Chapter 3: This Layover Is a Nightmare

Ji Yao had no idea what state she was in, nor could she discern whether the place she found herself was real at all.

She lay submerged in a pool of misty, warm spring water, gazing up at a cavern ceiling speckled with faintly glowing stars. Embedded in the stone wall nearby, a night pearl the size of a watermelon shone like a full moon, its luminous radiance streaming down into the water below.

The warmth of the spring gently enveloped her skin; every pore unfurled in blissful ease. Ji Yao felt waves of warmth constantly washing over her body.

Even the pain in her chest wound had faded. She took a deep breath and dunked her head beneath the water, the comfort so intoxicating it lulled her mind toward sleep.

Two hours ago, she’d stood like a fool before a verdant vine, talking to herself, never realizing the voice she heard was that of an adult woman and not a child.

This woman was no ordinary figure. She was the Immortal Lord of the Supreme Skies, named Situ Jing, who had descended to the mortal realm to undergo rebirth and cultivation. During her ascension, an unexpected mishap destroyed her physical vessel, leaving her soul to enter her spiritual artifact—the Grand Sumeru World Disk, henceforth referred to as the World Disk—where she fell into slumber, able only to slowly repair herself.

By some twist of fate, she’d awakened now. Thus, Situ Jing could consciously accelerate her soul’s restoration and, once complete, perfectly reincarnate and cultivate anew.

Of course, this was merely what Situ Jing had told Ji Yao; the truth of it remained uncertain. At the very least, her identity seemed genuine—such eminent beings always possessed their own pride and would not lie about that.

Yet Ji Yao felt, for reasons she couldn’t explain, that things would not be so simple. What kind of calamity could reduce a mighty reborn immortal to such misery, her soul asleep for untold ages? The very thought hinted at unfathomable depths.

And remembering the delight in the woman’s voice after ensnaring her, Ji Yao could not help but feel vexed. It proved that those lofty figures always had a strange penchant for setting traps for others.

“Cough, cough,” Ji Yao startled herself with her own realization. The air in her lungs had depleted, so she reluctantly lifted her head from the water and gulped in fresh air.

After repeatedly confirming with Situ Jing that she would not be asked to commit any heinous deeds, Ji Yao had muddled her way into accepting the proposal.

Following the instructions, she’d located the root of the vine near the stone wall and pressed a small black pebble firmly. The vine parted along the wall, and where there had been solid stone, a foggy doorway appeared, just wide enough for one person.

Passing through it and climbing a slanting passage, Ji Yao entered a vast cavern, illuminated by beams of light from unknown sources, its space about the size of a football field.

All around, many cave entrances connected, forming a natural labyrinth. Guided as instructed, she entered one passage, winding through its twists and turns until reaching her current location—said to be a spiritual spring discovered by her predecessor long ago, rare for its warmth.

After their agreement, Situ Jing had returned to the Disk, which Ji Yao carried with her, guiding her by voice to the cave, then instructing, “Immerse yourself completely,” before falling silent.

It was only upon soaking in the spring that Ji Yao realized its benefits. The spiritual energy within improved her body, unblocked her meridians, nourished her skin, and even old wounds could gradually recover.

After some time, the scar at the corner of her eye began to itch. She reached up and found it had shortened. The scar that once ran down her cheek was now only a short mark beneath her brow.

Suddenly opening her eyes, she glimpsed her raised arm and saw the skin was normal once more. Checking elsewhere, she discovered all had healed, save for the mark on her chest, which had faded slightly in color.

“Senior? Are you still here?” Ji Yao ventured.

The moon-white World Disk floated to the surface. Situ Jing did not appear, but her voice sounded faintly.

“You must be a young girl, correct? What is your name?”

“Yes, I am Ji Yao,” she replied, lips trembling, uncertain.

“The wound on your chest is poison—a kind that drains vitality. It seems this spring can only suppress it temporarily, not eliminate it.”

What? After all this soaking, she was still doomed?

Ji Yao had believed that such an impressive spiritual spring would certainly cure her. Despite her discomfort, she’d even sneaked a few sips—her own bathwater, no less!

“Is there no other way?” she asked, anxiety rising.

“There is. You must replenish your life force. For a mortal like yourself, a single drop of Wood Essence would restore you instantly,” came the assured reply.

“Where can I find it?”

“I recall acquiring some by chance during my rebirth.”

The cavern fell silent. After a moment, the Disk quivered strangely.

“Hmm… cough, cough, I’ve been asleep too long—my memory is still muddled. Before my ascension, most things I couldn’t use were left with my sect. That likely includes the Wood Essence.”

Ji Yao nearly spat blood in frustration. Was she meant to beg from another sect?

The Wood Essence, just by its name and function, was surely a rare treasure—hardly something they'd give to an outsider. But if Situ Jing herself requested it…

Ji Yao’s gaze burned into the Disk.

“I cannot let anyone but you know of my existence,” Situ Jing said, as if aware of Ji Yao’s thoughts, quashing her hopes at once.

“But I know of another place where Wood Essence can be found,” Situ Jing continued, as if to comfort her.

A flash of light, and a jade bottle three inches tall was tossed from the Disk into Ji Yao’s hands. The bottle’s material was smooth and lustrous, instantly captivating her.

“This bottle, made of high-grade spiritual jade, contains Ten-Thousand-Year Azure Essence I just gathered at the spring’s source. A single drop will ensure you remain free from the poison for a hundred years.”

“What happens if it flares up?”

“Whether you are a toddler or in your prime, within moments your life force will be severed and you’ll appear as an old crone.”

Situ Jing seemed to fear Ji Yao hadn’t grasped the seriousness, so she added, “Just as you saw when you first awoke.”

Was this some kind of twisted amusement? Ji Yao’s face darkened.

“Is that all? Can’t you give me more, so I won’t run short when the poison flares?” she said, shaking the little bottle.

“What, are you frightened? If you wish to cultivate immortality, yet hesitate like this, you might as well seize this chance to reincarnate. Perhaps in your next life, you’ll be free of worry.”

Situ Jing’s tone was grave, and Ji Yao couldn’t help but shiver.

Impossible! She’d only just come back to life, hadn’t even begun to explore this new world—how could she give up now? Never!

She was about to speak when Situ Jing’s voice sounded again.

“Ten-Thousand-Year Azure Essence is a sacred healing elixir in the cultivation world—rarely encountered. There are over a hundred drops in this bottle, which is already extremely precious.”

“Also, do not underestimate this jade bottle. It contains a spatial array; it could hold the water of a hundred-acre lake if needed. This is the smallest bottle I possess.”

Hearing this, Ji Yao needed no further explanation. She clutched the bottle tightly to her chest, guarding it lest it be reclaimed.

“Gurgle—gurgle—”

The cave fell eerily silent, until a languid voice broke the hush.

“Senior, are you hungry? Because I am…”