After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 11

Tomorrow was the day to descend to the lower realm with the Linghai Sect.

In the blink of an eye, Ji Xun Yue had already spent twenty days in the Immortal Realm. Her junior sister made rapid progress and had already begun to gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Ji Xun Yue, however, remained completely unresponsive. No matter how Xuan Huai taught her, she followed his instructions perfectly but showed absolutely no improvement.

In the afternoon, they were once again practicing basic Qi refining. Ji Xun Yue sat in meditation with her eyes closed, feigning focus while calculating the events of the past few days. Although she hadn’t returned to the Demon Realm, her subordinates met with Yu Qian Chan every few days to report the situation; the Demon Realm was peaceful for now.

There were nine days left before the flowers of Shen Yuan bloomed. She had already ordered her subordinates to spread the word that she intended to enjoy the blossoms. But once she secured leverage over Xuan Huai, what should she do?

Since encountering him at the competition that day, her hostility toward him had faded considerably. From their recent interactions, Xuan Huai proved to be a reasonable man who treated his disciples well and taught with great care. Now, rather than revenge, she was more interested in uncovering the reason behind his past targeting of her.

Ji Xun Yue sighed inwardly. Life in the Immortal Realm was far too comfortable, making her increasingly soft-hearted. Spending mornings in class with Zhong Ling, afternoons in a daze during cultivation, and evenings either chatting with her junior sister or sleeping early; it was a simple life that felt as though it could go on forever.

But she would eventually have to return to the Demon Realm. What would happen to Zhong Ling then? Was Xuan Huai reliable? Shi Yuan… he didn’t seem up to the task either.

The spring sunshine was bright and warm, and as Ji Xun Yue thought, she began to feel drowsy. Her head tilted, and the sudden loss of balance snapped her awake. In her momentary confusion, she met Xuan Huai’s gaze. A flash of mischievous amusement crossed his eyes, but by the time she looked closer, he had returned to his usual cold indifference, though he lacked the usual distant edge.

Shi Yuan hadn’t visited for a few days, and Xuan Huai seemed to be in a much better mood. Ji Xun Yue looked toward Zhong Ling; her junior sister’s eyes were closed, her expression calm and serious.

“Master, I still haven’t grasped the essentials,” Ji Xun Yue said sheepishly. This was a sentence she repeated several times a day.

Xuan Huai nodded slightly. “That is enough cultivation for today. You are descending to the lower realm tomorrow morning; go back and rest early.”

Upon hearing this, Zhong Ling stabilized her energy and slowly opened her eyes, already possessing the poised air of a celestial being. Her first look was directed at Ji Xun Yue. “Senior Sister, how did you do today?” she asked with concern.

Ji Xun Yue couldn’t help but laugh; every time cultivation ended, her junior sister’s first words were always to check on her. “Perhaps there is a tiny bit of progress?” she replied with a smile, unwilling to disappoint her.

“I knew Senior Sister wouldn’t have any problems!” Zhong Ling believed her instantly, her eyes full of expectation.

Ji Xun Yue shook her head, mocking herself. “It’s a good thing I wasn’t taken in by Fang Qingchen; otherwise, I would have suffered a lot.”

She had made no progress in ten days, yet Xuan Huai wasn’t worried at all, allowing her to slack off. Ji Xun Yue couldn’t help but wonder if he was naturally patient or if he had seen through her disguise. But she had absolute confidence in her strength; she was the strongest in the Demon Realm, and even in the God Realm, few could surpass her.

Concern showed in Zhong Ling’s eyes. “Zhi Yao also told me that Immortal Qingchen is extremely strict. She often secretly practices until midnight just to barely keep up with the progress of the other disciples.”

Since Shen Zhi Yao had mediocre aptitude, she naturally suffered quite a bit in the Yanming Sect. Ji Xun Yue warned her junior sister once again: “Zhong Ling, it is fine to associate with Shen Zhi Yao, but it is best not to trust her completely.”

Zhong Ling nodded. “I know, Senior Sister. Don’t worry.”

After Shen Zhi Yao apologized, Zhong Ling’s kind nature led her to stop holding a grudge, but Shen Zhi Yao began to cling to her like a stubborn plaster. That day, when Ji Xun Yue and Xuan Huai finished watching the competition and went to Yanhe Palace to wait for Zhong Ling, they saw Shen Zhi Yao coming out with her. Upon seeing Ji Xun Yue, Shen Zhi Yao apologized again with a sincere attitude. Ji Xun Yue remained cold throughout, and eventually, it was Xuan Huai who smoothed the atmosphere, accepting the apology on her behalf.

To guard against Shen Zhi Yao, Ji Xun Yue attended morning classes for several days in a row. Her constant vigilance made things awkward for Zhong Ling, so she eventually let go, allowing Shen Zhi Yao to approach her junior sister. Yu Qian Chan teased her for worrying too much; Ji Xun Yue said nothing, only offering a persistent sigh.

The three of them walked down the steps. Zhong Ling still had points of confusion regarding her cultivation and kept asking Xuan Huai for guidance. Ji Xun Yue listened silently, enjoying the brilliant spring scenery of Cangxing Province.

Upon returning to the sect, Xuan Huai called out to Ji Xun Yue. Seeing this, Zhong Ling went back to her room first. Xuan Huai watched Zhong Ling’s retreating figure with a calm expression, though his brow furrowed slightly. Ji Xun Yue felt a sense of mystery, waiting for him to speak.

Xuan Huai retracted his gaze and looked at her. “Zhong Ling has lately,” he began, then stopped abruptly, as if he felt it was inappropriate. “How is your schoolwork lately?” he changed the subject.

Didn’t he already know the situation? “Everything is… as usual?”

Xuan Huai nodded. “Zhong Ling has excellent aptitude. If she focuses on her cultivation, she will surely attain the Dao and become an immortal within two thousand years.”

Ji Xun Yue was naturally happy to hear her junior sister praised, but why was Xuan Huai saying this now? Was it to motivate her to work harder? Ji Xun Yue gave a hesitant reply. “I understand. I will take her as my role model and learn from her.”

Xuan Huai gave a light laugh, a look of helplessness in his eyes. Ji Xun Yue smiled back, grumbling internally that he was speaking in riddles.

“The path of immortality is dull and heartless. It is better to be as you are than to look back and find that, besides your power, you have nothing at all.”

Ji Xun Yue looked at him. Xuan Huai’s gaze fell on her as well. His expression remained calm, but he lacked the detached distance he had when they first met; this was his true character.

Ji Xun Yue smiled. “Those words sound like Master’s own realization. Why don’t you tell me about your past cultivation?”

“There is nothing much to tell. There was only tireless cultivation, and in the end, I gained nothing.” Xuan Huai’s expression was peaceful; he spoke of the past without joy or sorrow.

His kin were gone, his demon core destroyed, and he was forced onto the immortal path, spending over a thousand years in the Immortal Realm without family or friends. His words sounded incredibly bitter. For a moment, Ji Xun Yue didn’t know how to respond.

“I have strayed from the topic; I had no intention of discussing these things,” Xuan Huai sighed. “Tomorrow, when you descend to the lower realm, you must protect Zhong Ling well.”

His words sounded like a warning. “Master might as well speak plainly.”

Had Xuan Huai also discovered that Zhong Ling hadn’t taken the Dust-Severing Pill, or did he know she intended to secretly visit her parents?

Anxiety seemed to cloud Xuan Huai’s brow. “I am just somewhat… worried.”

Was there going to be trouble on this trip? But he seemed unwilling to speak further. Ji Xun Yue suppressed her doubts and said seriously: “I understand. Thank you for the warning, Master. I will be careful.”

Xuan Huai nodded and watched her leave.

Ji Xun Yue did not return to her room but went to see Zhong Ling instead. Zhong Ling was sitting in her courtyard in a daze, looking preoccupied. Seeing Ji Xun Yue arrive, she quickly put on a smile.

“Senior Sister, why are you here?”

“I felt a bit nervous about descending tomorrow and wanted to talk to you.”

Zhong Ling comforted her: “It will be fine. We are just observers; as long as we don’t cause trouble for Imperial Princess Ling Ran, everything will be okay.”

Four days ago, Chu Nian had told them that the destination was Qinzhou in the Kingdom of Yu, which happened to be the country of Zhong Ling’s hometown.

“I want to confirm with you again: is slipping away for one day really enough?”

“Qinzhou is very close to my hometown, Songzhou. If I rent a horse at the market, I can be there in half a day.”

Ji Xun Yue grew thoughtful. Zhong Ling’s plan was to use the excuse of wandering the city while actually hurrying to Songzhou, returning just in time for the evening. Although it didn’t sound very airtight, it shouldn’t be a problem if they intended to hide it from Ling Ran.

Thinking of Xuan Huai’s warning, Ji Xun Yue felt a bit restless. Seeing her worry, Zhong Ling took her hand. “It’s alright, Senior Sister. Don’t worry. I think Imperial Princess Ling Ran should be easy to talk to as well.”

Ji Xun Yue nodded. Zhong Ling smiled. “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

“Why are you thanking me all of a sudden?”

Zhong Ling’s eyes curved into crescents. “Thank you for always taking care of me and being so patient with me.”

Ji Xun Yue flicked her nose. “Your mouth is so sweet; you really know how to make me happy.”

The next day, on Penglai Province in the Immortal Realm.

Immortals faced few restrictions when descending, while cultivators used a passage on Penglai Province to set up a formation to reach their destination. When Ji Xun Yue and Zhong Ling arrived at the meeting point, the people from the Linghai Sect were already waiting at the teleportation formation.

The woman leading them was tall and beautiful, with a decisive and efficient manner. She was Ling Ran.

“Imperial Princess Ling Ran.” The two paid their respects to her and then greeted Chu Nian and Liu Wen Yin.

Ling Ran nodded with a smile. “There is no need for formality. I have heard that you are good friends with Chu Nian and Wen Yin, and more importantly, you are Shi Yuan’s nieces. I will naturally look after you.”

She seemed to be a straightforward person; perhaps Shi Yuan hid from her because he couldn’t handle her personality. Ling Ran began to introduce the details of the descent: “When the teleportation formation opens, touch the formation in order. Do not delay; if you exceed a certain time, the formation will end automatically.”

The group nodded. Ling Ran continued: “The first rule: do not use spiritual power. Of course, you are restricted by the formation and cannot use it anyway. The second rule: do not intentionally harm others. Since you haven’t learned many techniques, focus on self-preservation first. As for the third rule, do not do anything outside the mission. It is strictly forbidden to reveal your identity or mention things from above. You are aware of the punishments in the Immortal Realm.”

Ling Ran’s direct nature appealed to Ji Xun Yue.

“Alright, we shall—”

“Zhong Ling!”

Ling Ran was interrupted by a voice. Ji Xun Yue turned toward the sound and immediately felt that things were taking a bad turn. Why was it Fang Qingchen and Shen Zhi Yao again? There was another person who looked familiar; Ji Xun Yue remembered him as Ji Xiuwen, the man in black from the competition. Six people had come from the Yanming Sect; with the exception of Fang Qingchen, they were all cultivators.

“Zhi Yao,” Zhong Ling greeted Shen Zhi Yao.

Ling Ran exchanged brief pleasantries with Fang Qingchen. “I didn’t know Immortal Qingchen was also taking disciples down today,” she remarked.

Fang Qingchen was relatively polite to her. “Something came up in a few days, so I changed it to today. It is quite a coincidence.”

Ling Ran smiled. “Time is short, so I won’t chat. I have already set the formation, so I will take the disciples and go ahead.”

Fang Qingchen nodded. “Please.”

Ling Ran closed her eyes in concentration, performing hand seals to open the formation. The light of the formation intensified, and a shifting doorway appeared out of thin air. Ling Ran led the way inside, followed by Chu Nian and Liu Wen Yin.

Ji Xun Yue looked toward Zhong Ling, who was still talking to Shen Zhi Yao nearby. “Junior Sister!” she called out.

Zhong Ling nodded and walked over. Out of habit, Ji Xun Yue stepped aside to let Zhong Ling go in first. However, Zhong Ling stopped in her tracks and stood before her.

“Senior Sister, you go in first. The formation is about to end.”

Ji Xun Yue was puzzled and did not do as she was told. “What?”

She saw a strange look on Zhong Ling’s face, one of reluctance and even a hint of a final goodbye. “Senior Sister, I am sorry.”

As Zhong Ling spoke, she suddenly raised both arms and pushed Ji Xun Yue toward the doorway with all her strength. Caught off guard, Ji Xun Yue stumbled backward and fell right into the doorway.

“Zhong!” She only got half a word out before being swallowed by the endless darkness.