Chapter 169 Seeing Xue, she could entrust everything to her like this. ...
As dawn breaks, the mountains and forests awaken, and the distant chirping of birds fills the air.
With a soft rustling of fabric, the young woman on the bed sat up. She moved very quietly, afraid of startling the person sleeping beside her.
After confirming that Shen Lixia was still fast asleep, Qiao Yanshen reached out and gently stroked her face. The warm, soft touch made the young man let out a soft hum, and he nuzzled against her hand. Stray hairs from behind her ear brushed against the back of her hand, tickling her.
A piercing coldness shot up my chest, followed by a hissing, burning sensation, disrupting the spiritual energy within my meridians. The pain was like the dark clouds gathering before a storm, pressing down and churning in my chest.
Before the chill reached his fingertips, Qiao Yanshen withdrew his hand, got out of bed, put on his boots, and slowly walked outside.
The cool morning light poured down, and the young woman stood in the courtyard, which now seemed hazy and desolate. Her face was as pale as a sheet of paper soaked with water. Even the withered peach tree couldn't match the deathly aura emanating from her brow, like a chilly spring breeze that would dissipate in an instant.
Suddenly, Qiao Yanshen bent down slightly, raised his sleeve to cover his lips, and coughed.
When the bleeding subsided, she lowered her eyes and saw that her sleeve was stained with blood. A few drops had silently slid down from the corner of her lips, dripping onto her white clothes, like scattered plum blossoms on the snow.
Qiao Yanshen used the Cleansing Dust spell to wipe away the bloodstains, but his brows relaxed and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
As she delved deeper into the Luoshui Technique, demonic and spiritual energies clashed continuously. Although her body was not weak, she constantly felt coldness and pain, as if the coldness emanating from someone else was also being transmitted to her. Just moments before, she had been lost in a daze, unable to discern whether she was alive or dead, until the burning blood flowed down her throat, bringing her back to her senses.
The line between life and death was becoming increasingly blurred. She was coughing up blood and being devoured by the cold, only feeling a little warmth when she was with her junior sister.
She will make a choice someday, but not now.
While she was in pain, her strength was also steadily increasing. If she had to say, she didn't actually dislike this feeling—it was just an exchange of one thing for another.
If you feel the cold is unbearable, then put yourself in an even colder environment; perhaps your body will adapt. Thinking of this, Qiao Yanshen returned to his room, sat down at his desk, and began to write.
"Stay at Frostblade Peak for now." After writing these words, I felt that I was being a bit heartless. I had abandoned her at Frostblade Peak before, and now I was doing this again. I was afraid the little bird would cry.
She always had a lot of tears. Qiao Yanshen could already picture the boy with tears in his eyes. He shook his head and helplessly wrote another line:
"You can come find me."
Would it be better to write "You're coming to find me"? She pondered the words for a long time, and before she knew it, the ink had seeped onto the paper, staining the originally sharp strokes. The spreading traces resembled the wavering yet intricate tenderness in her heart. Qiao Yan sighed deeply, but ultimately didn't change it.
She knew that Shen Lixia would come, she definitely would come.
In front of Shen Lixia, she never had to be too careful. Because the other person was someone she would hold hands with whenever she reached out, time and time again.
Yu Feng was summoned at will. The spirit sword shone with a soft white light, tinged with a hint of coldness, and wisps of azure flowed across its silver blade. The sword tassel swayed gently, like a puppy's tail, expressing goodwill to its master.
Qiao Yanshen stepped onto his sword and hurried towards Frostblade Peak.
Withdrawing her protective spiritual energy, the moment she stepped into the barrier, the soft frost and snow felt like countless blades, finely cutting into her body. But the chilling sensation she had felt earlier did indeed dissipate, as if she hadn't expected Qiao Yanshen to retaliate in this way, and obediently sank down.
Amidst the fluttering white robes, her figure was not actually thin; her arms and waist appeared strong and powerful. Only the inner pain created a frailty, like the fine snow of early spring, making her seem especially lonely in the bitter cold. Reaching the summit on her sword, she stepped onto the snow-covered ground. The sky above Frostblade Peak was still overcast, with only the howling wind and snow.
After stopping, Qiao Yanshen looked down into the distance and saw a lake nestled among the mountains, its surface clear as a mirror, untouched by snow, revealing a shimmering blue hue. The furry giant beast had awakened and was walking along the mountain path, searching for its morning food.
Snowy owls spread their wings and soar through the vast snowstorm.
She stood there quietly for a while, her tense mind gradually relaxing, and she didn't hear the footsteps behind her until the person spoke.
"Why did you come here?"
Qiao Yanshen turned around, first smiling and calling out "Master" before replying, "I miss the snow scenery on the peak. In addition, I will be going into battle alone in a few days, so I would like to ask Master for some guidance."
Yan Xueya walked slowly to Qiao Yanshen's side. She was not wearing the gorgeous dress she wore in the competition today; she was wearing her sleeping clothes underneath and had hastily draped a moon-white long robe over it, tied with a belt.
A slight tug came from her hair. Qiao Yanshen looked up and saw Yan Xueya withdraw her hand—her master had straightened her hair ribbon.
"It wasn't tied up properly," Yan Xueya's voice seemed softer than usual, "Is something on your mind?"
"No. Maybe I got up too early, and I'm a little sleepy no matter what I do," Qiao Yanshen smiled.
They remained silent for a while, each seemingly burdened with something, unable to find a place to confide in. However, the older woman, being more perceptive, took the initiative and spoke first.
“I’m afraid I have some worries,” Yan Xueya said bluntly, “I’ve been thinking about it for several days, and I’ve been tossing and turning almost all night.”
Qiao Yanshen looked at her gently, "Why don't you talk to your student about it?"
"Very well, now that we've come this far, it's time for you to consider this issue. Yan Shen, do you know what a cultivator's Dao heart is?"
"The determination to embark on the path, the desire... the unwavering resolve that enables one to look up amidst hardship."
“That’s right. But many people’s Dao heart is easily damaged, and some even lose their cultivation as a result. Do you know why?” Before Qiao Yanshen could answer, Yan Xueya continued, “Recently, the world has been in turmoil, and conflicts have arisen everywhere. Therefore, cultivators always have to face a question: how should they choose between the world and their personal feelings?”
"Perhaps putting the two together seems too abstract, but if we're being more specific... it's like choosing between the important person in your life and the survival of the entire sect. How would you choose?"
At this point, Qiao Yanshen's smile faltered slightly before returning to normal. Yan Xueya patiently waited for her to think for a moment, her hands behind her back, her fingertips trembling slightly.
She said slowly, "Actually, if I were to choose, I'm afraid I would disappoint Master. Although I have always been taught by Master and know that I bear the responsibility of protecting many lives, I still feel that the former is more important. If someone were to exchange the life of an entire sect disciple who has nothing to do with me for Master, I would choose the latter without hesitation." Qiao Yanshen knew that he had said something unpleasant, so he spoke very softly.
It's always difficult to dissect oneself in front of others. But with Yan Xueya, she was willing to lay bare her true feelings, word by word, from beneath the layers of flesh and blood that concealed them.
After hearing this, Yan Xueya remained silent for a long while, giving her a deep look. Qiao Yanshen's eyes were calm, yet as if he knew what was about to happen, he smiled, concealing his deep blue gaze, and closed his eyes.
"It's so cold on Frostblade Peak," she exclaimed.
The cold blade pressed against my neck.
Yan Xueya's hand holding the sword was steady, but her eyes were not calm. Qiao Yanshen's composure faltered for a moment, and astonishment surfaced in his eyes, which he then forcefully suppressed.
"After yesterday's competition, there was a corpse covered in demonic energy. The demon-detecting array showed no abnormalities, and your name appeared in the list of students I had my men investigate."
In an instant, the situation changed, and her master's sword was now positioned at her vital point. Qiao Yan knew that if she wanted to, it would only take a moment. She pursed her lips, then smiled, suddenly tilting her head slightly, resting it against the sword, and softly called out:
"Master."
Immediately, before Yan Xueya could exert any force, she met the sword blade first, letting the sharp white blade drink blood. Bloodstains appeared, and strands of bright red fell, staining the white clothes once again.
At this moment, Qiao Yanshen only thought that perhaps he should really change his clothes and stop wearing white... it gets dirty too easily.
After her almost resolute action, Yan Xueya twisted her wrist, deflecting the sword. Her brows furrowed, wondering why the person before her seemed indifferent to all the turmoil, and a pang of pain shot through her heart.
Was she destined to be at odds with the demons her entire life? Her past disciples were, in her words, wicked beings mixed with demonic blood, who secretly cultivated demonic arts, claiming they were going deep into the demon realm to protect others from the demon army's onslaught. The young man's smile was full of confidence, but Yan Xueya wanted nothing more than to slap him with her sword. She had spoiled him, trusted him too much, and now he had ended up like this.
And the path Qiao Yanshen is currently walking is exactly the same as that person's. But strangely, the Frost Sky Sword did not hum. It has been with Yan Xueya for so long and is extremely sensitive to the aura of the demon race. The first time, the sword spirit failed to form, but this time, there is no way it could fail.
Even stained with blood, the sword silently fulfilled its duty as a weapon, without uttering a sound.
What should she choose? Demons are notoriously adept at disguise. Even though Tusheng seems no different from before, there have been many instances of spies impersonating acquaintances to infiltrate cultivators, ultimately leading to their annihilation. She's gambling, betting her personal feelings on Tusheng's life, and that's the right thing to do.
After a century of silence, her heart was once again in turmoil. After a few moments of stalemate, Yan Xueya finally sheathed her sword and sighed. She stepped forward, placed her hand on Qiao Yanshen's neck, and warm spiritual energy flowed through her, healing the wound.
“It’s my fault,” Yan Xueya lowered her eyes, “I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
A tear abruptly fell onto her wrist. The turbulent emotions that had been surging since she drew her sword finally overwhelmed her, and before she could even open her mouth, the tear streamed down her face. Qiao Yanshen bit her lower lip and whispered, "It's alright."
“I know that Master has many things to consider. If I am killed here, I will have no complaints. After the competition, I will leave the sect on my own and will not bring shame to the sect. I am deeply grateful for the kindness of the immortals and will repay them sincerely in the future.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she fell into a familiar embrace, held by Yan Xueya, her tears staining his clothes.
The woman's voice was low and gentle as she said, "I won't kill you. You are my student and my child. Don't say such things; it hurts to hear them... It's my fault. You can blame me, but don't go."
"You don't have to willingly endure any pain all the time."
Qiao Yan closed her eyes and leaned against the woman's chest, seemingly feeling for a brief moment that the weight that had been pressing on her shoulders had lessened. She felt as if she had forgotten something, but not completely, and a sense of grievance arose from nowhere, like a hole that she couldn't find, and could only hear the gurgling sound of blood flowing.
What had she forgotten? She had a feeling it was something important, but she couldn't remember it no matter what she tried. All she could feel was a dull ache in the healed wound on her abdomen.
I've wondered if things would be peaceful if the grand competition were canceled, but was Emperor Taihui's palace truly untouched by invasion? The current situation is far too passive.
I can't remember.
If this matter is of utmost importance and she forgets it, she might blame herself for the rest of her life after it leads to tragedy.
She still couldn't remember, and instead, demonic energy surged up, almost sweeping away her thoughts.
It took Qiao Yanshen a while to recover. The two figures separated, the atmosphere still heavy. After a brief exchange of glances, their eyes returned to the open mountains.
Just then, the sun rose, making the snow sparkle and shimmer. Suddenly, a bird's cry rang out, and then a little snowy owl, flapping its wings, appeared out of nowhere and landed abruptly on Yan Xueya's shoulder.
Behind me, a soft, aggrieved voice sounded:
"My master and senior sister have teamed up to isolate me..."
Something solidified was suddenly broken. Qiao Yanshen turned his face and smiled, "Didn't I remember telling you to come find me this time?"
Shen Lixia blinked. "If Senior Sister doesn't call me that, then I'll really get angry. Really."
Yan Xueya asked meaningfully, "Has the relationship improved quite a bit?"
After confirming with Qiao Yanshen's gaze, Shen Lixia nodded and said smugly, "It's time to eat red bean rice."
"What is that?" Yan Xueya couldn't help but chuckle. "Never mind, it's another new term you kids use. Logically speaking, teachers are like mothers. If you don't have any relatives in the world, I will choose the wedding dresses for your marriage ceremony. Two dresses will take some work, so you should tell me in advance."
"Wait, wait a minute." Shen Lixia blushed. "How could we possibly form a bond so soon after confirming our relationship..."
Qiao Yanshen seemed quite at ease, took her hand, and said with a smile, "It's too early to form a bond; I'm just informing Master."
"Good morning?" Yan Xueya lowered her eyes slightly, and after a moment she chuckled, "Indeed, you have your own plans."
She thought she was being too hasty—because a hundred years ago, she actually owed someone a marriage ceremony.
I suppose I owe my classmates a chance to tell them about my happiness and let them shed tears for it. So now, looking at my two students, I look forward to personally choosing their beautiful clothes and setting up the ceremony.
Looking at the continuous snow-capped mountains, Shen Lixia took a few steps forward, then suddenly turned her head, letting the sunlight illuminate her eyes.
"I remember Master was a cavalryman, right?"
Yan Xueya, unsure why she asked this, nodded first. Shen Lixia, feigning excitement, opened her arms and asked cheerfully:
"What's it like sleeping in a tent?"
—I had no idea what the child would say next. Yan Xueya pondered for a moment and said, “It’s cold outside, let’s go back to the palace to talk.” Actually, she had almost forgotten what it felt like to be on the snowy plains, but now that Shen Lixia mentioned it, she realized that it was truly a very distant time.
As time goes by, even if one has embarked on the path of enlightenment and seems to be able to avoid aging, one will still feel something constantly slipping away. A person's appearance will be changed by their heart, just as her heart is no longer young, no longer that of a long, long time ago, when she had just emerged from the snowfield, a dull yet equally spirited young man.
The mothers who raised her must have long since passed away, gone through countless reincarnations, and are now perhaps emperors in some region, or wealthy merchants in some village...
In short, those who do good deeds throughout their lives will always have a good ending. Otherwise, Heaven would be too unkind.
She sat down in the hall. The fire in the stove was burning brightly—a habit she had brought from home. Even though her spiritual energy protected her from the cold, she still liked to constantly add firewood to the stove to keep the flames burning. Fire was life, a source of safety. Just as her two students were now nestled against her, Yan Xueya had also, when she was very young, leaned against the strong yet soft embrace of her elders, feeling dizzy from the warmth, and drifted off to sleep amidst the aroma of wine.
She took a sip of hot tea before speaking slowly: "Sleeping in a tent, the surroundings are very narrow, so you can hear a lot of sounds. There are no walls separating you, so it's as if you can clearly hear the breathing of someone sleeping far away."
Shen Lixia leaned on the table and pressed, "What kind of sounds will you hear?"
“Birdsong…” Yan Xueya laughed, “and the low growls of lurking beasts, the soft buzzing of insects. Perhaps they don’t actually exist, but I think I heard them, and it’s still quite rich.”
"Ah—how interesting!" Shen Lixia exclaimed, then hugged Qiao Yanshen's arm tightly and muttered to herself.
"Senior sister, you know what? I never get a chance to go camping. Sigh, I really want to sleep in a tent... a tent on the snowfield, though..."
Yan Xueya understood the second half of the sentence and smiled, "You will also go to the snowfield in the future." It is not far from the border of the Seventh Domain to the Sixth Domain, so staying overnight is not a pipe dream.
Moreover, things are brewing lately... perhaps something big is about to happen. If it really is a demon invasion, then whether they want to or not, the cultivators will set up camp in the Seventh Domain to guard the border.
Qiao Yanshen felt warm all over from being shaken. "Let's go another time, after the competition."
Yan Xueya casually picked up a pear from the plate on the table and started peeling it with a knife.
"You're just like your senior sister's little shadow," she teased Shen Lixia. "You never come here on ordinary days. You're the senior sister when there's nothing to do, but you go to Master when there's something to do, hmm?"
The boy's face, already brightly lit by the firelight, showed a hint of embarrassment. He shook his head slightly and smiled, "I came because I missed my master. Lately, I don't know why, but I've also wanted to spend more time with my master."
“Me too,” Qiao Yanshen added. “I miss my master very much.”
As they talked, the snow-white flesh gradually emerged from the peeling skin. She cut two slices, then handed them over, only to realize that sharing a pear didn't seem quite right. But the two students had already accepted them, their eyes and brows beaming with smiles.
"Never mind." Yan Xueya shook her head, inwardly laughing at herself for being too tense lately. Perhaps she should relax for a while after the competition before going to the Demon Realm.
"You performed very well in this round of competition."
"Thanks to Master's guidance..."
After talking for a while, she urged them to practice their swordsmanship in preparation for the second round of the competition.
Time passed quickly. Shen Lixia didn't ask Qiao Yanshen anything. Instead, she went to her room in the palace at night and stayed there with her.
I feel a little embarrassed in front of my master, so I'd better not sleep in the same room with him.
The fire in the stove burned brightly through the night. Her bed was by the window, offering a panoramic view, which reminded her of the lake she had seen earlier. She rarely had the leisure to visit Frostblade Peak before, but today she noticed this large lake that resembled an eye of the mountain.
The thick blanket gave her a feeling of returning to the dead of winter, the sensation of snuggling into a warm, cozy bed after finishing everything. The room was warm, dry, and bright thanks to the closed doors and windows. The firelight, unlike other lamps, didn't shine directly into certain areas, so it wasn't glaring and instead made her feel increasingly sleepy.
Shen Lixia huddled under the covers, only her eyes showing. She stared silently at the air in front of her for a long while, as if speaking to someone, and whispered:
"good evening."
The snow fell silently, and she quietly thought of someone.
Dawn broke quickly, and the fields were tinged with a faint bluish-white from the snow. The snowfall stopped, and the steady breathing echoed and rose and fell in the room, then suddenly ceased.
The girl quickly sat up in bed. The shimmering water in her dream met the hazy, still-sleeping snow scene outside the window, giving her a lamb-like energy. She immediately rolled out of bed, put on her boots without even changing her clothes, and tiptoed to a door in the dim light.
She carefully pushed open the door. The person on the bed was still asleep, huddled under the covers, with only a small tuft of long, dark hair showing. Shen Lixia walked to the bedside, bent down, and carefully pulled back the corner of the blanket.
"Senior sister..." she called softly, "Senior-sister... Eldest senior sister—"
The young man was a light sleeper, and disturbed by her soft voice, he quickly opened his eyes groggily and gave a soft "hmm" in response. A moment later, his eyes narrowed again, about to close again.
Shen Lixia couldn't help but laugh, gently tapping Qiao Yanshen's nose and pinching her cheek, feeling the softness unique to someone just awakened. She didn't give up, and whispered again:
"Senior sister... wake up. Wake up..."
Qiao Yanshen gave another low "hmm," this time drawing out, as if she wasn't happy. Then, she suddenly reached out and pulled Shen Lixia into her arms.
The boy was pressed against her cheek. Their hair intertwined, his soft breath brushed against her, and she could almost hear his deep heartbeat. Shen Lixia's ears turned red instantly, and she gently struggled, only to hear a tone she had never heard from Qiao Yanshen before.
"Mmm..." Qiao Yanshen's eyelashes trembled as he murmured in his sleep, "Just five more minutes..."
She was almost pleading, leaving Shen Lixia helpless, her heart filled with a soft, moist abyss. So adorable, so cunning...
How could there be someone in this world she likes so much...?
Her black hair, warmed by the touch, clung to her skin, soft and smooth. After a long while, Shen Lixia steeled herself, opened her mouth, and bit Qiao Yanshen's cheek.
"No, no, even if you say that... I won't soften my heart. Even if my senior sister is so cute that the world is about to explode..."
Qiao Yanshen finally woke up slowly, but he wasn't angry. With a faint tooth mark on his head, he looked at her blankly and let go of her hand.
The boy smiled and said, "Let's go to the lake together."
The sun is rising now, and the lake view in the early morning is very pleasant; I think my senior sister will like it.
The competition was tough, so she should be given lots and lots of rewards.
Qiao Yanshen sat up helplessly, shook his head, and tried to change his clothes, but she pulled him along, and before he could even fasten his boots, they ran outside. The boy ran so fast, like a deer, leaping across the vast snowfield. The boundless snow, which should have been cold and lonely, was now, because of her running, as if all the world's hustle and bustle had surged in, her every smile and frown spreading color, making even the white snow vibrant.
As she led me along, the world changed without me even touching a sword or moving a step. Suddenly, I felt the world expand outwards.
Just like at this moment, one can cast aside all anxieties and pains, forget the many troubles of the past, and simply focus on running forward, letting the scenery flow before one's eyes.
The soft, clear sound of footsteps echoed underfoot, like tiny white stars shattering beneath one's feet.
It's so strange. Everywhere is a dazzling white, which should be monotonous, but why do I always notice the plum blossoms in full bloom or with buds when I follow her? I also notice that the snow falls in varying degrees of density, and when the bright sunlight falls, the pale purple is also so beautiful when you look closely.
Finally, Qiao Yan closed her eyes and let Chen Lixia lead her through the snow. Her trailing robes were covered in snow, which melted into water and clung to her skin, creating a strange and soft sensation.
She could entrust everything to her without having to think about any lingering ties from the past.
When they reached the lake, Shen Lixia finally let go of her hand. Feeling warm all over from running, he turned his back to the lake and said to her loudly, "Look, isn't it beautiful?"
The lake was vast, its shimmering waves rippling like silk, leaping like layers of gold foil in the morning light, its depths tinged with a unique purple that intertwined with blue, both profound and pure. The person standing before the lake was silhouetted by the sun, his face rosy, his hair disheveled, his chest heaving.
Qiao Yanshen's gaze swept across the lake for only a moment before lingering on Shen Lixia for a long time. He was no longer sleepy and smiled faintly, "Mm."
It is beautiful, truly beautiful.
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Author's Note: Actually, after finishing the story and looking back at the beginning, I realized there were some connections. The first time Xia came to Frostblade Peak, she was looking at her senior sister and thought she was a third kind of stunning beauty, between the color of snow and the color of moonlight.
And now, the senior sister is looking at Xia. Their gazes are shifting...as their feelings change, they are both staring intently at each other.
After the next chapter, the daily life will be over^^ The previous battle felt too rushed, so I wrote something like this... I hope it won't be too tedious!
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