After Cutting Off Love And Emotions, I Was Pestered By The Demon Sect’s Enchantress - Chapter 48

A trace of coolness accompanied the gentle breeze, brushing past the tips of her hair. The few rays of sunlight peeking into the room were somewhat piercing; Ning Xu used the back of her hand to half-shield her eyes as she gradually woke up.

Looking at the familiar face right before her eyes, she couldn’t help but feel surprised.

Zhu Shengxi actually hadn’t left yet?

Not only had she not left, but the person before her was breathing evenly and steadily, her eyes tightly closed. Under the warm sunlight, her features appeared soft and elegant, losing some of her usual coldness and aloofness.

Ning Xu gazed at her, her eyes unconsciously softening.

As she watched like this, dots of sweetness gradually spread through a certain corner of her heart. Unspeakable, indistinct, and soft silken threads of emotion entwined together—somewhat clingy, yet not unpleasant.

She couldn’t resist slowly drawing closer, her gaze falling upon those rosy, full lips.

Ning Xu unconsciously held her breath. Just as the distance between the two was becoming smaller and smaller, her shoulders were suddenly held back.

Zhu Shengxi slowly opened her eyes, her brow slightly arched.

“What are you doing?”

Ning Xu gave a light cough and retreated to her original spot, saying with a straight face, “It was too bright; I was going to close the window.”

Zhu Shengxi glanced at the half-open wooden window but said nothing more, rising from the bed on her own.

Ning Xu also followed her out of bed. Walking around the screen, she saw the other woman looking composed, unhurriedly adding new incense to the small burner. She couldn’t help but feel curious.

“Do you have nothing to do today?”

“Mhm.”

Hearing her answer, Ning Xu said solemnly, “Based on my understanding of the Demon Sect, Lyu Youque must have sent people to infiltrate the sect as insiders. Before attacking the Guiyun Sect, they would have secretly set up formations within the sect.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Shengxi’s movements paused. She looked up at her. “Senior Sister Zhao conducted an investigation of every disciple in the sect and found no members of the Demon Sect.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Ning Xu propped her chin in her hand, looking at her with a beaming smile. “Look, even I wasn’t discovered.”

She was in her own room, so naturally, she wouldn’t be found.

Zhu Shengxi didn’t feel like going in circles with her and asked directly, “What are you trying to say?”

“Take me to the back mountains to take a look. If the Demon Sect has set up a formation, I will be able to detect it immediately.”

The air was filled with the faint, fresh scent of vegetation. Although the bushes grew thick, they didn’t create a sense of clutter; instead, there was a faint, lingering aura of righteous purity.

Feeling the surrounding atmosphere, Ning Xu sighed with emotion, “As expected of one of the three great immortal sects. There isn’t a trace of yin energy here, and the spiritual power is abundant. It’s very suitable for cultivation.”

“I used to cultivate here,” Zhu Shengxi scanned the surroundings, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia.

Hearing this, Ning Xu suddenly remembered the scenes she had once seen in the other’s spiritual consciousness—cultivating day and night without distinction. It seemed to have been in this very place.

It was just a pity that she had skimmed through it back then and hadn’t been able to take a closer look at Zhu Shengxi’s past life.

“What was every day of cultivation like? Tell me about it.”

Zhu Shengxi paused, then replied, “It was very dull. There’s nothing much to say.”

Ning Xu gazed at her intently, strange emotions surging in her heart.

Inexplicably, she really wanted to understand the other’s past—how she endured the boredom and monotony to cultivate day after day, and how she stood out in the trials to defeat the other disciples.

As long as it concerned her, whether it was dull or interesting, Ning Xu wanted to know.

But Zhu Shengxi did not have the habit of pouring her heart out for no reason. She looked at Ning Xu and asked, “We’ve basically looked over every part of the back mountain. Have you discovered any unknown formations?”

Ning Xu shook her head. “No.” After a pause, she continued, “That shouldn’t be right. Lyu Youque is suspicious by nature and wouldn’t act rashly. She must have done something somewhere.”

Zhu Shengxi watched her, not interrupting her self-muttering.

Suddenly, Ning Xu’s eyes brightened slightly. “Take me to see other places in the Guiyun Sect.”

Zhu Shengxi was about to refuse when she heard the other say, “Don’t worry, I have a way to avoid being discovered.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Ning Xu silently recited a mantra. As the spiritual power flowed, she disappeared from where she stood. Zhu Shengxi was slightly startled. Looking down, she saw that a bluish-green sparrow had appeared where Ning Xu had just been standing.

The little green sparrow fluttered its wings and flew onto Zhu Shengxi’s right shoulder.

Zhu Shengxi understood then. So it was this kind of technique. She had heard of people who could transform into animals through spells, but today was the first time she had seen it in person.

She tapped the sparrow’s little head. “Since you knew this technique, why didn’t you use it when you first came to the Guiyun Sect?”

The green sparrow chirped twice in protest. Zhu Shengxi cupped it in her palms, gathered her spiritual power, and left the back mountain on her flying sword.

In less than a moment, the Chenque Sword landed on the main peak. Zhu Shengxi put away the sword, glanced at the sparrow shrinking its body, and said softly, “We’re here.”

The little green sparrow stretched its wings, fluttered once more, and landed on her right shoulder.

Zhu Shengxi suppressed that strange feeling in her heart and led it to the peak.

The laughter of disciples drifted from the surroundings from time to time. The sparrow tilted its head, looking around with its mung-bean-sized eyes showing a hint of vigilance. Seeing this appearance, Zhu Shengxi found it inexplicably amusing.

She imperceptibly curled the corners of her lips. Suddenly, a call of “Hall Master Zhu” came from ahead.

Zhu Shengxi looked up. Not far away, Zhao Qicun was looking at her with a smile, and Ji Yanshu was also there.

Zhao Qicun walked closer slowly. Seeing the green sparrow on her shoulder, she said in surprise, “When did you get a spirit pet? It looks quite cute.”

As she spoke, she raised her hand as if she wanted to touch the green feathers. Zhu Shengxi took half a step back to avoid her movement and said calmly, “It’s just an ordinary green bird, not a spirit pet.”

Zhao Qicun’s smile didn’t fade as she withdrew her hand. “How about lending me this sparrow to raise for a few days? If you agree, I won’t pursue the loss of the celestial boat.”

Zhu Shengxi gave her a cold look. “I have already paid back the loss of the celestial boat previously. If Senior Sister Zhao’s memory is poor, you can spend more time reminiscing.”

Without waiting for a reply, Zhu Shengxi continued, “I have things to do. I’ll be going first.”

Seeing how she couldn’t wait to leave, Zhao Qicun couldn’t help but feel astonished: She hadn’t expected Zhu Shengxi to value the green sparrow on her shoulder so much.

“Hey, Daoist Ji is also here. Aren’t you going to talk to her?”

Zhu Shengxi stopped her footsteps helplessly. As soon as Ji Yanshu walked closer, the green sparrow stared straight at her, appearing somewhat dissatisfied.

A sense of inexplicable hostility. Ji Yanshu was somewhat curious but didn’t ask much, only saying to Zhu Shengxi, “A-Sheng, the Dao-pairing Ceremony is in ten days.”

She spoke with a gentle smile, appearing to others as if she couldn’t help but be happy about the upcoming union.

Zhu Shengxi gave a faint “Mhm.” Beside them, Zhao Qicun said teasingly, “I used to think you wouldn’t pair up with anyone. How can you still have such a cold expression even when facing the person you like?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the green sparrow chirped and flew from its spot, heavily pecking the back of Zhao Qicun’s hand.

Zhao Qicun hissed in pain and said dissatisfiedly, “Zhu Shengxi, why does this green sparrow you’re raising hurt people for no reason?”

The green sparrow had already returned to its original spot, but hearing this, it made a move as if to fly out again. Zhu Shengxi pressed it down in time, her tone casual: “It’s just an ordinary green bird. Could it actually hurt you?”

“You…” Zhao Qicun was speechless for a moment. After a long while, she gave a cold snort and left with a flick of her sleeves.

Zhu Shengxi looked down at the green sparrow with a hint of helplessness in her gaze. The sparrow, on the other hand, tilted its head up, appearing somewhat proud of itself.

Watching them, Ji Yanshu always felt there was something strange that she couldn’t quite put into words.

Zhu Shengxi shifted her gaze to Ji Yanshu again. “I have things to do. Please suit yourself, Daoist Ji.” Her words were extremely polite, and that trace of softness in her eyes when she looked at the green sparrow had also vanished.

Ji Yanshu harbored doubts in her heart, but her face maintained a faint smile. “Mhm. Just make sure you don’t delay your official business.”

After hearing that, Zhu Shengxi immediately turned to leave. Before they knew it, they had investigated the main peak from top to bottom, but the green sparrow tilted its head, seemingly not having found anything unusual either.

After all this effort, the sky had darkened considerably. Zhu Shengxi stroked the soft feathers on its neck and said, “Let’s head back first.”

The green sparrow chirped once in agreement.

Returning to Xiyin Peak, the small path not far from the living quarters was lined with unknown blue flowers. Under the dim sky, they actually emitted a faint blue luster.

The green sparrow watched curiously. Zhu Shengxi scanned the surroundings and said softly, “You can change back now.”

But the green sparrow only tilted its head and made no further move.

Zhu Shengxi’s gaze was filled with doubt, and she repeated herself. She only saw it chirping, its voice getting weaker and weaker, as if it were explaining something.

Obvious guilt.

Looking at it, Zhu Shengxi suddenly thought of something. She knit her brows slightly and asked, “You don’t know how to change back?”

Under her slightly darkened expression, the green sparrow shrank its body and nodded its head.

Zhu Shengxi: “…”

She rubbed her temples and said softly, “I’ll go to the Library Pavilion tomorrow to see if there are any spells to change back.”

The green sparrow nodded its head and affectionately rubbed against her palm.

After their exchange, they had already walked to the door of the living quarters. The green sparrow had been flying slowly beside her, but seeing the figure at the door, it immediately flew back onto Zhu Shengxi’s shoulder.

Zhu Shengxi also saw the person, her tone surprised: “Senior Sister, why are you here?”

The woman in black clothes turned around; it was indeed Jiang Lixu. Her gaze fell upon the green sparrow. “This is?”

Zhu Shengxi: “I saw it by chance in the back mountain a while ago. It was injured, so I brought it back to raise for a few days.”

Hearing her explanation, Jiang Lixu didn’t doubt her and said slowly, “The Dao-pairing Ceremony is in ten days. Chu Yu and I have repaired various formations in the sect. When the time comes, if any changes occur, the disciples will be fine if they hide inside the formations.”

Zhu Shengxi nodded in agreement. “Senior Sister has thought of everything.”

“Has your spiritual power been unstable lately?” Jiang Lixu’s face showed concern.

“No, everything is fine.”

Upon hearing this, the green sparrow chirped several times. Zhu Shengxi reached out to smooth its feathers, signaling for it to shut up.

Jiang Lixu didn’t take her movements to heart and said, “I heard that Chu Yu took away the silver needles used to clear your meridians. If you feel unwell, you must tell her in time.”

She had likely come specifically to give these instructions. Zhu Shengxi felt a warmth in her heart and responded, “Mhm, I know. Senior Sister can rest assured.”

Hearing her say this, Jiang Lixu was no longer worried and switched to talking about something else: “The Xuanqing Sect has been searching for the whereabouts of that half-demon. Under such strict investigation, she will probably be found in a few days.”

Zhu Shengxi was stunned, not understanding why she was bringing this up again. “Senior Sister, you…”

Jiang Lixu looked at her. “On the day of the Dao-pairing Ceremony, she might come. As long as she appears, she will definitely be taken down by the people of the Xuanqing Sect. Moreover, it won’t just be the Xuanqing Sect; we will also restrain her.”

“I just wanted to ask you, will you still be soft-hearted toward her?”

Zhu Shengxi lowered her eyelashes, using a seemingly relaxed tone: “I won’t. She has committed many evils and is a half-demon; she ought to be captured.”

“It’s good that you can think that way,” Jiang Lixu nodded slightly. “Don’t you forget how that Ning Xu hurt you back then.”

As soon as the name “Ning Xu” came out, Zhu Shengxi clearly felt the green sparrow on her shoulder stiffen. To her surprise, in the next moment, the figure of the green sparrow disappeared, replaced by a person dressed in black.

It’s over. Why did she have to change back at a time like this?

Ning Xu was grumbling to herself. As soon as she looked up, she met Jiang Lixu’s gaze, which was as sharp as a blade.

Jiang Lixu’s face was cold, her eyes covered in a thin frost. Her gaze shifted to Zhu Shengxi.

“Is this the ‘ought to be captured’ you were talking about?”