Chapter 75: Welcome Back

[May 6 — Sunny]

The cultivators outside seem like they don’t need rest at all. The competition ended yesterday, and I won the final. All of Tianyuan City is immersed in a carnival-like frenzy, with people everywhere shouting my name and Senior Sister’s.

Our Piaomiao Sect has gained quite a lot from this Five Sects Tournament. The street vendors are even selling little clay figurines of Senior Sister and me. Although they aren’t authorized, the craftsmanship is quite cute, so I bought a pair.

[May 7 — Overcast]

When Master rushed up to carry Senior Sister down, I thought I had seen a ghost. Even after sustaining such injuries, why did she persist? Why doesn’t she cherish herself? Why did she work so hard? I don’t understand it at all.

[May 8 — Light Rain]

It started raining in Tianyuan City. Many people came today — Ji Xuerou, Xie Wenyuan, and Manba… All of Senior Sister’s former opponents came, and they seem very concerned about her. Unfortunately, you still haven’t woken up. Your injuries have already begun to heal. When I was changing your medicine, my hand was a bit heavy, but you didn’t even knit your brows. You’re truly a deep sleeper.

[May 9 — Heavy Rain]

The excitement over winning the championship has passed, and the Rogue Cultivators in Tianyuan City have begun to leave one after another. Since Senior Sister hasn’t woken up, the awards ceremony couldn’t be held, so the other sect leaders decided to stay in Tianyuan City for a few more days. Master seemed to have something to do today and left early.

Senior Sister’s sword seems particularly loyal to its master. It was taken away the night before, but it returned to her arms early the next morning. The rain finally stopped. If it had continued, I’m afraid the rockery in the courtyard would have been submerged.

[May 10 — Sunny]

The rain has finally stopped. Senior Sister’s injuries are completely healed, and her skin has returned to its previous supple state. I never noticed before that Senior Sister’s skin was so good. Her complexion is ruddy, and her hair is in excellent condition. Most importantly, she seems even more beautiful than before. Maybe it’s just my imagination.

—

Closing the diary, Yu Qingyao sighed as she looked at Wu Yan lying on the bed. The first light after the rain was exceptionally bright. Even with the windows closed, sunlight still filtered through the gaps, illuminating the floor and casting a faint glow.

She pulled out a chair and sat beside Wu Yan. Propping her chin on her hands, she stared with unfocused eyes at the pale face on the bed. After five days of treatment and recovery, the charred dead skin on Wu Yan’s body had fallen off, revealing delicate new skin. Although her complexion was still pale, she looked much better than when she was first carried off the Arena.

She had finally managed to send Bai Zhiqiu away, allowing her to finish today’s diary entry. Speaking of which, when did she start writing a diary? Her thoughts inadvertently drifted back to the Western Wilderness — to the figure that had blocked a fatal blow for her. It probably started then. Initially, she only wanted to record Wu Yan’s evil deeds in this life, but she hadn’t expected the entries to turn into what they were now.

Yu Qingyao extended her index finger, wanting to poke Wu Yan’s cheek.

“Mnh — “

A soft mumble broke the silence of the room. Yu Qingyao’s hand stopped mid-air. She stood up so abruptly that her chair toppled over with a loud crash.

“Senior Sister?”

The person on the bed heard the noise. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her tightly closed eyelids slowly opened. Yu Qingyao’s face, filled with excitement, came into view.

“Qingyao?”

As consciousness gradually returned, her body, which had been inactive for so long, felt stiff, like gears that hadn’t turned in ages finally beginning to move.

“Senior Sister, you’re finally awake!”

Despite her excitement, Yu Qingyao remembered to pour a cup of water for Wu Yan. After being unconscious for five days, she would naturally be thirsty. Wu Yan moved her limbs, took the water, and drank it all in one gulp.

“How many days was I out?”

“Five days!”

A certain red-clothed Demon Venerable gave the answer before Yu Qingyao could.

“You big idiot, you’ve been unconscious for five whole days!” Wu Yan’s inner self spoke in an exasperated tone, her index finger poking at Wu Yan’s forehead in their mental space. ‘What, don’t you care about your own body? I told you to hand it over to me. Do you not understand my words?’ Her speech grew faster and faster until Wu Yan could barely understand what she was saying by the end.

“Senior Sister, are you listening?”

Yu Qingyao waved her hand in front of Wu Yan’s unfocused eyes, pulling her attention back from her inner self to reality.

“What has happened lately, Qingyao?”

“Nothing much, just that everyone was so worried they were about to go crazy.”

Looking at Yu Qingyao’s reddened eyes, Wu Yan didn’t know what to say. Without realizing it, had her place in everyone’s hearts already become so significant?

“What about everyone else…”

Before Wu Yan could finish her question, Yu Qingyao answered her.

“Senior Brother Gu and Senior Brother Zhao went out every day to find healing pills and bought a huge pile of them. Even though we said they weren’t needed, they insisted that folk remedies might be useful — they couldn’t be stopped. Senior Sister Su was the same. She barely ate these past few days and stayed in the room next door every day researching new medicinal formulas just to wake you up sooner. I think she’s about to turn herself into medicinal dregs. Senior Brother Lin brought back medicinal ingredients with special healing properties every day at noon. Those herbs were very effective; your body did recover quickly after taking them. Master has been busy outside every day, appearing and disappearing like a ghost. He’s likely handling important sect matters. After all, you won the championship, so there are many negotiations to deal with.”

When talking about the others, Yu Qingyao’s tone was relatively calm, but when Sun Elder was mentioned, she gritted her teeth. “Sun Elder, on the other hand, was quite idle. He only came to see you on the first day and hasn’t shown his face since. Even though you won the championship for the sect!”

Wu Yan quietly watched Yu Qingyao fidget with her fingers as she talked about the events of the past few days.

“Qingyao, you won the championship, didn’t you?”

Although it was a question, Wu Yan’s tone was flat, as if she were stating something obvious.

“How did you know, Senior Sister?”

Yu Qingyao was surprised. She hadn’t even shared the good news yet — how did her Senior Sister know?

“Because you are Yu Qingyao, and you are my Junior Sister.”

Wu Yan’s voice was weak, but her words were certain.

Yu Qingyao fell silent, looking at the elegant face before her. All her awkwardness and petty thoughts became unimportant in this moment.

“Senior Sister.”

She looked at Wu Yan and spoke softly, yet clearly enough for the words to reach Wu Yan’s ears:

“Welcome back.”

Those simple words broke through Wu Yan’s defenses and entered her heart. Aside from her inner self who stayed with her day and night, no one had said those words to her in a very long time.

She couldn’t help but think of that day when the snow was falling heavily. In the small tin shack, a kind-faced old man crouched by a coal-burning stove, looking at her. ‘Kid, welcome back.’ That was the feeling of home.

Wu Yan unconsciously lowered her head, her long eyelashes veiling her eyes. When she looked up again, the paleness on her face had faded slightly, and her expression was no longer cold. The corners of her mouth curved up naturally, revealing a smile that belonged only to her.

“Yes, I’m back.”