The Ice-Cold Beauty Senior Sister Keeps Falling for Her Own Theories - Chapter 24

Everyone turned toward the source of the noise. Not far away, several immortal cultivators in Taoist robes, riding auspicious clouds, were chasing a shadowy figure.

In the blink of an eye, the shadowy figure had already reached the crowd.

He was clad in black robes, wearing a ferocious green-faced mask with fangs.

Apart from Gongsun Muhan and Feng Jie, who recognized him as Xie Zhi, the others only noticed the demonic energy radiating from him.

Instantly, everyone was on high alert.

Gongsun Muhan and Feng Jie stood there silently.

However, Gongsun Muhan was inwardly surprised. She had a rough idea that he had come to rescue Xie Qisang.

But for someone like him, who had been so severely injured that his demonic energy was leaking out, to still come to Xie Qisang’s aid, it seemed the rumors about the two competing for power in the demon realm were not to be trusted.

“The sect leaders are behind us!”

“The elders are all here too…”

“Everyone, get ready! Let’s capture this demon together!”

With unwavering determination, the crowd raised their weapons and formed a tight circle, ready to confront Xie Zhi.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Xie Zhi landed, he quickly located Xie Qisang and had no intention of engaging in battle.

He lifted Xie Qisang and, without hesitation, activated a teleportation array.

At the same time, the air seemed to grow heavy, as if filled with lead, pressing down on everyone, a manifestation of the spiritual pressure released by the elders.

Whoosh!

A beam of spiritual energy, as thick as a bowl’s mouth, shot down from the sky, aiming directly at Xie Zhi.

“Wretched fiend, where do you think you’re escaping?”

They sought to disrupt Xie Zhi’s teleportation array.

“Keep dreaming your foolish dreams. I will return to settle the score for these injuries sooner or later…”

Amidst the shimmering glow of the array’s patterns, Gongsun Muhan clearly saw Xie Zhi glance at her after speaking. Through his eyes, she detected a triumphant, scheming smile.

She frowned slightly, then relaxed, suppressing the suspicions in her heart.

Though the spiritual energy struck accurately, Xie Zhi’s teleportation array was just a fraction faster.

In an instant, the spiritual energy exploded, sending shockwaves of sand and dust sweeping toward the crowd. When they looked again, all that remained was a massive crater in the ground.

While the others were left in an awkward state, covered in sand and dust, Feng Jie observed a bit more closely.

For some reason, not a speck of dust had touched her robes, nor had she felt any sand or grit in her eyes.

But that didn’t matter!

She tugged gently at Gongsun Muhan’s sleeve, squinting slightly, and whispered, “Senior Sister, I think something got in my eye, probably sand from the aftermath of that spiritual energy blast. Could you…blow on it for me?”

Hearing this, Gongsun Muhan paused, her hand, which had been retracting spiritual energy beneath her sleeve, stilling. She turned her head and asked seriously, “Junior Sister, are you sure it’s sand in your eye?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Gongsun Muhan fell silent, standing there thoughtfully.

Her spiritual energy should have been more than enough to block a bit of sand and dust. So why was her junior sister…?

After waiting a moment without a response from her senior sister, Feng Jie grew puzzled. Had her senior sister not noticed how many others had been hit by the dust?

But Feng Jie still didn’t dare open her eyes, afraid of giving herself away. She could only resort to coaxing and urging:

“Senior Sister~ I’m so uncomfortable. Please blow on it for me~”

Gongsun Muhan’s earlobes grew warm, instantly flushing with a vivid hue. She glanced back at the elders who had already landed, then turned to look at someone pouting slightly and gently shaking her forearm.

She hesitated for a long moment but still didn’t move.

Her junior sister was surely pretending to have gotten sand in her eyes, but why? Could it be…?

Just as Gongsun Muhan mentally dismissed the sudden, seemingly impossible thought, she heard Feng Jie’s voice, tinged with a sob.

“Eldest Senior Sister~”

Within two seconds of those words, Gongsun Muhan’s hand was already resting on Feng Jie’s shoulder. “Don’t cry.”

“Let me blow it for you.”

A cool touch brushed over Feng Jie’s brow bone. Her tightly shut eyes were carefully opened by Gongsun Muhan, and a gentle, soothing breeze swept over them again and again, soft and unhurried, like a spring wind that had just kissed the dewy grass, suddenly rising…

She’s… so gentle.

So, she isn’t aloof at all…

For a moment, Feng Jie forgot her act, frozen in place as she stared blankly at her eldest senior sister.

“Feeling better?”

Gongsun Muhan curled her fingers and wiped away the tears on Feng Jie’s cheek, the touch as light as brushing off a dewy bamboo leaf in the morning chill.

Once again, Feng Jie caught the faint scent of bamboo drifting from her senior sister’s sleeve.

Like a newborn unable to speak, Feng Jie could only blush and nod repeatedly, murmuring, “Mhm, mhm, mhm.”

Even after responding, she still didn’t raise her head.

Would she see through it?

What if she does?

Feng Jie’s face burned hotter, but the scene offered no time for her to cool down.

The arriving elders quickly flicked their sleeves in frustration, unable to accept the fact that a demon had escaped right under their noses.

“That demon slipped away right before your eyes, and you couldn’t even stop it! What’s the use of the sect training you? A bunch of incompetents!”

The first to speak was Li Dakui, sect leader of Qisheng Sect. Burly and hot-tempered, he landed with a stern face, tugging at his thick beard as he berated his disciples nonstop.

The other sect leaders and elders stood by, far more composed.

Yet many exchanged glances and sighed inwardly, looking from Li Dakui to Dao Xuanzi, the sect leader of Bixia Sect, who had rushed straight to his disciple upon landing.

They couldn’t help but think: Qisheng Sect, once renowned for artifact forging, was clearly declining, likely due to their leader’s simple-minded, brute-force approach. It was only a matter of time before Bixia Sect, which had risen from gathering rogue cultivators, caught up to them.

“Xiao Jie, are you alright? Why did you come out? Demon-slaying is dangerous. Next time, take care of yourself and leave it to your senior brothers and sisters.”

“Huh?”

Feng Jie, forgetting her flushed face, looked up. This was her first time meeting her master.

Dao Xuanzi wore dark Taoist robes, his temples already streaked with white hair. He smiled kindly, the wrinkles etched by time lending him a uniquely warm presence.

“Master, I’m fine.”

It was the first time Dao Xuanzi had heard her refer to herself as “I”, before, she had always called herself “Xiao Jie” or “your disciple.” But it didn’t matter; his Bixia Sect had few rigid rules about formalities.

“Good that you’re fine, good that you’re fine.”

With that, Dao Xuanzi reached out and plucked something from the air, handing Feng Jie a brocade pouch embroidered with jade and flowers.

“I noticed the pouch at your waist was missing, figured you’d lost it. There are some magical artifacts and pills inside. Keep them with you, just in case.”

Feng Jie shifted her gaze from Dao Xuanzi’s hands, which were strikingly out of place with his aged face, their skin smooth and youthful, and for a moment felt both flustered and honored.

Was this what the system meant by being the “beloved of the group”? But she hadn’t just lost those items carelessly, she had even sold her own sword…

She asked cautiously, “Master, is it really alright that I lost my sword?”

Dao Xuanzi laughed heartily. “It’s only been a few days, but you’ve become much livelier, Xiao Jie.”

Feng Jie gave an awkward smile.

“Of course it’s fine.”

“Master Sect Leader!” someone nearby protested discontentedly. Everyone knew that sword of hers was one of the few fine blades in their Bixia Sect, a treasure at the immortal artifact level, just below a divine artifact…

“I must say, Sect Leader, this is far too biased. That Han Shui Sword was originally taken by Feng Jie herself from the sect’s treasure vault. Back then, she claimed it was just a loan, but after all these years, not only has she failed to return it, she even lost it. Shouldn’t she face consequences?”

Dao Xuanzi’s expression darkened. He looked coldly at Chang Yuru, who had just returned from patrolling Lixin Cliff, and snapped, “Yuru!”

Clearly telling her to shut up.

Chang Yuru indeed fell silent but turned her gaze to Feng Jie, watching coldly from the sidelines.

Feng Jie hadn’t expected her simple question to provoke so much discontent. Standing there at a loss, she forced a smile, her lips twitching.

“It’s alright, Xiao Jie. Keep this pouch for now.”

Feng Jie instinctively glanced at Gongsun Muhan. If her memory served correctly, the plot notes mentioned that Gongsun Muhan was also Dao Xuanzi’s disciple, but now… the two of them seemed to have no interaction whatsoever.

Moreover, the judgment regarding the senior sister’s Dao deviation had been made by Dao Xuanzi.

She was afraid the senior sister might be upset.

Gongsun Muhan lowered her head slightly, meeting Feng Jie’s dark, luminous eyes.

Is she asking for my opinion? Is she worried I’ll be unhappy…?

If I tell her not to take it, would she really refuse…?

Gongsun Muhan remained silent, offering no response.

She was testing her.

As the two exchanged such intense glances, Chang Yuru was the first to lose patience.

She strode over in two quick steps, snatched the pouch, and tossed it into Feng Jie’s arms.

“Why put on such an act? Haven’t you taken plenty before?”

At the same time, Gongsun Muhan gently pulled Feng Jie behind her and turned to face the cultivators from other sects who were gathering around. Their gazes were fixed squarely on her.

Feng Jie stole a glance at Gongsun Muhan, thinking, Senior sister probably won’t be angry, right? After all, I didn’t take it, Chang Yuru threw it at me.

Who wouldn’t want a life-saving treasure? If it weren’t for Shabi’s repeated warnings earlier, she probably would have accepted it without a second thought.

Seeing the hint of delight on her face, Dao Xuanzi felt even more reassured. She’s still the same as before. But now that she had accepted it, the previously agreed terms couldn’t be neglected in the slightest.

Dao Xuanzi nodded with satisfaction before turning to address the other sects’ representatives.

“Fellow cultivators, you must be tired. Why not rest at our Bixia Sect for a while and depart another day?”

Li Dakui was the first to roll his eyes. He felt the old fox was doing this on purpose, knowing full well they were concerned about the Bixin Sword, yet pretending otherwise.

But this time, he wasn’t the only one growing impatient, so the elders from the other sects spoke up first in reply.

The man was clearly a smiling tiger. She gently waved her folding fan and stepped forward leisurely, saying, “No rush. Although the demon-sealing array has been repaired, it seems Sect Leader Dao has forgotten one important matter.”

As soon as she finished speaking, other elders chimed in, making their point crystal clear.

“Sect Leader Dao, shouldn’t you explain the presence of the Bixin Sword on this young friend?”

Swish, swish, swish! everyone’s gaze simultaneously fell upon Gongsun Muhan, who stood beside Feng Jie.

Oh no, Feng Jie inwardly groaned. Shabi hadn’t lied to her, the battle for the sword was about to begin.

Hearing this, Dao Xuanzi frowned and turned his attention to the experimental subject he had previously abandoned.

“Was it you who triggered the divine artifact contract phenomenon at Lixin Cliff earlier?”

Gongsun Muhan remained silent, tacitly admitting it.

Seeing this, Dao Xuanzi glanced at the various sects demanding an explanation and pondered the situation.

When the sect leaders and elders had rushed to Lixin Cliff earlier, aside from the auspicious cloud and divine contract that appeared during the demonic energy convergence, they had found no trace of the Bixin Sword. They had already agreed that if the Bixin Sword had indeed been taken by a rogue cultivator outside their seven sects, he would take the lead in reclaiming it.

Unexpectedly, this unique ancient divine artifact had ended up with Gongsun Muhan.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t mind stepping in to protect his disciple.

But now, not only had the various sects helped his Bixia Sect fend off the demons, if they didn’t obtain the divine artifact, they would keep a close watch on Gongsun Muhan and his Bixia Sect… This was extremely unfavorable for him…

“Bring out the Bixin Sword and let the elders verify its authenticity.”

Gongsun Muhan looked up at him. How had she never noticed before that her so-called master was so hypocritical?

She sneered coldly, “If I bring it out, I doubt I’ll get it back.”

“Gongsun Muhan!”

Dao Xuanzi roared in anger, his hidden intentions exposed and shamed. With a raise of his palm, he unleashed a wave of spiritual pressure directed entirely at her.

Feng Jie, without even thinking to call for Shabi, reached out to pull Gongsun Muhan behind her.

Unexpectedly, Gongsun Muhan twisted her hand and blocked the spiritual pressure in front of her, preventing it from advancing even an inch further.

A purple spiritual barrier!

This time, everyone saw it clearly. Earlier, the disciples could deceive themselves into thinking they had imagined it, that Gongsun Muhan was merely riding on the Bixin Sword’s coattails. But now…

Gongsun Muhan, the prodigy who had once swept the Immortal Sect Competition, truly lived up to her reputation. Her cultivation level was now on par with the sect leaders and elders present.

She had reached the highest stage of the Golden Core realm’s seven stages: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

Purple-stage cultivation!

Although it was a faint, flowing light purple, the initial stage of purple, throughout the entire cultivation world, no one under two hundred years of age had ever reached the purple stage.

Even Su Meng, the Celestial Sword Sovereign of that era, had only entered the purple stage at 153 years old.

Truly terrifying!

“Your cultivation has been restored?!”

Dao Xuanzi lost his composure, astonished by the divine artifact’s power, though he quickly masked his shock.

Although he possessed the Chaos Body, he couldn’t deny that he, too, coveted the Bixin Sword.

Dao Xuanzi withdrew his spiritual pressure, once again adopting the lofty demeanor of an enlightened immortal.

Fearing he might target Gongsun Muhan again, Feng Jie quickly stepped forward. Gongsun Muhan gave her sleeve a light tug before letting go.

To the onlookers, it appeared as though Gongsun Muhan had pushed her junior sister into the spotlight.

Feng Jie spoke earnestly, “Master, esteemed elders, forgive my bluntness, but this divine artifact was originally unclaimed. Naturally, whoever obtains it first has the right to it. Senior Sister encountered it and successfully formed a contract, that is her destiny and has nothing to do with anyone else.”

Then came a sharp and piercing question: “Today, by relentlessly pressuring a junior, do the esteemed elders wish to become the laughingstock of the entire world?”