Chapter 5 Chapter 5 I kind of...want to kill her
Sheng Zhiyi instinctively retreated, but it was too late; the cold light was getting closer and closer.
The sword light was like a white ribbon, reflecting the fear in Sheng Zhiyi's eyes. The cold light grazed her ear and cut off a few strands of her hair.
Behind me came the sharp sound of scales scraping against the rock wall, and the emerald vertical pupils disappeared sparsely among the shadows of the trees, like will-o'-the-wisps being extinguished.
"pay close attention!"
The sudden tightening around her waist made Sheng Zhiyi gasp for breath as white silk wrapped around her waist. Ji Fuguang's wide sleeves billowed like clouds as he carried her up to the treetop. The evening breeze lifted the ribbon binding his hair and gently brushed against her cheek.
Sheng Zhiyi, still shaken, asked, "Was that... a golden-thread python?"
In a fleeting glance, she spotted a golden thread.
"It has gained sentience," Ji Fuguang's clear, cold voice was imbued with the clang of sword energy, "How could there be such a demonic beast in Biying Valley?"
"This place is too dangerous, we really shouldn't stay here any longer!" Sheng Zhiyi touched her neck in fear, afraid that her head would fall off, and wished that Ji Fuguang would teleport her away immediately.
“Biying Valley is not far from Liucui Mountain, and the magical beasts there are dangerous. The new disciples may not be able to withstand them. This initiation trial must be suspended. We will discuss this further after I bring everyone back to the sect.”
As Ji Fuguang spoke, Sheng Zhiyi nodded in agreement.
That's right, let's get out of here quickly, it's better not to stay in this awful place!
She paused in nodding when she heard that they had returned to the sect.
No! We can't go back!
She still needs to find Ji Fuguang to complete her mission. After returning, is she going to have to climb Shuanghua Peak every night?
Even if she were willing, the mountain-protecting formation wouldn't be.
What's more, she now has a tricky task: to touch Ji Fuguang's hand. Once she returns to the team, there will be more people around, and she won't be able to complete it!
After thinking it over, Sheng Zhiyi suddenly spoke:
"Senior brother, I just discovered something unusual in Biying Valley, which seems to be related to the transformation of magical beasts!"
"What's wrong?" Ji Fuguang raised his eyebrows slightly, as if investigating, or perhaps just casually responding.
“Hmm…” Sheng Zhiyi recalled the plot she had read, “There is a shallow pool at the bottom of the valley. The water is crystal clear and there is nothing unusual about it except that it is unusually cold.”
“I only washed my hands with the water from the pool, and nothing changed.” She said carefully, “But when I left, I saw an injured fawn drinking water. After drinking, it became much more energetic, and its wounds miraculously healed.”
"I wanted to go back and check, but I was chased by the tree demon and couldn't find out what was going on." Sheng Zhiyi secretly observed Ji Fuguang's expression, ready to make amends at any time.
Although the words were a lie, the matter itself is true: the secret realm beneath the pool is your destiny! Senior brother, please accept my offer!
Perhaps her prayers had worked, for Ji Fuguang pondered for a moment, “This sounds really strange. Junior Sister, please show me the way and take me to that shallow pool.”
Sheng Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief, nodded vigorously, and smiled, "Okay!"
The two figures darted through the green branches and leaves, quickly emerging from the forest and landing on the pebbles by the shallow pool.
As dusk settled, the dense forest grew dim and dark. The setting sun shone through the sparse branches onto the pool, casting shimmering, rippling red, orange, and golden rays that blended into rich and harmonious colors, creating gentle, undulating waves.
Sheng Zhiyi squatted by the pool, scooped up a handful of water with both hands, and turned to beckon Ji Fuguang:
"Senior brother, look!"
Ji Fuguang slowly walked over and examined the shallow pool. The water in this pool was extremely clear; if it weren't for the sunset glow, it would seem as if there was nothing there.
Seeing Ji Fuguang looking around, Sheng Zhiyi lowered her head and swallowed the water in her palm. Being able to drink some water meant she could eat fewer pills, which was a great deal!
He felt a surge of joy, but a tightness gripped his throat.
Sheng Zhiyi's eyes widened in alarm as she looked at Ji Fuguang. He moved with lightning speed, his fingertips gripping her neck and tightening his grip.
A moment later, Sheng Zhiyi lay on a rock by the stream, spitting out stream water from her mouth.
Ji Fuguang lowered his phoenix eyes slightly, his gaze gently falling on the corner of her eye. His dark pupils held a hint of mystery. He then smiled, maintaining his usual upright demeanor. "How come you couldn't even detect the demonic energy in the water after coming down the mountain?"
Taking out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, Sheng Zhiyi looked at the shallow pool with a bitter expression.
At first glance, the pool water is crystal clear, but upon closer inspection, wisps of black mist float in the water. However, these black mists are so subtle that they are easily overlooked.
She's absolutely obsessed with reading!
The original text says that Ji Fuguang can drink water to heal her injuries, but the problem is that the male protagonist has a special constitution and can convert demonic energy into spiritual energy. What does she have?
With her useless physique, let alone converting demonic energy into spiritual energy, she'd probably fall into demonic possession and lose her mind the moment she swallowed demonic energy!
Fortunately, Ji Fuguang was there to keep an eye on things; otherwise, after finally avoiding all sorts of plot-related disasters, they would have been tripped up by this little thing.
Just as Sheng Zhiyi was about to express her gratitude, she heard Ji Fuguang's voice:
"Junior Sister, I don't see many magical beasts here. Why don't you wait here?"
Sheng Zhiyi looked up in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Ji Fuguang took out a gold-inlaid jade butterfly hairpin from his storage bag. The butterfly on the hairpin was made of various colored jade stones, and its wings swayed in the wind, making it lifelike.
Handing the hairpin to Sheng Zhiyi, Ji Fuguang said in a clear and gentle voice, "I obtained this hairpin by chance. It has the effect of concealing one's aura. Wearing it should keep you safe."
Sensing the implication, Sheng Zhiyi widened her eyes: "Where are you going?"
Ji Fuguang drew his longsword from its sheath, the sword light reflecting on his profile, making him appear somewhat cold and stern. "Biying Valley is too close to Liucui Mountain. Those novice disciples are no match for the attack of the demonic beasts. Even if I can't bring them back immediately, I will set up a barrier for them."
Sheng Zhiyi couldn't think of any reason not to accept it. After all, Ji Fuguang was just that kind of person—upright, gentle, and righteous. It was impossible for him not to care about his fellow disciples.
Ji Fuguang's figure, riding on his sword, disappeared into the sky. Sheng Zhiyi watched from afar; without her to slow him down, he was even faster.
The sun has set, and the moonlight is just beginning to appear.
Under the moonlight, the pool water resembled a shimmering white ribbon. Occasionally, a night breeze would rise, causing the ribbon to flutter gently, shimmering with a silvery light.
The classic plot unfolds right from the start. To save time, and most importantly, to conceal her knowledge of how to open the secret realm, Sheng Zhiyi decides to make arrangements in advance.
She rolled up her trousers and stepped into the water. The cool pool water was no more than ankle-deep and couldn't hide anything.
Sheng Zhiyi bent down and groped around at the bottom of the pool. She quickly found a few slightly larger pebbles and arranged them according to the Yin-Yang Bagua (Eight Trigrams) orientation, waiting for the moonlight to shine directly on them.
The sound of "whoosh" was unusually jarring in the quiet night.
Sheng Zhiyi was startled and subconsciously took two steps back. She turned around and squatted behind the stream rocks. The butterfly hairpin slipped from her hair bun and got stuck on the edge of her hair, teetering on the verge of falling.
In the distance, egrets took flight from the woods, like a scattering of snowflakes, circled a few times, then gathered in flocks and slowly descended.
People can be terrifying! Birds can be even more terrifying!
Sheng Zhiyi patted her chest, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
A sudden chill ran up my spine, like thorns pricking my back.
She seemed to feel a gaze cast from the darkness, watching her every move, even the slightest gestures like frowning and pursing her lips.
Sheng Zhiyi suddenly looked up, staring at the dark, dense forest. The forest was pitch black and quiet, with shadowy figures everywhere, and every corner concealed an indescribable danger, as if waiting for her to walk into a trap.
A night breeze carries the faint, cool fragrance of pear blossoms.
Sheng Zhiyi tentatively asked, "Ji Fuguang?"
She dared not shout loudly, but dragged out the last syllable, trying to send her shout further.
However, the darkness was deep and unanswered. The strange feeling of being watched had vanished without a trace—was it just an illusion? Or was someone truly lurking in the shadows?
This passage isn't in the original text either. Does that mean there are larger ones in this forest besides the transformed magical beasts?
Sheng Zhiyi was filled with doubt and surprise, but then she heard the sound of gurgling water.
She looked down and saw that the pool water was moving on its own, even without wind. Ripples began to spread from the pebbles, growing larger and larger until they formed whirlpools that grew deeper and deeper, like miniature tornadoes. Strangely, the water beside her was as still as white jade, with fish swimming about, swaying their tails, completely undisturbed.
Oh no, the secret realm is about to open!
Ignoring everything else, Sheng Zhiyi shouted, "Senior Brother! Ji Fuguang!"
Senior brother, come quick! Let's enjoy some alone time together. The mission countdown is down to 1 minute, 14 seconds, and 37 minutes!
"Junior Sister!" A clear voice suddenly rang out, and Ji Fuguang rushed out of the forest, slightly apologetic: "I was held up by a magical beast just now..."
Upon seeing him appear, Sheng Zhiyi was both surprised and delighted. She grabbed Ji Fuguang's wrist and naturally placed her fingers on the back of his hand. "The secret realm will only open in a moment. Don't miss the time!"
Another day where I finished my task without even realizing it.
As the system notification sounded, "[Congratulations to player Sheng Zhiyi for completing the strategy mission, reward 100 strategy points]", the two stepped into the vortex. A strong wind rushed towards them, and the immense pressure forced them to close their eyes tightly.
Once the surroundings calmed down, Sheng Zhiyi opened her eyes and was immediately shocked by the scene before her.
The two floated in mid-air and slowly descended, the sky closing in and covering the ground. The sky was as black as ink, yet also like silk, with shimmering light appearing within the darkness.
The night sky is filled with countless stars, and the magnificent Milky Way flows endlessly, dazzling and brilliant.
The two landed on the ground. Although it was night, a light from somewhere illuminated their surroundings, making it as bright as day.
Sheng Zhiyi checked her surroundings and confidently pulled Ji Fuguang's arm forward.
“Junior Sister,” Ji Fuguang said with a smile as she pulled him along, leaving him half a step behind, “it seems you are quite familiar with this place.”
The voice was clear and bright, like a clear stream flowing gently, but it made Sheng Zhiyi shudder.
She immediately let go of his hand, slowed her pace, and said evasively, "Really? It was just a gut feeling. I felt this direction was safer."
Ji Fuguang is just too perceptive!
I admit you're smart, but you don't need to use your intelligence on this!
Sheng Zhiyi touched her nose and consciously followed behind Ji Fuguang, making a "please" gesture from a distance.
"Senior brother, go first! Senior brother, go first! You can go wherever you want!"
Ji Fuguang lowered his eyes and saw that Sheng Zhiyi's almond-shaped eyes were shining brightly. The girl tilted her head slightly, looking a little mischievous and a little spoiled, as if to say, "I've already done this much, so please don't pursue this matter!"
They acted as if it were perfectly natural.
I kind of... want to kill her.
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