90: The outgoing "junior sister"

After leaving the Yaochi Grand Hall, Chu Qianqian did not immediately return to her Immortal Cave to begin secluded cultivation.

Her Revered Master's reprimand, her sister's Gu poison, and the upcoming competition weighed on her chest like three massive boulders, making it nearly impossible for her to breathe.

Her mind was currently in a chaotic mess, and she simply could not calm herself down to Cultivate.

Driven by some inexplicable impulse, she changed direction. Instead of returning to Saintess Peak, she headed toward a spirit lake located in a remote corner of the Yaochi Holy Land—Mirror Heart Lake.

This used to be her favorite place to visit whenever she felt agitated in the past.

The lake water was like a mirror, tranquil and undisturbed.

Usually, because of its remote location and the fact that the Spiritual Qi here wasn't the densest, very few people ever came here. It was a rare sanctuary within this vast Holy Land.

However, today, when she came here seeking a moment of peace...

She unexpectedly discovered a young girl wearing the attire of a Yaochi Personal Disciple already sitting on a rock by the lakeshore.

Seeing someone occupying her "secret base," Chu Qianqian's brow instinctively furrowed.

She subconsciously wanted to speak up and drive her away:

"Which peak's Disciple are you? Instead of Cultivating properly..."

The words reached her lips, but she swallowed them back down.

She thought about her own uncertain future.

The arrogance in her heart actually dissipated by more than half in that instant, and she couldn't bring herself to muster it.

"Forget it..."

She sighed in her heart.

This was a public area to begin with; what right did she have to monopolize it?

Let her be.

Chu Qianqian did not disturb the Disciple, planning instead to find a far-off corner to sit quietly for a while.

She wanted to take the opportunity to sort through her thoughts, which were as tangled as a mess of hemp.

Who would have thought that just as she approached the lakeshore...

The female Disciple, who originally had her back turned, suddenly spun around as if she had eyes in the back of her head.

"Ah! It's actually Saintess Senior Sister!"

Upon seeing Chu Qianqian, an extremely exaggerated expression of pleasant surprise instantly appeared on the female Disciple's face.

Those eyes were terrifyingly bright, like a hungry wolf seeing meat.

It gave Chu Qianqian the feeling that she had been specifically lying in wait here for a long time.

Before Chu Qianqian could even ask anything, the other party had already approached her with over-familiarity, gave a respectful bow, and said:

"Greetings, Senior Sister! What a coincidence! I didn't expect to meet you here!"

"My name is Mu Yun. I'm a newly recruited Disciple under the Third Elder. I've long admired your great name, Senior Sister!"

"The Third Elder?"

Chu Qianqian nodded slightly, the wariness in her eyes dissipating a bit.

The Third Elder was a well-known eccentric in the Yaochi Holy Land.

On ordinary days, she loved traveling the world, claiming to be searching for immortal cultivation prospects, but in reality, she was scouting all sorts of beautiful female Disciples.

She had many female Disciples under her, and their quality was uneven; many had never even received her personal guidance.

It was normal that she hadn't seen this person named Mu Yun before.

"Mhm."

Chu Qianqian didn't pay her much mind, only giving a cold response.

She then walked straight to a green stone by the lake and sat down, hugging her knees as she stared blankly at the calm surface of the water.

What she didn't expect was that this Mu Yun was actually so familiar.

Seeing Chu Qianqian sit down, she actually sat down right next to her without any hesitation.

Chu Qianqian's brow furrowed, and she subconsciously shifted a bit to the side.

But this Mu Yun was like a piece of sticky candy that couldn't be shaken off.

She tilted her head and stared directly at her with a gaze that was less respectful and more filled with a certain investigative intent.

"Saintess Senior Sister, I see your brow is tightly furrowed, and you look like you have a lot on your mind."

Mu Yun then continued to inquire:

"Could it be that you're worried about the upcoming competition for the Immortal Realm slots?"

Having her concerns hit spot on, Chu Qianqian's mood sank even further.

She didn't feel like talking and only gave a silent nod as a response, hoping this noisy Junior Sister would have the sense to leave.

Who would have thought that upon seeing this, Mu Yun not only didn't leave but instead patted her chest and comforted her:

"Oh, Senior Sister, you don't have to worry at all! This time, our Yaochi is sure to win!"

She curled her lip and said with a face full of disdain:

"Hmph, the people from the Hehuan Sect are definitely no match for you, Senior Sister! You are the pride of our Yaochi!"

Hearing this hollow flattery, Chu Qianqian only felt irritated.

That person... is an Undying Realm monster!

Seeing no reaction from Chu Qianqian, Mu Yun continued her incessant analysis:

"And I heard that under the rules of the match, everyone's cultivation will be suppressed to the same Realm."

"Even if the opponent's outside help has some skill, everyone will be on the same starting line then. At most... at most he'll only fight you to a draw! There's absolutely nothing to fear!"

The words "outside help" stung Chu Qianqian's nerves once again.

She turned her head and looked suspiciously at Mu Yun beside her:

"Could it be that you know who the outside help hired by the Hehuan Sect is?"

That man's strength was terrifying. Even she, who was directly involved, didn't know his background, only that he was in the Undying Realm.

How did she seem so knowledgeable? And how did she dare assert that it would be a draw at most?

When asked this, a trace of imperceptible smugness flashed in Mu Yun's eyes.

She subconsciously blurted out:

"Of course..."

Halfway through the words, Mu Yun suddenly realized something was wrong.

She hurriedly reached out and clamped her hand tightly over her mouth.

Afterward, she awkwardly rubbed the back of her head, her eyes darting around as she forced an explanation:

"...Of course I don't know! I... I'm just making a wild guess! It's just that in my heart, Senior Sister is invincible! No matter who comes, it won't work!"

Looking at her silly appearance, the suspicion in Chu Qianqian's eyes gradually faded.

In its place was a deep sense of disappointment and annoyance.

She had thought the other party might actually know some information.

But it turned out she was just a mediocre person who only knew how to flatter.

Listening to this hollow praise was simply a waste of life.

"The ignorant are fearless."

Chu Qianqian coldly dropped these words, then stood up and patted the dust off her skirt, not giving Mu Yun another look.

Instead of wasting time here, it was better to go back and enter secluded cultivation.

Even if it was a last-minute effort, it was still better than doing nothing.

She then transformed into a streak of white light and left Mirror Heart Lake without looking back.

Only the female Disciple named Mu Yun was left alone by the lake.

Watching Chu Qianqian's gradually receding back...

The smile on the originally innocent and romantic "Mu Yun's" face gradually vanished.

In its place was a profound expression that did not match her appearance.

She... or rather, "he," slowly stood up and stretched, his entire skeleton letting out a series of crisp popping sounds.

A playful arc curled at the corner of his mouth.

What came out of his mouth was actually a somewhat deep male voice:

"Heh, she really does have a cold and aloof temperament..."

Then he licked his lips, a greedy light flickering in his eyes:

"Chu Qianqian... we have plenty of time ahead of us."