The two of them left the Main Hall area and returned along the same small path they had taken earlier.
On the way, Fang Xuan quickly reviewed the plot in his mind.
In the original novel, there were several key turning points coming up next.
The sect tournament, Ning Xian being framed for poisoning Shen Qingqing, the blood-exchange plot, and then being punished with a demon extermination mission down the mountain, leading to the demonic cultivator backstab incident...
Now, because of his intervention, Ning Xian’s injuries had recovered early and her spirit bone had been reshaped. Shen Chen's attention had also clearly shifted toward him.
The sect tournament part might be skipped or changed into a mere formality since Shen Chen had directly designated the secret realm slots.
But the two classic points of suffering—the blood-exchange and the demon extermination mission—were things Shen Chen likely wouldn't let go easily.
Especially the blood-exchange... Fang Xuan’s eyes turned slightly cold.
In the original novel, Shen Qingqing’s body rejected the spirit bone, so Shen Chen forcibly extracted Ning Xian’s origin blood essence to stabilize it, nearly killing Ning Xian in the process.
Now that Ning Xian’s condition had improved, if something went wrong on Shen Qingqing’s side again, Shen Chen would very likely still have the same idea.
He had to stay on guard.
If he went to the secret realm and Ning Xian was left alone on Sword Peak, what if Shen Qingqing took advantage of his absence to strike at his adorable senior sister...
No, he had to find a reliable way.
However, there was no rush for now.
At worst, he would just skip the secret realm by claiming a sudden relapse of old injuries or a cultivation mishap. He’d find an excuse to stay behind.
Though the resources inside were a pity, Ning Xian’s safety was more important.
As he was lost in thought, Ning Xian’s cold voice rang out beside him, sounding a bit tense:
"What did... Shen Chen say to you?"
After asking, she seemed to feel it was a bit abrupt and pursed her lips.
By all rights... she was the one who shouldn't be asking.
But Shen Chen was a man of treacherous schemes.
Fang Xuan turned to look at her and smiled. "Nothing much. He just gave me a token to select a technique from the Scripture Pavillion and asked me to represent Sword Peak in the Qingyun Secret Realm."
A secret realm slot? Ning Xian’s footsteps paused slightly, and her brows furrowed instantly. As expected...
"...Shen Chen is most skilled at framing others and using someone else’s blade to do his dirty work. You must be extremely careful. In the secret realm, the danger comes not only from demon beasts and the environment but more likely from people."
Considering how he had treated Shen Qingqing in the hall just now, Shen Chen must have already marked him as a thorn in his side.
This trip to the secret realm would likely be a death trap...
.......
"Mm, don't worry, Senior Sister."
Fang Xuan nodded, indicating he understood.
Ning Xian glanced at him. Seeing that he didn't seem to take it much to heart, the anxiety in her mind grew even stronger.
This junior brother of hers had high talent and a big heart, but sometimes he just didn't take danger seriously enough.
She suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a hint of irritation she hadn't noticed herself: "Come back with me to receive your punishment."
Fang Xuan was stunned. "???"
"Huh? Senior Sister, aren't we going to pick a technique?"
Ning Xian was startled by his question, only then realizing she had spoken her mental plan for... disciplinary measures out loud.
Her expression remained cold, but her earlobes uncontrollably turned a soft red. She quickly tried to cover it up: "First... we will go to the Scripture Pavillion to select a technique."
She was secretly annoyed with herself. Why did she get so flustered that her words came out so fast just thinking about him being in danger?
Fang Xuan saw her entire reaction.
He had to hold back his laughter, or else it might not just be her earlobes turning red.
He decided to press his advantage, his tone innocent: "Senior Sister, why do you want to punish me again?"
"D-Don't talk back to your senior sister."
Ning Xian was a bit overwhelmed by his question, and the temperature of her already flushed cheeks seemed to rise further.
She quickened her pace, walking ahead of Fang Xuan and leaving him with only her slightly hurried back.
.......
"Senior Sister, walk a little slower. Also, Senior Sister, why is your face so red?"
"Shut up. It's... it's the heat..."
"Oh—"
.......
His senior sister was too cute; it made his heart itch.
Suddenly, he felt an inexplicable urge... a desire to see her composure shatter... to see those cold eyes mist over and hear that cool voice lose its steady rhythm...
【Detected training slave Fang Xuan harboring improper desires toward master Ning Xian.】
【System Determination: These thoughts of coveting the master represent a breach of conduct, as they do not align with the core principle that 'a training slave should only seek the master’s grace and discipline'.】
【Warning: This is a serious ideological violation! Considering this is the host’s first offense and a natural human reaction, no training value will be deducted this time, but ideological correction is required!】
【Please recite silently three times: I am the master's servant, everything I have belongs to the master. I am only worthy of the master’s grace and discipline.】
Fang Xuan remained silent.
The system... really knew how to pick a time.
Though... a natural human reaction? The system had finally said something sensible.
As for the ideological correction at the end... he ignored it automatically.
.......
Seeing that he no longer mentioned her blushing or the punishment, Ning Xian breathed a small sigh of relief, though the heat on her face hadn't completely faded yet.
The two stopped talking, but the atmosphere was no longer awkward. Instead, there was a subtle harmony.
.......
The Scripture Pavillion of the Qingyun Sect was located halfway up the main peak. It was a vast, seven-story pagoda-shaped building.
With its flying eaves and brackets, it looked majestic and was surrounded by powerful protective restriction barriers.
After showing the token Shen Chen had given him and being verified by the pavilion-guarding elder, the two stepped into the main hall on the first floor.
Normally, outsiders were not allowed to enter.
However, everyone understood the wisdom of not looking for trouble where none existed; there was no need to make things difficult.
.......
The space inside the hall was vast, with rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretching out almost out of sight.
Innumerable jade slips, bamboo scrolls, and even paper books were organized by category on the shelves.
"The first floor mostly stores yellow-grade and black-grade techniques, as well as various foundational spells and miscellaneous texts. Yellow-grade is already useless for you, so focus on the black-grade area."
Ning Xian introduced the place in a low voice; she was clearly very familiar with it.
"Sword scriptures are in District C, movement techniques are in District E, and body tempering or auxiliary techniques are in other areas. You can browse on your own first. If you find it hard to decide..."
She paused for a moment before saying, "I can help you look them over."
Fang Xuan looked at the vast sea of scrolls before him, feeling a bit dizzy.
He was fine when it came to fighting, but picking the most suitable book from so many jade slips that looked almost the same... was indeed a bit much to ask of this fake genius.
"Senior Sister, I don't know much about these. It's better if you pick for me. Whatever you think suits me, I'll learn that."
Ning Xian glanced at him, seemingly unsurprised by his laziness. She gave a slight nod. "Follow me."
Fang Xuan followed obediently behind her, watching her serious side profile.
When it came to picking techniques, one had to rely on the protagonist.
According to the tropes, even if the protagonist just picked up a random fragment, it would turn out to be heaven-grade or even dao-grade... With Senior Sister's luck, she might actually fish out a treasure for him.
Rate on N.U.
