After a while, the painting seemed to come alive as the scenery looked as if it was real.

　　Shen Lian was entranced until his breathing and blood circulation had stopped.

　　Yang Miaoyun saw a colorful fume coming out of Shen Lian’s head and within seconds he followed the fume into the landscape painting. She was a student of Taisu, of course, she knew that the colorful fume was Shen Lian’s Primordial Spirit.

　　Whether she would like to admit it or not, the difference between them now was that of the celestial and the commoner. She could not help but sigh in her heart.

　　When Zhao Xiaoyu saved her then, she did inform Yang Miaoyun about the existence of the Curse of Love within her, and that the curse was planted by Shen Lian. Despite that, she did not ask Zhao Xiaoyu to get rid of it.

　　In the beginning, she used it as something she could rely on so that she would not feel bored with the peaceful life within the secret environment.

　　She did not expect that she would have the opportunity to see Shen Lian again.

　　The scenery Shen Lian just entered was a divine region formed by Zhao Xiaoyu after she became a celestial. If not because of Yang Miaoyun’s wish that woke up Zhao Xiaoyu, the painting would not open. If others were right outside, without the permission of Zhao Xiaoyu, they would not be able to enter.

　　Clouds surrounded the mountain, and at the foot of the mountain, there was clear water. Some lotus waved along with the wind – it was a charming scene.

　　Zhao Xiaoyu had been waiting for Shen Lian. She stood by the lake. It was hard to say whether her beauty or the beauty of the scenery was superior.

　　“Every time I see you, I feel defeated because regardless of how hard I work, I am still chasing after you.” Zhao Xiaoyu’s beautiful hair was let down, and the humidity of the lake stopped it from flowing around.

　　Her pressed brows made people feel pity for her.

　　The most soul-stirring view was the hideous injury underneath the thin silk that was covering her body. There was still some blood. Shen Lian knew that not many people could deal such a severe injury to Zhao Xiaoyu in this world. She was really injured, as her injury could not heal.

　　After she completed the Book of Nine Lotus, her body was supposed to be divine, but as there was still blood, it came to show that the technique used had the ability to turn everything into its original state. That was the reason why the wound at her injury was reverted back to that of a common human.

　　Otherwise, it was hard to injure the body of a celestial which was intangible and without a physical form, and even if it did happen, it could be healed using the wishes of the masses.

　　Shen Lian did not continue on what Zhao Xiaoyu said, but instead, he said, “Initially I thought it was Yanxu who had injured you, but now I know it is not him, so who was it?”

　　Zhao Xiaoyu looked at Shen Lian and sighed, “It was Fairy Tianmeng. She carried the Taisu Sword along with her and I did not expect that the sword had such a powerful prohibition against celestials. Also, I did not expect for her to have achieved Daoist immortality without anyone knowing.”

　　“Taisu is the beginning of tangible things. Your body is supposed to be intangible, without a physical form. Hence it is difficult for any techniques to injure you, but under Taisu, the body of the celestial will be infected by the power of Taisu. It will first be tangible, then physical. It is not surprising that you were injured due to your miscalculation. It also explains one thing, she came prepared.” Shen Lian went straight to the point.

　　Zhao Xiaoyu said, “You’re right, with my cultivation experience, I would usually be able to realize something before it happened. However, up until she got to Mount Jimo, then I detected it slightly. That was why I suffered a loss. Fortunately, I had some serendipity which allowed me to escape, but for my injury, without your help, I guess it will not heal.”

　　Shen Lian spoke with a deep voice, “It was not serendipity that allowed you to escape, it was her intention.

　　Zhao Xiaoyu was shocked. She lowered her head and thought for a while. A sharp look flashed through her eyes as she said, “That is true indeed. I should have realized.”

　　“But why would you not realize?” Shen Lian spoke very softly, but his voice fell on Zhao Xiaoyu’s mind like thunder.

　　The gloominess that was clouding her mind was suddenly dispelled. Her bier and the Purple Palace was immaculate. She finally understood a lot of things.

　　There was a moment of silence, before she said, “The injury will require your origins of the five elements, in order to get rid of the power of Taisu.”

　　Taisu, Taiyi, Taichu, Taishi, and Taichi were collectively known as the Innate Five Tais. The Innate Five Tais was none other than the five elements. As such, Shen Lian’s origin of the five elements could impact this innate power of Taisu.

　　She then said, “Mana can be recovered quickly with the consumption of Qi. However, if you use the energy from the Primordial Spirit, even if it uses up just a little, you will need a long time to recover. If you heal my injury, how long will it take for you to return to your peak?”

　　Shen Lian said, “Short of three years, long of five.”

　　Zhao Xiaoyu said, “Within the next three years, do you have any pressing matter?”

　　Shen Lian said, “Yes.”

　　Zhao Xiaoyu said, “Stop healing me.”

　　Because she now understood one thing – the reason why someone hurt her was to weaken Shen Lian, and the urgent matter was probably something of an imminent danger.

　　Shen Lian said, “If I don’t save you, you won’t live past a year. Even if I possess Tongtian Skill, I can at most make you live for another two more years. Till then, even with the Nine Transformations Golden Elixir, you won’t come back alive.”

　　Zhao Xiaoyu smiled, “Shen Lian, do you really think I am afraid of death? Ever since I took over Nine Lotus Order from the honored master, what I am looking for is not immortality, but to be able to achieve something a lot of people can’t – to become the most impressive successor of Nine Lotus Order. I am not sure if I have achieved it.”

　　Shen Lian said, “You already achieved it, even if the honorable founder of Nine Lotus comes back to live, she won’t be more outstanding than you.”

　　“This mountain, this water is so beautiful, but they are illusory. Life is like a dream, and there aren’t many who are happy. If I have to die, so be it.” The edge of her lips curved upwards slightly, she smiled.

　　The acceptance in her eyes could move even Shen Lian. That was the gaze of the purest Daoist – there was no fear of death, for fate, and even the ancestors could not limit the potential.

　　“You won’t die,” Shen Lian said every word with pauses.

　　Zhao Xiaoyu’s beautiful eyes gazed at Shen Lian and she replied, “I know that Fairy Ziling’s achievement in Taixu Strategy is above you, with the special characteristic of instant connection, she can transfer the energy source of the Primordial Spirit based on the Yin and Yang principle to you, which is then converted to the five elements. However, given Qing Xuan’s terrible situation now, if Fairy Ziling has to take a break because of this, your situation will be worse. Furthermore, you have that urgent matter pending.”

　　Shen Lian spoke slowly, “The grandmaster’s condition is quite unusual right now, she can’t do it.”

　　Zhao Xiaoyu said, “What is the way?”

　　“Do you forget that Lu Jiuyuan exists in this world?” Shen Lian’s face looked relaxed as he spoke slowly.

　　Zhao Xiaoyu said nothing.

　　“I will bring you to him. Whether it succeeds or not, let’s just give it a try. I’ve been wanting to meet him for a long time, and I am sorry to say I will use you as an excuse,” Shen Lian spoke softly.

　　“Shen Lian, do you know that almost nobody of our generation is willing to see Lu Jiuyuan?”