Chapter 33 - Breakthrough

*POV: Selina*

I stared at the young lady standing before me, clad in traditional funeral attire. Her long black hair seemed to sparkle with countless stars, and her face was a masterpiece of perfect symmetry. Her sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes, rich with a myriad of colors, gave her an otherworldly aura. In a single word, she was perfection personified.

Despite the awe she inspired, I couldn’t shake off my skepticism.

“How can I trust you?” I asked, my voice laced with doubt.

The lady’s expression softened into a gentle smile. “I understand your hesitation. Let me try something to help you remember.”

Without waiting for my response, she turned her back to me. The gesture was surprising—almost intimate. It seemed like a test, a way to evoke a memory long buried by time.

I was hesitant, but there was something compelling about her. I hoped that by showing some degree of trust, she might do the same. If things went sideways, I was confident I could handle it, but I preferred not to test that theory today.

“Are you really so fearless that you’ll turn your back on me? Or are you just clueless about the dangers of this world?” Her voice carried a hint of amusement. “Wait… What are you doing here?!”

Her reaction confirmed that something had indeed triggered a memory. I turned around with a wide smile, relieved that my gamble had worked. It appeared that my gesture had helped her recognize me—or at least recognize my back.

“I came to pay a visit to someone I’ve been meaning to meet for quite some time,” I said warmly.

**POV: Selina**

My mind was swirling with questions. Grandpa had mentioned that the True Immortal might not be in this world anymore. How was she here now? How did she find me? And what did she want?

I hesitated but couldn’t ignore the curiosity gnawing at me. “Come, sit with me,” I said, trying to mask my nervousness. “We’ll talk.”

I took a seat beside her on the bench, still guarded despite the calming atmosphere. Trust wasn’t something I gave away lightly, especially not to someone who claimed such grand titles.

“Go ahead,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “Ask me anything. I’m here to answer.”

“Who are you?” I asked directly.

“I’m someone who creates,” she replied enigmatically.

“Creates what?” I pressed, not satisfied with the vague answer.

“That’s a trade secret,” she said with a playful smile. “;)

“Then what are you, exactly? If you’re not a True Immortal or a God, what are you? A normal person? But that doesn’t make sense. Grandpa wouldn’t have left a jade statue in the bamboo forest if you were just an ordinary person. And besides, no ordinary person lives for over 400,000 years!”

“That’s a very insightful question. Some people might see me as a True Immortal or a True God, but neither is accurate. I am... everything.”

“Everything? What does that even mean?” I was struggling to grasp her meaning.

“That, my dear, is something you’ll need to discover on your own,” she said, her tone both mysterious and teasing.

“Why are you here?” I asked, shifting back to a more practical concern.

“As I mentioned, I came to visit someone I’ve wanted to meet for a long time,” she said. “And if you’re open to it, I’d like to offer some help.”

“Help?” I was skeptical. “Why should I believe you? We’ve never met before. How can I trust you out of nowhere?”

“I understand your doubts,” she said. “But what if I told you I could assist with your breakthrough?”

I raised an eyebrow. “I’d say you’re crazy.”

She chuckled softly. “Not one to trust easily, I see. Let me show you what I can do.”

Without any warning, she reached out and gently placed her finger on my forehead. The touch was so sudden I barely had time to react. A wave of warmth surged through my body, almost as if she were channeling pure, revitalizing energy into me.

The warmth was intoxicating. It spread through me, purging all accumulated impurities. My bones, blood, and flesh felt as though they were being reinforced and reborn. The sensation was indescribable—intensely soothing and exhilarating all at once.

In an instant, a powerful shockwave emanated from my body, and I felt an extraordinary shift within. My cultivation level surged forward, breaking through a barrier I had been struggling with for ages.

I looked at her in awe. “Did… did I just break through?”

She smiled, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction. “Yes, you did. Sometimes, a little help is all it takes to reach new heights.”

I sat there, still processing the incredible transformation I had just experienced. This unexpected visit had proven to be far more significant than I had anticipated.

As I absorbed the implications of this breakthrough, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of gratitude and curiosity. Who exactly was this enigmatic woman, and what other surprises did she have in store?