Chapter 18
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Chapter 18: Midnight Sermon
The candle had burned down halfway.
The once-steaming green tea sat dry at the bottom of the cups.
As the moonlight rose above the treetops outside the window, Bai Lian stood up.
Her two younger Martial Sisters hadn’t yet reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, so their bodies lacked the endurance of someone like her. Without spirit energy to sustain them, they needed proper rest.
“I’ll tidy up your room, Third Martial Sister. You can stay with me tonight,” Bai Lian said casually.
Before Su Youwei could respond, Xiao Jinse interjected sharply, “No!”
Her voice was cold but not angry.
Bai Lian blinked. “No?”
Xiao Jinse’s expression stiffened, her brows furrowed in frustration.
(｡• ˇ‸ˇ•｡)
She could feel her irritation building.
At that moment, three task options appeared before Bai Lian.
[Task 1]: “Third Martial Sister, why don’t you stay in the Second Martial Sister’s room tonight?” (Reward: a medium-grade magic tool – Flying Guillotine)
[Task 2]: Give a perfunctory response. (Reward: Falling Star Soil)
[Task 3]: Explain your true thoughts in great detail. (Reward: Hard Skill +1)
Bai Lian hesitated. From the options, it was clear Xiao Jinse had strong feelings about Su Youwei.
But didn’t they seem fine earlier?
No matter. Bai Lian couldn’t let this small friction grow into a bigger issue.
Time to apply what I’ve learned from those books!
Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian silently praised her own brilliance.
She began her explanation with a calm smile. “It’s because our Qiongming Peak is too small. There were only three of us before, so Master An Lan never expanded the yard. For tonight, we’ll have to make do. Third Martial Sister can stay in my room, and I’ll sleep in the Master’s room.”
[Task completed. Hard Skill +1]
Bai Lian was about to move out when Xiao Jinse spoke up, her tone strained but determined.
“Elder Martial Sister, why don’t you let the Third Martial Sister stay with me tonight? That way, you won’t have to leave your room.”
She paused before adding, “It’s not proper to stay in the Master’s room without her permission.”
Su Youwei frowned. She couldn’t find a way to refute Xiao Jinse’s reasoning.
Clever move, Xiao Jinse. You even used Master as an excuse.
Martial Sister Bai Lian was someone who valued respect and morality. If possible, she’d avoid offending her master.
Just as expected, Bai Lian hesitated briefly before nodding. “Alright then. Third Martial Sister, are you okay with this?”
Su Youwei’s shoulders sagged as she nodded reluctantly. “No problem.”
Damn it! This annoying Second Martial Sister is harder to deal with than I thought.
Bai Lian, however, saw this arrangement as perfect. Xiao Jinse’s suggestion aligned with her own goal of fostering closeness between her two younger Martial Sisters.
Sleeping in the same room? They’ll definitely bond!
Satisfied, Bai Lian turned to Xiao Jinse. “Second Martial Sister, take the Third Martial Sister around the peak tomorrow morning to help her familiarize herself with the surroundings.”
Xiao Jinse opened her mouth to object, but Bai Lian’s sudden movement stopped her.
She walked to the window, her figure silhouetted by the moonlight.
A soft sigh escaped Bai Lian’s lips.
“Alas…”
The sound pierced through Xiao Jinse’s heart.
Was Martial Sister Bai Lian… disappointed in me?
Her fingers tightened into fists.
Bai Lian spoke again, her voice tinged with melancholy. “In truth, tonight makes me happy.”
Even the jade rabbit paused, grass hanging from its mouth, as it turned to stare at Bai Lian in confusion.
“Before you two arrived, Qiongming Peak was just Master and me. Though Qiongming Peak is one of the five main peaks of the Duxian Sect, its scenery pales compared to the others. And once Master steps down from her position as the first seat, how could I possibly uphold Qiongming Peak’s former glory alone?”
Her voice softened further. “But now, with the two of you here, I feel hope for the future. Together, we can make Qiongming Peak shine again.”
Xiao Jinse’s heart tightened as she looked at Bai Lian’s lonely figure, framed by the cold moonlight.
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian…”
For a moment, she saw not the invincible Bai Lian she admired but a vulnerable side she’d never imagined.
The room was silent for a moment, save for the faint rustling of the wind outside.
With Martial Sister Bai Lian’s qualifications, even if she were alone, she could elevate Qiongming Peak to unprecedented heights! Xiao Jinse was certain of it.
Su Youwei, too, was quiet, her gaze lingering on Bai Lian. The more she observed, the less Bai Lian resembled the wild rumors she’d heard.
Was it possible the stories were exaggerated? Or had something about Bai Lian changed?
Bai Lian’s voice broke the silence. “Not long ago, the Second Martial Sister joined Qiongming Peak. Then came the jade rabbit, and now the Third Martial Sister. All of you have remarkable talents. I believe your future achievements will surpass mine. You are Qiongming Peak’s hope for restoration. How could I not be happy?”
A strange atmosphere settled over the room.
Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei were both swept up by Bai Lian’s words, their emotions inexplicably stirred.
Xiao Jinse clenched her fists. “Martial Sister Bai Lian, you are Qiongming Peak’s true hope!”
Su Youwei nodded solemnly. “Indeed.”
Even the jade rabbit, previously engrossed in munching grass, froze mid-bite. Its small eyes widened in awe.
It hadn’t expected to be held in such high regard, equal to a Martial Sister in Bai Lian’s eyes. No wonder Bai Lian didn’t treat it as a mere mount and even allowed it to ride on her flying sword.
“Haw haw haw!” the rabbit cried, leaping to its feet. (Overthrow Yunluo Peak and make Qiongming Peak the Duxian Sect’s number one!)
Bai Lian turned to face them, her melancholic expression giving way to a faint, reassuring smile.
“Forgive me—I was lost in thought for a moment. If you’re tired, get some rest. Jade rabbit, you’re welcome to stay in my room if you like.”
The jade rabbit shook its head vigorously. Of course, it didn’t mind.
Xiao Jinse stole a glance at the rabbit.
It’s just a rabbit. There’s no need to feel threatened by it.
Inspired by Bai Lian’s words, Xiao Jinse reconsidered her earlier hostility. Perhaps, just for now, she could put aside her desire to drive Su Youwei out of Qiongming Peak.
After all, if Master had chosen Su Youwei, there had to be some merit to her presence. Perhaps she could even be a useful tool for Qiongming Peak’s rise.
________________________________________
Late at night.
The candle had long since burned out, leaving the room cloaked in darkness.
Xiao Jinse lay on her bed, fully clothed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.
She strained her ears, hoping to catch any sound from the next room. But, as expected, Bai Lian had set up another barrier.
Even though only a thin stone wall separated them, Xiao Jinse could hear nothing.
She must be cultivating.
Xiao Jinse thought back to how much time Bai Lian had spent guiding her earlier. No doubt, Bai Lian was now using this quiet moment to make up for her lost training.
Suddenly, a faint, uneven breathing sound broke through the stillness.
Xiao Jinse turned her head and saw Su Youwei lying on the floor.
Despite Xiao Jinse’s invitation to share the bed, Su Youwei had stubbornly chosen to sleep on the ground.
Xiao Jinse frowned. Even now, Su Youwei clutched a small lock-shaped accessory tightly against her chest.
Curiosity got the better of her.
She coughed lightly. “Did your family give you that lock?”
There was no response.
Just as Xiao Jinse was about to ask again, Su Youwei replied coolly, “No.”
“Then…”
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian gave it to me.”
What?!
Xiao Jinse’s body went rigid as if struck by lightning.
Wait… something’s not right here. Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian hasn’t given me anything like that.
A sudden thought lit up her mind. “My sword, Blowing Snow Sword, was also given to me by Martial Sister Bai Lian!”
Su Youwei raised an eyebrow. Though she sneered inwardly, she extended her hand from beneath the quilt, revealing a storage ring.
“This storage ring? Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian gave it to me.”
Xiao Jinse’s eyes narrowed.
She rummaged through her belongings and pulled out a jade slip. “This was also a gift from Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian!”
Su Youwei’s tone remained calm. “My previous clothes were damaged, so Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian gave me new ones.”
Xiao Jinse’s fists tightened. She fought the urge to lash out.
You think you’ve won? Think again!
“My Spiritual Root was repaired by Martial Sister Bai Lian!”
“My cultivation base was enlightened by Martial Sister Bai Lian!”
“My cultivation base was also improved by Martial Sister Bai Lian!”
Their back-and-forth slowed until both fell silent, each out of breath and at a loss for more words.
Su Youwei buried herself deeper into her quilt, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Why does it feel like we’re two fools bragging about our dependency instead of being ashamed?
Xiao Jinse pressed her lips into a thin line.
No. I can’t let these absurd thoughts distract me.
She steeled her resolve.
Qiongming Peak doesn’t need a tool like her. Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian and I are more than enough to restore its former glory!
Su Youwei, meanwhile, narrowed her eyes.
Just wait. Once I break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, I’ll make sure to kick you off Qiongming Peak myself!
Zhu Xian
They really are like family now lol 😂