The Young Lady Only Wants to Cultivate Immortality Chapter 51

A’Ling looked at the person who had appeared before her, unsure when. Hadn’t she just been on the Immortal Rainbow Platform? Why had she suddenly come over to their spot?
Is everything over?
A’Ling released Lan Fushang’s hand and looked towards the Immortal Rainbow Platform in the distance. Her heart leaped when she saw that everyone at the head of the platform was staring at their location.
Not only that, A’Ling also noticed that everyone around them pretended to be casual, but were actually sneaking glances at their group.
The entire Immortal Rainbow Platform was silent. The competition had clearly ended, yet not a single person had left.
Everyone’s gaze was on Shi Qingqian. Because they were standing close, those scrutinizing looks also fell upon A’Ling.
This made A’Ling extremely uncomfortable.
Moreover, it wasn’t just these ordinary probing glances. A’Ling noticed that even the three Peak Masters on the Floating Cloud Lotus Platform hadn’t left for some reason, and were still looking down at their location from above, their thoughts unknown.
Being stared at by Soul Transformation Realm experts like this, even if their gazes were peaceful and held no threat, would still inadvertently give rise to a sense of oppression.
Not to mention the three Soul Transformation Realm experts on the Floating Cloud Lotus Platform, even the Abode Masters on the Peerless Floating Thrones had not left. Their gazes were even more intense, more difficult to ignore than the golden light shimmering from the Peerless Floating Thrones themselves.
A’Ling saw Qiu Fanbo on the Immortal Rainbow Platform being supported by her disciple Zhao Shan, handed over by the officiating cultivator. Both of them were also looking towards A’Ling.
The gazes of these two were different from the others’ probing looks; they contained naked hatred.
A’Ling furrowed her brows, looking at Qiu Fanbo, who seemed unable to even stand straight. How could she have been injured so severely?
Shi Qingqian had clearly only struck down her magic artifact, and she had only been wounded a few times by Shi Qingqian’s sword energy, with no life-threatening injuries.
This act was truly over the top.
A’Ling looked back, glaring fiercely at Zhao Shan, who had a malevolent look in his eyes. The previous debt hadn’t even been settled, yet he had the audacity to seek attention in front of her.
A’Ling glanced at Shi Qingqian, who seemed oblivious to the various gazes – whether scrutinizing, malicious, or admiring. She showed no reaction at all, and aside from a quick look at Lan Fushang earlier, she had been strangely staring at A’Ling.
If she hadn’t confirmed there was nothing on her face, A’Ling would have suspected flowers were blooming there. Otherwise, how could she be so captivating?
Just as A’Ling was about to ask Shi Qingqian what she was looking at, the person next to her, whom she had spoken to earlier, suddenly called out to her.
“Um, little friend, do you know this new Abode Master of the Heavenly Peace Cave Abode?”
A’Ling turned her head to look at the questioner. It was the same person she had asked that morning why it was so lively today.
“No,” A’Ling replied concisely. She definitely didn’t want to be associated with Shi Qingqian.
As soon as she finished speaking, Shi Qingqian looked towards the person who had just asked the question.
Seeing Shi Qingqian look over, the person immediately straightened her back and said loudly, “Greetings, Abode Master. My name is Jiang Ningfu. I was just chosen by Elder Siying of the Heavenly Peace Cave Abode to join the estate. From now on, I will be a sword cultivator of the Heavenly Peace Cave Abode. I pay my respects to the Abode Master.”
She didn’t even wait for Shi Qingqian to ask anything, instead announcing herself first and bowing respectfully.
Shi Qingqian nodded slightly after listening.
A’Ling felt that Shi Qingqian’s indifferent demeanor truly exuded an ineffable profound aura.
Although she had just assumed the role of Abode Master, her demeanor was not inferior in the slightest compared to those on the Peerless Floating Thrones. In fact, due to her otherworldly aura, she seemed even more distant.
They were both newcomers, yet now, one was at the mountain peak, and the other at the mountain foot. A’Ling felt a pang of stifled frustration.
Gu Jingyang had completely calmed down and recovered from her shock. Hearing this, she smiled and congratulated Shi Qingqian.
“I didn’t expect you, Qingqian, to become an Abode Master in a single battle. The competition just now truly astounded me.” Gu Jingyang felt a sense of pride by association, thinking how amazing it was that such a powerful person was her friend.
Lan Fushang also felt that Shi Qingqian was truly too strong. She sensed various gazes of admiration, envy, and even some jealousy coming from all directions.
She happened to be at the center of this attention, which made her, who had always been cautious, feel extremely uncomfortable, like thorns in her side, so much so that she wished she could find a hole to crawl into and hide.
She spoke softly, “Congratulations, congratulations. How about we talk more when we get back? The Peak Masters have flown away too.”
Hearing her words, A’Ling looked up at the sky. Peak Master Ye Bingfeng of Winter Snow Peak had already left the Floating Cloud Lotus Platform, moving through the air effortlessly towards Winter Snow Peak, truly appearing to fly.
“That’s sword energy,” A’Ling explained to Lan Fushang. “Upon reaching the Soul Transformation Realm, sword energy takes on a physical form, just like a treasured sword. Wielding a sword can transform into wielding sword energy.”
From a distance, it looked as if no tools were needed, flying through the void.
In her previous life, the first time A’Ling saw Shi Qingqian ‘flying’ like that, she was equally shocked.
After hearing A’Ling’s explanation, Lan Fushang exclaimed in awe. In her eyes, this was not much different from ‘flying’; it was simply powerful to an unimaginable degree.
Just as they were looking up at the sky, watching the three Peak Masters depart, Zhao Shan, supporting Qiu Fanbo, walked towards A’Ling and her group.
When A’Ling caught sight of them from the corner of her eye, her entire body tensed up, and she watched the two vigilantly, unsure of what they intended to do.
Qiu Fanbo didn’t even glance at her. Her gaze was fixed on Shi Qingqian. After approaching, she said directly, “I will go back and clear the place now. I’ll need to ask you to wait for a moment.”
Her passive-aggressive tone, filled with resentment, was evident to everyone present.
Shi Qingqian merely nodded slightly, saying nothing more. She neither mocked nor acted humbly, yet it was precisely this demeanor that suddenly made Qiu Fanbo’s eyes redden with anger.
Qiu Fanbo wished she could fight Shi Qingqian again. She still had four magic artifacts she hadn’t used. A desperate fight could surely make Shi Qingqian suffer greatly as well.
But remembering her esteemed master’s instructions before leaving, Qiu Fanbo forcibly swallowed the burning hatred twisting her heart and lungs, and with Zhao Shan’s support, went to the Cave Abode to pack her belongings.
Watching their retreating figures, A’Ling frowned, telling Shi Qingqian, “You’d best be careful.” She could tell these two wouldn’t give up so easily.
Shi Qingqian didn’t care about the two of them. Her gaze had been on A’Ling moments before. Seeing that A’Ling was speaking to her, the darkness in her eyes receded slightly.
“Mm, I will be careful. You should also be careful.” What she worried about more now was whether the scene from her dream would come to pass.
A’Ling was a little displeased by these words, as if Shi Qingqian was telling her not to cause trouble. However, if she were to be honest, she might have indeed been the one who started it. She felt a little stifled, unsure what to say for a long time.
Lan Fushang stood by, worried. Just now, as Zhao Shan left, he had glanced back at her. The indignation in his eyes indicated that this matter would not end well.
Speaking of which, the cause of this matter lay with her. If A’Ling hadn’t stood up for her, she wouldn’t have beaten Zhao Qi. If Zhao Qi hadn’t been beaten, he wouldn’t have sought Zhao Shan’s help. Then Zhao Shan wouldn’t have sought out A’Ling, ultimately kidnapping her to threaten A’Ling into losing her magic artifact. And finally, Shi Qingqian was also implicated.
She now understood. Shi Qingqian must have acted to teach Zhao Shan a lesson to help A’Ling. During today’s disciple selection, Shi Qingqian was clearly so strong, yet no Cave Abode had chosen her. It must have been Zhao Shan pulling strings behind the scenes.
Fortunately, Shi Qingqian’s strength was formidable, and she ultimately won the battle against the Abode Master. Otherwise, Lan Fushang truly wouldn’t know how to make amends.
“A’Ling, today you’ve both joined Cave Abodes and will be sect disciples from now on. Such a joyous occasion should be celebrated. I’ll treat everyone to drinks.”
Lan Fushang first suppressed her worries, wanting to do something to celebrate this event for A’Ling and the others.
Gu Jingyang had originally worried that Lan Fushang would be sad if everyone else joined an Cave Abode but she didn’t. Seeing her current appearance, however, she seemed genuinely happy for them.
“Alright, Qingqian, you should come too,” Gu Jingyang said with a smile, inviting Shi Qingqian to join.
Lan Fushang felt a little nervous hearing Gu Jingyang say this. She felt that Shi Qingqian didn’t like her and probably wouldn’t agree.
Shi Qingqian, however, unexpectedly agreed, surprising both A’Ling and Lan Fushang.
After they left, the once exceptionally lively Immortal Rainbow Platform returned to its usual tranquility.
As soon as Shan Xinci returned to Summer Shadow Peak, she went to the secret chamber within her Cave Abode and placed a confidential message into the light pillar inside.
Watching the confidential message dissipate into light and shadow, ascending directly to the heavens with the light pillar, Shan Xinci’s expression turned solemn.
After hearing that an extraordinary newcomer had appeared at the Soaring Rainbow Tower, she had felt a vague unease, which was why she had uncharacteristically gone to observe a disciple selection assessment today.
Now, she was glad she had gone to see it. This newcomer gave her a very bad feeling.
After sending a message to Qiongdian Peak, she summoned a trusted disciple, instructing her to thoroughly investigate Shi Qingqian’s background, as well as A’Ling, who seemed to have an unusual relationship with Shi Qingqian.
She vaguely felt that the arrival of these two would stir up turmoil and unrest within Mystic Crane Mountain.
Meanwhile, Jiang Qiuchun also dispatched disciples to inquire about Shi Qingqian’s background. Additionally, she invited Abode Master Heng Qingyi of Warm Tower Abode to Spring Water Peak, wanting to ask if she knew anything.
At the same time, Ye Bingfeng entered the secret chamber of Winter Snow Peak, looking a little lost in thought at the portrait within.
She truly resembled her. Ye Bingfeng gazed at the person in the portrait. If she hadn’t known that this person had been dead for several millennia, and that cultivators did not undergo reincarnation, and that the person in the portrait was not one to seize another’s body, she truly would have thought that Shi Qingqian on the Immortal Rainbow Platform was this person returned.
What she had just told Jiang Qiuchun and Shan Xinci was true: the person in the painting was the woman who had once issued a challenge to Saint Venerable Dao Rong, and who later became Saint Venerable Dao Rong’s disciple, Venerable Lan Huang, Jin Zhuyue.
Venerable Lan Huang, Jin Zhuyue was her mother’s grand-master. Originally a supremely talented cultivation prodigy, she had for some unknown reason been stuck at the Golden Core-Nascent Soul stage, unable to break through for a long time, eventually perishing in the world.
And because Saint Venerable Dao Rong would grieve deeply whenever he heard her name, gradually, few people mentioned her.
Thousands of years later, the world was even more unaware that there had once been a Venerable Lan Huang. She had twice saved Mystic Crane Mountain from peril during major battles with the demon race, and was the only supreme expert since the founding of Mystic Crane Mountain who had been honored with the title of ‘Venerable’ while still in the Golden Core stage.
Now, apart from their direct disciples, no one knew these past events.
Before her mother perished, she had warned Ye Bingfeng not to trust Saint Venerable Dao Rong too much. Her mother had always felt there was something suspicious about Venerable Lan Huang, Jin Zhuyue being unable to break through for so long, especially since all of their disciples had been able to safely break through to the Soul Transformation Realm under her guidance.
Ye Bingfeng closed the portrait. She didn’t know if today’s events were connected to the past. She exited the secret chamber and looked up at the sky. The sky, which had just been azure blue, suddenly gained some thick cloud layers, looking as if a storm was brewing.
A’Ling had also originally thought it would rain, but by evening, the rain still hadn’t fallen.
Lan Fushang led them to a shallow bank upstream of Goose Head River. From an aerial view, it was the protruding “goose head” shape.
The stream water here was clear, and there was a large open space on the bank, making it perfect for setting up camp and having a bonfire picnic.
Lan Fushang clearly wasn’t a first-timer; she had all the tools, including thick mats to lie on the ground and lightweight, portable bamboo woven rattan chairs.
There were also various pots, bowls, and plates, so many types that A’Ling suspected Lan Fushang used to be a chef.
“Why do you carry all these things with you?” A’Ling watched her busy herself, setting up all the necessary picnic items and even starting a fire, feeling utterly surprised.
Lan Fushang explained with a smile, “Before entering Mystic Crane Mountain, I followed the physician who took me in, traveling around to treat people. Some places were remote, and it was hard to find places to eat, so we brought all our necessary supplies.”
Although she spoke simply and lightly, A’Ling had drifted around and knew the inherent difficulties. Yet, seeing Lan Fushang not seeming sad at all, and even feeling a bit nostalgic when mentioning these things, A’Ling felt that she was indeed a broad-minded and pure-hearted person.
“Is there anything I can help with?” A’Ling asked with a smile.
Lan Fushang thought for a moment, then handed a basin of mushrooms to A’Ling. “How about you roast these?”
Lan Fushang originally didn’t want anyone’s help. She glanced at Shi Qingqian and Gu Jingyang, who had gone to chat by themselves after she had just declined their help. Then she looked at A’Ling, who had been following behind her.
She figured A’Ling probably found what Gu Jingyang and the others were discussing uninteresting.
She had just overheard bits of their conversation – insights on magical techniques and sword arts. She wasn’t very interested herself, so she figured A’Ling probably felt the same.
A’Ling got a task and immediately felt useful, but seeing that the entire basin was filled with mushrooms, she felt something was missing.
“How about we go catch a rabbit? My roasted rabbit meat is absolutely divine; I guarantee you’ll want more after one bite.”
Lan Fushang let out a soft “Ah,” and seeing A’Ling’s eager and excited expression, she hesitated.
Just as she was about to say ‘okay’, Gu Jingyang, who was chatting with Shi Qingqian nearby, suddenly paused, turned her head, and smiled at A’Ling, “A’Ling, Lan Fushang doesn’t kill for the sake of appetite. Don’t make it difficult for her.”
A’Ling was surprised, “Is that so?”
Lan Fushang waved her hand, “It’s fine, it’s fine. If you like, you can go. I’m okay.” Her requirements only applied to herself, not to others.
A’Ling knew it was true from her demeanor. She hadn’t known about this. “Oh, I was just kidding. Mushrooms are delicious! I love eating mushrooms.”
A’Ling thought, she’d catch rabbits next time Lan Fushang wasn’t around. For today, she’d try something new; she hadn’t actually had roasted mushrooms before.
“Look at these colorful mushrooms; they look appetizing. But Fushang, are you sure they’re not poisonous?”
A’Ling had heard that the more vibrant the mushroom’s color, the stronger its toxicity.
She looked suspiciously at the mushrooms on the bonfire. Their colors were truly vivid, and when roasted by the fire, some even became more vibrant, with beads of water glistening on them.
Lan Fushang pulled out a seasoning jar, liberally sprinkled a thick layer over the mushrooms on the iron plate, and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, I’ve prepared an antidote and mixed it into these seasonings.”
A’Ling raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “You’re truly amazing to have thought of such a method.”
Lan Fushang pursed her lips, feeling a little embarrassed under A’Ling’s admiring gaze.
“You all are the amazing ones! Today truly broadened my horizons. A’Ling, your magical techniques are so strong, and Gu Jingyang, and Shi Qingqian, you are all so powerful! You’re even newer than me, yet so much stronger. You are the truly amazing ones.”
A’Ling saw that while Lan Fushang was genuinely amazed by them, there was also a touch of self-pity in her eyes.
“You’re amazing too!” A’Ling said with a serious expression. “You have no idea how amazing you’ll be in the future!”
As she spoke, she didn’t forget to flip the mushrooms on the iron plate. A sizzling sound seemed to applaud her words.
“In the future, you will establish your own school in the medical arts. You will become a medical cultivator Peak Master, revered by everyone, who will truly be convinced by your abilities. Under your leadership, medical cultivation will sweep away its decline, its abilities advancing by leaps and bounds, never again allowing anyone to underestimate it.”
A’Ling’s words were natural and confident, as if she wasn’t comforting Lan Fushang but stating something that had already happened.
Lan Fushang’s eyes widened more and more as she listened. By the end, her eyes were shining, as if stars from the sky had been kneaded into them.
Not far behind them, Gu Jingyang and Shi Qingqian had stopped their conversation when A’Ling began to speak, quietly listening to her.
Gu Jingyang let out a chuckle and smiled at Shi Qingqian, “Look how good A’Ling is at talking! She tricked me like this back then too, saying I’d be very strong in the future. The way she spoke was just like now, so certain, as if it had already happened.”
Gu Jingyang burst into laughter at the thought. She had actually believed it back then and been happy for a long time. So, it turned out this line was used on everyone.
She glanced at Shi Qingqian, thinking, A’Ling only had one more spot left for this kind of praise; she had already ‘assigned’ two Peak Masters.
As for the last remaining spot, Gu Jingyang looked at Shi Qingqian, thinking, there was no need to assign it. Besides Shi Qingqian, who else could be the next Sword Cultivator Peak Master?
She smiled and asked Shi Qingqian, “Speaking of which, I haven’t asked you yet: why did you decide to issue a challenge today? Knowing you for so many years, I always felt this wasn’t something you would do.”
Shi Qingqian’s gaze had been on the person who praised others as if it were true, ever since A’Ling began speaking.
Hearing Gu Jingyang’s question, she retracted her gaze and looked at Gu Jingyang, her eyes seemingly troubled. “If you had the same dream for three consecutive days, would you believe what happened in the dream?”
Gu Jingyang didn’t know why Shi Qingqian suddenly asked such a nonsensical question, but seeing the seriousness in her eyes, she still pondered the question very carefully.
“It depends on the situation. If believing it causes no harm, then I’ll believe it,” Gu Jingyang said after thinking it through.
For example, if she dreamed for three consecutive days that she would fall into a pit somewhere, and she could bypass that pit, then why wouldn’t she believe it?
But if she dreamed for three consecutive days that she had to throw her father into a pit, otherwise she herself would fall into that pit, then she wouldn’t believe it.
Not only would she not believe it, she would even want to see if she could fall into that pit.
She couldn’t possibly throw her father into a pit just because of a dream; that would be too much of a betrayal.
After hearing Gu Jingyang’s answer, Shi Qingqian turned to look at A’Ling, contemplating Gu Jingyang’s phrase, ‘if believing it causes no harm’.
Gu Jingyang looked at Shi Qingqian’s pensive expression, feeling a little confused. “What’s wrong? What did you dream about?”
Shi Qingqian gently exhaled a murky breath from her chest and softly said, “I dreamed that someone encountered danger.”
When Gu Jingyang heard Shi Qingqian say ‘someone’, she instinctively looked up towards A’Ling, seeing her vigorously wielding a shovel, turning the roasted mushrooms into what looked like stir-fried mushrooms.
And Lan Fushang, who was indulging her nearby, was laughing freely, amused by her.
She retracted her gaze, turned her head to look at Shi Qingqian, her expression very serious. “Then I’ll believe it. If I can, I will help her avoid those dangers.”
Shi Qingqian raised her eyes and glanced at Gu Jingyang. After speaking, Gu Jingyang returned to her usual smiling, carefree demeanor, as if her earlier seriousness had just been an illusion.
But Shi Qingqian had indeed heard her.
She nodded slightly towards Gu Jingyang, firming her resolve.
“Alright, the roasted mushrooms are ready! Miss Gu, don’t just stand there idly. You don’t see any work to be done? If the table isn’t set up, are we going to eat on the ground?”
A’Ling’s words were directed at Gu Jingyang, but her gaze swept over more than just one person.
Seeing Gu Jingyang immediately stand up at the call, the other person hesitated. A’Ling let out a cold snort, “Still think you’re in the Gu family, huh? A bunch of people serving you, like a great Buddha waiting for offerings.”
Gu Jingyang heard the first half and thought A’Ling was genuinely talking about her, but then she saw A’Ling’s gaze was on Qingqian for the second half, and her heart relaxed. A’Ling was indirectly scolding someone else.
However, she didn’t remain idle and quickly started setting up the dining table. Shi Qingqian helped as well.
“Hurry up! Just the table? What about the chairs? Are we going to eat standing up?”
No sooner had A’Ling’s words fallen than she saw Shi Qingqian had already placed the chairs Lan Fushang brought, even adjusting their height according to the terrain.
Seeing that the tables, chairs, stools, chopsticks, and spoons were all ready, A’Ling was momentarily speechless. She reluctantly withdrew her sarcasm and gave a soft hmph, “If you only do things when told, then what’s the point of having eyes? Just having a pair of ears would suffice.”
Lan Fushang smiled as she watched all this. Seeing Shi Qingqian quietly listening to A’Ling’s scolding without saying a word, she gained a different understanding of Shi Qingqian.
Earlier on the Immortal Rainbow Platform, she had been full of trepidation towards Shi Qingqian, thinking her cultivation was incredibly formidable and she was extremely cold and aloof, her aura capable of freezing Lan Fushang in place.
Now it seemed she wasn’t that difficult to get along with.
Lan Fushang then looked at A’Ling with admiration.
A’Ling was still the most impressive. Her scolding words never repeated, and she didn’t know where A’Ling got so many phrases. What’s more, the two being scolded didn’t get angry at all.
She knew Gu Jingyang was always gentle and good-tempered. She hadn’t expected Shi Qingqian to also be so amiable in front of A’Ling.
Speaking of which, A’Ling seemed to have the best attitude towards her. In the more than a month since they met, she hadn’t said a single harsh word to Lan Fushang.
However, very soon, she would witness A’Ling’s impressive scolding ability.
After seeing two moons, A’Ling knew she had been careless. Especially when she saw a pair of rabbit ears sprout from Shi Qingqian’s head, she knew she had been foolish again.
She knew Lan Fushang was powerful, but she had forgotten that that was the future Lan Fushang. The current Lan Fushang was still a newcomer who couldn’t even pass the Soaring Rainbow Tower assessment.
She actually believed her seasoning was an antidote.
Looking at the slowly growing colorful mushrooms on Lan Fushang’s head, A’Ling, for the first time in front of her, swore.