“You can just call me Elder Qin. I’ve been guiding disciples for eight or nine centuries now. Even your Master was once under my tutelage—so obedient and diligent, yet in the end, I encountered a White-eyed Wolf, sigh…”
Su Qianqian, following behind, didn’t dare to even breathe loudly.
Why did every Elder seem to single her out?
Even though she had indeed deceived Lin Muxue, and even though she had stolen the Sect’s Immortal Medicine, causing Lin Muxue to shoulder the blame, even though… Well, fine, she deserved a scolding.
Standing beside her, Su Lingling was extremely curious about who this “White-eyed Wolf” was, but since it involved their Master’s privacy, she didn’t dare to ask directly and could only keep her curiosity to herself.
Although she had been scolded inadvertently, Su Qianqian still deeply respected this immortal-looking Elder.
Even though in her previous life she’d always followed Lin Muxue and never received his guidance, Elder Qin’s reputation and standing within the sect were well known—he was truly worthy of respect.
Elder Qin had been one of the most talented among the disciples some thirteen hundred years ago—a model disciple of the righteous path, with an upright character.
But over nine hundred years ago, a Demon Beast riot broke out in the territory protected by the Sword Sect.
The sect dispatched Elders and disciples to suppress it, but misjudged the danger.
Elders were trapped by a Great Demon, and many disciples became surrounded by the Demon Horde.
At that time, Elder Qin was already an Elder Candidate, and highly skilled in cultivation.
As the disciples’ leader, he and a few disciples stayed behind to hold off the enemies, allowing many Junior Sisters and Junior Brothers to break through the encirclement.
Afterward… by the time Support arrived, only two of the rear guard disciples barely survived, and both were so mangled by Demon Beasts it was unbearable to look at. One of them was him…
Even with the Sword Sect’s abilities, it was difficult to bring them back alive.
But the injuries were too severe, their foundations irreparably damaged—there was little hope for further cultivation…
The other disciple secretly took their own life a few years later, while Elder Qin decided to give up his cultivation pursuits and dedicated himself to mentoring the following generations of disciples, right up to the present.
Su Qianqian used voice transmission to explain Elder Qin’s story to Su Lingling.
With newfound respect in their eyes, the two followed Elder Qin to a platform filled with numerous meditation cushions, where many disciples were already seated.
“I keep things fairly simple for these disciples; you two don’t need to stay here and listen. Follow me over this way.”
Continuing after Elder Qin, they headed toward the edge of the platform, toward a separate Floating Platform.
There were already several disciples there. Su Lingling glanced over and saw that all the people she’d defeated during the last sparring session were present.
“Huh? They’re here too? Aren’t they Elder’s disciples? Does that mean their Master is away as well?” Su Lingling mumbled in confusion.
Before she finished, Elder Qin answered her question: “Each Elder has their own duties and is rarely free, so most of the time, their disciples’ basic cultivation is entrusted to me. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, you can come to me, or exchange ideas with other disciples.”
After hearing Elder Qin’s explanation, Su Qianqian and Su Lingling exchanged a glance. “Master always seems quite free, though…”
Of course, this was not something they could say aloud—they had to protect their Master’s reputation…
“Alright, you two can continue cultivating here. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can come ask me after my lecture. Also, it seems the other disciples are quite eager to talk with you.”
After settling the sisters down, Elder Qin flew up to the high platform, ready to continue his unfinished lecture.
The moment the sisters landed, everyone on the platform simultaneously stopped their cultivation and looked at them.
The intensity of those stares made Su Lingling’s skin crawl. Surely they weren’t seeking revenge, right? Surely not? She had only beaten them all up once…
“Uh… hi…?” Su Lingling tried greeting them tentatively.
With that, the stagnant atmosphere began to thaw. Ming Xi, the one who had controlled the Flying Sword during the last spar, responded hastily:
“Senior Martial Sister… You’re here too.” Ming Xi was still a bit shy, but did her best to greet her Senior Martial Sister.
“Mm, hello.”
Facing so many unfamiliar people, Su Lingling couldn’t act as outgoing as she did with her family or Master.
She nervously gripped Su Qianqian’s hand and sat down beside Ming Xi, who seemed friendly.
Ming Xi was both flustered and delighted as Su Lingling and Su Qianqian sat down beside her.
She quickly scooted over to make more room for Su Lingling.
“Hey, hey, just come sit over here—there’s plenty of space.”
“Okay!”
“You don’t have to be that close, though…”
“Huh? Sorry ＞人＜!”
Ming Xi instantly stood up, ready to move away, but Su Lingling grabbed her wrist:
“Alright, alright, just sit here. I’m not chasing you away. Stay and chat with me.”
Ming Xi gingerly sat down again, and at this close distance, when she glanced at Senior Martial Sister Su Qianqian, she couldn’t help but think—So beautiful! Her skin was like polished jade, her face a bit babyish, looking so cute.
Paired with her cold aura, it gave her a unique charm!
Meanwhile, the “icy” Su Lingling was conversing with her elder sister through Divine Sense:
“Lingling, why have you been acting so cold since you got here? Are you trying to build up some kind of icy fairy persona?”
“No! I just really don’t know how to interact with them, so this is the only face I can make.”
“That Junior Sister beside you seems to want to talk with you, though she looks even shyer than you. Why not try befriending her?”
After hearing this, Su Lingling glanced over.
Sure enough, Ming Xi was fidgeting with her fingers, looking like she wanted to say something but didn’t dare.
“Alright, I’ll give it a try… Whew—”
After a bit of preparation, Su Lingling spoke to Ming Xi:
“Ming Xi… Junior Sister? Is it okay if I call you that?”
“Ah! Yes! Senior Martial Sister!”
“Uh, well… Have you eaten?” The moment she asked, Su Lingling felt awkward.
Not every disciple was a glutton like her—normally they just ate Fasting Pills, right?
Unexpectedly, Ming Xi responded enthusiastically: “I have! Yesterday, I even roasted a duck myself! And I finished off the desserts I bought last time I went out. I’ll have to restock next time…”
“Oh… Eh? You get to go out?”
“Yes, Elder Qin sometimes takes us to nearby cities to broaden our horizons. That’s when we can buy things. We’ll probably go again next week.”
“Can you take us with you? I want to look around outside.”
“That depends on Elder Qin, but I think it should be fine.”
“Great! By the way, you can cook? Roasted duck sounds amazing—I’d love to try it…”
“I can make some for you next time, Senior Martial Sister. I’m pretty confident in my cooking.”
Once the conversation started, Su Lingling and Ming Xi found it easier and easier to talk. In the end, Ming Xi even showed Su Lingling some of her drawings—a hobby of hers.
“Wow, you can draw? These are really good!”
“I used to be an Apprentice Painter at a painting studio. Later, I discovered my talent for cultivation and was able to start cultivating.”
Su Lingling flipped through Ming Xi’s sketchbook: Cloud Sea, Flower Cluster, Bamboo Forest, Mount of Immortals—all were beautifully drawn. Ming Xi was certainly talented in art as well.
But as she turned the pages, Su Lingling came across a familiar portrait…
“Eh? This person… Is that… me?”
In the painting, a breathtaking beauty stood in flowing robes, sword in hand, her expression calm. That face was unmistakably Su Lingling’s!
In an instant, Ming Xi’s face flushed bright red.
She’d been chatting so happily, she forgot there were portraits of Senior Martial Sister in her sketchbook! Oh no, would she think I’m a weirdo?
“Senior Martial Sister, this, I… I drew it from memory… um…” Ming Xi lowered her head, nervously fiddling with her fingers.
Su Lingling studied the painting for a while, and her eyes began to shine!
“It looks so cool! Ming Xi, you’re really good! I love this drawing! Though… there’s definitely some artistic embellishment, right? It doesn’t feel quite like me usually…”
“No! Senior Martial Sister, this is exactly how you are in my eyes! Beautiful and strong!”
Su Lingling stared at Ming Xi in astonishment, and Ming Xi, realizing what she’d just said, quickly covered her face. She was mortified!
But just as Ming Xi covered her face, she felt herself being hugged and caught a faint scent:
“Thank you, Ming Xi! You’ve flattered me so much, I’m embarrassed. I’ll work even harder!”
“Mm…” Ming Xi, staring at Su Lingling’s face so close, felt her mind turn to mush and answered on autopilot.
“Se-Senior Martial Sister, I’d like to give you this drawing. I’ll keep drawing more of your beautiful and heroic moments!”
“Really? Thank you!” With that, Su Lingling gave Ming Xi a light hug.
After being hugged, Ming Xi felt she had no more regrets in life. She really wanted to draw Senior Martial Sister’s lively and adorable expression right now…
Watching this scene from the side, Su Qianqian nodded with satisfaction. Her little sister had made her first friend in the sect—how wonderful.
Su Lingling liked the drawing more the longer she looked at it, then turned to Ming Xi, who was still immersed in bliss:
“Ming Xi, is there anything I can help you with? I can’t just keep accepting your gifts.”
Ming Xi was about to refuse, but Su Lingling was insistent. After thinking for a moment, Ming Xi said:
“Senior Martial Sister, you’ve reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, right? Can you take me flying?”
“Of course! Let’s go!”
Su Lingling immediately summoned her Flying Sword, jumped lightly onto it, and reached out to Ming Xi: “Come on up, Junior Sister!”
Ming Xi could have gotten on herself, but since Senior Martial Sister was offering her hand… She took Su Lingling’s hand and hopped up behind her.
She thought just holding her hand was already taking advantage, but then—
“Junior Sister, hold onto my waist first.”
“Gulp, o-okay… Senior Martial Sister…” Ming Xi swallowed and wrapped—or rather, gripped—Su Lingling’s waist, and Su Lingling took her for a spin in the sky.
Up above, gazing at Su Lingling’s profile, Ming Xi’s heart was overflowing:
“Senior Martial Sister… As I thought, I really like you!”
After they landed, Su Lingling wanted to ask how Ming Xi felt, but before she could, a crowd of disciples—who hadn’t dared to approach before—swarmed over, leaving Su Lingling flustered.
She shot Ming Xi a pleading look, but Ming Xi was still lost in the afterglow of that magical moment.
Desperate, Su Lingling used voice transmission to seek help from her elder sister, but—
“Understandable, Lingling. You were amazing in the last spar. If I were them, I’d want to talk to you, too.”
“Sis, are you teasing me? You totally are, right?”
“Not at all—I mean it. Good luck~”
……