After Killing Me, The Ruthless Sword Venerate Went Mad - Chapter 10

As one of the five major sects, the Shangqing Sword Sect possessed deep heritage and foundation. They had numerous martial arts practice grounds like the one they were currently on. However, the locations used for daily training were mostly branch arenas, whereas the main training ground was said to be far vaster, reserved for major occasions such as sect examinations and Grand Competitions.

Even so, for a mere branch training ground, Bai Xiaoxiao looked up only to see an expanse that seemed to stretch endlessly.

If compared to modern standards, this wasn’t just a running track—it was easily the size of an entire school campus.

And a place this large was still just a branch field.

While Bai Xiaoxiao was still lost in astonishment, the little children had already taken their places automatically. She looked left and right, sinking into deep thought.

If I leave right now, is it too late?

Just as the thought surfaced, Bai Xiaoxiao noticed a streak of spiritual light flash rapidly from the distance. Looking closely, she saw that it was the elder who was about to conduct the lesson.

Evidently, it was too late to leave.

This elder had white hair and a youthful complexion, possessing a deep, severe, and cold aura that immediately gave her the unsettling illusion of facing a high school dean.

Bai Xiaoxiao felt a chill run down her spine and sucked in a breath, praying that the elder wouldn’t notice her.

Unfortunately, her hopes were quickly dashed. She watched helplessly as the elder’s sharp, falcon-like gaze locked right onto her, his brows furrowing tightly.

The training ground became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Bai Xiaoxiao’s body stiffened, and she braced herself, opening her mouth to say she would leave immediately.

Before she could speak, however, a stern voice thundered out, “You over there! Why haven’t you found a spot and stood in place? And what is that ridiculous, messy outfit you’re wearing? How can you train in such cumbersome clothing? Change out of it immediately!”

Bai Xiaoxiao blinked in daze, “Ah? But… I…”

She stammered, trying to explain.

Yet the elder offered her no chance to explain, his expression growing fierce, “What are you dazed for? Are you planning to make everyone wait for you alone?”

Bai Xiaoxiao’s words of explanation were forced right back down her throat. She quietly shut her mouth, sighing inwardly as she took off the fox-fur coat on her shoulders and set it aside.

Even so, the clothing she was wearing underneath was still unsuitable for physical training.

Bai Xiaoxiao’s sharp eyes caught a vein throbbing on the elder’s forehead. Not daring to delay any longer, she obediently stood off to the side. The little child next to her cast a quick glance her way, a look of sympathy flickering in their eyes.

Getting caught for breaking rules by the teacher on the very first day of school was indeed pretty tragic…

Bai Xiaoxiao grumbled internally, though on the surface she maintained a picture of complete obedience, staring straight ahead and not daring to glance around.

Perhaps afraid of wasting class time, although the elder kept frowning, he ultimately didn’t say anything more.

Bai Xiaoxiao let out a breath of relief, but she quickly realized she had exhaled too soon.

Because this class turned out to be a sword technique lesson.

Bai Xiaoxiao looked at the wooden sword handed to her, her face filled with hesitation.

As a mere spiritual pet and not an actual disciple of the Sword Sect, could she really learn sword techniques along with them?

Before she could clarify her situation with the elder, however, everyone had already been paired up and instructed to practice.

Learning sword techniques didn’t start with complex moves; it began with the monotonous repetition of basic stances. Yet as a transfer student, even these basic movements left her completely baffled. Unsurprisingly, she drew the instruction elder’s glaring attention once again.

Bearing a gaze that sent chills down her spine, Bai Xiaoxiao stumbled through a whole class of sword technique practice. Even though she tried her hardest to follow along, her movements were so clunky that even the young children outperformed her.

By the time the elder announced the end of the lesson, her arms were so sore she couldn’t even raise her hands.

Yet, this still wasn’t the end. The little children were already bouncing around, warming up.

An ominous foreboding rose in Bai Xiaoxiao’s heart. Soon after, Fushui—who had specifically come over to find her—informed her that they still had to run laps around the training field and could only leave once finished.

“How many laps?”

Bai Xiaoxiao’s voice trembled slightly.

Fushui offered a comforting look, “Not many, not many. Just five laps.”

Bai Xiaoxiao’s vision went dark.

Fushui stood on tiptoe and patted her shoulder, “Sister, don’t be afraid. You’ll get used to it over time!”

It sounded like the whisper of a demon; Bai Xiaoxiao felt as if she were one foot into the underworld.

Furthermore, the instruction elder watched everyone like a hawk, intending to personally monitor them until they completed the training.

For some reason, Bai Xiaoxiao felt that the gaze landing on her was exceptionally strict. Recalling the earlier events, she guessed the elder had definitely singled her out.

Fushui had already finished warming up and was ready to go. Bai Xiaoxiao scrambled up, mimicking their movements to stretch, before numbly falling into line behind the little children to start running.

The group of kids clearly had experience; they ran with boundless energy and determined expressions on their faces.

After one lap, Bai Xiaoxiao’s mind was completely blank.

After two laps, Bai Xiaoxiao felt lightheaded and dizzy.

After three laps, Bai Xiaoxiao’s eyes were totally hollow…

By the time the five laps ended, Bai Xiaoxiao collapsed limply onto the ground, staring blankly into the sky as she pondered the true meaning of life.

“System, am I really here just to complete tasks?”

System: “Host, cultivation is beneficial to your own body as well. Please endure it a bit!”

Slacking off during mountain climbs usually meant instant karma like this. The elder set high standards and forbade anyone from taking breaks midway. Bai Xiaoxiao, having barely managed to finish the run, felt her breathing turn extremely ragged. Her throat burned with a stinging pain, as if tasting copper.

After running these laps, she had essentially turned into a broken shell of a person. With trembling hands and shaking legs, she couldn’t even stand up.

In contrast, the group of children still seemed to have energy to spare.

Little Fushui huffed and puffed, dragging her tired body over to her side. Her large eyes were filled with worry, “Sister, are you alright?”

Bai Xiaoxiao lay there lifelessly, looking as if her soul were floating out of her mouth.

After a long while, she asked with great difficulty, “Little Fushui… do you all have to do this kind of practice every single day?”

Fushui nodded, recalling, “We started doing this ever since we enrolled! Though at first it was twice every seven days, then three times every seven days, and eventually it became once a day. Elder Ten is very strict—in the beginning, we were all scared to tears by her.”

“Elder Ten?”

“She was our teacher today! Elder Ten is an elder from the Discipline Hall, but my Master says if she isn’t fierce, she wouldn’t be able to deter bad people.”

“No wonder… so she’s an elder from the Discipline Hall,” Bai Xiaoxiao muttered to herself.

After chatting briefly, Bai Xiaoxiao repeatedly assured Fushui that she wasn’t going to pass away and urged her to leave first, knowing the little girl still had to study back at Medical Peak.

Fushui sighed like a little adult and left the training field full of concern. She indeed had a lot of coursework left and hadn’t studied pharmacology with her Master today yet, so she couldn’t stay for long.

Bai Xiaoxiao waved her hand silently, watching this tiny overachiever leave.

After sprawling on the training ground for a while, a shadow fell over her. Bai Xiaoxiao struggled to look up; it was Ming Jingqiu.

She forced a weak smile and spoke breathlessly, “Fellow Daoist… Ming… Please… carry me back… Thank you…”

Facing the corpse-like Bai Xiaoxiao, the corner of Ming Jingqiu’s lips twitched slightly.

Originally, she had intended to head to the classroom to pick her up, but she ran into some trouble and couldn’t make it in time.

By the time she handled the matter and rushed to the classroom, it was completely empty. Sensing carefully, she was surprised to find that Bai Xiaoxiao’s location was actually at the training ground.

Ming Jingqiu had rushed over full of doubts, only to see Bai Xiaoxiao running laps mixed in among a crowd of children.

A look at the instruction elder—great, it was Elder Ten.

Then it was no surprise.

Ming Jingqiu landed beside Bai Xiaoxiao with a look of sympathy, but hearing her nearly breathless voice still shocked her a little.

Fearing an accident might happen to her, she hurriedly scooped up the limp girl and headed back toward Wangyue Peak.

Bai Xiaoxiao rested peacefully as she was carried, offering no reaction whatsoever, looking just like a corpse.

When the two arrived at Wangyue Peak, Shen Zhiyue was currently guiding Rong Qingqing in sword practice. Master and disciple shared a harmonious atmosphere.

Ming Jingqiu paused her footsteps for a moment, then approached normally while carrying Bai Xiaoxiao.

“Greetings, Master.”

Seeing Bai Xiaoxiao hanging half-dead on Ming Jingqiu, Shen Zhiyue’s brow furrowed slightly. She stepped forward, teleporting over to take the girl into her arms.

“What happened?”

Ming Jingqiu lowered her gaze and answered, “After finishing her classroom lessons today, Fellow Daoist Bai also attended Elder Ten’s sword technique class.”

With just that single sentence, Shen Zhiyue understood everything completely.

She cast a strange, peculiar look at Bai Xiaoxiao, who was leaning against her like a boneless sack. After brief consideration, she spoke to Rong Qingqing, who was waiting nearby: “You may take your leave for today. If you encounter anything you do not understand, ask Jingqiu first.”

A flicker of displeasure flashed across the depths of Rong Qingqing’s eyes, but she quickly hid it away, nodding with a smile as bright as a flower, “Yes, Master.”

She then looked at Bai Xiaoxiao with concern, “Is Sister Xiaoxiao alright, though?”

Shen Zhiyue did not elaborate, saying simply, “She is fine. You two may leave.”

Rong Qingqing swallowed down the remaining words in her mouth and nodded obediently.

Ming Jingqiu had already bowed and taken her leave a step ahead.

Rong Qingqing’s eyes flickered, and she quickly followed behind her.

“Senior Sister, wait.”

Ming Jingqiu paused and stopped indifferently, “What is it, Junior Sister?”

Rong Qingqing tilted her head up, asking with innocent curiosity, “Senior Sister, how did Sister Xiaoxiao end up with you?”

Ming Jingqiu remained expressionless, “Master ordered me to send her to Qiuzhi Peak for classes.”

Rong Qingqing’s expression stiffened before quickly restoring itself. She spoke softly, “Master… seems to care a lot about Sister Xiaoxiao. Senior Sister, do you think Master wants to accept another disciple?” A look of worry appeared on her face, “I don’t mind it myself, but I fear that if Sister Xiaoxiao truly becomes Master’s disciple, you will inevitably have to take care of her in the future. Wouldn’t that delay your own cultivation time?”

Ming Jingqiu’s eyes flickered slightly, her gaze cast down, “That has nothing to do with me. Master’s decisions have their own reasons. Junior Sister, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave. Farewell.”

With that, she turned into a streak of spiritual light and vanished into the distance.

Rong Qingqing gritted her teeth, barely holding back an angry mutter about how foolish her senior sister was.

This Ming Jingqiu had a cold and rigid personality, just like a stone. Whether Rong Qingqing intentionally tried to get close or subtlely put her down, the other party always acted completely indifferent, which was truly infuriating.

Suppressing the churning emotions in her heart, Rong Qingqing stood in silence for a moment before turning away as well.

…

Meanwhile, at the summit of Wangyue Peak, Bai Xiaoxiao felt unbearable soreness all over her body. She was somewhat hazy about what had just transpired. By the time her consciousness fully cleared, she realized her body felt exceptionally warm, and the faint sound of splashing water echoed in her ears.

Opening her eyes, she realized it wasn’t an illusion—she was currently sitting inside a hot spring.

Warm spiritual spring water submerged her body, causing all her pores to open up and instantly relieving her weak, aching muscles.

However, just as she let out a sigh of comfort, she suddenly realized something was off.

She was currently leaning against Shen Zhiyue’s chest. The two of them were completely stripped of clothes, their skin touching, feeling scalding hot.

Bai Xiaoxiao looked up and caught sight of the night sky; it was already nighttime.

Shen Zhiyue must have brought her to the hot spring. Sensing the comfort returning to her body, Bai Xiaoxiao realized that hot springs in the cultivation world were indeed different from modern ones.

“Wangyue Peak actually has a hot spring?” Bai Xiaoxiao murmured under her breath.

Perhaps because she had soaked for a while, she felt her strength returning. She sat up slightly, creating some distance between herself and the woman behind her.

It was truly an overly honest encounter. Even though the two had been intimate many times, the thought of Shen Zhiyue wearing no clothes still made her feel flustered and embarrassed.

“You overexerted yourself during training. If you did not soak in the spiritual spring water, you wouldn’t even be able to get up tomorrow. This hot spring is my personal property… if your body feels unwell in the future, you may come again.” Shen Zhiyue spoke in a soft, low voice.

Bai Xiaoxiao paused. Before she could ponder whether there was any hidden meaning behind those words, her back was suddenly touched gently.

A finger, almost playful in nature, lightly slid down her spine. It trailed all the way down until it touched her tailbone, making Bai Xiaoxiao shudder violently.

A month of intimacy was more than enough for them to become thoroughly familiar with each other’s bodies.

Bai Xiaoxiao had never known before that being touched at the base of the spine could trigger such an intense sensation.

The dense mist continued to rise and vaporize around them. At a certain moment, a crisp splash of water rang out.

Unable to endure it any longer, Bai Xiaoxiao turned around and caught the hand causing mischief on her back.

“Sovereign, you are teasing me again,” she said softly.

Shen Zhiyue’s expression was cold and aloof, yet her eyes, veiled by the dense mist, seemed to ripple like water, full of unspoken desire.

Bai Xiaoxiao’s heart trembled, and she unconsciously swallowed.

She read undeniable lust in those eyes, which meant…

Shen Zhiyue wanted her.

Bai Xiaoxiao’s breath hitched.

She thought to herself that Shen Zhiyue truly knew how to arouse her desire. With just a single glance, her heart would pound uncontrollably, drowning in the passion reflected in those eyes.

“You like it very much, do you not?”

Shen Zhiyue’s lips curled up slightly into a rare smile, resembling a snow lotus slowly coming into bloom. Even though her hand had been caught, she didn’t pull it back; instead, she reached out her other hand to stroke Bai Xiaoxiao’s cheek.

Bai Xiaoxiao’s heart quivered. Drowning in that rare, breathtaking smile, she subconsciously nuzzled into the palm of her hand.

The hand caressing her face was dripping wet, water droplets falling off it continuously as she raised it. Feeling the warm moisture, Bai Xiaoxiao stared intently at her.

Gazing at a beauty through the water mist held an entirely unique charm.

Shen Zhiyue rarely smiled on ordinary days, yet at this moment, she seemed to have been softened by the hot spring. Like melting ice and snow, her smile felt as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Splash—

Using the buoyancy of the spring water, Bai Xiaoxiao swam toward Shen Zhiyue, easily pressing up against her until their faces met and their noses touched.

Her long hair floated evenly across the water surface behind her due to her forward movement, bobbing with the ripples. Bai Xiaoxiao reached out to brush away the few strands of hair hanging over her chest, then naturally ran her hand along the side of Shen Zhiyue’s neck down to her back.

In this half-embracing posture, Bai Xiaoxiao could easily sense any reaction from the person in her arms, even the slightest tremor.

Where her fingertips touched felt like fine mutton-fat jade, making one linger continuously. Bai Xiaoxiao didn’t stop her movements, continuing her touch down the spine and feeling the trembling of the woman in her arms grow larger.

“Sovereign, does it feel good?” Bai Xiaoxiao pressed against her cheek, whispering softly in her ear as if getting revenge for the teasing moments ago.

Shen Zhiyue didn’t speak, her lips lightly bitten to block the sounds about to escape her throat.

Bai Xiaoxiao pressed close to her, slowing her movements after a few moments to gently rub against her face in comfort.

She still couldn’t bear to let the woman suffer, even if this was merely a form of foreplay.

Her fingertips finally left the sensitive spine, turning their attention toward other places instead.

Having soaked in the hot spring for a long time, both of their body temperatures had aligned, yet when Bai Xiaoxiao touched there, she still felt an extraordinary warmth.

Warm, and incredibly soft.

“Not here.”

The fingertips that were about to move suddenly froze. Bai Xiaoxiao pulled away from her neck, asking softly, “Why? Sovereign, this is spiritual spring water. Even if it gets inside a little, it won’t hurt.”

Shen Zhiyue’s face was flush with passion, which she tried her best to suppress. Taking a light breath, she opened her mouth to say, “Here… it is not allowed.”

She didn’t offer a reason, only saying it wasn’t allowed, but looking closely at her face, Bai Xiaoxiao realized she was actually more embarrassed than anything else.

Bai Xiaoxiao smiled. Her usually innocent and obedient face carried a hint of temptation as she whispered softly, “But Sovereign, don’t you want to try it here?”

While asking with her mouth, her fingers had already begun to move. Thus, the words Shen Zhiyue hadn’t spoken turned into waves of soft panting, sounding restrained and suppressed.

Due to the stimulation, her body began to flush with a delicate shade of pink, presenting a captivating sight.

Bai Xiaoxiao knew this meant tacit consent, so her lingering fingertips finally found their mark.

The warm spiritual spring water held many benefits—whether for treating injuries or cultivation, and sometimes it even helped calm the mind. Shen Zhiyue was usually quite happy to come here for that purpose.

Today, however, the mind-calming effect vanished completely. The warm stream of water entered her body in an unbelievable manner, making her feel flustered and embarrassed while simultaneously trembling uncontrollably out of excitement.

Shen Zhiyue’s gaze gradually lost focus, low whimpers escaping her lips.

“Sovereign…” Bai Xiaoxiao murmured softly, leaning in every now and then to nuzzle her slender neck, soothing the woman whose emotions were turbulent.

The continuous sound of splashing water echoed softly. The person in her arms suddenly tightened her hold around Bai Xiaoxiao, before the strength slowly relented moments later.

Bai Xiaoxiao turned her head, lightly biting her rounded earlobe, licking it casually.

The fair earlobe quickly turned pink, flushing red under the continuous stimulation.

The side of Shen Zhiyue’s ear was very sensitive. Bai Xiaoxiao loved giving her more stimulation at times like this, feeling satisfied as she watched her back tense straight up.

It was truly, unbelievably beautiful.

Hot springs are indeed wonderful, Bai Xiaoxiao mused in her heart.

Gradually, the hot spring pool regained its quiet peace.

The two remained in an embrace, enjoying this brief moment of tenderness.

After an unknown period, Shen Zhiyue’s voice sounded softly, “How were things at the classroom today?”

Bai Xiaoxiao froze for a moment, not expecting her to ask. Tactfully letting go of her, she retreated to a suitable distance before replying, “It was… alright, I suppose.”

She spoke, feeling a bit awkward, “I wasn’t used to it at first, but thankfully Fushui was there. Talking with her made it less awkward.”

Shen Zhiyue nodded calmly, and after a long silence, she suddenly spoke up, “You seem to get along well with Elder Chen’s disciple.”

Bai Xiaoxiao blinked, hesitating slightly, unsure whether she should say she got along well or not.

After a moment of thought, she replied, “Because Fushui is usually the one who delivers medicine, we chatted briefly a few times. It can’t be considered that close… right?”

Shen Zhiyue had already closed her eyes.

Bai Xiaoxiao carefully observed her expression, but couldn’t tell what Shen Zhiyue was thinking, so she tactfully shut her mouth.

“Do you want to learn the sword?”

The voice suddenly sounded out. Caught off guard, Bai Xiaoxiao froze, “I…”

She wanted to say no, and that going to the sword technique class today was purely an accident. Yet before the words could leave her mouth, she hesitated.

A moment of silence spoke volumes. Just as Bai Xiaoxiao snapped out of it and tried to cover up her response, a loud splash sounded.

Shen Zhiyue had already left the hot spring. When she looked up, the other woman was already ashore and getting dressed.

Bai Xiaoxiao paddled the water, feeling she had soaked enough. The sore, aching feeling in her body had completely vanished, leaving her feeling refreshed and comfortable.

So she followed suit, heading toward the shore to get out.

Just as she was about to climb out, a long sword suddenly appeared right in front of her.

Bai Xiaoxiao froze completely, looking up at Shen Zhiyue in bewilderment, “Sovereign, what is… this for?”

Shen Zhiyue looked down at her from above, her long eyelashes cast down, throwing a light shadow beneath her eyes.

“This sword is named Cangqing. It was given to me by my Master when I first began learning. Today, I give it to you. You—do you not wish to learn the sword?”

Bai Xiaoxiao was completely stunned, never expecting that Shen Zhiyue would actually give her a sword—and her very first sword at that, one with immense significance.

Overwhelmed, she subconsciously wanted to decline, but the woman in front of her suddenly leaned down, “If you wish to learn it, then go learn it. With me around, you do not need to overthink or worry about anything else.”

Bai Xiaoxiao felt her ears burn hot. Meeting Shen Zhiyue’s calm gaze, a spark of fire seemed to ignite in her heart.

Taking hold of the long sword, she spoke softly, “Thank you, Sovereign.”

Shen Zhiyue nodded, “Mm. It is late, let us return.”

Bai Xiaoxiao hurriedly moved to get out, but a gust of night wind blew past, causing her to shiver from the cold.

Before she could find something to dry herself with, her body instantly became dry, and her clothes were neatly put on her.

Shen Zhiyue had used her spiritual energy to dry her off instantly.

Bai Xiaoxiao pulled her cloak tightly around herself, blocking out the night wind, and quickly followed behind.

Only now did she realize that this hot spring was actually located on the mountain peak as well. It was just that she rarely wandered around, and the area seemed to be protected by a barrier, preventing easy entry.

It was likely Shen Zhiyue’s private hot spring.

With that thought, Bai Xiaoxiao paused her steps, looking up at the silhouette of the woman walking ahead, letting out a soft sigh.

Shen Zhiyue had a cold and distant personality and rarely spoke on ordinary days, yet she was as good to her as anyone could possibly be.

Bai Xiaoxiao constantly warned herself in her heart, but the effect of those warnings grew weaker by the day. Up until this moment, those tender feelings had already sprouted like bamboo shoots after a rain, growing wildly out of control.