Chapter 109: The Emotional Knot of Dongfang Shun

Ji Yao knew that Gu Qiu had put a great deal of thought into this; recalling Mo Daoyan’s subtle hint, she realized he must have begun preparing this equipment long ago.

"Second Senior Brother, while you were preparing this for yourself, did you happen to pick up an extra set for your junior sister as well?"

Gu Qiu did not want Ji Yao to dwell too much on the gift, lest it seem overly deliberate, so he simply nodded. "Of course. Since we are brother and sister, we share both fortune and misfortune."

Understanding his intent, Ji Yao tucked the wooden box into her storage bracelet without hesitation. "Second Senior Brother is right, then I shall not stand on ceremony with you."

To Ji Yao’s surprise, following Gu Qiu’s lead, Dongfang Shun also handed her a jade box. It was small but of excellent quality, and sealed with a talisman.

She looked up in confusion at Dongfang Shun’s faint smile, wanting to say that since he had only recently joined the sect, he needn't feel pressured to join in the gift-giving.

Dongfang Shun spoke first: "Just a small gesture. Since I am a senior brother as well, I couldn't be left out. I happened to come across this by chance, and it is of no use to me, so I might as well give it to you."

"If it's of no use, you could always trade it for spirit stones!" Since it was in a jade box, it had to be a medicinal herb or plant. She didn't know how to practice alchemy, so it would be even more useless to her.

Wait—that wasn't right. She couldn't practice alchemy, but Dongfang Shun could. There was no reason for him to give away a valuable herb unless it was because the recipe for it had been lost.

For some reason, Ji Yao thought of the Spirit-Cleansing Pill that Dongfang Shun had offered her twice before. She looked into his eyes; he blinked naturally, then gave a slight nod.

However, the words that followed seemed intended to divert attention, or perhaps for some other reason, they were not exactly flattering.

"With your lazy nature, I assume you’ve never bothered to earn spirit stones. If you don't want to keep this gift, you can sell it later; it will surely fetch a good price."

Ji Yao felt as if she had taken ten thousand points of critical damage. To be called out in front of her masters and senior brothers—this was simply unfair.

Although she was indeed a homebody and had never seriously considered how to earn spirit stones so long as she had enough, attitude mattered! She wasn't lazy; she was simply content with her lot in life.

Just as Ji Yao was about to retort, Mo Daoyan spoke up.

"If you are ever short on spirit stones, remember to tell your master."

It would have been better if Mo Daoyan had remained silent. Once he said that, Ji Yao felt even more embarrassed. Knowing there was no turning back, she gave up on explaining; they must have been well aware of her daily habits by now.

Finally, Mo Daoyan gave Ji Yao a jade pendant. Sealed within it were three of his sword auras, which would trigger automatically if she faced danger.

Ji Yao thanked her master, and the apprenticeship ceremony concluded harmoniously. Mo Daoyan took Mu Baiyun and the others to the Law Enforcement Hall, while Ji Yao and Dongfang Shun went their separate ways.

Thinking of Situ Jing’s words and seeing that the day was still early, Ji Yao did not return to her bamboo hut but headed straight for Lingtian Pavilion on the main peak.

Dongfang Shun, having been accepted as a grand-disciple at the request of the Supreme Elder, was officially under the name of Master Qi Feng and, like Mu Baiyun, lived on the main peak.

The difference was that Mu Baiyun held a post at the Law Enforcement Hall, while Dongfang Shun did not. Thus, while Mu Baiyun went to the hall, Dongfang Shun had to head back on his own.

Consequently, Ji Yao’s hurried pace toward the pavilion caught up with Dongfang Shun’s leisurely stroll.

Sensing the familiar presence behind him, Dongfang Shun turned to see the person who was as leisurely as he was. But while her status granted her true leisure, his did not—though he had no regrets.

A genius who went unnoticed was not truly outstanding; he intended to show those people exactly how well he was living.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Dongfang Shun stopped and spoke first as Ji Yao approached. He didn't call her "Junior Sister," as their dynamic was far too unconventional; even with their new identities, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Ji Yao didn't mind. She reached his side in a few steps. "I'm going to Lingtian Pavilion to look up some books. Are you going?"

"Oh, go ahead then. I’m heading back to practice my sword, so I won't join you." Dongfang Shun walked with his hands behind his back, keeping pace with her.

After walking for a while, just as they were about to part ways at a fork in the path, Dongfang Shun decided to offer a reminder.

*That jade box contains a Spirit Vermilion Fruit. I obtained it at the same time as the Spirit-Cleansing Pill.* His words were transmitted via telepathy, so to onlookers, they appeared only to be walking side by side.

Ji Yao glanced at him; seeing no change in his expression, she played it cool and replied with a telepathic message of her own.

*Without the recipe and supplementary herbs, it is impossible to re-refine the Spirit-Cleansing Pill. But if consumed alone, the Spirit Vermilion Fruit can diminish the influence of weak spiritual roots and enhance the purity of others. It should be of some benefit to you as well.*

Dongfang Shun continued speaking, but their paths had already diverged. Ji Yao turned, seeing only his retreating back and the arm waving farewell.

It seemed he had developed a fixation on this matter. Ji Yao sighed inwardly and continued toward the Lingtian Pavilion.

Standing at the entrance, she pressed her identity token against a glass mirror set into the gate. The doorway transformed into a curtain of light, and she stepped through naturally. The curtain reverted to a solid gate behind her, as if it had never vanished.

Inside the pavilion, space was designed specifically for direct disciples, allowing them to read or practice in quiet solitude. Ji Yao plucked a book of miscellaneous records from the shelf and entered a private chamber.

As soon as she stepped inside, a moon-white glow radiated from her body, and the figure of Situ Jing rose from the suddenly materialized Universe Plate.

The moon-white light did not dissipate but filled the space, enveloping Ji Yao as well.

Situ Jing’s voice sounded as if she were speaking to herself, or perhaps sighing. "Little Five, come out. I have returned."

The private space remained silent. Just when Ji Yao thought there would be no response, other colors began to appear within the moon-white light.

A small child, wearing a red bellyband and brown shorts, with two small buns of hair, seemed to emerge from the moonlight itself.

The moment he appeared, he cast a lazy glance at Situ Jing, not even deigning to look at Ji Yao, as if she didn't exist.

"How did you end up like this? Does A-Heng know?"

The child’s voice was as youthful as his appearance, but his tone was inexplicably mature. From his words, it was clear that his relationship with Situ Jing and Mu Tianheng was not one of master and spirit pet, as recorded in the sect annals, but rather that of old friends.

Even after hundreds of thousands of years, there was not a trace of estrangement.

"It is a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?"