59 - Dungeon Growth Log

Xia Ge had spent the entire afternoon in the Reflection Pavilion, busily searching for information about Lingxi Laozu. However... "On xx day of xx year, Lingxi Laozu drank wine with King Chu..." Oh, drinking wine, just normal interaction. Xia Ge turned the page with an expressionless face. "On xx day of xx year, Lingxi Laozu made friends with a beauty called xxx..." Oh, making friends, fine, that's normal. As the head of a sect, it's perfectly ordinary to know more... beauties. Xia Ge continued to flip through the pages, her face still blank. "On xx day of xy year, Lingxi Laozu saved a peerless beauty..." ...Well, as a venerable master who upholds justice... it's normal to save more people too. "On xx day of xx evening, Lingxi Laozu ate a piece of Osmanthus cake." Alright, she couldn't make excuses anymore. Glaring at the mention of the Osmanthus cake, Xia Ge's hands holding the historical records slightly trembled. Silently putting down the so-called "historical records," the veins on Xia Ge’s forehead, which had been enduring for a long time, finally bulged. System: "…Do you want… a drink of water?" Xia Ge threw a fit: "Drink my ass!" Is this damn thing really historical records, or just Lingxi Laozu's romantic escapades?! Historical records! You're supposed to be historical records! Authentic history!! Can you stop documenting every little thing my ancestor did, like visiting brothels today and drinking flower wine tomorrow?! And eating Osmanthus cake? Why the hell would you write about her eating a freaking Osmanthus cake?! Authentic history? You're goddamn tabloid gossip!! Xia Ge resisted the urge to throw the "historical records" into the fireplace as kindling, taking a deep breath. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have come here looking for information… Little Puppet, this 'authentic history' doesn't even mention what Lingxi Laozu's real name is!" System: "..." This does seem a bit excessive. "Is Lingxi Laozu just called Lingxi Laozu? So half-heartedly? Her name? At least she’s the head of a sect, not to mention being renowned for some extraordinary deeds she did to become a sect leader, her real name should at least be mentioned, right?!" Xia Ge put the book back, thoroughly exhausted. "Little Puppet, what time is it?" "The hour of you (5 PM to 7 PM)." It was already five or six o'clock. So she wasted an entire afternoon reading about Lingxi Laozu’s food, drinks, and encounters with beauties…? Yes, she had flipped through this entire shelf. All the records about Lingxi Laozu were trivial, insignificant things with no historical value whatsoever. So damn frustrating. She hadn't even had the time to transcribe the alchemy rules thirty times. The system contemplated for a moment: "Actually, in a way… having her hobbies documented so meticulously in historical records five hundred years later is quite an impressive achievement in itself." Xia Ge: "So now I just want to know why she made the historians write down all this irrelevant stuff in..." Xia Ge ground her teeth. "The authentic history." System: "Maybe it’s because she was a big shot." Xia Ge: "..." That actually makes some sense, so much that I have no words to retort. Then can you thoroughly explain to me why Lingxi Laozu was such a big shot? Can you recount her extraordinary achievements and slap my face with them? Can you at least write a bit to convince me?! Writing about her eating an Osmanthus cake is supposed to be impressive? Xia Ge could do that too! If she had the money, she’d eat a lot more Osmanthus cakes than Lingxi Laozu! “…Forget it.” Putting the book back in its place, Xia Ge took a deep breath to calm herself. “There definitely wouldn’t be only this kind of stuff…” Surely there’s more, it’s just that with her current status, she couldn’t access it. The system hesitated: “Did you find any clues that led you to investigate about the ancestor’s… deeds?” “The tomb.” Xia Ge ran her fingers over the spines of the books, “In the last stone chamber, when I encountered Su Chan… I saw something on the ceiling of the tomb.” The system was startled. “There were two paintings. One showed that person from the previous mural, Lingxi Laozu…” Xia Ge pursed her lips, feeling a headache, “She was kneeling in front of a mountain, holding a flute, and crying.” System: “Crying?” “Yes,” Xia Ge said, “I feel like… maybe she had done something wrong.” System: “She’s so powerful, what could she possibly have done wrong?” Xia Ge: "Everyone makes mistakes." "The mountain that made her cry, I want to know where it is." Xia Ge pondered, "Because the second painting also had that mountain, and a piece of clothing." The system was anxious: "Clothing? Is it the 'Soul Calmer'?" Xia Ge shook her head and made a gesture. “I don’t know if it’s the ‘Soul Calmer,’ the mural was too abstract… At the bottom was a mountain, and the clothing was on top of it, radiating light, with Lingxi Laozu… sitting on the peak playing the flute." Xia Ge hesitated for a moment, “I get the feeling she was sad.” System: "??" “And when I first entered the stone chamber, the broken stone wall had a line of poetry inscribed on it.” Xia Ge said, “'White bones lament, the flute song ends. A mournful song to calm souls.' Don’t you think the person who wrote this poem was very sorrowful?” System: “I don’t know if they were sorrowful, but they definitely mentioned the ‘Soul Calmer’...” Xia Ge: “…” …Forget it. “I remember you said the ‘Soul Calmer’ is an extraordinary garment that can suppress all ghosts, protecting countless souls?” System: “Yes, and if you find the ‘Soul Calmer,’ you can directly upgrade to Puppet Master.” “I think,” Xia Ge said, “just like there are antidote herbs in places with poisonous snakes, extraordinary garments that suppress evil spirits would naturally be placed where there are many evil spirits.” System: "Hmm..." “Places with many evil spirits… where would that mountain be?” Xia Ge was troubled again, “I have a feeling that piece of clothing… even if it’s not the ‘Soul Calmer,’ it’s related to it somehow.” System: "..." Looking at the row of practically useless books in front of her, Xia Ge gave up. Leaving the Reflection Pavilion, the system hesitated, “So, about Lingxi Laozu’s clue…” Is it just going to be cut off like that? “Of course it can’t be cut off.” Xia Ge said, “But there’s no opportunity now. I’ll have to wait until I receive the inner disciple’s jade pendant and go to the Inner Pavilion to see. That place is a regular library and should have more comprehensive information than the Reflection Pavilion.” However, this matter did seem a bit suspicious. Xia Ge glanced at the Reflection Pavilion; even if it wasn't an important library, Lingxi Laozu, as the founding ancestor of Lingxi Peak, wouldn't have her deeds recorded in such a… secretive manner, would she? Forget it, no need to rush. Collecting her thoughts, Xia Ge stepped out into the deepening dusk outside the Reflection Pavilion and headed toward Sword Peak. While she could name every bird nest and every hawthorn and persimmon tree on Beast Peak and Alchemy Peak, when it came to Sword Peak, she only knew which way its gate faced. This was quite awkward. Although her wound wasn't too painful anymore, using ghost steps would definitely tear it if she moved too energetically. No need to be reckless; Xia Ge carried the small box, planning to enter through the main gate. She couldn’t find the green ribbon, so she just used a random black string to tie her hair. The mountain gate of Sword Peak was similar to that of Alchemy Peak, except that unlike Alchemy Peak’s bright red gate, Sword Peak’s was in a cold blue hue, with pillars sculpted into sword shapes pointing skywards, very ostentatious. Xia Ge had heard that this gate wasn't originally like this, but later, when a senior disciple from Sword Peak couldn't stand the old look, he decided the gate should be in a showy, over-the-top style and had it remodeled like this. Who knew where he got the confidence. There weren’t many disciples guarding the gate, and just thinking about not seeing those arrogant and disdainful Sword Peak disciples cheered Xia Ge immensely. “Hey, little brother, we meet again.” But before Xia Ge could revel in her joy for long, someone suddenly patted her on the shoulder. A cheerful voice rang out, and Xia Ge, slightly stunned, turned around to see a tall young boy with a somewhat familiar face, although she couldn’t immediately recall where she had seen him before. Noticing the blue headband tied around his head, Xia Ge swallowed the “Who are you?” that almost slipped out and smiled brilliantly. “Ah, yes, we meet again! It’s been a long time, you’ve grown quite a bit, brother!” An external disciple from Sword Peak, huh? Let’s see if she could get him to do some hard labor! “Hahaha, it’s been a long time, little brother, but you still haven’t grown at all!” The young boy heartily patted her shoulder, appearing cheerful and delighted— With such strength that for a moment, Xia Ge thought the force of his palm might tear open her wound. …Keep it together. And what was that about… still not growing?! Does this guy have no tact! Swallowing her pride, Xia Ge didn’t manage to respond before the young boy continued, “Last time, I didn’t get a chance to ask your name due to the rush. What’s your name, little brother?” So, where did we meet…? Xia Ge forced a smile: “…Xia Wu Yin.” “Xia Wu Yin?” The young boy was taken aback, as if he had met someone beyond his expectations, “...You’re Xia Wu Yin?” —The one who produced the Three-Life Golden Pill and is hailed as the only genius on Alchemy Peak capable of becoming an Earth-grade alchemist? Xia Ge: "???" What's with Xia Wu Yin? Seeing Xia Ge’s puzzled expression, the young boy chuckled without further explanation, “It’s nothing. Xia Shi-di might not remember my name either, I’m Li Liu. Remember? The meat bun from last time?” Enlightened, Xia Ge said, “Oh, it’s you, I remember now.” It was the same boy from the village who had tried to pull her away when the demonic puppet attacked. "Bro, you were so fast that time—I was stunned," Li Liu laughed, "Truly brave." A genuine acquaintance, Xia Ge was appropriately modest. "Oh, not at all, Brother Li praises me too much." "So it's already this late, what's Brother Xia doing here?" Li Liu asked. "I'm looking for someone," Xia Ge smiled. "Looking for someone?" Li Liu was startled, then became enthusiastic, "Speaking of which, I still owe Brother Xia a meat bun—how can I help? I know Sword Peak well!" Just the words Xia Ge was waiting for! She responded, "No need for the meat bun—does Brother Li know where the new Sword Peak disciples live?" "You're asking the right person! I live over there!" Li Liu said, "Who are you looking for, Brother Xia? Tell me, and I'll make sure to take you there!" Having someone to guide her was great news, and Xia Ge was immediately overjoyed. "I'm looking for Ye Ze—the one who transferred to Sword Peak from Alchemy Peak this year. Do you know him, Brother Li?" "...Ye Ze?" Li Liu was slightly taken aback, his expression a bit strange, "Brother Xia... looking for him?" Xia Ge smiled, quite fond of the boy who had helped her in the village during the attack, finding nothing odd about it. "Yes, he's taken care of me a lot before, so I wanted to visit him." Li Liu hesitated for a moment, then relented. "Alright, follow me." Xia Ge noticed Li Liu's odd attitude but didn't think much of it. She touched the box in her arms and began considering when she could invite Ye Ze for a drink once she recovered. Ascending the mountain with Li Liu, Xia Ge encountered several disciples greeting Li Liu warmly. His popularity was evident, and seeing no one stopping to ask about the unfamiliar face he was with, Xia Ge clicked her tongue in admiration. "Brother Li, are you also an external disciple?" It was rare to see these arrogant Sword Peak disciples talking to someone normally. "Not anymore," Li Liu smiled. "I took the exam a few days ago; the results were posted today. I barely passed and am now an inner disciple, though I haven't received the uniform yet. By the way, your Brother Ye also lives in the same area as me." "Quite a small world," Xia Ge blinked. "However..." Li Liu hesitated slightly, then subtly added, "I haven't seen him meet with outsiders before." That personality of Ye Ze’s... was somewhat expected. Xia Ge shook her head. "No problem, just lead me to his place. I'm only here to deliver something, I'll leave right after." Li Liu said no more, and after a few turns through houses nestled in the forest, he brought Xia Ge to a small, tightly closed wooden house. “This is the place.” “Thanks for guiding me,” Xia Ge said cheerfully. Given this was where the new Sword Peak disciples stayed, many watched curiously, guessing, or even disapprovingly, at Xia Ge showing up at Ye Ze's door. Li Liu, having escorted her, found an excuse and left. With Li Liu gone, the stares became even bolder. Xia Ge glanced around. The freshly inducted disciples covertly retrieving their gazes acted as if nothing happened, yet the palpable malice still made one uncomfortable. Xia Ge pondered for a bit before knocking on the door. However, no one responded despite knocking for a long while, as if no one were inside. Xia Ge knocked a few more times. "Brother Ye, your junior's wounds are healed. I've come to visit you." The door remained shut, but a low voice from inside finally came out, “Go back. I don’t need you.” “So, you’re here, Brother Ye.” Xia Ge, thinking he might still be sulking about her lateness in the previous competition, didn’t mind and continued knocking with a smile, “Since you’re here, open the door. Your junior climbed up Sword Peak, exhausted. Aren’t you inviting me in after coming all this way? I brought a gift…” The tightly closed door suddenly opened, bringing a gust of cold night wind, Xia Ge’s hand fell as she found herself facing Ye Ze’s bruised and swollen face, her voice stuck in her throat. Ye Ze’s black eyes stared at her, each word enunciated clearly: “Does this look good?” Xia Ge found herself at a loss for words. After a long pause, she managed, “You…” “Who did this to you?! I’ll go beat them up!” Ye Ze just silently gazed at her, his black eyes silent like the deep night. “Xia Wu Yin, don’t come here anymore. Leave.” His eyes were filled with cold rejection and barely suppressed endurance. Xia Ge’s righteous anger got caught in her throat. After a moment, she said quietly, “I just came to give you something…” Saying that, she took out the black box wrapped in golden silk, “I didn’t have much to give…” “Slap—” The box she held was suddenly slapped away! The boy seemed to have reached the limit of his patience. His low growl was tinged with suppressed anger, “I told you to leave—didn’t you hear me?!” The black lacquered box tumbled to the ground, rolling several times. Xia Ge stood in stunned silence, looking at the erupting Ye Ze, not knowing what to say. “Xia Wu Yin!” Ye Ze looked at her like a wounded but proud beast, “Are you happy seeing me like this?!” Xia Ge pursed her lips. “But remember this—" his black eyes shone with pain and pride, “I am now a disciple of Sword Peak—” “Not like a pile of trash from Alchemy Peak and you!” He grasped the door frame, his fingers turning white with the effort, and took a breath, enunciating each word carefully. “Take your things and leave, I won’t accept them.” “Don’t come again, Xia Wu Yin.” Xia Ge and him looked at each other for a long time. Finally, she crouched down, picked up the box from the ground, and without saying a word, under the watchful eyes of the Sword Peak disciples, she silently turned and left. Gazing at the petite yet upright figure walking away with the box, Ye Ze snorted and slammed the door shut. Blocking the prying eyes that were mocking or gloating, Ye Ze's tensed body suddenly relaxed. As if drained of energy, he slid down to the floor, covering his face. —Don’t come, Xia Wu Yin. —Don’t come again. Having been seen like this, in such a disgraceful state. It was truly... humiliating. = = Sword Peak wasn't actually much higher than Alchemy Peak. Why did everyone think Sword Peak was better than Alchemy Peak? The highest peak of Sword Peak was the council hall, anchored at the summit by an array, considered the highest point of the peak. Xia Ge sat on the roof of the council hall at the highest peak of Sword Peak. Under the dim moonlight, she looked at the mist-covered Alchemy Peak that stood shoulder to shoulder with Sword Peak, feeling somewhat lost. After leaving Ye Ze, she hadn’t returned to Alchemy Peak. Instead, she had used Ghost Phantom Steps to climb to this “highest peak” that was different from Alchemy Peak. Her abdominal wound ached faintly, and Xia Ge didn’t know what she was feeling. She knew everything Ye Ze said was false; he was just afraid of involving her and dragging her down. The malicious gazes from the Sword Peak disciples were impossible to ignore, even with a shield. It was cold at the height, and the mountain wind was cuttingly frigid, causing a headache after prolonged exposure. The system quietly advised her. “Go back, your wounds aren’t fully healed yet.” Xia Ge sighed, "They won't let me lean on them; can’t I at least enjoy the wind and feel bad?" System: “…” “I knew he would be bullied.” Xia Ge glanced at the box in her hands, pausing. “I knew for a long time, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. I was still too late.” “Really.” Xia Ge sighed, “They are all so proud, it makes things difficult for me.” The system said nothing. Xia Ge didn't expect it to say anything either. She put the box away and decided she was being foolish, sitting out in the cold wind at midnight with her injuries. Comparing whether Alchemy Peak or Sword Peak was higher was just idiotic. "Damn it, when I rise to power, it won’t matter if it's Sword Peak or Lingxi Peak, they'll all kneel and call me daddy!" Xia Ge vented her anger by kicking the tiles on the roof of the council hall. “Fuck, they all look down their noses at people; they’re completely rotten.” “Crash—” The council hall had been established for nearly five centuries, and though fortified by an array, the roof tiles, neglected for years, had become loose—simply put, they were… Old and decrepit. Xia Ge’s kick wasn’t that powerful, but the loose tiles fell like dominoes from the summit, cascading down and turning the council hall's elegant five-century-old roof into a suddenly bald and unsightly mess. Xia Ge was incredulous: "...It's really rotten?" System: "..." “Who’s up there?!” The falling tiles triggered Sword Peak’s security alarm. Patrol disciples below became agitated. Realizing the trouble, Xia Ge immediately activated Ghost Phantom Steps to escape, but someone unexpectedly grabbed her collar. “Kicking our tiles and trying to flee?” “In your dreams!” Author's Note: Wandering Leisure threw a landmine at 11:53 PM on June 22, 2018. 百年好合 threw a landmine at 2018-06-23 00:00:39 Wang San threw a landmine at 2018-06-23 00:30:02 Gu Gui threw a landmine at 2018-06-23 11:18:26 Xian Dai, Wu Liao threw a landmine at 2018-06-23 22:40:29 Thank you all for the landmines! = = Reader "Jiu Shi Gong Zi jsgz," nourished with 12 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 23:09:51 Reader "Xie Yu Hua," nourished with 12 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 22:44:39 Reader "littlestar," nourished with 5 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 21:16:46 Reader "Cun Yu," nourished with 12 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 20:28:23 Reader "Hua Liang," nourished with 12 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 17:11:52 Reader "Que Shang," nourished with 10 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 12:22:27 Reader "Lue Lue Lue," nourished with 2 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 10:54:31 Reader "Cun Yu," nourished with 12 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 09:20:40 Reader "a," nourished with 10 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 08:23:17 Reader "Liu Suang Bai," nourished with 5 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 07:51:06 Reader "Bai Xiao Shou," nourished with 10 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 06:46:41 Reader "Jiu Er," nourished with 5 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 01:45:59 Reader "Lu La La Lu La Lu La Le," nourished with 2 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 01:19:32 Reader "Guai Cai Li Tiao Chu Ge x," nourished with 10 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 01:10:44 Reader "Wang San," nourished with 50 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 00:30:02 Reader "Nan Gan。," nourished with 5 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 00:26:58 Reader "Yi Qiu," nourished with 10 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-23 00:02:49 Reader "Qin Duo," nourished with 10 bottles of nutrient solution on 2018-06-22 23:39:10 Thank you all for the nutrient solution! I’ll try my best to write more! _(:3」∠)_