Chapter 1 Part 1
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
This chapter is edited by omileye nofisat. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 1: What a Lovely Jade Rabbit! It’s a Pity That It Has a Bad Heart (1)
The Lantern Festival in the town beneath the Duxian Sect was far less lively than in many other places.
After all, this small town was composed of people from various regions, all chasing the dream of immortality. Organizing a grand festival here was no easy feat.
It was naturally impossible to replicate the vibrant celebrations of the Lantern Festival in Chang’an during the prosperous Tang Dynasty. There were simply too few people.
By the time Bai Lian led her group to the town below the mountain, most revelers had already left the streets. The orange lanterns still hung on the roadside, but their glow seemed a little lonely.
However, this didn’t dampen Bai Lian’s mood.
She just wanted to join in the festivities. The size of the crowd didn’t matter to her.
It wasn’t until four o’clock in the morning that they returned to Qiongming Peak.
The only regret Bai Lian had was that An Lan showed extreme restraint throughout the outing.
An Lan’s behavior was more akin to that of a spectator than a participant.
“Take your time.”
Bai Lian understood she couldn’t rush things with someone as reserved as An Lan. She had only just approached An Lan’s metaphorical fortress, and breaking through would not be easy.
The “battle” between her and An Lan was destined to be a long one—a protracted war that could last years.
But from what she knew of the game’s story, she believed she would eventually emerge victorious, pressing An Lan down and claiming her position on top.
Determined, Bai Lian called the jade rabbit to her room. It was time to set her plan into motion.
The jade rabbit’s ears perked up immediately.
Although she couldn’t transform yet, she didn’t see this as a disadvantage. In fact, she considered it an advantage.
Who could resist a cute, quiet rabbit?
Certainly not Bai Lian’s two younger Martial Sisters.
This was her chance!
The jade rabbit resolved that even if she broke through to the Soul Changing Stage, she would never let Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei know she could transform.
This strategy was called “letting the enemy lower their guard.”
With this approach, she could stay close to Bai Lian and deepen their bond.
Ho.
There weren’t many rabbits as clever as her.
Walking lightly, the jade rabbit entered Bai Lian’s room, deliberately turning her back on Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei’s kind smiles.
Squeak—
She rolled her eyes and shut the door behind her.
—
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinse sighed with relief.
“So the jade rabbit came back with Elder Martial Sister again. I thought she wouldn’t return this time.”
Without the jade rabbit, Qiongming Peak would feel less lively. More importantly, she had worried that Bai Lian might be sad if her beloved pet left.
Fortunately, all the problems had been resolved smoothly.
Su Youwei snorted. “This is Elder Martial Sister we’re talking about. Is there anything she can’t do?”
Xiao Jinse smiled.
Despite their different personalities, this was one thing she and Su Youwei could agree on.
Reflecting on their recent trip, Xiao Jinse felt that even if Su Youwei had deliberately mocked her, she could forgive her for now.
There was no need to let petty arguments spoil the festival.
“We left in such a hurry earlier,” Xiao Jinse said. “We didn’t have time to thank Master Yan Yue and the Blood Tree Patriarch properly. It’s not polite. I plan to go to Zhuyan Peak and thank them face-to-face.”
Su Youwei hesitated. “Won’t we disturb Master Yan Yue if we go now?”
“If Master Yan Yue is resting, I’ll wait at the foot of the mountain until dawn,” Xiao Jinse replied.
Su Youwei had no objections.
After all, both Master Yan Yue and the Blood Tree Patriarch had traveled thousands of miles for Bai Lian. No amount of gratitude would ever feel sufficient.
The two Martial Sisters left together.
—
At Zhuyan Peak, Yan Yue was “guiding” a lyre—one she had broken with a punch—to “recover.” Meanwhile, the Blood Tree Patriarch was happily drinking the high-grade nutrient solution that Yan Yue had bribed it with.
“Master Yan Yue. Blood Tree Patriarch.”
Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei saluted respectfully.
Sitting with dignified poise, Yan Yue waved her broad sleeves, exuding a noble demeanor. “No need to be so formal. I’m Bai Lian’s master. How could I stand by idly when she was in danger? Even if you’d gone to the Sect Leader, he wouldn’t have ignored the situation either.”
Su Youwei’s admiration for Yan Yue grew.
Surely no Elder in the Duxian Sect was more reliable than Master Yan Yue. Even Master An Lan seemed slightly inferior in comparison.
Yan Yue, however, wasn’t in a hurry to dismiss them.
She recalled what had happened not long ago.
After Bai Lian had left Zhuyan Peak, Yan Yue had grabbed a passing disciple, excitedly saying, “Look at Bai Lian—she punched…”
Before she could finish, the Blood Tree Patriarch had interrupted her.
“Stop!”
Rumors about Bai Lian’s strength abounded.
Some claimed she had reached the Soul Changing Stage. Others speculated she had already broken through to the Transcendency Stage.
The Duxian Sect, however, had chosen to conceal Bai Lian’s true strength.
As Sect Leader Jue Yunzi put it: “Now isn’t the time for Bai Lian to step into the spotlight.”
The reasoning was clear: the tree that stands tall in the forest is the first to be felled.
So far, this strategy had proven effective.
Apart from a few zealous fans, most believed Bai Lian’s cultivation was at the peak of the Nascent Soul Stage.
