Chapter 15: The Resurrection of the Shielding White Moonlight (Fourteen)
After tidying up, the once desolate bamboo house finally gained a touch of vitality.
“Sister, how are you doing with the cleaning? I caught a few fish and plan to roast them for dinner. It may be simple, but there’s a rustic charm to it.”
Qingyuan’s voice drifted in, prompting Tushan Xi to set aside her things and hurry to the doorway, lifting the curtain as she spoke, “Qingyuan, everything here is made of wood. When you use fire later, please be careful and don’t let anything unexpected happen.”
The tall young man nodded, holding up the vine with the fish he’d caught to show her, and flashed a proud smile, “Look, sister, the fish here are unusually plump. Next time, I’ll find some herbs and make you a bowl of fish soup.”
Tushan Xi looked closer and saw that even the smallest fish was as thick and long as her forearm. Curious, she walked over for a better look.
The more she observed, the more puzzled she became. “Xiyun said the spiritual energy here is sparse, yet these fish are abnormally large. Clearly, something’s wrong.”
She turned to Qingyuan. “Qingyuan, have you noticed anything odd?”
Seeing how sharp his senior sister was, Qingyuan felt a surge of pride. “Just as you guessed, the spiritual energy here is thin because a giant python has set up a formation, siphoning off most of the energy from Fierce Fang Mountain for itself. That’s why the mountain’s aura is so depleted.”
“So that’s the reason,” Tushan Xi nodded. “The python uses this method to boost its cultivation, violating the natural order and depriving the other creatures of their way to survive.
Since we’ve encountered this, we can’t just ignore it.”
“Don’t worry, sister. I know what to do. Once you’ve rested, I’ll go seek out this python for a talk.
If it’s willing to mend its ways, I’ll spare it; if it refuses, I’ll have no choice but to send it to the underworld.”
A hint of murderous intent flashed in Qingyuan’s eyes as he spoke, though he quickly concealed it; he mustn’t frighten his senior sister.
Tushan Xi nodded in approval, though a worry crossed her mind. “Let’s do as you say. But I’m concerned that the python might have bound its core to the heart of Fierce Fang Mountain.
If that’s the case, we mustn’t harm it, or the mountain will be destroyed as well.”
Qingyuan understood the gravity of the situation and grew solemn. “Rest assured, sister. If it’s truly so, I won’t let Fierce Fang Mountain perish.”
“I trust you.”
“Tushan Sister,” Xiyun’s voice came from behind them, “what are you two talking about?”
They turned to see Xiyun approaching quickly. “Tushan Sister, are you keeping secrets from me?”
---
Tushan Xi gestured to the fish in Qingyuan’s hand. “We’re discussing tonight’s dinner. Do you prefer roasted fish or fried fish?”
“Which do you like more, sister?”
She thought for a moment. “Roasted fish, it’s more fragrant.”
“Alright, roasted fish it is. My cooking isn’t bad either—let me show you tonight.”
“Wonderful, I’ll leave it to you and Qingyuan then.” Tushan Xi chuckled inwardly, pleased at having arranged a chance for the protagonists to spend time together.
Qingyuan gave a couple of awkward laughs. “Since Fairy Xiyun wishes to showcase her cooking, I won’t compete with you for the honor.” He handed the fish over, a hopeful look in his eyes. “I’ll leave them to you, then, Fairy Xiyun.”
Xiyun glanced at the lively fish, then at Qingyuan, giving him a smile that was all form and no warmth. “You jest, Immortal Qingyuan. Sister just said she’s looking forward to both our skills. If you give me all the fish, despite your good intentions, she’s bound to be disappointed.”
Don’t think you can monopolize Sister when I’m busy.
Tushan Xi, who wanted them to get along, hurried to mediate. “Qingyuan, Xiyun makes a good point.
It’s been ages since I tasted your cooking. Today, why not take the trouble and step into the kitchen?”
With her saying so, Qingyuan couldn’t refuse and nodded. “Then, Sister, don’t wander off. Watch out for wild beasts.”
“Immortal Qingyuan, you needn’t worry. Fierce Fang Mountain has very few beasts that can take human form, and Sister’s spiritual power is profound. Ordinary creatures may lack intelligence, but they won’t dare attack her.”
Qingyuan took a deep breath. Sometimes he truly wished he knew a spell to silence people.
But catching a glimpse of his sister’s loving gaze for Xiyun, he refrained from showing any anger, at least not in front of her.
He replied courteously, “Fairy Xiyun, sometimes things exist even if you can’t perceive them. It’s only that your spiritual power is too weak to glimpse the secrets of heaven.”
“Yes, yes, who can match the Immortal’s cultivation? After all, I’ve only lived a few thousand years. If I could surpass you, wouldn’t I be an unrivaled genius?”
She then shook Tushan Xi’s hand, looking sweet and obedient, “Sister, am I right?”
“Of course.”
---
Not wanting to endure another round of veiled jabs, Tushan Xi quickly said, “I’m heading out for a walk to see if I can bring back some wild fruit. Qingyuan, let me know if anything happens.”
“Don’t worry, Sister. I’ll get along well with Fairy Xiyun.”
“I believe you.”
With Tushan Xi gone, only Qingyuan and Xiyun remained, staring at each other in mutual annoyance.
As night deepened, Xiyun forced a smile. “Then I’ll trouble the Immortal to kill the fish first.”
“No trouble at all, Fairy. Please hurry and start the fire so we don’t go hungry.”
Away from the bickering, Tushan Xi found a spot by the river and sat down. “System, do you know about the giant python Qingyuan mentioned?”
[Please wait, Host. I’m checking now.]
A few seconds later, the system reappeared. [Host, I’ve found the answer. Fierce Fang Mountain was once a place brimming with spiritual energy tens of thousands of years ago, but after the giant python accidentally arrived and set up its formation, the energy slowly faded.
The flowers, spirits, and beasts that once thrived here lost their chance to cultivate, becoming mere wild grass and animals.]
Tushan Xi nodded as she listened. “So, according to you, the python should be very powerful. Do you think Qingyuan can handle it?”
[Rest assured, Host. The python is old but lacks talent. Even with the world’s energy gathered within, it has only reached half a step to the divine peak, nowhere near Qingyuan’s level.]
Hearing this, Tushan Xi relaxed a little. “The python has controlled Fierce Fang Mountain for years. I suspect that as soon as we set foot here, it sensed our presence.
If not for Qingyuan, it would have likely attacked Xiyun and me directly to prevent its secret from being exposed. Seems I made the right choice bringing Qingyuan along.”
The gap between half-step divine peak and true divine peak is like heaven and earth. And with Qingyuan already at the Supreme level, the python would be foolish to confront him—what benefit could it possibly gain?