Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Xiao Bai stayed.

Its injuries healed quickly, and it was able to walk on the ground the next day. On the third day, it was able to follow Jiang Xiaochuan to the back mountain. It didn't go far, just wandering around his feet or lying on the rocks to sunbathe.

Jiang Xiaochuan was cutting bamboo, and it just lay there watching. Its eyes were half-closed, and its tail occasionally wagged.

Jiang Xiaochuan liked to hold it. Xiao Bai's fur was very soft and smooth, like silk to the touch. And it didn't have that animal smell; instead, it had a faint fragrance. It was hard to describe the scent; it was a bit like bamboo, and a bit like flowers.

That night, Jiang Xiaochuan slept holding Xiaobai. He placed Xiaobai beside his pillow, lay on his side, and wrapped his arm around it. Xiaobai was very quiet, motionless and silent. Its eyes shone brightly in the darkness, like two little stars.

Jiang Xiaochuan fell asleep quickly. He'd been having a run of bad luck lately—cutting his hand while chopping bamboo, choking on his food, and twisting his ankle while practicing martial arts. But when he was sleeping with Xiaobai in his arms, all those misfortunes seemed to fade away. He slept soundly and peacefully.

What he didn't know was that every time he fell asleep and his breathing became steady, Xiaobai would move.

A flash of white light, and a fox transformed into a white-clad woman, lying on her side beside him.

Xiaobai gazed at Jiang Xiaochuan's sleeping face. The eight-year-old boy still had chubby cheeks, long eyelashes, and his mouth was slightly open as he slept. She looked at him for a long time, then reached out and gently pulled him into her arms.

One arm was wrapped around his shoulder, and one leg was draped over his waist. It was a very domineering posture, as if she was afraid he would run away.

She buried her face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent: sweat, bamboo leaves, and the unique milky fragrance of a child.

She closed her eyes and smiled.

"That's great," she thought. She'd gotten another hug.

Tian Buyi and Su Ru didn't react much to Xiao Bai.

The back of Dazhu Peak is vast, containing not only black bamboo forests but also deep valleys, streams, and old woodlands. It's normal to spot a few animals. It's just a fox, not a monster.

Their cultivation wasn't high enough to see through Xiao Bai's true nature. They only thought the fox was clean, didn't cause trouble, and didn't steal chickens. Jiang Xiaochuan liked to hold it, so they let him hold it.

However, Tian Ling'er's gaze towards Xiao Bai became increasingly strange.

Once, Jiang Xiaochuan was holding Xiaobai in the yard, basking in the sun, when Tian Ling'er walked over and stared at Xiaobai. Xiaobai lay lazily on Jiang Xiaochuan's lap, not even lifting its eyelids.

"It's so well-behaved," Tian Ling'er said.

"Hmm." Jiang Xiaochuan stroked the fur on Xiaobai's back.

"It doesn't bite?"

"I won't bite."

"Not running either?"

"I won't run."

Tian Ling'er fell silent. She stood there for a while, then turned and left. As she reached the door, she glanced back. Just then, Xiao Bai looked up and saw her.

Tian Ling'er couldn't quite describe the look in her eyes. It seemed... like she was smiling?

She shivered.

Impossible. She must be seeing things.

Biyao was practicing her spear skills on the back mountain of the Ghost King Sect.

The gun was made of wood, a gift from her father; it wasn't very long, just the right length. Although her body was small for her age of six, her strength was limited, but her technique was highly proficient. The marksmanship she had practiced countless times in her previous life flowed smoothly and effortlessly into her movements.

She practiced for an hour, then put away her gun and exhaled. Her forehead was covered in sweat.

"Yao'er".

Xiao Chi came over, carrying a bowl of soup. "Take a break and have some water."

Biyao took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp. The soup was sweet, with honey added.

"How are you today?" Xiao Chi asked, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat.

"Not bad," Biyao said. "My Qi sense is much more stable now. I should be able to reach the entry level next month."

Xiao Chi smiled, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes. "Don't rush things, you're still young."

"I'm not young anymore," Biyao said. She was indeed not young anymore; she carried the soul of an adult. But she couldn't say it.

Xiao Chi patted her head. "Mother knows you're sensible. But your father said that cultivation can't be rushed. If you don't build a solid foundation, you'll suffer later."

Biyao nodded. She knew. But she couldn't wait. She had to become stronger quickly, strong enough to go to Qingyun Mountain and bring him out.

In her past life, she waited too long, only to watch him leave with someone else in the end. In this life, she doesn't want to wait anymore.

"Mother," she suddenly said.

"Um?"

"What if... what if I like someone, but they don't like me?"

Xiao Chi paused for a moment, then laughed. "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Just asking."

Xiao Chi sat down beside her and thought for a moment. "That depends on you. If you really like him, try to make him like you back. If you try and it still doesn't work... then let go."

"Let go?" Biyao repeated the word.

"Okay. Let go." Xiao Chi looked at her gently. "Liking someone doesn't necessarily mean you have to possess them. It's enough to see them doing well."

Biyao lowered her head and looked at the wooden spear in her hand.

Why does everyone say that?

She couldn't do it. She couldn't do it in her past life, and she couldn't do it in this one. Watching him with Lu Xueqi felt like a knife was cutting her heart. In this life, she was determined to have him.

No matter what method you use.

Xiaozhufeng.

Lu Xueqi opened her eyes and finished her cultivation. Her inner energy circulated within her body, and she firmly reached the fifth level of the Jade Purity Realm. She had only spent five months advancing from the first to the fifth level. If word got out, it would be terrifying.

But she only told others that she was at the second level of the Jade Purity Realm. That was already astonishing enough. Master Shuiyue's gaze towards her grew increasingly gratified, yet also increasingly stern.

It's been half a year. Tian Buyi hasn't brought him along.

Lu Xueqi sat in the quiet room, looking out the window. The Moon-Viewing Terrace was empty; no one was there. The person she was waiting for hadn't come.

She stood up, pushed open the door, and went out. She walked to Master Shuiyue's room and knocked.

"Come in."

Lu Xueqi pushed open the door and went in. Master Shuiyue was meditating and opened his eyes to look at her.

"Master," Lu Xueqi bowed.

"What's up?"

"This disciple wishes to... engage in friendly sparring with other peaks."

Master Shuiyue raised an eyebrow. "The disciples of Little Bamboo Peak aren't good enough? Or perhaps I could personally instruct you, and if that doesn't work?"

"The senior sisters of Xiaozhu Peak are all very strong, and Master's guidance has also benefited me greatly," Lu Xueqi said calmly. "But I would like to see the different approaches of the other peaks. The Taiji Xuanqing Dao is understood differently by each peak, and I would like to learn more."

Her words were reasonable and well-founded. Master Shuiyue remained silent for a moment.

Which peak would you like to visit?

Lu Xueqi's heart skipped a beat. She steadied her voice. "Dazhu Peak."

Master Shuiyue looked at her, her eyes sharp. "Why Dazhu Peak?"

"Uncle Tian's cultivation is profound, and he must have unique methods for teaching his disciples," Lu Xueqi said. "Moreover, there are not many disciples on Dazhu Peak, so perhaps we can see their true skills more clearly."

Master Shuiyue remained silent. Lu Xueqi knew that she disliked Tian Buyi. But it was precisely because of this dislike that she might agree. Going to Dazhu Peak for a duel was tantamount to challenging the sect. Disrespecting Tian Buyi might make Master Shuiyue happy.

Sure enough, Master Shuiyue's lips curved slightly, but he quickly suppressed it again.

"Okay," she said. "I'll take you tomorrow."

The next day, Shuiyue rode her sword and landed in front of Shoujing Hall on Dazhu Peak with Lu Xueqi.

Tian Buyi and Su Ru were drinking tea in the hall. When they saw Shuiyue, Tian Buyi frowned.

"Oh, a rare guest." He put down his teacup, his voice slightly sarcastic. "What brings Senior Sister Shuiyue to my Great Bamboo Peak? Aren't the bamboo leaves on Little Bamboo Peak green enough?"

Su Ru kicked him under the table. Tian Buyi shut up, but his expression was still unpleasant.

"Not easy!"

Su Ru stood up and greeted her with a smile, "Senior Sister, what brings you here? Please have a seat."

Master Shuiyue did not sit. She stood there, her posture upright, like a bamboo. "No need. I've come today on business."

"What is it?" Su Ru asked.

Master Shuiyue stepped aside, making way for Lu Xueqi behind her. "This is my disciple, Lu Xueqi. Her cultivation has reached a bottleneck, and she wants to spar with fellow disciples to test her skills. She has already fought with all the disciples of Xiaozhu Peak, so she wanted to come to Dazhu Peak to take a look."

Tian Buyi's face darkened further. Su Ru's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes deepened.

"I see," Su Ru said. "Sparring is a good thing. Da Ren, come here..."

"This disciple wishes to spar with Senior Brother Jiang Xiaochuan," Lu Xueqi suddenly spoke. Her voice was clear and crisp, with a hint of coldness.

The hall fell silent.

Tian Buyi stared at Lu Xueqi. The eight-year-old girl, dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, stood ramrod straight, her eyes calm. He couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"Why did you specifically ask to spar with Xiao Qi?" Su Ru asked, her tone gentle but scrutinizing.

"I've heard that Senior Brother Jiang has been studying for several years and has a solid foundation," Lu Xueqi said. "This disciple would like to see what a solid foundation looks like."

She spoke flawlessly. Tian Buyi and Su Ru exchanged a glance.

"It's just a normal sparring match," Master Shuiyue added. "We won't use spiritual power; we'll only be comparing combat techniques."

Tian Buyi's expression softened a bit. If he didn't use spiritual energy, that was fine. Jiang Xiaochuan's aptitude wasn't great, but his body had been trained for two years and was quite robust. He shouldn't... be too embarrassed.

"Da Ren," Tian Buyi said, "go to the back mountain and call Lao Qi over."

"Yes." Song Daren turned and left.

Tian Ling'er was eavesdropping outside the door when she heard the name "Lu Xueqi," and her face turned pale instantly. She bit her lip and clenched her fingers tightly.

Lu Xueqi. She's here.

So fast.

Tian Ling'er turned around and followed Song Daren towards the back mountain. She had to go and take a look.