Chapter 617: White Lotus

Li Huowang's question brought a slight pause to Bailingmiao's expression. "Brother Li, why would I lie to you? We've endured so much together. Surely you don't need to doubt how I treat you?"

"I know, of course I know. But even without ill intent, even with good intentions, sometimes people within the same group can deceive each other. Having been fooled once, it's hard not to overreact."

Hearing this, Bailingmiao sighed softly. "Brother Li, whatever you wish to know, just ask, and I will tell you everything. But please, can you stop doubting me? It truly hurts me."

Upon hearing this, Li Huowang gently took her hand and pulled it closer. "Are there any hidden dangers in becoming the White Lotus Saintess?"

"No," Bailingmiao replied softly.

"Is that so? Then why were you chosen as the Saintess out of the blue? Is the so-called Unborn Mother using you as a 'Heart Core'?"

Hearing this, Bailingmiao looked somewhat puzzled. "Brother Li, what is a 'Heart Core'? The Unborn Mother shouldn't need such a thing, should she?"

"No! She does need it! As long as she is a 'Siming', she most certainly needs it!" Li Huowang stated emphatically.

"Tell me everything that happened; don't hide anything! Whatever problems arise, we will face them together!"

Upon hearing this, Bailingmiao remained silent for a long time. Finally, she spoke softly, "After Senior Lian took me away that day, I met with the people from her White Lotus branch."

"They were all very excited upon seeing me, claiming I possessed the Unborn Mother's 'Universal Awakening' path, and they all knelt down to worship me."

"I initially thought I had encountered tricksters, but after they drew many symbols on me, I actually felt the presence of the Unborn Mother." At this point, Bailingmiao's expression became devout.

"Brother Li, do you know? My parents were actually mistaken all along. Believing in the Unborn Mother doesn't require human sacrifice at all; she is a benevolent deity."

"Hmph!"

Hearing this, Li Huowang scoffed internally. He suspected that the Unborn Mother no longer required human sacrifice because the Heavenly Dao that demanded it had been taken from her, not because she was inherently good or bad.

While Li Huowang silently pondered the Unborn Mother's motives, Bailingmiao continued, "She is truly good. She also informed me that you were in trouble."

"Then she said she could teach me divine powers and allow me to use the White Lotus Cult members to save you."

"Brother Li, consider this: if the Unborn Mother hadn't saved you before, you would have been in serious trouble. We owe her a debt of gratitude."

"It was you who saved me then, not her. I owe you, not her."

"But my power comes from the Unborn Mother. If she hadn't helped me, I couldn't have saved you."

Li Huowang, unwilling to prolong the discussion, interjected, "Tell her that no matter what her purpose is, we are on the same side when it comes to the Child God."

"With a major enemy before us, we can temporarily cooperate to deal with the Child God. Whatever else there is, we can sit down and discuss calmly after this crisis passes."

Li Huowang was no longer a naive youth. Even if Bailingmiao's words painted a rosy picture, he knew the true nature of the so-called 'Siming'. He felt deeply uneasy about leaving Bailingmiao in the care of the Unborn Mother.

Bailingmiao nodded gently. "Alright then, but Brother Li, I feel things are quite good now. I am truly happy, and my parents are living well in the Unborn Mother's 'Vacuum Homeland'."

"After I die, I will also return to the 'Vacuum Homeland' and meet them again!"

Hearing this, Li Huowang could no longer restrain himself and was about to retort, when Bailingmiao's expression suddenly changed.

That familiar sensation caused Li Huowang to pause. It was Ershen; Ershen was still alive!

Just as Li Huowang was about to speak, Ershen glared at him and said, "Can you stop being so meddlesome? Do you truly enjoy filling Miaomiao's heart and mind with pain and despair?"

"But... but that's fake!"

"What if it's fake? We're content! Besides, why are you so sure it's fake? Can you truly distinguish between what's real and what's false so clearly?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Huowang suddenly froze, his mind racing with various thoughts.

After a moment, seeing Li Huowang remain silent for a long time, Bailingmiao, having returned to her original appearance, said with a touch of apology, "I actually... wanted to tell you that Ershen is still alive, but Ershen wouldn't allow it."

"Actually, we aren't entirely two different people. Although our upper bodies are separated, our lower bodies are connected, so we are, in a way, still one person."

"Wait, hold on. I suddenly have something I need to ask someone." Li Huowang quickly stood up, pulled out his phone, and walked out.

Soon, Li Huowang returned to the pond's edge and, looking at his reflection, excitedly asked, "Ji Zai! I need your help! Since this world is alive and reality is constantly changing, do you have a way to bring Bailingmiao's deceased family back to life?"

"I cannot."

"Why?" Li Huowang questioned loudly.

"First, I cannot make such direct changes; one action affects everything. Second, this is your karma. If I remove this karma, everything that happens to you afterward will change, and it could even..."

"Even what?"

"Good, hold on," Ji Zai said, and then there was no sound.

"Damn it!" Li Huowang couldn't help but curse loudly once more.

Honestly, even knowing that Ji Zai was his future self, Li Huowang felt an intense urge to physically beat him, even considering cultivating to a higher level just to thrash him soundly.

"Brother Li, what's wrong?" White Bailingmiao, who had followed, watched Li Huowang angrily cursing at his reflection in the water and couldn't help but feel concerned.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. My illness is truly cured," Li Huowang said, patting her shoulder.

"Really?"

"Things are a bit chaotic. Let's first focus our attention on this wave of Great Qi refugees. I have a feeling this situation is quite significant."

Hearing this, Bailingmiao immediately stopped questioning. She nodded gently, "Okay."

Although there was a concern that the refugees might pose a threat to Niuxin Village, these individuals were so emaciated that they lacked the strength for any assault or plunder.

At least in the vicinity of Niuxin Village, things appeared calm.

Using the straw, rags, and wood provided by Niuxin Village, the refugees hastily constructed some simple huts near the village.

Though crude and simple, they could at least withstand the cold winds of late winter.

Li Huowang had originally thought that since Niuxin Mountain on the Great Qi side was deserted, any potential trouble from the refugees would likely emerge elsewhere.

But to his surprise, in the dead of that very night, Li Huowang suddenly opened his eyes.

He heard a strange sound. Although very faint, he heard it clearly: the rhythmic tapping of a wooden fish drum, typically heard only in Buddhist temples.