Senior Brother's Serious Matters

Above the firmament, that heart-palpitating streak of dark purple finally dissipated slowly.

The heavy Tribulation Cloud seemed to be wiped away by an invisible giant hand, and the long-lost sunlight spilled down once more, piercing through the layers of purple bamboo leaves and casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Purple Bamboo Peak, Tingxue Courtyard.

This was originally an abandoned, miscellaneous courtyard.

But since that gentle-as-jade Eldest Senior Brother renovated it and personally inscribed the words "Tingxue," it had become the warmest harbor in Lin Qianxue's heart.

At this time.

Lin Qianxue, dressed in snow-white robes, was leaning against the window lattice.

Her eyes, clear as an icy spring, were still fixed firmly on the direction of the Main Peak's Cold Jade Palace.

She held her Life-bound Spiritual Sword, "frost brilliance," very tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white.

"Phew..."

It wasn't until she saw the sky-filling thunder completely vanish and that figure standing proudly between heaven and earth safe and sound that she let out a long breath of turbid air.

Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled.

"Eldest Senior Brother... he really passed it."

The young girl murmured to herself, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turning up in a curve of admiration.

That was the legendary Nine-Nine Heavy Nascent Soul Lightning Tribulation.

Even those ancient Great Powers recorded in ancient texts faced a narrow escape when confronting such a Heavenly Tribulation.

But Eldest Senior Brother not only passed it.

He even crushed the Lightning Dragon directly in a domineering and peerless manner!

That scene was deeply imprinted in Lin Qianxue's mind and carved into her heart.

[Ding! Detected that the Target of Pursuit 'Lin Qianxue's' worship value for the Host has reached its peak.]

[Favorability +1]

[Current Favorability: 93 (Unwavering Until Death)]

Of course, Su Ye, far away in the Cold Jade Palace, did not check this System notification immediately.

Lin Qianxue withdrew her gaze and looked down at the frost brilliance sword in her hand.

The blade trembled slightly, letting out a crisp sword hum, as if also cheering for that man's strength.

"Fifth Junior Sister, you need to work harder."

Lin Qianxue gently stroked the blade, her eyes firm.

"Eldest Senior Brother is already a Nascent Soul True Monarch. If you don't work hard in your cultivation, you won't even have the qualification to stand behind him in the future."

Although she possessed a Supreme Grade Ice Spirit Root and an Innate Sword Heart.

Facing Su Ye's Prodigy-like talent, she still felt a deep sense of helplessness.

However, this sense of helplessness did not discourage her.

Instead, it turned into an unprecedented motivation.

To catch up with that person's back.

To be able to... always accompany him.

"Gurgle..."

Just as Lin Qianxue was secretly making up her mind to prepare for secluded cultivation.

An untimely sound abruptly rang out in the quiet room.

Lin Qianxue's originally cold-as-frost face was instantly stained with a layer of crimson.

She subconsciously covered her flat lower abdomen.

She bit her lip in some embarrassment and annoyance.

"Why at a time like this..."

Actually, she couldn't be blamed.

Since Foundation Establishment, a Cultivator could perform Fasting, maintaining life simply by absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Not to mention she was now a Cultivator in the Golden Core Early Stage.

Logically, she should have long ago cut off her appetite for food.

But.

This was all "thanks" to Su Ye.

Ever since Eldest Senior Brother often made her various spirit-infused delicacies to help regulate her body.

Her stomach had been completely spoiled.

Ordinary Fasting Pills tasted like chewing wax in her mouth.

Even the food made by the Spiritual Chefs in the Holy Land's cafeteria felt tasteless to her.

Just now, because she was worried about Su Ye Undergoing Tribulation, her spirit was highly tense, and she couldn't feel anything.

Now that she had relaxed.

That strong sense of hunger surged like a tide, impossible to suppress.

"I want to eat the Roasted Spiritual Chicken made by Eldest Senior Brother..."

Lin Qianxue pursed her lips, and the image of that golden, crispy skin and tender, juicy chicken meat appeared in her mind.

And that special spice flavor.

That was a flavor only Eldest Senior Brother could create.

"But..."

Lin Qianxue looked out the window with some hesitation.

"Eldest Senior Brother just finished his tribulation; he must be very tired and needs to consolidate his cultivation."

"Besides, he should still be in Revered Master's Cold Jade Palace right now."

Thinking of that noble and cold Revered Master, Lin Qianxue couldn't help but feel a sliver of awe.

Revered Master Yun Yuzhen was a Taiyin Sacred Body and a Great Power of Tribulation Crossing Realm.

Usually serious and unsmiling, although she wasn't harsh to them as Disciples, she was by no means close.

In the entire Purple Bamboo Peak, besides Eldest Senior Brother who dared to joke with Revered Master.

The rest of the Junior Sisters didn't even dare to breathe loudly in front of Revered Master.

"However..."

Lin Qianxue recalled a previous scene.

To treat the poisoned Revered Master, Eldest Senior Brother did not hesitate to take risks, even using that special method... Now that the Lightning Tribulation had just passed, Eldest Senior Brother went back to the Cold Jade Palace immediately.

Presumably, Revered Master's injury hasn't fully healed yet?

"Eldest Senior Brother has sacrificed too much for Purple Bamboo Peak and for Revered Master."

"As a member of Purple Bamboo Peak, I should go and visit."

"By the way... by the way, I'll ask Eldest Senior Brother if he's hungry."

Lin Qianxue found a perfect reason for herself.

It was definitely not because she was greedy!

It was to care for her fellow Sect member!

It was to respect her teacher and the Dao!

Yes, that's it!

Thinking of this, Lin Qianxue no longer hesitated.

She simply tidied her slightly messy skirt and carried the frost brilliance sword on her back.

She pushed open the door and walked out of the Tingxue Courtyard... Purple Bamboo Peak was very high.

From the Tingxue Courtyard halfway up the mountain to the Cold Jade Palace at the peak, there was a long mountain path.

The path was lined with vast stretches of Purple Jade Spiritual Bamboo.

This kind of bamboo was translucent purple throughout, as if carved from fine jade.

As the breeze blew, the bamboo leaves rustled, like a melodious immortal music.

The air was filled with a faint bamboo fragrance, refreshing the heart and mind.

In the past, Immortal Cranes often flew and Spiritual Deer leaped in this Purple Bamboo Forest.

But today.

Perhaps they were frightened by the terrifying Lightning Tribulation just now.

The entire bamboo forest was quiet; not even the sound of a Spiritual Insect could be heard.

Only Lin Qianxue's light footsteps made a faint sound as she stepped on the fallen leaves.

"The Spiritual Qi here seems denser than before."

Lin Qianxue reached out her hand, feeling the free-floating Spiritual Qi factors in the air.

That was the gift from the Heavenly Dao after the Heavenly Tribulation.

The so-called "Post-Tribulation Resonance."

For Cultivators, this was a rare cultivation Opportunity.

But at this moment, Lin Qianxue had no heart for cultivation.

Her mind was full of roasted chicken... no, full of Eldest Senior Brother's figure.

I wonder how Eldest Senior Brother is doing now?

Is he injured?

Does he... remember her, his Fifth Junior Sister?

With an apprehensive yet expectant mood, Lin Qianxue quickened her pace.

Passing through the winding stone steps.

Bypassing several steep cliffs.

The view ahead suddenly opened up.

A towering and magnificent palace came into view.

That was the Forbidden Ground of Purple Bamboo Peak, Revered Master Yun Yuzhen's bedchamber—the Cold Jade Palace.

The palace was built entirely of ten-thousand-year-old cold jade, emitting a faint white light.

Even from a distance, one could feel a piercing cold air rushing towards them.

If it were before.

Lin Qianxue would have been forced to use her technique to resist the cold air upon reaching here.

But today, things seemed a bit different.

In that cold air that should have been bone-chillingly cold, there was actually a hint of... feverish heat?

Moreover.

The defensive Saint-Rank Formation above the Cold Jade Palace also appeared somewhat unstable at this time.

The runes on the surface of the light shield flowed obscurely, as if under the impact of some internal force.

"Strange..."

Lin Qianxue stopped her footsteps, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

"Revered Master's Cold Jade Palace Formation is a Saint-Rank Formation with astonishing defensive power."

"How could it be so unstable?"

"Could it be that the Lightning Tribulation just now affected the formation base?"

Or... has the Cold Poison in Revered Master's body flared up again?

Thinking of this, the worry in Lin Qianxue's heart grew even stronger.

She didn't care about much else and walked quickly to the palace gate.

That heavy Cold Jade Palace door was tightly closed.

It was carved with intricate patterns of a Luan and Phoenix in harmony, lifelike.

Lin Qianxue stood before the door, hesitating for a moment.

According to the rules, without Revered Master's summons, Disciples were not allowed to trespass into the Cold Jade Palace.

But she was really worried about Eldest Senior Brother.

"Eldest Senior Brother?"

Lin Qianxue called out tentatively.

Her voice was crisp, like pearls falling on a jade plate.

But on the empty peak, it seemed exceptionally small.

There was no response.

The palace was quiet, as if isolated from the world.

"Did something happen?"

Lin Qianxue's heart tightened.

She took a deep breath, summoned her courage, and raised her hand to knock.

However.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the cold jade door.

An extremely faint yet incomparably clear sound drifted out through the crack in the door.

That sound... was very strange.

It didn't sound like Revered Master's usual cold and majestic reprimand.

Nor did it sound like a groan of pain after being injured.

It was more like a... whimper that was suppressed to the extreme yet couldn't help but overflow from the depths of the throat.

Carrying a bit of a sob.

And a bit of a pleading tone.

"Mmm... no... I can't..."

"Rebellious Disciple... you... you will be the death of this seat..."

Lin Qianxue's hand instantly froze in mid-air.

Her whole body was like she had been struck by lightning, standing dazed on the spot.

This was... Revered Master's voice?

That high and mighty Revered Master, like a Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady who did not eat the food of common mortals?

How could she make such a sound?

And... who was she calling "Rebellious Disciple"?

Besides Eldest Senior Brother Su Ye, who else on Purple Bamboo Peak dared to be called that by Revered Master?

"Eldest Senior Brother is in there..."

Lin Qianxue's little head couldn't quite wrap around it.

Although she was exceptionally gifted and had an Innate Sword Heart.

In matters of men and women, she was a complete blank slate.

Even though she had been implanted with a Demonic Seed by Su Ye before and had a deep subconscious attachment to him.

She had never thought in that direction.

In her understanding.

Revered Master and Eldest Senior Brother were healing.

Healing... should be a very serious and painful thing, right?

"Could it be that the healing process is too painful, and Revered Master couldn't help but cry?"

Lin Qianxue blinked her eyes, her heart full of doubt.

But.

If it was pain.

Why was there not a hint of shrillness in Revered Master's voice?

Instead... instead, there was a kind of charm that made one's face flush and heart race?

Even the aura drifting out in the air carried a sweet and greasy scent.

Like a ripe peach.

Or like a blooming peony.

"Su Ye... you... stop it..."

"That's... that's your teacher's..."

It was intermittent again.

"Revered Master, focus."

This time.

It was Su Ye's voice.

Low, raspy, with a hint of unquestionable dominance.

And a kind of aggressiveness she had never heard before.

"This Disciple's Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art has only run halfway. If Revered Master calls for a stop now, you will suffer Qi Deviation."

"You... you scoundrel..."

Yun Yuzhen's voice grew weaker and weaker, finally turning into a string of unintelligible murmurs.

As if blocked by something.

Only the sound of rapid breathing and the faint rustle of clothing rubbing remained.

Standing outside the door, Lin Qianxue was completely disoriented.

Her little face turned bright red, all the way to the tips of her ears.

Although she didn't understand specifically what was happening.

But instinct told her.

The scene inside was definitely not something she, a Disciple, should see!

She shouldn't even be listening!

"Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art... can it heal like this?"

Lin Qianxue subconsciously took two steps back.

She felt her heart beating so fast.

Even faster than when she faced the Lightning Tribulation just now.

That kind of sound.

Was like a feather lightly scratching the tip of her heart.

Making her whole body feel hot and her legs feel weak.

"Gurgle..."

Her stomach made another uncooperative sound.

But this time, Lin Qianxue was completely unconcerned with hunger.

She only wanted to flee.

To flee from this place that made her feel ashamed yet somehow curious.

But.

Her feet seemed to have taken root, and she couldn't move them at all.

That tightly closed palace door seemed to have some kind of magic.

Attracting her to want to find out what was going on.

What kind of healing method was it.

That could make the usually majestic and cold Revered Master cry like this?

And make that always gentle-as-jade Eldest Senior Brother become so... fierce?

" Hmm..."

Just then.

Another high-pitched cry came from inside the palace.

It was Yun Yuzhen's voice.

Carrying a hint of trembling, a hint of liberation, and a hint of inexplicable pleasure.

Following it.

Was a massive airwave that suddenly erupted from within the palace!

Boom—!

The Cold Jade Palace's defensive Saint-Rank Formation instantly shone brightly.

Countless runes flashed frantically, trying to suppress this power.

But a sliver of aura still leaked out.

That was the rhythm of the Great Dao when Yin and Yang are blended to the extreme!

Lin Qianxue was the closest.

This aura rushed towards her, directly washing over her body and Divine Soul.

In an instant.

She only felt a "buzz" in her brain.

As if she saw an extremely shocking scene.

It was a pair of Yin-Yang Fish, entangling and rotating in Chaos, finally merging into one.

That was the ultimate truth of heaven and earth!

That was the Origin of life!

"Is this... Dual Cultivation?"

A word she had never encountered before abruptly appeared in Lin Qianxue's mind.

She stared blankly at that still tightly closed palace door.

Her gaze shifted from confusion to shock, and then to a sliver of disbelief.

Revered Master and Eldest Senior Brother... they are performing Dual Cultivation?!

As soon as this thought emerged, Lin Qianxue felt like her worldview was about to collapse.

That was Revered Master!

The high and mighty Peak Master of the Taichu Holy Land!

Eldest Senior Brother's elder!

How could they... how could they do such a thing?

But... if it was Eldest Senior Brother... Su Ye's peerlessly handsome face appeared in Lin Qianxue's mind once more.

Along with his eyes that seemed to contain a sea of stars.

If it was Eldest Senior Brother... it seemed... it wasn't impossible?

Even.

After the initial shock passed.

Deep in Lin Qianxue's heart, a sour emotion actually surged up.

That was... jealousy.

She was jealous of Revered Master.

Jealous that Revered Master could be so intimate with Eldest Senior Brother.

Jealous that Revered Master could monopolize Eldest Senior Brother's tenderness (even if it sounded a bit fierce).

"So..."

Lin Qianxue lowered her head, looking at the tips of her toes.

Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's buzz.

"So the 'serious business' Eldest Senior Brother talked about was this..."