1 Chapter 0: The Eldest Martial Sister Was Speechless
Dong. Dong. Dong.
Melodious bells resonated across the East Divine Land's mountains.
The triennial Immortality Promotion Meeting was underway once again, beckoning countless men, women, and children who aspired to become immortals, luring them onto the path of seeking eternal life.
— On a bamboo-lined path.
Bai Lian soared down from Qiongming Peak after receiving her master's command. Below her, a cacophony of voices clamored:
"Younger martial sister, the path to immortality is arduous. Why not embrace each other for warmth?"
"My son, Huang Teng, possesses the talent of an Immortal Emperor. This time, he's bound to capture the attention of an immortal!"
"Among the 80,000 words in the world, 'love' is the most treacherous. As I step onto the path of immortality today, I sever all ties with the mortal world and embrace the celibate way."
"I intend to have ten lovers!"
Listening to these familiar lines, Bai Lian felt herself on the brink of madness. This only reaffirmed her recently recovered memories from her previous life were indeed correct.
"This isn't the world I know!"
Bai Lian's lips turned pallid.
In her past life, she had been an ordinary otaku girl, engrossed in reading novels and playing games. Fresh out of university, she hadn't yet experienced the rigors of work or the allure of worldly temptations.
That was Bai Lian.
She had stayed up all night playing games, planning to buy some food, but was abruptly struck by a speeding truck while standing in front of a fruit stall.
She was dazed.
It seemed that she had transmigrated into another world.
Without cheats!
As Bai Lian immersed herself in her thoughts, a "young girl" clothed in a white robe adorned with cloud patterns, bearing delicate features and a bright, spring-like demeanor, strolled leisurely down the street.
"Wow!"
Upon passing Bai Lian, the young girl paused.
Her fair complexion flushed with an excess of surprise.
The girl's gaze lingered on Bai Lian, her mouth slightly agape. Bai Lian couldn't help but wonder if it was wide enough to fit a quail egg.
The "young girl" had never before encountered a person whose face was covered with so many instances of the word "Death." She was quite literally the embodiment of death itself!
"Fascinating."
With a soft whisper, the girl lifted her head and smiled, "I am An Lan, the Martial Master of Qiongming Peak from the Duxian Sect. Would you like to become my first disciple and learn the art of immortality?"
Thinking she had just come across a "golden opportunity," Bai Lian immediately knelt down.
Following that, Bai Lian inquired of An Lan why she had been chosen. After all, An Lan was renowned for her indolence throughout the entirety of the Duxian Sect. Her decision to take on a disciple had even startled the Sect Leader.
— The Sect Leader: "Have you lost your mind?"
— An Lan: "Hahaha."
In response to Bai Lian's queries, An Lan didn't provide a detailed answer.
"I simply felt like it."
Having calmed down, Bai Lian pondered. The answer was clear.
She must possess the protagonist's aura, which brought her good fortune.
But...
That had to be a lie. How reckless had she been to accept the offer so readily? As someone who had no memories of this world initially, Bai Lian eventually comprehended everything after some time.
How imprudent!
Bai Lian then understood why An Lan had accepted her.
An Lan had taken her on as a disciple purely out of curiosity. She wanted to witness how Bai Lian, enveloped by an aura of "Death," would ultimately meet her demise.
This world in which Bai Lian now resided was none other than an R18 gal game called "The Battle of the Gods."
The game boasted exquisite design, myriad well-developed characters, and voice acting perfectly suited for romantic entanglements. It was no wonder it had become a bestseller!
In the game, players assumed the role of Bai Lian, often referred to as a "b*tch," who frequently bullied her junior martial sisters. In certain routes, she even subjugated her master, An Lan, engaging in various activities.
However...
Things didn't bode well for her.
The issue lay in the game's premise.
It was less an R18 gal game and more a "chastity aid."
The protagonist, Bai Lian, encountered as many as 108 death scenarios, surpassing even the likes of Itou Makoto.
The most agonizing aspect was the inability to skip the death screens. One moment, players would be admiring the captivating artwork, and the next, the protagonist's head might already be rolling.
"Unearth the heretics!"
Soon after the game's release, disgruntled players filled forums with curses.
"Damn it! I nearly had a heart attack. I curse the developer to always forget toilet paper when they visit the bathroom!"
To some players, "The Battle of the Gods" resembled more of a horror game.
Bai Lian had also fallen into the trap, drawn by a death screen post. Only after delving in did she realize that the game was not a horror one, but an R18 gal game.
This revelation thrilled Bai Lian.
Although the protagonist was female, it didn't deter the game's thrilling "battles." Eagerly, Bai Lian mashed the CTRL key to fast-forward through most scenes...
And now...
Bai Lian deeply regretted her haste. Lacking plot context, her knowledge was limited to a few forum snippets.
Nonetheless, the game was still a game. It typically revolved around Bai Lian, meaning her foreknowledge of the overarching plot might not necessarily guarantee survival.
After all, she was in a world of cultivation!
Despite being the "protagonist," she was far from invincible. Even while meditating in the courtyard, a stray sword could descend from the heavens, obliterating her body and soul.
This wasn't an irrational concern.
She had already experienced numerous death endings. Some transpired as the protagonist sauntered along a path, only to be...
[Killed by a passing shadow]
[Imprisoned by a spectral figure]
[Abducted by a fleeting silhouette]
Then there was the "Happy Ending," where she met her demise at the hands of others due to her arrogance in a contest.
What a harrowing fate!
Contemplating these events, Bai Lian shuddered, her limbs growing ice-cold, even in the daytime. The world seemed brimming with malice and oppression toward Bai Lian. When would she gain the upper hand?
Of course.
Bai Lian was also privy to the reasons behind the protagonist's misfortune in the game.
It was primarily due to the formidable strength of the female characters she tormented.
Especially the group of women from Qiongming Peak.
The Qiongming Peak's master, An Lan, was, in reality, the reincarnation of the Immortal Heavenly Lord, said to have once possessed the power to shoulder the heavens and attain immortality through reincarnation.
Her four junior martial sisters were no ordinary individuals either.
Her second junior martial sister was the future Holy Spirit Goddess ✔
Her third junior martial sister was the rebirth of the Rebellious Shura ✔
Her fourth junior martial sister was the future Dragon God of War ✔
Her fifth junior martial sister was the upcoming God of Martial Arts ✔
Apart from them, there was also the descendant of the Taixuan Divine Needle, the inheritor of the Dragon King, and the Lord of the Hades Hall within the Duxian Sect...
Compared to these powerhouses, Bai Lian was merely a regular individual.
And that was all?
Bai Lian was left speechless.
There was no chance of victory!
She could act however she pleased while her junior martial sisters remained weak, slapping the Holy Spirit Goddess and kicking the Dragon King's inheritor. Yet, once they grew powerful, not only would her life become a living nightmare, but her ancestors' actions would be dredged up and scorned.
Even if her junior martial sisters refrained from killing her, the world's will might unleash divine retribution upon her.
"How dare you provoke the Holy Spirit Goddess/The Rebellious Shura/The Dragon God of War/...?" "There's no place for you in this world!"
Dammit.
The original protagonist had truly been an audacious, unafraid individual!
Bai Lian heard rumors of a hidden ending where the protagonist survived, but no one had managed to uncover the path to it. Attempting to achieve it in one shot was unlikely.
"I mustn't take this lightly!"
Bai Lian resolved to save herself.
She vowed never to provoke anyone. However, that didn't guarantee her safety. Several pivotal events within the game impacted the entire Duxian Sect. To survive, she needed to become strong.
Sigh.
Bai Lian sighed.
Speaking of which, her master, An Lan, had instructed her to locate her second junior martial sister this time.
The story commenced.
Bai Lian began to fret.
At that moment, a voice suddenly echoed in her ears.
[Plot starting point detected. System activated.]
"Huh?"
I'm saved!
Bai Lian was overjoyed.
