Chapter 5 - Chapter 6: First night

After the announcement, the participants , that were now named candidates, all followed the outer sect disciples and headed towards their respective dens far away from the outer sect disciple's cottage which was located at the southern District.

The 'candidates' followed the outer sect disciple to a stone path.

When the inner sect disciples together with the outer sect disciples and 'candidates' had left, only then did a young beautiful girl appeared behind one of the trees. Her exquisite brows were wrinkled in anxiety and her thin, red lips were pursed into a straight line. Her round brown eyes were even slightly narrowed making her appear cute and silly.

"Little Shangyu, what did I tell you about hiding in the dark?" Xiao Ying smilled at the little girl who appeared beautiful at the age of eleven

Qin Shangyu, Tang Siqi's only nephew, appeared fragile when she walked towards Xiao Ying, her dark purple skirt swaying along with her staggering steps. Upon coming over, Xiao Ying then patted her head and didn't continue to scold her. He know how timid and fragile Qin Shangyu is so he didn't want to delay outside lest she catch a cold.

"Come here, let's get you inside"
The little girl nodded her head and let him carry her on his back.

"Silly girl, who told you to stay there for so long? look at you you're already dirty" Xiao Ying commented. Before long, the duo arrived at the huge pavilion where the girl was staying. Putting down the girl, he looked at the servants that were waiting outside and signaled them to take the girl.

"No. I dont want to" The girl struggled to come back to Xiao Ying and hugged him tightly

"I want to see Uncle Lu I want to see Uncle Lu!" suddenly, the timid and shy girl became violent as she struggled to kick the servants away.


At a bamboo cabin

Sounds of Zither can be heard near the small yet exquisite bamboo cottage. It was already night and the moon above illuminated the delicate-looking youngster. His fingers elegantly plucked the silver strings of the Zither, playing soothing song.

His eyes were locked on to the strings that it seemed like he did not notice the slight movements on the bushes before him. A head popped out from the bushes staring at the direction where the Zither resounded.

Suddenly, the Zither stopped and Lu Qingxian's gaze fell on to the person who immediately withdraw to the bushes
"What are you doing here?" Lu Qingxian stood up and put the Zither away before striding towards the lush green bush
"You don't seem to be familiar with this place. Come out!" With a flick of his hand, wisp of wind surged forth pulling the person from the bushes.

His eyes turned cold upon seeing the intruder

"What are you sneaking for?" Hearing his voice, the youth seemed to shudder.
"S-sorry" Under his cold gaze, the youth hurriedly bowed to apologize, hiding his entire face. However, Lu Qingxian felt as though this person's physique was a bit familiar. He did not need to ask to know that this unfamiliar guy is one of the candidates participating for tomorrow's second exam. Based on his clothes alone, even if the person denied, he would still know.

So knowing the identity of this person is not necessary, it's just that he should be in his Den at this time instead of sneaking out.

"Why are you here?" Lu Qingxian repeated.The youth suddenly stopped apologizing and instead stood there motionless with his head hung low. If it wasn't for his long hair covering his entire face, Lu Qingxian would have seen that the person was no other than Ye Shenyin!


"Uncle Qingxian!" A cute and energetic shout came from afar. Not long after, a little girl dressed in dark purple dress came running with Xiao Ying in tow
"Little Shangyu, slow down!" Xiao Ying called frustratedly.

Lu Qingxian inwardly chuckled before turning towards the youth again only to find him gone.

It was at this time that Qin Shangyu arrived and quickly hugged his waist, giggling sweetly.
"Little Shangyu, why have you come? shouldn't you be sleeping?" the dark faced Lu Qingxian glared at Xiao Ying who was awkwardly smiling

"Senior Brother Lu Qingxian, I.." Xiao Ying tried to defend but was cut off before he could do so
"Uncle Qingxian, I don't want to sleep in my pavilion tonight. I dont want to read those scriptures!" The little girl hugged his waist tightly as she continued pleading " I want to sleep in your bamboo house tonight! hehehehe" the little girl giggled again. Suddenly, both Lu Qingxian and Xiao Ying felt an inexplicable headache


from the bushes a few meters away, a dark figure emerged. Because of the appearance of this girl, Lu Qingxian had been distracted and thus did not bother to use his consciousness to scan the surroundings therefore, he had not notice when this figure emerged.

this person's eyes were filled with an indescribably odd light as he stared at the small person hugging Lu Qingxian's small waist and, with a cold scoff, silently and swiftly left the area.


Meanwhile, Qin Shangyu felt a chill run down her spine making her hug Lu Qingxian's waist tighter
"Xiao Ying, does Peak Master Tang Siqi know about this?" the moment he said this, Xiao Ying's awkward smile froze even Qin Shangyu's hug seemed to tighten more. He sighed, not needing any further explanation. He had already guessed the situation.

"Little Shangyu , why dont you go inside first?" Patting the girl's head, he gradually pushed her to Xiao Ying as he thought of a way to speak to Purple Snow Peak's Peak master, Tang Siqi. The two were at odds since he came here and naturally, he was aware of her lofty temperament. Now, having her only nephew stay in his place, he knew that this would not be good so he had to find a good excuse.


Tang Siqi was an only child. When her father died, Tang Siqi had to live with her mother who was forced to an engagement with another. Tang Siqi lived a somewhat lonely life with her stepfather and half-brother who married early and gave birth to her only nephew, Qin Shangyu. This story was not something hidden to everyone. This was much likely the reason why everyone feared her because of her reputation: It was said that because she lived a lonely life as an only child, and her mother was married to another , that she felt so outcast to the point of being cruel and ruthless thus, anyone who was unfortunate would be facing a tragic life.

To put it simply, she was raised with the utmost strict protocol to protect her 'family'.

However, although she's cruel and did not seemed to like his new family resulting in her being an outcast, she still developed a familial love for her nephew knowing that her nephew is the only girl in the family.

Since this story circulated within Rising Mountain Sect, naturally, Lu Qingxian would know this. In reality, even though he felt irritated with Tang Siqi, he did not really try to avenge against her as he too felt sympathetic towards her. Instead, he was actually secretly helping her take care of her beloved nephew.

As for his family, he felt like he did not even belong there just like Tang Siqi so he could only try to not think of them as much as possible.

Arriving at the tall three-storey pavilion which was only next to Qin Shangyu's, Lu Qingxian sighed inwardly before stepping forward and letting his mind consciousness float
"Lu Qingxian!" A sharp yell abruptly shattered his mind consciousness. Gritting his teeth, he covered his ears and channeled his internal force to recover

"Sneaky" He thought.Just then, a slim figure flew down from the window from the second floor and landed heavily in front of the dizzy Lu Qingxian with a sly smile on her face
"Hmp. serves you right" She said , snickering. Lu Qingxian, who had regained his composure, glared at her. "What are you glaring at me for? wasnt it because of you that Yu'er did not come?" Lu Qingxian already felt a terrible headache from her sneak attack and now that she mentioned the matter about Qin Shanyu escaping, he felt another wave of headache.

" Sister Tang, that is exactly the reason why i have come" Lu Qingxian humbled himself and explained the matter briefly. After explaining , he glanced at Tang Siqi and found that her complexion was dark she snorted coldly and turned around. Lu Qingxian naturally thought she was leaving when all of a sudden, she stopped and turned her head a little

"You brat of Spring Water Peak hmp!"

Lu Qingxian's calm expression slightly changed as though he had been pricked with needle.