Forty-Six Frames

Qiao Ranran raised an eyebrow and shot Pei Ling a look.

Pei Ling only smiled.

So the lesson Pei Ling had taught Jiang Miaomiao that day definitely hadn't been as simple as a bump on the forehead. With the Heavenly Evolution Sword Sect's resources, days had passed and the injury on her forehead still hadn't healed. She even needed a beaded curtain to hide it.

Qiao Ranran gave Pei Ling an encouraging look that said, Nicely done.

Xiang Rongxi was holding a Communication Jade Token, exchanging messages with someone. Everyone in his group looked more or less bedraggled. They had probably run into a Demon Beast and were resting here.

Jiang Miaomiao was among the few who still looked neat and pretty. She sat on a clean cushion with a cup of steaming Spirit Tea in her hand, her lips pursed as she complained about something. She happened to look up and saw Qiao Ranran and the others approaching. Her already sour expression turned uglier still, and she set down her cup and sprang to her feet.

Her sudden movement startled quite a few people. Thinking another Demon Beast had attacked, they jumped up clutching their weapons, only to see Qiao Ranran and her two companions. Yan Qingsui had one hand on his sword hilt and waved the other lazily.

"What a coincidence, everyone."

Yan Qingsui had never been good-tempered. He was only a little more "well-behaved" around Qiao Ranran. Back at the Heavenly Evolution Sword Sect, he had spent years acting like a spoiled young master because he wanted to oppose Sword Venerable Jinglin. He was no less disliked than Jiang Miaomiao; he simply threw his weight around differently. He roamed the sect every day with his sword, challenging people to duels. He fought fiercely and recklessly, then called