The Eighth Frame

"Forget it." Qiao Ranran waved a hand. She would consider him a practice partner who had helped her hone her skills for free. "Maybe we'll meet again someday."

"You're leaving?" Yan Qingsui jolted upright.

"What else would I do?" Qiao Ranran asked.

Yan Qingsui fell silent.

"Oh, right." At the cave entrance, she remembered something. "If you're going back, don't travel alone. Find a way to contact your father and have him pick you up. Otherwise, with that scrawny body of yours, a Demon Beast might swallow you on the way."

"I'm a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator!" Yan Qingsui shouted, his forehead creasing with exasperation.

"Oh," Qiao Ranran said without a shred of sincerity. A Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator who had been tricked and nearly left to rot in the wilderness.

Yan Qingsui felt he understood that look in her eyes.

"The Tao Family Clinic in Clear Spring Town. Tell them I sent you, and you can stay there for now. They have a young girl. If your father comes and thinks she has some talent, take her with you as payment for the treatment."

If Tao Doudou had Sword Venerable Jinglin's protection, perhaps her fate would be different.

Chapter 8: The Eighth Frame

Yan Qingsui watched Qiao Ranran walk away, grinding his back teeth. That woman really had left just like that.

But he knew he had more important things to do. He had no time to dwell on anything else. He took Qiao Ranran's advice to heart, too. She did not say much, so she must have had a reason for making a point of warning him.

Someone had destroyed both his identity jade token and his storage bag. Earlier, his Spiritual Power had been exhausted, leaving him unable to use even the simplest Spell Art, let alone fight back or call for help. Now that he had Spiritual Power again, he immediately formed a Communication Spirit Crane and sent a message to his father.

But the distance was vast, and someone could easily intercept a Communication Spirit Crane. He had to be careful. Thinking of Qiao Ranran's composed face, he bared his teeth and formed another Communication Spirit Crane.

The message inside was brief. Anyone else would have no idea what he meant, but his father would understand.

Qiao Ranran was delighted. Saving someone was part of it, but more importantly, her medical skills had not diminished when her Rebirth returned her to her younger body. Well, they had suffered somewhat. Her cultivation was low now, after all, and that limited her. But with the experience from her previous life, her cultivation would progress smoothly. Every needle she placed and every Spell Art she used was practice.

The man appeared out of nowhere, sweeping over Qiao Ranran's head like a gust of wind. Her only thought was to wonder where this powerful cultivator had come from. Then, the next instant, the gust curved around and blew right into her path.

It even blew a stray lock of hair straight up from her head.

She pressed it down and looked at the man before her. How could she put it? She could not discern his cultivation, but she could tell he was formidable. His appearance, though, was a disaster.

He looked like a heap of rags dragged out of some ruin. Dust flew whenever he moved, and a strange smell washed over her. His hair was wild and his face filthy; forget his features, she could barely make out his shape.

Qiao Ranran stared. Where did this walking poison bomb come from?

The newcomer looked her up and down with an expression that could only be described as disdain. "Tsk. Qi Refining Stage?"

Qiao Ranran nearly bristled. With an enormous effort of will, she held back, took a step away with a smile, and asked, "What can I do for you, senior?"

"Tsk." The strange figure shook himself, as though shedding dozens of pounds of grime. He pushed his hair back, revealing a face that was still visibly fine-featured beneath the dirt. "You don't have a master, do you?"

"Hmm?" Qiao Ranran managed to sound calm, apart from the sharp rise in her voice.

"Good if you don't. Ahem. So, how about becoming my disciple?"

"Hmm?" There were oddballs every year, but this year had brought more than its share.

"Forget it. It'll take too long to explain. Come with me!"

And just like that, Qiao Ranran was whisked away.

Under the pressure of a powerful cultivator, she had no strength to resist. He lifted her by the back of her collar with two fingers and carried her off. As wind roared around them, she was immensely grateful that her clothes were sturdy. Otherwise, it could have ended very badly for her.

The man's behavior was bizarre. He also seemed not to have considered that the girl in his grip, his prospective disciple, had only just reached Qi Refining First Layer. The Astral Wind generated by his speed could easily have cut her all over.

When they reached their destination and stopped, he glanced at her by reflex and caught sight of a Spell Art fading from her hand.

Was that a Wind-Blocking Art? No, a Wind-Blocking Art stacked with a Wind-Riding Art? He was stunned. He had only gone to pick up a disciple because he had been instructed to. Yet this girl, who had only just entered the Qi Refining Stage, could stack Spell Arts, forming a different one with each hand?

What kind of genius was she?

His expression turned solemn as he watched the girl land and calmly straighten herself up. Her composure made him suddenly feel that his earlier behavior had been a little discourteous.

"Ahem." He coughed awkwardly. "Who taught you those Spell Arts?"

Spell Arts? Qiao Ranran looked down at her pale palm. Some memories seemed very distant now. "I taught myself."

He drew a sharp breath and silently scratched his head.

Qiao Ranran looked around. She had no idea where this strange man had brought her. The Spiritual Qi was so abundant that every pore in her body seemed to be straining to breathe it in. It was denser even than on Clear Feather Sect's most treasured peak. And this appeared to be only the outer grounds.

The winding path ahead disappeared into the mist nearby, its destination hidden from view. Beside it, a stone stele slowly emerged from the haze. Three large characters leaped out at her.

Profound Heart Sect

Qiao Ranran stared.

She was genuinely astonished. She had lingered in Clear Spring Town to wait for cultivators from the Profound Heart Sect and see whether an opportunity arose. She had never imagined that this eccentric man would bring her straight to the Profound Heart Sect so easily!