Observing a Bath

However, the senior sister, who had been watched with reverence by the passing disciples of the Penglai Immortal Sect, felt a wave of exasperation. Her mind was racing, trying to make sense of everything.

“System, why didn’t you tell me that Xiao Lanle actually has a protective dual personality disorder?”

Lin Qianshuang complained to the system, thinking, “No wonder she’s always on a different wavelength than me. I guess she’s just overthinking things and projecting her own thoughts and behavior onto me.”

[Host, Xiao Lanle’s character in the original text is like this. She just didn’t show her darker side to the original male protagonist. Your unique actions caused her to reveal that side to you. You should reflect on this and avoid making any dangerous attempts.]

Xiao Lanle’s main personality was too timid, leading to the emergence of her protective personality. But this mental illness isn’t incurable. All we need to do is find the root cause of its formation.

Lin Qianshuang, with a lingering sense of unease, recalled Xiao Lanle’s unusual behavior in the room.

She had chosen a dimly lit, semi-enclosed space for the interrogation, and had blindfolded herself when threatening her.

Xiao Lanle, with her protective personality, seemed to relish the darkness, and the blindfold could be interpreted as a way of safeguarding the original host, or a sign of her impending descent into a pathological state.

Lin Qianshuang recalled that Xiao Lanle had repeatedly mentioned the words “life-saving benefactor,” which was undoubtedly the trigger for her alternate personality.

Xiaoyao Cave Mansion was the dwelling place of Master Tianshu. He was once a disciple of the Lord of Tianshu City and a renowned Xiaoyao cultivator in the cultivation world, hence the name Xiaoyao.

Despite possessing a fire-attribute spiritual root, Xiao Lanle suffered from a peculiar cold ailment since childhood. The attacks were unpredictable and agonizing. Upon entering the Penglai Immortal Sect, the Sect Leader, Xiao Shen, personally journeyed to Tianshu City, the repository of the cultivation world’s highest secrets, to seek medical treatment. This Master Tianshu was the city lord’s emissary, sent to heal Xiao Lanle.

Therefore, Xiao Lanle resided in Xiaoyao Cave Mansion, constructing a wooden dwelling in a clearing to facilitate the treatment of her cold poison.

Master Tianshu was once a renowned alchemist in Tianshu City. After joining the Penglai Immortal Sect, he became responsible for all the sect’s elixirs and medicines, establishing himself as a remarkable alchemist.

Under his care, Xiao Lanle’s cold illness gradually improved, but the root cause remained. She would still experience chills when fatigued, although the fire attribute techniques she practiced were sufficient to dispel the cold and warm her body, rendering it no longer a problem.

The open-air cave boasted steep rocks adorned with winter plum trees, and waterfalls cascaded down, scattering cloud-like blossoms.

The warm pool, shrouded in a steaming mist, was a vibrant tapestry of spring, bursting with life and verdant greenery, punctuated by splashes of vibrant purple and red.

As Lin Qianshuang entered the cave, she found Master Tianshu standing with his back to them, clad in moon-white robes and holding a small, sky-blue pill furnace.

“Lin, has Le’er exhibited any more strange behavior?”

Master Tianshu, sensing their arrival, turned towards Lin Qianshuang, his gaze lingering on the unconscious Xiao Lanle behind her.

Upon seeing Master Tianshu, Lin Qianshuang hurried forward, bringing Xiao Lanle into the house and laying her gently on the bed.

After settling Xiao Lanle, Lin Qianshuang exited the room and approached Master Tianshu. She explained in detail, “Uncle, during our meal, Senior Sister Xiao suddenly seemed to transform. Her expression turned dark, her whole being was shrouded in gloom, and she even pulled at my clothes and attempted to strangle me. What has happened to her? How did she contract this illness and become like this?”

Master Tianshu, surveying Lin Qianshuang from head to toe, expressed surprise, “Once Le’er awakens the shadow within her heart, she will inevitably harm or even kill the one who provokes her. Nephew, you are unscathed. The fact that she spared you is truly fortunate.”

Lin Qianshuang, recalling Xiao Lanle’s actions, forced a weak smile.

Master Tianshu sighed and said, “I’ve been with this child for over ten years. When she first arrived, she was unconscious and covered in wounds. It’s said her entire clan was slaughtered, and the clan leader’s wife was killed while fleeing. After all this time, her personality has become lively and cheerful. I thought the wounds in her heart had healed, but I didn’t expect that after she brought back a pearl a few months ago, she started showing signs of illness again.”

Lin Qianshuang pretended to be attentive, but inwardly she was baffled. The Shark Pearl is a rare treasure that forms a bond with its owner. How could it possibly make Xiao Lanle ill? It’s impossible.

Master Tianshu continued, “Since the strange presence in Le’er’s heart appeared, I’ve heard there’s a ‘Jieyu Gongzi’ in Yixiang Tower in Tianshu City. His music can soothe sorrow. Every other month, I take her to Tianshu City, and she feels much better after hearing his music.”

Lin Qianshuang, ‘Jieyu Gongzi’ in the flesh, was stunned. She had no idea her music held such power.

Everyone who knows the truth understands that Lin Qianshuang uses her qin playing to hypnotize people, absorbing their pure energy for herself.

The reason those people feel refreshed after waking up is because they swallow the spiritual pills Lin Qianshuang gives them, allowing them to have a good dream.

There’s no such thing as music relieving sorrow.

Furthermore, she has entertained many admirers during her time as the ‘Jieyu Gongzi’, but she has never seen Xiao Lanle in Yixiang Tower.

Lin Qianshuang harbored doubts. This Master Tianshu’s words were half-truths, a bit suspicious. Yet, his dedication to Xiao Lanle was undeniable. He’d spent decades of cultivation to set up a protective formation, helping Xiao Lanle achieve her breakthrough.

Master Tianshu placed a hand on Lin Qianshuang’s shoulder, patting it gently, and said in a nagging tone, “Lin, I’m going into seclusion for a while. You two will be living together. I’ve received a message and informed Fairy Jinghua. While I’m away, the nine peaks of Tianshu will be under Fairy Jinghua’s care. Your studies will continue in the Lingxu Palace. Le’er is close to you, so I entrust her to your care. Remember to give her the medicine on time. If she shows signs of illness, take her to Tianshu City, someone will meet you there.”

A prescription was stuffed into Lin Qianshuang’s hand. Before she could speak, Master Tianshu brushed his sleeve and left, his steps quick and light, as if he’d shed a heavy burden.

Lin Qianshuang stared after him, a twitch at the corner of her mouth. Was he so happy to leave his disciple behind? Xiao Lanle, the most popular female character in the entire book, was so easily discarded?

The door of the wooden house behind them creaked open, and Xiao Lanle leaned against it, confused. She looked at Lin Qianshuang, her eyes still clouded, and said, “Senior Sister Lin, did you finish your meal? Did I fall asleep at the table? Did you bring me back?”

Lin Qianshuang tested the prescription handed to her by Master Tianshu with the system, confirming the herbs were fine, and tucked it into her storage jade slip.

Her gaze fell on Xiao Lanle, a flicker of unease crossing her face, quickly replaced by a calm expression. “Junior Sister Xiao, you said you would give the meal recipe I wrote to Granny Zhang. You can’t break your promise.”

Xiao Lanle vaguely remembered Senior Sister Lin cooking a table of dishes for her and promising to give the recipe to the cook. She quickly sent a message to the dining hall.

Her consciousness slowly returned, and once she clearly saw Lin Qianshuang before her, her gaze immediately fixated on her bitten lip and the torn, tattered clothes she wore.

Xiao Lanle furrowed her brow and said, “Senior Sister Lin, at noon, all the disciples of Tianshu Peak will go to the second peak of Tianshu to practice the Spirit Control Technique. You look so unkempt, how can you be a senior sister? Clean yourself up properly and change into a fresh set of clothes.”

The very person who made her clothes disheveled, now has the nerve to lecture her?

Lin Qianshuang clicked her tongue, not bothering to speak to someone who had completely forgotten what they had done. She took out her bag, ready to leave the house, when Xiao Lanle pulled her back.

“Sister Lin, there’s no water in the house for you to wash. You can just wash in the pond and change clothes. In another hour, we have to leave.”

Xiao Lanle watched Lin Qianshuang biting her lip, looking embarrassed. A wave of disgust washed over her. She wondered who Lin Qianshuang had been with while she was unconscious. Her lips were bitten, her clothes torn. They must have been quite passionate.

She just wanted to see Lin Qianshuang’s embarrassed expression. She had caught her in a good position, and she planned to question her thoroughly later and humiliate her properly.

Xiao Lanle folded her arms and watched Lin Qianshuang, her heart filled with malice. On her face, she wore a demure smile as she said, “Senior Sister Lin, we’re all girls, you don’t have to be so shy.”

Lin Qianshuang rolled her eyes. “Who’s shy?” she scoffed. “It’s not like I haven’t bathed in a public bathhouse before.”

She swiftly shed her clothes in four or five movements and plunged into a clear pool. The water temperature was perfect, and as she soaked, every pore on her body relaxed, making her feel utterly comfortable.

A few petals drifted down from the cliffside, landing on the water’s surface and spinning gently.

Lin Qianshuang looked up at the blooming flowers on the cliff, their vibrant colors standing out against the bright sky. The beautiful scenery lifted her spirits, filling her with a sense of joy.

Xiao Lanle sat on the swing beneath the tree, her eyes fixed on the figure bathing in the pool.

Lin Qianshuang, with her back to Xiao Lanle, hummed a strange tune while washing her face with her long, slender arms. Her hair was coiled atop her head, revealing a stretch of snow-white neck marred by an ambiguous red mark. Her back and narrow waist were visible beneath the water, along with a few patches of slightly reddened skin, evidence of forceful rubbing. A purple bruise on her waist looked painful, a mark of rough treatment.

Xiao Lanle’s gaze lingered on Lin Qianshuang’s body. She couldn’t explain it, but she could almost sense the force used by whoever had inflicted these marks on Lin Qianshuang.

Her face flushed, and the sarcastic words she had been preparing to speak were swallowed back down.

How could Senior Sister Lin find someone so wild and ungentle to do this, wouldn’t it hurt her?

Xiao Lanle’s gaze lingered on Lin Qianshuang, a strange expression crossing her face. Could Senior Sister Lin actually be the kind of person who enjoys being treated roughly?

Or, could it be that this kind of intimacy between women is actually pleasurable?

Xiao Lanle’s dark eyes flickered, remembering the first time she saw Lin Qianshuang. She had been treated harshly then, too.

And yet, her flushed cheeks and panting lips had been so beautiful.

Noticing the blush spreading across Lin Qianshuang’s face in the water, Xiao Lanle quickly covered her own face in shame.

As the daughter of the Sect Master, she should be disciplined. What was she thinking, letting her mind wander to such frivolous thoughts?

Xiao Lanle quickly averted her gaze, feeling a mix of shame and guilt. Why did she feel such a strange, even repulsive, attraction to Lin Qianshuang?

Lin Qianshuang, feeling cheerful, dressed and casually tied her hair into a ponytail. She was startled by the shy, lovestruck expression on Xiao Lanle’s face.

It seemed that only when Liang Jingxuan confessed his feelings to Xiao Lanle had she shown such a look.

Could Liang Jingxuan have appeared?

Lin Qianshuang’s heart tightened, and she spun around sharply, only to find the cave door locked and empty.

Strange, Liang Jingxuan wasn’t here.