Chapter 23

After all these years of cultivation, she'd grown slick-tongued.

Yun Shuchen mused silently, knowing her disciple always spoke her mind—if she said such things, she truly meant them.

She smiled it off.

Back at Heyi Peak, they shared another simple meal. She'd meant to continue their training, but Qing Zhouxue had spent a long time outdoors today, fighting two or three bouts. Her underclothes were sticky with a thin layer of sweat.

So she bathed first. The door was left slightly ajar, and before long, Qing Zhouxue's voice came from within, "...Master, I left my clothes outside."

When she was younger, to prevent drowning, Qing Zhouxue had always bathed in a wooden tub in her own room.

Now that she was about the same height as Yun Shuchen, that concern no longer applied, and with their rooms so far apart, Yun Shuchen had allowed her to use her bath.

Yun Shuchen hesitated for a moment, then picked up the neatly folded clothes by her side and, braving the humid steam, handed them in.

The room was veiled in white mist. Qing Zhouxue was soaking in the pool. Her hair had grown long, spreading across the water like drifting ink, concealing most of her skin. Nothing could be seen.

When Yun Shuchen drew near, Qing Zhouxue heard the sound and rose with a splash. Water cascaded off her body like a waterfall. Her slender bare feet stepped onto the floor, startlingly pale.

Yun Shuchen's gaze seemed scalded. She quickly turned away, frowning as she said coldly, "Why did you get up?"

"To get my clothes."

Qing Zhouxue looked at her back in confusion. "Master, what's wrong?"

"...Get dressed first. Hurry."

She held the clothes in her hands, keeping them behind her back.

Her master urged her, so Qing Zhouxue had to take them, draping them loosely over herself, tying the sash. "Done."

Yun Shuchen turned around.

Her hair was still damp at the tips, traces of water clinging to her skin. The fabric, dark in some places and light in others, resembled layers of white cloud, occasionally molding against her figure to reveal delicate curves.

Qing Zhouxue noticed Yun Shuchen's gaze lingering on her collar for a moment. This was actually something she had wanted to ask her about.

After a moment's hesitation, she found it somehow difficult to speak. She pulled the collar open slightly. "Master, for some reason, it's been hurting here for the past few years."

As she spoke, she pressed on the tender flesh herself. "It hurts when I press like this. Is it some kind of illness?"

Through the hazy mist, Qing Zhouxue suddenly noticed a hint of red creeping onto Yun Shuchen's cheek. The woman bit her lip for no apparent reason, then coughed lightly. "Stop pressing. That's normal; there's nothing to worry about."

"...You're eighteen now, a grown woman. Don't change clothes in front of others like that, and don't casually pull your collar open."

"Not even in front of you?"

Seeing that her master didn't seem willing to explain further, Qing Zhouxue lowered her hand, a little puzzled, but nodded. "Alright."

As she walked out of the bath, her white robes clung damply to her body, water dripping from her hair, though she didn't seem to care.

Yun Shuchen shook away the dazzling image of bare skin from her mind, and seeing her like this, let out a soft sigh.

Getting her clothes wet without bothering to dry off, just dripping water all the way—only a child would be so careless. Or perhaps this girl truly lived like an immortal untouched by worldly concerns.

With a flick of her finger, the water droplets on her body all fell away, merging back into the pool. Her clothes and hair became dry and fresh again.

The little disciple, now clean, settled onto her bed, cross-legged, closing her eyes. When she circulated her energy, it was another arduous ordeal, pain beading sweat on her brow, until near dawn she drifted off again, exhausted.

Yun Shuchen looked down at the head resting against her shoulder. The girl slept peacefully, without a trace of wariness, one hand loosely gripping a wisp of her clothing.

This time, for some reason, she didn't wake her or push her off the bed.

She let her sleep there all night.

The next morning, Qing Zhouxue woke right on time, only to find the surroundings unfamiliar. She hadn't returned to her own room.

She was enveloped in a familiar, gentle fragrance; no wonder she'd slept so well.

She rose quietly. Yun Shuchen was still asleep, facing away, breathing evenly. Qing Zhouxue glanced at the sky, calculated the date, and frowned. Today the Sect Leader was to convene the elders for their routine morning meeting.

But Master... seemed to show no sign of being able to get up.

Qing Zhouxue weighed her options, then poked her. Yun Shuchen's breath hitched, and she opened her eyes in displeasure, squinting at her, whispering, "...What?"

"Master, the Sect Leader has already rung the bell."

"Let him ring." Yun Shuchen turned over lazily. She closed her eyes for a moment, then glanced at her disciple. "Fine. You go in my place."

Could you even do that?

"I hear some people from other sects are coming today for exchange. It wouldn't be proper to leave the seat empty. Don't worry; the last exchange between our two sects was in the founders' era. No one knows me."

Yun Shuchen had already closed her eyes, a slight smile curling at her lips. "You're the sole disciple of Heyi Peak. That seat will eventually be yours anyway; better to get used to it early."

Qing Zhouxue still hesitated.

"Besides," Yun Shuchen frowned and buried her face into the blanket, speaking softly, "I'm feeling a bit tight in the chest today. Quite unwell, actually."

"Why hasn't it gotten better?" Qing Zhouxue's brow furrowed. After a pause, she said, "...Then I'll go, Master."

Yun Shuchen didn't answer, only coughed a few times and sank into the bed, thinking to herself: This trick really works.

Qing Zhouxue rummaged through the bottom of the trunk to find her master's old elder robes, unused for years. She shook off the dust and was secretly astonished at how many years it had been since her master last attended a morning meeting.

She tied up half her hair into a bun, securing it with a jade crown, letting a ribbon embroidered with the yin-yang symbol trail behind her flowing tresses.

Her white robe was rather solemn, making her usually cool features look sharp and imposing. For a moment, she had an aura of authority without even trying.

Yun Shuchen lay relaxed on the bed, occasionally opening an eye to take her in, thoroughly pleased. "You suit it more than I do."

Well, she could pass this duty on from now on.

Qing Zhouxue pressed her lips together, carrying a heart too heavy with responsibility toward the Sect Leader's hall. Ever since she'd gotten the Qingshuang Sword, she could fly on it, no longer struggling across the peaks.

The Sect Leader didn't seem to hold much hope that Yun Shuchen would come, given her perennial excuse of chronic illness—which couldn't even be criticized.

He propped his forehead with a hand and sighed. Then a very soft voice sounded beside him. "Sect Leader, I'm here to stand in for my master."

The Liuyun Sect people hadn't arrived yet. The Sect Leader paused and turned to look at his grand-disciple Qing.

The other elders seemed to understand. Elder Yue of Huangzhong Peak already laughed out loud, unable to stop. "Oh dear, so this is how you use a personal disciple. No wonder she's Yun Shuchen's senior sister."

"Quiet," the Sect Leader waved a hand, fairly casual. "Since you're here, take your master's seat."

So she sat there properly, neat and composed, with an air of steadiness.

Before long, several elders from Liuyun Sect came to exchange ideas on cultivation. Qing Zhouxue listened without much reaction—after all, she wasn't speaking, and no one knew her.

Eventually, the conversation turned to the Immortal Ascension Assembly. Rumor had it this year's rewards were especially generous. The visiting elder praised it to the skies, claiming everything together was worth an entire peak. He also boasted about showing off the treasure Crimson Heart Lotus—one whiff could cure all ailments, one taste could make one immune to all poisons.

Qing Zhouxue wasn't much interested in the assembly itself, nor in fame. But hearing "worth an entire peak" and then "cures all ailments," her eyes brightened slightly. She finally began seriously considering whether she could win.

Heyi Peak had been restored, but it had cost a great deal of silver—all paid out of Yun Shuchen's own pocket. If she could win more, she could save up and fill the gap of her master's losses.

The Sect Leader had no idea that his cold, otherworldly grand-disciple was already seeing dollar signs. Seeing Qing Zhouxue sitting solemnly in the elder's seat, dignified and proper, he was deeply moved, almost weeping with emotion.

She was so much better than her master, who either kept her eyes closed in meditation or blatantly munched on melon seeds and peeled grapes.

Nor did Qing Zhouxue know that in the Sect Leader's heart, she was now the paragon of purity, the unyielding branch from a bent tree—the hope of the sect.

She left the meeting with a head full of thoughts.

Back at Heyi Peak, she changed her clothes.

Yun Shuchen had just had a second sleep, still drowsy, her brow weary, leaning against the corridor to enjoy the breeze.

Qing Zhouxue couldn't help but drape a warm garment over her the moment she saw her.

Yun Shuchen couldn't resist peeling it off and holding it in her hand.

There's such a thing as "the cold of the disciple, not the master."

"Back already? The Sect Leader should be quite pleased."

"I don't know." Qing Zhouxue replied. "He didn't say anything much."

"Master, is your chest still tight?" She was clearly still thinking about it.

"It's gone."

"Then I'll go practice my sword."

The first elimination round was imminent. From that day on, with a goal in mind, no longer simply drifting with the current, Qing Zhouxue gradually became busier.

Because the team still couldn't truly unite, their training gradually became more individualized.

Still, everyone was trying to strengthen themselves. After all, this was just a selection; even if others failed, if your own radiance was bright enough to shine brilliantly, there was still a chance to be noticed by the Sect Leader and advance to the next round.

Even Ruan Mingzhu stopped spending her days visiting peaks and wandering around, instead focusing on closed-door cultivation.

Blazing crimson lotuses rose from beneath her feet. Her eyes half-opened, karmic fire blazed for a moment before falling silent, like a grand fireworks display.

Two golden eagles perched on a branch, watching her silently, letting out a long, carefree cry.

Ever since that resurrection, they'd absorbed spiritual herbs and turned misfortune into fortune, accidentally unlocking their intelligence. They were no longer ordinary golden eagles.

Ruan Mingzhu conjured a flame in her palm; both its brightness and color were notably purer. She smiled, then shot to her feet. Just as she took a step forward, a voice came from behind. "Disciple."

Elder Zhong sighed. "Don't rush your cultivation. You've broken through two minor realms in a row; your foundation can't stabilize. What's the hurry?"

"I can make up for it later." Ruan Mingzhu waved it off. "If I can break through, it means I've reached that level. Since I've reached it, why hold back? It won't rot if I keep it bottled up."

Elder Zhong frowned. "You're full of twisted logic."

But she just smiled, resting her chin on her saber. "Just wait and see. I won't embarrass you, Master."