Chapter 17 Jiuyi City (Part 1) You'll get upset if I tell you.
Wu Xiutang released her, and Shi Xianxue fell to the ground in shock. Wu Ying, unaware of what had happened between the two, had half its face blown off by the wind. It followed Shi Xianxue and jumped down, stepping on her shoulder. It saw a blue-clad youth flying on a sword staggering back.
As Wu Xiutang watched the approaching figure, she said softly, "Look, your lover has come to find you."
Seeing Shi Xianxue fall to the ground, the sword beneath the young man's feet seemed to spring into motion, reaching Shi Xianxue in the blink of an eye. He jumped up, nearly falling flat on his face, but still immediately went to help Shi Xianxue up, asking with concern, "Miss Shi, are you alright?"
Shi Xianxue was helped up by him, and shook her head and whispered, "It's nothing."
After calming down, Shi Xianxue realized that Wu Xiutang had no reason to do such a thing. Killing him and then expending his own spiritual power to maintain his lifespan was an extremely unprofitable deal. The reason he said that was probably because her unfounded speculation had aroused his dissatisfaction. He couldn't kill her or hurt her, so he decided to play psychological warfare.
It scared her to death.
Zhou Zheyue helped her up before he saw Wu Xiutang. He was stunned for a moment, and seeing that the two of them looked awkward and unsure of what to do after a fight, he felt a little guilty for his rashness. Afraid that Wu Xiutang might misunderstand something, he hurriedly explained, "I didn't come here specifically for Miss Shishi. I... I just got lost."
This foolish and self-deceptive explanation made Wu Xiutang narrow his eyes.
"I'm leaving right now!"
Zhou Zheyue's face turned as red as if he were drunk, and he turned to leave, but Shi Xianxue grabbed his arm. "You're not allowed to leave!"
If you're going to leave, you have to take her with you!
Shi Xianxue had her own ideas. Although she really wanted to ride the crane again, Wu Xiutang was sometimes like a madman. She couldn't figure out his temper, and she had a sharp tongue. The two of them were childish like ghosts. What if they started arguing halfway and he abandoned her and left alone? Besides, he might not even want her to ride his crane. In short, she should avoid going looking for trouble.
So she planned to refuse him with a tactful reason, but she was interrupted by Wu Xiutang coldly as soon as she opened her mouth to utter a single syllable.
"What are you trying to say, you shifty-eyed fellow?"
"You're the one with shifty eyes."
Say it again!
With someone backing her up, Shi Xianxue became bolder: "You think I'll just say what you want me to say? Please get this straight, I'm the master now, the one who is respected. You have to listen to me. If you dare to displease me, do you believe I'll hurt myself?"
Huh? What do you mean by "does the master not exist" or "does he not harm himself"? How could he possibly listen to such things? He knew it was just a little playful banter between husband and wife, but hearing Xiaoxue say it out loud made him want to dig a hole and bury himself in it, pretending he had never been there.
However, the two were on the verge of conflict, and he was afraid that Shi Xianxue would be wronged, so he could only patiently say, "Young Master Wu, Miss Shishi is a woman, and she is the one you have entrusted your life to. You should respect and cherish her. Frequent quarrels are really hurting your relationship."
This is a matter between the young couple and shouldn't be his concern. However, Xiaoxue is a very good person, and Young Master Wu is a chivalrous and kind-hearted man. They are a perfect match, and it would be a great pity if they parted ways because of their youthful impetuosity and lack of tolerance.
Shi Xianxue: "?" Do you cultivators all speak so casually?
Wu Xiutang sneered contemptuously: "If I don't treat her like this, how can you take advantage of my vulnerability?"
These words caused Zhou Zheyue's face to flush red, and he stammered, "Young Master Wu Wu Wu, please be careful with your words!"
He should have dug a hole and crawled in long ago.
Shi Xianxue is now in a complete mess. One minute she's talking about husband and lover, the next she's entrusting her life to someone else. She knows absolutely nothing about her marriage! Can't you two presumptuous gentlemen at least respect her opinion?
Wu Xiutang was too lazy to waste words with him. Seeing that Shi Xianxue was hiding behind Zhou Zheyue and had no intention of coming over, he instantly felt uncomfortable as if his possessions were being taken over by someone else. He didn't have time to think about this strange emotion. His anger swelled up first, and he growled impatiently, "Are you coming up or not?"
Shi Xianxue withdrew her face, leaving him with her stubborn back.
Zhou Zheyue regretted rushing forward. He had only been reluctant to leave Xiaoxue in the wilderness, fearing something might happen to her. Now that Young Master Wu was here, he should have avoided suspicion and left. So he wanted to persuade Xiaoxue to leave with Young Master Wu. But when he saw the pitiful, wet, rabbit-like eyes of Master Xianxue, he couldn't bear it anymore: "Young Master Wu, how about this, I'll take Xiaoxue back first this time. I promise I'll bring her back safely."
"With your third-rate sword control skills?" Wu Xiutang retorted sarcastically, showing no regard for the lives of others. "Aren't you afraid of falling to your death?"
Ignoring Zhou Zheyue's embarrassed expression, he grabbed at the air, and Shi Xianxue fell heavily back onto the crane. He smirked provocatively, and the crane flapped its wings and soared into the sky, breaking through layers of clouds. In an instant, it disappeared from Zhou Zheyue's sight.
Wu Xiutang visibly became happy; he loved nothing more than breaking up loving couples.
The young man already had beautiful eyebrows and temples, and when he was happy, his features were relaxed and bright, like a golden goblet or a glass cup, dazzling and eye-catching.
Shi Xianxue blushed quietly.
Damn it, how can someone have such a beautiful smile?
The group traveled south along the western border of Nanyue and soon arrived at Jiuyi City.
Despite it being late autumn, the temperature here was still ridiculously high. Shi Xianxue looked at the forest located behind the town. Even in broad daylight, it was shrouded in thick fog, hiding the forest and making it difficult to see its full appearance.
Shi Xianxue looked up, wanting to see the legendary Mountain of No Return, but as her gaze moved upward, the thick fog also rose, and her vision gradually blurred.
It was as if a visual barrier had been placed over it, preventing outsiders from trying to spy on it.
Mysterious and dangerous.
She asked Zhou Zheyue in a low voice.
Zhou Zheyue thought for a moment before saying, "The place where demons are imprisoned must naturally have a barrier. The Protector of the Mountain and the Fire of Departure is the barrier that separates the Mountain of No Return from the human world. Once we cross that forest, we will be able to see it."
Shi Xianxue suddenly realized.
There are more demons surrounding Jiuyi City than one might imagine. This place is only separated from the seal of Mount Bugui by a forest. Humans and demons in human form live together, and the atmosphere is so chaotic that it is difficult to distinguish between humans and demons for a while.
The closer they got to Mount No Return, the stronger the sense of oppression became for these cultivators. It was as if they sensed the great demons' unwelcoming attitude towards cultivators. Each of them had their own thoughts and focused on their journey, remaining silent throughout.
The city of Jiuyi was bustling with people. As the sun set, the summer heat dissipated considerably. As soon as Shi Xianxue entered the city, she began to frolic. Unlike the deliberately suppressed aura of the others, her exceptionally lively state attracted everyone's attention.
Wu Xiutang was always good at concealing his aura. He stayed at the back of the crowd, staring at Shi Xianxue with a sinister look.
These past few days, she had been flying in the sky on her sword for several hours at a time. Unlike the cultivators, Shi Xianxue's body quickly became exhausted. She didn't get enough sleep and her physical strength was greatly depleted, so she was always listless. Once, she almost fell from the sky, but fortunately, Song Qingshu caught her in time. Seeing how listless she was, Song Qingshu took out two Qi-boosting pills and fed them to her, and taught her how to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to strengthen her primordial spirit.
Seeing her slow progress, Fu Liuwan sneered from the side, "These days, any Tom, Dick, or Harry can cultivate. This person is naturally dull and has mixed spiritual roots. It will be difficult for her to break through her realm in the future. Why bother Fellow Daoist Song with all this trouble and waste the Qi-boosting pills?"
Zhou Zheyue called out "Senior Sister" in a low voice, only to be glared at by Fu Liuwan.
The little girl who diligently practiced her skills every day quietly shattered.
Cat and Dog Xue angrily swallowed two pills in quick succession. She felt her dantian burning hot, and her temper was burning like a lit torch. She stood up abruptly, looked around with her head up, and asked in confusion, "Who is talking?"
I have a bad feeling about this month of twists and turns.
Sure enough, the next moment, Shi Xianxue slowly lowered her head, very deliberately and obviously, and her gaze fell on Fu Liuwan's angry face. Shi Xianxue suddenly realized, and then narrowed her eyes and bit her lip, making an expression of wanting to speak but not daring to laugh.
This combo directly turned the fragile Fu Liu into a red-hot state.
"What kind of expression is that! What are you trying to say! Say it to my face if you dare!"
Shi Xianxue hesitated, "No, Miss Fu."
Fu Liuwan flew into a rage: "Speak! Speak! If you dare, then speak!"
"Alright then, you asked me to say this," Shi Xianxue smiled. "I hope you can show me some respect in the future, and stand up to talk to me, okay?"
Fu Liuwan: "!! Ahhh, I'm going to kill you!"
Shi Xianxue said with a sly look, "See, you're unhappy now that I've told you."
"you!"
Within the sect, she was the pampered daughter of the sect leader, used to being domineering and arrogant. No one would be so foolish as to provoke her. Now, being ridiculed like this by lowly mortals, she had completely lost face and dignity.
Fu Liu felt his blood run cold and wanted nothing more than to rush up and tear Shi Xianxue apart.
Now, this woman dares to mock her height in front of others. This lowly mortal, she wants her dead!
Fu Liuwan raised his hand, and the red silk whip struck the air with a sharp sound. In an instant, a fierce light, a mixture of thunder and fire, slashed towards Shi Xianxue.
"Today I'll show you the power of this red silk whip!"
Let's see if she dares to speak rudely again!
"Senior Sister!" Zhou Zheyue cried out in surprise.
Song Qingshu's Snow Chant Sword was already in action. The Snow Chant Sword cleaved through the ball of lightning and fire, heading straight for the Red Silk Whip.
The lightning and fire were shattered into sparks that scattered in all directions. Even the usually good-tempered Song Qingshu couldn't help but frown. "We are all friends. Why is Miss Fu so angry? Shishi is not even at the Qi Refining stage yet. Using the Red Silk Whip would be putting her to death."
"I don't care whether she lives or dies. If she offends me, she is going against the entire Nine Heavens Immortal Mansion. Fellow Daoist Song, I advise you to get out of the way quickly. My red silk whip doesn't have eyes."
Just then, Li Fuchao and his group returned from picking wild fruit. Seeing the charred marks around them and the tense atmosphere, they understood what was going on. Wu Xiutang took a bite of wild fruit, his gaze lingering on Shi Xianxue's face. Seeing that she was not injured, he did not come forward.
The mechanics of the Nine Heavens Immortal Mansion threw away the wild fruit and stood behind Fu Liuwan, questioning Zhou Zheyue with their eyes.
Zhou Zheyue said righteously and sternly, "It's Senior Sister's fault."
Fu Liuwan was so angry that she almost lashed him with a whip.
An ingrate who betrays his country.
Upon seeing Li Fuchao return, Fu Liuwan instantly dropped her aggressive demeanor. She recalled her red silk whip and was about to argue when Song Qingshu said, "Those who cultivate the Dao should dwell in virtuous places, have kind hearts, be benevolent, and speak with integrity. If we constantly shout for violence, bully the weak, and humiliate ordinary people without spiritual power, then how are we any different from the demons?"
“Moreover—” Song Qingshu stood tall, her back gleaming in the sunlight, her skirt swaying gently in the wind. Shi Xianxue saw a holy light emanating from her. “My fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens. Miss Fu, it is too shallow to make such a judgment now.”
Shi Xianxue, who was so strongly supported by the female lead, felt a little ashamed. Although she worked two jobs a day during college and tutored during winter and summer vacations, she was actually lazy and greedy. Now, with the added problem of poor foundation, her cultivation was much more difficult than that of ordinary people.
You see, she's a little pushover who can be defeated by any difficulty.
Moreover, she learned immortal arts purely because there were no intelligent vehicles here. She couldn't ride a horse, and some places weren't suitable for riding. To prevent being abandoned in the wilderness again, she made this painful decision.
In fact, she had already thought it through. Even if she couldn't fly on a sword, she would accept a flying carpet, a fairy flute, or a crane, roc, or phoenix—anything that could fly in the sky and run faster than her.
Faced with Song Qingshu's affirmation, Shi Xianxue felt even more pressured. She tried to argue that the true meaning of life was to slack off, give up, and lie low: "No, actually I..."
"Shishi, from now on I will personally teach you the Mindfulness and Focus Technique of our Qingyun Sect. Once the sealing matter is over, I will ask my father to accept you as an inner disciple of the Qingyun Sect."
Shi Xianxue felt immense pressure: "Actually, I..."
“Miss Shishi, do not underestimate yourself. The Wushan people find cultivation difficult, not impossible. Given time, I believe you will be able to turn your life around.”
Shi Xianxue, who couldn't get a word in edgewise: "..."
Shi Xianxue: "Thank you."
Fu Zhen slowly walked through the crowd and pulled the furious Fu Liuwan back, gently shaking his head to signal her not to act impulsively. Fu Liuwan met his gaze, her rationality returned, and she seemed to realize something.
She put away the red silk whip and stared at Shi Xianxue with a hint of ill intent.
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