Chapter 140

On the high cliff, a thin garment caught the wind and scattered like a swath of colored clouds.

Yun Shuchen looked down at her, brows slightly furrowed, then reached out to touch her cheek, which was flushed warmly from the wine. Qing Zhouxue felt a chill against her face and instinctively pressed into the hand, fitting perfectly.

"Qing'er... not here. Let's go back to the room."

From Qing Zhouxue's perspective, those red lips parted and closed, as if speaking. But whatever was said was lost to the buzzing wind at her ears; she could hear nothing clearly.

She lowered her head; a clear, powerful heartbeat pounded in her ears.

Under the moonlight pouring from all directions, the exposed skin was startlingly white. Qing Zhouxue suddenly thought of the dough she had kneaded... Last time, when making pastries, she had worked a whole batch with care.

Yun Shuchen watched her lean in.

Above hung a solitary moon; below stretched an endless abyss. All around was empty. Though it was their own cliff, no outsider could spy on them.

Until she could bear it no longer, using the last shred of her strength, she tried to push Qing'er away, but the drunk woman seemed unusually bold, frowning in dissatisfaction. A shard of ice crystal rose from the snow and trapped her wrist.

And so they spent the whole night on Yimeng Cliff in the biting wind.

Full daylight came.

Qing Zhouxue's head throbbed from the hangover. She opened her eyes and sat up, emerging from dreams. She felt beneath her and found a layer of fur blanket.

Just as she sensed something amiss, she glanced aside and froze.

Her master was still asleep.

Qing Zhouxue carefully pulled open her collar, which had been torn askew, and found it covered in kiss marks, scratch marks, and even faint teeth imprints—never so brutal before.

Her hand trembled slightly. She retrieved a healing pill from her ring, inspected her whole body, and applied bruise cream wherever needed.

Her finger brushed the flower mark—the most severe spot, red and swollen from kisses. The moment Qing Zhouxue touched it with medicine, Yun Shuchen stirred uncomfortably, eyes half-lidded as she looked over.

"I..."

Yun Shuchen stared at her for a long moment, then said faintly, "Previously, when you got drunk, didn't you just sleep?"

Qing Zhouxue was at a loss, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. She coughed lightly. "...I don't know either."

Yun Shuchen rubbed the inside of her thigh, pushed herself up with a wince, feeling quite sore, as if she had pulled a muscle. She barely tied her sash and gave a cold snort. "Hurry up and take your things to the Main Peak. I'll deal with you next time."

Indeed, this was the day of parting. For cultivators, a year was truly nothing.

But Qing Zhouxue thought carefully: a year meant passing a lazy spring, watching summer flowers bloom then fall into the mud, waiting for fruit on the trees, and even after the fruit dropped, one must wait until fine snow covered the old soil again.

Standing at the cliff's edge, Qing Zhouxue looked down at that. "We were in the wind all night. Master, remember to drink something to ward off the chill."

"Alright."

She helped her master walk back to the courtyard.

Their belongings had been packed long ago, leaving no excuse to linger.

"When the time comes, will you come watch my match?"

Yun Shuchen replied, "Of course. Everyone will come."

Qing Zhouxue nodded. She walked a few steps, slowed, and gradually stopped in place.

At that moment, her white dress swirled into a lotus beneath her. She turned and suddenly hugged Yun Shuchen.

In the brief embrace, Yun Shuchen stroked her back. "Since you've decided to go, fight well. But don't push yourself too hard. I'd rather see you come back whole."

"Mm." She nodded heavily again.

To not miss the time, she had to let go and leave, carrying her sword.

Yun Shuchen watched her figure disappear at the end of Heyi Peak. She looked for a long while, then, unlike her earlier calm demeanor, turned her head and let out a sigh.

In truth, if she said she wasn't worried—of course she was. But since Qing Zhouxue wore her heart on her sleeve, Yun Shuchen would restrain herself all the more, so as not to bring her spirits down further.

A crow-sparrow flew from afar, flapping its wings to land on her shoulder. Yun Shuchen's brows twitched slightly. She brushed her shoulder casually, and the black bird gave a cry, fluttered down, and transformed into a little girl.

The girl looked up and said softly, "My master said she's on duty at Jialuo Palace and can't easily come out to see you lately. She happened to catch wind that Tang Wuyue has been stirring these past days—fearing she's plotting revenge."

"I understand."

Yun Shuchen handed her a small bottle. The girl saluted respectfully, then jumped up, morphing back into the black bird, and flew off unsteadily toward the horizon.

Yun Shuchen laughed coldly, then turned and went back to the courtyard.

---

At the drilling ground, the Sect Leader was waiting for the younger disciples. Uncle-master Yue seemed to have come to join the fun, chatting with Ruan Mingzhu.

"Years no see, you're still the same as ever."

Ruan Mingzhu sensed something, turned at the sound, and smiled at her.

Qing Zhouxue nodded. Years without seeing her, Ruan Mingzhu had indeed matured much, let alone Lin Xunzhen and Bai Su.

The Sect Leader gave a few instructions, then sighed. "Alright, enough rambling. Set off early."

Uncle-master Yue gave a charming smile. "Work hard now! Back in the day... ahem, aim to pin those old farts' disciples to the ground and beat them!"

"..."

Though everyone shared that wish, having it said in such a blunt manner by Uncle-master Yue still made them all lean back slightly.

The Qingshuang Sword gleamed brighter under the sunlight. Qing Zhouxue stepped onto her flying sword, and together with her fellow disciples, she soared one after another toward the sky.

The road to Liuyun Sect was actually shorter than to Beiyuan Mountain, taking only half the time as last time.

Lin Xunzhen tilted her head up, straining to see Liuyun Sect.

As they approached the central mountain range, they felt the ground below fall into shadow. Because that floating rock was enormous, blocking out the light.

Ruan Mingzhu laughed. "What boldness, to build this thing like a heavenly palace. Going up there—can we see the Queen Mother?"

Bai Su, however, frowned at the area shrouded in shadow. "Such large swaths without light, all vegetation withering—truly overbearing."

Amid a swirl of auspicious clouds, cultivators from all directions hovered like a flock of birds at the entrance of the 'heavenly palace.'

Qing Zhouxue led on her sword.

As they flew higher, they saw a majestic crimson gate reaching toward the sky. Liuyun Sect's name, written in large black characters, was embedded deeply in a golden frame, refracting sharp light in the sun.

At the gate stood a woman, dressed in white with gold borders, looking extraordinary, with a long tassel hanging from her sword knot.

A junior sister beside her, holding a paper ledger, seemed to be recording the participants' names for later checking.

And on the other side sat a familiar face—Senior Ji.

Qing Zhouxue and the others stepped onto the floating rock, waited in line for a while, and finally approached the gate.

Ji Linjiang noticed her, gave a slight smile, then turned to say something to the junior disciple holding the brush. The brush moved subtly, and the disciple nodded repeatedly.

The young woman looked toward Qing Zhouxue, seeming to inspect her carefully.

At first, from a distance, Qing Zhouxue hadn't recognized her. Only when closer did she realize—that was Liuyun Sect's senior disciple of the sect.

Gu Ruoshui.

They had met in battle years ago.

Gu Ruoshui remained as always, maintaining a polite but distant attitude toward visitors.

But when she saw Qing Zhouxue, her gaze locked onto her, dark and unreadable.

"A pleasure."

Gu Ruoshui withdrew her gaze and dropped two words coldly, her manner noticeably more icy.

Qing Zhouxue nodded as well. "A pleasure."

After crossing the gate, Ruan Mingzhu was already covered in goosebumps. She rubbed her arms. "That one's face—like we owe her silver, acting even mightier than an ancestor. But, Qing Zhouxue, I finally see someone colder than you."

Her comparison succeeded in making Bai Su laugh, but Lin Xunzhen gave a light cough, signaling her to say less.

After all, it was another's territory; discretion was wise.

Qing Zhouxue shook her head. She felt Gu Ruoshui's gaze wasn't quite friendly.

But that was within reason—they were rivals after all.

After signing in, a junior sister from the Immortal Sect led them to their lodgings.

Along the way, as they advanced step by step, mist parted before them, like a wonderland. Qing Zhouxue glanced sideways at the plants, all potted in large arrangements, trimmed meticulously. The pavilions, needless to say, were crimson and luxurious, elegant and proper.

"A beauty unlike Taichu Sect."

She heard Bai Su murmur in admiration.

Qing Zhouxue withdrew her gaze. In truth, she preferred Taichu Sect. Though less orderly, all things there followed natural Dao, letting plants and people grow unchecked.

Liuyun Sect was far more extravagant than Lingxu Sect, with even ordinary disciples' quarters being private rooms.

But they were honored guests for the competition, so their treatment was even better.

Following the junior sister another li, they came to a large courtyard.

In the center was a great pool, the spiritual energy so dense it dyed the water a deep, profound blue. The layout was intricate; walking around, they found it arranged like a yin-yang tai chi diagram.

Apart from the main hall, there were exactly four rooms—east, west, south, north—each for one to split up.

The junior sister said, "Any pills in the rooms, fellow cultivators may take. The spirit pool in the center may be used freely."

She then pressed the head of a bronze beast in the main hall; its mouth opened, emitting a wisp of smoke. "If you need to refine pills, put materials into the beast's mouth and control the fire well. The flame size will show in the beast's eyes."

Bai Su's eyes lit up.

In the main hall hung a painting, its mountains and clouds seeming to shift faintly. The junior sister added, "This is a small microcosm world, with formations set inside, various martial arts trials, so you won't get rusty."

Even the two spirit eagles that had flown in with Ruan Mingzhu got a beautiful cage, well-fed and watered, hung to the side.

According to the junior sister, they had also considered the possibility of companions bringing spirit pets.

At the back mountain, there were several blessed grotto-heavens, catering to rare spirit roots and suitable cultivation environments, most of which were available. Hearing this, Qing Zhouxue took note, since her master had specifically mentioned it.

After she left, all four sighed.

Outside came strains of immortal music, the murmur of water; the incense lit inside coiled about, aiding cultivation.

"Too extravagant," Ruan Mingzhu sighed again. "If they treat outsiders like this, then being an inner disciple—they'd probably eat elixirs like candy. Who'd need to choose spirit roots? Even without them, one could become immortal."

Ruan Mingzhu exaggerated slightly, but Qing Zhouxue did feel that Liuyun Sect's foundation was deep, incomparable to ordinary sects.

She recalled Yun Shuchen's matter, and her heart sank again.

---

Qing Zhouxue chose the north-facing room.

She traveled light, bringing little. Even after laying everything out, the bedroom remained spacious and bright.

The incense here, though aiding cultivation, Qing Zhouxue had long been accustomed to the faint scent of Nine Harmony fragrance with each breath.

She didn't like it, so she extinguished the carved silver incense burner early.

Outside came occasional sounds, likely from junior and senior sisters unpacking.

Seeing the day grow late, she closed the window. From here, she couldn't see the sunset of Heyi Peak.

As darkness fell, Qing Zhouxue sat on the bed. She had no habit of meditating through the night, but after lying awake for half an hour, she finally sat up abruptly.

Unused to the bed, she couldn't sleep.

Thus, she had to begin cultivating to avoid wasting time. For some reason, she felt the night was especially long. Finally enduring till dawn, she heard a knock on her door.

"Are you up? A messenger just came, saying we're invited to a gathering at the main hall." It was Ruan Mingzhu.

Qing Zhouxue rose, walked to the door, and brought her sword along. Lin Xunzhen and Bai Su had also just stepped out.

The lodging was far from the main hall, but flying swords were forbidden within Liuyun Sect, so they had to walk.

Liuyun Sect's main hall was the grandest, towering in the center. Layer upon layer of crimson tiles brighter than cockscomb red, sunlight flowing over the ridges, shimmering at the edges.

When they arrived, it was already packed with a sea of heads.

No matter how transcendent, crowded together, one felt slightly warm. Only Qing Zhouxue radiated coolness around her, which made others press closer, almost leaning against her.

She frowned slightly and stopped circulating her energy, preferring to suffer the heat alone rather than have others close.

She looked at the center of the main hall. Liuyun Sect's Sect Leader looked young, in Daoist robes, with an air of immortality. From what she'd heard earlier from Lin Xunzhen—the sect's leader often changed; the true power was the old ancestor, Taishang Wangqing.

Taishang Wangqing.

No one knew her name, only her Daoist title.

Currently the strongest cultivator in the Nine Provinces, the controversial Emotionless Dao—she alone had walked it to the end.

Qing Zhouxue scanned the faces; by their robes, they should be elders.

No sign of that old ancestor.

Perhaps still in seclusion.

She lowered her eyes and waited quietly. The sect leader of the Immortal Sect expressed welcome to those who came from afar, then introduced the schedule of the Immortal Ascension Assembly.

The decisive round was indeed a traditional arena competition.

But in this nearly year-long cultivation, it also tested the cultivators' dispositions; anyone causing trouble, framing others, would be disqualified.

Besides that, the Dao Discussion Pavilion would open daily at the hour of Chen. Likely a place to make friends and discuss the Dao.

After the meeting dispersed, the cultivators filtered out, and judging by their direction, they were all heading to the back mountain, eager to explore.

After all, Liuyun Sect's blessed grotto-heavens offered some harsh cultivation environments, rare for those with uncommon spiritual roots.

Qing Zhouxue, with her extremely rare spirit root that few seniors in the Nine Provinces possessed, naturally was included.

Exiting the main hall, Ruan Mingzhu blinked. "Are you all going to cultivate?"

"Or train together?" Lin Xunzhen glanced at her.

"I'm heading back first," Bai Su said, a bit anxious, walking quickly. "The elixir I refined yesterday, if I don't take it out soon, it'll burn."

"..."

Lin Xunzhen, seeing this, mused, "Then let's practice tonight instead. I also want to check out the back mountain. With so many resources here, it'd be a shame not to use them."

"Ah, each one of you," Ruan Mingzhu tilted her head. "I've been cooped up by my master all these years, finally able to see daylight. Qing Zhouxue, want to go check out the outer sect's dining hall?"

Qing Zhouxue was still lost in thought.

On the first day at Liuyun Sect, thinking of sneaking into their dining hall—if someone recognized them from Taichu Sect... Under Lin Xunzhen's murderous glare, Ruan Mingzhu stopped mid-sentence and shot a look back. "Fine, don't go. Why are you glaring at me!"

"Nothing." Lin Xunzhen looked away with a sigh. "Anyway, see you tonight."

Her junior and senior sisters left one after another, likely with plans of their own. Qing Zhouxue circled the hall, waiting for the crowd to thin before heading to the blessed grotto-heavens.

The Qingshuang Sword hung behind her, then suddenly gave a faint, ethereal call.

"A familiar aura..."

Qing Zhouxue's footsteps halted abruptly. She turned to look at her sword, brows furrowed. "Who do you mean?"

But no matter how much she asked, the sword spirit of Qingshuang fell silent again. However, its tassel swayed, as if trying to lead Qing Zhouxue somewhere.

Her own sword would never harm her. So Qing Zhouxue followed it, passing several unfamiliar halls, wandering around until they again wound up at the back mountain.

Qing Zhouxue saw various grotto-heavens of all sizes.

The Qingshuang Sword headed for the coldest place, where there seemed to be a cave emitting a cold blue light, surrounded by white mist, swirling and drifting faintly.

Just as she moved closer to look, a voice called out, "Fellow Daoist, wait."