In any case, Ding Li absolutely did not want to be with Xiao Wenjing. Even setting aside his nervous, subtly dangerous personality, with his cultivation level, Ding Li could only expect to be beaten.
If he took the opportunity to assault her, she would certainly be bruised and worse, and considering his cunning mind, offending him might even result in an earlier death.
Cherish life. Stay away from the malicious second male lead.
Chu Zilan paused, her steps halting, and Ding Li’s heart trembled. Chu Zilan thought for a moment and said, “You should follow Xiao Wenjing first.”
No!
No!!
Ding Li’s inner self screamed for the third time, No! I do not want this!
I refuse to coexist peacefully with that morally bankrupt cannon fodder second male lead!
I have psychological trauma. Who can tolerate someone who will torture you to death? Always watching your back, front, inside, outside. Even his breathing would make me shiver. How could I survive this life?
Meeting without a river of blood was purely because I could not defeat him. I do not want to be his fellow disciple or junior sister. I do not want to force smiles every day only to die without a burial place!
Ah—
Ding Li’s eyes glistened with tears. Looking deeply distressed, she continued to plead, “But senior sister, I only want to be with you!”
Chu Zilan paused, then after a long moment said, “It does not matter. If you need me, come to Lingxiao Peak.” With that, she turned and left.
Truly, she waved her sleeves and did not take even a cloud along. Ding Li’s eyes welled up as she watched.
The system, as if rusted and restarting, squeaked again. Ding Li heard, Ding Congratulations You Have Officially Entered the Next Stage. Begin Your Path of Cultivation. Continue Maintaining Your Character and Completing Tasks.
Heh, congratulations, my foot! No, congratulations, big guy!
Although Su Xiangqing had some cultivation, Ding Li had none.
Damn it. Up until now, the system had given no buffs.
Ding Li had never touched cultivation before. Now, starting from zero, she would have to work twice as hard, beginning with qi nurturing and qi exercises.
Cangyun Mountain was rich in spiritual energy. The surrounding mountains provided many places for disciples to train. Each peak had practice rooms. One peak was specially dedicated to classrooms where elders taught and to training grounds, with a dining hall on the same peak.
The back mountain was even more spacious. Large competitions and martial arts duels took place there. There were also caves for secluded practice, the areas richest in spiritual energy.
Xiao Wenjing’s peak was called Qiyuan Peak.
Heavens only knew why he did not live with Chu Zilan and Lu Qianchuan on Lingxiao Peak. Perhaps he could not bear seeing his love interest with another, and his fragile heart could not withstand such stimulation.
Lingxiao Peak had some traffic daily. Chu Zilan and Lu Qianchuan maintained a friendly approach, but Xiao Wenjing was different.
Anyone unaware would think he was some aloof immortal, distant and cold.
Qiyuan Peak had almost no visitors. Politely, it was peaceful. Bluntly, it was desolate.
Chu Zilan likely wanted her to find Xiao Wenjing quickly, perhaps wishing to resolve one matter and then leave Ding Li in his care, like a troublesome student passed on to another class.
Ding Li wanted to delay moving to Qiyuan Peak, but within two days, Lin Ziyuan came to move her.
Ding Li had thought to find excuses to procrastinate, but at dawn, Lin Ziyuan’s persistent knocking woke her.
Damn…
Ding Li put on clothes, sat in a chair rubbing her eyes, while Lin Ziyuan had already rolled up the bedding and was ready to go.
Yawning, she watched him move back and forth like a perpetual machine. She could not help thinking, this NPC is such a competent NPC!
Though reluctant, Ding Li reconsidered. Moving to Qiyuan Peak did not mean she would be in constant contact with Xiao Wenjing.
Though living close, if she did not leave her door, she might never meet that wretched man. Besides, in the original story, Xiao Wenjing appeared only a few times in several chapters and certainly was not idle at his residence.
As expected.
Xiao Wenjing was like an immortal, elusive. Even after a month at Qiyuan Peak, Ding Li had not seen him.
This suited Ding Li perfectly. She was free and even hoped Xiao Wenjing would remain absent forever.
Moreover, Ding Li was a useless little weakling. If Xiao Wenjing had to teach her from scratch, she would be thrown off the cliff within two days.
She had no desire to provoke him.
Ding Li thus enjoyed a peaceful and pleasant month.
After a month, Lin Ziyuan came.
Seeing his quick steps, Ding Li could not help imagining a palace drama chief steward delivering an imperial edict, opening it before speaking, and then showing off authority.
Indeed, Lin Ziyuan stopped, looked at Ding Li, his expression somewhat strange.
Ding Li did not know what he was thinking, only finding him increasingly odd.
After a while, Lin Ziyuan finally spoke: “You have really gained weight…”
What the hell are you here for?
You need to understand your role. You are a task-giving NPC, not a fitness coach. This is a transmigration story, not bodybuilding, understand?
Ding Li remained silent, gazing at him.
Lin Ziyuan cleared his throat. “Good, good. It seems you have been doing well. But my senior sister told me to inform you that from tomorrow, you will train with the newly initiated junior brothers and sisters at Qingluan Peak.”
“The older sister said your foundation is shallow. You must first lay proper groundwork. Do not slack off.”
Ding Li said, “Oh.”
Lin Ziyuan continued, “Report to the classroom every day at Mao hour. Is that okay?”
Mao hour…
Could you repeat that time again?
Ding Li spat in exasperation. For a modern worker, waking up early is already difficult. Mao hour…
Aren’t all characters in novels this diligent?
Thinking of this, Ding Li asked, “When you first came to Cangyun Mountain, did you also train at Mao hour?”
Lin Ziyuan said, “Of course. At this time, the spiritual energy is purest and clearest, ideal for cultivation. One must not be lazy.”
Ding Li remembered that emperors in ancient times also held court around this time. Damn, but she was a modern worker.
Though struggling, Ding Li woke at Mao hour the next day.
She was the only weakling in the sect, so she could not embarrass herself. Also, self-preservation was important.
Better to increase martial ability than to passively wait. At least, if caught, she could struggle a little.
Moreover, Ding Li noticed something—many day-to-day events in the novel were not detailed or only briefly mentioned. Only key events received attention.
For instance, the important character Xiao Wenjing.
In the original story, detailed depictions of Xiao Wenjing occurred only in specific plot events, whether with the leads or for solo tasks.
This was why Ding Li always called him a cannon fodder second male lead.
Yet as someone living in this world, daily life was full of details, encounters, and events.
Chu Zilan had her follow Xiao Wenjing, but the story could not have him appear only at the moments intended to harm her, which would create plot holes.
Therefore, Ding Li had to actively explore and could not slack off.
This had a benefit. Ding Li had more freedom.
In other words, besides working for the system, she had much discretionary time and opportunities. For the green tea female second lead with a tragic ending, this was very good news.
Ding Li kept reporting to the classroom early for several days, meeting several junior brothers and sisters.
These cultivators, both male and female, were all quite attractive.
Ding Li was pleased. In the original story, the author only briefly mentioned this, but living among them, Ding Li gained much.
Thinking of this group of beautiful young people motivated her to wake up early. Being late was out of the question.
The only drawback was that although Ding Li arrived late, she was already a disciple under the sect master, so her peers called her senior sister.
One day, a child mistakenly called her senior uncle, leaving Ding Li dumbfounded.
Seeing the child’s innocent, carved-like appearance, the moment spoiled her own perception. Ding Li was so frustrated that she ate one bowl of rice less at lunch.
Chu Zilan was always busy cultivating. Though young, she was already at early Golden Core. She trained diligently, leaving no time for Ding Li. Messages were mostly delivered by Lin Ziyuan.
Most often, he brought books, checked on her qi exercises, taught practice formulas, and reminded her to train seriously, never to slack.
Thus, Ding Li found Lin Ziyuan extremely troublesome…
Lin Ziyuan, being Chu Zilan’s loyal fan, insisted on delivering messages thoroughly to ensure Ding Li understood.
Whenever Ding Li was negligent, Lin Ziyuan would nag incessantly. Seeing him, Ding Li often wanted to run.
Some children in the classroom admired him and wanted him to stay longer.
Thus, Ding Li could not doze off during elder instructions, fearing Lin Ziyuan would report to Chu Zilan, causing her much stress.