72 Breaking Through the Boundary (Part Ten)
◎ Stray dogs and rabbits. ◎
At this moment, with the help of the light coming from outside, Ran Qinghe finally saw the person clearly. It was Wei Lin, who had come to cause trouble time and time again before.
She had already taught him a lesson, but he was so persistent, as if he had nothing to fear.
But considering what actions they were talking about, she suppressed her anger and listened patiently.
Wei Lin replied, "That's right. Those cultivators have access to rare and precious materials and inexhaustible spiritual energy, while we can only huddle here in this valley in frustration. Why should we be treated this way!"
The short man continued, "It was one thing for Ye Buchen to obstruct us when he was around, but now that we don't even know if he's dead or not, he hasn't left us any good stuff. What bad luck!"
Wei Lin sneered: "Alright, it's precisely because we don't know if he's dead or not that we need to act quickly. Otherwise, when he comes back, or his good disciple Ran Qinghe comes back, we won't be in any good shape."
"How's the gathering going, I told you to come up with the people?"
The short man sighed and said, "Don't even mention it. A bunch of cowards. They won't even open the door if you mention Qingxiao. There are probably only about a hundred people left now."
As the two talked, they gradually walked away. From their few words, Ran Qinghe roughly understood what they meant.
Previously, the two dared not make a move because Ye Buchen was present, but now that they have finally gotten their chance, it seems they are about to make a move against Qingxiao.
Ran Qinghe scoffed inwardly. In the end, it had nothing to do with her. It would be better if Qingxiao caused trouble. The more trouble Wei Lin stirred things up, the better.
She hadn't forgotten the one-year agreement that Lou Guan and Qian Zhong had made earlier.
The academy's final exams are over, and her departure will no longer be restricted by anyone. However, without the academy's protection, Qianzhong may not let her leave easily. Therefore, she must take the initiative before Qianzhong makes a move.
As dawn broke, a pale white light shone through the window paper.
Ran Qinghe had finished tidying up. She stood quietly in the room for a moment, took one last look at the simple house, and then pushed open the door to leave.
She thought that perhaps after this, she would have no further connection with the Valley of Mortals.
The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and the Valley of Mortals gradually disappeared into the vast mountain scenery behind us.
Ran Qinghe kept walking, her heart cold. Her journey back to Yunya Academy was unusually smooth. However, when she stepped into the academy gate, she sensed that the atmosphere was unusual.
At this time of day, the disciples would be either doing their morning exercises or in the lecture hall, and the streets would be sparsely populated. But today, as soon as she crossed the front courtyard, several pairs of eyes fell on her, filled with scrutiny, curiosity, and an indescribable eagerness.
Ran Qinghe frowned slightly, not wanting to cause any more trouble, and walked straight towards the disciples' quarters in the corner of the academy. She just wanted to quickly pack up her few remaining personal belongings and leave this place of trouble.
However, as soon as she reached the path near her residence, she was blocked by someone.
The newcomer was dressed in a dark yellow robe with lotus patterns embroidered on the cuffs, the attire of an inner disciple of the Buddha Hand Sect.
"Fellow Daoist Ran, please wait." The man bowed respectfully, "I am a disciple of the Buddha Hand Sect."
"First of all, I congratulate you on your outstanding performance in the examination. Our Buddha Hand Sect is eager to recruit talented individuals. I wonder if you would be willing to join our sect? The sect leader has decreed that if you agree, you may directly enter the inner sect, and all resources and magical artifacts will be provided according to the standards for core disciples."
Ran Qinghe didn't stop walking, only replying indifferently, "Not interested."
The Buddha Hand Sect disciple was taken aback, seemingly not expecting her to refuse so decisively. Before he could persuade her again, Ran Qinghe had already brushed past him.
Immediately afterwards, as if a hole had been opened, people appeared one after another from various places and gathered around.
“Junior Sister Ran, our Xuan Shui Sect Master cultivates artifacts. Your spiritual power is abundant, which is just right for our sect’s methods.”
“Miss Qinghe, Baixu has established its sect on alchemy, and its resources are abundant, making it most conducive to cultivation…”
"Fellow Daoist Ran, why not consider our Crimson Maple Sect? Upon joining, you can contract a Heavenly-level spirit beast..."
The noise was deafening, rising and falling. The arrogant disciples of the five sects had all lowered their guard and were vying to extend olive branches to her.
They promised her generous terms: inner discipleship, direct instruction from the sect leader, spirit stones and elixirs, cultivation manuals... as if they wanted to elevate her to the heavens.
Ran Qinghe sneered inwardly. If even the leaders of Qingxiao were all birds of a feather, what about the other four sects? In her eyes, their enthusiasm was nothing but a mirage, illusory and dangerous.
She remained expressionless, repeating only three words to the disciples who surrounded her:
"Not considering it."
Her steps were steady and her pace unwavering. Those who tried to block her way involuntarily parted to make way for her under her cold yet resolute gaze. Some looked disappointed, some frowned, and some had shifty eyes, seemingly plotting something.
Having finally escaped the entanglement in the front courtyard, Ran Qinghe secretly breathed a sigh of relief and stopped in front of her small courtyard, about to push open the door and enter.
However, the next moment, a figure appeared silently on one side of the courtyard wall.
"Ran Qinghe".
The voice was deep, yet familiar. Ran Qinghe paused, slowly withdrew her hand, and turned around.
It was precisely Fu Ji who was involved.
He was still dressed in black, with a handsome face, but a layer of gloom shrouded his brows.
Ran Qinghe said in a distant tone, "If you've come here to recruit me, please leave. I have no intention of joining any sect."
Fu Ji shook his head, took a step forward to close the distance, and lowered his voice: "I didn't come for that. I... have something to ask of you."
"A request?" Ran Qinghe raised an eyebrow, finding it somewhat absurd. She had few interactions with Fu Ji, and the few times they had met were far from pleasant, especially when Shui Rong'er was involved.
Mentioning Shui Rong'er, she suddenly remembered that Shui Rong'er seemed to have been seriously injured before the big exam.
She softened her tone and then asked, "How is Shui Rong'er?"
Fu Ji's lips were pursed tightly, as if he had made up his mind: "That's why I came here. I need the Breakthrough Pill, no matter the cost."
Ran Qinghe lowered her eyes, took out a jade bottle from her waist, and casually tossed it away.
"for you."
Fu Ji instinctively caught it, and the familiar medicinal scent emanating from the bottle made him tremble violently.
"You..." His voice was a little hoarse, as if he had never thought that he would obtain the Breakthrough Pill so easily. "You didn't ask for the reason, nor did you mention any conditions?"
Ran Qinghe turned around and pushed open the door, her tone indifferent: "I originally wanted to use the Breakthrough Pill to save someone, but... it's no longer necessary."
Her movements were stiff. She had intended to say these words in a light and casual tone, but when the words reached her lips, a bitter taste still lingered.
She went inside and began tidying up her few remaining personal belongings, trying to distract herself.
Fu Ji followed closely behind, clutching the jade bottle tightly as she stood by the door, seemingly consumed by some intense emotion. A moment of silence fell over the room, broken only by the soft sounds of her arranging her belongings.
“She…” Fu Ji finally managed to speak, but his words were still roundabout.
Would you like to hear a story?
Ran Qinghe paused slightly as she was binding the scrolls, then turned her head, her clear gaze falling on his face.
“When I was in Foshou, I once saw a stray dog that was on the verge of death in the wild, which was picked up by a rabbit.”
Ran Qinghe paused, a faint ripple appearing in the depths of her eyes, almost imperceptible. "And then?" she asked.
"Later, the rabbit wanted to save the wild dog, but asked the wild dog to do one thing for it: after its injuries healed, the rabbit had to praise it a hundred times without repeating itself."
Ran Qinghe asked in surprise, "It's that simple?"
Fu Ji nodded: "Perhaps that stray dog thinks so too."
Ran Qinghe: ...
As soon as he said it, Fu Ji seemed to realize that his words were ambiguous, but he still continued, "So, the stray dog readily agreed."
"However, after the stray dog fully recovered from its injuries, it was unable to do so."
"Why?" Ran Qinghe asked at the right moment.
"Because it praised the rabbit twice and then couldn't think of any more words, it thought the rabbit was vain, arrogant, bad-tempered, difficult to get along with, etc., so in the end it only praised it twice: beautiful, cute..."
"The rabbit was very angry because saving people came at a price. Every time it saved someone, it had to pluck out its own fur. Once its fur was all gone, it would die..."
Ran Qinghe nodded and commented, "It's truly an absurd story."
Fu Ji replied, "That stray dog thinks so too."
Ran Qinghe glanced at him indifferently: ...
Fu Ji continued, seemingly oblivious, "That wild dog thought this rabbit was outrageous, that it had to pay such a price just for others' praise and to satisfy its own vanity."
"So, it followed her around all day, constantly trying to persuade her."
"But the rabbit retorted, 'I haven't said anything to you, you fickle wild dog, so why are you bothering me?'"
The stray dog was also thinking, "Yeah, its injuries have completely healed, so why is it still watching her? Maybe... it can't bear to see such a beautiful rabbit with all its fur gone."
"Later, the wild dog wanted the rabbit to protect its fur, so it disagreed with the rabbit going to save people and started praising the rabbit in different ways every day, but the rabbit got annoyed."
"It wants to be noticed and praised by everyone, rather than being confined to its territory by wild dogs."
"So it enjoys healing everyone and basking in everyone's praise, but at the same time, it loses more and more fur."
Ran Qinghe curled her fingers, seemingly nervous, yet feigning nonchalance: "How is the rabbit now?"
“It… is saved now,” Fu Ji said solemnly, stroking the jade bottle in his hand as he straightened up. “Thank you.”
Ran Qinghe lowered her eyes, put the last volume of the book into her storage bag, walked past him, and headed straight for the door.
“Tell your rabbit,” she waved her hand, her voice carrying a faint hint of pleasure, “that being pretty and cute is sometimes… enough.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
