“Ha-woo~”
She groggily propped herself up, eyes closed, and habitually stretched her arms in a huge yawn.
“Good morning, little Lu Qiancha.”
Xunxue’s cool voice, laced with laughter, sounded by the bedside.
She had long since finished washing up and was sitting on a low stool next to the bed.
“Mother… Good morning.”
Lu Qiancha answered instinctively, her sleepy eyes darting to the yellow rosewood rack where she usually hung her clothes.
Where her gaze fell—
A silent, upright figure in gray-blue, stood motionless at the head of the bed.
She was only a single step away…
“Waaaahhh!!”
Lu Qiancha was so startled her soul nearly fled, and she bounced straight up from the bed, her little paws trembling as she pointed in alarm at the stiffly standing Ling Wanbai.
Her voice cracked from shock, “You, you, you! Why are you standing here?! You scared me to death!”
“S-sorry.”
Ling Wanbai’s voice was devoid of emotion, but a real hint of guilt appeared on her face.
Lu Qiancha pointed at her, her small face still pale with fright—then suddenly it turned bright red.
Memories of last night surged back into her mind like a flood bursting through a dam.
Now she felt both ashamed and angry, with a strong undercurrent of guilt.
After all, she was the one who’d given the other the Dendrobium Zhulan…
The little wolf’s mouth gaped open, her brain a muddled paste, and after a long while she still couldn’t squeeze out a complete sentence.
“I…” Ling Wanbai took a deep breath, as if she was about to perform a solemn ceremony.
With both hands, a bit stiffly, she pinched the hem of her robe and lifted it up expressionlessly.
She revealed a slender, fair leg and a graceful ankle, smooth as cool jade.
Ling Wanbai’s tone was flat as she pronounced judgment: “Regarding the disrespectful incident that occurred last night… I offer my deepest apologies. Please, Lu Qiancha, punish me as you see fit!”
“???”
If just now Lu Qiancha had been merely embarrassed and a little guilty, now her mind went completely blank—her CPU fried.
Her mind was a sea of white.
The little wolf cub froze for a full three breaths before snapping back to herself.
A tiny paw shot out like lightning.
Smack! With a sharp sound, she struck Ling Wanbai’s hand, which was still lifting the skirt hem.
Lu Qiancha’s small face was crimson, and she roared in flustered embarrassment: “Idiot! If you’re apologizing, then just apologize properly! Who told you to lift that while apologizing?!”
“Honored Xunxue said this might earn Lu Qiancha’s forgiveness.”
Ling Wanbai’s hand was reddened from the slap, but she didn’t move at all, repeating flatly.
“Pffft—!”
All this time, Xunxue had been watching with great interest, barely holding back laughter…
At last, she couldn’t help herself—a barely disguised, gleeful laugh escaped.
“Mother, you’re laughing at me!” Lu Qiancha’s aggrieved tears almost spilled over. She dove into Xunxue’s arms, her little head burrowing wildly.
Her blue eyes grew misty, and her ears drooped pitifully as she accused, “Mother, you’re teaming up with her to bully me! You’re so mean, so mean, so mean!”
“There, there, be good, Mama won’t tease her little Qiancha anymore…”
Xunxue struggled to keep a straight face, gently patting her daughter’s back. “You two made such a ruckus last night… Surely you’ve made up by now?”
“Made up?!”
Lu Qiancha popped up from Xunxue’s embrace like a bristling kitten.
Her little cheeks puffed in indignation, blue eyes wide and round.
“I’m not making up with that meanie.”
Lu Qiancha’s voice was stuffy and determined, though she sounded very wronged.
“My little Qiancha…” Xunxue’s smile deepened, her tone teasing. “This little shrine maiden told me every detail of last night—word for word, not leaving a single thing out~”
She gently tapped Lu Qiancha’s nose with a fingertip. “This time, it seems a certain little wolf with naughty ideas served up a whole bunch of Dendrobium Zhulan treats to our guest.”
“Ugh!”
Lu Qiancha’s cheeks flushed instantly, like a balloon being popped.
She whipped her head around, wishing she could bury herself in Xunxue’s robes.
The little wolf’s voice was a barely audible squeak, thick with guilt: “S-she wanted to eat them herself! I… I didn’t force her…”
“So how can Lu Qiancha forgive me?”
Ling Wanbai spoke again, tone unwavering.
“Stick your head out.”
Lu Qiancha crooked her paw.
Without any hesitation, Ling Wanbai complied.
Smack!
Smack!
Smack!
Lu Qiancha unleashed a flurry of meow-meow punches with her little paw, raining blows down on Ling Wanbai’s head like a sudden downpour.
Ling Wanbai’s face remained blank, but it almost looked as if a bunch of “-1”s popped up over her head.
“Huff—!”
When she finally finished her wild paw dance, Lu Qiancha shook out her tingling hand, feeling much better.
Even if it had been her own fault.
But the little wolf cub didn’t care. In any case, wolves are good, shrine maidens are bad.
Case closed!
***
Peace returned to their lives. Several leisurely days passed, and the time for the Molding Stone’s maturation finally arrived.
This time, Xunxue didn’t bring along the ever-silent Ling Wanbai. Only Lu Qiancha accompanied her on the journey to the secret realm in the back mountain.
Before leaving, Lu Qiancha left Ling Wanbai with one instruction: “Stay here, don’t wander. I’ll come get you in a few days.”
Ling Wanbai wore the same frosty expression, answering quietly before remaining alone in the palace to await their return.
The entrance to the secret realm was at the center of a vast platform nestled beneath towering Snow Cliff.
On the platform, a chilling, murderous aura had already condensed into something almost tangible.
A five-man squad, fully armored from head to toe, stood there in silent readiness.
Their postures were straight as spears, exuding an aura as cold and unfeeling as ice and steel. Not a word was spoken as they awaited Xunxue and Lu Qiancha’s arrival.
Lu Qiancha observed the squad. At their head stood a man with his face masked by black ice, only a pair of hawk-sharp eyes visible.
He wore heavy battle armor forged of Mithril, etched with the Great Spirit Lord’s totem. In his hand was a pitch-black spear, and his spiritual power radiated openly, carrying the pressure of the Unity Realm.
The four behind him were somewhat weaker, only at the Spirit Refining Realm. Yet each was as sharp as a drawn blade. Even the spiritual energy flowing from their bodies seemed to resonate together.
Xunxue didn’t let Lu Qiancha step forward immediately. Instead, she pulled her by the wrist to one side.
There, she nagged at length about always staying safe in the secret realm.
If they encountered powerful demonic beasts, they must run, not fight.
And above all, safety comes first—if it’s too dangerous, they could reconsider the Molding Stone.
“Don’t worry, Mother.” Lu Qiancha nodded firmly, her eyes clear and earnest. “Qiancha understands.”
Just then—
“The auspicious hour has arrived!”
A voice like a great bell suddenly split the heavy air.
The secret realm’s entrance glowed with an eerie light.
Xunxue held Lu Qiancha’s hand, gripping it tight for a moment before slowly letting go.
Her voice, hoarse and thick with reluctance, said, “Go on, little Qiancha. Mama will be waiting here for you to come back.”
Lu Qiancha looked deeply at Xunxue one last time, her throat bobbing, then simply nodded.
She said nothing more, turned, and strode forward, following the Frost Camp squad into the secret realm.
The five-man squad formed a triangle—three in front, two behind—protecting Lu Qiancha at the center.