Fu Hua felt the corner of her mouth twitch almost imperceptibly.
(A diverted consciousness… well… it's not entirely wrong, I suppose?)
She gave up on correcting the concept of a "memory body," tacitly accepting Li Sushang's wuxia-esque interpretation, and nodded slightly.
Seeing her "Grand Master" acknowledge it, Li Sushang grew even more excited, feeling that this aloof "Diverted Consciousness Grand Master" before her was unfathomably profound.
Fu Hua then began to explain their current surroundings: "This place is called the Elysian Realm. It's not some immortal realm, but rather a space of memories and data left behind by the Previous Era… that is, the era I belonged to, a much earlier epoch than any you know."
She omitted concepts like "captured," "System Space," and "Aeons," which she herself was still exploring and were too advanced, focusing only on the basic structure.
"There are thirteen 'keepers' like me here. You can call us Flame-Chasers. We are all warriors of the Previous Era, existing here in a form similar to a 'diverted consciousness.'"
Li Sushang listened with bated breath, her mind racing, re-compiling the information she heard within her own framework of knowledge:
Elysian Realm = Ancient Secret Treasure, Paradise Beyond the Mortal World.
Previous Era = Primordial antiquity, far older than any dynasty she knew.
Flame-Chasers = Thirteen immortals who have survived since ancient times, guarding this place! One of them is a "Diverted Consciousness" of her own ancestor, the Red Kite Immortal!
And she, herself, had inexplicably stumbled upon some immense fortune, directly traversing tens of thousands of years to arrive at this blessed land where her Grand Master and a group of ancient immortals lived in seclusion!
"Such… such a mysterious and wondrous thing!"
Li Sushang couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, her face filled with shock, her gaze towards Fu Hua brimming with infinite reverence for an "ancient living fossil."
"How could this junior ever be worthy of entering this place and personally seeing Grand Master's… diverted consciousness's esteemed countenance!"
Fu Hua looked at the girl's excited expression, which indicated "complete understanding but in a slightly skewed direction," and sighed inwardly again.
(Never mind, it's a blessing that she can accept the situation without panicking or becoming confused. Minor cognitive discrepancies... are harmless.)
She even felt that explaining the Elysian Realm using Li Sushang's "wuxia cultivation understanding" might be more easily accepted by this ancient girl than the cold terms of "data space" and "memory body."
"Since you are already here, you may stay at ease."
Fu Hua changed the subject, stating the decision she made after a brief communication with the System, "I have… confirmed with the 'Domain Spirit' that manages this place that your arrival was not an accident, but rather… a 'gift' from a certain existence."
She carefully chose her words, repeating the System's vague reply— "This is a gift from Lady Black Curtain."
Lady Black Curtain? A gift?
Fu Hua was full of doubts, but the System offered no further explanation, so she could only temporarily suppress her questions and take things one step at a time.
Keeping Li Sushang would not only ensure the safety of this unexpected guest but also perhaps… allow her to learn about the experiences of her "main body" in the outside world over these long years, from the mouth of this girl who claimed to be her "disciple's disciple."
This held ineffable significance for her, a memory body.
Upon hearing this, Li Sushang was moved beyond words.
She had initially worried that she, an uninvited guest, would be expelled from this legendary "Immortal Realm," but unexpectedly, her "Diverted Consciousness Grand Master" was so magnanimous, not only showing no blame but also allowing her to stay!
This was even more miraculous than the legendary encounters spoken of in the martial world!
"Junior prostrates herself in gratitude for Grand Master's immense kindness!"
Li Sushang's heart swelled with emotion, and she immediately prepared to perform an even more solemn bow.
"No need."
Fu Hua, quick as lightning, moved slightly and was already in front of her, extending a hand to offer an invisible support. A gentle yet irresistible force prevented her from kneeling.
"We don't practice such mortal courtesies here. Just interact normally."
Li Sushang felt the invisible supporting force, and her estimation of her "Grand Master's" cultivation soared countless layers. She could only straighten up, but still insisted, "Propriety cannot be abandoned! Grand Master allowing this junior to stay is a tremendous kindness! This junior… this junior will surely be diligent and not fail Grand Master's benevolence in taking me in!"
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Fu Hua, filled with sincerity and gratitude.
Fu Hua looked at her serious and stubborn demeanor, knowing it would be difficult to immediately change the child's perception of "titles" and "etiquette."
(Fine, let her be.)
She thought with a touch of helplessness.
"Then, Li Sushang,"
Fu Hua decided to move on to the next arrangement, "Since you will be staying for a while, you need to understand this place better. Next, I will take you to meet… the other 'keepers.'"
"To meet the other ancient seniors?"
Li Sushang immediately perked up, her curiosity almost overflowing, "Yes! This junior will certainly be cautious in speech and action, so as not to disgrace Grand Mistress!"
She tried to make her expression appear solemn, but the eager glint in her eyes betrayed her.
Fu Hua looked at this vibrant, "uniquely-minded" grand-disciple, and the solemnity in her heart, caused by the unexpected events and mysteries, was unconsciously diluted a little.
Taking her to meet Kevin, Mobius, Kalpas, Elysia… Fu Hua suddenly felt that this might not be entirely troublesome.
At least, the Elysian Realm hadn't been this… lively in a long time.
Perhaps this was also part of the meaning of Lady Black Curtain's so-called "gift"?
She no longer thought about it and nodded to Li Sushang.
"Follow me."
Then Fu Hua took out a phone that perfectly matched her temperament.
She opened a group chat named 「Golden Courtyard」, where the last few messages were from a few hours ago:
Pardofelis: Has anyone seen my spare key? The star-shaped one!
Mobius: Perhaps a clueless little mouse snatched it~ Hehe.
Pardofelis: …(A message has been retracted)
Vill-V: Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! The tension in this chase scene! I need to record this inspiration!
Fu Hua skipped these and quickly typed on the virtual keyboard:
Fu Hua: In the main hall shortly, I will introduce a visitor. @Everyone
After sending the message, she put away her phone and looked back at Li Sushang.
This grand-disciple from ancient times was wide-eyed, curiously observing her actions, her face clearly showing an expression of "I don't understand, but it looks amazing."
Evidently, that glowing little tablet, in her eyes, was another unheard-of "immortal artifact."
"Grand Mistress, is that a communication magical treasure? It's so small!" Li Sushang couldn't help but ask.
"Something like that,"
Fu Hua said, and the two walked forward side by side.
The corridor was quiet, with only their footsteps echoing.
"Li Sushang,"
Fu Hua brought up the unfinished topic again, her tone carrying a hint of inquiry, "You mentioned earlier that you haven't truly seen… the 'me' outside. What else do you know about her?"
Upon hearing this, Li Sushang's easy curiosity faded, replaced by a glimmer of recollection and a touch of… confusion.
She replied as they walked, her voice clear: "Reporting to Grand Mistress, Sushang has indeed not had the fortune to personally see you… uh, I mean, the esteemed countenance of the Grand Mistress outside. I have only seen Grand Mistress's portrait in the precious albums left by my mother. In the painting, Grand Mistress possesses unparalleled beauty and an extraordinary demeanor, with the esteemed name 'Red Kite Immortal,' which Sushang deeply admires."
She paused, her tone now respectful, "Both my mother and Sushang's teaching master are your direct disciples, Grand Mistress."
Fu Hua nodded slightly, indicating understanding.
(Portrait… disciples…)
This information aligned with her memory fragments and her conjectures about the possible actions of her "outside self."
She waited for more details, such as the names and stories of the "mother" and "master," or more specific rumors about the "Red Kite Immortal."
However, Li Sushang stopped there, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, seemingly trying to dig deeper into her memories.
Fu Hua waited a few seconds, and seeing that she didn't continue, she tilted her head to look at her, a little puzzled: "That's all?"
"Hmm…"
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"