Chapter 926: Goal

Chapter 926: The Objective

"Eighteen thousand leagues of radiance, every grain of earth turned to gold. The four births and six paths, all within a single light... I wish not for the red dust to stain my stride. Hearing this sutra recited today, I realize every step is a treasure trove..."

In the deepest sanctum of the White Lotus hall, the chanting of the thirty-six White Donkey Envoys echoed incessantly. At their center, perched upon a colossal lotus throne, sat Bai Lingmiao, legs crossed in meditation.

She was a far cry from the girl Li Sui knew; her face was now a mask of profound compassion, radiating a divine aura, even as the grotesque visage of the Two Gods mirrored that same serenity.

With two upper bodies, she stretched her limbs, her four hands forming lotus mudras with twenty slender, elegant fingers, extending outward like the branches of a tree.

Amidst the rhythmic chanting, as Bai Lingmiao’s consciousness drifted beyond the mortal realm, the white lotus marks between her brows flickered like dying embers.

In this state, she sensed the emotions of the Unborn Venerable Mother. She opened her heart completely, striving to merge the compassion within her own soul with the vast, boundless mercy of the Mother.

Gradually, the atmosphere shifted. Bai Lingmiao began to levitate, her inner compassion spilling outward, imbuing the faces of all the White Donkeys with a sudden, tranquil grace.

Within that primordial chaos, she felt the Mother’s heart, the two souls entwining until they were indistinguishable.

The suffocating, near-tangible aura of death that had once defined this presence had vanished, leaving only an infinite benevolence.

Yet, Bai Lingmiao knew it had not disappeared; it had merely been concealed.

In her mind, she gathered the memories of the day’s events and, with a trace of reverence, offered them toward the Unborn Venerable Mother.

She yearned to reconnect, to beg the Mother to descend with her divine power, that the White Lotus Sect might stand against the encroaching Tianchen Kingdom.

Though the Tianchen Kingdom and the Unborn Venerable Mother were sworn enemies—the kingdom’s massive mobilization aimed solely at her destruction—Bai Lingmiao needed certainty. Even for the sake of self-preservation, the Mother should intervene, but without a clear sign, Bai Lingmiao felt a gnawing insecurity.

Her plea, however, went unfulfilled. Beyond a few vague, elusive ripples of emotion, she received no definitive answer.

The Mother neither agreed nor refused, appearing strangely distracted, as if her mind were elsewhere.

Just as Bai Lingmiao attempted to push further, the connection frayed and snapped. When she opened her eyes, she was back within the confines of the White Lotus hall.

Observing the expectant gazes of the White Donkeys, she took a deep breath and raised her four arms, preparing to restart the ritual.

Tianchen and the Mother shared a blood feud. With the kingdom’s forces closing in, she had to ensure the Mother would lend her aid.

For some reason, the Unborn Venerable Mother felt different than she had before.

"Holy Maiden," a voice rang out, interrupting the ritual.

Bai Lingmiao sensed the presence of Lian Zhibei, the woman who had helped her ascend to her position.

As the sect’s following swelled, Lian Zhibei’s status had risen accordingly, and she had become Bai Lingmiao’s right hand.

Though Lian Zhibei appeared to be a woman in her thirties or forties, she dared not show the slightest disrespect to the young Bai Lingmiao, bowing low as she spoke: "Holy Maiden, there is news of the Heart-Plain ones. Four have been located, and I have dispatched men to bring them back."

Bai Lingmiao nodded gently. "Good. Do not use force. Speak to them kindly; tell them there is a way to clear their minds and escape their confusion."

"If they cannot be persuaded, then find another way to bring them back."

It was for their own good, though the living Heart-Plain ones would likely never believe it. Even Brother Li, in their position, would have been just as skeptical.

"Understood," Lian Zhibei replied, bowing.

"But with the entire sect mobilized, we have only found four? I wonder how many Sui has found; it feels far from enough." To master the Seven Wheels, four Heart-Plain ones would surely be insufficient.

Lian Zhibei hesitated for a moment before adding, "Holy Maiden, some disciples have heard rumors from the elders. It is said that some Heart-Plain ones have conspired to hide."

"Where are they hiding? If they are conspiring, does that mean there are many?"

"Perhaps many, but the place is difficult to reach. I hear they have hidden themselves within the karmic obstructions of a Heart-Turbid."

"Heart-Turbid?" Bai Lingmiao felt a jolt of alarm. As one of the Heart-lineage, she knew they were not to be trifled with.

They possessed a terrifying ability: Oblivion. They could erase a living person from the memories of everyone in the world, banishing them to a lost realm.

That place was a nightmare—a pitch-black void devoid of the Heavenly Dao of Death, where one could never die, no matter what they endured. More importantly, once forgotten by a Heart-Turbid, escape was nearly impossible.

Unless someone reminded the world of their existence, they would remain lost forever, even if they were killed within that void.

Communication with a Heart-Turbid was impossible; they would forget the first half of a sentence before the second was finished.

Compared to the Bai Lingmiao of the past, however, the gap was now immense. The Heart-Turbid were troublesome, but no longer a lethal threat.

She simply had not expected that a group of Heart-Plain ones would choose to be forgotten by a Heart-Turbid just to survive.

"Is the information reliable?" the Two Gods behind her suddenly interjected.

"Yes, I confirmed it with the masters of the Fangxian Dao. It is no lie, and several sources have corroborated it."

Bai Lingmiao sat in contemplation for a moment before asking softly, "There is a problem, though. Even if those Heart-Plain ones exist, we do not know which Heart-Turbid erased them."

Lian Zhibei explained carefully, "Holy Maiden, that is of no concern. All places of oblivion created by the Heart-Turbid are connected; it matters not which one you enter."

"Connected?" Bai Lingmiao was surprised. If that were true, then any victim of any Heart-Turbid would be banished to the same realm.

After careful consideration, she asked, "Do we have a Heart-Turbid?"

"We do not, but the Imperial Observatory does. They captured one alive two years ago. Given the current relationship between the Holy Maiden and the Observatory, we can surely borrow it."

Without hesitation, Bai Lingmiao rose from her lotus throne. "Go to the Imperial Observatory and borrow the Heart-Turbid. We are going to retrieve those hidden Heart-Plain ones."

The Tianchen Kingdom could strike at any moment; every second gained was a greater chance of victory.

"Yes, Holy Maiden!" Lian Zhibei bowed deeply, her hands raised high above her head.

Bai Lingmiao scanned the thirty-six White Donkeys, her aura now vastly different from when she faced Li Huowai. "Prepare your weapons and artifacts. Follow me to claim the Heart-Plain ones."

"Yes, Holy Maiden!"