The Mediation of Lan Nuo

Suddenly, a golden-haired youth as radiant as the sun appeared through the dense grove of coconut palms. It was Rand, the Spellmaster.

Xiao Chen, still seated where he was, did not rise. His smile had not yet faded as he met the other's gaze. "You have some nerve, coming before me like this. Do you wish to challenge me?"

Liu Mu, Niu Ren, Yizhen, and Liu Ruyan continued their easy conversation, unperturbed by Rand's arrival. Their calm stemmed from confidence in their own strength—together, even Dugu Jianmo himself would not find it easy to best them.

"Well, I apologize for my former arrogance. But perhaps no apology is needed, since you have already taught me the most profound and painful lesson. That battle you fought so mercilessly—you broke more than thirty of my bones." As he spoke, the golden-haired youth showed no sign of shame. He sat down calmly across from Xiao Chen, his sea-blue eyes sincere. "A few days ago, I still thought of revenge. But today, I have come to my senses. Our enmity is not worth the cost.

"Now that we are about to leave Dragon Island, nothing is more exhilarating than survival. When we step off this island, let the unpleasant past fade away with the wind. My only crime was arrogance and pride, and I have suffered enough for it. I do not wish to persist in error. Today I have come to put an end to our grievance."

Xiao Chen replied, "Unless forced by necessity, who would willingly fight to the death? If you are sincere, I accept your proposal. Let this enmity be resolved."

A smile touched Liu Mu's pallid face. "Rand, I have heard of you, but I never held you in high regard. In my assessment, I could have taken your head within twenty moves. Yet to see you show such breadth of mind today compels me to reassess you. It is rare for one to set down pride so readily—it speaks of a breakthrough in your state of mind."

"Does this mean I have the chance to befriend such a peerless gentleman, rather than remain his enemy?" Liu Ruyan added with a bewitching smile.

Rand nodded, returning the smile. "Once I despaired at the thought of being trapped on Dragon Island forever. The sudden, unexpected news that I could leave shook my state of mind profoundly. Many things now seem clearer, broader."

"Liu Mu, you may have misjudged him," Xiao Chen observed. "Rand has not only advanced in mental state; his cultivation is likely to surge in the coming years. He is a slowly awakening Demigod—a descendant of the gods."

"So my little secret is revealed," Rand said, not denying it.

"A natural-born Demigod? Rand, I am utterly in awe!" Liu Ruyan's coquettish eyes sent out sparks that could steal souls.

"Truly? Then I will never lack for opponents. I shall certainly visit often to spar with you," said Yizhen the monk, also speaking with surprise.

"What? Let me have a good look at a Demigod!" The little fatty approached and studied Rand with exaggerated seriousness, drawing laughter from all. Niu Ren had a gift for lightening the mood.

Throughout this exchange, Yan Qingcheng, whose beauty was unmatched, remained silent. She did not speak a single word, nor did she even look at Rand.

"Brother Xiao, I have an impertinent request. Could you restore Senior Sister Yan Qingcheng's freedom? We are about to leave Dragon Island. Let the unpleasantness of the past drift away on the wind," Rand said earnestly, meeting Xiao Chen's eyes.

"I never wished to be her enemy in the first place. But circumstances have forced my hand," Xiao Chen replied. "Releasing her is impossible. Do you believe we could resolve our enmity? Ask her if she believes it herself."

In truth, Xiao Chen was in a difficult position regarding Yan Qingcheng. Many on Dragon Island knew he had taken her prisoner. If they remained trapped, it might not matter, but they were about to enter the Mortal World of the Longevity Realm, where the Undying Sect wielded vast influence. If word spread that he had captured her, he would face grave danger. Then again, killing her now would bring even greater trouble later. That was why he had not acted rashly.

Over the past few days, Liu Ruyan and Liu Mu had offered a suggestion: create a fait accompli by genuinely marrying Yan Qingcheng, thereby defusing future danger. In their words, if Xiao Chen became a son-in-law of the Undying Sect rather than keeping her as a slave, the sect would have no cause to seek revenge. Of course, Yan Qingcheng must outwardly appear willing. But how could such cooperation ever be secured?

There was also a fatal complication: Xiao Chen had killed Wang Zifeng and Liu Yue, two young masters of the Undying Sect. Though the deed had not been widely disclosed, one key figure knew the truth—Zhao Lin'er. She was the one who had originally passed the information to Yan Qingcheng. If her mouth was not sealed, the consequences would be disastrous.

Just as Xiao Chen was thinking of Zhao Lin'er, she appeared. She actually walked into the coconut grove, with the small, snow-white celestial horse following far behind, unwilling to approach the group, watching timidly from a distance.

Xiao Chen could scarcely believe his eyes. The Royal Celestial Maiden—peerless and proud—dared to stand before him? This was beyond extraordinary. The enmity between them could be summed up in one word: life or death. They had truly fought to the death.

Xiao Chen shot to his feet. If not for Zhao Lin'er, he would never have entered this world. His heart could not remain calm. "You dare to come here?!"

The enchantingly beautiful Royal Celestial Maiden replied coldly, "I have come to resolve our grievance."

Not only Xiao Chen was stunned; those around him were left speechless. What was happening today? Everyone was coming to settle scores! Rand was understandable—his conflict with Xiao Chen had arisen only from arrogance and pride. But Zhao Lin'er and Xiao Chen had been sworn enemies, seeking each other's death. Could such a deep hatred truly be resolved? And her expression did not seem willing at all.

Even Rand found it hard to believe. Though he had been the first to approach, the nature of their conflict was entirely different.

"You, resolve our grievance?" Xiao Chen wanted to laugh but could not.

"Please come with me to meet someone." With that, Zhao Lin'er stopped addressing him and walked toward the beach.

There, a graceful, upright figure stood silently. It radiated aloofness and detachment. Beside her was a small violet dragon. She was gazing out at the golden sea—the woman who understood the Divine Law of Time. But at this moment her body was not wreathed in rainbow light. Because her back was turned toward the grove, the others still could not see her face.

It was no ambush. The others did not follow. Xiao Chen strode toward the beach.

At that moment, Keke, rubbing its large eyes, woke up and saw the luminous little unicorn ahead. Its eyes lit up. With a soft whoosh, it flew over and landed on the little celestial horse's back.

The young unicorn startled like a frightened rabbit, trying to flee, but no matter how it twisted, it could not shake off Keke. Helplessly, it turned its head. When it saw Keke, its fear subsided and it began to study the mischievous little creature with curiosity. The two adorable little beings stared at each other, a truly amusing sight.

Xiao Chen followed Zhao Lin'er step by step to the edge of the golden sea. At last, he saw the mysterious woman's face. Instantly, he froze. Impossible! How could it be her?!

Her beauty defied words—not even such phrases as 'sinking fish and falling geese' or 'shaming the moon and closing flowers' could do it justice. She possessed the very essence of heaven and earth's wisdom, appearing ethereal and remote. Though she stood right before him, she seemed as distant as a cloud. This was a truly transcendent, dust-purged aura.

In truth, Zhao Lin'er and Yan Qingcheng already represented the pinnacle of beauty in this world. This woman could not be any more beautiful in form, but her unique aura elevated her beyond them both—a celestial grace that mortals could never possess, as if she were not a being of flesh and blood but the finest work of heaven itself.

She was the peerless Heavenly Maiden—Lan Nuo! She had shattered the void, bringing Xiao Chen and Zhao Lin'er to this world.

"Surprised?" Lan Nuo smiled gently, like a brilliant rainbow blooming in a field of snow—dazzling and radiant.

"Truly... surprised," Xiao Chen answered honestly.

"When the void shattered that day, I saw both of you rushing in as I advanced. I wanted to stop you, but I found it impossible to turn back. I had no choice but to let you follow. I never expected you would become enemies.

"We all came from the mortal world. I do not wish to see you two fight to the death. I want to help you set aside your old hatred."

Xiao Chen felt deep reverence for this Heavenly Maiden. She was the only cultivator after a long, silent age to break the void through martial might, and she was a woman of such peerless elegance and spirit. He could not help but hold her in the highest respect. "I never wished to be her enemy. What happened today was entirely her doing. I do not shift blame—the facts speak for themselves."

"Hmph! If you had not killed my handmaiden, who was as dear to me as a sister, would I have acted as I did?!" Zhao Lin'er's exquisite face blazed with fury.

"If your men had not cornered and surrounded me, would I have struck back? To save myself, would I show mercy to an enemy?" Xiao Chen countered sharply.

"Enough, let the past be the past." The Heavenly Maiden Lan Nuo smiled softly. "I only ask this: if I wish to mediate for you, are both of you willing?"

A long silence followed, and then both nodded silently. They held Lan Nuo in great respect.

"Good. Since you are willing, then forget every unpleasantness of the past. From this moment, you shall never be enemies. Do you swear it?"

Lan Nuo was sincere in her mediation. At last, both of them swore never to oppose each other again. This outcome left both filled with emotion. They would never have imagined such a resolution. Still, not being enemies did not mean they would become friends; closeness was out of the question.

As for why Lan Nuo's cultivation had fallen so low, Xiao Chen was deeply puzzled. She was a goddess who could shatter the void, yet she could barely suppress Dugu Jianmo.

However, after hearing her brief account, he understood immediately.

When Lan Nuo broke the void, she was already at the legendary Nirvana realm.

At this realm, one hovers between existence and annihilation, the mind and body on the verge of extinction. The practitioner lingers between life and death, contemplating the mysteries of existence. If one fully comprehends the secret of life and death, the next step is the Deathless Longevity realm. But if one lingers too long in this state, it can lead to utter ruin—annihilation of both body and spirit.

Moreover, cultivators in the Nirvana realm experience fluctuating power: at its peak, it can rival that of a Deathless Longevity expert; at its nadir, it may be weaker than even a Spirit-Treasury cultivator.

For a practitioner, the Nirvana realm is both a great opportunity and a great danger. Those who unravel the mystery of life and death break through like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, gaining immortality. Those who fail perish without a trace—a most merciless judgment.

Lan Nuo, at the Nirvana realm, shattered the void and entered Dragon Island, but her power still fluctuated wildly. She did not know the island's secret: it seals all divine-level power. When the vast, unfathomable sealing force rushed toward her, she chose to resist. As a result, this Heavenly Maiden nearly died, sealed on the desolate island.

Lan Nuo suffered a grievous blow on Dragon Island, her cultivation almost completely crippled. But her innate genius prevailed. After a narrow escape from death, she quickly realized the nature of the problem. She voluntarily sealed her own cultivation, and the overwhelming sealing force gradually affected her less.

Nevertheless, the sealing force still suppressed her cultivation to the lowest fluctuation point of the Nirvana realm—which is close to the Spirit-Treasury realm. The physical trauma she had suffered would take a long time to heal.