June 3rd – Overcast
Senior Sister… might not be Senior Sister. Or rather, not the Senior Sister I thought she was.
The Senior Sister from before really loved eating osmanthus soup.
But I’m still not certain. I need to observe further.
June 4th – Sunny
Senior Sister went to Master’s residence last night. Though I don’t know exactly what happened between her and Master, I could sense that the Senior Sister who left Master’s room was very different from her usual self.
That’s what the eyes reported. I hope the ancient texts I borrowed from the Sutra Library today will give me answers.
June 5th – Sunny
I have an idea now, but the results still need verification. I need an opportunity.
“Alright, today’s lesson ends here.”
Wu Yan’s voice rang out from the podium, spreading throughout the entire classroom.
Everyone here were disciples who hadn’t been assigned yet, and their interest in Basic Sword Art Theory was far less than their interest in Wu Yan herself. But under Wu Yan’s instruction, even these simple lessons became exceptionally engaging.
With that, Wu Yan left the Thatched Hall.
“See you next week.”
After Wu Yan left, the Thatched Hall became lively again. During the break before the next class, everyone either discussed Wu Yan’s glorious deeds, discussed Wu Yan herself, or discussed the course Wu Yan taught.
Why did you embark on the path of cultivation?
On her way out of the Thatched Hall, Ji Xuerou mulled over Wu Yan’s question in her mind. Subconsciously, she remembered the request Master had made of her before she left.
“At the very least, let me know why you wield your sword.”
Without meaning to, Ji Xuerou heard a cool voice ahead of her.
“Can we talk?”
“So, your purpose in coming to the Piaomiao Sect is for an exchange study?”
Wu Yan sat under the Wendao Tree halfway up Wendao Peak, looking sideways at Ji Xuerou.
No one knew how many years this ancient tree had grown. Pale golden leaves hung from its branches, and even the slightest tremor of the branches would send leaves falling.
“That’s right.” Ji Xuerou nodded and took out the token Shen Qingzhou had given her from her bosom.
She had already removed her short hood, and her long golden hair was adorned with a few pale golden fallen leaves, perfectly complementing her in the sunlight.
Wu Yan simply glanced at the Purple-Gold Token in her hand before looking away.
“Perhaps as you said, I lack the meaning of cultivation, which caused me to lose to you. So I hope I can find here the meaning of cultivation that belongs to me.”
Ji Xuerou’s琉璃-colored eyes stared straight at Wu Yan, the seriousness in her gaze causing Wu Yan to turn her head away.
“Sage maiden, as long as you hold no ill will toward the Piaomiao Sect, then you are very welcome here.”
Ji Xuerou shook her head at Wu Yan. “Just call me Xuerou. After all, in the days to come, I’ll be troubling you a lot.”
Trouble! From the moment Ji Xuerou spoke her first sentence, Wu Yan (Inner)’s eyes became sharp. When she said “troubling you a lot,” Wu Yan (Inner) knew this one wasn’t even pretending anymore.
“Damn it, I knew this one was up to no good. Send her back immediately!”
“She’s not a bad person.” Wu Yan transmitted to Wu Yan (Inner).
“But I’m not a good person either, you blockhead!”
“So I’m willing to let her stay.”
The wind quietly picked up, rolling the already tottering leaves down, forming a hazy wall of leaves between Wu Yan and Ji Xuerou.
“I can feel the seal loosening.”
Wu Yan’s ink-black eyes reflected into Wu Yan (Inner)’s eyes. Her voice was unusually serious—more serious than when she had tempted her to make a move on Yu Qingyao, and Wu Yan had sternly refused her.
“I can’t guarantee I’ll restrain you at all times, nor can I guarantee you won’t go out and harm people.”
“Even if you’ve already reformed.” The blood-colored Ouroboros suddenly appeared in Wu Yan’s mind, its self-devouring, never-ending form making her heart pound. Yu Qingyao’s words in the Illusionary Realm—”World-Destroying Serpent”—made her even more alert.
She couldn’t gamble. This concerned the lives of Yu Qingyao and Xia Lingshuang, the fate of the Piaomiao Sect, and even Wu Yan (Inner) herself, even if she might not be aware of it yet.
“So I need Ji Xuerou.”
The Light-attribute Spiritual Power behind the leaf wall was full of righteous energy, practically the natural enemy of demonic cultivators.
The wind calmed, and the fallen leaves gradually scattered. Wu Yan and Ji Xuerou locked eyes again.
“You win!”
Wu Yan (Inner) stamped her foot in anger, gritted out these words, and then dissipated like foam.
Wu Yan also stood up, brushed the leaves and dust from her clothes, walked in front of Ji Xuerou, and extended her hand: “Since you’ve come to cultivate, you’ll inevitably need to take on some tasks in the future. I can show you around.”
Ji Xuerou took the hand Wu Yan offered. It was warm and smooth like jade, soft and moving, except for the thin calluses on her fingertips—there was no trace of sword practice to be felt.
And holding Ji Xuerou’s hand, Wu Yan could also feel the unique, powerful, and domineering Light-attribute Spiritual Power on her.
Wu Yan silently apologized to Ji Xuerou in her heart. ‘I’m sorry for using you. I will definitely apologize and make it up to you later.’
By the time they returned to Zhuqu Peak, the moon was bright and the wind was gentle.
Since it was already dark and everyone was resting, Wu Yan took the liberty of arranging a room in the guest courtyard for Ji Xuerou.
This room was very close to Wu Yan’s residence, separated by just a short path.
“From now on, you’ll stay here.”
Wu Yan pushed open the door, revealing the furnishings inside.
One bed, one table, one cushion, one bathroom, and one vanity—nothing else.
“It might be much worse compared to the conditions at your place, but I hope you can understand.”
“It’s fine.”
Ji Xuerou shook her head, took out the personal belongings from her Storage Bag, and began to arrange the room.
Wu Yan naturally returned to her own residence.
“When did Fellow Daoist Ji arrive at the Piaomiao Sect? How did she get involved with Senior Sister?”
In the shadows, Yu Qingyao had been covertly observing their movements since Wu Yan returned to Zhuqu Peak.
Speaking of Ji Xuerou, Yu Qingyao still felt a little regret. Originally, in the previous life, the one who was expected to defeat Demon Venerable Wu Yan wasn’t her at first—it was Ji Xuerou.
But no one knew what happened. After Wu Yan fought Ji Xuerou, Wu Yan was severely injured and fled, and Ji Xuerou vanished without a trace from then on, leading to the subsequent decline of the Righteous Path.
She didn’t know the purpose of Ji Xuerou’s visit, but her arrival undoubtedly gave Yu Qingyao what she wanted most.
The opportunity she had been seeking.
“Senior Sister, Saintess Ji, I hope you won’t blame me.”
Under the cover of night, Yu Qingyao murmured to herself.
Outside the Piaomiao Sect, Xia Lingshuang had just captured a group of demonic cultivators who were trying to refine a mortal village into blood pills, and she confiscated a piece of parchment from them.
There was nothing written on the parchment, only a giant Ouroboros imprinted on it.
But now it was no longer alone. A glass-like marble was encircled by it, and on the surface of the marble, three crimson lines had been added.
With just a glance, Xia Lingshuang recognized what it was.
The Blood Coagulation Bead that Wu Yan had brought back from the Western Wilderness.
Under the moonlight of the Piaomiao Sect, each person harbored their own objectives, and everything returned to calm once again.