While plotting how to get even with Luo Qingyao, Nan Sining drifted off to sleep.
When Zhou Lixing woke her, she was still groggy. “Th… Third Brother?”
Zhou Lixing said, “Little Junior Sister, you’re finally awake. Senior Sister has recovered, but her cultivation is pressing upward again. She’s about to break through to another stage—and when that happens, the secret realm will eject her.”
Nan Sining hadn’t expected such an outcome—what a happy surprise!
She scrambled to her feet and went to Qin Sangyue. Senior Sister was still floating cross-legged in the air, faintly glowing, as pure and sacred as ever.
Zhou Lixing lowered his voice. “Senior Sister, Little Junior Sister is awake.”
Qin Sangyue’s eyes remained closed, though her eyeballs moved faintly—on the verge of waking. She didn’t open her mouth, but a gentle voice filled the cave:
“Third Brother, from here on, you must protect Xiao Jiu. Do your utmost to find Dragon Head Blood Ginseng…”
Her words lingered softly in the air even as her body turned into a streak of light, vanishing into the sky.
Nan Sining tilted her head back for a moment, then turned to see a pouch on the ground.
“What’s this?”
“Senior Sister feared we wouldn’t have enough pills or tools, so she left her own storage pouch behind,” Zhou Lixing said bitterly.
Normally, a pouch bound to its master’s soul would vanish with them. Only because Qin Sangyue deliberately left her intent behind could it stay.
Nan Sining said with heartfelt admiration, “Senior Sister is truly wonderful!”
All the effort to save her—it was worth it.
But Zhou Lixing still looked gloomy. Nan Sining frowned. “Senior Sister is not only fully recovered but has even advanced a stage. Why aren’t you happy, Third Brother?”
He clutched the pouch. “Of course I’m happy she’s well. But the secret realm is too dangerous. I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect you… or find the Dragon Head Blood Ginseng.”
Before, he had only followed Senior Sister’s orders. Now that the responsibility fell on him, the pressure was crushing.
“If I’d known, I’d have let Fourth Brother come instead.”
Nan Sining grimaced. “If it were Fourth Brother, he’d just run to Luo Qingyao’s side and leave me behind. You’re stronger than him and you care about me. I’d rather have you here.”
Zhou Lixing was caught off guard, his face turning red. “Little Junior Sister, do you mean that?”
Nan Sining nodded firmly.
In the novel, Fourth Brother hadn’t fared well either—but even before dying, his groveling over Luo Qingyao had made her skin crawl.
“Since you trust me so much, even if it costs my life, I’ll protect you!” Zhou Lixing swore solemnly.
Nan Sining stretched up to pat his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Third Brother. With me here, not only will we leave this place safely—we’ll come out with plenty to show for it.”
Zhou Lixing chuckled. “Of course I believe you. By the way, Little Junior Sister, are you hungry? I’ve killed quite a few beasts lately. I’ll cook for you.”
At his reminder, Nan Sining’s empty stomach growled.
“I am hungry. But… don’t cultivators usually eat Fasting Pills?”
“But you don’t like them, do you? Whatever you want to eat, I’ll make it!”
“Alright then! I want braised ribs, soy-sauce pork hock, jujube-wood roast duck… stir-fried, steamed, stewed, grilled, braised, glazed, deep-fried—make them all!”
From then on, Nan Sining discovered that although her Third Brother had stepped onto the Dao through cooking, his repertoire was limited. She began teaching him recipes she had accumulated over more than twenty years, expanding his cultivation “path.”
Outside the realm, Qin Sangyue sat cross-legged the moment she reappeared, spiritual energy surging as she smoothly broke through another stage—advancing from Golden Core second layer to third.
After circulating her energy a few cycles, she found her dantian restored, her shattered meridians whole and even broader and sturdier than before. She was overjoyed and deeply grateful to Nan Sining.
She had believed her injuries a death sentence, never dreaming of such a turnaround. Her heart swelled with thankfulness. Master was right—Little Junior Sister truly is unique.
As she savored this thought, a voice came calling, “Senior Sister! Senior Sister! It really is you! How did you come out so soon?!”
Qin Sangyue opened her eyes to see her Seventh Junior Sister, Hua Shengqing, clad in pink, running toward her.
Rising, Qin Sangyue cast a cleansing spell on herself. “Seventh Sister, you’re here.”
Hua Shengqing looked her over, delighted. “Senior Sister, you’ve advanced again?”
Qin Sangyue nodded. “I encountered some fortune and broke through.”
Hua Shengqing’s smile bloomed like spring. She hopped around, thrilled. “That’s amazing! You’re incredible, Senior Sister!”
As for what the opportunity was, she didn’t ask—among cultivators, fortune need not be shared if one chooses not to.
Back at their rented courtyard, Second Brother Yuan Qing’an and Fourth Brother Liang Xiao were there. The reunion was lively.
When Hua Shengqing and Liang Xiao left, Qin Sangyue turned to Yuan Qing’an, apologetic. “The secret realm wasn’t favorable this time. We didn’t obtain any Blood Ginseng. But I’ve already entrusted Third Brother and Little Junior Sister to search diligently.”
Yuan Qing’an gave a faint smile, his breath weak. “It doesn’t matter. For you to go to such lengths for me, I’m already grateful. If I can’t obtain it, then perhaps it’s simply fate.” He coughed heavily.
Qin Sangyue hurried to hold his hand, smoothing the turbulent energy in his body.
Soon his face regained some color and his breathing eased.
Then she leaned closer, transmitting her voice. “Fourth Brother, don’t worry. Little Junior Sister has regained her wits and shown great cleverness. I was at death’s door, yet came out unscathed and even stronger, all thanks to her. I believe she’s someone blessed with fortune. She may be able to solve your problem.”
Yuan Qing’an was stunned. “Little Junior Sister?!”
Seeing Qin Sangyue nod solemnly, his heart stirred. He knew she wasn’t one to speak idly. Still, he dared not hope too much.
Inside the realm, Nan Sining chewed on roasted beast meat, asking curiously, “Third Brother, since you cultivate through cooking, why do you know so few dishes?”
Zhou Lixing grinned sheepishly, not hiding his past. “I was born poor. Becoming a town cook cost my family dearly. Learning the trade isn’t easy—others guard their skills, since teaching the apprentice could starve the master.”
Nan Sining understood. “Don’t worry, Third Brother. I’ll teach you more recipes from now on!”
“Eh! Great!” Zhou Lixing beamed. For someone who cultivated through cooking, the more dishes he mastered, the better his progress.
That was also when Nan Sining learned his main weapon was a giant ladle. She thought he ought to have a big iron wok too—and all the kitchen knives besides.
Not urgent. They’d gather those in time.
After eating, Zhou Lixing neatly tidied up without needing her help.
“Little Junior Sister, there’s more than ten days left. Why don’t we just stay here, gather herbs nearby, and wait to leave when the time’s up?”
He preferred caution. Seeking Blood Ginseng seemed too slim a chance. Better to keep her safe.
But Nan Sining didn’t answer directly. Instead she asked, “Third Brother, you never encountered Dragon Head Blood Ginseng?”
With the system’s knowledge, she knew there must be more than one or two plants in this realm. Could their sect really have such bad luck?
At this, Zhou Lixing’s face darkened. “I found some—but couldn’t win them.”
He explained. Though the realm limited entrants to Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators, Qin Sangyue had suppressed her cultivation to join. Still, many against one made it impossible. Twice he’d seen Dragon Head Blood Ginseng, thrice Dragon Spine Blood Ginseng—and each time, others stole it.
Hearing the names he listed, Nan Sining interrupted. “Wait. Isn’t it strange? All the ones who robbed you were people around Luo Qingyao?”
Only then did Zhou Lixing realize. “It does seem so…”
Nan Sining snorted. “It’s not that you couldn’t beat them—they targeted you on purpose. With ambushes and numbers, of course you lost.”
Zhou Lixing frowned. “But they don’t need Blood Ginseng like Second Brother does. Why take it from me?”
Nan Sining thought for a moment, then asked, “Third Brother, what do you think of Luo Qingyao?”