Back Mountain

The next day.

Today, the young, low-level disciples had a day off, and after breathing in the mist, White Snake enjoyed a rare lie-in.

"Stop sleeping, you lazy worm, how about coming with me to the back mountain to pick fruit?" Xu Ling asked, pressing her head close to White Snake's.

Turning its head, White Snake went back to sleep.

Annoyed, Xu Ling reached out and tugged at White Snake's tail. She pulled for a long time but couldn't dislodge White Snake from the doorpost. White Snake ate meat, not fruit. When bored in the past, White Snake had tasted fruit, but due to differences in species and taste buds, it couldn't taste any of the original deliciousness, only feeling like a water pouch.

"If you play with me, I'll get you a Peiyuan Pill."

Xu Ling said with a smile, hands clasped at her chest, saying something that made White Snake's heart flutter.

"Hiss~"

"You agree? As expected, you're a greedy snake. You've eaten so many useless pills and you're still not dead. Let's go to the back mountain."

Xu Ling led the way, with White Snake following behind. The two ambled towards the back mountain. Yang Mu simply returned to the main hall, preferring not to see it, though... in his heart, he also wanted to go.

Wriggling, White Snake followed Xu Ling through the palace complex to the back mountain. The back mountain was more like a place for Chunyang Palace disciples to study. Lush bamboo swayed in the wind, and by the stream, green grass. Disciples could be seen cultivating quietly everywhere, and occasionally couples sat by the waterfall, whispering sweet nothings. In short, it was a good place, similar to a park next to a university town.

Mount Hua, where Chunyang Palace was located, was rich in spiritual energy and vibrant with life. Flowers and fruit trees were abundant. Xu Ling skillfully entered the forest, winding her way through until she found a pear tree.

The pear tree was very old, estimated to be at least five to six hundred years old. Large, fragrant pears hung from its branches. Only inner disciples like Xu Ling and Yang Mu could approach this area. Older disciples weren't interested in the fragrant pears, leaving them for the little brats.

"The pears from this tree are delicious. Don't you want to try one?" Xu Ling asked, eating and offering a fragrant pear to White Snake's mouth.

White Snake tilted its head.

"Alright, you snakes all eat meat, so I won't be polite."

After finishing the pear in her hand, Xu Ling looked up and saw a particularly large pear high in the tree canopy. Her eyes darted around, and she saw White Snake sleeping boredly nearby.

"Lazy worm, go up and get that pear for me. I can't reach it," Xu Ling said shamelessly.

White Snake rolled its eyes. If I believe you, I'm a ghost. Although it was displeased, it had to coil around the tree trunk and climb to get the pear. It couldn't afford to offend the landlord while staying at Qingxu Palace.

Climbing a tree was fast and simple for a snake. White Snake's head pressed down on a branch, and with a gentle shake, it dropped the pear towards Xu Ling. Xu Ling giggled, caught the pear, and without wiping it, bit into it.

Suddenly, White Snake saw a familiar figure approaching in the distance. In its past life, he would definitely be considered an idol celebrity, with clear, handsome features and a hint of gentleness. Especially those narrow, elongated eyes that seemed to hold a trace of worry. He wore a blue and white robe and carried two swords, one long and one short, exuding nobility and elegance everywhere.

It was the famous Chu Zhe, the senior disciple of Chunyang Palace.

Seeing the man, Xu Ling, who was eating a pear under the tree, stared blankly, her heart racing. White Snake, perched on the tree, could feel the vibrations of her heartbeat.

It's over, Xu Ling has a crush, White Snake thought.

Dropping the pear and wiping its mouth, Xu Ling fumbled to tidy her clothes and hairstyle, then hurried towards the handsome man. As she got closer, her movements changed 180 degrees to become demure. White Snake stared, When did this little girl's acting skills become so amazing?

"Hello, Senior Disciple Brother~"

The handsome man stopped and looked at Xu Ling with a smile. White Snake turned away, unable to watch, feeling secondhand embarrassment. Even an idiot could see how nervous the girl was.

Chu Zhe, young and with exceptional talent, was said to have profound cultivation, ranking first among many disciples. He was also the most likely candidate for the next sect leader of Chunyang Palace – a talented and gifted individual.

"Junior Disciple Sister Ling'er, sneaking off to the back mountain to play again? If you're this mischievous, Uncle-Master Yu will be unhappy," Chu Zhe said kindly, patting Xu Ling's head.

"No way~ My master knows everything. Senior Disciple Brother, are you here to cultivate in the back mountain?"

Patted on the head, Xu Ling was as obedient as a kitten, squinting and enjoying the warmth on her head.

"I know Uncle-Master Yu spoils you the most. Don't play too much and delay your cultivation. I just came out of seclusion and felt a bit bored, so I was just walking around. You've also lured out Uncle-Master Yu's big snake." Chu Zhe glanced at White Snake on the pear tree.

Xu Ling's face flushed with shyness.

"No, no, I brought it here to eat peaches. Anyway, it's often not at Qingxu Palace. Don't look at its low cultivation, it's very smart. Come on, lazy worm, wag your tail and show them." Xu Ling called out to White Snake as if presenting a treasure.

White Snake turned its head away, not even looking at Xu Ling.

"Oh, you! You lazy worm want to rebel! I'll tell master when we get back that you stole and ate a crane!"

Upon hearing Xu Ling's words, White Snake almost fell from the tree. How does this little girl know everything!

Chu Zhe's lips twitched.

"Senior Disciple Brother, don't mind the lazy worm being disobedient. I'll definitely teach it to listen one of these days," Xu Ling said, clenching her small fist.

"Little Ling'er, don't bully this White Snake. It's extremely difficult for beasts to awaken their spiritual intelligence. Alright, you play by yourself for now. I'm going to wander around the mountain to clear my head."

"Goodbye, Senior Disciple Brother~"

"Go back early~"

Chu Zhe waved and quickly disappeared into the bamboo forest. Xu Ling, like a lovesick girl, stood there grinning foolishly. White Snake shook its head, sighing that the little troublemaker could also be serious sometimes. Looking at that Senior Disciple Brother, he clearly treated Xu Ling like a child. Poor thing, I hope the girl doesn't let a broken heart affect her cultivation.

On the other side, Chu Zhe walked through the bamboo forest and slowly stopped. Another equally handsome Chunyang Palace disciple walked out to meet him. Judging by their auras, the two were not much different in cultivation.

"Congratulations, Senior Disciple Brother, on your cultivation advancement. You truly live up to being Chunyang's number one genius," the Chunyang Palace disciple opposite him said with a strange tone.

"Heh heh, thank you, Second Disciple Brother. Second Disciple Brother has also made great progress in cultivation."

"Not at all. I only hope I won't lose too badly in the sect competition."

"We'll see in the competition."

"We'll see in the competition."

The two brushed past each other, the atmosphere very disharmonious. Where there are people, there is a Jianghu, and Chunyang Palace, this immortal mountain of cultivation, was no exception.

Xu Ling was still spacing out under the tree, her face flushed with adoration, lost in thought. The White Snake coiled up beside Xu Ling and fell fast asleep. As she slept, she suddenly lifted her head and looked towards the bamboo forest. Someone was approaching.

She nudged the still dazed Xu Ling with her tail.

"Huh? What are you nudging me for?"

Xu Ling looked up and saw the approaching figure.

"Ah! Second Senior Brother! Junior Sister Xu Ling greets Second Senior Brother." Xu Ling quickly got up and bowed. Her attitude was respectful, even a little scared. This surprised the White Snake – this girl was actually afraid of something?

"Little Ling'er Junior Sister, here to eat pears again, haha. Hmm? What's with this snake?" Second Senior Brother pointed at the White Snake beside Xu Ling.

"This is a demonic beast my master found to guard the main hall."

"Hmph! Now even beasts can enter the gates of our Chunyang Palace!"

The White Snake stared intently at this "Second Senior Brother." The moment the man saw the White Snake staring at him, his temper flared.

"Vile creature!"

With a glare, he was about to draw his sword.

"Second Senior Brother... my master really likes this White Snake..." Xu Ling quickly stepped in front of the White Snake.

"You'd best not wander around carelessly in the future. Who knows when you'll become a snakeskin sword sheath for your junior brothers. Hmph!"

This Second Senior Brother, who seemed to be having a fit for no reason, snorted and flicked his sleeve as he left. It was no wonder Xu Ling wasn't like she was with others. The White Snake really wanted to eat this lunatic.

Seeing Second Senior Brother leave, Xu Ling let out a relieved sigh.

"That's our sect leader's second disciple, Lian Tianxing. Among the senior brothers and sisters, he has the worst temper and always likes to oppose the Eldest Senior Brother. What's more, his cultivation is high, and he's an enforcer for the Hall of Discipline. No one dares to show dissatisfaction in front of him, or he'll definitely use it as an excuse to punish them according to the sect rules. Legend has it that his entire family, dozens of people, were killed by demons, so he really dislikes demons."

So that's how it is. Nowhere is truly peaceful. Even cultivators can't escape internal strife. But what does his family being killed have to do with me? Does being killed mean you should resent all humans? What a lunatic.

With their fun gone, the White Snake and Xu Ling returned to Qingxu Palace early.