As soon as Helian Mo left, Jiang Xu stepped out from behind Wen Hexue, his handsome brows knitted tightly. “That man is simply unbearable!”
He acted like a total lecher. Even if one admires beauty, shouldn’t they consider the occasion? With so many people watching, he actually dared to speak so insolently and flirtatiously to his Master!
“I bet his claim of knowing everything under heaven is a lie; his true passion is likely hunting for beauties to satisfy his own desires,” Jiang Xu grumbled, crossing his arms indignantly. He glanced at the small stone lying where Helian Mo had stood and huffed, “I should have aimed directly for his face just now.”
Wen Hexue’s lips curled slightly. “And if you had injured him, what would you have done when the Sect Leader punished you?”
Jiang Xu tilted his chin up. “I’d call it an act of gallantry.” He blinked, leaned in a bit closer, and said with a beaming smile, “Besides, surely Master wouldn’t be so heartless as to not put in a good word for me with the Sect Leader?”
“How do you know I would speak for you?”
“Master wouldn’t be that cruel!” Jiang Xu pursed his lips. Noticing the constant stares from those around them, his body stiffened, and he lowered his voice. “After all, I was Master’s cat for a while.”
Having said that, he looked up at Wen Hexue’s face. It was meant as a joke, but he was stunned to see the tips of his Master’s ears turn slightly red. Caught off guard, his voice rose, “Master, what’s wrong? I was just kidding—don’t be angry!”
Wen Hexue lowered his head and gave a light cough. “I am not angry.” He glanced toward the center of the Liulan Terrace, where the disciples had begun to assemble. Then, looking back at Jiang Xu, he told him to hold out his palm.
Unsure of what he intended, Jiang Xu obediently held out his hand. A slender, fair finger tapped the center of his palm, and a flash of light vanished in an instant, leaving behind a blue snowflake mark. Jiang Xu pulled his hand back, turning it over and over to inspect it. “Master, what is this?”
Wen Hexue didn’t explain. He simply watched the disciples who had already formed ranks in the distance and said, “It is time for you to go.”
Only then did Jiang Xu realize he needed to find Eldest Senior Brother and Junior Sister Yan Huan. The entrance to the secret realm was already swarming with people; finding them would be difficult. He quickly closed his palm and waved to Wen Hexue. “Then I’m off, Master!”
Wen Hexue watched him disappear into the crowd. His gaze then fell on the small stone on the ground. After a pause, he took two steps forward, and the stone flew into his palm. Frost gradually condensed over it in his hand. He closed his fist, tucked it into his wide sleeve, and walked toward the Spirit Mirror on the Liulan Terrace.
After searching for a long time, Jiang Xu finally spotted Shi Jingyu standing among the ranks. The latter saw him too and nodded with a smile.
Jiang Xu ran over quickly and stood beside him. “You’re early, Senior Brother.”
Shi Jingyu gave a helpless smile. “Not that early. You, Junior Brother, are late.”
Jiang Xu gave a cheeky grin. “Don’t expose me like that, Senior Brother!” He looked around. “Eh? Where is Junior Sister Yan Huan?”
“Senior Brother Jiang,” a cold voice sounded from behind him. Startled by the sudden sound, Jiang Xu spun around to see Yan Huan dressed in male attire. Her long hair was tied up high, and her naturally cold and elegant face, paired with the white, narrow-sleeved immortal robes, gave her an even more aloof and refined air. Being tall, this outfit made her look like a handsome young nobleman, drawing many admiring glances from female disciples of other sects.
“Junior Sister, why the outfit today?” He rubbed his arms, trying to ignore the gazes of the various female disciples. “Of course, of course, I’m not saying it doesn’t look good.” Jiang Xu looked around and joked, “So many people are staring at you!”
Yan Huan raised her eyes and surveyed the surroundings, her expression as impassive as ever. She looked at Jiang Xu’s smiling face and said, “It seems to me, those gazes are not directed at me alone.”
Jiang Xu let out an “Ah,” then glanced at Shi Jingyu beside him and immediately understood. “Right, right, they’re also looking at Eldest Senior Brother.” He remembered from the original novel that wherever the Eldest Senior Brother went, he caused a stir among women. Having spent so much time together, he had almost forgotten that Shi Jingyu was actually a strikingly handsome man.
Shi Jingyu was thin-skinned; just hearing this made the tips of his ears redden. “Junior Brother, stop talking nonsense.” He lifted his eyes and looked closely at Jiang Xu, his expression turning slightly odd. “You are much better looking than I am, Junior Brother.”
Jiang Xu was taken aback. He knew the original owner of this body was handsome, but due to his personality, almost everyone in the sect had overlooked his looks out of dislike. Being praised for it for the first time made his face flush as well. He laughed, “Senior Brother, don’t tease me!” His pale face was dusted with a faint pink, like a touch of red on white jade. The corners of his eyes curved slightly with his smile, and his brows were like crescent moons—exceptionally beautiful.
Yan Huan glanced at the blushing Shi Jingyu and silently looked away, saying seriously to Jiang Xu, “Senior Brother is indeed good-looking.”
The Eldest Senior Brother and Junior Brother Jiang represented two completely different styles of beauty.
As the host of this Great Immortal Assembly, Sect Leader Fu Yuchuan saw that the time was approaching and rose from his seat. The white-browed, white-bearded Sect Leader looked exceptionally energetic today. A disciple followed behind him, carrying a wooden tray holding several jade tokens of different colors, all strung with red cords.
Jiang Xu fell silent, watching the Sect Leader distribute the tokens one by one. When he reached Jiang Xu, Sect Leader Fu paused, looking him over for a few moments as his long eyebrows twitched. “You are Jiang Xu?”
The Sect Leader had been all smiles with Shi Jingyu, but his expression grew stern upon reaching Jiang Xu. Jiang Xu blinked and replied, “Yes, Sect Leader, I am.”
Fu Yuchuan’s beard quivered as he placed a jade token in Jiang Xu’s hand. “I heard you were injured. In a moment, you shall follow Weiling.”
Jiang Xu was stunned. “But Sect Leader…”
Seeing things weren’t going well, Shi Jingyu spoke up, “Sect Leader, Junior Brother Jiang and I have already agreed that I will look after him. There is no need to trouble Junior Brother Chu.”
Fu Yuchuan glanced at him, but showed no intention of retracting the order. “Jingyu, you are the best candidate to take the top prize this year. The whole sect has high expectations for you. It would be unwise to be hindered by a disciple with lacking spiritual power. Furthermore, Weiling’s spiritual stage isn’t low; protecting him should be no problem.” He placed a hand on Shi Jingyu’s shoulder, speaking earnestly, “Jingyu, do not let us down.”
Shi Jingyu pursed his lips and lowered his head. “But…”
“No buts!” Jiang Xu suddenly spoke up. He tugged on Shi Jingyu’s sleeve with a smile. “Senior Brother, go ahead with peace of mind. My injuries healed long ago. Besides, with Senior Brother Chu by my side, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
As if. Chu Weiling would probably dump him the second he saw him. But the Sect Leader’s intent was clear; he already had a poor impression of Jiang Xu. If Jiang Xu kept pestering him about following Shi Jingyu, it would only lead to more trouble.
“Junior Brother,” Shi Jingyu looked at him hesitantly, “are you truly alright with this?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? My spiritual power is just weak, it hasn’t disappeared.” He curled his lips into a smile and patted Shi Jingyu’s shoulder. “Go on, Senior Brother. I’m looking forward to you taking the top spot!”
Seeing this, Fu Yuchuan nodded, gave Shi Jingyu a look of approval, and moved on.
Jiang Xu sighed, watched him walk away, and leaned toward Shi Jingyu. Seeing the worry on his face, he laughed, “No need to worry about me, Senior Brother.” He glanced around and whispered in his ear, “Worse comes to worst, I’ll just find you once we’re inside.”
“What are you two talking about?” Chu Weiling’s voice suddenly rang out.
Jiang Xu jumped, stepping back half a pace and pretending nothing was wrong. “It’s a secret.”
Chu Weiling huffed, staring straight ahead while addressing him, “Plotting something, I presume. However, I will be keeping a close eye on you once we’re inside.”
Jiang Xu was stunned. “What?” He crossed his arms, his temper rising. “Listen, Senior Brother, what’s the point of you bringing me along?”
“There is no point.”
“…Then wouldn’t I just be a useless burden? What benefit is there for you?”
Chu Weiling glanced at him sideways. “There is no benefit.”
Jiang Xu was so angry he started rolling up his sleeves. “Then why do you care what I do?”
Chu Weiling ignored his flailing and didn’t say another word.
“That’s enough, Junior Brother,” Shi Jingyu sighed, then said to Chu Weiling, “Don’t keep bullying him.”
He turned back to Jiang Xu. “Just follow me in a moment…” As he spoke, a faint glow emanated from the entrance of the secret realm. He paused, then said, “The secret realm is open.”
Many people began to enter in order. Jiang Xu was about to follow when his wrist was seized. Chu Weiling looked at him coldly. “Follow me.”
“Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing!” Jiang Xu struggled, but the grip was like iron. He was forced along as they vanished into the secret realm together.
The secret realm was unpredictable. Every hundred years, its interior underwent a cataclysmic change—scenery and spiritual creatures would all be reset. No one knew what it would look like inside, making every Great Immortal Assembly a massive challenge. However, due to the rich rewards, many still flocked to it.
This year’s winner would receive a Thousand-Year Red Glaze, which was said to cure all illnesses. Additionally, there were many immortal herbs, medicines, and spiritual stones—a very generous haul.
“So, did you participate for that Red Glaze?” Jiang Xu asked sluggishly, watching Chu Weiling walking ahead.
He had eventually been forced to come along. Upon entering, he realized that in this secret realm, once you head in one direction, it is impossible to return the way you came. Forget finding Shi Jingyu; even staying in contact would be a struggle.
Jiang Xu surveyed his surroundings. When they first entered, it was a spring-like landscape. But after traveling only a few dozen miles, the lush trees and fresh flowers gradually vanished, replaced by a world of ice and snow. Frozen ponds were everywhere, and icicles hung from snow-laden withered branches.
He was still wearing his thin, moon-white robes, yet in this frigid world, he didn’t feel the cold at all. It was his first time enjoying a winter landscape without the freezing temperature.
Chu Weiling continued to ignore him. The question echoed through the snowy plain where only the two of them walked, bouncing back to Jiang Xu. Feeling bored, he hopped over a small ice pond and closed the distance between him and Chu Weiling.
Suddenly, the person in front stopped. The snowy ground was slippery; Jiang Xu couldn’t stop in time and almost crashed into him.
“Why stop so suddenly?” Jiang Xu poked his head out to look forward, only to hear a world-shaking roar that made his whole body tremble.
Chu Weiling unsheathed his sword, glanced back at him, and whispered, “Get back.”
Before Jiang Xu could move, the roar grew closer. In the next moment, a massive spiritual beast appeared—entirely snow-white and shaped like a fierce tiger. It lashed its tail, carving deep grooves into the ice, and its sharp fangs scraped together, making an ear-piercing, terrifying sound.
We literally just got here!! How are we running into a spiritual beast already?!
Jiang Xu backed away slowly, a headache forming. He thought back to the two spiritual beasts he met the first time he entered the back mountains. He wondered if he was born with some kind of “Beast Magnet” constitution.