Chapter 066: Growing Doubts

Master Qiangui remained lost in thought, ignoring Xueze no matter how urgently she called him. Helpless, Xueze shifted her focus and brought up an important matter to discuss with her two senior brothers.

“By the way, regarding going down the mountain this time, you’ll have to listen to me!”

Lanshui was slightly taken aback and gazed at her gently. “Why is that?”

Ji Lin burst into laughter. “Junior Sister, don’t tell me you think just because you’re awake and Master might let us out, you can make such bold demands?”

Xueze smiled serenely, her tone resolute. “I want to descend the mountain.”

“What?” Lanshui and Ji Lin immediately refused without even thinking. “You can’t go!”

Xueze paid them no mind and calmly continued, “This was my task from the start—it was always meant for me. Lianzi accepted it and suffered unjustly; as her senior sister, I must take responsibility. Besides, Snow Bamboo Hall should be harmonious, not filled with your bickering. So, I’ve decided—I’m going!”

“Absolutely not!” Qiangui suddenly spoke, his words firm and austere. “Even if I send them, I will not let you go.”

Xueze pouted in displeasure, calling out, “Master!”

Lanshui pulled her aside, gazing at her seriously. “Junior Sister, you must listen.”

“That’s right, Junior Sister, you have to be obedient! You’re still recovering—you need at least a few more days of rest. Besides, Lianzi still needs your care, and you’re the only girl in Snow Bamboo Hall!”

Qiangui gave Ji Lin a thumbs up, smiling. “Well said!”

It had been a long time since Ji Lin last received such praise from Master; he was overjoyed and grinned foolishly for some time.

“Master, you three can’t unite against me. With Lianzi unconscious, that leaves me alone—how pitiable is that?”

“I would rather have you feel wronged than let you risk danger down the mountain. Think about it, even though your talent is remarkable and your understanding deep, and you know many secret arts—what of it? You can’t yet regulate your pulse, nor do you fully grasp your own abilities. If you wish to leave the mountain, very well! Wait until the Celestial Master emerges from seclusion. Once I’ve prepared you together with Master Qinglian, then perhaps you may barely be allowed to go.”

Xueze’s expression darkened with displeasure. “Master, don’t be so evasive—state your terms! What must I do to be entrusted with this task?”

“Unless… unless—”

Qiangui hesitated for a long time, unable to answer. There were too many unknowns about this disciple, as though she carried endless surprises. After all, she was the daughter of Master Qinglian and the head of Kunlun, gifted, eager to learn, and with a knack for astonishing breakthroughs in any constraint he might set.

Seeing this, Ji Lin had an idea. “Master, how about saying, ‘Unless Junior Sister can defeat Senior Brother’—ha ha ha!”

Qiangui chuckled, considering the suggestion. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“Master!” Xueze looked at her master helplessly, then shot Ji Lin a glare before turning pleading eyes to Lanshui.

“Senior Brother!”

Lanshui was so softened by her look that his mind went blank, not knowing how to respond.

Faster than words could follow, Xueze cast a gentle spell, sending Lanshui back a meter.

“Really, a beauty’s trick?” Ji Lin exclaimed, snapping Lanshui out of his stupor. He quickly gathered his strength to counter. Xueze was not to be outdone; she unleashed all her power, every move extraordinary and forceful, making Lanshui work hard to dodge, though he still refrained from striking back.

“Xueze, you’re no match for me—stand down!”

“Senior Brother, can’t you just let me win?”

Lanshui would not yield, occasionally countering with small techniques, which only frustrated Xueze more.

“Don’t blame me, then!”

With these words, Xueze feigned summoning a grand formation, though in truth she used only thirty percent of her strength.

Seeing this, Lanshui stepped forward anxiously. “Junior Sister, you’ve only just recovered—you mustn’t use that art!”

But Xueze ignored him, abruptly dropping all her power and collapsing weakly to the ground.

Lanshui reacted with more alarm than anyone, rushing to her side—only to be struck by a phantom technique, immobilized by a binding spell.

Satisfied, Xueze turned to Qiangui. “Master, is this enough now?”

Qiangui only smiled in reply. Ji Lin stood awkwardly aside, still relishing the contest.

Xueze released Lanshui and apologized. “Sorry, Senior Brother, I just—”

Lanshui glanced at her sternly. “You acted recklessly. I won’t let you descend the mountain, and I’m considering grounding you as well.”

Xueze was startled, pleading with wide eyes. “Please, Senior Brother, don’t! Don’t abuse your authority!”

“I should have earlier! Now I regret not doing so!”

Xueze sighed helplessly. “But this contest was meant to decide if I could go. Since you lost, shouldn’t you admit it?”

Ji Lin burst out laughing, teasing her. “Junior Sister, you get away with this only because he’s your senior brother. If it were someone else, how could you guarantee they’d show mercy and care for your safety?”

Xueze turned with a mischievous smile. “Isn’t that what you and Lianzi always say? For each person, use a different approach—that’s strategy!”

Ji Lin looked embarrassed as both Qiangui and Lanshui shot him disapproving glances. “Junior Sister, why do you only learn the wrong things? We taught you about tactics to defend yourself, not to use on us. If you keep this up, I won’t like you anymore—and if I don’t, I won’t help you!”

“Hmph, you didn’t help me just now anyway!”

Lanshui cut off their banter coldly. “Enough. Master is deep in thought. Junior Sister, your victory doesn’t count. If you want a proper match, it will have to be another time.”

Qiangui suddenly opened his eyes. “Lanshui, someone reports trouble in the Celestial Quarter—take Ji Lin and go deal with it.”

“Yes!” Lanshui replied, casting a glance at Xueze before leaving.

Watching her brothers depart, Xueze asked in confusion, “Master, what about me?”

“You? Do you wish to mediate disputes as well?”

“No, I wish to descend the mountain! See how busy Senior Brother is—he has no time for such tasks, so why not—”

“In your dreams!” Qiangui burst out laughing. “Do you even know what’s required to descend the mountain? What preparations must be made?”

Xueze nodded confidently. “Of course, I know everything!”

“Then do you have a spiritual artifact? I’ve thought long and hard, but I still don’t know what to prepare for you. Better to wait until you encounter a suitable artifact—then come to me for tasks.”

“I can’t help unless I have an artifact?” Xueze was puzzled. “But Second Brother doesn’t have one either, yet he can travel the world with Senior Brother. Why can’t I?”

“Men and women are different—you’re at even greater risk. Besides, Ji Lin might lack an artifact, but he has his treasured sword. Not as powerful as a true artifact, but still formidable. You have no foundation in cultivation. Focus on your training—don’t worry about Tianshan’s affairs for now!”

Xueze’s gaze hardened, and she responded coolly, “But what if I’m truly determined?”

“Determined? Then wait for your artifact. Only then will I feel at ease.”

He sipped his tea, quelling his inner anxiety. Could Xueze truly be the prophesied one? Hopefully not. Yet Qinglian seemed to know something—could this be connected to the Celestial Maiden’s Calamity? Best not to dwell on it. May Xueze not be the Celestial Maiden.

“Master, aren’t the artifacts all gathered together? I could just visit the Artifact Hall and see—there’s no need to wait for fate!”

Qiangui smiled serenely. “Is that so? Do you think you have such influence? The Artifact Hall only opens with the command of Celestial Sovereign Jiucang. Even then, there’s no guarantee an artifact will fly out for your use.”

“What? We don’t choose the artifacts ourselves?”

“Of course not. A true artifact must choose you in return. Only then can you achieve unity between man and artifact.”

Xueze nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps one will like me?”

He laughed. “Do you think artifacts judge by appearance? No, each has its own standards. Only the most suitable, most fated person can wield one. You only know a handful of basic spells and techniques—how could I let you descend the mountain without an artifact?”

“But I’ve studied diligently! I know plenty of spells now—at the very least, I can protect myself.”

“You learn quickly, but many advanced arts require spiritual roots and cultivation. Take your time. First, master the arts of ice and snow and the Sword of Frost. Without defensive techniques, how will you escape danger?”

Xueze sighed in displeasure. “Master makes it sound as if the mortal world is crawling with fearsome demons!”