Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 33

Yue Tingxi did not respond to Qin Suliu’s words.

She had never encountered a situation like this before. The case of another enemy could not simply be applied to “Azi,” and she truly could not bring herself to kill the current Qin Suliu. As a result, she felt lost.

Unable to find her own answer, she naturally sought the guidance of someone else.

Strangely enough, at this moment, she most wanted to hear an answer from Qin Suliu herself.

If Qin Suliu had not yet regained her past memories, she would have no idea what Yue Tingxi was hinting at, and could provide a neutral, “humanly natural” perspective.

If the person before her was indeed the one from her past life, then she wanted to know how that person would view or judge her past crimes, what solutions she would propose.

Would she reflect? Would she feel remorse? Would she want to make amends or change herself? Would she… want to kill the demon from back then?

—This would determine how Yue Tingxi would continue to face her in the future.

Soon, she got her answer.

It was not the perfect answer, but it was the one most suitable for her current self.

As expected, she still wanted to give “Azi” a chance. She did not believe that the upright and caring young girl she had once known would tread the old path if reborn.

If possible, she even wanted to personally eliminate all darkness blocking Azi’s path, to see what kind of adult Azi could grow into under her guidance, in a normal environment.

Taking a deep breath, Yue Tingxi quietly said, “Alright, then I’ll watch.”

After that, neither of them mentioned sparring again, sitting side by side in silence for a long while.

By late night, even the faint crowing of roosters could be heard. Yue Tingxi finally spoke, “Suliu, if you can’t sleep either, want to practice in the Mustard Seed Ice Wheel?”

Without hesitation, Qin Suliu said, “Sure,” closing her eyes and letting her spiritual consciousness enter the Ice Wheel.

After exhausting themselves and returning from the Ice Wheel, each went to their own quarters to rest, by which time the sky was already turning pale.

Yuqiong Sect, Glacier Snow Valley

After struggling for five days, Lan Chaoyao finally admitted that he had lost his way and could not find the path out.

Fortunately, he carried a sufficient supply of elixirs, enough for him, at his mid-out-of-body stage, to last until summer, when disciples and senior elders of Yuqiong Sect would enter the valley for trials.

The 7364 System, which should have been the most helpful, had become, in his eyes, nothing more than a “news broadcast.” Aside from occasionally reporting that external sect forces were “all normal,” it only reported weather forecasts for Glacier Snow Valley.

—According to the system, this place seemed governed by certain heavenly laws. Even if every location and landscape he passed was recorded in detail, a snowstorm would erase all references.

Here, he could only rely on the Yuqiong Sect’s heart method to find direction, and that would only work when the snow in the Summer Month Valley was light.

He decided not to rush, treating the freezing cold as a trial. It was just the extreme environment he needed to adapt his body, cultivation, and sword techniques. Usually hiding in cold caves to meditate, he would search for the “few Cold Crisp Flowers” his original sister wanted when the snow lessened.

“Too bad, I probably won’t make it to that unknown secret realm in time,” he occasionally complained to the system. “No matter what, it’s a secret realm; countless treasures would be better than this godforsaken place!”

The 7364 System remained silent as ever.

Two Days Before the Xuan Shui Secret Realm Opens

Lan Fengqing visited again.

“I’ve reported to the trusted elders in the sect. I’ll stay at the Qin Residence for these two days, and once the Xuan Shui Secret Realm opens, I’ll enter with you all in disguise!” Upon seeing Qin Suliu, she spoke excitedly.

Understandably, after being trapped by illness in the secluded Qingxu Sect, the young lady was now free from her bothersome ailment due to Gray Moth magic. Even if there were future consequences, she wanted to go out and have fun!

Yue Tingxi was very happy that they now had an additional companion skilled in alchemy and knowledgeable about herbs. This filled the gap left by herself and the other young lady’s lack of healing skills.

But one matter needed clarification in advance.

“How does this ‘disguise’ work?” Yue Tingxi asked after the steward and maid took away Lan Fengqing’s temporary bedding.

“It’s essentially a ‘change of appearance and name.’ That way, whatever is done in the secret realm, or whatever treasures are acquired, won’t leave traces after returning to the outside world,” Lan Fengqing explained. “In theory, though, if someone attacks, identity could still be discovered.”

Qin Suliu subconsciously explained to Yue Tingxi, “Every sect has unique techniques and martial skills. The more famous the sect, the more widely known these skills are.”

She also explained to Lan Fengqing: “Yue Tingxi has lived in seclusion for years. Although she read my mortal realm rules book, she still lacks certain details and common knowledge, which she must experience herself to fill in.”

“It’s fine; I enjoy answering questions,” Lan Fengqing said with a smile. “As long as Yue Tingxi doesn’t mind my rambling.”

The three girls then discussed aliases and appearances.

Due to past experiences, Yue Tingxi felt some resistance to disguise techniques and related magic, but thinking it was to avoid being pursued by scoundrels like Lan Gou, she relaxed while listening.

They were particular about the disguise, even modifying bone structures slightly, while names were chosen quickly.

Qin Suliu chose “Ni Wangshu,” using parts of her original name with poetic meaning. Yue Tingxi, not overthinking, wrote “Lingjian,” similar in sound to “Tingxi.”

“I’ll be ‘Yun Jing,’” Lan Fengqing decided.

Then followed a long discussion about disguise techniques.

Although Yue Tingxi knew some makeup, disguise was an unfamiliar field, and she was easily bored, opting instead to focus on strengthening her spiritual power in the neighboring chamber with the Mustard Seed Ice Wheel.

After their Q&A session that night, she felt slightly hesitant about entering to see the Elder Ancestor alone. Yet, recalling that the Elder had only pointed out a challenge she wasn’t ready to face, she mustered courage to enter.

Fortunately, the Elder Ancestor merely took a folded bamboo whip and nodded at her, saying nothing.

“Elder Ancestor, if I enter the secret realm, can I still contact you via the Mustard Seed Ice Wheel?” Yue Tingxi asked.

“Reportedly, secret realms block communication. Otherwise, so many cultivators wouldn’t die without knowing why,” she was told.

“I don’t have that power, but Qin Suliu’s Gray Moth may help,” the Elder said.

“…You know the origin of the Gray Moth?” Yue Tingxi was surprised, sitting up straight.

“No. I’ve never seen it before. It’s neither a spirit nor a living being. Things even my divine consciousness cannot probe are likely linked to Heaven and the natural laws,” the Elder replied.

Yue Tingxi’s eyes widened. She suddenly remembered that mysterious space with countless floating dark-gold characters—where she had gone after death. Besides the content of the Book of World Affairs, she had gained nothing.

But what about Qin Suliu? If she, too, had been reborn from that timeline… might she have visited that place?

“Although we don’t understand it fully, since it is willing to help us, we must make good use of this power,” the Elder advised.

The keyword was “use,” not “exploit,” showing the Elder’s respect for the Gray Moth’s true nature.

After resting, Yue Tingxi went to practice the Black Crane Whip with the Elder, only to be called out by a familiar voice: “The girls are looking for you.”

Naturally, this was about the disguise.

Soon, Yue Tingxi sat before the vanity.

“I’ll create a new face for you first. You can tell me what you dislike, and I’ll adjust it,” Lan Fengqing said. Seeing Yue Tingxi nod, she gently placed a pair of gloves on her face.

Yue Tingxi shivered.

She had expected only minor discomfort, but her breathing quickened unconsciously.

Yet, the discomfort was tolerable, so she said nothing, planning to let Lan Fengqing handle it. Suddenly, Qin Suliu said, “Yue Tingxi isn’t comfortable being touched by unfamiliar people. I’ll do it.”

Yue Tingxi thought: it shouldn’t matter; it was just her fear of the disguise technique. Anyone would feel the same.

A few breaths later, she felt her face warm, not from the disguise itself, but from realizing her earlier thoughts had been overturned—leaving her confused and embarrassed.

She couldn’t understand why Qin Suliu touching her didn’t feel uncomfortable.

Perhaps it was because she always stayed close to Qin Suliu, even sleeping beside her? Or maybe their sparring and gameplay “training” really worked?

Put simply… she had grown used to Qin Suliu’s presence.

Although the logic made sense, she still felt slightly awkward.

If no one else were present, she would have muttered a subtle complaint.

Qin Suliu carefully sculpted Yue Tingxi’s face with the spiritual gloves, creating a quiet and calm appearance.

Disguise usually required special elixirs, but Qin Suliu feared that human-crafted ones might reveal Yue Tingxi’s demon form. Using Gray Moth magic as an excuse, she refused Lan Fengqing’s elixir.

She quickly created a serene face, asking, “Do you want any changes?”

Yue Tingxi looked in the mirror—wow. It resembled the Elder Ancestor’s disguise, but less imposing, a young, quiet, beautiful woman.

“I don’t have objections. Though the Elder Ancestor might…” she said, satisfied, but still needed to ask for approval.

“No problem. I have a few backup faces,” Qin Suliu said.

Thus, her face had been carefully sculpted by Qin Suliu until noon, with Lan Fengqing explaining disguise principles beside her.

At meal time, the three went to the Fish-Watching Pavilion to eat noodles and feed fish.

After Lan Fengqing rested in the afternoon, Yue Tingxi used the Mustard Seed Ice Wheel to show the new faces to the Elder Ancestor, letting her choose one.

During the process, Yue Tingxi felt the surroundings grow colder, even simulated snow falling gently.

Ultimately, the Elder selected the face most like her own.

“As your foster mother, I’ll let this face scare off those shameless old folks,” the Elder said expressionlessly.

Yue Tingxi took the face and informed the two young ladies.

After confirming the appearance, minor adjustments to the bone structure followed.

Yet, remembering Lan Fengqing’s explanations of disguise, Yue Tingxi decided to skip this step.

—Adjusting bones required physical contact, which she was uncomfortable with from Lan Fengqing or even Qin Suliu.

Thus, she said, “I’ll do it myself?”

But Lan Fengqing immediately refused.

“No, Yue Tingxi. You’ve never practiced disguise. Even if I explain all the principles and spells, you could injure yourself!”

“Can’t we just use Gray Moth’s power?” Yue Tingxi asked Qin Suliu.

“Yes, but I’m unfamiliar with your bones. The face might not fit the skeleton,” Qin Suliu explained.

If it didn’t fit, the disguise could be exposed.

Ultimately, bone measurements had to be taken by Qin Suliu.

Yue Tingxi walked to her bedroom, thinking: “I can’t go as a demon with you, can I?”

—Her sect affiliation could bring trouble to the two young ladies, so she restrained herself.

She noticed Qin Suliu had begun reading books on the Sect Examinations.

The rebellious Qin Suliu had previously ignored such things, but now, with the demon hidden at home and a medium detained, she aimed to secure a post in the sect and monitor its movements.

Thus, Qin Suliu could not be associated with demons during this secret realm entry.

Standing in her room, she heard familiar footsteps and took a deep breath, extending her arms:

“Come on, hurry!”

Only the two of them were present, so she could barely accept Qin Suliu handling her bone measurements.

“Excuse me,” Qin Suliu said simply, placing her hands on Yue Tingxi’s shoulders.

Careful and meticulous, Qin Suliu took an hour and a half to match the skeleton to the new face.

At sunset, the sky blazed crimson.

Once the bones aligned, Yue Tingxi had Qin Suliu remove the disguise, and she walked to the Nine-Mile Fragrance Flower Field.

Feeling uncomfortable, she sought a place of comfort to think.

The flower field was empty, filled with a light fragrance.

She reached her usual spot, sat down, closed her eyes, and leaned back.

When a demon relaxed, thoughts tended to wander.

She recalled how, twenty years ago, the younger Qin Suliu liked to hug her—sometimes her snake form, sometimes herself.

As a child, she had been carried by many young demons without concern.

Now, things were different; she found it hard to describe her emotions.

Lost in thought, she heard the faint sound of a zither in the distance.

Though played slowly, it carried emotion, blending quietly with the surroundings.

Yue Tingxi felt a sense of returning to the mountain streams, enjoying the moment, and settled into her chair to listen.

At the Fish-Watching Pavilion, Lan Fengqing played the zither for Qin Suliu.

“I’ve never seen you care for someone like this before,” Lan Fengqing said.

Her zither playing was calm and pure, often resonating with nature.

“Is that so?” Qin Suliu replied lightly.

“Of course. After you clarified things with your elder brother years ago, we wondered if you’d be with money or your blade for life. Who would have thought you’d be so devoted to a woman?”

Qin Suliu did not immediately respond, watching the koi fish while scattering crumbs.

“What makes you say ‘devoted’?” she finally asked.

“Eyes, words, actions, and an indescribable feeling,” Lan Fengqing answered.

“I’ve been silent a while… Aren’t you disgusted? A woman loving another woman violates natural and yin-yang laws,” Qin Suliu murmured.

“So what?” Lan Fengqing said. “Which cultivator hasn’t defied the heavens? Defy yin-yang? If no one is harmed, why not? Public gossip doesn’t matter; cherish your partner and cultivate together—that’s what matters.”

“…But I’m not worthy of her,” Qin Suliu whispered.

Lan Fengqing almost struck a wrong note on her zither, but her skill allowed her to continue smoothly.

“I’ve heard hidden sects have ancient legacies. But the Qin family is not bad either. You needn’t belittle yourself. If I defeat the usurper and take over Qingxu Sect for your brother, if you still like her, I’ll gather treasures from the sect as a gift for you.”

Qin Suliu simply smiled and replied, “Alright.”

She knew very well that in terms of “virtue,” she had long been far behind Yue Tingxi.

Yue Tingxi’s nature was pure, and she was corrupt—even her soul tainted.

Seeing Yue Tingxi lower her head in silence, Lan Fengqing, ever concerned, suggested, “Why not, Qin Suliu, go accompany her?”

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