After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 6

Early the next morning.

Ji Xun Yue was woken up by Zhong Ling. She originally intended to continue skipping class, but Zhong Ling reminded her that there was cultivation practice in the afternoon; it was better not to let Xuan Huai discover her being lazy.

Her junior sister was truly reliable.

Upon hearing that today’s lesson was taught by Yu Qian Chan, Ji Xun Yue felt even more energized.

After washing up and dressing, she went to find Zhong Ling, only to see her carrying a rectangular food basket.

Zhong Ling handed over an oil-paper wrap. “Senior Sister, eat something to line your stomach first.”

Ji Xun Yue took the steaming bun but was quite confused. “What is inside the basket?”

Zhong Ling gave a mysterious smile. “It is a secret.”

Since her junior sister had her own plans, Ji Xun Yue did not press further.

Once they left the sect gate, Zhong Ling took out a paper boat given by Xuan Huai and tossed it into the air. The paper boat transformed into a small, ornate vessel.

The two boarded the boat. The small vessel navigated through the swirling mists, sailing toward Taiwei Province.

The Immortal Realm was composed of thousands of celestial provinces. These provinces were separated by mist and were not interconnected. Most cultivators relied on boats to travel; only after their cultivation reached a high level could they learn methods such as riding the wind or swords.

Taiwei Province was located at the center of the Immortal Realm. The four elders, acting as the managers of the realm, resided there. Simultaneously, various celestial affairs such as the Immortal Selection and Dao discussions were held there.

Ji Xun Yue leaned against the railing, boredly watching the clouds churn.

She could not remember the last time she had come to the Immortal Realm, but she always remembered the centuries she spent racing through this realm seeking medicine to treat her mother’s injuries.

After the War of Gods and Demons ended, her mother was still honored as the Demon Sovereign, but her injuries were too severe; she relied entirely on herbs to sustain her life. The Demon Realm was barren of such herbs, so Ji Xun Yue had no choice but to seek them in the God Realm and the Immortal Realm, where she endured cold glares and countless difficulties.

Fortunately, she met Yu Qian Chan. With her intervention, obtaining medicine became easier, and the two gradually became close friends.

However, after struggling for over six hundred years, her mother finally passed away.

One war had cost Ji Xun Yue her sister and then her mother.

And the person who started that war was Ji Yao, her father.

Those with eternal life have no reincarnation; once lost, they are gone forever. This was why Ji Xun Yue loathed war.

“Senior Sister, Senior Sister?”

Zhong Ling’s call brought her back to her senses. “What is it?”

Zhong Ling looked at her with concern. “We have arrived at Taiwei Province.”

Ji Xun Yue pushed aside her emotions and smiled. “Good, let us go.”

Seeing that she did not want to talk, Zhong Ling did not ask further.

Taiwei Province was a restricted area of the Immortal Realm where flying with celestial arts was prohibited. Along the way, people of all kinds were either rushing about or strolling leisurely.

There was still some time before class, yet Zhong Ling walked as if her feet had wings. Ji Xun Yue did not know what she was up to and could only keep up with quick steps.

As they neared Yanhe Palace for the morning class, the two passed a small pavilion.

A man and a woman were sitting inside. Upon seeing the two of them, they hurriedly stood up and waved.

“You know them?” Ji Xun Yue was surprised at first, then quickly realized. “Wait, are you bringing them breakfast?”

Zhong Ling winked playfully. “Senior Sister guessed correctly! That girl is a friend I met a few days ago, Liu Wen Yin, and beside her is her senior brother, Chu Nian.”

Seeing her junior sister make new friends made Ji Xun Yue feel very gratified, yet she said with concern: “Then do you not have to wake up even earlier every day? You are at an age where your body is growing; you cannot lack sleep.”

Zhong Ling shook her head slightly and comforted her with a smile: “Senior Sister, do not worry. In the past, I had to prepare meals before dawn for my father to take to work. That was much earlier than this.”

She then walked forward, set down the basket, and greeted the two.

Ji Xun Yue followed behind her but could not help but frown.

Could it be that her junior sister did not take the Dust-Severing Pill?

Before she could think it through, Chu Nian and the other girl looked over. Ji Xun Yue had to suppress her doubts and exchange introductions with them.

Both were disciples of the Linghai Sect. Chu Nian had a kind face and appeared to have a steady personality; he was from the previous batch of cultivators and had already practiced for three hundred years. Liu Wen Yin was from the same batch as Ji Xun Yue and the others.

Liu Wen Yin looked to be about twenty years old. Though her name was elegant, her features were quite heroic and her personality was straightforward. “Jinyue, we are all in the same batch and our ages are similar. There is no need for such formalities; let us just call each other by our names.”

Ji Xun Yue responded with a smile. Her junior sister’s new friends were indeed quite good.

“Yes, no more formalities. I cannot wait any longer.” Chu Nian impatiently opened the basket. “It smells wonderful!”

It was just simple white porridge and a few side dishes, but the aroma of the rice was mouth-watering and greatly stimulated the appetite.

Since there was still time before class, the four sat in the pavilion, eating and chatting merrily.

The conversation among cultivators naturally turned to their training.

Chu Nian sighed. “Master says my heart cultivation is insufficient. In ten days, she will take me to the mortal realm for experience. I am actually quite nervous.”

Liu Wen Yin scoffed. “Senior Brother, you have reached the Third Realm after only three hundred years of cultivation. Stop acting so miserable!”

The strength of cultivators was divided into nine levels. After reaching the Ninth Realm, one still had to pass trials set by the God Realm to ascend as an immortal.

Although ascending only required strength, those with weak resolve could easily fall into madness; therefore, heart cultivation was an indispensable part of the process.

Chu Nian was not bothered by her words. “The further one goes, the harder it is to improve. I might hit a bottleneck at any time. In these three hundred years alone, I have heard of several seniors who gave up cultivation because they could not break through for a long time, eventually fading away.”

Ascending to immortality took at least two or three thousand years. However, cultivators were not immortal; when one spends a lifetime unable to break through, the despair and resentment are easy to imagine.

Liu Wen Yin quickly cut him off. “We are all newly initiated disciples; what you are saying is too discouraging.”

Ji Xun Yue smiled at this, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhong Ling looking preoccupied.

Zhong Ling suddenly spoke: “Senior Brother Chu, when will we be able to go to the lower realm?”

Chu Nian said: “You can go once you reach the First Realm. If you are fast, it will take about twenty or thirty years.”

“That long?” Zhong Ling’s face turned pale. “Is there no other way?”

Ji Xun Yue was puzzled. “Junior Sister, why are you in such a hurry to go down?”

Logically, someone who had taken the Dust-Severing Pill would not remember their past in the mortal realm. Seeing Zhong Ling so anxious to go down, Ji Xun Yue felt she was hiding something.

Zhong Ling bit her lip and shook her head, her expression full of disappointment.

Liu Wen Yin quickly looked at Chu Nian, gesturing for him to think of something.

Chu Nian thought for a moment and suggested: “Although that is the rule, in reality, many sects let their new disciples follow them down to experience things. However, the Yunxing Sect has no eligible disciples, so it might not be convenient to do so. How about this: I will ask my master. Perhaps she will agree to take you along for a trip to the mortal realm?”

Zhong Ling froze, then turned joyful. “Will your master agree?”

Liu Wen Yin said briskly: “Do not worry about that. Master will definitely not refuse!”

Seeing Ji Xun Yue’s confusion, Chu Nian gave a helpless smile. “I forgot to tell you, our master is Immortal Ling Ran.”

The name sounded familiar; she seemed to have heard Shi Yuan mention it last night.

As it happened, Liu Wen Yin also said: “Have you heard Immortal Shi Yuan mention her?”

Ji Xun Yue nodded. “But he did not go into detail.”

Liu Wen Yin looked exasperated. “Hah, you have no idea. Our master has been pursuing Immortal Shi Yuan for hundreds of years. She practically forced him into seclusion to hide from her.”

So that was why Shi Yuan had missed the Immortal Selection Ceremony.

Chu Nian said: “Immortal Xuan Huai and Immortal Shi Yuan are friends. I do not think Master will refuse. However, you must also obtain Immortal Xuan Huai’s consent.”

Ji Xun Yue quickly added: “In that case, Senior Brother Chu, could you take me along as well? I want to go too.”

After receiving a positive reply, Ji Xun Yue felt relieved. She looked at Zhong Ling, only to see her junior sister’s brows slightly furrowed, casting a worried glance.

When their eyes met, Zhong Ling quickly looked away. By the time Ji Xun Yue tried to investigate further, her expression had returned to normal.

By now, the four had finished their meal. Chu Nian did not need to attend the morning class and returned to his sect to practice. The remaining three walked slowly toward Yanhe Palace.

After only a few steps, they encountered another disciple also heading toward the palace. She had the appearance of a girl from a humble, respectable family, but her expression was unfriendly as she looked at them with disdain.

The disciple muttered, “Truly bad luck.”

The voice was neither too loud nor too soft, as if she intended for them to hear.

Ji Xun Yue was still bewildered when she saw Zhong Ling’s smile freeze and her eyes dart away.

Sensing something was wrong, Ji Xun Yue’s expression turned cold. She stared straight at the woman, feeling that she looked somewhat familiar.

Liu Wen Yin’s brows shot up in anger. “Shen Zhi Yao, who are you calling bad luck?”

Shen Zhi Yao? The name also felt like she had heard it somewhere.

Shen Zhi Yao was not to be outdone and mocked: “I am talking about you, of course. This is Taiwei Province, not a place for you to play house.”

Ji Xun Yue remembered: Shen Zhi Yao was also a disciple who chose the third door on the day of the ceremony. She was last in line and was taken in by Fang Qingchen.

Zhong Ling whispered: “Senior Sister, Wen Yin, ignore her. Let us go.”

Ji Xun Yue took her cold hand. “What is going on? Do not be afraid; Senior Sister is here.”

Liu Wen Yin said indignantly: “Jinyue, it seems Zhong Ling has been keeping this from you. This Shen Zhi Yao sees that Zhong Ling is an easy target and frequently speaks rudely to her. If Zhong Ling hadn’t stopped me, I would have slapped her by now!”

Ji Xun Yue’s heart sank. She hadn’t realized that during the days she was absent, Zhong Ling was being bullied. Yet her junior sister had never mentioned it to her once, keeping a smile on her face all day.

Looking at Shen Zhi Yao’s overbearing attitude, she was exactly like Fang Qingchen; it was infuriating.

Zhong Ling felt quite helpless and urged: “Wen Yin, we are all peers; there is no need to argue. Let us go to class.”

Shen Zhi Yao covered her mouth and snickered: “See that? Even she hasn’t said anything, so why are you in such a hurry? I truly cannot be bothered to waste my breath on you.”

With that, she turned to leave.

“Stand still!” Ji Xun Yue called out to her.

Shen Zhi Yao raised an eyebrow and sneered: “What? Ye Jinyue, do you want to stand up for her?”

Zhong Ling pulled at Ji Xun Yue, saying urgently: “Senior Sister!”

Ji Xun Yue stopped her and asked Shen Zhi Yao: “Shen Zhi Yao, my junior sister has always been friendly to others. I wonder what conflict she has with you?”

Shen Zhi Yao was about to mock her further when she saw Ji Xun Yue’s gaze, which was as sharp as a blade.

Momentarily intimidated by her aura, Shen Zhi Yao knitted her brows and blustered: “I simply cannot stand her act of playing weak to gain sympathy. I am just helping her correct it. Is there something wrong with that?”

Zhong Ling argued back anxiously: “I… I am not playing weak!”

The corners of Shen Zhi Yao’s mouth curled into a taunt. “You are just a useless person that nobody wanted. Now that someone is speaking for you, you have become arrogant?”

Humiliated in public, Zhong Ling’s face turned from red to white. Tears welled in her eyes, and her hands tightly gripped the corners of her clothes.

Ji Xun Yue remembered how isolated and helpless her junior sister had been during the selection process. She hadn’t expected Shen Zhi Yao to use that event to attack Zhong Ling.

“Are you seeking death?” Liu Wen Yin rolled up her sleeves, clearly intending to start a fight. “To encounter someone as shrewish as you first thing in the morning, that is the true bad luck!”

Ji Xun Yue held Liu Wen Yin back. She looked at Shen Zhi Yao with contempt and laughed instead of getting angry. “Shen Zhi Yao, before you insult others, why don’t you look at what kind of person you are?”

Shen Zhi Yao’s expression changed. “What did you say?”

“It seems your memory is not very good; I need to help you remember properly.” Ji Xun Yue spoke slowly, her voice dripping with mockery. “I remember that you were the very last disciple to be taken in that day. You wanted to join Fang Qingchen’s sect, but he refused you, thinking your aptitude was mediocre and that you were not worthy of being his disciple.”

Being exposed, Shen Zhi Yao’s expression froze.

Ji Xun Yue did not wait for her to speak and continued to mock: “You were extremely embarrassed at the time. It was only because several immortals pleaded for you that Immortal Qingchen reluctantly took you in. To me, it seems that you are the useless person that nobody wanted.”

Shen Zhi Yao pointed at her, exasperated. “You! Shut your mouth!”

Liu Wen Yin chimed in: “I was wondering why she acts so arrogant toward everyone. It turns out she is just trying to hide her inner inferiority. How pitiful!”

Ji Xun Yue gave a cold sneer: “When you see Zhong Ling, you remember what happened that day. Unfortunately, you do not have her good luck. Master took her as a disciple of his own accord, whereas your master took you in because you made a scene and acted like a brat. Are you afraid Zhong Ling looks down on you, so you are attacking first?”

Ji Xun Yue added sympathetically: “Immortal Qingchen has high standards; naturally, he looks down on you. I imagine he disdains you quite often in your daily life? Oh, by the way, the disciple your master actually wanted to take in was me. Are you resentful, so you are taking it out on Zhong Ling?”

Every word hit Shen Zhi Yao where it hurt. She forced herself to argue back: “Do not think that just because Master once considered taking you, you have great ability!”

Ji Xun Yue remained calm and composed. “I may not have great ability, but at least I am your benefactor. You should be glad that I did not choose your master, which gave you the chance to enter the Yanming Sect. Is this how you repay a kindness with such ingratitude?”

Shen Zhi Yao was beside herself with rage and tried to shout something, but as she opened her mouth, no sound came out. A look of terror appeared on her face.

“Arguing with peers first thing in the morning; how noisy. Fang Qingchen really did take in a piece of trash.”

A woman appeared before them.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Shen Zhi Yao was so frightened that she knelt on the ground, losing all her previous arrogance. “Imperial… Imperial Princess Yu Qian Chan…”

Seeing her friend arrive, Ji Xun Yue left the mess for her to handle. She turned to wipe Zhong Ling’s tears and whispered: “Do not be sad anymore; Senior Sister helped you vent your anger.”

Zhong Ling smiled with tears still in her eyes, looking a bit forlorn. “Senior Sister, thank you.”

Yu Qian Chan said with disgust: “Shen Zhi Yao, it seems you have attended class for several days and learned nothing at all.”

“Princess, let me explain,” Shen Zhi Yao was silenced again, her face turning red with anxiety.

Yu Qian Chan’s voice was as cold as ice: “Get out of here. From now on, you do not need to come to any of my classes.”

Shen Zhi Yao still wanted to play the victim, but meeting Yu Qian Chan’s contemptuous gaze, she could only leave dejectedly.

The farce concluded, and the three of them bowed to Yu Qian Chan.

Ji Xun Yue suppressed a laugh, finding her friend’s stern face quite amusing.

Yu Qian Chan caught her eye and could not help but smile back, her solemn pose instantly collapsing.

Realizing she had lost her composure, Yu Qian Chan cleared her throat and said seriously: “Alright, it is time to go to class.”