Chapter 26

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Chapter 26: Title

"Auntie, more hot water please." Yan Li offered a top-grade spiritual stone to the elderly woman.

The woman inspected the stone thoroughly before breaking into a delighted grin.

"One moment, Fairy Lord."

When the door closed, faint moans emerged from the room.

Yan Li rushed to the bed where the pale figure lay twisting in pain.

"Young master," she whispered, touching the damp forehead. "Hold on a little longer."

"Hurts…" Lu Ciyou curled sideways, consciousness slipping.

Yan Li channeled spiritual power into the trembling body, hunting the rampaging force inside.

Though not lethal, this invasive energy could reduce victims to babbling fools if left unchecked.

As she pursued the malicious current, Yan Li wondered why Master would risk conflict between Sanqing Realm and Liujin Pavilion by harming their young master.

The punishment proved merciful – the force soon cornered beneath her spiritual pursuit.

"Hot water’s ready, Fairy Lord." A knock interrupted.

Yan Li straightened the blanket before answering.

"Thanks."

She washed the sweat from Lu Ciyou’s face and neck.

Dazed eyes fluttered open. A silky lock of hair curtained Yan Li’s face as Lu Ciyou tugged weakly.

"Why stay?" The hoarse question came again.

Yan Li met the groggy gaze steadily.

"You showed me kindness. I still owe spiritual stones."

Lu Ciyou’s half-lidded eyes crinkled with weak laughter. "Such a stickler."

The words carried more exhaustion than praise.

Yan Li was about to stand when the young lady seized her collar. Startled by the sudden show of strength, Yan Li found herself yanked forward. To avoid colliding with the young lady, she hastily placed her hands on either side of the young lady’s head.

"You—"

Before she could speak further, a hand snatched the mask from her face.

Yan Li’s pupils shrank. When rescued, her face had been too mangled to recognize. Now that her realm had improved, most wounds had healed. Still, she’d maintained some facial disguise beneath the mask to avoid recognition by Lu Ciyou.

At such close proximity, Yan Li couldn’t be certain her disguise would hold.

Their breaths mingled as Lu Ciyou pressed her palm to A Li’s face, thumb tracing the crumpled skin.

"A Li must’ve been very beautiful before."

Yan Li turned her face away, cheeks burning. She captured Lu Ciyou’s wandering hand, her own breathing uneven. After regaining composure, she murmured, "Young master should rest."

"Don’t call me young master." Lu Ciyou’s brow furrowed.

"What shall I call you then?"

"A Ci."

"A…Ci." The name lingered on Yan Li’s tongue. Heat bloomed across her knuckles as she glanced down – the young lady now nestled against her, cheek pressed to Yan Li’s hand, lips grazing the bony prominence of her wrist with impossible softness.

Yan Li stiffened, paralyzed.

Something stirred in her chest – a needle-prick of aching itch. Slowly, she withdrew her trapped hand while letting the other remain as Lu Ciyou’s pillow.

Perched cross-legged beside the bed, Yan Li dredged up the long-unused Clear Mind Technique from memory. Eyes shut, she recited the mantra in endless repetition.

Meanwhile, at Yuxing Hall upon the main peak of Sanqing Realm…

"This outer sect selection trial needs additional rules," declared Elder Xuwu of Discipline Hall. "Disciples with under ten years in the inner sect should participate. Else we risk discontent."

Beside him, Elder Fan Wen’s whiskers bristled. "You old fool! Jealous I finally found a disciple worth teaching?"

"Jealous?" Elder Xuwu scoffed. "If she lacks basic competence, how deserves she elder tutelage? What example sets this for others?"

"Enough, esteemed elders." Ye Xiao intervened. "Elder Xuwu speaks wisely. Allowing inner disciples prevents grievances. Suiyin’s Heavenly Spirit Body shows peerless talent. Even without claiming first place, she merits elder guidance."

"Then I claim her!" Elder Fan Wen jabbed a finger at Xia Shi. "Especially you! Stop haunting my disciple’s steps with those injuries!"

Xia Shi: "…"

She’d not uttered a word!

Her accusing glare flew to the sect leader’s seat. Hadn’t Ye Xiao himself ordered her to frequent Suiyin’s company?

Ye Xiao coughed, avoiding her gaze. "Rest assured, Elder Fan. None will contest your claim."

Other elders nodded hastily. What mattered if the disciple served Sanqing Realm? None wished to endure Elder Fan’s century-long grumbles. They still remembered how he’d harped for ages after Fu Qing took two prime disciples without sparing him one.

Mollified, Elder Fan Wen preened, tugging Elder Xuwu’s sleeve to extol his future disciple’s virtues.

Three days later was the selection trial. After discussing trivial matters, Ye Xiao dismissed the gathering.

The elders returned to their respective peaks, leaving Xia Shi sitting motionless with tea in hand.

"Senior sister, you shouldn’t have acted that day," Xia Shi ventured. "As the young master of Liujin Pavilion, harming her wouldn’t benefit Sanqing Realm."

"Since when do you lecture me?" Ye Xiao kept examining invitations from leading sects without looking up.

"That impulsive girl’s father would likely apologize first if he learned she nearly speared a Sanqing Realm elder."

"Speaking of which," Ye Xiao set down the documents and pierced her with frosty eyes, "I should be scolding you instead."

Xia Shi’s eyelid twitched as dread crept in.

"Couldn’t actually defeat her? Blocking a divine weapon with bare hands? Have you lost all sense?" Ye Xiao’s jade rings clacked against the table. "Without Yan Li and Suiyin’s timely intervention, you’d be convalescing at Huaiwen’s for months!"

"Sword! Where was your sword? Should we build it a shrine?"

Head bowed, Xia Shi cursed herself for not leaving with others when Huaiwen had signaled her. The scolding session felt endless, Xia Shi’s quivering silence eventually boring the sect leader.

"Get out."

The old Xia Shi would’ve argued back thrice over.

Xia Shi scrambled to exit Yuxing Hall. At the threshold, a voice halted her: "Pass by the training ground later. Loiter conspicuously near Suiyin – no flirting or eye-contact."

"……"

"Understood," Xia Shi replied through gritted teeth after a deep breath.

"Elder Wuwei."

Disciples bowed as she exited. Recognizing a familiar voice, Xia Shi turned.

"Qin An?"

The disciple hid her Shadow Stone by twisting wrists inward. "Yes?"

"Adapting to the sword? Any recent epiphanies?" Xia Shi asked, aware of her daily sparring with Suiyin.

"Your guidance proved invaluable. It feels natural now."

"Natural isn’t enough. The blade must become your will."

Qin An’s knuckles whitened around the concealed Shadow Stone as Xia Shi departed. The stone bit into her palm while she glared at the retreating figure.

Why her?

—

No Suiyin appeared at the training ground. The swordsmanship area’s seclusion meant any visit would seem intentional.

Xia Shi shifted weight between feet before sighing defeatedly.

"Maybe I should head back. Three days remain. Skipping this once won’t make opportunities vanish."

She pivoted on her toes.

"Greetings, Elder Wuwei." Suiyin smiled innocently, starlight glimmering in her eyes.

Xia Shi: "……"

"How’s your injury?" Suiyin glanced at the forearm wounded days prior.

"Mhm."

"Elder… were you looking for me?"

Suiyin had arrived early. Though wanting to greet Elder Wuwei properly, she’d hesitated amidst the training ground’s crowds, fearing gossip. She’d observed from shadows instead.

Noticing the elder scanning faces unsuccessfully – with herself being the only absent selection trial candidate – Suiyin abandoned caution, approaching with blooming cheer.

"Why would I seek you?" Xia Shi’s expression remained indifferent.

Suiyin looked past the porcelain mask of calm, focusing instead on the hand hovering near the sword hilt. The elegant fingers tightened almost imperceptibly at her words.

Bullseye.

She’d come specifically for her.

Suiyin tactfully changed subjects, patting her stomach. "I’m getting peckish."

Xia Shi seized the diversion. "The peak has dining halls."

Then reconsidered – those who’ve crossed life-death barriers require no mortal sustenance. Why claim hunger?

"Canteen meals lack flavor." Suiyin persisted. "They say decent eateries exist downhill where disciples’ families dwell."

"Care to try? My treat – repayment for your intervention outside the practice hall."

"Disciplining wayward juniors is my duty. No gratitude needed." Xia Shi met her gaze. "If you insist, Chengxian Restaurant suffices."

"Excellent!" Suiyin’s eyes curved slyly. "Now you owe me thanks."

Xia Shi: "?"

"Had I not deflected Ciyou’s spear-strike, you’d bear injuries. Doesn’t that warrant appreciation?" Suiyin tilted her head, mischief dancing in her gaze. "Chengxian it is!"

Xia Shi: "……"