At the sound of her words, QiongQi whimpered, using its paw to cover its face.
Luo JinXiao shook her head, giving up on trying to understand a fierce beast’s thoughts. She held up the pouch, noticing that while the fabric was luxurious, the embroidery lacked the fine detail and perfection of the previous one, clearly hand-stitched.
She hadn’t expected Qu WeiYin to have such a skill, Luo JinXiao thought with a smile.
In the days that followed, she secluded herself in Elder Liu’s courtyard, only attending classes. Within ten days, she advanced to the second level of Elder Liu’s technique. Despite her attempts to ask what the technique was, Elder Liu only told her to practice diligently, promising it would be useful in the future.
The divine sword felt as if it had always been hers, fitting perfectly in her hand and wielding immense power. However, she refrained from frequent use, sensing an undercurrent within it, as if it possessed its own life force. It even emitted a subtle aura of malice, raising suspicions.
During a class, as she idly read in a corner, a teacup suddenly hit her head, prompting laughter around her.
Rubbing her head, Luo JinXiao looked up to meet the angry gaze of Elder Mei and hurriedly closed her book.
“Luo JinXiao, stand up and tell us what I was just saying,” Elder Mei demanded angrily.
Luo JinXiao quickly stood, hesitating as she nudged Lu FanZhi’s leg for a hint.
“Shifang Gathering,” Lu FanZhi whispered, cupping her mouth.
Luo JinXiao repeated the words, though she had no idea what the Shifang Gathering was.
“What are you reading?” Elder Mei lifted her chin, and the book on Luo JinXiao’s desk floated to her. Despite her attempts to grab it, it landed in Elder Mei’s hands.
“The White Brocade Immortal Scroll. High-level techniques?” Elder Mei scoffed, “With your talent, Luo JinXiao, the worst in WuHui Sect, dreaming about such things?”
Laughter echoed around her again as Luo JinXiao rolled her eyes internally, taking back the book Elder Mei tossed and sitting down.
“As I was saying, the Shifang Gathering is the grandest event in the cultivation world, where sects gather to showcase their skills. In essence, it’s a competition to boost reputations. However, not everyone can attend; it’s filled with experts. Several elders discussed it, and some of you may go to join the fun,” Elder Mei continued.
Yan Ying suddenly asked, “Master, can we participate in the competitions?”
“Participation isn’t open to anyone; only those fated can,” Elder Mei replied.
Luo JinXiao ducked under the desk, whispering to Lu FanZhi, “They won’t pick me, and I don’t want to go anyway. I have other things to do.”
“What are you busy with?” Lu FanZhi asked, eyes shining. “I’d love to go. Staying in WuHui Sect is boring. Exploring is much more fun. Besides, all sects will be there. If there are handsome senior brothers and sisters, it’d be nice to admire them.”
“Handsome senior brothers and sisters?” Luo JinXiao nodded, “That doesn’t sound bad.”
“Right? Plus, the gathering is at Xu Mi Villa, near Zhe Sea in the east. I’ve never been that far,” Lu FanZhi said excitedly, her voice rising.
Before Luo JinXiao could shush her, Elder Mei’s book flew towards them. Luo JinXiao dodged back, and the book smacked Lu FanZhi squarely on the forehead.
She yelped, clutching her head.
“Luo JinXiao, Lu FanZhi, get out!” Elder Mei shouted.
Thus, they ended up standing outside the door, enduring the summer sun while Elder Mei lectured for an hour before they were released, supporting each other as they left.
“Old hag,” Lu FanZhi muttered, rubbing her sunburnt face.
“Typical cowardice, only bold behind backs,” came a taunting voice. Luo JinXiao turned to see Yan Ying.
“You’re the coward, your whole family is!” Lu FanZhi shouted, rolling up her sleeves, but Luo JinXiao held her back.
“Let it go, don’t stoop to her level,” Luo JinXiao said, patting Lu FanZhi’s shoulder and steering her away, only to be blocked by Yan Ying.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not wasting time on you. Elder Mei asked me to tell you that you’re going to the Shifang Gathering too,” Yan Ying said, arms crossed.
Lu FanZhi brightened, “Really? Why?”
“How should I know? We’re the only new disciples. The others are staying,” Yan Ying replied, pausing before adding, “Hey, is your idiot sister going?”
“How should I know?” Luo JinXiao shrugged.
Yan Ying’s expression faltered before she regained her usual haughtiness and strode off, ponytail swinging like a whip.
“Why is she so smug?” Lu FanZhi stuck her tongue out at Yan Ying’s retreating back.
Luo JinXiao wasn’t particularly interested in the Shifang Gathering, as it didn’t seem like it would boost her cultivation. However, she didn’t mind going, especially if the demoness would attend.
If it was a competition representing the sect, they’d likely send the strongest besides the elders.
The demoness would definitely go, Luo JinXiao thought.
Her guess was correct. On the day of departure, she woke early, leaving the courtyard at dawn. Elder Liu stopped her to chop half the courtyard’s firewood before she left.
Running late, Luo JinXiao weaved through the air on her sword, wiping sweat with her robe, grumbling internally about how living in WuHui Sect had made her adept at daily chores like chopping wood and cooking.
As she complained, she spotted the towering white jade gate and descended into the crowd, startling someone nearby.
“You’re finally here. I thought you’d run off,” Lu FanZhi said, clutching her chest in relief. She inspected Luo JinXiao, puzzled.
“We’ll be gone a while. Did you bring anything?” Lu FanZhi asked.
“Of course,” Luo JinXiao winked, patting the pouch at her waist. The demoness’s gift was handy; the small pouch seemed to have infinite space, holding everything with room to spare.
As she flaunted the pouch, she felt a gaze on her. Looking up, she met Qu WeiYin’s eyes. Luo JinXiao smiled brightly, while Qu WeiYin remained impassive.
Qu WeiYin’s gaze lingered on the pouch in Luo JinXiao’s hand before moving away.
“Since everyone’s here, let’s review the rules. Xu Mi Villa is far and the journey dangerous, so we’ll travel in groups for safety,” Chang SiYu shouted over the crowd.
No one objected, and the senior disciples were grouped, departing with laughter, leaving only Luo JinXiao and her peers.
“You new disciples will be with me and Little Martial Aunt Qu, don’t worry,” Chang SiYu said cheerfully, likely due to Qu WeiYin, who didn’t acknowledge him, merely nodding slightly.
“Brother SiYu, I want to go with you,” Luo Ning, meant to be with the senior disciples, had slipped back unnoticed.
“Tagalong,” Yan Ying muttered loudly, clearly audible. Luo Ning glared back, “I’m following my sister, not you!”
“Enough,” Qu WeiYin said, her voice silencing everyone, creating an immediate hush.
“Your cultivation is low. If anyone gets tired, speak up, and we’ll rest,” Qu WeiYin instructed, leading the way on her sword, the others following quietly.
Luo JinXiao trailed behind Qu WeiYin, her gaze drawn to her figure. Her slender waist, cinched by a sash, looked even more delicate, like a willow in the wind.
Above, white clouds stretched across the sky as they flew, and Luo JinXiao, watching Qu WeiYin, felt she was like a celestial being, her silhouette breathtakingly beautiful.
Lost in thought, she forgot to control her sword. When Qu WeiYin slowed, she jolted, but it was too late. She found herself close to Qu WeiYin’s crimson lips.
Her heart raced as she gasped, dodging to avoid collision, but lost her balance, flailing backward until a hand grabbed her waist, pulling her back.
Drenched in cold sweat, she saw her savior was Qu WeiYin.
“L-Little Martial Aunt,” Luo JinXiao stammered, blushing.
Qu WeiYin scrutinized her, shaking her head. “The wind is calm today. How can you not control your sword? What if the weather’s worse?”
Luo JinXiao couldn’t explain that she’d been mesmerized by Qu WeiYin, so she nodded, blaming her dual-tasking skills.
“Forget it. Fly with me,” Qu WeiYin said impatiently.
“Little Martial Aunt, I can—”
“Enough. If you fall, no one will save you,” Qu WeiYin interrupted coldly.
Reluctantly, Luo JinXiao sheathed her sword, standing behind Qu WeiYin.
Nervous, she noted the woman’s slender neck and waist, like fine jade, tempting to touch. The wind blew Qu WeiYin’s hair, stray strands tickling Luo JinXiao’s face, carrying her unique fragrance.
Comment