Chapter 57: I Saw Chi Ming!

Chi Ming ultimately did not go to Wushen Tower to challenge the Wind Immortal.

Fang Xiaoyu was a friend she had finally managed to make, and now that her mental state had taken a turn, Chi Ming naturally couldn’t feel at ease, deciding to stay with Fang Xiaoyu for a while.

As a result, after Fang Xiaoyu borrowed some money from a drinking buddy, she took Chi Ming and spent an entire day playing to their heart’s content in Yunzhou City.

At this moment, Chi Ming stood in front of the Tailor Shop, looking up at the night sky.

She let out a long sigh.

“The last day… wasted just like that.”

She had suspected for a while that Fang Xiaoyu was pretending to be unstable, just to make her accompany her for a day.

But recalling Fang Xiaoyu’s serious demeanor when they had parted ways earlier, Chi Ming thought this possibility wasn’t very high.

“Is it her who’s the problem, or me…?”

Chi Ming thought silently.

As she was deep in thought, Fang Xiaoyu walked out of the Tailor Shop, hands behind her back, as if hiding something.

“Senior prepared a gift for you. Want to know what it is?”

Fang Xiaoyu looked at Chi Ming mysteriously and asked with a smile.

“Xiaoyu… Why are you still barefoot on one foot? Didn’t we come here to buy shoes? Did you buy me new clothes?”

Chi Ming glanced down at Fang Xiaoyu’s bare foot, frowning slightly.

“Oh, I still have one shoe left, right? No need to buy new ones.”

Fang Xiaoyu tugged at Chi Ming’s dress.

“But you, how long has it been since you changed these clothes? They’ve been washed so much they’ve turned white. Ah, there are several holes here, too!”

“A-Anyway, it’s not dirty, and no one sees the holes. It doesn’t matter!”

Chi Ming blushed.

“That won’t do!”

Fang Xiaoyu’s temperament from when she first met Chi Ming resurfaced.

“The Recruitment Assembly officially begins tomorrow. Remember, you’re going there to shine! How can you go looking shabby? What kind of image is that?”

Chi Ming was stunned for a moment, then silently lowered her head, not saying a word.

Fang Xiaoyu’s demeanor brought back memories of the days in Among the Colorful Clouds, when everyone was still together.

Back then, her senior sisters would often treat her like this.

Unlike the majesty and supremacy of the Demoness, the gentle affection and sternness from the senior sisters warmed Chi Ming from the bottom of her heart.

However, one by one, the senior sisters left Among the Colorful Clouds, and all of this… was because…

“Hey, what are you thinking about? Zoning out again?”

Fang Xiaoyu’s voice pulled Chi Ming back from her thoughts.

When Chi Ming returned to her senses, she found that Fang Xiaoyu had already pressed the new clothes against her.

“See? It fits perfectly!”

Fang Xiaoyu beamed.

***

Wushen Tower, first floor.

The hole “stabbed” by Guo Longcheng still hadn’t been repaired.

Moonlight streamed through it, shining directly onto Yu Yi, who sat cross-legged in meditation, as if coating her in silver radiance—brilliant and pure.

“Master, your disciple is ready.”

Blue Ling’er, dressed in new attire, approached Yu Yi and spoke respectfully.

Yu Yi opened her eyes slightly and looked at Blue Ling’er.

Blue Ling’er’s long hair was tied up, a bamboo hat on her head, and her fitted clothing outlined her graceful figure. Yu Yi couldn’t help but glance a few more times.

“Master?”

“Ahem, very good.”

Yu Yi coughed lightly.

“Then, as your Master, I’ll wait here for your good news.”

“Yes, Master.”

Blue Ling’er bowed, then disappeared into the night.

Yu Yi had arranged for her to infiltrate tomorrow’s Recruitment Assembly to search for clues about Fang Xiaoyu’s whereabouts, while Yu Yi stayed at Wushen Tower, hoping to catch someone by chance.

The division of tasks wasn’t just because Yu Yi hadn’t yet regained the original owner’s abilities and couldn’t locate Fang Xiaoyu accurately in a vast crowd—it was also because Yu Yi was a bit lazy.

So, the task of searching was left to Blue Ling’er. It also served as a test for her.

In short, let the Disciple do the work, and when there’s nothing to do… cough cough, as Master, sneaking in some laziness is perfectly reasonable!

Yu Yi closed her eyes slightly, quietly awaiting the arrival of tomorrow.

***

With the first light of dawn illuminating the land, the Recruitment Assembly officially began.

Passing through the mountain gate and climbing a thousand steps brought one to New Moon Terrace.

New Moon Terrace was the largest plaza in Yunzhou City, shrouded in mist and clouds, making those present feel as if they had stepped into a fairyland.

Scattered cultivators gradually ascended to New Moon Terrace, looking around to find that, besides the Xingyue Alliance, all the major alliance representatives of Yunzhou’s great powers had taken their places, quietly awaiting their arrival.

During this time, many cultivators began searching for their favored Sect’s location, while the Young Lords and Misses from prestigious families showed little interest in these second- and third-rate forces.

They knew clearly that the Xingyue Alliance would not appear at the start.

Later, as long as they casually displayed some talent, they could draw out the Xingyue Alliance.

They had also heard that the Wind Immortal had replaced Guo Longcheng as the guardian of Wushen Tower.

Since the Wind Immortal wasn’t participating in the Recruitment Assembly, their only competitor was gone.

So, at this moment, the Young Lords and Misses from noble families were completely relaxed and under no pressure at all.

Yet, little did they know, though the Wind Immortal was absent, the Wind Immortal’s “sworn sister” had already slipped into New Moon Terrace, unnoticed.

“Doudou’s Hidden Form Technique is really useful.”

Blue Ling’er had learned a few tricks from Huang Doudou and mingled among the scattered cultivators without drawing any suspicion.

As more and more cultivators from all corners of the land gathered at New Moon Terrace, Blue Ling’er began preparing to execute her mission.

She glanced around and spotted several cultivators whose attire bore a distinct Yizhou style.

“I’ll ask them first.”

Blue Ling’er thought silently, approaching the group.

Since they were all fellow Yizhou natives, they might know Fang Xiaoyu.

However, before Blue Ling’er could get close, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure ahead.

A fiery red long dress, black hair tied with a thin red ribbon, an immature yet serious and spirited face.

Blue Ling’er recognized her at a glance.

It was none other than her Little Junior Sister, Chi Ming.

“Little Junior Sister… actually came?”

Blue Ling’er sighed inwardly.

“Although Master said before that she came to Yunzhou hoping to run into Little Junior Sister by chance, Master never actively sought her out. Does that mean… Master actually knew she’d come?”

“Now I remember… Master deliberately let Little Junior Sister go before, giving her a chance to choose for herself. So even if Master knew she was in Yunzhou City, she didn’t disturb her?”

“Master… you really do spoil Little Junior Sister…”

While Blue Ling’er was lost in her imagination, Chi Ming noticed her gaze and suddenly looked over.

“Chi Ming, what’s wrong?”

Fang Xiaoyu saw Chi Ming suddenly grow wary and asked curiously.

“It’s nothing, just felt like someone was secretly watching me just now.”

Chi Ming replied.

Blue Ling’er dodged quickly enough that Chi Ming didn’t see her.

“Hmph, wearing the new clothes senior picked for you, you’re so pretty. It’s normal for someone to steal a glance.”

Fang Xiaoyu laughed.

“J-Just because of that? I really don’t get it. It’s just a change of clothes…”

Chi Ming’s face flushed slightly.

As her words fell, a representative from one of the great powers slowly stood and approached the gathered cultivators.