"That really was Master's order," Dong Xiaojie explained.
The female disciple clearly didn't believe her. She glanced at Yang Ning, standing on a Flying Sword in the distance, and lowered her voice. "Second Senior Sister, we're all fellow disciples. What can't you tell me? Master has never objected to her disciples seeking Cultivation Partners. That Cultivator... well, he certainly looks handsome, but why make up an excuse to bring him up the mountain?"
Dong Xiaojie had not the slightest romantic feeling for Yang Ning. She had only ever loved "Lanzhou," and had long since decided to remain alone and pursue the immortal path. Seeing that her junior sister was as stubborn as a mule, she knew words alone wouldn't convince her. She reached into her sleeve and took out an item: a red token, with a boldly flourishing "Shi" character at its center.
The female disciple took the token and examined it closely, her eyes widening. But almost immediately, her expression turned stern.
"Second Senior Sister! If you bring a man up the mountain, I might be able to cover for you a little, for the sake of our sisterly bond. But if you've got the gall to steal Master's Peak Master token, then I absolutely can't shield you!"
Dong Xiaojie wordlessly pressed a hand to her forehead and waved her other hand in exhaustion. "All right, all right, my dear junior sister! I'm not ready to die yet. How would I dare steal Master's token? If you don't believe me, go up the mountain right now and report to Master outside her bedchamber yourself! Remember, don't make a fuss on the way. Go quietly."
Seeing how certain Dong Xiaojie sounded, the female disciple finally believed her—though not entirely. She turned to the other two outer disciples on guard and instructed them, "Keep a careful watch here. No one is to trespass!" She gave Yang Ning a pointed glance, then added, "Especially keep an eye on that 'unknown' man."
"Yes!" The two outer disciples immediately bowed and accepted the order.
Then the thirtieth-ranked personal disciple gripped the token tightly and hurried up the stone steps. Her figure soon vanished into the swirling mist.
Only then did Dong Xiaojie slowly return to Yang Ning, apologetic. "Boss Yang, I'm truly sorry. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to wait a little longer."
By now, Yang Ning had calmed down from his initial panic. His mind raced as he pieced together what had happened. Why had Dong Xiaojie insisted on bringing him up the mountain? Their relationship was nothing more than that of a shopkeeper and a regular customer. She had neither reason nor courage to break Jade Maiden Peak's centuries-old rules on her own.
That left only one person with both the authority and the motive to do this: the Peak Master of Jade Maiden Peak!
Yang Ning thought to himself, Could that "Senior Sister Shi" from yesterday really have been Shi Xuanfei herself? But why go to such lengths? I was only delivering something. Normally, Dong Xiaojie could have taken the gift box at the foot of the mountain, and that would have been the end of it. But now she insists on bringing me up the mountain... There's probably more to this than a delivery. She must have some other scheme...
Just as Yang Ning was weighing his options and trying to guess Shi Xuanfei's intentions, the female disciple who had gone to report hurried back down the distant stone steps, her brows knitted and her expression complicated.
She handed the token back to Dong Xiaojie. She hesitated, then finally managed to ask, "Second Senior Sister... Master... what is going on?"
Dong Xiaojie silently shook her head, took the token, and put it away. "That's enough. How could you or I presume to fathom Master's thoughts? As her disciples, we need only follow orders. Remember, don't tell anyone about what happened today."
The female disciple could only nod and heave a heavy sigh before stepping aside. "I've already spoken to the checkpoint above. Senior Sister, just take him up."
"Thank you, junior sister." Dong Xiaojie nodded her thanks, then turned to Yang Ning again. "Boss Yang, let's continue up the mountain."
Without waiting for Yang Ning to respond, she stepped onto her Flying Sword once more, grabbed his arm, and activated her Sword Art. The Flying Sword immediately carried them onward, climbing along the stone steps.
The thirtieth-ranked personal disciple was left standing where she was, watching their receding Sword Light with a face full of confusion. Once the Flying Sword disappeared into the mountain mist, she whipped around and glared sharply at the two outer female disciples behind her, warning them in a harsh voice:
"If either of you dares let a single word of what happened today slip out, I'll cut out your tongues!"
The two trembled with fright and hurriedly bowed. "Yes, Senior Sister! We would never dare say a word!"
After that initial, heart-pounding stretch of Sword Riding, Yang Ning had started to get used to it. He cautiously tried opening his eyes, narrowing them to slits as he looked around this mysterious place—the very place every male Cultivator in the sect longed to visit, yet could never get through the gates of.
On both sides of the Flying Sword, all sorts of distinctive buildings rushed past.
Some were simple and imposing, with smooth, flowing lines;
some were wrapped in emerald-green vines, brimming with life;
some had walls decorated with vibrant, fresh Petals, their fragrance faintly drifting through the air;
there were even small buildings built directly from strangely colored, dazzling stones... The architecture was endlessly varied, with no two alike.
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