Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 34

Enjoying a moment of tranquility with the sound of the zither, Yue Tingxi felt the restless stirrings in her heart gradually calm.

She was about to linger a little longer by the Nine-Li Xiang flower field before returning to her room when she heard familiar footsteps approaching from behind.

“May I sit by your side for a while?” Qin Suoliu asked as she stopped a few steps behind her.

Yue Tingxi thought, Isn’t this your flower field? Yet she reasoned that the young mistress probably asked so politely to seize this opportunity to share something with her—perhaps about the upcoming plan, or maybe some past events connected to this flower field.

So she nodded, “Of course.”

Qin Suoliu then brought over a wicker chair and placed it beside her before reclining.

The zither music continued, though with a new melody that made Yue Tingxi recall a flower sea on a flat hilltop in Chunyuetxi.

Colorful butterflies fluttered, young demons chased each other, and humans who weren’t satisfied with simple play transformed into their demon forms, pouncing amid the flowers and grass.

It was joyful, lively, and pleasant.

She liked the piece very much and asked curiously, “Who is playing the zither? Miss Lan?”

“That’s right. She cultivates alchemy, and due to her own limitations, she apprenticed under the reclusive music master. So she channels spiritual energy through her instrument—it’s part of her daily training,” Qin Suoliu explained.

“She plays so well. It reminds me of the happy times in the mountains. My heart feels so clear,” Yue Tingxi sincerely complimented.

Qin Suoliu smiled, “If you feel benefited by it, you can tell her directly. She’ll be delighted.”

Yue Tingxi replied softly, “Alright,” and stole a glance at her out of the corner of her eye.

What does the young mistress want to tell her now?

She had already arrived, so why not speak? Was she waiting for the right moment?

Yue Tingxi grew anxious but repeatedly reminded herself to remain patient.

She had already given Qin Suoliu opportunities. For now, she would quietly observe and not be too proactive.

—But Qin Suoliu was not waiting; she simply didn’t know what she should do.

Lan Fengqing had simply advised her to “accompany her,” which seemed reasonable and desirable, so she had come to sit.

Sitting quietly with Yue Tingxi, enjoying the flowers and fragrance, Qin Suoliu recalled all the few romantic and sentimental tales she could remember from her past.

What should lovers do in front of flowers and under the moon?

Poetry? Painting? Walking?

But what if one party simply wants to sit quietly in a chair?

Eliminating unsuitable options, Qin Suoliu took a deep breath and chose to “talk about the past.”

She would share her own past, either amusing or sorrowful. If the other party was willing to open their heart, they could reciprocate with their own memories.

“When I was young, I brought back a few Nine-Li Xiang plants from the mountains,” she said softly. “I planted them here, thinking they wouldn’t survive—the soil in the Qin estate’s gardens is far less infused with spiritual energy than the mountain soil.”

“But Nine-Li Xiang is not rare in the mortal world. I’ve seen it at the Flower and Bird Market several times. From what you said, it seems you favor the ones brought from the mountains?” Yue Tingxi asked. “Does it have any special story?”

“It was the favorite flower of the great demon who saved me.”

Then Qin Suoliu spoke with a soft, tender, and reminiscent tone, “And I also like it.”

She loved the flower, but even more, she loved that great demon.

Yue Tingxi seemed to understand.

She remembered that humans often do things like this: planting bamboo to encourage themselves, or a tree to commemorate a cherished friend or a deceased loved one. This is similar to engraving words on a stone, but using living plants instead—to convey feelings.

The young mistress, having planted the Nine-Li Xiang she brought from the mountains, was likely reminding herself not to forget the demon’s kindness and always avoid harming benevolent spirits.

Yet… Yue Tingxi also recalled the previous life’s Qin family massacre.

The day the Qin family was exterminated, everyone died, and this flower field likely didn’t survive either.

With the Nine-Li Xiang gone, the young mistress of the past would no longer exist.

She didn’t know what to say, nor how much of Qin Suoliu’s memories had been recovered.

—She could only clearly sense that Qin Suoliu was very happy, while she herself didn’t understand the reason for her joy.

Not wanting to voice her confusion, Yue Tingxi silently put it aside, believing that at the right time, an answer might naturally “grow” in her mind.

Qin Suoliu wasn’t surprised at the lack of response.

At present, it was enough to convey her words. As long as Tingxi heard them and… didn’t feel disgusted, that was enough.

After all, the more beautiful and pure the times twenty years ago were, the more tragic their previous fate seemed.

Once again, they sat quietly together, inhaling the gentle floral scent carried by the wind.

When the zither music gradually stopped—likely because Lan Fengqing went to rest—they returned to the sleeping quarters.

The next day was uneventful. Qin Suoliu followed her mother, Lan Kongming, to pack items and elixirs for the upcoming secret realm expedition. Yue Tingxi went to visit her old friend Luo Yansha, who had recently rented a room in the Qin estate. Luo Yansha had previously said in a mysterious way, “Come see me the day before you depart.”

To Yue Tingxi’s surprise, upon meeting her, Luo Yansha handed her a storage bag.

“I haven’t been to the secret realm, but I heard it will take at least ten days to half a month. Although you surely have enough fasting elixirs, and defensive robes are ready, still!” Luo Yansha opened the bag, and a savory aroma of spicy shredded meat immediately wafted out. “Delicious food and pretty clothes lift the spirits! I used ingredients imbued with spiritual energy from the Qin estate and set a preservation array in the food box. If you have leisure, give it a try!”

Considering that drinking alcohol in the secret realm could be risky, and that Lan Fengqing’s health made alcohol unsuitable, she had also prepared several large jars of fruit tea with matching cups.

“I only had time to prepare clothes for you; I don’t know Qin Suoliu’s size, so I’m not confident about making hers,” Luo Yansha reminded while Yue Tingxi checked the bag’s contents.

Yue Tingxi was greatly touched and carefully put everything away, deciding to “return the favor”: “Is there anything you’re particularly interested in? I’ll look for it in the secret realm.”

After thinking for a while, Luo Yansha said, “Hmm… spirit plants for making cloth, spirit fruits for brewing, edible spirit beast meat? If there are manuals, I’d like recipes or forging guides.”

Having come to the Qin estate and received guidance from the young mistress, she decided to take this chance to pursue old interests. If she truly mastered them, she could help her friend and Qin Suoliu.

Yue Tingxi noted them all. As she was about to say goodbye, Luo Yansha called out again, “If there are spirit beast eggs, I’d like one too!”

“You plan to raise a spirit beast?” Yue Tingxi was surprised.

“Yes! Preferably a fluffy one!” Luo Yansha nodded enthusiastically. “Honestly, I’ve always wanted to hug a little cat or fox while sleeping, but ordinary cats and foxes have limited lifespans, and demons can’t raise them, so I…” She looked embarrassed. “I didn’t want to ask earlier because you were always secluded…”

“No problem. I’ll keep an eye out for you,” Yue Tingxi said. “But I’ve heard spirit beast eggs are rare, and even if you find one, it may not hatch into a fluffy beast.”

“That doesn’t matter! I’ll raise anything you bring back!” Luo Yansha said immediately.

After parting from her friend, Yue Tingxi returned to her quarters with the storage bag.

Passing by the library, she heard smooth zither music and peeked inside.

Gu Yun was playing the zither while Qin Yinguang sat beside her, propping his face with one hand and tapping the table with the other, a satisfied smile on his lips.

Yue Tingxi recalled that not long ago, Bai Lu, who had been soul-searched by a Qin elder, had died in the underground prison. His ashes were taken by Gu Yun to a river outside Xuijing City and scattered.

—“She once said she hoped one day to soar like a white egret over the river. If she couldn’t reach the sky, she would drift with the flow, straight into the sea.”

Gu Yun had explained this to accompanying Qin Yinguang at the time.

No matter what, they had at least once been friends.

Returning to her quarters, Yue Tingxi began organizing the items in her inner chamber.

Being a demon, she preferred keeping things in her inner space.

All the clothes from her friend were hung in the wardrobe, food and tea stored in designated boxes, cups and teapots carefully secured on shelves, and finally reinforced with spirit stones to stabilize the chamber’s arrays.

She was so focused on organizing her new belongings that she completely forgot a storage bag carrying a faint medicinal scent, quietly lying in an inconspicuous corner of her chamber.

Because the Xuanshui Secret Realm would open tomorrow, Yue Tingxi didn’t go to the Mustard Seed Ice Wheel today. She meditated early, keeping her state at its best.

Her Wuhe whip had already been used frequently in sparring with Lan Fengqing and Qin Suoliu, and although not yet fully mastered, it was sufficient for her to use freely without extra practice.

Late that night, Qin Suoliu gently shook her awake, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“The Xuanshui Secret Realm might open tonight!” Qin Suoliu turned on a lamp and said seriously. “The assistants sent another message.”

“Again received by the Grey Moth?” Yue Tingxi instinctively asked, only to see the moth resting on Qin Suoliu’s shoulder.

“That’s right. And the assistants are still in the Glacier Snow Valley,” Qin Suoliu frowned. “Whether this information is reliable or a trap… we’ll know once we go see.”

Yue Tingxi could sense her emotions and realized Qin Suoliu was more concerned about the assistant than the impending secret realm opening.

Lan Fengqing had mentioned that the Grey Moth might be akin to a law of heaven, and even Qin Suoliu was curious about the “assistant” in the same restricted area as Lan Gou.

“Just the three of us?” she asked while getting up.

“My mother and a few Qin elders will also go,” Qin Suoliu replied, placing Yue Tingxi’s usual white fox fur cushion in a storage bag. “I’ve told my mother that if the secret realm opens, we can enter early.”

Yue Tingxi reminded her instinctively, “Remember to leave some people behind—Yinguang, Luo Yansha, and Gu Yun…”

She feared a trap.

“Yes, everything is arranged,” Qin Suoliu said, extinguishing the lamp and forming a fire with her spiritual energy to light the way as she stood by the door.

Perhaps not trusting it fully, she added, “The Qin estate has experience; don’t worry.”

Yue Tingxi paused at the words but only replied briefly and immediately followed her outside.

Experience…? Where did that come from?

Lan Fengqing also came fully dressed, a flute case hanging from her waist.

For convenience, she had temporarily stored her usual zither and would use the flute as a weapon.

Lan Kongming summoned a small cloud vessel at the estate entrance, and together they boarded it. She instructed the steward to watch over Qin Yinguang to prevent the young girl from sneaking out at night, then piloted the cloud vessel toward the secret realm’s opening site.

Several elders followed in night-travel robes, carrying flying swords.

The cloud vessel glided silently across the night sky. The moon was bright, and the night breeze carried humidity and heat.

Qin Suoliu and her mother remained vigilant, Yue Tingxi and Lan Fengqing sat in their positions, all looking out the window in silence.

“…It should be about to open.”

As they approached the secret realm’s opening site, Lan Fengqing suddenly said, “I can feel the air is very humid, as if I could squeeze water from it.”

“If our luck is bad, we might enter the shallow water layer,” Lan Kongming said sternly. “Since we’ve confirmed the secret realm is opening, you can take the cloud vessel directly.”

“What about you?” Lan Fengqing was surprised. “I thought this was your blood-bound vessel…”

“Don’t worry about me. The cloud vessel was meant for Suoliu anyway,” Lan Kongming said, tossing her a fish-shaped token. “Keep ‘Whalefall’ safe for me.”

Leaving the cloud vessel, she activated its triple defense barrier, then leapt out on her sword, keeping a safe distance with the elders while waiting for the realm to open.

About fifteen minutes later, Yue Tingxi sensed a strange flow of spiritual energy around them.

Even with the triple barrier, the cloud vessel trembled uncontrollably.

“Hold on tight!” Qin Suoliu warned, sealing all connections to the outside. “The vessel is in a good position. We can use the initial pull of the secret realm to enter!”

Yue Tingxi grasped the handrail, noticing a faint herbal fragrance as Lan Fengqing used green vines to secure her to the seat.

“…Thank you,” she said.

Lan Fengqing waved her hand nervously, “I’m just tense and wanted to do something to distract myself.”

The cloud vessel suddenly dropped sharply, then tumbled in a direction uncontrollably.

Yue Tingxi didn’t worry; as a trained demon, she could hold the vessel steady with her demon form if necessary.

Fortunately, she didn’t need to. The vessel descended into the water smoothly, and the spiritual turbulence receded like the tide.

“Shallow water layer,” Qin Suoliu said, displaying the earlier map. “We entered early, so nearby spirits won’t notice us immediately. But to be safe, stay inside the vessel for now.”

“Should we disguise ourselves first?” Lan Fengqing suggested.

Qin Suoliu had no objection, summoning a water mirror to begin the disguise process.

Yue Tingxi, seeing the Grey Moth perform magic for Qin Suoliu, leaned on the opened glass, observing the scenery outside.

Truthfully, this was her first time entering a secret realm, and a realm with such abundant water spiritual energy, so curiosity was inevitable.

She saw the water in shades between blue and green, and unusually vibrant fish—completely different from the koi in Guan Yu Xiaoxie—swim past. A strange sense of intimacy stirred her desire to transform into her demon form and dive in.

But thinking of “water,” she snapped back and asked Qin Suoliu, “Are you okay, Miss Suoliu?”

—The young mistress had a fire elemental root and disliked water-filled areas. Though they had trained at Mustard Seed Ice Wheel, this aversion was innate.

“I’m fine, but it’s strange,” Qin Suoliu said, puzzling her. “It feels like being on land.”

“Indeed strange,” Lan Fengqing agreed. “I can sense the water energy, but it doesn’t seem enough to affect Miss Suoliu.”

Yue Tingxi considered, asking hesitantly, “Could it be that the Grey Moth cast an ‘isolation’ spell on you and forgot to remove it?”

Since the “isolation” spell could temporarily block Lan Fengqing’s condition, handling water energy shouldn’t be difficult.

“No, the shallow water layer doesn’t require isolation,” Qin Suoliu shook her head, but suddenly sensed something and looked at her shoulder.

The Grey Moth stayed motionless.

Qin Suoliu enveloped it in spiritual energy, instantly feeling the uncomfortable water energy she normally disliked.

“…It did it on its own,” she said after releasing the energy, her expression complicated.

“That’s considerate of it!” Lan Fengqing was surprised. “It seems to know you dislike water energy.”

Qin Suoliu said nothing, focusing on her disguise.

The Grey Moth’s true origin remained untold even to Yue Tingxi.

It was part of a “deal”—after she had died in a space filled with countless dark golden characters, she promised some entity something. Upon returning to the world, the Grey Moth appeared by her side.

It could do many things to ensure the safety of her and those she wished to protect.

But she always thought of it as a tool that needed orders, not a conscious being.

Its initiative surprised her now.

Yue Tingxi also noticed.

If the Grey Moth truly related to heaven and law, does this mean… they were being watched by heaven?

Not necessarily them, perhaps only Qin Suoliu.

With her current knowledge, Yue Tingxi couldn’t judge; she could only note it and give Qin Suoliu a complex look.

—“She’s still hiding, still acting!”

Lan Fengqing’s previous words echoed in her mind.

The young mistress… must have experienced something in that dark golden space.

The disguises had been pre-planned. The two young mistresses quickly adjusted to their new appearances. It was Yue Tingxi’s turn.

While disguising her, Qin Suoliu noticed her displeasure.

“Yue Tingxi, is this your first time on a cloud vessel?” she guessed.

“Yes, I usually ride a small leaf or your flying carriage after descending the mountain—they’re steady,” Yue Tingxi replied distractedly.

“Then if you feel unwell, tell me or Lan Fengqing immediately,” Qin Suoliu said. “Mortals get seasick; cultivators have similar effects. Take the right elixir, and it will pass quickly.”

Yue Tingxi agreed, only realizing moments later she had misunderstood and couldn’t help laughing.

The young girl was perceptive—she even felt displeasure.

Qin Suoliu decided not to explain the true reason, simply saying, “Shall I take an elixir?”

After a few breaths, a light-blue pill was handed to her.

Yue Tingxi’s hands were still under the Grey Moth’s spell, so

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