After My Thoughts Were Read, My Master Led Me to Change My Fate - Chapter 48.1

“I haven’t wasted any time! Tsk, give me a little more time to observe! Have you remembered everything?”

“Come on.”

“Stubborn blockhead! A dead block of wood that won’t thaw even when in love! All of you with Ice Spirit Roots are wooden! You have dead fish brains!”

Although Xiao Wancheng was still chattering, the movements of her hands didn’t stop. Although the two had not cooperated for a long time, they were still a set of interconnected Formation Spirits, and the tacit understanding between them remained.

Almost simultaneously, flames spontaneously ignited in the air, and snowflakes slowly drifted down from the sky.

Many past doubts seemed to be resolved at this moment, and the wild remarks of the young girl in the formation added a certain thrust to her thoughts.

Lin Yuxue roared with an almost desperate craving: “I want to become an Immortal! I want to ascend to the Heavenly Realm! I want all of you to submit to me!”

The devil wielding the heavy bow frowned when he saw her, murmuring: “That old thing indeed still intends to trick this Venerable One. No wonder her cultivation advancement slowed down after leaving that place.”

And the person who was weak on her feet was also helped up by Helan. Looking at the person laughing wildly in the air, she lightly curved her lips: “A vicious dog will never have a conscience. However, I wonder what she went through under Wuyan’s command…”

Helan was completely bewildered and whispered, “Sister-Disciple, did you know she wasn’t dead long ago?”

“Yes, I was the one who let her go,” Ran Fanyin said in a relaxed voice. “I also know that Wuyan’s three disciples—the third one—is her.”

Helan said, “Ah? But judging from how things look now, she doesn’t seem like a disciple.”

“Who knows…”

These words naturally did not escape Ning Songwu, whose five senses were sharper than ordinary people. Although she was utterly confused, she slowly pieced together some of the truth. Subconsciously, she looked up at the person opposite her. Xiao Wancheng wore a tranquil look, unhurried, and even sported a slight smile.

It was at this moment that she heard two voices that almost overlapped—

“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

One came from the extremely weak Ran Fanyin behind her, and the other…

A little girl appeared out of thin air and sat on Lin Yuxue’s shoulder. The short blade in her hand slid along the girl’s neck, and she chuckled wickedly: “Sister, please don’t move. My hand is small, and I can’t hold this knife steadily.”

*Twenty-something years ago, in the Devil Palace*

Lately, the northern tribes of the Devil Race had been fighting again, which was already giving Fenghua a splitting headache. It just so happened that the so-called Wuyan Venerable Lord, who spoke of cooperating with them, said she brought something that would greatly interest her. Fenghua had no choice but to drag her nearly bursting brain to meet her.

Wuyan was the same as always, but a frail and pitiful small figure stood beside her. Upon seeing the newcomer, she instinctively flinched, appearing so utterly vulnerable that Fenghua could have crushed her with a single finger.

Fenghua casually flipped her cloak, hooked the girl’s face to examine it for a moment, then heavily flicked her away. “What’s the use of this? Is this the item you said this Venerable One would definitely like?”

“No, that’s not it. This old woman brought her here today only to use her as a wedge for our cooperation.”

Fenghua became interested and gently pinched the girl’s face. “What is she used for?”

“The use of holding this old woman’s life-gate. Is that acceptable?”

“Then this Venerable One must try it out.” Fenghua smiled and squatted down, gently tilting the girl’s chin. “What is your name?”

“San…” The girl hadn’t finished speaking before she furrowed her brow, in so much pain that she couldn’t make a sound.

A wave of spiritual energy took the opportunity to penetrate her Dantian. The Dantian, which had not yet circulated spiritual energy, was desolate and barren, but it could already be grasped by someone attempting to harm her. Fenghua turned her head to look at the person acting so well-mannered. Although Wuyan Venerable Lord did not speak, the sudden crease in her brows could not escape Fenghua’s eyes.

She couldn’t be faking it this well.

Fenghua slowly withdrew her spiritual energy and patted the little girl’s face again. “Not bad, you have great talent.” With that, she smiled faintly.

The little girl returned a smile, although it was still somewhat unpracticed.

“So, what is your name?”

“No. 3.”

Fenghua was stunned for a moment and shook her head. “That name is not good. How about this: from today onward, your name is Ye Qi. Is that alright?”

“Yes.” The little milky voice answered clearly.

“Ye Wu, Ye Liu, take her to that place.”

After the hall was completely emptied of people, Fenghua smiled. “Is Wuyan Venerable Lord satisfied with this Venerable One’s arrangement?”

“Whatever suits you. If she fails to become the true Ye Qi, then it is her fate.”

Fenghua looked at the person’s calm eyes, trying to spot a flaw, but the person before her was truly composed, not speaking a word, nor showing any expression.

Failing to glean anything, she chuckled lightly, “That’s good. You… must not blame this Venerable One.”

*A few years ago, in the Sky-Cloud Sect Dungeon*

Lin Yuxue sat slumped in a corner. Qin Mo had just taken away the ice bracelet that Ning Songwu gave her to suppress the bloodline backlash, and she was waiting for the next round of severe pain.

She knew how poor her physical condition was. Perhaps the next backlash would bring news of her death… Staying here was nothing more than being a pawn. Death might not be a bad choice.

Just then, the dungeon door was suddenly pushed open. Ran Fanyin gracefully walked in and stopped half a chi in front of Lin Yuxue. She half-squatted, “Long time no see, little Sister-Disciple’s daughter.”

Lin Yuxue narrowed her eyes and collected her thoughts for a moment, then hesitantly said, “Elder Ran?”

Was she starting to have pre-death hallucinations? Why would Ran Fanyin appear here?

The woman smiled lightly and said, “It is this Venerable One.”

“This Venerable One came this time because I have something to discuss with you.”

Lin Yuxue laughed self-deprecatingly. How could she still deserve the word “discuss”? She had to admit that the person before her had an excellent character; even at this point, she was still willing to talk to her nicely. She was not so ignorant of current affairs and said in a low voice, “Please speak.”

Ran Fanyin straightened up and said, “I suppose you know that the blood taken by those people on Green Leaf Peak was useful?”

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

Ran Fanyin paused, then shook her head. “No. Compared to others, your blood is not significantly different, and it is completely different even from the blood of people from the same place as you, including Yin Xi.”

Lin Yuxue slowly let out a greatly puzzled expression.

[Doesn’t she plan to say anything?]

[Well, there’s nothing she needs to tell me.]

[Forget it, I’ll go cultivate. One thing finishes, another starts, it’s so annoying.]

[Wait, how is it that judging by closeness, I am the closest? Besides, I’m so tired today…]

[Why should I give up my spot for that ugly peacock?]

Ning Songwu suppressed the surging blood in her chest and softly replied, “Master, I can walk by myself.”

Ran Fanyin’s hand, which was halfway extended, froze in mid-air and was retracted.

Ran Fanyin: People who say one thing and mean another are truly annoying.

She helped Ning Songwu and left through the doorway.

Chun Hua hurried a few steps, but the burden of her advanced age made it impossible for her to catch up with the two girls who weren’t walking slowly even at night. She could only call out from afar: “Miss, I cannot accept this money! Also, please take back the gift you gave my daughter, Miss.”

“No need.” Ran Fanyin stopped and said in a low voice, “It’s nothing valuable. Take it. Don’t chase us, or you’ll be discovered.”

The moonlight cast a shadow, and the gentle breeze rolled up her sleeves. The woman’s voice was clear and cold, causing people to break out in a cold sweat.

“Miss…” Chun Hua tried to speak again but was tugged by Xiao Tao’s sleeve.

Xiao Tao trembled and said, “Mother, didn’t we agree not to come?”

Just now, she had only shown her mother the item the Immortal Sister had given her. Her mother then insisted on coming, disregarding her objections, and even took her bracelet.

But that was a gift from the Sister.

Chun Hua rubbed her fingers. “What if we have offended the Immortal Master? Our family cannot afford it.”

Xiao Tao silently took back the crystal-clear, ice-carved bracelet from her worried mother’s hand, put it on her wrist, and tapped it lightly.

This was the method the Sister had taught her just now.

The little ice-person jumped out, cheerfully greeting her.

Xiao Tao remained silent, only wondering: why could her younger brother stay inside if he didn’t want to go out, but no matter what she said, her mother was unwilling to let the two sisters stay the night? If her brother had suggested it tonight, would her mother… immediately drive them away?

Something was sprouting in her small heart.

She slightly tilted her head, showing the bracelet and the little ice-person to Chun Hua, who was still staring blankly at the silver note. She said flatly, “Mother, the Sister in blue-green made this for me.”

“I just caught a glimpse; the Sister who kept wearing a hat seemed to have white hair.”

“Did we do something wrong? Shouldn’t we have let them leave?”

Chun Hua sighed heavily and shook her head without speaking.

[A girl properly dressed up is always better-looking than that…]

[Always wearing the same color scheme, Master must get tired of looking at it, right?]

[I don’t care. Although thinking this way might be bad… I want Master to look at me, just like on the day of the Grand Competition.]

[Hmph!]

[Master’s fingers are so long and warm, and the action of tucking my hair is so gentle.]

[What kind of hairstyle should Master do?]

In the Sky-Cloud Sect—

A disciple cleaning the open space in front of the Luo Yun Palace looked up and saw a flash of pink flutter over. She quickly lowered her head. “Greetings, Elder Helan.”

Helan Mianmian patted her shoulder. “Hello. You can come to Ruanxi Peak for practice when you have time.”

The disciple’s face stiffened. Entering the fighting arena on Ruanxi Peak alone required five qian of silver each time, and the price varied depending on the opponent. A disciple’s monthly stipend was only fifty liang, and Luo Yun Peak had many disciples without private monthly allowances.

Was Elder Helan treating this place like Chaomu Peak?

She heard that the sole personal disciple of Chaomu Peak was thrown into training every once in a while, specifically against the strongest and most expensive demon beasts of the same level. For a moment, she didn’t know whether to praise that Junior Sister’s strength or Elder Ran’s financial power.

Therefore, there was a reason everyone wanted to work as odd-jobbers on Chaomu Peak!

Unfortunately, that Peak had not welcomed miscellaneous people since the previous Peak Master’s time. It was a pity.

Helan Mianmian merely greeted everyone she saw as a routine, and without waiting for a reply, she floated away leisurely, heading straight for the main hall.

She knocked symbolically, then pushed the door open and entered.

The person sitting at the desk, processing work, was startled and looked up. Seeing that it was her, she stretched her slightly sore neck and frowned slightly. “Don’t come straight in next time.”

“Peak Master Sister-Disciple~ If there were someone, I definitely wouldn’t come. I’m not a kitten without any cultivation anymore,” Helan said, finding a chair to sit on and lightly tapping the table. “Sister-Disciple, it’s time to return the book.”

Cen Ran was stunned. “What book?”

“Cold Moon Spring Snow,” which I gave you last month. Didn’t you say you’d return it after reading it?”

Cen Ran’s expression was slightly awkward. How was she supposed to say that she hadn’t read the book before Ran Fanyin saw it and claimed it? Especially since, seeing the author was her old friend ‘Chuwu,’ whose quality was guaranteed, she just took it away.

She wondered who was so shocked by Chuwu that their tongue got tied back then.

The person who was ‘Chuwu’ herself was now sitting opposite her.

Helan propped up her chin and leaned in a bit, sniffing casually. “Sister-Disciple, you didn’t lose it, did you?”

“N-no… I lent it out. I’ll get it back and send it to you later. Why did you come to fetch the book today? Where is Su Ye?”

The kitten rubbed her temples. “Ah Sheng is about to break through, and Su Ye is guarding her. The others don’t know the situation, so only I could come.”

Cen Ran was surprised. “Breaking through to the Golden Core? She’s actually faster than Junior-Disciple Ning.”

“What are you saying? Little Ning’er is being suppressed from breaking through. Don’t change the subject. Hurry up and return the book. I haven’t done the proofreading yet.”

Helan narrowed her eyes. “Something’s not right! Who would borrow a book from you, and such a private one? Has your eldest disciple started developing feelings? Or who?”

“In short, I can return it to you in a few days, okay?”

“Not okay. Since it was lent out, bring it back today.” With that, the kitten leaned back in her chair, fully intending to be soft and throw a tantrum.

After all, the two of them had interacted this way for centuries. She had long figured out Cen Ran’s temperament, and her actions were still within Cen Ran’s acceptable range.

Cen Ran looked at the person before her, and the balance in her heart was increasingly tilting…

No, wait, her balance had never been straight.

But should she be unprincipled just this once?

Anyway, there was no loyalty to speak of between her and Ran Fanyin.

Cen Ran cleared her throat and said calmly, “The person who borrowed the book went down the mountain. I really can only return it in a few days.”

“That excuse of yours… What?!”

The kitten was so shocked that a pair of ears popped out from the top of her head, and she sprang out of the chair. “Was it that person?”

Cen Ran nodded.

“Was it really that person?”

Cen Ran nodded seriously.

“Cen Ran, did you not even look at what I wrote this time!!!” A cat tail suddenly sprouted out.

Cen Ran… hesitated and nodded.

Helan howled in agony, poofing back into her original form. Her clothes and accessories were collected into the pendant hanging around her neck, and she ran away without looking back, not forgetting to leave a message—

“If you dare let her know that I wrote it, I will never speak to you in this life!!”

“Not in the next life either!!”

“Nor the one after that!!”

Cen Ran rubbed her temples and smiled helplessly.

Cultivators cultivate this life and this world; where would there be opportunities or fate in the next life? This was truly a severe accusation.

It seemed she couldn’t lend any more of ‘Chuwu’s’ works to Ran Fanyin in the future. If she wanted to read them, she should buy them herself.

Speaking of which, that miser had been freeloading her books for a year!

When she returns, she must make her pay for them!

Yueping Town, Inn—

A knock on the door sounded with a regular rhythm. Ning Songwu quickly tidied herself up, rested for a moment, and then went to open the door. Outside were an inn waiter, bowing, leading the way, and an ‘Immortal Envoy.’

The Immortal Envoy was dressed in a standard dark-colored Taoist robe, his hair fully bound and wearing a crown, holding a black sword, and wearing a lotus pendant on his chest. Ning Songwu had observed him on the street earlier; he was easy to recognize.

Seeing her, the man took out five liang of silver and handed it to the waiter. The waiter quickly left with his head down. Only when the aura had completely disappeared did the man say in a low voice, “Greetings, fellow Taoist. My name is Ye Su. May I ask for the Taoist’s name?”

“Why should I tell you?”