Chapter 17: "No whole corpse remains at the foot of the cliff."
The night sky was clear and blue, like an endless sea, with a few floating clouds and a bright moon hanging high in it.
The cold moonlight cast its clear, cool light upon Ji Fuguang, reflecting a faint cloud-like shadow in his narrow eyes.
His eyes were lowered, and the corners of his thin lips were slightly raised, like a Buddha statue without sorrow or joy, sitting high in the temple, looking down on the world.
The moonlight shimmered, and the tiny red mole on his eyelid crease glowed dimly, its gentle expression containing a hint of allure.
Even though Sheng Zhiyi was already familiar with his appearance, she couldn't help but feel a tightness in her chest.
As expected of the male lead, his beauty is so striking that he's on a completely different level from everyone else!
Ji Fuguang spoke softly, "Junior Sister, I am deeply grateful for your help on several occasions recently. I observe that you are not particularly remarkable, but you are indeed a promising talent. It seems that your potential has been hidden before, lacking only the right opportunities. In the secret realm, you moved with ease, appearing quite adept..."
His voice flowed gently like a clear stream, and all he spoke were words of praise. In the darkness of the night, it captivated and stirred the soul.
Sheng Zhiyi, captivated by his good looks, nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes..."
etc!
She suddenly realized something was wrong!
Sheng Zhiyi quickly waved her hand, "No, no, I just read a few storybooks in the market at the foot of the mountain and know some low-brow anecdotes. I can't say I'm adept at handling things or quite familiar with them."
Her familiarity with the secret realm came entirely from the original story; how could she reveal such a secret? Of course, she had to deny it immediately to dispel Ji Fuguang's suspicions!
In order to shut Ji Fuguang up, Sheng Zhiyi immediately flattered him in the blink of an eye.
"It is clearly Senior Brother who is the mastermind behind everything and the one who fights from afar! We were able to escape from the secret realm this time thanks to Senior Brother's heroic efforts. If it weren't for Senior Brother, I would probably be helpless in the secret realm, crying out to heaven and earth in vain."
She showered him with praise and compliments, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with sincerity and earnestness, leaving Ji Fuguang no choice but to believe her.
“Is that so…” Ji Fuguang pondered.
"Yes, yes, that's for sure! It's all thanks to my senior brother's wisdom and skill. I was just following behind and picking up the scraps. It was all luck, pure luck."
To strengthen her persuasiveness, Sheng Zhiyi nodded emphatically.
"What the others said just now..." Ji Fuguang frowned slightly, seemingly with a hint of worry, and said slowly, "It seems I need to consider it further..."
What others said?
Sheng Zhiyi had naturally overheard the whispers of the others.
Ji Fuguang and she appeared out of thin air above everyone's heads, looking quite familiar with each other, which naturally aroused suspicion from others.
In fact, Ji Fuguang treated her with the utmost respect, never making any physical contact with her. He simply wrapped her waist with silver silk to support her as she left the secret realm.
But the fact that the two were always together naturally changed the perception of others.
Those whispers were nothing more than:
"He's just a lowly servant, not even an outer disciple, yet he inexplicably ended up in the secret realm with his senior brother."
"Senior brother is truly kind-hearted, protecting her life in that treacherous secret realm."
"It was just that the trial trip gave her an opportunity. Once she returns to the sect, how can she get close to her senior brother? Is it impossible for her to enter the inner sect?"
"Do you think she has a chance in this inner sect selection...?"
"How could that be! She's been doing menial tasks for so many years, she can't even get into the outer sect, let alone the inner sect... That's wishful thinking..."
Okay, okay, it sounds like she's a complete lecherous woman who wants to take advantage of a high-class beauty.
And the flower on the high mountain is naturally Ji Fuguang, who is respected by everyone in the Tianyan Sect.
Sheng Zhiyi's eyebrows furrowed, and she was about to angrily rebuke him, but she had already prepared her words in her mind. She had not deliberately tried to get close to Ji Fuguang...?
But when I thought about what I had done, I immediately lost my confidence.
Sheng Zhiyi (the version where she touches Ji Fuguang's hands and face with the help of a strategy system) could only close her eyes in anguish and accept this reality.
She did indeed harbor ulterior motives towards the unattainable beauty of the Tianyan Sect.
But why did Ji Fuguang suddenly bring this up at this moment...?
Could it be...
Sheng Zhiyi raised her eyes in confusion, looking at Ji Fuguang's clearly defined jawline.
Could it be that her senior brother has finally seen through her stubborn exterior and is now determined to cooperate with her on the mission?
Thinking of this possibility, Sheng Zhiyi perked up and moved even closer to Ji Fuguang, walking side by side.
"Senior brother..." she lowered her voice, "Actually, I've had this idea for a while now, and I'm sure you've seen through some of my previous actions..."
She praised him, greeted him, straightened her clothes, and took a walk with him. Thinking about how much she had done for him, Sheng Zhiyi felt that she had really tarnished the dignified and upright Ji Fuguang.
"I still want to thank my senior brother for giving me this opportunity..."
Sheng Zhiyi raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes fluttering, her dark pupils reflecting the clear moonlight.
Without Ji Fuguang's cooperation, she would never have been able to complete the mission.
"This matter..." Sheng Zhiyi was a little embarrassed, but she still said, "I am willing!"
"Really?" Ji Fuguang hesitated, pondering as if he couldn't make up his mind.
"Of course!" Having finally waited for Ji Fuguang's attitude to waver, Sheng Zhiyi pressed her advantage, her tone gentle:
"Senior brother, there's no need to hesitate or worry. I've already made up my mind about this matter! I just didn't expect that you would share my thoughts..."
I originally thought it would be a tough solo adventure, but it turned out to be a two-way trip!
With Ji Fuguang's active cooperation, wouldn't her mission be completed immediately?
Just as I was thinking this, another task was issued in my mind:
[Good evening, player Sheng Zhiyi!]
[A new strategy guide has been released. Please check your inbox.]
[Strategy: Hug Ji Fuguang to gain his favor.]
[Task Reward: 100 points]
[Punishment for failure: Extinction of existence]
[Task completion countdown: 12:00:00]
[Please complete the current strategy mission as soon as possible!]
12 hours, that's a long time!
This system task really underestimates her!
It's just a hug, she can do it as soon as Ji Fuguang agrees!
12 hours? That's not enough time. 12 minutes is more like it.
“Very good…” Ji Fuguang seemed to have made up his mind. He turned to look at Sheng Zhiyi, his lips slightly raised, and his voice was as clear and bright as moonlight.
"Then, junior sister, climb Shuanghua Peak every day at dawn."
"Okay, I agree... Huh???"
Sheng Zhiyi looked up, her eyes filled with eager anticipation, and couldn't wait to answer, until her brain belatedly understood the meaning behind Ji Fuguang's words.
"Mao Shi (5-7 AM)? Climbing Shuanghua Peak?"
Getting up at 5 a.m. to go hiking?
What is all this about?
Ji Fuguang, you look so refined and handsome, how come you're a mountaineering fanatic?
No! Even if Ji Fuguang enjoys rock climbing in private, why would she get up at dawn to go hiking?
Sheng Zhiyi was completely bewildered, her face practically screaming, "What is this? Explain this to me!"
Seeing this, Ji Fuguang looked puzzled. "What? Didn't Junior Sister just say that herself?"
"What did I say?" Sheng Zhiyi asked, looking confused.
Wasn't she just gazing at Ji Fuguang with affection, testing each other's limits?
They were about to confess their feelings to each other, so how did it get involved in a mountain hike at five in the morning?
Ji Fuguang repeated in a good-natured manner, "I mentioned other people's gossip, saying that Junior Sister is not allowed to enter the inner sect."
As for the others... it seems that this part of the content is indeed there...
"Junior Sister said that her willingness to sacrifice herself to protect others in the previous secret realm also shows her desire to become stronger."
...This understanding...seems correct...
"I am grateful for your help in the secret realm, Junior Sister. I would like to help you cultivate in secret, and you are willing to do so."
? ? ?
Is that so? Is this what she wants?
"Frost Peak stands tall and steep, cold and precipitous. I hesitated, but my junior sister said that she had already made up her mind about this matter and that her determination to cultivate was firm, so I didn't need to worry."
...Huh? Is she that ambitious?
Ji Fuguang smiled, his phoenix eyes crinkling, and made the final decision:
"Junior Sister said that we are of one mind, which must mean that we have reached an agreement on this matter. Every day at dawn, Junior Sister climbs up to cultivate. Her determination to follow the Dao is truly admirable."
...
The biggest misunderstanding in the world is that I thought our mutual understanding meant a two-way romantic relationship, while you thought it meant working together towards a clear goal.
Sheng Zhiyi was too weak to argue; she managed a feeble, feeble smile.
"Haha... Senior brother, you flatter me..."
Ironically, this suggestion, though torturous, can indeed improve physical fitness, working from the outside in and from the body to the soul, and is indeed a way of cultivating the Tao.
More importantly, after returning to the Tianyan Sect, she was merely a lowly servant, making it extremely difficult for her to even get close to Ji Fuguang.
Compared to that, climbing Shuanghua Peak is more practical!
Therefore, even gritting her teeth, she could only agree:
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
These four words conveyed a feeling of being willing to die for one's country.
Upon seeing the strategy guide in her mind, Sheng Zhiyi wanted to strangle the smug self she had been a few minutes earlier.
Within 12 hours, try to find a way to hug Ji Fuguang.
Thinking of Ji Fuguang's impeccable gentlemanly manners, and his seemingly obsessive-compulsive cleanliness.
Before she could even climb Shuanghua Peak, Sheng Zhiyi already felt her vision go black.
12 hours is too short, it's only enough until tomorrow morning. Could you give me more, 24 hours?
System Mommy, can you hear your humble daughter's words?
Sheng Zhiyi followed Ji Fuguang and walked listlessly back to the clearing in the woods.
The other disciples had already followed Ji Fuguang's instructions, packed up their belongings, and stood in a line.
Ji Fuguang glanced at everyone present and nodded slightly:
"Set off!"
In the night sky, disciples of the Tianyan Sect rode their swords, forming a deep gray shadow.
In just a few cups of tea's time, they returned from Liucui Mountain to the Tianyan Sect's main square.
After Ji Fuguang checked the number of people and confirmed that there were no mistakes, he ordered everyone to return to their disciples' residences.
Only Sheng Zhiyi was an outer sect servant, and her living quarters were different from the others, so she had to return alone.
The others scattered and fought outside. Even those who stayed in the safe zone designated by Ji Fuguang were still on edge. Now that they have returned to the sect, everyone feels exhausted.
For a moment, only Sheng Zhiyi and Ji Fuguang remained on the quiet and vast sect square.
As the moon set in the west, it cast extremely long shadows of the two of them.
The heads of the two shadows gently touched, appearing as if they were leaning against each other.
Sheng Zhiyi couldn't help but notice this scene, and a thought struck her.
Seeing this, Ji Fuguang smiled and said:
"Junior Sister, I will be waiting for you at the summit of Frostflower Peak tomorrow."
This sounded like some kind of secret rendezvous, and Sheng Zhiyi's lips had just curled into a smile when she heard Ji Fuguang continue:
"Remember, you must climb up barehanded. If Junior Sister doesn't arrive by 5:15 AM..."
He curled his lips into a slight smile, his face gentle and handsome, his phoenix eyes slightly lowered.
"No complete corpse was found at the foot of the cliff."
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