The Young Lady Only Wants to Cultivate Immortality Chapter 32

The next morning, at her doorstep, A’Ling saw a grand carriage pulled by four snow-white Cong horses, and a pretty crimson figure by the carriage. The foot she had just stepped out the door quickly retreated, wanting to use the back door instead. Unfortunately, the moment the door opened, Gu Jingyang saw the person about to come out of the house.
“A’Ling, morning!” Gu Jingyang smiled brightly, leaped up the steps in a few strides, pulled A’Ling to the left side of the main door, and said, “Look, you even have purple violets in this corner of your wall, blooming so beautifully.”
A’Ling forced a smile. “Mm, very nice. Why are you so early?”
Gu Jingyang smiled, plucked a small purple flower, and tucked it into A’Ling’s hair bun. After admiring it, she replied, “To pick you up and go to the academy together.”
A’Ling reached up to touch the flower in her hair. She couldn’t see how she looked at the moment, but from Gu Jingyang’s admiring gaze, it probably wasn’t a prank. Yesterday, Gu Jingyang had dragged her along, talking for an entire day and night, telling her one story after another, whether proper or bizarre, about the entire town, until late into the night. She didn’t know how Gu Jingyang, who usually cultivated, managed to hear so much gossip. By the end, she even suspected that perhaps all the town’s gossip was spread through Gu Jingyang.
Initially, A’Ling was attracted by some of the bizarre stories, but later, it was mostly in one ear and out the other. Despite her lack of engagement, after a day and a night, her head was still buzzing. Before A’Ling could refuse Gu Jingyang’s invitation to go to the academy together, Gu Jingyang pulled A’Ling into the Gu family’s grand carriage.
The carriage interior was very spacious, but Gu Jingyang sat closely beside A’Ling. “I forgot to give you something last night.” She had been so happy to see A’Ling that she had talked for a day and forgotten about the important matter. A’Ling breathed a huge sigh of relief, hearing that she wasn’t there to continue telling stories. “What is it?” She secretly thought, Please don’t be a turtle egg or something. Gu Jingyang had been so excited yesterday talking about her family’s turtle laying eggs, detailing the unusual signs before laying, the suddenness of the laying, and the pride afterward.
Gu Jingyang didn’t know she had become so unreliable in A’Ling’s mind. She took out two items from her Universe pouch and handed them both to A’Ling. A’Ling lowered her eyes, narrowed them, and felt a wave of relief seeing it wasn’t a turtle egg, followed by a bit of shame. Actually, Gu Jingyang wasn’t that unreliable. She was just a bit talkative. However, A’Ling owed Gu Jingyang quite a few favors, so she should be more patient. Sometimes, listening to stories could also be a diversion, couldn’t it?
A’Ling took the items from Gu Jingyang’s hands, one in each. “Artifact pouches?” She remembered. Gu Jingyang had asked her if she needed an artifact pouch. She had originally planned to find one herself; these items weren’t easily bought. And even if one could be bought, it might not be suitable. A’Ling looked at the two artifact pouches in her hands, a Purple Yang Artifact Refining Pouch in her left hand and a Green Yang Artifact Pouch in her right. She raised an eyebrow. “Why give me two?” One artifact pouch was enough; it wasn’t like clothes where one needed a spare.
Gu Jingyang smiled slightly. “I didn’t know which one you’d prefer, so you can choose.” A’Ling’s eyebrows arched high, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. “A choice between two?” Gu Jingyang nodded. “Even a wealthy family can’t just give two at once.”
Both artifact pouches were of the Superior Yang grade, both top-grade artifact pouches. The only difference was that the Purple Yang Artifact Refining Pouch was fire-attributed, and the Green Yang Artifact Pouch was wood-attributed. Generally, it was best for a magic artifact and an artifact pouch to have mutually generative or identical attributes. Her Little Wandering, as she had tested before, was fire-attributed; where its purple-gold light passed, it was like a dark fire sweeping through. The Purple Yang Artifact Refining Pouch had the same attribute as Little Wandering, while the Green Yang Artifact Pouch’s attribute would be more beneficial to Little Wandering.
A’Ling thought for a moment, then picked up the Purple Yang Artifact Refining Pouch and waved it. “I’ll choose this one.” Same is good, for everlasting duration. Mutually generative always means one side will suffer a loss. Gu Jingyang’s eyes flashed with a barely perceptible hint of disappointment, but the smile on her face didn’t falter. “Alright, then I’ll take back the Green Yang Artifact Pouch.”
That day, when she was chatting with Qingqian, she mentioned she had found a Green Yang Artifact Pouch for A’Ling. Qingqian said it wasn’t suitable and gave her a Purple Yang Artifact Refining Pouch, saying it was suitable. Her generative attribute, Qingqian’s identical attribute… She thought her own would be more suitable, but ultimately, A’Ling had to like it herself, so she chose to let A’Ling pick. She chose based on what A’Ling wanted, not based on who was behind the item. Unexpectedly, A’Ling actually chose the Purple Yang Artifact Refining Pouch.
Gu Jingyang quickly put aside her fleeting disappointment. She put away the Green Yang Artifact Pouch and smiled as she began explaining things to note about artifact pouches. A’Ling listened carefully. “Thank you, you’ve really helped me a lot.” Her sudden seriousness and sincere gaze made Gu Jingyang feel a little awkward. She smiled and blinked.
“Then why don’t you offer yourself in marriage?”
A’Ling lightly pressed her lips together, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Alright, come on then, take me!” As she spoke, she exaggeratedly opened her arms, looking as if she were offering herself up for the taking. The two burst into laughter.
Upon arriving at Hongjian Academy, Gu Jingyang accompanied A’Ling to the ranking assessment. After Core Formation, one entered the C-rank. There was only one C-rank class, which was Gu Jingyang’s class. So she simply waited for A’Ling to finish her assessment, then they would go to the classroom together.
The two arrived at the ranking assessment hall and encountered Qi Leshan, who was also bringing someone for assessment. “Oh, who do we have here? You finally decided to come to class, huh? If you ask me, don’t even bother. Someone like you, with no talent and no diligence, won’t form a core until the year of the monkey and horse.” Qi Leshan sneered at A’Ling, his face filled with disdain. He felt that having someone like her in his Class B6 was bad luck.
The smile that had been on Gu Jingyang’s face vanished without a trace the moment he opened his mouth. Just as she was about to retort, she saw A’Ling step forward beside her, waving her hand behind her back. The meaning was clear: don’t interfere. Gu Jingyang understood and stood quietly to the side.
A’Ling wasn’t angered. She smiled at Qi Leshan. “I heard Cultivator Qi formed his core three years after reaching Foundation Establishment, right?” Qi Leshan didn’t understand why she suddenly asked that, and the tone of her voice displeased him greatly.
“For ordinary people, forming a core five to ten years after Foundation Establishment is considered fast. There are even those who are dull, who may not form a core even after decades of struggle. I only took three years to successfully form my core; that already makes me exceptionally talented. If you’re ignorant, speak less!” Qi Leshan snorted coldly, looking at A’Ling disdainfully, as if he found her foolish and ignorant to the point of being an eyesore.
A’Ling, after hearing this, raised an eyebrow, looking surprised. “Oh, so three years is considered exceptionally talented? Then what about someone who forms a core three months after Foundation Establishment?”
Qi Leshan assumed A’Ling was mocking him. “That’s a person of extraordinary talent! How many such people can there be in the world?!” His implication was that he was already very impressive. A’Ling smiled. “Is it that rare? There’s one right in front of you.”
Qi Leshan turned his head to look at Gu Jingyang. She seemed to have formed her core quickly, but wasn’t that because the Gu family was rich and powerful? He felt utterly contemptuous inside, but he couldn’t openly provoke the Gu family. He forced a smile and said insincerely, “Gu Jingyang is, of course, a person of extraordinary talent. The Gu family is also the top cultivation family in the Outer Sect, with inherited strength, so naturally, they have more insights into cultivation than others.”
Gu Jingyang saw that Qi Leshan had clearly misunderstood A’Ling’s words as referring to her. She smiled and shook her head. “Cultivator Qi, you jest. It took me half a year to form my core after Foundation Establishment.”
Qi Leshan chuckled along. “Even that is quite good. To succeed in three months, that’s like a phoenix feather or a unicorn horn.” Gu Jingyang seemed to agree with his words, nodding along. “Indeed, it’s truly rare. Cultivator Qi, you should gain some insight today.” She then pointed at A’Ling beside her. “See, this is that phoenix feather, that unicorn horn, who formed a core in three months. Take a good look.”
Qi Leshan followed her finger, and there was only A’Ling beside them. “What kind of joke are you playing?” A’Ling’s smile was quite reserved. “What, you don’t believe it?” Qi Leshan simply assumed the two were making fun of him. “Hmph, absolutely impossible.” A’Ling’s smile grew even more subtle. “What if I really have formed my core?”
“Then the sun would rise in the west and set in the east!” Qi Leshan blurted out without thinking. “If that were true, I’d walk backward!” The student cultivator who had accompanied him couldn’t stop Qi Leshan in time. This was in front of the ranking assessment hall. Gu Jingyang was already a C-rank, so she didn’t need to be assessed. It must be A’Ling, who was beside her, who was there for assessment. She was originally a B-rank Foundation Establishment cultivator. To go higher, wouldn’t that mean C-rank Core Formation?
Sure enough, A’Ling heard this and walked directly past them into the ranking assessment hall, asking the assessment master to test if she had formed her core. After a series of tests, the assessment master added A’Ling’s name to the C-rank roster. Since there was only one C-rank class, there was no need to choose a class; A’Ling was simply told to go directly to the C-rank classroom.
Qi Leshan heard it all clearly at the door. How was this possible?! A’Ling had only just reached Foundation Establishment and joined his Class B6 three months ago! How could she have formed her core so quickly?
“Impossible! You, you must have stolen someone else’s inner core!” Qi Leshan refused to believe A’Ling had truly formed her core on her own.
A’Ling sneered. “Why don’t you say I stole your inner core?”
Gu Jingyang chuckled from the side. “Cultivator Qi, remember to walk backward from now on. Honesty and integrity are the rules of Hongjian Academy. If you violate the rules, and Elder Zeng finds out, you’ll be expelled from the academy.”
The Chaotic Stone Bell rang at this moment. A’Ling had originally wanted to mock him a bit more, but hearing the bell, she didn’t want to delay her cultivation. She dropped a line about ‘walking backward carefully so you don’t fall’ and left the assessment hall with Gu Jingyang, heading towards the C-rank classroom.
The C-rank class was filled with cultivators who had formed their cores. Shi Qingqian was also among them. The moment A’Ling entered the classroom, she spotted that grim-faced girl. Shi Qingqian saw A’Ling and Gu Jingyang enter together and immediately noticed that A’Ling had formed her core. Her lips subtly tightened. She wasn’t truly stupid, after all. But forming a core so quickly was a bit suspicious. Shi Qingqian immediately thought of the strange demonic energy on A’Ling. Had the demonic energy influenced her before, meaning she was inherently a cultivation genius? Or was it due to some stimulation from this demonic energy, which benefited her cultivation advancement? If A’Ling would agree to a thorough examination, she might find an answer, but that was probably impossible. A’Ling would not agree.
The moment A’Ling saw Shi Qingqian just now, her scalp tingled. Her first thought was of that night in the Huo family’s small house, when she opened her eyes and saw Shi Qingqian sucking her finger. She hadn’t settled that score with Shi Qingqian yet. How disgusting! Treating herself like a dog!
“A’Ling, what’s wrong?” Gu Jingyang was already seated at her desk. Seeing A’Ling still standing stiffly, she gently tugged her hand. A’Ling quickly pulled her hand back. The movement was so sudden that it startled both of them. A’Ling apologized, furrowing her brow. “My mind wandered.” She quickly sat down in the empty seat next to Gu Jingyang, forcibly suppressing the memory that was desperately trying to resurface. She had actually recalled the details of the day she cultivated with Shi Qingqian. It seemed that after losing her senses, she had also clung to Shi Qingqian like that, even licking her. It was as if in the middle, she had held Shi Qingqian’s finger, sucking it wetly. At the time, she had even cursed her, calling her a dog, just like her former mount that had left her—neither of them were good dogs!
After sitting down, A’Ling took a sharp breath, forcing herself to forget these vexing matters. Fortunately, after the C-rank cultivation master entered, he first led everyone in regulating their breath and calming their minds. After a set of mental cultivation techniques, A’Ling entered a meditative state, casting all these distracting thoughts aside and fully immersing herself in cultivation.
When the Chaotic Stone Bell rang again, A’Ling’s consciousness gradually returned. She felt the spiritual energy within her surging intensely, so she instinctively added another set of regulation. After another quarter of an hour, A’Ling felt the spiritual energy within her fully stabilize and flow into her inner core. Only then did she finish her regulation and open her eyes. The entire classroom was now empty except for her and Gu Jingyang.
Gu Jingyang saw her open her eyes, her gaze clear and sharp, and smiled happily. “A’Ling, I have a feeling you’ll be very strong in the future!”
A’Ling: ???
“Why are you suddenly talking about this?” A’Ling looked bewildered. “Where did you see that?” Although she also believed that in this life, she would eventually be stronger than in her previous life, and she was striving hard on the path to becoming strong, how had Gu Jingyang seen it now?
Gu Jingyang smiled, her eyes crescent-shaped. “A hunch. My hunches are always very accurate.”
A’Ling half-raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smile. “Alright, thank you for your hunch. I don’t need a hunch to know that you’ll be very strong in the future too.”
Gu Jingyang blinked. “How strong?”
A’Ling extended a hand, like a fortune teller on the street, and began calculating with her fingers. “You will eventually ascend to the peak of the Twelve Cave abodes, your cultivation realm will break through to the Soul Transformation stage, and you’ll become the Spring Water Peak Master, one of the Three Peaks beneath the Qiongdian Peak.” After she finished speaking, her dark eyes stared directly at Gu Jingyang. “You’re super strong.”
Gu Jingyang suddenly lunged forward and hugged A’Ling. “Ah ah ah ah ah! That makes my blood boil! How am I so strong? Hahahaha, A’Ling, you speak as if you’ve seen it with your own eyes.” She almost believed it; mainly, A’Ling’s gaze didn’t look like she was speaking of a hunch, but rather stating a fact. Her words were purposeful and resounding, drawing one in immediately. Gu Jingyang seemed to see the astonishing scene of herself summoning wind and rain beneath the Qiongdian Peak.
A’Ling’s eyebrows arched high. Of course, she had seen it with her own eyes.
After Gu Jingyang had laughed enough, she pulled A’Ling up, cordially invited A’Ling to eat at the Gu family, and suggested repeating what she had just said to Gu Hongjue so her father could be happy too.
A’Ling: ……
She regretted it. She shouldn’t have said anything.
Sure enough, Gu Jingyang again looked hopeful, wishing A’Ling would also tell her mother after she returned from demon-slaying.
A’Ling: This is the first time I’ve felt like I’ve lifted a rock only to drop it on my own feet, one foot at a time. She firmly stated that she could only say it one more time. Gu Jingyang thought for a moment. Her mother had already sent a message saying she would be back soon, so Gu Jingyang decided to wait until her mother returned, then have A’Ling say it again in front of both of them. So their whole family could have a good laugh together.
The two made plans to eat together next time and took a shortcut out of the academy. As they reached the corner of Chengxin Pavilion, they saw two familiar figures by the magnolia tree. It was Shi Qingqian and Zhao Diqing.
A’Ling stopped, looking at Zhao Diqing’s face, which was flushed pink, by the magnolia tree. It’s been a while. What was she doing, looking so hesitant and conflicted? Just as she was about to step out from the corner, Gu Jingyang yanked her back into the alley and covered her mouth.
“Shh,” Gu Jingyang made a shushing gesture to A’Ling, her face full of eager curiosity. A’Ling saw her obvious intention to eavesdrop and felt a wave of speechlessness. Why was this person so nosy? She even suspected that Gu Jingyang became so strong in her previous life just to better listen to gossip. She seemed to have no other hobbies. A’Ling didn’t want to listen; she had no interest in whatever was happening between these two.
“There’s only one month left until Crane Gate on Mystic Crane Mountain opens. I, I’m afraid if I don’t say it now, I won’t have another chance.” Zhao Diqing’s voice drifted from the magnolia tree. A’Ling looked up and saw that she seemed to have dressed up today. She wore a crescent-white top paired with a smoky-water-colored half-sleeve jacket, her hair styled in a flowing cloud bun with only a few fresh and elegant pink velvet flowers instead of hairpins. She stood on her tiptoes, clutching a corner of her silk shawl, gazing shyly at Shi Qingqian.
Shi Qingqian’s expression remained as indifferent as ever, even showing a hint of displeasure at being suddenly stopped. She looked down at the person before her, saying nothing, as if waiting for her to continue. Zhao Diqing had gathered all her courage to confess to Shi Qingqian. Seeing that the other person, though silent, seemed to encourage her to continue, a glimmer of hope suddenly ignited in her heart. Although she knew the hope was slim, she wouldn’t give up without trying.
“Shi Qingqian, I, I like you. I’ve liked you for a very, very long time.”
Gu Jingyang, clutching the corner of the wall, excitedly tapped it lightly. A confession scene! She turned her head to look at A’Ling, her eyes holding a hint of scrutiny, wanting to see A’Ling’s reaction. A’Ling pursed her lips, unsurprised and unconcerned. She had known about Zhao Diqing’s feelings for Shi Qingqian for a long time.
Seeing no reaction from A’Ling, Gu Jingyang continued to watch. Under the magnolia tree, Shi Qingqian’s reaction was also a bit strange. Shi Qingqian looked at the woman before her in confusion. Do we know each other?
“Why?” Shi Qingqian’s cold, low voice reached the ears of the other three present. All three raised an eyebrow. Zhao Diqing looked perplexed. “What ‘why’?” Shi Qingqian lowered her gaze. “Why do you like me?” This time, Zhao Diqing’s expression looked a bit strained. “I just do, I liked you at first sight.” How could she explain why? If she had to, it was probably love at first sight. The first time she saw Shi Qingqian, she was captivated by her unique aura.
Shi Qingqian seemed unable to accept it. “No reason?” Zhao Diqing saw Shi Qingqian’s gaze fall upon her, and a blush like the evening glow slowly spread across her face. Her voice unconsciously grew softer. “Because you’re very good.” Everything about her was good. Her looks were good, her talent was good, she could do everything very well. She was the best at Hongjian Academy.
Shi Qingqian frowned slightly. “I’m good, so you like me?” Zhao Diqing was momentarily speechless, struggling to keep up with Shi Qingqian’s line of thought. Shi Qingqian then asked another question: “What is ‘like’?” Zhao Diqing: “Huh?” Shi Qingqian asked in more detail: “How do you know you like me?”
This question made Zhao Diqing afraid to even look into Shi Qingqian’s eyes. She lowered her head and began to describe her special feelings for Shi Qingqian. “Whenever I see you, my heart beats incredibly fast. No matter how many people are in the spiritual energy arena during the monthly test, no matter who is standing beside you, I always see you first. Seeing you makes me happy.”
Not only that, but after seeing Shi Qingqian, her gaze would be firmly fixed on her, unable to see anyone else. She only hoped that Shi Qingqian would notice her, even if it was just for a glance. For this, she had deliberately approached A’Ling, enduring her bad temper, hoping that when A’Ling provoked Shi Qingqian, Shi Qingqian would notice her standing beside A’Ling.
“This is ‘like’?” Shi Qingqian’s brow slightly furrowed. Zhao Diqing was taken aback by her question. “Isn’t it?” Shi Qingqian took a step back, resuming her usual aloof demeanor. “I don’t know. If this is ‘like,’ then I probably don’t like you.” After saying this, she simply bypassed Zhao Diqing and walked straight ahead.
Zhao Diqing stood frozen, then, recovering from the immense blow, her eyes suddenly reddened, and large, silent tears began to fall. Gu Jingyang shook her head, sighing. “How heartless! She didn’t even try to reject her gently.” She whispered in an airy voice, turning her head to look behind her. Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed past her eyes.
A’Ling directly walked out of the corner. Zhao Diqing heard footsteps and panicked, hastily wiping away her tears. Seeing it was A’Ling, her expression immediately turned venomous. “You? Spying on me?” Zhao Diqing glanced in the direction Shi Qingqian had left; it was empty, she was gone. “What, you saw it all? Came to laugh at me?”
A’Ling quickly scanned her from head to toe. “Quite an imagination you have. You’re blocking the way. All of you, instead of being decent humans, you want to be dogs. Good dogs don’t block the way. Excuse me.” Zhao Diqing was filled with shame and annoyance. She wanted to say something, but then saw Gu Jingyang emerge from behind, and she hastily retreated two steps backward. A’Ling nodded. “Good, good dog.” Saying this, she lifted her leg and walked away.
Both the tone and content of her words were truly sarcastic. Zhao Diqing’s face flushed green then red. She turned and shouted with her neck stiff at A’Ling’s retreating back. “I know you’re laughing at me inside, but you’re no different! Who likes you anyway? Not even your own parents like you! You’re just a pitiful wretch! With your rotten temper and sharp tongue, always speaking and acting without considering other people’s feelings, no one will ever like you in your entire life!”
A’Ling’s footsteps paused. Gu Jingyang quickly caught up, walking side-by-side with A’Ling, and turned to give Zhao Diqing a smirk. “Who says that? I like her very much.” Gu Jingyang said, ignoring Zhao Diqing’s suddenly pale face, and tugged A’Ling’s sleeve. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”
A’Ling’s expression froze. She looked back at Zhao Diqing, who seemed to have suffered a great blow, and swallowed the words she was about to say. Just as she was about to lift her foot and continue walking out, she heard Gu Jingyang’s voice by her ear again.
“I like her rotten temper and sharp tongue, but Shi Qingqian probably doesn’t like your type. Tsk tsk, a mouth of cotton and a heart of honeycomb coal.”
Alright, complete victory! A’Ling didn’t even need to turn around to know Zhao Diqing’s expression must be spectacular. She silently gave a thumbs up, nodding in approval at Gu Jingyang. Gu Jingyang nodded back, pursing her lips and winking at A’Ling, accepting the silent praise.
The two tacitly ignored the person behind them and walked straight out of Hongjian Academy. On the way home, Gu Jingyang still wanted A’Ling to come to her house for dinner, but A’Ling saw Sun Juhao carrying a bamboo basket and selling goods along the street. A’Ling brought her home and only then learned that Aunt Sun had been kicked out by the Huo family.
Because neither she nor Shi Qingqian lived in the Huo family’s small house anymore, that house had been sealed up, and Sun Juhao had returned to the main Huo family mansion. Lately, Huo Zhen had been throwing tantrums at home, constantly scolding and beating people. Although his arm had been reattached, it had various complications. Recently, his skin was festering and itching terribly, causing him to howl in pain daily at home. Even Lin Nianli and Huo Changsheng had been beaten by him several times.
To this, A’Ling could only say, serves him right! A few days ago, after eating, Huo Zhen suffered from incessant abdominal pain and made countless trips to the outhouse. Knowing it was a side effect of the medicine, he still took out his anger on the kitchen staff. Sun Juhao had returned to the main mansion and was reassigned to the kitchen. This time, she was pushed out to take the blame and was kicked out by the Huo family.
A’Ling ate the food Aunt Sun made while listening to Huo Zhen’s tragic story, feeling greatly pleased. She called Aunt Sun to sit down and eat with her, talking as they ate. Sun Juhao quickly declined, saying there was no such rule in the Huo family. “Aunt Sun, this is my home. From now on, you listen to me. You can stay here with me from now on.” Conveniently, as A’Ling was going to the Inner Sect, she also needed someone to look after her house.
Sun Juhao wept tears of gratitude, thanking her profusely and promising to take good care of A’Ling’s residence. After eating her fill, A’Ling went to the north of the city. Since there were many empty rooms, if Jin Siliu was willing, she could also stay there. Having another person to look after the house would be safer and also provide Aunt Sun with company. When she arrived, Jin Siliu’s shabby hut, which looked like it had been haphazardly put together, had already collapsed. People nearby said they hadn’t seen her in a long time.
After returning home, A’Ling thought long and hard and concluded that Jin Siliu’s disappearance must be related to Shi Qingqian. No, she had to find Shi Qingqian and get to the bottom of this.