Two years later.
Joyful Union Sect.
“Wen Hai, what are you looking at?” Lei Shuling joined Wen Hai and the others, who were peeking over the wall with their butts in the air.
“Keep it down! We’re watching Senior Sister Ning practice her sword. Hehe, Senior Sister is so beautiful.”
“Senior Sister’s waist isn’t a waist, it’s a soul-snatching, life-reaping scimitar. Senior Sister’s legs aren’t legs, they’re the spring waters of the Seine.”
“Ahhh! Lei Shuling, you brat, don’t kick me!” Wen Hai slid away from the wall in a forward crawl, closely followed by Lei Shuling, Lin Zhen, and the others.
“Damn, damn, damn, I got kicked too! Who was it!”
The three of them turned around, only to see a youth with a sword and black hair. He was dressed in the alluring red Taoist Robe of the Joyful Union Sect, his lips red and teeth white. His stunning features were in no way inferior to Senior Sister Ning’s, and perhaps even surpassed them.
Unfortunately, he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The newcomer was none other than Song Qingyan. In his two years at the Joyful Union Sect, his personality had undergone a drastic change.
He leaned against the wall, twirled his sword, and with a slight curve of his lips, reminded them, “My dear junior brothers, you know full well that I come here to practice my sword every day. Could it be that you’re deliberately lying in wait, hoping to have a match with me?”
Upon hearing this, the three of them turned pale. They recalled the lessons from days past; not only could they not beat him, but he would also lead them on a chase like dogs, sending them fleeing in all directions and utterly humiliating them in front of their Senior Sister.
Wen Hai waved his hands frantically, grabbing the two beside him to leave. “Sorry to disturb you, Senior Brother Song! We’ll be on our way now.”
Song Qingyan watched them retreat, a brow slightly raised. In a good mood, he strode toward the woman under the tree who was earnestly practicing her sword forms.
Ning Jinyu was eighteen now and had developed even more beautifully. Her small face was exquisite and pure, filled with an ineffable vivacity. Dressed in a red gown, she looked like a fairy descended to the mortal realm.
Catching sight of Song Qingyan from the corner of her eye, she deliberately made some mischief, brandishing her sword and slashing toward him.
Song Qingyan, long accustomed to this, still held back as he parried her attack.
After about half an hour, Ning Jinyu tossed her sword aside, stuck a foxtail grass she had casually plucked into her mouth, and lay lazily on the ground, whining, “Boring, so boring.”
Song Qingyan chuckled and extended a hand to her. “Yu’er, the Sect Master has something to discuss with us.”
“Why are you only telling me now?” Ning Jinyu sat up, straightened her clothes, and her expression grew much more serious.
“Sect Master is a beautiful and kind person. If she’s calling for us, it must be something important. Let’s go quickly.”
Since coming to the Joyful Union Sect, they had discovered that the entire sect was managed by a single Sect Master, with everyone else being disciples. The disciples found their own things to do and could do whatever they pleased. There were no teachers, but there were secret manuals in the library pavilion to read. It was a sect of complete self-taught success.
All one needed to do was maintain a perfect image within the sect to provide her with a pleasant visual experience. There was even a monthly ranking of seniority based on looks.
Thus, not long after their arrival, the two had become the public faces of the Joyful Union Sect, the Great Senior Brother and Great Senior Sister. Two years had passed, and their status remained unchanged.
They were well-fed and well-cared-for in the sect and could do whatever they wanted. This Sect Master even opened a chain of inns in the mortal world, making her fabulously wealthy. It was just too good!
…
“The Floating Life Secret Realm? Sister Shangguan, do you really want the two of us to go?”
Shangguan Qinghuan toyed with her jade flute, her gaze falling on Song Qingyan behind her. This man was clearly from the Demon Clan, but unfortunately, she couldn’t tell what species he was. He was, however, wholeheartedly devoted to this little girl.
She had tried to entice him several times to no avail. Even coercion didn’t work, and she couldn’t beat him in a fight. As an elder of the Fox Clan, she felt a sense of defeat.
Fortunately, she had this silly girl. It was the first time she had been so curious about a man. No matter what, she had to find out what kind of demon he was.
Shangguan Qinghuan beckoned to Ning Jinyu. “Little Yu’er, I’m reluctant to let you go too. But, didn’t you tell me about Song Qingyan’s situation before?
I made special inquiries. There’s a divine artifact in the Floating Life Secret Realm called the Floating Life Memory. Perhaps he’ll be able to find his memories and remember his parents and family.”
Song Qingyan’s gaze fell on Shangguan Qinghuan for a brief, faint glance, then shifted back to Ning Jinyu.
“I’ve said long ago there’s no need to look. It’s troublesome.”
“I wasn’t asking you. I was asking Little Yu’er. Little Yu’er, are you willing to go to the Floating Life Secret Realm?”
Ning Jinyu glanced at Song Qingyan, then at the Sect Master.
Searching her heart, she didn’t want to go. Lazing about in the Joyful Union Sect for a lifetime sounded wonderful. Leaving the sect meant facing unknown dangers.
But Song Qingyan… she already considered him her closest family. She could feel that his behavior was sometimes strange and his thoughts obsessive. Over the past two years, she had taught him a little of everything, including how to navigate the ways of the world.
He seemed to be missing something that normal people had, something called emotion. It was like when he heard the news of Granny Song’s passing a year ago; he showed no reaction at all. She could never figure out what he was thinking.
Perhaps it was due to his missing childhood memories. Ning Jinyu hoped he could be happier, to experience joy, anger, sorrow, and delight like a normal person.
“Sect Master, I am willing to go.”
Shangguan Qinghuan smiled bewitchingly, untied a Storage Bag from her waist, and placed it in Ning Jinyu’s hand.
“Inside are some Talismans and Pills I’ve collected. This time, it won’t just be our sect in the secret realm. I’m not worried about Qingyan, but you, you must protect yourself well, okay?”
Ning Jinyu blinked and smiled. “Okay, thank you, Sect Master.”
Feeling the woman’s cloying gaze on him, Song Qingyan was the first to walk out of the main hall.
That girl, Ning Jinyu, was too naive. She’d still be helping count the money after being sold.
So be it. He would be accompanying her anyway.
Ning Jinyu packed their travel money and clothes, and together with Song Qingyan, they set off for Huangshan on their swords.
The journey was long.
By the time they reached Huangshan, the secret realm had already opened.
It was said that the Floating Life Secret Realm was the final resting place of a certain high god, containing the treasures and secret manuals he had collected throughout his life.
“Miss Cui, shouldn’t we just stay here and not move?” Peng Jing said with a worried look, watching Cui Xian’s eager expression.
Beside her were several other pretty girls dressed in the same attire, all graceful and poised.
Cui Xian brandished her Sword, glaring at her in dissatisfaction. “What are you afraid of? My cousin is the Saintess. What could happen to me if I go in?”
Peng Jing said in a low voice, “But the Saintess told us to just provide support from the outside and not to wander around.”
Cui Xian shot her an annoyed glare, then spotted two figures arriving on flying swords in the distance.
It was another group, just two people. They dared to enter the secret realm with only two?
When the pair drew closer, Cui Xian and the other girls were stunned. This woman and Su Qingyue looked far too similar.
It was just that their clothes, style, and temperament were different. On closer inspection, they didn’t look alike after all.
Compared to the aloof and peerless Su Qingyue, this woman was much more vulgar, dressed in a seductive red gown and followed by an uncommonly handsome man who looked like nothing more than a pretty face.
She pursed her lips, unable to resist a sarcastic remark. “I heard years ago that our Sword Sect had a disciple who was expelled, one who bore a striking resemblance to the Saintess. So it was true.”
“…” Was she starting a fight right off the bat?
Ning Jinyu paused her steps and glanced sideways at the speaker. She was slightly startled; she had seen this woman before, in the dungeon, right after she had first arrived in this world.