Chapter 77 Jade Cloud 2 Once he has formed his Nascent Soul, he will confess his feelings to his junior sister. ...
As Xu Xing's shop became famous both inside and outside the Jade Cloud Sect, her days at Frost Peak were leisurely and peaceful.
Li Shuang Peak is too mysterious. Even the cultivators from the Thousand Machine Academy who come to deliver the points can't get close to the mountain gate, let alone see the mysterious peak master. The two disciples of Li Shuang Peak also live in seclusion. No matter how much the cultivators want to know more, they can't do anything about it.
Although Frost Peak is still within the territory of Jade Cloud Sect, it has always been separated from other peaks by a layer, and people only know its name but never see its form.
Five years have passed in the blink of an eye, and on the perpetually snow-covered Frost Peak, one often sees this scene—
Chen Du practiced swordsmanship in the snow, his blade leaving no trace in the snow; Xu Xing followed Fu Shuang to learn magic, surrounded by five spirits.
Shen Du sat cross-legged on the ice with his eyes closed, his hair and eyebrows covered in snow; while Xu Xing moved the alchemy furnace over and began refining pills while touching Tuanzi.
He tempered his body in the freezing cold, and slowly walked along the forging table, hammering and chiseling away...
"Crack—"
The ice shattered, and a lean, powerful male figure burst forth. The moment he opened his eyes, Chen Du's gaze swept around. When he saw Xu Xing wiping the Xuan Yue Sword, his frost-covered brows and eyes softened as if melting away, revealing a faint smile. "Junior Sister."
Shen Du had been in seclusion in the ice for three whole years. Hearing his voice, Xu Xing turned around in surprise, "Senior Brother! You've come out of seclusion!"
Chen Du responded softly, gently gathering her long, loose hair with her fingers. She then quickly fetched a new robe to replace her own, making sure everything was in order from head to toe before walking towards Xu Xing. "It's been a long time."
"Not at all!" Xu Xing laughed, "I see my senior brother every day! That's great! Your cultivation has improved again!"
But I haven't seen you in so long...
Shen Du looked at Xu Xing with gentle eyes, "It's your elixir that's good."
This was no exaggeration. After taking the Myriad Spirit Pill refined by Xu Xing, the speed of spiritual energy absorption was indeed much faster. Five years later, Shen Du had already reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm, and was only one step away from the peak of the Golden Core realm. If other cultivators knew about such a terrifying cultivation speed, they would definitely find it hard to believe.
But as a sword cultivator, he needs to break through in battle.
"Two years ago, the Immortal Academy reopened its student recruitment program. Senior brother, guess who the vice dean was?"
"It's Instructor Jia! Elder Ning Wenbin personally serves as the dean. Before... during the investigation, it was said that Elder Ning approved of Instructor Jia's style of treating all disciples equally."
"...Now the Immortal Academy no longer distinguishes between Tian Shu, Yu Heng, and Yao Guang. All new disciples study together and choose their own master upon graduation in five years. I heard that the Martial Academy is also planning to change this..."
"Senior Feng of Qingling Peak has formed his Nascent Soul, and Senior Wen is in seclusion..."
"The inner sect recently held a spirit-summoning competition, which all Foundation Establishment disciples could participate in. Ayao won first place and received a lot of praise from the elders!"
The two walked together toward the secluded courtyard where Fu Shuang was located at the summit. Shen Du listened patiently as Xu Xing excitedly shared the events that had happened in the Jade Cloud Sect over the past three years, occasionally responding softly, his eyes always gentle.
He was glad that during his three years of seclusion, he did not feel any sense of alienation among them.
Upon hearing about the Foundation Establishment disciples' competition, Chen Du raised an eyebrow slightly. "And what about you? Didn't you participate?"
"I did participate..."
Xu Xing paused, her gaze unfocused. She hadn't intended to speak, but when she looked up and saw her senior brother's smiling eyes, she momentarily lost her composure and blurted out the truth, "I was originally focused on defense, but for some reason, a disciple from Wuchen Peak kept chasing me and even used a deadly move. In a fit of anger..."
Shen Du's smile faded slightly. Wuchen Peak was under Jiang Feichen's command. For the past two years, he had been secluded and rarely left Lishuang Peak, so Wuchen Peak had never come looking for him. However, during his three years of seclusion, they unexpectedly seized the opportunity of the Spirit Inquiry Gathering to cause trouble for Xu Xing.
Jiang Feichen is an inner sect elder, yet he insists on picking a fight with a junior disciple who is nearly a thousand years younger than him. He is truly narrow-minded and despicable.
Although he knew that Xu Xing was now standing unharmed in front of him, having escaped unscathed from the trouble caused by the disciples of Wuchen Peak, Chen Du still felt a tightness in his chest and felt guilty for causing trouble for his junior sister. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he said softly, "What's wrong with you?"
Xu Xing cracked his knuckles and whispered, "Just blow up the Spirit Inquiry Platform..."
She really didn't mean to make such a commotion. It was just that most of the magical artifacts she crafted were defensive, and the few offensive ones she did have were extremely powerful. If that disciple hadn't not only spoken rudely to his senior brother but also acted without restraint, even attempting to destroy her dantian, Xu Xing would never have used them.
Even now, thinking back to how that disciple insulted his senior brother on stage back then, Xu Xing still feels furious.
After the Spirit Inquiry Platform was destroyed, the disciple from Wuchen Peak seemed to be seriously injured. She was willing to accept the cost of rebuilding the Spirit Inquiry Platform if the Thousand Machines Academy asked Xu Xing for compensation. Her only concern was whether it would cause trouble for Lishuang Peak. However, not only did Wuchen Peak remain silent, but the Thousand Machines Academy also did not come knocking. They quietly and quickly built a new Spirit Inquiry Platform one night without even asking Xu Xing a single question...
"Well fried."
Shen Du understood Xu Xing's temperament; she would not have resorted to violence unless the other party had gone too far.
Because of this, Shen Du's animosity toward Wuchen Peak deepened considerably, to the point that he forced her to destroy the Inquiry Platform. He did not believe that the Wuchen Peak disciples had not been instructed by Jiang Feichen to commit such a heinous act.
Upon hearing this, Xu Xing suddenly looked up, his eyes shining brightly, "Senior brother, Master said the same thing!"
However, Xu Xing didn't tell Shen Du that her master had added, "It would be better if he were killed." But she had a strange feeling that her senior brother might think the same thing...
In the courtyard, Fu Shuang was taking a rest on a tree covered with frost.
Seeing her master's leisurely appearance, Xu Xing couldn't help but shiver. Although her magic robe could protect her from the cold, she felt cold whenever she saw her senior brother in seclusion in the ice and her master in the snow. She preferred to stay by the alchemy furnace.
"Master."
"You've emerged from seclusion? Late-stage Golden Core, not bad." Fu Shuang's sleeves fluttered slightly, and an ice sword flew out, piercing straight into the snow in front of Chen Du. "Draw your sword."
As soon as she finished speaking, she flipped down from the tree and, like an arrow released from a bow, instantly thrust her sword at Chen Du's face. The latter quickly drew his ice sword and raised it to parry, barely managing to block the attack.
Xu Xing immediately retreated to the corridor of the small courtyard, hugged his knees, and quietly watched his master and senior brother compete in swordsmanship.
Although her swordsmanship was not proficient, and she could only barely manage one move, "thrust," she could still be considered a semi-sword cultivator. Having been around her master and senior brother, she could easily discern the quality of their swordsmanship.
Compared to a few years ago, she vaguely felt that her senior brother's sword intent had become gentler, but less murderous. Was this because her senior brother's state of mind had changed in the past three years?
Although the murderous aura had diminished, the senior brother's sword intent had become increasingly profound and refined, with each move containing a restrained sharpness that made it impossible to look away.
Xu Xing watched intently. At first, she was distracted by her master's moves, but gradually, her gaze was drawn entirely to her senior brother. With his clothes fluttering, she could see his powerful figure and fluid movements...
It's absolutely gorgeous.
"well……"
Thinking about his stagnant cultivation, Xu Xing lowered his eyes and sighed softly, not noticing that the two people wiping their swords both paused at the same time.
Fu Shuang flicked Chen Du's ice sword away with one hand, then withdrew her sword stance and said calmly, "The killing intent is too weak, and the sharpness is insufficient."
"After this seclusion, I plan to check the Myriad Manifestations Ranking to see if there are any suitable missions so I can go down the mountain and gain some experience."
Fu Shuang nodded without objecting, but said meaningfully, "Don't forget what you promised me."
"Disciple understands."
At this moment, the newly born demonic beasts in the desolate Abyss are relentlessly attacking the seal. Countless cultivators are rushing to the Demon Sealing Battlefield, but since Shen Du has promised Fu Shuang, he will not go there at this time. He will just have to wait a few more years.
The two glanced into the courtyard at the same time. When Xu Xing, who was lost in her own thoughts, realized that the sword fight was over, her senior brother was already sitting next to her.
Why are you sighing?
Fu Shuang sat down at the ice table, poured herself a cup of tea, and although she didn't get close, she kept a close eye on the commotion.
"Senior brother is already in the late Golden Core stage, but I'm still only in the mid Foundation Establishment stage..." Xu Xing said listlessly.
She knew that she was not as diligent as others, but despite her master's careful guidance over the years, she had made no progress and felt ashamed of herself.
She was even embarrassed to blame it on her five-elemental-root constitution, since her master also had five-elemental-roots, and besides, she had consumed so many precious pills yet still had this level of cultivation. It just didn't make sense.
After absorbing the bead formed from dragon bones in the Guixu Secret Realm, Xu Xing finally had a demon core in her dantian. However, perhaps because the dragon bead was not hers after all, several years have passed and there is still no sign of her breaking through her cultivation level.
The events she experienced in the demon realm all seemed like a dream. Sometimes Xu Xing would try to transform like Yun Lan, and sometimes she would study the "dragon pearl" in her dantian. In recent years, she had consulted many ancient books and wanted to know more about dragons. She asked Aunt Lian, hoping to find clues from Doctor Xu Zhen's past.
But the more you search, the less answer you get.
"Even divine artifacts like the Dragon Balls are useless against me..." Xu Xing murmured, resting his chin on his knees, "Senior brother, what exactly am I?"
Fu Shuang's teacup had gone cold. Hearing Xu Xing's words, she was somewhat lost in thought. She had pondered these same questions when she was trapped in the blood pool: Was she a demon or a human? Why was her body so strange? Why did those demons treat her like this?
But she didn't get any answers then, and now...
Shen Du's fingers curled slightly, but he couldn't help but gently pat Xu Xing's head and say clearly, word by word, "You are a miracle."
He had never met anyone like Xu Xing. Sometimes, Shen Du vaguely felt that Xu Xing didn't seem to belong to this world...
Fu Shuang's lips slowly curved upwards, confirming once again that taking Chen Du as her disciple and having him stay by Xu Xing's side was indeed the right decision.
Although he carries the aura of the Abyss, there is always a solution, as long as he is strong enough.
Miracle?
Xu Xing blinked blankly and looked at Chen Du, "But it's been so long, and I'm still only at the Foundation Establishment stage."
She even reached the Foundation Establishment stage in one fell swoop because of her master. Her cultivation progress wasn't just slow, it was ridiculously slow! So slow that even the usually carefree Xu Xing couldn't help but feel a little concerned, "I have a feeling that in another five or ten years, I'll still be stuck at the Foundation Establishment stage..."
Shen Du said gently, "No, you've only been cultivating for ten years, yet you've already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, which is something that ordinary cultivators can hardly achieve."
Xu Xing is not someone who is affected by bad moods for too long. She was just a little depressed for a while, and her senior brother comforted her for a few words and she recovered her mood.
Although she had been cultivating by her senior brother's side for the past three years and could often see his blurry figure in the ice, she missed him because she hadn't heard his voice for three years.
Xu Xing felt inexplicably pleased that his senior brother, who was usually taciturn, was now able to say a few more words.
With her eyes fixed on her senior brother who was trying to comfort her, Xu Xing's lips curled up as she buried her face in her arms. Seeing that Chen Du had stopped, she deliberately said with a hint of disappointment, "But I've taken so many elixirs and medicines and I'm still only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Sigh~ I guess I'm just not suited for cultivation?"
Shen Du frowned slightly. For cultivators, state of mind is extremely important. His junior sister was not the type to wallow in self-pity before. Could something have happened during his year of seclusion that made her start to care about these things?
"Your alchemy and weapon crafting are both exceptional; even a ninth-tier alchemy master highly values you..."
"...Your cooking skills are also top-notch, you...are very good..."
To dispel her worries, Shen Du, who was usually taciturn, slowed down his tone and carefully listed Xu Xing's merits. He glanced down and noticed a sly smile in the other person's eyes. Shen Du paused, pursed his thin lips, and refused to speak again.
"Is that all?" Xu Xing's eyes crinkled with laughter. "Senior brother, please praise me some more, I love to hear it!"
A sudden heat rose to Shen Du's ears. He turned his head and whispered, "So you were just teasing me."
"No way!" Xu Xing stood up, shaking the snow off her skirt. "What's wrong with praising me? I often praise my senior brother too!"
She recalled the scene when she was almost bitten by the Soul-Severing Insects while exploring the Ruins, and thought to herself, "I tricked my senior brother again with the same trick. He's really easy to fool."
These two senior and junior disciples are really...
Fu Shuang shook her head. Since Xu Xing's mind had not wavered, she didn't need to worry. With a flicker, Fu Shuang disappeared from her spot, leaving only a teacup on the ice table shimmering slightly.
"My senior brother taught me this move before he went into seclusion, and I've practiced it diligently for the past three years! Come, senior brother, let me see if my swordsmanship has improved!"
Xu Xing had just finished maintaining the Xuan Yue Sword, so she decided to use it directly. She twirled the sword, raised it, and pointed it at Chen Du, her eyes filled with eager anticipation.
After exchanging a few blows with her, Chen Du's lips curled slightly. He immediately sensed that Xu Xing's claim of "practicing diligently" was somewhat exaggerated. He didn't point it out, but instead grabbed Xu Xing's wrist to correct her posture. "Lift your wrist, use this as a springboard..."
Xu Xing did as instructed and tried two moves. As he raised his wrist to sheathe his sword, he inadvertently turned his head and looked into Shen Du's deep eyes.
My senior brother's hair was very soft, with a few strands clinging to his cheek. His eyes were dark, and his features were sharp. When he looked down at someone, he always gave off an aloof feeling, but when he looked at me, his gaze always seemed gentle...
Xu Xing was lost in thought when she noticed Shen Du awkwardly turn his head away from her gaze. Only then did she realize that their posture was a bit too intimate. She quickly took two steps back to create some distance and looked away from the scene.
"Huh? When did Master leave?" Xu Xing looked around; his master had just been here.
Having grown accustomed to her master's elusive nature, Xu Xing didn't think much of it. She returned the Xuan Yue Sword to Chen Du and turned to run towards Xuan Jian Peak, shouting, "Senior brother, come quick! Let's go back to Xuan Jian Peak and take a look!"
Walking from the snow-covered Frost Peak to the blooming flowers of Profound Sword Peak felt like stepping from the dead of winter into spring. Xu Xing excitedly ran back to his room and took out his newly made robe. "Senior brother, I used a different material this time. Try it on!"
She said with no small amount of pride, "This time I didn't buy any, I made it all myself. Doesn't it look nice?"
Shen Du lowered his eyes to look at the robe in his hand, a sweet feeling welling up in his heart. The robe was made for him by his junior sister herself. Sure enough, she wasn't indifferent to him after all...
Since that's the case, once he forms his nascent soul, he can express his feelings to his junior sister.
However, now that the two of them have a master, shouldn't he ask his master for permission first?
While Chen Du was lost in thought, a large, round, furry ball rolled over.
Xu Xing pinched Tuanzi's chubby cheeks and showed it its rather peculiarly styled beast armor to Chen Du. "Senior brother, look! I've even invented a magic robe for contracted beasts!"
"This is called a magic robe, but it's actually a magical artifact that can also be used by demonic beasts. I added black iron stone to Tuanzi's robe, so it can be given a snack to play with after it's finished..."
Contracted beast? Magic robe?
Shen Du was taken aback; it turned out that Tuanzi's robes were also made by her own hands.
He was slightly disappointed, but then he thought that her contracted beast was naturally different, and besides, she hadn't made robes for anyone else yet, so he really didn't need to think too much about it...
"Master, Steward Tong has brought this."
An unfamiliar male voice suddenly rang out. Shen Du looked up and saw a slightly dark-skinned young man walking over. His eyes were only on Xu Xing's figure.
He was dressed in shorts, revealing his lean limbs. His arms showed strong lines as he walked, and his thick, black hair was braided into a long braid that hung down behind his head.
Owner? Is he Nanno?
Upon recognizing the boy's identity, Shen Du suddenly felt a pang of unease. Had Nan Ye and Xu Xing been living on Xuanjian Peak like this for the past three years?
Xu Xing frowned when he saw the spiritual herb that Nan Ye had brought up, and said, "Didn't I tell Steward Tong not to accept it?"
"He left it at the store entrance, then left, and can't find it."
In recent years, Nan Ye has been speaking better and better. Although he is still a little unfluent at times, he is not much different from ordinary people. Because of his special bloodline, Xu Xing did not dare to let him go out. He usually works at Xuanjian Peak and occasionally goes to Lishuang Peak.
He doesn't talk much and has a big appetite, but he is very capable in doing things. Xu Xing gradually regarded him as one of his own and gave him many pills. Now Nan Ye has also reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
"never mind."
Xu Xing was a little annoyed. The spirit herb was delivered to the shop by Zhao Jia. After she returned five years ago, although Zhao Jia did not take the initiative to contact her, he would send a spirit herb to the shop every few months without fail. Sometimes there would be some of good quality ones. Xu Xing wondered where he, an outer disciple with no foundation, got the spirit stones.
Xu Xing naturally refused to accept the herbs, but Zhao Jia would run away as soon as he dropped them off. Even if Tong Yuanbai and the others caught him and returned them, he would still send them a second time. She knew he was probably repaying the debt of curing her poison years ago, but Xu Xing wasn't short of spiritual herbs and didn't want her fellow disciples who had been cured of their demonic blood to owe her anything. She still needed to find a way to stop Zhao Jia from sending her spiritual herbs…
"Could you please send a message to Xi Yun and ask her to come over tomorrow?"
"Yes." Nanye replied, but stood still.
Shen Du listened silently to the two talking, while Nan Ye never once looked at Shen Du.
Xu Xing didn't notice the strange atmosphere. Seeing that Nan Ye didn't move, she asked in confusion, "Is there anything else?"
Nan Ye raised his hand to show her the tear in his clothes at the waist, burned by the flames, "Qing..."
"Burned by Qing?" Nan Ye got along well with Xu Xing's other three contracted beasts, especially Qing, who liked to play with him, though sometimes Qing was a bit rough. Xu Xing sighed, "I'll get you a new set another day."
Nanye then became happy, smiled slightly, revealing a small dimple on her cheek.
"Thank you, Master."
Chen Du paused, realizing that Tuanzi was perfectly fine, but why was Nan Ye's clothing also handmade by her? Didn't she know the meaning behind giving a man handmade clothes?
After Nanye left, Shen Du remained silent for a long time before whispering, "These robes..."
Xu Xing then noticed that his senior brother hadn't tried on the new robes yet, and hurriedly urged, "Senior brother, try them on quickly!"
Shen Du's voice was slightly hoarse, "You gave me the ritual robe not because..."
"Why?" Xu Xing asked, puzzled. "You're my senior brother, isn't it only right that I make robes for my senior brother?"
It turns out she never meant it that way...
It was all his own wishful thinking and self-righteousness.
Shen Du's face was even paler than when he was cultivating in the ice. He took a step back and said softly, "There are still some questions I need to ask my master. I'll try again another day."
He pursed his lips, wanting to return the clothes to Xu Xing, but in the end he couldn't bear to part with them. He carefully put the robes into his storage ring and left with a dazed look in his eyes.
What's wrong with you, senior brother?
Xu Xing was puzzled. Could it be that he was feeling unwell after being frozen for too long? She wanted to ask, but Shen Du moved quickly and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"Senior brother!" Xu Xing called out hurriedly, getting up to chase after him, but heard someone respond cheerfully.
"Hey!" Zuoqiu Xu laughed, "Xu Xu, how did you know your senior brother was here?"
He glanced at the robes on Tuanzi's body, his eyes filled with envy. "I just saw Nanye. His robes were so cool. Can you make one for me too?"
"Nanye's outfit was bought from Tianyi Pavilion. I just added some spirit enhancements to it." Seeing Zuoqiu Xu clinging to Tuanzi as soon as he arrived, Xu Xing said helplessly, "Didn't I already give you a lot of spirit enhancements?"
"But the robes you made are more beautiful..."
Zuo Qiuxu said pitifully, "You've made several outfits for Senior Brother Chen, why can't you make one for me too? Alright, Xu Xu, just make one for me!"
Zuo Qiuxu sneaked out without telling Zhao Linglan. Ever since his junior sister Linglan found out that he wanted Xu Xing to make him a magic robe, she not only disapproved but also said that he was too ambitious and confused.
He didn't understand, he felt wronged. It's just clothes, why can't they be made? Senior Brother Shen has several, it's not unreasonable for him, Senior Brother Zuoqiu, to ask for one, is it?
"How about this, senior brother, go buy a few outfits yourself, and I'll alter them for you, okay?"
The income from selling pills and magical artifacts is already quite substantial, so Xu Xing had long since given up the idea of selling robes. She had made them for A Yao and Aunt Lian, but Senior Brother Zuoqiu…
For some reason, Xu Xing felt uneasy thinking about the clothes he made being worn by his senior brother Zuoqiu.
Okay~
Zuo Qiuxu "reluctantly" agreed, but was secretly overjoyed. He happily teased Tuanzi, "By the way, when will Senior Brother Shen come out of seclusion?"
"My senior brother..."
Thinking of Chen Du's gaze just now, Xu Xing was taken aback. It was strange. Why didn't he feel the same way when he made it for his senior brother?
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Author's Note: The author remains silent, only focusing on adding more chapters. [heart emoji]
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