Xueling’s expression instantly changed as she detected someone’s presence.
She reached for her sword and mist began spreading through the house.
She wondered who it was. Had her brother decided to act this quickly? Well, no matter. Since they had decided to move against her, she wouldn’t be polite either.
A girl was walking slowly through the house when she suddenly noticed the incoming mist cloud. Before she could react, she felt something cold press against her back.
"Who sent you?" Xueling asked coldly.
"What are you doing?" the girl asked in a flat, monotone voice.
"Liu Jingxing?" Xueling asked in shock. She immediately let go of her and the mist disappeared. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you think? I’m here to clean the house. It’s my job," she said matter-of-factly.
Xueling looked at her carefully.
She thought to herself that this girl was really strange. Although she was a servant, she didn’t speak with the respect the others showed. She acted the same way toward her brothers as well. Xueling had decided to keep her around because she felt this girl might be hiding something.
"Anyway, why did you suddenly attack me?" Jingxing asked.
"Ah... I thought you were someone sent by my brother," she said, sheathing her sword.
"Why would your brother send someone to attack you within sect grounds? The sect master..." she suddenly paused. "Unless it’s not to attack you, but someone else," she said.
Xueling’s expression froze.
"I heard rumors that the lady brought a man with her yesterday. Could the rumors be true?" Jingxing questioned. Seeing Xueling’s expression, she continued, "I see, so that’s how it is. I hadn’t expected the lady to be this kind of person. I am impressed," she said, though her face remained completely blank.
"But Lady Su, you should know that when men and..." she began, but before she could finish, Xueling started pushing her toward the door.
"Ahhh, you talk too much! Leave!" she said, pushing her toward the exit.
"Wait, I still haven’t cleaned!" Jingxing shouted, gripping the doorframe.
"No need, I’ll clean it myself," Xueling said, prying her fingers from the door. "And don’t bring food either. I’ll cook for myself." She finally managed to get Jingxing’s hands off the door and pushed her outside.
When she was outside, Jingxing looked at her with a serious expression.
"What?" Xueling asked.
"Lady Su, although you like someone, it’s not good to imprison them in your house," Jingxing said.
"It’s not imprisonment!" she shouted before slamming the door shut.
"Hmph," she scoffed as she walked away. What does she know? she thought.
But as she walked, she suddenly paused. That’s right - she had brought him here and wasn’t letting him leave.
Wasn’t she actually imprisoning him?
During breakfast, Xueling kept stealing glances at Yu Tian.
She wondered if he wanted to go out.
Yesterday, he had wanted to go out to get his own clothes and identification, but she had refused, going for it herself instead. But this was because she really cared about him and didn’t want him to be in danger outside. Still, this didn’t mean she could just imprison him here.
She clutched her head.
"Is something wrong?" Yu Tian asked, noticing her strange behavior.
Hearing his voice, she composed herself. "Nothing," she responded.
"Alright," Yu Tian said and continued eating.
She thought to herself that if the problem was about safety, then it should be fine if they went together, right? She watched him for some time before speaking up.
"Say... Yu Tian," she called out softly.
"What is it?" He raised his gaze to meet hers.
"Is there something you want to do?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt
Her eyes brightened. "What is it? Tell me," she spoke excitedly.
"I want to cultivate my mind realm," he said, causing her face to fall.
"Not like that," she said. "Do you want to go out with me?" she asked. Then she realized what she had said. Before she could correct herself...
"Not really," he said. "Do you need my help with something?" he asked.
She clutched her chest. Dammit, even if he didn’t mean it like that, it still hurt.
"No, not help," she said. She then looked to the side. "I just thought you might feel like I’m holding you here forcefully if you can’t leave," she said.
Yu Tian was surprised by her words. He then smiled. "Well... are you?" he asked.
"Ah... no... of course not," she said, waving her hands frantically.
Yu Tian just smiled at her.
She lowered her gaze.
"I guess there is something else I want," Yu Tian said, holding his chin in thought.
She instantly perked up upon hearing this. "Really? What is it?" she asked.
"I learned so much when upgrading your technique. I’d like to study more manuals to improve my skills," he said.
Her eyes brightened. "Then let’s go," she said, getting up.
"Really?" Yu Tian asked. "Will I be able to access the manuals as just an outer disciple with no contributions?"
Although he was now an outer disciple, he had only been one for a day and hadn’t racked up any sect contribution points to request things like manuals.
Sect contribution points were just like they sounded - points that disciples could gain by going on missions and contributing to the sect. The contribution points could be considered the main currency for disciples in the sect and could be used to exchange for various things.
The only way to get contribution points was through doing sect missions, and they couldn’t be transferred. Of course, some people always found ways around this. If you wanted someone’s points to buy something, even if they couldn’t transfer them to you, you could just force them to buy it for you themselves using various means.
"What contributions? Are you forgetting who I am?" Xueling asked, placing her hand on her chest proudly.
Yu Tian thought to himself that with her, he should indeed be able to access the manuals. "Alright then. Let’s go," he said, getting up.