From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 118: Finally Recognized and Feeling Difficult

Wen Chen. I knew it was him without even turning around. The faint, cool fragrance of plum blossoms emanating from him was particularly clear and distinct in the noisy venue.

"Congratulations," he said softly, a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction in his voice.

I turned around and met his deep gaze, a warm feeling welling up inside me. "You saw it too?"

He nodded slightly, his gaze falling on me as if trying to see right through me. "Your performance was stunning."

As the applause subsided, the organizer of the Dao Discussion Conference, an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face, stepped onto the high platform and announced that my performance in this discussion had been outstanding and had won everyone's approval. The surrounding cultivators all cast approving glances at me, and even the Cold Moon Palace Master, who had previously been hostile towards me, nodded slightly, which was a way of expressing her approval.

My heart was filled with joy. This was not only an affirmation of my abilities, but also a reward for all my efforts since my transmigration. Once, I was a useless person without spiritual roots, enduring endless scorn and ridicule. Now, I have finally gained everyone's recognition and proven my worth through my own hard work.

However, this joy didn't last long. I noticed that Daoist Huoyun's face was ashen, his fists clenched, and his eyes almost spitting fire. He hadn't expected to be defeated so thoroughly by me, and his resentment towards me deepened. I felt a strong killing intent emanating from him, which made me shudder.

I quietly slipped my hand into my sleeve and gripped the defensive talisman hidden inside. I knew that Daoist Huoyun was vengeful and would likely retaliate against me.

"Xiao Yao, you are quite good." A cheerful voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up and saw True Monarch Ziyang standing in front of me with an appreciative smile on his face. "Your discourse is profound yet simple, thought-provoking, and even I have benefited greatly from it."

I quickly replied modestly, "You flatter me, Your Excellency. I only offered my humble assistance."

Ziyang Zhenjun smiled and shook his head, saying, "No need to be modest. Your talent is evident to all. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely have a good discussion with you."

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With Master Ziyang's words, I believed Daoist Huoyun wouldn't dare to attack me easily. After all, Master Ziyang was a highly respected senior in the cultivation world, and even Daoist Huoyun wouldn't dare to offend him lightly.

Just as I was about to thank True Lord Ziyang, I suddenly felt a cold gaze fall upon me. I turned my head and saw Fairy Qinglian standing not far away, looking at me with a complex expression. In her eyes, there was admiration, jealousy, and some other emotions that I couldn't understand.

I nodded slightly to her, but she didn't respond; she simply turned and walked away silently. Her retreating figure appeared somewhat forlorn and lonely.

Wen Chen gently placed his hand on my shoulder. "Let's go too." His voice was soft, but carried an undeniable firmness.

I nodded and followed him out of the venue. The noise gradually faded away, but my heart sank.

"Wait..." I stopped in my tracks.

"What's wrong?" Wen Chen looked at me with a puzzled expression.

I stared in the direction where Fairy Qinglian had disappeared, and a strange unease suddenly welled up in my heart... "I... I feel like Fairy Qinglian doesn't seem very happy."

Wen Chen glanced in the direction of my gaze and said calmly, "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. She has always been proud, and she is naturally unhappy to have been defeated by you today."

His words made sense, but I still felt things weren't that simple. The Azure Lotus Fairy's eyes held more than just disappointment; they seemed to... conceal some secret. I shook my head; perhaps I was overthinking it.

"Xiao Yao." A clear, cold voice came from behind.

I turned my head and saw Palace Mistress Lengyue walking towards me. She was still dressed in her ice-blue palace gown, exuding an air of arrogance, but her eyes held less of their previous disdain and more of a scrutinizing gaze. I was somewhat surprised, considering her rather unfriendly attitude towards me before our discussion.

"Your performance has exceeded my expectations." The Cold Moon Palace Master's voice remained indifferent, but there was a hint of barely perceptible approval in her tone. "Your understanding of the Dao is very insightful."

I quickly replied humbly, "You flatter me, Your Highness. I still need to continue to work hard."

Palace Mistress Lengyue nodded slightly, acknowledging my humility. "The path of cultivation is long; never be arrogant or complacent." With that, she turned and left, her back still aloof, but no longer as unapproachable as before.

As I watched her retreating figure, I was filled with mixed emotions. From initial disdain to current acceptance, the road I've traveled has not been easy.

Wen Chen gently patted my shoulder. "Let's go."

I nodded and was about to leave with him when a cheerful voice called out to me.

"Miss Xiao Yao, please wait!"

I turned around and saw the carefree hermit walking towards me with a smile. He was dressed in a plain-colored robe, holding a folding fan in his hand, looking dashing and unrestrained.

"Your discourse on the Dao is absolutely brilliant; I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it!" The Wandering Hermit walked up to me, his eyes filled with admiration. "Your understanding of the Dao is unique and refreshing."

I felt a little embarrassed by his praise and could only smile modestly.

“No need to be modest, your talent is obvious to all,” the carefree hermit said with a smile. “I look forward to discussing the Dao with you again next time.” His smile carried a hint of slyness, yet also a touch of sincere anticipation.

Just as I was about to reply, I suddenly felt a strong gaze upon me, burning hot, almost melting me... I jerked my head to look at the source of the gaze...

The carefree hermit smiled and told me he looked forward to our next discussion. I smiled back, but felt a little unreal about this sudden recognition. From a useless person with no spiritual roots to now receiving praise from these senior figures in the cultivation world, only I know the hardships I've endured.

I was immersed in joy when I suddenly felt a strong gaze fall on me, burning with a heat that almost melted me. I turned my head sharply to look at the source of the gaze—it was Daoist Huoyun. He was always hot-tempered and had argued with me during our discussions on Dao, but now he was looking at me with a complex expression, with admiration, and also… a hint of barely perceptible guilt?

Before I could think it through, a loud voice rang out: "Xiao Yao!" I looked in the direction of the voice and saw True Monarch Ziyang walking towards me. He had white hair and a youthful face, and possessed an air of otherworldly elegance; he was a highly respected figure in the cultivation world. I quickly bowed respectfully: "Greetings, True Monarch."

Ziyang Zhenjun smiled kindly, walked up to me, took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to me: "This is my understanding of the Dao over the years, I hope it will be of some help to you."

I accepted the jade slip, my heart pounding with excitement. This was the cultivation insights of True Monarch Ziyang, a treasure coveted by countless cultivators! I quickly bowed again, my gratitude overflowing: "Thank you for your generous gift, True Monarch!"

Ziyang Zhenjun patted my shoulder and said earnestly, "The path of cultivation is long and arduous; never slacken your efforts." His words were full of encouragement and expectation, which made me even more determined to pursue my path of cultivation.

The surrounding cultivators cast envious glances my way, and I felt an unprecedented sense of accomplishment. Once, I was a good-for-nothing ridiculed by everyone; now, I stand here, recognized by all.

I gripped the jade slip tightly in my hand, feeling its warm touch, and my heart was filled with hope. I looked up at the sky; it was cloudless and sunny, as if foreshadowing a bright future for me.

Just as I was immersed in the joy of victory and the surprise of my gains, Wen Chen suddenly appeared. His expression was somewhat serious. He walked to my side and whispered, "Xiao Yao..."

The warm jade slip was still in my hand, and the encouraging words of True Lord Ziyang seemed to still echo in my ears. I was immersed in this hard-won joy, as if I were floating on clouds. But this blissful feeling did not last long before it was interrupted by a sudden, deep voice.

“Xiao Yao…”

I turned my head and saw Wen Chen standing beside me, dressed in pristine white, like a celestial being. However, a faint gloom hung over his brow today, and his lips no longer held their usual gentle smile. His gaze was complex and unreadable, containing both relief and…worry?

My heart tightened, and a strange unease quickly spread, overshadowing my previous joy. "What's wrong?" I asked, forcing down my nervousness and trying to sound casual.

He took a deep breath, seemingly trying to organize his thoughts, but in the end he only said briefly: "There is unusual activity in the Demon Realm."

Four simple words, yet they exploded in my ears like a thunderclap. Anomalies in the Demon Realm? I knew all too well what this meant. I had read in ancient texts about demon invasions—catastrophes that ravaged humanity, leaving countless lives lost and rivers of blood flowing. Was such a calamity about to repeat itself?

I gripped the jade slip tightly in my hand, my fingertips turning white, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of my chest. I tried to remain calm, took a deep breath, and asked, "Is the situation serious?"

Wen Chen's expression grew increasingly grave. He slowly nodded and said in a deep voice, "The demonic energy is constantly seeping in, and the seal probably won't last much longer. The various factions have already begun discussing countermeasures, and a great battle is probably inevitable." He paused, his gaze fixed on my eyes, and his tone carried a barely perceptible plea, "Xiao Yao, I hope you... can come with me."

His words surprised me. I know that eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path is the responsibility of every cultivator, and I have always strived to cultivate for this purpose, but... I never imagined that I would face such a significant crisis so soon. My first instinct was to refuse, to run away; after all, I am still very weak, and I am not ready.

But when I saw the deep worry in Wen Chen's eyes, and the expectation hidden beneath them, all the words of refusal stuck in my throat. I knew he needed me, I knew the cultivation world needed me, and I knew I couldn't back down.

I remained silent for a moment, my thoughts racing. Once, I was a useless nobody, bullied by everyone. Now, I've finally gained recognition, I've gained power. Am I going to stand by and watch all of this be destroyed by the demons? Am I going to let everyone down? No! I can't!

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in my heart. I looked at Wen Chen, my gaze firm, and slowly began to speak: "I..."