of a three- to five-year-old child.

This individual was quite strong in dueling, almost able to fight on par with the Transcendent Realm, and was lively and fond of pranks, earning the affection of the high-ranking leaders of the Human Domain.

The Immortals of the Four Seas Pavilion all respectfully called her ’Fairy Immortal’ upon meeting her, but privately, they called her ’the Calamity Star’.

However, her name was only circulated among the major ’institutions’ of the Human Domain, and she rarely traveled outside.

Unexpectedly, this little Calamity Star showed up at the Annihilation Sect today, claiming to have been sent as a guard for the Sect Master.

This...

Could it be that the Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion held a grudge against the Sect Master of the Annihilation Sect?

「In front of the Sect Master’s pavilion.」

"Wow, what a cute little girl."

Lin Suqing’s eyes sparkled, and she whispered in admiration.

The Little Heavenly Immortal glanced at Lin Suqing. Her small face was stern as she retorted in a childish voice,

"Humph, little Golden Core Realm dares to call me little girl? The year I failed to ascend to Transcendence, you weren’t even born!"

Lin Suqing was even more smitten, and little red hearts popped above her head.

Wu Wang put down his teacup and said slowly, "You, are you the guardian Elder Feng Zhizi assigned to me?"

He delivered his words with firmness and authority, bringing up Elder Feng Zhizi immediately and emphasizing the words "assigned to me".

The Little Heavenly Immortal indeed showed a hint of wariness in her eyes and seemed to hesitate, taking a half step forward, her chest puffed out, her head with its little braid proudly lifted.

"That’s right, it’s me! But I haven’t quite decided if I want to be your guardian!"

"Then you might as well go back," Wu Wang said rather nonchalantly.

The Little Heavenly Immortal hadn’t expected such a response and glared at Wu Wang, her little face flushed with annoyance, "What right do you have to send me back!"

"Wasn’t it you who said you haven’t decided whether to take on this job?"

Wu Wang calmly stated, "By my side is certain to be a place of strife and bloodshed, certain to face enemies far stronger than myself. A guardian with shaky convictions and an incomplete mindset will only be a liability to me.

"It’s for your own good. Just go back."

The Little Heavenly Immortal clearly froze for a moment, then hopped in front of Wu Wang and retorted indignantly,

"You’re the one with shaky convictions, you’re the one with an incomplete mindset! I’ll stay here today! When have I ever failed to complete a task assigned by my master?"

The expression on Wu Wang’s face that followed was quite nuanced.

First, he frowned slightly, a look of skepticism in his eyes. This was followed by pursed lips, as if he wanted to speak but held back. Then, with a look of helplessness and a slight shake of his head, he picked up his teacup for a sip.

Without saying a word, he conveyed more than a thousand words could.

"My mind is fully developed!"

The Little Heavenly Immortal hopped to the other side of Wu Wang, stated assertively, "Because I failed an attempt to advance to Transcendent status, I was nearly killed by Heavenly Tribulation, then I used the Disintegration Rebirth Technique, and that’s why I look like this! I have a portrait of myself from before. I’ll show you!"

As she spoke, the Little Heavenly Immortal pulled out a piece of cloth from her sleeve and with a flick of her wrist unfurled it.

On it, a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl stood quietly.

Wu Wang nodded slightly and commented, "Hmm, you certainly looked beautiful when you were grown up."

"Right? Right! Ha... eh?"

The Little Heavenly Immortal smiled smugly, but then caught on and stamped her foot, scolding, "That’s what I used to look like! I’ve already grown up! And I’ve grown too much! My mind is absolutely sound!"

"Let’s put that to the test."

"By all means, test away!"

Wu Wang asked, "What is ninety-three minus sixty-seven?"

"Ninety minus sixty is like nine minus six, thirteen minus seven is ten minus seven plus three, and I need to borrow ten from the previous..."

The Little Heavenly Immortal wedged her Short Sword under her armpit, gesturing with her fingers in a flurry of motion before confidently stating,

"Twenty-six!"

Surprise showed in Wu Wang’s eyes, while the Little Heavenly Immortal nearly burst out laughing with pride.

The Grand Elder looked up at the sky while Lin Suqing turned to squat in a corner, struggling painfully to hold back laughter.

Ah, talents for cultivation really have nothing to do with arithmetical abilities.

"Then I’ll give you a somewhat more difficult problem. If you can answer it, I’ll acknowledge that your mind is fully developed and reluctantly let you stay as my guardian."

Wu Wang pondered for a moment, as the Little Heavenly Immortal leaned forward in anticipation.

Wu Wang then said slowly, "There’s a cage with both pheasants and rabbits inside, totaling thirty-five heads and ninety-four feet. Tell me, how many pheasants and rabbits are there each?"

"Pheasants have two legs, rabbits have four legs."

The Little Heavenly Immortal earnestly began counting with her chubby hands but soon became entangled in confusion. Cold sweat emerged on her forehead, and the spark of intelligence in her large eyes quickly faded.

Wu Wang stood up, shook his head slightly, and walked into the pavilion.

"This Sect Master still has a retreat to take. Grand Elder, if she cannot answer, let her leave on her own accord."

CREAK—

BANG!

All was quiet before the pavilion.

Moments later, the Little Heavenly Immortal slowly turned her head back and looked at the Grand Elder, her eyes no longer possessing any color.

"Am I, am I very stupid? After suffering calamity, my mind is incomplete, right? Senior Blood Hand Demon Lord?"

The Blood Hand Demon Lord’s aged eyes were filled with sorrow, and remembering Wu Wang’s earlier instructions, he could only show a gentle smile and spoke,

"How about I first take you somewhere to stay for a while?"

The Little Heavenly Immortal took a deep breath, then tilted her head and opened her mouth with a vacant look in her eyes, murmuring ’it turns out I’ve never fully grown up,’ as the Grand Elder used his mana to lift her up and bring her to a pavilion not far away.

Once inside the pavilion, she drifted straight to the bed to wrap herself in a blanket, and the sight of her hugging herself and muttering incessantly made many Demonic Cultivators’ hearts soften.

"The Sect Master’s puzzle is too difficult! How can this even be solved?"

"We’ll just have to test one by one."

"Hurry up! Catch a hundred rabbits, a hundred chickens! Let’s crack this puzzle quickly so the child doesn’t suffer too much!"

Meanwhile, the experts of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion and the two Heavenly Immortals from the Lin Family looked at Wu Wang’s pavilion with a hint of awe in their eyes.

Wu Wang sat on his meditation mat, laying out drops of Evil God’s blood in front of him, his lips curling into a smile.

Indeed, master mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and you can traverse myths without fear—’The Art of Calculation by Sun Tzu’ has not deceived us.

...

Since the arrival of the little Calamity Star, the whole Annihilation Sect became much livelier.

First, she secluded herself for half a month and finally found the answer to the problem, but by then, she had already experienced Wu Wang’s formidability and never brought up leaving again, simply wandering around the valley every day.

Stealing candies from children who hadn’t yet started their cultivation, sneaking elixirs refined by the Elders, eavesdropping at the corners when couples were practicing.

Soon, this Calamity Star became well-acquainted with the Annihilation Sect, poking around here and there, causing chaos everywhere she went.

When she pushed someone too far, they couldn’t help but want to teach her a lesson or two, and the Calamity Star conveniently fought back a couple of times.

Once, she hung Yang Wudi up and beat him for half a day.

Another time, she knocked out Ji Mo and two Lin Family guards and threw them into the bathing pool of the female disciples of the Black Desire Door.

It was Wu Wang who couldn’t stand it anymore and had Lin Suqing call this Calamity Star to his place, where he managed to stabilize her with a small trick and didn’t allow her to leave the pavilion for even half a step.

This Calamity Star was indeed powerful; though the time she knocked out the Lin Family guards was a sneak attack, both guards were peak Heavenly Immortal cultivators. The fact that she achieved such results also proved her strength.

Wu Wang had yet to ask for her name, and he hesitated whether to continue protecting her like this.

After all, he was a Serious Young Master, and if he were to bring the little Calamity Star out, people might mistake him for being a father, which wouldn’t be very appropriate.

After a lot of thought, Wu Wang eventually convinced himself.

Rare talents are hard to find, so he shouldn’t be too choosy.

One day, Wu Wang walked with his hands behind his back to the second floor, to the room where the little Calamity Star was in retreat. Standing at the open door, he looked inside at the Calamity Star fiddling with the Nine-Linked Rings he had given her and spoke warmly,

"What’s your name?"

"Hmph!"

"Oh, Hmph Fairy Immortal."

Wu Wang nodded with a smile and took out a Treasure Sack from his bosom, placing it beside her with his immortal power. Inside it were: the Demonic Path’s secret box—a Rubik’s Cube; the Immortal Dao’s secret treasure—a Huarong Path puzzle; the ’Seven Immortals Crossing the Sea’—a Tangram set; and an ingeniously crafted Lu Ban Lock.

"You’re the Hmph Fairy Immortal! I have a name! Just call me Elder Mumu! What’s inside this?"

"Intelligence toys, to develop intelligence, to complete the mind."

The little Calamity Star’s expression was murderous.

Wu Wang sighed, "Early intervention, early treatment. You don’t have to return them."

"I want them!"

Dongfang Mumu’s eyes were filled with indignation, yet she clutched the Treasure Sack tightly, grinding her teeth.

「Meanwhile, in the Treasure Hall.」

"Cui Jiao my dear, have you considered giving up your demonic practice to start anew?

Your father’s lifespan is more than half gone. He doesn’t have many tens of thousands of years left to live. Can’t you let your father hold his grandchild before his eternal slumber?"

"If you want them so badly, have them yourself! Leave me alone!"