CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 160: ONCE THE RICE IS COOKED, YOU HAVE TO RESPOND. _1

The piercing cold wind blew, shrouding the sky in snow.

In the deserted mountain forest, several figures were searching for something.

After a careful search, Su Bei did not find anything special. He frowned and placed the pot, which contained a trace of faint energy, into his storage ring. Looking at the tragic-looking, lifeless corpse on the snowy ground, judging by its attire, it appeared to belong to a second-tier Sect.

Suddenly, a DING echoed in his mind.

"Congratulations to the host’s second disciple for successfully breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm; the system has randomly granted three thousand seven hundred times feedback."

"Congratulations to the host for gaining three million seven hundred thousand experience points. Current state: Half-Step to Reverie."

"Congratulations to the host for additionally obtaining an ’Hourglass of Time’."

"..."

Feeling the abundance of Spiritual Energy within his body, Su Bei raised his eyebrows, his eyes lighting up.

This time, the system actually gave him something life-saving. For someone of his nature, it was indeed a rare treasure... It’s just a pity there was no resurrection armor.

Although this second disciple’s character is a bit... difficult to describe, her cultivation is not in the least inferior to my first disciple. When I return, I must treat them both impartially and squeeze myself completely dry for them.

The rising sun was already high, the sunlight was just right, and the snow mist quietly dissipated.

Su Bei looked up, gestured to the three women with a wave of his hand, and said warmly, "Let’s go. There’s nothing to manage here; we should return to the Sword Sect..."

He was no saint, and the deceased disciple wasn’t a Sword Sect Disciple; why would he have the leisure to bother with such matters?

After properly stashing away the Stone Token and gazing at the lovely sunshine in the sky, Su Bei stretched out his hand to shield his eyes and murmured to himself, We’re almost at the Sacred Land...

For some reason, Sword Maiden’s small face seemed a bit distracted. Su Bei walked over, gently took her little hand, then squatted down to adjust her collar, saying softly, "What are you thinking about? The Sacred Land’s grand recruitment ceremony is just a few days away! You have to try your best!"

Sword Maiden clutched the stone necklace on her chest, her lips curving into a pretty arc as she nodded at Su Bei.

"MHM!!"

「...」

Sword Sect, No-Sword Peak.

Early morning, midwinter. Snow State was heavy with snow, the snow mist as fine as silk, like fog.

Under the apricot tree by the thatched cottage.

White snow blanketed the ground around the apricot tree, with low tables scattered about. A silver-haired woman stood quietly before a low table, the longsword in her hand flashing with a chilling light under the sun.

Mo Li took a long breath, feeling the Spiritual Energy circulating through the meridians in her body, and softly muttered, I have finally broken through to Foundation Establishment.

Then, stepping forward, the longsword danced in her hands before she thrust it forward fiercely, producing a chilling series of sword cries.

Unfortunately, the blade still lacked a certain essence; the Spiritual Energy failed to converge at a single point for a long time.

Mo Li sheathed her sword, her expression easing slightly as she silently stared at the longsword in her hand, lost in thought.

Sword One, after so long, I still can’t grasp its essence.

"..."

Shaking her head, she realized that even with the insights from her previous life, facing the Sword Scripture was not as easy as she had imagined.

After hanging the longsword at her waist, she clasped her hands behind her back and gazed toward the picturesque No-Sword Peak, shrouded in a gentle, misty snow. Her eyes swept carelessly around until she noticed a trace of purple gauze peeking from the corner of a corridor, and three thousand strands of white hair drifting slightly in the air.

Mo Li’s dark brows furrowed slightly as she wondered with some confusion, Ninth Uncle? What is she doing in Senior Sister’s room?

After a brief hesitation, Mo Li held her breath and silently walked towards the somewhat furtive figure of Dan Wulan.

「...」

Dan Wulan took a deep breath, her thin lips pressed together, and stealthily entered Xiao Ruoching’s room.

On No-Sword Peak, there’s no one around except for Mo Li. I surreptitiously observed her just now; she’s cultivating and shouldn’t have time to notice me.

Having just woken up not long ago, Dan Wulan still carried a hint of lethargy. Her purple robe was loose, and her white hair was casually bound with a ribbon. As she entered Xiao Ruoching’s room, her eyes immediately brightened, and she looked around.

Inside the room was a Bronze Mirror, with a rosewood desk nearby. Since it was one of the pair of unique, elegant suites that Su Bei had moved from Red Dust Peak, the furnishings were indeed of ancient charm.

Dan Wulan’s eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, she walked over to a small cabinet beside a brocade couch near the bed.

Taking a deep breath, she cautiously opened it. As she saw the items inside, her eyes lit up.

As expected, the things I’ve been longing for are right here! Xiao Ruoching went out with Senior Brother; it should still be a while before she returns.

Dan Wulan reached out and took out the few... bellybands she had bought in Mo City, murmuring to herself, These are the ones. Thankfully, a few are still new; she hasn’t worn them... They are my size, yet they fit her so perfectly?

"..."

Gazing at the Fish Among the Weeds bellyband she adored, which had obviously been worn several times, Dan Wulan sighed lightly.

Approaching the gleaming Bronze Mirror, Dan Wulan gently bit her lip, her eyes shifting for a moment. She then began to remove her clothes, gazing at the stunning figure in the mirror with its undulating snow-white contours. A blush crept up to her ears, and her eyes brimmed with misty moisture.

After some thought, she put on the gauze bellyband that had two large revealing holes and tied the straps...

Senior Brother will like it, right?

"..."

All these items I bought were for him. Now, finally seizing the opportunity while Xiao Ruoching is absent, I’ll sneakily take them back.

The anticipation in her heart grew even more intense.

Because of Mo Li’s appearance, the slight unease in Dan Wulan’s heart had been magnified endlessly.

The number of women around Su Bei was increasing. Previously, they were few and countable, but now, as she thought about it, she realized they were too many to count on one hand.

These past few days in the Sword Concealing Pavilion, she had read countless books. Even though they contained all kinds of weird and wonderful stories, they all unanimously conveyed one truth to her.

When it comes to love, one must take the initiative! An outstanding man never lacks outstanding women by his side. I kissed Senior Brother before, and he didn’t reject me. I must still hold significant importance in his heart, so perhaps all that’s missing is the right opportunity. We went through hardships together, supporting each other all the way back to the Sword Sect—that counts as relying on each other through thick and thin, doesn’t it? I really wanted to go to the Lantern Festival, but it was the first time I conceded, giving the opportunity to my sister instead.

Dan Wulan’s heart was in disarray, an indescribable restlessness affecting her state of mind. Gazing at her graceful figure in the mirror, Dan Wulan took off the bellyband and then gathered the few items she had purchased, muttering to herself, Only in matters of emotion is there no right or wrong. I won’t yield to anyone... Once I force the situation, you’ll have to respond eventually.

"..."

My own sister won’t do, nor will Eldest Senior Sister, and Senior Brother’s two disciples are even more out of the question!

Having restored everything in Xiao Ruoching’s room to its original state, Dan Wulan calmed her emotions and walked out of the room nonchalantly, then headed towards the Sword Concealing Pavilion.

I still need to learn some things.

「...」

Mo Li watched with a puzzled expression as Dan Wulan entered Xiao Ruoching’s room. Soon after, a series of murmurings and rustlings came from inside.

Then, through a small peephole, she saw Dan Wulan trying on various kinds of bellybands...

Afterward, she saw her walk out with a faint blush on her cheeks, heading straight for the Sword Concealing Pavilion without looking back.

What is Ninth Uncle doing? Intuition tells me that whatever she’s planning might be related to Master! But why does Xiao Ruoching have so many indecent bellybands?

A sneer instantly appeared on Mo Li’s lips. With slender, jade-like fingers, she gently toyed with the longsword in her hand, murmuring to herself, Senior Sister, I always thought you were such a proud person. Turns out you play more coquettishly than anyone. You’re probably longing to be ridden by Master, aren’t you?

Mo Li took a deep breath, tied her silver hair into a high ponytail, picked up her sword, closed the door, and also descended No-Sword Peak, following Dan Wulan.

Along the way, various greetings reached her ears:

"Sister Mo, hello!"

"Sister Mo, are you also going to the Sword Concealing Pavilion?"

"Little Sister Mo, Senior Brother has some questions he’d like to ask... I was wondering if you could..."

"..."

Mo Li turned her head. Her cool gaze briefly swept over the Sword Sect Disciples, instantly enveloping them in a cold aura. The disciple who had spoken smiled sheepishly before turning and fleeing.

After a long walk, she finally saw the signboard of the Sword Concealing Pavilion.

Seeing this familiar place, Mo Li’s heart was filled with mixed feelings, and then she stepped inside.

She looked around and finally, in a corner, saw Dan Wulan in her purple robe. Her expression was grave, as if she were studying the contents of some important Cultivation Technique. She occasionally nodded thoughtfully and took notes in a small book.

Mo Li’s expression turned odd. To me, of all the people around Master, this Ninth Uncle is the most difficult to deal with. I simply can’t see through her; she’s as cold and mysterious as her disposition.

She casually picked up a book and flipped through its pages, all the while keeping an eye on Dan Wulan’s movements from the corner of her eye.

An unknown amount of time passed. Seeing that Dan Wulan seemed to be engrossed in her reading with no end in sight, Mo Li yawned and began to read the book in her hands out of boredom to pass the time.

The book was titled "Hundred Solutions Reversal Technique: Jianghu," and it recorded a variety of strange and curious stories.

Mo Li scanned it briefly. It listed some rather bizarre poisons and their antidotes.

For example, if someone were poisoned by Red Fire Poison, they could be cured by taking an equivalent dose of Ice Cold Poison.

Even more interesting, the book mentioned an herb called ’One Dream.’ This herb wasn’t difficult to find; the Sword Sect’s medicine pavilion had it.

This herb wasn’t strictly a poison but seemed more like a powerful supplement. However, it had a particularly interesting effect: if one consumed the powder made from this herb, the user would fall into a deep sleep. They would be unaffected by whatever happened in the outside world and would only naturally awaken after twenty-four hours.

This herb was typically used to help recall important forgotten matters. The method to counteract it was remarkably perplexing: one simply needed to use a narcotic called ’Mesmerizing Soul Scent.’ By inhaling its fragrance, the affected person would awaken.

Moreover, compared to common narcotics, this herb had an even more peculiar effect: it wouldn’t induce drowsiness in the user. The effect would only activate naturally once the person fell asleep.

Mo Li looked at the contents of the book, a strange smile playing on her lips. What kind of absurdity is this? Knock someone unconscious, and then use another narcotic to wake them up?

She shook her head lightly and then closed the book.

After a while, she looked up again and saw that Dan Wulan seemed to have closed her book. She furtively placed the book in a concealed spot and then walked out of the Sword Concealing Pavilion.

Mo Li saw this and hurried over to where the book had been placed.

With a puzzled heart, she took out the book Dan Wulan had secretly stuffed into the corner. Instantly, the large characters on the cover caught Mo Li’s eye:

"Huang Ting Classic: The Complete Collection of One Hundred and Twenty Moves."