Who’s this?
Qin Wanwan immediately turned around to see a young gentleman in white at the door, wearing a tall white hat on his head, a staff hung with paper money elegantly leaning against his chest. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a mourning staff.
Seeing him, Qin Wanwan was somewhat confused: “You know me?”
“Miss,” the grandfather-grandchild pair from the city gate earlier walked out from behind the white-robed gentleman and bowed to Qin Wanwan. Then they turned to look at Jian Xingzhi who had walked behind Qin Wanwan and bowed: “Young master.”
“So it was you.” Qin Wanwan realized. The white-robed gentleman smiled gently: “Earlier, my two martial uncles were being harassed at the city gate. Fortunately, with your righteousness, Miss drew your sword to help them, and they were able to enter the city smoothly. When Bai heard of this matter, I rushed to find Miss to express my gratitude. I didn’t expect to encounter Miss being provoked. If Bai had come earlier, I would never have let Miss encounter such a thing.”
“See, I told you!” 38 became excited. “Jian Zhiyan won’t let you cause trouble for nothing—he’ll always deliver plot developments.”
“I don’t need plot developments!” Qin Wanwan ground her teeth.
“Hey, pretty boy,” as the white-robed gentleman spoke, someone behind him couldn’t hold back and roared: “What sect and school are you from, to meddle in such matters?”
“Me?”
Hearing this, the white-robed gentleman smiled, turned around, and looked at the speaker.
The speaker saw clearly what he held in his hand and his expression changed drastically. The white-robed gentleman smiled reservedly and nodded: “Bai Wuyou of Ghost City, greetings to all.”
Hearing this, everyone fell silent.
This cultivation world was divided into four cities and three major sects, with some inconspicuous smaller sects scattered about, each belonging to the jurisdiction of these four cities and three sects.
The three sects were Wenxin Sect, Heavenly Sword Sect, and Formless Sect.
The four cities were Flower City in the Eastern Continent, Ghost City in the Western Region, Desolate City in the Northern Border where Ning Buxiu was located, and Joy City in Jiangnan where Jun Shu came from.
Among the three sects, Formless Sect was the most mysterious, hiding from the world year-round without emerging.
Among the four cities, Ghost City was the most vicious—human skin appearance with demon ghost hearts.
Hearing that Bai Wuyou was from Ghost City, everyone knew Ghost City’s temperament well and didn’t dare say more.
Bai Wuyou raised his hand toward Qin Wanwan, respectfully: “If Miss doesn’t mind, why not take the seat of honor on the second floor? Bai will thank Miss on behalf of my martial uncles.”
Qin Wanwan glanced at the circle of people around her still holding sabers and decisively nodded. The elder behind Bai Wuyou bowed to Jian Xingzhi: “Young master, please also join us.”
Jian Xingzhi put down the peanuts in his hand, looked at Bai Wuyou with vigilance, then walked to Qin Wanwan’s side and followed Bai Wuyou upstairs together with her.
After going upstairs, the five people sat in a private room. After Bai Wuyou ordered dishes, everyone looked at each other. Qin Wanwan coughed lightly and looked at the silent elder and child beside her: “May I know your names?”
“This old one is Mu Yi, and this is my nephew Mu Qing.”
The elder smiled and bowed: “Many years ago, this old one’s golden core was damaged and I became a mortal, settling in the outskirts. It happens that my martial nephew Sui You wishes to attend the Sword Trial Conference at Heavenly Sword Sect, so I wanted to meet him in town. I didn’t expect to encounter those soldiers at the city gate—a tiger fallen on flat lands bullied by dogs. Fortunately, Miss intervened and taught them a good lesson. This old one offers tea in place of wine,” Mu Yi raised his cup, “to toast Miss.”
“Sword Trial Conference?”
After clinking her tea with Mu Yi, Qin Wanwan caught the key words: “Is that the thing about the Sword Tomb…”
“That’s right,” Bai Suiyou took over, like a diligent NPC distributing quests. “The Heavenly Sword Sect’s Sword Tomb opens once every ten years. Disciples below Golden Core stage from all sects and schools can participate in the Sword Trial Conference. Those who win the top ten places in the Sword Trial Conference can enter the Sword Tomb to seek swords. Are you two fellow cultivators also here to participate in the Sword Trial Conference? May I know which sect and school you’re from, and your esteemed names?”
Hearing him ask for names, Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi exchanged glances. Just as they were hesitating whether to give the names from the book or their real names, they heard discussion from downstairs: “Did you hear? Wenxin Sect was suddenly attacked and directly razed to the ground!”
“Razed? Shen Zhiming is at the Tribulation Transcendence stage—what kind of person could raze Wenxin Sect?”
“I don’t know, maybe the demon race?”
“No, no, the demon race was annihilated nearly a thousand years ago. It must be the Western Region’s Ghost City—they’ve always been ruthless and vicious…”
“Ha,” hearing this, Bai Suiyou laughed with some mockery. He turned to look at Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi, reassuring them: “You two can rest assured. Although my Ghost City’s methods are somewhat intense, we are not people without principles. Wenxin Sect has no grievances with Ghost City. This matter was not done by Ghost City—you two can be completely at ease.”
“We know, we know it wasn’t you who did it.” Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi quickly nodded. Hearing this, Bai Suiyou smiled bitterly.
“I didn’t expect you two to be so understanding and willing to believe Ghost City. I don’t know which demons are causing trouble and framing Ghost City. When the truth is uncovered in the future, we people of Ghost City will definitely tear these demons limb from limb!”
Then Bai Suiyou remembered the earlier topic: “I almost forgot—how should I address you two?”
This time neither Qin Wanwan nor Jian Xingzhi hesitated.
“My name is Zhang San.” Jian Xingzhi said seriously.
“My name is Li Si.” Qin Wanwan said solemnly.
“Who are your masters?”
“Rogue cultivators,” Qin Wanwan immediately made an excuse. “Master cultivates deep in the mountains, unburdened by fame. Let’s not say more.”
Bai Suiyou nodded and didn’t probe further out of politeness. Qin Wanwan’s mind was hung up on that Sword Trial Conference. Hearing “Sword Tomb,” she knew it was closely related to her quest. She continued asking: “You mentioned the Sword Trial Conference earlier—how can one participate?”
“Your sect didn’t tell you, Miss?” Bai Suiyou was somewhat puzzled. Qin Wanwan nodded awkwardly: “Left the mountain too hastily, didn’t ask clearly.”
Jian Xingzhi glanced at her coolly. Blowing up one’s own sect was indeed rather hasty.
Bai Suiyou smiled: “It seems Miss has been secluded in the mountains for a long time and doesn’t know much news. Why don’t you two join me in participating in the Sword Trial Conference? What does Miss think?”
“Sounds good.”
“Not a good idea.”
Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi spoke simultaneously, arriving at completely different answers. Jian Xingzhi glared at her. Qin Wanwan pretended not to see his look and gazed at Bai Suiyou with a gentle expression: “My cultivation is not high, and I’ve just arrived. I hope Brother Bai will look after me.”
“Not at all,” Bai Suiyou smiled. “I have wood-element spiritual roots and cultivate the sword. This time I’m just here to join in the excitement. In the future, I hope Miss won’t disdain me.”
The two exchanged compliments. Jian Xingzhi sat nearby with his arms crossed, watching coldly from the sidelines.
Qin Wanwan chatted and ate with Bai Suiyou, drinking tea and conversing. Before long, she had figured out the specific process of this Sword Trial Conference.
To participate in the Sword Trial Conference, one first needed to obtain an entry quota. This entry quota came from completing tasks given by Heavenly Sword Sect. Currently, Heavenly Sword Sect had issued two types of tasks: either capture a hundred fierce creatures of Earth-tier Level Three or above, or capture one of Heavenly Sword Sect’s wanted criminals.
“Anyone who can make the wanted list is at least at Golden Core stage. Currently active in the Xunxian Town area, there’s only one person,” Bai Suiyou pointed out on the map for Qin Wanwan to see, “the lecherous demon Qianliu.”
“This one’s good.” Upon hearing Qianliu’s name, Jian Xingzhi quickly urged Qin Wanwan: “Catching a hundred versus catching one—which do you think is more cost-effective?”
Qin Wanwan looked at Jian Xingzhi like he was an idiot: “Obviously the hundred low-tier Level Three fierce creatures. Don’t just look at quantity—you have to look at quality.”
Jian Xingzhi was stunned. Qin Wanwan turned to continue discussing with Bai Wuyou: “Where can we find these hundred Earth-tier fierce creatures?”
“There’s a dense forest outside the city,” Bai Wuyou raised his hand to point at the forest outside the city on the map. “I heard there’s a swarm of Heart-Confusing Ants there that specifically frightens ordinary people passing through the forest, causing the route between Xunxian Town and Taiping Town to require a detour around the forest, which is quite inconvenient for trade. The Heart-Confusing Ants are numerous and can manifest what people fear most in their hearts…”
“That’s too terrifying,” Jian Xingzhi interrupted Bai Suiyou’s words and looked at Qin Wanwan. “The lecherous demon merely covets your beauty, but these ants could scare you to death.”
“But they don’t have much killing power…” Bai Wuyou took over, looking puzzled at Jian Xingzhi who insisted on catching Qianliu. “After being scared unconscious, you just need to sleep it off—no major harm.”
“It’s settled then.”
Qin Wanwan made her decision: “Tomorrow I’ll go catch the Heart-Confusing Ants. Come,” Qin Wanwan picked up her chopsticks, “let’s eat first.”
Qin Wanwan ate the meal quite comfortably, talking and laughing. After eating, Bai Suiyou went to settle the bill, and Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi returned to their room together.
As soon as they entered, Jian Xingzhi blocked Qin Wanwan: “Go catch Qianliu.”
“Why should I?” Qin Wanwan went to the bathroom to use the water-generating pearl to fill the bathtub, then began undressing.
Jian Xingzhi stood outside the screen with his back to her, giving proper reasons: “As a cultivator, you should challenge yourself and face difficulties head-on!”
Qin Wanwan ignored him, got into the bathtub herself, and began washing her hair.
She still had the smell of river weeds on her. Thinking of being chased and beaten until she jumped into the river during the day, she glared at the shadow on the screen.
She thought she must send this person away as soon as possible!
Jian Xingzhi was completely oblivious to Qin Wanwan’s anger. Outside, he racked his brains thinking of how to persuade Qin Wanwan to catch Qianliu.
“A brave person must face difficulties!”
“A striver must be proactive and enterprising!”
“Cultivators must have backbone, courage, and a heart that strives upward!”
Qin Wanwan listened to him chanting scriptures. After washing, she came out from behind the screen wearing her nightclothes and drying her hair. Seeing Jian Xingzhi working so hard to persuade her, she walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
“Zhiyan.”
“Catch Qianliu?”
“Do you have any dreams?” She looked at him affectionately. “Have you thought about what kind of life you want in the future, what kind of career? You’re so good at digging—have you considered becoming a miner? Or farming?”
“Why are you asking this?” Jian Xingzhi frowned, unable to understand.
Qin Wanwan maintained her smile: “Zhiyan, the path of cultivation is so arduous—how could I bear to let you suffer with me? How about this: tell me what you want to do, and I’ll arrange it for you.”
Jian Xingzhi understood. He frowned: “You want to dump me?”
“No.” Qin Wanwan felt guilty for a moment and quickly denied it. “I’m not that kind of person. I just want to give you a better life.”
“Then I have just one wish,” Jian Xingzhi was very persistent. “Let’s catch Qianliu.”
Qin Wanwan said nothing. She looked at this NPC in pain.
She had already sensed that catching Qianliu might be part of ‘Jian Zhiyan’s’ character plotline. This character was responsible for finding trouble for her.
She took a deep breath and made an agreement with him: “If I catch Qianliu, will you leave me and go live a good life?”
“No,” Jian Xingzhi refused outright. “My goal is to stay with you all the way, to accompany you until ascension.”
“You love me this much?” Qin Wanwan said painfully.
Jian Xingzhi saw through her little scheme to get rid of him. He sneered inwardly but had to maintain a serious face: “Of course. I’ve braved death for you, dug so many tunnels—you’re not the kind of scum who crosses the bridge and tears it down, are you?”
“Of course not.” Qin Wanwan smiled with a pained expression.
“That’s good,” Jian Xingzhi sat cross-legged on the small couch. “I’m going to start meditating and cultivating now. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely work hard, keep up with your pace, and accompany you well until ascension. Before then, the storage pouch will stay with me,” Jian Xingzhi formed hand seals resting on his knees and closed his eyes. “I’ll take good care of you.”
Qin Wanwan: “…”
She always felt this ‘Jian Zhiyan’ didn’t truly love ‘Qin Wan’—he was here to grab money.
She took a deep breath, returned to the bed, glanced at the “Daily Cultivation Time Remaining: 4 hours” in her mind, sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and began meditating.
From meditation to sleep—no pressure at all.
After an unknown amount of time, Qin Wanwan drowsily began to dream.
It was that dream again.
In the dream, she came to the seaside again. Giant dragons circled and swam around the island. Looking up, the Ascension Gate atop the Celestial Ladder glowed with golden light.
The familiar ballad rang out again, becoming clearer and clearer: “Exquisite jade, opens immortal gate, white jade shatters, all beings suffer, where ten thousand swords ever rest, long awaiting those who won’t return.”
In the dream, Qin Wanwan climbed the Celestial Ladder. At that moment, the aura around her suddenly changed. A faint trace of azure dragon energy circled around her.
Jian Xingzhi sat meditating with closed eyes, seemingly oblivious to everything.
Outside the door, rustling black shadows quickly climbed toward the room where the two were. As they neared the window, a burst of golden light suddenly flashed, and the black shadows instantly vanished into smoke.
Qin Wanwan suddenly awoke. She instinctively called out: “Jian Zhiyan?”
“It’s nothing,” Jian Xingzhi slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the window, his tone so calm it was as if nothing unusual had occurred. “Continue sleeping.”