"What fusion? I don’t know you," Baili Xiao’s face became panic-stricken once more, "This place is the Baili Family, Imperial Rule Immortal Sect, I advise you not to be too presumptuous."
"Actually, you know very well that we are originally one, evading won’t solve anything," the voice spoke with a cold clarity, "Otherwise, what do you think enabled you to obtain the Empress’s inheritance?"
"The Empress’s inheritance has nothing to do with me anymore," Baili Xiao said indifferently.
"Actually, if you want to seek revenge, it’s not hopeless," the voice coaxed persuasively, "Relax your spirit and don’t resist."
"Let our divine souls merge into one, and I can help you."
"So then? After the divine souls merge into one, am I still me?" Baili Xiao asked indifferently.
"As I said, we were originally one. Even if you are unwilling now, it won’t be long before our divine souls will merge on their own, it’s an unchangeable outcome," the voice replied, "Or perhaps, the you now is already incomplete.
The name Baili Xiao is merely the name you have in this life, your real name should be Lin Yuqing, Jade Pure Fairy."
Following the voice’s conclusion, Baili Xiao fell into a long silence.
Ever since she returned to the Baili Family, she discovered another divine soul within her body.
Actually, this divine soul had been inside her for a very long time, only recently beginning to awaken.
Initially, she thought she had encountered a soul possession, but later, in her perception, she realized that this soul was actually one with her own.
This sensation was abstruse, like looking into a mirror, clearly identical yet possessing two completely different personalities.
"What exactly is all this about?" Baili Xiao took a deep breath and asked.
"Are you not planning to flee anymore?" the voice asked with a light laugh.
"I’ve never thought of fleeing," Baili Xiao responded coolly, "Was it because of you that the Empress’s inheritance chose me?"
"There’s no need to differentiate so clearly. I’ve said it before, we are one to begin with," the voice replied respectably, "This inheritance was originally left to me by the Empress herself.
If it wasn’t for you offending the True Martial Holy Sect, you might have already become the Saintess by now.
Your path of growth had already been planned, but alas, things are unpredictable."
"You knew Empress Hongtian?" Baili Xiao asked curiously.
"To be precise, Empress is my mentor, and naturally, she’s yours too," the voice said proudly, "That living Ancestor Feihong of the True Martial Holy Sect is also my junior sister."
"What exactly is going on?" Baili Xiao’s head felt disordered.
"This is related to two systems of martial cultivation," Lin Yuqing explained, "Do you know why in every era those bearing Destiny are invincible, and what Destiny actually is?"
Baili Xiao shook her head and asked, "Destiny is too far beyond my reach. What are those two martial cultivation systems?"
"Taoism and Immortality," Lin Yuqing replied lightly, "In fact, once martial artists reach the Divine Vein Realm and breakthrough the eight Vein Gates, their bodies undergo inconceivable changes.
It is at this time they will enter a brand-new world, considering stepping into a new system.
The path of Taoism has been recognized by the Heavenly Dao since the True Martial Great Emperor inaugurated the Era of Emperors.
While the Great Dao is ruthless, all things in the world are given a glimmer of hope.
The path of Taoism is the hope that the Great Dao leaves to all things. Once you enter Taoism, it’s possible for you to reach the pinnacle of martial arts, eventually freeing yourself from the confines of species, and even stepping beyond the Heavenly Dao."
"How about stepping into Immortality?" Baili Xiao asked curiously.
"The path of Immortality is the path taken out of helplessness. Not everyone can enter Taoism.
Only the Great Emperors carrying Destiny of their era can enter, others have no chance," Lin Yuqing sighed with a hint of reminiscence, slowly saying, "Those who can’t carry Destiny, if they wish to advance further, the only option left is to step into the Immortal Path.
The Immortal Path is elusive and lacks the Heavenly Dao’s recognition. With such an uncertain destiny, no one knows what the end of the Immortal Path holds."
"But what does this have to do with us?" Baili Xiao asked.
"Back then, I followed the Empress in dominating the Firmament, being her leading War General, and I personally witnessed her carrying Destiny," Lin Yuqing said with a sense of longing, "Although I was a War General of a Great Emperor, I wasn’t privileged enough to enter Taoism.
I couldn’t reconcile with this and could only, like others, step into the elusive Immortal Path.
Consequently, pleading with the Empress, she paid a great price to reincarnate me and left her inheritance to me."
"So, I’m just the reincarnation of you in this life, right?" Baili Xiao asked after a moment of silence.
"You could interpret it that way. You still control this body because my divine soul has recently awoken," Lin Yuqing stated, "In fact, I am the primary consciousness, and you are just a secondary consciousness.
Once I fully recover, there will no longer be a Baili Xiao in this world, only Lin Yuqing."
Hearing Lin Yuqing’s words, Baili Xiao fell into deep silence once again. She let out a wry laugh and responded, "It turns out I was never meant to exist in this world."
"Originally, I wouldn’t have awoken so soon, but your Flying Immortal Body was seized.
Reincarnated into this life, I am destined to claim Destiny and step into the path of Taoism," Lin Yuqing said softly, "Having the Flying Immortal Body taken from me greatly affected my burden of Destiny. I can no longer allow you to continue acting recklessly."
"Reckless? What did I do wrong?" Baili Xiao chuckled releasefully, saying defiantly, "From the beginning, it was that Xu Zimei who targeted me for no reason.
Even Brother Chu Yang eventually died at his hands. I don’t understand why he holds such great animosity toward us."
"What are your current thoughts?" Lin Yuqing inquired.
"I will do everything I can to destroy the True Martial Holy Sect, and, if that fails, I will kill Xu Zimei to avenge Brother Chu Yang," Baili Xiao said, her eyes filled with deep hatred as she spoke through clenched teeth.
"The Holy Sect is the Sect Gate of the Empress, and I won’t let you do that," Lin Yuqing said coolly, "If I hadn’t awakened, it might have been another matter.
But since I have, I will visit the Holy Sect once again, find Junior Sister Feihong, and reclaim my Flying Immortal Body.
The Holy Sect will help me carry Destiny, and once I ascend to be a Great Emperor, I will naturally protect the Holy Sect, for it was the Empress who gave me this opportunity."
"Our paths diverge, and we cannot make plans together," Baili Xiao stood up, the evening breeze slightly lifting her long robe, "Regardless of what you say, this body is still under my control for now.
I don’t care whether we are one or not, all I know is, my name is Baili Xiao."