My System, My Wife Feng Aotian [Transmigration] - Chapter 52

03 reached the foot of the mountain. After looking around to ensure no one was watching, she cupped her hands.

A small virtual map materialized in her palms. Apart from Qihuang Hall, the Enforcement Hall, and the Grand Competition Arena, which were clearly marked, the other mountain peaks stood quietly amidst lush vegetation.

She pressed her palms together, then separated them again. The map instantly transformed into a mission panel, listing tasks in order:

1. Find the Empress Art (Urgent)
2. Find a cultivation partner for Feng Jue (Strong)
3. Investigate Wen Chunsheng 4. Find Heart Flutter

In the corner of the mission panel, a small line of text read:

[Learn to be human]

03 clasped her hands once more, and the mission panel vanished. She lowered her hands, glanced around again, and sighed in relief.

Night had fallen, and the mountain path lit up, illuminating the verdant foliage. 03 heard the song of cicadas and watched fireflies emerge from the grass, dancing among the fragrant herbs.

Should I catch a few for Feng Jue? she thought. But I don’t have a container. Should I put them in my backpack?

Though her backpack had never held living creatures before, she resolved to try. The first time being human requires brave experimentation.

She clasped her hands together again. At that moment, someone descended the mountain path of Qihuang Peak—it was Xue Mengtao. She looked freshly bathed and groomed, wearing a pink dress with her hair simply pinned up.

Xue Mengtao smiled at 03. “Senior Sister Apprentice, you’ve been waiting long.”

“Not long at all,” 03 replied. “Hello. Thank you for agreeing to guide me. I’ll be grateful.”

Xue Mengtao waved her hand. “The life-saving debt you owe me, Senior Sister Apprentice, is already beyond what I can ever repay in this lifetime. Guiding you is the least I can do. There’s no need for your gratitude.”

Before 03 could respond, she hurried ahead, smiling. “Let’s go. We’ll start with the nearest peak.”

03 quickly followed. “Okay!”

Two figures, one in pink and one in blue, walked single file down the path.

On Qihuang Peak, Feng Jue watched their retreating figures with her hands clasped behind her back. She raised an eyebrow and muttered, “What is she up to?” Why choose Xue Mengtao over me for this?

Behind Feng Jue, a little jiao dragon slithered over, attempting to burrow into a flower bed. Without turning, Feng Jue remarked, “Finally decided to surface, have you?”

Lingshi: “Hwo.”

So you’re out.

Feng Jue snorted. “Dig a little deeper and stop calling yourself the Fire Rock Jiao Dragon. You should change your name to ‘Worm’ instead. At least you could aerate the garden soil and have something productive to do.”

“Hmph, I should never have released you…” Feng Jue muttered.

Hearing Feng Jue’s grumble, Lingshi called out twice and hurried away from the garden toward the side hall. The Jiao Dragon is busy, never lazy! Don’t underestimate the Little Jiao Dragon! Just wait until I cultivate a human form—then I’ll give you all a big surprise!

“This is the main peak of Liyang Peak, with three subsidiary peaks surrounding it: Huaili Peak, Zhili Peak, and Wenli Peak. Senior Sister Apprentice Mu Rong is the Peak Master’s disciple and resides on the main peak,” Xue Mengtao explained, turning back with a hint of shyness. “When we parted in the garden earlier, I sent a message to Senior Sister Apprentice Mu Rong. She replied that only those without a Wood Spiritual Root should tend flowers. Ordinary spirit herbs and trees would wither under her care, but she can keep poisonous plants alive. That’s why…”

03 chuckled. “Feng Jue said someone would tidy up the garden.”

“Good.” Xue Mengtao looked relieved.

The two continued walking. Today’s Lanyang Palace was even quieter than yesterday. Even the usually lively disciples, who had participated in the “Battle of Lanyang City” last night, had been confined to the Enforcement Hall. Perhaps they had seen the arena today, met the Wendao Envoy, and sensing the atmosphere of the Grand Competition, had gone to sharpen their skills at the eleventh hour.

“Up ahead is Renyang Peak, the largest peak in Lanyang Palace,” Xue Mengtao told 03, sharing what she knew. “It consists of one main peak and six subsidiary peaks, and it has the most disciples. I heard from my Master that before the Palace Master came of age, Senior Yan, the Peak Master of Renyang Peak, managed the palace on her behalf.”

03 gazed at the towering mountain that pierced the clouds nearby and nodded.

Xue Mengtao smiled. “After we pass Renyang Peak, we’ll reach Deyang Peak. Despite being adjacent to Renyang Peak, Deyang Peak is the most low-key and has the fewest disciples. The two peaks have different philosophies when it comes to accepting disciples.”

03 pondered for a moment. “So, it’s ‘accept all comers and select the best’?”

Xue Mengtao chuckled softly, covering her mouth. “Any disciple who can enter the Inner Sect is already quite exceptional.”

“Understood!” 03 replied.

She had it all memorized!

Lanyang Palace was vast, but 03 and Xue Mengtao moved quickly. After passing the main peak of Renyang Peak, they turned onto a mountain path. After walking some distance, 03 suddenly stopped, staring suspiciously behind a tree.

Is something… there?

Xue Mengtao took a few steps forward and noticed 03 hadn’t followed. Puzzled, she glanced back and saw 03 reaching out, her index finger extended straight, jabbing at the empty air.

With a bang, an invisible barrier shattered, and a low shout came from behind the tree.

“Who’s there?!”

******

One hour earlier…

Renyang Peak.

Gu Yuqing knelt before the palace gates of Renyang Peak, her head bowed, her hands tightly clenched within her sleeves as she fought back tears. Disciples passed by, deliberately avoiding her. Those who had once flattered her and trailed after her like hangers-on now pretended she didn’t exist.

Ever since Yan Qingluan had punished her and sent her down the mountain, none of them had come to check on her. Gu Yuqing herself had avoided Renyang Peak, too ashamed to show her face. If Wen Chunsheng hadn’t urged her to consider her future, she would never have returned to endure their disdainful stares!

Normally, it was only she who ignored others. Who dared treat her like this?!

Gu Yuqing bit her nails, listening to the voices of passing disciples. Her face flushed hot then cold, and she longed to get up and run as far away from Renyang Peak as possible. But Senior Brother Wen had insisted she participate in the Eastern Continent Grand Competition…

If Siyi hadn’t deliberately reported me, I wouldn’t have been punished by Master! Gu Yuqing seethed inwardly. She only lords it over me because she’s older, started cultivating earlier, and climbed the Palace Master’s tree. If she’s so capable, why doesn’t she teach me a lesson herself instead of tattling to Master?

Convinced that Siyi was a petty climber, Gu Yuqing resented Yan Qingluan for bowing to Siyi and failing to protect her. Her heart filled with scorn and silent curses.

A passing disciple caught sight of her resentful silhouette and pursed his lips before running past.

Gu Yuqing visited Renyang Peak for three consecutive days. The disciples there avoided her like the plague. Those who held a grudge against her even went to the place where she was punished after being sent down the mountain, deliberately mocking her. It wasn’t quite as severe as kicking someone when they’re down, but it was still a deliberate attempt to humiliate her.

Everyone assumed that given Yan Qingluan’s affection for Gu Yuqing, once the three-year punishment was over and she returned, she would still be the Peak Master’s cherished disciple.

Three years—just the blink of an eye for a cultivator.

No one anticipated that the Eastern Continent Grand Competition was approaching, and Gu Yuqing, still under punishment, couldn’t participate. This golden opportunity was slipping through her fingers.

The usually bustling mountain gate had been unusually quiet these past few days. Then a group of Renyang Peak disciples returned, their faces flushed with excitement.

“That battle was truly spectacular! Nascent Soul cultivators are so powerful, capable of turning heaven and earth upside down. It’s truly something to aspire to!”

Gu Yuqing perked up at the familiar voices.

A tournament?

She’d heard some commotion earlier, but since it had nothing to do with her, she hadn’t paid it any mind. So these people had gone to watch the competition.

The Renyang Peak disciples excitedly discussed the recent battle. One of them said, “Li Wuhe of the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect is also a renowned figure in the Eastern Continent. He was at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, and our sect only has Master at that level. Yet he was killed by that Senior Sister Apprentice’s sword. It’s truly thought-provoking!”

“Who let Li Wuhe run rampant, trying to kill our disciple on Lanyang Palace’s territory? He deserved to die! If Senior Sister Apprentice’s cultivation hadn’t surpassed his, it would have been her lying there!”

The crowd murmured in agreement, their resentment towards the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect deepening.

With the Old Palace Master deceased and the Little Palace Master not yet grown, Lanyang Palace, despite its vast wealth and spiritual veins, was like a child clutching gold, making it a prime target for covetous eyes. The Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect was the fiercest predator among them.

In its heyday, Lanyang Palace had been far more than just the Eastern Continent’s foremost sect. Its triumph over the Jiutian Cult’s Demon Head was a cornerstone of cultivation history, known to every elder in the cultivation world. Yet, the sect’s devastating losses in that battle had left a generational gap in the cultivation world. Younger cultivators only heard tales of Palace Master Feng’s legendary prowess, unaware that she had been bedridden by an incurable illness for centuries, silent as a hermit in the annals of time. As attention shifted to more active figures, the title of “Eastern Continent’s foremost sect” slipped to the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect.

Though Lanyang Palace acknowledged its inferiority in strength, it never relinquished its claim to the title. Instead, it redoubled its cultivation efforts, determined to reclaim its rightful place as the foremost sect.

However, within their respective sects, each side had its own version of the story. The Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect claimed to have stood firm in the Eastern Continent for over two millennia, boasting deep reserves of power. They argued that Lanyang Palace’s resources were a mere fraction of theirs, and that the Old Palace Master was already dead—what right did a corpse have to cheer on the living?

Lanyang Palace retorted, “Who do you think you are? Forget the Old Palace Master—if even a single great cultivator from the Eastern Continent had survived the battle with the Jiutian Cult, would there be any room left for your Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect to strut about? You’re just padding your own egos!”

Whenever disciples from the two sects met, they exchanged bitter words. In the Secret Realms, they fought fiercely over every advantage, each clash deepening the mutual hatred until they both wished the other would vanish from the world.

Now, however, the situation had changed. The Little Palace Master possessed extraordinary talent, having cultivated to the Great Perfection Golden Core stage at a remarkably young age. Her future prospects now rivaled even her mother’s! Lanyang Palace had expanded its recruitment, attracting countless talented youths, and was flourishing. Its disciples walked with pride, daring anyone to challenge their claim as the Eastern Continent’s foremost power.

“Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect disciples are all bark and no bite,” one Lanyang Palace disciple sneered. “Take that Xu Zehua, for example. Before he came to Lanyang Palace, he practically had his nose in the air! And he’s supposedly the Sect Leader’s son—how could he possibly compare to our Palace Master’s magnanimity? I heard the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect spends money like water on him, stuffing him with all sorts of precious elixirs, and he’s still only at the Late Golden Core Stage!”

Another disciple chimed in, “I was eavesdropping in the square earlier. Xu Zehua was trying to get a Senior Sister Apprentice from the Lingshan Sect to join his sect, pretending his dog kennel was some golden nest! She didn’t even deign to respond!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“You haven’t seen him being forced to say ‘I’m worthless’ beneath the arena by the Senior Sister Apprentice. If I were him, I’d want to reincarnate immediately!”

“Hey! Would you give up all those heavenly treasures and earthly jewels? It took so much effort to feed him to the Late Golden Core Stage! Reincarnation would be such a waste! You might never get such luxuries in your next life!”

“Hahaha!”

The disciple at the front turned around, watching the animated chatter behind her. She frowned. “You’ve been chattering all this way. Shouldn’t you take a break?”

The disciples froze, turning to look at her. One of them, his eyes darting mischievously, grinned. “How can we stop talking about the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect’s misdeeds? That Li Wuhe bastard nearly killed Junior Sister Apprentice Mengtao and Junior Sister Apprentice Rongrong! Mengtao was the precious disciple Elder Siyi worked so hard to recruit, and we watched Rongrong grow up! Wouldn’t you feel heartbroken if anything happened to them, Senior Sister Cheng?”

Cheng Ping pursed her lips.

At that moment, a nearby disciple tugged on the speaking disciple’s sleeve and said with a mischievous grin, “How can you talk to Senior Sister Cheng like that? How could she not care about Junior Sister Apprentice? She’s the kindest to us! Right, Senior Brother Liu?”

The man addressed froze, then gave an awkward laugh.

He and Cheng Ping, along with Gu Yuqing, were disciples of Yan Qingluan. Over the years, many had clustered around them, but the closest bonds remained between the three of them. Yan Qingluan doted on Gu Yuqing and secretly subsidized her, and the two had benefited the most from Gu Yuqing’s generosity. However, Gu Yuqing’s prickly personality and poor public image meant that after she was punished and sent away from the mountain, the disciples who had flocked to her scattered. Left behind, the remaining two struggled to fit in with the group.

Cheng Ping’s face turned slightly green as she turned to leave. Seeing Gu Yuqing kneeling nearby, she paused, trying to pretend she hadn’t seen her. But Gu Yuqing called out, “Senior Sister Cheng, will Master see me today?”

“…Ahem.” Cheng Ping said awkwardly, “Junior Sister Apprentice, you should go back. Master won’t see you. She’s been very busy lately.”

Gu Yuqing immediately asked, “Busy with what? The Eastern Continent Grand Competition?”

“Why ask if you already know?” Cheng Ping licked the corner of her lips and tried to persuade her again, “Junior Sister Apprentice, go back for now. If Master wants to see you, I’ll definitely let you know!”

Gu Yuqing narrowed her eyes, suspicion clear in her voice. “Senior Sister Apprentice, could it be that you took my… ‘consideration’ and didn’t do as I asked?”

Cheng Ping hadn’t expected Gu Yuqing to confront her so openly in front of everyone, and her face paled further. Behind her, the disciples of Renyang Peak whistled, stared at the sky, or walked past nonchalantly, pretending nothing was amiss.

The same sardonic disciple from earlier drawled, “Consideration, huh? Tsk tsk.”

“Enough, Junior Sister Apprentice! I’ve already spoken to Master. She clearly stated she won’t see you and insists you accept your punishment. Forget about the Eastern Continent Grand Competition. After your disrespect towards the Palace Master, how could Master possibly allow you to participate?” With that, Cheng Ping turned and strode away, eager to escape Gu Yuqing’s further questions.

Gu Yuqing glared at her retreating figure, her resentment burning. She suddenly stood up and addressed Senior Brother Liu, who was standing nearby with his face covered. “Liu Qingshan, don’t pretend you can’t see me either! I was blind to think of you all as true senior brothers and sisters! You and Cheng Ping—either stand up for me before Master, or I’ll expose everything you said back then!”

“I’ll spread all those things we said back then if you don’t help me enter the Grand Competition!”

“You should taste the bitterness I’ve endured!”

She scoffed, intending to turn and leave. But after three days of labor and the climb to Renyang Peak, her body was exhausted. She could only limp down the mountain.

Liu Qingshan didn’t dare laugh. He bitterly regretted getting involved with Gu Yuqing. He had genuinely believed her claim that their Master harbored intentions to betray Lanyang Palace. He’d imagined that once Yan Qingluan established her own sect, he’d at least become an Elder Peak Master. But… Liu Qingshan’s face paled as he gazed at the summit of Renyang Peak, slowly clenching his fist.

“Shameful! All this effort was pointless!” Gu Yuqing cursed the entire way back, blaming everyone from Renyang Peak to the Spiritual Beast Hall, convinced the whole world was against her.

Overwhelmed with resentment, she sobbed as she walked. Then, by the mountain path, she saw that familiar snow-white figure—the only person she didn’t blame.

“Senior Brother!” Gu Yuqing cried.

Wen Chunsheng turned, smiling gently. “Junior Sister, you’ve worked hard.”

“Senior Brother Wen…” Gu Yuqing wailed, approaching and retelling how Yan Qingluan had rejected her. “What should I do? Master truly doesn’t want to see me.”

Wen Chunsheng gently stroked her hair.

“I never expected Peak Master Yan to be so unyielding,” he said with a soft sigh. “After raising you for so many years, I thought that if we could just meet face-to-face, she might show some leniency out of past affection. But…”

Gu Yuqing wiped her tears relentlessly, her hatred for Yan Qingluan burning hotter. How could she? After all these years of raising me, why refuse to spare me at this critical moment? She claimed to have raised me like her own daughter, yet she’s ruining my future!

“Senior Brother Apprentice, please help me!” Gu Yuqing pleaded, clutching Wen Chunsheng’s hand. “You’re the kindest person in the world to me. If you won’t help me, I don’t know who else to turn to!”

“I’ve always listened to you, done everything you’ve asked. I knelt on the mountain for three days, but Master ignored me completely. I’m truly at my wit’s end, Senior Brother Apprentice…” Gu Yuqing sobbed.

Wen Chunsheng seemed moved by her words. He patted her shoulder helplessly and murmured, “It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but this method… it’s too risky. Yuqing, do you really want to leave Lanyang Palace?”

Gu Yuqing froze, looking up at Wen Chunsheng with a blank expression. “Leave Lanyang Palace?” she asked dazedly. “But Master wouldn’t leave! Senior Brother Apprentice said Master might have other plans, and I thought she wanted to establish her own sect. But it seems she simply can’t bear to leave!”

“No, I didn’t speak to Peak Master Yan about this,” Wen Chunsheng said with a smile, gently lowering his head. “This is just for you. Your talent is exceptional, and the Eastern Continent Grand Competition is your chance. I couldn’t bear to see you miss out. At Lanyang Palace, you’ll face punishment, but if you leave and register as a rogue cultivator, you’ll have a chance to participate, won’t you?”

Gu Yuqing’s eyes lit up at this realization. She quickly wiped away her tears, her face breaking into a smile.

Seeing her stop crying, Wen Chunsheng murmured, “Silly girl.”

Gu Yuqing flushed crimson. “Why call me silly?” she asked bashfully. “I’ll do exactly as you say. But Senior Brother, why didn’t you tell me about this plan earlier? I suffered three days of humiliation for nothing.”

“It was my fault for speaking too late,” Wen Chunsheng replied with a downcast smile. He retrieved a jade token from his storage ring and handed it to Gu Yuqing. “If you leave Lanyang Palace, don’t participate in the Eastern Continent Grand Competition. I have a good friend at Profound Yin Mountain in the Northern Frontier. Take this jade token and find her. She’ll help you enter the Northern Frontier Grand Competition.”

Gu Yuqing took the Jade Token, a hint of jealousy in her voice. “Good friend, male or—”

Before she could finish, Wen Chunsheng’s expression suddenly changed as he looked outward.

“Who’s there?”

Bang!

The shattered Barrier revealed the four of them face-to-face. Before the tree stood one startled and one impassive figure; behind it, one astonished and one terrified.

The terrified woman snapped, “Xue Mengtao?”

Xue Mengtao concealed her own surprise, bowed, and said softly, “Greetings, Senior Sister Gu. Greetings… Senior Brother Apprentice.” She didn’t recognize Wen Chunsheng, though he seemed vaguely familiar.

03 didn’t recognize Gu Yuqing either. Her portrait and name—Lanyang Palace Disciple No. 65—were in her Data Box, but she recognized this man.

Here he is—the subject of my investigation!

Under the bright moon and sparse stars, with no one else around, two men and two women alone, and a shattered Barrier… Xue Mengtao didn’t know where to look. Finally, she lowered her head and stared at her feet. Gu Yuqing was about to open her mouth to question them when Wen Chunsheng gently tapped her arm, and she quickly closed it.

Wen Chunsheng stepped forward, bowing grandly to 03 and Xue Mengtao. “Greetings, Senior Sister. Hello, Junior Sister Xue.” A warm smile played on his lips as he addressed Xue Mengtao. “I believe we met briefly at Elder Siyi’s disciple-taking banquet, where I delivered a gift on behalf of my Master.”

“Greetings, Senior Brother Apprentice,” Xue Mengtao replied hastily.

Wen Chunsheng gazed at the silver-haired beauty beside him, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Having the opportunity to witness today’s Grand Competition on the Arena firsthand has truly broadened my horizons!”

03: “Alright.”

She glanced at Wen Chunsheng, then at Gu Yuqing, her curious gaze lingering on the Jade Token clutched in Gu Yuqing’s hand.

Gu Yuqing was bewildered. She had never seen a woman with silver hair, let alone one so beautiful. The moonlight spilled over her, yet even its radiance seemed dimmed by her presence. Senior Brother Wen had called her Senior Sister Apprentice… Where did this Senior Sister come from? Gu Yuqing frowned, noticing Wen Chunsheng’s persistent stare at the unfamiliar woman. The daze of astonishment was instantly replaced by anger.

03: “What are you doing?”

Gu Yuqing retorted irritably, “Don’t you have eyes? Can’t you see what we’re doing?”

Wen Chunsheng frowned and scolded, “Junior Sister Apprentice!”

Gu Yuqing closed her mouth, letting out a soft huff as she turned away.

Xue Mengtao cleared her throat. “Senior Sister Apprentice, let’s go.”

03 remained motionless, deep in thought.

The moon above the willow tips, a rendezvous after dusk… A man and a woman standing so close in a small grove, the woman accepting something from the man… What could this be?

Snap! 03 snapped her fingers, her eyes lighting up. She had figured it out!

“You’re exchanging forbidden items in secret!”

Support