Chapter 101: It’s a Big Deal, the Whole Sect is Talking |
Chapter 101: It’s a Big Deal, the Whole Sect is Talking
After settling Ye Qian for the night, Mu Zhi’an left her room and made his way to Ye Lingxuan’s courtyard. He saw her sitting by the window, lost in thought.
She seemed to sense his presence, turning to look at him, her voice laced with curiosity. “What brings you here so late, Young Master Mu?”
“There’s something I wanted to tell you, and I also wanted to… chat… Is it convenient for you to open the door, Lingxuan?” he asked, smiling.
She shook her head. “Just tell me what you have to say. I’m about to rest.”
She had a feeling that if she let him in, it wouldn’t be just a simple chat.
“I went to see Qian’er tonight,” he said, his gaze meeting hers.
She’s not surprised. She already knows. He noticed her calm demeanor, her lack of reaction, and he understood.
“Why are you telling me this, Young Master Mu?” she asked, finally lowering her hand, her gaze fixed on his.
…In many ways…
He met her gaze, his expression sincere. “I want to be honest with you, Lingxuan. I don’t want to have any regrets…”
She smiled faintly. “You visited Qian’er late at night, and now you’re telling me about it… Is that what you call… honesty…?”
“She’s a kind girl, and she’s easily hurt. I was worried she would dwell on things and blame herself…” he said, his voice laced with a carefully crafted concern.
She nodded silently.
He was right. She had grown up with Ye Qian. She understood her sister’s nature. If left alone with her thoughts, she might indeed spiral. That was why she had hoped he would comfort her. But hearing that he had actually gone to see her, it filled her with a strange discomfort.
He glanced at the snow lotus in the vase on her table, his heart easing. “You must be tired after today’s exams, Lingxuan. I won’t disturb you any longer.”
She studied him, her gaze lingering on his face.
He had used a lot of spiritual energy controlling the formation during the exams. She hesitated, then retrieved a bottle of pills from her storage ring, handing it to him through the window.
“What’s this?” he asked, looking up at her. His handsome face, already pale, seemed even more fragile in the moonlight.
She remembered how he had exhausted himself helping her and Qian’er pass the exams, and her annoyance faded, her expression softening. “There are three Spirit Replenishing Pills. Take one tonight, and your spiritual energy should be fully recovered by morning.”
Spirit Replenishing Pills… They were fifth-grade pills, usually sold for at least twenty or thirty thousand spirit stones, and they were often out of stock. She truly was wealthy.
He looked at her, his voice soft. “You’re so kind, Lingxuan.”
She blushed slightly, her voice regaining its usual coldness. “Please behave yourself, Young Master Mu.”
“Are you still angry with me?” he sighed. “Honestly, Lingxuan, hearing you call me Brother Mu would be more beneficial to my recovery than any pill.”
She felt the warmth of his hand against hers, his gaze intense, and even she, usually so calm and composed, felt a flicker of panic. She placed the pills in his hand and quickly pulled away, turning to face the window, her voice a soft murmur.
“It’s late, Young Master Mu. You should go.”
He stared at her, then sighed. “I’ll leave you to rest then, Lingxuan.”
He turned and walked away.
She watched him go, his figure silhouetted against the moonlight, a strange loneliness surrounding him.
She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it.
“…Brother Mu…”
As he reached the edge of the courtyard, her voice, soft as a whisper, drifted towards him, then she quickly closed the window, as if hiding her expression.
He paused, but he didn’t turn back, his heart light as he walked away, the pills clutched in his hand.
…
Under the cover of darkness, he knocked on Bai Ruoxi’s door and saw her meditating on her bed. She wore a loose white robe, her figure alluring, her aura cold and pristine. A white sphere of light hovered before her, its radiance gentle, purifying the surrounding spiritual energy, making it easier to absorb.
He approached her bed and sat beside her.
She opened her eyes, as if sensing his presence, her long lashes fluttering. She looked at him, her expression calm, not surprised. “Where did you go tonight, Mu Lang?”
“I was learning about the sect. It might be useful in the future,” he replied, looking at her.
She had applied makeup, her lips a delicate pink, her usually cold face softened by a hint of allure.
“What kind of information?” she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
He removed his robe, draping it over her shoulders, pulling her close. “It’s nothing important. Don’t worry about it.”
She melted against him, her initial curiosity fading as she gazed up at him, her eyes filled with adoration, her cheeks flushed.
He wasn’t surprised by her reaction. She might appear aloof and unattainable, but he had discovered that she was actually insecure and easily swayed. His embrace, so bold and intimate, she couldn’t resist.
“You chose me today. Senior Sister Lan and the others, they must be angry… Is it alright…?” she murmured, her voice filled with concern.
He looked down at her, her beauty captivating, her aura both cold and fragile. Her talent was so overwhelming that most would feel inferior in her presence. But he wasn’t like most men. He wasn’t intimidated. He wanted to conquer her, to see her lose her composure, her coldness replaced by passion.
“The snow lotus, it resembles you the most. I was just being honest…” he said, his arm tightening around her waist.
“If it resembles me… why did you give it to the others?” she asked, her voice a soft murmur.
“Senior Sister helped us in Tianxuan City. Giving her a valuable pill would be too obvious, a bribe. But the snow lotus, it’s different…” he explained.
“What about Lingxuan?”
“She was hostile towards me. We’re fellow disciples now. I want to get along with them.”
She buried her face in his chest, her lips pursing slightly. She seemed unhappy. The softness and shyness she had displayed earlier, it had vanished.
She took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly, her expression softening, her usual demeanor returning. “You’ve offended Senior Sister Lan. She might not talk to you anymore.”
“Lingxuan seemed angry as well. And Qian’er, she was staring at me…”
“They’re all so scary… Mu Lang…”
“If you encounter any problems, come to me. We’ll face them together.”
That’s right, they’re all scary, only Ruoxi understands me. Her “Mu Lang,” it was a declaration of her position as his primary consort. He chuckled inwardly, looking down at her worried expression, her lips now a different shade of pink.
Lan Mulian, she would be difficult to appease. He could salvage the situation, but it would take time.
He pulled her closer, his thoughts racing as he lay down on the bed.
She gasped, then realized what was happening, her cheeks flushing as she looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of shyness and desire. She turned away, her voice a soft whisper. “Mu Lang… what are you doing…?”
“Cultivating,” he replied, his voice serious.
She frowned. “Why are we lying down to cultivate…?”
He covered her mouth with his hand. “Don’t talk. Just enjoy the moment.”
He kissed her cheek, then her lips.
…
Dawn approached, the sky gradually brightening.
He lay in bed, exhausted but content, Bai Ruoxi’s soft body nestled against his. He was about to drift back to sleep when…
“Aaaa~”
A beautiful, song-like sound echoed through the air, startling Bai Ruoxi awake. She looked towards the door.
The sound came from outside.
“…Is that… Ling Long…?” she murmured.
“Don’t worry. Let’s rest for a while,” he said, pulling her closer.
…
Ye Yu opened his eyes.
The dragon’s mournful cry had awakened everyone in the sect, not just Mu Zhi’an.
“What does it mean, Master?” he asked the old man within him.
“Legend has it that there’s an ancient dragon residing within the Two Polarities Sect. It favors those with great destiny, granting them even greater fortune. If you could gain its favor, it would be immensely beneficial to your cultivation,” the old man explained.
Ling Long! A flicker of hope ignited within him.
He had spent the previous night meditating after passing the exams, so he hadn’t seen the dragon. But he had heard from other disciples that it had appeared, that it had even seemed interested in Bai Ruoxi, but for some reason, it had left.
Clearly, she wasn’t its target. Perhaps her great destiny had attracted its attention, but it had rejected her because she wasn’t worthy.
There were three individuals with great destiny from Tianxuan City, but the true Chosen One, it was him. If Ling Long appeared today, it would be his chance to prove himself.
…
The next day, Mu Zhi’an woke early.
Core Formation cultivators didn’t need much sleep, and even Foundation Establishment cultivators could function with minimal rest. They spent most of their time meditating or exploring alternative cultivation methods, such as dual cultivation.
He glanced at Bai Ruoxi, who was still sleeping, and carefully got out of bed. A delicate white hand emerged from the blankets, grasping his wrist, pulling him back onto the bed. She snuggled against him, her voice soft and alluring. “Where are you going, Mu Lang?”
She had been so aloof last night, but now, perhaps because she had just woken up, she was clingy, like a kitten seeking its master’s affection.
It’s cute. He enjoyed her warmth against him, stroking her hair. “Didn’t you hear Ling Long calling early this morning? I want to go see what’s happening.”
He had promised to visit the dragon in two days, but it had already started calling. Perhaps it was impatient. He would have to visit it sooner than planned.
“The inner disciple selections are in a few days. Don’t forget to meditate, Mu Lang,” she reminded him softly.
He smiled, nodding. “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”
He paused, then added, “For your sake, I’ll continue to help you tonight.”
He had accepted his fate. Since being a Vessel didn’t benefit him directly, and dual cultivation only worked on the other person, he would focus on helping those close to him improve their cultivation.
Of course, it was a gradual process.
But before cultivating, he had another matter to attend to. After Ling Long’s cry this morning, more disciples would surely flock to the cliff, hoping to catch its attention. He wouldn’t be able to meet it secretly if this continued.
He had to come up with a plan. He held Bai Ruoxi close, his mind racing as he contemplated the complexities of human nature.