Chapter 2
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Chapter 2: There’s Always a Heavenly Tribulation Trying to Hurt Me
Using a jade slip required injecting a certain amount of *spirit Qi into it.
[*In traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, the concept of qi is a vital force or life energy that is considered to be the basis of a person’s spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health.]
With Xiao Jinse’s cultivation base, it was impossible for her to chat with Martial Sister Bai Lian for long.
She was too embarrassed to ask others for help, even though many people would be more than willing to lend a hand if she only spoke up.
Reluctantly, she decided to find another way.
Because she had won first place in the newcomer competition, Xiao Jinse had received many *elixirs that could enhance her cultivation.
[*a magical or medicinal potion.]
So, in order to speak with Senior Sister Bai more often, she began cultivating with renewed intensity.
Every day, the spiritual Qi in her *Dantian grew stronger, and with it, the number of words she exchanged with Senior Sister Bai increased as well.
[*Dantian is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that refers to an energy center in the body.]
Second Younger Martial Sister: [Elder Martial Sister, is the scenery in the Sand Region beautiful?]
Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian: [It feels like wearing yellow glasses. Even the little rabbit’s color looks different to me!]
Second Younger Martial Sister: [Elder Martial Sister, are people in the Sand Region very fierce?]
Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian: [No, no. The people here are simple and honest. You don’t need to worry.]
Second Martial Sister: [Senior Sister, I’ve broken through to the eighth level of Qi Refinement.]
Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian: [I’ll bring you some desert specialties when I come back.]
Talking with Senior Sister Bai was the happiest part of Xiao Jinse’s day.
It was these small exchanges that kept the bond between her and Senior Sister Bai strong.
This, perhaps, was the happiness that cultivation brought!
If she could grow a little stronger, maybe she could be the one to go pick up Third Martial Sister. That would be wonderful.
That would be great.
Xiao Jinse felt even more motivated to improve her strength.
Before Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian returned, she was determined to fully digest the rewards from the competition!
Bai Lian tucked the jade slip into her chest and looked around.
At this moment, she was in a teahouse across the street from the Su family’s residence.
“A private room, please!”
Bai Lian placed the copper coins used in the mundane world onto the counter.
“OK!”
The waiter, smiling brightly, led Bai Lian to the second floor.
Bai Lian had come here not just for tea, but to check on the Su family’s situation with her divine sense.
She could observe them from the street, but doing so would be too obvious.
She simply wanted to bring Third Martial Sister back to Qiongming Peak safely.
Although Gray Wind Town was small, the forces in the Sand Region were deeply intertwined, much more complex than the relationships among the gentry of the late Ming Dynasty.
Bai Lian didn’t want to get involved in the local power struggles.
Even though some of the female cultivators she had encountered on the road might have gained a temporary advantage, they would ultimately suffer for it.
It was revealed in The Battle of the Gods that the Sand Region had a thriving trade in selling cultivators—both men and women.
If you liked someone, you could buy them and do as you pleased!
After all, it was an R18 gal game. While the combat system was rudimentary, players could indulge in all kinds of immoral activities.
At her table, the little rabbit poured itself a cup of tea using its ears, then took a sip, mimicking Bai Lian.
“Haw!”
The silly rabbit quickly stuck out its tongue.
How bitter!
Bai Lian reached out and patted its head, then began to release her divine sense.
On the way to Gray Wind City, Bai Lian had sent the jade rabbit ahead to explore the road. In the midst of a desolate desert, she took the Tai Xuan True Yuan Pill and endured the Golden Core Stage’s Thunder Tribulation through sheer perseverance, successfully breaking through to the early Golden Core Stage.
The jade rabbit had witnessed the entire event, but Bai Lian easily dispelled its doubts.
“Being a Natural Saint is tiring. There’s always a Heavenly Tribulation trying to harm me!”
That made sense!
The jade rabbit nodded thoughtfully, then felt relieved that it was not born a Natural Saint Rabbit. After all, being struck by thunder on a regular basis would be too painful!
After breaking through to the Golden Core Stage, Bai Lian’s fundamental skills hadn’t changed much—because they had already exceeded the standard. However, her Focus had increased significantly by 20 points.
Her strength, on the other hand, had greatly improved. Now, even if she were to face off against a Saint, she might not lose.
The extra 20 points of Focus made it much easier for Bai Lian to control her divine sense. After swiftly sweeping the entire Su mansion, she found Su Youwei sitting silently beneath a tree.
The girl’s frame was small, perhaps because the burdens she carried were so heavy. In fact, her age wasn’t much different from Xiao Jinse’s.
Su Youwei’s skin was as pale as polished grease, her eyebrows delicate like smoke, and her hair as white as snow. It cascaded over her shoulders, making her appear like a beauty stepping out of a painting.
At this moment, her lips were slightly pursed, her mind distant, and her face full of sadness.
After overhearing a conversation from another yard not far away, Bai Lian understood what Third Martial Sister was worried about.
“This is a great opportunity for our Su family’s rise, and the price is just marrying off two girls. Why would the Fifth Elder refuse? I think she doesn’t care about us at all!”
“As members of the Su family, they should sacrifice for the prosperity of the family.”
“We can’t allow them to dodge this responsibility!”
“The most troublesome one is Su Youwei. Once we deal with her, everything else will be easy.”
Bai Lian understood now.
The people of the Su family were planning to marry Su Youwei and her aunt to the sect leader’s son, whose sect was located near Gray Wind Town.
In Su Youwei’s previous life, this was the beginning of her nightmare!
Though she managed to escape, both the Fifth Elder and her aunt—who had adopted her—ended up committing suicide.
Afterward, Su Youwei embarked on the path of vengeance, but the enemy’s power was far stronger than she had anticipated.
She killed one group of enemies, and another quickly followed.
She was forced to keep killing, but despite obtaining the relics of the “Suicide” immortal, she eventually perished under siege, gravely wounded at the time.
And then, Su Youwei was reborn.
This was a very typical beginning for a web novel. If this were a story, the first chapter would probably start with something like: “Su Youwei opened her eyes.”
Bai Lian estimated that her Third Martial Sister was likely worried about how to navigate the current difficulties.
She had returned to her youth but hadn’t brought back her cultivation base. Escaping safely with her loved ones was no simple matter.
Suddenly, Bai Lian had an idea.
It was perfect timing. Perhaps she could try to seduce her Third Martial Sister and take her back to Qiongming Peak.
At that moment, task options unexpectedly appeared before her eyes.
[Task 1: Intimidate the Su family to hand over Su Youwei in the name of the Duxian Sect. (Task Reward: A spell – Thousands of Rivers and Mountains)]
[Task 2: Clarify your intentions in front of everyone and accept Su Youwei as a disciple of Qiongming Peak on your master’s behalf. (Task Reward: A Spiritual Herb – Drunken Dream Flower)]
[Task 3: Meet Su Youwei alone. (Task Reward: Quick Spirit Pill)]
“?!”
Bai Lian rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
The rewards for the first two tasks were certainly risky. This was to be expected, given the Duxian Sect had its sights set on the Su family. Taking action now would be akin to suicide.
The Duxian Sect’s power couldn’t even reach the Sand Region.
Bai Lian couldn’t understand why the third task—meeting Su Youwei alone—was also risky.
Could the Third Martial Sister’s little fist actually break her chest?
This was unreasonable!
After staring at the options for a long while, Bai Lian finally chose Task 3.
It was better to be cautious when first arriving in a new place.
