In the original book, Jinshu was currently in seclusion for injuring a fellow sect member. For some unknown reason, Chen Fuzhou was not mentioned either. With only a few young personal disciples in the sect, the elders simply endured Huai Shan’s smugness day after day, never thinking to send the younger disciples out for training.
Though she felt a twinge of unease, it eased when she heard Xuanqing Zhenren reassuringly explain that the demon’s cultivation level was not high—this was merely an opportunity for everyone to gain experience.
After all, this was the first time the young disciples would travel alone. No matter how carefree Xuanqing Zhenren might seem, he would not take this lightly. He pulled his two disciples aside and gave them exhaustive instructions:
“Don’t go looking for trouble outside, but if someone provokes you, don’t just swallow your pride.”
“Your eldest senior brother has a gentle temper and is an alchemy cultivator. Look out for him.”
“As for your eldest senior sister, her temper isn’t the best. Stay close to her and don’t get separated.”
“If you can’t win a fight, don’t be reckless. Later, I’ll have A Fu prepare some Shadow-Summoning Jade Tokens for you. If anything happens, activate them with your Spiritual Power, and the sect will send help. Don’t gamble with your lives.”
Xuanqing rambled on and on, his repeated warnings filled with fatherly affection. The two disciples listened patiently, nodding in response from time to time.
Just as he finished speaking, A Fu was seen outside the hall, clumsily running toward them with an armful of Shadow-Summoning Jade Tokens. Jinshu was about to remind him to slow down when she saw him trip and tumble to the ground in a comical manner.
Jinshu swallowed her unspoken warning and stepped forward with an amused smile. She grabbed A Fu by the collar, hoisting him up, then crouched down to pick up the jade tokens one by one, placing them on the table.
A Fu had taken a hard fall. Still young and unable to bear the pain, he stood there sniffling, tears welling in his eyes.
Seeing his round little face flushed red and streaked with tears, looking utterly adorable, Jinshu couldn’t help but pinch his chubby cheeks.
A Fu seemed startled by this sudden show of concern from his usually arrogant and mischievous senior sister. Forgetting his tears, he hurriedly gathered the remaining tokens from the ground, piled them onto the table, and scurried away.
Jinshu muttered, “Is he that scared of me? As if staying with me a second longer would make me eat him or something.”
Chen Fuzhou picked up a few tokens from the table and tucked them into his robe. “Senior Sister, shall we head back together?”
Jinshu nodded, also pocketing a few tokens, and walked side by side with him out of the hall. “By the way, are you free later?”
Chen Fuzhou: “Hmm?”
“If you have time, could you teach me how to braid hair?” Jinshu pleaded with earnest eyes, clasping her hands together in front of her chest and blinking up at Chen Fuzhou.
Her beauty-loving persona must not crumble. Others probably wouldn’t be as easily fooled as Xuanqing Zhenren—if she were discovered, it would be disastrous. Better to learn as soon as possible.
Jinshu sat by the table while Chen Fuzhou stood behind her, gently undoing her hair tie. Jinshu felt a pair of hands working carefully behind her head. In the mirror, she could only see those nimble fingers deftly weaving through her hair, a mesmerizing sight that left her slightly dazed. Whether it was embarrassment over troubling her junior brother or something else, she felt a little self-conscious and lowered her head.
“Senior Sister, lift your head.” Cool fingers brushed against her chin, gently tilting it upward.
The girl in the mirror was stunningly beautiful, with two neat buns resting beside her ears and several long, straight strands of hair cascading down from either side.
“I thought you were just joking, but your skills are truly impressive. It’s a shame I watched for so long yet couldn’t figure out the technique,” Jinshu turned halfway, flashing a wide grin at Chen Fuzhou.
He replied modestly, “If Senior Sister wishes to learn, you’re welcome to visit me every day.”
Two days later, Dianlan City.
Dianlan City lay nestled within a ring of towering mountains, not particularly close to the Tianxuan Sect. The group had set out early on a transportation artifact and arrived near dusk without a moment’s rest. Fearing the surrounding mountains might harbor powerful monster beasts, the senior brother suggested spending the night in Dianlan City to recuperate.
At dusk, the majestic, towering mountains merged seamlessly with the horizon, casting a mysterious hue over the land. Dianlan City resembled a pearl embedded at the heart of a painted scroll.
The carriage stopped outside an inn frequented by cultivators. Jinshu hopped down lightly, her eyes scanning the novel surroundings.
Though deep in the mountains, Dianlan City was situated along a vital trade route. Despite the fading light, the streets bustled with a diverse crowd, leaving Jinshu dazzled by the sights.
“Aren’t you tired after a full day of travel, Junior Sister?” Bu Quegan followed closely behind, stepping down from the carriage. He patted her head with a smile. “Let’s head inside the inn first. If you want to explore the city, wait until everyone is settled before we go out together.”
Once everything was arranged, the group finally relaxed, gathering in the inn’s main hall on the first floor for a meal.
“Don’t hold back today—order whatever you like. It’s on the senior brother,” Bu Quegan said generously, taking the menu from the waiter and passing it to the person beside him.
A woman dressed in white took it from his hand. Her beauty was elegant and refined, with full, rosy cheeks, long brows that arched toward her temples, and lips like flower petals. Though a cultivator, she bore an air of nobility, reminiscent of a peony—graceful, opulent, and radiant without being gaudy. This was none other than Senior Sister Yan Lin.
The corners of Yan Lin’s lips twitched as if about to smile, but her words held no mercy. “Cut the act. Is it really your money?”
Bu Quegan was left speechless. Good-naturedly rubbing his neck, he changed the subject. “Don’t tease me, Junior Sister. Hurry up and decide what to eat. Look how eager our little junior sister is to go out—she’s practically floating off her chair.”
Jinshu, who had been leaning happily over Yan Lin’s shoulder to look at the menu, widened her eyes at this and retorted without hesitation, “Senior Brother, don’t pretend. Who was it already planning to use the extra money to buy herbs while we were still in the carriage?”
“If you don’t share a few of the pills you refine with that money, don’t blame me for telling the elders.”
Chen Fuzhou narrowed his eyes, a hint of amusement spilling into his expression as he added, “Senior Brother, you mustn’t play favorites and forget about me.”
Amid the laughter and banter, the waiter had already served all the dishes.
The daily cuisine in Dianlan City was far from mild. On the contrary, the locals were passionate and loved their spice. Yan Lin had ordered based on the menu’s signature dishes, and Jinshu couldn’t help but click her tongue at the sight of half the table covered in bright red chili peppers.
Jinshu had never been able to handle spicy food since childhood—it always left her in tears. She could only pick at the milder dishes.
Chen Fuzhou tilted his head slightly and asked, “Senior Sister, can you not eat spicy food?”
Jinshu poked at the fish chunk in her bowl. “I rarely ate it growing up. Maybe if I try more, I’ll get used to it.”
She examined the piece of meat coated in red oil, hesitated for a moment, then picked it up with her chopsticks and bravely stuffed it into her mouth.
A prickling, burning sensation shot from her tongue straight to her brain, nearly causing her to leap from her chair in reflex. Tears welled up in her eyes from the physical reaction, and Jinshu frantically waved her hand in front of her mouth.
“Oh dear, junior sister, what’s wrong?” Yan Lin exclaimed in surprise.
Jinshu wanted to say she was fine, but her mouth was so numb from the spiciness that she couldn’t utter a word.
Chen Fuzhou shoved a cup of tea into her hand. “Senior sister, drink some water. I poured this earlier—it’s not hot.”
Jinshu gulped down several mouthfuls, then tilted her head back, opening her mouth toward the ceiling as if in defeat, waiting for the burning sensation to fade on its own.
“With junior sister unable to handle the spice, there’s one less person to compete with me for this fish,” Bu Quegan said with a cheeky grin, prompting Yan Lin beside him to laugh and scold, “Shameless!”
Jinshu snorted and ignored him.
Li Xingdao, who had been quiet until now, spoke up hesitantly. “Senior sister, that dish you just ate is the spiciest one on the table. The waiter mentioned it earlier.”
Jinshu let out an “ah.” “It didn’t look that dark in color, so I thought it was only mildly spicy. Don’t tell me I’m the only one at this table who can’t handle spicy food.”
Li Xingdao chimed in, “I can’t handle it either.”
Chen Fuzhou’s eyes flickered, and he also set down his chopsticks. “What a coincidence—I can’t handle spicy food either.”
Bu Quegan exclaimed in surprise, “How interesting that you younger ones are all alike, so restrained and health-conscious. Meanwhile, your senior sister and I indulge recklessly, never enjoying a meal without spice—like two gluttons.”
Yan Lin pinched him angrily. “Who are you calling gluttons?”
Bu Quegan yelped “ow, ow” from the pinch.
An excited, youthful voice rang out not far from their table. “Brother!”
Curious, Jinshu turned to look and saw a young boy, his face lit up with joy, skipping down the stairs and rushing toward their table.
The boy was dressed in luxurious clothing, from the intricate gold-thread embroidery on his sleeves to the jade longevity lock hanging around his neck—all signs of his distinguished family background.
The young master threw himself at Chen Fuzhou, unable to contain his excitement. He tugged at Chen Fuzhou’s sleeve, clinging to him affectionately. “It’s been over two years since I last saw you, brother! Did you know I was here?”
Jinshu looked at the two in surprise. Biting her chopsticks, she instinctively compared their faces and realized they did look remarkably similar.
The young boy had dimples on both cheeks when he smiled, while Chen Fuzhou only had one on his right cheek. Their peach-blossom eyes were also carved from the same mold, though the boy was too young to possess the captivating depth of Chen Fuzhou’s dark eyes.
But unlike most people, Chen Fuzhou’s playful smile vanished in an instant, replaced by an inscrutable, somber expression. He coldly pulled the boy away from his embrace and said sharply, “What does it matter to you if I’m here?”
The boy reluctantly straightened up, pouting with a sense of grievance. “Brother, you don’t care about me at all. I came here just for you!”
Chen Fuzhou acted as if he hadn’t heard. Turning his back, he ignored the boy, picked up his chopsticks, and continued eating.
The young man was not discouraged, continuing as if he hadn’t noticed the other’s coldness: “In one month, the Immortal Sect Grand Competition will begin. This time it’s being held in Chuanfu City. I heard there’s a spiritual herb called Liangyi Immortal Fungus in the immortal realm. After checking my family’s records, I found that this Liangyi Immortal Fungus might help alleviate your condition.”
Jinshu keenly noticed Chen Fuzhou’s hand holding the chopsticks pause briefly, but the young man didn’t notice, continuing on his own: “Brother, don’t worry. I’m going to participate in this Immortal Sect Grand Competition, and I’ll definitely find the Liangyi Immortal Fungus. Then you won’t have to suffer from backlash anymore.”
Chen Fuzhou didn’t even turn his head: “No need for you to trouble yourself. I’ll get what I need myself.” Then he raised his voice: “Aren’t you going to take him away?”
Only after receiving the command did the several attendants following the young man step forward, persuading and eventually pulling him away.
Watching Chen An Ran looking back every few steps with tears in his eyes, Jinshu couldn’t help but fall into thought.
The Immortal Sect Grand Competition was a common trope in male-oriented novels, and The Sword God Chronicles naturally included it. Long Aotian would make a stunning debut at the competition, gaining countless miraculous elixirs and admirers, truly making his name known throughout the cultivation world. All sects and clans with any reputation in the entire cultivation world would send their younger generation to participate, hoping their disciples would gain something.
In the original story, Ji Jinshu was miserably in seclusion, and the Tianxuan Sect only sent the senior brother, senior sister, and the main character Li Xingdao to participate in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition.
It seemed that due to the butterfly effect, Chen Fuzhou would also participate in this competition.
Looking at Long Aotian, who was single-mindedly focused on eating like a simpleton.
Jinshu sighed inwardly, hoping nothing unfortunate would happen.