Chap 20 - The WangChuan River

"Pardon me, young master," Old Ping began with a hint of deference in his voice, "but that task exceeds my abilities. I am but an immortal bound to the meandering currents of the WangChuan river, forbidden from tasting its soul-stirring broth.

"-Only those who have mastered the intricate laws of reincarnation can engage in discourse with Meng Po and possess the rare privilege to shape their subsequent rebirth."

Old Ping's words hung in the air, casting a spell over Xia Wei and Qian Ya. There was an enigmatic aura emanating from him, captivating their senses.

Each syllable etched itself into their consciousness, their minds becoming a receptive canvas. Unwittingly, both Xia Wei and Qian Ya found themselves assuming a cross-legged position, their eyes closed in meditation.

In the midst of this peculiar tranquility, Old Ping turned to his master, his voice tinged with confusion as he noticed the profound silence.

His gaze met Xia Wei's closed eyes, and he redirected his attention to the young lady who had accompanied his master, only to find her mirroring Xia Wei's meditative pose.

Perplexed, Old Ping's realization dawned upon him with sudden clarity. Despite Xia Wei's origins in the Upper Realm and his occasional encounters with Immortals, the potency of Old Ping's words surpassed mortal limitations.

"I beg your pardon, young master," Old Ping uttered in a hushed tone, his voice brimming with contrition as he bowed repeatedly.

Anxiety induced beads of perspiration on his forehead, and his eyes darted anxiously between Xia Wei and the young lady. Left without further instructions, he assumed his post, standing watchfully by his master's side.

...

After several minutes had elapsed, a chill night breeze breezed through the disorderly room, caressing the debris of a shattered table.

Amidst the chaos, a pair of eyes remained vigilant, attentively observing every motion. Xia Wei, his eyes previously sealed, gradually reopened them.

The stars overhead sparkled with unwavering brilliance, casting a resplendent glow upon Qian Ya's slender figure, lending her an ethereal quality.

A faint mirage of constellations materialized above her head, imbuing her with an aura of otherworldliness.

In an instant, those constellations vanished, supplanted by a colossal, abstract amalgamation of stars that enveloped and filled the room.

"Brat, do you comprehend who I am?" a voice resounded and reverberated throughout the room, alerting Old Ping, who had already been on guard, scrutinizing Qian Ya.

Veins protruded on his forehead, his narrowed eyes scouring the room with a penetrating glare.

Yet, Old Ping failed to discern the enigmatic presence. Just as he opened his mouth, preparing to respond to the voice, he was halted by his master's intervention.

"Forgive my ignorance, senior," Xia Wei spoke with utmost respect, his hands cupped in deference toward the astral assemblage hovering above Qian Ya, whose eyes remained closed.

With Xia Wei's words, the gathering of stellar patterns abruptly shifted, coalescing into a resplendent, two-eyed image radiating celestial luminosity.

"We are the architects of stars, not mere products of birth. Some refer to us as the Deities of Stars, while Immortals recognize us as the Sanxing," the voice resonated from the composite starry visage, answering Xia Wei's query.

The illuminated eyelids resembled a manifestation of the divine beings themselves.

"I comprehend," Xia Wei replied, bowing his head in reverence. Old Ping, beside him, grew perplexed, his desire to remind his master of his exalted status stifled by a stern gaze.

"Simply follow my lead," Xia Wei whispered to Old Ping in a subdued tone, even as a transparent screen materialized before his eyes.

[Name: The Sanxing

Age: ???

Cultivation Base: ???]

The concept of deities in this world truly fascinated Xia Wei. The fact that the system couldn't identify their cultivation meant that their power surpassed anything he had encountered in his predecessor's memories.

It was possible that they belonged to a realm beyond the Celestial Realm itself, Xia Wei speculated.

For the first time since his transmigration into this world, and perhaps even in his entire life, Xia Wei found himself bowing his head in deference.

According to the recollections of his predecessor, even an Earth Immortal would bow if they encountered Xia Wei on the streets.

"Please forgive my audacity, but I am compelled to inquire as to the purpose of your presence in this humble realm, Your Honor," Xia Wei asked, his words weighted with significance. Though he harbored a hunch regarding their sudden arrival, he still sought confirmation.

"It should be apparent to you, considering your astute perception," the voice echoed once more, accompanied this time by a mysterious force that bore down upon Xia Wei.

"Is this intended as a threat, then?" Xia Wei responded promptly. He had sensed a power attempting to crush his bones and drain the Qi from his Dantians just moments ago.

However, Old Ping, who had maintained a silent presence, suddenly emanated his immortal aura, countering the deity's power and repelling it from Xia Wei's body.