Jinshui Lake Competition (2)

Lin Qianshuang interrupted Chen Shangqing, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Junior Brother Chen, we’re going to Nanling Luochuan this time. It’s your Chen family’s territory. Surely there are some fun and interesting places to explore?”

Chen Shangqing looked at Lin Qianshuang, confused.

Lin Qianshuang nudged him with her elbow, her voice laced with disappointment. “You’re so unromantic! It’s not every day we get to visit your hometown. You should take us on a tour, show us the local sights, and make us smile. What kind of gentleman are you?”

Chen Shangqing considered her words, then nodded. “I do know of a place. In Jinshui Lake Town, there’s a very effective Yuelao Temple. Right outside is the Peony Sea, famous throughout the city. This time of year, it’s bustling with tourists, a sea of lights. It’s definitely worth a visit.”

Lin Qianshuang’s eyes lit up. “Perfect! The Yuelao Temple and the sea of peonies… it’s the perfect place for a romantic outing. We’ll prepare a surprise for Xiao Lanle when we get there!”

A crane’s cry echoed through the vast, cloudless sky.

Headmaster Xiao Shen stood on the white crane, its wings flapping as it slowly descended with the wind. He emanated an aura of otherworldly grace and independence. Two figures emerged from the descending sword beams beside him.

Xiao Lanle, a rare sight without her usual pink attire, was adorned in a luxurious snow-white brocade robe.

Her sleeves and skirt were intricately embroidered with silver cloud patterns, her steps light and graceful. Her flowing sleeves swayed like clouds, trailing at her feet.

Holding the sword case containing the Star-Plucking Sword, Xiao Lanle followed behind Xiao Shen. Her hair was styled in a high bun, and her refined air spoke of her noble lineage.

Liang Jingxuan, dressed in matching frost-colored attire, had a handsome face with red lips and white teeth. His tall, upright figure resembled a sturdy pine.

Together, they looked like a divine couple, a perfect match.

Chen Shangqing’s hand tightened around his sword, his brow furrowed as he glared at Liang Jingxuan. His hostility was impossible to conceal.

“People truly rely on their clothes,” Lin Qianshuang thought. “The male lead looks quite impressive in that outfit.”

Lin Qianshuang studied Liang Jingxuan thoughtfully. When she caught him sneaking a glance at her, her expression shifted rapidly from contemplation to disappointment. She pretended to ignore him and walked past.

Xiao Lanle’s gaze swept lightly over Chen Shangqing and Lin Qianshuang before withdrawing.

As soon as the Sect Master appeared, the disciples of the Penglai Immortal Sect fell silent, and the surroundings quieted down.

Xiao Shen stood still on the steps and said to the disciples below, “Our sect and the Lingxiao Sword Sect will have a competition at Jinshui Lake. The winner will receive the Star-Plucking Sword, and the Lingxiao Sword Sect will also have a generous reward. Remember to keep the rules of the sect in mind during this trip, and strive for glory for our sect!”

The Star-Plucking Sword is a precious treasure among the treasures of the Wanbao Pavilion. Although only an empty shell remains, the material is difficult to find in the world. If a blacksmith is found and this spiritual sword is forged, it will definitely be of the highest quality.

All the disciples were boiling with excitement upon hearing this. Many in the crowd were preparing to show their skills and fight against the sword cultivators of the Lingxiao Sword Sect at Jinshui Lake. Even if they could not obtain the Star-Plucking Sword, it would be an excellent thing if they were favored by the sect leader and cultivated.

Lin Qianshuang was unmoved by this announcement, but paid a little attention to the women who were secretly looking at her with ill intentions, probably the female disciples who were ambiguous with Liang Jingxuan.

Under the leadership of the sect leader, the disciples of the Penglai Immortal Sect, gathered on the square, all stepped out with swords and headed towards the mortal world.

The people of the Nanling Cultivation Realm stopped to watch the immortals flying on swords overhead. Such a gathering of immortal masters descending to the mortal world was a rare sight, only happening once every fifty years.

The head of the Chen family in Nanling had ordered them to bypass Guijun Mountain, a place filled with tombs and heavy Yin energy, to avoid disturbing the thousand-year-old ghosts sealed beneath the ghost talisman.

As a result, the Penglai Immortal Sect arrived at Jinshui Lake Town in the evening and decided to stay at an inn to rest, awaiting their meeting with the Lingxiao Sword Sect by the lake the following day.

Lin Qianshuang had originally been sharing a room with a fellow disciple, but Xiao Lanle had spoken with the Sect Master, and she was now moved from the Zhongxuan room to the Tianzi room, where Xiao Lanle was staying.

Lin Qianshuang felt a surge of happiness as she held the wooden room card. The Tianzi room was twice the size of the Zhongxuan room she had been in, with cleaner beds and bedding, brighter lighting, and more elegant furnishings.

“It’s great to know Senior Sister Xiao,” she thought.

She tucked the room card into her storage jade slip and smiled, thinking about going for a stroll through the town and buying some snacks. As she passed through Jinshui Town, she noticed many tempting delicacies being sold by street vendors.

“Senior Sister Lin, why didn’t you call me when you came out?”

Xiao Lanle walked over to Lin Qianshuang and grabbed her arm, noticing her captivated gaze on the little sugar figurines on sticks. She handed the vendor a few copper coins and took two of the figurines.

Lin Qianshuang, looking at the two strings of sugar figures in Xiao Lanle’s hand, took one and said with a smile, “Junior Sister, thank you.”

Xiao Lanle pinched Lin Qianshuang’s wrist, a hint of displeasure in her eyes, and said, “When did I say this was for you?”

Lin Qianshuang’s smile faltered, her expression turning slightly awkward. She had assumed Xiao Lanle bought two strings with the intention of giving her one. It seemed she had been a little presumptuous.

Just then, a warm sugar figurine was suddenly stuffed into her mouth, the sweet and faint taste melting on her tongue.

Xiao Lanle released her wrist and stuffed the other stick of sugar figurines into Lin Qianshuang’s mouth, a smile in her eyes as she said, “That one was cold. This one is for you, Senior Sister Lin. Are you a fool?”

Her lively obsidian-like eyes looked at her with a smile, their light flowing like a clear stream through her heart. Lin Qianshuang felt a shiver run through her, as if she had touched a taboo.

“I… I’m sorry,” she stammered.

Lin Qianshuang snatched the string of sugar figurines back from Xiao Lanle, chewing them in her mouth, her words muffled. Her heart skipped a beat, her face flushed, and she unconsciously quickened her pace.

Xiao Lanle’s gaze shifted from Lin Qianshuang’s flushed ears to the blush on her cheeks, a smile playing on her lips. She chased after Lin Qianshuang, playfully scolding, “Senior Sister, why are you walking so fast again? I paid for the sugar figurines, you have to wait for me!”

Lin Qianshuang realized her reaction was strange. Her heartbeat just now felt like… the first time she had seen the boy she had a crush on.

Her pace gradually slowed, her mood calming down.

Xiao Lanle caught up and linked her arm with Lin Qianshuang’s, smiling as she looked around, her eyes filled with curiosity about the trinkets sold at the stalls.

She had only traveled down the mountain a few times. Each time, she had been with her fellow disciples, slaying demons and accumulating merit. On a few occasions, she had followed Senior Brother Liang, venturing into places with mixed social connections and a smoky atmosphere. However, this was her first time wandering in this seemingly simple mortal town.

Lin Qianshuang stopped at a stall selling woven craft accessories. The vendor was weaving a small object, leaving several red ropes cut and abandoned.

Her heart stirred slightly, and she picked up the red rope, patiently wrapping and weaving it. In no time, a neat Chinese knot appeared in her hand.

Lin Qianshuang hung the jade pendant from Tianshu Pavilion onto the Chinese knot, touching the red rope and feeling a little lost in thought. Her eyes were slightly moist.

She hadn’t realized how long she’d been away from home, and she felt a pang of homesickness.

Seeing the surprised look on the stall owner’s face, Lin Qianshuang placed a copper coin on the stall.

The stall owner quickly returned the coin, saying, “It was just leftover red thread. You can take it, Miss. I wouldn’t dare to charge you.”

Lin Qianshuang thanked the stall owner.

Xiao Lanle walked up to the stall owner and placed three copper coins down. She glanced at Lin Qianshuang, who was waiting for her, and said to the stall owner, “Did you see the jewelry that the girl just made? Can you help me make one just like it?”

The stall owner accepted the coins and carefully braided the red rope, replicating the previous girl’s design. He handed the finished Chinese knot to Xiao Lanle.

Xiao Lanle quickly hung the Chinese knot on her jade pendant, mimicking how Lin Qianshuang had attached hers. She noticed the tears in Lin Qianshuang’s eyes.

This was the thing that Senior Sister Lin had been thinking about. She didn’t know why Lin Qianshuang was crying, but it must be very important.

Xiao Lanle tied the jade pendant back to her waist and touched the delicately woven Chinese knot hanging down. What Senior Sister Lin felt was important, she must know and have as well.

Lin Qianshuang waited in front for a long time, seeing Xiao Lanle by the stall, she wanted to walk over to see what was delaying her for so long.

Before she could turn around, she was called by someone.

“Senior Sister Lin.”

Chen Shangqing and an unfamiliar male walked over. His eyes noticed Xiao Lanle behind Lin Qianshuang, and he smiled lightly, saying, “Junior Sister Xiao is also with you? That’s just right.”

Lin Qianshuang looked at the unfamiliar male, her eyes widening in surprise as she recognized his face.

She recalled the time she had brought Xiao Lanle to Tianshu City to find her connector. This young man, with his folding fan, had cleverly tricked her into going to Yixiang Tower, engaging her in lighthearted conversation.

Lin Qianshuang’s eyes narrowed. This young man was none other than Xu Zheng, the charming scholar, one of the Seven Great Masters listed in Yixiang Tower, just like her.

How could he be so close to Chen Shangqing?

The unfamiliar young man also looked at Lin Qianshuang with surprise, as if wondering why he was seeing her here. But this surprise was fleeting.

Chen Shangqing observed the two of them, momentarily frozen as they stared at each other. He didn’t seem to find anything unusual, instead a slight smile played on his lips.

Lin Qianshuang quickly composed herself, her expression turning playful as she teased Chen Shangqing, “Who is this young master? Won’t you introduce him to me, Junior Brother Chen?”

Chen Shangqing led the unfamiliar young man towards Lin Qianshuang, smiling politely as he said, “This is my second brother, Chen Shangying. I mentioned him to you before. You two met once as children, but you don’t seem to remember each other.”