Reverse Scale: Forsaken Immortals, #2

By Tinalynge

Romance filled with ancient martial arts and magical creatures.

 

Finding an ancient treasure was not as fortunate as one might expect. As soon as Bai Rouyun had left the grave, countless sects and hidden families set out to kill her for the sake of obtaining her treasure for themselves.

After months of killing, and leaving a trail of numerous corpses, Bai Rouyun finally could not continue. Unwilling to succumb, she refused to let them get the treasure, and she threw herself off the mountain top, taking the treasure with her to the eternal grave in the clouds.

However, the treasure she had picked up was anything but ordinary. Soon she woke up in the body of a mute, deaf, and mentally challenged woman who... had just gotten married?

Trying to get used to her new life, swearing to gain vengeance while juggling her newlywed husband, was a task that genuinely required all her wits.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tinalynge
• Release date: Mar 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215159460

Book preview

Chapter 1 - Assessment Grounds

Bai Rouyun stood on top of a large hill, looking at the snaking lines of people who were leaving Canglan City in an attempt at going towards the location of the assessment for the Blue Water Institute. 

The Blue Water Institute was located within Canglan City, but they couldn't host the assessment on their own premises, as more than twenty thousand cultivators would show up every year.

The Blue Water Institute had five classes, the first was for the Acquired Realm - Sky Tier. The second was for the Acquired Realm - Heaven Tier, third was for the Innate Realm - Red Tier, fourth was for the Innate Realm - Orange Tier, and the last class was for the Innate Realm - Yellow Tier. 

When one reached the Yellow Tier, they could apply for graduation, or they could further their studies at the more upscale institutes and academies, or become a teacher or dean at the Blue Water Institute. 

Most chose to become a teacher, as they would be quite old by the time they reached this goal, and it was clear that their talent could not handle studying at another academy or institute. 

Although the Blue Water Institute was amongst the weakest in the entire continent, it was still well known amongst the commoners, because this was one of the few places that allowed those without a background to come and train. 

The only thing that was required to apply for a position at the institute was a cultivation base at the Acquired Realm - Sky Tier and above. 

Of course, the institute would fill the spots with the strongest experts, so it was quite rare that there were any Acquired Realm - Sky Tier experts who got picked, most of the time, they were Acquired Realm - Heaven Tier. 

There were also always a few Innate Realm experts who came to attend the trial and instantly got a spot for the new year. 

Bai Rouyun squinted her eyes as she stood on the hill. The wind was blowing behind her, making her fairy-like white dress flutter in the wind, and her hair, which was tied in a ponytail on top of her head, was also swaying. 

She looked as attractive as always. Everyone who put their eyes on her would be unable to withdraw them; some might even lose their soul to her beauty.

But right now, not many had the time to look up at the small hill. They were all heading straight to the assessment grounds; all of them were eager to try their best. 

Bai Rouyun smiled and elegantly began moving down the hill, following the groups of people towards the assessment grounds. Although she did not have to take the assessment, she still needed to enroll. 

Today, she had left Little Chu at home. Little Chu happened to have brought a mountain of gold and essence stones with him, so it had been simple to buy a mansion and hire servants to look after the Fire Horse and their temporary home. 

Bai Rouyun had not needed to pay even the slightest coin for it, and she could not help but smile as she stretched lazily. 

She had initially planned on selling the Marrow-Cleansing Pill at an auction with the Thousand Treasure Pavilion before the assessment, but it had to be delayed. As Little Chu had said, it was better to wait for the Shitian Tower to spread them first, and then sell theirs after the Shitian Tower had sold at least one. 

If the first Marrow-Cleansing Pill came from her, then she would be a much bigger target than if the Shitian Tower had shown the pills first. 

Bai Rouyun had to admit that what Little Chu said made sense. And since he had brought mountains of wealth, she was not in a hurry to earn money either.

As she reached the road, she found that many started noticing her, and their eyes turned confused and shocked. How could such an attractive woman exist? 

Bai Rouyun was, by now, used to the many glances sent her way, so she held her graceful smile on her lips as she began slowly moving towards the assessment ground like a fairy, and no one could ignore her. 

But when they examined her, many of them could not help but frown. Such a beauty! She was clearly like those immortals in the sky, but her cultivation base was merely at the Acquired Realm, Sky Tier. 

This meant that she was actually not very talented. Her talent could only be considered as average, and indeed, amongst the weakest of those who were walking towards the assessment grounds. Even so, her face was not holding any nervousness, only her graceful smile showed that she was in a good mood. 

While all the men hoped for a miracle, hoping that she would be admitted to the school due to her beauty, the women were looking at her with disdain. She might be beautiful, but her talent was nothing to care about. She was not going to pass, so they ignored her. 

Bai Rouyun was ultimately not putting anyone in her eyes. As always, she had complete faith in her own ability to escape, should something unexpected happen. 

Soon, they reached the assessment ground, and there were two queues. One was long, and most people went there, while the other queue was shorter, almost no one lined-up in it. 

Bai Rouyun went for the short queue, and while some of the men wanted to come forward to stop her, the women snickered and laughed at her for thinking herself so important that she could enter the queue for those who had already been given a spot. 

Miss, this queue is not for you, a young man suddenly said as he looked at Bai Rouyun, but she just smiled. Thank you for your kindness, but this is the queue I need to take, Bai Rouyun said, as she pulled out the invitation card from the Primal Chaos Dimension.

Chapter 2 - Idol

The many people who had been observing Bai Rouyun, waiting for her to make a fool out of herself were shocked when they saw that she had an invitation letter to the Blue Water Institute, but then their faces turned ridiculing and sneering at her.

Of course, she had an invitation letter. She was not strong enough to get in on her own, so it was likely that she had used her looks or background to get her hands on such a letter, and this was enough to make the people standing in the long queue waiting to be tested, jealous and full of unwillingness.

Why could such a weak little girl become someone special, why could she get an invitation letter when they were forced to go through the assessment and fight for a position? Especially when they were stronger than her! This was simply too unfair!

Looking at the massive queue of people who were glaring at her, Bai Rouyun just smiled casually, and continued to walk towards the clerk who was registering the people who had invitation letters. 

She did not care about others, and not at all did she care about what they thought of her. So what if they were unhappy? They could be unhappy and find it unfair, but she had used her own strength to gain the invitation letter. 

If not for having gotten first place in the Royal Hunting Feast, there would have been no way for her to get the invitation letter, so she did not feel as if she had walked in the backdoor. 

If she genuinely wanted to walk in through the backdoor, she would have asked Li Moyun to prepare a spot for her in the Cloudsoar Academy, or to other big schools in the continent. While it was possible, she was not willing to do so, and thus she did not feel as if she had abused her background. 

But she was quite happy to see all these people looking down upon her. The more who looked down upon her, the easier it would be to eradicate the people who acted against her. 

While Bai Rouyun was deep in thought, she had arrived at the desk where the clerk was sitting, she handed over the letter, and he accepted it graciously. Looking at it for a moment and noticing that it came from Richu Empire, he could not help but snort. 

The Richu Empire was nothing big, but they still pretended to be much more outstanding than their peers, and the empire was bound to be lost sooner rather than later. If not for their Prince Yun, they would have been overrun by other empires and kingdoms long ago. 

Name, the clerk asked, and Bai Rouyun answered with a gentle and patient voice. 

Bay Rouyun.

Position at court, the clerk asked again. As normal students, this was not something they needed to consider, but the invited students were always asked for their rank and background. This was to ensure that they were not capable of causing too many problems for the Blue Water Institute later.

Princess Yun, Bai Rouyun answered casually as she looked around, but she was not aware that the moment the words escaped her lips, the clerk's hands jerked, and he raised his head for the first time to look at her.

Her exquisite appearance made the clerk unable to breathe, and he looked at her in shock. Prince Yun, Li Moyun, was the clerk's idol, and he had heard that he had been married, but as to whom he had married, he did not know. And now that he saw the woman right in front of him, and he could not help but feel astounded. 

She was extremely beautiful, definitely worthy of standing next to Li Moyun, but her strength was lacking, not at all something to write home about, and the clerk could not help but feel a bit of indignation on behalf of Li Moyun.

He was a deity in the eyes of many people. He had single-handedly changed the outcome of many battles and ensured that the Richu Empire was kept safe. 

Not only had he been campaigning on the battlefield since the age of twelve, but he had also managed to garner a reputation of being benevolent and gentle. 

Now he had gotten married, but only a few women were worthy of Li Moyun in the eyes of his fans, and Bai Rouyun was not worthy of him at all. 

Bai Rouyun was unaware of the clerk's thoughts. If she knew them, then she would have been unsure if she should cry or laugh. To think that even Li Moyun had fans throughout the world. 

The clerk did not want to approve Bai Rouyun as a student in the Blue Water Institute, but he also realized that if he did not do that, it would be a disrespect to the man he admired, and thus he unwillingly went through the procedures.

Bai Rouyun was given a small round plaque that was made from an unknown material. It felt like wood, but it was much harder than regular wood, and it did not have the softness of most woods. 

This plaque was Bai Rouyun's identity tag at the school, and it was able to store the merit points that were used as the currency here. 

She was told to pour a drop of blood on the plaque, and as she did, she felt a strange connection with the token in her hands.

After connecting with the plaque and ensuring that there was nothing else she should do with the clerk, she strode into the trial grounds where everyone was being tested. 

She saw a few people holding a plaque, but most of them had none, and were sweating profusely, clearly having gone through a few trials themselves. 

Chapter 3 - Bai Yan

Bai Rouyun noticed a few faces whom she recognized. She saw the Crown Prince and the one who had gotten third place in the tournament at the Royal Hunting Feast.

She also noticed multiple sons and daughters of loyal officials and other nobles gathering around them. 

While the two who had been given an invitation letter were still immaculately dressed, looking noble beyond belief, the others were exhausted and sweaty. 

Bai Rouyun could not help but look at them with a smile. These people had likely looked down upon Bai Rouyun for so long in the past. She was known as trash, and was looked down upon, but now she was the one they could only look up to. 

As she was walking down the path, these people also noticed her. However, where they were full of energy before, and looked energized and friendly; now that they saw her, mockery and disdain flashed in their eyes, and they looked at her with utter disregard. 

They had all expected that Bai Rouyun would walk towards them and grovel at their feet, pretend to know them, or beg to become a part of their group, but contrary to their expectations, she just walked past them with her enigmatic smile ever present on her lips.

She treated them all as if they were air! She did not even treat them as strangers, as she completely ignored them. With strangers, you might greet each other, but she did not even seem to notice that they were there!

This was an utter humiliation for the ones who looked at her with smug expressions, waiting for her to come begging to be accepted into their group.

Many had been observing Bai Rouyun due to her sheer beauty, so they also noticed the odd expressions on the faces in the Richu Empire group, and then they looked at Bai Rouyun once more. Was she perhaps from the Richu Empire too, but something had happened between them? 

Everyone had a bit of a gossipy person within them, so they observed the two parties with great interest. 

Bai Rouyun, stop right there! someone shrieked, and Bai Rouyun, who had been walking casually, turned around, as her smile grew slightly.

What is it? She asked, her voice as enchanting, soft, and gentle as everyone present had expected. The men who listened had an urge to protect her, to stand in front of her, and never let her experience any hardships. 

But while Bai Rouyun looked like a fragile beauty at times, she was not that fragile, nor was she in need of anyone's protection. 

You are nothing more than a piece of trash! The one who had called out happened to be Bai Rouyun's half-sister, Bai Yan.

Many of the people present were in the mood to watch a drama play out in front of them, and when they heard Bai Yan yell at Bai Rouyun, calling her trash, they could not help but sneer. 

It was true that Bai Rouyun was weaker than Bai Yan, Bai Yan was an Acquired Realm, Heavenly Tier, Mediate Layer; while Bai Rouyun was at the Acquired Realm, Sky Tier, Advanced Layer. 

This meant that Bai Yan was two small realms above Bai Rouyun, but when looking at the two, it seemed as if the stronger person was the one who looked to be at a disadvantage. 

Oh, Miss Bai. Bai Rouyun just greeted Bai Yan casually. She did not seem as if she was the weak one; she appeared as if what Bai Yan had yelled held no influence on her at all. 

What Miss Bai?! I am your older sister; how dare you be so rude to me!

Bai Rouyun glanced at her and said with a mocking voice, I would not mind calling you older sister if you swear a Heavenly Oath that you had nothing to do with the poison I was fed.

Bai Yan's expression turned pale in an instant. She had never expected that Bai Rouyun would say such a thing. She had never thought that the poison had worked, or that it had influenced Bai Rouyun, so she had not cared about it before, but now she realized that she had been too arrogant. 

Although Bai Rouyun used to be a fool, she had been cured. It was clear that Bai Yan had forgotten about this, and she had thought that Bai Rouyun would be cowering in fear when she saw her, but not only was she not afraid, she even managed to turn it all around in such a brilliant way.

Bai Yan's face alternated between white and red. She could not swear a Heavenly Oath, as she had been part of the plot behind the poisonous incident. Quite a few of the children and misses of the Bai residence had taken part in it. 

When they had prepared her for her wedding ceremony, they had sedated her, and alongside the sedation, they had also given her the poison that would end her life. 

Seeing that Bai Yan was suddenly unable to say something, many of the people who were observing suddenly had a greater understanding. So, this woman was actually so vicious! She had tried to kill her own sister!

But instead of Bai Yan, the one who spoke was the Crown Prince. Bai Rouyun, be more magnanimous. You are now a part of the royal family, so you have to be much more tolerant. Aren't you still alive and kicking, what is the point of harboring on something that happened a long time ago?

Bai Rouyun was not dumb. She understood that the Crown Prince was speaking for the sake of making everyone know that she was a married woman. 

Bai Rouyun could only chuckle. Did this Crown Prince think that she was attempting to hide her relationship with Li Moyun? 

Chapter 4 - Narrow Minded Crown Prince

Bai Rouyun chuckled lightly and cocked her head to the side. "My husband is currently fighting for your Empire's future. He is a hero of the people. He is always putting himself at the front, and leaving his family behind what is for the greater good of the Empire, but what does he get in return?

"He sees his family being mocked and bullied by his own brother! His family, and those whom he holds dear are being excluded from the upper class of society, just because of jealousy.

The jealousy of man is truly horrifying. To think that it is so strong that even you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince, are turning against me. I understand that you are feeling threatened by my husband's power, and that he has a great reputation, but you have to remember that he is currently fighting for what is to become your empire. You owe him, at least, enough respect not to bully his wife when he is away!

Many had gathered around the group to see the drama that was unfolding. When they heard the Crown Prince's words, they had been quite confused, but upon hearing Bai Rouyun so generously, and proudly, talk about her husband, many of them felt as if they were enlightened. 

This woman was beautiful. She was the sort of woman that any man would dream about, but knowing that she was already married, many had already categorized her as a woman they should not get entangled with.

While many people were blinded by greed and beauty, there were also many who were morally upright and respectable. They knew that since she was married, she already belonged to someone, and it was not their position to interfere with a loving couple.

And from hearing about how she was boasting of her husband, it was clear that she was delighted with him, so many of the men who had ulterior motives dismissed them. They did not wish to make her husband misunderstand her. 

The Crown Prince suddenly saw that the public opinion turned to Bai Rouyun, and he gritted his teeth in anger. He had seen most of the men be like this, and not accept a beautiful woman who belonged to someone else, but now he realized that they were much more humane than him.

Women her age were often married, and it was not like she had ever led them on, or lied to them, so why should they be angry with her? She had done nothing, but instead, she had been insulted time and time again by the people she was supposed to be with as companions. 

She had even revealed that her half-sister had tried to poison her before, and the sister did not dare to swear to the heavens that she had nothing to do with the poisoning incident, showing that she had indeed been a part of it.

The Crown Prince was supposed to be her brother-in-law, but he was also trying to insult her. The many people who were observing were all much more clear-headed than the ones involved. 

Even Bai Rouyun could see how stupid the Crown Prince and Bai Yan were acting, but they were blind to it. A thief believes that everyone steals, and both Bai Yan and the Crown Prince were too narrow minded and thought that everyone else was as bad as them.

Bai Rouyun smiled slightly, as she saw how the group of people supported her. She knew that as long as the people had just a somewhat working brain, they would not agree with the Crown Prince or Bai Yan. 

Bai Rouyun sneered in her heart. Turn the world against her? Don't worry; she would pay them back tenfold and make them seem ugly instead. She might not have many outstanding talents, but she always had a very poisonous tongue, and knew what to say to sway the public opinion in her favor. 

After spending a bit of time facing off against the Crown Prince and the half-sister of hers, Bai Rouyun could not help but smile. She felt like she had gotten the day's amount of amusement and was ready to continue walking forward. 

However, the Crown Prince saw Bai Rouyun as his biggest enemy. Whenever he saw her, he was reminded of Li Moyun. He wanted to torment both of them, and make them beg for mercy, but still kill them in cold blood to show them who was the strongest of them all.

However, while he dreamt of this, he knew he could not actually move against Bai Rouyun right now. If he did, everyone would know about it, and his reputation would sweep the floor, especially after her speech about Li Moyun fighting for the peace of the Richu Empire.

Bai Rouyun might have been dumb for a long time of her life, but now she was quite intelligent. Her words had given her a card of amnesty; the Crown Prince couldn't act against her without getting a label of bullying the wife of a noble hero who was saving their empire.

Smiling knowingly, Bai Rouyun turned her back on them and began moving further into the trial grounds. She was curious to see what the trials were like, and how they determined who was picked.

Were they merely chosen based on one's cultivation level, or were there other factors that showed one's strength? 

She already had her invitation letter, so she was not too bothered, but she was still quite curious about these institutions and academies, as she had never attended one before.

She looked around and saw multiple stages that one had to go through before one could be considered as having passed the trial, and especially one of these trials attracted her attention.

Chapter 5 - Lost Little Lamb

There were multiple challenges that one had to go through; the first was to check one's cultivation base. One needed a minimum of the Acquired Realm, Sky Tier, Mediate Layer to be allowed even to try the other trials.

Then there was a trial that tested one's understanding of their martial art techniques. You could pick whichever technique you wished to test for, but if you did not show a satisfactory display of control over the technique, you would be removed.

After this came the fighting test. Although one could control their techniques, and could have a decent cultivation rank, the most vital thing to stay alive was their battle ability. So, these people would be sent to fight against beasts. 

The Blue Water Institute had brought more than ten thousand beasts with them to the trial grounds, and each person who reached the third trial had to fight against one of these beasts. 

This was the hardest trial of them all. The beasts did not care about the welfare of the ones taking the examination. They were frenzied and full of fear, so they fought with everything they had on the line, only to be killed in the end. 

Those who managed to injure the trial takers would be put down by the overseer of the trial, so that although some of them failed the test, they still kept their lives.

Bai Rouyun walked around the trial grounds. She saw multiple techniques being displayed, some with much more flair than others, but none of them seemed to be as powerful as the techniques she had access to through her previous life.

At the same time, she also saw multiple fights against magical beasts, and she saw that some people had their potential ignited and fought with relentless fierceness, while others became scared and cowered in a corner.

The Blue Water Institute only wanted those who could pass all three tests, and while many thousands had shown up for the trials, they were dwindling in numbers faster than she had expected.

But this was the Blue Water Institute. While it was indeed an institute that was known for being a part of the cultivation world, it was so lowly ranked that those who showed up here did not have the talent or background to go for a more renowned place.

This was also why Bai Rouyun was happy with this place. She had no doubt that she would pick up on cultivation very swiftly since she had cultivated before, but since no one had ever taught her the basics, she was aware that this was a problem for her. 

She could choose a more prominent cultivation institute if she asked Li Moyun. With his background, any institute would welcome her with open arms, but those places were for those with more background and knowledge about cultivation, so the things that troubled her were often not taught at those kinds of academies and institutes.

This place suited her perfectly. 

During her exploration, she had placed her token in her Primal Chaos Dimension, so that no one would be able to steal it from her. While walking around, she had encountered a few experts who had lost their tokens, and she knew that while they were personal, the experts would be given a verbal thrashing for losing it on the first day.

The day was slowly coming to a close, the sun was setting on the horizon, and most of the experts who had gone through the trial that day were heading back. Some were happy with their results, while others were devastated.

Bai Rouyun walked through the crowds of people, and as she arrived in the town, the crowd slowly diminished; many went to the inns, others to their homes, and some to their friends' place.

Since she was going here for a long time, Bai Rouyun had Little Chu buy a courtyard, but she was not the only new student who had foresight. 

Many had purchased houses, and over the last couple of days, the housing price in Canglan City had multiplied many times over.

As she walked past an inn, she saw an adorable young woman who looked listless and unhappy. 

Her entire demeanor was so exhausted, and she somehow drew in Bai Rouyun's eyes. 

Upon closer inspection, she realized that it was a person who had succeeded in the trials; she was holding her plaque in her hand, but her listless face looked as if she was about to burst into tears.

Bai Rouyun had never been one to bother about the feelings of others, but seeing this girl, she suddenly felt pity.

What is wrong? she asked as she approached the girl. The girl lifted her head, her eyes swirling with unshed tears, and her stomach grumbled loudly.

Every inn is fully booked, she said with a choked voice. I want to find a place to eat and rest, but no one has any free space, I don't know what to do, and I am starving!

Bai Rouyun's lips twitched. She was so sad because she had nothing to eat, and no place to sleep? 

That was a situation that she was all too familiar with. She had experienced it many times in her past life, and she felt pity for the girl.

I bought a mansion here in Canglan City, she said with a gentle voice. I also have a chef at home, so why don't you come with me?

The girl lifted her head and looked at Bai Rouyun with her big doe eyes; the sadness slowly lifted from them, replaced with hope.

Would that really be okay? she asked, her hands clenched into fists.

It is fine, Bai Rouyun said with a nod of her head. Little Chu will not mind me bringing a friend home with me. I hope, she added in her mind.

Chapter 6 - Qin Huiling

The girl was ecstatic , but she was also slightly embarrassed. 

Is this Little Chu your lover? she asked gently, but Bai Rouyun just grinned. No, she answered. He is a subordinate of my husband.

The woman was shocked. Although it was normal for women to marry early, those who wanted to enter the cultivation world would usually not get married before they had reached as far as they could. 

Cultivators were much stronger than ordinary mortals. They had a longer lifespan, and their appearance stayed youthful much longer than ordinary mortals, so as such, they did not rush to get married. How could this woman, who seemed to be willing to enter the cultivation world, possibly accept a marriage at such an early age? 

Only one reason was in the young woman's mind, and that reason was that the two of them had to love each other dearly. 

If not, because they loved each other, they would never have gotten married. She suddenly felt great respect towards Bai Rouyun. 

Bai Rouyun was so kind and amiable, she even took pity on her, an average person who had no place to stay. 

Without knowing that her bad habit of picking up people randomly had caused her to get a small fan, Bai Rouyun was in a brilliant mood as she went back to the courtyard.

What is your name? she asked the girl, who was following by her side, and the slightly timid girl, with big doe-like eyes, answered honestly. I am Qin Huiling. 

Huiling. What a beautiful name, Bai Rouyun praised, smiling at the slightly careful person in front of her. The undisguised praise, and the beautiful face, made Qin Huiling blush crimson. She had never seen such a mature and beautiful woman before, and she could not help but feel that she was indeed amongst the most respected people in the world.

When comparing their cultivation base, Qin Huiling was actually stronger than Bai Rouyun. When looking at their age, Bai Rouyun was also younger. 

But although she was younger and weaker, she had an aura around her that shocked Qin Huiling, and for some reason, she could not see her as any other cultivator. She revered her, and a strange feeling of complete trust appeared in her heart. 

This woman had a strange aura to her that made someone want to get closer to her, and to get to know her. She was warm and gentle, friendly and soft.

But Qin Huiling was unaware of her real personality, all she saw was one side to her, which was the friendly