The next day, shortly after Xie Bing descended from Stone Forest Peak, she ran into several Martial Brothers who had just come down from Taixu Peak.
They had finished an external assignment and were just returning to report. They’d likely paid respects to Gu Monian and were preparing to head back.
Her Shifu, Gu Monian, had already reached the Integration Stage Third Layer and was about to step into the Mahayana Stage, just one sub-stage away from Tribulation Transcendence. His status was highly esteemed. Taciturn and aloof, he didn’t have many disciples. So far, he only had nine Inner Sect Disciples.
Apart from the Eldest Senior Brother, the Light of the Sect, Xie Bing, Youngest Junior Brother Su Caiyi, and Junior Sister Xuan Yao, there were only five others, all men.
They had all become his disciples many years ago. The weakest in cultivation had already surpassed the Out-of-Body Stage. Second Senior Brother had even reached the Void Refining Stage. Eldest Senior Brother was rarely at Taixu Sect, so Second Senior Brother mostly managed things in his stead.
“Second Senior Brother.”
Xie Bing gestured a greeting.
Second Senior Brother Tian Xi was striding briskly at the very front. Hearing her, he halted abruptly, looking as if he’d just noticed her. He stared blankly. “Ah, Junior Sister?”
Xie Bing was always so silent and withdrawn. Why would she suddenly greet them?
Xie Bing: “…Mm.”
Tian Xi was bold and unrestrained, always acting carelessly. When Eldest Senior Brother wasn’t around and he led the Martial Brothers, they often made mistakes and got punished. But he had a strong sense of responsibility; when things happened, he didn’t shirk blame, always being the first to accept punishment.
He never quite knew how to interact with Xie Bing.
Rubbing his own hair, Tian Xi laughed heartily. “Junior Sister, you remember how to come back?”
Xie Bing reminded him: “…Senior Brother, I’ve never been away.”
Xie Bing basically never left the sect gate. It was the several Martial Brothers who were rarely at Taixu Sect.
Tian Xi choked for a moment, then changed the subject. “Junior Sister, have you met Junior Sister too? We just saw Xuan Yao. Junior Sister is so endearing. Shifu, usually so taciturn, earnestly instructed us today to take good care of Junior Sister…”
Xie Bing lowered her head, saying nothing, gently kicking a pebble on the ground with the toe of her shoe.
When Xie Bing was silent, her fair and gentle face held little expression. She looked as cold as her name suggested.
Her head lowered, jet-black hair falling over her chest. The frost-colored hair ribbon was faintly visible. She appeared overly young and girlish.
Again, Tian Xi received no answer from Xie Bing. His gaze started darting around frantically, grabbing for conversational topics:
“I heard you established your foundation. It’s been, what, ten years? You finally did it… I never thought you’d reach Foundation Establishment…”
“You and Junior Sister both entered the Cultivation Academy. Junior Sister has high talent, but your aptitude is way too poor. There’s no helping it. Just look on the bright side. Don’t be anxious. Just take your time cultivating. If you fall behind later, feel free to come find me.”
Xie Bing: “…”
Second Senior Brother Tian Xi truly had no talent for speaking.
Senior Brother Bai Gaofei nudged Second Senior Brother with his elbow. “Ahem, Second Senior Brother, didn’t Shifu also assign us other tasks?”
Bai Gaofei winked furiously, practically screaming: If you can’t speak well, just shut up!
Tian Xi glared angrily at Senior Brother, roaring, “What, you’re telling me not to speak again?”
Senior Brother Bai Gaofei covered his face: “…”
The remaining few all covered their faces in unison: “…”
Xie Bing: “…”
The tip of her shoe pausing mid-kick at the pebble, she straightened up to stand perfectly straight.
A sudden dawning realization washed over Xie Bing.
In her past life, she had always felt Second Senior Brother looked down on her, always dragging up her sore spots, picking at her everywhere, yet being so enthusiastic towards Xuan Yao. Over time, she avoided Tian Xi.
She avoided Tian Xi, and soon enough, Tian Xi obliged Xie Bing’s unspoken wish. They treated each other as invisible.
Both were nothing but transparent people.
Now, thinking back, she realized: in her previous life, she hadn’t been good with words. Nine times out of ten, Second Senior Brother must have found it impossible to approach her, hence the growing distance.
What Tian Xi had just said—if her former self had heard it, she would probably have extrapolated other, more sinister meanings, brooded endlessly, and felt deeply uncomfortable.
Now, thinking back on Tian Xi’s words, she understood what Tian Xi meant.
The faint detachment on her face receded slightly. She said sincerely, “Many thanks, Second Senior Brother.”
Second Senior Brother Tian Xi: ??
He scratched his own head, bewildered and a little bashful: “What’s there to thank… I mean it. If you really end up last and embarrass our Taixu Peak, just come find me!”
Xie Bing: Sigh.
Nodding to the other Senior Brothers, Xie Bing was about to leave when she suddenly noticed Sixth Senior Brother Cen Huai opening his mouth as if to speak, but not knowing where to start.
Cen Huai was the youngest Senior Brother. A trace of youthful spirit still lingered on his face. His waist was lean, his skin fair.
He was gripping his Spirit Sword tightly. A faint hint of helplessness flickered across his face.
Xie Bing was puzzled. “Sixth Senior Brother?”
Cen Huai’s face flushed. “Junior Sister, congratulations on your Foundation Establishment.”
Xie Bing replied calmly, “Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Several Senior Brothers watched Xie Bing walk away, feeling slightly bewildered.
“Why does it feel… like Junior Sister is a bit different from before?”
Before, she’d have lowered her head and skirted around them long ago.
Tian Xi let out a sigh. “Junior Sister is alone and helpless, and a… an Object Cultivator who can’t progress. We must properly protect Junior Sister.”
Everyone expressed deep sympathy. Junior Sister was so weak; they really should help out when they could.
Second Senior Brother Tian Xi slapped their backs with his chubby hand. “What are we spacing out for? Shifu said Nangong Wumei took a hit from his palm, so he can’t have gone far. He’s likely hiding somewhere near Taixu Sect.”
That was true enough. The Martial Brothers nodded repeatedly. Even if there were other ways to break through Perfected Zang’s formation array, there were still the arrays laid out by the Immortal Capital outside. If you couldn’t break one layer, you couldn’t break two. They couldn’t possibly have run far. Today’s meeting concluded the Devil Venerable was still very likely hiding near Taixu Sect.
“We still need to search the vicinity. Don’t forget our mission!”
“Ah… Eldest Senior Brother usually punishes evil and promotes good, earning widespread respect, slaughtering the forces of the Devil Realm without leaving a scrap behind. We can only do these small tasks…” Fourth Senior Brother Guo Hebi lamented.
Bai Gaofei smacked Guo Hebi’s head. “Stop reaching for what’s beyond your grasp. Is Eldest Senior Brother’s power something we can match? Better think about the task at hand.”
Tian Xi made the final decision: “I’d like to see where this Devil Venerable can hide, under the defenses of the Three Major Sects and the Immortal Capital.”
The Martial Brothers all deeply agreed. Unless this Devil Venerable was hiding on Taixu Peak itself, there was nowhere left to run!
…
As they walked and chatted casually, they suddenly saw ahead in the distance, over a dozen pitch-black humanoid figures.
The robes of Taixu Sect were all white. Cultivators normally abstained from worldly food and appeared ethereal, each more handsome and elegant than the last. Where had they ever seen someone turn white robes this black?
Approaching for a closer look… whoa, their faces were all black too. Only the faintly shimmering fire patterns on their “Black Robes” indicated they were Martial Brothers from Crimson Flame Peak.
Tian Xi couldn’t hold it in anymore. “What’s going on here?”
Bai Gaofei: “Second Senior Brother, haven’t you looked at the Gossip Jade Slip? The people of Crimson Flame Peak were punished to mine in the Spirit Stone Mine.”
“Aren’t Spirit Stone Mine jobs done by Outer Sect Disciples? How come Inner Sect Disciples are doing it?”
The hierarchy in the Cultivation World was very strict. Inner Sect Disciples were considered precious. Rough and menial tasks were for Outer Sect Disciples. Things like mining in the Spirit Stone Mine—Inner Sect Disciples wouldn’t lift a finger for that.
As they spoke, they spotted a familiar figure in the distance: their Junior Sister Xie Bing, whom they’d just chatted with.
They saw Xie Bing walking on the bluestone path, and from afar, she was about to cross paths with Jin Huo and his group.
“I heard it was their Shifu, Perfected Yu Yan, who personally punished them,” Bai Gaofei smacked his own head. “I remember the gossip I read; it seemed to be because of Junior Sister Xie that Jin Huo’s group got punished.”
“Oh no… Jin Huo’s group, those Fire Spirit Root cultivators, are usually so violent and terrifying. One wrong word and they’re shouting for blood. Could they be thinking of harming Junior Sister?”
The hand Cen Huai held his sword with tightened. A clang rang out, the Spirit Sword about to leave its sheath!
At the same time.
Jin Huo and his group were trudging listlessly along, heads drooping.
They’d been mining Spirit Stones for a week straight. The Spiritual Energy around their bodies was utterly exhausted. They felt like dead dogs.
Suddenly, the junior brother nervously grabbed Jin Huo. “Y-Y-Y-Yellow book is here again!”
Jin Huo: “!!!”
Everyone: “!!!”
Jin Huo, whose eyelids had been drooping, instantly snapped to attention!
He immediately spotted that familiar, thin and weak figure in the distance, the white robe adorned with cloud patterns representing Taixu Peak. Resembling an international friend newly returned from Africa, Jin Huo glared fiercely at Xie Bing with the whites of his eyes.
Sensing something, Xie Bing calmly met Jin Huo’s gaze across the long stretch of bluestone path.
Midway up the mountainside, Tian Xi and the others instantly tensed.
The next second, Jin Huo yawned. His steps shifted, and he turned and walked right down another path!
Jin Huo turned tail and fled: Slipping away, slipping away!
Couldn’t afford to provoke her!
A sword-wielder, unable to beat someone reading a little yellow book.
Xie Bing watched the wide road that emptied in the blink of an eye: ???
Tian Xi and his group were stunned.
Cen Huai’s sword had only just left its sheath. For a moment, his fingers didn’t know where to go.
…What’s going on?
A Sword Cultivator of Crimson Flame Peak, running at the sight of Xie Bing?
A single Object Cultivator, relying entirely on her own strength, had scared the most formidable Fire Spirit Root cultivators of Crimson Flame Peak—the fighting power of Taixu Sect—into retreating at a distance?
Junior Sister was weak?
Junior Sister was pitiful?
Junior Sister was helpless?
“You are the first cultivator I’ve ever seen who comes to the Scripture Library every single day without fail, rain or shine.”
Kong Yixian leaned sideways against the highest shelf of an ancient bookshelf. His long legs hung down casually and comfortably. A brilliant golden chrysanthemum was tucked into his thick, ink-black hair. He drank his wine lazily, his eyes holding a hint of intoxication.
Xie Bing was focusing on her book. Hearing this, she rolled her eyes at Kong Yixian:
“You are the first master I’ve ever seen who doesn’t train properly every day.”
Spending so much time in the Scripture Library, Xie Bing’s impression of Kong Yixian had gradually shifted from “legendary master” to “ordinary librarian.” The two of them could now speak comfortably with each other.
Of course, when Xie Bing asked Kong Yixian for help finding specific books, he was still utterly clueless.
He only seemed to have two hobbies: planting and picking chrysanthemums, and drinking wine.
Xie Bing felt that in terms of “wine” and “chrysanthemums,” he and Tao Yuanming shared the same synonym.
Kong Yixian chuckled softly. A strange glint flashed in his eyes. “I won’t pick up a sword again.”
Xie Bing didn’t catch it. “What?”
“Nothing,” Kong Yixian took another sip of wine. “I meant, I don’t feel like training for now.”
Xie Bing replied with an “Mm.”
Seeing it was about time, Xie Bing stretched lazily and prepared to get up to make lunch.
Suddenly, within the empty, silent Scripture Library, the soft sound of small footsteps echoed.
Xie Bing: ?
Bookshelves towered densely. Light and shadow interwove and shifted. Standing within the brilliant halo of light was a girl in a white dress.
Xie Bing froze. It was Xuan Yao.
Xuan Yao seemed to be looking for someone. Her petite body passed through the heavy, towering bookshelves. Uneasily and hesitantly, she said, “Senior Kong? Junior Xuan Yao is here, specifically requesting an audience.”
Within the desolate Scripture Library, there was no echo of a reply.
Xie Bing was genuinely impressed by Xuan Yao. Ever since Kong Yixian had expelled everyone last time, no bold soul had dared to barge into the Scripture Library again. After all, Kong Yixian had a fierce reputation for killing without blinking. Yet Xuan Yao, living up to being the Female Lead, had just walked right in.
Could it be that Kong Yixian and Xuan Yao’s fated connection hadn’t been severed yet?
If so, then Kong Yixian should feel an instant affinity upon meeting Xuan Yao, greatly appreciate her, and then proceed to unreservedly teach her his secret, ultimate sword art?
The title “Pinnacle of Sword Cultivators” was so mighty, yet in the original book, it had only appeared that one time. And the so-called “Pinnacle of Sword Cultivators'” only function was to teach Xuan Yao sword arts so she could then win first place in the martial tournament.
Thinking this, Xie Bing felt an inexplicable wave of indignation on Kong Yixian’s behalf. She quickly suppressed this feeling, pointing upwards:
“Senior Kong is just…”
Xie Bing looked up. The spot her finger pointed to was empty.
“Ah…”
Gone.
Kong Yixian, who should have been casually sitting atop the tall bookshelf, was nowhere to be seen.
Xuan Yao followed Xie Bing’s gaze but only saw a faint glimmer of dust motes.
A flash of disappointment crossed her face. “Senior Kong isn’t here? Senior Sister Xie, can you tell me where Senior Kong went?”
Xie Bing scratched her head. Kong Yixian had left the moment he saw Xuan Yao, without even a greeting. Clearly, he did not wish to see Xuan Yao.
“I don’t know either… Actually, Senior Kong is always this elusive; catching a glimpse of him isn’t easy.”
When Xie Bing first started going to the Scripture Library, it took her a month to even discover that a peerless master was hidden there.
Her pearly teeth gently bit her petal-like red lips. A flash of disappointment crossed Xuan Yao’s eyes. She lowered her head and said quietly, “Senior Sister won’t tell me?”
Xie Bing: ?
Xie Bing: “No, it’s just that I also don’t know where Senior Kong is, or when he plans to appear. If you want to see Senior Kong, just read more books. Maybe the Senior will be willing to discuss things with you more then.”
If she hadn’t said that, it was fine. But having said it, Xuan Yao raised her head. Her eyes were only wet with moisture. “Just now, Senior Kong was with Senior Sister, wasn’t he? Please, Senior Sister, could you introduce me? I want to find Senior Kong and beg for his guidance on swordsmanship.”
Xie Bing touched her nose. “Honestly, my introduction probably won’t be of any use.”
Xuan Yao said a soft “Oh,” and lowered her head in disappointment.
A moment later, as if remembering something, she pulled a small wooden box from her Storage Brocade Pouch and gently placed it on a bookshelf.
Her eyes were very bright and spirited. Her jet-black hair was tousled by the breeze, the ends dancing in mid-air. The light leaking through the windows lingered around her.
She was like a crystalline, translucent spirit from deep within the forest.
Inside Xie Bing’s mind, alarm bells suddenly blared: Was Xuan Yao releasing her Protagonist Halo?
…Xuan Yao was preparing to target Kong Yixian!
Simultaneously, the System issued a broadcast:
[System: Triggering mission, Third Confrontation with the Heartthrob Female Lead — Defend Our Own Kong Yixian!]
Xie Bing: ??? What kind of ridiculous mission name is this?