After Being Entangled By the Obsessive Heroine [Quick Wear] - Chapter 26 [World 2: The Beloved Junior Sister]

Xian Ning felt like she was trapped in a long, drawn-out dream. In it, someone was holding her, whispering words of love and offering their heart. But when she turned to look, a thick mist always obscured their face, making it impossible to see them clearly.

She woke up to find herself in another unfamiliar room. The place had an antique charm, with one window propped open to let in a cool breeze. The bed curtains swayed gently, carrying a faint scent of bamboo. It was a subtle fragrance, but Xian Ning knew exactly what it was—a peculiar feeling.

Looks like it’s an ancient world, the thought popped into her head, and a flood of memories rushed in, forcing her to lie back down just as she had been propping herself up on her elbows.

The original owner of this body was the youngest disciple of the Jade Purity Sect. She was doted on by everyone. From the sect leader and elders to her senior brothers and sisters but her charmed life as the group’s darling had ended six months ago. That’s when her master took on a new disciple.

The girl’s name was Qin Rong. She was a prodigy with exceptional talent and an enchanting beauty. If that were all, it might have been manageable, but her cultivation progressed at an astonishing rate. In just six months, she had surpassed the original owner, who had been training for six years. Young, gifted, and charming, Qin Rong quickly won the hearts of everyone in the sect, and with it, most of the original owner’s attention and affection. This sparked a slow-burning jealousy that festered over the years, warping her mind and twisting her into a state of madness.

If only Qin Rong would just disappear.

Why isn’t she dead yet?

Why do I have to live in her shadow?

Die! Die! Die!

The original owner’s twisted and deranged thoughts affected Xian Ning, leaving her dazed and even causing her to feel a sense of revulsion toward Qin Rong’s stunningly beautiful face. She shook her head hard, forcing herself to stay clear-headed and not be swayed by the other’s emotions.

As the memories continued to flash before her, Xian Ning kept watching.

While the original owner had disliked Qin Rong from the start, she had at least put on a polite front. Now, she was openly hostile. She would avoid any place Qin Rong was, and conversely, forbid Qin Rong from coming anywhere near her. This immaturity naturally drew the disapproval of her master and fellow disciples. They tried to reason with her more than once, but the original owner saw it as a deliberate hardship, which only deepened her resentment toward Qin Rong.

********

Three days ago, during the sect’s grand competition, Qin Rong fought her way to the top and was on the verge of claiming victory. The original owner, in a foolish display of overconfidence, challenged her, used a despicable trick to attack her, and in the process, she was wounded by Qin Rong’s sword qi, dying on the spot. Some people may seem to have only been in a coma for three days, but they’ve actually been gone for two.

Xian Ning pushed herself up again, a sharp pain radiating from her chest. It felt as if her organs were injured, making it hard to even breathe. She pulled her clothes open to see a long, thin sword wound on her left breast. She couldn’t tell how deep it was, but a scab had already formed.

Xian Ning was extremely sensitive to pain. She wanted to touch it, but after a moment of trembling hesitation, she gave up. No need to make a bad injury worse.

Jingle. A series of clear, crisp bells sounded from the doorway, and the door opened.

“Little Sister, are you awake?”

The voice was gentle and had a slight nasal quality. Judging from the memories she had inherited, it belonged to her eldest senior sister, Fan Hua.

Fan Hua was tall and wore the purple robes of an inner-sect disciple. A string of bells hung from her waist, tinkling with every step she took. The bed curtains, stirred by the breeze, swayed back and forth, obscuring Xian Ning’s view. She could only make out the hem of a skirt as the woman approached.

All Jade Purity Sect disciples wore a uniform. The inner-sect disciples wore purple, while the outer-sect disciples wore green. In addition to the different colors, the inner-sect robes were made of a superior material. Fine ice silkworm and cloud-spun thread that was warm in winter, cool in summer, and resistant to both fire and water. On top of her uniform, Fan Hua wore a white, sheer overcoat that gave her an air of gentle elegance and exceptional grace.

When she reached the bed, Fan Hua pushed the curtains aside and smiled upon seeing Xian Ning was awake. “I felt you stirring and came to check on you. Don’t just lie there, get up and drink your warm medicine.”

Xian Ning caught a whiff of a bitter medicinal smell. Her gaze shifted from Fan Hua to a bowl of steaming dark brown liquid on the table.

Not only was Xian Ning afraid of pain, but she hated bitter things. Her life was already bitter enough, why should she have to drink this? It was an injustice. Still, she didn’t dare refuse. The senior sister, though she appeared gentle, was more stubborn than anyone. There was no benefit to arguing with her.

As soon as she got up, the gut-wrenching pain of her internal organs being twisted and knotted returned, and Xian Ning let out a low groan.

“Does it hurt? Let me see.”

Fan Hua reached out to unbutton Xian Ning’s clothes, but Xian Ning turned away to avoid her. Fan Hua paused, then let out a soft laugh. “Our Xian Ning has grown up, hasn’t she?”

With that, she patted Xian Ning on the head, then channeled her spiritual energy into her palm and held it over Xian Ning’s chest. The wound warmed up, and the pain instantly vanished. Her breathing became smooth, and her vitality returned.

“Thank you, Senior Sister!” Xian Ning said sincerely. Her senior sister was beautiful and kind, she deserved an A+!

Fan Hua had no idea that a simple gesture had earned her a perfect score in Xian Ning’s mind.

After downing the bowl of medicine, Xian Ning’s body began to feel hot. It was as if her meridians were unraveling, with a rush of spiritual energy coursing through her.

Xian Ning looked at Fan Hua, a little dazed. “What’s happening?”

The smile in Fan Hua’s eyes deepened, and her expression was gentle. “It’s a spiritual elixir that Master and the elders concocted to open up your meridians. Qin Rong’s sword is a Celestial Blade, rich with spiritual energy. Her sword qi in your body would be dangerous, so it’s better to use it to forge a spiritual bone for you.”

Xian Ning couldn’t feel a “spiritual bone,” but she did feel warm and very comfortable. Fan Hua watched her expression and sat down at the table. “Forging a spiritual bone is a long and painful process. You might feel like you can’t endure it, but don’t be afraid. I’ll be here with you.”

For some reason, as soon as she said that last sentence, Xian Ning felt a sense of security. Looking at Fan Hua, she saw a steady calm that was deeply reassuring.

She has major girlfriend energy. Yep, that’s it.

Xian Ning thought the hot sensation and the opening of her meridians were all there was to forging a spiritual bone. She had no idea that was just a small, insignificant appetizer. An hour later, she woke up screaming from the pain, curled into a ball and wishing she could just bite off her tongue.

Fan Hua had been napping with her head propped in her hand. Hearing the commotion, she immediately got up, hugged Xian Ning, and suppressed the frantic spiritual energy raging inside her.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, it’ll be over soon.”

Xian Ning was clenching her back teeth so hard they felt like they would shatter. Her voice came out in a shaky, stuttering whisper. “Why…does it…hurt…so much?”

If she had known it would hurt this much, she would never have drunk the medicine. Who needs a spiritual bone anyway? Being a good-for-nothing was just fine!

Fan Hua brushed the strands of hair soaked with sweat from her face, her voice gentle. “It will be over soon. Your sister is here with you. Be good now.”

Xian Ning quieted down, but not because Fan Hua’s words were working. She simply had no strength left. Just before she drifted into unconsciousness, Fan Hua seemed to hold her tighter, speaking with a touch of excitement.

“It worked! It finally worked!”

When she opened her eyes again, the room was filled with light. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. The incense burner on the table released a calming scent of sandalwood. Xian Ning lay perfectly straight, her hands resting on her abdomen, feeling a profound sense of tranquility.

The pain was gone. As for any other changes… Xian Ning wiggled a little on the bed. She didn’t feel any different. If anything was different, it was that the wound no longer hurt. The long, thin sword cut was now a pink scar, a mark that would likely stay with her forever.

Jingle. A bell at the door chimed, and Xian Ning quickly pulled her clothes together and sat up straight.

Fan Hua entered and let out a light laugh at the sight. “My, what’s with the good behavior today?”

She walked gracefully to the table, her steps elegant, and set down a tray. The food was still steaming, and the delicious aroma made Xian Ning’s mouth water. Without waiting for Fan Hua to invite her, she shot off the bed and settled at the table in one smooth, unbroken motion.

Fan Hua smiled again, her eyes crinkling into crescents. “Go on, you little glutton.”

The food tasted great, and Xian Ning devoured every last bit. Only after she had cleared the plates did she remember her senior sister hadn’t eaten.

“I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me, I just…”

A flicker of something deep passed through Fan Hua’s eyes, and she laughed. “It’s fine. You should eat more so you can get your strength back.”

Xian Ning felt like something was off, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. After all, she had been unconscious for so many days, and only her senior sister had come to see her. What more could she ask for?

Fan Hua stayed a little longer, and in their conversation, Xian Ning learned that Qin Rong was also seriously injured. The original owner had used a hidden weapon coated with a God Devouring Grass. This plant grew in the deepest parts of the demon realm, and even regular demons couldn’t get it. Xian Ning was curious how the original owner had obtained it. Looking back at all the memories, the God Devouring Grass seemed to have appeared out of thin air. No one had told her its name or purpose, yet she just knew.

The whole thing was strange, and Xian Ning’s brain couldn’t make sense of it. She decided she had to go see Qin Rong. After all, she was the heroine of this world, and the plot couldn’t unfold if she wasn’t alive.

Xian Ning turned her head, and her face appeared in the bronze mirror on the vanity. Her features were vibrant and beautiful, though her face was still a bit round from her youth. Her large, innocent eyes gave her a naive, sweet look. The face was identical to her own, only younger and more childlike, as the original owner was only sixteen. The more she looked, the more she found it hard to believe that this face belonged to a villainess.

Fan Hua saw her spacing out and waved a hand in front of her eyes. Xian Ning snapped back to reality and gave an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, Senior Sister, what were you saying?”

Fan Hua stood up, her skirt flowing like water. The sheer fabric of her sleeve brushed Xian Ning’s face, carrying that faint scent of bamboo. “You should rest well. I have to go away for a few days, so I won’t be able to visit.”

Xian Ning nodded. Fan Hua reached out and pinched her cheek. “Such a good girl.”

As she leaned in, the scent of bamboo grew stronger, making Xian Ning feel a little dizzy. Fan Hua gracefully left, her white robe fluttering behind her like a celestial being. Just as the door was about to close, Fan Hua looked back at Xian Ning, her tone no longer as gentle.

“Don’t wander off while I’m gone. Got it?”

Xian Ning thought her tone was a bit cold and controlling, as if she was claiming her as her own. But when she looked closer, Fan Hua’s expression was warm and gentle, as if she had her best interests at heart.

“Our Xian Ning is the best girl, aren’t you?”

Xian Ning nodded instinctively. It was a long time after Fan Hua had left that she realized she might have just been manipulated. But Fan Hua was just too gentle and too kind, and when she used that sweet, saccharine voice to make demands, it was impossible to resist.

Three days passed, and Xian Ning’s wounds were almost completely healed. Early one morning, a commotion broke out in the courtyard. Before Xian Ning could react, there was a knock on her door.

“Xian Ning, we’re coming in.”

The voice was a calm female voice, likely belonging to someone in their early thirties.

Even in this new environment, Xian Ning felt a deep sense of unease. She had always slept with her clothes on, and just as she was turning over in bed, the door opened.

The woman who entered had a beautiful, yet cold face, with an air of detachment that kept everyone at a distance. A name popped into Xian Ning’s head: Jiang Hanjin, the number one person below the Sect Leader. She had become the head of the five elders at a young age, relying not just on her deep cultivation but also on her iron-fisted rule. She was in charge of the Jade Purity Sect’s punishments, and her principle of “small mistakes must be punished, big ones heavily, and none should be overlooked” made every disciple tremble at her name.

Being sought out by this person, Xian Ning could already foresee her fate. She was definitely here for the incident with Qin Rong, but what kind of punishment would she receive?

“Elder Jiang,” Xian Ning greeted weakly.

Jiang Hanjin stared at her for a moment and asked, “Do you know why I’m here?”

Xian Ning’s voice dropped even lower. “I do.”

Jiang Hanjin turned and began to walk away. “Then let’s go.”

It wasn’t until she reached the door that Xian Ning understood the commotion from earlier. Elder Jiang wasn’t alone. Her second senior brother, Li Zhao, who had doted on her since they were young, had come to vehemently protest against her being sent to the Cliff of Contemplation. The place was covered in snow year-round, with ice that had not melted for a thousand years. With Xian Ning still recovering from her injuries, wouldn’t she be losing half her life there?

Xian Ning looked at him and shook her head. “Senior Brother, listen to Elder Jiang.”

Li Zhao immediately stopped talking and whispered to her, “Do you even know what that place is? With your body, how will you survive?”

Xian Ning smiled. “It’s okay. Since Elder Jiang is sending me there, she’ll naturally have a way to keep me safe.”

She didn’t lower her voice, speaking as much to Jiang Hanjin as to Li Zhao.

Jiang Hanjin’s expression shifted. “Let’s go. As for the rest of you, go back to your cultivation. Otherwise, you’ll be punished by copying the sect rules one hundred times.”

Hearing about copying the sect rules, Li Zhao sheepishly backed away. He hated that stuff; every time he wrote those characters, they seemed to wriggle around like worms, making him dizzy.

The Cliff of Contemplation was on a different peak from the main sect, separated by a bottomless chasm. Jiang Hanjin had to carry Xian Ning on her sword to get across, since with Xian Ning’s cultivation, she would fall after flying less than twenty meters.

Jiang Hanjin held two fingers together and pointed. A cold, gleaming sword appeared under her feet. Xian Ning instinctively stepped onto it, which briefly startled Jiang Hanjin. Before she could ask, Xian Ning proactively explained, “My sword mastery isn’t very good yet. I’m grateful for the ride.”

Jiang Hanjin said nothing, simply urging the sword forward. Her sword was called Hanjin, forged by the Three Realms’ top sword-smith using a piece of her own spine. It was a part of her, hence the name.

Hanjin flew steadily through the air, the cold wind whipping their robes. The closer they got to the Cliff of Contemplation, the colder it became. Xian Ning couldn’t help but hug Jiang Hanjin tighter. Jiang Hanjin sped up, and they soon landed on the cliff. Xian Ning jumped off the sword, slipped, and nearly fell into the endless abyss.

“Be careful!” Jiang Hanjin quickly steadied her.

Xian Ning immediately moved further back, thanking Jiang Hanjin as she did. Jiang Hanjin looked at her timid and cowering demeanor and silently changed the five days of punishment to three. “Three days of contemplation. I’ll be back to pick you up in three days.”

Xian Ning nodded. Jiang Hanjin was about to leave. Hanjin, her sword, shimmered with a cold light. She suddenly asked, “Can you handle it?”

Xian Ning looked up at her, but Jiang Hanjin’s gaze had already shifted away. “I’ll be back in three days.”

A small sachet was tossed toward her, and Jiang Hanjin’s voice, carried on the wind, followed. “These are Divine Sandalwood seeds. If you can’t bear it, take one out and place it on the ground. It will turn into a log and burn.”

Xian Ning cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone and shouted, “Elder Jiang, thank you!” There was no reply. Jiang Hanjin was already far away.

Xian Ning huddled in a corner, enduring the cold for most of the day. As evening fell, the wind and snow on the cliff intensified. The icy sleet felt like knives scraping against her face, and she was losing all sensation in her hands and feet.

Xian Ning’s hands trembled as she opened the sachet. Inside were more than a dozen seeds. “Wow!” she muttered through frozen lips, and immediately lit one. These Divine Sandalwood seeds were so precious; she thought Elder Jiang had only given her two or three, but there were so many. All the freezing she had endured earlier was for nothing.

The seed fell to the ground and instantly transformed into a large log. Purple flames erupted, slowly driving away the chill from her body. The swirling snow blurred her vision, leaving only a white world.

********

The first night passed.

The three-day period quickly arrived. Xian Ning had used a total of two seeds. She had relied on sheer willpower to get through the less harsh daytime hours. As evening approached, Jiang Hanjin still hadn’t come to pick her up. Xian Ning held the sachet, preparing to burn a seed as soon as night fell.

Suddenly, a fierce blizzard raged, and a rustling sound came from above. The moment Xian Ning looked up, a massive amount of snow slammed into her, burying her completely. The sachet was still in her hand, but she couldn’t move.

Didn’t they say the snow here never melted? Why was there an avalanche? Xian Ning had to admit, when you’re unlucky, even drinking cold water can get stuck in your teeth.

The snowfall was heavier than on any previous day. The large flakes fluttered down, and Xian Ning’s consciousness began to fade.

[Giving up already? The protagonist’s energy is useless, isn’t it?]

When the robotic voice she hadn’t heard in a long time sounded, Xian Ning surprisingly felt a sense of relief. “Why did you take so long to get here?” Xian Ning’s eyes grew warm.

System 033 didn’t expect her to say that. After a moment of silence, it replied, [I was delayed for a few days to fix the data. I’ll send you the mission requirements right now.]

Xian Ning’s relief lasted less than three seconds. She roared, “I’m about to freeze to death! Can’t you get me out first?!”

System 033: [Someone is coming to rescue you soon. Don’t worry.] 

It then proceeded to transmit the rest of the plot to her, ignoring her wishes.

The female protagonist, Qin Rong, was a prodigy with excellent cultivation. Even her family background was superior to everyone else’s. Her good looks were her most insignificant advantage. It was normal for someone like her to be envied, but few would go to the suicidal lengths of the original owner.

The original owner’s jealousy of Qin Rong drove her mad. She mutated in silence and, during a trip down the mountain, released a sealed demon. This resulted in Qin Rong being permanently unable to wield a sword. Later, Qin Rong left the Jade Purity Sect and disappeared. The original owner was also expelled from the sect and faced a united boycott from all major sects, becoming a pariah reviled by everyone. And it didn’t end there. When the male protagonist learned she was the one who had caused Qin Rong to lose her cultivation, he threw her into the demon realm, where she was devoured by thousands of demons, leaving not even a complete corpse.

Xian Ning had long since been frozen stiff, but she still felt a chill run down her spine. That was a truly horrible way to die. Am I just a pawn in your game?

Still, the original owner had only herself to blame. If she hadn’t provoked Qin Rong, nothing would have happened. From the original owner’s memories, she hadn’t yet had the chance to harm the female lead, so there was still an opportunity to change things, right?

[The mission takes place ten days from now. If you want to survive, you must first ensure Qin Rong is not attacked by the demon.] 033 paused for a moment, then added, [If you don’t survive, that’s fine too. You just have to make sure the male and female protagonists get together.]

Xian Ning: “?”

Oh, so this is how we’re going to play?

Wait, why didn’t they end up together if the male lead went so far as to kill her to win a beautiful woman’s smile? Xian Ning wanted to ask, but her brain was starting to shut down, and her consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

********

A whoosh sounded through the air. In the vast whiteness, a corner of a purple skirt fluttered. An ethereal voice called out, making Xian Ning’s mind become slightly clearer.

 “Are you still alive?”

Xian Ning couldn’t answer. She used all her strength to move her finger. Qin Rong gently raised her hand, and the snow piled on Xian Ning dispersed. Xian Ning still couldn’t feel hot or cold, but she could move her limbs a little.

Qin Rong knelt down and looked at the Divine Sandalwood seeds in Xian Ning’s hand. Her lips curled into a sneer. “To have these and still end up like this… Useless.”

Xian Ning opened her eyes and looked at her. That face was even more radiant than in the original owner’s memories, but the look in her eyes was cold.

On an impulse, she reached out and hugged the person in front of her. 

“Thank you for coming to save me.”

The person in her arms went completely limp, and Qin Rong froze, her expression stuck on her face.

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