A’Ling’s grumbling softened as she saw the injury on Shi Qingqian’s hand, her voice growing quieter until it was merely a mumbled soliloquy.
“Why show off when there’s no need? Look at this hand, the bones are showing. How strong do you think you are, to use internal energy bare-handed like that? You’re lucky your hand didn’t just explode…”
As A’Ling muttered to herself, she carefully cleaned the mangled flesh from Shi Qingqian’s bone-deep wound.
It was also Shi Qingqian’s overly slender hands; had there been more flesh, the injury might not have reached the bone.
A’Ling gently held Shi Qingqian’s fingers, which felt like slender bamboo switches. Yet, her fingers were truly beautiful, each nail long and exquisite like a finely carved gem.
A’Ling unconsciously glanced at her own fingers. Her round nail beds seemed a full third shorter than Shi Qingqian’s.
She felt a pang of annoyance, a stifling irritation in her heart. How could someone’s nails even grow so beautifully?
A’Ling suddenly thought of Huo Zhen. When she had confronted him, Huo Zhen had refused to believe Shi Qingqian wasn’t his child.
A’Ling found it truly amusing now. Did that couple, Huo Zhen and his wife, never look in mirrors? With the way they looked, could they possibly have given birth to a child like Shi Qingqian?
“Hiss—”
A’Ling suddenly heard a sharp intake of breath from above her. She quickly loosened her grip, which she had unconsciously tightened. But when she looked up at Shi Qingqian, her face remained taut with displeasure.
“Now you feel the pain, weren’t you quite the actress just now!”
Thinking of Shi Qingqian’s sudden appearance, inexplicably snatching her things, and then, like a madwoman, directly breaking the barrier, A’Ling’s recently subsided anger flared up again. She slapped Shi Qingqian’s wrist hard. “Serves you right,” she scoffed.
After speaking, she didn’t bother to look at Shi Qingqian, instead lowering her head to meticulously apply medicine to the wound.
Shi Qingqian felt the pressure on her fingers lighten considerably, and a hint of a smile flickered in her eyes.
Just moments ago, in the Soaring Rainbow Tower, she had witnessed A’Ling’s deep concern and anxiety while tending to Lan Fushang’s injuries. Her heart stirred, and she created this very wound. She didn’t even know why she had done it.
She wasn’t even certain if the other person would bother with her.
But she had gambled correctly.
Shi Qingqian gazed at the person before her. It was her first time seeing A’Ling like this.
From her angle, A’Ling leaned forward, revealing only a small portion of her face. More than one furrow was creased between her eyebrows, and stray hairs on her forehead brushed against her long brows with each gust of wind.
Whenever those few stray strands obscured her eyes or brushed her nose, she would pout her lower lip and forcefully blow upwards to clear the annoying hair.
After just one or two times, Shi Qingqian could already sense her impending outburst of temper.
Shi Qingqian yearned to reach out and brush away the annoying hair for her, but she knew that if she did, A’Ling would only get angrier.
Shi Qingqian once again saw that stray strand brush past the tip of A’Ling’s upturned nose. A’Ling’s tightly pursed lips unhappily tightened further, forming a tiny indentation at the corner of her mouth.
Her own heart seemed to develop a similar tiny indentation, and for a long while, it couldn’t return to its normal rhythm.
“Alright, be careful these next two days. Don’t move this hand unless you absolutely have to.”
A’Ling let out a heavy sigh, quickly tying a knot in the wrapped bandage. She couldn’t take it anymore. She felt as if Shi Qingqian’s stare had just drilled a hole through the top of her head.
She probably suspects I’m up to something bad; how petty of her. A’Ling thought she would just consider it a thank you to Shi Qingqian on Lan Fushang’s behalf.
After all, Shi Qingqian’s timely arrival was what saved Lan Fushang.
“You saved Fushang, and I bandaged your wound. Let’s call it even for today, shall we?” A’Ling put away the medicine bottle and handed it to Shi Qingqian. “There’s still a bit left; keep it for next time.”
Next time, she wouldn’t care about this person’s life or death, A’Ling thought.
Shi Qingqian heard the phrase “call it even” from A’Ling’s mouth once more, but this time, something was different.
She was making it even with her on behalf of Lan Fushang…
“Who is she?” Shi Qingqian asked, gazing at A’Ling. Her eyes were deep, and her displeasure was overtly clear in her voice.
A’Ling raised an eyebrow. “What, who?” Who is she asking about with such a baffling question?
She pondered for a moment, then hesitated before replying, “Are you asking about Fushang? Lan Fushang? Did you lose your memory? Lan Fushang is the person you just saved!” She now seriously suspected Shi Qingqian had injured her head.
That wasn’t what Shi Qingqian wanted to ask; she wasn’t unaware of who Lan Fushang was.
“Who is she to you, for you to make it even with me?” Shi Qingqian’s brow furrowed, as if even asking this question caused her displeasure.
A’Ling’s heart skipped a beat. She had forgotten that she and Lan Fushang were not yet dao companions; she was only unilaterally pursuing Lan Fushang.
She hadn’t expected Lan Fushang to agree quickly. Her plan was to make herself known to Lan Fushang before anyone else set their sights on her, so that when she eventually proposed forming a spiritual bond, it would be smoother.
But she couldn’t tell Shi Qingqian about this. She wasn’t Gu Jingyang; perhaps if she revealed it, Shi Qingqian might develop evil intentions and even steal her dao companion. A’Ling had no expectations whatsoever for Shi Qingqian’s character.
She thought for a moment and casually made up an excuse: “Just a neighbor, you’ve met her.”
Shi Qingqian’s gaze sharpened, seemingly unconvinced. “You threw away your magic artifact just for a neighbor? Didn’t you value it greatly?”
She still has the nerve to talk about that? A’Ling got angry just thinking about it. “Where’s your brain? That was a temporary measure! As soon as Zhao Shan got close to Little Wandering, I could bind him!”
Shi Qingqian frowned. “He has the Wind-Winged Nine Cloud Melting Artifact Bag. Why would he personally take your magic artifact?”
At that question, A’Ling abruptly gripped Little Wandering in her hand, as if covering its ears, if it had any.
“Don’t listen, it’s just divisive talk.”
A’Ling’s temple twitched. If Zhao Shan had directly activated the Wind-Winged Nine Cloud Melting Artifact Bag to collect Little Wandering, she would indeed have been in trouble. But at that moment, she had only that one method.
She could only gamble that Zhao Shan was interested in her magic artifact and couldn’t resist taking a look.
What could she do? Human lives were always more important.
A’Ling gripped Little Wandering tightly on her wrist, apologizing to it in her heart. If she had any other choice, she would always protect it.
A’Ling didn’t want to say too much to Shi Qingqian. Such a cold-hearted person probably valued others’ lives less than a single magic artifact.
“You don’t need to worry about my things. I haven’t even asked you yet, what are you doing, suddenly appearing today? How did you know we were inside the barrier?”
She didn’t want to dwell on this question with Shi Qingqian anymore. Shi Qingqian seemed to care more about her magic artifact than A’Ling herself did. A’Ling stroked Little Wandering, looking at Shi Qingqian with a displeased expression. She better not still be coveting her magic artifact even now.
A gentle breeze swept past, rustling hair and skirts. A faint scent of herbs filled the air. Shi Qingqian looked at the hostile girl before her, recalling the danger she had sensed moments ago in the Soaring Rainbow Tower.
She knew A’Ling was inside the barrier because a bead of A’Ling’s demonic energy had solidified within her own body, currently residing within her Golden Core.
Shi Qingqian hesitated, wondering whether to tell A’Ling about this. She faintly felt it wasn’t the right time, but she also didn’t want to deceive her.
Just as she was hesitating, the door to the Zhenpu Medicine Pavilion opened, and Gu Jingyang emerged, carrying a steadily breathing Lan Fushang.
A’Ling immediately abandoned Shi Qingqian and rushed towards Gu Jingyang.
“How is she? Is she alright?”
A’Ling looked at Lan Fushang in Gu Jingyang’s arms. Aside from her pale complexion, she seemed fine; at least her limbs were intact, and she was conscious.
Lan Fushang’s eyes were half-open. Earlier in the barrier, she had been overly emotional, trying to break through a silencing spell, which had caused some tearing in her vocal cords. She tried to say she was fine, but though she opened her mouth, no sound emerged.
However, not far behind them, a displeased female voice spoke up.
“What could possibly be wrong? If you don’t trust me that much, why come here? Do you think I’m too idle?!”
Apothecary Mu Ling’s eyes swept over the people at the entrance. When she saw Shi Qingqian, her gaze lingered for an instant, but only an instant, before she no longer bothered to look at them.
“Aren’t you going to leave quickly? What is this place, a viewing platform?”
A’Ling looked at the speaker. Just now, she had been worried about Lan Fushang’s injuries and had been suddenly turned away, so for a moment she hadn’t remembered. This Apothecary Mu Ling, in her previous life, they could be considered acquaintances.
In her previous life, she had joined the Inner Sect and had often been injured. All her wounds were treated by Apothecary Mu Ling. This Apothecary Mu Ling was considered a special existence within the Inner Sect.
She seemed to have no ambition in cultivation. After withdrawing from the healing cultivators’ abode, she didn’t leave Mystic Crane Mountain, but instead settled down in Panyan Mountain.
Although her words were unpleasant, she genuinely treated injuries. She only considered the wounds, never the patient’s identity.
She was even willing to treat non-humans. When A’Ling had found her mount in the past, she had come to Apothecary Mu Ling for help. That dog was so severely injured back then; it had one paw in the grave.
If she hadn’t begged Apothecary Mu Ling and then cared for that dog, day and night, without rest, for over a month, that creature would likely have become a pile of bones long ago.
Truly, even among dogs, some aren’t ‘dog-like.’ Just like humans, there are those who are grateful, and those who are ungrateful.
She looked at Apothecary Mu Ling gratefully, not just for this instance, but also for her help in the previous life.
“Thank you, Apothecary Mu Ling. We’ll leave now. I’ll come back another day to properly thank you.”
When she returned, she would seek out some rare herbs, then formally thank Apothecary Mu Ling, A’Ling thought.
Gu Jingyang also turned around and, with Lan Fushang, thanked Apothecary Mu Ling again.
Lan Fushang could only gaze gratefully at Apothecary Mu Ling.
Apothecary Mu Ling looked at the three of them with surprise at their solemn demeanor, feeling a bit uncomfortable. With a ‘thud,’ she closed the door. “Go, go, go, don’t bother me. I’ve been thanked enough.”
A’Ling knew she had a sharp tongue but a kind heart. In her previous life, some even said they were alike, but A’Ling felt she wasn’t as kind as Apothecary Mu Ling. She had never considered being merely a cultivator who saved lives and healed injuries.
She actually still wanted to become stronger. She envied sword cultivators and spiritual arts cultivators. In her previous life, even after entering the healing cultivators’ abode, she hadn’t cultivated properly.
Gu Jingyang was going to take Lan Fushang back. A’Ling glanced at Shi Qingqian, seeing that she seemed fine. She certainly didn’t want to be her chauffeur anymore. She directly mounted her iron sword, intending to leave.
Before leaving, she looked back and was surprised to see Shi Qingqian still sitting in her original spot, not looking like she needed a ride.
In that case, she wouldn’t meddle further.
What A’Ling didn’t know was that after she left, the tightly closed door of the Zhenpu Medicine Pavilion opened again.
Apothecary Mu Ling, abandoning her previous fierce demeanor, politely invited Shi Qingqian inside.
Meanwhile, just as A’Ling and Gu Jingyang had escorted Lan Fushang back to her residence, an elder in charge from the Soaring Rainbow Tower sent someone to inquire about the day’s events in the pavilion.
It turned out that Zhao Shan and Zhao Qi, acting as the villains, had been the first to complain, claiming that A’Ling had initiated the private fight. The visitor had come to hear A’Ling’s side of the story, to show impartiality.
A’Ling naturally recounted the facts, but the person merely said they understood, would report it truthfully, and after examining Lan Fushang’s injuries and seeing no life-threatening concerns, took their leave.
Gu Jingyang saw that she was about to leave without saying anything further and wanted to stop her to ask how the matter would be handled. A’Ling stopped her.
After the person had walked far away, A’Ling finally spoke: “It’s useless. No one will care unless someone dies.”
She had suffered quite a bit in this regard. When she first entered Mystic Crane Mountain, she, like Gu Jingyang, had thought that when something happened, someone would naturally uphold justice.
It wasn’t that no one would, but they were new disciples now. Even if someone were to uphold justice, that justice wouldn’t be on their side.
Gu Jingyang looked at A’Ling skeptically. “How do you seem to know so much about the inner workings of Mystic Crane Mountain?”
A’Ling shrugged. “It’s the same everywhere.”
After relentless effort, Lan Fushang finally managed to produce some hoarse sounds, anxiously saying, “A’Ling… is right… forget it… I’m fine…”
Each word was extremely difficult for her to utter, and she had to cover the wound on her throat while speaking.
Gu Jingyang’s brow furrowed tightly as she watched. She didn’t like Lan Fushang’s appeasing demeanor, as if she were terrified of causing trouble.
Such a timid and weak appearance.
She exchanged a glance with A’Ling. A’Ling nodded, and the two tacitly stopped discussing the matter.
But in A’Ling’s heart, she wouldn’t let today’s matter rest. She no longer hoped for others to provide justice.
Zhao Shan, Zhao Qi, she would deal with them sooner or later.
A’Ling told Lan Fushang to rest well. The assessment for the Soaring Rainbow Tower was in three days, and in her current state, it would likely be very difficult for her to pass.
Lan Fushang knew that even if she hadn’t been injured this time, she might not have passed the assessment, so she didn’t feel much regret or sadness.
As expected, three days later, at the Soaring Rainbow Tower’s assessment, she did not pass, just as anticipated.
Fortunately, A’Ling and Gu Jingyang both passed the assessment, and Lan Fushang was genuinely happy for them.
And Shi Qingqian, she also passed.
On the second day after her injury, as soon as Lan Fushang could walk, she went next door to thank Shi Qingqian.
But Shi Qingqian said it had nothing to do with her, and that she hadn’t intended to save her.
Lan Fushang was very surprised, but Shi Qingqian seemed to dislike her, saying only that one sentence before returning to her room. Lan Fushang didn’t feel comfortable disturbing her further.
The day after the Soaring Rainbow Tower assessment was the day for selecting abode disciples. On this day, Inner Sect cultivators gathered at the Twelve Divine Might Immortal Rainbow Platform.
At dawn, in the east, rosy light shone vibrantly. The Twelve Divine Might Immortal Rainbow Platform was located on Tian Teng Mountain, south of the Soaring Rainbow Tower. This mountain was the second highest peak in the Inner Sect, its summit towering into the clouds, with half of the Twelve Divine Might Immortal Rainbow Platform hidden within the clouds.
When A’Ling, Gu Jingyang, and Lan Fushang arrived, the semi-circular white marble steps on the north side of the Immortal Rainbow Platform were already filled with cultivators.
“Why are there so many people?” A’Ling asked, gazing into the distance with confusion. The steps, tier upon tier, especially the spots in the middle with good views, were already densely packed with people.
“So many people! It’s my first time seeing so many people.” Lan Fushang looked at the scene before her in surprise. It wasn’t her first time participating in the selection for the twelve abodes, but she had never seen so many people.
As they stood at the edge of the Immortal Rainbow Platform, looking at the people on the steps, more cultivators continuously arrived on their swords. As soon as they landed, everyone quickly sought out positions, which made A’Ling and the others even more puzzled.
Perhaps influenced by the anxious demeanor of so many people, A’Ling quickly pulled Gu Jingyang and the dazed Lan Fushang to find a spot.
They were a step too late. There were originally a few spots directly facing the Immortal Rainbow Platform, but they were a moment too slow, and someone directly landed on their sword on the spot they wanted.
A’Ling had no choice but to move a few spots to the side. But because of this, they couldn’t clearly see the twelve Peerless Floating Thrones directly in front of the twelve magnificent Divine Might Carved Pillars on the Immortal Rainbow Platform.
These twelve Peerless Floating Thrones were for the masters of the twelve abodes. Behind each seat, the Divine Might carvings bore the name of the corresponding abode. From left to right, they were: East Firmament, South Firmament, West Firmament, North Firmament, Heavenly Peace, Earthly Peace, Sovereign Peace, Kinship Peace, Martial Zenith, Spirit Spring, Warm Tower, and Twin Fields.
The empty Peerless Floating Thrones waited, ready, under the golden morning light.
After settling down, A’Ling immediately asked the cultivator who had just snatched their spot: “Little friend, you seem quite anxious. This is just an Inner Sect disciple selection, which happens every three years. Why are you so excited?”
That person had just won the spot against A’Ling and thought A’Ling was going to cause trouble over it. Hearing her question, she was surprised. “You don’t know? Then why are you here so early?”
A’Ling raised an eyebrow. “Don’t know what? Isn’t it just a disciple selection?”
That person gave her a disdainful look. “Truly uninformed. All three Peak Masters will be here for today’s disciple selection. You’re foolish; even if you’re uninformed, you should have guessed. If it weren’t for the three Peak Masters making an appearance, who would have such prestige?”
A’Ling was surprised. “Three Peak Masters? All of them?”
That person nodded. “That’s what the news says.”
“It’s just an abode disciple selection. Why would the three Peak Masters come, and all three together?” A’Ling looked unconvinced.
The person beside her couldn’t be bothered to explain further. “If you don’t believe it, just wait and see.”
When she first heard the news, she hadn’t believed it either. But her friend was the most beloved disciple of the Twin Fields Abode master. This news was personally conveyed by the abode master, who also told her to observe carefully this time and select some exceptionally talented newcomers for the abode.
The twelve abodes had all received messages from their respective Peak Masters. Some friendly abode masters communicated and discovered that the three Peak Masters, as if by telepathy, all intended to observe this abode disciple selection.
Seeing her confident expression and hearing everyone around discussing the matter, all surprised why the three Peak Masters had gathered this time, A’Ling guessed that this matter was probably true.
She looked at Lan Fushang doubtfully. “Have the three Peak Masters ever come together to watch a disciple selection before?” She certainly hadn’t seen it in her previous life.
Lan Fushang shook her head. “I’m not very clear either.” After all, she had only been in the Inner Sect for five years and had only witnessed one disciple selection.
Gu Jingyang had even less experience. She looked up at the high platform with some curiosity.
Besides the twelve Peerless Floating Thrones, there were no other extra positions there. Where would the three Peak Masters sit? They couldn’t possibly sit below the Immortal Rainbow Platform like them, could they?
Soon, Gu Jingyang gained a new understanding.
As the golden morning light bathed the entire Immortal Rainbow Platform, spiritual energy surged all around, like a delicate breeze.
A’Ling, immersed in it, felt her body grow light, as if she would float with the wind. It was truly comfortable. The cultivators around her all wore the same expression, squinting their eyes in comfort.
Just then, the twelve Divine Might Carved Pillars simultaneously lit up with dazzling golden light, as bright as sunlight. The twelve abode masters appeared one by one within the golden light.
The bustling Tian Teng Mountain suddenly fell silent.
Everyone below the Immortal Rainbow Platform simultaneously stood up, clasped their hands together with backs facing outwards, performing a respectful greeting ceremony for their seniors.
“Greetings, Abode Masters.”
Tens of thousands of people spoke in unison. The vast and magnificent sound rippled through the mountains like expanding water waves, reverberating in continuous surges through the layered peaks.
A’Ling was awestruck by this display. Gazing at the twelve abode masters seated on the Peerless Floating Thrones on the Immortal Rainbow Platform, her eyes filled with admiration.
Truly majestic, A’Ling thought. She also wished that one day, she could sit up there, basking in the golden light of dawn.
The lingering golden light had just faded, and before everyone could sit down, A’Ling saw that the twelve abode masters on the Peerless Floating Thrones had all stood up simultaneously. They gazed at the eastern sky above the Immortal Rainbow Platform, clasping their hands just like the attendees, their backs bowed in even greater reverence.
A’Ling looked up into the distance. The sunlight was a bit dazzling, forcing her to squint her eyes, peeking upwards through her eyelashes.
“Greetings, Venerable Minci.” The twelve abode masters spoke in unison.
So the first one to arrive was the Peak Master of Summer Shadow Peak, the Venerable Minci, a healing cultivator — Shan Xinci, A’Ling thought.
She couldn’t help but turn her head to glance at Lan Fushang beside her. In the future, Lan Fushang would succeed this person as the Peak Master of Summer Shadow Peak.
“Greetings, Venerable Huanzhou.” The twelve abode masters spoke in unison again.
A’Ling’s heart stirred with amusement. She looked past Lan Fushang to Gu Jingyang beside her. Isn’t this the Peak Master of Spring Water Peak, the Huanzhou Venerable, a spiritual arts cultivator — Jiang Qiuchun? In her previous life, she had heard in the Demon Realm that Gu Jingyang’s position as Peak Master was actively yielded by this very person.
Originally, Gu Jingyang wouldn’t have ascended to the Peak Master position so quickly.
Gu Jingyang felt A’Ling’s gaze, turned her head to look at her, and softly asked, “What is it?”
A’Ling shook her head, continuing to look upwards. The last one to arrive would definitely be the Peak Master of Winter Snow Peak, Ye Bingfeng.
Indeed, the next instant she heard “Greetings, Venerable Cai Yun.” The person who arrived was precisely the Venerable Cai Yun, a sword cultivator — Ye Bingfeng.
A’Ling couldn’t help but think of Shi Qingqian. In her previous life, the one who replaced the Venerable Cai Yun was Shi Qingqian, known as the Beiming Venerable.
She couldn’t help but look around, and on the other side of the stone steps, she saw Shi Qingqian, ethereal and clad in pristine white.
A’Ling couldn’t help but squint her eyes. Unexpectedly, in this life, Shi Qingqian was sitting below the Immortal Rainbow Platform with her. In her previous life, when she had seen her enter the Inner Sect, Shi Qingqian was already on that high platform.
The distance between them in this life was only a few heads in between. It was no longer a matter of one being in heaven and the other on earth, and A’Ling’s mood couldn’t help but greatly improve.
Shi Qingqian felt a searing gaze. She turned her head and, through the crowd, instantly spotted that familiar face.
The person she had just dreamed of this morning, across the sea of people, on the other side, was smiling at her…
She was smiling at her…
In the dream, she had clearly been crying…
Thanks for the chapter