Chapter 57: Peerlessly Breathtaking

Everyone was happy with this conclusion, and Ye Wenxin felt peace of mind, but Gu Aotian’s expression after hearing this was a little ugly.

“Why, Brother Aotian, isn’t this such a good bargain for you?”

“Is this really alright? Clearly you’re the rightful top candidate.” Gu Aotian felt guilty. If it were not for the appearance of Ye Wenxin as a variable, he would definitely have become the undisputed top candidate. But now, things had turned out differently. He replaced Ye Wenxin and became the top candidate of the Azure Wings Sect’s recruitment assembly, and even became the Fairy Fengya’s true disciple.

Ye Wenxin smiled lightly, finding Gu Aotian’s attitude somewhat pleasing.

“To be honest, I came to the Azure Wings Sect to learn alchemy. As for improving my cultivation base, those are all matters of fate,” Ye Wenxin smiled, comforting Gu Aotian. Gu Aotian’s expression finally improved slightly, but he still seemed somewhat guilty.

“Brother Aotian, don’t show such an expression. When you become a dragon and phoenix among men¹ one day, I’ll need your help in many ways. For every opportunity I give you, I’ll gain your assistance, so I’m not losing out at all,” Ye Wenxin continued to persuade, Gu Aotian hesitated for a moment, then cupped his fist towards Ye Wenxin.

“If Miss Wenxin needs Aotian’s help in the future, Aotian will do his utmost to assist,” Gu Aotian said earnestly, tacitly approving of Ye Wenxin’s approach.

This change in status also meant that Gu Aotian could save twenty years of struggle.

Ye Wenxin smiled. She not only changed Gu Aotian’s fate, but in order to make Gu Aotian’s career in the Azure Wings Sect smoother, Ye Wenxin asked the Azure Wings Sect’s Sect Master to also let Fatty be selected.

When several of them gathered together, they heard that Gu Aotian had won top candidate and was qualified to become Fairy Fengya’s true disciple. Everyone had strange expressions and said nothing.

“Big Sis, you weren’t slow going up too, so why did you become an outer disciple?” Gu Xiangsi entered the inner sect without any doubt, but she really could not understand why the highly qualified Ye Wenxin became an outer disciple instead.

“Because I have weak foundation, the inner sect is unwilling to accept me,” Ye Wenxin responded with a smile, a reason already thought up.

She would cherish her life and stay away from Gu Xiangsi, lest she be hugged to death in her dreams by Gu Xiangsi one day.

Moreover, if she and Gu Xiangsi were in the inner sect together, Ye Wenxin would definitely be clung to every day, leading to Gu Xiangsi becoming addicted, unable to progress.

“Then, am I the only one in the inner sect?” Gu Xiangsi was a little scared by this thought, seeing that the other familiar people were all, unsurprisingly, in the outer sect.

Ye Wenxin remembered Su Mei had become an inner disciple as well, however, she could not guarantee Su Mei’s character for the time being. She was extremely cunning, and if she followed Gu Xiangsi, she might end up being sold out while still helping Su Mei count money. Naturally, Ye Wenxin would not mention this matter.

Gu Xiangsi whimpered, “I feel so lonely, what if I ask them to transfer me to the outer sect too? Big Sis, I don’t want to be separated from you.” Gu Xiangsi grew more anxious as she looked around. She was always timid, and now with her brother Gu Aotian becoming a true disciple and Ye Wenxin being relegated to the outer sect, their class and rest areas would be completely different. After a year, she knew not how often she would be able to see them.

The more she thought about it, the tighter Gu Xiangsi held onto Ye Wenxin, afraid that if she let go, they would never see each other again.

“Don’t worry, I’m also in the inner sect,” Su Mei’s voice reassured. Gu Xiangsi glanced at Su Mei, and then leaned against Ye Wenxin again, seeking comfort.

“Big Sis, I don’t want to be separated from you…” Gu Xiangsi’s ignorance made Su Mei’s face look somewhat unpleasant, but she quickly regained her composure. However, from this reaction, it could be seen that Gu Xiangsi was just naive, not brainless.

“It’ll be fine, there’s the annual arena battle for outer sect disciples. As long as I become the first, I can enter the inner sect. After I cultivate for a few years, I’ll come find you in the inner sect, okay?” Ye Wenxin could only come up with an excuse, feeling more convinced that her choice to join the outer sect was correct.

“That’s still going to take a few more years,” Gu Xiangsi cried, even more anxious. She turned around, intending to find someone from administration to transfer her into the outer sect, but one glance at the male administration officer had her immediately giving up this idea, and she could only stare with sad longing at Ye Wenxin.

Ye Wenxin felt a bit reluctant under that stare, but still had to console Gu Xiangsi as she would a child.

Gu Xiangsi eventually calmed down, however, she kept tugging on Ye Wenxin’s sleeve.

The others watched rather helplessly, yet apart from Ye Wenxin, Gu Xiangsi was not close to anyone.

“Each of you will be given a week to settle household matters. After one week, descending the mountain won’t be easy,” the senior brother in charge of accommodation reminded everyone, his words carrying a hint of deeper meaning.

“We won’t be able to go down the mountain anymore?”

As soon as they heard this, everyone had peculiar expressions, as if not understanding why they could not descend the mountain.

“Of course. Now that you’ve become disciples of the Azure Wings Sect, for cultivation, you must sever worldly ties. It wouldn’t be right for you to cultivate on the mountain while having family obligations down below,” Ye Wenxin explained helplessly, causing Fatty’s face to turn red.

Seeing Fatty’s reaction, Gu Aotian, standing beside him, immediately teased, “Fatty, do you really think like that?”

“I don’t! Don’t talk nonsense!” Fatty’s face grew even redder, and he tried to hit Gu Aotian. However, Gu Aotian easily dodged the attack, and the two brothers started playing around, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Others laughed heartily at the scene, and after some discussion they decided to indulge themselves for the next week. They planned to descend the mountain and stay at an inn for a while until the new disciples of the Azure Wings Sect were summoned.

Not only that, they even planned to descend the mountain today, but Ye Wenxin, considering the troubles still lingering, declined the invitation.

“I won’t be going.”

“Huh, why aren’t you coming with, Miss Wenxin?”

“Yeah, you should have fun while you still have the chance.”

Everyone expressed their incomprehension towards Ye Wenxin’s thoughts, wanting to take her along for a stroll down the mountain.

“It’s really unnecessary. I’d rather spend the time reading more books,” Ye Wenxin shook her head, refusing. She genuinely felt there was not much fun to be had around here.

Furthermore, she wanted to pay Ling Jue a visit and talk to her about the Spring Return Pill.

“If Big Sis isn’t going, then I won’t go either. I’ll just stay quietly in the Azure Wings Sect these days.” As soon as Gu Xiangsi heard that Ye Wenxin was not going, she immediately gave up on going down the mountain with the others to play.

“If my sister isn’t going, then I won’t go too.”

“Ah, if Aotian isn’t going, then I should also…”

In the end, no one wanted to go down the mountain. Ye Wenxin was speechless as she listened, then braced herself and continued, “Forget it, playing for a few days won’t hurt.” She was truly impressed by this group of children in front of her, clearly they were all eager to play, yet they insisted on staying behind to accommodate her feelings.

At Ye Wenxin’s response, everyone smiled again, the atmosphere lively once more, and they descended the mountain as a group in a grandiose manner.

Ye Wenxin could not help but be infected, savoring the joy she had never felt in this world until now.

“Big Sis, quick, look at how weird this thing is.”

“Whoa, a spirit beast! It’s my first time seeing one!”

Below the Azure Wings Sect’s mountain, it was even more vibrant, especially with the approaching Spring Festival, making the festive atmosphere even more pronounced. Lanterns were hung, and the town was bustling with activity.

Ye Wenxin was feeling a bit tired, watching from afar as people selected weapons, while she sat reading a book.

At that moment, a familiar scent of herbs wafted over, followed by a masked woman standing before her.

Ye Wenxin was startled, realizing it was Ling Jue, but what she could not understand was why Ling Jue, who had always been concerned about her identity being exposed, chose to dress as a woman in such a lively street. Ye Wenxin was immensely surprised, and she could not fathom what had prompted Ling Jue to make such a decision.

After a few seconds of silence, Ling Jue removed the mask, revealing her delicate face.

Her complexion was slightly pale, her figure slender, and her appearance invoked pity. Her eyes brimmed with tenderness, as if just one glance could melt the coldest of hearts.

Moonlight, a beauty, and a different Ling Jue that exuded feminine aura all around, Ye Wenxin gaped, for a while not knowing how she should react.

“Do I look good?” Ling Jue opened her mouth, her voice still as gentle as water, but she did not know why it carried a slightly provocative tone.

“You do.” Ye Wenxin hastily nodded. This was the first time in a long time that Ye Wenxin beheld Ling Jue in women’s clothing, making Ye Wenxin truly approved of Ling Jue as a rare beauty who could completely rival Fairy Fengya.

“Who is better-looking, me or Fairy Fengya?” Ling Jue asked further. Ye Wenxin was a little confused.

“You are.” A strong desire for survival prompted Ye Wenxin to choose Ling Jue without hesitation.

“Lie, you obviously couldn’t take your eyes off Fairy Fengya today.” Ling Jue did not believe Ye Wenxin’s lie in the slightest. She had too many things she wanted to say to Ye Wenxin.

However, Ye Wenxin did not come to find her, and even ran down the mountain to play with everyone, leaving Ling Jue very unhappy and thus resulted to this situation happening before her.

“Well, Fairy Fengya is famous after all, hehehe.” Ye Wenxin felt a bit guilty. Today, she was truly too shocked, which resulted in her not even glancing at Ling Jue the whole time. It was no wonder Ling Jue was so unhappy.

“Hm, were you so excited that you kissed her?” The next moment, Ling Jue was still smiling, but there was something unsettling in her eyes that made Ye Wenxin shudder.

She was indeed too excited at the time and seemed to have forgotten there was a crowd watching her and Fairy Fengya, so she ended up nibbling on Fairy Fengya.

“You must’ve seen wrong. Our positions at the time made it look like we were about to kiss.” Ye Wenxin continued to deny the claim, eyes affixed on Ling Jue, trying to prove her innocence.

“Never mind, I believe you. But, Wenxin, I find it hard to read you now.” Ling Jue chose to believe she had misinterpreted everything at the time, but her expression as she looked at Ye Wenxin remained complex.

Ye Wenxin had given her far too many surprises. She was a genius in alchemy, and now, she seemed to be a genius in martial arts as well. Such talent made Ling Jue increasingly feel that Ye Wenxin was more complicated than she had imagined.

She should not ask, but she could not help wanting to understand Ye Wenxin a little more…

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1. – Chinese idiom referring to exceptionally outstanding individuals ↩︎