Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 47

The sunlight streaming into the bedchamber gradually turned orange-red. Evening approached, and night was about to fall.

Yue Tingxi had long since forgotten when she had been placed onto the bed.

She didn’t like soft beds—not because of comfort, but because in her previous life, when trapped in Qingxu Sect, she had slept on soft beds at night.

Nothing particularly happened then, but everything about the prison, including furniture and decor, now made her feel nauseous whenever she encountered similar things.

Thus, when she encountered Miss Qin Suoliu’s bed, she almost instinctively shuddered and gripped Qin Suoliu’s seemingly fragile arm.

Yet the familiar fragrance surrounding her from Qin Suoliu herself softened her reaction. That subtle scent, present on Qin Suoliu’s body, wrapped around her.

After the initial struggle passed, when she heard Qin Suoliu’s concerned inquiry, she shook her head and said, “I’ll stay here.”

Hatred must indeed be remembered, but those past memories that made her uncomfortable should be overwritten with new, temporarily pleasant experiences.

Qin Suoliu didn’t say more and continued her attentions.

At first, she was cautious, constantly asking, “Is this okay?” or “How does this feel?” Over time, seeing that Yue Tingxi seemed to tolerate anything, she began acting on her own but still carefully, lightly, and gently testing each step.

Yue Tingxi couldn’t help but wonder when this little trickster had started to desire such intimacy with her, and from which demon’s soul she had learned these many techniques.

In any case, Yue Tingxi had only read about dual cultivation in various books. She knew some basic techniques and understood the need to respond.

But her curiosity was too strong—she wanted to observe first, to see what Miss Qin would do if she didn’t respond.

…and so she spent the entire night entwined with her.

There was no infusion of cultivation formulas or spiritual energy. Miss Qin, like teaching novices the Qin family sword, first allowed a few days for adaptation before tackling the real matter.

Only now did Yue Tingxi realize that Qin Suoliu’s obsession wasn’t limited to her tail or snake form. It made sense—a human girl would naturally value the human form she was most familiar with.

Even so, Yue Tingxi kept half of her snake form—it was easier to maneuver with, and being her first time in a snake body, she didn’t want to complicate matters with unnecessary details.

By the latter half of the night, she also understood for the first time how Qin Suoliu’s complex clothing was disassembled.

Miss Qin likely intended to teach her, carefully explaining each strap and its placement in detail, making Yue Tingxi memorize it after a single glance.

What to do next, however, left her completely puzzled. After pondering, she wrapped Miss Qin in her tail, using her water spiritual energy as a delicate thread, placing it carefully while observing Qin Suoliu’s reactions.

After all, books were written by humans. She had to adjust based on the person, step by step.

Before long, Miss Qin Suoliu was draped over her, wrapping her neck, making unfamiliar noises that continuously disturbed her ears.

Yue Tingxi struggled with it. It was noisy, and she wanted to pull her under the covers—but couldn’t get annoyed—her mind was too happy.

After some thought, she paused, waiting until Miss Qin Suoliu stopped trembling in her arms before resuming her observations.

The night in the human world was both long and short.

By morning, Yue Tingxi realized an entire night had passed. She had overcome her fear of soft beds and could share a pillow with Miss Qin.

Watching Qin Suoliu’s peaceful sleeping face, Yue Tingxi placed a hand on her chest.

Although she hadn’t practiced cultivation the previous night, she felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment—similar to surviving a major tribulation at the Nascent Soul stage, or reaching a milestone in her cultivation before.

She didn’t fully understand the meaning of this feeling and dared not consult Master Qingyu Shan about it—she wished this sense of fulfillment would linger a little longer before facing his scolding.

She cast a purification spell, feeling refreshed, and closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, inside the Gaizi Ice Wheel…

“Ah, you stone spirit are really strange. You’re angry but don’t want to stop, and yet you peek despite the barrier—then get angry, reapply the barrier, peek again, worried your ‘jade cabbage’ is wronged,” teased the Salvation Scale, chuckling at the irritated Qingyu Shan.

“That’s my ‘jade cabbage’ I raised from childhood!” Qingyu Shan retorted angrily. “Besides, that child’s soul has been dirty for unknown reasons. What if she treats Tingxi the same way as in her past life…”

“Don’t worry. I’ve seen it—she knows her mistakes now. What she does benefits your cabbage. Let the young ones experience the joys and hardships of love. If it doesn’t work out, your cabbage can still choose to part.”

“She wouldn’t willingly!” Qingyu Shan almost laughed in anger. “That little fox must have used some trick to ensnare her into dual cultivation! If she wanted cultivation help, she wouldn’t need me!”

“She likely doesn’t want your intervention anyway,” Salvation Scale said seriously. “The stronger Qingyu Shan is, the safer Xishan becomes. No one dares touch her.”

Salvation Scale had already “seen” that Xishan was Yue Tingxi’s true home and refuge, guarded directly by Qingyu Shan.

Qingyu Shan sighed and didn’t reply further but asked, “Since you’ve seen the past, why are these two so intertwined by karma?”

“‘Entwined by karma’—the phrase was first calculated by the Five Elders of the Star-Picking Pavilion. No barrier can hide it from someone of your realm. Recently, Salvation Scale also mentioned it.”

“Besides past and present life, did they meet in other timelines? And what grudges were formed?” she asked boldly.

“You have the level to hear the truth, but your selfishness might make you resent Qin Suoliu even more. I promised the World Consciousness not to reveal the truth until the right time, not even to them,” Salvation Scale replied.

This life was their last “counterattack opportunity.” She had to assist and ensure the pieces moved according to plan.

“Rather than questioning endlessly, let this space serve its original purpose!” Salvation Scale clapped her hands, and a white jade, gold-patterned duel platform appeared. “I’ve upgraded it—you can fight as wildly as you want!”

At noon, Yue Tingxi was awakened by the smell of food.

Simple, home-style dishes—summer brought more cold dishes.

Her eyes immediately fell on cold noodles, reminding her of the morning trip to the market with Chan Ying thirty years ago. They had enjoyed the freshly made noodles and jelly, visiting the best noodle shop in Xianjing City.

Unfortunately, that noodle shop had changed ownership after one of her long closures, and she had never tasted those flavors again.

Yawning, she lazily swam to the table, shifted into human form, and sat to eat.

Perhaps because of last night’s extended adaptation, she felt lazy in her bones today, unwilling to move, wanting only to read or sleep.

After half a bowl of noodles and several cold dishes, she recovered enough to stare at Qin Suoliu.

Noticing her gaze, Qin Suoliu swallowed her food, set down the utensils, wiped her lips, and sat upright, waiting for her to speak.

“…Next time, it’s time to cultivate,” Yue Tingxi said seriously, reminding her not to forget why she had agreed.

Before the crisis was resolved, indulgence was untimely. Even if it was a pleasurable experience one could become addicted to, she didn’t want it to hinder real cultivation.

Qin Suoliu obediently replied “Okay,” feeling mixed emotions.

She clearly remembered that Tingxi had enjoyed both giving and receiving—the first time she tried, she was inexperienced but happy.

It wasn’t aversion, nor displeasure, but she couldn’t fully indulge either.

Fortunately, Qin Suoliu had no expectation that this alone would make Tingxi enjoy it. She only intended to convey her own thoughts accumulated over the years and receive an answer, whether good or bad.

Receiving an answer she hadn’t imagined, she didn’t feel as joyful as expected.

“The kitchen has already received a batch of fish I brought back,” Yue Tingxi said after lunch.

The remaining fish would be sold by the Qin family. She left the price to Qin Suoliu.

“Of course it’s yours,” Qin Suoliu replied. “The Qin family doesn’t take advantage of benefactors.”

“But these are rare spiritual fish. Selling them secretly or in batches will take effort,” Yue Tingxi explained. “Since you can’t decide, consider it my gift for the Qin family’s food expenses—I’ll give seven, you take three.”

She had intended to say six-four, but felt five-five would be refused. She chose seven-three instead.

Qin Suoliu outwardly accepted, already thinking of how to gradually funnel the “three” to Luo Yansha’s purse. Tingxi’s simple wish for her old friend’s wealth was something she could fulfill, indirectly repaying her.

They then moved the remaining fish to the Qin family’s main hall. Even the elder steward was astonished, calling in Lan Kongming, who was practicing swordplay.

“I’ve heard the Xuanshui Secret Realm produces spiritual fish, but did you capture all the offspring alive?!”

“No problem—capable people should catch more,” Lan Kongming said. “I’ll list a schedule for delivery.”

After the steward left, Lan Kongming cast an isolation barrier and looked at Yue Tingxi.

“I know Suoliu and Fengqing’s abilities. Seeing the state of these fish, they entered the trap willingly. Did you use a method or a magical tool? Or… are you a great serpent capable of forging an inner chamber?”

Yue Tingxi noticed the subtle tone when “great serpent” was mentioned—neither hostile nor friendly, but tinged with slight sadness. She couldn’t discern her emotions.

“The Qin family distinguishes good from evil. Suoliu has received help from a great serpent before. At least I and other elders won’t make things hard for a benevolent helper,” Lan Kongming continued, acknowledging her identity as a serpent.

Yue Tingxi didn’t respond and instead looked at Qin Suoliu.

She recalled that twenty years ago, “Azi” had returned home escorted by a young, kind man who claimed to be her father.

Now she realized she had met Qin Suoliu’s late father but never her mother—otherwise, her mother would have recognized her immediately.

“Mother, she is the ‘Yue Sister’ from twenty years ago. Father met her then. But I haven’t sworn a blood contract with her. If hostile people knew she was a serpent, they might harm her. I hope her identity remains known only to us,” Qin Suoliu explained.

“Since she is a benefactor, I won’t ask further,” Lan Kongming said.

After brief small talk, Yue Tingxi and Qin Suoliu left the hall.

“Father died from demonic sorcery,” Qin Suoliu whispered as they walked. “The Ghost Realm Secret was supposed to open every ten years, but opened early then. Father, as head of the family, went with high-level cultivators to investigate. Unexpectedly, he was infected by demonic sorcery and no medicine could save him. He passed on his cultivation to me and Mother before dying.”

She paused. “This is why I avoid the Ghost Realm Secret.”

Yue Tingxi pondered, realizing the Ghost Realm also contained the Qin family’s enemies. She patted Qin Suoliu’s shoulder: “Two years from now, we’ll make a proper end to it—once our cultivation is sufficient.”

With the Xuanshui Secret Realm trip concluded, Yue Tingxi’s days at the Qin residence returned to routine.

By day, she read with Qin Suoliu; by night, they sparred in the Gaizi Ice Wheel, discovering problems in their martial techniques.

Qingyu Shan seemed to be avoiding her temporarily; for several days, she hadn’t seen him in the Ice Wheel. Salvation Scale handled all adjustments and power suppression.

At night, Yue Tingxi felt conflicted.

Some nights, she intended to cultivate properly but was interrupted by unforeseen events before even half an hour had passed.

Her cultivation would be disrupted, though interactions with Qin Suoliu continued.

She couldn’t calm her mind to cultivate. Her repressed snake instincts flared, often leaving her thoughts consumed by dangerous impulses.

Sometimes she considered abandoning dual cultivation, even returning to the mountains for a long retreat to see how much her cultivation could improve in a year or two.

Yet the pleasures of dual cultivation were irresistible. She experienced unprecedented joy, and Qin Suoliu frequently taught new techniques. Every time Yue Tingxi applied a new technique, Miss Qin would show her a higher peak to aim for.

She was unsure if this was good or bad.

About five days later…

On the sixth morning, Yue Tingxi awoke before Qin Suoliu. After washing, she heard the servant say Miss Lan Fengqing was visiting urgently.

She remembered Fengqing had mentioned checking the mysterious spiritual plant. She quickly awakened Qin Suoliu and sent the servant to invite Fengqing.

Fengqing arrived in a rush, almost teleporting multiple times and almost losing the servants.

“I finally discovered what that plant is!” she exclaimed. “It will use your child as its vessel!”

Yue Tingxi froze for a few seconds. “Can you explain first? The summary alone is terrifying!”

“I’ll start with the plant’s name,” Fengqing said. “It’s called ‘Shuo Han Flower,’ fire attribute. When mature, it parasitizes nearby female humans, absorbing enough spiritual energy to be birthed in a juvenile form to avoid the transformation tribulation.”

“…Can it be fully refined?” Qin Suoliu frowned, holding her abdomen.

“It can, but you need higher cultivation than it. Extracting it isn’t impossible, but since it’s rooted in the host, even with sealing, you can’t completely isolate it. My ancestor estimated extraction would cost at least a major stage of cultivation,” Fengqing explained.

“So refining it or letting it… be birthed is better?” Yue Tingxi asked, turning to Qin Suoliu.

The thought of another child arriving before she had even settled dual cultivation made her dizzy.

Being a serpent, she knew there was no avoiding the transformation tribulation. Even if the plant miraculously survived, the heavenly tribulation would strike twice as hard at a certain stage.

Furthermore, a Nascent Soul plant took at least 300–400 years to mature, with steadfast intent difficult to reason with. She couldn’t explain the future to it.

“So it releases fire energy in chaos, effectively absorbing my energy as nutrients for transformation?” Qin Suoliu asked.

“Theoretically, yes. Records show the last human host didn’t survive, dying before delivery. The plant drained all spiritual energy upon the host’s death, then withered,” Fengqing said.

“If we control its energy intake and continuously extract its energy while checking and reinforcing the seal, these disasters shouldn’t happen,” Qin Suoliu reasoned. “The downside is I can’t refine it immediately; it must stay in me until my cultivation surpasses it.”

“…I’m not sure about precedent,” Fengqing said, thinking urgently. She left immediately for the Medicine Valley to investigate further.

After she left, Yue Tingxi and Qin Suoliu looked at each other in the bedchamber.

“Sorry, can I… check the seal?” Yue Tingxi asked guiltily.

Even though everyone told her it was not her fault, she couldn’t ignore Qin Suoliu’s potential suffering.

Qin Suoliu didn’t reply, smoothly adjusting her clothing to expose her flat abdomen.

Placing her hand there, Yue Tingxi felt her cheeks heat up.

Especially knowing her water energy would be consumed by the Shuo Han Flower, she now understood why Fengqing had said, “It will use your child as its vessel.”

Support