Volume 1 Chapter 2: So it was you!

  In the central part of Penglai Fairy Island, there are hundreds of towering peaks standing between heaven and earth. Those peaks are either majestic and steep, with thousands of layers, or elegant and deep, intoxicating people... Each peak is surrounded by light mist, with thousand-foot waterfalls hanging down, splashing up layer upon layer of thin smoke, auspicious colors swirling around, and exotic flowers and grasses emitting a fragrance that bewilders people.

  Among those mountains, there are still many crystal palaces and jade halls that seem to be situated on the clouds, with green water flowing around the blue mountains, clear springs gurgling, just like a fairyland on earth... The first immortal gate of Penglai Fairy Island, the Xuanmiao Temple, is located in these magnificent mountains.

  In the early spring, the sun shines brightly, and the rain is plentiful. The flowers and grasses are even more beautiful and moving, with a slender and elegant figure riding on a rainbow, heading towards the deepest part of the mountain peak.

  Inside the rainbow was a woman who looked extremely young, with a face like a lotus flower, eyebrows like willows, and eyes more charming than peach blossoms that captivated people's hearts.

  Her delicate skin was as white as snow, with a head of black hair styled in a high and beautiful bun. The intricate pearl flowers shone brightly in the sunlight, radiating dazzling rays. Her perfectly proportioned body wore a tight-fitting pink rose-colored dress, making her figure even more alluring and charming, extremely captivating.

  On her left, a rainbow suddenly flashed by, very eye-catching. In the rainbow, there was a slender and handsome man with a beautiful face like jade, but his expression was extremely cold and frosty.

  A slender and charming woman suddenly lit up in front of her, a smile blooming at the corner of her lips. She quickened her pace and chased after him: "Second Brother, are you also going to Master's place?"

  The man with an icy expression glanced at her indifferently, his pace unchanged, and nodded slightly, but didn't say a word.

  Damn it, Du Mu Changqing!

  The charming woman's smile on her face stiffened, a flash of annoyance flickered quickly in her enchanting peach blossom eyes, and she muttered to herself.

  She is like Liu Xiang in Penglai Fairy Island, wherever she goes, isn't it the focus of all eyes, being admired by men as if they are stars surrounding the moon?

  There's only this Du Mu Changqing, and she's still his senior sister, yet every time he sees her, no matter how well she treats him, he always has an icy demeanor, chilling to the point of making one tremble!

  "I heard that the Master's senior brother returned yesterday and brought back a female disciple who was locked up, I don't know if this is true or false. Second senior brother, do you think... did the Master really take in another disciple?" Her eyes flashed, quickly covering up the annoyance in her eyes, and the smile on her face became even more charming than before.

  "Is or isn't, you'll know if you go and see for yourself?" Du Mu Chang Qing's beautiful face had a thin-lipped expression, standing with his hands behind his back in the long rainbow, his clothes fluttering, his black hair flying, ignoring her smiling face, he sped even faster towards the depths.

  "The Master's uncle had taken in two senior brothers a hundred years ago and hadn't accepted any new disciples since... This time, he went to the Holy Dragon Continent and brought back an apprentice? It shouldn't be possible, maybe it's just a maid disciple or something." Liu Qingcheng raised an eyebrow, still unwilling to believe.

  She thought that Liu Qingcheng was intelligent and talented since childhood, with excellent innate abilities. Ten years ago, she came to Penglai Fairy Island, thinking that with her qualifications and talent, she would definitely be able to successfully join the Ge Sect.

  Who would have thought that among the group of disciples who went together at that time, she was the most outstanding in every way, but the master only praised her with one sentence: "Given time, this girl will become a great talent..." and then there was no further comment.

  The master Zongmen Shibo has been in charge of the Xuan Mi Sect for nearly a thousand years. In these thousand years, only two people have been taken as disciples: Feng Feilu and Duanmu Changqing, who entered the sect a hundred years ago and were made the first and second senior brothers. No matter how excellent others may be, he has never had the intention of taking another disciple, and I originally thought I would be an exception.

  Finally, she had to settle for second best in order to stay at the Piaoyou Sect and became a disciple of Ou Shan, the junior brother of Ge Zheng. Before she became his disciple, Ou Shan already had two other disciples: Third Brother Ji Xuan and Fourth Brother Rong Yunhe.

  If the Master Shibo really accepted another disciple, or even a closed-door disciple, wouldn't that mean that woman's qualifications are better than hers, which is why Master Shibo was moved to accept another disciple?

  The two of them moved quickly and soon reached the top of the main peak where Zhu Men was located.

  Falling under the ninety-nine steps paved with celadon, Du Mu Changqing and Liu Qingcheng no longer rode on the rainbow, but instead stepped up to the steps one by one. At the end of the steps was a magnificent palace shrouded in thin mist.

  "Long time no see, Master!"

  "I've seen the Master's Uncle!"

  As they entered the grand hall, turned a corner in the corridor, Duanmu Changqing and Liu Qingcheng respectfully bowed to Ge Zhangmen who was sitting cross-legged on a cushion with his eyes closed, deep in meditation.

  Ge Zhangmen opened his eyes, and the sparkling eyes with a faint smile looked at Duanmu Changqing first, then at Liu Qingcheng: "Not seeing each other for several months, Qingcheng's cultivation has improved a lot."

  Liu Qingcheng smiled coquettishly, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes as she said with a slightly spoiled tone: "Master Shifu, I heard that you've taken on a new disciple who's been locked away from the world. Is this true?"

  Ge Zhangmen nodded and pointed at Qin Luoyi, who was just walking into the hall, laughing: "Luoyi, come quickly to pay your respects to your Second Brother and Fifth Sister."

  Liu Qingcheng's eyes flashed, and she smiled as she turned her head back. Duanmu Changqing, who had always been cold and expressionless except when facing his own master, also turned his head back, his sharp black eyes fixed on the white-clad girl walking into the hall.

  But a sixteen or seventeen year old girl, with a melon seed face and willow leaf eyebrows, had a clear and beautiful complexion, a pair of phoenix eyes were pitch black and bright, like the stars twinkling in the night sky, her skin was snow white and crystal clear, shining with a subtle glow, extremely elegant and beautiful.

  It's actually her!

  Seeing Qin Luo's clothes, Du Mu Changqing slightly furrowed his brow, narrowed his eyes, and pursed his lips even tighter.

  Liu Qingcheng's face wore a smile, but his eyes flashed with a jealous glint, and he said disappointedly: "Master Shifu, is this the disciple you've been keeping under wraps?"

  It's just a maid who has barely reached the level of a respected person, no matter how you look at it, apart from her face, this maid doesn't have anything special about her, what makes her qualified to be taken in as the sect leader's personal disciple?

  At that time when she arrived at Penglai Fairy Island, she was only fifteen years old, but had already reached the peak of martial arts!

  Looking at Qin Luoyi, a thick disdain flashed in her eyes. At about the same age as her back then, she had only reached the initial stage of Zun, and with her cultivation speed, even if she were to reach Penglai Fairy Island and be given another hundred years, she would still not be able to achieve her current level of cultivation!

  Ge Zhangmen glanced at her, his eyes were so sharp that he didn't miss the disdain and jealousy in her eyes. A flash of displeasure flickered across his eyes as he said calmly, "Yes, Luo Yi is my junior apprentice. She's young and joined the latest, so you seniors must take good care of her."

  "That's natural." Liu Qingcheng was the most perceptive, and she had sensed the Sect Leader's displeasure. Her eyes sparkled as she hurriedly smiled and went forward to warmly take Qin Luo's hand: "Little junior sister, if you have any questions about your cultivation in the future, just come ask me, don't be polite with me."

  Qin Luo Yi hooked up the corner of her lips, gazing at her enchanting face, and smiled brightly: "With Shifu's words, Luo Yi is reassured. Thank you, Shifu."

  "We're fellow disciples, no need to say thanks." Liu Qingcheng said with a hint of reproach: "Master, little junior sister just joined the sect and hasn't decided where to live yet. How about this, let little junior sister stay with me? From the moment I saw her in her fallen clothes, I felt an instant connection with her."

  Qin's eyes flashed with a hint of light, she didn't want to live with this Fifth Senior Sister... This senior sister, with a smile all over her face, yet always gave her an extremely uncomfortable feeling.

  "Sister, there's no need for that. Earlier, Master already said that from now on I'll be living on the Jade Green Peak... Living with you is good, but I'm afraid of disturbing your cultivation and committing a grave mistake."

  "Yu Qingfeng?" Liu Qingshan's eyes flashed with confusion, and the smile at the corner of her mouth completely froze: "Little Shimei will live in Yu Qingfeng from now on?"

  Qin Luoyi blinked and smiled: "Yes, what's wrong, Shifu, is something wrong?"

  "No." Liu Qingcheng smiled somewhat awkwardly: "All the masters of the sect live on Yuqing Peak, and you'll be living there too, so it's not like anything is wrong... It's just that Shizhi lives alone on Xuri Peak, and I was thinking that now that a younger sister has arrived, she can have someone to keep her company."

  "Changqing, Qingshi, Lao Yi has just arrived at our Piaomiao Sect. Since you're not familiar with the place yet, take her around the sect for now. The houses on Yuqing Peak... there are two empty ones left, let your junior sister choose which one she likes. Have someone help clean it up afterwards." After saying this, Ge Zhanmen waved his hand and dismissed them.

  After leaving the main hall, Liu Qingcheng found an excuse to leave first. Qin Luoyi was just a junior cultivator, and she didn't have the leisure time to accompany her on a wild stroll.

  Only Tong Mu Chang Qing and Qin Luo Yi were left outside the palace, Tong Mu Chang Qing's expression was cold and detached, his entire body emitting an icy aura that warned people to keep their distance.

  Qin Luo Yi stood three feet away from him, a distance that was neither far nor near. A smile was on her face, but in her heart, she couldn't help feeling anxious and secretly cursed under her breath.

  Never thought that Du Mu Changqing was actually her second senior brother. The moment she saw him earlier, it shocked her into a cold sweat, and to control her own eyes from staring at him, she had used up all her strength.

  "Second Brother, where is Jade Green Bee?" Duanmu Changqing was as silent as an ice block, so Qin Luoyi had to speak up first.

  Duanmu Changqing raised his eyes to look at her, still not speaking, then lifted his foot and walked down the mountain along the green jade stone steps. The gentle breeze rustled, blowing up his clothes "puff" fluttering, his slender figure's elegant movements, the whole person exuding a radiant glow, like an immortal who doesn't stir up dust.

  Qin Luo Yi flicked her lips and followed him from behind, also heading down the mountain.

  These ninety-nine steps, I heard that in the Piaomiao Sect are very ancient, were built by the founder of the Piaomiao Sect himself. That ancestor's cultivation was extremely powerful, and inside these green jade steps, there are some strange heavenly laws that he had gained insight into during his cultivation. Often walking on it, who knows, one day you might be lucky enough to obtain a part of that ancestor's legacy.

  So for thousands of years, anyone who has had the opportunity to come to the main peak, whether going up or down, will not ride in a rainbow, but instead walk step by step on it in an orderly manner.

  Yesterday, after arriving at the Piaoyou Sect, she was idle and bored, so she walked up and down the mountain several times. Perhaps her cultivation was too low, walking on this staircase was like walking on an ordinary staircase, without feeling any unusual sensations.

  The surroundings of the stairs were filled with all kinds of strange flowers and grasses, which gave off a fragrance that assailed people. However, after her initial excitement had passed, she no longer felt the thrill she had at first sight, nor did she stare at them intently - mainly because these things were all spiritual, and could not be picked at will. She was afraid that if she stared at them again, she would not be able to help but pick them up to refine her elixir.

  The dark and agile eyes involuntarily fell on the body of Du Mu Changqing in front. The black and dense hair was high-pinned by a jade crown, the deep and handsome facial features were like carvings, and the pair of sword-like eyebrows under the obsidian-like pupils were unfathomable without any ripples.

  The aura on this man's body was more than ten times stronger compared to when they first met... Qin Luoyi confirmed once again that if she had succeeded that time, Du Mu Changqing would have suffered a severe injury.

  The ninety-nine steps looked very high, but they walked quickly, and the two of them soon finished. Duanmu Changqing gazed into the distance, with a hint of a mysterious glow in his eyes. Just when Qin Luoyi thought he would leave her behind like Liu Qingcheng did, he suddenly reached out and pulled her tightly to his side. Then, he mounted the divine rainbow and sped off into the distance.

  "Hey, Second Brother, slow down!" Qin Luoyi was startled by his sudden movement and stumbled, if not for her wrist being held, she might have fallen into the air.

  Duanmu Changqing's thin lips were pursed, his face cold and unresponsive to her, as he continued to fly forward at high speed, a pace that was not much slower than their master Ge Zhangmen.

  Qin Luoyi rolled her eyes in annoyance, forcing herself to stabilize her body. A moment later, Duanmu Changqing brought her to a cave dwelling located halfway up the mountain. As soon as they landed, Duanmu Changqing released his grip on her hand and leaned in close, his piercing gaze fixed intently on her. In a cold voice, he said: "Qin Luoyi... so it was you who secretly plotted against me!"

  "Second Master, what are you talking about? We met for the first time today, when did I secretly calculate against you?" Qin Luo's heart skipped a beat, seemingly unaware of where he came from, and asked with a puzzled face.

  "Is this our first meeting?" Du Mu Chang Qing sneered, stretching out his slender jade-like hand with distinct joints, and heavily pinched her chin, saying: "Are you sure? Hmm!"

  Qin Luo Yi bit her lip, blinked a few times, and thought for a moment before suddenly saying: "Oh, I remember now. Several months ago, you secretly snuck into the Town South King's mansion." She paused for a moment before curiously asking: "Second Master Brother, what were you doing sneaking into the king's mansion in the middle of that night?"

  "You don't know what I'm here for?" Du Mu Changqing sneered again, his cold and cruel black eyes filled with a chilling light: "One person has no spiritual power at all, while the other is in the second stage of Qi refining, and they look completely different... Qin Luoyi, you really have some skills, no wonder you could make our master, who wasn't planning to take on any more disciples, break his rule and take you as his closed-door disciple. Last time, you even fooled me!"

  Qin's heart skipped a beat as he was indeed recognized by him. This man's eyes were too poisonous.

  The last time they met, she was completely unrecognizable, dark and dirty, and now she looks completely different... how did he manage to recognize her?

  "Second Master, what are you talking about?" She frowned and stared at him, thinking to herself that Mu Qingcheng hadn't actually recognized her, he just had some suspicions.

  They have now become senior and junior fellow apprentices, and she is not as vicious as before, not giving him the embarrassing problem of being unable to lift... But can't everything be done slowly? They just met, and now she has to admit it, probably won't die but will be skinned alive.

  Du Mu's face was dark and gloomy, his eyes staring down at her with a fierce gaze, his hot breath spraying onto her face, the expression in his eyes changing several times.

  He suddenly curled his lips into a sly smile, and with a swift motion, he stretched out his other hand to grab Qin Luoyi's slender hand, pulling it towards himself: "Qin Luoyi, do you still think you can deceive me? Don't dream on! Last time at the Duke of Town South's residence, I didn't recognize you only because you were too far away from me... A person's appearance may be able to change, but the unique scent on their body isn't that easy to change. Even if you use other things to cover it up, as long as one is attentive, they can still distinguish it..."

  Qin Luoyi quickly pulled back his hand, a look of embarrassment flashing across his face, and then he chuckled and said: "Second Brother, you're really amazing, to be able to recognize me even like this." His face was full of admiration, but the hand that had been forced to touch something was secretly burning with heat.

  Du Mu Changqing saw that she had finally admitted it, but his face not only didn't improve, it looked even worse. He let go of the hand that was pinching her chin, put both hands behind his back, and looked at her with an unpredictable expression.

  After searching for several months, I still can't find that damn woman, no trace of her, and she's still on the continent of Holy Dragon!

  "Qin Luoyi, you're quite bold, humph! You actually dare to lay a hand on me in secret. I think you're tired of living!" His voice was icy cold, and a terrifying killing aura spread out around him.

  Qin felt suffocated by the faint killing intent, and she hastily opened her mouth to explain: "Second Brother, we didn't know each other back then, I was also scared by your sudden attack, and in a moment of desperation, I gave you a needle... I'm still young, I don't want to die so early." The implication being, if you don't want to kill me, how could I have ambushed you? That was self-defense, you attacked first, and I counterattacked.

  "Are you scared? How come I don't know!" Du Mu Changqing stared at her with a mixture of smile and sarcasm.

  That day in the carriage, from start to finish, he didn't see a hint of fear in her eyes, only an eerie cleverness and a confident composure. Even when he pinned her down and undid her clothes, there wasn't a shred of panic!