Devilish Disciple [Transmigration] 95

Side Story 7

Time flew by, and three years passed since their return to Mount Chao Yao.

Li Yu had never imagined that she, who once cherished doing nothing at home during holidays, would spend three whole years traveling, not even thinking about returning.

Perhaps she hadn’t yet grown accustomed to Mount Chao Yao, or perhaps, as long as Mu Tao was by her side, anywhere could be home.

She had considered finding a place to live in the human realm,

But the restrictions on immortals there were too much; Mount Chao Yao was still the most comfortable place for her.

Mu Tao also missed their peaceful life on the mountain.

The North Sea in the past, Mount Chao Yao now, both quiet and secluded, suitable for a tranquil life.

“Master’s injuries haven’t fully healed and require rest. You’ve been traveling with me for so long,” Mu Tao said, hugging Li Yu’s arm and leaning against her, a gentle expression on her face. “When Master has recovered, if you’re bored, we can visit the human realm again.”

Li Yu pinched her cheek playfully. “Then let’s go back.”

She knew that despite Mu Tao’s words about resting, if they truly returned, there wouldn’t be much rest for Li Yu.

After all, dual cultivation was the quickest way for her to recover.

Although three years felt like a long time to her, for Mu Tao, and for many others in this world, it was just a fleeting moment.

One notable change was that the little black bird at Qingke Hua had finally transformed into a human.

Qin Yuan asked if she wanted to formally become Qingxuan Revered One’s disciple, but she vehemently refused.

The reason was simple: she refused to call a little brat she had watched grow up “Senior Brother”!

She was happy living as a carefree spirit on the mountain with Qin Ruoheng.

With her heavy obsession, she had no immortal destiny, so why bother with the rules and restrictions of a sect?

This little black bird was truly free-spirited.

Qin Yuan asked Si Qinglan to send a message butterfly with the news, and Mu Tao, overjoyed, insisted on returning to see the little black bird’s human form.

So, their long journey ended on the summer solstice of the third year.

Li Yu and Mu Tao returned to Mount Chao Yao.

Seeing Si Qinglan again after three years, Li Yu had expected some emotion, some sign of…missing her.

But just like when she first returned from the human realm, there were no greetings, no expressions of longing, just a casual indifference.

The ageless fairy was swinging gently on a flower-covered swing in her garden.

A faint voice from an eavesdropping talisman, a teacher instructing disciples on cultivation.

A disciple muttered a complaint, and the voice in the talisman instantly amplified.

Si Qinglan was still as idle as ever, as if she was permanently stuck at a bottleneck, with no need to cultivate.

“Li Yu?” Si Qinglan noticed her and greeted her with a smile. “Back so soon?”

So soon?

As if she had just gone to the corner store.

Indeed, for Si Qinglan, three years was just a blink of an eye.

“Si Qinglan, your notes are outdated.” Li Yu conjured three small notebooks, a smile playing on her lips. “The human realm has changed drastically, want to see?”

Si Qinglan stopped the swing with her foot and took the notebooks with a flick of her wrist. She flipped through a few pages.

After a moment of silence, she clicked her tongue and raised an eyebrow. “Compared to Little Taotao’s, your handwriting is…unsightly.”

“That’s…putting it mildly.” Li Yu wasn’t offended; brush writing was difficult. “As long as it’s legible.”

Si Qinglan just smiled, read a few more pages, then looked up and asked, “If you’re not in a hurry, can I keep these? Something to…pass the time.”

“Just return them when you’re done.” Li Yu smiled. “Mu Tao wouldn’t be happy if I gave them to you.”

Si Qinglan put the notebooks into her spatial pouch. “Where is Mu Tao?”

Li Yu: “She went to see Qin Yuan. We passed by Yanyang on our way back, and her mother asked us to deliver a letter.”

Si Qinglan nodded. “Your injuries seem to have healed quite a bit.”

Li Yu: “The damage to my meridians is severe; it will take time, but at least the physical pain and weakness are less noticeable now.”

Si Qinglan: “That’s good.”

She stood up and said casually, “There’s something…I’ve been wanting to ask.”

Si Qinglan: “About…the Li Yu who used to live at Chaoxi Pond.”

Li Yu: “…”

Si Qinglan: “Just curious.”

Li Yu was silent for a moment, then replied calmly, “In the North Sea, during that…incident, she used the Jinxu Gui to trap me in a time rift and…faced everything alone.”

“So…I wasn’t mistaken, someone’s soul did dissipate.”

“Yes.”

After a moment of silence,

She said that she didn’t really know the original Li Yu that well. She was always cold and aloof, even more difficult to talk to than Weisheng Xuanzhu.

They weren’t close, and she had even brought the trouble of the Upper Spirit Lamp to Mount Chao Yao.

But she admired her nonetheless.

Si Qinglan conjured the Heavenly Mirror.

“I’ve been keeping this safe since the North Sea incident.”

Li Yu looked at the silver mirror, a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind.

“I think I’m about to break through,” Si Qinglan said. “When I achieve godhood, will you teach me how to activate it?”

Li Yu: “Do you understand what that means…?”

Si Qinglan: “Of course!”

Li Yu: “…”

“What’s with that look? You still have us.” Si Qinglan raised a hand and started counting. “In a thousand years, your injuries will be healed, Weisheng will awaken, Yan Buqiu is a Scattered Immortal, Xiang Hanyu a powerful demon at the Heavenly Tribulation stage, and if Little Taotao can fully control the Demon Bone, her power will surpass ours.” [T/N: Scattered Immortal is a type of immortal in some cultivation systems, often referring to those who achieved immortality through unorthodox methods, usually with weaker powers than “true” immortals.]

“As for Little Mo Yichu, I’ve said it before, he’ll ascend within a thousand years, his future limitless… And Little Qin Yuan, her cultivation has already surpassed the limits of human lifespan, give her two thousand years, and she might achieve immortality.”

“This is what they call the number one immortal sect! Mount Chao Yao is truly too powerful!” Si Qinglan waved the Heavenly Mirror. “If the Heavenly Demon dares to show its face again, we’ll crush it instantly!”

Li Yu stared at her, then couldn’t help but laugh.

“Okay,” she said, smiling. “If it dares to return, we’ll crush it together.”

“This one?” Si Qinglan tilted her head, gesturing towards the Mirror.

“Just the activation method, I’ll teach you when you become a god.”

“Thanks.” Si Qinglan paused, then asked softly, “I’ve been thinking, what should I call you from now on?”

“No need to change, it all sounds the same to me.” Li Yu smiled. “If you’re curious, I’ll tell you which characters.”

“Which characters?”

“‘Li’ for dawn, ‘Yu’ for lush and vibrant.”

“Li Yu…” Si Qinglan repeated the name softly, then smiled. “Indeed, it sounds the same.”

After a moment of thought, she asked, “Does Mu Tao know?”

Li Yu: “Yes.”

Si Qinglan: “That’s good.”

She seemed relieved, not asking any further questions.

Seeing her walking towards the house, Li Yu followed and took a sip of tea.

“Are you still…fasting?” Li Yu sat down at the table. “If not, Mu Tao and I can cook you a meal. We’ve learned some new recipes from the human realm!”

“You’re tempting me!”

“Sorry, then Mu Tao and I will be going.” Li Yu stood up, about to leave.

“Hey, now that you’re here!” Si Qinglan quickly stopped her. “An occasional indulgence won’t hinder my cultivation.”

She conjured several butterflies and sent them flying in different directions.

So many people invited!

Li Yu and Mu Tao spent a long time in the kitchen, preparing a feast.

That day, Qianlizhu was as lively as a New Year’s celebration.

Mu Tao also saw the little black bird.

Having taken human form, the little black bird now needed a human name.

She had been struggling with this decision.

They discussed various options during dinner, but she wasn’t satisfied with any of them. Even after everyone left, she still hadn’t decided.

Qin Ruoheng patted her hair and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out eventually.”

They then bid farewell and strolled towards their home under the faint moonlight.

Li Yu watched them leave, a sense of contentment washing over her.

But she hadn’t forgotten the small matter she had been thinking about.

It had been a while since she last had Qianlizhu’s flower tea.

So, before leaving, she shamelessly asked Si Qinglan for some, which she happily took back to Chaoxi Pond.

A thick layer of dust covered the courtyard, unoccupied for three years.

Thankfully, cleaning with spiritual energy was quick.

Together, she and Mu Tao decorated the once empty house with the trinkets they brought back from the human realm.

Like birds building a nest, filling it with their treasures, this finally felt like home.

Their peaceful life returned.

But to avoid those…unbridled nights,

Before going to bed, she needed to re-establish the three rules with Mu Tao.

Li Yu raised a finger. “Firstly—”

Mu Tao grabbed her finger and kissed her.

…

Forget it, when it came to bed, her words didn’t carry much weight.

As long as the little glutton was happy.