The plains were eerily silent, a breeze skimming the ground without lifting even a blade of grass. After an indeterminate time, Luo JinXiao coughed softly and gradually came to consciousness.
Her eyes opened to a gray sky. Taking a deep breath, she ignored the discomfort in her body and slowly pushed herself upright.
Around her lay the three youths from the Sect of Life and Death, all unconscious. One was in a particularly dire state, bleeding from every orifice, the crimson stark and shocking. Chi Yi lay nearby, her back to Luo JinXiao, making it unclear if she was alive or not.
Luo JinXiao’s mind was still foggy. She stood and stumbled over to Chi Yi, turning her over and checking her breath with her fingers. She exhaled in relief—Chi Yi was alive.
She vaguely remembered Qu WeiYin appearing before she lost consciousness, though it felt like a dream. The faint floral scent lingering on her sleeve suggested it wasn’t.
“Sweetie?” she called hoarsely, her throat raw.
No response.
Her thoughts began to clear, absurd yet real. Qu WeiYin had indeed transformed into QiongQi, watching over her. No wonder QiongQi had been so unusual today.
Luo JinXiao shook her head, emotions swirling—a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. Had she really kissed Little Martial Aunt?
Flushing, she rubbed her cheeks, pondering whether Qu WeiYin had been following her to protect her.
Chi Yi suddenly coughed, breaking Luo JinXiao’s reverie. She quickly knelt beside her, helping her sit up.
Chi Yi wiped her face with a dirty sleeve, looking around in surprise. “Did you kill them?”
Luo JinXiao shook her head, unsure how to respond, worry creeping back. She silently walked over to the youths, using her spiritual energy to assess them.
The one bleeding heavily was in critical condition but still alive. The other two were less injured but would likely be crippled once they awoke.
For Qu WeiYin, this was mercy. Luo JinXiao felt a twinge of joy, knowing her words had reached Qu WeiYin.
She didn’t want Qu WeiYin to kill again.
Chi Yi hobbled over, kicking the unconscious youths. “What now? They destroyed the third gate. How will you enter the fourth?”
“I don’t know,” Luo JinXiao sighed. An idea struck her, and she began searching the youths, finding an unopened letter in one of their robes.
She exchanged a glance with Chi Yi, both breaking into smiles. Opening the letter revealed a blank page. Simultaneously, a stone door rose before them, its white light illuminating the gloomy plain.
“We…” Luo JinXiao began, but Chi Yi interrupted her.
“Little Cultivator Luo, the fourth stage is a duel. In my current state, I can’t compete with you. You should go alone. Once you retrieve the elixir, we can all leave,” Chi Yi said with a smile.
Luo JinXiao hesitated, feeling it would be an unearned victory.
“Don’t overthink it. Life isn’t always fair. I’m not conceding out of humility but as a survival tactic. Besides, having friends is better than enemies,” Chi Yi reassured her, gently pushing Luo JinXiao toward the door.
“Bring us good news, Little Cultivator Luo,” Chi Yi waved her on.
Warmed by her words, Luo JinXiao returned the gesture. The white light flashed, and the world spun, revealing a grand hall.
Its style resembled WuHui Palace. At its center was a white jade platform, upon which rested a small, plain, redwood box, emitting a gentle glow.
Cautious, Luo JinXiao approached slowly, wary of any surprises. Everything remained calm, and she easily retrieved the box.
The box was warm, likely from the elixir inside. Holding it sent a pleasant warmth coursing through her body.
No wonder it was a treasure left by the WuHui Sect’s master. One dose could significantly boost her spiritual power, Luo JinXiao thought.
In an instant, the scene vanished, the jade floor replaced by solid stone. A cool breeze from outside cleared her mind, and cheers erupted around her. Someone rushed forward, hugging her tightly.
“Sister! I knew it was you!” Luo Ning cried, eyes brimming with tears, nearly toppling Luo JinXiao.
Lu FanZhi clapped her on the back, grinning widely. “JinXiao, I knew it was you!”
“You said Sister would fail the first stage,” Luo Ning teased Lu FanZhi with disdain.
The cheers were deafening. Luo JinXiao, ignoring her discomfort, forced a smile. The crowd was larger than in the morning, many eager to befriend the new champion of the Shifang Gathering. But she, along with Luo Ning and Lu FanZhi, was soon ushered away by the elders of Xu Mi Villa.
“Truly, the young will surpass us,” the elder who had searched her earlier said, nodding in approval.
“Thank you, Elder. What about the others?” Luo JinXiao asked, still concerned.
“We’ve sent people to tend the injured. Every year, the Shifang Gathering sees injuries, but this time there were more. A girl has already reported what happened. The Sect of Life and Death violated the rules to seize the elixir. We’ll handle it. Don’t worry,” the elder reassured her.
“Thank you, Elder,” Luo JinXiao replied, managing a smile.
“You’ve been hurt too. Rest. This elixir doesn’t only boost cultivation; it’s excellent for healing. Take it,” the elder advised. With a touch to her shoulder, the world spun, and she found herself back in her room.
Finally isolated from the noise, Luo JinXiao collapsed onto the bed. Her internal injuries were severe, invisible to others but clear to her.
Sitting cross-legged, she enveloped herself in silvery spiritual energy, soothing her torn veins. After some time, she felt better and opened the box.
Inside lay the elixir, plain at first glance, but a closer look revealed the energy pulsing within.
What cultivation must the master have had to create such a superb elixir? Luo JinXiao marveled.
Holding the elixir to her lips, she hesitated, her lashes fluttering. She lowered her hand, placing it back in the box and carefully tucking it into her pouch.
She set out to find Qu WeiYin. Upon entering the room, she found QiongQi lying mournfully on the bed. Seeing her, it wagged its tail frantically, whining and leaping into her arms, babbling incoherently.
“Sweetie, you are here. Where’s Little Martial Aunt?” Luo JinXiao asked.
QiongQi immediately growled, its face fierce.
“Did she threaten you?” Luo JinXiao guessed correctly. QiongQi nodded, nuzzling her leg in a bid for affection.
Of course, it wouldn’t tell Luo JinXiao that Qu WeiYin had promised it twenty cows to play along.
“Little Martial Aunt?” Luo JinXiao carried QiongQi around the room, finding no trace of Qu WeiYin. Finally, she spotted a note on the table, written in elegant script: “Family matters, had to leave.”
The note bore only those words, characteristic of Qu WeiYin—cool and detached, with little warmth.
A wave of disappointment washed over Luo JinXiao. Holding QiongQi, she plopped onto the bed, kissing its nose. QiongQi snuggled closer, purring contentedly.
Seeing this, Luo JinXiao moved away, realizing this was the real QiongQi.
In the following days, Luo JinXiao made herself at home in Qu WeiYin’s room, no longer having to share a bed with Lu FanZhi and the others. Her injuries healed gradually, but she was constantly annoyed by visits from people eager to befriend her as the Shifang Gathering champion.
Additionally, she encountered members of the Sect of Life and Death several times in the villa, all with dark expressions and hostile glares. She knew she had made an enemy of them.
A few days later, as sect members began to depart, WuHui Sect prepared to return. Luo JinXiao, accompanying the injured Chang SiYu, bade farewell to Chi Yi and set off for home. The journey back felt longer, with no time to see the Zhe Sea as she had hoped, leaving her slightly disappointed.
Without Qu WeiYin, Chang SiYu remained silent throughout the trip.
Besides listening to Yan Ying and Luo Ning’s bickering, Luo JinXiao heard Lu FanZhi discuss various topics. According to her, a sect claiming to be the second in the martial world hadn’t attended—White Moon Sect, known for its many experts.
Luo JinXiao knew this sect well. In her past life, her only friend belonged to White Moon Sect, sparking fond memories.
If they had arrived, obtaining the elixir wouldn’t have been so easy.
After five days of travel, they finally returned to WuHui Sect. Luo JinXiao’s victory had already spread, silencing those who previously doubted her methods.
On the day of their arrival, several elders came to greet them. Elder He, a small man, was especially enthusiastic, patting her shoulder with a smile that crinkled his face like a blossoming flower.
“Luo JinXiao, right? Remarkable, truly remarkable!” he exclaimed repeatedly.
Luo JinXiao coughed, correcting him. “Elder He, it’s Luo JinXiao.”
For some reason, Qu Chengzhou didn’t come. Noticing his absence, Luo JinXiao glanced around and met Elder Liu’s gaze. He beckoned her and turned to leave.
Excusing herself from Elder He and bidding farewell to Lu FanZhi and the others, Luo JinXiao quickly followed.
“Master,” she greeted respectfully.
Elder Liu studied her, a rare smile appearing. “Well done. Did you reveal your true cultivation?”
Luo JinXiao hesitated briefly. “No.”
“Good,” Elder Liu nodded, his smile fading into seriousness. “There’s something you should know.”
Luo JinXiao felt a sudden tension, standing straighter.
“Qu WeiYin has run into trouble.”
“Little Martial Aunt?” Luo JinXiao stepped forward, unable to hide her worry. “What happened to her?”
“Don’t worry,” Elder Liu shook his head. “The Qu family is disputing the position of family head. She clashed with other clan members. Under Qu Chengzhou’s lead, they’re denouncing her, threatening to enforce family law.”
Luo JinXiao frowned. Qu Chengzhou again, like a lingering shadow.
“As the foremost family, the Qu clan is strict, and she’s always been stubborn, hard to persuade. I believe she favors you somewhat. If you speak to her, she might relent,” Elder Liu sighed, his expression wistful.
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