After a Fake Death, the Emotionless Dao Senior Sister Became Obsessed - Chapter 39.2

Chu Zhao was having a wonderful time wandering the market.

She would squat by the roadside stalls displaying various spiritual herbs and artifacts, or squeeze into the most crowded areas, standing on tiptoe to watch street performers breathe fire and smash stones on their chests, cheering loudly.

After leaving the desolate mountain, she had stayed on the perennially snow-covered Yulu Peak and had never seen such a lively scene in the human world.

Chu Zhao touched the fish jade pendant at her waist.

Thanks to her treasure, just now she had quietly wished in her heart, “I want to go out and play,” and in the blink of an eye, she had arrived at the busiest part of the market.

It was just that her blood jade was so dull. She saw that everyone else’s pendants had a beautiful glow.

Chu Zhao ran up to a vendor, pulled off her fish pendant, and asked, “Do you have any glowing fish jades for sale here?”

The vendor, with his shifty eyes, smiled uncomfortably. “Aiya, you’ve come to the right person. All the fish jades in the outer regions of the Kunlun Void are from me. Buy one, and I guarantee you’ll take the top spot at the Sword Trial.”

Chu Zhao didn’t care for any top spot.

Her eyes darted around. She held out the fish jade and asked sweetly, trying to extort him, “My fish jade was also bought from you! It’s broken now, hurry up and exchange it for a new one!”

The vendor scrutinized her for a few moments, then looked at the fish pendant in her palm, understanding immediately.

He instantly changed his expression and happily replied, “Alright, I’ll exchange a new one for you, miss.”

The originally dull fish jade was not taken away. Soon, a new, exquisite, lifelike blood jade was placed in Chu Zhao’s palm.

Chu Zhao hung it on her waist, fondling it with affection. Fearing the vendor would regret it, she quickly scurried away.

Having sold the original fish jade without anyone noticing, and buying an armful of snacks along the way, her figure was nimble as she squeezed through the crowds of mysterious cultivators in various Daoist robes.

Suddenly, a distant, lingering hum came from the majestic, continuous mountains, which looked like an immortal realm.

This sound seemed to be from the same source as the spiritual bell on Yulu Peak. Chu Zhao recalled the scenes of entanglement with Si Jing in their bedroom, and her waist uncontrollably went half-soft again.

There were many people around. She simply sat down at an open-air pub, biting her lip and rubbing her waist to relieve the discomfort.

The faces of the people nearby were diverse, but the astonishment in their voices was identical.

“It’s Celestial Maiden Zhuo Qing!”

“Has Celestial Maiden Zhuo Qing returned to the sect?”

“She must be honoring us with her presence at this year’s Nine Provinces Sword Trial.”

“I heard that Celestial Maiden Zhuo Qing went to the ancient sword tomb rift a while ago, single-handedly suppressing the overflowing demonic energy, not only emerging unscathed but even showing signs of a breakthrough.”

“She is, after all, the foremost person in the mysterious arts realm today,” someone exclaimed. “She was already capable of the Deification stage a hundred years ago.”

Purple clouds rolled in, and a flash of sword light suddenly streaked across the sky.

A woman in a cloud-sleeved Daoist robe stood tall and elegant, her face veiled in mist, like a jewel, indistinguishable.

Behind her, the disciples of Kunlun Void surrounded her, their blue and white waist sashes fluttering in the wind, graceful and agile.

As Celestial Maiden Zhuo Qing passed, the scabbarded swords of the crowd all buzzed restlessly, as if they would rush out the next second to follow the woman.

Chu Zhao did not wear a sword, so she didn’t have to awkwardly hold onto a hilt like the others.

She stood on tiptoe, looking up curiously, wanting to see what kind of marvelous person the most powerful immortal cultivator was.

She saw the clouds and mist in the sky pause, the colorful light lingering. The group that drew everyone’s awe and admiration actually slowed their swords and stopped.

The bright sunlight enveloped them, bringing them close.

The distinguished woman called Celestial Maiden Zhuo Qing did not speak, only nodded. The immortal cultivator beside her understood and used a voice transmission technique to announce to the world:

“To commemorate all fellow cultivators gathered in Beizhou to attend the great Sword Trial, the Celestial Maiden offers a cluster of folded flowers as a gift to all.”

The disciple next to the immortal cultivator gently scooped and scattered from a basket. In a blink of an eye, pale white petals filled with spiritual energy sprinkled down.

The crowd was almost frenzied, pushing and shoving, holding their hands high above their heads. The petals were as thin as a cicada’s wing. Landing in a palm, they instantly turned into pure spiritual energy and merged into the meridians.

What drew the crowd to gather and watch was not only to gaze upon Celestial Maiden Zhuo Qing but also for this Folded Flower Ritual. The petals were sealed with spiritual power and generously sprinkled.

If one could collect more, achieving a breakthrough that day would not be a joke.

Chu Zhao was pushed and stumbled. She bit her lip in annoyance, her pink lips lightly touching. An almost imperceptible crimson demonic power flowed into the bodies of the people next to her.

The hands these people held high instantly turned into crab claws, and even though petals covered their claws, they couldn’t absorb a single trace of spiritual energy.

Startled screams rang out, and the area immediately descended into chaos.

Chu Zhao snorted lightly and skillfully slipped away from the crowd.

They’re all just bumpkins who haven’t seen the world!

What was so great about these pale white petals? She still thought the peach blossoms on Yulu Peak, blooming in the frost and swaying lightly, were prettier.

On the sword suspended in the air, the Kunlun Void immortal cultivator who had just transmitted the message looked slightly cold. He turned to the ethereal woman beside him. “Venerable Immortal, a demon is causing trouble.”

Luo Yu looked into the distance. A vibrant crimson figure blended into the crowd, like cinnabar slowly blooming in the mud, spreading an unrestrained wave.

She half-closed her eyes, concealing the turbulent, vague emotions within.

The corner of her mouth lifted in a compassionate smile, her voice gentle, “No need to mind it. End the Flower Ritual early.”

As her voice fell, she merely stood gracefully, still exceptionally refined, but made no move to dispel the illusion on those few trapped individuals.

The immortal cultivators by her side listened exactly to her words. Soon, the pale petals fluttering in the sky completely vanished.

“As per the Celestial Maiden’s wish, the champion of this year’s Nine Provinces Sword Trial, in addition to the rewards of previous years, will also receive an ancient divine weapon,” the clear voice transmission resounded.

“Namely, ‘Gui Ji’ which the Celestial Maiden acquired from the ancient sword tomb.”

The crowd buzzed with continuous discussion.

“Gui Ji?”

“Is it a sword with the same name, or that infamous vicious sword that must be fed with blood?”

“Demon Venerable Jiang Yun has been dead for over a hundred years. Her sword, Gui Ji, slew its master… By rights, it should have dissolved in the Deep Sea of Immersion.”

The immortal cultivator on the sword was without sorrow or joy and stated fairly, “It is that very vicious sword. However, fellow Daoists need not worry. After being cleansed and reforged, the vicious, bloodthirsty aura within has been completely erased by the Celestial Maiden. It is now comparable to the Celestial Maiden’s own sword, Bi Xiao.”

Everyone’s eyes were hot with desire.

The Kunlun Void disciple on the sword slightly opened the sword box, and a dazzling sword light immediately streamed out.

The hilt seemed forged from moonlight, enhanced by the clarity after the rain and clouds had passed, flowing like water. Just one look made it impossible to look away.

Chu Zhao also stopped in her tracks.

She looked behind her, all her attention drawn by the flash of light from the sword box. She felt her heart thump, and a sudden, urgent desire for it arose out of nowhere.

She had always loved shiny things. Although this sword had no other decorations, it was… so beautiful.

Although she didn’t use a sword, if she inlaid the pearls and seashells she treasured in her cave dwelling onto the hilt and gave it to Si Jing as a betrothal gift, her wife would definitely love it very much!

The people around her still felt a lingering fear, muttering about “Demon Venerable,” “Jiang Yun,” and “slaying the master,” but Chu Zhao didn’t hear a single word of it.

Excitedly, she ran to the feather token distribution point set up by Kunlun Void not far away, shook the shoulder of the disciple stationed there, and said sweetly, “I want to participate in the Sword Trial!”

The disciple in the blue and white Daoist robe, seeing she was a demon cultivator, felt a stir of emotion at her charming appearance but subconsciously looked down on Chu Zhao.

He haughtily pushed the registration paper toward her, not saying a word, acting profound.

However, being young, he couldn’t resist his curiosity. His peripheral vision caught the crimson-skirted girl’s messy, worm-like handwriting.

He could just barely make out “Yulu Peak,” “Yunshui,” and at the end, the two characters “Chu Zhao” were boldly added.

He curled his lip, more disdainful than ever. He had never heard of the minor sect Yunshui, and as for Yulu Peak, it was obviously a place where vulgar demon cultivators gathered.

The arrogant-looking girl left. The disciple watched her back disappear into the crowd, wanting to crumple the paper into a ball and throw it away.

“Wait, Junior Brother.”

His Senior Sister beside him stopped him, her tone solemn. “I didn’t speak just now because I was using a magic treasure to probe the depth of that demon cultivator. Do you know what her current realm is?”

The young man shook his head in confusion, not too concerned. “She can take human form, so she’s probably just equivalent to the early Foundation Establishment stage, right?”

The Senior Sister shook her head. “She is roughly at the late Golden Core stage.”

And the Elder of the Kunlun Void Sword Hall, their Master, was only at the late Golden Core stage.

Having cultivated for over five hundred years, he was still not comparable to a mere young demon.

…

After registering, Chu Zhao unknowingly wandered the market for a long time, and it was already dusk.

She was terribly hungry. She felt her body and couldn’t even find a single spirit stone, making her feel frustrated.

Looking around, the crowd was scattered and packed, and she couldn’t immediately find the inn where Si Jing was staying.

Fortunately, a familiar figure appeared at the corner ahead.

By the back, it looked like Nie Qian.

Chu Zhao quietly went up, her hand reaching from the girl’s lower back to try and grab the spirit stone pouch tied to her waist.

But she didn’t feel the heavy pouch. She only grasped a cool, smooth fish jade pendant.

Her wrist was immediately seized, the force feeling like it would crush her bones. Chu Zhao cried out in pain, “It hurts! Let A’Chu go!”

The person turned around, the blood jade at her waist jingling softly. Under the light of the early evening lanterns, it was indeed Nie Qian’s face, but the light cast an unfathomable shadow on her features.

The girl’s eyes were filled with bloody mist. Looking at Chu Zhao, the emotion within paused, then gradually turned into almost fanatical reverence.

She bowed, her voice hoarse and rough for some reason, “Demon… Demon Venerable…”

Chu Zhao tilted her head, not understanding why Nie Qian was muttering and bowing so grandly to her.

She pulled the girl up from the ground, taking the opportunity to snatch her spirit stone pouch.

She glanced at Nie Qian’s waist, looking smug. “You bought a fish jade pendant too? Very tasteful.”

While she was wandering earlier, she saw that most of the passersby wore this small fish-shaped pendant, so they must all be her loyal followers.

The Nie Qian in front of her was still wearing the pale blue Daoist robe from when they left the inn. Her expression, apart from respect, was dull and vacant as she looked at Chu Zhao.

She seemed to be suffering from the “Fish Jade Syndrome.”

Chu Zhao was about to grab the girl’s wrist to kindly help her with a cure, but suddenly heard Shen Susu’s anxious call from behind.

“Nie Qian, why are you standing here like an idiot? I finally found you. Senior Sister said we have to be back by the hour of Shen… Hey, who is this…?”

Chu Zhao’s eyelashes fluttered. She tucked the spirit stone pouch into her embrace. Without turning back, she took off running.

She had snuck out and wanted to fully enjoy the lovely night. She couldn’t be caught and dragged back by Zhi Zhi and her Junior Sisters.

But then she heard Xiao Wan’s voice behind her, laced with worry. “Not good. Is Senior Sister… heading in that direction?”

That was close!

Chu Zhao bit her lip, deftly plunged into the crowd in the opposite direction, her clothes fluttering, and vanished in an instant.

Shen Susu was confused. “A’Wan, Senior Sister isn’t over there. Did you remember wrong?”

Xiao Wan softly confirmed, withdrawing her gaze from the vanished girl, and replied with a smile, “I must have misremembered.”

She just couldn’t bear to see Senior Sister drinking tea alone in a quiet manner.

Shen Susu scratched her head and didn’t inquire further.

There were few people here. She didn’t know why Nie Qian was here. They had been watching the sights together just moments ago, and in a short while, Nie Qian had disappeared.

She pulled Nie Qian. “Let’s go. We should head back after a little more wandering.”

Nie Qian lowered her head, not moving a muscle.

After a long time, she seemed to awaken, giving Shen Susu a smile. “Let’s go, Susu.”

Shen Susu got goosebumps. “Why aren’t you calling me by my full name? It’s like you’ve been possessed.”

Xiao Wan noticed a flash of red in the girl’s eyes and frowned slightly.

But as a flowered carriage passed by, the lantern light reflected, and Nie Qian’s eyes were as clear as they always were.

“What is it, A’Wan?” the girl asked curiously.

“Nothing,” Xiao Wan replied gently.

Her gaze swept down, noticing the exquisitely carved fish jade pendant hanging at Nie Qian’s waist, its crimson glow like blood.

Chu Zhao bought some snacks along the way, her arms full, strolling leisurely around.

She tugged at the paper lanterns hanging above her head, then was drawn to a street corner stall selling storybooks, her heart itching with curiosity. She immediately rushed over.

She flipped through them casually. They were all stories of young masters and ladies. Not interested, she asked the vendor, “Do you have… um, any stories about two beauties not wearing clothes?”

The vendor was a young girl, with a pair of slightly pointed, fluffy ears faintly sticking out of her hair. Like Chu Zhao, she was a demon cultivator, her age indeterminable.

Hearing the question, she quickly covered her mouth in panic, looking left and right, afraid of being shut down. “Fellow Daoist, you shouldn’t ask about that openly.”

She then secretly lifted her palm a crack and smiled suggestively. “However, fellow Daoist, I have a storage ring full of these kinds of storybooks, all penned by ‘Ning Huai’.”

Ning Huai? That sounded familiar.

Chu Zhao’s round eyes sparkled. Without thinking much, she grandly poured the spirit stones out of the cloth bag. “I’ll take them all!”

When she took them back to the inn, she would properly memorize all those obscure terms and would surely become proficient in Dual Cultivation techniques.

By then, it would be Zhi Zhi who would collapse on the bed, her back aching and legs weak.

The demon cultivator vendor swiftly tossed her an unremarkable storage ring. Her fluffy red tail wrapped around the spirit stones, happily wagging its tip. “Come again soon, Fellow Daoist!”

She was a Fox Demon.

Chu Zhao nodded, treating the storage ring as a treasure. She put it on her finger, holding up her hand to examine it against the colorful flower lanterns of the night.

But the ice bracelet on her wrist suddenly let out a clear chime at this moment.

She peered through the gaps between the people, across the crowds streaming back and forth. A figure in a snow-white robe sat sideways.

What a coincidence.

Si Jing was sitting at a bustling, steaming stall not far away. The area was noisy and lively, but the space immediately around her was empty and silent.

Aside from her features being intense and solitary and her aura warding off strangers, the table in front of her was lined with several wine cups.

Her face was slightly flushed, yet her demeanor remained restrained and sober. However, as she lowered her eyes, a thin layer of moisture was visible within them.

She set down a wine cup, slightly bowed her long neck, and unconsciously stroked the ice bracelet on her right little finger.

Support