After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 32

The more she probed, the more she created trouble for herself. Ji Xunyue decided to compose her emotions and followed Xuan Huai into the reception hall.

Shi Yuan stood with his hands behind his back by the window. The afternoon sun outlined his handsome facial features. Hearing the movement, he looked over with a smile that was as bright as usual. It was impossible to tell if the previous night’s encounter had affected him at all.

Ji Xunyue said politely, “Uncle Master.”

She then looked at Yu Zaiye, who was standing to the side, and gave him a gentle smile.

Her reactions did not escape Xuan Huai’s notice.

It seems that upon seeing Shi Yuan, her mood has improved.

Shi Yuan walked over, asking with concern, “Why have you suddenly fallen ill?”

She had originally intended to find an excuse to be alone, but now everyone believed she was sick. Ji Xunyue prevaricated, “Perhaps… the weather is getting warmer, and the sun made me dizzy.”

During the Primordial Era, the Gods grew weary of the unchanging nature of the Heavenly Realm. They had mimicked the rotation of the four seasons of the mortal world, setting up arrays to bring weather variations to the heavens. Areas untouched by these arrays remained in their original state.

Now, with the transition between spring and summer, the fluctuations in the world’s spiritual energy were significant. It was normal that she had not yet adapted.

Shi Yuan uncharacteristically did not respond immediately. After a moment, he said, “It does take time to adapt. If you truly feel unwell, you can ask your Master for some medicinal herbs to regulate your constitution.”

Ji Xunyue only wanted to drop the subject. “Thank you for your concern, Uncle. Why have you come today?”

Shi Yuan replied, “Do you two want to participate in tomorrow’s competition?”

The low-level disciples had finished their matches just a few days ago. How could there be a competition suitable for her and her junior brother?

“It seems Xuan Huai hasn’t told you yet.” Seeing her confusion, Shi Yuan explained, “The Lingxi Immortal Tree in the Southern Realm has borne fruit. The elders have organized a temporary competition with the Lingxi Fruit as the prize. To encourage participation, the format is unique this time: an immortal can pair up with a disciple. I expect there will be quite a crowd.”

Yu Zaiye hesitated. “Even if the requirements are relaxed, other sects will choose high-level disciples. We likely have no chance of winning.”

Shi Yuan said mysteriously, “Then you do not know the wonders of the Lingxi Immortal Tree. From the outside, you cannot see its canopy; even if you fly upward indefinitely, you will never see the top. Inside the tree, it is said there are hundreds of types of illusions. Only by entering the tree and breaking through the illusions to find the correct path can one reach the top to pluck the fruit. Strength doesn’t matter as much as luck. If you encounter simple illusions, winning will be easy.”

So that was how it worked. Ji Xunyue had heard of the spectacle of the Lingxi Immortal Tree but had never seen it in person.

Shi Yuan continued his persuasion. “Think about it. The Lingxi Fruit grows at such a height; eating it will surely boost your cultivation. Do you not want to try?”

According to him, even ordinary masters could take their disciples to gain some experience. Since even Shi Yuan wanted to find a partner to join, the number of participants would certainly be large.

She was indeed curious about the illusions within the tree. Furthermore, if she could obtain the Lingxi Fruit, it would be another chance to stand out.

Ji Xunyue said, “I suppose we could…”

But the thought of partnering with either Shi Yuan or Xuan Huai felt quite awkward.

Shi Yuan asked expectantly, “Which of you is willing to go with me?”

While Ji Xunyue was still hesitating, Yu Zaiye spoke up. “Uncle Master, I would like to be in a group with you.”

They have only met a few times; since when did their relationship become so good?

Shi Yuan was very satisfied with Yu Zaiye’s invitation. Patting his shoulder, he said, “Great! I knew you wanted to transfer to my sect!”

Similarly, Xuan Huai had assumed Ji Xunyue would choose Shi Yuan, but he had not expected Yu Zaiye to step in first.

Yet, she did not look disappointed.

At that moment, she looked over and met his eyes.

Recalling the awkwardness of their recent interaction, neither of them spoke.

Just as she was about to look away, Xuan Huai asked, “Do you want to go with me?”

He knew she had no other choice, yet he still wanted to hear her admit it.

She smiled. “Then I will rely on you, Master.”

In an instant, all his negative emotions vanished.

As long as she smiled at him, he was mollified.

Just like in the past.

The fifth day of the fourth month, Jianxi Forest in the Southern Realm.

Before even entering the forest, they saw a tree towering into the clouds from afar. Its trunk was straight and thick, its foliage lush. The branches extended so far that they covered most of the Jianxi Forest. Sunlight struggled to penetrate the layers of leaves, making the interior of the forest appear dim from a distance.

The illusions were set to begin at the hour of the Xu (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM). Anticipating a large crowd, the registration was opened at noon.

By the time Ji Xunyue’s group arrived, there were still two hours before the competition, and several long lines had already formed.

The four of them picked a line at random. Ji Xunyue observed the strange faces around her. It seemed as if the entire Immortal Realm had gathered here overnight.

This competition was massive in scale yet organized so hastily that it felt somewhat irrational.

In the past, the Lingxi Fruit was offered to the God Realm. For it to be used as a prize now… was this Yu Qianchan’s idea?

Among the participants, there were many immortals with profound cultivation, and the partners they had chosen were all high-level disciples.

Among the four of them, Xuan Huai had two thousand years of cultivation, and Shi Yuan had one thousand two hundred. Combined with two disciples at the Second Realm, they looked like they were only there to make up the numbers.

Xuan Huai remained calm, appearing uninterested in the competition.

Shi Yuan, however, was full of energy, sharing the news he had gathered.

“They say there are only seventy-two types of illusions, but tens of thousands of illusion spaces. We might not even run into anyone else after going in. If we are lucky enough, we might emerge after passing through only a dozen illusions.”

Yu Zaiye asked, “Uncle, will the illusions be very difficult?”

Shi Yuan said confidently, “What is there to fear? You have me.”

Yu Zaiye asked again, “What if we cannot break through? How do we get out?”

“Do not speak so gloomily,” Shi Yuan tutted, yet he explained patiently. “Once the first place winner plucks the Lingxi Fruit, everyone else will be automatically transported out.”

The fruit of the Lingxi Immortal Tree had always been harvested by specific individuals, so outsiders knew little of the illusions inside. If the difficulty was not high, it would be a good opportunity for cultivation.

After waiting for half an hour, it was finally their turn.

After verifying their identities and cultivation levels, Xuan Huai received two pieces of thin red string from the immortal in charge. He walked forward with Ji Xunyue into the transition area for pre-race preparation.

Xuan Huai first infused spiritual energy into the two red strings and then handed them to her.

“This is the Breath-Condensing Cord. It ensures we do not get separated while traveling through illusions and helps us sense each other’s location.”

Ji Xunyue took them. As soon as she infused her spiritual energy, she felt the two forces within the red strings quickly merge.

The length was only enough to be tied around the wrist. After handing one back to Xuan Huai, she tried to tie it on herself with one hand. However, the surface of the red string was smooth; no sooner had she tied a knot than it slipped loose again.

She tried several more times awkwardly under Xuan Huai’s gaze.

Glancing around, she noticed the other groups were all helping each other.

“Shall I help you?” Xuan Huai spoke gently, but she felt as if there was a hint of a smile in his voice.

“I will trouble you then, Master.”

Faced with his approach, Ji Xunyue suppressed the urge to step back. She lowered her eyes and extended her left hand, watching his gentle movements as he tied the Breath-Condensing Cord for her.

“There,” he said in a low voice, yet he did not move away, seemingly waiting for her response.

They were very close. The faint scent of pine mist on him only intensified the agitation in her heart.

She took Xuan Huai’s cord and watched as he raised his hand. His sleeve slid down, revealing his well-defined wrist. She was extremely careful to avoid touching him, almost holding her breath as she finished.

Against the red string, his wrist appeared as white as jade.

The action was not particularly intimate, yet it bothered her.

When he looks at me, is he thinking of his past with the other Ye Jinyue?

No, what am I thinking?

Ji Xunyue took a step back. She watched as Xuan Huai withdrew his hand. The falling sleeve covered his wrist and also hid her secret thoughts.

She steadied herself and looked back the way they had come. “Should Uncle Master and Junior Brother not be in the next group? Why have they not arrived yet?”

Xuan Huai said, “It is possible they went to a different transition area.”

There were indeed several forks in the road, but Shi Yuan should have noticed which path they took.

Ji Xunyue asked, “Should we wait for them, or go straight in?”

Just as she finished speaking, a familiar figure entered.

That person also saw her immediately, narrowing his eyes with a smirk. “What a coincidence.”

As the saying goes, enemies often cross paths. The newcomer was Fang Qingchen.

The person following behind him was… Ji Xiuwen? He actually had not brought his own disciple to the competition.

Although she did not get along with Fang Qingchen, she still had to maintain appearances.

After the two sides exchanged brief greetings, Fang Qingchen’s gaze fell on her again.

“Ye Jinyue, I think highly of you. I hope you can give me another surprise this time.”

“You flatter me, Immortal,” Ji Xunyue said distantly.

Fang Qingchen sighed. “My disciples are truly eyesores. Take the two you know, for example. Lu Yi lacks skill, and Shen Zhiyao has mediocre talent. I might as well bring Xiuwen to see the world. Although Xiuwen is a good prospect, he is not my disciple after all.”

Although Ji Xunyue disliked Lu Yi’s arrogance, she could not help but defend her. “Senior Sister Lu is already quite outstanding among her peers. Your standards are truly high, Immortal.”

“But there is always someone better, such as you or Yu Zaiye.” Fang Qingchen looked at Xuan Huai. “Xuan Huai, why must my disciples be overshadowed by yours?”

Xuan Huai said calmly, “If that is the case, you should teach your disciples better.”

“Actually, there is a better way.”

Ji Xunyue guessed what Fang Qingchen was about to say.

Sure enough, he said leisurely, “Ye Jinyue, if you ever wish to change sects, I would welcome you anytime.”

Xuan Huai said coldly, “Immortal Qingchen certainly enjoys a joke.”

Fang Qingchen lightly shook his folding fan, still looking composed. “Who can say what will happen in the future?”

Without waiting for a response from Ji Xunyue or Xuan Huai, he excused himself and began mingling with others.

Seeing this, Ji Xiuwen bid them a polite farewell.

Ji Xunyue did not have a bad impression of him, and he had helped her before, so she gave him a friendly smile.

As for Fang Qingchen, even if she were to defect from her sect in the future, she would never go to the Yanming Sect, let alone become his disciple.

After waiting a bit longer, there was still no sign of Shi Yuan and Yu Zaiye.

Ji Xunyue said, “Master, let us go in first.”

“Alright.”

The two entered the area covered by the foliage of the Lingxi Immortal Tree. The environment suddenly became dark, damp, and cold.

Perhaps because it was shielded from the light, no grass grew on the ground. The soil was slightly moist and felt soft underfoot.

The lowest branches were far from the ground, so Ji Xunyue could only look up to observe them.

Even though it was nearly early summer, the leaves were withered and yellow. The entire tree looked lifeless.

For some reason, the further they walked in, the more she felt an indescribable chill. it felt as if it were seeping into her very bones. She felt as though she had experienced this same sensation somewhere before.