Chapter 3
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Chapter 3: Four Persons Traveling Together
The night on this island is different from that in the East Divine Land.
When disaster began to invade the ancient land that had been passed down for a long time, the island became like a utopia that made people yearn for it.
Qing Luan, leaning against the wooden wall, stared at the brilliant night sky.
Her watery eyes made the night sky even more charming and hazy.
This night.
The moonlight spread over Qing Luan like flowing water, flowing down her fair face and through the mountain pass, finally converging into a warm puddle on the stone floor.
"Puff~"
Qing Luan slightly opened her mouth.
Perhaps due to nervousness or excitement, the soft voice squeezed from her throat miraculously synchronized perfectly with another voice from the wall nearby and the bird chirping from the tree branches.
As if she was holding a pipa in her arms, she plucked and twirled the strings delicately and skillfully.
Then, the sound of the pipa tune began to play–
The thick strings sounded like urgent rain, the thin strings like whispers.
Chaotic sounds of plucking and twirling, like big and small pearls dropping on a jade plate.
Birds chirped and flowers bloomed intermittently, while the murmuring brook flowed cold and silently beneath the ice.
The icy strings were tense and silent, the silence making the sound momentarily disappear!
Qing Luan sat down abruptly on the ground, her thin skirt immediately soaked, the chill in the wind causing her to regain her focus, which had lost its focal point.
She pinched her finger hard believing she was going insane, as there was no other explanation for her actions.
What’s so captivating about this unremarkable night sky?
Now she must immediately disclose to Yu Ying what she accidentally discovered!
Only at that moment, she and Yu Ying were comrades-in-arms.
Qing Luan pressed against the pillar beside her with one hand. She tried to stand up in haste but slipped and fell again due to the looseness of the ground beneath her feet.
Crack!
Water splashed on the ground.
Darn it!
Qing Luan was at a loss. She had never thought that she, who had reached such a level of strength, would get pins and needles from squatting in one place too long.
She struggled to get up again, but when she was about to take the first step, she suddenly stopped.
It was quiet all around, with neither human nor bird sounds to be heard.
She felt as if she had fallen into an infinite abyss of darkness.
Knock, knock, knock.
Qing Luan’s heartbeat accelerated involuntarily.
What happened?
After a while, Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian’s voice was heard in the room.
"Are you tired?"
But Si Yunshang replied in a grumpy tone, "It’s not that fast. You underestimate me too much. Just wait for me."
Then there was a rustling sound.
Is she putting on clothes?
Qing Luan furrowed her eyebrows, the voice disappeared. She took a step forward, eager to know what had happened in the room, and put her ear to the window.
Just then, with a creaking sound, the window closed inwardly, and she stumbled a few times, having to hold onto the window frame for support.
"…"
Quiet.
Very quiet.
Qing Luan lowered her head and didn’t even dare to take a breath.
She had been discovered!
Even though she didn’t lift her head or release her Divine Sense, she knew that there was someone standing behind the window, that person must be the witch Si Yunshang.
She felt the burning gaze.
Qing Luan’s body couldn’t help but tremble.
Clearly, she was the one who was in the right, but because of what she had done earlier and couldn’t control, she was so guilty that she couldn’t even utter a word.
This kind of silence lasted for a while, but it was Bai Lian who spoke up first, "Martial Sister Qing Luan….."
Si Yunshang made a hushing gesture towards Bai Lian.
"Let me do it."
Her voice was tired, yet it whispered like a witch’s incantation, making Qing Luan anxiously twist her hands.
"Sister Qing Luan."
Si Yunshang lifted Qing Luan’s chin, while her other hand grabbed Qing Luan’s right hand.
Qing Luan looked around nervously.
Si Yunshang spoke softly, "Actually, I found out last time when you hid outside."
"Ah, ah?"
Qing Luan stared at Si Yunshang in shock.
"This time is no exception. I noticed you when you just arrived outside, so I deliberately reduced the level of the magic array, allowing you to hear the voice inside the house."
After hearing this, Qing Luan’s eyes widened even more.
Trap, or an attempt to humiliate her?
An unnamed anger surged in Qing Luan’s heart as she questioned, "Why would you do this?"
Before she could make sense of it all, Si Yunshang lightly bit her right hand finger.
Ouch!
Painful and sudden!
Stimulated Qing Luan was about to shout, but was covered by Si Yunshang’s hand.
"If you shout too loud, you’ll be heard."
Qing Luan’s face turned red with embarrassment, but even when Si Yunshang released her hand, she dared not shout again.
Si Yunshang licked her tongue and said meaningfully, "Sweet, Qing Luan, remember to wash your hands next time, little sister."
"?"
"!"
From confusion to shock, Qing Luan suddenly realized the meaning behind Si Yunshang’s words.
She clutched her fluctuating chest and pointed at Si Yunshang, "You shameless witch, what do you want?"
Si Yunshang paid no attention and pulled Qing Luan into the house, "As a fellow, I can tell at a glance that Qing Luan likes Bai Lian."
"So what?"
Qing Luan cowered in the corner like a bullied wife, not daring to look at Si Yunshang and even less at Bai Lian.
Si Yunshang laughed and covered her mouth, "If I didn’t break this relationship, wouldn’t Sister Qing Luan have to keep dragging it on like this?"
Like being caught by the tail, Qing Luan immediately retorted, "Nonsense, I just haven’t found the opportunity yet, but I have everything ready!"
She excitedly pulled out the Jade Tiger Silk Well.
Si Yunshang said, "The opportunity is here now."
"I, I, I…"
Qing Luan was at a loss.
Compared to the sophisticated Si Yunshang, it was clear that she relied heavily on her inexperienced master to offer advice.
"Is it because I’m present that you feel uncomfortable?"
"S-"
"Hmm?"
Si Yunshang interrupted Bai Lian’s words.
Qing Luan fell for Si Yunshang’s provocation, "You wicked witch! I’m only concerned that any contact with Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian will injure her."
Si Yunshang stood on two perfectly straight legs, slightly apart, and like a compass, she leaned forward, making Qing Luan’s eyes desperately search elsewhere.
"This issue is not as serious as imagined. I have thought of a solution. Bai Lian’s cultivation method automatically runs due to the fragments of the way of the Great Tao within your bodies. Once Bai Lian completely absorbs the fragments in your body, this problem will naturally disappear. Furthermore, while absorbing the fragments, Bai Lian can also inject all the extra spirit Qi into your body to help you in your practice."
Qing Luan hesitated, "Can you ensure that Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian can definitely digest the fragments of the way of the Great Tao within my body?"
Si Yunshang shook her head, "I can’t guarantee it, but how do we know if we don’t try? Even if it doesn’t work, we can stop in time."
Qing Luan didn’t say anything.
Si Yunshang said, "This is a win-win situation!"
Her appearance was very much like that of a pyramid scheme leader.
After a long time, Qing Luan finally lifted her head. She was convinced by Si Yunshang.
In other words, there will be no harm in trying.
She had just stood up when she suddenly screamed.
"What are you doing?"
The cord around her waist had already been unfastened by Si Yunshang.
"I’ll assist you."
"I’ll manage by myself!"
Qing Luan hastily avoided Si Yunshang.
However, since Si Yunshang had already jumped on the bandwagon, with a mind full of malicious intentions, how could she let Qing Luan go easily?
Many hands make light work.
The more people, the more ideas they can come up with, and the more impossible things they can achieve.
After conducting a thorough investigation and in-depth research, Bai Lian discovered that Si Yunshang’s idea was indeed correct!
With the help of the Yin-Yang Fusion Technique, she and Qing Luan were able to communicate and achieve a delicate balance, engaging in a fair "trade".
She released a portion of her spirit Qi while Qing Luan released a fragment of the Great Tao.
Of course, this process was not without flaws, at least the pain could not be eliminated for a while.
However, there is no need to worry because just as there is good and evil in this world, Bai Lian can feel pain and will not lose pleasure.
With Si Yunshang, a self-taught "female scholar", it is easy to overshadow pain with pleasure.
Then…
Unexpectedly, something happened!
"Bang! Bang!"
After the urgent knocking, the previously tightly closed door was pushed open.
Yu Ying, who was just reading in her room, stood at the door with her eyes burning like water ablaze with flame, and a sword in her hand that appeared from nowhere.
"You…you…"
Yu Ying’s body was trembling with anger.
She didn’t even know why she was angry, but she was extremely angry, furious even!
Si Yunshang still stepped forward at this moment, Qing Luan was already frightened, and Bai Lian was a bit confused. What is this situation?
But this time, because she came in a hurry, she didn’t even have time to put on a coat. She stood in front of Yu Ying so plainly that Yu Ying was directly stunned.
"I, I, I… I will stab you to death!"
Yu Ying’s sword was weak and lacked any strength, easily blocked.
Si Yunshang pointed directly at the heart of the matter, "Yu Ying, I can tell that you and Bai Lian had already broken that barrier long ago."
"Nonsense!"
Yu Ying immediately denied it, letting go of the sword handle and stepped back subconsciously, but her hand was held by Si Yunshang.
Si Yunshang repeated the theory of swallowing Great Tao fragments, and added, "Yu Ying, your cultivation base has not made much progress for quite some time now, hasn’t it?"
"What do you care?"
Yu Ying’s attitude remained unpleasant, but she no longer attempted to wriggle free.
She was actually very guilty, she had no idea how Si Yunshang had seen through her relationship with Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, and she had never told anyone about it before.
Could it have been disclosed by Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian?
Si Yunshang drew circles on Yu Ying’s hand back with her index finger, sighing.
"The enemy Bai Lian is about to face may already have reached the realm of human immortal cultivation. With our current strength, helping her is harder than climbing to the sky. Not being a hindrance might just be a good thing."
Yu Ying’s body stiffened.
Even with the support of Master’s fragments of the Way of the Great Tao, she couldn’t possibly defeat an Immortal. If she didn’t have the fragments, she would have to find ways to escape.
To Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, she must be a burden like this.
She worked hard in cultivation and finally had a chance, all in the hope of helping Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, but now…
She remembered the words Si Yunshang had said just now.
"Bai Lian can transfer all the surplus spirit Qi to you to assist your cultivation."
Yu Ying gritted her teeth and clenched her fists tighter.
"As expected of a witch, this insight into the human heart is truly extraordinary. You all go out, I’ll stay alone… sigh."
Before she finished speaking, Si Yunshang pulled her inside with a bang.
Bang.
The door was suddenly shut, and Si Yunshang’s voice came through, "Hurry up and come in. If others find out, and it reaches the ears of Master An Lan, you, who are at the forefront, will definitely be the first unlucky one."
Hmm!
Yu Ying’s body trembled lightly, and she was almost bursting with anger.
It was definitely a threat.
However, she was unable to resist the thought of her master single-handedly defeating the Demons of the Outer Realm who attacked the Duxian sect, and she trembled violently.
"You, you are not allowed to tell the master, otherwise I would rather die than share the same fate with you, you witch!"
Yu Ying regreted it now.
Why did Si Yunshang catch her ace in the hole? If it weren’t for this, why would she be in such a passive situation?
How hateful.
Next time, she must find a way to do it more discreetly!
Many "rivers" flow into the "sea" without end.
When the sun was high in the sky and the sunlight streamed into the room through the window, the "sport" that had lasted for seven or eight hours in the room finally dissipated.
Bai Lian looked at the bed with a strange expression.
Even though she was happy, she felt that something strange was hidden behind it.
She vigorously shook her head and cautiously opened the system panel. Judging from the changes in attributes, after a night of cultivation, her strength had made remarkable progress.
[Hard Skill：1027]
[Soft Skill：1033]
[Light Skill：1021]
[Focus: 997]
Except for Focus, which still lagged behind, all other attributes exceeded one thousand points.
According to the system description, she could barely be considered to have entered the realm of human immortals.
Don’t be fooled by the small growth in her skill points, which only increased by about thirty on average. After breaking through the barrier of human immortals, she awakened many abilities she had never had before.
Such as: metamorphosis, void roaming, flesh creation, vacuum imperishability, and the opening of a small world within the flesh.
Upon seeing this, Bai Lian finally understood where the gap between her and her master lay.
Perhaps she was stronger than her master, but her master’s ability to travel through space allowed her to drag her to death.
Considering that the Demon Emperor’s strength was not much different from her master’s, if she rashly went out to fight without the help of Si Yunshang, the Fourth Martial Sister, and Martial Sister Qing Luan, she would probably not last a round and be beaten by the Demon Emperor.
"It’s no wonder that even the strongest in the lower realm cannot surpass the realm of the human immortals under the limitation of the Heavenly Dao."
Such godlike power has no rivals in the lower realm, and as long as she desires it, she can sink a world.
Bai Lian took a deep breath.
She raised her right hand and gently rubbed the Qianhuan Real Eyes.
The change in her body has also brought about a change in the eye, which is now fully obedient to her and its power is not limited to illusions.
Bai Lian gently cut off her right arm, and when the silver light flowing out of the Qianhuan Real Eyes covered her arm, her hand returned to its original state, as if it had never been injured.
This is a power similar to "small-scale time regression," to be precise, it transfers damage to several hours or even days later.
In this way, Bai Lian can maintain her best condition at all times in battle.
However, this spell can also be broken, as long as the Qianhuan Real Eyes are destroyed or drained of their power.
Putting aside these changes, Bai Lian’s character panel now has an additional feature.
[Qing Luan’s Spark]
"Is it the seed left in my body by Qing Luan?"
She attempted to control the spark, but couldn’t shake it even slightly.
Bai Lian could only give up and focus on her body, where there was originally only a black symbol, but after a night of hard work, there was also a white symbol.
The black and white intertwined like a Yin Yang fish.
Destruction and rebirth, like a seed that takes root and grows upright, drawing nourishment from her Tao Halo.
Bai Lian sat cross-legged on the bed, wearing only a thin garment, her brows frequently furrowed.
Tao Halo is the nourishment of the Great Tao, so…
"Squeak."
The tightly closed door was suddenly pushed open by Si Yunshang, who walked in from outside holding a large bowl with steam rising from it.
Bai Lian looked up and asked, "What is that?"
Si Yunshang replied, "Chicken soup."
Bai Lian shook her head quickly and said, "I don’t drink chicken soup."
Si Yunshang gave her a white look and said, "What are you thinking? I’m drinking it myself. Ah, ever since I lost my cultivation base, my body has become extremely weak, and I’m almost dehydrated and unable to get up. It’s all because of your Fourth Martial Sister. She seemed so honest, but I didn’t expect that she had such a strong revengeful heart. She had been targeting me all the time."
"Emmm…"
Bai Lian felt embarrassed and dared not look at Si Yunshang.
She knew that the Fourth Martial Sister was a bit cunning, but she didn’t expect her to reveal such a side in this situation.
Bai Lian asked, "How did you see through the relationship between the Fourth Martial Sister and me?"
Si Yunshang calmly took a sip of soup, "I was born sensitive to Yin Qi and have a special ability to divine fortune. Actually, it’s nothing compared to those powerful cultivators who may possess similar skills."
Bai Lian nodded, "I see."
Si Yunshang continued, "Your two Martial Sisters are currently ignoring each other, but I believe they will reconcile soon. If we don’t take this opportunity to resolve this rift, they will inevitably end up fighting in the future."
"…"
"You don’t have to thank me. To be honest, I have my own selfish motives. By doing this, they won’t see me as an outsider, and I can occupy a small space by your side."
Bai Lian sensed a tinge of sourness in Si Yunshang’s words, though she couldn’t quite understand why.
She hugged Si Yunshang from behind as she drank her soup.
"I’m sorry. You’ve given me so much more than I could ever give you."
Si Yunshang hesitated for a moment before resuming her soup, "Given our relationship, we shouldn’t be discussing these things. Besides…to me, you’re different. In both this life and my previous one, you’re the only person I can rely on after leaving home. Do you think I really want to become a witch?"
"Hmm," Bai Lian nodded. "Lately I’ve been pondering a question."
"What problem?"
Si Yunshang turned her head, her cheek lightly touching Bai Lian’s.
Bai Lian said, "Who am I?"
Si Yunshang replied, "It seems like a serious question, unfortunately, in this matter, I can’t help you."
Bai Lian smiled and said, "Actually, I have some clues already, but I need more evidence."
"Well, keep it up then."
"Thanks for your encouragement."
"You won’t forget me later, will you?"
"Of course not."
"Then I am relieved."
Si Yunshang lightly tapped her chest in a jesting manner.
She thought to herself that, other than claiming to be Chen Lu, Bai Lian had never lied to her.
After sitting in silence for a while, Si Yunshang played with Bai Lian’s toes and asked, "Are you leaving in a few days?"
Bai Lian replied, "I need to make one final attempt."
"I understand. Stay a few more days then," Si Yunshang said.
Bai Lian’s attempt was to try to raise the Focus up to a thousand points before Demon Emperor appeared.
However, even after visiting North Luzhou for almost ten days, she was only able to increase the Focus to 999 points, and that last point of Focus was impossible to achieve.
During this time, she also sent off the Demon Lord. Looking at his decaying body, she remained silent, feeling that something was amiss.
"It’s time to leave," Bai Lian sighed.
In recent days, the Demons of the Outer Realm have expanded their area of activity, causing increasing turmoil in the East Divine Land. It can be foreseen that, after some testing, they will launch a second attack on the Duxian sect.
Master’s injuries have not yet fully healed, she cannot allow her to be endangered again.
Ultimately, the crisis must be faced.
If she were to encounter trouble, Master and Martial Sisters would most likely seek revenge and danger would be highly probable, but it is still better than being in danger now.
On the mountain path.
Bai Lian and Si Yunshang locked gazes.
"Do you think that I will dissuade you? Do you think that I will say a lot?"
Bathing in the rays of the setting sun, Si Yunshang’s soft purple hair appeared even more delicate.
"I know that you are not receptive to advice, and that you cannot let go of those people, so I’ll keep it brief."
Si Yunshang, standing below, suddenly stepped forward and took hold of Bai Lian’s hand, then lifted onto the balls of her feet.
"I like you, so I hope you can come back safely!"
Her faint purple lip gently moved forward.
After stamping an emotionally charged "seal", Si Yunshang stepped back and breathed slightly.
She was smiling, exceptionally bright.
At this moment, the evening breeze blew, rolling up the wisteria on the roadside, rolling up the wild grass in the mountains, rolling up the skirt, and rolling up Bai Lian’s gaze.
Behind a big rock, Yu Ying and Qing Luan were gritting their teeth and standing there.
"They’re afraid this is a farewell, so they dare not come over."
Bai Lian took a deep breath, a smile squeezed onto her face, but her eyes became slightly watery, "I hope this is the last time."
"If possible, I would like to see you again tomorrow morning."
"I will try my best."
Bai Lian turned around.
Her white long dress danced in the wind as she finally stepped away towards the passage leading to nothingness.
However, her presence had not yet been entirely erased.
Click.
Si Yunshang reached out and held her cheeks.
Droplets of water.
Were they tears?
Apparently, you are not as strong as they say you are.
Indeed, otherwise, those few days of impatience and your true thoughts wouldn’t have been exposed to me.
Si Yunshang turned around and walked towards Yu Ying and Qing Luan.
"You must promise me not to reveal yourselves unless absolutely necessary, or else I will tell Bai Lian," she said.
Yu Ying replied solemnly, "I understand. We won’t hold back Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian."
Qing Luan also nodded.
"Thank you,"
Si Yunshang also bowed in respect.
A quarter of an hour later, Yu Ying and Qing Luan also left one after another.
The sun had completely set below the sea level, and Si Yunshang silently walked towards her own room, leaving behind intermittent tear marks.
