After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 8

The cultivation site of the Yunxing Sect was a high platform outside the sect gates named the Falling Star Platform.

In the afternoon, Ji Xun Yue and Zhong Ling arrived at the Falling Star Platform fifteen minutes early. Ascending the steps, they found the platform to be spacious with an excellent view.

As Xuan Huai had not yet arrived, Ji Xun Yue simply sat down, feeling the gentle breeze blow as the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converged.

Zhong Ling sat down beside her, staring blankly at the rolling mists in the distance.

She suddenly spoke: “Senior Sister, cultivation sounds so difficult; I have no idea what I am supposed to do.”

Ji Xun Yue said: “I heard from Martial Uncle that Master spent two thousand years cultivating on his own to ascend. This is rare even in the Immortal Realm; you must trust in Master’s abilities.”

Zhong Ling’s eyes lit up. “Master is that incredible?”

The cultivation level of immortals is generally described by how long it has been since they ascended. After all, becoming an immortal is considered the limit of a mortal body; thereafter, everyone’s progress is relatively similar.

Xuan Huai had only two thousand years of cultivation, which made him quite ordinary among the immortals. However, during his demonization last night, Ji Xun Yue had sensed an abundance of spiritual power in addition to his demonic energy. That was definitely not a level reachable with only two thousand years of cultivation.

It seemed Xuan Huai usually suppressed his power to avoid arousing suspicion, thereby concealing his identity as a member of the Yiu Race.

Zhong Ling turned somber again. “But Senior Brother Chu also said that many people spend their entire lives without ever reaching the end.”

Ji Xun Yue said: “Do not worry; your aptitude is very good. As long as you are willing to cultivate with a calm mind, nothing is too difficult.”

Zhong Ling smiled, expressing gratitude for her comfort. She then gazed at Ji Xun Yue and said seriously: “I think Senior Sister will also be very powerful in the future.”

Ji Xun Yue laughed at this. “Alright, then Senior Sister will look out for you in the future.”

But for now, she was likely going to disappoint her junior sister. She could not control her power at its micro-levels and could not act like a newly initiated cultivator; if she wasn’t careful, she might reveal her true self. Therefore, she decided to play dumb, acting as if she could learn nothing at all.

She wondered what kind of expression Xuan Huai would have when he realized he had taken a disciple who was impossible to teach.

At that moment, footsteps sounded from behind. Turning around, she saw it was Shi Yuan.

“Martial Uncle? Why are you here?”

Ji Xun Yue and Zhong Ling hurriedly rose to pay their respects.

Shi Yuan said: “I saw that Xuan Huai was starting your cultivation lessons today. I had nothing to do, so I came to take a look.”

Ji Xun Yue nodded. “Why hasn’t Master arrived?”

Shi Yuan shrugged. “I saw him talking to someone from the God Realm; it seems they asked him to refine more medicine.”

Could it be someone sent by Yu Qian Chan?

Ji Xun Yue grew thoughtful. “Master is indeed very busy.”

Shi Yuan smiled: “It does not matter. If he has no time, I can teach you instead.”

Ji Xun Yue hesitated. Shi Yuan only had a little over a thousand years of cultivation; letting him teach felt like he might lead them astray. She did not want her junior sister to be misled.

“Shi Yuan, when did my disciples require your teaching?”

Just as Ji Xun Yue was thinking of how to politely decline, she heard Xuan Huai’s voice.

Xuan Huai descended with the wind, pulling back his hand from a celestial seal. He looked unfriendly, staring coldly at Shi Yuan.

Shi Yuan coughed awkwardly. “I saw you were too busy working for the God Realm and wanted to help share the burden.”

“You need not worry; I have already declined,” Xuan Huai said calmly.

Shi Yuan became displeased. “That will not do. I have a mountain of experience to pass on. Are you looking down on me because it took me over three thousand years to ascend? I only took that long because,”

Ji Xun Yue and Zhong Ling stood to the side. Seeing Shi Yuan’s face turn red with anger while Xuan Huai remained as calm as a light breeze, they both shook their heads helplessly. However, Ji Xun Yue was more curious about why Shi Yuan always hesitated when mentioning his past.

Shi Yuan said indignantly: “How about we have a contest? Each of us teaches one, and we see whose student understands first?”

Seeing Ji Xun Yue watching the scene, Shi Yuan called her name: “Jinyue, what do you think of my proposal?”

Ji Xun Yue’s smile froze. She looked at Xuan Huai, then at Zhong Ling. “I do not think I have the final say.”

Xuan Huai said: “Then you shall have the final say.”

Ji Xun Yue was speechless. For a moment, she became the center of everyone’s attention.

She asked Zhong Ling: “Junior Sister, what do you think?”

Zhong Ling was very straightforward: “I will follow Senior Sister’s lead.”

Xuan Huai’s cultivation was much higher than Shi Yuan’s; it would be troublesome if he noticed she was hiding her power. Facing Shi Yuan, she likely wouldn’t have that concern. Moreover, she might even be able to annoy Xuan Huai a little. Ji Xun Yue felt a sudden urge to be mischievous. “Alright, let us go with Martial Uncle’s suggestion.”

Shi Yuan was overjoyed. “I knew you were a clever girl! Which of you wants to follow me for cultivation?”

Ji Xun Yue beat her to it: “How about this: Junior Sister follows Master, and I follow Martial Uncle?”

She would just slack off with Shi Yuan while her junior sister received proper training.

However, Xuan Huai’s expression turned cold. He stared at Ji Xun Yue silently, making her feel a wave of guilt; she turned her face away to avoid his gaze.

Shi Yuan quickly put an arm around his shoulder. “Look at you; you agreed to let her decide. Do not pull a face just because it did not go your way. You cannot go back on your word.”

Xuan Huai brushed his hand away and gave him a cold glare. Shi Yuan felt a bit sheepish but soon regained his confidence. He did not realize that Ji Xun Yue had already dug a pit for him.

An hour later.

Shi Yuan sat across from Ji Xun Yue, his brows tightly knit. “No, sit up straight; keep your back straight.”

Ji Xun Yue pretended to straighten her back.

Shi Yuan set another example: “No, your hand gesture for the seal is wrong.”

Ji Xun Yue followed his lead with great obedience.

Shi Yuan nodded with satisfaction and asked expectantly: “Do you feel it now? The spiritual energy flowing from all directions, gathering within your body?”

Ji Xun Yue closed her eyes, pretending to feel intently, though she could hardly contain her laughter. She opened her eyes, coughed lightly, and shook her head with regret. “Martial Uncle, it is still not working.”

Shi Yuan stared at her blankly and could not help but press a hand to his forehead. “How can this be? We have tried several methods already.”

During this hour, seeing that she could not find the feeling, Shi Yuan had come up with several techniques to open her meridians, but Ji Xun Yue was determined to act; naturally, no method worked.

Ji Xun Yue lowered her head dejectedly, feigning guilt: “I am sorry, Martial Uncle; I am too stupid.”

Shi Yuan hurried to comfort her: “It is fine. I was also a late bloomer and cultivated slowly, but I still made it through. Do not lose heart; I will think of another way for you.”

Ji Xun Yue nodded with a look of gratitude, but she truly could not hold it in and laughed out loud.

Shi Yuan was bewildered but gave a few awkward laughs in return. “What are you laughing at?”

Ji Xun Yue finally managed to stop. “Nothing; I was just laughing at my own stupidity.”

Shi Yuan said seriously: “Be serious; Xuan Huai is watching you.”

Hearing this, Ji Xun Yue looked toward Xuan Huai with a grin and indeed met his gaze. Xuan Huai’s expression was extremely cold; his brow seemed to hold an iceberg that would not melt for a thousand years. Her smile instantly froze.

Ji Xun Yue sheepishly withdrew her gaze, yet she felt as if she had seen a fox jumping with rage, which in turn lifted her spirits.

She feigned distress: “Oh no, Master caught me slacking off, and I haven’t even learned the most basic Qi refining. Martial Uncle, do you think Master will blame me or you?”

Shi Yuan was fuming. “Then why are you still chatting? If you do not hurry, you will make me lose all my dignity.”

Ji Xun Yue quickly became solemn: “Do not worry, Martial Uncle; I will start practicing right now.”

Half an hour later.

Shi Yuan had fallen into self-doubt. “What exactly is wrong? Why do you feel absolutely nothing?”

Ji Xun Yue sighed. “I am sorry, Martial Uncle; this is not your problem, it is mine.”

Shi Yuan waved his hand. “I will stop pretending I am capable; it is better to let your Master teach you.”

Ji Xun Yue hurriedly tried to keep him: “Do not go, Martial Uncle; I think you teach very well. Perhaps if you teach me for a few more days, I will finally understand.”

Shi Yuan looked over at Xuan Huai’s side; Zhong Ling was still maintaining the Qi-refining posture and seemed to be making great progress. He suddenly felt discouraged. “Forget it; it is almost dark. Stop practicing. Let us chat for a bit and wait for Xuan Huai to finish.”

Ji Xun Yue was naturally happy to slack off. She sat down beside Shi Yuan, hugging her legs as she watched Xuan Huai and her junior sister, chatting idly with him.

The evening breeze blew, and all was quiet. She suddenly felt that life in the Immortal Realm was quite good. She did not have to think about anything or manage anything; she only needed to be herself.

Xuan Huai’s gaze swept over occasionally, but as the sky was dim, she could not see his emotions clearly.

Shi Yuan was puzzled. “You failed your cultivation on the very first day, yet why do you look so happy?”

Ji Xun Yue laughed: “Contentment brings happiness. I suspect that life after becoming an immortal must be quite dull; otherwise, why would Martial Uncle want to take a disciple?”

Shi Yuan nodded, appearing thoughtful. “You are right. Thinking about it now, the days of cultivating were the happiest, the most painful, and the most unforgettable.”

He gazed into the distance, his expression growing quiet as if remembering something. When Shi Yuan was not smiling, he also looked cold; his rugged features held a daunting sharpness that was worlds apart from his actual personality.

For some reason, Ji Xun Yue felt very relaxed when spending time with Shi Yuan, whereas the atmosphere felt strange in front of Xuan Huai. She was not sure if it was because of her preconceived prejudice against him.

The two were silent for a moment before Ji Xun Yue broke the silence, asking tentatively: “Martial Uncle, can I ask you about someone?”

Shi Yuan said briskly: “Ask away.”

“In a few days, my junior sister and I might follow Imperial Princess Ling Ran to the lower realm. I wanted to ask,”

Shi Yuan nearly jumped up. “You want to ask me about Ling Ran?”

Ji Xun Yue nodded.

Shi Yuan’s voice was agitated: “What are you doing following her? I do not agree!”

Ji Xun Yue hurried to calm him: “It is not settled yet, but we might encounter her someday. I want to understand her first so I can handle it later.”

Shi Yuan sat in a huff and ignored her. Ji Xun Yue could not help but ask curiously: “Does Martial Uncle dislike Imperial Princess Ling Ran?”

Shi Yuan’s brows knit into a knot. After a moment of hesitation, he said: “No, I do not dislike her; I just do not want anyone to bother me.”

These words sounded familiar. Xuan Huai had said something similar; it seemed the two had their similarities.

Ji Xun Yue tested him: “Does Martial Uncle have someone he likes?”

Shi Yuan shot her a sidelong glance. “No.”

Ji Xun Yue understood. “I see; that means you used to have someone.”

Shi Yuan froze. “How did you know?”

“I guessed based on your reaction. Imperial Princess Ling Ran reminds you of the past, so you have been avoiding her.”

Shi Yuan laughed instead of getting angry. “You do not focus on cultivation, yet you are an expert at analyzing emotions.”

Ji Xun Yue smiled. Seeing Zhong Ling stand up, it appeared her cultivation session had ended. Thus, she also stood and brushed the dust off her clothes. “I imagine I do not need to say anything; Martial Uncle will be staying for dinner, right?”

Shi Yuan was still a bit moody, but his expression softened at the mention of dinner.

“Senior Sister, I think I have learned a little!” Before Ji Xun Yue could walk more than a few steps, Zhong Ling ran over excitedly.

Ji Xun Yue caught her, feeling very gratified. “As expected of you; you understand things instantly!”

Zhong Ling’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled innocently. “How about you, Senior Sister? I thought I heard that you finished your cultivation very early. Did you master it that quickly?”

Ji Xun Yue took Zhong Ling’s arm. “Senior Sister is not as smart as you; I haven’t quite grasped it yet.”

“Ahem.” Shi Yuan coughed awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed. He quickly changed the subject. “It is almost dark; let us talk while we walk.”

Ji Xun Yue gave a light laugh. Her gaze bypassed Zhong Ling and landed on Xuan Huai. He did not come over but stood by the steps leading down, waiting silently as the three of them talked, as if they were a single sect. Behind him was a sea of clouds dyed with the glow of sunset. As he stood with his back to the light, his expression was hidden in the shadows, looking quite lonely.

He was indeed disappointed. Because once again, she had chosen Shi Yuan. Every time she stood at a distance from him, she left him with a bit of unrealistic hope, only to shatter his expectations later.