After Transmigrating Into a Pirated Novel to Teach Them a Lesson - Chapter 24.1

“No.” Liu Changning clung to Fu Chenxue, both hands wrapped around her waist. “I’m just a little scared… because Master wasn’t here.”

Fu Chenxue continued looking down at the bloodstain on her magical robe. It was a small patch. Because this was the robe she had put on Liu Changning, Liu Changning was unlikely to have taken it off. Fu Chenxue asked gently, “Did something happen?”

Liu Changning looked a little hesitant, but she was still acting spoiled. “What’s wrong, Master…”

Fu Chenxue said softly, “There’s blood on the hem of your robe.”

Liu Changning froze slightly, then said, “Really?”

Fu Chenxue nodded. “That’s why Master is asking whether something happened.”

Liu Changning pursed her lips and said worriedly, “Master… if I tell you, will you blame me?”

Fu Chenxue said, “Tell me. In any case, you already caused trouble once in Immortal Master Ye’s ice cellar.”

Liu Changning hugged her arm and finally stammered out the truth. “Actually, just now, I didn’t listen to Master and secretly ran out.”

“And then?”

Liu Changning said aggrievedly, “Then I thought Master and Immortal Master Ye were in the ice cellar, so I went there to find Master. Who knew I would happen to run into the senior sisters dealing with the demonic cultivator’s corpse? That demonic cultivator woke up and wanted to escape. I couldn’t see, so I accidentally brushed against a few drops of his blood.”

When Fu Chenxue heard this, her nerves instantly tightened. Liu Changning had met that demonic cultivator again? Then had she not faced the culprit who harmed her directly? No wonder she had hugged Fu Chenxue and said she was scared as soon as Fu Chenxue returned. So that was why.

Fu Chenxue quickly asked, “That demonic cultivator didn’t hurt you, did he?”

Liu Changning lifted the hem of her robe, revealing her fair calf, and said gloomily, “No, but when I ran away, I accidentally scraped my knee.”

Sure enough, her knee was stained with blood, bruised blue and purple. Fu Chenxue did not know how Liu Changning had managed to scrape herself into such a state. Frightened, she quickly pulled her over to sit down. “Don’t move. Master will clean the wound for you.”

Liu Changning knew Fu Chenxue was anxious for her, and the heart she had been holding up finally settled. But on the surface, she still looked uneasy. “Master… you don’t blame me for dirtying your magical robe?”

“Why would I blame you? In the end, it’s just a piece of clothing. Master has more.” Fu Chenxue carefully cleaned the blood on her knee. “Master remembers that Immortal Master Ye has a medicinal spring here. Its effects might not be as good as the spiritual spring in the Jade Stone Cave Residence, but it can still be used. In a while, you should soak in it.”

Liu Changning nodded obediently. “I know.”

After Fu Chenxue carefully finished healing her, she stood up again. “Wait here for a while. Master will go tell Immortal Master Ye.”

After saying that, she pushed open the door and left.

Only after Liu Changning heard Fu Chenxue leave did she slowly stand up.

When she had returned, she had noticed something was wrong. The smell of blood on her body was too obvious, so obvious that even she herself could not ignore it.

Her first thought was that she had gotten blood on herself in the ice cellar. While annoyed, she also thought that this was Master’s clean, spotless magical robe, yet that disgusting demonic cultivator had actually dirtied it. She wished she could drag him out of the corpse-burning furnace and torture him all over again.

But she quickly shook her head. No. The most important thing right now was that she could not see. She did not know whether she could clean the magical robe properly. But if she changed out of it, Master would definitely find that strange.

After thinking it over, Liu Changning could only choose one method—let Master discover it herself. She used a stone to cut her knee, then calmly waited in the room for Fu Chenxue to return.

When it came to her being injured, Master felt more distressed than anyone else. How could she still care about a mere demonic cultivator?

Everything turned out exactly as expected. Liu Changning now very calmly took off the magical robe, folded it neatly, placed it on the stool beside her, then obediently waited for Fu Chenxue to return.

Fu Chenxue returned very quickly. She had obtained Ye Luofeng’s permission to temporarily borrow the medicinal spring in the back mountain. She carried Liu Changning and swiftly moved to the medicinal spring, saying, “I heard Immortal Master Ye say that this medicinal spring is very useful for treating external wounds. Soak inside a little longer.”

The white silk had been tied over Liu Changning’s eyes again. Fu Chenxue placed her into the water and sat on the shore, saying, “Master will watch over you from the side.”

Fifteen minutes later, Liu Changning adjusted her breathing in the medicinal spring. Her fair cheeks were touched by the steaming mist, making it look as though they were covered with a fine layer of fuzz. Fu Chenxue stayed beside her and felt that the air was filled with a faint fragrance. It seemed to be Liu Changning’s scent.

So the female lead smelled this nice.

Fu Chenxue could not help leaning closer to smell it. Unexpectedly, Liu Changning happened to raise her face at that moment, and Fu Chenxue nearly bumped into her. She quickly held onto the stone beside her and coughed lightly. “What is it, Changning?”

Liu Changning’s cheeks were tenderly flushed. “I felt movement behind me. So it was Master.”

The female lead’s hearing was still this good.

Fu Chenxue took out the Firefly-Binding Grass from her sleeve and changed the subject. “Right, this is what Master picked today. Immortal Master Ye said this spiritual herb can ease your eye condition. We can try it when the time comes.”

Liu Changning touched it. It was icy and cold. “Do I apply it to my eyes?”

Fu Chenxue hummed, then said, “The roots and stems can be used to brew medicine.”

Liu Changning asked again, “Was Master looking at me just now?”

Fu Chenxue said, “Master only thought you smelled very nice.”

Liu Changning laughed softly and caught Fu Chenxue’s hand. Fu Chenxue showed an expression of “?” while Liu Changning said gently, “Master, come in and soak in the medicinal spring with me.”

Fu Chenxue thought, why would she soak in the medicinal spring? She was not injured. So she refused directly. “Master will watch over you from the side.”

After saying this, she pulled her hand back.

Liu Changning froze slightly. The warm feeling at her fingertips had already disappeared.

She could not help sighing and turned around, slowly continuing to soak in the medicinal spring. About half an hour later, her wound had healed, and her energy had mostly recovered. Fu Chenxue brought her back to the room.

Tonight, no matter how Fu Chenxue coaxed her, Liu Changning would not sleep. Fu Chenxue did not know why she was in such a good mood. Stroking Liu Changning’s cool, silky hair, she asked, “Changning, why are you so happy?”

Liu Changning knew very well that the thrill of revenge was too intense, making her so excited she could not sleep. But she said nothing and only rubbed herself into Fu Chenxue’s arms. “Nothing. I’m just very happy. Mm… Master, I want to sleep now.”

Fu Chenxue gave an “oh” and gently patted Liu Changning’s back, thinking in her heart that it was time to bring her back to the Yubing Sect…

They said goodbye to Ye Luofeng three days later, and Fu Chenxue and Liu Changning returned to the Jade Stone Cave Residence.

The cave residence was as clean as when they had left it. Liu Changning first lay on the beast-fur blanket and slept peacefully. Only then did Fu Chenxue wake her up to drink porridge.

Although the two no longer needed to eat, Liu Changning still liked drinking all kinds of porridge Fu Chenxue made. Every night, she would fuss about wanting to drink it.

The porridge was sweet, sticky, and melted in the mouth. After Liu Changning finished one bowl, Fu Chenxue handed her a pill.

Liu Changning was somewhat confused. Fu Chenxue said, “Master can feel that the spiritual energy around your body is becoming more and more abundant. You may advance to Foundation Establishment in the next few days, so take this pill first to protect your heart meridian, in case something goes wrong when the time comes.”

Liu Changning obediently agreed and took the pill.

Fu Chenxue then said, “On the day you advance to Foundation Establishment, Master will be by your side. Don’t be afraid.”

Fu Chenxue’s words were always very reassuring, and they were also very accurate.

On the fifth morning after Liu Changning took the pill, her aura began to change.

Fu Chenxue was the first to notice something wrong. When she woke in the morning, she felt the spiritual energy inside Liu Changning’s body surging rapidly. She soon understood what was happening and immediately held Liu Changning down, telling her to form hand seals and respond to the change.

Liu Changning said no more. She sat cross-legged and entered meditation. The true qi in her dantian began to flow slowly, and Fu Chenxue remained by her side the entire time.

The advancement should have gone smoothly. Liu Changning felt that she was about to break through the barrier of Foundation Establishment…

Then, suddenly, a pair of large hands appeared before her eyes and fiercely strangled her sea of consciousness.

Her sea of consciousness sank into darkness.

Liu Changning saw the water prison. She saw a filthy hand gripping her chin, grinning cruelly while pouring blood into her eyes.

The entire scene began to twist. She heard piercing, sharp laughter, and through the scarlet blood-light, all she could see was that disgusting demonic energy.

Liu Changning wanted to fight back, but her legs could not move.

How could this be? Hadn’t Master already healed her legs? Liu Changning raised her head in panic, but there was no Master here. There was only the endless darkness of the water prison, and the face beneath the ghost mask—Yu Tianji.

The Ghost Altar Master. He was the one who had captured her. And him too. He was someone who deserved to die too…

Liu Changning’s fingers suddenly clenched, sinking deeply into the soil beneath her…

Fu Chenxue knew Liu Changning was trapped by her inner demon. Liu Changning’s face was deathly pale, her lips trembling slightly, and cold sweat kept dripping from her forehead.

Without hesitation, Fu Chenxue pushed a pill into Liu Changning’s mouth. Then she pressed her palm against Liu Changning’s, using her own spiritual energy to help guide Liu Changning’s meridians.

The surging spiritual energy rushed wildly around her body. Fu Chenxue knew Liu Changning’s comprehension was excellent. She would definitely be able to pass this trial.

What Fu Chenxue needed to do now was quietly wait and protect her.

…

Inside the cave residence came the drip, drip, drip of water. Occasionally, wind blew past, stirring the green leaves at the cave entrance into a rustling sound.

No one knew how long had passed before Liu Changning’s sea of qi finally calmed. She had broken through every barrier and reached Foundation Establishment.

Liu Changning fell into unconsciousness. A faint blush rested on both sides of her cheeks. She collapsed weakly into Fu Chenxue’s arms. Fu Chenxue breathed a sigh of relief and ended the guidance.

Although she knew Liu Changning could not hear her, Fu Chenxue still gently brushed her forehead with her fingertips and said in a very gentle voice, “You did very well.”

Then she carried the unconscious girl to the bed and covered her with a robe.

The next day, Liu Changning woke up refreshed. She casually formed a spiritual seal and discovered that extremely powerful spiritual energy surged inside her body, like a vast deep sea containing a mysterious aura. Compared to before, she was many times stronger.

Liu Changning took a deep breath and realized that she had directly leapt from the early Qi Refining stage to the mid Foundation Establishment stage.

She was instantly overjoyed. At the same time, she reached beside her and called, “Master?” She called several times, but Fu Chenxue was not there. She had probably gone out.

Liu Changning felt somewhat disappointed. She had originally wanted to share this with Master immediately, but who knew that person would not be there? She lifted the clothing covering her and suddenly caught a cool, familiar scent—wait, this was Master’s robe?

Liu Changning gently picked up the robe and placed it beneath her nose to smell it.

Mm… Master’s scent smelled so good, just like snow, always so pure and clear.

Liu Changning remembered how she had collapsed into Master’s arms yesterday, and how that person had brushed against her forehead. Her earlobes could not help turning faintly red.

Master… couldn’t have brushed it with her lips, right?

Thinking this, Liu Changning’s face instantly flushed. She was not fifteen anymore. How could Master still be so careless? When comforting her, she actually did that…

However, Master’s lips were very cool, and Liu Changning liked that very much.

Liu Changning hugged Fu Chenxue’s robe tightly and lay on the bed, carefully recalling how Master had stayed by her side the entire day yesterday. Even when she had unconsciously fainted into Master’s arms, Master had never let her go.

Liu Changning’s heart felt soft and tender.

As expected, only Master could make her feel calm and relaxed. Only by staying beside Master did she not have to think so much.

Yesterday, there had been a small mishap when she advanced to Foundation Establishment, and she had fallen into the nightmare of the water prison again. Although she had already tortured and killed You Jue and the accomplices in the water prison, Yu Tianji still had not died. As long as he remained alive, she could not feel at ease. When she formed her Golden Core in the future, she would definitely encounter an inner demon again.

Liu Changning did not want that to happen again, so she absolutely had to eliminate the root of the trouble forever.

However… she was only at the mid Foundation Establishment stage right now and temporarily was not a match for the Ghost Altar Master. Liu Changning secretly made up her mind. Once they returned to the Yubing Sect, she had to form her Golden Core as quickly as possible. When the time came and she found the right opportunity, she could completely remove the final thorn in her heart.

Liu Changning carefully folded Fu Chenxue’s robe, then got up and felt her way to the stone table. She discovered a bowl of hot rice porridge on the table, with a jade slip placed beside the bowl.

Master must have left them. The porridge was because she was afraid Liu Changning would be hungry. The jade slip was because she was afraid something would happen to her. Liu Changning picked up the jade slip. Master had told her that if danger occurred, she should immediately crush the jade slip, and then Master would quickly rush back.

But she could not crush it now. If she crushed it, Master would be angry.

Liu Changning obediently drank the rice porridge. After finishing it, she lay bored on the beast-fur blanket and studied all kinds of poisons. She thought of You Jue, whom she had killed in the ice cellar, and thought that going to Ye Luofeng’s medicine temple had not been entirely without gain. At least she had learned the antidote for the Red-Twist Gu—the Soul Infant Seven-Leaf Flower.

But where to find this Soul Infant Seven-Leaf Flower was still a problem.

Liu Changning knew that all heavenly treasures in the world depended on the word “fate.” Since the Soul Infant Seven-Leaf Flower could cure such an extraordinary gu poison, it must have already awakened spiritual intelligence. If one was not fated, then even if one searched until one’s head split open, that opportunity would not appear.

But Liu Changning knew clearly that whether this opportunity belonged to her or not, she had to find it. Even if she had to steal it, she would steal it.

She did not want to be blind for the rest of her life. She wanted to see Fu Chenxue.

Thinking this, Liu Changning again began absentmindedly playing with the medicine bottle in her hand. Again and again, she memorized the sounds of the different poisons, then pondered in her heart how she should use them.

After she had identified all the items, Fu Chenxue finally returned.

“Master!” The moment Liu Changning heard Fu Chenxue’s footsteps, she immediately jumped down from the bed and threw herself into her arms. “Master, where did you go…”

Fu Chenxue caught her and asked, “Why did you wake up so quickly?”

Liu Changning said unhappily, “Because Master wasn’t beside me, so I couldn’t sleep.”

Fu Chenxue smiled helplessly and reached out to hold Liu Changning’s wrist. “I only went out for a casual walk. How are you? Do you feel unwell anywhere? Master will check you.”

Rich spiritual energy traveled once through Liu Changning’s body, and Fu Chenxue did not find anything abnormal. Instead, it was warm and harmonious. Clearly, Liu Changning had already fully grasped the essentials of the Foundation Establishment stage.

Fu Chenxue pretended to nod solemnly. “Not bad. You are already at mid Foundation Establishment. You are very talented.”

Liu Changning smiled sweetly. “It’s because Master taught me well.”

What a sweet mouth.

Fu Chenxue pinched her cheek as if coaxing a child, making Liu Changning’s earlobes turn red. She mumbled shyly, “Why is Master still like this…”

Like this? Like what?

Before Fu Chenxue could ask, the system’s voice suddenly rang out.

[Beep, beep, beep. Reminder! Please immediately bring the female lead back to the Yubing Sect. A side mission has appeared!]

A side mission…

Hearing this voice, Fu Chenxue knew the time had come. She could no longer waste time with Liu Changning in the Jade Stone Cave Residence.

She held Liu Changning’s hand. “Changning, let’s pack up and prepare to set off.”

“Set off?” Liu Changning had not yet reacted and asked softly, “Where are we setting off to, Master?”

Fu Chenxue smiled gently. “Master promised you that once you reached Foundation Establishment, I would take you back to the Yubing Sect.”

The two did not have many belongings in the cave residence. The beast-fur blanket and some cold-weather clothing were all put into Fu Chenxue’s Qiankun pouch. Liu Changning seemed quite reluctant to leave. Fu Chenxue coaxed her for quite a while, even saying that they could come back to visit when they had time in the future. Only then did Liu Changning slowly get onto the flying artifact with her.

Fu Chenxue had already figured out the direction of the Yubing Sect while at Ye Luofeng’s medicine temple. She controlled the flying artifact by memory. After passing through vast clouds and breaking through a cool barrier, about half a day later, Fu Chenxue finally saw four tall peaks.

A strange feeling suddenly rose in her heart. In her memory, these four peaks were Dark Spring Peak, Chasing Summer Peak, Seeking Autumn Peak, and Winter Peak.

The original owner was the peak master of Winter Peak, while the other three peak masters were Lu Tong, Pei Wuxia, and Xue Linglong.

Fu Chenxue could forget anyone, but she would never forget Xue Linglong. This peak master of Seeking Autumn Peak was the “culprit” who discovered that the original owner was cultivating the demonic path, causing the original owner’s reputation to be ruined, and ultimately leading to Liu Changning stabbing her to death with one sword.

Of course, the original owner herself was a cannon-fodder villain. Xue Linglong had merely done the right thing, so she could not really be called the culprit.

Fu Chenxue and Liu Changning arrived at Winter Peak.

Liu Changning had not returned for a long time, and she was still somewhat nervous. Fu Chenxue led her into the residence on Winter Peak and said, “Changning, rest here first. Master will go see Sect Master Hua.”

“Master, take me with you.” Perhaps because she could not see, whenever Liu Changning arrived in an unfamiliar environment, she became especially clingy to Fu Chenxue.

Fu Chenxue patted her arm comfortingly. “Sect Master Hua thinks Master is still in closed-door cultivation. In truth, Master has already been outside for more than two years. You just advanced to Foundation Establishment, so stay here and adjust your breathing properly. Master will be back soon. Don’t be afraid.”

Since Master had said this, Liu Changning could only agree. “All right… Master has to come back quickly.”

Fu Chenxue rubbed her hair, left Winter Peak, and went to the Yubing Sect’s main hall.

Along the way, she familiarized herself with the surrounding scenery and had a rough idea in her heart.

This trip to the main hall would definitely mean meeting the other peak masters. Fu Chenxue planned to speak as little as possible, in case she could not answer whatever questions were thrown at her.

The original owner had only been a background character in the book and barely even had a few lines. Even as the original author, Fu Chenxue felt somewhat powerless.

There were three people in the main hall. As soon as Fu Chenxue entered, she saw the sect master seated in the main seat—Hua Fengming.

Hua Fengming was Fu Chenxue’s senior brother. He was quite upright and treated his junior brothers and sisters well. When he saw Fu Chenxue arrive, he froze slightly, then smiled. “I sent a disciple to Winter Peak to find you and see whether your closed-door cultivation had ended. I didn’t expect you really came.”

“Chenxue, come sit.” Hua Fengming pointed to a seat.

Fu Chenxue returned a smile and quickly took her seat. Beside her was the peak master of Dark Spring Peak, Lu Tong.

Lu Tong had a pair of peach-blossom eyes, so Fu Chenxue recognized her immediately. Lu Tong glanced at Fu Chenxue and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Actually, Sect Master already knows you secretly ran down the mountain.”

“Sect Master knows?” Fu Chenxue was startled. Then she thought that she had disappeared for two years. If Hua Fengming truly had not noticed at all, that would indeed damage his reputation as the sect master of the Yubing Sect.

She tried to start a conversation with Lu Tong. “Senior Sister, then why did Sect Master call us here?”

Among the four masters, Fu Chenxue was the youngest, so calling her Senior Sister definitely could not be wrong.

Lu Tong touched her teacup. “Xue Linglong disappeared a few days ago. Sect Master can’t contact her, so now he’s about to discuss countermeasures with us.”

Xue Linglong had disappeared…