The Cold, Aloof Senior Sister Deserves To Be Paired With A Peerless Beauty - Chapter 40

Today, she wouldn’t let her go in.

At the foot of Mount Qing, cultivators from various immortal sects gathered. The senior brothers and sisters leading their junior disciples wore solemn expressions, carefully giving final instructions to their sect members.

For this journey, the Cangqing Sect had only dispatched a few people. Among them were Mu Zhi and Mo Fan.

Chi Li’s private heart naturally did not want Mu Zhi to take such risks. She had made countless attempts to stop this before, but none had succeeded. Because Mu Zhi’s cultivation had progressed too quickly, the secret realm had been forced to open early therefore, Mu Zhi had no choice but to go.

Chi Li pulled Mu Zhi to a relatively secluded spot, away from the noisy crowd and away from Mo Fan’s persistent pestering. She stopped, glancing sideways toward the crowd of cultivators. Her gaze seemed to land on a particular figure. Upon being discovered, that figure stiffened immediately, attempting to hide within the crowd.

A cold sneer touched the corner of Chi Li’s mouth. Her lips moved silently as she cast a spell. Instantly, an invisible barrier surrounded them, masking their aura and figures, making it difficult for anyone to notice the two women standing there.

Standing beside Chi Li, Mu Zhi naturally felt the barrier. However, she didn’t intend to ask questions, she was more than happy to have some time alone with Chi Li.

Mu Zhi hugged Chi Li’s arm affectionately, her smile bright and radiant. Her tone was sweet, almost like she was acting spoiled. “Did Senior Sister bring me here because she has some special instructions for me?”

Chi Li was used to Mu Zhi’s intimacy and dependence. Though a faint, unidentifiable stir occurred in her heart whenever the other girl got close, she ignored it as it wasn’t harmful. Her gaze fell on Mu Zhi, and remembering something, she let out a soft sigh. Her cold tone hid a trace of worry.

“Even though you are nearing the Golden Core stage, do not be careless. The secret realm is treacherous and unpredictable. A single lapse in attention could lead to danger…”

Chi Li paused, her lips thinning into a line, her expression growing even more serious. When she spoke again, her words were blunt:

“If you can’t win, run. Do you understand? Nothing is more important than your life.”

Seeing Chi Li become so serious, Mu Zhi thought for a moment, then nodded obediently with a smile. “I understand, Senior Sister.”

The entrance to the secret realm had not yet truly opened, the mountain before them appeared ordinary. However, Chi Li’s gaze was fixed on a specific spot, as if something was there. Noticing Chi Li’s furrowed brows, Mu Zhi asked tentatively, “Senior Sister, do you wish for me not to enter the secret realm?”

Lately, Chi Li had been watching her cultivation with a sense of urgency and worry. At the time, Mu Zhi thought Chi Li was simply concerned about her progress, so she worked even harder. Yet, just as she was about to break through to the Golden Core stage, she found herself unable to take that final step. Her cultivation was normal, but it felt as if a wall was blocking her path.

Then, the secret realm, which usually opens every fifty years, suddenly opened early. Looking at the lingering dark clouds, Mu Zhi felt she had grasped a truth that had been ethereal until now.

Everything Chi Li had done was to prevent her from entering the secret realm.

But clearly, Chi Li had failed.

Hearing Mu Zhi’s words, Chi Li withdrew her gaze. Meeting Mu Zhi’s eyes, she deliberated for a moment before deciding not to deceive her. “Yes.”

Mu Zhi wasn’t discouraged by the answer. After a moment of thought, she asked again, “Will I be in danger?”

Chi Li lowered her eyes, her lashes casting shadows that hid the darkness in her gaze. After a long pause, she spoke with a certainty that was strangely comforting. “I am here. It will be fine.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Zhi did not smile. She stared intently at the other woman, her expression unreadable, her voice losing its playful edge. “Senior Sister.”

Being watched like this, Chi Li felt a strange sense of guilt. She tried to look away, but Mu Zhi glared at her. “What is it?” Chi Li asked, maintaining her composure.

Mu Zhi’s eyes held a rare seriousness. “Even though we spend every day together, I’m not completely ignorant. The secret realm only allows cultivators below the Golden Core stage to enter. Senior Sister, you know your own cultivation level better than anyone.”

Mu Zhi didn’t say it directly, but she was implying that she didn’t want Chi Li to take risks for her sake. Chi Li looked at Mu Zhi for a moment, then sighed and reached out to pat the girl’s head. Her response was indirect. “My cultivation is second only to the Immortal Venerable. Do you not trust me?”

Mu Zhi shook her head, her voice earnest. “Of course I trust you, Senior Sister. But I don’t want you to take risks because of me. You shouldn’t ask if I trust you. I should ask why you can’t trust that I can handle it myself?”

Chi Li was stunned by the counter question. She didn’t realize that because of Yun Xi’s exaggerations, Mu Zhi was terrified that Chi Li would get hurt if she followed her inside.

A complex look flashed in Chi Li’s eyes, quickly replaced by calm. Just as she was about to speak, she met Mu Zhi’s eyes again. Her own reflection was mirrored there, as if she were the only thing in Mu Zhi’s world. It made Chi Li’s heart stop for a beat.

After a long silence, Chi Li pursed her lips and spoke. “Don’t worry, how could I follow you in? And it’s not that I don’t believe you can handle it. Mu Zhi, don’t be angry.”

Hearing the coaxing tone in Chi Li’s last sentence, Mu Zhi finally relaxed. “As long as Senior Sister knows.”

Chi Li then remembered something. “Do you remember what I promised you last time?”

Mu Zhi frowned. The words Chi Li had said through the jade talisman while in Huang City came back to her. “Taking me away?” Mu Zhi asked.

Chi Li’s lips thinned again, her expression returning to its usual indifference. “Once your Golden Core lightning tribulation passes, I will take you away from the sect…”

Chi Li’s voice suddenly stopped. Her throat felt as if she had swallowed jagged blades, making her next words blurry as a metallic taste of blood rose in her throat. A phantom voice echoed in her mind, angry and commanding, strictly forbidding her from carrying out what she had just said.

A cold glint flashed in Chi Li’s eyes. She forcibly swallowed the blood. When she looked back at Mu Zhi, she forced a faint smile and finished her sentence. “I will take you away to cultivate and travel the world.”

Despite her best efforts to restrain herself, she couldn’t hide the hoarseness in her voice. Mu Zhi noticed the anomaly and was about to speak with concern when a voice appeared in her own mind, forcing her to reject Chi Li’s offer. Because Mu Zhi didn’t speak immediately, the voice began to urge her.

After a moment of panic, Mu Zhi calmed down quickly. She didn’t believe this voice was a helpful warning from the heavens. The memory of being controlled before was still vivid, and she felt a deep loathing for this voice.

A moment later, the voice vanished. Mu Zhi looked up and smiled at Chi Li. “Okay. Let’s leave this place.”

Hearing Mu Zhi’s answer, the smile on Chi Li’s lips deepened. She appeared as calm and collected as if nothing had happened.

Just then, some cultivators passed by, but they didn’t notice the two hidden by the barrier. The area was secluded. Once the group was close enough and certain no one else was around, one of them spoke cautiously.

“The sect elders have calculated that a Divine Artifact will appear in this secret realm. Once you go in, split up. As soon as you find a trace of it, regroup immediately. You must get it by any means necessary, understood?”

The others nodded. “Senior Brother, don’t worry.”

The one called Senior Brother frowned, his voice sinking. “Something went wrong in Huang City already. We must obtain the item this time.”

At the mention of “Huang City,” Mu Zhi’s brow twitched slightly. She glanced at Chi Li but didn’t ask anything, assuming it was a coincidence.

“They are from the Yueming Sect,” Chi Li said coldly.

There was indeed a Divine Artifact in this realm, but it was prepared specifically by the Heavens for Mo Fan. Because of this artifact, Mo Fan would truly begin his association with the Yueming Sect.

“They are not good people. Stay away from them.” After saying this, Chi Li took Mu Zhi’s hand and said softly, “The secret realm is opening. Let’s go.”

As she spoke, the crowd of cultivators became noisy again. An unknown pressure descended, and the surrounding spiritual energy began to fluctuate and gather in one spot, drawing everyone’s attention.

Mu Zhi didn’t ask why Chi Li’s calculations were more accurate than the two Immortal Venerables present, she simply knew Chi Li would never harm her.

Once the other sects had entered, Chi Li finally spoke to Mu Zhi. “Go.”

She led Mu Zhi to a female disciple and nodded slightly. “Please look after her when you have the chance, but let her do whatever she wants to do. There is no need to stop her.”

Chi Li didn’t ask her to guard or protect Mu Zhi directly, nor did she restrict Mu Zhi’s choices inside the realm. In those simple instructions lay both a hidden worry and an absolute trust in Mu Zhi.

The disciple looked at Mu Zhi, nodded, and replied, “Understood, Eldest Senior Sister.”

Chi Li gave an “mm” and said to Mu Zhi, “This is He Wen. She has a steady personality and joined the Cangqing Sect a year before you. Since I won’t be by your side and the jade talisman will be cut off from the outside world, you can ask He Wen if there is anything you don’t understand.”

Mu Zhi nodded and gave He Wen a bright smile. “I’ll be in your care, Senior Sister He. When we get out, I’ll have someone send three thousand spirit stones to you.”

Hearing such a lavish offer, even the steady He Wen showed a crack in her composure. she replied stiffly, “Junior Sister Mu is too kind. There is no need for spirit stones.”

Seeing the rejection, Mu Zhi frowned, wondering what else she could offer that the other would like. Chi Li saw through Mu Zhi’s thoughts and knew that if she didn’t step in, Mu Zhi would offer even more. She sighed inwardly. “If she wants to give them, just accept them.”

He Wen hesitated for a moment before bowing. “Then I thank Junior Sister Mu.”

Chi Li looked at He Wen and said solemnly, “Do not forget what I entrusted to you.”

He Wen looked serious, glanced meaningfully in a certain direction, and replied, “I would not dare forget Eldest Senior Sister’s request. I will certainly not let ‘others’ get close to Junior Sister Mu.”

Only then did Chi Li look satisfied. She looked at Mu Zhi. “Protect yourself.”