An Encounter with the Tsundere Immortal Lady Chapter 4

The Wanhen Sect had five main peaks and forty-five lesser peaks. The main peaks were all located where the spiritual energy of the entire sect was most abundant. They were Sky Peak, Yulan Peak, Huanyu Peak, Chenchang Peak, and Liuguang Peak, respectively. Four of these peaks were situated in the four cardinal directions—east, south, west, and north—surrounding and protecting the central Sky Peak. The forty-five lesser peaks, in turn, surrounded their respective main peaks in a nine-by-nine formation, composing an incredibly wondrous and powerful grand formation for the entire Wanhen Sect.
Around the lesser peaks were countless smaller peaks, scattered around them.
Muyun Peak, where Lin Wuxi lived, was a small peak next to the lesser Yunhua Peak. In terms of spiritual energy alone, it couldn’t even compare to Yunhua Peak, and compared to the main peaks, the difference was almost like heaven and earth.
Even so, the spiritual energy on Muyun Peak was still much better than in other places in the cultivation world. The Wanhen Sect itself was built on a large spiritual meridian. Coupled with meticulously arranged formations and tens of millions of years of accumulation, the density of its spiritual energy was absolutely incomparable to the outside world.
Lin Wuxi’s furnishings were simple. The old wooden bed in the center was most conspicuous. Other than that, there was a wooden table, a wooden chair, and a simple cabinet. The simplicity of the furnishings made it seem almost uninhabited. The Wanhen Sect’s treatment of its disciples wasn’t harsh; such decor could only be attributed to the owner’s personality.
Lin Wuxi frowned slightly. She actually didn’t particularly want to return here. It would only make her recall more things she didn’t want to remember. But she hadn’t had time to change residences. Although the seven-year examination had passed, the secret realm that would open in a month didn’t leave her much time to prepare. So, this matter could only be postponed.
Lin Wuxi took out her stored talisman-drawing materials. She spread sheets of talisman paper on the table, dipped her brush in cinnabar ink, and began to draw talismans.
Talismans were rarely used in the cultivation world anymore. This was because learning to create them was extremely tedious and time-consuming, and the talent required was not low. Even if one mastered it, the success rate of drawing talismans was extremely low. Spending the time used to study talismans on cultivation yielded far better results than using talismans.
Therefore, even though talismans had very low cultivation requirements for use, so low that even someone at Lin Wuxi’s early stage of cultivation could use them, those who studied talismans still became increasingly rare. By now, most cultivators were unaware that such things still existed in the cultivation world.
But for Lin Wuxi, who was only at the late Enlightenment stage, talismans were already a powerful tool for her at present. Although talismans drawn on paper were less powerful than those formed directly with spiritual energy, they could still be unexpectedly effective at times.
Drawing talismans on paper was extremely complex and difficult. The movement and positioning of the brush and ink, the control and amount of spiritual energy infused, all had to be precise, allowing for no mistakes whatsoever. These demanding requirements meant that even the most skilled talisman masters could only maintain a success rate of no more than fifty percent.
Lin Wuxi’s forehead was already covered in a thin sheen of sweat. The prolonged concentration had made her slightly tired. Putting down her brush, Lin Wuxi walked to the window. The sky had already started to dim, and the bamboo forest outside the window looked especially cool and serene under the evening light.
A breeze blew, lifting the loose strands of hair by Lin Wuxi’s ear. Her ink-black hair cascaded slowly down the elegant curve of her back. The gentle wind rustled the hem of her green robe, making it dance lightly by her side. Her slender figure, set against the evening breeze and encroaching night, seemed to be veiled in a thick, lingering mist.
A month wasn’t long. After all matters concerning the seven-year examination had concluded, Lin Wuxi received a notice from the Wanhen Sect. It stated that due to Lin Wuxi’s outstanding performance in the mental state trial, according to sect regulations, she was specially permitted to receive treatment equivalent to that of a core disciple, and could accompany the sect on various external missions. It expressed the hope that she would continue to work hard, and also informed her that in three days, the sect members would depart for the Xuantian Secret Realm, reminding Lin Wuxi to make thorough preparations.
Putting down the scroll, Lin Wuxi thought to herself, It’s finally here. Her slender fingertips tightened. “This time, I cannot afford to fail.”
The Xuantian Secret Realm was rumored to be a unique secret realm left behind by the Immortal Realm. It opened once every fifty years for one month. During this period, only three hundred cultivators under the age of fifty could enter. Inside, fierce astral winds blew year-round; the entire realm was made of hard rock, desolate and boundless. However, it contained medicinal herbs and ores unique to the Immortal Realm. Although in the Immortal Realm they might just be common weeds and ordinary stones, in the cultivation world, they became priceless treasures.
Therefore, even though it was fraught with danger, the three major sects still vied to send their most outstanding young disciples to participate. Firstly, it was for the ores and medicinal herbs inside; secondly, it was for the harsh trials within. Although dangers were everywhere, as long as one followed the established routes to explore and collect, there was generally no risk of death. Over time, this had become a unique assessment for outstanding disciples in the cultivation world.
Early morning, at Sky Peak of the Wanhen Sect. The sun had just cast its first rays, and a few scattered, thick cirrus clouds drifted in the pale grey sky. The blowing wind seemed to carry the lingering chill of the night. Every breath of inhaled air was rich with fragrant spiritual energy, making one feel refreshed and invigorated.
Today was the day to depart for the Xuantian Secret Realm. The group of nearly a hundred people had arrived early at the designated place, just waiting for the martial uncles’ command to set off.
Lin Wuxi was naturally among them. Today, she still wore her green robe, her hair like ink, her figure like bamboo. Her eyes, however, were fixed on the distance, her dark pupils showing no emotion. The place she gazed at was a vast expanse of mountains. The undulating mountain range stretched for thousands of miles, truly appearing hazy and serenely beautiful in the early morning mist that had yet to dissipate. But was Lin Wuxi really looking only at this mountain range?
Among the traveling party, some had naturally noticed this person with an outstanding temperament yet peculiar behavior. Apart from Lin Wuxi, the rest of these several dozen people were all core disciples of the sect. Among them, the well-informed were a minority. They naturally knew that Lin Wuxi was the special reward recipient from the recent mental state trial. Most of these core disciples were proud individuals. They too had naturally participated in the mental state trial, but without exception, none had passed. Losing to that monstrous genius who surpassed them in everything, they naturally had nothing to say. But losing to a newcomer who was only at the late Enlightenment stage, for them as core disciples, even if they didn’t say it, they still felt somewhat frustrated.
Just then, someone walked over. This person had their hair tied up, with regular and handsome features. Spiritual energy flowed around them, indicating an extraordinary cultivation base. Observing their gait and demeanor, everything was calm and unhurried. Truly a graceful and handsome young master.
He cupped his fist and said, “I am Zhou Cheng. I heard long ago that a remarkable woman passed the sect’s mental state trial. I’ve always been curious what kind of talent could overcome this unique sect formation that has stumped countless people. Seeing Miss Wuxi today, your temperament is truly outstanding; it is genuinely admirable. Well, my companion, Junior Brother Qi Chun, greatly admires your demeanor, Miss Wuxi. He specially asked me to invite you to travel with us, so we can look out for each other on the way. I wonder what Miss Wuxi thinks?”
Lin Wuxi followed Zhou Cheng’s gaze and saw a round-faced young man looking over in their direction from time to time. When he met her gaze, his cheeks immediately flushed, and he looked away.
Lin Wuxi found the young man well-behaved and cute, and felt quite amused. She readily agreed, “The journey is long. It is Wuxi’s utmost honor to be able to travel with two senior brothers.”
Seeing Lin Wuxi agree, the round-faced young man quickly trotted over, and introduced himself with a red face, “Hello, I’m Qi Chun. I’m so glad you accepted our invitation. I hope we can become friends in the future.”
Just as Lin Wuxi was about to respond, there was a sudden flash of light, and a graceful figure appeared on Sky Peak. This person, with an ethereal bearing, immediately drew everyone’s attention upon appearing, including Zhou Cheng and Qi Chun.
“So beautiful,” sighed the round-faced young man. “Senior Sister Yu Huang is always this beautiful.”
Indeed, it was Yu Huang.
It wasn’t long before the departure time. The martial uncles of the Wanhen Sect blew a whistle. In the distance, clouds churned and spiritual energy surged. Before long, seven enormous azure birds arrived one after another, covering the sky. In an instant, the sky, which had just begun to brighten, dimmed once more. The azure birds circled the peak a few times before landing to the left of the crowd at the martial uncles’ signal.
These birds were called Luan, each about a hundred meters long, with a gentle temperament. They excelled at long-distance flight, and their speed was not slow, making them perfectly suitable as transportation. However, these birds were rare and highly sought after in the cultivation world, so their value was naturally immense. The Wanhen Sect deploying seven of them at once was a testament to its profound resources.
Lin Wuxi finally had the chance to observe these Luan birds, which were famous throughout the cultivation world. They were entirely light azure, with strong and agile bodies, bright and spirited eyes, and possessed considerable intelligence. Riding them gave a sense of transcendent detachment from the mortal world; no wonder they were so popular in the cultivation world.
Under the guidance of the martial uncles, the young disciples each boarded a Luan’s back. The Luan’s back was broad and steady. It was even covered with beautifully patterned blankets for resting, ensuring a comfortable ride. Once everyone had boarded the Luans, the Wanhen Sect’s martial uncles set up protective barriers on the birds’ backs. The party of nearly a hundred finally embarked on their journey to the Xuantian Secret Realm.
Lin Wuxi, of course, rode the same Luan as Zhou Cheng and Qi Chun. Unexpectedly, Yu Huang was also on the same Luan as them. For a moment, all the young men on that Luan became somewhat uneasy.
Lin Wuxi sensed the somewhat strange atmosphere and quietly asked Qi Chun, “You are all core disciples of the Wanhen Sect. You should see Senior Sister Yu Huang often, right? How come you don’t seem very familiar with each other?”
Qi Chun also whispered back, “Well, Senior Sister Yu Huang… usually… um… doesn’t really like to get close to people. This is also our first time… interacting with her like this.”
Hearing this, Lin Wuxi looked up. Sure enough, she saw that although the surrounding young men all pretended to be indifferent, their attention was actually all focused on Yu Huang. Even quite a few young women were secretly sizing Yu Huang up.
Seeing this, Lin Wuxi felt curious. She nudged Qi Chun beside her with an elbow and whispered carefully, “Our Senior Sister Yu Huang is so beautiful. She must have many admirers usually, right? Why isn’t anyone trying to impress her now?”
Before Qi Chun could answer, Lin Wuxi felt Yu Huang’s gaze land on her. Lin Wuxi looked up and, sure enough, met a pair of clear, bright eyes. Lin Wuxi froze for a moment, then smiled at her, blinked, and quickly turned her head away, pretending nothing had happened. She thought to herself in alarm, “Could she have heard our voice transmission?”
At this thought, she glanced up again. Yu Huang’s gaze had already shifted elsewhere, and she wasn’t looking at them anymore. Lin Wuxi reassured herself, “It must have been a coincidence.”
By now, the avian mount had flown out of the Wanhen Sect’s territory. Lin Wuxi clearly felt the spiritual energy around them thin considerably. Looking around, she saw mostly plains and mountain ranges, with a few small towns scattered in between. Cultivators naturally had sharp eyesight. Looking at the bustling scenes in the towns, she couldn’t help but sigh. How many years had it been since she’d last seen such a prosperous sight? How much more bustling was this than her home had been in her childhood? If those things hadn’t happened back home, would it be this bustling now too? The world changes so much, yet it had only been seven years. Why did those memories feel like a lifetime ago?
Looking at herself now, time had flown. Everything had changed so much. Who could have ever imagined this?
At this thought, her mood, which had slightly improved, sank again. She decided not to dwell on it, closed her eyes, and began to circulate her spiritual energy according to her cultivation method, meditating right there on the avian mount’s back.