Chapter Seven: Old Tree Blossoms

Ning Xianyu soon realized she had been overthinking, because a great master naturally had his own ways of dealing with mundane matters.

[System, what is he eating?]

She watched as Xuanyuan Tunhan swallowed a pill. She had no idea what it was and even wondered if it might be poison—one of those where she’d die a month later after being rendered useless.

But the system replied, [That’s a fasting pill. With just one, you can go a month without food or drink, and you don’t even need the latrine.]

[Fasting pill?] She puzzled over the pronunciation—how odd his hobbies were!

[It’s a fasting pill, not something else!] the system corrected her.

Xuanyuan Tunhan had just swallowed the pill when he heard this and almost choked. How did this disciple even get admitted? Someone like her didn’t even deserve to be in the outer sect.

He shot Ning Xianyu a glare and told her to go meditate.

Meditation required focus and stillness, which should keep her from chatting nonsense with that so-called system. Yet, he overestimated some people’s self-control; even seated in meditation, she managed to find ways to amuse herself.

Ning Xianyu couldn’t quiet her mind at all. She sat there gossiping idly with the system about everything under the sun, and Xuanyuan Tunhan nearly lost control of his cultivation just listening to it. Though he did glean some useful information, sifting it from that heap of nonsense was even more exhausting than training.

Fortunately, two days later, they finally set out on their journey. Ning Xianyu’s attention shifted away from the system, and she ceased her idle chatter.

This time, Xuanyuan Tunhan himself was leaving the sect, accompanied by the sect master, Du Juezi, and several elite disciples. The other elders remained to guard the sect in case of attack.

Those chosen to accompany them were all outstanding disciples, none below the Golden Core stage. So when everyone saw a cold-faced disciple at the Qi Refining stage standing beside Xuanyuan Tunhan, they were dumbfounded.

Who was that, and why was she standing by the ancestor’s side?

No one knew, but she seemed to be at the Qi Refining stage. Why did her presence feel even fiercer than the ancestor’s?

Could she be a newly accepted disciple?

The ancestor hadn’t taken a disciple in countless years—how could that be?

What was so extraordinary about this female disciple that she alone had won the ancestor’s favor?

Their curiosity was nearly unbearable as speculation buzzed through their minds.

“Look at her—her looks are so plain,” someone whispered.

Smack!

Thanks to Xuanyuan Tunhan’s powerful body, Ning Xianyu’s hearing was now exceptional. She heard all their comments perfectly.

Who dared say she was plain-looking? Who? Step forward if you dare!

She shot a sidelong glance, sending that disciple into a cold sweat as he hurriedly lowered his head.

Heavenly Lords above, the ancestor must truly favor that female disciple, if even a slight about her looks was forbidden! Truly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The disciple kept his head bowed, but the sensation of Xuanyuan Tunhan’s gaze lingering on him made his heart race with terror. He was done for—surely the ancestor would take his life for this. He should have kept his mouth shut.

Meanwhile, Ning Xianyu was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

[System, look—that’s Senior Brother Yu Yaozi, the most beloved among the inner-sect female disciples. He really has it all: look at that skin, smooth as tofu, look at that waist, so slender. When I become number one in the world and gather a harem, I’ll make sure to choose him as my consort—he’ll be my official spouse.]

The system commented, [He does look decent, but ones like him are usually cannon fodder. He probably won’t live long enough for you to recruit him.]

Veins bulged on Ning Xianyu’s forehead. [Don’t you dare curse my little consort! He’ll live to a hundred and look forever young.]

The system replied dryly, [He’s already two hundred years old. Aren’t you the one cursing him?]

[Shut up!]

“Behave yourself. Stop staring,” Xuanyuan Tunhan snapped, sending her a warning with his mind.

This woman dared use his eyes to ogle men, even talking about keeping pretty boys? No wonder her cultivation was so poor—her mind was never on the right path.

Frightened, Ning Xianyu glanced at him, then, as the order to depart was given, she hurriedly called out and took the lead into the skies.

If she was late, she was afraid she’d die.

But as soon as she took off, she heard Xuanyuan Tunhan’s voice in her mind: “If you don’t take me with you, how am I supposed to travel?”

Now, inhabiting a Qi Refining body, he couldn’t display his abilities. If this woman didn’t bring him along, he’d be stranded.

Ning Xianyu rushed back in terror, hesitated, then steeled herself and wrapped her arms around his waist.

She couldn’t hold his hand—that would be too strange. Nor could she carry him over her shoulder. Hugging him from the waist was the only way.

Feeling Xuanyuan Tunhan’s murderous glare, Ning Xianyu almost wanted to cry. She didn’t want this either! But Xuanyuan Tunhan was always so aloof, walking on air without the need for a sword or any other flying device. If she had a flying sword, she could at least have him stand on it, but as things stood, this was her only option.

Xuanyuan Tunhan’s expression was glacial, as if frost would drip from his face. It was the first time anyone had held him by the waist, and he felt unbearably awkward.

Once he regained his body, this woman was dead. He’d rip out her soul and grind it to dust, scattering it across the six realms.

The two of them, one seething with murderous fury, the other trembling with fear and wishing for death, were both utterly miserable.

But to Du Juezi and the other disciples following behind, they looked the very image of a loving couple.

Look at them—always holding each other tightly, never apart for a moment. And the ancestor’s hand, gripping Ning Xianyu’s waist so firmly the fabric was creased.

Xuanyuan Tunhan, who had never had a companion in tens of thousands of years, had often been the subject of gossip—perhaps he was incapable, or simply too old to care. But now, what was this? An old tree blossoming at last? Had he finally discovered the joys of romance?

Truly, it was like thunder striking the earth, the old spring wind blowing again.

With “sweet devotion,” Ning Xianyu sped along with Xuanyuan Tunhan for seven days straight, barely pausing to rest. By the time they finally descended from the clouds, her legs felt like jelly.

Flying, as it turned out, was not all that fun. She missed trains and airplanes.

They’d flown so fast that the other disciples were left far behind; by the time they reached the vicinity of Flower-Sound Island, only the two of them remained.

[System, it’s just us now. We went too fast—what do I do?]

Alone in the wilderness with a man—wouldn’t he silence her now?

The system was silent for a moment. [Don’t be afraid. He still needs you to retrieve the Nine-Branch Ephemeral Bloom. Even if he killed you now, he wouldn’t get his body back. You’re safe for the time being.]

Tch, that wasn’t comforting at all.

Xuanyuan Tunhan glanced at her coldly and gestured with his hand.

Ning Xianyu was slow to catch on. “What?”

What did that gesture mean?

She really didn’t understand.

Xuanyuan Tunhan took a deep breath. “Set up camp.”

Oh, so that was it—why didn’t he just say so?

Ning Xianyu grabbed a branch, ready to clear the area.

“What are you doing?”

She turned, trying to please him. “Clearing the ground, of course.”

How could they pitch camp without clearing the site first?

Before she finished, Xuanyuan Tunhan slapped her away.

Useless!