The Immortal’s "White Moonlight" Reborn - Chapter 3

When Wen Qiwu woke up, she felt a trace of warm energy seeping into her spirit, soothing her exhausted soul.

She opened her eyes to a familiar sight. This was her room on Mount Yunwu. The space was filled with fire-crystals that kept the air pleasantly warm, and her blankets felt like they had just been dried in the sun, soft enough to make one’s bones feel lazy.

On the small nightstand beside her bed sat a pot of pale blue flowers. A faint spiritual glow pulsed from the stamens; it was clearly the source of the energy that had been comforting her soul.

Wen Qiwu pulled the covers up, hiding most of her face and leaving only her eyes visible, which were currently clouded with annoyance.

She had intended to spend more time with her senior sister, but her traitorous body had fallen asleep on her again.

“Little Bird? Little Bird! Are you in there?” Hearing a voice from outside, Wen Qiwu scrambled to sit up.

“Elder Lu, I’m in here.”

“Then I’m coming in!” The door swung open, and a female cultivator in a water-blue dress walked in carrying a bowl of medicine. Her bright, striking eyes were filled with concern.

“Good, you’re awake. Drink this while it’s hot. I added a new spirit herb today; hopefully, the effect will be better.”

This was Lu Qiaoyi, the Master of Wanya Mountain within the Wenshen Sect. She was a close friend of their late Master and specialized in both formations and medicine. The nickname “Little Bird” came from Wen Qiwu’s childhood name, A-Que.

Wen Qiwu was a foundling brought home by her Master. She had been abandoned in the freezing snow as an infant, and by sheer luck, her Master had been passing by. Finding that the baby possessed a rare, top-tier fire spiritual root, her Master had carried her back to Mount Yunwu.

Since there were no notes regarding her lineage in her swaddling clothes, her Master gave the girl her own surname and named her Qiwu.

The nickname A-Que, however, had been given by Yun Heng. Seeing how sickly her junior sister was, Yun Heng hoped the girl would grow to be as resilient as the mountain sparrows of Mount Yunwu.

Wen Qiwu took the bowl and thanked her. The medicine was at the perfect temperature, but the bitter scent alone was enough to make her nose wrinkle.

“Oh, wait a moment before you drink,” Lu Qiaoyi added. “Your sister is in the kitchen making chestnut cakes. They should be ready any second.” Even as she spoke, Yun Heng walked into the room carrying a small plate of pastries.

“My, my. Only our Little Bird could get the Sect Leader herself to play chef.” Lu Qiaoyi reached out with lightning speed and popped a piece into her mouth. It was perfectly soft and sweet; very few people could match Yun Heng’s skill in the kitchen.

It was hard to imagine that when Yun Heng first started cooking, she had nearly blown up the kitchen. Back then, the things she served were charred black lumps. She had clearly put in an immense amount of effort over the years just to coax her sister into taking her medicine.

The cakes were small, and Lu Qiaoyi hadn’t quite had her fill. Just as she reached for a second piece, a bone-chilling gaze landed on her.

She didn’t even need to look to know it was Yun Heng. The stare was getting frostier by the second. Lu Qiaoyi huffed inwardly—I’m your elder! Am I really only worth one single cake? Not even two?!

Yun Heng didn’t say a word, but her meaning was crystal clear.

No.

Her junior sister was terrified of bitterness; these cakes were the only thing that made the medicine bearable.

Lu Qiaoyi rolled her eyes. Fine, she wouldn’t take another. There were plenty of cakes anyway, and Little Bird was soft-hearted; she’d just wait for the “Ice Block” to leave and ask Qiwu for some directly.

Having taken medicine since she was a toddler, Wen Qiwu was used to the taste, but today’s brew was different. It was both bitter and numbing, pushing her taste buds to their absolute limit.

She downed it in one go and immediately stuffed a chestnut cake into her mouth. The bitterness was so intense it made her tongue tingle; it took a long moment before she could finally taste the sweetness of the pastry.

“Sister, the medicine got even more bitter,” Wen Qiwu murmured, looking like a bedraggled, pitiful little sparrow. Her eyes seemed to plead for her sister’s touch and affection.

As always, a cool palm landed on her head, gently stroking her hair.

“Ahem. I can’t help it. Spirit-Drinking Flowers are naturally bitter, and I’ve already done my best to mask it.” Lu Qiaoyi cleared her throat. The person who actually made the medicine is right here, you know. Even if you stare at your sister, she can’t change the laws of herbalism.

“Here, let me see how it’s working.” Lu Qiaoyi funneled a bit of her power into Wen Qiwu’s body for an inspection. Her face lit up with surprise. “The flowers are working!”

Even Yun Heng’s perpetually stoic expression brightened slightly.

“They’re working, but their potency is limited,” Lu Qiaoyi said excitedly. “However, there is a legendary treasure in the Hualing Secret Realm of the Canghai Domain. It has the same properties but is dozens of times more powerful. It might be the key to finally cracking this illness!”

“I will go get it when the realm opens,” Yun Heng said. Unfortunately, the next opening wasn’t for another year. Her fingers tapped restlessly against the hilt of her sword; the wait was agonizing.

Wen Qiwu had been disappointed too many times to count, but hearing this still made her heart throb. Did she really have a chance to be cured?

If she really could live a long life, would she… would she be worthy of her feelings?

She stole a glance at her sister and then lowered her head, hiding the mix of affection and bitterness in her eyes. After all, it wasn’t just her lifespan standing between them.

“I’m going to consult with the Divine Physician Valley about a new treatment plan. Make sure you take your medicine on time while I’m gone!”

“I’m not a child anymore!” Wen Qiwu protested muffledly as Elder Lu pinched her cheek.

“I’m bothering the Elder once again,” Yun Heng said politely, though her eyes remained fixed on Lu Qiaoyi’s hand, which was still touching Wen Qiwu.

“Don’t be so formal. Your Master is gone, so of course I’ll help look after you two. Little Bird, remember to come back and stay at my place once you’re feeling better.” Lu Qiaoyi finally withdrew her hand, which was starting to feel a bit chilled from Yun Heng’s proximity.

“Elder, I…” Wen Qiwu gripped her blanket. She didn’t want to leave.

She used to live here on Mount Yunwu, but Elder Lu had eventually argued that the icy spiritual veins of the mountain were bad for a fire-rooted cultivator’s condition. Consequently, her sister had sent her to live at Wanya Mountain with the Elder.

Since moving, she saw her sister far less often.

A strange, unreadable shadow passed through Lu Qiaoyi’s eyes for a split second, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. The Elder smiled again. “I know our Little Bird is clingy with the Sect Leader. Don’t worry—once you’re cured, you can hug your sister and sleep in her bed every single day if you want!”

Having her secret desires poked so bluntly made Wen Qiwu’s face turn bright red. She instinctively shot a look at her sister.

What… what do you mean ‘hug and sleep’?! Elder Lu, how can you just say things like that!

Laughing, Lu Qiaoyi made an excuse about mixing more herbs and vanished. Before she was out of earshot, she sent a private telepathic message to Wen Qiwu, reminding her to save two cakes for her.

Wen Qiwu sighed internally. Fine, two. Not a single crumb more; I barely have enough for myself.

As she was thinking, she felt cool fingers touch the cheek the Elder had just pinched. She looked up to find her sister very close, focused intently on her face. The faint, cold fragrance of plum blossoms and snow enveloped her.

“The Elder is hundreds of years old and still so reckless. Did she hurt you?” Her junior sister’s skin was fair and delicate; a simple pinch had left a rosy mark. Yun Heng rubbed it gently.

As for the rest of the Elder’s words, Yun Heng didn’t seem to have taken them to heart at all.

“It doesn’t hurt.” Wen Qiwu just felt that her sister’s hand was wonderfully cool against her burning face.

Tap, tap… A faint sound came from the window.

Yun Heng raised a hand, and the window cracked open just enough for a paper crane to flutter inside. It flew before them and dissolved into sparks of spiritual light, releasing a recorded message.

“Sect Leader, the representatives from the other nine sects have arrived at the Great Assembly Hall…”

“Is today an important day? Why are the other sects here?” Wen Qiwu asked curiously.

“The Solar Eclipse Secret Realm is about to open. they’ve come to negotiate the terms.”

Wen Qiwu realized she had nearly forgotten.

Yun Heng prepared to head to the hall. She reminded Wen Qiwu to wear the cloak from last night if she went out and not to let herself get cold.

“I know, I know.” Her sister always treated her like a toddler. Once Yun Heng left, the smile on Wen Qiwu’s face slowly faded.

She dressed and pushed open the door. The spirit fields nearby were lush; she noticed that none of the plants showed any signs of wilting. Everything was vibrant and full of life.

Wen Qiwu assumed her sister was simply a master gardener. She couldn’t have imagined that the usually composed Yun Heng had spent the morning obsessively clearing away every dead leaf and withered petal, simply because the sight of a “fallen flower” on Wen Qiwu’s shoulder had felt like a bad omen.

Mount Yunwu was exceptionally quiet. Wen Qiwu tightened her cloak; without her sister around, the mountain felt lonely.

She knew about the Solar Eclipse Realm—it housed the tomb of a True Immortal and only opened once a century. Usually, the sects bickered for days over the entry quotas. She likely wouldn’t see her sister back until nightfall.

If she didn’t return to Wanya Mountain by evening, Elder Lu would definitely nag her. However, she could at least wander over to the Assembly Hall. That way, she could see her sister the moment the meeting ended.

Wen Qiwu packed the remaining cakes into her storage space and used a swift-foot spell to reach Wendao Mountain, where the main hall was located.

The mountain was indeed bustling. Immortal ships and spirit beasts streaked across the sky, all heading toward the hall.

Wen Qiwu wandered aimlessly. The sect’s academy was also located here, so she occasionally saw children running about. Wen Qiwu was famous in the sect for her gentle temper and kindness; even the youngest disciples felt brave enough to approach her for help.

By the time the children left, the day was mostly gone. Just as Wen Qiwu was about to head back, she felt a sharp gaze watching her from the shadows.

“Who’s there!” She flicked her wrist, sending a ball of fire toward the nearby bamboo grove.

A curtain of water rose from the grove, dousing the flame. A woman stepped out from behind the mist, a charming smile on her face. Her fox-like eyes held a hint of seductive playfulness. “I meant no harm. I simply lost my way and didn’t want to interrupt while you were teaching the children.”

Taking in the woman’s face, Wen Qiwu recognized her immediately: Zuo Lan, the Saintess of the Yuxi Sect.

There were many rumors about this Saintess. Most praised her incredible talent at such a young age, she was already at the Dao Integration stage. But beneath the praise were darker whispers that the Saintess had a preference for women and had left a trail of broken hearts across the realm.

The bells at her waist chimed clearly. Hearing the sound, Wen Qiwu’s mind went blank for a split second. She realized instantly that the bells were enchanted and snapped out of the trance, but by then, the Saintess was already standing right in front of her.

“Are you feeling unwell, fellow cultivator? Do you need me to hold you?” Her voice sounded concerned, but her eyes were full of mischief.

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