28 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Two days before the Ascension Martial Meeting, most of the other sects had already arrived, making the Sanqing Sect unusually lively. Due to her low cultivation level at the time, Yue Bai wasn’t accompanied by Ji Wu Nian when she went to receive guests. This gave her time to wander around in search of the demonic spy. Yet, after making another round of the peaks, she still hadn’t sensed any demonic energy. It seemed that the spy possessed an aura similar to that of Liu Li and Ji Wu Nian, capable of hiding their demonic energy. Yue Bai sometimes read the sea of consciousness of a few individuals but couldn't identify that specific aura. Reading each individual’s sea of consciousness would be akin to finding a needle in a haystack, and Yue Bai couldn't think of a better solution. On this day, Yue Bai was on the Five O’clock Peak Square, resting her chin on her hand as she watched the crowd come and go, conversing with Jiu Yi in her sea of consciousness. “How about we find a time to explore the Demon Realm?” Jiu Yi was taken aback, “Can you handle that?” Although Yue Bai was quite powerful, she had injured herself twice in recent battles, and Jiu Yi was still quite worried about her wellbeing. “Not now,” Yue Bai knew her limits, “but the information here is too scarce, and I’m afraid things might change in the future. Pushi said that chaos might soon descend upon the human world, and that wasn’t mere empty threat.” Yue Bai connected the dots, “I think all of these things are interlinked, and besides…” “Besides what?” “Ji Wu Nian knows.” “Huh?” Jiu Yi was puzzled, “What do you mean?” “The mission to protect Liu Li—once she knew that Liu Li survived being attacked by the flood dragon, her mission progress would increase and she’d achieve her goal. In other words, she knew beforehand that Liu Li might be attacked and killed on that day, and after that day, she was relieved,” Yue Bai explained, “During the incident at Yue Port, although she hurried there, she was very familiar with those two’s techniques and immediately detected the use of the water-attracting pearl…” “Huh?” Jiu Yi remembered something, “Didn’t she say she saw the water-attracting pearl in the Bell Pavilion? Didn’t you search around before?” “There are many objects that attract water,” Yue Bai replied, “I didn’t know what it was at the time.” Due to her confidence in Yue Bai’s power, Jiu Yi also found the situation odd. “Could she be another powerful individual?” Jiu Yi wondered, “Couldn’t the ‘demonic spy’ be her?” Yue Bai didn't think so but couldn't provide a satisfactory argument. She placed her focus back on sensing Liu Li in her sea of consciousness and told Jiu Yi, “Keep an eye on Liu Li for me; his body is weak now, and the spy might try to harm him.” Jiu Yi assured, “Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to be a diligent little scout!” “Ye Er!” Yue Bai turned towards the voice; it was a senior sister she met on the Eight Feet Peak, accompanied by several disciples from different sects. Yue Bai greeted them politely. The senior sister explained that these disciples were all interested in artifact refining, and they usually corresponded via letters. Seeing Ye Er here reminded them of the Feng Yu Sword crafted by Ji Wu Nian, which they wanted to borrow for a look. Yue Bai agreed and handed over the sword. The Feng Yu Sword’s black scabbard exuded a chilling aura, capable of summoning wind and freezing rain with ease. “Back when Immortal Ji crafted it, she spent an entire month in the sword furnace,” the senior sister recounted, then smiled at Ye Er, “It’s more impressive than your belt hooks.” The belt hooks were a sore topic, so Yue Bai only smiled without commenting further. “I heard that Immortal Ji has always wanted a sword of ice and snow,” a disciple in black robes remarked, “Maybe she made this sword for herself, but decided to gift it to her disciple after taking one.” Though the comment sounded a bit jealous, the senior sister was visibly displeased, “What are you talking about? Immortal Ji has been doting on Ye Er since she joined the sect. Everyone in the Sanqing Sect knows this. What’s the harm in giving her a sword?” “Oh, he’s just speaking carelessly,” another more perceptive disciple took over the conversation quickly, “Miss Ye, please don’t mind him. Immortal Ji is highly talented and skilled in all the sect’s arts, which is why her reputation is so widespread. We all admire her greatly. We’ve heard she dotes on her disciple, so we’re just curious…” Yue Bai simply waved it off and retrieved the Feng Yu Sword, “It’s just good fortune that Ye Er is favored by her master.” The black-robed disciple suddenly blurted, “I wonder what it is that caught Immortal Ji’s eye about you.” The comment made everyone awkward, and his fellow disciple pushed him aside. “What’s that supposed to mean?” the senior sister’s face darkened, “Ye Er may be a newcomer, but she’s highly talented in artifact refining, music, and pharmacology. The elders from various peaks have praised her, calling her a prodigy. Given time, she’ll surely become a prominent figure in the sect.” Feeling the tension, the fellow disciple quickly pushed the rude one away. The senior sister also apologized, “Ye Er, I didn’t know he would say something like that. Don’t mind him.” Yue Bai, holding the Feng Yu Sword, smiled slightly, “No worries, senior sister, Ye Er doesn’t mind.” However, it seemed their conversation had been overheard by other disciples, and Yue Bai noticed several heads clustering together in whispered discussions. Jiu Yi, enjoying the drama, chimed in, “Look, all this resentment is because of Ji Wu Nian.” Yue Bai sighed softly, “He might be right.” “Huh? What do you mean?” Holding the cooling Feng Yu Sword, Yue Bai speculated, “The sword might really belong to Ji Wu Nian.” Thinking of the night when the sea was frozen, the coldness of the Feng Yu Sword felt remarkably similar. Ji Wu Nian probably suited the icy sword more than she did. So why give it to her? With lingering doubts, Yue Bai returned to the Qinglin Hall, wielding the Feng Yu Sword. *** Yue Bai didn’t mind being underestimated by others and naturally wouldn’t mention it to Ji Wu Nian. After two days, the competition began, with the younger disciples from various sects being grouped together. The main overseer was Elder Wen Zheng from the Hundred Grasses Peak, while other elders, including Ji Wu Nian, were called to the main peak to discuss matters with the visiting sect elders. Originally, Ji Wu Nian wanted Yue Bai to accompany her, but Zhao Zi Chen suggested that Ji Wu Nian shouldn’t cling too much and let her disciple see the world. Thus, Yue Bai was set free. Over the past few days, she had marked a disciple from another sect with decent cultivation, so while Zhao Qi dragged her to watch the competition, she was also listening in on the main hall’s discussions. The elders were concerned about the appearance of the flood dragon. Liu Li, being a renowned figure, was seriously injured, which was worrying. Moreover, Liu Li mentioned feeling inexplicably excited and having hazy memories, which added to the mystery. Not to mention the demonic attack on the city, the fallen Nascent Soul, and the mysterious woman with profound cultivation. “We’ve never heard of two Nascent Soul demonic cultivators appearing in Jianzhou before,” said Gao Yun from the Ling Yun Hall, investigating the matter, “They seemed to have appeared out of thin air, without even a trace of demonic energy.” “And that mysterious woman,” spoke an elder from Wu Ji Gong, “Able to subdue the flood dragon and slay two Nascent Soul demonic cultivators alone, she must be a great power. If we could seek her help, it would be a tremendous asset. Immortal Liu Li, are you sure you don’t know her?” Liu Li, somewhat helpless, replied, “I really don’t know of such a person.” Zhao Zi Chen turned to Ji Wu Nian, “Wu Nian, you had some contact with that woman. What do you think?” “She wielded divine weapons with great proficiency,” Ji Wu Nian, seated respectfully beneath Liu Li, replied, “Her swordsmanship was exceptional, her whip techniques were dazzling, and her archery was impeccable. She’s a master.” “Speaking of archery, I heard that you used a bow with that woman and were quite close,” Ling Yun Hall’s Elder Ge’s sharp eyes fixed on Ji Wu Nian, “Do you know who she is? And what about the jade talisman she used for the barrier? Do you have any clues about it?” “The jade talisman is with me,” Liu Li took out the Xuanwu Talisman, “Since she probably came because of me, I’ll keep it for now. If she comes looking for it, I’ll return it. As for the archery…” Liu Li glanced at Ji Wu Nian, who shrugged, “Wu Nian told me she only approached the woman for a conversation but didn’t get a reply. There was no such thing as wielding a bow together, probably a misperception by the disciples.” Ji Wu Nian nodded, recalling the slender, powerful hands she had felt that day. Delicate yet strong, smooth yet firm. “Regardless of that woman,” Zhao Zi Chen interjected, “We need to fulfill our duty of slaying demons regardless of her presence. Although the flood dragon has retreated, the issue with the demonic cultivators remains unresolved. The water incident might have been a ruse to distract us, but why abduct Liu Li?” “Perhaps we should ask Immortal Liu Li?” suggested the Elder Wu Xing from Ming Yun, shaking his whisk, “These events seem closely linked to Liu Li. Do you have any insights?” Liu Li shook his head. “Regardless, the demonic activities warrant close attention.” Zhao Zi Chen timely shifted focus from putting Liu Li on the spot, “Liu Li is injured and will stay at Sanqing for recovery. As for matters in the mortal world, I hope everyone will stay vigilant, sharing information freely without hiding anything from one another.” This was the purpose: to prompt some unity among the sect leaders using the current events. “I think you've become famous now,” Jiu Yi said to Yue Bai, barely concealing his amusement, “Remember that low-profile goal from back then?” This time, Yue Bai had been very conspicuous, while Ji Wu Nian had managed to stay quietly in the background. "How novel, Yue Bai has actually become Ji Wu Nian's shield," she mused. “If she wants to hide, let her,” Yue Bai responded to Jiu Yi. “Since we want her to be ‘happy and satisfactory,’ let’s see what she truly desires.” “I think she has a particular interest in you,” Jiu Yi suggested, noting the target’s special attitude towards Yue Bai. “Why don’t you try to seduce her, get close, and directly ask what she wants? Wouldn’t that be simpler?” It was a good suggestion, but Yue Bai didn’t like it. “This way is fine.” Not only did she want to avoid entangling herself too much with Ji Wu Nian, but she also believed that Ji Wu Nian wouldn’t be willing to reveal her motives. Jiu Yi pressed for why, but Yue Bai didn’t reply, focusing instead on observing the ongoing matches. Zhao Qi had mentioned earlier that she wanted to take Yue Bai to watch Luo Changhe’s match, but since Ji Wu Nian had also wanted to take her along, Yue Bai hadn’t given it much thought. Now that Ji Wu Nian was called away for a meeting, Yue Bai decided to make her observations at the match and stood by Luo Changhe’s arena. Luo Changhe, dressed in white, held an emerald flute gracefully. He faced a Ming Yun disciple with a sword, whose sharp features and pointed blade were directed at his opponent. The interplay of soundwaves and sword energy raised clouds of dust as they clashed. “That disciple’s name is Xie Kai; he’s a prodigy of the Ming Yun Sect,” Zhao Qi informed Ye Er, “He’s the disciple of Ming Yun’s senior brother and built his foundation in less than ten years, similar to Senior Brother Luo.” She sighed, “But he has been at the foundation stage for a while, so Senior Brother Luo might find this match challenging.” As wind swept through their sleeves, the two young men seriously engaged in their duel, drawing even more spectators. Yue Bai watched their techniques, hoping to see something novel, but soon grew bored. She redirected her attention to the gathered crowd. Since disciples from other sects had been invited for the competition, many older disciples who typically wouldn’t attend the internal matches had come to the square for entertainment. Spiritual energy flowed freely, and the atmosphere around the various arenas was bustling. Yue Bai observed the crowd, occasionally closing her eyes to carefully sense or read a few minds, hoping to catch a stroke of luck. But amidst the lack of leads, Yue Bai started to feel a bit lax. “What should we do…” Jiu Yi was equally worried. Yue Bai gritted her teeth, “Wait.” A spy would eventually make a move, so she kept watching, hoping something would develop soon.