45 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Yue Bai's departure was described by Jiu Yi as "fleeing in panic," solely to avoid the overly fierce bite of Ji Wu Nian. Meanwhile, Leaf Two, who had been gone for a day and a night, returned to Liu Li's hall on the third morning. This time, however, she wasn’t as lucky—Liu Li was already waiting for her. "Liu Li, Immortal Elder," Leaf Two greeted respectfully, bowing to the person seated high up. "Mm," Liu Li looked at her, "Leaf Two, you've been absent for two nights, haven't you? Where did you go?" "...I was on the Cliff of Reflection," Leaf Two lowered her eyes humbly, "Previously, I sought Elder Wen Zheng's advice on some medicinal principles, and I’ve spent the past two days studying medical books. Knowing how busy you are, I didn’t want to bother you..." "It has indeed been rather hectic lately," Liu Li smiled, "What books have you been reading?" Leaf Two listed several medical books, discussing some medicinal concepts, mostly focused on resisting internal coldness. "Hmm?" Liu Li asked, "Is there some issue with your cold cultivation?" He motioned for Leaf Two to come closer. "Come here, let me see." Leaf Two obediently extended her hand for Liu Li to examine. She answered thoughtfully, "Not exactly. I just wanted to learn more..." It turned out there was nothing wrong with this young disciple's body. Liu Li could appreciate her foresight and smiled, "If Wu Nian had been as diligent as you are, our master wouldn’t have had such headaches back then..." "..." Ji Wu Nian's notorious reputation was widely known in the Three Pure Ones sect. Leaf Two could only smile awkwardly, not wanting to comment on her mischievous master's behavior. After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "Immortal Elder Liu Li, do you know when my master plans to exit seclusion?" The sooner, the better—sparing her from further running back and forth. "That, I do not know," Liu Li released her, letting her stand before him, "Is 'Cool Breeze' still serving you well?" Understanding that he was referring to her recent dealings with the Eight-Chi Peak, Leaf Two respectfully replied, "Very well, thanks to Elder Qi Yue's guidance..." Despite her proactively and graciously engaging with Eight-Chi Peak, here she was expressing gratitude to the other side. She exhibited diligence and humility without arrogance, earning the favor of many elders. Even Liu Li admired Ji Wu Nian's good fortune in having such a disciple. "If you need anything, feel free to ask me directly," Liu Li genuinely held her in high regard, "If I'm not available, you can ask Zi Ming." Zeng Zi Ming was a managing disciple at Five Times Peak. Though not directly taught by Liu Li, his cultivation level was commendable among his peers. "I understand, thank you, Immortal Elder." After bidding farewell to Liu Li, Leaf Two headed to Hundred Herb Peak, immersing herself in the medicine furnace. "What are you doing?" Jiu Yi sounded puzzled, "Making medicine?" "Mm," Yue Bai walked through the herb room, gathering curious gazes from several disciples, which she ignored. "Why the sudden interest in making medicine?" Jiu Yi could see Yue Bai's soul space, which was filled to the brim with artifacts. Though some couldn't be taken out, it wasn’t so dire that Yue Bai needed to brew medicine herself. "Training, and making some pills in the process." "...Aren't you a sword cultivator?" Jiu Yi dryly remarked, "Thinking of switching to alchemy?" "Training is training; why be bound by form?" Yue Bai found the herbs she wanted and instructed a helper to fetch them. "Besides, I've been taking too much medicine lately, so I need to prepare." Given Yue Bai's current cultivation, just visiting Ji Wu Nian would require downing an elixir... But still... Look at your stash! It's overflowing! "...You’re always right," Jiu Yi felt stifled, "But with your current cultivation, can you make anything decent?" Making common-use pills wasn’t possible; the materials alone were insufficient. "Step by step..." Another helper packed the desired herbs for Yue Bai. Handing them over with a slightly irritated tone, the helper mentioned, "We’re out of 'Qiang Huo'; your master cleared out the entire stock before going into seclusion. You'll have to ask her for more once she’s back..." Leaf Two felt a bit awkward. "Thank you." That 'Qiang Huo' was essential for banishing internal coldness. Given Ji Wu Nian's cultivation, handling the cold sword bore the price of invasive coldness. She must have prepared the pills beforehand, anticipating the need for the cold sword even before descending the mountain. "What now?" Jiu Yi asked her. "Just substitute it," Yue Bai said effortlessly. Nothing seemed too challenging for her. *** Yue Bai comfortably trained in alchemy for a month. With no tasks, no running around, and even Ji Wu Nian staying put in Wu Yang, Yue Bai took advantage of the peace. She diligently continued her practice, elevating her cultivation even further. "...Your cultivation speed is impressive..." Jiu Yi reminisced about the "five-year Nascent Soul" legend. Truly, a master was unmatched. Yue Bai halted her internal energy flow and slowly opened her eyes, "It’s not solely my effort." "Hmm?" Jiu Yi was intrigued, "What do you mean?" "Ji Wu Nian has planted the seeds." "Hmm?" Jiu Yi didn’t understand. "And this relates to...?" Knowing this system was somewhat ignorant, Yue Bai kindly gathered her aura in her sea of consciousness, creating a golden glow within a deep blue expanse. "...What is this?" Jiu Yi could only ask questions. "Aura," Yue Bai dispersed the radiance, returning her sea of consciousness to tranquility. She looked on calmly, "Gathered from various places by Ji Wu Nian." Jiu Yi sensed something, "…What did you give her back then?" "My blood." Oh, that trackable, explosive, perceptive, and supposedly unresistable blood... Jiu Yi could only applaud this overpowered individual, "You’re truly impressive." However, Jiu Yi had his doubts, "But what exactly is this aura..." Yue Bai poured herself a glass of water and countered, "You don’t know?" "...Why would I know?" Jiu Yi was now proudly shameless, "I’m just a system that issues tasks. I don’t know anything else." Yue Bai chuckled lightly, "Then I won’t tell you." "...Didn’t expect you to be like this, Yue Bai." Increasingly mischievous. Yue Bai chuckled softly and changed her clothes before stepping out. Although Liu Li was responsible for monitoring her, he wasn’t very strict. Despite being injured, this immortal elder was still the sect leader's right-hand man, managing many sect affairs. With Ji Wu Nian away and Liu Li recovering well, much of the work fell back to him, allowing Yue Bai more freedom. Ji Wu Nian acted swiftly, and as those seeds dispersed, Yue Bai collected the gathered aura for her use. With her cultivation improved, Yue Bai decided it was time to venture out. "...Aren’t you just restless?" Jiu Yi exposed her, "You just want to go out and play..." Yue Bai drew a teleportation array, "Exploring and understanding places better is harmless." Jiu Yi constantly tsk-tsked her, but Yue Bai always remained unfazed. She adored the hustle and bustle of the world. Every living thing had its path, every style its uniqueness. She was but a creator, deeply appreciative and respectful of this vast, diverse world. Jiu Yi thought she’d head to Wu Yang to follow Ji Wu Nian, but instead, she went to the southern borders, aiming to find the potentially exterminated Ming Yun Pavilion. According to Zhong Pavilion’s records, Ming Yun Pavilion existed within a barrier, hidden from the world's view. Inside, solitary peaks soared, and the bright moons stayed ever-round—truly a mysterious place. Having read the sea of consciousness of a Ming Yun disciple who once arrived at the Three Pure Ones, Yue Bai knew that Ming Yun was elusive, with its barrier entrance changing daily. Even Ming Yun disciples needed guidance from within to enter. Yue Bai wasn’t in a hurry to explore Ming Yun; rather, she was more interested in the demonic cultivators Ji Wu Nian mentioned. Having seen many disciples from sects, she had yet to encounter demonic cultivators here. "...Didn’t you just kill two in Moon Harbor?" Jiu Yi reminded her. Unaware of their names, without reading their minds, Yue Bai regretted her fast actions then. All due to Ji Wu Nian’s exposure of her demonic aura, which hurried Yue Bai’s hand. After a fruitless search in the southern region, she found no traces of demonic cultivators... Jiu Yi also found it odd, "Was she lying?" Looking at the sun, Yue Bai drew another teleportation array and went to the capital. Concealing her presence, she entered the palace. Having already imprinted the emperor’s sea of consciousness back in Moon Harbor, Jiu Yi asked her purpose. "They are only an uncle and niece, not truly close," Yue Bai entered the library, "But there should be people familiar with her and records of her childhood." Oh, so she was digging up black history. Jiu Yi was already accustomed to Yue Bai’s intelligence-gathering prowess. Her divine sense swept through, and she instantly knew the library’s contents. "...Found anything?" Yue Bai whispered, "Nothing special." Talented, mischievous, bright as the sun—mortal royalty Ji Wu Nian was no different from immortal sect prodigy Ji Wu Nian, showered in starlight, always at the center of attention. She shared the same mother as the late emperor, yet their ages were significantly different. Her mother passed away shortly after the late emperor ascended the throne, which only deepened his affection for this younger sister. From a young age, Ji Wu Nian was showered with favor, and being both talented and sunny in disposition, she forged numerous connections in the capital, constantly drawing attention. Had she not been taken away by the Qing San sect's leader, it’s debatable whether the throne would have passed to Ji Zhan Hong at all. “Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Jiu Yi sighed, “What a winner in life.” Born at the pinnacle, endowed with talent, strategy, and resources, Ji Wu Nian seemed to have everything. Whatever her ambitions, she appeared to pursue them with steady progress, and all of it seemed meticulously planned… If it were that simple, then what was Yue Bai doing here? “Uh…” That was a question even Jiu Yi couldn't answer. “Ah…” It seemed Ji Wu Nian already had abundant advantages, so what was the purpose of binding Yue Bai to her? “...To kiss her?” Jiu Yi could only come up with this idea. If Yue Bai could strike Jiu Yi, she might very well chop off his head. “Didn’t you say I didn’t have to sell my body?” “...Then I really don’t know…” Jiu Yi awkwardly admitted, feeling slightly disdainful, “Besides, weren't you quite happy being kissed?” “In essence,” Yue Bai ignored his taunt, “How did she know about the Infinite Secret Path and the Forbidden Place?” And as for the demonic aura on her… Where did it originate...? “Uh… Secret agents?” Even Jiu Yi didn’t believe his own words. What sort of earthly secret agent could infiltrate a cultivation sect, let alone find the long-lost dragon bones of the demon world? It was indeed beyond the realm of mere fantasy. Ji Wu Nian harbored many mysteries. If Yue Bai had to pinpoint a lead, everything circled back to that peculiar aura and the demonic energy. To Yue Bai, demonic energy was a minor concern, but that aura… If that aura truly originated from the demon world, Yue Bai needed to find time to investigate thoroughly. “...Now?” Jiu Yi asked. “Not now.” Yue Bai sighed, “Wait until my body recovers more.” Her physical condition was still frail. If she rashly ventured into the demon world and faced collective hostility, Yue Bai feared she wouldn't escape unscathed. Recalling how Yue Bai had earlier spat blood and exhibited signs of physical weakness, Jiu Yi agreed it was better to plan carefully. They couldn’t afford to hastily act and endanger their host. Given Yue Bai’s rapid cultivation progress, it likely wouldn’t take long. "So what do you plan to do now?" Jiu Yi noticed Yue Bai leaving the palace without intending to return to Qing San. Though he asked aloud, he almost already knew the answer. Having left the palace and headed toward the western market, Yue Bai casually replied, “Just strolling around.”