Chapter 128 Borrowing Books — Can I Call You by Your Name from Now On

On the tenth day after the Returning Immortal Sect’s chief team emerged, the other three sects also gradually came out.

Because the Returning Immortal Sect trampled the Fire Core Flower midway, triggering a loop of illusions and reincarnation, the other three sects, which failed to place, had to start all over again, so when they finally emerged, every one of them looked grim.

This round, the Returning Immortal Sect took first place. The Azure Profound Sect, relying on their powerful chief team, managed to turn the tables within the reincarnation realm and came in second. The Crimson Sky Sect, though numerous, had poor luck once inside the loop and were trapped in the second realm.

The Clear Thought Sect’s entire chief team was wiped out; the rest naturally couldn’t compete and ended up dead last.

“Something big happened in the Returning Immortal Sect.”

As soon as the people from the other three sects came out, they heard this.

In the Azure Profound Sect’s resting area, everyone’s reaction was calm, not at all surprised.

Gu Qingyu said expressionlessly, “We know. Lian Mu of the Returning Immortal Sect is a Heavenly Spiritual Root.”

“They really struck it lucky this time,” Yuan Huai said. “She totally dragged us down this round.”

Rarely did the disciples of the Azure Profound Sect look so angry. Amid the crowd, only Ying You remained unfazed, carefully wiping his sword. His face was as pale as his lips, and there were still bloodstains on his collar.

Shang Liu, who had come to fetch them, said mildly, “Whether she’s a Heavenly Spiritual Root or not is still unclear. But… she might be demon race.”

As soon as he spoke, disciples from other sects looked over in shock.

Shang Liu looked at Ying You. “You attacked her inside the illusion realm and suffered backlash. Is your body alright?”

Ying You didn’t answer the question but said instead, “She’s not demon race.”

“…What?”

“I know she’s not. That incident in the illusion realm — it wasn’t because of her but because of Wen Yun.”

Everyone remembered the skirmish before the loop — Wen Yun had indeed taken that chance to strike at him while he was unguarded.

This time, it was Shang Liu’s turn to fall silent.

Just then, the chief team of the Returning Immortal Sect passed by. Leading them, Xu Xianxing hobbled over, with Bai Li Que and Ji Mingyue following behind. Wen Yun shot a disdainful look at the Azure Profound Sect crowd, looking as cocky and infuriating as ever.

The others were speechless.

Wasn’t the Returning Immortal Sect’s second seat on good terms with the chief team? Why did they look totally unconcerned when something happened to her?

“Unbelievable,” Yuan Huai cursed under his breath. “They shamelessly took first place using underhanded tricks, and now they have the nerve to flaunt it.”

“It’s definitely Lian Mu’s doing again. She’s best at getting under people’s skin — don’t fall for it.”

Though they said so, the Azure Profound Sect disciples still bristled with anger, gritting their teeth.

Meanwhile, the Returning Immortal Sect crew completely ignored them. After showing off here, they headed off to flaunt themselves near another sect’s camp.

Shang Liu paid them no mind. After a moment’s thought, he said, “…Even if you didn’t sense anything wrong, she’s still highly suspicious. Sect Master Shen has already decided to investigate her personally. When the time comes, disciples from all four sects will bear witness.”

Everyone was stunned.

Sect Master Shen himself was going to step in?

In an instant, they all felt Lian Mu must really have a problem — there were very few things in this world worthy of Sect Master Shen’s personal attention. If he moved, it had to be serious.

While they were all in shock, Ying You asked, “Where is she now?”

“Detained. You want to see her?”

“Mm.” Ying You lowered his eyes. “This disciple wishes to confirm a few things.”

Shang Liu assumed he wanted to probe Lian Mu’s identity again. “I heard you investigated her before — did you find something wrong back then? Since you wish to go, fine, I’ll have someone take you. If anything unusual happens, report back to me.”

“…Understood.”

…

…

Lingyun Tower.

Lian Mu had been here for ten days.

In these ten days, she had finished reading every book in her spatial pouch, but the notes she had copied from the Feng Clan Secret Manual were still in her bamboo hut at the Returning Immortal Sect.

Back then, she thought she wouldn’t need them anymore after recasting her spiritual root — who knew something would go wrong now?

Now trapped in this tower, she could only try to recall the contents by memory.

To ensure the recasting would be foolproof, she had memorized half the book back then. Yet after going over it again and again, she still couldn’t find what step had gone wrong.

She remembered that the second half of the Feng Clan Secret Manual, which described the recasting method for dual roots and above, had been erased. She guessed the answer might lie in that missing part.

After feeding Green Bean for the day, she decided to step out for some air.

Apart from not being able to earn money, life here was otherwise decent. It was just boring with no books to read, and she was desperate to know what was really up with her spiritual root.

She lived on the second floor. Walking out to the overlook, a gust of hot wind mixed with fine sand hit her face, making her a bit irritable.

She glanced down at the guards hidden all around and weighed the possibility of escaping on her broom.

Just then, someone entered the courtyard.

She was used to this by now — probably someone bringing her food again. To be fair, the meals delivered every day were far better than the Clear Thought Sect’s dining hall fare — definitely a special order from Elder Qin.

Thinking about how she was eating well here while Xu Xianxing and the others were probably gnawing on cactus in the mess hall made her feel less annoyed.

“Fellow cultivator Lian.”

She suddenly heard someone call her — the voice was familiar. Looking down, she saw it was someone from the Azure Profound Sect.

“Leader Ying, what brings you here?” Sitting on the railing with one leg dangling outside, she saw Ying You below and wasn’t surprised.

She’d given the Azure Profound Sect a rough time; now that they were out, of course they’d come find trouble with her first thing.

She didn’t care — with Returning Immortal Sect people nearby, he couldn’t possibly attack her here. Besides… he might not even win against her.

She couldn’t quite explain her confidence. Maybe it was because she was now vaguely stepping into the realm of Heavenly Spiritual Roots too.

To be exact, she had never feared anyone. In her past life, she’d perfected her Dao and seen all kinds of powerful figures — a mere sword-bone genius didn’t impress her.

“I came for you.” Ying You stood below, head slightly raised, staring straight at her.

His gaze made her a little uncomfortable. She didn’t know why he always looked at her like that — she couldn’t read his eyes at all.

“What, still upset about the illusion realm and want to pick a fight in private?” She noticed he had his sword and there was blood on his clothes — he must have just come out of the Pangu Illusion Realm.

“The illusion realm is over — competition happens,” he said. “Did you target the Azure Profound Sect because you were still angry?”

She thought for a moment and decided to tease him. “A little bit. I told you before — I don’t like being investigated behind my back. Your sect ending up like this is your own fault.”

Ying You lowered his eyes and murmured, “I see…”

From this angle, she could only see the top of his head and his cheek. She sized him up — not bad looking, just did things too mysteriously.

Angry inside the illusion realm but acting like a different person outside it.

Did the Azure Profound Sect teach all its disciples to separate personal and public matters so cleanly?

“Didn’t your elder think I’m demon race? They say the filth of demon race corrupts an unstable sword-bone — I’m so dangerous to you, yet your elder still lets you come here. Looks like your sect doesn’t care much about you either.”

“…”

“So, what’s your purpose here? Speak. If the offer’s good, maybe I’ll cooperate with you.”

Ying You said, “I came to see you.”

Lian Mu: “…?”

“About last time, my compensation didn’t satisfy you, so I’m here to apologize again,” he said.

Lian Mu hadn’t expected he really wasn’t here to cause trouble. She thought for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll give you a chance. I’m really bored here. Go to the Clear Thought Sect’s library pavilion and bring me a few books to pass the time. Then I’ll forgive you for now.”

She had long wanted to visit the Clear Thought Sect’s library pavilion. After all, this was where the Feng Clan had deep roots, so the Clear Thought Sect’s collection on the Feng Clan was surely more extensive than Returning Immortal Sect’s.

The Feng Clan’s Secret Arts wasn’t particularly rare among the four major sects; every sect’s library pavilion kept similar books, and it was one of them.

Returning Immortal Sect’s copy had half of it destroyed — maybe the Clear Thought Sect’s library had a complete version.

Right now the other three sects were all on guard against Returning Immortal Sect, so she couldn’t have Xu Xianxing and the others borrow it for her.

Perhaps sending Ying You would have a better chance.

Lian Mu wanted to test it out. Since he offered himself up, she might as well use him — there was nothing to lose.

“What do you want to read?”

Lian Mu beckoned to him. “Stick your sword in the ground and come up here, I’ll tell you.”

She was on the second floor. Ying You tossed his sword down below, glanced around, stepped onto a protruding part of the wall, and gauged the distance.

“Not enough,” Ying You said.

Lian Mu: “Can’t you ride your sword? Young genius Ying — do you need me to teach you?”

Ying You pressed his lips together. “There’s a restriction here. I can’t fly on my sword.”

Lian Mu could only reach out her Wealth Bringer to pull him up. “Hold on.”

Ying You climbed up smoothly. Lian Mu told him the titles of a few miscellaneous books as a first test — if he followed through, she’d ask him for more next time.

Ying You listened with lowered eyes, nodding now and then, his gaze resting on her sword. When she finished, he asked, “You like crabapple blossoms?”

Lian Mu hadn’t expected that question and answered casually, “I suppose.”

“I like them too,” Ying You smiled faintly. “Crabapples are most beautiful after rain. Every year I go to see the ones on Vermilion Bird Ridge.”

Lian Mu didn’t pay it much mind, her thoughts all on the books. As he mentioned it, she caught a glimpse of his wrist gripping the railing — a faint pink mark shaped like a blooming crabapple branch, strikingly similar to the carving on her Wealth Bringer’s hilt.

“Can I call you by your name from now on?”

Lian Mu: “Sure. So… can you get ready to borrow the books now?”

“Alright.”