Chapter 8 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

The Wen Ling Spring of Yaoji Peak is a unique natural feature, different from ordinary hot springs. The water that bubbles up from the Wen Ling spring is not only crystal clear and warm, but also contains the purest spiritual energy in the world. These spiritual energies can be absorbed directly by cultivators without needing time to refine them. However, compared to the wasteful act of using this spring water for cultivation, successive peak masters of Yaoji Peak have developed a superior use for it: stabilizing one's cultivation realm. For cultivators whose realms are unstable for various reasons, the pure spiritual energy contained in the Wen Ling spring water can gently nourish their spiritual platforms, eliminating impurities within the spiritual energy and thus stabilizing their realms. Today, after being developed by several generations of peak masters, Wen Ling spring sources are scattered all over Yaoji Peak. Disciples from other peaks can even exchange spiritual stones for a chance to use the Wen Ling spring, which has become a major source of income for Yaoji Peak. Nevertheless, being the eldest senior sister, Bai Lian naturally wouldn't compete with ordinary disciples for shared spring sources. In the game, after being brought into the sect by Gu Qingqing to begin her cultivation, Bai Lian once "accidentally" discovered Gu Qingqing's private spring and "accidentally" saw Gu Qingqing bathing, which was quite a visual feast for her. In reality, however, such a delightful plot wouldn't occur. After all, Gu Qingqing, being a late-stage Huiyang high cultivator, would not fail to notice even a fly sneaking in while she bathed, let alone someone else. In fact, after bringing her into Yaoji Peak, Gu Qingqing directly led Bai Lian here for cleansing and rejuvenating before starting her cultivation. It subsequently became a bathing spot for both Gu Qingqing and herself. "We're here," Bai Lian announced, leading Mu Jianli to a hidden spot in the back of Yaoji Peak. The place was shrouded in mist, with streams gently flowing, colorful butterflies fluttering, spirit deer drinking by the creek, and little rabbits not fearful of their arrival but instead curiously lifting their heads, staring at them with their wine-red eyes. In the midst of the mist, a small lake lay like a clear, calm mirror. "This is where my master and I usually bathe. The spiritual energy here is rich and far more effective than those outside spring sources," Bai Lian explained, feeling a bit awkward. After all, this place could almost be considered her "home ground." In the game, after she discovered this place, she would bring every heroine she pursued here. It was the sort of place most likely to trigger special CGs, much like beach scenes in those Japanese RPGs. As her second pursued heroine, Mu Jianli knew this place quite well, if not intimately familiar. Thinking about it, this current situation felt akin to introducing a partner to a love hotel... and one they were most familiar with at that. It was beyond awkward. Without even looking, Bai Lian could guess that Mu Jianli was probably looking at her with a knowing smirk. And yet, she could make no protest... Unexpectedly, Mu Jianli asked, "Senior Sister, have you ever bathed with Uncle Master Gu?" Gu Qingqing, of course, was Bai Lian's master. The unexpected question caught Bai Lian off guard, and she answered instinctively, "No..." Had it been the game, they would have bathed together many times. However, ever since reincarnating as Bai Lian, she resolved not to repeat past mistakes and avoided any scenario that might lead to a painful outcome. That included bathing with her master to bond. It was ironic. As a man, she constantly schemed to get close to the heroines, creating various "accidents" to take advantage of them. Her methods were limitless. Now, as a woman, she didn't even need any strategies to bathe with Gu Qingqing, yet she felt like a modest immortal, blushing if Gu Qingqing saw her in disarray. Truly, fate plays strange tricks. "Is that so?" Mu Jianli nodded, her lips curling into a smile. She had always been bothered by the fact that she wasn't Bai Lian's first. Now, living a second life, she didn't choose to soar freely but returned to Bai Lian's side, even though this Bai Lian had transformed from the graceful, gentle senior brother in her memory to a gentle, serene senior sister. Why she did this, she didn't even know herself, but she returned nonetheless. As a reborn entity, she astutely sensed that Gu Qingqing was also likely reborn, or, at the very least, retained memories from her past life. Gu Qingqing wanted to use her to probe whether Senior Sister was the person from her memories. Likewise, she wanted to use Gu Qingqing to get closer to Bai Lian. In her previous life, meeting the senior brother too late meant she couldn't secure a hold over him, allowing Gu Qingqing and other women to take him first. Whether Bai Lian is indeed the senior brother in this life remains unknown, but she absolutely won't sit idly by. If necessary, she'd act first and completely take Bai Lian before considering anything else. Mu Jianli, whether speaking or acting, always did so directly, never beating around the bush. Bai Lian scratched her head, completely oblivious to the fact that her virtue was perilously at risk. Right now, she couldn't afford to overthink it as Mu Jianli offered her no time to react and began disrobing! "Wait, wait! Junior Sister, I-I already washed up this morning, and my realm is stable. I've brought you here," she stammered, turning her head away to avoid looking at Mu Jianli. "I need to pay respects to my master. If there's nothing else... I'll head out first..." Yet, just as she turned to leave, Mu Jianli grabbed her wrist with precision. Bai Lian tried to gently struggle but found that Mu Jianli's seemingly slender hand possessed remarkable strength; she couldn't break free. Although both belonged to the Taihua Sword Sect, their cultivation paths were entirely different. Bai Lian practiced the Taixuan Heart Sutra, an improved technique by the Taihua Sword Sect's founder, meant for disciples without sword talent, focusing on using energy to wield swords and encompassing myriad methods. She belonged to the energy sect. Mu Jianli, on the other hand, apprenticed under Ling Ningshuang, practicing the Taihua Sword Canon, the sect's most orthodox technique, emphasizing heart-guided swordsmanship originating from chaos. She belonged to the sword sect. The sword sect leaned towards physical cultivation, and Mu Jianli's physical strength far surpassed her own in manipulating spiritual energy, making it impossible to escape her grip now. Moreover, Mu Jianli was born with a sword physique, a clear sword heart, and practicing the Taihua Sword Canon, which somewhat restrained her Taixuan Heart Sutra. Hence, even though Mu Jianli's cultivation was presently mid-Qin-Xin, several levels lower than her late Qin-Xin stage, in a life-or-death struggle, she'd likely be overpowered. The troublesome protagonist! Bai Lian gnashed her teeth while Mu Jianli's smile only widened. "Senior Sister, since we're already here, there's no need to leave so hastily." "I still want Senior Sister to scrub my back for me."