Whispers of Qi and Bonds of Sisterhood

As the small floating ship departed from Floating Cloud City, Fairy Xu's keen senses detected a fleeting surge of profound qi pulsating beneath the city's surface. It was a brief glimpse, yet it sparked her curiosity. With a thoughtful expression, she made a mental note of this occurrence, knowing it could signify something significant.

In response to her observation, Fairy Xu swiftly gestured, summoning a massive transparent spherical shield that enveloped Floating Cloud City. The shield shimmered with protective energy, serving a dual purpose: to reassure the city's inhabitants, particularly the new disciples of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace, and to shield the city from potential exploitation or harm by external forces.

With the shield settled into place, Fairy Xu cast a lingering gaze back at Floating Cloud City. Her thoughts lingered on the mysteries and potential dangers hidden beneath its tranquil surface. With a silent vow to monitor the situation closely, she turned her focus to the journey ahead.

Anticipating the young disciples' unease with heights, Fairy Xu adjusted the ship's flight speed, slowing it to glide just above the treetops. This precaution not only eased their fears but also created an unexpected vulnerability.

Days into their journey, tranquility shattered when a band of rogue cultivators attempted to intercept the ship. Led by a Spirit Profound Realm cultivator, they underestimated their targets: a ship carrying newly recruited disciples and a restrained Fairy Xu.

The rogue cultivators' leader, buoyed by arrogance and greed, dared to attack. In response, Fairy Xu, though suppressing her true aura, was no ordinary cultivator. As an esteemed Monarch, her power was formidable. She halted the ship with a mere gesture, freezing time momentarily for their leader, who fell helplessly to the ground.

Swift and decisive, Fairy Xu summoned seventeen wind whips with a flick of her fingers. Each whip lashed out with precision, delivering stinging blows to the rogue cultivators. Their cries of pain echoed through the air as they writhed under the punishing wind.

When Fairy Xu deemed their punishment sufficient, she withdrew the wind whips. Approaching the defeated cultivators, she administered a final judgment: with a gentle touch, she severed their profound veins, permanently cutting off their connection to cultivation. Their expressions twisted in agony and realization as they faced the consequences of their actions.

Despite their transgressions, Fairy Xu chose not to end their lives. Instead, she left them alive to contemplate their mistakes and live as ordinary commoners, stripped of their former power.

After the harrowing encounter, Xiao Lingxi, brimming with concern for Xu's well-being, sought her out in the ship's master room. Lingxi found Xu seated by the bed, her brow creased in silent discomfort. Lingxi, ever compassionate and brave, approached Xu and enveloped her in an unexpected hug, hoping to provide solace as she had witnessed friends do for each other.

Startled by the gesture, Xu's eyes fluttered open, meeting Lingxi's gaze with surprise and gratitude. "Thank you for your kindness, little one," she murmured, her voice soft with sincerity. "What brings you here?"

Lingxi hesitated, momentarily taken aback by Xu's response. Gathering her courage, she spoke up, her voice tinged with concern. "Elder Xu, everyone's having fun outside, but I noticed you're not feeling well. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Xu's hand gently patted Lingxi's head, a gesture of reassurance and affection. "You have a keen eye and a caring heart, Lingxi," she replied warmly. "I've been strong for so long that sometimes I forget you're all still young, still in need of guidance and care."

A pang of realization swept over Xu. Amidst her responsibilities as an esteemed elder, she had overlooked the simple yet profound needs of her new disciples—to be nurtured not only in cultivation but also in emotional support and understanding.

With a decisive nod, Xu stood and gestured towards the ship's deck. "Let us make a brief stop," she suggested, a smile playing on her lips. "There's a tranquil field nearby, perfect for a restful pause amidst nature's beauty."

As Lingxi and Xu shared a moment of understanding in the ship's master room, their exchange of concern and comfort echoed softly through the vessel's corridors. Lingxi, reassured by Xu's gentle guidance, returned to her peers, her heart lighter with the knowledge that she had helped ease Xu's burden, if only for a moment.

Meanwhile, on the deck of the floating ship, Xia Qingyue remained in quiet contemplation, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The ship gradually descended towards a serene riverside setting, nestled amidst lush vegetation, rolling hills, and the gentle flow of a crystal-clear river. Fairy Xu, attuned to the emotional currents of her disciples, noticed Qingyue's solitary stance as the vessel settled into its resting place.

With a silent acknowledgment of Qingyue's need for solitude, Xu approached the girl with measured steps, her presence a calming influence amidst the settling dusk and the soft hum of crickets in the background. Qingyue's gaze flickered briefly towards Xu as she neared, acknowledging her with a subtle nod of her head.

The ship's anchor gently touched the riverbed, and with a graceful gesture, Fairy Xu invited the girls to disembark onto the lush riverbank. As the children stepped onto solid ground, their pent-up energy burst forth in a flurry of excitement. They shed their outer garments and raced towards the gentle flow of the river, eager to immerse themselves in the cool, refreshing waters.

Under the darkening sky, speckled with the first twinkling stars of nightfall, laughter and the sound of splashing water filled the air as the girls, united by their newfound camaraderie, engaged in playful splashing and water fights. Lingxi, ever social and protective, took the lead in organizing their activities, her infectious laughter echoing through the tranquil landscape.

Xia Qingyue remained at a distance, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon, contemplating thoughts known only to herself. Fairy Xu, seated nearby on a smooth boulder weathered by centuries of river flow, observed the scene with a gentle smile. The soft starlight reflected in her eyes bore witness to the budding bonds among her disciples, each laugh and splash echoing the camaraderie forming under the canopy of night.

Having herself known the solitude of childhood centuries ago, Fairy Xu understood the significance of this moment. The tranquil riverside setting mirrored the journey each girl undertook, both individually and as part of their newfound sisterhood. The smooth boulder beneath her held stories of resilience and wisdom, its worn surface a testament to the enduring strength found in embracing solitude and reflection.

As Fairy Xu's gaze shifted towards Xia Qingyue, she sensed the girl's silent contemplation. Their eyes met briefly, a wordless acknowledgment passing between them. "Why did you choose me?" Qingyue's voice broke the silence, tinged with a mix of self-doubt and yearning. "I'm a bad girl. My mother left our family because of me."

Fairy Xu's heart ached at Qingyue's words. She knew the weight of self-blame all too well, having carried it in her own past. With a gentle sigh, she turned to face Qingyue, her expression soft but resolute. "Qingyue, your worth isn't defined by the circumstances of your past," she began, her voice carrying a soothing cadence. "Your mother's choices were hers alone. You are not responsible for them."

Qingyue's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her gaze fixed on the horizon as if seeking solace in the distant stars. "But I miss her," she whispered, her voice fragile with emotion. "And I'm afraid she'll never forgive me."

Fairy Xu reached out, her hand resting gently on Qingyue's shoulder. "Your mother's love for you runs deep, Qingyue," she reassured softly. "Sometimes, hardships drive people apart temporarily, but they can also pave the way for healing and reconciliation."

Internally, Fairy Xu reflected on her own journey of healing, recalling the mentors who guided her through dark times. She understood the importance of offering Qingyue not just guidance but also a sense of belonging and hope. Her decision to take Qingyue under her wing was both a gesture of compassion and a commitment to help the girl find closure and strength.

As Qingyue processed Fairy Xu's words, her shoulders relaxed imperceptibly, a tentative spark of hope flickering in her eyes. "Do you want to be my disciple?" Fairy Xu's question hung in the air, laden with significance. "I rarely take personal pupils, but for you, Qingyue, I am willing to make an exception. Together, we can uncover the depths of your potential and pave the way for you to see your mother again."

Qingyue's breath caught, her gaze meeting Fairy Xu's with newfound determination. The offer was unexpected yet deeply meaningful, resonating with her need for guidance and purpose. With a nod, she accepted silently, her heart lighter with the promise of a path forward.

Later that evening, as the other girls returned from their playful antics by the river, their childish exuberance contrasting with Qingyue's quiet resolve, Fairy Xu smiled warmly at their laughter and shared joy. Guiding them back to the ship with gentle encouragement, she recognized the beginnings of a bond that would shape their journey together.

The ship remained anchored in the tranquil riverside setting throughout the night, cradled by the soothing sounds of nature. Fairy Xu kept a watchful eye over her new disciples, understanding that their journey together was not just about physical travel but also about nurturing young souls on their path to strength and understanding.

With the dawn, the ship resumed its course towards the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace, carrying with it the bonds of sisterhood forged amidst laughter, tears, and the quiet promise of redemption.