Chapter 24: The Prosperity of Qiongming Peak Is Just Around the Corner!

The room was pristine and devoid of any lingering odors. Thanks to the frequent cleansing with wind-type and water-type spirit Qi, the recently constructed chamber radiated an aura of freshness. Su Youwei sat alone in the dim light, the moon's gentle glow seeping through the window and casting a faint illumination.

In this pale radiance, her delicate palm became visible, almost as if it were carved from jade. Yet, what drew the eye most were the two characters engraved on her wrist - "正" - clear and unblemished. She touched the engraved words with her index finger, contemplating the meaning behind them. It occurred to her that only through the infusion of spiritual power could she truly cleanse those characters.

A conflicted expression crossed her face as Su Youwei hesitated, grappling with her inner turmoil. Eventually, she mustered the resolve to release her spiritual power, allowing it to flow through her hand. She realized that leaving the Qiongming Peak was her only option after committing such a blasphemous act against Martial Sister Bai Lian.

However, she couldn't bear erasing the words of encouragement that Bai Lian had offered her. Those words held a special place in her heart. Su Youwei decided to regard them as a cherished memory of her time with Martial Sister Bai Lian, a reminder to temper her impulsive actions in the future.

Regret tugged at her heartstrings, knowing that departing would mean never returning these "正" characters to Martial Sister Bai Lian. A mixture of emotions welled up, and Su Youwei gently wiped her teary eyes. "I'm so foolish," she whispered to herself, acknowledging her own shortcomings.

She stood up, her movements weighed down by the gravity of her decision. With memories spanning two lifetimes, the world around her seemed unreal, as if it were a fantastical creation of her own mind. Doubts gnawed at her, casting shadows over her perceptions. Was everything she saw and heard real, or merely fragments of her imagination?

Snap! The sound of a sudden noise snapped Su Youwei back to reality. She raised her head, her gaze directed toward the source of the disturbance. This time, it was Second Elder Martial Sister Xiao Jinse who had appeared before her, her presence announced by a resounding crash.

Xiao Jinse stood illuminated by the moonlight, her Blowing Snow Sword in hand. With a single swift motion, she cleaved a nearby tree into splinters. As she turned, another tree met the same fate, the force of her strike propelling the remnants into the air.

Su Youwei blinked, her brows furrowing in confusion. Why was the Second Elder Martial Sister chopping down trees in the middle of the night? Were there no normal individuals on Qiongming Peak?

Her eyes met Xiao Jinse's, and a tense silence hung in the air.

...

Xiao Jinse's patience was wearing thin. Attempting to push the events of the special course out of her mind, she found herself drawn back to that moment again and again. Instead of forgetting, she was fixated on what might have transpired if she were in the third Martial Sister's place.

The prospect excited her, even as she berated herself for such thoughts. Frustrated, she left her room with the Blowing Snow Sword in hand, eventually finding herself at the third Martial Sister's door. She had been tempted to burst in and teach her a lesson, but her restraint prevailed.

It was just an accident, she reasoned, attempting to quell her ire.

After pacing back and forth for a while, Xiao Jinse gave up and decided to train with her sword skills. Evidently, her training was more vigorous than she had anticipated, and the noise attracted the attention of the third Martial Sister.

Xiao Jinse leaned against her sword, regarding Su Youwei with an inscrutable gaze.

...

Time seemed to stretch, as if encompassing millennia within the confines of a moment. Rain and sunshine alternated, and the seasons shifted as though racing against time. Yet, as the clock resumed its steady progression, the moon remained high in the sky.

Breaking the silence, Xiao Jinse spoke first, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "What a beautiful moonlit night. Are you out here to bask in its glory, Third Martial Sister?"

Su Youwei clenched her teeth, caught off guard by the Second Elder Martial Sister's directness. She felt as if Xiao Jinse had stripped her of her innermost thoughts with a single glance.

She stammered, trying to regain her composure. Her initial intent had been to escape, but suddenly finding herself facing the Second Elder Martial Sister, she faltered. "N-no, I was just taking a walk."

Xiao Jinse's eyes narrowed slightly, her skepticism evident. "So, you're not planning to run away?"

Su Youwei's heart skipped a beat. Her thoughts had been exposed, leaving her feeling utterly defenseless. She hurriedly denied, "No, no, I have no intention of running away. I just wanted to clear my mind."

Satisfied with the response, Xiao Jinse sheathed her sword. "Since we're fellow disciples, it's only fair that we settle our differences with a friendly duel."

Caught off guard again, Su Youwei was at a loss. Why had she suddenly been challenged by the Second Elder Martial Sister? Wasn't she planning to flee?

The duel commenced, and Su Youwei found herself at a disadvantage. Xiao Jinse's physical prowess proved to be an insurmountable obstacle, overwhelming her at every turn.

With time, Xiao Jinse's advantage only became more apparent, and Su Youwei's voice wavered. "Wait, please stop..."

Realization struck Xiao Jinse. The upcoming competition with Yunluo Peak disciples was just ten days away, and based on the third Martial Sister's current abilities, she would surely suffer defeat.

Determined not to disappoint Martial Sister Bai Lian, Xiao Jinse unleashed a flurry of admonishments. "Show your true strength! How do you expect to battle your inner demons with such feeble skills? Why are you retreating instead of attacking? I'm infuriated by your lackluster performance! Are you prepared to let down Martial Sister Bai Lian? No, I won't allow it! It seems I must provide you with special training!"

Bai Lian, emerging from the forbidden array, arrived just in time to witness the scene. Initially alarmed by the sight of the second Martial Sister apparently attacking the third Martial Sister, her anxiety gave way to relief as she grasped the situation.

Comprehending that Xiao Jinse was pushing Su Youwei to reach her full potential, Bai Lian's heart swelled with pride. "Keep it up," she silently cheered, envisioning the bright future that awaited Qiongming Peak.

With her fellow disciples demonstrating such dedication, Bai Lian felt a weight lift from her shoulders. A sense of contentment settled over her as she looked forward to a prosperous future for Qiongming Peak.

In that moment, she allowed herself to imagine a life of ease, unburdened by responsibilities, and relished the prospect of enjoying her days with nothing more demanding than a simple meal and the passage of time.

Comfort and tranquility enveloped Bai Lian's being as she gazed upon the scene before her.