Chapter 19

Tu Shanxi glanced at Qingyuan’s earnest, determined eyes, feeling a bit uneasy—she turned her head slightly before speaking, “Qingyuan, I’m glad that you trust your senior sister so much. But when you find your own Dao companion in the future, you must trust her the same way, you understand?”

“Senior Sister!” Qingyuan grew anxious at once.

Though he did not dare to confess his feelings to her for the time being, that hardly meant his heart had turned away from her to look at someone else.

Tu Shanxi paid him no mind, continuing on her own, “You’re not that young anymore, and now that the cultivation world has returned to peace, it’s time you considered finding a companion. The path of cultivation is long and arduous—having someone to walk it with you will bring much warmth.”

As she spoke, her interest seemed to grow. “What kind of woman do you like? Someone gentle and mild, or lively and passionate? Do you prefer humans or those of other races? When the time comes, I’ll officiate your wedding—how does that sound?”

Hearing her grow more and more enthusiastic, Qingyuan became increasingly tense. “Senior Sister, please don’t say such things—I’m not thinking of finding a Dao companion right now. Please don’t speak of it, or it’ll give people the wrong impression.”

Tu Shanxi nodded. “Then I won’t press you. But you must keep it in mind.”

Seeing that she dropped the subject, Qingyuan breathed a sigh of relief and continued infusing spiritual power into the puppet. As the puppet slowly gained awareness, he suddenly spoke, “But why doesn’t Senior Sister look for a Dao companion herself?”

Tu Shanxi’s smile froze for a moment before she quickly replied, “Well, I simply didn’t have the time before. Now that I do, I’ll look for someone slowly. Fate cannot be forced.”

She thought the topic would end there, but Qingyuan pressed on, “Senior Sister, what kind of man do you like? If you tell me, I can keep an eye out in the future—perhaps I’ll help you find someone suitable.”

And deal with him.

Tu Shanxi did not miss the flash of murderous intent in his eyes. After a moment’s thought, she said, “At the very least, he must be a practitioner of alchemy. That way, we’ll have much in common.”

Qingyuan was stunned. “So, those who cultivate other paths have no chance?”

She nodded decisively. “That’s my most basic requirement. The rest is negotiable.”

Very good. That was something Qingyuan could never achieve in this lifetime. Perhaps that would finally put his hopes to rest.

She looked at Qingyuan, who was deep in thought, and secretly rejoiced.

Yet at that moment, Qingyuan was pondering whether it was still possible to switch his cultivation path.

The two fell silent, and the atmosphere grew still.

Once the puppet’s intelligence was fully formed, Qingyuan released it and stepped forward to imprint a restriction upon it.

“Number Three, from now on, your duty is to guard the safety and balance of Fierce Fang Mountain. If you encounter anyone acting wantonly or seeking harm, eliminate them on the spot.”

The puppet nodded coldly. “Yes, Master.”

Seeing Qingyuan instruct the puppet on its remaining tasks, Tu Shanxi felt reassured and walked over to the giant serpent. The creature had yet to die completely, and seeing Tu Shanxi approaching alone, it hissed, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?”

Tu Shanxi merely smiled. “Want to kill me? Keep dreaming.”

As she spoke, a wisp of white mist flashed before its eyes. A second later, its head drooped lifelessly. Tu Shanxi sneered and began examining its hide. “Though my spiritual power isn’t what it once was, I haven’t run short of the necessary medicines. If I can’t poison you to death…”

After gauging the thickness of its skin, Tu Shanxi called out, “Qingyuan, lend me a sword.”

At her words, a silver sword flew to her side. “Senior Sister, use whichever you wish.”

“I’ll make snake soup for you when we return.”

Gripping the sword, she sliced down according to her estimation of the hide’s thickness. With a crisp rip, the python’s skin parted to reveal the flesh beneath.

“Let’s see—how many pieces should I cut this into?”

……………………………

Meanwhile, Xiyun, waiting at the entrance, was so bored she had begun playing with the roadside grass. “Why hasn’t Sister returned yet? Did she forget that someone is still waiting for her at home? Or did that Qingyuan spirit her away behind my back?”

The thought sparked a surge of anger in Xiyun’s heart. When they returned, she’d be sure to send Qingyuan straight back to the Thirty-Third Heaven. She hadn’t even settled old scores with him, and now he was monopolizing her sister.

No, she had to teach Qingyuan a little lesson.

But with Qingyuan now at the Supreme level, what could possibly hurt him?

As Xiyun racked her brains, Tu Shanxi finally returned, Qingyuan in tow.

The moment Tu Shanxi appeared, Xiyun rushed to her side. Yet as she drew near, she frowned, a wave of anxiety rising in her chest. “Sister, why do you smell so strongly of blood? Are you hurt somewhere?”

Not waiting for Tu Shanxi to answer, she turned and launched into Qingyuan. “Didn’t you say you’d take good care of Sister Tu Shan? Why is she covered in blood?”

Qingyuan, inexplicably scolded, was about to retort when he saw Tu Shanxi beside him. Instantly regaining his composure, he said, aggrieved, “Fair Xiyun is right—it was my fault for not taking better care of Senior Sister.”

Tu Shanxi nearly blacked out at his tone and hurried to interject. “Xiyun, don’t worry—I’m not hurt. The blood you smell isn’t mine, but from a giant python.”

“A python?” Xiyun frowned, thinking hard. “There’s never been a python on Fierce Fang Mountain. Did you and the Lord Immortal go elsewhere?”

“No, it happened like this…”

Tu Shanxi briefly explained the situation.

“So that’s how it is. No wonder, as I’ve grown older, the beasts of Fierce Fang Mountain have become scarcer. I thought it was just desolation—I never imagined it was because of that creature.”

“Indeed,” Tu Shanxi nodded, then added, “But Qingyuan has now rid Fierce Fang Mountain of this menace. Shouldn’t you apologize to him for your earlier rashness?”

Xiyun’s bright smile froze, and she turned stiffly to Qingyuan. The man, ever considerate, replied, “Just now, Fair Xiyun was only worried for Senior Sister—that’s all. It’s really nothing. Given what’s happened before, it’s only natural for you to have some misunderstandings about me. I don’t take it to heart.”

He seemed to be smoothing things over, but every word implied how much she disapproved of him, casting himself as the victim.

Xiyun was nearly amused by her own anger, but Tu Shanxi was thoughtful. “Qingyuan’s words make sense. Xiyun, I won’t force you to apologize, but you must help Qingyuan prepare lunch today. Will you?”

“If it’s your suggestion, Sister Tu Shan, of course I will. I just hope the Lord Immortal won’t mind my clumsy hands.”

“Fair Xiyun jests. With your help, I’m sure things will go twice as smoothly.”