Chapter 35 | A Socially Anxious Immortal Seeks Merit Online

In the end, Tongtian did not get his way, even though his little scheme was written all over his face.

However, his two doting older brothers still went along with his request. They set up a card game where Tongtian and Yuan Heng stayed at the table permanently, while the other two took turns playing against them.

Taiqing and Yuanshi vividly demonstrated the meaning of "your brother is still your brother."

No matter who played or who teamed up with whom, the two of them always emerged victorious.

After several rounds, not a single paper strip was pasted on either of their handsome faces.

This left Yuan Heng lost in thought. Wait, was this even reasonable?

Wasn't this beginner's protection period lasting a bit too long?!

Later, she realized that they relied purely on skill—their card-counting was second to none.

Ugh, she was going to kick both Fellow Daoist Taiqing and Fellow Daoist Yuanshi out of her card-playing circle.

This continued until the very last spot on Tongtian's handsome face was covered with paper strips. At that point, he seemed on the verge of a minor breakdown.

“Aiya, I'm not playing anymore, I'm not playing! We're almost at Purple Heaven Palace anyway.”

Yuan Heng blinked. The paper strips fluttered along with her trembling eyelashes. “Yes, yes, Fellow Daoist Tongtian is right. No more playing.”

The corners of Yuanshi's mouth curled up slightly, and a chuckle escaped his throat. “Third Brother, even so, you and Fellow Daoist Yuan Heng were bound to lose.”

“You two should just accept reality.”

With that, Yuanshi placed his Joker Bomb and a single two onto the table.

Tongtian and Yuan Heng: “...”

Second Brother/Fellow Daoist Yuanshi was truly... barely damaging, but utterly humiliating.

Tongtian and Yuan Heng exchanged a look. With crestfallen faces, they pulled the paper strips off their skin.

“Fine, fine, Eldest Brother and Second Brother are the best, alright? ~”

Tongtian's tone was incredibly dismissive, but Yuanshi was in a visibly great mood. He patted Tongtian's shoulder and said, “As long as you know.”

Taiqing raised an eyebrow slightly, a clear smile in his eyes. “Indeed.”

Tongtian: “...”

Not grinning anymore.

Yuan Heng decided to abandon her plan of taking Tongtian to find Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun to exact revenge.

Because she felt that Tongtian, much like her, was probably not a particularly smart cookie when it came to playing cards.

Yuan Heng looked toward the Chaos Sea outside the barrier. Yin and yang had not yet split, clarity and turbidity remained undivided... Dark yellow, ink purple, crimson gold... everywhere were the lights of innate spiritual essence, born from the collisions of the chaotic currents.

To be honest, although staying here for too long would probably induce autism, it actually looked quite beautiful.

Of course, it would be even better if one ignored the fierce astral winds and the hidden demonic creatures.

“What are you looking at, Fellow Daoist Yuan Heng?”

Tongtian had crept up beside Yuan Heng at some unknown point. Seeing her staring blankly at the Chaos Sea, he asked the question.

Yuan Heng shot him a bizarre look. What else could she be looking at in this middle-of-nowhere place? Naturally, she was looking at things with some color.

“I am looking at those colorful spiritual lights... But, Fellow Daoist Tongtian, how do you have the free time to come over here?”

“Eldest Brother is resting with his eyes closed, and Second Brother is on alert. Though I feel it is not really necessary, they both have things to do, so I came to find you.”

Oh my~

Yuan Heng nodded and continued the conversation. “Then I shall have a chat with you.”

“Sure, what should we talk about?”

Tongtian shifted his bottom and scooted closer to Yuan Heng, his eyes shining brightly.

However, looking at his highly expectant gaze, Yuan Heng found herself at a loss for words.

After a silent three seconds, Yuan Heng decided to start an awkward conversation.

“Tongtian, when did you take form?”

“Ah, that was a very, very long time ago. I generally remember that the struggle for hegemony between the dragons, phoenixes, and qilins had probably not yet begun... As for the exact time, I cannot recall it clearly.”

“Oh.”

Yuan Heng nodded. “Then it really has been a long time. It is only natural that you cannot remember clearly.”

“What do you usually do on Mount Kunlun, Fellow Daoist?”

Tongtian propped his chin on his hand and thought for a moment. “It is quite boring, really. Meditating, cultivating, comprehending the Dao... teasing Duobao, raising small animals, causing trouble, getting lectured by Eldest Brother, getting lectured by Second Brother, going outside to cause trouble, getting bailed out by Eldest Brother, getting bailed out by Second Brother...”

Yuan Heng: “...”

Well, that sounds incredibly plain and simple, my friend.

“I think it is truly wonderful that you have Fellow Daoists Taiqing and Yuanshi to keep you company.”

Yuan Heng's eyes were full of sincerity. “When I took form, I was the only sentient being on the island. There was absolutely nothing. Aside from Lotus, there was no one to talk to.”

“Only later, after I enlightened some boys and girls to be my attendants, did things get a bit better.”

“Before taking form, it was even more boring. Back then, Lotus was not yet mature and could not speak to me using its spiritual awareness, so...”

Yuan Heng raised her hand and patted Tongtian on the shoulder. “Fellow Daoist, you must cherish what you have.”

She had noticed that the bond between the Three Pure Ones was simply too good for words. Therefore, she truly could not fathom how things would eventually devolve into such a tragic outcome after the Great Investiture War.

Yuan Heng secretly glanced at Yuanshi, who stood tall and elegant, keeping a constant eye on the happenings outside the barrier.

This Fellow Daoist Yuanshi was a total brother-con. Tsk tsk, appearances could really be deceiving.

Going by Fellow Daoist Tongtian's words, when it came to spoiling his little brother, Fellow Daoist Yuanshi was sometimes even more bottomless than Fellow Daoist Taiqing.

Tongtian smiled upon hearing this. Feeling the warmth from Yuan Heng's palm transferring through his Daoist robe to his shoulder, he felt a brief moment of self-consciousness.

He patted his chest. “Naturally, I cherish it. Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and I were all transformed from Father God's Primeval Spirit. We have kept each other company since before we took form, and our relationship is deeply profound.”

Recalling Yuan Heng's slightly envious tone, Tongtian looked at her, his deep and sharp eyes filled with sincerity. “If you feel drawn to such a bond, why don't you swear brotherhood with me? ~”

“When that time comes, not only will you gain an older brother like me who is highly skilled in sword techniques, mighty, and domineering, but you will also gain two more older brothers. What do you think?”

Yuan Heng: “...”

Tongtian, aren't you using a bit too many adjectives for yourself?

Before Yuan Heng could say anything, Taiqing, who had been meditating quietly nearby, could no longer bear to listen. He massaged his temples helplessly, his voice carrying a hint of admonishment. “Third Brother, stop playing around. There is a different karma between us and Fellow Daoist Yuan Heng.”

My little brother is truly something. If she really becomes your sworn sister, you will be the one regretting it later.

Yuan Heng looked toward Taiqing, her face a mask of innocence. “Ah? A different karma?”

“What karma?”

“Could it be that my cultivation will hit a brick wall in the future, and I'll end up copying a certain thick-skinned, unlucky Fellow Daoist by taking one of the Three Pure Ones as my master?”

“No way, right?”

“She felt that her cultivation had been going quite smoothly, and her fortune was also great. Speaking of which... if it really came to that, could she apprentice herself to Fellow Daoist Taiqing?”

“The Humanity Cult has few affairs and excellent resources. It is simply the premier choice for a beginner! ~”

“No, she was starting to daydream too much. If she kept thinking about it, she was going to drool... Yuan Heng, stop thinking!”

She shook her head to suppress the wild thoughts in her mind and looked at Tongtian, who seemed a bit downcast after hearing Taiqing's words.

At the same time, she comforted him. “Since Fellow Daoist Tongtian and I already address each other as fellow Daoists, please do not think about calling me your little sister.”

“That sounds slightly like you're trying to take advantage of me.”

Tongtian was puzzled. “Yuan Heng, you are indeed young. If Duobao had taken form a bit faster, or if Eldest Brother and Second Brother had lowered their standards a bit to accept a disciple, you might be the same age as our disciples.”