Chapter 17
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Chapter 17: Little Bai Lian
Bai Lian hadn’t expected it to rain tonight.
So, when she stepped out of the door with a heavy heart, her short wooden clogs unexpectedly stepped into a puddle.
Clap.
Water splashed.
The coolness seeped into her soles through the thin white lace socks, light as cicada wings.
“…”
Bai Lian’s small body shivered slightly.
She silently lifted her foot.
By the light of the candle that leaked from the room, her little feet in the clogs were clearly visible in front of her.
The water in the puddle was clear.
There was no dirt stuck to her socks.
Only the wet socks, now tightly clinging to her feet, were semi-transparent. Upon closer inspection, there seemed to be an indefinable flavor hidden in the fabric.
Bai Lian lowered her lifted foot, and the trickle of water slowly rolled down her foot and onto the floor.
In the past few days, her physical endurance had drastically improved. She no longer stumbled easily.
But her spirit Qi had not yet fully recovered, so it was difficult for her to use magic to clean herself.
For now, it would have to be left as it is.
The soles of her feet were cool, but it wasn’t a big deal. A little dampness wouldn’t make her catch a cold.
But…
“This body is really weak.”
It looks as weak as it feels.
Bai Lian’s cheeks flushed slightly, a hint of anger lingering beneath the surface.
Clap!
She stamped her wet right foot, then bit her lip, saying nothing as she headed straight for the door of the Third Martial Sister.
The expression on the Third Martial Sister’s face earlier in the day had not gone unnoticed. Bai Lian couldn’t pretend nothing had happened.
Though her body had become smaller, her mind and reflexes remained sharp.
Dong Dong Dong—
Bai Lian knocked on the door.
“The third eldest sister.”
As soon as the words fell, Su Youwei’s voice rang from within.
“Elder Martial Sister, I’m here!”
The hurried footsteps almost drowned out the sound of rain behind them.
With a creak, the door opened.
Su Youwei suddenly appeared before Bai Lian, disheveled, a hint of pink on her face, as the evening breeze swept her long sash around.
Bai Lian said, “The third Martial Sister, I’m here.”
“Hmm.”
Su Youwei responded.
She had prepared for this; after all, Bai Lian was meticulous. How could she not come when she noticed something amiss?
Su Youwei stepped back, opening the door wider.
Bai Lian walked in.
Su Youwei gently closed the door, sealing away the wind, the rain, and the coolness of the night. All that remained was a room full of warmth, with a faint dampness from the breeze drifting through the window.
Bai Lian found a chair and sat down.
Her expression was serious, her feet neatly placed together. Since the chair was high, her toes were all that touched the floor.
“I thought carefully about this matter during the day…”
Bai Lian paused for a long time before speaking.
But just as she started, Su Youwei let out an “Ah!” and interrupted her.
What was going on?
I haven’t even said anything yet!
Bai Lian clasped her hands to her chest, looking at her Third Martial Sister with annoyance.
At that moment, Su Youwei suddenly transformed into a “werewolf.”
She moved with startling speed, and Bai Lian only saw a white blur.
Before she knew it, her right foot was already in Su Youwei’s hands.
Clap.
The sound of wooden clogs being thrown to the ground echoed.
A warm sensation spread from Bai Lian’s feet.
She froze, her entire body rigid, as if a weak point had been targeted.
No.
Is this body really so sensitive?
And… what is the Third Martial Sister doing?
Bai Lian could barely stop herself from leaving a footprint on Su Youwei’s face.
She was nervous, her mind wandering to a few images from games, imagining the worst-case scenarios.
If the Third Martial Sister tried something bad, Bai Lian was powerless to resist!
Apparently, she had misunderstood.
Su Youwei might have entertained thoughts of doing something inappropriate, but she was still a very conservative young girl at heart.
[I like Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian.]
[I also hope Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian likes me.]
Lovers grow together, creating deeper joys!
Su Youwei did this strange thing because she noticed Bai Lian’s right foot had turned an unhealthy color.
“Elder Martial Sister, why are your socks wet? It’ll be chilly if you wear them like that.”
Su Youwei’s face showed concern.
It made sense now! Bai Lian’s tense body began to relax.
Itchy.
But she could bear it.
She chuckled softly, “I just stumbled into a pothole carelessly, but it’s no big deal. My body’s already recovered quite a bit.”
“That won’t do!”
Su Youwei looked up at Bai Lian with unusual intensity.
Bai Lian nodded.
Then, use your spell to dry my socks now.
But soon, Bai Lian realized she had misinterpreted.
“Elder Martial Sister, I’ll help you change your socks right now.”
Before Bai Lian could respond, Su Youwei had already pulled off her right sock.
She wasn’t finished yet. Su Youwei then took off the sock on her left foot too.
“?”
Bai Lian was stunned.
Something’s wrong with you!
“Elder Martial Sister, why don’t you put on my socks first?”
Su Youwei waved her hand, and two white socks flew out of a nearby box.
“Elder Martial Sister, straighten your legs.”
“…”
Bai Lian said nothing, though she suspected the Third Martial Sister’s motives weren’t pure!
Even a Qi Refining Stage cultivator could do the simple spell of drying socks. Let alone the Third Martial Sister, who was already in the later stages of the Golden Core Stage.
It was a shame that Bai Lian couldn’t read any unusual emotions in Su Youwei’s eyes.
All right.
Occasionally lying back and receiving service from a Martial Sister wasn’t so bad after all.
“I’m ticklish!”
Bai Lian declared, lifting her foot slightly, straightening it. Her five round toes curled up instinctively beneath.
“I’ll be careful,” Su Youwei said with a smile.
She thought that the most she could do for Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian were things like this.
Make meals for her. Dress her. Help her to the toilet…
[…]
Su Hong Yi suddenly appeared behind Su Youwei, her eyelids drooping, staring at her silently.
Bai Lian greeted them with a “Hi, Hong Yi!”, quickly shifting focus to business.
It wasn’t a big deal.
She assured the Third Martial Sister not to worry. Those people might seem strong, but judging by their timid demeanor, their strength wasn’t as great as it appeared.
“When I regain my Immortal Emperor’s power, I will subdue all!”
Bai Lian sat proudly on the stool, her chin lifted.
Though small, her body carried an indescribable majesty.
No wonder she’s Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian!
Su Youwei lowered her head, silently sliding a sock up Bai Lian’s thigh.
She wanted to do more, but who could blame her for being inexperienced?
In ten years, she would have the strength to help Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian!
“Elder Martial Sister.”
“?”
“Could you spread your legs apart a bit?”
“Oh.”
Bai Lian complied, her gaze drifting to the half-open window, where raindrops seemed to drift in. She needed to close it…
Huh?
But suddenly, in the darkness of the night, a white light flashed, and Bai Lian noticed the jade rabbit appeared at the window.
Its ears stood tall, its hind legs strong, a flame-like tail radiating a fighting spirit.
The jade rabbit couldn’t help but feel resentful.
Just moments ago, as it was enjoying the rain by the window, it overheard some strange words.
Yes! Wherever someone tries to do bad things to Bai Lian, there will be me, the Jade Rabbit!
The air grew colder, and now Su Youwei, her mind still on “white legs,” sensed something was wrong.
She quickly turned and saw the jade rabbit glaring at her – its blue eyes furious.
“…”
I…
My heart and deeds are as clear as a mirror. All I do is just and righteous!
I only wanted to carry on Qiongming Peak’s spirit, care for Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, and change her socks!
Glare all you want. I have no regrets, no fear!
Su Youwei paid no attention to the jade rabbit.
The jade rabbit was furious.
If not for Bai Lian being here, I would have rolled you up with both of my ears!
The jade rabbit had recently noticed that Xiao Jinse and others were growing less respectful.
Sigh.
It was deeply frustrated, wondering if something was wrong with its body, preventing it from breaking through to the Soul Changing Stage.
As it pondered this, Bai Lian suddenly grabbed Su Youwei’s hand.
“Wait a minute.”
“Eh?”
Su Youwei froze. Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian had only put on one sock on her left foot.
Bai Lian paid little attention. She jumped down from the chair and quickly moved to the window.
Just now, she sensed an unusual fluctuation in Divine Sense.
That wave, though still, held no threat. Upon closer inspection, it was like the hidden current beneath a black sea.
Bai Lian’s memory was impeccable. This wasn’t the Divine Sense of any Duxian Sect disciple.
Someone had sneaked in!
Bai Lian’s gaze pierced through the curtain of rain, searching the dark night.
Were these the people who attacked the Third Martial Sister?
If they were…
Bai Lian realized she was mistaken.
If they were truly from the Sand Region sects, they would never dare to sneak into Duxian Sect, especially with two powerful Transmigration Stage cultivators present.
So, after this realization, Bai Lian suddenly felt a strange chill from the wind blowing through the window.
These people might be far stronger than she had imagined!
Could it be an unseen powerhouse or an opponent from the Immortal World, like Yue Wuyang?
“Has it only been three and a half years since then? Have the big shots already started showing up?”
Bai Lian inwardly worried.
“Elder Martial Sister, what’s wrong?”
Su Youwei’s voice called out.
Bai Lian, still small, was barely tall enough to look out the window frame, with one sock still lying crumpled on the ground.
But Su Youwei saw her and felt as if a great weight had been lifted.
Bai Lian shook her head slightly.
“It’s nothing big. You two go ahead…”
Her voice trailed off.
The system task suddenly popped up.
[Task 1: Go out and investigate the situation (Reward: Spirit Flying Scriptures)]
[Task 2: Stay at the Window (Reward: Light Skill +1)]
The Spirit Flying Scriptures is a powerful cultivation method, but for Bai Lian, the risk it presents is an insurmountable mountain.
As for Task 2…
The system implies that she doesn’t have to do anything, and the Master will take care of everything?
But does this really have no effect on the Master?
Bai Lian was unclear.
Light Skill +1 only indicates that this task poses no risk for her. But that doesn’t mean the Master and Martial Sisters won’t face danger because of her choice.
It was only after understanding this that Bai Lian gradually began choosing tasks with higher risks.
Because she is no longer alone.
She cares about people and things. She has something to protect, and a future she dreams of.
Even if it means risking her life, she will fight for these things!
After hesitating for a while, Bai Lian still chose Task 2.
When she woke from the green light in the blue lamp, she said she occasionally needed to rely on her Master or Martial Sisters.
Wasn’t her original goal just to help raise the Martial Sisters so they could protect her?
Trust in the Master.
Once the Immortal Heavenly Lord, who has lived for tens of thousands of years, takes something seriously, how could anyone surpass her in solving problems?
Bai Lian stretched out her hand to catch a single raindrop and said, her voice tinged with emotion,
“This is the first rain in June, isn’t it?”
Though Su Youwei didn’t understand why Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian changed the topic so quickly, she nodded in agreement.
“That’s right.”
“The rain is much heavier than I expected.”
“It always rains heavily in summer.”
“But it’s rare on the mountain.”
Bai Lian spoke to ease the worries in her heart.
As they talked, the pale grey mist slowly swallowed up the heavy rainfall.
On the mountain path leading to the peak of Qiongming Peak,
A gray figure stayed in place, looking up at the peak.
“Is it a cultivator from the Immortal World?”
The man muttered to himself.
No matter what, he had to obtain the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl first!
Don’t even mention Bai Lian being just a reincarnated Immortal Emperor. Even if she were a reincarnated Heavenly Lord, there was nothing for him to fear.
Since they dared to come, they must have prepared for it.
And Bai Lian is injured. This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. If they miss it, they may never get another chance to seize the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl.
Go!
The gray shadow suddenly became partially transparent.
He was about to rally his courage and rush forward to abduct Su Youwei.
Just then, a dim light emerged from the heavy rain, barely perceptible to the naked eye, shooting through his chest at an incredible speed.
“…”
It was still pouring rain.
The gray shadow slowly lowered his head. There was no visible wound on his body, but he had lost all strength.
He knew.
He had already died.
His soul still clung together by inertia, which is why he could still think.
Once his soul cracked, he would fall into endless darkness.
“Hasn’t Bai Lian been seriously injured?”
The gray shadow trembled.
Boom!
A terrifying thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
Motherfuck!
The gray shadow raised his head.
Across countless rocks, he seemed to see Bai Lian’s faint smile.
“Is this all part of Bai Lian’s plan?”
Bai Lian probably had seen through Lu Wantong’s disguise long ago but hadn’t exposed him. Instead, she had used him to spread false information, leading them into a trap.
Fishing.
It’s great if you catch fish, but even if you don’t, the process itself can still be enjoyable.
The gray shadow realized his guess was likely true.
Before this, many had already perished because of Bai Lian’s schemes.
He recalled the conversation between Bai Lian and Su Youwei earlier.
It had seemed random, but could it have been a subtle reference to him?
It was highly likely.
I… um…
The gray shadow quickly covered his chest with his hand. Fresh blood rolled down his lips, and unbearable pain spread through his limbs.
It’s over.
He no longer had time.
But he couldn’t just fall silently on this rainy night!
He had to pass on the information he had acquired.
Although he had died today, if his contribution could help secure the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl, there might be a chance for him to be resurrected.
“Broken Jade Disaster!”
The gray shadow clenched his teeth.
He roared in his heart, and immediately, an unnamed force burst from the depths of his soul.
He offered everything as a great sacrifice and summoned the Ephemeral Light!
The stream of light shot like a star from the horizon, breaking through the Duxian Sect’s protective magic array in an instant and flying deep into the Sand Region.
“Hmm?”
In a cave behind Qiongming Peak, An Lan stared at her right hand in a daze.
She had actually fumbled and couldn’t lock onto that glimmering light!
An Lan stood in silence for a long time.
She couldn’t describe the feeling, only…
Familiarity.
Yes!
In that shimmering moment, she had smelled something familiar. Yet when she tried to recall a memory, she couldn’t find anything.
“Did I forget it again by accident?”
An Lan’s figure disappeared into the cave. When she reappeared, she stood beside the body that had fallen in the rain.
She didn’t shield herself from the rain, letting it beat down on the stranger’s body.
Once.
Twice.
Countless times.
The cacophony of rain drowned out the world.
An Lan turned away.
As she did, the spirit Qi surged, the raindrops flying chaotically. The corpse dissolved, leaving no trace behind.
This evening, besides An Lan and Bai Lian, no one from the Duxian Sect knew what had transpired.
In some sense, An Lan and Bai Lian are of the same kind.
Can’t figure it out?
Don’t think about it!
After leaving the mountain path, An Lan went to the top of the mountain.
But she didn’t show herself. She quietly stood by the crooked-neck tree, watching Su Youwei help Bai Lian put on socks.
“Hmph!”
Even so, An Lan wasn’t angry.
Her mood had shifted recently.
In the past, she would have grabbed Su Youwei by the ears.
[Where do you think you’re touching?]
But now, she simply glanced at her own bare feet exposed to the outside. Those feet were unadorned yet more alluring than the lotus flowers in the pond.
An Lan didn’t understand Bai Lian’s obsession with white socks.
Weren’t they too tight?
Forget it.
She decided to return and rest.
Yawning, An Lan slowly walked toward her cave.
She didn’t plan to tell Bai Lian what had happened tonight. Otherwise, Bai Lian might run out and cause more trouble. A break seemed the best option.
…
Bang!
When the fist fell, the teacup on the table jumped into the air.
“Nonsense!”
The leader clenched his teeth.
He had never expected the situation to unfold this way.
No wonder he hadn’t heard from Lu Wantong lately. He had assumed it was because Bai Lian was keeping a close eye on him and there hadn’t been any opportunities to send messages.
But it turned out the message sent by Lu Wantong had been intercepted by those who followed him into this small world.
These people had left him behind, secretly conspiring and ambushing Su Youwei.
Fortunately, the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl didn’t fall into the hands of those young disciples. Otherwise, they would’ve handed it over to those trying to prevent the Path Master from returning.
So his plan had been completely thwarted.
They deserve to die!
Anger flashed in the leader’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
No.
This is not the time for infighting.
The priority is to figure out a way to acquire the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl.
Only by placing the pearl into the Wanjie Dharma Pool can they peer into Heavenly Secrets and find the Path Master’s whereabouts.
The leader glanced at the few subordinates standing before him, their heads bowed.
He spoke in a low voice,
“After today, Bai Lian will be on guard against us. The difficulty of obtaining the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl will double!”
A moment of silence followed before someone spoke,
“According to Wu Chang, Bai Lian had already seen through our plan. She was just playing us, trying to catch us all at once.”
The leader shook his head. He didn’t comment.
It didn’t matter whether it was true or not.
His brow furrowed, and he fell silent for a long time.
Another person spoke,
“Master, it’s our fault for being too rash. Otherwise, the situation wouldn’t have gotten so dire. Punish us accordingly.”
The leader waved his hand,
“Let me think about it.”
Bai Lian’s strength was enough to kill Wu Chang instantly. Confronting her rashly would be unwise.
He needed to think carefully.
There had to be another way.
The room was silent, save for the flickering candlelight.
After a long pause, the leader raised his head.
His sorrowful expression had vanished, replaced by a look of confidence.
“I have a plan.”
“Have you figured out a solution, leader?”
The leader nodded, standing up and looking toward the Duxian Sect.
“I’m going to speak with Bai Lian in person!”
The room erupted in exclamations,
“Leader, that’s too dangerous!”
“Yes, Bai Lian is probably expecting you!”
“Bai Lian is cunning; be cautious of her schemes!”
The leader didn’t take it to heart.
After careful consideration, he had made his decision.
It’s extremely difficult to steal the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl from Bai Lian while she’s on guard.
Even if he succeeded, if injured, the pearl would eventually fall into the hands of those behind him.
They didn’t want the Path Master to return and would find a way to destroy the pearl.
Therefore, the leader didn’t want to fight Bai Lian.
He would negotiate.
He was willing to exchange everything he could for the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl.
He believed the treasure of the Path of Wanjie Dharma could move Bai Lian.
But there was a catch: Bai Lian was likely the reincarnation of the Moral Heavenly Lord, who had been fighting the Path Master for nearly ten thousand years without resolution.
“Hide my identity first!”
If Bai Lian hasn’t figured it out, everything will be fine.
If she has, he’ll find another way.
“Leader…”
His subordinates wanted to protest, but the leader was already resolute.
“My mind is made up. No further discussion.”
He was the nominal commander, so even if they disagreed, they had to remain silent.
The leader hurried out of the room, a sense of urgency in his heart.
Those young disciples targeting Su Youwei showed they were preparing to break away from him.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
He needed to obtain the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl before they could turn on him.
“The Path of Wanjie Dharma…”
The leader sighed.
He never imagined the Path would fall into such a state.
He must find the Ten Thousand Poison Pearl. He must find the Path Master to restore the Path of Wanjie Dharma.
This night, the leader rushed toward the Duxian Sect with unstoppable haste.
Bai Lian received the message the next afternoon.
A servant from the Guangtong Gate arrived at the Duxian Sect with a Jade Message Slip.
“This is a message from a cultivator named Dao Xingyuan for you.”
“Dao Xingyuan?”
Bai Lian took the jade slip with a puzzled expression.
She noticed the servant was surprised, possibly because of her current appearance.
After reading the jade slip, the words disappeared.
“Excuse me,”
Bai Lian’s expression grew serious.
Did this man sneak into Qiongming Peak last night, and now he wanted to negotiate?
This time, Bai Lian didn’t decide on her own; she felt the need to discuss it with her master.
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