Senior Sister Who Only Knows How to Draw Talismans
As they soared upwards on their swords, the wind whistled past their ears. Separated from Bai Chuan, Bai Ji's talkative nature, hidden beneath his obedient exterior, was fully revealed when he was alone with Yun Qian.
"Senior sister, is that... really a sword under your feet?" Bai Ji's voice, filled with childlike curiosity, cut through the wind.
Yun Qian looked straight ahead and said succinctly, "Yes."
"Why is it so short?" Bai Ji lowered his head, carefully touching the charred surface with his toe, and asked, "And it looks like it was burned?"
"..." Yun Qian's lips twitched slightly, "He was struck by lightning."
"Lightning?" Bai Ji's round eyes widened. "Why would I be struck by lightning?"
"Heavenly Tribulation," Yun Qian explained patiently.
What is a heavenly tribulation?
"It's a warning and a test from Heaven for those who cultivate too quickly." She tried to explain it in a way that a child could understand.
"Was Senior Sister struck by lightning because she cultivated too fast?" Bai Ji's logic was exceptionally clear, and questions followed one after another, "Why did Senior Sister cultivate so fast? Is Senior Sister a legendary genius? Senior Sister, how can I become as powerful as you? No, how can I become as powerful as Master?"
A barrage of "whys" hammered at Yun Qian's nerves like tiny hammers, and she began to genuinely admire how Bai Chuan endured it all. She simply couldn't imagine what it would be like if everything unfolded as it did in the book: years later, the demonic overlord who struck fear into the hearts of the righteous path was a chatterbox... What a "spectacular" scene that would be! The number one gossipy demon of the immortal realm?
A sense of helplessness welled up inside her, but looking into Bai Ji's clear, inquisitive eyes, Yun Qian suppressed her frustration and answered as gently as possible, "Cultivation cannot be rushed. Once you formally enter the Dao and spiritual power arises within your body, you will naturally know how to improve your cultivation and how to become stronger."
Bai Ji was quiet for a moment. Just when Yun Qian thought he had finally quieted down, he spoke again, his voice lower than before, carrying a hint of confusion and expectation: "Then... Senior Sister, when will I be able to protect the people around me?"
Yun Qian's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped. She knew, as briefly mentioned in the book, what these two children had experienced before meeting Bai Yan—war, escape, witnessing their loved ones die before their eyes…
A ten-year-old child is forced to confront the world's deepest cruelty. Bai Ji's liveliness and curiosity at this moment may be his struggle to escape the shadows and return to "normal".
She turned her head, her gaze falling on Bai Ji's youthful yet earnest face, and gave him a goal with unusual certainty: "Ten years. Cultivate diligently, and within ten years, you will definitely be able to protect the people you want to protect."
After settling Baiji on the jade platform, Yun Qian once again rode her sword down the mountain.
A mountain breeze brushed past her hair, bringing a touch of coolness.
Bai Chuan stood quietly in the same spot, maintaining the posture they had taken when they left, like a silent little stone statue. When he saw Yun Qian return, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes. He silently walked behind her and steadily stood on the half-charred wooden sword.
We traveled in silence, with only the sound of the wind in our ears.
Halfway through the flight, Baichuan seemed to have mustered his courage, and his voice, though not loud, clearly reached Yun Qian's ears: "Senior Sister, do you think... I have talent?"
Yun Qian was slightly taken aback. Her current cultivation level was far from being able to see through someone's innate talent at a glance. But the book clearly stated that Bai Chuan was a medical genius, a once-in-a-century talent, whose high level of talent could be described as being favored by fate. If this didn't count as talent, then what would?
"Yes," she answered decisively, without any hesitation.
This affirmative answer seemed to give Baichuan some strength. He remained silent for a moment before asking his second question, his voice filled with a deep-seated longing: "Cangmin Mountain... can it make me very, very strong quickly?"
Yun Qian gazed at the misty mountain peak ahead and gently shook her head: "Cangmin Mountain can give you opportunities, teach you cultivation techniques, and provide protection. But only you can truly help yourself grow." Her tone softened, carrying a sense of comfort, "Don't be impatient. The path of cultivation is long and lonely. Being down-to-earth is the right way."
Bai Chuan nodded, stopped asking questions, and carefully suppressed his eagerness.
After a long pause, Yun Qian spoke first, her voice tinged with curiosity: "Bai Chuan, if you really become a strong person in the future, what would you most like to do?"
Bai Chuan seemed surprised that his senior sister would ask this question. He paused for a moment, then answered almost without thinking. His voice was not loud, but it was unusually firm: "Protect the people around you."
The exact same answer as Baiji.
Yun Qian was momentarily lost in thought. These two children, who had crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, didn't think of revenge first, but rather of "protection." An indescribable tenderness welled up within her. She suddenly wanted to reach out and gently pat the two children's stubborn heads.
Perhaps this is why they were chosen by Cangmin Mountain and brought back by Bai Yan.
It wasn't entirely due to some so-called "chance encounter," but rather because of this kindness that hadn't been extinguished despite the hardships.
Back at the Jade Stone Platform, they met up with Bai Ji, who had been eagerly awaiting their arrival. Yun Qian showed the two of them around their future living environment.
She pointed and said, "That's the mountaintop. The view is excellent, overlooking the entire Cangmin Mountain, but it's very cold, making it a good place to temper the body and mind. That's the suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, you'll reach the mountaintop. Further north is the forbidden area where the sect leader secludes himself. Master has strictly forbidden us from approaching; it's extremely dangerous. Here, on this jade stone platform, it's nice for sunbathing on ordinary days. Of course, not when Master is around. He'll occupy this place for divination all day long. That's the Mingli Hall..." She paused, looking at the huge hall that, though dilapidated, still hinted at its former glory, "was the place where Cangmin Mountain held meetings during its heyday, but now it's practically abandoned."
Her finger pointed eastward to a courtyard nestled in greenery: "That's the Bamboo Courtyard, Master's residence. The bamboo there is evergreen all year round." Finally, she pointed to several interconnected courtyards to the west, smaller in size but much tidier: "This area to the west is the Serene Courtyard, where I live. You will also live nearby in the future."
Leading the two to the west courtyard, Yun Qian stopped and pointed to the three adjacent courtyards: "Sui'an Residence, Songyan Hall, and Bi'an Residence. You can choose any one of them."
After the introduction, Yun Qian herself was slightly stunned. These four courtyards to the west, including Jinghe Courtyard and these three others, seemed to have been prepared specifically for the three of them, her senior and junior siblings. The original text did indeed mention Sui'an Residence, Songyan Hall, and Bi'an Residence. When Bai Yan let her choose, she deliberately avoided these three names and chose "Jinghe Courtyard," which was not mentioned in the book. Now it seemed that this arrangement had a hint of destiny.
Bai Chuan and Bai Ji ultimately chose Sui An Ju and Song Yan Tang, which coincided with the records in the book in Yun Qian's memory.
"Alright." Yun Qian stopped thinking about it and raised her hand to draw in the air. Spiritual energy flowed like silk threads and quickly condensed into two clean runes. She flicked her fingertips, and the runes turned into streams of light, disappearing into the two courtyards respectively.
In an instant, as if an invisible hand had swept over, all the dust, cobwebs, and withered leaves accumulated over the years in Sui An Ju and Song Yan Tang disappeared, revealing their original simple and elegant appearance, and even the air became fresh.
Looking at the completely transformed scene before her, Yun Qian's lips unconsciously curled into a smile. Having transmigrated to this world of cultivation, if there was anything she found most practical, it was this "cleaning talisman"! It was simply a hands-free solution, a godsend for lazy people! From sweeping palaces to washing clothes, it could do everything. She often remarked that if such a thing existed in the 21st century, it would definitely sell out!
"Go inside and rest." Yun Qian pulled herself out of her thoughts and said to the two children who were staring in disbelief, "Life on the mountain is austere, and we haven't prepared any ordinary food. I'll draw two talismans for you to temporarily alleviate the discomfort." Her movements were skillful, and with a flash of spiritual light at her fingertips, two talismans containing pure spiritual power instantly took shape.
“Once you successfully enter the Dao and temper your bodies with spiritual energy, you will naturally no longer feel hungry. Some cultivators deliberately abstain from grains to purify themselves, while others continue to consume spiritual food out of habit. However, I personally suggest that you choose to abstain from grains.” She paused, then spread her hands somewhat helplessly. “After all, there really isn’t anything to eat on the mountain. It might be a little tough at first, but you’ll get used to it.”
The two children held the thick stack of talismans, each with a different purpose, staring at each other, their little faces frozen in disbelief. The first lesson of the course: endure the cold. The second lesson—was it to endure hunger?
Can they really grow up if they don't eat? They're only ten years old!
Looking at her junior brothers' faces filled with doubt and a hint of despair, Yun Qian awkwardly scratched her forehead, trying to salvage the situation: "How about I draw a few more 'fullness talismans' for you?"
She truly couldn't cook, and had never cared whether there was anything edible on Cangmin Mountain. In her preconceived notions, the climate here was unique, with consistently low temperatures, making it difficult for ordinary crops to survive.
Of course, this is just her personal assumption.
Before she finished speaking, her fingertips began to dance again, and with a flash of light, runes rapidly condensed: "This is for warmth, this is for fullness, this is..."
Before long, Bai Chuan and Bai Ji each had another thick stack of talismans that shimmered with a faint light in their arms.
The two boys looked down at the stack of "senior sister's care" in their arms and fell silent again.
This senior sister... seems to care about them a lot.
But her way of showing concern seems to involve nothing but drawing talismans.
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