Chapter 14: An Unusual Partnership

Wang Xinglong: “?”

After a long silence, he couldn’t help but ask, “What are you doing?”

Song Junyu’s face remained expressionless, her tone indifferent: “I’m exhausted.”

Having said that, she found Wang Xinglong bothersome and coldly dismissed him, “Go your own way. Why keep staring at me? Those who rank high will surely receive rewards. Don’t want yours anymore?”

Wang Xinglong instinctively wanted to say, “Of course I want it,” but the next moment, inexplicably, he blurted out, “Why don’t you want yours?”

Seeing Song Junyu’s eyes deepen and grow colder, Wang Xinglong wanted nothing more than to slap himself.

Though this woman hadn’t just now dealt him a harsh blow, it didn’t mean she wouldn’t truly get ruthless.

He had been sharp-tongued and arrogant since childhood, yet he had managed to grow up safely, which meant he had some sense.

After a few breaths, he feigned nonchalance, shaking off the moment and restoring his usual arrogance: “Then don’t blame me for taking the lead.”

But just as he took a step, he felt a weight like a mountain pressing down, nearly crushing his shoulder blades.

With no other choice, Wang Xinglong mustered all his spiritual energy to erect a protective shield.

But such immense force could not be stopped by a mere shield. In the next instant, his entire body was slammed to the ground, with only half a finger able to move slightly.

Song Junyu observed the entire process, her eyes narrowing with scrutiny as she stared at a nearby brick that was clearly uneven and dented, lost in thought.

Thanks to Lady Liu’s previous teachings—to always be wary of environmental changes and to pay close attention to surroundings—although she knew little about spiritual plants and beasts, she was well-versed in the nature of rocks.

This stone was Loushan rock, an extremely hard material from the Immortal Realm. For it to bear such marks, it must have been struck by an external force.

She had suspected this when she saw the situation, and indeed, her suspicion was confirmed by this fool’s predicament.

After a while, seeing Wang Xinglong still motionless, Song Junyu furrowed her brow and asked aloud, “Are you still alive?”

Wang Xinglong mustered all his strength to twitch his foot as a response.

Seeing this, Song Junyu slightly relaxed.

Not because she truly wished to befriend him, but because she didn’t know who else might be secretly observing her. If someone died here, wouldn’t she be the one dragged in for interrogation?

This halfway point of the path had to be completed, but how could she minimize her own presence?

After pondering for a long time, Song Junyu suddenly stepped up another step, then seemingly casually reached out and pushed Wang Xinglong upward.

Only he knew the surge of spiritual energy that flowed into him, instantly alleviating most of his pain. He wanted to turn and say something, but was pushed up half a step further.

A low voice came through the air: “Grab something, hold me tight!”

Wang Xinglong was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood. He took a wooden staff-like object from his storage pouch and allowed Song Junyu to grasp the other end.

And so, the two began to move forward, pushing, pulling, and aiding each other.

Above the clouds, everyone fell into silence for a long time.

Finally, the Master of the Refining Peak couldn’t hold back: “Why must the Heavenly Path muffle all sound? These two kids are saying something, but I’m completely lost!”

The Master of the Absolute Martial Peak folded his arms and snorted: “The Ancestor is on the Heavenly Path. If you’ve got the skill, open a hole and listen!”

“By your judgment, what do you think of the boy?” The Master of the Willow Peak interrupted at an opportune moment.

The Master of the Fragrant Dan Peak stroked his long beard, his eyes gleaming, but he smiled without a word.

Though he didn’t know why the girl suddenly lost strength, he had the feeling she had a plan and intentionally stopped at this crucial point on the Heavenly Path.

But first, it was just his speculation without proof; second, he would never let such news out.

The Fragrant Dan Peak rarely produced disciples with spirit in a hundred years. If the girl was truly as he suspected, then no matter the cost, he would make sure she stayed.

At the back, Baoluo, who had been sitting quietly, slowly opened his eyes upon hearing the voices. He glanced around, finally fixing his gaze on the water curtain at the center.

Beneath the shimmering surface, two figures climbed slowly, their pace sometimes quickening, sometimes slowing, even falling simultaneously, looking like two friends helping each other.

After staring long, he commented lightly, “Clumsy.”

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he departed.

After they left, the Master of the Absolute Martial Peak couldn’t help but grumble indignantly, “They are becoming more and more disrespectful!”

The Master of the Willow Peak smiled charmingly, leaning back on the soft couch, “Everyone has their own ambitions. Let’s mind our own business. If they don’t interfere with our selection, isn’t that better?”

The Master of the Refining Peak sighed, “Though so, don’t forget those two.”

The Master of the Willow Peak’s eyes narrowed, revealing a hint of mockery: “The Punishment Hall and the Spirit Beast Hall?”

The other three nodded in agreement.

Then the Master of the Willow Peak twirled a strand of hair and added with a faint smile, “The rank of Hall Master is not the same as that of Peak Master. Gentlemen, I believe our Sect Leader knows.”

...

Beneath the clouds.

“Ahhh—I'm exhausted!”

When Song Junyu and Wang Xinglong stepped onto the last staircase, they finally saw several small pavilions. The platform was flat, with a few people sitting around resting.

Seeing the two arrive in a disheveled state, a few gave faint sneers.

Wang Xinglong, already irritable, had suffered the most from Song Junyu since entering the sect. Yet, along the way, he had also received many favors from her. With debts and grievances balancing out, he naturally directed his anger toward the others.

“What are you laughing at?”

He narrowed his round eyes, snorted, and pointed at the person who seemed the easiest to provoke—

“You! What are you laughing at?”

Song Junyu followed his finger and saw a young man in the distance with a wooden sword hanging at his waist, slender in build, dressed in black robes. Compared to others, his physique was indeed a bit frail.

However—

Song Junyu’s gaze fell on the man’s face, her expression growing colder. Calmness within her surged like turbulent waves.

Xie Yang, Baoluo’s fourth disciple, her former second senior brother.

In terms of affection, she had little with Xie Yang. But in terms of hatred, she had an entire basketful.

From the first day she joined Baoluo’s discipleship, Xie Yang acted like a madman, constantly playing dirty tricks.

He threw her new clothes into the river, stole all her secretly hidden spirit stones, and mocked her mercilessly when she made mistakes. It was even Xie Yang who first spread the rumor that she was a jinx.

If these were mere petty squabbles, the real enmity was sealed on the eve of her soul’s departure from her body.

Xie Yang deceived her into going to the tree beneath the cliff of Baoluo Peak, claiming there was a relic left by Lady Liu. Without hesitation, she followed. But he first attacked her, then deliberately tried to kill her. If not for Chen Xiangshui trailing behind to stop him, she would have lost her life.

The vast sea changed, yet it was only the enemy who prospered, leaving her heart restless.

Seeing Xie Yang’s eyes narrow with mockery as he raised his sword toward Wang Xinglong, Song Junyu acted swiftly, pulling him aside and dodging the strike.

The storm settled, their eyes met—one appraising, the other icy.

Just as Xie Yang was about to speak, Song Junyu struck first: “If I recall correctly, the Sect’s examination regulations state one: if abnormalities occur on the path, those tasked with maintaining order may intervene—but must not overstep and harm others. That rule…”

“Perhaps this senior brother has forgotten?”