When A’Ling and Gu Jingyang arrived at Lan Fushang’s residence, they saw Lan Fushang emerging from her house with numerous bags and bundles.
Gu Jingyang hesitated before dismounting from her Moonfall Sword; she had never seen a cultivator travel with such a spectacle.
While she hesitated, A’Ling had already jumped down and quickly walked a few steps towards Lan Fushang, taking the items from her hands.
“Fushang, what are all these things? Why are there so many?”
A’Ling glanced at the bamboo basket in her hands; it was covered with a lid, so she couldn’t tell what was inside at a glance.
Seeing A’Ling, Lan Fushang smiled sweetly. With her free hand, she opened the lid of the bamboo basket A’Ling was holding. “These are some pastries, perfect for when we rest along the way.”
She then opened the lid of the bamboo basket in her own hand. “These are some dry rations. If we’re in a hurry and there’s no time to cook, they can be used to stave off hunger.”
Gu Jingyang walked over to the two, glanced at the contents of the baskets, and her temple twitched. Is she going on a picnic? These two large baskets were actually all food.
“What’s that on your back?”
Gu Jingyang was curious. Besides the two enormous three-tiered bamboo baskets in her hands, Lan Fushang also had a bulging bundle slung over one shoulder.
Following her gaze, Lan Fushang turned her head to look behind her and said with a smile, “This is a mat that can be spread on the ground. When there’s no time to set up tables and chairs, it can be used as both.”
Gu Jingyang didn’t know whether to praise Lan Fushang for being meticulous or to say she was overly particular.
She thought of her mother. At home, her mother was the head of the Gu family, surrounded by servants, waited on hand and foot. She never had to do anything herself; everything concerning her food, clothing, housing, and travel was extremely refined.
Whenever her mother was about to leave, Gu Jingyang would worry that she wouldn’t be accustomed to life outside and would want to prepare everything for her. But her mother always traveled light, a single person on a single mount, utterly carefree.
Her mother always said, “Be particular when it’s appropriate, but make do when it’s not. There’s no need to cause trouble for your companions when you’re out.”
Gu Jingyang didn’t think Lan Fushang was causing trouble, but she was somewhat surprised.
Gu Jingyang looked at Lan Fushang. She remembered that according to the information she had investigated, Lan Fushang had grown up enduring hardship since childhood. She had also heard her say that she often traveled in the wilderness in the past. Did she also bring this huge pile of things when she went out back then?
Curious, she simply asked directly.
Lan Fushang shook her head. “Back then, I didn’t have the means. All my worldly possessions were just one pot…”
She said it lightly, but A’Ling felt a pang of heartache. A’Ling had also experienced difficult times and could deeply understand Lan Fushang’s desire to bring all her possessions along.
She reached out, wanting to take the bundle from Lan Fushang’s shoulder, but Lan Fushang refused with a smile.
Lan Fushang looked at Gu Jingyang hesitantly. “Is it not appropriate to bring all these things?”
Just now, she seemed to have sensed Gu Jingyang’s disapproval. If it wasn’t appropriate, she could leave them behind. She was just worried that the journey would be long and everyone might have a need for them.
Gu Jingyang raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t said anything, so why was Lan Fushang looking so uneasy? She glanced at the items in Lan Fushang’s and A’Ling’s hands and asked, “Why didn’t you put them in a Universe pouch?”
At her question, A’Ling also suddenly realized. Right! She’d just felt something was off. Why were they carrying so many things themselves? Wouldn’t it be simpler to just put everything into a Universe pouch?
Hearing Gu Jingyang’s question, Lan Fushang became even more embarrassed. She hesitated but still told the truth: “My Universe pouch is full…”
Gu Jingyang raised both her eyebrows high and repeated, “Full?” Her tone was laced with doubt.
Lan Fushang nodded embarrassedly. “It’s full.”
Gu Jingyang and A’Ling had originally thought Lan Fushang’s Universe pouch was too low-grade. But when she took it out, Gu Jingyang and A’Ling saw that it was a superior-grade Universe pouch.
Seeing their genuine curiosity, Lan Fushang opened the pouch, also taking the opportunity to ask if there was anything else she hadn’t thought of or forgotten to bring.
Gu Jingyang and A’Ling exchanged glances, both seeing curiosity in each other’s eyes. Without bothering about who went first, they both bent down to peer into Lan Fushang’s Universe pouch.
“Good heavens!” A’Ling exclaimed. Lan Fushang had truly brought all her worldly possessions!
Gu Jingyang looked at the bed inside the pouch and fell into deep confusion. Was Lan Fushang planning to set up a home in the demon cave?
She wanted to speak but hesitated, holding back repeatedly. In the end, she decided to respect the other person’s habits.
Gu Jingyang took out an empty supreme-grade Universe pouch and handed it to Lan Fushang. “Put all these things in here. Don’t carry them in your hands.”
If other cultivators saw this, they would probably laugh their heads off.
A’Ling raised her head from Lan Fushang’s Universe pouch, nodded upon seeing the situation, and also advised Lan Fushang to accept it. Otherwise, all these bags and bundles would indeed be quite conspicuous.
Furthermore, if they encountered any danger along the way, would they abandon these things or not?
A’Ling seemed to understand now. Lan Fushang had brought everything she could think of that might be useful, and not just enough for herself. She saw three tents among the items.
There was only one bed, but it was clearly the one from her room, and she only had one in total.
Lan Fushang looked at the supreme-grade Universe pouch in Gu Jingyang’s hand with hesitation. She had recently purchased a batch of medicinal ingredients for alchemy and didn’t have many spirit stones left. Let alone a supreme-grade Universe pouch, she couldn’t even afford the most ordinary kind now.
That was why she had carried the things that wouldn’t fit in her hands.
She also thought that the food would be consumed on the journey, and wouldn’t be an issue once they reached their destination.
Gu Jingyang saw her dilemma. This person genuinely didn’t want to take advantage of others.
“Are all these things you brought just for your own use?” Gu Jingyang asked, subtly retracting her smile.
Lan Fushang hurriedly shook her head. “No, no, they’re prepared for everyone!” How could she only prepare for herself? Lan Fushang became a little anxious after being misunderstood.
Just as A’Ling was about to explain that Lan Fushang wasn’t that kind of person, she heard Gu Jingyang continue, “Since that’s the case, you provide the items, and I provide the Universe pouch. Isn’t that very reasonable?”
A’Ling raised an eyebrow. So that’s what Gu Jingyang meant! She immediately chimed in, “Exactly! You provide the items, Gu Jingyang provides the Universe pouch, and I’ll be responsible for carrying it. It’s a division of labor, perfectly fair and reasonable.”
Gu Jingyang looked at her and smiled. A Universe pouch was light as a feather no matter how much was put inside. She wouldn’t get tired even if she carried a hundred of them. If that counted as a division of labor, then she hadn’t done anything at all.
A’Ling raised an eyebrow and looked back, pretending not to understand the teasing in Gu Jingyang’s eyes.
Although Gu Jingyang said that, Lan Fushang was still somewhat conflicted.
She knew Gu Jingyang said that intentionally so she could accept it with a lighter heart, but a supreme-grade Universe pouch wasn’t cheap. How could she just accept it like that?
Seeing her still hesitating, A’Ling thought for a moment and said, “Aren’t all these things you brought for this mission? In that case, just use this Universe pouch for now. After the mission is completed, you can return it to Gu Jingyang, can’t you?”
Upon hearing this, Lan Fushang thought, That’s right! She can return it to Gu Jingyang after using it.
Since that was the case, she wouldn’t decline any longer. Lan Fushang sincerely thanked Gu Jingyang, and after taking the Universe pouch, she put all the items from her hands inside.
Gu Jingyang looked at the now empty-handed Lan Fushang, nodded in satisfaction, and just as she was about to turn and get on her sword, she suddenly saw Lan Fushang frantically wave a hand.
“Wait, wait for me a moment.”
Saying this, Lan Fushang walked back into the house. Since there was enough space, she could now bring all the things she previously couldn’t.
All of them were items prepared for this mission. Previously, she had regretfully left them behind because she couldn’t carry them. Now that she could, she still wanted to bring them.
Gu Jingyang and A’Ling looked at each other in bewilderment. They truly never would have thought Lan Fushang still had more things to bring.
In a short while, Lan Fushang emerged. “Alright, this time everything is packed!”
A’Ling swallowed a mouthful of saliva, holding back her curiosity. “Alright, let’s go. Fushang, take me with you on your sword.”
Lan Fushang had just taken out her iron sword when she paused upon hearing this, her expression hesitant. “Huh? Aren’t you going with Gu Jingyang?”
Last time, when Lan Fushang was injured at Soaring Rainbow Tower, Gu Jingyang used sword flight to send her to Zhenpu Medicine Pavilion. At that time, she already knew that Gu Jingyang could perform sword flight, and her skill was significantly better than her own.
Back then, A’Ling had said Gu Jingyang couldn’t perform sword flight. Lan Fushang thought A’Ling must have been joking, yet she had seriously started teaching Gu Jingyang.
Thinking about it now, wasn’t that like showing off her meager skill before an expert? Remembering this, Lan Fushang couldn’t help but blush slightly.
“You should still go with Gu Jingyang. Her sword flight skill is much better than mine, both fast and stable.”
On that side, Gu Jingyang had already taken flight on her sword, giving A’Ling a deep look. This fellow really has the nerve, treating her like a chauffeur, or a substitute driver.
A’Ling wasn’t the slightest bit embarrassed. She directly got onto Lan Fushang’s iron sword. “Oh, I just like a little bit of a bumpy ride; that’s what makes it interesting.”
Gu Jingyang burst out laughing. “Alright, alright, you two can bounce around. I’m leaving first.”
By the time the three arrived under the magnolia tree in front of Soaring Rainbow Tower, there were already two people there, one standing and one sitting, seemingly waiting for them.
After landing, A’Ling realized these two were acquaintances.
Lan Fushang was startled when she saw Zhao Shan. She immediately entered a state of alertness, taking a quick step to block in front of A’Ling, cautiously watching Zhao Shan.
Zhao Shan pursed his lips, completely disregarding Lan Fushang. But upon seeing Gu Jingyang nearby, the mockery he was about to utter was swallowed back, replaced by a complaint: “What time is it already? Do the spiritual arts cultivators of the Abode have no sense of time?”
A’Ling lowered her brows, first glancing at Gu Jingyang. Seeing that Gu Jingyang also looked displeased, it seemed she too had only just realized that Zhao Shan was the one sent by the Sword Cultivator’s Abode.
There’s another one? A’Ling raised her gaze and looked behind Zhao Shan. Under the tree behind him, a person was leaning, their face covered by a veil. They only yawned and got up upon hearing the commotion.
“A’Ling, is that you?” Xing Yanchu’s face lit up with pleasant surprise after seeing who it was. He hadn’t expected the person accompanying him to investigate the mutated demonic beast incident to be an old acquaintance.
He eagerly walked past Zhao Shan towards A’Ling.
A’Ling felt a warmth on her wrist. She looked down and saw that her Little Wandering was faintly emitting a green phosphorescence.
She thought of what had happened at Flying Crane Clear Platform: the testing crystal ball, and the reason Shi Qingqian had given her afterwards.
Previously, she hadn’t had a chance to verify it. Now, seeing Xing Yanchu approaching little by little, and the temperature on her hand slowly rising, she was certain: what Shi Qingqian said was true!
“Don’t come closer!” A’Ling loudly rebuked Xing Yanchu. “Stay away from me.”
She didn’t want her Little Wandering to be affected by that demonic core. It would also be troublesome if she accidentally injured Xing Yanchu.
Xing Yanchu’s steps halted. He was very confused by A’Ling’s attitude.
“What’s wrong, A’Ling? It’s me!” Xing Yanchu said, his face displeased. “You haven’t forgotten me, have you? I’m Xing Yanchu!”
A’Ling furrowed her brow tightly. “I know you, but we’re not close. Stay away from me in the future!”
Xing Yanchu was speechless for a moment. After a long moment, he angrily said, “Not close? A’Ling, have you forgotten? I vented your anger by going to hit Shi Qingqian, which led to my suspension from the academy! I was confined at home for half a year, forced by my father to cultivate every day, suffering so much hardship. And you actually say we’re not close?!”
The moment he said this, everyone looked towards A’Ling.
Lan Fushang also turned her head in surprise to look at A’Ling. What had she just heard? The person in front of her had vented A’Ling’s anger by hitting Shi Qingqian?
Gu Jingyang put away the usual smile on her face. She knew about what happened back then, and she also knew that A’Ling had been wrongly accused.
As for Zhao Shan, he was probably the one who reacted the most. He looked at Xing Yanchu, then at A’Ling, and then at Gu Jingyang, who didn’t seem surprised by these words.
He mused inwardly, This must be true. I can’t believe A’Ling and Shi Qingqian had such a past. But earlier at Soaring Rainbow Tower, Shi Qingqian was clearly there to save A’Ling. What’s going on? If A’Ling had instigated someone to hit her before, why would she save A’Ling?
A’Ling looked with cold eyes at the indignant Xing Yanchu, feeling utterly disgusted. She truly wanted to pry open his skull, wring out his brain, and pour out the stinking water, making him look into it like a mirror to see how sickening his pretense of “doing it for someone else’s good” truly was.
“I’ll tell you this one last time: I don’t have a habit of needing others to vent my anger, not before, and not ever! You brought people to hit Shi Qingqian; please take that bucket of blame yourself. Furthermore, if you keep pestering me like this, I won’t mind beating you to death for some peace and quiet.”
As A’Ling spoke, she directly summoned Little Wandering, swung a whip, and the ground by Xing Yanchu’s feet turned scorched black.
Xing Yanchu was so scared he jumped a large step sideways, then tremblingly turned to look at A’Ling. His eyes were full of shock; he seemed to not understand how she could possess such a powerful magic artifact, and he was very unwilling to believe that A’Ling would actually strike him.
“Fighting violently against a fellow disciple in front of Soaring Rainbow Tower, A’Ling, are you trying to get expelled from Mystic Crane Mountain?” Zhao Shan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke with a cold face.
No matter what, Xing Yanchu was still a disciple of their Sword Cultivator’s Abode. A’Ling’s direct attack was also a disgrace to the sword cultivators.
A’Ling retracted Little Wandering, not even looking at him, and casually said, “Does Mystic Crane Mountain have a rule against showing a magic artifact to a fellow disciple?”
Zhao Shan was about to retort, claiming he had seen A’Ling suddenly launch an attack with his own eyes, but before the words left his mouth, he was interrupted by Gu Jingyang.
“So you two are the ones sent by the Sword Cultivator’s Abode this time?”
Zhao Shan’s face was full of displeasure. He coldly snorted, confirming Gu Jingyang’s question. “Heavenly Peace Abode, Elder Zhao Shan.”
Gu Jingyang nodded, her gaze turning to Xing Yanchu.
Xing Yanchu was still angry and didn’t want to engage with her, but under Gu Jingyang’s gaze, which carried a subtle pressure, his heart trembled, and he unconsciously reported his identity: “Heavenly Peace Abode, Xing Yanchu.”
It was only at this moment that Gu Jingyang learned Xing Yanchu had also entered the Heavenly Peace Abode.
She was somewhat confused why all the sword cultivators sent this time were from the Heavenly Peace Abode.
The previous abode master of Heavenly Peace Abode, Qiu Fanbo, was replaced by Qingqian after she issued a challenge order during the abode’s disciple selection. This Zhao Shan was Qiu Fanbo’s personal disciple.
Because the abode master’s disciples automatically held the rank of Elder regardless of their cultivation, Zhao Shan’s cultivation wasn’t high, but due to this connection, he used to have status in the Heavenly Peace Abode.
Now, with Shi Qingqian as the new abode master, his status was awkward. Since he still reported himself as an Elder, it was likely someone was backing him up.
Both these people were sent by the Heavenly Peace Abode. Were they sent by Qingqian?
No, that’s not right, Gu Jingyang thought. Qingqian had entered secluded cultivation a month ago. These individuals must not have been chosen by her; she might not even be aware of it. Then who would it be? Sword Cultivator Peak Master Ye Bingfeng? Was it intentional that she sent these two who had some connection to them, or was it just a coincidence?
Regardless, unusual occurrences hide sinister motives. They absolutely had to be extremely cautious on this trip.
Gu Jingyang quietly told A’Ling and Lan Fushang about her worries, asking them to also be careful.
It was getting late, and Gu Jingyang didn’t want to delay any longer, mainly because she didn’t want to attract attention in front of Soaring Rainbow Tower. She led the team, and the group of five headed towards Zhuoling Mountain.
Mystic Crane Mountain had already entered winter, and a sense of winter’s bleakness was everywhere.
The sun gradually climbed, sunlight scattered, and the haze in the air gradually dissipated.
Gu Jingyang and her group flew on their swords without stopping for half a day. Only when the sun climbed directly overhead did they find an open space to temporarily settle down and rest.
A’Ling thought, Luckily, they all had their cultivation protecting their bodies. Otherwise, flying for most of the day in this cold wind would have likely left them frozen stiff.
As soon as Lan Fushang landed, she began setting up all the gear she had brought. Pots, bowls, ladles, and basins – nothing was missing.
Zhao Shan wasn’t too surprised when she successively took out several large iron pots, but when she pulled out three chairs from her Universe pouch, the expression on his face couldn’t hold up anymore.
There are so many stones by the river; couldn’t one just pick up a random one and sit on it like a stool? Was it even worth specially bringing a chair? He definitely wasn’t jealous that the other person had chairs to comfortably lean back in. He just felt that Lan Fushang had something wrong with her head. No wonder Zhao Qi often liked to trouble her.
Now, he really wanted to go and overturn the table Lan Fushang had just set up. She had even brought a tea set! In this wilderness, she’s boiling hot water to make tea! He really wanted to soak her brain in hot water too! What did she think they were here for?!
“Are you done or not? Do you think this is a picnic? Or a vacation? Do you want to just live here?” Zhao Shan couldn’t stand it anymore. Lan Fushang had even brought various seasonings. Looking at her, she was about to start cooking.
Lan Fushang was bewildered as to why this person was angry, but she immediately protected her pot.
A’Ling whipped him, sending him back several steps, and he almost tripped over a stone.
“Do you think I’m forgetful? I haven’t even settled the score with you from Soaring Rainbow Tower last time, and you actually dare to deliver yourself to my doorstep!” Saying this, A’Ling whipped forward again.
Zhao Shan reacted quickly and dodged. “A’Ling, what are you doing? I’m the one sent by the Abode to assist you! If you injure me, I’ll definitely inform the Peak Master when I return. Then we’ll see what happens to you—”
Before he could finish, A’Ling whipped him across half his body. Zhao Shan painfully clutched his arm and knelt on the ground.
“Then we’ll see if you even have a life to go back with,” A’Ling sneered.
Zhao Shan looked at A’Ling in disbelief. Her expression was cold and sinister, completely unlike she was joking. She actually dared to kill him?!
“Gu Jingyang, Gu Jingyang, can’t you see? This person’s gone mad! You’re the leading cultivator for this mission. If something happens to me, you won’t escape responsibility either!” Zhao Shan, his eyes bloodshot, shouted towards Gu Jingyang, who was leisurely washing vegetables by the river.
Gu Jingyang was rubbing mud off the radish in her hand. This radish clearly looked like Lan Fushang had just pulled it from the ground that morning. Gu Jingyang didn’t know what time she had woken up, to have even prepared the vegetables.
Hearing Zhao Shan’s shouts, she shook the water off the radish and looked at A’Ling. “Stay a little further away. Don’t ruin that pot of soup.” Otherwise, her radish would have been washed in vain.
Zhao Shan was greatly alarmed. Gu Jingyang was actually going to condone A’Ling’s violence.
A’Ling nodded upon hearing this. She did need to be careful. She looked around. That open space not far away seemed suitable.
Zhao Shan saw A’Ling walking towards him step by step and was so scared he retreated repeatedly. As he retreated, he shouted at Lan Fushang, “Lan Fushang, quickly tell her to stop! Otherwise, when I get back, I’ll definitely tell the Peak Master that you’re also an accomplice!”
Lan Fushang stirred the ladle in her hand, preventing the noodle soup from sticking to the bottom. When A’Ling had first started, she had wanted to intervene, but then she understood from Gu Jingyang that A’Ling would handle it. Since Gu Jingyang thought there was no problem, then there must be no problem.
She simply pretended not to hear and seriously continued cooking her soup.
Zhao Shan saw that Lan Fushang also had no intention of speaking, and it seemed these three had formed an alliance.
He turned to look at Xing Yanchu, who was standing idly by. “Hey, what are you spacing out for? Come help! Don’t forget you’re a sword cultivator! These spiritual arts cultivators are bullying us now! What are you still standing there blankly for?!”
Xing Yanchu was stunned because he had never seen A’Ling like this—so formidable, so imposing.
Back in the academy, they were like two pathetic bugs in a ditch; nobody really liked them. Although no one dared to mock them to their faces, they often gossiped behind their backs, saying they had no skill but big tempers.
He never would have thought that in less than a year, A’Ling would become so formidable. Not only had she formed her core and passed the inner sect assessment, successfully entering the Spiritual arts Cultivator’s Abode, but now she could even easily defeat a sword cultivator Elder.
Hearing Zhao Shan’s shouts, he came back to his senses. He thought for a moment, After all, they were sword cultivators who came together. I can’t possibly not help.
“Uh, A’Ling—”
He had just called out her name when he was whipped away.
A’Ling raised an eyebrow and glanced at Little Wandering. This wasn’t her command. This problem was quite serious. If a magic artifact didn’t obey its master, no matter how powerful it was, it could become a bane.
When she returned, she would have to think of a way to refine out that thousand-year demonic core.
For now, though, time to get some revenge.
After A’Ling finished whipping Zhao Shan, Lan Fushang happened to call out that dinner was ready.
A’Ling looked down at Zhao Shan, who was lying on the ground unable to get up. “If there’s a next time, I’ll whip your skull to pieces.”
Having delivered her threat, and seeing the other party’s frightened expression, A’Ling felt satisfied. It’s good as long as he knows fear.
Returning to the dining table and sitting down, A’Ling asked Gu Jingyang, “How should we handle this next?”
Gu Jingyang put down her bowl of radish noodle soup, then fetched another bowl for herself before sitting down. “Later, we’ll have Fushang check how long his injuries will take to heal, then find a place to leave him.”
Lan Fushang happened to be carrying her bowl over. Hearing this, she looked at A’Ling and Gu Jingyang in surprise, and after a moment of hesitation, asked, “Did you two plan this?”
A’Ling nodded. Even if she wanted revenge, she wouldn’t delay Gu Jingyang’s matters. This was Gu Jingyang’s first time leading a team out on a mission.
Just now, while they were flying on their swords, Gu Jingyang had set up a barrier and used spiritual projection to tell her this plan.
Zhao Shan was clearly here to cause trouble, and might even be carrying some secret mission. Keeping such a person nearby was too dangerous.
However, just now in front of Soaring Rainbow Tower, there were too many onlookers, making it inconvenient to make a move. It was better to bring him out and then deal with him.
Gu Jingyang’s initial plan was to travel a bit further, find a safe place to leave him, and let him heal on the spot.
The best time for Zhao Shan to heal and return would be consistent with, or even later than, when they completed their mission and returned.
Otherwise, if this person returned first and exaggerated his complaints within the Abode, it would be extremely troublesome.
Lan Fushang understood Gu Jingyang’s plan, but she had another layer of worry: “What about the other person? Should we bring him along?”
Gu Jingyang nodded. It wouldn’t be good to not bring anyone. If Zhao Shan’s matter were eventually investigated, the incident at Soaring Rainbow Tower had occurred first. If A’Ling were to be punished, Zhao Shan wouldn’t escape either, as he was the first to attack and injure someone, and Lan Fushang’s injuries at that time were not light either.
But Xing Yanchu was different. He had no past grievances with them. On the contrary, he was even from the same outer sect academy. If they didn’t bring him along, it would truly escalate to an issue of discord between spiritual arts cultivators and sword cultivators.
Fortunately, although Xing Yanchu’s character wasn’t good, his cultivation wasn’t high either. If he truly caused any trouble behind their backs, Gu Jingyang would find it easy to deal with.
Lan Fushang felt relieved after hearing this.
After the three finished eating, Gu Jingyang packed up their things, while A’Ling protected Lan Fushang as she went to check on Zhao Shan.
After a detailed examination, Lan Fushang returned and told Gu Jingyang, “For a full recovery, it might take a month. To recover enough to fly back to the Abode on his sword, about half a month.”
Gu Jingyang nodded. Half a month was sufficient.
She used a spiritual technique to dry the water from the clean pots, bowls, ladles, and basins, then returned them to Lan Fushang.
Lan Fushang put everything back into the Universe pouch.
The two of them coordinated smoothly, and all their belongings were quickly packed up. There was nothing for A’Ling to help with.
After everything was packed, Gu Jingyang had Xing Yanchu take the injured Zhao Shan along, and the five continued flying on their swords for another half-day, reaching a safe mountain peak before sunset.
These mountain peaks, adorned with purple tassel fish-scale flags, were mountains that the Peak Masters had cleared and equipped with beast-repelling barriers. They were very safe, specifically designated for wilderness cultivators to rest and stay.
Flying on swords at night had unclear visibility and potential dangers, so Gu Jingyang decided to rest here for the night.
Hearing that they would be resting there for the night, Lan Fushang immediately took out the three tents she had prepared beforehand and began setting up camp.
Gu Jingyang went to inspect and patrol the vicinity, while A’Ling helped Lan Fushang set up the tents.
Xing Yanchu and the injured Zhao Shan sat to one side, watching A’Ling and Lan Fushang set up tents, spread out mats, pull out blankets, and even bring out pillows.
Comparing that to themselves, Xing Yanchu wrapped his thin sword cultivator disciple robe tighter around him. Even though cultivators weren’t supposed to fear the cold, he faintly felt the chill of winter.
The main reason was a chill in his heart. A’Ling and the others had prepared so thoroughly, yet they hadn’t even thought of bringing a share for him. Even if they hadn’t thought of bringing him a share, they should have at least reminded him to bring these things too.
If A’Ling knew he was thinking this, she would probably mock him for his wishful thinking. What obligation did she have to remind him? What nerve!
Xing Yanchu eagerly watched Lan Fushang and A’Ling finish setting up the tents for the night, then start setting up their gear to cook again.
Fortunately, Lan Fushang cooked hot soup that night and gave him a bowl, making him feel that his dry rations weren’t too difficult to swallow after all.
This was also the first time he realized that ordinary vegetable egg drop soup could taste so good.
Gu Jingyang and A’Ling huddled together, their gazes subtly observing Xing Yanchu, who was happily drinking his soup. They saw that he had finished more than half a bowl in a short while.
The two exchanged glances. This soup is safe to drink.
Earlier, when Gu Jingyang saw the green leafy vegetables Lan Fushang took out, which were a type she had never seen before, her heart tightened. She hurriedly asked A’Ling to take a look too.
A’Ling wasn’t quite sure what kind of vegetable it was, so she asked Lan Fushang. Lan Fushang said it was a type of wild vegetable only available in winter, and its taste was extremely delicious.
Even though Lan Fushang said she had tried it before, A’Ling and Gu Jingyang took extra caution. Just as both of them were somewhat hesitant to try it, they saw Xing Yanchu eagerly watching the pot of soup from the side.
The two exchanged glances, and immediately understood each other’s meaning.
A’Ling told Lan Fushang that since she had made quite a lot, why not send a bowl to Xing Yanchu as well, but Zhao Shan wouldn’t need one.
It wasn’t that she was so stingy she wasn’t willing to give Zhao Shan a bowl; she was worried that if he drank it, he would kick the bucket, and then that life would truly fall on her shoulders.
Lan Fushang, of course, wouldn’t be stingy with a bowl of soup, so she immediately carried it over to Xing Yanchu.
A’Ling and Gu Jingyang watched him drink the entire bowl. Seeing that nothing happened to him, they finally picked up their own soup bowls with relief and started drinking sip by sip.
It was indeed very delicious.
It was so delicious that Gu Jingyang even began to suspect that Lan Fushang’s previous tea soup had truly been made with that disgusting taste because its efficacy was remarkable.
A’Ling felt very pleased inside, listening to Gu Jingyang praise Lan Fushang, as if she were praising A’Ling herself.
That night, a full A’Ling lay in the wind and rain-sheltered tent, listening to the whistling wind outside. Her heart felt warm and content, and she couldn’t help but sigh, It’s truly wonderful to be out here with Fushang.
The soft mattress, warm blanket, and perfectly sized pillow were so comfortable that it felt even more leisurely than being back in the Abode.
Thinking of this, she looked at the space beside her pillow; the spot where a dark shadowy figure should have been was empty.
Her heart, which had just been full, now felt like a piece was missing.
She missed her dog a little. She wondered how it was doing at home, and if it missed her.
Meanwhile, Shi Qingqian, who was being thought of, suddenly felt an itch in her nose. A sneeze blew the talisman in front of her several meters away.
The talisman touched the barrier outside the Abode, instantly igniting into a small flame. However, in just an instant, the fire extinguished, the talisman paper turned to ashes, but the barrier remained completely unharmed.
Failed again…
Shi Qingqian gazed at the barrier that was trapping her. She took a deep breath, and the fiery glint in her eyes was even more intense than the flame that had just ignited from the talisman.
She never would have thought that she would one day be trapped by A’Ling!
She truly underestimated her!
Good work 👏