Outhouse?
Qiao’er looked carefully at the girl before her. The girl was about the same height as Qiao’er, and her pink hair was quite rare.
She wore no makeup, her face fresh and natural, and her clothes were the latest style, designed for ease of movement.
At this moment, the girl was anxiously stamping her little feet, her cheeks flushed.
“If you mean the outhouse, it’s that way. Just go to the end, you’ll see one there. Remember to hurry back.”
Perhaps unable to watch any longer, Chen Shixiong behind Qiao’er raised a hand to point the way.
“Thank you!”
The pink-haired girl thanked him, then quickly ran off in the direction he indicated.
“That girl just now is a lot like you—she came straight over too.”
“Huh?”
Qiao’er froze in confusion.
“Nothing, it just means both of you have pure hearts.”
Pure?
Qiao’er’s face flushed instantly.
Meanwhile, Jiang Che was feeling his way down the mountain path.
Now that his spiritual sense had recovered a bit, his senses were much keener.
The journey had become much easier.
He wasn’t sure why, but his heart felt uneasy, as if something were about to happen.
Even his eyelids kept twitching.
Could it be… Did Qiao’er really come to Shenxiao Sect looking for him?
“Hiss, impossible, impossible! Better to sneak away quietly and not think about it.”
Jiang Che pushed away such unrealistic worries, pondering a few things as he walked down the mountain.
After all, he couldn’t see, and with nothing else to do, thinking was all he had.
Had he done something wrong with Xu Qianlan?
But on second thought, he was just a cripple now, no cultivation, and they could live hundreds of years while he’d only live a few decades—seeking out Qiao’er was still the wisest choice.
With that, the burden on Jiang Che’s heart grew much lighter.
“Make way!”
“Bang!”
The moment Jiang Che let his mind wander, a sudden force crashed into his back and knocked him to the ground.
What rotten luck! Rotten to the bone!
Just as Jiang Che was wondering who’d bumped into him, a girl’s voice spoke up.
“Ow, why didn’t you move out of the way? Well, sorry, I was in a hurry just now, I have something urgent—eh?”
Hearing her complaint, Jiang Che wanted to grumble too, but before he could say anything, the girl seemed even more anxious.
“Your clothes don’t look like Shenxiao Sect disciples… Are you here for the Shenxiao Sect’s Xin Disciples Trial too? And, uh, here to use the outhouse? And why is there a cloth over your eyes?”
“No time! Come with me! Or you’ll be left behind!”
As she spoke, the girl grabbed Jiang Che’s hand. Jiang Che thought, this girl seems a bit slow, but now that his meridians were almost healed, he should be able to break free, right?
Yet just as he thought that, a powerful force dragged him away single-handedly! Even the branch he’d used to feel the path dropped to the ground.
After some time, no one was crossing the bridge anymore.
“Chen Shixiong, can I ask you another question?”
Qiao’er’s voice came from behind Chenyang.
Earlier, with nothing to do and perhaps because he had a good first impression of Qiao’er, Chenyang had told her his name.
Chenyang was just an ordinary outer disciple.
Unlike those who excelled at sword riding, he preferred the Cloud-Stepping Technique. Though it wasn’t fast, it suited his lazy temperament.
Chenyang didn’t refuse and let Qiao’er ask.
“Chen Shixiong, was there ever a disciple here with the surname Jiang? Water Artisan Jiang—the Jiang with the three dots of water.”
Chenyang raised his eyebrows at that, carefully sizing up the girl.
“Why are you asking?”
Qiao’er thought for a moment before answering, “I heard of him before and just wanted to know more.”
“Don’t think so.”
Chenyang’s reply was unusually vague.
“But after you become an Inner Disciple, you should be able to find some news. There are no Jiangs among the outer disciples.”
Qiao’er nodded and wanted to keep asking, but Chenyang said nothing more.
A short while later, only about twenty people remained at the scene.
Without lingering, everyone moved to the next site.
Beneath their feet, the plaza was inscribed with complex patterns, surrounded on all sides by high walls.
On the dais sat many people, each with a distinct aura.
At the center, one figure stood out the most—a person with white hair and childlike features, exuding an immortal, ethereal presence.
By Yun Yan’s side sat not only Wen Ping, but also Xu Qianlan, Head of Xuandan Peak, and Feng Ze, Head of Wanzhen Peak, all seated in the same row. For some reason, even a Black Winged Cat had its own seat.
A dozen or so meters away stood a Clock Tower, with a large bronze bell atop it and a disciple standing guard nearby.
Just as the door was about to close, a voice called out from outside.
“Wait! Me too!”
In almost an instant, the pink-haired girl dashed through the nearly closed door.
With a blink, she tripped and fell flat on the ground, while Jiang Che’s hand remained tightly in hers.
Some people nearby saw this scene and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
On the dais, Luo Yan also wanted to joke about it when he noticed that the atmosphere had suddenly shifted.
The weighty figures present all had their gazes focused on the pink-haired girl who had nearly missed her chance and fallen on the floor.
What was going on?
What were they looking at?
Luo Yan scrutinized the scene again, but couldn’t see what was so unusual.
What he didn’t know was that not everyone was looking at the girl herself.
Xu Qianlan furrowed her brow, finding it hard to believe—she’d clearly set up a restriction at the house, so that she would sense anyone approaching or leaving. How had Jiang Che managed it?
Yun Yan gazed deeply at Jiang Che standing in the field, stroking his white beard, but made little reaction otherwise.
Still, Luo Yan caught the subtle shift—Yun Yan had clearly been watching that way, so why pretend to be indifferent now?
A sly, wicked grin appeared at the corner of Luo Yan’s mouth.
“I say, Sect Master Yun, we’re starting the Linggen Test next, right?”
Yun Yan glanced at Luo Yan and said, “Yes? Why do you ask?”
Luo Yan waved his hand.
“Oh, nothing, just curious.”
Luo Yan had already made his plans—once the talents were tested, these people still wouldn’t officially be Shenxiao Sect disciples, so he could poach a few at that moment.
Hmph! That Luo kid just wants to poach talents? Why not just say so?”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Shenxiao Sect is famous throughout the land, not lacking for geniuses. It wouldn’t hurt to let us have a few, right?”
Luo Yan shamelessly replied.
He knew Yun Yan cared deeply about the Sect’s reputation and wouldn’t act rashly.
The only one here he truly feared was Female Emperor Xiyue.
Yet just then, Xiyue, who had been lying on her couch, rose to her feet.
A majestic and commanding aura radiated from her.
This scene instantly captured everyone’s attention—many young disciples present had never seen Xiyue before.
All they saw was a stunningly beautiful woman, her luxurious Palace Robe sweeping the floor, eyes cold as she gazed down below.
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