Want her to stay!
Words like those were ones she would absolutely never say out loud!
Xu Qing resolutely shifted her gaze away from Bai Muyao. She turned to enter the house, picking up the book she had abandoned yesterday. This time, she didn’t hold it upside down.
Shortly after, Bai Muyao knocked and entered. “Senior Sister Xu Qing, breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat inside the house or outside?”
Xu Qing set down the book and stood up. “Let’s eat outside.”
The two went outside to find that a table and stool had already been prepared. Xu Qing took her seat calmly. Bai Muyao immediately placed a portion of breakfast before her and then stepped aside.
Xu Qing stared at the food, then glanced at Bai Muyao. Something felt off. She quickly realized what it was and asked, “You only made one portion of breakfast?”
Xu Qing remembered seeing Bai Muyao eating with Duan Yi yesterday. She was willing to eat with Duan Yi, yet she refused to eat with her?
Bai Muyao replied with a smile, “Senior Sister, please take your time and enjoy the meal. There’s no need to mind me.”
In truth, Bai Muyao had considered whether preparing two portions would be better. However, she felt that since she was making breakfast for Xu Qing, she should devote her full heart to making it the best it could be, so she didn’t consider herself for the moment. After all, breakfast wasn’t a major issue. She had other rations in her storage ring; once Xu Qing finished, she could just grab something simple.
But Xu Qing’s expression was far from satisfied. Bai Muyao felt a bit worried, wondering if her cooking didn’t suit Xu Qing’s palate.
Xu Qing said in a heavy voice, “I cannot finish this alone. Come here and eat some as well!”
“Okay!”
Bai Muyao brought out another set of bowls and chopsticks, and Xu Qing scooped some of the food over to her. The two sat together in a strange atmosphere to eat.
Bai Muyao usually ate at a moderate pace and could have finished quickly. However, Xu Qing chewed slowly and swallowed leisurely, appearing as if she wanted to savor every single bite. Consequently, Bai Muyao didn’t dare eat too fast either. She had to slow her rhythm and savor the food alongside her.
Thus, a bizarre scene emerged: though the food was sparse, the two ate for a long time.
In reality, Xu Qing had important matters to attend to. According to sect rules, she should have gone to pay her respects to her Master. She had already delayed yesterday; if she were late again today…
But Xu Qing knew in her heart that if she left, Bai Muyao would likely depart immediately. The only reason Bai Muyao hadn’t left yet was because she was still here.
Never mind! It doesn’t matter if I go to see Master a bit later.
Currently, there were things she cared about more. Xu Qing continued to eat breakfast slowly.
“Tell her not to go!” “Tell her… you must stay.”
Xu Qing forcibly suppressed the inner turmoil. She glanced at the table; the food was nearly gone. This meant she had no more excuses to stay. Once she left, Bai Muyao would leave too! She couldn’t very well say she wasn’t full and ask Bai Muyao to cook another meal.
Finally, Xu Qing couldn’t resist asking, “Bai Muyao, do you truly intend to leave the sect to travel and gain experience?”
Bai Muyao looked up slightly. “Yes. Traveling has always been my intention.”
Meeting Bai Muyao’s gaze, a trace of panic flickered in Xu Qing’s heart. She added, “My spirit root was only just healed. If there were to be another complication…”
She needed Bai Muyao by her side.
Hearing this, Bai Muyao let out a soft smile. “Rest assured, Senior Sister, I have already considered that! Please accept this.”
As she spoke, Bai Muyao handed Xu Qing a message talisman she had prepared. There were two talismans in total, each containing a faint trace of spiritual energy. One only needed to crush one to call the other party; the signal could be sensed regardless of where the other person was.
Bai Muyao: “If Senior Sister has a need, you can summon me at any time. I will definitely rush back to the sect immediately.”
Xu Qing’s relapses were not fatal; as long as Bai Muyao returned in time, she could be treated. Bai Muyao had considered everything thoroughly.
Xu Qing accepted the talisman. The reason she had struggled to come up with to make Bai Muyao stay was easily neutralized. She was left speechless and could only continue eating her breakfast in silence.
But how much longer could this bit of breakfast delay things?
After they finished, Bai Muyao cleared the dishes and realized Xu Qing still hadn’t left. Although she wasn’t in a hurry, she found it a bit strange. Was Xu Qing usually this idle? In the past thirteen years, she had rarely seen Xu Qing outside of their dual cultivation sessions. Yet in these past two days, the opportunities to see her had become quite frequent.
However, Bai Muyao didn’t want to make idle guesses about Xu Qing’s situation. After thinking it over, she walked to Xu Qing’s side and asked softly, “Senior Sister, are there any other instructions?”
Xu Qing stood with her hands behind her back, her lips pursed slightly. “Nothing more. I simply wish to admire the scenery for a while.”
Admiring the scenery?
Bai Muyao also wanted to accompany her Senior Sister to look at the view a bit longer. But…
Bai Muyao still spoke up: “Senior Sister, then Bai Muyao shall take her leave.”
The word “leave” caused Xu Qing’s heart to stop for a fraction of a second.
“Wait!” she blurted out almost without thinking.
Bai Muyao didn’t dare to be negligent. “Does Senior Sister have other instructions!”
Xu Qing frowned and asked, “What exactly is your purpose for traveling and gaining experience?”
Bai Muyao replied, “Traveling is to improve my own strength.”
Xu Qing turned around to face Bai Muyao, her hands clenched into fists behind her back. “Is it not better to stay in the sect, where there are subsidies of spirit stones and medicinal pills?”
Bai Muyao was about to explain, but Xu Qing continued, “If you stay, I can lead you into the Qingfeng Pavilion.”
Though the words were spoken casually, their weight caused Bai Muyao to be shocked. The Qingfeng Pavilion was famous within the sect—a holy land of cultivation that countless talented disciples dreamed of joining. Inside the pavilion, there had only ever been Xu Qing and her Master. If she could join, Bai Muyao would enjoy countless benefits, and her cultivation would surely advance rapidly.
What she currently feared was the tribulation a hundred years from now. If she were protected by Senior Sister Xu Qing and the Qingfeng Pavilion… It must be said that this truly made Bai Muyao hesitate.
System Prompt: By joining the Qingfeng Pavilion, the Host can successfully survive the death-tribulation.
It’s that simple?
Bai Muyao never thought it could be so smooth. No matter how she had thought about it before, she never could have predicted that Xu Qing would invite her. But she hadn’t even processed the thought for a moment before.
System Prompt: The person who will experience the death-tribulation will be changed. The new target is: Xu Qing.
The person who will die is Senior Sister Xu Qing? How can it be like this!
Bai Muyao looked at Xu Qing in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that even a powerful figure like Xu Qing could not escape the death-tribulation. Furthermore, it was a tribulation Xu Qing would take on for her.
No… absolutely not!
Xu Qing had saved her in the Demon Beast Valley. Her reaching the late stage of the Golden Core was essentially all thanks to Xu Qing. To her, Xu Qing had the grace of a second creator; how could she repay her benefactor this way? She could never do something so ungrateful!
Bai Muyao answered resolutely, “Apologies, Senior Sister, but Bai Muyao cannot agree.”
A flash of surprise appeared in Xu Qing’s eyes. She turned her head away. “Why… give me an explanation!”
Bai Muyao said calmly, “The Qingfeng Pavilion’s immortal name is far-reaching; countless disciples dream of joining.”
Xu Qing: “Then why do you not want to?”
Bai Muyao: “I have three reasons for not wishing to join the Qingfeng Pavilion.”
Xu Qing: “Speak!”
Bai Muyao told her frankly, “First, my spirit root is chaotic and my talent is mediocre. If I join the Qingfeng Pavilion, I fear it will invite gossip and tarnish the pavilion’s reputation.”
She was being realistic—neither belittling herself nor exaggerating. Joining with her level of talent would likely make her a laughingstock.
“With me here, who dares to gossip!” Xu Qing snapped in displeasure.
“But words are fearsome, Senior Sister. How can you stop everyone’s mouth?” Bai Muyao responded faintly.
Xu Qing gritted her teeth, speechless. Bai Muyao’s words always left her with no way to argue back. She suddenly realized that Bai Muyao was so eloquent that she simply couldn’t outtalk her. Why had she never noticed this before!
Bai Muyao took a deep breath and continued, “Second, I do not want to bet my entire future on the sect, or on you, Senior Sister!”
Xu Qing was baffled. “What do you mean by that?”
Bai Muyao: “My talent is limited. If one day I am abandoned…”
Xu Qing flicked her sleeve angrily. “How could I possibly abandon you!”
Bai Muyao said calmly, “I believe in you, Senior Sister. But currently, I have no extraordinary qualities. To you, my only value was helping you heal your spirit root.”
But Xu Qing’s spirit root was completely restored; logically, there was no possibility of a relapse. They should have become strangers. Xu Qing remained silent.
Bai Muyao said in a heavy voice, “If I join the Qingfeng Pavilion, I will be nothing more than a useless disciple.”
Xu Qing was rendered speechless. She understood the meaning in Bai Muyao’s words. A useless disciple could be abandoned at any time. Even if she could promise otherwise now, it was nothing more than a verbal commitment. Xu Qing wanted to tell Bai Muyao she would never desert her. However, as for future events, no amount of promises could be more than hollow words. Bai Muyao’s concerns were only natural.
“Therefore,” Bai Muyao stated frankly, “I do not want to rely on anyone whether it is the sect, the Qingfeng Pavilion, or… you, Senior Sister.”
Xu Qing’s hands were clenched into fists behind her back as she desperately tried to hide her emotions. The two were silent for a long time.
Xu Qing’s tone carried a hint of anger as she asked urgently, “Why have you stopped speaking? What is the third reason!”
“Third…” Bai Muyao lowered her head, unable to speak.
She didn’t want Xu Qing to take her death-tribulation. Xu Qing was losing patience and flicked her long sleeve. “Say it!”
Bai Muyao looked at Xu Qing, then lowered her head again. “I… I cannot say!”
Xu Qing: “Why!”
The Host must not inform anyone of the System, the tribulation, or the Great War between Immortals and Demons a hundred years from now.] [Otherwise, the System will erase the Host’s existence.
Bai Muyao lowered her head and said sincerely, “If one day Bai Muyao has the chance, I will certainly tell you, Senior Sister.”
Xu Qing: “Why can you… not say it now!”
Bai Muyao lowered her head deeply. “Please do not ask further, Senior Sister. Bai Muyao cannot answer.”
Her tone was resolute; she was determined not to speak. If a day truly came where she had no other choice, perhaps she would tell Xu Qing everything. Even if her existence vanished. At least before that, while she still had hope, she had to strive for her final possibility.
Xu Qing stared quietly at Bai Muyao, seeing her standing respectfully before her. She began to understand. Bai Muyao wouldn’t say anything more. Nor would she agree to stay.
“Go then. I wish to stay a while longer,” Xu Qing spoke slowly.
“Senior Sister Xu Qing…” Bai Muyao said goodbye. “May we meet again if fate permits.”
“Bai Muyao…” Xu Qing called out softly.
Bai Muyao turned back to see Xu Qing still watching her.
“If I said… that I wanted you to stay, what would your answer be?” Xu Qing asked one last time.
Bai Muyao’s heart leaped. She could only reply, “Please forgive Bai Muyao for refusing!”
She was wrong, Xu Qing thought helplessly. She had originally believed that no matter what she proposed, Bai Muyao would agree. Xu Qing felt as though thorns were growing in her heart.
Xu Qing walked slowly toward Bai Muyao, who couldn’t help but feel a trace of tension. Xu Qing reached out toward her. But in the end, she only leaned down, her fingertips lightly brushing the two Orchid Spirit Pendants at Bai Muyao’s waist.
She unfastened one of them.
“This spirit pendant… can it be given to me, as a memento?”