The Cold, Aloof Senior Sister Deserves To Be Paired With A Peerless Beauty - Chapter 7

What is different about today?

The Cangqing Sect was founded by the Grandmaster, who was a peerless genius in the cultivation world. At only seventeen, she established the sect, and her personal disciples were all outstanding figures, earning the sect great fame and making it a place cultivators yearned for.

However, seven hundred years later, for reasons unknown, the Grandmaster suddenly announced she was going into seclusion.

No one saw her return to her grotto, and no one knew where she had spent the last millennium in meditation. Everything about her seemed to gradually fade from memory with the passing of time. Today, only a handful of people truly remember that legendary genius.

Currently, the Cangqing Sect is managed by one of her disciples, known as “Immortal Venerable Shangling.”

Chi Li and Mu Zhi arrived at the Sect Master’s Hall. Chi Li bowed respectfully to the person seated above. Seeing this, Mu Zhi followed suit, imitating her, though her movements were awkward as she was unaccustomed to such formal etiquette.

Immortal Venerable Shangling sat regally. Her robes and crown were ink-black, shimmering faintly with silver threads, which made her stern expression appear even more imposing. However, she was relatively gentle toward Chi Li, the disciple of Immortal Venerable Yilin. The moment she saw her, Shangling’s stiff expression softened slightly.

Maintaining a neutral expression, Chi Li took a step forward and reported in a flat, businesslike tone.

“Sect Master, while traveling for training, I passed through Wuxu City. I noticed demonic energy swirling above and discovered that the Demon Clan had infiltrated the city to harm the citizens.”

Hearing this, Shangling’s brow furrowed slightly. She didn’t interrupt, but signaled with a grim face for Chi Li to continue.

“I have already slain the demons who entered the city and conducted a brief survey of the area. However, to be safe, I hope the Sect Master will dispatch others to investigate more thoroughly.”

That last sentence was Chi Li’s true purpose.

With the experience of her past life, Chi Li knew the Demon Clan would not be so blatant next time. Her request for a second investigation wasn’t just for safety, it was for the sake of that person in the city.

After hearing her out, Shangling’s frown deepened. After a moment of silence, she spoke. “Your master also went to Wuxu City a few days ago; she should have sensed the abnormality as well.”

Chi Li remained persistent and even requested specific individuals for the task. Though puzzled by her insistence, Shangling did not doubt her words. “Very well. Send the people you mentioned to go and have a look.”

Chi Li nodded and immediately used a transmission jade talisman to contact them. Her instructions were methodical and organized, sounding as if they had been rehearsed many times. When the others heard her final command to gather all the beggars in the city in one place, everyone present was confused.

However, before anyone could ask, they simply assumed it was an act of extreme kindness on Chi Li’s part.

Once the hall cleared out, leaving only a few people, Shangling beckoned to the curious figure beside Chi Li and smiled. “This must be the person Chi Li mentioned in the transmission?”

Mu Zhi showed no fear, though she looked at Chi Li first before stepping forward to let Shangling see her clearly.

“Her name is Mu Zhi,” Chi Li said calmly. “I rescued the Master of the Mu family in Wuxu City. This is his daughter. I saw she had good potential, so I brought her back.”

Upon hearing this, Shangling’s brow rose, and her eyes turned serious, her voice sounding like an interrogation. “I heard the Mu family only has one daughter. Tell me the truth, did you kidnap her?”

The Mu family was a merchant house, but their business wasn’t limited to the mortal realm. They owned several high-grade spirit stone mines and had dealings with various immortal families. In the cultivation world, anyone from the Mu family was given respect, and it was common knowledge that they had only one daughter.

Chi Li realized Shangling was teasing her. Before she could speak, Mu Zhi anxiously stepped in to defend her.

“She didn’t trick me! I wanted to cultivate on my own!”

Mu Zhi was still a mortal. Facing the overwhelming pressure of the Sect Master, she felt terrified, yet she feared Chi Li would be blamed because of her. She emphasized again, “It really has nothing to do with the Immortal Sister. Please don’t punish her.”

Seeing the girl was genuinely frightened, Chi Li frowned at Shangling with disapproval. “Sect Master, she is easily startled.”

Seeing Chi Li’s protective stance, Shangling withdrew her aura and laughed. “The person you brought back is interesting. She’s like a…” Shangling paused, her eyes drifting back to the pouting Mu Zhi. Under Chi Li’s icy gaze, she chuckled and finished, “…like a bristling, protective cat.”

Chi Li froze for a moment at the description. Shangling continued to tease, “I wouldn’t dare punish Yilin’s disciple. If I did, wouldn’t Yilin chase me down with her sword?”

Mentioning that name caused Shangling’s expression to soften involuntarily.

Mu Zhi, realizing it was a misunderstanding, looked at Chi Li in confusion and asked, “Is that Immortal Venerable very powerful?”

Shangling’s smile grew warmer. Before Chi Li could answer, she spoke with unmistakable pride, as if speaking of a loved one. “Powerful, naturally. And she will be your Master in the future.”

Chi Li’s brow furrowed. She pulled Mu Zhi closer to her side and bowed to Shangling. “Sect Master, I have a request. I hope you will grant it.”

Shangling was used to Chi Li’s coldness, but rarely saw her this earnest. She straightened her posture. “Speak. If it is within my power, I will agree.”

Chi Li lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting shadows that hid the dark depth in her gaze. She glanced at Mu Zhi and spoke with firm determination.

“Mu Zhi must not enter my Master’s lineage. I ask that you, Sect Master Shangling, take her as your disciple, and I will personally oversee her training.”

In her past life, Mu Zhi had become Yilin’s disciple. But back then, her “possessed” Master was obsessed with Mo Fan, and Chi Li had ended up teaching Mu Zhi anyway. Now, Chi Li intended to change Mu Zhi’s Master entirely, hoping for a different future. She couldn’t trust anyone else with Mu Zhi, so she requested to keep the girl by her side.

Shangling’s eyes narrowed with surprise. She looked down at Chi Li, whom she had watched grow up. She sensed something “different” about Chi Li today, though she couldn’t put her finger on what it was.

“Chi Li,” Shangling sighed after a long silence. “You seem… different after this training trip.”

Chi Li remained in her bow, unmoved by the change in topic. “I ask for the Sect Master’s favor.”

“She is the person you brought back, she should rightfully be under Yilin,” Shangling noted. “Why the change?”

As she looked at Chi Li, Shangling felt a sense of estrangement. It wasn’t just the usual coldness; it felt like a deep, hidden disappointment. What was Chi Li disappointed in? Shangling didn’t know.

Feeling Shangling’s hesitation, Chi Li’s hands tightened. “Master, she…” Her throat felt dry as memories of her past life flashed by the image of Immortal Venerable Yilin coldly ripping out her spiritual root was a thorn she could never remove. She would not let Mu Zhi walk that path.

Mu Zhi, sensing Chi Li’s struggle, stepped forward. “It’s because I told the Immortal Sister that I wanted to be her student, so she is asking on my behalf.”

Though she didn’t understand why Chi Li wanted to avoid her own Master, she knew Chi Li would never hurt her.

“Is that so?” Shangling asked.

Mu Zhi tugged at Chi Li’s sleeve, snapping her back to reality. Chi Li composed herself. “Yes.”

Seeing their persistence, Shangling gave in. “I grant it.”

Chi Li finally exhaled in relief.

“Now that she’s here, let’s test her spiritual roots,” Shangling suggested.

Chi Li shook her head. “There is no rush. Someone else will be tested soon.”

Puzzled, Shangling asked, “Did you bring a second person?”

Chi Li didn’t answer. She turned her head toward the hall entrance, staring at something unseen. At that moment, Shangling’s transmission jade vibrated with a message only she could hear: “Sect Master, Immortal Venerable Yilin has returned.”

Joy spread across Shangling’s face, a stark contrast to her previous majesty. Usually, Yilin would have appeared in the hall before the message even arrived. Shangling realized something was wrong, recalling Chi Li’s cryptic remark.

Before she could ask, a figure appeared at the entrance.

The newcomer possessed an immortal’s grace. Her eyes held a gentle smile, making her look like a pure lotus untainted by mud. It was Immortal Venerable Yilin. She looked toward the person in the hall with delight.

However, behind her stood a small, inconspicuous figure.

Chi Li’s eyes locked onto that figure. Her hand instinctively gripped Mu Zhi’s hand so tightly it caused the girl a sharp sting of pain. Mu Zhi looked at Chi Li’s profile, though she looked the same as usual, Mu Zhi could sense a hidden tension and a chilling, lethal intent.

That killing intent made Mu Zhi shiver, even knowing it wasn’t directed at her. When she followed Chi Li’s gaze to the thin figure behind Immortal Venerable Yilin, she knew instantly: this was the person who triggered Chi Li’s wrath.

Without needing to know why, Mu Zhi immediately felt a surge of wariness and dislike toward the stranger.