Golden House, Hidden Beauty; A Maiden's Heart (Extra Chapter for the 6k Sacred Temple Ranger Helm)

The setting sun hung low, like withered leaves stained with fire.

You Su stood by the mountain path, watching Fang Gong leave, showing his respect even though he couldn't actually see them.

His idea wasn't without origin; in those fragmented memories, that thing was called an 'elevator'.

However, if the only requirement is to ascend or descend Lotus Peak, a cable car is far more suitable than an elevator. You Su proposed the elevator idea to Fang Gong mainly to repay their hard work. This vertical transportation mode is more suitable for the pyramid-shaped Earth Wood Peak. If this method is feasible, it will definitely benefit Earth Wood Peak greatly.

As for the idea of ascending to heaven that Fang Gong had come up with, even You Su himself had never thought of it. He had far underestimated the ambition of this group of engineers to conquer the world with human power.

"Senior brother, how did you make that connection? You're so clever!"

Even Ji Lingruo couldn't help but admire her. She was still gently rotating her ankle; she was quite tired after a long day of running around.

You Su shook his head and laughed, "It's not that I'm clever; it's the mortals who are clever. When humans are granted great power by the Heavenly Dao, they become immortals. When faced with problems, they always think of relying on their immortal power to solve them first, while their own human abilities are often overlooked. But mortals are different. In order to save a little effort, they can only rack their brains and exhaust their wisdom, using all the power they can to come up with every possible method. Things like looms and blowers may not be of much interest to immortals, but they are of great significance to mortals. If immortals could think like mortals, I think the Five Continents would undergo earth-shattering changes."

Ji Lingruo listened with a sense of understanding but not quite. Perhaps most cultivators are like her, taking their cultivation abilities for granted and giving up on thinking about the differences between immortals and mortals, let alone pondering profound questions such as whether it is reasonable for mortals to live under the control of immortals.

"In short, it's just laziness. Too lazy to do things by hand, so I use my brain to reduce the amount of physical effort I need."

Ji Lingruo's bright eyes darted around, gleaming with wisdom.

Upon hearing this You Su smiled helplessly and turned to look at Ji Lingruo:

"Junior sister isn't wrong, she is indeed lazy, but lazy people can change the world."

Ji Lingruo felt that You Su's words were directed at her and had a hidden meaning. She pouted, and when it came to 'laziness,' she never admitted defeat to anyone.

So, does that mean she can change the world someday?

She stroked her delicate chin twice with a serious expression, revealing a slightly triumphant smile:

"Senior brother, I'm hungry, but I'm too lazy to cook. So, I've thought of a good idea."

"What method?" You Su asked in surprise.

"I'll tell you and then let you do it!" Ji Lingruo smiled sweetly, unable to resist giving herself a thumbs-up for her wisdom.

You Su twitched his lips. He thought his junior sister could at least offer a feasible solution like ordering takeout, but he didn't expect her method to be so simple and crude.

He had to admit that the person who invented Ji Lingruo was a true genius.

Dinner was rather simple.

First, the kitchen was newly built, and You Su hadn't had time to buy any ingredients or seasonings; second, Wangshu Fairy was present, and although she still said she wouldn't eat, she insisted on sitting next to them and eating with them, which made the two of them quite embarrassed.

This simple platter of fruits and vegetables, along with some dried fish that You Su had brought from Jade Ring Pool, was still managed to be eaten by You Su and Ji Lingruo with great difficulty, even under the ardent gaze of Wangshu Fairy.

Ji Lingruo, being a snake demon, naturally disliked vegetables and fruits and only loved meat. After the meal, she couldn't help but complain a few times, recalling the sizzling oil from lunch, which made her mouth water.

Hearing her description, Wangshu Fairy's eyes dimmed, and she quietly left, returning to her room. Even You Su felt a little strange; this was the first time that her senior sister had left without You Su saying she wanted to rest.

Ji Lingruo keenly noticed this, pursed her lips, and said nothing.

She then returned to her room and began to admire the new house that had been built in just half a day.

The spirit construction skills of the people of Earth Wood Peak were not just for show; even the interior of the new house had been meticulously decorated, making it ready for immediate move-in. Ji Lingruo quite satisfied with the room and couldn't help but jump onto the bed, spreading her legs out in a "big" shape.

In order to see You Su as soon as possible, she rushed to Mount Henggao almost without stopping. Now that she finally had her own bed and could rest in peace, she was too lazy to even get up again.

However, Ji Lingruo cared a lot about bathing. Even in winter, she insisted on bathing every day in Chuyun City, which made it hard for You Su to carry and boil water. But with this new shower room, thanks to the Formation Technique, hot water is readily available, making it much more convenient than before.

Ji Lingruo quickly packed her change of clothes and couldn't wait to experience it.

However, before leaving the house, she hesitated and brought one thing with her.

Night had fallen, and a bright moon hung in the sky, accompanied by dazzling starlight.

The first door Ji Lingruo knocked on was actually the door of Wangshu Fairy's room.

A woman dressed simply in white gently opened the door, her long, snow-white hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes, as clear as autumn water, were fixed on Ji Lingruo, her voice ethereal and clear:

"Fairy Lingruo, what's wrong?"

Ji Lingruo squeezed the object in her bosom, then took it out and tossed it over:

"I suddenly don't want to eat anymore, you can keep it. If you really can't eat it, just throw it away, it's leftovers anyway."

After saying that, she turned and left with the new clothes in her arms, showing no intention of talking any further.

Wangshu Fairy lowered her eyes and unwrapped the oil paper covering the cake, revealing the half-portion of matcha cake that had piqued her curiosity the most at noon.

Those clear blue eyes watched Ji Lingruo figure silently, and the white-haired girl whispered in a voice only she could hear:

"Thanks."

Ultimately, Ji Lingruo didn't actually consider Wangshu Fairy as her senior sister; she wasn't the type to be overly familiar with others.

Even You Su only gained her complete trust through a long period of getting to know her.

For some reason, Ji Lingruo looked at this aloof Fairy with astonishing cultivation, she always felt that she was the one who needed to be cared for.

In her mind, this future senior sister must be a serious, unsmiling, and ascetic monk devoted to the Dao Path. In reality, she was a 'silly girl' who was very approachable and could call her Fairy.

Therefore, whenever Ji Lingruo noticed the sad look in Wangshu's eyes as she and her senior brother enjoyed their meal, she couldn't bear it and inexplicably felt some empathy and a desire to protect him.

She deeply understood the frustration of wanting to do something but being unable to, a feeling she had experienced when she was unable to cultivate normally.

That's why she shared the matcha cake she had packed back for herself with Wangshu Fairy, hoping that this girl who was unwilling to take off her mask could enjoy it when she was alone.

"Sigh, what if she really gets lost? That's five Spirit Stones..."

Ji Lingruo sighed to herself.

If someone really wants to eat it but doesn't want to take off their mask in public, they should just buy one and eat it privately. Why should she have to give it up?

Ji Lingruo shook her head, already somewhat regretting her self-indulgent behavior, and decided that she would have to make up for it by fleecing You Su again next time.

Soon, we arrived at the bathhouse.

Ji Lingruo saw the bright yellow light shining through the window paper and realized that there were already people inside.

It's obvious, it's my senior.

The sound of rushing water, accompanied by the boy's soft moans of pleasure as he took a hot bath, brought Ji Lingruo back to her time in Chuyun City.

Looking at the thin, translucent window paper, she became annoyed, secretly resenting why she couldn't learn from ordinary people and look through that inferior window paper as if watching a shadow play.

Recalling the small hole in her senior brother's window, Ji Lingruo have wicked thoughts.

Or perhaps we should let this thin layer of paper... develop a hole on its own?

No, no! I'm not a pervert! My senior brother is blind, I can't bully him like this!

But I really want to see my senior's abs...

Thinking this, a male voice suddenly came from the bathroom:

"Stretch your back a little harder..."

"Hmm... just like that, perfect, just like that, put some force into your shoulders too."

What's going on?!

Wasn't the senior student taking a shower alone? Did someone else massage his shoulders and rub his back?

Ji Lingruo turned to look at Wangshu Fairy's room, where the candlelight was still on.

If it wasn't the Wangshu Fairy, then who could it be?

Ji Lingruo frowned and carefully poked a small hole, about the size of a chopstick, into the window paper with the tip of her little finger.

She squinted one eye and peered into the cave; the image was blurry at first, then gradually became clear.

A boy leans against the edge of a pool with his bare back exposed, while wisps of steam rise from the water. Two beautiful women dressed in extremely revealing clothing are kneeling behind him, one rubbing his back and the other massaging his shoulders, working together intimately.

Ji Lingruo blazed with fury; she never expected her senior brother to do such a thing as keeping Keeping a Beauty in a Golden House!

This is utterly hypocritical and morally reprehensible!

Ji Lingruo was filled with rage, yet for some reason, instead of kicking down the door, she couldn't tear her gaze away. She watched the two women serving her senior brother, and became increasingly captivated...

What the hell!

Ji Lingruo abruptly stepped back and pinched her burning cheek hard before she came to her senses.

The blushing girl couldn't help but recall the time she finished her baptism in the Snake Blood Pool. Why, when she learned that her senior brother had been doing that with her sister, did she, despite being very angry... still choose to enjoy it first?

Before going up the mountain, she planned to give her senior brother three days to discuss the matter, but why did she forgive him so easily after arriving?

I can't be... impossible!!

It's all my senior's fault!

Just because my older sister can do it doesn't mean these women of dubious origin can too!

The girl's blush faded considerably, and she stormed to the bathroom door, kicking it open without hesitation.

"Get out of here, all of you!"

Ji Lingruo was as angry as a stern woman who had caught her husband cheating.

You Su, who was engrossed in the pleasure of bathing, was startled and his virility vanished.

"Junior sister?! I'm taking a shower. If you want to shower, can't you wait until I'm finished? It's so unreasonable of you to tell me to get lost."

You Su quickly sat up straight and turned to the side, covering her vitals.

"Fine! You say I'm being unreasonable! Aren't you heartless, cruel, and unreasonable too?!"

Ji Lingruo angry that she was practically fuming. Her fists were clenched tightly together, as if she was about to strike.

Upon hearing this line, You Su almost instinctively retorted: Where have I been heartless, cruel, or unreasonable?

Fortunately, he managed to suppress the impulse brought on by the fragments of memory and said:

"Junior sister, calm down."

"Tell me to calm down?" Ji Lingruo stared intently at the two women's hands on You Su's back, and roared, "You dare to continue?!"

But the two women seemed not to hear her and continued to rub You Su's back.

You Su chuckled, seemingly oblivious to Ji Lingruo's anger.

Ji Lingruo rage and was about to break off a doorpost to use as a weapon, making these three deserving criminals pay the price.

You Su noticed her movement and quickly suppressed his laughter, calling out:

"Junior sister, don't panic! They're not True Person! Stop it, all of you!"

The two women listened to You Su very well; they didn't even pull their hands back, and simply stretched out their hands and remained motionless.

This action was indeed illogical, Ji Lingruo forcibly suppressed her anger:

"Explain yourself! If you're not True Person, are you some kind of demon?!"

You Su was both amused and exasperated, and explained:

"These are paper ladies, not True Person. They were a gift from the Second Elder of the Xuanxiao Sect. The Second Elder is a master of talisman making and gave me a stack of Lady Talisman. Each time I use one, I can summon a paper lady to complete a task for me."

"If it's a paper figure, why doesn't it dissolve in water?!"

Ji Lingruo continued to press for answers. Although she had never heard of the Lady Talisman, she was familiar with the method of summoning objects using this talisman.

"Who is the Second Elder? His mastery of talismans is among the best in the Five Continents. It makes perfect sense that the Lady Talisman has a waterproof function..."

"If they're paper-figure ladies, why are they dressed so vulgarly?! And waterproof at that! What exactly are these ladies serving?!"

Ji Lingruo simply couldn't believe that this was a talisman drawn by the Second Elder of the Xuanxiao Sect, who was only second to the Sect Master and the First Elder.

Is this talisman really a legitimate talisman?!

You Su also had a feeling that something was wrong. The moment he obtained the Lady Talisman 'Lady Talisman, he had asked himself if anyone would use it for something unbelievable.

"They do all the housework—laundry, mopping, serving tea and water—what else could they possibly do?" You Su feigned ignorance. "Besides, this is my first time using them. I've had a long day, so I was thinking of calling a couple out for a massage to relax. But the massage wasn't very comfortable. Quickly, turn into paper towels and don't come out!"

You Su waved to the two motionless women and gave the order in a righteous and stern manner.

The two women did indeed change, gradually flattening until they were only a thin line wide when viewed from the side. Then they folded themselves up, becoming a folded piece of paper lying on the ground.

"This Second Elder can draw such a talisman and then brazenly give it to a junior. Could he be a lecherous old man?"

"Junior sister! Watch your words!"

You Su quickly interrupted, saying that gossiping about someone with such Great God behind their back was not a good thing.

Ji Lingruo was so frightened that she covered her mouth, spat twice, and then asked:

"Is this really your first time using it?"

Ji Lingruo narrowed her eyes, her face clearly saying "I don't believe it."

"Please believe my junior sister. How could I, a blind person, possibly have feelings for a two-dimensional character?"

"Hmph! Who knows what kind of weird quirks you have? Bring all the Lady Talisman to my room later. I'm confiscating them all. Don't keep any for yourself! Come back for them when you don't want to do chores."

Ji Lingruo stood with her hands on her hips, still looking angry.

"That's exactly what I was planning, Senior Brother. As you know, Junior Sister, I've always been frugal, and I'm really not used to being waited on," You Su chuckled, hoping only to get through this ordeal safely.

"Simple? How come you've learned to enjoy life after just two months? Since when do you need someone to massage and serve you when you take a bath?"

You Su felt embarrassed; this was a habit he'd developed at Jade Ring Pool —he always felt something was missing if he didn't soak and massage himself while bathing. But he couldn't tell his junior sister the truth:

"Oh, not at all, I was just doing it for the novelty... But how did you know I had a paper doll serving me while I was taking a bath? Was my window open? That shouldn't be the case..."

Upon hearing this, Ji Lingruo blushed again, her pretty face turning red as she nervously pondered the answer, clutching the hem of her clothes. She couldn't reveal that she had been peeping through a hole.

"You were screaming so loudly during the massage, who outside couldn't hear you? I thought you'd called in two prostitutes, they were so alluring."

Ji Lingruo rolled her eyes playfully.

Upon hearing Ji Lingruo's assumptions about him, You Su became furious and stood up straight in the bath, frankly stating:

"Why would my junior sister think of me like that? I've always been a man of impeccable morals, haven't I?"

As he spoke, he opened his arms as if to show that he was really clean.

Ji Lingruo's gaze lingered on You Su's muscular body when she suddenly saw a dragon faintly visible in the mist. Startled by its size, she quickly covered her half-open eyes and exclaimed in surprise:

Hey! What are you doing?!

Why isn't my junior brother wearing clothes?

A pure, innocent voice suddenly rang out, startling both You Su.

"Children are not allowed to watch!"

Ji Lingruo was furious and tried to cover Wangshu Fairy's eyes.

Neither of them expected their senior sister to arrive so quickly and silently, catching them both off guard.

You Su also quickly became a Wudang Sect master, covering himself up completely.

Wangshu Fairy blankly at Ji Lingruo, so Ji Lingruo alone could not cover her eyes.

She peered left and right, trying to see what was going on. Ji Lingruo then blocked her way and played a game of tag with her.

The small bathroom was already a complete mess. Fortunately, You Su finally spoke up and ended the farce.

The stars and moon hang high in the sky; the night is deep.

Ji Lingruo lay on the bed, wearing a loose nightgown. Her two slender legs were hooked back and forth, her soles delicate and her toes pink and tender, making one want to grab them and play with them.

She sighed softly. Although she had only been at Lotus Peak for a day, so much had happened, even though none of them were life-or-death matters.

This made her wonder if she and her senior could really return to their peaceful life from before.

The late night always makes people overthink.

She worried whether she was truly worthy of being the Lotus Sword Venerable's disciple, or merely a gift from her senior brother; she doubted whether her ambiguous handling of the matter between her senior brother and sister was truly appropriate; her senior brother, who used to hide his wicked intentions so well, now dared to openly face her nakedly, and she couldn't fathom You Su's transformation. And then there was this senior sister with her ambiguous attitude, and that new master she'd only met a few times...

In short, the girl who was reunited with the person she had been longing for did not feel as happy as she had imagined; instead, her mind was in turmoil.

"Cave Demon, Cave Demon, I am Dongguai..."

You Su's soft whispers drifted from the window.

That idiot...

Ji Lingruo always smiled knowingly at the unspoken understanding between herself and You Su when they talked nonsense. She was probably the only person in the world who could understand You Su's ridiculous jokes.

She walked to the window, opened the window frame, and sure enough, the young man was standing there, smiling brightly like the wind.

"What do you intend to do by visiting a young woman's boudoir in the dead of night?" Ji Lingruo asked, feigning seriousness.

"Didn't you ask me to bring you these Lady Talisman?" You Su took out a handful of talismans from his pocket and honestly handed them over. "There are sixty-nine in total. I just used two, so there are sixty-seven left, not one more and not one less."

Ji Lingruo reached out and took it, glancing at You Su suspiciously, but didn't actually count it:

"Why aren't you using the main gate? What are you feeling guilty about? Afraid your senior sister will see you?"

You Su faltered. "A clear conscience fears no accusation, so what's there to be afraid of? Besides, she's not just my senior sister, she's also my junior sister's senior sister."

"I told you we haven't officially started yet, I'm not in such a hurry to fawn over someone who's giving me the cold shoulder." Ji Lingruo pursed her thin lips.

"Senior sister is a very good person, junior sister will know once she gets to know her. She's like a tender little animal, always arousing people's involuntary affection," You Su said frankly in a very honest tone.

"I can tell you're overflowing with compassion." Ji Lingruo agreed inwardly, but her words were always sharp. "Go home if you have nothing else to do; you've had a long day."

You Su wasn't discouraged at all; he would feel uneasy if his junior sister stopped being so critical.

"I'll leave after I say one last thing."

"What are you saying...?"

"Junior sister."

You Su took a deep breath and solemnly said:

"I really miss you. Even though a lot has happened and our reunion wasn't pleasant, I really miss you. Lotus Peak is wonderful, but I always felt a void in my heart when you weren't here. Now that you're here, I feel more at ease than ever before. I also hope you're happy and joyful here. If you have any troubles, your senior brother is here for you."

You Su made a simple and straightforward confession, which she had never had the chance to say before.

He knew all too well that his junior sister's spoiled and willful behavior upon arriving on the mountain was actually a mask for her inner unease. Who wouldn't feel anxious being a stranger in a strange land? He was his junior sister's only support and her only reason for being in the Central Continent.

Ji Lingruo stood frozen in place, momentarily disoriented by You Su's direct attack. Only her burning cheeks and pounding heart reminded her to react quickly.

"I understand..."

The girl's voice was barely audible. She glanced at the solemn-faced boy, and her heart, which had been in turmoil since they arrived at the mountain, finally calmed down.

You Su suddenly took out a Universe Bag from his bosom, the very one that Venerable Chengtao had given him when he left Jade Ring Pool. The Universe Bag had half a lotus flower on it, making it a perfect match for the one in Ji Xueruo's hand, which suited the relationship between the two sisters.

"I said I would find a Universe Bag for my junior sister, and I keep my word."

"I..."

Ji Lingruo herself had forgotten the promise You Su had made. At that time, her body was still occupied by Tai Sui, but she never expected that You Su would always remember that promise.

You Su forcefully grasped Ji Lingruo's delicate hand and stuffed the Universe Bag inside:

"Trust me, Senior Brother. Whether it's the Universe Bag, Junior Sister's sword, or even becoming a Void Realm expert and breaking free from worldly constraints, Senior Brother will do it all."

You Su squeezed the girl's hand one last time and gave her a reassuring smile.

Goodnight, junior sister. See you tomorrow.

Ji Lingruo remained speechless, staring blankly at You Su's departing figure.

At that moment, a deep, ancient sound rang out from afar.

This is the bell that reminds the disciples of the Xuanxiao Sect that midnight has arrived, and a brand new day is about to begin.

However, the girl was no longer hesitant or timid, because the most important person to her was by her side.