3 - Crazy! Criticizing the Prime Minister for Being a Servant

"How could it be Ran Fanyin? They say that woman is as aloof as an exiled immortal, never cracking a smile. Just now, that person was laughing!” “How dare you mention Immortal Ran by name? Be careful, or you'll be thrown off this Ascension Stair.” “…” The focus of their discussion was on the woman who had just left as gracefully as she had arrived. Ning Songwu pricked up her ears to listen, feeling her limbs growing colder by the second. The legs she had just regained control over were trembling uncontrollably, and she nearly collapsed to the ground again. The one who had rushed over and knocked her down earlier also seemed to be muttering something like "Elder Ran." No way... “Ning Daoist, are you alright? Can you keep going?” The girl supporting her asked with concern. Ning Songwu’s heart, already sinking to the bottom, grew colder. She turned her head and asked in a trembling voice, “Daoist friend, what did you call me?” The girl was momentarily stunned. "Ning Daoist, Ning Songwu. Did you hit your head? How many fingers do you see?” She held up five fingers in front of Ning Songwu's eyes, waving them. Ning Songwu brushed the hand away and muttered, “Five. I didn't hit my head.” "That's good. Ning Daoist, you’re the fastest cultivator in the outer sect. You mustn't have any accidents.” “Outer sect? This place is... Shangyun Sect?” The girl nodded, her delicate eyebrows knit together. “Ning Daoist, what’s wrong? Didn't you grow up at the foot of Shangyun Mountain and join the outer sect at a young age? How could you forget?” “Ning Daoist, do you remember my name?” Ning Songwu hesitated before saying, “Liu Ruoying?” Liu Ruoying clapped her hands on Ning Songwu’s shoulder excitedly. “Yes! That’s me! Ning Daoist, it’s wonderful that you remember my name!” Ning Songwu’s lips trembled. She bit back her words and kept silent. [Sister, I remember you because we both died in chapter three.] Above the clouds, a woman gently fanning herself paused—what chapter three? A folklore book? Is this kid obsessed with stories? But since she heard this, Ran Fanyin sent a part of her divine consciousness to protect the two girls for a while. Among the countless disciples, she happened to hear this skinny girl's thoughts. Although this girl was babbling nonsense, she wasn't on guard, as if she didn’t realize Ran could hear her thoughts. Could this not be considered fate? Given fate, a bit of protection was naturally the best choice. Regardless of whether she could reach Ran’s presence, it wouldn’t do for her to die over this. Below the clouds, on the stairway, Ning Songwu sat for a while longer before standing up. “Ning Daoist, shall we go together? We’re almost there.” Liu Ruoying supported her, assuming she was still shaken by the earlier incident. Given Ning Songwu’s usual aloofness, it wasn’t strange that she wasn’t talking. Ning Songwu looked up at the distant end point, thought for a moment, and asked in a low voice, “Can I still go down the mountain now?” If it really was that book, going up would mean certain death. She might as well escape down the mountain and live a leisurely life, at least preserving her life. She had no interest in cultivation or the Dao! “What? Ning Daoist, what’s wrong? You’re known as a prodigy in the outer sect, reaching Foundation Establishment at just sixteen. Do you want to give up?” Ning Songwu was close to tears. The prodigy was the Ning Songwu in the book, not her, the lazy, average university student who just happened to share the same name. Her life goal was just to take it easy, while the original Ning Songwu aimed to ascend to immortality through rigorous cultivation. Though the prodigy Ning Songwu died in chapter three, she was still a formidable character! No kidding. Moreover, she had no recollection of anything related to “Ning Songwu." Foundation Establishment? She couldn’t even control it properly. Ning Songwu nodded. “Yes, I intend to give up.” Liu Ruoying’s eyes widened. “My god, has the world gone mad? If you, Ning Songwu, are giving up, then what about me...” Ning Songwu placed a hand on the young girl's shoulder. “You can’t give up. You’re a prodigy! Keep going!” “But... but my cultivation speed is slower than yours.” [Liu Ruoying is a cannon fodder character, but she has a top-quality wood spirit root. If she can avoid the calamities, she could apprentice under Elder Qin to learn medicine, which would be great.] Thinking of this, she patted Liu Ruoying’s shoulder. “Girl, you must stay far away from all fire spirit root cultivators, especially those with heavenly fire spirit roots, understand?” “Ah... but what if I have a fire spirit root?” “You have a top-quality wood spirit root. Don’t worry.” Liu Ruoying jumped up. “Really? How do you know?” Ning Songwu forced a smile and stepped back. “You don’t need to know. I’m leaving now. Farewell.” With those words, she turned and ran. Chapter 2: Six Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-Six With a loud "thud," Ning Songwu squatted down, holding her head. What kind of no-return path was this? Why couldn’t she leave? Was there a den of thieves ahead, so they were afraid people would escape? Liu Ruoying suppressed a chuckle, walked over, and helped the squatting girl up. “Ning Daoist, didn’t the senior brother explain during morning class yesterday that this path is one-way until the initiation ceremony is over? Just like cultivation, once you step on it, you can’t leave unless you die. Did you forget?” Forget? What a joke! She didn’t know at all. The book didn’t mention it! Of course, the original heroine was single-minded about the Dao and wouldn’t think of turning back, so there was no need to describe this setting in detail. As a result, she ended up with this big bump for nothing. Sobbing, she felt pitiful. “Ning Daoist, since you’re already here…” Liu Ruoying said softly, but then met Ning Songwu’s incredulous gaze. How could she hear “since you’re already here” even in this place? Did these people in the cultivation world also believe in going with the flow, making do with whatever happens? She calmed down, and a few more people passed by, sweating profusely as they climbed the stairs, muttering to themselves, “Since we’re here, we might as well get our spirit roots tested.”