Chapter 2

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Chapter 2

Upon returning to the valley, many disciples were still busy brewing medicine and adjusting formulas. In the former sutra hall, there lay many patients afflicted with plague in disarray, and the bitter smell of medicine could be detected from afar.

Every year, new students entering the valley and abandoned babies rescued within were often assigned to the Zhenling Palace or Miande Palace, where two Masters would carefully teach them.

Only when they reached the Hidden Element realm could they formally take a Master in a higher palace, where numerous rules and ceremonies were strictly observed, representing their official recognition and acceptance by Moonfire Valley.

However, there were always exceptions.

In the strictly hierarchical Moonfire Valley, only the Tianhua Palace produced three students who were distinctly different from the others.

Master Ji Qing had a lively and kind nature. At over a hundred years old, he traveled far and wide, collecting three disciples along the way.

Because Master Ancestor had always indulged his mischievous temperament, these three disciples did not endure hardships in the lower-tier palaces with hundreds of other students. Instead, they moved into the mid-tier Tianhua Palace early, enjoying their own bedrooms and receiving meals that were automatically considered the privileges of officially recognized disciples.

The eldest senior sister was exceptionally gifted, ascending to immortality at just over seventy years old. Now, she rarely descended to the mortal realm and was even more vigorous than Master Ji Qing himself.

So often, the fellow masters joked with Ji Qing, asking him why he didn’t go up to the heavens to see his outstanding disciple.

“Is it that I don’t want to?” Master Ji Qing shouted, blushing. “It’s just that my cultivation isn’t enough; I’m stuck and can’t ascend!”

Everyone laughed heartily, both in jest and out of envy.

Throughout history, countless people have pursued immortality, but how many truly achieve it?

Compared to the large sects of the Central Plains, small establishments like Moonfire Valley had only seen five or six disciples ascend to become immortals over the years.

Even having one disciple achieve such success brought great glory to the sect.

Not long after the senior sister’s departure, Master Ji Qing, feeling a bit idle, picked two children from the abandoned babies in front of the valley, hoping to spend the long days before ascending and accumulating merit.

First, he took in Ji Yang, followed by Gong Wu, with four years between the senior brother and sister.

Word got out quickly, and those in the various palaces kept a watchful eye, curious if he would raise another immortal.

What no one expected was that the destinies of the siblings would become completely opposite.

As soon as Ji Yang opened his eyes, he could see the spiritual energy surrounding people. After learning to talk and write, his talents became even more evident. He reached the Hidden Element realm at five, the Insight realm at twelve, and jumped several levels to enter the Yaoguang realm at fifteen, advancing with astonishing speed.

—Most people would need at least twenty more years to reach his level!

Ji Yang was naturally handsome and skilled in cultivation; even while living quietly in Tianhua Palace, he had already captured the hearts of many young women. During the Flower Mountain Festival and the Joyous Deity Festival, even esteemed families in the area sent matchmakers to propose marriages.

With senior brother and sister shining before her, Gong Wu was also under much scrutiny.

When she was eight years old, she hadn’t yet awakened her talents, and the neighboring palace masters, who had made early bets, still insisted stubbornly.

“Great talents may take time to develop; there’s no need to rush.”

By the time she turned ten, Master Ji Qing couldn’t sit still any longer and drew a formation to check her spiritual roots.

—There were absolutely none.

The little girl was very obedient and didn’t have excessive ambition; attending classes felt like just another day, and fishing in the river felt like another day.

Just at that time, Master needed to enter seclusion for five years to break through his level and asked her to diligently clean and cultivate her heart, practicing scriptures and the path—just go with the flow.

Five years later, when Master emerged from seclusion, his smile was a little strained.

Another breakthrough attempt had failed yet again.

He didn’t even have time to report this news to his ancestor. With a sense of defiance, he drew the formation again for Gong Wu.

Her spiritual roots still didn’t exist, and the divination directly resulted in a K’un hexagram, essentially two large crosses.

Master Ji Qing gently stroked his little disciple’s head with much affection.

“Good, now I’m not the only unfortunate one in the world; I have you to keep me company, don’t cry, don’t cry.”

Ji Yang pulled his sister aside, his expression unreadable. “You should wipe your tears.”

“I won’t wipe them! At this rate, in a few decades, you might even surpass me!!”

None of the three of them expected such a turn of events. As Ji Yang led Gong Wu back to the main hall to find Master, Tu Xuixin was still sitting on the mat, grinding dandelion powder with a mortar and pestle.

With the sound of knocking, Ji Yang raised his right hand, signaling Gong Wu to hide behind the screen.

He quickly stepped forward and called out, “Master.”

Tu Xuixin hummed an operatic tune while measuring medicine, not bothering to turn around.

“Has your junior sister returned?”

“It’s rare to see her playful side; she occasionally wanders in the mountains… it seems there’s no need to rush her back.”

Ji Yang gently replied, “Junior sister is dead.”

Gong Wu, hidden behind the screen, nearly bit her tongue in shock.

Tu Xuixin suddenly jolted, stiffening with a forced smile while holding the mortar, “You’re not joking, are you?”

Ji Yang shook his head.

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

Tu Xuixin let out a wail, tears still unshed, and urgently asked, “How could she be dead? Was she eaten by a tiger or leopard, or did she fall to her death?”

Before Ji Yang could answer, he began to cry loudly, “My dear disciple! I haven’t even taught you your skills yet, and you’ve left us!”

Gong Wu felt a warmth in her heart, realizing that Master loved her very much. If she were truly dead, he would indeed cry for her like this.

Tu Xuixin threw the mortar aside, ignoring the spilled powder, and staggered up with Ji Yang’s support, his steps unsteady.

“Your junior sister living to sixteen was already a feat,” he said while wiping his tears. “With her frail appearance, like a little chick, I feared I might accidentally let her die in my care for years!”

Gong Wu’s smile began to fade.

“When she was nine, she choked on a mountain jujube, and I was so anxious I already planned what to write on her gravestone!” Tu Xuixin lamented, “But she pulled through back then!!”

Ji Yang helped him stagger out, just as they brushed past Gong Wu, who saw Master still looking straight ahead, as if ready to collect her body.

“Master, you’ve passed by,” Gong Wu reminded, “I’m right here.”

Tu Xuixin, half in tears, turned around in a hurry to look at her and yelled, “Don’t play such jokes with me! Are you afraid I’ll punish you with kneeling and copying scriptures?”

Midway through his scolding, he noticed her torn clothes and dirty appearance. His expression changed dramatically as he raised his hand to check her pulse.

“Was she pushed into Wan Shi Pool?” Tu Xuixin’s mood turned serious, saying harshly, “Is someone trying to harm my disciple?”

Ji Yang checked her pulse, seeing no danger, and said gently, “Don’t you think she might have slipped in by herself?”

“She’s still a disciple of Tianhua Palace! I won’t allow such disgrace!” Tu Xuixin said fiercely. “Even if she slipped in by herself, it should be covered up!”

Gong Wu spoke softly, “Actually, I was pushed in once, and then I fell in again.”

She briefly explained the previously odd events of life and death, then summoned her broom.

“When I fell in the second time, I learned this.” She waved her finger, and water from nearby cups flew to them like falling rain, scattering around.

Ji Yang flicked his fingers, returning the tea to its place.

“Master, is there something strange hidden in that deep pool? Would others die if they fell in?”

“They would die completely,” Tu Xuixin replied firmly. “Your Master Ancestor was once attacked by enemies; he destroyed their three hundred followers, then threw them all into the pool to feed the giant salamander, leaving no bones behind.”

“It’s also possible that some were thrown in without careful observation,” Gong Wu said quietly. “If they survived, they wouldn’t tell us.”

Master Ji Qing let out a gentle sigh.

"Foolish disciple, do you think I’m the one responsible for tossing people in to feed the fish?"

"I saw the bodies, all rotten and broken. I even wanted to collect a few remnants to dissect, but that poisonous pool seems to turn bones to water; not even wild grass can grow nearby!"

At this point, Tu Xuixin quickly found her a set of robes and instructed a maid to help her clean up and change.

In less than half an hour, Gong Wu emerged, freshly clean, and saw her senior brother preparing tea for Master.

Tu Xuixin dismissed everyone else and, with a serious expression, told her to sit down.

"Wu Wu, about your life and death situation, Master cannot figure it out."

"But from today onwards, there are two things that are especially important."

"First, you must not tell anyone about your sudden ability to summon water with sword flight or the poisoned pool. Keep your mouth shut to live long. I have repeatedly reminded your senior brother not to leak any information."

"Second, from today on, you must be more afraid of death than anyone else."

Gong Wu felt a bit confused at this point.

Tu Xuixin emphasized his words, concern clear in his gaze.

"The path of cultivation is fraught with dangers. Every year, disciples die unexpectedly."

"But even if you can’t survive, you must ensure you pass away in a place where no one can see you."

"If you were to come back to life and others discover you might have an immortal body, it will only bring you greater trouble."

She had just come out of the bath, her hair still down.

Ji Yang raised his finger, and a jade hairpin flew over, dexterously finding its place as he styled her hair.

Master’s nagging continued, and Ji Yang listened lightly while crafting a beautiful pair of floral buns for her.

After the eldest senior sister ascended, Tianhua Palace was left with only male disciples and Masters, and none knew how to do such things.

After adopting this little girl, Master Ji Qing’s greatest headache each day became styling her hair.

The little girl had no idea she was adopted and often begged to have her hair braided when she was younger.

Master had diligently practiced his cultivation for one hundred and fifty years; where would he learn such things from? He had to shamelessly ask his third uncle in Liu Jia Palace how to braid hair.

Once Ji Yang grew older, this troublesome task was promptly passed on to him, justified under the pretext of helping to clear his mind.

Ji Yang learned quickly, but he was reluctantly forced to use his sharp mind intended for cultivation to learn how to braid his little junior sister’s hair.

Over time, the study room had several styles of ox horn combs left behind.

After finishing his instructions, Tu Xuixin tied up Gong Wu’s long hair neatly.

Ji Yang let go of his hands and stepped aside to take a look.

"No need to look anymore; it’s very good," Tu Xuixin signaled him to sit down as well, taking a sip of hot tea. "Do you know what the most important thing right now is?"

"Find Lin Aoshuang," Ji Yang replied lightly, "She won’t get away with pretending—"

Suddenly, someone rushed in from outside with an anxious voice.

"Master Ji Qing! You must go to the lecture hall and see, something big has happened!"

Tu Xuixin looked up displeased, "What could possibly make you barge in here?"

The young disciple hurriedly bowed and exclaimed urgently, "Senior Sister Lin from Liu Jia Palace—she fainted in the hall; it seems she was poisoned!"

Ji Yang interrupted, "She has her Master to look after her if anything happens."

"But, but Master Donglu opened the veins on her wrist," stammered the young disciple, his teeth chattering as he spoke, hardly believing his own words, "and he actually… pulled out a lot of paper fibers!"