“Oh?” Earthworm leaped three feet high, hovering before Ji Sui’an. “It’s you.”
Looking closer, Ji Sui’an realized this wasn’t an earthworm—after all, what kind of earthworm had horns on its head?
“You know me?” Ji Sui’an asked in confusion. She didn’t recall ever encountering such a strange Spirit Beast.
“Not exactly.” Qinglong drifted back to the rock where it had been lying earlier.
Ji Sui’an frowned slightly. She had come out to investigate, fearing something might damage Misty Peak, but it seemed to be just a weak Spirit Beast.
She might as well go back to cultivate.
As she turned to leave, the childish voice behind her spoke up again, “Hey, don’t go yet.”
Ji Sui’an kept walking, calculating in her mind that she could return to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection in at most five days.
In her previous life, Ji Yun’er had transferred her cultivation at intervals of about three months, so she didn’t need to worry too much about Ji Yun’er suddenly siphoning her strength anytime soon.
“Hey!” Qinglong watched the girl walking away and widened its eyes, which were smaller than soybeans. “You, a mere human, dare to ignore the great Qinglong!”
It flew in front of Ji Sui’an, and seeing that she still had no intention of acknowledging it, it bit down on Ji Sui’an’s finger.
A sharp pain shot through her, and Ji Sui’an shook her hand violently. “You little Spirit Beast, how dare you bite!”
Qinglong was shaken until dizzy. It stuck out its tongue to lick and its dragon eyes lit up. “So, so fragrant!”
Just as fragrant as that stinky kid!
Instantly dazed, it tried to bite Ji Sui’an’s finger again but was grabbed by the throat.
Just as Ji Sui’an was about to take this disobedient little Spirit Beast back to teach it a lesson, a lazy voice called out from behind her.
It called her name.
“Ji Sui’an.”
Ji Sui’an froze and turned to look.
Under the moonlight, a tall man dressed in black robes was looking at her.
Ji Sui’an didn’t let go but instinctively bowed. “Little Ancestor Master!”
“Mm.” Xie Qingchen stared at the struggling Qinglong in her hand, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Ji Sui’an didn’t realize it at first. “Little Ancestor Master, the night is deep. This disciple will take her leave.”
“Wait.” Xie Qingchen walked up to Ji Sui’an and pointed at the little creature in her hand.
Ji Sui’an understood and raised her hand, shaking it slightly. “Is this Little Ancestor Master’s Spirit Beast?”
Xie Qingchen looked somewhat disdainful. “No.”
Qinglong, now fully awake, heard his words and shouted angrily, “Xie Qingchen! You have no conscience!”
Xie Qingchen curled his lips and scoffed. “Get back here.”
Qinglong instantly wilted, slipping from Ji Sui’an’s loosened grip into Xie Qingchen’s sleeve.
Ji Sui’an understood—this little thing was indeed Little Ancestor Master’s Spirit Beast!
But perhaps Little Ancestor Master thought it was too ugly and didn’t want to admit it in front of her, his disciple.
As a perceptive disciple, she decided not to expose him.
The atmosphere grew quiet, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind and the soft breaths of the two.
Xie Qingchen observed, his gaze calm as he watched the girl before him, yet he remained silent.
Ji Sui’an felt uneasy under his stare and quietly took two steps back. “This disciple won’t disturb Little Ancestor Master any longer.”
With that, she slipped away, quickly leaving the bamboo grove.
Xie Qingchen watched her departing figure, his gaze gradually deepening. This little disciple's soul and spirit were unified; it seemed his perception that day had indeed been mistaken.
Inside his sleeve, Qinglong mocked, "You're so interested in her, but she's terrified of you, oh ho ho ho—"
He laughed wildly, but Xie Qingchen paid little mind, his voice light and clear, "You won't get any blood this month."
"You!" Qinglong roared, "Xie Qingchen, you have no heart! No heart at all!!"
Xie Qingchen completely ignored him, glancing up at the sky before murmuring softly, "The time is about right. Let's go."
Qinglong stomped angrily in his sleeve, "Hey, Xie Qingchen, I'm telling you, that little girl's blood is really special!"
Xie Qingchen turned a deaf ear and strode directly away from Misty Peak.
Meanwhile, Ji Sui'an had already hurried back to her room. She closed the door, her heart still pounding with lingering fear.
The little grandmaster's gaze was far too oppressive; his eyes seemed capable of seeing straight through all the thoughts in one's heart.
Ji Sui'an climbed back onto her bed—she might as well cultivate.
A moment later, her eyes snapped open. No, she couldn't calm her mind.
She took out a Mind-Calming Pill and swallowed it.
On the evening two days later, Ji Sui'an slowly opened her eyes, her body brimming with spiritual power.
Foundation Establishment Great Perfection—much faster than she had anticipated.
"Junior Sister!"
Hearing Yu Tanshu's voice, Ji Sui'an got up and opened the door, "Senior Sister?"
Yu Tanshu stood outside the courtyard, looking cool and aloof. Seeing Ji Sui'an emerge, the icy demeanor melted slightly.
"Junior Sister, Master had urgent business and went down the mountain early this morning. He asked me to inform you."
"I understand, Senior Sister."
Ji Sui'an nodded, but seeing that Yu Tanshu showed no intention of leaving, she jogged over, "Does Senior Sister have anything else to tell me?"
Yu Tanshu seemed somewhat conflicted. After hesitating for a moment, she finally said, "There have been rumors in the sect these past two days. They say that when you were at Qinghua Peak, you often bullied Ji Yun'er and other disciples, relying on your status, which is why Sword Venerable Xuanxiao and the Sect Leader abandoned you. Are you aware of this?"
Ji Sui'an's expression shifted. In her past life, similar rumors had circulated, but that was when she had been driven to the outer sect—mere fabrications spread by Ji Xunzhou and the others to protect their own reputations.
Seeing her expression, Yu Tanshu's voice, though cold, carried a gentle tone, "Junior Sister, did they bully you? Tell me, and I'll make them pay for it."
Although she had only met this junior sister once, her sensitivity to others' emotions allowed her to perceive that the girl was pure-hearted and kind.
Ji Sui'an forced a faint smile, "It's fine, Senior Sister."
She continued slowly, "Even if you explain things to them, they'll only hear what they want to hear. Only with absolute strength can you make them shut up."
Yu Tanshu's expression shifted slightly before she suddenly broke into a smile.
She reached out and patted the girl's shoulder, "Good. Your Second Senior Brother will be back soon. For the next few days, don't leave the peak. Focus on preparing for the arena competition in five days."
Ji Sui'an smiled and nodded, "I understand, Senior Sister."
Yu Tanshu said nothing more and turned to leave the small courtyard.
Ji Sui'an watched her retreating figure, a faint warmth rising in her heart.
Late at night, Ji Sui'an studied ancient texts on Artifact Refining in her room.
Although her talent for alchemy had been taken by Ji Yun'er, her talent for Artifact Refining remained.
Ji Sui'an closed the book. She also wanted to give a gift to her senior brother and senior sister.
She rummaged through her Mustard Seed Bag for a while but could only find three materials, so she had to give up for the time being.
Resting her chin on her hand, Ji Sui'an thought to herself. In the past, many of her treasures had been given to Ji Yun'er, and she needed to find a way to get them back.
"Bang—"
Just as Ji Sui'an was deep in thought, a soft thud sounded outside the door.
Ji Sui'an frowned. Again?
She stood up and opened the door, only to be suddenly gagged by a large hand and pushed back inside.