After The Aloof Long Aotian Became Jealous Of Me - Chapter 1

Crimson clouds poured across the sky, bathing all creation in their glow…

Crimson clouds poured across the sky, bathing all creation in their glow.

On the fifteenth day of every month, clouds and mist would churn around the Gongxian Sect, while ribbons of spiritual energy hung from the heavens. When dusk descended, the radiant light of the full moon was even more breathtaking, like a divine miracle.

Normally, the sect’s disciples would gather here to experience that vast power. Today, however, no one was paying attention to the beautiful scenery.

The disciples below whispered among themselves, their eager gazes repeatedly turning toward the distance.

“Have you heard? Senior Brother Zhenlü is coming back soon.”

At the mention of that name, even the most unruly disciples could not help composing themselves, their faces filling with admiration.

Countless dazzling young geniuses existed throughout the world, but only Rong Zhenlü was worthy of being the Immortal Venerable’s foremost disciple. His cultivation was formidable, and despite his young age, he had already become the master of Zhaoye Peak. During this expedition, he had needed only ten days to eradicate the six domains of the demon race. It was as though there were nothing in the world he could not accomplish.

Not a single flaw could be found in him. Even his appearance was so perfect that no fault could be picked out. Because of this, every disciple of the Gongxian Sect felt proud merely to belong to the same sect as him.

“It would be wonderful to become a disciple of Zhaoye Peak. Even if I could only remain by Senior Brother Zhenlü’s side as a child servant who swept the floors, who knows how much I could learn?”

“Stop dreaming. Zhaoye Peak hasn’t accepted anyone in a long time.”

“That’s not true. The senior brother guarding the gate said they took in a mortal just yesterday.”

“What?”

The disciples discussing the matter immediately became astonished.

Senior Brother Zhenlü disliked having people around him. Consequently, most of the disciples on Zhaoye Peak were unusually gifted demonic beasts or artifact spirits, and each one was incredibly powerful.

Why would they suddenly accept an ordinary mortal?

“It seems Steward Crane happened to discover someone talented and temporarily took him in. They still have to wait for Senior Brother Zhenlü to return and assess him. He might not be allowed to stay.”

The disciples immediately understood.

Someone in that situation certainly would not be able to remain. How could Senior Brother Zhenlü possibly have the time to teach a mortal until he became useful?

At that moment, the sound of something tearing through the air came from above. Far in the distance, a streak of icy blue cut across everyone’s vision.

The newcomer was surrounded by the masters of the various peaks. His sharp, solitary loftiness pierced the clouds. Azure lightning coiled around his finger bones before gathering, piece by piece, into chains of ice and electricity.

His divine bearing towered above all others, making even the sunset glow appear dim.

His brows and eyes were distant and cold, and he possessed a refined, handsome face rarely seen anywhere in the world. An azure jade crown held his hair high, while his snow-white robes remained untouched by dust. Even looking at him for too long felt like an act of blasphemy.

Clouds and mist surrounded the assembled immortals. The disciples below bowed one after another, while the inner sect elders also emerged to welcome their triumphant return.

Countless compliments and praises poured toward him.

Rong Zhenlü lowered his eyes. His golden lashes radiated divinity, yet his expression showed neither sorrow nor joy.

He did not respond to any of their words. He merely inclined his head before turning and leaving.

Everyone else gazed up at their senior brother’s departing figure, sighing endlessly in admiration.

Remaining unmoved by worldly affairs—now that was the true bearing of an immortal. They still had much to learn from Senior Brother Zhenlü.

At that moment, someone once again became envious of the mortal who had been accepted.

Senior Brother Zhenlü was far too aloof, making it difficult for anyone to even speak with him. Even if that mortal could not stay, being able to exchange a few words with Senior Brother Zhenlü would still be worthwhile.

Everyone was too busy expressing their admiration to notice that, above the sunset clouds, two figures were wobbling unsteadily toward Senior Brother Zhenlü.

The ink-black immortal crane seemed to be carrying a person for the first time. It flapped its wings with all its might, its usually long and agile body appearing exceptionally clumsy.

Even so, it continued holding its head up proudly. When it opened its beak, the childish voice of a young boy came out.

“See? That’s our Immortal Lord Zhenlü. He’s so handsome that just looking at him makes you feel safe. What happens next will determine whether you’re allowed to stay, so make sure you behave properly in front of Senior Brother.”

On the crane’s back, a young man dressed in an ill-fitting disciple’s uniform desperately clutched its feathers.

The strong wind whipped his hair into disarray. A pair of tea-colored eyes carefully studied the young immortal lord in the distance.

So that was Long Aotian, the protagonist of the novel.

That overpowering aura of dominance and those icy-blue chains—it had to be him.

Recalling the familiar fragments of the story in his mind, Bai Yi finally confirmed that he had transmigrated into a Long Aotian cultivation novel titled The Myriad-Frost Immortal Saint.

In this novel, the protagonist, Rong Zhenlü, was a heaven-sent genius. He possessed mutated ice-and-lightning spiritual roots, allowing him to cultivate at a terrifying speed. His status was high enough that he never had to endure anyone’s nonsense. Throughout his journey of cultivation, he slaughtered gods when gods stood in his way, making the story extraordinarily satisfying to read.

Of course, how could anyone transform into a true Long Aotian without undergoing trials?

Rong Zhenlü had been an orphan. Having grown up without love, he neither understood love nor knew how to give it. The only clue to his origins was a jade pendant left inside the dantian within his body.

He was later accepted as a disciple by the Immortal Venerable. However, his master spent most of the year in secluded cultivation. Rong Zhenlü became accustomed to solitude, and the only people who spent any significant amount of time with him were the underlings he gathered around himself.

When Bai Yi read the novel, the people he envied most were those underlings.

After all, Long Aotian’s parents might have miserable lives. His master might also have a miserable life.

But every single one of his underlings could be described as a winner in life. They enjoyed themselves beyond belief.

However, the people qualified to become Long Aotian’s underlings were naturally no ordinary individuals. Each of them possessed numerous miraculous abilities.

As for why Bai Yi was qualified to become a candidate for the position…

Well, he had transmigrated in far too much of a hurry yesterday.

Bai Yi had been preparing to report to university for his freshman year and was still wearing modern clothes. The moment he pushed open the door to his dormitory, he fell into a forest in the cultivation world and was captured by a group of people.

Fortunately, he encountered Steward Crane, who had left the Gongxian Sect for the first time.

Steward Crane had been born and raised on Zhaoye Peak. In the original novel, once it fully matured in the future, it would even be capable of transforming into a phoenix.

At present, however, it had only recently gained intelligence. It was still relatively innocent and wholeheartedly believed Bai Yi was special. In this confused and muddled manner, it had simply taken him in.

The immortal crane was currently chasing after Immortal Lord Zhenlü with all its strength. It nervously turned its head and could not help reminding Bai Yi again.

“Don’t forget the procedure. I’ll carry you onto the cloud beneath the Immortal Lord’s feet. Then you bow, salute him, and introduce yourself.”

“Make a good impression! Smooth down your hair and be careful not to let it blow against the Immortal Lord. Your hair is fairly short, but the Immortal Lord is extremely particular about cleanliness. Otherwise, you won’t even make it onto Zhaoye Peak before being sent straight down the mountain.”

Bai Yi nodded. His pale fingers gathered his black hair behind his head.

With his luxuriantly red lips, he looked extraordinarily beautiful. He gratefully stroked the immortal crane’s head.

The immortal crane opened its beak, then quickly turned its head forward again. The top of its head grew so warm that its feathers stood on end, and it suddenly flew even faster.

It thought with complete certainty that Bai Yi truly was special among humans.

The Immortal Lord would definitely accept him.

As they flew, Bai Yi had already begun imagining his future life of lying around and doing nothing.

With such an enormous thigh right in front of him, anyone who refused to cling to it would hardly be human.

As for how he would pass this nerve-racking interview, Bai Yi already had a plan.

With his knowledge of the original novel, being allowed to stay would not be difficult.

Fortunately, this was a cultivation world. He could pretend that he occasionally dreamed of certain scenes from the future.

Once he reached Rong Zhenlü, he would innocently reveal a tiny portion of the secret concerning Long Aotian’s origins—the thing Rong Zhenlü most desperately wanted to know.

He was certain it would strike directly at the man’s heart.

At the same time, Bai Yi would give him a vague, indirect compliment, preventing Rong Zhenlü from suspecting that he had any ulterior motives.

The important thing was maintaining the proper balance.

Bai Yi had already rehearsed everything in his mind.

He sat firmly on the crane’s back, watching as the distant, aloof figure drew closer and closer.

The immortal crane suddenly executed a fierce diving lunge, hurling Bai Yi forward. The posture and angle were both controlled with exceptional precision.

Whoosh!

Bai Yi landed gracefully on the cloud and bowed in greeting.

As someone who had read the original novel, he knew that Long Aotian cared deeply about cleanliness and proper etiquette.

The immortal crane had personally taught him this salute. Bai Yi had practiced it for a long time and taken it extremely seriously.

Now, floating among the clouds, his posture was perfect. He appeared dignified, courteous, and refined.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Then Bai Yi suddenly panicked.

Neither the immortal crane nor Bai Yi had any experience with this. They had overlooked one important detail.

Bai Yi was a mortal.

Unlike cultivators, he was completely incapable of standing steadily upon loose, soft clouds.

Caught entirely off guard, Bai Yi toppled forward.

The powerful momentum sent his slightly bowed body pitching ahead. The next instant, his alarmed eyes flew wide open.

The good news was that he ultimately managed to regain his balance.

The bad news was that he had only regained his balance after smashing his head into Long Aotian’s waist…

Silence.

Deathly silence.

Rong Zhenlü reacted before Bai Yi did.

His golden lashes trembled. Those perpetually cool and indifferent brows finally showed emotion, revealing an expression of disbelief as he abruptly turned around.

Bai Yi rubbed his head in a daze.

A small patch of his forehead had turned red from striking the hollow of Rong Zhenlü’s waist, and even the tip of his nose had reddened from the collision.

He finally realized that this interview was probably doomed.

What could possibly be worse than offending the person in charge before the interview had even begun?

Heh.

He had really managed to “kiss up” to the boss this time—just not in the way he had intended.

For a modern person like Bai Yi, the incident was not actually a serious matter. They were both men. He could apologize sincerely, and it would probably be fine.

The person before him, however, was different.

The lofty young Long Aotian appeared detached from all worldly desires, but in truth, he possessed the pride of a peerless genius and was obsessively fastidious about cleanliness. Regardless of who they were, no one could approach his body.

Only because Bai Yi was a potential underling had Rong Zhenlü briefly lowered his guard.

Then Bai Yi had rammed into him like this.

He was probably so disgusted and uncomfortable that no matter how eloquently Bai Yi spoke, there was no possibility of being allowed to remain.

If he revealed now that he had dreamed of the future, Rong Zhenlü certainly would not allow him to become an underling.

He might even end up as a prisoner.

He had already wrapped his arms halfway around this enormous thigh, only to knock it away with his own head.

Bai Yi hurriedly apologized.

The immortal crane beside him was even more embarrassed. It swooped over and stretched out a wing to shield him.

“Ahem, Immortal Lord, I forgot he was a mort—”

Before it could finish speaking, Bai Yi pulled it behind him and apologized again.

The beautiful young man’s face was filled with remorse.

Beneath his disheveled black hair was an excessively vivid, devastatingly lovely face. His skin was flawlessly pale, and his appearance carried a bewitching allure.

The immortal crane anxiously looked over the young man’s shoulder. It was about to offer another explanation when it noticed the Immortal Lord standing there in a daze.

Against the light, his figure appeared as cold and indifferent as ever.

But his violently pounding heartbeat could not be concealed.

Clouds and mist churned around them, mixed with the sound of icy lightning splintering apart.

At some unknown moment, every trace of anger and aloofness had vanished.

The place Bai Yi had touched was still tingling.

Rong Zhenlü’s golden lashes lowered, while the fingertips hanging at his sides had turned so red that blood almost seemed ready to drip from them.

The immortal crane’s beak fell wide open.

Bai Yi stood in front of the crane.

Even if he could no longer become an underling, he absolutely could not allow the immortal crane to lose such a good position because of him.

He bent forward once more, preparing to continue apologizing.

However, the Long Aotian before him unexpectedly stepped back on instinct.

Rong Zhenlü seemed to say something, but the wind was too strong in midair, and Bai Yi could not hear clearly.

It was over.

He had traumatized him.

When had the mighty Long Aotian ever retreated from another person?

Bai Yi hurriedly straightened and waited to receive his punishment.

However, the reprimand he imagined never came.

Huh?

Was Rong Zhenlü not going to pursue the matter?

That could not possibly be right.

At the very least, he ought to beat Bai Yi up.

Bai Yi raised his head in confusion. His beautiful tea-colored pupils appeared veiled in watery mist.

The instant their eyes met, Rong Zhenlü turned away at an awkward, almost uncomfortable angle and left.

Watching the aloof figure retreat into the distance, Bai Yi remained where he was and rubbed his head.

This person truly was exactly as the novel had described—far too cold and aloof to speak with.

Even after everything that had happened, he could not be bothered to curse at Bai Yi.

Well, this was not such a bad outcome.

Bai Yi mounted the immortal crane and was preparing to descend the mountain when its enormous wings began flapping excitedly.

It shot directly toward Zhaoye Peak.

Bai Yi jumped in fright.

“Where are you going?”

“Of course I’m taking you back to Zhaoye Peak! Didn’t you see that the Immortal Lord agreed to let you stay? Hahaha, this is wonderful! The mountain is finally going to become livelier!”

Bai Yi was carried up the mountain in a daze, feeling as though he were dreaming.

He remained doubtful that Long Aotian had truly agreed to let him stay.

Had the immortal crane misunderstood?

In the original novel, Steward Crane was innocent and mischievous. It was terrible at reading people’s expressions and frequently misinterpreted what Long Aotian meant.

Unable to restrain himself, Bai Yi asked for confirmation again.

He received the same answer.

The immortal crane thumped its wings against its chest, making loud banging sounds. Its childish voice was filled with smug pride at having accomplished something important.

“Stop worrying. Didn’t the Immortal Lord say just now that it was fine?”

“Did he?” Bai Yi asked suspiciously. “Why didn’t I hear him clearly?”

“Oh, the Immortal Lord didn’t speak clearly because he was obviously embarrassed to talk to you. Even if I really did misunderstand, the worst that could happen is that the Immortal Lord sends you back where you came from. The Immortal Lord treats his subordinates better than anyone. He certainly won’t do anything terrible to you. But there’s no possibility that this immortal crane misunderstood him!”

Bai Yi scratched his head.

Well, Steward Crane truly was innocent.

When had Long Aotian ever felt embarrassed?

He had probably just been too lazy to waste his breath.

It would have been fine if Bai Yi had simply failed the interview from the beginning.

But if he moved in and was later thrown out by Long Aotian, that would be unbelievably humiliating.

Fortunately…

Heh-heh.

Who in this cultivation world even knew him?

If he embarrassed himself, then so be it.

Bai Yi suppressed the corners of his mouth as they threatened to rise and nodded.

He decided to stay for as many days as he could.

Otherwise, as a mortal, he would have to find some way to support himself.

He might as well freeload on a few immortal meals and laze around here first.

Therefore, when the immortal crane asked which room he wanted, Bai Yi decisively chose the Jia-Ding Quarters, the room farthest from Zhaoye Hall.

He moved in as discreetly as possible.

It could only be said that this residence was truly worthy of Long Aotian.

Even its most remote room was as beautiful as an immortal paradise.

The Jia-Ding Quarters had been constructed in the middle of a mist-shrouded pool. Tables, chairs, and meditation cushions stood at the center, separated from the water by flowing curtains.

The scenery was extraordinarily beautiful.

After being tormented by events all day, Bai Yi was exhausted.

Only yesterday, he had still been a university freshman. He truly could not endure so many life-and-death shocks.

He hurriedly removed his clothes and entered the pool.

His slender, soft, pale body drifted beneath the water.

Before long, a warm current rapidly entered through his skin, then surged back out carrying murky impurities.

Soon, Bai Yi had turned into a little mud figure.

What was happening?

Bai Yi stared blankly as he washed the substance from his hands.

His already pale skin became increasingly flawless, so perfect that it hardly seemed real.

This scene felt extremely familiar.

Was this the cleansing of the meridians and marrow described in cultivation novels?

Did this mean he could now be considered half a cultivator?

Bai Yi was overjoyed.

After all, the immortal crane had tested his spiritual roots yesterday. He did not possess any whatsoever. His aptitude was even worse than an ordinary person’s.

Yet this water could actually benefit even him.

He immediately submerged his entire body in the pool.

The flowing immortal waters continuously washed away the mortal impurities emanating from his body. Even his originally short hair began growing longer.

Once the water could cleanse him no further, Bai Yi climbed out feeling completely refreshed.

He discovered that the flowing pool had already returned to its original pristine state.

Sure enough, even random cats and dogs could ascend to immortality beside Long Aotian.

Even his bathing pool was made from this sort of heavenly treasure.

Bai Yi could hardly imagine what might happen if he remained here for a while longer.

He resolved to keep a low profile and conceal his presence for several more days.

At the very least, he could not light candles at night, nor could he open the windows during the day.

He circled the room and carefully inspected everything, ensuring that there were no visible signs that anyone lived there.

When he reached the window, he suddenly heard voices outside.

Bai Yi instinctively hid.

An aged voice sighed with emotion.

“Tsk, tsk. The Immortal Lord hates being harassed by men more than anything, yet someone still dares approach him.”

Huh?

The voice sounded old but also strangely youthful. It was simultaneously ancient and childish, masculine and feminine.

Was that not the voice of the Old Tree Spirit from the original novel?

Comparing it with his memories of the book, Bai Yi recalled the character.

The Old Tree Spirit’s roots spread throughout the entirety of Zhaoye Peak. It was an enormous and genuine king among trees.

It could be said that nothing happening anywhere on the mountain could escape its notice.

The other party certainly knew Bai Yi was here.

From the meaning of its words, was the Old Tree Spirit talking about him?

Bai Yi opened the window a tiny crack and looked outside.

The first thing he saw was Long Aotian.

Holy shit.

Bai Yi nearly slammed the window shut.

Fortunately, Long Aotian was not presently on Zhaoye Peak. He was extremely far away and had his back turned toward Bai Yi.

A man seemed to be standing opposite him.

Naturally, Bai Yi could not hear what they were saying.

However, a small branch suddenly extended beside the window. Its leaves rustled and produced a human voice.

“Another fool who doesn’t know whether he wants to live or die has come to confess his feelings to our Immortal Lord. Hahaha! Just watch. That man is about to meet a terrible end.”

“…Surely not.”

Bai Yi suspiciously looked into the distance.

The original novel had only described Long Aotian as cold and merciless, habitually ignoring confessions from female cultivators.

It had never described how he reacted when a man confessed to him.

Surely he would not respond that viciously.

The next moment, however, the man audaciously attempted to touch Long Aotian’s face.

The icy lightning chains coiled around Rong Zhenlü’s body flashed.

The man did not even manage to make a sound before being reduced to ashes.

Bai Yi was frightened senseless.

He stared blankly at the human-shaped ashes drifting down from the sky.

Then he abruptly slammed the window shut and collapsed onto the floor.

A leaf from the little branch squeezed through the crack in the window. It curled into the shape of a trumpet and moved close to his ear, buzzing loudly.

“You weren’t the one harassing the Immortal Lord. Why are you so frightened?”

Bai Yi’s face turned pale.

“You must have seen it. Earlier, I accidentally offended the Immortal Lord.”

The Old Tree Spirit extended several more leaves into the room and patted his shoulder.

“You didn’t do it intentionally. Besides, the Immortal Lord didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

“Relax. The Immortal Lord is very magnanimous. That man only ended up like this because he saw you just now, started spouting reckless nonsense, and then lunged at the Immortal Lord to harass him.”

Bai Yi fell silent.

Damn it.

Did that mean Long Aotian already knew he was on the peak?

Sure enough, one could not casually watch other people’s excitement.

Bai Yi felt numb.

The easy life that had already reached his mouth had flown away once again.

He suspected the only reason Long Aotian had spared him earlier was because the immortal crane had personally brought him there.

Rong Zhenlü would not deal with Bai Yi publicly and risk disheartening the crane.

It would have been fine if Bai Yi had been sent straight down the mountain at the time.

But now he was still living here.

Even if Long Aotian refrained from killing him for the sake of his reputation, could he truly resist making Bai Yi’s life difficult?

At the very least, seeing Bai Yi would certainly make him feel disgusted.

Just as expected—

The cry of a crane sounded outside the window.

The Old Tree Spirit had only spoken halfway through its sentence when it suddenly fled with a whoosh.

However, it failed to escape in time.

It cried out twice as the immortal crane plucked one of its tender leaves.

The immortal crane chewed noisily—chomp, chomp, chomp—before happily knocking on the door.

“Bai Yi, the Immortal Lord wants to see you!”