Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 406 392: Pei Sword Immortal's 2 Disciples Fight Over Private Lessons

In the rear garden of the Saintess Hall, sunlight filtered through the leaves and branches, casting dappled shadows.

Fan Ya held a Mutton Fat Jade Pot, bending over to water a crabapple tree. Her slender fingers gently pushed aside the leaves, and as she tilted the spout, crystalline droplets of water rolled down the petals.

Suddenly, the tips of her ears twitched, and she turned to look behind her.

A person dressed in tight-fitting black clothes stood among the flowers. The tall figure wore a mask branded with a Red Lotus Pattern, half of which was hidden in the shadows.

"Jiu, you've been gone for many days."

In response to Fan Ya's seemingly "caring" greeting, Jiu replied in a flat tone:

"I am a member of the Red Lotus Guard. I have missions to carry out. It's normal for me to be gone for long periods."

"Does the Holy Daughter know you're on a mission for her, then?"

"..."

"Haha~ Just kidding."

Fan Ya suddenly laughed aloud and turned back to tending her flowers and plants.

She bent over, her full buttocks brushing aside the crabapple blossoms with a faint rustling sound.

"Of course, I can't meddle in the affairs of you Red Lotus Guard.

However, the Holy Daughter is about to have a Breakthrough Realm. We should prepare to welcome her."

"I understand, of course."

After speaking, Jiu turned and walked into the shadows, secretly sighing in relief.

'Thank goodness... Fan Ya doesn't seem to be suspicious about my earlier disappearance, and she hasn't reported it to the Holy Daughter.'

'But this news about the Holy Daughter's Breakthrough Realm... should I tell Pei Yuhang?'

'Wait... why did I even think of him?'

'The Holy Daughter is my true master. Pei Yuhang is nothing but her plaything. I must be crazy. To think that a single Demon-Planting Mark from Pei Yuhang was nearly enough to shake my loyalty to the Holy Daughter!'

Jiu gave a self-deprecating smile, then melted into the darkness and vanished.

...

...

「At the Cold Palace Sword Mansion.」

Pei Xiaohan sat in a pavilion, watching two slender, sword-wielding figures move like startled swans on the empty ground not far away.

The senior disciple, Qing Yueqiu, was dressed in white that outshone the snow. The longsword in her hand moved like a soaring dragon, its edge kicking up a fine spray of snowflakes as it cut through the cold wind.

The junior disciple, Yu Xiaoyan, was as nimble as a swallow. Her swordplay was light and elegant, and when the tips of her toes touched the ground, her skirt fluttered like the wings of a butterfly.

Both had sealed their internal Spiritual Qi and were clashing using pure Swordsmanship.

They were like two butterflies dancing in the snow, and every clash of their swords was a delight to watch.

Pei Xiaohan watched, completely enthralled, and secretly marveled. 'As expected of disciples from a Sword Immortal Sect. Even in the Dragon Roar Sword Sect, which specializes in the Sword Dao, probably no one in the younger generation can match this level of fundamental Swordsmanship.'

But while the two disciples appeared to be evenly matched, Pei Xiaohan could still tell that Qing Yueqiu was clearly holding back and going easy on Yu Xiaoyan.

Having participated in the Kunlun Secret Realm expedition with her, Pei Xiaohan was well aware of how powerful Qing Yueqiu's physical strength was. Even with her Magical Power sealed, her strength was beyond anything Yu Xiaoyan could match.

She also found it hard to imagine why Qing Yueqiu's Physique was so powerful when she didn't practice Body Refining.

'Perhaps it has something to do with her silver hair?'

Qing Yueqiu might also possess a Divine Physique. Pei Xiaohan had asked Lin Qianyan about it, but even with the experience of the Jade Pool Saintess, she didn't know what kind of physique was characterized by silver hair.

Strange silver hair and crimson eyes, yet a member of the Human Race and not some variant of the Demon Race—such a combination was rare in the vast Cultivation Realm.

STEP—

Footsteps sounded from behind her.

Pei Xiaohan sensed something and turned around to find that a White-clothed Sword Immortal had appeared behind her at some point.

"Elder Pei..."

Just as Pei Xiaohan was about to greet him, she saw Pei Yuhang raise a finger to his lips.

"Shh—"

Pei Yuhang gestured for the young woman before him to remain silent. He wanted to get a good look at how far his two disciples had progressed on the Sword Dao.

If they discovered his presence, it would inevitably affect their performance.

On the training ground.

Yu Xiaoyan was sent flying by one of Qing Yueqiu's strikes. Unable to use Spiritual Qi to control the wind, she had to use Qinggong to break her fall.

Her snow-white toes tapped the air several times, her robes fluttering like a dancing swallow, before she landed lightly on the ground.

Yu Xiaoyan licked the corner of her lips, sizing up Qing Yueqiu. The white robes accentuated her senior sister's slender and alluring figure, but her features were coolly beautiful and refined.

"Senior Sister, your strength is getting greater and greater. I heard that Body Cultivators are usually big and burly, so how do you stay so slender?

Are you using some special method to maintain your figure? Can you tell your Junior Sister?"

Qing Yueqiu's white jade-like face remained cold. She pointed her longsword diagonally at the ground and said flatly:

"I don't know."

Seeing Qing Yueqiu shake her head, Yu Xiaoyan snorted coldly. Tapping her toes to the ground, she shot forward like an arrow released from a bow. Her Spirit Sword transformed into a sky full of cold stars, and the roiling Sword Qi pulverized the surrounding wind and snow.

"You're so stingy, Senior Sister!"

Qing Yueqiu's gaze sharpened, but she showed no signs of panic in the face of the overwhelming sword shadows.

With a flick of her wrist, her sword's momentum suddenly became as heavy as a mountain. A simple, unadorned sweep completely dismantled Yu Xiaoyan's intricate offensive.

With a sharp CLANG, Yu Xiaoyan felt the web of her thumb go numb, and a jarring pain shot through her entire arm.

The web of Yu Xiaoyan's thumb throbbed with pain. She used the force of the impact to retreat, then nimbly circled around to attack again, but it was no surprise that she still couldn't gain an advantage over Qing Yueqiu.

Qing Yueqiu was strong, but that didn't mean she was clumsy.

But just then, Qing Yueqiu's beautiful crimson eyes seemed to notice something. She ignored Yu Xiaoyan, sheathed her Luminous Shadow Sword, and looked toward the small pavilion behind her.

Pei Xiaohan, who had been watching the battle, was long gone. In her place was the handsome, white-clothed figure the silver-haired girl had been longing for.

Qing Yueqiu immediately bowed to him.

"Master."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaoyan's beautiful eyes lit up with delight. She also put away her sword and trotted over to Pei Yuhang, throwing herself into his arms and cooing:

"Master, you're here! Senior Sister is too strong. Xiaoxiao can't beat her."

Pei Yuhang patted her head and chuckled softly.

"Your Senior Sister cultivates more diligently than you. You've just been slacking off too much."

As the saying goes, a woman who knows how to act cute has it easy.

Yu Xiaoyan was a master of this art.

That was why she was now nestled in her master's arms, enjoying his affection.

While her Senior Sister could only watch wistfully.

'Heh heh heh~'

However—

"Ahem..."

Following Qing Yueqiu's soft cough, Pei Yuhang's hand, which had been stroking his junior disciple's soft, dark hair, froze. He then slowly pushed the girl out of his arms.

Under Yu Xiaoyan's puzzled gaze, Pei Yuhang said:

"Alright, Xiaoxiao. You're not a child anymore. You can't always be acting spoiled in your master's arms."

Without giving Yu Xiaoyan a chance to argue, Pei Yuhang continued:

"It just so happens that I haven't taught you two in a long time.

Yueqiu, Xiaoxiao, let your master see how far your Sword Dao has come and whether you've been slacking off these past days."

"Yes, Master!"

Yu Xiaoyan, who had been a little dejected just a moment ago, now gripped her sword hilt again, her tone full of excitement.

'These past few days, I've noticed Master favoring Senior Sister more and more. If I didn't know that Master wouldn't accept her, and that she wasn't a threat to me, I'd be so anxious I'd mess up my hormones.'

'Now I have to perform well and make Master acknowledge me again!'

WHOOSH—

Just then, a cool breeze blew past Pei Yuhang.

Qing Yueqiu, standing to the side with her eyes downcast, suddenly twitched her delicate nose twice.

Her senses were sharp, and in that wisp of wind that had blown past her master, she caught a strange, faint fragrance.

'It doesn't belong to Master's wife, Ye Liyuan... It seems to be from that female cultivator Master captured the other day.'

'Did Master go see her again?'

A flicker of emotion crossed Qing Yueqiu's eyes, and her expression grew gloomier.

What Jiu had said to her that day—"Master is so skilled, it's all thanks to the Holy Daughter"—along with her other comments, was like a knife twisting in Qing Yueqiu's heart. The aftereffects were immense.

So much so that even now, she hadn't fully recovered.

She was even suffering from insomnia and having nightmares.

Qing Yueqiu slowly exhaled, her gaze turning to Pei Yuhang. The coldness in her eyes began to melt, replaced by the warmth of a gentle spring.

'Only Master's warmth can make me feel secure again.'

Pei Yuhang was unaware of his senior disciple's thoughts. Having just observed Yu Xiaoyan and Qing Yueqiu's Swordsmanship, he was about to begin his critique.

"Xiaoxiao, you've made great progress. It's truly brilliant how you've used your unparalleled comprehension to master and integrate the Swordsmanship of various schools."

"Thank you, Master!"

Yu Xiaoyan nodded happily. She put her hands together, forming a circle with her left hand and poking a finger from her right hand into it...

"So, Master, can you give Xiaoxiao a little reward?"

Her voice was sweet and soft, the ends of her words lilting upwards like honey-coated threads, weaving their way around Pei Yuhang to entice him.

It had been months since her master left for the Northern Desert, and she hadn't been "nourished" since.

No matter what, she had to collect her "rations" today!

However, faced with the young woman's expectant gaze, which was full of amorous feelings, Pei Yuhang feigned ignorance.

"Xiaoxiao wants a reward? Fine. Your master will reward you with a High Tier Sword Manual. May you go even further on the path of the Sword Dao!"

"..."

'Who cares about that?'

Yu Xiaoyan clenched her small fists and continued, "Master, there are actually many things about the Sword Dao that Xiaoxiao doesn't understand.

Tonight, could Master give Xiaoxiao some private tutoring?"

"Junior Sister."

Qing Yueqiu's cool voice suddenly cut in.

The silver-haired girl stood as straight as a pine tree. Her simple white robes were spotless, her silver hair was tied up high, and her features were picturesque, exuding the stern, untouchable beauty of a Flower on the Cliff.

"I also need tutoring from Master. Besides, I already made an appointment."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaoyan was first taken aback, then she tilted her head and gave her dead-serious Senior Sister a puzzled look.

She didn't doubt the truthfulness of Qing Yueqiu's request for tutoring; after all, in Yu Xiaoyan's eyes, Qing Yueqiu was a martial arts fanatic.

Besides, she couldn't even get Master's affection, so her so-called "tutoring" was probably just actual tutoring.

At this thought, Yu Xiaoyan felt both relieved and, for some reason, a little annoyed.

'Senior Sister doesn't understand Master's wonderful qualities at all. For her to monopolize him is a complete waste of a treasure!'

"Senior Sister, your cultivation is so high, do you still need Master's tutoring? My foundation is weak. I'm the one who needs Master to fill in the gaps for me."

"As the Senior Sister, can't you give way to your Junior Sister?"

Yu Xiaoyan's voice was sweet and sharp as she played the victim with her status as the junior sister, but unfortunately, Qing Yueqiu wasn't falling for her act at all.

"As the Junior Sister, you should respect your Senior Sister even more. Since ancient times, there has been an order between seniors and juniors. It is only proper for Master to go to the Senior Sister's room first to teach her, and then go to your room afterward. That is the rule."

Qing Yueqiu said with a perfectly straight face.

Hearing this, Yu Xiaoyan's cheeks puffed out in anger and her almond-shaped eyes widened. "Nonsense! What kind of rule is that?

Master, look! Senior Sister won't give in to me at all—"

Seeing that Qing Yueqiu wouldn't compromise, Yu Xiaoyan quickly tattled to Pei Yuhang.

Hearing this, Qing Yueqiu frowned slightly.

'Ever since Yu Xiaoyan had moved into the residence she shared with their master, she had suffered quite a bit from her sly junior sister's "tattling to the parents."'

Qing Yueqiu immediately looked at Pei Yuhang as well and said seriously:

"Master, you promised me you would tutor me tonight."

"..."

'When did I ever promise you that?'