Chapter 55

Qu Panyan heard Su Lingyu asking, “What does he mean?”

Qu Panyan was stunned for a moment. Was Su Lingyu not getting it, or did she really not understand these matters? Given her sharpness, how could she not get it?

Could it be that Su Lingyu was truly clueless about these things? That’s why she showed no reaction to the more intimate ways of communication between roommates and Dao companions?

Qu Panyan supported her waist and pondered. Some people may be skilled with words, but in reality, they might be clueless about certain aspects…

She couldn’t help but think about offering her a treasure trove of fanfiction for her to learn and explore a new world, benefiting both of them.

Unfortunately, now was not a good time. She feared that if she handed it over now, Yan Ruyu’s bookstore would be turned upside down. It would be better to wait until everything settled, and after they returned to the Xianmeng Sect, find a chance to let her take a look.

Once they return to Xianmeng Sect, Qu Panyan will have a thousand ways to delay Su Lingyu from bidding an early farewell to Yan Ruyu’s bookstore. After all, it’s not easy for fans of this cp to get their dose of sweetness…

She just doesn’t know if Sect Master Su, who was always efficient and godlike, will also be equally astounding in matters of love?

Qu Panyan played with her wishful thinking and replied in her mind, “Maybe they are telling me to sleep early and not staying up too late.”

Su Lingyu didn’t doubt her and didn’t ask further.

Qu Panyan politely says to the innkeeper, “Thank you for your concern.” It’s just a pity that I haven’t had a chance to pay any attention to moderation yet.

She instructs the waiter to prepare some hot water for bathing and send it to Kang Congshuang’s room. The waiter acknowledges and goes off to do it diligently. The innkeeper returns to his counter to settle accounts, while Qu Panyan goes straight to find Kang Congshuang.

Qu Panyan pushes the door open and then closes it, approaching Kang Congshuang’s bed to observe her expression. Compared to yesterday, her face is more rosy today, showing signs of returning to normal—yesterday she looked like an ethereal beauty with a cold and sickly aura.

Qu Panyan was about to bend down to remove the curse for her when her wrist was suddenly restrained by an invisible force. Su Lingyu’s voice resonated in her ear, “Your waist is not well, I’ll do it.”

With her slightly cool fingertips, Su Lingyu gently taps Kang Congshuang’s forehead. With a thought, Qu Panyan’s so-called “instant sleep spell” was lifted, and as she quickly stepped back, Kang Congshuang also gently woke up.

She opened her slightly sleepy eyes to see a person standing straight by the bed. After her vision cleared, she realized it was Qu Panyan.

Qu Panyan smiled lightly at her and asked, “Did you rest well?”

Kang Congshuang: “…”

Suddenly being put under a sleep spell, it’s hard to say if she rested well or not.

The sleep spell could only succeed when used on a cultivator of the same level who was unprepared or had lower cultivation than the user. Yesterday, Kang Congshuang was weakened and distracted by Qu Panyan, and in a moment of carelessness, she fell victim to the sleep spell without realizing it, falling asleep until morning.

Kang Congshuang sat up, responding, “Very well, thank you, Sect Master’s wife.”

Qu Panyan said, “No need to be polite. Now, get up, take a bath, have an early breakfast, and after that, we’ll discuss this matter with the other disciples. No objections allowed.”

Kang Congshuang chuckled softly. Third Miss Qu of the Qu Clan is indeed very good at taking care of people. The Sect Master must like her a lot.

Kang Congshuang wasn’t like a statue in a temple, with no desires or pursuits. She was not without yearning for love and romance, but the cruel reality of her illness-prone body not allowing her to live past forty shattered all her fantasies and hopes at a very young age, not even allowing them to sprout.

Since she couldn’t live past forty, why bother disappointing others? Losing a loved one was undoubtedly the most unbearable pain in the world.

So, she envied the living, envied those being loved, and those who dare to love openly.

At the same time, she was grateful to the Elders of Xianmeng Sect and Su Lingyu for accepting her, a sickly child, without any prejudice, wholeheartedly guiding her and treating her just like any other disciple, never making her feel special because of her unique condition. The disciples of Xianmeng Sect and Qu Panyan treat her the same way.

Kang Congshuang moved away from the beddings and slowly got off the bed, saying, “Congshuang will follow the instructions of the Sect Master’s wife.”

At this, Qu Panyan finally showed a satisfied smile. She couldn’t go around all day reminding Kang Congshuang of her identity as the Sect Master’s wife and threatening to tell the Sect Master about her disobedience, could she?

After all, the Sect Master herself was right beside her…It felt so strange to act fierce in front of the person, and it would also make her, the Sect Master’s wife, lose face—it made it look like she couldn’t discipline these little ones without mentioning the Sect Master!

After a while, the waiter had also prepared the hot water. Leading some servants, instructing them to carry it in, and skillfully filling a warm bath in the wooden bathtub for Kang Congshuang. Qu Panyan said a word of thanks and then left with Su Lingyu. She instructed the waiter to prepare breakfast and leaned against the railing, waiting for Kang Congshuang.

The other disciples also got up one after another, spontaneously gathering in front of Kang Congshuang’s room, feeling ashamed when they realized that the Sect Master’s wife had arrived even earlier than they did.

The early-rising Sect Master’s wife looked at them and asked, “Have you all rested well?”

The disciples replied, “Yes, Sect Master’s wife, we have rested well.”

Qu Panyan nodded and raised her chin, “Then go and have your breakfast first. After Senior Sister Kang finishes her meal, we’ll discuss the mission.”

The disciples nodded obediently and left.

One of the youngest junior sisters took a few steps and then turned back to look at Qu Panyan, “Aren’t you going to eat, Sect Master’s wife?”

Qu Panyan had already eaten breakfast this morning with Su Lingyu, so she smiled and replied, “I’ve already eaten. You all go ahead.”

The junior sister was relieved and turned to follow the other senior sisters downstairs to have their meal.

Feeling bored while waiting, Qu Panyan decided to chat with Su Lingyu about Yuan Qijun. Only by knowing oneself and the enemy can you win a hundred battles. She listened attentively as Su Lingyu calmly described him. In summary, Yuan Qijun was both a pervert and a weirdo.

Yuan Qijun was a well-known evil cultivator in the Necromancy Dao of the dark arts. Even though he hadn’t reached the realm of near-demon back then, his fame was widespread in both orthodox and unorthodox factions. When Su Lingyu was younger and was fond of battles, she had challenged him and even cut off one of his arms in a fight, earning her a great reputation.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Qijun didn’t get angry; instead, he became madly infatuated with Su Lingyu. He believed that the sword she used to cut off his arm was a token of their love. After that incident, he disappeared, taking his severed arm with him, and his reputation gradually faded. He was no longer known among the younger generation.

Even when news spread throughout the cultivation world about Su Lingyu and An Cheng’s impending marriage, he didn’t show up.

It was only until recently, when Lou Wuhua came to inform Su Lingyu that she had seen the sewn-up body of An Cheng, and later An Lin’er begged Su Lingyu to retrieve An Cheng’s corpse, mentioning that Yuan Qijun specifically requested her presence, that Su Lingyu could confirm he was still alive and had indeed returned.

“He should be near the demonic realm by now,” Su Lingyu said.

Those who were present at that time, such as her and Lou Wuhua, had already broken through the barriers and successfully crossed the tribulation into a new realm. Someone like Yuan Qijun, who had considerable talent in cultivation, couldn’t possibly still be lingering outside the near-demonic realm. Moreover, for her sake, he would certainly not slack off in his cultivation—someone too inferior would not be worthy of Su Lingyu.

An Cheng was an unexpected case.

Qu Panyan pondered for a moment and asked Su Lingyu in her heart, “So, what are our chances of winning against him…” Very slim?

The cultivation levels of the three disciples were only half of Su Lingyu’s and Kang Congshuang’s, and neither Su Lingyu nor Kang Congshuang were near-god realm cultivators; they were still some distance away from that realm. As for the specific stage of near-demonic realm cultivation Yuan Qijun had reached, they were not sure. It was uncertain whether they could put up a decent fight—Kang Congshuang and the others definitely did not expect that the mission they took on would lead them to face such a formidable opponent.

Historically, sect disciples selected their missions based on luck and not necessarily corresponding to their strength, much like the unpredictable fate, requiring the disciples to comprehend the underlying mysteries themselves.

However, the sect would not allow its disciples to suffer losses in vain. Whenever the disciples set out for their sect’s training, the sect would activate a powerful teleportation array guarded by the elders to prevent it from being destroyed. The disciples would also be given a teleportation charm that connected to the sect’s teleportation array. If their lives were threatened and they couldn’t resist, they could silently recite the sect’s name in their hearts to teleport back to the safety of the array.

Of course, there were also opportunists who used this as an excuse to return for trivial matters. The sect would take this opportunity to weed out such disciples and expel them from the sect. Therefore, each disciple would be cautious about using the teleportation charm.

Considering Kang Congshuang’s personality, the hereditary Inner Fire disease that limited her lifespan to forty years, and her reverence for life, Qu Panyan was vaguely worried that she might choose to fight Yuan Qijun to the end, even to the point of mutual destruction, to meet her fate.

Su Lingyu said, “Perhaps this trial is not prepared for Kang Congshuang and the others, but for me.”

Yuan Qijun wouldn’t let any opportunity slip by to draw her out. In his eyes, the disciples of the Xianmeng Sect were nothing more than the best bait. While the disciples had the teleportation array to ensure their safety during the trial, after the trial ended, the sect couldn’t keep the array open all the time or provide teleportation charms for every disciple returning from the mountains.

As the Sect Master of the Xianmeng Sect, she had to eliminate Yuan Qijun, this immense threat, as soon as possible. She couldn’t wait until the sect’s disciples were forged into Yin soldiers before taking action.

Su Lingyu made up her mind, “I’ll deal with Yuan Qijun personally.”

Su Lingyu was undoubtedly strong, but Qu Panyan couldn’t help but worry about her facing another equally powerful maniac. What if that lunatic harmed her!

Seeing her concern, Su Lingyu leaned over and not worrying about anyone who could see her, she kissed her on the lips without any reservation, conveying a reassuring message, “I promise you, I’ll be fine.”

Su Lingyu never feared a confrontation, whether it was with the Yuan Qijun of the past or the current one; she dared to fight them all.

When she made a promise, she would definitely keep it. Qu Panyan gradually relaxed, and her frown eased, “Then I’ll hold you to it. If Sister Lingyu can’t keep her promise, I’ll be angry.”

Su Lingyu smiled, unseen by Qu Panyan, and replied in her heart, “Okay, I’ll remember that, and I won’t let Yan’er be angry with me.”

Just then, a waiter brought Kang Congshuang’s breakfast and silently inquired with a glance if Qu Panyan could take it inside for her.

Qu Panyan turned slowly and knocked on Kang Congshuang’s door, asking, “Miss Kang, are you feeling better now? Can you have your breakfast?”

Kang Congshuang came to the door herself. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her complexion was rosy, her eyes were bright, and she had changed into a fresh disciple’s robe, looking refreshed. She said to the waiter, “Thank you, please come in.” Then she turned to Qu Panyan, “Has the Sect Master’s wife had breakfast yet? Do you want to join me?”

Qu Panyan waved her hand, “I’ve already eaten. You go ahead.”

Kang Congshuang asked again, “Have they all woken up?”

Qu Panyan nodded, “Yes, they’ve all woken up and are having breakfast.”

Kang Congshuang didn’t say more; she didn’t want to keep them waiting. She turned back into her room to have breakfast and wanted to discuss the next steps of their plan as soon as possible.

Qu Panyan stood in her room, opened the window to look at the scenery. The morning colors were clear and bright, with sunlight like golden threads piercing through the faint mist, sprinkling the ground with a golden glow. In the distance, the green hills gradually revealed their undulating curves. The morning view was splendid, and even the air felt exceptionally fresh, prompting Qu Panyan to lean out and take a look elsewhere—but suddenly grimace due to her sore waist.

Feeling guilty, Su Lingyu apologized to her in her heart, “I’m sorry, Yan’er, I shouldn’t have agreed to dual-cultivate with you yesterday.”

Qu Panyan responded in her heart, “It’s not your fault, Sister Lingyu, it’s something I wanted myself.”

Kang Congshuang raised her eyes and saw Qu Panyan hunched over the window like an elderly person, supporting her waist, and asked, “What’s wrong with your waist?”

Could I tell you that it’s the consequence of dual-cultivating with your Sect Master? No, I couldn’t.

Qu Panyan immediately straightened her waist, enduring the pain, and said seriously, “My waist is fine, continue with your meal, don’t worry about me.”

Kang Congshuang looked at her suspiciously, “If the Sect Master’s wife isn’t feeling well, it’s better to stay and rest.”

Qu Panyan replied, “I can still walk, there’s no need to rest. You all need to undergo your training, and I can’t hold you back.”

If only she hadn’t actively suggested that damn dual cultivation last night. She had thought it would be the kind she imagined, where Su Lingyu’s “can’t get out of bed” would be within controllable limits. Instead, it turned out to be such a proper dual cultivation, and the soreness, especially in her waist, became an unavoidable aftereffect!

Qu Panyan was regretful now, very regretful, extremely regretful.

Kang Congshuang calmly said, “Health is very important; that’s what the Sect Master’s wife told me yesterday. As for the training, you don’t need to worry. The Sect Master will understand.”

Su Lingyu also spoke to Qu Panyan in her heart, “Yan’er, be a good girl, promise her to let them go first. Once you’re better, you can catch up with them.”

Qu Panyan could only agree and said, “Alright, I will do as you suggested. You all go ahead, and as soon as I’m feeling better, I’ll catch up with you.”

Kang Congshuang looked at her again and asked, “Should I leave a junior sister here to take care of you?”

Qu Panyan shook her head and replied, “There’s no need for that. It’s just a bit of a sore waist; I can take care of myself. Training is important; you all should go first.” Mainly because our Sect Master is here.

Kang Congshuang nodded, seemingly approving her suggestion.

Qu Panyan suddenly remembered something and urged Kang Congshuang again, “Once you encounter Yuan Qijun, promise me not to act recklessly. Wait for me to come, alright?” Wait for me to bring our Sect Master here to support you!

Kang Congshuang looked into her eyes, feeling the genuine concern in them, which moved her. After a while, Kang Congshuang gently nodded and agreed.

Although Kang Congshuang didn’t know why Qu Panyan suddenly joined the training, and she never really believed that Qu Panyan was here for training, she was willing to join, which was still a good thing for them. Having one more person meant having more strength.

The training tests individual abilities and teamwork. With Qu Panyan’s remarkable strength and intelligence, she would undoubtedly be a great asset to the whole team.

Now that she was part of the team, she had the right to face whatever challenges the training might bring, and Kang Congshuang wouldn’t exclude her from the group.

After finishing her breakfast, Kang Congshuang went to discuss the training with her junior sisters. They sat around a round table, and Kang Congshuang relayed the information and conclusions Qu Panyan had gathered from the Wu Residence, giving them a preliminary understanding of the situation and insights into the potential culprit.

However, because Yuan Qijun had been missing for too long, the younger generation didn’t have much knowledge about him. They could only learn from Kang Congshuang’s account that Yuan Qijun was a practitioner of the Necromantic Dao, capable of sewing corpses and refining Yin soldiers. He was not to be provoked in any way, especially since he was not someone they should trifle with unless they were close to near-god cultivators.

Since they couldn’t confront him directly, they decided to investigate thoroughly, ascertain his whereabouts, and even if they were forced to use the teleportation charms, they could later ask the elders to deal with the menace—perhaps even with the Sect Master intervening personally.

Qu Panyan pondered for a moment and offered a reminder, “Change out of your disciples’ attire. Otherwise, if Yuan Qijun discovers you, he may capture you and use you as leverage against the Xianmeng Sect. That wouldn’t be beneficial for either you or the sect.”

Giving the enemy leverage would be the most foolish action.

After some thought, everyone nodded in agreement. They planned to go up the mountain to investigate and, if nothing was found, they would proceed to the location of the most recent murder. Due to Qu Panyan’s sore waist, Kang Congshuang and the hidden Su Lingyu, both overtly and covertly, insisted on leaving her behind in the inn, not allowing her to participate in the investigation.

After changing into their regular clothes, the four of them headed towards the mountain where Zhuang Wenniang’s body was discovered. After several hours of searching, they found nothing. It seemed like that location was simply a random dumping site for Yuan Qijun, and it didn’t hold much significance. At best, it only indicated that he had no interest in turning Zhuang Wenniang into a Yin soldier.

With no harvest from their search, the four returned to the inn, informed and bid farewell to Qu Panyan then set off for the next location.

Back in her room, Qu Panyan lay on the bed, her chin resting on the pillow, playing with her hair. Since the disciples are not around, Su Lingyu no longer needed to conceal herself. She revealed herself and sat by the bedside, watching Qu Panyan play with her hair.

Qu Panyan inexplicably felt like they were having a secret rendezvous and couldn’t help but laugh. 

Perplexed, Su Lingyu asked, “What’s so funny, Yan’er?”

Turning her head to look at her, Qu Panyan unabashedly said, “I feel like we’re having a secret affair, Sister Lingyu.” Sneaking around, not daring to let the disciples know.

After giving her a quick glance, Su Lingyu gently placed her hand on Qu Panyan’s waist and massaged it tenderly, “You’re talking nonsense again.”

Qu Panyan chuckled happily, “Just a sudden feeling. After all, you and I are recognized as Dao companions; it’s perfectly legitimate.”

Su Lingyu’s massaging technique was inexplicably effective. Qu Panyan had experienced it during her previous fusion of Golden Core and spiritual energy. Now, experiencing it again, she felt so relaxed that her whole body seemed to melt, then she said with closed eyes and joyful heart, “I really like Sister Lingyu.”

A smile curled on Su Lingyu’s lips as she looked at her, “How much do you like me?”

Qu Panyan opened her eyes, twisted her body, and struggled to reach out her hand in mid-air, attempting to hold Su Lingyu’s hand in an adorable manner.

The smile on Su Lingyu’s lips deepened, and she gently held her hand back, “Hmm?”

Qu Panyan adjusted her position to have a better view of Su Lingyu’s face, “I like you so much that I want to stick with you all the time.”

Qu Panyan gazed at her with a pitiful expression, “So, Sister Lingyu, will you give Yan’er a chance?”

Su Lingyu’s heart softened at her gaze, and her tone became more gentle, “When did Sister Lingyu ever not give Yan’er a chance?”

Previously, Su Lingyu didn’t like others clinging to her, but it was different after Qu Panyan came into her life. Because she loved her, she cherished the fact that Qu Panyan liked to stick with her and depend on her. Since becoming Dao companions, they were inseparable, rarely ever parted, so when had she not given Qu Panyan a chance to be close to her?

“At night,” Qu Panyan said in a somewhat aggrieved tone, “We’re recognized as Dao companions now, so why do we still have to stay in separate rooms?”

She absolutely didn’t believe that Su Lingyu wasn’t accustomed to sharing a bed with someone else because after their dual cultivation yesterday, Su Lingyu had slept with her—unfortunately and regretfully, nothing else happened.

Su Lingyu was momentarily surprised and then chuckled, “So that’s the reason. I thought Yan’er didn’t like it.”

Qu Panyan: “?”

Sister, please don’t make random assumptions. It’s not that I don’t like it; in fact, I really want to sleep with you!

Qu Panyan seemed as if she was wrongly accused and wanted to immediately defend herself. She subconsciously tried to sit up, but the next second, her sore waist made her give in, and she was pitifully pulled into Su Lingyu’s arms. Su Lingyu’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and as she supported Qu Panyan’s waist, she said tenderly, “Don’t move.”

Despite the pain in her waist, Qu Panyan still wanted to clearly defend herself, “I don’t dislike it at all. As long as I can be with Sister Lingyu, I like anything!”

Don’t mistake me for some virtuous gentleman; I really want to be slept with by you!!!

“Alright,” Su Lingyu hugged her and responded in a warm voice, “The Sect Master and the Sect Master’s wife should indeed share the same bed chamber.”

Qu Panyan’s eyes immediately lit up, unable to suppress her excitement for the days when they returned to the Xianmeng Sect.

That’s hope. As long as we can sleep together, everything after that will naturally happen!

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Due to the strong aftereffects of their dual cultivation, Qu Panyan stayed at the inn for an extra day before departing. She inquired through the sound transmission and learned from Kang Congshuang that they had made significant progress and were already investigating the fifth incident site. Since Yuan Qijun left no traces behind, the only evidence of his existence were those few corpses with their facial features removed.

His goal was very clear, but his actions were incomprehensible.

What exactly did he want to achieve? If he only wanted to remove their facial features, why did he entangle with Zhuang Wenniang in a secluded alley? Wasn’t he madly in love with Su Lingyu?

Qu Panyan pondered incessantly, feeling that standing here and guessing aimlessly was a waste of time. It would be better to catch up with Kang Congshuang and the others as soon as possible.

Just as she and Su Lingyu were about to take off, a sound transmission flew in from the sky and landed right between her eyebrows. After reading the message, she stood still, her brow furrowed.

Seeing this, Su Lingyu held her hand and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Xiaomeng,” Qu Panyan said, “She said her team saw An Cheng.”

He appeared in a small town near the Xianmeng Sect.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: iToon

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