Chapter 8#
Chapter 8#
After finishing lunch, Xue Jingci put on his veiled hat once more and left the eatery in the outer sect.
With his white robes and black hair, and his hem as white as snow, he looked like a deity who had accidentally partaken of the mortal world’s food. He turned to return to the Mingtai.
Quite a few disciples who were still eating couldn’t help but stop their chopsticks and gaze blankly at his retreating figure.
It wasn’t until the sound of casual chatting reached them that their thoughts were pulled back.
“Others envy the Lingxu Sect for standing on the highest peak of the Upper Realm, but who knows our suffering! Every day at noon, the sun shines so intensely it could take away half a person’s life!”
“Who’s telling me!” a disciple chimed in. “It’s really hard for the disciples on duty at noon. I heard many newcomers have arrived this time; we should be able to go on duty fewer days now.”
The topic shifted to the new disciples, and more people joined the discussion.
Most loose cultivators who dared to enter the Lingxu Sect had already made a name for themselves in the Upper Realm. With everyone talking at once, the situation of these disciples was quickly laid out clearly.
Only Xue Jingci still wore a veiled hat during his daily walks, presumably because he had just crossed his tribulation not long ago and was not yet adapted to the celestial light.
Someone happened to mention: “Although I haven’t heard of this person Xue Jingci before, I find him most pleasing to the eye.”
This was true.
When Xue Jingci was having lunch earlier, many disciples had glanced at him openly or secretly.
Seeing someone mention Xue Jingci, Chen Zhao’s expression turned strange, and he suddenly spoke: “This person…”
Everyone was already very curious about Xue Jingci. Hearing this, they all looked at Chen Zhao and urged, “Senior Brother Chen, you are well-traveled and knowledgeable. Quick, tell us about this person!”
Chen Zhao frowned slightly and put down his tea cup: “Forget it, we don’t really know each other.”
He was the most popular disciple in the outer sect, usually the kindest and never spoke ill of others behind their backs.
This was the first time everyone had seen him show such a subtle expression.
“Senior Brother Chen, what exactly is wrong with this person?”
The disciples all gathered around, looking as if they would insist on an answer and absolutely not let him go.
Chen Zhao couldn’t withstand it. After being pleaded with for a long time, he finally said, “I had a chance meeting with this person in the mortal realm. I once saw him, under the guise of giving sword instruction, attempt to act improperly toward a female cultivator. Fortunately, I happened to pass by and stop him.”
Everyone was in an uproar, cursing the man for being a beast in human form.
Chen Zhao hesitated: “Perhaps he had too much wine that day. Well, since he has ascended, he must be a capable person. We will all be fellow disciples from now on; let’s not spread this matter further.”
The crowd agreed with his words, nodding one after another, and soon shifted the topic to something else.
Xue Jingci naturally didn’t know these things. He rested for a day and, the following day, went to take his turn on duty near the sea of clouds according to the sect’s rules.
For some reason, the disciples who were friendly to him yesterday had strange expressions today. After explaining the duty hours, they hurried away, unwilling to say another word to him.
It wasn’t unusual for disciples of great sects to have strange tempers. He didn’t take this to heart and just turned and left.
The duty time Xue Jingci was assigned was noon.
The Upper Realm was filled with spiritual energy, and the speed of cultivation far surpassed that of the mortal realm. Xue Jingci estimated the time and guessed that Xie Zheng’s cultivation had already far exceeded his own.
Before the two separated, he had only taught Xie Zheng the cultivation methods for the Foundation Building stage. He wondered if Xie Zheng’s cultivation had been smooth over these years.
Xue Jingci knew Xie Zheng had started his path late, which was different from others. He rarely felt such worry. However, he quickly withdrew his thoughts and focused on patrolling. He didn’t close his eyes and head toward the restricted duty area until the noon bell rang.
When Xue Jingci finished his shift, he found his Dharma robe completely soaked with sweat, and he felt as if he were about to burst into flames.
The System was also struggling with the heat, constantly panting and sticking out its tongue, missing the dark and lightless lower realm more and more.
Having been on duty at noon for three consecutive days, Xue Jingci was pensive. He led the System toward the eatery and habitually pulled out a spirit stone to hand to the chef-cultivator. Only then did the cultivator lazily get up to prepare a special meal for him.
“Still eating those same two dishes today?”
The System was thinking about changing flavors, but then saw Xue Jingci nod.
He was someone who deeply cherished the old; he could never grow tired of the things he liked to eat. The System had to abandon its idea, thinking to itself that not changing was fine—other dishes might be even more expensive.
Since joining the sect, the host had been assigned noon duty every day, so he always missed meal times and had to pay extra.
After an unknown amount of time, the lazy cultivator finally finished the meal and brought it to Xue Jingci.
It might have been an illusion, but the bowl looked even smaller than yesterday’s. Knowing the host loved to eat, the System ate two bites and said it was full, then squatted nearby and meowed.
“Host, I think something’s wrong.”
The System recalled what had happened since joining the sect and said quickly, “They are clearly making things difficult for you. The weather changes three times a day, and noon is the most unbearable heat. Yet your duty hours are all at noon. And the house we were assigned—not only is it near the dangerous sea of clouds, but it’s also at the most remote foot of the mountain. It takes a whole hour just to walk up, and one cannot fly on a sword within the sect. Most importantly… even the roof of that house is leaking!”
“I think they’re clearly bullying the newcomer… how hateful.”
The System became more and more angry as it spoke, meowing incessantly. Even the chef-cultivator couldn’t help but look over, thinking to himself that this cat seemed to be cursing.
“I repaired it last night. You can have a good sleep tonight.”
Xue Jingci wasn’t entirely unaware, but these trivial matters were of little consequence. What he currently cared about most was how to see Xie Zheng.
He rubbed the System’s head: “However, Xie Zheng is currently in the inner sect, and the entire mountain is covered by a powerful barrier. I am just a newly entered disciple; it is absolutely impossible for me to get close.”
Xue Jingci took the last bite of food and said with certainty, “It seems I have to find another way.”
After saying that, he led the System outside.
The noon sun was still piercing. Xue Jingci was in a hurry and forgot to put on his veiled hat, instinctively closing his eyes slightly.
Once the sharp edge in those eyes was hidden, the fatigue in his expression could no longer be concealed.
The System finally remembered the host hadn’t slept well for several days and said distressedly, “Host, let’s hurry back and rest.”
Xue Jingci quickly opened his eyes and shook his head: “No, I still need to find someone.”
“Who do you want to find, Host?”
Xue Jingci didn’t respond. He simply picked up the cat decisively, sped up his pace, and soon found a disciple dressed in strongman’s attire near the mountain gate.
The System also looked over: “Are you looking for this person? Who is he?”
Xue Jingci explained faintly: “His name is He Jiang. He’s the cultivator in the sect specifically responsible for running errands and delivering items. I want to ask him to take a message to Xie Zheng.”
The System was bewildered: “When did you find that out? We’ve clearly been together the whole time.”
Xue Jingci laughed softly: “I eavesdropped.”
The System wagged its tail and looked at Xue Jingci: “Host, you’ve become bad.”
Xue Jingci responded: “I learned it from you.”
The System was speechless.
What could a little kitten do wrong? He just loved listening to gossip.
Over the next two days, Xue Jingci took the initiative to help He Jiang deliver items. He Jiang was good at reading people and, thinking Xue Jingci wanted a favor, initiated a conversation.
“Your cat is quite spiritual.”
Xue Jingci knew he was making progress and began to chat with him. He Jiang was well-informed; although he had heard some rumors about this new disciple, he didn’t believe them entirely.
He also heard that Xue Jingci was inquiring about Xie Zheng. Keeping an eye out, he went with the flow and asked, “Junior Brother, you’ve just arrived and have helped me much. If there’s anything I can help with, feel free to speak.”
Xue Jingci had been waiting for him to relent, so he slowly handed over the spirit stone hidden under his sleeve.
“Could I trouble Senior Brother to pass a message to Xie Zheng when you deliver items to the inner sect? Just say that Xue Jingci has arrived at the Lingxu Sect.”
He Jiang had just weighed the spirit stone and carefully sized up Xue Jingci.
If Xue Jingci truly knew Xie Zheng, and he befriended this person, wouldn’t he be climbing the great tree that was Senior Brother Xie?
Thinking of this, He Jiang looked at Xue Jingci and said enthusiastically, “That’s easy. Aside from the message, does Junior Brother have anything else to send?”
Xue Jingci then took the red Dharma robe from his storage bag and gave it to He Jiang.
“Don’t worry, Junior Brother. I’ll make a trip tomorrow and deliver this for you.”
After saying this, He Jiang asked where Xue Jingci lived. Hearing the location, he showed a look of indignation: “That house is broken and old, and it’s extremely far from the Sutra Pavilion and the martial arts arena at the top of the mountain. Usually, no disciple would live there.”
Xue Jingci said, “It’s fine. It’s very quiet there.”
He Jiang was very savvy in social matters. His eyes darted around, and he said, “At this time tomorrow, wait for me at the martial arts arena. As for that house, I’ll have someone say a word and have the outer sect arrange a better courtyard for you.”
He thought he had planned everything perfectly.
The martial arts arena was the place with the most disciples in the outer sect. If Xie Zheng returned with him tomorrow, it would be for the best. If Xie Zheng didn’t come, bringing back a reply would also surely bring face to Xue Jingci, letting everyone in the outer sect know of his relationship with Xie Zheng so they would no longer dare bully him.
The two bid each other farewell. Xue Jingci felt as if a weight had finally been lifted from his heart, and his mood improved greatly.
As a result, during his duty the next day, before the other disciple could speak, he took the initiative to say: “It’s hot at noon. Senior Brother, go and rest; I will take the shift.”
This caused the other disciple to have a strange expression.
The System wagged its tail and asked, “In a good mood?”
Xue Jingci smiled faintly and squeezed its furry paw, nodding yes.
When he went to the eatery, Xue Jingci exceptionally bought two new dishes. Although they didn’t suit his taste, he finished them earnestly.
Before going to the martial arts arena, Xue Jingci performed a cleansing spell to wipe away the dirt on his Dharma robe. Only then did he hurry there with the System.
He thought he had arrived early enough, but unexpectedly, from a distance, he saw He Jiang standing among a crowd, staring intently at the entrance.
Seeing Xue Jingci, the fury on He Jiang’s face could no longer be restrained, and he forcefully threw the red Dharma robe at Xue Jingci.
“I only thought of looking after you because you’re new to the sect. I believed your nonsense and went to the inner sect to deliver things.”
He Jiang pointed at Xue Jingci: “Who would have thought you’re just another stupid thing trying to climb high! Senior Brother Xie himself said he doesn’t know you at all!”
He had gotten up early and waited outside Xie Zheng’s courtyard for two hours, only for his efforts to come to nothing.
Thinking of the strange look from the disciple who passed the message, He Jiang’s anger grew even stronger. He roared at the top of his lungs, desperately making his stance clear to show he wasn’t on the same side as Xue Jingci. Behind him was the constantly whispering crowd, and the entire martial arts arena was in an uproar.
Xue Jingci, holding the red Dharma robe, was completely dazed.