The Failed Female Supporting Character [Transmigration] - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

In the past, the Wanyao Sect was one of the preeminent powers in the cultivation world. They produced numerous Alchemy Grandmasters, and their rate of successful ascension was nearly 20% higher than other sects. One could say their glory was unparalleled.

However, that brilliance did not last. After the successive failures of their Transcendence Stage experts, the sect declined day by day. Their alchemy heritage was severed a few generations ago, and now they have dwindled into an obscure, bottom-tier sect. Even the blessed land they occupy is being eyed by other mid-to-small-sized sects.

When Feng Qi first heard the name “Wanyao Sect,” she felt a vague sense of familiarity, though she couldn’t recall them from the original story. After hearing Ruan Lan explain their history, that feeling intensified, though she still couldn’t put her finger on why.

…

An Unexpected Reunion

During their time in Tianyi City, Feng Qi and Ruan Lan had flushed out quite a few demons, nearly draining the City Lord’s small treasury. At first, the three Wanyao Sect disciples kept trying to interfere, but they had recently become much quieter. If they weren’t still visible in the city, Feng Qi would have assumed they had given up on Tianyi City to earn Spirit Stones elsewhere.

“Master, shall we head to the west side of the city today?” Feng Qi leaned against the window, watching the passersby. Ruan Lan sat at the table, meticulously wiping her light sword.

“Have you not stayed here long enough?” Ruan Lan asked, her eyes fixed on the faint blue glow of the blade.

Feng Qi felt the cold winter wind and smiled. “Let’s leave once we’ve emptied the City Lord’s Spirit Stones.” With them around, demons didn’t dare appear openly, and the mortals were living with much less fear.

Ruan Lan glanced at her. “If we don’t leave soon, we may be harassed by the Wanyao Sect.”

“Just those three?” Feng Qi said dismissively. “Master could beat them with one hand tied behind her back.”

“It’s not just the three of them.”

“They… called for backup?” Feng Qi frowned. “Should we leave then?” Even a fallen sect like Wanyao might still have a hidden Spirit Severing (Huashen) stage elder.

“Up to you,” Ruan Lan replied, putting her sword away. She had avoided cities to prevent conflict with orthodox cultivators, but if a confrontation was inevitable, she wouldn’t retreat—even if she hated the idea of turning her blade against her peers.

Feng Qi hesitated. She had devoured more demonic energy in this city than in the previous six months combined; she was loath to leave. But if a powerful cultivator arrived, her safety—and her secret identity—would be at risk.

Just as she was about to tell Ruan Lan they should leave, two familiar figures caught her eye on the street below. She gasped, leaning out the window. “Junior Martial Aunt…” And Ji Manqiu? Why were they here?

On the street, Ji Manqiu sensed the gaze and looked up, her lips curling into a slight smile. The little fox in her arms let out a lazy yip, its large tail accidentally swiping against Yu Qi’s arm.

…

A Crowded Room

Ruan Lan had booked a luxury suite with spacious inner and outer rooms, but as the four of them gathered, Feng Qi felt the air grow thin.

Yu Qi had been badly injured by the Wanyao Sect disciples. Although she had taken medicine after being rescued by Ji Manqiu, her pale face showed she was far from recovered. Seeing Yu Qi, Ruan Lan’s expression chilled, and her aura grew cold. Yu Qi stood by the door with her head down, not daring to meet Ruan Lan’s eyes.

“Why are you here?” Ruan Lan grabbed Yu Qi’s wrist to check her injuries and handed her a superior healing pill.

Yu Qi took the pill, her usual arrogance vanishing in front of her senior. “I… I also came down the mountain for training. I ran into Wanyao Sect disciples, got hurt, and was saved by this rogue cultivator. We came into the city to find a place to heal.” She kept the explanation brief, omitting how close she had come to death.

Ji Manqiu watched the “tame” version of Yu Qi with amusement and naturally sat down next to Feng Qi. Feng Qi coughed uncomfortably and nudged away, giving Ji Manqiu a warning look to keep her distance.

How did these two end up together? Feng Qi wondered. In the book, they had zero interaction. Furthermore, Ji Manqiu wasn’t supposed to appear until much later in the story.

Ji Manqiu either ignored the look or didn’t care. She tossed the little fox into Feng Qi’s lap and said casually, “There’s a strong scent of demons in this city.”

Feng Qi froze and looked at Ruan Lan. Ruan Lan was indeed watching them. “You two know each other?”

“No,” Feng Qi said quickly.

Ji Manqiu laughed, choosing not to blow Feng Qi’s cover. “I am but a rogue cultivator who recently left seclusion. She,” she pointed at Yu Qi, “is the first cultivator I met after coming down the mountain.”

Ruan Lan nodded slightly to Ji Manqiu. “Piao Miao Valley will remember this debt of gratitude. If you have any requests, please speak.”

“A request?” Ji Manqiu mused, stroking her chin. “I do have one.”

Feng Qi had a bad feeling. She pinched the fox’s paws nervously, her ears perked.

“I am traveling alone. I heard you all are on a training journey? Why not let me join you?”

“That… might not be a good idea,” Feng Qi interjected before Ruan Lan could speak. “Our journey is dangerous; we hunt demons.”

One hidden demon (herself) was enough. If Ji Manqiu joined, the risk of exposure would skyrocket. While most demons hadn’t seen the Saintess, Ji Manqiu was the Demon Venerable’s right hand—she knew exactly who Feng Qi was.

Ji Manqiu smiled at her. “Don’t worry. If there’s danger, I have the strength to protect you.”

…

Nighttime Whispers

Ruan Lan agreed to the request. Since Yu Qi was injured and needed Ruan Lan’s help to circulate her qi, they spent the day in the inner room. Feng Qi and Ji Manqiu remained in the outer room with the fox.

By nightfall, the inn was full. “Master, there are no more spare rooms,” Feng Qi reported.

“I can share a room with you,” Ji Manqiu offered with a grin. Feng Qi blinked and pretended she hadn’t heard.

“Please trouble yourself to share with my junior sister for now,” Ruan Lan said to Ji Manqiu, handing her a high-grade immortal stone. “She will sleep deeply tonight. If you do not wish to share the bed, you may meditate on the couch.”

Ji Manqiu accepted the stone and nodded. “Very well.”

…

Feng Qi’s room was next door. To her surprise, Ruan Lan didn’t meditate on the couch but removed her outer robe and joined Feng Qi in the bed.

Feng Qi instinctively squeezed into the inner corner, watching Ruan Lan curiously. “Master, aren’t you cultivating tonight?”

“Mhm.” Ruan Lan pulled out a book and leaned against the headboard. Her sleeves were rolled up slightly, revealing slender, pale wrists.

“Will I disturb you if I sleep here?” Feng Qi asked, feeling the scent of Ruan Lan surrounding her. “Maybe I should turn into a cat.”

Ruan Lan paused her reading and looked at her. “As you wish.”

Feng Qi shifted. The blankets flattened, and a black kitten poked its head out, let out a meow, and began grooming its paws on the pillow. Ruan Lan put her book down and stroked the cat’s back, eventually catching its tail.

“You seem to have grown,” Ruan Lan noted. “Even your tail is longer.”

Feng Qi batted Ruan Lan’s hand away and hugged her tail. Of course I’ve grown; I’ve been eating well, she thought.

Ruan Lan scratched the kitten’s chin and suddenly asked, “Do you like that rogue cultivator?”

The kitten froze, then tilted its head with an innocent meow.

“Stay away from her,” Ruan Lan said softly.

Does she suspect something? Feng Qi wondered. “Why?”

Ruan Lan checked the kitten’s sharp teeth, as if checking its defenses. “You are a cat demon. If you get too close to other cultivators, you might be discovered. Be careful not to expose your identity.”

Feng Qi felt a wave of warmth. Ruan Lan was worried about her. She nipped at Ruan Lan’s finger playfully. She wasn’t worried about being outed as a cat demon, but as the Demon Saintess—especially with Ji Manqiu around.

Seeing the kitten look a bit dejected, Ruan Lan tapped its forehead. “There is a sinister aura about that woman. Stay away from her, do you understand?”

Feng Qi nodded obediently. “I understand, Master.”