Chapter 23

“What does the pill refined from Sky Heart herb taste like?”

He Zhizhou leaned curiously against the door, watching Ning Ning swallow a round object without any sense of ceremony.

She ate it without any sense of ceremony, as if she were holding something as ordinary as candy, not a sacred-grade spiritual plant.

“Peppermint candy.”

As soon as Ning Ning finished speaking these three words, her expression changed. She added with a bitter face, “…and a bit of mustard flavor.”

“And then?”

He Zhizhou scratched his head. “Is there no special feeling? Like a burst of cosmos, the transformation of Qi into a horse, wishing to shout ‘Thirty years on the west bank of the river, thirty years on the east bank,’ and not wanting to continue being a human from now on?”

(T/N: thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west bank of the river’ is an idiomatic ( 成语 ) expression meaning life has its ups and downs.)

This doesn’t make any sense.

After the pill entered her stomach, although it made her feel refreshed and clear-headed, there didn’t seem to be any particularly special effects.

The spiritual energy in her body was like a clear spring. When the pill went down, it stirred up a faint ripple, but it was just a fleeting fluctuation. The ripple gently spread and silently disappeared, with no follow-up.

“Maybe it takes some reaction time.”

Ning Ning lowered her head to look at the palm of her hand, not noticing anything wrong. She was about to continue speaking when she heard a sudden female voice say, “Ning Ning, are you there?”

Ning Ning’s face changed.

Since Senior Brother told Zheng Weiqi about her diligently practicing the Golden Snake Sword Technique, the latter naturally assumed that her junior sister was also an uncompromising sword enthusiast.

As the richest person in the family, Senior Sister received money but lost trouble, understanding that in life there must be gains and losses.

After conveying this shocking news to Ning Ning, Zheng Weiqi patted her shoulder meaningfully. “Similarly, to advance in swordsmanship, you must sacrifice a lot of time and effort. Come, continue practicing with me.”

——That’s right. The senior brothers and sisters actually took turns coming to teach her in different ways, either because they had discussed it or something.

Poor Ning Ning had to experience non-stop mixed doubles matches at such a young age. Now she is as tired as an old dog and can no longer stand the torment.

“Just say I went out! Goodbye, goodbye!”

Ning Ning said and ran, leaving no time for He Zhizhou to react. The reason she was in such a hurry was not only to avoid becoming a sword-wielding machine again but also for another important reason.

The system had issued a new mission for her to go to Qingxu Valley and find Wen Hemian.

In the original text, Pei Ji took all the limelight in the Xiaochongshan secret realm. After learning about this, the original host was resentful and jealous. But looking at it from the perspective of talent, she was far from being comparable to him. After much thought, she decided to go to Qingxu Valley and meet Wen Hemian.

After all, judging from the first-come, first-served principle, if not for such a big change, Elder Jiang Xing, who met her at the foot of the mountain many years ago, was actually Ning Ning’s true master.

The original host attempted to take advantage of this point, hypocritically approaching and pleasing him to extract the remaining value from him. Unexpectedly, a disdainful attitude naturally surfaced during their interactions; even though she tried to hide it as much as possible, much of it was still perceived by Wen Hemian.

The original work described it like this:

[Ning Ning smiled gently, but a look of extremely cold disgust flashed in her eyes, and she didn’t know that Wen Hemian was watching her.

[She said flatteringly, “Ning Ning has never forgotten that you are the first person to appreciate me. I wonder if I am still lucky enough to call you Master.”]

After chatting for only a few sentences, her true colors were revealed:

[Ning Ning didn’t conceal her intentions at all: “I’ve heard that Elder Xing’s swordsmanship is superb. If I could get a few pointers, I would be extremely honored.”]

So, Wen Hemian naturally disliked her even more.

As the saying goes, hateful people must have pitiable aspects. Thinking like this, the original host’s image seemed a bit too pitiful.

After leaving her hometown to study abroad, the result was being despised by her senior brother, hated by her senior sister, and treated as if she were transparent by her junior brothers. She tried her best to seek death and mischief, but she never succeeded even once.

The failure rate was so high that she could directly replace the Big Bad Wolf and catch little sheep in the Qing Qing Grassland, with the only line being, “I will definitely come back.”

Qingxu Valley hadn’t changed much since the last visit, with interweaving shadows of trees and the fragrance of flowers. As Ning Ning walked halfway, she heard the familiar sound of a qin.

Although there was still a lingering resentment, compared to the hopeless despair of the last time, there was an inexplicable sense of anticipation.

Like sunlight falling into the misty jungle, the faint light spread among the mist, creating sparkling colors and abruptly breaking the silent and tranquil atmosphere.

Suddenly, the sound of the qin abruptly stopped.

Wen Hemian saw her.

The former Elder Xing, who once dominated the world, had now become a sickly person. When he sat quietly under the tree, his pale face was almost transparent in the sunlight.

He wore a light blue robe embroidered with white cloud patterns, his long hair untied and unfettered, like fine silk. His sideburns were sharp, and his eyes were cold and clear. In the moment when their eyes met, he showed a slightly surprised expression.

This time, Ning Ning came specifically to ask for his help, so she couldn’t show an imperious demeanor. She politely smiled and said, “Elder Jiang Xing.”

Wen Hemian looked at her with a faint expression.

Since the last encounter with Ning Ning and receiving the letter she sent, he had thought a lot overnight.

Although he had lost all his cultivation now, his mind still retained countless peerless techniques. This girl appeared inexplicably. If everything approaching him was just a scheme she set up to gain trust —

This was not impossible.

Or rather, for a waste like him that no one wanted to approach, this possibility was most likely.

Wen Hemian stabilized his mind and listened to her continue, “Ning Ning has never forgotten that you were the first person to appreciate me. I wonder if I still have the honor to call you Master.”

Master.

A self-deprecating smile appeared in the young man’s heart.

After learning her name, Wen Hemian finally understood why he felt a sense of familiarity with Ning Ning’s aura. Back then, when he went down the mountain to eliminate demons, he inadvertently encountered a girl with outstanding talent. Out of a heart of love, he had the thought of taking her as a disciple. Unfortunately, her parents refused, citing her young age, and the matter was temporarily put on hold.

Unexpectedly, it was her.

Since Ning Ning knew about his loss of cultivation, she hadn’t come to visit again. Instead, she participated in the selection of disciples of the Xuanxu Sword Sect and was chosen by someone else.

Now, talking about this, it seemed a bit too late.

Ning Ning understood that Wen Hemian was not foolish. Seeing that he remained unmoved, she knew that he had definitely seen through her intentions.

—This time, she could finally play the role of a proper antagonist without worrying about failure again! Elder Wen, you are the most reliable!

This was a small step for the antagonists, but a big step for Ning Ning.

She took a deep breath and earnestly recited the fatal lines, “I—”

As soon as this word came out, Ning Ning sensed that something was wrong.

Strange.

Why was the spiritual power in her body uncontrollably rushing around… as if it could burst through her veins and skin at any moment?

No, this can’t be happening.

The effects of the Sky Heart herb’s medicine were neither early nor late, and yet it chose to manifest at a time like this?!

Wen Hemian sensitively detected a fluctuation in spiritual energy.

Soon, the fluctuation became more and more obvious, and the overflowing spiritual energy spread in concentric circles, chaotic and aggressive, as if a fierce tiger or wolf were charging, stirring up bursts of clear wind.

Qi became a wind, blowing down a fleeting shower of petals, completely blocking his view.

As the petals fell, Wen Hemian saw that the girl not far away had changed her expression at some point, her face pale as she half-knelt on the ground.

This is… after consuming an excessively strong pill, the body couldn’t withstand the surge of spiritual energy.

Could it be that she came here for this?

Sensing that something was wrong with her body but not knowing how to deal with it, she… came to ask him?

The young man brushed off his robe, lifted a cluster of fallen flowers, then frowned and walked over to Ning Ning.

The turbulent spiritual energy in her body was like a sudden rise of the tide in the middle of the night. She didn’t know how to resist, only watching the flood burst through the dam and flood everywhere.

The surging spiritual energy stirred the blood, and even the internal organs seemed to be misplaced. She felt uncomfortable, gritted her teeth, and, in a daze, suddenly heard a clear and pure voice: “Settle your qi in the Dantian, activate the sea of consciousness, and try to gather and channel the spiritual power.”

It was Wen Hemian.

It’s really unlucky! Last time, she came to see him and got her foot hit by a stone. Unexpectedly, this time was even more miserable. Her body felt like it was playing minesweeper, and a slight oversight would result in a direct explosion.

Although she cursed in her heart, Ning Ning obediently followed his instructions, lowered her eyes, and felt the existence of the sea of consciousness.

It was an endless space, different from the usual calm and quiet. Various thoughts surged, and with the chaotic spiritual energy, it became even more chaotic.

“Don’t be in a hurry. Breathe slowly. Imagine that there are many river channels in your body, accommodating and clearing the spiritual energy one by one.”

Wen Hemian’s voice echoed gently in her ears. The tsunami in her body surged wave after wave, making Ning Ning almost unable to catch her breath.

She barely clenched her fists and attempted to absorb the spiritual energy as he suggested.

The sea of consciousness was turbulent, the blood was surging, and with slow breathing, everything gradually gathered and calmed down. Every meridian in her body seemed like a river, accommodating the spiritual energy that was rushing around.

When all the storms subsided, Ning Ning was drenched in a cold sweat.

“Feeling better?”

Wen Hemian said softly, “Who told you to take that pill?”

Ning Ning’s mind was blank, and she subconsciously answered, “My master.”

After a pause, as if feeling a bit wronged, she said, “He even claimed before that his alchemy skills were top-notch and that he was once recognized by the head of Nian Chun Hall as a disciple.”

—And yet, how did he turn the good Sky Heart herb into this state?

Wen Hemian seemed to laugh very lightly. “Do you know what kind of person the head of Nian Chun Hall is?”

Seeing her shake her head, he casually added in a low voice, “Nian Chun Hall practices compassionate medicine, but the hall master leads in the art of poison refinement. He doesn’t care about anything else but excels, particularly in refining poisons.”

Ning Ning:…

Well, as expected of you, Master,

That silly girl who used to think you were handsome is already dead. Now standing in front of you is the little tiger girl, Ning Ning. What did you choose? Idol.

“However, although this medicine is fierce, he considered many factors. It maximizes the effects of the drug while ensuring that you won’t explode and die. Your master is indeed a genius in alchemy.”

Wen Hemian hesitated for a moment after saying this, his voice lower than before: “In the future, if you encounter similar situations, don’t…”

Don’t come to find him.

His abilities were limited, and he feared he wouldn’t be able to help her much.

However, he found it difficult to utter the next sentence.

Living alone in Qingxu Valley for many years, the once-renowned sword saint,Jiang Xing, gradually faded from people’s memories and retreated behind the curtain of history. He had long been accustomed to being alone, not missed by others, and not needed by anyone.

But Ning Ning, after making a mistake, didn’t seek help from her master or senior brother and sister immediately; instead, she came to him.

Wen Hemian felt at a loss for the first time in a long while.

It turned out he was still being remembered by someone. It turned out he…

Was not entirely useless, able to help her in some ways.

Seeing Wen Hemian hesitate, Ning Ning continued to think along the lines of his unfinished sentence.

Encounter similar situations, don’t what?

Don’t panic, don’t be in a hurry, or don’t come to him?

Wen Hemian might not think that she, upon realizing her body discomfort, deliberately came to Qingxu Valley to seek his help, right?

“Don’t you think too much!”

Ning Ning stood up abruptly, being stubborn: “I didn’t come specifically to see you, and I definitely didn’t come to ask for your help! I just came; I just wanted—”

She stopped in the middle of her sentence.

Regardless, no one would be foolish enough to blurt out, “I came here specifically to please you and deceive you into giving me the sword manual.”

Ah, damn it! What kind of plot is this!

Wen Hemian lowered his gaze, a faint trace of a very light smile crossing his eyes.

She couldn’t find any other excuses, after all.

He originally thought that no one in the world cared about him; a person with lost cultivation deserved to be alone in the secluded valley.

But—

In those letters that Ning Ning anonymously sent him, although the identity was false, the words were a mix of true and false. Perhaps some of those words were sincerely from the heart.

… Should he believe them?

“Well.”

Although he followed the girl’s intention in his words, his tone seemed more like an obvious comfort and indulgence: “You’re not.”

Ning Ning knew he didn’t believe her, so she emphasized with a heavier tone, repeating it again, “I really am not!”

Wen Hemian: “Hmm.”

Ning Ning:…

What kind of dismissive tone is this! She really, really isn’t! Aren’t you the brainy one recognized by the original text, Elder Wen?

It’s too hard. Ning Ning felt exhausted. She really had it tough.

The original host went to great lengths to fabricate lies, attempting to portray herself as an innocent little fangirl. However, no matter how many lies she spun, Wen Hemian consistently treated her with disdain.

But now that she had clearly spoken the truth, why did others suddenly think she was deeply in love?

=====

Ning Ning returned to her small courtyard with a complex heart and received three letters from different people.

The first letter was from Wen Hemian. Among these three letters, his handwriting was the most elegant and well-structured.

This was a reply to the letters she sent anonymously, pretending to be a fangirl. His choice of words was seriously commendable.

[Practice must not be rushed; it is best to follow one’s own heart.

I heard that theXiaochongshan Secret Realm opened recently, and elite disciples from various sects participated. Among them, Ning Ning of the Xuanxu Sect took the limelight, not only taking away two Sacred-level spiritual plants but also severely injuring the ancient Dragon Blood Tree in the Ancient forest.

This is truly an excellent achievement. I hope the junior takes this as a goal and breaks through the foundational stage soon.]

She was praised.

Ning Ning pursed her lips, unable to resist the smile in the end. She lowered her head, grinning, and lightly knocked her forehead on the table.

… Humph, Wen Hemian definitely had no idea that the person currently maintaining communication with him was the Ning Ning mentioned in the letter.

Although he mentioned it unintentionally by rounding it up, it was probably a form of praise in person.

Feeling elated by the praise, she picked up a brush.

[I know, Elder!

I heard the Xiaochongshan Secret Realm is very interesting, with countless treasures. It would be great if I could participate in the trial one day.

Yesterday, I practiced swordsmanship with my senior sister. Cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage seem to never get tired; they bounce around from start to finish, unlike me, exhausted like a dead fish.

But I will practice diligently!

How is the scenery in Qingxu Valley? Have the flowers bloomed?

I also hope to visit someday.]

Apart from Wen Hemian’s letter, the second one was from He Zhizhou.

He had been bored lately and attempted to explain the cultivation system using modern scientific knowledge, writing a lengthy piece.

[Ning Ning, think about it. In this world, although there are many inexplicable things, overall, it still adheres to a certain scientific nature.

Alchemy, for example, happens to prove the effectiveness of chemical reactions.

Flying on a sword might seem absurd, but during flight, it still follows the three laws of mechanics, like riding a small aircraft; Newton’s coffin board can barely suppress it.

(T/N: flying on a sword is violating “Newton’s Laws”. So there is a joke among the netizens that Newton would never die in peace. This is probably the meaning here: Newton will be very angry when he sees this, even though he is already dead, and that even his coffin board would not be able to hold him down)

The delayed effect of the pill you took today also proves the digestive system in biology!

As for sea of consciousness, could it be a form of external brainwaves? When a person’s cultivation is deep enough, brainwaves naturally undergo tremendous divergence, even reacting with the waves of others. Our secret communication is not transmitted as sound but as electromagnetic waves.

There’s a technique that can invade someone else’s consciousness that’s equivalent to possession. Isn’t that an obvious invasion of brainwave activity?]

At the end, he wrote, [I heard there’s an ancient art that can rewind time and allow people to travel back.

According to the theory of relativity, superluminal speed would cause time dilation and clock reversal. In simple terms, if a person moves faster than light, they can see the light produced in the past, thus witnessing previous scenes. It seems like time is flowing backward, but it’s just a visual effect for the individual. Outside of that person, Earth’s time continues as usual.

So, in conclusion, this secret art doesn’t exist. It should be a fabricated legend.]

After reading it, Ning Ning was delighted and wrote back to him:

[Do you know that we are currently in a three-dimensional space?

Time and space are similar to two coordinate axes in a three-dimensional world. However, according to string theory, the universe exists in a nine-dimensional space. Can we boldly speculate that those who disappear after becoming gods have actually entered a higher-dimensional world?

They stand in a space of higher dimensions, which is why they possess seemingly incredible abilities in our eyes. For example, crossing the coordinate axes of space and achieving instantaneous teleportation.]

He Zhizhou replied with a long string of laughter, adding a few sentences at the end: [Awesome, truly awesome! Worthy of you! I knew you could pick up on my vibes! From now on, you are the Lady Zhu Ning of the cultivation world!]

The last letter came from Tian Xianzi.

His handwriting was as free-spirited as the man himself, swift and unrestrained, like a wandering dragon: [Just now, Master received a commission. Your golden core has formed, and it’s just right for you to go down the mountain for some experience with your senior brothers and sisters.]

Experience life down the mountain.

The candlelight cast a few strands of faint pink on the white paper, and between Ning Ning’s pupils, the flickering firelight revealed a trace of a smile for a moment.

Pei Ji would also go along, so in the original story, there was a detailed description of their journey down the mountain. Although she currently has doubts about the original plot, following the established storyline, no matter what…

This time’s experience was destined not to be boring.