In the following month, aside from washing up and resting, Ji Xuerou stuck by Wu Yan’s side almost every moment. Whether in class or during daily cultivation, Ji Xuerou kept pace with Wu Yan. This prompted Wu Yan (Inner) to complain extensively, saying things like this wasn’t how this woman acted in her past life—she should have erupted with power first, burned her essence blood, severely injured Wu Yan, and then fallen into a coma.
Of course, since Ji Xuerou had come to Piaomiao Sect for an exchange and study program, sparring naturally became an unavoidable topic.
Wu Yan and Ji Xuerou sparred twenty times, with Ji Xuerou taking the upper hand with ten wins, eight losses, and two draws. This was even with Ji Xuerou holding back; after all, the gap between Wu Yan’s Mid Golden Core cultivation and Ji Xuerou’s peak Golden Core cultivation was still too great.
During their bouts, the two exchanged knowledge and gained experience, and their relationship gradually moved toward friendship.
“Senior Sister Wu, do you remember the first time we met?”
During a routine checkup at Tingquan Cottage, Lin Wan’er held a long needle in her hand and asked without warning.
“Of course I remember. What’s wrong?” Wu Yan’s arm was half exposed, letting the silver needle fall.
With a swift hand and needle drop, Lin Wan’er took a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Wu Yan. Written on it was: Time has come. Return to Medicine King Valley immediately.
In Wu Yan’s heart, Lin Wan’er counted as both a friend and a benefactor. “You’re leaving?” Wu Yan returned the paper to Lin Wan’er. Now seeing her about to leave, she couldn’t help feeling reluctant.
“Yeah, Master’s orders. I have to go back.” The usually quirky, ever-optimistic medical fanatic now also wore an expression of unwillingness to leave. “I originally wanted to spend more time with you here and try out more new medicines. Guess it’ll have to wait for another time.”
The first half almost moved Wu Yan, but upon hearing the words “try medicine,” a bitter, spicy taste uncontrollably rose in Wu Yan’s mouth, dispersing her emotions.
“So, I want to cash in that favor you promised me once—” Lin Wan’er’s gaze fell on Wu Yan’s face as she spoke slowly, “I want you to escort me back to Medicine King Valley.”
“Shouldn’t an Elder be the one escorting you?”
“But I need you. And besides, I have a plan.”
“A plan?” Wu Yan hadn’t expected that Lin Wan’er would have a plan just for returning home.
After confirming Wu Yan’s physical condition was normal, Lin Wan’er leaned in to pull out the needles, her warm breath brushing against Wu Yan’s arm. “Right, hasn’t your sect been catching the nearby demonic cultivators lately?”
Lin Wan’er’s words jogged Wu Yan’s memory. Over the past month while acting together with Ji Xuerou, she’d constantly hear the sect saying they’d caught a batch of demonic cultivators yesterday, and another batch today. It made everyone uneasy, worried that Piaomiao Sect was surrounded by demonic cultivators. Of the captured demonic cultivators, some died, some were imprisoned by Piaomiao Sect, and most of the rest were sent to Demon-Lock Cave.
“You want to use yourself as bait?” As soon as Lin Wan’er said this, Wu Yan immediately understood her meaning.
“Clever!” Lin Wan’er snapped her fingers. “You might not know my true identity yet. I’m known as the Little Divine Doctor of Medicine King Valley. Everyone considers me—”
Before she could finish, Wu Yan interrupted her: “Everyone considers you the medical expert Lin Wan’er most likely to become the next Valley Lord of Medicine King Valley. Am I right?”
“…Right.” After an eerie silence, Lin Wan’er responded. “Medicine King Valley is the strongest pillar of support for Righteous Path cultivators. If those demonic cultivators were given a chance to kill the next Valley Lord of Medicine King Valley, do you think they’d miss it?”
“But did your master, the Valley Lord of Medicine King Valley, agree to this?”
Lin Wan’er nodded. “I only made the decision after getting her approval.”
“Then I’ll go discuss it with my Master.”
“Okay. Bye~”
On the way out of Piaomiao Sect, Wu Yan (Inner) crossed her arms in front of her chest. “This quack doctor sure has guts, actually using herself as bait. I don’t think she understands our demonic cultivator methods!”
“Methods like disturbing others’ rest by whispering in their ears every night?”
Wu Yan’s words hit Wu Yan (Inner)’s weak spot. Her light crimson hair floated up as she pressed her forehead against Wu Yan’s with a fierce tone. “Who told you to arrange that kerosene lamp woman so close to me! Every night when I want to rest properly, I feel like everything around me is illuminated. Even the Soul-Nourishing Jade can’t suppress that blazing sun!”
“But my shoes and socks haven’t moved from their spot since then.”
Wu Yan’s words left the originally dominant Wu Yan (Inner) stammering, unable to respond for a long while.
“If there’s a next time, I’ll move in with Ji Xuerou.”
“So, you want to lure the snake out of its hole?” Xia Lingshuang’s voice was slightly exhausted. Over the past month, in order to capture the demonic cultivators hiding outside, she and the other Peak Masters had hardly rested a single day or night. Even with her Soul Transformation Stage body, she couldn’t hold up anymore.
“Yes, Master.”
“Luring the snake out is fine, but I need to accompany you.” Xia Lingshuang admired Lin Wan’er and Wu Yan’s courage, so she was willing to escort them. Besides, she had a few small matters to verify.
“No problem, Master. Then I’ll head back first.”
Returning to her quarters, as soon as she entered the door, Wu Yan saw Ji Xuerou sitting at her desk, reading the Sutra of Calming the Heart placed on it.
Hearing the door open, Ji Xuerou’s crystalline eyes turned toward Wu Yan. “Is your spirit soul condition very serious?”
“It’s okay.” Wu Yan pulled over a chair and familiarly sat down beside Ji Xuerou. “I need to discuss something with you.”
After Wu Yan explained the details, Ji Xuerou agreed without a moment’s hesitation. “I’ll go.”
“This escort mission isn’t safe.”
“I’m not afraid.” Ji Xuerou’s gaze was resolute, her tone firm. “Even if I haven’t yet found the meaning of my sword swing, protecting the people is still my duty. I have no reason not to go.”
“Alright. We’ll set out tomorrow.”
The next day, before dawn broke, a medium-sized Spirit Boat stopped at the main gate of Piaomiao Sect.
“Boo hoo hoo, Senior Sister Lin, I’ll miss you!” Su Qianqian held Lin Wan’er’s hand, her eyes blurry with tears as she cried.
“Junior Sister Wu, Saintess Ji, be careful in everything.” Due to some matters, Zhao Wuji couldn’t accompany them, so he could only offer moral support.
“Mm.” Wu Yan nodded, but her gaze aimlessly swept across the crowd.
‘How is Qingyao doing?’
Yesterday, when she wanted to say goodbye to Yu Qingyao, she went to Yu Qingyao’s residence only to find she wasn’t there—even though she’d seen her just the day before. So Wu Yan asked Xia Lingshuang, who informed her that Yu Qingyao had applied for an external training early yesterday morning, and her whereabouts were now unknown.
‘Forget it. I can only wish her well.’
“Let’s go.” Ji Xuerou touched Wu Yan’s arm. Her golden hair brushed past Wu Yan’s cheek, and the fragrance of orchids entered her nostrils.
Her other hand was also taken. Lin Wan’er tugged her into the Spirit Boat, leaving the well-wishers behind. As a secret measure, Xia Lingshuang also followed discreetly within the escort team.
RUMBLE—
After the tremendous noise, the Spirit Boat heading to Medicine King Valley set sail. No one knew what they would encounter along the way.