Chapter 10 Part 1
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This chapter is edited by Farouq Omileye. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 10: Degeneration of Her Tao Heart (1)
Hello, woodcutter!
Hello, gardener!
Hello, ordinary person!
In front of a bright mirror, Qing Luan rubbed her slightly tired wrist. She squeezed a relaxed smile on her face as she gazed at her reflection.
She was in her room at Yunluo Peak.
Having refused to use her spirit Qi, she felt a little tired after working hard for several days. Yet, her heart was unexpectedly calm. She didn’t need to think about any cultivation-related problems anymore.
Since learning she was studying at Qiongming Peak, no one had disturbed her these past days. In this calm, she seemed to slowly reconnect with herself.
Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian was right. She had come to a dead end. Every ounce of pain in her life stemmed from cultivation. Only by stopping could she find salvation.
A Natural Saint was a Natural Saint. With sharp insight, she easily found the core of her problems. Even the sect leader may not possess such keen eyes!
Last night, Qing Luan had a peaceful sleep. After a simple meal and a bath, she went to bed at 9 p.m. This morning, she woke to the “alarm clock” given by Martial Sister Bai Lian.
She resumed her simple routine: cutting firewood, watering flowers, and giving each one a name that brought her joy. For example, Qing Luan flower, Bai Lian flower, White Rabbit grass, Jinse grass…
But alas, this peace was shattered when she received a letter from Hong Luan. That was why Qing Luan had to return from Qiongming Peak.
It was still a quarter of an hour before the meeting.
Qing Luan frowned. She didn’t want to show her relaxed side to Hong Luan. She swiftly changed from her green shirt into the Taoist robe of Yunluo Peak.
She lit a stick of incense, brewed a pot of black tea, and waited for Hong Luan in the dim candlelight. She looked like an iron puppet against the flickering flame.
A quarter of an hour later, the door creaked open. Hong Luan, dressed in red, walked in.
“Why is it so dim in here?” Hong Luan frowned, waving her hand lightly. The “dying” white candle flared to life, casting light across the room.
The room brightened. Hong Luan smiled, nodding, but before she could take another step, a burst of spirit Qi shot from Qing Luan’s body. The candle dimmed once more, and the room darkened.
Hong Luan blinked. “…”
Qing Luan’s voice was gentle but firm. “That’s better.”
“You…” Hong Luan’s words faltered, her brow knitting.
In that moment, Qing Luan felt a shift—a troubling change she couldn’t ignore. Hong Luan was clearly puzzled. In the past, even if Qing Luan thought the candlelight too bright, she would have gently lowered the flame. This impulsive action was unlike her.
What had happened?
Qing Luan stayed silent, waiting for Hong Luan to speak first.
Hong Luan sat down across from her. “Black tea?”
“It was a gift from Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian. She said it helps refresh the spirit.”
“It seems you and Bai Lian are close.”
“Not bad. Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian’s thoughts run deep, like the vast sea. I have so much to learn from her.”
Hong Luan asked, her curiosity piqued, “What has she taught you?”
Qing Luan replied, “To recognize myself.”
“?”
A thick silence followed. Hong Luan, sensing her patience wearing thin, couldn’t help but ask, “What do you think of Bai Lian’s strength?”
“Very powerful.”
Hong Luan pressed further, “How powerful? Compared to me?”
Qing Luan shook her head. “Sister, you’re far inferior to Martial Sister Bai Lian.”
Crack.
With a simple twist of her wrist, Hong Luan shattered the cup in her hand. Yet, the pieces remained suspended in mid-air, held together by her spirit Qi.
Qing Luan calmly continued, “When I played chess with you, I could win three or four games out of ten. But when I played with Martial Sister Bai Lian, I lost every single time in a hundred games.”
“?”
“Elder sister, the food you cook is barely edible, but the meals made by Martial Sister Bai Lian taste just like mother’s cooking.”
“?”
“Elder sister, you know nothing about flower arranging, yet the flowers cultivated by Martial Sister Bai Lian are worth a thousand pieces of gold.”
“?”
“Elder sister, your paintings resemble those of a child, yet Martial Sister Bai Lian’s paintings have form, spirit, and style. They’ve become a school of their own.”
Hong Luan was stunned.
What was going on? Had her sister been possessed by some evil spirit?
“What are you trying to say?” Hong Luan asked, her voice tinged with anger.
Qing Luan wanted to shout, I don’t want to cultivate, sister!
But she held herself back, her excitement quelled.
She couldn’t say it. Her sister wouldn’t understand, neither would her master. Only Martial Sister Bai Lian would understand. If she spoke out, she’d only bring trouble upon Bai Lian.
Qing Luan took a deep breath, her voice steady but forceful. “Elder sister, do you want me to investigate Martial Sister Bai Lian’s true strength?”
The true intention behind her words struck Hong Luan like a bolt of lightning, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Yes,” Hong Luan answered, her tone subdued.
Qing Luan nodded. “What I’ve told you now is based on the information I’ve gathered over the past few days.”
“What do you mean?”
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian hasn’t fought or cultivated in these days.”
“How could that be?”
Hong Luan was shocked. How could someone become stronger without cultivation?
In the dim candlelight, a smile flickered across Qing Luan’s lips. She knew that Martial Sister Bai Lian had done this for her.
