A few days later, the two sisters arrived at the place where the Temple Fair would be held.
Although the fair hadn’t officially begun yet, the Market was already fully decorated, and the festive atmosphere was thick in the air.
“Lingling, why don’t we go to a Small Restaurant and get something to eat first? It feels like it’ll be a while before the Temple Fair actually starts.”
“Alright! But… do we have enough money? What if we run out when we’re at the fair later?”
“Hehe, don’t worry. Guess what I have in my hand?” Su Qianqian shook her bulging Purse.
“Mother gave us quite a bit of Pocket Money this time, and I usually save up part of my own Pocket Money too. Today, your big sister will treat you to a fun day!”
“Yay! I want to eat the fish at that place!”
Su Lingling grabbed Su Qianqian’s hand and ran off in the direction of the restaurant she wanted.
“Hey, hey, Lingling, slow down. My legs are half as short as yours…”
The two sisters jogged off, completely unaware that someone in the distance was watching them with a complicated expression—no, to be precise, watching Su Qianqian…
Inside the restaurant, Su Lingling was devouring her food with big bites.
Su Qianqian didn’t order much, since there would be plenty to eat at the Temple Fair later, but Su Lingling never knew to save room.
Su Qianqian rested her chin in her hand, watching the innocent and lively Su Lingling, the corners of her mouth lifting in a faint smile.
At that moment, Su Qianqian suddenly felt a strange sensation.
She jerked her head to look into the distance—she’d just had the oddest feeling of being watched.
Her Divine Sense at the Foundation Establishment Stage swept over the distant area, but there was no sign of anyone spying.
If someone really was peeping, no one in this mortal town should be able to escape her detection.
“Am I just being overly sensitive? Phew… Even after reincarnating for over a decade, I still sometimes get triggered like this.”
Su Qianqian subconsciously tugged at the corner of her clothes, a little habit she had when she was nervous.
“Big Sister, what’s wrong? You look a bit serious.”
“It’s nothing. I just suddenly remembered I forgot to put away the little illustrated book I was peeking at—I’m worried Mother might find it.”
“Oh… Can I see those picture books?”
“No, you’re still too young. You can’t look at that kind of thing.”
Hearing this, Su Lingling pouted and mumbled under her breath, “Hmph, you’re not much older than me anyway, and you even look younger…”
Of course Su Qianqian heard her. She smiled and rubbed Su Lingling’s head even harder.
Meanwhile, at the spot Su Qianqian had scanned with her Divine Sense, someone was actually hiding there, now watching even more cautiously.
“No wonder it’s him—still so sharp. He’s only just at Foundation Establishment, but the moment I relaxed, he sensed the surveillance.”
Not long after, the sun began to set, and the Temple Fair officially began. The Streets grew more and more bustling.
The two walked through the Temple Fair Market, with lanterns hanging everywhere and hawkers calling out in all directions—it was a lively sight.
To avoid getting separated, Su Lingling tightly held Su Qianqian’s hand, dragging her left and right, buying this and that.
“Sugar-coated Hawthorn!”
“Pellet Drum!”
“Big Sister, these Pastries look really good. Should we get some?”
“Of course, we can buy them all! Big Sister’s secret stash is more than enough!” Su Qianqian stood with hands on her hips, utterly doting on her younger sister.
The only problem was, while they had plenty of money, they simply couldn’t carry that much.
Soon, both of their hands were full.
Just as Su Lingling started to get tired of playing, the two decided to head back.
Su Qianqian was still fine; with her Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, carrying things was a breeze.
But Su Lingling, after holding things for a while, was getting tired.
“Lingling, let me carry what you have.” Su Qianqian reached for the bags in Su Lingling’s hand, but Su Lingling clung to them tightly and wouldn’t let go.
“No way! You’re already carrying so much. I can’t let you take any more! The books say carrying heavy things can stunt your growth!”
“I’m not tired at all. Why are you so stubborn? Just let me take them.”
“No!”
While the two sisters were bickering, a voice sounded from behind, cool yet gentle:
“Do you want me to help you carry something?”
The moment she heard this voice, Su Qianqian’s hair stood on end, and she whipped around!
She saw a plainly dressed, but stunningly beautiful, young woman.
Right then, Su Qianqian’s body froze completely—because the woman before her was Lin Muxue, her master from when she infiltrated the Sword Sect, one of those who’d pursued her!
“I’m done for—she’s found me?!”
Seeing Su Qianqian’s obviously stiff posture, Lin Muxue’s cool face didn’t show any extra emotion. She only repeated:
“Do you want me to help you carry something?”
You had to admit, being beautiful did come with advantages.
If it had been a lecherous brute saying that, Su Lingling would have dragged Su Qianqian away in terror, or at the very least been extremely wary. But if the speaker was an ice-cold beauty…
“No, no, we’re fine! I can carry them, thank you, pretty big sister.”
“I saw you heading that way. I just happen to be going the same way, so it’s no trouble.”
“But…”
“Lingling, let’s accept this sister’s kindness. It’s really troublesome to carry all this home right now, and it’s not convenient to call for a Household Servant.”
“Huh? Oh… okay…”
Su Qianqian knew full well just how strong Lin Muxue was. If she really wanted to do anything to them, there’d be no need for tricks.
Besides, she was truly the kind and upright type, so it was best not to act rashly.
On the way home, Lin Muxue helped them carry part of their bags, walking just behind them.
Su Qianqian tried her best to act normal.
In the past, her disguises had never slipped even a little, but after more than a decade of relaxed reincarnated life, plus the immense pressure from their difference in strength, she couldn’t help but feel nervous—her movements remained a bit stiff.
Then, suddenly, a familiar Sound Transmission whispered in Su Qianqian’s ear, nearly making her heart skip a beat.
“To reach Foundation Establishment at such a young age—your future is limitless.”
“Thank you… for your praise.”
“But it’s odd. I remember I hid my cultivation, so you should see me as just an ordinary person. Why have you been so nervous from the start?”
“My talent… is rather special. I have very sharp senses, so I picked up on Senior’s aura. That made me a bit nervous.”
“I see. Truly an extraordinary gift.”
Su Qianqian breathed a silent sigh of relief. Lin Muxue was only curious about her cultivation.
She had no idea why Lin Muxue was here, but it seemed she wasn’t suspicious of her identity right now.
“By the way, has your younger sister joined a Sect yet? Her talent is remarkable. It would be a shame if she didn’t cultivate. I’d like to take her as my disciple.”
“Of course, you’re talented too, and I’d love to take you as my disciple as well, but at your age, to be at Foundation Establishment, you must already be in some top Sect, right?”
When Lin Muxue mentioned taking Su Lingling as a disciple, Su Qianqian hesitated.
She knew full well that Lingling’s talent was excellent and perfectly suited to Lin Muxue’s Techniques.
She had originally planned to guide Lingling into cultivation herself, when the time was right.
Lin Muxue’s character and teaching skills, as well as her Sect’s resources and heritage, were all things Su Qianqian could trust.
Now that Lingling had this chance—shouldn’t she let her try?
“I…”
“No need to answer today. It’s late. Let her get a good rest… I’ll visit personally tomorrow.”
After escorting the sisters to their doorstep, Lin Muxue walked away without a backward glance, soon vanishing into the distance…
……
Late at night, by a stream, Lin Muxue stared at the Bamboo Flute in her hand, murmuring softly to herself…
“It’s time to begin again…”
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