Chapter 94 How can you say that the two of you should stop being jealous of each other...?

When Lu Changqing found Wu Zhuyue, the latter was walking towards her in a daze, her face pale. She hurriedly ran over to help Wu Zhuyue up, but Wu Zhuyue subtly avoided her.

"Xiao Wu, are you injured?" Lu Changqing assumed she was just putting on a brave face and reached out to put his hand on her shoulder with concern. This time, Wu Zhuyue did not dodge, letting the gentle spiritual energy flow in, allowing her to calm her spiritual energy, which had become disordered due to her heavy mind.

After confirming that Wu Zhuyue was alright, Lu Changqing became even more suspicious. They hadn't known each other for long, but she knew Wu Zhuyue's personality well; she would swallow everything herself, never expressing her grievances or pain. The fact that she was silent now meant something had happened, and she was trying to keep it all to herself.

She shook Wu Zhuyue, anxiously asking, "What happened? You lost? What does it matter if you lost—"

"How can it be so exaggerated, like you're going to act in a play?" Wu Zhuyue thought wearily. Before she could speak, she saw a familiar person walking over behind Lu Changqing. Her expression changed, she bit her lower lip, and actually knelt down on one knee.

The boy was startled by her action and was at a loss when Shen Lixia's equally surprised voice came from behind him: "Junior Sister Wu, what are you doing?"

Lu Changqing belatedly realized that the two of them had just had a match, and perhaps that was where the conflict lay. She was a bit naive, but not stupid, and roughly guessed what had happened, so she reached out to pull Wu Zhuyue.

“How could Senior Sister Shen want to see you put yourself in such a lowly position… Please stand up,” Lu Changqing said softly. “Don’t make things too difficult for her…”

Wu Zhuyue kept her head down, not uttering a word. The white robe she wore accentuated her slender figure, making her appear even thinner. Yet, she remained stubbornly kneeling, and no matter how hard those around her tried, they couldn't pull her down.

As Lu Changqing said, Shen Lixia did not want to see her like this. She quickened her pace and walked to Wu Zhuyue, bent down and extended her hand to her, and said gently, "Junior Sister Wu, I know that you have not used that sword technique for a long time, so it is inevitable that you are rusty and did not stop for a moment."

"I'm sorry, Senior Sister Shen." The boy's eyes were obscured by his hair, and his features were shrouded in shadow. "If there is anything I can do to make it up to you, Senior Sister, please do so."

Shen Lixia sighed, truly unsure how to handle the situation. She turned to look at Qiao Yanshen, only to find that he had already looked away.

That's right, her senior sister is probably even less skilled than she is. After thinking it over, she finally bent her knuckles, reached out and flicked Wu Zhuyue's forehead hard.

Unexpectedly, she did this, and given the force she used, Wu Zhuyue almost lost her balance. Fortunately, Lu Changqing reacted quickly and grabbed her. Shen Lixia exchanged a glance with her, and the two of them together helped Wu Zhuyue to her feet.

"Alright, alright, that's the punishment. Junior sister, be careful next time. After all, such a fierce blade of light still hurts." Shen Lixia smiled. "But it's also because my skills are not good enough. I'm clearly at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Junior sister, you truly deserve the talent of a sword immortal."

She withdrew her hand, patted her shoulder, and then stretched out her arms.

"See, the wound has healed, hasn't it? Don't worry about it. The competition is meant to test people's strength, but this has given me a wake-up call."

Wu Zhuyue blinked in surprise, not yet able to react, before Lu Changqing interrupted, "It must have been some Immortal Venerable who reprimanded her! But it's only natural that Immortal Venerables, who have deep friendships, would cherish their camaraderie..."

With this explanation, the matter of the divine fire's rebirth and the murderous intent were overshadowed. Qiao Yanshen, after listening to Yan Xueya's description, could guess from Shen Lixia's reaction that the matter was not as simple as "going too far." However, Lu Changqing only thought that Wu Zhuyue was too concerned about winning and losing, and acted without leaving any room for maneuver. Feeling that he had hurt his friend's feelings, he apologized in this way.

Wu Zhuyue lowered her head and remained silent, seemingly unsure of what else to say. Shen Lixia smiled and patted her shoulder, then suddenly seemed to remember something and exclaimed:

"Oh dear, I still have one more round to play!"

After saying that, she stepped onto the fiery path and disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving only the wind to flutter the hems of their clothes.

Qiao Yanshen couldn't help but chuckle, raised his hand to rub his temples, and turned to Wu Zhuyue, saying softly, "Since my junior sister has said she forgives me, she won't hold it against me anymore. But if you truly consider her a friend, please take good care of her in the future."

Wu Zhuyue was taken aback, then mumbled an "Mmm".

Feeling that the current stalemate had been resolved, Lu Changqing blinked and said, "Senior Sister Qiao, do you have some free time tonight to instruct me on a few sword techniques?"

"Swordsmanship?" Qiao Yanshen quickly understood her intention. "Are you worried about facing a swordsman tomorrow and want to know how to counter their sword moves?"

Lu Changqing nodded with a smile: "Exactly!"

“Of course you can.” Qiao Yanshen nodded. “Junior Sister, you can come to Frostblade Peak tonight. However, it is very cold on the peak, so please remember to bring warm clothes.”

After saying goodbye, Lu Changqing led Wu Zhuyue back to the arena, while Qiao Yanshen thought for a moment and then headed to Frostblade Peak first.

For some reason, her junior sister's thoughtfulness stirred a bittersweet feeling within her, a slight ache that made her heart race. Even after stepping onto the icy snow of Frostblade Peak, Qiao Yanshen was still exhausted and began practicing her swordsmanship, intending to ask Yan Xueya about it when she returned.

The moon rises and sets, and the cicadas chirp disturbingly on summer nights.

After the competition, they went to Zhu Mingfeng. Another hour passed. Shen Lixia and Yi Xiaohan finished their sword fight. When Shen Lixia heard her talk about Wu Zhuyue's situation, she was shocked and even more glad that she had not let the young man be trapped in guilt.

Yi Xiaohan sighed and said, "She looks calm, but she is actually very upright. However, too much rigidity can lead to breakage. I wonder what challenges she will face in the future."

The stronger one's personality, the more easily one is troubled by inner demons. Shen Lixia was well aware of Wu Zhuyue's temperament. In fact, if Qiao Yanshen hadn't been by her side, she would have been the same way—once it involved her senior sister, she couldn't remain calm.

One black, one white—such a coincidence, isn't it like seeing a mirror image? One may claim unwavering resolve, but when faced with setbacks related to ideals, or even the slightest crack of doubt, one will fall into the clutches of inner demons.

Shen Lixia shook her head. "No matter what, she won't face this alone. Since everyone is here, there's no obstacle she can't overcome."

"That's quite an open-minded idea," Yi Xiaohan laughed. "The sect has indeed become much more lively lately. It seems we can have a good New Year this year."

After Yan Xueya emerged from seclusion, Taihui did not revive the custom of gathering people to celebrate the New Year on Frostblade Peak. Everyone knew that True Monarch Mingji had lost her beloved disciple and, fearing that the sight would trigger her grief, dared not disturb her. Gradually, they returned to cultivating in their own residences, no longer caring about such traditional human festivals.

“That’s for sure.” Shen Lixia stood up. “Aunt Yi, I’m going to Frostblade Peak to take a look. I’ll be right back.”

Yi Xiaohan was used to her stealing moments of leisure from her busy schedule, and said quietly, "If she doesn't come back after two incense sticks have burned, she'll practice more."

Upon hearing this, the young man quickly spurred his sword and headed towards Frostblade Peak. Seeing his hurried figure, the woman chuckled twice, then leisurely took out her wine cup and, by the moonlight and in her good mood, quietly began to drink alone.

But should you put spirit stones or gold ingots inside the dumplings?

-

The sword flashed like the moon, slicing through the scattered snowflakes.

Lu Changqing dodged gracefully, occasionally using her spiritual power to defend and neutralize the sword energy.

Qiao Yanshen restrained her strength, suppressing her spiritual power to the Qi Refining level. This was easy for her and also avoided the possibility of accidental injury.

Lu Changqing exclaimed "Eh?" and said, "Senior Sister's spiritual energy seems to have changed in color?"

After saying that, she rubbed her hands together and breathed on them.

"And it's even colder... Yeah, it really is cold here. Even with spiritual energy to keep warm, I can still feel the snow seeping in."

As they were talking, a talisman was handed to them, with scorching lines drawn on it in cinnabar. Lu Changqing was taken aback, took the talisman, and wondered what Qiao Yanshen's intention was.

“It’s a cold-dispelling talisman that can maintain warmth for a while, which might make Junior Sister feel better.” Qiao Yanshen took a few steps back. “The color of the spiritual energy… is probably due to the recent change in the cultivation method, which has also affected her spiritual root.”

When using the Luoshui Technique, the light shines brightly, obscuring the deep blue hue, but it's difficult to conceal when using a sword normally. Since that dream, her spiritual root seems to have changed, becoming colder and purer in the darkness.

Qiao Yan knew perfectly well that this was what Luo Yang had left for her. It was a gift, and also a curse. They were two such distinct people, yet they were inevitably walking the same path. The flow of spiritual energy was like connecting blood, making her understand even more clearly that Luo Yang's words of love were genuine; she truly loved her and wished her well.

However, this person has always been prone to unexpected twists and turns, experiencing complex and complicated loves, ultimately ending up with a bittersweet experience.

Lu Changqing smiled and thanked her, then infused the talisman with his spiritual power. He felt much better; at least his fingers were no longer stiff.

In combat between healers, movement is always crucial. The two continued exchanging blows, their figures flashing across the pristine white snow, their robes fluttering in the wind.

After a round of questions, Qiao Yanshen suddenly asked, "Junior Sister Lu, how did you make up your mind after that?"

She still remembered Lu Changqing's melancholy appearance when he was still known as Qiao Wan, but now he was such a cheerful young man, which surprised her.

Lu Changqing took a few steps back, exclaimed "Oh dear!" and said, "The past is too painful to recall! But if Senior Sister Qiao wants to know, I'll make an exception and tell you."

She brushed the snow off her shoulders and sat down on the ground. With the talisman to ward off the cold on her body, she no longer felt cold, and her voice naturally became clear and bright.

"After that, my mother and I made up our minds to gradually consolidate the Qiao family's connections and resources, seizing power step by step. But this was rightfully mine; what could those useless men accomplish? The process wasn't easy, but we ultimately managed to annul the engagement and free ourselves from constraints. The Qiao family was renamed the Lu family, and I took my mother's surname. She also gave me the name 'Changqing,' which I love. After our family stabilized, my mother took in a group of homeless girls and helped them open a cloth shop. After that, she also provided relief to many refugees..."

Lu Changqing condensed his experiences over the past few years into a few sentences and slowly recounted them to Qiao Yanshen.

"In short, I'm much happier than before. It's just that my mother is still reluctant to let me go, but I said that once I've attained enlightenment, I will definitely go back to visit her and let her experience what it means to kill anyone who gets in my way, and to slay any god who gets in my way!"

Hearing the rest, Qiao Yanshen smiled, then quickly frowned, hesitating to speak. As Lu Changqing spoke, his tone gradually lowered, especially when he mentioned going home to visit his mother; his voice was filled with complex and indescribable emotions.

She thought that Lu Changqing understood without her saying it. A hundred years in the mortal realm was insignificant to a cultivator.

Perhaps if one were to go into seclusion, the world would change completely. Summer is still summer, but the cicadas on the trees have long since changed seasons.

The boy before him was homesick. Qiao Yanshen looked up and saw the bright moon hanging in the sky, casting a silvery glow on the silk.

Why does the bright moonlight shine on the ground again?

And what is her mother doing now? Summer has arrived, and although the cultivators' bodies are no longer afraid of cold or heat, and they are still on Frostblade Peak, where it is not hot at all, a trace of heat is rising.

The two sat silently in the wind and snow, speechless, and unaware of the subtle movements coming from behind the snow-covered trees.

Shen Lixia hid among the dense leaves, gazing at the woman in white under the moonlight. She was so engrossed in watching that she unconsciously pressed her fingertips lightly against her chest, feeling a trembling sensation.

Why do I feel this way?

Was it because her senior sister gave the talisman she had given her to someone else? No, since junior sister Lu felt cold, she naturally couldn't just sit idly by. She would have given it to her in the same situation.

Or perhaps it was because my senior sister was having a pleasant conversation with someone?

No, none of that is right. Shen Lixia lowered her eyes, unsure how to describe her feelings at that moment. Liking someone seemed to be a very complicated thing, making her oblivious. Whenever she encountered such a situation, she would feel dizzy and unable to speak clearly.

Even the icy winds and snow of Frostblade Peak couldn't keep her awake for even a fraction of a second.

She had no choice but to step onto her longsword and quickly and silently return to Zhu Mingfeng, fleeing like a bird hastily flying away under the moonlight.

-----------------------

Author's Note: I prefer writing about delicate and complex emotions, so the pacing is really slow TvT I feel like this book could easily go to 200 chapters. I'll try to keep it simple in the future.