Back Mountain

The next day.

The young low-ranking disciples had a day off today. After Breath Control amid the clouds and mist, White Snake rarely got to sleep in.

"Stop sleeping, you big lazybones. How about coming to Back Mountain with me to pick fruit?" Xu Ling asked, pressing her head close to the snake's.

White Snake turned her head and continued sleeping.

Xu Ling angrily reached out and tugged at her tail, but no matter how long she pulled, she could not yank White Snake down from the gatepost. Snakes ate meat, not fruit. White Snake had tried fruit before when she was bored, but with different species came different taste buds—she could not taste even a fraction of the fruit's former deliciousness, only finding it like a packet of water.

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

With her arms folded across her chest, Xu Ling smiled as she said something that stirred White Snake's heart.

"Hiss~"

"You agreed? You really are a greedy snake. You've eaten so many Failed Pills, yet they still haven't stuffed you to death. Come on, let's go to Back Mountain."

Xu Ling led the way, with White Snake following behind. One girl and one snake swayed leisurely toward Back Mountain. Yang Mu simply returned to the main hall, preferring to keep his eyes clean. Actually... he wanted to go play too.

Wriggling along behind Xu Ling, White Snake passed through the palace complex and arrived at Back Mountain. Back Mountain was more like a place for Chunyang Palace disciples to study on their own. Verdant bamboo groves swayed in the wind, lush green grass carpeted the streamside, and quiet disciples cultivating could be seen everywhere. Occasionally, couples sat beside the waterfall whispering sweet nothings to each other. All in all, it was a fine place, much like a park beside a university town.

Mount Hua, where Chunyang Palace stood, was rich in spiritual energy and brimming with life. Flowers and fruit trees were everywhere. Xu Ling deftly slipped into the woods, weaving this way and that until she found a pear tree.

The pear tree was ancient, at least five or six hundred years old by the look of it. Enormous fragrant pears weighed down every branch. Only personal disciples like Xu Ling and Yang Mu could approach this place. The older disciples had no interest in fragrant pears, so the little brats got to enjoy them cheaply.

"The pears from this tree are delicious. Aren't you going to try one?" Xu Ling asked as she ate, holding a fragrant pear to White Snake's mouth.

White Snake tilted her head.

"Fine, all you snakes eat meat. Then I won't stand on ceremony."

After finishing the pear in her hand, Xu Ling looked up and happened to spot an especially huge pear high in the canopy. Her eyes rolled, and she noticed White Snake sleeping idly nearby.

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

White Snake rolled her eyes. Believe you? I'd sooner see a ghost. Don't you know lightness skill? Though displeased, she still had no choice but to coil around the trunk and climb for the pear. Living at Qingxu Palace, she could not afford to offend the landlord.

A snake climbing a tree was swift and simple. White Snake pressed her head against a branch and gave it a gentle shake, sending the pear flying toward Xu Ling. Xu Ling caught it with a giggle, did not even wipe it off, and opened her mouth to take a bite.

Suddenly, White Snake saw an acquaintance walking over in the distance. In her previous life, he would definitely have been one of those idol-style stars. His features were refined and handsome, carrying a trace of gentleness. His narrow eyes in particular seemed to hold strands of worry. Dressed in a blue-and-white robe with one long and one short treasured sword on his back, he exuded nobility and elegance in every inch of his bearing.

He was Chunyang Palace's famous senior disciple, Chu Zhe.

When Xu Ling, who was eating pears beneath the tree, saw the man, her eyes actually went blank and her heart began pounding. Even White Snake, perched in the tree, could feel the vibrations of her heartbeat.

Oh no, Xu Ling had fallen into a lovesick daze, White Snake thought.

Xu Ling tossed away her pear and wiped her mouth. Flustered, she straightened her clothes and hair before hurrying toward the handsome man. Yet when she neared him, her movements made a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn and became reserved. White Snake stared. Since when had this little girl become such a skilled actress?

"Hello, Senior Brother~"

The handsome man stopped and smiled at Xu Ling. White Snake turned away, unable to watch. It was so awkward it made her cringe; even a fool could see how nervous the girl was.

Chu Zhe was young and exceptionally gifted. Rumor had it that his cultivation was profound, ranking first among the many disciples. He was also the best candidate to become Chunyang Palace's next sect master—a fellow with both talent and ability.

"Junior Sister Ling'er, did you sneak off to Back Mountain to play again? You're so mischievous. Martial Uncle Yu won't be pleased," Chu Zhe said warmly, stroking Xu Ling's head.

"Not at all~ Master knows about it, actually. Senior Brother, did you come to Back Mountain to cultivate?"

With her head being patted, Xu Ling was as obedient as a little kitten, narrowing her eyes as she enjoyed the warmth atop her head.

"I know Martial Uncle Yu spoils you the most. Just don't play so much that you delay your cultivation. I only just came out of seclusion and felt a little stifled, so I came out for a walk. You even lured Martial Uncle Yu's big snake out with you." Chu Zhe glanced at White Snake in the pear tree.

Xu Ling's face flushed shyly.

"No, no, I brought her to eat peaches. She isn't in Qingxu Palace very often anyway. Don't be fooled by her low cultivation—she's really smart. Come on, big lazybones, flick your tail for him." Xu Ling called to White Snake as though showing off a treasure.

White Snake turned her head and did not even look at Xu Ling.

"Oh, you~ You big lazybones, are you trying to rebel? Just wait until I go back and tell Master you stole and ate an Immortal Crane!"

At Xu Ling's words, White Snake nearly fell out of the tree. How did this little girl know everything!

The corner of Chu Zhe's mouth twitched.

"Don't mind the disobedient big lazybones, Senior Brother. One day, I'll definitely teach her to behave." Xu Ling clenched her little fist.

"Little Ling'er, don't bully this White Snake. It is exceedingly difficult for beasts to awaken Spiritual Intelligence. All right, play by yourself for now. I'll take a stroll up the mountain to clear my head."

"Goodbye, Senior Brother~"

"Go back early~"

Chu Zhe waved and quickly vanished into the bamboo grove. Xu Ling remained where she was, smiling foolishly like a lovestruck girl. White Snake shook her head, sighing that even a little rascal could have serious moments. That senior brother clearly treated Xu Ling like a child. Poor girl—hopefully heartbreak would not affect her cultivation.

Elsewhere, Chu Zhe walked through the bamboo grove before slowly coming to a stop. A similarly handsome Chunyang Palace disciple emerged before him. Judging from their auras, the two were not far apart in strength.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother, on advancing in cultivation. As expected of Chunyang's foremost genius," the Chunyang Palace disciple opposite him said in a strange tone.

"Hehe, thank you, Second Junior Brother. Your cultivation has improved greatly as well."

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

"See you in the match."

"See you in the match."

The two brushed past each other, and the atmosphere was exceedingly tense. Where there were people, there was Jianghu; even an immortal mountain of cultivation like Chunyang Palace was no exception.

Xu Ling was still daydreaming beneath the tree, her face full of lovestruck foolishness, who knew what she was thinking. White Snake simply coiled beside Xu Ling and slept soundly. As she slept, she suddenly raised her head and looked toward the bamboo grove. Someone was approaching from there.

Her tail nudged Xu Ling, who was still lost in thought.

"Huh? Why are you pushing me?"

She looked up and saw that figure.

"Ah! Second Senior Brother! Junior Sister Xu Ling greets Second Senior Brother." Xu Ling hurriedly rose and bowed. Her attitude was respectful, even somewhat fearful. White Snake was greatly surprised—this girl could be afraid too?

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

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

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

White Snake stared fixedly at this so-called Second Senior Brother. When he saw her staring at him, his temper immediately flared.

"Vile beast!"

Second Senior Brother's eyes widened as he moved to draw his sword.

"Second Senior Brother... my master likes this White Snake very much..." Xu Ling hurriedly stepped in front of White Snake.

"You'd best stop wandering around in the future. Who knows when you might become a snakeskin Sword Sheath for the junior brothers? Hmph!"

This Second Senior Brother, who had no idea why he was suddenly acting insane, snorted, flicked his sleeve, and left. No wonder Xu Ling did not treat him as she did others. White Snake truly wanted to eat this lunatic.

Once Second Senior Brother had gone far away, Xu Ling let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"That's the sect master's second disciple, Lian Tianxing. Among all the senior brothers and sisters, he has the worst temper, and he always likes going against Senior Brother. The key is that his cultivation is high, and he's also an administrator of the Law Enforcement Hall. No one dares show dissatisfaction before him, or he'll definitely seize the chance to punish them under the sect rules. Rumor says dozens of his family members at the foot of the mountain were killed by demons, so he really dislikes demons."

So that was it. Nowhere was peaceful. Even cultivators could not escape scheming and strife. But what did your family being killed have to do with us? Was being killed by someone reason enough to hate all humanity? Lunatic.

White Snake and Xu Ling had lost their interest in playing and returned to Qingxu Palace early.