Luo Fengxue let out a cold laugh. She had always been smooth and slick, speaking the language of men to men and ghosts to ghosts, never arguing with anyone face-to-face. But now, she couldn't hold back any longer. Staring at Wei Jiasi with a mocking glint in her eyes, she said, "Second Senior Sister, forget about Uncle-Master Shoujing. Even I wouldn't fancy you in your current state!"
Wei Jiasi, originally a beautiful woman, was now so enraged her face contorted. Her hand flashed, and a vermilion-colored banner appeared in her grasp.
Luo Fengxue did not make a move, but she did not back down either, taking another step forward. "Do you really intend to attack a fellow disciple? Second Senior Sister, don't make one mistake after another!"
Struggle flickered across Wei Jiasi's face—anger and remorse alternating—before she finally put the banner away.
Seeing this, Luo Fengxue's expression softened slightly. She spoke slowly, "I entered Master's tutelage as a child. When I was young, you and Senior Sister were always the ones taking care of me, playing with me, teaching me cultivation... Second Senior Sister, you were once so intelligent and admirable. Though we are not particularly close now, I still don't wish to see you stray down the wrong path. Second Senior Sister, think carefully. Uncle-Master Shoujing is now at the Core Formation mid-stage. With his cultivation speed, it's very possible he will achieve Nascent Soul within a hundred years. If he forms his Nascent Soul, how could he possibly spare a glance for a mere Foundation Establishment disciple? You know perfectly well that Uncle-Master Shoujing cares for nothing but cultivation. If your own cultivation cannot keep pace with his, why would he give you a second look?"
As Luo Fengxue finished speaking, a tremor passed through Wei Jiasi's eyes. Then, her gaze shifted to Mo Tiange.
Mo Tiange was puzzled. She knew Wei Jiasi's look was one of wariness toward her, but she had already overheard most of the conversation. What else couldn't she hear?
While she was still confused, Luo Fengxue had already understood Wei Jiasi's meaning. She turned to Mo Tiange and said, "Tiange, we're quite a distance from Falling Goose Cliff. There might be demon beasts nearby. Could you stand watch for us?"
Hearing this, Mo Tiange understood. The bond between these two was deeper than hers with them. Perhaps there were things they couldn't say in front of her. She nodded. "You two talk first. I'll go take a look."
"Mm." Luo Fengxue merely acknowledged, but there was gratitude in her eyes.
Mo Tiange smiled and turned to leave.
Watching her figure disappear, Luo Fengxue waved a hand, immediately creating a soundproofing barrier that enclosed the two of them. "Senior Sister, speak your mind. Perhaps there are things you've misunderstood."
Wei Jiasi had been staring in the direction Mo Tiange left, her expression complex. Now, she lowered her eyes and spoke softly, "Fengxue, since you already know, I won't hide it from you. I never dared to entertain too many wild fantasies... but ever since she arrived—"
"...Senior Sister, are you saying Uncle-Master Shoujing treats Tiange differently?"
Wei Jiasi nodded, then gave a bitter smile. "I know you've always looked down on me in this matter. How could I be willing to be looked down upon? It's just... you've never experienced the stirrings of affection, so you don't understand..."
Luo Fengxue stepped closer, speaking frankly. "Second Senior Sister, I must admit I previously had quite a few criticisms about this. I hope you can forgive me. While I don't understand matters of the heart, I know we are not mortal women and naturally cannot act as they do. In the world of cultivation, the only true measure is one's cultivation base. For so many years, Uncle-Master Shoujing has never paid attention to women, perhaps because there hasn't been a woman worthy of his attention. Senior Sister, isn't it precisely because Uncle-Master Shoujing is unlike ordinary male disciples that you...?"
Wei Jiasi fell silent. Luo Fengxue's words were direct, but she couldn't deny them. Setting aside Uncle-Master Shoujing's appearance and status—those things were ultimately superficial—why had she developed these feelings? She searched her memories carefully. At first, seeing that this uncle-master wasn't much older than them yet could remain clear-minded and detached, wholly devoted to arduous cultivation, she had secretly admired him. Later, witnessing his actions truly set him apart from disciples like them, and his cultivation advancing at a startlingly rapid pace, she gradually became captivated. If his cultivation weren't so high, what would she feel? At this thought, a chill ran down Wei Jiasi's spine. She had always held herself in high esteem, only now realizing she was no different from those other women!
"Second Senior Sister!"
Wei Jiasi snapped out of her reverie, shaking her head gently. "It's nothing."
Luo Fengxue looked at her with concern. "What were you thinking?"
Wei Jiasi couldn't bring herself to say it immediately, hesitating for a long time before speaking. "Fengxue, do you think... I'm as frivolous as those other female disciples? Because the uncle-master is young and his cultivation high, I..."
"There's nothing wrong with that," Luo Fengxue said with a light laugh. "Uncle-Master Shoujing's conduct and bearing are indeed vastly different from the senior brothers. It's only natural he attracts admiration. I'm the vulgar one. Senior Sister, you know me. I don't particularly enjoy cultivation, but I have quite an interest in wielding authority. That's why I can see things clearly."
"You... are the clever one." Glancing in the direction Mo Tiange had left, Wei Jiasi asked quietly, "Fengxue, you've always been close to her. Do you know if Uncle-Master truly..."
Before she could finish, Luo Fengxue shook her head. "Second Senior Sister, don't be overly suspicious. If you think Uncle-Master Shoujing has any special feelings for Tiange, I don't believe it."
"But why did Uncle-Master hide his identity from her?"
"..." Luo Fengxue also wore a puzzled expression. "I think Uncle-Master Shoujing must have his own reasons. But if he truly had any intentions, why would he have Tiange cultivate alongside us? I have seen that some of the treasures she possesses indeed belonged to Uncle-Master... However, Uncle-Master Shoujing's alchemy skills are unparalleled, yet I've never seen any special pills on Tiange. Her disciple stipends are exactly the same as ours. Only Master Ancestor has bestowed a few things upon her."
Wei Jiasi remained silent for a long while. Then Luo Fengxue continued, "Second Senior Sister, don't suspect Tiange. Since her arrival, I've been with her constantly. I know her affairs clearly. To be honest with you, she is actually the same type of person as Uncle-Master Shoujing—firm of will, wholeheartedly devoted to arduous cultivation. She doesn't have such thoughts now, but if you continue like this, you will inevitably be left behind by her. And then, Uncle-Master Shoujing might indeed start to treat her differently."
Wei Jiasi's expression shifted dramatically as she stared at Luo Fengxue.
Luo Fengxue gave a bitter smile and sighed. "Senior Sister, don't think I'm exaggerating to scare you. Tiange has been here a long time and is closest to me. I may lack other talents, but I've always been good at judging people. With Tiange's temperament, reaching Foundation Establishment perfection is only a matter of time. Now that she's Master Ancestor's named disciple, as long as Master Ancestor provides some extra care, what worry is there about her achieving Core Formation? Uncle-Master Shoujing is exceptionally gifted. Among our Xuanqing Sect members of his generation, only Uncle-Master Lingxi has achieved Core Formation at a similar age, but Uncle-Master Lingxi is a man. If Uncle-Master Shoujing truly forms his Nascent Soul within a hundred years and wishes to take a dual cultivation partner, where would he find a suitable Nascent Soul female cultivator? At that point, he'd probably have to select from among Core Formation female cultivators, and even then, only those with the hope of forming a Nascent Soul. That would narrow it down to young Core Formation cultivators—Second Senior Sister, if you don't achieve Core Formation, you have no hope!"
By this point, Wei Jiasi understood. She had taken the wrong path. Without cultivation, Uncle-Master Shoujing wouldn't spare her a glance. If she couldn't achieve Core Formation, she would only be left behind. How pitiful that all these years, she had abandoned the most important thing—her cultivation—and chased after trifles.
"Fengxue, thank you." It was as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over Wei Jiasi's head, awakening her. Suddenly, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders. All these years, she had carried this secret affection, not daring to let anyone know, unable to let go, unable to abandon it, unwilling to part with it. Even her self-respect and pride had been lost in this difficult pursuit, forgetting the very source of that pride and self-respect. Without cultivation, what right did she have to be proud? What right did she have to expect others to treat her differently?
Hearing these words, Luo Fengxue let out a sigh of relief, finally relaxing her tense nerves. They were far from Falling Goose Cliff, and the dense forest was full of demon beasts. She had actually been on edge the whole time!
"But..." Wei Jiasi hesitated. "Uncle-Master Shoujing is missing now. I didn't come here with any wild fantasies. It's just that I'm truly uneasy..."
"Second Senior Sister!" Luo Fengxue said urgently. "In this matter, you truly aren't as good as Tiange. Tiange is also worried, but she knows her own limitations and is wholeheartedly waiting for news from Senior Brother Qingyuan. If she were like you, wouldn't she just be adding to Master's troubles?"
Wei Jiasi suddenly frowned. "What do you mean by that? Didn't you say Tiange doesn't have..."
Luo Fengxue realized she had slipped up but remained composed. "She thinks it's Senior Brother Qin. But Senior Sister, don't be suspicious. Tiange only considers him a friend."
"Is that so..." She had only spoken half a sentence when she suddenly drew her flying sword and summoned a magical tool.
"Second Senior Sister!" Luo Fengxue was shocked.
Wei Jiasi didn't speak, her face cold and severe, a flash of killing intent in her eyes as she simultaneously activated her flying sword and the banner.
Luo Fengxue frantically summoned her own magical tool, only to hear a thunderous crash the next moment! She turned her head and froze.
Wei Jiasi, while manipulating her flying sword, recited an incantation, then pointed with spiritual energy. The banner instantly expanded, crackling with lightning.
"Fengxue!" she shouted. "Stop spacing out! There are demon beasts!"
Only then did Luo Fengxue snap back to reality, feeling a wave of shame. She had thought Senior Sister wanted to...
Five Second- and Third-Rank demon beasts!
Sensing the demon beast auras approaching one after another, Luo Fengxue was greatly alarmed. Second-Rank corresponded to Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, Third-Rank to Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment. They were one at Early-Stage and one at Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, vastly outnumbered!
Wei Jiasi stood on her flying sword, grabbing a few items and thrusting them into Luo Fengxue's hands. "Quick! I'll hold them off for a while. You go find Mo Tiange and escape back with her!"
"No, Senior Sister, you alone..."
"Go now!" Wei Jiasi barked, her eyes darting toward the approaching demon beasts. "If you don't leave now, it'll be too late! You've just advanced and aren't skilled in combat. Staying here will only hold me back! Hurry back and find help!"
"But..." Before she could finish, the demon beast auras drew closer. "Senior Sister, come with me!"
"No! They're too fast. If we both try to run, none of us will escape. Quickly, do as I say!"
Luo Fengxue was a decisive person by nature. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Alright! Senior Sister, hold on!"
She turned and sprinted in the direction Mo Tiange had left. But whether through spiritual sense or sight, she couldn't find any trace of Mo Tiange.
"Tiange!" Luo Fengxue cried out in panic, shouting into the surroundings. "Come out quickly! There are demon beasts!"
But the surroundings remained deathly quiet. Mo Tiange seemed to have vanished, without a single response.