Chapter 43

Thank you: Lingluan the Taoist, oLaogi, and Book Friend 15951092 for your support and monthly votes!

...

This was a cave about four to five zhang in size, dark and damp. Water trickled down from several cracks in the ceiling, gathering into a pool within the cave. The largest crack was likely the entrance.

The depth of the pool was unknown, but it occupied half of the cave and connected to one side of the cave wall, possibly linking to an underground river or a swift current.

In a corner of the cave, two familiar figures in white stood quietly.

"Ziyun..."

Wujiao's eyes lit up. He quickly wiped the water from his face, raised the pearl high, and took a few steps closer to see more clearly.

The two women in white, having just emerged from the water, were drenched, their figures clearly outlined, graceful and well-proportioned, like two lotuses rising from the water, or peonies blooming in the rain, beautiful and captivating!

They could be none other than Ziyun and Yezi. However, their expressions were different when they were startled by the sound of the water.

The man who had climbed out of the water was not unfamiliar. His already tattered clothes were even more ragged, and his hair was disheveled, making him look like a wild man. Yet, he kept his head down, his mouth half-open, a smile on his face, and his bright eyes flickering up and down.

Ziyun's face turned slightly red, and she turned away. Yezi, however, stomped her foot and scolded, "Lecher, get lost..."

Wujiao, seeing Ziyun, felt a joy as if they had been reunited after a disaster. He was about to greet them when he was unexpectedly scolded.

Who is the lecher, and what does it have to do with me?

At that moment, a layer of light flashed over the two women, accompanied by a gentle breeze, filling the cave with a faint, sweet fragrance.

Wujiao suddenly realized his mistake and raised his hand in apology, "I apologize for my impatience and rudeness..." Although he said this, he still circled around, his nose twitching as if chasing something. But the spring scenery left no trace, and only the wind was intoxicated.

In a moment, the two drenched women had returned to their former elegance and grace.

Yezi still seemed to hold a grudge and continued to lecture, "You are a scholar, don't you know the ancient teaching of not looking at what is improper?"

Wujiao steadied himself and said in surprise, "Sister Ye, please be kind with your words. This is not the first time; in that situation, you didn't complain!" He spoke confidently, "Didn't the ancients also say, 'A graceful lady, a gentleman's ideal mate...'"

The "that situation" referred to the rainy night at the Qia family temple in Fenghua Valley. At that time, the two women, in dire straits, were drenched, but their lives were at stake, and they had no time to worry about formalities.

Yezi's expression froze, and she was speechless, unable to respond. She couldn't help but say angrily, "Falling from a height of seven or eight hundred zhang, why didn't you die!"

She could take down ten scholars with her fists, but in a battle of words, ten of her combined might not match one scholar. In her anger and embarrassment, her unreasonable nature was revealed.

"Sister Ye, you are becoming more and more outspoken!"

Wujiao shrugged, feeling helpless. Then he widened his eyes in disbelief, "Seven or eight hundred zhang high, oh..." He suddenly remembered something and felt a sharp pain all over his body. His skin was unharmed, with no bruises or swelling. It was impossible to survive a fall from such a height!

Yezi, seeing his distress, felt a bit relieved and pouted, "My sister and I worked together to break through the cave wall and descended. It was indeed seven or eight hundred zhang, and we must have reached the foot of the mountain. We don't know the way out yet..."

"You little girl, you scared me to death!"

Wujiao, though in pain, could still move his limbs. He realized it was a false alarm and reached to tidy his clothes, only to find a tattered mess. After the rough descent through the cracks, it was no surprise. He awkwardly gave up and took a few steps back, grateful that Ziyun was facing the wall, sparing him some embarrassment.

Yezi, who had just calmed down, suddenly glared, "Rude! Who are you calling a girl? Do you think I'm a servant?"

Wujiao, who was quietly observing Ziyun's back, waved his hand, "I meant it in a friendly way, with no ill intent. If I offended you, please forgive me, Sister!"

Yezi, however, was relentless, placing her hands on her hips and stepping forward, "Remember, no one here is your sister!"

Wujiao didn't expect a nickname to cause so much trouble. He was forced to step back again, almost falling into the pool. He quickly smiled and said, "You are only sixteen or seventeen, in the prime of your youth. Calling you 'Fairy Sister' is fine, I can't call you 'Big Sister,' can I?"

Yezi, hearing the word "fairy," felt a bit better, but the word "big sister" made her angry, "You... shut up!"

"Cultivators do not judge age by appearance or years of practice."

At this moment, Ziyun suddenly turned around, "Yezi's age is not as you imagine, it's not appropriate to joke about it!" Her voice was gentle and soothing.

Wujiao felt like he was basking in a warm breeze and nodded repeatedly. Ziyun was considerate, and with a few words, she defused the argument. Yezi was actually older than he thought. Oh, I understand, she has the Ageless Pill! And Ziyun, I don't know how old she is?

Yezi, not wanting anyone to mention her age, turned and pouted, "Sister..."

Ziyun's expression softened, and a faint smile appeared on her cheeks. However, her eyes had a hint of melancholy. She then moved gracefully and said, "We shouldn't stay here long."

Yezi followed, unconcerned, "We can open a path and leave. Once Lingxia Mountain is safe, we can return to the sect."

Ziyun shook her head, "The direction is unknown, and it's not easy to open a path. Besides, my injuries are only about sixty percent healed. If we encounter any obstacles, the outcome is uncertain." She added, perhaps to reassure Yezi, "Stay calm, let's use our spiritual senses to explore."

Yezi understood, and the two sisters walked side by side, searching and whispering to each other.

Wujiao stood alone, now an idle observer, but his eyes followed the graceful figure, feeling as if he were in a dream.

Finally, he had seen the fairy he had longed for, and all the hardships were worth it! Now that she was leaving Lingxia Mountain, and he was also forced to flee by Muxin, they could travel together, a heaven-sent opportunity...

Wujiao felt increasingly joyful and couldn't help but ask, "Miss Ziyun, have you found a way out?"

Ziyun and Yezi stopped at a corner on the right side of the cave, not turning back, and replied faintly, "Mr. Wu, please step aside..."

Wujiao, wanting to get closer, had to stop and smiled, "I'm no longer a scholar, call me by my name!"

Ziyun ignored the noise behind her, nodded slightly to Yezi, and both stepped back, each summoning their flying swords and attacking together.

The two sword lights spiraled into the stone wall, and in an instant, debris flew and the sound of cracking echoed.

Wujiao, seeing the two women start to open a path, knew it was inappropriate to interfere but didn't want to be idle, so he raised the pearl to help illuminate.

The flying swords, driven by their spiritual power, were extremely sharp. They cut through the hard stone wall as easily as a knife through tofu. In no time, a hole large enough for a person to pass through appeared. Then, with a dull crack, a cloud of choking dust billowed out.

Wujiao quickly covered his face but still couldn't stop coughing.

Ziyun and Yezi simultaneously withdrew their flying swords and waved their sleeves, creating a gentle breeze. When the dust settled, they stepped into the hole and disappeared.

Why do they always act on their own and not wait for their companion?

Wujiao, seeing himself left behind again, hurriedly followed, stepping into the cave and raising the pearl to look around.

The stone wall they had broken through was two to three zhang thick. Behind it was a narrow, winding crack. Not far ahead were Ziyun and Yezi, moving slowly.

Wujiao, tilting his body, slowly followed through the crack.

After about half an incense stick's time, a cave about a zhang in size appeared at the end of the crack.

Yezi looked around and smiled, "Our spiritual senses show that a valley is just a few zhang away..."

Ziyun nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.

Yezi, excited, said, "Sister, rest back here, I'll handle it!"

Ziyun, exhausted from using her spiritual power, didn't argue and turned back. She saw someone following and, in her panic, asked, "Miss Ziyun, your face looks pale, are you alright?"

Yezi had already summoned her flying sword, and a hole appeared in the stone wall.

Ziyun glanced back, then looked away, seemingly surprised, and raised her eyes, saying quietly, "I'm fine, but why do you have a black aura on your face?"

She had never looked at Wujiao directly before, but now, at such close range, she could see his features and expression clearly. His arched eyebrows and pale, thin face looked refined and serious. However, the faint black aura around his brows added a wild and unpredictable air.

Is this the timid and pedantic teacher who had blocked five cultivators in the cave under Yujing Peak?

Wujiao, surprised that someone, especially Ziyun, was so concerned about him, felt deeply moved and shook his head, "I'm fine, it's just bad luck. Once I escape this disaster, things will turn for the better!"

Ziyun, seeing Wujiao's calm response, didn't ask more. After a moment, she said, "Once we escape, it's best for you to leave Lingxia Mountain. A mortal shouldn't be involved in the affairs of the sect."

No one had ever cared about his safety like this. With Ziyun, what more could he ask for?

Wujiao, feeling warmth in his heart, was about to express his gratitude when Ziyun turned and urgently signaled, "Yezi, stop for a moment!"

The newly opened hole was already three to four zhang deep, and the wall was about to break. Yezi, sensing something, stopped and grabbed her flying sword, surprised, "There's someone outside the cave..."

Please visit http://m.piaotia.net for mobile users.

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends