Chapter 5

The invitation from Zhi Ruo Shuang clearly pointed to the desert where Lin Dan had disappeared on the day Zhi Ruo Shuang encountered trouble. It was certain that something had happened there, which forced her to return with Lin Dan to the Lin family’s mansion and even agree to marry him.

What exactly was the Lin family’s background that pressured Zhi Ruo Shuang into using such a covert method to convey a clue? When the four of them were together, Zhi Ruo Shuang refused to speak the truth directly. Was it to avoid Lin Dan? What secret could there be about that seemingly frail boy?

As of now, the desert was the obvious destination, and someone from the Lin family should be assigned to keep watch to prevent Zhi Ruo Shuang from encountering any danger there.

Helan Xi and Song Xuanji returned to the inn, planning to rest briefly before setting out at dawn the next day. Changsun Ce, who had no intention of going back to his home in Xizhou, also took a room at the inn, right next to Helan Xi’s. This gave Helan Xi the perfect opportunity to act.

Under the dark night, the wind howling, the lights in the inn went out one by one. Helan Xi ensured there was no movement next door, then got out of bed and moved to the wall. Facing Changsun Ce’s room, he cast a simple spell to retrieve an object through the wall.

A hollow appeared in the wall, and a white porcelain bottle flew through it, straight into Helan Xi’s hands. It was the same bottle of chili water Changsun Ce had used on them earlier in the day, known for its excessive verbosity.

Helan Xi was skilled in alchemy, and he excelled in his studies. In every assessment, he would always take the top spot. For most elixirs and concoctions, all it took was a little manipulation, and he would be able to uncover their secrets.

Helan Xi put on his outer robe and sat under the light. He scrutinized the bottle of chili water carefully, comparing it with his Advanced Alchemy Compendium. After a detailed examination, he concluded that it was nothing more than ordinary chili water.

“Well, well, Changsun Ce, as expected, you’ve been fooled again. The future of the Mixed Sky Sect is indeed concerning.”

Changsun Ce “eh?” he exclaimed, amazed. “You even managed to add a rhyme.”

Helan Xi, with a stern face, almost cracked a smile but managed to suppress it.

No, she couldn’t, as long as it was unnecessary, she must not speak or laugh. Being reserved was one of the traditions of the Emotionless Dao Academy.

Lin Dan suddenly froze, about to speak when a calm voice called from not far away: “Lin Dan.”

The group turned to look. The one calling was none other than Helan Xi and Song Xuanji’s common Daoist friend, Zhu Ruo Shuang.

Changsun Ce looked at the three white-clad youths together and couldn’t help but feel a bit conflicted.

He watched Song Xuanji, who was as bright as the moon, with an icy and flawless demeanor; Helan Xi, whose beauty was unparalleled, with a golden wind and jade dew. As for Zhu Ruo Shuang, though not as striking as Xun Xi and the others, he had a refined and calm aura, standing tall like a bamboo in the rain, exuding a unique grace.

Did Emotionless Dao Academy really only focus on character and potential, ignoring appearances? These three had certainly made the little flirtatious disciples of the Harmony Dao Academy restless. Changsun Ce even wondered if the Academy Head of Harmony Dao had moved the Academy to the next door to take advantage of the opportunity to recruit the three beauties of Emotionless Dao.

Helan Xi stared at Zhu Ruo Shuang’s eyes. His expression was calm, with no signs of going astray, maintaining the typical indifference of the Emotionless Dao Academy.

Lin Dan called out to Zhu Ruo Shuang: “Brother.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang didn’t respond. He turned to Helan Xi and asked, “Why are you here?”

Was there even a need to ask? Zhu Bro, are you out of your mind?

Helan Xi replied, “You know very well.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “If what I think is true, please leave.”

Song Xuanji: “Why?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “It has nothing to do with you two.”

Helan Xi: “We are fellow Daoists.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “Not necessarily in the future.”

Helan Xi: “Is there some kind of hidden reason?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “None.”

Song Xuanji: “Are you possessed?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “No.”

Helan Xi: “Where is your Dao heart?!”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “…Please leave.”

Changsun Ce, frustrated, had been listening to the back-and-forth, unable to understand a word, finally lost his patience and shouted, “What the hell, can you all talk properly?!”

Suddenly, Changsun Ce reached into his chest and pulled out an object, unexpectedly tossing it toward the three of them.

Song Xuanji, reacting swiftly, immediately raised his hand to shield Helan Xi, both of them taking a half-step back in sync. Helan Xi’s cheek brushed against Song Xuanji’s shoulder. For a moment, he found himself distracted by the golden hairpin, momentarily losing his focus.

It seemed this was the closest they had been in a year of knowing each other.

The object rolled to the ground with a crisp sound. It was a white porcelain bottle, from which a strange, pungent, bright red liquid slowly flowed out.

Helan Xi snapped out of his trance. He almost blurted out, “What kind of crazy thing is this?” but stopped himself and instead asked, “Explanations?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang looked down at the eerie red liquid and asked, “What is this?”

Changsun Ce noticed his impulse and hurriedly explained, “It’s a special pepper sauce, they say whoever smells it will speak twice as much. I spent a lot of money getting it for you all.” He glanced nervously at the three, “Alright, you can continue your conversation.”

Song Xuanji: “…”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “…”

Helan Xi: “!!!”

Helan Xi sighed inwardly. Changsun Ce might be fine annoying Song Xuanji and Zhu Ruo Shuang, but why did he have to target him too? If Changsun Ce wanted to hear him talk, he’d willingly chat for three days and nights without a break!

He was completely innocent in this.

Helan Xi became unhappy and thought to himself, “So you dislike people who talk too much, huh? You’re so impressive, so high and mighty.”

Song Xuanji paused for a moment before adding another reason: “Moreover, he has yet to practice fasting.”

This reason was one that Helan Xi found more acceptable.

The requirements for fasting among the disciples at the Huantian Academy were not high. If one wished, they could go ten or eight years without fasting, and no one would say anything. Unlike their academy, the Wuqing Academy, where the first two things every new disciple had to do were to remain silent unless necessary and to fast.

In the harsh desert environment where food and water were scarce, someone like Changsun Ce, who hadn’t practiced fasting, would usually make preparations at the desert’s entrance before going in.

The Moruo Post was the largest of such stations. When Helan Xi and Song Xuanji arrived, the early market that Changsun Ce had been thinking about had just begun. The caravans were bustling in and out, and the street was lined with stalls selling everything one might need to enter the desert.

Helan Xi soon spotted the pancakes Changsun Ce had mentioned. The golden, crispy pancakes emitted a tempting wheat fragrance. If Song Xuanji weren’t by his side, he would have bought one to taste.

Helan Xi was thinking about this when his sleeve was suddenly tugged. He looked down and saw a six- or seven-year-old boy.

The child was wearing ragged clothes and looked frighteningly thin. One hand was clutching Helan Xi’s clothes, and the other was holding a flower basket. His dirty face looked up at Helan Xi, nervously asking, “Sir, would you like to buy some flowers?”

The boy’s voice was timid, as if he had gathered all his courage to ask. The flowers in the basket were colorful and varied, mostly wildflowers Helan Xi didn’t recognize, and they could be seen growing in the roadside bushes.

Helan Xi was in a dilemma.

On one hand, the child was pitiful; on the other hand, excessive sympathy wasn’t conducive to their cultivation in the Wuqing Academy. It would have been easier if Song Xuanji weren’t right beside him.

When the boy saw Helan Xi didn’t speak, he called out again, “Sir?”

Seeing the boy’s large, protruding eyes due to his thinness, Helan Xi couldn’t ignore him. He bent down and picked a small light blue flower from the basket, about to pay when someone beat him to it.

Helan Xi looked up in confusion as the boy held out copper coins, stammering his thanks to Song Xuanji, and then ran off barefoot, joyfully.

Helan Xi: “…?”

Song Xuanji: “Time is of the essence.”

In other words, it was a reminder not to waste time on meaningless things.

Helan Xi looked at the small blue flower in his hand, still processing what had just happened.

The flower was paid for by Song Xuanji. Did this mean that he too had received a gift from a friend?

Hmm… Song Xuanji gave him a flower.

Helan Xi thought about the pastries and medicinal herbs he hadn’t given away last year and silently put the wildflower into his spirit pouch.

The two didn’t linger at the Moruo Post for long. Following the route map left by Zhu Ruo Shuang, they continued deeper into the desert.

The desert stretched endlessly, with undulating hills as far as the eye could see. The difference between them was imperceptible, making it difficult to discern direction.

As sunset approached, the horizon was painted with a golden glow from the setting sun. The two walked side by side, stepping over the fine, golden sand, as if they were in a golden dream. Between heaven and earth, only their white robes stood out in color.

Helan Xi, bored, played a game where he had to walk in Song Xuanji’s footsteps. After some time, Song Xuanji suddenly stopped.

Helan Xi almost collided with Song Xuanji’s back, but managed to stop in time. Looking up, he saw a narrow strip of green amidst the golden sea, resembling the sudden emergence of spring vitality in a desolate autumn scene. From afar, it was very inviting.

Without needing to discuss, they both walked toward the green.

As they got closer, Helan Xi could see the full view of the green plant. He bent down to touch the large dark green leaf, but his fingertip felt as if pricked by a needle, frozen with ice.

The plant wouldn’t hurt him, but his aloof friend, Song Xuanji, might. Helan Xi inexplicably turned his head, giving Song Xuanji a “Why did you poke me?” look. Couldn’t he just say “Stop” or “Don’t touch me” instead of pricking him?

“Withering Grass,” Song Xuanji reminded him. “Highly toxic.”

Helan Xi froze for a moment, then examined the plant more closely, and the more he looked, the more his expression shifted.

Though he wasn’t familiar with Song Xuanji, he still had great respect for his abilities. If they were to disagree on something else, Helan Xi might take Song Xuanji’s words as law.

But this time, he chose to trust himself. Not for any other reason, but because during last year’s end-of-year exam, Song Xuanji performed just as poorly in “Pharmacy” as Changsun Ce did.

—Toxic? This is just the most common “Hundred-Year Orchid” in the desert! The leaves of the Hundred-Year Orchid are dark green, while Withering Grass is brown, so they are totally different. How could you mix them up?

Helan Xi suppressed the twitching of his lips and flatly said, “This is the Hundred-Year Orchid. It’s harmless.” It’s also quite pretty.

Not long ago, he had inadvertently exposed his lack of knowledge in “The History of Jiuzhou” in front of Song Xuanji, nearly turning red from embarrassment. Now the tables had turned, and Song Xuanji, as usual, was far more composed. His tone remained calm and indifferent: “Oh.”

Helan Xi said, “Don’t believe me? Go read the book.”

“No need,” Song Xuanji replied, his demeanor unflustered, as though he was well aware of his own shortcomings in “Pharmacy.” “I trust you.”

Song Xuanji was a prodigy, as brilliant as the moon in the sky, as imposing as clouds atop a mountain peak. It was amusing to see him at a disadvantage in “Pharmacy” for once.

Helan Xi, playing with the Hundred-Year Orchid’s leaves, deliberately maintained a cold demeanor and asked, “Song Xuanji, what exactly did you learn in the ‘Pharmacy’ class?”

Song Xuanji: “…”

Helan Xi subtly curved his lips and was about to stand up when he suddenly felt a tremor under his feet. He looked down in confusion and saw that the soft sand seemed to have a life of its own, breathing in and out like a human, gently exhaling.