"Are you really leaving? If you quit Wuxiang Sect, where else can you go? The Yu family?"
Bai Qingwu leaned closer, her expression full of concern as she asked.
Yao Ranran fought back the urge to step away and answered, "I'm going to the Eastern Wilderness. With all the chaos there, prices have skyrocketed. I want to earn some spirit stones."
"Oh? You're that short on spirit stones right now?" Bai Qingwu rubbed her chin, her gaze carrying a hint of probing curiosity.
Yao Ranran hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Bai Qingwu suddenly broke into a gentle smile and raised her hand, moving to rest it on her shoulder.
"Don't!" Yao Ranran quickly stopped her.
Bai Qingwu cried out in pain, jerking back as if stung.
"That hurts!"
The hand she had tried to place on her shoulder was now riddled with countless tiny, bleeding holes.
Her voice, usually warm, rang shrill and eerie as she shouted, echoing all the way from the third floor down to the ground level of the inn.
-
At the Sifang Inn
"She cannot possibly be the Holy Maiden!"
A middle-aged man suddenly crushed the teacup in his hand. The powdered shards blew out the window as the icy wind roared in.
The inn's waiter, who had been about to intervene, froze in terror at the sight and quickly scurried back to hide beneath the counter.
Other patrons who had been sipping tea felt the man's overwhelming aura leaking out. One by one, they bolted for the door, abandoning their tea money in their panic.
"Grand Elder, what should we do now?"
Sitting across from the man was an old figure with white brows and a snowy beard. Though his appearance was older than the middle-aged man's, his strength clearly did not compare.
Facing the blizzard outside, the middle-aged man's hair and beard whipped about wildly. His eyes were cold as he said, "That witch must be eliminated. But before that, the Holy Palace cannot be left leaderless."
"We must find another Holy Maiden to take her place as soon as possible."
This middle-aged man was Wan Huaiyuan, the Grand Elder of the Beiming Holy Palace.
Across from him sat the Second Elder, Qian Zhi.
Snowflakes clung to Qian Zhi's white brows and beard, merging into his features. His ears twitched, a spark of thought flashing in his mind. He bowed slightly and said, "Grand Elder, what do you think of the young woman upstairs?"
Wan Huaiyuan's brow tightened, then slowly eased. His gaze sharpened. "Let's watch her temperament first."
"Bai Daoyou, with all that yelling, aren't you worried others might hear?" Yao Ranran asked with concern.
Bai Qingwu swallowed a six-grade pill before calming down, a smug smile tugging at her lips.
"Fairy Ranran, there's no need to worry. I laid down a high-level soundproofing array long ago. No one outside can hear us."
A six-grade healing pill was enough to save even someone gravely wounded. After taking it, the holes in Bai Qingwu's hand rapidly healed.
She let out a long breath. "Thank heavens it wasn't poisoned. Otherwise, I'd have had to waste another pill."
Yao Ranran was speechless.
Was she always this dramatic?
"Ranran Daoyou," Bai Qingwu continued, "since you're leaving for the Eastern Wilderness, could you help me with a small favor before you go?"
Yao Ranran's face showed hesitation.
They were technically fellow countrymen, but it was only their first meeting. In such a strange place, it wasn't wise to agree too easily.
"Of course, I won't let you do it for nothing. The Beiming Holy Palace might be remote, but as Holy Maiden, I have access to wealth. What do you say to a hundred thousand spirit stones?"
Yao Ranran shook her head. "There's no need to speak of payment between countrymen. I'll help you."
Bai Qingwu blinked, startled. "Ranran Daoyou, you're truly straightforward…"
So quick to agree—was she really that desperate for spirit stones?
If she survived in the future, she'd try to look out for her more.
After all, transmigrating was a skill, and she clearly hadn't landed the fate of a Holy Maiden. All she had was the hard road of a penniless cultivator. How pitiful.
Bai Qingwu's eyes softened with pity as she looked at Yao Ranran.
Her impression of her improved as well.
This person was truly a fool with more money than sense.
She decided she had to befriend her!
"Ranran Daoyou, here's what I need you to do…"
The two spoke at length, sympathizing with each other. Bai Qingwu leaned close, whispering his plan.
Yao Ranran nodded from time to time, her eyes widening in shock on occasion. Her opinion of her shifted again.
This author is insane!
Deep into the Night
The wind howled, trees bending under its force.
Two shadows suddenly appeared outside Yao Ranran's room.
"Grand Elder, why sneak about like this in the middle of the night?"
"What we're doing cannot be known to her. Naturally, we must act while she sleeps."
Wan Huaiyuan and Qian Zhi stood boldly at her door, discussing their plan in plain voices.
On the bed behind gauzy curtains, Yao Ranran stirred awake at the noise, blinking groggily.
"That's enough questions. Just follow my lead," Wan Huaiyuan said, turning toward the door.
A pair of delicate hands slid the wooden bolt aside.
Yao Ranran pulled open the door in confusion, but the two shadows vanished instantly.
Qian Zhi's heart pounded as he smoothed his beard. "Grand Elder… did that young woman just see us?"
Wan Huaiyuan's tone was sharp. "What nonsense. She's only at the tenth layer of Qi Refinement. Can't you tell?"
"That's exactly why it's strange…" Qian Zhi muttered, hesitating.
When they dodged, he thought she had looked directly at him. Though it lasted but a moment, it nearly scared his heart out of his chest.
It must have been an illusion.
How could she possibly have that ability?
"Was I imagining things? I thought I just saw an old man and a middle-aged man run past."
Yao Ranran shook her head, murmuring to herself, then closed the door.
Qian Zhi froze, his hand gripping his beard tightly. His beady eyes widened. "Grand Elder… was she talking about us?"
Wan Huaiyuan stiffened for a second, then barked in a low voice, "Coincidence. She's half-asleep and rambling. What are you so worried about?"
Qian Zhi moved his lips but dared not argue further.
Yes, she was only a little girl at the tenth layer of Qi Refinement. There was no need to think too much.
The two approached her room again.
"This is Yuwei Incense. Hold your breath. Once I toss it inside, she'll fall into deep sleep. We can ask her whatever we want, and when she wakes, she'll think it was just a dream."
Wan Huaiyuan pulled out a vial of incense powder, speaking with grave care.
Qian Zhi nodded. "An excellent idea. Yuwei Incense is safer than a soul search and won't damage her sea of consciousness. If pushed to its limits, it can even create illusions. Testing her reactions will be far easier this way."
Wan Huaiyuan was pleased. He swept the room with his spiritual sense, smiling. "The moment she closes her eyes, I'll act."
Yao Ranran's pupils shrank.
There really was an old man and a middle-aged man at her door. They were openly plotting to drug her!
Wan Huaiyuan smiled faintly, completely dismissive of her.
Qian Zhi stroked his beard nervously, his heartbeat quickening again.
No need to worry. No need at all. This little girl can't see a thing.