Chapter 5: The Sovereign of All Waters
The original Yan Tangtang's clothes, while not tattered, were the kind of cheap garments worn by village children. This alone was a testament to the Yan couple's refusal to spend even a copper more than necessary on her. To them, it was enough that she breathed; she was simply a burden they had cast aside into the care of others.
Having grown up with the sting of family rejection herself, the current Yan Tangtang felt a deep wave of empathy for the original owner of this body. She must have suffered so much...
Yan Tangtang packed the food the village woman had brought. She didn't know where she was going, but she refused to stay here for another second. She moved quickly, leaving the small house without a single backward glance. Since she felt no attachment to the family, she felt no need to linger or look back at this temporary shelter.
She walked in the direction the woman had gone earlier. She knew that leaving so impulsively was risky, but staying would only waste precious time. If the Yan couple returned in nine years and found her here, she knew she would never escape her fate.
Currently, this body could not begin cultivation. The Yan couple believed the original Yan Tangtang lacked the talent to cultivate. However, as someone who had read the novel from start to finish, Yan Tangtang knew the truth: this body could cultivate, but the path would be arduous.
Nothing in this world is easy—especially not for a cannon fodder character destined to be crushed by the female lead, the "Daughter of Heaven."
This body possessed the Primal Water Source Physique, but its cultivation path was blocked by formidable internal barriers.
Forget Qi Condensation stage cultivators like the Yans; even high-level cultivators would struggle to detect this unless they performed a specialized, deep examination. This was why the original Yan Tangtang remained a mere mortal for twenty-five years. It was only after she returned to the Qi family—who refused to believe their biological daughter was untalented—that she was properly tested. Even with the immense power of the Qi family, it took over a year of effort to break through those barriers.
Thus, the original Yan Tangtang's starting point in cultivation was as far apart from the female lead's as the earth is from the sky.
But now, history would not repeat itself. She knew the secret. However, because the original girl was a mere stepping stone in the plot, the details of how her barriers were broken were vague. The novel had simply summarized it in a few words:
"After over a year of effort by the Qi family, her barriers were finally shattered."
There was no mention of which treasures, pills, or techniques were used. Yet, Yan Tangtang did not lose heart. The important thing was that the barriers could be broken. It would be a difficult journey, but as long as she strove for it, opportunities would arise.
In her previous life, she had lived a modest but peaceful existence. Not anymore. If she wanted to escape the clutches of the Yan couple, she had to become powerful. She had only nine years to reach a level higher than theirs. If she failed, she would fall back into their hands and endure the nightmare of being violated by countless men. For Yan Tangtang, she would rather take her own life than live through those nine years of hell.
Instead of facing the edge of a blade, why shouldn't she take a leap into adventure? The path of cultivation is always perilous, and the world of cultivators is a cruel place where the strong devour the weak. At worst, she would die. Her path was already intertwined with death; if she wanted to live, she had to struggle for power.
At the very least, a quick death was better than the unending hell the Yans would provide.
The novel had hinted that if the barriers of the Primal Water Source Physique were broken, the body would become incredibly powerful. This physique was unlike those who simply had a water affinity. While those people were born with water spirit roots, she was born with a Water Body—her very essence was the source of water itself. Her water source was the most sacred in this world. She could potentially control all types of water, and those using water-based attacks would find it impossible to harm her. She was the mistress of the source, commanding the very element they relied on. This was why, even before her powers awakened, those who slept with her felt a calming, cooling effect. The Yans had simply failed to realize the magnitude of what they possessed, dismissing it as a mere "strange constitution."
Their ignorance wasn't entirely their fault. In a world where elemental spirit roots are rare, a Primal Source Physique was the stuff of legends. Unfortunately, in the original story, after the original Yan Tangtang broke her barriers and awakened her powers, she focused entirely on sabotaging the female lead instead of dedicating herself to cultivation.
It was tragic that even with a legendary power, the original girl was no match for the female lead. The protagonist was born with the All-Element Physique, another rare and legendary constitution. She could learn and master techniques of every element, and she was a transcendent genius in both alchemy and enchantment. Combining her innate talents with the vast resources of the Qi family, she was hailed as the greatest prodigy of her generation. She truly was the "Heavenly Daughter" of this world.
Walking down the road, Yan Tangtang shook her head. She had to make sure she never crossed paths with that woman.
Suddenly, a thought struck her, and a grin spread across her face. The female lead was a fujoshi, and if the plot proceeded as written, she would be busy "bending" the handsome men of the world. That meant Yan Tangtang might actually get to see some "sweet BL romance" in the air from a distance.
"Well, the female lead has at least one redeeming quality," Yan Tangtang muttered happily. She quickened her pace and soon spotted a village in the distance.
The house where the original body lived was near the village but isolated. The Yans had truly been heartless to leave a child so alone. Perhaps they weren't worried about the villagers harming her since everyone knew she was the daughter of cultivators.
Yan Tangtang carried her belongings in a makeshift backpack made from her cheap clothes, holding a small bundle of food in one hand. No matter how you looked at her, she resembled a little "black bun" setting off on a grand journey.
A group of children playing by the stream at the edge of the village saw her and ran over.
"Yan Tangtang! What's in the bag? Are you going somewhere?"
The oldest boy in the group asked, his eyes darting curiously toward the bundle that smelled of food.
Yan Tangtang thought for a moment. The original girl's hell only began at sixteen, and the Yans had ignored her during her childhood. Therefore, she likely had a decent relationship with these children.
Putting on a serious expression on her childish face, she declared solemnly, "I'm going to the city. I'm not living in the village anymore. An acquaintance of my parents is waiting for me there. From now on, I am embarking on the path of cultivation!"
The sight of a seven-year-old girl trying to sound grand and sophisticated was truly comical.
However, the children's mouths dropped open, and they stared at her with wide eyes full of respect and envy. In truth, they didn't even know what cultivation really was.
They were simply impressed by the talk of the city and Yan Tangtang's self-important demeanor.
In her past life, Yan Tangtang had always wanted to tease children but never had the chance. Now, she felt a sense of satisfaction seeing their expressions. However, she was leaving this village for good. She wouldn't return, and she likely wouldn't see these children again, so she didn't want to form any lingering attachments. Aiming to reach the nearest city by nightfall, she waved off the gathering crowd of kids who were bursting with more questions.
"I have to go quickly, so goodbye!"
She turned her back on them and headed toward the village entrance, not looking back at the chattering group.
For someone like Yan Tangtang, who had read countless novels, she could estimate her situation even without the original owner's memories. In a village like this, there had to be transport to the city. If not, she would sadly have to rely on her own two feet.
As she reached the village gate, she saw an ox cart filled with people, preparing to depart. She ran toward it, shouting, "Wait! Wait! I want to go to the city too!"
The driver and the passengers turned at the sound of the crisp, childish voice and were startled to see Yan Tangtang. This girl was the daughter of cultivators. Since there were no cultivators living in the village—those who attained power usually left—the villagers had various opinions about this girl who had been left behind. Still, she was the daughter of "High Immortals."
The driver stopped the cart and waited for her. The crowded passengers shuffled around, squeezing together to make room for one small child. They didn't dare let this little lady suffer even a minor scratch.
Yan Tangtang sat at the very back of the cart, her back to the front, letting her legs dangle in the air.
The driver wanted to tell her to sit properly, but he asked the more pressing question first. "Child, are you going to the city alone?"
The whole village knew from the night watchman that her parents had returned early that morning. However, they also knew the couple usually left in a hurry. This girl had never stepped foot outside the village. If her parents were taking her somewhere, wouldn't they have taken her themselves? They wondered if she was just going to the city to play on a whim.
Sensing their thoughts, Yan Tangtang replied, "My father and mother told me that an acquaintance of theirs is waiting for me in the city. They instructed me to go and meet them."
Hearing this, the driver started the cart and asked no more, though he and the other passengers couldn't help but wonder. The city isn't that far, but sending a child alone is a bit much. Couldn't that person have come to the village to fetch her? Why make a child travel like this?
However, the affairs of cultivators were not something ordinary folk could understand. Perhaps this was just how cultivators raised their children.
Listening to the various whispers of the adults, Yan Tangtang watched the rural scenery pass by, a single thought echoing in her mind.
Once I reach the city, where on earth should I head first?