Journey Through Realms: Fulfilling Last Wishes

Chapter 29: The Demonic Sect’s Innocent Lotus

Shen Yu and An Ran entered the grand hall together, holding hands. An Ran had not covered her face with a veil, allowing the gathered guests to see her clearly. She looked beautiful but not so stunning as to leave people in awe. Many guests found it puzzling how someone so ordinary could capture the heart of the young master of the Shen family.

An Ran, however, paid no mind to their stares. She had lost all capacity for independent thought, overwhelmed by the moment and entirely reliant on Shen Yu to guide her forward. For the first time in her life, she was the center of so much attention, and the nervousness would have made her retreat if Shen Yu hadn’t been beside her.

“Ran Ran, don’t be nervous. We’re about to start the ceremony,” Shen Yu whispered reassuringly.

“I’m not nervous, Brother Shen Yu,” An Ran replied, taking a deep breath and smiling at him.

The master of ceremonies stepped forward. “Will the bride and groom please come forward?” He announced, guiding Shen Yu and An Ran to stand before Shen Mie.

“First, bow to the heavens and earth.”

Shen Yu and An Ran turned outward and knelt in respect.

“Second, bow to your elders.”

They turned to face Shen Mie and Mu Xiaodong, bowing deeply. Since An Ran had no parents, they had decided after much deliberation to ask Mu Xiaodong to act as her elder for the ceremony.

“Finally, bow to each other.”

Facing each other, Shen Yu and An Ran bowed once more.

“With that, the ceremony is complete,” the master of ceremonies declared.

As the announcement was made, Shen Yu and An Ran straightened up, sharing a smile filled with mutual joy and contentment.

Shen Mie stood up, addressing the guests. “Today, I invited you all here for two reasons. The first is to witness my son’s marriage. The second is to address, and perhaps put an end to, the matter of my daughter-in-law being labeled as the medicinal catalyst for the so-called elixir of immortality.”

He paused, scanning the room. The sight of these unwelcome guests darkened his mood, but he kept himself in check.

“To that end,” Shen Mie continued, “I have invited someone many of you know—some of you, in fact, share deep connections with him. However, those connections no longer matter.”

With a wave of his hand, Gu Lao was brought into the hall, bound and guarded.

“Shen Sect Master, what is the meaning of this? I am already your prisoner. How else do you intend to humiliate me?” Gu Lao sneered as he was led in, his gaze sweeping over the room. He recognized many of the attendees, including two supposed allies he had thought dead. Their presence left him even more confused.

“Gu Lao, you misunderstand me,” Shen Mie replied calmly. “I am genuinely curious about this elixir of immortality you boast about. Since you are so confident, I’ve prepared all the materials you need to make one. Let’s see it for ourselves.”

Gu Lao narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“Shen Sect Master, you must be joking. I won’t fall for your tricks again.”

“I assure you, this is no trick,” Shen Mie said with a sincere tone, signaling for the materials to be brought in.

Eight attendants entered, each carrying items ranging from herbs to alchemical tools, including a furnace. Gu Lao recognized many of these as his own belongings, confiscated after his capture.

“Inspect them,” Shen Mie said. “If anything is missing, let us know. Otherwise, you may begin.”

Gu Lao hesitated but couldn’t resist the opportunity. After inspecting the materials and finding them in order, he spoke, “Everything seems fine, but I still need one crucial ingredient. I trust I don’t need to spell it out?”

“Of course not,” Shen Mie replied, producing a small vial from his sleeve and handing it to a subordinate to deliver to Gu Lao.

Gu Lao opened the vial, sniffing its contents. “No doubt about it—this is An Ran’s blood. Shen Sect Master, I’m surprised you would part with so much of it. Doesn’t the young master mind?” He taunted.

Shen Yu, standing nearby, interrupted impatiently, “Enough talk! If everything is in order, get started already.”

Gu Lao smirked, unfazed.

“Fine, fine. Let’s see who regrets this in the end.”

He began his work with practiced precision. The hall fell silent, save for the clinking of tools and the occasional bubbling from the furnace. Meanwhile, the tension among the guests was palpable. Some whispered nervously, unsure of the Shen family’s true intentions. Even the Sword Sea Manor’s young master, Qin Yuan, seemed restless.

“Stay put! Didn’t I tell you not to act impulsively?” Hissed his father, the manor’s master, holding him firmly. Ever since learning of An Ran’s wedding, Qin Yuan had been emotionally volatile, and now, seeing her in person, he could barely contain himself.

Hours passed, and the day turned into night. Gu Lao’s work was nearly complete, with fewer and fewer materials remaining by his side. Suddenly, he erupted into laughter.

“It’s done! After all these years, I’ve finally succeeded!” Gu Lao declared triumphantly, opening the furnace to reveal a single red pill.

The fragrance wafted through the air, invigorating everyone who smelled it. The guests exchanged astonished glances, thinking the elixir must be real.

“Well, it seems you’ve succeeded,” Shen Mie remarked calmly. “Now, who will volunteer to test it for Gu Lao?”

Shen Mie showed no signs of panic even as Gu Lao’s experiment seemed to succeed. Instead, he calmly posed a new question:

“Now that the pill is complete, who will volunteer to test it?”

The excitement among the guests quickly faded, replaced by unease. No one was willing to step forward and act as a guinea pig.

“There’s no need for anyone else. I, Gu Lao, will test it myself. But remember, there’s only one pill. If I take it, don’t regret missing your chance.”

Annoyed by the guests’ hesitation and distrust, Gu Lao took matters into his own hands. Without giving anyone else the opportunity, he swallowed the pill.

Some of the guests, who had just begun to muster the courage to volunteer, were taken aback as Gu Lao consumed it. They could only watch as he stood motionless, waiting to see the effects.

At first, there were no changes. Then, gradually, Gu Lao’s hair began to darken, his skin smoothed out, and his hunched posture straightened.

The crowd was stunned by the miraculous transformation, marveling at the apparent power of the pill. Some began scheming to obtain the recipe for themselves.

But the wonder quickly turned to horror. Gu Lao’s skin darkened unnaturally, his body trembled, and he could no longer stand. Blood filled his mouth, silencing his attempts to speak. Moments later, his entire body disintegrated into a pool of blood.

The guests were terrified. The man who had seemed to rejuvenate just moments ago had now dissolved into a gruesome sight. The stark contrast was a shocking blow to everyone present.

Shen Mie took the opportunity to address the stunned crowd.

“As you can see, there is no such thing as an elixir of immortality. The so-called recipe was a lie created by the first master of the Medicine King Valley to inspire hope among his disciples. Unfortunately, some took it too seriously. The Medicine King Valley intended to dispel this myth in their generation, but they were annihilated before they could. What you witnessed here today is no elixir of life but a deadly poison.”

Before the guests could fully process his words, a sharp scream broke the silence.

“Brother Shen Yu… Qin Yuan, what are you doing?”

Shen Mie turned to see An Ran crying out in panic. While Shen Yu and An Ran had been standing nearby, Qin Yuan suddenly emerged from behind a pillar, sword in hand, charging directly at An Ran. Shen Yu quickly intercepted him, and the two clashed. However, when Qin Yuan realized his attack had failed, he threw a handful of poison powder. Shen Yu, unable to avoid it in time, collapsed instantly.

“Brother Shen Yu!” An Ran screamed, rushing to hold him.

Shen Mie acted swiftly, subduing Qin Yuan and ensuring he couldn’t cause further harm.

“Everyone has witnessed this incident. We have matters to handle here, so I suggest you all leave now,” said Mu Xiaodong, who had been largely silent until then.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, most guests tactfully excused themselves, leaving only the Sword Sea Manor’s master, who sat frozen in fear.

“Uncle Mu, please check on Brother Shen Yu!” An Ran pleaded tearfully.

Mu Xiaodong approached Shen Yu, pulling out a pulse pillow to examine him. His initially calm demeanor grew grave as he assessed Shen Yu’s condition.

“Take him to his room. I can’t make a thorough diagnosis here,” Mu Xiaodong finally said. He stood and walked towards the poison powder Qin Yuan had scattered on the floor, inspecting it closely.

Shen Mie didn’t hesitate. He lifted Shen Yu and carried him to his room, with An Ran following closely behind, her face pale with worry.