“Master, it’s just ahead!”
Tang Muxi lightly tapped her toes and moved through the forest.
In the chilly autumn, her dress gradually thickened, and the long hem fluttered in the wind, resembling a butterfly dancing gracefully, full of enthusiasm.
Wen Fei lagged a half-step behind, also influenced by the joyful and sincere atmosphere, her lips involuntarily curling into a smile.
She was quite lively.
However, compared to all this, she was more concerned about the girl’s agility.
Since earlier, although the girl appeared calm and leisurely, strolling through the mountains, her movements were actually nimble and elusive, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
It was similar to the ability to shrink distances, yet more skillful and difficult to grasp.
Fortunately, even though she had lost all her cultivation, the talismans remained, and her past skills were etched in her mind; otherwise, she might have been left behind by the carefree girl in front of her.
Wen Fei was astonished.
When they reached the mountain peak and saw her stop, she couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of technique have you cultivated to run so fast?”
Tang Muxi, hearing the question, playfully scratched her nose and smiled brightly, “Well, I recently obtained a low-tier technique, the Star Shift Technique. I accidentally discovered some spatial laws, so right now, I may not have other skills, but I’m particularly good at running away.”
No other skills?
Wen Fei certainly didn’t believe that.
A person without skills would never touch the profound meanings of the laws in their lifetime, let alone the fact that she had only established her foundation.
“Indeed, you have great talent.”
Wen Fei rarely praised anyone; even her sister’s daughter only received a faint encouragement.
“Yes, thank you for the compliment, Master.”
Tang Muxi accepted it graciously without any modesty.
“Are you interested in the Star Shift Technique, Master? I can copy a version for you.”
Wen Fei was surprised, somewhat incredulous: “For me?”
That was a low-tier technique, not a common vegetable; even she rarely saw it, so how could it be given so easily?
Tang Muxi frowned, puzzled: “Is that not allowed?”
Her expression was too sincere, her eyes clear and unblemished, as if she truly didn’t understand.
Wen Fei met those crystal-clear, unreserved eyes and suddenly fell silent.
Low-tier techniques were indeed precious; many sects and families hid them away as treasures, unwilling to disclose them to others.
After all, if others grew stronger, it could mean one more enemy.
After years of struggling in the cultivation world, she had unconsciously developed this mindset.
Even towards her own disciples, she still held back.
But now she realized that it was her own narrow-mindedness.
Wen Fei lowered her head, suddenly feeling that taking on a disciple was not such a bad thing after all.
“I want it,” she admitted.
Tang Muxi beamed with joy: “Alright, I will copy a version for you tomorrow.”
Her smile was open and bright, like a scorching sun on this gloomy rainy day.
Wen Fei took out a beautifully crafted ice crystal bell: “This is the Xuantian Bell. When hung at the waist, it can inadvertently confuse others’ minds, consider it a return gift from me.”
Tang Muxi reached out to take it, curiously shaking it a couple of times, immediately feeling a brief blankness in her mind, as if she had suddenly forgotten something.
Wen Fei lightly tapped her finger between her brows, and she instantly regained her clarity.
“Don’t use it on yourself.”
Tang Muxi thanked her: “Thank you, Master.”
Then she obediently hung the Xuantian Bell at her waist.
Wen Fei scanned the surroundings and asked, “Is the Floating Immortal Island here?”
“Yes, it usually operates a concealment array. Please wait a moment, Master.”
Tang Muxi said, then began skillfully forming seals with her fingertips, channeling strands of power into the dome of jade.
In just a moment, a massive immortal island suspended in mid-air appeared at the empty mountain peak.
There were a total of nine immortal islands, with the largest one in the center, while the remaining eight smaller islands surrounded it.
The ethereal aura floated, and the spiritual mist was dense.
They were interconnected by clear spiritual springs, luxurious and extravagant, resembling a paradise on earth.
When she first heard about the vast Floating Immortal Island, Wen Fei did not take it seriously, still harboring a sense of arrogance from her high position.
But at this moment, seeing the real scene, I realized that the term “Immortal Island” couldn’t be more fitting.
Such exquisite construction could almost rival the Changhe Palace in the Demon Realm.
I couldn’t help but gasp in awe.
“Master, please follow me to the island.”
Tang Muxi gently waved her hand, opening a heavenly path leading to the Fairy Island.
“Senior Sister, Senior Sister! I’m back!”
Upon entering the Jiang residence, Tang Muxi called out loudly.
Wen Fei followed closely behind, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.
She noticed the little green vine sneaking around the nearby spirit tree, restless, and with a cold expression, she struck it down.
Today, Jiang Yin knew she had gone to visit a “senior,” so she had been waiting at home for news.
As soon as she heard the familiar voice, she immediately pushed the door open.
She wanted to ask how things went, but when she saw the mysterious woman with an unfathomable aura behind Tang Muxi, she began to ponder.
“Senior Sister, this is the senior I mentioned yesterday. I have already taken her as my master, and from now on, she will be our teacher!”
Tang Muxi chattered excitedly.
Jiang Yin, however, struggled to keep up with the train of thought.
“What? A master?”
Wasn’t she just there to gather information?
How did she suddenly bring someone back and take them as a master?!
No matter how perceptive she was, she couldn’t figure out what had actually happened.
Tang Muxi glanced at Wen Fei, chuckled awkwardly, and explained everything that had happened today in a rush, finally showing Jiang Yin the Illusionary God and the Xuantian Bell.
Jiang Yin had initially worried that she had been deceived, but upon seeing the Illusionary God, she felt relieved.
The Illusionary God felt cold to the touch, yet it was infused with a rich vitality, its power pure and crafted from a piece of celestial bone, truly deserving of the title “once a heavenly-grade artifact.”
The center of the bow had a seal that required a specific method to use.
Exchanging six spirit fruits for a top-grade artifact and a master seemed quite reasonable.
Furthermore, the Xuantian Bell was also of decent quality, classified as a low-grade earth artifact.
It was clear that this “master” genuinely cared for her.
After weighing the pros and cons, Jiang Yin returned the Illusionary God and the Xuantian Bell to Tang Muxi, slightly bowing, “Junior Jiang Yin, greetings to the senior.”
She didn’t refer to her as master because she couldn’t yet be honest with a stranger.
Besides, upon reflection, she didn’t need to take anyone as her master.
Wen Fei also said nothing more and nodded in acknowledgment.
However, when her gaze swept over Jiang Yin, she felt the ominous and fierce demonic aura and blood energy, realizing that she was actually a demon cultivator!
Wen Fei belonged to the demon race, and although she maintained a neutral stance towards both humans and demons, she naturally felt more affinity towards spirit cultivators due to their cultivation of spiritual energy.
She remembered that the spirit and demon factions were like fire and water, and a war had erupted years ago, resulting in countless casualties.
But why could these two coexist peacefully?
Wen Fei looked at Jiang Yin with a somewhat ominous expression, suspecting that this person had ulterior motives.
While secretly gripping her talisman, ready to act, she pretended to be casual and said, “Disciple, your Senior Sister has a strong demonic aura.”
As she remained on guard, Jiang Yin’s expression changed slightly, quietly urging the Imprisoning Demon Sword.
The two were at odds, just waiting for a spark to ignite a full-blown conflict.
Tang Muxi keenly sensed the strange atmosphere in the air, startled by Wen Fei’s words, and quickly stepped in front of Jiang Yin, “Master, my Senior Sister may be a demon cultivator, but she treats me very well. Please do not equate her with the demon race.”
Wen Fei was taken aback, “You know she is a demon cultivator?”
“Of course, I know. Senior Sister has saved my life many times and promised to stay by my side for this lifetime.”
As she spoke, Tang Muxi took Jiang Yin’s hand, her tone sincere, not resembling a lie.
Originally, Jiang Yin felt a bit of anger, but upon hearing the words “stay by my side for this lifetime,” she was immediately calmed.
When did they make such a promise?
Nonsense.
But it did sound nice.
Jiang Yin withdrew her indifferent gaze and met Wen Fei’s eyes, showing no hint of guilt.
She firmly grasped Tang Muxi’s hand, adopting a posture of asserting her claim.
Wen Fei glanced at them, then shifted her gaze to their intertwined hands, slowly retracting her spiritual talisman, apologizing, “I was too abrupt.”
Such a close bond, rather than calling her Senior Sister, it would be more appropriate to refer to her as a Dao partner.
Although same-sex Dao partners are not common in the cultivation world, they are not rare either, and some even manage to form contracts that gain the recognition of the Heavenly Dao.
Wen Fei felt a bit of blame towards Tang Muxi for not being clear with her words.
Jiang Yin, seeing her apologize, relaxed her guard: “I am flattered. May I ask for your esteemed name?”
Yesterday, she had already inquired about Wen Mingyu, who was said to be looking for her aunt, who had been secretly plotted against many years ago and had gone missing.
Only recently had a trace been found, prompting her to come personally to investigate.
“Wen Fei,” she replied.
With the surname Wen, it should be correct.
Jiang Yin understood and began to think about how to extort a good sum from Wen Mingyu: “I have met Senior Wen.”
After mutual introductions, Tang Muxi took Wen Fei on a brief tour of the residence and the eight small islands.
Aside from their main living quarters and Bai Ling’s room, the other houses had hardly been used.
Tang Muxi let Wen Fei choose any room she liked.
She had originally thought that her master would choose a room close to the main quarters, but to her surprise, she picked a more remote one.
Tang Muxi was deeply puzzled: “Why does Master want to live so far away?”
It was separated by two or three long corridors, as if intentionally distancing herself.
It was somewhat disheartening.
Wen Fei noticed her low spirits and felt a bit troubled about how to explain.
After pondering for a while, she tried to be as tactful as possible: “I don’t want to disturb you, living here is quite good, the spiritual energy is rich, and it’s convenient for cultivation.”
“Disturb?”
Tang Muxi seemed to misunderstand her meaning and shook her head: “How could it be a disturbance? Senior Sister and I would never mind Master.”
Wen Fei’s lips twitched slightly; she wanted to say that was not her point at all.
Since she and her “Senior Sister” were Dao partners, they would inevitably do something during the quiet of the night.
Living too close, what if she heard something she shouldn’t…
Wen Fei felt exhausted, unsure if the girl was genuinely naive or pretending, as she couldn’t even think of such matters and needed her, as the master, to worry about it.
However, how could two women engage in such activities…
Suddenly realizing her thoughts were becoming increasingly inappropriate, Wen Fei was startled and quickly suppressed them, decisively stating: “In any case, I like it here, so don’t say too much.”
“Alright.”
Tang Muxi had no choice but to give up.
The room was fully equipped, just needing a simple dusting.
After finishing, Tang Muxi casually asked, “Has Master decided where to place the ice pond?”
“Not yet.”
Tang Muxi chuckled lightly: “Then why not place it on the island? Master is about to enter seclusion, and it wouldn’t be very reassuring to have the ice pond elsewhere. The island is protected by layers of formations, so even if something goes wrong, there will be time to react.”
Wen Fei found her reasoning sound and agreed to place it on the island.
The Heavenly Island was Tang Muxi’s medicinal garden, where the spiritual spring and purple soil nourished each other, making it the best place to settle the Qiluo Green Lotus and the ice pond.
Wen Fei followed her suggestion and placed the ice pond and Qiluo Green Lotus on the Heavenly Island.
Once Tang Muxi happily left, she suddenly felt that something was amiss and pondered for a long time before realizing.
She had clearly thought that this clever girl had given up on the idea of the Qiluo Green Lotus, but to her surprise, she had been thinking about it all along and had even tricked her into placing it in the medicinal garden.
Wen Fei couldn’t help but laugh in anger: “Good for you, Tang Muxi, with so many tricks up your sleeve.”
