Chapter 9 | A Socially Anxious Immortal Seeks Merit Online

“Fellow Daoist, our intrusion today is actually because we wished to thank you.”

The Ancestral Witch Houtu's words left Yuan Heng completely bewildered. Could those subtle wisps of life energy conveyed by her spirit butterflies have truly been of such great help to them?

That was truly unexpected.

In the next moment, Ancestral Witch Houtu resolved the doubt in her heart.

“Fellow Daoist may not be aware, but while our Wu tribe possesses powerful bloodlines, we are naturally tainted by Earthly Evil Qi. This makes offspring difficult to conceive, with only a very small fraction of Witches able to bear descendants... and the survival rate of newborns is also extremely low.”

“The life energy brought by your spirit butterflies allowed the children of many clansmen to be born safely.”

Huh???

To think such a thing existed?

A look of relief washed over Yuan Heng's eyes. “That is wonderful, then. There is no need for thanks, fellow Daoist.”

“My spirit butterflies merely went where they were destined to go. It is for the best if they could be of help.”

The gestation of every free life was a miracle, each one precious beyond measure. Yuan Heng was genuinely happy that her spirit butterflies could bring life energy to the children of the Wu tribe.

“That won't do! We of the Wu tribe repay grudges with vengeance, and kindness... well, we definitely repay kindness too! Speak up, what do you want?”

Another burly man, his muscular body wrapped in Wu runes that flowed like water, spoke up. His booming voice made Yuan Heng's eyebrows twitch subconsciously once again.

Yuan Heng looked at him. Mm... he was probably Gonggong, the Ancestral Witch of Water.

More and more gazes gathered here until Yuan Heng felt as if she were about to be pierced through by those almost tangible stares.

Especially two of them, which were particularly intense and sharp.

Help, are the people of the Primordial World this gossipy too?

She didn't want to stay here any longer. Yuan Heng looked up at those gigantic burly men and the two relatively 'softer' female Ancestral Witches.

She spoke casually, “Um... if we truly must resolve this cause and effect, fellow Daoist can just give me whatever you like later. Any spiritual materials or precious artifacts will do.”

She didn't lack anything anyway! Please just end this so she could find a corner to hide in, sob sob sob.

Hearing this, the burly man leading them spoke, the void around where he stood distorting slightly. “Very well. Fellow Daoist, just wait for it.”

It was Dijiang, the Ancestral Witch of Space.

The Wu tribe did not cultivate the Primeval Spirit and could not use those treasures, but having been rooted in the vast land for so long, they naturally possessed a considerable foundation.

He already had a plan in mind: he wanted to establish a friendly relationship with Yuan Heng, even if temporary, because she was genuinely invaluable to the proliferation of the Wu tribe.

The new clansmen nourished by her power of life energy seemed to possess a few other special traits as well, though... further observation was needed to be certain.

“Mm.”

Yuan Heng gave a soft response and quietly began shuffling away. “Then... now that this matter is settled, I shall not disturb you Ancestral Witches any further?”

“Farewell...”

Good heavens, being surrounded by ten burly men covered in rock-hard muscle was far too suffocating for her!

Why were they all so tall? They were practically... well, a ninety-eight percent match to Great God Pangu.

Tiny as she was, standing among them was truly overwhelming, hey!

The Ancestral Witches watched Yuan Heng's feigned calm back with curiosity until she stood behind a pillar, hiding herself completely.

Mm... this little fellow Daoist doesn't seem very brave.

Jumang, the Ancestral Witch of Wood, glanced once more at Yuan Heng's small figure, a glimmer of interest flashing in his eyes. The aura on her felt very warm and familiar.

Could one only say that as expected of Life?

Ah well, in any case, it was good to have formed a favorable affinity; the rest could wait for another day.

Standing firmly in the corner, Yuan Heng finally let out a long breath of relief and subconsciously patted her small chest.

She could finally breathe smoothly again.

Yuan Heng raised her hand to summon a spirit butterfly and looked it over. The little butterfly scored big points!

However, in the future, she would probably release many more little butterflies. They would leave behind miracle after miracle of life across the Primordial World.

This time, Yuan Heng did not let it fly about freely. It fluttered its wings obediently and rested on her shoulder.

Then came the wait for the Dao Ancestor to open the doors.

The three-thousand-year mark arrived, and the doors of Purple Heaven Palace opened as promised.

Two beautiful young attendants stepped out from the doorway, one male and one female. Both were adorable, with features as delicate as a painting.

The male attendant spoke in a clear, pleasant voice: “Our Master commands: all are invited to enter.”

The crowd did not hesitate, nor did they pay any mind to the attendants. They simply rushed inward, with some even employing divine abilities.

Yuan Heng, walking near the back, was left thoroughly bewildered watching this.

The posture and agility of these fellow Daoists were truly each more nimble than the last.

Yuan Heng was in no rush, however, as she possessed self-awareness.

The doorway was already being crowded by those who had fallen slightly behind the leaders. They looked rather squished together.

She even spotted that fellow Daoist whom she had accidentally injured in the crush. Though he kept getting jostled every now and then by others, his movements were nimble enough when dodging out of the way.

Soon, the 'traffic' at the entrance was guided and eased by a strange force, allowing everyone to finally enter Purple Heaven Palace smoothly.

After walking inside, Yuan Heng saw from afar a large prayer mat placed right in the middle of the main hall.

Directly below it were six slightly smaller prayer mats, all of which were already filled with people.

The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Hongyun, Kunpeng...

Yuan Heng observed them, mentally matching each person to their respective identity.

Mm... the Three Pure Ones retained their striking elegance as ever; Lady Nuwa was so beautiful and valiant~ Hongyun was a cheerful, sunshiny red-haired guy; as for Kunpeng... he single-handedly shattered Yuan Heng's belief that every living being in the Primordial World was drop-dead gorgeous.

Erm...

Do not judge a book by its cover.

Yuan Heng warned herself in her heart: the appearance of a Dao Body changes according to one's heart and Dao; she must not be so superficial.

Perhaps Kunpeng simply lived a rougher, unrefined lifestyle?

Suppressing the stray thoughts in her mind, Yuan Heng found a low-profile spot in the middle of the hall. Not knowing how to conjure a prayer mat out of thin air, she summoned her lotus and plopped her bottom down onto it.

In front of her sat two male Daoists who glanced back at her with eyes that didn't seem particularly friendly.

One was tall and straight, handsome, dignified, and dressed in dark-gold immortal robes... The other had a wild, arrogant face, wearing robes of blazing flowing gold, with wild black hair, idly playing with a small bell at his fingertips.

One looked wealthy; the other looked bad-tempered.

Yuan Heng secretly matched their identities in her mind: they were probably Dijun and Taiyi.

But why did they hold hostility toward her?

Did the Wu and Demon tribes butt heads this early on?

Surely they wouldn't harbor enmity against her just because she exchanged a few words with the Wu tribe?

No way, right? Could they really be so superficial?

Don't they know to unite all forces that can be united? Are they already displeased with her, an innocent bystander?

Yuan Heng was somewhat speechless, but her anger only flared for a split second before dissipating. So long as they didn't come looking for trouble with her, it was fine.