Immortal Paladin

[POV: Ding Cai]

The blue-haired woman sat by the roadside with a smoking pipe resting between her lips, looking more like someone waiting for an old friend than a feared cultivator. Blue and silver robes draped loosely over her athletic figure, while white bandages wrapped securely around her chest beneath the open collar of her robes. One leg rested atop the other in an entirely unladylike posture, yet it failed to diminish her striking beauty. Instead, it only added to the carefree confidence she carried wherever she went.

Behind her stood one of the finest taverns in the district. Silk banners fluttered above polished wooden doors as wealthy merchants, influential cultivators, and noble officials entered and departed beneath the watchful eyes of attendants.

The tavern owner finally reached his limit.

"Oi! You there! Go somewhere else! You're ruining my business! And if you're selling yourself, this isn't the place!"

Ding Cai slowly turned her head, one brow arching in disbelief.

"Do I look like that kind of woman to you, huh?"

The owner immediately paled.

"N-No! That's not what I meant! I meant your thugs!"

A dozen fierce-looking cultivators surrounding Ding Cai instantly glared at him.

"Our boss lady is a respected senior!"

"Watch your filthy mouth!"

"You should be grateful she's willing to sit outside your establishment!"

"If Boss Lady wanted your tavern, she'd buy the entire street!"

The owner shrank beneath the barrage of accusations, while several nearby patrons quietly slipped back inside, deciding they wanted no part in the argument.

Ding Cai merely took another draw from her pipe before exhaling a slow stream of smoke toward the clear afternoon sky.

She sighed.

Passersby continued stealing glances in her direction.

"She's beautiful..."

"I've never seen anyone with such clear blue hair."

"Is she some hidden immortal?"

"I wish she'd look this way just once."

"I think she's even prettier than yesterday..."

Ding Cai genuinely failed to understand the fascination.

She had noticed the change herself. Every passing day seemed to refine her appearance a little further, smoothing every imperfection until she resembled a flawless sculpture carved by heaven itself.

The Human Soul residing within her smoking pipe chuckled.

"You've reached the pinnacle of human evolution. Beauty is simply another expression of perfection. Since you're the disciple of the Holy Emperor, at least act the part. Rein in your subordinates before they frighten the entire city."

Ding Cai lazily shrugged.

"They're not really hurting anyone. They're cute at best."

"Cute?"

The Human Soul sounded utterly unconvinced.

The tavern owner threw his hands into the air.

"Damn hooligans! Fine! I'll call the city guards!"

He stomped back into the tavern while shouting for his employees to notify the local authorities.

The cultivators around Ding Cai burst into laughter.

"Boss Lady scared him away again."

"He'll probably send every guard in the district."

"Good. We haven't stretched our legs today."

Ding Cai rubbed her forehead.

It was honestly becoming a problem.

These men and women had once been disciplined cultivators forged within the Fortress of Enlightenment she established while living in secrecy inside the Greater Human Realm. They had endured years of merciless training beneath her command, surviving trials that would have broken ordinary geniuses.

Unfortunately, that same upbringing had created another issue.

Most of them had been born into poor villages or humble families before entering her fortress. Their entire lives revolved around cultivation, survival, and following her orders. They rarely interacted with nobles, merchants, scholars, or even ordinary civilians outside the fortress. The harsh environment had sharpened their strength while leaving their social skills horribly underdeveloped. Unless Ding Cai maintained strict discipline, they naturally reverted to crude behavior whenever given freedom.

Only a few days earlier she had ordered them to relax.

That single command had apparently been interpreted as permission to become neighborhood bullies. Their unfamiliarity with the Hollowed World only made matters worse. Fortunately, once the processing of integrating them into the Guardians was complete, their future commanders would hopefully smooth away those rough edges.

Ding Cai glanced toward her followers.

"So, how's boot camp? How are the Guardians treating you?"

The laughter gradually faded.

Her followers exchanged hesitant looks before someone finally answered.

"It's going well, Boss Lady."

"They're strong."

"We're learning plenty."

"...But..."

Another scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"A lot of them look down on us."

"They don't trust outsiders."

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"They also don't know where to place us."

"Their ranks are still a mess."

"The atmosphere's... gloomy."

"It feels like everyone's carrying a funeral on their shoulders."

Ding Cai wasn't surprised.

The Great Beast had annihilated much of the Guardians' upper command. Veterans, commanders, captains, instructors, logistics officers, and countless experienced leaders had perished during the catastrophe. The organization still functioned, but its hierarchy resembled shattered glass that someone had desperately glued back together.

That was precisely why she created the Fortress of Enlightenment.

The Guardians desperately needed fresh blood.

Her gaze swept across the group she personally raised.

There was Gao Ren, a towering bald man whose frightening physique hid a surprisingly gentle personality. Beside him stood Mu Qing, a calm swordswoman who rarely spoke unless necessary. Feng Hu leaned casually against a nearby wall, the spear on his back taller than he was, wearing his usual carefree grin. Luo Jian carefully maintained his immaculate robes despite possessing fists capable of splitting mountains. Yan Mei, the youngest among them, carried twin sabers and possessed an explosive temper that Ding Cai constantly had to suppress. Finally, there was Qiao Lin, a quiet archer with unnaturally keen senses who preferred observing conversations rather than joining them.

Every one of them possessed talent worthy of standing among the Guardians.

Ding Cai rested her pipe across her shoulder.

"I have huge expectations for all of you. I know why you accepted my invitation to follow me. Every one of you wishes to climb higher in cultivation. There's nothing wrong with ambition. But don't let ambition blind you. Mind you, an operation is already underway. We're bringing your world here. You'll be seeing familiar faces from the Fortress of Enlightenment before long."

Their expressions froze.

Someone blinked.

Another frowned.

A third looked around, wondering if this was some sort of test. The idea probably sounded absurd to there ears. Transporting countless people was already difficult enough. Moving an entire world? That bordered on madness.

Finally, Feng Hu cautiously raised his hand.

"...Boss Lady."

"Mm?"

"What are we even doing here?"

Ding Cai looked at the dozen pairs of eyes fixed expectantly upon her before waving a dismissive hand. "Mind your own business and go waste your time somewhere else."

Her followers exchanged confused looks before Gao Ren scratched his bald head.

"We'd rather stay here with you, Boss Lady."

"Someone has to keep watch."

"What if someone bothers you again?"

"We're perfectly comfortable standing here."

Ding Cai stared at them for a long moment before letting out another tired sigh.

"...Do whatever you want."

The answer was immediate.

"Yes, Boss Lady!"

She already regretted asking.

Across the broad avenue stood an enormous complex of white stone and dark steel. Towering spires rose above its walls, connected by enclosed bridges lined with glowing formations and mechanical devices. Scholars, researchers, cultivators, and engineers constantly moved in and out of the facility, each carrying stacks of jade slips or strange metallic instruments. It served as one of the Hollowed World's foremost research institutions dedicated to studying the Tower.

Beyond the research facility loomed the Tower itself.

Its colossal body pierced the heavens, disappearing beyond the clouds. Standing this close, it scarcely resembled a tower at all. It looked more like an endless wall stretching into eternity, so immense that the surrounding city appeared to lean against it for support.

Her aunt Peng Ru was somewhere inside that building.

To outsiders, she was the brilliant researcher overseeing countless breakthroughs involving the Tower. But to Ding Cai, she had always been so much more: an aunt, an older sister, and a mother all in one. She had been the one constant presence throughout the most uncertain years of Ding Cai’s life. It had been so long since they had last seen each other. Ding Cai wanted nothing more than to cross the street and embrace her.

Yet every time she imagined doing so, an invisible weight settled upon her chest. She couldn’t explain it. She simply couldn’t make herself take that first step.

A shadow suddenly fell over her. A young man with dark hair stopped in front of her, glancing from Ding Cai to the intimidating cultivators surrounding her. He pressed his lips together, his shoulders trembling with suppressed mirth.

“Pffft…”

Then he laughed outright.

One of Ding Cai’s followers immediately stepped forward, his voice turning cold. “You got a problem? If not, keep walking, unless you want to get hurt.”

The dark-haired man looked him up and down before snorting. “You people?” He pointed toward the assembled cultivators. “You look less like fearsome experts and more like ducklings following their mother around.” His grin widened as he turned to Ding Cai. “And you, sitting in front of a tavern surrounded by bodyguards. Are you trying to look intimidating, or are you afraid someone might steal your pipe?”

Several of Ding Cai’s followers immediately bristled.

“You bastard!”

“I’ll teach you some manners!”

One cultivator lunged forward, reaching for the man’s collar. His hand passed straight through empty air. The cultivator stumbled a step ahead, his eyes widening.

“W-What?” He stared at his own hand. “An illusion?”

Ding Cai had already risen to her feet. Instead of joining the commotion, she clasped one fist into her palm and bowed respectfully.

"Show some respect. That’s my master you lot are speaking to, the Holy Emperor himself."

The illusion laughed.

"I missed you too, Cai’er."

The familiar voice struck Ding Cai harder than any technique ever could. Everything about him felt real from his breathing, his spiritual presence, even the subtle pressure that naturally surrounded him. Her senses insisted the Holy Emperor truly stood before her, despite knowing it was merely a projection.

Her followers looked utterly dumbfounded.

“T-That’s…”

“The Holy Emperor?”

“He’s actually…”

Before anyone could finish speaking, Ding Cai glanced at them. She smiled faintly. “If you know what’s best for you… go somewhere else.”

Understanding dawned immediately.

“Y-Yes, Boss Lady.”

“We’ll leave you two alone.”

“Don’t worry. Nobody will disturb you.”

Within moments, the dozen cultivators hurried away, occasionally glancing back with unconcealed curiosity.

At almost the same moment, the tavern owner stormed outside wielding a large iron ladle. “You shameless troublemakers! I’ve had enough of—”

His voice abruptly caught in his throat. He stared at the dark-haired man beside Ding Cai, his face slowly losing all color. The poor man looked like a fish thrown onto dry land, opening and closing his mouth without producing a single coherent word.

Ding Cai reached into her sleeve and produced a heavy pouch, tossing it toward him. “I’ll be renting this side of your establishment. My master wishes to remain undisturbed.”

The owner barely caught it. The unmistakable clinking of gold echoed from within. He looked from the pouch to Da Wei before swallowing nervously. “I-I understand.” He bowed repeatedly. “I wish the two of you a peaceful and undisturbed afternoon.”

Without another word, he quietly disappeared back inside.

Da Wei chuckled before taking a seat beside Ding Cai, as though they were simply two travelers resting after a long journey. “So,” he said, looking toward the endless Tower, “what do you think of the Hollowed World now?”

Ding Cai smiled. “There are so many new things. I visited Lord Nongmin’s workshop. I never imagined machinery could reach such sophistication. I spent time at the academy in Celestial Step City. They even invited me to visit the new academy in Radiant Losten. I also went to Yellow Dragon City. Their festival was lively, and the grand banquet afterward introduced me to dishes I’d never even imagined.” She laughed softly. “The innovations in food alone were worth the trip. I visited the Hanging Islands above the World Tree. I even spent some time in the Underworld.” She looked genuinely fascinated. “I’ve been everywhere I…”

Da Wei interrupted before she could continue. His calm eyes met hers. “And yet… you never visited your precious Aunt Peng Ru.”

The smile gradually disappeared from Ding Cai’s face. Silence settled between them. She lowered her eyes toward the stone pavement.

“I wanted to,” she said, her voice almost inaudible. “When I first arrived at Celestial Step City, I thought I’d see Aunt Peng Ru before anyone else.” She gave a bitter smile. “When she wasn’t there… I actually felt relieved.”

Even she hated how true those words were. “I’ve done things that changed me.” Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the smoking pipe. “I don’t know how to face Aunt Peng Ru anymore.”

For a long while, neither of them spoke. Ding Cai had spent so much time pretending she had moved beyond ordinary humanity. She had immersed herself in cultivation, built the Fortress of Enlightenment, trained followers, and chased strength. She had convinced herself that abandoning ordinary emotions was simply the price of becoming extraordinary.

Yet beneath all of that, she had only ever wanted to remain human. It was not that simple, however. Even before she created the Fortress of Enlightenment, her life had been filled with unique challenges of their own and memories of blood on her hands that she would rather not revisit.

Da Wei smiled gently. “Everything will be fine.” He stood and lightly tapped her forehead. “And even if it isn’t… keep telling yourself that it will be.”

His figure gradually dissolved into countless specks of light before disappearing altogether.

Ding Cai remained seated. Then she sensed a familiar presence. She slowly looked across the street. The doors of the research facility had opened, and Peng Ru stood there, her eyes already reddened with tears.

The moment their gazes met, Peng Ru began running. “Cai’er!” Her voice trembled. “I missed you so much!”

Ding Cai stood as well. The distance between them vanished in moments. Peng Ru threw her arms around her without the slightest hesitation. Ding Cai embraced her just as tightly, burying her face against Peng Ru’s shoulder.

“…I’m home,” she whispered.

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