The old man waved dismissively. “Oh, it’s nothing, really. No need to thank me. However, the Celestial Stairway is merely a passage. As for how to reach the celestial realm or where you’ll end up, I’m afraid I have no control over that… At your current level, entering the celestial realm without a strong foundation would make survival quite difficult.”
Indeed, it would be a challenge for a rookie who had just entered the Immortal Realm to survive in the celestial realm.
“Thank you for the warning, sir,” Jared replied confidently. “But with my strength, survival in the celestial realm won’t be a problem. And with Mr. Flaxseed by my side, I’ll be even more prepared. I hope you’ll allow to join me in ascending to the celestial realm as well.”
Jared gestured toward Flaxseed, standing beside him.
The elder’s gaze shifted to Flaxseed, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. “Immortal’s bones? Are you a reincarnate?”
Flaxseed nodded. “Yes, I’ve been reincarnated five times. It’s only in this life that my memories have begun to resurface.”
The old man sighed, his expression filled with a mix of pity and curiosity. “Five reincarnations… What kind of grave mistake could you have made to endure such suffering?”
For immortals, even if their physical forms were destroyed, they had the ability to reshape their bodies through their divine souls. Alternatively, they could be sealed away, which would cause a significant drop in their cultivation level.
But no immortal willingly endured the torment of repeated reincarnations. To them, becoming a mortal for even a single lifetime was the greatest of agonies.
The fragility and limitations of mortal life were a trial no immortal wished to face. And yet, Flaxseed had endured the hardships of not one, but five reincarnations.
“Do you know Willow?” Flaxseed asked, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue.
“Of course, I know her,” the old man replied, his tone laced with both reverence and sorrow. “Willow was the most aloof and enchanting fairy of level twelve. Many high-plane immortals descended to catch even the slightest glimpse of beauty, but rejected them all…”
“She was the goddess of many hearts, and mine as well. Sadly, a thousand years ago, someone drugged and robbed of purity. After that, it was as though became a completely different person…”
“She fell into a spiral of decadence, and now, is infamous, regarded as a notorious villainess. The jerk who dared to defile Willow’s purity is beyond despicable. At the time, countless immortals and demon lords descended to hunt down, though many were secretly envious of him. After all, had won the heart of the goddess who once captivated the world…”
The elder’s gaze grew distant, a cloud of nostalgia and regret enveloping as reminisced about the tragic past.
As Jared listened to the elder’s tale, instinctively turned to glance at Flaxseed.
A sinking feeling told the “culprit” was none other than the man standing beside him.
The elder suddenly stopped, his expression shifting. He narrowed his eyes at Flaxseed and asked suspiciously, “Could it be… You’re that man?”
Flaxseed let out a soft chuckle and nodded. “Indeed, it was me… But the rumors got it all wrong. Willow willingly chose to cultivate with me. Back then, I was charming, dashing, just a bit too flirtatious…”
“Unfortunately, later caught wind of my Involvement with another fairy. She couldn’t handle the betrayal, and in pain, twisted the story. The rumor spread like wildfire, and soon everyone was after my head. In the end, I was cast into the cycle of reincarnation by an angry mob, and thus began my punishment, five lifetimes of starting over.”
“That’s impossible!” the elder exclaimed, disbelief etched into every word. “Willow would never do such a thing. She was the epitome of purity and grace! She’s the goddess in the hearts of all who saw her!”
“What do you know?” Flaxseed retorted with a smirk. “Sometimes, the goddess in one man’s eyes is just another woman in someone else’s story!”
“Take my buddy Jared here. He’s been tangled with more so-called ‘goddesses’ than I can count. To the world, they’re untouchable beauties; to him, well… They were just fleeting chapters.”
As spoke, Flaxseed clapped Jared on the shoulder.
Reflecting on Flaxseed’s words, Jared realized was right after all.
The elder’s face darkened with a mix of disbelief and frustration. With a wave of his hand, snapped irritably, “Go on, leave. Once you’re gone, I’ll be out of here too!”
He simply couldn’t accept that the goddess had idolized would willingly engage in dual cultivation with a man.
Without further delay, Jared and Flaxseed stepped into the white light.
In the blink of an eye, the elder vanished, along with the Celestial Stairway. It would never descend upon the Ethereal Realm again.
