Ch 123: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

The atmosphere in the conference room lightened significantly after the evildoers were severely punished and left. Representatives from various sects began praising Shen Yunxuan’s remarkable talents and exchanged contact information with her, hoping to foster future collaborations.

Idle Wanderer deliberately stood slightly behind Shen Yunxuan, subtly drawing attention to himself. Naturally, everyone began to notice him and started complimenting him on having such an exceptional disciple.

Idle Wanderer stroked his beard and humbly smiled, saying, “You all overpraise. This humble Taoist dares not take credit. It was truly destiny that brought my junior sister and our Idle Cloud Temple together. By frequently observing the heavens at night and calculating with divination, I felt a deep, fateful connection between her and the temple. That’s why I bestowed upon her the Taoist name ‘Xianyun’ and passed on the position of temple master to her.

It turns out my junior sister truly is a prodigy, often achieving sudden enlightenment and possessing extraordinary blessings. I’m truly envious—if I had even half her talent, I wouldn’t have achieved so little in my life.”

Although these words seemed self-deprecating, everyone could see from his smile that he was immensely proud of Shen Yunxuan and genuinely happy for the future of Idle Cloud Temple. Reflecting on his words, they quickly understood his deeper meaning.

Shen Yunxuan’s ability to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in just a few months was an unprecedented feat. Earlier, when Xuan Yang and his disciples claimed she had a unique cultivation method, many had been tempted. However, Idle Wanderer’s remarks brought them back to their senses—if such a method truly existed, why wouldn’t Shen Yunxuan teach it to her master?

Idle Wanderer was only in the early stage of Qi Refinement, gravely ill, and with little time left. This clearly indicated that Shen Yunxuan’s achievements were due to her innate talent and perhaps some fortuitous opportunities. But opportunities were unpredictable and heaven’s gift. What might be a blessing for Shen Yunxuan could mean nothing for others. With that realization, they dismissed any lingering thoughts of coveting her methods.

Furthermore, Shen Yunxuan had previously implied that her success was a result of good deeds and accumulating virtue, while Xuan Yang and his disciples had met their downfall due to their wickedness.

Although the concept of karma was still met with skepticism, Shen Yunxuan’s rise seemed to reinforce it. The collective apology incident served as a reminder—those who plotted against her seemed to face immediate retribution. Now even Xuantian Sect was in turmoil. Being part of the same Taoist community, people couldn’t help but believe it. No one dared to offend Shen Yunxuan anymore; instead, they sought to befriend her.

To express her gratitude, Shen Yunxuan demonstrated her skill in crafting protective talismans, teaching the group how to focus their minds, channel spiritual energy, and execute key techniques. She even gave each person a protective talisman as a token of appreciation for standing up for justice.

Despite their considerable cultivation and experience in crafting talismans, none of them could replicate her one-stroke success, further highlighting the disparity in talent. Any lingering doubts about her rapid progress dissipated.

The protective talismans Shen Yunxuan crafted post-Foundation Establishment were noticeably superior. Everyone carefully stored theirs away. Someone joked, “Earlier, Master Shen was so assertive in opposing Xuan Yang that I thought you’d be hard to get along with.”

“Indeed, I thought Master Shen’s high cultivation and proud demeanor meant she wouldn’t even acknowledge us.”

Shen Yunxuan quickly explained with a smile, “At the time, I was just worried Xuan Yang might escape punishment, so I couldn’t let go of him. I didn’t have the chance to chat with everyone properly, and I apologize for that.”

“No need! Today’s performance has truly impressed us. Under your leadership, Idle Cloud Temple will surely surpass Xuantian Sect and become the number one sect.”

Shen Yunxuan waved her hand modestly. “Please don’t say that. I was fortunate to make some progress in cultivation, but it came at the cost of nearly losing my life. Surviving that close brush with death was a mix of fortune and misfortune. I only hope for peace in the future and to rebuild Idle Cloud Temple as soon as possible.”

Everyone thought of the footage where Idle Cloud Temple was reduced to ruins. Truly, it was a tale of blessings and disasters intertwined, leaving no room for jealousy.

After some polite conversation, the group dispersed. Minister Zhou ordered the capture of Fang Dehai and directed efforts to help the remaining three Fang siblings reunite with their family. He also instructed his team to track down Ling Zhi, who had fled Xuantian Sect. Given Ling Zhi’s impulsive nature and his threats of revenge against Xuan Qing, there was concern he might endanger the public, making it urgent to find and monitor him.

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Fang Dehai was apprehended while listening to his secretary report that his company’s stock had hit rock bottom. Several key investors were demanding accountability, and even many employees wanted to resign, refusing to work for someone so immoral. Media coverage had grown increasingly critical, leaving him with no reputation to salvage.

When the police presented their credentials and solemnly escorted Fang Dehai away, he took one last look at his luxurious office, lowered his head, and gave up resisting. He chuckled bitterly. “After all these years, I still can’t escape my fate?”

Among the officers was a member of SAD, who remarked, “Only by doing good and accumulating virtue can you change your fate. Immoral actions will lead you straight to the eighteenth level of hell. The one who helped you perform those spells harmed you by pushing you further from reversing your destiny.”

Fang Dehai’s anger flared. He was finished, but he wouldn’t let Xuan Yang off either!

“I’ll confess. All of this was done by Xuan Yang from Xuantian Sect. He was so skilled—this can’t be the first time he’s done it. You must investigate him. I have phone records and transaction records to prove it. And in our circle, many people believe in this stuff. I introduced Xuan Yang to the Bai family, Wang family, and Xie family. They must have done plenty of immoral things with his help…”

Fang Dehai’s indiscriminate accusations were purely out of spite—he couldn’t endure his own downfall and didn’t want others to fare any better. However, this gave the investigators a new direction. Soon, the heads of the Bai, Wang, and Xie families were summoned for questioning. Coincidentally, the representative from the Xie family was Xie Hengchen.

Shen Yunxuan, exhausted from her severe injuries and tribulation, had been busy nonstop. While her body wasn’t tired, her mind was drained. Minister Zhou suggested she take a break. She walked to the Wang family’s garden, brushing past Xie Hengchen without giving him so much as a glance.

Idle Wanderer caught up with her, accompanied by Xianglan. “Junior Sister! Yunxuan, wait for me!”

Xie Hengchen paused in his steps and turned to look back. “Who was that just now?”

Mao Ximing replied, “That was Shen Yunxuan, the Master of Idle Cloud Temple. Recently, she’s been all over the trending searches, practically a national sensation. Haven’t you heard? She used to be a partner with your wife. Not long ago, there was even online gossip about them having a falling-out.”

Xie Hengchen made an expression of sudden realization. “Oh, so it’s her. Apologies, my work keeps me too busy to follow the news.”

Mao Ximing scrutinized his expression. “Mr. Xie, are you interested in metaphysics? Fang Dehai introduced Xuan Yang to the Xie family. What exactly did he do?”

“Just checked the feng shui of our house and company, you know, business superstition,” Xie Hengchen replied flawlessly, his smile unwavering as he deftly answered Mao Ximing’s questions. But his mind lingered on the figure of Shen Yunxuan. The way she carried herself, even her name, struck a familiar chord. The name “Yunxuan” sounded remarkably similar to what he remembered hearing when he was rescued. But his rescuer had been Zhou Yunxuan—was he mistaken back then?

Xie Hengchen couldn’t help but wonder. Would someone with Zhou Yunxuan’s temperament really jump into a river to save someone? Had he found the wrong person all along?

Later that evening, he voiced his doubts to the Xie family. Old Master Xie dismissed the idea outright. “Impossible. After she saved you, we investigated her thoroughly to repay her and found her life fortune exceptionally good.”

Madam Xie added, “If Shen Yunxuan had saved you, do you think she wouldn’t have said anything? She was short on money, wasn’t she? As your savior, she could have directly asked you for compensation. Stop overthinking this. I know you don’t like Zhou Yunxuan, but for the family’s sake, just endure it. We don’t interfere in your private matters. Whoever you like, you can keep her outside the house.”

Xie Hengchen pressed his lips together and said no more. When he went upstairs, he saw Zhou Yunxuan tending to her skincare and hair care routine. On the bed were luxury auction catalogs and travel brochures.

Seeing him, Zhou Yunxuan smiled. “You’re back? What did the police ask? Everything okay?”

“It’s fine,” Xie Hengchen replied. “Fang Dehai had business dealings with the Xie family, so it was just a routine investigation.”

Zhou Yunxuan had been closely following the uproar about Shen Yunxuan online. Fang Dehai’s scandal had left her stunned because it never happened in her previous life. Fang Dehai had always been just a businessman, celebrated his 60th birthday in good health, and lived a stable life. But now, he had been exposed by Shen Yunxuan’s livestream fortune-telling. How had things taken such a drastic turn?

Sitting beside him, she asked, “Do you know what’s really going on? Shen Yunxuan couldn’t tell fortunes before. How did she suddenly become the Master of Idle Cloud Temple? Just the other day, they were saying she was gravely injured, and there was even her blood on the scene. But now, watching her livestream, she’s full of life as if nothing happened. Could it be, like people are speculating, that she succeeded in overcoming her tribulation? It’s all so surreal!”

Xie Hengchen glanced at her. “The police didn’t disclose anything about her. But did you target her before? What grudge do you have with her?”

Zhou Yunxuan froze. “There’s no grudge! I just wanted to suppress her popularity initially, to divert attention away from the fact that we both used to be minor celebrities. I was thinking of the Xie family, hoping no one would dig up my past and tarnish the family’s reputation.”

“If I married you, it means I don’t care about that,” Xie Hengchen replied indifferently, brushing off her excuse as he got up to shower.

A few minutes later, he came out to grab a change of clothes and overheard Zhou Yunxuan scolding a servant at the bedroom door. She was berating them harshly because their knocking startled her. Despite their repeated apologies, she showed no mercy.

Watching her back, Xie Hengchen thought to himself: Could someone like her really jump into a river to save a stranger? Remembering her earlier remark about hiding her past, he sent a message to his assistant, instructing them to investigate Zhou Yunxuan’s entire life, from birth to the present.

The next day, after Xie Hengchen left for work, Zhou Yunxuan turned on Dominating Tycoon’s livestream. Over three consecutive days, all six of his siblings were reunited with their families!

The miraculous reunions were like something out of a dream.

However, considering that all six had been kidnapped by Fang Dehai and harmed through metaphysical means, it wasn’t surprising that Shen Yunxuan had managed to help them find their families.

The six siblings solemnly thanked all the viewers, acknowledging that without their collective effort in forming a vast network of connections, finding their families in such a short time would have been impossible. Overjoyed, they sent large red packets to everyone before ending the livestream.

Netizens, now thoroughly captivated, flocked to various platforms to discuss the event. The story remained a hot topic, especially as Dominating Tycoon hinted that breaking the spell had caused the villain behind it to suffer severe backlash. This left everyone curious about the identity of the person pulling the strings behind the scenes.

No one knows who first leaked it online, but the names Xuantian Sect and Xuan Yang began to circulate. While no further details were provided, people didn’t need to know exactly what Xuantian Sect was or who Xuan Yang was to start venting their outrage. Everyone still remembered Shen Yunxuan’s advice to avoid committing verbal karma, so all the scolding came with a conditional preface—phrases like, “If someone has done such immoral things, they deserve a lifetime of bad luck.” If the accused hadn’t done anything wrong, naturally, the curses wouldn’t apply.

For a time, Xuantian Sect and Xuan Yang became infamous. Zhou Yunxuan also noticed and froze in surprise. Xuantian Sect? Isn’t that the sect my master belonged to in my previous life? My master, Ling Zhi, was supposedly one of the disciples of the ‘Xuan’ generation and even a direct disciple!

She had always thought Ling Zhi’s claims were lies to deceive her, but it turned out Xuantian Sect really existed!

Recalling Ling Zhi’s sinister methods and his control over malicious spirits made her feel repulsed. Thankfully, in this life, she would no longer have any connection with them. The person entangled with them now was Shen Yunxuan. She felt relieved, thankful even, that she had exchanged her fate.

But she couldn’t understand—how did Shen Yunxuan escape danger again? Idle Cloud Temple was destroyed, and Shen Yunxuan was gravely injured and missing, which aligned perfectly with her cursed fate as a lone star bringing calamity. Even her temple had been reduced to ruins.

And yet, Shen Yunxuan had returned unharmed, looking radiant, as if her cultivation had improved. Could the back mountain of Idle Cloud Temple have held some great opportunity that Shen Yunxuan seized? Zhou Yunxuan felt a pang of jealousy. Despite the fate exchange, how did Shen Yunxuan always manage to escape danger unscathed?

As for the rumors online about Shen Yunxuan surviving a tribulation, Zhou Yunxuan scoffed. Surviving a tribulation would mean Shen Yunxuan had reached Foundation Establishment. In her previous life, Zhou Yunxuan had cultivated for years and only reached the middle stage of Qi Refinement. Shen Yunxuan had only been cultivating for a few months—how could she possibly achieve Foundation Establishment?

Her real concern was whether Shen Yunxuan had cultivated so well that she might sense the fate exchange. If Xuantian Sect existed, then other sects might exist as well. What if some powerful expert discovered the truth about the exchange? What if it was traced back to her?

The more Zhou Yunxuan thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. With Shen Yunxuan’s recent meteoric rise, she had an ominous feeling. Resolving to avoid trouble, she pulled out a travel brochure, instructed the housekeeper to book tickets and pack her bags, and planned to leave the country.

In her previous life, she had been so unlucky that she never got to travel abroad. This lifetime was her chance to make up for it. She would tour the world! By the time she returned, years would have passed, and Shen Yunxuan would surely have succumbed to her cursed fate.

But as soon as Zhou Yunxuan had finished her glass of water after giving instructions, she received a call from Xie Hengchen. His tone was harsh. “Stay at home. You’re not allowed to leave the country.”

Zhou Yunxuan was taken aback and tried to ask why, but Xie Hengchen coldly replied that the Xie family was under investigation and no one was allowed to leave Beijing until they cooperated with authorities.

“I thought the investigation was over? Fang Dehai’s problems have nothing to do with us. Why are we still being investigated?”

“It’s just the way it is. Do as you’re told and stay home,” Xie Hengchen said dismissively. Frustrated from dealing with the fallout of Fang Dehai’s scandal, he didn’t give Zhou Yunxuan a chance to press further before ending the call.

Suspicious, Zhou Yunxuan wandered around the villa. She explored every room, upstairs and downstairs, indoors and outdoors. In quiet places, she would mutter, “Are there any spirits here? Come out—I have questions for you.”

After walking so much that her legs ached, she still didn’t see any signs of ghosts or anything unusual about the Xie family’s feng shui. Her face turned sour.

For the first time, she realized the downside of her fate exchange: she was now completely cut off from cultivation. She couldn’t sense anything related to metaphysics. Without yin-yang eyes, she couldn’t see spirits. She couldn’t assess the Xie family’s feng shui or detect whether they were secretly dabbling in metaphysical practices behind her back.

Frustrated, she tore at some flowers in the garden before returning to her room. She booked a ticket online herself, grabbed her passport, and headed straight for the airport. She refused to believe that once she was abroad, Xie Hengchen could drag her back. Her top priority was to avoid Shen Yunxuan’s rising influence—she had no way to counter a cultivator.

For a brief moment, she regretted the exchange. No matter how wealthy she was, she was just an ordinary person now. She was on a completely different level from cultivators and was now fleeing like a coward.

But the thought quickly passed. Even when she could cultivate, her life was miserable—plagued by bad luck, surrounded by death, and tormented by malicious spirits. She’d rather be a rich ordinary person than a cursed cultivator.

She silently prayed that her luck would hold and allow her to leave the country smoothly.

Just as she reached the airport, Xie Hengchen called again. Zhou Yunxuan declined the call. Then the Xie family members began bombarding her with calls and messages, begging her to come home and talk instead of running away alone.

Ignoring them, she passed through security and decided to buy a coffee while waiting for her flight.

Her linked credit card was frozen, and the supplementary card Xie Hengchen had given her was also deactivated—she didn’t even have money to pay for coffee!

Zhou Yunxuan’s face turned pale, then red with embarrassment. Finally, under the puzzled gaze of the barista, she awkwardly took off a ring and tossed it onto the counter. “Take this in exchange. Keep the extra as a tip.” With that, she left the airport in a fluster, forgetting her coffee entirely.

Without money, how could she travel abroad? Even if she sold all her belongings, it wouldn’t last long. She planned to live luxuriously, not go backpacking on a budget. Furious, she stormed back to the Xie family mansion to confront Xie Hengchen.

For a moment, a thought flashed through her mind: his bad attitude, forbidding her to travel, making her stay home… Didn’t this all seem eerily familiar? But her anger quickly drowned out the thought. All she wanted now was an explanation from Xie Hengchen.

Surprisingly, her return was smooth, and the housekeeper paid for her cab fare when she arrived home. Bursting into the study, she found the entire Xie family gathered there.

In a cold voice, she asked, “Xie Hengchen, why did you freeze my cards and stop me from leaving the country?”

Madam Xie smiled and took her hand. “Don’t be upset. Come, sit down. Hengchen is just concerned about you. He said he wasn’t sure if you might be pregnant and worried about you traveling so far. If you are, it wouldn’t be good for the baby.”

“You two have only been married for a few months. Why are you rushing off to travel? You should focus on having a child first, don’t you think?”

Xie Hengchen’s younger sister chimed in jokingly, “Sister-in-law, why go abroad? Aren’t you worried another woman might swoop in on my brother? You need to secure your position with a child first.”

Old Master Xie added, “If you’re feeling bored, the family can fund a small business for you.”

Zhou Yunxuan’s mind stirred. Since the wedding, the Xie family hadn’t given her any actual money. They’d showered her with expensive gifts, but she had no savings of her own. Now, Old Master Xie seemed ready to give her a substantial amount. If she insisted on leaving, she might miss this opportunity. Besides, having a child to cement her position in the family seemed necessary. Her relationship with Xie Hengchen had been growing increasingly strained, but she distinctly remembered that in her past life, Shen Yunxuan and Xie Hengchen had gotten along well—perhaps a child was the missing link!

After being persuaded by the Xie family, Zhou Yunxuan decided to stay. She figured that as long as she didn’t go out too often, Shen Yunxuan wouldn’t be able to find her easily. She accepted Old Master Xie’s two-million-yuan check and returned to her room.

Meanwhile, Xie Hengchen showed the Xie family a file. “I’ve looked into Zhou Yunxuan. She was extraordinarily unlucky throughout her childhood and only became normal after starting her career as a minor celebrity.”

Initially, the family thought he was overthinking, but after reviewing Zhou Yunxuan’s history, they couldn’t deny how absurdly unlucky she had been. Her current normalcy seemed downright abnormal by comparison.

“So… will she even bring good fortune to the Xie family?” Madam Xie asked hesitantly.

After some thought, Old Master Xie said, “There’s no other choice. We’ll have to consult Taoist Master Xuan Qing to confirm. Misjudging her character is one thing, but harming the Xie family’s fortune would be disastrous.”

Xuan Qing, meanwhile, had been in seclusion with Xuan Yang, working to transfer the latter’s backlashes onto Ling Xiao and Ling Yun. While the first three backlashes were irreversible, the remaining three were successfully redirected, sparing Xuan Yang’s life. However, he remained unconscious, resting on a cold jade bed.

Xuan Qing’s disciple expressed concern that this wasn’t a long-term solution. Xuan Qing responded grimly, “This isn’t sustainable. I’ve already sent a message to my master, requesting that he come out of seclusion early to save Xuan Yang.”

Xuan Yang was a sharp weapon for Xuantian Sect. Losing him would be akin to losing an arm. Xuan Qing was determined to save him, though he wasn’t sure if his master, who had been in seclusion for over twenty years, would agree to come out.

When the Xie family contacted Xuan Qing, he initially intended to refuse. However, upon hearing that Zhou Yunxuan had once been close to Shen Yunxuan, that Xie Hengchen suspected Shen Yunxuan had saved him, and that Zhou Yunxuan had been extraordinarily unlucky in her youth, Xuan Qing’s interest was piqued.

Shen Yunxuan had dealt a severe blow to Xuantian Sect. If there was an opportunity for revenge, Xuan Qing was determined to seize it. Since he couldn’t strike directly for now, he decided to investigate Zhou Yunxuan for potential leverage.

After arranging affairs within the sect, Xuan Qing quickly descended the mountain to visit the Xie family. He failed to notice the small drone quietly trailing him. Monitoring the drone’s feed was none other than Ling Zhi.

Ling Zhi followed Xuan Qing stealthily, his eyes cold and calculating. He was determined to exact revenge and force Xuan Qing to pass down all of Xuantian Sect’s inheritance to him. Once that happened, who would dare oppress him?

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆