Chapter 32

“Lin Mengxian?” Upon hearing this name, Ye Zhenzhen’s face showed a hint of oddness. “When did you get mixed up with her?”

“What? Do you know her?”

Ye Zhenzhen’s tone sounded as if there was some juicy gossip story behind it, and Liuli was all ears, brimming with interest.

Ye Zhenzhen said, “I know of her, but we’re not close. She’s Elder Rongshan’s great-granddaughter.” Her tone shifted, and Ye Zhenzhen said scornfully, “She possesses Water-Fire Dual Spirit Roots and has been weak and sickly since childhood. For someone like her, cultivation will stop at Foundation Establishment in this lifetime. Why are you bringing her along?”

“Water-Fire Dual Spirit Roots?” Liuli was dumbfounded.

Cultivators valued single spirit roots the most. The five elements mutually generate and overcome each other. Those with multiple spirit roots either had unrelated roots, roots that mutually generated and supported each other, or multiple roots that could form a small cycle on their own.

For someone like Lin Mengxian, who possessed mutually overcoming spirit roots, if she didn’t cultivate, it would be one thing. But the deeper she cultivated, the more severe the torment her meridians suffered. Such cultivators were often unable to condense a Golden Core due to their conflicting spirit roots, and they were also weak and sickly, truly a type of worthless waste in the lower rungs of the Cultivation World.

Those with conflicting dual spirit roots were very rare. Currently, the Heavenly Martial Sect only had Lin Mengxian as an example. The only reason she could enter the Inner Sect was because she had a Nascent Soul Elder as her great-grandfather.

But the shelter she could receive ended there. After all, having no prospects meant having no real name in Elder Rongshan’s eyes.

Yet, Liuli’s shock wasn’t just because of this, but because of herself—was it because Xue Liuli was the “official empress,” so all the harem members from Long Jingxing’s story were gathering around her?

It wasn’t like they were paying their respects to the main wife, so why did they keep appearing one after another without stopping?

That’s right, Lin Mengxian was also one of Long Jingxing’s harem members. She had little screen time; Liuli only remembered the slightly special point of the Water-Fire Dual Spirit Roots. The rest was obscured by Long Jingxing’s hazy, vast harem like clouds and mist.

Liuli scratched her head, unsure whether she should continue associating with Lin Mengxian. She had nothing against Lin Mengxian personally, but she was afraid that getting close to her would again entangle her with Long Jingxing.

Ye Zhenzhen glanced at Liuli, “What’s wrong?”

Her expression was truly distressed, and very inelegant.

Liuli put down her scratching paw and grinned, “Nothing.”

“Are you sure you want to bring Lin Mengxian?”

Liuli sighed slightly, “About this… I’ll think it over again.”

“Bringing her is fine too,” Ye Zhenzhen said. “You protect her yourself then.”

“Fine!”

…

Having convinced Ye Zhenzhen, Liuli needed to go find Lin Mengxian.

It was only when she went looking that she realized she didn’t actually know where Lin Mengxian lived. She asked around at Immortal Rongshan’s peak and was told that Lin Mengxian often went out alone lately, and no one knew exactly where she went.

Liuli figured she wouldn’t be able to see her today and turned to go to the Back Mountain Forbidden Area.

Xue Meiniang had borrowed her Double-Sided Bronze Mirror and placed it in the forbidden area’s prison for interrogating criminals or administering punishment. Since Liuli was going down the mountain, she planned to ask for the mirror back.

Unexpectedly, just when she had given up on finding Lin Mengxian, she spotted her again.

And Lin Mengxian was together with Long Jingxing!

When Liuli saw them near the forbidden area, she nearly jumped: When did they hook up?! Why was it developing so fast?!

Fortunately, Long Jingxing and Lin Mengxian didn’t seem particularly intimate in their behavior. The two were together primarily for cultivation, so it probably hadn’t developed to that stage yet…

Sneakily and rather creepily, she followed them for a while. Finally, when Lin Mengxian and Long Jingxing parted ways, Liuli couldn’t hold back anymore. Swoosh—she charged in front of Lin Mengxian. She sternly pulled a long face, expressing deep grief and heartfelt concern: “Little Meng!”

Lin Mengxian was startled, “Senior Sister Liuli?”

Liuli grabbed her arm and dragged her to a secluded, quiet spot, “That…”

“Is there something Senior Sister needs?” Lin Mengxian tilted her head, meeting her gaze openly and frankly.

“Are you, with Long Jingxing…” Liuli gritted her teeth and asked.

“So you wanted to ask about this.” No matter the time, Lin Mengxian’s tone was always gentle. Even when being interrogated and spied on, she was like this. “Senior Sister should know that I possess Water-Fire Dual Spirit Roots, my cultivation is meager, and I barely managed to reach Foundation Establishment, yet I am even weaker than a mortal.”

It was embarrassing to say, but if Ye Zhenzhen hadn’t told her, Liuli truly wouldn’t have known. Under Lin Mengxian’s gentle gaze, Liuli felt a faint, inexplicable sense of guilt.

Lin Mengxian chuckled softly and continued speaking in a tone as if she were telling someone else’s story: “Although I’m distantly related to Immortal Rongshan, my aptitude doesn’t match my status. It’s inevitable that some people look down on me. Since childhood… I had no playmates. Others looked down on me, so I just cultivated on my own. Sometimes, I get lonely too.”

“Long Jingxing suffered a setback recently, falling from the clouds into the mud. Outsiders fawn on the powerful and have all distanced themselves from him. He’s proud by nature, so he just goes to secluded areas to cultivate by himself. We met by chance and realized our situations were similar. We didn’t even speak words of understanding; we just agreed to cultivate together sometimes.”

Liuli: “I’m sorry, Junior Sister, wuwuwu… I misunderstood you!”

Liuli’s eyes went red-rimmed as she listened. The frail junior sister before her seemed to turn into a lonely little bok choy in the field, withering and swaying in the cold wind…

However, Liuli wiped her eyes and said, “Actually, you might not know this, but I am also someone who fawns on the powerful.”

“No, Senior Sister, if you truly were, why would you be so good to me?” Lin Mengxian smiled and refuted her.

Liuli said: “That’s not important. What’s important is that I don’t want to see you together with Long Jingxing.”

“…”

Lin Mengxian’s lips twitched slightly, and she said calmly, “Alright. Then I won’t associate with Long Jingxing anymore.”

I-it was that easy!

Lin Mengxian saw Liuli’s look of being slow to react and burst out laughing, “Senior Sister, could it be you’ve already changed your mind?”

“No, no, no take-backs!” Liuli raised her hand, hesitated a moment, then patted Lin Mengxian on the shoulder, “Good, very obedient!”

Lin Mengxian smiled obediently and gently.

Having resolved a hidden danger so easily, Liuli felt proud of her work efficiency. She also informed Lin Mengxian about Ye Zhenzhen joining them down the mountain. Lin Mengxian naturally had no objections.

But because it went too smoothly, Liuli found it a bit hard to believe. Just before they parted, she threatened Lin Mengxian one more time: “Don’t forget, your Nether River Flower is in my hands! I have flower-napping hostages! You must obey!”

“Mm, I know,” Lin Mengxian coaxed gently. “If I don’t obey, Senior Sister can just throw it away.”

Liuli walked away with her chin held high and hands clasped behind her back, dignified. As she walked, she suddenly realized: wait, that’s not right. Why would she throw the flower away? Couldn’t she sell it or eat it!

…

After settling on Ye Zhenzhen and Lin Mengxian as her training companions, Liuli made one more trip down the mountain before the agreed date.

She liked to save the best for last, and she also liked to drag out the most important thing until the end.

Now, Liuli was going to solve the last problem before her descent for training—Liuli took a deep breath and threw herself onto the Moon-Viewing Rock at Bright Moon Pond, shouting:

“Shizun—save me—”

Feng Xiwu: “…”

Feng Xiwu was currently observing the stars at night. Tonight, the moon was bright and the stars sparse. Even if one didn’t watch anything else, just admiring the bright moon was extremely beautiful.

She left the ground with ease, still aloof as ever, but perfectly dodging Liuli’s two hands reaching to hug her thighs.

Having missed her pounce, Liuli smoothly rolled on the ground and nimbly jumped up, looking up plaintively: “Shizun, isn’t it cold up in the sky? I tell you, the higher it is, the colder it gets. Let’s get a bit closer to earth.”

The corner of Feng Xiwu’s mouth twitched. She looked down at her, “What is it?”

Her True Qi was circulating smoothly, and there was no scent of blood. Feng Xiwu truly couldn’t imagine why she was shouting for help.

Liuli continued tilting her head up. A gust of wind blew by, perfectly lifting Feng Xiwu’s long sleeves, the light gauze brushing past Liuli’s cheek:

“Ah… Achoo!”

With a backhand flick of her sleeve, Feng Xiwu smacked Liuli into the water of Bright Moon Pond.

Liuli bubbled like a little goldfish, half her body slowly floating up to the surface. Like a water ghost, she said mournfully: “Shizun, can’t you be a bit gentler?”

Feng Xiwu sighed, “This master thinks she’s already been gentle enough.”

Liuli changed the subject, “Let’s talk serious business.”

“What serious business?”

“Shizun, save me—” Liuli suddenly yelled!

Feng Xiwu: “…”

Liuli—take two, roll film—looked at Feng Xiwu in panic-stricken alarm: “Shizun, your disciple had a nightmare last night. She dreamed that after going down the mountain, she was bullied by a beautiful older sister. They say the more beautiful a woman is, the more vicious her heart—of course, Shizun and I are the exceptions. Heavens, I wouldn’t really run into something like this, would I?!”

Feng Xiwu: “…”

She waved her hand lightly, and Liuli flew up from the pool water, landing beneath the waterfall. The surging torrent crashed down from head to toe. Liuli: “Mmph!”

Moments later, Liuli scrambled and crawled her way onto the shore.

Feng Xiwu praised her: “I remember the first time you went down to the waterfall, you were knocked unconscious immediately. Now, the longer you endure, the more it shows you’re tougher… and thicker-skinned. Going down the mountain this time, even if you encounter danger, you should be able to hold your own.”

Liuli was on the verge of weeping, “But Shizun, your disciple is still just a child!”

Feng Xiwu replied, “The New Year has passed. You are already an eighteen-year-old young lady now.”

Liuli argued, “Eighteen is nominal age. I’m not yet an adult!”

“A woman comes of age at fifteen. You are already an adult.”

“…” Damn it!

Liuli refused to concede, “I’m full of childlike innocence, pure and kind!”

“What exactly do you want?” Feng Xiwu pressed her brow lightly.

Liuli climbed to her feet, shook out her clothes, and smiled shyly, “For this descent down the mountain to train, Shizun, come with me.”

Feng Xiwu said slowly, “Under the vast heavens, have you ever seen any master who accompanies their disciple on training down the mountain?”

Liuli’s eyes sparkled as she stared intently at Feng Xiwu, “Our household!”

“…”

Feng Xiwu flicked her sleeve again, directly swatting Liuli back into the Meditation Room at Phoenix Perch Residence. Swept up by a gust of cold wind, Liuli tumbled end over end like a ball, rolling straight into the Meditation Room and crashing into the wall with a bang before coming to a stop.

Liuli collapsed on the floor, feet against the wall, muttering: “You accompanied me into the secret realm, why can’t you come down the mountain?”

…

Liuli would never give up easily!

Not only would she not give up, but she fought even harder with each defeat. If one asked why she was so persistent, the real reason, of course, couldn’t be spoken aloud.

Because Long Jingxing was still at the Heavenly Martial Sect!

Calculating the timeline, in the original plot, the fallen Long Jingxing meeting and interacting with Feng Xiwu should be developing around now.

How could Liuli possibly leave Feng Xiwu alone at the Heavenly Martial Sect? She would absolutely not allow this part of the plot any opportunity to take advantage!

But she couldn’t tell Feng Xiwu directly; she could only pester her to accompany her down the mountain.

A new day began, and with it, a new challenge for Liuli.

Liuli curled up at the entrance to Feng Xiwu’s sleeping quarters. When the first ray of morning sunlight hit Liuli’s face, Feng Xiwu would open the door, see the weak, pitiful, and helpless Liuli, and then feel a surge of compassion, hehehe…

It was a perfect plan—if only the door to the sleeping quarters didn’t open outward.

Smacked aside by the door, Liuli silently picked herself up from the ground, covering her red, slapped forehead. Tears of physical pain began flowing again.

Feng Xiwu looked at her, raising an eyebrow, “Is there something you need?”

Liuli moved her hand aside slightly, “Shizun, do you see it?”

“?”

“Your disciple—so weak, fragile, and vulnerable,” Liuli said painfully. “Can you really bear to let her go down the mountain alone?”

Liuli delivered an impassioned speech: “The outside world is so brilliantly colorful, yet also so dark and complex! Society is like a dye vat; one misstep, and it’s eternal damnation! What if she has bad luck and runs into experts among scoundrels and scoundrels among experts? Her beautiful seventeen-year-old life would then… wither… away…”

Liuli was even choking up.

But Feng Xiwu said, “How could you be alone? Didn’t you already agree with Ye Zhenzhen and Lin Mengxian to go together?”

“…”

Feng Xiwu calmly added, “Put your hand down. That bump on your head has long since disappeared.”

Liuli burst into tears of frustration.

Only three days remained until the agreed date. If Feng Xiwu didn’t agree soon, she’d rather be a dishonest person and stay on Parasol Tree Mountain to watch over Feng Xiwu!

Her eyes blurry with tears, Liuli grabbed Feng Xiwu’s sleeve and shook it vigorously, “Shizun, please, I beg you, just accompany your disciple!”

Feng Xiwu glanced at Liuli’s hand and fell silent.

Liuli sobbed, “Besides, the outside world is so complicated. Aren’t you afraid your disciple will learn bad habits…”

“Mm.”

“What if your disciple accidentally goes astray… Huh?! Shizun, what’s that ‘mm’ supposed to mean…”

Feng Xiwu pulled back her sleeve, randomly grabbed a handkerchief, and wiped Liuli’s face twice, “You have a point.”

“Have a point… about what…?”

“Your personality is flighty and restless. You should indeed be watched, lest you learn bad habits.”

Liuli sucked in a huge breath of cold air, nervously clutching the handkerchief Feng Xiwu gave her, asking: “What does Shizun mean… could it be… you are willing to accompany me down the mountain?!”

A faint, clear smile touched Feng Xiwu’s lips, “It’s just that I have some matters to attend to recently. I probably won’t be able to leave the sect until about half a month from now.”

“No rush, no rush. Shizun, take care of your business first.” Liuli quickly said, “Anyway, we’ll be traveling slowly. It’ll be just perfect for Shizun to catch up after you finish.”

“Very well. You all set off first. And remember, same as before: I will not easily intervene, and you must not reveal my existence.”

“Your disciple understands!”

Liuli suddenly produced a small brocade box. Opening it revealed a stack of Little Cloth Dolls in various colors and materials:

“Shizun, how about first sending a separated spirit to walk with me? Paper dolls are too fragile, stone puppets are too conspicuous. These are what your disciple specially collected down the mountain. There’s cotton, linen, silk… Shizun, look at this one. I specifically pasted on a little skirt for it. Isn’t it pretty? Isn’t it beautiful!”

Feng Xiwu felt a bit of regret.