Chapter 71
Earlier, Ling Zhishan had been pushed down by Wei Jie, injuring her arm. She was then mocked by Cui Xiao Xiao when she requested to become a disciple, but Cui ignored her.
This completely shattered the young princess of Wonderful Immortal Mountain’s dignity, leaving her at a loss.
After such a sincere journey filled with hardship, sleeping under the stars, she still failed to move Cui Xiao Xiao, proving she had no destiny with the Talisman Sect.
Thinking this, Ling Zhishan coolly turned to the gathered disciples from various sects who had come to join, “The threshold of the Lingshan Talisman Sect is too high, we are simply unworthy. Since Sect Leader Cui has no intention of recruiting talents, we might as well disperse and avoid disturbing this mountain’s tranquility…”
Hearing her words, the others also felt disheartened and somewhat dejected, preparing to leave in small groups.
But at that moment, Cui Xiao Xiao called out, “Wait a moment… Although our sect is small, we eagerly seek talents. To recruit disciples, a series of trials and selections must be undergone first to choose those suited for the Talisman Sect… Here’s what we’ll do – you can all settle on the mountain first. After I carefully assess you, I will then announce who becomes my disciple, alright?”
Upon hearing Cui Xiao Xiao’s words, the crowd immediately cheered. It seemed their sincere determination had finally moved this Sect Leader, who was now willing to accept them as disciples!
However, only Qin Lingxiao understood why Cui Xiao Xiao had suddenly changed her stance.
They had already determined that the other demon bead was among these people. Allowing them to leave would be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains.
So Xiao Xiao employed a delaying tactic, luring these would-be disciples up to Demon Rock Cliff first before making her decision.
Whoever hosted the demon bead would inevitably reveal their tracks.
After hearing Cui Xiao Xiao’s words, Wei Jie finally approached, tugging on her sleeve to pull her close and ask in a low voice, “Why are you randomly recruiting so many disciples?”
Caught off guard, Cui Xiao Xiao could not tell him the truth, only vaguely replying, “There are some matters involved… Allow me to explain later!”
After speaking, she turned and whispered a few words to Qin Lingxiao off to the side.
Wei Jie’s gaze darkened further. He did not understand – after Qin Lingxiao had betrayed Cui Xiao Xiao, how could she possibly speak so intimately with that surname Qin?
From long ago, he had always felt there seemed to be some secret bond between Xiao Xiao and Qin Lingxiao that only they knew?
This point made Wei Jie extremely uncomfortable. For a fleeting moment, his eyes seemed tinged with a bloody hue, yet he forcibly restrained himself.
In any case, the Sect Leader’s decision was made – the Talisman Sect would open its doors, and a great swarm of disciples ascended the mountain.
When the stream of locust-like disciples flooded up, Yu Ling’er and the others were dumbfounded.
Eyeing the meager supplies Wei Jie and Tang Youshu had purchased, Yu Ling’er lamented with a crestfallen expression, “Oh mother! To suddenly accept so many disciples, even boiling the tree bark into soup might not be enough to feed them!”
Xiao Xiao also knew she could not allow them to linger, or her humble provisions would be depleted. She had already devised a method to test them when ascending the mountain.
Thus, she pulled Wei Jie aside and said in a low voice, “Could you hurry back to the Wei Family residence and bring more fish and shrimp from the River of Oblivion in the underworld?”
Wei Jie raised his eyebrows, his expression one of disbelief as he asked, “…You want to use the fish and shrimp from the River of Oblivion to host your new disciples?”
Xiao Xiao nodded, “As you said, those lacking robust spiritual roots cannot withstand the yin energy of the River of Oblivion’s creatures. I only wish to quickly select outstanding disciples, lest they devour our entire mountain’s provisions!”
Wei Jie stared at her, seeming unconvinced by her outrageous words. However, ever since the day they met, Wei Jie had always indulged Cui Xiao Xiao’s every request.
So in the end, he retrieved a silver whistle from his sleeve and blew it forcefully, summoning a falcon that soared down from the heavens.
This was Wei Jie’s swift messenger for exchanging letters with the Wei Family.
However, unlike usual, the falcon circled in the air for a long while, refusing to land as if something on the ground terrified it.
Wei Jie pondered briefly before realizing the reason.
Cui Xiao Xiao now had five phoenixes attached to her body. As the king of birds, even a raptor would naturally fear them.
After hearing this, Xiao Xiao hurriedly moved away. Sure enough, once she left, the falcon finally consented to land on Wei Jie’s shoulder. Yet its feathers remained ruffled, as if still startled.
It was only then that Xiao Xiao belatedly realized that ever since returning from the Phoenix Ravine, it seemed the flying birds across Lingshan had vanished from her sight. Each day, she could only hear their distant calls, without catching a glimpse of even a single sparrow.
This demonstrated the immense awe commanded by the five phoenixes.
The falcon messenger traveled at an astonishing speed. Within three days, the Wei Family had dispatched rapid horses delivering five large crates filled with fish and shrimp to Demon Rock Cliff.
These yin-natured aquatic creatures were not something ordinary people could casually handle. Across the mountain, only Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao could cook them without fearing the chilling yin energy.
So on that day, the only ones doing the cooking were Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie.
However, Xiao Xiao was not particularly skilled at cooking and could only assist with washing and soaking at most, leaving the bulk of the work to Wei Jie.
Wei Jie was adept at cleaning fish, his distinct and powerfully slender fingers deftly removing the gills, gutting the bellies, and pulling out the entrails in one smooth motion.
Eating mountain fruits by the side, Xiao Xiao watched him slice the fish with an impassive expression, overlapping with the bewitching, icy-cold man from her dream vision, viciously wringing a phoenix’s neck. The same murderous aura emanated from him.
This man currently appeared gentle before her, yet Xiao Xiao dared not forget his origins as the Demon Lord of the Three Realms, intrinsically exuding a killer’s aura.
Thinking that Wei Jie had to prepare food for so many people, she ingratiatingly raised a mountain fruit towards his mouth.
Wei Jie showed no courtesies, biting down hard on the fruit and nearly catching Xiao Xiao’s fingers.
Xiao Xiao swiftly retreated, softly chiding, “Slow down, you’re like a savage devouring people…”
Ever since those would-be disciples ascended the mountain, this man had not joked with her at all.
Sometimes, when she could not resist initiating conversation, he would respond with aloof indifference, barely deigning to reply.
If not out of pity for Wei Jie shedding his heart’s blood and injuring his vital energies, such disrespect towards his elder master would deserve punishment – having to run laps around the mountain carrying buckets of water!
If it were before those disciples, Wei Jie’s lording his seniority to establish authority would be understandable.
But now, alone in this smoke-filled little kitchen, why did his handsome face remain as sullen as a crayfish in a tub?
Xiao Xiao made idle conversation, yet only received one-word responses, vexing her. She flung the vegetable basket aside and untied her apron, preparing to step out of the kitchen for some air.
But before she could leave, a chill voice came from behind, “You’re abandoning your duties again. If the food is slow in coming, what will your Young Master Qin do when he starves?”
Ever since taking in disciples at the mountain’s base that day, Qin Lingxiao had unexpectedly not left, even selecting a room on Lingshan to reside in – the very picture of a new senior disciple of the Talisman Sect.
Wei Jie had intended to drive him away, but that surnamed Qin rebuked him in the tone of a senior reprimanding a junior, “I have matters to discuss with your master. As for your master’s affairs, you, as her disciple, have no right to intervene. Is this Demon Rock Cliff your personal territory? In my absence, there’s no need for you to play the host and shoo guests away!”
Even Xiao Xiao had said to temporarily allow Qin Lingxiao to remain for a few days.
Seeing Qin Lingxiao’s subtle air of arrogance before him, Wei Jie’s resentment had been building steadily.
Xiao Xiao blinked, finally detecting the sourness in Wei Jie’s tone. She turned to face his taut expression, approached him, took the fish from his hands and began descaling as she explained, “I’m not letting him stay as a guest. There are simply some matters that require his assistance… If you dislike cooking for him, then let him go hungry and fend for himself!”
Once the person possessed by the demon bead was found, Qin Lingxiao’s help would be needed to separate the bead. Initially inheriting Wei Jie’s spiritual power, Qin Lingxiao possessed deep insights into Wei Jie’s demonic nature.
If not for this reason, Xiao Xiao would have long since driven Qin Lingxiao away.
After hearing Xiao Xiao’s explanation, the clarity in Wei Jie’s expression vanished completely.
He had long sensed some secret between Xiao Xiao and Qin Lingxiao, which was why the two always whispered furtively whenever they met.
But when he attempted to ask Xiao Xiao, she refused to reveal anything. These past two days, whenever he saw that Qin Lingxiao deliberately lingering before Xiao Xiao’s eyes, Wei Jie felt like swatting a revolting insect, wishing he could simply crush him!
After speaking, Xiao Xiao had expected Wei Jie’s anger to dissipate, but the man’s brows remained furrowed as he forcefully slapped the cucumber with the back of his knife, his ferocity akin to bludgeoning someone’s brains out…
Shrinking back, Xiao Xiao could only hover obediently behind Wei Jie, signaling with her eyes as she assisted in washing the vegetables.
Master, your departed soul must lament that as the master, I still have to mind my senior disciple’s moods. The Talisman Sect’s prestige has waned, leaving a master’s dignity utterly nonexistent…
However, after some thought, Xiao Xiao realized that strictly speaking, Wei Jie was technically her ancestral master. Being looked down upon by her master ancestor was only fitting for a grandDisciple like herself.
With this perspective, Xiao Xiao felt slightly better, even seizing opportunities to snatch and eat cucumber slices amid Wei Jie’s whirlwind knife strokes.
Although sulking with Xiao Xiao, whenever she stealthily took food, Wei Jie would slow his movements to avoid accidentally injuring her with the blade’s edge.
Finally, Wei Jie first stir-fried a plate of sweet and sour spare ribs before casually setting it aside.
Unable to resist, Xiao Xiao began eating with her chopsticks, but after a few bites, she froze.
Back in Luoyi City, she and Wei Jie had dined at a restaurant with exceptionally delicious sweet and sour spare ribs. Unfortunately, the same dish never quite matched that flavor elsewhere, leading Xiao Xiao to repeatedly lament before Wei Jie.
She knew not when, but Wei Jie had somehow learned to recreate this dish, its taste virtually indistinguishable from that in Luoyi City.
After two bites, Xiao Xiao lowered her chopsticks, asking in disbelief, “Did you… learn the recipe from that restaurant’s chef?”
Wei Jie continued slicing vegetables for a while, seemingly having vented much of his vexation before finally turning to look Xiao Xiao in the eye.
Seeing the sweet and sour sauce staining the corner of her mouth, yet her obliviousness, Wei Jie could no longer resist. He pulled Xiao Xiao over and roughly wiped her face with his fingers.
However, he still seemed too lazy to answer her question, turning back to continue cooking.
When the sunlight streamed into the little kitchen, illuminating the side of the man’s face, his sharp brows framing his jet-black hair, his prominent nose and long lashes all gilded in a golden sheen, his muscular arms waved the ladle with practiced grace and fluidity. This celestial, demonic man was now enveloped in the warmth and haze of the mortal realm, beads of sweat rolling down his face and neck before disappearing beneath his slightly open collar…
Such a focused, handsome man was even more delectable than the sweet and sour spare ribs…
Xiao Xiao’s heart suddenly felt a bittersweet pang. If he were truly a fickle philanderer, only using honeyed words to dupe young ladies, she could freely indulge in his masculine charms before returning to her own era, sharing an illusory dalliance with him.
But Wei Jie was not the carefree, unrestrained man his appearance suggested. His kindness towards her had always manifested in tangible actions devoid of any artifice. If she did not treat him with sincerity, it would be a grievous injustice…
Thinking this, Xiao Xiao could not resist embracing his firm waist from behind, resting her face against his back as she said softly, “I… indeed did not tell you some matters, but I only did so for your own good… However, there is truly nothing between the surnamed Qin and myself. Another demon bead has appeared on this mountain, and I need his assistance to locate it. In this lifetime, I have only been with you… Why must you be jealous over an irrelevant person?”
Both she and the soul-traversing Qin Lingxiao were existences defying the heavenly order. Regarding matters from two hundred years ago, she could not speak of them to anyone. If Wei Jie came to understand secrets from his previous life that he should not know, would he not also incur heavenly retribution? Would that not be her transgression?
Thus, she could only explain Qin Lingxiao’s general reasons for being here, without going into too much detail.
When she embraced Wei Jie, the man’s arms stilled, his figure straight as he allowed Xiao Xiao’s face to rest against his back – this was the first time she had initiated such an embrace while fully conscious…
Until suddenly, a raging fire erupted from the pot. He hurriedly clamped on the lid to extinguish the blaze, regretting, “Damn it! The dishes are ruined!”
Afterwards, Wei Jie addressed the girl behind him with an impassive expression, “Instead of helping, you’re only causing trouble. Go sit over there and finish the spare ribs first. Later, I’ll make you some shrimp dumplings in broth.”
Xiao Xiao knew that for Wei Jie to speak so much meant his anger had dissipated. Unable to resist, she beamed at Wei Jie, plucking another rib but stuffing it into the man’s mouth instead.
For a moment, the two exchanged smiles, exuding an inexplicable sweetness amidst the aroma of firewood and pots.
With his mood improved, the dexterous Wei Jie soon had dozens of seafood dishes prepared through frying, boiling, braising and steaming.
By evening, several dozen tables were arranged in the Talisman Sect’s main hall, where those newly recruited disciples sat, their faces aglow as they beheld the tables laden with giant shrimp as thick as arms and plump, succulent fish.
Faced with such a sumptuous feast, they could not help but inwardly sigh – joining this renowned master had been the right decision!
The Lingshan Talisman Sect had previously kept a low profile, yet who could have imagined such exquisite and expansive sect buildings upon this mountain? Even the cuisine surpassed that of the other four major sects.
Such extravagance seemed befitting of an imperial palace banquet! The Talisman Sect was truly an emerging dark horse in the cultivation world, destined to become a prestigious and flourishing sect in the future!
However, some disciples of higher cultivation levels revealed hesitation upon seeing such a mundane feast laid out before them.
After all, cultivators were meant to subjugate desires of the flesh and prioritize building their foundation over indulging in food and drink. Such unrestrained feasting was hardly conducive to cultivation!
Seated in the host’s position, Xiao Xiao narrowed her eyes at those who did not move their chopsticks, claiming their bodies had grown accustomed to bland diets and could not handle such rich seafood dishes.
Xiao Xiao inwardly scoffed, realizing that among these people was certainly the one possessed by the demon bead, using the excuse of unfamiliarity to avoid the trial and reveal their demonic nature.
Thinking this, Xiao Xiao rose, adopting the dignified bearing of a sect leader. With her hair elegantly coiffed and donning a white robe, an ethereal aura surrounded her as she stood facing the wind, her deep phoenix eyes and aloof tones declaring, “Since you wish to join my Talisman Sect, you must adhere to our principles and discard the practices of your former sects. We of the Talisman Sect emphasize cultivating spiritual power through talisman arts, deeming it far more crucial than building one’s foundation. So how does one cultivate? By eating well, sleeping soundly, and maintaining a joyful mind – only then can the spirit flourish! Therefore, the first requirement for becoming my disciple is… to eat your fill at every meal! Those who cannot, leave this mountain at once!”
No sooner had her words left her lips than disciples began enthusiastically applauding and cheering her on below.
To say they were merely flattering would be inaccurate, for the tears of gratitude in their eyes were utterly genuine. In the four major sects, they had truly eaten and slept poorly. Whenever they indulged in the slightest carnal pleasures, they would be rebuked by their masters and scorned by their peers.
Yet this unadorned Talisman Sect actually encouraged its disciples to eat heartily and sleep well. How could this not move a group of growing youths to tears?
For a time, the gazes they turned towards their new master brimmed with adoration and reverence!
Their new master was truly beautiful in heart and spirit!
Qin Lingxiao sat at the most secluded table with a few turncoat disciples who had abandoned Soaring Cloud Pavilion, exchanging bewildered looks.
Rumor had it that Wei Jie had deliberately arranged these seating positions, leaving Qin Lingxiao to suspect this entire awkward setting was his intentional doing.
In terms of dietary austerity, no other sect took it to the extremes of Soaring Cloud Pavilion!
They practiced the way of the sword, aiming to transcend mundane desires and achieve an unencumbered body capable of sword-gliding. Hence, subsisting on dew and flowers was an everyday occurrence for Soaring Cloud’s disciples.
Many of those seated here had previously served under the young master Qin Lingxiao, yet he had never witnessed them displaying such greed.
Never could they have imagined that today, at the Talisman Sect’s banquet, they would revert to their original natures upon hearing Cui Xiao Xiao’s encouragement to indulge in hedonistic pleasures and uplift their spirits. Their eyes welled with tears of excitement as their hands seemed about to wear out from applauding fervently.
Qin Lingxiao loathed these renegades who had betrayed Soaring Cloud Pavilion, so when they began devouring the meat, he coolly remarked, “The principles of the Talisman Sect do indeed allow one to relax mind and body. However, did not Cui Xiao Xiao just perform ancestral rites? I hear her own master grew old and died. Tsk tsk, to cultivate until perishing of old age, how delightful…”
Upon these words leaving his lips, the delicacies in the disciples’ mouths suddenly became difficult to swallow. Indeed, if the Talisman Sect’s ways were correct, why could their ancestor not ascend to immortality?
Could it be that he indulged too much in food and drink, ultimately dying of old age?
Just as they wavered, Yu Ling’er, adorned in a gossamer silk dress and accompanied by several fox tribe beauties wearing coy, alluring smiles, arrived to serve wine.
Tonight, Xiao Xiao had tasked Yu Ling’er with monitoring whether each table consumed the yin seafood dishes voraciously.
Ever the quick learner, Yu Ling’er had drawn inspiration from the sights in Luoyi City’s wineries, where singing courtesans fluttered from table to table attending to the patrons. Adopting a similar approach to supervise seemed only natural.
Thus, she led the fox maidens, their delicate wrists proffering wine as they circulated among the tables with bewitching smiles, encouraging the disciples while stuffing morsels into the mouths of those eating sparingly…
Those few disciples initially deterred by Qin Lingxiao’s words soon forgot all about ascension, prompting them to resume devouring the food without restraint after being coaxed by the foxy beauties.
When Xiao Xiao had originally instructed Yu Ling’er, she had only asked her to observe who did not touch their chopsticks. Yet this little vixen had unleashed her innate nature, completing the task with… resounding success!
Seeing the disciples gorging shamelessly below while the fox spirits flitted about like butterflies, refilling their cups, Xiao Xiao felt a momentary daze, as if her sect increasingly resembled the fabled Path of Intimacy…
However, Tang Youshu’s expression was rather unwell as he fidgeted restlessly, watching Yu Ling’er smile at those men while downing cup after cup of wine in silence. At one point, he even inadvertently used his chopsticks to eat a few pieces of fish.
Noticing this, Xiao Xiao hastily stopped him. The last time, merely ingesting the blood of a yin insect had caused him to vomit uncontrollably and suffer diarrhea.
Given Tang Youshu’s foundation, he could not withstand such yin entities. Heeding Xiao Xiao’s warning, he refrained from further consumption, but soon found himself clutching his stomach as he rushed towards the outhouses.
This grand banquet was not meant to reward the new disciples – the true purpose was to test whether they would suffer abdominal afflictions from the yin seafood.
By the end of that feast, the outhouses across Lingshan’s residences had become a coveted commodity!
Disciples clutching toilet paper shivered in queues, while others, unable to endure, squatted in the bushes amidst a cacophony of flatulence.
However, the Sect Leader’s new rules soon circulated: as disciples of the Talisman Sect, they must respect the local flora, refraining from relieving themselves amidst the vegetation at random. Any violations would result in immediate expulsion!
Additionally, Xiao Xiao assigned Qin Lingxiao a crucial task. Seeing the paper and ink thrust into his hands as Xiao Xiao spoke, Qin Lingxiao’s expression turned ashen before he spluttered indignantly, “Why must I accompany them into the outhouses to monitor their conditions?”
Xiao Xiao blinked innocently, “The demon bead is most insidious. What if it instructs the host to pretend suffering the same affliction to slip past undetected? Naturally, I need someone meticulous to personally investigate whether they are genuinely suffering yin chills! Otherwise, why else have you lingered here, expecting to freeload from our Talisman Sect while awaiting my reports? As a woman, I cannot enter the men’s outhouses, so you must take my place. Here, take this paper and ink – do not forget to record their names!”
Qin Lingxiao was momentarily rendered speechless by her words, yet he had previously sworn to assist Cui Xiao Xiao. To renege now would only invite her disdain.
Thus, the once lofty and aloof young master could only pinch his nose in vexation as he clutched the paper and ink, entering the outhouses like a degenerate to scrutinize every person who entered…
That night, the newly accepted disciples emerged with pallid complexions, only settling down after an extended bout of suffering.
Xiao Xiao accepted the roster from the dazed and nauseous Qin Lingxiao, carefully verifying each name to discover that all the new disciples seemed unable to withstand the yin chill of the River of Oblivion’s seafood – they had all succumbed.
This included Ling Zhishan, who had nearly fainted from the agony in the outhouse before Yu Ling’er supported and escorted her out.