44 - Dungeon Growth Log

On one side, Xia Ge and Su Chan were bickering in the cavern, while on the other, the Sword Peak competition had already commenced with great fervor. The Sword Peak training ground was expansive, with platforms set up to the east, west, and north, each furnished with tables and chairs. At the very front of the northern platform sat Chang Lan, the senior disciple of Sword Peak. To the far east was the platform for alchemy disciples from Dan Peak who had come to spectate, while the west platform was reserved for the beast-taming disciples from Beast Peak. Chu Yao, clad in the azure uniform of a contender for senior disciple, had her soft black hair tied back with a water-blue ribbon. Holding her sword, she sat to the left and below Chang Lan, her light brown eyes reflecting a mysterious glimmer as she observed the outer disciples below, dressed in hemp garments and blue headbands. Nearby, Xiao Qing stood respectfully by her side. For some reason, Xiao Qing had the distinct impression that her lady seemed to be in unusually high spirits today. “All right, let’s start calling names!” According to the tradition of Lingxi Peak, before the official start of the competition, names would be called out three times. Any disciple who didn’t show up by the final call would be considered to have forfeited. The one reading the names was a disciple from Sword Peak, dressed in a blue-collared white robe. He stood upright, his expression serious. “Number one, Huo Yuan!” “Present!” a robust male voice responded. “Number two, Kong Yu!” “Present!” This time, a clear female voice answered. “Number three...” “...” There were numerous participants in this competition, and Xiao Qing grew increasingly impatient as the names were called out. She glanced sideways at her lady, noticing that while Chu Yao's face remained expressionless, she seemed to be listening intently. Xiao Qing was puzzled. ...Was her lady looking for someone? Just as she was wondering, she heard a name called out: “Number seventy-nine, Xia Wei!” “Present!” Xiao Qing noticed a spark of light in Chu Yao's eyes upon hearing the surname “Xia,” but as soon as the full name was announced, the spark dimmed, and a hint of irritation briefly flickered across her otherwise impassive face. ...So, someone with the surname Xia? Xiao Qing mused to herself. She recalled that her lady had mentioned yesterday that there were three disciples bearing the surname Xia among the over three hundred contestants. But clearly, none of them was the one her lady was hoping for. “Number three hundred seventy-three, Li Liu!” “Present!” “All right, three absentees! Three hundred seventy present! We will call names again in half an hour!” As the Sword Peak disciple finished reading the name list, he was about to close the register when an indifferent voice behind him spoke up. “Finished calling? Didn't miss anyone?” Turning around, the disciple saw it was Chu Yao and immediately replied with respect, “Reporting to Senior Sister Chu, all names have been called.” Chu Yao's smile carried a faint chill. “Oh, is that so?” Xiao Qing sensed a shift in her lady's mood and cautiously asked, “My lady, you...” Chu Yao stood, her embroidered blue sleeve slicing through the air in a cold arc, her face expressionless. “I'm leaving.” Chang Lan, surprised, stood up. “Little Chu, why are you leaving before the competition even starts?” “Nothing much.” Chu Yao glanced back at Chang Lan, her light brown eyes showing a hint of detachment. “Senior Brother Chang, I don’t appreciate being addressed in that manner. Please call me Junior Sister Chu.” Chang Lan scratched his nose, smiling wryly. “Oh, alright, Junior Sister Chu.” “Thank you, Senior Brother Chang.” Chu Yao said, turning and walking away without hesitation. Xiao Qing hurried to catch up. “My lady, my lady... You’re just leaving like this? What about... the young master from the Chang family…” Chu Yao, in a foul mood, snorted, “If he needs handholding even for an entrance exam, such trash is unworthy of joining Sword Peak.” Xiao Qing awkwardly tried to explain, “No... it’s just that our families are well-connected and they wanted you to meet…” Seeing her lady’s expression worsen, Xiao Qing wisely decided to remain silent. After a while. “...My lady, were you here to see someone today?” Xiao Qing asked cautiously. As soon as she brought it up, Chu Yao felt her fleeting good mood completely dissipate. No, it hadn’t been good all day. It never was. “To see a shorty.” After a pause, holding her sword, the girl’s voice turned cold, her knuckles cracking. “Oh, and a liar.” Xiao Qing: “...” You’re here to see two people? ...Who has the audacity to lie to the young lady of the Chu family? However, considering how delighted her lady had been this morning, it seemed as if the other party said something that genuinely deceived her. Sensing the eerie gloom emanating from her lady, Xiao Qing wisely kept her mouth shut. Chu Yao ignored Xiao Qing but suddenly halted her steps. Xiao Qing was taken aback, about to speak up, but heard her lady’s voice, tinged with coldness. “Not a Sword Peak disciple... but still within the same sect, right?” Xiao Qing wore a confused expression, not quite grasping her meaning. “Xiao Qing.” Chu Yao's lips curled into a cold smile. “Tomorrow, I want to visit Dan Peak and watch their entrance competition.” Xiao Qing's face immediately darkened. “My lady... Dan Peak is full of commoners, your esteemed status...” Chu Yao merely glanced at her, her light brown eyes flashing with a cold sheen that made one's heart tremble. Xiao Qing immediately lowered her head, “Yes.” “Xiao Qing,” Chu Yao's voice was faint, “Do not become the kind of person I despise the most.” Xiao Qing shuddered slightly, nervously replying, “...Yes.” “Go inform Dan Peak.” “Yes.” = = In the cavern. “Rest,” Su Chan coaxed her. “It won't hurt once you're asleep.” Xia Ge contemplated using the teleportation stone; she didn’t quite trust Su Chan. “Don't worry.” “Xia Xia saved me twice.” Su Chan's eyes curved into a smile, “As someone who repays kindness, let me help you three times, okay?” Xia Ge: “...” Could you stop bringing up that I saved you twice? Please, I beg you. If I lose face, at least give me some dignity?! Xia Ge maintained a blank expression: “You’re amazing; you don’t need my help.” Recalling how this person pretended to be a delicate beauty, getting captured by the black vine on purpose, then watching her struggle to rescue them with a smile, Xia Ge felt a surge of frustration that wouldn’t dissipate. “But seeing you fight so hard for my sake was truly moving.” Su Chan bent down, their red dress swaying, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Do you go all out like this for every stranger?” Xia Ge: “It’s a societal norm to help others, thank you.” The system, feigning dead, began to doubt its knowledge: “...Isn't societal norm more about not littering and such?” Xia Ge: {You’re right. As someone who follows societal norms, I’m about to throw you into the trash. Starting now, don’t talk to me; we’re no longer friends. Goodbye, trash.} System: “...” “I don’t understand.” Su Chan's eyes curved again. “You always say things I don’t get, that’s no fun.” Xia Ge: “Then let me ask something you’ll understand: when can I leave?” “Xia Xia, you’re so boring.” Su Chan waved her sleeve casually, but as she did, the tattered scarlet hem of her sleeve glowed with densely packed golden threads. Xia Ge's eyes widened as she felt something move inside her own sleeve. A small piece of red fabric she’d been keeping floated out, also glowing with golden lines. It appeared to be drawn to the missing section, and soon the scarlet garment was whole again, without a trace of damage or repair. What was that? It seemed incredible... The system, previously cowed into silence, timidly spoke up, trying to mend their relationship: “Host, that’s an [Enchanted Garment] q.q.” Xia Ge: {Oh.} System: “Host, you can use me to inspect it, you know.” It wasn’t useless, after all. The Host had been too harsh! “Spring and Autumn told me it thinks you’re great.” Su Chan smiled lightly, “Very few gain its approval, Xia Xia.” Spring and Autumn? This... enchanted garment? “...I’d rather not have your enchanted garment's approval.” Recalling this person's deceptive ways, Xia Ge felt stifled, unable to swallow her frustration. “Enchanted garment? You think it’s an enchanted garment?” Su Chan looked briefly surprised, then chuckled, her eyes alluring, yet her deep black pupils held an air of pride. “No one in this world deserves to see me wear Spring and Autumn as bridal attire.” Wasn't it you who called it a bridal garment? Honestly. So, nothing but lies before. Xia Ge, utterly disingenuous: “Oh, is that so? Very impressive. Such a pity. 666.” System: ...What is 666 even supposed to mean? “But perhaps, if you strive hard enough, there might come a day where that changes.” Su Chan grinned with a hint of malice, leaning closer, the golden ornament on her forehead glimmering faintly. Her voice was soft, fragrant with a sinister undertone. “I do like people who give me a sense of security…” Xia Ge: “...” Really doesn't want that day to come. Too terrifying. The system glanced at the time, hesitantly interjecting, “Host, are you still participating in the competition?” Of course, she was. Why not? The competition started tomorrow; there was still hope, wasn’t there? Xia Ge gripped the teleportation stone, attempting to move. The numb feeling was gradually subsiding, but the pain in her abdomen was becoming more pronounced. ...This wasn’t looking good. “Xia Xia, although the teleportation stone in your hand can get you out...” Su Chan noticed her movement and spoke softly, “I can't guarantee where you'll be transported to. From what I know, your ancestor has a knack for unpredictability.” Thinking of their ancestor's odd vow to repay kindness with one's own body, Xia Ge conceded that Su Chan's words held some truth. Lingxi Peak's ancestor indeed tended to be somewhat... unconventional. But the immediate concern was— How was it that her every slight movement was noticed? Did this person have eyes all over her body?! This level of vigilance was uncomfortably terrifying! “So, stay put and don’t move.” The girl in red stood up, gently patting Xia Ge’s head, laughing lightly, “Moving will only make it hurt more.” Xia Ge said nothing, made no more movements, and didn't show any irritation even as she was patted. She obediently refrained from trying to use the teleportation stone again. The main reason was that Su Chan’s identity was rather intimidating. Seeing that Xia Ge was behaving, Su Chan chose not to press further. She had more pressing matters to attend to than teasing a Lingxi Peak girl disguised as a boy. Gently setting Xia Ge against the stone wall, she rose and walked over to a small platform carved from crystal-like wood. Xia Ge leaned against the stone wall, watching Su Chan’s actions, a glint of realization in her eyes, “...Hey.” {Spring and Autumn}. She hadn’t thought of it before, but now... Now it seemed she remembered something significant. —“Among the ancient enchanted garments that have surfaced in the world, besides the [Blood-stained Spring and Autumn] of the current Demon Sect leader and the [Chengdao Sacrificial Spirit] of the Chu family, it's nearly impossible to find a third set...” To be named {Spring and Autumn}, the enchanted garment she knew of, there was only one. The Demon Sect leader’s ancient enchanted garment, [Blood-stained Spring and Autumn]. Spring and Autumn? This had to be fake, right? An imitation? Did the Demon Sect mass-produce these garments? Could it be that the leader’s was called [Blood-stained Spring and Autumn] and the knock-offs were just called [Spring and Autumn]? --- **Author's Note:** Studied all day, came back to the dorm in high spirits, ready to pour myself some water. Ended up scalding my left hand so bad it looks like a pig's foot. Haha. Haha. Ha. Also... Conan was useless, Kobe useless, and Ai Haibara... even more so. Because they’re all dead. --- Still, I believe tomorrow will be better! Yes! It will be! I’m not unlucky; I’m a little fairy! A little fairy!! =皿= --- **Special Thanks:** - "Forty-eight Year Old Plane Dropped a Grenade" at 2018-06-09 09:33:46 - "Ink-dyed Clothes Threw a Grenade" at 2018-06-09 10:04:48 - "Tiger-Bonk Threw a Grenade" at 2018-06-09 11:42:14 - "Delicious World Flavor Canned" Threw a Grenade at 2018-06-09 14:04:53 - "Addicted to Lilies Unable to Extricate" Threw a Grenade at 2018-06-09 17:13:36 Thank you big bosses for the grenades! Love you all! --- **Nutrient Solution Contributions:** - User "A Pear" 112 at 2018-06-09 22:22:16 - User "Late Night Poet" 10 at 2018-06-09 21:40:44 - User "Protagonist Face" 10 at 2018-06-09 20:44:00 - User "Jiuhe" 9 at 2018-06-09 20:11:46 - User "hehehe" 10 at 2018-06-09 18:01:26 - User "←ran" 18 at 2018-06-09 17:49:28 - User "" 2 at 2018-06-09 17:41:38 - User "Zhishuiwan" 10 at 2018-06-09 15:23:40 - User "Fengjia" 10 at 2018-06-09 12:51:39 - User "" 9 at 2018-06-09 10:50:30 - User "Orange" 20 at 2018-06-09 10:42:16 - User "Twice Loves" 1 at 2018-06-09 10:19:43 - User "Yuan" 4 at 2018-06-09 06:22:09 - User "Steamed Bun or Mantou" 1 at 2018-06-09 01:34:58 - User "Lin" 5 at 2018-06-09 00:54:28 - User "jdance" 3 at 2018-06-09 00:23:12 - User "Lost in the Cage, Little Mi" 10 at 2018-06-09 00:18:40 - User "Xiao Bai Lian" 1 at 2018-06-08 23:59:21 - User "Let It Collapse Freely" 1 at 2018-06-08 23:56:33 - User "Wang’s Front Field, Yuu-chan" 30 at 2018-06-08 23:50:25 Thank you all for the nutrient solution. And thank you for your comfort, everyone_(:3)∠)_, for those darling angels who didn’t pass the initial meeting, let's work hard together next year! We will definitely make it through!