Chapter 49: 46-50
Chapter 46
The young lady was stupefied, "Didn't we agree that you wouldn't eat it?"
While Song Zhi Xia innocently looked at Song Wei Zhi, the latter had already leaned in. The young lady mumbled, "Then should I go buy another one for my senior sister?"
Song Wei Zhi chuckled, "That's unnecessary. You already have some here, don't you, Xia Xia?"
The young lady still hadn't grasped Song Wei Zhi's meaning when she felt something soft touching her lip. Song Wei Zhi kissed her, feeling the young lady's lips were sweeter than before.
When Song Wei Zhi slightly pulled away, the young lady realized what had just happened. It was broad daylight, yet her senior sister had kissed her, claiming it was to eat the candied hawthorn.
Embracing the young lady, Song Wei Zhi teased her, "Candied hawthorn is indeed quite sweet."
Upon hearing Song Wei Zhi's words, Song Zhi Xia's cheeks turned even redder. She felt like her senior sister was teasing her.
The young lady pouted in Song Wei Zhi's embrace, "Senior sister, are you toying with me?"
Innocently, Song Wei Zhi replied, "Not at all. It's because Xia Xia took my candied hawthorn. I had no other choice. But it's indeed tasty."
Upon hearing her senior sister's words, Song Zhi Xia blushed even more. She couldn't believe that her senior sister had kissed her. Nonetheless, she quietly allowed her senior sister to hold her.
That evening, after consuming some spiritual fruits, Song Wei Zhi and Song Zhi Xia prepared to rest. This time, the young lady, having learned her lesson, removed her outer garment when Song Wei Zhi wasn't looking and climbed into bed, leaving only a pair of peach-blossom eyes gazing at Song Wei Zhi.
After discarding her outer garment, Song Wei Zhi playfully pulled down the young lady's blanket. "Don't suffocate my little companion. I feel sorry for her."
The young lady, amused by Song Wei Zhi's antics, turned to the wall and lay down. Song Wei Zhi extinguished the candle on the table. Amidst the dimness, as Song Wei Zhi laid down, the young lady nestled into her embrace.
Looking at the young lady pointing her back towards her, Song Wei Zhi gently held her in her arms. The young lady made symbolic resistance for a while but ultimately rested against Song Wei Zhi and fell asleep.
The following morning, after coaxing the young lady for some time, Song Wei Zhi noticed Wei Zhao constantly staring at her neck.
Unable to contain himself, Wei Zhao asked, "Master, what happened to your neck? It looks odd."
Song Wei Zhi checked her neck and then recalled that she had been bitten by her little bunny the previous night. "It's nothing. My little bunny bit me last night, but it doesn't hurt," Song Wei Zhi said, glancing at the young lady.
Blushing, Song Zhi Xia looked at the visible red mark on Song Wei Zhi's fair skin. Wei Zhao, observing the situation, decided to avoid interrupting his master and her companion further.
After he had distanced himself, Song Zhi Xia tugged at Song Wei Zhi's sleeve and whispered, "Senior sister, please use your spiritual power to conceal that mark. It's not appropriate."
Song Wei Zhi raised an eyebrow, smirked and said, "Then why didn't it bother you last night? Besides, I think it's rather good. It proves that I am taken, and others don't have a reason to come close."
The young lady, upon seeing the rosy mark on Song Wei Zhi's fair neck, felt shy. She took Song Wei Zhi's hand, and in a soft, tender voice, she said, "Senior sister, I'm shy. Can you cover it?"
Seeing the young lady plead with her, Song Wei Zhi chuckled, "Alright, Xia Xia. Give me a kiss, and I'll consider it."
Blushing, the young lady glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention, then hurriedly planted a kiss on Song Wei Zhi's lips. Afterward, she became too shy to look up. It was broad daylight, and they were in public. It was something the young lady would never have dared to do in the past!
Author's Note:
Song Zhi Xia: Senior sister, please cover it. I'm shy~
Song Wei Zhi: I'm not shy. As long as I'm not shy, someone else will be!
Chapter 47
Song Weizhi laughed as she looked at the little girl beside her. After the little girl kissed her, she didn't even dare to lift her head. Her blushing earlobes, however, indicated her shyness.
While pinching the little girl's hand, Song Weizhi chuckled, "Alright, since my little companion insists, I'll listen to her and cover it up."
Saying that, she pinched a red mark on her neck and covered it up with a touch, concealing the red mark.
Song Zhixia sneakily glanced at Song Weizhi's neck. Seeing that Song Weizhi hadn't deceived her, she finally put her mind at ease.
Song Weizhi thought it was a pity to cover it up, as it was done by her little sister. She had planned to keep it concealed all the time!
Before long, the two arrived at the entrance of the secret realm, which was already crowded with many people. Wei Zhao was waiting for Song Weizhi and Song Zhixia, along with Zhao Xuankun.
Song Weizhi greeted them and waited with them for the opening of the secret realm.
Shortly after, a dozen disciples of the Cold Mountain Sword Sect arrived, dressed in the sect's attire, led by Qi Yingzhe from the previous day. Behind him were a man and a woman, dressed much more lavishly than the other disciples.
Qi Yingzhe led his group to the entrance of the secret realm and gestured for everyone to be quiet. "After the secret realm is opened, everyone will enter in order using the wooden planks. If you encounter danger in the secret realm, you can crush the wooden plank, and the formation will directly take you out of the secret realm. At the same time, the wooden plank also serves as a scoring tool. Each time you kill a monster, you will accumulate points. The top thirty with the highest points will enter our Cold Mountain Sword Sect."
Qi Yingzhe scanned the crowd and continued, "There will be a certain amount of danger in the secret realm, but everyone should rest assured. These two behind me are Zhou Chengwen and Zhou Qingxue. Both of them have already reached the Yuan Ying stage. They will accompany everyone into the secret realm and provide assistance if anyone encounters danger."
"Ah, so those are Zhou Chengwen and Zhou Qingxue. I heard they are the children of the sect leader, with such high cultivation levels. They are truly exceptional."
"Yes, and they look good too. When we meet them later, we must definitely stick with them."
"That's right, that's right."
Song Weizhi also looked over there and saw that Zhou Chengwen was quite handsome, but compared to her younger sister Zhou Qingxue, he fell a bit short. The girl appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen, with a beautiful appearance and lively eyes, showing that she had been well protected by her family.
Following Song Weizhi's distracted gaze, Song Zhixia caught sight of her senior sister gazing at a pretty girl. Annoyed, she stomped on Song Weizhi's foot.
Feeling a pain on her foot, Song Weizhi came back to her senses, glanced at her own foot, and then at the seemingly innocent little girl next to her. What had she done? Had she offended her little bunny?
Qi Yingzhe gave a few more instructions before opening the secret realm.
As soon as the secret realm was opened, everyone rushed in. Song Weizhi and the others, however, took their time and entered the secret realm last.
As Song Weizhi entered the secret realm, holding the little girl's hand, she immediately felt something was amiss as there was only empty air in her hand. After a brief transmission through the mist, Song Weizhi found herself in a dense forest.
As soon as she set foot, vines from all directions entangled her. Song Weizhi's lips curled slightly as her sword, the Empty Moon Sword, flew out of her hand. Infusing it with spiritual energy, a loud bang echoed as the surrounding trees were uprooted, and the vines all drooped. It seemed they were completely dead.
Seventy-two appeared on Song Weizhi's wooden plank, representing the number of monster vines she had just killed.
At the same time, the events in the secret realm were being broadcast in real-time on two giant spirit mirrors in the main hall. Song Weizhi was listed as the top scorer, having killed over seventy monster vines as soon as she entered the secret realm.
Sitting in the position of the sect leader, Zhou Yeran nodded and asked Qi Yingzhe standing beside him, "Yingzhe, do you have any impression of this Song Weizhi?"
"Master, Song Weizhi and Wei Zhao are the most accomplished in this group of disciples. The spirit stones revealed that both of them have reached the Da Yuan Ying stage. Just now, I saw Song Weizhi skillfully maneuver her spiritual power in the secret realm; she is truly a talented individual," Qi Yingzhe expressed his opinion truthfully.
Zhou Yeran also smiled and nodded. He hadn't expected two Da Yuan Ying stage practitioners among this group of new disciples. In the Cold Mountain Sword Sect, only Qi Yingzhe and his own children had reached the Yuan Ying stage. If these two promising individuals could also reach the Yuan Ying stage, the sect would be greatly strengthened.
In the secret realm, Song Weizhi effortlessly took down these vines, and later, she encountered several entangled disciples. She merely glanced at them and continued walking, without any intention of helping them. This behavior drew some curses from those disciples, but Song Weizhi paid little attention.
At the same time, the image on the main hall's mirror shifted to a sea, where walking on the surface made one feel as if on solid ground, yet various types of monsters emerged from the sea.
Emerging from the mist, Song Zhixia found herself on this vast sea. With Song Weizhi no longer by her side, she felt somewhat uneasy. However, she came across Zhao Xuankun, and upon recognizing him, she heaved a sigh of relief. After exchanging a few words, a massive octopus-like monster emerged from the sea and lunged at them.
Thankfully, both were experienced with the secret realm, so they remained composed and began to fight the monster with their spirit swords.
Zhao Xuankun approached the monster to draw its attention, while Song Zhixia attacked from behind. The monster, which was usually confined to the sea, emitted a foul-smelling, viscous substance that not only left a sticky residue but also exuded a blue-black light. If their stomachs hadn't been empty, they probably would have vomited.
After channeling spiritual power, Zhao Xuankun chopped off four or five of the monster's tentacles, provoking the creature. It lashed out, enveloping him, but he wasn't afraid of being ensnared. It was just the repugnant odor and the sticky secretion that concerned him. He hoped to cleanse himself of it soon.
Meanwhile, Song Zhixia, having caught the monster's attention, soared on her spirit sword and delivered a direct blow to the monster's head with her flaming sword. The fiery blade cleaved the monster's head in half.
With the creature lying motionless on the sea, still emitting foul-smelling, dark liquid, Zhao Xuankun, covered in the viscous tendrils, found it repulsive. He wiped the slimy residue from his handsome face and used several purification techniques, still feeling a strange odor lingering on him.
Just as the two relaxed, numerous octopus-like monsters emerged from the sea, each larger than the previous one.
"So many? Dealing with them all is bound to consume an enormous amount of spiritual power," Zhao Xuankun remarked, glancing at Song Zhixia.
"We can't worry about that now. I have to stay here. I need to be with my senior sister," Song Zhixia replied as she charged into the midst of the monsters, her mind filled with thoughts of being unable to stay with her senior sister if she didn't persist.
Seeing Song Zhixia rush ahead, Zhao Xuankun followed suit. Nonetheless, the lingering smell and the need to slay the monsters made him feel nauseous.
At the same time, in the main hall, Zhou Yeran and the elders were observing Song Zhixia and Zhao Xuankun.
"These two disciples seem quite impressive. I wonder if they can endure till then," one elder commented.
"I agree. This sea and the forest where Song Weizhi is right now are the two most challenging areas in the secret realm. However, they are also the best places to accumulate points. It depends on whether these young people can handle it," another elder concurred.
"Yes, it seems that among the disciples who have come this time, there are indeed a few good seedlings. With time, they could become the hope of our Cold Mountain Sword Sect."
Meanwhile, in the most perilous area identified by the elders, Song Weizhi was lounging on a vine, completely at ease, in sharp contrast to the other disciples struggling to free themselves from the vines.
The vines beside Song Weizhi could only hope that she would take pity on them and spare them. Song Weizhi glanced at her score on the wooden plank and, realizing she was already far ahead in points, decided not to waste time on these vines. However, when she tried to probe the forest with her flying sword, she found that it was unable to soar out, possibly due to some restriction placed on it.
As she waited for the restriction to be lifted, her eyes remained fixed on the wooden plaque. Her little sister's name quickly rose to the position of twenty-something, next to Zhao Xuankun. Song Weizhi pouted, speculating whether her little sister and Zhao Xuankun were in the same place. However, she soon thought that Zhao Xuankun was a decent person, and it would be good for the two of them to be together for help and support.
Chapter 48
As the spirit realm image in the main hall shifted, an expansive desert appeared on the realm. Quite a few disciples were allocated to this desert, with over a dozen in total. The monsters in the desert were not particularly strong, but the realm itself affected one's mental state. Cultivators who had reached the Qi Refining stage did not need to drink water after all, yet the desert gave an inexplicable sense of dry heat, affecting one's senses and causing an uncontrollable urge to drink water.
Zhou Yeran just happened to spot his daughter among these dozen figures. There was no other reason but the fact that she and Wei Zhao were the only two females among them. There were quite a few people surrounding his daughter, trying to get close to her, while Wei Zhao remained on her own, forming a stark contrast with the others.
Zhou Yeran was quite familiar with this realm. He couldn't help but worry for his daughter, not because he was concerned about her ability to handle the monsters, but rather about her endurance in the heat. He knew his daughter well, after all.
Wei Zhao, on the other hand, paid no attention to the crowd surrounding Zhou Qingxue. She only showed interest in her master and the novel's protagonist. Besides, she had to protect her master's companion. The rest of the people, in Wei Zhao's eyes, were just like ordinary cabbages, not worth her attention at all.
Zhou Qingxue, who grew up in the Cold Mountain Sword Sect, was accustomed to being fawned over and pampered. She took it as a matter of course to be surrounded by people. Upon seeing Wei Zhao being left alone, she immediately called out to her, "Hey, they are all with me. When we encounter the monsters later, I can protect you. Why don't you come over with me?"
Wei Zhao simply glanced at her and continued walking on her own. She was her master's most attentive protector. Did she need someone else's protection?
Watching Wei Zhao coldly ignoring her, Zhou Qingxue immediately felt displeased. With a slight frown on her fair face, she exclaimed, "Hey, what's wrong with you? I kindly want to help you, but you're not grateful at all. I'm talking to you, you big block of ice!"
Wei Zhao didn't even bother to respond to her, continuing to walk ahead on her own.
The male cultivators around Zhou Qingxue immediately began to flatter her:
"Yeah, Sister Zhou is doing this for her good. She's really ungrateful."
"What kind of person is she? Still trying to maintain the lone wolf image in this day and age. I bet she won't be so arrogant when she encounters trouble later."
"Yes, Sister Zhou, let's just ignore her later and see if she still dares to be so arrogant."
Zhou Qingxue paid no interest to the words of those around her. She was simply annoyed that the "big block of ice" was ignoring her. What nonsense were these disciples talking about?
Suddenly, the previously scorching desert stirred up a gust of yellow wind, causing the less skilled cultivators to be blown forward bit by bit by the sand.
Wei Zhao immediately infused her spiritual power into the ground, rooting herself like a plant in the wilderness. She took out a piece of clothing from her storage bag and wrapped it around her head to protect herself from the sandstorm.
She glanced curiously in Zhou Qingxue's direction. She couldn't help but feel that Zhou Qingxue was quite loyal, using her own spiritual power to protect those around her, while those people were simply enjoying the protection. What were they even here for? To selfishly rely on others for protection?
Of course, Zhou Qingxue's situation was none of her concern. In her view, Zhou Qingxue was no different from any other ordinary person, so she simply sat down and began to meditate. Maintaining her posture in such strong winds would require a considerable amount of spiritual power, which needed timely replenishing.
On the other side, Zhou Qingxue struggled to stabilize the figures around her. She gritted her teeth and urged those around her, "Use your spiritual power."
Only then did those people start using their spiritual power to maintain their stance. However, a few of them, seeing that Zhou Qingxue could handle it on her own, only made symbolic efforts, without actually contributing much. Even with her higher cultivation, Zhou Qingxue couldn't withstand such lavish expenditure.
Fortunately, the fierce winds subsided after an hour. Zhou Qingxue had completely depleted her spiritual power and could only slump onto the ground. The male cultivators around her then approached to offer their concern.
Wei Zhao, on the other hand, glanced over before continuing to meditate on the ground. Seeing everyone safe, Zhou Qingxue felt a bit content. She had always been protected by her parents and brother since childhood. Finally being able to protect others gave her a sense of achievement. However, having nearly depleted her spiritual power, she felt weak and unable to move.
One bold male cultivator squatted in front of Zhou Qingxue, pretending to offer her a piggyback ride. Zhou Qingxue, feeling that she just needed to rest to recover, refused. It was also inappropriate to accept help from an unfamiliar male cultivator.
Seeing this, Zhou Yeran's expression turned sour. Did his daughter not understand the ways of the world? Was she really going to risk her life for these people? It was evident that some of those people had not actively used their spiritual power before and now, they even wanted to take advantage of his daughter's weakness. Zhou Yeran wanted to barge in and drag his daughter out to teach her a valuable lesson about the treacherous nature of people. This time, he could only consider this realm as a lesson for his daughter.
However, the calm after the sandstorm did not last long. Soon, numerous huge lizards emerged from the yellow sand, each measuring two to three meters in length with sticky saliva trailing from their elongated tongues.
Wei Zhao immediately brandished her whip infused with spiritual energy, lashing at the monsters. In no time, several beasts near her were dismembered, their viscous fluids splattering in all directions.
Initially, there were people protecting Zhou Qingxue, but they soon found it challenging to fend off the beasts. Eager to earn points by killing the monsters, they gradually stopped shielding Zhou Qingxue. But with her spiritual power depleted, she had no strength left to stand up.
Before she knew it, a beast with its tongue sticking out loomed over Zhou Qingxue. She shouted at the people she had just saved, "Come help me quickly! I used up my spiritual power to save you."
Yet those people pretended not to hear her, completely ignoring Zhou Qingxue. Finally, one person grudgingly responded, "Sister, since you don't need to contend for points anyway, why not just crush your wooden plaque and leave?"
His words caused the other male cultivators to disregard Zhou Qingxue's well-being. Now that she could crush her wooden plaque and leave, they couldn't care less about her fate. All they prioritized now was killing monsters and accumulating points.
Zhou Qingxue was taken aback by the suggestion of crushing her wooden plaque. It had never crossed her mind. With her elementary Qi Refining cultivation, it would be a disgrace to crush her plaque and leave. She also hadn't anticipated that those she had just saved wouldn't be willing to repay the favor.
Just as the lizard was about to reach for Zhou Qingxue's clothing with its slimy tongue, Wei Zhao's whip coiled around the creature, flinging it dozens of meters away. To Zhou Qingxue's surprise, the person who came to her rescue was none other than Wei Zhao, whom she had looked down upon just moments ago.
Wei Zhao wasn't particularly interested in saving the "big cabbage" in front of her, but having read numerous novels recently, she subconsciously stepped in to save the person in need. However, she couldn't help but show some disdain in her eyes as she looked at Zhou Qingxue. After all, how could Zhou Qingxue, at her age, still be easily deceived by those people? Thus, Wei Zhao's glare carried a hint of scorn.
Zhou Qingxue was about to express her thanks, but upon seeing Wei Zhao's disdain, she swallowed her words and, with teary eyes, gazed at Wei Zhao standing in front of her, driving away the monsters with her whip.
Wei Zhao, however, didn't wish to save the "big cabbage" before her too much. She had just glanced at Zhou Qingxue, scored her second place on the points leaderboard, and proceeded to slay the remaining monsters. The male cultivators had to venture further to find monsters, as they had been unable to withstand Wei Zhao's speed and strength. Eventually, Zhou Qingxue was left alone with Wei Zhao.
Wei Zhao used a purification technique to clear the area of the monster corpses, and then sat down beside Zhou Qingxue. She took out a medicinal pill from her storage bag to recover her spiritual power, showing no intention of sharing it with Zhou Qingxue.
Only then did Zhou Qingxue remember that she had her own recovery pills. However, when she struggled to retrieve the pill from her storage bag, she realized that she could not use her spiritual power to open the bag.
She had to gather all her courage to say to Wei Zhao, "Hey, can you help me open the storage bag?"
Wei Zhao looked around in confusion before pointing at herself, "Are you talking to me?"
Tears welled up in Zhou Qingxue's eyes, and they rolled down her cheeks. Utterly upset, she muttered, "Of course I'm talking to you. Look around, is there anyone else here?"
"I have a name, and when you ask for help, you should do so with the right attitude. I didn't even realize you were calling me earlier," Wei Zhao said, showing no sign of taking the storage bag from Zhou Qingxue.
After Wei Zhao's response, Zhou Qingxue couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Each drop fell from her eyes, and with a quivering voice, she said, "I don't need your help. Waaah, I don't need your concern."
Wei Zhao gave Zhou Qingxue a glance, then nodded before saying, "Okay then, I'll take my leave."
"I'm leaving," Wei Zhao said as she continued walking ahead. Zhou Qingxue's heart sank. This was not what she had expected. In the past, she had always been the center of attention, especially as a young woman. Was this icy person really going to leave her like this?
If Wei Zhao left, Zhou Qingxue would have to crush her wooden plaque and return in embarrassment. The thought of this made her cry even louder.
As Wei Zhao moved ahead, she noticed that the "big cabbage" seemed to be crying even more. She felt a twinge of empathy and, after considering the lack of "hero abandons heroine" scenarios in the novels she had read, she felt unsure of what to do.
Author's Note:
Zhou Qingxue: "I'm crying, can't you come and comfort me?"
Wei Zhao: "I am just a niece like my master. To me, you are just a big cabbage!"
A note of gratitude to the kind souls who cast their votes and provided nourishment during the given period!
Chapter 49
Wei Zhao anxiously touched the scattered long hair around her ears and turned back, sitting next to Zhou Qingxue.
Zhou Qingxue buried herself in her legs, crying. Her hand was trembling as she held onto a storage bag.
Wei Zhao grabbed the bag from Zhou Qingxue, opened it with a spell, and lightly patted her, saying dryly, "Here's your storage bag. I've opened it for you."
While crying, Zhou Qingxue glanced at Wei Zhao and snatched the bag back. She buried her head and said between sobs, "Sob, Big Ice Cube, don't you know how to comfort someone? Can't you see I'm crying like this?"
In the past, she always received care and concern from her senior and junior martial brothers and sisters for even a slight injury. This Ice Cube, however, didn't care about her at all!
Wei Zhao thought she definitely saw it, but what did it have to do with her if a cabbage cried? If it weren't for the sake of virtue, she wouldn't bother with her.
But this cabbage seemed to be crying too hard. If one didn't know any better, they would think something serious had happened. Wei Zhao felt a bit sorry, but she wasn't good at comforting people. In this world, she had always revolved around Song Weizhi. After racking her brains, she finally remembered how her master used to comfort people.
So, Wei Zhao leaned towards Zhou Qingxue and hugged her, dryly saying, "Baby, don't cry."
Zhou Qingxue, already weak from crying, with a slight headache, was astonished when Wei Zhao called her "baby." She attempted to push Wei Zhao away with all her might but failed.
"Deng Tuzi, what nonsense are you talking? Let go of me," Zhou Qingxue said angrily, tears in her eyes.
Innocently, Wei Zhao said, "Didn't you ask me to comfort you? That's how my master comforts people. You're really a bother, being unable to be comforted."
"Is this how you comfort someone? It's clearly... clearly taking advantage of me," Zhou Qingxue blushed as she spoke.
"Taking advantage of you? Don't worry, I'm not interested in a cabbage like you. Hurry up and take the medicine from your storage bag. I shouldn't have bothered." Wei Zhao glanced at Zhou Qingxue with some disdain.
Wei Zhao's words made Zhou Qingxue furious. She considered herself fairly good-looking, and this Ice Cube actually called her a cabbage! Once she regained her strength, she would definitely teach this Ice Cube a lesson!
"You're the cabbage! Sob, when I regain my spiritual power, I'll teach you a lesson." Zhou Qingxue threatened, but she still leaned on Wei Zhao, barely managing to take out some spirit pills from her storage bag, swallowing a dozen or so.
Depleted of spiritual power and in the dry desert, Zhou Qingxue felt thirsty, but she didn't have any spring water or liquid in her storage bag. Unable to move, she could only rest against the Ice Cube.
Wei Zhao, on the other hand, took out a bag of spring water from her storage bag. Not that she liked drinking it, but her master's junior needed it when she first declined fasting. Since she felt a bit parched as well, she took out a bag to drink.
After a few sips, the dryness in her mouth subsided. Wei Zhao felt a scorching gaze beside her. She turned to see Zhou Qingxue, still red-eyed, looking at her.
Seeing Zhou Qingxue in such a distressed state tugged at Wei Zhao's heart, so she handed her the water, saying, "Drink some spring water. It's too dry here."
Zhou Qingxue, feeling weak, couldn't hold the bag steadily with both hands. Wei Zhao had to help her lift the bag and slowly bring the water to her lips.
Once she had a few sips, Zhou Qingxue shook her head slightly and whispered, "No more, thank you."
Wei Zhao almost doubted her ears. Did this miss just thank her? It made her feel quite awkward.
"It's fine. I can't let you die of thirst," Wei Zhao said nonchalantly.
Meanwhile, Song Zhixia and Zhao Xuankun weren't as fortunate. Countless octopus demons emerged from the sea, depleting their spiritual powers. Covered in filth and barely holding onto their spirit swords, the duo struggled to fend off the demons.
After what seemed like an eternity, a black barrier appeared above the endless sea. Expending almost all their strength, Song Zhixia and Zhao Xuankun managed to break through and dive into the barrier.
As they landed in a spacious area, the stench on their bodies, reminiscent of fish innards, made others feel queasy, distancing themselves from the pair.
With their spiritual powers depleted, they couldn't cast purification spells. Song Zhixia found the smell overwhelming and fretted about her senior sister's potential reaction to her disheveled appearance.
In another part of the forest, a similar black barrier emerged, catapulting Song Weizhi out, not far from where Song Zhixia and Zhao Xuankun were. Upon landing, she overheard someone discussing her and the stench.
"Where did they go? I can't stand the smell. I won't be able to eat fish from now on."
"Indeed, the fish innards smell is disgusting. Can't they cast a purification spell and clean themselves?"
"Yeah, it might not trouble them, but it does bother us. Let's move away."
Following the gazes of the conversing individuals, Song Weizhi noticed that the female cultivator looked like her junior sister. However, she was in a dismal state, covered in blue slime, emitting a fishy smell. She took a few steps forward, and her junior sister saw her, immediately becoming flustered, "Senior sister, don't come closer. I look hideous. Sob."
Zhao Xuankun was stunned. Song Zhixia wasn't afraid when facing numerous demons, but upon seeing her senior sister, she turned timid?
Helpless, Song Weizhi cast several purification spells and approached, "What's wrong with you two?"
Her junior sister, with red-rimmed eyes, sniffed herself and, feeling no different than a salted fish, said, "Senior sister, just wait. I smell bad."
Song Weizhi chuckled and said, "No need to worry. I've just cast several purification spells, and now you both are clean."
Song Zhixia looked at Song Weizhi skeptically. Was her senior sister assuming she was upset and trying to comfort her? As her junior sister contemplated, Song Weizhi approached, sitting next to her and gently placing her hand on her wrist to check her spiritual power. She found her junior sister's spiritual power completely depleted.
Furrowing her brow, Song Weizhi asked with concern, "How did this happen? How did you run out of spiritual power?"
"We went into a sea area and were attacked by countless octopus demons. After that, we ended up in this state," Song Zhixia explained.
Song Weizhi promptly took out spirit pills from the storage bag and instructed them to meditate and regain their spiritual power while she watched over them.
Before long, several others arrived at the same location. Accompanied by a few disciples, Zhou Chengwen appeared as well. It seemed like this place was becoming a gathering spot.
The rankings on the wooden sign kept changing, but Song Weizhi maintained the top spot. Even Zhou Chengwen took notice of her and approached, "Congratulations, Junior Sister Song, for rising to the top so quickly. Would you like to explore other places together later?"
Standing still, Song Weizhi coldly eyed Zhou Chengwen and replied, "No need. I have my own companions."
"That's fine. I won't disturb you further," Zhou Chengwen said as he went back to rest, surprised by Song Weizhi's refusal. Nonetheless, he wasn't in a rush. He would have plenty of opportunities to get to know her in the future.
During the wait for companions and the chance to rest, over twenty disciples were eliminated. Some fainted from exhaustion and were teleported out by the formation, while others broke their wooden plaques. Zhou Chengwen was worried about his sister. She lacked experience and had been overly pampered by their family. He feared that she might suffer.
While anxiously waiting for his sister, two people emerged from the barrier: Wei Zhao and Zhou Qingxue. However, Zhou Qingxue was being carried by Wei Zhao, held horizontally in her arms! Zhou Chengwen's expression darkened instantly.
Before he could rush forward, Wei Zhao put Zhou Qingxue down, grumbling, "You're heavy, Miss. We're here. Get down quickly."
"Do you think I want you to carry me?" Zhou Qingxue couldn't take it anymore. She raised her voice, feeling unfairly treated. She had never suffered such injustice, and besides, she wasn't even fat! That Ice Cube was deliberately trying to provoke her!
"In that case, Miss, feel free. I can't attend to you anymore." Wei Zhao gave the person still leaning on her a nudge, prepared to leave without considering whether Zhou Qingxue had the strength to stand on her own.
Song Weizhi was dumbfounded. Was her guard really this insensible? She pushed the girl while she struggled to stand?
Seeing Zhou Qingxue's predicament, Zhou Chengwen's face turned as dark as coal. He rushed over to hold Zhou Qingxue in his arms and asked, "Qingxue, what's going on? Who is she? Did she bully you?"
Chapter 50
Wei Zhao Xin really didn't know who was bullying whom. If she had known saving someone would be so difficult, she wouldn't have trusted the stories in the book!
The whole incident started with the appearance of the black barrier gate in the desert. Wei Zhao Xin was overjoyed to see the gate. She had been worried about Song Wei Zhi and Song Zhi Xia, and she longed to rush over to see them.
However, Zhou Qing Xue's voice emerged from her arms, and she realized she had to deal with this troublesome "big cabbage."
"Can you take me with you? This is my first time venturing out alone. My family has always pampered me like a child. I don't want to return in defeat. It's embarrassing," Zhou Qing Xue said, her eyes reddened, tugging at Wei Zhao Xin's clothes.
The tension between them was gone. Wei Zhao Xin found it somewhat awkward. She grumbled, "Fine, it's such a hassle. I shouldn't have read those stories. They are all lies."
So Wei Zhao Xin squatted down in front of Zhou Qing Xue, hoisted the young lady on her back. But before she had taken ten steps, the young lady already had a complaint.
"Ah, Wei Zhao Xin, your back is so hard, all bones and uncomfortable. It's also painful around my legs," Zhou Qing Xue stated from Wei Zhao Xin's back.
"What should I do then? Should I just carry you instead?" Wei Zhao Xin asked exasperatedly. Interfering was indeed troublesome.
"Could you, um, carry me? It's less uncomfortable that way," Zhou Qing Xue said, feeling a bit embarrassed, as she was not used to being carried by others.
Wei Zhao Xin took a deep breath, looked at Zhou Qing Xue disdainfully, and didn't bother to say anything. She simply carried her and rushed towards the barrier, which resulted in the scene they had just caused.
Upon hearing her brother's stern tone, Zhou Qing Xue hastened to explain, "It's not what you think, brother. Wei Zhao Xin helped me in the secret realm. I was originally there to help those disciples, but my spiritual power was depleted. Those disciples no longer cared about me, and it was Wei Zhao Xin who helped me get here safely."
Although Zhou Cheng Wen glared at the disciples Zhou Qing Xue mentioned, he still felt something was off. Even if his sister's spiritual power was depleted, Wei Zhao Xin didn't need to carry her in such an intimate manner. It was surely his sister's naivety! Wei Zhao Xin took advantage of her!
"Qing Xue, did Wei Zhao Xin voluntarily carry you like that? Let me tell you, she didn't have good intentions," Zhou Cheng Wen was on the verge of exploding. His sister had been pampered since childhood, and now she had been taken advantage of!
Watching from afar as Wei Zhao Xin chatted with Song Wei Zhi, Zhou Qing Xue mumbled under her breath, disgruntled, "I don't exchange many words with her, but she can talk with her just fine, can't she? Who cares! I'm not going to bother about such things."
Although she claimed not to care, her eyes occasionally shifted towards Wei Zhao Xin and Song Wei Zhi's direction. This drew Zhou Cheng Wen's attention, fueling his irritation. He only had one sister, and he had to take several deep breaths to calm himself down.
After assisting Zhou Qing Xue in resting under a tree and having her consume some spirit-restoring pills, he sat down beside her, noticing that her gaze was fixed on Wei Zhao Xin.
Wei Zhao Xin, free from the nuisance of Zhou Qing Xue, was content and immediately sat down next to Song Wei Zhi, recounting the incident in the secret realm.
Seeing Wei Zhao Xin conversing with Song Wei Zhi in the distance, Zhou Qing Xue muttered under her breath, "She barely speaks to me, but she can chat with her just fine? Tch, who cares. I'm not going to mind such matters."
Despite verbalizing her disinterest, her eyes wandered towards Wei Zhao Xin and Song Wei Zhi's direction from time to time. Naturally, Zhou Cheng Wen followed suit and glanced at Wei Zhao Xin, growing increasingly angry. His sister's visit to the secret realm had turned into someone else's show!
Song Wei Zhi was astonished. She felt she was already broad-minded enough, but her family's bodyguard was more straightforward than her. She looked at Wei Zhao Xin with an expression that was hard to decipher, fulfilling her duty to protect her family's little girl.
Feeling bored, Wei Zhao Xin decided to rest on the spot, waiting for Song Zhi Xia and Zhao Xuan Kun to wake up.
After a considerable amount of time, Song Zhi Xia slowly regained consciousness. Upon opening her eyes, she saw Song Wei Zhi. She gently tugged at Song Wei Zhi's sleeve and said, "Senior Sister, I've recovered thirty percent of my spiritual power."
Song Wei Zhi embraced the junior sister in her arms and said softly, "Good, there's no rush. I checked the rankings, and we have four positions in the top ten. You three should rest."
As Song Wei Zhi spoke, the junior sister leaned closer to her and murmured softly, "Senior Sister, I miss you, Xia Xia misses you."
The corners of Song Wei Zhi's lips lifted slightly, "I miss Xia Xia too. It seems we won't need to be apart for the rest of the secret realm."
As she said this, Song Wei Zhi pinched the junior sister's hand, and her eyes involuntarily glanced at the girl's rosy lips. She felt an urge to kiss the junior sister.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, Zhou Ye Ran and a few elders all had different expressions. First, they witnessed Zhou Qing Xue and Wei Zhao Xin's intimate display, which already infuriated Zhou Ye Ran. Now, Song Wei Zhi and Song Zhi Xia had openly embraced each other.
Of course, those inside the secret realm were unaware of this. Zhou Cheng Wen handed the spirit fruit-made dessert to his sister, but she showed no interest, turned to look at Wei Zhao Xin across the room, then suddenly stood up and strode towards her.
Song Wei Zhi and Song Zhi Xia watched as Zhou Qing Xue approached, seemingly with murderous eyes. They saw her nonchalantly offer the dessert to Wei Zhao Xin. "Icy, this is for you. Thank you for helping me just now."
"What? It's fine; I'm not fond of sweets..." Before Wei Zhao Xin could finish speaking, she felt a light pinch at her waist. Puzzled, she glanced around, only to realize that her master was pinching her. Realizing that her master might want the dessert, she swallowed the words about not liking sweets, reached out, and took the dessert, saying, "Thank you then, I'll accept it."
Upon hearing Wei Zhao Xin's words of gratitude, Zhou Qing Xue's lips involuntarily rose, but she acted as if she didn't care. She waved her hand, then quickly returned to sit next to Zhou Cheng Wen without noticing her brother's odd expression, her gaze fixed on Wei Zhao Xin.
Wei Zhao Xin took off the cloth covering the dessert and reached out to give it to Song Wei Zhi. "Master, did you want this when you pinched me just now? I was about to refuse as I'm not keen on sweets."
Song Wei Zhi was at a loss, but the junior sister burst into laughter.
Song Wei Zhi felt like somebody was watching their group from across the room. She looked at Zhou Qing Xue with what seemed to be hostile eyes.
Song Wei Zhi immediately handed the dessert back to Wei Zhao Xin, saying solemnly, "This was specially given to you by Miss Zhou. Have it yourself, and don't waste Miss Zhou's kind gesture. We won't have any of it."
If they were to have the dessert, Zhou Qing Xue would undoubtedly be furious.
Wei Zhao Xin looked at the dessert and then her master. Understanding her master's words, she decided not to waste the food. She obediently took the dessert and began to eat it alone.
Seeing Wei Zhao Xin eating the dessert, Zhou Qing Xue's frozen expression softened slightly. She thought to herself, "What a stubborn ice cube. If it's given to you, just eat it yourself. Didn't you see Song Wei Zhi embracing another girl in her arms? Why are you still trying to suck up to her? You're so oblivious—why didn't you treat me better just now!"
Zhou Qing Xue was so absorbed in observing Wei Zhao Xin that she didn't pay attention when her brother spoke to her, which irritated Zhou Cheng Wen. Besides, the fruit dessert was made by their mother! He had not even eaten it yet, and she had given it all away! It exasperated him. He felt that this trip to the secret realm had fallen short.
However, the peaceful atmosphere in the realm was disturbed after a while as dark clouds gathered in the sky. Zhou Cheng Wen frowned slightly, instinctively protecting his sister behind him.
Observing the clouds, Song Wei Zhi reached out and felt the junior sister's pulse and sensed the churn of spiritual energy in her, "Xia Xia, it seems you're about to form the golden core."
Song Wei Zhi's words left the junior sister dumbfounded. Was she about to form the core? But she only had thirty percent of her spiritual power.
Zhao Xuan Kun and Wei Zhao Xin also rushed over, frantic upon hearing that Song Zhi Xia was about to form the core. Zhao Xuan Kun immediately retrieved all the talismans that helped him overcome the tribulation. "These are for you, Shizhu. They should help you through the first tribulation."
Seeing that neither Song Wei Zhi nor Song Zhi Xia reached for the talismans, Zhao Xuan Kun grew anxious, "It's already this late, and Shizhu hasn't fully recovered yet. She won't be able to withstand three tribulations alone. You two have experienced life and death together. At this moment, don't refuse."
Song Wei Zhi nodded and took the talismans, "Thank you for these."
She then placed the talismans around Song Zhi Xia, "Don't be afraid, these talismans will help you endure the first tribulation. The rest remains the same, each of us will handle half."
SongZhi Xia, her eyes red with tears, shook her head, "No, I'll face this alone. I don't want senior sister to get hurt."
Song Wei Zhi smiled and gently ruffled the junior sister's hair, "I'm not that easy to hurt. Xia Xia, didn't you forget my cultivation? Don't worry; just trust me."
As she spoke, Song Wei Zhi's Convergence Sword had materialized, and she stood by Song Zhi Xia's side, not leaving her for an instant.
Wei Zhao Xin, seeing her master standing there, knew that she intended to shield her junior partner from the tribulation. She ran over, declaring, "Master, I can assist in facing one of the tribulations too."
With a smile at her bodyguard, Song Wei Zhi gently waved her hand, placing Wei Zhao Xin next to Zhou Qing Xue, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Although Song Wei Zhi's voice was not loud, everyone present could clearly hear her words: "You stay by Miss Zhou's side, and do not come over."
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