When daylight poured in, Bai Xiaoxiao naturally woke up to her biological clock. The moment she remembered that she still had school today, she became dazed.
Fortunately, she’d soaked in the hot spring after returning yesterday. Otherwise, she might not even be able to get up today.
After two blank seconds, Bai Xiaoxiao slowly came to her senses and tightened her embrace.
Looking at the sleeping figure, her gaze shifted. Carefully, she watched as she leaned in and, after confirming the other person hadn’t woken, kissed those soft lips with reddened ears.
A feather-light kiss, touch and release in an instant. Bai Xiaoxiao’s heart raced. Guiltily, she released the person, afraid her heartbeat might wake her and expose the fact that she’d stolen a kiss.
But this was the first time she’d done something so sneaky, and Bai Xiaoxiao was far too guilty to notice that at the very instant she pulled away, Shen Zhiyue, who should have been sound asleep, had quietly opened her eyes.
She raised a hand to touch her lips, then sat up and gazed at Bai Xiaoxiao’s retreating figure with an unreadable expression.
Meanwhile, Bai Xiaoxiao had already gotten herself ready, wrapped in her cloak, waiting for Ming Jingqiu to take her to Knowledge-Seeking Peak. This time, however, she had experience on her side—she’d changed into neat disciple training clothes underneath.
The training uniform had been placed in the outer room when she woke up. At a single glance, Bai Xiaoxiao understood—Shen Zhiyue must have had someone send it over.
Her mood immediately brightened. Until class started, and her elation rapidly cooled.
When the theoretical lesson ended, Bai Xiaoxiao’s head was still spinning from all the learning. Then she followed the crowd into the second round—Basic Sword Arts.
The teaching elder for the sword arts class was still Tenth Elder. This time, Bai Xiaoxiao had changed her clothes and thought she wouldn’t be scolded.
But to her surprise, during class, Tenth Elder’s reprimands clung to her like a ghost.
Bai Xiaoxiao was lambasted, criticized as utterly useless, until the class ended. She stared blankly as Ming Jingqiu carried her back.
After a soak in the hot spring and a night of sleep, her body fully recovered.
This cycle repeated for several days. Bai Xiaoxiao had already learned to the point of not knowing earth from sky. Even in her dreams at night, she was in class, being scolded by the elder.
Until one day, Bai Xiaoxiao was astonished to discover that after class ended, she no longer needed Ming Jingqiu to carry her!
When she stood and waited until Ming Jingqiu arrived, she herself found it unbelievable.
“Fellow Daoist Bai is improving remarkably quickly.”
Ming Jingqiu was also surprised, then offered her congratulations.
She’d been ferrying Bai Xiaoxiao there and back every day, so she could feel the changes in the other very clearly. At first, the changes weren’t obvious. But until today, those tiny shifts had gathered into a small river.
Bai Xiaoxiao was truly happy. She was still a little weak, but this feeling of excitement—she hadn’t felt it in a long time.
Back when she was studying in modern times, she’d often run into difficult problems. But she didn’t want to give up easily, so she’d always bury her head and work through them stubbornly.
The process inevitably involved failures and mistakes. But when she finally managed to crack a problem, the joy and satisfaction were immense.
It was exactly like how she felt now—a long-missed thrill of excitement and fulfillment.
This time, she walked back standing. However, Shen Zhiyue had been called to the Main Peak by the Sect Master, so she couldn’t see her.
Bai Xiaoxiao felt a bit disappointed and went to the hot spring pool on her own.
Moon-Gazing Peak was naturally quiet. With only her left, it was even quieter. Bai Xiaoxiao sank beneath the water, her gaze gradually growing distant.
Until a voice suddenly appeared in her mind.
“Xiaoxiao? Can you hear me?”
Bai Xiaoxiao abruptly sat up. “!”
The System was equally shocked. “!?”
Discovering that even the System was this stunned, Bai Xiaoxiao realized this wasn’t her imagination—someone really was calling her!
“System, what’s going on?!”
“Host, don’t panic. I’ve detected that this voice is communicating with you through a bloodline secret technique. It should be one of your kin. However, the other party can’t hear our conversations.”
Bai Xiaoxiao felt a bit more at ease, but she was still astonished by the sudden voice.
“Bloodline secret technique? One of my kin?”
Bai Xiaoxiao savored the words, then gradually went blank.
She wasn’t just an ordinary little snake after all! And she had kin who could use bloodline secret techniques…
If it was a secret technique, it couldn’t be simple.
Just what kind of identity did this little snake have?
While Bai Xiaoxiao was still processing, the voice sounded again in her mind.
[Xiaoxiao? Is everything going well over there? Did you steal the Immortal Artifact?]
Bai Xiaoxiao was startled again.
“Confirmed—stealing the Immortal Artifact wasn’t just the little snake’s personal behavior? It was a group operation?!”
“It seems that since the Host hasn’t encountered any trouble, a hidden storyline has been activated.”
Bai Xiaoxiao felt that this kind of hidden storyline was fraught with uncertainty. But…
Her mind stirred, and the method for using the bloodline secret technique automatically surfaced in her thoughts.
After a pause, Bai Xiaoxiao tentatively spoke according to the method.
[Who are you?]
[!!]
[Xiaoxiao, did something happen to you? It’s me, Bai Zhizhi!]
Bai Xiaoxiao was dazed for a moment. For some reason, when she heard that name, some unfamiliar memory fragments suddenly flashed through her mind. She was certain those weren’t her own experiences. In that case…
Those images must be the original owner’s memories.
And this Bai Zhizhi had indeed appeared in her memories.
It was only because the original owner’s memories suddenly surfaced that Bai Xiaoxiao learned what race this snake was, and how she’d become entangled with Shen Zhiyue.
After digesting a chunk of memories, Bai Xiaoxiao felt somewhat drained, but her tone was full of emotion. “This little snake’s background is truly extraordinary… an ancient spirit beast, no less.”
And the little snake’s first meeting with Shen Zhiyue had been riddled with accidents.
It turned out that after the Mirage Serpent race experienced their near-extinction disaster, the remaining members had all hidden inside a secret realm. That secret realm was a rare mobile secret realm, its location unpredictable—perfect for hiding.
Thus, the Mirage Serpent race had been able to recuperate and recover.
However, a major incident had occurred recently. When the Grand Priest of the Mirage Serpent race performed her customary divination of fortune and misfortune, she suffered an unprecedented backlash. Now her life was hanging by a thread.
The Grand Priest couldn’t be allowed to fall. The clan leader of the Mirage Serpent race gathered the elders for several rounds of discussion and finally decided to send someone out to steal the Immortal Artifact—the Yin-Yang Life-Renewing Lamp.
But the choice of candidate was difficult. After all, the Immortal Artifact was deep within the Sword Sect Forbidden Grounds, and approaching it would be extremely difficult. The best method was to get close to the valley patrol elders.
But the Mirage Serpent race couldn’t send out too many at once. In order to avoid drawing attention, it was best to choose juvenile Mirage Serpents. Before adulthood, they were nearly indistinguishable from ordinary spirit snakes.
After much deliberation, the task fell upon the clan’s youngest members—Bai Xiaoxiao and Bai Zhizhi.
According to the plan, the clan leader was supposed to teleport the two snakes near the kindest of the valley patrol elders—Eighth Elder. But unexpectedly, the formation had fallen into disrepair over the years and teleported the two snakes to a snow mountain instead.
Bai Zhizhi was luckier, landing near the foot of the mountain. Bai Xiaoxiao, however, was thoroughly unlucky—she landed right in the cave where Shen Zhiyue was in seclusion, and nearly froze to death.
Fortunately, Shen Zhiyue saved her life in the end. Mindful of her mission, the little snake followed her and successfully infiltrated Moon-Gazing Peak.
Unfortunately, the little snake had been a fool before. Whenever she encountered something fun, she completely forgot about the mission.
It wasn’t until the clan leader urged her repeatedly that the silly little snake reluctantly refocused and, with reckless disregard for danger, ran off to Void Ruins Valley.
Bai Xiaoxiao, having sorted through all her memories, fell silent.
But surrounded by the relentless chattering in her mind, she finally spoke out, her voice faint.
[I can hear you. Bai Zhizhi, you’re so noisy.]
The voice in her mind abruptly fell silent. A few seconds later, a startled voice came through.
[Xiaoxiao? You’re really Xiaoxiao? You… you… you sound so, so normal. Wow, you’re not silly anymore?!]
Bai Xiaoxiao didn’t really want to answer that sad question. Fortunately, the other party didn’t insist on knowing.
[Forget it, that’s not urgent. What matters is the mission. Xiaoxiao, did you go to Void Ruins Valley? Did you get the Immortal Artifact?]
Bai Xiaoxiao thought for a moment.
[No. I went to scout the place. Void Ruins Valley is very dangerous. I’m afraid I can’t get the Immortal Artifact.]
The person on the other end visibly grew anxious.
[Then what do we do? If we can’t complete the mission, what about the Grand Priest? Wuwuwuwu—]
Bai Xiaoxiao was getting a headache from the noise. With a face of utter resignation, she said, [Report the situation to the clan leader first. It’s not convenient for me to talk here. Don’t contact me out of nowhere next time, understand?]
Bai Zhizhi sniffled. [I understand. I’ll go report to Clan Leader Grandpa first. Xiaoxiao, you have to be careful. I’ve heard that Sword Venerable Mingyue is terrifying—one swing of her sword can scatter a person’s soul. Don’t get too entangled with her! Keep a safe distance!]
Bai Xiaoxiao felt a pang of guilt but inwardly agreed wholeheartedly.
When the secret technique connection was cut off, Bai Xiaoxiao wearily opened her eyes and discovered a figure in green standing at the water’s edge.
In that instant, her pupils narrowed into vertical slits, though they quickly returned to normal. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
Shen Zhiyue? When had she appeared?!
Bai Xiaoxiao broke out in a cold sweat. Even soaking in the hot spring, she felt a chill running through her.
“Host, stay calm. Shen Zhiyue probably just arrived. Don’t lose your composure.”
Hearing the System’s words, Bai Xiaoxiao barely managed to steady herself. Summoning the greatest acting skills of her life, she looked at Shen Zhiyue with surprise. “Your Eminence? Why are you here? Weren’t you called to see the Sect Master?”
She swam toward the shore as she spoke.
The hot spring pool wasn’t large, so swimming over didn’t take long. But it was enough for Bai Xiaoxiao to calm down. By the time she reached the shore, her expression had already returned to normal.
You never know how good your acting is until you’re forced to use it.
Bai Xiaoxiao inwardly broke out in a cold sweat for herself. She looked up at Shen Zhiyue, her expression showing both happiness at seeing her and a hint of confusion.
Shen Zhiyue’s expression showed no change, her aura calm. Presumably, she couldn’t detect the bloodline secret technique. With that thought, Bai Xiaoxiao temporarily relaxed.
“Why did you soak for so long?”
Hearing Shen Zhiyue speak, Bai Xiaoxiao felt greatly reassured.
So she’d come because Bai Xiaoxiao had been soaking too long. She obediently got up. “It’s so warm in there, so I soaked a little longer.”
Shen Zhiyue nodded. “Soaking for too long is not good for the body. Don’t do it again.”
Bai Xiaoxiao hastily put on her clothes and nodded in agreement.
“Mm, let’s go back.”
With that, Shen Zhiyue turned around, concealing a flicker of coldness that came and went.
The little snake probably didn’t know how bad her acting was. Her emotions were written all over her face, making her guilt obvious at a single glance. She was the only one who thought she’d fooled anyone.
Shen Zhiyue’s fingers, hidden in her sleeve, rubbed together slightly, a profound glint flashing deep in her eyes.
But Bai Xiaoxiao was completely unaware—she was even feeling guilty for deceiving Shen Zhiyue.
Although it hadn’t been her intention, a lie was still a lie. She’d just have to make it up to her properly later tonight.
…
The next day, Ming Jingqiu took her to Knowledge-Seeking Peak for class as usual. After this period of study, Bai Xiaoxiao, who had initially been reluctant, had become considerably more proactive upon noticing her own improvement.
Besides gaining stronger control over her body, she’d also made slight progress in cultivation. When she looked inward at her dantian, what she saw was no longer just loose spiritual power. About half of it now seemed compressed, becoming refined and pure.
If she continued cultivating at this rate, reaching Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment was simply a matter of time.
Bai Xiaoxiao stroked the long sword Shen Zhiyue had gifted her, and suddenly had the idea of practicing sword flight.
Her cultivation had already reached Foundation Establishment—by all rights, she should indeed be able to fly on a sword. But she was still attending classes at the Qi Condensation Study Hall. Even though there was a sword arts class, it only covered the basics. If she wanted to learn sword flight, she’d have to find someone else to teach her.
If she was going to find someone…
Bai Xiaoxiao’s mind flashed to Shen Zhiyue’s face, but she suppressed it a moment later.
It was just sword flight. Having the Sword Venerable personally teach her seemed like overkill.
Bai Xiaoxiao awkwardly rubbed her face, slowly exhaled a turbid breath, and thought of another person.
Might as well ask Ming Jingqiu. After all their time together, she’d found that Ming Jingqiu was actually the type to be cold on the outside but warm on the inside—a truly lovely person.
Having made up her mind, Bai Xiaoxiao brought up the matter of learning sword flight with Ming Jingqiu when class ended.
Ming Jingqiu thought briefly, then agreed.
Her reasoning was simple: since Bai Xiaoxiao had already reached Foundation Establishment, it would be best for her to learn sword flight on her own. That way, even if Ming Jingqiu was busy or away, the other could come and go freely.
Bai Xiaoxiao was quite happy, and immediately dragged her still-exhausted body to begin learning sword flight with Ming Jingqiu.
Thinking that the Cangqing Sword hadn’t had a chance to make an appearance, Bai Xiaoxiao excitedly materialized it in her hand. She noticed Ming Jingqiu’s expression pause.
“This sword is…?”
Bai Xiaoxiao didn’t think much of it. “It was gifted to me by Your Eminence. This sword is called Cangqing.”
Ming Jingqiu was taken aback. “Shizun… gifted you her personal sword?”
Bai Xiaoxiao nodded halfway, then suddenly remembered something.
Shen Zhiyue rarely gave Ming Jingqiu resources. Even the sword in Ming Jingqiu’s hand was one she’d found through her own ability in the Sword Tomb.
Perhaps because her obsession had been too strong, most of the swords in the Sword Tomb had been unwilling to choose her. In the end, although she obtained a sword, it wasn’t a very good fit.
At the time, Shen Zhiyue had promised to find her a suitable sword. But until now, that promise had never been fulfilled.
Ming Jingqiu knew that a suitable spirit sword was something that couldn’t be sought on demand, and she bore no grudge against Shen Zhiyue. No matter what, the other was the Shizun she admired most.
But now…
Bai Xiaoxiao tightened her grip on the sword in her hand, feeling a bit at a loss. She wanted to say something but didn’t know how to begin. After all, she wasn’t supposed to know any of that.
Ming Jingqiu, however, only fell silent for a brief moment before returning to her usual demeanor. “Mm. Then let’s begin.”
Bai Xiaoxiao carefully observed the other’s expression but couldn’t discern anything, so she could only nod.
However, sword flight wasn’t easy to learn. By the time it was nearly dark, Bai Xiaoxiao could only manage to lift the sword half a meter off the ground.
Forget sword flight—just controlling the sword was mentally exhausting.
By the time they returned to the peak of Moon-Gazing Peak, night had already fallen. Bai Xiaoxiao had lost track of time while practicing and only realized how late it was when she noticed. She hastily ended the day’s practice.
Rushing back, Bai Xiaoxiao was feeling guilty when she looked up and saw a figure standing before her, startling her.
“Your Eminence? It’s so late. Why did you come out?”
Shen Zhiyue’s eyes were dark, her face expressionless as she parted her lips. “Late? I thought you didn’t know what time it was.”
Bai Xiaoxiao instinctively lowered her head to admit her fault. But after a second, her eyes blinked slowly.
Was Shen Zhiyue… worried about her?
