Even If You're My Senior, It's Still Forbidden - Chapter 4

“Junior Sister, please sit and eat.”

“Sister, you’ve prepared such a lavish meal today. Do you usually eat like this?” Su Jin’an spoke with an innocent and harmless tone, giving no hint of anything amiss.

Ji Weining didn’t quite grasp her meaning and simply replied with a smile, “I’ve long since abstained from grains and seldom eat.”

Su Jin’an suddenly remembered that this was no longer the mortal realm, yet she had been viewing everything through a mortal’s perspective. Realizing this, she narrowed her eyes and looked at her, asking with a smile, “So, Sister, you prepared this especially for me?”

“Of course. If not for you, who else would I cook for?”

Su Jin’an could tell at a glance the thought behind the dishes on the table, she recognized them all as delicacies from various regions of the mortal world, subtly sensing Ji Weining’s intentions. However, she had long lost her appetite for such food and could never muster any interest in it, merely eating enough to sustain herself.

She had considered telling her senior sister about her true identity, but what good would it do? It would only cause trouble without any benefit, so it was better left unsaid. If she were to return now, she would likely struggle to protect herself.

“These dishes are all ones I learned to make while traveling,” Ji Weining explained. Of course, she had deliberately studied them, gaining some understanding of local customs along the way, though the vastness of the mortal world was something she could never fully comprehend.

“Please try them and see which one suits your taste.”

Su Jin’an followed her suggestion and sampled each dish without hesitation, tasting every one. This made it impossible for Ji Weining to discern her preferences, leading her to muse that perhaps her junior sister was easy to please not picky and willing to eat anything.

She tasted every variety of side dish on the table without showing any favoritism, simply taking one bite of each. She even remained perfectly composed while eating spicy peppers, treating every dish exactly the same!

Ji Weining’s heart churned with turmoil, but she maintained her composure and asked, “Junior Sister, which of these dishes do you find most delicious?”

Su Jin’an pursed her lips, savoring the soup her senior sister had personally prepared. Her lips, moistened by the broth, glistened. She paused for a moment as if in thought, then lifted her bright eyes to gaze directly at the person before her. “Since Sister made them, I think they’re all delicious.”

Ji Weining was momentarily speechless, suddenly feeling like a despicable person. From the very beginning, her intentions in cooking hadn’t been entirely pure, and now she was still testing her junior sister in such a petty way.

[Focus on winning over your junior sister!]

That voice echoed in her mind once more. Ji Weining, who had been haunted by it for two hundred years, now felt an overwhelming urge to ignore it completely.

How could her junior sister possibly bring calamity to the world? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Narrowing her eyes, she suppressed the divine voice with a spell seal and said, “If Junior Sister likes it, I will cook for you every day.”

“I also brought some candied fruits for you to try,” Ji Weining added, pulling out the dried fruits and preserves she had bought at the market from her sleeve. “I usually snack on them to pass the time.”

After accompanying her through the meal and washing the dishes, Ji Weining asked, “Would you like to take a walk around the sect?”

It occurred to her that she hadn’t yet shown her junior sister around or let her see the scenery here.

“I’ve yet to see the sights of the sect. If Senior Sister is willing to take me, I’d naturally love to have a look.” Su Jin’an’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. Having been here for a day now, the external injuries on her body had already been treated by Ji Weining, leaving only symptoms that couldn’t be detected without a thorough examination.

“Then I’ll take you to see them today.”

Ji Weining had been waiting for the right moment to show her around. She asked, “Would you like to meet the people in the sect?”

“Given my current state, wouldn’t it.” Su Jin’an bit her lip, her eyes flickering slightly before she continued, “invite gossip among the sect members?”

“Don’t worry, Junior Sister. Few in the sect dare to offend those of us from Qianling Residence.” Qianling Residence was in charge of the sect’s medicinal herbs. Cutting off the herb supply would mean cutting off half of the sect’s lifeline. The sect had always been cautious of Qianling Residence, especially since it was the disciples of Qianling Residence who had supported the sect centuries ago, before its decline to its current state.

After some thought, Su Jin’an decided it wasn’t necessary to meet anyone yet. With so many eyes and ears around, it was better to stay in Qianling Residence for now. “Let’s hold off for now. I’ll wait until my cultivation reaches at least half that of the other disciples before meeting anyone.”

“Very well.” Ji Weining understood her concerns. In this world of cultivation, strength was paramount, and power spoke for itself. Without it, how could one assert themselves? She feared that others might try to take advantage of Qingheng Mountain in the future.

With a wave of her hand, Ji Weining cast an invisibility spell on Su Jin’an. Chanting an incantation, she summoned a bamboo flute from her sleeve. Su Jin’an remained calm, unsurprised by this, and simply watched Ji Weining’s next moves.

Ji Weining wrapped one arm around Su Jin’an’s waist, lifting her effortlessly. She pulled her close, letting Su Jin’an stand in front of her. Su Jin’an was slightly shorter than Ji Weining, her face level with Ji Weining’s shoulder. They stood atop the bamboo flute, which was enveloped in a layer of spiritual energy, forming an invisible platform. To outsiders, none of this was visible, only the two of them could see each other and the world outside.

“Hold on tight.”

“Mm.” Su Jin’an reached out and wrapped her arms around Ji Weining’s waist.

This was the first time anyone had held Ji Weining like this. She felt a strange sensation, a soft pressure against her collarbone likely from Su Jin’an’s chest. She had glimpsed it vaguely on the night they first met. Unconsciously, the tips of her ears flushed red. Having grown up in the sect with strict rules and discipline, she had read plenty of leisure books but still had only a vague understanding of certain matters. Even so, her intuition told her something.

Clearing her throat twice, she feigned composure to ensure her companion wouldn’t detect her wandering thoughts. She guided the bamboo flute, gradually lifting off the ground until they were suspended in mid-air. Below them lay the majestic landscape of Qingheng Mountain, shaped over centuries, with five peaks towering above the hills and valleys. At their feet was Qianling Residence, nestled deep within the innermost mountain. Nearby, a flat area on the mountainside was covered in a dense bamboo forest, while two outer peaks flanked the sect’s main gate.

Ji Weining explained, “Below is the full view of Qingheng Mountain. There are five main halls in total. We belong to Qianling Residence, responsible for the sect’s medicinal herbs. We’ve always stayed out of the conflicts and battles. The bamboo forest is the Shadow Pavilion, where the talisman masters reside. The tallest peak is Qingheng Peak, the main hall. The two peaks by the gate: the left is Sword Peak, for sword practitioners, and the right is Formation Peak, for formation masters.”

Hearing this, Su Jin’an frowned slightly. This was not quite what she had imagined a sect to be like.

Ji Weining felt she was worrying over these matters for nothing. “But it’s not like we’ll have much contact anyway. We only see each other if some situation arises.”

She normally didn’t enjoy interacting with these people, but due to her master’s instructions, she would still go on missions with them.

When Su Jin’an was at home, she had heard about matters related to sects. Generally, each sect had its own path of cultivation. For example, the world’s second-ranked sect, Changyang Sect, was famous for pursuing the Dao through blade techniques. The third-ranked sect, Fanyin Sect, all pursued the Dao through zither music. Some sects had faded from prominence centuries ago. Qingheng Sect only appeared at the decadal Five Lakes Assembly, consistently taking first place and firmly maintaining its position as the world’s top sect.

She asked in confusion, “Don’t all sects practice one specific art to enter the Dao?”

Ji Weining explained, “Generally, that’s the case. Qingheng Mountain was originally a weak minor sect, known for the Thousand Spirit Residence’s healing techniques. Five hundred years ago, after a great war caused sects to scatter everywhere, Qingheng Mountain took in practitioners from other sects who came here.”

“Later, a group of demonic cultivators launched a fierce attack on Qingheng Mountain, attempting to break the formation controlling the Demon Abyss. The members of Thousand Spirit Residence sacrificed themselves to activate the mountain protection formation, thus preserving the sect. The other sects that had come here remained and became part of Qingheng Mountain.”

“That was when our grandmaster was still sect leader. He was severely injured in the battle and passed away not long after. Since then, the leadership position has been handed to the current sect leader. I heard our master’s injuries also date from that time.” Ji Weining hadn’t been born five hundred years ago, but having lived here for many years, she knew these events clearly.

“Master only has the two of us as disciples. The place isn’t much larger than what you’ve already seen.” Qingheng Mountain wasn’t particularly big.

“Master has already reached the half-step to immortality, so no one in the sect dares to contradict him. If you need anything, just say the word. Master prefers tranquility and has always been companion to medicinal herbs. He doesn’t interfere much, usually having us study independently from books.”

This was how Ji Weining had learned everything. She remembered when she grew up, her master had given her stacks of books covering various subjects. Eventually, she studied medicine, and finding musical instruments beautiful, she also learned music. Later, she won the Five Lakes Competition 180 years ago with her bamboo flute, making her famous.

“But now you have your senior sister to teach you. I definitely won’t let you stumble along like I did.” Though saying she “stumbled” wasn’t entirely accurate, as she could comprehend the contents of those books at a glance.

“Alright.” Su Jin’an also sensed that Qingheng Sect wasn’t as mysterious as the rumors suggested. It was actually, quite interesting.

“Let me take you down to have a look.”

Ji Weining helped the person in front of her descend, activating an invisibility spell. She couldn’t leave her side. Ji Weining grasped her hand. A warm palm pressed against a hand cold as ice. Before Su Jin’an could react, her dazed eyes looked back at her.

Ji Weining: “You can’t leave my side.”

Su Jin’an: “Huh?”

Ji Weining: “The spell will break.”

Su Jin’an clasped her hand in return, their palms meeting. This wasn’t the kind of action one would casually do with just anyone. What exactly was their relationship now? Were they still just senior and junior sister?

“I heard Thousand Spirit Residence has a new junior sister.” A discussing voice came from behind. Su Jin’an’s body stiffened. Could this invisibility method have any drawbacks? Her heart tightened, and she gripped Ji Weining’s hand harder.

A warm palm conveyed its heat to her hand.

“I heard he’s a formidable figure, which is why the Grand Elder took him as a disciple,” someone beside the figure responded.

“If he weren’t remarkable, would the Grand Elder have accepted him?”

“Back in the day, Senior Sister Wei Ning was unmatched in the sect. Now, there’s going to be quite a show.”

“What kind of show?” The person tapped the one in front on the head. “You shouldn’t say such things carelessly. They are fellow disciples, after all, and Senior Sister Wei Ning isn’t the type to enjoy fighting and killing like you all.”

The other person raised an eyebrow and shot a glare.

Ji Weining unconsciously touched the tip of her nose, feeling slightly embarrassed. It was true, after all. For now, it would be best if Su Jin’an didn’t show herself. Even if she did, it wouldn’t be comfortable.

If she were like her junior sister, there wouldn’t be so much gossip. People would likely treat it as a fleeting cloud, hardly even noticing the Qianling Residence.

As the two spokes, they walked past them without noticing their concealed presence.

Only then did Su Jin’an realize how remarkable the invisibility technique was. She turned to praise Ji Weining: “Senior Sister, this invisibility technique is truly impressive.”

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